George Monck was one of the greatest generals of English history.

In the ‘Sword of the State’ trilogy award-winning author Richard Woodman recreates the true story of George Monck, a giant of the 17th Century. Monck is all but forgotten today, yet his legacy is nothing less than the British monarchy and a famous regiment - the Coldstream Guards. The trilogy includes:

The Forging

Winter 1644, the Tower of London.

Colonel George Monck is confined to his prison chamber in St Thomas’s tower, charged with high treason.

A brilliant soldier, admiral and military governor, Monck joined the King’s men in besieging Nantwich.

But the Parliamentary side’s more disciplined army successfully routed them, and Monck was thrown in jail.

Brooding and despondent, Monck’s troubles look to intensify when he starts an affair with Anne Ratsford, a married woman who is caring for him in The Tower.

In an age when adultery is not only a mortal sin, but a capital offence, Monck is not only risking his reputation, but his life.

But then his fortunes begin to change.

Word of his prowess has reached Parliament, and he is offered a position within their army.

All that stands in his way is his honour…

The Tempering

The year is 1652.

General George Monck has been through an awful lot since he sat as a prisoner in the Tower of London eight years before.

He had led his men admirably through campaigns in Ireland and Scotland, but still storm clouds surround his future.

Six months ago Monck’s life had been put in peril as he underwent the agonies of the spotted-fever.

He had been away from his beloved Anne for many months and had come to London to find whether Ratsford – who had abandoned Anne some four years earlier after robbing her of her life’s savings – was alive and still proving to be an obstacle to their proposed marriage or dead.

Now rumours were surfacing that the increasing difficulties with the Dutch were most likely to lead to war, thus creating a further obstacle to Monck’s matrimonial intentions.

But the soldier in Monck would never stand down from the call of duty.

His life with Anne will have to wait as Parliament and the Army Council require the general’s artillery expertise as naval conflict with the Dutch becomes inevitable.

Will the great general find his sea legs and overcome his greatest challenge yet?

The Wielding

The year is 1659.

Lord General George Monck has set up on camp on the River Tweed on the border of Scotland and England with his loyal army.

He has plans to retire, to spend the rest of his years on his estates in Essex and Potheridge with his wife, Anne, and son, Kit.

But the changing political climate in London forces him to march his army south to the capital and Monck isn’t one to defy duty.

In the Rump of the Long Parliament, the case is being made for an end to the Commonwealth and for the Restoration of the Monarchy.

Some want Charles, the son of the previous King, to return from his exile in France whilst others would even have Monck, with his Plantagenet blood, as their King.

When the Monarchy is restored, there is never a quiet moment for Monck.