The Changeling of Monte Lucio

Monte Lucio #2

by Violet Needham, Joyce Bruce (Illustrator)

The Changeling of Monte Lucio is the story of Philip, Count of Monte Lucio, and his twin brother, Hugo. The Changeling, a name given by his enemies in mockery of his curious appearance and difficult temperament, is a passionate, headstrong character of intelligence and perception. His guardians and relations, who cordially dislike him, are intriguing to depose him and set his twin brother in his place, and a gipsy's prophecy that the dark one, Hugo, shall rule, though the fair one, Philip, shall attain the greater fame leads the populace to believe that Hugo is the destined ruler. Hugo, devoted to his brother, gives no countenance to the suggestion and Philip, aware of the intrigues against him also discovers another plot to oust both himself and Hugo from their inheritance. His measures to foil the aim of both parties are undertaken with the help of his friends and kinsmen, Richard de Chateaufort and Roger of Windri and his jester, Boniface, also plays his part.

The story unfolds partly in the city of Monte Lucio, where the Changeling spies on the 'Sandalmen' as the conspirators call themselves, and partly in Windri Castle, whither he goes to enlist the aid of Roger of Windri, and partly at Windri Abbey. Here at the Abbey in the midst of the Woods of Windri the saintly Abbot guides the Changeling's wrong-headed, though unselfish ideas, into the way of peace and fulfilment. The final issue is fought out in the great Battle of the Plain, where a well-timed cavalry charge headed by Philip and Roger of Windri tips the scale of victory in favour of right and justice. Nevertheless the gipsy's prophecy is fulfilled in that the dark one rules, but the fair one has the greater fame.

Genres: Historical, Adventure

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1946

About the author

Author of 19 books for children published between 1939 and 1957. Although she came to writing late — she was 63 when her first book, The Black Riders, was published — her books achieved immediate and lasting popularity with young reader

Reviews

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favourite book when I was about eleven.

[Lora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, but I seem to remember enjoying the Woods of Windri more. This one had some pretty complex political layers for kids to follow, and because of that I would recommend it for older kids who like historical fiction set in British days-gone-by. I was a bit disappointed in places where the author struggled to maintain the political threads and ended up in a tell-tell-tell sort of narrative. It cramped her, I think, to limit her book to a set number of pages. She could have used another hundred I bet. Still, a good book.

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with all Violet Needham's books, this is a fantastic adventure story filled with suspense, bravery, noble characters, and with a dash of romance on the side. It also broke my heart into tiny pieces and then crushed those pieces into fine, fine dust. I wholeheartedly recommend this book, but make sure to have a box of tissues nearby because you'll need them.