XIII: How He Found the Lady Margaret explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love as Warfare

  Simon's rescue of Margaret and his declaration of intent to marry her, alongside Geoffrey's pursuit of Jeanne, show love as a conquest.

• Coldness vs. Passion

  Simon's usual cold control breaks when he sees Margaret attacked, leading to a passionate rage and killing of Raoul.

• Honor and Loyalty

  Simon and Geoffrey fight to protect the ladies, and Simon declares his honorable intention to marry Margaret.

Characters to notice

• Simon the Coldheart

  Rescues Margaret, kills Raoul in a rage, carries Margaret to Belrémy, and declares his intention to marry her.

• Lady Margaret of Belrémy

  Rescued from Raoul, wounded in the arm, falls asleep in Simon's arms, and is carried into Belrémy castle.

• Geoffrey of Malvallet

  Fights alongside Simon, rescues Jeanne, and declares his intention to marry her.

• Jeanne de Faucourt

  Rescued by Geoffrey, discusses Simon's feelings for Margaret, and is carried home.

• Raoul the Terrible

  Killed by Simon for assaulting Margaret.

• Ranaud

  Fights alongside Simon and Geoffrey, wounded in the cheek and arm.

• Fulk of Montlice

  Welcomes Simon and Alan, hears Simon's declaration about Margaret.

• Alan of Montlice

  Present in the hall at Belrémy, supports Simon.

Key passages

• “For the first time in his life he forgot caution, and sprang forward. 'Dog!' he roared, and caught Raoul in his iron grip, forcing him backwards over his bent knee, down and down, hands tightening above the flabby throat, crushing out life.”

  Simon, abandoning his usual caution, attacks Raoul in a fury, strangling him.

  Simon's passionate response to seeing Margaret assaulted.

• “That, my lord, is the lady whom I will one day take to wife,' he said deliberately.”

  Simon tells Fulk that Margaret is the woman he intends to marry.

  Simon's declaration of his intent to wed Margaret.