''The Gentle Falcon'' is a historical novel for young readers by

Hilda Lewis Hilda Winifred Lewis (nee Maizels, 1896–1974) was a British writer of historical and children's fiction. Biography She was born Hilda Winifred Maizels in Whitechapel, London in 1896. Her father, Joseph Maizels, was a Jewish jeweler and silv ...

, based on the story of

King Richard II Richard II (6 January 1367 – ), also known as Richard of Bordeaux, was King of England from 1377 until he was deposed in 1399. He was the son of Edward the Black Prince, Prince of Wales, and Joan, Countess of Kent. Richard's father died ...

and his child bride,

Isabella Isabella may refer to: People and fictional characters * Isabella (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters * Isabella (surname), including a list of people Places United States * Isabella, Alabama, an unincorpor ...

, written in first person from the point of view of a close companion of the Queen. It was published by

Oxford University Press Oxford University Press (OUP) is the university press of the University of Oxford. It is the largest university press in the world, and its printing history dates back to the 1480s. Having been officially granted the legal right to print books ...

in 1952 and adapted as a television series by the

BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board ex ...

in 1954.''The Gentle Falcon''
at

IMDb IMDb (an abbreviation of Internet Movie Database) is an online database of information related to films, television series, home videos, video games, and streaming content online – including cast, production crew and personal biographies, ...

In 1957 the first American edition was published by Criterion Books. Hilda Lewis, a prolific writer of adult historical fiction, also wrote two other historical novels for young adult readers, ''Harold Was My King'' (about

Harold Godwinson Harold Godwinson ( – 14 October 1066), also called Harold II, was the last crowned Anglo-Saxon English king. Harold reigned from 6 January 1066 until his death at the Battle of Hastings, fighting the Norman invaders led by William the C ...

) and ''Here Comes Harry'' (set in 15th century London).

Plot summary

Isabella Clinton is the daughter and only child of a French noblewoman, from the

House of Valois The Capetian house of Valois ( , also , ) was a cadet branch of the Capetian dynasty. They succeeded the House of Capet (or "Direct Capetians") to the List of French monarchs, French throne, and were the royal house of France from 1328 to 1589 ...

, and an English soldier. With her father dead, she is heir to his estate but prefers working in the fields to learning to be a proper noblewoman. This is made clear from her sharp tongue and blunt way of speaking. After the death of her father, it seems that the

Black Prince Edward of Woodstock, known to history as the Black Prince (15 June 1330 – 8 June 1376), was the eldest son of King Edward III of England, and the heir apparent to the English throne. He died before his father and so his son, Richard II, suc ...

has forgotten Isabella and her mother. It is quite a long time before Isabella is finally summoned to court by King Richard – and when she finally is, it is to be companion to her young kinswoman, Isabella of the House of Valois, ''Madame'' of France and soon to be Queen of England. It is through Isabella Clinton's eyes that we see the love Isabella of France develops for King Richard. Although only seven years old at her first appearance, the Queen shows maturity for her age – but what happens to her throughout the book causes her great sorrow, even though she does not show it on the outside.

Reception

In a star review,

Kirkus Reviews ''Kirkus Reviews'' (or ''Kirkus Media'') is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus (1893–1980). The magazine is headquartered in New York City. ''Kirkus Reviews'' confers the annual Kirkus Prize to authors of fic ...

described ''The Gentle Falcon'' as a "sparkling, poignant fictionalized biography" and "princely reading fare." while the Wisconsin library bulletin reprinted a review by the Bulletin of the Children's Book Center that called it "An intriguing story..."

Television adaptation

The British Broadcasting Corporation produced a seven-episode television series based on ''The Gentle Falcon'', which was broadcast from 15 June 1954.

Glen Alyn Glenore Jean Pointing (1913–1984), known professionally as Glen Alyn, was an Australian actress who appeared in British films from the 1930s until 1957. Originally a dancer in West End revue, she made her film debut in '' The Outsider'' (1931 ...

played the adult Isabella, while Victoria Nolan played her as a girl.

Sources

*''The Gentle Falcon'', by Hilda Lewis

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gentle Falcon 1952 British novels 1952 children's books Children's historical novels British children's novels British historical novels Novels set in the Middle Ages Novels about royalty Oxford University Press books Children's books set in England Children's books set in the 15th century Novels set in the 15th century Cultural depictions of Richard II of England