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Master of Ravenspur
Unknown Binding
Published January 1, 1970
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 17, 2021
Twelve-year-old Dickon never knew his father and his mother, the daughter of peasants, had died three years earlier. She worked at the castle of Ravenspur and Dickon continued to live there, serving the master Sir Reginald. Sir Reginald had been a a follower of the Duke of York but had retired to his ancestral home shortly before Dickon’s birth. Dickon is shunned by the peasants in town, by the servants in the castle and what there is of the nobility. He has friends however; the local priest who teaches him to read and write; an elderly shepherd; and Sir Reginald’s old squire, John, who instructs him in the use ofarms.
When the castle is threatened by Lancastrians reinvigorated by the Earl of Warwick’s rebellion, Dickon asks John whether they were Lancastrians or Yorkists, and which side is in the right. John gives a rather dispassionate view of the merits of both sides, but adds that once you have made your choice, you’re committed to that side. “There is no changing for a man of honour.”
Despite the promise of the Lancastrian commander not to attack, the castle is about to be besieged. Sir Reginald attempts to send Dickon to the Friar Philip at York Minster so that he can be trained to earn some kind of living, most probably to become a priest. If he decides on a more worldly life, Sir Reginald tells him to remember the "Snow Rose and the White Boar."
Before Dickon can escape, the Lancastrians attack while the castle servants are leaving under a promise of safe conduct. Dickon witnesses the deaths of Sir Reginald and John who sally forth during the attack.
Dickon escapes and, wanting to avenge their deaths, he makes his way to Pontefract where he is told he can find Richard, Duke of Gloucester . He meets the Duke when both are under attack from Lancastrians. He saves Richard’s life (well, they save each other’s lives) and Dickon becomes his faithful follower This is just in time to join Richard and his brother King Edward’s exile to Burgundy. It is Dickon who proposes that the king land at Ravenspur upon his return to England. The book ends after the battle of Barnet where Dickon saves Richard’s life and, not surprisingly, it is revealed that Dickon is really the son of Sir Reginald and he is awarded the castle of Ravenspur.
This book is aimed at children aged 10 and above and it is filled with swashbuckling adventures. I picked it up because I was in the mood for a quick, undemanding read. It fit the bill.
When the castle is threatened by Lancastrians reinvigorated by the Earl of Warwick’s rebellion, Dickon asks John whether they were Lancastrians or Yorkists, and which side is in the right. John gives a rather dispassionate view of the merits of both sides, but adds that once you have made your choice, you’re committed to that side. “There is no changing for a man of honour.”
Despite the promise of the Lancastrian commander not to attack, the castle is about to be besieged. Sir Reginald attempts to send Dickon to the Friar Philip at York Minster so that he can be trained to earn some kind of living, most probably to become a priest. If he decides on a more worldly life, Sir Reginald tells him to remember the "Snow Rose and the White Boar."
Before Dickon can escape, the Lancastrians attack while the castle servants are leaving under a promise of safe conduct. Dickon witnesses the deaths of Sir Reginald and John who sally forth during the attack.
Dickon escapes and, wanting to avenge their deaths, he makes his way to Pontefract where he is told he can find Richard, Duke of Gloucester . He meets the Duke when both are under attack from Lancastrians. He saves Richard’s life (well, they save each other’s lives) and Dickon becomes his faithful follower This is just in time to join Richard and his brother King Edward’s exile to Burgundy. It is Dickon who proposes that the king land at Ravenspur upon his return to England. The book ends after the battle of Barnet where Dickon saves Richard’s life and, not surprisingly, it is revealed that Dickon is really the son of Sir Reginald and he is awarded the castle of Ravenspur.
This book is aimed at children aged 10 and above and it is filled with swashbuckling adventures. I picked it up because I was in the mood for a quick, undemanding read. It fit the bill.
December 22, 2022
I remember reading this as a language arts textbook in junior high.
Set during the 15th century, a young boy named Dickon is accepted neither by the serf community of Ravenspur nor by the nobles, but lived a happy life under the protection of the lord of the manor, Sir Reginald de Cherche. However, Dickon loses this protection due to treachery by Sir Percival d'Abernon. Dickon seeks vengeance for his fallen master Sir Reginald, but had to fend for himself because the villagers would not protect him. A historical tale of political struggle and revenge, but also discovering one's identity during the times of the Wars of the Roses.
Set during the 15th century, a young boy named Dickon is accepted neither by the serf community of Ravenspur nor by the nobles, but lived a happy life under the protection of the lord of the manor, Sir Reginald de Cherche. However, Dickon loses this protection due to treachery by Sir Percival d'Abernon. Dickon seeks vengeance for his fallen master Sir Reginald, but had to fend for himself because the villagers would not protect him. A historical tale of political struggle and revenge, but also discovering one's identity during the times of the Wars of the Roses.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews