The Outlaw of Torn · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for The Outlaw of Torn by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
Chapter 1
I
The narrator introduces a rediscovered 13th-century manuscript about the lost Prince Richard of England, focusing on a remarkable revenge and the life of its innocent victim. The story begins in 1243 when King Henry III insults Simon de Montfort, who boldly rebukes him. Later, the King takes out his rage on Sir Jules de Vac during fencing practice, but De Vac defeats him. Enraged, Henry strikes and spits on De Vac, who silently vows a terrible revenge against the King and all England.
Chapter 2
II
De Vac, brooding over King Henry III's insult, devises a terrible revenge plot. While watching Prince Richard play in the garden with Lady Maud, he conceives a plan to kidnap the prince and raise him as an outlaw, using the boy as a tool for vengeance against the king.
Chapter 3
The Abduction of Prince Richard
Sir Jules de Vac meticulously plans and executes the kidnapping of Prince Richard, second son of King Henry III, after killing Lady Maud and a guards officer. The chapter details his preparations, including obtaining a key to a postern gate and arranging a hiding place, and concludes with the discovery of the bodies and the initiation of a twenty-year search for the prince.
Chapter 4
IV
De Vac murders Lady Maud and kidnaps Prince Richard, disguising himself as an old woman and hiding the prince beneath a dock. He overhears Simon de Montfort and others searching for the prince, narrowly avoids discovery, and later kills the old woman Til to eliminate a witness. He then secures the prince in a hidden garret room.
Chapter 5
The Birth of Norman of Torn
For three years after Prince Richard's disappearance, a bent old woman raises a young boy in a London attic, teaching him French, swordsmanship, and hatred for the English. When the boy is six, a Frenchman visits and offers her a ruined castle, Castle Torn. They travel to Derby, witnessing a knight's death and a brutal highway robbery, which harden the boy. After purchasing the castle, the old man (revealed as the old woman in disguise) trains the boy, now named Norman of Torn, and instructs him to hide his resemblance to Prince Edward. Norman of Torn is born, destined to terrorize England.
Chapter 6
The Birth of the Clan Torn
Norman of Torn, now nearly eighteen, formally establishes the Clan Torn with a band of former outlaws, including Shandy, the Flory brothers, One Eye Kanty, and Peter the Hermit. After defeating them in combat, he imposes a code of loyalty, protection of the weak, and predation upon the rich and the King. The chapter details the rapid growth of his power, his rebuilding of Castle Torn, and his reputation as 'Norman the Devil,' a feared and revered outlaw who defies both royalists and barons.
Chapter 7
Chapter VII
Norman of Torn returns to his castle, troubled by his encounter with Bertrade de Montfort and his growing shame about his past. He visits Father Claude, questioning his purpose and his parentage. A commotion outside reveals a young woman being abducted; Norman, unarmored, pursues and fights the knight, who mistakes him for Prince Edward.
Chapter 8
VIII
Father Claude visits Torn and learns of Norman's absence after rescuing a Montfort damsel. He confronts the old man of Torn about his malicious training of Norman, defending the outlaw's character. Norman later returns and discusses his desire to leave the outlaw life, but admits he must stay in England because of Bertrade de Montfort.
Chapter 9
IX
Bertrade de Montfort prepares to leave Stutevill despite Mary de Stutevill's warnings about the Devil of Torn. She rides out with a small escort, is ambushed by men under Peter of Colfax, and taken captive to Colfax Castle. Meanwhile, Henry de Montfort discovers the bodies of her escort marked with 'NT' and assumes Norman of Torn is responsible.
Chapter 10
The Rescue of Bertrade
Norman of Torn rescues Bertrade de Montfort from a burning castle and returns her to her father, Simon de Montfort. Despite initial hostility, Bertrade defends Norman, and he offers his friendship and future service to the House of Montfort. Later, Henry de Montfort accuses Norman of kidnapping Bertrade, but Norman proves his innocence and sets out to find the true culprits.
