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The White Company: Alleyne

Far different was the leave-taking of Alleyne Edricson, a slender, yellow-haired youth, favorite of all. "Twenty years ago," said the abbot, "your father, the Franklin of Minstead, died, leaving to the abbey three hides of land, and you, his infant son, for us to rear until you reached man's estate; and now you must return into the world."

Alleyne was a learned clerk, skilled in music, writing, painting, and other attainments. His reading was scant and he had only a vague idea of Europe, beyond which were "Jerusalem, the Holy Land, and the great river which hath its source in the Garden of Eden." The abbot now told him of strange nations, including that of the fair but evil women who slay with beholding, like the basilisk. After many prayers, blessings, and warnings from the abbot against sin and the snares of women, Alleyne left the peaceful abbey and went out into the world. And he found it a fearful place.

His only relative was a brother, now Socman of Minstead, who had earned an evil name. Alleyne decided to go to his brother and try to reform him. On the way he was set upon by robbers and would have been killed had not the bailiff appeared. He was then made sick by seeing one robber shot and the other decapitated. Night found him with a boisterous crowd at the Pied Merlin, kept by Dame Eliza. His clerkly ways got him into trouble, but big Hordle John protected him. Samkin Alyward, a bowman of the White Company, came in with rich booty from France. He induced John to enlist for the wars, and in the morning they started for Castle Twynham, held by the famous knight, Sir Nigel Loring, who was to command the White Company.

Alleyne set out to find his brother. In a forest he came upon the most beautiful creature he had ever beheld. Such he had pictured the angels. She was being held against her will by a big yellow-haired man. Alleyne came to the girl's assistance and found that the man was his brother. "Young cub of Beaulieu! My dogs shall be set upon you!" cried the Socman. But he was unarmed, and Alleyne, raising his ironshod staff, compelled him to free the girl. He ran for weapons and dogs, but the other two escaped through the woods. The girl's page came with horses, and when the young clerk told her that he intended to join two friends at Castle Twnyham she laughed and rode away without telling her name. Long he stood, hoping she might return. Then he turned away, no longer a light-hearted boy.