Set during the Wars of the Roses, the story follows young Dick Shelton as he discovers that his guardian, Sir Daniel Brackley, murdered his father. Dick flees into the Tunstall Forest, where he encounters the Fellowship of the Black Arrow, a band of outlaws led by Ellis Duckworth who target corrupt officials with archery. Amidst the dynastic struggle between Lancaster and York, Dick attempts to rescue his betrothed, Joanna Sedley, while navigating shifting political alliances and the brutal realities of medieval warfare, eventually participating in the Battle of Shoreby.
Historical fiction enthusiasts read this book for its depiction of fifteenth-century English life and the chaotic breakdown of feudal loyalty. It appeals to those interested in the transition from childhood to knighthood during periods of civil unrest. The reader walks away with a detailed understanding of longbow tactics, the complexities of partisan warfare, and the moral compromises required to survive a succession crisis. It provides a clear view of how personal vengeance intersects with national power struggles in the late Middle Ages.
- Published
- 1883
- Language
- EN
