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Elizabeth St.John
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By Love Divided: A Novel (The Lydiard Chronicles Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Elizabeth St.John (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,380 ratings
"A fantastic read." Editor’s Choice, Historical Novel Society

London, 1630. Widowed and impoverished, Lucy St. John faces impossible choices to secure a future for her children. In her darkest hour, she makes a desperate decision, but even her sacrifices may not be enough to protect her family. Her daughter, Luce, rebels against the royal court and refuses a wealthy arranged marriage, instead falling in love with a cultivated and charismatic soldier.

As England spirals toward civil war, the bonds of family are tested like never before. Luce’s beloved brother, Allen, chooses to fight for the king as a cavalier, while Luce and her lover are drawn to the Parliamentarian cause. With their loyalties divided, the siblings are swept into the brutal conflict, each fighting for survival and love on opposite sides of the battlefield.

In the chaos and devastation of war, Luce and Allen must face the ultimate question: will the war unite them or tear them apart forever? And in the midst of violence, can they find a place—and love—to return to when the fighting is over? In the dawn of England’s great rebellion, family is the final battleground.

Based on the true story of Elizabeth St.John’s ancestors, By Love Divided brings to life the emotional struggles of one family torn apart by war. Through surviving memoirs, letters, and court papers, Ms. St.John vividly portrays the heart-wrenching choices, sacrifices, and passion that define the human experience in England’s Civil War. A sweeping historical novel of love, loyalty, and courage, this is a must-read for fans of women’s fiction and wartime romance.

"Her world and characters are so real I wanted to remain there. I loved this book, and the Lydiard Chronicles are now on my list of all-time favorite historical novels." Editor’s Choice, Historical Novel Society

"A beautiful story of love, family values, and empowered women." Reader's Favorite Five Stars

"What I adored about this book was the fact that all the characters are based on real people who lived through this terrible time. By Love Divided is one of those rare books that leaves a mark upon your heart. This is not a book that I will forget in a hurry." 2018 Silver Award Winner, the Coffee Pot Book Club
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  1. Book 2 of 3
    The Lydiard Chronicles
  2. Print length
    381 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    October 12, 2017
  6. File size
    3.9 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

By Love Divided Cover with Cavaliers

A beautiful story of love and empowered women

Cover BLD

A rare book that leaves a mark on your heart

Enjoy these captivating family historical novels by Elizabeth St.John

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It is evident that Elizabeth St. John has done extensive research in writing this book based on her own family's experiences during this time in history. The language she uses is so authentic. Her writing engages the senses with the sights, sounds, and smells of 17th-century life. Her world and characters are so real I wanted to remain there. I loved this book, and the Lydiard Chronicles are now on my list of all-time favorite historical novels. A fantastic read." - Historical Novel Society Review

"A beautifully written novel that tells the story of the real Apsley family and their experiences during the English Civil war. St. John has done a phenomenal job researching and writing this book. She expertly captures the tense atmosphere and uncertainty of the time and perfectly conveys the personalities of each of the characters. She makes them relatable and understandable and humanizes the people on both sides of the divide, even King Charles and his young son. There is an emotional depth to all of them that brings them to life. Her descriptions are vivid and effective, drawing the reader into the 17th century. Whether you are an English history buff or just a lover of fantastic historical fiction, this book is a must-read." - Readers' Favorite Five Stars

From the Back Cover

When love doth come
If it comes powerfully
It leaves no room
For other cares
Luce Apsley

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0763D8S6H
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Falcon Historical
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 12, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.9 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 381 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 2 of 3 ‏ : ‎ The Lydiard Chronicles
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 1,380 ratings

About the author

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Elizabeth St.John

Elizabeth St.John

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Elizabeth St.John’s critically acclaimed historical fiction novels tell the stories of her ancestors: extraordinary women whose intriguing kinship with England's kings and queens brings an intimately unique perspective to Medieval, Tudor, and Stuart times.

