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When Knighthood Was in Flower
Subtitled, "The Love Story of Charles Brandon and Mary Tudor the King's Sister, and Happening in the Reign of His August Majesty King Henry the Eighth," When Knighthood Was in Flower is a fascinating novel set against the historic backdrop of the palaces and political intrigues of England and France. Based on the memoir of Sir Edwin Caskoden.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1898
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 22, 2011
Totally not an accurate historical novel, but rather a late Victorian (the edition I have is a rather battered hardcover printed in 1899 and purporting to be the memoirs of Sir Edwin Caskoden - Charles Major's name appears no where on the cover) romance set early in the reign of Henry VIII. I don't know when I've read Charles Brandon treated so well in print. He's really the perfect knight in this one, rather than the brave, but self-centered butthead he was in real life. Still, an entertaining and rather humorous read that won't strain your brain.
August 9, 2016
Romance, drama, humor, and adventure all mixed together. Though, it was mostly romance. Mary Tudor, sister to King Henry VIII, meets and falls in love with Charles Brandon, captain of the king's guard. He loves her too, but they try to keep apart because royalty did not normally wed commoners back then. But through a twist of events- an attempted escape on a ship, a marriage between Mary and King Louis of France, and finally Louis's death, Mary and Brandon have the king's consent to marry. It was an exciting book and what's even better is the fact that it's a true story! As soon as I was finished reading, I went straight to watch the TV Series The Tudors. Not quite historically correct, but funny nonetheless.
October 2, 2014
I asked my grandmother, shortly before she died at 93 years of age, what her favorite book was. She was an avid reader her whole life and she said that there were many over the years but that this book was one she remembered very fondly. It was a sweet story and although the writing was very flowery, it was also quite clever at times. I liked the insight to human nature from Edward's perspective and enjoyed thinking about how my grandma must have felt reading it. It was quite humorous at times and I know she would have appreciated many of the same parts as I did.
September 22, 2017
For an older work, it was better than most I've read. I was definitely intrigued by this fictional account of how the king's sister ended up married to his best friend. I did get annoyed by Mary at times but I imagine that's in keeping with a young princess used to getting her way. Overall a fun little read.
March 25, 2021
This is a deeply silly novel, so naturally I loved it to pieces... Here is a list of things which made me holler and hoot:
1. This was written in 1898 but set in the 1500s so the author I guess thought "killjoy" was too modern a word to use so someone calls the queen a KILL-MIRTH
2. Edwin Caskoden is a made up narrator invented for the purposes of telling this story - and, if the notes at the end of the book are to be believed, to make up for the author's own shortcomings, since a master of dance would Surely not be expected to be artistic or good at storytelling
3. The effect of having Edwin Caskoden narrate this whole affair is that the author feels the need to press on us the readers how perfectly wonderful and attractive both Charles Brandon and Mary Tudor are, and that ends up reading like Caskoden is in love with both of them, which is good value I guess (Jane Bolingbroke stans don't interact)
4. I was led to this book by its film adaptations and the 1922 one in particular I thought was paced oddly with like ninety minutes of court shenanigans and half an hour of plot - I was delighted to see that this was directly adapted from the book
5. Charles Brandon and Mary Tudor try to run away to New Spain around 1914 - before she is married to the French king - which is seven years before the place was even founded. That mood when you want to escape your impending marriage so badly you time travel into the future
6. Threatened with separation from his lady love, Charles Brandon threatens to stare wistfully in her direction until his brain melts. Huge himbo energy, hugely here for it. Quote:
Huge mood, me too.
7. Mary Tudor is fully trying to kill the French king to death the whole time she is his wife and even writes this fact down! In a letter! Like I'm not saying she's an awful person but she kind of is???? In any other context her behaviour would be unconscionable but happily we are in brainfree romance mode and it's all fine
8. The final notes of the book also fully dunk on the author with "The title, When Knighthood was in Flower, was not chosen by Mr. Major, whose historical taste was satisfied with Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. And who knows but that the author's title would have proved just the weight to sink a fine book into obscurity?"
