The Dunston Blade

by John Daines

  “Don’t worry John, take your time and events will come to a natural conclusion, what will be will be.” John thought to himself that that was no answer. They retired to their beds, Jack to think of the road his son was on, and John to dream of Tania.

  II

  Roger looked across at his friend Roland, they were sitting in their favourite Inn in Stamford. They had been enjoying the friendship of two of the local girls and had settled into a routine.

  “Any truth in this rumour that there is to be another fight with the King?” asked Roland

  “I don’t know for sure, but they say that they are recruiting at Kenilworth. It will be changing one guard for another we might as well stay where we are,” replied Roger.

  “It is pretty dull here though, isn’t it, apart from our evenings.” Roland said as he squeezed the girl sitting on his lap After seeing the girls ‘settled’ upstairs they walked back to the barracks.

  “I wonder how Joan is, and what that brother of hers is doing?” said Roger wistfully.

  “You didn’t get anywhere there you said, so I wouldn’t bother with them.”

  “He was a good friend in spite of his haughty sister,” countered Roger. The two men went to their bunks and started to clean their weapons as they had practice in the morning and they now had the reputation of being the two best swordsmen in Stamford.

  More and more men started to pass through Stamford most saying they were on their way to Leicester.

  Roland was becoming more restless each day.

  “Something big happening and we ought to be part of it, when there is fighting you can ‘find’ lots of things, if you know what I mean.”

  “Yes, you can find your death,” replied Roger.

  “Anyway I feel like another fight,” continued Roland.

  Roger sat and thought whether another battle is what he wanted, he was enjoying the relative calm of being a guard at Stamford and there was a chance for promotion here especially if more men went to join de Montfort from the town. There was no prospects at home as Ralf would inherit the title and Castle when his father died, which could be any day.

  Walking through the town one morning Roger met the Mayor who stopped him and suggested a glass of ale together. Sitting in the warmth of the Inn Roger relaxed and listened to the Mayor.

  “Are you going to Leicester with your friend?” he asked. “He approached me this morning to say he felt a loyalty to de Montfort, so would go and join his army. I don’t think that was the only reason.”

  “No, I shall not go with him, I am not eager to look for a fight, I hope soon that peace will come and we can lead a normal life.”

  “Good, then I have an idea to improve the safety of the citizens and keep the ruffians out of Stamford. I want you to lead a roving group of guards to go to trouble spots and generally keep order, would you do that?”

  “It certainly sounds a good idea,” replied Roger. “ I would like to do that it will be better than staying in one spot.”

  “That’s settled then, we will meet in the morning and I will tell you what I want and pick the men for your group. There will be an increase in your money but now I must get back and sort out with the Captain how we are to organise these changes.” The Mayor shook Roger’s hand and left.

  Roger smiled to himself as he thought about his new position, and the increase in his income, without Roland he might be able to keep more of it too. As Roger made his way back to the barracks he saw a group of horsemen riding through the town. He quickly ducked into an alleyway as he spotted his father and Henri de Granville in the group, no doubt off to join de Montfort. Roger thought about his new position and how it would fit with the Captain, he liked Stamford and would like to stay here.

  II

  The sun was up when John raised his head from the pillow, he could hear people moving about and hammering coming from the forge. He quickly dressed and went down to the kitchen where his mother was busy baking.

  “I thought you were going to sleep all day,” said Matilda. John grabbed a hunk of bread and went out to the Forge. All three were working hard, sparks were flying and young William was busy with the bellows as Thomas heated up long pieces of iron while Jack beat them into shape.

  “I’m off to see Father Aldred. “ said John.

  “You had better take some cider with you,” called Jack.

  “Will do,” replied John as he went over to the stables and saddled Anvil. John whistled as he rode and took in the beauty of the countryside, there is nowhere like home, and then he thought of his other home in Wymondham and the woman who waited there. As the two men sat and enjoyed the cider John told Father Aldred about his adventures.

  “What is the situation at the Castle now, is there any news of Roger?” asked John.

  “Ralf is ruling the roost now and making a fine mess of it too. I hear Avice is to be married off to a Norman Knight. I have a brother priest in Stamford and he sent a message to me to say that young Roger is one of the guard there, but no news of Sir Walter.” The priest continued with other village gossip until John took his leave and rode home. John spent the rest of the day helping his father and over dinner retold the information the priest had given him.

  “ Where is Stamford?” enquired Joan.

  “West of here, I think,” said Jack. John said nothing. He was not sure of Rogers intentions or what he was going to do as Ralf would not want him at the Castle. The following morning John loaded up the pack horse that had been left at the Smithy and saying farewell to his family set off for Wymondham. On the evening of the eighth day the Castle came into view and John blew on his hunting horn. The drawbridge was down and the outer gate open, as he came through the inner gate the postern door opened and Tania rushed out. Dismounting quickly John was just in time to catch Tania as she jumped into his arms. Holding her close John glanced over her shoulder and spotted Sir Cedric coming out of the main door and seeing the couple he spun round and went back inside.

  John pushed the excited Tania away. “Your father is watching, behave, or I shall be told off.”

  Together they walked over to the stables where a groom helped John unload.

  “I must see your father now.” He said to Tania. “I will see you later if I am allowed.”

  “Of course you will be allowed,” said Tania.

  John looked at her with love in his eyes but a heavy heart, he knew his future lay with what Sir Cedric decided. He went to his room and cleaned himself up after the journey. With trepidation and weakness in his legs he made his way to Sir Cedric’s rooms. John knocked on the large oak door and heard a stern voice bid him enter.

  “I hope you found your family well, your father is a good man.” Sir Cedric was standing by a window, with the light behind him John could not see his eyes to see if they would give an indication of his mood. “You appear to be very friendly with my daughter, John.”

  “Sir, it happened very quickly, I did not know she felt as strongly as she does.”

  “Do you feel strongly about her?” asked the Earl

  “Sir, I do.”

  “Well, there’s a problem. You are going off to fight for your King, with me, and who knows whether you will survive. I have a mind to send her to her cousin in Lincoln to give you some space. Have you spoken to the Squires who came to the Castle recently?”

  John shook his head and replied “They did not want to talk.”

  “I have been remiss in explaining what happens to a Squire in his service to his Knight you had better look in the Library, there is a book there that will give some information, you may see then that given time you maybe in a better position than you are now to pursue my daughter. Until she departs for Lincoln I put you on your honour to control your emotions and be a true Squire.”

  John could only nod his head and with a downcast look went back to his room. Later he walked into the Library and looked around, there were a few chairs and small tables, the rest of the room as expected was filled with shelves full of books
, some very dusty and some that had obviously been used. He looked along the shelves not knowing what he was looking for when he suddenly found an open book on one of the tables. He sat and read the page that was open, it was a list of conditions for Squires attending their Knights at Jousts. Reading further John began to understand some of the tasks he would have to be accomplished in, to become an efficient Squire. There were pages describing the Code of Chivalry, Rules of Heraldry, Horsemanship, Weaponry and many more skills. Towards the end of the book it became clear that this was more of a guide for Knights to test their Squires and for what reason? To make him a Knight! John lay awake that night wondering if this was Sir Cedric’s plan, to take a lowly Blacksmith’s son and turn him into a Knight. With these thoughts racing through his brain John eventually slept. In the morning of the next day, while John was working out with the guards he was interrupted by the sight of Tania and her maid watching. John stopped his sword practice and walked over to Tania.

  “Good morning John,” greeted Tania. “Will you walk with us I want to talk to you.”

  Sheathing his sword John joined them and they made for the Castle gardens. The maid dropped back so that the couple could talk privately.

  “My father is sending me to my cousin in Lincoln and I am only to see you with my maid present.”

  “He has already told me, I should have gone to him earlier but I went home instead, it made things worse. The question is how will this affect you?”

  Tania looked at John, put her hand on his arm and stopped him speaking. “I love you John, I have done since that day in Wymondham, if I have to wait for you then that is what I shall do.” John felt his heart surge and he longed to take Tania in his arms

  “I love you too with all my heart but I have to follow your father as his Squire and abide by his decisions. I do know that if we are patient then we can be very happy.” They looked into each others eyes and through the tears in Tania’s John saw the love.

  “I leave for Lincoln in three days time so we can walk and talk until then.” They walked back to the Bailey and John resumed his practice. That evening he went back to the Library and looked for books to help him learn the duties of a Squire, he was determined to prove to Sir Cedric that he had made a wise choice when he offered him the position. During the next few days Tania and John met as often as they could under the watchful eye of Tania’s maid. Sir Cedric was away but John kept his passion in check and was just pleased to walk with them in the gardens. Soon it was time for Tania to go, on that day John was away hunting with two other young men who had come back with Sir Cedric. Gavin was the son of a Knight that had been to the Crusades with the Earl. Carac, a younger man, was the son of a Norfolk nobleman. The three men soon became good friends, studying and relaxing together. John was the master of the sword even when the other two ganged up against him. Gavin was the better man with the lance and spear while Carac who was smaller, could outride them both and there was no one who could match him with the short bow on horseback. All in all they were a formidable trio. One morning while they were caring for their horses Sir Cedric appeared and called them to him.

  “The King has sent word that I am to meet Prince Edward and to prepare to crush the Barons once and for all. We are to meet him near Worcester and we leave early tomorrow morning. Carac, you are to stay here with enough men to defend the Castle and town if need be. John and Gavin prepare our weapons and horses, pack only what we need, we have a long journey ahead.” With that Sir Cedric went back inside.

  II

  Roger was settling into his job as Bailiff, he patrolled the town with four guards and the level of theft and armed attacks had lessened. The Mayor was pleased and Roger now lived in a small house in the better part of town with his extra income he had also hired a maid who would come in daily to clean and prepare his meals. Life was good for Roger. Early one morning as the group patrolled the poorer part of town they heard carousing coming from an old Inn, the Fighting Cocks. Roger sent two of his men to investigate, the noise increased and the sound of swords being drawn prompted the rest of the group to rush in where they found the two guards facing a drunken crowd of ruffians.

  “Landlord, show yourself,” bellowed Roger. A fat man wearing a dirty apron appeared from behind a bar. “They were too many for me, your worship, and they wouldn’t keep quiet,” whined the man.

  “Much more of this and I will close this Inn,” said Roger. He spotted the most sober of the bunch and called him out. “What causes you to make merry at this time of the day, speak up or you will find yourself in gaol?” The man stood unsteadily before Roger and tried to explain that they had arrived late last night from Worcester and they were on their way home to the East, they had been fighting for a baron but had been routed by the King’s men. Roger told them to gather their belongings and be outside the town walls in half an hour, there was a mad rush for the door and as everyone tried to get out at the same time. None got out as they were all stuck in the doorway. Roger sat down on one of the bar stools, laughing with his men. “I don’t think we will see them again, but we must keep our eyes open as there will be more of them coming through,” said Roger. He turned to the landlord and remonstrated with him. “Don’t let this happen again. Have a couple of men to keep order or I will close you down.” The landlord bowed and said he would do what Roger suggested. Roger wondered if Roland would be among the men passing through. During the next week more of the retreating army passed the town, Roger doubled the guards at the gates then suddenly the movement of men stopped and there were more going the other way.

  “They have been persuaded to make a stand somewhere, and the Knights are rounding them up,” said one of the guards as they walked the walls.

  “We have not lost any more men,” said Roger. “I think our boys know they are better off here.”

  A guard came hurrying up to Roger and reported that they had news of a large force of Knights and men spotted south of the town moving west.

  “Did you see any banners?” asked Roger.

  “We managed to talk to one of the pike men and they are part of Prince Edward’s army going to Worcester,” said the guard.

  “No wonder the other troops turned round,” commented Roger. A thought crossed his mind, should he report this news to one of the barons, but he decided against it and not get involved. Arriving home for his evening meal, Roger poured himself a jug of cider and settled himself in his favourite chair. The door from the kitchen opened and the maid walked in.

  “You have beef tonight sir,” she said. “I have also made a plum pudding.”

  “You will make me fat and lazy, Laila, would you join me tonight, I could do with some company?”

