Showing results by author "Charlotte Yonge" in All Categories

Charlotte Mary Yonge (1823-1901) was a prolific English novelist. The Little Duke, the first of her historical tales for children, was published in 1854. The main character is Richard Duke of Normandy, the great grandfather of William the Conqueror. The first part concentrates on Richard's failings, their punishment, and his reform, and the second part on his virtues. At the beginning of the tale, Richard is a boy of eight who becomes duke when his father dies in 943 AD. His overlord King Louis brings the boy to the French court where his life seems to be in peril.

A Golden Deed must be something more than mere display of fearlessness. Grave and resolute fulfilment of duty is required to give it the true weight. For the true metal of a Golden Deed is self-devotion. Selfishness is the dross and alloy that gives the unsound ring to many an act that has been called glorious. And, on the other hand, it is not only the valor, which meets a thousand enemies upon the battlefield, or scales the walls in a forlorn hope, that is of true gold....

Based on historical fact, full of intrigue and chivalry at a time when Normandy was not part of France, this is the romantic childhood history of Richard the Fearless, Duke of Normandy. After his father was assassinated, when he was just nine years old, he is kidnapped and imprisoned by Louis of France, who wanted to annex Normandy. But thanks to the bravery and daring of Richard's loyal squire and knight, Osmond de Centeville, he makes good his escape.