The Project Gutenberg eBook, St. George for England, by G. A. Henty
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Title: St. George for England
A Tale of Cressy and Poitiers
Author: G. A. Henty
Release Date: January 8, 2011 [eBook #34886]
Language: English
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ST. GEORGE FOR ENGLAND:
A Tale of Cressy and Poitiers.
by
G.A. HENTY,
Author of "With Clive in India," "Under Drake's Flag," "The Young
Carthaginian," "Bonnie Prince Charlie," etc., etc.
Eight Page Illustrations by Gordon Browne.
[Illustration: ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF SIR WALTER.]
New York:
A. L. Burt, Publisher.
PREFACE.
MY DEAR LADS:
You may be told perhaps that there is no good to be obtained from tales
of fighting and bloodshed--that there is no moral to be drawn from such
histories. Believe it not. War has its lessons as well as Peace. You
will learn from tales like this that determination and enthusiasm can
accomplish marvels, that true courage is generally accompanied by
magnanimity and gentleness, and that if not in itself the very highest
of virtues, it is the parent of almost all the others, since but few of
them can be practiced without it. The courage of our forefathers has
created the greatest empire in the world around a small and in itself
insignificant island; if this empire is ever lost, it will be by the
cowardice of their descendants.
At no period of her history did England stand so high in the eyes of
Europe as in the time whose events are recorded in this volume. A
chivalrous king and an even more chivalrous prince had infected the
whole people with their martial spirit, and the result was that their
armies were for a time invincible, and the most astonishing successes
were gained against numbers which would appear overwhelming. The
victories of Cressy and Poitiers may be to some extent accounted for by
superior generalship and discipline on the part of the conquerors; but
this will not account for the great naval victory over the Spanish fleet
off the coast of Sussex, a victory even more surprising and won against
greater odds than was that gained in the same waters centuries later
over the Spanish Armada. The historical facts of the story are all drawn
from Froissart and other contemporary historians, as collated and
compared by Mr. James in his carefully written history. They may
therefore be relied upon as accurate in every important particular.
Yours sincerely,
G. A. HENTY.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
CHAPTER I.
A Wayfarer 1
CHAPTER II.
The Hut in the Marshes 18
CHAPTER III.
A Thwarted Plot 36
CHAPTER IV.
A Knight's Chain 54
CHAPTER V.
The City Games 72
CHAPTER VI.
The Mêlée 89
CHAPTER VII.
The Young Esquire 107
CHAPTER VIII.
Off to the Wars 126
CHAPTER IX.
The Siege of Hennebon 145
CHAPTER X.
A Place of Refuge 164
CHAPTER XI.
A Stormy Interview 180
CHAPTER XII.
Jacob van Artevelde 196
CHAPTER XIII.
The White Ford 214
CHAPTER XIV.
Cressy 232
CHAPTER XV.
The Siege of a Fortalice 250
CHAPTER XVI.
A Prisoner 267
CHAPTER XVII.
The Capture of Calais 285
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Black Death 303
CHAPTER XIX.
By Land and Sea 319
CHAPTER XX.
Poitiers 336
CHAPTER XXI.
The Jacquerie 353
CHAPTER XXII.
Victory and Death 372
ST. GEORGE FOR ENGLAND.
CHAPTER I.
A Wayfarer.
It was a bitterly cold night in the month of November, 1330. The rain
was pouring heavily, when a woman, with a child in her arms, entered the
little village of Southwark. She had evidently come from a distance, for
her dress was travel-stained and muddy. She tottered rather than walked,
and when, upon her arrival at the gateway on the southern side of London
Bridge, she found that the hour was past and the gates closed for the
night, she leaned against the wall with a faint groan of exhaustion and
disappointment.
After remaining, as if in doubt, for some time, she feebly made her way
into the village. Here were many houses of entertainment, for travelers
like herself often arrived too late to enter the gates, and had to abide
outside for the night. Moreover, house rent was dear within the walls of
the crowded city, and many, whose business brought them to town, found
it cheaper to take up their abode in the quiet hostels of Southwark
rather than to stay in the more expensive inns within the walls. The
lights came out brightly from many of the casements, with sounds of
boisterous songs and laughter. The woman passed these without a pause.
Presently she stopped before a cottage, from which a feeble light alone
showed that it was tenanted.
She knocked at the door. It was opened by a pleasant-faced man of some
thirty years old.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I am a wayfarer," the woman answered feebly. "Canst take me and my
child in for the night?"
"You have made a mistake," the man said; "this is no inn. Further up the
road there are plenty of places where you can find such accommodation as
you lack."
"I have passed them," the woman said, "but all seemed full of
roisterers. I am wet and weary, and my strength is nigh spent. I can pay
thee, good fellow, and I pray you as a Christian to let me come in and
sleep before your fire for the night. When the gates are open in the
morning I will go; for I have a friend within the city who will,
methinks, receive me."
The tone of voice, and the addressing of himself as good fellow, at once
convinced the man that the woman before him was no common wayfarer.
"Come in," he said; "Geoffrey Ward is not a man to shut his doors in a
woman's face on a night like this, nor does he need payment for such
small hospitality. Come hither, Madge!" he shouted; and at his voice a
woman came down from the upper chamber. "Sister," he said, "this is a
wayfarer who needs shelter for the night; she is wet and weary. Do you
take her up to your room and lend her some dry clothing; then make her a
cup of warm posset, which she needs sorely. I will fetch an armful of
fresh rushes from the shed and strew them here. I will sleep in the
smithy. Quick, girl," he said sharply; "she is fainting with cold and
fatigue." And as he spoke he caught the woman as she was about to fall,
and laid her gently on the ground. "She is of better station than she
seems," he said to his sister; "like enough some poor lady whose husband
has taken part in the troubles; but that is no business of ours. Quick,
Madge, and get these wet things off her; she is soaked to the skin. I
will go round to the Green Dragon and will fetch a cup of warm cordial,
which I warrant me will put fresh life into her."
So saying, he took down his flat cap from its peg on the wall and went
out, while his sister at once proceeded to remove the drenched garments
and to rub the cold hands of the guest until she recovered
consciousness. When Geoffrey Ward returned, the woman was sitting in a
settle by the fireside, dressed in a warm woolen garment belonging to
his sister. Madge had thrown fresh wood on the fire, which was blazing
brightly now. The woman drank the steaming beverage which her host
brought with him. The color came faintly again into her cheeks.
"I thank you, indeed," she said, "for your kindness. Had you not taken
me in I think I should have died at your door, for indeed I could go no
further; and though I hold not to life, yet would I fain live until I
have delivered my boy into the hands of those who will be kind to him,
and this will, I trust, be to-morrow."
"Say naught about it," Geoffrey answered. "Madge and I are right glad to
have been of service to you. It would be a poor world indeed if one
could not give a corner of one's fireside to a fellow-creature on such a
night as this, especially when that fellow-creature is a woman with a
child. Poor little chap! he looks right well and sturdy, and seems to
have taken no ill from his journey."
"Truly, he is well and sturdy," the mother said, looking at him proudly;
"indeed. I have been almost wishing to-day that he were lighter by a few
pounds, for in truth I am not used to carry him far, and his weight has
sorely tried me. His name is Walter, and I trust," she added, looking at
the powerful figure of her host, "that he will grow up as straight and
as stalwart as yourself." The child, who was about three years old, was
indeed an exceedingly fine little fellow, as he sat, in one scanty
garment, in his mother's lap, gazing with round eyes at the blazing
fire; and the smith thought how pretty a picture the child and mother
made. She was a fair, gentle-looking girl some twenty-two years old, and
it was easy enough to see now from her delicate features and soft,
shapely hands that she had never been accustomed to toil.
"And now," the smith said, "I will e'en say good-night. The hour is
late, and I shall be having the watch coming along to know why I keep a
fire so long after the curfew. Should you be a stranger in the city, I
will gladly act as your guide in the morning to the friends whom you
seek, that is, should they be known to me; but if not, we shall
doubtless find them without difficulty."
So saying, the smith retired to his bed of rushes in the smithy, and
soon afterward the tired visitor, with her baby, lay down on the rushes
in front of the fire, for in those days none of the working or artisan
class used beds, which were not indeed, for centuries afterward, in
usage by the common people.
In the morning Geoffrey Ward found that his guest desired to find one
Giles Fletcher, a maker of bows.
"I know him well," the smith said. "There are many who do a larger
business, and hold their heads higher, but Giles Fletcher is well
esteemed as a good workman, whose wares can be depended upon. It is
often said of him that did he take less pains he would thrive more; but
he handles each bow that he makes as if he loved it, and finishes and
polishes each with his own hand. Therefore he doeth not so much trade as
those who are less particular with their wares, for he hath to charge a
high price to be able to live. But none who have ever bought his bows
have regretted the silver which they cost. Many and many a gross of
arrow-heads have I sold him, and he is well-nigh as particular in their
make as he is over the spring and temper of his own bows. Many a
friendly wrangle have I had with him over their weight and finish, and
it is not many who find fault with my handiwork, though I say it myself;
and now, madam, I am at your service."
During the night the wayfarer's clothes had been dried. The cloak was of
rough quality, such as might have been used by a peasant woman; but the
rest, though of somber color, were of good material and fashion. Seeing
that her kind entertainers would be hurt by the offer of money, the lady
contented herself with thanking Madge warmly, and saying that she hoped
to come across the bridge one day with Dame Fletcher; then, under the
guidance of Geoffrey, who insisted on carrying the boy, she set out from
the smith's cottage. They passed under the outer gate and across the
bridge, which later on was covered with a double line of houses and
shops, but was now a narrow structure. Over the gateway across the
river, upon pikes, were a number of heads and human limbs. The lady
shuddered as she looked up.
"It is an ugly sight," the smith said, "and I can see no warrant for
such exposure of the dead. There are the heads of Wallace, of three of
Robert Bruce's brothers, and of many other valiant Scotsmen who fought
against the king's grandfather some twenty years back. But after all
they fought for their country, just as Harold and our ancestors against
the Normans under William, and I think it a foul shame that men who have
done no other harm should be beheaded, still less that their heads and
limbs should be stuck up there gibbering at all passers-by. There are
over a score of them, and every fresh trouble adds to their number; but
pardon me," he said suddenly as a sob from the figure by his side called
his attention from the heads on the top of the gateway, "I am rough and
heedless in speech, as my sister Madge does often tell me, and it may
well be that I have said something which wounded you."
"You meant no ill," the lady replied; "it was my own thoughts and
troubles which drew tears from me; say not more about it, I pray you."
They passed under the gateway, with its ghastly burden, and were soon in
the crowded streets of London. High overhead the houses extended, each
story advancing beyond that below it until the occupiers of the attics
could well-nigh shake hands across. They soon left the more crowded
streets, and turning to the right, after ten minutes' walking, the smith
stopped in front of a bowyer shop near Aldgate.
"This is the shop," he said, "and there is Giles Fletcher himself trying
the spring and pull of one of his bows. Here I will leave you, and will
one of these days return to inquire if your health has taken aught of
harm by the rough buffeting of the storm of yester-even."
So saying he handed the child to its mother, and with a wave of the
hand took his leave, not waiting to listen to the renewed thanks which
his late guest endeavored to give him.
The shop was open in front, a projecting penthouse sheltered it from the
weather; two or three bows lay upon a wide shelf in front, and several
large sheaves of arrows tied together stood by the wall. A powerful man
of some forty years old was standing in the middle of the shop with a
bent bow in his arm, taking aim at a spot in the wall. Through an open
door three men could be seen in an inner workshop cutting and shaping
the wood for bows. The bowyer looked round as his visitor entered the
shop, and then, with a sudden exclamation, lowered the bow.
"Hush, Giles!" the lady exclaimed; "it is I, but name no names; it were
best that none knew me here."
The craftsman closed the door of communication into the inner room. "My
Lady Alice," he exclaimed in a low tone, "you here, and in such a
guise?"
"Surely it is I," the lady sighed, "although sometimes I am well-nigh
inclined to ask myself whether it be truly I or not, or whether this be
not all a dreadful dream."
"I had heard but vaguely of your troubles," Giles Fletcher said, "but
hoped that the rumors were false. Ever since the Duke of Kent was
executed the air has been full of rumors. Then came news of the killing
of Mortimer and of the imprisonment of the king's mother, and it was
said that many who were thought to be of her party had been attacked and
slain, and I heard----" And there he stopped.
"You heard rightly, good Giles, it is all true. A week after the slaying
of Mortimer a band of knights and men-at-arms arrived at our castle and
demanded admittance in the king's name. Sir Roland refused, for he had
news that many were taking up arms, but it was useless. The castle was
attacked and, after three days' fighting, was taken. Roland was killed,
and I was cast out with my child. Afterward they repented that they had
let me go, and searched far and wide for me; but I was hidden in the
cottage of a wood-cutter. They were too busy in hunting down others whom
they proclaimed to be enemies of the king, as they had wrongfully said
of Roland, who had but done his duty faithfully to Queen Isabella, and
was assuredly no enemy of her son, although he might well be opposed to
the weak and indolent king, his father. However, when the search relaxed
I borrowed the cloak of the good man's wife and set out for London,
whither I have traveled on foot, believing that you and Bertha would
take me in and shelter me in my great need."
"Ay, that will we willingly," Giles said. "Was not Bertha your nurse?
and to whom should you come if not to her? But will it please you to
mount the stairs? for Bertha will not forgive me if I keep you talking
down here. What a joy it will be to her to see you again!"
So saying, Giles led the way to the apartment above. There was a scream
of surprise and joy from his wife, and then Giles quietly withdrew
downstairs again, leaving the women to cry in each other's arms.
A few days later Geoffrey Ward entered the shop of Giles Fletcher.
"I have brought you twenty score of arrow-heads, Master Giles," he said.
"They have been longer in hand than is usual with me, but I have been
pressed. And how goes it with the lady whom I brought to your door last
week?"
"But sadly, Master Ward, very sadly, as I told you when I came across to
thank you again in her name and my own for your kindness to her. She was
but in poor plight after her journey; poor thing, she was little
accustomed to such wet and hardship, and doubtless they took all the
more effect because she was low in spirit and weakened with much
grieving. That night she was taken with a sort of fever, hot and cold by
turns, and at times off her head. Since then she has lain in a high
fever and does not know even my wife; her thoughts ever go back to the
storming of the castle, and she cries aloud and begs them to spare her
lord's life. It is pitiful to hear her. The leech gives but small hope
for her life, and in troth, Master Ward, methinks that God would deal
most gently with her were he to take her. Her heart is already in her
husband's grave, for she was ever of a most loving and faithful nature.
Here there would be little comfort for her--she would fret that her boy
would never inherit the lands of his father; and although she knows well
enough that she would be always welcome here, and that Bertha would
serve her as gladly and faithfully as ever she did when she was her
nurse, yet she could not but greatly feel the change. She was tenderly
brought up, being, as I told you last week, the only daughter of Sir
Harold Broome. Her brother, who but a year ago became lord of
Broomecastle at the death of his father, was one of the queen's men, and
it was he, I believe, who brought Sir Roland Somers to that side. He was
slain on the same night as Mortimer, and his lands, like those of Sir
Roland, have been seized by the crown. The child upstairs is by right
heir to both estates, seeing that his uncle died unmarried. They will
doubtless be conferred upon those who have aided the young king in
freeing himself from his mother's domination, for which, indeed,
although I lament that Lady Alice should have suffered so sorely in the
doing of it, I blame him not at all. He is a noble prince and will make
us a great king, and the doings of his mother have been a shame to us
all. However, I meddle not in politics. If the poor lady dies, as
methinks is well-nigh certain, Bertha and I will bring up the boy as our
own. I have talked it over with my wife, and so far she and I are not of
one mind. I think it will be best to keep him in ignorance of his birth
and lineage, since the knowledge cannot benefit him, and will but render
him discontented with his lot and make him disinclined to take to my
calling, in which he might otherwise earn a living and rise to be a
respected citizen. But Bertha hath notions. You have not taken a wife to
yourself, Master Geoffrey, or you would know that women oft have fancies
which wander widely from hard facts, and she says she would have him
brought up as a man-at-arms, so that he may do valiant deeds, and win
back some day the title and honor of his family."
Geoffrey Ward laughed. "Trust a woman for being romantic," he said.
"However, Master Fletcher, you need not for the present trouble about
the child's calling, even should its mother die. At any rate, whether he
follows your trade, or whether the blood in his veins leads him to take
to martial deeds, the knowledge of arms may well be of use to him, and I
promise you that such skill as I have I will teach him when he grows old
enough to wield sword and battle-ax. As you know I may, without
boasting, say that he could scarce have a better master, seeing that I
have for three years carried away the prize for the best sword-player at
the sports. Methinks the boy will grow up into a strong and stalwart
man, for he is truly a splendid lad. As to archery, he need not go far
to learn it, since your apprentice, Will Parker, last year won the prize
as the best marksman in the city bounds. Trust me, if his tastes lie
that way we will between us turn him out a rare man-at-arms. But I must
stand gossiping no longer; the rumors that we are likely ere long to
have war with France have rarely bettered my trade. Since the wars in
Scotland men's arms have rusted somewhat, and my two men are hard at
work mending armor, and fitting swords to hilts, and forging pike-heads.
You see I am a citizen, though I dwell outside the bounds, because house
rent is cheaper and I get my charcoal without paying the city dues. So I
can work somewhat lower than those in the walls, and I have good custom
from many in Kent, who know that my arms are of as good temper as those
turned out by any craftsman in the city."
Giles Fletcher's anticipations as to the result of his guest's illness
turned out to be well founded. The fever abated, but left her prostrate
in strength. For a few weeks she lingered; but she seemed to have little
hold of life, and to care not whether she lived or died. So gradually
she faded away.
"I know you will take care of my boy as if he were your own, Bertha,"
she said one day, "and you and your husband will be far better
protectors for him than I should have been had I lived. Teach him to be
honest and true. It were better, methinks, that he grew up thinking you
his father and mother, for otherwise he may grow discontented with his
lot; but this I leave with you, and you must speak or keep silent
according as you see his disposition and mind. If he is content to
settle down to a peaceful life here, say naught to him which would
unsettle his mind; but if Walter turn out to have an adventurous
disposition, then tell him as much as you think fit of his history, not
encouraging him to hope to recover his father's lands and mine, for
that can never be, seeing that before that time can come they would
have been enjoyed for many years by others; but that he may learn to
bear himself bravely and gently, as becomes one of good blood."
A few days later Lady Alice breathed her last, and at her own request
was buried quietly and without pomp, as if she had been a child of the
bowman, a plain stone, with the name "Dame Alice Somers," marking the
grave.
The boy grew and throve until at fourteen years old there was no
stronger or sturdier lad of his age within the city bounds. Giles had
caused him to be taught to read and write, accomplishments which were
common among the citizens, although they were until long afterward rare
among the warlike barons. The greater part of his time, however, was
spent in sports with lads of his own age in Moorfields beyond the walls.
The war with France was now raging, and as was natural, the boys in
their games imitated the doings of their elders, and mimic battles,
ofttimes growing into earnest, were fought between the lads of the
different wards. Walter Fletcher, as he was known among his
play-fellows, had by his strength and courage won for himself the proud
position of captain of the boys of the ward of Aldgate.
[Illustration: WALTER IN THE ARMORER'S FORGE.--Page 14.]
Geoffrey Ward had kept his word, and had already begun to give the lad
lessons in the use of arms. When not engaged otherwise Walter would,
almost every afternoon, cross London Bridge and would spend hours in the
armorer's forge. Geoffrey's business had grown, for the war had
caused a great demand for arms, and he had now six men working in the
forge. As soon as the boy could handle a light tool Geoffrey allowed him
to work, and although not able to wield the heavy sledge, Walter was
able to do much of the finer work. Geoffrey encouraged him in this, as,
in the first place, the use of the tools greatly strengthened the boy's
muscles, and gave him an acquaintance with arms. Moreover, Geoffrey was
still a bachelor, and he thought that the boy, whom he as well as Giles
had come to love as a son, might, should he not take up the trade of
war, prefer the occupation of an armorer to that of a bow maker, in
which case he would take him some day as his partner in the forge. After
work was over and the men had gone away Geoffrey would give the lad
instructions in the use of the arms at which he had been at work, and so
quick and strong was he that he rapidly acquired their use, and Geoffrey
foresaw that he would one day, should his thoughts turn that way, prove
a mighty man-at-arms.
It was the knowledge which he acquired from Geoffrey which had much to
do with Walter's position among his comrades. The skill and strength
which he had acquired in wielding the hammer, and by practice with the
sword, rendered him a formidable opponent with the sticks, which formed
the weapons in the mimic battles, and indeed not a few were the
complaints which were brought before Giles Fletcher of bruises and hurts
caused by him.
"You are too turbulent, Walter," the bowyer said one day when a
haberdasher from the ward of Aldersgate came to complain that his son's
head had been badly cut by a blow with a club from Walter Fletcher. "You
are always getting into trouble, and are becoming the terror of other
boys. Why do you not play more quietly? The feuds between the boys of
different wards are becoming a serious nuisance, and many injuries have
been inflicted. I hear that the matter has been mentioned in the Common
Council, and that there is a talk of issuing an order that no boy not
yet apprenticed to a trade shall be allowed to carry a club, and that
any found doing so shall be publicly whipped."
"I don't want to be turbulent," Walter said; "but if the Aldersgate boys
will defy us, what are we to do? I don't hit harder than I can help, and
if Jonah Harris would leave his head unguarded I could not help hitting
it."
"I tell you it won't do, Walter," Giles said. "You will be getting
yourself into sore trouble. You are growing too masterful altogether,
and have none of the quiet demeanor and peaceful air which becomes an
honest citizen. In another six months you will be apprenticed, and then
I hope we shall hear no more of these doings."
"My father is talking of apprenticing me, Master Geoffrey," Walter said
that evening. "I hope that you will, as you were good enough to promise,
talk with him about apprenticing me to your craft rather than to his. I
should never take to the making of bows, though, indeed, I like well to
use them; and Will Parker, who is teaching me, says that I show rare
promise; but it would never be to my taste to stand all day sawing, and
smoothing, and polishing. One bow is to me much like another, though my
father holds that there are rare differences between them; but it is a
nobler craft to work on iron, and next to using arms the most pleasant
thing surely is to make them. One can fancy what good blows the sword
will give and what hard knocks the armor will turn aside; but some day,
Master Geoffrey, when I have served my time, I mean to follow the army.
There is always work there for armorers to do, and sometimes at a pinch
they may even get their share of fighting."
Walter did not venture to say that he would prefer to be a man-at-arms,
for such a sentiment would be deemed as outrageous in the ears of a
quiet city craftsman as would the proposal of the son of such a man
nowadays to enlist as a soldier. The armorer smiled; he knew well enough
what was in Walter's mind. It had cost Geoffrey himself a hard struggle
to settle down to a craft, and he deemed it but natural that with the
knightly blood flowing in Walter's veins he should long to distinguish
himself in the field. He said nothing of this, however, but renewed his
promise to speak to Giles Fletcher, deeming that a few years passed in
his forge would be the best preparation which Walter could have for a
career as a soldier.
CHAPTER II.
THE HUT IN THE MARSHES.
A week later a party of knights and court gallants, riding across the
fields without the walls, checked their horses to look at a struggle
which was going on between two parties of boys. One, which was
apparently the most powerful, had driven the other off from a heap of
rubbish which had been carried without the walls. Each party had a flag
attached to a stick, and the boys were armed with clubs such as those
carried by the apprentice boys. Many of them carried mimic shields made
of wood, and had stuffed their flat caps with wool or shavings, the
better to protect their heads from blows. The smaller party had just
been driven from the heap, and their leader was urging them to make
another effort to regain it.
"That is a gallant-looking lad, and a sturdy, my Lord de Vaux," a boy of
about ten years of age said. "He bears himself like a young knight, and
he has had some hard knocks, for, see, the blood is streaming down his
face. One would scarcely expect to see these varlets of the city playing
so roughly."
"The citizens have proved themselves sturdy fighters before now, my
prince," the other said; "they are ever independent, and hold to their
rights even against the king. The contingent which the city sends to the
wars bears itself as well as those of any of the barons."
"See!" the boy interrupted, "they are going to charge again. The leader
has himself seized the flag and has swung his shield behind him, just as
a knight might do if leading the stormers against a place of strength.
Let us stop till we see the end of it."
With a shout of "Aldgate! Aldgate!" the leader of the assailants dashed
forward, followed by his comrades, and with a rush reached the top of
the heap.
"Well done!" the young prince exclaimed, clapping his hands. "See how he
lays about him with that club of his. There, he has knocked down the
leader of the defenders as if his club had been a battle-ax. Well done,
young sir, well done! But his followers waver. The others are too strong
for them. Stand, you cowards, rally round your leader!" And in his
enthusiasm the young prince urged his horse forward to the scene of
conflict.
But the assailants were mastered; few of them could gain the top of the
heap, and those who did so were beaten back from it by the defenders.
Heavy blows were exchanged, and blood flowed freely from many of their
heads and faces, for in those days boys thought less than they do now
of hard knocks, and manliness and courage were considered the first of
virtues. Their leader, however, still stood his ground on the crest,
though hardly pressed on all sides, and used his club both to strike and
parry with a skill which aroused the warmest admiration on the part of
the prince. In vain his followers attempted to come to his rescue; each
time they struggled up the heap they were beaten back again by those on
the crest.
"Yield thee prisoner," the assailants of their leader shouted, and the
prince in his excitement echoed the cry. The lad, however, heard or
heeded them not. He still kept his flag aloft in his left hand. With a
sudden spring he struck down one of his opponents, plucked up their flag
from the ground, and then fought his way back through his foes to the
edge of the battle ground; then a heavy blow struck him on the temple,
and, still holding the flags, he rolled senseless to the foot of the
heap. The defenders with shouts of triumph were rushing down, when the
prince urged his horse forward.
"Cease!" he said authoritatively. "Enough has been done, my young
masters, and the sport is becoming a broil."
Hitherto the lads, absorbed in their strife, had paid but little heed to
the party of onlookers; but at the word they at once arrested their
arms, and, baring their heads, stood still in confusion.
"No harm is done," the prince said, "though your sport is of the
roughest; but I fear that your leader is hurt, he moves not; lift his
head from the ground." The boy was indeed still insensible. "My lords,"
the prince said to the knights who had now ridden up, "I fear that this
boy is badly hurt; he is a gallant lad, and has the spirit of a true
knight in him, citizen's son though he be. My Lord de Vaux, will you bid
your squire ride at full speed to the Tower and tell Master Roger, the
leech, to come here with all haste, and to bring such nostrums as may be
needful for restoring the boy to life?"
The Tower was but half a mile distant, but before Master Roger arrived
Walter had already recovered consciousness, and was just sitting up when
the leech hurried up to the spot.
"You have arrived too late, Master Roger," the prince said; "but I doubt
not that a dose of your cordials may yet be of use, for he is still
dazed, and the blow he got would have cracked his skull had it been a
thin one."
The leech poured some cordial from a vial into a small silver cup and
held it to the boy's lips. It was potent and nigh took his breath away;
but when he had drunk it he struggled to his feet, looking ashamed and
confused when he saw himself the center of attention of so many knights
of the court.
"What is thy name, good lad?" the prince asked.
"I am known as Walter Fletcher."
"You are a brave lad," the prince said, "and if you bear you as well as
a man as you did but now, I would wish no better to ride beside me in
the day of battle. Should the time ever come when you tire of the
peaceable life of a citizen and wish to take service in the wars, go to
the Tower and ask boldly for the Prince of Wales, and I will enroll you
among my own men-at-arms, and I promise you that you shall have your
share of fighting as stark as that of the assault of yon heap. Now, my
lords, let us ride on; I crave your pardon for having so long detained
you."
Walter was some days before he could again cross London Bridge to inform
his friend Geoffrey of the honor which had befallen him of being
addressed by the Prince of Wales. During the interval he was forced to
lie abed, and he was soundly rated by Master Giles for again getting
into mischief. Geoffrey was far more sympathetic, and said: "Well,
Walter, although I would not that Gaffer Giles heard me say so, I think
you have had a piece of rare good fortune. It may be that you may never
have cause to recall the young prince's promise to him; but should you
some day decide to embrace the calling of arms, you could wish for
nothing better than to ride behind the Prince of Wales. He is, by all
accounts, of a most noble and generous disposition, and is said, young
as he is, to be already highly skilled in arms. Men say that he will be
a wise king and a gallant captain, such a one as a brave soldier might
be proud to follow; and as the king will be sure to give him plenty of
opportunities of distinguishing himself, those who ride with him may be
certain of a chance of doing valorous deeds. I will go across the bridge
to-morrow, and will have a talk with Master Fletcher. The sooner you
are apprenticed the sooner you will be out of your time; and since Madge
married eight years since I have been lonely in the house and shall be
glad to have you with me."
Geoffrey Ward found his friend more ready to accede to his request that
Walter should be apprenticed to him than he had expected. The bowyer,
indeed, was a quiet man, and the high spirits and somewhat turbulent
disposition of his young charge gave him so much uneasiness that he was
not sorry the responsibility of keeping him in order should be
undertaken by Geoffrey. Moreover, he could not but agree with the
argument that the promise of the Prince of Wales offered a more
favorable opportunity for Walter to enter upon the career of arms, and
so, perhaps, some day to win his way back to rank and honors than could
have been looked for. Therefore, on the following week Walter was
indentured to the armorer, and, as was usual at the time, left his abode
in Aldgate and took up his residence with his master. He threw himself
with his whole heart into the work, and by the time he was fifteen was
on the way to become a skillful craftsman. His frame and muscles
developed with labor, and he was now able to swing all save the very
heaviest hammers in the shop. He had never abated in his practice at
arms, and every day when work was over he and his master had a long bout
together with cudgel or quarter-staff, sword or ax. Walter, of course,
used light weapons, but so quick was he with them that Geoffrey Ward
acknowledged that he needed to put out all his skill to hold his own
with his pupil. But it was not alone with Geoffrey that Walter had an
opportunity of learning the use of arms. Whenever a soldier, returned
from the wars, came to have a weapon repaired by the armorer, he would
be sure of an invitation to come in in the evening and take a stoup of
ale, and tell of the battles and sieges he had gone through, and in the
course of the evening would be asked to have a bout of arms with the
young apprentice, whom Geoffrey represented as being eager to learn how
to use the sword as well as how to make it.
Thus Walter became accustomed to different styles of fighting, but found
that very few, indeed, of their visitors were nearly so well skilled
with their arms as his master. Some of the soldiers were mortified at
finding themselves unable to hold their own with a boy; others would
take their reverses in good part and would come again, bringing with
them some comrade known to be particularly skilled with his weapons, to
try the temper of the armorer's apprentice. At the age of fifteen Walter
had won the prize at the sports, both for the best cudgel play and for
the best sword-and-buckler play among the apprentices, to the great
disgust of many who had almost reached the age of manhood and were just
out of their time.
On Sundays Walter always spent the day with Giles Fletcher and his wife,
going to mass with them and walking in the fields, where, after
service, the citizens much congregated. Since Walter had gone to work he
had taken no part in the fights and frolics of his former comrades; he
was, in fact, far too tired at the end of his day's work to have any
desire to do aught but to sit and listen to the tales of the wars, of
the many old soldiers who pervaded the country. Some of these men were
disabled by wounds or long service, but the greater portion were idle
scamps, who cared not for the hard blows and sufferings of a campaign,
liking better to hang about taverns drinking, at the expense of those to
whom they related fabulous tales of the gallant actions they had
performed. Many, too, wandered over the country, sometimes in twos or
threes, sometimes in larger bands, robbing and often murdering travelers
or attacking lonely houses. When in one part or another their ill deeds
became too notorious, the sheriffs would call out a posse of men and
they would be hunted down like wild beasts. It was not, however, easy to
catch them, for great tracts of forests still covered a large portion of
the country and afforded them shelter.
In the country round London these pests were very numerous, for here,
more than anywhere else, was there a chance of plunder. The swamps on
the south side of the river had especially evil reputation. From
Southwark to Putney stretched a marshy country over which, at high
tides, the river frequently flowed. Here and there were wretched huts,
difficult of access and affording good hiding-places for those pursued
by justice, since searchers could be seen approaching a long way off,
and escape could be made by paths across the swamp known only to the
dwellers there, and where heavily armed men dared not follow. Further
south, in the wild country round Westerham, where miles of heath and
forest stretched away in all directions, was another noted place where
the robber vagrants mustered thickly, and the Sheriff of Kent had much
trouble with them.
The laws in those days were extremely severe, and death was the penalty
of those caught plundering. The extreme severity of the laws, however,
operated in favor of its breakers, since the sympathy of the people who
had little to lose was with them, and unless caught red-handed in the
act they could generally escape, since none save those who had
themselves been robbed would say aught that would place the pursuers on
their traces, or give testimony which would cost the life of a
fellow-creature. The citizens of London were loud in their complaints
against the discharged soldiers, for it was upon them that the loss
mainly fell, and it was on their petitions to the king that the sheriffs
of Middlesex and Hertford, Essex, Surrey, and Kent, were generally
stirred up to put down the ill-doers.
Sometimes these hunts were conducted in a wholesale way, and the whole
posse of a county would be called out. Then all found within its limits
who had not land or visible occupation were collected. Any against whom
charges could be brought home were hung without more ado, and the rest
were put on board ship and sent across the sea to the army. Sometimes,
when they found the country becoming too hot for them, these men would
take service with some knight or noble going to the war, anxious to take
with him as strong a following as might be, and not too particular as to
the character of his soldiers.
Walter, being of an adventurous spirit, was sometimes wont of a summer
evening, when his work was done, to wander across the marshes, taking
with him his bow and arrows, and often bringing home a wild duck or two
which he had shot in the pools. More than once surly men had accosted
him, and had threatened to knock him on the head if they again found him
wandering that way; but Walter laughed at their threats, and seeing that
though but an apprentice lad, he might be able to send an arrow as
straight to the mark as another, they were content to leave him alone.
One day when he was well-nigh in the heart of the swamp of Lambeth he
saw a figure making his way across. The hour was already late and the
night was falling, and the appearance of the man was so different from
that of the usual denizens of the swamp that Walter wondered what his
business there might be. Scarcely knowing why he did so, Walter threw
himself down among some low brushwood and watched the approaching
figure. When he came near he recognized the face, and saw, to his
surprise, that it was a knight who had but the day before stopped at
the armorer's shop to have two rivets put in his hauberk. He had
particularly noticed him, because of the arrogant manner in which he
spoke. Walter had himself put in the rivets, and had thought, as he
buckled on the armor again, how unpleasant a countenance was that of its
wearer. He was a tall and powerful man, and would have been handsome had
not his eyes been too closely set together; his nose was narrow, and the
expression of his face reminded Walter of a hawk. He had now laid aside
his helmet, and his figure was covered with a long cloak.
"He is up to no good," Walter said to himself, "for what dealings could
a knight honestly have with the ruffians who haunt these swamps? It is
assuredly no business of mine, but it may lead to an adventure, and I
have had no real fun since I left Aldgate. I will follow and see if I
can get to the bottom of the mystery."
When he came close to the spot where Walter was lying the knight paused
and looked round as if uncertain of his way. For four or five minutes he
stood still, and then gave a shout of "Humphrey!" at the top of his
voice. It was answered by a distant "Halloo!" and looking in the
direction from which the answer had come, Walter saw a figure appear
above some bushes some four hundred yards distant. The knight at once
directed his steps in that direction, and Walter crept cautiously after
him.
"A pest upon these swamps and quagmires," the knight said angrily as he
neared the other. "Why didst not meet me and show me the way through,
as before?"
"I thought that as you had come once you would be able to find your way
hither again," the man said. "Had I thought that you would have missed
it I would have come ten times as far, rather than have had my name
shouted all over the country. However, there is no one to hear, did you
shout thrice as loud, so no harm is done."
"I thought I saw a figure a short time since," the knight said.
The man looked round in all directions.
"I see none," he said, "and you may have been mistaken, for the light is
waning fast. It were ill for any one I caught prying about here. But
come in, sir knight; my hovel is not what your lordship is accustomed
to, but we may as well talk there as here beneath the sky."
The two men disappeared from Walter's sight. The latter in much surprise
crept forward, but until he reached the spot where he had last seen the
speakers he was unable to account for their disappearance. Then he saw
that the spot, although apparently a mere clump of bushes no higher than
the surrounding country, was really an elevated hummock of ground. Any
one might have passed close to the bushes without suspecting that aught
lay among them. In the center, however, the ground had been cut away,
and a low doorway, almost hidden by the bushes, gave access into a
half-subterranean hut; the roof was formed of an old boat turned bottom
upward, and this had been covered with brown turf. It was an excellent
place of concealment, as searchers might have passed within a foot of
the bushes without suspecting that aught lay concealed within them.
"A clever hiding-place," Walter thought to himself. "No wonder the posse
search these swamps in vain. This is the lowest and wettest part of the
swamp, and would be but lightly searched, for none would suspect that
there was a human habitation among these brown ditches and stagnant
pools."
To his disappointment the lad could hear nothing of the conversation
which was going on within the hut. The murmur of voices came to his ear,
but no words were audible; however, he remained patiently, thinking that
perhaps as they came out a word might be said which would give him a
clew to the object of the mysterious interview between a knight and one
who was evidently a fugitive from justice.
His patience was rewarded. In the half-hour which he waited the night
had fallen, and a thick fog which was rising over the swamps rendered it
difficult to discern anything at the distance of a few paces.
"You are quite sure that you can manage it?" a voice said as the two men
issued from the hut.
"There is no difficulty in managing it," the other replied, "if the boat
is punctual to the hour named. It will be getting dusk then, and if one
boat runs into another no one need be surprised. Such accidents will
happen."
"They will be here just before nightfall," the other said, "and you will
know the boat by the white mantle the lady will wear. The reward will be
fifty pieces of gold, of which you have received ten as earnest. You can
trust me, and if the job be well done I shall take no count of the
earnest-money."
"You may consider it as good as done," the other replied. "If the boat
is there the matter is settled. Now I will lead you back across the
swamps. I would not give much for your life if you tried to find the way
alone. Who would have thought when you got me off from being hung, after
that little affair at Bruges, that I should be able to make myself
useful to your worship?"
"You may be sure," the knight replied, "that it was just because I
foresaw that you might be useful that I opened the doors of your cell
that night. It is always handy in times like these to be able to lay
one's hand on a man whom you can hang if you choose to open your mouth."
"Did it not strike you, sir knight, that it might enter my mind that it
would be very advisable for me to free myself from one who stands toward
me in that relation?"
"Certainly it did," the knight replied; "but as I happen to be able to
make it for your interest to serve me, that matter did not trouble me. I
knew better than to bring money into this swamp of yours, when I might
be attacked by half a dozen ruffians like yourself; and I took the
precaution of informing Peter, the captain of my men-at-arms, of the
spot to which I was going, bidding him, in case I came not back, to set
a hue-and-cry on foot and hunt down all who might be found here, with
the especial description of your worthy self."
Walter could hear no more; he had taken off his shoes and followed them
at a distance, and their voices still acted as a guide to him through
the swamp. But he feared to keep too close, as, although the darkness
would conceal his figure, he might at any moment tread in a pool or
ditch, and so betray his presence. Putting his foot each time to the
ground with the greatest caution, he moved quietly after them. They
spoke little more, but their heavy footsteps on the swampy ground were a
sufficient guidance for him. At last these ceased suddenly. A few words
were spoken, and then he heard returning steps. He drew aside a few feet
and crouched down, saw a dim figure pass through the mist, and then
resumed his way.
The ground was firmer now, and, replacing his shoes, he walked briskly
on. As he neared the higher ground along which the road ran he heard two
horsemen galloping away in the distance. He now turned his face east,
and after an hour's walking he reached the armorer's.
"Why, Walter, you are late," the smith said. "The men are in bed this
hour or more, and I myself can scarce keep awake. Where hast thou been,
my boy?"
"I have been in the swamps and lost my way," Walter replied.
"It is a bad neighborhood, lad, and worse are the people who live there.
If I had my way the whole posse should be called out, and the marshes
searched from end to end, and all found there should be knocked on the
head and thrown into their own ditches. There would be no fear of any
honest man coming to his end thereby; but now to bed, lad. You can tell
me all about it to-morrow; but we have a rare day's work before us, and
the fire must be alight at daybreak."
On his way back Walter had debated with himself whether to inform his
master of what had happened. He was, however, bent upon having an
adventure on his own account, and it was a serious thing in those days
for an apprentice lad to bring an accusation against a noble. The city
would not indeed allow even an apprentice to be overridden, and although
Geoffrey Ward's forge stood beyond the city walls it was yet within the
liberties, the city allowing its craftsmen to open shops just outside
the gates, and to enjoy the same privileges as if dwelling actually
within the walls.
On the following afternoon Walter asked leave to cease work an hour
earlier than usual, as he wished to go across into the city. The armorer
was surprised, since this was the first time that such a thing had
happened since the lad had worked for him.
"What are you up to, Walter?--some mischief, I will be bound. Go, lad;
you have worked so steadily that you have well earned more than an
hour's holiday should you want it."
Walter crossed the bridge, and seeking out four or five of his old
companions, begged them to bring their bows and clubs and rejoin him at
the stairs by London Bridge. To their laughing inquiries whether he
meant to go a-shooting of fish, he told them to ask no questions until
they joined him. As soon as work was over the boys gathered at the
steps, where Walter had already engaged a boat. There were some mocking
inquiries from the watermen standing about as to where they were going
shooting. Walter answered with some light chaff, and, two of the party
taking oars, they started up the river.
"Now I will tell you what we are bent on," Walter said. "From some words
I overheard I believe that some of the ruffians over in the marshes are
this evening going to make an attack upon a boat with a lady in it
coming down the river. We will be on the spot, and can give them a
reception such as they do not expect."
"Do you know who the lady is, Walter?"
"I have not the least idea. I only caught a few words, and may be wrong;
still it will do no harm should I be mistaken."
The tide was running down strongly, for there had been a good deal of
rain during the preceding week, and all night it had poured heavily. It
was fine now, but the stream was running down thick and turbid, and it
needed all the boys' efforts to force the wherry against it. They rowed
by turns; all were fairly expert at the exercise, for in those days the
Thames was at once the great highway and playground of London. To the
wharves below the bridge ships brought the rich merchandise of Italy and
the Low Countries; while from above, the grain needed for the wants of
the great city was floated down in barges from the west.
Passing the Temple, the boys rowed along by the green banks and fields
as far as Westminster, which at that time was almost a rival of the
city, for here were the abbey and great monastery; here were the king's
palace and court, and the houses of many of his nobles. Then they went
along by the low shores of Millbank, keeping a sharp lookout for boats
going down with the stream. It was already getting dark, for Walter had
not allowed for the strength of the stream, and he was full of anxiety
lest he should arrive too late.
CHAPTER III.
A THWARTED PLOT.
A boat was rowing rapidly down the stream. It had passed the village of
Chelsea, and the men were doing their best to reach their destination at
Westminster before nightfall. Two men were rowing; in the stern sat a
lady with a girl of about eleven years old. A woman, evidently a
servant, sat beside the lady, while behind, steering the boat, was an
elderly retainer.
"It is getting dark," the lady said; "I would that my Cousin James had
not detained us so long at Richmond, and then after all he was unable to
accompany us. I like not being out on the river so late."
"No, indeed, my lady," the woman replied; "I have heard tell lately much
of the doings of the river pirates. They say that boats are often picked
up, stove in and broken, and that none know what had become of their
occupants, and that bodies, gashed and hewn, are often found floating in
the river."
"How horrible," the girl said; "your tale makes me shiver, Martha; I
would you had said nothing about it till we were on land again."
"Do not be afraid, Edith," the lady said cheerfully; "we shall soon be
safe at Westminster."
There were now only two or three boats to be seen on the river. They
were nearing the end of their journey now, and the great pile of the
abbey could be seen through the darkness. A boat with several men in it
was seen rowing across the river toward the Lambeth side. It was
awkwardly managed.
"Look out!" the steersman of the boat coming down stream shouted; "you
will run into us if you don't mind."
An order was given in the other boat, the men strained to their oars,
and in an instant the boat ran with a crash into the side of the other,
cutting it down to the water's edge. For a minute there was a wild scene
of confusion; the women shrieked, the watermen shouted, and, thinking
that it was an accident, strove, as the boat sank from under them, to
climb into that which had run them down. They were speedily undeceived.
One was sunk by a heavy blow with an oar, the other was stabbed with a
dagger, while the assailants struck fiercely at the old man and the
women.
At this moment, however, a third boat made its appearance on the scene,
its occupants uttering loud shouts. As they rowed toward the spot their
approach was heralded by a shower of arrows. Two of the ruffians were
struck--one fell over mortally wounded, the other sank down into the
boat.
"Row, men, row," their leader shouted, "or we shall all be taken."
Again seizing their oars, the rowers started at full speed toward the
Lambeth shore. The arrows of their pursuers still fell among them, two
more of their number being wounded before they reached the opposite
shore. The pursuit was not continued, the new-comers ceasing to row at
the spot where the catastrophe had taken place. Walter stood up in the
boat and looked round. A floating oar, a stretcher, and a sheep-skin
which had served as a cushion alone floated.
Suddenly there was a choking cry heard a few yards down stream, and
Walter leaped into the river. A few strokes took him to the side of the
girl, and he found, on throwing his arm around her, that she was still
clasped in her mother's arms. Seizing them both, Walter shouted to his
comrades. They had already turned the boat's head and in a minute were
alongside.
It was a difficult task to get the mother and child on board, as the
girl refused to loose her hold. It was, however, accomplished, and the
child sat still and quiet by Walter's side, while his comrades
endeavored to stanch the blood which was flowing from a severe wound in
her mother's head. When they had bound it up they rubbed her hands, and
by the time they had reached the steps at Westminster the lady opened
her eyes. For a moment she looked bewildered, and then, on glancing
round, she gave a low cry of delight at seeing her child sitting by
Walter's side.
On reaching the steps the boys handed her over to the care of the
watermen there, who soon procured a litter and carried her, she being
still too weak to walk, to the dwelling of the Earl of Talbot, where she
said she was expected. The apprentices rowed back to London Bridge,
elated at the success of their enterprise, but regretting much that they
had arrived too late to hinder the outrage, or to prevent the escape of
its perpetrators.
Walter on his return home related the whole circumstance to his master.
"I would you had told me, Walter," the latter said, "since we might have
taken precautions which would have prevented this foul deed from taking
place. However, I can understand your wanting to accomplish the
adventure without my aid; but we must think now what had best be said
and done. As the lady belongs to the court, there is sure to be a fine
pother about the matter, and you and all who were there will be examined
touching your share of the adventure, and how you came to be upon the
spot. The others will, of course, say that they were there under your
direction; and we had best think how much of your story you had better
tell."
"Why should I not tell it all?" Walter asked indignantly.
"You should never tell a lie, Walter; but in days like these it is safer
sometimes not to tell more than is necessary. It is a good rule in life,
my boy, to make no more enemies than may be needful. This knight, who is
doubtless a great villain, has maybe powerful friends, and it is as
well, if it can be avoided, that you should not embroil yourself with
these. Many a man has been knocked on the head or stabbed on a dark
night, because he could not keep his tongue from wagging. 'Least said,
the sooner mended,' is a good proverb; but I will think it over
to-night, and tell you in the morning."
When they met again in the workshop the armorer said: "Clean yourself up
after breakfast, Walter, and put on your best clothes. I will go with
you before the mayor, and then you shall tell him your story. There is
sure to be a stir about it before the day is done. As we walk thither we
can settle how much of your story it is good to tell."
On their way over the bridge Geoffrey told Walter that he thought he had
better tell the whole story exactly as it had occurred, concealing only
the fact that he had recognized the knight's face. "You had best, too,"
he said, "mention naught about the white cloak. If we can catch the man
of the hut in the swamp, likely enough the rack will wring from him the
name of his employer, and in that case, if you are brought up as a
witness against him you will of course say that you recognize his face;
but 'tis better that the accusation should not come from you. No great
weight would be given to the word of a 'prentice boy as against that of
a noble. It is as bad for earthen pots to knock against brass ones as it
is for a yeoman in a leathern jerkin to stand up against a knight in
full armor."
"But unless the lady knows her enemy she may fall again into his
snares."
"I have thought of that," Geoffrey said, "and we will take measures to
prevent it."
"But how can we prevent it?" Walter asked, surprised.
"We must find out who this knight may be, which should, methinks, not be
difficult. Then we will send to him a message that his share in this
night's work is known to several, and that if any harm should ever again
be attempted against the lady or her daughter, he shall be denounced
before King Edward himself as the author of the wrong. I trust, however,
that we may capture the man of the swamp, and that the truth may be
wrung from him."
By this time they had arrived at the guildhall, and making their way
into the court, Geoffrey demanded private speech with the lord mayor.
"Can you not say in open court what is your business?" the lord mayor
asked.
"I fear that if I did it would defeat the ends of justice."
Retiring with the chief magistrate into an inner room, Geoffrey desired
Walter to tell his story. This he did, ending by saying that he
regretted much that he had not at once told his master what he had
heard; but that, although he deemed evil was intended, he did not know
that murder was meant, and thought it but concerned the carrying off of
some damsel, and that this he had intended, by the aid of his comrades,
to prevent.
"You have done well, Master Walter, since that be your name," the
magistrate said. "That you might have done better is true, for had you
acted otherwise you might have prevented murder from being done. Still
one cannot expect old heads upon young shoulders. Give me the names of
those who were with you, for I shall doubtless receive a message from
Westminster this morning to know if I have heard aught of the affair. In
the mean time we must take steps to secure these pirates of the marsh.
The ground is across the river, and lies out of my jurisdiction."
"It is for that reason," Geoffrey said, "that I wished that the story
should be told to you privately, since the men concerned might well have
sent a friend to the court to hear if aught was said which might
endanger them."
"I will give you a letter to a magistrate of Surrey, and he will
dispatch some constables under your guidance to catch these rascals. I
fear there have been many murders performed by them lately besides that
in question, and you will be doing a good service to the citizens by
aiding in the capture of these men."
"I will go willingly," the smith assented.
"I will at once send off a messenger on horseback," the lord mayor said,
after a moment's thought. "It will be quicker. I will tell the justice
that if he will come to the meeting of the roads on Kensington Common,
at seven this evening, you will be there with your apprentice to act as
a guide."
"I will," the armorer said, "and will bring with me two or three of my
men who are used to hard blows, for, to tell you the truth, I have no
great belief in the valor of constables, and we may meet with a stout
resistance."
"So be it," the lord mayor said; "and luck be with you, for these men
are the scourges of the river."
That evening the armorer shut up his shop sooner than usual, and
accompanied by Walter and four of his workmen, all carrying stout oaken
cudgels, with hand-axes in their girdles, started along the lonely road
to Kensington. Half an hour after their arrival the magistrate, with ten
men, rode up. He was well pleased at the sight of the reënforcement
which awaited him, for the river pirates might be expected to make a
desperate resistance. Geoffrey advised a halt for a time until it should
be well-nigh dark, as the marauders might have spies set to give notice
should strangers enter the marsh.
They started before it was quite dark, as Walter doubted whether he
should be able to lead them straight to the hut after the night had
completely fallen. He felt, however, tolerably sure of his locality, for
he had noticed that two trees grew on the edge of the swamp just at the
spot where he had left it. He had no difficulty in finding these, and at
once led the way. The horses of the magistrate and his followers were
left in charge of three of their number.
"You are sure you are going right?" the magistrate said to Walter. "The
marsh seems to stretch everywhere, and we might well fall into a
quagmire, which would swallow us all up."
"I am sure of my way," Walter answered; "see, yonder clump of bushes,
which you can just observe above the marsh, a quarter of a mile away, is
the spot where the house of their leader is situated."
With strict injunctions that not a word was to be spoken until the bush
was surrounded, and that all were to step noiselessly and with caution,
the party moved forward. It was now nearly dark, and as they approached
the hut, sounds of laughter and revelry were heard.
"They are celebrating their success in a carouse," Geoffrey said. "We
shall catch them nicely in a trap."
When they came close a man who was sitting just at the low mouth of the
hut suddenly sprang to his feet and shouted, "Who goes there?" He had
apparently been placed as sentry, but had joined in the potations going
on inside, and had forgotten to look round from time to time to see that
none were approaching.
At his challenge the whole party rushed forward, and as they reached the
hut the men from within came scrambling out, sword in hand. For two or
three minutes there was a sharp fight, and had the constables been alone
they would have been defeated, for they were outnumbered and the pirates
were desperate.
The heavy clubs of the armorers decided the fight. One or two of the
band alone succeeded in breaking through, the rest were knocked down and
bound; not, however, until several severe wounds had been inflicted on
their assailants.
When the fray was over, it was found that nine prisoners had been
captured. Some of these were stunned by the blows which the smiths had
dealt them, and two or three were badly wounded; all were more or less
injured in the struggle. When they recovered their senses they were made
to get on their feet, and with their hands tied securely behind them,
were marched between a double line of their captors off the marsh.
"Thanks for your services," the justice said when they had gained the
place where they had left their horses. "Nine of my men shall tie each
one of these rascals to their stirrups by halters round their necks, and
we will give them a smart run into Richmond, where we will lodge them in
the jail. Tomorrow is Sunday; on Monday they will be brought before me,
and I shall want the evidence of Master Walter Fletcher and of those who
were in the boat with him as to what took place on the river. Methinks
the evidence on that score, and the resistance which they offered us
this evening, will be sufficient to put a halter round their necks; but
from what I have heard by the letter which the lord mayor sent me, there
are others higher in rank concerned in the affair; doubtless we shall
find means to make these ruffians speak."
Accordingly, at the justice's orders, halters were placed round the
necks of the prisoners, the other ends being attached to the saddles,
and the party set off at a pace which taxed to the utmost the strength
of the wounded men. Geoffrey and his party returned in high spirits to
Southwark.
On the Monday Walter went over to Richmond, accompanied by the armorers
and by the lads who had been in the boat with him. The nine ruffians,
strongly guarded, were brought up in the justice room. Walter first gave
his evidence, and related how he had overheard a portion of the
conversation which led him to believe that an attack would be made upon
the boat coming down the river.
"Can you identify either of the prisoners as being the man whom you saw
at the door of the hut?"
"No," Walter said. "When I first saw him I was too far off to make out
his face. When he left the hut it was dark."
"Should you know the other man, the one who was addressed as sir knight,
if you saw him again?"
"I should," Walter replied. He then gave an account of the attack upon
the boat, but said that in the suddenness of the affair and the growing
darkness he noticed none of the figures distinctly enough to recognize
them again. Two or three of the other apprentices gave similar testimony
as to the attack.
