The Black Arrow: A Tale of Two Roses is set during the Wars of the Roses (1453-1487). These were a series of civil wars between the houses of Lancaster and York who were fighting for the English throne. In the novel, Richard Shelton (Dick) lives as Sir Daniel Brackley's ward at Tunstall Moat House. A group of outlaws known as "The Black Arrow", strike, killing Nicholas Appleyard. They leave a message warning that they will also kill Brackley, and his men Bennet Hatch and Oliver Oates. Their note implies that Dick's father, Harry Shelton, died under suspicious circumstances. Dick, who doesn't know how his father died, wonders if Brackley was responsible. Dick now goes to Kettley to tell Brackley what has been happening. While there, he meets a young man, John Matcham. Matcham is actually Joanna Sedley, an heiress, that Brackley has captured and disguised as a boy. He plans to marry her to Dick. Brackley tells Dick to return to Tunstall with a letter. On the way, Dick meets Matcham, who has escaped from Brackley and is being pursued by his men. Dick agrees to help Matcham get to safety. Dick and Matcham spot a gathering of The Black Arrows. They overhear the leader, Ellis Duckworth, making plans to attack Brackley and his men. They also accuse Brackley of murdering Dick's father. Dick and Matcham now hide, but are discovered by Brackley who is disguised as a blind leper. He takes them to Tunstall Moat House, where Dick learns Brackley did murder his father. Dick also learns Matcham is really Joanna and the two confess their love. Realizing his life is in danger, Dick escapes and joins The Black Arrows. Months pass and Dick learns that Brackley plans to marry Joanna to Lord Shoreby. In an effort to rescue her, he and The Black Arrows fight by land and sea. They steal a ship, The Good Hope, from Captain Arblaster, but their attack is unsuccessful. Dick also befriends Lord Foxham, Joanna's guardian. When Foxham learns Brackley planned to marry her to Shoreby, he is enraged - he had planned to marry her to Hamley. Foxham, now wounded, asks Dick to rendezvous with Hamley in his place. He also gives him a letter saying that he, Dick, will marry Joanna. Dick, who supports York, will also give papers about the Lancastrian forces to Richard of Gloucester (later Richard III). Dick and Lawless (one of The Black Arrows) now disguise themselves as Friars to try and rescue Joanna. Joanna's friend Alicia Risingham sees through the disguise, and takes Dick to Joanna. A spy enters the room and Dick kills him. He finds a letter on the body which says that Shoreby has been treacherously corresponding with the House of York. The house is now in uproar while men search for the spy's murderer. Dick pretends to be a monk who will pray over the spy's body in the church. Lawless now tells Dick that Ellis Duckworth and The Black Arrows plan to stop the marriage. The marriage ceremony begins when black arrows fly through the air, killing Shoreby and wounding Brackley. Ellis and The Black Arrows then make their escape. Dick is blamed, but Earl Risingham (Alicia's uncle) steps forward - he wants to hear Dick's side of the story.