Scarlet Pimpernel Series

First published in 1906, I Will Repay is the first sequel to The Scarlet Pimpernel, though it is not chronologically the next story in the series. Following the immense success of the first novel, Orczy was well aware of the demand for her to continue to release works featuring her popular character. This novel begins with a short section set in 1784, relating the story of the wealthy Paul Déroulède, who causes great offence to the young Vicomte de Marny. The disagreement escalates to the point of a duel, despite Déroulède’s attempts to defuse the situation and the young aristocrat is killed in the dispute. When Marny’s fourteen-year-old sister, Juliette, learns of his death, she swears to seek revenge against the man she blames for murdering her brother. She has been told that it is only after Déroulède has been punished that her sibling’s soul will be able to rest in peace. The narrative resumes in the summer of 1793, at the start of the Reign of Terror, when Juliette approaches Déroulède’s house and is attacked by an aggressive crowd, who is incensed by her aristocratic background. She is saved by her intended victim and taken into his home, but she remains determined to avenge her brother’s death. The story unfolds in a dramatic fashion, focusing heavily on the violent nature of the revolution and the changing relationship between Juliette and Déroulède. Scarlett Pimpernel makes a necessary appearance in the novel, although he is not the primary point of interest in the work. It is perhaps only a coincidence but, the character Paul Déroulède shares a name with the late nineteenth century French nationalist, poet, opponent of the Paris Commune and founder of the Ligue des Patriotes. Déroulède’s politics were motivated by a loathing of Germany, which was entrenched by the humiliating defeat of the French army in the 1870-71 Franco-Prussian war and an admiration for the British, rendering him an anti-colonialist, due to concerns about potential Franco-Anglo conflicts that might arise from competing imperialist aspirations.

The Scarlet Pimpernel was first published in 1905 and has proved to be Orczy’s most famous and popular novel. The work was originally rejected by publishers, so she refashioned it as a play, with little initial success. The book continued to be popular throughout the twentieth century and was adapted for film, stage and television on multiple occasions. One of the most famous and well-considered adaptations is the 1934 film starring Leslie Howard and directed by Harold Young. The television adaptations include a 1955-56 version and the 1999-2000 BBC production starring Richard E. Grant and Elizabeth McGovern. The Scarlet Pimpernel is set in 1792 during the French Revolution, but centres on an English hero performing great and brave deeds in a violent and murderous climate. Marguerite St Just is a beautiful French actress, who is married to the English fop, Sir Percy Blakeney. The couple have become estranged as Marguerite has tired of her husband’s seemingly superficial lifestyle. She has heard about the exploits of the mysterious Scarlet Pimpernel — an unknown English man — who is daily helping French aristocrats to escape the Revolution. She is captivated and entranced by the stories surrounding him, but is soon forced into a position where she must assist the French ambassador to England in capturing the elusive man. Orczy’s novel unfolds with a series of twists and turns, with frequent moments of excitement and tension. The author’s aristocratic heritage no doubt contributed to the politically conservative nature of the work, and her desire to make the hero of a tale an Englishman also underlines not only her own views but her belief in the nationalistic disposition of her English readership.

First published in 1908, The Elusive Pimpernel is the third sequel to The Scarlet Pimpernel, though it is not chronologically the next story in the series. It is the early days of the French Republic, and Robespierre’s revolutionaries find their wicked schemes repeatedly being thwarted. It appears that Sir Percy Blakeney—the cunning and heroic Pimpernel—is more than a match for them all. But Sir Percy’s spy-catching archenemy, Chauvelin, has devised a plan. In this swashbuckling sequel to The Scarlet Pimpernel, Sir Percy attempts to smuggle French aristocrats out of the country to safety, while Chauvelin plays out a vile plot to eliminate the Pimpernel and his beautiful wife, once and for all. Lighting up movie and television screens and leaping off the pages of books, the adventures of Baroness Orczy’s rebel Pimpernel have ignited imaginations the world over for generations. Fans of the classic original, as well as those who enjoy rich historical novels, will thrill to this tale of intrigue set in the days following the French Revolution.

Lord Antony Dewhurst is ‘a splendid fellow — a fine sportsman, a loyal gentleman.’ The young gallant is also Percy’s close friend and a lieutenant in the League. The year is 1793 and in Nantes, France, the hunting of aristocrats goes on. And over in England, the enemy has kidnapped Lord Tony’s wife, Yvonne. It falls to the Scarlet Pimpernel to rescue her.

Armand St Just, his beautiful sister Marguerite and her husband Sir Percy Blakeney are once again caught up in the turmoil of revolutionary France. And adventurer Baron de Batz enters the story. It is 1794 and Paris, “despite the horrors that had stained her walls – had remained a city of pleasure, and the knife of the guillotine did scarce descend more often than did the drop-scenes on the stage.”

