{"id":581,"date":"2020-06-21T09:50:19","date_gmt":"2020-06-21T08:50:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=581"},"modified":"2025-02-17T09:54:16","modified_gmt":"2025-02-17T09:54:16","slug":"a-cornish-betrothal","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=581","title":{"rendered":"A Cornish Betrothal"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_2_3 2_3 fusion-two-third fusion-column-first\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:66.666666666667%;width:calc(66.666666666667% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.66666666666667 ) );margin-right: 4%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><h1>A Cornish Betrothal<\/h1>\n<h3>Cornwall, 1798.<\/h3>\n<p>Eighteen months have passed since Midshipman Edmund Melville was declared missing, presumed dead, and Amelia Carew has mended her heart and fallen in love with a young physician, Luke Bohenna. But, on her twenty-fifth birthday, Amelia suddenly receives a letter from Edmund announcing his imminent return. In a state of shock, devastated that she now loves Luke so passionately, she is torn between the two.<\/p>\n<p>When Edmund returns, it is clear that his time away has changed him &#8211; he wears scars both mental and physical. Amelia, however, is determined to nurse him back to health and honour his heroic actions in the Navy by renouncing Luke.<\/p>\n<p>But soon, Amelia begins to question what really happened to Edmund while he was missing. As the threads of truth slip through her fingers, she doesn&#8217;t know who to turn to: Edmund, or Luke?<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-tabs fusion-tabs-1 classic nav-is-justified horizontal-tabs icon-position-left mobile-mode-accordion\" style=\"--awb-title-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-title-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-title-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-title-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-alignment:start;--awb-inactive-color:#ebeaea;--awb-background-color:#ffffff;--awb-border-color:#ebeaea;--awb-active-border-color:#444444;\"><div class=\"nav\"><ul class=\"nav-tabs nav-justified\" role=\"tablist\"><li class=\"active\" role=\"presentation\"><a class=\"tab-link\" data-toggle=\"tab\" role=\"tab\" aria-controls=\"tab-684fd7b7585846e6360\" aria-selected=\"true\" id=\"fusion-tab-buyonline\" href=\"#tab-684fd7b7585846e6360\"><h4 class=\"fusion-tab-heading\"><i class=\"fontawesome-icon fa-angle-right fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"font-size:13px;\"><\/i>Buy Online<\/h4><\/a><\/li><li role=\"presentation\"><a class=\"tab-link\" data-toggle=\"tab\" role=\"tab\" aria-controls=\"tab-c97e409c893448f731a\" aria-selected=\"false\" tabindex=\"-1\" id=\"fusion-tab-watchvideo\" href=\"#tab-c97e409c893448f731a\"><h4 class=\"fusion-tab-heading\"><i class=\"fontawesome-icon fa-angle-right fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"font-size:13px;\"><\/i>Watch Video<\/h4><\/a><\/li><li role=\"presentation\"><a class=\"tab-link\" data-toggle=\"tab\" role=\"tab\" aria-controls=\"tab-1b6c3e6dd48d986b6f2\" aria-selected=\"false\" tabindex=\"-1\" id=\"fusion-tab-associations\" href=\"#tab-1b6c3e6dd48d986b6f2\"><h4 class=\"fusion-tab-heading\"><i class=\"fontawesome-icon fa-angle-right fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"font-size:13px;\"><\/i>Associations<\/h4><\/a><\/li><li role=\"presentation\"><a class=\"tab-link\" data-toggle=\"tab\" role=\"tab\" aria-controls=\"tab-1299e11a57be112e38d\" aria-selected=\"false\" tabindex=\"-1\" id=\"fusion-tab-audiobook\" href=\"#tab-1299e11a57be112e38d\"><h4 class=\"fusion-tab-heading\"><i class=\"fontawesome-icon fa-angle-right fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"font-size:13px;\"><\/i>Audio Book<\/h4><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"tab-content\"><div class=\"nav fusion-mobile-tab-nav\"><ul class=\"nav-tabs nav-justified\" role=\"tablist\"><li class=\"active\" role=\"presentation\"><a class=\"tab-link\" data-toggle=\"tab\" role=\"tab\" aria-controls=\"tab-684fd7b7585846e6360\" aria-selected=\"true\" id=\"mobile-fusion-tab-buyonline\" href=\"#tab-684fd7b7585846e6360\"><h4 class=\"fusion-tab-heading\"><i class=\"fontawesome-icon fa-angle-right fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"font-size:13px;\"><\/i>Buy Online<\/h4><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"tab-pane fade fusion-clearfix in active\" role=\"tabpanel\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-labelledby=\"fusion-tab-buyonline\" id=\"tab-684fd7b7585846e6360\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.waterstones.com\/book\/a-cornish-betrothal\/nicola-pryce\/9781838950903\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Waterstones<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.foyles.co.uk\/witem\/fiction-poetry\/a-cornish-betrothal,nicola-pryce-9781838950903\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Foyles<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hive.co.uk\/Product\/Nicola-Author-Pryce\/A-Cornish-Betrothal--A-sweeping-historical-romance-for-fans-of-Bridgerton\/25297939\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hive<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kobo.com\/gb\/en\/search?query=nicola+Pryce\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rakuten Kobo<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Cornish-Betrothal-Saga\/dp\/1838950907\/ref=sr_1_2?crid=J9YGUCO6BG4I&#038;keywords=a+cornish+betrothal+nicola+pryce&#038;qid=1685609810&#038;sprefix=a+cornish+betrothal+nicola+pryce%2Caps%2C174&#038;sr=8-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Amazon<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.waterstones.com\/book\/a-cornish-betrothal\/nicola-pryce\/9781838950903\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Waterstones<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/w\/a-cornish-betrothal-nicola-pryce\/1136378320?ean=9781838950903\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Barnes &#038; Noble\u00ae<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.whsmith.co.uk\/products\/a-cornish-betrothal-cornish-saga\/nicola-pryce\/paperback\/9781838950903.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WHSmith<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Australia: New Zealand: US<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/stores\/Nicola-Pryce\/author\/B01G5YWYVM?ref=ap_rdr&#038;store_ref=ap_rdr&#038;isDramIntegrated=true&#038;shoppingPortalEnabled=true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Amazon.com<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.allenandunwin.com\/search?keyword=Nicola%20Pryce&#038;page=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Allen and Unwin<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fishpond.com.au\/c\/Books\/a\/Nicola+Pryce\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fishpond.com.au<\/a><\/div><div class=\"nav fusion-mobile-tab-nav\"><ul class=\"nav-tabs nav-justified\" role=\"tablist\"><li role=\"presentation\"><a class=\"tab-link\" data-toggle=\"tab\" role=\"tab\" aria-controls=\"tab-c97e409c893448f731a\" aria-selected=\"false\" tabindex=\"-1\" id=\"mobile-fusion-tab-watchvideo\" href=\"#tab-c97e409c893448f731a\"><h4 class=\"fusion-tab-heading\"><i class=\"fontawesome-icon fa-angle-right fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"font-size:13px;\"><\/i>Watch Video<\/h4><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"tab-pane fade fusion-clearfix\" role=\"tabpanel\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-labelledby=\"fusion-tab-watchvideo\" id=\"tab-c97e409c893448f731a\">\n<div class=\"fusion-video fusion-youtube\" style=\"--awb-max-width:600px;--awb-max-height:360px;\"><div class=\"video-shortcode\"><div class=\"fluid-width-video-wrapper\" style=\"padding-top:60%;\" ><iframe title=\"YouTube