The White Company · Chapter
The Three Friends explained
Alleyne Edricson, having finished his morning prayers, catches up with his companions Hordle John and Samkin Aylward.
What happens
Alleyne Edricson, having finished his morning prayers, catches up with his companions Hordle John and Samkin Aylward. They encounter a roadside cottage where two young boys are training their left arms to hold a bow steady, under the instruction of their father, Robin Heathcot, a former border archer who lost his thumbs and fingers to the Scots. The father intends for his sons to avenge him by serving under Johnny Copeland. Aylward shares his experiences of warfare in France, Spain, and the Low Countries, and tries to persuade Alleyne to join him and John on their journey to France. Alleyne declines, feeling duty-bound to visit his brother, the Socman of Minstead. Despite their reluctance to part, Alleyne leaves his friends and continues toward Minstead.
Themes in this chapter
Camaraderie and Brotherhood
The bond between Alleyne, John, and Aylward deepens as they share stories and express reluctance to part. Aylward's quick affection and the mutual respect highlight the theme of brotherhood among men.
War and Violence
The chapter is steeped in the realities of war: the maimed archer Robin Heathcot, the boys' desire to avenge their father, and Aylward's detailed accounts of battles and tactics in France, Spain, and the Low Countries.
English National Identity
The pride in English archery, the contrast with French commoners, and the mention of English liberties and charters reflect a growing sense of English identity and martial prowess.
Characters to notice
- Alleyne Edricson
Alleyne finishes his prayers and runs to catch up with his companions. He is torn between his duty to his brother and his desire to travel to France with his new friends.
- Hordle John
Big John stands with Aylward watching the boys train. He expresses concern about Alleyne's brother and suggests waiting to see how Alleyne is received.
- Samkin Aylward
Aylward praises the boys' training, shares tales of his military experiences, and tries to persuade Alleyne to join them in France. He is quick to love and reluctant to part.
- Robin Heathcot
A former border archer from Beverley who lost his thumbs and fingers to the Scots. He trains his sons to avenge him and now lives in the southlands.
Key passages
“Here are young chips from an old bow stave!”
These boys are the true sons of an archer.
Aylward's delighted comment on the boys' training, likening them to offspring of a bowyer.
“Fleece them like sheep and sheep they will remain.”
If you treat people like sheep, they will behave like sheep.
Aylward's observation on why French commoners are poor soldiers, due to oppressive taxation.
“I hold that a man has more to fear there from the ink-pot of the one than from the iron of the other.”
In France, a man should fear the lawyer's pen more than the soldier's sword.
Aylward's cynical view of French legal systems that favor the rich.