Tales of Brave Adventure

A book of wonderful old stories, and what grand stories they are! You can read about the adventures of King Arthur and his Knights and many others, although I have to say that my favourite stories in this book are all about Robin Hood and his Merry Men:

I read about how Robin Hood became an outlaw, and then about his first encounter with Little John, a great giant of a fellow, seven feet high! They had an arduous fight standing on a log bridge, above a small brook, both holding a thick stick, as a weapon. Following their intense and bruising battle, they had great respect for each other, proclaiming a heartwarming friendship!
Little John introduced himself as John Little. "I give you a new name, little man!" cried out Robin Hood. "You show more shall be called, not John Little, but Little John." After a roar of laughter, they set off together for a feast in the forest!

Chapter eight describes the events leading up to Robin Hood's marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Maid Marian:

Friar Tuck was called, and there in the forest, before all the Merry Men, Robin Hood and Maid Marian were wed. Sweet Marian 'blushed' in her Lincoln green velvet dress. A prettier sight had never been seen in the Greenwood before! After the wedding came the marriage-feast, laid on snowy-white cloths spread on the grass.
Robin leapt to his feet. "Drink a health to Maid Marion, Queen of the Greenwood!" he shouted, before emptying his drinking-horn at a draught.
All the Merry Men sprang to their feet and drank to their lovely Queen's health. They all stood, tall and strong, wearing their suits of Lincoln green.
Then Allen-a-Dale struck the strings of his harp, and everyone began to dance!

Chapter thirteen describes the events leading up to Robin Hood's death:

Robin's problems began soon after the death of his royal friend, King Richard Lion-Heart. At this time, Robin was living in London, serving King Richard as his noble peer, Robert, Earl of Huntington.
When the King's brother, Prince John became ruler, Robin decided to return to Sherwood, and become an outlaw again, with his Merry Men.
Prince John was angry. He sent his soldiers into Nottingham and ordered them to search the forest and slay Robin Hood and his Merry Men.
During the ensuing battle, men on each side were slain or wounded. It was a sad day for Robin. Not until each side was wearied to death and could fight no more did the battle stop. When morning came, Prince John's archers departed back to London.
Robin was wounded, he lost his strength. Fever set in. Little John was anxious and stayed by his master's side, day and night. In desperation, Robin asked Little John to take him to his cousin, the Prioress of Kirkley Abbey. She was skilled in medicine.

The Prioress welcomed Robin to the abbey, but tragically for Robin, she hated him because he'd taken gold from the rich abbots and bishops, who were her friends. The Prioress betrayed Robin, by not binding his wound firmly, so his bleeding continued. Robin fell asleep.
Later he awoke and saw his blood was still flowing. At once, he knew he'd been betrayed. Robin groaned. He blew his horn, producing only a faint sound. Little John, sitting under an oak tree, heard Robin's horn, and he ran to the abbey. Little John knelt down by his master, unable to hide the tears that ran down his cheeks.
Robin Hood's requested to fire an arrow from his bow, through the window. Little John held Robin, and he shot his last arrow. It flew across the fields towards Greenwood and fell beneath an oak tree. "Where my arrow falls, bury me and my bow," said Robin. Little John promised to do so.

So died Robin Hood. His name lives on, in story and song, we tell his fame.
Little John put a stone over Robin's grave, and on it were written these words: "Beneath this stone lies Robin Hood, No archer ever so good, Such outlaws as he and his men, Will England never see again."

This book is ideal for children aged 8 – 12 years. My paperback edition was published in1963, and it has 27 chapters and 184 pages. The illustrations are very impressive, as well. show less