Allan-a-Dale and Adela is part of a 6 book series entitled Conisbrough Castle (more details below). It is one of the shorter books, but I like it the best. Conisbrough castle (see title image) dominated my childhood. I could see it from my bedroom window, I walked past it when I went to school, and we played in the castle grounds and the castle woods. I have often peopled it in my imagination, and in the Castle series, I did it in writing. Allan-a-Dale is, I believe, a compelling blend of history and fiction. Allan-a-Dale is a legendary character (though he may have existed) who was the minstrel in Robin Hood's band. Robin Hood is associated with that area, as well as Sherwood, and may have visited the castle. The material about King John and his mistress Adela is historical. John was married to Isabella, Countess of Gloucester (c. 1173–1217) in 1189, but he took as his mistress Clemence de Warenne (known as Adela) who was the daughter of Hamelin Plantagenate (1129-1202). The legends of Robin Hood are traditionally located in the period between 1189, when King Richard went on crusade, and his return in 1194, though the earliest extant ballad, A Lytell Geste of Robyn Hode, (Ritson pp. 2 – 68) is located in the time of “Edwarde”, probably Edward II. The traditional setting fits in well with my story, for it is the same period in which Prince John would have been visiting Adela at Conisbrough Castle. 

Below is an extract from the book in which the comte's daughters bathe in the cistern on the top of the keep.

AT THE HIGH TABLE Aspall waxed poetic,

as he was wont to do on Rhenish wine:

“How strange that the Red Rose, symbol of Love

and Beauty, now should symbolise the opposite:

Blood and Death!” Then Meg brought round the flagon.

Ah! here she is, he thought – what rosy cheeks,

rosier lips, and underneath her gown

two other rosebuds. “Pour me some more wine,”

he said, holding his glass with trembling hand –

and yet, this sin I fight – this rose of passion –

is holier than the rose red with spilt blood!

    “Now tell us what you think the White Rose means,”

said Harrington, nibbling a nightingale.

“White symbolises Peace and Holy Love –

for was it not a white dove that descended

on Christ, Our Lord, after his baptism?”

“So we have Love and Beauty fighting Peace

and Holy Love – that is a war indeed! –

These nightingales are excellent, Aspall, try one!”

“We should be fighting for the Heavenly Kingdom

where men and women, free from mortal sin,

strive with each other to love each other best.”

“And not for York? Why, man, you are a traitor!”

“I render unto Ceasar what is Ceasar's,”

said Aspall, “and to God what is God's.”

“So Richard Duke of York is a new Ceasar?

You are excused of treachery – pass that pie!”

Meg reached across the table for the pie

and Aspall had a view of hills and valley

more beautiful than the landscape near Roche Abbey.