Hear YE, Hear YE!
As stated in the Writ of Commitment between the villager and the Queen!
Each student is asked to find a book set in Medieval Times, read it, and report back to their villagers, and Queen Elizabeth with the following information:
1. Book Title and Author
2. Reader’s name
3. Main Characters and a brief description of their role in the book
4. Synopsis of the Plot (brief)
5. A “teaser” line….try to convince someone to read this book.
6. A recommendation (yes or no) for reading this book. Tell why.
The student may choose the format for delivering the above information on the book of his/her choice.
Here are a few book titles that may help you in finding a book for you:
Merlin’s Mistake by Robert Newman
Sixteen-year old Brian jumps at the chance to accompany a young stranger, Tertius, through medieval England on a quest to fix a mistake Merlin the magician made long ago.
Parzival: The Quest of the Grail Knight by Katherine Paterson
Parzival, raised in the wilderness away from civilization, becomes one of Arthur’s boldest and most respected knights. But when he inadvertently dooms a king to suffering, he must sacrifice all that he holds dear to see the Grail.
Young Lancelot by Robert D. San Souci
Lancelot, the most famous knight of fabled Camelot, was raised by the Lady of the Lake , a powerful enchantress. He grew to be handsome, strong, and intelligent—but also arrogant and cold. When he joined King Arthur’s Round Table, his prowess as a warrior was unquestioned. But he had forgotten two of the most important qualities of a truly great knight: mercy and tenderness. This is the story of young Lancelot and his quest to become the greatest knight of all—a knight both brave and kind.
Young Arthur by Robert D. San Souci
Growing up in Sir Ector’s household, Arthur knew nothing of his noble birth—until the day he pulls the sword out of the stone. With Merlin’s help and the famous Excalibur at his side, Arthur establishes a reign of nobility, justice, and wisdom whose fame has lasted to the present day.
Young Guinevere by Robert D. San Souci
Set in Medieval Europe, this is Robert San Souci’s magical tale of Guinevere—from her childhood to her marriage to King Arthur. When Guinevere’s father’s castle is besieged by invaders, she must travel through the forest and cross the perilous river in search of young King Arthur. Their fateful meeting leads to the fulfillment of Guinevere’s destiny and her betrothal to King Arthur.
Young Merlin by Robert D. San Souci
Merlin is a special child—a wonder child with the ability to look into the future and cast spells. This is the tale of his boyhood—a story filled with knights, dragons, kings, monsters, and all the magic that surrounds Merlin’s life from the day he is born.
Black Horses for the King by Anne McCaffrey
When Lord Artos, later known as King Arthur, needs an interpreter, Galwyn gets a chance to redeem is father’s honor and make a name for himself. But Galwyn goes farther than that by riding into battle as Arthur’s farrier in the meticulously researched and compelling tale.
Rowan Hood: Outlaw Girl of Sherwood Forest by Nancy Spring
Rowan has never met her father, the infamous Robin Hood. But with her mother dead and no one to care for her, 13-year-old Rowan disguises herself as a boy and goes in search of her father. She picks up a band of followers along the way, and together they must survive the perils of Sherwood Forest .
Sherwood: Original Stories from the World of Robin Hood by Jane Yolen
Respected authors in the fantasy genre team up to offer eight all new tales from the famous forest—from Jane Yolen’s eerie account of Robin Hood’s mysterious birth to Nancy Springer’s poignant telling of the time the Sheriff of Nottingham’s son tried to capture Robin. Full color.
Robin’s Country by Monica Furlong
When Dummy, a mute servant boy, runs away from his cruel master, he stumbles upon Robin Hood’s secret hideaway. As conflict escalates between Robin and tyrannical Prince John, Dummy get a chance to prove his bravery and worth.
Robin of Sherwood by Michael Morpurgo
When a 12-year-old boy discovers a skull from an upturned grave, he feels suddenly weak. The trees swirl above him and he dreams the life of Robin Hood. Michael Murpurgo transforms a traditional legend into a dramatically suspenseful adventure story with un unforgettable ending.
Child of the May by Theresea Tomlinson
When word comes that Lady Matilda and her daughter are being held captive by the evil Sheriff of Nottingham, young Magda, raised in Sherwood Forest , jumps at the chance to join forces with the mysterious Robin Hood. But she will also come face to face with the scoundrel who murdered her mother.
The Forest Wife by Theresea Tomlinson
In England during the reign of King Richard I, fifteen-year-old Marian escapes from an arranged marriage to live with a community of forest folk that includes a daring young outlaw named Robert.
In a Dark Wood by Michael Cadnum
No one has ever bested Geoffrey, the Sheriff of Nottingham—until a cunning, treacherous, and respectable man named Robin Hood shows up.
I Am Mordred: A Tale from Camelot by Nancy Springer
When Mordred learns the identity of his father, he struggles with feelings of hatred, but also fights the fate which determines that he kill the good and gracious king.
I Am Morgan le Fay by Nancy Springer
In a war-torn England where her half-brother Arthur will eventually become king, the young Morgan le Fay comes to realize that she has magic powers and links to the faerie world.
The Book of the Lion by Michael Cadnum
In 12 th century England , after his master, a coin maker for the kind, is brutally punished for alleged cheating, 17-year-old Edmund finds himself traveling to the Holy Land as squire to a knight crusader on his way to join the forces of Richard the Lionheart.
Squire (and other Protector of the Small titles) by Tamora Pierce
At age 14, Keladry of Mindelan is a squire. A squire serves and learns from a seasoned knight for four years, then faces a final test. That final test is the Ordeal, which takes place in a magical room called the Chamber. does Kel have what it takes to survive?
Spider’s Voice by Gloria Skurzynski
This coming of age story about a mute boy named Spider, set in medieval France, shows brutality and hard times of the 12 th century while surrounding the famous love story of Abelard and Heloise, two of Europe’s most educated and passionate individuals.
Marguerite Makes a Book by Bruce Robertson
In medieval Paris , Marguerite helps her nearly blind father finish painting an illuminated manuscript for his patron, Lady Isabelle.
Strongbow: The Story of Richard and Aoife: A Biographical Novel by Morgan Llyweln
Set in 12 th -century Ireland in the turbulent years following the Norman Conquest, this is the breathtaking adventure of Strongbow (Richard de Claire), the greatest of the Norman knights, and Aoife, the wild and willful Irish princess who took up a sword alongside Strongbow to defend her people and her land.
Brian Boru: Emperor of the Irish by Morgan Llywelyn
One thousand years ago, Brian Boru was just a young boy in the west of Ireland when he witnessed the horrors of the Norse invasion—an attack that left his mother and two of his brothers dead. It was then that he swore to one day put a end to his country’s suffering. Boru grew up to be a great warrior. He fulfilled his dream and became the first High King of a united Ireland —a land where all people could live in safety and without fear.
The King’s Shadow by Elizabeth Alder
Evyn, a young Welsh serf, has dreamed all his life of becoming a storyteller. But in a cruel twist of fate, Evyn and his father suffer a brutal attack by a group of murderous ruffians. Evyn’s tongue is cut off and his father is killed. Here, Evyn chronicles his journey which culminates at the Battle of Hastings.
The Beduin Gazelle by Frances Temple
This companion to The Ramsay Scallop is a romantic tale of intrigue, adventure, and true love, set against the backdrop of medieval Arabia .
Favorite Medieval Tales by Mary Pope Osborne
In nine favorite tales from medieval Europe , characters such as King Arthur, Beowulf, and the merry outlaw Robin Hood weave a glorious tapestry of an enchanted time.
The Making of a Knight by Patrick O’Brien
Seven-year-old James desperately wants to be a noble knight like his father. But before his dreams are realized, James must work for seven years as a page and for seven more as a squire, learning to ride, hunt, and fight. An exciting battle, a lavish feast, a rowdy tournament, and a courtly romance are illustrated with elegant oil illustrations.
The Juggler by John Morressy
When Beran was born a peasant on a medieval manor, his destiny was sealed. Like his father and his father’s father before him, Beran would spend his whole life tilling the soil. But when fate intervenes and his whole village is destroyed, Beran finds himself free to pursue his ambition - - to become the world’s greatest juggler. And when the Devil offers him juggling skills beyond compare, Beran willingly sells him his soul. After all, there’s no price to great to be the best - - or is there?
The Winter Hare by Joan Goodman
in 1140, with England divided between supporters of King Stephen and those of the Empress Matilda, twelve-year-old Will Belet, small for his age but longing to be a knight, comes to his Uncle’s castle to be a page and soon finds himself involved in dangerous intrigues and adventures.
