Men of Iron

By Howard Pyle

Book Overview

Myles Falworth was but eight years of age at that time, and it was only afterwards, and when he grew old enough to know more of the ins and outs of the matter, that he could remember by bits and pieces the things that afterwards happened; how one evening a knight came clattering into the court-yard upon a horse, red-nostrilled and smeared with the sweat and foam of a desperate ride-Sir John Dale, a dear friend of the blind Lord.
Even though so young, Myles knew that something very serious had happened to make Sir John so pale and haggard, and he dimly remembered leaning against the knight's iron-covered knees, looking up into his gloomy face, and asking him if he was sick to look so strange. Thereupon those who had been too troubled before to notice him, bethought themselves of him, and sent him to bed, rebellious at having to go so early.
He remembered how the next morning, looking out of a window high up under the eaves, he saw a great troop of horsemen come riding into the courtyard beneath, where a powdering of snow had whitened everything, and of how the leader, a knight clad in black armor, dismounted and entered the great hall door-way below, followed by several of the band.
He remembered how some of the castle women were standing in a frightened group upon the landing of the stairs, talking together in low voices about a matter he did not understand, excepting that the armed men who had ridden into the courtyard had come for Sir John Dale. None of the women paid any attention to him; so, shunning their notice, he ran off down the winding stairs, expecting every moment to be called back again by some one of them.
A crowd of castle people, all very serious and quiet, were gathered in the hall, where a number of strange men-at-arms lounged upon the benches, while two billmen in steel caps and leathern jacks stood guarding the great door, the butts of their weapons resting upon the ground, and the staves crossed, barring the door-way.
In the anteroom was the knight in black armor whom Myles had seen from the window. He was sitting at the table, his great helmet lying upon the bench beside him, and a quart beaker of spiced wine at his elbow. A clerk sat at the other end of the same table, with inkhorn in one hand and pen in the other, and a parchment spread in front of him.
Master Robert, the castle steward, stood before the knight, who every now and then put to him a question, which the other would answer, and the clerk write the answer down upon the parchment.
His father stood with his back to the fireplace, looking down upon the floor with his blind eyes, his brows drawn moodily together, and the scar of the great wound that he had received at the tournament at York-the wound that had made him blind-showing red across his forehead, as it always did when he was angered or troubled.
There was something about it all that frightened Myles, who crept to his father's side, and slid his little hand into the palm that hung limp and inert. In answer to the touch, his father grasped the hand tightly, but did not seem otherwise to notice that he was there. Neither did the black knight pay any attention to him, but continued putting his questions to Master Robert.

- Taken from "Men of Iron" written by Howard Pyle

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1698388578
• ISBN13: 9781698388571
• Release Date: October 2019
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 148 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Medieval chivalry

This was an excellent book about a youth named Myles Falworth, the son of a wrongfully exiled blind Lord. The book is about Myles quest to restore his family's honor and safety. It follows well the customs of medieval England, emphasizing bravery and honor, courage and mercy. It is an inspiring tale, and few young readers would not be able to learn a thing or two about life from Myles. I have to dissent, however, from a previous reviewer who said that this was Pyle's best book. While this was a great book, I far preferred his Adventures of Robin Hood and His Merry Men, and also his Arthurian books. This book lacks much of the old english (or at least Pyle's rendition of it) which his other books have, and I greatly missed it. Also, there were less of his splendid drawing in this book than in his others. I highly recommend checking into his other books if you liked this on. Overall grade: A

Book review

Book Report" Men of Iron" is a story of Myles Falworth who went on a quest of training for knighthood. Once a knight, he must win back his father life and honor.The book has no weakness, for it was very well written and told. Although some people might have think the dialogue a turn off. The dialogue was written in old English. It was difficult to understand at first, but after a while you tend to pick up the language. Nevertheless, the old English conversation is an essential part of the book, for the story took place in the fifteenth-century.The book has many strengths. One strength is that the author did a good job of creating the medieval age atmosphere through extremely descriptive details. Another strength is the story itself. The story is very interesting and exciting. Myle's first joust ever was exciting, but the last battle is the book most exciting chapter. The author did a good job of building the tension and the stake, that when the last battle was over, I was satisfied with the ending.I recommend this book to all young adult and teens, because it has great themes such as courage, loyalty, steadfastness, and generosity. The book is exciting and inspiring; in the end, you would feel satisfy and want for more, but don't take my words for it, find out for yourself.

Has been a classic for many years

Myles was only eight when a knight in black armor rode into his father's castle with murder in mind: it was an event which would change his life, bring disgrace to his family, and foster his own training for knighthood so that he might challenge the king's own champion. This story of 15th century England has been a classic for many years and the Dover edition appears unabridged, republishing a Harper 1892 classic.

One of the great boys' books (maybe for some girls too!)

My mother gave me this book when I was a young boy; her brother had liked it when HE was a young boy. This story of a young squire from a dishonored noble family in 15th century England, who survives hard training to become a knight, then seeks to restore his family's good name and his blinded father's rights, effortlessly teaches lessons of honor, loyalty, friendship, courage and other virtues -- as well as the softening and gentling influence of love. It also teaches, by presenting what is to a certain extent a realistic and detailed picture of life in a great medieval castle, of knightly training, and of tournaments and single combat in those times. The climax is exciting and not sugar-coated. It's not particularly a book for a kid who is not already a good reader, because the language is old-fashioned, from a more literate time (book was first published around 1900, and the spoken dialogue is to a large degree authentic 15th century speech), but for an imaginative child who has some interest in knights in shining armor, it's a true classic. I don't know about girls, but many boys would probably identify with the young hero while reading the book -- I remember that I did!