by John Daines
“ Today we travel south to join forces with our friends in securing stability in this England. You will be fighting for your families, for justice and a rightful government. We will fight for the love of our country, we fight for ENGLAND!”
At this men shouted ‘HURRAH’ and banged their shields. de Granville signalled the mass of men to move off and their journey south began.
“That didn’t tell us much,” complained Roland.
Roger looked around to see who was listening and told Roland that he had overheard his father talking to Ralf that the Barons were fed up with the King and the way England was being governed.
“Who we are joining with, and where, I do not know,” said Roger.
The army swung east to reach the river and there they saw many boats ready to take men, horses and equipment down river to Yarmouth. On reaching the coast the army camped in the old Roman fort between Yarmouth and Lowestoft. Roger, keen to keep out of sight of Elric, suggested that he and Roland should visit Yarmouth and sample the towns delights. The two friends arrived in the town which was full of men who had the same idea. Walking down by the docks they came upon several large ships anchored in the port. “I hope you’re not sea sick Rolly, for it looks as though those are our next transport.”
II
For three days there had been no sign of Sir Cedric and John was starting to think he would not see the Earl again. Jack tried to reassure him by saying with the country in a turmoil there could be many things to detain him. “I have a gift for you John, which should take your mind off Sir Cedric for a while.”
John followed his father into the Smithy, from behind some old sacks Jack pulled out a bundle and gave it to John.
“I had to make sure my son was well equipped to serve a Knight properly,” said Jack. John undid the bundle to reveal a magnificent broadsword. The blade glinted in the light from the forge and John felt no weight from the weapon as it was so finely balanced. The quillions gently curved away from the grip, which was leather bound. The pommel was finely carved with the figure of an eagle. John looked closely at the blade and saw engraving that spelt out on one side ‘ALIS AQUILAE, (on eagles wings) and on the other ‘DEO JUVANTE’ ( with God’s help). John was speechless as he swung the blade.
“I have always wanted to make this blade from an old, large falchion that was given to me by a Knight I served in the Holy Lands,” explained Jack.
“He told me it had magical powers but it did not save him from losing his life. It has been difficult to convert it to a broadsword, the metal looks and feels like steel to me but harder than I have ever come across. Now it is finished and I have given into the right hands. Fight with honour son.”
John put down the weapon and clasped his father to him. “I will never forget this moment father.”
“Here is the scabbard, not quite so new but serviceable. With your longbow and dagger you should be equipped enough for your first encounter, you will also find a small bag that was given to me by the same Knight, what is in there is only to be worn when you are invested as a knight, it has also come from a Holy Lands. I will tell you more of that when the time comes.”
John’s eyes glistened as he looked at this man who was more a friend than just a father. Joan came out to call them to the table, John called her over to show her his new sword.
“I am sure it is the best,” said Joan. “I hate to think what it will be used for.”
As they were finishing their meal they heard hoof beats in the yard. John went to the door and there was Sir Cedric on his horse leading another pack horse with many bundles on its back. The baggage was taken in to the cottage and the Earl produced gifts for everyone. Bed coverings, dresses and clothes for the women and men. “I have found true friendship here and I wish to show my appreciation.” Sir Cedric told the family who were speechless as they surveyed the gifts.
“I have just the one daughter and no son and my wife died four years ago, so you have filled a gap in my life for a short while. My daughter is being looked after by my staff until I return.”
They all sat down to the table together and Sir Cedric talked of the state of the country.
“There is going to be trouble for the King, Simon de Montfort is gathering barons around him. If the King does not meet their demands I see a fight looming. Henry is our lawful King and although he has made many mistakes I would hate to see someone like de Montfort or one of his friends, control the country.”
On this gloomy note they all retired to their beds. John thought of Roger and wondered where he was and who with. Earl of Norfolk, was a powerful baron who had no love of the King and would be a supporter of de Montfort. Was Roger at Norwich Castle preparing for battle? Was Sir Cedric going to join the fight and which side would he support? Surely it would be the King.
John picked up the small leather bag his father had given him and found inside a large gold ring, he tried it on but it was too big. Looking closely at it he noticed a strange writings on it. With all the thoughts he had spinning around he dropped off to sleep.
Early next morning Sir Cedric was up early preparing his horses. “John, the second horse I brought yesterday is for you. He has seen battle so will not be frightened in a fight. You will also find a breastplate and helmet in that bag, it should fit you. The last item is a spear with our colours, you must also carry and care for my lance. We will take the destrier and I will ride my other horse and leave the pack animal here with your father.” The Earl finished his instructions and went back into the cottage.
John packed what they would need and distributed the load among the horses. Sir Cedric appeared carrying his armour which he loaded onto the destrier, the last item he fetched from the Smithy, a large shield with his coat of arms, a red eagle on a field of gold. John thought of the inscription on his sword. After all the goodbyes the two of them rode out towards the South .
After a few miles Sir Cedric said to John. ”I hope we make Haywood Hall tonight where we will be given shelter and I hope to gain some news. We are on our way past London.”
It was dark and the wind had increased as they approached Haywood, only a few flickering lights could be seen. They rode round to the rear and a groom came out to take their horses. John felt strange being treated as a guest, it was normally left to him to look after the horses, etc. The rear door opened and an old man approached them.
“Sir Richard is in the hall sir, if you will follow me.” John hesitated but Sir Cedric signalled to follow him. The old man led them through darkened passages to the large hall where a tall man stood by a glowing fire, he greeted Sir Cedric and turned to John.
“My Squire, “ said Sir Cedric.
“Welcome to my house young man,” said Sir Richard then he ordered the old man to go to the kitchens and have the cook prepare a meal. John walked around the hall looking at the various weapons adorning the walls, Sir Cedric was in deep conversation with Sir Richard and John tried to keep a good distance from them although he would have liked to know what was being said. A large jolly lady came bustling in with a tray of various meats and a young girl followed bearing a second tray with breads and cheeses. The three men sat down and were soon enjoying the food. John began to feel the effects of his ride and the ale and his head dropped on his chest.
“Send the lad to bed Cedric, we have need of some important talk,” announced Sir Richard.
John staggered up to his room and dropped exhausted onto his bed, it was the longest ride he had done and he was stiff, sore and tired, is it always to be like this he wondered?
The following morning they took their leave from Sir Richard, John had prepared their horses so they set off Southwards. They continued on their journey spending some nights with Cedric’s friends and other nights saw them camping in the woods. John noticed the nearer they moved toward London there were more Knights and their men at arms moving in the same direction. As they neared the River Thames Sir Cedric explained that he had been summoned to join forces with Prince Edward
’s army which was gathering on the South Downs. The King wanted de Montfort beaten and the Baron’s brought to heel. John was worried about Englishmen fighting Englishmen but he was Sir Cedric’s Squire and would therefore follow him.
II
“Seen any fish Rolly?” queried Roger smiling as Roland leaned over the side of the ship and heaved.
“Go away can’t you see I am dying?” said Roland.
“What, before the battle?” smiled Roger.
The two friends and the rest of the men from Norwich had been sailing for several days and had been told they were to land on the morrow. This was strange country to them both and they were excited to get ashore.
The men disembarked at Pevensey and moved inland to meet up with the rest of de Montfort’s forces. The Baron’s strength numbered some 5000 troops. Roger and Roland joined a cavalry unit and hoped Elric was too busy elsewhere to notice Roger was mounted. Meanwhile Sir Cedric and John had crossed the Thames at Windsor and rode to Windsor Castle to meet the King but learnt that the he had moved on to Lewes Castle.
“We will spend the night here John, we should make Horsham by tonight. We move towards Lewes tomorrow.” Sir Cedric rode up to the Castle gates and spoke to a guard who opened them and directed the two of them to the stables.
They rose early the next morning and set off for Lewes, making good time they arrived in Horsham as night fell. There was an encampment there and Sir Cedric told John to make camp among the assembled men.
“I will search out the Prince for I feel he is with these men.”
John found a place next to a group of men who were camped around a large tent where John assumed their Knight was resting. “Come and sit by our fire,” said a cheerful man. “’tis a cold night. Have you eaten? Help yourself to what’s in the pot.”
“Thank you I am hungry and it smells good,” said John and dished a ladle full of stew onto a platter. “What Knight do you serve?” John asked, this was met with a loud laugh from the men around him.
“This is no Knight lad, this is Prince Edward’s tent and we are his guard.”
“I meant no offence as we are looking for the Prince to join him.”
“You are in good company then,” smiled a man with broad shoulders.
At that moment the large tent’s flap opened and a very tall man stepped out. The men stood up and looked toward the Prince, for it was he. “Easy men, save your strength and rest while you can for I see a hard fight before us.” As the Prince finished speaking John could see Sir Cedric approaching. John looked at the men he would be sharing a battle with, they seemed a hardened bunch, and John relaxed and lay down in front of Sir Cedric’s tent, he wanted to sleep but his mind kept thinking of what was coming, he clutched the leather purse that he had fastened round his neck containing the strange ring and felt better.
II
Roger and Roland found themselves in a cavalry unit under Nicholas Seagrave and a large contingent of soldiers from London. They moved nearer to Lewes and made camp on the Downs. Early next morning, while the mist was still hugging the ground, Roger and Roland were woken by the guards and told to mount up and join their unit.
“I’ve not seen a sign of the foe,” complained Roland.
“I think we are going to see them soon enough,” replied Roger.
At that moment the cavalry were told to move forward, some foragers from the King’s army had been sighted near a stream. Suddenly Elric Fletcher appeared in front of them and called. “Forward lads, the enemy is by the stream. Keep as quiet as you can and we’ll surprise them,” and he moved off with the cavalry following. Suddenly they were upon the King’s men and a fierce fight developed around the stream, the foragers retreated returning to their lines. Seagrave’s Londoners came up behind the cavalry and the whole section moved towards the King’s army. Out of the morning mist Roger could hear the thunder of charging horses and Prince Edward and his cavalry were upon them. The Londoners were outmatched and soon broke and it became a rout as the men ran before the charging cavalry. In the charge were Sir Cedric and John, Sir Cedric’s destrier bowling men over as the Knight slashed left and right, John tried to keep up but in the melee he dropped behind. Coming across a group of stragglers John slowed his horse, the men turned, looked at him and raised their weapons, a mixture of swords and spears and one with an axe.
