IX explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Sacrifice

  Bertrade's hidden feelings for Roger de Condé are revealed through Mary's teasing, highlighting the theme of romantic longing.

• Power and Corruption

  Peter of Colfax abuses his position and royal favor to kidnap Bertrade, showing how power enables corruption.

Characters to notice

• Bertrade de Montfort

  Determined to return to Leicester despite warnings; captured by Peter of Colfax's men.

• Mary de Stutevill

  Warns Bertrade about the dangers of the road and the Devil of Torn; teases her about Roger de Condé.

• Peter of Colfax

  Plots with a mysterious armored man to capture Bertrade; holds her captive at Colfax Castle.

• Henry de Montfort

  Sent to retrieve Bertrade; finds the bodies of her escort marked with 'NT' and blames Norman of Torn.

• De Vac

  Implied as the mysterious armored man who assists Peter of Colfax in the plot to capture Bertrade.

Key passages

• “Methinks thou be very rash indeed, my Bertrade... Were my father here he would, I am sure, not permit thee to leave with only the small escort which we be able to give.”

  Mary thinks Bertrade is being reckless by leaving with only five knights for protection.

  Mary expresses concern about the inadequate escort.

• “If I am to meet with this wild ruffian, it were better that five knights were sacrificed than fifty, for either number would be but a mouthful to that horrid horde of unhung murderers.”

  Bertrade argues that even fifty knights would be no match for Norman of Torn's band.

  Bertrade dismisses Mary's fears about the outlaw.

• “The curse of God be on him!... It be the work of the Devil of Torn, my gentlemen.”

  Henry de Montfort curses Norman of Torn upon finding the 'NT' mark on the dead knights.

  Henry mistakenly blames Norman for the attack.