The King’s Swift Rider: A Novel on Robert the Bruce by Mollie Hunter
Scotland , 14 th century. Sixteen-year-old Martin Crawford finds himself risking his life for Robert the Bruce as the king’s swift rider and master of espionage. For he knows that victory over the English oppressors will give the Scots their freedom, but defeat will keep them slaves forever.
The Squire’s Tale by Gerald Morris
An orphan named Terence leaves the woods to serve as squire for Gawain, King Arthur’s nephew, and leaps into a world of adventure. While he is saving damsels in distress, battling devious men, and protecting the king from his many enemies, Terence is amazed by his newfound magical abilities.
The Squire, His Knight & His Lady by Gerald Morris
Sir Gawain and his squire, Terence, have set off on another adventure, only to be deterred by a surprise disaster. Along the way they cross paths with many odd men that may teach Terence about his past, and perhaps a little about his future.
The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf by Gerald Morris
Lynet, a feisty young woman, journeys to King Arthur’s court in order to find a gallant knight to vanquish the Knight of the Red Lands and free her castle. She is soon joined in her quest by a clever dwarf and a bold kitchen knave, neither of whom are what they seem.
Parsifal’s Page by Gerald Morris
Young Piers learns about knights in shining armor and the true meaning of bravery when he meets Parsifal, a knight on a quest.
The Seeing Stone by Kevin Crossley-Holland
It is 1199 and young Arthur de Caldicot is waiting impatiently to grow up and become a knight. One day his father’s friend Merlin gives him a shining piece of obsidian and his life becomes entwined with that of his namesake, the Arthur whose story he sees unfold in the stone.
Matilda Bone by Karen Cushman
A fascinating glimpse into the colorful life and times of the 14 th century. Orphaned Matilda, 13, has lived the good life in a manor where she was well educated by Father Leufredus. Things change drastically, however, when he abandons her, leaving her to serve as an assistant to a bonesetter in return for food and shelter.
There Will Be Wolves by Karleen Bradford
Ursula, condemned as a witch because of her knowledge of healing, escapes being burned to death when she joins her father and thousands of others who follow Peter the Hermit on the first Crusade form Cologne to Jerusalem in 1096.
The Children’s Crusade by J.E. Christian and Antonio Jocson
It is the time of the Crusades and religious fervor is sweeping Europe . Thousands of children board ships bound for Jerusalem to liberate the Holy Land . Vincent, the son of a French nobleman, joins the expedition, but he is on his own crusade to find his missing father, believed killing in the previous crusade.
Crusades: The Struggle for the Holy Lands by Melanie and Christopher Rice and Christopher Gravett
A history of the Crusades, the series of wars fought by knights to defend Christianity in the Holy Land .
Peregrine by Joan Elizabeth Goodman
In 1144, 15-year-old Lady Edith, having lost her husband and child and anxious to avoid marrying a man she detests, sets out from her home in Surrey on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land . In this vivid account of a journey set against the rich tapestry of the Middle Ages, the pope, the queens of France and Jerusalem , poets, and Bedouins all play their parts in this story of adventure and romance.
The Mintrel’s Tale by Berit Haahr
When betrothed to a repulsive old man, thirteen-year-old Judith runs away, assumes the identity of a young boy, and hope to join the King’s Minstrels in fourteenth-century England .
The Cure by Sonia Levitin
Branded a deviant in a Utopian society in the year 2407, Gemm 16884 in thrust into the life of a young Jewish musician in Germany in 1348, when the townspeople begin to accuse the Jews of causing the Black Death. Can he become Gemm again having known such emotions as pain and love?
Fire, Bed & Bone by Henrietta Branford
In 1381 in England , a hunting dog recounts what happens to his beloved master Rufus and his family when they are arrested on suspicion of being part of the peasant’s rebellion led by Wat Tyler and the preacher John Ball.
Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess , Page by Richard Platt
As a page in his uncle’s castle in 13 th century England , 11-year-old Tobias records in his journal his experiences learning how to hunt, play games of skill and behave in noble society. Includes notes on noblemen, castles and feudalism.
The Executioner’s Daughter by Laura E. Williams
Thirteen-year-old Lily, daughter of the town’s executioner living in fifteenth-century Europe , decides whether to fight against her destiny or to rise above her fate.