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The Lost Baron: A Story of England in the Year 1200
In the year 1200 in Cornwall, thirteen-year-old Martin's first day as page and squire to Baron Eric of Less Mortain is also his last when the Baron mysteriously disappears and his visiting distant relative and heir, the moody Sir Basil, takes charge of the castle.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1940
3 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Allen French
86 books27 followersAllen French (28 November 1870-1946) was a historian and children's book author who did major research on the battles of Lexington and Concord during the American Revolutionary War. He was a founding member and president of the Thoreau Society.
Born in Boston, French attended Harvard University for his undergraduate education.
Several of his children's books were illustrated by painter Andrew Wyeth.
Born in Boston, French attended Harvard University for his undergraduate education.
Several of his children's books were illustrated by painter Andrew Wyeth.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 3, 2018
My children and I really enjoyed this story as a read aloud!
April 1, 2021
So, I was reading this "for history class"--I am actually studying this period, but it was really an excuse to reread this book that I read SO MANY TIMES as a kid. I probably read it at least five times over, if not more. What can I say, I'm a sucker for . But guys, I literally have passages of this memorized. It's a bit scary. XD
So, anyway, I wanted to see how it held up. And honestly, it's not one of the ones that I loved as a kid that I look back on and cringe. I liked a lot of things about it!
-Martin is a wonderful protagonist, and I kind of just want to hug him. He's both brave and humble, and always willing to help when help is needed. I think we really need his brand of humility back in modern fiction.
-Rosamund, who is likewise a wonderful counterpart to Martin. I love her innocence wed to wisdom--it's like in the Bible, she's wise as a serpent and innocent as a dove.
-The subtle commentary on human nature that pervades the book makes me smile. But a lot of it is actually really valid.
-The setting and time felt very authentic--I believe the author wrote this as he was researching the time period for some other project? So it's well done.
-The plot honestly is paced just right.
-Plus, the are just as delightful, even though I'm a whole lot older now. :)
-A reference to Robin Hood as an option for outlaws to join up with made me smile.
-The "villain" is very believable.
-The emphasis on repentance (sort of? it's complicated) was good, I thought. Or the importance placed on repentance, I suppose?
I do have a few critiques, though...
-The peasants are sometimes referred to as "like children", and contrasted with the "lordly type", implying that the types of men are different...this probably reflects the ideas of the time, but it still bugs me a little.
-There wasn't enough religion! There are references to Our Lady and Masses being said, but I wanted the characters to go to Mass. Or have a chapel. Or see a priest, even once. Religion was such a big part of the time period that it seems strange to have it left out.
-Martin sometimes seemed wise beyond his age, and almost "perfect". He did have some imperfections, but I would have liked to see him judge wrong occasionally.
While obviously it's hard for me to see this objectively, having read it so many times as a kid, I still really enjoyed it this time around, and I think I'll give it 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4 for Goodreads).
So, anyway, I wanted to see how it held up. And honestly, it's not one of the ones that I loved as a kid that I look back on and cringe. I liked a lot of things about it!
-Martin is a wonderful protagonist, and I kind of just want to hug him. He's both brave and humble, and always willing to help when help is needed. I think we really need his brand of humility back in modern fiction.
-Rosamund, who is likewise a wonderful counterpart to Martin. I love her innocence wed to wisdom--it's like in the Bible, she's wise as a serpent and innocent as a dove.
-The subtle commentary on human nature that pervades the book makes me smile. But a lot of it is actually really valid.
-The setting and time felt very authentic--I believe the author wrote this as he was researching the time period for some other project? So it's well done.
-The plot honestly is paced just right.
-Plus, the are just as delightful, even though I'm a whole lot older now. :)
-A reference to Robin Hood as an option for outlaws to join up with made me smile.
-The "villain" is very believable.
-The emphasis on repentance (sort of? it's complicated) was good, I thought. Or the importance placed on repentance, I suppose?
I do have a few critiques, though...
-The peasants are sometimes referred to as "like children", and contrasted with the "lordly type", implying that the types of men are different...this probably reflects the ideas of the time, but it still bugs me a little.
-There wasn't enough religion! There are references to Our Lady and Masses being said, but I wanted the characters to go to Mass. Or have a chapel. Or see a priest, even once. Religion was such a big part of the time period that it seems strange to have it left out.
