Sir Charles Augustus Shelmadine was an autocrat. He ruled his village with a firm but kindly hand--instructing his tenants on their crops, their children and their love affairs. And when he died and the new squire came, ...Sir Charles Augustus Shelmadine was an autocrat. He ruled his village with a firm but kindly hand--instructing his tenants on their crops, their children and their love affairs. And when he died and the new squire came, the village stirred uneasily.