A gentleman then presented himself, and gave his name as Sir William de
Hertford. He said that he had come at the request of the Lady Alice
Vernon, who was still suffering from the effects of the wound and
immersion. She had requested him to say that at some future occasion she
would appear to testify, but that in the confusion and suddenness of the
attack she had noticed no faces in the boat which assailed them, and
could identify none concerned in the affair.
The justice who had headed the attack on the hut then gave his evidence
as to that affair, the armorer also relating the incidents of the
conflict.
"The prisoners will be committed for trial," the justice said. "At
present there is no actual proof that any of them were concerned in this
murderous outrage beyond the fact that they were taken in the place
where it was planned. The suspicion is strong that some at least were
engaged in it. Upon the persons of all of them were valuable daggers,
chains, and other ornaments, which could not have been come by honestly,
and I doubt not that they form part of the gang which has so long been a
terror to peaceful travelers alike by the road and river, and it may be
that some who have been robbed will be able to identify the articles
taken upon them. They are committed for trial: firstly, as having been
concerned in the attack upon Dame Alice Vernon; secondly, as being
notorious ill-livers and robbers; thirdly, as having resisted lawful
arrest by the king's officers. The greatest criminal in the affair is
not at present before me, but it may be that from such information as
Dame Vernon may be able to furnish, and from such confessions as justice
will be able to wring from the prisoners, he will at the trial stand
beside his fellows."
Walter returned to town with his companions. On reaching the armorer's
they found a retainer of the Earl of Talbot awaiting them, with the
message that the Lady Alice Vernon wished the attendance of Walter
Fletcher, whose name she had learned from the lord mayor as that of the
lad to whom she and her daughter owed their lives, at noon on the
following day, at the residence of the Earl of Talbot.
"That is the worst of an adventure," Walter said crossly, after the
retainer had departed. "One can't have a bit of excitement without being
sent for, and thanked, and stared at. I would rather fight the best
swordsman in the city than have to go down to the mansion of Earl Talbot
with my cap in my hand."
Geoffrey laughed. "You must indeed have your cap in your hand, Walter;
but you need not bear yourself in that spirit. The 'prentice of a London
citizen may have just as much honest pride and independence as the
proudest earl at Westminster; but carry not independence too far.
Remember that if you yourself had received a great service you would be
hurt if the donor refused to receive your thanks; and it would be
churlish indeed were you to put on sullen looks, or to refuse to accept
any present which the lady whose life you have saved may make you. It is
strange, indeed, that it should be Dame Vernon, whose husband, Sir
Jasper Vernon, received the fiefs of Westerham and Hyde."
"Why should it be curious that it is she?" Walter asked.
"Oh!" Geoffrey said rather confusedly. "I was not thinking--that is--I
mean that it is curious because Bertha Fletcher was for years a
dependent on the family of Sir Roland Somers, who was killed in the
troubles when the king took the reins of government in his hands, and
his lands, being forfeit, were given to Sir Jasper Vernon, who aided the
king in that affair."
"I wish you would tell me about that," Walter said. "How was it that
there was any trouble as to King Edward having kingly authority?"
"It happened in this way," Geoffrey said. "King Edward II., his father,
was a weak prince, governed wholly by favorites and unable to hold in
check the turbulent barons. His queen, Isabella of France, sister of the
French king, a haughty and ambitious woman, determined to snatch the
reins of power from the indolent hands of her husband, and after a visit
to her brother she returned with an army from Hainault in order to
dethrone him. She was accompanied by her eldest son, and after a short
struggle the king was dethroned. He had but few friends, and men thought
that under the young Edward, who had already given promise of virtue
and wisdom, some order might be introduced into the realm. He was
crowned Edward III., thus, at the early age of fifteen, usurping the
throne of his father. The real power, however, remained with Isabella,
who was president of the council of regency, and who, in her turn, was
governed by her favorite Mortimer. England soon found that the change
which had been made was far from beneficial. The government was by turns
weak and oppressive. The employment of foreign troops was regarded with
the greatest hostility by the people, and the insolence of Mortimer
alienated the great barons. Finally, the murder of the dethroned king
excited throughout the kingdom a feeling of horror and loathing against
the queen.
"All this feeling, however, was confined to her, Edward, who was but a
puppet in her hands, being regarded with affection and pity. Soon after
his succession the young king was married to our queen, Philippa of
Hainault, who is as good as she is beautiful, and who is loved from one
end of the kingdom to the other. I can tell you, the city was a sight to
see when she entered with the king. Such pageants and rejoicing were
never known. They were so young, he not yet sixteen and she but
fourteen, and yet to bear on their shoulders the weight of the state. A
braver-looking lad and a fairer girl mine eyes never looked on. It was
soon after this that the events arose which led to the war with France,
but this is too long a tale for me to tell you now. The Prince of Wales
was born on the 15th of June, 1330, two years after the royal marriage.
"So far the king had acquiesced quietly in the authority of his mother,
but he now paid a visit to France, and doubtless the barons around him
there took advantage of his absence from her tutelage to shake her
influence over his mind; and at the same time a rising took place at
home against her authority. This was suppressed, and the Earl of Kent,
the king's uncle, was arrested and executed by Isabella. This act of
severity against his uncle no doubt hastened the prince's determination
to shake off the authority of his haughty mother and to assume the reins
of government himself. The matter, however, was not easy to accomplish.
Mortimer having the whole of the royal revenue at his disposal, had
attached to himself by ties of interest a large number of barons, and
had in his pay nearly two hundred knights and a large body of
men-at-arms. Thus it was no easy matter to arrest him. It was determined
that the deed should be done at the meeting of the parliament at
Nottingham. Here Mortimer appeared with Isabella in royal pomp. They
took up their abode at the castle, while the king and other members of
the royal family were obliged to content themselves with an inferior
place of residence.
"The gates of the castle were locked at sunset, and the keys brought by
the constable, Sir William Eland, and handed to the queen herself. This
knight was a loyal and gallant gentleman, and regarded Mortimer with no
affection, and when he received the king's commands to assist the barons
charged to arrest him he at once agreed to do so. He was aware of the
existence of a subterranean communication leading from the interior of
the castle to the outer country, and by this, on the night of the 19th
of October, 1330, he led nine resolute knights--the Lords Montague,
Suffolk, Stafford, Molins, and Clinton, with three brothers of the name
of Bohun, and Sir John Nevil--into the heart of the castle. Mortimer was
found surrounded by a number of his friends. On the sudden entry of the
knights known to be hostile to Mortimer his friends drew their swords,
and a short but desperate fight took place. Many were wounded, and Sir
Hugh Turpleton and Richard Monmouth were slain. Mortimer was carried to
London, and was tried and condemned by parliament, and executed for
felony and treason. Several of his followers were executed, and others
were attacked in their strongholds and killed; among these was Sir
Roland Somers.
"Queen Isabella was confined in Castle Risings, where she still remains
a prisoner. Such, Walter, were the troubles which occurred when King
Edward first took up the reins of power in this realm; and now, let's to
supper, for I can tell you that my walk to Kingston has given me a
marvelous appetite. We have three or four hours' work yet before we go
to bed, for that Milan harness was promised for the morrow, and the
repairs are too delicate for me to intrust it to the men. It is good to
assist the law, but this work of attending as a witness makes a
grievous break in the time of a busy man. It is a pity, Walter, that
your mind is so set on soldiering, for you would have made a marvelous
good craftsman. However, I reckon that after you have seen a few years
of fighting in France, and have got some of your wild blood let out, you
will be glad enough to settle down here with me; as you know, our
profits are good and work plentiful; and did I choose I might hold mine
head higher than I do among the citizens; and you, if you join me, may
well aspire to a place in the common council, ay, and even to an
alderman's gown, in which case I may yet be addressing you as the very
worshipful my lord mayor."
"Pooh!" Walter laughed; "a fig for your lord mayors! I would a thousand
times rather be a simple squire in the following of our young prince."
CHAPTER IV.
A KNIGHT'S CHAIN
The following morning Walter put on the sober russet dress which he wore
on Sundays and holidays, for gay colors were not allowed to the
apprentices, and set out for Westminster. Although he endeavored to
assume an air of carelessness and ease as he approached the dwelling of
Earl Talbot, he was very far from feeling comfortable, and wished in his
heart that his master had accompanied him on his errand. Half a dozen
men-at-arms were standing on the steps of the mansion, who looked with
haughty surprise at the young apprentice.
"Dame Alice Vernon has sent to express her desire to have speech with
me," he said quietly, "and I would fain know if she can receive me."
"Here, Dikon," one of the men cried to another within the hall. "This is
the lad you were sent to fetch yesterday. I wondered much who the city
apprentice was who, with such an assured air, marched up to the door;
but if what thou sayest be true, that he saved the life of Dame Vernon
and her little daughter, he must be a brave lad, and would be more in
place among men and soldiers than in serving wares behind the counter
of a fat city tradesman."
"I serve behind no counter," Walter said indignantly. "I am an armorer,
and mayhap can use arms as well as make them."
There was a laugh among the men at the boy's sturdy self-assertion, and
then the man named Dikon said:
"Come along, lad. I will take you to Dame Vernon at once. She is
expecting you; and, my faith, it would not be safe to leave you standing
here long, for I see you would shortly be engaged in splitting the
weasands of my comrades."
There was another roar of laughter from the men, and Walter, somewhat
abashed, followed his conductor into the house. Leading him through the
hall and along several corridors, whose spaciousness and splendor quite
overpowered the young apprentice, he handed him over to a waiting-woman,
who ushered him into an apartment where Dame Vernon was reclining on a
couch. Her little daughter was sitting upon a low stool beside her, and
upon seeing Walter she leaped to her feet, clapping her hands.
"Oh! mother, this is the boy that rescued us out of the river."
The lady looked with some surprise at the lad. She had but a faint
remembrance of the events which occurred between the time when she
received a blow from the sword of one of her assailants and that when
she found herself on a couch in the abode of her kinsman; and when she
had been told that she had been saved by a city apprentice, she had
pictured to herself a lad of a very different kind to him who now stood
before her.
Walter was now nearly sixteen years old. His frame was very powerful and
firmly knit. His dark-brown hair was cut short, but, being somewhat
longer than was ordinary with the apprentices, fell with a slight wave
back on his forehead. His bearing was respectful, and at the same time
independent. There was none of that confusion which might be expected on
the part of a lad from the city in the presence of a lady of rank. His
dark, heavy eyebrows, resolute mouth, and square chin gave an expression
of sternness to his face, which was belied by the merry expression of
his eyes and the bright smile when he was spoken to.
"I have to thank you, young sir," she said, holding out her hand, which
Walter, after the custom of the time, raised to his lips, bending upon
one knee as he did so, "for the lives of myself and my daughter, which
would surely have been lost had you not jumped over to save us."
"I am glad that I arrived in time to be of aid," Walter said frankly;
"but indeed I am rather to be blamed than praised, for had I, when I
heard the plotting against the safety of the boat, told my master of it,
as I should have done, instead of taking the adventure upon mine own
shoulders, doubtless a boat would have been sent up in time to prevent
the attack from taking place. Therefore, instead of being praised for
having arrived a little too late, I should be rated for not having come
there in time."
Dame Vernon smiled.
"Although you may continue to insist that you are to blame, this does
not alter the fact that you have saved our lives. Is there any way in
which I can be useful to you? Are you discontented with your state? for,
in truth, you look as if Nature had intended you for a gallant soldier
rather than a city craftsman. Earl Talbot, who is my uncle, would, I am
sure, receive you into his following should you so choose it, and I
would gladly pay for the canceling of your indentures."
"I thank you, indeed, lady, for your kind offices," Walter said
earnestly; "for the present I am well content to remain at my craft,
which is that of an armorer, until, at any rate, I have gained such
manly strength and vigor as would fit me for a man-at-arms, and my good
master, Geoffrey Ward, will, without payment received, let me go when I
ask that grace of him."
"Edith, go and look from the window at the boats passing along the
river; and now," she went on as the girl had obeyed her orders, "I would
fain ask you more about the interview you overheard in the marshes. Sir
William de Hertford told me of the evidence that you had given before
the justice. It is passing strange that he who incited the other to the
deed should have been by him termed 'Sir Knight.' Maybe it was merely a
nickname among his fellows."
"Before I speak, lady," Walter said quietly, "I would fain know whether
you wish to be assured of the truth. Sometimes, they say, it is wiser to
remain in ignorance; at other times forewarned is forearmed. Frankly, I
did not tell all I know before the court, deeming that peradventure you
might wish to see me, and that I could then tell the whole to your
private ear, should you wish to know it, and you could then bid me
either keep silence or proclaim all I knew when the trial of these
evil-doers comes on."
"You seem to me to be wise beyond your years, young sir," the lady said.
"The wisdom is not mine, lady, but my master's. I took counsel with him,
and acted as he advised me."
"I would fain know all," the lady said. "I have already strange
suspicions of one from whom assuredly I looked not for such evil
designs. It will grieve me to be convinced that the suspicions are well
founded; but it will be better to know the truth than to remain in a
state of doubt."
"The person, then, was a knight, for I had seen him before when he came
in knightly harness into my master's shop to have two rivets put into
his hauberk. I liked not his face then, and should have remembered it
anywhere. I knew him at once when I saw him. He was a dark-faced knight,
handsome, and yet with features which reminded me of a hawk."
Dame Vernon gave a little exclamation, which assured the lad that she
recognized the description.
"You may partly know, lady, whether it is he whom you suppose, for he
said that he would detain your boat so that it should not come along
until dark, and, moreover, he told them that they would know the boat
since you would be wrapped in a white mantle."
The lady sat for some time with her face hidden in her hands.
"It is as I feared," she said at last, "and it grieves me to the heart
to think that one who, although not so nearly related in blood, I
regarded as a brother, should have betrayed me to death. My mind is
troubled indeed, and I know not what course I shall take, whether to
reveal this dreadful secret or to conceal it."
"I may say, madam," Walter said earnestly, "that should you wish the
matter to remain a secret, you may rely upon it that I will tell no more
at the trial than I revealed yesterday; but I would remind you that
there is a danger that the leader of yon ruffians, who is probably alone
acquainted with the name of his employer, may, under the influence of
the torture, reveal it."
"That fear is for the present past, since a messenger arrived from
Kingston but a few minutes since, saying that yester even, under the
threat of torture, the prisoners had pointed out the one among their
number who was their chief. This morning, however, it was found that the
warder who had charge of them had been bribed; he was missing from his
post, and the door of the cell wherein the principal villain had been
immured, apart from the others, was opened, and he had escaped."
"Then," Walter said, "it is now open to you to speak or be silent as you
will. You will pardon my forwardness if I say that my master, in talking
the matter over with me, suggested that this evil knight might be scared
from attempting any future enterprise against you were he informed that
it was known to several persons that he was the author of this outrage,
and that if any further attempts were at any time made against you, the
proofs of his crime would be laid before the king."
"Thanks, good lad," the lady said, "for your suggestion. Should I decide
to keep the matter secret, I will myself send him a message to that
effect, in such guise that he would not know whence it comes. And now, I
would fain reward you for what you have done for us; and," she went on,
seeing a flush suddenly mount upon the lad's face as he made a half-step
backward, "before I saw you, had thought of offering you a purse of
gold, which, although it would but poorly reward your services, would
yet have proved useful to you when the time came for you to start as a
craftsman on your own account; but now that I have seen you, I feel that
although there are few who think themselves demeaned by accepting gifts
of money in reward for services, you would rather my gratitude took
some other form. It can only do that of offering you such good services
that I can render with Earl Talbot, should you ever choose the
profession of arms; and in the mean time, as a memento of the lives you
have saved, you will, I am sure, not refuse this chain," and she took a
very handsome one of gold from her neck, "the more so since it was the
gift of her majesty, our gracious queen, to myself. She will, I am sure,
acquit me of parting with her gift when I tell her that I transferred it
to one who had saved the lives of myself and my daughter, and who was
too proud to accept other acknowledgment."
Coloring deeply, and with tears in his eyes at the kindness and
thoughtful consideration of the lady, Walter knelt on one knee before
her, and she placed round his neck the long gold chain which she had
been wearing.
"It is a knight's chain," the lady said, smiling, "and was part of the
spoil gained by King Edward from the French. Maybe," she added kindly,
"it will be worn by a knight again. Stranger things have happened, you
know."
Walter flushed again with pleasure.
"Maybe, lady," he said modestly, "even apprentices have their dreams,
and men-at-arms may always hope, by deeds of valor, to attain a knight's
spurs even though they may not be of noble blood or have served as page
and squire to a baron; but whether as a 'prentice or soldier, I hope I
shall never do discredit to your gift."
"Edith, come here," Dame Vernon said, "I have done talking now. And what
are you going to give this brave knight of ours who saved us from
drowning?"
The girl looked thoughtfully at Walter. "I don't think you would care
for presents," she said; "and you look as if a sword or a horse would
suit you better than a girl's gift. And yet I should like to give you
something, such as ladies give their knights who have done brave deeds
for them. It must be something quite my own, and you must take it as a
keepsake. What shall it be, mamma?"
"Give him the bracelet which your cousin gave you last week," her mother
said; "I would rather that you did not keep it, and I know you are not
very fond of him."
"I can't bear him," the girl said earnestly, "and I wish he would not
kiss me; he always looks as if he were going to bite, and I will gladly
give his bracelet to this brave boy."
"Very well, Edith, fetch the bracelet from that coffer in the corner."
The girl went to the coffer and brought out the little bracelet; then
she approached Walter.
"You must go down on your knee," she said; "true knights always do that
to receive their lady's gifts. Now hold out your hand. There," she went
on in a pretty imperious way, "take this gage as a reward of your valor,
and act ever as a true knight in the service of your lady."
[Illustration: "TAKE THIS GAGE AS A REWARD OF YOUR VALOR."--Page 62]
Bending down she dropped a kiss upon Walter's glowing cheek, and
then, half-frightened at her own temerity, ran back to her mother's
side.
"And now," Dame Vernon went on, "will you thank your five comrades for
their service in the matter, and give them each two gold pieces to spend
as they will?"
"He is a noble lad," Dame Vernon had said to herself when Walter had
taken his leave. "Would he had been the son of one of the nobles of the
court! It might have been then, if he had distinguished himself in war,
as he would surely do, that the king might have assigned Edith to him.
As her lord and guardian he is certain to give her hand as a reward for
valor in the field, and it may well be to a man with whom she would be
less happy than with this 'prentice lad; but there, I need not be
troubling myself about a matter which is five or six years distant yet.
Still, the thought that Edith is a ward of the crown, and that her hand
must go where the king wills, often troubles me. However, I have a good
friend in the queen, who will, I know, exert what influence she has in
getting me a good husband for my child. But even for myself I have some
fears, since the king hinted, when last he saw me, that it was time I
looked out for another mate, for that the vassals of Westerham and Hyde
needed a lord to lead them in the field. However, I hope that my answer
that they were always at his service under the leading of my Cousin
James will suffice for him. Now, what am I to do in that matter? Who
would have thought that he so coveted my lands that he would have slain
me and Edith to possess himself of them? His own lands are thrice as
broad as mine, though men say that he has dipped deeply into them and
owes much money to the Jews. He is powerful and has many friends, and
although Earl Talbot would stand by me, yet the unsupported word of an
apprentice boy were but poor evidence on which to charge a powerful
baron of such a crime as this. It were best, methinks, to say naught
about it, but to bury the thought in my own heart. Nevertheless, I will
not fail to take the precaution which the lad advised, and to let Sir
James know that there are some who have knowledge of his handiwork. I
hear he crosses the seas to-morrow to join the army, and it may be long
ere he return. I shall have plenty of time to consider how I had best
shape my conduct toward him on his return; but assuredly he shall never
be friendly with me again or frighten Edith with his kisses."
"Well, Walter, has it been such a dreadful business as you expected?"
the armorer asked the lad when he reëntered the shop. "The great folks
have not eaten you, at any rate."
"It has not been dreadful," Walter replied with a smile, "though I own
that it was not pleasant when I first arrived at the great mansion; but
the lady put me quite at my ease, and she talked to me for some time,
and finally she bestowed on me this chain, which our lady, the queen,
had herself given her."
"It is a knight's chain and a heavy one," Geoffrey said, examining it,
"of Genoese work, I reckon, and worth a large sum. It will buy you
harness when you go to the wars."
"I would rather fight in the thickest _mêlée_ in a cloth doublet,"
Walter said indignantly, "than part with a single link of it."
"I did but jest, Walter," Geoffrey said, laughing; "but as you will not
sell it, and you cannot wear it, you had best give it me to put aside in
my strong coffer until you get of knightly rank."
"Lady Vernon said," the lad replied, "that she hoped one day it might
again belong to a knight; and if I live," he added firmly, "it shall."
"Oh! she has been putting these ideas into your head; nice notions truly
for a London apprentice! I shall be laying a complaint before the lord
mayor against Dame Vernon, for unsettling the mind of my apprentice and
setting him above his work. And the little lady, what said she? Did she
give you her colors and bid you wear them at a tourney?"
Walter colored hotly.
"Ah! I have touched you," laughed the armorer; "come now, out with the
truth. My lad," he added more gravely, "there is no shame in it; you
know that I have always encouraged your wishes to be a soldier, and have
done my best to render you as good a one as any who draws sword 'neath
the king's banner, and assuredly I would not have taken all these pains
with you did I think that you were always to wear an iron cap and trail
a pike. I too, lad, hope some day to see you a valiant knight, and have
reasons that you wot not of for my belief that it will be so. No man
rises to rank and fame any the less quickly because he thinks that
bright eyes will grow brighter at his success."
"But, Geoffrey, you are talking surely at random. The Lady Edith Vernon
is but a child; a very beautiful child," he added reverently, "and such
that when she grows up the bravest knight in England might be proud to
win. What folly for me, the son of a city bowyer, and as yet but an
apprentice, to raise mine eyes so high!"
"The higher one looks the higher one goes," the armorer said
sententiously. "You aspire some day to become a knight, you may well
aspire also to win the hand of Mistress Edith Vernon. She is five years
younger than yourself, and you will be twenty-two when she is seventeen.
You have time to make your way yet, and I tell you, though why it
matters not, that I would rather you set your heart on winning Mistress
Edith Vernon than any other heiress of broad lands in merry England. You
have saved her life, and so have made the first step and a long one. Be
ever brave, gentle, and honorable, and, I tell you, you need not
despair; and now, lad, we have already lost too much time in talking;
let us to our work."
That evening Walter recalled to Geoffrey his promise to tell him the
causes which had involved England in so long and bloody a war with
France.
"It is a tangled skein," Geoffrey said, "and you must follow me
carefully. First, with a piece of chalk I will draw upon the wall the
pedigree of the royal line of France from Philip downward, and then you
will see how it is that our King Edward and Philip of Valois came to be
rival claimants to the throne of France.
PHILIP,
King of France.
|
,---------'-----------------------,
| |
PHILIP LE BEL, CHARLES,
King of France. Count
| of Valois.
,-----------,-----'-----,-------------, |
| | | | |
LOUIS PHILIP CHARLES ISABELLA, PHILIP,
LE HUTIN. LE LONG. LE BEL. Queen Count
of England. of Valois.
|
|
EDWARD III.
"Now, you see that our King Edward is nephew of Charles le Bel, the last
King of France, while Philip of Valois is only nephew of Philip le Bel,
the father of Charles. Edward is consequently in the direct line, and
had Isabella been a man instead of a woman his right to the throne would
be unquestionable. In France, however, there is a law, called the Salic
law, which excludes females from the throne; but it is maintained by
many learned in the law, that although a female is held to be
incompetent to reign because from her sex she cannot lead her armies to
battle, yet she no way forfeits otherwise her rights, and that her son
is therefore the heir to the throne. If this contention, which is held
by all English jurists, and by many in France also, be well founded,
Edward is the rightful King of France. Philip of Valois contends that
the Salic law not only bars a female from ascending the throne, but also
destroys all her rights, and that the succession goes not to her sons,
but to the next heir male; in which case, of course, Philip is rightful
king. It is not for me to say which view is the right one, but certainly
the great majority of those who have been consulted have decided that,
according to ancient law and usage, the right lies with Edward. But in
these matters 'right is not always might.' Had Isabella married a French
noble instead of an English king it is probable that her son's claims to
the throne would have been allowed without dispute, but her son is King
of England, and the French nobles prefer being ruled by one of
themselves to becoming united with England under one king.
"At the time of the death of the last king, Edward was still but a boy
under the tuition of his mother, Philip was a man, and upon the spot,
therefore he was able to win support by his presence and promises, and
so it came that the peers of France declared Philip of Valois to be
their rightful monarch. Here in England, at a parliament held at
Northampton, the rights of Edward were discussed and asserted, and the
Bishops of Worcester and Coventry were dispatched to Paris to protest
against the validity of Philip's nomination. As, however, the country
was not in a position to enforce the claim of their young king by arms,
Philip became firmly seated as King of France, and having shown great
energy in at once marching against and repressing the people of
Flanders, who were in a state of rebellion against their count, one of
the feudatories of the French crown, the nobles were well satisfied with
their choice, and no question as to his right was ever henceforth raised
in France. As soon as the rebellion in Flanders was crushed, Philip
summoned the King of England to do homage for Aquitaine, Ponthieu, and
Montreuil, fiefs held absolutely from the crown of France. Such a
proceeding placed Edward and his council in a great embarrassment. In
case of a refusal the whole of the possessions of the crown in France
might be declared forfeited and be seized, while England was in no
condition to defend them; on the other hand, the fact of doing homage to
Philip of Valois would be a sort of recognition of his right to the
throne he had assumed. Had Edward then held the reins of power in his
hands, there can be little doubt that he would at once have refused, and
would have called out the whole strength of England to enforce his
claim. The influence of Isabella and Mortimer was, however,
all-powerful, and it was agreed that Edward should do homage as a public
act, making a private reservation in secret to his own councilors,
taking exception to the right of Philip.
"Edward crossed to France and journeyed to Amiens, where Philip with a
brilliant court awaited him, and on the appointed day they appeared
together in the cathedral. Here Edward, under certain protestations, did
homage for his French estates, leaving certain terms and questions open
for the consideration of his council. For some time the matter remained
in this shape; but honest men cannot but admit that King Edward did, by
his action at the time, acknowledge Philip to be King of France, and
that he became his vassal for his estates there; but, as has happened
scores of times before, and will no doubt happen scores of times again,
vassals, when they become powerful enough, throw off their allegiance to
their feudal superiors, and so the time came to King Edward.
"After the death of Mortimer and the imprisonment of Isabella, the king
gave rein to his taste for military sports. Tournaments were held at
Dartford and other places, one in Westcheape. What a sight was that, to
be sure! For three days the king, with fourteen of his knights, held the
list against all comers, and in the sight of the citizens and the ladies
of the court jousted with knights who came hither from all parts of
Europe. I was there each day, and the sight was a grand one, though
England was well-nigh thrown into mourning by an accident which took
place. The gallery in which the queen and her attendants were viewing
the sports had been badly erected, and in the height of the contests it
gave way. The queen and her ladies were in great peril, being thrown
from a considerable height, and a number of persons were severely
injured. The king, who was furious at the danger to which the queen had
been exposed, would have hung upon the spot the master workman whose
negligence had caused the accident, but the queen went on her knees
before him and begged his life of the king. The love of Edward for
warlike exercises caused England to be regarded as the most chivalrous
court in Europe, and the frequent tournaments aroused to the utmost the
spirits of the people and prepared them for the war with France. But of
the events of that war I will tell you some other night. It is time now
for us to betake us to our beds."
CHAPTER V.
THE CITY GAMES.
The next evening the armorer, at Walter's request, continued his
narrative.
"Soon after the tournament we began to fight again with Scotland. For
some years we had had peace with that country, and under the regency a
marriage was made between David, King of Scotland, son of Robert the
Bruce, with the Princess Joan, sister to our king, and a four years'
truce was agreed to."
"But why should we always be fighting with Scotland?" Walter asked.
"That is more than I can tell you, Walter. We were peaceful enough with
them until the days of Edward I.; but he set up some claim to the throne
of Scotland, the rights of which neither I nor any one else, so far as I
know, have ever been able to make out. The fact was he was strong, and
thought that he could conquer Scotland. The quarrels between her
nobles--most of them were allied by blood with our own and held
possessions in both kingdoms--gave Edward an excuse to interfere.
Scotland was conquered easily enough, but it was a hard task to hold
it. Sir William Wallace kept the country in a turmoil for many years,
being joined by all the common people. He inflicted one heavy defeat
upon us at Stirling, but receiving no support from the nobles he was
defeated at Falkirk, and some years afterward was captured and executed
here. His head you may see any day over London Bridge. As he fought only
for his country and had ever refused allegiance to our king, it seems to
me that his fate was a cruel one. Then, when all appeared quiet, Robert
Bruce raised Scotland again and was crowned king. There was war for many
years, but at last, at Bannockburn, he inflicted such a defeat upon us
as we have never had before. After that there were skirmishes and
excursions, but Edward II. was a weak prince, and it seemed that the
marriage of David and the Princess Joan would bring about a permanent
peace between the two countries; but it was not to be so.
"Many of the English nobles held claims by marriage or grants upon lands
in Scotland. They had, of course, been driven from these when the
English were turned out by Bruce. By the terms of the marriage treaty in
1328 it was agreed that they should be reinstated. It was a foolish
clause, because it was plain that the King of Scotland could not take
these lands again from the Scotch nobles who had possession of them,
many of them being well-nigh as powerful as himself. At this time Edward
Baliol, son of the great rival of Robert Bruce, was in England. He still
claimed the throne of Scotland as his right. Round him gathered a
number of the English nobles who claimed lands in Scotland. The king
offered no hindrance to the gathering of this force, for I doubt not
that he was glad to see dissension in Scotland, which might give him
some such pretext for interference as that which Edward I. had seized to
possess himself of that country. At first Baliol was successful and was
crowned at Scone, but he was presently defeated and driven out of
Scotland. The Scots now made an eruption across the frontier as a
retaliation for Edward's having permitted Baliol to gather a force here
for his war against Bruce. King Edward was on the point of starting for
Ireland, and he at once hastened north. He defeated the Scots at Halidon
Hill, captured Berwick, and placed Baliol upon the throne. Bruce fled to
France, where he was supported and encouraged by the French king.
"The ill-feeling between Edward and Philip of Valois had gone on
increasing ever since the former had been compelled to take the oath of
allegiance to the latter, but outwardly the guise of friendship was kept
up, and negotiations went on between the two courts for a marriage
between the little Prince of Wales and Joanna, daughter of the French
king.
"The aid which Philip gave to Bruce increased the bad feeling, and
Edward retaliated for Philip's patronage of Bruce by receiving with the
greatest honor and courtesy Robert of Artois, a great feudatory of
France, who had been banished by King Philip. For a time, although both
countries were preparing for war, peace was not broken, as Edward's
hands were full in Scotland, where Baliol having bestowed immense
possessions upon the English nobles who had assisted him, the country
again rose in favor of Bruce. During the three years that followed King
Edward was obliged several times to go to Scotland to support Baliol,
who held the crown as his feudal vassal. He was always successful in the
field, but directly his army recrossed the frontier the Scotch rose
again. In 1330 a new crusade was preached, and in October of that year
King Philip solemnly received the cross and collected an immense army
nominally for the recovery of Jerusalem. Whether his intentions were
honest or not I cannot say, but certainly King Edward considered that
Philip's real aim in creating so great an army was to attack England.
Whether this was so or not would need a wiser head than mine, Walter, to
tell. Certainly Philip of Valois invited Edward to coöperate with him in
the crusade. The king in reply stated his belief that the preparations
were intended for war in Europe rather than in Asia; but that if the
King of France would agree to conclude a firm league of amity between
the two countries, to restore the castles and towns of Aquitaine, whose
surrender had been frequently promised, but never carried out, and would
bind himself by oath to give no assistance, direct or indirect, to
Scotland, he would join him in his war for the delivery of the Holy
Land.
"I must say that King Edward's demands were reasonable, for it was clear
that he could not march away from England with his whole force and leave
Baliol unsupported against the assaults of his Scotch enemies, aided by
France. Philip was willing to accede to the first two conditions; but in
regard to the third positively declined treating until David Bruce
should be restored to the throne of his father. Now, had the French king
openly supported Bruce from the first, none could have said that his
conduct in befriending a dethroned monarch was aught but noble and
generous; but he had all along answered Edward's complaints of the aid
afforded by Frenchmen to the Bruce by denials that he himself supported
him; and this declaration in his favor now certainly seemed to show that
he had at last determined openly to throw off the veil, and that his
great army was really collected against England. Robert of Artois
craftily seized a moment when the king's indignation against Philip was
at the highest. At a great banquet held by King Edward, at which all his
warlike nobles were present, Robert entered, preceded by two noble
maidens carrying a heron, which, as you know, Walter, is considered the
most cowardly of birds. Then in loud tones he called upon the knights
present each to swear on the bird to perform some deed of chivalrous
daring. First he presented it to King Edward himself, giving him to
understand that he regarded him but as little braver than the heron for
resigning without a blow the fair heritage of France.
"The moment was well chosen, for Edward was smarting under the answer he
had just received from Philip. He at once rose and took an oath to enter
France in arms; to wait there a month in order to give Philip time to
offer him battle, and to accept the combat, even should the French
outnumber him ten to one. Every knight present followed the example of
the king, and so the war with France, which had been for years a mere
question of time, was at last suddenly decided upon. You yourself,
Walter, can remember the preparations which were made throughout
England: men were enrolled and arms prepared. We armorers were busy
night and day, and every man felt that his own honor, as well as that of
the country, was concerned in winning for King Edward the heritage of
which he had been unlawfully robbed by the King of France.
"On the 17th of March, 1337, at the parliament at Westminster, the king
created the little prince, then seven years of age, Duke of Cornwall;
and the prince immediately, in exercise of his new dignity, bestowed
upon twenty of the most distinguished aspirants the honor of knighthood.
Immense supplies were voted by the parliaments held at Nottingham,
Westminster, and Northampton. Half the wool shorn in the summer
following was granted to the king, with a variety of other taxes,
customs, and duties. The revenues of all the foreign priories in
England, a hundred and ten in number, were appropriated to the crown.
Provisions of bacon, wheat, and oats were granted, and the king pawned
his own jewels, and even the crown itself, to hire soldiers and purchase
him allies on the Continent. So great did the scarcity of money become
in the country that all goods fell to less than half their value. Thus a
vast army was raised, and with this King Edward prepared to try his
strength with France.
"Philip on his part was making great preparations. While Edward had
purchased the assistance of many of the German nobles Philip raised
large armaments in the maritime states of Italy. Spain also contributed
a number of naval adventurers, and squadrons were fitted out by his
vassals on the sea-coasts of Normandy, Brittany, and Picardy. King
Edward had crossed over into Belgium, and after vast delays in
consequence of the slowness of the German allies, at last prepared to
enter France at the end of September, 1339. Such, my lad, is the story,
as far as I know, of the beginning of that war with France which is now
raging, and whose events you know as well as I do, seeing that they are
all of late occurrence. So far, although the English have had the best
of it, and have sorely mauled the French both in the north and south, we
have not gained any such advantages as would lead to a belief that there
is any likelihood of an early termination, or that King Edward will
succeed for a long time in winning back his inheritance of the throne of
France.
"There is no doubt that the war weighs heavily upon the people at
large. The taxes are doubled, and the drain of men is heavy. We
armorers, of course, have a busy time of it, and all trades which have
to do with the furnishing of an army flourish exceedingly. Moreover, men
of metal and valor have an opportunity of showing what they are composed
of, and England rings with the tales of martial deeds. There are some,
Walter, who think that peace is the greatest of blessings, and in some
ways, lad, they are no doubt right; but there are many compensations in
war. It brings out the noble qualities; it raises men to think that
valor and fortitude and endurance and honor are qualities which are
something above the mere huckstering desire for getting money, and for
ignoble ease and comfort. Some day it may be that the world will change,
and that war may become a thing of the past; but to my mind, boy, I
doubt whether men will be any happier or better for it. The priests, no
doubt, would tell you otherwise; but then you see I am an armorer, and
so perhaps am hardly a fair judge on the matter, seeing that without
wars my craft would come to an end."
Walter remained in thought for some time. "It seems to me, Master
Geoffrey, that while wars may suit strong and courageous men, women
would rejoice were such things to be at an end."
"Women suffer most from wars, no doubt," Geoffrey said, "and yet do you
mark that they are more stirred by deeds of valor and chivalry than are
we men; that they are ever ready to bestow their love upon those who
have won honor and glory in war, even although the next battle may leave
them widows. This has been always somewhat of a marvel to me; but I
suppose that it is human nature, and that admiration for deeds of valor
and bravery is ingrained in the heart of man, and will continue until
such times come that the desire for wealth, which is ever on the
increase, has so seized all men that they will look with distaste upon
everything which can interfere with the making of money, and will regard
the man who amasses gold by trading as a higher type than he who does
valiant deeds in battle."
"Surely that can never be," Walter said indignantly.
"There is no saying," the armorer answered; "at any rate, Walter, it
will matter little to you or to me, for many generations must pass
before such a state of things can come about."
Two days later Walter, who had been across into the city, returned in a
state of excitement.
"What do you think, Geoffrey? The king, with the Prince of Wales and all
his court, are coming to the games next month. They say that the king
himself will adjudge the prizes, and there is to be a grand
assault-at-arms between ten of the 'prentices with a captain, and an
equal number of sons of nobles and knights."
"That will be rare," Geoffrey Ward exclaimed; "but there will be some
broken limbs, and maybe worse. These assaults-at-arms seldom end
without two or three being killed. However, you youngsters will not hit
as hard as trained knights; and if the armor be good, no great damage
should be done."
"Do you think that I shall be one of the ten?" Walter asked anxiously.
"Just as if you did not know you would," Geoffrey replied, laughing.
"Did you not win the prize for sword-play last year? and twelve months
have added much to the strength of your arm, to say nothing of your
skill with weapons. If you win this year again--and it will be strange
if you do not--you are like enough to be chosen captain. You will have
tough fighting, I can tell you, for all these young aspirants to
knighthood will do their best to show themselves off before the king and
queen. The fight is not to take place on horseback, I hope; for if so,
it will be settled as soon as it begins."
"No, it is to be on foot; and the king himself is to give orders as to
the fighting."
"You had best get out that helmet and coat of mail of yours," Geoffrey
said. "I warrant me that there will be none of finer make or truer metal
in the tourney, seeing that I made them specially for you. They are
light, and yet strong enough to withstand a blow from the strongest arm.
I tried them hard, and will warrant them proof, but you had best see to
the rivets and fastenings. They had a rough handling last year, and you
have not worn them since. There are some other pieces that I must put in
hand at once, seeing that in such a _mêlée_ you must be covered from
head to foot."
For the next week nothing was talked of in London but the approaching
sports, and the workmen were already engaged in the erection of the
lists and pavilions in the fields between the walls and Westminster. It
was reported that the king would add valuable prizes to those given to
the winners by the city, that there would be jousting on horseback by
the sons of the court nobles, and that the young Prince of Wales would
himself ride.
The king had once before taken part in the city sports, and with ten of
the citizens had held his own against an equal number of knights. This
was at the commencement of his reign; but the accident to the queen's
stand had so angered him that he had not again been present at the
sports, and his reappearance now was considered to be an act of approval
of the efforts which the city had made to aid him in the war, and as an
introduction of the young prince to the citizens.
When the day arrived there was a general flocking out of the citizens to
the lists. The scene was a picturesque one; the weather was bright and
warm; the fields were green; and Westminster, as well as London, sent
out large numbers to the scene. The citizens were all in their best;
their garments were for the most part of sober colors--russet, murrey,
brown, and gray. Some, indeed, of the younger and wealthier merchants
adopted somewhat of the fashion of the court, wearing their shoes long
and pointed and their garments parti-colored. The line of division was
down the center of the body one leg, arm, and half the body would be
blue, the other half russet or brown. The ladies' dresses were similarly
divided. Mingling with the citizens, as they strolled to and fro upon
the sward, were the courtiers. These wore the brightest colors, and
their shoes were so long that the points were looped up to the knees
with little gold chains to enable them to walk. The ladies wore
head-dresses of prodigious height, culminating in two points; and from
these fell, sweeping to the ground, streamers of silk or lighter
material. Cloths of gold and silver, rich furs, silks, and velvets were
worn both by men and women.
None who saw the nobles of the court walking in garments so tight that
they could scarce move, with their long parti-colored hose, their silk
hoods buttoned under the chin, their hair braided down their back, would
have thought that these were the most warlike and courageous of knights,
men whose personal prowess and gallantry were the admiration of Europe.
Their hair was generally cut close upon the forehead, and the beard was
suffered to grow, but was kept trimmed a moderate length. Many of the
ladies had the coat of arms of their family embroidered upon their
dresses, giving them the appearance of heralds' tabards. Almost all wore
gold or silver girdles, with embroidered pouches, and small daggers.
Thus the appearance of the crowd who moved about among the fields near
the lists was varied and brilliant indeed. Their demeanor was quiet,
for the London merchants deemed a grave demeanor to belong to their
calling and the younger men and apprentices restrained their spirits in
the presence of their superiors. For their special amusement, and in
order, perhaps, to keep them from jostling too freely against the court
gallants and ladies, the city authorities had appointed popular sports
such as pleased the rougher classes; and bull-baiting, cock-fighting,
wrestling for a ram, pitching the bar, and hand-ball, were held in a
field some distance away. Here a large portion of the artisans and
apprentices amused themselves until the hour when the king and queen
were to arrive at their pavilion and the contests were to commence.
Presently a sound of trumpets was heard, and the royal procession was
seen moving up from Westminster. Then the minor sports were abandoned;
the crowd gathered round the large fenced-in space, and those who, by
virtue of rank or position in the city, had places in the various
stands, took their places there.
There was a flourish of trumpets as the king and queen appeared in front
of their pavilion, accompanied by the Prince of Wales and many of the
nobles of the court, and a shout of welcome arose from the crowd. The
shooting at a mark at once began. The preliminary trials had been shot
off upon the preceding day, and the six chosen bowmen now took their
places.
Walter had not entered for the prizes at archery. He had on previous
years shot well; but since he had fully determined to become a
man-at-arms he had given up archery, for which, indeed, his work at the
forge and his exercises at arms when the fires were out left him but
little time. The contest was a close one, and when it was over the
winner was led by the city marshal to the royal pavilion, where the
queen bestowed upon him a silver arrow, and the king added a purse of
money. Then there were several combats with quarter-staff and broadsword
between men who had served among the contingents sent by the city to aid
the king in his wars. Some good sword-play was shown and many stout
blows exchanged, two or three men were badly hurt, and the king and all
present were mightily pleased with the stoutness with which they fought.
The apprentices then came forward to compete for the prizes for
sword-play. They wore light iron caps and shirts of thickly quilted
leather, and fought with blunted swords, for the city fathers deemed
wisely that with these weapons they could equally show their skill, and
that with sharpened swords not only would severe wounds be given, but
bad blood would be created between the apprentices of the various wards.
Each ward sent its champion to the contest, and as these fought in
pairs, loud was the shouting which rose from their comrades at each blow
given or warded, and even the older citizens joined sometimes in the
shouting and took a warm interest in the champions of their respective
wards.
The iron caps had stout cheek-pieces which defended the sides of the
face and neck, for even a blunted sword can deliver a terrible blow if
it fall upon the naked flesh. It took a long time to get through the
combats; the pairs were drawn by lot and fought until the king decided
which was the superior. Some were speedily beaten; at other times the
contests were long and severe. It was generally thought by the
apprentices that the final contest lay between Walter Fletcher of
Aldgate and Ralph Smith of Ludgate. The former was allowed to be
superior in the use of his weapon, but the latter was also skillful, was
two years older, and greatly superior in strength. He had not taken part
in the contest in the preceding year, as he had been laid up with a hurt
in his hand which he had got in his employment as a smith, and the lads
of Ludgate were confident that he would turn the tables upon the
champion of the eastern ward. Both had defeated with ease the various
opponents whom they had met, but it chanced that they had not drawn
together until the last round, when they remained alone to struggle for
the first and second prizes.
The interest in the struggle had increased with each round, and wagers
were freely laid upon the result. According to custom the two champions
had laid aside their leathern shirts and had donned mail armor, for it
was considered that the crowning contest between the two picked young
swordsmen of the city would be a severe one, and greater protection to
the limbs was needed.
Before taking their places they were led up to the royal pavilion, where
they were closely inspected by the king and his nobles.
"You are sure that this man is still an apprentice?" the king asked the
lord mayor, who was seated next to him; "he has the appearance of a
man-at-arms, and a stout one too; the other is a likely stripling, and
is, as I have seen, marvelously dexterous with his sword, but he is but
a boy while the other is a grown man."
"He is an apprentice, my liege, although his time will be up in a few
days, while the other has yet three years to serve, but he works for an
armorer, and is famed through the city, boy as he is, for his skill with
weapons."
After a few words to each, exhorting them to do their best in the sight
of the queen and her ladies, the king dismissed them.
"I know the young one now!" the Prince of Wales said, clapping his hands
as the apprentices turned away to take their places. "My Lord Talbot, I
will wager a gold chain with you upon the smaller of the two."
"I will take your wager," the noble answered; "but I am by no means sure
that I shall win it, for I have watched your champion closely, and the
downright blows which he struck would seem to show that he has the
muscle and strength of a man, though still but a boy."
The event justified the Prince of Wales' confidence; at the commencement
of the struggle Ralph Smith tried to beat down his opponent by sheer
strength as he had done his prior opponents, but to his surprise he
found that all his efforts could not break down his opponent's guard.
Walter indeed did not appear to take advantage of his superior lightness
and activity, but to prefer to prove that in strength as well as skill
he was equal to his antagonist. In the latter respect there was no
comparison, for as soon as the smith began to relax his rain of blows
Walter took the offensive and with a sweeping blow, given with all his
strength, broke down his opponent's guard and smote him with such force
upon his steel cap that, blunted as the sword was, it clove through the
iron, and stretched the smith senseless on the ground. A loud shout
broke from the assemblage. The marshal came up to Walter, and removing
his helmet, led him to the royal pavilion, while Ralph was carried to a
tent near, where a leech attended to his wound.
CHAPTER VI.
THE MELEE.
"You have won your prize stoutly and well, sir 'prentice," the king
said. "I should not have deemed it possible that one of your age could
have smitten such a blow, and right glad should I be of a few hundred
lads of your mettle to follow me against the French. What is your
calling?"
"I am an armorer, my liege," Walter answered.
"An you are as good at mending armor as you are at marring it," the king
said, "you will be a rare craftsman one of these days. 'Tis a rare pity
so promising a swordsman should be lost to our army. Wouldst like to
change your calling, boy, and take to that of arms?"
"It is my hope to do so, sir," Walter answered modestly, "and his grace
the Prince of Wales has already promised me that I shall some day ride
behind him to the wars."
"Ah! Edward," the king ejaculated, "how is this? Have you been already
enlisting a troop for the wars?"
"No, sir," the young prince replied, "but one day, now some four years
since, when I was riding with my Lord Talbot and others in the fields
near the Tower, I did see this lad lead his play-fellows to the assault
of an earthen castle held by others, and he fought so well and gallantly
that assuredly no knight could have done better, until he was at last
stricken senseless, and when he recovered I told him that should he
choose to be a man-at-arms I would enlist him in my following to the
wars."
The king laughed.
"I deemed not that the lads of the city indulged in such rough sports;
but I wonder not, seeing that the contingent which my good city of
London furnishes me is ever one of the best in my army. We shall see the
lad at work again to-morrow and will then talk more of it. Now let us
bestow upon him the prize that he has so well earned."
Walter bent on one knee, and the queen handed to him a sword of the best
Spanish steel, which was the prize given by the city to the victor. The
king handed him a heavy purse of gold pieces, saying:
"This may aid in purchasing your freedom."
Walter bowed deeply and murmured some words of thanks, and was then led
off by the marshal. After this many of the young nobles of the court
jousted on horseback, ran at the ring, and performed other feats of
knightly exercise to the great pleasure of the multitude. The marshal on
leading Walter away said to him, "You will be captain of the city band
to-morrow, and I must therefore tell you what the king purports. He has
prepared a surprise for the citizens, and the present show will be
different to anything ever before seen in London. Both to show them
somewhat of the sieges which are taking place on the borders of France
and the Low Countries, in which Sir Walter Manny and many other gallant
knights have so greatly distinguished themselves, and as an exercise for
the young nobles he has determined that there shall be a castle erected.
It will be built of wood, with battlements and towers, with a moat
outside. As soon as the lists are over a large number of workmen will
commence its erection; the pieces are all sawn and prepared. There will
be machines, ladders, and other appliances. The ten champions on either
side will fight as knights; you will have a hundred apprentices as
men-at-arms, and the court party will have an equal number of young
esquires. You, as winner of to-day's tourney, will have the choice of
defense or attack. I should advise you to take the defense, since it is
easier and requires less knowledge of war, and many of the other party
have accompanied their fathers and masters in the field and have seen
real sieges carried out."
"Can you show me a plan of the castle," Walter said, "if it be not
contrary to the rules, in order that I may think over to-night the plan
of fighting to-morrow?"
"Here it is," the marshal said. "You see the walls are two hundred feet
long and twelve feet in height, with a tower at the end and one over the
gateway in the center six feet high. There is a drawbridge defended by
an outwork of palisades six feet high. The moat will be a dry one,
seeing that we have no means of filling it with water, but it will be
supposed to be full, and must be crossed on planks or bridges. Two small
towers on wheels will be provided, which may be run up to the edge of
the moat, and will be as high as the top of the towers."
"Surely they cannot make all this before morning?" Walter said.
"They will do so," the marshal replied. "The castle has been put
together in the king's court-yard, and the pieces are all numbered. Two
hundred carpenters will labor all night at it, besides a party of
laborers for the digging of the moat. It will be a rare show, and will
delight both the citizens and the ladies of the court, for such a thing
has never before been attempted. But the king grudges not the expense
which it will cost him, seeing that spectacles of this kind do much to
arouse the warlike spirit of the people. Here is a list of the various
implements which will be provided, only it is understood that the
mangonels and arblasts will not be provided with missiles, seeing that
many would assuredly be killed by them. They will be employed, however,
to show the nature of the work, and parties of men-at-arms will be told
off to serve them. Cross-bows and arrows will be used, but the weapons
will be blunted. You will see that there are ladders, planks for making
bridges, long hooks for hauling men down from the wall, beams for
battering down the gate, axes for cutting down the palisades, and all
other weapons. The ten who will serve under you as knights have already
been nominated, and the city will furnish them with full armor. For the
others, the apprentices of each ward will choose sufficient
representatives to make up the hundred who will fight as men-at-arms;
these will wear steel caps and breast-pieces, with leather jerkins, and
vizors to protect their faces, for even a blunted arrow or a wooden
quarrel might well kill if it struck true."
On leaving the marshal Walter joined Giles Fletcher and Geoffrey Ward,
who warmly congratulated him upon his success. He informed them of the
spectacle which the king had prepared for the amusement of the citizens
on the morrow.
"In faith," Geoffrey said, "the idea is a good one, and promises rare
sport, but it will be rough, and we may expect many broken limbs, for it
will be no joke to be thrown down with a ladder from a wall even twelve
feet high, and there will be the depth of the moat besides."
"That will only be two feet," Walter said, "for so it is marked on the
plan."
"And which do you mean to take, Walter, the attack or the defense?
Methinks the king has erred somewhat in making the forces equal, for
assuredly the besiegers should outnumber the besieged by fully three to
one to give them a fair chance of success."
"I shall take the assault," Walter answered; "there is more to be done
that way than in the defense. When we get home, Geoffrey, we will look
at the plans, and see what may be the best manner of assault."
Upon examining the plan that evening they found that the wall was
continued at an angle at either end for a distance of some twenty feet
back so as to give a postern gate behind each of the corner towers
through which a sortie might be made. Geoffrey and Walter talked the
matter over, and together contrived a plan of operation for the
following day.
"You will have one great advantage," Geoffrey said. "The apprentices are
all accustomed to the use of the bow, while the young nobles will know
but little of that weapon; therefore your shooting will be far
straighter and truer, and even a blunt-headed arrow drawn from the
shoulder will hit so smart a blow that those on the wall will have
difficulty in withstanding them."
After the talk was ended Walter again crossed London Bridge, and made
his way to Ludgate, where he found his late antagonist, whose head had
been plastered up and was little the worse for the conflict.
"There is no ill-will between us, I hope," Walter said, holding out his
hand.
"None in the world," the young smith said frankly.
He was a good tempered-looking young giant, with closely cropped hair,
light-blue eyes, and a pleasant but somewhat heavy face.
"My faith! but what a blow was that you gave me! why, one would think
that your muscles were made of steel. I thought that I could hit a good
downright blow, seeing that I have been hammering at the anvil for the
last seven years; but strike as I would I could not beat down your
guard, while mine went down as if it had been a feather before yours. I
knew, directly that I had struck the first blow, and felt how firm was
your defense, that it was all up with me, knowing that in point of skill
I had no chance whatever with you."
"I am glad to see that you bear no malice, Ralph," Walter said, "and
hope that we shall be great friends henceforth, that is, if you will
take me as such, seeing that you are just out of your apprenticeship,
while I am not yet half-through mine. But I have come to talk to you
about to-morrow. Have you heard that there is to be a mimic siege?"
"I have heard about it," Ralph said. "The city is talking of nothing
else. The news was published at the end of the sports. It will be rare
fun, surely."
"It will be pretty rough fun," Walter replied; "and I should not be much
surprised if some lives are lost; but this is always so in a tournament;
and if knights and nobles are ready to be killed, we apprentices need
not fear to hazard our lives. But now as to to-morrow. I, as the winner
to-day, am to be the leader of the party, and you, as second, will of
course be captain under me. Now I want to explain to you exactly what I
propose to do, and to arrange with you as to your share in the
business."
The young smith listened attentively to Walter's explanation, and, when
he had done, exclaimed admiringly: "Why, Walter, you seem to be made for
a general. How did it all come to you, lad? I should never have thought
of such a scheme."
"I talked it over with my master," Walter said, "and the idea is his as
much as mine. I wonder if it will do?"
"It is sure to do," the smith said enthusiastically. "The castle is as
good as taken."
The next day all London poured out to the scene of the sports, and the
greatest admiration and wonder were expressed at the castle, which had
risen, as if by magic, in the night. It was built at one end of the
lists, which had been purposely placed in a hollow, so that a great
number of people besides those in the pavilions could obtain a view from
the surrounding slopes. The castle was substantially built of heavy
timber painted gray, and looked at a little distance as if constructed
of stone. A flag floated from the central tower, and the building looked
so formidable that the general opinion was freely expressed that the
task of the assailants, whoever they might be--for at present this was
unknown--was quite impossible. At ten o'clock the king and his court
arrived. After they had taken their places the two bands, headed by
their leaders, advanced from the lower end of the lists, and drew up in
front of the royal pavilion. The leaders took their places in front.
Behind them stood the ten chosen followers, all of whom, as well as
their chiefs, were incased in full armor. Behind, on one side, were one
hundred apprentices, on the other, one hundred esquires, all attired as
men-at-arms. The court party were led by Clarence Aylmer, son of the
Earl of Pembroke. His companions were all young men of noble family,
aspirants for the order of knighthood. They were, for the most part,
somewhat older than the apprentices, but as the latter consisted chiefly
of young men nearly out of their term the difference was not great.
Walter's armor was a suit which the armorer had constructed a year
previously for a young knight who had died before the armor could be
delivered. Walter had wondered more than once why Geoffrey did not
endeavor to sell it elsewhere, for although not so decorated and inlaid
as many of the suits of Milan armor, it was constructed of the finest
steel, and the armorer had bestowed special care upon its manufacture,
as the young knight's father had long been one of his best customers.
Early that morning Geoffrey had brought it to his room and had told him
to wear it instead of that lent by the city.
"But I fear it will get injured," Walter had urged. "I shall not spare
myself, you know, Geoffrey, and the blows will be hard ones."
"The more need for good armor, Walter. These city suits are made for
show rather than use. You may be sure that young Pembroke and his band
will fight their hardest rather than suffer defeat at the hands of
those whom they consider as a band of city varlets."
Before issuing from the tent where he and his companions had put on
their mail, Walter carefully fastened in the front of his helmet a tiny
gold bracelet. Upon taking their places before the pavilion the king
ordered the two leaders to advance, and addressed them and the multitude
in the following words:
"Brave leaders, and you, my people, I have contrived the pastime to-day
that I may show you on a mimic scale the deeds which my brave soldiers
are called upon to perform in France. It is more specially suited for
the combatants of to-day, since one party have had but small opportunity
of acquiring skill on horseback. Moreover, I wish to teach the lesson
that fighting on foot is as honorable as fighting on horseback, for it
has now been proved, and sometimes to our cost, in Scotland, that
footmen can repulse even the bravest chivalry. To-day each party will
fight his best. Remember that, even in the heat of conflict, matters
must not be carried to an extreme. Those cut off from their friends will
be accounted prisoners, as will those who, being overpowered, throw down
their arms. Any wounded on either side will not be accounted as
prisoners, but may retire with honor from the field. You," he said,
looking at Walter, "as the conqueror of yesterday, have the choice of
either the attack or defense; but I should advise you to take the
latter, seeing that it is easier to defend a fortress than to assault
it. Many of your opponents have already gained credit in real warfare,
while you and your following are new to it. Therefore, in order to place
the defense on fair terms with the assault, I have ordered that both
sides shall be equal in numbers."
"If your liege will permit me," Walter said, bowing, "I would fain take
the assault. Methinks that, with my following, I could do better thus
than in defense."
The king looked somewhat displeased.
"As you will," he said coldly; "but I fear that this will somewhat mar
the effect of the spectacle, seeing that you will have no chance
whatever against an equal force, more accustomed to war than your party,
and occupying so superior a position. However," he went on, seeing that
Walter made no sign of changing his mind, "as you have chosen, so be it;
and now it is for you to choose the lady who shall be queen of the
tourney and shall deliver the prizes to the victors. Look round you;
there are many fair faces, and it is for you to choose among them."
Smiles passed between many of the courtly dames and ladies at the choice
that was to be made among them by the apprentice lad; and they thought
that he would be sorely puzzled at such a duty. Walter, however, did not
hesitate an instant. He ran his eye over the crowd of ladies in the
royal gallery, and soon saw the object of his search.
"Since I have your majesty's permission," he said, "I choose, as queen
of the tournament, Mistress Edith Vernon."
There was a movement of surprise and a general smile. Perhaps to all who
thought that they had a chance of being chosen the selection was a
relief, as none could be jealous of the pretty child, who, at the king's
order, made her way forward to the front, and took her seat in a chair
placed between the king and queen. The girl colored brightly; but she
had heard so much of tourneys and jousts that she knew what was her
duty. She had been sitting far back on the previous day, and the
apprentice, when brought up before the king, was too far below for her
to see his features. She now recognized him.
"Sir knights," she said in a loud, clear, childish voice, "you will both
do your duty to-day and show yourselves worthy cavaliers. Methinks that,
as queen of the tourney, I should be neutral between you, but as one of
you carries my gage in his helm, my good wishes must needs go with him;
but bright eyes will be fixed on you both, and may well stir you to
deeds of valor."
So saying, she resumed her seat with a pretty air of dignity.
"Why, sweetheart," the king said, "how is it that this 'prentice lad
knows your name, and how is it that he wears your gage, for I know that
the young Pembroke wears the glove of the Earl of Surrey's daughter?"
"He saved my life, sir, mine and my mother's," the child said, "and I
told him he should be my true knight, and gave him my bracelet, which
you see he wears in his helm."
"I recall somewhat of the story," the king said, "and will question my
Lady Vernon further anon; but see, the combatants are filing off to
their places."
With flags flying and trumpets blowing young Pembroke led his forces
into the castle. Each of his ten knights was followed by an esquire
bearing his banner, and each had ten men-at-arms under his immediate
order. Two of them, with twenty men, remained in the outwork beyond the
drawbridge. The rest took their station on the walls and towers, where a
platform had been erected running along three feet below the
battlements. The real men-at-arms with the machines of war now advanced,
and for a time worked the machines, which made pretense at casting great
stones and missiles at the walls. The assailants then moved forward and,
unslinging their bows, opened a heavy fire of arrows at the defenders,
who, in turn, replied with arrows and cross-bows.
"The 'prentices shoot well," the king said; "by our lady, it would be
hot work for the defenders were the shafts but pointed! Even as it is
the knocks must be no child's play, for the arrows, although not
pointed, are all tipped with iron, without which, indeed, straight
shooting would be impossible."
The return fire from the walls was feeble, and the king said, laughing,
"So far your knight, fair mistress, has it all his own way. I did not
reckon sufficiently upon the superiority of shooting of the London lads,
and, indeed, I know not that I ought not in fairness to order some of
the defenders off the walls, seeing that in warfare their numbers would
be rapidly thinned. See, the assailants are moving up the two towers
under shelter of the fire of the archers."
By this time Aylmer, seeing that his followers could make no effectual
reply to the arrow fire, had ordered all, save the leaders in full
armor, to lie down behind the parapet. The assailants now gathered
thickly round each tower, as if they intended to attempt to cross by the
bridges, which could be let down from an opening in the tower level with
the top of the wall, while archers upon the summit shot fast and thick
among the defenders who were gathering to oppose them.
"If the young Pembroke is wise," the king said, "he will make a strong
sally now and fall upon one or other of the parties."
As he spoke there was a sudden movement on the part of the assailants,
who, leaving the foot of the towers, made a rush at the outwork in the
center. The instant they arrived they fell to work with axes upon the
palisades. Many were struck down by the blows dealt them by the
defenders, but others caught up the axes and in less than a minute
several of the palisades were cut down and the assailants poured in. The
defenders fought gallantly, but they were overpowered by numbers. Some
were struck down, others taken prisoners by main force, and the rest
driven across the drawbridge just as the gates were opened and Pembroke,
at the head of the defenders, swarmed out to their assistance.
There was a desperate fight on the bridge, and it was well that the
armor was stout, and the arms that wielded the weapons had not yet
attained their full strength. Several were knocked off the bridge into
the moat, and these were, by the rules, obliged at once to retire and
take no further part in the contest. Walter and Ralph the smith fought
in front of their men, and hard as Pembroke and his followers struggled,
they could not drive them back a foot. The court party was galled by the
heavy fire of arrows kept up by the apprentices along the side of the
moat, and finding all his efforts to regain the earthwork useless,
Pembroke withdrew his forces into the castle, and in spite of the
efforts of the besiegers managed to close the gates in their faces. The
assailants, however, succeeded in severing the chains of the drawbridge
before it could be raised.
From the tower above, the defenders now hurled over great stones, which
had been specially placed there for the purpose of destroying the
drawbridge should the earthwork be carried. The boards were soon
splintered, and the drawbridge was pronounced by the Earl of Talbot, who
was acting as judge, to be destroyed. The excitement of the spectators
was worked up to a great pitch while the conflict was going on, and the
citizens cheered lustily at the success of the apprentices.
"That was gallantly done," the king said to Queen Philippa, "and the
leader of the assailants is a lad of rare mettle. Not a captain of my
army, no, not Sir Walter Manny himself, could have done it more
cleverly. You see, by placing his forces at the ends of the wall he drew
all the garrison thither to withstand the assaults from them, and thus
by his sudden movement he was able to carry the outwork before they
could recover from their surprise and come down to its aid. I am curious
to know what he will do next. What thinkst thou, Edward?" he asked his
son, who was standing by his side.
"He will win the day," the young prince said; "and in faith, although
the others are my comrades, I should be glad to see it. He will make a
gallant knight, sir, one of these days, and remember he is engaged to
follow my banner, so you must not steal him from me. See, my liege, they
are taking planks and ladders to the outwork."
"They are doing wrongly, then," the king said, "for even should they
bridge the moat where the drawbridge is, they cannot scale the wall
there, since the tower defends it, and the ladders are but long enough
to reach the lower wall. No, their leader has changed his mind: they are
taking the planks along the edge of the moat toward the tower on the
left, and will aid the assault by its bridge by a passage of the moat
there."
It seemed, indeed, that this was the plan. While some of the assailants
kept up the arrow fire on the wall others mounted the tower, while a
party prepared to throw a bridge of planks across the moat. The bridge
from the tower was now lowered; but a shout of triumph rose from the
defenders when it was seen that by some mistake of the carpenters this
was too short, and when lowered did not reach within six feet of the
wall.
"All the better," the king said, while the prince gave an angry
exclamation. "Accidents of this kind will happen, and give an
opportunity to a leader to show his resources. Doubtless he will carry
planks up to the tower and so connect the bridge and the wall."
This, indeed, was what the assailants tried to do, while a party threw
planks across the moat, and rushing over placed ladders against the wall
and strove to climb. They strove in vain, however. The ladders were
thrown down as fast as they were placed, while the defenders, thickly
clustered on the walls, drove back those who tried to cross from the
tower.
"I do not see the leader of the assailants," the prince said.
"He has a white plume, but it may have been shorn off," the king said.
"Look, the young Pembroke is making a sortie!"
From the sortie gate behind the tower the defenders now poured out, and
running down the edge of the moat fell upon the stormers. These,
however, received them with great steadiness, and while some continued
to attack the rest turned upon the garrison, and, headed by Ralph the
smith, drove them gradually back.
"They fight well and steadily," the king said. "One would have thought
that they had reckoned on the sortie, so steadily did they receive it."
As only a portion of the garrison had issued out, they were unable to
resist long the pressure of the apprentices, who drove them back step by
step to the sally-port, and pressing them hard endeavored to force their
way in at their heels.
CHAPTER VII.
THE YOUNG ESQUIRE.
While the attention of the whole of the spectators and combatants was
fixed upon the struggle at the right-hand angle of the castle, a party
of twenty 'prentices suddenly leaped to their feet from among the broken
palisades of the outwork. Lying perdu there they had escaped the
attention of the spectators as well as of the defenders. The reason why
the assailants carried the planks and ladders to this spot was now
apparent. Only a portion had been taken on to the assault of the
right-hand tower; those who now rose to their feet lifted with them
planks and ladders, and at a rapid pace ran toward the left angle of the
castle, and reached that point before the attention of the few defenders
who remained on the wall there was attracted to them, so absorbed were
they in the struggle at the other angle. The moment that they saw the
new assailants they raised a shout of alarm, but the din of the combat,
the shouts of the leaders and men were so loud that their cries were
unheard. Two or three then hurried away at full speed to give the alarm,
while the others strove to repel the assault. Their efforts were in
vain. The planks were flung across the moat, the ladders placed in
position, and led by Walter the assailants sprang up and gained a
footing on the wall before the alarm was fairly given. A thundering
cheer from the spectators greeted the success of the assailants.
Springing along the wall they drove before them the few who strove to
oppose them, gained the central tower, and Walter, springing up to the
top, pulled down the banner of the defenders and placed that of the city
in its place. At this moment the defenders, awakened too late to the
ruse which had been played upon them, came swarming back along the wall
and strove to regain the central tower. In the confusion the assault by
the flying tower of the assailants was neglected, and at this point also
they gained a footing on the wall. The young nobles of the court,
furious at being outwitted, fought desperately to regain their lost
laurels. But the king rose from his seat and held up his hand. The
trumpeter standing below him sounded the arrest of arms, which was
echoed by two others who accompanied Earl Talbot, who had taken his
place on horseback close to the walls. At the sound swords dropped and
the din abruptly ceased, but the combatants stood glaring at each other,
their blood too heated to relinquish the fray readily.
Already much damage had been done. In spite of armor and mail many
serious wounds had been inflicted, and some of the combatants had
already been carried senseless from the field. Some of the assailants
had been much shaken by being thrown backward from the ladders into the
moat, one or two were hurt to death; but as few tourneys took place
without the loss of several lives, this was considered but a small
amount of damage for so stoutly fought a _mêlée_, and the knowledge that
many were wounded, and some perhaps dying, in no way damped the
enthusiasm of the spectators, who cheered lustily for some minutes at
the triumph which the city had obtained.
In the galleries occupied by the ladies and nobles of the court there
was a comparative silence. But brave deeds were appreciated in those
days, and although the ladies would far rather have seen the victory
incline the other way, yet they waved their handkerchiefs and clapped
their hands in token of their admiration at the success of an assault
which, at the commencement, appeared well-nigh hopeless.
Lord Talbot rode up to the front of the royal pavilion.
"I was about to stop the fight, sire, when you gave the signal. Their
blood was up, and many would have been killed had the combat continued.
But the castle was fairly won, the central tower was taken and the flag
pulled down, a footing had been gained at another point of the wall, and
the assailants had forced their way through the sally-port. Further
resistance was therefore hopeless, and the castle must be adjudged as
fairly and honorably captured."
A renewed shout greeted the judge's decision. The king now ordered the
rival hosts to be mustered before him as before the battle, and when
this was done Earl Talbot conducted Walter up the broad steps in front
of the king's pavilion. Geoffrey Ward, who had, after fastening on
Walter's armor in the tent before the sports began, taken his place
among the guards at the foot of the royal pavilion, stepped forward and
removed Walter's helmet at the foot of the steps.
"Young sir," the king said, "you have borne yourself right gallantly
to-day, and have shown that you possess the qualities which make a great
captain. I do my nobles no wrong when I say that not one of them could
have better planned and led the assault than you have done. Am I not
right, sirs?" and he looked round.
A murmur of assent rose from the knights and nobles, and the king
continued: "I thought you vain and presumptuous in undertaking the
assault of a fort held by an equal number, many of whom are well
accustomed to war, while the lads who followed you were all untrained in
strife, but you have proved that your confidence in yourself was not
misplaced. The Earl of Talbot has adjudged you victor, and none can
doubt what the end of the strife would have been. Take this chain from
your king, who is glad to see that his citizens of London are able to
hold their own even against those of our court, than whom we may say no
braver exist in Europe. Kneel now to the queen of the tourney, who will
bestow upon you the chaplet which you have so worthily earned."
Walter bent his knee before Edith Vernon. She rose to her feet, and with
an air of pretty dignity placed a chaplet of laurel leaves, wrought in
gold and clasped with a valuable ruby, on his head.
"I present to you," she said, "the chaplet of victory, and am proud that
my gage should have been worn by one who has borne himself so bravely
and well. May a like success rest on all your undertakings, and may you
prove a good and valiant knight!"
"Well said, Mistress Edith," Queen Philippa said, smiling. "You may well
be proud of your young champion. I too must have my gift," and drawing a
ring set with brilliants from her finger she placed it in Walter's hand.
The lad now rose to his feet. "The prince, my son," the king said, "has
promised that you shall ride with his men-at-arms when he is old enough
to take the field. Should you choose to abandon your craft and do so
earlier I doubt not that one of my nobles, the brave Sir Walter Manny,
for example, will take you before that time."
"That will I readily enough," Sir Walter said, "and glad to have so
promising a youth beneath my banner."
"I would that you had been of gentle blood," the king said.
"That makes no difference, sire," Sir Walter replied. "I will place him
among the young gentlemen, my pages and esquires, and am sure that they
will receive him as one of themselves."
Geoffrey Ward had hitherto stood at the foot of the steps leading to the
royal pavilion, but doffing his cap he now ascended. "Pardon my
boldness, sire," he said to the king, "but I would fain tell you what
the lad himself has hitherto been ignorant of. He is not, as he
supposes, the son of Giles Fletcher, citizen and bowmaker, but is the
lawfully born son of Sir Roland Somers, erst of Westerham and Hythe, who
was killed in the troubles at the commencement of your majesty's reign.
His wife, Dame Alice, brought the child to Giles Fletcher, whose wife
had been her nurse, and dying left him in her care. Giles and his wife,
if called for, can vouch for the truth of this, and can give you proofs
of his birth."
Walter listened with astonishment to Geoffrey's speech. A thrill of
pleasure rushed through his veins as he learned that he was of gentle
blood and might hope to aspire to a place among the knights of King
Edward's court. He understood now the pains which Geoffrey had bestowed
in seeing that he was perfected in warlike exercises, and why he and
Giles had encouraged rather than repressed his love for martial
exercises and his determination to abandon his craft and become a
man-at-arms when he reached man's estate.
"Ah! is it so?" the king exclaimed. "I remember Sir Roland Somers, and
also that he was slain by Sir Hugh Spencer, who, as I heard on many
hands, acted rather on a private quarrel than, as he alleged, in my
interest, and there were many who avowed that the charges brought
against Sir Roland were unfounded. However, this matter must be inquired
into, and my high justiciar shall see Master Giles and his wife, hear
their evidence, and examine the proofs which they may bring forward. As
to the estates, they were granted to Sir Jasper Vernon and cannot be
restored. Nevertheless I doubt not that the youth will carve out for
himself a fortune with his sword. You are his master, I suppose. I would
fain pay you to cancel his apprenticeship. Sir Walter Manny has promised
to enroll him among his esquires."
"I will cancel his indentures willingly, my liege," the armorer
answered, "and that without payment. The lad has been to me as a son,
and seeing his high spirit, and knowing the gentle blood running in his
veins, I have done my best so to teach him and so to put him in the way
of winning back his father's rank by his sword."
"He hath gone far toward it already," the king said, "and methinks may
yet gain some share in his father's inheritance," and he glanced at
little Mistress Edith Vernon and then smiled at the queen. "Well, we
shall see," he went on. "Under Sir Walter Manny he will have brave
chances of distinguishing himself, and when my son takes the field, he
shall ride with him. But I am keeping the hosts waiting. Bring hither,"
he said to Earl Talbot, "Clarence Aylmer."
The young noble was led up to the king. "You have done well, Clarence;
though you have been worsted you fought bravely, but you were deceived
by a ruse which might have taken in a more experienced captain. I trust
that you will be friends with your adversary, who will be known to you
henceforth as Walter Somers, son of Sir Roland of that name, and who
will ride to the wars, whither you also are shortly bound, under the
standard of Sir Walter Manny."
The cloud which had hung over the face of the young noble cleared. It
had indeed been a bitter mortification to him that he, the son of one of
the proudest of English nobles, should have been worsted by a London
apprentice, and it was a relief to him to find that his opponent was one
of knightly blood. He turned frankly to Walter and held out his hand. "I
greet you as a comrade, sir," he said, "and hope some day that in our
rivalry in the field I may do better than I have done to-day."
"That is well spoken," the king said. Then he rose and in a loud voice
addressed the combatants, saying that all had borne themselves well and
bravely, and that he thanked them, not only for the rare pastime which
they had made, but for the courage and boldness which had been displayed
on both sides. So saying, he waved his hand as a token that the
proceedings were ended, and returned with the court to Westminster;
while the crowd of spectators overflowed the lists, those who had
friends in the apprentice array being anxious to know how they had
fared. That evening there was a banquet given by the lord mayor. Walter
was invited to be present, with Giles and Geoffrey, and many
complimentary things were said to him, and he was congratulated on the
prospects which awaited him. After dinner all the 'prentices who had
taken part in the sports filed through the hall and were each presented
with a gold piece by the lord mayor, in the name of the corporation, for
having so nobly sustained the renown of the city.
After the entertainment was over Walter returned with Geoffrey to the
bowyer's house, and there heard from his two friends and Bertha the
details of his mother's life from the time that she had been a child,
and the story of her arrival with him, and her death. He had still
difficulty in believing that it was all true, that Giles and Bertha,
whom he had so long regarded as his father and mother, were only his
kind guardians, and that he was the scion of two noble families. Very
warmly and gratefully he thanked his three friends for the kindness
which they had shown to him, and vowed that no change of condition
should ever alter his feelings of affection toward them. It was not
until the late hour of nine o'clock that he said good-by to his
foster-parents, for he was next day to repair to the lodging of Sir
Walter Manny, who was to sail again before the week was out for the Low
Countries, from which he had only returned for a few days to have
private converse with the king on the state of matters there. His
friends would have delivered to him his mother's ring and other tokens
which she had left, but thought it better to keep these, with the other
proofs of his birth, until his claim was established to the satisfaction
of the lord justiciaries.
The next morning early, when Walter descended the stairs, he found Ralph
Smith waiting for him. His face was strapped up with plaster and he wore
his arm in a sling, for his armor had been twice cut through as he led
his party in through the sally-port.
"How goes it with you, Ralph?" Walter said. "Not much the worse, I hope,
for your hard knocks?"
"Not a whit," Ralph replied cheerfully, "and I shall be all right again
before the week is out; but the leech made as much fuss over me as if I
had been a girl, just as though one was not accustomed to hard knocks in
a smithy. Those I got yesterday were not half so hard as that which you
gave me the day before. My head rings yet with the thought of it. But I
have not come to talk about myself. Is the story true which they tell of
you, Master Walter, that you are not the son of Giles the bowyer, but of
a great noble?"
"Not of a great noble, Ralph, but of a gallant knight, which is just as
good. My father was killed when I was three years old, and my mother
brought me to Bertha, the wife of Giles the bowyer, who had been her
nurse in childhood. I had forgotten all that had passed, and deemed
myself the son of the good citizen, but since I have heard the truth my
memory has awakened somewhat, and I have a dim recollection of a lordly
castle and of my father and mother."
"And they say, Walter, that you are going with Sir Walter Manny, with
the force which is just sailing to the assistance of Lady de Montford?"
"That is so, Ralph, and the good knight has taken me among his esquires,
young as I am, although I might well have looked for nothing better than
to commence, for two years at least, as a page, seeing that I am but
eighteen now. Now I shall ride with him into the battles and shall have
as good a chance as the others of gaining honor and winning my spurs."
"I have made up my mind that I will go with you, Master Walter, if you
will take me; each squire has a man-at-arms who serves him, and I will
give you good and faithful service if you will take me with you. I spoke
to the smith, my master, last night, when I heard the news, and as my
apprenticeship is out next week he was willing enough to give me the few
days which remain. Once out of my apprenticeship I may count to be a
man, and seeing that I am nineteen, and as I may say well grown of my
years, methinks I am fit for service as a man-at-arms, and I would
rather fight behind you than labor all my life in the smithy."
"I shall be glad indeed, Ralph, to have you with me if such be really
your wish, and I do not think that Sir Walter Manny will say nay, for
they have been beating up for recruits through the kingdom, and we
proved yesterday that you have courage as well as strength. If he will
consent I should be glad indeed to have so brave a comrade with me, so
we may consider that settled, and if you will come down to Westminster,
to Sir Walter Manny's lodging, this afternoon, I will tell you what he
says touching the matter. You will, of course, need arms and armor."
"I can provide that," Ralph replied, "seeing that his worshipful the
lord mayor bestowed upon me yesterday five gold pieces as the second in
command in the sports. I have already a steel cap and breast and back
pieces, which I have made for myself in hours of leisure, and warrant
will stand as hard a knock as the Frenchmen can give them."
Going across into the city with Geoffrey, Walter purchased, with the
contents of the purse which the king had given him, the garments suited
for his new position. He was fortunate in obtaining some which fitted
him exactly. These had been made for a young esquire of the Earl of
Salisbury; but the tailor, when he heard from Geoffrey for whom they
were required, and the need for instant dispatch, parted with them to
Walter, saying that he for whom they were made could well wait a few
days, and that he would set his journeymen to work at once to make some
more of similar fit and fashion.
Walter felt strange in his new attire, and by no means relished the
tightness of the garments, which was strictly demanded by the fashion of
the day. His long hose, one of which was of a deep maroon, the other a
bright yellow, came far up above the knee, then came a short pair of
trunks of similar colors divided in the middle. The tight-fitting
doublet was short and circled at the waist by a buff belt mounted in
silver, and was of the same colors as the hose and trunks. On his head
was a cap, peaked in front; this was of maroon, with a short erect
feather of yellow. The long-pointed shoes matched the rest of the
costume. There were three other suits similar in fashion, but different
in color; two like the first were of cloth, the third was of white and
blue silk, to be worn on grand occasions.
"You look a very pretty figure, Walter," Geoffrey said, "and will be
able to hold your own among the young gallants of the court. If you lack
somewhat of courtly manners it will matter not at all, since you are
leaving so soon for the wars. The dress sets off your figure, which is
fully two years in advance of your age, seeing that hard work has
widened you out and thickened your muscles. I need not tell you, lad,
not to be quarrelsome, for that was never your way; but just at first
your companions may try some jests with you, as is always the manner of
young men with new-comers, but take them in a good spirit, and be sure
that, seeing the strength of arm and skill which you showed yesterday
and the day before, none will care to push matters with you unduly."
One of the journeymen accompanied Walter to Westminster to carry up from
the boat the valise with his clothes and the armor which he had worn in
the sports. Sir Walter received the lad with much kindness and
introduced him to his future companions. They were five in number; the
eldest was a man of some thirty years old, a Hainaulter, who had
accompanied Sir Walter Manny to England at the time when the latter
first came over as a young squire in the suit of the Princess Philippa.
He was devotedly attached to the knight, his master, and although he
might several times have received the rank of knighthood for his bravery
in the field, he preferred remaining in his position as esquire and
faithful friend of his master.
The other four were between the ages of nineteen and twenty-one, and all
belonged to the families of the highest nobility of England, it being
deemed a distinguished honor to be received as a squire by the most
gallant knight at the court of England. Their duties were, as Walter
soon learned, almost nominal, these being discharged almost exclusively
by John Mervaux. Two of the young esquires, Richard Coningsby and Edward
Clifford, had fought in the _mêlée_, having been among the ten leaders
under Clarence Aylmer. They bore no malice for the defeat, but received
Walter with cordiality and kindness, as did the other young men. Walter
on his arrival acquainted the knight with Ralph's wish to follow him,
and requested permission for him to do so. This was readily granted, Sir
Walter Manny telling the lad that although esquires were supposed to
wait entirely upon themselves, to groom their horses, and keep their
armor and arms bright and in good order, yet, in point of fact, young
men of good families had the greater part of these duties performed for
them by a retainer who rode in the ranks of their master's following as
a man-at-arms.
"The other esquires have each one of their father's retainers with them,
and I am glad that you should be in the same position. After you have
taken your mid-day meal you had best go across to the Earl of Talbot's
and inquire for the Lady Vernon, who is still staying with him. She told
me at the king's ball last night that she wished to have speech with
you, and I promised to acquaint you with her desire. By the way, dost
know aught of riding?"
"I have learned to sit on a horse, Sir Walter," the lad answered. "My
good friend Geoffrey, the armorer, advised that I should learn, and
frequently hired from the horse dealer an animal for my use. I have
often backed half-broken horses which were brought up by graziers from
Kent and Sussex for use in the wars. Many of them abode at the hostels
at Southwark, and willingly enough granted me permission to ride their
horses until they were sold. Thus I have had a good deal of practice,
and that of a rough kind; and seeing that latterly the horses have, for
the most part, found it difficult to fling me when sitting barebacked
across them, I think I could keep my seat in the high-peaked saddles on
the most vicious, but I have had no practice at tilting, or at the ring,
or other knightly exercises."
"That matters not at all," the knight said. "All these knightly
exercises which you speak of are good in time of peace, for they give
proficiency and steadiness, but in time of war he who can sit firmly in
his saddle and wield sword and battle-ax lustily and skillfully is equal
to the best; but never fear, when this expedition is over, and we have
time for such things, I will see that you are instructed in them. One
who has achieved so much martial skill as you have done at so early an
age will have little difficulty in acquiring what may be termed the
pastime of chivalry."
Ralph arrived just as Walter was setting out. The latter presented him
to the knight, who spoke with praise of the gallantry which he had
displayed on the previous day, and then handed him over to John Mervaux,
with instructions to enroll him as a man-at-arms among his followers, to
inform him of his duties, and to place him with those who attended upon
the other esquires.
After seeing Ralph disposed of, Walter went across to the Earl of Talbot
and was again conducted to the presence of Dame Vernon.
"You have changed since we met last, young sir," she said with a smile,
"though it is but a month since. Then you were a 'prentice boy, now you
are an esquire of Sir Walter Manny, and on the highway to distinction.
That you will win it I am well assured, since one who risked his life to
rescue a woman and child whose very names were unknown to him is sure to
turn out a noble and valiant knight. I little thought, when my daughter
called you her knight, that in so short a time you might become an
aspirant to that honor. I hope that you do not look askance at us, now
that you know I am in possession of the lands of your parents. Such
changes of land, you know, often occur, but now I know who you are, I
would that the estates bestowed upon Sir Jasper had belonged to some
other than you; however, I trust that you will hold no grudge against
us, and that you may win as fair an estate by the strength of your arm
and the king's favor."
"Assuredly I feel no grudge, madam," Walter replied, "and since the
lands were forfeited, I am pleased that of all people they should have
gone to one so kind and so fair as yourself."
"What, learning to be a flatterer already!" Dame Vernon laughed. "You
are coming on fast, and I predict great things from you. And now, Edith,
lay aside that sampler you are pretending to be so busy upon and speak
to this knight of yours."
Edith laid down her work and came forward. She was no longer the
dignified little queen of the tournament, but a laughing, bright-faced
girl.
"I don't see that you are changed," she said, "except in your dress. You
speak softly and naturally, just as you used to do, and not a bit like
those little court fops, Uncle Talbot's pages. I am afraid you will not
be my knight any more, now that you are going to get great honors at the
war; for I heard my Uncle Talbot tell my lady mother that he was sure
you would gain great credit for yourself."
"I shall be always your knight," Walter said earnestly; "I told you I
should, and I never break my word. That is," he went on, coloring, "if
Dame Vernon makes no objection, as she well might."
"If I did not object before, Walter," she said, smiling, "why should I
do so now?"
"It is different, my lady; before, it was somewhat of a jest, a sort of
childish play on the part of Mistress Edith, though so far as I was
concerned it was no play, but sober earnest."
"It needs no permission from me," Dame Vernon replied, "for you to wear
my daughter's colors. Any knight may proclaim any lady he chooses the
mistress of his heart, and a reigning beauty will often have a dozen
young knights who wear her colors. However, I am well content that one
who has done me such great service and who has shown such high promise
should be the first to wear the gage of my little daughter, and if in
after-years your life fulfills the promise of your youth, and you remain
true to her gage, there is none among all the youths of the court whom I
would so gladly see at her feet. Remember," she said as Walter was about
to speak, "her hand will not be at my disposal, but at that of the king.
His majesty is wont to bestow the hands of his wards upon those who most
distinguish themselves in the field. You have already attracted his
royal attention and commendation. Under Sir Walter Manny you will be
sure of opportunities of distinguishing yourself, and the king may well
be glad some day at once to reward your services and to repair a cruel
injustice by bestowing upon you the hand of the heiress of your father's
lands. If I mistake not, such a thought has even now crossed his
majesty's mind, unless I misinterpreted a glance which yesterday passed
between him and our sweet queen. I need not tell you to speak of your
hopes to none, but let them spur you to higher exertions and nobler
efforts. Loving my little Edith as I do, I naturally consider the prize
to be a high one. I have often been troubled by the thought that her
hand may be some day given to one by years or temper unsuited for her,
and it will be a pleasure to me henceforth to picture her future
connected with one who is, I am sure, by heart and nature fitted for
her. And now, farewell, young sir. May God protect you in the field, and
may you carry in the battle which awaits you the gage of my daughter as
fairly and successfully as you did in the mimic fray of yesterday!"
CHAPTER VIII.
OFF TO THE WARS.
Two days later Walter started with Sir Walter Manny, with a large number
of knights, squires, men-at-arms, and archers, for the Orwell. Walter
was mounted, as were the other squires and men-at-arms, and indeed many
of the archers. Ralph Smith, in the attire of a man-at-arms, rode
behind.
Walter was in the highest spirits. A brilliant career was open to him
under the most favorable circumstances; he had already distinguished
himself, and had gained the attention of the highest personages in the
realm, his immediate lord was one of the bravest and most chivalrous
knights in Europe, and he had to sustain and encourage him the hopes
that Lady Vernon had given him of regaining some day the patrimony of
his father. It was a satisfaction to him that he was as well born as
those who surrounded him, and his purse was as well lined as any in the
company. Although he had spent the largess which had been bestowed upon
him at the tournament in procuring clothes fitted for his rank, he was
yet abundantly supplied with money, for both Geoffrey Ward and Giles
Fletcher, having no children of their own and being both well-to-do
men, had insisted upon his accepting a sum which would enable him to
make a good appearance with the best.
A large number of squires followed the banner of Sir Walter Manny. The
records of the time show that the barons were generally accompanied in
the field by almost as many squires as men-at-arms. The former were men
of good family, sons of knights and nobles, aspirants for the honor of
knighthood, and sons of the smaller gentry. Many were there from pure
love of a life of excitement and adventure, others in fulfillment of the
feudal tenure by which all land was then held, each noble and landowner
being obliged to furnish so many knights, squires, men-at-arms, and
archers, in accordance with the size of his holding. The squires fought
in the field in the front rank of the men-at-arms, save those who, like
Walter, were attached to the person of their leader, and who in the
field fought behind him or bore his orders to the companies under his
banner.
In the field all drew pay, and it may be interesting in the present day
to know what were the rates for which our forefathers risked their
lives. They were as follows: Each horse archer received 6 deniers, each
squire 12 deniers or 1 sol, each knight 2 sols, each knight banneret 4
sols; 20 sols went to the pound, and although the exact value of money
in those days relative to that which it bears at the present time is
doubtful, it may be placed at twelve times the present value. Therefore
each horse archer received an equivalent to 6_s._ a day, each squire
12_s._, each knight 24_s._, and each knight banneret 48_s._ per day.
Upon their arrival at the Orwell, where many troops from other parts had
been gathered, the expedition at once embarked on board the numerous
ships which had been collected. As that in which Sir Walter sailed also
carried several of his knights there was not room for all his young
esquires, and Walter and the three other juniors were told off into
another ship. She was a smaller vessel than most of those which composed
the expedition, and only carried twelve men-at-arms and as many archers,
together with the four young squires, and a knight, Sir John Powis, who
was in command of the whole.
"Your craft is but a small one," the knight said to the captain.
"She is small, but she is fast," the latter answered. "She would sail
round and round the best part of the fleet. I had her built according to
my own fancy. Small though she be, I warrant you she will be one of the
first to arrive at Hennebon, and the sooner the better say I, since I am
but paid by the trip, and would fain be back again at my regular work.
It pays better carrying merchants' goods between London and Holland than
taking his majesty's troops over to France."
"Your speed will not be of much avail," Sir John Powis said, "seeing
that the fleet will keep together."
"Yes, I know that is the order," the captain answered; "but accidents
happen sometimes, you know"--and his eye twinkled. "Vessels get
separated from fleets. If they happen to be slow ones, so much the worse
for those on board; if they happen to be fast ones, so much the better,
seeing that those they carry will arrive long before their comrades, and
may be enabled to gain credit and renown while the others are whistling
for a wind in mid-ocean. However, we shall see."
The next morning the fleet sailed from the Orwell. It contained 620
men-at-arms, among whom were many of the noblest and bravest of the
country, and 6,000 picked archers in the pay of the king. The whole were
commanded by Sir Walter. The scene was a very gay one. The banners of
the nobles and knights floated from the lofty poops, and the sun shone
on bright armor and steel weapons. Walter, who had never seen the sea
before, was delighted. The wind was fair, and the vessels glided
smoothly along over the sea. At evening the knight and his four young
companions gathered in the little cabin, for it was in the first week in
March, and the night was cold.
"Will you please tell me, Sir John," Walter said to the knight, "the
merits of this quarrel in which we are going to fight? I know that we
are going in aid of the Countess of Montford; but why she is in a sore
strait I know not."
"The matter is a mixed one, Walter, and it requires a herald to tell you
all the subtleties of it. John III., Duke of Brittany, was present with
his liege lord, Philip of Valois, in the last war with England, on the
border of the Low Country. When the English retired from before Tournay
Philip dismissed his nobles. The Duke of Burgundy was taken ill, and
died at Caen, in Normandy, on the 30th of April, 1341. Arthur II., his
father, had been twice married. By his first wife he had three sons,
John, Guy, and Peter. John and Peter left no issue. Guy, who is also
dead, left a daughter, Joan. By his second wife, Jolande de Dieux, Duke
Arthur had one son, John, Count of Montford. Thus it happened that when
Duke John died his half-brother, the Count of Montford, and Joan,
daughter of his second brother Guy, were all that survived of the
family. These were the rival claimants for the vacant dukedom. In
England we have but one law of succession, which rules through the whole
land. In France it is different. There the law of succession depends
entirely upon the custom of the county, dukedom, or lordship, which is
further affected both by the form of grant by which the territory was
conveyed to its first feudal possessors and by the mode in which the
province had been acquired by the kings of France. This is important, as
upon these circumstances alone it depended whether the son or the
granddaughter of Arthur II. should inherit the dukedom.
"Joan claimed the duchy as the daughter of the elder brother. The Salic
law of France, which barred females from the right of succession, and
in virtue of which Philip of Valois succeeded to the throne instead of
King Edward, certainly did not obtain in Brittany. Duke John regarded
Joan as his heiress, and married her to Charles of Blois, nephew of the
King of France, thus strengthening her in her position; and he also
induced the provincial parliament of Brittany to acknowledge her husband
as his successor in the dukedom. Altogether it would seem that right is
upon Joan's side; but, on the other hand, the Count of Montford is the
son of Jolande, a great heiress in Brittany. He is an active and
energetic noble. The Bretons love not too close a connection with
France, and assuredly prefer to be ruled by a duke whom they regard as
one of themselves rather than by Charles of Blois, nephew of the French
king. Directly Duke John was dead the Count of Montford claimed the
inheritance. Assuming the title of duke he rode to Nantes, where the
citizens did him homage, and then proceeded to Limoges with a large
train of men-at-arms, and there took possession of the immense treasures
which the late duke had accumulated in the course of a long and tranquil
reign. With these sinews of war at his command he returned to Nantes,
where he had left his wife the countess, who was a sister of the Count
of Flanders. He immediately invited the nobility of Brittany to a grand
banquet, but only one knight of any renown presented himself at the
feast, the rest all holding aloof. With the wealth of which he had
possessed himself he levied large forces and took the field. He first
marched against Brest, where the garrison, commanded by Walter de
Clisson, refused to acknowledge him. After three days' hard fighting the
place was taken. Rennes was next besieged, and presently surrendered.
Other towns fell into his hands, and so far as Brittany was concerned
all opposition, except in one or two fortresses, ceased. In the mean
while Charles of Blois sought assistance from his uncle the King of
France; the Count de Montford, therefore, crossed to England and
besought the aid of King Edward, and did homage to him as King of
France. Edward, on his part, promised to assist him. The fact that
Philip was sure to espouse the opposite side was in itself sufficient to
decide him; besides which, the dukes of Brittany have always been in a
special way connected with England and bear the English title of Earl of
Richmond.
"Believing that his journey, which had been a secret one, was unknown to
the King of France, De Montford went boldly to Paris, where he had been
summoned by the king to an assembly of peers called to decide upon the
succession. He found, however, that Philip had already obtained news of
his journey to England. His manner convinced De Montford that it was
unsafe to remain in Paris, and he secretly made his escape. Fifteen days
afterward the peers gave judgment in favor of Charles of Blois. The
Dukes of Normandy, Burgundy, and Bourbon, the Counts of Alençon, Eu, and
Guisnes, and many other French nobles, prepared to lead an army into
the field to support Charles, and the king added a body of 3,000 Genoese
mercenaries in his pay.
"Knowing the storm that was preparing to break upon him, De Montford put
every town and castle in a state of defense. He himself, confiding in
the affection of the inhabitants of Nantes, remained in that city, while
his wife repaired to Rennes.
"The Duke of Normandy advanced from Angiers with an army of 5,000
men-at-arms and a numerous infantry, and after capturing the castle of
Chantoceaux marched to Nantes and laid siege to the city. A sortie was
made by the besieged, led by Henry de Leon, but, being attacked by the
whole of the French army, they were driven back into the town, a great
many of the citizens being killed. A warm altercation took place between
Henry de Leon and De Montford, who attributed to him the evil result of
the sortie. The result was that a large number of the citizens whose
friends had been captured by the French conspired to deliver up the
place to Charles of Blois, and Henry de Leon also entered into private
negotiations with the Duke of Normandy. De Montford, finding that he
could rely neither upon the citizens nor the soldiers, surrendered to
the duke on condition that his life was spared. He was sent to Paris,
where he still remains a prisoner. Winter was coming on, and after
putting Nantes in a fresh state of defense and leaving Charles of Blois
there, the Duke of Normandy dismissed his forces, engaging them to
reassemble in the spring. Had he pushed on at once he would have
experienced no resistance, so great was the panic which the surrender of
Nantes and the capture of De Montford had caused among the latter's
partisans.
"In Rennes especially the deepest despondency was felt. The countess,
however, showed the greatest courage and firmness. Showing herself, with
her infant in her arms, she appealed to the citizens, and by her
courageous bearing inspired them with new hopes. Having restored heart
at Rennes she traveled from garrison to garrison throughout the
province, and filled all with vigor and resolution. Feeling, however,
the hopelessness of her struggle against all France, she dispatched Sir
Almeric de Clisson, who had lately joined her party, to England, to ask
the aid which the king had promised. He arrived a month since, and, as
you see, our brave king has not been long in dispatching us to her aid;
and now, youngsters, to bed, for methinks that the sea is rougher than
it was and that the wind is getting up."
"Ay, that is it," the captain, who heard the knight's closing words,
exclaimed. "We are in for a storm, and a heavy one, or my name is not
Timothy Martin, and though with plenty of sea-room the Kitty makes not
much ado about a storm more or less, it's a very different thing in the
middle of a fleet of lubberly craft, which may run one down at any time.
I shall edge out of them as soon as I can, you may be sure."
Before morning a serious gale was blowing, and for the next three or
four days Walter and his companions knew nothing of what was going on.
Then the storm abated, and they staggered out from their cabin. The sea
was still high, but the sun shone brightly overhead. In front of them
the land was visible. They looked round, but to their astonishment not a
sail was in sight.
"Why, where is the fleet?" Walter exclaimed in astonishment.
"Snug in the Thames, I reckon," the captain said. "Soon after the storm
came on one of the sailors pretended he saw the lights of recall on the
admiral's ship; but I was too busy to look that way; I had enough to do
to look after the safety of the ship. Anyhow, I saw no more of them."
"And what land is that ahead?" Walter asked.
"That is Brittany, young sir, and before nightfall we shall be in the
port of Hennebon; as to the others, it may be days and it may be weeks
before they arrive."
The lads were not sorry at the chance which had taken them to their
destination before their companions and had given them a chance of
distinguishing themselves. Late in the afternoon the ship dropped anchor
off the castle of Hennebon, and Sir John Powis and his following were
conveyed in the ship's boats to shore. The countess received them most
graciously, and was delighted at the news that so strong a force was on
its way to her aid.
"In the absence of Sir Walter Manny, madam, I place myself and my men at
your orders. Our horses will be landed the first thing in the morning,
and we will then ride whithersoever you may bid us."
"Thanks, Sir John," the countess replied. "In that case I would that you
ride by Rennes, toward which the army of the Duke of Normandy is already
advancing. The garrison there is commanded by Sir William of Caddoudal,
a good and valiant knight."
The horses were landed on the following morning, and accompanied by the
four young squires and the men-at-arms, and followed by the twenty
archers on foot, Sir John Powis set out for Rennes. They arrived there,
but just in time, for the assailants were closing round the city. They
were received with the greatest cordiality by the governor, who assigned
apartments to Sir John and the squires, and lodged the men-at-arms and
archers near them.
In a day or two the whole of the French army came up, and the siege
commenced. Sir John Powis, his own request, was posted with his men for
the defense of a portion of the wall which was especially open to the
assaults of the enemy. These soon commenced in earnest, and the Genoese
and Spanish mercenaries endeavored to carry the place by assault.
Sometimes one point would be attacked, at others points far distant.
Covered by the fire of the French cross-bowmen, the Spaniards and
Germans came on to the assault, carrying ladders, with which they
strove to climb the walls, but the defenders plied them so vigorously
with quarrels from their cross-bows and flights of arrows that they
frequently desisted before reaching the walls. When they pushed on, and
strove to ascend, their luck was no better. Great stones were hurled
down, and boiling oil poured upon them. The ladders were flung back, and
many crushed by the fall, and in none of the assaults did they gain any
footing in the town. Machines were used, but these were not sufficiently
powerful to batter down the walls, and at the end of April the city was
as far from being captured as it was on the day of the commencement of
the siege.
Walter bore his full share in the fighting, but he had no opportunity of
especially distinguishing himself, although Sir John several times
commended him for his coolness when the bolts of the cross-bowmen and
the stones from the machines were flying most thickly. But although as
yet uninjured by the enemy's attacks, the prospect of the city holding
out was not bright. The burghers, who had at first fought valiantly,
were soon wearied of the strife, and of the hardships it entailed upon
them. The siege had continued but a short time when they began to murmur
loudly. The force under the command of the governor was but a small one,
and it would have been impossible for him to resist the will of the
whole population. For a time his exhortations and entreaties were
attended with success, and the burghers returned to their positions on
the walls; but each time the difficulty became greater, and it was clear
to Caddoudal and Sir John Powis that ere long the citizens would
surrender the place in spite of them. The English knight was furious at
the cowardliness of the citizens, and proposed to the governor to summon
twenty of the leading burghers, and to hang them as a lesson to the
others; but the governor shook his head.
"I have but two hundred men on whom I can rely, including your
following, Sir John. We could not keep down the inhabitants for an hour;
and were we to try to do so, they would open the gates and let in the
French. No; I fear that we must await the end."
The following morning Sir John was awoke with the news that in the night
Caddoudal had been seized and thrown into prison by the burghers, and
that a deputation of citizens had already gone out through the gate to
treat with the Duke of Normandy for the surrender of the city.
The English knight was furious, but with his little band he could do
nothing, especially as he found that a strong guard of burghers had been
placed at the door of the apartments occupied by him and the esquires,
and he was informed that he must consider himself a prisoner until the
conclusion of the negotiations.
Cowardly and faithless as the burghers of Rennes showed themselves to
be, they nevertheless stipulated with the Duke of Normandy, as one of
the conditions of the surrender, that Caddoudal, Sir John Powis, and
the troops under them should be permitted to pass through the French
lines and go whithersoever they would. These terms were accepted. At
mid-day the governor was released, and he with his men-at-arms and the
band of Englishmen filed out from the city gate, and took their way
unmolested through the lines of the French army to Hennebon.
They had been for a month in ignorance of all that had passed outside
the walls, and had from day to day been eagerly looking for the arrival
of Sir Walter Manny with his army to their relief. Once past the French
lines they inquired of the peasantry, and heard to their surprise that
the English fleet had not yet arrived.
"We were in luck indeed," Walter said to his companions, "that Captain
Timothy Martin was in a hurry to get back to his tradings with the
Flemings. Had he not been so we should all this time have been kicking
our heels and fretting on board a ship."
On nearing Hennebon, Sir William Caddoudal, with Sir John Powis and the
squires, rode forward and met the countess. They were the first bearers
of the news of the surrender of Rennes, and the countess was filled with
consternation at the intelligence. However, after her first burst of
indignation and regret had passed, she put a brave face on it.
"They shall meet with another reception at Hennebon," she said. "This
is but a small place, and my garrison here, and the soldiers you have
brought, will well-nigh outnumber the burghers; and we need have no fear
of such faint-heartedness as that which has given Nantes and Rennes into
the hands of my enemy. The English aid cannot tarry long. Until it come
we can assuredly hold the place."
All was now bustle in Hennebon. Sir John Powis took charge of a part of
the walls, and busied himself with his men in placing the machines in
position, and in preparing for defense. The countess, attired in armor,
rode through the streets haranguing the townspeople. She urged the men
to fight till the last, and bade the women and girls cut short their
dresses so that they could the better climb the steps to the top of the
walls, and that one and all should carry up stones, chalk, and baskets
of lime to be cast down upon the assailants. Animated by her words and
gestures, the townspeople set to work, and all vied with each other,
from the oldest to the youngest, in carrying up stores of missiles to
the walls. Never did Hennebon present such a scene of life and bustle.
It seemed like an ant-hill which a passer-by has disturbed.
Absorbed in their work, none had time to think of the dangers which
threatened them, and a stranger would rather have thought from their
cheerful and animated countenances that they were preparing for a great
_fête_ than for a siege by an army to which the two chief towns in
Brittany had succumbed.
[Illustration: THE CITIZENS PREPARE TO DEFEND HENNEBON.--Page 140.]
Ere long the French army was seen approaching. The soldiers, who had
been laboring with the rest, buckled on their armor. The citizens
gathered on the walls to hurl down the piles of stones which had been
collected, and all prepared for the assault.
"Sir John Powis," the countess said, "I pray you to grant me one of your
esquires, who may attend me while I ride about, and may bear my messages
for me. He will not be idle, nor will he escape his share of the
dangers; for, believe me, I do not intend to hide myself while you and
your brave soldiers are fighting for me."
"Willingly, lady," Sir John answered. "Here is Walter Somers, the son of
a good knight, and himself brave and prudent beyond his years; he will,
I am sure, gladly devote himself to your service."
The French, encouraged by their successes, thought that it would be a
comparatively easy task to capture so small a place as Hennebon, and as
soon as their camp was pitched they moved forward to the attack.
"Come with me, Master Somers," the countess said. "I will mount to one
of the watch-towers, where we may see all that passes."
Walter followed her, and marveled to see the lightness and agility with
which the heroic countess, although clad in armor, mounted the rickety
ladders to the summit of the watch-tower. The French were pressing
forward to the assault; their cross-bowmen opened a heavy fire upon the
walls, which was answered by the shafts of the little party of English
bowmen. These did much execution, for the English archers shot far
harder and straighter than those of France, and it was only the best
armor which could keep out their cloth-yard shafts. So small a body,
however, could not check the advance of so large a force, and the French
swarmed up to the very foot of the walls.
"Well done, my men!" the countess exclaimed, clapping her hands as a
shower of heavy rocks fell among the mass of the assailants, who were
striving to plant their ladders, crushing many in their fall; "but you
are not looking, Master Somers. What is it that you see in yonder camp
to withdraw your attention from such a fight?"
"I am thinking, countess, that the French have left their camp
altogether unguarded, and that if a body of horse could make a circuit
and fall upon it, the camp, with all its stores, might be destroyed
before they could get back to save it."
"You are right, young sir," the countess exclaimed, "and it shall be
done forthwith."
So saying, she descended the stairs rapidly and mounted her horse, which
stood at the foot of the tower; then riding through the town, she
collected a party of about three hundred men, bidding all she met mount
their horses and join her at the gate on the opposite side to that on
which the assault was taking place. Such as had no horses she ordered to
take them from those in her own stables. Walter was mounted on one of
the best of the count's chargers. Immediately the force was collected,
the gate was opened and the countess rode forth at their head. Making a
considerable _détour_, the party rode without being observed into the
rear of the French camp. Here only a few servants and horse-boys were
found; these were at once killed or driven out; then all dismounting,
set fire to the tents and stores; and ere the French were aware of what
was going on, the whole of their camp was in flames. As soon as the
conflagration was perceived, the French commanders drew off their men
from the attack, and all ran at full speed toward the camp.
"We cannot regain the town," the countess said; "we will ride to Auray
at full speed, and reënter the castle when best we may."
Don Louis of Spain, who with a considerable following was fighting in
the French ranks, hearing from the flying camp-followers that the
countess herself was at the head of the party which had destroyed the
camp, instantly mounted, and with a large number of horsemen set off in
hot pursuit. A few of the countess' party who were badly mounted were
overtaken and slain, but the rest arrived safely at Auray, when the
gates were shut in the face of their pursuers.
The blow was a heavy one for the besiegers, but they at once proceeded
to build huts, showing that they had no intention of relinquishing the
siege. Spies were sent from Auray, and these reported that the new camp
was established on the site of the old one, and that the French
evidently intended to renew the attack upon the side on which they had
first commenced, leaving the other side almost unwatched.
Accordingly, on the fifth day after leaving the town the countess
prepared to return. Except Walter, none were informed of her intention,
as she feared that news might be taken to the French camp by friends of
Charles of Blois; but as soon as it was nightfall, and the gates were
shut, the trumpet sounded to horse. In a few minutes the troop assembled
in the market-place, and the countess, accompanied by Walter, placing
herself at their head, rode out from the town. The strictest silence was
observed. On nearing the town all were directed to dismount, to tear up
the horse-cloths, and to muffle the feet of their horses. Then the
journey was resumed, and so careless was the watch kept by the French
that they passed through the sentries unobserved, and reached in safety
the gate from which they had issued. As they neared it they were
challenged from the walls, and a shout of joy was heard when Walter
replied that the countess herself was present. The gates were opened and
the party entered. The news of their return rapidly ran through the
town, and the inhabitants, hastily attiring themselves, ran into the
streets, filled with joy. Much depression had been felt during her
absence, and few had entertained hopes that she would be able to reënter
the town. She had brought with her from Auray two hundred men, in
addition to the party that had sallied out.