  “Thank you sir there is enough, and my mother is visiting her sister so my time is my own.”

  Roger looked at her, a comely girl and she kept his little house clean and comfortable, I am beginning to feel that this is now my home he thought. Ralf could have his draughty Castle, this was better by far. They both sat down to enjoy the beef, Roger started a conversation by saying. “It is time you called me by my real name, you are more a friend than a servant.” Laila smiled and her face softened, she appreciated the fact that she had been very lucky that Roger had picked her out of all the girls that had tried to gain this position, however she also wondered what she might have to do to keep it. Roger and his group kept a vigilant eye on anyone entering the town, he posted extra guards on the gates to deter any fugitives, but everything quietened down,

  II

  On the morning of their departure John looked out over the valley and saw a huge encampment that must have arrived during the night. He and Gavin were ready in the Bailey when Sir Cedric with Gilbert de Clare, Alfred of Ely, Robert of Lincoln and Henry of Almain strode out of the Castle and mounted their horses. The group rode out with John and Gavin following leading the destrier and spare horses. A company of Sir Cedric’s men at arms joined them and the whole ensemble prepared to move off. John felt the excitement bui
lding in him.

  “There must be over 1,500 men here.He “ he said to Gavin.

  “At least that amount, but we had better keep close to Sir Cedric if we are to serve him,” answered Gavin.”Shame Carac is missing this.”

  John looked back at the Castle and could just pick out the young Squire on the battlements. The large company moved off with great noise and some confusion which soon settled down. A small number of townspeople had come out and stood waving at no one in particular, they had never seen this number of Knights and soldiers before. John looked to see if he could spot the Mayor’s daughter but there were too many men milling around. When they stopped for the first night’s camp John and Gavin picked a spot on high ground and pitched Sir Cedric’s tent and their own. They soon found a system where they could both work together quickly and efficiently. They sat round a camp fire and listened to the men tell stories of past battles which always ended with the teller winning. As they journeyed on many of the villages they passed were like ghost towns with people hiding behind locked doors. They fed off the countryside which did not go down very well with the inhabitants, imagine 1,500 hungry men being fed by the cooks who stripped the surrounding fields of animals and crops, payment was promised but the farmers hardly ever received any, most people wanted the fighting to stop so they could get on with a peaceful life. After several days march they at last came to the outskirts of Worcester where they found Prince Edward’s army resting. Two days later the senior Knights were called to the Prince’s tent and a plan of action was discussed, the Prince now had an army numbering over 10,000 men and he meant to finish de Montfort. Sir Cedric came back from the meeting and told his two Squires to prepare for battle. That night John lay awake thinking of home and Tania, would they be able to convince Sir Cedric of their love for each other. They were woken in the morning when it was still dark, the army was noisily getting ready. John and Gavin put on the white over tunic with a large red cross, at the battle of Lewes de Montfort’s men wore a white cross and Prince Edward decided that he wanted his men recognisable. The army started to move, a section was despatched to the bridge over the Avon to stop any reinforcements reaching de Montfort, the rest climbed to the ridge overlooking Evesham. As they waited a thunderstorm swamped the armies, they could see through the driving rain the baron’s forces aiming for their centre. The Prince gave the order to encircle the opposing force and the two armies met. The fighting was fierce, many remembered the defeat at Lewes and attacked with a bloody resolve. John and Gavin were in the thick of it beside Sir Cedric whose destrier was barging biting and kicking whilst his rider hacked left and right. John, on Anvil, thrust and swung his sword until he felt his arm would drop off but miraculously all three of them suffered no serious wounds. A lull in the battle allowed some small respite and Sir Cedric moved them foreword into where there was still fighting, it was not man against man but a slaughter as men took revenge on the army that beat them at Lewes. Sir Cedric pushed through the throng to where the Prince was trying to stop a group of men hacking at something on the ground, they found the mutilated body of de Montfort. The royalist forces gradually gathered on the outskirts of Evesham and Prince Edward called a council of his Knights to plan strategy to finish off any resistance. Sitting round their camp fire John fell into a dark mood.