THE STORY OF JOHN RIDD
Ridd’s encounter with Snell:
John Ridd was an ordinary and uneducated person.He is the narrator of the story. He belonged to the town of Dave in Somerset. He had two younger sisters Annie and Lizzie. He had his school education up to twelve years at a school at Tiverton. On 29th November, 1673 when he was leaning against the garden gate with his friends, a boy named Robin Snell struck him in the stomach. Ridd hit him back in the face. When Robin planned to retaliate, the other boys suggested that they might move to the “Ironing – box”, a patch of green where fights were held. At this time, the servant of Ridd’s father came there to fetch him. He said Ridd’s mother needed him and his father was waiting at the cross roads. Ridd did not believe this and guessed that his father was dead. He felt sad. He did not want to fight. But his friends encouraged fighting with Snell. Before he was ready, he was attacked in the face. In the next round, he fought valiantly and won Snell. Ridd had fought more than sixty battles in his three years of his schooling and none had defeated him.
John Ridd set off home with John Fry. He spent the night at an inn. When he went out to wash at the pump, a lady’s maid came there and wondered that his eyes were very blue and his skin was very white. She wanted to kiss him but he ran off. The next morning, when he was riding up a hill, he saw the maid in a fine carriage. By her side there were a beautiful little girl and a little boy. Ridd took off his cap to her; she reciprocated by smiling and kissing her hand to him. Then Ridd and Fry turned into a side road. They had great difficulty in finding their way. The road got worse and worse. Soon they were near the Doone track. Ridd was advised by Fry to be quiet.
The Doones and Ridd’s father
The Doones were outlaws, thieves and murderers. They were feared by all. When Ridd and Fry were crossing a valley, they heard a noise. Out of fear, they got down from the horses and hid themselves. The Doones were climbing down the valley with stolen goods. There were more than thirty of them. Some carried bodies of sheep; others had deer; one had a child flung across his saddle bow. Ridd thought that they had stolen the child for her dress which shone brightly with gold and jewels. Ridd was angry at this and shouted at them. Two of them turned around and one aimed his gun at Ridd, The other told them that it was only a ‘pixie’. Then they left, Ridd continued his journey to Oare with Fry.
Ridd’s father was killed by the Doones of Bagworthy, while he was riding home from market. There were six other farmers with him. When a Doone appeared before them, the other farmers gave all their money to him. Ridd’s father fought bravely with the Doones but a Doone shot him in the back. Thus he died. Ridd and his sisters were too young at this time.
The story of Doones:
About 1640, the King of England seized some of the great estates in the north. One of the estates was owned by Sir Ensor Doone and his cousin, the Earl of Lome. Lord Lome did not suffer much as he had other private money. Sir Ensor was left with no home and no money. Hence he went to the court and killed one of the noble men of King Charles. For this act, he was made an outlaw. He settled in a lonely place with his supporters. He did not give any trouble to the farmers. But later the Doone children became fierce because of their background. They killed and robbed and were feared by everyone.
Ridd’s adventures:
The Bagworthy stream ran out of the Doone valley. Ridd had not been up the stream. He had the knowledge of fishing and the art of swimming. At 14, Ridd decided to explore the Bagworthy water. He caught some special ‘loaches’ and gave them to his mother. After eating her mother told him that they were delicious.
In 1675 , he set out without informing any one to the Bagworthy water in search of loaches. But they were not found. Then he went to the Doone valley knowing the danger. When he was in the deep and dark water of the Bagworthy river, he caught plenty of loaches and other smaller fish. He put them in his bag and crawled over the rocks near the waterfall. He found it difficult to climb up the hill. Finally he reached the top of the waterfall. He almost lost his consciousness. When he recovered, a little girl was found rubbing his head with her handkerchief. The girl was so beautiful. She had large dark eyes. She looked at him with pity and surprise. She made enquiries about him and introduced her as Lorna Doone. Ridd put his arm around her and kissed her. He realized that she must have been of noble birth. At this time, they heard men’s voices and Lorna’s lovely face was filled with fear.
Ridd wanted her to go with him. When he was about to pick her up, she pointed to a little cave in the rock. Both of them hid themselves behind some bushes. A dozen fierce men called her ‘Queen’. She pretended to be asleep. He slipped into the water. One of the men found her fast asleep on the grass and lifted her up on his shoulders and carried her to the Doone village. Ridd came out from the water and managed to reach the cave that Lorna had shown. Through the cave, he came out of the Bagworthy forest and reached home.
Ridd’s second meeting with Lorna after seven years:
After Ridd grew up, he wanted to do something exciting and hence he decided to pay another visit to the Doone valley. He set off for the Bagworthy river and came to the dark pool at the bottom of the waterfall. He climbed up the hill and reached the top. Lorna was walking towards him. He could not see her face. At first Lorna did not know him but later recognized him and smiled at him. She warned him against the Doones. She took him to a little rocky cave. She told him all about herself.
Lorna’s grandfather was Sir Ensor Doone, an old man. There was the Counsellor, a wise man. The counsellor was kind to him. The other men were wild and rough, especially the son of the counsellor, Carver Doone. Lorna was unable to remember her parents. She was told that she was the daughter of the eldest son of Ensor Doone, the bravest of the Doones. Sir Ensor was like a king. Lorna was called ‘little queen’. She had no friends there nor would anyone care about her except a Cornish girl, Gwenny Carfax. Ever since the day Lorna saved her from starving, she had become her friend. She was loving and faithful to him.
After hearing this tale, Ridd was anxious about Lorna. He would not visit Glen Doone unless Lorna needed any help. She would signal her danger by throwing a dark cloth over a large white stone at the entrance of her cave. If Ridd could not see the stone he would know that she had covered it.
John Ridd’s trip to London,meeting with Judge Jeffrey and latter’s advice and warning:
One afternoon Jeremy Stickles, a messenger from His majesty king Charles II came to Plover Barrows Farm to meet John Ridd. He carried a message for Ridd.The message was a command from the king to go at once to London to see him. Ridd’s mother thought that he would get honour. But he didn’t want to go and was sorrowful because he could not see Lorna. As he had to obey the order, he set off for London early next morning. After reaching London, he could not meet the Lord Chief Justice (Judge Jeffreys) whom he had been ordered to see. After two months, he was able to see Judge Jeffreys, a big, red faced man with fierce and cruel eyes. The Judge asked Ridd whether there were outlaws in his neighbourhood. Ridd replied in the affirmative. The Judge further informed him that the outlaws were the Doones and there were forty of them excluding the women and children. He warned him that discontent against the king would be punishable and Ridd was asked to keep clear of all discontent in the Exmoor area. He was also advised to keep away from the Doones.
Meeting with Lorna after two months:
As Ridd could not see the white on the top of the hill, he realized that it had been covered with a cloth. He was not sure when the signal was given by Lorna. Surely Lorna was in trouble. So Ridd set off at once to see her. Lorna was walking towards him but did not feel happy to see him. She was angry with him as he had not met her for months. When he was frightened about her plight, she told him to go away from there; she further informed him that she was being watched all the time. Then both of them went to the little cave, Ridd expressed his love for her. When he asked her whether she loved him, she couldn’t say anything but replied that she liked him. As he had not responded to the signals for two months, she was angry with him. She also informed him that she was asked to give her promise to marry Carver Doone, the son of the Counsellor. She also informed him about one Charleworth Doone (Charlie) who looked at her too much. She further told him that she was being watched and followed. There was no freedom for her. Ridd explained to her the reason for not meeting her for two months. Then he gave her a ring of pearls with sapphire. Lorna was very happy at this but drew it off from her finger saying that she couldn’t take it then.
There was no signal for eight weeks. After the harvest was over, Ridd went to the Bagworthy river and the waterfall. When he reached the top, Lorna walked down to meet him. She expressed her love for him and wanted the gift he gave her in the previous meeting. She said when she could not wear it on her finger,she would carry it on a string on her neck. In turn she gave him a ring and told him about the glass necklace which was with her grandfather.
