The Dunston Blade

by John Daines

  ”Boorman, how are you, a joy to see you here and looking well,” exclaimed Roger.

  “Thank you sir I am very well and happy serving Sir John,”replied the Steward.

  John explained that Boorman had been invaluable when he first took the Castle and in a sadder vein he told Roger how his brother had met his death. Roger was quiet for a moment and then said to John.

  “My brother always thought he was bigger than he really was and I knew he would never be able to govern the land like our father, I am sad that he died but I am glad you did not kill him. As you have been granted the Castle and lands our family has no claim and I accept the situation and wish you every success.”

  John clasped Roger’s hand and smiled at him and said. “Come let’s eat, the cook is still the same and a very good one too.” After they had finished their meal the two of them walked the battlements, a full moon lit their path and they could see its reflection in the surrounding moat.

  “So you are soon to be a father. That will be quite a commitment to bring up a child.”

  Roger replied that he was looking forward to the challenge but he knew in his heart that he was not sure that he wanted the responsibility now. The next day as Roger looked round the Castle he could see the improvements that John had already made and he suddenly felt sad, for his father and Ralph. He pondered on what had happened to Avice and his mother as he had heard nothing since they went to Norwich. The following day he found John in the stables told him he was leaving. John wished him well and said to let him know when the baby was born and he would come to the Christening.

  II

  Over the years activity increased on the land that John governed, sheering was in progress in preparation for the Charter Fair at Wymondham. John was discussing the finances of the Castle with Boorman and commented that they should have their own Fair if it meant better revenue to the Castle.

  “Yes,” replied the Steward. “That certainly would help in many ways. We would attract more traders and we would be able to deal direct with the cloth merchants from France or Bruges.” John instructed him to find out the way to obtain the Charter.

  “It is time we employed a Reeve to look after our lands, see if you can find someone suitable and I will talk to them on my return. I am going to Wymondham with Carac to talk to the Earl.”

  On arriving at Wymondham Castle, John asked a Page the whereabouts of the Lady Tania and he was told she had gone to her workroom. He bounded up the stairs and knocking on the door he heard a voice bid him enter and there was Tania. John gathered her in his arms and kissed her passionately, the maid squealed. “Sir, Sir, that is not allowed, the Earl will be cross.”

  John released Tania who stood gazing up at him with a smile on her flushed face, he dropped to one knee and said, “Tania, will you be my wife and share the rest of our lives together?”

  “ Oh yes please,” Tania replied and pulled John to his feet so she could kiss him again.

  The maid squealed again but this time she clapped her hands in delight.

  “I am going to your father now so pray that he will agree to our betrothal.” He left and went to Sir Cedric’s room.

  “Come in,” called the Earl, responding to John’s loud knock.

  “Excuse me sir, I have something important to ask you,” John said a little breathlessly.

  “Your wool is not ready for the Fair?” interrupted Sir Cedric.

  “No sir that is fine it’s…”

  “You want to give me your ideas for your shield,” said the Earl cutting in again.

  “No sir, I want…”

  “I know, you want to return my men to me, well that’s good news” said Sir Cedric, interrupting for the third time.

  “It’s not that at all sir, I..”

  “You want to marry my daughter.” This time the Earl’s voice was softer and John was not expecting this. “No sir ….I mean yes sir that is what I have been trying to ask you,” said a confused John. The Earl stood smiling at John and clasped his arms .

  “I am delighted this day has come at last, John. You have waited very patiently and I give my blessing willingly.” John stood looking at the Earl and heard himself saying, ‘thank you’ but seemed rooted to the spot. Sir Cedric laughed and said. “You had better go and tell her, don’t you think, and then both of you come down to see me.”

  John hurried back to Tania who hugged and kissed him and they both went down to the Earl. Sir Cedric held his daughter and stretched out his hand to John.

  “You have my blessing and I am very happy to see that your love has endured the test of time. If you are agreeable I would like the wedding to be soon and I hope you will choose the Abbey for the ceremony.” The Earl looked at Tania as he spoke.

  “I am sure we agree to both points,” she said. They sat down together to discuss the plans and when they had finished John and Tania left to go to the Abbey and meet with the Abbot. Abbot Filbert was in his garden when they arrived, he stood and stretched his back.

  “This is a job for a younger man, my old bones don’t take kindly to this bending. What can I do for you young people?”

  “We have come to ask you to marry us,” replied John.

  The Abbot smiled and asked them to accompany him to his office where they discussed the service.

  “The Earl will want the best for his daughter,” said the Abbot. “We will not disappoint him, or you.”

  The day was fixed for three weeks hence and they returned to the Castle with the news.

  “It hardly gives me time to get everything done,” said Tania. “There’s the dress and all the arrangements, it’s too soon.”

  Sir Cedric calmed her and asked if she would mind being married in her mother’s dress which he had kept all these years. Tania had seen the dress and said at once that she would love to wear it. The dress was beautiful and had been made for the Earl’s wife in Flanders. They discussed their plans as they sat down to dinner and the events of the day began to become clear to the young couple, they kept smiling at each other and then at Sir Cedric, who smiled back. Tania excused herself and went to bed leaving the Earl and John still talking.

  “I want Carac to come back here so I can carry on with his training.”said the Earl.

  “That fits in with my plans as now Sam is older, and bigger, I would make him my Squire and start his training,” said John.

  “Good,” continued Sir Cedric. ”You must manage your own affairs now, especially as you will have a wife, and next a family. The lands you have produce a good return and your vassals and peasants do not give you much trouble do they?”

  “Not yet,” said John. “I intend to improve our relationship with them so that everyone benefits.”

  They both became tired and decided to leave further details until later. John wanted to get back to Dunston as quickly as possible to make sure all was well and to see his family and tell them his news. He wanted to go tomorrow and take Tania with him if the Earl would agree.

  John left early in the morning without Tania, she said she could not ride at the moment and did not feel very well. John put Anvil to a fast trot as he was eager to get back to Dunston. John arrived at Dunston Castle just as the light was failing. He summoned Boorman to bring him up to date with what had been happening. “I have a man to see you regarding the position of Reeve,” said Boorman. “He has held that position in Leicestershire but wants to come nearer to his home in Norwich.”

  John asked when the man could be seen and Boorman said he would arrange it for tomorrow.

  The next morning Boorman brought the new man to John who was sitting in the great hall.

  “What is your name?” Asked John. “I have been told you have had the position of Reeve elsewhere.”

  “My name is Roderick, my father was a shepherd west of Norwich, he and my mother died of dropsy and my brother now has the flock. I worked as an apprentice to the Reeve at Leicester but when the Earl was killed we were dismissed. I wish to return to Norfolk sir.”
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br />   John looked at him intently and perceived a tall well built man of about 25 years who returned his gaze, but not insolently. John offered him the position on a trial basis for six months and Roderick accepted. “Tomorrow you will accompany me when I visit the Tenants and we will discuss what I want you to do after the trip.”

  Roderick bowed and left. John called Boorman to stay, and told him of the forthcoming marriage. “Congratulations, my Lord, I will hire some new maids to serve her Ladyship when she arrives.” “Good”said John. “She will bring her two personal maids with her, they will need accommodation.”

  “It shall be done sir.”

  John called for Sam to come to the Hall, when he arrived he looked nervous.

  “I have groomed your horses sir and they are comfortable in the stables.”

  “Thank you Sam but that is not what I want you for. You have served me well as a Page but it is time you moved on.”

  Sam looked even more nervous.

  “Would you serve me as a Squire?”

  Sam grinned and suddenly knelt on one knee and said he would, and faithfully. John stood and grasped Sam’s hand to raise him up.

  “Tomorrow I want you to come to me and we will discuss what you need and what the training will entail.” Sam,still grinning, said he would be there and walked out of the Hall even taller than he had entered. John turned to Boorman.

  “That’s cheered him up, now I need a new Page for my personal needs.”

  “I have a lad who is the son of one of the cook’s and would be very suitable,” answered Boorman. John agreed he could start as soon as Boorman had instructed him in his duties.

  The next morning John went out to the stable to have Anvil saddled for him to ride to his parents.

  Jack and Matilda were delighted to see their son and receive the news of the impending wedding. He spent some time discussing with his father some work he required carrying out at the Castle, he asked where the Mason was and had he finished in the Village.

  “I want to make some alterations to the Castle and also some additions, if he wants the work it will take him over the winter period.”

  Jack asked John when would he be at the Castle, as he had a delivery to make. John said he would have time on his return from Wymondham but was puzzled as he wondered what the delivery could be, perhaps it was something Carac had arranged.

  Joan returned from her trip to the church and was excited to hear the news of the wedding. John passed on a message from Tania.

  “Tania would like you to be one of her Ladies, if you are willing. If you are, she asks you to come back with me to have the dress made by her seamstress. Tania likes to design and make her own dresses so I expect she will be involved. What do you say Joan?”

  Joan was speechless for a moment and then threw her arms round John and said she would be delighted and honoured.

  “You can stay at the Castle, if mother doesn’t mind being on her own. We have plenty of room.”

  John arrived back at Dunston Castle to find Roderick with Boorman going over the lists of Tenants and their rents.

  “I see there are not too many who are in arrears,” said the Reeve. “Not like in Leicester where the Earl was too lax in collecting what was owed.”

  “I find that firm persuasion without actual force brings the best results.”said John. “I explain how it is in their own interest to get the best from their land, or flocks, and if they are fair with me I will do all I can to help them. After all it ends up helping me.”

  Roderick agreed and thought to himself that it was unusual for such a wise head to be these young shoulders. Sam entered and said Anvil was ready to ride again so the three of them set off to visit the tenants.

  Joan arrived the next day with her horse loaded with all her baggage.

