The Gentle Falcon

by Hilda Lewis, Evelyn Gibbs (Illustrator)

But 15 years of age, Isabella Clinton is brought from her country manor to be gentlewoman to the little Queen Isabella, child-wife of England’s King Richard II. She is able to comfort and befriend the little girl through all the political intrigues and dangers of court life, and to share with her the bitterness of Richard’s overthrow by his cousin Bolingbroke. The tragic story of Isabella of France is beautifully told through the sharp, but gentle eyes of Isabella Clinton and the book gives a vivid picture of life in England at the court of Richard II.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Historical

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

Hilda Winifred Lewis (née Maizels, 1896-1974) was a British writer.

She wrote a noted children's book, The Ship that Flew (1939) which concerns Norse mythology and time travel. It was republished in the Oxford Children's Modern Classics series in 1998. Her three YA books, including the well-received The Gentle Falcon, are available for Kindle and iBooks.
Several of her historical novels, e.g. I am Mary Tudor (1972), received attention. Most of her work is now out of print. Wife to Charles II and I, Jacqueline are available in The Book People's historical fiction paperback collection. The Witch and the Priest (1956) about the seventeenth century Lincolnshire witch trials is well worth reading, even second hand in the freely available but lurid Dennis Wheatley paperback Library of the Occult format.

Reviews

[Paula James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read and re-read this book as a child. Recently I found a copy on Amazon and found it still to be as magical and moving as I remembered.

[Benita Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a book with a truly satisfying ending, you won't find it in The Gentle Falcon. But if you like history, good characterization, and a moving story, then do read this book.

Little Queen Isabella was my favourite character. I loved her, especially the part with the doll.

[Shelley Schanfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite childhood book about Richard II's child bride, the French princess Isabella. I found it held up pretty well; reread witih enjoyment in one sitting.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fifteen-year-old Isabella Clinton is summoned to court to serve as lady in waiting to her namesake Isabella of France, child bride to Richard II. With war between England and France always a threat and all the intrigues of court, happiness for both of them is precarious. But when Richard’s throne is at risk, suddenly their very lives are at stake...

Before there was Young Adult fiction, this kind of novel ‘for older readers’ served in its stead. Giving a window on a period of history - a list of further reading is supplied - and with a bit of light romance, this book and others like it were a staple of library shelves. This is a lovely example of the genre though, and the book’s evocations of court splendours, gossip and politics through the eyes of a teenage girl are very well done. Some books stick with you if you read them at the right age, and I’ve never forgotten this one. Reading it as an adult, I could wish for Isabella to be a bit less oblivious to her own feelings for Gilles and a bit more aware of the fact that life for the lower orders in the year 1400 was not one of simple innocence, but in general this book stands the test of time.

[Marsha Valance · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of the marriage of King Richard II of England and his 2nd wife, 7-year-old Isabeau of France, as told by her teenage lady-in-waiting. A personal favorite.