Easy Readers - The Black Arrow: Revisited By Carla Aira 73165c

carla aira

Easy Readers - The Black Arrow

revisited by carla aira

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Table of contents

Easy Readers

Forewords

Chapter 1- A boy

Chapter 2 - The Black Arrow

Chapter 3 - In the wood

Chapter 4 - Questions

Chapter 5 – The trapdoor

Chapter 6 - With the Black Arrow

Chapter 7 - The house by the sea

Chapter 8- The Good Hope

Chapter 9 – Shoreby

Chapter 10 – The Spy

Chapter 11 – The Wedding

Chapter 12 – At the Goat and Bagpipes Inn

Chapter 13 - The End

Epilogue

Notes

Credits

Easy Readers

The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson revisited by carla aira from 15 years old

Forewords

England. 1470s. Under King Henry VI the country is torn by a civil war. Two families are fighting to get the power: the House of Lancaster with King Henry VI and the House of York with Duke Richard. The Symbol of the Lancasters is a red rose, the symbol of the Yorks is a white rose. That’s why the war is called the War of the Two Roses. It starts in 1455 and ends in 1485, when the Lancastrian Henry Tudor defeats the Yorkist King Richard of Gloucester and becomes King as Henry VII. My name is Robert Louis Stevenson, I am a story teller. I am travelling around England to learn stories and write them down. Near a castle I meet Richard Shelton, a nobleman. He invites me to his castle and starts telling me his story.... Narrator The story takes place in Yorkshire. Sir Daniel Brackley, er of the Lancaster family, lives at Tunstall Moat House near Tunstall Forest and Holywood Abbey. People say that he is a cruel man, always at war, and imposes heavy taxes to the villagers living in his lands. He says he is my guardian because my father died when I was very young. Oh, by the way, I am Richard Shelton, but everybody calls me Dick. One day, I go to Tunstall village to tell people that a great battle is going to start. People love me because I am young and honest. Suddenly Bennet Hatch arrives galloping. Bennet is Sir Daniel’s right hand. He tells me to follow him: an arrow killed one of Sir Daniel's archers and my

friend, Appleyard. We leave for Moat House where Sir Oliver, a priest, is praying for Appleyard. Dick: My poor friend Appleyard … Look, this is a black arrow. What does it mean, Bennet? Bennet: The arrow belongs to John Amend All, an outlaw who lives in the forest with his band. They want to protect poor people exploited by Sir Daniel. Sir Oliver: Look! There is a piece of paper. Read it, Dick Dick: It is a sort of poem. It says that there are four arrows: one was for Appleyard; one is for Bennet, one for you, Oliver and the last is for Sir Daniel. It says that they want to avenge people and Harry Shelton's death. Harry Shelton, my father... Was he killed? Who killed him? Sir Oliver: It wasn't me. I wasn't at Moat House when he died. Bennet: Shut up...Sir Daniel will tell you the truth, Richard. Let's go to Moat House with Appleyard’s body. Sir Oliver: Give the message from the Black Arrow to Sir Daniel, Richard....He is collecting taxes at Kettley village now. I ride to Kettley...to know the truth

[1] torn: dilaniata (to tear)

[2] to defeat: sconfiggere

[3] story teller: racconta storie

[4] archer: arciere

[5] to exploit: sfruttare

[6] to avenge: vendicare

Chapter 1- A boy

When I get at Kettley Sir Daniel Brackley is at the inn. Sir Daniel: Dick, where is Bennet Hatch? Dick: He is at Moat House now, with sir Oliver and poor Appleyard, dead. Read this message and you will know. Sir Daniel reads the Black Arrow’s verses and looks worried Sir Daniel: Did you read this message? Dick: Yes, I did, but Sir Oliver said that he did not kill my father. Daniel: Go back to Tunstall with the message I am writing now. Meanwhile I hear a soft voice speaking to me Soft voice: Help me Dick! Tell me the way to Holywood Abbey! But don’t show you are listening to me. Dick: Take the road near the windmill. You' ll get to Till Ferry. There ask again. And I see a boy going away slowly and silently while m a messenger arrives with a letter from Lord Risingham to Sir Daniel “We are near victory. Come soon with fresh men! Sir Daniel: Soldiers, get ready to leave for the battle. John, Joanna! Where is that lad? Joanna! Host, where is that girl…boy? Did anyone leave the inn?

