The Dunston Blade

by John Daines

  John approached the King and informed him that everything was in place for him to open the Tournament, Edward nodded and rose to leave the hall.

  When Edward and Eleanor came out of the Castle and into the sunlight the crowds cheered and the King smiled and raised his hand.

  “A moving sight Sir John,”said the King. “The field has a fine look about it, I hope the ground is not too firm at the lists, my opponents will want something soft to fall on when I unseat them.eh?”

  John was a little taken aback as he had forgotten that Edward enjoyed competing at the Joust and was usually very successful. They made their way down to the Royal Stand and there the King stood and looked over the crowd and pronounced.

  “Je declarer que le tourney commence.”

  This was received with more cheering. Down by the archery butts John could see a figure he recognised as he lined up for the first shoot, it was Carac. The King called John to his side.

  “You have a tent for me to don my armour?”

  John crossed his fingers behind his back and said he would make sure the King’s Squire was ready. Quickly leaving the stand he found Tristan and asked if he had thought about a pavilion for the King and breathed a sigh of relief as Tristan led him to the largest pavilion, the Knights and Barons were preparing themselves. “You and Stephen have excelled yourselves this day,” said John.

  “There is even one for you Sir, and Hammer is ready and waiting,” replied Tristan.

  John laughed and thanked them again and made the point that they were becoming indispensable, he walked over to the archery butts just as Carac was about to shoot. The young Squire had lost none of his expertise and his arrows flew straight into the gold. Looking round John noticed Gavin with Joan on his arm, walking towards him.

  “Are you entering, Gavin?” asked John.

  “No not in archery, if Carac is competing I wouldn’t stand a chance,” Gavin replied. “But I will be at the Lists later.”

  John went back to the Royal Stand and said to the King that his Squire had everything ready for him at the pavilion flying the Royal Standard.

  “Thank you John, will you be taking part?”

  John said that he would and that he had been drawn in the later jousts against the Barons. The jousting started with the young Knights and older Squires competing, Gavin did well and had not been unseated when the turn of the Barons and older Knights took to the Lists. One of the Barons, Arthur Griffold, unseated Gavin, dismounted and attacked him with his dagger, a Marshall quickly intervened and dismissed Griffold from the Joust (no swords were permitted in a friendly Joust, and no fighting after being dismounted). His brother Henry Griffold, shouted at the Marshall and was obviously angry at the decision. The King called one of his Courtiers to him and whispered in his ear whereupon the man left the stand. The Joust continued and John left the stand to ready himself for his encounter, he noticed the King was not far behind him accompanied by Sir Cedric. As John rode to his designated end he was aware of the murmuring as the crowd appreciated his armour and he felt proud for his father’s work. He donned his helm and received his lance from Stephen, as he did so he looked at the opposing Knight and was surprised to see Henry Griffold. John had expected a Baron from Holt but he thought to himself I have more reason to unseat this loudmouth. The Marshall gave the signal and the two Knights thundered towards each other, lowering their lances they each looked for the best place to hit their opponent. John swayed slightly as they came together and also dropped his lance slightly. The move unsettled Griffold who missed but John’s lance struck home and it took all Griffold’s skill as a rider to stay on his horse. They both stopped at the end of the List and selected another lance and faced each other for the second charge. This time John swayed in the opposite direction and lifted his lance, it struck home and Henry Griffold was dumped from his horse to the ground where he lay winded. John reached the end of the List and dismounted to see if he had hurt Griffold but the man was up and striding towards John swinging a mace. The Marshall was running to them, shouting at Griffold to stop but the Knight was in a fit of rage and swung at John who had by this time retreated to the end of the field. Suddenly John felt the handle of a sword in his hand. He could feel the ring throbbing, it was his own sword that Tristan had given him. With two quick parries and a thrust, John sent Griffold’s mace spinning away, he had to restrain his sword arm or Griffold would have been sent to the beyond without his head. The crowd roared as the Marshall arrived and tried to arrest Griffold, John stopped him.

  “Let the buffoon go and let us get on with the Tournament.”

  Griffold turned away and walked to his horse amid derisory chants from the crowd and much laughter. John reached his pavilion and sat down while Tristan fussed about.

  “Who is my next opponent?”asked John.

  “ Whoever wins the next bout between Sir Cedric and one of the Barons,” answered the Squire.

  John got up and went out to mount Hammer as Stephen told him that the Earl had won at the first charge. John mounted and reached out for his lance.

  “Good luck sir,” said Stephen. “Tristan has gone to the far end.”

