White Company is a historical adventure novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, set during the Hundred Years' War. It follows a group of English archers and knights on a campaign across France and Spain.
Plot Summary
The Departure: The story begins in 1366 at Beaulieu Abbey, England. Young Alleyne Edricson is sent into the world for one year to experience life before deciding whether to become a monk. He soon joins forces with Hordle John, a brawny man expelled from the abbey for misconduct, and Samkin Aylward, a veteran archer.
Joining the Company: The trio travels to serve Sir Nigel Loring, a small but exceptionally valiant knight. Sir Nigel takes command of "The White Company," a free company of archers, to join the campaign of Edward the Black Prince to restore Peter of Castile to the Spanish throne.
War and Chivalry: The company travels through France, engaging in tournaments, sea battles with pirates, and skirmishes against rebellious peasants. Alleyne serves as Sir Nigel’s squire and falls in love with Sir Nigel's daughter, Lady Maude.
The Climax: In a remote mountain pass in Spain, the company makes a desperate last stand against overwhelming Spanish and French forces. Alleyne is sent as a messenger for help and survives, but Sir Nigel and many others are believed to have been killed or captured.
Resolution: Returning to England, Alleyne discovers his brother is dead, leaving him as the heir to his family estate. He reunites with and marries Lady Maude. Eventually, Sir Nigel and Aylward return home after escaping captivity among the Moors, leading to a happy ending for all.
Core Themes
Chivalry and Honor: The book serves as a romanticized exploration of the medieval code of honor, represented by the eccentric but noble Sir Nigel Loring.
Coming of Age: Alleyne’s journey from a sheltered novice to a knighted nobleman is central to the narrative.
Brotherhood: The bond between the archers and knights of the White Company highlights the camaraderie and loyalty of soldiers.
Key Characters
Alleyne Edricson: The protagonist; a scholarly youth who becomes a valiant knight.
Sir Nigel Loring: A legendary, nearsighted, and diminutive knight known for his extraordinary bravery.
Hordle John: An immensely strong and boisterous commoner who finds his place as a bowman.
Samkin Aylward: A wily, veteran archer and recruiter for the company.
Lady Maude Loring: Sir Nigel’s spirited daughter and Alleyne’s love interest.
Conan Doyle regarded this book and its prequel, Sir Nigel (1906), as some of his best work, often ranking them higher than his Sherlock Holmes stories.




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The White Company - Wikipedia
The White Company is a historical adventure novel by British writer Arthur Conan Doyle, set during the Hundred Years' War. The sto...
Wikipedia
The White Company by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - EBSCO
The story follows Alleyne Edricson, a young novice at an abbey, as he embarks on a journey into the secular world after his twenti...
EBSCO
The White Company
British author Arthur Conan Doyle wrote a historical adventure called that takes place during the Hundred Years' War. The plot tak...