What do you think?
Rate this book
The Siege of Caerlaverock
Enemies within.
Enemies without.
Nowhere to hide.
Caerlaverock Castle, Scotland in the year 1300
12-year-old Ada is a laundress of little consequence, but the new Castle Commander Brian De Berclay has his evil eye on her. Perhaps she shouldn’t have secretly fed the prisoner in the Murdoch Tower...
When the King of England crosses the border with an army over 3000 strong, Ada, her friend Godfrey, and all at Caerlaverock suddenly find themselves under attack—with only sixty men for protection.
Rocks and flaming arrows rain over Castle Caerlaverock, and Ada has a dangerous choice to make.
Enemies without.
Nowhere to hide.
Caerlaverock Castle, Scotland in the year 1300
12-year-old Ada is a laundress of little consequence, but the new Castle Commander Brian De Berclay has his evil eye on her. Perhaps she shouldn’t have secretly fed the prisoner in the Murdoch Tower...
When the King of England crosses the border with an army over 3000 strong, Ada, her friend Godfrey, and all at Caerlaverock suddenly find themselves under attack—with only sixty men for protection.
Rocks and flaming arrows rain over Castle Caerlaverock, and Ada has a dangerous choice to make.
105 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 6, 2020
7 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 10, 2024
Quite good, didn't read it by choice, a little bit easy.
August 10, 2020
Barbara Henderson’s latest novel for ages 8-12, The Siege of Caerlaverock’ deals with events from one of the most turbulent periods of Scottish history, the first Scottish War of Independence. Fast-paced, breathless and irresistibly page-turning, the immediacy of the first-person narrative is a perfect match for the speed at which events unfold.
The story focuses on Ada, a lowly servant girl, who finds herself unwillingly embroiled in an extortion scheme masterminded by De Barclay, commander of the castle defences. Her only ally in her struggle to save both herself and a young prisoner from De Barclay’s plot is Godfrey, an eight-year-old page boy.
It is at this moment that the army of Edward I of England assembles outside the castle walls to begin a campaign of bombardment designed to crush the castle’s defences. In the absence of Lord Maxwell, it is the villainous De Barclay who is responsible for the safety of all those left within the walls.
This is a period of history which is rarely represented in Scottish children’s literature, but the vivid descriptions of Ada fetching and carrying, helping out in kitchen, shopping, washing mountains of castle laundry and serving the needs of the castle’s aristocrats all anchor the story firmly in time and place.
Ada is everything a heroine should be. Brave and resourceful, she faces her fears and the challenges she encounters with an unquenchable spirit. But more than that, she is a child who looks beyond her day to day life to see the truths behind the struggle for power:
“Man tormenting man. There’s no glory in it.” Ada knows that “There are no winners or losers. There are only people doing what is demanded of them.”
An unquenchable hero, an unforgettable villain and a story of courage and fortitude played out against the backdrop of a bloody, violent conflict, ‘The Siege of Caerlaverock’ is a joy from start to finish.
The story focuses on Ada, a lowly servant girl, who finds herself unwillingly embroiled in an extortion scheme masterminded by De Barclay, commander of the castle defences. Her only ally in her struggle to save both herself and a young prisoner from De Barclay’s plot is Godfrey, an eight-year-old page boy.
It is at this moment that the army of Edward I of England assembles outside the castle walls to begin a campaign of bombardment designed to crush the castle’s defences. In the absence of Lord Maxwell, it is the villainous De Barclay who is responsible for the safety of all those left within the walls.
This is a period of history which is rarely represented in Scottish children’s literature, but the vivid descriptions of Ada fetching and carrying, helping out in kitchen, shopping, washing mountains of castle laundry and serving the needs of the castle’s aristocrats all anchor the story firmly in time and place.
Ada is everything a heroine should be. Brave and resourceful, she faces her fears and the challenges she encounters with an unquenchable spirit. But more than that, she is a child who looks beyond her day to day life to see the truths behind the struggle for power:
“Man tormenting man. There’s no glory in it.” Ada knows that “There are no winners or losers. There are only people doing what is demanded of them.”
An unquenchable hero, an unforgettable villain and a story of courage and fortitude played out against the backdrop of a bloody, violent conflict, ‘The Siege of Caerlaverock’ is a joy from start to finish.
August 8, 2020
It is the year 1300, and Ada is a maid at Caerlaverock Castle, where her father is the cook. Tensions are mounting along the Scottish border, with conflict and hostages and the impending threat of invasion by the English king, Edward Longshanks, the Hammer of the Scots. Ada is unwittingly drawn into a plot by the dastardly commander of the castle, De Berclay; soon, she has to contend with enemies outside the castle and an even deadlier enemy within...
Rich with historical detail, this is one of the finest books I’ve ever read for depicting the authentic feel of living in a mediaeval castle. All the sights, sounds, tastes, and, yes, smells are vividly realised. Add a feisty heroine, a thrilling story made all the more thrilling for being heavily based on the real siege of Caerlaverock in July 1300, and some wonderfully evocative writing, and you have all the makings of a future classic.
Rich with historical detail, this is one of the finest books I’ve ever read for depicting the authentic feel of living in a mediaeval castle. All the sights, sounds, tastes, and, yes, smells are vividly realised. Add a feisty heroine, a thrilling story made all the more thrilling for being heavily based on the real siege of Caerlaverock in July 1300, and some wonderfully evocative writing, and you have all the makings of a future classic.
July 23, 2025
I think I picked up this book in the Ullapool Bookshop some time ago, and it has sat on my shelf, waiting for a time when I could indulge myself in a little reading. I’m glad I chose this book!
The book is beautifully presented, with shiny writing on the cover, and simple but lovely chapter heading artwork throughout.
The characters were fantastic and so believable. The historical accuracy was also very well done. The author has clearly done plenty of research. There’s no Disney princesses here! The page boy was particularly well done, I think.
This book was like a step back in time to a rough period in Scottish history. I would recommend it for a class novel for people studying the Scottish Wars of Independence.
The book is beautifully presented, with shiny writing on the cover, and simple but lovely chapter heading artwork throughout.
The characters were fantastic and so believable. The historical accuracy was also very well done. The author has clearly done plenty of research. There’s no Disney princesses here! The page boy was particularly well done, I think.
This book was like a step back in time to a rough period in Scottish history. I would recommend it for a class novel for people studying the Scottish Wars of Independence.
December 31, 2020
High-energy middle grade historical fiction set in the 1300 siege of Scotland's Caerlaverock Castle by English King Edward's forces. Young laundress Ada teams up with an eight year old page to try to survive the siege, show mercy to a captured teenaged soldier, and thwart a corrupt commander who's been cheating the castle lord and plans to conspire with the English. Barbara is so good at pinpointing historical moments when the lives of everyday people change completely and they need to step up in order to survive: fast-paced and full of peril from the beginning.
January 18, 2023
I purchased this book while attending the annual jousting event at Caerlaverock Castle and had the pleasure of hearing the author read some excerpts. She also signed our copy with a lovely message for my daughter.
I decided I needed a little break from fantasy and what a lovely break this was. It was fast paced, with plenty of action and the fact its based on a true story in my lovely country's history is just a little bonus. Will definitely read again and already have the authors other titles in my wishlist.
I decided I needed a little break from fantasy and what a lovely break this was. It was fast paced, with plenty of action and the fact its based on a true story in my lovely country's history is just a little bonus. Will definitely read again and already have the authors other titles in my wishlist.
November 15, 2020
Quick Review:
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars because it was a fun, historical adventure with castles and knights, and all told from the perspective of a servant girl caught up in it all.
Plot Summary:
This book was about Ada, a laundress at the castle of Caerlaverock, who is caught there during the siege of the castle in 1300 AD. Ada must not only survive the siege, but also try to uncover the traitorous plot of the castle’s commander.
My Thoughts on the Book:
This book is definitely aimed at a younger audience, but was enjoyable for older readers too! I really liked the historical setting and got a real feel for castle life. It was great to follow the events of the battle through the eyes of two young children, who both had important parts to play even if they weren’t in the heat of the fighting. The extra bit of danger added by the traitorous castle commander gave it a Robin Hood-esque flair as well, with Ada having to sneak about the castle without being caught.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars because it was a fun, historical adventure with castles and knights, and all told from the perspective of a servant girl caught up in it all.
Plot Summary:
This book was about Ada, a laundress at the castle of Caerlaverock, who is caught there during the siege of the castle in 1300 AD. Ada must not only survive the siege, but also try to uncover the traitorous plot of the castle’s commander.
My Thoughts on the Book:
This book is definitely aimed at a younger audience, but was enjoyable for older readers too! I really liked the historical setting and got a real feel for castle life. It was great to follow the events of the battle through the eyes of two young children, who both had important parts to play even if they weren’t in the heat of the fighting. The extra bit of danger added by the traitorous castle commander gave it a Robin Hood-esque flair as well, with Ada having to sneak about the castle without being caught.
May 3, 2021
I read this in two sittings and swear I held my breath the whole time!
Face-paced action and unlikely heroes in this medieval tale, based around true events.
Ada, a laundress and Godfrey, a knight in training, form an improbable duo to fight the evil commander De Berclay within and the hordes of the English army without, yet their courage, quick-thinking and actions save many lives on both sides of the battle.
History may not teach us much, but people certainly do.
Face-paced action and unlikely heroes in this medieval tale, based around true events.
Ada, a laundress and Godfrey, a knight in training, form an improbable duo to fight the evil commander De Berclay within and the hordes of the English army without, yet their courage, quick-thinking and actions save many lives on both sides of the battle.
History may not teach us much, but people certainly do.
August 28, 2020
As with her previous 4 books, Barbara Henderson has produced yet another fast-moving historical thriller. Ada, a maid in Caerlaverock Castle, where she lives with her father the castle's cook, is a feisty heroine whose character pulls us through the story with mad-dash-and-suspense stuff. A great read for 8-12 year old!
November 22, 2023
BRILLIANT, such a good read! Completely underrated book should be more well known- I was hooked on the story and characters and it was beautiful ❤️
November 30, 2023
It was good. I enjoyed it. It was the book it needed to be.
December 9, 2023
1.75 I didn't particularly enjoy this book and it didn't really draw me in. So 1.75 stars
March 10, 2024
Got quite sad at the end, but it ended with a happy ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2025
after visiting the castle I picked this up on a whim. I really enjoyed the story.
July 4, 2025
Great book! Really solid pacing and a great way to balance the historical outcome with a happy ending.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews