Author | Stanley J. Weyman |
---|---|
Language | English |
Genre | Drama |
Publication date | 1894 |
Publication place | United Kingdom |
Media type |
Under the Red Robe is a historical novel by Stanley J. Weyman, first published in 1894. Often described as his best work, [1] it was also the most commercially successful, going through 34 reprints, the last in 1962.
As with other Weyman novels, it takes place during the French religious wars of the early 17th century. Since it contains a real historical event, the Day of the Dupes, the timing is the autumn of 1630 when Cardinal Richelieu (the 'Red Robe') was Chief Minister for Louis XIII. Under his guidance, the French state was supporting Protestants in Germany as part of the Thirty Years' War while suppressing domestic Protestants or Huguenots in southwest France.
The plot features one of Weyman's more interesting characters, Gil de Berault, a gambler and notorious dueller living in Paris who sometimes acts as hired muscle for the Cardinal. He fights one duel too many and is given the choice between execution or helping the Cardinal capture a key Huguenot rebel. He picks the second option and ultimately achieves his objectives but in the process meets a good woman.
The novel was well received by contemporary historical novelists. Conan Doyle wrote that Under the Red Robe had "the most dramatic opening of any historical novel I know" and Siegfried Sassoon described his excitement as a schoolboy on first reading a copy. [2]
It was adapted for the stage at the Haymarket Theatre in 1896, also playing on Broadway and first filmed in 1915 [3] as a silent movie and again in 1923. [4] A third version was made in 1937, the British swashbuckler Under the Red Robe directed by Victor Sjöström and featuring Conrad Veidt as Gil de Berault, Raymond Massey as the Cardinal and French actress Annabella as the romantic interest. [5]
Captain Robert von Ranke Graves was an English poet, soldier, historical novelist and critic. His father was Alfred Perceval Graves, a celebrated Irish poet and figure in the Gaelic revival; they were both Celticists and students of Irish mythology.
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Louis XIII was King of France from 1610 until his death in 1643 and King of Navarre from 1610 to 1620, when the crown of Navarre was merged with the French crown.
Armand Jean du Plessis, 1st Duke of Richelieu, known as Cardinal Richelieu, was a French Catholic statesman and prelate who had an outsize influence in civil and religious affairs. He became known as l'Éminence Rouge, a term derived from the title "Eminence" applied to cardinals and their customary red robes.
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Day of the Dupes is the name given to a day in November 1630 on which the enemies of Cardinal Richelieu mistakenly believed that they had succeeded in persuading King Louis XIII of France to dismiss Richelieu from power. The incident is thought to have occurred on the 10th, 11th, or 12th of that month.
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Under the Red Robe is a 1937 British-American historical adventure film directed by Victor Sjöström and starring Conrad Veidt, Annabella and Raymond Massey. Previously filmed as a 1923 silent directed by Alan Crosland. Before the films a play had been produced on Broadway in 1896-97 starring Viola Allen and William Faversham. The film is based on the 1894 novel by Stanley J. Weyman and is set during the religious wars of early 17th century France; events in the novel itself means it can be dated to the autumn of 1630.
Under the Red Robe is a 1923 American silent historical drama film directed by Alan Crosland based upon the Stanley Weyman novel Under the Red Robe. The film marks the last motion picture appearance by stage actor Robert B. Mantell who plays Cardinal Richelieu and the only silent screen performance of opera singer John Charles Thomas.
Under the Red Robe may refer to:
Under the Red Robe is a 1915 British silent historical film directed by Wilfred Noy. An adventure story set in the era of Cardinal Richelieu, it is based on the novel of the same name which was turned into two later films including Undthe Red Robe (1937).