In the Reign of Terror facts for kids
Title page for In the Reign of Terror: The Adventures of a Westminster Boy
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| Author | G. A. Henty |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Boy's Adventure Historical Fiction |
| Publisher | Blackie and Son |
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Publication date
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1888 |
| Media type | Print (hardback) |
In the Reign of Terror: The Adventures of a Westminster Boy is an exciting adventure novel by G. A. Henty. It was published in 1888. The story follows Harry Sandwith, a brave English boy. He goes to live in France during the dangerous time of the French Revolution.
Contents
Story Summary
Harry's New Life in France
Harry Sandwith is a sixteen-year-old English boy. He is sent to live in France with the Marquis de St. Caux. The Marquis is a friend of Harry's father. The Marquis wants his own sons, Ernest and Jules, to learn from Harry. He believes Harry, an English boy, will teach them to be independent and strong.
Harry is an average student at Westminster School. But he is excited to go to France. He thinks this trip will help him join the British Army later. In 1790, Harry travels to Paris. He plans to live with the St. Caux family for a few years.
Harry arrives at the Marquis's chateau near Dijon. He meets the Marquis, his wife, and their five children. These include sons Ernest and Jules, and daughters Marie, Jeanne, and Virginie. At first, the family makes fun of Harry's English ways. But their opinion changes quickly. Harry bravely saves Jeanne and Virginie from a rabid dog.
After this, they accept Harry as part of the family. Harry and Ernest become very close friends. They go hunting and have many adventures together. They even manage to kill a dangerous wolf. This wolf had been scaring the local villages for a long time.
Revolution and Danger
While Harry lives at the chateau, the French Revolution gets worse. The St. Caux family are nobles. They are loyal to King Louis XVI. They worry about the growing violence in Paris and the countryside.
The royal family tries to escape Paris but fails. After this, the Marquis decides to move his family to Paris. He wants to support the king. He also wants to avoid the angry peasants in the countryside.
Life in Paris becomes very dangerous. Soon, an order is given to arrest all noble families. The Marquis and Marquise are arrested. But they tell their children to escape. Ernest and Jules are sent out of Paris to try and reach England. The three girls are hidden with Louise Moulin, their mother's old nurse. Harry is free to go back to England. But he chooses to stay in Paris. He wants to look after the girls and help them escape if needed.
A Fight for Freedom
Harry tries to free the Marquis and Marquise. But he is too late. During the September massacres, prisoners are brought out for quick, unfair trials. Then they are killed. The Marquis and Marquise de St. Caux are among them.
Victor de Gisons, Marie's fiancé, is also in Paris. He sees his own father killed. Victor becomes very angry and upset. Harry manages to knock Victor out and carry him away. A kind Parisian, Jacques Medart, helps Harry. He takes Victor to his home.
Harry leaves a very sad Victor with Jacques and Elise Medart. He then tells the girls about their parents' deaths. Harry also finds out that Ernest and Jules were killed trying to reach England. But he decides not to tell the girls yet. He will only tell them if they reach England safely.
Soon after, Marie is caught in the marketplace. Lebat, the mayor's son from Dijon, arrests her. She is arrested for being a noble's daughter in hiding.
Harry feels hopeless about rescuing Marie. He manages to send her a letter in prison. But he doesn't think he can free her. Marie writes back. She tells him that Lebat offered to free her if she marries him. She refuses.
A Daring Rescue
One evening, Harry saves a man being beaten in the street. This man turns out to be Maximilien de Robespierre. Robespierre is a powerful leader of the Revolution. He promises to repay Harry for saving him. Harry sees this as a chance to free Marie. He agrees to become Robespierre's secretary.
After several months, Harry learns that Marie will soon be tried and executed. He also finds out that Louise and the girls are suspected. Harry asks Robespierre to free Marie. He reminds Robespierre of his promise. But Robespierre refuses.
Later, Lebat asks Robespierre to free Marie. Lebat says Marie has agreed to marry him. He also claims she supports the Revolution. Robespierre agrees. That night, Harry takes his chance. He kills Lebat and rescues Marie. He uses the letter of release from Robespierre.
Escape to England
Harry travels to Nantes with Louise and the two younger girls. Marie stays in Paris with Victor, who is slowly getting better. In Nantes, Harry struggles to find a ship to England. Louise becomes very sick from the hard journey and dies.