Host: I saw no girl. An hour ago I saw a boy leaving on a grey horse. Daniel: Damn it! That boy means money for me! Dick, go and find him. I’m riding to Moat House, when I see a horse in the mud, and then I hear someone calling me. Boy: Hi boy. Dick: Don’t call me boy! You are not older than me. Boy: Sorry, I don’t want to offend you. Please Dick help me, I want to go to Holywood Abbey. Dick: How do you know my name? Boy: Sir Daniel called you Dick at the inn. Dick: What is your name? Boy: I’m John Matcham. Sir Daniel took me by violence from my house. He obliged me to walk for miles and that is why my foot hurts. Dick: Don’t worry, you can use my horse and we can go together. So we reach the river on horseback and after few miles we are at the ferryman’s hut.

Chapter 2 - The Black Arrow

Ferry Man: Mr. Shelton are you here for the ferry? Dick: We are in a hurry! Please, take me and my cousin across the river. Ferry Man: Dick there is a man, John Amend-All, that hates Sir Daniel and his friends. You must menace me, so they’ll think we are enemies. We are all on the ferry when we suddenly we hear a shout Dick: I see a tall man over there. Tall Man: Ferry Man, who is that boy near you? Ferry Man: He is master Dick Shelton, Sir. The boy is scared and jumps off the ferry onto the river bank. I try to follow him on horseback but the horse refuses to move. Tall Man: Master Shelton, I don't want to hurt you. He hits my horse with an arrow. The ferry turns over and the ferryman and I fall into the water. John helps me to get ashore. Dick: Thank you John. Let's go through the wood, silently. Look! There is a man sitting on a low branch, and there is a ruined house. Probably it is Simon Malmesboury’s house. The man is near a cauldron. Then many men arrive repeating “Ellis, Ellis, Ellis”,

the name of the leader of the Black Arrow band Ellis: Here we are. There is beer for everybody...let's drink together. But be ready to fight: there are Daniel Brackley's men in the wood. And you know, Sir Daniel is our enemy. He ruined three men and I want to avenge them: Harry Shelton, Simon Malmesbury and myself. Ellis Duckworth. He shoots an arrow in the air. It’s the signal: they are ready to fight!!

[1] ferry: traghetto; ferryman: traghettatore

[2] on horsebackl: a cavallo

[3] to get ashore: raggiungere la riva

[4] to shoot an arrow: sparare una freccia

Chapter 3 - In the wood

We decide to leave and go on walking John: Let's go to Holywood. I will be under the protection of the church, safe and sound. Dick: No, these men are going to kill Sir Daniel's soldiers. I have to warn them of the danger. John: But they killed your father... Dick: I am not sure. I lived with them. I can't betray them. John: But you are betraying me. You are a traitor. I don't want to be alone in these woods. I will follow you. Dick: No, it's dangerous for you But John follows me From the top of the hill we see the battle: the Black Arrow men kill all the soldier of Sir Daniel. Then Ellis sees us. Ellis: Let him go, don't kill him. He is Harry Shelton's son! We continue our walk bound to Shoreby. Suddenly we see soldiers galloping in disorder Dick: They are Risingham's soldiers. They are defeated. Maybe Sir Daniel was with them in the battle... John: I am tired. I want to find a place where to sleep.

