Knight on Horseback

by Ann Rabinowitz

Thirteen-year-old asthmatic Edward reluctantly accompanies his family on a trip to England, where he becomes acquainted with the ghost of a historical figure, whose unclear intentions cause Edward some anxiety before that relationship resolves both itself and problems between Edward and his father as well.Thirteen-year-old asthmatic Edward reluctantly accompanies his family on a trip to England, where he becomes aquainted with the ghost of Richard III

197 pages, Library Binding

First published October 1, 1987

Reviews

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and it makes me sad that most people don't know about it. A beautiful little ghost story centered around Richard III and the lost princes of the Tower of London, told from the perspective of teenage American Eddie on his trip to England with his family, this was the book that first really aroused my interest in the middle ages and medieval subject matter and I think it's the perfect book for a thirteen year old- short, clearly told, but not pandering in subject matter or style. Track it down (if you can), read it, then pass it on to a young relative. You won't be sorry.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knight on Horseback is a beautifully written story about a 13-year-old boy on the verge of adolescence.

Eddy Newby is asthmatic and smaller than others his age, non athletic because of his health, and rebels against always being coddled by his mother who means well but is in her glory when nursing Eddy. He has come along with his parents and older sister on a family trip to England, but he didn't really want to come because how many 13-year-olds do you know want to go on family vacations?

One day Eddy sets off on his own in London and ends up at an antique shop where the owner shows him a very old wooden statue of a knight on horseback. Almost immediately, Eddy starts seeing a cloaked man who turns up at different places.

As Eddy and his family go from London to Oxford, Warwick, Stratford, and eventually Yorkshire, the cloaked man is there, too. After attending a performance of Shakespeare's Richard III and reading a brochure about the kings of England, Eddy begins to suspect that the cloaked man is the ghost of Richard III.

I won't go into much more detail, but Richard (because yes, it is Richard) approaches Eddy and talks to him, and it becomes apparent to the reader, if not right away to Eddy himself, that Richard thinks Eddy is his own son, Edward.

This is a poignant story in which past and present meet, and young Eddy learns a lot about himself and his parents. Although the target audience is teens, it is just good read for adults. Highly recommended, one of the best books I've read in quite a while.

[Pauline Calkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story that is a combination of fantasy and historical fiction which follows a 13-year-old American boy named Eddy as he accompanies his family on a trip through England. His is a journey from childhood through adolescence, made more difficult because of his asthma and his parents’ smothering concern. Rebelling at the thought of trudging through one more museum , one day in London he decides to strike out on his own and makes a new friend, an older lady from Middleham. In an antiques store, he is drawn to the figure of a knight on horseback. When a mysterious man in a cloak appears in the store, Eddy is frightened and runs away with the toy. The toy once belonged to King Richard’s son and the cloaked man is Richard’s ghost who believes that Eddy is his son. (And, who knows just maybe??) The ghost shadows Eddy as he travels north, and during the course of the journey Eddy learns that the traditional view of Richard as the murder of his nephews may not be true.
Eddy has several encounters with Richard at Bosworth Field and at Middleham Castle. Eddy even accompanies Richard on a foray against some border raiders. There is a hauntingly beautiful scene in which Richard brings Eddy to a chamber of the castle appearing as it must have during Richard’s time. They are there to await Anne, but they can only smell her fragrance. Although Eddy is drawn to Richard, he eventually decides to return to his family.