I have my sons (and Wishbone) to thank for bringing my attention to this one. Zach and Nick enjoy watching "Wishbone" on PBS every day. I join them when I can and (as with all shows) we always discuss the show as it is going. Well, one day Wishbone did a rendition of "The Black Arrow" and I got curious, grabbed the book and read it.
The story is set in the the "War of The Roses", the epoch struggle in mid-evil England between the house of York and the house of Lancaster. Master Richard Shelton, a ward of Sir Daniel Brackley befriends Master John Matcham, a young man whom Richard believes is another ward or Sir Daniel. Unknown to Richard, John Matcham is really Joanna Matcham, a young maiden that Sir Daniel has captured and disguised as a young man.
Richard unwittingly helps John attempt to escape from Sir Daniel. The develop a friendship in their plight which introduces them to the Ellis Duckworth and the Fellowship of the Black Arrow, a group determined to avenge wrongs done by Sir Daniel and his friends. He also begins to learn that Sir Daniel may have had a hand in his father's death.
Their attempt to flee was thwarted and they end up back in Sir Daniel's castle. Richard begins to ask Sir Daniel about his father's murder. In turn, Sir Daniel plans to have Richard killed also. Joanna comes to Richard where upon he learns that she's a girl, he loves her, and that his life is in danger there. Richard escapes, but Joanna remains in Sir Daniel's custody.
Several months later, Richard has joined with Ellis Duckworth and now fights for the house of York. He makes an attempts to free Joanna, but fails. He falls into the service of the Lord Duke Richard of Gloucester (later to be King Richard the III, also known as Richard the Crookback). In turn they defeat Sir Daniel's army at the town of Shoreby, where Richard earns is Knighted by the Duke for his leadership in battle. But the tricky Sir Daniel has fled, taking Joanna with him.
Richard pursues the Knight with 50 men provided by the Duke. His youth and inexperience causes him to lose all his men, but he does free Joanna. Just before Richard and Joanna are to marry, Richard meets Sir Daniel in the woods outside of the Holywood. Sir Daniel, in the disguise of a pilgrim, seeks sanctuary in the church at Holywood. Richard forgives Sir Daniel for the murder of his father, but will not allow him to enter Holywood. At that very point, Ellis Duckworth delivers a promised black arrow in Sir Daniel's heart.
I really enjoyed this book. The story is fantastic, fast moving, and enthralling. Tying in to actual events and people in history makes the story even more believable. I recommend this book to anybody who enjoys a good story.
The story is set in the the "War of The Roses", the epoch struggle in mid-evil England between the house of York and the house of Lancaster. Master Richard Shelton, a ward of Sir Daniel Brackley befriends Master John Matcham, a young man whom Richard believes is another ward or Sir Daniel. Unknown to Richard, John Matcham is really Joanna Matcham, a young maiden that Sir Daniel has captured and disguised as a young man.
Richard unwittingly helps John attempt to escape from Sir Daniel. The develop a friendship in their plight which introduces them to the Ellis Duckworth and the Fellowship of the Black Arrow, a group determined to avenge wrongs done by Sir Daniel and his friends. He also begins to learn that Sir Daniel may have had a hand in his father's death.
Their attempt to flee was thwarted and they end up back in Sir Daniel's castle. Richard begins to ask Sir Daniel about his father's murder. In turn, Sir Daniel plans to have Richard killed also. Joanna comes to Richard where upon he learns that she's a girl, he loves her, and that his life is in danger there. Richard escapes, but Joanna remains in Sir Daniel's custody.
Several months later, Richard has joined with Ellis Duckworth and now fights for the house of York. He makes an attempts to free Joanna, but fails. He falls into the service of the Lord Duke Richard of Gloucester (later to be King Richard the III, also known as Richard the Crookback). In turn they defeat Sir Daniel's army at the town of Shoreby, where Richard earns is Knighted by the Duke for his leadership in battle. But the tricky Sir Daniel has fled, taking Joanna with him.
Richard pursues the Knight with 50 men provided by the Duke. His youth and inexperience causes him to lose all his men, but he does free Joanna. Just before Richard and Joanna are to marry, Richard meets Sir Daniel in the woods outside of the Holywood. Sir Daniel, in the disguise of a pilgrim, seeks sanctuary in the church at Holywood. Richard forgives Sir Daniel for the murder of his father, but will not allow him to enter Holywood. At that very point, Ellis Duckworth delivers a promised black arrow in Sir Daniel's heart.
I really enjoyed this book. The story is fantastic, fast moving, and enthralling. Tying in to actual events and people in history makes the story even more believable. I recommend this book to anybody who enjoys a good story.
