Poldark Timeline

Late 18th Century in Cornwall

1760

January – Ross Vennor Poldark, newborn, is christened at St. Sawle, Grambler-with-Sawle church, with his parents Joshua and Grace in attendance.

1765

Claude Anthony Poldark is born to Joshua and Grace Poldark and christened at St. Sawle church.

1770

May 9^th – Grace Vennor Poldark dies, age 30, and is buried at St. Sawle churchyard. Ross, her eldest son, is aged 10.

1771

January 9^th- Claude Anthony Poldark, age 6, dies and is buried at St. Sawle churchyard.

1781

Ensign Ross Poldark, age 21, of the British Army, takes leave of Cornwall for the American War.

Ross Poldark

                  Book One

1783

March 11- Joshua Poldark dies, age 59, buried at St. Sawle churchyard. His son, Ross, now a Captain and in New York recovering at the conclusion of the American War,  learns of his passing  via letter in the summertime.

October, mid-month- Captain Ross Poldark, de-commissioned from the Army, returns to Cornwall with a cheek scar and a leg limp from his British Army days. He borrows first (then later buys) a lame mare from the man at the Red Lion Inn- she was left as collateral for non-payment of bill. She is christened “Darkie” by sweet cousin, Verity, because she has a “pretty black streak” and in honor of Ross’s nickname, the “dark Poldark”  (Francis was the “fair Poldark”). Ross discovers his un-official fiancé, the fair and blond Elizabeth Chynoweth, is engaged to his cousin, Francis. This is a “bit” of a blow to the now orphaned, Ross. In modern parlance, we would call this a “bad day”.

              -Ross finds his home, Nampara, a disaster. The cat, Tabitha Bethia is doing well, but otherwise, there are dead and live chickens in the house, nothing has been cleaned, maintained, repaired, or tended (meaning no fields plowed or sown) in ages. The last two servants, Jud and Prudie Paynter, are drunk and in his father’s bed.

October, late in the month -  Darkie loses her lameness once she receives proper shoeing and good treatment.

November 1^st- cousin Francis Poldark weds Elizabeth Chynoweth in the church of St. Sawle.

November 2^nd- New Year’s Eve, and beyond – Ross works steadfastly and without distraction on the ill-kept and abused Nampara, “drinking too much and thinking too much” and becoming a “brooding man.” (R.P. p. 80) At least cousin Verity Poldark visits often and his lameness improves. 

Winter -  Ross turns 24 years old.

1784

April 11, Sunday – Easter

April 12, Monday - the Ball in Truro: Ross escorts Verity Poldark,  dances with Ruth Teague, sees Elizabeth Poldark, and sleeps with Margaret Vosper. It was a big day. VREM, VREM! Comes home slightly depressed (from the "megrims" of the night) and goes for a swim.

April 13, Tuesday - The Annual Redruth Fair: Ross goes to buy livestock, and succeeds. We meet Demelza Carne, a 13 year-old black-haired girl from a motherless, drink-addled family with a beating, bully of a father. She agrees to new terms for her future: kitchen maid at Nampara without beatings. She is accompanied by her loyal, black mongrel dog, Garrick, still a pup like her. She turns 14 very soon after.

June- early - the main Branch of the Poldark family vetoes Miss Verity’s selection of a possible husband, Captain Andrew Blamey, who has an unfortunate past history of accidentally killing his first wife while she was with child.

June 30 ish - Jim Carter weds Jinny Martin, eldest of the 12 Martin children.

           - Ross returns home from a meeting of the potential shareholders planning on opening the copper mine, Wheal Leisure. He finds a rabid Rueben Clemmow, formerly of Mellin (a Nampara micro-village), hiding in his barn before Rueben swings a mining "jumper" at Ross - which grazes him on the shoulder. A jumper is an iron bar tipped with a chisel shaped edge used by the miners to bore their way into rock,.. or someone's head.  Ross escapes the darkened barn, locking it behind - with Rueben trapped inside - then goes into the house to retrieve his pistol. Back at the barn, another near miss with the jumper on Rueben's part, and Ross fires his gun at the fleeing man. But a bloody trail is all that is left behind.

July- later in the month - Garrick the-Dog, is allowed entrance, for the first time,  into the kitchen.

July – Elizabeth Poldark is with child.

August, mid-month - Ross, who has grown fond of his intelligent, young kitchen girl, allows her to ride with him on Darkie and buys her a red cloak.

August, late in the month - Captain Andrew Blamey, having secured the approval of Ross some months back, has been meeting occasionally with Verity at Nampara until this day, when he has a near fatal duel with Francis Poldark, who really doesn't like him. Having used Ross's father's dueling pistols for the aforesaid duel, Ross is unhappy, but Francis is more so, and a falling out between the two begins.

September (Autumn) - Francis Poldark and his good friend, George Warleggan, begin regularly frequenting gambling parties- furnished with many physical stimulations beyond drink, cards and coin. Hint, hint, nudge, nudge, know what I mean?

       - Ross hires Jack Cobbledick to work on the farm.

October, end of the month - Geoffrey Charles Poldark born at Trenwith to his parents, Francis and Elizabeth. Elizabeth discovers the greatest love of her life: her child. Her husband falls to a dismal fifth place behind #1- his son, #2 & #3- her parents (which is obligatory love, but keenly bound love nonetheless) and #4- Ross Poldark, his cousin, the danger boy. It is a bitter pill for him to swallow.

Late November-early December- Geoffrey Charles’ Christening at St. Sawle, after which Ross attends the celebration at Trenwith and first hears the women gossiping about a perceived inappropriate relationship between him and his serving girl,  Demelza. He is a just a trifle angry, the serving girl being but 14- Jeeze!!- but says nothing...though he thinks a great deal and it is very colorful language.

1785

Early in the year - Demelza discovers a new world at Nampara when she finally braves the closed room of the library… a room that Ross avoids due to its potent family memories. Having no decent memories of her own childhood, this place is Disneyland to Demelza.

March - Benjamin Ross Carter born to Jinny and Jim Carter- the child is named in honor of Captain Ross Poldark, who has particularly befriended the young family.

April - Reuben Clemmow, the very disturbed man from the previous June, returns to Mellin late one night and attacks Jinny Carter in her cottage (while Jim is at Hendrawna Beach to help scavenge a new sea wrecked ship). He dies in the chaos and delirium of the struggle, but the baby, Benjy Ross, is left with a scar-for-life to match his namesake. Jinny is stabbed in the chest, but her heart is not injured...physically, at least.

                             Book Two

Mid-April - Demelza turns 15.

January to late Autumn - Ross avoids all social events with people of his own class due to his aversion of being around the tiresome and offensive gossips that he so dislikes. (social media of the 18^th century).

1786

March -  Demelza has moved into the role of “general housekeeper” and enjoys “contriving the meals and cooking them”…because Prudie lacks real initiative, it seems (R.P. p.264).

Late April - Demelza, now age 16, finds a bottle of gin in the library and samples it; a fight between her and Jud ensues, broken-up by a rather displeased Ross, who gives Demelza the sterner of the tongue lashings. She is forbidden drink thereafter. Demelza is beyond chagrined.

May - a deeper friendship begins to develop between Ross and Demelza because “he was lonely and glad of companionship” (R.P. p 264) and she seeks to remedy his disappointment in her...over her getting inebriated and wrestling with Jud.

June and July - Demelza sets about to restore Grace’s old garden at Nampara.

July - Ross is still drinking heavily (R.P. p 264).

Autumn- Demelza is given her own allowance.

1787

February - Jim Carter is treated by Dr. Choake for Morbid Condition of the Lung. He can no longer work in the mine.

April – Demelza turns 17.

April - After much preparatory work by Ross, the decision is finally made (and a consortium is formed) to re-open Wheal Leisure Mine on the edge of Nampara land. 

-                   - Horace Trenaglos, utterly un-aware, tells a sober and unresponsive Ross about a story he “heard of a fellow the other day who was carrying on with his kitchen wench, serious, I mean, not for a lark.” (R.P. p.284)

May 30^th- Jim Carter, arrested for poaching several days earlier, stands trial in Truro, and despite Ross’s attempt at defensive lawyering, is found guilty and sentenced to two years. Ross buys a bottle of brandy at the Fighting Cocks Inn and sets about drinking it.

-                    - Demelza’s father, Tom Carne, shows up at Nampara a reformed man – in looks anyway- and asks her about “sin” between her and Captain Poldark (R.P. p 299); he then informs her that he has come to take her home. She is given a few days to talk to the captain and prepare for the return to Illugan. (He and his new wife need their own kitchen wench for their expanding family…)

-                    - After Demelza gets rid of her father, and in a fit of exploding emotions, comes to realize that she “adores” Ross (R.P. p 303) and that “she can’t leave him” for her father’s home. (R.P. p 298) – (She has known of the rumors about her and Ross for a long time and has dismissed them as idle chatter. (R.P. p 304)). Her choice becomes very clear; her mind is made up and un-changeable.

-                    -   With no "dutch courage" for confidence, a determined Demelza seduces Ross on his return from Truro.

June 1^st -Ross proposes to Demelza that they should marry.

                             Book Three

June 24^th – Ross Vennor Poldark weds Demelza Carne at the church of St. Sawle; he is age 27, she is 17 (but gives her age as 18).

August, first week – The Pilchard Run comes in and Ross takes Demelza out in their boat

 to watch the shoals of slight silver fish

caught-up by the seining nets

in the light of the night.

 The harvest becomes a reawakening experience for Ross’ heart. 

          - neither of them drink that much, but Ross first feels love for his wife.

September - Uncle Charles Poldark, the grand patriarch, dies at Trenwith.

September, end of – October, first week – Verity comes to Nampara for 3 weeks. During the awkward-at-first visit to Nampara, Verity and Demelza become friends, and go shopping in Truro. (Demelza’s 4^th visit ever to the town)  Demelza buys: things for the house- like a clock, her first “lady’s” dress and orders her first nice lingerie, aka “small clothes” (R.P. p 414).

October, 3^rd – 4^th week of - last days of Verity’s visit at Nampara; Demelza tells Verity that she believes herself to be pregnant- perhaps six – eight weeks along.

Monday, December 24^th – Christmas Eve - Ross and Demelza are invited to Trenwith for the night. They attend and while Demelza changes upstairs, Elizabeth confidentially asks Ross to find out for her “if Francis is going with another woman” (R.P. p 420). Later that evening Elizabeth plays several pieces on her harp, but does not sing, followed by Demelza, who sings two Cornish folk songs: one the sultry sweet I d’ Pluck a Fair Rose for My Love and then the saucy As Pretty a Piece of Mischief as Never I Saw.  Aunt Agatha’s says (R.P. p. 410) she is “ninety-one. Last Thursday sennight.” – marking her birthday, therefore, (If I am correct in my reading) as Sunday, December 13^th, 1696. (Fun Fact: Julian calendar, not Gregorian). Agatha dubs Demelza "Bud" as in flower bud. John Treneglos takes a shine to Demelza and also calls her "Bud". Ross is humored and pleased with Demelza's social debut. Up in their room at Trenwith later that night, both a little far gone in liquor, bot not too far, they share an intimate hour with petals removed.

December 25th, Christmas Day - Ross and Demelza walk home to Nampara and Ross is briefly, truly and completely happy.

 “If a man has vitality let him increase his own soul, not set about owning other people’s.” (R.P. p 430) - Ross Poldark

Demelza

1788

Book One

May 16^th, Friday – Julia Grace Poldark is born to her parents Ross and Demelza Poldark.

July 22, Tuesday - Julia is christened at St. Sawle Church with her godparents Verity and Francis Poldark in attendance, followed by a christening party at Nampara. The first of two christening parties planned: one for the "high folk" and one for the "low folk" (D. p. 26). The party afterward at Nampara begins admirably, but goes south fast when Demelza's aggressive and abrasive father shows up (a day early!!!) and makes religiously snide remarks about Ruth (Teague) Treneglos's expansive bosom.

              -Joan Pascoe brings a new young man in the district to the christening party; his name is Dr. Dwight Enys.

July 23^rd - Second christening party held for the village neighbors with a performance in the Nampara Library afterward by the traveling theatrical company, Aaron Ottway’s Players. An alluring young woman named Karen is among them. Jud wishes he could kiss Char Nanfan, but is denied.

Verity is 29 and Elizabeth is 24.

August, beginning of month - Jud and Demelza go to Falmouth for the day to find Captain James Blamey. Demelza is a woman on a mission and her quest is to deliver Verity her happiness. Happiness in and with her own life (Not the happiness of being useful to other's lives, but the happiness of creating your own life, love, family, home, and community for you and yours...)

August, end of month - Mark Daniels, Ross’s childhood friend, weds the traveling player, Keren Smith, after he builds a cottage for her on Nampara land in less than a week’s time. The little house is called Reath Cottage. Keren is almost satisfied with Mark's efforts.

September - The Carnmore Copper Company is founded. Shareholders are: Lord Devoran, Sir John Michael Trevaunance, Bart., Alfred Barbary, Esq., Ray Penvenen, Esq., Ross Vennor Poldark, Esq., Peter St. Aubyn Tresize, Esq., Richard Paul Cowdray Tonkin, Esq., Henry Blewett, William Trencrom, and Thomas Johnson.

October 20^th – Verity re-meets Captain Andrew Blamey after four years of separation. There are grain riots in Truro.

October, late in the month - Jud and Prudie are fired after Jud drinks too much of Ross’s liquor from the cellar and allows his mouth to run away with him while – unbeknownst to Jud - Ross is in earshot. Jud has slandered Jinny Carter, whose husband is locked up in prison, and Ross, who is not.

October, end of month - Jane and John Gimlett (age 40-ish) are hired to replace Jud and Prudie- they are a revelation in quality of service.

November 12^th – After sustaining numerous severe losses at the gaming tables, especially at those hosted by George Warleggan, and predominantly to a well-to-do miller named Mathew Sansom, Francis must face his greatest loss yet: Grambler Mine. The 188 year-old Trenwith Poldark mine is closed, after operating continuously since about 1600. This sets the Trenwith Poldarks into an economic tailspin.

1789

                             Book Two

Ross is 29.

Winter, early in the year - Verity and Captain Blamey are secretly courting; their correspondence is carried by a loyal friend.

March - Keren Daniel, Mark’s hard-to-satisfy young wife, sets her libidinous sites on the young, terribly handsome, and single Dr. Dwight Enys.

April 3^rd - Carnmore Copper Company makes their first purchase of raw ore at the ticketing in Truro. 

              -The Nampara Poldarks are invited to the Kings Recovery Celebration Ball and the pre-party at the Warleggan’s Truro town house.

April, early in the month- Keren Daniel has wriggled her way into the soft heart of Dr. Enys.

April, mid-month - Demelza is 19.

April 17^th- Ross splurges on Demelza in Truro: he first buys her a gold and ruby brooch set with seed pearls (D. p. 222) followed by a fashion forward, sexy and showy, silver silk damask gown.

-evening- Ross  and Dwight arrive by 7 pm in Launceston to inquire after the health of Ross’s servant, Jim Carter, who is still in jail on a two-year poaching sentence (his release should have been set for May of this year). They find Jim, with difficulty, in an overcrowded and fever plagued gaol (prison). They “release” him.

April 18^th- in Launceston, Jim, suffering from fever and a gangrenous arm cannot be saved despite Ross and Dwight’s best efforts. Jim dies and is buried.

April 22 - Ross and Dwight arrive back home in the morning. Ross, despondent, has been consuming brandy for some time.

-Jinny Carter, widowed mother of three, attempts suicide by hanging.

April 23^rd - Despite Ross’s self-loathing aversion to going to the King’s Recovery Celebration Ball in Truro, he agrees to take Demelza and they attend.

- Looking at herself in the new shimmering gown before the ball, Demelza thought, “it wasn’t decent”, but goes forth into the evening nonetheless. Wearing “the frock” and brooch she finds she must fend off fawning – and mostly very unimpressive - men.  An angry Ross is nowhere to be seen for most of the night.  Demelza learns later that the Lord Lieutenant “asked who she was” (D. p .306) (Fun fact: Ross paid £90 for the brooch in 1789, but in 2017 the cost would be £12,510.00).

-Verity is there also, and meets Captain Blamey, but Francis also sees him and a fight nearly ensues. Blamey is forced to make a quick departure from Truro and from Verity yet again.

-George flirts with Elizabeth.

-Ross drinks, then plays cards with Mathew Sansom. While not really enjoying the gaming, Ross privately discovers that Sansom is a card sharp, and chooses to reveal the fact to the other guests who are watching their late-night high-stakes game. Ross tosses Sansom into the tidal Truro river, which, according to Ross, “was not at home” (D. p. 300). Ross also learns- after the fact- that Mathew Sansom is George Warleggan’s cousin.

April 24^th-Keren Daniel seduces Dwight.

May 2^nd - Warleggan informers have given Cary Warleggan a report on the rival Carnmore Copper Company and its shareholders: Warleggans now know a few of the players- Travaunance, Poldark and Tonkin…enough to begin the squeeze. George and Uncle Cary’s motivation, though not Father Nicholas’s, is in part pure revenge against Ross for publicly revealing the card cheating of cousin Mathew.

Book Three

July 26^th, Sunday – Verity runs away with Captain Andrew Blamey.

              -Francis and Elizabeth discover Verity’s planned elopement and Francis is beside himself with rage.

              -George Warleggan arrives at Trenwith-coincidentally- to offer £1200 in reimbursement of Francis’s debt to Mathew Sansom and Cary Warleggan- £600 in cash and £600 to pay down loans. Francis, in his state of shock and fury from the news of Verity’s elopement (not to mention he’s been drinking for a few hours), is startled and stunned by this show of magnanimity from George. He shares with George his belief that Ross facilitated Verity’s departure and in his anger, chooses to make a “grand recognition” to George’s “friendship.” He gives the names of the Carnmore Copper Company shareholders, knowing full well that in so doing, “the scheme need necessarily fail.” (D. p. 349)

July 27^th, Monday - around 1 o’clock in the morning, there is a black powder accident at Wheal Leisure involving Mark Daniels. He leaves his pitch early on his core and goes home to tend his wounds and confront Keren about her infidelity. He has suspected it for a very long time, but until now, has not wanted to believe.

-Keren Daniel is discovered dead in her kitchen window by little Charlie Baragwanath, the gardener’s boy at Mingoose, about 4:30 in the morning.

-at 11 in the morning, in Falmouth, Verity Poldark weds Captain James Blamey at the Church of King Charles the Martyr.

-late afternoon, Ross receives letter from Elizabeth sharing the news of Verity’s elopement. He rides to Trenwith to console with them and is completely surprised to discover Francis’ suspicions of his and Demelza’s involvement. Ross believes that he and Francis “have broken for a long time.” (D. p. 383)

July 28^th, Tuesday, 6 pm - Captain McNeil of the Scots Greys and his 5 dragoons arrive at Nampara for a chat about sea worthy vessels.

July 29^th, Wednesday, before 1 am - Mark Daniels flees Cornwall in Ross’s small cutter, bound for France.

 July 31^st, Friday -  Ross goes to Place House at Travaunance Cove for a meeting of the Carnmore shareholders and bumps into Captain McNeil along the way. McNeil offers Ross a friendly bit of advice about giant black squids.

              -The meeting of the shareholders does not go well: 3 of the shareholders have received letters from Warleggan’s Bank inexplicably calling in their loans without notice. Pressure has reached a peak against the young company and Ross begins to fear that they will not survive.

              -Demelza ventures to Trenwith to confess to Francis her own solitary hand in Verity’s elopement. He throws her out.

              -Demelza confesses to Ross her involvement with Verity’s courtship and marriage to Captain James Blamey and that she had taken the news to Francis also. They have their first heated quarrel; Ross’s fury comes slowly at first, then breaks with meanness.  He shortly gains some perspective and allows his anger to subside as he realizes that this information is tied to Francis’ behavior and the struggles of the Carnmore Copper Company.

Late in the year- Old Ramoth, Joshua’s blind old horse, dies.

Book Four

December 24^th, 1789, Christmas Eve - A letter from Verity arrives describing her new life as a success, but allowing that she misses her family. Carolers arrive at 9 pm and Ross finally returns at 10 pm. Ross and Demelza have a quiet Christmas at home but there is now a permanent constraint between them and his love is altered toward her. She suffers a painful and guilt ridden awareness that her actions on Verity’s behalf have led to Francis’ betrayal against Ross (and the other men of Carnmore), and that it has cost her a portion, or quality, of Ross’s love for her. There are few carolers at their door as many are sick.

December 26^th, Boxing Day - Ross and Demelza venture to Werry House for the afternoon. There is a sick monkey and it is isn't Sir Hugh.

December 28^th, Monday - Ross and Zacky go to Truro for the last copper ticketing for Carnmore.

              -Zacky tells Ross as they ride into town that his daughter, Jinny Carter, 23 year-old widowed mother of three, is being courted by Whitehead Scoble, a miner at Wheal Leisure.

-morning-Dwight sees Ross on his way into town, relaying to him that illness is at Trenwith; Morbus Strangulatorius. Cornwall last suffered an epidemic of the disease in 1748 with many fatalities. Ross debates with himself briefly whether to go or not, but Dr. Choake appears and negates the information, assuring Ross that all is well at Trenwith.

-mid-afternoon- after the failure at the copper ticketing, George finds Ross to casually rub salt in his wounds regarding the impending demise of Carnmore. They share colorful words.

-Carnmore members gather in the afternoon and decide to kill the company (some shareholders have made deals on the side with the Warleggans, rather than sink in the mire.)

-Ross walks the docks of Truro Harbor and sees a stately new ship readying to set sail, the Brigantine Queen Charlotte, and Mathew Sansom boarding her. He learns from Harris Pascoe, his banker, that she is a Warleggan vessel. More salt.

-Demelza learns of the illness at Trenwith, debates the safety and value of her going to offer aid, but her conscience prods her firmly to go. The news is that Geoffrey Charles is already near death.

-Pascoe tells Ross his debts from Carnmore are at £1000, Ross refuses to sell his Wheal Leisure shares to the Warleggans, preferring any other solution. Ross stays the night with the Pascoes to lick some of the salt out of his wounds. Ross is aware that some of the shareholders are worse off than him, and as a result, though he is by no means solvent, he loans Blewett £250 as a five-year loan at four per cent.

