The White Company · Chapter
XXIII: How England Held the Lists at Bordeaux explained
The chapter describes the grand tournament held at Bordeaux, where five English knights defend the lists against challengers from across Europe.
What happens
The chapter describes the grand tournament held at Bordeaux, where five English knights defend the lists against challengers from across Europe. The event draws a massive crowd, and tensions arise over the selection of champions. The Prince of Wales, Don Pedro, and other nobles watch as the jousting begins, with Sir Nigel Loring among the English champions.
Themes in this chapter
Chivalry and Honor
The tournament embodies chivalric ideals as knights compete for honor and the favor of ladies, with strict protocols and the inspection of shields.
English National Identity
The contest is framed as a national struggle, with English champions defending their country's honor against a multinational array of challengers.
War and Violence
The jousting serves as a prelude to war, with the tournament described as a 'last trial of arms' before an arduous campaign.
Characters to notice
- Sir Nigel Loring
Selected as one of the five English champions to hold the lists; noted as the second lance in the army.
- Sir John Chandos
Assists in selecting the champions and advises the prince on political matters.
- Don Pedro
Watches the tournament and makes inappropriate remarks about local women, causing tension with the prince.
- Lord Audley
Chosen as one of the English champions; strikes Sir Perducas d'Albret from the saddle.
- Sir Thomas Percy
Selected as an English champion; wins the vantage over the Lord of Mucident.
- Sir William Beauchamp
Selected as an English champion; goes down before the Captal de Buch.
- Sir Thomas Wake
Selected as an English champion; beaten to the ground by Olivier de Clisson.
- Captal de Buch
One of the challengers; defeats Sir William Beauchamp.
Key passages
“So used were the good burghers of Bordeaux to martial display and knightly sport, that an ordinary joust or tournament was an everyday matter with them.”
The citizens of Bordeaux were so accustomed to military exhibitions and knightly contests that a typical joust or tournament was a routine event for them.
Establishes the setting and the frequency of such events in Bordeaux.
“Great, however, was the excitement through town and district when it was learned that on the third Wednesday in Advent there would be held a passage-at-arms in which five knights of England would hold the lists against all comers.”
Nevertheless, there was great excitement throughout the town and surrounding area when it was announced that on the third Wednesday of Advent, a tournament would be held where five English knights would defend the field against any challengers.
Highlights the special nature of this particular tournament.
“It was, as may well be imagined, no easy matter among so many noted cavaliers to choose out five on either side who should have precedence over their fellows.”
As one might expect, it was no simple task among so many renowned knights to select five on each side who would take precedence over their comrades.
Describes the difficulty in choosing the champions.
