The Black Arrow · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Chapter 1
Prologue
The prologue introduces the setting of Tunstall during the Wars of the Roses, where loyalties shift frequently. Dick Shelton and Bennet Hatch recruit the old archer Appleyard to defend the Moat House, but Appleyard is killed by a black arrow bearing the name 'John Amend-All.' Sir Oliver Oates suspects Yorkist lords or Ellis Duckworth, while Hatch warns of local resentment. Dick is sent with a sealed packet to Sir Daniel Brackley.
Chapter 2
Book I: The Two Lads
Dick Shelton, a young man under the guardianship of Sir Daniel Brackley, is awakened by an alarm bell at Tunstall Moat House. He learns that Sir Daniel is away and that the house is under threat from the 'Black Arrow' fellowship. Dick is tasked with escorting a young boy named Matcham to safety, but their journey is fraught with danger as they cross the fen and encounter a leper. Dick begins to question the circumstances of his father's death, suspecting Sir Daniel's involvement.
Chapter 3
At the Sign of the Sun in Kettley
Sir Daniel Brackley stays overnight in Kettley, squeezing tenants and extorting money. He interrogates and threatens Condall, then inspects his troops. Dick Shelton is present and given a letter to return to Tunstall. A young lad named Master John (actually Joanna Sedley in disguise) asks Dick for directions to Holywood and later escapes. Sir Daniel discovers the deception and orders Selden to hunt her down before marching to join the battle.
Chapter 4
II: In the Fen
Dick Shelton rides through the fen at dawn, encounters a lost and frightened lad named John Matcham, and agrees to help him reach Holywood sanctuary. They discuss marriage, Joan of Arc, and Sir Daniel's oppressive schemes, while fleeing Sir Daniel's pursuit.
Chapter 5
The Fen Ferry
Dick Shelton and Matcham cross the River Till with the ferryman Hugh, who warns them of John-a-Fenne lying in wait. Despite precautions, they are ambushed, their horse is shot, and the boat capsizes. Matcham saves Dick from drowning, and they escape into the woods, where Dick jests about Matcham's girlish appearance and they share food before Dick scouts ahead.
Chapter 6
A Greenwood Company
Dick and Matcham, hiding in Tunstall Forest, observe a band of outlaws led by Ellis Duckworth, who plots vengeance against Sir Daniel Brackley. They witness the outlaws' camp life, including a feast and a song, before discovering the ruins of Grimstone and narrowly avoiding detection by the outlaws.
Chapter 7
Bloody as the Hunter
Selden is ambushed and killed by the Black Arrow fellowship, while Dick and Matcham witness the attack. Dick wants to warn Selden's men but Matcham tries to stop him, revealing that Sir Daniel may have murdered Dick's father. After a confrontation, Matcham insists on following Dick, and they spot Ellis Duckworth leading his men through the woods.
Chapter 8
To the Day's End
Dick and Matcham flee through the forest after the ambush, narrowly escaping pursuers. They witness the rout of the Lancastrian army after the battle, and their quarrel over Dick's killing of a forester leads to a temporary separation, but they reconcile and continue together, exhausted, seeking shelter for the night.
Chapter 9
The Hooded Face
Dick and Matcham encounter a leper in the forest who turns out to be Sir Daniel Brackley in disguise. Sir Daniel reveals his recent defeat in battle and his fear of the Black Arrow, then leads them to Tunstall Moat House. Matcham expresses foreboding about Sir Daniel's character and their future under his guardianship.
Chapter 10
Book II: The Moat House
Dick Shelton returns to Tunstall Moat House, where he begins to suspect Sir Daniel Brackley's involvement in his father's death. He questions John Carter and learns of the Black Arrow's vengeance. Dick's loyalty is tested as he navigates the treacherous politics of the household.
Chapter 11
Dick Asks Questions
Dick Shelton, now at Tunstall Moat House, grows suspicious of those around him after his father's death. He questions Bennet Hatch and the wounded John Carter, seeking the truth. Sir Daniel Brackley, recovering from a recent battle, sends a messenger to Lord Wensleydale to secure his position. The garrison is fearful of the Black Arrow, and Dick's inquiries are met with evasion and warnings.
Chapter 12
The Two Oaths
Dick confronts Sir Daniel about his father's death, demanding an oath of innocence. Sir Daniel swears falsely, but the priest Sir Oliver's terror reveals deeper guilt. A black arrow shot through the window heightens tension, and Sir Daniel plots to silence Dick by moving him to the chamber above the chapel. Sir Oliver, coerced, swears a second oath to protect Dick, but his secret signals and a watching eye in the tapestry leave Dick suspicious.
Chapter 13
The Room Over the Chapel
Dick and Matcham (revealed to be Joanna Sedley) hide in a chamber above the chapel, discovering a trapdoor used by an assassin. Sir Daniel's men attempt to break in but are diverted by an alarm. The pair escape through the secret passage.
