by G. A. Henty
CHAPTER XIX
WELL SETTLED
"Well, well, well," Mr. Ormskirk exclaimed when Edgar brought the storyof all that had happened since he had been away to an end, "indeed yousurprise me. I know that many knights fit out parties and go to thewars, not so much for honour and glory as for the spoils and ransomsthey may gain, and that after Crecy and Poictiers, there was not asingle soldier but came back laden with booty and with rich jewels,gold chains, and costly armour, gathered from the host of French nobleswho fell on those fields; while knights who were fortunate enough tocapture counts, earls, or princes, gained ransoms that enabled them topurchase estates, and live without occasion to go further to the warsduring their lives. But I never thought that you would benefit by sucha chance. As it is to my mind more honourable to save life than to takeit, I rejoice that you have come to your fortune, not by the slaying ofenemies, but by the saving the lives of a man, his wife, and daughter,who are rich enough to reward you.
"Assuredly, if a man like Mynheer Van Voorden had fallen into the handsof the Count of Flanders, the latter would have extracted from him, asthe price of his freedom, a sum many times larger than that which hehas expended on the purchase of these two estates, and the building ofthe castles. Well, Edgar, I congratulate you heartily. You can now rideto the wars when the king's banner is spread to the winds, and do yourduty to your country, but there will be no occasion for you to become amere knight adventurer--a class I detest, ever ready to sell theirswords to the highest bidder, and to kill men, against whom they haveno cause of complaint, as indifferently as a butcher would strike downa bullock with a pole-axe.
"Between these men and those who fight simply in the wars of their owncountry, the gulf is a wide one, as wide as that betwixt a faithfulhouse-dog and a roving wolf. When are you going to receive your newacquisition, or are you intending to ride first to London to thank theFleming for his noble gift?"
"Assuredly, we should have first ridden to London, father, but we eachfound in the bottom of our boxes a short letter which we had at firstoverlooked. The letters were the same, save for our names. Mine ran:--
"'_Dear Sir Edgar,_
"'_It has given me very great pleasure to prepare this little surprisefor you. I pray you, do not mar it in any way by returning me thanks.The gift is as naught in comparison with the service rendered. I amproceeding to the North to-morrow on business with Earl Percy, andshall not return for some weeks. When we meet next, I pray you, letthere be no word of thanks concerning this affair, for I considermyself still greatly your debtor. You will find an agent of mine atyour castle. He has been there some time, has made the acquaintance ofall the vassals and others, and will introduce you to them as theirlord. He has my instructions either to remain there to manage youraffairs for six months, or for any less time you may choose. Butmethinks you will do well to keep him for that time, as he is a goodman of business, and you will need such an one until you have masteredall the details, and can take matters entirely in your own hands._'
"So you see, father, we shall be free to start to-morrow. Sir Ralph,Lady De Courcy, and Mistress Aline will ride with us, and I trust thatyou will come also. We shall first go to Cliffe, which will be on ourroad, and, indeed, I believe that for some distance Albert's lands joinmine. Then we shall go on to my castle--it sounds absurd, doesn't it,father?--and doubtless we shall be able to stay in Hoo, or if not, 'tisbut two or three miles to Stroud, where we are sure to find goodlodging."
"I should like to ride with you, Edgar, but it is years since I havebestridden a horse."
"We shall ride but slowly, father, for Dame De Courcy loves not for herpalfrey to go beyond a walk. If you like you could bestride HalCarter's horse, which is a strong and steady animal, and he can walkalongside, so as to be ready to catch the rein if it be needed. He willbe very glad to go, for the honest fellow is in the highest delight atthe news of my good fortune."
"I think that I could do that, Edgar, yet I will not go by Cliffe, butstraight to Hoo. I can then travel as I like, and shall not have tojoin in talk with Dame De Courcy nor the others, nor feel that my badhorsemanship makes me a jest."
"Very well, father, perhaps that would be the pleasantest way for you."
"If I get there before you, Edgar, I shall stop at a tavern in the mainstreet of Hoo. There is sure to be one there; and will rest until youcome along. If Hal Carter learns that you have passed through before myarrival, I will come straight on to the castle."
Accordingly, early the next morning, Mr. Ormskirk started with Hal, andEdgar, after seeing them fairly on their way, rode over to the DeCourcys'. All were in readiness for the start.
"Is not Mr. Ormskirk coming with us?" Dame De Courcy asked. "Reclusethough he is, I thought he would surely tear himself from his books onsuch an occasion."
"He has done so, dame, and is already on the road to Hoo, under thecharge of Hal Carter. 'Tis so many years since he has bestridden ahorse that he said that he should be ill at ease riding with such aparty, and that he would therefore go on quietly, with Hal walkingbeside him, and would join us when we came to Hoo."
They mounted at once. Dame De Courcy rode on a pillion behind SirRalph. Aline bestrode--for side-saddles had not yet come into use--herown pony. Two retainers followed, one leading a sumpter horse, with twopanniers well filled with provisions and wine, together with somewomen's gear, in case the weather should turn bad, and a change berequired at the halting-place for the night. They started briskly, andEdgar was glad that his father had gone on alone; the pace would havesorely discomposed him. Alternately walking and going at a canter theyarrived in three hours at Cliffe.
"There is your castle, Albert!" Aline exclaimed. "It seems well-nigh,if not quite, finished, and is strongly posted on that hill,overlooking the whole country from Dartford to Sheerness. You will needa chatelaine before long, brother mine."
Albert laughed, but coloured a little.
"Time enough to think of that, Aline."
"Nay, I am in earnest. Many are betrothed, if not married, long beforethey attain your age."
"I may say the same to you, Aline. 'Tis the fashion now for girls to bebetrothed between twelve and fourteen. I have been wandering about andfighting and have had no time to think of love-making."
Aline shrugged her shoulders. "You had better ask Sir Ralph and mymother for their views about me, Albert. It is not for a maid to makeher own marriage, but a valiant knight like yourself can manage yourown affairs, Methought perhaps that you would have to tell us that theFleming's fair daughter was to assist you in the management of thecastle that her father has given you."
"Joanna Van Voorden!" Albert exclaimed, indignantly, while Edgar burstinto laughter; "why, she is well-nigh as big as her mother already, andpromises to be far bigger. Thank you, Aline; if the castle and estatehad been offered me on the condition that I married her, I would havehad none of them."
"Well, sir, shall I make another guess?" Aline asked, mischievously.
"No, no, Aline," Albert said, hastily. "No more guessing, if youplease."
They had by this time approached the castle. "Look, father!" Alineexclaimed, clapping her hands; "they must have been on the watch forus. See! they are raising a flag on that staff on the turret, and see,there are your arms blazoned on it."
"'Tis a goodly castle for its size," the knight said, as he drew reinand turned his horse so that his dame might get a better view of it."There is a dry moat, which is lined with stonework. The walls are notvery high, but they are well defended by those flanking towers, and theplace could stand any sudden assault. I should say that it was aboutthe same strength as our own. So far as I can see, the otherarrangements are quite different. There is no keep, and it seems to methat the house is built rather for comfort than for defence; thewindows are large, and it looks more like a Flemish house built withina castle wall than an English place of strength. Now let us ride on,"and they pressed their horses forward. The gates were thrown open whenthey approached within a hundred yards; t
he drawbridge over the moathad been already lowered.
"Ride you first, Albert," Sir Ralph said; "you are lord of the place."
As they came to the head of the drawbridge, a middle-aged man of graveaspect, dressed in the garb of a citizen, appeared at the gate, and sixmen-at-arms, in steel caps and body armour, armed with pike and sword,drew up behind him.
The man bowed deeply to Albert. "Welcome to Cliffe Castle, sir knight,"he said. "I am Nicholas Hocht, and have, by the orders of my master,Mynheer Van Voorden, been here for the last year to superintend thebuilding of this castle, and in carrying out his other commandsrespecting it, with further orders to remain here, should you desireit, for the further space of six months as your steward. I received amessage from him yesterday, saying that possibly you would be hereto-day, and I must, therefore, have everything in readiness for you.The warning was somewhat short, but I have done my best, and I trustthat you will pardon any shortcomings."
"I am much beholden to you, Master Hocht," Albert said. "You have donewell, indeed, for a fairer castle and one better placed no one coulddesire."
The men-at-arms saluted as he rode on. Entering the gate, they wereable to see the house itself. It was, as Sir Ralph had said, rather aFlemish house than a knightly castle; the lower range of windows weresmall and heavily barred, but above there were large casements, pointedroofs, and projecting gables. It had an air of comfort and brightness.On the top of the broad steps leading to the great door were fourretainers, all similarly attired in doublets of russet cloth and orangehose. As soon as the party alighted they ascended the steps, led by thesteward. When they entered the great hall a general exclamation ofsurprise broke from them.
They had expected to see bare walls and every sign of the place havingonly just left the builders' hands; instead of this everything wascomplete, the massive oak beams and panels of the ceilings werevarnished, the walls were wainscoted, the oak floor highly polished;Eastern rugs lay here and there upon it, carved benches ran along thesides, and a large banqueting table stood in the centre; rich curtainshung by the window, and a huge fire was piled on the hearth.
"Why, this is a work of enchantment, Master Hocht," Dame Agatha said.
"I have had but little to do with it, lady," the steward replied. "Thewoodwork was all made in London, to my master's orders, and I had butto superintend its being placed in position."
He led them from room to room, their surprise and delight continuallyincreasing; all were furnished richly in the Flemish style withcabinets, tables, settees, and armoires. There were hangings to thewindows and rugs on the floors; everything was ready for habitation,the linen presses were full of table-cloths and napkins and sheets. Thebeds were ready for sleeping in, with their great bags of softfeathers, their thick blankets and silken coverlets. These more thananything else excited the dame's admiration. Never had she seen bedsapproaching these in softness and daintiness.
"With the exception of the furniture in the hall," Master Hochtexplained, "everything has come direct from Flanders, having beenselected by Mynheer Van Voorden himself, and sent by sea to Gravesend."
After having inspected the whole of the house they returned to thehall. Here the table had been spread. A silver skewer, to act as afork, an article then unknown in England, was placed before each, andan admirable repast was served, the steward himself officiating ascarver, while the four servitors carried the platters, which were offine Flemish ware, to the guests. Albert had begged his father to takethe head of the table, but the latter refused positively. He sat on oneside of his son and his dame on the other. Fish of several kinds,meats, and poultry were served. All cut up their meat with theirdaggers, and carried it to their mouths on the point of the skewer.
Albert and Edgar had learned the use of them in Flanders. Lady Agathaand Aline said that they were charming, but Sir Ralph declared that hegreatly preferred using his fingers. After the meal was concluded,water was brought round in a silver bowl, with a damask napkin for themto wipe their fingers on.
"The wine is excellent," Sir Ralph said. "You can scarcely havepurchased this at Cliffe or Gravesend."
"It is from the cellar, Sir Ralph, which is well stocked with the winesof France and Spain."
"Truly, Albert," Dame Agatha said, "this is not a castle; it is averitable enchanted palace. Mynheer Van Voorden is like one of the goodgenii the Saracens believe in, who can, at will, summon up from theground a vast palace, ready built and furnished. I trust that it willnot at once vanish as soon as we leave it. Were it to do so I shouldscarcely be more surprised than I have been at its splendour andcomfort."
"Do you tarry here to-night, Sir Albert?" the steward asked, as theyrose from the table.
"No, we are going to take horse at once and ride to Hoo."
"Will you take the men-at-arms with you? They have horses in thestables."
"Not to-day," Albert said. "We are a family party, and travellingquietly."
As they rode into the street of Hoo, Mr. Ormskirk came out of a tavern,where he had been resting. After greeting the ladies and Sir Ralph, hesaid, "I had begun to think that you must have changed your minds, andthat you were not coming hither to-day. I expected you three hours ago."
"We have been viewing the marvels of an enchanted castle, Mr.Ormskirk," Dame Agatha said. "We will not tell you about them, fordoubtless you will see others like them here, and it would be a pityfor me to prepare you for what you are to see."
The castle was indeed in all respects an almost exact duplicate to thatof Cliffe. They were received as before by the Flemish steward. Therewere the same number of men-at-arms and servitors, and the fittings andfurnishings were as perfect as those of Cliffe. After going over it,Edgar drew Sir Ralph aside.
"Sir Ralph," he said, "the castle, perfect as it is, still lacks onething--a mistress. I have long hoped that the time would some day comethat I should ask you for the hand of Mistress Aline, but though I havebeen fortunate, and have won rank and some distinction, I was but alandless knight, and in no position to ask for your daughter's hand.That obstacle has now been removed, and I pray you to give her to me. Ilove her very truly. My thoughts have never wandered for a moment fromher, and I trust that I shall be able to make her happy. Unless thebanner of England is hoisted I shall go no more to the wars."
"I am in no way surprised at your request, Edgar," the knight said;"and, indeed, for the past two years my dame and I have talked thisover, and hoped that it might be. I have during the past year had morethan one request for her hand, but have refused them, for her mothertold me she believed that Aline's fancy has long inclined towards you."
He called Dame Agatha to join him, and on hearing Edgar's request, sheheartily concurred with the knight.
"Nothing could please us better," she said. "We have long regarded youalmost as our son, and we need have no fear that Aline will thwart ourwishes and yours. Have you spoken to your father?"
"I spoke to him last night, lady, and told him what my hopes have longbeen, and that Van Voorden's noble gift now rendered it possible for meto speak; that it might be some time before it could be more than abetrothal, since, although I had rank and land, I was still withoutmoney to enable me to make the castle comfortable for her abode. Nowthat, owing to the Fleming's generosity, this difficulty is alsoremoved, I hope that you will not think it necessary that our marriageshould be delayed."
"I see no reason at all," Sir Ralph said. "Here is everything ready forher, and no noble in England could offer so comfortable a home to hisbride. The castle lacks a mistress, and the sooner it has one thebetter. Therefore, you can take her as soon as her mother can get herready."
They now joined Albert, Aline, and Mr. Ormskirk, who had mounted to thetop of one of the turrets and were admiring the view.
"'Tis a fair home," Sir Ralph said.
"It is indeed, father."
"What say you to becoming its mistress, daughter? Sir Edgar has askedfor your hand, and has gained mine and your mother's hearty consent.What say you?"
"Take her, Edgar. 'Tis not often that a young knight gains castle, andland, and bride in twenty-four hours. May your good luck continue allyour life."
"You have robbed me of my chatelaine, Edgar," Albert said, after thefirst congratulations were over. "Aline had half promised to come andkeep house for me for the present."
"You must follow Edgar's example," Sir Ralph said. "Who is it to be,lad?"
"I had intended to speak to you shortly, father, but as you ask me Iwill do so at once. I have seen no one whom I could love so well asMistress Ursula, daughter of Sir Robert Gaiton, and methinks that I amnot indifferent to her."
"She is a fair maid," Sir Ralph said, "and her father is a right goodfellow, though but a city knight. Still, others of higher rank thanyourself have married in the city, and as Sir Robert has no otherchildren, and is said to be one of the wealthiest of the Londoncitizens, she will doubtless come to you better dowered than willAline, for, as Edgar knows, my estates bring me in scarcely enough tokeep up my castle and to lay by sufficient to place my retainers in thefield should the king call on me for service. So be it then, my son. Aswe have settled to sleep here to-night, it will be to-morrow afternoonbefore we get home. The next day I will ride with you to London, andwill ask Sir Robert for his daughter's hand for you."
Not the least happy of the party at the castle was Hal Carter. Hepassed the afternoon in walking, sometimes round the walls, sometimesgoing out and making a circuit of the moat, or walking away shortdistances to obtain views of the castle from various points. The newsthat his master and Aline De Courcy would shortly be married raised hisdelight to the highest pitch, for it pointed to an early occupation ofthe castle. The thought that he, Hal Carter, was to be the captain ofthe men-at-arms in a castle like this seemed to him a huge joke. It wasbut two years before that he had been hunted as a rioter, and wouldhave been executed if caught. That so famous a leader as Sir HughCalverley should have praised him greatly, and that he was now to havemen under his command, seemed to him as wonderful a thing as that hismaster, whom he had known as a young boy, should stand high in theking's favour, and should be lord of a castle and a wide estate.
"Of course, father," Edgar said, as early the next morning he took aturn upon the battlements with him, "you will leave St. Alwyth and comehere?"
"I don't think that I could do that, Edgar," Mr. Ormskirk said,doubtfully.
"You will find it very lonely there, father; and, of course, we can fityou up a laboratory here, and you can go on just the same way as youdid at home."
"I do not see that I shall be more lonely than I have been for the lasttwo years, Edgar, and, indeed, as you know, even when you were at homeI lived very much my own life, and only saw you at meals and for anhour or so of an evening; therefore, your being established here willmake but little difference in my life, and, indeed, whenever I feellonely I can ride over here for a day or two. I thank you all the same,Edgar; but, at any rate, for the present I will continue to live at St.Alwyth. I have the good prior, who often comes in for a talk with me inthe evening, and makes me heartily welcome should I, as I do sometimes,go to the monastery for an hour after sunset. Sir Ralph never passes mydoor on his way down to Dartford without dismounting and coming in. Iam happy in my own life, and as long as I have health and strengthshall hope to continue it. Should my interest in my work flag, or whenI feel that I am getting too old for useful work, which will, I trust,be not for many years yet, I will then gladly come and end my dayshere."
So the matter was left for the time, and although Edgar more than oncetried to shake his father's determination, and Aline added herpersuasions to his, he failed to alter Mr. Ormskirk's resolution. SirRalph and Albert returned from London after staying there for a fewdays. Sir Robert Gaiton had consented willingly to his daughter'smarriage with Albert, and had announced his intention of giving her adowry greater than that which most nobles could have bestowed on adaughter. The king had expressed very great satisfaction at hearing ofthe gift Master Van Voorden had bestowed on the young knights, and tookgreat interest in their approaching marriages.
"They will then have enough land for a knight banneret's feu," he said;"that pleases me much. I should, on the report of Sir Hugh Calverley,have appointed them to that rank, but at present there are no estatesin my gift, and I waited till some might fall in before I appointedthem. Now, however, there is no further need for delay, and I willorder the patent appointing them to be made out at once, for they cannow, if called upon for service, take the field with the properfollowing of their rank. Has Sir Edgar adopted any cognizance? Ofcourse your son will take yours."
"I don't think that he has ever so much as thought of it, sire."
"I will talk it over with my heralds," the king said, "and see if wecan fix upon something appropriate, and that is not carried by anynoble or knight. When will the weddings be?"
"In two months' time, sire. Sir Robert Gaiton and his dame asked forthat time. My son will, of course, be married in London, and will bewed in St. Paul's, I have not yet thought about my daughter's marriage,but it will doubtless be at the chapel in the castle."
"'Tis a pity that they could not be married together here, Sir Ralph."
"I believe that my daughter's tastes and those of Sir Edgar wouldincline to a quiet wedding, with just our neighbours and friends, anddoubtless Albert's would also lie that way; but in this matter SirRobert must, of course, carry out the arrangements as he wishes; and asan alderman and like to be lord mayor in two years he would wish tomake a brave show on the occasion."
Before the time for the weddings approached came the news that thingshad gone badly in Flanders. At the approach of the French army acouncil was held among the leaders, and it was agreed that the alliedarmy could not fight with any hope of success against it. Accordingly,the men of Ghent retired to their own city, and the English marchedwith great haste to the coast and shut themselves up in Bruckburg,while the bishop himself galloped as far as Bergues. Bruckburgsurrendered on the arrival of the French army, all the English beingpermitted to embark with the great spoil that had been taken. Sir HughCalverley, whose advice throughout had been always disregarded, hadridden to Gravelines with his small body of men-at-arms and thence tookship to England. The bishop, on his arrival home, was, with the knightswho had been his councillors, very badly received; for it was held thatby their conduct and ignorance of affairs, and by the manner in whichthey had behaved in Flanders, they had brought great discredit uponEngland.
