A quiet, self-effacing Cambridge student and a moderate at a time of extremes, Neil Carey, the younger son of the Earl of Aubigny, finds himself swept up in the events of the English Civil Wars in this excellent work of historical fiction for younger readers. Although alive to the merit of both the Royal and Parliamentary arguments, Neil follows his father, one of the wealthiest and most influential of the Welsh nobles, into the Royalist cause, fighting in the Battles of Edgehill, Lansdown and Roundway Down. Escaping, after being captured, he makes his way home to Wales, where he takes a hand in the ill-fated Battle of St Fagans, before finding himself a prisoner in London...

Originally published in 1962, For the King is the fifth book in Ronald Welch's series of novels devoted to the adventures of the noble Carey family over many centuries of English history. Like the four books preceding it in the series—it's worth noting that the Carey Family Chronicles are now arranged by story chronology, rather than by publication date—it features an immensely engaging and likable young hero, a wealth of historical detail, and an exciting, action-driven plot. Welch is very evenhanded in his presentation of the two sides of the English Civil Wars, and he demonstrates, through the subplot involving Neil and his Parliamentarian cousin, Francis Vaughan, the terrible tragedy of families and friends divided by such internecine conflicts. I don't know that this will rank amongst my favorites from Welch—I am reading the entire series as part of a project undertaken with friends—but it was certainly both entertaining and thought-provoking. I found it poignant at times, but perhaps not as poignant as I expected, given the themes explored. In any case, this is one I highly recommend to young readers who enjoy historical fiction, as well as to those looking for supplementary reading for a unit on the English Civil Wars. ( )

A worthy installment in the Carey novels that takes a very even-handed approach to the opening of the English Civil Wars. Full of historical detail as well as boasting an engaging plot. Recommended. ( )