E X T E N S I O N OUTLAWS IN THE HISTORICAL NOVEL The Black Arrow is a historical novel. A historical novel is a work of fiction based on real events of the past. Walter Scott (1771-1832) is considered the father of this particular type of literature. He wrote novels such as Rob Roy and Ivanhoe. Both Scott and Stevenson were Scottish and were interested in the events of the past. Both of them used again the medieval English tradition of the forest outlaws. Rob Roy is about a real historical outlaw and in Ivanhoe, the imaginary1 leader of the Saxon outlaws is Robin Hood, the most famous of all outlaws, both real and imaginary. The Black Arrow and the legend2 of Robin Hood have many things in common. Both stories take readers to medieval England.They focus on themes3 of justice4, loyalty5, adventure, action and love Robin Hood and Lady Marian, Richard Shelton and Joanna Sedley. While Robin Hood is set in the time of Richard I the Lionheart (11571199), Stevenson s novel is set during the Wars of the Roses (1455-1485). They both give an interesting idea of medieval life. Robin Hood is known for his band of outlaws (the Merry Men) that fight for justice they take money from the rich to help the poor. In The Black Arrow, a young knight, Richard Shelton, joins a band of outlaws (the Black Arrow) to take revenge for his father, killed by Richard s guardian, Sir Daniel. Both bands live in the forest. The themes and characters in The Black Arrow are a continuation of the popular tradition of adventure and historical ction. 1. imaginary: not real, existing only in your mind. 2. legend: a story from old times about people and events that may or may not be true. 3. theme: the main subject of a book, film, talk, etc. 4. justice: the fair treatment of people. 5. loyalty: the quality of being always true in the support of somebody/something. 45