The King's Fool; or, The Knights of the Clasped Hands and Red Branch

The King's Fool: The Knights of the Clasped Hands and Red Branch This romance of Irish chivalry by C. D. Clark depicts medieval Ireland during the reign of multiple kings. Chapter One narrates a massacre in a forest clearing where King of Ulster and Queen Ruda are ambushed by a treacherous knight commanding superior forces. Though the king fights valiantly despite lacking armor, an archer's arrow kills him. The queen, mortally wounded by arrows, delivers a dying prophecy cursing her murderer to reign unhappily in Ulster while her son shall avenge the bloodshed. Chapter Two introduces Redmond, Earl of Clare, a powerful prince who returns to his castle where his beautiful sixteen-year-old daughter Mari greets him. Redmond prepares to receive the king and queen as hunting guests, then hosts a lavish banquet for his knights and retainers. The narrative combines battle sequences, dynastic conflict, and courtly domesticity within the framework of Irish medieval legend.