The White Company by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was originally published in 1891, and is my first selection for the 2021 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge.
Conan Doyle is obviously famous for his Sherlock Holmes series, but this lesser known book was apparently one of his favorites. It’s set in the Middle Ages — a period in history that I really like to read about.
Plot & Review:
Alleyne Edricson has been raised by the monks at Beaulieu, as per the wishes of his deceased father. At the age of twenty, he ventures out into the big bad world to make his own living. He is a sensitive young man, devout, principled, and not very happy to see the sins of his fellow men.
We are talking of the 1360s, when France and England had officially made truce (after the the Hundred Years’ War), but in reality still were at loggerheads. Events conspire in such a way that Alleyne ends up joining a band of mercenaries, known as White Company. He certainly travels a long way from a monk to warrior!
Along the way, Alleyne makes many friends, both among the lords and the brigands, and each adventure exposes him to villainy and high-handedness. But through it all he retains his integrity. It’s wonderful that Doyle respects his sensitivity and his empathy, even at a time when “manliness” had a very different connotation.
“It is nothing,” Alleyne answered. “My life has been too quiet, I am not used to such sights.” “Ma foi!” the other cried, “I have never yet seen a man who was so stout of speech and yet so weak of heart.” “Not so, friend,” quoth big John, “it is not weakness of heart for I know the lad well. His heart is as good as thine or mine but he hath more in his pate than ever you will carry under that tin pot of thine, and as a consequence he can see farther into things, so that they weigh upon him more.”
There’s also a romance, as Alleyne falls in love with Lady Maud, the daughter of Sir Nigel Loring. Alleyne is squire to Sir Nigel, so obviously there’s a class gap, but Alleyne proves himself valiantly at the Battle of Navarrete and wins the fair lady’s hand. It’s not a major plotline, but the two get some striking scenes in the book.
In many ways, White Company is Conan Doyle’s answer to the legend. There are good friars and corrupt ones, tyrannical aristocrats, and brigands with hearts of gold. We also get to see how the economics of war played out back in the medieval ages. Then, as it is now, “peace” is risky business.
Rating: 8 out of 10
All-in-all, a rollicking good historical adventure. Recommended for fans of Robin Hood, Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe, and medieval English history.
is in public domain and you can read it on Gutenberg.
14 replies on “The White Company by Arthur Conan Doyle”
I’ve been interested in reading this book for a while, as I liked Ivanhoe and it sounds similar, but I haven’t got round to it yet. I’m glad you enjoyed it – it does sound fun.
I really enjoyed it. Learnt something new about history too. And if you liked Ivanhoe, I wonder if you’ve also tried Scott’s Kenilworth? I found that one loads of fun too.
Sounds much more fun than I would have guessed! I have not read anything by Conan Doyle for a long time; however, my book group read Arthur and George by Julian Barnes, which we found quite fascinating.
Julian Barnes is amazing, and glad you liked Arthur and George — may try that myself too for Historical Fiction reading challenge. And White Company is full-on Robin Hood, and so well researched. Now I want to rewatch Disney’s Robin Hood.
Can you believe I’ve never read Arthur Conan Doyle? Sounds like I’d like it though, maybe. I’ve been wanting to read Ivanhoe for a while. I love the cover, and the idea of a monk joining a mercenary crew- that’s interesting! I had no idea Doyle had written anything like this.
I was also astonished that Doyle had these medievals up his sleeve too, but it was fun. It’s a historical, so obviously not a thriller.
Nice! I haven’t read it, but I know Conan Doyle was sad when he realized his Sherlock Holmes was much more successful than his historical novels for whom he wanted to be remembered
Oh, didn’t know that! Poor guy, but what a problem to have! :-E
Conan Doyle’s writing style is a bit heavy for me, but I can see the attraction here.
Well, the language used is true to the time period, but at times I felt this book was lighter (and less detailed) than the Sherlock Holmes writing style.
How interesting! I didn’t realise he had written this type of book! Thanks for sharing it with us at the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge!
It’s a pleasure to participate in this meme. So many new discoveries, and my first time participating. Thanks for hosting this and for stopping by! 🙂
I had no idea he wrote anything other than Sherlock Holmes stories. Which I’m embarrassed to admit I haven’t read! You’re off to a great start on your challenge.
Haha, the trouble is lasting through the challenge, I think. For Holmes, I do prefer the 1984 TV series, the one with Jeremy Brett — it’s just superbly done. Now I feel like watching it all over again