The Dunston Blade

by John Daines

  “ Yes,” said Carac. “Ralf has asked to see you.”

  “Any sign of reinforcements? I had hoped they might march at night,” said John.

  Carac told him that everywhere was quiet and the Castle staff were going about their duties as though nothing had happened.

  “Everything went so quickly, I still can’t believe what we have done,” said Carac as he finished eating and prepared to check the guards and bring Ralf down to John.

  “Wait,” said John. “I will see him later, when I have thought a little more on our position. Send out scouts to see what the atmosphere is like in the villages, two men should do, Fredric and Steven would be the best, they are level headed and will bring back a true report. We need to know if I have poked a stick into a hornet’s nest.”

  As they sat at the table a guard came in and reported that there was a large crowd of people at the South gate. John followed him to the gate and on arriving called out to the crowd.

  “Do you have a spokesman, or someone who can speak for you?”

  “ Yes, we do,” said a voice that John knew well and his father stepped forward.

  “Open the postern and let him in.”

  John greeted his father and asked what the crowd wanted.

  “They have heard that Ralf has been defeated and want to know what is going to happen, as do I. How did all this happen son, are you now ruling this village?” asked Jack.

  “As I am here then yes I will be in command until I hear from Sir Cedric. How did they know so quickly and what do they expect?”

  Jack explained that the quarter day was tomorrow so they were all coming to the Castle, they were worried what was going to happen as most of them would not be able to pay the new rents.

  “Go and tell them that no rents will be collected until I have seen the records and then I will look at each tenancy and we will reach an agreement on what they should pay, until then they are to carry on with their work as we need the crops and the animals to survive.”

  Jack smiled at John’s words, he could see his son had grown up. Jack went out and spoke to the crowd who cheered and most turned away to go back to their farms, all but a number of rough looking men who gathered round Jack. John prepared to open the gate and assist his father but Jack re-entered the Bailey

  “Those men are ex men at arms that Ralf threw out when times got tough they want to know if they can be of use?”

  John thought for a moment. “Let them through the postern one at a time and I will speak to them.”

  After he had spoken to them all only two were told to leave, it transpired that most had been living in the forest and were on the edge of becoming outlaws. John sent them to the battlements and told all but four of his own men to come down and be ready in the Bailey. A shout came from the battlements that a rider was coming, it was one of the scouts and he came to report to John that he had seen nothing out of the ordinary to the North. John sent him to the kitchens for food and despatched another rider to watch the road from Norwich. John told a guard to bring Ralf to the hall. John and Carac sat at the table when Ralf was brought in.

  “ You cannot keep me as a prisoner, I demand to be released, and when I am you can be assured that I shall be on my way to see the King.” Ralf demanded.

  “ You will have a long way to go as the King is still abroad. I don’t want you here either but I must wait for Sir Cedric to decide on your future and until then you will reside in the West tower, take him back.”

  The guard escorted Ralf back to his room. John decided to get some fresh air and went up onto the battlements, he could see the smoke curling upwards from the Smithy in the still air and thought of his peaceful life there, such a lot had happened since leaving his home, he knew he had changed, but was it for the better? He suddenly had the urge to go home to see his family but he could not leave the Castle yet. After their evening meal John and Carac walked through the Castle talking to the staff who had remained, they appeared to have accepted the situation and responded to John. That night he slept easier and drifted off to sleep thinking of Tania. He rose early and went back to the battlements, the night guards had seen nothing to report. The morning was crisp and the mist lay close to the ground, it was very still. His reverie was broken by the sound of a galloping horse as the courier returned from Wymondham. John ran down the steps to meet him as he dismounted.

  “What news from Wymondham, will Gavin send reinforcements, is Tania there?” asked John.

  The courier held up his hand. “The Earl has returned and he says to hold the Castle ‘till he arrives and keep any prisoners you have especially, Ralf de Brehalle.”

  John’s nerves did a somersault and he thought this is it, now I shall know if what I have done is right, he went to the kitchens and grabbed bread and cheese. Going into the Hall he met Carac.

  “Will you get some of the prisoners up and get them cleaning the Castle please. Sam saddle Anvil and your own horse I want to have a look round the outside of the walls.”

  When they were outside the walls John could see that the de Brehalle’s had neglected the upkeep of the Castle. Several places needed repair and the ground had slipped back into the moat, there was no water in it at all. A shout came from the battlements and they quickly rode back into the Castle. A sentry was waiting for them with news that there was movement at the forest edge. John called Carac and a dozen men at arms to him and told them to close the gates and prepare to defend them, while he bounded up the steps to the battlements. Coming out of the forest he could see a force of mounted men, as they came closer he suddenly recognised the lead rider and horse.

  “It’s the Earl on Snow, and he is in full armour.” said John. “Open the gate and form an honour guard and hope he has not come to throw us out.”

  John went down mounted Anvil and rode to meet Sir Cedric.

  The column of armed men with the Earl at its head look very impressive, with the Earl’s banner flying in the breeze and the sun reflecting off the spear tips of the men. John turned and rode in at the side of Sir Cedric who’s helm was being carried by a page. They dismounted and Sir Cedric faced John.

  “I have come with the reinforcements you requested but who are we fighting, I see no army outside laying siege. Let me get out of this tin can and you can explain yourself.”

  John led Sir Cedric into the Castle where Boorman was waiting.

  “Take Sir Cedric up to the master room and ask Sam to attend him,” said John.

  “Come with me John, you can talk whilst I change, I am eager to know what has happened.” He followed Boorman. Sam appeared, out of breath, and helped the Earl divest himself of his armour. John related what had happened with Sam nodding his head in agreement.

  “So, you took the Castle in my name did you, and Ralf surrendered without bloodshed. You have been very lucky, there is no leader in Norwich since Bigod has gone and the monks are now running things there so we can claim all the villages that are tenants to this Castle and include a few others that will link with Wymondham, and I don’t believe there is anyone strong enough to oppose that. Your family feud has increased our lands very nicely.”

  A smiling Sir Cedric sat back in his chair and laughed. After being away at the crusade for so long Sir Cedric had lost some villages and this windfall, created by John, would fill some gaps until he could take back what he had lost around Wymondham. John nearly collapsed with relief.

  “After we had taken the Castle, I was concerned but the villagers are not opposed to what has happened.” John told him of the meeting and what he had arranged.

  “We will talk of this tomorrow, let’s eat, all this excitement has made me hungry,” said Sir Cedric.

  Ralf was called to Sir Cedric the following morning and he again protested at the way the Castle had been taken from him, Sir Cedric stood and looked at him in the eyes.

  “I’ll not wast my time with you sir, I shall send a message to your family in Normandy and they must meet you at Calais as that is where you will
be delivered by my escort, think yourself lucky you were not killed and I have not asked a ransom for your release. Take him away!”

  The next few days were a whirlwind as they visited all the farms and other tenancies between the Dunston estate and Wymondham.

  “When the King returns I must go to London and get these lands agreed, you must accompany me. The time might be right to make a play for Norwich.” mused Sir Cedric “in the meantime I leave you here to take charge and sort out these rents fairly as I must return to Wymondham.”

  After Sir Cedric had left John found some records of the villages. John and Sam visited all the tenants and in the majority of cases came to an agreeable settlement. John was getting impatient to finish so that he could report back to Sir Cedric and more importantly see Tania, he had been too long away from the love of his life who might start to forget him.

  At last the time came when one morning John and Sam left Dunston Castle in Carac’s hands and set off for Wymondham, they reached the town late afternoon and could see the Castle glinting at them as the sun lowered itself toward night. Sam blew his hunting horn as they approached and the gates were open when they arrived. As they came into the Bailey a figure was there waiting and as soon as John dismounted Tania was in his arms, looking over her shoulder he could see Sir Cedric watching from a few yards away. “Welcome home John, when you have finished devouring my daughter come and join me in my room,” said the Earl as he turned back to the doorway.

  “I have missed you so much, John,” cried Tania. “Don’t ever leave me for so long again. I have been bad tempered with my maids ( a young girl standing near nodded her head) and have had days when I have not spoken to anyone.”

  The two of them linked arms and went inside, with the maid close behind.

  John knocked on Sir Cedric’s door and was told to enter. He gave his report and informed the Earl that the Tenants were now paying their rents also the shearing had gone well, his father had more work than he could cope with and was contemplating opening up the old forge in the Castle. He was also having a stone house built to replace the old cottage. Sir Cedric was pleased with the progress and told John that another trip to London would be made soon as the King was returning in a few weeks time.

  “In the meantime you are still to meet Tania only when her maid is present, I assume from the display when you arrived, that your feelings for each other are the same.” Sir Cedric smiled as he said the last few words.

  II

  Roger and Laila settled back into their routine, Laila did not broach the subject of their marriage and Roger threw himself into his work in sharpening up his men and cutting the crime in Stamford. One morning after breakfast, Roger asked Laila if she would like to visit the church near their house. Laila was surprised as they did not go to church very often, only when Roger thought it would be a good idea to show himself as an upright citizen. When they arrived the priest was waiting for them and as they sat in the church he talked to them about what the church expected from them if they were to wed. Laila was so excited and Roger agreed to everything while the priest smiled, having heard all this before and knowing few kept to what they agreed to that day. They arranged to be married on a Saturday in four weeks time. Laila and Roger walked home together with Laila feeling as if she was ten feet off the ground Before they reached their cottage Roger stopped at a house nearer to the centre of the town which had a small alleyway at the side, he produced a set of keys and opened the front door.

  “This is ours as from next week,” he said to an open mouthed Laila. “The Mayor owns it and we will rent it while I am Marshall, my new title, of the town. There is a stable at the rear and a room which I can use as a place to talk to the men and write my reports.”

  Tears were rolling down Laila’s face and she threw herself at Roger and hugged him. “I have never been in such a grand house and will we share it with others?” she asked.

  “No, my love, this is just for us, but dry your tears and I will show you the rooms, we will have to get some more furniture as well, I will see about moving ours as soon as I can.”

