# Through a Dark Mist > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Through_a_Dark_Mist > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Through_a_Dark_Mist.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Through_a_Dark_Mist > Source revision: 1334762982 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) 1991 novel by Marsha Canham Through a Dark Mist 1991 cover art Author Marsha Canham Language English Genre Historical fiction Publisher Dell Publishing Publication date 1991 Publication place Canada Media type Paperback E-book Pages 480 ISBN 978-0440206118 Followed by In the Shadow of Midnight ***Through a Dark Mist*** is a 1991 historical fiction novel by Canadian author [Marsha Canham](/source/Marsha_Canham), the first instalment of her "Medieval" trilogy inspired by the [Robin Hood](/source/Robin_Hood) legend set in 13th-century England. The story centers on the rivalry and enmity between two brothers each claiming to be one man – Lucien Wardieu, Baron De Gournay. The heroine, Lady Servanne de Briscourt, finds herself caught in the middle when she is betrothed to one but falls in love with the other. The novel was published by [Dell Publishing](/source/Dell_Publishing) in 1991. Canham was a lover of the Robin Hood legend since viewing the interpretation seen in the [Errol Flynn](/source/Errol_Flynn) films. For many years she had desired to write her own version but thought it rather "brazen" to try to rework such a famous story into her own words. Canham only decided to create it after experiencing a recurring dream about a damsel in distress being rescued by two bowmen; a friend convinced her to translate the idea into a book, and after further research, she decided to make *Through a Dark Mist* about a new invented character who could conceivably have been the father of the famous outlaw. ## Plot summary In the forests of [Lincoln, England](/source/Lincoln%2C_England), the young widow Lady Servanne de Briscourt is journeying to marry her powerful betrothed, Lucien Wardieu, Baron de Gournay. While en route to his castle Bloodmoor Keep, Servanne's entourage is waylaid; she and her old maid are taken captive by forest outlaws led by the Black Wolf of Lincoln, a man claiming to be the true Lucien Wardieu. His associates include kindly former monk Alaric FitzAthelstan, the mischievous dwarf Sparrow, and the secretly female Gillian "Gil" Golden. Outraged to have been taken captive, Servanne is taken to his group's hideaway inside a dilapidated abbey. She and the Black Wolf feel instant attraction to the other, though initially each tries to hide it by antagonizing the other. He explains that he and her betrothed are half-brothers; the real Lucien was the heir to their father, but was betrayed by his bastard half-brother Etienne, who left Lucien for dead and stole his identity. Lucien took years to physically recover, and entered the service of [Eleanor of Aquitaine](/source/Eleanor_of_Aquitaine). Servanne gradually comes to believe his claim, and they consummate their relationship. Lucien plans to confront his brother, but also has a secret mission to rescue [Princess Eleanor of Brittany](/source/Eleanor%2C_Fair_Maid_of_Brittany) from her uncle [Prince John](/source/John%2C_King_of_England). A previously agreed-upon hand-off between John and Lucien's party is to occur at Bloodmoor, though no one else knows that Lucien has been posing as an outlaw. Meanwhile, Servanne's betrothed Etienne has been posing as Lucien Wardieu for years, controlling Bloodmoor. He is a cruel man who enjoys inflicting pain almost as much as his mistress, [Nicolaa de la Haye](/source/Nicolaa_de_la_Haye). Etienne is enraged to hear of Servanne's disappearance, as he covets her dowry of lands adjacent to his. Once they marry, Etienne plans to kill her at the jealous Nicolaa's behest. Lucien warns Servanne about his brother's cruelty but sends her back anyway, as he believes it is the safest place for her leading up to the rescue of the princess. If in need of help, he tells her to seek out the man in charge of the plan, the infamous but mysterious knight Randwulf La Seyne Sur Mer. Back at Bloodmoor, everyone is preparing for the wedding. La Seyne arrives with his entourage for the princess' exchange. Servanne realizes Lucien's secret mission is to rescue Princess Eleanor and seeks out La Seyne, hoping to persuade the man to help Lucien avoid having to confront his brother, as she fears for his life. However, at their meeting Servanne is shocked to see that La Seyne, who normally wears a mask to hide a supposed disfigurement, has actually been Lucien. The two finally declare their love for the other. Servanne returns to her quarters intending to leave the castle, but is overheard by Etienne and Nicolaa. Having also realized that La Seyne is his brother, Etienne physically assaults Servanne and sends her to a remote prison cell in the castle. Lucien's group leaves with the princess, while he remains behind to fight Etienne in a publicly attended duel in the tournament organized to celebrate the wedding. Due to Etienne's treachery, Lucien loses and is locked away in the dungeon. Meanwhile, Alaric, Sparrow, and the other outlaws have secretly remained in the castle; they free Lucien from his cell and set out to save Servanne. Her cell is accessible only by scaling a steep cliff edge; Lucien and Alaric disguise themselves as priests to gain access, but on their way down they realize it is a trap – Etienne knew they would try to rescue Servanne and has amassed his men to kill the whole rescue party of outlaws. The two groups fight, and Lucien's triumphs at the last second despite being outnumbered. With victory attained but unwilling to remain in a place with so many bad memories, Lucien leaves for the continent with Servanne and the rest of his group. ## Development "When I began researching the actual stories attributed to Robin of Locksley, there were so many variances and discrepencies [*[sic](/source/Sic)*] and sheer guesswork, supposition, and rumor it left all manner of doors wide open for my own interpretation of how the man...or men...developed into a legend." — Author [Marsha Canham](/source/Marsha_Canham)[1] Before writing *Through a Dark Mist*, Canadian author [Marsha Canham](/source/Marsha_Canham) had written romantic stories in other historical periods and settings, including on 17th-century pirate ships and in [Jacobite](/source/Jacobitism)-era Scotland. In addition to writing about "tall ships and exploding cannon," the legend of [Robin Hood](/source/Robin_Hood) also appealed to her.[1] She had loved the legend since watching the film star [Errol Flynn](/source/Errol_Flynn),[2][3] later writing that "there is something about misty forests and outlaws, robbing from the rich to save the poor, and the sound of an arrow thunking into a tree trunk that gets my imagination stirring."[1] As a result, the subject had always been something Canham desired to adapt, but she thought "it was rather brazen of me to think I could retell such a familiar legend in my own voice."[2] Nevertheless, she became inspired to write her own story after "experiencing a recurring dream since the age of twelve-a dream that involved a beautiful blonde-haired damsel in distress, held captive in a cave high on a cliff, rescued by two men cloaked in monks' robes, wielding bows and arrows."[2] She told the dream to a friend, who persuaded her it could be a good book premise.[2] The author began researching stories surrounding Robin of Locksley, but found that "there were so many variances and discrepencies and sheer guesswork, supposition, and rumour it left all manner of doors wide open for my own interpretation of how the man...or men...developed into a legend."[1] Soon after, Canham wrote its prologue and decided to create a new character, the Black Wolf of Lincoln, who could "open a door to the possibility that [he] was heroic enough to have sired such a legendary hero" as Robin Hood.[2] *Through a Dark Mist* became her first story set in the medieval period.[4] She added Princess Eleanor as a character very late in the writing process, having come across her story when the novel was nearly complete.[5] ## Release and reception *Through a Dark Mist* was published in 1991 by [Dell Publishing](/source/Dell_Publishing). It was the first installment in Canham's Medieval trilogy, the other two being *[In the Shadow of Midnight](/source/In_the_Shadow_of_Midnight)* (1994) and *[The Last Arrow](/source/The_Last_Arrow)* (1997).