The Last Scion of the House of Clare
The narrative unfolds in a medieval setting, focusing on the passionate yet tragic love story between Sir Hugh Clifford and Hortense of Clare. The tale begins with the idyllic life at Raglan Castle, where Hugh, a young nobleman, serves as a page. He is enamored with Hortense, the daughter of Lord Richard Strongbow, a man known for his fierce rivalry with the Cliffords. Their love blossoms amidst the backdrop of hunting and falconry, but is fraught with danger due to the enmity between their families. As their romance deepens, Hortense is forced into an arranged marriage with an Eastern Earl, Lovell, a decision made by her father to strengthen political ties. This revelation devastates Hugh, who confronts Hortense about her impending nuptials. Despite the turmoil, she urges him to remain strong and not let love die. They agree to meet on Christmas Eve, but Hortense never arrives. Instead, she mysteriously disappears, leading to a frantic search that lasts for years. Hugh, heartbroken, joins the King’s forces and fights in the wars, ultimately dying at the Battle of Poitiers. Meanwhile, the Strongbow lineage ends with Lord Richard's death, and the Clare estate passes to the Bloets. Years later, while exploring the castle, the new owners discover a hidden chest containing a skeleton adorned in bridal attire, suggesting that Hortense may have met a tragic fate while trying to escape her marriage. The story reflects themes of love, loss, and the constraints of societal expectations, culminating in a haunting exploration of fidelity and the consequences of choices made in the name of honor and duty. The narrative is rich in imagery and emotion, capturing the essence of a bygone era marked by chivalry and conflict.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1900 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Poetry · 3,054 words
First lines
_Year 13._
Barbican, bartizan, battlement, With the Abergavenny mountains blent, Look, from the Raglan tower of Gwent, My lord Hugh Clifford's ancient home Shows, clear morns of the Spring or Summer, Thrust out like thin flakes o' a silver foam From a climbing cloud, for the hills gloom glummer, Being shaggy with heath, yon. -- I was his page; A favorite then; and he of that age When a man will love and be loved again, Or die in the wars or a monastery: Or toil till he stifle his heart's hard pain, Or drink, drug his hopes and his lost love bury.
What this Textopian page supports
The Last Scion of the House of Clare is listed on Textopian as a short story by Madison Cawein, dated 1900 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Madison Cawein
- Date: 1900 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Poetry, Tragedy, Adventure
- Length: 3,054 words
- Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Last Scion of the House of Clare by Madison Cawein
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Last Scion of the House of Clare?
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Similar titles
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- Storm And Tempest by John Lang
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- The Maid Of Sker by R. D. Blackmore
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in a historical context, focusing on the lives and relationships of characters from a specific time period.
- Romance — The central plot revolves around the romantic relationship between Sir Hugh and Hortense, highlighting themes of love and longing.
- Poetry — The writing style is lyrical and poetic, employing rich imagery and meter typical of poetry.
- Tragedy — The story contains tragic elements, including unfulfilled love and loss, culminating in a somber conclusion.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Family Saga · Coming-of-Age · Romance · Tragedy · Drama · Social Commentary · Class Conflict · Power Struggle · Love Triangle · Betrayal · Loyalty