10 h 59 minAudiobook4 minSummaryRead it, hear it, the 15-minute summary, and print and large print at costPaperback · 6 × 9 in · printing soonHardcover · 6 × 9 in · printing soonAbout this book
A king seeks justice, a warrior stands loyal, and an outlaw challenges power beneath the trees of Sherwood Forest.
The Book of Romance, edited by Andrew Lang, brings the hero tales of medieval Europe together in clear prose. King Arthur gathers his knights at the Round Table, where none sits above another. Merlin guides the young king, while Lancelot stands out through strength, deeds and devotion.
Beyond Arthur’s court, Roland and his wise friend Oliver serve among Charlemagne’s greatest warriors. In the English greenwood, Robin Hood defies a corrupt sheriff and helps the poor. These tales place loyalty, courage and justice side by side, inviting you to discover what joins a king, a knight and an outlaw.
What you’ll discover
- Arthur’s dream of justice Enter a court where the Round Table gives every knight an equal place.
- Merlin and Lancelot Meet the wizard who guides Arthur and the knight famed for strength and devotion.
- Roland and Oliver Discover brave loyalty beside careful judgment among the warriors who serve Charlemagne.
- Robin Hood’s greenwood Leave castles behind for Sherwood Forest, where an outlaw challenges a corrupt sheriff.
- Legends read side by side Explore what these old tales share through their kings, knights, outlaws and quests.
Who will love it
For readers who love adventure, chivalry and old tales, and anyone who wants a gentle way into medieval legends of knights, kings, outlaws and quests.
What’s inside
The key ideas, in the 15-minute summary
- Romance means tales of knights and quests
- Arthur gathers knights at the Round Table
- Roland shows loyalty in Charlemagne's wars
- Robin Hood brings outlaw justice to England
Who’s who
- King ArthurThe ruler of Britain who gathers the best knights at the Round Table and tries to build a just kingdom.
- LancelotThe most skilled knight at Arthur's court, famed for his strength, his deeds and his devotion.
- MerlinThe wizard who counsels the young Arthur and helps him rise to the throne.
- RolandThe brave and loyal nephew of Charlemagne, who defends his emperor with sword and horn.
- OliverRoland's closest friend among the peers of Charlemagne, a wise knight who judges danger with care.
- Robin HoodThe outlaw of Sherwood Forest who defies a corrupt sheriff and helps the poor.
Formats and delivery
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- Large-print eBook
- The same book in bigger, clearer type, from the first page.
- Audiobook
- 10 h 59 min, complete, read by Lucas Linden.
- 15-minute summary
- The key ideas in about 4 minutes, to read or to hear.
- Paperback
- 6 × 9 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
- Hardcover
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- Large print paperback
- 8.5 × 11 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
- Large print hardcover
- 8.5 × 11 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
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Read and hear The Book of Romance in 25 languages and switch at any time. Or read two side by side, paragraph by paragraph: the way to learn a language with a book you love.
The Book of Romance
by Andrew Lang · 1902
Arthur's knights, Roland's horn and Robin Hood's outlaw justice bring loyalty and honour to the test.
Medium level10–20 hours to read25 languages
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In short
The Book of Romance gathers the old hero tales of medieval Europe into one volume for young readers. It was edited by Andrew Lang, a Scottish writer who spent his life collecting folk tales, myths and legends.
From the 15-minute summary · Key idea 1
Romance means tales of knights and quests
In the Middle Ages, a romance was a story told in the common tongue of a country rather than in Latin. The word came from the Romance languages, such as French. Over time it came to mean a tale of knights, ladies, wonders and daring deeds.
These stories were meant to be heard. Minstrels sang them in halls, and monks and poets wrote them down in long verse and later in prose. Each telling changed a little, so no single author owns any of these legends. That is one reason a collector like Lang could shape them anew.
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What is The Book of Romance about?
It retells medieval legends in plain prose, including the tales of King Arthur and his knights, Roland and Charlemagne, and Robin Hood. It focuses on chivalry, quests, loyalty and adventure.
Who wrote The Book of Romance?
Andrew Lang edited it. He was a Scottish folklorist who collected and retold myths and fairy tales. The old legends themselves came from many unnamed medieval poets and storytellers.
What does romance mean in this book?
It does not mean a love story only. In medieval usage, a romance was a tale of knights, quests and wonders, first told in the everyday language of a country.
The author
Andrew Lang
1844–1912 · Scottish poet and folklorist
Andrew Lang was a Scottish writer born in Selkirk in 1844. He lived in London and died in Banchory in 1912. He wrote poetry, novels, literary criticism, and works on folklore. He edited The Blue Fairy Book, published in 1889, and other fairy-book collections, including The Violet Fairy Book in 1901.
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