Jeanne finds a way to get passage to England. A fisherman named Adolphe offers help. His wife, Martha Pichon, had a child that Jeanne helped nurse back to health. But before they can leave, Jeanne and Virginie are arrested.
Harry bravely rescues them from being drowned in the river. This was a terrible way many prisoners were killed. Harry then finds a trustworthy captain to take them to England.
They arrive safely in England. Harry is reunited with his family. They had thought he was dead because of the violence in France. Years later, Harry marries Jeanne. He becomes a doctor and joins his father's medical practice. Virginie marries Harry's brother, Tom.
Later, the girls and their husbands visit France. They stay with Marie and Victor. Victor fought in the French Army under Napoleon. He buys back the chateau that once belonged to the St. Caux family.
Main Characters
- Harry Sandwith – The main character. Harry is a young English boy. He lives with the St. Caux family, who are French nobles. During the French Revolution, he helps Jeanne and Virginie, the two youngest St. Caux daughters, escape to England.
- Dr. and Mrs. Sandwith – Harry Sandwith's parents. Harry later becomes a doctor and works with his father.
- Marquis and Marquise de St. Caux – The parents of the St. Caux family. They are wealthy French nobles. Both are killed during the September Massacres.
- Marie de St. Caux – The oldest St. Caux daughter. Marie chooses to stay in Paris with her fiancé, Victor. Her sisters and Harry escape to England.
- Jeanne de St. Caux – The middle St. Caux daughter. Jeanne and Harry marry in England after Harry becomes a doctor.
- Virginie de St. Caux – The youngest St. Caux daughter. Virginie marries Harry's brother, Tom.
- Ernest de St. Caux – The oldest St. Caux son. Ernest and Harry become good friends. Ernest and Jules are killed trying to escape France.
- Jules de St. Caux – The youngest St. Caux son. Jules tries to escape France with Ernest, but both boys are killed.
- Victor de Gisons – Marie de St. Caux's fiancé. After he and Marie marry, Victor buys the chateau that belonged to the St. Caux family.
About the Book
Historical Fiction
In the Reign of Terror was published in 1888. It was written by G. A. Henty. He was a very popular writer of historical fiction for boys. Historical fiction stories mix real history with made-up characters and events. They let you experience a historical period through the eyes of a character.
This book is set during the French Revolution. It shows important events like the September Massacres and the Drownings at Nantes. It also features real historical figures like Robespierre.
Boy's Adventure Stories
This novel is also a "boy's adventure" story. G.A. Henty helped make this type of story popular for kids. These books often focus on young boy heroes. They have exciting adventures in faraway places. They also teach about courage and good values.
Harry is shown as an ideal British boy. He is brave, smart, and can take care of himself. The story shows Harry's adventures at the chateau. It also shows his daring rescues of the St. Caux daughters.
Writing Style
Henty wrote his books for young readers. So, his writing style is clear and easy to understand. The story moves quickly from one exciting event to the next. Even though some characters die, the descriptions are not too graphic. The book mainly focuses on Harry's bravery and determination.
Main Ideas in the Story
British Pride
Like many of Henty's books, In the Reign of Terror shows a strong sense of British pride. It often makes France seem weak or not as good as Britain. Harry, as an English boy, is shown as brave, strong, and honest.
The book describes the French Revolution in a very negative way. It focuses on the violence and chaos. Supporters of the Revolution are often shown as bloodthirsty. Britain, in contrast, is presented as a symbol of strength and order.
What It Means to Be a Boy
Harry Sandwith is presented as the perfect example of a British boy. He is physically strong and brave. He is also modest and honest. Harry has many adventures. He saves Jeanne and Virginie from a rabid dog. He and Ernest also kill the dangerous Demon Wolf.
The Marquis de St. Caux even says he hopes his sons will learn "manly independence" from Harry. This idea of strong, brave boys was common in Henty's novels. Harry's role as the rescuer of the French girls can also be seen as Britain saving France from its own problems during the Revolution.
Social Classes
The novel also looks at the differences between British and French social classes. The St. Caux family are French nobles. Harry's family is middle-class. The French class system was much stricter than the British one.
During the French Revolution, there was a lot of anger between the nobles and the peasants. Many of the St. Caux family are killed just because they are nobles. Harry, a middle-class English boy, feels bad for the poor peasants. But he also tries to protect his adopted noble French family from the danger. Harry's father says that the French people had a "terrible" life. He believes England had "conquered our liberties" long ago, meaning they had more freedom.
