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Prisoners of Zenda - Summary of Novel (Chapters)
Prisoners of Zenda - Summary of Novel (Chapters)
Rudolf’s brother, (Robert) finds an interesting job for him as an “attaché” to Sir Jacob
Ruritania, located in central Europe is the only country, Rudolf has not visited. So, he
Rudolf decides to visit Ruritania and to join the merriment of the coronation of King
Rudolf the Fifth since he has six months before taking up his new position.
Rudolf travels by train from London. The train stops at Paris for an hour, where he meets
his old friend, George. Rassendyll sees Antionette de Mauban, a rich widow, who is on
her way to Strelsau for the coronation. Antionette de Mauban is very fond of Duke
Michael.
Rassendyll notices that the customs officer stares at him. He thinks it is because of his
hair which looks flaming red. The newspaper reports that the coronation date is
Rassendyll decides to stop at Zenda, a small town, 50 miles away from the capital.
Rassendyll stays in an inn in Zenda. He sees the famous castle of Zenda. He is happy to
Rassendyll learns about Duke Michael and the King. The King is staying in the Duke’s
hunting lodge in Zenda while the Duke is making the necessary coronation arrangements
in Strelsau.Johann, the Duke’s forest guard enters the inn and is astonished to see
Rassendyll.
Rassendyll learns from the inn keeper’s daughter that the King’s hair is of the exact
colour with his. The Royal family members of Ruritania have red hair!
Rassendyll goes for a walk and gets closer to the famous old castle of Zenda.Rassendyll
Rassendyll wakes up to find two men looking at him with deep interest. They are Colonel
Sapt and Fritz Von Tarlenheim, who serve the King of Ruritania.
The Englishman (Rassendyll) comes face-to-face with the King of Ruritania. Both of
them look alike. They have the same physical characteristics – red hair, long nose, blue
eyes. They are of the same height too. The only difference between the two is Rassendyll
Both Colonel Sapt and Fritz Von Tarlenheim inform that Rassendyll should not go to
The King invites Rassendyll for dinner. Black Michael sends a complimentary bottle of
The King is unfit to attend to attend the coronation and Black Michael stands the chance
Sapt and Fritz convince Rassendyll to take the place of the King and to be crowned.
In the beginning, Rassendyll resists but both Sapt and Fritz coax him into doing it.
Sapt and Fritzz decide that Rassendyll should impersonate the King until King is well
again. They save off his beard, dress him in the King’s uniform and take the King’s sword
and revolver.
They hide the King in the cellar and order Josef to guard him. The old woman who
cooked for them is tied up and gagged to prevent her from spreading the news.
They board a special carriage at the railway station and head for Strelsau. They arrive
at Strelsau and are welcomed by government and army officials. The crowds cheer the
King.
The coronation procession begins with bells ringing, bands playing and people
cheering.Everyone is in high spirits in the New Town but there is dislike of the King in
The people in the old town prefer Duke Michael as King. Rassendyll rides alone through
the crowd in the old town to show that the King trusts them. The cheering grows as the
The coronation takes place at the Cathedral. The impersonating King (Rassendyll)
meets the beautiful Princess Flavia and the evil Duke Michael.
Rassendyll feels discomfort with Princess Flavia’s presence. She notices a slight
difference in the King. She warns him to be careful of Duke Michael. Rassendyll makes
his presence in the palace. Their conversation ended by the cheering crowds. The King’s
arrival was welcomed with the great guns fired. Then, he go to the dining room and sat
palace into a quiet street at the back of the Palace gardens as ordinary soldiers. They
Suddenly, after twenty-five miles they traveled, Sapt stopped and he realizes that they are
followed by Duke and Max Hoff who is Johann’s brother, the forest guard. Then, they
They reach the hunting lodge and find out that the old woman is gone and Josef (the loyal
servant) is dead.
But Sapt remains calm and explains the situation to Rassendyll. They must return to
Otherwise, Black Michael will inform the people that the King is a drunkard and he
would be the next King.Colonel Sapt explains further that as long as Rassendyll acts as
Black Michael cannot kill the real King. Rassendyll and Colonel Sapt teach a lesson to
King’s bedroom by the secret door. When, Fritz saw Rassendyll, who he thinks that the
King quickly kissed his hand. When he know that he was not the King, he quickly asked
After they had breakfast, Rassendyll is given lessons on the duties of a king by Sapt.
Sapt, Fritz and Rassendyll decide that they cannot attack or imprison Duke Michael
This makes the situation to save the real King becomes complicated.
Fritz informs them that Duke Michael and the three of his Famous Six are in Strelsau and
Black Duke shows up at Flavia’s house and shows his hatred toward Rassendyll.
The Black Duke introduces three of the famous six to Rassendyll: A Belgian, A
Frenchman and An Englishman.
Antoinette de Mauban sends an important message to the King (Rassendyll). She wants
him to meet her.
Rassendyll goes to her house and she tells him of the plot to kill him and his friends.
Rassendyll finds out the location of the real King in Zenda Castle from Antoinette de
Mauban.
Rassendyll encounters three of the Famous Six. They try to kill him. He escapes using a
round iron tea-table as a shield.
The people of Ruritania are angry with the King for not fixing his wedding date.
Rassendyll dances with Flavia and in the garden tell her that he loves her with all his
heart.
Flavia feels very happy that the King (Rassendyll) loves her.
Rassendyll is confused. He is torn between love and honour. On the one hand, he loves
for Flavia and on the other hand, his mission to save the rightful King to the throne.
Rassendyll is determined to save the King and urges Colonel Sapt to start the rescue
efforts immediately.
Flavia reminds him to be extra careful once she knows that the hunting trip is to get
Black Michael.
Rassendyll, Colonel Sapt, Fritz and ten gentlemen leave Strelsau. They reach the castle of
Tarlenheim which belongs to Fritz’s uncle. The castle is located five miles from the castle
of Zenda.
Black Michael knows of Rassendyll’s visit to Zenda and sends his messengers to meet
him.
Rassendyll visits the inn in Zenda to meet the inn keeper’s daughter.
The girl in the inn recognises Rassendyll. He asks her to help him.
Rassendyll tells her to get Johann to meet her at the bridge at ten o’ clock at night.
Colonel Sapt meets Rassendyll and Fritz to inform them that one of the ten gentlemen is
nearly killed.
Rassendyll learns that the bullet is meant for him. He feels even worse and knows that
Ruritania would be peaceful if the six culprits with Black Michael are no longer around.
Rupert of Hentzau (one of the Famous Six) arrives to meet Rassendyll with a message
from Black Michael.
Rassendyll learns of Black Michael’s evil plot from Johann. If any attempt is made to
save the King, one of the famous six will kill the King and throw his body into the moat.
The body will be thrown into the moat through a pipe.
The King is held captive in the castle of Zenda and Rassendyll needs to work out a very
good plan to rescue him.
Princess Flavia hears that the King is ill and visits him in Castle Tarlenheim.
Rassendyll, Colonel Sapt, Fritz and six horsemen set out to the Castle of Zenda.
Rassendyll swims across the moat to the wall of the old castle.
He examines the pipe to know if there is any way to get into the old castle.
Rassendyll kills Max Hoff, one of the Famous Six, while he is asleep.
He also hears the King’s voice but is unable to get to the King. The place is heavily
guarded. Rassendyll and Sapt hide Max Hoff’s body under some trees.
Three of Rassendyll’s and Black Michael’s men are killed in the clash.
The Chief of Police of Ruritania informs the King that an Englishman Rudolf Rassendyll
is missing. He suspects that the person is a prisoner in the Zenda Castle.
This makes matters more complicated. The situation is more dangerous for Rassendyll.
He orders the Chief of police to return to Strelsau at once.
Rupert of Hentzau is present at a funeral procession and informs Princess Flavia that his
friend is dead.
Rupert and Rassendyll have a serious discussion. Rassendyll offers to pardon him if he
helps to save the King. Rupert wants Rassendyll to order his men to attack the castle. He
wishes for Rassendyll’s men and Black Michael to die. So, he will be rich and powerful.
Rassendyll receives a message from Madame Antoinette. She asks Rassendyll to rescue
her from the castle in return for her favour.
More quarrels are taking place between Black Michael and Rupert of Hentzau over
Madame de Mauban.
Rassendyll finds out more about the locations of the rooms in the castle.
Rassendyll swims across the moat and waits near the drawbridge.
He notices Rupert Hentzau talking to Antoinette de Mauban. Black Michael joins them
and tells Rupert to leave.
Rupert crosses the drawbridge to go back to his room in the old castle.
Rupert gets into the moat and swims towards the direction of the new castle.
Rassendyll gets a chance to enter the old castle killing one of the Famous Six on guard
(De Gautet).
Detchard (another of the Famous Six) rushes into the King’s room to kill him.
The loyal doctor tries to prevent Detchard from killing the King. But he is killed.
Rassendyll confronts Detchard. He is injured but continues to fight on and kills Detchard.
The King is hurt in the fight. Rassendyll hears Rupert’s voice reaching the drawbridge.
Rupert challenges Black Michael to fight him.
She holds a revolver and tries to shoot Rupert but misses him.
Rassendyll cuts Rupert on his face with his sword. Rupert is injured.
Rassendyll gets the full story from Antoinette de Mauban on what happened in the castle.
Fritz and Sapt inform the King of the situation at Zenda Castle.
The Princess, Marshal and guards arrive at Zenda to see the King.
Princess Flavia meets Rassendyll and finds out the truth. But she faints upon hearing that
Rassendyll is not the real King.
Rassendyll meets the real King (Rudolf the Fifth).
The King appreciates Rassendyll’s efforts to save him and his kingdom.
Rassendyll meets Flavia and confesses his love for her. She does the same.
However, between love and honour, both choose honour. Rassendyll keeps to his word to
save the King and country. While Princess Flavia honours her country and knows of her
duty towards her country.
Rassendyll, Sapt and Fritz ride throughout the night and reach the border of Ruritania.
He meets his friend George in Paris and writes to Madame Antoinette de Mauban.
Antoinette de Mauban writes to assure him that she will not tell anyone of the secret of
the prisoner of Zenda.
Rose is upset that Rassendyll does not leave her an address to contact him during his
travel.
Rassendyll declines the offer to be the “attache” of Sir Jacob Borrodaile, Ambassador to
Ruritania.
Each year, Rassendyll travels to small town outside Ruritania to meet Fritz and his wife
Countess Helga.
He receives a red rose from Princess and likewise sends one to her.
To Rassendyll, Princess Flavia is the Queen of Ruritania – the Queen of his heart.