Eustace Lynwood

Eustace is the protagonist in this coming-of-age story. Over the course of the novel, he grows from an innocent and enthusiastic youth, to a wise and respected knight. He is the younger brother of Sir Reginald Lynwood, not his heir, and as a shy and sickly child who preferred books to swords, Eustace seemed destined to be a clerk rather than a warrior. Ironically, however, reading tales of chivalry motivated him to set books aside and seek fame on the battlefield. In the shadow of his illustrious brother and father, the unimposing orphan thus begins the novel with plenty of reasons to prove himself. He soon earns his knighthood, but continues to face setbacks and injustices, so that he is constantly striving to impress, while remaining modest and polite. Indeed, Eustace’s virtues sometimes cause him trouble: he is generous to the point of naivety, as for...