Love between Lorna and Ridd:
After Ridd grew up, he wanted to do something exciting and hence he visited the Doone valley. He reached the top of the hill. Lorna was walking towards him. At first she could not recognize him. But later she smiled at him. She warned him against the Doones and took him to a little rocky cave. She told him all about herself and the Doones. After listening to her tale, he decided to visit Doone whenever Lorna needed help. Lorna would signal her danger by throwing a dark cloth over a large white stone at the entrance of her cave.
Ridd did not see Lorna for two months as he went to London as per the order of King Charles II. He met the chief Justice, Jeffreys and the latter advised him to keep clear of all discontent against the king and to keep away from the Doones. After his return, he set off to see Lorna as she was in trouble. Her plight threatened him. At this time he expressed his love for Lorna but she did not reciprocate it. She replied that she liked him. She was terribly angry with him as he had not responded to her signals for two months. Later Ridd explained to her the reason. Lorna informed him that she was asked to give her promise to marry Carver Doone, the son of the Counsellor. She further told him that one Charlie also wanted to marry her. In fact, she was being watched and followed. She lost all her freedom. She was in tears. Ridd was moved by her story and planned to rescue her. His love for her grew stronger and he gave her a ring of pearls with sapphire. But she didn’t take it.
There was no signal for eight weeks. Ridd went to the top of the hill, Lorna walked down to meet him. She expressed her love for him and wanted the gift (ring) back. She also gave him a ring and told him about the glass necklace which was with her grand father,Sir Ensor Doone.Ridd was very happy about Lorna’s love for him. He returned to his farm house to tell his mother all about his love.
Rescue of Lorna from the Doones by Ridd:
Rescue of Lorna from the Doone was a risky one. John Ridd was anxious to find out what happened to Lorna. He decided to visit the Doone village (Glen Doone) at night. When he went there, it was very difficult for him to know the real entrance as there were three gateways. He chose the middle way and reached the village. There were two men standing beside long and heavy rifles. One of them was Charleworth Doone, who wanted to marry Lorna. Ridd slipped past them. Ridd reached Lorna’s house. When Charlie had gone, Ridd stood in the shade by Lorna’s window. Lorna was surprised to see him there. Ridd understood that she was a prisoner there. Her grandfather Sir Ensor was very ill. The Counsellor and his son Carver was the masters of the valley now.She further told him that Carver would marry her after the death of Sir Ensor. She advised him to go away from there but wanted him to save her. Lorna devised a strategy to inform Ridd about the danger she might be in.
On receiving information from Lorna, Ridd went to the valley to save her. Gwenny Carfax explained everything to her. Ridd was asked to meet the dying Sir Ensor. Ensor scolded Ridd and Lorna. He called them fools as they were not a good match. Since Lorna and Ridd were adamant, Sir Ensor wished them and gave them the glass necklace he promised Lorna earlier. After sometime, he was dead.
The weather was bitterly cold.The earth was hard with frost. There was snow fall for three days and three nights. With the help of John Fry and other men he rescued the sheep and the birds which were buried in the snow. Ridd was skeptical about saving Lorna. But he put on snow shoes and went to the hill. What he found at Sir Ensor’s house was shocking. Because Gwenny and Lorna were starving. Ridd gave them bread and meat pie. Lorna told him everything about the Counsellor’s plan. Both the Counsellor and Carver were watching the house. Ridd promised her that he would rescue her in two hours.
Ridd returned to his house and took out a new horse sledge, prepared food and lot of water for a dozen people. He set off again for Doone valley. What he found in Sir Ensor’s house was shocking. Lorna was kneeling behind a chain. Gwenny Carfax held the ankle of a struggling man. Obviously Carver and Charlie misbehaved to Lorna. John Ridd threw Charlie out of the window and took Carver by the throat. He sent them out. He carried Lorna in his arms and asked Gwenny to follow them. In an hour’s time, they came home. Filled with pity for Lorna’s unhappy state, Ridd’s mother loved her from the very first meeting. Later Ridd married inspite of difficulty.
