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 5
... ride carelessly through the woods, perched cross-legged in their saddles, playing and singing to themselves. “Maybe it won't be so bad, being a knight,” Thomas said. Dinadan didn't answer, so the minstrel added, “There's always the ...
... ride carelessly through the woods, perched cross-legged in their saddles, playing and singing to themselves. “Maybe it won't be so bad, being a knight,” Thomas said. Dinadan didn't answer, so the minstrel added, “There's always the ...
Page 8
... ride cross-legged, or at least not the way a person would sit cross-legged on the ground. What he did was slip sideways, hook one knee over the horn of the saddle, and tuck his other leg underneath. He ended up swiveled about a quarter ...
... ride cross-legged, or at least not the way a person would sit cross-legged on the ground. What he did was slip sideways, hook one knee over the horn of the saddle, and tuck his other leg underneath. He ended up swiveled about a quarter ...
Page 9
... ride almost at a gallop and never miss a note. But even Dinadan could not play the rebec forever, and he had put his instrument away and was riding astride when he came upon a gaily colored encampment. The sun was high in the sky, and ...
... ride almost at a gallop and never miss a note. But even Dinadan could not play the rebec forever, and he had put his instrument away and was riding astride when he came upon a gaily colored encampment. The sun was high in the sky, and ...
Page 13
... ride a horse. You see, the wound he received was in a most embarrassing place.” She permitted herself a very small titter. “You won't tell him I told you, will you? He's very sensitive about it.” “No, no, of course not,” Dinadan said ...
... ride a horse. You see, the wound he received was in a most embarrassing place.” She permitted herself a very small titter. “You won't tell him I told you, will you? He's very sensitive about it.” “No, no, of course not,” Dinadan said ...
Page 14
... ride away with dignity, but he was fairly certain that he failed. Out of sight (and smell) of the entrancing Lady Miriam, Dinadan's head cleared, and he was able to acknowledge that perhaps he had acted rashly. Lady Miriam had assured ...
... ride away with dignity, but he was fairly certain that he failed. Out of sight (and smell) of the entrancing Lady Miriam, Dinadan's head cleared, and he was able to acknowledge that perhaps he had acted rashly. Lady Miriam had assured ...
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