The Last of the Barons

1843 novel by Edward Bulwer-Lytton

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The Last of the Barons is a historical novel by the English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton first published in 1843. Its plot revolves around the power struggle between the English King Edward IV and his powerful minister Earl of Warwick, known as "Warwick the kingmaker".

The King is portrayed as effeminate, capricious and licentious, in contrast with the Earl, shown as a distinguished warrior and politician, great patriot and affectionate father. Other historical figures that appear frequently in the text are the Duke of Clarence, the Duke of Gloucester (the future King Richard III), Marquess of Montagu, and Lord Hastings.

Romance and science in the Middle Ages are the secondary themes of the novel. They are explored through Sibyll, a beautiful young maiden, and her old father, Adam Warner. Sibyll, who is in love with Lord Hastings, is inseparable from her father throughout the story. Adam is a hypomanic natural philosopher working for many years to complete his invention, a mechanical device that is supposed to carry out the functions of a modern steam engine. Persecuted, mistrusted, and misunderstood, he is forced to work as a royal alchemist.

The novel ends tragically with the defeat and death of Warwick at the Battle of Barnet (1471).

## External links

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*   * The Last of the Barons at Project Gutenberg

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Edward Bulwer-Lytton

Plays|

* The Duchess de la Vallière (1837)
* The Lady of Lyons (1838)
* Richelieu (1839)
* Money (1840)
* Not So Bad as We Seem, or, Many Sides to a Character (1851)

Novels|

* Falkland (1827)
* Pelham (1828)
* The Disowned (1828)
* Devereux (1829)
* Paul Clifford (1830)
* Eugene Aram (1832)
* Godolphin (1833)
* The Last Days of Pompeii (1834)
* Ernest Maltravers (1837)
* Leila; or, The Siege of Granada (1838)
* Zanoni (1842)
* The Last of the Barons (1843)
* The Caxtons (1849)
* Vril (1871)

Places|

* Heydon Hall
* Knebworth House

People|

* John Auldjo
* Henry Bulwer (brother)
* Elizabeth Bulwer-Lytton (mother)
* Rosina Bulwer Lytton (wife)
* Robert Bulwer-Lytton (son)
* Isaac D'Israeli

Related topics|

* A Blighted Life
* Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest
* "Dweller on the threshold"
* "It was a dark and stormy night"
* "The pen is mightier than the sword"
* "The almighty dollar"

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