Homeschool Review: Heirloom Audio's St. Bartholomew's Eve #hsreviews #HeirloomAudio #LiveTheAdventure #BringingHentyBack #AudioAdventures

Mr. George (G.A. Henty, himself) ends the telling of St. Bartholemew's Eve by saying that there will always be more stories and more adventures to be had and we are ever so thankful that this is the case.  We've been huge fans of Heirloom Audio for quite some time now and have enjoyed listening to all of the audio dramas they have produced thus far.  We have always found them to be delightful and educational, but I daresay that this adventure is the most exciting to date.  I will admit that I did not know very much about the French Wars of Religion and I was unprepared for the realistic battles throughout the story, but I am thankful that by listening along we are now more appreciative of our right to worship with friends in the manner in which we choose.

St. Bartholomew's Eve shares the story of the persecution of the Huguenots that led to a civil war between the Catholics and the Huguenots and the devastation of the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre.  The story is told to friends Ned and Sebastien by extraodinary adventurer, Mr. George Henty, on the occasion of their being caught skipping the morning worship service.  I love how Mr. George gently reminds the boys that they have a right to worship GOD in the way that HE has put it in their hearts to do so -- and that many have fought and died for that right.

Divided into two CDs with a playing time of over two hours, St. Bartholomew's Eve introduces us to cousins Philip and Francois and allows us to journey with them as they fight for religious liberty, protect themselves and others, and secure peace.

By one spirit we are all baptized into one body.  When one is persecuted, all are persecuted.

Isn't that the way we should all look at the body of CHRIST?  Philip arrives from England to serve alongside the French Huguenots even knowing that he might have to fight to the death.   He is willing to train in new techniques of defense so that he can stand beside fellow believers on the battlefield when he could very easily have stayed at home where he was safe and sound.  He realizes that there is a bigger picture, though, and more is at stake.   "This is a cause worth dying for because my SAVIOR died for me."  As we listened, I couldn't help but think about my own reluctance to "get involved" sometimes.  GOD doesn't call us to sit silently by on the sideline.  HE calls us to take up arms, rebuke the enemy, and fight -- together.  Our battle is as real today as it was then and the great deceiver prowls around angrily looking for someone to devour.

What I like most about Heirloom Audio is that they make sure to offer Christian heroes through the telling of stories from history -- and that they tell those stories truthfully even when they aren't pretty.  From the battlefield to an arranged wedding celebration, we find a shattered hope of peace in St. Bartholomew's Eve.  Unfortunately, the markings on the doors lead to destruction instead of redemption this time and Philip stands poised to protect.  The St. Bartholomew's Massacre is gruesome and horrific and is depicted as such in the audio drama.  You can feel the anxiety as the attacks begin and you can "see" the bodies strewn across the streets and beaches as Philip works to return to his family.  You know the pain of bloodstains on special medallions.  It's tough to hear, but it's necessary as it heightens our appreciation for the freedoms that we gained because over 70,000 gave their lives.

Be prepared as you listen because your emotions will be all over the place.  There is a power in the depiction that helps us to realize that many fought for the rights of the generations to come and what they did hundreds of years ago affects us today.  The stories must be told.  We must always keep vigilant against tyranny.  We live in a fallen world where there will always be people who try to keep us from honoring our SAVIOR.  Love always protects.  We have a right and duty to love GOD -- and we should do that in community with other believers.

For more information about this drama or any of the others lovingly produced by Heirloom Audio, please visit the following Social Media sites:

Heirloom Audio Facebook

Twitter

Google +

Instagram: @HeirloomAudioOfficial 
Pinterest

We have thoroughly enjoyed listening to and learning from each of the audio dramas that we have reviewed (Under Drake's Flag, In Freedom's Cause, With Lee in Virginia, The Dragon and the Raven, Beric the Briton, The Cat of Bubastes, In the Reign of Terror, Captain Bayley's Heir, and Wulf the Saxon) and St. Bartholemew's Eve is no exception.  We enjoy sharing all of our audio theatre productions with our friends and family.  We've actually made Heirloom Audio an integral part of our homeschool life and we think you should, too.

I was given the opportunity to review St. Bartholemew's Eve from Heirloom Audio as a member of the Homeschool Review Crew.   You can check out the Crew Review and see what other members of the Homeschool Review Crew thought of this fascinating audio drama (or just click on the banner below.)

Pin It Now!