9. One of my friends happens to be reading Wolf Hall right now and the two representations of Charles Brandon are so different as to be hilarious to try and think about. This Charles Brandon is the perfect chivalric knight! Wolf Hall Charles Brandon is from what I can gather a bit of a scumbag. I cannot conceptualise this. I'm going to read Wolf Hall at some point and give myself brainal whiplash
Anyway this was a very funny and enjoyable experience, fully recommend, particularly in conjunction with the two film adaptations? Honestly I am simply very happy that Charles Major wrote this silly book and provided Hollywood filmmakers with Charles Brandon/Mary Tudor RPF for like the next fifty years. Edifying! I love silly things!
1. This was written in 1898 but set in the 1500s so the author I guess thought "killjoy" was too modern a word to use so someone calls the queen a KILL-MIRTH
2. Edwin Caskoden is a made up narrator invented for the purposes of telling this story - and, if the notes at the end of the book are to be believed, to make up for the author's own shortcomings, since a master of dance would Surely not be expected to be artistic or good at storytelling
3. The effect of having Edwin Caskoden narrate this whole affair is that the author feels the need to press on us the readers how perfectly wonderful and attractive both Charles Brandon and Mary Tudor are, and that ends up reading like Caskoden is in love with both of them, which is good value I guess (Jane Bolingbroke stans don't interact)
4. I was led to this book by its film adaptations and the 1922 one in particular I thought was paced oddly with like ninety minutes of court shenanigans and half an hour of plot - I was delighted to see that this was directly adapted from the book
5. Charles Brandon and Mary Tudor try to run away to New Spain around 1914 - before she is married to the French king - which is seven years before the place was even founded. That mood when you want to escape your impending marriage so badly you time travel into the future
6. Threatened with separation from his lady love, Charles Brandon threatens to stare wistfully in her direction until his brain melts. Huge himbo energy, hugely here for it. Quote:
"I shall sit in the wilderness and try every moment to imagine what she is doing and thinking. I shall find the bearing of Paris, and look in her direction until my brain melts in my effort to see her, and then I shall wander in the woods, a suffering imbecile."
Huge mood, me too.
7. Mary Tudor is fully trying to kill the French king to death the whole time she is his wife and even writes this fact down! In a letter! Like I'm not saying she's an awful person but she kind of is???? In any other context her behaviour would be unconscionable but happily we are in brainfree romance mode and it's all fine
8. The final notes of the book also fully dunk on the author with "The title, When Knighthood was in Flower, was not chosen by Mr. Major, whose historical taste was satisfied with Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. And who knows but that the author's title would have proved just the weight to sink a fine book into obscurity?"
9. One of my friends happens to be reading Wolf Hall right now and the two representations of Charles Brandon are so different as to be hilarious to try and think about. This Charles Brandon is the perfect chivalric knight! Wolf Hall Charles Brandon is from what I can gather a bit of a scumbag. I cannot conceptualise this. I'm going to read Wolf Hall at some point and give myself brainal whiplash
Anyway this was a very funny and enjoyable experience, fully recommend, particularly in conjunction with the two film adaptations? Honestly I am simply very happy that Charles Major wrote this silly book and provided Hollywood filmmakers with Charles Brandon/Mary Tudor RPF for like the next fifty years. Edifying! I love silly things!
March 8, 2025
“This story…it is of so great interest, and is so full, in its sweet, fierce manifestation, of the one thing insoluble by time, Love “
With a hook like that, how can you not read this story?
Took a minute to get into it, but I truly enjoyed this story. It definitely speaks to the classic romantics out there—forbidden love, chivalry, brave knights, damsels in distress, love conquering against all odds…this book has it all.
And while the writing might take a little getting used to (it is from the 1890s after all, with a couple quotes written in 16th century old English) it’s actually pretty good. I have several quotes highlighted that were thought provoking, sweet, or just plain funny. Definitely worth the read.
And now for some favorite quotes…
THOUGHTFUL:
Of what use, let me ask, is a friend unless you can unload your heart upon him? It matters not whether the load be joy or sorrow; if the former, the need is all the greater, for joy has an expansive power, as some persons say steam has, and must escape from the heart upon some one else.