“Failure puts an edge on one’s tongue.” – Ross Poldark (D. p. 466)

December 29^th, Tuesday - While still in Truro Ross receives a usurer’s loan through Mr. Notary Pierce for £1000 at a rate of 40% interest. A little more salt, please.

-Ross departs Truro after dinner and by darkness meets Demelza heading home from Trenwith. He does not tell her of the £1000 loan; she tells him of going to the sickhouse at Trenwith. He is disturbed, but remembering his own actions towards Jim Carter, says nothing.

1790

January 1^st - Demelza and Julia show symptoms of an illness.

January 2^nd - Demelza and Julia are diagnosed with the malignant sore throat, Morbus Strangulatorius.

January 3^rd, Sunday - Snowing at Nampara. Late in the evening, Julia Grace Poldark, age 16 months, dies from Diphtheria. Her mother, Demelza, is in fever and unaware.

January 4^th, 4 pm -  Demelza comes out of fever. She is not told by Ross of Julia’s death.

January 5^th - A very weak Demelza is told of her daughter’s death and collapses.

January 6^th, Wednesday - A funeral at St. Sawle is held for Julia Grace Poldark. Six young girls carry her coffin the mile-and-a-half from Nampara to St. Sawle: two Martins, two of Paul Daniel’s, and Jim Carter’s younger sisters. 350 villagers and gentry from the surrounding district attend, many standing outside the church to do so on a cold winter day. Ross, due to Demelza’s still fragile state at home, and being unprepared for such a show of support from the community, is unable to offer “victuals” to the mourners. He inwardly rails “against Heaven and circumstance”, feels the “inescapable pain” and perceives it all to be “hardly believable and hardly bearable.” (D. p. 489, 515)

January 7^th, Thursday - early morning - A frigid, stormy, tumultuous day greets Ross, who has barely slept 10 hours the past week sitting in the chair beside Demelza’s sick bed in old Joshua’s room. He wakes to Gimlett telling him of a struggling vessel coming ashore on Hendrawna Beach. After viewing the impending wreck -with his father’s spyglass- from his bedroom upstairs, he learns the ship is the Queen Charlotte and calls for Gimlett to saddle Darkie. Ross rides to alert the villagers that a wreck might soon be scavenged. He appears to Gimlett to have seen a vision, "But not a holy one." (D. p. 495)

              -morning- Ross directs the villagers in their reclamation efforts on Hendrawna Beach.

              -mid-morning- Zacky sees that “there was savagery in Ross” as he commands the villagers and physically leads many of the more dangerous tasks in the recovery.

-mid-day- with tide high, Ross takes a break back at Nampara and drinks much, then returns to the beach as the swells recede. He swims through rough surf to the grounded, lurching ship first and carries a rope so that others can more safely come after. He finds the body of a drowned Mathew Sansom. He is unmoved. He directs others, but takes no goods for himself.

 -evening approaches- Ross, who has been out with the wreck and the scavengers all day, takes another meal back at Nampara (and sits for a while with Demelza) after dusk, then again returns to the scene. “The restless devil inside himself was not appeased; the pain and the fury were not gone. He went out again in the gathering windy dark (D. p. 504).”

-night-fall- Word has come that Illugan miners and men from St. Anns are fast approaching the cove and are hungry for a share of the spoils. Then, a second ship is seen to be coming ashore off Damsel Point. The wreck is watched by all. The Pride of Madras from East India. “The gale had grown again.”

-Later in the evening- As the drunken miners converge- with rivalry against one another in their hearts- Ross backs out of the fray to watch, but take no part. There are 2000-3000 people on the swarming violent beach.

-Late evening, prior to midnight- Crew and passengers from the Pride of Madras come ashore and are set upon by the miners. Half of the crew, and eight passengers, led by the First Mate, depart the beach to seek shelter. The Captain and rest (crew and passengers) stay put; Ross offers them shelter at Nampara and twenty-two (“19” in J.P. p. 119) go with him to stay at Nampara. As they climb off the beach they encounter twelve military troopers coming down to guard the ships. Ross warns them of the mob’s dangerous aggression. There are seven dead from the Queen Charlotte, 2 other survivors have been taken to Mellin.

January 8^th - Ross wakes early. His leg limp, gone for so long, is back from the previous day’s exertion. It is the first time in a week that he has slept through the night, undressed, and in his own bed (seven hours). He hasn’t shaved in as much time. But with the morning, the pain and enormity of Julia’s death comes back upon him. He joins Demelza at her sickbed and carries her back up to their bedroom.

He thinks, “Although she was the woman and he a fierce and sometimes arrogant man, hers was the stronger nature because the more pliant.”

Jeremy Poldark

Book One

1790

February - Ross, age 30, is called to a deposition in Truro investigating the drowning death of Mathew Sansom and the matter of the looting of the shipwrecks on Hendrawna Beach on the night of January 7, 1790. Ross is little concerned with the tone he sets or the answers he gives, being still fully in grief over the loss of his daughter. The Crown does not care for his tone and decides to pursue a case against him in the matter.

Early in the year - Jinny Martin Carter remarries Whitehead Scoble, a bachelor aged 30-ish.

April – Demelza is 20 years old.

August 17^th, approx. - Ross takes a walk on Hendrawna Beach, as he has done daily since February, (Although sometimes he takes their new boat and sails to St. Anns). These walks give him “proportion for the rest of the day’s tasks (J.P. p. 24).” He notes that the death of Julia, laid out and compared with all the other failures and leaden disappointments of the past year, “still hit him hardest.”

              -Tankard, a new solicitor for George Warleggan, who also is “acting for the Crown”, seeks witnesses for the prosecution in the case of Rex vs. Poldark in the village of Sawle; he is conveniently offering bribes as well. Jud Paynter finds the gold intriguing.

August 18^th – Demelza takes a morning ride to Place House in Trevaunance Cove to pay a call on Sir John Trevaunance, former co-investor with Ross in the Carnmore Copper Company. He has a cow that ails; Demelza offers bovine cures of a most curious allium sort (she also seeks information re: the case against Ross, who the judge might be, his disposition, etc..). As she departs for home she passes Sir John’s younger brother, Unwin Trevaunance, age 36, wanna be MP, who deems her “a dangerous woman.” Damn right.

              -Dwight, age 26, checks on his patients in Sawle: Charlie Kempthorne, a recuperating consumptive (TB) that appears to be fully on the mend. (A former miner, Charlie’s condition no longer allows him to go below ground. Dwight finds him stitching sails – as part of his new career in sail making-  for Mr. Trencrom’s vessel, The One and All, used in the “trade”.) He also visits the Carkeets, young Betty and Ted, where he first hears rumors of a possible informer - spy living among them who seems to be giving the “revenue men” tips on smuggling runs.

August 24^th, Monday - Ross goes to Truro to speak with his attorney, Mr. Notary Pierce, settle his accounts, write is will, and take dinner with Harris Pascoe. That seems like a cheerful day.

              -on his way to see Pascoe, he encounters Francis, for the first time in a year. He is polite, but feels an ugly, burning resentment toward him - for the undermining and destruction of Carnmore (which also financially ruined nearly half of the investors in Carnmore); for the death of Julia; and for Francis’s friendship with George - the architect that Ross sees behind a couple of his more structured misfortunes.

~ “Resentment and bitterness and old grudges were dead things which rotted the hands that grasped them.” – Ross Poldark (J.P. p. 41)

                             His estate at the time stands thus:

He has a mortgage on Nampara (from his father's time) of £2,300 at 7% interest.
 A loan of £1000 at 40 % interest. 😨
                                                      He has a credit of £180. 
                                                      Income of £300 per year net. 😕

                                                       This is what Harris Pascoe might call, "a poor prospect."

-Francis returns to Trenwith the evening of his meeting with Ross in Truro; with him he has brought a broadsheet (pamphlet) he found being distributed by the hundreds in town. It is full of salacious lies about Ross designed to influence the jury, describing him as: a lawless man, a seducer, the father of numerous bastards, guilty of murder, and just for good measure, there are unkind details (exaggerations) about Demelza.

September 2^nd, Thursday - Ross presents himself to the jail in Bodmin to await his trial.

September 3^rd, Friday - Ross meets with his legal counsel, Mr. Jeffrey Clymer, KC.

September 4^th, Saturday - Bodmin, Demelza and Verity arrive together by coach and take lodging at the George & Crown. To Verity, Demelza looks “years older…and thinner and pale.” Demelza readies herself later in the evening and ventures through the election crowds (a seat in Parliament is up for election on the 6^th) to the Queens Head where she hopes to “meet” by “chance encounter” Sir John Trevaunance. She is successful and there also meets Ms. Caroline Penvenen, age 18, potential fiancé of Unwin. Demelza’s goal is to attempt, by any means acceptable, to assist Ross’s case by reaching out to any stakeholders or men of influence and speak on Ross’s behalf (She is aware that the Crown’s side is pulling out all legal and not-so-legal stops to get him convicted.). She aims to do the same with the stops, but not her stays, in the opposite cause.

September 6^th, Monday - The Bodmin Assizes begin. Ross has his final meeting with his barrister, Mr. Clymer.

              -Dwight arrives in Bodmin as witness for the accused, stays at the London Inn near the church. He is introduced to Caroline Penvenen, heiress,  due to a minor difficulty her Horace is having. Horace is her pug. Dwight thinks she should have called a farrier.

September 7^th, Tuesday - Heavy rain in Bodmin. Because Dwight is a curious kind of guy, he goes to visit the lepers- at the Lazar House- just outside of town, after he has met with Ross’s barrister.

              - the election for MP is held. Unwin does not win, but he comes in second.

              -evening- At the supper after the election Demelza has a pleasant conversation -orchestrated by an introduction through Sir Hugh- with Judge Wentworth Lister. They talk of Church music.

              -meanwhile, Dwight visits the local hospital and Francis shows up at Dwight’s room at the London Inn to make unpleasant use of the lodging. He fails.

September 8^th, Wednesday - The trial of Rex vs. Poldark for Riot and Assault opens at the Bodmin Assizes held in the former Franciscan father’s enormous Refectory. If Ross is found guilty of the crimes he may be hanged or sent for transportation (criminal relocation to Australia; 7-14 year sentences were common). Counsel for the crown is Henry Bull, KC. He is handsome with dark olive skin, and amber brown eyes, which “suggest a touch of the tar brush”- (does this imply that Mr. Bull is multi-racial (J.P. p. 109)?) 

     -near the close of the trial Ross speaks on his own behalf and afterwards, upon reflection, feels offended with himself because he views his behavior as an apparent show of conciliation. Many others in the courtroom are moved and impressed, however.

     -Ross is declared not guilty by a jury of his peers (all men of property). After the verdict, Judge Lister says to Ross that he will “leave this court a free man – free to rejoin your deserving wife, and to begin a new life with her. Your able defense- and your reputation in other fields- marks you as a man of talent and capacity.” (J.P. p. 135)...foreshadowing...

     -Ross and Demelza leave Bodmin at 6:30 pm and arrive at Nampara around 10:30 or 11 that night. Demelza is aware that Ross, nine months after Julia’s death, after his acquittal of earlier in the day, is “spiritually…still at the most- a convalescent.” (J.P. p. 138)

     -Demelza also knows herself to be with child, but does not share the news with Ross, for he “wants no more fodder for the epidemics…I should not want them (children) at all yet.”  So she keeps quiet and suddenly feels her pregnancy to be something “tawdry and inferior and unwanted.” (J.P. p. 141)

"There is always the danger of a suspicion becoming an obsession." - Nicholas Warleggan

Book Two

September, late in the month - A letter from Verity arrives seeking a reconciliation from Ross towards Francis, in which she says, “I beg you to be accommodating- if not for his sake then for mine.”

December - Ross is aware of a “chill” that has come over his and Demelza’s relationship, but lacks the emotional energy to learn the cause, thus accepts.

              -Ross’s interest on his debt (£ 400) is coming due, thus he and Demelza go on a craigslist– posting spree: her brooch; Caerhays, her horse; a rug; some furniture; the clock and virtually all their livestock is sold.

              -Along with Dwight, Ross and Demelza are invited to Trenwith for Christmas. A bitter Ross reluctantly agrees to go, in part due to a sudden urge to see Elizabeth again.

December 24^th, Friday - Ross, Demelza and Dwight arrive at Trenwith and immediately Demelza notices that Elizabeth is dressed to kill (wearing the gorgeous red velvet frock she last wore to Julia’s christening - Really???!!!). Elizabeth is overly gracious and warm towards Demelza; Demelza, though, notices an artifice in her behavior. Having seen genuine, deep appreciation from Elizabeth when the Trenwith Poldarks had the Putrid Throat, Demelza now realizes, “What a fool I’ve been.”  Elizabeth sets about, through idle and faint conversation with Demelza, to preen her family history as though to burnish a jewel (even though her parents are now in residence at Trenwith because of their own poverty). Elizabeth is 26 years old.

              -Ross and Francis, once the ice between the cousins begins to thaw, rediscover their mutual respect and admiration for one another; the roots of their old friendship.

              -Dwight is called away for a medical concern at Killewarren, the home of Ms. Caroline Penvenen; it is a complaint of severe sore throat…which turns out to be not Morbus Strangulatorius, but a fish bone.

              -late that night, after midnight, Elizabeth gently flirts with Ross while he helps clear the table things away. She is coy and demure while he is affected. He returns to bed troubled, but says nothing to Demelza who is also troubled and feeling unloved. She is five months pregnant. (Please note just how observant Ross is at this time...)

December 31, Friday - Dwight receives a letter from Ms. Penvenen requesting his presence. (He has been having a lovely day testing poisons on himself for their possible medicinal value.) During his visit with her he shares his flirtatious discovery that the residents of Sawle are suffering from scurvy. Oh my love, tell me more! And do they have scorbutic fever also??!!

1791

January, first week - Quarterly Wheal Leisure meeting. One share has been sold to a Mr. Coke (stooge of Warleggan) and Mr. Trencrom visits Nampara to make a proposition. He is a tea totaler.

              -Demelza tells Ross of their impending new family member. He is angry and only displeased, so he says, that she took so long to tell him, though he admits to himself that he feels “a sense of insult” that she kept it from him. He is aware that touching Demelza “is permissible, pleasurable,” but that touching Elizabeth at Trenwith the week before, there had been “electricity in the touch.” He wonders, does he “love Elizabeth more…or does he simply know her less?” (or might he simply be angry at the world and taking it out on the closest thing to him, while at the same time keeping “things” on pedestals…remember when life was perfect??? And there were rainbows every day, and perfect women were like both Aphrodite and the Virgin Mary?? Ahhhh…)

January, the next day - Dwight receives a mysterious shipment of Oranges…one “hundred dozen.”

March, early in the month - Ross and Henshaw go spelunking in Wheal Grace. They take tea laced with brandy…my kind of a hike.

              -Demelza realizes when he returns that she cannot tell what he is thinking, but she can tell what he is feeling (J.P. p. 228). She- for the first time- quite “clearly” – realizes “the need that Ross had for some continuing activity of mind and body. He was essentially a person who wanted to be planning and moving ahead.”

March 23, Wednesday - Ross decides to put half his shares in Wheal Leisure on the open market (knowing a stooge will buy them).

March 25^th, Friday (probably) - the first smuggling “run” is made into Nampara Cove.

              -Demelza has been secretly fishing by boat in Nampara Cove for a while, to add to their meager rations now that finances are so tight. Ross would forbid it, due to her “condition”, so she doesn’t tell him: “he could not have been more thoughtful for her, but sometimes all the restrictions and prohibitions oppressed her and made her feel caged and constricted.” (The number of lies and secrets the two are keeping from each other is reaching Pinocchio proportions.) 

March 26^th, Saturday -The Wheal Leisure shares have been sold. Ross meets with Francis and invites him into a new venture- the re-opening of Wheal Grace- using his Leisure funds to start the new enterprise. Francis agrees (and has money for the investment too!) and the cousins drink on it. Of course they do. (Francis offers to tell Ross “something that is past” but Ross declines the offer- suspecting that the confession has to do with the failure of Carnmore.)

April 1, Friday - Jud is killed by assailants.

April 6^th, Wednesday – Prudie hosts Jud’s “fiddy” funeral feast, with lots of gin.

              -Jud is not dead. But Prudie spent the gold that was found in his pocket on a great dinner party! Jud is grumpy, as usual- but several doctors, surgeons and apothecaries come to investigate his miraculous revival over the next week. So at least Jud-the-Wonder gets his fifteen minutes of fame thing, and that’s something... “I’m not dead yet!”

May 3^rd, Friday- Ross and Francis ride to Truro to have the deed for their new partnership in Wheal Grace formalized and have lunch with Tonkin at the Red Lion. Francis has his shares in Grace written-up in Geoffrey Charles name- to prevent George Warleggan from getting at Ross through squeezing out Francis at some later date.

-Francis leaves for a quick errand, while Ross heads down the stairs of the public house with Tonkin. He encounters George Warleggan and they have a high-flying tete-a-tete. Why? Because Ross took “a dislike to his neckcloth”.  Inside George’s psyche “the sense of inferiority in the depths of George’s consciousness was one that Ross, more than any other man, could call up.  It was altogether the strongest element in his lust for power and far more important as a cause of his hatred for Ross than any of the more obvious reasons.”

              -Demelza goes laboriously fishing in Nampara Cove. She almost gets breached.

              - Ross does some anti-anxiety shopping for Demelza and then waits at the Seven Stars Tavern for the return of Francis. Captain Andrew Blamey, Verity’s husband, having brought a ship upriver, encounters Ross. Ross conducts détente between Andrew and Francis.

- With Dr. Dwight Enys, in attendance, a little before seven pm, Jeremy Poldark is born to his parents Ross and Demelza. Ross arrives home from Truro some minutes afterwards to find mother and child coming ‘round, but neither exactly thriving.

May 4^th, Saturday - Verity meets her step-children, James and Esther for the first time.

June 1^st, approximately - Party at Nampara – to welcome Jeremy, launch Wheal Grace and celebrate the family reconciled. In attendance are Verity and Captain Blamey, Francis and Elizabeth, Ross and Demelza, and Dwight (Caroline Penvenen has left Cornwall). Near the end of the gathering Francis rises from the table to propose a toast to their hostess, saying among other things, “There’s not one among us- unless it’s young Enys here (which it wasn’t)- who has not had some special benefit from her coming…But if it wasn’t for her there’d be none of us gathering here together today- and if there’s any merit in being a united family, then the merit’s not the family’s but hers. It isn’t where you’re born in this world, it’s what you do.”

“Was any future, anyone’s future, unfraught by hazards of some sort? The only security was death. So long as one wanted to go on living one had to accept the risks. Well, she accepted them…” - Demelza Poldark (J.P. p. 281)

“Human beings were blind, crazy creatures, he thought, forever walking the tightrope of the present, condemned to ever changing shifts and expedients to maintain the balance of existence, not knowing even as far ahead as tomorrow what the actions of today would bring. How could one plan a year ahead, how influence the imponderables?... Within the radius of his own endeavor he accepted the challenge.” – Ross Poldark (J.P. p. 283)

Demelza is 21, Ross is 31.

Warleggan

                             Book One

1792

Demelza is 22 and Ross is 32

May- Francis is a frequent tea drinker (and brandy, and rum) at Demelza’s parlour, finding an enjoyment in her company that Ross and Demelza both notice and neither discourage.

May, mid-month - George Warleggan pays a call at Trenwith and informs Elizabeth, oh so casually, that his Uncle Cary, just happened to have come into the ownership of Ross’s promissory note, with a debt of £1000 plus 40% interest, coming due in December… Elizabeth does not tell Ross this fact.

              -Dwight, age 27, makes a house call at the Hoblyn’s house in Sawle and treats Rosina, age 19, daughter of Jacka and Polly, sister to Parthesia, after seeing her fall on the cobbles and realizing she has a knee out of joint. Tis a bit of a mystery, but she’s a pretty little thing, even if she hobbles. And Charlie Kempthorne, recovered consumptive, notices the little thing too.

May 24, Thursday - Ross and Demelza have been invited to a rare event: a supper party at Sir John Trevaunance’s home, Place House, where all the neighborhood have gathered. (Wee Jeremy is now 1 year-old and safe at home with the Gimletts.) Ross is charmingly affectionate before the party.

              -While at Place House, Ross is seated between Lady Constance Bedrugan and Elizabeth and across from the hitherto unknown Miss Caroline Penvenen; Demelza is wedged at the opposite end of the table between Sir Hugh and Captain McNeil of the Scots Greys, who is back in the district on injured reserve.

              -During the dinner, Elizabeth, quietly referencing to Ross their long-lost “engagement” -and their youth- confesses, “I thought I loved Francis better…and then I discovered my mistake… Is it such an astonishment that a woman who changed her mind once could change it twice?” The confession floors Ross and he soon realizes that the issue between Elizabeth and himself “was not in the very least a dead one.” ...And it was so very kind of her to share this news with Ross (W. p. 30-33).

              -Caroline Penvenen, ginger-headed, feisty and striking, age 20, the star of the party who was to have celebrated an announcement of her betrothal to Unwin Trevaunance, instead chats up Ross and comes to the able defense of Dwight’s reputation. Unwin, yet again, does not win.

              -near the end of the evening both Francis and Ross have subtle, yet quietly direct confrontations with George Warleggan.  The cousins demonstrate their skill with words.

 June - Having not allowed Unwin to win, and instead allowing the neighborhood to notice her “friendship” with Dwight, Uncle Ray sends Caroline out of Cornwall to Oxfordshire until she comes of age on October 26th (W. p. 62).

              -Wheal Grace, the Poldark cousin’s grand last gamble (or you could call it an investment) of a mine continues to not put out (pay out, excuse me).  Ross is anxious to find Mark Daniels, missing since the death of his wife, Keren, because Mark insisted that he saw “money in that mine” the night he hid in Grace before escaping Cornwall in July of 1789.

September 15^th, Saturday - Ross receives a friendly warning letter from his friend and banker, Harris Pascoe- the man with a bead on all rumors in Truro, despite being a very friendly, low key and honorable guy: The Warleggans have his £1000 promissory note. Ross rides directly to Truro to talk with Pascoe and learn more about how and when Mr. Notary Pearce sold the loan.

              -Francis stays with Demelza after Ross leaves for Truro. He is eager to stay in her friendly and companionable company, and finally makes the confession he has long wanted to make about Carnmore and the information he gave to George two years before; but then he tells Demelza, “For we can none of us separate ourselves from the consequences of our behavior.” Francis then rises from Nampara’s fireside and goes back up to the mine. While on an exploratory search of Wheal Grace late that afternoon, Francis Poldark slips into a deep pool of water, and unable to swim, drowns “like a dog in a well.”  Yes, I know he was fully redeemed, but really??? What a sucky end to a really witty guy…

“One bad thing does not outweigh many good. 'Tis the balance that counts.” Demelza Poldark  to Francis Poldark (W. p, 67.)

Book Two

Autumn - Dwight cures Rosina Hoblyn of her frequently dislocating knee. He is hailed as a miracle worker by the community villagers. They line up fourteen deep at his door.

October, late - Ross is served notice from Cary Warleggan that his promissory note is due and will need to be paid by December 31- at least the £400 interest. (In 2017 that would be £59,059.24)

November 15^th -  Caroline Penvenen, age 21 and newly financially independent, returns to Cornwall and offers “highway man” Ross a lift after Darkie throws a shoe. That night, back in Nampara later, both Demelza and Ross, Dwight realizes, have been affected by the death of Francis “with a curious sense of fatality” as if “things had gone wrong…and could not now be righted.” There is a new, deeper bitterness in Ross and a succumbed, accepting tone in Demelza. (nowadays, we call this “grief”.)

             

November, mid-month - Caroline meets Dwight for a private chat and ride. Or you could call it a race…or flirting.

November, late in the month - Ross comes to see Elizabeth at Trenwith for their weekly meetings- as he is co-executor of Francis’s estate and she is now (because Geoffrey Charles is too young to manage his inherited investment) co-owner of Wheal Grace.  Their conversations are “constrained” but private, and personal, and yes, businesslike, mostly. (I think Unwin Trevaunance may have gotten his people mixed up when he spoke of “dangerous women”.)

-The Cache is dug at Nampara to hold smuggled goods. Demelza is not happy, but holds her tongue (mostly…but body language is eloquent). Ross, unintentionally, makes mental comparisons between Demelza and…Oh right, women should be seen and not heard…or was that children? Cache Diggers: Ned Bottrell, Paul Daniel, Ted Carkeek, Will Nanfan, Whitehead Scoble, and Pally Rogers (plus Charlie Kempthorne shows up mid-way through to pass word that Ned Bottrell has just become a father for the fifth time.)

December, early- Ray Penvenen calls Dwight to Killewarren and tells him he has no chance with Caroline. Period. Dwight disagrees, rather convincingly.

              -Caroline spends the day in Truro making A) the acquaintance of Harris Pascoe and B) an investment in a long-shot small family holding. She’s a bright girl with a good head on her shoulders.

December 6^th -9^th -  Ross receives an early letter from Pascoe and rides directly into Truro- His Warleggan debt has miraculously been paid by an anonymous benefactor; he still owes on the promissory note, but not now, not this December. In relief, he buys a few small purchases for the household, including a pair of “very fancy” stocking garters for Demelza. Ooh la la… he says, “smiling grimly”, “I must put them on.” Followed by a little bit of parlour foreplay.

December 21^st, Friday -  Ross has his regular Trenwith meeting with Elizabeth -Agatha tells him she is 97. Elizabeth, though invited to Falmouth to visit the Blamey’s for Christmas (as were the Nampara Poldarks), tells Ross that she will be going to her parent’s home, Cusgarne, instead, as her mother is ill.

December 24^th, Monday – Ross, Demelza and Jeremy travel to Falmouth to visit with the Blamey’s for Christmas.  
          - Dwight tends on nine year-old Lottie Kempthorne, suffering from smallpox. 
          - Elizabeth travels from Cusgarne to Cardew and spends her Christmas with George Warleggan.

December 27^th or 28^th – Ross visits with Harris Pascoe to plan his own generous giving of financial aid to another (Inspired by his anonymous benefactor): in his case, Ross is anxious to give Elizabeth the £600 that Francis had originally invested in Wheal Grace, before the mine officially fails, so that his conscience can be clear and Elizabeth should be less poor on his account. He sells his remaining shares in Wheal Leisure and uses the money to anonymously offer to buy Elizabeth’s shares in Grace.

-  Caroline and Dwight meet at The Fox & Grapes, a small posting Inn, to discuss their plans for eloping.

1793

January 2^nd 3^rd – Ross is called to Trenwith by Elizabeth (who is wearing a flattering and tight fitting gray dress, not black) to review an “astonishing” letter she has received from Harris Pascoe: someone is offering to buy her shares (Geoffrey Charles’, really) in Wheal Grace. With Ross’s input, Elizabeth decides to accept the £600 and sell her shares in the totally failing mine.

She notices that Ross’s eyes “light up at seeing her” and after he leaves Trenwith he is aware that the “old allegiance (is) grievously reawakened”. He does not tell Demelza about the sale of the shares, or what he has done with the money, and hopes not to be required to for “a long time”.

January 22^nd, approximately – Reckoning day at Wheal Grace- the miners are paid. It’s also a reckoning day for the mine: nearly out of coal to keep the pump engine running (and the mine free of flooding), Ross must decide what to do with his last £75- (left over from the sale of his Leisure shares): pay down his loan, set the cash aside for his interest payment of later in the year, or buy more coal and keep Grace alive for one more month- hoping to God that their digging will at last uncover a rich vein of copper?

          -The same day Will Nanfan brings word that the elusive fugitive, Mark Daniel, has been located in Ireland. A vessel will be going out to the Scillies (islands off the south-west coast of Cornwall) soon, and Mark can meet them there. Perhaps, finally, they can learn what Mark saw in Wheal Grace three years previously that made him so strongly believe that “there was money” in the mine.

January, 23rd or 24th  – Rosina Hoblyn agrees to marry Charlie Kempthorne.

January 24th - Luis the Sixteenth is executed by Guillotine in France.

January 25^th or 26^th – Ross spends his last £75 buying the last supply of coal for Wheal Grace.

January 27^th, Sunday – Ross leaves Nampara for St. Ives, and thence boards The One and All for their voyage to the Scillies.

January 28^th, Monday - The One and All sets sail with the tide.

              -That evening, Dwight pays a call at Nampara to tell Ross and Demelza about his plans to elope with Caroline, and Demelza tells him about Ross being gone to the Scillies and why.

January 31^st, Thursday – Mark Daniels arrives by Irish Ketch at St. Mary’s, one of the Scilly Islands. Ross meets him at Hugh Town in an inn. The two men, once boyhood friends, have both seen such a change in life, but Ross hardly recognizes his old friend, whose grief and guilt have all but killed him.  They have a conversation about Wheal Grace and what Mark saw three years in the past. His news is not news for Ross. Everything Mark saw during that terrible day of waiting has since been discovered, dug, worked-out, or dismissed. None of his memories are useful to Ross. Ross conceals his disappointment from the broken man.

February 1^st- Ross is picked-up by The One and All, now on her way home with a full load of smuggled goods for the “trade”.

February 2^nd – Ray Penvenen prepares to depart for London the following morning with his niece, Caroline, who he is determined to get away from Dr. Dwight Enys and Cornwall.

              -Dwight Enys prepares to elope later in the night with Caroline Penvenen. They are to meet at 11pm and ride for Bath in her carriage.

              Rosina Hoblyn’s miracle knee dislocates again and Dwight is summoned just before ten pm. He debates whether to go or no, but decides he can go on his way to meeting Caroline.

              -Customs officer Vercoe, along with his back-up of Scots Greys, led by Captain McNeil, plan an ambush of the smugglers returning on The One and All around midnight.

              -Dwight, while treating Rosina, discovers that Charlie Kempthorne has claimed to be ill and under treatment by Dwight…which is a patent lie…So Dwight goes to Charlie’s house to confront him and discovers that Charlie is the spy who has been giving the customs officer the news of all the trade runs over the past year or more. Dwight realizes that Ross will be caught in the net on this particular night.

              -Dwight rides for Nampara Cove, aware that Caroline may be sorely disappointed in him, but feeling he can make no other choice. At Nampara he discovers Demelza already under house arrest by a dragoon. He makes for the cliffs above the cove and starts a warning fire just as he sees A) a boat coming into the cove and B) the customs men and dragoons hidden in the dark along the edge of the cove cliffs. His action saves the smugglers, but he is arrested.

              -Charlie Kempthorne flees Sawle, abandoning his two daughters, Lottie and May.

              - Ross, who has come ashore with the first run, makes for Nampara amid shouts, shots and ambush; he encounters Demelza, who has snuck out of the house from the second floor roof, and learns of the trooper already in Nampara. He says he will hide in the Library cache.

              -Captain McNeil, none too happy, arrives at Nampara with Vercoe, searching for Captain Ross. Long an admirer of Demelza, McNeil, who has been shot in the shoulder, is sorely unhappy to believe she is aiding and abetting her husband. She is none too happy that he is there to try and incarcerate her husband. There are metaphorical sparks of an unromantic kind.

              -Ross is not found in the Cache. Ted Carkeet has been killed by a soldier, leaving a widow and two young children. Ned Botrell, father of five, has been captured along with six others.

February 3^rd, Sunday – Dwight is finally released on £20 bail about 3 pm. He rides straight for Killewarren and learns that the Penvenens have left for London. A “Dear John” letter has been left for Dwight.

              -Around 7 pm, after eighteen hours in the cache- hidden in the second secret compartment of the cache- dehydrated, hungry, cramped- Ross emerges to find Demelza strained with worry, but all soldiers gone.

              - February 2^nd becomes known in the District as Black Saturday.

Book Three

February 16 or 17- After sending letters to Caroline that are not answered, Dwight takes the 5-day coach to London.

February 21 or 22- Caroline refuses to see Dwight in London, but sends a curtly, blunt letter down to him, from the upstairs to the downstairs. He returns to Cornwall – on the five-day stage- lest he should miss the quarter sessions where he is to stand before the judge and answer for his role in Black Saturday.

February 26 or 27^th - Monday or Tuesday- Quarter Sessions are held in Truro:

on the dock>

Those caught in the act on the night of Black Saturday as participants in the trade, including:

>Ned Botrell, father of five, sentenced to ten years transportation to Australia (most of these men never return to England.). Ross thinks that Ned will take the Navy as his punishment instead.

>Ross is arraigned for his accused role in Black Saturday- according Mr. Vercoe, the revenue man, Ross assaulted him on the beach that night in Nampara Cove. Ross has an alibi; he was sleeping with acquaintances at a farm in Gwithian (who coincidentally are friends of Mr. Trencrom). He is found not guilty of any crime.

>Dwight is not his usual professional and upright self with the justices…he gets a fine of £50. Mr. Trencrom offers to pay it, Dwight declines.

-                   -  The same night, back at Nampara, Demelza asks Ross about some news she has just heard: that Ross has sold his final shares in Wheal Leisure. Perhaps what she heard was a mistaken thing? No, Ross confesses, and gamely, though lamely, explains, he sold them and used them to discharge a “debt of honor” to Elizabeth. Demelza, miraculous creature that she is, holds her tongue, but breaks her sewing thread. Ross’s choice of words are like those of a surrogate husband: it was about “conscience” and the fact that she “has no man”. Demelza gently, but firmly, questions this as she has “heard that George Warleggan is being very obliging to her.”  There is an odd  (unnoticed by Ross) comparison that he does not hear: when he gave the money to Elizabeth (who was unaware of where it came from) part of her aching disappointment in her so-called “poverty” was a grief for her son’s suffering of what was his due. And Ross wanted to help make amends for that, so he sold his shares and gave the money to Elizabeth. But now, as Demelza says that she cares not for herself, “but for Jeremy”, Ross does not seem to hear this echo (for he is here “alive and active…doing what I can”). Instead, he becomes peevish- internally- when he learns that Sir Hugh has recently called at the house (to gossip with Demelza of George’s aid to Elizabeth). (Ross does, however, seem to begin noticing a growing hypocrisy within himself; an emotional dilemma taking root.)

-           

March 12^th, Tuesday- Tin is discovered at Wheal Grace by Ellery.

March 14^th, Thursday - Coal is running out, and with it, the mine will flood in a matter of a day or so. Henshaw, wishing to give the mine “breathing room” offers £100 towards more coal, if it will keep the mine going. Ross has no money for even this. He agrees.

              -Elizabeth promises to marry George Warleggan after exactly 6 months of widowhood. It had been a bad day, the pressures of widowhood had been acute, and her poverty was irritating her fiercly. George promises help. It is also barely two months since Elizabeth received (Ross gave her) the £600 for her son’s shares in Wheal Grace, money that she so desperately needed...burned it that fast, did you???

March 21^st, Thursday - The tin load at Grace expands, dramatically.

March 28^th- At Wheal Grace the vein of rock bearing tin is such that all other work is abandoned and what timbers they have, or can re-purpose, are put to use shoring up the ceilings in the pursuit of the new and ever expanding tin load.

April, early in the month- Verity and her stepson, James, come to Trenwith to visit Elizabeth and Geoffrey Charles. Elizabeth, it seems, is “innerly excited.” When Verity and James call at Nampara for Sunday dinner and Verity asks Demelza whether she knows of any reason for Elizabeth’s new show of eagerness, Demelza unintentionally reveals her own fears about the private relationship of Ross and Elizabeth.

              -The next day, Demelza ventures to Werry House to a have a chat with the hairy old Sir Hugh, and learns the details about George and Elizabeth: George has been seen buying a wedding suit in Truro. Upon learning this news Demelza realizes that she cannot be the one to tell Ross, and moreover, due to her own fears, does not even want to be present when he does hear of it.

May 2^nd -Charlie Kempthorne’s body washes up at Trevaunance Cove with no signs of foul play.

May 5^th- Cave-in at Wheal Grace: two men are killed, three seriously injured; the load is lost under twenty-fathoms of rock- burying with it the pumping gear. Jim Ellery and Joe Nanfan both suffer terrible injuries and seem in more than critical condition, but both men survive.

May 7^th- Wheal Grace officially closes; to reopen her seems a bad omen to Ross, who is disgusted with himself for the loss of life, plus, it would take more than £200 and he doesn't have £2.  

May 9^th- In the evening after 9 pm, when Ross arrives home from Truro (where he has spent the day making arrangements for the sale of Wheal Grace materials), Demelza tells him of a letter awaiting him inside. Elizabeth has sent Ross a letter informing him of her engagement to George Warleggan.

-         Demelza pleads with Ross not to go to Trenwith, after he has read the letter, and she sees the hurt and fury in his eyes. He dismisses her.

-                   - Ross rides to Trenwith and breaks into the house when no one answers his knock.  He begins a rather strident interview with Elizabeth in her bedroom. It goes downhill fast. In the end, it is debatable- no matter how many times you read the sections, exactly what transpired (Especially when overlaid with 1790s cultural norms and 1950s writing styles.). Rape? Consensual sex fraught with the conventions and morés of 1793? Consensual sex with an unhealthy dose of guilt, lust and frustration thrown in? (W. p. 236-237; W. p. 238) “After the initial resistance, there had been no particular indication that she hated him.” (He thinks this in response to her evident enmity towards him at the end of Warleggan.) (And again, in Four Swans, Ross revisits the event of May 9, 1793, in a conversation with Elizabeth, and somehow the whole thing is still not crystal clear- she describes him that night three years hence as having “the face and look of the Devil” to which Ross says “you did not treat me so after the first shock” and then later Elizabeth refers to herself as having “a guilty conscience.”(4.S. p.136-143)

o    In Ross’s mind it appears he believes that his crime is in wanting and getting sex from an unmarried woman that he highly regards- that he lessened her status in this way. To him, he seems to think that in a sense, he treated her like a "light" woman; as though it was an intentional one-night-stand. And then that he never went back to Trenwith to discuss the issue with her (Because by the next day he had to confront the reality of Demelza’s visible and real soul-wounded hurt, her justified anger, and her then apparent and growing depression…all caused by him.). When he and Elizabeth finally discuss that May night several years later he simply says, “It was ill done, but until now I have never regretted it.” And she replies, “I had supposed you might have done – almost at once.” He then replies, “You supposed wrong. But I could not come to you again – break up everyone’s life afresh.” 

May 10^th, 6am – Ross returns to Nampara but does not come upstairs to his and Demelza’s bedroom. She comes downstairs to find him at the breakfast table whereupon a stiff, forced conversation takes place that closes with her intentionally dropping her tea cup on the floor. “Fundamentally there was nothing meek or mild about her either. She was a fighter, and it showed now.” (W. p. 241) She then looks directly into his eyes and sweeps her arm across the table, taking out in one assertive move, the milk jug, sugar basin and two plates. She does not need to be told what transpired at Trenwith the night before; she is an astute woman.

“If you thought of your husband as God-like and perfect you were a fool and asking for disillusionment,” Demelza thinks.  (W.p.238)

May 16^th, Thursday – Ross receives a letter from Tonkin and Blewitt in Looe- they now own a small ship building company that, due to the war, is beginning to prosper, and they invite him to visit Looe to see their workings- he fears they will ask for a loan, similar to what Ross gave Blewett in 1789.  Ross says he will go and spend one or two nights. (Demelza believes Ross is really going to Trenwith.)

May 17^th, Friday – a reminder invite arrives from Werry House regarding the Birthday Ball that Sir Hugh wishes Mistress Poldark to attend. Demelza, with limited outlets for her grief, frustration and fury, accepts the invitation for herself.

              -Ross leaves Nampara for Looe.

May 18^th, Saturday - Demelza attends the Werry House Ball, wearing her beautiful silver gown bought by Ross for her several years before. While there- with a lashing surge of meanness she feels towards Ross (an emotion she has never felt before)- she offers herself to Captain McNeil. The Scottish Captain is still in the neighborhood recovering from his shoulder wound from Black Saturday, and more than eager for a night with Demelza. Demelza, however, realizes in the nick-of-time that the experience will not solve any problems, will in fact make them only worse, and rescinds her offer. The good Captain is not pleased and tries to force her but she fights back, biting him hard enough to draw blood. She flees in the night from the manor house, through a window and down the ivy-covered wall, making for Nampara in the small hours before dawn. She is utterly in misery.

May 20^th, Monday – Ross returns from Looe in the evening and sups alone- The Mistress has been out all day. As darkness falls Ross queries where Mistress Poldark may have gone and goes out to find her walking on Hendrawna Beach. She is hostile and bitter toward him and all-so-grown-up. He has never seen her like this before. Never. “They were both desolate people, needing friendship and sympathy and finding none.” (W. p. 270) Demelza asks him if he wishes for her to leave, saying she wants only to “do what’s right.” (W. p. 271) He says no, “I’d like you to stay, that’s if you feel you can.” She agrees to stay, but there is “desolation in her soul.”

              -George receives a letter from Elizabeth requesting a postponement of their wedding day (which was to be May 23); he rides directly to her and negotiates a one month delay only.

Book Four

June 4^th- with the repaid loan from Blewett of £250, Ross reopens Wheal Grace.

June 20^th – Elizabeth Chynoweth Poldark weds George Warleggan and honeymoons for nearly 2 months. They intend to settle at Cardew, the new estate of the Warleggans, half-way between Falmouth and Truro. The elder Chynoweths are settled at Trenwith with Aunt Agatha.

July - with the debris and rubble cleared from the collapse at Wheal Grace, mining begins in earnest again.  The initial £250 goes fast and Ross needs to secure more short-term loans to keep it going until the first coinage.

August-  Wheal Grace begins to show profit.

              -Demelza and Ross, while living together and functioning as close to normal as possible, continue to keep separate sleeping arrangements and their conversations are rather limited.

September, early – George and Elizabeth Warleggan move to Trenwith as George’s parents, it turns out, are not planning on vacating Cardew, despite what George told Elizabeth prior to her accepting his marriage proposal. Ross is not thrilled about his new neighbor in his family’s old home.

              -Demelza receives a letter from Verity- “Is it true, do you know that Elizabeth is with child? She makes no mention of it in her letter.” Verity knows this only because she has received another letter from a friend of Elizabeth’s mother.  Demelza does not mention this letter to Ross.

              - After a particularly stony and silent dinner she confronts him to say that if he is so miserable in her company then perhaps she should go, but he surprises her with an apology for his demeaner saying that while, yes, the news of George and Elizabeth at Trenwith has pretty much made him lose his lunch daily, he is, in fact, not unhappy at all, but guardedly very pleased: the load at the mine has split and is more than doubling in size, and moreover, the quality of the ore is the richest that Henshaw has ever seen. (note: Ross genuinely is sorry for this discomfort he has caused her by his tone and behavior and apologizes. Unfortunately, he has still not ever apologized for his infidelity with Elizabeth.😲)

September, mid-month – Ross, needing and wanting to share with her, tells Demelza that the load is surpassing expectations, that they will be able to pay both the interest and half the debt on their loan by December. While they are both very pleased with their new found burgeoning prosperity, it is impossible for Demelza to truly feel happiness at this outcome due to the “division between them (that) was too deep.” (W.p. 285).

October, late in the month- Ray Penvenen’s doctor, Mr. Sylvane, requests from Dwight a second opinion in the care of his patient. Dwight agrees to pay a medical call on Mr. Penvenen and after his examination diagnoses Caroline’s uncle with the “sugar sickness”, Diabetes.

October 31^st – Andrew Blamey is born to Verity and Andrew Blamey in Falmouth.

November, 15ish - Ross and Demelza go to Falmouth for little Andrew’s Christening, but Ross returns home the same day due to the mine. Demelza stays four days but does not share even with Verity any of her troubles, “which she hoped nobody but herself and Ross and Elizabeth would ever know…it seemed more than ever important to be absolutely silent about the events of the ninth of May.” (W. p. 292)

November 23rd, Saturday, around noon - Ross, after receiving a couple nice, little, warm and friendly notes from George concerning matters of Francis’ estate, rides to Trenwith to meet with George. He confirms nearly straight-off what he has heard about Elizabeth, “Is it true that she is with child?” George answers, “It is true.” Ross is not thrilled to learn that A) Elizabeth has given power of attorney to George in the matter of Geoffrey Charles’ estate and B) George and his solicitor, Tankard, would like to challenge the validity of her sales of Wheal Grace shares back in January to Ross… with many small rude jibes thrown in … Ross, not surprisingly, is vocally direct and in opposition to the suggestion that he should “return” the shares now that the mine is in “rich country”. George, offensively, then tells Ross, “Go back to your scullery maid.” This provocation results in a fight that damages much of the new furnishings and repairs at Trenwith, not to mention injuries to Ross’s tooth and head (W. p. 294-297).

