CHIVALRY TALES.

Compiled to interest Boys and Girls in Historical Fiction.

Britain, 6th Century.

1. Winning of the queen.

Outline: Feast at Carleon—Messenger comes from West country—King Arthur's journey to Tintagalon—Meeting of Merlin and Arthur—King leaves in disguise—Arthur at Cameliard—Maiden beholds a knight at the fountain but finds only a gardener's boy—Lady Guinevere sees the knight—Gardener's boy wears his cap before Lady Guinevere and she discovers the knight of the fountain—Challenge of Duke Mordaunt—King Arthur seeks armor and is accepted as Lady Guinevere's champion—Duke Mordaunt overthrown—King Arthur overthrows Sir Geraint, Sir Gawaine and Sir Ewaine and sends them to Lady Guinevere—Meeting with Sir Pellias—The return of the gardener's boy—Four knights serve the gardener's boy—King Arthur proclaims himself to his four knights—King Arthur and his knights overthrow the Duke and his men—King Leodegrance desires to wed his daughter to the "White Champion"—The gardener removes his cap.

Source:

Pyle. King Arthur and his knights.

2. Sir Marrok.

Outline: Marrok chosen for a great task—Marrok honored at court—Coming of Lady Irma to the forest—Marrok summoned to aid King Arthur—How it fared in Bedegrain with Marrok away—Sir Marrok's return—How Sir Marrok saved the Lady Agnes—How the wolf did its work—Story of the son of Sir Simon—Sir Tristram and the wolf—The stranger knight—Sir Marrok comes into his own.

Source:

French. Sir Marrok.

France, 8th Century.

3. Story of Roland.

Outline: Charlemagne and his peers—Bertha and her husband flee from court in disguise—Boyhood of Roland—Quarrel with Oliver—The wrestling match—Roland and Oliver pledge eternal friendship—Coming of Charlemagne—Meeting between the king and the boy of the cave—Roland goes to France—Ganelon's jealousy of Roland—Revolt of one of the nobles—Battle arranged between champions of king and noble—Revolt ended—Moslem invasion of Europe—Charlemagne wars for seven years—Envoys of peace from Moslem king—King asks advice—Roland cries "War"—Ganelon counsels peace—Ganelon chosen as envoy to the king—Plots treason—Departure for Spain—The pass at Roncesvalles.

Sources:

Baldwin. Story of Roland. Church. Stories of Charlemagne. Greene. With spurs of gold. Macgregor. Story of France.

Spain, 8th Century.

4. The Alhambra.

Outline: Moors in Spain—The Alhambra built—Destruction of Moorish power in Europe—Legend of the three beautiful princesses—Legend of the Rose of the Alhambra.

Source:

Irving. Alhambra.

Spain, 11th Century.

5. The Cid.

Outline: Time and conditions in Spain—Character of Roderigo—He proves his father's champion—Rescues men from Moors and wins title—The Cid and the Leper—Chosen as champion to save the city of Calahorra—Death of King Ferdinand—Quarrel over division of kingdom—The Cid sent to Urrica—The queen defies her brother—Murder of Sancho—Alfonso becomes king—His attitude toward the Cid—The Cid banished, becomes a free lance—Captain of Valencia—Death of the Cid.

Sources:

Stories from the Chronicles of the Cid by M.W. Plummer. Story of the Cid for young people, by C.D. Wilson. Greene. With spurs of gold. England and France, 12th and 15th Centuries.

6. Richard my king; Page of Count Renaud; Armorer's apprentice.

Source:

Stories of chivalry retold from St. Nicholas.

Holy Land, 12th Century.

7. The talisman. (Part 1.)

Outline: Meeting and encounter of Christian and Saracen knights—Pledge of friendship and journey to cell of the Hermit—Scene in chapel of the Hermit—Camp of Richard, the Lion Heart—Coming of Kenneth and the Arabian physician—Conflict outside the tent of Richard—Kenneth placed in charge of English banner—Kenneth deserts his post to aid the Lady Edith—English flag dishonored—Kenneth summoned to tent of Richard—Kenneth sentenced to death by Richard—Kenneth becomes bond servant of Arabian physician and leaves English camp.

