Read enough of crime, romance and childish wizards? Why not join Sergeant Jack Astley and colleagues on a riotous weekend with the Civil War Society?
Sergeant Jack Astley, a middle-aged policeman, invests all his spare time and money in boozy weekends with the Civil War Society. He is seriously deluded about his rank in the King’s Army (the Royalist section). His colleagues refer to him as ‘Mad Jack’ or ‘the Bishop’, the latter name based upon his religious fervour.
His unwilling family and colleagues have their own reasons for attending the Battle re-enactments. Constable Hubie Rimmer, the sergeant’s oldest friend, enjoys regular access to Mrs Dora Astley. A second younger constable, Vinnie Virgin, relies upon the sergeant for regular overtime and decent shifts at work.
Over a summer weekend, the Troopers prepare for and then re-enact the Battle of Edgehill. It soon becomes clear that the policemen are mixing with illegal elements, perhaps ex-miners, travellers or immigrants. As the Battle ends, Astley’s Foote prepares itself for a drunken, vengeful Saturday night.
The constables settle for drink, drugs and random violence, often against each other. The sergeant, unhinged by alcohol and spiked tobacco, turns into Sir Jacob Astley, his imagined heroic ancestor. For a few dangerous hours, he is back in the seventeenth century.
Finally, Sunday morning brings surprises which change all their lives.