News : "The Keys to Corfe Castle" with a Keystone Connection

Who better to tell this mostly true tale from 400 years ago of military daring by a "lady" than retired United States Air Force Colonel, Linda Sindt? An early trailblazer in toppling barriers to upward mobility for today's military women, Sindt says, "Lady Mary's voice demands to be heard. While her husband was away trying to talk sense into England's King 400 years ago, she boldy defended her home, Corfe Castle." Publishing her first historical novel, "The Keys to Corfe Castle" a story of the wars of England in the 1600's. The book was just released in August 2022.

Sindt said, "I had visited Corfe Castle several years ago and bits and pieces of Lady Mary's tale had been kicking around in my head." She says honestly that the inspiration for writing her book was, "sheer and utter boredom" during the pandemic. Her pandemic baby was delivered after she got serious about writing her book albeit in her pajamas.

She said that it took the best part of two years, to write, have it professionally edited, and find a publisher. At first, she had a difficult time attracting a "traditional publisher," but the editor that she hired encouraged her to try a smaller, independent publisher. That was the key to being published. She said that the first one she sent it to snatched it up.  The book is now being marketed worldwide. It Is is now available in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and many European countries. 

As many women who have now retired from the military feel, she was a "pioneer of sorts in integrating women into today's US military." As a result of that, she was struck by Lady Mary's daring in actually engaging (along with her young daughters) in direct combat with those who attacked her home. Sindt said it was definitely "out of character for the ordinary 17th Century "Upper Crust" housewife!" The last time that Lady Mary's story had been told was in the 1800s. "I decided modern generations should learn her name," Sindt said.

The book includes several color images of 400-year-old art treasures now in the public domain. In researching her story, she found a treasure trove of information that was available to her. She discovered copies of actual letters from Lady Mary's family and household accounts from 400 years ago. Most are now accessible entirely on the internet. "I started out with an imagined plot as to what might have happened but was forced to change when I banged into the authenticated, recorded facts of what really happened. "The Keys to Corfe Castle" is backed by a more than 425 entry bibliography."

"In a modern society that discourages discussion of religious differences from "polite" conversation at the dinner table, the truthful telling of this story necessarily deals with three warring religious factions while at the same time holding to the theme of religious tolerance and inclusion for all," she explained.

The heroine of Sindt's story, Lady Mary Hawtrey Bankes played a role in history that was not a role that a proper English woman would hold.  A brief synopsis of the book says that she, "inspired a war-weary nation, including even her foes when she dared to oppose the Parliamentary forces in fierce face-to-face combat with her young daughters by her side. Not exactly a then socially acceptable role for "proper" ladies! Who could blame them? The enemy (their neighbors) not only wanted to destroy their castle but to abolish Christmas!

Lady Mary's story is one of tender romance in an era of arranged marriages. It celebrates family at a time of paramount fear and despair. It is a (slightly) fictionalized but mostly true tale of heartbreaking loss and betrayal-but also of fervent love and hope. Not your ordinary historical romance novel."

"The Keys to Corfe Castle" is available through Barnes and Noble and Amazon with 10% of the author's royalties going to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in memory of her husband to promote pancreatic cancer research. Anyone facing this dreadful disease can check out their website here for help, support and opportunities to create a world in which all pancreatic cancer patients will thrive.

The Military Women's Memorial in Arlington, VA will also share 10% of the author's royalties in a special tribute to the inspiring military exploits of Lady Mary Hawtrey Bankes.

About the author

Linda along with her late husband Duane Sindt, a long time resident of Keystone, retired after nearly 40 years in the United States Air Force to Oregon. Colonel Sindt is the sister-in-law of Terry and Judi Hertle of Atkins, Iowa. The Hertles suggest requesting the book from your public library.