H o w th e C o n q u er o rd l

ea s wi th Reb e l s.
 T H E S IEG E

N O R W IC H C A ST L E

S TOR Y OF TH E L A S T S TR UG GL E

A G A IN S T TH E CON Q UE K OR

M . M . B LAKE

s t/t [llzzsl m tz o n s by A u flz o r
’

I
'

L ON D O N

S EEL EY AN D CO. I J M J T ED

ESSE X STREET , STR A ND

1 893
 MY FA T H E R

T H IS ST O RY

A FF E C T I O N A T EL Y

IN SC R IB ED
 C O N T EN T S .

C H AP .

I TH E S U Z E R A I N S
.
’ ‘
N AY ,
’

L OV E O R L O YALT Y ,

m E ST A N D E A RN E ST
.
J ,

H O RS E H A W K A N D IIO U N D
, , ,

N O R MA N A N D S A X O N ,

V I TH E B R I DE ALE
.
-
,

D E L I L A H S H E A RS S A M S O N ,

vm K N I G H T E R R A N T A N D M ER C E N A R Y
.
-
,

1x . N O RW I C H ,

x . LA N FR AN C
xx . A ST EL L A N O F B LA U N C H EFLO U R
THE C ,

x xx TH E ST A N D A R D O F R E V O LT
‘

.
,

xm .ST N I C H O L A S F O R C U A D ER !
.

H O W T H E C O N Q U ER O R D E A LS W I TH R E B E LS ,

0 H I G H AMB IT I ON
‘
xv .

XV I W I F E O R W ID OW P
.

xvn .H o w RAL P H CAM E HOME ,

x vm .B ES I EG ED ,

ST O N E ! V ALL S D O N O T A P R ISO N M A K E
‘ ’
XIX .
,
6 C ON TEN TS .

C R AP .

A O U T RA N C E ,

XX I . TH E O R D E A L B Y F I R E ,

XXI I . A S U B T E R R A N E AN C O N F L I C T ,

XXI I I . HOW OL I VE R D I ED ,

XX I V . FA M I N E ,

XXV . B R ETAG N E ,

XX V I . C ON CL U S I ON ,

A PP E N D I X ,
 L IST O F IL L U ST R AT IO N S .

H O W TH E C O N Q U E R O R D E A LS W IT II R E B E LS ,

E MMA FIT Z O SB ER N A C C E PTS T H E T A SS E L G E N TL E

-
,

J U D I T H W A T C H E S I I E R S L EE P I N G S P O U S E ,

L A N F R A N C J E STS W I T H TH E C O N Q U E R O R ,

WA LT H EO F S H U M I L I A T I O N
’

B I S H O P O D O M EE TS D E G UAD ER ,

T H E T O W E R ST A I R S
,

T H E R ESC U E O F T H E EAR L ,

E M M A S F I RST S I G HT O F T H E F O E
’

T H E B I G RAT H AS GO N E I N TO H I S H OL E ,

A W A R R E N N E ! A W A R R E N N E ! F O R W I LL I A M T H E N O R MA N
D E G U AD ER D ONS TH E C R O SS ,
 TH E

S IEG E OF N O R W IC H C AST L E

C H A P T ER I .

’ I
T H E SU Z ER AIN S
‘
N AV .

IT was toward s the C los e Of th e year O f o u r Lord 1 07 3 .

A S we now reckon i t w ou l d have been s om e w a y in to

,

1 074 but i n those Ol d ti m es they began th ei r t w elve

,

m on th o n M a rch 2 5 th SO n otwi ths tan din g that th e

.
,

d affy d ow n d i llies were pu shi ng thei r grey gree n blades

- - -

th rough th e s often ing earth an d th at the partridges,

‘

h ad C h o s en th ei r m ates for the s eason i t was the en d ,

O f 1 07 3 an d j us t before Eas ter

, .

The fai r Emma Fi tz o s b e r n s is ter a n d ward Of Roger

, ,

Earl o f H ereford a you ng d am s el Of splend id beau ty i n

, ,

whose honou r the ch ival ri c ch am pi on s Of N orm an dy

and B retagn e were bu sy c racki n g each oth er s h eads ’

accord ing t o the fashion O f th e ti mes h ad follo w ed th e ,

exampl e o f th e par t ridges a n d prom is ed h e r h and i n

,

marri age .

T h e ma t e sh e h ad C hos en w a s S ple n d i d an d brave ,

and aft er t h e ki ng w a s equal led i n power a n d w eal th

, ,
9
 TH E S UZER A IN S
(
NA Y
’ ’
IO .

bu t by other men i n al l England

tw o Ralph d e .

Gu a d e r o r Wad er had recei ved th e earld o m o f N orfol k

a nd S u ffol k an d the pos t of C onstabl e of N or w ich C astle
, ,

fro m th e C onqueror i n retu rn for h is s ervi ces at H astings

,

an d his prowess in beating bac k the Danes fro m the

eastern coas t .

H is father an d gran d fath er had held land s i n Engl an d ,

an d h e clai m ed Engl ish bl ood W hen i t su ited his pu r

pos e being the only Engl ish man who bore the ran k Of
,

earl save Wa lthe o f Si w a r ds s o n Earl of H u nti ngd on

, , ,

N ortham pton and N or th u mberland ; bu t to h is Sham e

, ,

be i t spoken h e was a lso t h e only Eng lishm an again st

,

w hom i t cou ld b e told that h e fou ght o n Wi ll iam s side

’

at H astings .

H e had been d eprived O f th e lands Of h is father Ralph ,

the S taller the ch ron i cles record not w herefore bu t i t

, ,

m ight w ell b e that t he hou s e O f God w in w h en they ,

wrought O n Kin g Ea dw a rd th e C onfessor o f sain ted ,

m emory to d rive hi s N orm an favou rites from the land

, ,

i n cl uded Ralph amongs t them o n accou n t Of h is B reton

mother whos e i nflu ence dou btless in cl ined th e lad to
, , ,

love the fol ks from ove r th e s ea a n d w h o wou ld have ,

taught h i m to Speak Fren ch an d dem ean h i msel f in

Fren ch ways a nd th at so a very bi tter an d persona l
, , ,

feud lay bet w ee n h i m an d H arol d G o dw i n s s o n

'

H e had r e ti red to h is m other s estates o f G u a d e r an d

’

M on tfort in B retagn e an d had return ed then ce with a

, ,

proud fol lowing Of B reton kn ights an d fig h tin g m en ,

u nder Wi lliam of N orm an dy s ban ner maki ng th e ’

N orman i nvas ion h is opportun ity to W i n back his

 TH E S UZER AIN S NA Y
’ ( ’
. 11

lands at the s w or d s poi n t and to gai n other broad ,

acres w ith them .

I n 1 07 3 h e and the m an whos e bro ther i n l aw h e

, ,
- -

W ished to beco m e youn g Roge r Fi tz o s b e r n Earl O f

, ,

H ereford an d Earl Wa lthe o f n ephew i n l aw to th e

, ,
- -

kin g were the th ree m os t powerfu l n o b les i n the

,

cou ntry .Th ei r es tates al mos t m et across Engl and ,

an d u n ited together they m ight h ave d one mu ch as

, ,

they w ished with th e ki ngd om Th e C onqu eror by n o .

m ean s d esired thei r closer al lian ce as we shal l see ,

.

Bu t to Ralph d c G u a d e r a n d Roger of H ere fo rd

n oth ing seemed more reasonabl e and i n every way
sa t is factory than th e u n ion O f the i r houses by m arriage _
.

The form er especially was wi ld ly eager to cem en t t hei r

fr iendsh ip by th is sol id bon d for the very good reas on ,

that h e was deeply i n l ove wi th the beautifu l an d

h i g h spirited Em m a an d had C arried her favou r i n ti lt
-
,

an d tou rney w ith su ch d eterm i n ation an d fu ry th at ,

cham pion s were shy O f accepting h is cha llenge when

h e took his pl ace i n th e l is ts .

A sl igh t hind ran ce had m arred the progress O f the

fi m
an i /les Wi l liam the C on qu eror o f England w a s
.
, ,

also D uke o f N orman dy a n d h is restl ess vassal s acros s ,

the straits were apt to get w eary O f his conti nued

absen ce i n his n ew kingd om Robert Of Fl an ders h is .
,

ancient en emy i n battl e w ith who m Em m a s fath er th e

,
’

famous Wi llia m Fi tz o s b e rn who m H o li n g s he d calls th e,

’ '

ki ng s coos z i ze h ad los t his l ife was a lways ready to

, ,

fo men t any l i ttl e d ispu tes th a t m igh t aris e am ongst

them an d King P h il ip O f Fra n ce h ad now j oi n ed the
,
 12 Z
TH E S U E R A IN S
’ (
NA Y .
’

t rou b lesom e Fris ian

han d an d glove SO Wi lliam .

t hough t i t w ise t o go i n pers o n to N o r ma n dy t o keep

‘

g u ard ove r the m ovements O f t h e t w ai n .

O f cours e t h e m arriage could n o t take p l ace u n til th e

’
ki ng s con sent was Obtai n ed an d m essengers had bee n ,

despatched to N o rm an dy by t h e t w o earls p rayi ng hi s ,

co n sen t .

Thei r retu rn w a s more th an d ue an d w a s a w ai ted ,

w ith some an xi e ty as Len t was s o n ear a t h and d u ri ng

, ,

wh ich according to th e Rom an C hu rch n o m arriage

, ,

cou ld take place H o w ever travel li ng i n tho s e d a y s

.
, ~

w a s ve ry d i fferen t to what i t i s i n ou rs The Chan nel .

cou ld no t be c rossed i n al l w eathers an d al l W i n ds an d ,

i t was s uppos ed that u n favou rable bree z es d etai ned the ‘

messengers N o t for a m om en t was there any d oub t

.

t hat the ans w er when i t d id com e w ould be in t h e

, ,

affi rm ative P e rm ission had been as ked m erely a s a

.
‘

m atter o f form .

M ean w hile every effort was m ad e t o en tertai n t h e

,

guests at H ereford Cas tl e an d t o preven t t h e ti me O f ,

thei r prolonged soj ou rn from hanging heavy o n thei r

h ands .

I n Domesd ay Book t here figures a certai n A delina a ,

femal e j uggler as h avi ng received land s in the coun ty O f

,

H an ts h avi ng previous ly enj oyed fee and salary fro m

,
,

o n e Roger a N orman earl

,
.

The talen ts O f t his lady were i n requisition and a , ,

h eavy downpou r o f rai n an d s leet havin g ren dered ou t

d oor sports u n pleasan t a large com pany Of knights an d
,

l ad ies w ere w atchin g her agi le m ovem en ts an d ingen ious

 ‘
TH E S UZ E II A IN S NA V
’ ’ ’
. I3

deception s ; shouts an d ripples o f laughter testi fyin g to

t h ei r appreciation O f her clevern ess .

She p e r fo r me d at o n e en d Of the great ban qu eting

"

hall a n d was clad i n a s carle t d res s m ad e Ea ste rn

,

fashion havi ng a gold b roidered j acket O f th e sha pe we

,
-

are accus to m ed to call Z ouave with loose trou sers an d , ,

slippers turn ed u p at the toes Sh e wore a tu rban upon

h e r head fro m ben eath wh ich h e r l ong black ha i r
,

strea m ed u n con fi n ed to h er wa ist arou n d w hich sh e ,

w ore a gi rd le of s n ake ski n s ; her bare a rm s were covered

-

w i t h ban gl es an d i n h er han d she hel d a w an d o n wh ich

,

’
a child s s ku l l took th e place Of the P u n ch s h ead which
’

ad orns the staff Of a P o li ch i n e llo .

She h ad for assistants tw o brown S ki n ned al m on d

'

-
,

eyed w h it e too th ed boys evid en tly Of M oori sh origi n

,
-
, ,

and ac t ive as t h e l eopards whos e s kin s they wore had , ,

been whe n al ive i n thei r n ative j u ngl e ; an d th e bowls ,

spheres an d othe r applian ces she used we re m arked

,
.

with cabalistic signs i n the A rabian al phabet Evid en tly .

,

wh ethe r o r n o sh e was herself Of M oorish blood sh e ,

had l earn ed he r trad e fro m th e j u g g le rs Of th e East ,

whos e s ki ll therein sti ll s u rpas ses al l others .

