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Grisly Grisell Or The Laidly Lady Of Whitburn: A Tale Of The Wars Of The Roses
""Grisly Grisell Or The Laidly Lady Of A Tale Of The Wars Of The Roses"" is a historical fiction novel written by Charlotte M. Yonge. The story is set during the Wars of the Roses, a series of conflicts between the House of Lancaster and the House of York for the English throne in the 15th century. The protagonist of the novel is Grisly Grisell, a young woman who is cursed by a wicked stepmother and transformed into a hideous creature. She is known as the ""Laidly Lady of Whitburn"" and is feared by all who encounter her. Grisly Grisell's curse can only be lifted by a brave knight who is willing to marry her and kiss her three times. The novel follows Grisly Grisell's journey as she searches for a knight who is willing to break her curse. Along the way, she encounters various characters who help her in her quest, including a group of monks and a young girl named Maud. The story also includes historical figures such as King Edward IV and Richard III. Throughout the novel, Yonge explores themes such as love, loyalty, and the power of redemption. The book is written in a style that reflects the language and culture of the time period in which it is set. Overall, ""Grisly Grisell Or The Laidly Lady Of A Tale Of The Wars Of The Roses"" is a captivating tale of romance, adventure, and magic set against the backdrop of one of the most tumultuous periods in English history.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1893
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About the author
Charlotte Mary Yonge
718 books73 followersCharlotte Mary Yonge was an English novelist, known for her huge output, now mostly out of print.
She began writing in 1848, and published during her long life about 160 works, chiefly novels. Her first commercial success, The Heir of Redclyffe (1853), provided the funding to enable the schooner Southern Cross to be put into service on behalf of George Selwyn. Similar charitable works were done with the profits from later novels. Yonge was also a founder and editor for forty years of The Monthly Packet, a magazine (founded in 1851) with a varied readership, but targeted at British Anglican girls (in later years it was addressed to a somewhat wider readership).
Among the best known of her works are The Heir of Redclyffe, Heartsease, and The Daisy Chain. A Book of Golden Deeds is a collection of true stories of courage and self-sacrifice. She also wrote Cameos from English History, Life of John Coleridge Patteson: Missionary Bishop of the Melanesian Islands and Hannah More. Her History of Christian Names was described as "the first serious attempt at tackling the subject" and as the standard work on names in the preface to the first edition of Withycombe's The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names, 1944.
Her personal example and influence on her god-daughter, Alice Mary Coleridge, played a formative role in Coleridge's zeal for women's education and thus, indirectly, led to the foundation of Abbots Bromley School for Girls.
After her death, her friend, assistant and collaborator, Christabel Coleridge, published the biographical Charlotte Mary Yonge: her Life and Letters (1903).
-Wikipedia
The Charlotte Mary Yonge Fellowship, a website with lots of information.
See Charlotte's character page for books about her.
She began writing in 1848, and published during her long life about 160 works, chiefly novels. Her first commercial success, The Heir of Redclyffe (1853), provided the funding to enable the schooner Southern Cross to be put into service on behalf of George Selwyn. Similar charitable works were done with the profits from later novels. Yonge was also a founder and editor for forty years of The Monthly Packet, a magazine (founded in 1851) with a varied readership, but targeted at British Anglican girls (in later years it was addressed to a somewhat wider readership).
Among the best known of her works are The Heir of Redclyffe, Heartsease, and The Daisy Chain. A Book of Golden Deeds is a collection of true stories of courage and self-sacrifice. She also wrote Cameos from English History, Life of John Coleridge Patteson: Missionary Bishop of the Melanesian Islands and Hannah More. Her History of Christian Names was described as "the first serious attempt at tackling the subject" and as the standard work on names in the preface to the first edition of Withycombe's The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names, 1944.
Her personal example and influence on her god-daughter, Alice Mary Coleridge, played a formative role in Coleridge's zeal for women's education and thus, indirectly, led to the foundation of Abbots Bromley School for Girls.
After her death, her friend, assistant and collaborator, Christabel Coleridge, published the biographical Charlotte Mary Yonge: her Life and Letters (1903).
-Wikipedia
The Charlotte Mary Yonge Fellowship, a website with lots of information.