[6] Jane Sullivan, writing for *[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)*, recommended the entire "swashbuckling" trilogy for "hopeless romantics,"[7] while Rebekah Bradford of *[The Post and Courier](/source/The_Post_and_Courier)* called the series an "inventive reimagining."[8] ## See also - [Novels portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Novels) - [List of historical novels](/source/List_of_historical_novels) - [Robin Hood in popular culture](/source/Robin_Hood_in_popular_culture) ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-website_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-website_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-website_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-website_1-3) Canham, Marsha. ["Marsha Canham"](http://www.marshacanham.com/). Marshacanham.com. Retrieved March 10, 2014. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-rtbookreviews_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-rtbookreviews_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-rtbookreviews_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-rtbookreviews_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-rtbookreviews_2-4) ["Message From The Author"](http://www.rtbookreviews.com/message/last-arrow). *RT Book Reviews*. Retrieved March 11, 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Interview with Marsha Canham"](http://www.die-buecherecke.de/canham2.htm). *die-buecherecke.de*. April 2000. Retrieved March 11, 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Canham, Marsha](/source/Marsha_Canham) (July 4, 2011). ["Monday Morning Readalong"](http://marshacanham.wordpress.com/2011/07/04/monday-morning-readalong/). *marshacanham.wordpress.com*. Retrieved March 30, 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [Canham, Marsha](/source/Marsha_Canham) (February 13, 2011). ["Do you know the end of the story at the beginning?"](http://marshacanham.wordpress.com/2011/02/13/do-you-know-the-end-of-the-story-at-the-beginning/). *marshacanham.wordpress.com*. Retrieved March 30, 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-contempauthors_6-0)** ["Canham, Marsha"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140611123635/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G2-2591000029.html). *Contemporary Authors, New Revision Series*. January 1, 2007. Archived from [the original](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G2-2591000029.html) on June 11, 2014. Retrieved December 23, 2013. (subscription required) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Sullivan, Jane (May 28, 2010). ["Lifting the hood on brave Robin"](http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/society-and-culture/lifting-the-hood-on-brave-robin-20100528-wl1z.html). *[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)*. Retrieved March 10, 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Bradford, Rebekah (March 31, 2008). "Romance novels changed after Sept. 11". *[The Post and Courier](/source/The_Post_and_Courier)*. [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [374213731](https://www.proquest.com/docview/374213731). (subscription required) v t e Robin Hood Characters and settings Characters Main Robin Hood Maid Marian The Jolly Pinder of Wakefield Sheriff of Nottingham Guy of Gisbourne Prince John Bishop of Hereford Richard at the Lee King Richard Merry Men Little John Much the Miller's Son Will Scarlet Arthur a Bland David of Doncaster Will Stutely Friar Tuck Alan-a-Dale Gilbert Whitehand Settings Sherwood Forest Major Oak Nottingham Loxley St Mary's Abbey, York Barnsdale Wentbridge Media Screen Film Robin Hood (1912) Douglas Fairbanks in Robin Hood (1922) The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) The Bandit of Sherwood Forest (1946) The Prince of Thieves (1948) Rogues of Sherwood Forest (1950) Tales of Robin Hood (1951) The Story of Robin Hood (1952) The Men of Sherwood Forest (1954) Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960) The Triumph of Robin Hood (1962) A Challenge for Robin Hood (1967) Long Live Robin Hood (1971) Wolfshead: The Legend of Robin Hood (1973) The Arrows of Robin Hood (1975) Robin and Marian (1976) Aaj Ka Robin Hood (1988) O Mistério de Robin Hood (1990) Robin Hood (1991) Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) Princess of Thieves (2001) Robin Hood (2010) Robin Hood (2018) The Death of Robin