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Two Penniless Princesses

by Charlotte M. Yonge (1823–1901)

  • Free to read
  • 5 hours to read
  • 12 chapters
  • Reading level: 7th grade

"Two Penniless Princesses" by Charlotte M. Yonge is a historical novel set in the late 19th century. The story revolves around two young princesses, Eleanor and Jean Stewart, who face the challenges of their royal status within the troubled Scottish court. Captured and confined in Dunbar Castle, they yearn for freedom and the joy of life beyond the dreariness of their surroundings, particularly longing for their sister Margaret, who has been married into the French court. The opening of the novel introduces us to the sisters in Dunbar Castle, where they share dreams of escape and adventure. Amid the bleakness of their captivity, they are preoccupied with thoughts of royalty and love, and their desire to reunite with Margaret drives the narrative. The sisters are expressed as strong characters; Eleanor is wistful and imaginative, while Jean is practical and steadfast. Their discussions reveal their hopes and frustrations, as they navigate the dangers of their situation, including threats from warlike nobles eager for connections with royalty. As the story begins, they are on the cusp of a significant journey towards their destiny, filled with anticipation and trepidation.

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  • Knights and knighthood
  • France · History · Charles VII, 1422-1461
  • Chivalry
  • Inheritance and succession
  • Conduct of life
  • Siblings
  • Prisoners
  • Princesses

Read the opening

Chapter 1: Dunbar

‘’Twas on a night, an evening bright
When the dew began to fa’,
Lady Margaret was walking up and down,
Looking over her castle wa’.’

The battlements of a castle were, in disturbed times, the only recreation-ground of the ladies and play-place of the young people. Dunbar Castle, standing on steep rocks above the North Sea, was not only inaccessible on that side, but from its donjon tower commanded a magnificent view, both of the expanse of waves, taking purple tints from the shadows of the clouds, with here and there a sail fleeting before the wind, and of the rugged headlands of the coast, point beyond point, the nearer distinct, and showing the green summits, and below, the tossing waves breaking white against the dark rocks, and the distance becoming more and more hazy, in spite of the bright sun which made a broken path of glory along the tossing, white-crested waters.

The wind was a keen north-east breeze, and might have been thought too severe by any but the ‘hardy, bold, and wild’ children who were merrily playing on the top of the donjon tower, round the staff whence fluttered the double treasured banner with ‘the ruddy lion ramped in gold’ denoting the presence of the King.

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Contents

  1. Chapter 1: Dunbar
  2. Chapter 2: Departure: ‘I bowed my pride, A horse-boy in his train to ride.’ — Scott
  3. Chapter 3: Falcon and Fetterlock
  4. Chapter 4: St. Helen S
  5. Chapter 5: The Meek Usurper
  6. Chapter 6: The Price of a Goose
  7. Chapter 7: The Minstrel King’s Court
  8. Chapter 8: Stings
  9. Chapter 9: Balchenburg
  10. Chapter 10: Tender and True
  11. Chapter 11: Fetters Broken
  12. Chapter 12: Sorrow Ended

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About this edition

This free edition of Two Penniless Princesses by Charlotte M. Yonge comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #2942, released 2001-12-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Historical Novels, Novels, British Literature.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

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