The White Company · Chapter
XIX: How There Was Stir at the Abbey of St. Andrew's explained
Sir Nigel Loring and Sir Oliver Buttesthorn arrive at the Abbey of St.
What happens
Sir Nigel Loring and Sir Oliver Buttesthorn arrive at the Abbey of St. Andrew's, where the Prince of Wales holds court with the exiled kings Pedro of Castile and James of Majorca. Sir John Chandos introduces them to the assembled nobles, including Sir William Felton, the Captal de Buch, Sir Hugh Calverley, and Sir Robert Knolles. The prince receives petitions, then confronts Don Martin de la Carra over King Charles of Navarre's broken promises regarding the mountain passes, ultimately sending a stern warning and dispatching Sir Robert Knolles and Sir Hugh Calverley with a message.
Themes in this chapter
Chivalry and Honor
Sir Nigel and Sir Oliver are welcomed with honor; Don Martin's defense of his king's reputation is praised by the prince.
War and Violence
The prince threatens force against Navarre; Sir Robert Knolles is noted for his destructive reputation ('a Knolles' mitre').
Social Mobility and Class
Sir Robert Knolles is highlighted as a man who rose from the lowest ranks to high esteem through valor.
Characters to notice
- Sir Nigel Loring
Arrives at the Abbey of St. Andrew's with Sir Oliver; is warmly greeted by the Prince of Wales and introduced to the court.
- Sir Oliver Buttesthorn
Accompanies Sir Nigel; asks the prince about the Spanish dish 'olla,' causing laughter.
- Sir John Chandos
Acts as herald and guide, introducing the knights to the prince and identifying the various nobles present.
- Don Pedro
Sits on one of the two thrones behind the prince; described as tall with a livid face and cold blue eye, yawning and fondling a greyhound.
- Sir William Felton
Identified by Chandos as a dark knight with gray-streaked beard, high steward and chief counsellor of the prince.
- Captal de Buch
Pointed out as a tall, burly Gascon lord with a clouded brow, a brave knight.
- Sir Robert Knolles
Described as a famous warrior who rose from low ranks; the prince whispers to him and Sir Hugh Calverley, and they hasten from the room.
- Don Martin de la Carra
Envoy from Charles of Navarre; delivers a message about the passes but is rebuked by the prince for his master's duplicity.
Key passages
“Between friends, there is overmuch of the hangman in him, and too little of the prince.”
Among allies, Don Pedro shows more of a hangman's nature than a prince's.
Chandos comments on Don Pedro's harsh character.
“He hath no light hand in war, hath Sir Robert. If he passes through a country you may tell it for some years to come.”
Sir Robert Knolles leaves a lasting mark of destruction wherever he campaigns.
Chandos describes Sir Robert's brutal effectiveness in war.
“We know our good Charles, and, by my blessed name-saint the Confessor, he shall learn that I know him. He sets his kingdom up to the best bidder, like some scullion farrier selling a glandered horse.”
The prince accuses Charles of Navarre of auctioning his kingdom to the highest bidder, like a dishonest horse trader.
The prince's angry condemnation of Charles's duplicity.
