The Dunston Blade

by John Daines

  “Henri Hausman. You are found guilty of a crime against our King and Country which is Treason, therefor you are sentenced to be taken from here and hanged by the neck until you are dead, and may God have mercy on your soul.”

  The Judge then pronounced the sentence on the two farmers that they were to be flogged and banished from the King’s lands for ever, the younger of the two fell to the floor. The guards marched the prisoners back to their cells and people began to disperse.

  John sat on a bench with his head down, it was different when you are in battle and you killed a man but this was too clinical and he regretted not ending it in the Fens. Sir Cedric found him and asked him to come to his room. When they were seated the Earl said that the verdict and the sentence was right and would send a signal to anyone else that tried that they would get harsh treatment if caught. Hausman would be dealt with at dawn tomorrow but the two farmers he felt should be punished at Dunston to also send a signal. John was silent for a moment while Sir Cedric spoke to him.

  “This will strengthen your position at the Castle and the surrounding lands and show the Tenants that you are willing to punish wrong doing severely.”

  John nodded in agreement but felt a little apprehensive inside. When he awoke in the morning Tania tried to lift his mood, all night he had twisted and turned and only slept in short periods. He met Stephen on his way to the Bailey where they joined Tristan and Sir Cedric. Night had not receded yet and a black gloom hung over the Castle as Hausman was led out to gallows that had been erected overnight. The priest accompanied him and read prayers as the noose was placed over his head. Hausman remained silent even when asked if he had anything to say. As the weak sun rose the trap was sprung and Hausman dropped, there was complete silence with all the faces turned towards the swinging body.

  Gradually everyone walked back into the Castle and made their way to the Hall to break their fast, it was a sombre meal even though they all knew it had been a just decision.

  “He will be buried outside the Castle,” said Sir Cedric to John. “Have you made plans for your journey back to Dunston?”

  John replied that he had arranged to leave at noon and arrive at Dunston in the evening, he could then carry out his part of the sentence at dawn the following day. Tania and Joan came into the Hall and said they were not hungry, they had watched the execution from a window.

  “We shall be leaving at noon,” said John. “I must inform Tristan and Stephen to be ready.”

  After saying his farewells to Sir Cedric, John and his party departed for Dunston. This time Tania and her ladies rode with him, they made good time and arrived just as night began to darken the skies. When John had changed from his armour Boorman informed him that Roderick wished to see him.

  “Well, Roderick, what news?” asked John. “Have you found new Tenants for the vacant land.”

  “Aye sir,” answered the Reeve. “Two of Thatcher’s shepherds will do nicely and we will have no further trouble, they can work together to make both farms profitable and share some of the costs. What is going to happen to Thatcher and Carpenter?”

  John explained the Judge’s verdict, the flogging would be in the morning and they would be taken to Yarmouth, put aboard a ship to take them to the farthest land away from England.

  “I’ll move Thatcher’s wife and child back to her folks in Stowmarket. Carpenter had no family but his cottage will need a good clean as he lived like a pig,”said Roderick.

  “ See that Thatcher’s wife has this money,” said John, passing him a small pouch. “It is part of what he would have been paid for the fleece.”

  John joined Tania for their meal and began to feel calmer knowing that after tomorrow he could get back to running his lands as he wanted to.

  As the sun rose on the next day Stephen and Tristan stood either side of the two prisoners who were tied to fence rails in the Bailey. At John’s signal the flogging started, 100 lashes each. Carpenter soon lost conscience and Thatcher was barely alive when they had finished, they were dragged off and cold water sluiced over them.

  John spoke to the Squires. “Let them have the rest of the day to recover then tomorrow I want you, Stephen, to take them to Yarmouth and book passage to Italy, an edict has gone out to all ports to bar them from entering this land again.”

  With that John turned on his heel and strode back into the Castle and calling Roderick to him told him he would ride with him to visit all the Tenants within the next few days. In fact it took longer that anticipated as John wanted to spend time with the men who tended his land and raised his sheep and cattle. They discussed the coming fair, the market and collection of wool, many asked when they would have their own wool fair and John said he had already written to London asking that they could obtain a charter which would bring foreign traders to Dunston. Staying the night as a guest in some of the houses John realised he must improve the economy of his land so that Tenants could improve their living standards. Overall the trip was a success and John felt revitalised and started to make plans to improve the Castle.

  Tania had settled to married life at the Castle and on the next visit from Sir Cedric she was the perfect hostess. After the evening meal during that visit the Earl sat in front of the fire in John’s room and said he was worried at the murmuring he was hearing from Norwich, the Barons were unhappy that the King had neglected the City, but still demanded high taxes. Sir Cedric knew that if there was an uprising the King would expect him to put it down as he was still in Wales. It crossed John’s mind, as they talked, that if that happened he would be involved too. That night he needed the love of his wife to take his mind off the thought that he might be fighting again. Sir Cedric departed the next morning and after a few weeks life became calm again and John remarked to Stephen that no news must mean good news, but keep the men practicing and in readiness.

  John, Tania and Joan were visiting Jack and Matilda and John noticed the women, when they were talking together, often cast glances at him, when he asked Tania what it was about she blushed and it was nothing. However nothing became something one night when Tania was laying in John’s arms and he said as he was stroking her belly. “You are eating too well wife you are getting quite plump.” Tania smiled at him. “ I have to eat well as there are two of us to feed now.”

  John thought for minute then sat up and looked at her. “ You mean….?”

  “ Yes,” she said, “we are going to have a baby.”

  II

  Water dripped down on his helmet as he tried to find shelter against the stone wall.

  “Dam this Welsh weather, does the sun never shine, I’ve been soaked to the skin for the last month.” A disgruntled Roger exclaimed to his companion.

  “It’s all right building the bloody castles but why can’t we live in them. We get sent out to chase these invisible men who shout at us in a language you can't understand, I tell you I’m sick of it.”

  “What you gonna do then?” asked his friend.

  “I don’t know, get drowned I expect,” answered Roger as he walked along the wall to a gap, he peered around the edge and immediately withdrew his head as an arrow just missed it. They moved back and sought a more protected space.

  “We should try and get round them,” said Roger.

  The attackers were pressing hard to clear the King’s forces from the area. Roger stopped and listened, he could hear horses and he knew that this band of Welshmen did not have cavalry.

  “I think we are going to be helped at any moment.”

  Sure enough the Welshmen started to withdraw as the cavalry charged in. The chase passed Roger and he stood up to see what the outcome would be.

  “That was very timely and welcome, perhaps I can go and get dry somewhere. I.. aaaaaaah!”

  Roger’s voice was cut off as an arrow entered his throat, fired from one of the last Welshmen to leave.

  His fellow soldier knelt by his side but Roger’s wound was fatal and all he could do was to stay until Roger’s life expired. I
t was not the end the son of de Brehalle had expected but that was the story of his life.

  Eventually when the news reached John he thought for a while of their earlier friendship but then dismissed it as an event of war, he had not seen or heard from Roger for some time. He wondered if Avice had received the news. He decided to send one of his men to Norwich and see if she could be found.

