Sign-In
Cart
In the Palace of the King: A Love Story of Old Madrid
Paperback
Publisher: Bibliotech Press
Published: Jun 26 2025
Pages: 166
Weight: 0.46
Height: 0.42 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
In the Palace of the King: A Love Story of Old Madrid is a historical romance novel by F. Marion Crawford, first published in 1900. Set in 16th-century Spain, the story unfolds in the lavish and treacherous court of King Philip II, blending romance, intrigue, and tragedy.
The novel follows Dolores de Mendoza, a beautiful and noble young woman, and Don John of Austria, the dashing and heroic illegitimate half-brother of King Philip II. Their passionate love story is threatened by the rigid constraints of the Spanish court, political machinations, and the king's own cold and calculating nature.
Crawford's prose is rich and atmospheric, vividly depicting the golden age of Spain with its grandeur and cruelty. While not as widely read today, the novel was popular in its time for its melodramatic romance and historical detail.
he book reflects the romanticized view of historical fiction from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Fans of classic historical romances or stories set in royal courts might enjoy its dramatic flair.
About the Author
Francis Marion Crawford (1854-1909) was a prolific American writer, best known for his numerous novels and classic weird and fantastical stories. Born in Italy, he spent much of his life abroad, particularly in Italy, which became the setting for many of his works.
Crawford was born in Bagni di Lucca, Italy, the only son of American sculptor Thomas Crawford. He received a diverse education, studying at St. Paul's School, Cambridge University, the University of Heidelberg, and the University of Rome. In 1879, he traveled to India, where he studied Sanskrit and edited the Allahabad Indian Herald. Upon returning to America, he continued his Sanskrit studies at Harvard and contributed to various periodicals.
His literary career took off with the publication of his first novel, Mr. Isaacs (1882), which quickly achieved success. This was followed by Doctor Claudius (1883). In 1883, he returned to Italy, where he resided permanently, eventually purchasing and remodeling the Villa Renzi, which became Villa Crawford, in Sant'Agnello. He also wrote historical works, including Ave Roma Immortalis (1898) and The Rulers of the South (1900).
Crawford was incredibly prolific, producing some forty novels and a play. At the height of his career, his books outsold those of any other contemporary fiction writer in England or the United States. He died in 1909 in Sorrento, Italy.
5 different editions
Also available
Also from
Crawford, F. Marion
The Screaming Skull: A Haunted Tale of Murder, Madness, and a Skull That Won't Stay Silent
Crawford, F. Marion
Paperback
The children of the king; a tale of southern Italy. By: F. Marion Crawford. / NOVEL /
Crawford, F. Marion
Paperback
Ave Roma Immortalis: The History of Eternal Rome (Vol. 1&2): Wandering Into the Past: Historical Events, Biographies and Archeology
Crawford, F. Marion
Paperback
The Screaming Skull: A Haunted Tale of Murder, Madness, and a Skull That Won't Stay Silent (Deluxe Hardbound Edition)
Crawford, F. Marion
Hardcover
For the Blood Is the Life and Other Creepy Classics, Volume 2
Poe, Edgar Allen
Irving, Washington
Crawford, F. Marion
Audio Book
For the Blood Is the Life and Other Creepy Classics, Volume 2
Poe, Edgar Allen
Irving, Washington
Crawford, F. Marion
Audio Book
Ave Roma Immortalis Vol. I: Unveiling the Eternal City - A Journey Through Rome's Ancient Chronicles and Imperial Legacy
Crawford, F. Marion
Paperback
Khaled: A Journey from the Heavens to the Heart: Khaled's Quest for Love and Humanity
Crawford, F. Marion
Paperback
Love in Idleness (1894). By: F. Marion Crawford: Novel, (with many illustrations)
Crawford, F. Marion
Paperback
Also in
Classic Fiction
James Fenimore Cooper: The Leatherstocking Tales Vol. 1 (Loa #26): The Pioneers / The Last of the Mohicans / The Prairie
Cooper, James Fenimore
Hardcover
Four Comedies: The Taming of the Shrew, a Midsummer Night's Dream, the Merchant of Venice, Twelfth Night
Shakespeare, William
Paperback
Before Gatsby: The First Twenty-Six Stories
Bruccoli, Matthew J.
Baughman, Judith
Fitzgerald, F. Scott
Paperback
The Princess Bride Deluxe Limited Edition: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure
Goldman, William
Paperback
The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of the Lord of the Rings
Tolkien, J. R. R.
Paperback
The Lord of the Rings Illustrated by the Author: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien
Tolkien, J. R. R.
Hardcover
The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure
Goldman, William
Hardcover
The Pilgrim's Progress: A Readable Modern-Day Version of John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress (Revised and easy-to-read)
Vermilye, Alan
Bunyan, John
Paperback
Frankenstein, Dracula, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Stoker, Bram
Shelley, Mary
Stevenson, Robert Louis
Paperback
The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure
Goldman, William
Paperback