If you thought the Pimpernel had it rough with Chauvelin on his trail, try adding Citizens Robespierre, Couthon, Louis Antoine St. Just, and the beautiful Theresia Cabarrus, fiancée of Tallien. Robespierre becomes paranoid about the Pimpernel and must have him destroyed. Theresia is sent to seduce the elusive hero. And, just to make certain everything goes according to his plan, Chauvelin has Marguerite kidnapped and imprisoned! Can Percy continue to disguise himself as Rateau and get away with it? Can Robespierre maintain power when betrayal is stirring in every corner? Will Marguerite be rescued without suffering the death of her husband? Will Chauvelin ever learn to tie his cravat properly?! Or will this be the end of the Scarlet Pimpernel!?

More adventures amongst the terrors of revolutionary France. No one has uncovered the identity of the famous Scarlet Pimpernel — no one except his wife Marguerite and his arch-enemy, citizen Chauvelin. Sir Percy Blakeney is still at large however, evading capture.

The year is 1623, the place Haarlem in the Netherlands. Diogenes — the first Sir Percy Blakeney, the Scarlet Pimpernel’s ancestor — and his friends Pythagoras and Socrates defend justice and the royalist cause. The famous artist Frans Hals also makes an appearance in this historical adventure. Orczy maintains that Hal’s celebrated portrait of The Laughing Cavalier is actually a portrayal of the Scarlet Pimpernel’s ancestor.

The League is up to their old tricks again, but this time they have the help of a local simple girl from the country, Fleurette. When she and her love fall into danger for her help, the League decides these two innocents must be rescued as well. But matters are complicated when the Pimpernel discovers that Fleurette is none other than Citizen Chauvelin's only child! Will Chauvelin stop his relentless pursuit for revenge? Can Blakeney live up to the code of his own honor and help his greatest enemy in a common cause? Will Fleurette ever reach safety?!

The story starts in 1624 in the Netherlands and concerns the Scarlet Pimpernel’s ancestor, Diogenes, aka the first Sir Percy Blakeney. Diogenes and his friends Socrates and Pythagoras swear allegiance to the royalist cause. Their undivided loyalty results in many adventures — and more than one foe.

The collection of short stories featuring Sir Percy Blakeney, The Scarlet Pimpernel. Set in revolutionary France in 1793, these further adventures will thrill the first time reader as much as those who are familiar with the Pimpernel and the League. Their arch enemy Chauvelin and the Committee of Public Safety are never far behind, whilst back in England the beautiful Marguerite maintains her devotion.

Sir Percy leads a band of musicians whose play is of questionable quality. Nonetheless, the disguise enables him to listen in to conversations as revolutionaries lay their plans in an ale house. But his mission on this occasion is to save the la Rodière family and others from the Guillotine. The band uses the rabble to mask the rescue, as whilst they sing and dance around Château de la Rodière, it becomes possible to outwit even Citizen Chauvelin, who has arrived on the scene. Treachery from within the band is afoot, however, and Sir Percy has to rely on wit and judgment to bring about an astonishing conclusion.

During one return home, Sir Percy tells the story of André Vallon, a young Jacobin, to the Prince of Wales. André, wishing to revenge himself on a despotic seigneur, uses the Jacobins’ rise to force the seigneur’s daughter to marry him. Once wed, they come to love each other, only to have the old seigneur denounce André in an attempt to free his daughter. Will André be rescued in time? Can the young lovers survive the last heated whirlwind of the Revolution?

Pimpernel and Rosemary is a novel set after the First World War and features Peter Blakeney, a descendant of the Scarlet Pimpernel (Percy Blakeney). The action is mainly set amongst the disaffected Hungarian nobility in Transylvania, allowing Orczy to draw on her knowledge of Hungarian history and politics.

Sir Percy Blakeney comments on the modern world of the 1930s.

The year is 1793, the darkest days of the French revolution, and little Charles-Léon is ill. The delicate son of Louise and Bastien de Croissy is recommended country air, but travel permits are needed — and impossible to come by. Louise’s friend, Josette, believes she knows a way out. For Josette is convinced that her hero, the Scarlet Pimpernel, will come to their rescue. She refuses to believe that he only exists in her imagination.

The King of France is attacked with a knife and Francois Damiens is arrested. He remains silent about the noblemen behind the plot, which was meant as a warning only for the King to change his ways. Damiens’ daughter, Gabrielle, sets out to confront those responsible. Blackmail is her intention. However, she becomes involved with the Vicomte Fernand along the way and ends up living in luxury, but loses all when he marries the King’s daughter and she resorts once again to blackmail. She is imprisoned, but then released from the Bastille when it is stormed during the Revolution. Hungry for revenge, she becomes the only female executioner for the new Republic and is known as Mam’zelle Guillotine. Her chance for revenge on Fernard’s family finally arrives one day in Artois, but Citizen Chauvelin has sent an emissary from Paris, who turns out to be 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' in disguise.