Student Question
What information did Bear share with Crispin about Lord Furnival?
Quick answer:
Bear shares with Crispin that he served alongside Lord Furnival in France and found him to be an ineffective soldier, known more for his cruelty and looting than his combat skills. Furnival was reputed to take hostages, with dire consequences for those who could not be ransomed. He was arrogant, compensating for his lack of fighting ability by indulging in bragging, drinking, and killing.
In chapter 22 of Crispin: The Cross of Lead, Bear ties Crispin to a tree while he goes off in search of food. Unsurprisingly, Crispin is not too pleased about this. However, Bear has his reasons. He is sure that the young lad will just get in the way. Alternatively, he might run off. After what seems like an eternity, Bear comes back carrying a large, fat rabbit. Crispin, though still reeling from his ordeal, sits down with Bear to eat some rabbit around their little fire.
The conversation soon starts to flow. Bear regales Crispin with tales of his many adventures and escapades. He tells the young boy about his days as a soldier fighting in Gascony and Brittany. Crispin casually remarks that he has never seen his master, Lord Furnival, as he has been away fighting in France for such a long time.
Bear tells Crispin that he fought alongside Lord Furnival in France, but he does not have time for him at all. Apparently, His Lordship was not much good as a soldier, although he did gain a reputation for cruelty and looting. Bear says that Furnival took hostages, and those who could not be ransomed were doomed. He was an arrogant man to boot, and what he lacked in fighting skills he more than made up for in bragging, drinking, and killing.
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