Cue for Treason

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Cue for Treason (ISBN 0814904343, 1940) is a children's novel written by author Geoffrey Trease, set in Elizabethan England. It is his best known novel, and has been described as creating the template on which he wrote many of his later novels.

Plot summary

14 year old Peter Brownrigg, who lives in Cumberland in England, escapes from his village to escape death for attempting to attack Sir Philip Morton, a local nobleman, with a rock. However, he goes to Penrith, but soon leaves when he discovers that Sir Philip is also in Penrith searching for him. He hides in an acting troupe's fake coffin.

To his horror, the coffin is carried away before he has a chance to escape and is taken away on the troupe's carriage. However, they soon discover Peter hiding and shelter him. During the night, he discovers a boy named Kit Kirkstone hiding amongst them who threatens to kill Peter if he does not co-operate. Mr. Desmond, the leader of the troupe, discovers Kit and allows him and Peter to join his troupe.

Kit is discovered to be excellent at playing female roles while Peter plays understudy to the actors. After an argument followed by a fight, Kit's secret was revealed. She was actually a girl named Katherine "Kit" Russell who was betrothed to Sir Philip as she was from a wealthy family.

The troupe later travelled to London to perform. However, Desmond broke his leg in a river accident and Kit and Peter were to go on ahead of them while Desmond's leg healed. After a series of ordeals, Kit and Peter find out about a secret plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I of England by Sir Philip and his associates.

After several more surprises, Kit and Peter found themselves in the Queen's English Secret Service. They travelled back to Peter's village in disguise after discovering a message to meet in Sir Philip's personal peel tower. Peter was captured when he snuck in and overheard the plan. He was taken for questioning on a deserted island but escaped after knocking the guard unconscious. He travelled back to meet Kit and tell her the plan.

They journey to London where the Queen's assassination was to take place but were quickly chased by Sir Philip and his men. They outran them and met Desmond and the rest of the troupe who were on the road. Peter told them of the plot and of a plan to stop Sir Philip.

The troupe dressed up in their soldier costumes and rigged the horses to sound like an army of horsemen ready to attack on his command. Sir Philip surrendered and was taken into custody later by authorities. They make a desperate dash back to London, and John Somers, the man who was to shoot Queen Elizabeth, is captured by guards moments before he could shoot. Kit and Peter meet with the Queen and explain the story to her. Peter and Kit get married and have children in their dream home, a lakeside house in Cumberland.

Characters

• Peter Brownrigg- Narrator/Main Protagonist
• Katherine Russell (Kit Kirkstone) - Protagonist, Peter's friend
• William Shakespeare- Playwright, minor historical character, helps Peter and Kit by giving them a job.
• Queen Elizabeth I of England, minor Historical character
• Mr.and Mrs. Desmond- Actors, helped Kit and Peter escape trouble
• Mr. Burbage- owner of the Globe Theatre in London
• Sir Philip Morton- Landlord, assassination plot leader and antagonist
• Anthony Duncan- A conspirator, part of Sir Phillip Morton's plan
• John Somers the person who is supposed to shoot the queen

External links

• study guide