The Castle Inn

by Stanley J. Weyman

Stanley John Weyman (7 August 1855 - 10 April 1928) was an English novelist sometimes referred to as the "Prince of Romance Weyman (pronounced "why-man") was born at Ludlow, Shropshire. The second son of a solicitor, he was educated at Shrewsbury School, and at Christ Church, Oxford. He took his degree in modern history in 1877, and was called to the bar at the Inner Temple in 1881, joining the Oxford circuit. He practised as a barrister for eight years until, in 1889, he wrote his first novel entitled The House of the Wolf. This was followed over the following two decades by the novels which were to make his reputation, among them historical romances set amidst the turmoil of 16th and 17th century France. (His entire output is discussed in the annotated bibliography included in the external links below.) He became a great traveller, sometimes in company with his fellow bestselling novelist Henry Seton Merriman.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Classics, Fiction, Historical, Adventure

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1898

About the author

Admired by renowned authors such as Stevenson, Wilde, and Rafael Sabatini, Stanley John Weyman is today a forgotten literary giant of the late 19th century. While for years his best-selling historical romances enchanted thousands of readers, today his books are mostly neglected.

Stanley Weyman (pronounced Wyman) was the second of three sons born to solicitor Thomas Weyman and his wife Mary Maria Black on August 7, 1855, at 54 Broad Street, Ludlow, Shropshire. He attended King Edward VI Grammar School, Shrewsbury School (after age 16) and obtained a second class degree in Modern History at Christ Church, Oxford in 1877. As History Master at King's School, Chester, he served under his future brother-in-law, Rev'd. George Preston.

In Ludlow in 1879 he read for the Bar and was called in 1881, to begin a disappointing law career with Weyman, Weyman and Weyman, the family law firm. He has been described as nervous, shy, short in height and a poor cross-examiner and was said to have angered a judge because of these shortcomings. It is to our blessing that Weyman's law career was unsatisfactory. As a result, he was able to devote his ample spare time to writing. James Payn, editor of Cornhill Magazine, encouraged him to tackle larger literary works. The House of the Wolf was serialized in the English Illustrated Magazine in 1888/89 and was published in 1890 after Weyman contacted literary agent, A. P. Watt. This first book received no less than six rejections by publishers. Two additional books, The New Rector and The Story of Francis Cludde, were published in 1891 and these allowed him to become a full-time novelist.

Beginning his professional literary career in middle age, Weyman had a lifetime of experience to share including the insights gained from his extensive travels. On one notable vacation in the south of France in 1886, for a "weakness in the lungs" in the company of his younger brother Arthur, both were arrested as spies for sketching and crossing the border into Spain. They were detained for 24 hours until the British Ambassador helped them.

Experiences such as these are reflected in his novels. Stanley Weyman was a man of few words but those that were given were meant to be savoured. As an author, he had an uncanny way of using precisely the correct phrase. With his eloquent and extraordinary use of language, he painted a vivid picture of life and human emotion. His work is finely honed by a razor sharp mind that combines the skill of a great storyteller and an Oxford scholar's love of history.

Weyman's fame stands on the foundation of his historical, romantic fiction. The 15 novels written between 1890 and 1904 are set amidst the turmoil of 16th and 17th century France. Weyman was one of the first authors to 'cast the romance of adventure' in the historical framework. He was able to resurrect the great heroes and bring them to life by his loving hand. This author claimed: "The graves of our heroes--the real heroes--move us; the doors through which the famous dead have passed are sacred to us." Stanley Weyman regarded himself as fortunate that the timing of his early novels followed closely the popular historical fiction of Alexandre Dumas in France.

Reviews

[Simin Yadegar · Rating 3 out of 5]

قهرمان داستان سر جرج سون با دختر یک دربان آشنا می شود که از او می‌خواهد انتقام قتل پدرش را بگیرد . جرج از اینکار امتناع می‌کند در ادامه ماجراهایی رخ می‌دهد که به نظر می‌رسد این دختر عموزاده جرج و وارث املاک پدربزرگ سر جرج است ولی واقعیت بعدا آشکار میشود

[T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weyman spins a tale in 1760s England and though the characters lack much nuance I imagine the story has some historical merit.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the 18th century at the time of George III it is an adventure romance tale with a solid hero and wilful heroine with duels, intrigue and abductions abounding. An enjoyable read.

Synopsis
A tale which is full of old-world romance and adventure. It has a strong flavor of the under life in England when George the Third was young, when sign-posts served also as gibbets, when travel was by coach and highwaymen were many, when men drank deep and played high. There are plenty of stirring scenes along the way, plenty of treachery and fighting at cross-purposes which lead to intricate and dramatic situations. The heroine's charms recall Mlle. de Cocheforet in Under the Red Robe, and she proves herself a maid of spirit through all the mishaps which befall her.

[Margareth8537 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Went through shelves of Stanley Weyman when I visited my relatives, and they would provide me with books to keep me quiet. When I remember all the first editions I got through!