CHAPTER XX.
A few pages more of dry details, dear reader, and then for nothing butbrief scenes and rapid action. This, if you please, is a chapter ofpure history; and therefore those who are well read in the annals ofthe times may pass it over without any particular attention. To all whoare not, however, it will be found absolutely necessary to the rightunderstanding of that which is to follow.
On Hugh de Monthermer's arrival at Hereford, he found the news ofEdward's escape common to all the town; but, nevertheless, he thoughtit necessary to communicate first to his uncle, and then to the Earl ofLeicester, all that had taken place after he had left them in themorning.
"Some three hundred horses!" said De Montfort, as he listened to theyoung nobleman's account of his meeting with Richard de Ashby. "Theyare bold, upon my life! but they teach us that we have been somewhatnegligent. And so you unhorsed the traitor, but could neither kill nortake him? It is a pity--you are sure that he is not dead?"
"Not sure, my lord," replied Hugh; "but I rather think not, for I feltthe spear strike, and then glance off. I would fain have brought himinto Hereford."
"Have you heard," continued De Montfort, "that our good friends theEarl of Ashby and his son have left us?--so that I fear some hopes andexpectations, which your uncle mentioned regarding a fair lady's hand,may suffer disappointment."
"I have heard it, my lord," answered Hugh, "and am, I confess, not alittle grieved. Nevertheless----"
"Well, what of nevertheless?" asked De Montfort, seeing that be.paused.
"Why, nevertheless, my lord," replied Hugh, "I cannot but hope that Ishall succeed at last. I have never yet seen a matter of love which wasdestined to end happily begin smoothly at the first."
"Ay, hope!" said De Montfort. "Hope is like a hungry boy, who I oncesaw burn his mouth with his porridge; for he still consoled himself,poor urchin, by saying that it would be cool enough by and by. May itbe as you wish, my young friend:--and so good night; for neither younor I can mend what is gone amiss this day."
As Hugh was leaving the room, De Montfort called to him again, saying,"Pray ask your uncle to spend an hour with me to-night. I want hiswarlike counsels in our present strait; I know no one more fitted toadvise me."
"And none more willing, my lord," replied Hugh, quitting the room.
Bustle, activity, preparation, the movement of troops, rumours Ofstrange events, some false, some true, portents, even miracles--forthose were times in which every man were the magnifying-glasses ofsuperstition--doubts, expectations, suppositions in regard to themotions of every following day, filled up the next fortnight busily.Every part of the country, from one end to the other, was stirred up tofight for one party or the other; and bands of soldiers moving acrossto join their several banners often encountered in the same village,and by their contests "frighted the isle from its propriety."
According to the best accounts that could be obtained, the number oftroops which gathered round Prince Edward and the Earl of Gloucesterwas considerably larger than that which joined De Montfort in Hereford,and being principally composed of cavalry, these levies dropped muchmore rapidly in; the foot soldiers, who were enrolling themselves forthe party of the Lords Commissioners, as De Montfort's faction wascalled, though infinitely more numerous, being very much longer intheir march, and more easily intercepted and driven back by the enemy.
To counterbalance the depression, however, which the increasingstrength of Edward and Gloucester might have spread through Hereford,rumours came daily of a great rising of the citizens of the capital, infavour of De Montfort; and there was also on his side that great moralsupport which is given by the assurance of being at the head of a greatpopular movement--for, that the cause of De Montfort was the popularone, no one can doubt who reads the ballads, the legends, or thehistories of the day. The people, beyond all question, looked upon thatrenowned leader, not only as the champion of their rights andliberties, but as a hero, which he really was, and as a saint, which heprobably was not.
