The Dunston Blade

by John Daines

  John said. “You will have to excuse the ladies, a baby seems to make them all excited. I must say I am proud too.”

  Edgar said that Edith was his second wife and his first wife had died in childbirth along with the baby, but he was hopeful that he and Edith would have a family. That evening as they sat down to their meal Edgar commented on the excellent food, John told him that the cook was from Dunston and would be returning with them so he would have to find a new one. That evening John climbed into bed and snuggled up close to Tania. “I’m sorry dearest but I am still recovering from the birth so please have a little patience with me,” she said. John moved slightly away but Tania pulled him close and entwined in each others arms they fell asleep.

  It was a beautiful autumn day as John, Tania, the still unnamed baby and their entourage set off to return to Dunston, as they progressed through the City several citizens waved and wished them well. The Mayor had come to the Castle that morning to say goodbye but John reminded him he would be back.

  John and Tania had settled on naming their son ‘Harold’ and contrary to the Bishop and Prior’s wishes the christening would be in their own church. Soon they saw the towers of home and John felt excited to be back and to involve himself in the affairs of his estate, especially as they were now his alone. As they came out of the woods and made their way to the Castle, Dunston villagers began to appear going in the direction of the drawbridge, they waived and called greetings to the couple who replied in kind. When the returning family entered the Castle they stopped and stared at the decorations everywhere and the crowd of locals as well as all John’s staff, men at arms and Boorman standing on the steps of the main door wearing his best cloak.

  “Welcome home Sir and my Lady, and a very special welcome to your son.”

  The crowd cheered and people crowded round as they dismounted, all wanting to see the baby. John said to Boorman.

  “We would like to refresh ourselves first, is there anything organised that we should be aware of?”

  “Yes, sir, we have arranged some entertainment for the villagers and there is an ox roasting. As it is a warm day I have erected a stand in the grounds so you may sit with your son for all to see.”

  John thought it a lot of fuss but realised this tiny infant would one day rule these people’s lives so it was natural for them to have an interest. The rest of the day was a whirl with people bringing gifts for the baby and many of John’s Tenants wanting to speak to him. He called Roderick and said he would like him to join a meeting of all the staff in the morning.

  The next day when John appeared at the meeting he had the baby in his arms and smiling said.

  “Meet the next Duke of Dunston.”

  All the people there crowded round and wished him well, John passed the baby over to Joan who was standing by and sat down. John started the gathering by thanking everyone for looking after his interests while he was away. He asked what was needed urgently and asked Stephen and Tristan to make notes, he also told the assembled company that his area now included Yarmouth and Lowestoft which would give him control, when he had established his authority, of two ports and a route to export of their wool. After the meeting he called Roderick to him and said he needed him to find any weakness in the perimeters of his area where they would need extra patrols. He said to Tristan to organise a strong, well armed party of men and they would be visiting the two ports very soon. That evening as he sat discussing events with Tania he asked her if she had met the Priest yet.

  “No, I am waiting until we can go together, you know him better that I.”

  “We must make it soon,” replied John. “People will want to know what to call the little fella.”

  John, Tania and the baby made the journey to the church in the woods a few days later and found Father Aldred busy pruning some of the bushes that surrounded the church. The old priest stopped his work and came over to them. “Welcome especially to your new family member, come and sit and tell me what you have been doing, it seems a long time since we have been able to talk.”

  John explained how busy they had been and then asked him if he would undertake the Christening of the infant at which Father Aldred beamed and said he would be delighted. John told him he would send some men over to help make the church ready for the number of people who would attend. The priest asked why they did not have the service in Wymondham Abbey but John replied that Dunston was their home so here was the right place. On the way back to the Castle, John and Tania discussed who they would ask to the ceremony in view of the church’s size.

  “Let us keep it to just the family and close friends,” said Tania and John agreed.

  “I must also speak with the Bishop. Father Aldred is getting very frail and we must find somewhere that he could retire to.”

  The day of the Christening went off well and the party afterwards, for all of Dunston’s staff, Tenants, soldiers and villagers proved to be a happy, if somewhat noisy, affair, young Harold was certainly welcomed to Dunston on a day to remember. Sir Cedric with his Squires was relaxed and in good humour and Joan was pleased to be with Gavin for the day.

  John and Tania settled into the routine of family life and John set off with Roderick to make sure all the Tenants were gathering their wool. One evening as they sat at their meal John announced that he would take both his Squires and visit his new towns of Yarmouth and Lowestoft, it was time to let them know they were part of his fiefdom. On their way to Yarmouth they diverted to the fenlands to meet Aelfraed and learn any news that his spies had gleaned when in the two ports. They stayed and slept at Aelfraed’s village moving off early the next morning. Many heads turned as the people of Yarmouth saw the large group of armed men riding into the town making their way to the house of the Mayor.

  Tristan knocked on the door which was opened by a servant.

  “Tell your master Sir John Ivanson of Dunston is here.”

  The servant scurried away and immediately a portly man appeared, bowed and bid them enter. John accompanied by his Squires entered and followed the man into a large well appointed room.

  “Please be seated sir. I am Martin Flower the Mayor and have been appraised that you might visit us very soon.”

  “Good,” said John. “You will be aware then, that Yarmouth is now in my fiefdom, I have the document here should you need confirmation.”

  “A messenger came from London, Sir John, with the information so although we did not know when you would come, you are expected,” continued the Mayor. “We have a house that is available to you on the edge of town should you wish to stay.”

  John was impressed that there seemed to be no rancour in the man and said he would be grateful if he could be directed to the house. The Mayor called a servant and they all departed to edge of town where John was surprised at the large house that had been prepared for them and the land that could accommodate his men. He said he would meet with the Mayor and his council in the morning so the Mayor and his servant departed. This is going too well, thought John, is the Mayor covering up something? When everyone was settled he called Tristan and Stephen to him and suggested that they take a few men each and stroll round the town, very casually. When they reported back they described some late night activity down at the docks that stopped as they approached.

  “We must have a closer look at that tomorrow night,” said John.

  The Mayor called the next morning and offered to take John to see the leading citizens and business men. After meeting the town council and other people John had the distinct impression there was a tight ‘club’ controlling Yarmouth. He decided he would hold an ‘Open House’ the next morning and sent Stephen out to pin some hurriedly prepared posters in prominent positions. Later that night John and his men quietly made their way to the docks area. There were two large vessels tied up and several men loading what looked like large boxes, John spoke to Stephen.

  “See if you can find out where they are coming from, and be careful.”

  Stephen moved off and
disappeared into the darkness. John tried to move a little closer signalling his men to stay where they were. He recognised one or two of the ‘business men’ he had been introduced to earlier. On board one of the ships there was a loud bang as something was dropped and the raised voices, to John’s surprise, spoke in French. He worked his way back to his men just as Stephen returned.

  “They are bringing the packages from a large building four streets away, there are guards but they are very relaxed and not very alert.”

  John spoke to them saying. “We will make our way back to our house as there are not enough of us to challenge them. Tomorrow we will raid their store house and find out what they are being so secretive about.”

  There were several visitors to see John the next day, some were just inquisitive and some just wanted a moan against the taxes but there were just two men who came and were obviously very nervous. John gradually put them at ease and managed to find out that the Mayor controlled the town through fear, his thugs soon visited anyone who did not comply with his rules or extra taxes. Jobs at the docks were only given to men who could perform a favour for the Mayor or be in one of the ‘gangs’. He also learnt that groups of men arrived on some ships but as soon as they landed they disappeared. Conferring with Stephen and Tristan did not suggest any answers as to where the men might be going.

  Later, John with Stephen and Tristan, led all their men to the storehouse, the guards ran when they saw how many armed men they would have to face. John entered the building and found bails of wool neatly stacked ready to go aboard one of the ships. They also found bundles of weapons and a few barrels of wine.

  “Now we can see what the game is,”said John. “They are exporting wool without paying the tax and foreigners are coming in for some reason we do not know. Where are they getting the wool from? The Mayor must know what is going on, that is why we are put on the outskirts of the town. Stephen, I will leave you to guard this building while Tristan and I will pay the Mayor a visit.”

  John and his men moved off to the Mayor’s home. He hammered on the door while Tristan went to the rear, an old man opened the door and nervously told John that the Mayor was not at home. They searched the house but found no one. John grouped his men together and made for the docks where on arrival they found one ship in mid channel with sails filled and heading away. The second ship was still at the quayside and John quickly took his men aboard and captured the crew who surrendered immediately. The Captain came to John first of all indignant but under John’s questions told him that they were French, trading with Flanders for wool and he had brought some men, twenty in all, whom he understood were to guard some sheep some miles inland. Henri Hausman immediately sprang into John’s mind, was this still some remnant of his scheme and who was running it now? John said to the Captain that any wool on board belonged to England until the tax was paid, faced with John’s men the Captain agreed to unload what was there and return it to the storehouse and then leave.

  John went to the church where he told the Priest to ring the bells to summon people to the church. The church soon filled with the townspeople who sat waiting to see what this man and his armed band wanted. “My name is Sir John Ivanson of Dunston, and Yarmouth has been granted, by the King, as part of my fiefdom. This is my first visit to you and I find corruption and smuggling here. I shall be arranging for you to elect a new Mayor and council but until then I shall leave my Lieutenant and a detachment of men to keep the town in order. I shall be at the Mayors house tomorrow to hear any petitions you wish to bring to me. Anyone harbouring the Mayor or his friends I shall deal with harshly.”

  There was a quiet moment while what he had said sunk in and then a swell of murmuring as people began to talk together. A man stood up and called out and the church quietened.

  “I am William Fisher,” the man said. “We are not all thieves and villains here. We are grateful that we now have a lord and we hope the town will become prosperous again. I and several of the town’s tradesmen would like to meet with you tomorrow sir.”