I n thos e d ay s the dark sk in ned races were id entifi ed -

wi th A n tichrist a n d the en tertai n men t therefore

,

a ffo rd e d t h a t flavou r Of the forbidd en wh ich s eems s o

'

n ecess a ry to the enj oymen t o f so m e fol ks A gibberin g .

mo nkey Wh ich perch ed o n he r shou ld er an d perform ed

, ,

stran ge antics at her b idd in g alternately with w i l d ,

freak s o f m isch ief Of i ts o w n i nven tion ad ded to th e ai r

‘
‘ “

O f a i a b/er i e wh i ch m ad e th e e x h ibition a ttrac t ive.

' ’
 TH E S UZ E II A J N S
‘
NA Y
‘ ’ ’
14 .

The young Earl O f H ereford h is cou ntess an d thei r , ,

t w o li ttle son s were forem ost am o n g th e s pectators the

, ,

earl laugh ing h earti ly at th e tri cks o f his favou rite an d ,

rewarding her ski l l wi th prais e an d la rg es s e w h en an y

special feat cal led forth the applause Of th e gu ests .

Tall an d com m an ding i n figure h is face C lean sh aven , ,

-

after the N orm an fash ion was both prou d a n d weak

, ,

the featu res h an dsom e cl ear cu t aqui lin e bu t th e ch in

,
-
, ,

reced ing too greatly to betoken a strong character .

H is d ress w a s of the ri ches t h is tu n ic of ta w ny sam i te

, ,

sewn t hickly with gems and h is lon g cloak lin e d w ith

,

costly fu rs h is earl s coronet O n h is bro w

,
’
.

Besid e hi m sat h is beautifu l siste r i n w hos e hon our ,

al l the gu ests were assem bled — li ke hi m yet sho w in g , ,

i n spite O f all fem in in e grace an d softn ess sign s O f that ,

’

strength O f wi l l i n w h ich he was d eficien t H er featu res .

,

l i ke his were clear c u t an d aqu i li n e bu t t h e fu l l rou n d

,
-
,

C hi n s tood out bold ly from th e W hite fla w less throat , ,

u nadorn ed by any n eckl ace save t h e d el icate crease

w h ich N atu re had m arked on i t an d w hich so me folks ,

cal l V en us n ecklace
’
H er aubu rn hai r w a s si mply
.

braided i n two long pl aits an d h ung belo w h er wais t

, ,

an d was bou n d by a fi l let o f goldsm iths w ork H er

’
.

arched brows were al most black an d th e d ark blu e ,

-

eyes beneat h them were fu l l Of gen tleness an d fi re H er .

ti ghtly fitti n g green k i rtle was round ed a t the base o f

-

the S lend er n eck a n d edged wi th d ra w n l awn an d ,

s howe d the graceful con tou r o f her y ou ng figure ;

a n d h e r e mbroid ered s k irt wh i ch h ad been l ooted by
,
‘

her n obl e father fro m th e house O f som e ri ch S a xon

 Z NAY
(
16 TH E S U ER A IN S
’ ’
.

w hi ch h ad seem ed t o be u tt erly cru sh ed to powd er

before t h e spectators eyes an d had d an ced herself wi th
’

m arvellou s agi lity an d grace and i n short h ad per , , ,

form ed m any feats w hich have been ri val led before an d

S in ce by j ugglers ancien t an d m odern Wh en a youn g ,

baron stood forth an d sai d to Earl Roger ,

‘
I have heard my lord th at yon d e r P ayn i m W itch
, ,

h ath shre w d s ki ll to read the stars I p ri the e co m m an d .

,

her that she m ay t el l the fates O f th os e w ho list to kn o w

’
w h at shal l befall them .

The n Ad eli n a turn ed rou nd Swi ft ly so th at the ,

gibberi ng m on key which s at On her should er spran g

, ,

d own with a sc reech .

‘
I prith e e S ir Earl sh e cried give m e n o su ch ord e r
, ,
’

, ,

for the spirits I Su m m on have a k n ack Of tell ing the

‘

truth an d there are fates i n store for som e fol ks they

,

wou ld i ll brook to h ear En ough for th e d ay is th e .

“

evi l
N a y take n ot to quoting S criptu re wi tch i t h a th an
‘
, ,

’
awkward sou n d fro m thy graceless l ips retu rn ed the ,

"
earl ban teringly Tis a l eft h and ed com pl i men t to
.
-

pay to th e valou r Of any n oble gen tle man h ere that ,

h e shoul d shrin k to kn ow the w orst the devi l can d o

to h i m S u m m on thy spi rits ! I wager w e w il l face
.

’
th em .

A d elin a s brown face turn ed yel lo w as parch m en t h er

’
,

k n e e s s ho o k togethe r fo r fear
/
.

‘
I beg thee spare m e S i r Earl ! sh e en tre a ted i n a
, ,
’

lo w vo i ce .

B ut her opposi t ion on l y raised th e earl s obstin acy o f

’

,
 TH E S UZER A IN S
(
NA Y
’ ’
. 17

which l i ke m ost weak people he had a l arge share an d

, , ,

he insisted .

SO A d el i n a gave o rders to her atten d ant sprites who ,

fetched he r a big box an d a tripod wi th a m etal m i rror ,

above i t an d a brazier h ung fro m ch ai n s li ke a censer

, ,

an d a sku l l an d a t a mé raven
,
.

A n d o u t of the b ox she d ragged a h uge s luggish s n ake ,

.

The c reatu re rolled an d wr ithed u pon the floo r i n a

fash ion th at caused the lad ies to screa m and the kn ights
to l ay hold o f the hilts O f thei r d agge rs bu t afte r a wh i le
i t rol led i tself i n a ri ng roun d the tripod w i th i ts tail to ,

i ts head an d s o l ay sti l l
,
.

‘
Wh oeve r hath cou rage to step wi thi n my m agi c
C ircl e m ay learn th e secrets Of the futu re ! cried the ’

sorceress .

But the you ng b aron who h ad bee n so eager to l earn

h is fate d id n o t reli sh the con di tions an d m ad e n o move , .

Ralph d e G u a d e r seei ng h is hesi tation stepped forward

, ,

out Of sheer bravad o without havi ng any partic ula r d esi re

,

to kno w h i s fate or b elief i n A d elina s power to tel l i t

,
’
,

for he was h appy and al l the futu re appeared to h i m

,

steeped i n rosy hues Of hop e .

‘
O h Ralph d ea l n ot with th e Evi l O n e ! cried Em m a
, ,
’
,

laying a restrain ing han d o n hi s arm Trust n o t that .

horrible beast I pray thee ! ,

Ralph gave som e careless excuse an d Em m a accepted ,

i t ; for to say tru th he r youn g h ead was fu l l Of fi ery

, ,

a mbition an d her cu ri os ity was great to kn o w what

,
‘

honou rs her spl end i d l over wou ld w i n fo r her i n the d ays

to co m e Wi l li am o f N orm an dy had carved a th ron e
.

B
 '

TH E S UZ ER A [N S NA Y
‘
18
’ ’
.

wi th h is sword fo r M ati ld a O f Fla nders who k new wh at

Ralph d e G ua de r s good blad e m igh t carve fo r her ?
’

Everything see m ed possible i n those d ays .

S o the Earl Of th e East A ngles s tepped d own from

th e da i s to the en d Of the great h al l where th e sorceress ,

stood and stepped a cross th e spotted body o f th e sn ake

,

i n to the C harm ed c i rcle i t e n closed bi dd ing A d el i n a ,

s u m m o n her al lies be they fai r or foul

, .

But n ot withou t re mon strance fro m th e fortun e tel ler -

.

P ause D e G u a de r an d M on tfort Earl o f N orfol k an d

, ,

S uffol k ! Thy h ead i s heaped wi t h hon ou rs a n d thy ,

h an ds are fu ll Of fat m anors an d — bes t o f a l l gifts

,

th e h eart Of the fairest lady i n the h al l i s open ly

bestowed o n thee ! What m ore can st thou ask Of th e
future ? Tak e what tho u h ast an d go barefoot to the
,

chapel an d than k th e wh ite C hris t for H i s bou nty ! S tay

thy question in g l est what thou has t s hal l be reft from
,

’
thee !
A brave m an d efi es fortu n e an swered D e G u a d e r
‘ ’

, ,

tossi ng back hi s dark head proud ly .

’
The n i f the prophecy b e n ot to thy l iking retu rn ed ,

A d el in a i f the spiri ts foretel l evi l d ays I pray thee

,
‘
,

blam e n ot th ei r mou t hpi ece H er agitation was ex t rem e

.
,

wh ich was n ot surprising as the fi erce n obles O f thos e

,

days were apt to d eal h arshly wi th the m ess engers O f

u n p le a s in g news
-
.

S he chan ted a wi ld i ncan tation danci ng roun d th e ,

t ripod and the earl and swung her cens er to an d fro

,

ti l l i t gave forth strange fu mes an d c loud s Of s moke by ,

’
which h er face and the earl s were vei led fro m th e
 (
TH E S UZ ER A J N S
’
NA 19

spectators N o w an d agai n h e r turbaned head w a s seen

.

th ro ugh the vapours h er eyes i nte n tly fi xed o n her ,

m i rro r bu t n o n e cou ld tel l what was pass ing

,
.

P resently the earl return ed to the d a i s wi th a so m e

Em m a s eyes were ben t u po n hi m
’
w hat wh ite face .

wi th an x iou s i n qui ry .

Sh e has p rom ised m e t hat which I covet most clear ,

l ady w h ispered D e G u a de r i n an swe r to h er l ook

,
’
my ‘

brid al w ith thee i s to com e to fu lfi l m en t I a m to pass .

my li fe wi th thee and d i e wi th thee n ear the bless ed, ,

’
city Of J erusale m .

Th e H oly V i rgi n be praised ! answered Em m a ’

devoutly ; an d pardon thee for as king the futu re i f si n ,

be i n i t Then recogn ising the ad m is sion sh e h ad m ad e

.
’

by ackno w ledgi ng h er j oy i n the prophecy sh e b lushed ,

an d tu rn ed away from D e G u a d e r s h appy eyes ’

.

‘
Ah a ! sister O f m i n e i t see m s my sorceress has ,

pl easu red thee wi th her propheci es re marked Ea rl ,

’

Roger I wi ll see i f she c a n be equal ly gracious to m e

.
‘
.
’

Thou h ads t best brace thy n erves for a shock m an , ,

’

cri ed D e Gu a d e r after hi m as h e l eft the d a i s Thos e .

‘

spi rits h ave veri ly a k n ack O f tellin g hom e tru ths wi th

’
o u t m in cing m atters .

A d eli na s agitation i n c reas ed when sh e saw h er maste r

’

appearing as th e n ex t can d id ate She trembl ed fro m .

head to foo t .

I prithee spare m e th is Roger Fi tz o s b e rn she s ai d

‘ ’

, ,

i n a scarce aud i bl e voi ce B ut th e earl i n sisted . .

Then followed th e sam e p reli m inaries as before — th e ,

dance an d the chan t and th e s m oke w reaths then

, ,
-
,
 TH E S UZ EJ I A IN S
(
NA Y
’ ’ ’
20 .

the w h ispered mysteri es B u t th is ti m e sharp angry .

,

i n terj ec t ion s an d rou nd N orm an oaths w e re m ingled

wi th the m u rm u ri ngs Of A d el in a s voi ce a n d al l at on ce ’

the u nhappy fortu n e tel ler th rew U p her bangled arm s

-

an d fel l backwards fai nti ng wh i le the Earl Of H ereford , ,

w i th an angry stamp brok e o u t Of th e C h arm ed ci rcl e

,

an d ru shed back to h is s eat .

A d eli n a s n eophytes ran for w ard to th e rescue fo r h er

’

garments had ca ugh t fi re fro m th e censer an d all w a s ,

bustle an d con fusion The huge s n ak e lay cal mly

.

through i t ho w ever for to say tru th i t was stu ffed an d

, , , , ,

worked wi th w i res .

The C ountess O f H ereford spra ng u p to greet her

l ord an d the two l ittle boys bu rst o u t a w ai li ng so re
,
-
,

frighten ed at thei r father s altered face W hi le Em m a ’

also rose to greet her brother wi th te rro r i n her eyes ,

tre mbling at t h e evid ence h e gave that evi l had bee n

foretold hi m .

Bu t he soon regained h is cal m n ess an d laughed ,

as h e s aw the reflection Of h i s m ood i n thei r agon ised

faces .

‘
P ah ! i t i s al l n onsense ! he said wi ping the sw e at ’

fro m h is b row I beli eve the wi tch m ust be i n league

.
‘

’
with the d evi l to have so w rought o n m e .

H e looked roun d th e h al l an d gave an other forced ,

l augh .

‘
I a m to l os e all my lan ds to be d espoi led of my ,

’
earldom and d ie i n prison she says
, ,
.

Th e l adies exclai med i n horror an d the men laughed ,

d eri sively ; bu t Ea rl Ral ph s j ester G ri llo n n e whispered ’

, ,
 TH E S UZE RA IN S
‘
’
NA Y ’
. 21

sagely to h is n eighbou r Good n u n cl e ! wh en th ey ,

‘

prom i sed m e a swi sh in g at s chool I mad e e ffort to ,

’
keep i t to m ysel f B u t I a m a fool . .

N O on e s ee med in cli n ed to con s u lt s uch a fortu n e

tel ler for his o w n part an d the Earl O f H e reford ord ered ,

a Welsh m i nstrel wh o had been sen t h i m i n com pli m en t

,

by on e O f th e We lsh ch i efs o n the M arch es who m ,

H ereford had l ately beaten an d m ad e term s wi th to ,

regal e th e com pany wi th som e O f h is ball ad s .

A t this j u n ctu re a great shou t was heard fro m th e

castle ya rd an d a m om en t l ater a servi tor an n ou n ced
-
,

th e retu rn of the m essenger wh o had been sen t to the

king ; and the Earl Of H ereford biddi n g h i m enter a
, ,

kn igh t an d squ i re travel stain ed an d showin g sign s of

,
-

a hasty j ou rney ad van ced u p th e hal l an d b owed before

,

th e d a i s .

Th e knight d ropped o n hi s kn ee an d presen ted th e ,

earl with a m issive ti ed wi th pu rpl e si l k an d sealed with

th e royal seal .

H o w n o w S i r N eel ! how co m es t thou so tard i ly ?

‘ ’

d em an d ed th e earl taki ng the letter from th e kn igh t

,

wi th eage r han d s an d severi n g th e si l k with h i s

d a gg e n
‘
I was detai ned my lord at Rou en to wa it the king s
, ,
’

’
good pl easu re .

The faces O f the two earl s d arken ed an d Roge r ,

Fi tz o s b e rn tore open the king s m issive

’
.

Scarce read in g i t h e flu ng i t t o D e G u a d e r wi th a
,

savage oath stam pin g h i s foot u p On th e ground

, .

‘
Willia m shal l ru e this i nsu l t ! h e h i ssed between h is ’
22 Z
TH E S U ER A IN S ’ (
NA Y .
’

shu t t ee th h is face scarlet an d convulsed w i th rage ;

,

and to my father s son ’

.
’

D e G u a de r n o t l ess m oved hel d th e parch m e n t wi th

, ,

h an ds that s o shook wi th anger that the d angl i ng s eal s

clattered again st each other H i s broad chest h eaved .
,

an d hi s steel grey eyes flashed fi re as sword stri kes fi re

-

o n helm .

Em ma wi th pale cheeks an d wid e eyes tu rned fro m

, ,

h er brother to her lover an d th e East A n glian earl , ,

exercising a huge com man d over hi m sel f kept si len ce , ,

an d retu rn ed the letter to Roger Fi tz o s b e r n .

H ereford shook i t i n th e ai r clen ch in g h i s fi n ge rs , ,

w hil e a ll th e guests h un g won d eri ngly o n his actions .

’
S udden ly h e tore th e k i n g s letter i n to fragm ents .

Th u s h as Wi lliam ren t i n s und er th e ties that bou n d

‘

’
m e to h i m ! h e shou ted furi ou sly .

O s b e r n Bishop Of Exeter th e Earl Of H ereford s

’

, ,

u n cl e who though h e had refused the san cti on Of h i s

, ,

p resen ce to the performan ces Of A d el i n a h a d en tered ,

th e h al l w hen the ki ng s m essenger arrived m ad e h i s ’

w a y th rough the n oble cro w d that su rrou n ded h i s

n ephew .

H ist my Roger ! A nge r i s short m adn ess Keep a

, .

h ol d over the u n rul y m ember les t word s spoken i n wrath ,

be thy ban e i n ti m e Of p eace I kno w n o t th e conte n t s .

o f the m issive th at h a th m oved t h ee s o greatl y bu t I ,

’
prithee be cal m .

Cal m ! cried Roge r C alm

’
D e G u a d e r a rt thou
.
‘
,

cal m P ’

Yes ans w ered D e G u a d e r shortly h is breath brea k

‘
,
’

,
24 TH E S UZER A IN S
’ ‘
NA Y .
’

an d was strid in g d o w n th e hall wi t h the many baron s

,

an d ban n ere t s kn ights an d squi res w h o form ed h is

'

, ,

me z me fol lo w in g behi n d hi m
’ ’

.
,

The Countess of H ereford led her youn g sister i n la w - -

fro m th e hal l wh i le the rem ai n der Of the nobl e com pany ,

feeli ng thei r presen ce s om ewhat awkward as guests a t ,

a betrothal wh i ch could n o t be consu m m ated fou nd ,

excuses to d epart an d gath ered i nto clu sters each lord

, ,

su m m on i ng h i s following an d th e l ad ies O f h is hou s e

hold .

SO that good ly compan y brok e u p i n hu rry an d Co n

fusion and d is m ay and th e in su l t th e king had inflicted
,

on h i s tw o pow erfu l earls was th e tal k of every m outh .

 C H A P T ER II .

L O V E O R L O VA L T V .

SH O R T LY aft er Easter on th e d ay that wou ld have

,

bee n her wedd i ng d ay Em m a Fi t z o sb e r n sat i n her

-
,

bower i n H ereford C astl e looking d ream i ly at the

,

m isty outl ines O f th e d istan t Welsh h ills b eh in d ,

which th e su n w a s setting i n gold en splen d ou r H er .

favou rite bower m aid en sat o n a low stool at her

-

feet an d th e glory o f th e su nset pou red over the grac e

,

ful figu res O f the tw o gi rls and gild ed th e ma u n d ry

,

work Of ru shes at thei r feet an d the rich tapestry

which covered the wal ls a rou n d them wh i l e th e ,

gorgeous cloud s were pi led i n to battle men ted towers ,

mocki ng with thei r vapou ry i llusion the s ol id m ason ry

below them .

Em m a s co m pan ion was looking u p at h er face w i th

’

a n express ion O f ten d er lov e an d sym pa t hy S he was a

.

gi rl O f seven teen s om e fou r years younger than her lady

, ,

and wore the S axon head rai l ; th e l ittl e rings o f hai r

whi ch escaped fro m i ts clos e cover were O f S axo n gold ,

wh ile her pal e bl ue robe was m ad e i n th e fashion o f th at

n ati on ful l a n d fl owi ng with large h anging sl eeves Th e
, , ,
.

gird l e w ith w hi ch i t was boun d was orn amen ted wi th

25
26 L O VE OR L O YA L T Y .

j ewels an d the hem s w ere edged w i t h fu r H er face

,
.

was less an i m ated an d s tri ki ng th an that o f the n obl e

N orman but had a W ins om e beauty o f its o w n the blu e
, ,

eyes fran k an d a ffecti on ate an d th e rou nd ed featu res

,

n ot wantin g i n charac te r .

A n e mbroid ery fra m e stood before the m ; for though

Ea d g y th Of N orwi ch h ad l ived in a N o rm an hou sehol d
sin ce sh e was ten sh e had perseverin gly a cqu i red the
,

special accom pl ish m en t o f h er coun trywom en i n spite

o f d ifficu lties an d Em m a fit fu lly worked a t i t al so u n de r
,

her guidan ce .

Ea d gy th was a cousi n i n som e sort secon d o r thi rd , ,

perhaps to H arol d G o d w i n s s o n an d m ad e i t a poi n t o f

, ,

hon ou r to k eep h i s m em ory green though sh e had gro w n

,

to love dearly the generous N orman m ai d en wh o treated ,

h er more as a s ister th an a d epen dent .

M any relatives o f H arold h ad p roperty i n N orwich ,

an d when Ralph d e Gu a de r had received his earldom o f

N orfol k an d S u ffol k wh ich H arold s d eath o n th e fi eld
’
,

of S en lac h ad rendered vacan t h e had taken pi ty on the

,

forlorn con d i t ion of t he little d ams el whose m al e relatives

,

had been s lai n i n th e contes t and w h o was thu s left

,

withou t protection fro m the i nsolen t con querors D e .

G u a d e r had been a m us ed by th e patrioti c d efi an ce th e

b ereaved maiden of ten h a d fl un g at h i m rati ng h i m a s ,

a renegad e an d a m u rderer with other terms o f equ al

,

poli ten es s wh ich h ad sou n ded od d ly fro m her flower

l i ke m outh an d perh aps h is con s ci en ce s mote h im an d
, ,

t ol d h i m they were n o t un tru e H er courage m oved

.

h is ad m i ration an d gen erosity an d h aving n o wom en

, ,
 L O VE OR L O YA L T Y . 27

fol k of his own to w ho m h e cou ld con fi d e her , h e

had i n duced Wi l li am Fi tz o s b e r n the N orman Earl of .

H ereford to take her i n to h is castle as a playm ate

,

an d lady i n waitin g for his d au gh te r Em ma

- -
So .

began a co mpan ion sh ip w hi ch was to endu re for thei r

l ives .

Th e tid e of sad reflection was flood i n g Em m a s h eart ’

’
to th e bri m S in ce th e cruel d ay o n which th e kin g s
.

mand ate had bee n received th e subj ect o f her i n terrup ted
betrothal had been b u ried In dead si l ence H e r brother .

an d guard ian t he y ou ng Ea rl Of H ereford had set o u t

, ,

on a
j o u rne
y a day o r two l ater bu t h ad l eft even h
,
is
wi fe i n ign oran ce o f i ts ai m an d d i rection Em m a on .
,

her own part had shrun k fro m speech

,
H er w oun d s .

were too sore to bear th e probin g even o f thos e w ho

l oved her B ut at length o n th i s brigh t M ay even ing
.
, ,

sh e spoke .

‘
This was to have bee n m y wedd in g d ay Ea dg y th -
, ,
’

she said .

A clou d of scorn ful anger pass ed over th e fac e o f t h e

S axon gi rl an d her bl u e eyes flashed
, .

‘
SO Wi llia m o f N orman dy has ruin ed both o u r l ives
sh e said hotly her youn g voice qu iverin g wi th pa ssion
,
.

I wou ld that th e ea rth had open ed an d s w a llowed h i m

u p when he fi rs t s et foot o n En gl i sh grou n d in stead o f ,

on ly catching h i m by the an kl e to en ab l e hi m to m ak e
,

a j es t an d fi nd a good o m en ! ’

Em m a ben t d own laughi ng th at she migh t n o t c ry

, ,
.

H ush ! sh e sa id
’
l i tt l e rebel thou a r t talking
‘
,
’
t reason !
28 L O VE 01? L O YA L T Y .

‘
N ay ,
’
retu rn ed Ea d g yth ,
‘
for I h ave n ever vo w ed
feal ty .
’

‘
Ah a n s w ered Em m a S ighin g my forbe a rs
,
w ell ,
’

, ,
‘

’
h ave fought fo r Wi lliam s forbears for gen erations ! It
is bred in m y blood to b e obed ien t to h i m H e wou l d .

n ever have been K i ng of En gl a n d had n o t my fa th er ,

lavished w eal th an d activity an d roused the b a ron s an d ,

’
the bu rghers by exam pl e an d ru s e .

‘
A fi n e reason tru ly for m aki n g thy father s d aughter , ,

miserable quoth Ea d g y th ,
’
N ever theless i f thou art .
‘
,

bred to Obed i ence i t s ee m eth n ot less i rksom e to the e ,

P erhaps i t is becaus e h e owes th e keepin g of th e English

crown to the va lou r w i th w h i ch Ralph d e G u a d e r beat
back the Dan es that h e thwarts lz z m N o t t hat I c a n
’

spare any pi ty for Ralph I f h e h ad n ot played my .

cou si n H arold fals e h ow d i fferen t al l thi ngs m ight h ave ,

been H e the gran d n eph ew o f the sai n ted K ing

.
,
-

Ea d w a r d ! I t s eem s a j ust retribution that W illiam

’
should thwart hi m .

‘
O n my part I can not accou n t i t a cri m e i n Ra lph to
,

h ave s ided with my coun trym en Em m a said with a ,

’
,

gen tle s m il e ; b ut we can not l ook o n those th i ngs wi th

’
th e sam e eyes .

N o ; I thi n k i t is perhaps a good thi ng that thou

‘

si ttes t here instead of bei ng Ra lph d e G u a de r s brid e

,
’

though I h ad lief h ave gon e with thee t o my d ea r ol d

N orwich s aid Ea d g y th M y d ear o ld N or w i ch ! sh e
’ ‘ ’
.
,

repeated wi th a sigh ,
I shou ld s carce kn ow i t again .
‘
,

wi th its fi n e n ew castle a n d its streets ful l o f N orman s ,

’
an d Breton s an d foul greedy J ews , ,
.
 L O VE 01? L O YA L T Y . 29

‘
O h , Ea d g y th ! I w i l l h ave n o m ore to Ea dg y th !
’
say to thee i f thou takes t pa rt agains t m y knight ! s aid
,

Em m a withd rawi ng her hand s an d fold i ng them on her

,

lap .

‘
I d id n o t m ean to wou nd thee Em m a ! excla i med ,
’

the S axon claspi ng both han d s a ffectionately round

,

Em ma s right arm
’
I m us t n eeds be gratefu l to the.
‘

earl si nce I o w e to h i m my h appy ho m e w i th thee

,
.

’
Yet sh e add ed s ad ly forgive m e if I can not quite for
, ,
‘

get th at s uch a refuge w oul d n ot h ave been n eed ful to

m e i f h e had bee n fi rm to the D ragon stan dard D isgu ise
, .

’
i t as thou wi lt I a m bu t thy servi ng m aid en
,
-
.

‘
When I strive s o carefu lly to d isgu is e i t dos t thou ,

thin k i t gen erous t h us to pul l i t forth to th e ligh t o f

d ay ? asked Em ma and the tears wh ich Sh e had ti ll
’

, ,

the n kept back wi th d i ffi cu l ty woul d n o longer be ,

res trai ned an d rolled rapid ly do w n he r cheeks

,
.

‘
N o i t is n ot gen erous
,
cri ed Ea dg yth full of ruth , .

A n d I a m n ot worthy to lace thy shoe latchet Forgive

m e d ear Em m a !
,
’

As she Spoke the ring o f a m ailed footstep s ou nd ed

,

i n the corridor without an d the doo r w a s u nce r e ,

mo n i o us ly open ed an d gave entrance to th e youn g Earl

,

o f H ereford clad i n a w hol e su it o f m ai l bu t un hel med

, ,
.

‘
What ! s itti ng i n d arkn es s m aid en s ? and tu rn ing ,
’

to a varlet with a torch who had accompan ied hi m to ,

t h e door he too k i t from t h e lad s hold an d placed i t

’

, ,

wi th h is OW II hands i n a scon ce bes ide the hear th I .

‘

love the l igh t he s aid laugh ing ,

Leave darkn ess to
’

,
.
‘

the bats and owls .

’
3 0 L O VE 01? L O YA L T Y

Em m a had ris en an d ran to h i m glad ly k i s s mg h i m

, ,

on the C heek O h Roger .sh e sai d I am so glad o f

, ,
‘
_

t hy retu rn

But th e j oy that had co m e i n to her face at his u n e x

p e c t e d appearan ce did n ot d ry the tears w hich she had
forgotte n to wipe a w ay i n her s urprise a n d he s a w t hem ,
.

Tears Em ma tears ? What ! i s m y li ttle sis ter wee p

, ,

ing ? he asked i n a ton e that was half ban ter half

’

t end ern ess This is a thing t hat mus t be i n qui red in to

. .

’
I can h ave n o w eeping d amsels i n castle of m in e .

Ea dg y th an d I w ere quarrelling said Em m a gai ly

‘ ’

, ,

‘
becaus e we were s o lonely i n t hi ne absen ce a n d could ,

fi nd n othi ng be t ter to d o .
’

’
By the mas s ! that won t serve th ee for an excuse
‘
,

Em ma answered the earl then taking her han ds an d

’

, ,

looking search ingly i n h e r face h e s aid s omewhat stern ly , ,

as i f to com pel an an swer A r t thou fretti ng at the ,

‘

brea ki ng o f thy tro t h w i t h Ralph d e Gu a de r ? ’

Em m a turn ed a w ay bl ushi ng fro m his scruti n y .

’
The wo un d is fresh ye t Roger ! she s aid
‘
It wi l l,
.
‘

bleed Ti m e will perchan ce heal i t

. .
’

A n d by al l the s ai n ts ! a very short ti me too ! s ai d

‘ ’

H ereford triu m ph a n tly Tho u shalt plight a n e w troth

.
‘

’
to n ight
-
.

Em m a started with apprehen sion I n th ose d ays .

,

d amsels o f ran k w ere Often d ispos ed of i n m arri age by

thei r mal e relatives wi th very li ttle rega rd to th e i r
’
prej udices or affecti ons a gi rl s whi msi es appeari ng of
,

s mal l consequence i n thei r eyes bes id e the i mportan ce o f

a good political a llian ce an d Em ma feared l est her ,
32 L O VE OR L O YA L T Y

sooth I doubted n ot h is heart wou ld soften H e cou ld

,
.

not be s o cruel as to part us ! ’

D e G u a d e r shot a ques tion ing glan ce at H ereford .

P lead thi n e o w n cause valian t kn ight ! s ai d Roger

‘
,
’

a li t t le s arcastically I was n ever a m aker o f speeches

.
‘
,

an d by the H oly V irgi n ! thy eloquen ce has twisted m e

,

ro un d thy li ttle fi nge r S ee i f t hou can st v i e w i t h a

.

T o say t r u th I care n ot to breathe

’
w oman s sh arp w its .
,

thy plan to the vagran t air i t h as s uch a t reason able ,

’
s a v o un

Em m a looked from to the o ther fo r a s olution of

o ne

th e myste ry but she d id n o t see m u ch i n D e G u a d e r s

,
’

dark handsom e face to h elp h er to read riddles

,
.

‘
T hy brother bids m e proffer m y own peti ti on d ear ,

l ady he said ,
I f I h esi tate be m ercifu l to my u n re a d i
’
.
‘
,

n ess for i t is n o easy boon I com e to ask o f th ee

,
.
’

H e led her to a carved set t le wh i ch s to o d b e s i de th e

fi replace and when she was seated h e s tood before
, ,

her s i len tly a m omen t o r two the fire li g h t sci n t illating ,

on the rings o f the m ai l i n which he was sheathed from

head to foot an d sparkling o n the j ewels o f h is bald ric
,

an d the golden hi lt of h is great two h an ded s w ord fo r -

, ,

li ke her brother h e was still i n h is harn ess

, .

N oble Em m a I have com e to as k thee to share wi t h

,

m e danger an d d i fficu lty h e s aid The king has n ot ,

’
.
‘

relen ted B u t h is m an date is u nj ust and I beg t hee to

.
,

d is regard it an d to give m e once more the sweet promise

,

’
that thou wi lt be my brid e .

D os t thou mean that thou wou lds t as k m e to d efy

‘

t h e k ing ? faltered Em ma a great terror chasing away

’
,
 L O VE OR L O YA L T Y .
33

the short lived j oy which had flood ed her heart She

-
.

t u rn ed wid e an xiou s eyes upon h er brother

,
.

‘
D ost thou n o t s ee Em m a we are sic k of spend ing , ,

o u r l ives fo r Wi lliam an d getting n oth ing bu t kicks an d

,

’
cu rses from h i m ? explai ned th e prosai c Roger By .
‘

the m ass ! i t i s h ard o n Ralph an d on m e after s o m u ch ,

faithfu l s ervice an d s o m ai n t ha rd blows given an d

,

’
taken i n Wi llia m s busi ness that he shoul d mar al l ou r ,

plan s a n d spoi l all ou r pleasu re by pu tting his veto o n

y ou r m arri age A c urs e o.n loyal ty ! I f this is a l l i t
bri ngs we m ay as w el l b e a l ittl e d is loya l
,
.
’

Roger h ad better have allowed h is frien d to plead h is

o w n cause as h e h ad b idd en hi m to d o Ralph s appeal
’
.

to Em m a to share d ange r with h i m h ad tou ched h er

generou s spi ri t H er brother s ou t b u rs t agai nst his
.
’

sovereign rous ed all her loyalty .

’
‘
I kn ow n ot W hat to reply to s uch con vers e said ,

Em m a i nd ignantly ; then ad ded between j es t a n d ,

earn est the tears tre mbling o n her lashes as s he l ooked

,

at her brothe r I wou ld fai n l et i t pass as a bad j ok e o r

,
‘
,

to th in k that perchance ye twain have bee n d ri n kin g a

’
l i ttle copious ly at the wi n e cu p -
.

N a y Em m a that is an i nj u stice ! cri ed H ereford

‘ ’

, , ,

bu rsting in to l aughter an d clappi ng his han d d own u pon

,

D e G u a de r s m ai led shou ld er
’
wh en this poor love lorn ‘
-

galliard wou ld n ot break fas t til l h e h ad seen thee albeit ,

h e had been i n s ell e al l d ay so fire hot was he to m en d ,

-

’
his b roken troth .

‘
I t m ay wel l s ee m stran ge con vers e to th e gentl e
’
d amsel sai d Ralph gravely
,
Th e earl you r fathe r .
‘

C
34 L O VE 01? L O YA L T Y .

al most worshipp ed Wi lliam o f N orman dy wh o i n good , ,

sooth wou l d n ever have been King of Englan d but fo r

,

h is s tal w art aid an d she h as n ever heard w hisper of

,

aught again st th e king We w h o have writhed u n der.

hi s i mperious tyran ny and groaned i n spi ri t s o fi ercely

’

, ,

—here th e l evel bro w s w ere kn itted an d th e en treating

face grew stern whi le the green light shon e in the deep
,

s et eyes c a n s carce con ceive th e shock she feels at ou r

,

’
s ud den speech .

‘
Sh e wi ll have to get u sed to it s ai d Earl Roger ,
’

dryly fo r my patien ce i s at an en d B esh rew m e ! she

,
.

w il l hear a good d eal o f su ch tal k W i ll ia m h as eve r .

popped upo n m e l i ke a ca t o n a m ouse W hen ever an y

schem e whi ch pro m ised m e wel l w a s i n hand A n d .

w hat has h e given m e bu t ravaged lan d that th e Welsh

ru n over an d harry at wi ll ? I s ay h e on ly gives a w ay

w hat h e mu st n eeds pay a garris on to defen d i f he kept

i t hi mself What is your earldo m of N orwich Ralph

.
, ,

but sea washed d un es o r waste corn l ands ? H e i s ever

-

n ibbl ing at ou r power Earls i n deed ! P oor earls are

.
,

we besid e Godwin Leofri c an d S iward ! B u t I tel l

, ,

’
t hee he has gon e t o o far this ti m e I l l n o t be th w arted .

i n my plan to b e thy bro ther i n law ; n o n either by - -

,

king lord or foolish d amsel !

-
H e turn ed to Em m a
’

s om e w hat fi ercely H ark ye sister O f min e by the

.
‘
, ,

l ittle fi nger O f S t N ichol as to w hom D e G u a d e r h as

.
,

d ed icated h is c a stl e o f B la u n c he flo u r thou hads t better ,

m ake n o m inci ng abou t accepti ng a man thou hast

al ready p leaded gui lty to lovin g o r I shal l h ave a crow ,

to plu ck with thee

 L O VE 01? L O YA L T Y 35

‘
n ay ! exclai med the cou rteous D e G u a d e r
N a y,
’
,

s m i ling a ffectionately at th e bewi ld ered a n d so mewh at

frighten ed Em ma an d n ot a li t t le pleased by thi s c rud e
,

revelation o f his l a dy s favou r ’

Thy n obl e s ister m us t .
‘

take m e o f he r o w n free wi l l o r n ot at a ll H oly V i rgi n .

’
her w i l l is m y law .

Em m a raised her head wi th a pr ou d an d splend i d

gestu re .

‘
A y sh e cried
,
’
S i r Earl o f N orwich ! I w i ll h ave
,
‘

n either th ee n or any m an els e b u t o f my o w n free wi ll

Did they stretch m e o n th e rack o r persu ad e m e ever s o ,

by such l i ke lovi ng persuasi ons I wou ld h ave n on e I d id

-
,

n ot choos e
The two earls l aughed .

’
‘
Wel l crowed fai r hen ! cried her brother an d Ralph
, ,

regard ed her wi th ad m i ring eyes .

‘
There s poke the tru e d aughte r Of Wi lliam Fitz
’
o sb e rn eh Roger ? h e exclai m ed M ethi n ks if the ‘
.
, ,

Lady Em m a h ad fel t the Con qu eror s heel as h eavy as ’

we her blood wou ld b oi l as easi ly B u t i n s ooth d ear

,
.
,

lady the m i n strel s an d romaun t wri ters fi l l d ams els

,
’

heads with fi n e n otions w hich we poor kn ights fi n d it

hard to carry o u t i n th e vulgar battl e o f everyd ay li fe .

Thy hero Wi lliam o u r lord kin g h i msel f rebel led when

,
-
,

h e was ord ered to give u p the chos en o f his heart th e ,

—
beautiful M atild a o Flan d ers ; an d sai nts d efen d u s !
f
i t was th e H oly Father h i m sel f that he disobeyed
H ere the earl crossed h i ms elf .

Thou has t a noble exa mple Em m a ; m ak e h as te to ,

’
fol low it said her brother j estingly
,
.
36 L O VE OR L O YA L T Y .

O h, said Em ma you r convers e bri ngs

’

,
‘

perplex ity Give m e ti ll th e m orn in g a nd

.
,

’
pond er o n you r word s Th ey are s udden
. .

Ralph raised her han d respec t ful ly to his l ips .

We c a n do n o l ess dear l ady he said

, ,
’
.
 C H A P TER I I I .

J EST A N D EAR N EST .

TH AT mean s said Ralph d e Gu a d e r thoughtful ly when

,
’
,

Em m a had left the room Let m e cons ul t m y ghos tly ,

cou ns ellor.
”
Who is the Lady Em m a s d i rector Fi tz ’

o sbe rn ? I s n ot Father Theod red o f C rowlan d th in e

al mon er P—he wh o was th e pet of ou r Eas t A ngli an
B ishop ZEth e lmze r and who was reco m m en ded to thee
,

by thi n e Engl ish loving un cle of Exeter ?

-
’

’
That is so assen ted H ereford ; bu t add ed i mpatien tly
, ,

‘
I prithee tru ce to thy pl an s an d plottings I am n o .

m oonstr uc k l over and can not s ubs is t o n ai r however

, ,

wel l su ch u n substan tial fare m ay s u i t thy h u m ou r .

H ere we have ridd en a good thirty m i les an d tal ked a ,

cand le to the scon ce an d I V O W to thee I h ad l iefer, ,

satisfy m y hu nger than my a mbition Wh at boots a .

fat earld o m to a m an i f h e i s to d i e of s ta rvation before

’
he gets i t ?
D e G u a de r glan ced rather contemptu ous ly at h is
companion but prepared to follow hi m
, .

‘
Let m e have speech wi th th i n e al m on er this n ight ,

n evertheless h e said i n my chamber when I reti re

,
’

,
‘

’
fro m the hall I t m ay m ake or m ar o u r u ndertak ing
. .

37
38 j E S T A N D EAR /VES T .

A s thou wilt an swered Roger carelessly ;

’
‘
, but thou ‘

can st scarce expect to fi nd the good m an i n th e best of

h u m ours i f thou hast so l ittl e grace as to waken hi m u p
i n th e d ead of n ight I warran t m e h e h as been s n ug .

u n de r h is coverlet th i s two hours .

’

’
I h ave that to s a y which will wake h i m sai d Ralph
‘
,

gri mly B ut Of a truth the hours have sped I t would

.
‘
.

b e better perh aps to pray the good father to give me

, ,

aud ien ce with h i m i n the m orn ing before h e sees any ,

other Wi l t thou h ave s u ch message d el ivered ?

.
’

Earl Roger cal led a m en ial an d gave the n ecessary

ord er an d s u m m on ed his arm o u rer w hom he bad e
, ,

to atten d his gues t an d then wai t on hi mself ; and ,

they retired to thei r C hambers to be u nharn ess ed o f

—
thei r armou r a proces s requ iring ai d o f ham m er an d
,

tongs — an d to i n du lge i n the refreshm en t of the

,

bath a lu xu ry the N orm an s loved as d early as th e

,

Roman s .

The h ou r was n ot far past n in e an d to ou r way of , ,

think ing w o u ld n ot have bee n late ; bu t th e N orm an

,

fash ion was to begin the day early d i n n er bein g s erved ,

at n in e i n the m orn ing an d a secon d m eal on ly bein g ,

us ual When a thi rd m eal was d esi red as o n this

.
,

occas ion i t was in form al an d consis ted us ual ly of col d

, ,

m eats bein g cal led lz w r z e

’ '

.
,

A ccord ingly wh en th e two e a rls m et aga in clad

, ,

i n the flowi ng robes which replaced t hei r mi li tary

accoutre m en ts they had n o comp an i on s at the table
,

s ave a couple O f fi n e bloodhou n ds wh i ch were pets o f ,

the Earl O f H ereford an d had invi ted them selves ,

40 j E S T A N D EA R N E S T .

H ereford although he had d eclared h i msel f i n s u ch

,

a fam ished cond ition showed n o great pro w es s as a ,

tren cherman bu t seem ed m ore i n cl in ed to h elp hi ms elf

,

fro m the wi ne cu p H e was Obviously in an un settled

-
.

an d i rritable mood while his com pan ion in clined to the

,

taci tu rn .

S udd en ly Earl Roger exclai med ,

‘
By the mass ! th is m ea l is n o t sprightly D id I n o t .

s ee thy j ester G r i llo n n e a mongs t thy me z me ? Sen d for

’ ’

the rogue an d for my M arlette an d let th e twai n h old ,

a tou rn ey o f wit Though I wager thy kn ave wi ll.

’
win .

‘
I f thy s leepy al mon er m ight n ot be su m mon ed fro m
h is slu mber to h old convers e o n a weighty matter ,

methinks i t is so m ewhat hard that my poor j ester should

’
be cal led upon to cudgel his wits ! sai d Ralph But .
‘

as thou wi l t .
’

’ ’
I l l waken the varlet u p w i th a cu p o f mora l answered ,

H ereford an d a few m om en ts later the t w o fools were

i n trodu ced i n obed i ence to h is orde r —M arlette rubbing
, ,

h is eyes an d yawn i ng ; Gr i llo n n e awake a n d eager

eyed .

M arlette was a poor i m becil e with a heavy fac e an d ,

clu m sy figu re who caused lau ghter m ore by th e i n co n

,

g r u i ty o f h is short pu z z l e h eaded i n terj ecti on s than by

,
-
,

any real hu m ou r i n his sayings Bu t the Earl of Eas t .

A nglia s j ester was a born buffoon wh o wou ld have

’

m ad e a comfortabl e l ivin g i f n ot a fortu n e i n the C i rcu s

, ,

i n these d ays Li ttle alert w i ry h is li th e body seem ed

.
, , ,

to be always i n m otion an d the bells on his peak ed ca p ,

 j E S T A N ! ) EA RN E S T .
4x

rarely ceas ed to j i ngl e H e was n early Si xty an d his .

,

s can t wh ite hai r straggling from u nd er h is wh i ms ical

,

h eadgear gave hi m an e lfish loo k en han ced b y the

, ,

wi zened w ri n kled cou n tenance ben eath it and h is

, ,

obliqu e t w i nk l in g eyes H e was a B reton who had

,
.
,

co m e over i n the train o f Ralph the Sta lle r s B reton ’

brid e i n good King Ea d w a rd s d ays an d h e h ad loved ’

,

the ge n tl e l ad y who was always ki n d to h i m and wel l

, ,

pl eased to hear hi m trol l Fren ch ballad s when she gre w

w eary o f h earin g the strange S axon tongu e an d felt ,

forlorn an d h omes i ck A n d h e had loved h er h an d .

s o m e boy wh o i nherited her d ark face an d eagl e n os e

, ,

though n o t her bright d ark eyes an d h ad fol lowed h i m ,

back to B rittany when for so m e reason th e ch ro n iclers

, ,

d o not report h e h ad su ffered ban ish m en t an d c o n fis ca

,

tio n o f h i s estates An d h e had return ed wi th h i m

.

wh en h e h elped the Conqueror to w i n England D e .

Gu a de r kn ew and valu ed h is fi d eli ty an d too k h i m wi th ,

h i m wh ithersoever h e went .

‘
H ow n ow fool G ri llo n n e ! was the Earl of H ere
,
’

’
ford s greeting I p rom ised to pou r o ut a full cup of
.
‘

m oral to wake thee u p withal bu t i t seems thou art by ,

far to o m uch awake already I had bes t give two cu ps .

’
to M arlette here .

’
N a y good u n cl e cri ed th e j ester th at wou ld be bu t
, , ,
‘

sorry sport ! I d o bu t w al k i n my sleep Give m e th e .

’
wi n e and thou wi lt see m e i n my wak i ng state
, .

Th e earl signed to a page to pou r o u t a cup o f wi n e ,

an d han ded it to hi m H e d ran k it n ot hasti ly bu t .

, ,

s i pping i t a nd s macking h is l ips wi th t he ai r of a j udge ;

,
42 j E S T A N D EAR N E S T .

an d when he ha d d rai n ed the cu p he tu rn ed i t botto m

upwards H e then perform ed a series o f s om ersau lts
.

fro m o ne en d o f the lon g b anqu eting h all to the other -

,

an d fi n ish ed by springin g u pon th e shoulders of M a rlette ,

stan d ing erect wi th o n e foot u pon th e table an d the ,

other o n his brother fool s n eck ’

.

H a ! Good n un cles I am li ke ou r lord King William

,

astrid e o f two kin gdom s ! h e cried waving hi s bau ble ’

,

as i f it were a sceptre an d aping an ai r Of m aj es ty

, ,

rend ered most rid icu lou s by his e ffort to keep his
balance on h is u n equ al an d o n on e s ide un steady , ,

footi ng .

M arlette aston is hed an d qu i te at a n on plus sough t

, ,

on ly to free h i ms elf fro m th e weight o n his shoulde r ,

an d wi th a yel l d ropped his h al f em pty goblet o f wi ne -

,

an d dashed a w ay leavin g t h e saucy G r i llo n n e sprawling

,

on his b ack o n th e tabl e w hi le the pages spran g forward

,

to res cue the dishes an d th e bloodhou nd s s narled in

,

fi erc e su rprise .

H elp h elp good nu n cles ! cried t h e j ester

‘
, ,
M in e ’
.
‘

is land gives m e the s lip A h w ell I l l conten t mys el f.

, ,
’

with th e contin en t ! I t hath good cheer u pon it So .

’

s ayin g h e began to help hi m sel f to the dainti es i n h is

,

reach .

The Earl o f H ereford burst into a roar o f laughter ,

’
bu t the j ester s m aster s m i li n g gri mly bad e h i m , ,

beware o f un see m ly s ubj ects C ro w n ed head s are n o .

‘

fi t themes for thy cracks S i r Fool he s aid , .

Chid e m e n o t my Earl o f earls ! repl ied the j ester

‘
,
’

who saw th at h is lord was n ot seriously d ispleas ed I .

‘
 j ES T A N D EA RN E S T .
43

mean t n o d a mage o r irreveren ce I h ave too great a .

res pect fo r my hid e an d would fai n s ave i t a tan n ing !

’

Wherewith h e d escend ed fro m the tabl e w ith a n a i r o f

the m os t sage gravity cal m ly fi lli ng his pockets the
,

w hi le wi th s i m nels .

‘
Go to ! Th o u art an i m pu d en t kn ave ! cried D e ’

G ua de r ; an d Earl Roger laughin g m ore h eartily than ,

before pul led o ut a pen ny (equal to abou t s eventeen

,

sh illin gs an d S ix pen ce o f o u r m on ey ) an d toss ed i t to

him .

Tho u art th e pri nce of fools h e exclai m ed Woul d .

I had thee i n m y fol lowin g Thou art o f som e worth to .

d rive d ul l care away .

’

’
I n explan ation of the foo l s d angerous j est we m ay ,

relate ho w Wi lliam o f N o rm an dy d eal t with th e A ngevi ns

whe n they d ared to rem i n d hi m that his m other was th e
d aughter o f a tan n er b y o rn a m en ting the wal ls Of A len con
,

with h ides an d shoutin g L a P d d [a P O!

,
‘
i n rid icu l e ,

when h e cam e to bes iege thei r town Th ey had form ed .

—
a téz e a u p o zz i to cove r the passage o f the river fro m which
‘ ’
-
,

Wi llia m d islodged them by fi ll ing u p th e m oat with

wood an d fi ri ng i t so that the u n fortu n ate A ngevi n s
,

were su rrou nd ed by flam es th rough whi ch gleamed th e ,

sword s of the mocking N orm an s barring thei r passage ,

to the river beyon d Th e hal f roasted garrison fough t

.
-

with u n avai li ng valou r bu t twen ty s u rviving for a s ti ll

,

worse fate from thei r relen tless foe Wi llia m o rd ered .

thei r han ds an d feet to be cu t off an d thei r eyes to be

pu t o u t an d despatched an A ngevi n sold ier w h o had
, ,

previously bee n mad e prison er an d who had witn essed ,

44 j E S T A N D EA R N ES T .

th e pu n ish ment to tel l the garriso n how thei r co m rades

,

had fared an d to p rom ise th e m a s im ilar fate u n l ess

,

they su rren d ered b efore n ight Th at they m ight n o t .

doubt the veracity of th e m essenger h e had the h an ds ,

an d feet which had b een struck from the p rison ers pu t

i n to h is mangon els a n d shot them o n to the wal ls
, ,

which s o i mpressed the town s men that th ey su rrend ered

at on ce .

When the two earls had fi n ished thei r repast they ,

reti red to thei r sleeping cham bers ; bu t as Ralph d e

G u a de r reached his apartmen t h e was m et by the Earl ,

’
Of H ereford s al m on er .

’
‘
I a m com e n oble earl in obedi en ce to thy su m mons
, , ,

h e said ,
u n derstand in g that thy w ish was to have
‘

speech o f me before an y other and I ven ture to i ntrud e

O II thee t o n ight becaus e th e Lady Em m a has d esi red
-
,

’
m e to a tten d h er at daybreak .

’
H a ! j ust as I expected said the earl to h i m self I ,
.
‘

’
than k thee reveren d father he repl ied
,
I t is cou rteous ,
.
‘

an d kin d an d my wish was to have speech wi th thee

,

to n ight bu t that I feared to break i n upon thy rest

-
, .

T ak e m e I pray t hee to thy san ctu m where we may be

, , ,

’
together withou t audien ce .

Th eodred bo w ed his assen t a n d the earl h avi ng d is , ,

m issed his attendan ts followed the al mon e r to h i s ,

private apartm en t a s m al l but sn ug room i n a recess i n

,

o n e o f t h e towers o f the castle I n the cen tre s tood a .

s m al l table bearing a si lver cruci fix cove red w ith parch ,

men ts an d m aterials for wri ting an d i llu m inating a ,

page o f an u n fi n ishe d m issal lying o n the wri ti ng des k -

,
 j E S T A N D E A R N E S T .
45

’
an d showin g what the occupant s last busi n ess had
b een .

Father Theod red offered to the earl th e ca rved s ettl e

which stood before h is writin g d esk an d D e G u a d e r -
,

san k i nto i t with a sigh an d fo r a ti m e was silen t , .

Theod red m eanwhil e acced ing with rare d el i cacy to h i s

, ,

gu est s mood tu rn e d to a corn er o f the ro om i n which

’
,

was fitted up a s mal l shrin e o f th e V i rgin a n d bu sied ,

hi msel f by tri m m i n g th e l ittle lam p of oil wh ich bu rn ed

before i t perpetu al ly .

H e was a m an of abou t fi fty years o f age s trongly ,

bu i lt an d o f the very fai r complex ion characteristic

,

of the A nglo D an es th e ring o f hai r upon his tonsu red

-
,

head bein g lighter i n colou r than the shaven crown ,

with a ru ddy h ealthy face and kind fran k blu e eyes

, , , .

‘
Th in e occu pation fathe r re m in ds m e that I a m th e
, ,

’
gu est of a h oly man sai d the earl as the al moner , ,

turn ed to hi m agai n I prithee give m e thy blessing

.
‘
.
’

’
Th ou hast it my s on an swered the pri est exten d in g
, , ,

h is han d s an d m aking the s ign o f t h e cross over Ralph s ’

b ent head an d m u rm uring a ben ed i cti on

, .

’
‘
Thou sayest Ralph began after a ti me that the
, , ,
‘

Lady Em m a has expressed her d esi re to con sul t thee .

The m atter o n which she d esi res thy gu idan c e is o ne o f

’
s ome weight .

Theod red seated hi msel f on a wood en stool at a short

d istan ce from the earl .

‘
D oubtless th e matter on which th e n oble Earl of
Eas t A ngl i a wou ld con su lt m e is o n e o f i mportan ce
also ? he said
’
.
46 j E S T A N D EA R N E S T
J

The m atter o n wh ich we twai n s eek thee father is

‘
, ,

’
o n e an d the s am e sai d Ralph with a s m ile as thy ‘
, , ,

’
sh re w d w its have d oubtless al ready opi n ed .

I had som e s uch n otion answered th e al m on er

‘
,
’

gravely .

Father Theodred said Ralph grave i n his turn

‘ ’

, , ,

‘
thou has t the reputation of an hon ou rable m an an d I ,

a m abou t to repose i n thee a trust tha t wi ll put the

fortun es and even the lives o f m ore than on e n oble
, ,

person age i n cl ud in g mys elf i n thy han ds

, , .
’

Theod red sprang u p hasti ly .

S tay thy tongu e n oble earl ! said h e ; trust n either

,
’ ‘

thy fortu n e n o r thy li fe i n my han ds Thou kn owest .

m y English sym pa t hies an d how thou hast ou traged ,

them H ow can I bear goodwi ll to the on ly English

.

n oble w ho fought besid e th e N orman on th e fatal fi eld

where H arold Go d w i n s s o n — who m God assoi l z i e — los t
’
his precious l ife ?
Th e powerfu l D e G u a de r fam ed fo r his p rid e an d ,

haughtiness an d his i m pa t ien ce of al l rebu ke even fro m

, ,

his royal m aster bore this bol d speech fro m the Earl
,

’
of H ereford s al m on er wi th ben t head a n d d ej ected
mien .

’
Wh at i f I repen t ? h e asked soft ly h is rich voice
‘
,

qu avering as h e spoke .

Theod red ga z ed at hi m wi th aston ished an d d oubtfu l

eyes an d cam e back to his stool an d sat d o w n agai n
,

opposite to hi m .

The earl rais ed h is head an d looked the al mon er i n

the face with a keen app eali ng glan ce ,
.
48 j ES T A N D EA R N E S T .

‘
I m ean that t here i s m ore i n th is m atter than i s at
presen t u nderstan ded o f thee s aid D e Gu a de r ,
’
P er .
‘

h aps s om e i nsight i nto my o w n standpoin t woul d best

h elp thee to th e whol e qu estion .
’

The al mon er assu m ed an attitud e o f r espectfu l

atten tion .

‘
Thou d ost m e great hon ou r nobl e earl h e said , ,
’
.

‘
N everthel ess I m u s t protes t that as a s i m pl e priest I
’
h ad rather keep to m atters more withi n my provi nce .

These m atters m us t be withi n thy provi n ce s i n ce thy ,

gu idan ce wil l be as ked by the n oble d e mois el le whos e

part i n them is o f such i mport urged D e Gu a d e r ; an d ,
’

th e pries t sighed deeply for h e had a great love for the

,

gen tl e gi rl whos e adviser he m u st n eed s be i n this the chief

step o f h er you ng li fe H e s aw n oth in g but strife before
.

he r an d was sorely p erpl ex ed as to whether h e shou ld

,

fo rward h er happi n ess or s ti ll more h er spi ri tual w elfare

, , , ,

by ai d ing o r h i n d eri ng the s uit o f th e tu rbu len t ma n who

was thus seeki ng to wi n hi m to h is s id e and who m he ,

scarcely kn ew whether to abhor for h is part at S en lac ,

o r to l ove as th e son of Ralph the S taller Cer tes D e .

—
G u a d er s show o f contrition had strangely m oved h im
’

and th e bru ised an d bleed in g patriotis m which was his

strongest passion waked in to pain fu l li fe at the sight .

‘
Thou knowes t said Earl Ralph how when my
,
’
,
‘
,

n o b l e father Ralph the S taller d ied Earl Godwin i n

, , , ,

h i s hate O f th e N orm an s or any from across th e s traits

, ,

worked with th e blessed K ing Ea d w a rd against my

Breton m other an d myself her stripling son o r rather , , ,

I shou ld say so wearied hi m o u t with com plai nts

,
 j ES T A N D EA R /VE S T .
49

agains t us mad e by his d augh ter Ea dg yth the ki ng s wi fe

, ,
’

that at last the good kin g gave ear to a tru m ped u p s tory -

o f treason able practices on o u r i n nocen t parts an d took ,

’
m y father s l and s from h is widow an d orph an s o that ,

’
we had to go beyon d the sea to my mother s es tates i n
’
B retagn e .

‘
I have heard a versi on o f th e m atter s aid Th eod red ,
’

som ewh at d ifferi ng ! he add ed u n d er his b reath

’
, .

‘
Cans t tho u won d er then that m y love for H arol d
, ,

G o dw i n ss o n was n ot overflowing ? th e m o re s o as h e
clai m ed for hi msel f thos e d ear lands o f N orfol k and
S u ffol k where my boyhood h ad been passed
,
C ans t .

thou w on der that when h e broke his oath to Wi lli am of

,

N orm andy who m h e had sworn n ot to h in d e r i n h is

,

—
clai ms to th e English thron e sworn as thou kn owes t , , ,

on the m os t sacred relics

Theod red groan ed H arold k n ew n ot that th e reli cs
.

’
were there till after h e ha d sworn he m u rm u red , .

A n Engl ish man s word shou ld be as good as h is

‘ ’

’
oath thou hast said i t rej oin ed th e earl
, ,
C ans t thou .
‘

won der I ask that I ranged mysel f un d er the ban n er of

, ,

the leader whose accolad e h ad given m e kn ighthood to

’
win bac k those land s of my father s ?
‘
H ow couldst thou ? H ow cou ldst thou figh t thy
’
father s countrym en even to wi n back thy father s
,
’

’
l ands ? cried the pries t with i rrepressibl e e motion, .

Ralph sprang u p an d paced abou t the room N ay .

‘
,

’
I would g ive my righ t h and I had n ot don e i t h e said ,

’
‘
but he added bi tterly I a m su fficien tly pun ished !
, ,
‘

A fter al l m y valou r an d man ifold services t h e h aughty ,

D
50 j E S T A N D EA R /VE S T .

B astard d eem s m e n ot good enough to becom e h i s

k in s man an d i nsults m e by forbidd ing m e the han d of
,

’
his kin swo man .

H is face was d ark wi th s corn an d the pecu liar glea m ,

o f green was i n his eyes wh ich gave s o s trange a n

exp ression to his anger W hi l e the l evel brows m et above
,

them Evidently wou n ded prid e had m ore to d o with

.

his repentan ce than patrioti c contrition .

B u t i t was n ot conven i en t to ad m it s o m u ch even to

’
hi m sel f . Blood i s s tronger than water i n good sooth
‘
, ,

’
h e co ntinu ed an d my father s blood rebels i n my vei ns
,
‘

when I s ee th e h ungry N orm an s ousting stau n ch

English fa mi li es from thei r hold ings an d revelling i n ,

th e fat o f th e la n d I h ad n ot thought o f al l that mu st

.

follow th e setting o f Wi lliam o n the thron e for I d ream t ,

’
n o t th at H arold s follo w i ng h ad been s o s trong or that ,

th e tuss l e w ould be so bit ter A n d n o w that Wi lliam is .

away th e cu rs s n u ffle and s narl an d tear the qu arry li ke

,

hounds w ithout a h u nts m an w hi le H ereford an d I , ,

th rough his si lly j ealou sy have o u r h and s tied an d are

, ,

powerless to keep ord er i n the l and I tel l thee i t i s .

gal ling beyond en d uran ce to see th e base ch u rls whom ,

n ever a knight woul d h ave spoke n to i n N orm an dy but

to give them an ord er ru ffli n g i t wi th the best an d, ,

stru ttin g as th ey had been b orn n obles lord i ng it ,

over high born English d am es and d ams els whos e fathers

-
,

an d husband s they h ave slain a n d whose fortu n es they ,

a re wasting i n ri ot ! ’

’
‘
Gal ling beyon d end u ranc e ! repeated Th eodred ,

sprin ging u p wi th a ges tu re o f angu ish Christ gran t .

‘
 j E S T A N D EA R N E S T .
51

m e pardon for the h ate that springeth i n my heart for

the doers o f s u ch w rong for i t bids fai r to overflow the ,

barriers o f my control when ever I let my thoughts

wander fro m the co m fort of heaven ly th ings to earthly
’
m iseries !
’
D e Gu a de r s eyes gleam ed wi t h tri u mph as h e s aw
h is co mp an ion so d eeply m oved S topping i n his tiger .

wal k u p an d d own th e room h e l ai d his stron g hand ,

’
upon T he o dre d s arm .

Then hel p m e to red ress the wron g an d repai r th e

‘

m istake he s aid .

Th eod red tu rn ed o n hi m fi ercely Repai r th e .

‘

m istake ! C anst thou brin g then the d ead to li fe or ,

gather from th e soi l on e d rop o f th e noble blood that

has bee n pou red forth u pon i t l i ke water the d ark s tains ,

o f w h ich sti ll s care the travel ler an d cal l to H eaven for ,

’
vengean ce ?
N a y S t N icholas d efen d m e !
’
‘
,
. an swered the earl ,

‘
I ca n d o n either o f t hes e things There is that which .

can not be u n don e an d ca n on ly be atoned by b itter

,

pen an ce and h u mble contri tion B u t there i s that .

wh ich m ay be restored Ru in ed me n m ay have thei r .

own agai n P rison er s ca n be set free

. D oth n o t .

A rchbis hop S tigan d sti ll l an guish i n d u rance ? I s n ot

thin e own b eloved bishop an d Sti g a n d s brothe r ’

z Eth e lma
’
e r l iving i n poverty an d sham e si n ce Wi lliam s
’
, ,

tyrann ical d eprivation o f his see o n fals e an d scan dalou s

charges ? ’

A las yes
‘
,
ad m i tted th e pri es t .

Then the earl bend i ng toward s h i m an d fi xing h is

, ,
52 j E S T A N D EA R N E S T .

piercing eyes o n the good hu mou red an d yield ing eyes -

o f Theod red said i n a lo w C l ear voi ce every syl lab le o f

, , ,

every word thri lling the si len t n ight ,

A n English ki ng m ay yet fi ll the thron e

‘
W a lthe o f .

Si w a rd s s o n l ives !
’

Theod red covered his face w i th hi s hand s an d ,

staggered i nto h is C hai r A fter a whi le h e m u rm ured

.
,

A n d d oth the h oly Fr i th i c A bb ot o f S t Alban s favou r , .

,

this an d Th u rstan A bbot of Ely ?

, ,
’

Ay ; n or is Fi tz o s b e r n B ishop o f Exeter opposed

‘
, , .

H e groans for th e woes of the English peop l e w h ose ,

ways he h as always loved and whose m an n ers he h as ,

adopted ; n either b rooks he tam ely this i n su lt o f Wi lli am s ’

’
to h is n eph ew Wh en s u ch favou r m e wi lt n o t thou ?
.
,

Theod red ex ten ded h is pal m withou t u n covering hi s

’
face . I can not answer thee th us at a m om en t s n oti ce
‘
.

The issu es are t o o great .

’

Wa lthe o f H ereford an d I th e earl con ti n ued h is

‘
, , ,
’

face lighted wi th a lofty prid e and his gestu re such as ,

might have be fitte d the Con qu eror h i mself Wi lliam ,

‘

absen t Wh o coul d withstan d ou r com bin ation ?

.
’

I pray thee m ercy ! This m atte r n eed eth med itation

an d praye r Leave m e Wh ether I h elp o r hind er thee
. .
,

b e su re I wi l l n o t betray t hee The H oly V i rgi n h ave .

b oth thee an d me i n h er keep i ng

A men said th e earl an d left th e apartm en t As h e
‘ ’
, , .

wal ked do w n the passage stepping softly l est h e shou l d ,

d isturb thos e w h o h ad slu m bered while he plotted h e ,

h e ard th e strokes of th e flagel lu m with which Father

Theod red was lacerati n g his shoulders
 C H A P T ER IV .

H O R SE, H A WK , AN D H OU N D .

ON th e m orrow a good ly company rod e forth ove r the

,

d rawbridges of H ereford C astl e w ith clatter of pran cin g

,

h orses and barking o f d ogs an d j ingle o f hawk s ’

j ess es ; falcon ers carryi ng th e birds an d hu nts m en ,

lead i ng th e well trai n ed d ogs span iels cockers an d

-
, , ,

here an d there a w olf o r b oar hou nd i n cas e large r ,

gam e shou ld be started ; a par ty of m en a t arms to - -

protect them fro m wi l d beasts o utlaws and Welsh with

, , ,

a fe w knights i n harnes s to head the m an d th e lad i es ,

a n d gen tle men o f the h u n t the ms elves .

I n th e place o f hon ou r a m ongst thes e rod e the Earl

of East A nglia m ou nte d o n his splen d i d S pan ish bar b
,

O liver whose fi n e p oi n ts h ad d rawn forth prais e from

,

that lover of good horse fle sh Wi llia m th e Con queror

-
,

hi mself w hen D e G u a de r had ri dden the steed i n h is

,

presen ce ; a bright red roa n with fox col ou red m an e an d

- -

tai l fine o f li mb bu t o f greater s tren gth an d end u ran ce

, ,

than the h eavier N orm an warhors e and full of spirit an d ,

d oci li ty .

By his sid e a mbled Em m a Fi tz o s b e rn o n a white ,

’
p al frey b eari ng o n her wris t a n oble tas sel gentl e
,
‘ -
,
63
54 H OR SE, H A WK ,
A N D H O UN D .

whos e b road sh ou ld ers an d large n ares a n d long b lack

spu rs proclai m ed hi m of the bluest bl ood O f h awk
a ristoc racy .

‘
Certes h e is a gloriou s tierce sa id Em m a looki ng
, ,
’

wi th ad m i ration at the hawk and s eemeth well r e ,

‘

clai m ed th ough kn owing m e n ot h e i s by n atu re

, , ,

shy .
’

‘
I hope wel l h e m ay sustai n the reputati on a ccorded
’
hi m by those fro m who m I had hi m sai d the earl an d , ,
‘

prove his worth by d eed s when we reach the waters .

H e co mes straigh t fro m D e n m ark an d is accou nted ,

equal to any King S weyn at pres en t h ath i n h is m ews .

H e will bi nd a mal lard with h is beak n or n eedeth h e ,

any l u re save th e voi ce of the falconer N on e exceed .

the D an es fo r sk il l i n train in g a h a w k .
’

Th e Earl of H erefor d w h o had been ri din g ahead ,

w ith h is cou n t ess fel l bac k an d rei ned h is h orse besid e

,

h is s ister s palfrey t hat he m igh t ex am i ne an d criticise

’

th is m uch extolled bi rd B ut h is cri t i cis m also took th e

-
.

form of ad m i ra t ion .

’
‘
I f h e perform s as we ll as h e looks quoth he I , ,
‘

’
woul d thin k h i m cheap at a hu n dred m arks .

When they reached the marshy grou n d to n orth

wes t the castl e a t wh ich they had b een ai m ing th e
, ,

s pan iels soo n put u p a heronshaw an d Em m a who had , ,

n o m ean ski ll at falcon ry slipped o ff the hood from t h e,

D an ish hawk and cast hi m deftly from h er l ittle fi s t

,

i n to the ai r at what was cal led the j ett s er r c that is to

e f
,

say as qui ckly after the qu arry h ad taken flight as

,

possibl e .
5 6 H OR SE, H A WR , A N D H O UN I) .

at on ce upon h is wris t B ravely had he m ai ntain ed h is

.

reputati on by d eeds .

O ther hawks were the n flown at variou s gam e ,

m allard an d c ran e an d bi ttern S om eti m es the quarry .

escaped ; o n o n e o ccasion a falcon failed to wi n th e

u pper han d an d the hero n at which she was cas t tran s
,

fi xed her o n h is long beak a n d ki lled her at whi ch ,

m isfortun e there was m u ch ad o O thers acqui t t ed the m .

selves well b ut n on e rivalled the p rowess o f the D an ish

,

h awk an d w hen th e gay company h ad turn ed th ei r

,

’
horses heads hom ewards an d h ad leisu re to d is cuss th e
,

m atte r h e was acclai m ed by all the h ero o f the d ay i n

,

falcon world -
.

’
S i nc e thou h as t a good Opi n ion of the tassel gen tl e -
,

said D e G ua de r who h ad rei n ed his h orse agai n to the

,

side o f Em m a s palfrey an d art pleased to s ay th at I

’
,
‘

gave n o overd rawn pictu re Of his high qu alities I pray ,

thee n obl e d emoisel le to pleas ure m e by taking hi m

, ,

fo r thin e own fro m this d ay forward ; fo r i n sooth I , ,

obtai ned hi m fro m D en m ark for n o other pu rpos e ,

havin g h eard of th e d eath o f thy favourite falcon S ee .

,

h e takes to the e by i ns ti n ct an d sits thy sl en der w rist ,

’
as i f h e kn ew i t as that Of h i s o w n lady .

Thou art too gen erou s S i r Earl repl ied Em ma th e , ,

’

q u i ck blood fl ushing C heek an d forehea d — partly th rough

d elight for she was a k een h un tress an d appreciated
, ,

ful ly th e j oys o f possess ing su ch a b ird ; bu t m ore

th rough con fus ion for sh e felt that s he could n ot accept
,

s uch a gift from a su itor who m she i n ten ded to rej ect ,

an d that Vi rtu al ly to tak e th e b eautifu l creature woul d

 H OR SE, H A WK, AN D H O UN D .
57

be to answer Ralph s weighty qu es tion o f th e n ight

’

b efore —for i n thos e d ays a good h aw k was of m ore

val u e t han d ia mond s T o m ake m atters wors e her
.
,

bro the r was watchin g her pitilessly wi th a qu i zzi cal ,

s m il e i n his eyes an d eviden t cu rios ity as to what sh e

,

w ould s a y .

B u t fortu n e was ki n der than her fri ends Th e co m .

pany was rid ing at the mo men t th rough a bel t o f

woodlan d an d j ust as Em m a was castin g abou t i n her
, ,

’
m in d for an ans wer to Ralph s speech that m ight post
pon e h er d iffi cu l ty an d toying som ewhat lovi ngly with
,

the b ird a lan k grey beast trotted s ilently across the

,

pathway a few yards ahead o f the fore m ost horse

m an .

The dogs gave tongu e an d th e m en also .

‘
Wol f ! wolf cried th e h u nts m en an d h alf a dozen ,
- -

knights o f th e mez me who carri ed hauberk an d l an ce

’ ’

dashed fo rward i n pursu it .

A ll w a s ex citemen t an d com motion S teed s chafed .

an d cu rveted an d kept th ei r ri d ers fro m requi ri n g

,

answers to in conven i en t qu estion s an d Em m a Fi t z o s b e r n ,

felt gratefu l e xceed ingly t o th e fi ery O l iver for th e

trouble h e gave his m aster an d the excus e whi ch h i s ,

an ti cs afforded her to S li p b eh in d to th e s id e of h er
bower maid en Ea dg y th o f N orwi ch who w a s fol lo w
-
, ,

i n g o n a sober m in d ed b rown pal frey being but an

-
,

i n di fferen t hors ewoman a nd always d esirou s of a qu iet ,

m ou n t .

