The Prisoner of Zenda

THE PRISONER OF ZENDA was published in 1894. Its hero, Rudolf Rassendyll, an indolent young Englishman, decides to visit the kingdom of Ruritania to witness the coronation of its new king.

He discovers the crown prince is nearly his exact double. On coronation day, the king is taken prisoner by his evil brother, Ruppert. Rudolf Rassendyll is suddenly compelled to impersonate the monarch.