Description
By: Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875-1950)
The Outlaw of Torn is a captivating story set in medieval England, filled with swashbuckling adventure and intrigue. The protagonist, a young man known only as the Outlaw, is a skilled swordsman and cunning strategist who strikes fear into the hearts of his enemies.
The novel is filled with vivid descriptions of the landscape and characters, transporting the reader back in time to a bygone era of knights and castles. The Outlaw’s quest for revenge and redemption is a thrilling journey that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat until the very end.
Burroughs’ writing is engaging and evocative, painting a rich tapestry of historical detail that brings the story to life. The Outlaw of Torn is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and action-packed adventure. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a gripping and exciting read.
Book Description:
The story is set in 13th century England and concerns the fictitious outlaw Norman of Torn, who purportedly harried the country during the power struggle between King Henry III and Simon de Montfort. Norman is the supposed son of the Frenchman de Vac, once the king’s fencing master, who has a grudge against his former employer and raises the boy to be a simple, brutal killing machine with a hatred of all things English. His intentions are partially subverted by a priest who befriends Norman and teaches him his letters and chivalry towards women.
Otherwise, all goes according to plan. By 17, Norman is the best swordsman in all of England; by the age of 18, he has a large bounty on his head, and by the age of 19, he leads the largest band of thieves in all of England. None can catch or best him. In his hatred for the king he even becomes involved in the civil war, which turns the tide in favor of de Montfort. In another guise, that of Roger de Conde, he becomes involved with de Montfort’s daughter Bertrade, defending her against her and her father’s enemies. She notes in him a curious resemblance to the king’s son and heir Prince Edward.
Finally brought to bay in a confrontation with both King Henry and de Montfort, Norman is brought down by the treachery of de Vac, who appears to kill him, though at the cost of his own life. As de Vac dies, he reveals that Norman is in fact Richard, long-lost son of King Henry and Queen Eleanor and brother to Prince Edward. The fencing master had kidnapped the prince as a child to serve as the vehicle of his vengeance against the king. Luckily, Norman/Richard turns out not to be truly dead, surviving to be reconciled to his true father and attain the hand of Bertrade
