The sword decides

The sword decides by Marjorie Bowen is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. It dramatizes the rise of Queen Giovanna of Naples and the clash with her Hungarian husband, Andreas, amid factional intrigue, church politics, and street-level passions in medieval Naples. Early figures at the center include Andreas, Giovanna, her sister Maria, the ruthless Conte Raymond de Cabane, and allies and rivals such as Konrad of Gottif, Carlo di Durazzo, and Luigi of Taranto. The opening of the novel follows Andreas of Hungary as he nears Naples to claim power, only to discover through an intercepted letter that Giovanna’s faction already scorns and plans to outmaneuver him. A peasant girl, Hippolyta, warns him in dread and gives him an amulet, while a secret note from Maria d’Anjou urges him not to come. His entry into Naples is hostile and overshadowed by King Roberto’s dying, and in the death chamber the will declares Andreas and Giovanna joint sovereigns—yet, at the King’s last breath, Raymond de Cabane rouses the court and people to hail Giovanna alone. Andreas and Maria, appalled, weigh appeals to the Pope and Hungary; Andreas confronts Giovanna, and they part as declared enemies. Giovanna then binds herself to Raymond’s power, promising Maria to him in return for securing her coronation. In the gardens, court gossip shows Andreas isolated and humiliated, while Raymond openly threatens Maria with a forced marriage. The section ends with Giovanna staging lavish jousts to win popular favor as rival princes parade, while Andreas remains conspicuously absent, hunting and stewing in defeat.

The sword decides, by Marjorie Bowen. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #77689.