
In the turbulent world of late‑sixteenth‑century France, a nameless gentleman finds himself abandoned after the death of his patron, Condé’s prince. Stripped of wealth and status, he is forced to sell his horses and watch his modest estate crumble while the Catholic League and the French crown wrestle for dominance. The narrative paints a vivid portrait of a society on the brink, where religious fervor and political ambition leave ordinary lives hanging in the balance.
Against this backdrop, the protagonist clings to a fragile hope, drafting desperate petitions and seeking any ounce of favor from the king’s secretaries. His internal struggle—between honor and survival—drives a tense, introspective journey through cramped workshops, crowded streets, and whispered conspiracies. Listeners are drawn into a richly textured slice of history, feeling the weight of a world where a single misstep could mean ruin or redemption.
Language
fi
Duration
~15 hours (875K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2012-09-27
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1855–1928
Best known for turning swashbuckling history into fast, lively fiction, this English novelist earned the nickname “the prince of romance.” His stories of intrigue, danger, and political upheaval helped define the historical adventure novel for a wide popular audience.
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