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Fiction Historical

The Scarlet Forest

A Tale of Robin Hood

by (author) A.E. Chandler

Publisher
Thistledown Press
Initial publish date
Oct 2017
Category
Historical
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781771871389
    Publish Date
    Oct 2017
    List Price
    $19.95

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Description

You are invited underneath the great greenwood tree to hear how a young man became a hero, and a hero became a legend. When Robin takes a shortcut through Sherwood Forest, the path he chooses leads not to Nottingham’s archery contest, but to a life on the run from the law. Unable now to become a knight, and joined by his childhood friends, Robin Hood leads the most infamous outlaw band ever to evade the king and his sheriff.

 

Blending true history with new stories, popular inaccuracies, and some almost forgotten medieval legends, The Scarlet Forest brings a new life to the greenwood, which here feels as fresh as it does traditional. With an academic background in medieval English studies, A. E. Chandler captivates with this unique and nuanced reinterpretation of Robin Hood’s struggles and adventures. The forest is waiting.

About the author

A. E. Chandler holds a Master of Arts with Merit from the University of Nottingham, where she wrote her dissertation on the social history behind Robin Hood. Living in England, and travelling in Europe, Asia, and Africa have also contributed to her stories and characters — she has been chased by a camel rider through the Sahara Desert, skated down a volcano in Sicily, and gotten unintentionally locked inside of a medieval prison in France. Chandler has had short stories, poetry, and articles published, as well as a book of collected non-fiction entitled Into the World. Currently, she lives in Calgary, where she teaches, and volunteers with the Glenbow Museum’s military collection.

A.E. Chandler's profile page

Excerpt: The Scarlet Forest: A Tale of Robin Hood (by (author) A.E. Chandler)

The monk astride Robin leapt from his mount, pinning the outlaw against the next monk’s horse with a dagger to his throat.

 

“Be easy, friend.” The horse halted, and Robin stood with his hands raised, to pacify or to snatch for the dagger. “I mean no harm, and only wished to succour the church’s chosen.”

 

“Thou art no friend, however little harm thou meanest.”

 

Robin squinted at the voice, staring up at the tall monk.

 

The man took his empty hand from the outlaw’s shoulder a moment to push back his hood.

 

Robin stared wider. “Baron Fitzwalter!” He smiled. “Sir, welcome with all mine heart to the greenwood.”

 

The dagger stayed at his throat. All the monks halted.

 

“Sir, what means this?”

 

The baron, his dark brown beard unable to hide the tightness of his jaw, glared at Robin. “Where is my daughter?”

User Reviews

We Enjoyed It

This is the most complete historic fiction on Robin Hood's life. As you read the book you can feel a real connection to him as he reaches out to those in need.

The author has a great command of the culture and language of the day.

Robin is depicted as a real person as compared to a superman.