The Young Castellan

Roy would rather preserve the fish and water lilies in the castle moat than turn it into a defensive barrier. Old soldier Ben has other priorities: rusted armour, supplies, and preparations for a garrison. With Roy's father, Sir Granby, serving the king, the English Civil War reaches into the boy's familiar surroundings. George Manville Fenn builds the opening around their disagreement, giving the castle's everyday upkeep a new urgency.

The adventure also takes Roy beyond the armoury. He and Ben search a crypt by candlelight for the entrance to a secret passage, considering whether old ruins might offer another way to trace it. Wondering whether Master Pawson heard their activity, Roy visits his rooms and finds a locked door that brings no reply. Military preparations and a search through the castle's hidden spaces share the same setting, making this a historical adventure for readers drawn to old fortifications and a young boy's growing responsibilities.