Book
John O’ the Green
First published 1935
In the fictional kingdom of Gerance, King Tristan seeks to strengthen his realm through a political union with a neighbouring duchy. John, a nobleman living outside the law, is captured and given an extraordinary mission: concealed beneath the role of a wandering minstrel, he must enter the neighbouring court and help turn dynastic policy into an achievable marriage alliance.
Although its geography is invented, the novel is built from medieval political forms—feudal loyalty, dynastic marriage, disputed authority, outlaw bands and courts where personal access can change state policy. Farnol uses John’s double identity to contrast official rank with practical honour, and romance complicates the king’s strategy by giving the supposedly expendable agent interests of his own.
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