An historical novel featuring Henry Esmond, a colonel in service to Queen Anne of England. As an orphan child, Henry experiences a dramatic change in fortune, resulting in his becoming involved in the Glorious Revolution, the War of the Spanish Succession and the Hanoverian Succession. Anthony Trollope touted Thackeray as the greatest novelist of his day and this title his masterpiece. It is composed of three parts: Book I, The early youth of Henry Esmond, up to the time of his leaving Trinity College, in Cambridge; Book II, Contains Mr. Esmond's military life and other matters appertaining to the Esmond family; and Book III, Containing the end of Mr. Edmond's adventures in England.