Inspired by family archives and residences from Lydiard Park to the Tower of London, Elizabeth spends much of her time exploring ancestral portraits, diaries, and lost gardens. And encountering the occasional ghost. But that’s another story.

Living between California, England, and the past, Elizabeth is the International Ambassador for The Friends of Lydiard Park, an English charity dedicated to conserving and enhancing this beautiful centuries-old country house and park. As a curator for The Lydiard Archives, she is constantly looking for an undiscovered treasure to inspire her next novel.

Elizabeth's works include The Lydiard Chronicles, a trilogy set in 17th-century England during the Civil War, and The Godmother's Secret, which unravels the medieval mystery of the missing princes in the Tower of London. Her latest release, The King’s Intelligencer, follows Franny Apsley's perilous quest to uncover the truth behind the sudden discovery of the princes' bones. In Charles II's court of intrigue and deceit, Franny must decide what she’ll risk—for England’s salvation, her family's safety, and her own happiness.

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4.4 out of 5 stars
1,380 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the book's historical accuracy, with one noting how it brings a time period to life through excellent period details. Moreover, the writing is beautifully crafted, with one customer highlighting how the author paints a vivid image of the court. Additionally, customers find the characters compelling and emotionally engaging, describing the story as sad yet true to life.

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22 customers mention "Historical accuracy"22 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the historical accuracy of the book, praising its rich period details and great story, with one customer noting how it creates a spellbinding tale.

"...Written in a beautiful, at times poetic prose, Ms St John weaves descriptions of landscape, of seasons and flowers into her narrative...." Read more

"This is a fascinating story based on the history of the author's ancestors during the time of the British Civil War in the mid-1600s...." Read more

"...Wonderful historical treatise.And extraordinarily well written books with extraordinary insight into the lives of the people who inhabit them. WOW." Read more

"...What I really enjoyed about this story was how well the main message of the novel was conveyed: no matter where your political allegiances lie, the..." Read more

15 customers mention "Readability"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and engaging, with one customer noting it's impeccably researched.

"...We watch them love, we hear the laugh and cry. An engrossing read, By Love Divided proved quite impossible to put down and I am already looking..." Read more

"...A worthwhile read." Read more

"...Beautifully written. Compelling and revealing. Characters fully wrought. Amazing novels based on true events. So glad I discovered these books...." Read more

"...This was a great series but sad." Read more

10 customers mention "Written quality"10 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, describing it as beautifully written, with one customer noting how the author paints a vivid image of the court.

"...her characters with life and opinion, she presents us with excellent portraits of these long dead people and even better, she excels at not letting..." Read more

"...The author paints a vivid image of the court, various castles and towns, battles, and the daily struggles of the people...." Read more

"...Wonderful historical treatise.And extraordinarily well written books with extraordinary insight into the lives of the people who inhabit them. WOW." Read more

"...possible disfigurement and only hopes for her survival, was incredibly touching to read and made me like his character even more...." Read more

9 customers mention "Character development"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, noting that the compelling characters draw readers in, with one customer mentioning that the pacing provides enough time for each character.

"...Ms St John imbues her characters with life and opinion, she presents us with excellent portraits of these long dead people and even better, she..." Read more

"...I found the main characters to be well-rounded, but the lesser characters seemed one-dimensional...." Read more

"...Beautifully written. Compelling and revealing. Characters fully wrought. Amazing novels based on true events. So glad I discovered these books...." Read more

"Compelling characters draw you into this wonderful novel about the Civil War in England...." Read more

4 customers mention "Emotional content"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the emotional content of the book, finding it sad yet true to life, with one customer describing it as an emotionally moving portrayal.

