
A lively medieval tale unfolds through the witty voice of a traveling jester, whose bright blue eyes and mischievous bells set the tone for a story that blends romance, humor, and a touch of melancholy. The narrator introduces the young Duke Jocelyn, a nobleman marked by an unusual scar that earns him the nickname “the ugly Duke,” yet whose courage and kindness hint at a deeper heroism waiting to be discovered.
The jester’s playful banter with his curious daughter Gillian adds a charming, meta‑narrative layer, as they argue over what makes a true hero and how love should be portrayed. As the duke rides the dusty roads of a troubled realm, his path crosses with bold knights, cunning outlaws, and a lady of striking beauty, setting the stage for daring deeds and heartfelt encounters that will test his resolve and reshape his reputation.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (341K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Text file produced by Ted Garvin and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team HTML file produced by David Widger
Release date
2005-05-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1878–1952
Best known for swashbuckling historical romances like The Broad Highway, he helped shape early 20th-century adventure fiction with stories full of wit, danger, and old-world charm.
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