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
Results 1-5 of 32
Page 4
... killed a villainous knight in an island fortress because the knight had insulted a lady. A few months ago had come the news that Tristram had slain a great knight named Sir Marhault. Dinadan wasn't jealous. The youth heard the reports ...
... killed a villainous knight in an island fortress because the knight had insulted a lady. A few months ago had come the news that Tristram had slain a great knight named Sir Marhault. Dinadan wasn't jealous. The youth heard the reports ...
Page 6
... killed two giants!” “It was only one, and he didn't do it until he was twenty-three,” Dinadan commented. “How many ogres have you faced, eh?” “Only one,” Dinadan replied. “I haven't killed him, though.” “There! See? You're naught but a ...
... killed two giants!” “It was only one, and he didn't do it until he was twenty-three,” Dinadan commented. “How many ogres have you faced, eh?” “Only one,” Dinadan replied. “I haven't killed him, though.” “There! See? You're naught but a ...
Page 7
... kill him trying!” And so it was that Dinadan was knighted. The ceremony was conducted profanely and unsteadily by the increasingly muddled Sir Meliodas, who bellowed the words of consecration and reeled drunkenly about, waving his sword ...
... kill him trying!” And so it was that Dinadan was knighted. The ceremony was conducted profanely and unsteadily by the increasingly muddled Sir Meliodas, who bellowed the words of consecration and reeled drunkenly about, waving his sword ...
Page 19
... voice. “How much longer must we await your ridiculous champion?” the knight asked. “You don't really believe that stupid child could actually kill Sir Edmund, do you?” Dinadan bristled. He put one hand on his sword 19.
... voice. “How much longer must we await your ridiculous champion?” the knight asked. “You don't really believe that stupid child could actually kill Sir Edmund, do you?” Dinadan bristled. He put one hand on his sword 19.
Page 20
... kill Sir Edmund, then we can step in as noble avengers and kill the boy. Sir Edmund's land will be available, and no one thinks the worse of us. And, if the child is killed, all it's cost us is a day of waiting. Your problem, dear Annui ...
... kill Sir Edmund, then we can step in as noble avengers and kill the boy. Sir Edmund's land will be available, and no one thinks the worse of us. And, if the child is killed, all it's cost us is a day of waiting. Your problem, dear Annui ...
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