Chivalry in Shelbyville: Historical Thinking, 1898-2024
Examining the meteoric success and popularity of When Knighthood was in Flower through a 21st century lens.
Charles Major’s historical romance When Knighthood was in Flower was first published in 1898 and enjoyed immediate, enormous success. Lush, romantic, and drawing on true historical events, the novel is certainly entertaining. But one question remains: What business did Charles Major, a lawyer from Shelbyville, Indiana, have writing a sweeping historical romance?
The novel
What did the historical romance genre look like in the late 19th century? Take a look »
The writing process
See up close each step of Major’s writing, from handwritten draft to published novel. Take a look »
The novel’s success
Charles and Alice Major collected all kinds of advertisements, from playbills to newspaper clippings. Take a look »
Click here for the Major Papers Collection, where you will be able to request physical access to the materials.
chivalry in shelbyville 