St. George for England

by G.A. Henty, Frank Gillett (Illustrator)

A young boy is witness to the heroics of Edward III during the time of the Hundred Years War.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Adventure, War, Classics, Childrens, Young Adult

290 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1884

About the author

George Alfred Henty, better known as G.A. Henty, began his storytelling career with his own children. After dinner, he would spend and hour or two in telling them a story that would continue the next day. Some stories took weeks! A friend was present one day and watched the spell-bound reaction of his children suggesting Henty write down his stories so others could enjoy them. He did. Henty wrote approximately 144 books in addition to stories for magazines and was known as "The Prince of Story-Tellers" and "The Boy's Own Historian." One of Mr. Henty's secretaries reported that he would quickly pace back and forth in his study dictating stories as fast as the secretary could record them.

Henty's stories revolve around fictional boy heroes during fascinating periods of history. His heroes are diligent, intelligent, and dedicated to their country and cause in the face, at times, of great peril... Henty's heroes fight wars, sail the seas, discover land, conquer evil empires, prospect for gold, and a host of other exciting adventures. Along the way, they meet famous personages... In short, Henty's heroes live through tumultuous historic eras meeting leaders of that time. Understanding the culture of the time period becomes second nature as well as comparing/contrasting the society of various cultures.

Reviews

[Elaine Phipps · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you enjoy lengthy chapters on political affairs of the time and about all the battles and wars then you would enjoy this.
I liked the story on Walter's life but it was so sparse and far in-between that I skipped and skimmed many pages that all talked about the details of curtain battles.
Just not my style of reading.

[Leslie Moellering · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was good, but not one of my favorites of Henty so far. There was a lot that happened in this time in history so most of the book related the facts of the battles and such and couldn't focus on the fictional story within the history. Good for history buffs.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a noble man raised by foster parents who rises to the top of English nobility as a result of his noble bearing, honesty, courage, martial abilities and intelligence. Opening in November, 1330 with his widowed noble mother, Lady Alice, fleeing with her 3 year old son and heir to 2 noble estates that were seized, Walter, to her former nurse in London for refuge. She soon dies and Walter is raised by her nurse and husband, bow maker Giles Fletcher as their son growing not a strong and formidable young man. Spanning the reign of Edward III, English wars in France and the battles of Cressy and Poiters.

[Denae Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like most GA Henty books, but this one was long and extra tedious. It has been over a year since I read the first half, so I don't remember much of it, but the second half was full of battles and sieges and covers 30 years. Very little was worth mentioning of Walter during this time , except that he married and survived the plague. This book was more full of history facts (so and so many French fought and killed so and so many English at such and such battle, and vice versa) rather than full of story. Too many names and titles.

[Lynn Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Favorite Henty Novel Thus Far

This episode of historical fiction is the best one I have read yet (the 9th in order of their chronological history). Heroic deeds which mark Henty's novels still prevail, but the action herein sped this reader through the pages! I am excited to read the next book in the order to see if this engagement begins a trend. Interesting history of Calais, which became pivotal in WWII, is related in this book. Also interesting at this current time of COVID-19 is the record of the Black Death's effects on England as well as other nations.

[Gabriella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Other than the very, veerrrryyyy lengthy history of descriptions that are really pretty boring after you’ve got the gist of it (the historical references could have been much more well written, shorter, to the point and easy to understand, in my opinion), I really, really enjoyed this book from a noble’s perspective. Henty does a great job at grabbing your attention at unlikely plot twists to keep you interested to the end of the book.

[Darleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good feel for the time period and the struggle to keep nobility alive. I was reminded that it takes all kinds of people to mold a person's character.

[Jeb · Rating 5 out of 5]

cool book.

[Frode · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Henty, good history but lots of names and places to keep track of. A decent story of a young Englishman who earns his spurs.

[Craig Herbertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved and reread this book over and over again as a kid so its a kid's rating.

[Angelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale of Crecy and Poitiers

[Spenser White · Rating 2 out of 5]

From what I remember from the book, it was long and hard to understand. Not one of Henty's better works. I still don't understand the title...

[Matt Starr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the coming-of-age of Walter and the battle scenes during the latter two-thirds of the book.
I was disappointed that Saint George doesn’t make an appearance at all.

[Big H · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this would be about Saint George, but it wasn't.