The earliest ballads of "Robyn Hode" are told in vivid modern prose—fast, violent, satirical, sinister, tragic, and national epicThe five earliest ballads of "Robyn Hode" constitute the best version of the famous, heroic outlaw—fast and violent, earthy and satirical, dangerous, sinister, mysterious, and revolutionary. The king is always referred to as "Edward our comely king," pointing to the reign of Edward I, when a Robert Hode of Wakefield, an outlaw at the time...

This collection of five tales and one play contains the definitive Robin Hood. They are the earliest ballads and play and still the best of the bunch. 'Robin Hood and the Monk' is the earliest surviving manuscript, dated c.1450, and is considered the greatest of the ballads, though it was probably not sung, being described as a 'talkyng'; 'Robin Hood's Death' is one of the most satisfying tragedies in the English language; while 'A Lytell Geste of Robyn Hode' is a comprehe...

Devon is a county rich in history and folklore, the roots of which lie in the beliefs of ancient Celtic inhabitants. Long ago, whilst middle England was converted to Christianity, the Celtic people of the edge-lands were still Druids. With no explanation offered for the cycles of hardship and abundance, a large amount of folklore and superstition emerged. Moulded by the land, weather and generations of people's attempts to make sense of the world, these thirty tales are full of Devonshire ...

This collection of five tales and one play contains the definitive Robin Hood. They are the earliest ballads and play and still the best of the bunch. Robin Hood and the Monk is the earliest surviving manuscript, dated c.1450, and is considered the greatest of the ballads, though it was probably not sung, being described as a 'talkyng'; Robin Hood's Death is one of the most satisfying tragedies in the English language; while A Lytell Geste of Robyn Ho...

This collection of traditional stories and tales, many of which are published for the first time, will delight lovers of Devonshire folklore. Some of the stories have been gleaned from residents of the county, whilst others have been developed by the author and have evolved through countless tellings. All the tales within represent this large and diverse county throughout its long and distinguished history, from the founding of Britain itself by Brute the Trojan at Totnes,...

The inspiration for the critically acclaimed Starz miniseries The White Queen, #1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory brings to life the extraordinary story of Elizabeth Woodville, a woman who rises from obscurity to become Queen of England, and changes the course of history forever.Elizabeth Woodville is a woman of extraordinary beauty and ambition. Her mother is Jacquetta, also known as the mystical lady of the rivers, and she is ...

From the scaffold of the Globe theatre to a menace in Whitehall, this is a gripping tale of corruption, rebellion and love.London is on the brink of revolution...But John Lawley - England's finest swordsman - just wants to be left alone to win back the heart of the woman he loves. And to design the fight scenes for the magnificent new Globe theatre. But in order to remain free to help his old friend Will Shakespeare finish the play...

Richard III lives again through the eyes of his intimates and the woman whose ill-starred love brought him brief joy, and her a bitter consummation. Against the background of lusty, fifteenth-century England, with its superstition and witchcraft, its courtly manners and cruel punishments, Rosemary Hawley Jarman presents a fascinating and faithful portrait of one of the most enigmatic figures in our history as he appeared to his contemporaries.

As Edward IV lay on his deathbed, he had no knowledge of the dark conspiracy which was to surround his son, and his brother Richard after his death. This is the story of the two tumultuous years of his reign - told by the Man of Keen Sight, who befriended and then betrayed him, and by the Nun, who had known him in happier times.

A riveting novella set in Elizabethan England—perfect for fans of C. J. Sansom and The Tudors.Just a few days before Christmas, a reluctant John Shakespeare—brother of a rising playwright—answers a plea for help from Joshua Peace, Searcher of the Dead, but he has no idea the kind of menace he will face. A naked man has been found in a snowdrift, a wreath of holly crowning his head and a bullet in his back.As all around him prepare for the festive season, Shakespeare must un...

***Includes bonus short story***Introduces us to the life of John Shakespeare, Queen's Spy.-------------------------------------------------------'Sixteenth-century London comes alive in all its tawdriness' Daily Mail'Beautifully done . . . alive and tremendously engrossing' Daily Telegraph'Plot and dialogue that hums with Elizabethan slang, profanity and wi...

It is the late 13th century, and King Edward of England marches on Scotland intent on conquest, his campaign to unite the British Isles under one crown inspired by an Arthurian prophecy. He has already crushed Wales; now he needs only to find the Staff of St. Malachy, symbol of Irish nationhood, to achieve his desire.Only one man can thwart Edward’s ambition. Leaving his war-torn kingdom, Robert Bruce has sailed to Ireland, determined to find the Staff and keep it out of Edward’s h...