The Fortunes of Perkin Warbeck facts for kids
The Fortunes of Perkin Warbeck: A Romance is a historical novel written by Mary Shelley in 1830. It tells the story of Perkin Warbeck, a person who claimed to be a prince. The book supports the idea that Warbeck was actually Richard of Shrewsbury, a prince from the House of York who was thought to have died as a child.
In the novel, Henry VII of England is shown as a very mean king. He is described as hating his wife, Elizabeth of York, who was Richard's sister. The future king, Henry VIII, is also shown as a cruel young boy who mistreats animals. Mary Shelley believed that Richard had escaped from the Tower of London and that Perkin Warbeck was truly him. She used old records and histories to support this idea in her book.
Exploring the Story and Its Ideas
In this novel, Mary Shelley returns to a theme from her earlier book, The Last Man. She suggests that a perfect political system can't exist unless human nature improves. This historical novel, like those by Sir Walter Scott, tells a fictional story based on the real events of Perkin Warbeck. He was a person who claimed to be Richard of Shrewsbury, 1st Duke of York, the second son of King Edward IV, and tried to take the throne from King Henry VII.
Shelley truly believed that Warbeck was the real Richard, who had escaped from the Tower of London. She makes Richard a very kind and sensitive character, almost like an "angel." He is drawn into the world of politics because of his good nature. Mary Shelley seemed to see herself in Richard's wife, Lady Katherine Gordon. Lady Katherine survives after Richard's death by finding a way to get along with his enemies.
Lady Katherine Gordon represents important values like friendship, family life, and equality. Through her, Mary Shelley shows a different way of looking at history. Instead of just focusing on powerful men and their battles, she highlights the importance of personal connections.
Shelley also created another strong female character, Monina de Faro. Monina is Richard's adoptive sister. She is very clever and helps Richard in many ways, acting as a spy, a messenger, and even helping to organize military efforts. She is also a close friend to both Richard and Katherine. Robin Clifford is a character with mixed loyalties. He is an old friend from a rival family, and he often struggles with who to support. Stephen Frion, Henry VII's secretary, is another character whose loyalty changes depending on what benefits him.
The story begins right after the Battle of Bosworth on August 22, 1485. Three knights from the defeated Yorkist side are escaping. These knights are Sir Henry Stafford, Lord Lovel, and Edmund Plantagenet.
With help from John de la Pole, the Earl of Lincoln, Lord Lovel and Edmund help Richard, Duke of York, escape. They take him to Mynheer Jahn Warbeck, a moneylender in Flanders. Warbeck had previously hidden Richard and pretended he was his own son, Perkin Warbeck, who had died. But this wasn't safe enough for the young prince. So, Richard goes with Madeline de Faro, Warbeck's 25-year-old sister. Madeline is married to a sailor named Hernan de Faro, and they have a daughter named Monina. Richard and Monina become very close, like brother and sister. Monina is the one who saves and cares for Richard after his first experience in battle during the Granada War.
Main Characters
- Richard of Shrewsbury, 1st Duke of York: The prince who is believed to be Perkin Warbeck.
- Perkin Warbeck: The name Richard uses to hide his true identity.
- Lady Katherine Gordon: Richard's wife.
- Monina de Faro: Richard's adoptive sister and close friend.
- Edmund Plantagenet: Richard's cousin and a strong supporter.
- Stephen Frion: Henry VII's secretary, whose loyalty often changes.
- Sir Robert "Robin" Clifford: A friend of Richard who sometimes betrays him.
- James IV of Scotland: A king who becomes Richard's friend.
- Madeline Warbeck de Faro: Monina's mother and Richard's adoptive mother.
- Hernan de Faro: Monina's father and Richard's adoptive father.
- Henry VII of England: The first Tudor King of England, shown as an enemy of Richard.
- Elizabeth of York: Henry VII's wife and Richard's sister.
- Elizabeth Woodville: Richard's mother and former queen.
- Margaret of York: Richard's aunt, who supports him.
- Edward Plantagenet, 17th Earl of Warwick: A prisoner of Henry VII, also a potential claimant to the throne.