Hood (2026) TV Robin Hood (1953) The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955) The Legend of Robin Hood (1968) The Legend of Robin Hood (1975) Robin of Sherwood (1984) The New Adventures of Robin Hood (1997) Robin Hood (2006, episodes, characters) Robyn Hood (2023) Robin Hood (2025) Animated Robin Hood Makes Good (1939) Rabbit Hood (1949) Robin Hood Daffy (1958) Robin Hoodwinked (1958) Rocket Robin Hood (1966) Robin Hood (1973) Robin Hood (1990) Young Robin Hood (1991) Tom and Jerry: Robin Hood and His Merry Mouse (2012) Sherwood (2019) Parody About Seven Brothers (1968) When Things Were Rotten (1975) The Zany Adventures of Robin Hood (1984) Maid Marian and Her Merry Men (1989) Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) Alternate settings Mexicali Rose (1939 film) Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964 film) Naan Sigappu Manithan (1985 Tamil film) Nyayam Meere Cheppali (1985 Telugu film) Robin of Locksley (1996 film) Catch Me Now (2008 Chinese TV series) Alyas Robin Hood (2016 Philippines TV series) Popular culture Statue of Robin Hood Robin Hood (DC Comics character) Robin Hood (Disney character) Child ballads 8: Erlinton 102: Willie and Earl Richard's Daughter 103: Rose the Red and White Lily 115: Robyn and Gandeleyn 117: A Gest of Robyn Hode 118: Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne 119: Robin Hood and the Monk 120: Robin Hood's Death 121: Robin Hood and the Potter 123: Robin Hood and the Curtal Friar 124: The Jolly Pinder of Wakefield 126: Robin Hood and the Tanner 127: Robin Hood and the Tinker 128: Robin Hood Newly Revived 129: Robin Hood and the Prince of Aragon 130: Robin Hood and the Scotchman 131: Robin Hood and the Ranger 132: The Bold Pedlar and Robin Hood 136: Robin Hood's Delight 138: Robin Hood and Allan-a-Dale 139: Robin Hood's Progress to Nottingham 140: Robin Hood Rescuing Three Squires 141: Robin Hood Rescuing Will Stutly 142: Little John a Begging 143: Robin Hood and the Bishop 144: Robin Hood and the Bishop of Hereford 145: Robin Hood and Queen Katherine 146: Robin Hood's Chase 147: Robin Hood's Golden Prize 148: The Noble Fisherman 151: The King's Disguise, and Friendship with Robin Hood 152: Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow 153: Robin Hood and the Valiant Knight 154: A True Tale of Robin Hood Stage / theatre The Downfall and The Death of Robert Earl of Huntington (1598 and 1601 plays) The Merrie Men of Sherwood Forest (1871 operetta) Robin Hood (1890 De Koven opera) The Foresters (1892 play) Robin Hood (1934 Tippett opera) Twang!! (1965 musical parody) Robin Hood (1998 ballet) Robin des Bois (2013 musical) Video games Robin of Sherwood: The Touchstones of Rhiannon (1985) Robin of the Wood (1985) Super Robin Hood (1986) The Adventures of Robin Hood (1991) Conquests of the Longbow: The Legend of Robin Hood (1991) Robin Hood: The Legend of Sherwood (2002) Robin Hood: Defender of the Crown (2003) Robin Hood's Quest (2007) Volume (2015) Hood: Outlaws & Legends (2021) Literature A Gest of Robyn Hode (probably 15th century) Ivanhoe (1819) Maid Marian (1822) The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood (1883) Bows against the Barons (1934) The Once and Future King (1958) The Outlaws of Sherwood (1988) Through a Dark Mist (1991) Lady of the Forest (1992) In the Shadow of Midnight (1994) The Last Arrow (1997) Lady of Sherwood (1999) King Raven Trilogy (2006) Music Legend (1984 soundtrack) "Robin (The Hooded Man)" "Love" (song) "Not in Nottingham" (song) "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" (song) The Tale of Gamelyn Robin Hood (2010 soundtrack) Robin Hood (2018 soundtrack) Alan Dale Outlaw (2009) Holy Warrior (2010) King's Man (2011) The Outlaw Chronicles (2012–2016) Related Miss Robin Hood Son of the Guardsman The Son of Robin Hood The Bandit of Sherwood Forest Robin Hood's Larder Robin Hood Morality Test "Robot of Sherwood" "Robin Good and His Not-So-Merry Men" Once Upon a Time The Tales of Robin Hood (former Nottingham attraction) Once Upon a Studio Category --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Through a Dark Mist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Through_a_Dark_Mist) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Through_a_Dark_Mist?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.