A Queen of Men: Grace O'Malley by William O'Brien - 1958

Clonmore & Reynolds Ltd, Dublin, 1958. First Edition. Hardcover (Original Cloth). Good Condition/Very Good. Jacket design by Fergus O'Ryan; The plot of what has been described by Canon Sheehan as the best book William O'Brien ever wrote is set in that disturbed period of Angle-Irish History when Elizabeth the First, daughter of Henry the Eighth, reigned as Queen of England. Who was Ganuaile? Undoubtedly this distinguished daughter of an Irish Chieftain, Dubhdara O'Malley, Lord of the Umalls, an extensive region in Connacht, was a beautiful, charming and courageous woman. With these achievements she could achieve anything she desired. The fact that she gained the respect and admiration of the haughty and overbearing daughter of the powerful monarch, Henry the Eighth, proves conclusively that she had the great gift of inspiring friendship. We see her, on one side as a dauntless sea-captain, a builder of famous castles, ruthless in war and on the other, as a charming and warm lady as she pleaded for the life of the English Queen's Deputy, Sir John Perrot as he lay in the Tower of London for his honesty. The glowing character study of Perrot proves that he was not a ruthless governor. On the contrary he was a chivalrous English gentleman. Though many of the incidents are quite fictitious and few happened exactly as narrated, yet some of those which might seem incredible to anyone unacquainted with the State Papers could be paralleled by real happenings. The Composition of Connacht, the disgrace of Perrot, the wrecking of the Armada on the Connacht coast and Grania's visit to Elizabeth are all most effectively described in this fine historical novel.  Size: 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. 321 pages. minor white marks to covers. Binding is tight, covers and spine fully intact. Page edges browned with age. Dust Jacket is in as new condition, apart from normal shop shelf wear - contains no tears or chips or other damage, now in archive acetate film protection. Dust Jacket un-clipped. Previous owner's signature in ink to fep.. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 500 grams. Category: Fiction; Irish Literature; Historical Novels; History; Ireland; Renaissance 16thc to 17thc; Literature & Literary. Pictures of this item not already displayed here available upon request. Inventory No: 4171. .