Sir Walter Manny

Also known as: Sir Walter / Walter Manny · Family: England · Role: knight · First appears: Book 1, Chapter 23

In Book 1, Chapter 23, Sir Walter Manny is named among the knights who distinguished themselves alongside King Edward. By Chapter 33 he is appointed to serve under Earl of Derby, and in the campaign at Bergerac he is first into the suburbs, beneath whose banner Lord of Mirepoix is slain. He later shares in the enterprise at Bordeaux that captures Count de Lisle and more than two hundred knights. In 1344, he accompanies Earl of Derby to relieve Auberoche; in 1345, at Monsegur, he carries the town’s proposed truce terms to the earl, who accepts them conditionally.

After learning that his father, Lord of Manny, has died, Walter has his tomb opened, sends his bones to Valenciennes for reburial, and orders masses to be said yearly. At La Réole, he and Lord Stafford meet Agos de Bans over the castle’s surrender. At Aiguillon, Walter destroys the French bridge works, is rescued after being unhorsed in a fight with Lord Charles of Montmorency’s force, and later leads a sortie against the besieging French, taking more than forty prisoners. When a knight seeking his aid is freed from ransom, Walter is arrested on the journey to Paris despite his passport; King Philip eventually releases him and gives him gifts and jewels. Walter returns the jewels at King Edward’s direction, but Philip refuses to take them back.

At Calais, Walter and Lord Basset carry Lord John de Vienne’s plea for mercy to the king. Walter and the barons object to the king’s terms, and Walter is then sent to inform the governor that six leading citizens must surrender. When Lord John de Vienne delivers the six to him, Walter promises, “I will do all in my power to save them.” After King Edward takes possession of Calais, Walter is among those given a house there. Later, Edward appoints him chief of an enterprise and declares, “I and my son will fight under your banner.”