An excelent conclusion to a magnificent series, but again with bad morals.
Plot
Rhi Bran and his band are growing tired. For over two years they have scrounged a living in the forests of the Marchland while the Normans grow rich and fat off of their land.
Finally Bran, with the help of Friar Tuck, Iwan, Will Scarlet, and his new friend the vagabond minstrel Alan-A-Dale, comes to a decision. He will take back Elfael by force.
Even if this means going to war with King William Rufus himself.
Morality
The morals in this book are quite similar to the first two in the trilogy. The Normans oppress the Welsh people, burning their homesteads and stealing their land, while Bran and his band once again terrorize the Normans in an effort to to take back what was once theirs.
However, towards the end, several Welsh Lords come to aid Bran in order to honor promises they made; also, Baron Neurfmarch decides to fight for what he believes is right, rather than for a king he thinks is wrong.
Spiritual Content
Angharad the prophetess once again appears, but it is made clear that she is serving God above all else.
Tuck is a central character in this story, who along with the monks, presents a contrast to Bishop Hugo by behaving in a godly and Christian manner.
Bishop Hugo is once again shown to be a man interested in power rather than people and William Rufus dislikes the Church due to the amount of money they take from him.
Violence
There are a lot of battles in this book and several members of Bran's band die, as do some Norman soldiers. A barn and several homes are set on fire.
Drug and Alcohol Content
Wine is drunk by all the characters.
Sexual Content
Merian and Bran kiss once. Tuck sees some women while on a mission and while it is not stated outright it is suggested that they are prostitutes.
Crude or Profane Language or Content
God's name is taken in vain several times.
Conclusion
An excellent conclusion to an engaging series. This story speeds along with the reader barely able to catch their breath as they leap from action packed adventure to action packed adventure.
But once again the morality lets it down, and I would strongly advise it is not read by anyone under the specified age group.
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