The Ballad of Sir DinadanThe author of Parsifal’s Page “interweaves action with sophisticated, wry humor and deft characterization to bring to life yet another medieval tale” (VOYA). Young Dinadan has no wish to joust or quest or save damsels in distress or do any of the knightly things expected of him. He’d rather be a minstrel, playing his rebec and writing ballads. But he was born to be a knight, and knights, of course, have adventures. So after his father forces his knighthood upon him, he wanders toward King Arthur’s court, in the company of a misguided young Welsh lad named Culloch. There Dinadan meets Sir Kai and Sir Bedivere, and the three find themselves accompanying Culloch on the worst sort of quest. Along the way, Dinadan writes his own ballads, singing of honor, bravery, loyalty, and courtly love—and becomes a player in the pathetic love story of Tristram and Iseult. He meets the Moorish knight Palomides, the clever but often exasperating Lady Brangienne, and an elvin musician named Sylvanus, along with an unusual collection of recreant knights and dimwitted defenders of chivalry. He learns that while minstrels sing of spectacular heroic deeds, honor is often found in simpler, quieter ways. “The humor ranges from subtle irony to scenes of pure comedy . . . a lighthearted introduction to the period.” —School Library Journal (starred review) “Morris creates in Dinadan one of his most appealing protagonists. Written in accessible prose and laced with occasional magic, the novel moves at a quick pace and showcases a continually maturing hero.” —The Horn Book “A witty tale of adventure and reflection.” —Booklist |
From inside the book
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Page 10
... Lady Miriam?” he asked, with a slight cough. “This one seems rather young. Perhaps he is not yet ready to test himself for a lady's sake.” “Fie, Sir Annui!” Lady Miriam said. “He has a true knight's bearing! Can you not see it? I'll vow ...
... Lady Miriam?” he asked, with a slight cough. “This one seems rather young. Perhaps he is not yet ready to test himself for a lady's sake.” “Fie, Sir Annui!” Lady Miriam said. “He has a true knight's bearing! Can you not see it? I'll vow ...
Page 11
... Lady Miriam, who looked to Dinadan to be about twenty-four or twenty-five, evidently preferred younger men, anyway. Dinadan casually stretched, then pushed his shoulders back to make them appear broader than they really were. Lady Miriam ...
... Lady Miriam, who looked to Dinadan to be about twenty-four or twenty-five, evidently preferred younger men, anyway. Dinadan casually stretched, then pushed his shoulders back to make them appear broader than they really were. Lady Miriam ...
Page 12
... hero, earning the beautiful Lady Miriam's gratitude, but a nagging doubt intruded. “But . . . if that's what it would take, why doesn't Sir Annui challenge him?” “Poor old Annui,” Lady Miriam said, shaking her head. “He 12.
... hero, earning the beautiful Lady Miriam's gratitude, but a nagging doubt intruded. “But . . . if that's what it would take, why doesn't Sir Annui challenge him?” “Poor old Annui,” Lady Miriam said, shaking her head. “He 12.
Page 13
... Lady Miriam. “I don't know what we'll do, though,” Lady Miriam said. “Just this morning we received word that Sir Edmund is mustering his knights for an attack on our camp.” Lady Miriam put her arms around Dinadan and held him close. “I ...
... Lady Miriam. “I don't know what we'll do, though,” Lady Miriam said. “Just this morning we received word that Sir Edmund is mustering his knights for an attack on our camp.” Lady Miriam put her arms around Dinadan and held him close. “I ...
Page 14
... Lady Miriam, Dinadan's head cleared, and he was able to acknowledge that perhaps he had acted rashly. Lady Miriam had assured him that the evil Sir Edmund was not as a good a knight as the knights that were with him, but Dinadan had no ...
... Lady Miriam, Dinadan's head cleared, and he was able to acknowledge that perhaps he had acted rashly. Lady Miriam had assured him that the evil Sir Edmund was not as a good a knight as the knights that were with him, but Dinadan had no ...
Contents
1 | |
24 | |
III Two Tales of Sir Marhault | 41 |
IV Sir Tristram | 65 |
V Questing | 85 |
VI The Shadow of the Woods | 109 |
VII The Moor the Morons | 134 |
VIII The Horn of Igraine | 163 |
X The Lyre | 198 |
XI Love Songs | 210 |
XII A Song for a Lady | 229 |
Authors Note | 243 |
Back Flap | 247 |
Back Cover | 248 |
Spine | 249 |
IX The Ballad of Sir Palomides | 178 |
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Common terms and phrases
adan armor bowed Brangienne’s Brother Eliot Camelot castle court Culloch Dinadan asked Dinadan grinned Dinadan looked Dinadan nodded Dinadan replied Dinadan smiled eyes face frowned Gaheris Gawain glanced grew guard hear heard Helius and Helake horn horses I’ve Isbad kill King Arthur’s King Isbaddadon King Mark king’s knew knight knighthood knightly Lady Brangienne Lady Miriam laughed looked at Dinadan lyre man’s Mark’s mides minstrel Modron Mother Priscilla never Olwen once Palomides asked Palomides replied Palomides’s play Queen Iseult quest rebec Rhiannon ride rode saddle shook his head sighed sing Sir Annui Sir Bedivere Sir Dinadan Sir Edmund Sir Hermind Sir Kai Sir Lamorak Sir Marhault Sir Meliodas Sir Tristram someone song stopped story sure sword Sylvanus tale task tell thing Thomas the Rhymer thought Tintagel told took Tramtris voice Wadsworth waiting Withernsea woman