Aladore

Lore & Background

Aladore was written by English poet Henry Newbolt and first published in hardcover by William Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh, in 1914. An American edition from E. P. Dutton & Company followed in 1915. The first paperback edition was issued by the Newcastle Publishing Company as the fifth volume of the Newcastle Forgotten Fantasy Library in September 1975, and was reissued by Borgo Press in 1980. The book has been translated into German.

The story follows Ywain, a knight who abandons his estate to seek his heart's desire. He is led by a will-o'-the-wisp to a hermit, then to the city of Paladore and the half-fae enchantress Aithne. He undertakes the Three Adventures, visits the City of the Saints and the Lost Lands of the South, and has a vision of Aladore. After marrying Aithne, he wearies of Paladore and is excommunicated. The couple tests the endurance of the two cities by building sand castles; Ywain's is swept away, while Aithne's is preserved. They return to the mortal city and appear to perish in a final battle.

Reader's Guide

Aladore holds significance as a classic allegorical fantasy novel from the early 20th century, reflecting the influence of William Morris in its style and tone, as noted by critic John Clute. Its exploration of youth, duty, self, and heritage through a quest narrative places it within the tradition of allegorical literature. The novel's publication history—from its initial hardcover editions in 1914 and 1915 to its revival in paperback in the 1970s—demonstrates its enduring appeal among readers of fantasy. The book's translation into German further indicates its reach beyond the English-speaking world. As a work now in the public domain in the United States, Aladore remains accessible through online sources such as Google Book Search and LibriVox, allowing new generations to encounter its dreamlike, chamber-music air.

Did You Know?

• Aladore was first published in hardcover by William Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh, in 1914.
• The first paperback edition was issued by the Newcastle Publishing Company in September 1975.
• The novel has been translated into German.
• The copyright for Aladore has expired in the United States, placing it in the public domain there.

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