The Dunston Blade

by John Daines

  II

  Roger had arranged for the brothers to look after Roland who was still slipping in and out of consciousness.

  The Prior assured him that all would be done to look after his friend. Roger had purchased a small cart and had trained his horse to pull it, not that the horse liked it much, he packed camping equipment and his bow and quiver. “Come on Laila, time to join Sir Robert’s group, they are camped on the edge of town.” Roger put his saddle in the cart and helped Laila to the seat. They trotted out to the campsite that was already being packed up.

  “We’ll join that group over there,” said Roger. “There is a couple of women with them so you won't feel lonely.”

  They introduced themselves and Roger talked to the leader of the little band a man named Robert Hud. Among his companions there was a tall and muscular man. Roger thought, if he is in the wrestling, I’m not. The caravan wound it’s way south at a gentle pace as they had allowed plenty of time to make Wymondham before the Tournament. Roger found his travelling companions very interesting. It seemed as though they had no particular trade, hiring out as mercenaries, or something like that. Robert and his female friend also spoke with a cultured accent and had obviously had some education. They were careful to keep out of Sir Robert’s sight, which intrigued Roger, their explanation was that they had not paid some taxes that were due. The party came in sight of the Tournament and as they came within hailing distance they were directed to camping sites. Sir Robert and his men went up to the Castle to join the other guests. After Roger had pitched their tent and unharnessed his horse he walk around the area to familiarise himself as to where the action would take place. He noticed a Squire directing men putting up the main stand where their host and dignitaries would be watching from, there was something familiar about him. Roger walked over to the place where he had last seen him but he was nowhere in sight. He asked one of the workmen who the man was.

  “That is one of Sir Cedric’s Squires, his name is John,” replied the man. It can’t be who I thought it was, considered Roger, he did not know any Knights only my father. Still puzzled Roger went back to Laila who had been cooking a meal for them. “Thanks Laila, that’s just what I need. Have you spoken to our travelling companions any more?” asked Roger.

  “I’ve spoken to one of the women and they say they have come to win some of the competitions, Robert, or Rob, as he likes to be called, is a very good archer and I guess the big one, called John, will win the wrestling. The rest of them are just ordinary men, one of them tried it on with me but I soon put him off.” “He will have me to answer to if he tries that again,” said Roger.

  In the morning Roger and Leila stood by the edge of the main arena watching all the Knights, Squires and guards forming up for the Grand Parade.

  “It used to be less organised when I saw my first Tournament,” said Roger. “It used to start with a real free for all, but too many men got killed so now they have to play by the rules. Not so much fun to watch but safer.”

  The Parade was very colourful with all the Knights in their armour and the different trappers on their horses. The parade circled the arena, to great applause and shouting from the onlookers, and finished up with all the Knights in the centre, they then dispersed to their respective tents and next appeared at the main stand without their armour.

  “See that young man behind Sir Cedric’s chair?” said an excited Roger. “I am sure he is someone I know, but we are too far away to be sure.”

  “Well, I am not moving, here we can see just about all that is happening in the main arena. We can walk around later,” stated Leila.

  Roger strained his eyes but could not be sure, when he rode pass in the parade his helm hid most of his face. The first event was the Squires galloping the length of the tilt yard and trying to spear loops of coloured ribbon from crosstrees and on the return run hitting a shield which had a bag of sand swinging on the opposite side. If they were not quick enough the bag of sand swung round and knocked them off their horse. Roger did not see the man he sought, but a smaller Squire in Sir Cedric’s colours raced up and down quicker than anyone and speared all the ribbons and struck all the shields, the crowd roared.

  “Well done Carac,” said John as Carac collapsed from his horse. “That must be the fastest time anyone has ever done.” Carac sat on a box to get his breath back and grinned at John. The next event was something that Sir Cedric had brought back from the Middle East, sticking a spear into a disk on the ground at speed, the disk is soft enough that several disks can be speared at one charge. Gavin was in this one and was very fast but a Squire from Lincoln beat him into second place. There was a break in proceedings while the butts were brought out for the Archery competition. John had returned to the main stand.

