In Freedom's Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce
By G. A. Henty, illus. by Gordon Browne, copyright unknown, 361 pages.
Genre: Historical Fiction/Scottish War for Independence
RL: 8th - adult
Archie Forbes is the only son of Sir William and Dame Mary Forbes. He is the rightful heir of Glen Cairn Castle and would be master of it had it not been stolen from him. This had happened during a raid made by the Sir John Kerr in which he killed Sir William on his own hearthstone and claimed his lands. Archie and his mother had been allowed to reside in the fortalice as long as they did not seek to stir up enmity among the vassals against their new masters. As a lad of sixteen Archie eagerly listened to tales of Wallace's exploits, he longed to one day follow this valiant leader. He worked hard at learning how to fight and handle a sword. Then a day came when Archie must leave the village of Glen Cairn, he went to live with his uncle Sir Robert Gordon where he received further training with the sword. Several months pass before an incredible act of fate throws Archie right in the middle of Scotland's war for independence. Soon he is fighting beside Sir William Wallace himself! Archie's adventures in the war and how his lands are restored is an adventure you won't want to miss!
Before I read this wonderful book I didn't really know much about Scottish history. I knew the names Wallace and Bruce but I had no idea what role they had played in Scotland's history. As with all of Henty's books, this one is chock-full of historical facts. Henty has an excellent way of inserting actual facts and events into a skillfully woven story. I couldn't put this book down, from start to finish I was hooked!
Genre: Historical Fiction/Scottish War for Independence
RL: 8th - adult
Archie Forbes is the only son of Sir William and Dame Mary Forbes. He is the rightful heir of Glen Cairn Castle and would be master of it had it not been stolen from him. This had happened during a raid made by the Sir John Kerr in which he killed Sir William on his own hearthstone and claimed his lands. Archie and his mother had been allowed to reside in the fortalice as long as they did not seek to stir up enmity among the vassals against their new masters. As a lad of sixteen Archie eagerly listened to tales of Wallace's exploits, he longed to one day follow this valiant leader. He worked hard at learning how to fight and handle a sword. Then a day came when Archie must leave the village of Glen Cairn, he went to live with his uncle Sir Robert Gordon where he received further training with the sword. Several months pass before an incredible act of fate throws Archie right in the middle of Scotland's war for independence. Soon he is fighting beside Sir William Wallace himself! Archie's adventures in the war and how his lands are restored is an adventure you won't want to miss!
Before I read this wonderful book I didn't really know much about Scottish history. I knew the names Wallace and Bruce but I had no idea what role they had played in Scotland's history. As with all of Henty's books, this one is chock-full of historical facts. Henty has an excellent way of inserting actual facts and events into a skillfully woven story. I couldn't put this book down, from start to finish I was hooked!