# Samkin Aylward — The White Company character guide > Samkin Aylward in The White Company by Arthur Conan Doyle. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Aylward, Sam Aylward, Sammy, old Samkin Aylward **First appearance:** 0006-v-how-a-strange-company-gathered-at-the-pied-merlin ## Snapshot A veteran archer with a fishing lass on each arm and a longbow that never misses, Samkin Aylward is the White Company's seasoned heart. ## Who they are Samkin Aylward has spent decades in the wars, and his easy charm and quicker wit make him a favorite among the archers and the women of every town the company passes through. He serves as guide and mentor to the younger recruits, his practical wisdom a counterweight to Sir Nigel's lofty ideals. His loyalty to the company and his unflappable good humor keep the band together through hardship and siege. ## Relationships ### [Hordle John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/hordle_john) _friendship_ John and Samkin are fellow archers and comrades-in-arms, sharing a rough camaraderie and mutual respect. ### [Alleyne Edricson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/alleyne_edricson) _friendship_ Alleyne and Samkin are comrades in the White Company, with a bond of mutual respect and shared service. ### [Sir Nigel Loring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/sir_nigel_loring) _professional_ Samkin serves as a seasoned archer under Sir Nigel, with loyalty and admiration for his leader. ### [Alleyne Edricson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/alleyne_edricson) _friendship_ Alleyne and Samkin are comrades in the White Company, with a bond of mutual respect and shared service. ### [Hordle John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/hordle_john) _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_ Samkin serves as a seasoned archer under Sir Nigel, with loyalty and admiration for his leader. ### [Hordle John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/hordle_john) _friendship_ John and Samkin are fellow archers and comrades-in-arms, sharing a rough camaraderie and mutual respect. ### [Alleyne Edricson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/alleyne_edricson) _friendship_ Alleyne and Samkin are comrades in the White Company, with a bond of mutual respect and shared service. ### [Sir Nigel Loring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/sir_nigel_loring) _professional_ Samkin serves as a seasoned archer under Sir Nigel, with loyalty and admiration for his leader. ## In the story ### [The White Company](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/the-white-company) A seasoned archer who helps recruit and organize the company, serving as a key figure in its formation. ### [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) Mentioned as part of the company, though not directly featured in this excerpt. ### [How Samkin Aylward Wagered His Featherbed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/vi-how-samkin-aylward-wagered-his-featherbed) A seasoned English bowman returning from eight years of war in France, he wagers his featherbed against Hordle John in a wrestling match to recruit him for 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) Shares irreverent tales of the White Company and Pope Urban; carries a letter from Sir Claude Latour to Sir Nigel Loring; decides to accompany Alleyne to Minstead. ### [The Three Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/viii-the-three-friends) Aylward praises the boys' training, shares tales of his military experiences, and tries to persuade Alleyne to join them in France. He is quick to love and reluctant to part. ### [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) Delivers a letter from Sir Claude Latour; speaks of the White Company and his war experience. ### [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) Mentioned as having brought a letter to Sir Nigel that grants him powers to equip his 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) An archer who comments on Hordle John's mother and is teased by the other archers. ### [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) Moves among the archers offering precepts and encouragement, reciting the master-bowyer's rhyme. ### [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) Leads ten archers in the initial exchange of bolts, later fights in the boarding 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 one of the archers gambling in the forecastle, dismissive of the shipman's concerns. ### [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) Greets Alleyne upon arrival in Bordeaux, reminiscing about their journey and the Pied Merlin inn. ### [How Agostino Pisano Risked His Head](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xxi-how-agostino-pisano-risked-his-head) The veteran bowman of the White Company; he arrives with Hordle John to help Alleyne and Ford, using his reputation to calm the situation. ### [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) The central storyteller, recounting his exploits at Poitiers and his plunder of a featherbed. ### [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) Observes the jousting from the front row of archers, comments on the stranger's prowess, and tries to recall where he has seen him before. ### [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 John, shares a story about Black Simon nailing an innkeeper's hand to a door, and chases the fraudulent pilgrim. ### [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) Rides with the party and advises on the route to Montaubon. ### [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) Plays a prank on a boastful French champion with Hordle John, hanging him on 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) Mentioned as already snoring in Alleyne's chamber; present in the castle during the attack. ### [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) Aylward shoots the peasant sentry and later fires arrows from the tower top, boasting of his skill. ### [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) Urges the archers to follow Sir Nigel and join the prince, swaying many waverers. ### [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) Sits with Alleyne on a boulder, commenting on the army and predicting future battles with Du Guesclin. ### [How the Company Made Sport in the Vale of Pampeluna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xxxiv-how-the-company-made-sport-in-the-vale-of-pampeluna) Archer who encourages Johnston and celebrates his victory. ### [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) Rides with Sir Nigel as one of the two trusty archers 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) Reports that arrows are running low. ### [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) Leads the right wing of archers, fights fiercely, and later rides after Sir Nigel to save him, but is either taken or slain. ### [XXXVIII: Of the Homecoming to Hampshire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/chapters/xxxviii-of-the-homecoming-to-hampshire) Survived the war and is with Sir Nigel at the inn, joyfully reuniting with Alleyne. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters/samkin_aylward - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_company_se/characters