Major’s novel was enormously popular, but not exactly innovative. Historical romance was already well established in the late 19th century publishing industry, especially after the success of Lew Wallace’s Ben Hur in 1880.
The genre developed its own archetypes—swashbuckling, a brief episode of cross-dressing, and a romantic hero who embodies chivalry are chief among them. Historical romance is largely concerned with recovering or reimagining the chivalric, romantic, pre-industrial world.
In this case, Major has taken Henry VIII’s court and transformed it into a scene where courtly love can thrive. So Major, then, was not exactly trailblazing, but instead participating in a literary tradition that had already proven successful.
“And his clear cut profile, dilating nostrils and mobile, though firm-set mouth, gave pleasing assurance of tenderness, gentleness, daring and strength” (17).
The characters of Major’s novel are historical figures, but written to accentuate and complement the form of historical romance. Charles Brandon is the picture of not just masculinity, but also romantic capability and chivalric devotion. He channels all his knowledge, strength, and worldly experience into courting Princess Mary.
“Man’s love was too cheap a thing for her to strive for, and I am sure, in her heart, she would infinitely have preferred to live without it—that is, until the right one should come” (35).
Princess Mary is a reflection of the changing times of the 1890s. Mary is a New Woman—she rejects her many suitors and delights in a new, scandalous style of dance. Mary is not only the princess, Henry VIII’s sister, but also the very image and meaning of female beauty. Her heart, though not easily won, is worth the effort to capture.
“And now it was, as all who read may know, that this fair, sweet, wilful Mary dropped out of history; a sure token that her heart was her husband’s throne; her soul his empire; her every wish his subject, and her will, so masterful with others, the meek and lowly servant of her strong but gentle lord and master, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk” (358).
chivalry in shelbyville 