Having Fun with Epic Fantasy: The Band of Brothers
………………………………………………“…And Crispin …[Day]… shall ne’er go by
……………………………………………From this day to the ending of the world,
……………………………………………..But we in it shall be remembered –
……………………………………………We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
……………………………………………For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
………………………………………………..Shall be my brother …”
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If anyone doubts epic fantasy’s strong and enduring roots in story, this quote from Shakespeare’s Henry V (the famous St Crispin’s Day speech made on the eve of Agincourt) must dispel their error. For the famous quote, “we band of brothers”, speaks to the heart of epic fantasy just as much as the quest-journey of my previous “Having Fun With …” posts. (See below.)
We find the “band of brothers” throughout fairytale, folklore and myth: Robin Hood and His Merry Men, King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table, Penthesilea and the Amazons. The “band” ideal crosses into history as well, with the Spartan 300 at Thermopylae, the 47 ronin—and the more contemporary defence of Rorke’s Drift, which inspired Tanya Huff’s “Valor’s Choice” and is alluded to (as the basis for an event in the Wasp/Dragonfly war) in Adrian Tchaikovsky’s “Shadows of the Apt” series.
Myth, legend, history: no wonder the “band of brothers”, or “buddies”, lies at the heart of epic fantasy (and a great deal more contemporary genre: Star Wars, Buffy, Firefly, Babylon 5—I rest my case.) But it is the link to the quest-journey and tales of war, from Roland and Oliver at Roncesvalles, to Blenda and the women of Småland, that make the “band” so apt to epic fantasy, with its focus on large-scale conflict and world-altering events.
Although Tolkien’s “nine companions” who set out for Mount Doom are the obvious example, Steven Eriksons’ “Malazan” series includes the Bridgeburners, the Bonehunters, and the “chain of dogs.”
There’s also the bridgebearers in Brandon Sanderson’s “The Way of Kings”—and the “band of brothers” characterizes David Gemmell’s writing: with “The Thirty” in his Drenai novels, as well as the defence of Dros Delnoch in “Legend”, and “The King Beyond The Gate’s” friendship between Tenaka Khan and Ananais, which transcends cultural difference and traditional enmity.
Guy Gavriel Kay’s work also exemplifies use of the “Band of Brothers” motif, notably in “A Song for Arbonne” where the element that most defines the protagonist, Blaise, is his friendships—more even than his hatred for his father and bitterness over the betrayal of his homeland.
The “band of brothers” also charts the heart of Kay’s “The Lions of Al-Rassan”, where the friendship between Rodrigo Belmonte and Ammar ibn Khairan ultimately cannot transcend traditional enmity and cultural and religious difference.
But is the “band of ‘brothers’” theme solely the preserve of male writers and male-centric stories? I am glad to answer with a resolute “no.”
Barbara Hambly’s “The Ladies of Mandrigyn” focuses on two separate “bands of sisters”: Sheera Galernas and the title’s ladies, forming themselves into a “scared band” to retake their city from a tyrant wizard; also the mercenary, Star Hawk, and courtesan, Fawn, thrown together in their quest to retrieve an abducted companion.
Amongst Robin McKinley’s heroines, Aerin and Hari both fulfil their quests with the aid of sworn companions—although these comprise more animals than humans in Aerin’s case, drawing on the fairy- and folktale origins of the “band of buddies.” And the friendship of Raederle, Lyra of Herun, and Tristan of Hed, together with Lyra’s companion guards, makes Patricia McKillip’s “Heir of Sea and Fire” a memorable read.
The “band of brothers” is also central to my own The Wall of Night series, forcing the two central protagonists to ask and answer questions of loyalty and responsibility to each other, but also about their obligations to those who stand outside their own culture’s narrow bounds.
Friendship was one of the primary, underlying themes of The Gathering Of The Lost, particularly between the young knights and damosels of Emer, while in Daughter of Blood, the defense of a bridal caravan by Kalan and an unlikely band of brothers forms the ‘heart’ of the book.
It could be said that our enduring love for “the band” is simply another escapism. But then there are those examples from history… So perhaps we all just love the high, doomed tales of sacrifice and valor.
Or maybe, somewhere in the mix, we recognize that comradeship and friendship are amongst the few human qualities capable of transcending self interest. As to whether they succeed, or not—well, that’s what puts the drama in the storytelling.
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Previous “Having Fun With” Posts:
Having Fun with Epic Fantasy: Making the Grand Tour
Having Fun With Epic Fantasy: My Love Affair with Long Names, Part 1
Having Fun With Epic Fantasy: My Love Affair with Long Names, Part 2
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This post is based on one first posted on the former — and sadly missed — SF Signal in 2011(!), although I’ve updated today’s version.
Paul Kearney’s The Ten Thousand is based on the real-life story of the Anabasis, and has a group of soldiers trying to make their way home together through hostile territory.
(Non genre: The 70’s movie THE WARRIORS takes this idea and puts it into NY Gang wars. It’s awesome)
The Anabasis, aka the march of the 10,000, is one of the great epic stories, and like the 300 (plus allies) at Thermopylae, none the less so for being true.
The Warriors is outside my ken but it certainly sound an interesting premise.
And, of course, if going non-genre you can’t go past the mini-series Band Of Brothers.
I have seen “The Warriors”, and agree that it fits the trope well. Of course like any originally good idea it has been copied with varying degrees of success many times since….
Now I have detected a gap in my genre knowledge — I have never seen The Warriors, although I believe I “may” have heard of it.