"...This is an intellectually interesting and emotionally moving portrayal of people in their time. I'd recommend." Read more

"...I like the book for the meaning it conveys, sad but so true ." Read more

"...Nothing mawkish, but evocative and heartfelt...." Read more

"Wonderful. Wrenching. Sad beyond all reason....beautifully written narrative...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Anna B
    5.0 out of 5 stars Engrossing!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Having recently read and enjoyed The Lady of the Tower, it was a natural progression to dive into Ms St John’s latest book, By Love Divided. Set in the fourth and fifth decade of the 17th century, this is the story of a family divided by the English Civil War, some fighting for the king, others for the Parliamentarian cause. At the heart of the story is Luce Apsley, precocious daughter to Lucy St John, and her brother, Allen Apsley. When the story opens, Lucy and her children are in dire straits, left more or less penniless upon the death of Allen Apsley Sr.
    I have a special fascination with the 17th century and over the years I have read numerous fictional accounts of the deep wounds inflicted by the English Civil War. What makes By Love Divided special is that it is not a fictional account. It is based on the author’s research into the past of her own ancestors, one family among the many who found themselves torn apart by the savagery of civil war.
    Ms St John imbues her characters with life and opinion, she presents us with excellent portraits of these long dead people and even better, she excels at not letting what she knows of their future fates colour her narrative. Chapter by chapter, she pulls the reader into the political complexities of the times, where men of high birth and rank are as likely to support Parliament as their king, where the king himself bears the lion’s share of the responsibility for the calamities his actions release upon his kingdom.
    I have always believed King Charles to have been singularly tone deaf to the pleadings of the more moderate of his courtiers. Convinced he ruled by divine right, Charles early on did away with Parliament, thereby inadvertently steering his kingdom down the path that would end with war, bloodshed, terrible suffering and uncountable deaths. Ms St John has this slight king dance in and out of her narrative, always solemnly convinced he—and only he—knows what is best for his subjects.
    Written in a beautiful, at times poetic prose, Ms St John weaves descriptions of landscape, of seasons and flowers into her narrative. 17th century London and Oxford are beautifully presented, we hear church bells ring out the hours, are guided expertly through the recreated Whitehall palace, all the way from the black and white tiled floor to the lavishness of its decorations, its priceless art treasures. We watch at close range as people are wounded, as people suffer and die. We watch them love, we hear the laugh and cry. An engrossing read, By Love Divided proved quite impossible to put down and I am already looking forward to the next volume in this series.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars If you enjoy 17th century tales of battles and castles and families, this book is for you.
    Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This is a fascinating story based on the history of the author's ancestors during the time of the British Civil War in the mid-1600s. The story of how that war divided one particular family along political lines, has a useful message for our own day. The author paints a vivid image of the court, various castles and towns, battles, and the daily struggles of the people. Her focus on the lack of women's rights, despite the intelligence of the female characters, reminds us that our current rights and freedoms took centuries to secure. Generally, St. John's research is to be commended, for example, clothing, food, court etiquette; although one battle scene with the use of muskets did not ring true for a time when a musket took several minutes to reload. I found the main characters to be well-rounded, but the lesser characters seemed one-dimensional. The ending led me to believe there may be another book in this series; however, not having read the first in the series, I had no problem following the story. A worthwhile read.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • pollymom
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful. Wrenching. Sad beyond all reason....beautifully written narrative.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Cannot wait to read the third book in this trilogy. Beautifully written. Compelling and revealing. Characters fully wrought. Amazing novels based on true events. So glad I discovered these books. Understand more clearly now the preamble to the Cromwell ascendancy and what it meant for England to wrestle with its future ib n a bitter horrific Civil War. This story in three volumes reveals what it is truly like to have such clear opposition to those in an extended family and how warring among people who love one another so deeply can be devastating to all concerned. I cannot wait to read the third book and at the same time am fearful of the story that engulfed this family and all of England in the aftermath of the war. An amazing story so well written. I highly recommend these books to anyone who wants to know more about the Monarchy and parliament in England's distant past that explains much about how the country rules itself to this day. Wonderful historical treatise.And extraordinarily well written books with extraordinary insight into the lives of the people who inhabit them. WOW.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five stars
    Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    As everyone, who follows my reviews, probably knows by now that historical fiction is my favorite genre, and when I come across a new story that is so riveting and thoroughly researched, I’m one happy reader. “By Love Divided” tells a story of the Apsley family, left indebted and nearly destitute after the death of Lucy’s husband, Allan. To protect her children from poverty, Lucy agrees to a loveless marriage to a Puritan man; only, just when their name was cleared before the court and their lives took a turn for the better, the children find themselves on two opposite sides of the barricade as the king wages war against his own Parliament.
    What I really enjoyed about this story was how well the main message of the novel was conveyed: no matter where your political allegiances lie, the family blood bonds should be stronger than anything. Also, the little episode where Luce falls ill with smallpox and her betrothed John doesn’t care one bit about his future wife’s possible disfigurement and only hopes for her survival, was incredibly touching to read and made me like his character even more. Luce herself, with her strong will and opinionated nature that was highly uncommon for women of the 17th century, also won my affection right away. The feeling of political unrest, the life of the king’s court, and the battle scenes were also presented with incredible vividness, and I couldn’t get enough of this story. Definitely, a must-read for all fans of the genre. Five stars.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • G Dantzker
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, but fully understandable only if you are already familiar with the underlying history
    Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This is an interesting novel if you are familiar with the historical events. If you are not it would be challenging to follow with its lapses in time and jumps between narrators.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • cb
    5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisitely written
    Reviewed in Canada on October 12, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I am completely blown away by Elizabeth St. John’s follow up novel, By Love Divided. The depth of her characterization, the elegance of her prose (and dialogue) and the masterful way in which she presents the realities of the English Civil War such that we’re bleeding for both sides is nothing short of brilliant. By Love Divided may be read as a standalone, but I would recommend that a reader start with The Lady of the Tower, where we are introduced to Lucy Apsley and the political mire that flows in the wake of the Villiers family. These entanglements and resulting financial mess are resolved in the beginning of By Love Divided, but it enriches the initial reading experience to understand the family dynamics, particularly Lucy's story.
    By Love Divided takes us through the early rumblings of political unrest in England, starting in 1630, several years before King Charles’s Scottish Wars through the end of the first English Civil War in 1646. We are reintroduced to a widowed Lucy Apsley as she tries to secure a future for her teenage children. While the initial focus of the novel starts with Lucy, it brilliantly shifts to her daughter Luce Hutchinson (a historical diarist who recorded her Parliamentarian husband’s actions during the war) and her son Allen (who supported the King). I worried first for Lucy and wanted to see her children set up for success, then I quickly grew to care about Luce and Allen as they matured and settled in their life’s path. By the time the war breaks out and the family is divided I was fully invested. The author should be applauded for portraying the war in all its heartbreaking tragedy, and she does not shy away from exploring the emotional ravages of war.
    If you want a compelling, exquisitely written story to immerse you in the past, By Love Divided is a must read! I consider it one of my favourite historical reads and it's earned a place on my keeper shelf! 5 plus stars!
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  • Plain Jane
    5.0 out of 5 stars a moving story of real lives
    Reviewed in Spain on October 5, 2018
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    By Love Divided features real people in a very difficult period of history, the English Civil War. The author describes a family tested by the recent past and now challenged by the future. As the mother, Lucy, tries to recover debts owed to her by the king, her children take different views on how the monarchy is treating them personally and the country at large. The sons are for the king, the daughter favours Parliament. This is a moving story and beautifully written.
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  • Cathie Dunn
    5.0 out of 5 stars A gripping, well-researched historical novel
    Reviewed in France on January 9, 2021
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    By Love Divided is a novel you must read!

    There is no way around it. I had to force myself to switch off my Kindle at 1am, when all I wanted was to continue reading. The fact that this trilogy is based on real events experienced by real ancestors of the writer makes it even more special. You get a strong sense of this in the narrative.

    I have not read The Lady of The Tower, the first instalment. But you don't need to have read it to get into By Love Divided, as the author brings events into this novel in a way that you know what happened, but you find out through the characters’ eyes, not by large blocks of info-dumping. This catch-up of previous events is very well executed (pardon the pun), and you get a real sense of the characters’ past.

    By Love Divided introduces you to various members of the Apsley and St.John family. Following the death of her husband, Lucy Apsley struggles to make ends meet. Her husband had banked all their fortune on a venture by King Charles I in his war against the French, and lost it all. The family have the warrants – but the king won't pay! The creditors demand their share of the small inheritance – mostly consisting of gifts given to them when they were in charge of The Tower – and Lucy is hard-pressed to find a solution.

    Lucy is estranged from her sister, Barbara Villiers, and her relationship to her brother John St.John is strained too. The reason for this lies in the past, and we catch glimpses of poor Lucy's early fate. Suffice to say, Lucy has all my sympathy. Barbara is lady-in-waiting to Queen Henrietta Maria, but she refuses to help Lucy appeal to the king to honour his warrants.

    When a court case comes to nothing, Lucy thinks the only way to save herself, and her youngest children, is to marry, but her new, strictly Puritan husband has other plans with the money she's due. As so often, reality is stranger than fiction, and you will need to read the book to find out how she fares in this marriage.

    Other main characters are Lucy's eldest son Allen, whose ambition includes a position at court, and who's a staunch kingsman; her outspoken daughter Luce (a bit confusing at first, having similar names, but you get used to it due to their very different characters), who is a bookworm, studying Latin and Greek, and who loves nothing more than a good debate, but she's not a Royalist. Then there are the younger children, James, who wants to join the army, and Barbara (Babs) who is what one would consider a typical girl of her times.

    Then there are the secondary characters of the wider family: Lucy's siblings and various courtiers she tries to avoid (for reasons that become obvious). All characters are clearly defined, their strengths and weaknesses obvious to a reader.

    As King Charles’ obstinate policies divide the country, weakening his position, the family is forced to cope with the split in English society. For years, Lucy's children have kept their differences to the side, not letting them affect their relationship, but with civil war looming, each is challenged in a different way.

    This novel is as gripping as it is engaging. It sweeps you into the early mid 17th century with its religious zealots, societal pressures – and a king intent on reigning supreme. Families are torn apart by their beliefs, the threat of treason hangs in the air, and even supporters of the king question their actions.

    By Love Divided takes us on a thrilling journey, through the eyes of Lucy and her children. It shows how easy it is to fall from grace with royalty, even if you've done nothing wrong. It shows a family divided by petty jealousies and opposing religious views. And it shows brave people who fought for their rights – and their very existence.

    Elizabeth St.John shows us Lucy's courage as if we knew her. She has her weaknesses, which are also explored, and which make her the woman she was. Allen's temperament, Luce's outspokenness, Babs’ playfulness are brought across realistically. A clear 3D image of the family emerges from the pages. Now I want to know more...

    By Love Divided is a beautiful novel, filled with personal challenges, strife, happiness, and danger. The quotes from Luce's journals give us a glimpse into her life in her own words, adding a lovely touch to the evocative narrative.

    A highly recommended read!
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  • Sue
    5.0 out of 5 stars A family beset by the English Civil War
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 7, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    ‘by Love Divided’ is a story of the St. John, Apsley and Hutchinson families, their trials and tribulations prior to and during the English Civil War, and Lucy Apsley’s estrangement from her St. John brother and her sister who was a member of the wealthy Villiers family. The author, who is a direct descendant of the St. Johns, and who better to write it, has utilized original seventeenth century family documents and accounts and in doing so has expertly pieced together a remarkable story. The author has a wonderful flair for bringing the story to life in vivid narrative, and does not shy away from depicting in graphic detail battles of those treacherous and unstable times. It is an emotional read of the heroic nature of the family’s characters and is conveyed in gripping prose. This is an excellent book by Elizabeth St. John, and any future publications by the author will certainly find a place on my bookshelf. Highly recommended.
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  • JPNoosa
    4.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating historical read.
    Reviewed in Australia on April 21, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Lucy’s children and cousins are close. However, some choose loyalty to Charles 1 & his Cavaliers whilst others choose their loyalty to the round-heads. The book weaves historical events with those of the lives of the family in an exciting tale of adventure.
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