The White Company Arthur Conan Doyle – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s notoriety lies primarily in his Sherlock Holmes stories, which remain the quintessential crime and detective novels of the twentieth century. However, before his days of penning detective fiction for zealous audiences, Doyle found inspiration for his novel ‘The White Company’ in an 1889 lecture on medieval times. He had read over a hundred volumes on the period of Edward III and the Hundred Years’ War, and called this novel ‘the most complete, satisfying and ambitious thing I have ever done’. ‘The White Company’ is a romantic adventure story, set in England, France and Spain in 1366-67, about a free company of archers who exhibit the chivalry, nobility and strength that appealed greatly to readers in the industrial age. Like those of Doyle’s time, readers today will lose themselves in the exciting adventures of Sir Nigel, Alleyne Edricson, Sam Aylward, and the entire company of mercenaries.
A historical adventure set during the Hundred Years’ War. The story follows a young man as he leaves the shelter of an abbey in England and becomes involved with Edward, the Black Prince’s campaign in Spain. Doyle later wrote a prequel, titled ‘Sir Nigel’, concerning the early life of one of the heroes in this novel.’We go to France, and from thence I trust to Spain, in humble search of a field in which we may win advancement and perchance some small share of glory. For this purpose I would have you know that it is not my wont to let any occasion pass where it is in any way possible that honor may be gained. I would have you bear this in mind, and give great heed to it that you may bring me word of all cartels, challenges, wrongs, tyrannies, infamies, and wronging of damsels. Nor is any occasion too small to take note of, for I have known such trifles as the dropping of a gauntlet, or the flicking of a breadcrumb, when well and properly followed up, lead to a most noble spear-running.’- Sir Nigel, ‘The White Company’.
About the author
Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle, DL (22 May 1859 7 July 1930) was a Scottish author most noted for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes, which are generally considered a major innovation in the field of crime fiction, and the adventures of Professor Challenger. He was a prolific writer whose other works include science fiction stories, historical novels, plays and romances, poetry, and non-fiction. Conan was originally a given name, but Doyle used it as part of his surname in his later years.
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