検索キーワード： 著者 "George Payne Rainsford James" すべてのカテゴリー

G.P.R. James was a historian and novelist, who took well-documented historical events and characters and wove stories around minor or imaginary actors in the events. In this work, set in seventeenth century France, we follow the adventures of young Louis, heir to the Count of Bigorre, after an encounter with the vindictive Marquis de Saint Brie forces him into exile. The tale wends its way inexorably towards the Battle of Marfee in the 30 years War and the death of the Count of Soissons in a failed coup against the much hated minister, Cardinal de Richelieu. Young love, a brush with the law, ...

The time of French king Louis XIV was a time of religious conflict. His father, Louis XIII had tried to suppress the teachings and followers of Calvin but was thwarted by his ministers. The son took a different path. The king was Catholic, and although he was tolerant of others, some in his government were less so, and persecuted the Protestant Huguenots. This is the story of Albert, Count of Morseiul as he treads the tightrope of being a Huguenot landowner and loyal subject and friend of the king.

In the backwoods, lives a man and his two teenage children. He has sought the quiet life on the frontier, although he is a friend to all and never turns away a stranger. One evening, one such stranger arrives at his door, asking for shelter for the night and he is not disappointed. But who is this stranger? He does not give his name or his errand, although he has an aristocratic bearing. As they are about to leave the table, a third man, apparently known to both, arrives and lets himself in to claim hospitality. His mission is to hold counsel with the stranger and he invites their host to join...

The Battle of Agincourt provided a surprise English victory in the Hundred Years' War. It took place in 1415 and brought a turning point in the war between France and England after failed negotiations. This romance by James begins in the lead-up to the battle, with the mysterious "Hal of Hadnock" shown hospitality by Sir Philip Beauchamp while on an unknown journey. He is befriended by young Richard of Woodville, who has suspicions regarding Hal. Gradually, we learn more of Hal and Richard as we follow their fortunes and the twists and turns surrounding Richard’s love for Mary. (Summary by ...

A young man is crossing the English Channel bound for France. It is obviously not his first such trip, but who is he and what is his errand? Almost immediately, Ned, for such is his name, falls into danger. He is carried to the home of a town official, where he is tended by a doctor, the official and his beautiful ward. It emerges he is page to Lord Montagu, right-hand man to the Duke of Buckingham. What message does he carry, how will he get it to its destination and how will this affect the history of Louis XIII? He crosses paths with the infamous Richelieu and has cause to call on him ...

This early novel by James is written in the first person by "James Young", and tells of his early experiences of the deaths of his father and brother, and his enduring love for his childhood companion, Emily. We watch the development of his character, influenced by these early experiences, family, education and enduring love as he becomes a Desultory Man. Unlike James's other works, this is written as a series of sketches, thoughts and poems.(Summary by LynneT)

Fifteenth century Europe was a time of political upheaval and uncertainty. Mary of Burgundy of the House of Valois ruled over a collection of states including modern-day Luxembourg, Belgium and Holland. The only child of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, she received many offers of marriage, from the age of 5, from parties who wanted to control the territory. She was just 19 when her father was killed in battle and that same year married Maximillian of the House of Hapsburg in what appears to have been a love-match as well as a political maneuver. However, just five years later, Mary, ...

Picture a tranquil English village, with an inn on the green. A lone patron enjoys his wine and teasing the landlord's pretty daughter, when suddenly they are rudely interrupted by a local aristocrat and his two henchmen. These same three reappear the following day to disrupt the May Day celebrations.Suddenly, a group of men in Lincoln green appear to save the day. But who are they? This is a different take on the tale of Robin Hood, placing him in the time of Henry III, rather than the more traditional reign of Richard I. James claims to have history on his side as he relates the story of an ...

Written in three volumes, this fictionalized biography of Richelieu is supposedly based on a manuscript that fell into the author's hands and written by someone intimately acquainted with the facts. Cardinal Richelieu was a powerful French statesman and there is still some debate as to whether he was a great statesman or a cunning fiend. Maybe he was a bit of both. He rose to power under the regency of Mary de Medici and contrived to keep Louis XIII subservient and powerless. He was famous for his foreign policy, but also his scheming to maintain domestic disharmony and bring about the ...

Nestled in the southeastern corner of England, the county of Kent is a prime hotspot for the smuggling trade. With its proximity to London—an eager market for contraband—and the English Channel just 21 miles from France, Kent has long been a haven for those who dabble in illicit activities. Unlike the rugged coast of Cornwall, where smugglers depended on shipwrecks brought on by treacherous weather or human error, the world of Kentish smuggling was dominated by affluent gentleman smugglers. These cunning individuals had the means to run legitimate import businesses but chose instead to ...

In the early light of a late August morning, two young men embark on a journey from London to the fictional village of Emberton. One is Captain Delaware, a naval officer freshly returned from a stint in Sicily, while the other, the enigmatic Burrell, initially strikes the observer as a dandy. Their conversation is minimal during the ride, but when Burrell disembarks at a quaint cottage, it becomes clear that he is headed to the estate of Captain Delawares reclusive father. Their paths are destined to intertwine through a web of deception, murder, exile, and love, revealing the complex ties ...

In Forgery, we delve into the life of Humphrey Scriven, a kind-hearted merchant left to raise his three daughters and a son after the loss of his wife. While two of his daughters find love and marriage, their happiness proves fleeting. The third daughter resists her fathers disapproval of her suitor, choosing to forge her own path. Meanwhile, Humphreys son, a source of disappointment due to his unkind nature, unexpectedly inherits the family business—except for a portion entrusted to the enigmatic clerk, Mr. Hayley. As secrets unravel, Mr. Hayleys true intentions come to light, leading to a ...

In a time when the future of a younger son was far less certain than that of his elder brother, Ralph Woodhall finds himself in a precarious position. As a scholar with dreams that soar beyond the conventional paths, Ralph is determined to carve out his own destiny and win the heart of his beloved, Margaret. When the couple consults an astrologer on a whim, they receive a message filled with hope despite the challenges that lie ahead, true happiness awaits them. With this prophecy in mind, Ralph embarks on a journey filled with adventure, trials, and the pursuit of love. - Summary by LynneT

Imagine a serene English village, complete with a charming inn on the green. A solitary patron savors his wine while playfully flirting with the innkeepers lovely daughter. Suddenly, their peaceful moment is shattered by a local aristocrat and his two thuggish companions. The next day, these same troublemakers return to disrupt the May Day festivities. Just when all seems lost, a band of men clad in Lincoln green appears to save the day. But who are they? This unique retelling of Robin Hood transports us to the era of Henry III, diverging from the traditional tales of Richard I. Join James as ...

A young man named Ned embarks on a daring journey across the English Channel, destined for France. Though this isn’t his first trip, the stakes are high as he quickly finds himself in peril. Rescued and taken to the home of a local official, he is cared for by a doctor, the official himself, and his captivating ward. As it unfolds, we learn that Ned is a page to Lord Montagu, the trusted advisor to the Duke of Buckingham. What vital message does he carry, and how will he navigate the treacherous path to deliver it? His adventure intertwines with the notorious Richelieu, bringing him ...

Step into the captivating world of G.P.R. James, a historian and novelist who expertly blends real historical events with the imaginative tales of lesser-known characters. In this intriguing narrative set in seventeenth-century France, we follow the daring adventures of young Louis, the heir to the Count of Bigorre. After a fateful encounter with the vengeful Marquis de Saint Brie, Louis finds himself thrust into exile. His journey is fraught with excitement as he navigates young love, brushes with the law, cunning card sharks, and a life-threatening avalanche—all leading up to the climactic...

Step back into the tumultuous era of King Louis XIV of France, a time marked by deep religious strife. While his father, Louis XIII, attempted to stifle Calvinist teachings, his son chose a different path. Although Louis XIV was generally tolerant, the fervor within his court often led to the persecution of Protestant Huguenots. This is the gripping tale of Albert, Count of Morseiul—a Huguenot landowner navigating the delicate balance between his loyalty to the crown and his faith. Join us as we explore the complexities of friendship, faith, and survival in a divided France.

A mysterious knight journeys through the picturesque Kentish countryside when he stumbles upon a cottage where an elderly couple is being violently attacked. Rushing to their rescue, he soon encounters the enigmatic Sir Cesar, who warns him of impending danger. As our hero navigates a world filled with treachery and intrigue, he confronts a malevolent landowner, befriends the loyal Longpole—the son of the elderly couple—and crosses paths with the seemingly benevolent Duke of Buckingham, whose true loyalties remain in question. He also meets the flirtatious Lady Katrine and is reunited with...

Step back into the tumultuous era of the English Civil War in Jamess captivating historical novel, Arrah Neil. Though published nearly 40 years after his passing, this tale brings to life the struggles of Lord Walton and his sister Anne, staunch monarchists caught in the crossfire of Cromwells revolutionary forces. Amidst the chaos, we meet the enchanting Arrah Neil, the spirited granddaughter of a loyal retainer on their estate. Join us as we navigate loyalty, love, and the fight for power in a world turned upside down. - Summary by LynneT

Set against the backdrop of the historic Battle of Agincourt in 1415, this captivating romance by James delves into a time of unexpected English triumph during the Hundred Years War. As failed negotiations intensify tensions, we meet the enigmatic Hal of Hadnock, who finds refuge with the noble Sir Philip Beauchamp while on a mysterious journey. There, he forges an unlikely friendship with the young Richard of Woodville, who harbors doubts about Hals true identity. As the story unfolds, layers of intrigue reveal Hals past and Richards deepening feelings for Mary, weaving a tale of love, ...