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 67
Page 1
... tell a tale, but not too long, Before it be forgot. “I'd tell the tale of Dinadan, A likely, quiet youth, Whose great adventures all began, Beneath this very roof.” “That's not a rhyme, there,” Thomas said. “Youth and roof, I mean ...
... tell a tale, but not too long, Before it be forgot. “I'd tell the tale of Dinadan, A likely, quiet youth, Whose great adventures all began, Beneath this very roof.” “That's not a rhyme, there,” Thomas said. “Youth and roof, I mean ...
Page 3
Gerald Morris. think? Then let me tell you this. You have more skill on your instrument than I'll have if I live to be a thousand. I've never heard anyone play a rebec the way you can, lad. I just wish you'd let me teach you the lyre ...
Gerald Morris. think? Then let me tell you this. You have more skill on your instrument than I'll have if I live to be a thousand. I've never heard anyone play a rebec the way you can, lad. I just wish you'd let me teach you the lyre ...
Page 5
... tell heroic stories in carefully modulated tones, in speech divided into neat phrases of exactly the same length, as Dinadan had learned to do. They didn't make friends with retired troubadours, like old Thomas the Rhymer, and they ...
... tell heroic stories in carefully modulated tones, in speech divided into neat phrases of exactly the same length, as Dinadan had learned to do. They didn't make friends with retired troubadours, like old Thomas the Rhymer, and they ...
Page 9
... tell 'er ladyship that a mighty questin' knight's 'ere lookin' for adventures.” The others laughed, but one stood and made his way to the largest tent, at the center of the encampment. Dinadan was trying to remember what he had said ...
... tell 'er ladyship that a mighty questin' knight's 'ere lookin' for adventures.” The others laughed, but one stood and made his way to the largest tent, at the center of the encampment. Dinadan was trying to remember what he had said ...
Page 10
... tell which of those promised delights was more enticing to Dinadan. In any case, he received both. Lady Miriam sat close beside him, making sure that his plate stayed full and listening wide-eyed to Dinadan's every word. It did not seem ...
... tell which of those promised delights was more enticing to Dinadan. In any case, he received both. Lady Miriam sat close beside him, making sure that his plate stayed full and listening wide-eyed to Dinadan's every word. It did not seem ...
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 |
Other editions - View all
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