Child Christopher and Goldilind the Fair is a fantasy novel by William Morris, perhaps the first modern fantasy writer to unite an imaginary world with an element of the supernatural, and thus the precursor of much of present-day fantasy literature. It was first published in hardcover by Morris' Kelmscott Press in 1895. The novel, with its development of a royal character unaware of their true status, had an influence on C.S. Lewis’ Prince Caspian in the Narnia series. Set in the forested land of Oakenrealm, it was Morris' reimagining and recasting of the medieval Lay of Havelock the Dane with the displaced royal heirs Christopher and Goldilind standing in for the original story's Havelock and Goldborough. However, unlike the original, Morris puts more emphasis on the romantic side of the story giving a prominent place to the heroine's misfortunes and bringing to the forefront the love story between her and the hero; the warfare by which the hero regains his heritage is relegated to a secondary role. Also unlike both the source and most of Morris's other fantasies, there is little or no supernatural element in this version of the story. Christopher is initially ignorant of his true identity, leading to an emotional conflict between the protagonists to reconcile their mutual love and attraction with what they believe to be the profound disparity in their social status and shame of their forced marriage. This situation is resolved when the two fall in with Jack of the Tofts, who gives refuge to Christopher after his sons rescue the hero from an assassination attempt by a servant of the usurper Earl Rolf. Jack informs Christopher of his true station and gathers together an army to help him challenge the usurper. When the hosts meet, the commander of Rolf's forces, Baron Gandolf of Brimside, challenges Jack to single combat, but Christopher claims the honor from Jack and proves his worth by defeating the opposing champion. 10% of the profit from the sale of this book will be donated to charity. ================= KEYWORDS/TAGS: Child Christopher, Goldilind the Fair, lay of Havelock, Dane, royalty, Oakenrealm, Goldborough, William Morris, romance, misfortune, knights, warfare, regains, crown, king, queen, love, Jack of the Tofts, refuge, usurper, Earl Rolf, army, challenge, Baron Gandolf, Brimside, single combat, King Of Oakenrealm, Wife And Child, Son, King Of Meadham, Daughter, Maiden Goldilind, Greenharbour, Dreams, Castle, Journey, Wild Wood, Squire Simon, Earl Marshal, Littledale, Abide, A While, May Morning, The Garth, Free, Found, Earl Geoffrey, Wedding, Woodland, Bride-Chamber, Friends, Counsel, Husting, Hosting, Hazeldale, Holm Of Hazeldale, Battle, Holm, Captains, Broadlees, Woodwall, Old Acquaintance, Evil Deed, King Christopher, Dealings, Matters, Meadham,

Reproduction of the original.

This is the story of “Sara Crewe”. But, stories are something like letters and a great deal more had happened at Miss Minchin’s than anyone actually realised. In this story there was a little girl whose name was Lottie, who was an amusing little person; there was a hungry scullery-maid who was Sara’s adoring friend; Ermengarde was much more entertaining than she had seemed at first; things happened in the garret which had never been hinted at in the book; and a certain gentleman whose name was Melchisedec was an intimate friend of Sara’s who should never have been left out of the story, even if he had only walked into it in time. He and Becky and Lottie lived at Miss Minchin’s. They were as real as Sara, and it was careless of them not to come out of the story shadowland and say, “Here I am—tell about me.” But they did not—which was their fault. People who live in a story, ought to come forward at the beginning and tap the writing person on the shoulder and say, “Hallo, what about me?” If they don’t, no one can be blamed but themselves and their slouching, idle ways. But what actually happened at Miss Minchin’s? Well you’ll have to download this book and read all the happenings for yourself. 10% of the profit from the sale of this book will be donated to charities. ---------------------------- KEYWORDS/TAGS: A Little Princess, Sara Crewe, Lottie, Miss Minchin’s, Lottie, Ermengarde, Garret, Melchisedec, shadowland, wealthy, losses, poor, beggar, French Lesson, Becky, Diamond Mines, Attic, Indian Gentleman, Ram Dass, Other Side, Wall, Heard And Saw, Magic, Child, Anne, not dreaming, abashed, tea-party, children, crowded, clamoured, cry, sparrows, twittered, hop, beggar girl, huddle, in the corner, gazing into the fire, World War 1, WWI,New York City, daughter, Captain Richard Crewe, movie, play, film, aristocrat, India, cook, Mabel, servant, locket, Charles Randolph,