“We’ll get this young cub, come on me lads have him off that horse,” this came from the axe man who strode forward swinging the weapon. John spurred his horse, raised his sword and the arm with the axe was suddenly detached from the body and lay on the grass, the rest turned to run but John had the battle fever and rode after them swinging his sword. Another man went down, blood pouring from his shoulder, the rest scattered in all directions. John felt the exhilaration of the fight and hardly noticed the speed at which his sword attacked the foe. Eventually Prince Edward called a halt to the chase and turned his men to return to the main battle. When they came near to Lewes they saw that the King had retreated to the Castle, Edward launched a counterattack but the King’s Marshall rode out and called them to cease fighting to allow negotiations to take place with de Montfort. John sought out Sir Cedric as they entered the Priory.
“I am glad to see you survived the fight, John. I lost sight of you after the initial charge.”
“I was scared and excited, if you know what I mean, and now I’m glad to be back here. I am sorry I did not stay with you,” said a breathless John.
The Earl looked at him and spoke to him, smiling. “We were going at a good gallop, but that’s the Prince’s way, charge in and sort it out later. I see you have blooded your sword.”
John looked at the weapon and felt a certain sadness at what he had done. ‘So this is war?’ he thought. Kill or be killed. As John saw to the horses he talked to some of the other Squires and learnt that Prince Edward had surrendered to de Montfort as hostage, so they had failed in their endeavours he mused. What would happen to them now?
II
Roger and Roland had run with the rest, away from the charging Prince. Roland suddenly veered left and shouted to Roger.
“Make for those trees, we can lose them in there.” Riding swiftly into the wood the pair slowed to a stop and heard the charge go past.
“That was close,” puffed Roger. “I thought we would be caught and this would be my first and last battle.” Dismounting they crept to the edge of the wood. They could see a few stragglers being rounded up, and one small group appeared to turn to face the horseman chasing them.
“A bit of courage at last,” whispered Roland. “Should we help?”
“No, we don’t want to expose ourselves, or go up against him, look!” countered Roger. They witnessed John cutting off the man’s arm and wounding the second. Little did they know they were watching Rogers friend. “You wouldn’t want to meet him on a dark night, did you see the speed of those strokes?” Muttered Roland as they crept back to their horses. When they had waited long enough they mounted and rode off to find the rest of their group. Roger was disappointed he had not been part of the fighting but was pleased the outcome had been in de Montfort’s favour. He was even more elated to find himself chosen as one of the Prince’s guards. The prisoner’s caravan wound it’s way to Leicester where Edward was placed under guard. Roger found life as a guard tedious and looked forward to his visits to the town and it’s taverns, he was soon known by all the bar wenches and many a night he did not make it back to his room. Guard duty did not please Roger or his friend Roland and they were constantly in trouble for being late on duty.
One dark night when the rain was soaking the ground and all were either in their beds or safe indoors, it happened that Roger had dallied longer with his current girl and was trying to get back for his tour of duty, when he met men coming towards him.
“Have you seen a tall man running this way?” questioned one man.
Roger pulled his hat further down and muttered, “No, I have seen nothing on a night like this.” With
a cloud of doom hanging over him he reached the Castle to find Roland under guard and soldiers rushing everywhere.
“Where have you been?” whispered Roland. “I told them you had gone to the garderobe so get those wet things off quickly.”
Roger threw the cloak and hat in the corner of their room and rejoined Roland.
“Prince Edward has escaped and all the guards on duty have got to go before Fletcher now.” Elric Fletcher was not a happy man and he was not going to take the blame himself. He railed at the men and picked on the newest and smallest of the guards to vent his wrath. “I want to know how this has happened and you will find out who is responsible or you will wish you had died at Lewes.” With that he stormed off to send more men out on the search.
II
In the king’s camp the Knights and their men rested in the Priory for a day then started to return to their own lands. They had promised to return to the King should he call. John loaded their baggage onto the spare horse. Sir Cedric told him they were to make for his lands in Wymondham which would take several days. John hoped he would have time to visit Dunston and his family, would he see Roger, had he been in the Battle? These thoughts occupied his mind as they rode north. They arrived in Wymondham on a warm summer’s day, before going into the town Sir Cedric stopped and dressed his destrier and donned a fine tunic.
“We must look our best as we are returning after a long absence. Put on your best tunic John and hold my lance up.”
John looked round as they journeyed through the town. It was market day and the streets were busy, many people spoke to the Earl who was smiling and it was obvious that he was well liked by the inhabitants. There were many curious glances at John but he just smiled and sat straight in his saddle. A few of the young maidens giggled at him as they appraised this new young man who was to live among them. They rode out of the town and carried on towards the Castle, as they exited a small wood they saw a Castle standing on a small hill.
“Home,” exclaimed Sir Cedric. “Too long have I been absent from my affairs. Come John this is now your home.”
