Otto of the Silver Hand

Originally published in 1888, Otto of the Silver Hand is a historical fiction novel written and illustrated by Howard Pyle, an American author, illustrator, and teacher whose illustrations became a major influence on modern depictions of medieval times. The story is set in 13th-century Germany, and its protagonist, Otto, grows up in a monastery before being returned to the home of his family, Castle Drachenhausen. Otto knows only peace and cannot comprehend the violence that now surrounds him, and this contrast becomes the foundation for the novel’s exploration of The Dichotomy of Good and Evil. By Choosing Love over Violence, Otto establishes himself as a well-trusted figure, and he also grapples with The Tension between Family Legacy and Personal Ethics.

This guide refers to the 1914 Charles Scribner’s Sons edition of the novel.

Content Warning: The source material and guide feature depictions of child abuse and graphic violence.

Plot Summary

Otto of the Silver Hand takes place in 13th-century Germany, primarily during Rudolph of Habsburg’s reign. Otto is born to Castle Drachenhausen, which is ruled by Baron Conrad and his wife, Baroness Matilda. Baron Conrad sustains his castle by stealing and pillaging nearby towns and merchants, but the Baroness wants him to cease his violence. She dies when she sees her husband return from battle badly injured, and she leaves behind their son, Otto, who was named after her uncle, Abbot Otto. The Baron heals and takes Otto to the monastery to be raised in a life of peace, which is what his wife would have wanted. There, Otto learns to read, studies religion, and establishes a quiet but satisfying life.

When Otto is 12, his father returns to the monastery to take him home and raise him to become a knight. From his caretaker, Otto learns that his father has killed many men, including Baron Frederick of the rival Castle Trutz-Drachen, and he is horrified by this brutality and resists the violent lifestyle that his father would have him embrace. However, he does not hate his father for what he did. Baron Henry, Baron Frederick’s nephew, eventually seeks revenge against Baron Conrad by setting fire to his castle and kidnapping Otto. Baron Henry takes Otto back to his castle and puts him in a prison cell, then cuts off his hand as a form of revenge and leaves the boy to die in the cell.

Otto is visited daily by Pauline, a girl who falls in love with Otto and makes him promise to return and marry her someday. Otto agrees and is soon freed by the handiwork of Baron Conrad’s most faithful servant, the one-eyed Hans. Hans sneaks into the castle by pretending to be a peddler and manipulates a sentry into taking him to the prison cell. He frees Otto by taking him out the window on a rope, and Baron Conrad takes his son into his arms.

Baron Conrad and his men are pursued by Baron Henry and his men, so Baron Conrad sends Hans and the others ahead with Otto, hoping that they can take Otto back to the monastery to heal in safety. Baron Conrad stands at the bridge and holds off the brigade long enough to give the others time, then dies in the act of killing Baron Henry. 

Otto heals in the monastery and then goes to meet the emperor, who invites him to live at the Imperial Court until he grows up. His missing hand is replaced with one made of silver, which comes to symbolize Otto’s decision to avoid the “iron” solution of weapons, violence, and bloodshed. Although Otto lives amongst bloodshed and treachery, he never engages in it himself. In adulthood, Otto returns to Pauline and proposes to her.