Dick: You're right. There is a cave over there … We sleep till morning. When we wake up we hear the sound of a bell. John: Who is that man? He is wearing a white cloak with a hood hiding his face. He has a stick with a bell... Dick: He is a leper. He is blind. He cannot see us. We walk on but suddenly the leper attacks us. John faints. I try to fight when a voice I know calls me Leper: Don't be afraid. I am your guardian, Sir Daniel. We were defeated and I am wearing these clothes to escape the Black Arrow men . John opens his eyes Sir Daniel: Let's go to Tunstall; at Moat house Sir Oliver and Bennet Hatch are waiting for us. At Moat House John: Farewell Dick. Here we are. You'll not meet John Matcham any more. Dick: But why … John: Farewell Dick.

[1] to betray: tradire

[2] leper: lebbroso

Chapter 4 - Questions

Dick: We are ready to fight, Bennet, to defend Moat House Bennet: Yes, but our destiny is marked and we shall all die! Dick: Bennet, please, tell me: how did my father die? Bennet: Don’t ask me, ask Sir Oliver. Dick: Sir Daniel is my guardian and I think he is innocent! Oh, here is Sir Oliver coming. You are just in time... But also Sir Daniel comes Sir Daniel: Throgmorton, take this message to Wensleydale. Dick follow me! Oliver, I have something to tell you. Dick, I heard you are suspecting me of your father's death...I can’t believe it, I am your guardian! Suddenly a black arrow shatters the glass of the hall window. Sir Daniel is very angry Sir Daniel: Oliver, if Dick continues to accuse me, I will kill him. Tell him we are innocent. Sir Daniel goes out to find out who shot the arrow Dick: Sir Oliver, tell me. Did Sir Daniel kill my father? Oliver: I did not kill him, Dick, I swear. And Oliver goes out making strange signals with his face. I look around and I see two eyes watching him from a picture on the wall.

Someone is spying on me! A servant comes in. Servant: Dick, please, follow me. Sir Daniel told me to lead you to the room above the chapel. I’m frightened

Chapter 5 – The trapdoor

I am now in this room above the chapel. It is nice and comfortable, but I think there is a trap door somewhere . I hear a knock on the door Dick: Who is there? John: It's me, John. Dick: John, where were you? I did not see you... John: Stop asking questions. You are in danger. They want to kill you. Here is a dagger for you Dick: You are the bravest boy in England But we hear a sound. A trap door opens in the floor. We are ready to fight when we hear another cry. The trap door closes. Sir Daniel: Joanna, where is Joanna... John: Oh, my God...they are looking for me. Go away, they will take me, but you will be safe and able to help me. Dick: But you...Oh God, what a fool I am. You are not John, you are Joanna Sedley, the girl I was meant to marry. Joanna: Yes, and Sir Daniel took me away.... But a voice interrupts us Voice: Master Dick, open the door...it's an order

Joanna: We are lost Dick: No, let's go down the trap. Together we can lift its trapdoor... So, we go down the trap and crawl till we find a wall blocking us. Dick: There is nothing we can do now.Joanna, tell me your story until they capture us and … Joanna: I am Joanna Sedley. I am an orphan and I am very rich. Lord Foxham was my guardian. He was very kind. He wanted me to marry a good boy, but on the day before my wedding Sir Daniel kidnapped me. He gave me these boy clothes and took me away. Then I met you: you helped me, you were kind to me and I fell in love with you. Dick: You are very brave, Joanna...and I love you too. But, listen. Someone is coming Bennet appears Bennet: Here you are at last. Dick: Help us Bennet. I cannot believe I must run away from the men that were my friends? Bennet: I am going to Sir Daniel now, but you must escape. Put your hand in that hole and you'll be out. We do so and we find ourselves in the armoury opening onto the courtyard

[1] armoury: armeria

[2] courtyard: cortile

Chapter 6 - With the Black Arrow

Dick: Look Joanna, here’s a rope. Let’s use this to escape from here Joanna: Oh no, Dick. I cannot, I'll fall down. Let’s find another way to go out from here. Joanna faints Dick: Come on Joanna, wake up!! The soldiers are coming… Oh here they are …They won't kill me. I'll go dowm with this rope. Joanna is still inside, but she is not in danger. Now I have to think for myself, other soldiers are coming. I'll come back to take her. I’d better swim this moat and run through the forest. They will not find me. The next morning Dick: It’s quite cold this morning and I am very tired. Maybe I can rest under the tree… But what is that?!? A dead body? Who is she? Oh my God he is Throgmorton, Sir Daniel messenger!! But there is a letter in his hand? It’s a letter from Sir Daniel to lord Wensleydale. I’'ll keep it: maybe it can be a proof to humiliate Sir Daniel or to send him to prison. I go on walking till I arrive at the road to Tunstale village. Here there are two men wearing Lincoln green clothes. They are the Black Arrow me. Men: Who goes there? Stop here. Who are you? Dick: I’m… But I cannot end the sentence: I am too tired and I faint. Men: Look brother, he is Dick Shelton. He doesn’t look very well…Help me

to put him on my back I will bring him to Ellis Duckworth at Tunstale village… he is quite heavy… Stay at your post, brother…see you later. Bye… I will know afterward that the man who took me to Ellis is called Lawless. Lawless: Here I am Ellis and this is Dick Shelton. Ellis: Take him in!! What happened ? Lawless: I don’t know. I was asking his name when he fainted. He looks very tired. Ellis: He is under my protection now. Later ... Dick: Thank you Ellis for helping me. You cannot imagine what happened...I'll tell you my story Ellis: I promise you Dick that Sir Daniel will pay for everything. But now we must run away from Tunstall village. I heard that Sir Daniel is very angry and he is looking for you everywhere. We must disappear now if we want to survive. Dick: And what about Matcham? I left her there... Ellis: Don’t worry: I promise you that if we hear that Joanna is going to get married we will act immediately . Dick: Okay, let’s go!!! Two days later Sir Daniel arrives with his army at Tunstall village. Sir Daniel: Here we are!!! Dick and his friends must be here. But they do not find me anywhere. Till a soldier takes Sir Daniel a letter “You betrayed me, Sir Daniel. You killed my father and I will kill you one day if you tr y to marry Joanna to another man

Dick Shelton Sir Daniel: Richard Shelton I will find you!!

[1] to faint: svenire

[2] rope: corda

[3] Lawless: senzalegge

Chapter 7 - The house by the sea

Months . The House of Lancaster is wining again. We are in an inn, drinking. Two men enter 1st man: Dick, Sir Daniel is going out with a group of men. Dick: Harry, John! Le's follow him. It is the third time that he goes out at the same hour. With the same six men. We are in the street following Sir Daniel. He meets another group of men. One of them is the infamous Lord Shoreby. They go to the beach and stop at a house. Dick: I want to look inside the house Harry: Be careful! Dick: Look! There is Bennet's wife. She is with a beautiful elegant young woman...she is Joanna! Harry: Pay attention! I heard a whistle Dick: Are they Sir Daniel's men? Harry: No, they are not. Dick: Let's attack them, anyway! We fight bravely, like lions. I disarm the commander. Commander: You are very brave. Who are you? Dick: Dick Sheldon. I command these men. And who are you?

Commander: I am Lord Foxham Dick: Lord Foxham? Joanna's guardian. Lord Foxham: Yes, how do you know Joanna? I tell him our story and adventures. Lord Foxham listens carefully Lord Foxham: I promise, Joanna will not marry anyone but you. I come back to Shereby with my men to have some our sleep.

Chapter 8- The Good Hope

Dick: I have taken a decision: we will free Joanna going on the sea. Harry: How can we do? Dick: Lawless, can you rob a ship? Lawless: Of Course, Dick...I was a mariner you know. Dick: Go, Lawless, and find a ship for us Lawless: Look over there. That will be our ship! Lawless goes to an inn where mariners usually have drinks. There he finds a Captain, captain Arblaster. Lawless recognizes him Lawless: I was your mate Captain, when I was young Arlbaster: I don't you, but have a drink with me … The two men start drinking together. Meanwhile I inform Lord Foxham of my plan to free Joanna. The sea is stormy. When the Captain and Lawless are drunk, my men take the Captain and his crew and we go on board the Good Hope. Lawless: I will be at the wheel: I am drunk but I can steer you through the waves. Here we are... But when we disembark, there is a shower of arrows. Many men are wounded, also Lord Foxham. We are forced to go back on board.

