The White Company · Chapter
How the Three Comrades Gained a Mighty Treasure explained
Alleyne Edricson, Aylward, and Hordle John set out from Bordeaux to Montaubon to rejoin their company, with Alleyne preoccupied by thoughts of his love for Lady Maude and his conversation with Sir Nigel.
What happens
Alleyne Edricson, Aylward, and Hordle John set out from Bordeaux to Montaubon to rejoin their company, with Alleyne preoccupied by thoughts of his love for Lady Maude and his conversation with Sir Nigel. Along the way, they encounter a fraudulent pilgrim who sells fake relics, exposing his deceit when he flees at their approach.
Themes in this chapter
Faith and Morality
The encounter with the fraudulent pilgrim challenges the characters' trust and faith, as they are deceived by a man posing as a holy figure.
Camaraderie and Brotherhood
The three comrades ride together, share stories, and act in unison, reflecting their bond as members of the White Company.
Characters to notice
- Alleyne Edricson
Rides as squire of the body, preoccupied with thoughts of his love for Lady Maude and his conversation with Sir Nigel.
- Samkin Aylward
Rides with Alleyne and John, shares a story about Black Simon nailing an innkeeper's hand to a door, and chases the fraudulent pilgrim.
- Hordle John
Rides with Alleyne and Aylward, observes the fraudulent pilgrim's relics, and later has his horse shod.
- Sir Nigel Loring
Rode ahead with Ford; Alleyne recalls their conversation about his love and fortune.
- Black Simon of Norwich
Mentioned in Aylward's story about nailing innkeeper Gourval's hand to a door.
Key passages
“It was a bright, crisp winter’s day when the little party set off from Bordeaux on their journey to Montaubon, where the missing half of their Company had last been heard of.”
On a clear winter day, the small group departed Bordeaux for Montaubon, the last known location of the other half of their company.
Sets the scene for the journey and the mission to reunite the White Company.
“Had he done well to say so much, or had he not done better to have said more? What would the knight have said had he confessed to his love for the Lady Maude?”
Alleyne wondered if he had revealed too much or too little to Sir Nigel about his feelings for Lady Maude.
Reveals Alleyne's internal conflict about his love and his fear of Sir Nigel's reaction.
“Simon is a hard and perilous man when he hath the bitter drop in him; and, by my hilt! he was born for war, for there is little sweetness or rest in him.”
Aylward describes Black Simon as a tough and dangerous man, especially when drinking, and says he was made for warfare.
Characterizes Black Simon as a grim and warlike figure.
“‘I have paid the Englishman’s debt, Gourval!’ quoth he, and so rode away, laughing so that he could scarce sit his horse, leaving mine host still nailed to his door.”
Simon said he had settled the Englishman's debt and rode off laughing, leaving the innkeeper pinned to his door.
Highlights Simon's brutal sense of justice and the rough humor of the archers.
“‘Worthy sir,’ said Alleyne, ‘we are young and full of blood, but we are not so besotted as to give good money for these bits of stone and wood. The Church’s blessing is not to be bought thus.’”
Alleyne tells the pilgrim they are not foolish enough to pay for worthless relics, as the Church's blessing cannot be purchased.
Shows Alleyne's skepticism and moral clarity against the pilgrim's fraud.
