Chivalry · Chapter
VII: The Story of the Heritage explained
The chapter recounts the tale of Edward Maudelain, who lived as the hermit Evrawc in Wales, tormented by demonic visions.
What happens
The chapter recounts the tale of Edward Maudelain, who lived as the hermit Evrawc in Wales, tormented by demonic visions. A mysterious messenger from a Bohemian woman brings him a lock of hair and the message 'Time is!', prompting Maudelain to abandon his hermitage and impersonate his half-brother King Richard II. The narrative describes his successful imposture and eventual death at the hands of Piers Exton and his men, who strike him down from behind in a felonious blow.
Themes in this chapter
Illusion vs. Reality
Maudelain's imposture blurs the line between king and hermit, and the demonic visions challenge the boundary between the supernatural and the psychological.
Sacrifice and Suffering
Maudelain endures years of ascetic suffering, then sacrifices his life by taking Richard's place and dying in his stead.
The Taint of Blood and Heredity
Maudelain speaks of his 'accursed race' and the 'devil's blood' from Oriander, suggesting an inherited flaw that drives his violent end.
Characters to notice
- Edward Maudelain
The hermit Evrawc, tormented by devils, who receives a message and token prompting him to impersonate King Richard II; he dies fighting Exton's men.
- King Richard
Maudelain's half-brother, whom Maudelain impersonates; the punishment intended for Richard falls on Maudelain.
- Piers Exton
Leads the eight men-at-arms who trap and kill Maudelain, striking him from behind with a poleaxe.
- Isabel of Valois
King Richard's eleven-year-old wife, who is attributed by Nicolas de Caen with co-operating in Maudelain's imposture.
- Owain Glyndwyr
Hinted to have had a hand in the affair, based on the mention of Orvendile.
- Nicolas de Caen
The narrator within the story, who attributes the imposture to Isabel's co-operation and claims knowledge that the prisoner in Pontefract was not Richard.
Key passages
“Time is, O fellow satrap!”
The time has come, my fellow ruler.
The mysterious messenger's cryptic call to action for Maudelain.
“I charge you all to witness how willingly I render to Caesar's daughter that which was ever hers.”
I ask you all to see how gladly I give back to Caesar's daughter what always belonged to her.
Maudelain's dying words, alluding to his death as a repayment to the state or to Isabel.
“For of ice and of lust and of hellfire are all we sprung; old records attest it; and fickle and cold and ravenous and without fear are all our race until the end.”
Our lineage comes from ice, lust, and hellfire, as ancient writings confirm; our kind is changeable, cold, greedy, and fearless until the very end.
Maudelain's declaration of his cursed heritage before his final battle.