-Martin sometimes seemed wise beyond his age, and almost "perfect". He did have some imperfections, but I would have liked to see him judge wrong occasionally.
While obviously it's hard for me to see this objectively, having read it so many times as a kid, I still really enjoyed it this time around, and I think I'll give it 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4 for Goodreads).
June 5, 2023
A favorite of mine that I haven’t read in years. Definitely still a favorite!
September 14, 2012
I loved this story. My friends picked the perfect book for my birthday! full review coming soon
April 3, 2022
To review with kids:
Martin is a boy sent to live with Lord Eric. He has a penny all believe to be lucky, but drops it and that day disappears. Someone pretending to be Martin’s father disappeared with him. Martin goes home. The castle is taken over by Basil. Martin later saves Basil’s life and goes to the castle again.
Basil is obsessed with recovering the penny, and eventually his servant Topas does, but drops it. Rosamund, Eric’s daughter, finds it and hides it in a secret pocket. Martin discovers hidden passageways in the castle, finds Eric alive, and rescues him. He was going to be starved but Topas showed mercy. Eric, Martin, the villagers and fishermen, and martins father fight Basil, and Basil dies. Eric reclaims it, Martin and Rosamund marry.
The castle was supposed to get 1/5 of the fish and crops but the archers under Basil were stealing more.
Martin is a boy sent to live with Lord Eric. He has a penny all believe to be lucky, but drops it and that day disappears. Someone pretending to be Martin’s father disappeared with him. Martin goes home. The castle is taken over by Basil. Martin later saves Basil’s life and goes to the castle again.
Basil is obsessed with recovering the penny, and eventually his servant Topas does, but drops it. Rosamund, Eric’s daughter, finds it and hides it in a secret pocket. Martin discovers hidden passageways in the castle, finds Eric alive, and rescues him. He was going to be starved but Topas showed mercy. Eric, Martin, the villagers and fishermen, and martins father fight Basil, and Basil dies. Eric reclaims it, Martin and Rosamund marry.
The castle was supposed to get 1/5 of the fish and crops but the archers under Basil were stealing more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2018
Really good reading! I love the historical influence.
January 25, 2021
This was a good read aloud for our family.
June 13, 2022
One of the books from my childhood that will always live rent-free in my imagination.
April 11, 2014
Great childrens' story.
Set in the time of King John, a fine book that highlights virtues of hard work, initiative and wisdom.
When Lord Eric disappears mysteriously for months and his moody and menacing cousin takes over, young Martin from the village learns some secrets by hard work and keeping his eyes and ears open. He serves the new baron well, but the old one even better. With Eric's wife and daughter locked away in their rooms mostly, Martin finds a way to protect and restore them.
This is not the best written tale, and the plot is fairly obvious. Some might call it twaddle, but I think it's worth the read, especially for a 10-12 year old boy.
The same author wrote "The Story of Rolf and the Viking Bow," which I also recommend.
Set in the time of King John, a fine book that highlights virtues of hard work, initiative and wisdom.
When Lord Eric disappears mysteriously for months and his moody and menacing cousin takes over, young Martin from the village learns some secrets by hard work and keeping his eyes and ears open. He serves the new baron well, but the old one even better. With Eric's wife and daughter locked away in their rooms mostly, Martin finds a way to protect and restore them.
This is not the best written tale, and the plot is fairly obvious. Some might call it twaddle, but I think it's worth the read, especially for a 10-12 year old boy.
The same author wrote "The Story of Rolf and the Viking Bow," which I also recommend.
May 6, 2012
One of the BEST books I've read in awhile! :D Detail of castle life, and a story where men are men and the women are true ladies. Mystery, adventure, a hint of sweet romance, and a story of forgiveness. EXCELLENT!! Recommend to all! :D
April 22, 2014
A book that makes you ask, "How is the author going to tie everything together", rather than, "What is going to happen". The first few pages, with long descriptions, seemed slow, but soon I didn't want to put the book down.
January 17, 2023
Interesting story with an attempt at a realistic setting in AD 1200 Cornwall. Paints a vivid picture of a local manorial community overlooked by a large castle dating back to Roman times. Includes plot twists and secret passages!
March 16, 2015
LOVED this book - I think I've read it 4 times.
December 15, 2014
Pretty good plot, likable characters. The quality of writing left a little to be desired, but it was written for boys.
August 27, 2017
While this is pretty good, it isn't as good as the author's normal work.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews