The White Company · Chapter
How a Champion Came Forth from the East explained
A mysterious French knight challenges the English champions in a jousting tournament before the Prince and his court.
What happens
A mysterious French knight challenges the English champions in a jousting tournament before the Prince and his court. He defeats Sir William Beauchamp, Sir Thomas Percy, Lord Audley, and Sir Thomas Wake in rapid succession. Sir Nigel Loring then fights him on foot with swords, wounding him slightly before the prince calls a halt. The stranger's squire reveals his name in secret to Sir John Chandos, who vouches for his noble birth. The knight refuses to drink or reveal his identity, but is welcomed by the prince.
Themes in this chapter
Chivalry and Honor
The tournament is a display of knightly prowess and honor, with the prince praising courage and skill above national rivalry.
Camaraderie and Brotherhood
The archers and knights share a sense of camaraderie, with Aylward, John, and Simon joking together while watching the jousts.
War and Violence
The jousting is a controlled form of violence, with knights being wounded, unhorsed, and carried off the field.
Characters to notice
- Sir Nigel Loring
Fights the unknown French knight on foot with a two-handed sword, wounds him in the shoulder, and shows great skill.
- Samkin Aylward
Observes the jousting from the front row of archers, comments on the stranger's prowess, and tries to recall where he has seen him before.
- Hordle John
Stands with the archers, humorously suggests his own unorthodox methods for jousting, and declares he would fight for his mother.
- Black Simon of Norwich
Among the archers watching the tournament, joins in the banter with Aylward and John.
- Sir John Chandos
Acts as marshal, throws down his baton to end the fight, and is privately told the stranger's name, which he vouches for.
- Sir William Beauchamp
First English knight to joust against the stranger; is unhorsed and thrown to the ground.
- Sir Thomas Percy
Jousts against the stranger; his shield is split and he is wounded in the side.
- Lord Audley
Exchanges blows with the stranger but is bent back to his horse's cropper and gallops away.
Key passages
“By my soul! John, this is a man of good courage and great hardiness. I could not have thought that there was any single arm upon earth which could have overthrown these four champions.”
The prince expresses amazement at the stranger's strength, saying he never believed one man could defeat four champions.
The prince's admiration for the unknown knight's prowess.
“It were time to check it, for Sir Nigel is too good a man for me to lose, and, by the five holy wounds! if one of those cuts came home I should have fears for our champion.”
The prince stops the fight because he values Sir Nigel's life and fears the stranger might seriously injure him.
The prince's concern for Sir Nigel's safety.
“By my hilt! I have seen the thick body of him before today. Yet I cannot call to mind where it could have been.”
Aylward thinks he recognizes the stranger's build but cannot remember where he saw him.
Aylward's attempt to identify the mysterious knight.
“I would fain try my hand at it, for, by the black rood! I think that it might be amended.”
John says he would like to try jousting, believing he could improve the sport.
Hordle John's humorous critique of jousting.