Ridd’s encounter with Snell:
John Ridd was an ordinary and uneducated person.He is the narrator of the story. He belonged to the town of Dave in Somerset. He had two younger sisters Annie and Lizzie. He had his school education up to twelve years at a school at Tiverton. On 29th November, 1673 when he was leaning against the garden gate with his friends, a boy named Robin Snell struck him in the stomach. Ridd hit him back in the face. When Robin planned to retaliate, the other boys suggested that they might move to the “Ironing – box”, a patch of green where fights were held. At this time, the servant of Ridd’s father came there to fetch him. He said Ridd’s mother needed him and his father was waiting at the cross roads. Ridd did not believe this and guessed that his father was dead. He felt sad. He did not want to fight. But his friends encouraged fighting with Snell. Before he was ready, he was attacked in the face. In the next round, he fought valiantly and won Snell. Ridd had fought more than sixty battles in his three years of his schooling and none had defeated him.
John Ridd set off home with John Fry. He spent the night at an inn. When he went out to wash at the pump, a lady’s maid came there and wondered that his eyes were very blue and his skin was very white. She wanted to kiss him but he ran off. The next morning, when he was riding up a hill, he saw the maid in a fine carriage. By her side there were a beautiful little girl and a little boy. Ridd took off his cap to her; she reciprocated by smiling and kissing her hand to him. Then Ridd and Fry turned into a side road. They had great difficulty in finding their way. The road got worse and worse. Soon they were near the Doone track. Ridd was advised by Fry to be quiet.
The Doones and Ridd’s father
The Doones were outlaws, thieves and murderers. They were feared by all. When Ridd and Fry were crossing a valley, they heard a noise. Out of fear, they got down from the horses and hid themselves. The Doones were climbing down the valley with stolen goods. There were more than thirty of them. Some carried bodies of sheep; others had deer; one had a child flung across his saddle bow. Ridd thought that they had stolen the child for her dress which shone brightly with gold and jewels. Ridd was angry at this and shouted at them. Two of them turned around and one aimed his gun at Ridd, The other told them that it was only a ‘pixie’. Then they left, Ridd continued his journey to Oare with Fry.
Ridd’s father was killed by the Doones of Bagworthy, while he was riding home from market. There were six other farmers with him. When a Doone appeared before them, the other farmers gave all their money to him. Ridd’s father fought bravely with the Doones but a Doone shot him in the back. Thus he died. Ridd and his sisters were too young at this time.
The story of Doones:
About 1640, the King of England seized some of the great estates in the north. One of the estates was owned by Sir Ensor Doone and his cousin, the Earl of Lome. Lord Lome did not suffer much as he had other private money. Sir Ensor was left with no home and no money. Hence he went to the court and killed one of the noble men of King Charles. For this act, he was made an outlaw. He settled in a lonely place with his supporters. He did not give any trouble to the farmers. But later the Doone children became fierce because of their background. They killed and robbed and were feared by everyone.
Ridd’s adventures:
The Bagworthy stream ran out of the Doone valley. Ridd had not been up the stream. He had the knowledge of fishing and the art of swimming. At 14, Ridd decided to explore the Bagworthy water. He caught some special ‘loaches’ and gave them to his mother. After eating her mother told him that they were delicious.
In 1675 , he set out without informing any one to the Bagworthy water in search of loaches. But they were not found. Then he went to the Doone valley knowing the danger. When he was in the deep and dark water of the Bagworthy river, he caught plenty of loaches and other smaller fish. He put them in his bag and crawled over the rocks near the waterfall. He found it difficult to climb up the hill. Finally he reached the top of the waterfall. He almost lost his consciousness. When he recovered, a little girl was found rubbing his head with her handkerchief. The girl was so beautiful. She had large dark eyes. She looked at him with pity and surprise. She made enquiries about him and introduced her as Lorna Doone. Ridd put his arm around her and kissed her. He realized that she must have been of noble birth. At this time, they heard men’s voices and Lorna’s lovely face was filled with fear.
