Simon the Coldheart · Chapter
How He Came to Bayeux, to the King explained
Simon rides to Bayeux to report to King Henry V on the capture of Belrémy and the death of Raoul the Terrible.
What happens
Simon rides to Bayeux to report to King Henry V on the capture of Belrémy and the death of Raoul the Terrible. He brings Alan of Montlice and leaves Geoffrey of Malvallet at Belrémy. Henry questions Simon about the events, and Alan reveals that Simon is in love with Lady Margaret of Belrémy. Henry decides to send Simon to the Côtentin to join Gloucester, while Alan remains at court.
Themes in this chapter
Love as Warfare
Simon's love for Lady Margaret is described as a battle, with 'daggers' and 'pride'—a conflict of wills and emotions.
Honor and Loyalty
Simon's loyalty to King Henry is tested as he explains his killing of Raoul, and Henry's support for Simon despite political fallout underscores mutual honor.
War and Leadership
Simon's strategic capture of Belrémy through mining and coordinated assault demonstrates his military leadership, and Henry's command decisions reflect wartime governance.
Characters to notice
- Simon the Coldheart
Reports to King Henry at Bayeux, recounts the capture of Belrémy and the slaying of Raoul the Terrible. Shows signs of being in love with Lady Margaret.
- Alan of Montlice
Accompanies Simon to Bayeux, provides a detailed account of the siege of Belrémy and reveals Simon's love for Lady Margaret to the King.
- King Henry V
Receives Simon at Bayeux, questions him about the death of Raoul the Terrible and the capture of Belrémy. Learns of Simon's love and decides to send him to the Côtentin.
- Geoffrey of Malvallet
Left at Belrémy; mentioned as being in a lady's arms and soon to be wed.
- Lady Margaret of Belrémy
Subject of Simon's love; described as a tigress and an Amazon. Her relationship with Simon is characterized by daggers and pride.
- Raoul the Terrible
Slain by Simon for mistreating Lady Margaret; his death causes political complications.
- Duke of Clarence
Brother of King Henry, commands one of the three divisions of the army; supports Simon and deals with Raoul's men.
Key passages
“I have the honour to inform your Majesty that the town of Belrémy did yesterday morning make submission after an attack from my forces. I have also the honour to inform your Majesty that the castle has ceded, save for the Lady Countess, who holds out against your Majesty.”
Simon reports that Belrémy town surrendered after his attack, and the castle has yielded except for the Lady Countess who still resists.
Simon's official dispatch to King Henry summarizing the capture.
“I am constrained to tell your Majesty that on Tuesday last the Lady Countess did escape from Belrémy, accompanied only by her lady, Mademoiselle Jeanne. I did set forth in pursuit, and finding madame in the hands of your Majesty's ally, Raoul, called the Terrible, did slay him for the treatment he did mete out to the Lady Countess. And so have rid Normandy of a very foul rogue.”
Simon explains that he pursued the escaped Lady Countess, found her with Raoul the Terrible, and killed Raoul for his mistreatment of her, thereby removing a dangerous villain from Normandy.
Simon's justification for killing Raoul, as read by King Henry.
“They woo with daggers, Simon and his lady.”
Simon and Lady Margaret court each other through conflict and threats.
Alan's description of the volatile relationship between Simon and Lady Margaret.
