Customer Reviews

Gallantry

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The story is set in southern England and northern France and takes place between March 25, 1750 and May 3, 1755. It begins at Stornoway Crag on the Island of Usk, moves to Tunbridge Wells, continues at Havergate House, then crosses the channel at Dover and goes to Bellegarde in Poictesme, then to Paris, to Manneville, to Breschau and ends at Ingilby in Westmoreland. In the historical background, King George II was on the English throne, the Jacobite faction in England still had hope for a Stuart Restoration, the Marquise de Pompadour was calling the shots in France and the King of Prussia and Maria Theresa were rising continental powers. The story begins with wealthy Lady Anastasia Allonby a guest of Lord Rokesle at his island home. Lord Rokesle tries to force her to marry him with disasterous results to himself, and his vicar, Simon Orts. On her return to her home at Tunbridge Wells, Lady and Dorothy Allonby, her step-daughter, are beset with suitors and at one point become involved in a farcical elopement scenario. Captain Audaine, one of Miss Allonby's suitors becomes involved in a plot to restore the Stuarts to the English throne, is discovered and jailed , but is saved by Miss Allonby who meets and outwits the Duke of Ormskirk, one of His Majesty's advisors. The Duke of Ormskirk began life as the penurious John Bulmer, but through luck and ability rose to great power and authority in English politics. One of his duties was to spy upon and thwart the efforts of Gaston, Duc de Puysange to injure England. However, those two long time adversaries developed a grudging admiration for one another,and Jack eventually married Gaston's sister Claire and retired to his English estate. The story abounds with intrigues, vicious acts and self-serving betrayals, while the theme of nostalgia for youthful love provides new exemplars. Jack Bulmer summed up his generation as being, "In neither good nor ill pre-eminent; Grant none of us a Nero,--none a martyr,--All merely so-so.