Sir Nigel.

DOYLE, Arthur Conan.

Item Number: 127599

London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1906.

First edition of Arthur Conan Doyle’s historical novel set during the early phase of the Hundred Years’ War. Octavo, original cloth stamped in gilt, illustrated with 8 plates after Arthur Twidle, frontispiece. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “With all thanks for assistance Arthur Conan Doyle Dec ’06.” The recipient collaborated with Doyle on the work, although their identity is unknown. In near fine condition. Housed in a custom folding chemise and half morocco slipcase. Rare inscribed.

To write both The White Company and its prequel Sir Nigel, Arthur Conan Doyle immersed himself in study of the wars of the 14th century and both tell the story of Nigel Loring, a knight in service of King Edward III in the Hundred Years War. The tale, at its outset, traces the fortunes of the family of Loring of the Manor of Tilford in Surrey, many of whose members had been prominent in the service of the Norman and Angevin kings of England, against the backdrop of the Black Death and concludes with a summary of Sir Nigel's life and the future, which had already been documented in The White Company.