What a great thing it is, this human suffering, which so sensitizes our sympathy, and makes us tender to another's pain.
If we are only brave enough to confront our faults and look them in the face, ugly as they are, we shall be sure to overcome the worst of them
For the first time in her life she began to feel suffering; that great broadener, in fact, maker, of human character.
the greatest fool in the world is he who does not early in life learn how and when to run.
What seems to be bravery, as in Mary's case, for example, is often but a lack of perception of the real danger. True bravery is that which dares a danger fully seeing it. A coward may face an unseen danger, and his act may shine with the luster of genuine heroism
In short, like many another person, she was as wrong as possible just at the time when she thought she was entirely right, and when the cost of a mistake was at its maximum.
I was being sold like a wretched slave to that old satyr, to be gloated over and feasted upon. No man can know the horror of that thought to a woman—to any woman, good or bad. To have one's beauty turn to curse her and make her desirable only—only as well-fed cattle are prized. No matter how great the manifestation of such so-called love, it all the more repels a woman and adds to her loathing day by day.
ROMANTIC:
She knew he was the most delightful companion she had ever met, and that there was an exhilaration about his presence which almost intoxicated her and made life an ecstasy, yet she did not know it was love. It needed but the thought that she was about to lose him to make her know her malady, and meet it face to face.
The most beautiful feature of the relations between these two lovers was their entire faith in each other. The way of their true love was at least not roughened by cobble-stones of doubt, however impassable it was from mountains of opposition.
Now, all this brought Brandon into the deep shadow of the royal frown, and, like many another man, he sank his fortune in the fathomless depths of a woman's heart, and thought himself rich in doing it
And now it was, as all who read may know, that this fair, sweet, wilful Mary dropped out of history; a sure token that her heart was her husband's throne; her soul his empire; her every wish his subject, and her will, so masterful with others, the meek and lowly servant of her strong but gentle lord and master, Charles Brandon.
HUMOROUS:
she placed her ransom at a high figure, and honestly thought herself worth it. And so she was—to Brandon, or rather had been. But at this particular time the market was down, as you will shortly hear.
The king asked Brandon to teach him the steps, which he soon learned to perform with a grace perhaps equaled by no living creature other than a fat brown bear.
If you find him growing super-sentimental, remember that sentimentalism was the life-breath of chivalry, just then approaching its absurdest climax in the bombastic conscientiousness of Bayard and the whole mental atmosphere laden with its pompous nonsense.
With a hook like that, how can you not read this story?
Took a minute to get into it, but I truly enjoyed this story. It definitely speaks to the classic romantics out there—forbidden love, chivalry, brave knights, damsels in distress, love conquering against all odds…this book has it all.
And while the writing might take a little getting used to (it is from the 1890s after all, with a couple quotes written in 16th century old English) it’s actually pretty good. I have several quotes highlighted that were thought provoking, sweet, or just plain funny. Definitely worth the read.
And now for some favorite quotes…
THOUGHTFUL:
Of what use, let me ask, is a friend unless you can unload your heart upon him? It matters not whether the load be joy or sorrow; if the former, the need is all the greater, for joy has an expansive power, as some persons say steam has, and must escape from the heart upon some one else.
What a great thing it is, this human suffering, which so sensitizes our sympathy, and makes us tender to another's pain.
If we are only brave enough to confront our faults and look them in the face, ugly as they are, we shall be sure to overcome the worst of them
For the first time in her life she began to feel suffering; that great broadener, in fact, maker, of human character.
the greatest fool in the world is he who does not early in life learn how and when to run.
What seems to be bravery, as in Mary's case, for example, is often but a lack of perception of the real danger. True bravery is that which dares a danger fully seeing it. A coward may face an unseen danger, and his act may shine with the luster of genuine heroism
In short, like many another person, she was as wrong as possible just at the time when she thought she was entirely right, and when the cost of a mistake was at its maximum.
I was being sold like a wretched slave to that old satyr, to be gloated over and feasted upon. No man can know the horror of that thought to a woman—to any woman, good or bad. To have one's beauty turn to curse her and make her desirable only—only as well-fed cattle are prized. No matter how great the manifestation of such so-called love, it all the more repels a woman and adds to her loathing day by day.
ROMANTIC:
She knew he was the most delightful companion she had ever met, and that there was an exhilaration about his presence which almost intoxicated her and made life an ecstasy, yet she did not know it was love. It needed but the thought that she was about to lose him to make her know her malady, and meet it face to face.
The most beautiful feature of the relations between these two lovers was their entire faith in each other. The way of their true love was at least not roughened by cobble-stones of doubt, however impassable it was from mountains of opposition.
Now, all this brought Brandon into the deep shadow of the royal frown, and, like many another man, he sank his fortune in the fathomless depths of a woman's heart, and thought himself rich in doing it
And now it was, as all who read may know, that this fair, sweet, wilful Mary dropped out of history; a sure token that her heart was her husband's throne; her soul his empire; her every wish his subject, and her will, so masterful with others, the meek and lowly servant of her strong but gentle lord and master, Charles Brandon.
HUMOROUS:
she placed her ransom at a high figure, and honestly thought herself worth it. And so she was—to Brandon, or rather had been. But at this particular time the market was down, as you will shortly hear.
The king asked Brandon to teach him the steps, which he soon learned to perform with a grace perhaps equaled by no living creature other than a fat brown bear.
If you find him growing super-sentimental, remember that sentimentalism was the life-breath of chivalry, just then approaching its absurdest climax in the bombastic conscientiousness of Bayard and the whole mental atmosphere laden with its pompous nonsense.
March 19, 2024
At the time of writing this tiny review, I’m over 560 films into an attempted challenge to watch all of Disney. All of it. I’ve made this insanity exponentially harder by consuming related tie-ins and source material where it’s available. Which explains the randomness of this little bunny popping up on my readlist, a 126-year-old piece of historical fiction about the romance between Mary Tudor and Charles Brandon in King Henry VIII’s court. (It serves as the basis for the 1953 film The Sword and the Rose). At times wryly funny, thanks to the narrative voice of Edwin Caskoden (the pseudonym for author Charles Major), and at other times a bit of a slog. Yet it’s a fairly fast read thanks to Major’s modern (by way of the late 19th century) outlook, engaging characters and self-aware style.
September 13, 2022
This has been on my shelf for a number of years, & I was pretty sure I'd read it before ... but I recognized nothing, as I read through. My guess is that my supposed familiarity with the book stems from seeing it mentioned in various other books.
I did not know, going into it, that it was anything but pure fiction. However, it is actually historical fiction--the story of Mary Tudor and Charles Brandon, told from the viewpoint of the fictional Sir Edwin Caskoden.
It was a pleasant, sometimes humorous read. A bit frothier than I'm used to from books of the period, but entertaining enough. I suspect there is more fiction than history in the account, but I'll have to research the actual story to verify.
I did not know, going into it, that it was anything but pure fiction. However, it is actually historical fiction--the story of Mary Tudor and Charles Brandon, told from the viewpoint of the fictional Sir Edwin Caskoden.
It was a pleasant, sometimes humorous read. A bit frothier than I'm used to from books of the period, but entertaining enough. I suspect there is more fiction than history in the account, but I'll have to research the actual story to verify.
March 22, 2025
2.5
When Knighthood was in Flower was very popular when it was first published, going on to inspire 3 film adaptions. I think nowadays people would be more familiar with the 1953 Disney film adaption, The Sword and the Rose (a film in itself is perhaps also been largely forgotten), which is to say that this book has grown decidedly out of fashion.
When Knighthood was in Flower is a watered down historical fiction work about the romance between Princess Mary, King Henry VIII of England's younger sister and Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. It started out fun but unfortunately, there are some incredibly annoying characters in this book who wore out their welcome. It was truly a struggle to finish this book.
When Knighthood was in Flower was very popular when it was first published, going on to inspire 3 film adaptions. I think nowadays people would be more familiar with the 1953 Disney film adaption, The Sword and the Rose (a film in itself is perhaps also been largely forgotten), which is to say that this book has grown decidedly out of fashion.
