King Eric and the Outlaws, Vol. 1

by Bernhard Severin Ingemann

  CHAP. XIII.

  The report of the king's arrival had preceded him. It had excited greatalarm in the whole neighbourhood, and had especially thrown theburghers of Kallundborg into a state of anxious suspense. Theirdevotion to the king, and fear of his wrath, placed them in a mostdangerous position with regard to their stern deputed master, JunkerChristopher, and his warlike commandant at the castle. Disquieting andcontradictory reports respecting a difference between the king and hisbrother had already for some time been in circulation, but no one knewthe real state of the case. As Lord of Samsoee, Holbek, and Kallundborg,Junker Christopher exercised an almost royal authority wherever he hadtroops and fortresses under his command. Latterly he had been oftenseen in Kallundborg, where he had assembled a considerable garrison atthe castle, and, to the dismay of the burghers, had put thefortifications opposite the town and the land side into such a state ofdefence as if the breaking out of a dangerous civil war might daily beexpected. Some weeks back admittance had been refused at the castle toMarsk Oluffsen, who, with a small troop of men-at-arms, had demanded toenter in the king's name. From this refractoriness towards a royalambassador it was thought the most serious results were now to beapprehended. The prince himself went night and day to and fromKallundborg; now with a large armed train on horseback, and now by seawith the armed vessels which constantly plied between Samsoee andKallundborg, and conveyed both men-at-arms and provisions to thefortress. No one knew whether Junker Christopher was personally presentat the castle at the time when the report of the king's arrival threwthe whole town into commotion; but it was observed with dismay that thedrawbridge was raised, and that serious preparations were making torepel an attack.

  The king halted at the head of his numerous train on the hill, andcaused his white steed to be rubbed down while he looked downthoughtfully upon town and castle. At his right hand was the braveyoung Margrave Waldemar of Brandenborg, who had deferred his homewardjourney, and accompanied the king on this expedition, to take leave ofhis good friend Junker Christopher, and, if possible, to avert thestorm which menaced him. At the king's left hand was seen his energeticgeneral, Count Henrik of Mecklenborg, who now, next to Drost Aage,seemed the king's most confidential friend. The troops watered theirhorses at the pond by the chapel of the Holy Cross. All the cripples ofSt. George's Hospital came out to see the king, and the numerousfraternity of St. George, or demi-ecclesiastical attendants on thesick, vied with each other in offering refreshments to him and histrain. The thronging and curious crowd kept, however, at a respectfuldistance from the king and the two stranger lords.

  "Your grace will find the whole is some absurd mistake," said the youngmargrave, in a light and careless tone, as he sprang off his horse, andadjusted his rich attire. "At all events, it is assuredly nothing morethan a mistaken sense of honour in the junker, or rather in hiscommandant here, and the brave Marsk Oluffsen; that excellent man hathan altogether peculiar talent of offending every one, without dreamingof doing so himself. That you must yourself have observed. Such personsone can but employ to plague both friend and foe. I am fond of beingmediator between kinsmen and kind friends," he continued, gaily--"thereis nothing like drinking to a reconciliation after every quarrel, andthen all goes on merrily.--I know the junker's wine cellar at thecastle here; it is almost better than any prior's; if he willed not toopen it to your sharp spoken Marsk, he hath perhaps but wished toreserve it for dearer guests."

  "The Lord grant we may have come hither to a friendly feast, SirMargrave!" answered the king, solemnly, and in a low tone, while hisgaze dwelt on the beautiful winter landscape which lay outstretchedbefore him. The sun beamed brightly on ford and town. The castle roseproudly, with its round towers and high battlements, behind the shiningcopper roof of the Franciscan monastery. Esbern Snare's five Gothicchurch spires pointed boldly towards the heavens from the ancientchurch of St. Mary, while furthermost, and near the ford, the sea towerproudly reared its head. "If my brother can justify himself," continuedthe king, "he will surely now not shun my sight, but come to greet meaccording to duty and fealty."

  "But he surely expects you not--he is perhaps out hunting, or rovingfrom one domain to another," said the margrave. "The noble junker'sblood is thick.--I have counselled him to be ever on the move, in orderto drive away melancholy fancies. I have often deplored that hismagnanimous hankering after action and distinction hath as yet nodecided object, and so often disturbs the balance of his princely mind,giving occasion to even his nearest friends and kindred to misjudgehim."

