Aladore by Henry John Newbolt
Aladore is a narrative centered around Ywain, a disenchanted administrator who decides to abandon his mundane life by renouncing his titles and embarking on a pilgrimage. His journey begins as he follows a mystical will-o'-the-wisp, leading him into encounters with a hermit who introduces him to the joys of life, and ultimately to the walled city of Paladore. Here, he meets Aithne, who becomes a central figure in his quest for fulfillment. As Ywain gets involved in a significant battle between the liberal forces known as the Eagles and the conservative Tower, he earns the respect of both sides and is celebrated as a hero.
Ywain's adventures take him to the enchanting City of Saints, where he is tempted by the mesmerizing sound of bells that induce forgetfulness. Despite moments of bliss with Aithne in a magical kingdom inhabited by fauns, he realizes the need to break free from their enchantment. His journey ultimately leads him back to Aladore, where he finds contentment and love with Aithne. However, their story culminates in a sacrifice during a climactic battle in Paladore, leaving behind a legacy of their devotion as they vanish together, leaving only their effigies to symbolize their love and courage. Aladore explores themes of desire, fulfillment, and the eternal conflict between change and tradition.
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Aladore
First published: 1914
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Fantasy—high fantasy
Time of work: An idealized Middle Ages
Locale: Paladore, the magical counterpart of Aladore, and the surrounding countryside
The Plot
Ywain, the jaded administrator of an unnamed medieval state, is so bored that he renounces his rights, turning over his lands and office to a younger brother. He becomes a pilgrim, setting out to follow his “desire,” a will-o’-the-wisp in the guise of a child. In the wilderness, he encounters a hermit who teaches him the joys of life. Eventually he leaves this solitary paradise and is directed toward the walled city of Paladore. There he encounters the beautiful Aithne, who begs him not to desert her.
The sounds of a nearby battle compel him to join the Eagles, who are attacking the besieged Tower, and he helps them to prevail. The battle is an age-old custom whereby the Eagles (the liberal forces for change) challenge the Tower (the bastion of conservative power). The warring parties converge at the end of the battle, and both sides honor Ywain as a hero and welcome him to the community. An interlude is begun with Aithne, whose powers enable her to travel to the magical city of Aladore, which Ywain is unable to see.
Still longing for fulfillment, Ywain joins a band of knights seeking the City of Saints. Ywain and his companion, Bartholomy, travel to the City, which is both lovely and unusual. It is governed by ringing bells. Both men succumb to the lure of the bells, which lull them into forgetfulness. Ywain stumbles into a garden and encounters Aithne, who asks him to follow her on a new pilgrimage. Suddenly, his memory returns, and he realizes that she is the image of all he desires.
Ywain follows Aithne to a magical kingdom peopled with fauns, who enchant Ywain with their pursuit of earthly pleasures. Although he spends blissful days there in pastoral harmony with Aithne, he gradually comes to fear the fauns and their antics. A vision of Aladore rekindles his longing, and he begs Aithne to aid him in casting off the fauns’ influence.
Aithne and Ywain are taken up by a strange winged creature and flown to a city where a race of men carry on the tradition of Daedalus. Ywain is taught the art of flight and flies off, leaving Aithne behind. He falls to the ground and is rescued by the old hermit, who counsels him to return to Paladore. There he temporarily pacifies the Tower and the Eagles, who are still at odds.
One afternoon, Ywain follows the sound of children frolicking and singing and rediscovers the city of Aladore. He is permitted to cross through the mist and sea to its gates and is taken to a chamber. He finds a book containing a picture of Aithne; turning, he finds that the image has become reality. He weds Aithne, and they begin an idyllic existence. Aithne, through magic, shows Ywain all the seekers and lovers of myth and history. He visits scenes of Aithne’s childhood and experiences with her all the warmth and love of her youthful years.
With the sounding of the midnight bells, Ywain finds himself in Paladore once more. Aithne follows, and together they are drawn into the final climactic battle for mastery of the city. Ywain elects to sacrifice himself to purchase the salvation of his companions in arms, the Eagles. He sees the child of his desire one last time and follows him to Aithne’s sanctuary. Ywain and Aithne depart, hand in hand, through the battle. They are never seen in Paladore again, but the effigies of a knight and his lady are discovered on the tomb of the altar in the sanctuary.