video player 1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pfFppWc6y3A?wmode=transparent&autoplay=0\" width=\"600\" height=\"360\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"nav fusion-mobile-tab-nav\"><ul class=\"nav-tabs nav-justified\" role=\"tablist\"><li role=\"presentation\"><a class=\"tab-link\" data-toggle=\"tab\" role=\"tab\" aria-controls=\"tab-1b6c3e6dd48d986b6f2\" aria-selected=\"false\" tabindex=\"-1\" id=\"mobile-fusion-tab-associations\" href=\"#tab-1b6c3e6dd48d986b6f2\"><h4 class=\"fusion-tab-heading\"><i class=\"fontawesome-icon fa-angle-right fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"font-size:13px;\"><\/i>Associations<\/h4><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"tab-pane fade fusion-clearfix\" role=\"tabpanel\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-labelledby=\"fusion-tab-associations\" id=\"tab-1b6c3e6dd48d986b6f2\">\n<div class=\"fusion-text\">\n<p>Member of the Historical Writers Association and the Romantic Novelist Association<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-691 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/associations-1.jpg\" alt=\"Member of the Historical Writers Association and the Romantic Novelist Association\" width=\"583\" height=\"133\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/associations-1-200x46.jpg 200w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/associations-1-300x68.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/associations-1-400x91.jpg 400w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/associations-1.jpg 583w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 583px) 100vw, 583px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"nav fusion-mobile-tab-nav\"><ul class=\"nav-tabs nav-justified\" role=\"tablist\"><li role=\"presentation\"><a class=\"tab-link\" data-toggle=\"tab\" role=\"tab\" aria-controls=\"tab-1299e11a57be112e38d\" aria-selected=\"false\" tabindex=\"-1\" id=\"mobile-fusion-tab-audiobook\" href=\"#tab-1299e11a57be112e38d\"><h4 class=\"fusion-tab-heading\"><i class=\"fontawesome-icon fa-angle-right fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"font-size:13px;\"><\/i>Audio Book<\/h4><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"tab-pane fade fusion-clearfix\" role=\"tabpanel\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-labelledby=\"fusion-tab-audiobook\" id=\"tab-1299e11a57be112e38d\">\n<div class=\"fusion-button-wrapper\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-default fusion-button-default button-1 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/A-Cornish-Betrothal\/dp\/B08P5FH9RL\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2LB2QE1JERH18&amp;keywords=a+cornish+betrothal&amp;qid=1607336295&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=A+Cornish+Betrothal%2Cstr\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text\">Listen on Amazon<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_3 1_3 fusion-one-third fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:33.333333333333%;width:calc(33.333333333333% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.33333333333333 ) );\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element in-legacy-container\" style=\"--awb-liftup-border-radius:0px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"awb-image-frame awb-image-frame-1 imageframe-liftup\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"655\" height=\"1000\" alt=\"A Cornish Betrothal by Nicola Pryce\" title=\"A Cornish Betrothal by Nicola Pryce\" src=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/a-cornish-betrothal.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-595\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/a-cornish-betrothal-200x305.jpg 200w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/a-cornish-betrothal-400x611.jpg 400w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/a-cornish-betrothal-600x916.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/a-cornish-betrothal.jpg 655w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 655px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\"><p>Since hearing of her fianc\u00e9\u2019s death, Amelia Carew has thrown herself into creating a physic garden in his memory. Her physic garden supplies physicians and apothecaries all over Cornwall and her reputation as a herbalist is growing. She is on the committee for the new infirmary and her life has taken on new meaning now she has fallen deeply in love with a young physician, Luke Bohenna.<\/p>\n<p>Reeling with shock that Edmund Melville may still be alive, and consumed by guilt that she&#8217;s allowed herself to love again, Amelia re-reads Edmund\u2019 letters, reliving the exuberance of their youthful courtship, their vows, and his growing concern for his father\u2019s failing spice trade. Everything they planned together comes flooding back and she knows she cannot desert the man who has always adored her, who has fought valiantly for his country, and has suffered so much in the line of duty.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-3 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-3 fusion_builder_column_2_3 2_3 fusion-two-third fusion-column-first\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:66.666666666667%;width:calc(66.666666666667% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.66666666666667 ) );margin-right: 4%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3\"><p><strong>\u201c<\/strong>The day was overcast, a thick blanket of clouds sitting heavily above the town. Men stood hunched against the biting wind, the corner of High Cross almost deserted. Luke was right on time, dressed in his heavy overcoat, his collar pulled up, his hat drawn low over his ears, and I thought my heart would burst. He was smiling up at me, that loving smile that made my whole body flood with warmth.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Yer mother\u2019s foot\u2019s done very well under Dr Bohenna\u2019s attentive care. His daily visits have made all the difference.\u2019 Bethany was as flushed as I was and well she might be, all of them thinking I had fallen for their ruse. \u2018I do believe Lady Clarissa will soon be up and able to walk on her broken ankle.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-4 fusion_builder_column_1_3 1_3 fusion-one-third fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:33.333333333333%;width:calc(33.333333333333% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.33333333333333 ) );\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element in-legacy-container\" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-2 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" alt=\"herbs\" title=\"herbs\" src=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/herbs.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-671\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/herbs-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/herbs-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/herbs.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-4 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-5 fusion_builder_column_1_3 1_3 fusion-one-third fusion-column-first\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:33.333333333333%;width:calc(33.333333333333% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.33333333333333 ) );margin-right: 4%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element in-legacy-container\" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-3 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"693\" height=\"549\" title=\"5 Stage coach in snow\" src=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/5-Stage-coach-in-snow.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-606\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/5-Stage-coach-in-snow-200x158.jpg 200w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/5-Stage-coach-in-snow-400x317.jpg 400w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/5-Stage-coach-in-snow-600x475.