# Of Our Flight from That Neighbourhood explained — When Charles the First Was King

> Chapter companion for When Charles the First Was King by J. S. Fletcher.

## What happens

After escaping the mob and being rescued by Ben Tuckett, Will, Jack, and Philip Lisle hide in Ben's house. They eat and drink, then plan to retrieve their horses from the inn. Ben helps Will steal the horses under cover of night, and they meet the others in the fields. Will decides to stay at Dale's Field while Jack and Philip ride off to war.

## Themes in this chapter

### Loyalty to the Crown

Ben Tuckett declares himself a Royalist despite the risks, and the group's escape is motivated by their allegiance to the King.

### Honor and Enmity

Will feels a duty to defend Dale's Field and its women, choosing to stay behind while his companions ride to war.

## Character check-ins

### Ben Tuckett

Rescues the group, provides food and shelter, and helps steal the horses.

### Jack Drumbleforth

Famished and eager for food; participates in the escape and rides off with Philip.

### Philip Lisle

Suffers a head wound; determined to retrieve his horse; entrusts Rose to Will.

### Will Dale

Narrator; helps steal the horses and decides to stay at Dale's Field.

### Caesar

Philip's horse, frightened and difficult to handle during the escape.

## Key lines

> Gentlemen, you have truly brought misfortune upon yourselves, if not upon others. Did I not tell you that you would get sore heads if you strove to further the King's cause in this place?

Ben scolds them for their reckless support of the King, which led to their injuries.

_Ben's warning about the consequences of their Royalist activities._

> I will go back and leave you to your own devices. Will, if thou goest to the war, I will see to the women at Dale's Field. Make thy mind easy on that score.

Ben promises to care for the women at Dale's Field if Will goes to war.

_Ben's offer to protect the household in Will's absence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xvi-of-our-flight-from-that-neighbourhood
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters