The King's Arrow

The Kings Arrow

Elliott Campbell

Honors World History

October 13, 2014

Characters:

Simon Foldre- 18 year old son of a Norman nobleman and an English aristocrat.

Walter Tirel- King’s friend

William Rufus- the King. Son of William the Conqueror

Summary:

18 year old Simon Foldre is invited to the Royal Hunt. Before he goes on the hunt, he was almost expelled from the hunt. He witnesses the questionable killing of a well-known poacher during his hunt. But after long discussion with Walter Tirel, he talks his way and is once again invited on the Royal Hunt. Later, the King’s advisors hear word through the grapevine that during the hunt, someone might try and kill the king on the Royal Hunt. During the Royal Hunt, the King is struck and killed by the arrow shot from Walter Tirel, while Simon witnessed. After the King’s death, Simon Foldre and Walter Tirel flee from Norway, running for their lives. Literally. If they are caught, they will be killed. Was the intentional or was it accidental? The mystery will never be solved.

Historical References:

This book is very relative to history. As history states, William Rufus, was killed in New Forest, United Kingdom, on August 2^nd, 1100 by an unknown arrow. To this day, no one really knows who actually shot King William Rufus with the arrow. The mystery will remain forever.

Quotes:

“On the hill behind the house. She and Alcuin and the house servants could hold off and army from there.” This is important because it shows how much they are trying to get away and fleeing from the King’s army (151).

“It is a very fine morning for a hunt…A splendid day for a kill…If Heaven wills it.” This is ironic to the story and to history because it is foreshadowing. Even if they didn’t know the King would be killed, this quote foreshadows the later events in the book (115). 

Critique:

This book was, in my opinion, a very good book. It was a very intriguing, and kept making me want to read more even when I had no choice but to put it down. After reading some historical reading and learning the death of William Rufus, it made this book even more interesting to me.