Still the camp of De Montfort suffered many severe defections. Inpolitical contests, the love of novelty and of change affects many moremen than one would at first sight suppose, causing them to seize anypretext for abandoning a party to which they have been for some timeattached, and for going over to the other, which they have constantlyopposed. Dissensions with their leaders or their fellow partisans,disgusts at trifling acts of neglect--even weariness of habitualassociations, will produce in others the same effect; and thus a greatnumber of the nobles, who before the famous battle of Lewes supportedthe Earl of Leicester, now framed or discovered an excuse for followingthe example of the Earl of Ashby and his son, and joining the forces ofGloucester and Prince Edward. A few, too, really doubtful of DeMontfort's real intentions, and fearful of his growing power, eitherretired from his party without espousing that of the Prince, orabandoned him entirely, and prepared to oppose him in arms.
Many of his weaker partisans, though adhering still to his cause, werealarmed at this defection, and looked grave and sorrowful at theintelligence received of the enemy's movements; but the Earl, though asserious in his demeanour as his age and character might require, wasstill firm and cheerful, as were all his principal councillors andcompanions.
None seemed less depressed than the old Earl of Monthermer, who hadalways a hopeful and courteous answer to give to every one. "We shallbeat them yet, my good friend," he said, in answer to a somewhat timidand news-seeking gentleman, who stopped him while riding down from thecastle to his inn. "We shall beat them yet, do not fear. Unless somegreat and extraordinary error is committed on our side, or someinconceivable piece of good fortune occurs upon theirs, they must bedefeated, as they were at Lewes."
"But I see," said his companion, "that the Earl has proclaimed----"
"Not the Earl, but the King," interrupted the old lord--"it is the Kingwho has proclaimed Gloucester and all his adherents traitors; but thatmakes very little difference. In contentions like these, every man iscalled a traitor in his turn, whatever side he takes; and as for thosewho have gone over to the enemy, do not let their defection alarm you.It is better always to have an open enemy than a false friend; and awise general gives all cowards and waverers a prompt order to quit theranks of his army, not only as a useless, but an injuriousincumbrance."
Such cheerful words, and a few gallant acts performed in a casualskirmish here and there, kept up the spirits of the soldiery inHereford and the neighbouring towns, till at length such a number ofmen were collected, as seemed to justify De Montfort in taking thefield, although the army of the Prince might be, perhaps, by one-halfmore numerous than his own.
The movements of the great Earl after marching out of Hereford, becameof a strange and incongruous character, which greatly puzzled andembarrassed many of his best supporters, and which have not beenclearly understood even in our own time; but De Montfort's countenanceremained calm and tranquil, even in the midst of what seemed, toordinary observers, checks and reverses; and it was remarked, that thetwo or three noblemen who were in his most intimate councils,maintained the same serene aspect, whatever circumstances occurred.
At the head of a large force, Edward interposed between the army of theLords Commissioners and London, moving as it moved, and practising withconsummate art, the science of strategy, as it was known in those days,with the evident purpose of keeping his adversary at a distance fromhis resources, without giving him battle, exactly at his own time andplace. De Montfort, in the meantime, affected to man[oe]uvre skilfullyfor the purpose of passing Edward's superior force without fighting,and making his way direct to London. But in all these operations, thePrince seemed to have the advantage, turning his opponent at everypassage, as the greyhound does the hare.
Many facts have since been discovered, which have induced modernhistorians to suppose that De Montfort sought merely to amuse hisadversary; but, at the time, two circumstances only, led the closerobservers in the Earl of Leicester's camp to believe tha
t that greatman had a covert object in view, and that he was not actually socompletely frustrated by his opponent as appeared upon the surface. Thefirst was, that perfect equanimity to which we have alluded, and whichhe maintained under every apparent reverse. The second, was a degree ofanxious impatience, which manifested itself upon the arrival of many ofthe messengers who were constantly coming and going between his campand the south-eastern parts of the country. These facts, in those whoremarked them, created a suspicion that the Earl was waiting forreinforcements, not choosing to risk a battle till they had joined him;and at length a circumstance occurred which confirmed this opinion, andquieted the anxiety of many who had begun to fear that ill success washanging over the very commencement of their career.
Towards the middle of July, the army approached the small town ofNewport, after having attacked and taken Uske, which was feeblydefended by some of the Earl of Gloucester's adherents. It seemedevidently the intention of De Montfort and his councillors to cross theSevern, a few miles above Newport, and take possession of Bristol; andorders to that effect had been actually given. Few vessels, however,capable of transporting the forces of the Earl, were found at the spotwhere De Montfort had ordered them to be collected, and Edward himselfwas known to be in the neighbourhood. But several ships and galleys ofa considerable size were to be seen moored at the opposite side; andHugh de Monthermer, who commanded an advance party, threw himself intoa passage boat with a small force, and crossed the estuary towards apoint where he believed he could make good his defence, while hedispatched the vessels to the opposite shore, to bring over the mainarmy of the Earl.
His proceedings, as far as they were suffered to go, proved entirelysuccessful. He effected his landing, repulsed a body of the enemy whoattempted to dislodge him, and secured a place of disembarkation forthe rest of the forces; when, to his surprise, while he wasendeavouring to induce the seamen in the other vessels to cross to theWelsh shore, a messenger reached him, in a small row-boat, commandinghis immediate return.
Hugh obeyed at once; and, proceeding to the head-quarters of DeMontfort, he found his uncle and Lord Ralph Basset in conference withthe Earl of Leicester. The young nobleman was about to explain themotives of his conduct, but De Montfort stopped him, saying--"You didquite right, my young friend; but Prince Edward and I, you must know,are as two chess-players, where the game is life and power, and neitherhe nor I must hazard one rash move, if we would avoid destruction. Iknow my own game--he is not aware of it; and it is necessary that heshould not be so till the last moment."
These words were heard by many of the gentlemen round, and rumour sooncarried them through the whole host--one person repeating them in onemanner, and another in another, but all implying the same thing--thatDe Montfort had some dark secret purpose in view; and such was theconfidence of the soldiery in their leader, that they never doubtedsuccess would attend him, whatever that purpose was.
An immediate change of movements then took place. Suddenly turning intoSouth Wales, the army ravaged a district belonging to some of theadherents of Gloucester; and in his progress, De Montfort entered intoa treaty with several of the Native Welsh princes, by which he obtainedthe assistance of a considerable body of their light armed troops. Ashort pause of total inactivity next succeeded, and the Earl remainedencamped for two or three days on the banks of the river Lug,apparently with the purpose of giving some repose to his forces, in themidst of the heats of July. Messengers, however, were continuallycoming and going; the Earl was constantly employed, either in writingor in training the troops to various military evolutions; and, afterall the camp except the sentinels were sound asleep, a light was seenburning in his tent till two or three in the morning. "He used hisnights," says a historian of those times, "more for thought and labour,than for sleep."
During the greater part of each day, and often during these nocturnalvigils, the old Earl of Monthermer and the Lord le Despenser remainedwith De Montfort, sometimes consulting with him, sometimes writing inthe same tent, sometimes examining the rude maps of that period,measuring distances and tracing out lines, but not one word did eitherof them utter, even to their nearest and dearest relations, in regardto the plans and purposes of the general.
At length, one night towards eleven o'clock, while the army was whatwas both technically and literally, "in the field," Hugh de Monthermerreceived a summons, written in the hand of De Montfort himself,desiring his immediate presence, The last words were, "Bring your dwarfpage with you."
Tangel was accordingly roused from the corner in which he slept, andfollowed Hugh to the quarters of the Earl, whom they found sitting inthe outer tent in company with two or three noblemen. The flap of thecanvas was drawn back on either side, in order to admit what fresh aircould be found in a sultry night of summer, and at one end of a table,round which the assembled nobles were seated, appeared a man, dustywith travelling and dressed in the garb of a Yorkshire forester.
"Here is a letter for you, my Lord Hugh," said De Montfort, "enclosedin one to myself;" and he handed a small packet to Hugh de Monthermer,tied, as was then customary, and fastened with yellow wax.
Hugh took it, but before he broke the seal or cut the silk, he advancedto the table and examined the outside of the letter carefully by thelight of one of the lamps.
