The Outlaw of Torn

The Outlaw of Torn Edgar Rice Burroughs's complete adventure novel set in thirteenth-century England. A quarrel between King Henry III and his powerful brother-in-law Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, prompts the king to publicly accuse De Montfort of treason. Later, humiliated after being disarmed in practice combat, Henry strikes the master of fence, Sir Jules de Vac, a proud Frenchman who despises the English. De Vac resolves upon revenge. The narrative introduces a young woman and a small boy playing in Westminster Palace gardens—apparently the prince Richard, whom De Vac observes from the armory. De Vac, privy to court secrets about Henry's dealings with foreign mercenaries and violations of the Magna Charta, begins plotting to exploit England's political turbulence and harm the king through an act of terrible revenge involving the boy. The novel combines sword-play, medieval politics, and family intrigue.