See Charlotte's character page for books about her.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 17, 2007
This is a wonderful story (set in the time of the War of the Roses) of a young girl named Grisell, who, through an accident in childhood, is taught a great deal about life and becomes a much better person for the hardship. Her wounds are so grave that she must go to a convent, where the nuns care for her soul as well as her body. She becomes a very valiant woman who truly loves Leonard Copeland, even in denying her own will in order to make him happy. A beautiful book which I enjoyed very much and wholeheartedly recommend.
July 18, 2023
Grisell Dacre is the daughter of a northern baron, but she's being reared in the household of the Earl of Salisbury, alongside her intended spouse, Leonard Copeland. One day, by accident, Leonard triggers a barrell of black powder in the courtyard of the castle and Grisell is severely injuried. She gets severe burns to her face, which will mark her forever. Leonard's father refuses to allow the marriage between her and his son, so Grisell is sent to Amesbury Priory to live with the nuns, who treat her very well and teach her the healing arts. Grisell fears no one will ever love her now that she is disfigured, but Sister Avice tells her she will have to show her goodness and kindness to be loved and accepted. When she is 15, Grisell is sent away by the new Proctor because she has no dowry, and she goes back to her parents, who are not very loving. Her mother prefers her two brothers, Robin who is the older and Bernard, a sickly child. When he first sees Grisell, Bernard is afraid of her and calls her "Grisly Grisell", but soon Grisell, with her love and care, wins his affections, to the point the child only wants to stay with her. Soon her ex fianceè Leonard, who fights on the Lancastrian side, is captured in battle and Grisell's father forces him to marry Grisell. But Leonard is in love with another dame... and Grisell, who loves him nonetheless, resolves to put in practice again sister Avice's advise.
Grisly Grisell is a nice and moving tale in which the historical events are just the frame for a touching message.
Grisly Grisell is a nice and moving tale in which the historical events are just the frame for a touching message.
August 25, 2022
An excellent story, and an insight into what love actually is. To me, the language was very challenging, written in an older style and full of obscure terms. Definitely kept you on your toes.
It contained many, but fairly veiled references to English history. One more versed in history would likely have an easier time making connections to the time in which the story was placed. It would be a great book to read in collaboration with the appropriate period of history one is studying.
The story did draw you in, and the main character was very appealing. However, it seemed to me that the characters suffered from a lack of description of their persons and growth. I must be subconsciously making a comparison to Undset and all the Russian books I’ve been reading lately. Definitely no lack of character development there!
All in all, despite the shortcomings, I’d say the book is very much worth the read!
It contained many, but fairly veiled references to English history. One more versed in history would likely have an easier time making connections to the time in which the story was placed. It would be a great book to read in collaboration with the appropriate period of history one is studying.
The story did draw you in, and the main character was very appealing. However, it seemed to me that the characters suffered from a lack of description of their persons and growth. I must be subconsciously making a comparison to Undset and all the Russian books I’ve been reading lately. Definitely no lack of character development there!
All in all, despite the shortcomings, I’d say the book is very much worth the read!
May 21, 2018
This is a beautiful story of how a girl marred in childhood through an accident must discover the true meaning of beauty, and by virtue she wins over the man she loves. Its historical fiction set in the time of the War of the Roses, and has much to teach about what truly makes someone beautiful and enduring, and while definitely written in an old-fashioned style (which, speaking for myself, I enjoyed), is such a sweet and delightful read. There's a great lesson to be learned from it which I've tried to always keep in mind; a beautiful heart will always outshine beautiful looks. One is something to be treasured and strived for, the other superficial and fleeting. If you enjoy reading classics with a strong message of loving sacrifice, definitely give Grisley Grisell a read!❤
May 16, 2012
It's a short read and I have to admit that it's not on my list of greatest books I've ever read. But I have to admit that Charlotte Mary Yonge has grown on me and that when I'm in need of a fun light historical fiction read, I enjoy finding one of her books from Project Gutenberg. This particular novel even made me want to know more about the War of the Roses!
May 21, 2016
The Best Book I have ever read!!!!!!! I read it class and not everyone liked it but it was my favorite ever!!!!!!! BEST BOOK EVER!!!!!!!!
