# Archie Roylance — The Courts of the Morning character guide > Archie Roylance in The Courts of the Morning by John Buchan. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Archie, Sir Archibald, Sir Archibald Roylance, Sir Archie **First appearance:** 0003-i ## Snapshot A long-legged British aviator on a delayed honeymoon in South America, playing the intelligent tourist while his wife sketches and the continent quietly catches fire around them. ## Who they are Archie swings his legs from table corners, asks the blunt questions, and lends his pilot's instincts and easy humour to a conspiracy he did not come looking for. His limp and his flannels make him look harmless, which is precisely the disguise the moment requires. When Janet is taken, the honeymoon collapses into a rescue, and Archie's flying becomes one of the few assets the resistance can count on. ## Relationships ### [Janet Roylance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/janet_roylance) _family_ Husband and wife, deeply devoted and supportive partners in adventure and danger. ### [Sandy Arbuthnot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/sandy_arbuthnot) _friendship_ Lifelong friends and comrades-in-arms, sharing a strong bond of loyalty and adventure. ### [Geordie Hamilton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/geordie_hamilton) _professional_ Officer and subordinate, with Geordie as Archie's devoted and capable military aide. ### [Luis de Marzaniga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/luis_de_marzaniga) _friendship_ Comrades in the struggle, sharing a bond of mutual respect and common purpose. ### [Castor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/castor) _rivalry_ Direct antagonists, with Archie opposing Castor's villainous plans. ### [Sandy Arbuthnot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/sandy_arbuthnot) _friendship_ Lifelong friends and comrades-in-arms, sharing a strong bond of loyalty and adventure. ### [Sandy Arbuthnot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/sandy_arbuthnot) _friendship_ Lifelong friends and comrades-in-arms, sharing a strong bond of loyalty and adventure. ### [Geordie Hamilton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/geordie_hamilton) _professional_ Officer and subordinate, with Geordie as Archie's devoted and capable military aide. ### [Castor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/castor) _rivalry_ Direct antagonists, with Archie opposing Castor's villainous plans. ### [Janet Roylance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/janet_roylance) _family_ Husband and wife, deeply devoted and supportive partners in adventure and danger. ### [Janet Roylance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/janet_roylance) _family_ Husband and wife, deeply devoted and supportive partners in adventure and danger. ### [Luis de Marzaniga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/luis_de_marzaniga) _friendship_ Comrades in the struggle, sharing a bond of mutual respect and common purpose. ## In the story ### [The Courts of the Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/the-courts-of-the-morning) Recovering from a war wound, invited by Sandy to join the Olifa expedition. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/ii) Staying at Laverlaw with his wife Janet, Archie expresses interest in South America for its geographical secrets and potential political value. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/iii) Archie is mentioned as setting out with Janet on their delayed honeymoon to South America. ### [Book I: The Gran Seco](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/book-i-the-gran-seco) Protagonist; a war-wounded aviator who marries Janet and becomes embroiled in the Gran Seco conflict. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/i) Dining at the Hotel de la Constitución, expressing interest in the Gran Seco and Olifa's politics. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/ii) Explores Olifa, observes the city's contrasts, and meets Geordie Hamilton. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/iii) Dines with Don Alejandro and Mr. Wilbur; becomes intrigued by Castor and the mysteries of Olifa; dreams of the Gran Seco. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/iv) Explores Olifa, receives a warning from Don Luis, and feels torn between adventure and responsibility to Janet. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/v) Relieved at permit refusal, enjoys polo, attends presidential luncheon, impressed by Castor's intelligence and friendliness. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/vi) Arrives with Janet at the Gran Seco, is guided by Carlos Rivero, and observes the Moplah party and the Administration lunch with Castor. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/vii) Mentioned in the secret conversation; Sandy plans to use him later in the operation. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/ix) Listens to Sandy's revelations and expresses skepticism about the rebel plan. ### [The Gathering Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/x) Studies the geography of the Gran Seco, concluding its western side is precipitous and inaccessible. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/xi) Visits the Gobernador with Janet, invites him to dine on the Corinna, and later escorts him to the launch. ### [Book II: The Courts of the Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/book-ii-the-courts-of-the-morning) Arrives in Olifa with Janet, catches a glimpse of Castor, and later searches for Janet by air after her capture. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/iv) Returns exhausted from the offensive, reports the successful cutting of the San Luca viaduct, and identifies D'Ingraville's flying style. ### [The Shattered Sanctuary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/vi) Orders precautionary measures and stations scouts after D'Ingraville's visit; oversees defensive preparations. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/vii) Archie is mentioned in Janet's thoughts as her husband; she recalls their first embrace and plans for their return to Crask. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/viii) Archie returns to the camp, investigates Janet's abduction, and deduces she was taken by seaplane to the País de Venenos. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/ix) Flies from Loa to Magdalena, then into the Poison Country; forced to parachute when fuel runs out. ### [The Poison Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/x) Lost and feverish, searching for Janet; finds her handkerchief and gains hope. ### [The Threat to the Courts of the Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/xi) Archie is missing; his plane never reached Pacheco and no trace has been found. ### [The Thrones of the Kings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/xiii) Identified as one of Janet's escorts in the planned escape. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/xiv) Archie leads Janet through the forest escape, despite his lameness, and destroys the bridge to halt pursuit. ### [Book III: Olifa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/book-iii-olifa) Arrives in Olifa with Janet, observes the country's situation. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/ii) Present at the council of war; walks with Barbara and young Zarraniga. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as having been brought into the mess by Sandy, but not directly present in the chapter. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/v) Responsible for air reconnaissance, warns of petrol shortage and flies Castor for negotiations. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/vi) Pilots the plane to Olifa, observes the negotiations with detachment, and helps himself to a cigar. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/viii) Roused in Olifa by the alarm; discovers no aeroplanes are available and wires are cut. ### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/epilogue) Archie is mentioned in Janet's recollection of the triumphal entry into Olifa, where he was embarrassed by the flowers thrown at him. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/archie_roylance - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters