In the Palace of the King: A Love Story of Old Madrid

By F. Marion (Francis Marion) Crawford

(3.5 stars) • 10 reviews

Amid the opulent yet rigid Spanish court, a forbidden romance ignites, threatening to upend tradition and challenge the boundaries of love and obligation.

Genres

Historical Fiction History - European Literature Fiction

Released

2004-08-21

Formats

epub

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Summary

"In the Palace of the King: A Love Story of Old Madrid" by F. Marion Crawford is a historical novel set in the court of King Philip II of Spain, during Maria Dolores' pursuit of Don John, which is conflicted by the wishes of her father. It shows the dramatic struggle between societal expectations of royal life and the powerful draw of love as Maria hopes to give Don John a letter declaring her love for him. The story opens with Maria Dolores and her blind sister, Inez, preparing for Don John's return, setting the stage for conflict, especially as Mendoza, their father, threatens to send Maria to a convent if she chooses Don John. The novel explores themes of love, duty, and the social structures of the Spanish Royal Court.