Sir Hugh Calverley, on the other hand, was received with honour, itbeing well known that all that had been done had been contrary to hisadvice, and that had this been followed the event would have turned outvery differently. The people at large, however, considered that theblame for the ill ending of the expedition was due entirely to thedelay on the part of the Duke of Lancaster in crossing over with thearmy under him. It was known that he had been altogether opposed to theexpedition, which had prevented the one he desired from sailing toSpain, and that he was minded to bring ruin upon it by delaying, undermany false pretences, from crossing to France. He had been extremelyunpopular before, but this added very greatly to the ill-feeling withwhich he was regarded.
But, in truth, the bishop's expedition failed from its own weakness. Inno case could an army so collected and led have effected any greatthing; but the headstrong folly and arrogance of the bishop, and hisunprovoked attack upon the Flemings, precipitated matters, and thescornful neglect of all the counsel tendered by the veteran knight whoaccompanied the expedition, rendered it a shameful disaster.
The marriage of Sir Edgar with Aline was celebrated a fortnight beforethat of the bride's brother. The ceremony took place at the castle ofthe De Courcys, and was attended only by neighbours and friends, and bySir Robert Gaiton, who rode down from town and presented the bride witha superb casket o
f jewels.
On the following day Sir Edgar with his wife rode to his castle at Hoo,where for the first time his banner, with the cognizance chosen by theking, a very simple one, being a sword with the words "_For King andHonour_," was hoisted at their approach, while the banneret denotingEdgar's new rank flew from another tower. The number of the men-at-armshad been increased to ten, and great was Hal Carter's pride as he tookhis place in front of them and saluted as Sir Edgar rode in. Ten dayslater they started for London to attend Albert's wedding; which wascelebrated with much pomp in St. Paul's, the king himself and most ofthe nobles of the Court being present.
Neither of the two young knights ever rode to the wars again, for inKing Richard's time the royal banner was never again raised in France;and yet they were not without a share of fighting. Many depredationswere committed along the coasts and at the mouths of rivers by Frenchfreebooters and lawless people, and the castles of Hoo and Cliffe werewell placed for preventing such incursions by men landing anywhere inthe Hundred, either from the Medway or the Thames. There was no fear ofsuch marauders sailing up the Medway past Hoo, for Upnor Castle barredthe way, and indeed Rochester was too large a place, defended as it wasby its castle, to be attacked by such pirates, but below Hoo a landingcould be effected anywhere, and boats with a few hands on board couldrow up the creeks in the marshes, pounce upon a quiet hamlet, carry offanything of value, and set the place on fire.
Such incursions had been carried far up the Thames and great damagedone, but as the ships of Fowey and other places were equally busydamaging French commerce and ravaging their sea-coast, no complaintscould be made to France even during the very brief period when therewas a truce between the two countries. Not only from across the Channeldid these marauders come, but from the islands of Friesland andZeeland, where the inhabitants--hardy sailors to a man--were lawlessand uncontrolled. After having suffered several times from thesepirates, and been moved by the constant complaints of their tenants,Edgar and Albert went up to town and laid the matter before the kingand council, pointing out that these attacks were becoming morefrequent and general all along the coast, and praying that measuresmight be adopted for putting a stop to them.
"But what do you propose should be done, sir knights?" the king asked.
"I would suggest, your Majesty, that either a few fast ships should beplaced at various points, such as the mouth of the Medway, Harwich,Dover, Hastings, and Southampton, that might keep a watch for thesepirates, or else that some of your vassals round the coast should beappointed to keep forces of some strength always under arms, just asthe Percys are at all times in readiness to repel the incursions of theScots; but should you and the council think this too weighty a plan, wewould pray you to order better protection for the Thames. It was butthe other day some pirates burnt six ships in Dartford Creek, and ifthey carry on these ravages unpunished, they may grow bolder and willbe sailing higher still, and may cause an enormous loss to yourmerchants by setting fire to the vessels at the wharves, or to thoseanchored out in the stream."
"The matter would be serious, assuredly," the king said, "and wouldcause so great a trouble to the citizens of London that it would bewell that some means should be taken to prevent it. I will talk thematter over with the council, sir knights, and will let you know in anhour's time whether we can do aught in the matter."
When the young knights returned, the king said:
"There is a royal manor at Bromley at present vacant; 'tis of the valueof fifty-six pounds a year. This we will hand over to you jointly, uponyour undertaking to keep thirty men-at-arms fully equipped and readyfor service, each of you; and also that each of you shall maintain, atthe spots which may seem to you the most advisable, a galley with oars,in which you can put out and attack these pirates."
Edgar begged permission to consult with his friend.
"You see, Albert, we have already each of us ten men-at-arms, and therevenue of the manor should well-nigh, if not quite, pay the expensesof the others. As to the galleys, we could keep them in the littlecreek between Cliffe and Graves-end. It would give us employment, andshould we ever be called upon to take the field, the sixty men-at-armswill make a good beginning for the force we should gather."
Albert assented, and, returning, they informed the council that theywere ready to undertake the charge of keeping thirty men-at-arms each,always in readiness for service, and for fighting the pirates by landor water. Returning home, preparations were speedily made, and the menenrolled and drilled. A watch-tower was raised on an eminence that wasvisible from both castles, and a look-out place also erected at themouth of the Medway. This was some sixty feet high. A great cresset wasplaced at the summit ready for firing, and an arrangement made with thetenants, on whose land it stood, that a man should be on watch nightand day. His duty would be to keep a vigilant eye on the river, and tolight the beacon if any suspicious vessels were seen coming up. Thesmoke by day or the fire at night could be seen at both castles, and bya pre-arranged system signals could then be exchanged between Edgar andAlbert by means of the watch-tower on the hill.
Albert had two large and fast galleys constructed, for his wife's dowryenabled him to spend money more freely than Edgar. They had a good manyencounters with the freebooters. Two or three times strong parties thathad landed from ships were attacked by the garrisons of both castles,joined by the tenantry near, and were driven to the boats with heavyloss.
Once the beacon from the mouth of the Medway signalled that three shipshad entered the mouth of that river. Edgar signalled to Cliffe, andwhen at ten o'clock the French landed just below Hoo, thinking to makean easy capture of the village, and, perhaps, even to carry the castleby surprise, they were allowed to ascend the hill undisturbed, and werethen attacked by the sixty men-at-arms, led by the two knights,together with a number of villagers and countrymen armed with bows andbills. Although superior in numbers the French were driven down thehill with great slaughter. Only a few succeeded in regaining theirships; but the tide had not yet turned, and there was little wind.Boats were obtained at Upnor, the vessels boarded, and all on board putto the sword.
Three or four sharp engagements also took place between the galleys andthe pirates ascending the Thames, and at various times rich prizes thatthe pirates had taken higher up the river were recovered from them; sothat in time the depredations greatly abated, and the city of Londonpresented the two knights with costly swords and a vote of thanks forthe great services they had rendered to the city, and to those tradingwith it.
They were both too happy in their homes to care to go often to Court,but they viewed with pain the increasing unpopularity of the king,brought about by his reckless extravagance, his life of pleasure, andthe manner in which he allowed himself to be dominated by unworthyfavourites. Van Voorden, who had permanently settled in England, oftencame down with his wife and daughter to stay for a few days with them,and declared that he had never laid out money so well as that which hadestablished two such happy households. The last few years of Mr.Ormskirk's life were spent at Hoo, where he still dabbled a little inhis former occupation, but never succeeded in finding the elixir he hadlaboured so long to discover. On the departure of the Flemish steward,Hal Carter was appointed to the post, with the understanding that ifhis lord should ever ride to battle, he was to revert to the command ofthe men-at-arms. Hal was ignorant of figures, but he had a youngassistant given him to manage this part of the work, and his honesty,his acquaintance with farming, and his devotion to his master, made upfor any deficiency on that score. Both knights sent contingents undertheir sons to fight at Agincourt, and were only prevented from takingthe field themselves by the entreaties of their wives and daughters,and by the thought that it would be as well to give their sons theopportunity of distinguishing themselves, as they themselves had done,in their early youth.
THE END.
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