At The Queen's Mercy is a fantasy novel set in Africa. The two main characters recount the tale of Sagamoso, the priest of the walled city. They encounter him by chance when he bursts into the hut where they are hiding. He tells them the story.

Contents Chapter Page I. A Slave's Secret 1 II. The Pass of Blood 17 III. What Next Befell 31 IV. At the Queen's Mercy 45 V. Astolba's Errand 60 VI. The Cup of the Beast 73 VII. The High Priest's Council 84 VIII. In the Cage 109 IX. The Mad Man of the Moon 121 X. The Red Witch holds her Revel 133 XI. The Treasure House of Edba and of Hed 144 XII. The Dance of the Maidens 161 XIII. A Strange Story 182 XIV. The Flower of Death 194 XV. The White Dove's Flight 202 XVI. Zobo the Mighty Wrestles 215 XVII. Check to the Queen 225 XVIII. The Wisdom of Hubla 231 XIX. For life, for Love, for Freedom 240 XX. The Beginning of the End 252

Consists of "accessions" and "books in foreign languages".

In the first detailed study of its kind, James Gregory's book takes a historical approach to mercy by focusing on widespread and varied discussions about the quality, virtue or feeling of mercy in the British world during Victoria's reign. Gregory covers an impressive range of themes from the gendered discourses of 'emotional' appeal surrounding Queen Victoria to the exercise and withholding of royal mercy in the wake of colonial rebellion throughout the British empire. Against the backdrop of major events and their historical significance, a masterful synthesis of rich source material is analysed, including visual depictions (paintings and cartoons in periodicals and popular literature) and literary ones (in sermons, novels, plays and poetry). Gregory's sophisticated analysis of the multiple meanings, uses and operations of royal mercy duly emphasise its significance as a major theme in British cultural history during the 'long 19th century'. This will be essential reading for those interested in the history of mercy, the history of gender, British social and cultural history and the legacy of Queen Victoria's reign.