Rudolf Rassendyll bears the name of an English duke and a remarkable resemblance to the King of Ruritania, the descendant of an unscrupulous prince Elphberg whose scandalous liaison at the English court produced an infamous tie between the Rassendylls and the Elphberg family. Curious, unambitious, and considering himself a consummate gentleman of leisure, Rudolf makes a secret visit to the kingdom of Ruritania where Rudolf V is about to be crowned.
But treachery and greed stir in the Castle of Zenda, and the English cousin finds himself embroiled in deception in order to save the king from Black Michael's fiendish plot. Enraged by calculated betrayal and fired by love for the beautiful Flavia, Rassendyll awakens from his aristocratic complacency and rises to heroic action in defence of family honour.
With introduction, notes, text summary and chronology of Hope's life and times.
