The White Company - Arthur Conan Doyle

Summary
"The White Company" is a historical novel set in England and France during the Hundred Years' War in 1366. It follows the adventures of Alleyne Edricson, a young man raised in a monastery, who, upon reaching adulthood, sets out to see the world. He joins the legendary "White Company," a band of English free archers and men-at-arms, led by the chivalrous but eccentric Sir Nigel Loring and his gruff but loyal archer, Samkin Aylward. Their adventures take them through France, engaging in skirmishes and battles, and eventually into Spain, where they fight for the Black Prince and his ally, Pedro the Cruel, against Henry of Trastámara. Alleyne falls in love with Sir Nigel's daughter, Maude, and faces challenges including capture, daring escapes, and political intrigue, all while upholding the ideals of chivalry, honor, and loyalty that defined the era. The story culminates in Alleyne's return to England, where he must reclaim his rightful inheritance and marry his beloved.

Book Sections

Section 1: The Monk's Departure
The story begins at Netley Abbey in Hampshire, England, where Alleyne Edricson has spent his entire life, raised by the monks. Upon turning twenty, the Abbot Berghersh informs him of his family history and releases him into the world to seek his fortune, urging him to visit his older brother, Simon, who has inherited their father's estate. Alleyne, innocent and naive about the outside world, sets out on his journey. Along the way, he encounters a rough but good-hearted giant named Hordle John, a former monk from Beaulieu Abbey who had been expelled for his boisterous nature. John decides to join Alleyne, offering him protection and companionship.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Alleyne Edricson	Naive, innocent, well-educated by monks, strong moral compass, seeking to experience the world.	To find his place in the world, understand his family, and apply his learned virtues to life outside the monastery.
Abbot Berghersh	Wise, kind, spiritual leader of Netley Abbey, pragmatic.	To guide Alleyne towards a righteous path and help him transition from monastic life to the secular world.
Hordle John	Large, strong, jovial, somewhat reckless but loyal, expelled monk.	To find adventure and companionship, offering his strength and protection to Alleyne.

Section 2: The Archer and the Knight
Alleyne and Hordle John continue their journey and soon meet Samkin Aylward, a grizzled, experienced English longbowman of the White Company, known for his prowess with the bow and his tales of war. Aylward is on leave and returning to Minstead, his home village, where he resides near Sir Nigel Loring's castle. Intrigued by Alleyne's innocence and Hordle John's strength, Aylward invites them to join him. They arrive at Minstead, a village dominated by the humble but honorable castle of Sir Nigel Loring, a paragon of chivalry, though somewhat small and frail in stature. Sir Nigel is a renowned knight, famed for his courage and adherence to the knightly code. Alleyne quickly becomes Sir Nigel's squire, and Hordle John joins Aylward as a man-at-arms in the White Company. Alleyne is also introduced to Sir Nigel's strong-willed and beautiful daughter, Maude Loring, with whom he immediately falls in love.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Samkin Aylward	Experienced, jovial, proud English longbowman, master archer, loyal, cunning.	To serve his company and country, enjoy the spoils of war, and live a life of adventure and camaraderie.
Sir Nigel Loring	Small in stature but a giant in courage and honor, devout, strict adherent to chivalric code, somewhat naive to practical matters.	To uphold the ideals of chivalry, seek honorable combat, and serve his liege, the Black Prince.
Maude Loring	Strong-willed, intelligent, beautiful, independent, loyal to her father.	To find a suitable husband who embodies chivalric virtues, navigate her constrained role as a noblewoman, and support her father.

Section 3: Across the Seas
Sir Nigel, restless for battle and eager to serve the Black Prince, decides to lead his White Company back to Gascony (southern France), where the Hundred Years' War is still raging. Alleyne and Hordle John accompany him. The journey across the English Channel and through France introduces Alleyne to the harsh realities of war-torn lands and the complex dynamics of feudal society. They join forces with other English companies and eventually come under the command of the legendary Edward, the Black Prince, the son of King Edward III of England, renowned for his military genius and chivalry. The company engages in several skirmishes and minor battles, with Alleyne proving his courage and Hordle John and Aylward showcasing their combat skills. Alleyne gains experience and begins to shed his monastic innocence, observing the brutal yet often honorable customs of warfare.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Edward, the Black Prince	Legendary English warrior, military genius, chivalrous, respected leader, son of King Edward III.	To secure English dominion in France, uphold his family's honor, and maintain his reputation as Europe's greatest knight.
Jean III de Grailly, Captal de Buch	Renowned Gascon nobleman and military commander, loyal to the English cause, known for his bravery and strategic skill.	To serve the English crown, defend his lands and people, and uphold his knightly vows.

