Cavalier: Craven's Honour

In 1644 at the height of the English Civil War, Royalist cavalry Captain, Edward Craven is volunteered by his much maligned commander, Prince Rupert and tasked by King Charles I to protect Lady Anne Wexler, the daughter of Charles’ friend and advisor Lord Andrew Wexler, who has been receiving threats to Anne’s life unless Lord Wexler persuades Charles to surrender. At first Edward and Anne do not get along, neither happy about the situation they’ve been forced into. However they soon develop a respect for each other and ultimately fall in love, though they must keep their feelings a secret for fear of persecution. Whilst out riding together, they are ambushed by Parliamentarians. Edward is knocked unconscious and Anne is kidnapped. Lord Wexler receives a ransom note and Edward is reprimanded by the King for failing to prevent her taking. He vows to get her back, but is turned down by Wexler and sent away. Rupert offers to rescue her and orders some of his men, led by confidant, Captain Rengard to liberate her from the castle where she is being held. Edward, desperate to exonerate himself, heads out to save her and gets there before them. He frees Anne from her prison and is confronted by Rengard as they escape. On their return Edward and Anne express their love for one another, but are unknowingly seen by Rengard. He exposes their secret to Rupert, who relishes revealing it to the King and Lord Wexler. Whilst Edward was rescuing Anne his best friend Captain Telford was killed after being sent on a suicide mission by Rupert. Edward vows revenge on Rupert, but as he’s the nephew of the King he will have to bide his time and wait for the right moment. Until then he drowns his sorrows beating himself up for not being there for his friend. With their secret out, Edward is accused of rape and is arrested. He is imprisoned by the King and told he will be dealt with after the war is over. Both Rupert and Wexler wish for an immediate and harsh punishment and so Rupert bribes the jailer to add Edward to the list of executions. During his time in prison, Edward is visited by Anne who explains she is being sent to France by her father. He promises to escape and find her. He also gets to know his cellmate, Robert Griffin, a Parliamentarian spy and is informed that Rupert conspired to have Edward arrested and wishes to dispose of him permanently so he can pursue Lady Anne unchallenged. Edward tries to inform the King, but without evidence no one would believe him. On the day of his execution, Griffin is rescued by Parliamentarians and Edward is taken with them. He is brought back to their headquarters and meets Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell. Considered an enemy of the King he is invited to fight for the Parliamentarians. Edward explains he no longer cares about the war, but will fight for them to have the chance of facing Rupert in battle and get his revenge. Edward joins the Parliamentarian forces at Marston Moor where a bloody battle takes place against the Royalist forces led by Rupert. Edward gets his wish and goes up against the Prince on the battlefield, besting him and leaving him for dead. Meanwhile the Parliamentarian forces beat back the King’s army, strengthening their position in the North and turning the war in their favour. Edward is later invited to become a commander of Fairfax’s cavalry and help them win the war once and for all. Edward turns him down and leaves for the coast where he charters a ship to France. He tracks down Anne and they embrace.