The Outlaw of Torn

The story is set in 13th century England and concerns the fictional 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 kings 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. Norman leads the largest band of thieves in all of England at age 19. 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 favour of de Montfort. In another guise that of Roger de Conde he becomes involved with de Montforts daughter Bertrade defending her against her and her fathers enemies. She notes in him a curious resemblance to the kings 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.