Chapter 14
The Passage
Dick and Joanna navigate a secret passage within Tunstall Moat House, seeking escape. Joanna reveals her identity as a wealthy orphan ward, caught between the rival claims of Lord Foxham and Sir Daniel Brackley. Their exploration leads to a dead end, but Bennet Hatch secretly aids Dick by revealing a hidden mechanism to open the trap door, allowing them to escape into the courtyard.
Chapter 15
How Dick Changed Sides
Dick Shelton, wounded and exhausted, is found by outlaws Lawless and Greensheve and brought to Ellis Duckworth. After recovering, Dick recounts his escape from Tunstall Moat House and pledges allegiance to Duckworth, who vows to bring Sir Daniel Brackley to justice. Dick sends a threatening letter to Sir Daniel, warning him against marrying Joanna Sedley.
Chapter 16
Book III: My Lord Foxham
Dick Shelton, now a fugitive from Sir Daniel Brackley, seeks refuge and alliance with Lord Foxham. He reveals his identity and the plot against him, gaining Lord Foxham's support. The chapter sets the stage for the conflict between the factions of the Black Arrow and Sir Daniel.
Chapter 17
The House by the Shore
Months after escaping his guardian, Richard Shelton is in Shoreby-on-the-Till, a town held by Lancastrian nobles. On a bitter winter night, he and his outlaws follow Sir Daniel Brackley to a secluded house by the shore, where Sir Daniel meets Lord Shoreby. Dick scales the wall into the garden, spies on the house, and sees Joanna Sedley inside. Discovering that the house is watched by unknown men wearing a white-and-dark chequered badge, Dick sends for reinforcements while he and Greensheve keep watch.
Chapter 18
II: A Skirmish in the Dark
Dick and his men ambush a group of strangers lurking near the house where Joanna is held. After a fierce night battle on the beach, Dick defeats a knight in single combat. The knight surrenders, and they discover they are not enemies of Sir Daniel. They agree to meet at St. Bride's Cross at daybreak. Dick's men strip the dead and flee before Sir Daniel's horsemen arrive.
Chapter 19
St. Bride's Cross
Dick Shelton meets Lord Foxham at St. Bride's Cross to negotiate ransom and terms. Dick reveals his identity and his love for Joanna Sedley, asking for her hand in exchange for Foxham's freedom. Lord Foxham, impressed by Dick's character and story, agrees to help him rescue Joanna from Sir Daniel and Lord Shoreby, promising her hand in marriage if they succeed.
Chapter 20
The 'Good Hope'
Dick Shelton, now commanding the Black Arrow fellowship in Ellis Duckworth's absence, plans to rescue Joanna Sedley from Sir Daniel Brackley. He and Lawless steal a ship called the Good Hope from Captain Arblaster by getting him and his man drunk, then binding them. With Lord Foxham's men, they seize the ship and sail into a storm, eventually reaching a stone pier.
Chapter 21
V: The “Good Hope” (Continued)
Dick and Lord Foxham attempt to land men from the Good Hope to rescue Joanna, but the operation is thwarted by a surprise attack from shore. Panic and cowardice lead to a disastrous retreat, with many casualties. Lawless skillfully steers the ship back to sea, but mutinous crew members challenge his command, leading to a deadly wave that sweeps several overboard. Lawless regains control, and Dick sets guards to protect him as the ship struggles through the storm.
Chapter 22
VI: The “Good Hope” (Concluded)
Lord Foxham, wounded and aboard the storm-tossed Good Hope, entrusts Dick Shelton with secret military orders for Richard of Gloucester and a letter to Sir John Hamley regarding Joanna Sedley. The ship is wrecked on the coast near Tunstall, and the survivors are fired upon by suspicious locals who mistake them for French pirates.
Chapter 23
Book IV: The Disguise
Dick Shelton, disguised as a friar, infiltrates Sir Daniel's camp in Shoreby to rescue Joanna Sedley. He encounters various characters, including the drunken Lord Shoreby and the treacherous Sir Daniel, and ultimately succeeds in freeing Joanna with the help of the Black Arrow fellowship.
Chapter 24
The Den
Dick and Lawless disguise themselves as friars and set out for Shoreby. Lawless reveals his dual nature as a loyal friend and a thief, and they test their disguises by confronting three of their own outlaw companions at a farmhouse, leaving a black arrow as a calling card.
Chapter 25
In Mine Enemies' House
Dick hides in Sir Daniel's house, evades a spy, encounters a young lady who helps him, and is reunited with Joanna Sedley.
Chapter 26
The Dead Spy
Dick Shelton and Lawless kill a spy named Rutter, who was carrying a letter from Lord Shoreby to Lord Wensleydale. Dick reads the letter, adds a warning signed 'Jon Amend-All,' and pins it to the corpse with a black arrow. Sir Daniel and Lord Shoreby discover the body and the letter, realizing the Black Arrow is targeting them. Dick hides behind an arras, overhears the commotion, and later emerges to plan his escape. With the help of Joanna and her friend, he disguises himself as a friar to leave the house, but is escorted by guards to the abbey church, where he encounters Sir Oliver Oates.
