Blue Beard, illustrated by Richard Heighway, engraved by Robert Anning Bell
Blue Beard (today titled Bluebeard) was published together with Puss in Boots as one of the books in the Banbury Cross Series by J. M. Dent & Co., London in 1895.
Blue Beard (today titled Bluebeard) was published together with Puss in Boots as one of the books in the Banbury Cross Series by J. M. Dent & Co., London in 1895.
The illustrator of both stories was Richard Heighway (1832-1917). His drawings were, of course, engraved by Robert Anning Bell, who was responsible for the graphics of the whole series, just like Grace Rhys was in charge of the text.
Before the stories start, there's a dedication which also serves as a warning:
To Siegfried
If the tale of Blue Beard
Should make you afeared,
As the time makes you for bed!
"Puss in Boots" read instead!
To Siegfried
If the tale of Blue Beard
Should make you afeared,
As the time makes you for bed!
"Puss in Boots" read instead!
The frontispiece shows the title character in all his extravaganza.
The artist used the main theme of the story for decorating the title page. The story of Blue Beard is a story about trust and temptation. It can also be seen as a warning about curiosity.
There was a very rich man who was not popular among people. There were rumors he was married several times but nobody knows what happened to his wives.
He moved to the neighborhood where a fine lady with two daughters lived. Blue Beard showed interest in both of them yet none wanted to marry a man with a blue beard.
¸
Blue Beard knew how to charm girls. He threw a splendid party with interesting guests and a spectacular program. The lady with her daughter was invited too. Indeed, the younger of the girls didn't need much to see the strange man in a completely different light.
¸
Blue Beard knew how to charm girls. He threw a splendid party with interesting guests and a spectacular program. The lady with her daughter was invited too. Indeed, the younger of the girls didn't need much to see the strange man in a completely different light.
She agreed to get married. They enjoyed it for a month and then Blue Beard told his wife he had to leave her for at least six weeks. He had some business to do.
He gave her the keys to the house. Keys came with responsibility. She could use all but one of them. This key was for one room only he was allowed to enter.
Time passed by and the young wife checked all the rooms in the Blue Beard's castle. They were beautiful and full of precious stuff but the one, which was forbidden, tempted her more than anything else.
What if she just takes a peek? Nobody will ever know, right? Just a peek?
The room was dark but much darker were the secrets inside. Terrified young wife discovered dead bodies of previous Blue Beard's wives!
The key fell out of her hands to the floor. When she took it up, it was stained with blood. Even more terrifying was the fact these stains couldn't be washed out.
The key fell out of her hands to the floor. When she took it up, it was stained with blood. Even more terrifying was the fact these stains couldn't be washed out.
Blue Beard returned. His wife had to return his keys.
She did that but without the key of the forbidden chamber.
The moment of truth...
She did that but without the key of the forbidden chamber.
The moment of truth...
He demanded the missing key. She gave it to him.
Blue Beard instantly noticed the stains. She failed the test! She should be punished!
Blue Beard instantly noticed the stains. She failed the test! She should be punished!
Blue Beard was enraged. He wanted to teach her a lesson. She wanted into the forbidden room. Well, in this case, she should just stay there. Just like all of his other wives, she should die.
Blue Beard's wife got only ten minutes to say her prayers before her death.
Blue Beard's wife got only ten minutes to say her prayers before her death.
She immediately ran to her sister Anne and asked her to go to the top of the tower. There she should try to reach their brothers who promised to come to the castle the very same day.
But they were out of sight.
But they were out of sight.
Blue Beard was ready. He wanted to end his wife's life.
Her brothers were still out of sight.
She cried for some additional time.
Her brothers were still out of sight.
She cried for some additional time.
Then the brothers appeared.
Can they come soon enough?
Can they come soon enough?
Anne was waiving from the tower. Faster, faster!
Blue Beard already grabbed the hair of his treacherous wife. Her head was about to come off...
The brothers came just before he swung with his scimitar.
Blue Beard dropped his weapon and ran away. Not for long because the knights caught him and killed him.
His wife not only survived but she became a rich widow. She remarried and used her riches to help her siblings as well.
This is where the story about Blue Beard ends. The book continues with Puss in Boots.
His wife not only survived but she became a rich widow. She remarried and used her riches to help her siblings as well.
This is where the story about Blue Beard ends. The book continues with Puss in Boots.