At the turn of the 20th C., Mary Lennox is a neglected and unloved 10-year-old. Born in India to wealthy British parents who never wanted her, ignored she is cared for by native servants. She becomes spoiled and demanding. A Cholera epidemic kills Mary's parents, the surviving servants flee the house leaving Mary. Discovered by British soldiers who place her in the temporary care of an English clergyman. She is later sent to England to live with her uncle, Archibald Craven, whom her father's sister Lilias married. He lives on the Yorkshire Moors in a large English country house, Misselthwaite Manor. When arriving at Misselthwaite she discovers Lilias Craven is dead and that Mr Craven is a hunchback. At first, Mary is sour and rude. She dislikes her new home, the people and the bleak moor on which it sits. Eventually she befriends her maid Martha, who tells about Lilias, who would spend hours in a walled garden growing roses. Lilias Craven died after an accident in the garden ten years prior. The devastated Archibald locked the garden and buried the key. Mary starts searching for the secret garden. Her ill manners recede and she comes to enjoy the company of Martha, the gardener Ben Weatherstaff, and a friendly robin redbreast. Her health and attitude improve and she grows stronger as she explores the estate gardens. Mary wonders about the secret garden and about mysterious cries that echo through the house at night. One day the robin draws her attention to an area of broken soil. Here Mary finds the key to the locked garden, and she discovers the door to the garden. She asks Martha for garden tools, which she sends with Dickon, her brother, who spends most of his time out on the moors. Mary and Dickon take a liking to each other. Dickon has a kind way with animals and a good nature. Eager to absorb his gardening knowledge, Mary tells him about the secret garden. One night, Mary hears the cries again and follows them through the house. She is startled to find a boy of her age named Colin, who lives is hidden away, and discovers that they are cousins, Colin being the son of Archibald. He suffers from an unspecified spinal problem which precludes him from walking and spend all of his time in bed. He, like Mary, has grown spoiled and demanding, with servants obeying his every whim in order to prevent his hysterical tantrums. Mary visits him every day that week, distracting him from his troubles with stories of the moor, Dickon and his animals, and the secret garden. Mary finally confides that she has access to the secret garden, and Colin asks to see it. Colin is put into his wheelchair and brought outside into the secret garden. It is the first time he has been outdoors for several years and the first time he has seen the garden. And then what happens? You’ll have to download and read this book for yourself to find out ALL that happens! -------------------------------- A classic of English children's literature, the Secret Garden was first filmed in 1919 and again in 1949. The most famous edition of the film was made in 1993. ------------------------------- KEYWORDS/TAGS: Secret Garden, Mary Lennox, Martha, India, discovery, dreary, Colin Craven, Archibald, Dickon, Frances Hodgson Burnett, Book, Movie, Magical, Wonderous, Adventure, achieve, transformation, wheelchair, paralysed, explore, animals, Yorkshire Moors, Left Alone, Mistress Mary Quite Contrary, The Cry in the Corridor, The Key of the Garden, Robin, Show the Way, directions, Strange House, Mansion, Misselthwaite Manor, Nest, Missel Thrush, Lilias, Bit of Earth, Young Rajah, Nest Building, Tantrum, Waste No Time, Live Forever, Ben Weatherstaff, Sun set, Laugh, The Curtain, Mother, In the Garden, Kate Maberly, Heydon Prowse, Andrew Knott, Maggie Smith,

Child Christopher and Goldilind the Fair is a fantasy novel by William Morris, perhaps the first modern fantasy writer to unite an imaginary world with the element of the supernatural, and thus the precursor of much of present-day fantasy literature. It was first published in hardcover by Morris' Kelmscott Press in 1895. Child Christopher and Goldilind the Fair, set in the forested land of Oakenrealm, was Morris' reimagining and recasting of the medieval Lay of Havelock the Dane, with his displaced royal heirs Christopher and Goldilind standing in for the original story's Havelock and Goldborough. In contrast to his source, Morris emphasizes the romantic aspect of the story, giving a prominent place to the heroine's misfortunes and bringing to the forefront the love story between her and the hero; the warfare by which the hero regains his heritage is relegated to a secondary role. Also unlike both the source and most of Morris's other fantasies, there is little or no supernatural element in this version of the story.

Excerpt: It is to be said that amongst those who went to this stronghold of the woods was the little King Christopher, no longer puny, but a stout babe enough: so he was borne amongst the serving men and thralls to the castle of the Outer March; and he was in no wise treated as a great man's son; but there was more than one woman who was kind to him, and as he waxed in strength and beauty month by month, both carle and quean fell to noting him, and, for as little as he was, he began to be well-beloved... We are delighted to publish this classic book as part of our extensive Classic Library collection. Many of the books in our collection have been out of print for decades, and therefore have not been accessible to the general public. The aim of our publishing program is to facilitate rapid access to this vast reservoir of literature, and our view is that this is a significant literary work, which deserves to be brought back into print after many decades. The contents of the vast majority of titles in the Classic Library have been scanned from the original works. To ensure a high quality product, each title has been meticulously hand curated by our staff. Our philosophy has been guided by a desire to provide the reader with a book that is as close as possible to ownership of the original work. We hope that you will enjoy this wonderful classic work, and that for you it becomes an enriching experience.