February 13, 2023
Aww the ending was so sweet... I can't believe she worked for him so long though!! Like, 7 years?!
This short historical fiction novel had a smaller cast of characters than Yonge's contemporary fiction, and much less character development, which I missed (e.g. the saintly characters tended to be just saintly instead of growing in kindness and wisdom, with backstories just referred to), but as a shorter read it was really good - I liked how the historical facts weren't laboured too much but referred to from the perspective of how it affected the characters. I really liked the apothecary and his Deaf wife too, I'm sure that's a love story that would merit it's own book. The different geographical locations were vividly described, as was the historical setting.
Yonge tends to have a positive focus on charitable work and the value of employment for women which is good to see - her female characters don't languish, they find things to do! Although Grisell was a less developed heroine than I'd hoped, she was still an endearing character. I loved the message about inner beauty being far more important than outer beauty, and it was lovely to see how many other characters recognised Grisell's worth despite their initial reactions to her appearance.
Overall this was a wholesome and interesting read, and I only wish that it had been written at more length with more depth, so that we could really get to live with and get to know the characters as people.
This short historical fiction novel had a smaller cast of characters than Yonge's contemporary fiction, and much less character development, which I missed (e.g. the saintly characters tended to be just saintly instead of growing in kindness and wisdom, with backstories just referred to), but as a shorter read it was really good - I liked how the historical facts weren't laboured too much but referred to from the perspective of how it affected the characters. I really liked the apothecary and his Deaf wife too, I'm sure that's a love story that would merit it's own book. The different geographical locations were vividly described, as was the historical setting.
Yonge tends to have a positive focus on charitable work and the value of employment for women which is good to see - her female characters don't languish, they find things to do! Although Grisell was a less developed heroine than I'd hoped, she was still an endearing character. I loved the message about inner beauty being far more important than outer beauty, and it was lovely to see how many other characters recognised Grisell's worth despite their initial reactions to her appearance.
Overall this was a wholesome and interesting read, and I only wish that it had been written at more length with more depth, so that we could really get to live with and get to know the characters as people.
October 15, 2019
This is by far the best love story I have ever read! The story begins with Grisell being nearly killed in an explosion set off by young Leonard Copeland. She heals eventually, but her face is left with an ugly scar. Everywhere she goes the people hate her for her loathly face. But slowly, she is able to win their love by her kindness. Her devotion and self-sacrifice for Leonard Copeland is truly exemplary. The ending is happy, for anyone who is wondering.
The first time I started reading this book, I found it a little slow and boring. It took me a month to read the first few chapters. Since I had it on loan from a friend of mine, I decided to return it. But my friend encouraged me to finish it. So I took it back home and kept reading. And I'm so glad I did! It isn't til about Chapter VII that the story gets more interesting. After that, I found it hard to set down. Since then, I have borrowed it again from my friend, read it with profound interest, and considered writing out the story in script form.
It is written in Ye Olde English which could be bothersome to some but most welcome to others. The first time I read it, it took chapter or two for me to get used to it. The second time, I didn't have any trouble at all. It all depends on what you like.
The first time I started reading this book, I found it a little slow and boring. It took me a month to read the first few chapters. Since I had it on loan from a friend of mine, I decided to return it. But my friend encouraged me to finish it. So I took it back home and kept reading. And I'm so glad I did! It isn't til about Chapter VII that the story gets more interesting. After that, I found it hard to set down. Since then, I have borrowed it again from my friend, read it with profound interest, and considered writing out the story in script form.
It is written in Ye Olde English which could be bothersome to some but most welcome to others. The first time I read it, it took chapter or two for me to get used to it. The second time, I didn't have any trouble at all. It all depends on what you like.
May 19, 2013
A simple story told by a childhood friend of Margaret of York that gives a view of the Wars of the Roses from a view other than that of royals. Plan to obtain more of Charlotte Mary Yonge stories on Kindle.
June 8, 2008
The story of a girl maimed early in life, Grisly Grisell shows that the beauty necessary to find true love, life, and happiness,is not physical, but spiritual.
September 6, 2016
I couldn't put it down.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews