# The Taint of Blood and Heredity in Chivalry

> Theme guide for Chivalry by James Branch Cabell.

The book suggests a demon-tainted or inhuman lineage in the Plantagenet bloodline, inherited from figures like Manuel of Poictesme, which causes suffering for their wives and England, and culminates in the bloodline's extinction.

## Where it surfaces

- [VII: The Story of the Heritage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/chapters/vii-the-story-of-the-heritage): Maudelain speaks of his 'accursed race' and the 'devil's blood' from Oriander, suggesting an inherited flaw that drives his violent end.
- [The Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/chapters/the-epilogue): The epilogue explicitly discusses the demon-tainted blood inherited from Manuel of Poictesme or Foulques Plantagenet's demon wife, and the suffering it caused to wives, heirs, and England.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/themes/the_taint_of_blood_and_heredity
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/themes