Most people agree that The Castle of Otranto was the first gothic fiction. The book, which takes place in a haunted castle, combined medievalism with fear in an ever-enduring manner.Manfred, the castle's lord, and his family are the subjects of The Castle of Otranto. The story opens on the day of Conrad's ailing son and princess Isabella's nuptials. A huge helmet descends on Conrad from above, crushing him to death. Manfred divorces his present wife Hippolita and marries Isabella in an effort to stop the catastrophe.The knights from another kingdom want to give Isabella to her father, Fredric, who has a greater claim to the castle. As a result, Isabella flees, forcing Manfred and the knights to search quickly for her.The prophesy is deemed fulfilled, and a huge ghostly figure comes, declaring the castle walls to be destroyed. Along with Hippolita, Manfred cedes the principality and enters a life of prayer. Theodore marries Isabella, the only person who can genuinely comprehend his anguish, and is made prince of the castle's ruins.

• The Castle of Otranto
• INTRODUCTION
• PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.
• SONNET TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LADY MARY COKE.
• CHAPTER I.
• CHAPTER II.
• CHAPTER III.
• CHAPTER IV.
• CHAPTER V.
• THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE