Longsword by the Irish writer Thomas Leland, is a medieval romance based on the life of William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury, the son of Henry II.[1] Published in 1762, in 1767 it was adapted into a play The Countess of Salisbury.[2]
 Illustration from the 1790 edition of the novel. | |
| Author | Thomas Leland |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Historical |
Publication date | 1762 |
| Media type | |
Longsword contains "...mystery, dark dungeons, shipwrecks, abducted damsels, evil monks, and heartless villains",[3] Although titled Longsword, Earl of Salisbury: An Historical Romance, Albert Power views it as the "cornerstone" of the Irish Gothic novel as well.[1][4]
References edit
- ^ a b Power, Albert. "Thomas Leland (1722-1785)", The Green Book: Writings on Irish Gothic, Supernatural and Fantastic Literature, no. 13, 2019, pp. 14–20. JSTOR
- ^ Bond & Sherburn p.1037
- ^ "Thomas Leland (1722-85)", Ricorso
- ^ "...some would argue that Thomas Leland's Longsword, Earl of Salisbury (1762) -subtitled "A Historical Romance"-is really the first Gothic novel". Norton, Rictor. Gothic Readings : the first wave, 1764-1840. London. Leicester University Press, 2000. ISBN 0718502167 (p.1)
Bibliography edit
- Donald F. Bond & George, Sherburn. The Literary History of England: Vol 3: The Restoration and Eighteenth Century (1660-1789). Routledge, 2003.
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