          -Dwight has visited Ray Penvenen five times after his initial diagnoses and has found some improvement, but has cautioned Mr. Penvenen that there is no cure for his illness. In the afternoon, he is at Nampara, checking on a once-again ill Master Jeremy, when Ross returns from his foray to Trenwith and needs his own doctoring. Dwight reveals that he has learned that Caroline is to marry a Lord Coniston and that he is pursuing a moderate change in his career- he is seeking a surgeon’s post with the navy and awaiting word.

          -At sight of Ross when he returns from Trenwith, Demelza shrieks in alarm. This causes Ross to challenge her- after Dwight has left- saying “I believe you still care for me.” Demelza answers, “Of course I still care for you, Ross. What a thing to say…” It has been more than six months since his night with Elizabeth. And longer than that since they had normal, healthy, marital relations.

December 9^th, Saturday – Ross and Demelza, with Ross healed from his latest scrape with George, head into Truro to learn how to pay down the loan to their miraculous benefactor of the year before and to go on a shopping spree. Relunctantly, Harris Pascoe divulges to Ross that Caroline Penvenen is his secret lender. Ross is stunned, as is Demelza, and their shopping day is heightened by this news. They buy: two pairs of Dantzig shoes for Demelza, a toy horse, a rattle, and “some fine wool” for a coat for Jeremy, new neck cloths for Ross and John Gimlett, some striped muslin for Jane, a dressing table for Demelza, a clock, a two-pedestal legged table with a fine polish, two Turkey Rugs, a great deal of cloth for various uses (particularly new curtains), wine glasses, a cane rocker for Demelza, and a dozen pewter tankards (Ross is defying the new trend toward cloam cups for ale, and emphatically supporting the tin industry with his purchasing power.).  This day marks the first time in over six months since they have physically been close to one another for a whole day. Neither finds this miserable. The day ends with Ross planning a trip to London to thank Caroline in person and a kiss to Demelza that she does not pull away from.

December 10^th, Tuesday – Dwight receives a letter from the admiralty: he has received his commission as a surgeon aboard the HMS Trevail. He must depart Cornwall soon bound for Plymouth and his fleet.

December 11^th, Wednesday - Ross leaves Nampara and takes the stage from Truro. He has dinner in St. Austell and sleeps at Liskeard.

December 12^th, Thursday - Ross’s stage takes him to the Ferry at Plymouth and on to Ashburton for the night.

              -Demelza begins making new curtains for Joshua’s old bedroom, where Ross has been sleeping since May, from some of the fabric she and Ross purchased in Truro.

December 13^th, Friday- The stage sees Ross to Exeter for dinner and on to Bridgewater by nightfall.

December 14^th, Saturday – In Bath by dinner time, Ross climbs down from the stage in the trendy city, only to climb back up soon after and rumble his way to Marlborough for the night.

December 15^th, Sunday – A very long day on the stage for Ross: up before daybreak and on the road, they arrive in Maidenhead for dinner and finally in London for a late supper around 10 pm. He lodges at The Mitre in Hedge Lane.

December 16^th, Monday - It is a snowy day in London as Ross calls on Caroline who is living with her Aunt on Hatten Garden at #5. Caroline accepts Ross’s thanks for the loan, but is reluctant to accept his advice concerning Dwight.

              -Demelza is invited to Place House for tea by Sir John’s sister, Mrs. Frensham, and walks with Garrick along the coast to her appointment. Unfortunately, Trenwith property no longer allows the use of the coastal right-of-way which has been open to all for centuries. The Harry brothers interrupt Demelza’s walk by shooting Garrick and ripping his ear partly off. In his fear and anguish, Garrick bites Demelza. Demelza is incensed, the Harry’s brothers are unmoved. Master of the estate, George, shows up and he proves to be also utterly unmoved along with rude and hurtful. Demelza does not make it to tea and must send a letter of apology, by the long route round... Round the Horn as it were.

December 17^th, Tuesday - Ross, sensing a potential weakening in Caroline from the interview of the day before, returns to Hatton Garden and succeeds in convincing her to come with him if only to say goodbye properly to Dwight and to see her ailing uncle back in Cornwall. (He says to Demelza later that he and Caroline left London on Tuesday, but it is more like that they left on Wednesday as he also says to her that he went back to talk to Caroline on “his second visit” and that was when she “took the bait”. It is possible that he had two visits in one day, but more likely that he returned the next day- the Tuesday- and convinced her then of departing with him the next day. Also, on his travel to London, he spent four days on the coach from Plymouth to London, so it is unlikely that he and Caroline would have needed six days for the return. I think Ross just got his days mixed up with all that travel…)

December 18^th, Wednesday – Ross and Caroline leave London on the stage bound for Plymouth, Demelza is home nursing a sore wrist, and Dwight departs Cornwall for Plymouth.

December 20^th- Dwight reports to the HMS Trevail and learns she is not anywhere close to ready for her voyage. He kills time in Plymouth dressing his naval finest.

December 21^st- Ross and Caroline’s stage stops at Ashburton for the night.

December 22^nd, Sunday - Ross and Caroline arrive in Plymouth. Ross finds that Dwight is staying at the Rising Sun and sends a letter to him inviting him to sup with him at the Fountain Inn at 6pm. - When Dwight arrives he discovers Ross and Caroline at the Inn. Ross comments on Dwight’s appearance, “A handsome uniform, that.” Ross elects to dine elsewhere, alone, and leaves them to privacy, but not before he imparts some advice that he says Demelza would share…that “Life holds only two or three things worth having, and if you possess them the rest don’t matter, and if you do not possess them, the rest are useless.” Dwight and Caroline have an awkward-at-first conversation that quickly turns to reconciliation.

December 23^rd, Monday – Ross, Caroline and Dwight take the stage from Plymouth to Truro, probably staying at St. Austell or Liskeard for the night.

December 24^th, Tuesday - Ross returns to Nampara from his London Journey about 6 pm with lots of news: Dwight and Caroline have returned with him (Dwight is temporarily at the Gatehouse and Caroline is at Killewarren visiting her Uncle Ray), Nampara is to host a Christmas celebration honoring Dwight and Caroline (and Caroline’s maid), and Demelza needs to prepare three guest rooms in one hour. Ross has at least stopped in Truro to order a goose, beef ribs, and a veal filet for their Christmas dinner on the morrow.

              -Ross learns of Demelza’s run in with the Harry brothers though she tones the story down quite a bit. Really, it's just a scratch.

-George and Elizabeth sup at seven…and are thrilled to have Ross arrive for a brief conversation…They do not invite him to join them at the meal. Elizabeth is hostile in her attitude towards Ross, which surprises him, while George is unnerved at Ross’s ability to just stroll into his house. Ross endeavors to explain politely that as neighbors George really needs to try to be a little more friendly – especially when it concerns Demelza – and if not, the villagers in the area might get a little rabble-ish, and certain private lands might find themselves violated rather aggressively.

- Ross returns to Nampara in time to greet Caroline and Dwight and a nice evening is had. Late that night, however, after Dwight and Caroline have gone off to their separate bedrooms, a conversation that has been in its incubation for half a year occurs between Ross and Demelza. (Demelza has moved Ross’s things out of Old Joshua’s box bed room- which she needed as a guest room for Caroline- back either to the little room upstairs- behind the guest room that Dwight will use- or to HER bedroom…which did she choose???…consider that forgiveness is a choice, and Six-plus months alone in a big bed isn’t very warm…especially in December.)

              -The conversation: He’d like to talk over the infidelity, discuss it and be honest- because he has a confidence in his new-found faith in his marriage- but Demelza is afraid that what he will tell her will wound her afresh with a long-lingering, festering wound. She would prefer to go forward and simply find a new normal, and hopefully, someday, a new love together. He attempts to explain the difference between putting people on pedestals and actually knowing people. To explain the difference between a never actualized, BIG TIME infatuation, and a blood, sinew and tissue marital relationship where someone has to take out the trash and someone has to change the friggen diapers…not to mention, deal with the in-laws. He tells her that he has finally come to understand that after the misalliance with Elizabeth in May, “For a time, after that night, things were upside down- for a time, nothing came clear. When it did, when it began to, the one sure feeling that stood out was that my true and real love was not for her but for you." (W. p. 344)

          - In the course of this conversation Demelza realizes that if she and Ross are going to move forward into a GOOD new normal, then she has to tell him everything, including about Captain McNeil and the Werry House party. Ross doesn’t take it very well. Turns out he doesn’t like to share. Even if he never actually did have to share, that it was only the possibility that he might have had to, (and with a Scotsman!) but the kibosh was put on it before anyone was doing any sharing…and Demelza left teeth marks for good measure! …but…still…He ain’t happy. A row ensues. She packs clothes, tries to saddle a horse, he has to help her, but he convinces her to come inside for just a moment. How? HE FINALLY, ACTUALLY APOLOGIZES for his infidelity! It only took seven plus months. He wants to talk her down, to let go of his own jealousy and she agrees to go back into the house with him (She even makes a little joke about McNeil’s mustache!). But the beer bung has sprung and they have a mess to clean up. Which they do, but then it’s close to midnight and Ross decides to give Demelza a new brooch from London, very like the one they had to sell, and a garnet necklace, and he wants to put them on her, and she has no gift for him, but perhaps he thinks of another gift she might bestow…for they must go to bed somewhere- most likely together- and perhaps they get warm via friction. (She says in Black Moon, in reference to how babies are conceived, “Since Christmas it’s been nothing else, has it?” and Ross says, “Did you want it to be anything else?” with Demelza responding, “No, thank you.” (B.M. p. 42))

December 25^th, Christmas Day – Nampara awakes with guests in residence and Ross and Demelza reconciled. A lovely dinner of Roast Goose and Veal Fillet is served. Dwight departs for Plymouth and the Navy. Caroline stays on at Nampara for another day or so basking in the warmth of new found friendship.

1794

The Black Moon

            Book One

February, early days of the month- Tom Carne dies in Illugan of Smallpox.

February, first or second week of the month- Ross and Demelza conceive a child. Ross is 34 years old.

February 13^th, Thursday – At Trenwith, Elizabeth Warleggan, who is known to be eight months pregnant, falls on the steps leading to her bedroom. Dr. Choake is called to attend her because the man retained, Dr. Behenna, is unavailable. Dr. Behenna, however, arrives late, but in time for the actual birth.

February 14^th, Valentine’s Day- Valentine Warleggan is born at 8:15 pm to his parents, George and Elizabeth, at Trenwith. There is a total eclipse of the moon that night.  (George mentally notes that the price of tin had risen £5 a ton the week before).

              -Aunt Agatha, reportedly age 99, has a new kitten and a dire prediction: “Good seldom come to a child born under a black moon.” (she also politely suggests a few names for the baby to George- “Ross” and “Joshua”.)

March 6^th-14^th- Samuel and Drake Carne, Demelza’s Methodist brothers, arrive at Nampara looking for work. She has not seen any of her six brothers in six years. Ross, reluctantly, decides to offer them work at Wheal Grace. (Sam has been a tributer in Illugan, before the mines there all closed; Drake has had an apprenticeship as a wheelwright.)

              -Later that night, Demelza tells Ross that there will be “an addition to the livestock,” meaning, she is pregnant.

April, first week- Caroline Penvenen learns from Unwin Trevaunance, who she has not seen in about two years, that there has been a naval battle off the north/western French coast involving British and French vessels: one British ship has been lost. She flies on horseback directly for Falmouth and Verity Blamey’s house, hoping for information. With Verity she learns from naval staff that the skirmish did indeed involve Lieutenant Dwight Eny’s ship, the Travail, and he is possibly lost at sea or a prisoner of war. The battle took place in March with Commander Pellew’s Western squadron.

April, early in the month - Sam and Drake Carne move into old Reath Cottage, built in 1788 and abandoned by Mark Daniels back in 1789 after he accidentally killed his “moonflower wife” in it. It is somewhat derelict, but the brothers set about to repair and improve it- in-part so as to host their Methodist meetings, because they are, “of the connection.”

              -Demelza is 24 years old.

May, first half of the month- Sam Carne is working as a tut worker at Wheal Grace and Drake is working at Nampara on the grand rebuilding of the house- an improvement that Ross has long wished for and can finally afford. (A third level will be added, with old Joshua’s room converted into a Dining Room, the library moved up a floor and enlarged and modernized, and a few new bedrooms added above that. Nampara will have eight bedrooms and four servant’s quarters will continue to be inside the house.

May 31^st - Sam and Drake buy a piece of salvaged drift timber from a ship wreck in St. Ann’s and carry it home to Reath Cottage to shore up a new roof they are building. On the long way home they elect to take the short cut through Trenwith lands and encounter Geoffrey Charles and his new governess, Morwenna Chynowith, out exploring in the grounds. Drake gives Morwenna a quickly gathered bouquet of blue bells.

June, early in the month - Ross is involved in the formation of a unit of Volunteers for the Truro district; they are called to support and defend the Cornish coastline during the war with France.

June 10^th, Whit Tuesday – Ross calls on Caroline at Killwarren on his way into Truro to meet with Harris Pascoe about his accounts and assets. Caroline has not heard any new news about the Trevail or Dwight’s whereabouts.

-            - Ross learns from Harris that Joan Pascoe, his daughter, has finally become engaged to St. John Peter, Ross’s second cousin (Ross’s grandmother, Matilda Peter Poldark, was sister to St. John’s grandfather.)

-              -  While at the Truro Whitsun Fair Ross buys a new horse, Judith, and becomes reacquainted with his father’s old friend, Tholly Tregirls, a one armed, badly scarred, devilishly selfish bear of a man. He is both piqued at re-meeting him and somewhat offended.

July, beginning of month – on Hendrawna Beach, Morwenna and Geoffrey Charles meet Drake. They visit the Holy Well (a sort of artesian spring on the cliffs) with him.

-                 - Drake asks Demelza for reading and writing lessons- one hour a week is agreed on.

-               - Ross is away two nights visiting his business investment in Looe, Blewit and Tonkin’s Boatyard.

July, the first week of the month – Ross, just returned from Looe, reports to Demelza that there are whisperings along the coast regarding France, British smugglers, the war, and missing prisoner’s of war who are likely held captive by the French.

-               - George and Elizabeth have been married one year. Their son Valentine is five months old.

August, middle of the month – Ross learns of the possible demise of Wheal leisure mine; there are rumors that she will be closed due to low profits.

-            - Setting Day at Wheal Grace. Renegotiating of bids with tributers at the mine (Their portion of the value of the ore brought up.) When Grace began working her successful vein of Tin (Fall of 1793) the tributers were earning 12 Shillings, 6 pence per 1 Pound Sterling of worth. Now, one year later, the wages have gone to 4 shillings, 6 pence per Pound Sterling- depending on the Tributer’s pitch- some earn more or less than that depending on the quality of the ore in their pitch.

-          - Ross and Demelza receive an invitation to dinner at Ralph-Allen Daniel’s lavish new Palladian home, Trelissick, on the Truro River.

August 28^th, Friday – Ross and Demelza attend dinner at Trelissick; on the way there they stop at Killewarren and visit with a dying Uncle Ray Penvenen, and Caroline privately shares with them a letter she has received from Susan Pellew, the wife of naval Commander Pellew; the news confirms that Dwight’s ship was lost during the battle.

-               - There are Royalist French Émigré’s at the dinner, who have fled France and the Revolution. They are seeking support for their Royalist cause and a counter-revolution. De Marasei, a French nobleman in attendance, flirts utterly improperly with a confused Demelza, who can barely understand his thick accent.

-              - Ralph-Allen Daniel attempts to recruit Ross to sit for the bench of Truro as a district magistrate. Ross declines as he prefers not to judge others. Daniels tries to explain his views to Ross saying, “It is for men of liberal ideas to try to interpret the law and to help to run the country, not to withdraw and leave it to the harsher spirits.” Ross declines the nomination anyway, but feels a bitterness in doing so, especially when he learns that it will be offered to George Warleggan instead. Demelza, upon learning of his refusal, is disappointed. (This irritates Ross.)

September – George Warleggan accepts the written invitation he receives from the Lord Chancellor, for the nomination as a Magistrate for the Truro district. He is slightly irritated when he mentions it to Elizabeth and she seems unimpressed.

September, early in the month – Will Nanfan calls on Ross to tell him of news he has picked up in France while on a smuggling run for Mr. Trencrom: there is a Prisoner of War camp in Quimper off the Bay of Audierne, near where the Naval Battle took place in March.

September 15^th - 20^th – The Methodist congregants in the district wish to repair the old meeting house at Sawle (gifted originally on a “three lives” lease by Charles Poldark) but George, now master of Trenwith, is opposed to the “subversive” nature of the Methodists and equates them to the Revolutionaries of France. He chooses to not make a decision for now so that the applicants will have to wait.

September 18^th (or thereabouts) – Demelza’s pregnancy is now eight months along and no longer concealable (to her frustration). She dislikes this part of her pregnancies and is surprised “always” that Ross “never seemed to mind these times.”

October, early in the month – News arrives that the Methodist meeting house at Grambler will not regain its lease from Trenwith. The faithful, particularly Sam, immediately approach Ross, through Demelza, asking for a piece of Nampara land so that they can build a new meeting house on their own land.

              -There is discussion of the “new wing” at Nampara that is being built. As is typical of a remodel, the little project of improving the old library has spiraled into a complete renovation and improvement of the whole house. A draftsman from Truro, Boase, has been retained to draw up the plans: Joshua’s old bedroom on the “first” floor will become the new dining room, and the old library will become the new stairwell up to the “second” floor where the new library will be. On that same floor, the old bedrooms will remain, and through the old Apple cupboard that was above Joshua’s old room another new stairwell will be built up to the third floor and new bedrooms there.

              -The baby is doing well in Demelza’s womb, and Ross plans a trip to Roscoff, France for the following week to seek info in person concerning the fate of Dwight and the other P.O.W.s. (Despite the fact that England is at war with France, and France is still full of violent revolutionaries…)

“Honesty is not a set of rules, it is a standard of ethics.” – Harris Pascoe (B.M. p. 75)

“I always find that the lesser the gentry, the greater the pretensions.”

 – Ross Poldark (B.M. p 76)

October, still early in the month- Governess Morwenna Chenowyth is left at the estate- in charge of young Geoffrey Charles - when the Warleggan’s leave the house for Truro for the winter. Drake Carne begins calling at Trenwith soon after.

October 12th, a Sunday- Ross leaves Cornwall for Roscoff aboard The One and All.

October 13th, a Monday (Ross confirms this date for us when he speaks to the gendarme and he says - for his date of arrival in Roscoff-_ "twenty-second Vendémiaire", which is the same day as October 13th in the Republican Calendar (B.M. p. 168)) – Ross arrives in Roscoff in the evening. He meets with Clisson, a Frenchman, in the Le Coq Rouge tavern. Clisson offers to seek information for Ross, for a price. He will bring news back on Monday the 19th.

October 14th, Wednesday- The One and All departs Roscoff for home and Ross is not aboard as he is patiently waiting for news from Clisson. Ross spends his time in town staying at the Fleur de Lys and acting the part of a “businessman”.

October, middle of the month- Joan Pascoe marries St. John Peter, second cousin of Ross (and Ross's least favorite relation.).

October 17th, Saturday- The local gendarme officers arrive at Ross’s lodging and casually have him strip down for a search…hmmm…then direct him to leave town ASAP or risk being arrested; plus they fine him. He boards The May Queen in the harbor with absolutely no intention of being chased from town.

October 18th, Sunday night- before The May Queen sets sail, Ross transfers himself to another ship in the harbor, The Edward, with a friendly English crew.

October 19th, Monday night- Ross has himself ferried ashore by a boy that he pays and finds his way back to the Le Coq Rouge, hoping to meet Clisson. At 8:35 pm Clisson arrives and has good news: Dwight is alive. He is being held at camp in Quimper, with 4000 other prisoners. The Breton camp is in a converted convent.

October 20th, Tuesday- Ross is in Cawsand (near Plymouth). From there he travels by pilchard driver (boat) back up to Truro.

October 23rd, Friday – Caroline Penvenen’s 23rd birthday (In Warleggan we are told her birthday is the 26th.) She pays a visit to Demelza at Nampara, a first girl's hangout for the two of them, and learns how to make good bread. But there is, as yet, no news about or from Ross. Ena Daniel, Paul’s sister, works as a maid at Nampara and Betsy Maria Martin works as a kitchen maid at the house.
          - Ross -gone for eleven days, not the ten he told Demelza- returns home later that evening after a somewhat protracted journey from France to Cornwall. Demelza immediately sends him to Killewarren to tell Caroline the good news.

              Book Two

November 20^th, Thursday – Clowance Poldark is born to parents Ross and Demelza of Nampara. She is their third child and second daughter.

November 27^th, Thursday – Ray Penvenen succumbs to the sugar sickness and dies with his doting niece, Caroline, by his side.

December 1^st, Monday – Ray Penvenen’s funeral is held and attended by many. Ross escorts Caroline while Demelza is at home recovering from child birth. (Dr. Choake had to deliver the baby…)

December 7^th, Sunday - Drake Carne calls on Trenwith, as he has done the previous many Sundays and “a relationship was sealed that had no business to begin and no authority to continue.” (B.M. p. 191)

-              - At the same time in Truro, George Warleggan is planning a marital auction, using Morwenna’s life, and contemplating how best to use her to forge a connection to the Godolphin family- familiars at the court of the King.

December 23^rd- Caroline arrives at Nampara for the Christmas Holiday and Clowance’s christening.

              -Ross has agreed to give the Methodists a piece of Nampara land for their new meeting house, despite his lack of interest in their form of religion.

December 24^th – Snow at Nampara.

December 25^th, Friday, Christmas Day- With her parents Ross and Demelza Poldark in attendance, along with her brother, Jeremy, Clowance Poldark is christened at Grambler St. Sawle after six inches of snow has fallen the night before. Her God-Parents are Caroline and Verity (who is unable to attend) and her uncle, Sam Carne (which did not thrill Ross). 

              -After the christening Ross decides to pay a call on Aunt Agatha at Trenwith, knowing the family has been away for two months and learning she has had very little company. He takes Caroline with him as “escort”.

December 31, Thursday- The Warleggan’s hold a lavish ball at Cardew. Unfortunately, due to terrible weather, most of the guests do not attend, deeply frustrating George.

Sometime during the year, Dolcoath Mine (that once paid for the building of Tehidy, Francis Basset’s grand estate) is closed.

-           - Also, little Charlie Baragwanath, who found the moonflower-girl body of Karen Daniels all those years ago, died.

-           

“The fault it seems, in any revolution, is that it must always run downhill. Victory is always for the extremists. There is always someone to say that the party in power is not ardent enough.”

 – Ross Poldark (B.M. p. 71)

1795

January, throughout the month- Ross continues his weekly visits to Aunt Agatha at Trenwith and ensures that the staff attend to her properly. He is 35 years old.

January, end of the month- The mine owners of Wheal Leisure, now primarily controlled by the Warleggans, decide to close her at the end of February due to her profit margins being too slim. 30-40 miners will lose their jobs during the worst winter on record and after a failed autumn harvest.

February, early in the month- Caroline undertakes to lead and organize a subscription plan - of all of the landowners - in order to raise funds to purchase a shipment of corn that can be sold at steep discount to the local mining families that are near to starving due to the harsh winter and lack of jobs.

              -Ross continues his weekly calls on Aunt Agatha at Trenwith.

February, late – Nick Vigus dies of pneumonia, leaving a widow, a son, three daughters, two of whom have fatherless children. They all fall on parish relief while Moses Vigus, the son, comes to work as a farm hand at Nampara.

February 25^th- Wheal Leisure is closed.

February 26^th, Thursday – Ross hires twenty men from Leisure to work exploratory shafts of new ground at Wheal Grace.

February 28^th, Saturday- the Corn ship arrives in St. Anns.

              -Jeremy has Influenza. Typhus spreads through the villages, followed by smallpox.

March 1, Sunday ( and each succeeding Sunday for some time) -A discount sale is held in St. Ann’s to distribute corn to the people, superintended by the landowners, including Caroline and Ross.

March, early in the month- in Truro, Valentine Warleggan is diagnosed with Rickets (Caused by a deficiency of Vitamin D and/or calcium, and common among the poor; the disease deforms the developing bones of the child.). Several enlightened doctors are called in and offer brutal ministrations for the child including painful “bleeding” episodes. These all fail to cure the baby and ultimately a mine surgeon is called in who offers pain-free and gentle treatment that saves the boy. It is believed that any deformity in the baby’s legs will be minor.

March 5^th- Snow at Nampara again.

March, early to mid-month- George occupies his time during Valentine’s illness courting newly widowed cleric, Osborne Whitworth, as a suitable groom for Morwenna, who knows nothing whatsoever about any of this. The financial negotiations between the two men are hawk-like.

For £3000 Morwenna is sold upriver to the sexually depraved dandy of a minister.

- Floods throughout England as the great thaw begins. 6000 British soldiers die in Holland due to Typhus and the elements.

March 11^th, Wednesday- Caroline returns from London with news: Dwight’s name is indeed on the admiralty’s list of known P.O.W.s in France. She also has a letter from Dwight which he was permitted to write; the letter is several weeks old when she receives it. She shares the letter with Ross and Demelza.

April, first week- Ross, who has been paying visits regularly to Aunt Agatha since Christmas, notifies the old woman that he will cease visiting her when George and Elizabeth return to Trenwith, which is expected in the near future.

April- The building of the new Methodist meeting house begins on the edge of Nampara land using old stone from derelict Wheal Maiden.

April 9^th, ish- Tholly pays a visit to Nampara to check out the young Cap’n’s wife. And he can’t quite figure her out…friend or fowl??? Moxie vixen or social-climbing, gold-digger??? None of his expectations seem to fit.  He is a bit turned off, but slightly amused and chastened by her serving him tea.

              -At the same time, Ross is at Killewarren where Caroline is hosting a meeting of French Emigres to discuss the counter-revolution landing set for Brittany.  Ross tells Demelza later that he has learned more about the prison camp where Dwight is being held  (information gained from the smuggler’s trade) – the conditions at the camp at Quimper have worsened.

April, mid-month- Demelza is 25 years old.

April 21^st, Tuesday – The Warleggans return to Trenwith. George has a pleasant return to his country seat until…

April 22^nd, Wednesday- A chorus of frogs is heard coming from the Trenwith pond that was so meticulously cleaned out and remodeled the previous year, complete with TFR- total frog removal (apparently George LOATHES frogs and toads). George, quite displeased, calls the Harry brothers to his dressing room for aggressive chastisement. The suggestion is put forth later in the day that, perhaps, someone has brought the frogs back. George orders five men to guard the pond all night and tells the men (because he suspects Ross of the childish prank) “A bloodied head and a few broken bones will not be out of keeping at all.”

April 25^th, Saturday – The mystery frogs reappear at Trenwith.

-               - Drake and Demelza have their weekly reading and writing lesson which is approaching its one-year anniversary (June).

April, last week of the month- Geoffrey Charles visits Drake at Reath Cottage and innocently enlightens him on Morwenna’s upcoming nuptials. He also announces that he will be going away to school. Drake feels the wind leaving his sails.

-              - Tholly Tregirls, while chatting up customers in Sally Chill-off’s Kiddly, where he has now taken up residence, deftly tosses into a drunken conversation between customers (including Jud Painter) that Christ "was a Jew". A brawl ensues and Tholly must leave his new quarters and the district for one month, “till the fuss has died over.” (B.M. p. 313)

               Book Three

May, week of the 18^th – Tholly returns from his exile and Ross invites him to join his French “Liberation” Party to save Dwight from the P.O.W. camp. Along with Tholly, Ross asks Jacka Hoblyn, Joe Nanfan, John Bone, Tom Ellery, and Will Jonas (the Miller’s son); all had benefited from Dwight’s medical skills in some way. The Enys Landing is planned for mid-June.

June 4^th – 7^th – Methodist Revival in Gwennap that Sam attends joyfully and Corn Riots in Camborne- Illugan District.

              -Aunt Agatha plans her 100th birthday party for August 11^th; George is appalled.

June 6^th, Saturday- The Reverend Odgers, hoping for a crumb of gold from George, brings important news to Trenwith concerning Miss Morwenna Chynoweth: She has been secretly meeting a Methodist man, “One of the ringleaders of those rowdies we were able to exclude from the church.” George brutally insults Morwenna afterward “as having given yourself to this miner” and no longer having a “pure body and a clear heart.”  (B.M. p. 327) Turns out, George has a small repressed lust for Morwenna and is pretty offended to learn she has a taking for a young man of such low station...what the eye admires, the heart (and body) desires. 

June 10^th, Wednesday- Drake is arrested for the theft of Geoffrey Charles silver trimmed Bible. He is sent to the small gaol at St. Anns (the lower room of Mr. Renfrew’s chandler’s shop).

June 11^th, Thursday- Ross attempts a plea deal (read -subtle threat) on Drake’s behalf at Trenwith with George- the first  time the two men are alone together in many years. It is an awkward, strangely intimate encounter.

June 12^th, Friday- Drake is surprisingly released from St. Anns and all charges are dropped.

-           -Ross invites a depressed Drake to come with him to France on their mission of “liberation.”

June 16^th, Tuesday- Ross and the Enys Landing group leave Falmouth aboard a British ship, The Pomone, in the company of some 75 other British ships sailing in support of the French Royalists hoping to retake France from the Revolutionaries. Demelza, at home, has become fatalistic about Ross and his “excursions”. On his leave-taking from Cornwall, Ross says goodbye to Caroline and gently flirts with her, but not for the first time.

June 16^th – 23^rd- The fleet sails for the Quiberon Peninsula and the Enys Landing crew are transferred to a smaller vessel, The Energetic, while Ross stays on The Pomone with his friend, de Sommbreuil, and de Marasi (he who would woo Demelza). Ross notices the awkward difficulties between the two French commanders: Comte Joseph de Puisaye and Comte d’Hervilly.

June 25^th- The fleet anchors off the coast of the Quiberon Peninsula, allowing the element of surprise to vaporize.

June 27^th- After a day of wrangling and debate among the leaders of the French Royalists a landing is made with the army; at first, they are greeted as liberators by the common people of the villages.

July 10^th, Friday - Nearly two weeks after the military expedition had begun, it appeared to Ross that it was coming to a tragic standstill. He decides his only hope of freeing Dwight is to not wait for the French to march across the country liberating their people (and his friend), but to embark now on his own mission of reconquest.  As he explains and says goodbye to de Sommbreuil, Ross promises to keep safe a family ring for the French man’s fiancé who is safe in England. Ross and his men steal a fishing vessel – a luggar- and sail north to the Odet river near Quimper, France with ten days of food and water aboard.

July 11^th- The Enys Landing crew of eight enter the convent in Quimper and locate and free Dwight; other men from the prison also manage to escape in the melee. Joe Nanfan is killed by a sniper and Drake Carne is wounded by a musket ball in the shoulder. They must leave Joe's body behind.

July 12^th- Ross’s crew waits out the light of day and the turn of the tide before making for their vessel hidden along the river's edge.

July 13^th- By dawn’s light, Dwight Enys and his rescuers are finally able to leave French waters.

July 16^th or 17^th- After poor winds and rain, the stolen French vessel with two injured men (Drake and Dwight) and two extra freed men from the prison (Lt. Hugh Armitage and Lt. Spade), comes into Falmouth Harbor about 7 pm. Ross takes Dwight directly to Mrs. Blamey’s house, which becomes an infirmary for Drake and Dwight, and Verity is overjoyed to play nurse.

July 17^th- A wedding is held at St. Sawle in Grambler village; Morwenna Chynoweth is married to the Reverend Osborne Whitworth because all her family presses her to, despite her own aversion to the union. Her new husband sexually assaults her on their wedding night.

July 18th- The injured men are improving and a message has been sent to both Demelza and Caroline.

July 20^th- Caroline arrives because she would not wait at home “stitching a sampler” to ensure that Dwight will be able “fulfil the promises he made before he left” for the navy. (B.M. p. 439)

July 23^rd, Thursday- Ross, Dwight and Caroline (and probably much of the rest of the crew) depart Falmouth for home – Ross is not sorry to depart the city and his new fame, heralded as he has been for his daring rescue. Drake stays on at the Blamey’s to more fully recover.  As Ross enters his own land he is greeted by a small, running boy who leaps into his arms with elation. Demelza too, runs at full speed to greet him. He has been away five weeks.

August 5^th, Wednesday – The Ross Poldarks enjoy the summer weather and their reunited family.

              - A frail Dwight Enys rides a horse for the first time in more than one-and-a-half years.

              -Agatha Poldark, planning her 100^th birthday party just five days hence, in her bed with her cat, Smollet, for company, is surprised by George Warleggan in her room at Trenwith. He startles her with news about her birth and christening, and in turn she daggers him metaphorically with her words, before succumbing finally to mortality.

The Four Swans

      Book One

September 10^th, approximately- Morwenna Chynoweth Whitworth and her husband, the Reverend Osborne Whitworth, conceive their first child, six weeks after their wedding.

     - Elizabeth Chynoweth Poldark Warleggan is 31 years old. Her son, Geoffrey Charles is away at school and will turn 11 late in the month (possibly October 24^th). Her son Valentine is not yet 2.

October, early in the month- Dr. Behenna of Truro receives an unexpected caller at his home: George Warleggan. George has a series of questions for Dr. Behenna which revolve around the birth of his heir, Valentine. Dr. Behenna is unnerved by the conversation despite having a solemn pact with himself never to give the upper hand to anyone.

October, still early in the month- George Warleggan clandestinely meets with George Tabb, formerly a servant at Trenwith from the old Poldark days. Again, his questions are unusual and Tabb is not quite sure what the blacksmith’s grandson really wants, but he dutifully rattles off all the people who use to call on Mrs. Elizabeth Poldark at Trenwith, whether it was day or night.

November 1^st, Sunday, All Hallows Day- Caroline Penvenen weds Dr. Dwight Enys at St. Mary’s church in Truro. The reception for 200 is held at the Assembly Rooms in High Cross. Demelza meets the somewhat dour third Viscount Falmouth (aka George Evelyn Boscawen), who is approaching 40 and recently widowed.  Morwenna Whitworth, attending the wedding with her husband, is quietly suffering from morning sickness, but says nothing by way of complaint.

              -Ross and Demelza spend the night with Harris Pascoe.

            -Caroline and Dwight return home on their wedding night to Killewarren. Horace is no longer jealous of Dwight.

December 1^st or 2^nd- Ross shares with Drake an ad from the Sherborne Mercury that he has read offering a blacksmith’s shop for sale. Ross offers to buy it for Drake (to satisfy his need to clear his sense of obligation to Drake for taking a bullet in France).

December 9^th, Wednesday- Ross and Drake attend the auction in St. Ann’s for the Blacksmith’s place and purchase Pally’s Shop for £232.

1796

January- Ross is 36 years old.

January 27^th- Drake moves into Pally’s Shop, taking a horse load of hand-me-down household items from Nampara. His new property sits on six acres and includes a small four room cottage, a Brew House and a Bake House, along with a Barn.

February, mid-month -Dr. Behenna informs Ossie that he must forego sexual relations with his wife until after the baby is born due to Morwenna’s lack of blooming health and Ossie’s inordinate weight. Ossie “reluctantly acceded”.

February, late in the month- Sam, recently declared Class Leader for the Methodist sect in their district, meets Emma Tregirls. While seeking aid for a grief stricken and impoverished family from Grambler village, Sam encounters Emma who is maid to Dr. and Mistress Choake at Fernmore, the doctor’s small estate near Grambler.

February, also late in the month- Two sisters of Morwenna Chynoweth arrive in Truro at St. Margaret’s vicarage: one, Garlanda, approximately 17 years old has only arrived as chaperone to her younger sister, Rowella, age 14, who is coming to stay with the Whitworths as a companion to Morwenna. Morwenna is half-way through her first pregnancy.

March- The new Nampara Methodist Meeting House is opened and enjoys its opening festivities with over fifty people in attendance.

March, late in the month- The Poldarks receive an invitation to a one o’clock dinner in early May at Tehidy, Sir Francis Basset’s grand coastal estate, eleven miles south-west of Nampara. * (* These dates in the spring of 1796 are best guesses due to a lack of specific dates to work with in the text.)

April, mid- month- Ossie, who has suffered greatly in his forced abstinence, receives good news: Reverend Phillip Webb has died. Mr. Webb was the incumbent vicar of Sawle with Grambler (where he has never preached because he hired out the daily work of the church to poor Reverend Odgers at £40 per year- Reverend Webb, however, collected £200 a year for the preferment).

April- mid month- Demelza is 26 years old.

April, end of the month- Ossie calls on George to ask George to write letters recommending him for the newly available “living” at Sawle with Grambler.

         -  Later that same evening, Ossie accidentally discovers that from his storage room in the attic he can see into Rowella’s bedroom via a pinhole he created.

May 3^rd  – Jeremy Poldark turns five years old.

May 5th, Thursday, probably - Ross and Demelza ride in the rain to Tehidy and find Caroline and Dwight also invited. Also at the 1:00 pm party is Lt. Hugh Armitage, one of the other men from the French prison camp in Quimper that escaped home with Ross the previous summer. Hugh shows an appreciation for Demelza while Sir Francis takes an interest in Ross and asks him whether he might be convinced to put his name forward to stand for a seat in Parliament. It’s a complicated offer, tied to a “palace revolution” against Lord Falmouth, as Ross calls it, and Ross thinks he’ll not be their man, as he prefers to be his “own man” (4.S p. 68).

May, 8^th or 9th- Sam receives word that a mining accident has happened back in Illugan to younger brother, Willie Carne, and that he has been sorely injured. Sam walks the eleven miles the next day to Illugan and learns it was not Willie, but Bobby that was injured and that recovery will come. The widow Carne is doleful and in need of a listener. Sam complies before leaving his weekly earnings and departing. He stops at the home of his partner, Peter Hoskin, to deliver kind words and money from Peter. He learns from John Hoskins (Peter’s brother) and Rosie Samson, a bold ring-leader type, of the formation of a Miner’s Army, being planned by disgruntled and impoverished miners in the area. This disturbs Sam.

May 10th, Tuesday- Ross writes to Sir Francis Basset, informing him of his decision not to stand for the Parliamentary seat for Truro.

May 11th, the next day- Sam walks toward home, stopping in St. Anne’s at Pally’s Shop, and sees Emma Tregirls there (who has come to check out the handsome young wheelwright that all the girls are talking about.) Sam carries her levering bar back for her to her disabled brother, Lobb, at his tin stamp in Sawle. Once there, Sam meets all the Tregirls family, including dangerous Tholly. He is knocked out of mental joint by the dysfunctional and stark, brutal reality of the family.

May 11th, Wednesday – Ross visits Wheal Grace for his weekly inspection and learns that the great tin vein they have been mining is thinning and afterward, notices that a visitor is at Nampara.

              -Hugh Armitage calls at Nampara, bringing a gift of a young Magnolia tree, and leaves Demelza  amorously flustered. Ross notices, but is charitable to his wife.

May 16^th and 17^th- The Burgesses of Truro meet to discuss the upcoming by-election.

May 18th, Wednesday – Mr. Nicholas Warleggan and Mr. William Hick wait for three hours at Tregothnan House for Lord Falmouth to return to his home for their appointed meeting. He arrives quite late to impart to them his choice for the new MP candidate for Truro…that they will be expected to vote for on the morrow.  Instead, they inform him that there will be a palace revolt and that instead of his candidate they will be putting forth  their own: Mr. George Warleggan.

May 19^th, Thursday- John Conan Whitworth born to his parents, Morwenna and Osborne Whitworth, in Truro.

              -The contested palace-coup election is held in Truro- George Warleggan is very narrowly elected as MP. Lord Falmouth is beyond angry about the affront to his position -brought on by Sir Francis Bassett and Mr. Nicholas Warleggan.

June, early in the month- Jeremy Poldark is given the “inoculation” against small pox (which involved cutting into the skin of the patient and dipping a little cootie in there…ewe…).

June 9^th, or thereabouts (possibly later in the month) - Ross, while in Truro, visits with Harris to learn about the election and sign his bank account which has £2000 in it (and no debts!!! Yippee!). Afterward, on his way to meet with Zacky concerning the tin coinage coming up, he is called into an impromptu meeting to discuss a new county hospital with Sir Francis Bassett, Lord Devoran, a Mr. William Molesworth…and MP George Warleggan.  George and Ross sit next to one another for the first time in many years. Oil and water do not mix and never shall. The “oil” goes home grumpy and bitter towards his wife, the “water” goes home and shares the conversation with his wife.

        - Demelza and Ross receive an invitation from Frances Gower, Lord Falmouth’s sister, inviting them to Tregothnan in July for a party and sendoff for Lt. Armitage, who will be returning to the navy.  Included with the letter is a second smaller letter addressed to D.P. from H.A.- it is a love poem. Demelza shares the first, but not the second with Ross.

June 10^th, approximately- Tin Coinage in Truro.

June 19^th, Sunday- Rowella Chynoweth’s 15^th birthday.

June, later in the month - Sam is visited by Methodist Circuit Steward, Arthur Champion, a firmly stiff man who seems more interested in the financial management of the little Nampara congregation than in the worthy souls; in addition, he doggedly prods Sam to avoid the sin of temptation by abandoning any hopes he may have concerning Emma Tregirls, a woman of “ill repute”.

June, that same week - George leaves Truro for London and his new seat in Parliament; Elizabeth is not invited to go with him.

June 25^th, Friday – Morwenna continues to suffer from Dr. Behenna’s ministrations (that include mercurial ointment and “regular bleedings”); she has not recovered from childbirth and is weak and worn.

-Rowella takes a bath with a witness.

            - Ossie visits his wife’s bedroom and forces himself upon her.

June 29^th,Wednesday – Elizabeth, breathing freely for the first time in three weeks because her crabby,  suspicious husband has gone to London, goes to the library and runs into Rowella. She learns that Morwenna has not recovered from childbirth and is in fact more ill and weak than she ever was before.

   -later that day, Elizabeth calls on the Whitworths and insists on calling in a new medical man, i.e. Dr. Dwight Enys. 

July – Ross buys two new horses from Tholly Tregirls, Sheridan and Swift. Darkie is partially retired and Judith becomes a part-time Nampara equine employee.

July 1, Friday – Dwight calls on Morwenna, much to Reverend Whitworth’s frustration. Dwight offers a very different treatment from Dr. Behenna's: A strengthening protocol of six raw eggs per day and two pints of porter as well. Good “Heavens, man, you’ll turn her into a toper!” Ossie says. Dr. Enys also tells a very angry Reverend Whitworth that “marital relations…must stop…for the time being.” (4.S. p. 130)

July 4^th-6^th- Geoffrey Charles Poldark returns home from his first year at Harrow School; he has matured greatly.

July 9^th, Saturday – Elizabeth and her two sons, Geoffrey Charles and Valentine, return to Trenwith from Truro.

July 12^th, Tuesday – Elizabeth, after a dinner at Trenwith with the Reverend Odgers family, encounters Ross at the churchyard at dusk. Since May 9^th of 1793 they have not been alone together. Elizabeth’s rage at him is surprising until she tells him why she believes her husband, George, has been terrible to her: George suspects that Valentine is not his son, but Ross’s.  Clueless Ross is floored, Elizabeth refuses to tell Ross whether or not the details are true, and after a tense and loaded conversation they separate somewhat reconciled to their old “friendship”. Ross chooses not to tell Demelza of the meeting and conversation.

July 26^th, Tuesday- Dinner and a dance at Tregothnan House, Lord Falmouth’s home and the Boscawen family estate. (Or, Hugh Armitage’s uncle’s estate). Ross, Demelza, Dwight and Caroline attend. There are about twenty- six people  there for the dinner, but about fifty in attendance for the dance and supper which follow.

              - On the way to Tregothnan, which is south of Truro some miles, Dwight must stop and attend to Morwenna before the group can travel on.

              - At the party, Hugh acts as host while his uncle avoids much of the festivities, still being in mourning for his late wife. Hugh is “circumspect” in his public attentions to Demelza, though quietly flirtatious in all others. There are six Boscawen family members present: The Earl, Lord Falmouth; his uncle, Colonel Boscawen; the earl’s sister, Mrs. Gower and her three children; the earl’s two children (John-Evelyn is the younger); and Hugh Armitage, the earl’s nephew.