8. The talisman. (Part 2.)

Outline: Journey of Kenneth, the physician discovered and the departure of Kenneth in disguise to camp of Richard—Nubian slave saves life of king and proves who was traitor in camp—Combat arranged between Conrade and Saladin's champion—Meeting of Richard and Saladin—The combat—Kenneth crowned victor.

Source:

Scott. The talisman.

England, 12th Century.

9. Ivanhoe. (Part 1.)

Outline: Scene at dinner in home of Cedric, the Saxon—Entrance of Templars, Palmer, the Lady Rowena, and the Jew—Hasty departure of Palmer and Jew on the morrow—Jew furnishes the Palmer with equipment for tournament—1st, 2nd and 3d day—Chaplet of laurel placed on head of the victor—"Ivanhoe" and "Palmer" one.

10. Ivanhoe. (Part 2.)

Outline: Departure of Black Knight to cell of "the Friar"—Ivanhoe taken in charge by Rebecca and father—Capture of Cedric's party by men in disguise—Victor of archery contest with Cedric's two servants journeys to cell of the Friar and enlists sympathy of Black Knight—Locksley gathers his men and with the Black Knight storms the castle of Front de Boeuf—Guilbert escapes with Rebecca and takes her to the home of the Knights Templars where Rebecca is proclaimed a witch—Combat—Death of Bois-Guilbert—Black Knight proclaims that he is England's rightful king—Marriage of Rowena and Ivanhoe—Departure of Rebecca and her father—Death of Richard.

Source:

Scott. Ivanhoe.

England, 13th Century.

11. Boy's ride.

Outline: Hugo attacked on his way to the castle—The cause, treason within the walls—The plan of Lady Atherly and Hugo—Robert Sadler sets forth on an errand—Hugo rides forth with Humphrey—William Lorimer in charge of castle—Lady de Atherly and her son flee—In the forest—Ferrybridge—The Isle of Axholme—Lady de Atherly and son safe in Scotland—Robert Sadler returns to the castle to find it deserted—Hugo's journey to Lincoln—In the fens—Coming of the King—Capture of Hugo and his release—Hugo and Humphrey disguised as novice and priest and as maiden and soldier—Lord de Launay rescues Hugo and Humphrey—Hugo knighted.

Source:

Zollinger. Boy's ride.

France, 13th Century.

12. St. Louis.

Outline: Conditions in France at the time of Louis' accession to throne—Queen Blanche as Regent—Enmity of nobles—Marriage of Louis and Margaret—War with England—Vow of St. Louis—Strategy of King in preparation for Crusades—Louis in Egypt—Encounter at Nansourah—King taken captive—Return to France—Louis as King of France—Private life—The 8th crusade—Death of St. Louis.

Sources:

Macgregor. Story of France. Perry. St. Louis.

France, 13th Century. Reign of King Louis IX.

13. Count Hugo's sword.

Outline: At the inn of William, the Conqueror—Its history—Geoffrey's connection with the inn, and the cause of his grief—Coming of Count Hugo—The strolling jongleur brings news from Rouen—Geoffrey secretes the "Saracen sword"—The count discovers his loss and Geoffrey confesses to the theft—The wrath of Count Hugo—Coming of the king's heralds—Release of Geoffrey—Summons to court of King Louis IX.

Source:

Stein. Troubadour tales.

England and Holy Land, 13th Century. Reign of Henry III and Richard I.

14. The prince and the page.

Outline: The hunter captures the two fugitives—Princess Eleanor pleads for the pardon of Richard and his servant—Richard becomes a royal page—The landing of the Crusaders—Death of King Louis—Illness of John—Richard's wrath—Return of Sir Raynal—Richard writes to England—Richard accused of sending letter to order arrest of Prince Henry—The combat—Richard sent as messenger meets his brother—Richard accused of being in league with his brothers—Edward defends his page—The pilgrim in the hospitalier—Richard gives his life for his prince.

Source:

Yonge. Prince and the page.

Germany, 13th Century.

15. The boy and the baron.

Outline: "Shining Knight" hides his treasure and becomes a captive—Carl, the armorer, finds a child among the osiers and takes him into his own home—Wulf's first visit to the castle and what befell—Wulf makes the castle his home—Enmity of Conradt—The baron declared an outlaw—The baron breaks ill news to Elsie—Flight of Wulf and Elsie—Wulf becomes messenger to the King—The battle—The "Shining Knight" brought forth from the dungeon—Knighting of Wulf.