  “Come to the hall and we will have a meal before we depart,” said John. “I will have your baggage loaded on to our pack horse. This is Sam my Squire.”

  Sam bowed and thought to himself that the young lady would make a very agreeable companion on their ride to Wymondham. After their meal John set off with his party of Joan, Sam and six men-at-arms. The afternoon was warm and John thought how he loved this part of the country, he still found it hard to take in all that had happened to him over the past years. The sun had set and night had closed in as they neared Wymondham Castle, Sam blew his horn and the gates were open for them as they arrived.

  Tania met them at the door and greeted John with a hug and a kiss, she grasped Joan’s arm and they went off chatting together. They passed Gavin on the way who turned and stared after Joan.

  “Will your sister be staying long?” he asked John.

  “At least until the wedding,” replied John, as he went to see Sir Cedric in his room. After reporting to the Earl what he had been doing at Dunston they fell to discussing the wedding.

  Tania and Joan hurried to Tania’s rooms and there Tania brought out her mother’s wedding dress.

  “Oh it’s beautiful,” said Joan, “you will look so pretty in it.”

  Tania then held Joan’s arm and they went to the sewing room to look at material for the bridesmaids.

  John called Sam to him in the morning. “Sam, you need a name that more befits a Squire, what was your father’s name?”

  “My real name is Stephen sir, and we are Fletchers.”

  “Good then, Stephen Fletcher, follow me.” John led the new Stephen to the library to show him the books but Stephen could not read.

  “I will ask Carac to school you in your duties while we are here and I must see the Priest about teaching you to read and write when we return.”

  They found some books with pictures and Stephen was enthralled and John could see a light in his eyes that foretold of someone who would learn quickly.

  II

  Roger arrived back in Stamford in the late evening and after stabling his horse went into the house. He surprised Laila, who was resting. They embraced and Roger could feel the large mound of her stomach where the baby lay.

  “How are you?” queried Roger. “Are you looking after yourself?”

  Laila replied that with the maid and her friends she was fine although very tired. Roger told her about his visit to Dunston and how there was nothing there for him and that John was now the Knight controlling the lands that had belonged to his father. Laila sensed the disappointment that Roger felt.

  ”Why don’t you go down to the Inn and the barracks, to see your men and friends, I am going to bed to rest?” Roger decided that he would do that and set off for the Inn. Except for those men on duty, most of his men were relaxing over a jug of ale. They were pleased to see him and the sergeant told him that the town had been relatively quiet whilst he had been away. After several jugs and ribald chatter the men began to drift away leaving Roger slumped over a table.

  “Have you no home to go to?” said a soft voice and Roger opened his eyes to find a girl leaning over him showing an ample bosom. “You’d best come with me and rest your head.”

  Roger staggered to his feet and followed her. When Roger awoke his head throbbed and his mouth was like a dried parchment, it was a few moments before he realised where he was. A movement by his side reminded him he was not alone in the bed as the girl who had taken him to her room sat up.

  “Time you was gone and leave money on my dresser.”

  Roger levered himself upright and when the room had stopped spinning, managed to dress himself and find his purse. He left with the girl giving him a parting word that she would be happy to see him again.

  In the morning air Roger gradually began to take stock of the situation. He walked back to his house and thought what he would say to Laila. Arriving at the house he was surprised to find the front door open and several women rushing about. Laila’s maid came to him. “Oh sir, your wife is in labour and there is a problem!” Roger quickly went to the bedroom where he found the midwife trying to calm Laila who was moaning and screaming alternately.

  “Come Roger, yo
u should not be in here,” said one of the women, whom Roger knew. “We will tell you when she has delivered.”

  Roger moved as though in a dream, and went down to the stables. He could still hear Laila’s screams as he stroked his horse. “Why punish her when it was me who sinned,” he said. Then all went quiet and he went back into the house just as one of the women came down the stairs.

  “Come into the parlour Roger,” she said and Roger followed her into the room.

  “How is Laila, can I see her and what of the baby?” The woman turned to him.

  “The midwife did all she could but the baby was born too soon and did not survive.”

  Roger stood in shocked silence for a moment and then made for the door. He ran upstairs to the bedroom and stopped at the open door. The midwife turned to him and stood back so he could see Laila laying stiff and white faced, the strain and anguish still showing what she had gone through. Roger dropped to his knees beside the bed and tears streamed down his face.

  ”I’m sorry my love, so sorry. I shall never forgive myself for what I have done.”

  He turned to the midwife who shook her head and said the strain had been too much for Laila. Roger asked where was the child and she pointed to a wrapped bundle on the dresser. Roger stood up and walked over to the dresser, the midwife stood in front of him. “You don’t want to see sir, I shall take it away.”

  “What was it?” cried Roger.

  “A little boy sir, it never drew breath.”

  Roger flung himself out of the room and went out of the house. He walked round the town, not seeing anyone or anything, gradually his mind became clearer and he knew he must go back to that house where his love lay shattered, a love he had broken and now was lost for ever.