  “May I get you anything?” he asked Sir Cedric.

  “No thank you,” the Earl replied. “You may walk with Tania if would like, I think she needs to stretch her legs as she keeps wriggling in her seat to see where you are.” Sir Cedric laughed and it was taken up by several who were sitting close. John and Tania blushed as they rose and left the stand.

  Walking round the Tournament site they met many of the residents of Wymondham that Tania knew. John received many quizzical glances as he escorted her from stall to stall. Tania’s maid hung back as much as she could to allow the couple to talk privately. They returned to the stand just in time for John to take his place in the first shoot of the archery competition. He lined up with seven other archers and they loosed at the first target, four were in the Gold so could shoot at the next distance, John took his stance and bent into the huge bow, the signal to loose was given and off flew the arrows, three were strait and true, one disqualified. The last distance again saw one disqualified which meant John was through to the next draw tomorrow. John went back to the stand but on the way a man stepped out in front of him.

  “ Hello John, that was good shooting but I know your strength as a blacksmith’s son.”

  John was taken aback at first and then recognised his old friend Roger. They went over to an ale tent and sat down.

  “We have a lot to tell each other and I am competing again soon, can you come up to the Castle tonight?” said John. Roger agreed and after a few moments they went on their way, John to prepare for the first joust, and Roger to meet Laila. John found Hammer being looked after by one of the young lads from the Castle “Thank you for walking my horse,” said John. “I have to get him ready for the first Squire’s Joust.”

  “Can I help you, please sir, I have worked in the stables?” pleaded the lad.

  “Of course you can, I shall be glad of the help.”

  Between them Hammer was soon splendidly arrayed in his trapper and John fixed the barding ( armour) to his nose, forelegs and chest.

  “Oh he does look so wonderful,” said the lad. His eyes were shining and he asked, “Can I help you dress sir?” John laughed and nodded. Soon John was ready and as he mounted Hammer he felt that he was already a Knight.

  “What is your name, lad?” asked John.

  “Samuel sir but everyone calls me Titch, ‘cause I’m small,” replied the lad.

  “Maybe in stature but not in courage,” smiled John and he rode out to the lists. Titch followed, he shouldered John’s lance and staggered after him. The Squires Joust was to see how the young men were able to charge with a lance and spear at another man on a horse, the lance tips were large leather ‘fists’ so they did not pierce armour. They could unseat the opponent if hit in the right spot. John fought three other Squires, unseated two but the third stayed in his saddle but fell when he reached the end of the list. Titch cheered and so did Tania and it even raised a smile from Sir Cedric. As evening closed in and the setting sun gave a rosy glow to the sky the Knights and Squires returned to the Castle, there was to be no formal dinner that night as most people were tired and wanted to be ready for the morrow. As John rode Hammer to the stables there was Titch waiting for him. “I will see to your horse sir while you serve
Sir Cedric.”

  John was pleased as he felt too tired to argue and Sir Cedric had just arrived back.

  “I see you have stolen one of my Pages John,” remarked the Earl. “He’s a good lad, make sure he does as he’s told.”

  John returned to his room and did not see Tania and thought it was just as well as evenings were the worst,knowing that she was not far away. There was a knock at his door and there was Titch.

  “Your guests have arrived sir,” said the lad.

  “Thank you Sam, that is what I shall call you because you have grown today, ask them to come up.” A few moments later Sam appeared with Roger and Laila. Roger looked around John’s room, taking in the spacious size, the glass window with a view of the Bailey and surrounding countryside.

  “You are doing well here John,” he said as he stood by the large fire side.

  “Sir Cedric has been very generous and I have a future here,” replied John. The two friends talked far into the night catching up with all their adventures, after a short while Laila’s head dropped and she drifted of to sleep. “Time we went back to our camp and let you get some sleep, are you competing tomorrow, or should I say today?” said Roger.

