The Adventures of St. George after His Famous Encounter with
the Dragon
By W. F. Peacock
Illustrated by Gustave Dore
Published in London by James Blackwood
(1858)
Published in 1858, this is the First Edition of this tale of
St. George illustrated with ten hand coloured plates by Gustave Dore.
The book is a slim format bound in the original red embossed
patterned cloth with an illustration in gilt of two knights in combat.
The book was formerly owned by John T. Beer with his
bookplate to the front pastedown. John T. Beer was a prominent clothing
manufacturer from Leeds (and later residing in Kent) who amassed a vast,
eclectic private library during the late Victorian era. He passed away in 1903,
and his massive collection was sold in a highly publicized auction at Sotheby,
Wilkinson & Hodge in November 1903.
CONDITION
The books cover has some noticeable discolouration to the
cloth along the top edges and some darkening as seen, internally some foxing to
frontispiece tissue guard and title page, some mild discolouration to top edge
of last page and rear endpapers (pictured) else in good general condition
The
Adventures of St. George After His Famous Encounter with the Dragon by W. F.
Peacock which details the legendary knight's perilous journeys, battles with
dark sorcery, and his ultimate quest to rescue a maiden named Anasie from an
evil sorcerer.
Chapter I – III: The Quest Begins, Sirens, and Sorcery
The Calling: St.
George escapes a tower, receives a holy vision via a guiding bird, and
stumbles upon an enchanted castle. There, he learns of the evil sorcerer Malgreda
and swears an oath to oppose him.
The Temptation:
George enters an enchanted cave where he uses a powerful talisman to
resist the illusions of a siren. He goes on to defeat a desert demon and a
band of robbers, saving a local city damsel.
The First Defeat:
After defeating a wild lion in its lair, George is ambushed at a ruined
castle by Malgreda’s conjured spirits and a villainous, seven-fingered
rival knight named Icalon. Overwhelmed by dark magic, George
collapses.
Chapter IV – VII: Captivity, Madness, and Royal Tournaments
Dungeon Escape:
George awakens in a dungeon facing execution but manages a daring escape.
During his flight, the spirit of a deceased mother implores him to protect
her daughter, Anasie.
The Chasm and Madness:
While trapped in a dangerous chasm, a starving George mistakenly eats a
strange fruit that induces delirium. While hallucinating, he battles
fiends disguised as knights, ultimately saving himself when his holy
talisman restores his sanity.
Monastery Treachery:
George defeats a "Sable Knight" and seeks shelter in a
monastery, only to be ambushed in his sleep by a traitorous monk. He
fights his way out and flees to avoid the monks' vengeance.
Courtly Honors:
George arrives at a royal court, champions a wounded knight in a grand
tournament, wins great honors, and continues his journey.
Chapter VIII – X: The Fall of Icalon and the Final Battle
The Abduction:
George reunites with friendly knights and learns that the maiden Anasie
has been abducted by the forces of evil.
Vengeance on Icalon:
George hunts down his nemesis, Icalon the Seven-Fingered. They
engage in a brutal duel, and George successfully kills Icalon and punishes
his malicious dwarf attendant.
The Final Dissolution:
George reaches Malgreda’s moonlight fortress. Confronting the sorcerer,
George unleashes the power of his holy talisman, causing the entire
stronghold to magically collapse. Malgreda is destroyed, Anasie is saved,
and she and St. George depart together.
SHIPPING INFORMATION
EU Customers Please note since the UK has now left the
EU, it is the customers responsibility to be aware of any import taxes and
VAT that may be incurred when buying and importing from a Non EU Country,
and they should expect pay any taxes that are now due this is also the
case with certain U.S States, Canada, and Australia, Sorry but these
changes are out of my hands