Count Hannibal 1901 Stanley Weyman St. Bartholomew\'s Day Massacre 1st Edition For Sale

Count Hannibal: A Romance of the Court of France. By Stanley Weyman. 404 pages. Illustrated. 1st edition.

Gripping historical novel set during the turbulent period of the St. Bartholomew\'s Day Massacre in 16th-century France. The story follows the intertwined destinies of noble characters amidst a backdrop of intense religious conflict and political intrigue..

The novel takes place in Paris in 1572, during the French Wars of Religion, leading up to and encompassing the brutal St. Bartholomew\'s Day Massacre, where Roman Catholic mobs targeted and assassinated Huguenots (French Protestants). The fragile peace between the two factions is shattered by political machinations led by figures like the Duke of Guise and possibly instigated by Queen Mother Catherine de\' Medici.

The plot centers on a forced marriage and the resulting tensions:

• The Protagonist, Count Hannibal de Tavannes: A fierce, enigmatic, and ruthless nobleman known for his unwavering loyalty to King Charles IX. He possesses a strict personal code but is also capable of great severity.
• The Heroine, Mademoiselle de Vrillac: A courageous and independent young Huguenot woman who is betrothed to another man, M. de Tignonville.
• The Conflict: Due to the chaos and violence of the time, Mademoiselle de Vrillac\'s safety is compromised. Count Hannibal, through a series of events and possibly a degree of coercion, marries her to ensure her survival during the massacre.
• The Unfolding Drama: The core of the story is the complex relationship that develops between the initially loathing Mademoiselle de Vrillac and her ruthless, yet protective, husband. As they navigate the dangerous world of the French court, their fates become inextricably linked. The narrative explores themes of honor, loyalty, survival, and the slow burn of love developing in an unpropitious environment, balancing thrilling adventures with profound character development.

Published 1901 by Longmans, Green & Co, New York. Very good condition. Bright cover, firm binding, strong hinges and clean text.