Dick: How is Lord Foxham? I want to see him Lord Foxham: I am seriously wounded Dick. These are two letters: one is for Shoreby, the man Joanna must marry. It says that Joanna must marry you. The other is for my Lord, the Yorkist Richard of Glouchester. He is preparing an attack to the Lancasterians. You must meet him on Sunday, at midday, at Saint Bride's Cross. So, with these two letters I go ashore.

[1] mate: compagno

[2] meanwhile: nel frattempo

[3] crew: ciurma

[4] at the wheel: al timone

[5] to steer: guidare (una nave)

[6] to disembrak: sbarcare

[7] shower of arrows: pioggia di frecce

[8] wounder: ferito

Chapter 9 – Shoreby

I am in the forest with Lawless, thinking about what we can do to save Joanna Dick: This is my plan Lawless. We will go back to Shorbey. Lawless:Yes, of course! And I can offer you a cup of wine and a fire to warm up. Dick: Good idea, I really need it! Lawless (laughing): I will show you a hiding place in the forest: it is a hole in a tree. Let’s walk. We get to a ruined tree Lawless: Here we are! This is my favourite place. I'll guide you inside. Dick, listen to me I think…if you do not stand at her side you will lose her. Go away with her as soon as you can. She is probably in Sir Daniel’s house. We can go there. Dick: How can we do? Lawless: Put on this friar’s robe and this rosary so they do not recognized you. I'll do the same. Dick: Thanks. I will take a black arrow too. Now I burn all the papers except Sir Daniel’s letter. At Sir Daniel’s house Lawless: This is the house and it is full of people. We can go into the hall: there is a fire-place and nobody will see us. While I am looking the entrance, I see two ladies: one of them is Joanna. Now I follow them so I can see where they are going…

Dick: My God...Who's is touching my shoulder? Lady: What are you doing here? Are you a spy?! A Yorkist?! Dick: I am a poor friar… Lady: No you are not! But...STOP! Do not say your name. Wait for me here. Dick: Yes, …who is coming? Joanna: It's me, Joanna! Dick: Joanna, I am here for you! Joanna: My dear Dick! Can I give you hundred kisses? Joanna starts crying Joanna:Tomorrow morning I will marry Lord Shorbey by Sir Daniel’s order, but I do not want it! Now we have to hide ourselves!

[1] to warm (uop) : scaldarsi

[2] to stand on one's side: stare al fianco di qualcuno

[3] friar's robe: vestito da prete

Chapter 10 – The Spy

Unfortunately a man from Shoreby comes. I am behind an arras. He can't see me. The spy goes away. But Lawless comes: he is drunk, he sings and laughs. Dick: Shut up, you fool Lawless: What are you doing here, Dick? Dick: Shh, there is a man behind that arras in the corridor I attack the spy and kill him. Lawless escapes. In the spy's wallet there is a letter: it is for the enemy House of York! Dick: Now I write a letter for Shoreby: “My lord, I know your secret now. If you don't want to be dissevered you must let Joanna free.. Here I pin the letter with the black arrow.” I return to my hiding place. After a while the spy's corpse is discovered. Sir Daniel and Lord Shoreby come. Shoreby: He is one of my man...He is dead, killed...and here is a message for me. Sentinels, soldiers: don't let anyone leave the palace! The two girls tell me what has just happened Dick: I must leave this place and go to the Black Arrow band. They can help us. I am a friar, I can to through the chapel and then go out.

