Biff & Kipper books

[CrystalFlyer]

DD just read ‘the jigsaw puzzle’ about visiting a boy called Edmund (and his sister Jane) when the soldiers came and his father hid in a secret room. It reads like it’s based on a real historical event but we’re in Ireland and my knowledge of English history isn’t great.

DD is wondering about the story so can anyone fill me in?

Do the clothes give a hint about the time period? Or the country?

Although I guess they are English names, so maybe hiding in an Elizabethan priest hole?

Had a quick google - looks like it could be based on the English Civil War maybe? The soldiers' leaders look quite Puritany so they may be Cromwell's soldiers and the "dad" is a Royalist?

Sounds possible!

I found an image (if this works)

TBH it looks like something from the witch trials! It just seems a bit of an odd story with no context! So was wondering if it was based on an actual factual event.

Guy Fawkes tableaux with a guy in a baseball cap and a penis nose?

Its frm the English Civil war. There was a famous painting "and when did you last see your father" depicting the above - basically the parliamentarians were in the house looking for the father (a royalist) and questioning the children. www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/artifact/and-when-did-you-last-see-your-father

I am not sure if the painting was actually based on a historical event (it was supposed to be I think). But it was based on stuff that was sort of happening then.

Ahh, sorry I just checked and apparently the painting is "plausible but imaginary rather than based on actual historical records". So in the origianal, there is no way of knowing whether the boy accidentally betrays his father, or whether the children are left unharmed. Biff and Kipper obviously managed to solve that mystery through the power of the magic key.

Wierdly, I remember seing the painting in a history book about the civil when I was in school. But I can't remember actually useful stuff.

I knew mumsnet would come through for me. DD is delighted to be able to talk about the real painting at school tomorrow.