# Alleyne Edricson — The White Company character guide > Alleyne Edricson in The White Company by Arthur Conan Doyle. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Alleyne, Simple Alleyne, poor Alleyne, Edricson **First appearance:** 0002-i-how-the-black-sheep-came-forth-from-the-fold ## Snapshot A cloistered novice turned squire, Alleyne trades the abbey's quiet for the White Company's dust, seeking honor while his heart pulls him toward forbidden love. ## Who they are Raised in a monastery and released into a world of war, Alleyne Edricson enters the White Company as a squire of the body, learning the sword and the politics of chivalry at Sir Nigel's side. His gentle conscience and scholarly habits clash with the brutal pragmatism of camp life, and his secret love for Lady Maude Loring complicates every oath he swears. His growth from innocent novice to tested man anchors the story's moral center. ## Relationships ### [Sir Nigel Loring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/sir_nigel_loring) _professional_ Alleyne serves as squire to Sir Nigel, who is his mentor and commander, with deep mutual respect and loyalty. ### [Hordle John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/hordle_john) _friendship_ Alleyne and John are close companions and fellow archers, sharing a strong bond of brotherhood and adventure. ### [Lady Maude Loring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/lady_maude_loring) _romantic_ Alleyne and Lady Maude are lovers, with a tender and chaste romance that overcomes social barriers. ### [Roger Clubfoot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/roger_clubfoot) _rivalry_ Roger Clubfoot is a treacherous and deceitful antagonist who schemes against Alleyne and his companions. ### [Peter Terlake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/peter_terlake) _friendship_ Peter Terlake is a fellow squire and friend to Alleyne, sharing adventures and loyalty within the company. ### [Samkin Aylward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/samkin_aylward) _friendship_ Alleyne and Samkin are comrades in the White Company, with a bond of mutual respect and shared service. ### [Sieur de Crespigny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/sieur_de_crespigny) _rivalry_ Sieur de Crespigny is a French knight and adversary whom Alleyne faces in combat, representing the enemy side. ### [John Tranter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/john_tranter) _friendship_ John Tranter is a fellow archer and companion to Alleyne, sharing the bonds of the White Company. ### [Sir Nigel Loring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/sir_nigel_loring) _professional_ Alleyne serves as squire to Sir Nigel, who is his mentor and commander, with deep mutual respect and loyalty. ### [Sir Nigel Loring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/sir_nigel_loring) _professional_ Alleyne serves as squire to Sir Nigel, who is his mentor and commander, with deep mutual respect and loyalty. ### [Hordle John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/hordle_john) _friendship_ Alleyne and John are close companions and fellow archers, sharing a strong bond of brotherhood and adventure. ### [Lady Maude Loring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/lady_maude_loring) _romantic_ Alleyne and Lady Maude are lovers, with a tender and chaste romance that overcomes social barriers. ## In the story ### [The White Company](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/the-white-company) Leaves Beaulieu Abbey and joins the White Company, embarking on his journey into the world. ### [How Alleyne Edricson Came Out Into the World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/ii-how-alleyne-edricson-came-out-into-the-world) The young protagonist, leaving Beaulieu Abbey after being raised there, setting out into the world at age twenty. ### [How Hordle John Cozened the Fuller of Lymington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/iii-how-hordle-john-cozened-the-fuller-of-lymington) Alleyne, a young clerk from Beaulieu Abbey, shows kindness and naivety as he helps Peter the Fuller and encounters the trickster Hordle John for the first time. ### [How the Bailiff of Southampton Slew the Two Masterless Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/iv-how-the-bailiff-of-southampton-slew-the-two-masterless-men) Travels along the road, encounters various people, and is horrified by the brutal execution of the two masterless men. ### [How a Strange Company Gathered at the Pied Merlin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/v-how-a-strange-company-gathered-at-the-pied-merlin) The cloister-bred youth, now a guest at the Pied Merlin, observes the strange company and works on a wooden panel. ### [How Samkin Aylward Wagered His Featherbed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/vi-how-samkin-aylward-wagered-his-featherbed) Present at the inn, he observes the wrestling match and declines Aylward's invitation to join the Company, stating he is a man of peace with other work. ### [How the Three Comrades Journeyed Through the Woodlands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/vii-how-the-three-comrades-journeyed-through-the-woodlands) Defends the piety of monks and the seven deadly sins as true foes; translates the French letter from Sir Claude Latour. ### [The Three Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/viii-the-three-friends) Alleyne finishes his prayers and runs to catch up with his companions. He is torn between his duty to his brother and his desire to travel to France with his new friends. ### [IX: How Strange Things Befell in Minstead Wood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/ix-how-strange-things-befell-in-minstead-wood) Confronts his brother the Socman, defends a noblewoman, and shows a flash of his inherited temper. ### [How Hordle John Found a Man Whom He Might Follow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/x-how-hordle-john-found-a-man-whom-he-might-follow) Arrives at Twynham Castle with Hordle John and Sam Aylward; is a clerk and acolyte. ### [How a Young Shepherd Had a Perilous Flock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xi-how-a-young-shepherd-had-a-perilous-flock) Offered the role of squire to Sir Nigel and tutor to Lady Maude; examines the hall and is caught