I the corridor, but a sentinel stops me Sentinel: Where are you going, friar? Dick: To the chapel, to pray with the other friars Sentinel: I'll take you there And in the chapel I meet Sir Oliver Dick: Oliver, I am in your hand... Oliver: Let this friar here. We will pray together...(the sentinel goes) Dick, you will spend the night near me. Tomorrow Joanna will marry and you will be free to go. The night is long The following morning the abbey is busy. Many people come and among them... Dick: Lawless, what are you doing here? Lawless: I am here to help you. Ellis will come: he will not permit this wedding. A merry music starts

[1] arras: arazzo

[2] chapel: cappella

[3] merry: allegra

Chapter 11 – The Wedding

Joanna appears in the church with her maids. People watching the wedding: The bride is pale as winter . She is at Sir Daniel’s arm and is followed by the bridegroom, Lord Shoreby. Dick: There are strange movements in the nave, there are four men ready to shoot their arrows! A man: Look: some men over there are shooting their arrows!! People start screaming. Joanna faints Shoreby: The black arrows have struck me! Sir Daniel: What happens?.Ah, my arm An arrow strikes Sir Daniel's arm. Sir Oliver: here is Richard Shelton! Take him and his accomplice and tie them up. Suddenly some archers push Lawless and me down the altar. Sir Daniel: You, traitor! I promise you will pray to die. Go to my house! Dick: They are taking me away from the church! Look! I do not have arms. The soldiers start searching and find the black arrows under Lawless clothes. A man: What do you say now? Dick: I say that you are an important man. Your face shows signs of piety and justice. That man, Sir Daniel, murdered my natural father.

Joanna: I am in Sir Daniel’s custody by force and only Richard helped. Yesterday he came to help me. The man introduces himself: he is Lord Risingham Lord Risingham: Sir Daniel, this is a very intricate affair, and I want to solve it. Take the ladies home. The soldiers march away with the ladies. Lord Risingham: You have committed many crimes! Dick: I only it I killed the spy and this is a letter from his wallet. I give Lord Risingham Lord Shorbey’letter to Lord Wenslaidale Lord Risingham: Did you read it? Are you for York or for Lancaster? Dick: I am for York. Lord Risingham: I am a leader in the queen’s interest and Sir Daniel is very important for the Lancaster. Dick: Do you really count on Sir Daniel’s loyalty? Then I give Lord Risingham Sir Daniel’s letter to Lord Wenslaydale. Lord Risingham: I am very angry! He offers my own castle and lands. That traitor… Master Shelton I will show you my gratitude, I set you free together with your companion.

Chapter 12 – At the Goat and Bagpipes Inn

Dick: It’s dark outside. It is better if we go to the Goat and Bagpipes Inn. Lawless: You’re right Dick. Let’s go Here there is the Captain of the Good Hope, the ship we stole. He is drunk, as usual. Captain Abelright: There are three sailors…yup…on a boat…yup…Hi friends…yup…Hey, shipmates! Have you got a penny for a poor old sailor? You are the two men who stole my boat!! Lawless: Let’s run away! Captain: You stole my boat! Where is it? Where is my money? A sailor: Let’s search the money! Captain: What’s this? It’s a ring. He has no money! How can it be possible? You…thief…bang bang Dick: My master, don’t you understand that I can make you rich? This ring is magic, it can open a cave full of gold! Sailor: Please, Captain, don’t trust him, Captain: Maybe there is some truth in what he is saying. Let’s take him inside and hear more. Sit there thief and tell us about this magic ring. Dick: Once upon a time there was a man called Ali Baba who travelled to England and walked up to Tunstall Forest. Captain: Barman, take me another bottle of whisky

