Jenny Kane: Coffee, cupcakes, chocolate and contemporary fiction / Jennifer Ash: Medieval crime with hints of Ellis Peters and Robin Hood

Tag: Will Scarlet

For the love of Will Scarlet…

There’s little chance that, if you’re a regular visitor to my blog, you can have missed the fact that I’m rather fond of all things Robin Hood.

It’s also unlikely, that you’ll have been able to avoid knowing that I’m lucky enough to write novellas and audios scripts for the ITV television show, Robin of Sherwood.

Over the past 12 months, I’ve been busy writing the last few stories, that have come under my remit, to commemorate the 40th anniversary celebrations.

The latest of these to be revealed is The Scathlock Woman, a story that takes the reader into the world of Will Scarlet’s family, and their tavern in Lichfield.

Blurb

Fira Scathlock wants to follow in the footsteps of her uncle, Will Scarlet, as she’s tired of working in her father’s tavern and yearns for adventure.

Sergeant Sparrow wants Lichfield’s taxes to be delivered to Nottingham safely, but both times previously they’ve been stolen. Is it a case of third time unlucky?

Will wants the rumours of trouble at his brother’s tavern to be false, because – even though his brother serves the finest ale in Lichfield – he’ll have to leave his outlaw friends behind to help him…

(Cover design by Robert Hammond.)

Buy links:

Paperback: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0722356005/

eBook: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Robin-Sherwood…/dp/B0FBGFF57T/ 

When I first found Robin of Sherwood, at the age of 14, I fell in love with the entire story. I loved all of the characters, goodies and baddies, alike. However, it was the character of Will Scarlet, that had the biggest impact on me.

It’s no secret that there’s something appealing about ‘a bad boy’ – and Ray Winstone plays a brilliant bad boy – but with Richard Carpenter’s interpretation of Will Scarlet – formally Scathlock – you get so much more than a hired thug.

I was recently asked, as part of a discussion on the brilliant In the Greenwood podcast, which of Robin Hood’s companions I would want to accompany me in Sherwood. I didn’t hesitate to answer, Will Scarlet, But why him?

Simply put, the character of Will Scarlet in this particular interpretation of the Robin Hood legend is so layered, that you are presented with a level of loyalty that is unyielding, a bravery born of the need to survive, and a vulnerability that comes from a tragic past. This is a Scarlet that, while often intimating to an enemy, would look after his friends at whatever cost. He also needs friendship – whether he likes to accept that fact or not.

When I was younger, my parents were convinced I loved Robin of Sherwood because I was smitten with Ray Winstone. In fact, I was in love with the way in which the character he played so perfectly was created. And I still am.

To be able, therefore, to put words into the mouth of Will Scarlet, to create some family for him, is an honour I do not take likely.

  I hope you enjoy The Scathlock Woman.

 Nothings forgotten.

Jennifer x

Download Today: Fitzwarren’s Well

A brand new Robin of Sherwood story is available to download from Spiteful Puppet!

Fitzwarren’s Well is a full cast (acted not narrated) audio story, staring Judi Trott as Marion.

Fancy a trailer care of the Radio Times? (Yes! The Radio Times!!!) Here you go –https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-07-01/robin-of-sherwood-classic-tv-series-returns-for-new-story-recorded-in-lockdown/?fbclid=IwAR1AvsHxbXospBSUlL0WKsGLoJChdh_Jx4obcSkArUfNU2cXytGoxmlZD8g

Here’s the blurb-

Will Scarlet is regretting buying new boots as he walks home from Lichfield, desperate to get back to Sherwood. A worried Marion intercepts him with terrible news of a sickness that has laid low the rest of the outlaws.

A journey to the Lady of the Well is their one hope.

But the Lady will only help those she deems worthy… and someone is busy convincing her that they are not.

***

Richard Carpenter’s ROBIN OF SHERWOOD
‘FITZWARREN’S WELL’
By Jennifer Ash

Starring JUDI TROTT as Maid Marion

Featuring JON CULSHAW, SARAH GREENE and IAN OGILVY

With DANIEL ABINERI and BARNABY EATON-JONES

(Set during Series Three, between ‘Rutterkin’ and ‘The Time of the Wolf’)

Artwork: Anthony Lamb
Sound Design: Joseph Fox
Soundtrack: Arpeggio Creative
Produced & Directed by Barnaby Eaton-Jones

Television series Robin Of Sherwood © HTV/Goldcrest Films & Television 1983. Created by Richard Carpenter, with grateful thanks to his Estate.

Once upon a time a 14 year old girl fell in love with a story. The Robin Hood story.

Almost 34 years later, that same girl has – by some miracle – found herself writing for Spiteful Puppet – the power behind the new Robin of Sherwood audios and books – and adding, in a very small way, to that same story.

It is such a joy! Not only do I get to write lines for characters from my favourite television show – I also get to write for incredible guest stars.

The story of Fitzwarren’s Well evolved from an idea that Barnaby Eaton Jones – Spiteful Puppet’s producer, script editor, budget juggler, and actor – had not long after lockdown was imposed.

He wanted a tale that reflected – but did not copy – our current socially isolated situation.

The story was to involve two of Robin Hood’s outlaws (Marion and Will Scarlet), and two extra characters with whom they could interact – in this case Herne and a man called Fitzwarren. Obviously, we are in lockdown, so only actors with their own audio equipment could be involved in this production.

You will notice from the cast list above however, that rather than having a cast of four, we have a cast of six. This is because, when I was writing the story I accidentally invented the ‘Lady of the Well’ – and once I’d got her in my head, I couldn’t shift her.

Barnaby- being a forgiving sort- magically found the brilliant Sarah Greene (of Blue Peter fame) to provide the Lady of the Well’s voice. It has to be said, she plays the role to perfection.

At this point, I thought I’d finished writing the story – but then I received a phone call saying that the fantastic Mr Ian Ogilvy- on hearing that there was an opportunity to bring Lord Edgar of Huntingdon back for a cameo – offered his services. And so, there I was, suddenly writing lines for another of my acting heroes.

The result was Fitzwarren’s Well – of which I’ll say no more, for fear of spoiling the story.

You can buy your copy of Fitzwarren’s Well for download from Spiteful Puppet – here.

 

Happy listening,

Jennifer xx

 

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