# A Greenwood Company explained — The Black Arrow

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

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Revenge and Justice

Ellis Duckworth articulates a clear motive of vengeance against Sir Daniel for wrongs done to the outlaws, framing their actions as a form of justice.

### Class and Social Hierarchy

The outlaws are described as 'all oppressed' and 'most foully wronged,' highlighting their lower social status and rebellion against the landed gentry like Sir Daniel.

## Character check-ins

### Dick Shelton

Observes the outlaws from hiding, leads Matcham through the forest, and identifies the ruins of Grimstone.

### Matcham

Accompanies Dick, shows curiosity and caution, and climbs into the ruins to spy on the outlaws.

### Ellis Duckworth

Leads the outlaw band, speaks of vengeance against Sir Daniel, and oversees the distribution of ale and food.

### Will Lawless

A cook among the outlaws, sings a song, complains about the lack of ale and bread, and is rebuked by Ellis for his greed.

### Tom Cuckow

An outlaw who brings a purse from a pardoner, which Ellis counts and criticizes as insufficient.

## Key lines

> Lads! good fellows all, and my right merry friends, y' have sung this while on a dry whistle and lived at little ease. But what said I ever? Abide Fortune constantly; she turneth, turneth swift. And lo! here is her little firstling—even that good creature, ale!

Ellis Duckworth greets his men, telling them to be patient because fortune changes quickly, and then presents a cask of ale as a sign of better times.

_Ellis uses the ale to boost morale and reinforce his leadership._

> We are here some fifty strong, each man of us most foully wronged; for some they have lost lands, and some friends; and some they have been outlawed—all oppressed! Who, then, hath done this evil? Sir Daniel, by the rood!

Ellis declares that the outlaws, about fifty in number, have all been wronged by Sir Daniel, who has taken their lands, killed their friends, or driven them into outlawry.

_This speech establishes the outlaws' collective grievance and their target for revenge._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-a-greenwood-company
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters