Simon the Coldheart · Chapter
XIV: How He Received the Lady Margaret’s Submission explained
Simon receives Lady Margaret's formal submission to King Henry, but demands more—her hand in marriage.
What happens
Simon receives Lady Margaret's formal submission to King Henry, but demands more—her hand in marriage. Margaret signs the submission but struggles with her conflicting emotions of hate and attraction, while Jeanne observes that pride dies hard.
Themes in this chapter
Love as Warfare
Simon's demand for Margaret's hand is framed as conquest, and Margaret's internal struggle between hate and love mirrors a battle.
Honor and Loyalty
Margaret insists on repaying her debt to Simon through submission, and Simon demands total loyalty in marriage.
Power and Conquest
Simon asserts his right of conquest over Margaret's life and person, and she signs the submission to the King.
Characters to notice
- Simon the Coldheart
Receives Margaret's submission, demands her hand in marriage, and kisses her.
- Lady Margaret of Belrémy
Makes her submission to Simon, signs the parchment, but is torn between hate and love.
- Fulk of Montlice
Hobbles onto the terrace, questions Alan about Simon's intentions, and learns of the rescue.
- Alan of Montlice
Plays his harp, explains Simon's love for Margaret, and hears Jeanne's account of the rescue.
- Jeanne de Faucourt
Limping from blisters, recounts the rescue of Margot and observes Margaret's inner conflict.
- Chevalier de Fleurival
Appears in the corridor, questions Margaret about Simon's kiss, and shows his teeth.
Key passages
“I have first—to thank you—for—what you did—yesterday.”
Margaret begins to express gratitude for Simon's rescue of her from Raoul.
Margaret's halting speech reveals her pride and difficulty in thanking her enemy.
“Thy life is mine by right of conquest, and well dost thou know it. Willingly shalt thou come to me, and willingly give thy heart. For I will have all or nothing.”
Simon claims Margaret's life and heart as his by conquest, demanding complete surrender.
Simon's declaration underscores his view of love as total domination.
“Pride dies hard.”
Jeanne observes that Margaret's pride is slowly yielding to her feelings.
Jeanne's insight into Margaret's emotional turmoil highlights the theme of love as warfare.