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/5-Stage-coach-in-snow.jpg 693w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 693px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-6 fusion_builder_column_2_3 2_3 fusion-two-third fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:66.666666666667%;width:calc(66.666666666667% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.66666666666667 ) );\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4\"><p>Luke had not yet knocked on the door and stood smiling up at my window. I leaned against the pane and smiled back. \u2018I take it Papa has had no more of those dizzy turns?\u2019<\/p>\n<p>\u2018None that I know of . . .\u2019<\/p>\n<p>\u2018And Cook\u2019s headaches have stopped . . . and Seth\u2019s indigestion is better?\u2019<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Bethany had the grace to giggle. \u2018All better. All thanks to Dr Bohenna.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>The footman must have opened the door because Luke picked up his heavy leather case and disappeared under the pillared portico. Across the square, the stones of St Mary\u2019s church were growing increasingly grey, the spire now swallowed by the darkening sky\u2026..<strong>\u201d<\/strong> (Page 6)<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-5 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-7 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element in-legacy-container\" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-4 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"898\" height=\"351\" alt=\"House and Graves in Snow\" title=\"House and Graves in Snow\" src=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/house-graves-snow.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-611\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/house-graves-snow-200x78.jpg 200w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/house-graves-snow-400x156.jpg 400w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/house-graves-snow-600x235.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/house-graves-snow-800x313.jpg 800w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/house-graves-snow.jpg 898w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 898px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:20px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-5\"><p><strong>\u201c <\/strong>Snow was building against the leaded windows, the room in half-darkness. Edmund was sitting at the large desk surrounded by a mound of papers. He had his back to me, and my heart jolted in sudden fear. His familiar long black curls were cut short, a pair of broad shoulders filling every inch of a well-tailored jacket. He was holding a letter to the candlelight, bringing it nearer and further from his eyes as if having difficulty reading it, and I tried to calm my growing panic.<\/p>\n<p>It looked like a stranger\u2019s back. A stranger\u2019s shoulders. A stranger\u2019s hand reaching for a magnifier. I could not enter but stood silently watching. Glass-fronted bookcases lined the walls, heavy oak furniture where it had stood for hundreds of years. Two high-back chairs sat either side of the fireplace, two knights in armour defending the Melville family crest. Firelight flickered across the ornate plasterwork, portraits of long-deceased relatives looking out from their heavy gold frames.<\/p>\n<p>The stranger ran his hand through his hair and sudden fire burned my heart. The sweep of his hand, the slight toss to his head; if I was right, he would put down the letter and hold his hands against his lips as if in prayer. He would tap his fingers three times, then rest his chin on his interlocked hands. I had watched him do that too many times to count \u2013 smiling up at me through his wave of black curls.<\/p>\n<p>One tap. Two taps. Three taps, his chin rested on his interlocked hands and the years stripped away. I stepped forward\u2026<strong>\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>(Page 150)<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element in-legacy-container\" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-5 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"898\" height=\"315\" alt=\"House and Graves in Snow\" title=\"Battleships Dungeon Steps\" src=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/battleships-dungeon-steps.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/battleships-dungeon-steps-200x70.jpg 200w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/battleships-dungeon-steps-400x140.jpg 400w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/battleships-dungeon-steps-600x210.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/battleships-dungeon-steps-800x281.jpg 800w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/battleships-dungeon-steps.jpg 898w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 898px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-6 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-8 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-6\"><p><strong>\u201c<\/strong>We were pointing east, the grey streaks of dawn turning pink, lighting the sky ahead. The stars were fading, the moonlight less intense. A faint shadow of land rose to our left and James pointed to some lights just visible through the swell. \u2018That\u2019s the entrance to Polperro harbour \u2013 we\u2019re making excellent progress. I\u2019ll get us some blankets. The moment you feel too cold, you\u2019re to go below. I\u2019ll not have anyone on my ship incapacitated from cold.\u2019<\/p>\n<p><em>For the effective cure of motion sickness, whether it be in a carriage or on the sea: add a full half-teaspoon of freshly grated ginger, or two teaspoons of dry-powdered ginger, to a cup of newly boiled water. Add a pinch of sugar to taste and the top two leaves of a fresh sprig of peppermint. Leave to infuse, then strain through muslin and drink whilst warm. The chewing of raw ginger, though efficacious to some, is found unpleasant by most and therefore not to be recommended.<strong>&#8220;<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>The Lady Herbalist (Page 336)<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-6 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"411\" height=\"325\" alt=\"Cutter sailing\" title=\"Cutter sailing\" src=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/10-Cutter-sailing.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-616\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/10-Cutter-sailing-200x158.jpg 200w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/10-Cutter-sailing-400x316.jpg 400w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/10-Cutter-sailing.jpg 411w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 411px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-7 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-9 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-7\"><h2>The inspiration behind <em>A Cornish Betrothal.<\/em><\/h2>\n<h3>The setting of Pendowrick is based on Trerice in Cornwall.<\/h3>\n<p>The ancient manor house, Trerice, has long been one of my favourite National Trust properties. Set in a peaceful wooded valley with Dutch gables and tall chimneys, it has the exact atmosphere I wanted to capture in my novel \u2013 a house full of secrets, with a minstrel gallery where conversations are overheard, and long corridors leading to cold, draughty rooms. But when I saw the steep, spiralling stone steps used by the servants my story came to life.<\/p>\n<p>I could see snow beginning to fall, the house cut off in a terrible blizzard.