Children's Historical Fiction - Girl disguised as boy travels in 1400s or 1600s England.

My favorite library read in 1964 or '65. Young girl trying to travel on her own (to find father?) during War of the Roses (?) or English Civil Wars (?). Meets up with a man who reluctantly agrees to accompany her. To stay safe, she cuts her hair and passes herself off as a boy. That's all I remember. Any old librarians out there remember this one?

The only one I can think of is Samantha's Masquerade by Charles W. Pierce but that was about a girl who disguised herself during Shakespeare's time in order to act.

Thanks, Scribble - no, definitely wasn't acting. I sure wish I could remember more about it...I must have read it at least 4 times when I was nine or ten...MANY years ago!

Could it be 'Ransom for a Knight' by Barbara Leonie Picard? Here is the Amazon blurb (it is back in print): "In 14th century England, Alys de Renneville sits alone in the loft of her manor house mourning her father and brother who are thought to have been killed in battle in Scotland. Late one evening, a strange knight appears and tells Alys that her father and brother are alive and being held for ransom by the Scots. But when no one believes her story, she sets off secretly to rescue them herself. Travelling on horseback across the lush countryside and dense cities of Medieval England, Alys is accompanied only by her friend and servant, Hugh. Alys and Hugh show great courage and determination on their difficult journey, but they encounter so much hardship and delay along the way that we have to wonder: will they ever be able to reach Scotland and save Alys' father and brother?"

Could it be The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson? It is set during the Wars of the Roses and includes a boy called Richard and a girl called Joanna (who is disguised as a boy) trying to fin out what happened to Richard's father. The main bit of the story that stuck in my memory from when I read it as a child, is the children meeting someone who is disguised as a leper, with a hooded robe and a bell to warn people not to come close to him.

Wow, Madcap! This sounds like it! Will check on it further after work today. Many thanks!

Perhaps you're thinking of Merrylips by Beulah Marie Dix, originally published in 1906. It's about a little girl who wants to be a boy, and, at least for awhile, is granted her wish. It takes place during the 17th C. English Civil War. Original copies are scarce and valuable, but it was reissued in September 2010 by Kessinger's Legacy Reprints. I've wanted to reread this favorite childhood book for a very long time, and have just ordered a new paperback copy.