Summary of Chapter -1 of The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole:

Manfred, the lord of the castle of Otranto is blessed with a son, Conrad and a daughter Matilda. Conrad is a fifteen year old young boy who is puny and of a sickly disposition. Matilda is a virtuous young woman of eighteen. Manfred prefers his son more than Matilda and never displays any sign of affection to her. Hippolita is a devout Christian and a pious lady who always supports her husband as a devoted wife is supposed to do.  Due to Hippolita’s sterility, she is unable to bear a child anymore. Conrad is marrying Isabella, the daughter of Marquis of Vicenza, Frederic, because it is the only way to produce an heir. There has been a prophecy that the true successor of the actual owner of the castle, Alfonso, the good will return to claim his right. Isabella’s father is assumed having died in the holy land, long ago. Isabella has already been delivered by her guardians into the hands of Manfred . She never had any special affinity towards his future husband, Conrad. To attend the marriage ceremony, people gather in the chapel. Isabella, Hippolita and Matilda wait eagerly for Conrad’s arrival. But Conrad is missing. One of the attendants of Manfred, who has gone in search of Conrad, returns panting in exhaustion. He tries to say something pointing at the court. The awestruck attendant says, ‘Oh, the helmet, the helmet.’ Manfred rushes to the spot only to discover that Conrad is crushed under the gigantic helmet of the statue of Alfonso placed in St. Nicholas church and a group of servants are trying to raise the huge thing from Conrad’s dead body. It is a dreadful sight for a father to witness. Conrad has been dashed to pieces and almost buried under the enormous helmet of Alfonso. He retires to the castle where the ladies are waiting in a confused state. The first phrase that Manfred utters is-‘Take care of Lady Isabella.’ Matilda earnestly tries to console her mourning parents. As Isabella never has any strong feelings for Conrad, she feels less concerned about his death, but she feels sorry for Hippolita, who has always treated her as her own daughter. The young peasant who witnessed the mysterious death of Conrad is suspected by Manfred. He accuses the peasant of sorcery and holds him captive with strict orders of not to provide any food to the prisoner. On Hippolita’s request, Matilda goes to check on his father, but he flatly refused to see her. Despite being heartbroken by his father’s behavior, Matilda tells her mother that his father is doing well. At that moment, a servant comes to inform that Manfred wishes to see Isabella. When Isabella arrives at the gallery to meet Manfred, he seems to be muttering incoherent words. He proposes a marriage between him and Isabella in order to continue the family line. Isabella recoils in fear and disgust instantly. A series of supernatural events happen during this conversation. The portrait of Manfred’s grandfather utters a sign so deep and heaves its breast that Isabella feels it .Being terrified, Isabella escapes from Manfred’s grip. An apparition moves out of the portrait and floats till the end of the gallery. Manfred follows the shadow. It enters the room in the right hand and force shuts the door with its invisible hands. Meanwhile, Isabella enters the secret passage of the castle to escape to St. Nicholas Church. Near the secret trap door, Isabella meets the young peasant who somehow manages to escape Manfred’s captivity. He helps Isabella to run away through the door, but he fails to do the same. He is held captive by Manfred’s attendants. Manfred returns to Hippolita’s chamber to inquire about Isabella. Hippolita is astounded by Manfred’s behavior. He relates to the whole story of the supernatural events to her and asked to summon the chaplain. Later, Hippolita and the Chaplain examined the room where the supernatural incident occurred, but they find nothing unusual there. An attendant of Manfred, named Diego claims to have seen huge feet and legs of a giant,clad in armour chasing him.