The First of the English: A NovelArchibald Clavering GunterOmniClassics · Literature
The First of the English: A Novel
Archibald Clavering GunterAn English captain's secret service draws him into rebellion, rescue, and intrigue in the sixteenth-century Netherlands.
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About the book
In 1572, Captain Guy Stanhope Chester sails dangerous waters where storms are only one of the threats. The Netherlands are under Spanish rule, and Chester's covert work for Elizabeth brings him among the Sea Beggars without the protection of openly declared English support. When he intervenes in their capture of a barge, rescued passengers and concealed papers complicate his mission. Gunter combines nautical action, political conspiracy, and romance, giving his hero commitments that do not always sit comfortably together. The narrative strongly favors the rebels and presents Spanish authority through the hostile conventions of its adventure tradition. Chester's unofficial position is central to the suspense: he must act decisively while knowing that the sovereign whose interests he serves may publicly deny responsibility for him.
- Secret service and loyalty
- Rebellion and authority
- Rescue and romance
Why read it
Chester's disavowed mission gives his adventures a political danger beyond the immediate risks of pursuit and combat.
English text of the 1895 George Routledge and Sons edition
Contents and reading sections
- Section 1
- Section 2
- Section 3
- Section 4
- Section 5
- Section 6
- Section 7
- Section 8
- Section 9
- Section 10
- Section 11
- Section 12
- Section 13
- Section 14
- Section 15
- Section 16
- Section 17
- Section 18
- Section 19
- Section 20
- Section 21
- Section 22
- Section 23
- Section 24
- Section 25
- Section 26
- Section 27
- Section 28
- Section 29
- Section 30
- Section 31
- Section 32
- Section 33
- Section 34
- Section 35
- Section 36
- Section 37
- Section 38
- Section 39
- Section 40
- Section 41
- Section 42
- Section 43
- Section 44
- Section 45
- Section 46