The Ballad of Sir Hugh
The story revolves around Sir Hugh, who is defending a castle against rebels. His son is being held captive by the enemy, and they threaten to kill him if the castle is not surrendered. Despite his emotional turmoil, Sir Hugh refuses to yield, citing honor and loyalty to the king. The son shows bravery in the face of death, and Sir Hugh ultimately kills the rebel leader who murdered his son. In the aftermath, Sir Hugh dies a heroic death, taking down multiple enemies with him.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1906 · Genre: Children's Literature, Adventure, Historical Fiction · 1,333 words
First lines
The castle had been held in siege, While thrice three weeks went past, And still the foe no vantage gained And still our men stood fast.
We held the castle for our king Against our foes and his; Stout was our heart, as man's must be In such brave cause as this.
What this Textopian page supports
The Ballad of Sir Hugh is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Nesbit, dated 1906 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Edith Nesbit
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Adventure, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
- Length: 1,333 words
- Structure: 1 section, 34 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Ballad of Sir Hugh by Edith Nesbit
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Ballad of Sir Hugh?
- How does this short story by Edith Nesbit fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Prince Arthur by Edith Nesbit
- The Song Of The Woods by Egerton Castle
- Rose Of The World by Egerton Castle
- The Three Kings by Edith Nesbit
- King Arthur And His Knights by Thomas Bulfinch
- The Fiery Dragon by Edith Nesbit
Genres
- Children's Literature — The story is written in a simple, engaging style suitable for children, with a focus on adventure and moral lessons.
- Adventure — The narrative follows the protagonist's journey and exploits, filled with various challenges and encounters.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and characters are based on historical periods and figures, with a blend of factual and fictional elements.
- Fantasy — The story includes elements of magic and supernatural phenomena, often involving mythical creatures and legendary heroes.
Tags
Medieval · Knights · Chivalry · Adventure · Fantasy · Middle Ages · Romance · Poetry · Ballad · Nobility · Honor · Loyalty