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element in-legacy-container\" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-7 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"955\" height=\"315\" alt=\"Snowy House - Spiral Stairs - Large Window\" title=\"Snowy House &#8211; Spiral Stairs-large window\" src=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/snowy-house-spiral-stairs-window.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-618\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/snowy-house-spiral-stairs-window-200x66.jpg 200w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/snowy-house-spiral-stairs-window-400x132.jpg 400w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/snowy-house-spiral-stairs-window-600x198.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/snowy-house-spiral-stairs-window-800x264.jpg 800w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/snowy-house-spiral-stairs-window.jpg 955w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 955px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-8 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-10 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-8\"><p><strong>The Royal Cornwall Infirmary, Truro. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In my book, Amelia is on the Infirmary Committee and is charged with designing and supplying the physic garden for the new hospital.<\/p>\n<p>The place chosen for the Royal Cornwall Infirmary was on higher ground above the main streets of Truro to obtain cleaner air and avoid contamination from the town\u2019s sewers. Completed in May 1799, it was designed by William Wood who was also the architect of the Lemon Street development in the town. In June 1799, a matron, porter, and other members of staff were elected and the first patients arrived on August 12th. <strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element in-legacy-container\" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-8 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"911\" height=\"315\" alt=\"House on the hill and hospital wards\" title=\"House on the hill and hospital wards\" src=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/house-on-hill-hospital-wards.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-620\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/house-on-hill-hospital-wards-200x69.jpg 200w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/house-on-hill-hospital-wards-400x138.jpg 400w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/house-on-hill-hospital-wards-600x207.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/house-on-hill-hospital-wards-800x277.jpg 800w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/house-on-hill-hospital-wards.jpg 911w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 911px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-9 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-11 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-9\"><p>The infirmary was funded by subscription and opened with 20 beds, 10 for men and 10 for women, with the two wards on separate floors. In the first year, a total of 47 patients were admitted.<\/p>\n<p>Three years previously, in 1796, Edward Jenner had discovered the first effective vaccine against smallpox and soon after it opened the doctors in the infirmary started a campaign to promote the vaccine. At the time, smallpox caused one death in twelve and those who survived had a 25% chance of suffering blindness.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-10 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-12 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-10\"><p>My trusted and extremely helpful assistant (well, my long suffering husband) and I had a fascinating day researching the Cornwall Record office for 1790\u2019s medical records \u2013 although it is now housed in Kresen Kernow in Redruth. They hold a fascinating selection of apothecaries\u2019 remedies and doctors\u2019 bills, as well as records of the meetings held by the new Infirmary Committee. I\u2019d like to thank everyone in the Archives and Cornish Studies Service for their unwavering enthusiasm and help, and I acknowledge them as custodians of these original documents which are still subject to copyright. These are my photographs of two of the records we found \u2013 R\/4754 and HL\/2\/219<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element in-legacy-container\" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-9 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"882\" height=\"404\" alt=\"Hand Written Bills adn Printed Names\" title=\"Hand Written Bills adn Printed Names\" src=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/hand-written-bills-printed-names.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-623\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/hand-written-bills-printed-names-200x92.jpg 200w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/hand-written-bills-printed-names-400x183.jpg 400w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/hand-written-bills-printed-names-600x275.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/hand-written-bills-printed-names-800x366.jpg 800w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/hand-written-bills-printed-names.jpg 882w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 882px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-11\"><h3>Miasma \u2013 sometimes known as night air \u2013 is a noxious vapour that caused disease.<\/h3>\n<p>The miasma theory, also known as the <em>miasmatic theory,<\/em> concluded that noxious exhalations from putrescent organic matter, once inhaled, could lead to cholera, chlamydia, yellow fever, undulating fever, the plague, and just about every unremitting fever.<\/p>\n<p>While <em>germ theory<\/em> was still some way in the future, and no-one thought to link mosquitoes to any of the diseases, a number of doctors in the late eighteenth century began questioning the miasmatic theory. While they believed diseases to be the result of contaminated water, foul air, and unhygienic conditions \u2013 as identified by foul smells \u2013 they began to question whether it might be possible for diseases to pass from <em>person to person<\/em> rather than only be caught in the locality of the bad smells and putrid drains.<\/p>\n<p>The debates of <em>contagionists <\/em>versus<em> anti-contagionists<\/em> continued well into the mid 1800\u2019s when Louis Pasteur, John Snow and Robert Koch took up the baton but it wasn&#8217;t until 1897 that Ronald Ross discovered the link between mosquitoes and malaria.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-11 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-13 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element in-legacy-container\" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-10 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"947\" height=\"353\" alt=\"Medical Chest and inside an apothecary\" title=\"Medical Chest and inside an apothecary\" src=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/medical-chest-insuide-apothecary.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-625\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/medical-chest-insuide-apothecary-200x75.jpg 200w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/medical-chest-insuide-apothecary-400x149.jpg 400w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/medical-chest-insuide-apothecary-600x224.