Martha Morgan, the Mistress
of Plas Ingli, has a premonition of grave danger to come. As
the effects of poverty and starvation afflict the neighbourhood
Martha tries to influence the corrupt Turnpike Trusts, who are
compounding the miseries of the poor by building new and illegal
toll gates and rigorously collecting tolls.
In 1839 the destruction of the tollgate at Efailwen triggers
off a phase of rioting which spreads across West Wales. The
riots are always led by somebody called "Rebecca",
and the rioters are always referred to as "her daughters."
For a time there is guerrilla warfare with the police and the
army out-manoevred by men who know every inch of the countryside.
Martha is never far from the action, and as the riots spread
she and her family and servants are sucked into a murky world
of intrigue and betrayal. With considerable heroism on the part
of her nearest and dearest, and with not a little luck, Martha
manages to keep out of trouble. But then she gets too close
to the action. As the riots build to a climax, she decides on
a final foolhardy gesture, and things start to go badly wrong..........
More Information
Greencroft Books - Historical Fiction
Publication Date: 01/11/2004 - 432 pp - 210 x 147 mm - ISBN
0905559835
Territory: World All Languages
