Sir Ludar A Story of the Days of the Great Queen Bess

"Sir Ludar" by Talbot Baines Reed is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. Set in the late sixteenth century during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the story follows the adventurous and spirited Humphrey Dexter, an apprentice printer who finds himself caught up in a series of escapades involving loyalty to the Queen, youthful rivalry, and unexpected encounters with strangers. The novel begins with a strong sense of excitement and loyalty, especially as Humphrey experiences the fervor surrounding the Queen's presence in London. At the start of the story, we are introduced to Humphrey Dexter, who is eagerly anticipating a royal procession through London, stimulating feelings of pride and loyalty among the apprentices and citizens. The excitement turns to action as Humphrey and his companions cheer for Queen Elizabeth and participate in a series of events that lead to both playful rivalries and daring confrontations. As Humphrey's adventures unfold, including his spirited defense of a maiden from a miscreant and his interactions with his master, he finds himself entangled in larger issues of identity, loyalty, and reputation, setting the stage for deeper conflicts and further adventures in the unfolding narrative. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Talbot Baines Reed was an English writer of boys' fiction who established a genre of school stories that endured into the mid-20th century. Among his best-known work is The Fifth Form at St. Dominic's. He was a regular and prolific contributor to The Boy's Own Paper (B.O.P.), in which most of his fiction first appeared. Through his family's business, Reed became a prominent typefounder, and wrote a standard work on the subject: History of the Old English Letter Foundries.