# Hordle John — The White Company character guide > Hordle John in The White Company by Arthur Conan Doyle. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** John, big John, brother John, John of Hordle **First appearance:** 0004-iii-how-hordle-john-cozened-the-fuller-of-lymington ## Snapshot A giant former monk with fists like hams and a child's delight in mischief, Hordle John becomes the White Company's most formidable man-at-arms. ## Who they are Hordle John towers over his companions, a former monk whose enormous strength and appetite for brawling make him both a terror in battle and a source of comic relief in camp. Beneath his rough humor lies a loyal heart, and his friendship with Alleyne and Aylward forms one of the story's warmest bonds. His journey from cloister to battlefield mirrors Alleyne's, but with far more ale and far fewer scruples. ## Relationships ### [Alleyne Edricson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/alleyne_edricson) _friendship_ Alleyne and John are close companions and fellow archers, sharing a strong bond of brotherhood and adventure. ### [Samkin Aylward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/samkin_aylward) _friendship_ John and Samkin are fellow archers and comrades-in-arms, sharing a rough camaraderie and mutual respect. ### [Sir Nigel Loring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/sir_nigel_loring) _professional_ John serves as a man-at-arms under Sir Nigel, with loyalty and admiration for his knightly commander. ### [Roger Clubfoot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/roger_clubfoot) _rivalry_ John distrusts and opposes Roger Clubfoot, viewing him as a dangerous and deceitful foe. ### [Black Simon of Norwich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/black_simon_of_norwich) _friendship_ Black Simon and John are comrades in the company, with a rough but loyal fellowship. ### [Lady Maude Loring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/lady_maude_loring) _social_ John is a respectful subordinate and acquaintance of Lady Maude, interacting within the social hierarchy of the company. ### [Alleyne Edricson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/alleyne_edricson) _friendship_ Alleyne and John are close companions and fellow archers, sharing a strong bond of brotherhood and adventure. ### [Alleyne Edricson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/alleyne_edricson) _friendship_ Alleyne and John are close companions and fellow archers, sharing a strong bond of brotherhood and adventure. ### [Sir Nigel Loring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/sir_nigel_loring) _professional_ John serves as a man-at-arms under Sir Nigel, with loyalty and admiration for his knightly commander. ### [Samkin Aylward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/samkin_aylward) _friendship_ John and Samkin are fellow archers and comrades-in-arms, sharing a rough camaraderie and mutual respect. ### [Lady Maude Loring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/lady_maude_loring) _social_ John is a respectful subordinate and acquaintance of Lady Maude, interacting within the social hierarchy of the company. ### [Samkin Aylward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/samkin_aylward) _friendship_ John and Samkin are fellow archers and comrades-in-arms, sharing a rough camaraderie and mutual respect. ## In the story ### [The White Company](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/the-white-company) Meets Alleyne and becomes a member of the White Company, bringing his strength and humor. ### [How the Black Sheep Came Forth from the Fold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/i-how-the-black-sheep-came-forth-from-the-fold) The accused novice, a huge red-headed man who resists his punishment and flees the Abbey. ### [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) Hordle John is introduced as a red-haired, freckled, and roguish monk who cunningly tricks Peter the Fuller out of his clothes twice, laughing heartily at his own mischief. ### [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) Alleyne's former companion, a renegade monk, who has left Beaulieu Abbey and joins the gathering at the inn. ### [How Samkin Aylward Wagered His Featherbed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/vi-how-samkin-aylward-wagered-his-featherbed) A massive former monk with great strength, he accepts Aylward's challenge and wrestles him, ultimately losing but agreeing to join the White Company. ### [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) Struggles to read the letter, initially mistaking it for a psalm verse; agrees to travel with Alleyne and Aylward. ### [The Three Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/viii-the-three-friends) Big John stands with Aylward watching the boys train. He expresses concern about Alleyne's brother and suggests waiting to see how Alleyne is received. ### [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) Demonstrates great strength by moving a heavy stone; takes service in the White 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) A huge redheaded archer who is farewelled by his mother as the Company passes through Hordle. ### [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) Quips about needing wine before battle; present among the archers on deck. ### [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) Fights in the boarding action, cheers the fight, and comments on the action. ### [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) Mentioned as the great redheaded man gambling with the archers, shouting with a voice like the flap of a sail. ### [How Agostino Pisano Risked His Head](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xxi-how-agostino-pisano-risked-his-head) The huge forester accompanies Aylward; his imposing presence helps deter the drunken archers from further violence. ### [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) Among the leading archers at the gathering, grumbling that knights should not have all the sport. ### [How a Champion Came Forth from the East](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xxiv-how-a-champion-came-forth-from-the-east) Stands with the archers, humorously suggests his own unorthodox methods for jousting, and declares he would fight for his mother. ### [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 with Alleyne and Aylward, observes the fraudulent pilgrim's relics, and later has his horse shod. ### [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) Assists Aylward in the prank, lifting the champion onto a hook. ### [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) Helps clear the hall by hurling the last of the wild men down the steps. ### [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) John breaks the keep door with a stone and his bare hands, then fights his way inside after being buried by the door. ### [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) Vocally opposes Sir Claude Latour's suggestion of a life of robbery, calling it dishonorable. ### [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) Seizes Don Diego Alvarez by the foot, drags him from the saddle, and later carries the senseless royal body from the tent. ### [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 with his great axe, survives the battle, and sits on the captured Don Diego Alvarez to secure his ransom. ### [XXXVIII: Of the Homecoming to Hampshire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xxxviii-of-the-homecoming-to-hampshire) Accompanies Alleyne as his squire, carrying Don Diego's five thousand crowns, and rejoices in being back in Hampshire. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/hordle_john - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters