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Description edit
In 1650s England, a young Puritan maiden is on a mission to save the baby of her newly widowed preacher--whether her assistance is wanted or not. Always ready to help those in need, Elizabeth ignores John's protests of her aid. She's even willing to risk her lone marriage prospect to help the... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Summary edit
In 1650s England, a young Puritan maiden is on a mission to save the baby of her newly widowed preacher--whether her assistance is wanted or not. Always ready to help those in need, Elizabeth ignores John's protests of her aid. She's even willing to risk her lone marriage prospect to help the... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)
Characters/People edit
- Sister Bird: wet nurse selected by Mrs. Grew to care for Thomas; member of the congregation
- Mary: Eldest Costin daughter
- Samuel Muddle: a cooper; understood that he and Elizabeth would marry
- John Costin: a tinker; widowed father with 4 young children; a Puritan who travels preaching to others
- Elizabeth Whitbread: daughter of a baker in Bedford; becomes housekeeper for John Costin and cares for his 4 children after his wife's death
- Catherine Whitbread: Elizabeth's younger sister
- Thomas Costin: John's infant son
- Sister Norton: widowed woman who lives with her sister; friend of Elizabeth
- Mrs. Grew: wealthy woman who attends same church; dislikes Elizabeth because Elizabeth didn't follow her instructions; extremely self-righteous
- Brother Robert Whitbread: Elizabeth's father; a baker
- Lucy: impoverished woman who Elizabeth hires as a wet nurse for Thomas
- Anne: Elizabeth's sister
- Betsy: John's youngest daughter
- Sarah: John's sister-in-law
- Vicar Burton: vicar of the Bedford congregations
- William Foster: Royallist; hates John for preaching because he is poor; evil
- Willie Costin: John's brother
- Henry: helps Elizabeth's father in the bakery; Elizabeth's brother-in-law
- Elder Harrington: member of congregation; father of girl John considers marrying
- Vicar Gibbs: vicar of the congregation at Newport Pagnell; John's friend
- Mr. Wingate: William Foster's brother-in-law; Royallist
- Martha: Lucy's sister
- Fulke: Lucy's 'husband'
- Jane: Elizabeth's sister; married to Henry
- Oliver Cromwell: Lord Protector of England; took over after Charles I was defeated
- Sir Matthew Hale: judge; part of summer assize hearing John's case
- Johnny Costin: John's son
- Judge Twisden: judge in the assize hearing John's case
- Sister Spencer: widowed member of congregation; lives with her sister who is also a widow
- Brother Burgess: owner of farm where prayer meeting was being held when John was arrested
- Lord Barkwood: lord who Elizabeth speaks to at Westminster Palace in order to gain clemency for John
- Brother Lyte: member of congregation present when John was arrested
- Bedell of Beggars: position held to keep vagrants out of town; empowered to send the to workhouses
- Richard Cromwell: successor of his father, Oliver Cromwell, as Lord Protector
- Charles II: King of England; returned from France after Oliver Cromwell's death
First Sentence edit
The babe's crying would rip her heart to shreds if she had to listen to it one more minute.
Authors & Contributors edit
- Jody Hedlund (Author)
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
- Dewey: 813.6
Subjects edit
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