The Unrest Summary

It is August 1642. The Godfrey and Shockley families are close friends. Margaret Shockley, twenty years old, is raising her two-year-old step-brother, Samuel. Her brother Edmund is now head of the family. Brother Obadiah is a Presbyterian minister. The other brother is Nathaniel.

The country is on the verge of civil war over the issue of divine right. The king could not levy taxes without Parliament. The Stuart King Charles has been forced to flee.

The Shockleys discuss the situation. They decide to leave Samuel with Margaret as to their father's will. They return to their discussion of politics. Sir Henry Forest is a Baronet and not sure who he will side with. If the Shockleys are divided, he might secure the water meadows.

The brothers are split by the war. Margaret remains neutral. Edmund sides with Cromwell against the king. In...