The Black Arrow: A Tale of the Two Roses

“The Black Arrow” is what every book about the Middle Ages should be and more, with suspense, action, disguises, escapes, and of course, the occasional love scene. Robert Louis Stevenson lived in the mid-1800s, and is renowned for his many works, including Treasure Island, Dr.Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Kidnapped. The Black Arrow, written originally for a magazine, was written after Stevenson’s recovery from a serious illness and published right after Treasure Island. Dick Shelton, a boy of sixteen, is quickly thrust into the conflict of the War of the Roses. He battles against almost any kind of evil - bloodthirsty pirates, a murderous priest, and even his own legal guardian - Sir Daniel Brackley. Through the whole book Dick strives to become a knight and rescue his true love. Although most likely the least known of Stevenson’s great adventure novels, “The Black Arrow” is the best in the eyes of many.