Lucy Worsley has written on a number of historical and biographical subjects. Her style is usually well-researched but light in tone – See my previous reviews of her work here, here, here and here. Cavalier is slightly heavier in style but it is also well researched and interesting to read.
The cavalier of the title is William Cavendish who supports King Charles, goes into exile during the time of Cromwell and returns to England with the Restoration. Quite a lot of the book looks at the life that Cavendish lead, what his homes looked like, how people of the time functioned in their lives and how relationships worked. This makes it as much a work of social history as it is a biography which I enjoyed, especially as the author made sure to include information about the “lower” classes as well as Cavendish and his peers.
Cavendish was a rich, cultured and privileged man. He was also a man who enjoyed liaisons with women. He was a horse trainer and enthusiastic about architecture. He was involved in the social life of his class and so the book contains plenty of contemporary gossip. Although it is obvious that the author has some affection for him she is open about his faults and also about how miserable he was when he found himself abroad.
This is not a history of the Civil War but it is an interesting biography of one man who became swept up in the events of his time. It is easy enough to read and informative about many aspects of life at the time. I enjoyed it.
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