The Loyal Traitor facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Sylvia Haymon |
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| Illustrator | Derek Collard |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's literature, Fiction |
| Publisher | Chatto & Windus |
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Publication date
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1965 |
| Media type | Print with linocut illustrations (Hardcover) |
The Loyal Traitor is an exciting children's book written by Sylvia Haymon and illustrated by Derek Collard. It was first published in 1965. The story takes place a long time ago, during the rule of King Edward VI in England. It follows the adventures of a fictional character named Tom Redman, a poor country boy.
Tom lives in a place called Wymondham. He sees firsthand some big events happening around him. These include protests by farmers and common people against unfair land rules. He also witnesses the sad public execution of a man named Robert Kett, who led these protests.
Contents
About the Story
The Loyal Traitor tells the tale of Tom Redman, a young boy living in the English countryside. Tom is just trying to get by, but he gets caught up in a major historical event. The book explores themes of loyalty, fairness, and what it means to stand up for what you believe in.
Tom Redman's Adventures
Tom Redman is the main character in the book. He is a simple country boy who finds himself in the middle of a big conflict. As the story unfolds, Tom has to make difficult choices. He learns about the struggles of the common people and the power of those in charge. His journey shows how a young person can be affected by big historical changes.
Setting the Scene: King Edward VI
The story is set during the reign of King Edward VI. He was the son of the famous King Henry VIII. Edward VI became king when he was very young, only nine years old. Because he was so young, England was actually ruled by a group of powerful nobles and advisors. This period was a time of big changes in England, especially regarding religion and land ownership.
Kett's Rebellion
A major part of The Loyal Traitor involves the real-life historical event known as Kett's Rebellion. This was a large protest that happened in 1549 in Norfolk, England. It was led by a farmer named Robert Kett.
Why Did People Rebel?
The main reason for Kett's Rebellion was something called "enclosure." In those days, much of the land was shared by everyone for farming and grazing animals. This was called "common land." But wealthy landowners started to "enclose" these common lands. This meant they fenced them off for their own use, often for sheep farming.
This made it very hard for poor farmers and villagers. They lost their land to grow food and feed their animals. They felt it was unfair and that their way of life was being destroyed. So, they decided to protest.
Robert Kett's Leadership
Robert Kett was a farmer who owned some land himself. However, he sided with the common people who were upset about the enclosures. He became their leader. Thousands of people joined Kett and marched to Norwich, which was a big city nearby. They set up a camp and demanded that the king's government address their complaints. They wanted the enclosures to stop and for the common lands to be returned.
The Rebellion's End
Sadly, Kett's Rebellion did not end well for the rebels. The king's government sent a large army to put down the uprising. The rebels, who were mostly farmers and villagers, were not trained soldiers. They were defeated in a battle. Robert Kett was captured and later executed in public. This was a harsh punishment meant to warn others not to rebel against the king.
Themes in the Book
The title The Loyal Traitor hints at the main ideas in the book. It makes you think about what it means to be loyal. Is it being loyal to your family, your friends, your community, or the king? Sometimes, these loyalties can conflict.
The book explores how Tom Redman deals with these difficult choices. He might feel loyal to his community and the cause of the rebels, but this could be seen as disloyal to the king. The story makes readers think about right and wrong, and the complexities of human actions during times of great change.