Ridd wanted her to go with him. When he was about to pick her up, she pointed to a little cave in the rock. Both of them hid themselves behind some bushes. A dozen fierce men called her ‘Queen’. She pretended to be asleep. He slipped into the water. One of the men found her fast asleep on the grass and lifted her up on his shoulders and carried her to the Doone village. Ridd came out from the water and managed to reach the cave that Lorna had shown. Through the cave, he came out of the Bagworthy forest and reached home.
Ridd’s second meeting with Lorna after seven years:
After Ridd grew up, he wanted to do something exciting and hence he decided to pay another visit to the Doone valley. He set off for the Bagworthy river and came to the dark pool at the bottom of the waterfall. He climbed up the hill and reached the top. Lorna was walking towards him. He could not see her face. At first Lorna did not know him but later recognized him and smiled at him. She warned him against the Doones. She took him to a little rocky cave. She told him all about herself.
Lorna’s grandfather was Sir Ensor Doone, an old man. There was the Counsellor, a wise man. The counsellor was kind to him. The other men were wild and rough, especially the son of the counsellor, Carver Doone. Lorna was unable to remember her parents. She was told that she was the daughter of the eldest son of Ensor Doone, the bravest of the Doones. Sir Ensor was like a king. Lorna was called ‘little queen’. She had no friends there nor would anyone care about her except a Cornish girl, Gwenny Carfax. Ever since the day Lorna saved her from starving, she had become her friend. She was loving and faithful to him.
After hearing this tale, Ridd was anxious about Lorna. He would not visit Glen Doone unless Lorna needed any help. She would signal her danger by throwing a dark cloth over a large white stone at the entrance of her cave. If Ridd could not see the stone he would know that she had covered it.
John Ridd’s trip to London,meeting with Judge Jeffrey and latter’s advice and warning:
One afternoon Jeremy Stickles, a messenger from His majesty king Charles II came to Plover Barrows Farm to meet John Ridd. He carried a message for Ridd.The message was a command from the king to go at once to London to see him. Ridd’s mother thought that he would get honour. But he didn’t want to go and was sorrowful because he could not see Lorna. As he had to obey the order, he set off for London early next morning. After reaching London, he could not meet the Lord Chief Justice (Judge Jeffreys) whom he had been ordered to see. After two months, he was able to see Judge Jeffreys, a big, red faced man with fierce and cruel eyes. The Judge asked Ridd whether there were outlaws in his neighbourhood. Ridd replied in the affirmative. The Judge further informed him that the outlaws were the Doones and there were forty of them excluding the women and children. He warned him that discontent against the king would be punishable and Ridd was asked to keep clear of all discontent in the Exmoor area. He was also advised to keep away from the Doones.
Meeting with Lorna after two months:
As Ridd could not see the white on the top of the hill, he realized that it had been covered with a cloth. He was not sure when the signal was given by Lorna. Surely Lorna was in trouble. So Ridd set off at once to see her. Lorna was walking towards him but did not feel happy to see him. She was angry with him as he had not met her for months. When he was frightened about her plight, she told him to go away from there; she further informed him that she was being watched all the time. Then both of them went to the little cave, Ridd expressed his love for her. When he asked her whether she loved him, she couldn’t say anything but replied that she liked him. As he had not responded to the signals for two months, she was angry with him. She also informed him that she was asked to give her promise to marry Carver Doone, the son of the Counsellor. She also informed him about one Charleworth Doone (Charlie) who looked at her too much. She further told him that she was being watched and followed. There was no freedom for her. Ridd explained to her the reason for not meeting her for two months. Then he gave her a ring of pearls with sapphire. Lorna was very happy at this but drew it off from her finger saying that she couldn’t take it then.
There was no signal for eight weeks. After the harvest was over, Ridd went to the Bagworthy river and the waterfall. When he reached the top, Lorna walked down to meet him. She expressed her love for him and wanted the gift he gave her in the previous meeting. She said when she could not wear it on her finger,she would carry it on a string on her neck. In turn she gave him a ring and told him about the glass necklace which was with her grandfather.