"Something seems to strike you as extraordinary," said De Montfort."What is the matter?"
"I will tell your lordship presently," replied Hugh; and severing thesilk with his dagger, he read the contents.
"This is good news as far as it goes," he said at length in a low tone;"I find that my good friend Ralph Harland is on his road to join us,together with a certain forest friend of ours," he added, turningtowards his uncle, "with some seven hundred bold yeomen and forestersof York and Nottingham, and more will follow. They are already faradvanced on their way in Staffordshire.--But I cannot help thinking, mygood lord," he added, raising his voice, "that this letter has beenopened and read before it reached my hands."
As the young nobleman spoke he fixed his eyes on the messenger, who wassomewhat pale before, but became paler still when he heard the lastwords.
"I will swear upon the blessed rood!" he cried, "that I have neveropened the packet, but brought it safely hither, as I was told."
"Who told you to bring it?" asked De Montfort, fixing his stern eyesupon him.
The man hesitated a moment, and then replied, "Robin of Barnesdale."
"What makes you think it has been opened, Hugh?" demanded the Earl ofMonthermer.
"Why, my dear uncle," answered the young nobleman, "this wax is yellow,but at the side of it is a stain of green, as if at first it had beensealed with another colour."
"Can our friend Robin write?" inquired De Montfort.
"Yea!" cried a shrill voice from behind Hugh de Monthermer, "as well asa Florentine reed or a turkey's quill in the hand of an Oxford clerk."
"We shall soon know more, my lord," said Hugh de Monthermer; "but thisletter is not Robin's writing, this is from Ralph Harland thefranklin."
"But this," replied the Earl, laying his hand upon anotherletter--"this purports to be from the bold forester, praying me to sendyou with some men-at-arms to reinforce them as they come, seeing thatGloucester threatens them, and they are afraid to proceed."
"That shows it to be a forgery at once," said Hugh, in a low voice toLeicester; "Robin never seeks aid of any man. There is treacherysomewhere, my lord; but we have means at hand of convicting thisfellow.--Now, sir," he continued, "tell me, and tell me true, who sentyou hither; and, beware! for if you deceive me, it may cost your life."
"I have told you already," answered the man, doggedly.
"Well then, stand forward, my little magician," cried Hugh, laying hishand upon Tangel's head. "We hear of Eastern talismans, my lord,whereby truth and falsehood are discovered, as gold and alloy by thetouchstone; and in this boy I have such a human talisman, who will soontell us how much verity there is in the fellow's tale. Now, Tangel,look at him well, and say if he ca
me from Robin Hood?"
"No," answered the dwarf, well pleased with the importance of hisfunctions, and entering fully into the spirit of his master's figure ofspeech--"Hark! I hear Robin deny him, and say he never yet set eyesupon him." Then tugging the young nobleman's sleeve he whispered thewords, "Go on!--ask me more!"
"And now, Tangel," continued Hugh, "can you tell me whose man he is?"
"Right well," replied the dwarf, fixing his keen gaze upon the paleface of the messenger; and then speaking slowly, he added, "He isPrince Edward's."
A slight smile came upon the man's countenance for a moment; but Tangelwent on almost without a pause, watching him keenly as he spoke. "He isPrince Edward's by the Earl of Gloucester, and the Earl of Gloucester'sby Richard de Ashby. Ha! ha! ha! I hear them laughing, when they thinkhow they will take in De Montfort, and lead the Lord Hugh into atrap--and he hears them, too! Look at his face--look at his face!"
Certainly that face was now as bloodless as the visage of the dead.
"Take him away!" said De Montfort, in a stern tone--"take him away, andhang him on the first tree!"
"I will confess--I will confess," cried the man, falling upon hisknees. "Spare my life, and I will confess!"
"It is your only hope of safety," replied the Earl; "tell the wholetruth, and you shall be spared--out with it at once, and withouthesitation!"