Dick:… and this is the story of Ali Baba: if you find the treasure it can make you rich. Now can I have my ring back, please? Captain:… yup… oh yes, here is your ring. We don’t need it. Dick: Thank you, bye The following morning Dick: Where is Lawless?! I need to find him so we can go and take Lord Foxham’s papers to the Duke of Gloucester. But what’s this noise? Oh, God: seven soldiers are attacking a knight! That’s not fair hold on sir, here is help! Dick: I’m done I cannot fight anymore, please help me! Trumpet noise Knight: Take these men and hang them! Then go back to your posts. T hank you sir. You came in good for me, but how old you know who I was? Dick: My lord, I did not know it, but I saw one man against many, and felt it was my duty of honour to help him. Knight: you are right, and I really thank you but are you York Lancaster? Dick: I’m York Knight: Good for you. I’m Richard, called the Crookback, Duke of Gloucester. What’s your name? Dick: I’m my name is Richard Shelton, and Lord Foxham sent me here. This is his ring! Duke of Gloucester: I recognize it. Do you have Lord Foxham’s notes? They can help me… Dick: I’m sorry, sir. I don’t have them but I can give you first hand information about the troops. Ehm sir I suggest that you attack immediately, you will surprise them. Duke of Gloucester: You’re right. You, soldier; go and call all the troops.

We are going to Shoreby.

[1] Goat and Bagpipes Inn: la locanda della capra e delle cornamuse

[2] drunk: ubriaco

[3] thief: ladro

[4] the crookback: il gobbo

[5] troop: truppa

Chapter 13 - The End

The battle lasts all morning and many men die on both sides. I am fighting with my men. Shoreby is captured and Richard, Duke of Gloucester calls me. Richard: You have pleased me. Kneel! You'll be my knight. And now, Sir Richard, I count on your loyalty and help! Then he rides away. I lead some of my loyal men to Sir Daniel's abbey. Dick: Oh, my God! The gates are open and half demolished… and soldiers are carrying away properties. I run upstairs looking for Joanna. Her room is in great disorder and there is neither trace of the girl, nor of Sir Daniel and Sir Oliver. I question a ing archer. Dick: Do you know Sir Daniel? Was he in the house? Archer: Yes, sir. Sir Daniel was here, but when the soldiers entered, he rode away across the garden with a dozen lancers. He is probably going to Holywood. Dick: Did you see any woman? Archer: No, sir, no women! The Duke of Gloucester gives me fifty lancers to follow Sir Daniel.

Richard: Take him, that villain! If you bring his head to me, I will it! I ride off. Just outside Shoreby, I see Sir Daniel's dead soldiers in the snow. I go on to the wo Then I stop and listen intently, but I can hear no noise. It is very cold and dark. Dick: Let’s camp here. We can have some food and rest. We will wait forthe moonlight before going on. When the full moon is up, we put out the fires and get ready to leave. I climb a tall oak tree and inspect the countryside; looking south-west I see a little fire. Dick: That is Sir Daniel’s camp! My men and I move towards the fire, where a dozen people are sitting. I recognize my old friend, Bennet Hatch and, not far from him, Joanna and Sir Daniel’s wife. A little whistle announces that my men are ready. Bennet jumps to his feet and tries to take up his arms. Dick: Bennet, my old friend, surrender and spare your men's lives! Bennet: You, Master Shelton! I can't surrender, I must do my duty. May the saints help you! He blows a little trumpet and the few men set up to resist. Joanna runs to me. My men begin to shoot their arrows andBennet ishit. In a moment, Sir Daniel’s horsemen disperse my men.

Joanna and I start running. When silence falls again, we stop. Dick: I am a fool! I have lost all my men. I didn’t understand it was anambush, but the next time I'll know what to do! Joanna: No, Dick, what does it matter? Now we are together once again. Dick: My dear ,goto Holywood and find the protection of your goodguardian and my best friend, Lord Foxham. There we shall be married, if you still want to marry me. Joanna: I do, Dick, I do want to marry you.