  "If I see aright, noble king!" said Count Henrik, shading his eyes withhis hand from the sunshine, "yonder comes a crowd of people towards usfrom the town. It must be the burghers, who would show you theirloyalty and devotion."

  "Hum! they were also leagued against the Marsk," said the king. "Thepeople are loyal to me personally--this I know, that were I to passthrough the country as a leprous beggar, no burgher or peasant wouldshut his door upon me. In the eyes of many, no doubt, I seem a leper,since the bishop's ban," he added; "yet I am every where met withaffection. It is only my brother who turns his back upon me, andrefuses me obedience in this time of need."

  "The noble junker is surely not here," resumed the margrave, "or hewould certainly never delay to crave your pardon for his commandant'srashness, and to lead us to his well-appointed table--he hath put thefortifications of the castle in excellent repair, I perceive--were I inyour grace's place I would thank him for that," he continued."Kallundborg is an important spot in time of war, and a good harbourfor your fleet."

  "For that very reason no vassal should presume to shut the castle onthe lawful ruler of the land, or his generalissimo," answered the king."I cannot but commend your endeavours to excuse my erring brother, SirMargrave," he added, abruptly; "and be assured, if he can beacquitted,--if he can only give me his princely word that he hath hadno share in this contumacy,---he needs not that a stranger should pleadfor him, where a brother is his liege and judge."

  The margrave bowed courteously, and was silent, while he passed hishand over his brow, and appeared desirous to hide a look of annoyance.

  "Will your grace speak to the burghers now?" asked Count Henrik; "theyseem timidly waiting for permission to approach you."

  "They have it of course, count; let them come hither."

  Count Henrik rode to meet the lingering burgher crowd, and soonreturned to the king, accompanied by the burgomaster, and twelve of theoldest burghers of the town, who, clad in their holiday attire, andwith their heads uncovered, reverently greeted their sovereign. Afterseveral salutations, the burgomaster somewhat bashfully and humblybegan his address. "Most mighty liege and sovereign! your grace'saugust presence--this poor town's joy at seeing your most royalgrace----"

  "Is not very great," interrupted the king; "say it out at once,burgomaster, and speak without a long-winded preamble! You fear theremay be bounds to my most royal grace this time, and that I mean to callyou to strict account for the reception my Marsk hath met with here."

  "Your princely brother, our strict master, the junker, had ordered hiscommandant at the castle"--stammered the burgomaster.

  "I speak not now of what he hath or hath not commanded his servants,"interrupted the king. "Such contumacy he himself, or his commandant,shall answer for. But who enjoined you to refuse obedience to myambassadors?"

  "The commandant, in the junker's name, and in your own, my liege,"answered the burgomaster--"although we could not consider the behest aslawful, or obey it, when the Marsk, with your authority, enjoined usthe reverse, after a short demur, what he demanded was even grantedhim, and his people, though it came to cost us all dear."

  "What!" interrupted the king, with vehemence, "have ye since beenchastised because you obeyed my orders?"

  "We complain not, my liege, and least of all of your august kindred,and the ruler you have given us--whatever injustice we have suffered isbut trifling, in comparison of our sorrow and shame if we have broughtupon us the displea
sure of our noble liege and sovereign."

  "You have suffered injustice for your loyalty to me--could I then bewroth with you, brave burghers?" said the king, with sudden emotion."By all the holy men! were I so, I should not longer deserve one loyaland devoted heart among ye. The injustice ye have suffered shall beatoned for--we are come hither to call to account for what here hathbeen done--where is the junker?"

  "We know not, most mighty king!"

  "Where is his commandant, then? Why comes he not hither to receive us?"

  "He affirms he hath received commands, my liege, which are so hard tobelieve that we dare not name them."

  "What! Who dares command here when I am present?" exclaimed the king,with vehemence. "Yet, no; it is impossible," he added, more calmly, andrestrained his impatience. "The man must be sick or mad. Ride to thecastle, Count Henrik, and announce my coming! I will stay the nighthere with my knights and an hundred men--you will care for the rest ofthe men-at-arms, burgomaster!"

  Count Henrik was instantly in motion, and rode down with a small traintowards the castle.

  "Mighty king!" resumed the burgomaster, in a timid tone; "my life, andthe lives and property of my fellow burghers are at your service andthe country's; but be not wrath with us, my liege, for what it lay notin our power to hinder! The castle gate is locked, the draw-bridgeraised, men-at-arms and balista are posted on the outer walls, and thecommandant hath announced to us that he hath orders to fire the townwith burning stones within twenty-four hours from the moment it isbeleaguered by your men-at-arms."

  "Doth he rave?" exclaimed the king. "Well, then, away with all graceand mercy--we will see who is master here.--To horse, my men! You standunder our royal protection, brave burghers!" he said to the burgomasterand elders of the town. "If a straw is scorched over your heads for mysake it shall dearly be atoned for! Every rebel and traitor I willstrictly punish, however high he may carry his head."

  "Honour to the king! to Eric, the youthful king!" shouted theburgomaster, waving his hat; and this well known acclamation (derivedfrom a national ballad) was re-echoed by the whole burgher troop, amidthe waving of caps and hats.

  "Now place, good people!" ordered the king, reining in his steed. "Iwill see who dares to lock the gate through which we would enter."

  "Permit me to detain your grace one moment," said the Margrave ofBrandenborg, who had again vaulted into his saddle, and now rodehastily up to the king, with his head uncovered. "Ere you take anycompulsory step, I wish, as an impartial friend both of yours and yourprincely brother, to have a minute's conversation with you withoutwitnesses."

  "Well, that shall not be denied you. Sir Margrave--Aside, my friends!"

  All withdrew to some distance and the margrave remained in the samerespectful attitude, with his high-plumed hat in his hand. "Your noblebrother hath honoured me with a confidence and friendship which makesit my duty to plead his cause in his absence--what hath already beendone, and hereafter may be done, against your will, hath undoubtedlythe appearance of contumacy and treason: but it is impossible it shouldbe according to your noble brother's wish or order, for that,--(pardonme this expression,)--for that I count him to be at least too _wise_.Of our inmost heart and mind, He who knoweth the heart of man alone canjudge--I will stand security for Prince Christopher in this matter,until he can stand forth in person before you to justify himself. Ioffer my services to seek him out, and bring him to you. He mustcertainly be at Holbek castle, or at Samsoee--Will you promise me solong to delay every compulsory measure, and at the utmost only tobeleaguer the castle?"

  "Well, Sir Margrave! for twenty-four hours I will await him, but not anhour longer. Till to-morrow at this time I will restrain my just wrath,and with sheathed sword wait without the gate which hath beenpresumptuously shut before mine eyes. But ere I hear another ave fromthe pious Franciscans here--the castle shall be in my power; that Ivow, by all the holy men! as surely as I am lord here, and would becalled king in Denmark."

  "It is agreed, then, your grace!" answered the margrave, with spirit,after a moment's deliberation. "If I stand not within twenty-four hourswith your brother acquitted before your sight--then let yon fair castlemount up in smoke and flames--or take it with a storming hand! CountHenrik hath no doubt a strong desire to show you his prowess andgeneralship. Then I shall have done what lay in my power, and shown youboth, as I trust, that you have had a friend for your guest."

  "You have my word for it, Sir Margrave! I shall owe you thanks if yourgood purpose succeed. See you how the shadow yonder falls from themiddle spire upon the cloister roof--It marks the bounds of my patienceto-morrow. The Lord and our holy Lady be with us all!" So saying, Ericwaved his right hand, and saluted the margrave, as he spurred hishorse, and rode forward at the head of his troop of warriors. The kingand his knights now rode down the hill in the direction of the castle,while Margrave Waldemar, with his little train of German and Danishmen-at-arms, proceeded at full gallop on the road to Holbek.

  FOOTNOTES:

  [Footnote 1: "Marsk," a military title, corresponding in some degree toour field marshal. This office, however, comprises civil as well asmilitary duties, the marsk being also one of the principal ministers ofstate.]

  [Footnote 2: The private wrongs committed by Eric the Seventh, surnamedGlipping, against his Marsk, Stig, a nobleman of high rank, hadrendered him his deadly foe. Stig headed a band of conspirators on the22d of November, 1286, disguised as Franciscan monks, and murdered himwhile asleep in a barn at the village of Finnerup, where he had takenrefuge from their pursuit. The king's chamberlain, a kinsman of MarskStig, conducted the assassins to the place where the king layconcealed.--_Translator's Note_.]

  [Footnote 3: Waldemar the Victorious was Eric Menved'sgreat-grandfather.]

