A Knight of the White Cross; A Tale of the Siege of Rhodes

by G.A. Henty

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Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Adventure, Classics, Historical, Literature, School

466 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1895

About the author

George Alfred Henty, better known as G.A. Henty, began his storytelling career with his own children. After dinner, he would spend and hour or two in telling them a story that would continue the next day. Some stories took weeks! A friend was present one day and watched the spell-bound reaction of his children suggesting Henty write down his stories so others could enjoy them. He did. Henty wrote approximately 144 books in addition to stories for magazines and was known as "The Prince of Story-Tellers" and "The Boy's Own Historian." One of Mr. Henty's secretaries reported that he would quickly pace back and forth in his study dictating stories as fast as the secretary could record them.

Henty's stories revolve around fictional boy heroes during fascinating periods of history. His heroes are diligent, intelligent, and dedicated to their country and cause in the face, at times, of great peril... Henty's heroes fight wars, sail the seas, discover land, conquer evil empires, prospect for gold, and a host of other exciting adventures. Along the way, they meet famous personages... In short, Henty's heroes live through tumultuous historic eras meeting leaders of that time. Understanding the culture of the time period becomes second nature as well as comparing/contrasting the society of various cultures.

Reviews

[Brett Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stumbled across this quite by accident on our bookshelves while looking for something mediaeval flavoured. The cover of the book's spine has long since disappeared, and only the almost monochromatic green back and front remain. There is an inscription inside that reads "Arnold Adams Xmas 1895" referring to my Great Grandfather. Curiously, the publisher's imprint says "London Blackie & Son … 1896" Perhaps the northern hemisphere was a year ahead in the 19th century?

The book is part of Blackie & Sons unambiguously named "Books for Young People". I think young people must have been smarter in the 19th century, too.

This is supposed to be a review, isn't it… I enjoyed the story. For knightliness and all that, I give it four stars. But if you're not researching for a fantasy novel, it's a three. There's a bonus half star if you're fascinated by things like teasers for kids literature that are more than a century old. There are 31 pages of said teasers after the story, and I admit I read them all. Included among these paeans are phrases like "One dares not skip a single page in this most enthralling tale" and the somewhat dubious "Miss Hammond has never done better work". Many teasers praise their heroes and heroines for virtues such as mercy, gentleness and self-sacrifice. Outrageous.

PS: There are twelve illustrations in this edition. The first bears the caption "Sir Thomas Tresham Brings His Wife News of the Lost Battle" and is painted such that this was how the conversation seemed to be going: "Look Luv, we've had a bit of a bingle down at Barnet, and come a right cropper…"

[Curtiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite G.A. Henty novels (although they're all entertaining and enlightening), about a young man enrolled in the Knights of St. John and exiled from England because his parents were on the losing side of the War of the Roses.

After a tempestuous career defending the Island of Rhodes from pirates and besieging Saracen invaders he wins advancement, a knighthood, the restoration of his estates in England, and the hand of a young and lovely Venetian noblewoman.

[John Yelverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good and enjoyable adventure story of knights and chivalry. My only complaint is that the author has no idea about the Muslim religion, let alone the differences between Christianity and Islam.

[Debbie Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite Henty of all time... just LOVE it!!! Great action, great heroes, great history!

[Roger Burk · Rating 3 out of 5]

This seems like it was written to inspire Victorian boys to deeds of courage, hardihood, and dedication to duty that would match those of their Crusader ancestors, and also to inform them of the social, political, and military situation in the eastern Mediterranean in the late 15th century. No-one will mistake the book for great literature, but it is quite readable, and inspiring and informative in its own way. The horror of galley slavery is described frankly but not luridly; our hero’s opinion of it would suit any upright Victorian gentleman, and he does what he can to ameliorate its worst evils. Several very honest and noble-minded Moslem characters cross the stage.

Our hero is a noble English teenager, orphaned and dispossessed by the Wars of the Roses. By his father’s last request he joins the Knights of Rhodes and dedicates himself to a life of service and defense of Christendom. He becomes a prodigy at arms and amazingly quick-thinking. He devotes himself to study when required also, becoming fluent in Turkish after nine months of study (and also somehow in Arabic). It seems he passes his entire adolescence without once thinking of a girl—things must have been so much simpler then. He is given command of a galley at the age of 20 or so. Of course, he plays a key role at the siege of Rhodes in 1480.