Source:

Knapp. The boy and the baron.

Germany, 13th Century.

16. Otto of the silver hand.

Outline: "Dragon's House," its inmates—Baron Conrad goes forth to fleece the merchants and is shorn—Otto at St. Michaelsburg—Otto returns to the "Dragon's House"—Conrad answers the summons of the king—Capture of Otto—Hans enters Baron Henry's castle—Flight of Baron Conrad and his men—Conrad's last stand—Otto before King Rudolph.

Source:

Pyle. Otto of the silver hand.

England, 14th and 15th Centuries. Reigns of Henry IV and V.

17. Men of Iron.

Outline: Plot against life of the King—Murder of Sir John Dale at Falworth Castle—The flight from Falworth Castle—Life at Crosby Dale—Miles training under Diccon—Miles takes service under the Earl of Mackworth—Friendship of Miles and Gascoyne—Training of esquires—Quarrel between Miles and Blunt—Sir James' interest in Miles—"Knights of the Rose," their oath and what came of it—Miles meets the Lady Anne and her cousin—Earl of Mackworth finds Miles in the garden—Coming of Henry IV—Miles is knighted and wins his first tournament—Departure for France—In the company of the Prince of Wales—Miles in the presence of the King challenges the Earl of Alban to do battle—Death of the Earl of Alban—Miles betrothed to the Lady Anne.

Source:

Pyle. Men of Iron.

England, 15th Century, Reign of Henry V.

18. King Henry V.

Outline: Madcap prince and his companions—Death of King Henry IV—Henry V crowned king—Meeting of King and Falstaff—Preparation for war with France—The Dauphin's message and the King's answer—Siege of Harfleur—Henry as commander—King in disguise enters tents of his soldiers—Battle of Agincourt—The King's reception on his return to England—War with France renewed—Treaty of peace—The King's marriage.

Sources:

Couch. Historical tales from Shakespeare. Shakespeare. King Henry IV. Shakespeare. King Henry V.

France, 15th Century.

Reign of Charles VI and VII.

19. Joan of Arc.

Outline: Conditions in France at the death of Charles VI—Childhood of Joan—Heavenly voices tell Joan her mission—The voices become more urgent—Her brutal reception from the Lord Vaucouleurs—The faith of the people in Joan—Money and an escort provided—In the presence of the Dauphin—Before the learned men of Poitiers—March to Orleans—The Siege—Joan before the council—End of the siege—Surrender of Beaugency—Joan meets English army under Talbot and utterly routs it—Coronation of Charles VII at Rheims—Indolence of King—Refuses to renew attack on Paris—Joan wounded—The French retreat, a blow to Joan's prestige—People lose faith in her—Capture—Treatment in prison—Trial—Death.

Sources:

Lang. Red true story book. Macgregor. Story of France. Boutet de Monvel. Joan of Arc.

France, 15th Century.

Reign of Charles VIII and Louis XII.

20. Bayard.

Outline: The boy's choice—The page—Touching shields—In the garrison—The tournament—War—Capture of Milan—The duel—Bayard guards the bridge—Siege of Mezieres—Death of Bayard.

Sources: Andrews. Story of Bayard. Greene. With spurs of gold. Macgregor. Story of France.

England, 15th Century.

Reign of Henry VIII and Edward VI.

21. Prince and the pauper.

Outline: Birth of Tom and the Prince—The occupants of "Orful Court"—Tom visits the palace and changes garments with the Prince—Tom as the "Prince of Wales"—The Prince's experience in the school grounds—His meeting with Mr. Canty—Flight of the Canty family—Tom and the King—Life in the palace, death of the King—Meeting of Prince and Miles Hendon—Miles becomes Protector to the "King of Dreams"—Prince and the hermit—Prince as kitchenboy—Miles finds his ward and takes him home—Sir Hugh denounces his brother as an imposter and has him imprisoned—The prison—Miles takes flogging for the Prince—The coronation of the King—Appearance of the rightful King—Where is the great seal?—"Long live the King"—Miles Hendon sits in the presence of the King.

Source:

Clemens. Prince and the pauper.