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/medical-chest-insuide-apothecary-800x298.jpg 800w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/medical-chest-insuide-apothecary.jpg 947w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 947px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-12\"><p><strong>Quacks and horse doctors<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>By the end of the eighteenth century, quacks, or <em>quackery, <\/em>was a profoundly serious problem. Degrees in medicine could be bought and many patients were often duped into using the poisonous concoctions made by unscrupulous practitioners rather than the medicines advocated by trained physicians, surgeons, or apothecaries. Unregulated practitioners like <em>Dr<\/em> Solomon of Liverpool who made his fortune making and selling <em>Cordial Balm of Gilea<\/em>, and <em>Dr<\/em> Spilsbury who made <em>Antiscorbutic Drops<\/em> or <em>Dr<\/em> Daffy\u2019s cure all <em>Elixir<\/em> might just have readily used mercury as they did Senna leaves.<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately an Irish-born writer, John Corry, not a medical man, took it upon himself to expose the fraudulent practices making some of these men very rich. In 1802 he published <em>The Detector of Quackery<\/em> which went some way to rouse the public\u2019s indignation as well as warning them of the dangers of these innocuous looking lozenges and pills.<\/p>\n<p>Below is a horse doctor\u2019s notebook we found among the archives in the Cornwell Record office. It remains under copyright with the Archives and Cornish Studies Service as custodian of the original document.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-12 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-14 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element in-legacy-container\" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-11 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"866\" height=\"304\" alt=\"Hand written herbal and rows of jars\" title=\"Hand written herbal and rows of jars\" src=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/hand-written-herbal-rows-of-jars.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-627\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/hand-written-herbal-rows-of-jars-200x70.jpg 200w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/hand-written-herbal-rows-of-jars-400x140.jpg 400w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/hand-written-herbal-rows-of-jars-600x211.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/hand-written-herbal-rows-of-jars-800x281.jpg 800w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/hand-written-herbal-rows-of-jars.jpg 866w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 866px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-13\"><p><strong>Herbals and botanical prints<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In 1798 my aristocratic character, Amelia Carew, wouldn\u2019t be allowed to study botany at university as did her brother, but she would have had access to public lectures and illustrated books of plants. She certainly would have had access to a microscope, and she would have known all the Latin names. She would also have kept up to date with the changing classification of plants. I\u2019ve taken the liberty of allowing my character the honour of having her prints published by a renowned publisher, but many young women in her position might have had their prints published through subscription.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-13 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-15 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element in-legacy-container\" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-12 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"795\" height=\"351\" alt=\"Herbal with Painting - The Power of Valerian\" title=\"Herbal with Painting &#8211; The Power of Valerian\" src=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/herbal-with-painting-and-scroipt-writning-the-power-of-valerian.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-629\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/herbal-with-painting-and-scroipt-writning-the-power-of-valerian-200x88.jpg 200w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/herbal-with-painting-and-scroipt-writning-the-power-of-valerian-400x177.jpg 400w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/herbal-with-painting-and-scroipt-writning-the-power-of-valerian-600x265.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/herbal-with-painting-and-scroipt-writning-the-power-of-valerian.jpg 795w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 795px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:20px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-14\"><p>The recipes and herbal extracts of my fictious <em>The Lady Herbalist<\/em> are compiled from content found in primary sources, information taken from <em>Culpepper\u2019s Complete Herbal<\/em>, <em>Primitive Physic<\/em>, and <em>An Easy and Natural Method<\/em> by John Wesley, as well as various on-line herbal remedies as advertised today.<\/p>\n<p><strong>French prisoners on parole in Bodmin<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>By 1798 it was estimated that the cost to Britain for keeping over 11,000 French prisoners was upward of \u00a3300,000. Very few prisoner exchanges took place, with rumours circulating that France wanted Britain to bear the entire cost of the prisoners as it would weaken the economy and force Britain to make peace.<\/p>\n<p>Lower ranks were held in prisons like Norman Cross but officers were permitted to live in designated <em>parole towns<\/em> like Bodmin. In exchange for giving their word not to escape, officers were granted the freedom to live in lodgings under certain strict conditions.<\/p>\n<p>They were required to live in, or near, one of the parole towns, limit their walks to one mile along the turnpike road from the boundary of the town, and be in their lodgings during the hours of darkness. Twice weekly, they had to report to the local Agent of the Transport Board.<\/p>\n<p>The agent was responsible for the regular muster and for paying each prisoner his subsistence allowance which increased in 1809 to Is 6d a day for second lieutenants and naval<em> aspirants<\/em>; Is 3d for officers of merchant ships and Is each for wives and children.<\/p>\n<p>Householders who received parole prisoners were given a printed reminder of the terms of the parole and had to ensure their prisoner obeyed the curfew by remaining indoors between the evening and morning bells.<\/p>\n<p>There were many complaints from parole prisoners that their allowance was inadequate. They had to pay for their room, sometimes provide furniture and they had to pay for their food, so it is hardly surprising they put their skills to good use.<\/p>\n<p>They organised regular markets, as illustrated in Thomas Rowlandson\u2019s painting below called <em>\u00a0Bodmin 1795: French Prisoners on Parole <\/em>and sold exquisite articles they had made \u2013 like paper sculptures, straw marquetry, often straw hats. Using bones from their meat rations, they carved animals and decorated boxes, making screens and other wooden objects \u2013 like models of ships, cannon, guillotines, musical instruments, and Noah\u2019s Arks.<\/p>\n<p>With their freedom of movement, the officers often gave lessons in French, drawing or fencing.<\/p>\n<p>My fictional character, Captain Pierre de la Croix, is based on one of two hundred parole prisoners present in Bodmin in 1798.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-14 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-16 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element in-legacy-container\" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-13 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"795\" height=\"278\" alt=\"Horse Paint and Model of an ark\" title=\"Horse Paint and Model of an ark\" src=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/horse-painting-and-model-of-anark.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/horse-painting-and-model-of-anark-200x70.jpg 200w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/horse-painting-and-model-of-anark-400x140.jpg 400w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/horse-painting-and-model-of-anark-600x210.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/horse-painting-and-model-of-anark.jpg 795w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 795px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:20px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-15\"><h3>Guadeloupe in the West Indies: 1793-1798<\/h3>\n<p>Guadeloupe was a French colony, but after the French Revolution, there was bitter conflict between the long-established French monarchists on Guadeloupe and those now faithful to the new Republic. Despite the growing opposition from the Republicans, the Royalist landowners, planters, and merchants were a powerful force and they kept firm control of the small island.<\/p>\n<p>However, when the new French Constitutional Assembly passed a law <em>freeing all slaves<\/em>, a slave rebellion broke out among the plantations in the Caribbean islands and the Royalist landowners on Guadeloupe knew the only way they could keep their slaves enslaved would be to seek assistance from Britain.<\/p>\n<p>Under the leadership of Ignace-Joseph-Philippe de Perpignan and Louis de Curt, these plantation owners sought British protection and asked Britain to occupy their island which Britain readily agreed to do.<\/p>\n<p>The Whitehall Accord was signed in February 1794 and a fleet led by Admiral Sir John Jervis, together with troops commanded by General Charles Grey, landed on Guadeloupe in April. They accepted the surrender of the last stronghold at Basse-Terre from General Collot and brought Guadeloupe under British control. They were, of course, supported by the French Royalists landowners who continued to use slave labour in their plantations.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-15 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-17 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element in-legacy-container\" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-14 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"421\" alt=\"Map\" title=\"Map\" src=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/26-Map.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-631\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/26-Map-200x140.jpg 200w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/26-Map-400x281.jpg 400w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/26-Map.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:20px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-16\"><p>Conditions were harsh and yellow fever, among other tropical diseases, took a huge toll on the British garrison left holding the island. Weakened in strength and numbers, they continued to encounter pockets of resistance from the French nationals loyal to the new Republic.<\/p>\n<p>British hold on the island was not to last long. Barely six weeks later, On 4 June a French fleet under the command of Victor Hughes, successfully gained a footing on the island and by the end of the year his troops had forced the British to evacuate. Victor Hughes then set about freeing the slaves, imprisoning and guillotining the Royalists landowners who had sided with the British.<\/p>\n<p>Despite growing support for the abolition of slavery by the Quakers and Abolitionists, among them The Clapham Set and the leading voice of William Wilberforce, it remains a sad fact that the buying and selling of slaves was only made illegal across the British Empire in 1807, and owning slaves was permitted until it was outlawed completely in 1833.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element in-legacy-container\" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-15 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"567\" height=\"404\" alt=\"Offiers Uniform and Ships Log\" title=\"Offiers Uniform and Ships Log\" src=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/officers-uniform-ships-log.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-632\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/officers-uniform-ships-log-200x143.jpg 200w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/officers-uniform-ships-log-400x285.jpg 400w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/officers-uniform-ships-log.jpg 567w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 567px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-16 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-18 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-17\"><h3>Duties of a Midshipman<\/h3>\n<p>I thoroughly recommend the thesis <em>A Social History of Midshipmen and Quarterdeck Boys in the Royal Navy, 1761-1831<\/em>, submitted by Samantha Cavell to the University of Exeter in February, 2010. It details everything you could possibly want to know about Midshipmen during the period of my book.<\/p>\n<p>I also recommend\u00a0 <em>Life in Nelson\u2019s Navy<\/em> by Dudley Pope, as another wonderful resource.<\/p>\n<p>Just to recap \u2026<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Midshipman is the lowest officer rank.<\/li>\n<li>A few midshipmen were aged 14, but most were 20-30 with some over 40.<\/li>\n<li>Midshipmen couldn\u2019t be promoted until they passed an exam for Lieutenant.<\/li>\n<li>They could not sit for the exam until they produced certificates showing that their name had been on a ship\u2019s book for<em> 6<\/em> years \u2013 2 of which had to be spent as midshipman or master\u2019s mate. This 6 year time constraint led to many names being put on ships\u2019 books long before the Midshipman actually went to sea.<\/li>\n<li>Their duties included keeping a daily log, calling the muster, piping commands, supervising the distribution of grog, and maintaining discipline among the Tars, as well as learning seamanship and navigation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-17 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-19 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-18\"><h3>A Midshipman\u2019s Chest<\/h3>\n<p>When an officer, like my character Midshipman Edmund Melville, died away from Britain, only his personal belongings were kept. Space on the ships was too tight to keep extra chests so their uniforms and non-personal possessions were sold and bought, sometimes very generously, by their colleagues. Money from the auction was then sent to his family.<\/p>\n<p>This makes good sense as some of the sea chests were quite substantial. It also plays an important part in my story.<\/p>\n<p>Below is an entry from Jarrett, <em>British Naval Dress<\/em>, pp. 46-47, which details a list a servant complied of the contents of Midshipman W. H. Webley\u2019s sea chest. (Midshipman Webley was clearly destined for higher office as he later became Rear-Admiral W. H. Webley Parry, C.B.)<\/p>\n<p><em>1 Frock (took along with him).<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>2 Jacket Suits (took one of \u2018em along with him).<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>6\u00a0 pr Trowsers (took two of \u2018em along with him).<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>2 \u00a0great coats (took one of them along with him).<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>14 \u00a0plain shirts, 4 ruffled ditto (three of them he took with him).<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>6 \u00a0\u00a0pr of thread, 6 pr of worsted, 6 pr of cotton and 2 pr of silk. [stockings]<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>9\u00a0 \u00a0red handkerchiefs, 3 white ditto, 2 black silk stocks.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>2\u00a0 \u00a0black silk neckcloths,<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>6 \u00a0pr shoes.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>A Quadrant.\u00a0 Robertsons Elements, papers and Pens, Seaman\u2019s Daily<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Assistant. Two pounds of powder,<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>2 pr Buckles (one of \u2018em he took along with him).<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>1 pr of boots he took along with him<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>2 pr nankeen breeches, 1 pr corduroy, 2 waistcoats, 2 roundhats<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>1 Bible, 1 Prayer Book, 6 towels, one pr sheets. One table cloth, 3 caps,<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>two nets.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-18 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-20 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element in-legacy-container\" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-16 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"670\" height=\"316\" alt=\"Gieve Oil Canvas\" title=\"sea-chest-gieves\" src=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/sea-chest-gieves.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-636\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/sea-chest-gieves-200x94.jpg 200w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/sea-chest-gieves-400x189.jpg 400w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/sea-chest-gieves-600x283.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/sea-chest-gieves.jpg 670w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 670px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-19\"><h3>Plymouth Dock<\/h3>\n<p>With the war in full swing the navy needed a shipyard where it could not only build and repair ships, but also anchor and provision a whole fleet. By 1798, Plymouth Dock was a huge, bustling town catering for every aspect of the King\u2019s Navy. It had four dry docks (the newest large enough to hold two ships at a time), four new slipways, and seven large storehouses.<\/p>\n<p>The Rigging house was 480ft long, 3 stories high, with a sail loft on the top floor. The Ropehouse consisted of two long stone buildings running parallel where the ropes were twisted together to up to 23ins in diameter.<\/p>\n<p>The blacksmiths\u2019 shop had 48 forges, converting huge iron bars into enormous anchors worth \u00a3550 each. Large cranes lifted the dripping red bars in and out of the furnaces with chains cranking up the bellows to blow air onto the fires.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-19 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-21 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-17 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"408\" alt=\"Gieve Oil Canvas\" title=\"32 Oil on Canvas\" src=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/32-Oil-on-Canvas.png\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-637\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/32-Oil-on-Canvas-200x117.png 200w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/32-Oil-on-Canvas-400x234.png 400w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/32-Oil-on-Canvas-600x351.png 600w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/32-Oil-on-Canvas.png 697w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-20\"><p>The masthouse had a large pond with seawater entering through sluices. The pond was 400ft long and kept dozens of masts and scores of yards from drying out.<\/p>\n<p>The victualling office was near the citadel. Numerous coopers made thousands of barrels to store food and water and two bakehouses, with four ovens in each, cooked the ships\u2019 bread which we now refer to as biscuits. Butchers slaughtered meat to salt and pack into barrels and great cauldrons bubbled with cabbage and onions to make sauerkraut. Other kitchens cooked vast quantities of stock which was dried and packed into caskets to be re-constituted onboard ship.<\/p>\n<p>Not to mention the live chickens and pigs that were loaded onto the ships in crates and the barrels of fresh vegetables, beer, and brandy. Added to this were the taverns and hotels, the tailors, and the boatmen who ferried the sailors out to the ships from the Western Pier \u2013 1s to the Cattewater, 3s to the Sound, 5s to Cawsand and Hamoaze.<\/p>\n<p>Here are a few photographs I took on the day we traced the footsteps of my characters in their dash to Plymouth Dock \u2013 Richmond Walk, Mutton Cove, and the slipway are still there, but Gieves the naval outfitter is no-longer at 63, George Street.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-20 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-22 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element in-legacy-container\" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-18 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"825\" height=\"286\" alt=\"Walkway, Steps in Harbour, Slipway\" title=\"Walkway, Steps in Harbour, Slipway\" src=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/walkway-steps-in-harbour-slipway.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-639\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/walkway-steps-in-harbour-slipway-200x69.jpg 200w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/walkway-steps-in-harbour-slipway-400x139.jpg 400w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/walkway-steps-in-harbour-slipway-600x208.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/walkway-steps-in-harbour-slipway-800x277.jpg 800w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/walkway-steps-in-harbour-slipway.jpg 825w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 825px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-21\"><p><span style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; color: black;\">Stonehouse Hospital<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; color: #1c1e21; background: white;\">Stonehouse Naval Hospital in Plymouth was built between 1758-1765 and was the first hospital built with separate ward blocks to minimise the spread of infection. The ward blocks were linked by a colonnade and until the operating theatre was built in 1790, surgery took place in the wards. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; color: #1c1e21; background: white;\">Sick sailors were rowed straight from their anchored ships to Stonehouse Creek to be admitted through a heavy iron gate at the end of a tunnel. This tunnel was part of the huge encircling walls that were built to prevent \u2018pressed\u2019 sailors from escaping. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; color: #1c1e21; background: white;\">The tunnel, gates, and encircling walls are exactly how it was in the time of my book, but the creek is now a playing field, and the exercise yard is a well maintained lawn as the hospital was sold in 1995 and converted into private apartments. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-21 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-23 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element in-legacy-container\" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-19 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"713\" height=\"328\" alt=\"Arch Tunnel, Building with Tree\" title=\"Arch Tunnel, Building with Tree\" src=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/arch-tuneel-building-with-tree.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/arch-tuneel-building-with-tree-200x92.jpg 200w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/arch-tuneel-building-with-tree-400x184.jpg 400w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/arch-tuneel-building-with-tree-600x276.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/arch-tuneel-building-with-tree.jpg 713w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 713px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:20px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-22\"><p>But take a close look at this! Here are the records of the sailors admitted to Stonehouse Hospital on February 6th 1798 \u2013 just before my character, Sir James Polcarrow visits the hospital.