[Ritsumei · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun tale. Like all Henty stories, it's a bit formulaic, and the hero is (as usual) an Achilles disguised as an "ordinary" man who begins with no wealth or position worth mentioning, and through his unusual personal valor and resourcefulness saves the day repeatedly, has some daring escapes, wins the girl, and lives happily ever after. But for all that Henty stories always follow the same formula, they are also each their own tale, and this one was a pleasant one. Henty's hero, as usual, is a remarkably resourceful Englishman, but he did well at showing the Muslim enemies the knights fought as being equally praiseworthy and valorous. He also is frank about the sufferings of the slaves held by both sides of the conflict, without being so graphic that it would be unsuitable for young audiences. We listened to the Librivox edition, and it was nice.

[ferretpatrol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of Henty's better works. The only possible fault is that it gets annoying how every time he accomplishes something, the Protagonist tries to act like it is all due to other people. I know this is a common trait of henty lads (which is good in proper measures), but I thought it was a little excessive here.

[Xara Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though almost everyone else that read this with me hated it, I absolutely LOVED it. The is tons of action and courage. Gervaise is definitely worthy of all the praise he receives, and of the girl he gets (even if he doesn't act like it). There were some parts that were a little hard to read, mainly because it was describing something and I got bored of it. The only thing that was hard past those parts were some of the words, I think you should definitely have a dictionary with you while you read this.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical Fiction is Education

While at the time of its writing so much detailed dialogue might have been accepted, in today’s instant everything it does not work well. BUT you get a lot of information about the history of the times. Details about types of ships, Orders of knights, types of warfare on land and sea, geography and English history of the Period are all given by this author. A condensed version of half the length would be welcome.

[Jordan Douglas · Rating 1 out of 5]

In this book, there were many major conflicts with pirates and other attackers. Sir Gervaise Tresham the main character in the book. Left his parents royalty to be a knight and start his own town. He quickly found out people were after him. Attackers and pirates tried to destroy him but easily found out he was ready for battle. This book is based on the siege of Rhodes and follows its setting well. I wouldn't recommend this book, even tho it is very action packed the action was just to borning and was hard to follow along.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tale has wonderful, moral, heroic characters. The story is full of action with good triumphing over evil. This book is an appropriate choice for middle school age boys looking for heroes.

[Faith Burnside · Rating 4 out of 5]

As all of Henty's stories, this was an interesting, fun and educational way to pass a few hours.

[Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

My all time favorite Henty book.

[Shannon Fay]

This book looked somewhat interesting, and one day, perhaps I'll even read it. Though if I do, I will be reading a kindle edition or something, not the physical copy I currently posses, on account of it's age.

Which leads me to why I REALLY picked it up. I like old things. Particularly, old books are cool. And this one is over 120 years old. Now that's cool.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book more but it seemed as though the main character was a bit much too altruistic. Henty goes into a bit too much explanation of his heroics acts as dialogue after the fact. So, it seemed as though you were reading the same thing twice. There were definite moments when I really enjoyed the reading of historical perspectives and how Gervais was captured and eventually escaped. I think GA Henty is a good story teller but that doesn't necessarily translate into always good dialogue. I do hope to make time for more of his works, however.

[Robert Burr · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a child, my father (who was an avid collector of old books) used to read me a chapter of Henty every night before bed. This was one of my particular favorites. I enjoyed it so much that when I got one of my first writing assignments in grade school, I gave Gervaise Tresham a 'celebrity guest appearance' at the end of the story. Henty can be a little dry by modern standards, but I have no reservations at all about recommending this one.

[Svnine7 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is not one of my faviotes. Ok I did not like it. Yet the aurthor did a good job of writing the story. He has exilent chachterzation. You get to know the people in the book and they feel real. I did not like reading it but G.A. Henty did a good job.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one of my favorites, I enjoyed reading this book again. The little 'love story' between Gervaise and Claudia. Soooo sweet!! :-D It's probably my favorite love story from all of G.A. Henty's books!

[Angelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of the siege of Rhodes. Fascinating history. Great for teens. Rick loved reading these books in middle school. The fictional characters start sounding the same and are teenage boys, but very courageous and valiant.

[Forge · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my second favorite Henty book

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the longest Henty book, but it's worth it! I really like the siege!

[Jeb · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is set in the siege of rhodes its is really cool.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gervaise is such a heroic character, in the vein of Horatio Hornblower. A shame he didn't have more adventures.

[Reden C Harper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read

Good high school book. Written in a style that reflects Victorian England but still allows you to enjoy the hero's exploits

[Spenser White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a normal Henty book. Exciting, good history. There are a few twists that keep the book from getting too boring.