  “Yes, but not ‘till later,” answered John. “Come again before you leave.” The next morning John was up early in spite of the late night, after a hasty breakfast he went down to the stables to prepare Hammer. He was astonished to see the horse already decked out in his finery and a smiling Sam standing by Hammer’s head, the big horse dwarfed him but somehow had a gentle demeanour as his head was almost resting on Sam’s. Gavin was laughing and said to John.

  “We helped him with the armour but he wouldn’t let us do anything else, he managed to finish his coat and fit the trapper by standing on the mounting block!”

  John thanked Sam and sent him off to the kitchens for breakfast as he and Gavin prepared Snow for Sir Cedric. On the way back to his room John went into the Hall and found the Knights busy breaking their fast. John approached Sir Cedric.

  “Good morning Sir, Snow is ready and we will be assembled when you wish.”

  “Well done,” replied the Earl. “We should have good sport today. You acquitted yourself well yesterday, John, shoot well today we need a good archer for what may come.”

  “Sir I ask a boon,” said John.

  “Go ahead, as long as it does not involve a certain Lady,” said Sir Cedric with a stern face.

  John continued. “There is a pony in the old stables that is not used, and I would like Sam, the Page, to have her to be able to keep up, as he is a little short and he spends energy getting to a place when he needs that energy to fulfil his duties.”

  There was silence as the Earl looked at John and then he laughed. “If he can ride her she is his as long as he is your Page.”

  John thanked the Knight and hurried to his room to get ready.As he neared his room he met Tania going to her workshop.

  “Will you be at the Tournament today?” asked John.

  “Yes, I am and I wish you good luck,”she said. John looked around for the maid but she was nowhere in sight. Quickly he took Tania in his arms, she came willingly and they kissed.

  “I don’t know if I can stand being parted from you for very much longer, we should be together where we belong,” murmured John.

  “Time will pass quickly, my love,no one can part us now no matter how long we have to wait,” said Tania.

  She released herself as the maid approached and they went off to the workroom. John dressed himself ready for the contests and ran down to the stables. Sam was waiting for him standing by Hammer.

  “Saddle the pony that is in the old stable and ride it to the Tournament so that you can keep up with us and it will stop your legs wearing out, we don’t want you to get any shorter.” Sam grinned and hurried off. John joined Gavin and Carac and the party moved off to the Tournament ground.

  The sun had risen early on the second day of the Tournament, everyone was in good spirits and the colourful stalls were soon in business selling their wares. The first event of the day was a final of the wrestling match, a ring had been set up in the main arena. The perimeter was packed with people, the locals to cheer on the Wymondham champion who was up against the tall man from Lincoln. The bout was a close one but the man from Lincoln’s strength gradually overcame the local man and there were loud groans when at last the Wymondham champion could raise himself up from the ground no more.

  The next event, archery, also included one of the Lincoln group, the man known as Robert Hud, as well as John who lined up with the seven other men who had won through. At the first butt only one man dropped out, John thought he had enjoyed the ale tent too much before stepping up to shoot. As the length to the butt increased the numbers of archers decreased as they lost, until only John and Robert Hud were left. Hud loosed first and scored a centre gold, John looked carefully at the distance, bent into his bow and loosed. The arrow flew true and sunk into the gold centre touching Hud’s arrow. The Marshall’s deliberated and eventually awarded the win to John, Hud shook John’s hand.

  “You are the first man to beat me in competition, you must come to Nottingham where we shall be on my home ground.”

  John returned to his place behind Sir Cedric and Tania to watch Carac flying down the centre of the arena firing arrows from horseback at various targets, there was nobody able to get near his score.

  “Cedric, you have a fine group of Squires,” said Sir Robert. “Maybe they would like to come to me, as I will be heading for Scotland soon and there will be rich pickings for men like them.”