Love between Lorna and Ridd:
After Ridd grew up, he wanted to do something exciting and hence he visited the Doone valley. He reached the top of the hill. Lorna was walking towards him. At first she could not recognize him. But later she smiled at him. She warned him against the Doones and took him to a little rocky cave. She told him all about herself and the Doones. After listening to her tale, he decided to visit Doone whenever Lorna needed help. Lorna would signal her danger by throwing a dark cloth over a large white stone at the entrance of her cave.
Ridd did not see Lorna for two months as he went to London as per the order of King Charles II. He met the chief Justice, Jeffreys and the latter advised him to keep clear of all discontent against the king and to keep away from the Doones. After his return, he set off to see Lorna as she was in trouble. Her plight threatened him. At this time he expressed his love for Lorna but she did not reciprocate it. She replied that she liked him. She was terribly angry with him as he had not responded to her signals for two months. Later Ridd explained to her the reason. Lorna informed him that she was asked to give her promise to marry Carver Doone, the son of the Counsellor. She further told him that one Charlie also wanted to marry her. In fact, she was being watched and followed. She lost all her freedom. She was in tears. Ridd was moved by her story and planned to rescue her. His love for her grew stronger and he gave her a ring of pearls with sapphire. But she didn’t take it.
There was no signal for eight weeks. Ridd went to the top of the hill, Lorna walked down to meet him. She expressed her love for him and wanted the gift (ring) back. She also gave him a ring and told him about the glass necklace which was with her grand father,Sir Ensor Doone.Ridd was very happy about Lorna’s love for him. He returned to his farm house to tell his mother all about his love.
Rescue of Lorna from the Doones by Ridd:
Rescue of Lorna from the Doone was a risky one. John Ridd was anxious to find out what happened to Lorna. He decided to visit the Doone village (Glen Doone) at night. When he went there, it was very difficult for him to know the real entrance as there were three gateways. He chose the middle way and reached the village. There were two men standing beside long and heavy rifles. One of them was Charleworth Doone, who wanted to marry Lorna. Ridd slipped past them. Ridd reached Lorna’s house. When Charlie had gone, Ridd stood in the shade by Lorna’s window. Lorna was surprised to see him there. Ridd understood that she was a prisoner there. Her grandfather Sir Ensor was very ill. The Counsellor and his son Carver was the masters of the valley now.She further told him that Carver would marry her after the death of Sir Ensor. She advised him to go away from there but wanted him to save her. Lorna devised a strategy to inform Ridd about the danger she might be in.
On receiving information from Lorna, Ridd went to the valley to save her. Gwenny Carfax explained everything to her. Ridd was asked to meet the dying Sir Ensor. Ensor scolded Ridd and Lorna. He called them fools as they were not a good match. Since Lorna and Ridd were adamant, Sir Ensor wished them and gave them the glass necklace he promised Lorna earlier. After sometime, he was dead.
The weather was bitterly cold.The earth was hard with frost. There was snow fall for three days and three nights. With the help of John Fry and other men he rescued the sheep and the birds which were buried in the snow. Ridd was skeptical about saving Lorna. But he put on snow shoes and went to the hill. What he found at Sir Ensor’s house was shocking. Because Gwenny and Lorna were starving. Ridd gave them bread and meat pie. Lorna told him everything about the Counsellor’s plan. Both the Counsellor and Carver were watching the house. Ridd promised her that he would rescue her in two hours.
Ridd returned to his house and took out a new horse sledge, prepared food and lot of water for a dozen people. He set off again for Doone valley. What he found in Sir Ensor’s house was shocking. Lorna was kneeling behind a chain. Gwenny Carfax held the ankle of a struggling man. Obviously Carver and Charlie misbehaved to Lorna. John Ridd threw Charlie out of the window and took Carver by the throat. He sent them out. He carried Lorna in his arms and asked Gwenny to follow them. In an hour’s time, they came home. Filled with pity for Lorna’s unhappy state, Ridd’s mother loved her from the very first meeting. Later Ridd married inspite of difficulty.