              -Ross, to his frustration, is called to the earl’s study for a one-on-one with the Lord of the manor during the dance. Lord Falmouth has learned of Ross’s choice to decline the nomination to stand for the “palace revolution” seat in Parliament and wishes to thank him, plus talk politics, plus get to know the real Ross Poldark, plus thank him for helping to save his nephew. (Lord Falmouth is only two or three years older than Ross). Ross leaves the earl’s study grumpy and feeling jealous that his wife has been left with Hugh Armitage’s attentions for too long. Later that evening, alone in their room at Tregothnan, he and Demelza have a heart to heart about her conflicted emotions.

July 26^th, also – Rowella Chynoweth is followed by her brother-in-law, the vicar of St. Margaret’s church, into her bedroom. Thereupon actions follow that are still not considered either holy (between in-laws), legal, or morally ethical within families.

August, first days of the month – Geoffrey Charles visits Drake at his shop, as he has nearly every day for almost a month, and tells Drake that Morwenna has had a son.

         -Emma Tregirls visits Sam at Reath Cottage to learn why Sam has recently been avoiding her and instead receives a proposal of matrimony that she essentially declines.

            Book Two

August – Nampara’s remodel is structurally complete: Now a three story home with between five and seven bedrooms (a few of those for servants), a formal and modern Georgian dining room, library, revamped parlor, kitchen, dairy, still room, scullery, cellar, (hidden cache), two barns, and several other out buildings. All of the little details, however, have not been seen to yet: no new china, cutlery, glassware, silver service and so on. Demelza prefers to make the purchases in small batches, “bit by bit” rather than all-of-a piece. (4.S. p. 178)

August, week of the 1^st – Dwight attends to Mrs. Whitworth and is surprised when the vicar does not throw a hissy-fit at being told he must keep his paws off his wife a little longer.

              -Dwight and Caroline have their own heart-to-heart at Killewarren: it is acknowledged that Dwight’s doctoring is taking him too far afield for too many hours, for too many days each week. Further, he and Caroline are in each other’s company far too little. It is resolved that changes will be made so that they will be in their own home, at the same time, for many more hours each week.

August, middle of the month –  After having spent nearly two weeks in Truro (on his return from London and Parliament), avoiding his wife, George returns to Trenwith because he misses and “needs” Elizabeth. (4.S. p. 204)

August, three days later – George has learned that Geoffrey Charles has been regularly visiting Drake at his Blacksmith’s shop.

August, third week of the month – George, angry that Ross has aided his brother-in-law, Drake,  and appalled at the possibility of Drake Carne succeeding as blacksmith, instructs his solicitor, Tankard, to find out what they can do to “discourage him.” (4.S. p. 206)

September – Ebb and Flow come to live at Nampara when Sir Hugh Bodrugan gifts them to Demelza. They are charming pigs, like their giftor. The grain harvest is good in England for the first time in four years and Zacky Martin, the new underground captain at Wheal Grace, is fully recovered from his eighteen-month illness (because Dwight has been tending to him, as opposed to Dr. Choake).

September, early in the month – The Warleggans are invited to Mingoose House to dine with the Trenagloses. Rather than ride through Nampara land, they take a detour up and around, skirting the little valley. Near a high point they stop as George looks down on the renovated Nampara and busy Wheal Grace. He derides the house as they ride away.

September – Geoffrey Charles, undoubtedly on his way back to Harrow, visits Morwenna in Truro and passes on a message from Drake: that he hopes one day “to bring her some winter primroses.” (4.S. p. 170) This short message gives a little heart to Morwenna, and it is desperately needed at this time.  It transpires later that Morwenna has, almost certainly by this time, “seen you (her husband) creeping up the stairs to her (Rowella’s) room…” for Morwenna had “just once, pluck(ed) up the courage to follow” him and see for herself what her husband and sister had been doing. (4.S. p . 251)

September – Jud Paynter, new grave digger for Sawle parish, buries Old Aunt Mary Rogers and is thrown out of the kiddly that night for slights on the deceased. The next day, he attempts a new physical slight on two stray dogs and they out-fox him, nipping him as they go. Thus embittered and very grouchy, the next day Jud blithely tells Demelza – as she calls on Prudie and slips small financial aid to her old servant- that he witnessed Captain Poldark and Mrs. Warleggan meeting in the graveyard back in July and leaving together “arm in arm.” (4.S. p. 201)

       -  Unfortunately, earlier in the same day, Demelza had received a letter from Hugh (gone on the high seas) addressed to her and Ross, but with a love poem to her enclosed. She conceals the verse from Ross. She also does not tell him of her visit to his mother’s grave (perhaps because she noticed that his mother died on May 9^th, the same date that Ross broke his fidelity to her with Elizabeth?)

October, 5^th, Wednesday- Emma Tregirls calls on Drake at his forge to question the brother of Sam and to – we presume- come to a better understanding of the man who would wed her if he could.

November 20^th – Clowance Poldark is two-years old.

November – January- sometime during these months Ross and Demelza ride to Truro, Padstow and Penryn on different shopping excursions for furnishings for the house.

December 21 – Ross and Demelza take the children sea bathing as the day is lovely and afterward, back in the parlor at Nampara, Jeremy is given his first taste of spirits and sprawls “on the settle shrieking with laughter.” Clowance thinks her big brother has gone mad. (4.S. p. 214)

        - The French navy plans an invasion of Ireland and almost succeeds. They are thwarted not by the British navy, but by…the storms of Christmas.

December 25^th, Christmas day- “Snowflakes and a howling easterly gale” greet the family and stay until almost the new year when the cold is replaced by mild and beautiful winter weather. (4.S. p. 214)

1797

January- early in the month – Ross is dimly aware that Demelza’s frank and open companionship with him has become slightly withdrawn and he mistakenly ties the change only to the last letter from Hugh Armitage in September.

January- mid month – Reverend Osborne Whitworth is appointed to the living of Sawle-with-Grambler Church to the vast annoyance of Ross Poldark, who is now 37 years old.

January 27^th – 31^st- The Whitworths travel to Trenwith and Sawle so that Ossie, who “was indeed satisfied,” can read himself in as the new Reverend. Ossie is also quite pleased with his little entourage of “his two women” that attend with him. (4.S. p.217)

January 31^st, late that evening – After having his way with Rowella, Ossie is horrifyingly stunned to learn that Rowella is pregnant with his child. He considers, for a moment, the possibility of her committing suicide or perhaps some other man being blamed.

February 11^th, Saturday – Rowella proposes to Ossie a way out of their predicament: marriage for her to Arthur Solway, the Truro Librarian. But, to help convince Mr. Solway that raising another man’s child is worth marrying Rowella, she suggests that Ossie may need to offer a “small present”. (4.S. p. 234)

February 13^th, Monday – Arthur Solway calls on Ossie Whitworth to ask for Rowella’s hand in marriage. Wrangling over the “present” ensues…and continues for several days.

February, 14^th, Tuesday – Demelza receives a letter and poem from Hugh which she carefully contrives to keep from Ross.

- The Lord and Lady de Dunstanville dine at Nampara along with Dr. and Mrs. Dwight Enys. Lord de Dunstanville and Demelza are paired for a walk after dinner and Demelza deftly parries the good Lord’s investigation into the Warleggan/Poldark feud. She also learns from Lord de Dunstanville the translation for the Latin inscription on Grace Poldark’s tombstone: Quidquid Amor Jussit, Non Est Contemnere Tutum - Whatsoever love hath ordained, it is not fit to despise.

         - Valentine Warleggan is three-years old.

         - Ross informs Demelza late that evening that Drake’s business has been suffering odd little difficulties: a new fence torn down, the property's stream diverted away, repaired tools broken…could George be behind such petty behavior?

February 16^th, approx– Rowella brings Ossie an elucidating letter written some years before to and about another young minister who got "with child" a young girl…that reverend found himself suspended for three years (4.S. p. 239). Ossie believes the devil has herself entered his home.

February 17^th- Rowella and Ossie settle on £500 for her and Arthur to start their new life.

February 22^nd – 28th-  The French attempt another landing on British soil, this time in Wales, and fail, yet the event starts rumors which in turn start a run on banks. Pascoe’s is just about to go under (in part, because it appears the larger banks, Warleggan’s and Bassets, have thrown Pascoe’s credit under the proverbial bus) when Lord de Dunstanville- he who was Sir Francis Basset- arrives home poste haste from London in time to save the day and save Pascoe’s Bank.

Late February- Ross grows ever more anxious and chafes at the bit as he continues to read in his weekly paper about the failures and attacks from the French. A man of action, he trains and commands a local group of volunteers, and attempts to rally the landowners for local defenses, but is frustrated by each group’s lack of dedication (4.S. p.245).

-                - Rowella Chynoweth marries Arthur Solway at the church of St. Margaret in Truro. She is given away by her brother-in-law, Osborne Whitworth.

-                  - Later that night, Morwenna confronts her husband for his infidelity. Ossie has come to insist that “his wife…consider her duty under the terms of our holy marriage bond,” but Morwenna tells him “no” and then gives him a powerful and frightening proposition- one that he feels he must give way to: If he touches her ever again, Morwenna will commit the unthinkable. He leaves utterly defeated.

Early Spring- Commodore Nelson of the British Navy, new potential hero for the British, becomes a party topic of conversation amongst those interested in the war, for his brilliant sea tactics and personal bravery.

April, early in the month- The Warleggans return to Trenwith and Drake intends to call on Mrs. Warleggan in a most respectful way and tell her of the persecutions he has suffered at his shop and ask for her intervention on his behalf.

April 13^th, Maundy Thursday- Drakes walks to Trenwith to make his appeal but is met by Tom Harry and brutally kept from his meeting with the lady of the house. Luckily, Will Nanfan’s ten-year old son by his second wife, Char, finds Drake and calls his mother to help.

April 16^{th -} Easter - (Demelza is 27)

April, 21st or so – Demelza learns of Drake’s injuries and is not pleased to sit idly by.

April 21^st or 22nd –– The Warleggans leave Trenwith for Truro.

April 22^nd, or thereabouts – Drake walks (carrying bread and cheese with him) to Truro intending to call on Mrs. Warleggan-  concerning the difficulties that he has been having at his forge.

April 23^rd – Drake calls on the Great House of the Warleggans in the morning. He states his case privately to the misses and is then confronted by George Warleggan, who throws him out.
       - That night in Elizabeth’s room, she and George finally have it out: she confronts him about his jealous suspicions and behavior toward Valentine and he confronts her about his view that she still loves Ross, among other things… After a bible is put to good use by Elizabeth, they are reconciled and complete their packing.

April 24^th  – The Warleggans depart early, leaving Truro in a post-chaise for London.

May - Ross is often away training with the volunteers; once, on his return, he tells Demelza that he is thinking of possibly joining the “fencibles”, who he feels would be more dedicated (they are like our modern National Guard). In so doing, he would be away even more. She begs to differ with this way of thinking.

May 3rd - Jeremy Poldark is six years old.

June 13^th, Tuesday - Ross, as Captain of the local volunteers, has gone to Falmouth to meet with military leaders there, including the governor of Falmouth Harbor, John Melville. Ross expects to be gone one night and to stay at Verity’s house.

-               - Demelza has a visit from Hugh Armitage, newly discharged from the navy for eye sight problems. He requests to visit the seal hole cave. She reluctantly takes him in their small boat. He seduces her prior to their return while on a beach. There is nothing vague about Demelza’s allowing the events to unfold. Guilt, yes. Remorse, not fully, but a little…due to a fear of what could be lost if Ross found out. Mostly, Demelza found herself overwhelmingly attracted to another man, felt pity for him concerning his impending blindness, and sexual opportunity presented itself (4.S. p. 303). All these pressures were supported by her latent fears and suspicions about Ross and Elizabeth and their meeting the past summer in the churchyard at Sawle. (She still finds herself occasionally wondering if he is seeing Elizabeth.) But, she thinks she is no “less in love with Ross” because of her infidelity to him (4.S. p. 305). In her processing of the events with Hugh she slowly unravels many of her thoughts, and Hugh’s arguments, and comes to realize that trust and loyalty, possessiveness and jealousy, are “vital part(s)” of love “gathered, stored, built up over the years, like something growing round love, protecting it, warming it, adding another strength to it and another savour.” (4.S. p. 307)

Hugh leaves Nampara before dinner.

        Book Three

June 14^th, Wednesday- Ross spends the day at Falmouth Harbor with Governor Melville and the night at Pendennis Castle, discussing the defense of the country.

June 15^th, Thursday – Ross and Governor Melville travel to the POW camp, Kergillack, near Penryn to see how the French POWs are being treated. From there, the two men ride on to Penrose (probably also in the south of Cornwall near Porthleven) to meet Mr. Rogers, Lord de Dunstanville’s brother-in-law. While dining at Penrose a messenger arrives from Tehidy calling the group hither forthwith- another grain riot is transpiring in Camborne… Or so the men believe. Once at Tehidy Ross learns that the riot is long over (and was tamer than implied) but a plan is now afoot by Lord de Dunstanville that he finds a little distasteful. However, as he is already there, he resigns himself to assist the Lord in the arrests of the men involved in the rioting- He sets out with a small group under his command to make five arrests at 1 am and completes them by 2.

June 16^th, Friday –  After a brief post-dawn stop at Killewarren to talk to Dwight, who was also summoned the night before, but declined to go- Ross arrives home early to find Demelza giving Jeremy his reading lesson.  She greets her husband with renewed warmth and they have a good night in bed.

“We none of us come to port without risk of shipwreck.” - Ross says, referring to his own marriage while talking to Dwight.

June 19^th- week of – Sam and Drake Carne walk into Sawle to inspect the first Pilchard catch of the season and make their own bargains for a small portion of the catch. The persecutions of Drake’s shop, by the Warleggan lackeys, has stopped and Drake is in a fine mood. While in town Tholly Tregirls, accompanied by Ned Botrell (who has somehow missed his sentence of ten years Transportation from 1793), his daughter Emma, his girlfriend Sally, Tom Harry the A**h**e, and Paul Daniels, proposes that Sam wrestle Tom at Sawle Feast in the next week. After much back and forth a decision is reached: Sam will wrestle Tom in a best-of-three-falls wins, but if he wins, Emma will attend the Methodist meetings for three months.

June 20th or so- Thirty-five of the men arrested for leadership in the Camborne Riots are let off “lightly”, while fifteen others are sent to Bodmin to await a rushed trial.

June 22^nd - Trial in Bodmin for the Camborne Fifteen. Five are found not guilty, while ten are found guilty and received various sentences: three are given imprisonment, four are sent for transportation (which will mean impressment into the navy), and three are sentenced to death. Lord de Dunstanville has a private word with the judges and it is decided that only one need swing: Peter Hoskin’s brother, John.

              -Osborne Whitworth encounters Mrs. Rowella Solway at Kenwyn and notes, to his ultimate consternation, her lack of a baby bump. As it has been five months since her wedding he awkwardly asks about her condition and is told that “it does not appear that” she “was with child after all.” Osborne is put out by such news.

June 23^rd, approximately – Ross calls on Lord de Dunstanville to hopefully plead clemency for John Hoskins, the brother of one of his employees, but inadvertently arrives during the Lord’s meeting with his MPs (including our friend, George). A gauntlet bet is publicly thrown down by George concerning the wrestling match at Sawle Feast: Tom Harry against Sam Carne for 100 guineas. Ross agrees on the condition that the wager should benefit the poor and that Lord de Dunstanville should decide which charity the money should go to. Lord de Dunstanville declares that the £100 should be given toward building the new hospital. Ross fails to convince Lord de Dunstanville to spare the life of Mr. Hoskins.

              -On his way home to Nampara, Ross stops at Maiden Chapel to tell Sam the bad news. He also offers to practice wrestling with Sam. Once home, a frustrated Ross tries to debrief with Demelza, but finds the process a little less than satisfactory, though they each drink a couple brandies. Also, it seems, she has had word from Hugh, via Caroline: Hugh is ailing and wishes for Dwight to come to Tregothnan for an examination, and bring his lovely wife, Caroline, and, oh, by the way, could the Poldarks come too? An un-thrilled Ross declines his own part of the invitation, but says that Demelza should go, if she wishes. They come to no easy understanding about the space allowed in one’s heart for two loves.

June 24^th, Saturday – Demelza rides with Dwight and Caroline to Tregothnan and arrives about noon. Hugh looks unchanged and his amorous feelings for Demelza appear the same. Dwight examines Hugh and finds little to change the London doctor’s diagnosis. Dinner at 1 pm with Lord Falmouth, Mr. and Mrs. Gower, the three Gower and two Falmouth children, Hugh, Demelza, Caroline and Dwight. The Honorable Captain Gower has not enjoyed his time in Parliament this past year as the unwilling partner to George Warleggan. Lord Falmouth’s feud with Lord de Dunstanville is mentioned and Demelza suggests that if that were mended Lord Falmouth may again control the Truro seats in Parliament. After a gentle explanation from Demelza, and a suitable interjection from Caroline, a potential solution is discussed.

              -Ross practices a few wrestling falls with Sam.

June 26^th, Monday – Sam Carne and Peter Hoskins leave Reath Cottage at dusk, walking twelve miles through the night, and arrive at Bodmin the next day.

June 27^th, Tuesday – John Hoskins is hanged in Bodmin with a spectating crowd of about 300 or more which includes genteel ladies, school children and vendors hawking goods.

-                     - The Hoskin family and friends manually pull a cart carrying the body of John thirty-three miles back to Camborne for burial. It takes them a day and half to do so, but upon reaching their district, gatherers and supporters join the walk until it is 1000 strong. One mile from their destination churchyard, the crowd with their bier comes upon Lord de Dunstanville exiting a gentleman’s house. The Lord calmly climbs upon his horse and slowly walks through the throng and on his way.

June 28^th, Wednesday – John Hoskins is buried.

June 29^th, Thursday, Sawle Feast Day – Wheal Grace has a holiday.

              -11:00 am – Church service at St. Sawle and the Poldarks attend because Jeremy wants to, though his father is wholly reluctant. Reverend Whitworth is leading the service and to Ross it gallingly appears as though “the ungodly had flourished.” (4.S. p. 239)

              -Morwenna, totally offended by Rowella and Ossie’s relationship, both from the incestual-like infidelity and the notion that her sister would willingly lie with such a man as Ossie, sits near the front of the church with only loathing in her heart for the man preaching.             

-Ossie’s sermon is full of bile and vehemence and utterly too long. Ross falls asleep with Clowance on his lap.

              -During the same sermon, a few feet away, George thinks about his stabilized marriage with Elizabeth and that, since Easter, he has mostly come to believe that Valentine is his son, but old doubts die hard for him; then he too nods off.

              -At the back of the church Drake sees a very changed and faded Morwenna and feels “sick to look at her and at that loud-mouthed Cleric standing in the pulpit” (4.S. p. 243). He talks himself into believing that all between him and Morwenna is gone, like a dream, “lost forever” but then, after the service, as she walks past him she looks directly into his eyes and smiles radiantly.

              -12:30 ish- Dwight and Caroline arrive at Nampara for dinner with the Poldarks and Caroline announces that she is pregnant.

            -Drake arrives home at Pally’s Shop and makes dinner. His brother, Sam, arrives soon after, returning from the burial of John Hoskins, and is fed by Drake.  Late in the afternoon the two walk to Sawle so that Sam can wrestle Tom Harry.

- 6 pm- the Poldarks and Enyses walk back to Sawle for the wrestling match. (Paul Daniels has won the earlier wrestling tourneys.)

6:15 pm - George and Ossie arrive from Trenwith for the match.

-          During the match, as his body is thrashed and torqued, Sam is aware of his revelation (brought home to him on the long walk from Bodmin to Camborne) that his own true motives for agreeing to the bout were two things only: revenge and lust. This does not sit well with him.

7 pm- The match is finished 2 falls to 1, advantage Tom Harry.

June 30^th, Friday – Ross sends his bank draft to Francis Basset for 100 guineas. Soon after, he receives a letter from Mr. Tankard “on behalf of Mr. Warleggan” asking Ross to pay the £100 wager debt. “Ross mixed this with the pig feed.” (4.S. p. 355)

July – Sam heals from his wrestling bout. Dwight makes medical calls on Hugh twice more, and Demelza receives a letter from Hugh which is neutral enough that she shows it to Ross.

              -Caroline and Dwight host a small dinner for four: Lord Falmouth, Lord de Dunstanville, Caroline and Dwight. A reconciliation between the “little lions”, as Caroline calls them (4.S. p. 356), is reached.

August 31 – The angry and resentful Reverend Ossie Whitworth sees his sister-in-law, Mrs. Arthur Solway, nee Rowella Chynoweth, the night after he may, or may not, have been seen visiting the Truro brothels.

              -Demelza goes blackberry picking with Jeremy and Clowance and meets with Emma Tregirls who is need of girl talk.

              -Emma talks with Sam afterward and a decision is made for her to leave the area for one year to see if either she or Sam have a change of heart. Demelza agrees to write to Tehidy for Emma to see about a position there as a maid.

September, early in the month – Ross, Sir John Trevaunance, Dr. Dwight Enys, Horace Treneglos and other gentlemen of the district receive letters from Reverend Whitworth admonishing them to cough up cash to help pay for improvements at Sawle Church.

September 4^th, Monday – Ross receives a letter from Mrs. Gower kindly requesting that he and Mrs. Poldark join them for dinner anytime that week as an urgent kindness to her nephew, Hugh, who is now suffering from a brain fever. A new doctor has been called in.

September 6^th, Wednesday – Ross and Demelza travel to Tregothnan in the drenching rain to visit the now very ill Hugh Armitage. They are given a room and a change of clothes prior to seeing Hugh. Hugh’s parents, the Colonel and Mrs. Armitage have been summoned from Dorset, but have not yet arrived. Hugh looks terrible with his head shaved and leeches on his forehead. Ross and Demelza together stay in the room for only about ten minutes, then Ross departs per the doctor’s request. He is angrily disturbed and totally depressed; he had noted Demelza’s look when she first saw Hugh. It betrayed more than he had known before. He leaves and wanders the halls for a spell before a Gower son asks him to come and meet with his uncle, Lord Falmouth. Ross meets the Lord in his study and is offered - again - a seat in parliament for Truro. Ross makes three stipulations on his agreeing to run: 
#1- He has the right to support Pitt on any measures needed for the war effort;  
#2 – He has the right to support any measures that appear to be beneficial to the poor; 
#3 -  He has the right to aid Mr. Wilburforce in ending the slave trade. 
Ross, upon returning to the room he and Demelza have been given to dry their clothes, unhappily finds a love poem from Hugh to Demelza. He is confronted by an emotional and angry despair that he has not felt in 15 years. He does not tell her about running for office.

