XVII: How He Left Belrémy, and How the Lady Margaret Dealt with Her Cousin explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love as Warfare

  Simon's farewell to Margaret is charged with emotional conflict; their love is a battlefield of pride and vulnerability.

• Honor and Loyalty

  Margaret upholds honor by banishing her cousin for dishonorable assassination, and reconciles with Geoffrey.

• Coldness vs. Passion

  Simon's controlled demeanor contrasts with Margaret's passionate grief and later cold resolve.

Characters to notice

• Simon the Coldheart

  Bids farewell to Lady Margaret and departs Belrémy for Bayeux, leaving Geoffrey in charge.

• Lady Margaret of Belrémy

  Grieves Simon's departure, then confronts and banishes her cousin the Chevalier for the assassination plot.

• Geoffrey of Malvallet

  Grumbles about ruling Belrémy but is later reconciled with Lady Margaret and agrees to aid her.

• Jeanne de Faucourt

  Comforts Margaret and fetches Geoffrey at her request.

• Chevalier de Fleurival

  Confronted by Margaret for the assassination attempt and banished from Belrémy.

• Ranaud

  Recovers from his wound, pledges service to Simon, and is enrolled as a guard.

Key passages

• “I go to Bayeux.”

  Simon announces his departure for Bayeux.

  Simon informs Geoffrey and Alan of his next destination.

• “I come to bid thee farewell, Margot.”

  Simon visits Margaret to say goodbye.

  Simon's final meeting with Margaret before leaving Belrémy.

• “Ye do know why I will no longer harbour you.”

  Margaret tells the Chevalier she knows of his plot and banishes him.

  Margaret confronts her cousin about the assassination attempt.