CHAPTER IX.
THE SIEGE OF HENNEBON.
The besiegers of Hennebon were greatly discouraged at the success of the
enterprise of the countess. They had already attempted several desperate
assaults, but had each time been repulsed with very heavy loss. They now
sent to Rennes for twelve of the immense machines used in battering
walls, which had been left behind there on a false report of the
weakness of Hennebon. Pending the arrival of these, Charles of Blois
with one division of the army marched away to attack Auray, leaving Don
Louis to carry on the siege with a force considered amply sufficient to
compel its surrender after the arrival of the battering machines.
In a few days these arrived and were speedily set to work, and immense
masses of stone were hurled at the walls.
Walter continued to act as the countess' especial squire. She had
informed Sir William Caddoudal and Sir John Powis that it was at his
suggestion that she had made the sudden attack upon the French camp, and
he had gained great credit thereby.
The effect of the new machines was speedily visible. The walls crumbled
under the tremendous blows, and although the archers harassed by their
arrows the men working them, the French speedily erected screens which
sheltered them from their fire. The spirits of the defenders began to
sink rapidly, as they saw that in a very short time great breaches would
be made in the walls, and that all the horrors and disasters of a city
taken by assault awaited them. The Bishop of Quimper, who was within the
walls, entered into secret negotiations with his nephew, Henry de Leon,
who had gone over to the enemy after the surrender of Nantes, and was
now with the besieging army. The besiegers, delighted to find an ally
within the walls who might save them from the heavy losses which an
assault would entail upon them, at once embraced his offers, and
promised him a large recompense if he would bring over the other
commanders and nobles. The wily bishop set to work, and the consequences
were soon visible. Open grumbling broke forth at the hardships which
were endured, and at the prospect of the wholesale slaughter which would
attend a storm when all hope of a successful resistance was at an end.
"I fear, Walter," Sir John said one morning, "that the end is at hand.
On all sides submission is spoken of, and all that I can say to keep up
their spirits is useless. Upon our own little band we can rely, but I
doubt if outside them a single determined man is to be found in the
town. In vain do I speak of the arrival of Sir Walter Manny. Nearly
ninety days have elapsed since we sailed, and all hope of his coming is
gone. I point out to them that contrary winds have been blowing, and
that at any moment he may arrive; but they will not hear me. The bishop
has gained over the whole of them by his promises that none shall be
molested in property or estate should they surrender."
"It is sad to see the countess," Walter replied; "she who has shown such
high spirit throughout the siege now does nothing but weep, for she
knows that with her and her child in the hands of the French the cause
of the count is lost. If she could carry off the child by sea she would
not so much care for the fall of the town, but the French ships lie
thick round the port, and there is no hope of breaking through."
Two days later the conspiracy came to a head, and the people, assembling
round the countess' house, clamored for surrender. The breaches were
open and the enemy might pour in at any time and put all to the sword.
The countess begged for a little further delay, but in vain, and
withdrew to the turret where she had for so many weary weeks watched the
horizon, in hopes of seeing the sails of the approaching fleet. Walter
was at the time with Sir John Powis on the walls. Presently a large body
of French were seen approaching headed by Henry de Leon, who summoned
the town to surrender. Many standing on the walls shouted that the gates
should be thrown open; but Sir John returned for answer that he must
consult the countess, and that upon her answer must depend whether he
and his men would defend the breach until the last.
"Come with me, Walter," he said, "we must fain persuade the countess. If
she says no, we Englishmen will die in the breach; but though ready to
give my life for so brave a lady, I own that it is useless to fight
longer. Save our own little band not one in the town will lift a sword
again. Such resistance as we can offer will but inflame them to fury,
and all the horrors of a sack will be inflicted upon the inhabitants.
There she is, poor lady, on the turret, gazing, as usual, seaward."
Suddenly they saw her throw up her arms, and then turning toward the
city she cried as she perceived the English knight, "I see them! I see
them! The English fleet are coming!"
"Run up, Walter," Sir John exclaimed, "maybe the countess is distraught
with her sorrows."
Walter dashed up to the turret, and looking seaward beheld rising over
the horizon a number of masts.
"Hurrah! Sir John," he shouted, "we are saved, the English fleet is in
sight."
Many others heard the shout, and the tidings ran like lightning through
the town. In wild excitement the people ran to the battlements and
roofs, and with cheering and clapping of hands hailed the appearance of
the still far-distant fleet. The church bells rang out joyfully and the
whole town was wild with excitement.
The Bishop of Quimper, finding that his plans were frustrated, gathered
around him some of those who had taken a leading part in the intrigue.
These, leaving the city by a gate at which they had placed some of their
own faction to open it to the French, issued out and made their way to
the assailants' camp, to give news of the altered situation. Don Louis
at once ordered an attack to be made with his whole force, in hopes of
capturing the place before the arrival of the English succor. But,
animated by their new hopes, those so lately despondent and ready to
yield manned the breaches and repulsed with great slaughter all attempts
on the part of the French to carry them. While the struggle was still
going on, the countess, aided by the wives of the burghers, busied
herself in preparing a sumptuous feast in honor of her deliverers who
were fast approaching, their ships impelled by a strong and favorable
breeze. The vessels of the French hastily drew off, and the English
fleet sailed into the port hailed by the cheers of the inhabitants. The
countess herself received Sir Walter Manny on his landing, and the
townspeople vied with each other in offering hospitality to the
men-at-arms and archers.
"Ah! Sir John Powis," Sir Walter exclaimed, "what, are you here? I had
given you up for lost. We thought you had gone down in the gale the
night you started."
"We were separated from the fleet, Sir Walter, but the master held on,
and we arrived here four days after we put out. We took part in the
siege of Rennes, and have since done our best to aid the countess here."
"And their best has been much," the countess said; "not to say how
bravely they have fought upon the walls, it is to Sir John and his
little band that I owe it that the town was not surrendered days ago.
They alone remained steadfast when all others fell away, and it is due
to them that I am still able, as mistress of this town, to greet you on
your arrival. Next to Sir John himself, my thanks are due to your young
esquire, Walter Somers, who has cheered and stood by me, and to whose
suggestions I owe it that I was able at the first to sally out and
destroy the French camp while they were attacking the walls, and so
greatly hindered their measures against the town. And now, sir, will you
follow me? I have prepared for you and your knights such a banquet of
welcome as our poor means will allow, and my townspeople will see that
good fare is set before your soldiers."
That evening there was high feasting in the town, although the crash of
the heavy stones cast by the French machines against the walls never
ceased. Early the next morning Sir Walter Manny made a survey of the
place and of the disposition of the enemy, and proposed to his knights
to sally forth at once and destroy the largest of the enemy's machines,
which had been brought up close to the walls. In a few minutes the
knights were armed and mounted. Three hundred knights and esquires were
to take part in the sortie; they were to be followed by a strong body of
men-at-arms.
As soon as the gates were opened a number of archers issued out, and
taking their place at the edge of the moat, poured a rain of arrows upon
the men working the machine and those guarding it. Most of these took to
flight at once; the remainder were cut down by the men-at-arms, who at
once proceeded to hew the machine in pieces with the axes with which
they were provided. Sir Walter himself and his mounted companions dashed
forward to the nearer tents of the French camps, cut down all who
opposed them, and setting fire to the huts retired toward the city.
By this time the French were thoroughly alarmed, and numbers of knights
and men-at-arms dashed after the little body of English cavalry. These
could have regained the place in safety, but in the chivalrous spirit of
the time they disdained to retire without striking a blow. Turning their
horses, therefore, and laying their lances in rest, they charged the
pursuing French.
For a few minutes the conflict was desperate and many on both sides were
overthrown; then, as large reënforcements were continually arriving to
the French, Sir Walter called off his men and retired slowly. On
reaching the moat he halted his forces. The knights wheeled and
presented a firm face to the enemy, covering the entrance of their
followers into the gate. The French chivalry thundered down upon the
little body, but were met by a storm of arrows from the archers lining
the moat. Many knights were struck through the bars of their vizors or
the joints of their mail. The horses, though defended by iron trappings,
fell dead under them, or, maddened by pain, dashed wildly through the
ranks, carrying confusion with them, and the French commanders, seeing
how heavy were their losses, called off their men from the assault. Sir
Walter Manny with his party remained without the gate until the enemy
had reëntered their camp, and then rode into the town amid the
acclamations of the inhabitants, the countess herself meeting her
deliverers at the gate and kissing each, one after the other, in token
of her gratitude and admiration.
The arrival of the reënforcements and the proof of skill and vigor given
by the English leader, together with the terror caused by the terrible
effect of the English arrows, shook the resolution of Don Louis and his
troops. Deprived of half their force by the absence of Charles of Blois,
it was thought prudent by the leaders to withdraw at once, and the third
morning after the arrival of Sir Walter Manny the siege was raised, and
the French marched to join Charles of Blois before the castle of Auray.
Even with the reënforcements brought by Sir Walter Manny, the forces of
the Countess of Montford were still so greatly inferior to those of the
divisions of the French army that they could not hope to cope with them
in the field until the arrival of the main English army, which the King
of England himself was to bring over shortly. Accordingly the French
laid siege to and captured many small towns and castles. Charles of
Blois continued the siege of Auray, and directed Don Louis with his
division to attack the town of Dinan. On his way the Spaniard captured
the small fortress of Conquet and put the garrison to the sword. Sir
Walter Manny, in spite of the inferiority of his force, sallied out to
relieve it, but it was taken before his arrival, and Don Louis had
marched away to Dinan, leaving a small garrison in Conquet. It was again
captured by Sir Walter, but finding it indefensible he returned with the
whole of his force to Hennebon. Don Louis captured Dinan and then
besieged Guerande. Here he met with a vigorous resistance, but carried
it by storm, and gave it up to be pillaged by his soldiers. He now sent
back to Charles of Blois the greater part of the French troops who
accompanied him, and embarked with the Genoese and Spanish, 8,000 in
number, and sailed to Quimperlé, a rich and populous town in Lower
Brittany.
Anchoring in the River Leita he disembarked his troops, and leaving a
guard to protect the vessels marched to the interior, plundering and
burning, and from time to time dispatching his booty to swell the
immense mass which he brought in his ships from the sack of Guerande.
Quimperlé lies but a short distance from Hennebon, and Sir Walter Manny
with Almeric de Clisson, a number of English knights, and a body of
English archers, in all three thousand men, embarked in the ships in
the port, and entering the Leita captured the enemy's fleet and all his
treasure. The English then landed, and dividing into three bodies, set
out in search of the enemy.
The English columns marched at a short distance apart so as to be able
to give each other assistance in case of attack. The news of the English
approach soon reached the Spaniards, who were gathered in a solid body,
for the enraged country people, armed with clubs and bills, hung on
their flanks and cut off any stragglers who left the main body. Don
Louis at once moved toward the sea-coast, and coming in sight of one of
the English divisions, charged it with his whole force.
The English fought desperately, but the odds of seven to one were too
great, and they would have been overpowered had not the other two
divisions arrived on the spot and fallen upon the enemy's flanks. After
a severe and prolonged struggle the Genoese and Spaniards were
completely routed. The armed peasantry slew every fugitive they could
overtake, and of the 7,000 men with whom Don Louis commenced the battle
only 300 accompanied him in his flight to Rennes, the troops of Sir
Walter and De Clisson pursuing him to the very gates of that city. Sir
Walter marched back with his force to the ships, but finding the wind
unfavorable returned to Hennebon by land, capturing by the way the
castle of Goy la Forèt. Their return was joyfully welcomed, not only for
the victory which they had achieved, but because the enemy was again
drawing near to the town. Auray had fallen. The brave garrison, after
existing for some time upon the flesh of their horses, had endeavored to
cut their way through the besiegers. Most of them were killed in the
attempt, but a few escaped and made their way to Hennebon.
Vannes, an important town, and Carhaix quickly surrendered, and the
French force was daily receiving considerable reënforcements. This arose
from the fact that large numbers of French nobles and knights had, with
their followers, taken part with Alfonso, King of Castile and Leon, in
his war with the Moors. This had just terminated with the expulsion of
the latter from Spain, and the French knights and nobles on their way
home for the most part joined at once in the war which their countrymen
were waging in Bretagne.
Seeing the great force which was gathering for a fresh siege of
Hennebon, Sir Walter Manny and the Countess of Montford sent an urgent
message to King Edward for further support. The king was not yet ready,
but at the beginning of August he dispatched a force under the command
of the Earl of Northampton and Robert of Artois. It consisted of
twenty-seven knights bannerets and 2,000 men-at-arms. Before, however,
it could reach Hennebon the second siege of that city had begun. Charles
of Blois had approached it with a far larger army than that with which
he had on the first occasion sat down before it. Hennebon was, however,
much better prepared than at first for resistance. The walls had been
repaired, provisions and military stores laid up, and machines
constructed. The garrison was very much larger, and was commanded by one
of the most gallant knights of the age, and the citizens beheld
undaunted the approach of the great French army.
Four days after the French had arrived before Hennebon they were joined
by Don Louis, who had been severely wounded in the fight near Quimperlé,
and had lain for six weeks at Rennes. Sixteen great engines at once
began to cast stones against the walls, but Sir Walter caused sand-bags
to be lowered, and so protected the walls from the attack that little
damage was done. The garrison, confident in their powers to resist,
taunted the assailants from the walls, and specially enraged the
Spaniards and Don Louis by allusions to the defeat at Quimperlé.
So furious did the Spanish prince become that he took a step
unprecedented in those days of chivalry. He one morning entered the tent
of Charles of Blois, where a number of French nobles were gathered, and
demanded a boon in requital of all his services. Charles at once
assented, when, to his surprise and horror, Prince Louis demanded that
two English knights, Sir John Butler and Sir Hubert Frisnoy, who had
been captured in the course of the campaign and were kept prisoners at
Faouet, should be delivered to him to be executed. "These English," he
said, "have pursued, discomforted, and wounded me, and have killed the
nephew whom I loved so well, and as I have none other mode of vengeance
I will cut off their heads before their companions who lie within those
walls."
Charles of Blois and his nobles were struck with amazement and horror at
the demand, and used every means in their power to turn the savage
prince from his purpose, but in vain. They pointed out to him that his
name would be dishonored in all countries where the laws of chivalry
prevailed by such a deed, and besought him to choose some other boon.
Don Louis refused to yield, and Charles of Blois, finding no alternative
between breaking his promise and delivering his prisoners, at last
agreed to his request.
The prisoners were sent for, and were informed by Don Louis himself of
their approaching end. At first they could not believe that he was in
earnest, for such a proceeding was so utterly opposed to the spirit of
the times that it seemed impossible to them. Finding that he was in
earnest they warned him of the eternal stain which such a deed would
bring upon his name. The Spaniard, however, was unmoved either by their
words or by the entreaties of the French nobles, but told them that he
would give them a few hours to prepare for death, and that they should
be executed in sight of the walls after the usual dinner hour of the
army.
In those days sieges were not conducted in the strict manner in which
they are at present, and non-combatants passed without difficulty to and
fro between town and camp. The news, therefore, of what was intended
speedily reached the garrison, whom it filled with indignation and
horror. A council was immediately called, and Sir Walter Manny proposed
a plan, which was instantly adopted.
Without loss of time Almeric de Clisson issued forth from the great gate
of Hennebon, accompanied by 300 men-at-arms and 1,000 archers. The
latter took post at once along the edge of the ditches. The men-at-arms
rode straight for the enemy's camp, which was undefended, the whole army
being within their tents at dinner. Dashing into their midst the English
and Breton men-at-arms began to overthrow the tents and to spear all
that were in them. Not knowing the extent of the danger or the smallness
of the attacking force, the French knights sprang up from table,
mounted, and rode to encounter the assailants.
For some time these maintained their ground against all assaults until,
finding that the whole army was upon them, Almeric de Clisson gave order
for his troop to retire slowly upon the town. Fighting every step of the
ground and resisting obstinately the repeated onslaught of the French,
Clisson approached the gate. Here he was joined by the archers, who with
bent bows prepared to resist the advance of the French. As it now
appeared that the garrison were prepared to give battle outside the
walls, the whole French army prepared to move against them.
In the mean time Sir Walter Manny, with 100 men-at-arms and 500 horse
archers, issued by a sally-port on the other side of the town, and with
all speed rode round to the rear of the French camp. There he found none
to oppose him save servants and camp-followers, and making his way
straight to the tent of Charles of Blois, where the two knights were
confined, he soon freed them from their bonds. They were mounted without
wasting a moment's time upon two spare horses, and turning again the
whole party rode back toward Hennebon, and had reached the postern gate
before the fugitives from the camp reached the French commanders and
told them what had happened.
Seeing that he was now too late, because of De Clisson's sortie, Charles
of Blois recalled his army from the attack, in which he could only have
suffered heavily from the arrows of the archers and the missiles from
the walls. The same day, he learned from some prisoners captured in the
sortie, of the undiminished spirit of the garrison, and that Hennebon
was amply supplied by provisions brought by sea. His own army was
becoming straitened by the scarcity of supplies in the country round; he
therefore determined at once to raise the siege, and to besiege some
place where he would encounter less serious resistance.
Accordingly next morning he drew off his army and marched to Carhaix.
Shortly afterward the news came that the Earl of Northampton and Robert
of Artois, with their force, had sailed, and Don Louis, with the Genoese
and other Italian mercenaries, started to intercept them with a large
fleet. The fleets met off the island of Guernsey, and a severe
engagement took place, which lasted till night. During the darkness a
tremendous storm burst upon them and the combatants separated. The
English succeeded in making their way to Brittany and landed near
Vannes. The Spaniards captured four small ships which had been separated
in the storm from their consorts, but did not succeed in regaining the
coast of Brittany, being driven south by the storm as far as Spain. The
Earl of Northampton at once laid siege to Vannes, and Sir Walter Manny
moved with every man that could be spared from Hennebon to assist him.
As it was certain that the French army would press forward with all
speed to relieve the town, it was decided to lose no time in battering
the walls, but to attempt to carry it at once by assault. The walls,
however, were so strong that there seemed little prospect of success
attending such an attempt, and a plan was therefore determined upon by
which the enemy might be thrown off their guard. The assault commenced
at three points in the early morning and was continued all day. No great
vigor, however, was shown in these attempts, which were repulsed at all
points.
At nightfall the assailants drew off to their camp, and Oliver de
Clisson, who commanded the town, suffered his weary troops to quit the
walls and to seek for refreshment and repose. The assailants, however,
did not disarm, but after a sufficient time had elapsed to allow the
garrison to lay aside their armor two strong parties attacked the
principal gates of the town, while Sir Walter Manny and the Earl of
Oxford moved round to the opposite side with ladders for an escalade.
The plan was successful. The garrison, snatching up their arms, hurried
to repel their attack upon the gates, every man hastening in that
direction. Sir Walter Manny with his party were therefore enabled to
mount the walls unobserved and make their way into the town; here they
fell upon the defenders in the rear, and the sudden onslaught spread
confusion and terror among them. The parties at the gates forced their
way in and joined their friends, and the whole of the garrison were
killed or taken prisoners, save a few, including Oliver Clisson, who
made their escape by sally-ports. Robert of Artois, with the Earl of
Stafford, was left with a garrison to hold the town. The Earl of
Salisbury, with four thousand men, proceeded to lay siege to Rennes, and
Sir Walter Manny hastened back to Hennebon.
Some of Sir Walter's men formed part of the garrison of Vannes, and
among these was Sir John Powis with a hundred men-at-arms.
The knight had been so pleased with Walter's coolness and courage at the
siege at Hennebon that he requested Sir Walter to leave him with him at
Vannes. "It is possible," he said to Walter, "that we may have fighting
here. Methinks that Sir Walter would have done better to leave a
stronger force. The town is a large one, and the inhabitants
ill-disposed toward us. Oliver Clisson and the French nobles will feel
their honor wounded at the way in which we outwitted them, and will
likely enough make an effort to regain the town. However, Rennes and
Hennebon are not far away, and we may look for speedy aid from the Earl
of Salisbury and Sir Walter should occasion arise."
Sir John's previsions were speedily verified. Oliver Clisson and his
friends were determined to wipe out their defeat and scattered through
the country, raising volunteers from among the soldiery in all the
neighboring towns and castles, and a month after Vannes was taken they
suddenly appeared before the town with an army of 12,000 men, commanded
by Beaumanoir, Marshal of Bretagne for Charles of Blois. The same
reasons which had induced the Earl of Northampton to decide upon a
speedy assault instead of the slow process of breaching the walls,
actuated the French in pursuing the same course, and, divided into a
number of storming parties, the army advanced at once to the assault on
the walls. The little garrison prepared for the defense.
"The outlook is bad, Walter," Sir John Powis said. "These men approach
with an air of resolution which shows that they are bent upon success.
They outnumber us by twelve to one, and it is likely enough that the
citizens may rise and attack us in the rear. They have been ordered to
bring the stones for the machines to the walls, but not one has laid his
hand to the work. We must do our duty as brave men, my lad, but I doubt
me if yonder is not the last sun which we shall see. Furious as the
French are at our recent success here, you may be sure that little
quarter will be given."
CHAPTER X.
A PLACE OF REFUGE.
The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their
commanders, and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy
capture of Vannes by the English, advanced with ardor to the assault,
and officers and men vied with each other in the valor which they
displayed. In vain did the garrison shower arrows and cross-bow bolts
among them, and pour down boiling oil and quicklime upon them as they
thronged at the foot of the wall. In vain were the ladders, time after
time, hurled back loaded with men upon the mass below. The efforts of
the men-at-arms to scale the defenses were seconded by their archers and
cross-bowmen, who shot such a storm of bolts that great numbers of the
defenders were killed. The assault was made at a score of different
points, and the garrison was too weak to defend all with success. Sir
John Powis and his party repulsed over and over again the efforts of the
assailants against that part of the wall intrusted to them, but at other
points the French gained a footing, and swarming up rushed along the
walls, slaying all whom they encountered.
"All is lost," Sir John exclaimed; "let us fall back to the castle and
die fighting there."
Descending from the wall the party made their way through the streets.
The French were already in the town; every house was closed and barred,
and from the upper windows the burghers hurled down stones and bricks
upon the fugitives, while parties of the French soldiers fell upon them
fiercely. Many threw down their arms and cried for quarter, but were
instantly slain.
For awhile the streets were a scene of wild confusion; here and there
little knots of Englishmen stood together and defended themselves until
the last, others ran through the streets chased by their exulting foes,
some tried in vain to gain shelter in the houses. Sir John Powis' band
was soon broken and scattered, and their leader slain by a heavy stone
from a housetop. Walter fought his way blindly forward toward the
castle, although he well knew that no refuge would be found there. Ralph
Smith kept close beside him, leveling many of his assailants with the
tremendous blows of a huge mace. Somehow, Walter hardly knew how, they
made their way through their assailants and dashed in at the castle
gate. A crowd of their assailants were close upon their heels. Walter
glanced round; dashing across the court-yard he ran through some
passages into an inner yard, in which, as he knew, was the well. The
bucket hung at the windlass.
"Catch hold, Ralph!" he exclaimed; "there is just a chance, and we may
as well be drowned as killed." They grasped the rope and jumped off. The
bucket began to descend with frightful velocity. Faster and faster it
went and yet it seemed a long time before they plunged into the water,
which was nigh a hundred feet below the surface. Fortunately the rope
was considerably longer than was necessary, and they sank many feet into
the water, still retaining their hold. Then clinging to the rope they
hauled themselves to the surface.
"We cannot hold on here five minutes," Ralph exclaimed; "my armor is
dragging me down."
"We will soon get rid of that," Walter said. "There go our helmets; now
I will hold on with one hand and help you to unbuckle your breast and
back pieces; you do the same for me."
With great efforts they managed to rid themselves of their armor, and
then held on with ease to the rope. They hauled the bucket to the
surface and tied a knot in the slack of the rope, so that the bucket
hung four feet below the level of the water. Putting their feet in this,
they were able to stand with their heads above the surface without
difficulty.
"This is a nice fix," Ralph exclaimed. "I think it would have been just
as well to have been killed at once. They are sure to find us here, and
if they don't we shall die of cold before to-morrow morning."
"I don't think they will find us," Walter said cheerfully. "When they
have searched the castle thoroughly it may occur to some of them that
we have jumped down the well, but it will be no particular business of
any one to look for us, and they will all be too anxious to get at the
wine butts to trouble their heads about the matter; besides, it must be
a heavy job to wind up this bucket, and it is not likely there will be
such urgent need of water that any one will undertake the task."
"But we are no better off if they don't," Ralph remarked, "for we must
die here if we are not hauled out. I suppose you don't intend to try and
climb that rope. I might do twenty feet or so on a pinch, but I could no
more get up to the top there than I could fly."
"We must think it over," Walter rejoined; "where there is a will there's
a way, you know. We will take it by turns to watch that little patch of
light overhead; if we see any one looking down we must leave the bucket
and swim to the side without making the least noise. They may give a few
turns of the windlass to see if any one has hold of the rope below; be
sure you do not make the slightest splashing or noise, for the sound
would be heard above to a certainty."
Ten minutes later they saw two heads appear above, and instantly
withdrew their feet from the bucket and made a stroke to the side, which
was but four feet distant, being careful as they did so that no motion
was imparted to the rope. Then, though it was too dark to see anything,
they heard the bucket lifted from the water. A minute later it fell back
again with a splash, then all was quiet.
"We are safe now, and can take our place in the bucket. They are
satisfied that if we did jump down here we are drowned. And now we must
think about climbing up."
"Ay, that will require a good deal of thinking," Ralph grumbled.
For some time there was silence; then Walter said, "The first thing to
do is to cut off the slack of the rope; there are some twelve feet of
it. Then we will unwind the strands of that. There are five or six large
strands as far as I can feel; we will cut them up into lengths of about
a couple of feet, and we ought to be able to tie these to the rope in
such a way as not to slip down with our weight. If we tie them four feet
apart we can go up step by step; I don't see much difficulty about
that."
"No," Ralph said much more cheerfully, "I should think that we could
manage that."
They at once set to work. The rope was cut up and unraveled, and the
strands cut into pieces about two feet long. They then both set to work
trying to discover some way of fastening it by which it would not slip
down the rope. They made many fruitless attempts; each time that a
strand was fastened with a loop large enough for them to pass a leg
through, it slid down the rope when their weight was applied to it. At
last they succeeded in finding out a knot which would hold. This was
done by tying a knot close to one end of a piece of the strand, then
sufficient was left to form the loop, and the remainder was wound round
the rope in such away that the weight only served to tighten its hold.
"Shall we begin at once?" Ralph said, when success was achieved.
"No, we had better wait until nightfall. The vibration of the rope when
our weight once gets on it might be noticed by any one crossing the
court-yard."
"Do you think we have sufficient bits of rope?" Ralph asked.
"Just enough, I think," Walter replied; "there were six strands, and
each has made six pieces, so we have thirty-six. I know the well is
about a hundred feet deep, for the other day I heard some of the
soldiers who were drawing water grumbling over the labor required. So if
we put them three feet apart it will take thirty-three of them, which
will leave three over; but we had better place them a little over a yard
so as to make sure."
In a short time the fading brightness of the circle of light far
overhead told them that twilight had commenced, and shortly afterward
they attached the first strand to the rope some three feet above the
water.
"Now," Walter said, "I will go first, at any rate for a time. I must put
one leg through the loop, and sit, as it were, while I fasten the one
above, as I shall want both hands for the work. You will find it a good
deal easier to stand with your foot in the loop. If I get tired I will
fasten another loop by the side of that on which I am resting, so you
can come up and pass me. There is no hurry. It ought not to take up
above an hour, and it will not do for us to get to the top until the
place becomes a little quiet. To-night they are sure to be drinking and
feasting over their victory until late."
They now set to work, and step by step mounted the rope. They found the
work less arduous than they had expected. The rope was dry, and the
strands held tightly to it. Two or three times they changed places,
resting in turn from their work; but in less than two hours from the
time they made the first loop Walter's head and shoulders appeared above
the level of the court-yard. He could hear sounds of shouting and
singing within the castle, and knew that a great feast was going on.
Descending a step or two he held parley with Ralph.
"I think, perhaps, it will be better to sally out at once. Everyone is
intent on his own pleasure, and we shall have no difficulty in slipping
out of the castle unnoticed. All will be feasting and rioting in the
town, and so long as we do not brush against any one so that they may
feel our wet garments we are little likely to be noticed; besides, the
gates of the town will stand open late, for people from the villages
round will have come in to join in the revels."
"I am ready to try it, Master Walter," Ralph replied, "for I ache from
head to foot with holding on to this rope. The sooner the better, say
I."
In another minute both stood in the court-yard. It was a retired spot,
and none were passing. Going along the passage they issued into the main
yard. Here great fires were blazing, and groups of men sat round them
drinking and shouting. Many lay about in drunken sleep.
"Stay where you are in the shade, Ralph. You had best lie down by the
foot of the wall. Any one who passes will think that you are in a
drunken sleep. I will creep forward and possess myself of the steel caps
of two of these drunkards, and if I can get a couple of cloaks so much
the better."
There was no difficulty about the caps, and by dint of unbuckling the
cloaks and rolling their wearers gently over, Walter succeeded at last
in obtaining two of them. He also picked up a sword for Ralph--his own
still hung in its sheath--and then he joined his companion, and the two
putting on the steel caps and cloaks walked quietly to the gate. There
were none on guard, and they issued unmolested into the town. Here all
was revelry. Bonfires blazed in the streets. Hogsheads of wine, with the
heads knocked out, stood before many of the houses for all to help
themselves who wished. Drunken soldiers reeled along shouting snatches
of songs, and the burghers in the highest state of hilarity thronged the
ways.
"First of all, Ralph, we will have a drink of wine, for I am chilled to
the bone."
"Ay, and so am I," Ralph replied. "I got hot enough climbing that rope,
but now the cold has got hold of me again, and my teeth are chattering
in my head."
Picking up one of the fallen vessels by a cask they dipped it in and
took a long draught of wine; then, turning off from the principal
streets, they made their way by quiet lanes down to one of the gates. To
their dismay they found that this was closed. The French commanders knew
that Sir Walter Manny or Salisbury might ere this be pressing forward to
relieve the town, and that, finding that it had fallen, they might
attempt to recapture it by a sudden attack. While permitting, therefore,
the usual license, after a successful assault, to the main body of their
forces, they had placed a certain number of their best troops on the
walls, giving them a handsome largess to make up for their loss of the
festivities.
At first Walter and his friend feared that their retreat was cut off for
the night, but several other people presently arrived, and the officer
on guard said, coming out, "You must wait awhile; the last batch have
only just gone, and I cannot keep opening and closing the gate; in half
an hour I will let you out."
Before that time elapsed some fifty or sixty people, anxious to return
to their villages, gathered round the gate.
"Best lay aside your steel cap, Ralph, before we join them," Walter
said. "In the dim light of that lamp none will notice that we have no
head gear, but if it were to glint upon the steel cap the officer might
take us for deserters and question us as to who we are."
Presently the officer came out from the guard-room again. There was a
forward movement of the little crowd, and Walter and Ralph closed in to
their midst. The gates were opened, and without any question the
villagers passed out, and the gates were shut instantly behind them.
Walter and his comrade at once started at a brisk pace and walked all
night in the direction of Hennebon. Their clothes soon dried, and elated
at their escape from danger they struggled on briskly. When morning
broke they entered a wood, and lay there till evening, as they feared to
continue their journey lest they might fall into the hands of some
roving band of French horse. They were, too, dog-tired, and were asleep
a few minutes after they lay down. The sun was setting when they awoke,
and as soon as it was dark they resumed their journey.
"I don't know what you feel, Master Walter, but I am well-nigh famished.
It is thirty-six hours since I swallowed a bit of food, just as the
French were moving to the attack. Hard blows I don't mind--I have been
used to it; but what with fighting, and being in the water for five or
six hours, and climbing up that endless rope, and walking all night on
an empty stomach, it does not suit me at all."
"I feel ravenous too, Ralph, but there is no help for it. We shall eat
nothing till we are within the walls of Hennebon, and that will be by
daylight to-morrow if all goes well. Draw your belt an inch or two
tighter, it will help to keep out the wolf."
They kept on all night, and in the morning saw to their delight the
towers of Hennebon in the distance. It was well that it was no further,
for both were so exhausted from want of food that they could with
difficulty drag their legs along.
Upon entering the town Walter made his way at once to the quarters of
the leader. Sir Walter had just risen, and was delighted at the sight of
his esquire.
"I had given you up for dead," he exclaimed. "By what miracle could you
have escaped? Are you alone?"
"I have with me only my faithful follower, Ralph Smith, who is below;
but, Sir Walter, for mercy's sake order that some food be placed before
us, or we shall have escaped from the French only to die of hunger here.
We have tasted naught since the attack on Vannes began. Have any besides
us escaped?"
"Lord Stafford contrived, with two or three others, to cut their way out
by a postern-gate, bringing with them Robert of Artois, who is
grievously wounded. None others, save you and your man-at-arms, have
made their way here."
In a few minutes a cold capon, several manchets of bread, and a stoop of
wine were placed before Walter, while Ralph's wants were attended to
below. When he had satisfied his hunger the young esquire related his
adventures to Sir Walter and several other knights and nobles, who had
by this time gathered in the room.
"In faith, Master Somers, you have got well out of your scrape," Sir
Walter exclaimed. "Had I been in your place I should assuredly have
perished, for I would a thousand times rather meet death sword in hand
than drop down into the deep hole of that well. And your brains served
you shrewdly in devising a method of escape. What say you, gentlemen?"
All present joined in expressions of praise at the lad's coolness and
presence of mind.
"You are doing well, young sir," the English leader went on, "and have
distinguished yourself on each occasion on which we have been engaged. I
shall be proud when the time comes to bestow upon you myself the order
of knighthood if our king does not take the matter off my hands."
A little later Robert of Artois died of his wounds and disappointment at
the failure of his hopes.
In October King Edward himself set sail with a great army, and landing
in Brittany early in November, marched forward through the country and
soon reduced Ploermel, Malestrail, Redon, and the rest of the province
in the vicinity of Vannes, and then laid siege to that town. As his
force was far more than sufficient for the siege, the Earls of Norfolk
and Warwick were dispatched in the direction of Nantes to reconnoiter
the country and clear it of any small bodies of the enemy they might
encounter. In the mean time Edward opened negotiations with many of the
Breton lords, who, seeing that such powerful aid had arrived for the
cause of the Countess of Montford, were easily persuaded to change
sides. Among them were the Lords of Clisson, Moheac, Machecoul, Retz,
and many others of less importance.
The Count of Valentinois, who commanded the garrison of Vannes,
supported the siege with great courage and fortitude, knowing that
Charles of Blois and the King of France were collecting a great army for
his relief. Uniting their forces, they advanced toward the town. Before
the force of the French, 40,000 strong, the Earl of Norfolk had fallen
back and rejoined the king; but even after this junction the French
forces exceeded those of Edward fourfold. They advanced toward Vannes
and formed a large intrenched camp near that of the English, who thus,
while still besieging Vannes, were themselves inclosed by a vastly
superior force. The King of France himself arrived at the French camp.
The French, although so greatly superior, made no motion toward
attacking the English, but appeared bent upon either starving them out
or forcing them to attack the strongly intrenched position occupied by
the French.
Provisions were indeed running short in the English camp, and the
arrival of supplies from England was cut off by a strong fleet under Don
Louis, which cruised off the coast and captured all vessels arriving
with stores. At this moment two legates, the Cardinal Bishop of Preneste
and the Cardinal Bishop of Tusculum, arrived from the pope and strove to
mediate between the two sovereigns and to bring about a cessation of
hostilities, pointing out to them the scandal and desolation which
their rivalry caused in Christendom, the waste of noble lives, the
devastation of once happy provinces, and the effusion of innocent blood.
Going from camp to camp they exhorted, prayed, and reproached the rival
sovereigns, urging that while Christians were shedding each other's
blood in vain, the infidels were daily waxing bolder and more insolent.
Their arguments would have been but of little use had either of the
monarchs felt sure of victory. King Edward, however, felt that his
position was growing desperate, for starvation was staring him in the
face, and only by a victory over an immensely superior force in a
strongly intrenched position could he extricate himself. Upon the part
of the French, however, circumstances were occurring which rendered them
anxious for a release from their position, for they were not without
their share of suffering. While the English army lay on a hill the
French camp was pitched on low ground. An unusually wet season had set
in with bitterly cold wind. The rain was incessant, a pestilence had
destroyed a vast number of their horses, and their encampment was
flooded. Their forces were therefore obliged to spread themselves over
the neighboring fields, and a sudden attack by the English might have
been fatal.
Thus distress pressed upon both commanders, and the pope's legates found
their exertions at last crowned with success. A suspension of
hostilities was agreed to, and the Dukes of Burgundy and Bourbon on the
one side and the Earls of Lancaster, Northampton, and Salisbury on the
other met as commissioners and agreed to a convention by which a general
truce was to be made from the date of the treaty to the following
Michaelmas, and to be prolonged from that day for the full term of three
years. It was agreed that the truce should embrace not only the
sovereigns, but all the adherents of each of them. The truce was to hold
good in Brittany between all parties, and the city of Vannes was to be
given into the hand of the cardinals to dispose of as they chose. It was
specially provided that in the case of any of the adherents of either
party in the duchies of Gascony and Brittany waging war against each
other, neither of the monarchs should either directly or indirectly
meddle therewith, nor should the truce be at all broken thereby.
Immediately the treaty was signed, on the 19th of January, 1343, the
King of France dismissed his army, and Edward sailed for England with
the greater part of his troops. The Countess of Montford and her son
accompanied him, and the possessions of her husband in Brittany were
left to the guardianship of her partisans, with a small but choice body
of English troops.
The towns which had fallen into their hands and still remained were
Brest, Quimper-Corentin, Quimperlé, Redon, and Guerande; Vannes was
handed over to them by the cardinals, and Hennebon, of course, remained
in their possession.
Walter returned to England with Sir Walter Manny, and on reaching London
was received with delight by his old friends Geoffrey Ward and Giles
Fletcher, who were never tired of listening to his tales of the wars.
Dame Vernon also received him with great kindness, and congratulated him
warmly upon the very favorable account which Sir Walter Manny had given
of his zeal and gallantry.
The time now for awhile passed very quietly. Walter and the other young
squires practiced diligently, under the instructions of Sir Walter, at
knightly exercises. Walter learned to bear himself well on horseback and
to tilt in the ring. He was already a skillful swordsman, but he spared
no pains to improve himself with his weapons. The court was a gay one,
and Walter, as a favored esquire of one of the foremost knights there,
was admitted to all that took place. His courtly education, of course,
included dancing, and when he went down, as he often did, for a long
chat with his old friends, Geoffrey often said, laughing, that he was
growing such a fine gentleman that he hardly liked to sit in his
presence; but although changed in manner, Walter continued to be, as
before, a frank, manly young fellow, and free from the affectations
which were so general among the young men of the court.
CHAPTER XI.
A STORMY INTERVIEW.
Soon after Walter's return from France Dame Vernon returned to her
country estate, and a year passed before he again saw her. During this
time the truce which had been established between England and France had
remained unbroken. It was certain, however, that ere long the two powers
would again come to blows. The King of England had honorably observed
the terms of the treaty. Upon his return home he had entirely disbanded
his army and had devoted his whole attention to increasing the trade and
prosperity of the country. The measures which he took to do this were
not always popular with the people of England, for seeing how greatly
they excelled the English manufacturers Edward encouraged large numbers
of Flemings and other foreign workmen to settle in London, and gave them
many privileges to induce them to do so; this the populace strongly
resented. There was a strong ill-feeling against the Flemings and
serious popular riots took place, for the English traders and workmen
considered that these foreigners were taking the bread from their
mouths. The king, however, was wiser than his people, he saw that
although the English weavers were able to produce coarse cloths, yet
that all of the finer sort had to be imported from the Continent. He
deemed that in time the Flemings would teach their art to his subjects,
and that England would come to vie with the Low Countries in the quality
of her produce. Such was indeed afterward the case, and England gained
greatly by the importation of the industrious Flemings, just as she
afterward profited from the expulsion from France of tens of thousands
of Protestant workmen who brought here many of the manufactures of which
France had before the monopoly. The relations between England and the
Flemings were at this time very close, for the latter regarded England
as her protector against the ambition of the King of France.
But while King Edward had laid aside all thought of war, such was not
the case with Philip of Valois. He had retired after the signature of
the treaty full of rage and humiliation; for hitherto in all their
struggles his English rival had had the better of him, and against
vastly superior forces had foiled all his efforts and had gained alike
glory and military advantage. King Edward had hardly set sail when
Philip began to break the terms of truce by inciting the adherents of
Charles of Blois to attack those of De Montford, and by rendering
assistance to them with money and men. He also left no means untried to
detach Flanders from its alliance with England. Several castles and
towns in Brittany were wrested from the partisans of De Montford, and
King Edward, after many remonstrances at the breaches of the conditions
of the truce, began again to make preparations for taking the field.
Several brilliant tournaments were held and every means were taken to
stir up the warlike spirit of the people.
One day Walter had attended his lord to the palace and was waiting in
the anteroom with many other squires and gentlemen, while Sir Walter,
with some other noblemen, was closeted with the king, discussing the
means to be adopted for raising funds for a renewal of the war with
France, when a knight entered whom Walter had not previously seen at
court.
"Who is that?" he asked one of his acquaintances; "methinks I know his
face, though it passes my memory to say where I have seen it."
"He has been away from England for some two years," his friend answered.
"That is Sir James Carnegie; he is a cousin of the late Sir Jasper
Vernon; he left somewhat suddenly a short time after Dame Vernon had
that narrow escape from drowning that you wot of; he betook himself then
to Spain, where he has been fighting the Moors; he is said to be a
valiant knight, but otherwise he bears but an indifferent good
reputation."
Walter remembered the face now; it was that of the knight he had seen
enter the hut of the river pirate on the Lambeth marshes. When released
from duty he at once made his way to the lodging of Dame Vernon. Walter
was now nineteen, for a year had elapsed since the termination of the
French war, and he was in stature and strength the match of most men,
while his skill at knightly exercises, as well as with the sword, was
recognized as preeminent among all the young esquires of the court.
After the first greeting he said to Dame Vernon: "I think it right to
tell you, lady, that I have but now, in the king's anteroom, seen the
man who plotted against your life in the hut at Lambeth. His face is a
marked one and I could not mistake it. I hear that he is a cousin of
yours, one Sir James Carnegie, as you doubtless recognized from my
description of him. I came to tell you in order that you might decide
what my conduct should be. If you wish it so I will keep the secret in
my breast; but if you fear aught from him I will openly accuse him
before the king of the crime he attempted, and shall be ready to meet
him in the ordeal of battle should he claim it."
"I have seen Sir James," Lady Vernon said. "I had a letter writ in a
feigned hand telling him that his handiwork in the plot against my life
was known, and warning him that, unless he left England, the proofs
thereof would be laid before justice. He at once sailed for Spain,
whence he has returned but a few days since. He does not know for
certain that I am aware of his plottings against us; but he must have
seen by my reception of him when he called that I no longer regard him
with the friendship which I formerly entertained. I have received a
message from him that he will call upon me this evening, and that he
trusts he will find me alone, as he would fain confer with me on private
matters. When I have learned his intentions I shall be the better able
to judge what course I had best adopt. I would fain, if it may be, let
the matter rest. Sir James has powerful interest, and I would not have
him for an open enemy if I can avoid it; besides, all the talk and
publicity which so grave an accusation against a knight, and he of mine
own family, would entail, would be very distasteful to me; but should I
find it necessary for the sake of my child, I shall not shrink from it.
I trust, however, that it will not come to that; but I shall not
hesitate, if need be, to let him know that I am acquainted with his evil
designs toward us. I will inform you of as much of our interview as it
is necessary that you should know."
That evening Sir James Carnegie called upon Dame Vernon. "I would not
notice it the other day, fair cousin," he said, in return for her stiff
and ceremonious greeting; "but methinks that you are mightily changed in
your bearing toward me. I had looked on my return from my long
journeying for something of the sisterly warmth with which you once
greeted me, but I find you as cold and hard as if I had been altogether
a stranger to you. I would fain know in what way I have forfeited your
esteem."
"I do not wish to enter into bygones, Sir James," the lady said, "and
would fain let the past sleep if you will let me. Let us, then, turn
without more ado to the private matters concerning which you wished to
speak with me."
"If such is your mood, fair dame, I must needs fall in with it, though
in no way able to understand your allusion to the past, wherein my
conscience holds me guiltless of aught which could draw upon me your
disfavor. I am your nearest male relative, and as such would fain confer
with you touching the future of young Mistress Edith, your daughter. She
is now nigh thirteen years of age, and is the heiress of broad lands; is
it not time that she were betrothed to one capable of taking care of
them for her, and leading your vassals to battle in these troubled
times?"
"Thanks, Sir James, for your anxiety about my child," Dame Vernon said
coldly. "She is a ward of the king. I am in no way anxious that an early
choice should be made for her; but our good Queen Philippa has promised
that, when the time shall come, his majesty shall not dispose of her
hand without my wishes being in some way consulted; and I have no doubt
that when the time shall come that she is of marriageable age--and I
would not that this should be before she has gained eighteen years, for
I like not the over young marriages which are now in fashion--a knight
may be found for her husband capable of taking care of her and her
possessions; but may I ask if, in so speaking to me, you have any one in
your mind's eye as a suitor for her hand?"
"Your manner is not encouraging, certes; but I had my plan, which would,
I hoped, have met with your approval. I am the young lady's cousin, and
her nearest male relative; and although we are within the limited
degrees, there will be no difficulty in obtaining a dispensation from
Rome. I am myself passably well off, and some of the mortgages which I
had been forced to lay upon my estates have been cleared off during my
absence. I have returned home with some reputation, and with a goodly
sum gained in the wars with the Moors. I am older than my cousin,
certainly; but as I am still but thirty-two, this would not, I hope, be
deemed an obstacle, and methought that you would rather intrust her to
your affectionate cousin than to a stranger. The king has received me
very graciously, and would, I trust, offer no opposition to my suit were
it backed by your good-will."
"I suppose, Sir James," Dame Vernon said, "that I should thank you for
the offer which you have made; but I can only reply, that while duly
conscious of the high honor you have done my daughter by your offer, I
would rather see her in her grave than wedded to you."
The knight leaped from his seat with a fierce exclamation. "This is too
much," he exclaimed, "and I have a right to know why such an offer on my
part should be answered by disdain, and even insolence."
[Illustration: DAME ALICE REVEALS SIR JAMES' VILLAINY.--Page 187.]
"You have a right to know," Dame Vernon answered quietly, "and I will
tell you. I repeat that I would rather see my child in her grave than
wedded to a man who attempted to compass the murder of her and her
mother."
"What wild words are these?" Sir James asked sternly. "What accusation
is this that you dare to bring against me?"
"I repeat what I said, Sir James," Dame Alice replied quietly. "I know
that you plotted with the water pirates of Lambeth to upset our boat as
we came down the Thames; that you treacherously delayed us at Richmond
in order that we might not reach London before dark; and that by
enveloping me in a white cloak you gave a signal by which I might be
known to your creatures."
The knight stood for a moment astounded. He was aware that the fact that
he had had some share in the outrage was known, and was not surprised
that his cousin was acquainted with the secret; but that she should know
all the details with which but one besides himself was, as he believed,
acquainted, completely stupefied him. He rapidly, however, recovered
himself.
"I recall now," he said scornfully, "the evidence which was given before
the justices by some ragged city boy, to the effect that he had
overheard a few words of a conversation between some ruffian over in the
Lambeth marshes and an unknown person; but it is new to me indeed that
there was any suspicion that I was the person alluded to, still less
that a lady of my own family, in whose affection I believed, should
credit so monstrous an accusation."
"I would that I could discredit it, Sir James," Dame Vernon said sadly;
"but the proofs were too strong for me. Much more of your conversation
than was narrated in court was overheard, and it was at my request that
the ragged boy, as you call him, kept silence."
"And is it possible," the knight asked indignantly, "that you believed
the word of a fellow like this to the detriment of your kinsman? Why, in
any court of law the word of such a one as opposed to that of a knight
and gentleman of honor would not be taken for a moment."
"You are mistaken, sir," Dame Vernon said haughtily. "You may remember,
in the first place, that the lad who overheard this conversation risked
his life to save me and my daughter from the consequences of the attack
which he heard planned; in the second place, he was no ragged lad, but
the apprentice of a well-known citizen; thirdly--and this is of
importance, since he has recognized you since your return, and is ready,
should I give him the word, to denounce you--he is no mere apprentice
boy, but is of gentle blood, seeing that he is the son of Sir Roland
Somers, the former possessor of the lands which I hold, and that he is
in high favor with the good knight Sir Walter Manny, whose esquire he
now is, and under whom he distinguished himself in the wars in France,
and is, as Sir Walter assures me, certain to win his spurs ere long.
Thus you see his bare word would be of equal value to your own, besides
the fact that his evidence does not rest upon mere assertion; but that
the man in the hut promised to do what you actually performed, namely,
to delay me at Richmond, and to wrap me in a white cloak in order that I
might be recognized by the river pirates."
Sir James was silent. In truth, as he saw, the evidence was
overwhelmingly strong against him. After awhile he stammered out, "I
cannot deny that I was the man in question; but I swear to you that this
boy was mistaken, and that the scoundrel acted altogether beyond my
instructions, which were simply that he should board the boat and carry
you and your daughter away to a safe place."
"And with what object, sir," Dame Vernon said contemptuously, "was I to
be thus taken away?"
"I do not seek to excuse myself," the knight replied calmly, having now
recovered his self-possession, "for I own I acted wrongly and basely;
but in truth I loved you, and would fain have made you my wife. I knew
that you regarded me with only the calm affection of a kinswoman; but I
thought that were you in my power you would consent to purchase your
freedom with your hand. I know now that I erred greatly. I acknowledge
my fault, and that my conduct was base and unknightly, and my only
excuse is the great love I bore you."
"And which," the lady said sarcastically, "you have now transferred to
my daughter. I congratulate you, Sir James, upon the possession of a
ready wit and an invention which does not fail you at a pinch, and of a
tongue which repeats unfalteringly any fable which your mind may
dictate. You do not, I suppose, expect me to believe the tale. Still, I
own that it is a well-devised one, and might, at a pinch, pass muster;
but fear not, Sir James. As hitherto I have kept silence as to the
author of the outrage committed upon me, so I have no intention of
proclaiming the truth now unless you force me to do so. Suffice that
both for myself and for my daughter I disclaim the honor of your hand.
So long as you offer no molestation to us, and abstain from troubling us
in any way, so long will my mouth be sealed; and I would fain bury in my
breast the memory of your offense. I will not give the world's tongue
occasion to wag by any open breach between kinsfolk, and shall therefore
in public salute you as an acquaintance, but under no pretense whatever
will I admit you to any future private interview. Now leave me, sir, and
I trust that your future life will show that you deeply regret the
outrage which in your greed for my husband's lands you were tempted to
commit."
Without a word Sir James turned and left the room, white with shame and
anger, but with an inward sense of congratulation at the romance which
he had, on the spur of the moment, invented, and which would, he felt
sure, be accepted by the world as probable, in the event of the share he
had in the matter being made public, either upon the denunciation of
Dame Vernon or in any other manner.
One determination, however, he made, and swore, to himself, that he
would bitterly avenge himself upon the youth whose interference had
thwarted his plans, and whose report to his kinswoman had turned her
mind against him. He, at any rate, should be put out of the way at the
first opportunity, and thus the only witness against himself be removed;
for Lady Vernon's own unsupported story would be merely her word against
his, and could be treated as the malicious fiction of an angry woman.
The following day Dame Vernon sent for Walter, and informed him exactly
what had taken place.
"Between Sir James and me," she said, "there is, you see, a truce. We
are enemies, but we agree to lay aside our arms for the time. But,
Walter, you must be on your guard. You know as well as I do how
dangerous this man is, and how good a cause he has to hate you. I would
not have divulged your name had I not known that the frequency of your
visits here and the encouragement which I openly give you as the future
suitor of my daughter, would be sure to come to his ears, and he would
speedily discover that it was you who saved our lives on the Thames and
gave your testimony before the justices as to the conversation in the
hut on the marshes. Thus I forestalled what he would in a few days have
learned."
"I fear him not, lady," Walter said calmly. "I can hold mine own, I
hope, against him in arms, and having the patronage and friendship of
Sir Walter Manny I am above any petty malice. Nevertheless, I will hold
myself on my guard. I will, so far as possible, avoid any snare which he
may, as 'tis not unlikely, set for my life, and will, so far as I
honorably can, avoid any quarrel with which he may seek to saddle me."
A few days later Walter again met Sir James Carnegie in the king's
anteroom, and saw at once, by the fixed look of hate with which he had
regarded him, that he had already satisfied himself of his identity. He
returned the knight's stare with a cold look of contempt. The knight
moved toward him and in a low tone said, "Beware, young sir, I have a
heavy reckoning against you, and James Carnegie never forgets debts of
that kind!"
"I am warned, Sir James," Walter said calmly, but in the same low tone,
"and, believe me, I hold but very lightly the threats of one who does
not succeed even when he conspires against the lives of women and
children."
Sir James started as if he had been struck. Then with a great effort he
recovered his composure, and, repeating the word "Beware!" walked across
to the other side of the chamber.
The next day Walter went down the river and had a talk with his friend
Geoffrey.
"You must beware, lad," the armorer said when he told him of the return
of Sir James Carnegie and the conversation which had taken place between
them. "This man is capable of anything, and careth not where he chooseth
his instruments. The man of the hut at Lambeth has never been caught
since his escape from Richmond Jail--thanks, doubtless, to the gold of
his employer--and, for aught we know, may still be lurking in the
marshes there, or in the purlieus of the city. He will have a grudge
against you as well as his employer, and in him Sir James would find a
ready instrument. He is no doubt connected, as before, with a gang of
water pirates and robbers, and it is not one sword alone that you would
have to encounter. I think not that you are in danger just at present,
for he would know that, in case of your murder, the suspicions of Dame
Vernon and of any others who may know the motive which he has in getting
rid of you would be excited, and he might be accused in having had a
share in your death. Still, it would be so hard to prove aught against
him that he may be ready to run the risk in order to rid himself of you.
Look here, Walter. What think you of this?" and the smith drew out from
a coffer a shirt of mail of finer work than Walter had ever before seen.