  “ I welcome it,” answered John.

  The following day they came and agreement was reached with them to form a town council, also selecting their own Mayor. John left Tristan in Yarmouth to see that the new council was accepted and the Port was secure. He made one order that the Mayor’s house be cleared and left empty. Leaving Yarmouth behind John and Stephen journeyed south to Lowestoft.

  When they arrived in the town John was surprised to find a welcoming committee consisting of the Mayor and the local council. John dismounted and the Mayor stepped forward.

  “Welcome to Lowestoft Sir, we were advised of your visit and are at your service. Please accompany us to my house.”

  John stopped him with a gesture. “Wait a moment, I wish to go to the harbour first.”

  The Mayor bowed and led the way to the docks. There were three ships tied up at the key side and John went to the first and called for the Captain. A tall man came down the gang plank with a fussy little man holding bundles of papers, the Captain introduced himself and said the other man was checking his cargo.

  “I hope there is no contraband on board,” said John.

  The little man insisted that all was in order for all three ships. John went aboard and looked in the hold which was full of bails of wool, he checked them off against the paper the custom’s man had and was satisfied all was in order. The party then moved off to the Mayor’s house. Looking for any signs of deceitfulness John question the men and carefully and he was pleased when all the stories tallied. Talking to the Mayor later he found that the man was suspicious of what was happening in Yarmouth and knew that it could not go undetected for long.

  “I tightened our security and made certain no smuggling was going on here. We had heard of the events in Norwich and we also knew of your run in with Monsieur Hausman. I am a friend of Aelfraed so we learn what is taking place.”

  John smiled, this information could be important and maybe form the basis of an information network. He went on to tell John that the Flemish Traders in wool were offering all sorts of inducements to obtain their wool cheaper or to take over flocks here in England.

  “I thank you for your information,” said John. “You must keep your bailiffs alert.”

  John spent two more days in Lowestoft and then left to return home.

  II

  It was a gloomy and windswept afternoon when they arrived back in Dunston. John was glad when he was able to stretch his legs out in front of the fire and talk to Tania. Young Harold was now able to sit on a rug and John could see he had grown since he had been away. Hopefully he would now have time to spend with his family. Tania told him that her father had been called to Court and had left on this day, John yawned and stretched himself.

  “I am hungry, let’s eat.”

  Sitting in his room later he was looking through letters that had come whilst he had been away when he spotted one from his father. Jack had written to him to tell him what was needed to put the Castle Smithy back into production. John thought that it made sense for his father to move into the Castle, Matilda and Joan would be on hand as companion forTania and help with Harold.

  John decided to walk to the Smithy the following morning, the weather had cleared and being on his feet made a welcome change from sitting on a horse. His father was busy at the forge when he arrived so John sat on a box, his thoughts were accompanied by the noise of the hammer and the smell of metal being cooled in a tub. It took him back to the days of his youth when life was easier and he was not having to think of how to govern a Shire. Jack joined him and listened to his proposal and agreed that it would be agreeable and sensible to move to the Castle, he would put William in charge here and he could use the house as he was now married to a village girl. That settled John set out back to the Castle. This move proved to be a good decision as future events unfolded.

  Looking at the Castle John walked the perimeter of the moat and noted some areas that needed repair, he would get t
he men onto it before winter set in. He met Tania at the gates waiting for him.

  “There is a messenger inside with, he says, letters from my father. He won't let me see them.”

  John hurried in and the messenger handed him a leather satchel which he took to a table and sat down. The satchel contained two parchments, one was from the Earl and one had King Edward’s seal. John opened the one from the King and read that he was summoned to court, the Earl’s letter explained that the summons was to discuss the problem in Wales and he should make haste. Tania was not pleased.

  “You have only just come home and you are off again,” she grumbled.

  “You know I have to obey this summons, if Matilda can manage Harold there is no reason that you should not accompany me. You can take Joan and there are plenty of ladies in waiting at the Palace if you need more.”

  They asked the messenger to stay the night, to which he agreed.

  After their evening meal John sat thinking about the summons and the subject of Wales, did this mean the King was going to attack Llywelyn again. Going to bed Tania was still chattering about having to arrange everything at short notice but she smiled and John could see she was also excited.

  The journey to London was uneventful, with overnight stays with friends. John was accompanied by his two Squires and an escort of men-at-arms. They arrived at Sir Cedric’s London house and were welcomed by the Earl himself and a very pleasant woman introduced as Lady Ann Falmouth. After they had settled in John and the Earl met in his private room.

  “Bad news I am afraid John,” said the Earl. “The Welsh have revolted and it has escalated to be a threat to the King’s rule. He is intending to organise an all out attack against the rebels. I shall be returning to Wymondham to raise troops and I am sure the King is going to confirm that you will join me.”

  John was quiet for a moment, he had hoped for a time at home after his journey to the ports but if called he knew his duty was to the King and the Earl.