reading a romance. ### [How Alleyne Learned More Than He Could Teach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xii-how-alleyne-learned-more-than-he-could-teach) Takes service under Sir Nigel, trains as a squire, and tutors Lady Maude, experiencing a deep internal conflict between his monastic upbringing and worldly desires. ### [XIII: How the White Company Set Forth to the Wars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xiii-how-the-white-company-set-forth-to-the-wars) Watches the muster from the armory window, confesses his love to Lady Maude, and receives her green veil before joining the company. ### [How Sir Nigel Sought for a Wayside Venture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xiv-how-sir-nigel-sought-for-a-wayside-venture) Rides as a squire, follows Sir Nigel's orders, and discreetly reduces the knight's gift to the beggar. ### [How the Yellow Cog Sailed Forth from Lepe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xv-how-the-yellow-cog-sailed-forth-from-lepe) Observes the pirate galleys and identifies the badge of Tête-noire; present on deck as Sir Nigel prepares for battle. ### [How the Yellow Cog Fought the Two Rover Galleys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xvi-how-the-yellow-cog-fought-the-two-rover-galleys) Stands by the tiller, excited for battle; is wounded by a blow to the head from the Norman pirate leader, but survives. ### [How the Yellow Cog Crossed the Bar of Gironde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xvii-how-the-yellow-cog-crossed-the-bar-of-gironde) Recovering from his injury, Alleyne comes on deck, gazes at the coast of France, and renews his vow to win his lady's love. ### [XVIII: How Sir Nigel Loring Put a Patch Upon His Eye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xviii-how-sir-nigel-loring-put-a-patch-upon-his-eye) As a squire, observes the wonders of Bordeaux with Ford; is recognized by Sir William Felton as being of the old Hampshire strain. ### [How Alleyne Won His Place in an Honorable Guild](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xx-how-alleyne-won-his-place-in-an-honorable-guild) Provoked by John Tranter, Alleyne throws his glove in challenge and fights a duel, showing courage and skill despite being outmatched in weaponry. ### [How Agostino Pisano Risked His Head](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xxi-how-agostino-pisano-risked-his-head) Now a squire at the Prince's court, he shows youthful energy and a protective instinct, intervening to defend a stranger from drunken archers. ### [XXII: How the Bowmen Held Wassail at the Rose de Guienne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xxii-how-the-bowmen-held-wassail-at-the-rose-de-guienne) Present at the tavern, listening to Aylward's tales and discussing the beauty of a painting versus a girl. ### [How Sir Nigel Wrote to Twynham Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xxv-how-sir-nigel-wrote-to-twynham-castle) Assists Sir Nigel in writing a letter to Lady Loring, composes a polished version, and reveals his secret love to Sir Nigel, who offers counsel. ### [How the Three Comrades Gained a Mighty Treasure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xxvi-how-the-three-comrades-gained-a-mighty-treasure) Rides as squire of the body, preoccupied with thoughts of his love for Lady Maude and his conversation with Sir Nigel. ### [XXVII: How Roger Clubfoot Was Passed Into Paradise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xxvii-how-roger-clubfoot-was-passed-into-paradise) Travels with Sir Nigel and identifies the merchant Micheldene. ### [XXVIII: How the Comrades Came Over the Marches of France](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xxviii-how-the-comrades-came-over-the-marches-of-france) Observes the scene at the inn, witnesses Aylward and John's prank, and later reflects on Lady Tiphaine's words. ### [How the Blessed Hour of Sight Came to the Lady Tiphaine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xxix-how-the-blessed-hour-of-sight-came-to-the-lady-tiphaine) Young English squire whose thoughts of Twynham Castle help Lady Tiphaine see the siege. ### [How the Brushwood Men Came to the Château of Villefranche](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xxx-how-the-brushwood-men-came-to-the-ch-teau-of-villefranche) Observes the brushwood men from his window and later learns of Ford's murder; remains loyal to Sir Nigel. ### [How Five Men Held the Keep of Villefranche](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xxxi-how-five-men-held-the-keep-of-villefranche) Alleyne suggests parleying with the peasants for the lady's sake, but Sir Nigel refuses. ### [How the Company Took Counsel Round the Fallen Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xxxii-how-the-company-took-counsel-round-the-fallen-tree) Rides beside Sir Nigel, mourns his friend Ford, and helps recover the company's chargers. ### [How the Army Made the Passage of Roncesvalles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xxxiii-how-the-army-made-the-passage-of-roncesvalles) Observes the mountain scenery and the army's passage; listens to Sir Nigel's complaints and Aylward's news. ### [How Sir Nigel Hawked at an Eagle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xxxv-how-sir-nigel-hawked-at-an-eagle) Accompanies Sir Nigel as his squire, leading a spare horse and participating in the raid. ### [How Sir Nigel Took the Patch from His Eye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xxxvi-how-sir-nigel-took-the-patch-from-his-eye) Learns of his brother Edric the Socman's death; confesses his love for Lady Maude to Sir Nigel. ### [How the White Company Came to Be Disbanded](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xxxvii-how-the-white-company-came-to-be-disbanded) Fights at Sir Nigel's side, receives a sword-cut across the forehead, and is sent down a cliff to seek help. He is later found wounded and near death. ### [XXXVIII: Of the Homecoming to Hampshire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xxxviii-of-the-homecoming-to-hampshire) Returns to Hampshire as a knight, scarred from battle, and seeks news of Sir Nigel. He rescues Maude from entering a nunnery and marries her. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/alleyne_edricson - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters