It was fun. I didn't get a lot of deeper meaning from it, but I enjoyed the journey.

Slow at times, but I enjoyed it overall.

“The White Company” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a historical adventure novel set against the backdrop of the Hundred Years’ War, specifically during the campaign of Edward the Black Prince to restore Peter of Castile to the throne of Spain. Originally published in 1891, the novel takes readers on a journey through England, France, and Spain in the years 1366 and 1367. Though not as well-known as Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes series, “The White Company” offers a richly detailed portrayal of medieval life and warfare, infused with the author’s passion for chivalry and historical accuracy. However, while the novel shines in its depiction of the era, its appeal is tempered by a slow-moving plot and somewhat dated narrative style, earning it a middling three-star rating.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was deeply inspired to write “The White Company” after attending a lecture on the Middle Ages in 1889. The lecture sparked Doyle’s interest in the chivalric ideals and the historical intricacies of the 14th century, leading him to undertake extensive research. Doyle’s admiration for the medieval period is evident in the novel, which he wrote in solitude in a cottage in the New Forest. The region’s history and beauty left a significant imprint on his work, particularly influencing his depiction of Castle Malwood and its surroundings.

Published in serial form in The Cornhill Magazine throughout 1891, the novel quickly garnered attention for its vivid historical detail and Doyle’s ability to evoke the spirit of the Middle Ages. Despite its initial success, “The White Company” has since faded into relative obscurity, overshadowed by the enduring popularity of Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories. Yet, Doyle himself considered this novel, along with his other historical works, as some of his finest writing, holding it in higher esteem than the detective tales that made him famous.

The plot of “The White Company” follows Alleyne Edricson, a young man raised in a monastery, as he leaves the abbey to explore the world and eventually becomes a squire to Sir Nigel Loring, a valiant knight. The story takes readers through a series of adventures as Alleyne joins the White Company, a band of archers, and journeys to France to participate in the campaigns of the Black Prince. Along the way, Alleyne grows from a sheltered and naive youth into a seasoned warrior and knight, a transformation that reflects the novel’s exploration of themes such as honor, chivalry, and personal growth.

Doyle’s depiction of medieval warfare is both detailed and romanticized, showcasing his fascination with the period’s ideals of bravery and loyalty. However, the novel’s pacing is slow, with long stretches of dialogue and description that may challenge modern readers. While the narrative’s focus on chivalric values is compelling, it can also feel didactic, with characters sometimes appearing more as embodiments of ideals than fully realized individuals. The novel’s climax, set before the Battle of Nájera, is well-crafted, though it may not fully satisfy readers seeking a more dynamic or suspenseful conclusion.

Upon its release, “The White Company” was well-received, praised for its historical authenticity and the richness of its period detail. It was popular enough to remain in print and widely read through the first half of the 20th century, especially during the period up to the Second World War. However, as literary tastes evolved, the novel gradually slipped from the public consciousness, overshadowed by Doyle’s detective fiction and the changing literary landscape.

In the years following its publication, “The White Company” was regarded as an important work within the genre of historical fiction, influencing later writers and readers who appreciated its meticulous attention to historical detail. However, its legacy is somewhat limited today, with the novel often overlooked in discussions of Doyle’s work. Despite this, “The White Company” has left a mark on certain aspects of popular culture, with references appearing in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s This Side of Paradise and S. M. Stirling’s Emberverse series. The novel’s influence is also seen in minor character names in the film A Knight’s Tale (2001), though these nods are more of an homage than a testament to the novel’s enduring impact.

“The White Company” illustrates Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s passion for history and chivalry. While it may not captivate readers as much as his Sherlock Holmes stories, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the medieval world through the eyes of an author deeply invested in the period. The novel’s strengths lie in its historical detail and the romanticized portrayal of knightly virtues, but its slow pace and dated narrative style may limit its appeal to modern readers. A solid three-star read, “The White Company” is worth exploring for those interested in historical fiction and medieval adventure, though it may not leave a lasting impression on everyone.

Perfect day to finish this. Only took me 23 years to get around to reading it - sorry, dad. Great book, though.

It definitely has that medieval classic feel, right down to the dialogue. As a devoted Holmes fan it was fascinating to read this (just to get to know Doyle better: there's really no bearing on Holmes), but admittedly it may be tough going for the casual reader!

Quite the diamond in the rough, this gem. Doyle wrote “The White Company“ in 1891 as a description of medieval chivalry at the time of the Hundred Years’ War. Fun fact - Doyle liked this book more than his own Holmes series, and it was very popular until the 1940s and ‘50s.
It’s a long slow burn for the first half, though still thoroughly enjoyable. The second act is everything you could wish in an adventure novel, and the final battle scene shivers and shatters in its intensity.

Read it.

It's kind of a shame most of Arthur Conan Doyle's bibliography has largely been overlooked or outright ignored by the masses in favor of just fawning over his Sherlock Holmes writings because this is one of those cases that should definitely get more attention as far as historical fiction goes. Archaic language Doyle uses takes a while to get used to, but I think The White Company's principal problem are kinda flat characters who wear on their sleeves what they are and tend to be one-note about it. Protagonist Alleyne, for example, kinda gets swept up in everything relatively quickly after being raised by monks and takes up war as second nature too easily simply because he has a birthright to fulfill now so he embarks on ADVENTURE, HO as a result. Characterization in general is not something I'd praise highly, but that immersive and authentic writing definitely is. You will believe this is the 14th century with all the gallantry and knighthood as you follow along the Black Prince's campaign with verbose prose and perhaps overly flowery descriptions at times as you double back to get over some forsooths and such. Since I haven't read Sir Nigel I can't exactly go into how (dis)similar the two are, but apparently they're quite close according to others.