james Graham was the Marquis of Montrose. In the dying days of the English Civil war, he raised the monarchists of Scotland to the height of nearly seizing the country. Though a supporter of Scotland against the Stuart forces in "The War of the three Kingdoms", by 1642 he was a staunch supporter of Charles I against Cromwell's Parliamentarians. Winning five field battles he maintained the war in Scotland until defeated by a surpeise attack at Philiphaugh in 1645, and fled to the continent. Invading Scotland again in 1649, he was captured and executed for treason . After the restoration of Charles Ii, his memory was granted an elaborate funeral by that king. He was romantically linked with the sister of Prince Rupert. The novel is well researched and readable. ( )