Bows Against the Barons

Bows Against the Barons

Cover of the 1966 revised edition
Author	Geoffrey Trease
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Genre	Children's novel, historical novel
Publisher	Martin Lawrence
Publication date	1934
Media type	Print (hardback & paperback)
Pages	152
OCLC	6171653

Bows Against the Barons is a 1934 children's novel by British author Geoffrey Trease, based on the legend of Robin Hood. It tells the story of an adolescent boy who joins an outlaw band and takes part in a great rebellion against the feudal elite. Trease's first novel, Bows Against the Barons marks the start of his prolific career as a historical novelist. It is notable for reinterpreting the Robin Hood legend and revitalizing the conventions of children's historical fiction in 20th-century Britain.

Set in medieval England, Bows Against the Barons relates the adventures of a peasant boy who becomes an outlaw and joins the band of Robin Hood. Together, they take up arms against the masters of England and fight for the rights of the common people. The protagonist's former master tries to suppress them, but at great cost.

The title refers to the primary weapon of the outlaws – the longbow.

Bows Against the Barons takes place during the final months of Robin Hood's life, beginning in early June, and ending in the following year about February. It is largely told from the viewpoint of Dickon, a sixteen-year-old peasant boy from the village of Oxton.

The novel opens by depicting Dickon's hardships as a serf on a baronial manor. The boy being whipped by his bailiff for missing work and harassed by the village priest for not tithe. Despite his youth, Dickon has to serve as his family's breadwinner because his father Dick has been conscripted as an archer for the Crusades. His troubles are compounded when the King's deer from nearby Sherwood Forest ravage his garden's. Moved by anger, Dickon kills one of the deer with an arrow. He then flees into Sherwood to avoid the penalties of poaching. Eventually, he meets Alan-a-Dale, who leads him to Robin Hood's band. Proving adept at archery, Dickon is welcomed into their company.