  Tania’s news caused a great stir in the Castle and everyone congratulated them. John walked about feeling ten feet tall as though no one else had fathered a child. Matilda became a frequent visitor as she helped Tania prepare for the coming birth. John had sent a messenger to Sir Cedric and it was not long before he arrived at the Castle, he was as pleased as everyone else. Whilst the Earl was there he also warned John that trouble was brewing in Norwich between the citizens and the Priory. Riots had broken out and law and order must be restored. John told him his men would be ready if needed. It was only three weeks later that the message came for him to join Sir Cedric outside Norwich. He was to take his troops to the river crossing at the south of the town and wait for the message to advance on the Castle. As soon as the courier arrived John moved forward. They met groups of rioters as they progressed and these they broke up and told them to return home or face the consequences. When they reached the Castle they found the citizens openly fighting the Priory guards. John’s force pushed through the melee and split a few skulls in the process, they positioned themselves between the two groups and blocked further conflict in the main square. John reached the gates of the Castle and forced their way in where he ordered his men to clear everyone out. He marched to the Great Hall and instructed his men to search the Castle for any who might be hiding in the building. “Stephen, post guards on the gates and let nobody in. Tristan, take a detachment down to the Priory and tell the Prior I wish to see him here now, and if he wont come quietly, bring him anyway.”

  John issued these instructions as he walked to a window and saw a group of mounted men approaching, he recognised Sir Cedric’s standard and went to the main door to greet him. The two men walked back to the Hall where the Earl said to John.

  “Well done for seizing the Castle without too much trouble, my men are positioned at the main entrances to the City while you made your way to the Castle. There are some of the local Baron’s on their way to see if they can get something for themselves out of this. I will stay and talk with them as I have the King’s seal to back up what ever I decree.”

  At that moment Tristan entered with an elderly monk and four companions.

  “I have brought the Prior, but we had to fight our way into the Priory and several citizens were slain I am afraid, they have destroyed some of the monastery.”

  “Bring the Mayor and Bailiffs here as soon as you can round them up,” said John.

  Sir Cedric turned to the Prior and asked him what had started the riots. The Prior drew himself up and accused the citizens of trespassing on his land and he had a right to protect the Priory and Cathedral. Tristan came back with a rather rotund man and five men with stout staves.

  “You have incited rioting in this City and caused death and destruction,” said the Earl to the fat man who said he was Mayor. “What ever your grievance no force should be raised against the house of God.”

  The Mayor tried to justify his actions but his words fell on deaf ears. Sir Cedric then spoke again.

  “I am appointing a Sheriff here in Norwich who will have overall control of the City in the King’s name. You will obey the laws that are set and if there is more trouble I will make sure the ringleaders are punished most severely. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, my lord” replied the Mayor.

  The Prior was not happy at being ordered about by Sir Cedric and said he would return to the Abbey and Sir Cedric would find him there, as he was responsible to the Archbishop and not a common man. The Earl nearly went purple and told the Prior in most graphic terms what would happen to him if he did not do as he was told. He told them both that they should return the following day at noon. When they had departed Sir Cedric and John discussed what steps they would take to keep law and order until the Sheriff was appointed, they had just concluded when four of the Barons arrived. Sir Cedric was acquainted with all of them and they soon relaxed when he told them of the his decisions, they then all fell to sampling the Castles cellars. The following morning as the Baron’s, and their sore heads left, Sir Cedric said to John.

  “Until I have found the right man to be Sheriff I need you to take the position, if you will? It should not take me long to find the person who will meet the requirements to take hold of the City. What is your answer?” John thought for a few moments remembering what he owed the Earl.

  “I will do it while you select your man.”

  Sir Cedric clapped him on the back and told him he would not regret it and it would be good experience for him. John sent Tristan back to Dunston to tell Tania and ask her to come to Norwich to stay for a while if she would. John and Stephen started a programme of patrols by his men and the men Sir Cedric had left with him when he returned to Wymondham. The City settled down and the normal life of a busy community gradually returned. The augments regarding the Fair and how it was run became the sheriff's decision which pleased the citizens and they began preparing for their Wool Fair. John was concerned about his wool and decided to use the Norwich Fair to sell his and any other land owner’s who wished to participate. The fair was one of the biggest the City had seen.