September 10^th, Sunday – The Warleggans return to Truro from Trenwith.

September 11^th, Monday – The Whitworths dine with the Warleggans and Ossie delightedly informs George that Ross Poldark will be running against him for the MP seat. Later that night, in order to guarantee the proper vote, George meets with his uncle Cary to strategize how best to put pressure on the Aldermen and the Burgesses.

September 14^th, Thursday – There is a general election because Pitt has dissolved Parliament. In Truro, four men run for office, but only two MPs will be elected: the candidates are Gower, Poldark, Trengrouse, and Warleggan. The voting is close, but Gower and Poldark win. After the voting is over, Ross is greeted and congratulated by a relieved Lord Falmouth, but the lord also brings news of his family’s grief: Hugh Armitage died the night before (September 13th).

-                   -  At the Red Lion Inn after the voting, a celebratory dinner is held without Lord Falmouth. Ross stays until 6 pm before heading home. Upon arrival, he discovers Demelza has left the house two or more hours previously- he finds a letter from Mrs. Gower informing Demelza of Hugh’s death. Rage begins to wash over him as a specific certainty seems to settle into his mind.  He has no details, no facts, but an ever-growing belief that she has been unfaithful to him with Hugh- a dead man that he can not confront or challenge. Demelza, in her own distress, arrives home disoriented and disheveled from an impromptu and rushed visit that she has made on-foot to Caroline (four miles each way). Ross endeavors to be supportive after an initial angry and somewhat cruel reception of her. Through tears she attempts the beginning of an explanation and a renewed vow of her enduring love for Ross. They both calm down enough that they go upstairs to read to Clowance together. He does not tell her he has been elected.  Demelza does not apologize for her affections for Hugh (or confess directly to her affair).

September, third week of the month- A celebratory Ball is held for the new Parliament.

September, end of the month – Lord Falmouth hosts a dinner at Tregothnan with his council.

October, early in the month- New Parliament is assembled in London. New MP, Ross Poldark, attends and settles in London in rented accommodations.

November 20th - Clowance Poldark is three years old.

Sometime during the year St. John Peter takes up with a woman in St. Austell and begins accruing large debts, to the tune of twelve thousand pounds.

The Angry Tide

1798

Book One

Ross is 38 years old.

Winter of 1798-  Ross invites Geoffrey Charles out for an excursion to Vauxhall Gardens to watch the singers perform.

February - Sarah Caroline Anne Enys is born to her parents,  Dwight and Caroline, and is christened at St. Sawle Church.

Early in the spring- Ross speaks in Parliament for the first time, promoting a William Wilburforce bill to abolish slavery. He is quoted in the newspaper and a copy is given to Demelza, which gives her great pride.

-  April - Ross travels from London to Sussex and Kent to inspect military preparations in the event of a French invasion; to plan for the self-sabotage of bridges, resources, munitions, etc. rather than allow the French to gain control of any English assets.

April, middle of the month- Demelza turns 28 years old.

May 3^rd – Jeremy is 7 years old.

May 14th – Ross returns home to Cornwall. He has spent nearly eight months away, renting rooms from Mrs. Parkins at #5 George Street (off the Strand, near the Adelphi Buildings), London, while he attended Parliament. He shares a coach part-way with Ossie, who is returning from a social visit to the Carlyons at their home, Tregrehan. This does not improve Ross’s mood. Late that day, in stunned disbelief, Demelza happens to greet Ross’s arrival (on a borrowed horse) coming across the moors toward Nampara. Over supper that evening they talk about the time apart, their wounded marriage, Ross’s near dalliances with prostitutes, and surprise each other later that night by resuming their healthy, loving, sexual relationship.

              -Ossie, meanwhile, also returning home, is only greeted by three letters: one from his old whist partner, Nathanial “Notary” Pierce, asking for a visit and another from his sister-in-law, Rowella Solway, also asking for a visit.

              - At the Great House in Truro, George hosts a lavish one-man dinner party for Sir Christopher Hawkins, age 40, of Trewithen. Sir Christopher, MP, happens to be the possessor of 2 parliamentary seats in southern Cornwall.

May 15^th- With a new moon barely discernible in the sky, Ross greets the day at 4:30 am by skinny-dipping in the chill waters of Nampara Cove. After dressing for the day, he walks to Sawle to greet Captain Henshaw at 6:30 and discusses the reports of the slightly thinning tin load at Wheal Grace.

Mid-May- Drake, prospering at his forge and diligent in his work (because he has nothing else in life that he is interested in), receives a note from his sister asking him to Nampara to install a fireback for them in the new Library. She also offers him tea.

May 18^th – Ossie calls on Mr. Notary Pearce and learns that the old man, now dying of gout, has a confession to make. Ossie then stops for a visit at the Red Lion Inn and has a chat with Dr. Behenna about how one can have one’s wife locked away in an institution (A.T. p.54).

Wednesday, May 23^rd – Drake arrives for tea and fireback installation at Nampara; he is obliged, delicately, into escorting home Rosina Hoblyn who has been doing sewing work for Demelza. Ross says, “A more flagrant contrivance I never saw.” (A.T. p.43)

Late May – Ross is busy throughout Cornwall seeing to the region’s preparations for French invasion, as he did in Kent and Sussex.

June - In Truro, the Warleggan’s hold a family council; George has been spending a lot of money on land purchases near St. Michaels Mount in far west Cornwall. George explains that it is “an investment for the future. My future.” He is buying his own borough, the better to insure himself a permanent place in Parliament. (A.T. p. 56) At the council, Cary Warleggan also announces to his nephew and brother that he has “Pascoe’s son-in-law (St. John Peter) in” his pocket and that Nat Pearce, who is approaching death, will be leaving his business affairs in legal and financial disaster; this ruin will likely pull-down Pascoe’s bank. Cary also mentions that the conclusion of all will hopefully also “wing” Ross Poldark. (A.T. p. 61)

              -The same day, Elizabeth goes shopping with her mother-in-law, Mrs. Mary Warleggan, and afterward they pay a visit to Elizabeth’s cousin, Mrs. Arthur Solway (Rowella). They are surprised to see the Reverend Osborne Whitworth emerge from the house.

June- Sarah Enys, first child to Dr. Dwight and Mrs. Enys, is four months old.

-           - The new Miners Hospital is under construction near Truro, with donated funds from the gentry.

Late June- Ross visits Harris Pascoe in Truro to sign for his accounts. His main balance is above four thousand pounds and he has investments in Blewet’s shipyard in Looe and Daniel’s Smelting Furnaces outside of Truro. Later he meets Dwight and they ride home together. While ambling home, Dwight asks Ross about his relationship with Demelza and Ross responds by sharing his unease regarding her affair with Hugh. He describes his relationship with Demelza as having always been “a fiery one” saying “in eleven years we have survived a number of storms – most of them, perhaps, of my making. Now we must try to survive one of hers.” (A.T. p 70)

-           - Dwight shares with Ross, after he is pressed, the terrible diagnosis he has made for his little daughter Sarah.

June 27^th – Ossie resumes his illicit affair with Rowella, on Thursday evenings at her home…for a price. She wears her new, “not quite nice” nightgown. (A.T. p.92)

July 10^th, Tuesday – Sam calls on his brother, Drake, as he does every Tuesday. They have a meal and a brotherly conversation concerning marriage, misery and Morwenna.

July - Napoleon Bonaparte and his armies move through the Mediterranean and take Egypt.

July 30^th – Geoffrey Charles, age 14, visits Drake at his forge. The old camaraderie is still warmly there, but changed, and a little awkward. The differences in their life stations are now visible to both.

July 31^st- Dwight receives a letter from Dr. Behenna requesting his opinion in a matter concerning Mrs. Whitworth, at the behest of Mr. Whitworth.

August 8^th, Wednesday – Dwight attends on Morwenna, more as a psychologist than a medical man.  His assessment is different than Reverend Whitworth’s – which contends that his wife “is insane, that she is in fact an evil woman” and that this is due to “God’s judgement upon the wicked.” (A.T. p. 85) Dwight counteracts this argument with the reminder that the King recently recovered from his bout with insanity and surely, you are not suggesting that the King has been visited by the Devil??? 

August 9^th or 10th – Ross and Demelza brew beer and Jeremy slips the pigs, Ebb and Flow, the beer grounds out of two barrels. The swine are made drunk as skunks to the amusement of everyone except Jeremy (who fears he has killed them). Sir Hugh Bodrugan appears amidst the clamor- hoping to corral Demelza, but thwarted by Ross’s presence- and, like the pigs, finds himself with the staggers.  He also mentions a grand party to be held at Trenwith late in the month, to which Ross and Demelza are not invited.

August 29^th, Wednesday – A restless Ross joins the village men on Hendrawna Beach (Zacky, Paul, Jacka, Jud, etc..) for a late-night fish-netting swim. Naked, he is nearly swept out to sea by a “vellow” (similar to a rip current), but his calm demeanor (and pride) and recollections of youthful swims bring him ultimately back to shore safely; Jud, unfortunately, who had been anchoring Ross’s net on shore, has been drawn into the water and is seen floating like a cork some distance from land, pipe aglow.

-           -Jacka Hoblyn confronts Ross that same night about Drake and Rosina- is the young man courting her or not?

August 30^th, Thursday – The Warleggans throw a great summer party at Trenwith with the entire district invited (except the Poldarks) and Ross “trespasses” on the grounds late that evening to bear witness. He is surprised to discover Elizabeth out in the garden taking a respite from the festivities. He quietly begins a conversation with her about her life, her sons, her husband, but they are interrupted by an arrogant, pale, soldier-of-a-dandy-man named Captain Monk Adderley who “made the back of my hair stand up” Ross tells Demelza later. Before retiring to bed late that night she asks Ross if he has taken this risk of venturing to Trenwith because she had “failed” him? He replies, “Perhaps we’ve failed each other.” (A.T. p. 115)

October 8^th, Monday, morning – Word comes via Ross’s Mercury newspaper that Admiral Nelson has scored a great victory over Napoleon at the mouth of the Nile; all staff at Nampara are given a rum toddy and bells peel in London.

 - Afternoon - In the attempt to link Wheal Grace with the old (believed dry) Wheal Maiden workings Sam and his partner, Peter Hoskins, inadvertently break into the depths of the flooded old mine, causing flooding at Grace. Led by a calm, decisive Sam, nearly all miners are alerted and make their way to safety. Two men are lost: Sid Bunt and Tom Spurrock.

           - Later that day- When Sam finally makes his weary way home, adrenaline subsiding, fatigue and soreness growing, he is met by Beth Daniels who has brought Sam a letter. The letter (written by a friend for a shilling) is from Emma Tregirls, informing Sam gently, and with love, that she has married a good man, Ned Artnel, who also works at Tehidy. She has been gone more than a year. Initially stunned into silence, he then breaks into weeping.

       Book Two

November, early in the month – Elizabeth calls on Morwenna for tea and comments on the string of unusual nurses that the baby, John Conan has had. Morwenna explains that it is not her doing, but Ossie’s, and that he “is a strange man.” (A.T. p. 147)

November, mid-month – Ross, not returning to Parliament until after the new year due to the flood repairs at the mine, assists in the saving of a ship’s crew when their vessel wrecks on Hendrawna Beach, but departs the scene when the scavengers arrive.  A second ship breaks apart on the same beach not long after, releasing it’s supply of coal all over the beach.

November 20^th, Tuesday – Clowance is 4 years old.

Late November – Jeremy comes down with yet another respiratory ailment and Demelza fears the dreaded Pthisis (Tuberculosis). But Dwight assures her that it doesn’t appear to be.

November 28^th, Wednesday – Sarah Caroline Anne Enys, aged 9 months, dies from complications of a defective heart.

December 3^rd, Monday – Sarah is buried at Sawle Churchyard.

December 10^th – Caroline tells Dwight that she intends to leave Cornwall for London, alone. She cannot grieve and heal in Cornwall.

December 24^th & 25^th, Christmas time – Drake, Sam and Dwight all spend Christmas at Nampara. All are lonely, depressed men.  (Caroline has left for London.) The Blameys come from Flushing, where they now live, and little Andrew is 5 years old. James Blamey is now 21.

December 26^th - A children’s party (approx. 20 children are present-Treneglos, Martins, Carters, Scobles, etc…) is held at Nampara. Verity and Demelza host, with James as Circus Maestro, while Ross and Andrew Sr. take a walk along the coast. At the border of Trenwith land Ross tests the health of the wooden fencing…and finds it weak and rotten, a little like the landlord. Ross calls it “enemy territory” before he throws many of the fence posts and rails over the cliff and into the ocean. (A.T. p.153)

-          - Verity notes that she sees Ross’s “old wildness” and that his “unquiet” has come back. (A.T. p. 156) Verity is 40 years old.

1799

January, middle of the month- Demelza receives a letter from Caroline in which Caroline suggests that Demelza should come to London with Ross. Ross echoes the suggestion, but as he was not originator of the idea, Demelza feels that perhaps he doesn’t really want her to go and suggests instead that she go with him in the fall.

January 28^th – Ross leaves for London, taking the sea route. After he is gone Demelza finds Nampara empty as a tomb and regrets not having gone with him.

February, early in the month – Demelza - who is spending a fair amount of time with Dwight socially, as both are alone and feeling lonely- walks with Jeremy to Drake’s forge, after stopping by Sawle Churchyard to lay flowers at the graves of family (Julia Poldark, Francis Poldark, Uncle Charles Poldark, Aunt Agatha, and probably baby Sarah Enys too.). At the forge she quietly encourages Drake to consider marriage to Rosina.

February 12^th- Miss Cane, a new nurse, comes to care for John Conan Whitworth. Her direction is to watch the child day and night because the boy’s mother, Morwenna, is unfit and has threatened to kill the child.  Ossie continues to visit his sister-in-law, Rowella, every Thursday evening and discreetly dispenses money to said sister-in-law for small niceties for her home and person (a new rug, new shoes, new velvet gown, new candlesticks).

February 19^th- Demelza receives letter from Ross telling her that he arrived in London safely.

February 24^th, Sunday – Drake proposes to Rosina Hoblyn after he confides to her of all his old loyalties to and love for Morwenna. She accepts his proposal. He suggests an Easter (March 24^th) wedding.

February, end of the month – Demelza receives letter from Ross. His letters seem neutral, not warm, but Demelza sees this as Ross’s letter-writing style, not a necessary reflection of his feelings toward her.

March 4^th, Monday – After seeing that Miss Cane is terrifically suited to her new position of protecting John Conan, Ossie resumes his pattern (after a nearly two-year intermission) of twice weekly raping Morwenna, Mondays and Fridays. Morwenna makes no attempt on John Conan’s life.

March, early in the month- James Scawen agrees to sell George enough of his land near St. Michael so that George will have his own borough.

March 7^th, approx. - Demelza receives a letter from Ross saying that he plans to be home in April (returning early) because he has accepted a commission to train with the militia in August in Kent; that he has called on Caroline (and seen Monk Adderley there on one occasion). He seems “detached” in his letter and makes no mention of her coming with him to London when he returns in the fall.  (A.T. p. 168)

March 14^th, Thursday – Ossie makes his weekly call on old Nat Pearce- still laboriously dying- before visiting Rowella for his weekly lustful indulgence.

-            - Arthur Solway visits his parents home in the evening, as he does every Thursday. While there, his sister, Tabbie, has a seizure that does not stop. Arthur leaves hurriedly to find Mr. Royal, the apothecary. Returning to his parents, he goes to his own home in and effort to warn Rowella that he may be home quite late. Unfortunately, at his own home he sees much more than he expected. 

March 15^th, approx. – Demelza receives a fourth letter from Ross saying he’ll be home the week after Easter, in the first days of April.

March 16^th – Cary Warleggan makes an astonishing call on St. John Peter…but it’s not social, it’s to call in his loans…knowing this will force St. John to empty his account (and his wife’s dowry) from Pascoe’s Bank.

“Cary pulled his coat around him like a raven folding his wings.” (A.T. p. 181)

March 21^st, Thursday – Ossie considers how successful his season of Lent has been: he has cancelled the delivery of Porter that Morwenna enjoys drinking; he has considered the possibility of giving up his liaison with Rowella; “Once or twice he had checked himself when about to open an extra bottle of Mountain (red wine from Ronda, Spain).” Then he confidently calls on Nat Pearce, still hovering at death’s door, before walking to Rowella’s, who is not remotely at death’s door.

-            - That same evening, Arthur Solway leaves his parent’s house early and walks toward St. Margaret’s church, a mile outside of Truro, where he patiently waits in the dark for his wife’s lover, a long, strong stick in his hand.

-            - Around midnight, Osborne Whitworth is found dead, one foot still in the stirrup of his saddle, a stones-throw from his home.

-            - Much later that night, Arthur arrives back home and in a daze of horror, regret, and rage confronts Rowella before showing her an uncharacteristic lack of mercy and a violent physicality.

March 22, Friday – Elizabeth calls on a shell-shocked Morwenna and finds the elder Mrs. Whitworth holding court, demanding subservience from all and suffocating the widow Morwenna with her domination.

March 23^rd, Saturday -  Elizabeth calls on Arthur Solway at the Truro library to suggest that Rowella should call on her sister, despite their estrangement. Arthur seems ghastly ill and explains that Rowella can’t call on Morwenna as she is out of the area visiting his cousin in Penryn (liar, liar, pants on fire.).

-            - Drake learns of the Reverend Osborne Whitworth’s death. After a period of bewildered heart-wrenching confusion he walks to Rosina and breaks off their engagement. He then walks the seven miles to Truro.

-            - Nathaniel Pearce dies.

March 24^th, Easter Sunday – Demelza learns there is not to be a wedding that day for her brother and with emotional frustration says of Ross, “I do wish he were not always away!” (A.T. p. 201)

March 25^th, Easter Monday – Fifteen-year anniversary of Demelza and Ross’s first meeting.

-            - Funeral for Osborne Whitworth.

-            - Morwenna Whitworth, after the funeral, thinks “I don’t exist any longer. Nothing of me – it’s all gone – mind, body, soul even; I am an envelope, a useless sack of clothes from which has been squeezed all feeling, all reason, all sentiment, all goodness, all faith.” (A.T. p. 204)

-            - Jacka Hoblyn, who has been drinking continuously for two days with his son-in-law, Art Mullet (the doltish husband of Rosina’s younger sister, Parthesia), endeavor to think of a way to punish Drake.

-            - Late Easter Monday- Jacka has switched from Sally Chill-offs kidley to Doctor’s due to a lack of sufficient sympathy at Sally’s; while there he is joined by the Harry Brothers of Trenwith (who are not welcomed at Sally’s) and soon, with Tom Harry’s encouragement, they are marching to Pally’s Shop. Tom Harry successfully goads the bull, Jacka, into setting the house on fire.

-            - Drake has spent the day and night attending the funeral of Ossie and sleeping under a hedge in Truro.

-            - Ross leaves London via the sea route but their ship puts in at Chatham (mouth of the Thames) where it remains due to lack of winds, for eight days; he writes Demelza to notify her of the delay.

March 26^th, Tuesday – morning- Morwenna sees Drake for the first time in ages. Seeing her alone in a room of her house, he enters through side doors hoping to offer her consolation and compassion. Instead, after telling him, “I’m not for you. Nor for anyone. Ever again.” (A.T. p. 212) she ushers him out when her mother-in-law enters the room. He remains in Truro, hoping for a second chance with Morwenna, for two more days.

-            - Demelza learns of the fire at Pally’s shop and goes with Sam to investigate. When they arrive they meet Rosina, also coming to see.

-            - Back at Nampara later that day, Sir Hugh calls and wants to barter with Demelza. She is in no mood, but finds herself willing as Sir Hugh tempts her with hints that she finds she can not ignore. She agrees to one kiss if the information is worth her while. It is: Sir Hugh tells Demelza of rumors he’s heard in Truro- Nat Pearce is dead; he has embezzled from many clients that he and Harris Pascoe were the co-trustees for; Pascoe’s Bank is expected to fail as a result- Demelza should empty the Poldark account ASAP.

March 29^th, Friday –In the wee hours of the day, anonymous letters are slipped under the doors of fifty of Harris Pascoe’s largest customers (but not the Poldarks). The letter tells of St. John Peter’s debts, of Nat Pearce’s embezzlement, and warns that Pascoe’s Bank “is now on the verge of insolvency” (A.T. p.228). A run starts on the bank.

-            - Before dawn a severely crushed and disappointed Drake arrives back at his burned-out forge. Sam, who has been sleeping there – waiting for his return – greets him and takes him home to Reath Cottage.

-            - Early in the morning- Demelza, with Sir Hugh’s warning humming malevolently in her head, and Ross still gone, must make decisions concerning the mine payday on the morrow and the Poldark bank account at Pascoe’s: She needs £420 for wages which she is supposed to draw from Pascoe’s bank (with the aid of Zacky or Captain Henshaw, normally), however, to do so, she fears, will cause further calamity for Mr. Harris Pascoe. She decides on an epic approach to the problem and with Zacky, Captain Henshaw and Will Nanfan as aides and confidants she travels to Truro to learn more. By the end of the day Demelza has traversed the county with her guard of three, endeavored to avert financial ruin, and carried large sums of money.

March 30^th, Saturday – Lady Whitworth sends constables to call on Drake at Reath Cottage to investigate his possible involvement in the death of the Reverend Osborne Whitworth. Sam gives evidence of an alibi for Drake (who is too depressed to care)- that Drake, on the evening of Osborne’s death, was being fitted for his wedding coat in St. Anne’s. This is confirmed by the constables.

-            - Demelza speaks to the miners at Wheal Grace and informs them that she can only give them a quarter of their pay, but that when Ross returns the remainder shall be paid.

April 2^nd- Ross finally departs Chatham, unfortunately his ship loses its mast within the first 36 hours near the Isle of Wight.

April 3^rd- or thereabouts- Demelza receives letter from Ross, sent from Chatham while his ship was awaiting a favorable wind, of his delay. This does not comfort her or ease her worries.

April 4^th- Ross’s ship puts in at The Solent for mast repairs.

