The inspiration for this short story came from the fascinating history of Edward St.John, the Golden Cavalier, and Lydiard Park’s role as a field hospital during World War II. Edward, a Royalist officer who perished during the English Civil War, is commemorated with a magnificent gilded effigy in St. Mary’s Church at Lydiard Park. His monument, emerging from his field tent resplendent in armour, symbolizes loyalty and sacrifice—ideals that resonate across the centuries.
During World War II, Lydiard Park served as a field hospital for American soldiers, transforming the stately home into a place of healing amidst global turmoil. This intersection of 17th-century legacy and 20th-century wartime service inspired me to weave a narrative connecting the park’s layered history.
Inspiration (and perhaps a murmur from the past) came on a snowy winter’s day, as I stood in the stillness of St. Mary’s Church. The Golden Cavalier’s effigy, bathed in ethereal light, seemed almost alive, his presence a bridge between past and present. It was as though the echoes of Edward’s life intertwined with the wartime struggles of those who found refuge at Lydiard Park.
This image became the heart of my story: a young nurse tending wounded soldiers in 1943 finds herself guided by the Golden Cavalier. Through her encounter with his ghost, she confronts her own fears, discovers unexpected love, and learns the true meaning of sacrifice. Lydiard Park’s rich history and Edward’s enduring presence inspired me to weave a narrative that honours the courage of those who came before us and celebrates the power of love across time.
Available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited
Christmas at Lydiard Park
Lydiard Park, Christmas Eve, 1944. At a war-time field hospital in a deserted English country house, nurse Joyce Mayfield despairs that her wounded German prisoner-of-war patient will survive, despite her nightly vigil. But who is the mysterious cavalier who appears at her side? And this time, will he have the power to change fate?
A gentle Christmas ghost story to go with The Lydiard Chronicles, The Godmother’s Secret and The King’s Intelligencer.
“A sweetly poignant Christmas ghost story from Elizabeth St.John, award-winning author of The Lydiard Chronicles, The Godmother’s Secret and The King’s Intelligencer. As a fan of Elizabeth St.John’s Lydiard Chronicles series, I was happy to learn she’d written a dual-timeline Christmas story (WWII and 17th-century) set in Lydiard Park, her family’s ancestral home. A beautifully written tale, it brings to life acts of kindness that cross divides of culture and time.”
Amy Maroney, Author of The Miramonde Series
“What a lovely short story this is! A wonderful teaser for her intriguing novels with a touch of family history.”
Cathie Dunne, Author of Love Lost in Time