  The day Tania was to arrive John could not stand still, he marched about the Castle giving orders that were not necessary and interfering in all that was being prepared. Stephen tried to calm him down but gave up when he started to shout at him. Tania and her ladies, with Tristan and an armed escort arrived in the afternoon and after John had embraced her she asked him if he had missed her. When John said he had been very busy and he hadn’t been away long to miss her, Stephen nearly bent double with laughter and had to quickly disappear. Peace came to Norwich and the citizens came back to their Cathedral although every time they went to a service they had to pass the ruin of the gate they destroyed. John set frequent armed patrols in the City and the surrounding area to ensure there was no chance of a second uprising. One morning, as he walked his dogs in the grounds of the Castle a courier arrived. John noticed he was in Royal livery and hurried in to find out what message had been brought.

  ‘Greetings to Sir John of Dunston’ started the message. ‘His Royal Majesty sends his thanks for rescuing his favoured City, Norwich, from the hands of the rebels and informs you that he will visit his City as soon as possible. A member of his household will arrive to ensure the correct arrangements are made. His Majesty also wished for a Tournament to be arranged whilst he visited the City.’ The courier asked if there were any questions and John said if he would rest and sup with them he would write a reply to the King that the courier could return with in the morning. John and Tania sat up late that night discussing plans for the Royal visit, fortunately Tania had brought her cook with her not knowing the situation of staff at the Castle.

  The courier was up and ready to depart when John came down to the Great Hall.

  “I have penned a reply to His Majesty, for you to take.” He passed a sealed parchment to him. The young man left on his journey and John sat down and wrote a message to Sir Cedric which he dispatched immediately and then went to eat.

  John quickly sent invitations to the Barons to participate in the Tournament and tasked Stephen and Tristan to prepare the field adjacent to the Castle. They discussed the forthcoming visit with John and then left to make sure their troops were patrolling the City and that there was no more trouble. John called as many of the builders in the City he could find and started them on repairing the gateway of the Priory that had been damaged in the riots. Once all was underway John sent messages to the Barons, the Mayor and the Prior informing them of the visit of the King and inviting them to call the next day to discuss details. At the end of the busy day John
and Tania retired to their rooms and could at last catch up with their personal lives and how Tania was progressing with her pregnancy. For several days the City excitedly, for the most part, prepared for the Royal visit, with the route the procession would take being cleaned and made free from the usual dross that medieval streets had. Tania was busy with Joan and Matilda making new dresses for the visit when John entered and told them that a courtier had arrived and he would be busy with him checking over what had been arranged. A messenger arrived to inform John that the Royal Progress had reached Wymondham and were staying there for the King to hunt.

  The day King Edward and Queen Eleanor arrived was warm and sunny and the people of Norwich turned out in crowds to line the streets to see the colourful procession pass. The royal couple were popular although his taxes were not. After the King and Queen had been settled in the Castle Sir Cedric, who was in the royal party, spoke to John.

  “This is a wonderful opportunity for you, make the best use of it. I will assist where I can.”

  At the banquet that evening everyone was in high spirits with music being supplied by minstrels from the City. The royal couple retired early, the guests left and Sir Cedric and John were alone.

  “His Majesty was in good humour tonight,” said John.

  “Let us hope he remains so.”

  They continued discussing the Tournament until sleep beckoned them and John made his way to bed.

  John was up early and down to the Tournament Field in the morning. Stephen and Tristan, with the help of Castle staff and citizens, had built an exceptional Tournament Field. There were Jousting Lists, tented area for the contestants, stands for the crowds and a covered platform for the King and Queen. John found his Squires and congratulated them on what they had achieved. Midmorning sunshine greeted the crowds as they began to fill the stadia, their first call was to the various food vender stalls and ale tents. The combatants began to arrive at noon and there was a buzz of excitement as Squires prepared their master’s horses and weapons, all lances had to have padded points and swords to be blunted. A small crowd of men were congregating at the archery butts, eager to try their hand at competing against experienced archers. John left the Grand Hall, where the royal couple had been receiving the Barons and City dignitaries, finding Tristan he was told that everything was ready.