# The Black Arrow — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson.

- [Prologue](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/prologue.md): 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 ki
- [Book I: The Two Lads](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/book-i-the-two-lads.md): 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' fe
- [At the Sign of the Sun in Kettley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/i-at-the-sign-of-the-sun-in-kettley.md): 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 
- [II: In the Fen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/ii-in-the-fen.md): 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 scheme
- [The Fen Ferry](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iii-the-fen-ferry.md): 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 f
- [A Greenwood Company](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-a-greenwood-company.md): 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 di
- [Bloody as the Hunter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/v-bloody-as-the-hunter.md): 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 fa
- [To the Day's End](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/vi-to-the-day-s-end.md): 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 tempor
- [The Hooded Face](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/vii-the-hooded-face.md): 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
- [Book II: The Moat House](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/book-ii-the-moat-house.md): 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 teste
- [Dick Asks Questions](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/i-dick-asks-questions.md): 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 re
- [The Two Oaths](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/ii-the-two-oaths.md): 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 tens
- [The Room Over the Chapel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iii-the-room-over-the-chapel.md): 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 t
- [The Passage](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-the-passage.md): 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 ex
- [How Dick Changed Sides](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/v-how-dick-changed-sides.md): 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
- [Book III: My Lord Foxham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/book-iii-my-lord-foxham.md): 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 confl
- [The House by the Shore](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/i-the-house-by-the-shore.md): 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, 
- [II: A Skirmish in the Dark](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/ii-a-skirmish-in-the-dark.md): 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 ar
- [St. Bride's Cross](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iii-st-bride-s-cross.md): 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
- [The 'Good Hope'](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-the-good-hope.md): 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 get
- [V: The “Good Hope” (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/v-the-good-hope-continued.md): 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
- [VI: The “Good Hope” (Concluded)](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/vi-the-good-hope-concluded.md): 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 
- [Book IV: The Disguise](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/book-iv-the-disguise.md): 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 su
- [The Den](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/i-the-den.md): 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 
- [In Mine Enemies' House](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/ii-in-mine-enemies-house.md): Dick hides in Sir Daniel's house, evades a spy, encounters a young lady who helps him, and is reunited with Joanna Sedley.
- [The Dead Spy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iii-the-dead-spy.md): 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 arro
- [In the Abbey Church](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-in-the-abbey-church.md): 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 p
- [V: Earl Risingham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/v-earl-risingham.md): 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 th
- [Arblaster Again](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/vi-arblaster-again.md): 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 t
- [Book V: Crookback](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/book-v-crookback.md): 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 t
- [The Shrill Trumpet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/i-the-shrill-trumpet.md): 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.
- [The Battle of Shoreby](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/ii-the-battle-of-shoreby.md): 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 barrica
- [The Battle of Shoreby (Concluded)](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iii-the-battle-of-shoreby-concluded.md): 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 Glouces
- [The Sack of Shoreby](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-the-sack-of-shoreby.md): 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 
- [V: Night in the Woods: Alicia Risingham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/v-night-in-the-woods-alicia-risingham.md): 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
- [VII: Dick’s Revenge](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/vii-dick-s-revenge.md): 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 depar
- [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/viii-conclusion.md): 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 characte
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/endnotes.md): 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.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters