By What Authority?

Robert Hugh Benson (1871 - 1914)

Two wealthy families are neighbors in Elizabethan England; one is staunchly Catholic and the other is devoutly Protestant. The attractive young scions of the families are drawn to each other in friendship and love, but are kept apart by their opposing religions. Life is very difficult for Catholics during those times. They are subject to fines, imprisonment, torture and ignominious death for practicing their faith. On the other hand, for various reasons some Catholics give up their inherited faith, and even betray and persecute their fellow-religionists. As the threads of plot are woven tighter, heroes emerge, sometimes most unexpectedly, as they grapple with theological doubts and conflicts, and undergo extreme suffering and loss. The many characters we meet ring true, whether they are brilliant or superstitious, stalwart or wavering, pious or violent; and it is a great privilege to spend time with such towering historical figures as St. Edmond Campion and Queen Elizabeth herself. Love, history, theology, suspense, and an array of colorful characters are sewn inexorably together in this large and compelling story. (Intro by Carol Pelster)

Genre(s): Culture & Heritage Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 Part 1 Chapter 1 Carol Pelster
00:19:42
Play 02 Part 1 Chapter 2 Carol Pelster
00:35:07
Play 03 Part 1 Chapter 3 Carol Pelster
00:39:08
Play 04 Part 1 Chapter 4 Carol Pelster
00:35:14
Play 05 Part 1 Chapter 5 Carol Pelster
00:30:22
Play 06 Part 1 Chapter 6 Carol Pelster
00:39:54
Play 07 Part 1 Chapter 7 Carol Pelster
00:31:49
Play 08 Part 1 Chapter 8 Carol Pelster
00:20:30
Play 09 Part 1 Chapter 9 Carol Pelster
00:21:46
Play 10 Part 1 Chapter 10 Carol Pelster
00:41:55
Play 11 Part 1 Chapter 11 Carol Pelster
00:40:38
Play 12 Part 1 Chapter 12 Carol Pelster
00:28:48
Play 13 Part 2 Chapter 1 Carol Pelster
00:40:00
Play 14 Part 2 Chapter 2 Carol Pelster
00:37:52
Play 15 Part 2 Chapter 3 Carol Pelster
00:33:46
Play 16 Part 2 Chapter 4 Carol Pelster
00:43:01
Play 17 Part 2 Chapter 5 Carol Pelster
00:57:15
Play 18 Part 2 Chapter 6 Carol Pelster
00:44:03
Play 19 Part 2 Chapter 7 Carol Pelster
00:36:14
Play 20 Part 2 Chapter 8 Carol Pelster
00:28:58
Play 21 Part 2 Chapter 9 Carol Pelster
00:40:25
Play 22 Part 2 Chapter 10 Carol Pelster
00:39:35
Play 23 Part 2 Chapter 11 Carol Pelster
00:53:15
Play 24 Part 2 Chapter 12 Carol Pelster
00:43:35
Play 25 Part 2 Chapter 13 Carol Pelster
00:43:44
Play 26 Part 2 Chapter 14 Carol Pelster
00:38:03
Play 27 Part 3 Chapter 1 Carol Pelster
00:16:47
Play 28 Part 3 Chapter 2 Carol Pelster
00:34:41
Play 29 Part 3 Chapter 3 Carol Pelster
00:42:25
Play 30 Part 3 Chapter 4 Carol Pelster
00:19:50
Play 31 Part 3 Chapter 5 Carol Pelster
00:24:46
Play 32 Part 3 Chapter 6 Carol Pelster
00:35:41
Play 33 Part 3 Chapter 7 Carol Pelster
00:37:01
Play 34 Part 3 Chapter 8 Carol Pelster
00:36:28
Play 35 Part 3 Chapter 9 Carol Pelster
00:19:03
Play 36 Part 3 Chapter 10 Carol Pelster
00:31:05
Play 37 Part 3 Chapter 11 Carol Pelster
00:37:41
Play 38 Part 3 Chapter 12 Carol Pelster
00:12:43
Play 39 Part 3 Chapter 13 Carol Pelster
00:36:52
Play 40 Part 3 Chapter 14 Carol Pelster
00:28:37
Play 41 Part 3 Chapter 15 Carol Pelster
00:14:51