  After a tour of the house the two of them walked back to their cottage hand in hand. There was a softness to their love making that night, a true joining of two people who had at last found happiness in each other. Little by little Roger learned of what had happened to his brother and he felt sad that his family home was lost, perhaps he could have taken over the Castle himself but with no troops and an uncertainty of who would support him it would have failed. He decided to send a message to John inviting him to the wedding and then he would gain the full story of what happened. Roger worked hard to protect the citizens of the town, he organised more patrols outside the walls to find out what was going on in the nearby villages and the name of Robert Hud was spoken of more and more.

  Laila went to the market one day and was surprised to see a group of men that she recognised, it was Robert Hud and his friends that they had met at the Tournament, they did not see her and for some reason, she couldn’t explain, she did not make herself known.

  When Roger came home that evening Laila told him of what she had seen.

  “As long as they behave themselves I don’t see they will cause any trouble, the gate guards will have made sure that they are not carrying bows or swords, as is the rule for visitors to the town,” said Roger. “I am going out again so I will see if they are still around.”

  There was no sign of the group and the night guards had not noticed them so Roger forgot about them. A loud banging on his front door woke Roger the next morning.

  “All right I’m coming,” he shouted. “Anyone would think the town is on fire.”

  When he opened the door there were two men there who both tried to speak at once. Roger calmed them down as he led them in to the parlour. One man was a jeweller and the other his next door neighbour a cobbler. It transpired they were early risers and when they went to open their shops they found they had been robbed. The value of the thefts differed greatly, the jeweller had lost many hundreds of pounds, he claimed, but the cobbler found only four pairs of boots had gone. Roger sent messages to close all the gates and to check people leaving with new boots, he rode round to the West gate where there was a crowd of people trying to get in and out, Roger told the guards to open the gate but keep a careful eye on those entering and exiting. The extra security drew a blank and Roger increased his patrols and posted a reward for the capture of the thieves. Roger’s thoughts turned to what was happening in the town and the surrounding countryside, with more and more men wandering about either deserters or the flotsam from the recent battles. The town was well policed but outside travelling was extremely dangerous, robberies and killings by marauding gangs was common place.

  News had come to Roger that a stranger had been seen entering an Inn well known for being the haunt of thieves and troublemakers. Roger and two of his men entered the Inn and walked up to the bar, the landlord hurriedly closed the door that led into his private room.

  “Who is staying here?”asked Roger. “I am looking for three visitors who were seen entering this Inn.” “They’ve gone sir, they only came in for a drink then left.”

  Roger quickly went round the bar, pushed the landlord aside and opened the door into the private room just in time to find three men being thrust back into the room from a side door where Roger’s men had been waiting.

  “Take them to the Gaol and this poor specimen of an Innkeeper,” said Roger to his men who had come in through the front door. Roger looked on the table in the rear room and there were several items of jewellery laid out. After he had questioned the three he found that they were regular thieves and were the culprits that had stolen from the Jeweller, they were also wearing almost new boots. They had a deal with the landlord who sold the jewellery over the counter at lower prices. Roger felt very satisfied as he made his way home that evening, he was looking forward to his meal and a quiet night in with Laila, who had been a little distant the last few days. Rog
er sat in his chair after his meal and rested his feet on a stool. Laila came into the room and stood looking at him. “Sit down, my love, you are looking a little tired,” said Roger.

  “I am tired and that is why I want to talk to you. We are about to have a new member of the family.”

  There was silence for a few minutes as Roger realised what she was saying and then he jumped out of the chair, knocking over the stool and hugged his wife.

  “This is the best day of my life, our own family.” Roger gently lowered Laila into the chair he had just vacated and started fussing over her.

  ”Stop, Roger, I am fine and nothing will happen for six months yet.”

  Roger, however, went on making plans for a nursemaid and altering a room for a nursery. Laila laughed and told him to calm down while she explained what she wanted. Roger dashed out soon after his breakfast to tell the Mayor their good news, and anyone else he came across. It was not all good news at this time as there had been more robberies outside town. The outlaws were growing in numbers and the Mayor was eager to call the Earl of Cornwall at Rockingham Castle to provide troops to guard the roads. Roger agreed but did not want any outside interference in the town, he assured the Mayor that he and his men could cope. The Abbey became very busy at this time caring for travellers who had been attacked.

  Some days later Roger received a message from one of the de Mowbray’s asking him to come to the Castle and discuss the rising outlaw problem in the area. Roger set off early with two escorts so that he need not travel at night. de Mowbray was in his hall with three other men when Roger arrived and they needed no introductions.

  “Hello Robert,” said Roger, and he nodded to Robert’s companions, a tall man whom Roger had seen wrestle at the Tournament and his friend the troubadour.

  “You know Robert?” asked de Mowbray.

  Roger explained their meeting at the Tournament and how well they had done.

  “Robert has news of the movement of outlaws in this area and has offered his services to me. I asked you here because the movement is in your direction,” said de Mowbray. Roger told them that he had sent messages to Rockingham asking for support but had no reply before he left.