A Passion for History

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 The History behind Lady Allerton's Wager

“I don't want a fortune,” she said sweetly, “just a small part of your patrimony.  I want Fairhaven Island.”

I first visited Lundy Island, the setting for Lady Allerton’s Wager” in April 1996 and I knew at once that I wanted to set a book there.  The huge granite cliffs rose from out of the sea mist and there was no sound but for the slap of the waves and the screech of the gulls.  I could just see a tiny tumbledown castle perched on top of the cliffs and behind it, the scattered houses of the village.  The wind was sharp and the clouds were low, but I thought it was one of the most beautiful places that I had ever seen.

 We were staying in the castle, in an apartment set within the walls with a fine view across the ruins below and out to sea.  When the weather was bad we would sit in the window, watching the rain clouds chase in across the sea.  When it was fine we would walk for hours across the springy turf, looking for a glimpse of the secretive sika deer and the famous multi-coloured Lundy rabbits.  I could see why anyone would want to own Lundy Island – I wanted to own it myself!

The history of Lundy is fascinating.  It is mentioned in the Viking Orkneyinga Saga and soon after the Norman Conquest it came into the possession of the Marisco family, who used the island as a base for pirate raids into Devon.  Although William de Marisco was hanged for his exploits, the island continued to be used by pirates until the Civil War.  In 1750 the island was leased by Thomas Benson, Member of Parliament for Barnstaple, who used it for smuggling.  The cave where he stored his loot can still be seen beneath the castle.

Beautiful, romantic and with a stormy history, Lundy Island inspired me and I began to dream.  Lundy became Fairhaven Island, a place that Beth Allerton’s grandfather had lost through the treachery of his neighbour the Earl of Trevithick.  Beth is desperate to regain the island that has haunted her thoughts since childhood, but in her way stands Marcus, the current Earl of Trevithick who still holds the land. Beth and Marcus are instantly attracted to each other, but which does Beth love more – Marcus or her beloved Fairhaven Island?  The stage is set for an eternal triangle with a difference…“Lady Allerton’s Wager”

Lundy Island is now in the care of the Landmark Trust.  If you would like to visit the island or stay there, and you could choose no finer place,  Find out more about Lundy Island