"Ay, lad, I knew you would be pleased," he said in answer to Walter's
exclamation at the fineness of the workmanship. "I bought this a month
ago from a Jew merchant who had recently come from Italy. How he got it
I know not, but I doubt if it were honestly, or he would have demanded a
higher price than I paid him. He told me that it was made by the first
armorer in Milan, and was constructed especially for a cardinal of the
church, who had made many enemies by his evil deeds and could not sleep
for fear of assassination. At his death it came, the Jew said, into his
possession. I suppose some rascally attendant took it as a perquisite,
and, knowing not of its value, sold it for a few ducats to the Jew.
However, it is of the finest workmanship. It is, as you see, double, and
each link is made of steel so tough that no dagger or sword point will
pierce it. I put it on a block and tried the metal myself, and broke one
of my best daggers on it without a single link giving. Take it, lad. You
are welcome to it. I bought it with a special eye to you, thinking that
you might wear it under your armor in battle without greatly adding to
the weight; but for such dangers as threaten you now it is invaluable.
It is so light and soft that none will dream that you have it under your
doublet, and I warrant me it will hold you safe against the daggers of
Sir James' ruffians."
Walter did not like taking a gift so valuable, for his apprenticeship as
an armorer had taught him the extreme rarity and costliness of so fine a
piece of work. Geoffrey, however, would not hear of his refusal, and
insisted on his then and there taking off his doublet and putting it on.
It fitted closely to the body, descending just below the hips, and
coming well up on the neck, while the arms extended to the wrists.
"There!" the smith said with delight. "Now you are safe against sword or
dagger, save for a sweeping blow at the head, and that your sword can be
trusted to guard. Never take it off, Walter, save when you sleep; and
except when in your own bed, at Sir Walter Manny's, I should advise you
to wear it even at night. The weight is nothing, and it will not
incommode you. So long as this caitiff knight lives, your life will not
be safe. When he is dead you may hang up the shirt of mail with a light
heart."
CHAPTER XII.
JACOB VAN ARTEVELDE.
King Edward found no difficulty in awakening the war spirit of England
anew, for the King of France, by an act of infamous treachery, in spite
of the solemn terms of the treaty, excited against himself the
indignation not only of England but of all Europe. Oliver de Clisson,
with fourteen other nobles of Brittany and Normandy, were arrested by
his order, taken to Paris, and without form of trial there decapitated.
This act of treachery and injustice aroused disgust and shame among the
French nobles, and murmurs and discontent spread throughout the whole
country.
In Brittany numbers of the nobles fell off from the cause of Charles of
Blois, and King Edward hastened his preparations to avenge the butchery
of the adherents of the house of Montford. Philip, however, in defiance
of the murmurs of his own subjects, of the indignant remonstrances of
Edward, and even those of the pope, who was devoted to his cause,
continued the course he had begun, and a number of other nobles were
seized and executed. Godfrey of Harcourt alone, warned by the fate of
his companions, refused to obey the summons of the king to repair to
Paris, and fled to Brabant. His property in France was at once seized by
Philip; and Godfrey, finding that the Duke of Brabant would be unable to
shield him from Philip's vengeance, fled to the English court, and did
homage to Edward.
On the 24th of April, 1345, Edward determined no longer to allow Philip
to continue to benefit by his constant violations of the truce, and
accordingly sent a defiance to the King of France.
De Montford, who had just succeeded in escaping from his prison in
Paris, arrived at this moment in England, and shortly afterward set sail
with a small army under the command of the Earl of Northampton for
Brittany, while the Earl of Derby took his departure with a larger force
for the defense of Guienne.
King Edward set about raising a large army, which he determined to lead
himself, but before passing over to France he desired to strengthen his
hold of Flanders. The constant intrigues of Philip there had exercised a
great effect. The count of that country was already strongly in his
interest, and it was only the influence of Jacob van Artevelde which
maintained the alliance with England. This man had, by his talent and
energy, gained an immense influence over his countrymen; but his
commanding position and ability had naturally excited the envy and
hatred of many of his fellow-citizens, among whom was the dean of the
weavers of Ghent, one Gerard Denis. The weavers were the most powerful
body in this city, and had always been noted for their turbulence and
faction; and on a Monday in the month of May, 1345, a great battle took
place in the market-place between them and the fullers, of whom 1,500
were slain. This victory of the weavers strengthened the power of the
party hostile to Artevelde and the English connection; and the former
saw that unless he could induce his countrymen to take some
irretrievable step in favor of England they would ultimately fall back
into the arms of France. Accordingly he invited Edward to pass over with
a strong force into Flanders, where he would persuade the Flemings to
make the Prince of Wales their duke. King Edward at once accepted the
offer, and sailing from Sandwich on the 3d of July arrived in safety at
Sluys. His intention had been kept a profound secret, and his arrival
created the greatest surprise throughout Flanders. He did not disembark,
but received on board a ship with great honor and magnificence the
burgomasters of the various towns who appeared to welcome him. The king
had brought with him the Prince of Wales, now fifteen years old, who
wore a suit of black armor and was therefore called "the Black Prince."
Walter Somers was on board the royal vessel. The Prince of Wales had not
forgotten the promise which he had six years before made to him, and had
asked Sir Walter Manny to allow him to follow under his banner.
"You are taking my most trusty squire from me, prince," the knight
said; "for although I have many brave young fellows in my following,
there is not one whom I value so much as Walter Somers. It is but fair,
however, that you should have him, since you told me when I first took
him that he was to follow your banner when you were old enough to go to
the wars. You can rely upon him implicitly. He cares not for the
gayeties of which most young men of his age think so much. He is ever
ready for duty, and he possesses a wisdom and sagacity which will some
day make him a great leader."
Walter was sorry to leave his patron, but the step was of course a great
advancement, and excited no little envy among his companions, for among
the young esquires of the Prince of Wales were the sons of many of the
noblest families of England.
Sir Walter presented him on leaving with a heavy purse. "Your expenses
will be large," he said, "among so many young gallants, and you must do
credit to me as well as to yourself. The young prince is generous to a
fault, and as he holds you in high favor, both from his knowledge of you
and from my report, you will, I know, lack nothing when you are once
fairly embarked in his service; but it is needful that when you first
join you should be provided with many suits of courtly raiment of cloth
of gold and silk, which were not needed while you were in the service of
a simple knight like myself, but which must be worn by a companion of
the heir of England."
Walter had hoped that Sir James Carnegie would have accompanied the
forces of either of the Earls of Northampton or Derby, but he found that
he had attached himself to the royal army.
Ralph of course followed Walter's fortunes, and was now brilliant in the
appointments of the Prince of Wales' chosen body-guard of men-at-arms.
The councils of all the great towns of Flanders assembled at Sluys, and
for several days great festivities were held. Then a great assembly was
held, and Van Artevelde rose and addressed his countrymen. He set forth
to them the virtues of the Prince of Wales, whose courtesy and bearing
had so captivated them; he pointed out the obligations which Flanders
was under toward King Edward, and the advantages which would arise from
a nearer connection with England. With this he contrasted the weakness
of their count, the many ills which his adherence to France had brought
upon the country, and the danger which menaced them should his power be
ever renewed. He then boldly proposed to them that they should at once
cast off their allegiance to the count and bestow the vacant coronet
upon the Prince of Wales, who, as Duke of Flanders, would undertake the
defense and government of the country with the aid of a Flemish council.
This wholly unexpected proposition took the Flemish burghers by
surprise. Artevelde had calculated upon his eloquence and influence
carrying them away, but his power had diminished, and many of his
hearers had already been gained to the cause of France. The burgher
councils had for a long time had absolute power in their own towns, and
the prospect of a powerful prince at their head foredoomed a curtailment
of those powers. When Artevelde ceased, therefore, instead of the
enthusiastic shouts with which he hoped his oration would be greeted, a
confused murmur arose. At last several got up and said that, greatly
attached as they were to the king, much as they admired the noble young
prince proposed for their acceptance, they felt themselves unable to
give an answer upon an affair of such moment without consulting their
fellow-countrymen and learning their opinions. They therefore promised
that they would return on a certain day and give a decided answer.
The Flemish burghers then took their leave. Van Artevelde, after a
consultation with the king, started at once to use his influence among
the various towns.
After leaving the king he bade adieu to the Prince of Wales. "Would you
like," the young prince said, "that one of my esquires should ride with
you? His presence might show the people how entirely I am with you; and
should you have tidings to send me he could ride hither with them. I
have one with me who is prudent and wise, and who possesses all the
confidence of that wise and valiant knight, Sir Walter de Manny."
"I will gladly take him, your royal highness," Van Artevelde said, "and
hope to dispatch him to you very shortly with the news that the great
towns of Flanders all gladly receive you as their lord."
In a few minutes Walter had mounted his horse, accompanied by Ralph,
and, joining Van Artevelde, rode to Bruges. Here and at Ypres Van
Artevelde's efforts were crowned with success. His eloquence carried
away the people with him, and both these cities agreed to accept the
Prince of Wales as their lord; but the hardest task yet remained. Ghent
was the largest and most powerful of the Flemish towns, and here his
enemies were in the ascendant. Gerard Denis and the weavers had been
stirring up the people against him. All kinds of accusations had been
spread, and he was accused of robbing and selling his country. The news
of the hostile feeling of the population reached Van Artevelde, and he
dispatched Walter with the request to the king for a force of five
hundred English soldiers as a guard against his enemies.
Had Artevelde asked for a large force Edward would have disembarked his
army and marched at their head into Ghent. As the rest of the country
was already won there can be little doubt that this step would at once
have silenced all opposition, and would have annexed Flanders to the
British crown. Van Artevelde, however, believed himself to be stronger
than he really was, and thought with a small party of soldiers he could
seize his principal opponents, and that the people would then rally
round him.
Upon the arrival of the five hundred men he started for Ghent; but as he
feared that the gates would be shut if he presented himself with an
armed force, he left the soldiers in concealment a short distance from
the town and entered it, accompanied only by his usual suit. At his
invitation, however, Walter, followed of course by Ralph, rode beside
him. No sooner was he within the gates than Van Artevelde saw how strong
was the popular feeling against him. He had been accustomed to be
received with bows of reverence; now men turned aside as he approached,
or scowled at him from their doors.
"Methinks, sir," Walter said, "that it would be wiser did we ride back,
and, joining the soldiers, enter at their head, or as that number would
be scarce sufficient should so large a town rise in tumult, to send to
King Edward for a larger force and await their coming. Even should they
shut the gates we can reduce the town, and as all the rest of Flanders
is with you, surely a short delay will not matter."
"You know not these Flemings as well as I do," Van Artevelde replied;
"they are surly dogs, but they always listen to my voice, and are ready
enough to do my bidding. When I once speak to them you will see how they
will smooth their backs and do as I ask them."
Walter said no more, but as he saw everywhere lowering brows from window
and doorway as they rode through the streets, he had doubts whether the
power of Van Artevelde's eloquence would have the magical potency he had
expected from it.
When the party arrived at the splendid dwelling of the great demagogue,
messengers were instantly sent out to all his friends and retainers. A
hundred and forty persons soon assembled, and while Van Artevelde was
debating with them as to the best steps to be taken, Walter opened the
casement and looked out into the street. It was already crowded with the
people, whose silent and quiet demeanor seemed to bode no good. Arms
were freely displayed among them, and Walter saw men passing to and fro
evidently giving instructions.
"I am sorry to disturb you, Master Artevelde," he said, returning to the
room where the council was being held, "but methinks that it would be
wise to bar the doors and windows, and to put yourself in a posture of
defense, for a great crowd is gathering without, for the most part
armed, and as it seems to me with evil intentions."
A glance from the windows confirmed Walter's statements, and the doors
and windows were speedily barricaded. Before many minutes had elapsed
the tolling of bells in all parts of the town was heard, and down the
different streets leading toward the building large bodies of armed men
were seen making their way.
"I had rather have to do with a whole French army, Master Walter," Ralph
said, as he stood beside him at an upper window looking down upon the
crowd, "than with these citizens of Ghent. Look at those men with
bloody axes and stained clothes. Doubtless those are the skinners and
butchers. Didst ever see such a ferocious band of savages? Listen to
their shouts. Death to Van Artevelde! Down with the English alliance! I
thought our case was a bad one when the French poured over the walls
into Vannes, but methinks it is a hundred times worse now."
"We got out of that scrape, Ralph, and I hope we shall get out of this,
but as you say the prospect is black enough. See, the butchers are
hammering at the door with their pole-axes. Let us go down and aid in
the defense."
"I am ready," Ralph said, "but I shall fight with a lighter heart if you
could fix upon some plan for us to adopt when the rabble break in. That
they will do so I regard as certain, seeing that the house is not built
for purposes of defense, but has numerous broad windows on the
ground-floor by which assuredly they will burst their way in."
"Wait a moment then, Ralph; let us run up to the top story and see if
there be any means of escape along the roofs."
The house stood detached from the others, but on one side was separated
from that next to it only by a narrow lane, and as the upper stories
projected beyond those below, the windows were but six feet distant from
those on the opposite side of the way.
"See," Walter said, "there is a casement in the room to our left there
which is open; let us see if it is tenanted."
Going into the next room they went to the window and opened it. It
exactly faced the casement opposite, and so far as they could see the
room was unoccupied.
"It were easy to put a plank across," Ralph said.
"We must not do that," Walter answered. "The mob are thick in the lane
below--what a roar comes up from their voices!--and a plank would be
surely seen, and we should be killed there as well as here. No, we must
get on to the sill and spring across; the distance is not great, and the
jump would be nothing were it not that the casements are so low. It must
be done as lightly and quickly as possible, and we may not then be seen
from below. Now leave the door open that we may make no mistake as to
the room, and come along, for by the sound the fight is hot below."
Running down the stairs Walter and Ralph joined in the defense. Those in
the house knew that they would meet with no mercy from the infuriated
crowd, and each fought with the bravery of despair. Although there were
many windows to be defended, and at each the mob attacked desperately,
the assaults were all repulsed. Many indeed of the defenders were struck
down by the pikes and pole-axes, but for a time they beat back the
assailants whenever they attempted to enter.
The noise was prodigious. The alarm-bells of the town were all ringing
and the shouts of the combatants were drowned in the hoarse roar of the
surging crowd without.
Seeing that however valiant was the defense the assailants must in the
end prevail, and feeling sure that his enemies would have closed the
city gates and thus prevented the English without from coming to his
assistance, Van Artevelde ascended to an upper story and attempted to
address the crowd. His voice was drowned in the roar. In vain he
gesticulated and made motions imploring them to hear him, but all was
useless, and the courage of the demagogue deserted him and he burst into
tears at the prospect of death. Then he determined to try and make his
escape to the sanctuary of a church close by, and was descending the
stairs when a mighty crash below, the clashing of steel, shouts, and
cries, told that the mob had swept away one of the barricades and were
pouring into the house.
"Make for the stairs," Walter shouted, "and defend yourselves there."
But the majority of the defenders, bewildered by the inrush of the
enemy, terrified at their ferocious aspect and terrible axes, had no
thought of continuing the resistance. A few, getting into corners,
resisted desperately to the end; others threw down their arms and
dropping on their knees cried for mercy, but all were ruthlessly
slaughtered.
Keeping close together Walter and Ralph fought their way to the foot of
the stairs, and closely pursued by a band of the skinners headed by
Gerard Denis, ran up.
Upon the first landing stood a man paralyzed with terror. On seeing him
a cry of ferocious triumph rose from the mob. As nothing could be done
to aid him Walter and his follower rushed by without stopping. There was
a pause in the pursuit, and glancing down from the upper gallery Walter
saw Van Artevelde in the hands of the mob, each struggling to take
possession of him; then a man armed with a great ax pushed his way among
them, and swinging it over his head struck Van Artevelde dead to the
floor. His slayer was Gerard Denis himself.
Followed by Ralph, Walter sprang through the open door into the chamber
they had marked, and closed the door behind them. Then Walter, saying,
"I will go first, Ralph; I can help you in should you miss your spring,"
mounted on the sill of the casement.
Short as was the distance the leap was extremely difficult, for neither
casement was more than three feet high. Walter was therefore obliged to
stoop low and to hurl himself head forward across the gulf. He succeeded
in the attempt, shooting clear through the casement on to the floor
beyond. Instantly he picked himself up and went to Ralph's assistance.
The latter, taller and more bulky, had greater difficulty in the task,
and only his shoulders arrived through the window. Walter seized him,
and aided him at once to scramble in, and they closed the casement
behind them.
"It was well we took off our armor, Ralph; its pattern would have been
recognized in an instant."
Walter had thrown off his helmet as he bounded up the stairs, and both
he and his companion had rid themselves of their heavy armor.
"I would give a good deal," he said, "for two bourgeois jerkins, even
were they as foul as those of the skinners. This is a woman's
apartment," he added, looking round, "and nothing here will cover my six
feet of height, to say nothing of your four inches extra. Let us peep
into some of the other rooms. This is, doubtless, the house of some
person of importance, and in the upper floor we may find some clothes of
servants or retainers."
They were not long in their search. The next room was a large one, and
contained a number of pallet beds, and hanging from pegs on the walls
were jerkins, mantles, and other garments, evidently belonging to the
retainers of the house. Walter and Ralph were not long in
transmogrifying their appearance, and had soon the air of two
respectable serving-men in a Flemish household.
"But how are we to descend?" Ralph asked. "We can hardly hope to walk
down the stairs and make our escape without being seen, especially as
the doors will all be barred and bolted, seeing the tumult which is
raging outside."
"It all depends whether our means of escape are suspected," Walter
replied. "I should scarce think that they would be. The attention of our
pursuers was wholly taken up by Van Artevelde, and some minutes must
have passed before they followed us. No doubt they will search every
place in the house, and all within it will by this time have been
slaughtered. But they will scarce organize any special search for us.
All will be fully occupied with the exciting events which have taken
place, and as the casement by which we entered is closed it is scarcely
likely to occur to any one that we have escaped by that means. I will
listen first if the house is quiet. If so, we will descend and take
refuge in some room below, where there is a better chance of concealment
than here. Put the pieces of armor into that closet so that they may not
catch the eye of any who may happen to come hither. The day is already
closing. In half an hour it will be nightfall. Then we will try and make
our way out."
Listening at the top of the stairs they could hear voices below; but as
the gallery was quiet and deserted they made their way a floor lower,
and seeing an open door entered it. Walter looked from the window.
"There is a back yard below," he said, "with a door opening upon a
narrow lane. We are now upon the second story, and but some twenty-five
feet above the ground. We will not risk going down through the house,
which could scarce be accomplished without detection, but will at once
tear up into strips the coverings of the bed, and will make a rope by
which we may slip down into the court-yard as soon as it is dark. We
must hope that none will come up before that time; but, indeed, all will
be so full of the news of the events which have happened that it is
scarce likely that any will come above at present."
The linen sheets and coverings were soon cut up and knotted together in
a rope. By the time that this was finished the darkness was closing in,
and after waiting patiently for a few minutes they lowered the rope and
slid down into the yard. Quietly they undid the bolts of the gate and
issued into the lane. The mantles were provided with hoods, as few of
the lower class of Flemings wore any other head-covering.
Drawing these hoods well over their heads so as to shade their faces,
the two sallied out from the lane. They were soon in one of the
principal streets, which was crowded with people. Bands of weavers,
butchers, skinners, and others were parading the streets shouting and
singing in honor of their victory and of the downfall and death of him
whom they had but a few days before regarded as the mainstay of
Flanders. Many of the better class of burghers stood in groups in the
streets and talked in low and rather frightened voices of the
consequences which the deed of blood would bring upon the city. On the
one hand, Edward might march upon it with his army to avenge the murder
of his ally. Upon the other hand, they were now committed to France.
Their former ruler would return, and all the imposts and burdens against
which they had rebelled would again be laid upon the city.
"What shall we do now?" Ralph asked, "for assuredly there will be no
issue by the gates."
"We must possess ourselves of a length of rope, if possible, and make
our escape over the wall. How to get one I know not, for the shops are
all closed, and even were it not so I could not venture in to purchase
any, for my speech would betray us at once. Let us separate, and each
see whether he can find what we want. We will meet again at the entrance
to this church in an hour's time. One or the other of us may find what
we seek."
Walter searched in vain. Wherever he saw the door of a yard open he
peered in, but in no case could he see any signs of rope. At the end of
the hour he returned to their rendezvous. Ralph was already there.
"I have found nothing, Ralph. Have you had better fortune?"
"That have I, Master Walter, and was back nigh an hour since. Scarce had
I left you when in a back street I came upon a quiet hostelry, and in
the court-yard were standing half a dozen teams of cattle. Doubtless
their owners had brought hay or corn into the city, and when the tumult
arose and the gates were closed found themselves unable to escape. The
masters were all drinking within, so without more ado I cut off the
ropes which served as traces for the oxen, and have them wound round my
body under my mantle. There must be twenty yards at least, and as each
rope is strong enough to hold double our weight there will be no
difficulty in lowering ourselves from the walls."
"You have done well indeed, Ralph," Walter said. "Let us make our way
thither at once. Every one is so excited in the city that, as yet, there
will be but few guards upon the wall. The sooner, therefore, that we
attempt to make our escape the better."
CHAPTER XIII.
THE WHITE FORD.
They made their way without interruption to the wall. This they found,
as they expected, entirely deserted, although, no doubt, guards had been
posted at the gates. The Flemings, however, could have felt no fear of
an attack by so small a force as the five hundred English whom they knew
to be in the neighborhood.
Walter and his companion soon knotted the ropes together and lowered
themselves into the moat. A few strokes took them to the other side, and
scrambling out, they made their way across the country to the spot where
the English had been posted. They found the Earl of Salisbury, who
commanded, in a great state of uneasiness. No message had reached him
during the day. He had heard the alarm-bells of the city ring, and a
scout who had gone forward returned with the news that the gates were
closed and the drawbridges raised, and that a strong body of men manned
the walls.
"Your news is indeed bad," he said, when Walter related to him the
events which had taken place in the town. "This will altogether derange
the king's plans. Now that his ally is killed, I fear that his hopes of
acquiring Flanders for England will fall to the ground. It is a thousand
pities that he listened to Van Artevelde and allowed him to enter Ghent
alone. Had his majesty landed, as he wished, and made a progress through
the country, the prince receiving the homage of all the large towns, we
could then very well have summoned Ghent as standing alone against all
Flanders. The citizens then would, no doubt, have gladly opened their
gates and received the prince, and if they had refused we would have
made short work of them. However, as it has turned out, it is as well
that we did not enter the town with the Fleming, for against so large
and turbulent a population we should have had but little chance. And
now, Master Somers, we will march at once for Sluys and bear the news to
the king, and you shall tell me as we ride thither how you and your
man-at-arms managed to escape with whole skins from such a tumult."
The king was much grieved when he heard of the death of Artevelde, and
held a council with his chief leaders. At first, in his indignation and
grief, he was disposed to march upon Ghent and to take vengeance for the
murder of his ally, but after a time calmer counsels prevailed.
The Flemings were still in rebellion against their count, who was the
friend of France. Were the English to attack Ghent they would lose the
general good-will of the Flemings, and would drive them into the arms of
France, while, if matters were left alone, the effect of the popular
outburst which had caused the death of Artevelde would die away, and
motives of interest and the fear of France would again drive them into
the arms of England. The expedition therefore returned to England, and
there the king, in a proclamation to his people, avoided all allusion to
the death of his ally, but simply stated that he had been waited upon by
the councils of all the Flemish towns, and that their faithful obedience
to himself, as legitimate King of France, was established upon a firmer
basis than ever.
This course had the effect which he had anticipated from it. The people
of Flanders perceived the danger and disadvantage which must accrue to
their trade from any permanent disagreement with England. They were
convinced by the events which soon afterward happened in France that the
King of England had more power than Philip of Valois, and could, if he
chose, punish severely any breach of faith toward him. They therefore
sent over commissioners to express their grief and submission. The death
of Artevelde was represented as the act of a frantic mob, and severe
fines were imposed upon the leaders of the party who slew him, and
although the principal towns expressed their desire still to remain
under the rule of the Count of Flanders, they suggested that the ties
which bound them to England should be strengthened by the marriage of
Louis, eldest son of the count, to one of Edward's daughters. More than
this, they offered to create a diversion for the English forces acting
in Guienne and Gascony by raising a strong force and expelling the
French garrisons still remaining in some parts of the country. This was
done. Hugo of Hastings was appointed by the king captain-general in
Flanders, and with a force of English and Flemings did good service by
expelling the French from Termond and several other towns.
The character of Jacob van Artevelde has had but scant justice done to
it by most of the historians of the time. These, living in an age of
chivalry, when noble blood and lofty deeds were held in extraordinary
respect, had little sympathy with the brewer of Ghent, and deemed it
contrary to the fitness of things that the chivalry of France should
have been defied and worsted by mere mechanics and artisans. But there
can be no doubt that Artevelde was a very great man. He may have been
personally ambitious, but he was a true patriot. He had great military
talents. He completely remodeled and wonderfully improved the internal
administration of the country, and raised its commerce, manufactures,
and agriculture to a pitch which they had never before reached. After
his death his memory was esteemed and revered by the Flemings, who long
submitted to the laws he had made, and preserved his regulations with
scrupulous exactitude.
Edward now hastened to get together a great army. Every means were
adopted to raise money and to gather stores, and every man between
sixteen and sixty south of the Trent was called upon to take up arms
and commanded to assemble at Portsmouth in the middle of Lent. A
tremendous tempest, however, scattered the fleet collected to carry the
expedition, a great many of the ships were lost, and it was not until
the middle of July, 1346, that it sailed from England. It consisted of
about five hundred ships and ten thousand sailors, and carried four
thousand men-at-arms, ten thousand archers, twelve thousand Welsh, and
six thousand Irish.
This seems but a small army considering the efforts which had been made;
but it was necessary to leave a considerable force behind for the
defense of the Scottish frontier, and England had already armies in
Guienne and Brittany. Lionel, Edward's second son, was appointed regent
during his father's absence. On board Edward's own ship were Godfrey of
Harcourt and the Prince of Wales. Walter, as one of the personal squires
of the prince, was also on board.
The prince had been greatly interested in the details of Walter's escape
from Van Artevelde's house, the king himself expressed his approval of
his conduct, and Walter was generally regarded as one of the most
promising young aspirants at the court. His modesty and good temper
rendered him a general favorite, and many even of the higher nobles
noticed him by their friendly attentions, for it was felt that he stood
so high in the good-will of the prince that he might some day become a
person of great influence with him, and one whose good-will would be
valuable.
It was generally supposed, when the fleet started, that Guienne was
their destination, but they had not gone far when a signal was made to
change the direction in which they were sailing and to make for La Hogue
in Normandy. Godfrey of Harcourt had great influence in that province,
and his persuasions had much effect in determining the king to direct
his course thither. There was the further advantage that the King of
France, who was well aware of the coming invasion, would have made his
preparations to receive him in Guienne. Furthermore, Normandy was the
richest and most prosperous province in France. It had for a long time
been untouched by war, and offered great abundance of spoil. It had made
itself particularly obnoxious to the English by having recently made an
offer to the King of France to fit out an expedition and conquer England
with its own resources.
The voyage was short and favorable, and the expedition landed at La
Hogue, on the small peninsula of Cotentin, without opposition. Six days
were spent at La Hogue disembarking the men, horses, and stores, and
baking bread for the use of the army on the march. A detachment advanced
and pillaged and burned Barfleur and Cherbourg and a number of small
towns and castles.
In accordance with custom, at the commencement of the campaign a court
was held, at which the Prince of Wales was dubbed a knight by his
father. A similar honor was bestowed upon a number of other young
aspirants, among whom was Walter Somers, who had been highly
recommended for that honor to the king by Sir Walter Manny.
The force was now formed into three divisions--the one commanded by the
king himself, the second by the Earl of Warwick, and the third by
Godfrey of Harcourt. The Earl of Arundel acted as lord high constable,
and the Earl of Huntingdon, who was in command of the fleet, followed
the army along the sea-coast. Valognes, Carentan, and St. Lo were
captured without difficulty, and the English army advanced by rapid
marches upon Caen, plundering the country for six or seven leagues on
each side of the line of march. An immense quantity of booty was
obtained.
As soon as the news of Edward's landing in Normandy reached Paris,
Philip dispatched the Count d'Eu, Constable of France, with the Count of
Tankerville and six hundred men-at-arms, to oppose Edward at Caen. The
Bishop of Bayeux had thrown himself into that city, which was already
garrisoned by three hundred Genoese. The town was not defensible, and
the only chance of resistance was by opposing the passage of the river
Horn, which flowed between the suburbs and the city. The bridge was
barricaded, strong wooden towers were erected, and such was the
confidence of the inhabitants and their leaders that Edward's promise of
protection for the person and property of the citizens was rejected with
scorn, and the whole male population joined the garrison in the defense
of the bridge. Marching through the deserted suburbs the English army
attacked the bridge with such vehemence that although the enemy defended
the barricades gallantly they were speedily forced, and the English
poured into the town. Before the first fury of the attack was over near
five thousand persons were slain. The Count of Tankerville, one hundred
and forty knights, and as many squires were made prisoners. The plunder
was so enormous as to be sufficient to cover the whole expenses of the
expedition, and this with the booty which had been previously acquired
was placed on board ship and dispatched to England, while the king
marched forward with his army. At Lisieux he was met by two cardinals
sent by the pope to negotiate a truce; but Edward had learned the
fallacy of truces made with King Philip, and declined to enter into
negotiations. Finding that Rouen had been placed in a state of defense
and could not be taken without a long siege, he left it behind him and
marched along the valley of the Eure, gathering rich booty at every
step.
But while he was marching forward a great army was gathering in his
rear. The Count of Harcourt, brother of Godfrey, called all Normandy to
arms. Every feudal lord and vassal answered to the summons, and before
Edward reached the banks of the Seine a formidable army had assembled.
The whole of the vassals of France were gathering by the orders of the
king at St. Denis. The English fleet had now left the coast, and Edward
had only the choice of retreating through Normandy into Brittany or of
attempting to force the passage of the Seine, and to fight his way
through France to Flanders. He chose the latter alternative, and marched
along the left bank of the river toward Paris, seeking in vain to find a
passage. The enemy followed him step by step on the opposite bank, and
all the bridges were broken down and the fords destroyed.
Edward marched on, burning the towns and ravaging the country until he
reached Poissy. The bridge was as usual destroyed, but the piles on
which it stood were still standing, and he determined to endeavor to
cross here. He accordingly halted for five days, but dispatched troops
in all directions, who burned and ravaged to the very gates of Paris.
The villages of St. Germain, St. Cloud, Bourg la Reine, and many others
within sight of the walls were destroyed, and the capital itself thrown
into a state of terror and consternation. Godfrey of Harcourt was the
first to cross the river, and with the advance-guard of English fell
upon a large body of the burghers of Amiens, and after a severe fight
defeated them, killing over five hundred. The king himself with his
whole force passed on the 16th of August.
Philip, with his army, quitted St. Denis when he heard that the English
army had passed the Seine, and by parallel marches endeavored to
interpose between it and the borders of Flanders. As his force was every
hour increasing he dispatched messengers to Edward offering him battle
within a few days on condition that he would cease to ravage the
country; but Edward declined the proposal, saying that Philip himself by
breaking down the bridges had avoided a battle as long as he could, but
that whenever he was ready to give battle he would accept the challenge.
During the whole march the armies were within a few leagues of each
other, and constant skirmishes took place between bodies detached from
the hosts.
In some of these skirmishes Walter took part, as he and the other newly
made knights were burning to distinguish themselves. Every day the
progress of the army became more difficult, as the country people
everywhere rose against them, and several times attempted to make a
stand, but were defeated with great loss. The principal towns were found
deserted, and even Poix, which offered great capabilities of defense,
had been left unguarded. Upon the English entering, the burghers offered
to pay a large ransom to save the town from plunder. The money was to be
delivered as soon as the English force had withdrawn, and Walter Somers
was ordered by the king to remain behind with a few men-at-arms to
receive the ransom.
No sooner had the army departed than the burghers, knowing that the
French army was close behind, changed their minds, refused to pay the
ransom, and fell upon the little body of men-at-arms. Although taken
quite by surprise by this act of treachery Walter instantly rallied his
men, although several had been killed at the first onslaught. He, with
Ralph and two or three of the stanchest men, covered the retreat of the
rest through the streets, making desperate charges upon the body of
armed burghers pressing upon them. Ralph fought as usual with a mace of
prodigious weight, and the terror of his blows in no slight degree
enabled the party to reach the gate in safety, but Walter had no idea of
retreating further. He dispatched one of his followers to gallop at full
speed to overtake the rear-guard of the army, which was still but two
miles distant, while with the rest he formed a line across the gate and
resisted all the attempts of the citizens to expel them.
The approach to the gate was narrow, and the overwhelming number of the
burghers were therefore of little avail. Walter had dismounted his force
and all fought on foot, and although sorely pressed they held their
ground until Lords Cobham and Holland, with their followers, rode up.
Then the tide of war was turned, the town was plundered and burned, and
great numbers of the inhabitants slain. Walter gained great credit for
holding the gate, for had he been driven out, the town could have
resisted, until the arrival of Louis, all assaults of the English.
The river Somme now barred the passage of Edward. Most of the bridges
had been destroyed, and those remaining were so strongly fortified that
they could not be forced.
The position of the English was now very critical. On one flank and in
front were impassable rivers. The whole country was in arms against
them, and on their rear and flank pressed a hostile army fourfold their
strength. The country was swampy and thinly populated, and flour and
provisions were only obtained with great difficulty. Edward, on finding
from the reports of his marshals who had been sent to examine the
bridges, that no passage across the river could be found, turned and
marched down the river toward the sea, halting for the night at
Oisemont.
Here, a great number of peasantry attempted a defense, but were easily
defeated and a number of prisoners taken. Late in the evening the Earl
of Warwick, who had pushed forward as far as Abbeville and St. Valery,
returned with the news that the passages at those places were as
strongly guarded as elsewhere, but that he had learned from a peasant
that a ford existed somewhere below Abbeville, although the man was
himself ignorant of its position.
Edward at once called the prisoners belonging to that part of the
country before him, and promised to any one who would tell him where the
ford lay his freedom and that of twenty of his companions. A peasant
called Gobin Agase stepped forward and offered to show the ford, where
at low tide twelve men could cross abreast. It was, he said, called La
Blanche Tache.
Edward left Oisemont at midnight and reached the ford at daylight. The
river, however, was full and the army had to wait impatiently for low
tide. When they arrived there no enemy was to be seen on the opposite
bank, but before the water fell sufficiently for a passage to be
attempted, Sir Godemar du Fay with twelve thousand men, sent by King
Philip, who was aware of the existence of the ford, arrived on the
opposite side.
The enterprise was a difficult one indeed, for the water, even at low
tide, is deep. Godemar du Fay, however, threw away part of his advantage
by advancing into the stream. The English archers lined the banks, and
poured showers of arrows into the ranks of the enemy, while the Genoese
bowmen on their side were able to give comparatively little assistance
to the French.
King Edward shouted to his knights, "Let those who love me follow me,"
and spurred his horse into the water. Behind him followed his most
valiant knights, and Walter, riding close to the Prince of Wales, was
one of the foremost.
The French resisted valiantly and a desperate battle took place on the
narrow ford, but the impetuosity of the English prevailed, and step by
step they drove the French back to the other side of the river. The
whole army poured after their leaders, and the French were soon entirely
routed and fled, leaving two thousand men-at-arms dead on the field.
King Edward, having now freed himself from the difficulties which had
encompassed him on the other side of the river, prepared to choose a
ground to give battle to the whole French army.
Louis had advanced slowly, feeling confident that the English would be
unable to cross the river, and that he should catch them hemmed in by
it. His mortification and surprise on finding, when he approached La
Blanche Tache, that twelve thousand men had been insufficient to hold a
ford by which but twelve could cross abreast, and that his enemy had
escaped from his grasp, were great. The tide had now risen again, and he
was obliged to march on to Abbeville and cross the river there.
King Edward now advanced into the forest of Cressy.
Hugh de le Spencer, with a considerable force, was dispatched to Crotoy,
which he carried by assault after a severe conflict, in which four
thousand of the French men-at-arms were slain. The capture of this city
removed all danger of want from the army, for large stores of wine and
meal were found there, and Sir Hugh at once sent off a supply to the
tired army in the field.
The possession of Crotoy and the mouth of the Somme would have now
rendered it easy for the English monarch to have transported his troops
to England, and to have returned triumphant after the accomplishment of
his extraordinary and most successful march through France. The army,
however, was elated by the many great successes it had won, he was now
in Ponthieu, which was one of his own fiefs, and he determined to make a
stand in spite of the immense superiority of the enemy.
Next morning, then--Friday, the 25th of August, 1346--he dispatched the
Earl of Warwick, with Godfrey of Harcourt and Lord Cobham, to examine
the ground and choose a site for a battle.
The plan of the fight was drawn out by the king and his councilors, and
the king yielded to the Black Prince the chief place of danger and
honor, placing with him the Earl of Warwick, Sir John Chandos, and many
of his best knights.
The ground which had been chosen for the battle was an irregular slope
between the forest of Cressy and the river Maie near the little village
of Canchy. The slope looked toward the south and east, from which
quarters the enemy was expected to arrive, and some slight defenses were
added to the natural advantages of the ground.
On the night of the 25th all the principal leaders of the British host
were entertained by King Edward. Next morning mass was celebrated, and
the king, the prince, and many knights and nobles received the
sacrament, after which the trumpets sounded, and the army marched to
take up its position. Its numbers are variously estimated, but the best
account puts it at about thirty thousand men, which, considering that
thirty-two thousand had crossed the Channel to La Hogue, is probably
about the force which would have been present, allowing that two
thousand had fallen in the various actions or had died from disease.
The division of the Black Prince consisted of eight hundred men-at-arms,
four thousand archers, and six thousand Welsh foot. The archers, as
usual, were placed in front, supported by the light troops of Wales and
the men-at-arms; on his left was the second division, commanded by the
Earls of Arundel and Northampton; its extreme left rested on Canchy and
the river, and it was further protected by a deep ditch; this corps was
about seven thousand strong.
The king himself took up his position on a knoll of rising ground
surmounted by a windmill, and twelve thousand men under his personal
command were placed here in reserve.
In the rear of the prince's division an inclosure of stakes was formed;
in this, guarded by a small body of archers, were ranged the wagons and
baggage of the army, together with all the horses, the king having
determined that the knights and men-at-arms on his side should fight on
foot.
When the army had taken up its position, the king, mounted on a small
palfrey, with a white staff in his hand, rode from rank to rank
exhorting his soldiers to do their duty gallantly. It was nearly noon
before he had passed through all the lines, and permission was then
given to the soldiers to fall out from their ranks and to take
refreshments while waiting for the coming of the enemy. This was
accordingly done, the men eating and drinking at their ease and lying
down in their ranks on the soft grass, with their steel caps and their
bows or pikes beside them.
In the mean time the French had, on their side, been preparing for the
battle. Philip had crossed the Somme at Abbeville late on Thursday
afternoon, and remained there next day, marshaling the large
reënforcements which were hourly arriving. His force now considerably
exceeded one hundred thousand men, the number with which he had marched
from Amiens three days previously.
Friday was the Festival of St. Louis, and that evening Philip gave a
splendid banquet to the whole of the nobles of his army.
On the following morning the king, accompanied by his brother the Count
D'Alençon, the old King of Bohemia and his son, the King of Rome, the
Duke of Lorraine, the Count of Blois, the Count of Flanders, and a great
number of other feudal princes, heard mass at the abbey, and then
marched with his great army toward Cressy. He moved but slowly in order
to give time to all the forces scattered over the neighborhood to come
up, and four knights, headed by one of the King of Bohemia's officers,
went forward to reconnoiter the English position. They approached within
very short distance of the English lines and gained a very exact
knowledge of the position, the English taking no measures to interrupt
the reconnaissance. They returned with the information they had
gathered, and the leader of the party, Le Moyne de Basele, one of the
most judicious officers of his time, strongly advised the king to halt
his troops, pointing out that as it was evident the English were ready
to give battle, and as they were fresh and vigorous, while the French
were wearied and hungry, it would be better to encamp and give battle
the next morning.
Philip saw the wisdom of the advice and ordered his two marshals, the
Lord of St. Venant and Charles de Montmorency, to command a halt. They
instantly spurred off, one to the front and the other to the rear,
commanding the leaders to halt their banners. Those in advance at once
obeyed, but those behind still pressed on, declaring that they would not
halt until they were in the front line. All wanted to be first, in order
to obtain their share of the honor and glory of defeating the English.
Those in front, seeing the others still coming on, again pressed
forward, and thus, in spite of the efforts of the king and his marshals,
the French nobles with their followers pressed forward in confusion,
until, passing through a small wood, they found themselves suddenly in
the presence of the English army.
CHAPTER XIV.
CRESSY.
The surprise of the French army at finding themselves in the presence of
the English was so great that the first line recoiled in confusion.
Those marching up from behind imagined that they had been already
engaged and repulsed by the English, and the disorder spread through the
whole army, and was increased by the common people, who had crowded to
the field in immense numbers from the whole country round to see the
battle and share in the plunder of the English camp.
From King Edward's position on the rising ground he could see the
confusion which prevailed in the French ranks, and small as were his
forces, he would probably have obtained an easy victory by ordering a
sudden charge upon them. The English, however, being dismounted, but
small results would have followed the scattering of the great host of
the French. The English army therefore remained immovable, except that
the soldiers rose from the ground, and taking their places in the ranks,
awaited the onslaught of the enemy.
King Philip himself now arrived on the field, and his hatred for the
English led him at once to disregard the advice which had been given him
and to order the battle to commence as soon as possible.
The army was divided into four bodies, of which Philip commanded one,
the Count D'Alençon the second, the King of Bohemia the third, and the
Count of Savoy the fourth. Besides these were a band of fifteen thousand
mercenaries, Genoese cross-bowmen, who were now ordered to pass between
the ranks of cavalry and to clear the ground of the English archers, who
were drawn up in the usual form in which they fought--namely, in very
open order, line behind line, the men standing alternately, so that each
had ample room to use his bow and to fire over the heads of those in
front. The formation was something that of a harrow, and, indeed,
exactly resembled that in which the Roman archers fought, and was called
by them a quincunx.
The Genoese had marched four leagues beneath a hot sun loaded with their
armor and heavy cross-bows, and they remonstrated against the order,
urging that they were in no condition to do good service without some
repose. The Count D'Alençon, furious at their hesitation, ordered them
up, but as they advanced a terrible thunderstorm, with torrents of rain,
broke over the armies, and wetting the cords of the cross-bows rendered
many of them unserviceable. At length the cross-bowmen were arranged in
front, while behind them were the vast body of French cavalry, and the
order was given for the battle to begin.
The Genoese advanced with loud shouts, but the English archers paid no
attention to the noise, but waited calmly for the attack. At this moment
the sun, now approaching the west, shone out brightly between the clouds
behind the English, its rays streaming full in the faces of the French.
The Genoese were now within distance, and began to discharge their
quarrels at their impassive enemies, but as they opened fire the English
archers drew their bows from the cases which had protected them from the
rain, and stepping forward poured their arrows among the Genoese. The
cross-bowmen were smitten as with a storm, numbers were struck in the
face and other unprotected parts, and they were instantly thrown into
confusion, and casting away their cross-bows they recoiled in disorder
among the horsemen behind them.
Philip, passionate and cruel as ever, instead of trying to rally the
Genoese, ordered the cavalry behind them to fall upon them, and the
men-at-arms at once plunged in among the disordered mass of the
cross-bowmen, and a wild scene of carnage and confusion ensued, the
English archers continuing to pour their unerring arrows into the midst.
The Count D'Alençon, who was behind, separated his division into two
bodies, and swept round on one side himself, while the Count of Flanders
did the same on the other to attack the Prince of Wales in more regular
array. Taking a circuitous route, D'Alençon appeared upon a rising
ground on the flank of the archers of the Black Prince, and thus,
avoiding their arrows, charged down with his cavalry upon the eight
hundred men-at-arms gathered round the Black Prince, while the Count of
Flanders attacked on the other flank.
Nobly did the flower of English chivalry withstand the shock of the
French, and the prince himself and the highest nobles and simple
men-at-arms fought side by side. None gave way a foot.
In vain the French, with impetuous charges, strove to break through the
mass of steel. The spear-heads were cleft off with sword and battle-ax,
and again and again men and horses recoiled from the unbroken line. Each
time the French retired the English ranks were formed anew, and as
attack followed attack a pile of dead rose around them. The Count
D'Alençon and the Duke of Lorraine were among the first who fell. The
young Count of Blois, finding that he could not ride through the wall of
steel, dismounted with his knights and fought his way on foot toward the
banner of the Prince of Wales. For a time the struggle was desperate,
and the young prince, with his household knights, was for a time
well-nigh beaten back.
Walter, fighting close beside the prince, parried more than one blow
intended for him, and the prince himself slew the Count of Blois, whose
followers all fell around him. The Count of Flanders was also slain, and
confusion began to reign among the assailants, whose leaders had now
all fallen. Philip himself strove to advance with his division into the
fight, but the struggle between the Genoese and the men-at-arms was
still continuing, and the very multitude of his troops in the narrow and
difficult field which the English had chosen for the battle embarrassed
his movements.
Charles of Luxembourg, King of the Romans, and afterward Emperor of
Germany, son of the old King of Bohemia, with a large body of German and
French cavalry, now assailed the English archers, and in spite of their
flights of arrows came to close quarters, and cutting their way through
them joined in the assault upon the men-at-arms of the Black Prince.
Nearly forty thousand men were now pressing round the little body, and
the Earls of Northampton and Arundel moved forward with their divisions
to his support, while the Earl of Warwick, who was with the prince,
dispatched Sir Thomas of Norwich to the king, who still remained with
his powerful reserve, to ask for aid.
"Sir Thomas," demanded the king, "is my son killed, overthrown, or
wounded beyond help?"
"Not so, sire," replied the knight, "but he is in a rude fight, and much
needs your aid."
"Go back, Sir Thomas, to those who sent you, and tell them from me that
whatsoever happens they require no aid from me so long as my son is in
life. Tell them also that I command them to let the boy win his spurs,
for, God willing, the day shall be his, and the honor shall rest with
him and those into whose charge I have given him."
The prince and those around him were filled with fresh ardor when they
received this message. Each man redoubled his efforts to repel the
forces that were incessantly poured down upon them by the French. On all
sides these pressed around them, striving desperately, but ever in vain,
to break through the solid ranks of the English. The French men-at-arms
suffered, moreover, terribly from the attacks of the Welsh infantry.
These men, clad in thick leather jerkins, nimble of foot, accustomed to
a life of activity, were armed with shortened lances and knives, and
mingled fearlessly among the confused mass of French cavalry, creeping
beneath the horses' bellies, standing up when they got a chance, and
stabbing horses and men with their knives and pikes. Many were trampled
upon or struck down, but numbering, as they did, six thousand, they
pervaded the whole mass of the enemy, and did terrible execution, adding
in no small degree to the confusion caused by the shower of arrows from
the archers within the circle of the men-at-arms. The instant a French
knight fell, struck from his horse with a battle-ax or arrow, or by the
fall of a wounded steed, the half-wild Welsh were upon him and slew him
before he could regain his feet.
The slaughter was immense. The Count of Harcourt, with his nephew the
Count D'Aumale and his two gallant sons, fell together, and at last
Charles of Luxembourg, seeing his banner down, his troops routed, his
friends slain, and the day irreparably lost, and being himself severely
wounded in three places, turned his horse and fled, casting off his rich
emblazoned surcoat to avoid recognition. In the mean time Prince
Charles' father, the veteran King of Bohemia, once one of the most
famous warriors of Europe, but now old and blind, sat on horseback at a
little distance from the fight; the knights around him told him the
events as they happened, and the old monarch soon saw that the day was
lost. He asked them for tidings of his son Charles of Luxembourg, but
they were forced to reply that the banner of the King of the Romans was
no longer in sight, but that, doubtless, he was somewhere engaged in the
_mêlée_.
"Lords," said the old man, "you are my vassals, my friends, and my
companions, and on this day I command and beseech you to lead me forward
so far that I may deal one blow of my sword in the battle."
His faithful friends obeyed him, a number of knights arranged themselves
around him, and lest they should lose him in the fight they tied their
horses together by the bridles and charged down into the fray. Advancing
directly against the banner of the Prince of Wales, the blind monarch
was carried into the midst of the thickest strife. There the little
group of knights fought gallantly, and after the battle was over the
bodies of the king and his friends were found lying together, their dead
horses still linked by the bridles.
During this terrible battle, which had been raging since three o'clock,
Philip had made strenuous efforts to aid his troops engaged in the front
by continually sending fresh bodies to the assault. It was now growing
dark, terror and confusion had already spread among the French, and many
were flying in all directions, and the unremitting showers of English
arrows still flew like hail among their ranks. As the king made his way
forward, surrounded by his personal attendants, to take part himself in
the fight, his followers fell thick around him, and his horse was slain
by an arrow. John of Hainault, who had remained by his side during the
whole day, mounted him upon a fresh horse and urged him to fly, as the
day was lost. Philip, however, persisted, and made his way into the
_mêlée_, where he fought for some time with extreme courage, until
almost all around him were slain, the royal standard-bearer killed, and
himself wounded in two places. John of Hainault then seized his bridle,
exclaiming, "Come away, sire, it is full time; do not throw your life
away foolishly; if you have lost this day you will win another," and so
almost forced the unwilling king from the field. Philip, accompanied by
the lords of Montmorency, Beaujeu, Aubigny, and Mansault, with John of
Hainault and sixty men-at-arms, rode to the Castle of Broye, and there
halted for a few hours. At midnight he again set out, and in the morning
arrived safely at Amiens.
The Black Prince held his station until night without yielding a single
step to all the efforts of the French. Gradually, however, the
assailants became less and less numerous, the banners disappeared, and
the shouts of the leaders and the clang of arms died away, and the
silence which prevailed over the field at once announced that the
victory was complete and the enemy in full flight. An immense number of
torches were now lighted through the English lines, and the king,
quitting for the first time his station on the hill, came down to
embrace his gallant son. Edward and his host rejoiced in a spirit of
humility over the victory. No songs of triumph, no feastings or
merriment were permitted, but a solemn service of the Church was held,
and the king and his soldiers offered their thanks to God for the
victory he had given them. The English army lay all night under arms,
and a number of scattered parties of the French wandering about in the
darkness entered the lines and were slain or taken prisoners.
The dawn of the next morning was thick and foggy, and intelligence
coming in that a large body of the enemy were advancing upon them, the
Earls of Northampton, Warwick, and Norfolk, with five hundred
men-at-arms and two thousand archers, went out to reconnoiter, and came
in the misty twilight upon an immense force composed of the citizens of
Beauvais, Rouen, and some other towns, led by the Grand Prior of France
and the Archbishop of Rouen, who were approaching the field.
By some extraordinary accident they had not met any of the fugitives
flying from Cressy, and were ignorant that a battle had been fought.
The English charged them at once. Their advance-guard, consisting of
burghers, was easily overthrown. The second division, which was composed
of men-at-arms, fought bravely, but was unable to withstand the charge
of the triumphant English, and was completely broken and defeated. The
grand prior was killed and a vast number of his followers slain or
captured. During the whole of the morning detached parties from Edward's
army scoured the country, dispersing and slaughtering bands of French
who still remained together, and toward night the Earl of Northampton
returned to the camp with the news that no enemy remained in the
vicinity that could offer a show of resistance to the English force.
It is said that a far greater number of French were killed upon the
second day than upon the first. This can be accounted for by the fact
that on the first day but a small portion of the English army were
engaged, and that upon the second the English were fresh and vigorous,
and their enemies exhausted and dispirited.
The greater number of the French nobles and knights who fell died in
their attempt to break through the Black Prince's array. Besides the
King of Bohemia, nine sovereign princes and eighty great nobles were
killed, with twelve hundred knights, fifteen hundred men-at-arms, and
thirty thousand foot; while on the English side only three knights and a
small number of men-at-arms and infantry were killed. The body of the
King of Bohemia and those of the other great leaders were carried in
solemn pomp to the Abbey of Maintenay. Edward himself and his son
accompanied them as mourners.
On the Monday following Edward marched with his army against Calais, and
summoned the town to surrender. John of Vienne, who commanded the
garrison, refused to comply with the demand. The fortifications of the
town were extremely strong and the garrison numerous, and Edward
perceived that an assault would be very unlikely to succeed, and would
entail great loss, while a repulse would have dimmed the luster of the
success which he had gained. He therefore determined to reduce it by
famine, and the troops were set to work to build huts. So permanently
and strongly were these constructed that it seemed to the enemy that
King Edward was determined to remain before Calais even should he have
to stay there for ten years.
Proclamations were issued in England and Flanders inviting traders to
establish stores and to bring articles of trade of all kinds, and in a
short time a complete town sprang up which was named by Edward New-Town
the Bold. The English fleet held complete possession of the sea, cutting
off the besieged from all succor by ship, and enabling abundant supplies
for the army to be brought from England and Flanders. Strong parties
were sent out in all directions. The northern provinces of France were
scoured, and the army was amply provided with necessaries and even
luxuries.
After the first terrible shock caused by the crushing defeat of Cressy,
King Philip began at once to take measures for the relief of Calais, and
made immense efforts again to put a great army in the field. He
endeavored by all means in his power to gain fresh allies. The young
Count of Flanders, who at the death of his father at Cressy was sixteen
years of age, was naturally even more hostile to the English than the
late prince had been, and he strove to win over his subjects to the
French alliance, while Philip made them magnificent offers if they would
join him. The Flemings, however, remained stanch to the English
alliance, and held their prince in duress until he at last consented to
marry the daughter of Edward. A week before the date fixed for the
nuptials, however, he managed to escape from the vigilance of his guards
when out hawking, and fled to the court of France.
In Scotland, Philip was more successful, and David Bruce, instead of
employing the time given him by the absence of Edward with his armies in
driving out the English garrisons from the strong places they still held
in Scotland, raised an army of fifty thousand men and marched across the
border into England plundering and ravaging. Queen Philippa, however,
raising an army, marched against him, and the Scotch were completely
defeated at Neville's Cross, fifteen thousand being killed and their
king himself taken prisoner.
Walter's conduct at the battle of Cressy gained him still further the
favor of the Black Prince. The valor with which he had fought was
conspicuous even on a field where all fought gallantly, and the prince
felt that more than once he would have been smitten down had not
Walter's sword interposed. Ralph too had fought with reckless bravery,
and many French knights and gentlemen had gone down before the
tremendous blows of his heavy mace, against which the stoutest armor
availed nothing. After the battle the prince offered to make him an
esquire in spite of the absence of gentle blood in his veins, but Ralph
declined the honor.