Chapter 11
XI
Roger de Condé visits the castle of Leicester, where he is warmly received by Simon de Montfort and his family, including Bertrade. His striking resemblance to Prince Edward is noted. During his stay, he and Bertrade grow close, and a romantic moment leads to a declaration of love. However, Simon de Montfort discovers their affection and angrily forbids the relationship, revealing plans for Bertrade to marry Prince Philip of France. Roger departs, but Bertrade secretly gives him a token and reaffirms her love.
Chapter 12
XII
Norman of Torn, believing Bertrade de Montfort has been sent to France and that their love is impossible, refrains from following her and instead leads his outlaw forces in repeated attacks on royalist barons, pushing southward. He confides in Father Claude, who urges him to meet Simon de Montfort to learn the truth about his past, but the old man of Torn, having overheard the plan via Spizo the Spaniard, persuades the priest to delay. Meanwhile, Joan de Tany and the wounded Roger de Condé (Norman in disguise) are captured by the Earl of Buckingham, who refuses to release them. The chapter ends with Norman riding south at the head of a thousand men.
Chapter 13
XIII
Norman of Torn awakens imprisoned in a tower room, recalls Joan de Tany's loyalty, discovers a golden hair ornament, and witnesses Joan being mistreated by a nobleman. He overpowers a guard, escapes with Joan through the castle crypt, and struggles with his feelings for her while haunted by thoughts of Bertrade de Montfort.
Chapter 14
Chapter XIV
Norman of Torn leaves Joan de Tany, realizing he does not love her but Bertrade de Montfort. Joan lies to the King's men to protect him, then discovers his gifts and sobs over the barrier of his low birth. Later, Norman leads his men to confront the Earl of Buckingham, but finds his castle deserted. He pursues De Fulm to a royalist castle, where he confronts him. Meanwhile, Joan, tormented by her love and social constraints, takes her own life.
Chapter 15
XV
Norman of Torn receives a royal summons from King Henry III, which he defiantly forces the messenger to eat. He then learns of Bertrade de Montfort's arrival in England and resolves to confess his true identity to her, despite the likely rejection. Meanwhile, Father Claude's correspondence with Simon de Montfort is intercepted by Spizo the Spaniard, leading the old man of Torn to plot interference. The chapter also depicts Norman mourning Joan de Tany and grappling with his responsibility for his band of outlaws.
Chapter 16
XVI
Norman of Torn and his thousand men join the Battle of Lewes on the side of the barons, turning the tide against King Henry III. Norman captures the King of the Romans and spares him at De Montfort's request. De Montfort coldly dismisses Norman's friendship with Bertrade, causing Norman pain.
Chapter 17
XVII
Following the royalist defeat at Lewes, Norman of Torn and his men refrain from looting and instead march toward Dover, detouring to a deserted royalist stronghold before tracking Peter of Colfax to the castle of Roger de Leybourn. Entering by stealth, Norman confronts the terrified Colfax in the great hall, and after a brutal duel in which he carves his mark on Colfax's brow, he beheads him and departs with the head on a golden platter.
Chapter 18
XVIII
Norman of Torn, after the Battle of Lewes, marches north toward Leicester's castle to fulfill a promise to Bertrade de Montfort. He meets Prince Philip of France on the road and escorts him to Battel, where Bertrade and the royal court are gathered. Norman sends a message to Bertrade requesting a private meeting. That night, he reveals to her that he is Roger de Condé, the man she once loved. Despite her initial shock and conflict, Bertrade ultimately reaffirms her love for him, accepting him as Norman of Torn.
Chapter 19
XIX
De Vac, disguised as a gray man, overhears Bertrade declare her love for Norman and reveals Norman's identity to King Henry and Simon de Montfort. Norman is cornered in the Queen's chambers, fights off multiple attackers, and is joined by Bertrade and Prince Philip. De Vac challenges Norman to a duel and, after a fierce battle, both are mortally wounded.