When Knighthood was in Flower is a watered down historical fiction work about the romance between Princess Mary, King Henry VIII of England's younger sister and Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. It started out fun but unfortunately, there are some incredibly annoying characters in this book who wore out their welcome. It was truly a struggle to finish this book.
September 5, 2019
Interesting. Written by Charles Major, a Hoosier. I don’t know my English history well enough to know how the basic plot follows the true story, but I will certainly go read about it now. I read this book having enjoyed “The Bears of Blue River,” a children’s book by the same author. I was thrilled then to find out it’s also a book mentioned by Ralph Moody in Little Britches that his mother read aloud to the family.
March 10, 2019
Un roman sur l'histoire d'amour de Mary Tudor, la soeur d'Henry VIII et Charles Brandon.Une histoire d'amour scandaleuse,interdite mais la reine de France s'est battue pour épouser celui qu'elle aimait.Le livre est tres interresant,j'ai lu pléthore de romans sur le sujet et celui ci est interessant car il donne une autre visions des personnages
June 19, 2017
Great characters! The contrast of those characters was superb. By the end I was totally rooting for all the main characters and despising the situations and people that kept them apart. Wonderful read!
August 7, 2022
This is a re-read, and when I was a teen I thought it was highly romantic. Now I just think it’s very Victorian. I looked up the real history and “Caskoden” conveniently left out a couple of Brandon’s wives.
December 17, 2024
I'm trying to be fair with my rating because this was written in a different time. I do enjoy historical fiction, but I think what was missing was learning anything from it. It was reportedly my grandma's favorite book, so I wish I could ask her what she loved about it.
January 7, 2025
Um livro que apreciei mais do que esperava. Sinceramente foi um romance histórico bastante interessante. Torcemos para que tudo corra bem com as personagens e a protagonista não podia ser menos que uma Tudor. Uma experiência muito interessante!
December 10, 2017
Wonderful story & writing style. Mary Tudor, sister of Henry VIII.
August 22, 2025
This book inspired the Disney movie "The Sword and the Rose" and tells the love story of Mary Tudor and Charles Brandon. I enjoyed it! It was funny and adventurous.
September 9, 2019
This book was written in 1898 and it had an inscription and date inside the cover of the first owner of the book. It's about Henry VIII's sister (whom he adores), Mary, and his best friend, Charles Brandon (whom he also adores), and Mary and Charles adore each other! But Henry has a better idea: He wants his beautiful, very young, very headstrong sister to marry the very elderly King of France to produce an heir who might be able to keep the two countries from pummelling each other to bits! She, naturally, freaks out! But she manages to arrange it so that Charles Brandon is able to accompany her to France. But before she goes, she elicits a caveat from her brother: When the king of France dies she will be able to choose her next husband, and he agrees. But Henry has no intention of honoring his promise. Once in France, Mary does everything she can to avoid the marital bed. But eventually, she has to consummate the marriage and, try as he might, the old king can't manage to "get there." But neither she nor the old king will admit to any problems which plays right into the psyche of the king's relatives who do not want her to conceive at all and for good reason. Finally, the old man dies and Mary is free to marry the man of her choice and she does. But she has bigger problems when she returns to England. Henry is in an uproar (and since his ego is bigger than he is), he starts stripping the titles and the estates from his good friend, Brandon. But Mary could be very persuasive and she used her wiles effectively.
April 14, 2016
A highly enjoyable historical romance set in the court of King Henry VIII. The story concerns the young sister of Henry, Mary Tudor (1496-1533) and her efforts to marry for love and not state reasons. At age 18, Henry forced her to marry the King of France, Louis XII, even though she was in love with Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. Mary was married to the French king for 3 months, when he died unexpectedly.
With the death of the French King, Henry ordered that his sister return to England for another political marriage. He sent his friend Charles Brandon to escort her back. However, the couple married in secret in France. Technically this was treason, as Brandon had married a Royal Princess without the King's consent. Henry was outraged, and the Privy Council urged that Brandon should be imprisoned or executed. Due to the intervention of Cardinal Wolsey, and Henry's affection for both his sister and Brandon, the couple were let off with a heavy fine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Tud...
