Dark Agnes de Chastillon
Encyclopedia
Dark Agnes de Chastillon (also known as Agnes de Chastillon, Dark Agnes, Agnes de la Fere and The Sword Woman) is a fictional character created by Robert E. Howard
and the protagonist of three stories set in 16th Century France
, which were not printed until a long time after the author's death.
The character of Agnes was beaten by her father and almost forced into an arranged marriage. She avoids this by killing the bridegroom and running away. She meets Etienne Villiers, who at first attempts to sell her to a brothel, and Guiscard de Clisson, a mercenary captain who trains her as a swordswoman. When de Clisson is killed, Agnes heads for Italy with Villiers.
Like the later character Red Sonja
, who was based on another Howard character, Red Sonya of Rogatino, Agnes has red hair and a short temper. But while Red Sonja's skill in the handling of swords is a divine gift, Agnes's skill is a mixture of innate talent and training.
The character may be partially based on Novalyne Price
. Fictional prototypes include Jirel of Joiry
, created by C. L. Moore
. Moore was enthusiastic about the first of Howard's stories:
"Sword Woman" was first published in REH:Lone Star Finctioneer #2 (Summer 1975).
Etienne Villiers, faces international intrigue with Cardinal Thomas Wolsey.
"Blades for France" was first published in Blades for France (1975).
and first published in Witchcraft & Sorcery Volume 1 Number 5 (January–February 1971). This story is the only one to include a fantasy element in the form of a sorcerer. It is not written to the same standard of the two complete stories and features some departures from the established character, making her more stereotypically feminine.
It was later adapted into a Conan tale, with the pages of The Savage Sword of Conan no. 1, 1974, where the Cimmerian encounters again Red Sonja. Strangely enough, another story that followed this Tower of Blood by David A. English, was also featured in Witchcraft & Sorcery Volume 1 Number 5, was also adapted after this Conan version of the tale.It also featured Red Sonja.Conan the Barbarian (1970 Marvel) #43
Marvel: Oct 1974 Conan the Barbarian (1970 Marvel) #44
Marvel: Nov 1974
story), and an introduction by Leigh Brackett
, were collected in:
The Zebra edition had cover art and illustrations by Stephen Fabian
. The Berkley and Ace editions had cover art by Ken Kelly
.
Robert E. Howard
Robert Ervin Howard was an American author who wrote pulp fiction in a diverse range of genres. Best known for his character Conan the Barbarian, he is regarded as the father of the sword and sorcery subgenre....
and the protagonist of three stories set in 16th Century France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, which were not printed until a long time after the author's death.
The character of Agnes was beaten by her father and almost forced into an arranged marriage. She avoids this by killing the bridegroom and running away. She meets Etienne Villiers, who at first attempts to sell her to a brothel, and Guiscard de Clisson, a mercenary captain who trains her as a swordswoman. When de Clisson is killed, Agnes heads for Italy with Villiers.
Like the later character Red Sonja
Red Sonja
Red Sonja, the She-Devil with a Sword, is a fictional character, a high fantasy sword and sorcery heroine created by Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith, and loosely based on Red Sonya of Rogatino in Robert E. Howard's 1934 short story "The Shadow of the Vulture"...
, who was based on another Howard character, Red Sonya of Rogatino, Agnes has red hair and a short temper. But while Red Sonja's skill in the handling of swords is a divine gift, Agnes's skill is a mixture of innate talent and training.
The character may be partially based on Novalyne Price
Novalyne Price Ellis
Novalyne Price Ellis was a Texas-born schoolteacher and writer who became close friends with and occasionally dated famed pulp fiction writer Robert E. Howard....
. Fictional prototypes include Jirel of Joiry
Jirel of Joiry
Jirel of Joiry is a fictional character created by American writer C. L. Moore, who appeared in a series of sword and sorcery stories published first in the pulp horror/fantasy magazine Weird Tales. Jirel is the proud, tough, arrogant and beautiful ruler of her own domain—apparently somewhere in...
, created by C. L. Moore
C. L. Moore
Catherine Lucille Moore was an American science fiction and fantasy writer, as C. L. Moore. She was one of the first women to write in the genre, and paved the way for many other female writers in speculative fiction....
. Moore was enthusiastic about the first of Howard's stories:
Stories
Robert E. Howard wrote two complete Dark Agnes de Chastillon stories and part of the first draft for a third."Sword Woman"
This is the origin story for Agnes. It features her abortive arranged marriage and subsequent training."Sword Woman" was first published in REH:Lone Star Finctioneer #2 (Summer 1975).
"Blades for France"
Agnes, still with her sidekickSidekick
A sidekick is a close companion who is generally regarded as subordinate to the one he accompanies. Some well-known fictional sidekicks are Don Quixote's Sancho Panza, Sherlock Holmes' Doctor Watson, The Lone Ranger's Tonto, The Green Hornet's Kato and Batman's Robin.-Origins:The origin of the...
Etienne Villiers, faces international intrigue with Cardinal Thomas Wolsey.
"Blades for France" was first published in Blades for France (1975).
"Mistress of Death"
Howard only wrote an incomplete first draft of "Mistress of Death". It was later completed by Gerald W. PageGerald W. Page
Gerald W. Page is an American writer of fantasy, science fiction, mystery and horror. He was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on August 12, 1939. He sold his first story to the magazine Analog where it appeared in 1963....
and first published in Witchcraft & Sorcery Volume 1 Number 5 (January–February 1971). This story is the only one to include a fantasy element in the form of a sorcerer. It is not written to the same standard of the two complete stories and features some departures from the established character, making her more stereotypically feminine.
It was later adapted into a Conan tale, with the pages of The Savage Sword of Conan no. 1, 1974, where the Cimmerian encounters again Red Sonja. Strangely enough, another story that followed this Tower of Blood by David A. English, was also featured in Witchcraft & Sorcery Volume 1 Number 5, was also adapted after this Conan version of the tale.It also featured Red Sonja.Conan the Barbarian (1970 Marvel) #43
Marvel: Oct 1974 Conan the Barbarian (1970 Marvel) #44
Marvel: Nov 1974
Collections
All three Agnes stories, together with "The King's Service" and "The Shadow of the Hun" (a Turlogh Dubh O'BrienTurlogh Dubh O'Brien
Turlogh Dubh O'Brien or Black Turlogh, is a fictional 11th Century Irishman created by Robert E. Howard.-Stories:* The Gods of Bal-Sagoth - Also known as The Blond Goddess of Bal-Sagoth, this is a sequel to The Dark Man despite seeing print before that story...
story), and an introduction by Leigh Brackett
Leigh Brackett
Leigh Douglass Brackett was an American author, particularly of science fiction. She was also a screenwriter, known for her work on famous films such as The Big Sleep , Rio Bravo , The Long Goodbye and The Empire Strikes Back .-Life:Leigh Brackett was born and grew up in Los Angeles, California...
, were collected in:
The Zebra edition had cover art and illustrations by Stephen Fabian
Stephen Fabian
-Career:Fabian specializes in science fiction and fantasy illustration and cover art for books and magazines. Fabian also produced artwork for TSR's Dungeons & Dragons game from 1986 to 1995, particularly on the Ravenloft line. He was self-taught, two of his primary influences being Virgil Finlay...
. The Berkley and Ace editions had cover art by Ken Kelly
Ken Kelly
Ken W. Kelly is a fantasy artist.Over his 30-year career, he has focused in particular on paintings in the sword and sorcery and heroic fantasy subgenres...
.