The White Company · Chapter
How Five Men Held the Keep of Villefranche explained
The party, guided by a French squire, attempts to reach the keep of Villefranche but faces a massive peasant uprising.
What happens
The party, guided by a French squire, attempts to reach the keep of Villefranche but faces a massive peasant uprising. After a fierce struggle, they secure the keep but are besieged by thousands of peasants and engulfed by fire. The defenders, including Sir Nigel, Du Guesclin, Alleyne, Aylward, Hordle John, and Lady Tiphaine, hold the staircase against repeated assaults, but the peasants set the keep ablaze, forcing the group to the top of the tower. As the fire spreads, the archers shoot at the mob below while the leaders contemplate their desperate end.
Themes in this chapter
War and Violence
The chapter depicts brutal hand-to-hand combat, archery, and the burning of the castle, highlighting the savagery of war.
Camaraderie and Brotherhood
English and French knights fight side by side, and the small band of defenders works together against overwhelming odds.
Characters to notice
- Alleyne Edricson
Alleyne suggests parleying with the peasants for the lady's sake, but Sir Nigel refuses.
- Sir Nigel Loring
Sir Nigel fights alongside Du Guesclin on the stair, refusing to parley with the peasants, and later converses with Du Guesclin about their end.
- Hordle John
John breaks the keep door with a stone and his bare hands, then fights his way inside after being buried by the door.
- Samkin Aylward
Aylward shoots the peasant sentry and later fires arrows from the tower top, boasting of his skill.
- Tiphaine du Guesclin
Lady Tiphaine is guided to safety by Du Guesclin and later expresses her willingness to die with her husband.
- Sir Bertrand du Guesclin
Du Guesclin leads the defense, fights on the stair, and consults with Sir Nigel about their hopeless situation.
Key passages
“Stop him, or we are undone!”
We must stop him, or our plan will fail.
Du Guesclin's urgent command when the sentry spots them.
“There is but space for two upon a step to give free play to our sword-arms.”
Only two can stand on a step to swing their swords effectively.
Du Guesclin's tactical observation on the narrow staircase.
“It does not accord with mine honor, nor shall it ever be said that I, a knight of England, was ready to hold parley with men who have slain a fair lady and a holy priest.”
It would dishonor me to negotiate with those who killed a lady and a priest.
Sir Nigel refuses to negotiate with the peasants.