Other Characters

John Stanley— Hero—

And Ximene Trencavel’s perfect  Knight

 

 John  grew up under the guidance of his father, who was forester for the Wirral peninsula ( shown in orange on the map) and Delamere Forest (shown in Green on the map). John’s father emphasised the paramount importance of the upkeep of the family name’

As a result John  is driven by an uncompromising ethic to perform to his very best in any task entrusted to him.

Concepts of chivalry and chivalrous values were embedded in his education. Meaning that in addition to obeying his father, he must also obey his Lord, his King and God. Within this framework, he must respect women and always help a woman in distress.

At the start of our story he has never so much as laid a hand on a woman.

It has never occurred to him that there may be more than one ruler he has to consider, even less that there may be more than one God.

When these alternatives are presented to him it creates a major challenge to his underlying beliefs.

He first learns of Ximene’s existance when she is described as “the most dangerous woman in the world’

He readily accepts the culture of the Cathar faith because it brings him closer to Ximene but when he learns that the Cathar culture inevitably leads to multiple partners he finds that difficult to accept.

John is naturally monogamous and in the society he finds himself in, that that is not a virtue but a problem.