Writing Resources from Fifteen Minutes of Fiction

Both Sides of the Border

G. A. Henty Book Reports

Peter Twitchell 5-11-09

Title: Both Sides of the Border

Author: G. A. Henty

What Type of book: Historical Fiction

Setting: England

Main Character Names: Oswald, Roger, Sir Henry “Hotspur” Percy, Glendower, William Baird, King Henry, John Forester, Alwyn Foster

Oswald is the only son of John Forester who has a castle but is not a knight. At the beginning of the story John went on a raid against the Bairds who had 2 weeks before went on a raid into England. John was successful and only lost 3 men. After that they got a message from Oswald’s uncle. The message was about Oswald, who, the message said, was now able to become one of Hotspur’s squires. Oswald gladly accepted and went to Alnwick (which was the chief town in that area) to learn his duties. While there Oswald met Roger who at that time was a monk. About the middle of the story Roger was released from his vows and became a man-at-arms. Near the end of the book Oswald was made a Knight for services to King Henry. When he saw Hotspur next, Hotspur gave him an estate that was near Yardhope (which was his father’s castle). Near the end of the book the Percies raised the standard of the real king (who was a nephew of Hotspur) but were defeated by King Henry. Sir Oswald escaped and went back home he did not fight again as far as I know.

I learned that The Percies fought King Henry and lost.

I really liked the battles.

I don’t know what I didn’t like.

I wonder that at the Battle of Shrewsbury Hotspur didn’t kill all the knights around the false king’s banner.

I would recommend this book because it is exciting history.

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