<\/p>\n<p>Folio 9, Thomas Lee, <em>Aged 28, able seaman, taken ill at Hamoaze: sick or hurt. Delirium was seized suddenly with symptoms of madness his eyes appear wild and constantly talking to himself \u2026<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element in-legacy-container\" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-20 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"701\" height=\"434\" alt=\"Filio 5-6\" title=\"Filio 5-6\" src=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/foop.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-643\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/foop-200x124.jpg 200w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/foop-400x248.jpg 400w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/foop-600x371.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/foop.jpg 701w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 701px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-22 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-24 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-23\"><h3>And finally, \u00a0miniature portraits.<\/h3>\n<p>I love miniature portraits and I\u2019m thrilled to include one in my story.<\/p>\n<p>The first portrait is a watercolour on ivory of Stephen Thorn by George Augustus Baker 1818<\/p>\n<p>The second is also a watercolour on ivory miniature p<strong>ortrait of Captain Roger Curtis, R.N<em>.<\/em><\/strong> painted by George Engleheart (1752 \u2013 1829).<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element in-legacy-container\" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-21 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"701\" height=\"483\" alt=\"Minatures\" title=\"Minatures\" src=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/minatures.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-644\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/minatures-200x138.jpg 200w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/minatures-400x276.jpg 400w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/minatures-600x413.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/minatures.jpg 701w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 701px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-23 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-25 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-24\"><h2>\u00a0Acknowledgements<\/h2>\n<p>I loved writing this book, but part of what I enjoy most about writing is the people I meet and the discussions that follow. My thanks to the archivists in the Cornwall Record Office, now housed in the fabulous Kresen Kernow, for unearthing the infirmary records, doctors\u2019 bills, and apothecary recipes which form the background to the book. My thanks as well to Dr Kenneth George, distinguished oceanographer, poet and linguist, for his advice about the integrity of Cornish place names. This is my fifth book and each time I feel honoured to have such a wonderful team behind me. My thanks to my agent Teresa Chris for her unstinting support and my editor Susannah Hamilton at Atlantic Books whose deft pen and sure hand has made this the book it is. Thank you also to Poppy Mostyn-Owen, Sophie Walker and Kate Straker, among so many, and to my copy-editor, Alison Tulett, for her eagle eyes. My thanks, as always, to my husband, Damian, and to you, cherished reader: thank you for your interest in my books.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":8,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-581","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A Cornish Betrothal - Nicola Pryce<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=581\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A Cornish Betrothal - Nicola Pryce\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=581\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Nicola Pryce\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-02-17T09:54:16+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/associations-1.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"56 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=581\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=581\",\"name\":\"A Cornish Betrothal - Nicola Pryce\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=581#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=581#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/associations-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-06-21T08:50:19+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-02-17T09:54:16+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=581#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=581\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=581#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/associations-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/associations-1.jpg\",\"width\":583,\"height\":133,\"caption\":\"Member of the Historical Writers Association and the Romantic Novelist Association\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=581#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Books\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=8\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"A Cornish Betrothal\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/\",\"name\":\"Nicola Pryce\",\"description\":\"Genre Fiction, Historical Fiction &amp; Romance Author\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"A Cornish Betrothal - Nicola Pryce","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=581","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"A Cornish Betrothal - Nicola Pryce","og_url":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=581","og_site_name":"Nicola Pryce","article_modified_time":"2025-02-17T09:54:16+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/associations-1.jpg","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Estimated reading time":"56 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=581","url":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=581","name":"A Cornish Betrothal - Nicola Pryce","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=581#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=581#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/associations-1.jpg","datePublished":"2020-06-21T08:50:19+00:00","dateModified":"2025-02-17T09:54:16+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=581#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=581"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=581#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/associations-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/associations-1.jpg","width":583,"height":133,"caption":"Member of the Historical Writers Association and the Romantic Novelist Association"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=581#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Books","item":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?page_id=8"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"A Cornish Betrothal"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/#website","url":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/","name":"Nicola Pryce","description":"Genre Fiction, Historical Fiction &amp; Romance Author","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/581","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=581"}],"version-history":[{"count":76,"href":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/581\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1042,"href":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/581\/revisions\/1042"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nicolapryce.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=581"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}