The Outlaw of Torn · Chapter
XII explained
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.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Sacrifice
Norman refrains from pursuing Bertrade to France, believing his outlaw status would bring her dishonor, sacrificing his own desires for her sake.
Identity and Secrecy
Norman's dual identity as Roger de Condé and the Outlaw of Torn is central; Father Claude hints at a hidden past that only Simon de Montfort can reveal.
Power and Corruption
The Earl of Buckingham abuses his authority by capturing Joan de Tany for his own pleasure, illustrating the corruption of royalist power.
Characters to notice
- Norman of Torn
Leads his outlaw army southward, still pining for Bertrade and avoiding her; agrees to meet Simon de Montfort but is delayed by the old man's interference.
- Bertrade de Montfort
Mentioned as having been sent to France by her mother; Norman believes their love is hopeless.
- Father Claude
Advises Norman to meet Simon de Montfort to uncover his true identity; deceived by the old man of Torn into postponing the meeting.
- De Vac
Not directly present, but the old man of Torn is implied to be De Vac; he schemes to prevent Norman from learning the truth.
- Joan de Tany
Captured by the Earl of Buckingham while traveling with Roger de Condé; defies the Earl's advances.
- Roger de Condé
Norman's alias; wounded in a skirmish and taken prisoner alongside Joan de Tany.
- Simon de Montfort
Mentioned as the man Father Claude believes can decide Norman's future; not physically present.
- Spizo the Spaniard
Eavesdrops on Father Claude and Norman, then reports to the old man of Torn, enabling the delay of the meeting.
Key passages
“Norman of Torn did not return to the castle of Leicester “in a few days,” nor for many months. For news came to him that Bertrade de Montfort had been posted off to France in charge of her mother.”
Norman stayed away from Leicester for many months after learning that Bertrade had been sent to France with her mother.
Sets up Norman's prolonged absence and his belief that Bertrade is out of reach.
“He would have followed her to France but for the fact that, after he had parted from her and the intoxication of her immediate presence had left his brain clear to think rationally, he had realized the futility of his hopes.”
He considered going to France after her, but once her spell wore off, he saw that his hopes were pointless.
Highlights Norman's internal conflict between love and reason.
““If that be the case,” said Norman of Torn, “we shall have war and fighting in real earnest ere many months.””
Norman predicted that open war would break out within months.
Foreshadows the coming Barons' War.
““Thou be indeed a closemouthed man, my son,” said the priest, smiling. “Such an attribute helpeth make a great statesman.””
Father Claude praised Norman's discretion, saying it would serve him well as a statesman.
Reinforces Norman's secretive nature and potential for leadership.
““There be that of which I dare not speak to thee yet and only may I guess and dream of what I think, nor do I know whether I must hope that it be false or true,””
Father Claude hinted at a secret about Norman's past that he could not yet reveal.
Builds mystery around Norman's true identity.
““What now?” he cried. “What goes on here?””
The Earl of Buckingham demanded to know what was happening.
Introduces the Earl's arrogant and commanding presence.
