The White Company · Chapter
XXXVIII: Of the Homecoming to Hampshire explained
Alleyne Edricson returns to Hampshire after the war in Spain, having been knighted by the Black Prince.
What happens
Alleyne Edricson returns to Hampshire after the war in Spain, having been knighted by the Black Prince. He and Hordle John journey home, where Alleyne learns that Lady Maude Loring, believing him dead, is about to enter a nunnery. He rides to Romsey and intercepts her at the church door, and they choose love and the world over the cloister. Later, they are married at Christchurch Priory, and Alleyne prepares to search for Sir Nigel Loring, who is missing. He unexpectedly finds Sir Nigel and Aylward alive at an inn near Pitt's Deep, leading to a joyful reunion.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Courtship
Alleyne's dramatic rescue of Maude from the nunnery and their subsequent marriage highlight the triumph of romantic love over religious vows and worldly plans.
Camaraderie and Brotherhood
The joyful reunion of Alleyne, Sir Nigel, and Aylward at the inn underscores the deep bonds formed among the members of the White Company.
Faith and Morality
The contrast between the 'dank, cold air' of the church and the bright, natural world outside symbolizes the choice between ascetic religious life and worldly love and joy.
Characters to notice
- Alleyne Edricson
Returns to Hampshire as a knight, scarred from battle, and seeks news of Sir Nigel. He rescues Maude from entering a nunnery and marries her.
- Hordle John
Accompanies Alleyne as his squire, carrying Don Diego's five thousand crowns, and rejoices in being back in Hampshire.
- Lady Maude Loring
Believing Alleyne dead, she is about to become a nun at Romsey, but is intercepted by Alleyne at the church door and chooses to marry him instead.
- Sir Nigel Loring
Missing after the Spanish campaign, but is found alive at an inn near Pitt's Deep, reunited with Alleyne and Aylward.
- Samkin Aylward
Survived the war and is with Sir Nigel at the inn, joyfully reuniting with Alleyne.
- Lady Mary Loring
The Lady of Twynham, who has pined for her missing husband and allows Alleyne to search for Sir Nigel.
- Goodwin Hawtayne
Commands the yellow cog engaged for Alleyne's journey to search for Sir Nigel.
- Father Christopher
Reads the wedding service for Alleyne and Maude at Christchurch Priory.
Key passages
“Their choice is made, and they turn away hand-in-hand, with their backs to the darkness and their faces to the light.”
Alleyne and Maude choose love and the world over the cloister, symbolically leaving the darkness of the church for the light of life.
This line encapsulates the central romantic and thematic choice of the chapter.
“Aylward came shuffling forward amid the trees, and in an instant the two men were clinging in each other's arms, laughing and shouting and patting each other in their delight; while old Sir Nigel came running with his sword, under the impression that some small bickering had broken out, only to embrace and be embraced himself.”
Alleyne and Aylward embrace joyfully upon reunion, and Sir Nigel, initially thinking there is a fight, joins in the happy embrace.
This scene highlights the camaraderie and relief of the survivors finding each other alive.