"An it please you, Sir Prince," he said, "but I should feel more
comfortable among the men-at-arms, my fellows. In the day of battle I
trust that I should do no discredit to my squirehood, but at other times
I should feel woefully out of my element, and should find naught for my
hands to do; therefore, if it so pleases your royal highness, I would
far rather remain a simple man-at-arms."
Ralph did not, however, refuse the heavy purse which the prince gave
him, although indeed he, as well as all the soldiers, was well supplied
with money, so great were the spoils which the army had gathered in its
march before Cressy, and which they now swept off in their raids among
the northern provinces of France.
One evening Walter was returning from a banquet at the pavilion of the
Prince of Wales, with Ralph as usual following at a little distance,
when from a corner of the street a man darted suddenly out and struck a
dagger with all his force between his shoulders. Well was it for Walter
that he had taken Geoffrey's advice, and had never laid aside the shirt
of mail, night or day. Fine as was its temper, two or three links of the
outer fold were broken, but the point did not penetrate the second fold,
and the dagger snapped in the hand of the striker. The force of the
sudden blow, however, hurled Walter to the ground. With a loud cry Ralph
rushed forward. The man instantly fled. Ralph pursued him but a short
distance and then hastened back to Walter.
"Are you hurt, Sir Walter?" he exclaimed.
"In no way, Ralph, thanks to my shirt of mail. Well, indeed, was it for
me that I was wearing it or I should assuredly have been a dead man. I
had almost begun to forget that I was a threatened man; but I shall be
on guard for the future."
"I wish I had followed the fellow," Ralph said. "I would not have slain
him could I have helped it, but would have left it for the hangman to
extort from him the name of his employer; but, in truth, he struck so
hard, and you fell so straight before the blow, that I feared the mail
had given way, and that you were sorely wounded if not killed. You have
oft told me that I was over-careful of you, but you see that I was not
careful enough; however, you may be assured that if another attempt be
made those who attempt it shall not get off scot-free. Do you think of
laying a complaint before the provost against him you suspect?"
"It would be useless, Ralph. We may have suspicion of the man from whom
the blow came, but have no manner of proof. It might have been done by
any ruffian camp-follower, who struck the blow only with the hope of
carrying off my chain and purse. The camp swarms with such fellows, and
we have no clew which could lead to his detection, unless," he added,
stooping and picking up a piece of steel which lay at his feet, "this
broken dagger may some day furnish us with one. No; we will say naught
about it. Sir James Carnegie is not now in camp, having left a week
since on business in England. We exchange no words when we meet, but I
heard that he had been called away. Fortunately the young prince likes
him not, and I therefore have seldom occasion to meet him. I have no
doubt that he credits me with the disfavor in which he is held by the
prince; but I have never even mentioned his name before him, and the
prince's misliking is but the feeling which a noble and generous heart
has, as though by instinct, against one who is false and treacherous. At
the same time we must grant that this traitor knight is a bold and
fearless man-at-arms; he fought well at La Blanche Tache and Cressy, and
he is much liked and trusted by my Lord of Northampton, in whose
following he mostly rides; 'tis a pity that one so brave should have so
foul and treacherous a heart. Here we are at my hut, and you can sleep
soundly to-night, Ralph, for there is little fear that the fellow, who
has failed to-night, will repeat his attempt for some time. He thinks,
no doubt, that he has killed me, for with a blow so strongly struck he
would scarce have felt the snapping of the weapon, and is likely enough
already on board one of the ships which ply to and fro from England on
his way to acquaint his employer that I am removed from his path."
The next morning Walter mentioned to the Black Prince the venture which
had befallen him, and the narrow escape he had had of his life. The
prince was extremely exasperated, and gave orders that an inquisition
should be made through the camp, and that all men found there not being
able to give a good account of themselves as having reasonable and
lawful calling there should be forthwith put on board ship and sent to
England. He questioned Walter closely whether he deemed that this attack
was for the purpose of plunder only, or whether he had any reason to
believe that he had private enemies.
"There is a knight who is evilly disposed toward me, your highness,"
Walter said; "but seeing that I have no proof whatever that he had a
hand in this affair, however strongly I may suspect it, I would fain,
with your leave, avoid mentioning his name."
"But think you that there is any knight in this camp capable of so foul
an action?"
"I have had proofs, your highness, that he is capable of such an act;
but in this matter my tongue is tied, as the wrong he attempted was not
against myself, but against others who have so far forgiven him that
they would fain the matter should drop. He owes me ill-will, seeing that
I am aware of his conduct, and that it was my intervention which caused
his schemes to fail. Should this attempt against me be repeated it can
scarce be the effect of chance, but would show premeditated design, and
I would then, both in defense of my own life, and because I think that
such deeds should not go unpunished, not hesitate to name him to you,
and if proof be wanting to defy him to open combat."
"I regret, Sir Walter, that your scruples should hinder you from at once
denouncing him; but seeing how grave a matter it is to charge a knight
with so foul a crime, I will not lay stress upon you; but be assured
that should any repetition of the attempt be made I shall take the
matter in hand, and will see that this caitiff knight receives his
deserts."
A short time afterward Walter accompanied the prince in an excursion
which he made with a portion of the army, sweeping the French provinces
as far as the river Somme. Upon their way back they passed through the
village of Près, hard by which stood a small castle. It was situate some
forty miles from Calais, and standing upon rising ground it commanded a
very extensive view over the country.
"What say you, Sir Walter?" the prince said to the young knight who was
riding near him. "That castle would make a good advanced post, and a
messenger riding in could bring news of any large movements of the
enemy." Walter assented.
"Then, Sir Walter, I name you its chatelain. I shall be sorry to lose
your good company; but the post is one of peril, and I know that you are
ever longing to distinguish yourself. Take forty men-at-arms and sixty
archers. With that force you may make shift to resist any attack until
help reaches you from camp. You may be sure that I shall not be slack in
spurring to your rescue should you be assailed."
Walter received the proposal with delight. He was weary of the monotony
of life in New Town, and this post, in which vigilance and activity
would be required, was just to his taste; so, taking the force named by
the prince, with a store of provision, he drew off from the column and
entered the castle.
CHAPTER XV.
THE SIEGE OF A FORTALICE.
Walter's first step on assuming the command was to examine thoroughly
into the capabilities of defense of the place, to see that the well was
in good order, and the supply of water ample, and to send out a foraging
party, which, driving in a number of beasts and some cart-loads of
forage, would supply his garrison for some time. The castle he found was
less strong than it looked. The walls were lightly built, and were
incapable of withstanding any heavy battering. The moat was dry, and the
flanking towers badly placed, and affording little protection to the
faces of the walls; however, the extent of the defenses was small, and
Walter felt confident that with the force at his command he could resist
any sudden attack, unless made in overwhelming force, so that all the
faces of the wall could be assaulted at the same time. He had a large
number of great stones brought in to pile against the gate, while others
were brought into the central keep, similarly to defend the door should
the outer wall be carried. He appointed Ralph as his lieutenant, and
every day, leaving him in charge of the castle, rode through the
country for many miles round, with twenty men-at-arms, to convince
himself that no considerable force of the enemy were approaching. These
reconnaissances were not without some danger and excitement, for several
times bodies of the country people, armed with scythes, axes, and
staves, tried to intercept them on their return to the castle, and once
or twice Walter and his men had to fight their way through their
opponents. Contrary to the custom of the times, Walter gave orders to
his men not to slay any when resistance had ceased.
"They are but doing what we ourselves should do did French garrisons
hold our castles at home, and I deem them in no way to be blamed for the
efforts which they make to slay us. In self-defense, of course, we must
do our best, and must kill in order that we may not ourselves be slain;
but when they are once routed, let them go to their homes. Poor people,
the miseries which this war has brought upon them are great, and there
is no wonder that they hate us."
This leniency on Walter's part was not without good effect. When the
country people found that the garrison of the castle of Près did not
carry fire and sword through the villages around, that they took only
sufficient for their needs, and behaved with courtesy to all, their
animosity to a great extent subsided. No longer did the women and
children of the little villages fly to the woods when they saw the gleam
of Walter's approaching spears, but remained at their avocations, and
answered willingly enough the questions which he asked them as to
whether they had heard aught of the movements of French troops. So far
as possible, Walter refrained from seizing the cattle or stores of grain
of the poorer classes, taking such as he needed from the lands of the
wealthy proprietors, all of whom had left the country, and were either
with the French army or sheltering in Paris. Five of his best mounted
men Walter chose as messengers, and one rode each day to New Town with
the news which had been gathered, returning on the following day, and
then resting his horse for three days before again setting out.
Night and day sentries were placed on the walls, for although Walter
heard nothing of any body gathering in his immediate vicinity, a force
might at any moment issue from Amiens and appear suddenly before the
place. Such was indeed what really took place, and at daybreak one
morning Walter was aroused by the news that the sentinels saw a large
body of men rapidly approaching. The horse of the messenger next on duty
stood, as usual, saddled and bridled in readiness, and without a
moment's delay Walter ordered the man to mount and ride to the prince,
and to give news that the castle was assailed, but by how large a force
he could not as yet say.
The instant the messenger had started through the gates Walter ascended
to the walls; he saw at once that the party was a strong one; for
although still at some distance, and but dimly seen in the gray morning
light, he judged that it must contain at least a thousand men-at-arms.
At this moment a call from the sentry on the other side of the castle
was heard, and hastening thither, Walter saw that another body nearly as
numerous as the first were approaching from the side of Calais, having
made a _détour_ so as to place themselves between the castle and the
army, to which news would naturally be sent of their coming. Walter
watched his messenger, who had now ridden half a mile toward the
approaching body. Suddenly he saw him turn his horse and ride off at
right angles to the road.
"He sees them," he said, "and is going to try to ride round them. I fear
that there is but little hope of his escaping, seeing that they are
between him and Calais, and that assuredly some among them must be as
well or better mounted than himself." As he spoke a party of horsemen
were seen to detach themselves from the flank of the French column and
to gallop off at full speed to intercept the messenger; the latter
diverged more and more from his course, but he was constantly headed off
by his pursuers, and at last, seeing the impossibility of getting
through them, he again turned his horse's head and galloped off toward
the castle, which he reached a few hundred yards only in advance of his
foes.
"I could not help it, Sir Walter," he said as he galloped in at the
gate. "I found that although Robin is fast, some of those horsemen had
the turn of speed of me, and that it was impossible that I could get
through; so deeming that I should do more service by coming to strike a
blow here than by having my throat cut out in the fields, I made the
best of my way back."
"Quite right, Martin!" Walter said. "I should have been grieved had you
thrown your life away needlessly. I saw from the first that your escape
was cut off. And now, men, each to his place; but first pile up the
stones against the gate, and then let each man take a good meal, for it
is like enough to be long before we get a chance of doing so again."
Again ascending to the walls, Walter saw that the first body of
men-at-arms he had perceived was followed at a distance by a strong
force of footmen having with them some large wagons.
"I fear," he said to Ralph, "that they have brought machines with them
from Amiens, and in that case they will not be long in effecting a
breach, for doubtless they know that the walls are but weak. We shall
have to fight stoutly, for it may be days before the news of our leaguer
reaches the camp. However, I trust that the prince will, by to-morrow
night, when he finds that two days have elapsed without the coming of my
usual messenger, suspect that we are besieged and will sally forth to
our assistance. And now let us to breakfast, for we shall need all our
strength to-day, and you may be sure that the French will lose no time
in attacking, seeing that assistance may shortly arrive from Calais."
There were but few preparations to be made. Each man had had his post
assigned to him on the walls in case of an attack, and piles of stones
had been collected in readiness to cast down upon the heads of those
attempting an assault. Caldrons were carried up to the walls and filled
with water, and great fires were lighted under them. In half an hour the
French infantry had reached the spot, but another two hours elapsed
before any hostile movement was made, the leaders of the assailants
giving their men that time to rest after their long march. Then a stir
was visible among them, and they were seen to form in four columns, each
about a thousand strong, which advanced simultaneously against opposite
sides of the castle.
As soon as their intentions were manifest Walter divided his little
force, and these, gathering in four groups upon the walls, prepared to
resist the assault. To four of his most trusty men-at-arms he assigned
the command of these parties, he himself and Ralph being thus left free
to give their aid where it was most needed.
The assailants were well provided with scaling ladders, and advanced
with a number of cross-bowmen in front, who speedily opened a hot fire
on the walls. Walter ordered his archers to bide their time, and not to
fire a shot till certain that every shaft would tell. They accordingly
waited until the French arrived within fifty yards of the wall, when
the arrows began to rain among them with deadly effect; scarce one but
struck its mark--the face of an enemy. Even the closed visors of the
knights and chief men-at-arms did not avail to protect their wearers;
the shafts pierced between the bars or penetrated the slits left open
for sight, and many fell slain by the first volley. But their numbers
were far too great to allow the columns being checked by the fire of so
small a number of archers; the front ranks, indeed, pressed forward more
eagerly than before, being anxious to reach the foot of the wall, where
they would be in comparative shelter from the arrows.
The archers disturbed themselves in no way at the reaching of the wall
by the heads of the columns; but continued to shoot fast and true into
the mass behind them, and as these were, for the most part, less
completely armed than their leaders, numbers fell under the fire of the
sixty English bowmen. It was the turn of the men-at-arms now.
Immediately the assailants poured into the dry moat and sought to raise
their ladders the men-at-arms hurled down the masses of stones piled in
readiness, while some poured buckets of boiling water over them. In
spite of the loss they were suffering the French raised their ladders,
and covering their heads with their shields the leaders strove to gain
the walls. As they did so some of the archers took post in the flanking
towers, and as with uplifted arms the assailants climbed the ladders,
the archers smote them above the joints of their armor beneath the
armpits, while the men-at-arms with pike and battle-ax hewed down those
who reached the top of the ladders. Walter and Ralph hastened from point
to point encouraging the men and joining in the defense where the
pressure was hottest; and at last, after two hours of vain effort and
suffering great loss, the assailants drew off and the garrison had
breathing-time.
"Well done, my men!" Walter said cheeringly; "they have had a lesson
which they will remember, and if so be that they have brought with them
no machines we may hold out against them for any time."
It was soon manifest, however, that along with the scaling ladders the
enemy had brought one of their war-machines. Men were seen dragging
massive beams of timber toward the walls, and one of the wagons was
drawn forward and upset on its side at a distance of sixty yards from
the wall not, however, without those who drew it suffering much from the
arrows of the bowmen. Behind the shelter thus formed the French began to
put together the machine, whose beams soon raised themselves high above
the wagon.
In the mean time groups of men dragged great stones laid upon a sort of
hand sledge to the machine, and late in the afternoon it began to cast
its missiles against the wall. Against these Walter could do little. He
had no sacks, which, filled with earth, he might have lowered to cover
the part of the walls assailed, and beyond annoying those working the
machines by flights of arrows shot high in the air, so as to descend
point downward among them, he could do nothing.
The wall crumbled rapidly beneath the blows of the great stones, and
Walter saw that by the following morning a breach would be effected.
When night fell he called his men together and asked if any would
volunteer to carry news through the enemy to the prince. The enterprise
seemed well-nigh hopeless, for the French, as if foreseeing that
such an attempt might be made, had encamped in a complete circle
round the castle, as was manifest by the position of their fires.
Several men stepped forward, and Walter chose three light and active
men--archers--to attempt the enterprise. These stripped off their steel
caps and breast-pieces, so that they might move more quickly, and when
the French fires burned low and all was quiet save the creak of the
machine and the dull heavy blows of the stones against the wall, the
three men were lowered by ropes at different points, and started on
their enterprise. A quarter of an hour later the garrison heard shouts
and cries, and knew that a vigilant watch had been set by the French,
and that one, if not all, of their friends had fallen into their hands.
All night long the machine continued to play.
An hour before daylight, when he deemed that the enemy's vigilance would
be relaxed, Walter caused himself with Ralph and twelve of his
men-at-arms to be lowered by ropes from the wall. Each rope had a loop
at the bottom in which one foot was placed, and knots were tied in order
to give a better grasp for the hands. They were lowered at a short
distance from the spot at which the machine was at work; all were armed
with axes, and they made their way unperceived until within a few yards
of the wagon. Then there was a cry of alarm, and in a moment they rushed
forward among the enemy. The men working the machine were instantly cut
down, and Walter and his party fell upon the machine, cutting the ropes
and smashing the wheels and pulleys and hewing away at the timber
itself. In a minute or two, however, they were attacked by the enemy,
the officer in command having bade a hundred men lie down to sleep close
behind the machine in case the garrison should attempt a sortie. Walter
called upon Ralph and four of the men-at-arms to stand beside him while
the others continued their work of destruction. The French came up in a
tumultuous body, but standing so far apart that they could wield their
axes, the English dealt such destruction among their first assailants
that these for a time recoiled. As fresh numbers came up, encouraged by
their leader they renewed the attack, and in spite of the most
tremendous efforts Walter and his party were driven back. By this time,
however, so much damage had been done to the machine that it would be
some hours before it could be repaired, even if spare ropes and other
appliances had been brought with it from Amiens; so that, reënforced by
the working party, Walter was again able to hold his ground, and after
repulsing a fresh onslaught of the enemy he gave the word for his men to
retire at full speed.
The French were so surprised by the sudden disappearance of their foes
that it was a moment or two before they started in pursuit, and Walter
and his men had gained some thirty yards before the pursuit really
commenced.
The night was a dark one, and they considerably increased this advantage
before they reached the foot of the wall, where the ropes were hanging.
"Have each of you found his rope?" Walter asked.
As soon as an affirmative answer was given he placed his foot in the
loop and shouted to the men above to draw up, and before the enraged
enemy could reach the spot the whole party were already some yards above
their heads. The archers opened fire upon the French, doing, in spite of
the darkness, considerable execution, for the men had snatched up their
arms at the sudden alarm, and had joined the fray in such haste that
many of them had not had time to put on their steel caps. There was
noise and bustle in the enemy's camp, for the whole force were now under
arms, and in their anger at the sudden blow which had been struck them,
some bodies of men even moved forward toward the walls as if they
intended to renew the assault of the previous day; but the showers of
arrows with which they were greeted cooled their ardor, and they
presently retired out of reach of bow-shot. There was a respite now for
the besiegers. No longer every few minutes did a heavy stone strike the
walls.
The morning's light enabled the defenders of the castle to see the
extent of the damage which the battering machine had effected. None too
soon had they put a stop to its work, for had it continued its
operations another hour or two would have effected a breach.
Already large portions of the wall facing it had fallen, and other
portions were so seriously damaged that a few more blows would have
leveled them.
"At any rate," Walter said to Ralph, "we have gained a respite; but even
now I fear that if the Black Prince comes not until to-morrow he will
arrive too late."
The French, apparently as well aware as the garrison of the necessity
for haste, labored at the repair of the machine. Bodies of men started
to cut down trees to supply the place of the beams which had been
rendered useless. Scarcely had the assault ceased when horsemen were
dispatched in various directions to seek for fresh ropes, and by dint of
the greatest exertions the machine was placed in position to renew its
attack shortly after noon.
By two o'clock several large portions of the damaged wall had fallen,
and the _débris_ formed a slope by which an assaulting column could rush
to the bridge. As soon as this was manifest the French force formed for
the assault and rushed forward in solid column.
Walter had made the best preparation possible for the defense. In the
courtyard behind the breach his men had since morning been driving a
circle of piles, connected by planks fastened to them. These were some
five feet high, and along the top and in the face next to the breach
sharp-pointed spikes and nails had been driven, rendering it difficult
in the extreme for any one to climb over. As the column of the
assailants approached Walter placed his archers on the walls on either
side of the breach, while he himself, with his men-at-arms, took his
station in the gap and faced the coming host. The breach was some ten
yards wide, but it was only for about half this width that the mound of
broken stones rendered it possible for their enemies to assault,
consequently there was but a space of some fifteen feet in width to be
defended. Regardless of the flights of arrows, the French, headed by
their knights and squires, advanced to the assault, and clambering up
the rough stones attacked the defenders.
Walter, with Ralph and three of his best men-at-arms, stood in the front
line and received the first shock of the assault. The roughness and
steepness of the mound prevented the French from attacking in regular
order, and the very eagerness of the knights and squires who came first
in contact with their enemies was a hindrance to them. When the columns
were seen gathering for the assault Walter had scattered several barrels
full of oil and tar which he found in the cellars over the mound in
front of the breach, rendering it greasy and slippery, and causing the
assailants to slip and stagger and many to fall as they pressed forward
to the assault. Before the fight commenced he had encouraged his
soldiers by recalling to them how a mere handful of men had at Cressy
withstood for hours the desperate efforts of the whole of the French
army to break through their line, and all were prepared to fight to the
death.
The struggle was a desperate one. Served by their higher position, and
by the difficulties which the French encountered from the slipperiness
of the ground and their own fierce ardor to attack, Walter and his
little band for a long time resisted every effort. He with his sword and
Ralph with his heavy mace did great execution, and they were nobly
seconded by their men-at-arms. As fast as one fell another took his
place. The breach in front of them was cumbered with dead and red with
blood. Still the French poured upward in a wave, and the sheer weight of
their numbers and the fatigue caused by the tremendous exertions the
defenders were making began to tell. Step by step the English were
driven back, and Walter saw that the defense could not much longer be
continued. He bade one of his men-at-arms at once order the archers to
cease firing, and, leaving the walls, to take refuge in the keep, and
thence to open fire upon the French as they poured through the breach.
When he found that this movement had been accomplished Walter bade the
men-at-arms fall back gradually. A gap had been left in the wooden fence
sufficient for one at a time to pass, and through this the men-at-arms
retired one by one to the keep until only Walter and five others were
left. With these Walter flung himself suddenly upon the assailants and
forced them a few feet down the slope. Then he gave the word, and all
sprang back, and leaping down from the wall into the court-yard ran
through the barrier, Walter and Ralph being the last to pass as the
French with exulting shouts leaped down from the breach.
There was another fierce fight at the barrier. Walter left Ralph to
defend this with a few men-at-arms while he saw that all was in
readiness for closing the door rapidly in the keep. Then he ran back
again. He was but just in time. Ralph indeed could for a long time have
held the narrow passage, but the barriers themselves were yielding. The
French were pouring in through the breach, and as those behind could not
see the nature of the obstacle which arrested the advance of their
companions they continued to push forward, and by their weight pressed
those in front against the spikes in the barrier. Many perished
miserably on these. Others, whose armor protected them from this fate,
were crushed to death by the pressure; but this was now so great that
the timbers were yielding. Walter, seeing that in another moment they
would be leveled, gave the word, sprang back with Ralph and his party,
and entered the keep just as with a crash the barrier fell and the
French poured in a crowd into the court-yard. Bolting the door the
defenders of the keep piled against it the stones which had been laid in
readiness.
The door was on the first floor, and was approached by a narrow flight
of stone steps, up which but two abreast could advance. In their first
fury the French poured up these steps, but from the loop-holes which
commanded it the English bowmen shot so hard that their arrows pierced
the strongest armor. Smitten through visor and armor, numbers of the
bravest of the assailants fell dead. Those who gained the top of the
steps were assailed by showers of boiling oil from an upper chamber
which projected over the door, and whose floor was pierced for this
purpose, while from the top of the keep showers of stones were poured
down. After losing great numbers in this desperate effort at assault the
French drew off for awhile, while their leaders held council as to the
best measures to be taken for the capture of the keep.
After a time Walter from the summit saw several bodies of men detach
themselves from the crowd still without the castle and proceed into the
country. Two hours later they were seen returning laden with trunks of
trees. These were dragged through the breach, and were, in spite of the
efforts of the archers and of the men-at-arms with their stones, placed
so as to form a sort of penthouse against one side of the keep. Numbers
of the soldiers now poured up with sacks and all kinds of vessels which
they had gathered from the surrounding villages, filled with earth. This
was thrown over the beams until it filled all the crevices between them
and formed a covering a foot thick, so that neither boiling oil nor
water poured from above could penetrate to injure those working beneath
its shelter. When all was ready a strong body armed with picks and
crowbars entered the penthouse and began to labor to cut away the wall
of the keep itself.
"Their commander knows his business," Walter said, "and the device is an
excellent one. We can do nothing, and it only depends upon the strength
of the wall how long we can hold out. The masonry is by no means good,
and before nightfall, unless aid comes, there will be naught for us but
death or surrender."
CHAPTER XVI.
A PRISONER.
As long as it was light an anxious lookout was kept from the top of the
keep toward Calais. There was nothing to be done. The besiegers who had
entered the walls were ensconced in the various buildings in the
court-yard or placed behind walls so as to be out of arrow-shot from
above, and were in readiness to repel any sortie which might be made to
interfere with the work going on under the penthouse. But no sortie was
possible, for to effect this it would be necessary to remove the stones
from the door, and before this could be accomplished the besiegers would
have rallied in overwhelming force, nor could a sortie have effected
anything beyond the slaying of the men actually engaged in the work. The
beams of the penthouse were too strong and too heavily weighted with
earth to be removed, and the attempt would only have entailed useless
slaughter. The penthouse was about forty feet in length, and the
assailants were piercing three openings, each of some six feet in width,
leaving two strong supporting pillars between them. Anxiously the
garrison within listened to the sounds of work, which became louder and
louder as the walls crumbled before the stroke of pickax and crowbar.
"I shall hold out until the last moment," Walter said to Ralph, "in
hopes of relief, but before they burst in I shall sound a parley. To
resist further would be a vain sacrifice of life."
Presently a movement could be seen among the stones, and then almost
simultaneously two apertures appeared. The chamber into which the
openings were made was a large one, being used as the common room of the
garrison. Here twenty archers and the remaining men-at-arms--of whom
nearly one-half had fallen in the defense of the breach--were gathered,
and the instant the orifices appeared the archers began to send their
arrows through them. Then Walter ascended to another chamber, and
ordered the trumpeter to sound a parley.
The sound was repeated by the assailants' trumpeter.
"Who commands the force?" Walter asked.
"I, Guy, Count of Evreux."
"I am Sir Walter Somers," the young knight continued. "I wish to ask
terms for the garrison."
"You must surrender unconditionally," the count replied from the
court-yard. "In ten minutes we shall have completely pierced your walls,
and you will be at our mercy."
"You may pierce our walls," Walter replied, "but it will cost you many
lives before you force your way in; we will defend the hold from floor
to floor, and you know how desperate men can fight. It will cost you
scores of lives before you win your way to the summit of this keep; but
if I have your knightly word that the lives of all within these walls
shall be spared, then will I open the doors and lay down our arms."
A consultation took place between the leaders below. There was truth in
Walter's words that very many lives would be sacrificed before the
resistance of so gallant a garrison could be overcome. Every minute was
of importance, for it was possible that at any moment aid might arrive
from Calais, and that the table would be turned upon the besiegers.
Therefore, after a short parley among themselves, the count replied:
"You have fought as a gallant knight and gentleman, Sir Walter Somers,
and have wrought grievous harm upon my leading. I should grieve that so
brave a knight should lose his life in a useless resistance. Therefore I
agree to your terms, and swear upon my knightly honor that upon your
surrendering yourselves prisoners of war, the lives of all within these
walls shall be spared."
Walter at once gave the order. The stones were removed and the door
thrown open, and leading his men Walter descended the steps into the
court-yard, which was now illuminated with torches, and handed his sword
to the Count of Evreux.
"You promised me, count," a tall knight standing by his side said, "that
if he were taken alive, the commander of this castle should be my
prisoner."
"I did so, Sir Philip Holbeaut. When you proposed this adventure to me,
and offered to place your following at my command, I agreed to the
request you made me; but mind," he said sternly, "my knightly word has
been given for his safety. See that he receives fair and gentle
treatment at your hand. I would not that aught should befall so brave a
knight."
"I seek him no harm," the knight said angrily; "but I know that he is
one of the knights of the Black Prince's own suit, and that his ransom
will be freely paid, and as my coffers are low from the expenses of the
war, I would fain replenish them at the expense of the English prince."
"I said not that I doubted you, Sir Philip," the count said calmly; "but
as the knight surrendered on my word, it was needful that I should warn
you to treat him as I myself should do did he remain in my hands, and to
give him fair treatment until duly ransomed."
"I should be glad, count," Walter said, "if you will suffer me to take
with me as companion in my captivity this man-at-arms. He is strongly
attached to me, and we have gone through many perils together; it will
lighten my captivity to have him by my side."
"Surely I will do so, Sir Walter, and wish that your boon had been a
larger one. The rest I will take back with me to Amiens, there to hold
until exchanged for some of those who at various times have fallen into
your king's hands. And now to work, men; lose not a moment in stripping
the castle of all that you choose to carry away, then apply fire to the
storehouses, granaries, and the hold itself. I would not that it
remained standing to serve as an outpost for the English."
The horses were brought from the stables. Walter and Ralph took their
horses by the bridle, and followed Sir Philip Holbeaut through the now
open gates of the castle to the spot where the horses of the besiegers
were picketed. The knight and his own men-at-arms, who had at the
beginning of the day numbered a hundred and fifty, but who were now
scarcely two thirds of that strength, at once mounted with their
prisoners, and rode off from the castle. A few minutes later a glare of
light burst out from behind them. The count's orders had been obeyed;
fire had been applied to the stores of forage, and soon the castle of
Près was wrapped in flames.
"I like not our captor's manner," Ralph said to Walter as they rode
along side by side.
"I agree with you, Ralph. I believe that the reason which he gave the
count for his request was not a true one, though, indeed, I can see no
other motive which he could have for seeking to gain possession of me.
Sir Philip, although a valiant knight, bears but an indifferent
reputation. I have heard that he is a cruel master to his serfs, and
that when away fighting in Germany he behaved so cruelly to the
peasantry that even the Germans, who are not nice in their modes of
warfare, cried out against him. It is an evil fortune that has thrown
us into his hands; still, although grasping and avaricious, he can
hardly demand for a simple knight any inordinate ransom. The French
themselves would cry out did he do so, seeing that so large a number of
their own knights are in our hands, and that the king has ample powers
of retaliation; however, we need not look on the dark side. It is not
likely that our captivity will be a long one, for the prince, who is the
soul of generosity, will not haggle over terms, but will pay my ransom
as soon as he hears into whose hands I have fallen, while there are
scores of men-at-arms prisoners whom he can exchange for you. Doubtless
Sir Philip will send you over as soon as he arrives at his castle, with
one of his own followers, to treat for my ransom."
After riding for some hours the troop halted their weary horses in a
wood, and lighting fires, cooked their food, and then lay down until
morning. Sir Philip exchanged but few words with his captive; as, having
removed his helm, he sat by the fire, Walter had an opportunity of
seeing his countenance. It did not belie his reputation. His face had a
heavy and brutal expression which was not decreased by the fashion of
his hair, which was cut quite short, and stood up without parting all
over his bullet-shaped head; he had a heavy and bristling mustache which
was cut short in a line with his lips.
[Illustration: "THIS IS A DUNGEON FOR A FELON," HE EXCLAIMED.--Page
273.]
"It is well," Walter thought to himself, "that it is my ransom rather
than my life which is dear to that evil-looking knight; for, assuredly,
he is not one to hesitate did fortune throw a foe into his hands."
At daybreak the march was resumed, and was continued until they reached
the castle of Sir Philip Holbeaut, which stood on a narrow tongue of
land formed by a sharp bend of the Somme.
On entering the castle the knight gave an order to his followers, and
the prisoners were at once led to a narrow cell beneath one of the
towers. Walter looked round indignantly when he arrived there.
"This is a dungeon for a felon," he exclaimed, "not the apartment for a
knight who has been taken captive in fair fight. Tell your master that
he is bound to award me honorable treatment, and that unless he removes
me instantly from this dungeon to a proper apartment, and treats me with
all due respect and courtesy, I will, when I regain my liberty, proclaim
him a dishonored knight."
The men-at-arms made no reply; but, locking the door behind them, left
the prisoners alone.
"What can this mean, Ralph?" Walter exclaimed. "We are in the lowest
dungeon, and below the level of the river. See how damp are the walls,
and the floor is thick with slimy mud. The river must run but just below
that loop-hole, and in times of flood probably enters here."
Philip of Holbeaut, on dismounting, ascended to an upper chamber, where
a man in the dress of a well-to-do citizen was sitting.
"Well, Sir Philip," he exclaimed, rising to his feet as the other
entered, "what news?"
"The news is bad," the knight growled. "This famous scheme of yours has
cost me fifty of my best men. I would I had had nothing to do with it."
"But this Walter Somers," the other exclaimed, "what of him? He has not
escaped, surely! The force which marched from Amiens was large enough to
have eaten him and his garrison."
"He has not escaped," the knight replied.
"Then he is killed!" the other said eagerly.
"No; nor is he killed. He is at present a prisoner in a dungeon below,
together with a stout knave whom he begged might accompany him until
ransomed."
"All is well, then," the other exclaimed. "Never mind the loss of your
men. The money which I have promised you for this business will hire you
two hundred such knaves; but why didst not knock him on the head at
once?"
"It was not so easy to knock him on the head," Sir Philip growled. "It
cost us five hundred men to capture the outer walls, and to have fought
our way into the keep, held as it was by men who would have contested
every foot of the ground, was not a job for which any of us had much
stomach, seeing what the first assaults had cost us; so the count took
them all to quarter. The rest he carried with him to Amiens; but their
leader, according to the promise which he made me, he handed over to me
as my share of the day's booty, giving me every charge that he should
receive good and knightly treatment."
"Which, no doubt, you will observe," the other said, with an ugly laugh.
"It is a bad business," the knight exclaimed angrily, "and were it not
for our friendship in Spain, and the memory of sundry deeds which we did
together, not without profit to our purses, I would rather that you were
thrown over the battlements into the river than I had taken a step in
this business. However, none can say that Philip of Holbeaut ever
deserted a friend who had proved true to him, not to mention that the
sum which you promised me for my aid in this matter will, at the present
time, prove wondrously convenient. Yet I foresee that it will bring me
into trouble with the Count of Evreux. Ere many days a demand will come
for the fellow to be delivered on ransom."
"And what will you say?" the other asked.
"I shall say what is the truth," the knight replied, "though I may add
something that is not wholly so. I shall say that he was drowned in the
Somme. I shall add that it happened as he was trying to make his escape,
contrary to the parole he had given; but in truth he will be drowned in
the dungeon in which I have placed him, which has rid me of many a
troublesome prisoner before now. The river is at ordinary times but two
feet below the loop-hole; and when its tide is swelled by rain it often
rises above the sill, and then there is an end of any one within. They
can doubt my word; but there are not many who would care to do so
openly; none who would do so for the sake of an unknown English knight.
And as for any complaints on the part of the Black Prince, King Philip
has shown over and over again how little the complaints of Edward
himself move him."
"It were almost better to knock him on the head at once," the other said
thoughtfully; "the fellow has as many lives as a cat."
"If he had as many as nine cats," the knight replied, "it would not
avail him. But I will have no violence. The water will do your work as
well as a poniard, and I will not have it said, even among such ruffians
as mine, that I slew a captured knight. The other will pass as an
accident, and I care not what my men may think as long as they can say
nothing for a surety. The count may storm as much as he will, and may
even lay a complaint against me before the king; but in times like the
present, even a simple knight who can lead two hundred good fighting men
into the field is not to be despised, and the king is likely to be
easily satisfied with my replies to any question that may be raised.
Indeed, it would seem contrary to reason that I should slay a captive
against whom I have no cause of quarrel, and so forfeit the ransom which
I should get for him."
"But suppose that a messenger should come offering ransom before the
river happens to rise?"
"Then I shall anticipate matters, and shall say that what I know will
happen has already taken place. Do not be uneasy, Sir James. You have my
word in the matter, and now I have gone so far, I shall carry it
through. From the moment when I ordered him into that dungeon his fate
was sealed, and in truth, when I gave the order I did so to put an end
to the indecision in which my mind had been all night. Once in there he
could not be allowed to come out alive, for his report of such treatment
would do me more harm among those of my own station in France than any
rumors touching his end could do. It is no uncommon affair for one to
remove an enemy from one's path; but cruelty to a knightly prisoner
would be regarded with horror. Would you like to have a look at him?"
The other hesitated. "No," he replied. "Against him personally I have no
great grudge. He has thwarted my plans, and stands now grievously in the
way of my making fresh ones; but as he did so from no ill-will toward
myself, but as it were by hazard, I have no personal hatred toward him,
though I would fain remove him from my path. Besides, I tell you fairly,
that even in that dungeon where you have thrown him I shall not feel
that he is safe until you send me word that he is dead. He has twice
already got out of scrapes when other men would have been killed. Both
at Vannes and at Ghent he escaped in a marvelous way; and but a few
weeks since, by the accident of his having a coat of mail under his
doublet he saved his life from as fair a blow as ever was struck.
Therefore I would not that he knew aught of my having a hand in this
matter, for if after having seen me he made his escape I could never
show my face in England again. I should advise you to bid three or four
men always enter his cell together, for he and that man-at-arms who
follows him like a shadow are capable of playing any desperate trick to
escape."
"That matter is easily enough managed," Sir Philip said grimly, "by no
one entering the dungeon at all. The river may be slow of rising, though
in sooth the sky looks overcast now, and it is already at its usual
winter level; and whether he dies from lack of water or from a too
abundant supply matters but little to me; only, as I told you, I will
give no orders for him to be killed. Dost remember that Jew we carried
off from Seville and kept without water until he agreed to pay us a
ransom which made us both rich for six months? That was a rare haul, and
I would that rich Jews were plentiful in this country."
"Yes, those were good times," the other said, "although I own that I
have not done badly since the war began, having taken a count and three
knights prisoners, and put them to ransom, and having reaped a goodly
share of plunder from your French burghers, else indeed I could not have
offered you so round a sum to settle this little matter for me. There
are not many French knights who have earned a count's ransom in the
present war. And now I will take horse; here is one-half of the sum I
promised you, in gold nobles. I will send you the remainder on the day
when I get news from you that the matter is finished."
"Have your money ready in a week's time," the knight replied, taking the
bag of gold which the other placed on the table, "for by that time you
will hear from me. I hope this will not be the last business which we
may do together; there ought to be plenty of good chances in a war like
this. Any time that you can send me word of an intended foray by a small
party under a commander whose ransom would be a high one I will share
what I get with you; and similarly I will let you know of any rich prize
who may be pounced upon on the same terms."
"Agreed!" the other said. "We may do a good business together in that
way. But you lie too far away. If you move up as near as you can to
Calais and let me know your whereabout, so that I could send or ride to
you in a few hours, we might work together with no small profit."
"I will take the field as soon as this affair of yours is settled," the
knight replied; "and the messenger who brings you the news shall tell
you where I may be found. And now, while your horse is being got ready,
let us drink a stoop of wine together in memory of old times, though,
for myself, these wines of ours are poor and insipid beside the fiery
juice of Spain."
While this conversation, upon which their fate so much depended, had
been going on, Walter and Ralph had been discussing the situation, and
had arrived at a tolerably correct conclusion.
"This conduct on the part of this brutal French knight, Ralph, is so
strange that methinks it cannot be the mere outcome of his passions or
of hate against me as an Englishman, but of some deeper motive; and we
were right in thinking that in bargaining for my person with the Count
of Evreux it was more than my ransom which he sought. Had that been his
only object he would never have thrown us into this noisome dungeon, for
my report of such treatment would bring dishonor upon him in the eyes of
every knight and noble in France as well as in England. It must be my
life he aims at, although what grudge he can have against me it passes
me to imagine. It may be that at Cressy or elsewhere some dear relative
of his may have fallen by my sword; and yet were it so, men nourish no
grudge for the death of those killed in fair fight. But this boots not
at present. It is enough for us that it is my life which he aims at, and
I fear, Ralph, that yours must be included with mine, since he would
never let a witness escape to carry the foul tale against him. This
being so, the agreement on which I surrendered is broken, and I am free
to make my escape if I can, and methinks the sooner that be attempted
the better. So let us to work to plan how we may best get out of this
place. After our escape from that well at Vannes we need not despair
about breaking out from this dungeon of Holbeaut."
"We might overpower the guard who brings our food," Ralph said.
"There is that chance," Walter rejoined, "but I think it is a poor one.
They may be sure that this dishonorable treatment will have rendered us
desperate, and they will take every precaution and come well armed. It
may be, too, that they will not come at all, but that they intend us to
die of starvation, or perchance to be drowned by the floods, which it is
easy to see often make their way in here. No, our escape, if escape
there be, must be made through that loop-hole above. Were that bar
removed methinks it is wide enough for us to squeeze through. Doubtless
such a hazard has not occurred to them, seeing that it is nigh twelve
feet above the floor and that a single man could by no possibility reach
it, but with two of us there is no difficulty. Now, Ralph, do you stand
against the wall. I will climb upon your shoulders and standing there
can reach the bar and so haul myself up and look out."
This was soon done, and Walter, seizing the bar, hauled himself up so
that he could see through the loop-hole.
"It is as I thought," he said. "The waters of the Somme are but a foot
below the level of this window; the river is yellow and swollen, and a
few hours' heavy rain would bring it above the level of this sill. Stand
steady, Ralph, I am coming down again."
When he reached the ground he said:
"Take off your belt, Ralph; if we buckle that and mine together, passing
it round the bar, it will make a loop upon which we can stand at the
window and see how best we can loosen the bar. Constantly wet as it is,
it is likely that the mortar will have softened, in which case we shall
have little difficulty in working it out."
The plan was at once put into execution; the belts were fastened
together, and Walter standing on Ralph's shoulders passed one end around
the bar and buckled it to the other, thus making a loop some three feet
in length; putting a foot in this he was able to stand easily at the
loop-hole.
"It is put in with mortar at the top, Ralph, and the mortar has rotted
with the wet, but at the bottom lead was poured in when the bar was set
and this must be scooped out before it can be moved. Fortunately the
knight gave no orders to his men to remove our daggers when we were
thrust in here, and these will speedily dig out the lead; but I must
come down first, for the strap prevents my working at the foot of the
bar. We must tear off a strip of our clothing and make a shift to fasten
the strap half-way up the bar so as not to slip down with our weight."
In order to accomplish this Walter had to stand upon Ralph's head to
gain additional height. He presently, after several attempts, succeeded
in fixing the strap firmly against the bar half-way up, and then placing
one knee in the loop and putting an arm through the bar to steady
himself, he set to work at the lead. The sharp point of the dagger
quickly cut out that near the surface, but further down the hole
narrowed and the task was much more difficult. Several times Ralph
relieved him at the work, but at last it was accomplished, and the bar
was found to move slightly when they shook it. There now remained only
to loosen the cement above, and this was a comparatively easy task; it
crumbled quickly before the points of their daggers, and the bar was
soon free to move.
"Now," Walter said, "we have to find out whether the bar was first put
in from below or from above; one hole or the other must be a good deal
deeper than the iron, so that it was either shoved up or pushed down
until the other end could get under or over the other hole. I should
think most likely the hole is below, as if they held up the bar against
the top, when the lead was poured in it would fill up the space; so we
will first of all try to lift it. I must stand on your head again to
enable me to be high enough to try this."
"My head is strong enough, I warrant," Ralph replied, "but I will fold
up my jerkin, and put on it, for in truth you hurt me somewhat when you
were tying the strap to the bar."
All Walter's efforts did not succeed in raising the bar in the
slightest, and he therefore concluded that it had been inserted here and
lifted while the space was filled with lead. "It is best so," he said;
"we should have to cut away the stone either above or below, and can
work much better below. Now I will put my knee in the strap again and
set to work. The stone seems greatly softened by the wet, and will yield
to our daggers readily enough. It is already getting dark, and as soon
as we have finished we can start."
As Walter had discovered, the stone was rotten with the action of the
weather, and although as they got deeper it became much harder, it
yielded to the constant chipping with their daggers, and in two hours
Ralph, who at the moment happened to be engaged, announced to Walter
that his dagger found its way under the bottom of the bar. The groove
was soon made deep enough for the bar to be moved out; but another
hour's work was necessary, somewhat further to enlarge the upper hole,
so as to allow the bar to have sufficient play. Fortunately it was only
inserted about an inch and a half in the stone, and the amount to be cut
away to give it sufficient play was therefore not large. Then at last
all was ready for their flight.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE CAPTURE OF CALAIS.
When the bar was once ready for removal the captives delayed not a
minute, for although it was now so late that there was little chance of
a visit being paid them, it was just possible that such might be the
case, and that it might occur to the knight that it would be safer to
separate them.
"Now, Ralph, do you go first, since I am lighter and can climb up by
means of the strap, which you can hold from above; push the bar out and
lay it down quietly in the thickness of the wall. A splash might attract
the attention of the sentries, though I doubt whether it would, for the
wind is high and the rain falling fast. Unbuckle the strap before you
move the bar, as otherwise it might fall and I should have difficulty in
handing it to you again. Now, I am steady against the wall."
Ralph seized the bar and with a great effort pushed the bottom from him.
It moved through the groove without much difficulty, but it needed a
great wrench to free the upper end. However, it was done, and laying it
quietly down he pulled himself up and thrust himself through the
loop-hole. It was a desperate struggle to get through, for it was only
just wide enough for his head to pass, and he was so squarely built that
his body with difficulty followed. The wall was four feet wide, and as
the loop-hole widened considerably without, there was, when he had once
passed through from the inside, space enough for him to kneel down and
lower one end of the strap to Walter. The latter speedily climbed up,
and getting through the slit with much less trouble than Ralph had
experienced--for although in height and width of shoulder he was his
equal, he was less in depth than his follower--he joined him in the
opening, Ralph sitting with his feet in the water in order to make room
for him.
The dungeon was upon the western side of the castle, and consequently
the stream would be with them in making for shore. It was pitch-dark,
but they knew that the distance they would have to swim could not exceed
forty or fifty yards.
"Keep along close by the wall, Ralph. If we once get out in the stream
we might lose our way; we will skirt the wall until it ends, then there
is a cut, for as you saw when we entered, the moat runs right across
this neck. If we keep a bit further down and then land we shall be
fairly beyond the outworks."
Ralph slipped down into the water, and followed by Walter swam along at
the foot of the wall. They had already been deprived of their armor, but
had luckily contrived to retain their daggers in their belts, which
they had again girdled on before entering the water. The stream hurried
them rapidly along, and they had only to keep themselves afloat. They
were soon at the corner of the castle. A few strokes further and they
again felt the wall which lined the moat. The stream still swept them
along, they felt the masonry come to an end, and bushes and shrubs lined
the bank. They were beyond the outer defenses of the castle. Still a
little further they proceeded down the stream in order to prevent the
possibility of any noise they might make in scrambling up being heard by
the sentinels on the outer postern. Then when they felt quite safe they
grasped the bushes, and speedily climbed the bank. Looking back at the
castle they saw lights still burning there. Short as was the time they
had been in the water they were both chilled to the bone, for it was the
month of February, and the water was bitterly cold.
"It cannot be more than nine o'clock now," Walter said, "for it is not
more than four hours since darkness fell. They are not likely to visit
the dungeon before eight or nine to-morrow, so we can rely upon twelve
hours' start, and if we make the best of our time we ought to be far on
our way by then, though in truth it is not fast traveling on a night
like this through a strange country. I would that the stars were
shining. However, the direction of the wind and rain will be a guide to
us, and we shall soon strike the road we traveled yesterday, and can
follow that till morning."
They were not long before they found the track, and then started at a
brisk pace along it. All night they struggled on through wind and rain
until the first dawn enabled them to see the objects in the surrounding
country; and making for the forest which extended to within a mile of
the road, they entered deep into its shelter, and there, utterly
exhausted, threw themselves down on the wet ground. After a few hours of
uneasy sleep they woke, and taking their place near the edge of the
forest watched for the passage of any party which might be in pursuit,
but until nightfall none came along.
"They have not discovered our flight," Ralph said at last, "or they
would have passed long before this. Sir Philip doubtless imagines that
we are drowned. The water was within a few inches of the sill when we
started, and must soon have flooded the dungeon; and did he trouble to
look in the morning, which is unlikely enough seeing that he would be
sure of our fate, he would be unable to descend the stairs, and could
not reach to the door, and so discover that the bar had been removed.
No; whatever his motive may have been in compassing my death, he is
doubtless satisfied that he has attained it, and we need have no further
fear of pursuit from him. The rain has ceased, and I think that it will
be a fine night; we will walk on, and if we come across a barn will make
free to enter it, and stripping off our clothing to dry, will sleep in
the hay, and pursue our journey in the morning. From our travel-stained
appearance any who may meet us will take us for two wayfarers going to
take service in the army at Amiens."
It was not until nearly midnight that they came upon such a place as
they sought, then after passing a little village they found a shed
standing apart. Entering it they found that it was tenanted by two cows.
Groping about they presently came upon a heap of forage, and taking off
their outer garments lay down on this, covering themselves thickly with
it. The shed was warm and comfortable and they were soon asleep, and
awaking at daybreak they found that their clothes had dried somewhat.
The sun was not yet up when they started, but it soon rose, and ere noon
their garments had dried, and they felt for the first time comfortable.
They met but few people on the road, and these passed them with the
ordinary salutations.
They had by this time left Amiens on the right, and by nightfall were
well on their way toward Calais. Early in the morning they had purchased
some bread at a village through which they passed; Walter's
Norman-French being easily understood, and exciting no surprise or
suspicion. At nightfall they slept in a shed within a mile of the ruins
of the castle of Près, and late next evening entered the English
encampment at New Town. After going to his tent, where he and Ralph
changed their garments and partook of a hearty meal, Walter proceeded to
the pavilion of the prince, who hailed his entrance with the greatest
surprise.
"Why, Sir Walter," he exclaimed, "what good saint has brought you here?
I have but an hour since received a message from the Count of Evreux to
the effect that you were a prisoner in the hands of Sir Philip de
Holbeaut, with whom I must treat for your ransom. I was purporting to
send off a herald to-morrow to ask at what sum he held you; and now you
appear in flesh and blood before us! But first, before you tell us your
story, I must congratulate you on your gallant defense of the Castle of
Près, which is accounted by all as one of the most valiant deeds of the
war. When two days passed without a messenger from you coming hither, I
feared that you were beleaguered, and started that evening with six
hundred men-at-arms. We arrived at daybreak, to find only a smoking
ruin. Luckily among the crowd of dead upon the breach we found one of
your men-at-arms who still breathed, and after some cordial had been
given him, and his wounds stanched, he was able to tell us the story of
the siege. But it needed not his tale to tell us how stanchly you had
defended the castle, for the hundreds of dead who lay outside of the
walls, and still more the mass who piled the breach, and the many who
lay in the castle yard spoke for themselves of the valor with which the
castle had been defended. As the keep was gutted by fire, and the man
could tell us naught of what had happened after he had been stricken
down at the breach, we knew not whether you and your brave garrison had
perished in the flames. We saw the penthouse beneath which they had
labored to cut through the wall, but the work had ceased before the
holes were large enough for entry, and we hoped that you might have seen
that further resistance was in vain, and have made terms for your lives;
indeed we heard from the country people that certain prisoners had been
taken to Amiens. I rested one day at Près, and the next rode back here,
and forthwith dispatched a herald to the Count of Evreux at Amiens
asking for news of the garrison; but now he has returned with word that
twenty-four men-at-arms and fifty-eight archers are prisoners in the
count's hands, and that he is ready to exchange them against an equal
number of French prisoners; but that you, with a man-at-arms, were in
the keeping of Sir Philip of Holbeaut, with whom I must treat for your
ransom. And now tell me how it is that I see you here. Has your captor,
confiding in your knightly word to send him the sum agreed upon, allowed
you to return? Tell me the sum and my treasurer shall to-morrow pay it
over to a herald, who shall carry it to Holbeaut."
"Thanks, your royal highness, for your generosity," Walter replied, "but
there is no ransom to be paid."
And he then proceeded to narrate the incidents of his captivity at
Holbeaut and his escape from the castle. His narration was frequently
interrupted by exclamations of surprise and indignation from the prince
and the knights present.
"Well, this well-nigh passes all belief," the prince exclaimed when he
had concluded. "It is an outrage upon all laws of chivalry and honor.
What could have induced this caitiff knight, instead of treating you
with courtesy and honor until your ransom arrived, to lodge you in a
foul dungeon, where, had you not made your escape, your death would have
been brought about that very night by the rising water? Could it be,
think you, that his brain is distraught by some loss or injury which may
have befallen him at our hands during the war and worked him up to a
blind passion of hatred against all Englishmen?"
"I think not that, your royal highness," Walter replied. "His manner was
cool and deliberate, and altogether free from any signs of madness.
Moreover, it would seem that he had specially marked me down beforehand,
since, as I have told you, he had bargained with the Count of Evreux for
the possession of my person should I escape with life at the capture of
the castle. It seems rather as if he must have had some private enmity
against me, although what the cause may be I cannot imagine, seeing that
I have never, to my knowledge, before met him, and have only heard his
name by common report."
"Whatever be the cause," the prince said, "we will have satisfaction for
it, and I will beg the king, my father, to write at once to Philip of
Valois protesting against the treatment that you have received, and
denouncing Sir Philip of Holbeaut as a base and dishonored knight, whom,
should he fall into our hands, we will commit at once to the hangman."
Upon the following day Walter was called before the king, and related to
him in full the incidents of the siege and of his captivity and escape;
and the same day King Edward sent off a letter to Philip of Valois
denouncing Sir Philip Holbeaut as a dishonored knight, and threatening
retaliation upon the French prisoners in his hands.
A fortnight later an answer was received from the King of France saying
that he had inquired into the matter, and had sent a seneschal, who had
questioned Sir Philip Holbeaut and some of the men-at-arms in the
castle, and that he found that King Edward had been grossly imposed upon
by a fictitious tale. Sir Walter Somers had, he found, been treated with
all knightly courtesy, and believing him to be an honorable knight and
true to his word, but slight watch had been kept over him. He had basely
taken advantage of this trust, and with the man-at-arms with him had
escaped from the castle in order to avoid payment of his ransom, and had
now invented these gross and wicked charges against Sir Philip Holbeaut
as a cloak to his own dishonor.
Walter was furious when he heard the contents of this letter, and the
king and Black Prince were no less indignant. Although they doubted him
not for a moment, Walter begged that Ralph might be brought before them
and examined strictly as to what had taken place, in order that they
might see that his statements tallied exactly with those he had made.
When this had been done Walter obtained permission from the king to
dispatch a cartel to Sir Philip de Holbeaut denouncing him as a perjured
and dishonored knight and challenging him to meet him in mortal conflict
at any time and place that he might name. At the same time the king
dispatched a letter to Philip of Valois saying that the statements of
the French knight and his followers were wholly untrue, and begging that
a time might be appointed for the meeting of the two knights in the
lists.