  [Footnote 4: Drost, the prime minister of state in Denmark in themiddle ages; all state ministers however, in that age, were required toserve in the field as well as in council. When the Drost was present,he superseded the Marsk in the command of the army.--_Translator'sNote_.]

  [Footnote 5: Junker (pronounced Yunker) was the title of the sons ofthe kings of Denmark in the middle ages, corresponding to that ofInfant in Spain.--_Translator's Note_.]

  [Footnote 6: Baron Holberg supposes that the word "carline" (kierlingein Danish) had its origin in the easy victories obtained by theNorthmen over the French, or Carlines, the subjects of Charles theBald: the word carline or kierlinge now signifying in Danish an oldwoman, and applied in derision to the fainthearted of the othersex.--_Translator_.]

  [Footnote 7: Esrom Lake, situated about eight English miles fromElsinore, is a fair specimen of the placid lake scenery of Zealand. Themonastery is still in part in a habitable state.]

  [Footnote 8: "Axel and Valborg," one of the gems of Scandinavianpoetry. The interest of the poem turns on the separation of the heroand heroine (who had been betrothed from childhood) by an interdict ofthe church, on the plea of the parties standing within a forbiddendegree of affinity to each other. This affinity, however, consistedmerely in having one common godmother. Circumstances like these,however trivial, were frequently made available by the church for theextension of its power, and the furtherance of its secular interests.]

  [Footnote 9: Flynderborg, the castle at Elsinore, of which no vestigesnow remain. Its site was not far from that of the present castle ofCronberg.]

  [Footnote 10: At this period the Hanseatic merchants were absolutemasters of the whole trade of the Baltic. The Danish fleet was in areduced state, and the Hanse were therefore under the necessity ofguarding the seas themselves, for the security of their trade. This waspeculiarly the case during the disturbed reign of Eric Glipping, whenthe northern pirate, Alf Erlingsen, infested the Danish seas. This isthe subject of a ballad still preserved among the Danish peasantry,--

  "The German men they sailed up the sound, With meal and with malt sailed they, But Erlingsen's ships there to meet them they found, And theirs he took al
l for his prey."

  In the time of Eric Glipping the Hanse had no less than thirty armedvessels stationed in the sound at Elsinore.--_Translator's Note_.]

  [Footnote 11: Carl the German.]

  [Footnote 12: The Kareles were a heathen tribe of Livonia, conquered bythe Swedes, under the command of Marsk Torkild Knudson.]

  [Footnote 13: A characteristic exclamation of King Eric, who accordingto Holberg, scrupled making use of a stronger expression, even inconfirmation of the most solemn engagements.--_Translator's Note_.]

  [Footnote 14: In the early ages of Denmark the people bore an importantpart in the affairs of government, a fact of which there are traces atthis day in the Norwegian constitution, in which the peasantry as aclass are represented. The people at large decided on war or peace, norwas any royal decree considered valid until it had obtained theirconsent. Every town had its own "Ting," or place of assembly, in theopen air; a large flat stone, placed in the centre of a circle ofupright ones, served as a platform for the speakers. In theseassemblies the peasants discussed, not only public affairs, but decidedon all private differences, &c. Saxo Grammaticus blames King SvendGrathe for neglecting to attend these meetings of the people. In suchassemblies the king was not permitted to take his leave until he hadgreeted even the meanest of his subjects, and sent a friendly greetingto his family. The English reader may perhaps require to be reminded ofthese facts, in order fully to perceive that Jeppe is a representativeof his class in that age.--_Translator's Note_.]

  [Footnote 15: Dyrendal, the name of Roland's sword, afterwards used forswords in general by the Danes. Scandinavian warriors esteemed theirswords above all other treasures. If a sword had done good service, itwas distinguished by some epithet expressive of the deeds it hadachieved. The sword of King Hagen of Norway was called "quaern bider,"or mill-stone biter, from having cut through a mill-stone. If the ownerof such a sword had no immediate descendants, it was buried beside himin his grave.--_Translator's Note_.]

  [Footnote 16: King Glipping, so called from his twinkling eye.]

  [Footnote 17: Fragment of an old Danish ballad.]

  [Footnote 18: A valuable collection of historical documents made byKing Eric, called Congesta Menvedi.]

  [Footnote 19: Sveno Agonis, a Danish historian contemporary with SaxoGrammaticus.]

  END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

  London: Printed by A. Spottiswoode, New-Street-Square.