April 6^th or 7^th – Ross’s ship departs after repairs are completed at the Isle of Wight.

April 8^th, Monday – Demelza rides into Truro, probably with John Gimlet as groom, to call on Pascoe and learn whether he has weathered the banking crisis. She finds him removed to his sister’s home in Calenick (a few miles to the south of Truro), but Joan (neé Pascoe) Peter is at her father’s home and meets with Demelza. Through Joan, Demelza learns of the failure of the bank. Over the course of the run on the bank, Pascoe paid out £29,000, but needed £37,000.

April 12^th, Friday -  early in the morning- Ross’s ship docks at Fowey and - unwilling to re-board the ship for two or three days more of travel - he buys himself (using virtually all of his money) a mare to finish his route home on horseback; he travels the 30 miles in one day, arriving long after nightfall. He notes something amiss in Demelza’s demeanor and is surprised and aghast to learn of all the misfortunes that have transpired since her last letter to him. In listening to Demleza’s story, and his questioning of her, he breaks two of his pipes in anger. But Demelza has her own important question regarding her efforts for Pascoe’s Bank; “Did I do right or wrong, Ross? I have to know.”  A bitter, weary and heartsore Ross replies, “You’re worth all of Westminster.” (A.T. p. 244)

April 13^th, Saturday – Ross rides to Calenick to call on Harris Pascoe, who is staying with his sister and her ginger cat.

-           - Ross departs Calenick and sets out on a wide circuit to survey and tap friends and acquaintances of his and Harris Pascoe: Mr. Henry Andrew, Mr. Hector Spry, Lord Devoran, Ralph-Allen Daniel, (lunch in Truro at the Fighting Cocks Inn), to Tregothnan, (but Lord Falmouth is not at home), Mr. Alfred Barbary, and Sir John Trevaunance.

-            - On his way back home he stops at the Hoblyn hovel to have a word with Jacka about the burning of Pally’s Shop.

-            - He enters Nampara, saddle-sore and mentally fatigued, about 9:30 pm and after Demelza brings him supper he finds he does not want food, “I think I just want you.” (A.T. p. 253)

Mid- April- Demelza is 29 years old.

April 18^th, Thursday - After paying everyone at the mine their wages (from a short-term loan courtesy of Ralph-Allen Daniel) - and giving each man an extra two shillings for their patience- Ross gives all workers at Grace the day-off, beginning at noon. He and Demelza host an impromptu carouse at Nampara with a roasted pig, a keg of beer purchased at Sally Tregnothnan’s, and a large bonfire of old pit props from the mine.  Several men show off their homemade fireworks skills.

April 19^th and 20^th – Ross meets with other notable men in Cornwall to canvas their opinions on the failure of Pascoe’s Bank.

April 22^nd, Monday – Ross rides to Tehidy to meet with Lord de Dunstanville (Francis Basset) and discusses the future of Cornish banking.

“It is a mistake to press too hard from a position of weakness.” – Lord de Dunstanville

April 26^th, Friday – The grand opening of the new miner’s hospital of Truro, the Cornwall General Infirmary. Ross attends with other sponsors of the new facility. He and George nearly go for each other’s throats, but Ross is saved by a fainting fit from Elizabeth…

              -Elizabeth realizes that she is with child, but plans to keep it a secret from George, for now.

              - At the event Ross notes that Dwight is not looking sanguine: he looks older than his years, and Ross sees that grief seems etched on his friend’s face for both the loss of his daughter and his wife (though that loss was expected to be remedied relatively soon with Caroline’s return to Cornwall in July).

May 3^rd- Jeremy is 8 years old.

May- Due to Elizabeth’s recurring fainting fits, Dr. Behenna is called in repeatedly until Elizabeth confesses her pregnancy to George.

Late May- Mr. Howell, MP for St. Michaels, resigns his Parliamentary seat. George, as owner of the borough, presents himself as candidate and takes a house in London for the autumn and winter.

May and early June – Ross spends nearly all his time out and about the county trolling for banking support for Pascoe, working to bring about a financial institution that can and will stand-up opposite Warleggan’s Bank as an honorable option.

June 28^th, Friday – A series of handbills are distributed throughout the county and an announcement runs in the Mercury declaring the name change of Basset, Rogers, & Co., Bankers of Truro - incorporating Pascoe’s Bank - to the Cornish Bank (New Brand!). The partners in the new bank are: Baron de Dunstanville, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Praed, Mr. Stackhouse, Mr. Pascoe, and Captain R. Poldark.  This event “clouded” George’s horizon. (A.T. p. 276)

Book Four

July – Rebuilding work begins on Pally’s Shop – probably directed by Ross.

July, early in the month – Caroline returns home to Cornwall, her husband, and a Killewarren without baby Sarah.  She hosts a small “party” for Ross and Demelza and all agree that in the fall the four will go together to London.

July 18^th – Ross visits Drake at Reath Cottage to cajole him into returning to his forge. Drake, with some reluctance, agrees to return to his work.

July 21^st – Ross leaves Nampara for Canterbury (Barham Downs – a race track - where the militia training and preparations for invasion of Holland will take place.). Ross will be training new recruits.

July 25^th, or 28^th approx. – Demelza travels to Falmouth to visit Verity for several days. The two talk about Ross’s recent successes (MP and Bank of Truro), but Demelza avoids the BIG issues, despite longing to debrief with her. Verity tells Demelza about the rumors of the large army training where Ross is and the belief that an invasion of the continent may be likely. This is not happy fodder for Demelza’s mind.

August 27^th – The British Army successfully invades Holland and Demelza fears that Ross has gone with the army.

September 6^th – Ross returns home from Kent, having not gone to Holland. (Whew!) However, the Army’s victory in Holland means that Parliament needs to pass a quick bill to insure the funding of the war. Ross informs Demelza that they will need to depart for London in ten days or less.

September 8^th- Caroline leaves Cornwall for London- to assist her aunt with the great reception that will be held in celebration of the reopening of Parliament.

September 14^th- Ross and Demelza leave Cornwall for London.

September 16^th- Dwight leaves Cornwall for London.

September 18^th, Wednesday – Ross and Demelza arrive in London late in the evening at the lodgings of Mrs. Parkins at #6 George Street. Ross undresses Demelza.

September 19^th- Ross and Demelza sleep in, then are late to breakfast due to a comfortable floor, a twisted sheet, and two parents without children to interfere. Their first five days in London are “unalloyed happiness” (A.T. p. 297)

September 20^th – 22^nd – Ross and Demelza tour London, its four bridges, St. Paul’s, Westminster Abby, and they walk to Islington and Ranelagh.

September 23^rd- Caroline takes Demelza to her dressmaker’s shop to order a ready-made dress in the latest Empire fashion. Demelza worries that the dress seems not respectable.  Ross calls it a petticoat.

-            - Dwight arrives in London.

September 24^th- Dwight, Caroline and Demelza attend the Royal Procession from Whitehall while Ross goes to Parliament.

-            - Reception at Portland Place hosted by Caroline’s aunt, Mrs. Pelham, and Mrs. Tracy. The Warleggan’s arrive in the company of Monk Adderley and Andromeda Page.  Monk enthusiastically notices Mrs. Poldark. George suggests a wager to Monk that works like this:

o   Demelza’s virtue- intact- Monk loses and pays George £10.

o   Demelza’s virtue- not intact- Monk wins and George pays Monk £100.

-            - Monk attaches himself to Ross and Demelza at the dinner, startling Demelza and vastly annoying Ross.  “Drommie” Page cluelessly goes along. Demelza attempts to tame the boorish snake while Ross wishes to shoot the snake.

September 26^th, Thursday- Ross and Demelza attend the theater at Drury Lane to watch The Revenge, by Edward Young (a tragedy) and must endure Monk and Drommie in their box. Caroline and Dwight are in the neighboring box. Ross would like to box something. Afterward, Monk tries to corner Demelza into agreeing to go to Vauxhall Gardens with him on Monday. Caroline negotiates Demelza’s removal from Monk’s presence.

September 27^th, Friday- Monk sends flowers to Demelza and Ross asks to throw them away. Demelza begs not to, but only because they are pretty and unusual…they include dahlias.

September 29^th, Sunday – Ross, Demelza, Caroline and Dwight go riding out beyond Hampstead and have a lovely day.

September 30^th, Monday- More flowers arrive for Demelza …

              -That evening, Demelza attends the theater at Covent Garden with Caroline and afterward goes back home to George Street for supper. Unfortunately, she finds Monk Adderley in her rooms.  Ross is not present. Monk is overtly and euphemistically sexual in his conversation with her before he leaves- as she threatens to call Mrs. Parkins.

              - When Ross returns home later he is a trifle peeved at the (toned-down) news and takes it out on Mrs. Parkins, who let the snake in.

October 1 & 2^nd- The Poldarks visit the Royal Academy and the British Museum…but their exchanges are somewhat strained. The monk is in the room, metaphorically.

October 4^th, Friday – Ross and Demelza dine with Lord Falmouth and the very kind Lady Falmouth, his mother, on Audley Street.  The Viscount is dryly humorous…and one hopes that no one brought up Hugh Armitage in conversation, although, as Hugh was the vivacious Lady’s grandson…it’s is likely.  A similar, but different elephant is now in the room.

October 7^th, Monday – Treaty debate in Parliament to discuss the Russian Alliance. Notable orators are expected to speak so Ross wishes to be in attendance. He arrives early. A bill for the care of disabled military men is presented. To vote, the Ayes must walk out and return to the chamber- in order to be voted walking in.  When Ross re-enters the House, Monk Adderley has taken Ross's seat and sat upon his gloves. Adderley is patronizing to Ross and then makes a clear but degrading and oblique reference to Demelza. A dozen men witness Ross swiftly grab Monk by the throat (He really doesn’t like uptight neck cloths) and reclaim his gloves. Ross departs the chambers after issuing a curt and official sounding apology for the kerfluffle.

-            - Two hours later, after Ross had arrived home, a letter from Monk arrives with a formal challenge.

October 8^th, Tuesday – Ross, Demelza, Dwight and Caroline ride to Strawberry Hill, the former home of Horace Walpole, to tour the house and gardens and complete the day attending the theater. They sup afterward at Mrs. Pelham’s house in Hatten Garden.

October 9^th, Wednesday, 6 am – Ross and Dwight meet Adderley and Mr. John Craven at Hyde Park. Ross has accepted Adderley’s challenge to a duel.

  

“Flesh and its frailty was not as important as will and its integrity.” – Ross Poldark (A.T. p. 340)

The first shots appear to miss both marks, but Adderley immediately raises his second weapon for a second shot (which had not been discussed) and Ross instinctively follows suit.  Ross is hit in the right wrist/forearm area; Adderley is wounded in the groin.

-             - 9 am – Ross is back at #6 George Street where he arrived by 8, but Demelza, sick and horrified at what has occurred, is tending Ross when Dwight arrives from treating Adderley. Surgery is performed to removed parts of splintered bone- without painkillers or numbing agents. Demelza can not absolve Ross of this sin.

October 11^th, Friday, before noon–Monk Adderley dies from his wound. 

          - afternoon- Via Mr. John Craven, Adderley sends Ross a dying request/requirement: that Ross pay off Adderley’s debt to Mr. George Warleggan for £10, with no explanation given.

-            - - Mr. George Warleggan and many others have learned of the duel.  An inquest regarding the duel is called for- and George is very much in favor of a charge of “murder” being leveled against Captain Poldark (who it is rumored was involved).

October 12^th, Saturday- An inquest is held at the Star Garter Inn regarding the death of Captain Monk Adderley. George Warleggan attends, notes that Dr. Dwight Enys is a witness, and firmly connects in his mind Ross’s involvement in Adderley’s duel. The inquest finds insufficient evidence to lay blame on anyone and declares the incident “death by misadventure” (A.T. p.349). George is incensed that Ross will walk free, but little moved that Adderley has died.

-            - Ross’s initial fever from the injury to his hand has begun to abate.

October 14^th, Monday – George calls on Mr. Henry Bull K.C. (the very same Henry Bull that some 8 years previously had been the prosecuting attorney in the case of Rex vs. R. Poldark for riot and theft following the wreckage of two ships on Hendrawna Beach.). Mr. Bull, whose career has advanced, declares that there is no evidence or witnesses to support a case against Captain Poldark. George becomes determined to find, or create, evidence and spends the next week on the task.

October 14^th – 20^th – Ross and Demelza host a steady stream of visitors at Mrs. Parkins’ who call on Ross to offer him their best wishes due to his unfortunate accident "of shooting himself while priming his pistol" (A.T. p. 354) . (There seems to be little mourning for Captain Adderley- at least from this group of people, none of whom even mention the duel.) Ross is still suffering great pain from the injury and is unable to venture outside. Demelza personally attends to his needs to avoid household staff knowing too much.

October 28^th - 30^th, approx.-  Ross and Demelza receive a special caller: Geoffrey Charles, who has heard of his uncle’s condition and wishes to also offer consolation…and who gleefully tries to get the real story, without success.

              -later, after leaving Ross and Demelza, but before returning to Harrow, Geoffrey Charles calls on his mother and Stepfather George. While there he notes with joy how his little brother, Valentine, who is animatedly playing on his rocking horse, is “the very spit and living image of Uncle Ross!” (A.T. p. 360)

November 3^rd – 5^th – Ross’s injury begins to look as though it is not healing properly.

November 6^th, Wednesday- Dwight fears that Ross may have blood poisoning and discusses with Demelza the possibility of amputation of the hand. Demelza chooses to run the risk, feeling that Ross would prefer death to the loss of his hand.

November 9^th, Saturday – Dwight, who has not changed Ross’s bandages in some time, for fear of inviting in some negative outcome, removes the wrap and wadding from the wrist and finds no mortifying flesh, much to his and Demelza’s relief (Ross had not been told of the possibility of blood poisoning). The hand now appears to have passed the danger threshold and is truly on the mend (although very stiff). Demelza’s relief is enormous.

-            - It has been one month since the duel.

November 10^th – Ross leaves the house for the first time in a month and calls on Lord Falmouth to offer his resignation from his parliamentary seat. Lord Falmouth declines the offer.

November 12^th, Tuesday – Mrs. Tracy, Caroline’s Aunt's best friend, calls on Elizabeth at Grovesnor Gate- No.14 King Street-  and finds the household “most unpleasant” and Elizabeth “looking ill." (A.T. p. 367)

November 11^th – 17^th- Ross and Demelza venture back out into London society, although Demelza is terribly nervous about the risk of inciting Ross’s jealousy by being viewed as too friendly (i.e. flirtatious). She finds herself instead, being (what she feels is) rude.

November 16^th, Saturday-  Ross and Demelza attend a soiree with Dwight and Caroline and see Elizabeth and George, who appear to be stoically miserable. The Poldarks are informed by Caroline, who has it via Mrs. Tracy, that the Warleggans, as a couple, are faring poorly.

November 18^th, Monday – Ross attends Parliament and when he encounters George in a passageway of St. Stephens Chapel, he decides to complete Monk Adderley’s request by paying the £10 debt. In his attempt, George, with eyes full of rage and fury, flings the coins back into Ross’s face, causing small cuts and bruises. A stunned and offended Ross is calmed by (shocked) parliamentary friends who offer to donate the £10 to charity. Upon his return home to Mrs. Parkins’ house, Ross lies to Demelza and tells her that street urchins throwing stones caught him in their crossfire, leaving him with the small facial lacerations.

November 19^th, Tuesday – Demelza leaves London with Dwight, bound by coach, for Cornwall. She departs early in the morning without informing Ross, leaving only a note.

-            - Elizabeth pays a visit to Dr. Franz Anselm and makes inquiries regarding options that could alter the birthdate of a baby. The doctor sends her on her way with a prescription.

November 20^th – Parliament adjourns, but Ross delays his departure at Caroline’s request. He uses his spare time tidying up Monk Adderley’s accounts and debts.

              -Clowance is 5 years old.

November 23^rd or 24^th– Dwight and Demelza make their return to Cornwall, where Clowance and Jeremy are overly delighted at their mother’s unannounced arrival.

November 30^th- Ross and Caroline depart London via coach for Cornwall.

December 1^st-  The Warleggans arrive in Truro from London.

December 1^st or 2^nd – Ross and Caroline spend an extra day in Marlborough due to heavy rains.

December 3^rd ish – Sam calls on his sister at Nampara and informs her that A) Drake has returned to Pally’s shop, B) Morwenna appears to want nothing to do with Drake, and C) Emma Tregirls has wed a man at Tehidy.

December 5^th – Demelza walks the five miles to Pally’s shop in St Ann’s to visit Drake, then makes the return trip home.

-            - Not long after his sister’s departure, Drake has another visitor: a very bedraggled Morwenna who has walked and hitched rides from Bodmin, nearly twenty miles away. She arrives with nothing but the clothes on her back. She has left “Ossie’s son” with his grandmother.

-             - Elizabeth takes Valentine to Trenwith while George remains in Truro.

December 6^th, Friday – Demelza receives a note from Drake regarding Morwenna and hurries to his shop; later, she and Drake visit the Reverend Odgers.

December 7^th – Sam visits Pally’s shop.

            – Ross and Carolline spend an extra night at Plymouth at the Fountain Inn due to heavy rains.  They have a frank and important conversation.

December 8^th, Sunday – The banns are read at Sawle church for Drake and Morwenna.

-            -  Ross and Caroline are in Plymouth for their last night of their roadtrip.

December 9^th, Monday – Ross and Caroline leave Torpoint by 7:15 am and by 8 am are in Liskeard.

       - Drake and Demelza ride to Bodmin to try to get a special license so that Drake and Morwenna might wed ASAP. They leave St. Anns at 8 am.

-             - Elizabeth – having heard the banns called the day before at St. Sawle- calls on Morwenna in St. Anns. Morwenna, walks with Elizabeth back to Trenwith and is cajoled to stay for dinner. George arrives about half-way through the meal and is cruel to everyone, especially Morwenna and “that child” (Valentine) (A.T. p. 425).

-             -  About 1 pm Drake and Demelza have succeeded in Bodmin.

-             -  About 4 pm, Ross arrives home to Nampara.

-             -  Demelza and Drake arrive back about 5pm or so.

-             -  Later that evening, Ross and Demelza have a reconciling talk while sitting out on the wall above Hendrawna Beach. Over the previous fifteen years they have each become fairly adept at having these conversations. Ross gives Demelza her enameled cameo.

-             -  At about the same time, Elizabeth and George have it out regarding his disparaging treatment of both Morwenna and Valentine.  It is not altogether as successful a chat as the Poldarks. After George finally admits to her about Aunt Agatha’s metaphoric dagger of six years prior, Elizabeth – very uncharacteristically- finally loses it in a fit of slightly unhinged humorless laughter.  Afterward, there is some resolution between them, George retires from her room, and Elizabeth chooses to take her medicine.

December 10^th, Tuesday – around noon- Dwight is called to Trenwith to attend on Elizabeth.

-           - 2:30 pm- Drake Carne marries Morwenna Chynoweth Wentworth at the Church of St. Sawle.

-          - 3 pm – Ursula Warleggan born to her parents Elizabeth and George.  Elizabeth is given a sleeping draught of Laudanum.

-           - Later that evening, George checks on his wife and a true reconciliation takes place; he also tells her that a knighthood is almost surely coming his way in the new year due to his “solitary and only request” to Mr. Pitt following George’s generous financial contributions and his promise of full support to Pitt’s war effort (A.T. p. 449). Dr. Behenna is now in attendance at Trenwith.

December 11^th, Wednesday, 3 am- Elizabeth awakens with great pain in her extremities. Dr. Behenna is on site and administers care for a “gouty condition”. (A.T. p. 455)

December 12^th, Thursday, a full moon night- Dwight is summoned to Trenwith about 9 am where he confers with Dr. Behenna regarding the perceived “gouty condition of the abdominal viscera” and the patient’s spasms that are cramp-like in the limbs. (p.455) Upon entering Elizabeth’s room Dwight notices that she appears ten years older and that there is an odor in the room. Her tongue is swollen and coated with a reddish stain of blood. Dwight recognizes a condition that he saw at Quimper, when he was a POW. (It is probably at this time that either Elizabeth tells Dwight her secret -as Dr. Anselm had suggested- or that Dwight simply deduces correctly what has occurred. (S.F.S. p. 140))

December 13^th, Friday- Ross is in Truro all day for a meeting of the partners of the Cornish Bank. He stays the night with Harris Pascoe in Calenick (at Harris’ sister’s house.)

December 14^th, Saturday, mid-day - Ross arrives back at Nampara and Demelza tells him that she has learned from Caroline that Elizabeth is gravely ill at Trenwith, but the new baby daughter is doing well.

-          - About 2 pm- The Nampara household sits down to dinner, but Ross quietly rises early after telling Demelza that he feels he must ride to Trenwith. She agrees, and he goes.

-           - He arrives at Trenwith about 3:30 or 4 pm and is not welcomed.

-           - Elizabeth had died about 2:30 pm. (In S.F.S. p. 70 her death date is given as 12/9/1799)

-            - Ross goes to Elizabeth’s bedroom, nonetheless, to see her corpse. He is sickeningly horrified and clearly recognizes that gangrene has been either the cause of/ or an outcome of her death. He flees Trenwith, unable to mount his horse for the return to Nampara.

-            - Demelza meets him at the halfway-point -Maiden Chapel- having heard the news herself and wishing to bring support and consolation to Ross. They walk to Nampara together.

-            - Later in the evening, after a couple hours fireside with brandy, Ross decides to go for a beach walk alone. He walks until nearly dawn the next morning.

December 15^th, Sunday, predawn – Ross arrives back at Nampara and finds his wife curled up in a chair in front of the fire in the parlor, having spent the night awaiting his return. He confesses his fears of the future, and death, and she lovingly chides him to face the fear, to accept it and boldly continue forward into life.

“It is the memory - and the fear-  of the loss of all love that bites deepest.” ~ Ross Poldark (A.T. p.474)

“Of course there has to be an end. For that is what everyone has faced since the world began… One cannot – must not – fear a certainty.

All we know is this moment. At this moment, now, we are alive and together. We can’t ask more. There isn’t any more to ask.” ~ Demelza Poldark (A.T. p. 476)

December 1799 or January 1800- Ross is 40 years old.

“That was what all men lacked. Humility and perspective.” – Ross Poldark (A.T. p. 471)