  John closed his helm, the signal was given and the two men began the charge. John tried his usual feint and managed a glancing blow to Sir Cedric, who had also jolted John. They turned and gripped their second lances as the charge began again. John tried for his alternative feint but Sir Cedric was expecting it and suddenly John felt a powerful blow to his chest and found himself flying from the back of Hammer to land with a thud on the ground. When he had regained his breath he stood and bowed to Sir Cedric who waved an acknowledgement. He walked Hammer back to his pavilion. Divesting himself of his amour John went up to the stand to see who would face Sir Cedric, the crowd were cheering and John looked over to the lists and there was the King mounted and ready to face Sir Cedric. Their first charge resulted in neither scoring a hit as they thundered past each other. At the second attempt each scored a hit but no one was unseated. The King altered his tactics at the third charge and was rewarded with a perfect hit on the Earl who swayed in the saddle and eventually slid off. The cheering from the crowd brought a smile from the King, raising his lance in salutation as he rode back to his pavilion. When they had all changed and were seated in the stand the King presented the trophies and gifts to the winners of the various events. John applauded Carac as he came to receive his reward for winning the archery.

  A fine banquet had been prepared for that evening and they were all nursing aches and pains as they sat for the repast. The King thanked everyone for making it a successful Tournament and announced he would be staying for a further three days. The next day the King attended Mass at the Cathedral, celebrated by the Bishop of Lincoln who was travelling with the King’s party. On returning to the Castle, King Edward summoned John to him.

  “I have been hearing about your exploits, from Sir Cedric, and it would appear that you have a genuine interest in the success of your lands. I am therefore granting you the lands that you already hold for Sir Cedric plus the ports of Yarmouth and Lowestoft. Sir Cedric agrees with this decision and will support you when needed. You will also receive your charter for the market and wool fair at Dunston.”

  John thanked the King and promised his fealty. The King looked at him and said that he might call on him in the near future. That evening only the King’s party, and John with Tania, sat down to a meal. Queen Eleanor was deep in conversation with Tania no doubt talking babies, thought John, when Sir Cedric asked the King what was happening in Wales.

  “The situation is such that it will need my intervention before long,” muttered Edward.

  The King arose the next morning and decided that as the weather was fine he would hunt. John quickly sent Tristan and Stephen off to arrange beaters. It was nearly mid morning before the hunters left the Castle and entered the forest, so a halt was called to take food and wine before the business of killing animals began. The hunt proved to be successful the
King bringing down a Stag with a fine shot from his bow, the hawks brought in a bag of birds and rabbits too. They were all in good humour on the way back to the Castle when dark clouds began to build in the sky. The King and his party put spurs to their horses and galloped off to the shelter of the Castle. John and his Squires, stayed back to oversee the delivery of the game and made slow progress. They were nearing the edge of the Forest when out of the trees rode Henry Griffold and four men at arms.

  “Lost your protector have you?” snarled Griffold. “Now you can face me with proper weapons and no stupid Marshall to interfere.”

  As he finished this outburst he drew his sword and spurred his horse towards John. Tristan and Stephen drew their swords and moved to cut off the men at arms while John calmed Anvil and drew his own sword. John and Griffold met with a clash of steel, Griffold’s mount reared and threw him to the ground. John quickly dismounted and waited for Griffold to stand. They circled each other until Griffold attacked slashing and lunging, John danced around him parrying the attack. Griffold in desperation and rage pressed hard and John knew he would have to end the fight so with a consummate display of swordsmanship he disarmed his attacker and with his sword at Griffold’s throat said.

  “Yield, or I run you through.”

  Griffold stood and let his arms drop, as John lowered his sword he suddenly stabbed at John with a knife that he had hidden in his sleeve. John’s sword leapt in his hand and with extraordinary speed ran Griffold through the heart. As John withdrew his sword he could feel the ring pulsating on his finger, looking around he could see that the men at arms had been reduced to two and the others had surrendered. John stood and cleaning his sword as he approached the two men at arms.

  “You will come with me and report this action truthfully to his brother,” he said. The men nodded and John told them to put Griffold’s body on his horse ready to move off to the Castle. When they arrived Sir Cedric was in the Bailey.

  “What’s this, extra game?”

  John explained what had happened and said he would take the body to the Griffold’s estate. The Earl held up his hand.

  “No, I will send a messenger to tell them to come here as I would like to speak to that family myself.”

  John went to his room where Tania made a fuss of him, she was getting quite large as the birth approached. John tried to assure her he had been in no great danger as Tristan and Stephen were there, omitting to tell her that they were also fighting at the time.

  They lay together in bed as John pondered on what would happen when the Griffold’s came. It had been a natural reaction in a fight to finish off your opponent, would the King get to hear of it or would Sir Cedric handle it himself, he was also still mystified by the way his sword seem to be connected to his ring. Perhaps he should take the ring off. All these thought were racing around in his head as he turned towards Tania and found she had fallen asleep.

  John came down to the Hall early and found Sir Cedric already there.

  “Good morning John,” said the Earl. “You slept well I trust. I talked with the King last night of your escapade and he will talk to the Griffold family when they arrive, there is history between them and the King wishes to settle it.”

  John looked puzzled and hoped this was not a bad omen. The midday meal had just finished when the Griffold’s were announced. The hall was cleared except for John, Stephen, Tristan, Sir Cedric and the King there was also a clerk in attendance. Arthur Griffold entered the Hall accompanied by an elderly couple and two men at arms, four of the Castle guards stood behind them.

  The King, sitting on a raised platform, spoke.

  “Remove those armed men at once, what is this a rebellion?”

