The White Company · Chapter
How the Yellow Cog Sailed Forth from Lepe explained
The Yellow Cog departs from Lepe with Sir Nigel Loring, Alleyne Edricson, and the company aboard, pursued by two pirate galleys under Tête-noire and a Genoese captain.
What happens
The Yellow Cog departs from Lepe with Sir Nigel Loring, Alleyne Edricson, and the company aboard, pursued by two pirate galleys under Tête-noire and a Genoese captain. Sir Nigel prepares for battle, ordering the crew to raise mantlets and pavises, station men aloft, and arm themselves. The archers and seamen take to their knees for prayer as the cog sails into the open channel, with the pirates closing in.
Themes in this chapter
Faith and Morality
The archers and seamen kneel for prayer (Pater, Ave, Credo) before battle, and men kiss relics, highlighting the role of faith in preparing for violence.
War and Violence
The chapter focuses on the imminent naval battle, with detailed preparations for combat and the threat of death or enslavement from pirates.
Camaraderie and Brotherhood
The company works together under Sir Nigel's command, with archers sharing relics and Aylward encouraging his comrades, fostering unity before the fight.
Characters to notice
- Alleyne Edricson
Observes the pirate galleys and identifies the badge of Tête-noire; present on deck as Sir Nigel prepares for battle.
- Sir Nigel Loring
Commands the defense of the Yellow Cog, orders preparations against the pirate galleys, and insists on maintaining knightly honor by not lowering pennons.
- Goodwin Hawtayne
Master-shipman of the Yellow Cog; initially reluctant to engage the pirates but agrees to turn the ship into Freshwater Bay; directs the crew in battle preparations.
- Hordle John
Quips about needing wine before battle; present among the archers on deck.
- Samkin Aylward
Moves among the archers offering precepts and encouragement, reciting the master-bowyer's rhyme.
- Sir Oliver Buttesthorn
Commands the forecastle guard; his spear with the boar's head arms is planted near the prow.
Key passages
“With a clank of arms, the rough archers and seamen took to their knees, with bent heads and crossed hands, listening to the hoarse mutter from the file-leaders.”
The armed archers and sailors knelt down, bowing their heads and folding their hands, as the squad leaders recited prayers in low, rough voices.
Describes the collective prayer before battle, emphasizing the solemnity and religious devotion of the crew.
“High and bluff the English cog; long, black and swift the pirate galleys, like two fierce lean wolves which have seen a lordly and unsuspecting stag walk past their forest lair.”
The English ship was tall and broad, while the pirate galleys were long, dark, and fast, resembling two hungry wolves spotting a noble, unaware deer near their den.
Vivid simile contrasting the cog's bulk with the pirates' speed, foreshadowing the chase.
“I would I had your eyes, said Sir Nigel, blinking at the pirate galleys. They seem very gallant ships, and I trust that we shall have much pleasance from our meeting with them.”
Sir Nigel, squinting at the pirate ships, remarked that he wished he could see as well as the speaker, and expressed hope that the encounter would be enjoyable.
Shows Sir Nigel's characteristic optimism and chivalric attitude toward battle, despite his poor eyesight.