Chapter 27
In the Abbey Church
Dick Shelton, imprisoned in Shoreby Abbey Church after killing Rutter, faces a tense night under Sir Oliver's watch. At dawn, the wedding of Lord Shoreby approaches. Will Lawless joins Dick, revealing Ellis Duckworth's plan to prevent the marriage. A confrontation erupts when Sir Daniel's men discover Dick's bloodied dagger and Lawless's arrows. Joanna Sedley and Alicia Risingham plead for Dick's innocence before Earl Risingham, who takes charge of the investigation, sparing Dick from Sir Daniel's custody.
Chapter 28
V: Earl Risingham
Dick Shelton and Lawless are imprisoned in Earl Risingham's lodgings. Dick confesses to killing Rutter and produces a letter from Sir Daniel that reveals his treachery against the Earl. Impressed by Dick's honesty and the evidence, Earl Risingham frees both Dick and Lawless, warning them to flee Shoreby quickly.
Chapter 29
Arblaster Again
Dick Shelton, having escaped Sir Daniel and Lord Risingham, is captured by the drunken sailor Arblaster and his crew, who recognize him as the pirate who stole their ship. Dick is bound and beaten, but he uses his wits to spin a tale of hidden treasure, loosens his bonds, and ultimately escapes into the moonlit night after overturning the table.
Chapter 30
Book V: Crookback
The chapter focuses on the character Richard of Gloucester, known as Crookback, and his involvement in the ongoing conflict. It likely depicts his cunning and ambition as he maneuvers through the political landscape of the Wars of the Roses.
Chapter 31
The Shrill Trumpet
Dick Shelton meets Richard of Gloucester and participates in the planning and initial movements of the Battle of Shoreby, where Gloucester's forces prepare to surprise the Lancastrian troops.
Chapter 32
The Battle of Shoreby
Richard of Gloucester leads a surprise attack on Shoreby, with Dick Shelton advising a strategic seizure of a poor quarter. Dick is assigned to defend a narrow street leading to the marketplace, where he builds a barricade and holds against a fierce Lancastrian assault led by Sir Daniel Brackley. After a brutal hand-to-hand struggle and cavalry charge, Dick's post holds, and Gloucester knights him on the field. The duke reveals his obsessive desire to personally kill Earl Risingham, and Dick is disturbed by Gloucester's wild, cruel spirit.
Chapter 33
The Battle of Shoreby (Concluded)
Dick Shelton holds a critical street against Lancastrian forces, facing repeated attacks from front and rear. Despite heavy losses, he maintains his position until Yorkist reinforcements arrive, led by Richard of Gloucester, who personally defeats Earl Risingham. The battle ends in a decisive Yorkist victory, with Dick gaining favor and learning the perilous nature of serving the ruthless Crookback.
Chapter 34
The Sack of Shoreby
After the battle, Dick searches for Joanna amid the chaos of Shoreby's sack. He finds Sir Daniel's house pillaged and learns that Sir Daniel has fled with Joanna. Dick requests fifty lances from Richard of Gloucester to pursue Sir Daniel, but his request is granted only after he forfeits future favor by pleading for the life of the old shipman Arblaster, whom he had wronged earlier. Dick secures the lances, but his encounter with Arblaster fills him with remorse. He then leads his men in pursuit, discovering the body of a young girl with long brown hair along the way.
Chapter 35
V: Night in the Woods: Alicia Risingham
Dick Shelton and his men pursue Sir Daniel Brackley through the snowy woods, but the trail splits, forcing them to head toward Holywood. They make camp, and Dick encounters Alicia Risingham, who teases him about his role in her kinsman's death and playfully proposes marriage, though Dick remains steadfastly loyal to Joanna Sedley.
Chapter 36
VII: Dick’s Revenge
On his wedding morning, Dick Shelton confronts Sir Daniel Brackley in the frozen forest. Dick spares Sir Daniel's life but forbids him from seeking sanctuary at Holywood, as it lies within Yorkist lines. Sir Daniel departs, but is soon struck by a black arrow shot by Ellis Duckworth and dies in Dick's arms. Duckworth, witnessing Dick's mercy, renounces his revenge and dissolves the Black Arrow fellowship.
Chapter 37
Conclusion
The chapter concludes with the wedding of Dick Shelton and Joanna Sedley, officiated by Lord Foxham in the church of Holywood. Richard of Gloucester briefly encounters Joanna and Alicia Risingham, displaying his characteristic brusqueness. After the ceremony, the wedding party enjoys a breakfast while Gloucester's army marches toward his future kingdom. The story ends with Dick and Joanna living peacefully in the forest, and the fates of Lawless and other characters are resolved.
Chapter 38
Endnotes
The endnotes provide historical clarifications regarding the anachronistic use of the title 'Duke of Gloucester' for Richard Crookback and the technical definition of a 'lance' in the context of the story.
