The Queen's Knight - Hardcover

Downer, Martyn

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0593054857 ISBN 13: 9780593054857

Publisher: Bantam Press, 2007

Synopsis

Unique and engrossing, this is a true story of suppressed passion and domestic intrigue at the heart of Victoria’s court.

After an illustrious military career in the Crimean War, during which he won a Victoria Cross, Howard Elphinstone was appointed guardian to Queen Victoria’s favourite son, Prince Arthur, later Duke of Connaught, who was Governor General of Canada from 1911-16. Martyn Downer’s book includes a fascinating account of Arthur’s first trip to Canada in 1869, which took place despite the threat of his assassination by Fenian terrorists intent on revenging the Irish famine. During his eventful tour, Arthur took part in the defence of Canada following the Fenian raid at Saint John in May 1870. With relations between Britain and the United States at low ebb, Elphinstone also took the prince on a controversial tour of America which culminated in a frosty reception from President Ulysses Grant at the White House.

Elphinstone remained in Court until 1890 when he was drowned in a tragic accident. During this period he became one of Queen Victoria’s closest confidants and a father figure to her nine children. His journals and remarkable correspondence with the Queen, much of which is published here for the first time, shed fascinating and intimate new light on the world of the Victorian Court.

The Queen’s Knight is a captivating portrait of the close and affectionate relationship between Victoria and Elphinstone, and sheds new light on the frail human being at the heart of a vast empire.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Sir Howard Elphinstone, dashing hero of the Crimean War, was handpicked by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to be governor to their favourite son, Prince Arthur. Despite an uncertain beginning at court, and many clashes with the Queen, when Albert died, Elphinstone became not only a surrogate father to the royal children, but also the Queen’s most trusted confidant.In her darkest moments, it was Elphinstone to whom she turned for advice. Artist, soldier, bodyguard, diplomat, confidant and spy: Elphinstone is the forgotten hero of the Victorian court.Extensively researched and drawing on hundreds of previously unpublished letters, The Queens’s Knight restores him to his rightful position at the heart of the most extraordinary royal family in British history. ‘Martyn Downer has succeeded with masterly skill in using the story of Elphinstone and Prince Arthur as a window on the Victorian court, providing a riveting and original account of the mid-century monarchy’ Literary Review ‘A compelling picture of Victorian court life’ Sunday Times ‘Crammed with fascinating details’ Spectator ‘The Queen's Knight vividly succeeds in its act of resucitation’ Daily Telegraph

About the Author

Martyn Downer was Head of Jewellery at Sotheby’s auction house in London from 1999 to 2003. He gives regular talks on the subject and contributes to arts and antiques magazines. He is the author of Nelson’s Purse.

About this edition

• Publisher: Bantam Press
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0593054857
• ISBN 13: 9780593054857
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 384