To this King Philip replied that he had ordered all private quarrels in
France to be laid aside during the progress of the war, and that so long
as an English foot remained upon French soil he would give no
countenance to his knights throwing away the lives which they owed to
France in private broils.
"You must wait, Sir Walter, you see," the king said, "until you may
perchance meet him in the field of battle. In the mean time, to show how
lightly I esteem the foul charge brought against you, and how much I
hold and honor the bravery which you showed in defending the castle
which my son the prince intrusted to you, as well as upon other
occasions, I hereby promote you to the rank of knight banneret."
Events now passed slowly before Calais. Queen Philippa and many of her
ladies crossed the Channel and joined her husband, and these added much
to the gayety of the life in camp. The garrison at Calais was, it was
known, in the sorest straits for the want of food, and at last the news
came that the King of France, with a huge army of two hundred thousand
men, was moving to its relief. They had gathered at Hesdin, at which
rendezvous the king had arrived in the early part of April; but it was
not until the 27th of July that the whole army was collected, and
marching by slow steps advanced toward the English position.
King Edward had taken every precaution to guard all the approaches to
the city. The ground was in most places too soft and sandy to admit of
the construction of defensive works; but the fleet was drawn up close
inshore to cover the line of sand-hills by the sea with arrows and war
machines, while the passages of the marshes, which extended for a
considerable distance round the town, were guarded by the Earl of
Lancaster and a body of chosen troops, while the other approaches to the
city were covered by the English camp.
The French reconnoitering parties found no way open to attack the
English unless under grievous disadvantages. The Cardinals of Tusculum,
St. John, and St. Paul endeavored to negotiate terms of peace, and
commissioners on both sides met. The terms offered by Philip were,
however, by no means so favorable as Edward, after his own victorious
operations and those of his armies in Brittany and Guienne, had a right
to expect, and the negotiations were broken off.
The following day the French king sent in a message to Edward saying
that he had examined the ground in every direction in order to advance
and give battle, but had found no means of doing so. He therefore
summoned the king to come forth from the marshy ground in which he was
encamped and to fight in the open plain; and he offered to send four
French knights, who, with four English of the same rank, should choose a
fair plain in the neighborhood, according to the usages of chivalry.
Edward had little over thirty thousand men with him; but the same
evening that Philip's challenge was received a body of seventeen
thousand Flemings and English, detached from an army which had been
doing good service on the borders of Flanders, succeeded in passing
round the enemy's host and in effecting a junction with the king's army.
Early the next morning, after having consulted with his officers, Edward
returned an answer to the French king, saying that he agreed to his
proposal, and inclosed a safe-conduct for any four French knights who
might be appointed to arrange with the same number of English the place
of battle.
The odds were indeed enormous, the French being four to one; but Edward,
after the success of Cressy, which had been won by the Black Prince's
division, which bore a still smaller proportion to the force engaging
it, might well feel confident in the valor of his troops. His envoys, on
arriving at the French camp, found that Philip had apparently changed
his mind. He declined to discuss the matter with which they were
charged, and spoke only of the terms upon which Edward would be willing
to raise the siege of Calais. As they had no authority on this subject
the English knights returned to their camp, where the news was received
with great disappointment, so confident did all feel in their power to
defeat the huge host of the French. But even greater was the
astonishment the next morning, when, before daylight, the tents of the
French were seen in one great flame, and it was found that the king and
all his host were retreating at full speed. The Earls of Lancaster and
Northampton, with a large body of horse, at once started in pursuit, and
harassed the retreating army on its march toward Amiens.
No satisfactory reasons ever have been assigned for this extraordinary
step on the part of the French king. He had been for months engaged in
collecting a huge army, and he had now an opportunity of fighting the
English in a fair field with a force four times as great as their own.
The only means indeed of accounting for his conduct is by supposing him
affected by temporary aberration of mind, which many other facts in his
history render not improbable. The fits of rage so frequently recorded
of him border upon madness, and a number of strange actions highly
detrimental to his own interests which he committed can only be
accounted for as the acts of a diseased mind. This view has been to some
extent confirmed by the fact that less than half a century afterward
insanity declared itself among his descendants.
A few hours after the departure of the French the French standard was
lowered on the walls of Calais, and news was brought to Edward that the
governor was upon the battlements and desired to speak with some
officers of the besieging army. Sir Walter Manny and Lord Bisset were
sent to confer with him, and found that his object was to obtain the
best terms he could. The English knights, knowing the determination of
the king on the subject, were forced to tell him that no possibility
existed of conditions being granted, but that the king demanded their
unconditional surrender, reserving to himself entirely the right whom to
pardon and whom to put to death.
The governor remonstrated on the severe terms, and said that rather than
submit to them he and his soldiers would sally out and die sword in
hand. Sir Walter Manny found the king inexorable. The strict laws of war
in those days justified the barbarous practice of putting to death the
garrison of a town captured under such circumstances. Calais had been
for many years a nest of pirates, and vessels issuing from its port had
been a scourge to the commerce of England and Flanders, and the king was
fully determined to punish it severely. Sir Walter Manny interceded long
and boldly, and represented to the king that none of his soldiers would
willingly defend a town on his behalf from the day on which he put to
death the people of Calais, as beyond doubt the French would retaliate
in every succeeding siege. The other nobles and knights joined their
entreaties to those of Sir Walter Manny, and the king finally consented
to yield in some degree. He demanded that six of the most notable
burghers of the town, with bare heads and feet, and with ropes about
their necks and the keys of the fortress in their hands, should deliver
themselves up for execution. On these conditions he agreed to spare the
rest. With these terms Sir Walter Manny returned to Sir John of Vienne.
The governor left the battlements, and proceeding to the market-place
ordered the bell to be rung. The famished and despairing citizens
gathered, a haggard crowd, to hear their doom. A silence followed the
narration of the hard conditions of surrender by the governor, and sobs
and cries alone broke the silence which succeeded. Then Eustace St.
Pierre, the wealthiest and most distinguished of the citizens, came
forward and offered himself as one of the victims, saying, "Sad pity and
shame would it be to let all of our fellow-citizens die of famine or the
sword when means could be found to save them." John of Aire, James and
Peter de Vissant, and another whose name has not come down to us,
followed his example, and stripping to their shirts set out for the
camp, Sir John of Vienne, who, from a late wound, was unable to walk,
riding at their head on horseback. The whole population accompanied them
weeping bitterly until they came to the place where Sir Walter Manny was
awaiting them. Here the crowd halted, and the knight, promising to do
his best to save them, led them to the tent where the king had
assembled all his nobles around him. When the tidings came that the
burghers of Calais had arrived, Edward issued out with his retinue,
accompanied by Queen Philippa and the Black Prince.
"Behold, sire," Sir Walter Manny said, "the representatives of the town
of Calais!"
The king made no reply while John of Vienne surrendered his sword and,
kneeling with the burghers, said: "Gentle lord and king, behold, we six,
who were once the greatest citizens and merchants of Calais, bring you
the keys of the town and castle, and give ourselves up to your pleasure,
placing ourselves in the state in which you see us by our own free will
to save the rest of the people of the city, who have already suffered
many ills. We pray you, therefore, to have pity and mercy upon us for
the sake of your high nobleness."
All present were greatly affected at this speech, and at the aspect of
men who thus offered their lives for their fellow-citizens. The king's
countenance alone remained unchanged, and he ordered them to be taken to
instant execution. Then Sir Walter Manny and all the nobles with tears
besought the king to have mercy, not only for the sake of the citizens,
but for that of his own fame, which would be tarnished by so cruel a
deed.
"Silence, Sir Walter!" cried the king. "Let the executioner be called.
The men of Calais have put to death so many of my subjects that I will
also put these men to death."
At this moment Queen Philippa, who had been weeping bitterly, cast
herself upon her knees before the king. "Oh, gentle lord," she cried,
"since I have repassed the seas to see you I have neither asked nor
required anything at your hand; now, then, I pray you humbly, and
require as a boon, that for the sake of the Son of Mary, and for love of
me, you take these men to mercy."
The king stood for a moment in silence, and then said:
"Ah! lady, I would that you had been otherwhere than here; but you beg
of me so earnestly I must not refuse you, though I grant your prayer
with pain. I give them to you; take them, and do your will."
Then the queen rose from her knees, and bidding the burghers rise, she
caused clothing and food to be given them, and sent them away free.
Sir Walter Manny, with a considerable body of men-at-arms, now took
possession of the town of Calais. The anger of the king soon gave way to
better feelings; all the citizens, without exception, were fed by his
bounty. Such of them as preferred to depart instead of swearing fealty
to the English monarch were allowed to carry away what effects they
could bear upon their persons, and were conducted in safety to the
French town of Guisnes. Eustace de St. Pierre was granted almost all the
possessions he had formerly held in Calais, and also a considerable
pension; and he and all who were willing to remain were well and kindly
treated. The number was large, for the natural indignation which they
felt at their base desertion by the French king induced very many of the
citizens to remain and become subjects of Edward. The king issued a
proclamation inviting English traders and others to come across and take
up their residence in Calais, bestowing upon them the houses and lands
of the French who had left. Very many accepted the invitation, and
Calais henceforth and for some centuries became virtually an English
town.
A truce was now, through the exertions of the pope's legates, made
between England and France, the terms agreed on being very similar to
those of the previous treaty; and when all his arrangements were
finished Edward returned with his queen to England, having been absent
eighteen months, during which time an almost unbroken success had
attended his arms, and the English name had reached a position of
respect and honor in the eyes of Europe far beyond that at which it
previously stood.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE BLACK DEATH.
The court at Westminster during the few months which followed the
capture of Calais was the most brilliant in Europe. Tournaments and
_fêtes_ followed each other in rapid succession, and to these knights
came from all parts. So great was the reputation of King Edward that
deputies came from Germany, where the throne was now vacant, to offer
the crown of that kingdom to him. The king declined the offer, for it
would have been impossible indeed for him to have united the German
crown with that of England, which he already held, and that of France,
which he claimed.
Some months after his return to England the Black Prince asked his
father as a boon that the hand of his ward Edith Vernon should be
bestowed upon the prince's brave follower Sir Walter Somers, and as
Queen Philippa, in the name of the lady's mother, seconded the request,
the king at once acceded to it. Edith was now sixteen, an age at which,
in those days, a young lady was considered to be marriageable, and the
wedding took place with great pomp and ceremony at Westminster, the
king himself giving away the bride, and bestowing, as did the prince
and Queen Philippa, many costly presents upon the young couple. After
taking part in several of the tournaments, Walter went with his bride
and Dame Vernon down to their estates, and were received with great
rejoicing by the tenantry, the older of whom well remembered Walter's
father and mother, and were rejoiced at finding that they were again to
become the vassals of one of the old family. Dame Vernon was greatly
loved by her tenantry; but the latter had looked forward with some
apprehension to the marriage of the young heiress, as the character of
the knight upon whom the king might bestow her hand would greatly affect
the happiness and well-being of his tenants.
Sir James Carnegie had not returned to England after the fall of Calais;
he perceived that he was in grave disfavor with the Black Prince, and
guessed, as was the case, that some suspicion had fallen on him in
reference to the attack upon Walter in the camp, and to the strange
attempt which had been made to destroy him by Sir Philip Holbeaut. He
had, therefore, for a time taken service with the Count of Savoy, and
was away from England, to the satisfaction of Walter and Dame Vernon,
when the marriage took place; for he had given proofs of such a
malignity of disposition that both felt that although his succession to
the estates was now hopelessly barred, yet that he might at any moment
attempt some desperate deed to satisfy his feeling of disappointment and
revenge.
In spite of the gayety of the court of King Edward a cloud hung over the
kingdom; for it was threatened by a danger far more terrible than any
combination of foes--a danger from which no gallantry upon the part of
her king or warriors availed anything. With a slow and terrible march
the enemy was advancing from the East, where countless hosts had been
slain. India, Arabia, Syria, and Armenia had been well-nigh depopulated.
In no country which the dread foe had invaded had less than two-thirds
of the population been slain; in some nine-tenths had perished. All
sorts of portents were reported to have accompanied its appearance in
the East, where it was said showers of serpents had fallen, strange and
unknown insects had appeared in the atmosphere, and clouds of sulphurous
vapor had issued from the earth and enveloped whole provinces and
countries. For two or three years the appearance of this scourge had
been heralded by strange atmospheric disturbances; heavy rains and
unusual floods, storms of thunder and lightning of unheard-of violence,
hail-showers of unparalleled duration and severity, had everywhere been
experienced, while in Italy and Germany violent earthquake shocks had
been felt, and that at places where no tradition existed of previous
occurrences of the same kind.
From Asia it had spread to Africa and to Europe, affecting first the
sea-shores and creeping inland by the course of the rivers. Greece first
felt its ravages, and Italy was not long in experiencing them. In
Venice more than one hundred thousand persons perished in a few months,
and thence spreading over the whole peninsula, not a town escaped the
visitation. At Florence sixty thousand people were carried off, and at
Lucca and Genoa, in Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica it raged with equal
violence. France was assailed by way of Provence, and Avignon suffered
especially. Of the English college at that place not an individual was
left, and one hundred and twenty persons died in a single day in that
small city. Paris lost upward of fifty thousand of its inhabitants,
while ninety thousand were swept away in Lubeck, and one million two
hundred thousand died within a year of its first appearance in Germany.
In England the march of the pestilence westward was viewed with deep
apprehension, and the approaching danger was brought home to the people
by the death of the Princess Joan, the king's second daughter. She was
affianced to Peter, the heir to the throne of Spain; and the bride, who
had not yet accomplished her fourteenth year, was sent over to Bordeaux
with a considerable train of attendants in order to be united there to
her promised husband. Scarcely had she reached Bordeaux when she was
attacked by the pestilence and died in a few hours.
A few days later the news spread through the country that the disease
had appeared almost simultaneously at several of the seaports in the
south-west of England. Thence with great rapidity it spread through the
kingdom; proceeding through Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire it broke out
in London, and the ravages were no less severe than they had been on the
Continent, the very lowest estimate being that two-thirds of the
population were swept away. Most of those attacked died within a few
hours of the seizure. If they survived for two days they generally
rallied, but even then many fell into a state of coma from which they
never awoke.
No words can describe the terror and dismay caused by this the most
destructive plague of which there is any record in history. No remedies
were of the slightest avail against it; flight was impossible, for the
loneliest hamlets suffered as severely as crowded towns, and frequently
not a single survivor was left. Men met the pestilence in various moods:
the brave with fortitude, the pious with resignation, the cowardly and
turbulent with outbursts of despair and fury. Among the lower classes
the wildest rumors gained credence. Some assigned the pestilence to
witchcraft, others declared that the waters of the wells and streams had
been poisoned. Serious riots occurred in many places, and great numbers
of people fell victims to the fury of the mob under the suspicion of
being connected in some way with the ravages of the pestilence. The
Jews, ever the objects of popular hostility, engendered by ignorance and
superstition, were among the chief sufferers. Bands of marauders
wandered through the county plundering the houses left empty by the
death of all their occupants, and from end to end death and suffering
were universal.
Although all classes had suffered heavily the ravages of the disease
were, as is always the case, greater among the poor than among the rich,
the unsanitary conditions of their life and their coarser and commoner
food rendering them more liable to its influence; no rank, however, was
exempted, and no less than three Archbishops of Canterbury were carried
off in succession by the pestilence within a year of its appearance.
During the months which succeeded his marriage Sir Walter Somers lived
quietly and happily with his wife at Westerham. It was not until late in
the year that the plague approached the neighborhood. Walter had
determined to await its approach there. He had paid a few short visits
to the court, where every effort was made by continuous gayety to keep
up the spirits of the people and prevent them from brooding over the
approaching pestilence; but when it was at hand Walter and his wife
agreed that they would rather share the lot of their tenants, whom their
presence and example might support and cheer in their need, than return
to face it in London. One morning when they were at breakfast a
frightened servant brought in the news that the disease had appeared in
the village, that three persons had been taken ill on the previous
night, that two had already died, and that several others had sickened.
"The time has come, my children," Dame Vernon said calmly, "the danger
so long foreseen is at hand, now let us face it as we agreed to do. It
has been proved that flight is useless, since nowhere is there escape
from the plague; here, at least, there shall be no repetition of the
terrible scenes we have heard of elsewhere, where the living have fled
in panic and allowed the stricken to die unattended. We have already
agreed that we will set the example to our people by ourselves going
down and administering to the sick."
"It is hard," Walter said, rising and pacing up and down the room, "to
let Edith go into it."
"Edith will do just the same as you do," his wife said firmly. "Were it
possible that all in this house might escape, there might be a motive
for turning coward, but seeing that no household is spared, there is, as
we agreed, greater danger in flying from the pestilence than facing it
firmly."
Walter sighed.
"You are right," he said, "but it wrings my heart to see you place
yourself in danger."
"Were we out of danger here, Walter, it might be so," Edith replied
gently; "but since there is no more safety in the castle than in the
cottage, we must face death whether it pleases us or not, and it were
best to do so bravely."
"So be it," Walter said; "may the God of heaven watch over us all! Now,
mother, do you and Edith busy yourselves in preparing broths,
strengthening drinks, and medicaments. I will go down at once to the
village and see how matters stand there and who are in need. We have
already urged upon all our people to face the danger bravely, and if die
they must, to die bravely like Christians, and not like coward dogs.
When you have prepared your soups and cordials come down and meet me in
the village, bringing Mabel and Janet, your attendants, to carry the
baskets."
Ralph, who was now installed as major-domo in the castle, at once set
out with Walter. They found the village in a state of panic. Women were
sitting crying despairingly at their doors. Some were engaged in packing
their belongings in carts preparatory to flight, some wandered aimlessly
about wringing their hands, while others went to the church, whose bells
were mournfully tolling the dirge of the departed. Walter's presence
soon restored something like order and confidence; his resolute tone
cheered the timid and gave hope to the despairing. Sternly he rebuked
those preparing to fly, and ordered them instantly to replace their
goods in their houses. Then he went to the priest and implored him to
cause the tolling of the bell to cease.
"There is enough," he said, "in the real danger present to appall even
the bravest, and we need no bell to tell us that death is among us. The
dismal tolling is enough to unnerve the stoutest heart, and if we ring
for all who die its sounds will never cease while the plague is among
us; therefore, father, I implore you to discontinue it. Let there be
services held daily in the church, but I beseech you strive in your
discourses to cheer the people rather than to depress them, and to dwell
more upon the joys that await those who die as Christian men and women
than upon the sorrows of those who remain behind. My wife and mother
will anon be down in the village and will strive to cheer and comfort
the people, and I look to you for aid in this matter."
The priest, who was naturally a timid man, nevertheless nerved himself
to carry out Walter's suggestions, and soon the dismal tones of the bell
ceased to be heard in the village.
Walter dispatched messengers to all the outlying farms desiring his
tenants to meet him that afternoon at the castle in order that measures
might be concerted for common aid and assistance. An hour later Dame
Vernon and Edith came down and visited all the houses where the plague
had made its appearance, distributing their soups, and by cheering and
comforting words raising the spirits of the relatives of the sufferers.
The names of all the women ready to aid in the general work of nursing
were taken down, and in the afternoon at the meeting at the castle the
full arrangements were completed. Work was to be carried on as usual in
order to occupy men's minds and prevent them from brooding over the
ravages of the plague. Information of any case that occurred was to be
sent to the castle, where soups and medicines were to be obtained.
Whenever more assistance was required than could be furnished by the
inmates of a house another woman was to be sent to aid. Boys were told
off as messengers to fetch food and other matters as required from the
castle.
So, bravely and firmly, they prepared to meet the pestilence; it spread
with terrible severity. Scarce a house which did not lose some of its
inmates, while in others whole families were swept away. All day Walter
and his wife and Dame Vernon went from house to house, and although they
could do nothing to stem the progress of the pestilence, their presence
and example supported the survivors and prevented the occurrence of any
of the panic and disorder which in most places accompanied it.
The castle was not exempt from the scourge. First some of the domestics
were seized, and three men and four women died. Walter himself was
attacked, but he took it lightly, and three days after the seizure
passed into a state of convalescence. Dame Vernon was next attacked, and
expired six hours after the commencement of the seizure. Scarcely was
Walter upon his feet than Ralph, who had not for a moment left his
bedside, was seized, but he too, after being at death's door for some
hours, turned the corner. Lastly Edith sickened.
By this time the scourge had done its worst in the village, and
three-fifths of the population had been swept away. All the male
retainers in the castle had died, and the one female who survived was
nursing her dying mother in the village. Edith's attack was a very
severe one. Walter, alone now, for Ralph, although convalescent, had not
yet left his bed, sat by his wife's bedside a prey to anxiety and grief;
for although she had resisted the first attack she was now, thirty-six
hours after it had seized her, fast sinking. Gradually her sight and
power of speech faded, and she sank into the state of coma which was the
prelude of death, and lay quiet and motionless, seeming as if life had
already departed.
Suddenly Walter was surprised by the sound of many heavy feet ascending
the stairs. He went out into the anteroom to learn the cause of this
strange tumult, when five armed men, one of whom was masked, rushed into
the room. Walter caught up his sword from the table.
"Ruffians," he exclaimed, "how dare you thus desecrate the abode of
death?"
Without a word the men sprang upon him. For a minute he defended himself
against their attacks, but he was still weak, his guard was beaten down,
and a blow felled him to the ground.
"Now settle her," the masked man exclaimed, and the band rushed into the
adjoining room. They paused, however, at the door at the sight of the
lifeless figure on the couch.
"We are saved that trouble," one said, "we have come too late."
The masked figure approached the couch and bent over the figure.
"Yes," he said, "she is dead, and so much the better."
Then he returned with the others to Walter.
"He breathes yet," he said. "He needs a harder blow than that you gave
him to finish him. Let him lie here for awhile, while you gather your
booty together, then we will carry him off. There is scarcely a soul
alive in the country round, and none will note us as we pass. I would
not dispatch him here, seeing that his body would be found with wounds
upon it, and even in these times some inquiry might be made; therefore
it were best to finish him elsewhere. When he is missed it will be
supposed that he went mad at the death of his wife, and has wandered out
and died, maybe in the woods, or has drowned himself in a pond or
stream. Besides, I would that before he dies he should know what hand
has struck the blow, and that my vengeance, which he slighted and has
twice escaped, has overtaken him at last."
After ransacking the principal rooms and taking all that was valuable,
the band of marauders lifted the still insensible body of Walter, and
carrying it downstairs flung it across a horse. One of the ruffians
mounted behind it, and the others also getting into their saddles the
party rode away.
They were mistaken, however, in supposing that the Lady Edith was dead.
She was indeed very nigh the gates of death, and had it not been for the
disturbance would assuredly have speedily entered them. The voice of her
husband raised in anger, the clash of steel, followed by the heavy
fall, had awakened her deadened brain. Consciousness had at once
returned to her, but as yet no power of movement. As at a great distance
she had heard the words of those who entered her chamber, and had
understood their import. More and more distinctly she heard their
movements about the room as they burst open her caskets and appropriated
her jewels, but it was not until silence was restored that the gathering
powers of life asserted themselves; then with a sudden rush the blood
seemed to course through her veins, her eyes opened, and her tongue was
loosed, and with a scream she sprang up and stood by the side of her
bed.
Sustained as by a supernatural power she hurried into the next room. A
pool of blood on the floor showed her that what she had heard had not
been a dream or the fiction of a disordered brain. Snatching up a cloak
of her husband's which lay on a couch, she wrapped it round her, and
with hurried steps made her way along the passages until she reached the
apartment occupied by Ralph. The latter sprang up in bed with a cry of
astonishment. He had heard but an hour before from Walter that all hope
was gone, and thought for an instant that the appearance was an
apparition from the dead. The ghastly pallor of the face, the eyes
burning with a strange light, the flowing hair, and disordered
appearance of the girl might well have alarmed one living in even less
superstitious times, and Ralph began to cross himself hastily and to
mutter a prayer, when recalled to himself by the sound of Edith's
voice.
"Quick, Ralph!" she said, "arise and clothe yourself. Hasten, for your
life. My lord's enemies have fallen upon him and wounded him grievously,
even if they have not slain him, and have carried him away. They would
have slain me also had they not thought I was already dead. Arise and
mount, summon every one still alive in the village, and follow these
murderers. I will pull the alarm-bell of the castle."
Ralph sprang from his bed as Edith left. He had heard the sound of many
footsteps in the knight's apartments, but had deemed them those of the
priest and his acolytes come to administer the last rites of the Church
to his dying mistress. Rage and anxiety for his master gave strength to
his limbs. He threw on a few clothes and rushed down to the stables,
where the horses stood with great piles of forage and pails of water
before them, placed there two days before, by Walter, when their last
attendant died. Without waiting to saddle it, Ralph sprang upon the back
of one of the animals, and taking the halters of four others started at
a gallop down to the village.
His news spread like wildfire, for the ringing of the alarm-bell of the
castle had drawn all to their doors and prepared them for something
strange. Some of the men had already taken their arms and were making
their way up to the castle when they met Ralph. There were but five men
in the village who had altogether escaped the pestilence; others had
survived its attacks, but were still weak. Horses there were in plenty.
The five men mounted at once, with three others who, though still weak,
were able to ride.
So great was the excitement that seven women who had escaped the disease
armed themselves with their husbands' swords and leaped on horseback,
declaring that, women though they were, they would strike a blow for
their beloved lord, who had been as an angel in the village during the
plague. Thus it was scarcely more than ten minutes after the marauders
had left the castle before a motley band, fifteen strong, headed by
Ralph, rode off in pursuit, while some of the women of the village
hurried up to the castle to comfort Edith with the tidings that the
pursuit had already commenced. Fortunately a lad in the fields had
noticed the five men ride away from the castle, and was able to point
out the direction they had taken.
At a furious gallop Ralph and his companions tore across the country.
Mile after mile was passed. Once or twice they gained news from laborers
in the field of the passage of those before them, and knew that they
were on the right track. They had now entered a wild and sparsely
inhabited country. It was broken and much undulated, so that although
they knew that the band they were pursuing were but a short distance
ahead, they had not yet caught sight of them, and they hoped that,
having no reason to dread any immediate pursuit, these would soon
slacken their pace. This expectation was realized, for on coming over a
brow they saw the party halted at a turf-burner's cottage in the hollow
below. Three of the men had dismounted; two of them were examining the
hoof of one of the horses, which had apparently cast a shoe or trodden
upon a stone. Ralph had warned his party to make no sound when they came
upon the fugitives. The sound of the horses' hoofs was deadened by the
turf, and they were within a hundred yards of the marauders before they
were perceived; then Ralph uttered a shout, and brandishing their swords
the party rode down at a headlong gallop.
The dismounted men leaped into their saddles and galloped off at full
speed, but their pursuers were now close upon them. Ralph and two of his
companions, who were mounted upon Walter's best horses, gained upon them
at every stride. Two of them were overtaken and run through.
The man who bore Walter before him, finding himself being rapidly
overtaken, threw his burden on to the ground just as the leader of the
party had checked his horse and was about to deliver a sweeping blow at
the insensible body.
With a curse at his follower for ridding himself of it, he again
galloped on. The man's act was unavailing to save himself, for he was
overtaken and cut down before he had ridden many strides; then Ralph and
his party instantly reined up to examine the state of Walter, and the
two survivors of the band of murderers continued their flight
unmolested.
CHAPTER XIX.
BY LAND AND SEA.
Walter was raised from the ground, water was fetched from the cottage,
and the blood washed from his head by Ralph, aided by two of the women.
It had at once been seen that he was still living, and Ralph on
examining the wound joyfully declared that no great harm was done.
"Had Sir Walter been strong and well," he said, "such a clip as this
would not have knocked him from his feet, but he would have answered it
with a blow such as I have often seen him give in battle; but he was but
barely recovering and was as weak as a girl. He is unconscious from loss
of blood and weakness. I warrant me that when he opens his eyes and
hears that the Lady Edith had risen from her bed and came to send me to
his rescue, joy will soon bring the blood into his cheeks again. Do one
of you run to the hut and see if they have any cordial waters; since the
plague has been raging there are few houses but have laid in a provision
in case the disease should seize them."
The man soon returned with a bottle of cordial water compounded of
rosemary, lavender, and other herbs. By this time Walter had opened his
eyes. The cordial was poured down his throat, and he was presently able
to speak.
"Be of good cheer, Sir Walter," Ralph said; "three of your rascally
assailants lie dead, and the other two have fled; but I have better news
still for you. Lady Edith, who you told me lay unconscious and dying,
has revived. The din of the conflict seems to have reached her ears and
recalled her to life, and the dear lady came to my room with the news
that you were carried off, and then, while I was throwing on my clothes,
roused the village to your assistance by ringing the alarm bell. Rarely
frightened I was when she came in, for methought at first it was her
spirit."
The good news, as Ralph had predicted, effectually roused Walter, and
rising to his feet he declared himself able to mount and ride back at
once. Ralph tried to persuade him to wait until they had formed a litter
of boughs, but Walter would not allow it.
"I would not tarry an instant," he said, "for Edith will be full of
anxiety until I return. Why, Ralph, do you think that I am a baby? Why,
you yourself were but this morning unable to walk across the room, and
here you have been galloping and fighting on my behalf."
"In faith," Ralph said, smiling, "until now I had forgotten that I had
been ill."
"You have saved my life, Ralph, you and my friends here, whom I thank
with all my heart for what they have done. I will speak more to them
another time, now I must ride home with all speed."
[Illustration: LADY EDITH'S LAST EFFORT.--Page 321.]
Walter now mounted; Ralph took his place on one side of him, and one of
his tenants on the other, lest he should be seized with faintness; then
at a hand-gallop they started back for the castle.
Several women of the village had, when they left, hurried up to the
castle. They found Edith lying insensible by the rope of the alarm-bell,
having fainted when she had accomplished her object. They presently
brought her round; as she was now suffering only from extreme weakness,
she was laid on a couch, and cordials and some soup were given to her.
One of the women took her place at the highest window to watch for the
return of any belonging to the expedition.
Edith felt hopeful as to the result, for she thought that their
assailants would not have troubled to carry away the body of Walter had
not life remained in it, and she was sure that Ralph would press them so
hotly that sooner or later the abductors would be overtaken.
An hour and a half passed, and then the woman from above ran down with
the news that she could see three horsemen galloping together toward the
castle, with a number of others following in confused order behind.
"Then they have found my lord," Edith exclaimed joyfully, "for Ralph
would assuredly not return so quickly had they not done so. 'Tis a good
sign that they are galloping, for had they been bearers of ill news they
would have returned more slowly; look out again and see if they are
bearing one among them."
The woman, with some of her companions, hastened away, and in two or
three minutes ran down with the news that Sir Walter himself was one of
the three leading horsemen. In a few minutes Edith was clasped in her
husband's arms, and their joy, restored as they were from the dead to
each other, was indeed almost beyond words.
The plague now abated fast in Westerham, only two or three more persons
being attacked by it.
As soon as Edith was sufficiently recovered to travel Walter proceeded
with her to London and there laid before the king and prince a complaint
against Sir James Carnegie for his attempt upon their lives. Even in the
trance in which she lay Edith had recognized the voice which had once
been so familiar to her. Walter, too, was able to testify against him,
for the rough jolting on horseback had for awhile restored his
consciousness, and he had heard words spoken, before relapsing into
insensibility from the continued bleeding of his wound, which enabled
him to swear to Sir James Carnegie as one of his abductors.
The king instantly ordered the arrest of the knight, but he could not be
found; unavailing search was made in every direction, and as nothing
could be heard of him it was concluded that he had left the kingdom. He
was proclaimed publicly a false and villainous knight, his estates were
confiscated to the crown, and he himself was outlawed. Then Walter and
his wife returned home and did their best to assist their tenants in
struggling through the difficulties entailed through the plague.
So terrible had been the mortality that throughout England there was a
lack of hands for field work, crops rotted in the ground because there
were none to harvest them, and men able to work demanded twenty times
the wages which had before been paid. So great was the trouble from this
source that an ordinance was passed by parliament enacting that severe
punishment should be dealt upon all who demanded wages above the
standard price, and even more severe penalties inflicted upon those who
should consent to pay higher wages. It was, however, many years before
England recovered from the terrible blow which had been dealt her from
the pestilence.
While Europe had been ravaged by pestilence the adherents of France and
England had continued their struggle in Brittany in spite of the terms
of the truce, and this time King Edward was the first open aggressor,
granting money and assistance to the free companies, who pillaged and
plundered in the name of England. The truce expired at the end of 1348,
but was continued for short periods. It was, however, evident that both
parties were determined ere long to recommence hostilities. The French
collected large forces in Artois and Picardy, and Edward himself
proceeded to Sandwich to organize there another army for the invasion of
France.
Philip determined to strike the first blow, and, before the conclusion
of the truce, to regain possession of Calais. This town was commanded by
a Lombard officer named Almeric of Pavia. Free communication existed, in
consequence of the truce, between Calais and the surrounding country,
and Jeffrey de Charny, the Governor of St. Omer, and one of the
commissioners especially appointed to maintain the truce, opened
communications with the Lombard captain. Deeming that like most
mercenaries he would be willing to change sides should his interest to
do so be made clear, he offered him a large sum of money to deliver the
castle to the French.
The Lombard at once agreed to the project. Jeffrey de Charny arranged to
be within a certain distance of the town on the night of the 1st of
January, bringing with him sufficient forces to master all opposition if
the way was once opened to the interior of the town. It was further
agreed that the money was to be paid over by a small party of French who
were to be sent forward for the purpose of examining the castle, in
order to insure the main body against treachery. As a hostage for the
security of the detachment, the son of the governor was to remain in the
hands of the French without, until the safe return of the scouting
party.
Several weeks elapsed between the conclusion of the agreement and the
date fixed for its execution, and in the mean time the Lombard, either
from remorse or from a fear of the consequences which might arise from a
detection of the plot before its execution, or from the subsequent
vengeance of the English king, disclosed the whole transaction to
Edward.
The king bade him continue to carry out his arrangements with De Charny,
leaving it to him to counteract the plot. Had he issued orders for the
rapid assembly of the army the French would have taken alarm. He
therefore sent private messengers to a number of knights and gentlemen
of Kent and Sussex to meet him with their retainers at Dover on the 31st
of December.
Walter was one of those summoned, and although much surprised at the
secrecy with which he was charged, and of such a call being made while
the truce with France still existed, he repaired to Dover on the day
named, accompanied by Ralph and by twenty men, who were all who remained
capable of bearing arms on the estate.
He found the king himself with the Black Prince at Dover, where they had
arrived that day. Sir Walter Manny was in command of the force, which
consisted in all of three hundred men-at-arms and six hundred archers. A
number of small boats had been collected, and at mid-day on the 1st of
January the little expedition started, and arrived at Calais after
nightfall.
In the chivalrous spirit of the times the king determined that Sir
Walter Manny should continue in command of the enterprise; he and the
Black Prince, disguised as simple knights, fighting under his banner.
In the mean time a considerable force had been collected at St. Omer,
where a large number of knights and gentlemen obeyed the summons of
Jeffrey de Charny. On the night appointed they marched for Calais, in
number five hundred lances and a corresponding number of footmen. They
reached the river and bridge of Nieullay a little after midnight, and
messengers were sent on to the governor, who was prepared to receive
them. On their report De Charny advanced still nearer to the town,
leaving the bridge and passages to the river guarded by a large body of
cross-bowmen under the command of the Lord de Fiennes and a number of
other knights. At a little distance from the castle he was met by
Almeric de Pavia, who yielded his son as a hostage according to his
promise, calculating, as was the case, that he would be recaptured by
the English. Then having received the greater portion of the money
agreed upon, he led a party of the French over the castle to satisfy
them of his sincerity. Upon receiving their report that all was quiet De
Charny detached twelve knights and a hundred men-at-arms to take
possession of the castle, while he himself waited at one of the gates of
the town with the principal portion of his force.
No sooner had the French entered the castle than the drawbridge was
raised. The English soldiers poured out from their places of
concealment, and the party which had entered the castle were forced to
lay down their arms. In the mean time the Black Prince issued with a
small body of troops from a gate near the sea, while De Manny, with the
king under his banner, marched by the sally-port which led into the
fields. A considerable detachment of the division was dispatched to
dislodge the enemy at the bridge of Nieullay, and the rest, joining the
party of the Black Prince, advanced rapidly upon the force of Jeffrey de
Charny, which, in point of numbers, was double their own strength.
Although taken in turn by surprise, the French prepared steadily for the
attack. De Charny ordered them all to dismount and to shorten their
lances to pikes five feet in length. The English also dismounted, and
rushing forward on foot a furious contest commenced. The ranks of both
parties were soon broken in the darkness, and the combatants separating
into groups, a number of separate battles raged around the different
banners.
For some hours the fight was continued with unabating obstinacy on both
sides. The king and the Black Prince fought with immense bravery, their
example encouraging even those of their soldiers who were ignorant of
the personality of the knights who were everywhere in front of the
combat. King Edward himself several times crossed swords with the famous
Eustace de Ribaumont, one of the most gallant knights in France. At
length toward daybreak the king, with only thirty companions, found
himself again opposed to De Ribaumont, with a greatly superior force,
and the struggle was renewed between them.
Twice the king was beaten down on one knee by the thundering blows of
the French knight, twice he rose and renewed the attack, until De
Charny, seeing Sir Walter Manny's banner, beside which Edward fought,
defended by so small a force, also bore down to the attack, and in the
struggle Edward was separated from his opponent.
The combat now became desperate round the king, and Sir Guy Brian, who
bore De Manny's standard, though one of the strongest and most gallant
knights of the day, could scarce keep the banner erect. Still Edward
fought on, and in the excitement of the moment, forgetting his
_incognito_, he accompanied each blow with his customary
war-cry--"Edward, St. George! Edward, St. George!" At that battle-cry,
which told the French men-at-arms that the King of England was himself
opposed to them, they recoiled for a moment. The shout too reached the
ears of the Prince of Wales, who had been fighting with another group.
Calling his knights around him he fell upon the rear of De Charny's
party and quickly cleared a space around the king.
The fight was now everywhere going against the French, and the English
redoubling their efforts the victory was soon complete, and scarcely one
French knight left the ground alive and free. In the struggle Edward
again encountered De Ribaumont, who, separated from him by the charge of
De Charny, had not heard the king's war-cry. The conflict between them
was a short one. The French knight saw that almost all his companions
were dead or captured, his party completely defeated, and all prospects
of escape cut off. He therefore soon dropped the point of his sword and
surrendered to his unknown adversary. In the mean time the troops which
had been dispatched to the bridge of Nieullay had defeated the French
forces left to guard the passage and clear the ground toward St. Omer.
Early in the morning Edward entered Calais in triumph, taking with him
thirty French nobles as prisoners, while two hundred more remained dead
on the field. That evening a great banquet was held, at which the French
prisoners were present. The king presided at the banquet, and the French
nobles were waited upon by the Black Prince and his knights. After the
feast was concluded the king bestowed on De Ribaumont the chaplet of
pearls which he wore round his crown, hailing him as the most gallant of
the knights who had that day fought, and granting him freedom to return
at once to his friends, presenting him with two horses, and a purse to
defray his expenses to the nearest French town.
De Charny was afterward ransomed, and after his return to France
assembled a body of troops and attacked the castle which Edward had
bestowed upon Almeric of Pavia, and capturing the Lombard, carried him
to St. Omer, and had him there publicly flayed alive as a punishment for
his treachery.
Walter had as usual fought by the side of the Prince of Wales throughout
the battle of Calais, and had much distinguished himself for his valor.
Ralph was severely wounded in the fight, but was able a month later to
rejoin Walter in England.
The battle of Calais and the chivalrous bearing of the king created
great enthusiasm and delight in England, and did much to rouse the
people from the state of grief into which they had been cast by the
ravages of the plague. The king did his utmost to maintain the spirit
which had been evoked, and the foundation of the order of the Garter,
and the erection of a splendid chapel at Windsor, and its dedication,
with great ceremony, to St. George, the patron saint of England, still
further raised the renown of the court of Edward throughout Europe as
the center of the chivalry of the age.
Notwithstanding many treaties which had taken place, and the near
alliance which had been well-nigh carried out between the royal families
of England and Spain, Spanish pirates had never ceased to carry on a
series of aggressions upon the English vessels trading in the Bay of
Biscay. Ships were every day taken, and the crews cruelly butchered in
cold blood. Edward's remonstrances proved vain, and when threats of
retaliation were held out by Edward, followed by preparations to carry
those threats into effect, Pedro the Cruel, who had now succeeded to
the throne of Spain, dispatched strong reënforcements to the fleet which
had already swept the English Channel.
The great Spanish fleet sailed north, and capturing on its way a number
of English merchantmen, put into Sluys, and prepared to sail back in
triumph with the prizes and merchandise it had captured. Knowing,
however, that Edward was preparing to oppose them, the Spaniards filled
up their complement of men, strengthened themselves by all sorts of the
war machines then in use, and started on their return for Spain with one
of the most powerful armadas that had ever put to sea.
Edward had collected on the coast of Sussex a fleet intended to oppose
them, and had summoned all the military forces of the south of England
to accompany him; and as soon as he heard that the Spaniards were about
to put to sea he set out for Winchelsea, where the fleet was collected.
The queen accompanied him to the sea-coast, and the Black Prince, now in
his twentieth year, was appointed to command one of the largest of the
English vessels.
The fleet put to sea when they heard that the Spaniards had started, and
the hostile fleets were soon in sight of each other. The number of
fighting men on board the Spanish ships was ten times those of the
English, and their vessels were of vastly superior size and strength.
They had, moreover, caused their ships to be fitted at Sluys with large
wooden towers, which furnished a commanding position to their
cross-bowmen. The wind was direct in their favor, and they could have
easily avoided the contest, but, confiding in their enormously superior
force, they sailed boldly forward to the attack.
The king himself led the English line, and directing his vessel toward a
large Spanish ship, endeavored to run her down. The shock was
tremendous, but the enemy's vessel was stronger as well as larger than
that of the king; and as the two ships recoiled from each other it was
found that the water was rushing into the English vessel, and that she
was rapidly sinking. The Spaniard passed on in the confusion, but the
king ordered his ship to be instantly laid alongside another which was
following her, and to be firmly lashed to her. Then with his knights he
sprang on board the Spaniard, and after a short but desperate fight cut
down or drove the crew overboard. The royal standard was hoisted on the
prize, the sinking English vessel was cast adrift, and the king sailed
on to attack another adversary.
The battle now raged on all sides. The English strove to grapple with
and board the enemy, while the Spaniards poured upon them a shower of
bolts and quarrels from their cross-bows, hurled immense masses of stone
from their military engines, and, as they drew alongside, cast into them
heavy bars of iron, which pierced holes in the bottom of the ship.
Walter was on board the ship commanded by the Black Prince. This had
been steered toward one of the largest and most important of the Spanish
vessels. As they approached, the engines poured their missiles into
them. Several great holes were torn in the sides of the ship, which was
already sinking as she came alongside her foe.
"We must do our best, Sir Walter," the prince exclaimed, "for if we do
not capture her speedily our ship will assuredly sink beneath our feet."
The Spaniard stood far higher above the water than the English ship, and
the Black Prince and his knights in vain attempted to climb her sides,
while the seamen strove with pumps and buckets to keep the vessel
afloat. Every effort was in vain. The Spaniard's men-at-arms lined the
bulwarks, and repulsed every effort made by the English to climb up
them, while those on the towers rained down showers of bolts and arrows
and masses of iron and stone. The situation was desperate, when the Earl
of Lancaster, passing by in his ship, saw the peril to which the prince
was exposed, and, ranging up on the other side of the Spaniard, strove
to board her there. The attention of the Spaniards being thus
distracted, the prince and his companions made another desperate effort,
and succeeded in winning their way on to the deck of the Spanish ship
just as their own vessel sank beneath their feet; after a few minutes'
desperate fighting the Spanish ship was captured.
The English were now everywhere getting the best of their enemies. Many
of the Spanish vessels had been captured or sunk, and after the fight
had raged for some hours, the rest began to disperse and seek safety in
flight. The English vessel commanded by Count Robert of Namur had toward
night engaged a Spanish vessel of more than twice its own strength. His
adversaries, seeing that the day was lost, set all sail, but looking
upon the little vessel beside them as a prey to be taken possession of
at their leisure, they fastened it tightly to their sides by the
grappling-irons, and spreading all sail, made away. The count and his
men were unable to free themselves, and were being dragged away, when a
follower of the count named Hennekin leaped suddenly on board the
Spanish ship. With a bound he reached the mast, and with a single blow
with his sword cut the halyards which supported the main-sail. The sail
fell at once. The Spaniards rushed to the spot to repair the disaster
which threatened to delay their ship. The count and his followers,
seeing the bulwarks of the Spanish vessel for the moment unguarded,
poured in, and after a furious conflict captured the vessel. By this
time twenty-four of the enemy's vessels had been taken, the rest were
either sunk or in full flight, and Edward at once returned to the
English shore.
The fight had taken place within sight of land, and Queen Philippa, from
the windows of the abbey, which stood on rising ground, had seen the
approach of the vast Spanish fleet, and had watched the conflict until
night fell. She remained in suspense as to the result until the king
himself, with the Black Prince and Prince John, afterward known as John
of Gaunt, who, although but ten years of age, had accompanied the Black
Prince in his ship, rode up with the news of the victory.
This great sea-fight was one of the brightest and most honorable in the
annals of English history, for not even in the case of that other great
Spanish Armada which suffered defeat in English waters were the odds so
immense or the victory so thorough and complete. The result of the fight
was that after some negotiations a truce of twenty years was concluded
with Spain.
CHAPTER XX.
POITIERS.
After the great sea-fight at the end of August, 1350, England had peace
for some years. Philip of France had died a week before that battle, and
had been succeeded by his son John, Duke of Normandy. Upon the part of
both countries there was an indisposition to renew the war, for their
power had been vastly crippled by the devastations of the plague. This
was followed by great distress and scarcity, owing to the want of labor
to till the fields. The truce was therefore continued from time to time;
the pope strove to convert the truce into a permanent peace, and on the
28th of August, 1354, a number of the prelates and barons of England,
with full power to arrange terms of peace, went to Avignon, where they
were met by the French representatives. The powers committed to the
English commissioners show that Edward was at this time really desirous
of making a permanent peace with France; but the French ambassadors
raised numerous and unexpected difficulties, and after lengthened
negotiations the conference was broken off.
The truce came to an end in June, 1355, and great preparations were
made on both sides for the war. The King of England strained every
effort to furnish and equip an army which was to proceed with the Black
Prince to Aquitaine, of which province his father had appointed him
governor, and in November the prince sailed for Bordeaux with the
advance-guard of his force. Sir Walter Somers accompanied him. During
the years which had passed since the plague he had resided principally
upon his estates, and had the satisfaction of seeing that his tenants
escaped the distress which was general through the country. He had been
in the habit of repairing to London to take part in the tournaments and
other festivities; but both he and Edith preferred the quiet country
life to a continued residence at court. Two sons had now been born to
him, and fond as he was of the excitement and adventure of war, it was
with deep regret that he obeyed the royal summons, and left his house
with his retainers, consisting of twenty men-at-arms and thirty archers,
to join the prince.
Upon the Black Prince's landing at Bordeaux he was joined by the Gascon
lords, the vassals of the English crown, and for three months marched
through and ravaged the districts adjoining, the French army, although
greatly superior in force, offering no effectual resistance. Many towns
were taken, and he returned at Christmas to Bordeaux after a campaign
attended by a series of unbroken successes.
The following spring the war recommenced, and a diversion was effected
by the Duke of Lancaster, who was in command of Brittany, joining his
forces with those of the King of Navarre and many of the nobles of
Normandy, while King Edward crossed to Calais and kept a portion of the
French army occupied there. The Black Prince, leaving the principal part
of his forces under the command of the Earl of Albret to guard the
territory already acquired against the attack of the French army under
the Count of Armagnac, marched with two thousand picked men-at-arms and
six thousand archers into Auvergne, and thence turning into Berry,
marched to the gates of Bourges.
The King of France was now thoroughly alarmed, and issued a general call
to all his vassals to assemble on the Loire. The Prince of Wales,
finding immense bodies of men closing in around him, fell back slowly,
capturing and leveling to the ground the strong castle of Romorentin.
The King of France was now hastening forward, accompanied by his four
sons, one hundred and forty nobles with banners, twenty thousand
men-at-arms, and an immense force of infantry. Vast accessions of forces
joined him each day, and on the 17th of September he occupied a position
between the Black Prince and Guienne. The first intimation that either
the Black Prince or the King of France had of their close proximity to
each other was an accidental meeting between a small foraging force of
the English and three hundred French horse, under the command of the
Counts of Auxerre and Joigny, the Marshal of Burgundy, and the Lord of
Chatillon. The French hotly pursued the little English party, and on
emerging from some low bushes found themselves in the midst of the
English camp, where all were taken prisoners. From them the Black Prince
learned that the King of France was within a day's march.
The prince dispatched the Captal de Buch with two hundred men-at-arms to
reconnoiter the force and position of the enemy, and these coming upon
the rear of the French army just as they were about to enter Poitiers,
dashed among them and took some prisoners. The King of France thus first
learned that the enemy he was searching for was actually six miles in
his rear. The Captal de Buch and his companions returned to the Black
Prince, and confirmed the information obtained from the prisoners that
the King of France, with an army at least eight times as strong as his
own, lay between him and Poitiers.
The position appeared well-nigh desperate, but the prince and his most
experienced knights at once reconnoitered the country to choose the best
ground upon which to do battle. An excellent position was chosen. It
consisted of rising ground commanding the country toward Poitiers, and
naturally defended by the hedges of a vineyard. It was only accessible
from Poitiers by a sunken road flanked by banks and fences, and but wide
enough to admit of four horsemen riding abreast along it. The ground on
either side of this hollow way was rough and broken so as to impede the
movements even of infantry, and to render the maneuvers of a large body
of cavalry nearly impracticable. On the left of the position was a
little hamlet called Maupertuis. Here on the night of Saturday, the 17th
of September, the prince encamped, and early next morning made his
dispositions for the battle. His whole force was dismounted and occupied
the high ground; a strong body of archers lined the hedges on either
side of the sunken road; the main body of archers were drawn up in their
usual formation on the hillside, their front covered by the hedge of the
vineyard, while behind them the men-at-arms were drawn up.
The King of France divided his army into three divisions, each
consisting of sixteen thousand mounted men-at-arms besides infantry,
commanded respectively by the Duke of Orleans, the king's brother, the
dauphin, and the king himself. With the two royal princes were the most
experienced of the French commanders. In the mean time De Ribaumont,
with three other French knights, reconnoitered the English position, and
on their return with their report strongly advised that as large bodies
of cavalry would be quite useless owing to the nature of the ground, the
whole force should dismount, except three hundred picked men destined to
break the line of English archers and a small body of German horse to
act as a reserve.
Just as the King of France was about to give orders for the advance, the
Cardinal of Perigord arrived in his camp, anxious to stop, if possible,
the effusion of blood. He hurried to the King of France.
"You have here, sire," he said, "the flower of all the chivalry of your
realm assembled against a mere handful of English, and it will be far
more honorable and profitable for you to have them in your power without
battle than to risk such a noble array in uncertain strife. I pray you,
then, in the name of God, to let me ride on to the Prince of Wales, to
show him his peril, and to exhort him to peace."
"Willingly, my lord," the king replied; "but above all things be quick."
The cardinal at once hastened to the English camp; he found the Black
Prince in the midst of his knights ready for battle, but by no means
unwilling to listen to proposals for peace. His position was indeed most
perilous. In his face was an enormously superior army, and he was,
moreover, threatened by famine; even during the two preceding days his
army had suffered from a great scarcity of forage, and its provisions
were almost wholly exhausted. The French force was sufficiently numerous
to blockade him in his camp, and he knew that did they adopt that course
he must surrender unconditionally, since were he forced to sally out and
attack the French no valor could compensate for the immense disparity of
numbers. He therefore replied at once to the cardinal's application that
he was ready to listen to any terms by which his honor and that of his
companions would be preserved.
The cardinal returned to the King of France, and with much entreaty
succeeded in obtaining a truce until sunrise on the following morning.
The soldiers returned to their tents, and the cardinal rode backward and
forward between the armies, beseeching the King of France to moderate
his demands, and the Black Prince to submit to the evil fortune which
had befallen him; but on the one side the king looked upon the victory
certain, and on the other the Black Prince thought that there was at
least a hope of success should the French attack him. All, therefore,
that the cardinal could obtain from him was an offer to resign all he
had captured in his expedition, towns, castles, and prisoners, and to
take an oath not to bear arms again against France for seven years. This
proposal fell so far short of the demands of the French king that
pacification soon appeared hopeless.
Early on the Monday morning the cardinal once more sought the presence
of the French king, but found John inflexible; while some of the
leaders, who had viewed with the strongest disapproval his efforts to
snatch what they regarded as certain victory from their hands, gave him
a peremptory warning not to show himself again in their lines.
The prelate then bore the news of his failure to the Prince of Wales.
"Fair son," he said, "do the best you can, for you must needs fight, as
I can find no means of peace or amnesty with the King of France."
"Be it so, good father," the prince replied; "it is our full resolve to
fight, and God will aid the right."
The delay which had occurred had not been without advantages for the
British army, although the shortness of provisions was greatly felt.
Every effort had been made to strengthen the position. Deep trenches had
been dug and palisades erected around it, and the carts and baggage
train had all been moved round so as to form a protection on the weakest
side of the camp, where also a rampart had been constructed.
Upon a careful examination of the ground it was found that the hill on
the right side of the camp was less difficult than had been supposed,
and that the dismounted men-at-arms who lay at its foot under the
command of the dauphin would find little difficulty in climbing it to
the assault. The prince therefore gave orders that three hundred
men-at-arms and three hundred mounted archers should make a circuit from
the rear round the base of the hill, in order to pour in upon the flank
of the dauphin's division as soon as they became disordered in the
ascent. The nature of the ground concealed this maneuver from the
enemies' view, and the Captal de Buch, who was in command of the party,
gained unperceived the cover of a wooded ravine within a few hundred
yards of the left flank of the enemy. By the time that all these
dispositions were complete the huge French array was moving forward. The
Black Prince, surrounded by his knights, viewed them approaching.
