The Gentle Falcon

The Gentle Falcon

The Gentle Falcon is a fiction book by Hilda Lewis, based on the story of King Richard and his child bride, Isabella, written in first person from the point of view of a close companion of the Queen. Although the book is now out of print, it is available through other buyers, and can be ordered off sites like Amazon.

Plot Summary

Isabella Clinton is the daughter and only child of a French noblewoman, from the House of Valois, and an English soldier. With her father dead, she's heir to his estate, but much prefers working in the fields than learning to be a proper noblewoman - and 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 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 doesn't show it on the outside.

Sources

"The Gentle Falcon", by Hilda Lewis