  “What do you say John,” asked Sir Cedric, turning in his chair. “A chance to make your fortune?”

  “Or lose my head,” answered John. “I owe you too much to desert you Sir. “

  “ Well said lad,” continued Sir Robert. “I know there must be other reasons you wish to stay.”

  Tania blushed and John looked at his feet and they all laughed. Now it was the turn of the Squire’s final Joust, Sam had Hammer ready and as John mounted, Sam stood back holding the next lance. John moved out to the lists and waited for the Marshall’s horn. His opponent was a man who had entered the Tournament on his own, with just a boy to assist him. He was older than the other Squires and was unlikely to achieve his Knighthood as he had no allegiance to any Lord. The signal was given and John urged Hammer into a gallop, at the last moment John moved in his saddle and lowered his lance as he had been taught, it caught the other rider in his side and catapulted him off his horse. There was loud cheering from the Wymondham crowd. John’s opponent caught his horse, remounted and rode back to his end of the List. A smiling Sam handed John his second lance and the opponents faced each other again. As they charged at each other John settled into his saddle but this time both their lances found their targets and both riders were unseated, the stranger was soon on his feet and crossing to John’s side drew his sword. There was immediate horn blowing from the Marshall as no ground fighting was allowed and a sword should not have been worn. John looked round at a shout from the side of the list from Roger who threw him his sword. John caught it and parried the first attack then stood to face the stranger, the man moved quickly to attack again but this time John was ready and all the hours of practice and his battle experience proved it’s worth as the man found his sword suddenly whipped out of his hands and John’s sword at his throat.

  “Hold,” shouted the Stewards and stood between the two men.

  The stranger was marched away as the crowed shouted and applauded at the incident. John walked, a little unsteadily back to where Hammer stood patiently and led him to his end of the list as the Marshal declared John the winner. After John had divested himself from his armour and taken his place in the stand Sir Cedric turned to him. “I remember teaching you that move some time ago, I am glad you had not forgotten.” He turned to a steward.“I want that man brought to me after the Tournament, he knew the rules and I want to know what grievance he bears.”


  An announcement was made that the Noblemen would not Joust this day, they did not want to be injured prior to their next commitment. This news brought loud mutterings from the crowd as there was speculation on what these commitments would be. There followed some spirited jousting between the young knights the victor being one of Sir Gilbert de Clare’s men. The presentations of prizes for the victors of the various events then took place. John received a fine leather quiver full of well made arrows and a silver tankard. For winning at the lists he was presented with a fine Norman Shield emblazoned with Sir Cedric’s crest and a mace. Sir Cedric rose and addressed the crowd thanking all for coming to see the Tournament and wishing them ‘ God’s Speed ‘ for their homeward journeys. The Earl’s guests returned to the Castle where there was to be a banquet to celebrate the event.

  John, Gavin, Carac and Sam had finished all their chores and gone to their rooms to change, Sam was doing his best to clean himself up at the pump. There was a knock at John’s door, when John opened it there was Tania’s maid, she told him to go down to the workroom but she would be back when she had fetched some water. John hurried down the passage to the workroom, pushed the door open and immediately found himself in the arms of Tania. Their hungry kisses and embrace created its own heat and urgency, their inexperience and uncertainty of what to do next, however, delayed them long enough for the maid to return.

  Flustered they broke the embrace and looked at one another.

  “I go back to Lincoln tomorrow with Sir Robert, when shall I see you again?” said a sad Tania.

  “I don’t know,” replied John. “We are waiting to see what Sir Cedric is planning, I know Sir Robert is going to Scotland and I think Sir Alfred is joining him but nothing has been mentioned to me, except Sir Robert offered me a place to go to Scotland, it wouldn’t mean I would be in Lincoln long and I would rather stay with your father.”

  They parted with many reassurances of their love for each other and John returned to his room to find Sam had laid out his best tunic and hose on the bed. After he had dressed he looked at Sam who had been hovering.