The Chaplet of Pearls (1868) is an historical novel written by Charlotte Mary Yonge and set mainly in France between 1559 and 1594, the period of struggle between Roman Catholics following the Reformation. In her novel C. M. Yonge follows closely the train of historical events, using them freely in her plot and making frequent allusions to them, either in the thoughts and discussions of her characters or through the omniscient narrator. Thus the persecution of the Huguenots causes the hero’s father to escape with his family to England. The hero himself is nearly murdered in the massacre of St Bartholomew and the heroine finds a degree of safety in the Huguenot-dominated south of France. The villains of the tale are adherents of the Guise family and Catherine de Medici. The complex political situation in 1572 is the subject of discussion between Walsingham, the English ambassador and the young Philip Sidney. The narrator informs the reader of other matters such as the character of Charles IX and the nature of his mother’s influence. Many other historical characters are introduced and influence the course of the hero and heroine’s lives.There is more suspense than is usual in C. M. Yonge’s historical novels. The hero and heroine are in frequent danger and the outcome is often left in doubt for some time. Thus Berenger, the hero, is left lying dangerously ill as the narrative switches to the heroine, Eustacie, in peril from her enemies. Later in the novel these enemies discuss their schemes so that the reader is made aware of the dangers of which Berenger and Eustacie are unconscious.
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