"Fair lords," he said, "though we be so few against that mighty power of
enemies, let us not be dismayed, for strength and victory lie not in
multitudes, but in those to whom God give them. If he will the day be
ours, then the highest glory of this world will be given to us. If we
die, I have the noble lord, my father, and two fair brothers, and you
have each of you many a good friend who will avenge us well; thus, then,
I pray you fight well this day, and if it please God and St. George I
will also do the part of a good knight."
The prince then chose Sir John Chandos and Sir James Audley to remain by
his side during the conflict in order to afford him counsel in case of
need. Audley, however, pleaded a vow which he had made long before, to
be the first in battle should he ever be engaged under the command of
the King of England or any of his children. The prince at once acceded
to his request to be allowed to fight in the van, and Audley,
accompanied by four chosen squires, took his place in front of the
English line of battle. Not far from him, also in advance of the line,
was Sir Eustace d'Ambrecicourt on horseback, also eager to distinguish
himself.
As Sir James rode off the prince turned to Walter. "As Audley must needs
fight as a knight-errant, Sir Walter Somers, do you take your place by
my side, for there is no more valiant knight in my army than you have
often proved yourself to be."
Three hundred chosen French men-at-arms, mounted on the strongest
horses, covered with steel armor, led the way under the command of the
Maréchals d'Audeham and De Clermont; while behind them were a large body
of German cavalry under the Counts of Nassau, Saarbruck, and Nidau, to
support them in their attack on the English archers. On the right was
the Duke of Orleans with sixteen thousand men-at-arms; on the left the
dauphin and his two brothers with an equal force; while King John
himself led on the rear-guard.
When the three hundred _élite_ of the French army reached the narrow way
between the hedges, knowing that these were lined with archers they
charged through at a gallop to fall upon the main body of bowmen
covering the front of the English men-at-arms. The moment they were
fairly in the hollow road the British archers rose on either side to
their feet and poured such a flight of arrows among them that in an
instant all was confusion and disarray. Through every joint and crevice
of the armor of knights and horses the arrows found their way, and the
lane was almost choked with the bodies of men and horses. A considerable
number, nevertheless, made their way through and approached the first
line of archers beyond.
Here they were met by Sir James Audley, who, with his four squires,
plunged into their ranks and overthrew the Maréchal d'Audeham, and then
fought his way onward. Regardless of the rest of the battle he pressed
ever forward, until at the end of the day, wounded in a hundred places
and fainting from loss of blood, he fell from his horse almost at the
gates of Poitiers, and was borne from the field by the four faithful
squires who had fought beside him throughout the day.
Less fortunate was Sir Eustace d'Ambrecicourt, who spurred headlong upon
the German cavalry. A German knight rode out to meet him, and in the
shock both were dishorsed, but before Sir Eustace could recover his seat
he was borne down to the ground by four others of the enemy, and was
bound and carried captive to the rear.
In the mean time the English archers kept up their incessant hail of
arrows upon the band under the French marshals. The English men-at-arms
passed through the gaps purposely left in the line of archers and drove
back the front rank of the enemy upon those following, chasing them
headlong down the hollow road again. The few survivors of the French
force, galloping back, carried confusion into the advancing division of
the dauphin. Before order was restored the Captal de Buch with his six
hundred men issued forth from his place of concealment and charged
impetuously down on the left flank of the dauphin.
The French, shaken in front by the retreat of their advance-guard, were
thrown into extreme confusion by this sudden and unexpected charge. The
horse archers with the captal poured their arrows into the mass, while
the shafts of the main body of the archers on the hill hailed upon them
without ceasing.
The rumor spread among those in the French rear, who were unable to see
what was going forward, that the day was already lost, and many began to
fly. Sir John Chandos marked the confusion which had set in, and he
exclaimed to the prince:
"Now, sir, ride forward, and the day is yours. Let us charge right over
upon your adversary, the King of France, for there lies the labor and
the feat of the day. Well do I know that his great courage will never
let him fly, but, God willing, he shall be well encountered."
"Forward, then, John Chandos," replied the prince. "You shall not see me
tread one step back, but ever in advance. Bear on my banner. God and St.
George be with us!"
The horses of the English force were all held in readiness by their
attendants close in their rear. Every man sprang into his saddle, and
with leveled lances the army bore down the hill against the enemy, while
the Captal de Buch forced his way through the struggling ranks of the
French to join them.
To these two parties were opposed the whole of the German cavalry, the
division of the dauphin, now thinned by flight, and a strong force under
the Constable de Brienne, Duke of Athens. The first charge of the
English was directed against the Germans, the remains of the marshal's
forces, and that commanded by the constable. The two bodies of cavalry
met with a tremendous shock, raising their respective war-cries, "Denis
Mount Joye!" and "St. George Guyenne!" Lances were shivered, and horses
and men rolled over, but the German horse were borne down in every
direction by the charge of the English chivalry. The Counts of Nassau
and Saarbruck were taken, and the rest driven down the hill in utter
confusion. The division of the Duke of Orleans, a little further down
the hill to the right, were seized with a sudden panic, and sixteen
thousand men-at-arms, together with their commander, fled without
striking a blow.
Having routed the French and German cavalry in advance, the English now
fell upon the dauphin's division. This had been already confused by the
attacks of the Captal de Buch, and when its leaders beheld the complete
rout of the marshals and the Germans, and saw the victorious force
galloping down upon them, the responsibility attached to the charge of
the three young princes overcame their firmness. The Lords of Landas,
Vaudenay, and St. Venant, thinking the battle lost, hurried the princes
from the field, surrounded by eight hundred lances, determined to place
them at a secure distance, and then to return and fight beside the king.
The retreat of the princes at once disorganized the force, but though
many fled a number of the nobles remained scattered over the field
fighting in separate bodies with their own retainers gathered under
their banners. Gradually these fell back and took post on the left of
the French king's division. The constable and the Duke of Bourbon with
a large body of knights and men-at-arms also opposed a firm front to the
advance of the English.
The king saw with indignation one of his divisions defeated and the
other in coward flight, but his forces were still vastly superior to
those of the English, and ordering his men to dismount, he prepared to
receive their onset. The English now gathered their forces, which had
been scattered in combat, and again advanced to the fight. The archers
as usual heralded this advance with showers of arrows, which shook the
ranks of the French and opened the way for the cavalry. These dashed in,
and the ranks of the two armies became mixed, and each man fought hand
to hand. The French king fought on foot with immense valor and bravery,
as did his nobles. The Dukes of Bourbon and Athens, the Lords of Landas,
Argenton, Chambery, Joinville, and many others stood and died near the
king.
Gradually the English drove back their foes. The French forces became
cut up into groups or confined into narrow spaces. Knight after knight
fell around the king. De Ribaumont fell near him. Jeffrey de Charny,
who, as one of the most valiant knights in the army, had been chosen to
bear the French standard, the oriflamme, never left his sovereign's
side, and as long as the sacred banner floated over his head John would
not believe the day was lost. At length, however, Jeffrey de Charny was
killed, and the oriflamme fell. John, surrounded on every side by foes
who pressed forward to make him prisoner, still kept clear the space
immediately around himself and his little son with his battle-ax; but at
last he saw that further resistance would only entail the death of both,
and he then surrendered to Denis de Montbec, a knight of Artois.
The battle was now virtually over. The French banners and pennons had
disappeared, and nothing was seen save the dead and dying, groups of
prisoners, and parties of fugitives flying over the country. Chandos now
advised the prince to halt. His banner was pitched on the summit of a
little mound. The trumpets blew to recall the army from the pursuit, and
the prince, taking off his helmet, drank with the little body of knights
who accompanied him some wine brought from his former encampment.
The two marshals of the English army, the Earls of Warwick and Suffolk,
were among the first to return at the call of the trumpet. Hearing that
King John had certainly not left the field of battle, though they knew
not whether he was dead or taken, the prince at once dispatched the Earl
of Warwick and Lord Cobham to find and protect him if still alive. They
soon came upon a mass of men-at-arms, seemingly engaged in an angry
quarrel. On riding up they found that the object of strife was the King
of France, who had been snatched from the hands of Montbec, and was
being claimed by a score of men as his prisoner. The Earl of Warwick
and Lord Cobham instantly made their way through the mass, and
dismounting, saluted the captive monarch with the deepest reverence, and
keeping back the multitude led him to the Prince of Wales. The latter
bent his knee before the king, and calling for wine, presented the cup
with his own hands to the unfortunate monarch.
The battle was over by noon, but it was evening before all the pursuing
parties returned, and the result of the victory was then fully known.
With less than eight thousand men the English had conquered far more
than sixty thousand. On the English side two thousand men-at-arms and
fifteen hundred archers had fallen. Upon the French side eleven thousand
men-at-arms, besides an immense number of footmen, had been killed. A
king, a prince, an archbishop, thirteen counts, sixty-six barons, and
more than two thousand knights were prisoners in the hands of the
English, with a number of other soldiers, who raised the number of
captives to double that of their conquerors. All the baggage of the
French army was taken, and as the barons of France had marched to the
field feeling certain of victory, and the rich armor of the prisoners
became immediately the property of the captors, immense stores of
valuable ornaments of all kinds, especially jeweled baldrics, enriched
the meanest soldier among the conquerors.
The helmet which the French king had worn, which bore a small coronet of
gold beneath the crest, was delivered to the Prince of Wales, who sent
it off at once to his father as the best trophy of the battle he could
offer him.
Its receipt was the first intimation which Edward III. received of the
great victory.
As the prince had no means of providing for the immense number of
prisoners, the greater portion were set at liberty upon their taking an
oath to present themselves at Bordeaux by the ensuing Christmas in order
either to pay the ransom appointed or to again yield themselves as
prisoners.
Immediately the battle was over Edward sent for the gallant Sir James
Audley, who was brought to him on his litter by his esquires, and the
prince, after warmly congratulating him on the honor that he had that
day won as the bravest knight in the army, assigned him an annuity of
five hundred marks a year.
No sooner was Audley taken to his own tent than he called round him
several of his nearest relations and friends, and then and there made
over to his four gallant attendants, without power of recall, the gift
which the prince had bestowed upon him. The prince was not to be
outdone, however, in liberality, and on hearing that Audley had assigned
his present to the brave men who had so gallantly supported him in the
fight, he presented Sir James with another annuity of six hundred marks
a year.
CHAPTER XXI.
THE JACQUERIE.
On the evening after the battle of Poitiers, a splendid entertainment
was served in the tent of the Prince of Wales to the King of France and
all the principal prisoners. John with his son and six of his highest
nobles were seated at a table raised above the rest, and the prince
himself waited as page upon the French king. John in vain endeavored to
persuade the prince to be seated; the latter refused, saying that it was
his pleasure as well as his duty to wait upon one who had shown himself
to be the best and bravest knight in the French army. The example of the
Black Prince was contagious, and the English vied with each other in
generous treatment of their prisoners. All were treated as friends, and
that night an immense number of knights and squires were admitted to
ransom on such terms as had never before been known. The captors simply
required their prisoners to declare in good faith what they could afford
to pay without pressing themselves too hard, "for they did not wish,"
they said, "to ransom knights or squires on terms which would prevent
them from maintaining their station in society, from serving their
lords, or from riding forth in arms to advance their name and honor."
Upon the following morning solemn thanksgivings were offered up on the
field of battle for the glorious victory. Then the English army,
striking its tents, marched back toward Bordeaux. They were unmolested
upon this march, for although the divisions of the dauphin and the Duke
of Orleans had now reunited, and were immensely superior in numbers to
the English, encumbered as the latter were, moreover, with prisoners and
booty, the tremendous defeat which they had suffered, and still more the
capture of the king, paralyzed the French commanders, and the English
reached Bordeaux without striking another blow.
Not long after they reached that city the Cardinal of Perigord and
another legate presented themselves to arrange peace, and these
negotiations went on throughout the winter. The prince had received full
powers from his father, and his demands were very moderate; but in spite
of this no final peace could be arranged, and the result of the
conference was the proclamation of a truce, to last for two years from
the following Easter.
During the winter immense numbers of the prisoners who had gone at large
upon patrol came in and paid their ransoms, as did the higher nobles who
had been taken prisoners, and the whole army was greatly enriched. At
the end of April the prince returned to England with King John. The
procession through the streets of London was a magnificent one, the
citizens vying with each other in decorating their houses in honor of
the victor of Poitiers, who, simply dressed, rode on a small black horse
by the side of his prisoner, who was splendidly attired, and mounted on
a superb white charger. The king received his royal prisoner in state in
the great hall of his palace at Westminster, and did all in his power to
alleviate the sorrows of his condition. The splendid palace of the
Savoy, with gardens extending to the Thames, was appointed for his
residence, and every means was taken to soften his captivity.
During the absence of the Black Prince in Guienne the king had been
warring in Scotland. Here his success had been small, as the Scotch had
retreated before him, wasting the country. David Bruce, the rightful
king, was a prisoner in England, and Baliol, a descendant of the rival
of Robert Bruce, had been placed upon the throne. As Edward passed
through Roxburgh he received from Baliol a formal cession of all his
rights and titles to the throne of Scotland, and in return for this
purely nominal gift he bestowed an annual income upon Baliol, who lived
and died a pensioner of England. After Edward's return to England
negotiations were carried on with the Scots, and a treaty was signed by
which a truce for ten years was established between the two countries,
and the liberation of Bruce was granted on a ransom of one hundred
thousand marks.
The disorganization into which France had been thrown by the capture of
its king increased rather than diminished. Among all classes men strove
in the absence of a repressive power to gain advantages and privileges.
Serious riots occurred in many parts, and the demagogues of Paris,
headed by Stephen Marcel, and Robert le Coq, Bishop of Leon, set at
defiance the dauphin and the ministers and lieutenant of the king.
Massacre and violence stained the streets of Paris with blood. General
law, public order, and private security were all lost. Great bodies of
brigands devastated the country, and the whole of France was thrown into
confusion. So terrible was the disorder that the inhabitants of every
village were obliged to fortify the ends of their streets and keep watch
and ward as in the cities. The proprietors of land on the banks of
rivers spent the nights in boats moored in the middle of the stream, and
in every house and castle throughout the land men remained armed as if
against instant attack.
Then arose the terrible insurrection known as the Jacquerie. For
centuries the peasantry of France had suffered under a bondage to which
there had never been any approach in England. Their lives and liberties
were wholly at the mercy of their feudal lords. Hitherto no attempt at
resistance had been possible; but the tremendous defeat of the French at
Poitiers by a handful of English aroused the hope among the serfs that
the moment for vengeance had come. The movement began among a handful of
peasants in the neighborhood of St. Leu and Claremont. These declared
that they would put to death all the gentlemen in the land. The cry
spread through the country. The serfs, armed with pikes, poured out from
every village, and a number of the lower classes from the towns joined
them. Their first success was an attack upon a small castle. They burned
down the gates and slew the knight to whom it belonged, with his wife
and children of all ages. Their numbers rapidly increased. Castle after
castle was taken and stormed, palaces and houses leveled to the ground;
fire, plunder, and massacre swept through the fairest provinces of
France. The peasants vied with each other in inventing deaths of
fiendish cruelty and outrage upon every man, woman, and child of the
better classes who fell into their hands.
Owing to the number of nobles who had fallen at Cressy and Poitiers, and
of those still captives in England, very many of their wives and
daughters remained unprotected, and these were the especial victims of
the fiendish malignity of the peasantry. Separated in many bands, the
insurgents marched through the Beauvoisis, Soissonois, and Vermandois;
and as they approached, a number of unprotected ladies of the highest
families in France fled to Meaux, where they remained under the guard of
the young Duke of Orleans and a handful of men-at-arms.
After the conclusion of the peace at Bordeaux, Sir Walter Somers had
been dispatched on a mission to some of the German princes, with whom
the king was in close relations. The business was not of an onerous
nature, but Walter had been detained for some time over it. He spent a
pleasant time in Germany, where, as an emissary of the king and one of
the victors of Poitiers, the young English knight was made much of. When
he set out on his return he joined the Captal de Buch, who, ever
thirsting for adventure, had on the conclusion of the truce gone to
serve in a campaign in Germany; with him was the French Count de Foix,
who had been also serving throughout the campaign.
On entering France from the Rhine the three knights were shocked at the
misery and ruin which met their eyes on all sides. Every castle and
house throughout the country, of a class superior to those of the
peasants, was destroyed, and tales of the most horrible outrages and
murders met their ears.
"I regret," the Count de Foix said earnestly, "that I have been away
warring in Germany, for it is clear that every true knight is wanted at
home to crush down these human wolves."
"Methinks," the captal rejoined, "that France will do well to invite the
chivalry of all other countries to assemble and aid to put down this
horrible insurrection."
"Ay," the count said bitterly; "but who is to speak in the name of
France? The dauphin is powerless, and the virtual government is in the
hands of Marcel and other ambitious traitors who hail the doings of the
Jacquerie with delight, for these mad peasants are doing their work of
destroying the knights and nobles."
The villages through which they passed were deserted save by women, and
in the small towns the people of the lower class scowled threateningly
at the three knights; but they with their following of forty
men-at-arms, of whom five were followers of Walter, fifteen of the
captal, and twenty of the Count de Foix, ventured not to proceed beyond
evil glances.
"I would," De Foix said, "that these dogs would but lift a hand against
us. By St. Stephen, we would teach them a rough lesson!"
His companions were of the same mind, for all were excited to fury by
the terrible tales which they heard. All these stories were new to them,
for although rumors had reached Germany of the outbreak of a peasant
insurrection in France, the movement had but just begun when they
started. As far as the frontier they had traveled leisurely, but they
had hastened their pace more and more as they learned how sore was the
strait of the nobles and gentry of the country, and how grievously every
good sword was needed. When they reached Chalons they heard much fuller
particulars than had before reached them, and learned that the Duchess
of Normandy, the Duchess of Orleans, and near three hundred ladies had
sought refuge in Meaux, and that they were there guarded but by a
handful of men-at-arms under the Duke of Orleans, while great bands of
serfs were pouring in from all parts of the country round to massacre
them.
Meaux is eighty miles from Chalons, but the three knights determined to
press onward with all speed in hopes of averting the catastrophe.
Allowing their horses an hour or two to rest, they rode forward, and
pressing on without halt or delay, save such as was absolutely needed by
the horses, they arrived at Meaux late the following night, and found to
their delight that the insurgents, although swarming in immense numbers
round the town, had not yet attacked it.
The arrival of the three knights and their followers was greeted with
joy by the ladies. They, with their guard, had taken up their position
in the market-house and market-place, which were separated from the rest
of the town by the river Marne, which flows through the city. A
consultation was at once held, and it being found that the Duke of
Orleans had but twenty men-at-arms with him, it was determined that it
was impossible to defend the city walls, but that upon the following
morning they would endeavor to cut their way with the ladies through the
peasant hosts. In the night, however, an uproar was heard in the city.
The burghers had risen and had opened the gates to the peasants, who now
poured in in thousands. Every hour increased their numbers.
The market-place was besieged in the morning, and an hour or two
afterward a large body of the ruffians of Paris, under the command of a
brutal grocer named Pierre Gille, arrived to swell their ranks.
The attack on the market-house continued, and the Duke of Orleans held
a consultation with the three knights. It was agreed that against such a
host of enemies the market-place could not long be defended, and that
their best hope lay in sallying out and falling upon the assailants.
Accordingly the men-at-arms were drawn up in order, with the banners of
the Duke of Orleans and the Count de Foix and the pennons of the captal
and Sir Walter Somers displayed, the gates were opened, and with leveled
lances the little party rode out. Hitherto nothing had been heard save
yells of anticipated triumph and fierce imprecations and threats against
the defenders from the immense multitude without; but the appearance of
the orderly ranks of the knights and men-at-arms as they issued through
the gate struck a silence of fear through the mass.
Without an instant's delay the knights and men-at-arms, with leveled
lances, charged into the multitude. A few attempted to fight, but more
strove to fly, as the nobles and their followers, throwing away their
lances, fell upon them with sword and battle-ax. Jammed up in the narrow
streets of a small walled town, overthrowing and impeding each other in
their efforts to escape, trampled down by the heavy horses of the
men-at-arms, and hewn down by their swords and battle-axes, the
insurgents fell in vast numbers. Multitudes succeeded in escaping
through the gates into the fields; but here they were followed by the
knights and their retainers, who continued charging among them and
slaying till utter weariness compelled them to cease from the pursuit
and return to Meaux. Not less than seven thousand of the insurgents had
been slain by the four knights and fifty men, for ten had been left
behind to guard the gates of the market-place.
History has no record of so vast a slaughter by so small a body of men.
This terrific punishment put a summary end to the Jacquerie. Already in
other parts several bodies had been defeated, and their principal
leader, Caillet, with three thousand of his followers, slain near
Clermont. But the defeat at Meaux was the crushing blow which put an end
to the insurrection.
On their return to the town the knights executed a number of the
burghers who had joined the peasants, and the greater part of the town
was burned to the ground as a punishment for having opened the gates to
the peasants and united with them.
The knights and ladies then started for Paris. On nearing the city they
found that it was threatened by the forces of the dauphin. Marcel had
strongly fortified the town, and with his ally, the infamous King of
Navarre, bade defiance to the royal power. However, the excesses of the
demagogue had aroused against him the feeling of all the better class of
the inhabitants. The King of Navarre, who was ready at all times to
break his oath and betray his companions, marched his army out of the
town and took up a position outside the walls. He then secretly
negotiated peace with the Duke of Normandy, by which he agreed to yield
to their fate Marcel and twelve of the most obnoxious burghers, while at
the same time he persuaded Marcel that he was still attached to his
interest. Marcel, however, was able to bid higher than the Duke of
Normandy, and he entered into a new treaty with the treacherous king, by
which he stipulated to deliver the city into his hands during the night.
Every one within the walls, except the partisans of Marcel, upon whose
doors a mark was to be placed, were to be put to death indiscriminately,
and the King of Navarre was to be proclaimed King of France.
Fortunately Pepin des Essarts and John de Charny, two loyal knights who
were in Paris, obtained information of a few minutes before the time
appointed for its execution. Arming themselves instantly, and collecting
a few followers, they rushed to the houses of the chief conspirators,
but found them empty, Marcel and his companions having already gone to
the gates. Passing by the hotel-de-ville, the knights entered, snatched
down the royal banner which was kept there, and unfurling it mounted
their horses and rode through the streets, calling all men to arms. They
reached the Port St. Antoine just at the moment when Marcel was in the
act of opening it in order to give admission to the Navarrese. When he
heard the shouts he tried with his friends to make his way into the
bastile, but his retreat was intercepted, and a severe and bloody
struggle took place between the two parties. Stephen Marcel, however,
was himself slain by Sir John de Charny, and almost all his principal
companions fell with him. The inhabitants then threw open their gates
and the Duke of Normandy entered.
Walter Somers had, with his companions, joined the army of the duke and
placed his sword at his disposal; but when the French prince entered
Paris without the necessity of fighting, he took leave of him, and with
the captal returned to England. Rare, indeed, were the jewels which
Walter brought home to his wife, for the three hundred noble ladies
rescued at Meaux from dishonor and death had insisted upon bestowing
tokens of their regard and gratitude upon the rescuers, and as many of
them belonged to the richest as well as the noblest families in France,
the presents which Walter thus received from the grateful ladies were of
immense value.
He was welcomed by the king and Prince of Wales with great honor, for
the battle at Meaux had excited the admiration and astonishment of all
Europe. The Jacquerie was considered as a common danger in all civilized
countries; for if successful it might have spread far beyond the
boundaries of France, and constituted a danger to chivalry, and indeed
to society universally.
Thus King Edward gave the highest marks of his satisfaction to the
captal and Walter, added considerable grants of land to the estates of
the latter, and raised him to the dignity of Baron Somers of Westerham.
It has always been a matter of wonder that King Edward did not take
advantage of the utter state of confusion and anarchy which prevailed in
France to complete his conquest of that country, which there is no
reasonable doubt he could have effected with ease. Civil war and strife
prevailed throughout France; famine devastated it; and without leaders
or concord, dispirited and impoverished by defeat, France could have
offered no resistance to such an army as England could have placed in
the field. The only probable supposition is that at heart he doubted
whether the acquisition of the crown of France was really desirable, or
whether it could be permanently maintained should it be gained. To the
monarch of a county prosperous, flourishing, and contented the object of
admiration throughout Europe, the union with distracted and divided
France could be of no benefit. Of military glory he had gained enough to
content any man, and some of the richest provinces of France were
already his. Therefore it may well be believed that, feeling secure very
many years must elapse before France could again become dangerous, he
was well content to let matters continue as they were.
King John still remained a prisoner in his hands, for the princes and
nobles of France were too much engaged in broils and civil wars to think
of raising the money for his ransom, and Languedoc was the only province
of France which made any effort whatever toward so doing. War still
raged between the dauphin and the King of Navarre.
At the conclusion of the two years' truce Edward, with the most
splendidly equipped army which had ever left England, marched through
the length and breadth of France. Nowhere did he meet with any
resistance in the field. He marched under the walls of Paris, but took
no steps to lay siege to that city, which would have fallen an easy prey
to his army had he chosen to capture it. That he did not do so is
another proof that he had no desire to add France to the possessions of
the English crown. At length, by the efforts of the pope, a peace was
agreed upon, by which France yielded all Aquitaine and the town of
Calais to England as an absolute possession, and not as a fief of the
crown of France; while the English king surrendered all his captures in
Normandy and Brittany and abandoned his claim to the crown of France.
With great efforts the French raised a portion of the ransom demanded
for the king, and John returned to France after four years of captivity.
At the commencement of 1363 Edward the Black Prince was named Prince of
Aquitaine, and that province was bestowed upon him as a gift by the
king, subject only to liege homage and an annual tribute of one ounce of
gold. The prince took with him to his new possessions many of the
knights and nobles who had served with him, and offered to Walter a high
post in the government of the province if he would accompany him. This
Walter begged to be excused from doing. Two girls had now been added to
his family, and he was unwilling to leave his happy home unless the
needs of war called him to the prince's side. He therefore remained
quietly at home.
When King John returned to France, four of the French princes of the
blood-royal had been given as hostages for the fulfillment of the treaty
of Bretigny. They were permitted to reside at Calais and were at liberty
to move about as they would, and even to absent themselves from the town
for three days at a time whensoever they might choose. The Duke of
Anjou, the king's second son, basely took advantage of this liberty to
escape, in direct violation of his oath. The other hostages followed his
example.
King John, himself the soul of honor, was intensely mortified at this
breach of faith on the part of his sons, and after calling together the
States-general at Amiens to obtain the subsidies necessary for paying
the remaining portion of his ransom, he himself, with a train of two
hundred officers and their followers, crossed to England to make excuses
to Edward for the treachery of the princes. Some historians represent
the visit as a voluntary returning into captivity; but this was not so.
The English king had accepted the hostages in his place and was
responsible for their safe-keeping, and had no claim upon the French
monarch because they had taken advantage of the excess of confidence
with which they had been treated. That the coming of the French king was
not in any way regarded as a return into captivity is shown by the fact
that he was before starting furnished by Edward with letters of
safe-conduct, by which his secure and unobstructed return to his own
country was expressly stipulated, and he was received by Edward as an
honored guest and friend, and his coming was regarded as an honor and an
occasion for festivity by all England.
At the same time that John was in London the King of Cyprus, the King of
Denmark, and the King of Scotland were also there, and the meeting of
four monarchs in London was the occasion of extraordinary festivities
and rejoicing, the king and his royal guests being several times
entertained at sumptuous banquets by the lord mayor, the ex-mayor, Henry
Pickard, and several of the aldermen.
Six weeks after John's arrival in London he was seized with illness at
the palace of the Savoy, and died on the 8th of April, 1364. The
dauphin, Charles, now succeeded him as Charles V., and the war between
the houses of Navarre and Valois was carried on with greater fury than
ever. The armies of Navarre were commanded by the Captal de Buch, who
was a distant relation of the king; while those of Charles were headed
by the Maréchal de Boucicault and Bertrand du Guesclin, one of the most
gallant of the French knights. A great battle was fought near Cocherel.
Contrary to the orders of the captal, his army, which consisted
principally of adventurers, descended from the strong position he had
chosen, and gave battle in the plain. They were completely defeated and
the captal himself taken prisoner.
In Brittany John of Montford and Charles of Blois had renewed their
struggle, and King Charles, seeing the danger of Brittany falling into
the hands of De Montford, who was a close ally of England, interfered in
favor of Charles of Blois, and sent Du Guesclin to his assistance.
This was a breach of the treaty of Bretigny, and De Montford at once
sent to the Black Prince for assistance. The prince did not treat the
conduct of Charles as a breach of the treaty, and took no part himself
in the war, but permitted Sir John Chandos, who was a personal friend of
De Montford, to go to his aid. De Montford's army, after the arrival of
Chandos with a force of two hundred spears, amounted to but sixteen
hundred men-at-arms and from eight hundred to nine hundred archers,
while Charles of Blois had four thousand men-at-arms and a proportionate
number of infantry. De Montford tried to negotiate. He offered to divide
the dukedom, and to agree that in case he died childless it should
revert to the family of Charles. Charles, however, refused all terms,
even to grant his adversary's request to put off the battle until the
morrow, so as to avoid violating the Sabbath; and having given orders
that all prisoners taken in the battle should be hung, he advanced upon
De Montford.
Both forces were divided in four bodies. The first on De Montford's side
was commanded by Sir Robert Knolles, the second by Oliver de Clisson,
the third by Chandos and De Montford, the fourth by Sir Hugh de
Calverley. Du Guesclin led the front division of Charles' army, the
Counts of Auxerre and Joigny the second, Charles himself the third, and
the Lords of Roye and Rieux the reserve. The ducal arms of Brittany were
displayed on both sides.
By slow degrees the two armies closed with each other in deadly strife.
Both parties had dismounted and fought on foot with lances shortened to
five feet. Du Guesclin and his division attacked that of Knolles.
Auxerre fell upon De Clisson, while the divisions of the two rival
princes closed with each other. After desperate fighting numbers
prevailed. De Montford was driven back, but Calverley advanced to his
aid, fell upon the rear of the French, threw them into disorder, and
then having rallied De Montford's men, retired to his former position in
readiness to give succor again where it might be needed.
In the mean time Clisson had been engaged in a desperate struggle with
the Count of Auxerre, but was obtaining no advantage. Clisson himself
had received the blow of a battle-ax which had dashed in the visor of
his helmet and blinded forever one of his eyes. He was still leading his
men, but the enemies' superior numbers were pressing him back, when
Chandos, the instant the assistance of Calverley had relieved De
Montford's division, perceiving his danger, drew off a few men-at-arms,
and with them fell upon the rear of the Count of Auxerre, and dashing
all who opposed him to the ground with his battle-ax, cleft his way to
the very center of the enemy. Pressed by De Clisson in front and broken
by the sudden attack of Chandos in the rear, the French division gave
way in every direction. Auxerre was desperately wounded, and he and De
Joigny both taken prisoners.
Chandos then returned to De Montford, who had gallantly followed up the
advantage gained by the confusion into which Charles' division had been
thrown by the attack of Calverley. Charles was routed, he himself struck
down and slain by an English soldier, and the division defeated with
great slaughter. De Montford's whole force now gathered round Du
Guesclin's division, which now alone remained, and after fighting
gallantly until all hope was gone, the brave French knight and his
companions yielded themselves as prisoners.
The battle of Auray terminated the struggle between the houses of Blois
and Montford. More than one thousand French men-at-arms died on the
field of battle, among whom were many of the noblest in Brittany. Two
counts, twenty-seven lords, and fifteen hundred men-at-arms were made
prisoners. De Montford now took possession of the whole of Brittany, and
at the suggestion of King Edward himself did homage to Charles V. for
the duchy, which he afterward ruled with wisdom.
CHAPTER XXII.
VICTORY AND DEATH.
While the Black Prince was with difficulty governing his province of
Aquitaine, where the mutual jealousies of the English and native
officers caused continual difficulties, King Edward turned all his
attention to advancing the prosperity of England. He fostered trade,
commerce, and learning, was a munificent patron of the two universities,
and established such order and regularity in his kingdom that England
was the admiration of all Europe. Far different was the state of France.
The cessation of the wars with England and the subsequent disbandment of
troops had thrown upon their own resources great numbers of men who had
been so long engaged in fighting that they had no other trade to turn
to. The conclusion of the struggle in Brittany after the battle of Auray
and the death of Charles of Blois still further added to the number, and
these men gathered in bands, some of which were headed by men of
knightly rank, and scattered through France plundering the country and
extracting heavy sums from the towns.
These "great companies," as they were called, exceeded fifty thousand
men in number, and as almost all were trained soldiers they set the king
and his nobles at defiance, and were virtually masters of France. The
most tempting offers were made to them to lay down their arms, and the
pope sent legates threatening excommunication, but the great companies
laughed alike at promises and threats. At last a way of deliverance
opened to France. Pedro, named the Cruel, of Castile, had alienated his
people by his cruelty, and had defeated and driven into exile his
half-brother, Henry of Transtamare, who headed an insurrection against
him. Pedro put to death numbers of the nobles of Castile, despoiled the
King of Arragon, who had given aid to his brother, plundered and
insulted the clergy, and allied himself with the Moors.
His quarrel with the clergy was the cause of his ruin. The pope summoned
him to appear before him at Avignon to answer to the crimes laid to his
charge. Pedro refused to attend, and the pope at once excommunicated
him. The King of Arragon and Henry of Transtamare were then summoned to
Avignon, and a treaty of alliance was concluded between them, and the
pope declared the throne of Castile vacant owing to the excommunication
of Pedro, and appointed Henry to it.
These measures would have troubled Pedro little had it not been that
France groaned under the great companies, and the French king and the
pontiff at once entered into negotiations with them to support Henry in
his war against his brother. It was necessary that a leader in whom the
companies should have confidence should be chosen, and Du Guesclin,
still a prisoner of Chandos, who had captured him at Auray, was
selected, and the pope, the King of France, and Don Henry paid between
them the one hundred thousand francs demanded for his ransom. Du
Guesclin on his release negotiated with the leaders of the great
companies, and as the pope and king promised them large gratuities they
agreed to march upon Spain. They were joined by a great number of French
knights and men-at-arms.
The expedition was under the nominal command of John of Bourbon, but the
real guidance was in the hands of Du Guesclin. As the army marched past
Avignon they worked upon the terrors of the pope until he paid them two
hundred thousand francs in gold. France was filled with joy at the
prospect of a riddance of the free companies which had so long been a
prey upon them. They were, too, eager to avenge upon the cruel King of
Spain the murder of his queen, who was a princess of France. The same
feeling animated the people of Aquitaine, and Calverley, D'Ambrecicourt,
Sir Walter Hewitt, Sir John Devereux, Sir John Neville, and several
other distinguished knights, with a large train of men-at-arms, joined
the adventurers. The great army moved through Arragon, whose king in
every way facilitated their progress. As they entered Castile the whole
people declared in favor of Henry, and Pedro, deserted by all, fled to
Bordeaux and besought aid from the Prince of Wales.
Between Pedro and the English court a firm alliance had existed from the
time when the former so nearly married the Princess Joan, and
immediately the king heard of the expedition against him he issued
orders that no English knights should take part in it. The order,
however, came too late. The English knights had already marched into
Spain with Du Guesclin. As for the English who formed no inconsiderable
portion of the great companies, they had already declined to obey the
king when, at the instance of the pope and the King of France, he had
ordered them to disband.
On Pedro's arrival at Bordeaux with his three daughters and his son,
they were kindly received by the Black Prince, courtesy and kindness to
those in misfortune being among the leading characteristics of his
nature. Pedro, cruel and ruthless as he was, was a man of great
eloquence and insinuating manners, and giving his own version of
affairs, he completely won over the prince, who felt himself, moreover,
bound in some degree to support him, inasmuch as he, an ally of England,
had been dethroned by an army composed partly of English. Pedro made the
most magnificent promises to the prince in return for his aid, ceding
him the whole of the province of Biscay, and agreeing to pay the British
troops engaged in his service when he regained his throne, the Black
Prince engaging to pay them in the mean time.
King Edward aided his son by raising an army in England, which sailed
for Bordeaux under the command of the prince's brother, John of Gaunt,
Duke of Lancaster. Walter formed part of this expedition. The king had
issued his writs to him and other barons of the southern counties, and
the Black Prince had himself written to ask him to join him, in memory
of their former deeds of arms together.
As it was now some years since he had taken the field, Walter did not
hesitate, but with thirty retainers, headed by Ralph, joined the army of
John of Gaunt.
The Black Prince's first step was to endeavor to recall the Englishmen
of the free companies, estimated to amount to at least thirty thousand
men. The news that he was taking up arms and would himself command the
army caused Calverley and the whole of the other English knights to
return at once, and ten thousand of the English men-at-arms with the
great companies also left Don Henry and marched to Aquitaine. The road
led through the territory of the King of Navarre, and the Black Prince
advanced fifty-six thousand florins of gold to pay this grasping and
treacherous king for the right of passage of the army.
By Christmas, 1366, the preparations were complete, but the severity of
the weather delayed the advance for some weeks. Fresh difficulties were
encountered with Charles the Bad, of Navarre, who, having obtained the
price for the passage, had now opened negotiations with Don Henry, and
the governors of the frontier towns refused to allow Sir Hugh Calverley
and the free companions, who formed the advance, to pass. These were
not, however, the men to stand on ceremony, and without hesitation they
attacked and captured the towns, when the King of Navarre at once
apologized for his officers, and renewed his engagements. As, however,
the Black Prince had received intelligence that he had formed a plan for
attacking the English as they passed through the terrible pass of
Roncesvalles, he compelled him to accompany the army. The invitation was
couched in language which was friendly, but would yet admit of no
denial.
On the 17th of February the English army, thirty thousand strong,
reached the pass. It marched in three divisions, the first commanded by
the Duke of Lancaster and Lord Chandos, the second by the Black Prince,
the third by the King of Majorca and the Count of Armagnac. The
divisions crossed over on different days, for the pass was encumbered by
snow and the obstacles were immense. Upon the day when the prince's
division were passing a storm burst upon them, and it was with the
greatest difficulty that they succeeded in crossing. On the 20th of
February, however, all arrived safe on the other side of the Pyrenees.
Du Guesclin, who, seeing the storm which was approaching from Aquitaine,
had returned to France and levied a French army, was nigh at hand, and
kept within a few miles of the English army as it advanced, avoiding an
engagement until the arrival of Don Henry, who was marching to join him
with the great companies and sixty thousand Spanish troops.
Du Guesclin kept up secret communications with the King of Navarre, who
was still forced to accompany the English army. The latter accordingly
went out from the camp under pretense of hunting and was captured by a
detachment of French troops.
On the 1st of April, the Spanish army having joined the French, the
Black Prince sent letters to Don Henry, urging him in mild but dignified
language to return to obedience, and to resign the throne he had
usurped, offering at the same time to act as mediator between him and
his brother, and to do all in his power to remove differences and
abuses. Henry, confident in his strength, replied haughtily and prepared
for battle.
The forces were extremely unequal. The Black Prince had under him thirty
thousand men; while under Don Henry were three thousand men-at-arms on
mail-clad horses, twenty thousand men-at-arms on horses not so
protected, six thousand light cavalry, ten thousand cross-bowmen, and
sixty thousand foot armed with spear and sword.
The night before the battle the Black Prince lodged in the little
village of Navarretta, which had been deserted by its inhabitants.
Walter had been his close companion since he started, and occupied the
same lodging with him in the village.
"This reminds me," the prince said, "of the day before Cressy. They
outnumber us by more than three to one."
"There were greater odds still," Walter replied, "at Poitiers, and I
doubt not that we shall make as good an example of them."
"They are more doughty adversaries," the prince replied. "There are nigh
twenty thousand English in their ranks--all veterans in war--and they
are led by Du Guesclin, who is a host in himself."
"Their very numbers will be a hindrance to them," Walter replied
cheerfully; "and never did I see a better army than that which you have
under you. I would we were fighting for a better man, for Don Pedro is
to my mind treacherous as well as cruel. He promises fairly, but I doubt
if when he has gained his end he will keep his promises. He speaks
fairly and smoothly, but his deeds are at variance with his words."
"It may be, my lord," the prince replied, "that I am somewhat of your
opinion, and that I regret I so quickly committed myself to his cruse.
However, he was my father's ally, and having fulfilled all his
engagements had a right to demand our assistance. I am a bad hand,
Walter, at saying no to those who beseech me."
"It is so, Sir Prince," Walter said bluntly. "Would that your heart had
been a less generous one, for your nobleness of disposition is ever
involving you in debts which hamper you sorely, and cause more trouble
to you than all your enemies!"
"That is true enough," the Black Prince said with a sigh. "Since I was a
boy I have ever been harassed with creditors; and though all Aquitaine
is mine, I verily believe that there is not a man in my father's
dominions who is so harassed and straitened for money as I."
"And yet," Walter said, smiling, "no sooner do you get it than you give
it away."
"Ah!" the prince laughed, "I cannot deny it. It is so much pleasanter to
give than to pay that I can never find heart to balk myself. I am ever
surrounded by suitors. Some have lost estates in my cause, others have
rendered brilliant services in the field, some have burdened themselves
with debts to put their retainers in arms--all have pleas to urge, and
for the life of me I cannot say them nay. I trust, though," he added
more seriously, "that Don Pedro will fulfill his promises to pay my
army. I have bound myself to my soldiers for their wages, besides
advancing large sums to Pedro, and if he keeps not his engagements I
shall indeed be in a sore strait."
"There is one thing," Walter said; "if he fail to keep his promises, we
will not fail to oblige him to do so. If we win a kingdom for him, we
can snatch it from him again."
"We have not won it yet," the prince said.
"We will do so to-morrow," Walter rejoined confidently. "I hope the
fortunes of the day may bring me face to face with Du Guesclin. I am
thrice as strong as when I fought at Cressy, and I should like to try
my hand against this doughty champion."
The next morning the two armies prepared for battle, the Black Prince
dividing his army as before. The divisions were commanded as in the
passage of the Pyrenees, and each numbered ten thousand men.
Don Henry had also divided his force in three parts. In the first
division, commanded by Du Guesclin, were four thousand veteran French
knights and men-at-arms with eight thousand foot soldiers; the second
was led by the prince's brother, Don Tillo, with sixteen thousand horse;
while he himself commanded the third, in which were a multitude of
soldiers, making up the gross total of one hundred thousand men.
As on the night preceding the battle of Poitiers, the English army had
lain down supperless. Soon after midnight the trumpets sounded, and the
troops soon moved forward. At sunrise the prince and his forces reached
the summit of a little hill, whence was visible the approaching host of
Spain. The first division, under the Duke of Lancaster and Lord Chandos,
immediately quickened its pace and charged the division of Du Guesclin,
which received it with great steadiness, and a desperate conflict
ensued. The Black Prince charged the division of Don Tillo, which gave
way at the first attack, and its commander, with two thousand horse, at
once fled. The remainder of the division resisted for some time, but was
unable to withstand the steady advance of the English, who without much
difficulty dispersed and scattered it from the field. The King of
Majorca now joined his division with that of the Black Prince, and the
two advanced against the great division led by Don Henry.
The Spanish slingers opened upon the advancing force and for a time
annoyed them greatly, but when the English archers arrived within
bow-shot and opened fire they speedily dispersed the slingers, and the
men-at-arms on both sides advanced to the attack. The conflict was long
and desperate, and both sides fought with great gallantry and
determination. Don Pedro--who, although vicious and cruel, was
brave--fought in the ranks as a common soldier, frequently cutting his
way into the midst of the Spaniards, and shouting to Don Henry to cross
swords with him. Henry on his part fought with great valor, although, as
he had the burden of command upon him, he was less able to distinguish
himself by acts of personal prowess. Though fighting in the thickest of
the press, he never lost his grasp of the general purpose of the battle.
Three times, when his troops wavered before the assaults of the Black
Prince and his knights, he rallied them and renewed the fight.
While this battle was raging, a not less obstinate fight was proceeding
between the divisions of Lancaster and Du Guesclin. For a long time
victory was doubtful, and indeed inclined toward the side of the French.
The ranks of both parties were broken, and all were fighting in a
confused mass, when, in the midst of the _mêlée_, a body of French and
Spaniards poured in upon the banner of Chandos. He was struck to the
ground, and a gigantic Castilian knight flung himself upon him and
strove to slay him as he held him down. Chandos had lost sword and
battle-ax, but drawing his dagger, he held with one hand his opponent's
sword-arm, and at last, after repeated strokes with his dagger, he found
an undefended part of his armor and pierced him with his dagger to the
hilt. The Spaniard relaxed his hold, and Chandos, throwing him off,
struggled to his feet and rejoined his friends, who had thought him
dead. They now fought with more enthusiasm than ever, and at last,
driving back the main body of the French knights, isolated a body of
some sixty strong, and forced them to surrender. Among these were Du
Guesclin himself, the Marshal d'Audenham, and the Bigue de Vilaines.
As these were the leaders of the division, the main body lost spirit and
fought feebly, and were soon completely routed by Lancaster and Chandos.
These now turned their attention to the other part of the field, where
the battle was still raging, and charged down upon the flank of Don
Henry's army, which was already wavering. The Spaniards gave way at once
on every side, and ere long the whole were scattered in headlong rout,
hotly pursued by the English. The greater portion fled toward the town
of Najarra, where they had slept the previous night, and here vast
quantities were slaughtered by the English and Gascons. A number of
prisoners were taken and the palace and town sacked. The pursuit was
kept up the whole day, and it was not until evening that the leaders
began once more to assemble round the banner of the Prince of Wales.
Among the last who arrived was Don Pedro himself. Springing from his
charger he grasped the hand of the Prince of Wales, thanking him for his
victory, which he felt would restore him to his throne.
"Give thanks and praise to God, and not to me," the prince replied, "for
from him, and not from me, you have received victory."
About eight thousand men fell in the battle, the loss of the English,
French, and Spaniards being nearly equal; but many thousands of the
latter fell in the pursuit, and as many more were drowned in endeavoring
to cross the river Ebro. Don Henry escaped after fighting till the last,
and reaching the French territory in safety took refuge in the papal
court of Avignon.
Upon the morning after the battle Don Pedro requested the Black Prince
to give him up all the Castilian prisoners, in order that he might put
them to death. The prince, however, was always opposed to cruelty, and
asked and obtained as a boon to himself that the lives of all the
Spanish prisoners, with the exception of one whose conduct had been
marked with peculiar treachery, should be spared, and even induced Pedro
to pardon them altogether on their swearing fealty to him. Even Don
Sancho, Pedro's brother, who had fought at Najarra under Don Henry, was
received and embraced by Pedro at the request of the Prince of Wales.
The city of Burgos at once opened its gates, and the rest of the country
followed its example, and resumed its allegiance to Pedro, who remounted
his throne without further resistance.
As Walter had fought by the side of the Black Prince his desire to cross
swords with Du Guesclin was not satisfied; but his valor during the day
won for him the warm approbation of the prince. Opposed to them were
many of the great companies, and these men, all experienced soldiers and
many of them Englishmen, had fought with great stubbornness. Walter had
singled out for attack a banner bearing the cognizance of a raven. The
leader of this band, who was known as the Knight of the Raven, had won
for himself a specially evil notoriety in France by the ferocity of his
conduct. Wherever his band went they had swept the country, and the most
atrocious tortures had been inflicted on all well-to-do persons who had
fallen into their hands, to extract from them the secret of buried
hoards or bonds, entailing upon them the loss of their last penny.
The Knight of the Raven himself was said to be as brave as he was cruel,
and several nobles who had attempted to oppose his band had been
defeated and slain by him. He was known to be English, but his name was
a mystery; and the Black Prince and his knights had long wished to
encounter a man who was a disgrace alike to chivalry and the English
name. When, therefore, Walter saw his banner in the king's division he
urged his horse toward it, and, followed by Ralph and some thirty
men-at-arms, hewed his way through the crowd until he was close to the
banner.
A knight in gray armor spurred forward to meet him, and a desperate
conflict took place. Never had Walter crossed swords with a stouter
adversary, and his opponent fought with as much vehemence and fury as if
the sight of Walter's banner, which Ralph carried behind him, had
aroused in him a frenzy of rage and hate. In guarding his head from one
of his opponent's sweeping blows Walter's sword shivered at the hilt;
but before the Gray Knight could repeat the blow Walter snatched his
heavy battle-ax from his saddle. The knight reined back his horse for an
instant and imitated his example, and with these heavy weapons the fight
was renewed. The Knight of the Raven had lost by the change, for
Walter's great strength stood him in good stead, and presently with a
tremendous blow he beat down his opponent's ax and cleft through his
helmet almost to the chin.
The knight fell dead from his horse, and Walter, with his band, pressing
on, carried confusion into the ranks of his followers. When these had
been defeated Walter rode back with Ralph to the spot where the Knight
of the Raven had fallen.
"Take off his helmet, Ralph. Let me see his face. Methinks I recognized
his voice, and he fought as if he knew and hated me."
[Illustration: THE END OF A RECREANT KNIGHT.--Page 386.]
Ralph removed the helmet.
"It is as I thought," Walter said; "it is Sir James Carnegie, a recreant
and villain knight and foul enemy of mine, a disgrace to his name and
rank, but a brave man. So long as he lived I could never say that my
life was safe from his machinations. Thank God, there is an end of him
and his evil doings!"
Walter was twice wounded in the fight, but upon neither occasion
seriously, and he was soon able to take part in the tournaments and
games which the Prince of Wales instituted partly to keep his men
employed, partly for the amusement of the citizens of Burgos, outside
whose walls his army lay encamped.
The prince was now obliged to remind the king of his promise to pay his
troops; but nothing was further from the mind of the treacherous monarch
than to carry out the promises which he had made in exile. He dared not,
however, openly avow his intentions, but trusting to the chapter of
accidents, he told the prince that at Burgos he could not collect a
sufficient sum; but if the army would march into Leon and take up their
quarters near Valladolid, he himself would proceed to Seville, and would
as soon as possible collect the money which he had bound himself to
furnish. The plan was adopted. Edward marched his troops to Valladolid,
and Don Pedro went to Seville.
Some time passed on without the arrival of the promised money, and the
prince was impatient to return to Aquitaine. Don Henry had gathered a
force in France, secretly assisted by the French king, and had made an
inroad into Aquitaine, where he obtained several successes, and was
joined by many of the disinterested nobles of that province.
"You were right," the prince said to Walter one day; "this treacherous
king, who owes his kingdom to us, intends to break his plighted word. I
know not what to do; my men are clamorous for their pay, and I am unable
to satisfy them. Don Pedro still sends fair promises, and although I
believe in my heart that he has no intention of keeping them, yet I can
hardly march against him as an enemy, for, however far from the truth it
may be, his pretext that the treasury has been emptied by his brother,
and that in the disturbed state of the kingdom no money can be obtained,
may yet be urged as valid."
Scarcely had the army encamped before Valladolid when a terrible
pestilence attacked the army. For a while all questions of pay were
forgotten, and consternation and dismay seized the troops. Neither rank
nor station was of avail, and the leaders suffered as severely as the
men. Every day immense numbers died, and so sudden were the attacks, and
so great the mortality, that the soldiers believed that Don Pedro had
poisoned the wells in order to rid himself of the necessity of
fulfilling his obligations.
The Black Prince himself was prostrated and lay for some time between
life and death. A splendid constitution enabled him to pull through, but
he arose from his bed enfeebled and shattered, and although for some
years he lived on, he received his death-blow at Valladolid. His
personal strength never came to him again, and even his mind was dulled
and the brightness of his intellect dimmed from the effects of the
fever. When he recovered sufficiently to inquire into the state of his
forces, he was filled with sorrow and dismay. Four-fifths of the number
were either dead or so weakened as to be useless for service again. The
prince wrote urgently to Don Pedro for the money due; but the king knew
that the English were powerless now, and replied that he had not been
able to collect the money, but would forward it to Aquitaine, if the
prince would return there with his army. Edward knew that he lied, but
with only six thousand or seven thousand men, many of whom were
enfeebled by disease, he was not in a position to force the claim, or to
punish the base and ungrateful king. Again, therefore, he turned his
face north.
Charles of Navarre had now allied himself with Don Henry, and refused to
allow the remnants of the army to pass through his dominions, although
he granted permission to the prince himself and his personal attendants
and friends. The southern route was barred by the King of Arragon, also
an ally of Don Henry; but with him the prince was more successful. He
had a personal interview with the monarch, and so influenced him that he
not only obtained permission for his troops to pass through his
dominions, but detached him from his alliance with Don Henry and
induced him to enter into a friendly treaty with Pedro.
A greater act of magnanimity was never performed. In spite of the base
ingratitude with which he had been treated, and the breach of faith
which saddled him with enormous liabilities and debts, which weighed him
down and imbittered the rest of his life, Edward remained faithful to
the cause of his father's ally, and did his best to maintain him in the
position which English valor had won for him. He himself with a few
companions passed through Navarre, and arrived safely in Bordeaux, where
his wife awaited him, and where he was received with rejoicings and
festivities in honor of his glorious campaign in Spain.
His health was now irreparably injured. Troubles came thick upon him in
Aquitaine, and he had no longer the energy to repress them. Risings took
place in all directions, and the King of France renewed the war. In
addition to his own troubles from the debts he had incurred and the
enemies who rose against him, he was further shaken by the death of his
mother Philippa, whom he tenderly loved. His friend Chandos, too, was
killed in a skirmish. Unhappily, while thus weakened in mind and body
the treachery of the bishop and people of Limoges, who, having bound
themselves by innumerable promises to him, surrendered their city to the
French, caused him to commit the one act of cruelty which sullied the
brightness of an otherwise unspotted career, for at the recapture of the
town he bade his soldiers give no quarter.
This act, although common enough at the time, is so opposed to the
principles of mercy and humanity which throughout all the previous acts
of his life distinguished the conduct of the Black Prince that it cannot
be doubted that his brain was affected by the illness which was fast
hurrying him to the grave. Shortly afterward he returned to England and
busied himself in arranging the affairs of the kingdom, which his
father's failing health had permitted to fall into disorder. For the
remaining four years of life he lived in seclusion, and sank on the 8th
of June, 1376.
Walter, Lord Somers, returned home after the conclusion of the campaign
in Spain, and rode no more to the wars.
Giles Fletcher and his wife had died some years before, but the good
citizen Geoffrey the armorer, when he grew into years, abandoned his
calling and took up his abode at Westerham Castle to the time of his
death.
In the wars which afterward occurred with France, Walter was represented
in the field by his sons, who well sustained the high reputation which
their father had borne as a good and valiant knight. He and his wife
lived to a green old age, reverenced and beloved by their tenants and
retainers, and died surrounded by their descendants to the fourth
generation.
THE END.
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