[1] to knell: inginocchiarsi

Epilogue

Joanna and I walk for about three miles until we reach Holywood Abbey. Joanna: Oh! The windows of the abbey are shining with torches and candles! Dick: Lord Foxham’s troops are still encamped here! Also the Duke of Gloucester is in the abbey and I meet him. Fortunately Lord Foxham, is rapidly recovering. The Duke of Glouchester: What about Lord Daniel! Where is his head? Dick: I have not got his head .... Lord Foxham: You are together with Joanna, this is important. Tomorrow you will be married. The following day I get up early, soon elegant and ready for the ceremony. But I am nervous and impatient, so I start walking in the wood. There, I see a figure behind some trees. The man is dressed like a pilgrim, with a hood that hides his face, but I immediately recognize Sir Daniel Dick: You wanted to kill me Sir Daniel: I was defending my person. Sir Daniel tries to leave but a bow sounds from behind a bush and an arrow strikes him.

Sir Daniel: Is the arrow black? Dick: It is black Sir Daniel dies. I stand up and see the man who shot the arrow. It is Ellis Duckworth. Ellis: Pray for me, Dick. Sir Daniel is dead and Hatch is dead, too. Dick: yes, but let Sir Oliver live! Revenge is so bitter! Ellis: The devil is still strong in me. But the Black Arrow will fly no more. Adieu, think no more of Ellis! At nine that morning Joanna Sedley and I are married in Holywood church. Outside, the Duke of Gloucester is riding away, with his horsemen. And now, Joanna and I are living happily, far from the wars and the blood, in the green forest where our love started.

[1] bow: arco

[1] BIOGRAPHY - Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 – 1894)

R. L. Stevenson was born in Edinburgh where started studying law, but only literature interested him and he began early to write for magazines. His health was extremely delicate, and travelling was one of his greatest pleasures.

He was in , in and in America. It was during this period he made most of his lasting friendships and met his future wife, Fanny Vandegrift Osbourne, an American who was 10 years his senior and married at the time with a son, Lloyd.

In May, 1880, after her divorce, they got married.

His return from America in 1880 marked for him the beginning of a period of great productiveness as from 1881 to 1886 he wrote the most successful novels. In 1887 he went to America again , and in the next three years he visited the South Sea Islands. Finally he settled down in Samoa where died suddenly in 1894.

The natives buried him on a spot overlooking the sea nearby Mount Valea.

Among his most famous works, besides The Black Arrow: A Tale of the Two Roses (1883) are Works Treasure Island (1883); The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1886); Kidnapped (1886); The Master of Ballantrae (1889) and many short stories.

[2] HISTORY

The Wars of the Roses were a series of fifteenth-century English civil wars for control of the throne of England. They started in 1455 between ers of two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the House of Lancaster, represented by a red rose, and the House of York, represented by a white rose. The conflict ended through many sporadic episodes in 1487, when Richard III was defeated (and killed) at Bosworth Field by Henry Tudor , leader of the Lancastrians, returned from his exile in Brittany, who married Elizabeth of York, the eldest daughter and heir of Edward IV and assumed the throne as Henry VII and, uniting the two houses. The House of Tudor ruled the Kingdom of England until 1603, with the death of Elizabeth I, granddaughter of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York.

Richard Crookback, Richard III of England would have been merely eight years old at the time of this story, but R. L. Stevenson follows William Shakespeare in retro-jetting the personage of Richard of Gloucester into the earlier period of the Wars of the Roses and portraying him as a harsh. This characterization falls in line with the Tudor Myth, a tradition that excessively denigrates Richard of Gloucester and cast the entire English Fifteenth Century as a bloody, barbaric chaos in contrast to the Tudor era of law and order. The fictitious Battle of Shoreby is modelled after the First Battle of St Albans in the Wars of the Roses. This battle in history as in the novel is a complete victory for the House of York.

Character references. The name of the main character Richard Shelton were probably a reference to an actual historical personage, Sir Richard Tunstall. He, Lancastrian and ardent er of King Henry VI of England, held Harlech Castle against the Yorkists through most of the 1460s when Edward IV of England ruled. In contrast, Richard Shelton, who becomes the knight of Tunstall at the end of The Black Arrow, is a staunch Yorkist.

Credits

Many thanks to Poalo Calloni for his fantastic cover

And many thanks to the students of 3M liceo scientifico Gramsci 2019 - 2020 with whom I read this book