Title: The White Company
Author: Arthur Conan Doyle
First published January 1, 1891
416 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780486437637 (ISBN10: 0486437639)
Rating: 3.89
Overview
“Prepare yourselves for battle, for our swords are for honor and our hearts for glory!” With these words, twelve hundred knights charge forward, accompanied by the fearless archers of the White Company. Led by their commander Sir Nigel Loring, this band of warriors is devoted to serving their king and country.
But behind the armor and swords lies a story of loyalty, friendship, and courtly love. Follow the adventures of Sir Nigel’s loyal squire, Alleyne Edricson, as he navigates the treacherous waters of medieval warfare and love.
With vivid descriptions of weapons, attire, and religious practices, author Arthur Conan Doyle transports readers back to the 14th century, painting a realistic picture of life during the Hundred Years War. A thrilling tale for readers of all ages, The White Company is a tribute to the power of camaraderie and the spirit of adventure.
About the Author
Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1859. He was the third of ten siblings.
His father, Charles Altamont Doyle, was a talented illustrator of Irish descent, and his mother, Mary Foley, was Irish as well. They got married in 1855.
Although he’s commonly known as “Conan Doyle”, it’s unclear where this compound surname came from. His baptism record only lists “Arthur Ignatius Conan” as his first name and “Doyle” as his last name.
It also mentions Michael Conan as his godfather.
At the age of nine, Conan Doyle was sent to the Roman Catholic Jesuit preparatory school, Hodder Place, Stonyhurst. He later attended Stonyhurst College, leaving in 1875.
Between 1876 and 1881, he studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh. During his studies, he had to provide medical assistance in the towns of Aston and Sheffield.
It was during this time that Conan Doyle started writing short stories. His first published story appeared in “Chambers’s Edinburgh Journal” before he turned 20.
After graduating, he worked as a ship’s doctor on the SS Mayumba during a voyage to West Africa. He completed his doctorate on the subject of tabes dorsalis in 1885.
In 1885, Conan Doyle married Louisa Hawkins, also known as “Touie”. She suffered from tuberculosis and passed away on July 4, 1906.
The following year, Conan Doyle married Jean Elizabeth Leckie, whom he had fallen in love with in 1897. Out of loyalty to his first wife, he maintained a purely platonic relationship with Jean while Louisa was still alive.
Jean passed away in London on June 27, 1940.
Conan Doyle had five children. Two with Louisa—Mary Louise and Arthur Alleyne Kingsley, known as Kingsley.
With Jean, he had three children—Denis Percy Stewart, Adrian Malcolm, and Jean Lena Annette.
Conan Doyle died of a heart attack at age 71 in his home in Crowborough, East Sussex. His last words were directed towards his wife, telling her she was wonderful.
His gravestone in the churchyard at Minstead in the New Forest, Hampshire reads: “Steel True, Blade Straight, Arthur Conan Doyle, Knight, Patriot, Physician & Man of Letters”.
Conan Doyle’s former home, Undershaw, located in Hindhead, south of London, had been a hotel and restaurant between 1924 and 2004. It now stands empty as conservationists and fans of Conan Doyle fight to preserve it.
A statue of Conan Doyle stands in Crowborough Cross in Crowborough, where he lived for 23 years. There is also a statue of Sherlock Holmes in Picardy Place, Edinburgh, near the house where Conan Doyle was born.
Editoral Review
Arthur Conan Doyle’s The White Company, first published in 1891, is a compelling tale of adventure, chivalry, and honor set against the backdrop of the Hundred Years’ War. Known for his detective fiction and for creating the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes, Doyle demonstrates his versatility with this historical romance that has entertained readers for over a century.
The novel is set in the 14th century and centers around the exploits of a young archer named Alleyne Edricson, who leaves his monastery to join the White Company, a band of mercenaries led by the charismatic Sir Nigel Loring. Together, they journey across war-torn France and embark on a quest to uphold the honor of the English name.
Doyle masterfully weaves together intricate characterizations, detailed descriptions of the medieval setting, and epic battle scenes to create a thrilling narrative that transports the reader to a bygone era. The themes of honor, loyalty, and camaraderie are central to the novel, and the characters’ unwavering adherence to these ideals is both admirable and inspiring.
Despite its historical setting, The White Company has enduring relevance in today’s world. The novel speaks to contemporary concerns about the nature of war, the role of honor and integrity in society, and the importance of upholding one’s principles in the face of ethical dilemmas.
However, the novel’s pacing is at times uneven, and some readers may find the extensive historical detailing to be cumbersome. Additionally, the characters, although well-developed, are occasionally predictable in their actions.
Overall, The White Company is a worthwhile read for fans of historical fiction, action, and adventure. Doyle’s skillful prose and evocative descriptions will transport readers to a medieval world of chivalry and honor.
As a book reviewer, I would give The White Company a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. While it may not be Doyle’s most famous work, it is a masterpiece in its own right and a testament to his versatility as a writer.
