The White Company · Chapter
How the Three Comrades Journeyed Through the Woodlands explained
Alleyne, Hordle John, and Samkin Aylward travel through the forest, discussing faith, sin, and the nature of true knighthood.
What happens
Alleyne, Hordle John, and Samkin Aylward travel through the forest, discussing faith, sin, and the nature of true knighthood. Aylward recounts his experiences with the White Company and Pope Urban, while Alleyne defends the piety of monks. They encounter a bleeding penitent on the road, and Aylward reveals a letter from Sir Claude Latour to Sir Nigel Loring, which Alleyne translates. The trio agrees to journey together toward Minstead.
Themes in this chapter
Faith and Morality
Alleyne defends monastic self-mortification and the seven deadly sins as spiritual battles, while Aylward questions the efficacy of such practices.
Camaraderie and Brotherhood
The three comrades—Alleyne, John, and Aylward—journey together, sharing stories and agreeing to travel as a group.
War and Violence
Aylward glorifies death in battle and discusses the practicalities of warfare, including the use of bombards and archery.
Characters to notice
- Alleyne Edricson
Defends the piety of monks and the seven deadly sins as true foes; translates the French letter from Sir Claude Latour.
- Hordle John
Struggles to read the letter, initially mistaking it for a psalm verse; agrees to travel with Alleyne and Aylward.
- Samkin Aylward
Shares irreverent tales of the White Company and Pope Urban; carries a letter from Sir Claude Latour to Sir Nigel Loring; decides to accompany Alleyne to Minstead.
- Sir Nigel Loring
Recipient of the letter from Sir Claude Latour, mentioned as the knight to whom the message is addressed.
- Claude Latour
Sender of the letter to Sir Nigel Loring, described as captain of the White Company and chatelain of Biscar.
- Black Simon of Norwich
Mentioned by Aylward as a comrade who would have fought alongside him in the garden of Gethsemane.
Key passages
“If I had my wish, it would be to fall so—not, mark you, in any mere skirmish of the Company, but in a stricken field, with the great lion banner waving over us and the red oriflamme in front, amid the shouting of my fellows and the twanging of the strings.”
Aylward expresses his desire to die in a major battle, surrounded by his comrades and the banners of England and France, rather than in a minor skirmish.
Reflects Aylward's romanticized view of war and his longing for a heroic death.
“Can you not see that there are other foes in this world besides Frenchmen, and as much glory to be gained in conquering them? Would it not be a proud day for knight or squire if he could overthrow seven adversaries in the lists? Yet here are we in the lists of life, and there come the seven black champions against us: Sir Pride, Sir Covetousness, Sir Lust, Sir Anger, Sir Gluttony, Sir Envy, and Sir Sloth.”
Alleyne argues that the true battle is against the seven deadly sins, not just against human enemies, and that spiritual victory is as glorious as martial triumph.
Highlights Alleyne's religious worldview and his attempt to reconcile martial values with Christian morality.
“It is scarce likely that Sir Claude Latour should send me all the way across seas with nought more weighty than a psalm-verse.”
Aylward dismisses John's guess that the letter contains a psalm, implying it must be of greater importance.
Shows Aylward's practical understanding of the letter's significance and his trust in his captain.
