The Door in the Wall

Chapter One

1. What caused Robin to cover his ears and shut his eyes?
2. Why would Robin be sent away from his mother and father?
3. Where was Robin's father?
4. Why must Robin's mother leave?
5. Describe Dame Ellen.
6. Who is Brother Luke and why does he visit Robin?
7. Find London, England and also the Thames River in an atlas.

Chapter Two

1. How does Marguerite de Angeli describe the month of May?
2. What was an almonry?
3. What did Robin want to create with the knife and piece of pine?
4. Explain how Robin was able to recognize the different brothers as they walked through the corridor.
5. How was Robin able to smooth out the rough spots on the cross.
6. What was a scriptorium?
7. When Robin saw Brother Luke writing and drawing, what request did he make?
8. How does Brother Luke explain the origin of the surname Atte-Water?  Explain the origin of your own surname.

Chapter Three

1. Why were the cloisters once more free of strangers?
2. Why did Robin throw the wooden cross?
3. Why did Robin dictate a letter to the monk?

Chapter Four

1. Why were the monks forced to do extra duties?
2. What was Robin carving for the young girl?
3. Why was Robin initially disappointed when the monk took him fishing?
4. List a couple of Robin's duties at the church.
5. Research the Holy Land.
6. Why does Robin make the crutches from oak?

Chapter Five

1. What news did John-go-in-the-Wynd bring to Robin?
2. Pretend that you are Robin.  Write a letter to your father describing your situation.
3. Where is the group headed?
4. Why do they end up spending their first night outdoors?

Chapter Six

1. In what village is the White Hart located?
2. Why did the friar think that the White Hart might not be a good place to stay the night?
3. Why was it fortunate that the travellers had food in their saddlebags?
4. What plan did Robin overhear the two ruffians discussing?
5. How was Robin able to foil their plans?
6. Where did the travellers end up spending the rest of the night?

Chapter Seven

1. What town had they reached by the fourth day?
2. Using an atlas find what river flows through both this town and London?
3. Describe what the travellers saw and experienced at the Wychwood Bec fair.
4. Where did the travellers spend their first night after leaving the fair?
5. Where according to John would they be able to spend the night while travelling through the forest?
6. Who received the travellers in the Great Hall at Castle Lindsay?
7. Why was Robin excused from his normal duties of serving at the high table?

Chapter Eight

1. Who is D'Ath?
2. What was the measure of success according to Brother Luke?
3. What is Robin constructing in woodworking and why does he require a deer to finish his project?
4. Why were there so few people gathered to eat in the Great Hall that evening?
5. Where did Robin go swimming each day?
6. What games did the young people play?
7. Describe Alan-at-Gate.
8. What news did Adam the Yeoman relay when he burst into the Hall.
9. Why did the townspeople head toward the castle?

Chapter Nine

1. Why were the inhabitants of the castle forced to send for outside help?
2. Who does Adam the Yeoman think may be willing to come to their aid?
3. Describe Robin's escape from the castle and his journey to John-go-in-the-Wynd's cottage.
4. How did John-go-in-the-Wynd and Robin intend to enter the town?
5. How were Robin and John able to get up to the shoemaker's house?

Chapter Ten

1. How did John signal the others that it was time to attack the Welsh invaders?
2. Why was Brother Luke teaching Robin to sing a carol?
3. Describe Robin's feelings when he realized his parents were approaching the castle.
4. How does the king reward Robin for his brave deeds?
5. Explain the significance of Brother Luke's comment to Robin indicating that Robin had found the door in the wall.