With the death of the French King, Henry ordered that his sister return to England for another political marriage. He sent his friend Charles Brandon to escort her back. However, the couple married in secret in France. Technically this was treason, as Brandon had married a Royal Princess without the King's consent. Henry was outraged, and the Privy Council urged that Brandon should be imprisoned or executed. Due to the intervention of Cardinal Wolsey, and Henry's affection for both his sister and Brandon, the couple were let off with a heavy fine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Tud...
February 15, 2010
What do kings, queens, princesses, arranged marriages, a failed attempt at escape to "New Spain" and a burning passion that doesn't make any sense have in common?
A great recipe for a love story.
I liked it. The plot had a tendency to get buried between descriptions of the princess's beauty and the language was a bit flowery. It was exciting enough that I wanted to read on.
I loved the hero. He was a man's man and so manly. Who doesn't love a m-a-n in a story? He made for a good counter part to Princess Mary who was all woman as he was man. King Henry made for a delightful villain.
I think the story - if cleaned up a bit- could make a fantastic movie.
A great recipe for a love story.
I liked it. The plot had a tendency to get buried between descriptions of the princess's beauty and the language was a bit flowery. It was exciting enough that I wanted to read on.
I loved the hero. He was a man's man and so manly. Who doesn't love a m-a-n in a story? He made for a good counter part to Princess Mary who was all woman as he was man. King Henry made for a delightful villain.
I think the story - if cleaned up a bit- could make a fantastic movie.
November 10, 2012
A refreshing - although not historically accurate - account of an old-fashioned love story. The "hero" truly is a hero, and the maiden is a beauty to behold. There are just enough facts woven into the episode to make the events recognizable which adds to the enchantment. A knight in shinning armor on a white horse appeals to almost every female reader, and the author presents this version in an easy-to-follow format. This book is a welcome retreat from today's publications. I intend to include more books of this publication timeframe in my reading habits.
February 6, 2021
I really enjoyed this book... I can’t say why... but I did. It’s floof, but extremely entertaining floof. I found the story fun, the characters obnoxiously cute, and the plot twists interesting enough. I have watched the Marion Davies silent film, was quite bored by it tbh, but decided to give this book a chance. It provided the good wholesome entertaining floof my brain needed after the dumpster fire of 2020. I rarely ever give five stars, but I think it deserves it for all the fantastic floof I didn’t even know I needed.
October 12, 2014
I enjoyed the narrator's voice and was surprised to find that this was based on a true story. I guess I should watch "The Tudors" on the cable channel. I did find some of the long paragraphs describing how beautiful & pure she was trying. Of course, the whole end of the book where she spends a year married to the King of France, but does not consummate the marriage hard to swallow. I wonder what the French thought of the depiction of their King Louis.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2013
Read this because of the Little Britches books, in which his mother reads this to the children. Was quite surprised. Seems better than, say, Elsie Dinsmore, but ... Just kinda weird, with frequently annoying characters.
July 26, 2013
Late Victorian American view of the romance between Charles Brandon and Mary Tudor. Absolutely adorable. Sweet and innocent account of their relationship told by an author from Indiana, of all places. Not historically accurate but still a nice (quick) read. Free ebook on Amazon.
September 9, 2020
This is one of the several books I gained after watching The Tudors on television. It was interesting to read, and a nice story. I am not a follower of history so cannot say how much of it is accurate or how much is from the author's imagination, but it was a joy to read, regardless.
July 23, 2024
June 22, 2003
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March 14, 2010When Knighthood Was in Flower by Charles Major (?)
July 5, 2010
I got lost in this book. I was surprised how easily I fell into it. Recommended for anyone interested in this time period, or who have seen/watched the show The Tudors. It is tudor-esque.
September 4, 2011
Étrange que chaque tome de cette série soit écrite par un auteur différent. J'aime la dynastie des Tudor mais ici c'est Charles Major qui me déçoit.
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