"Well, then," said the detected impostor, in a whining tone, "I confessI am Sir Richard de Ashby's man!" and he went on to tell how a jollymonk, passing through a village in the neighbourhood of Worcester, andmaking merry with some soldiers, had been recognised by one of theservants of Richard de Ashby, and instantly arrested. On searching himstrictly, the letter from Ralph Harland to Hugh de Monthermer had beenfound, wrapped in leather, between his sandal and the sole of his foot,and a plan was instantly formed, both for cutting off the party of theyoung franklin and Robin Hood, and also for leading Hugh de Monthermerinto an ambuscade. "The Earl of Gloucester and Roger Mortimer," hesaid, "had been made acquainted with the plot, but not the Prince."
"Take him away!" said De Montfort, after the story was told--"Take himaway, and guard him strictly! We may have occasion to account withthese gentlemen at some future time.--Now here is an opportunity," hecontinued, as soon as the pretended yeoman was removed, "which some menwould seize, for cutting off whatever troops the rebels may detach inexecution of their pitiful schemes, but I think, my good lords, we mustnot waste our strength upon skirmishes. At any moment, we may have toact suddenly with our whole force, and therefore we must cast away theoccasion that now presents itself of lopping off a limb from our enemy.Nevertheless, we must not forget the safety of our friends; somefaithful messenger must be sent at once to meet the reinforcement fromNottingham and Yorkshire, and give them notice to take a circuitthrough Shropshire. Shrewsbury is ours, and all the country round; so,on that road, they will be safe. Have you any one you can send?"
Hugh looked at the dwarf, and the boy clapped his hands gladly,exclaiming, "Let me go--let me go!"
"So be it, then!" said Hugh, "I will provide him with the means atonce, my lord. He had better have no letter but a purse well-filled,and a swift horse. He will not fail a word of the message----
"Hark!" cried De Montfort, "there is a sound of galloping from theother side of the river! The messengers, at length, I trust.--Do youknow your errand, boy?"
"Right well, great man," answered the dwarf, "and I will not faileither in speed or truth."
"What, ho!--stand!--who goes there?" demanded the sentinels, who wereplaced about fifty yards from De Montfort's tent.
"A friend!" was the reply.
"Stand, friend, and dismount!" cried the sentinel.
"Letters," answered the other voice--"letters from the Lord Simon deMontfort, to his father, the most noble Earl of Leicester."
"Ha!" exclaimed Leicester, starting up, with his whole face beamingwith satisfaction, "At length!--Let him advance!" he shouted--"Let himadvance!" and a moment after, coming forward to the opening of thetent, a man, pale, haggard, and worn, presented himself, bearing asmall packet in his hand.
"This is to your lordship, from your son," he said; "I left him well,at Oxford, not many hours ago, with thirty thousand men in arms, allready to defy the world, on behalf of De Montfort."
Too eager to make any reply, the Earl of Leicester took the packet,tore it open, and read--"All is right!" he cried at length, risingwith a well pleased smile, and turning to the gentlemen on his right."Now, my good lords--now, the moment for action has come. To you,Monthermer--to you, Le Despenser, thanks--many thanks, for those wiseand prudent counsels which have cast cool patience upon my own somewhattoo impetuous nature, and enabled me to resist my own inclination toadvance. Here have we amused these rebel lords, and the infatuatedPrince, in needless marches and counter-marches, while my son hasraised the country behind them, and is already at Oxford with anoverwhelming force. He, on the one side,--and I on the other, we havethem in a net; or, even if they escape from the toils that are aroundthem, our forces united will be irresistible, and we will drive them tofight, to surrender, or to flee the land. Let every noble lord giveinstant orders in his own quarter of the camp, to make ready for ouradvance an hour before daylight; and you, my Lord Hugh, must now directyour messenger to lead our friends from Nottingham, by Clebury andWire Forest, on towards Worcester, keeping a keen look-out for theenemy; but, doubtless, ere they arrive we shall have cleared thecountry.--You have brought me good tidings," he continued, addressingthe messenger, "go to my steward, let him provide for you, andto-morrow a hundred marks shall be your reward.---Now, for a few hours,my lords, good night--good night!"
