Micah Clarke
The narrative follows the life of a young man, born in 1664 in Havant, England, who recounts his experiences during a tumultuous period marked by political and religious strife. The protagonist, Micah Clarke, is the son of a former soldier and leather merchant, Joseph Clarke, known for his staunch Puritan beliefs and past service in Oliver Cromwell's army. Micah's upbringing is steeped in the tensions between various religious factions, particularly between the established Church of England and Nonconformists. As Micah grows, he becomes increasingly aware of the political landscape, particularly the rising tensions surrounding King James II's Catholicism and the Protestant dissenters' desire for a Protestant succession. The narrative captures the fervor of the time, detailing the conflicts between royalists and dissenters, and the protagonist's internal struggle with his family's legacy and his own beliefs. The story takes a decisive turn when news arrives that James II's rule is being challenged by the Duke of Monmouth, a Protestant claimant to the throne. Micah, feeling the weight of his heritage and the call to action, decides to join the rebellion alongside his friend Reuben Lockarby and the enigmatic Decimus Saxon, a soldier of fortune with a dubious past. Their journey to join Monmouth's forces is fraught with danger, including encounters with royalist troops and bloodhounds. The trio faces various challenges, including a skirmish with the King's men and the moral dilemmas of warfare. Micah's character is tested as he grapples with the realities of battle, the loss of life, and the motivations behind the rebellion. Throughout the narrative, themes of loyalty, faith, and the quest for freedom are explored. Micah's relationships with his companions, particularly with Saxon, reveal contrasting views on honor, duty, and the nature of warfare. The story culminates in a series of battles that test the resolve of the rebels and ultimately lead to significant consequences for all involved. As the rebellion unfolds, Micah's journey becomes not just a physical one but also a profound exploration of identity, belief, and the cost of standing up for one's convictions in a world rife with conflict. The narrative concludes with a reflection on the impact of these events on Micah's life and the lives of those around him, leaving readers to ponder the complexities of faith, loyalty, and the struggle for justice in a divided society.
By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle · First published 1889 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, War Fiction · 36 chapters · 238,593 words
First lines
It may be, my dear grandchildren, that at one time or another I have told you nearly all the incidents which have occurred during my adventurous life. To your father and to your mother, at least, I know that none of them are unfamiliar. Yet when I consider that time wears on, and that a grey head is apt to contain a failing memory, I am prompted to use these long winter evenings in putting it all before you from the beginning, that you may have it as one clear story in your minds, and pass it on as such to those who come after you. For now that the house of Brunswick is firmly established upon the throne and that peace prevails in the land, it will become less easy for you every year to understand how men felt when Englishmen were in arms against Englishmen, and when he who should have been the shield and the protector of his subjects had no thought but to force upon them what they most abhorred and detested.
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Micah Clarke is listed on Textopian as a novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, dated 1889 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- Date: 1889 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, War Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Romance
- Length: 238,593 words
- Structure: 36 chapters, 2,414 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Micah Clarke by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Micah Clarke?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The novel is set during the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685, blending real historical events with fictional characters.
- Adventure — The plot follows the protagonist's thrilling experiences and escapades during a tumultuous period.
- War Fiction — The narrative explores themes of conflict, loyalty, and the impact of war on individuals and society.
- Coming-of-Age — The protagonist undergoes significant personal growth and development throughout the story.
Tags
historical fiction · adventure · 19th century · England · war · knights · loyalty · betrayal · action · romance · coming of age · political intrigue
Contents
- Of Cornet Joseph Clarke of the Ironsides
- Of my Going to School and of my Coming Thence
- Of Two Friends of my Youth
- Of the Strange Fish that we Caught at Spithead
- Of the Man with the Drooping Lids
- Of the Letter that Came from the Lowlands
- Of the Horseman who Rode from the West
- Of our Start for the Wars
- Of a Passage of Arms at the Blue Boar
- Of our Perilous Adventure on the Plain
- Of the Lonely Man and the Gold Chest
- Of Certain Passages Upon the Moor
- Of Sir Gervas Jerome, Knight Banneret of the County of <Br/> Surrey
- Of the Stiff-Legged Parson and his Flock
- Of our Brush with the King's Dragoons
- Of our Coming to Taunton
- Of the Gathering in the Market-Square
- Of Master Stephen Timewell, Mayor of Taunton
- Of a Brawl in the Night
- Of the Muster of the Men of the West
- Of my Hand-Grips with the Brandenburger
- Of the News from Havant
- Of the Snare on the Weston Road
- Of the Welcome that Met me at Badminton
- Of Strange Doings in the Boteler Dungeon
- Of the Strife in the Council
- Of the Affair Near Keynsham Bridge
- Of the Fight in Wells Cathedral
- Of the Great Cry from the Lonely House
- Of the Swordsman with the Brown Jacket
- Of the Maid of the Marsh and the Bubble which Rose from <Br/> the Bog
- Of the Onfall at Sedgemoor
- Of my Perilous Adventure at the Mill
- Of the Coming of Solomon Sprent
- Of the Devil in Wig and Gown
- Of the End of it All
More by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- The Parish Magazine (1914)
- The Great Brown-Pericord Motor (1914)
- The Holocaust of Manor Place (1901)
- The Debatable Case of Mrs. Emsley (1901)
- The Love Affair of George Vincent Parker (1901)
- The Disintegration Machine (1927)
- The Bully of Brocas Court (1914)
- The Brown Hand (1914)
- All works by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle