Cat Royal facts for kids

Cat Royal (also known as Cat Royal Adventures) is a series of seven exciting adventure books by Julia Golding, a British writer. These books are called historical fiction because they tell a made-up story that takes place in a real time in the past.

The main character is an orphan girl named Catherine "Cat" Royal. Her adventures happen in London during the 1700s. Cat lives at the famous Theatre Royal, Drury Lane because she was left there as a baby. The theatre owner, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, took her in and cared for her.

The stories explore important ideas like fairness for all people, no matter their background. While most characters are fictional, some real historical figures, like Olaudah Equiano, appear in the books.

The first book, The Diamond of Drury Lane, starts in January 1790. The last book, Cat's Cradle, is set in October 1792.

Meet the Characters

Main Characters

• Catherine "Cat" Royal: Cat is the brave and independent main character. She was left at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane when she was very young. Mr. Sheridan, the theatre owner, became like a father to her. Cat is strong-willed and feisty, but also very caring towards her friends. She often gets into dangerous situations trying to help them. Cat is unsure of her exact age, but she thinks she is about fifteen in the last book. She has curly red hair and green eyes. Cat loves acting and dreams of becoming a writer.

• Pedro Amakye: Pedro is one of Cat's closest friends. He was once enslaved but found freedom. He is a very talented violinist and actor. Pedro is calm, kind, and intelligent, but he can also be brave and adventurous. He is thought to be around Cat's age and comes from Africa. Pedro cares deeply for his friends and is very independent. In one book, he decides to leave London to join a movement for freedom in another country.

• Francis, Earl of Arden (Frank): Frank is a mischievous friend of Cat's. He comes from a very wealthy family, but he prefers to use his nickname "Frank." He has dark brown hair and blue eyes. Frank is popular and has a good education, often using big words his friends don't know. He is part of a secret group called The Butcher's Boys. Frank is about sixteen at the start of the series.

• William "Billy" Shepherd: Billy starts as someone who causes trouble for Cat in the first few books. However, he later becomes more of a hero, even saving Cat's life more than once. He calls Cat "Moggy," a nickname she allows. Billy has dark hair and grey eyes. He is about five years older than Cat.

• Sydney "Syd" Fletcher: Syd is Cat's oldest and most loyal friend from Covent Garden. He leads a group called the Butcher's Boys. Syd is a competitive boxer known as "The Bow Street Butcher." He works in his family's butcher shop. Syd cares deeply for Cat, though Cat sees him more as a precious friend. He is tall with blonde hair. Syd is about the same age as Billy Shepherd. Cat also learns that Syd cannot read or write.

• Lady Elizabeth "Lizzie" Fitzroy: Lizzie is Frank's older sister and a dear friend to Cat, even though they come from different social classes. She is described as very pretty. Lizzie is a passionate supporter of ending slavery. She falls in love with Johnny Fitzroy and they move to Philadelphia, where they have a daughter named Catherine.

• Lord Jonathan "Johnny" Fitzroy: Johnny is Lizzie's husband. He used to draw funny cartoons about the government under the name "Captain Sparkler." When he got into trouble, he joined the Theatre Royal. He later becomes an artist. He is described as tall with black hair and dark brown eyes.

Other Important Characters

• Catherine Elizabeth Fitzroy: Lizzie and Johnny's daughter, born in Cat O' Nine Tails. Cat Royal is her godmother. She is described as lively, just like Cat.

• Richard Brinsley Sheridan: Cat's guardian and the owner of the Drury Lane Theatre. He loves Cat like his own daughter and always looks out for her. He decides to rebuild the theatre, which makes Cat upset at first.

• Robert "Rabbie" Bruce: Cat's younger half-brother, who lives in Scotland. He is a cattle thief. Rabbie is taller than Cat and has dark brown hair. He is about twelve years old when Cat meets him. After some time, he accepts Cat as his sister and moves to London to live with her.

• Mary Moir: A woman from New Lanark, Scotland, who knows about Cat's family. She is Cat's aunt. Mary tells Cat that she has a half-brother named Robert Bruce.

• Katrine, Ian, Dougie and Jeanie Moir: Cat's Scottish cousins, Mary Moir's children. Katrine is a quiet teenager. Ian and Dougie are adventurous boys. Jeannie is a sweet young child who enjoys playing with Cat.

• Mrs. Reid: The former head of the wardrobe department at the theatre. She is strict but acts like a loving mother figure to Cat.

The Books

• The Diamond of Drury Lane (2006): This is where Cat's adventures begin! She gets caught up in a mystery about a secret "diamond" hidden inside the theatre.

• Cat Among the Pigeons (2006): Pedro's former master comes to London and tries to claim Pedro as his property again. Cat must do everything she can to keep Pedro safe and free.

• Den of Thieves (2007): Cat goes undercover to Paris with a ballet troupe. She gets involved with a group of thieves while observing the revolution happening there.

• Cat O'Nine Tails (2007): Cat and her friends are forced onto a ship and taken on an unexpected journey across the Atlantic to the West Indies.

• Black Heart of Jamaica (2008): Cat joins a theatre group looking for work. She and Pedro soon find themselves involved in a fight for freedom in Jamaica.

• The Middle Passage (2010): This is a shorter story set during Cat and Billy's time in the Azores. Cat has to help a new friend get back their stolen telescope.

• Cat's Cradle (2011): Cat returns to London. Mr. Sheridan has received a letter from Scotland about a long-lost relative. Cat is determined to travel to New Lanark to find out the truth about her family.