By daybreak the next morning, every tent was struck, and the main bodyof the army had passed the Lug. De Montfort still advanced with greatcare and caution, throwing out scouts in all directions, and nevermaking a movement which exposed any part of his force to sudden attack.But not an enemy Wad now to be met with. The whole country, as headvanced towards Worcester, was clear, and it seemed evident to allthat Edward had become aware of his danger, and was endeavouring toescape from it.
On the evening of St. Peter's day, in the year 1265, De Montfortreached a magnificent country palace of the Bishop of Worcester,called, in the language of the time, "Kemestoia, or Kematow," fromwhich, in all probability, the name Kemsey is derived. It wassurrounded by an extensive park, reserved for the chase; and therein,or in a small neighbouring village, the army lodged during the night,while the head-quarters of the general and his royal prisoner were inthe manor, or palace of the bishop. The distance from Worcester wasonly three miles, but still no tidings reached the army of PrinceEdward's movements.
About seven o'clock, however, a letter was received by De Montfortfrom his eldest son, who was at the head of the large body of men,marching from Oxford to reinforce him; but when he opened it and readthe date, his brow became clouded, and he muttered to himself,"Kenilworth--Kenilworth! That is a great mistake! What does he inKenilworth?"
On reading on, he found that the letter had been written just after along night's watching in the fields to intercept the army of PrinceEdward, which was said to be flying from Worcester, and that the youngnobleman proposed to march on to join him on the Friday following,concluding that the Prince had made his escape.
De Montfort mused, after he had perused the letter twice, and thenmurmured, "There is no help for it--there is no help for it! We mustonward to Evesham, with all speed--Edward flying, with a large force athis command, Worcester in his power, Gloucester garrisoned by histroops--Dean Forest near! No, no, no! That is not likely! Edward wasnot made to fly.--We must guard against surprise--there is somethingunder this!" and ringing a small hand-bell which stood upon his table,he continued aloud; as soon as one of his officers appeared, "Doublethe guards at every avenue of the park--throw out some fifty horsearchers on the road to Worcester, and barricade the farther endof the village,--give those orders quickly, and then come backfor a letter, after directing a horse
and mail to make ready forKenilworth.--Kenilworth!" he added, musing, "What had he to do atKenilworth? Hark ye!" he proceeded, once more addressing the man--"Getsome diligent fellows, who do not fear for their necks, to make theirway into Worcester as soon as the gates are open, and bring me tidingsof what is going on--promise them high wages--we must have news."
The officer departed, and De Montfort put his hand upon his brow,repeating, to himself, "What had he to do at Kenilworth?--My heedaches," he continued; "ere long, perchance, it may cease to ache forever!"
Day had dawned about an hour when, by his permission, and of the spieswho, as we have seen, had been sent into Worchester, was admitted tothe chamber of the Earl of Leicester, whom he found just putting on hissteel hauberk, proposing soon to set forth upon his march.
"I have had a narrow escape, my lord!" cried the scout; "all the restare taken."
"But the news--the news!" exclaimed De Montfort, with a degree ofheedlessness for human life which most veteran warriors acquire--"thenews! What did you learn?"
"Little or nothing, my lord," answered the man, somewhat sullenly. "Iheard my companions ordered to be hanged, and saw Prince Edward'stroops arriving in haste and disarray, after a long night march. But Icould only save myself by speed, and therefore could learn nothingmore."
"It is enough--it is enough!" cried De Montfort. "There, fellow, isyour reward!--Edward arriving in disarray at Worcester!--That isenough! Now, on to Evesham with all speed--join my boy's forces, andthen return to crush this nest of hornets with my foot!"
He spoke proud and exultingly. Ah, little did he know that at thatmoment his son's forces were defeated and dispersed, thirteen of hisgallant barons killed, and a whole host of noble prisoners followingthe army of Edward into Worcester!
Forest Days: A Romance of Old Times Page 20
