Rosemary Morris's Reviews > The White Witch

The White Witch by Elizabeth Goudge

“A Dream of England
The Nightmare of War”

From the first page to the last The White Witch, which commences at the beginning of the Civil War, in 1642 when King Charles I raised his standard in Nottingham, the novel held my attention from beginning to the end.

The White Witch opens when eight-year old Will Haslewood is eagerly awaiting the day on which he will be breeched. He can barely wait to have his hair shorn, receive his doublet and breeches and, best of all, for his father to bring a sword from London.
His parents, and the white witch, Froniga, who is half gypsy, will be present at Will’s breeching and so will his sister, Jenny,

Elizabeth Goudge leads us through events great and small in which the
Haslewoods, the man of many parts, Yoben, who loves and is loved by Froniga Squire Haselwood’s cousin, and Francis, the mysterious itinerant artist, make their exits and entrances.

The White Witch is a tale of civilians, the ill-fated Charles I, courtiers, soldiers, battles, Anglicans Puritans, and gypsies, including three small children who are protected by their grandmother and Yoben.

Elizabeth Goudge is to be complimented on her historical research, imagination and lyrical prose.

Every character, minor and major, is skilfully portrayed and so is the countryside and cities.

I keep The White Witch on a bookcase with treasured books I will not part with.