  The two men at arms withdrew immediately and Arthur Griffold said. “They were here for our protection Sire as from past events we were not sure what to expect.”

  The King’s face turned red and he stood up, with the raised platform and his own great height his anger permeated the whole room.

  “Kneel before your King you insolent dog!“ he roared.

  The Griffold’s before him sank to their knees and bowed their heads.

  “You seem to cause me to lose my temper every time we meet Sir Roland.”

  The King addressed this to the old man.

  “Fetch a chair for the lady and then tell me why your son was in the forest. Was he poaching my deer again?”

  The old man, Sir Roland Griffold, looked up at the King.

  “I am sure my son meant no harm, your Majesty, he was returning home after the Tournament and called to see a charcoal burner in the forest to arrange a delivery for us.”

  The King looked down on him.

  “This was in the opposite direction of your home and you have your own charcoal burners near to your manor. Do not protest sir, your son died as a result of his stupidity in attacking one of my valued subjects. You will return to your home and see to the burial of your son and Arthur will come to London immediately after and join my guards where my captain can keep him under watch. I would not want him to follow in his father footsteps and be disloyal to his King.”

  Arthur looked at his father with questions in his eyes and Sir Roland bowed his head.

  “Leave now before I remember too much.”

  After saying this the King sat down and beckoned Sir Cedric to him.

  “Have one of your men journey with them to make sure I am obeyed.”

  The Griffold’s departed and King Edward said he was going to rest and would see them at the evening meal. “What was all that about? queried John. “How was he involved with the King before?”

  Sir Cedric said that if the King wanted him to know he would tell him.

  That evening as they ate the King was in a jovial mood, he had rested well and he spoke of the campaign in Wales and that he would have to deal with Llewellyn again, this was the second time he had mentioned it and John wondered if he was trying to tell him something and then dismissed the thought. If the King wanted his services he would soon tell him.

  When the Edward and his entourage left the next day crowds lined the streets and cheered the Royal Couple until they were out of sight. The visit had been what the citizens had needed and now they could get on with their lives, even though they had to pay the fine for the damaged caused by the rioting.

  Sir Cedric promised John he would be back as soon as possible with a Sheriff and John could then get back to his own lands.

  For the next months John worked hard at getting Norwich back to a thriving and peaceful City, as well as making sure Dunston did not suffer too much by his absence, he was helped in this by Tristan and Stephen as well as Roderick who looked after his Tenants. One night Tania was very restless and the next day she began her labour, Matilda and Joan were there to look after her while John walked up and down in the Hall. Several of the older men who had families tried to calm him but with no success. At last the Castle echoed with the sound of a baby’s cry and John rushed up to their room. Throwing open the door he was confronted with a smiling Matilda and Joan and there in the bed was Tania with a little bundle in her arms.

  “How are you and what is it?” said John, standing by her side.

  “I am fine, and IT is your son, here hold him and see how beautiful he is,” laughed Tania as she held up the child to him. John held the little bundle gently and pulled the cover away from the baby’s face, his heart nearly burst with pride and joy even though he would not have called the screwed up face beautiful.

  “Well done Tania,” he said as he laid the baby back in her arms and kissed her. “You must rest now, I will send a messenger to your father.”

  A proud John came out of the room and seeing his two Squires embraced them and told them the news. Stephen said a celebration was called for and John agreed but said they were to wait until Tania was strong enough to enjoy whatever they decided. Sir Cedric arrived and grasped John’s hand.

  “Congratulations my boy, how are they?”

  John
told him everything was fine and accompanied him to see his daughter and grandson. Later that day another grandfather came as Stephen had been to fetch Jack. In the Hall that evening they all gathered and toasted the new arrival.

  “Have you named him yet? ” asked the Earl.

  “No,” answered John. “Tania and I will discuss it and try to decide on a name that will not embarrass him in later life.”

  Sir Cedric then announced that the new Sheriff for Norwich would arrive the next day. John went back to Tania to tell her the good news that they would be going home soon.

  As John and Sir Cedric were walking in the Castle grounds the next day Tristan came to tell them that a stranger had arrived to see the Earl, his name was Edgar. Sir Cedric introduced John to Edgar and said he was the man he had selected as Sheriff of Norwich. John said he would give him every assistance while he settled in. Edgar was well built man in his thirties who then brought forward a shy young woman.

  “This is my wife Edith.”

  Joan stepped forward and taking her hand said she would show her the Castle. Sir Cedric and John discussed with Edgar, what had been happening in Norwich and the trouble with the Griffold’s. Sir Cedric departed saying the King had asked him to return to Court. John suggested to Edgar that they made a tour of the Castle and meet some of the senior members of the staff.

  They came to Tania’s room and they could hear the chatter of women’s voices with the occasional baby’s cry. John knocked and was bid to enter, when they entered the room there was Tania, lying in bed, Joan and Matilda talking to a flushed Edith who was holding the baby. Her eyes sparkled as she greeted her husband and showed him the baby. Edgar looked embarrassed and said that they should move on and he would see his wife later.