Robert Louis Stevenson

The Black Arrow (1888) by Robert Louis Stevenson is a historical novel set during the Wars of the Roses (1455-1485). It is about the adventures of young Richard Shelton, who is looking for justice for his father’s murder. He fights the evil Sir Daniel Brackley (his guardian) to rescue the girl that he loves, Joanna Sedley, from him. He joins the “Black Arrow”, a band of outlaws who also fight against Sir Daniel. The reader is enriched with in-depth analyses about the Wars of the Roses, outlaws in the historical novel, the Middle Ages and England in the 15th century.
 Teacher's Resources available online: Answer Key - Audioscripts - Key to Summing-up Activities.
 
 The Black Arrow (1888) è un romanzo storico di R.L. Stevenson, ambientato durante la Guerra delle Due Rose (1455-1485). Racconta le avventure del giovane Richard Shelton, alla ricerca di giustizia per l’omicidio di suo padre. Combatte contro il corrotto e malvagio Sir Daniel Brackley (il suo tutore) per salvare da lui la sua amata, Joanna Sedley. Si unisce alla “Freccia Nera”, una banda di fuorilegge che combatte anch’essa contro Sir Daniel.

Main characters

Defensive and offensive weapons

Chapter 1 – The two boys

• Extension: The Wars of the Roses (Part 1)

Chapter 2 – The band of the Black Arrow

• Extension: The Wars of the Roses (Part 2)

Chapter 3 – Joanna Sedley

• Extension: Outlaws in the historical novel

Chapter 4 – The two friars

• Extension: The Middle Ages

Chapter 5 – Dick’s revenge

• Extension: England in the 15th century

SUMMING-UP ACTIVITIES

GLOSSARY

4 The two friars BEFORE READING 1 Chapter Write the following words under the correct picture. candle   fork   friar   hood   vegetation   snowfall 2 a. ....................................... b. ....................................... c. ....................................... d. ....................................... e. ....................................... f. ....................................... Match each word to its definition. a. arrest (v.) b. ceremony c. courtyard d. fault e. mile f. merchant g. shocked h. spy 3   1. a public or religious occasion 2.  the responsibility for something wrong that has happened or been done 3. a unit for measuring distance equal to 1,609 m. 4. to take someone into prison 5. a person who sells goods to the public 6. surprised and upset 7.  someone who works secretly to find out things about another country or person 8.  an open space surrounded by buildings that is usually part of a castle or a large house PREDICTING. The illustration on p. 49 shows a wedding ceremony. Who s going to marry who? Tick the option that you think is correct. Then check your answer at the end of the chapter. a. Joanna Sedley and Richard Shelton. b. Joanna Sedley and Sir Daniel. c. Joanna Sedley and one of Sir Daniel s friends. d. One of Joanna s friends and a rich nobleman (= person of the highest social group). e. Sir Daniel s niece and Bennet Hatch s son. 46 

The The Black Arrow two friars Chapter 4 7 Some months later, the situation was the following: Richard Shelton was now fighting with the band of the Black Arrow and lived with them night and day; the House of Lancaster was winning many battles. It was a black evening in the first week of January. The weather was very cold and windy. It was snowing a lot. Dick and some men of the Black Arrow were following Sir Daniel Brackley covertly1. They found out that he was meeting with Lord Shoreby, a fat and greedy2 old man, in a house near the sea. The two lords walked through the garden to the house and then went upstairs. Dick climbed over the garden wall and waited. After about fifteen minutes, the two men came out and started to speak in the garden.  Lord Shoreby, you ve seen that the young lady is very good-looking. She s also very rich. You re going to marry her soon,  Sir Daniel said.  She s very beautiful! I ll give you a lot of money for arranging the marriage between Joanna Sedley and me,  Lord Shoreby said happily. Richard heard the conversation between the two men. He was angry and worried. He also saw two women at the window of a room: one was Bennet Hatch s wife, the other looked like Joanna. Her hair was much longer now and she was very well-dressed. She really looked beautiful! The two men went out of the house and back to their castles. Soon after, Dick climbed down the wall and said to one of his friends,  Listen, Will, we must rescue Joanna. Go and call some other men!  After about an hour, twenty men of the Black Arrow arrived to help Richard. He wanted to attack the house, but Will Lawless said,  No, Dick, we can t. Sir Daniel has left many men in the house. And I ve seen a lot of soldiers coming here. Look, here they are!  Suddenly, the men of the Black Arrow were attacked by many soldiers. Richard was surrounded by three of them. He immediately pushed back two, but now he had a very tall, big man before him. However, Dick was much more agile3 and won. 1. covertly: in a secret or hidden way, difficult to notice. 2. greedy: wanting more money, power, food, etc. than you really need. 3. agile: able to move quickly and easily. 47 

The Black Arrow - Scopri 'La Freccia Nera' di R.L. Stevenson: avventure nella Guerra delle Due Rose, giustizia e amore. Risorse didattiche incluse.

The Black Arrow - Romanzo Storico di Stevenson

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The Black Arrow

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