The Door in the Wall
Encyclopedia
The Door in the Wall is a 1949 novel by Marguerite de Angeli
that received the Newbery Medal
for excellence in American
children's literature
in 1950.
during the Middle Ages
, as the bubonic plague
is sweeping across the country. Young Robin wants to be a knight
like his father, but his dreams are endangered when he becomes ill and loses the use of his legs. A doctor reassures Robin that the weakness in his legs is not caused by the plague. His parents are away, serving the king and queen during war, and the servants abandon the house, fearing the plague. Robin is saved by Brother Luke, a friar
, who takes him to a monastery
and cares for him.
Brother Luke teaches Robin how to swim and carve wood also be independent and build self confidence, but Robin also learns patience and strength from the friar. The friar also keeps telling him before overcoming a challenge you must first find "the door in the wall".
Robin's parents had planned for him to become a knight and to stay with Sir Peter de Lindsay to be a page
first. John Go-in-the-Wynd, a minstrel gives him a letter from Robin's father telling him and John Go-in-the-Wynd and Brother Luke to go to Lindsay. They get there after traveling for long hours, almost being robbed, and going on the wrong road for a time. When the castle
of Peter de Lindsay is besieged by the Welsh
and unable to send word for assistance, Robin swims the moat, hobbles through enemy lines using his crutches, disguised as a shepherd, and alerts a messenger. John Go-in-the-Wynd sends for Sir Hugh's help, and they defeat the Welsh
invaders. The king
and his forces deliver the inhabitants of the castle. Robin is reunited with his parents and they assure him that they love him more for his brave spirit than for his physical prowess. He is then knighted for his service to the crown.
The term "door in the wall" is a saying that means if you keep trying and never give up you'll find a way to break through and to succeed.
Marguerite de Angeli
Marguerite de Angeli was a bestselling author and illustrator of children's books including the 1950 Newbery Award winning book The Door in the Wall...
that received the Newbery Medal
Newbery Medal
The John Newbery Medal is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association . The award is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The award has been given since 1922. ...
for excellence in American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
children's literature
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
in 1950.
Plot summary
The story, illustrated by the author, is set in BritainUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
during the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, as the bubonic plague
Bubonic plague
Plague is a deadly infectious disease that is caused by the enterobacteria Yersinia pestis, named after the French-Swiss bacteriologist Alexandre Yersin. Primarily carried by rodents and spread to humans via fleas, the disease is notorious throughout history, due to the unrivaled scale of death...
is sweeping across the country. Young Robin wants to be a knight
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
like his father, but his dreams are endangered when he becomes ill and loses the use of his legs. A doctor reassures Robin that the weakness in his legs is not caused by the plague. His parents are away, serving the king and queen during war, and the servants abandon the house, fearing the plague. Robin is saved by Brother Luke, a friar
Friar
A friar is a member of one of the mendicant orders.-Friars and monks:...
, who takes him to a monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
and cares for him.
Brother Luke teaches Robin how to swim and carve wood also be independent and build self confidence, but Robin also learns patience and strength from the friar. The friar also keeps telling him before overcoming a challenge you must first find "the door in the wall".
Robin's parents had planned for him to become a knight and to stay with Sir Peter de Lindsay to be a page
Page
-Position or occupation:* Page , a traditionally young male servant* Page * Page of Honour, a ceremonial position in the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom* A participant in any of the following programs:...
first. John Go-in-the-Wynd, a minstrel gives him a letter from Robin's father telling him and John Go-in-the-Wynd and Brother Luke to go to Lindsay. They get there after traveling for long hours, almost being robbed, and going on the wrong road for a time. When the castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
of Peter de Lindsay is besieged by the Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
and unable to send word for assistance, Robin swims the moat, hobbles through enemy lines using his crutches, disguised as a shepherd, and alerts a messenger. John Go-in-the-Wynd sends for Sir Hugh's help, and they defeat the Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
invaders. The king
King
- Centers of population :* King, Ontario, CanadaIn USA:* King, Indiana* King, North Carolina* King, Lincoln County, Wisconsin* King, Waupaca County, Wisconsin* King County, Washington- Moving-image works :Television:...
and his forces deliver the inhabitants of the castle. Robin is reunited with his parents and they assure him that they love him more for his brave spirit than for his physical prowess. He is then knighted for his service to the crown.
The term "door in the wall" is a saying that means if you keep trying and never give up you'll find a way to break through and to succeed.