Section 4: The Spanish Venture
The Black Prince is persuaded by Pedro the Cruel, the deposed King of Castile, to intervene in a dynastic struggle in Spain. Pedro seeks to reclaim his throne from his half-brother, Henry of Trastámara, who is supported by French forces led by the famous Bertrand du Guesclin. Sir Nigel's White Company, along with other English and Gascon forces, marches into Spain. Alleyne participates in the grueling campaign, witnessing the hardships of desert marches and fierce battles. The climax of this section is the Battle of Nájera (also known as Navarrete), where the English and Castilian forces decisively defeat Henry of Trastámara and his allies. However, during the pursuit of the enemy, Sir Nigel and Alleyne are captured by the French. They endure a period of imprisonment, where their chivalric spirit is tested. They eventually manage a daring escape with the help of Aylward and Hordle John, who lead a small rescue party.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Pedro the Cruel	Ruthless, tyrannical, cruel King of Castile, but an ally of the Black Prince.	To regain his throne and punish his enemies, primarily motivated by power and vengeance.
Henry of Trastámara	Ambitious, charismatic, half-brother of Pedro the Cruel, claimant to the Castilian throne, supported by France.	To seize the Castilian throne and establish his own dynasty.

Section 5: Rescue and Return
After their escape, Sir Nigel and Alleyne rejoin the Black Prince's forces. Meanwhile, Maude, who had been left behind in Bordeaux, faces her own perils. She is abducted by a renegade French lord, and a desperate rescue mission is launched by Aylward, Hordle John, and other members of the White Company. Alleyne, although still officially a squire, shows immense bravery and leadership during these events, further proving his worth as a knight and a leader. The company continues to fight across France, engaging in further battles and proving their skill and loyalty. Eventually, the English forces begin to withdraw, and the White Company, having fulfilled their duties and gained considerable renown and wealth, prepares to return to England. Alleyne's thoughts turn towards Maude and his unresolved family matters.

Section 6: Justice and Love
Upon their return to England, Alleyne learns that his brother, Simon Edricson, has taken over their ancestral estate, Minstead, and has spread rumors that Alleyne is dead, intending to claim Alleyne's rightful inheritance. Alleyne confronts Simon, who, jealous and malicious, attempts to disinherit and even harm Alleyne. With the help of Sir Nigel, Aylward, and the evidence of his survival and rightful claim, Alleyne challenges Simon. Through legal means and the support of his newfound allies, Alleyne reclaims his inheritance and brings his brother's deceit to light. Alleyne and Maude declare their love for each other, and with the approval of Sir Nigel, they are married. The White Company, after many years of valiant service, eventually disperses, its members settling down, but their legend lives on as one of the most effective and honorable mercenary companies of the age.

Genre
Historical novel, Adventure fiction, Chivalric romance.

Author Data
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was a Scottish physician and writer, best known for his creation of the detective Sherlock Holmes, which he introduced in 1887. While Sherlock Holmes overshadowed much of his other work, Conan Doyle was a prolific writer, producing a wide range of works including historical novels, science fiction, plays, romances, poetry, and non-fiction. He was also a passionate advocate for justice and used his skills to investigate and help overturn wrongful convictions in real life. Towards the end of his life, he became a prominent proponent of spiritualism.

Moral of the Story
"The White Company" is a celebration of chivalry, honor, and loyalty. The moral emphasizes the importance of courage, integrity, and faith in the face of adversity. It explores the growth of a naive young man into a virtuous knight, showcasing that true nobility comes from character and action rather than birthright alone. The book extols the virtues of companionship, the bonds of brotherhood formed in battle, and the unwavering pursuit of justice and true love. It suggests that even in a brutal world, adhering to a code of ethics can lead to a fulfilling and honorable life.

Curiosities

• Author's Favorite: Arthur Conan Doyle himself considered "The White Company" to be his finest work, even above his more famous Sherlock Holmes stories. He reportedly wept when he finished writing it.
• Historical Accuracy: Conan Doyle undertook extensive historical research to ensure the accuracy of the setting, customs, and battles of the Hundred Years' War. He immersed himself in medieval chronicles and texts to create a vivid and believable depiction of the era.
• Chivalry: The novel is often seen as a romanticized idealization of medieval chivalry, contrasting the brutality of war with the noble aspirations of knights like Sir Nigel Loring.
• Inspiration: Some speculate that the character of Sir Nigel Loring was partly inspired by Sir John Chandos, a real-life English knight known for his bravery and adherence to chivalry during the Hundred Years' War.
• Sequel: Conan Doyle later wrote a prequel titled "Sir Nigel" (1906), which recounts the earlier adventures of Sir Nigel Loring and Samkin Aylward before the events of "The White Company."