# XII explained — The Outlaw of Torn > Chapter companion for The Outlaw of Torn by Edgar Rice Burroughs. ## 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. ## Character check-ins ### 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 lines > 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._ > “A De Tany, madam, were a great and valuable capture in these troublous times,” replied the Earl, “and that alone were enough to necessitate my keeping you; but a beautiful De Tany is yet a different matter and so I will grant you at least one favor.” The Earl told Joan that her noble birth made her a valuable prisoner, and her beauty made him want to keep her for himself. _Demonstrates the Earl's predatory nature and the dangers faced by women in the conflict._ > “I might have expected naught better from a turncoat foreign knave such as thee, who once joined in the councils of De Montfort, and then betrayed his friends to curry favor with the King.” Joan accused the Earl of being a traitor who switched sides to gain the King's favor. _Reveals the Earl's past betrayal and Joan's fearless defiance._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_outlaw_of_torn_se/chapters/xii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_outlaw_of_torn_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_outlaw_of_torn_se/chapters