D e G u a de r gave O liver th e rei n and gal loped for

ward .
58 H ORSE, H A WK , A N D H O UN D .

‘
I a m i n sore d istress Em m a sai d Ea dg y th a s , ,
’

sh e j oin ed her for my foolish Freya has rushed Off,

‘

aft er the rest o f them as i f a ga z ehou n d cou ld pu l l ,

down a wolf forsooth ! I m u ch fear m e she will be

,

’
hu rt .

A l mos t a s she spoke t h e knights retu rn ed o n e hold , ,

i ng aloft th e wol f s head as a trophy ; but an othe r a ’

you n g N orman i n D e G u a d e r s followi ng S i r A i man d ’

d e S ourdeval by n am e carried a woun ded hou nd i n h is ,

arms .

I t i s Freya ! exclai m ed Ea dg y th and riding forward

’

, ,

to w ard s the kn ight sh e as ked i f h e r favou rite was m u ch ,

wou n ded .

’
N oth in g d angerously s w eet d on z elle repl i ed S i r
‘
, ,

A i m an d lookin g u p wi t h a bright s mile and evid ently

, ,

p leased to have so cheerfu l a n answer to give both for ,

A bi t e i n the forea rm
’ ’
the houn d s s ake an d the lady s .
,

n othin g wors e though i t lames her I wi ll bin d i t

,
.
,

wi t h you r perm ission when we reach the castle I h ave ,

a salve reckoned m ost healing for the woun ds of ho unds ,

and I hope i t m ay prove i ts w orth i n the h ealin g o f

’
thi n e .

Ea d g yth than ked the youn g knight for h is cou rtesy

with m u ch s in cerity for sh e had brought u p the grey ,

h ou n d to her o w n han d an d the creatu re was fu l l o f ,

gen tle w ays an d pretty tri cks whi ch her m istress had ,

taught her bes id es bei ng exception ally beau tifu l with

, ,

a sati n s ki n as white as m il k and a body as l ithe as

’
a ny eel s .

I t was a great relief to Ea dg yth als o to n ote how

 H OR SE, H A WK , A N D H OUN D .
59

tenderly S i r A i man d h an d led her favou rite s o that th e ,

hou n d lay quite pass ive i n h is hold an d sh e fel t conten t ,

’
to leave h er to th e kn ight s ten d er m ercies .

When th ey reached the castl e Em m a Fi tz o s b e r n ,

fou nd h ers el f sti l l carrying the tassel gen tle o n her -

w rist and though t with a half sigh that i t wou ld b e

“

hard to relinquish h i m even i f sh e were qu ite prepared ,

to ren ou n ce al l that she m us t tak e with h i m No r d id .

D e Gu a de r give her opportun ity to restore th e bi rd to

hi s keep ing .

Later i n the d ay wh en th e M ay su n was d rawin g n igh

,

to th e su m m its of t he Welsh hills Em m a her rid ing , ,

garb exchanged for a s ilken robe o f pal e blu e e mbroid ered ,

w ith pearls an d si lver an d edged with vai r ve ry brave to ,

l ook upon swept d own th e long al leys th at l ed from th e

,

’
lad ies bowe r to the orch ard i n com pany with her you n g ,

s ister i n law the C ountess of H ereford a n d D am e

- -
, ,

A mi c i a d e Reviers a ven erabl e lady who had been , ,

Em m a s gu id e phi losoph er an d governante sin ce the

’ ‘ ’
, ,

d aughter o f Fi tz o s be rn ha d fi rs t open ed her grey bl u e -

eyes u pon this wi cked world an d who n o w fou n d he r ,

aged in fi rm ity soo thed by th e love an d trust o f he r

wh il o m pupil .

H ereford is an d was a fam ou s appl e cou n try an d i n

, , ,

those d ays i t was celebrated for bo th cide r an d grap e

win e. J u st then i n the sweet sprin g weather th e, ,

orchard was a pleasan t place i n wh i ch to wh i le away an

hou r The i nsecu ri ty o f li fe m aking the protection o f
.

ston e wal ls i mperative prevented an y e xtensive cultiva ,

tion o f gard en flowers and ga rd en s within castle precin cts ,

60 H OR SE, H A WK , A N D H O UN D .

were n ecessari ly ci rcu ms cribed B ut the o rchard was .

so mewhat m ore free though l ofty walls su rrou n ded it

, ,

over which th e trai n ed b ran ches o f th e Vin es spread i n

ord erly growth a n d were p u tti ng forth tufts o f ten der
,

bron ze green l eaves at every spu r

-
G i lly flo w e rs .

b loo med between thei r roots an d th ei r wi ld yel low ,

b rothers fou n d space fo r thei r i m pud en t n eeds o n the

c rown Of the wal ls A cross th e c entre o f the orch ard
.

ran a chatteri ng brook alon g the ban ks o f whi ch

,

kingcups m ade a golden lin e an d over which a li ttle ,

bridge wi th toy battle ments was b ui lt The pear trees .

were covered with sn ow wh ite flowers an d the apples

-

wi th rosy bu ds an d u nd er the n etted shadows of thei r

,

straggling boughs the rich green tu rf was ge m m ed with

pri m roses an d d aisies an d buttercups whi le m erles an d
mavises sat a m ongst the blossom s striving which shou ld ,

s in g th e sweetest songs Fro m th e m eadows an d

.

pastu res beyon d the walls ca m e the lowing o f cows an d

the m ellow voi ce o f th e cu ckoo .

Em m a carri ed the tass el gen tle o n her wris t an d a

-
,

page followed h er wi t h a lu re an d dain ty m orsels where

with to tempt the prou d bird s appetite ; an d when the ’

cou n tess an d D am e A mi ci a sat d own upon a ben ch i n a

s mall arbou r n ear th e stream she wen t for w ard to th e ,

b ridge an d bad e the page set down h is bu rd en upon the

,

wal l Then l ean ing o n the parapet sh e a m used herself

.
, ,

by casting O ff the bi rd for short flights an d l u ring hi m ,

back teaching hi m to re cogn ise the sou n d o f her voice

,
.

The othe r lad ies who were i n V iew o f the perform ance
, ,

applau ded whe n h e o be y e d h e r qu ickly

'

.
 H OR SE, H A WK, A N D H O UN D . 61

Yet Em m a had n ot fu lly accepted the gift o f the b i rd ,

or d ecided what he r cou rs e should be S he was i n great.

perplexi ty I n th e m orni ng j ubilan t with ex ercise the

.
, ,

glow an d e xcite m en t o f th e chase u pon her al l difficu lties ,

had see med ligh t save that o f ren u n ciation an d th e ,

qu ali fied perm ission wh ich Fathe r Theodred had given

he r to fol low her o w n hear t i n th e m atter seemed
, ,

to m ove al l obstacles fro m her p ath N o w i n cooler .

,

mood he r an xiou s Spi rit conj u red u p Vision s o f

,

d istress .

To defy the ki ng was both sin fu l an d dange rous I f .

she dwel t m ore o n the d ange r tha n th e s in she m ust n ot ,

be j udged by the standard o f l ater d ays The id ea O f .

kingly d ivin ity h ad s carcely blossom ed i n to flower i n

th e C haos o f those dark ages Every powerfu l n obl e.

was a sovereign o n h is o w n estate an d his fol lowers ,

fough t his battles with little scruple whethe r agai n st ki ng

o r peer Th e feud al ki ng lord was b ut fi rst am on g
.
-

peers an d very few n oble hou ses could d isplay a

,

s cutcheon free fro m the blot of treason .

V ows of fealty a n d the sancti ty o f kn ightly hon ou r

n otwithstand ing the tu r b ulen t baron s thought les s of i t
,

than a modern pol i tici an of ch angi ng his party I ndeed .

,

they watched al l kingly e nc roach m en ts on th e power o f

thei r orde r with j ealou s eyes an d deem ed i t a d u ty to
,

’
stand by each othe r N o t t i l l Warwick the Kingmaker
.
,
‘
,

was lai d low on Barne t fi eld d id the k ingly ideal becom e

,

paramou nt .

SO Em m a thought m ore of the blood th at wou ld flow

i f Wi lliam we re d efi ed th an o f the hein ousness o f the
,
62 H OR SE, H A WK , A N D H O UN D .

d efi an ce Earl Ralph an d h er bro ther wou l d both b e

.

i nvolved i n trouble a n d s orrow A n d al l fo r h er foolish .

face ! O h why h ad sh e n ot bee n born som e plain

, ,

poor da m sel over whose fate n on e w ou l d con cern

,

the mselves ?
She wou ld n ot be a centre o f stri fe an d con fu sion !
N o she wou l d reti re i nto a conven t an d l ead a l ife o f
,

pen i ten ce and praye r ; an d Ralph wou ld fi n d another

brid e whom William woul d n ot g ru dg e h i m
'

Bu t this pious resol ution was accompan i ed by a deep

sigh an d a look Of wistfu l longing at the h awk as h e
, ,

cam e flu ttering his stron g sharp poin ted wings to her ,

-

call .P erhaps h e typified world ly j oys to h e r at th e

m om ent .

J ust then tw o goodly gen tlem en cam e stri ding across

the greensward to the arbou r by the bri dge an d Em m a s ,
’

heart gave a great leap for she fel t that th e ti m e had ,

co me when for weal o r woe sh e m ust m ake her choice

, ,
.

A n d the Earl of H ereford wen t i n to th e arbou r an d

s at d own by his wife bu t th e Earl of East A ngli a cam e
,

straight o n to the bridge where Em m a stood The .

‘

tassel gentle acknowledges th e authori ty o f h is o w n l iege

-

lady Ralph said with a m eanin g s mile as h e stopped

,
’
, ,

besid e h er an d leaned h is arm o n the low pa rapet o f the

little b ridge .

I fear h e learn ed n ot hi s loyalty fro m h is m aster

‘

Em m a replied looking i n hi s face with earn est e y es

,
.

N a y flou t m e n ot d ear l ady plead ed D e G u a de r

‘ ’
.
, , ,

Give m e an an swe r to my qu estion o f yestern ight I t .

i s not like thee to prolong my tortu re .

’
 H OR SE, H A WK ,
A N D H O UN D . 63

I n deed I kn ow n ot W hat to an swer thee said Em m a

, ,
’

i n sad seri ous ness My heart is torn with doubt I

.
‘
.

’
can not bear she said laying h er han d upo n hi s a rm as
, , ,

i f to restrai n his eagern ess for co mbat to b e the cause ,

‘

o f stri fe A n d stri fe i t m us t m ean i f thou should st

.
,

’
m arry m e again s t th e ki ng s wil l Wi lliam i s n ot th e .

’
m an to take su ch d e fian ce s m oothly .

N o r a m I n or is H e reford the m an to take h is i nsu l t

, ,

’ ’
s moothly answered Ralph with bla zin g eyes
,
S ee s t ,
.
‘

th ou n ot th e stri fe m us t be ? The i nsul t is given an d

, ,

c a n on ly be wiped o u t with bloo d

Ah
S ee s t thou n ot my dove as ked D e G u a de r taki ng
’

, ,
’

th e han d she had laid u po n his arm i n both h is own ,

‘
thy d ecision has n ought to do with the s trife ? I nd eed ,

thy refusal to have m e n ow woul d bu t m ake m in e ange r

again st Wi lli am the more bitter as I shal l i n that cas e ,

o w e hi m the loss o f my happin ess as wel l as the affron t

to m i n e hon ou r N o th e poin t i s this : I canno t u rge

.
,

thee to share s tri fe an d s orro w with m e th ough an d h is , ,

’

eyes fl ashed fresh fi res th e s ai n ts m igh t favou r m e ,

‘

that I w o n thee bu t h ighe r hon ou rs i n the end I f thy .

h eart fails thee H ereford wi ll s en d thee over sea to thy

,
-

brother i n N orm andy where thou can s t dwel l i n peace ,

an d safety whi le we fi ght ou r qu arrel o u t Fight i t ou t

, .

’
we must ' Ti s n ot Wil lia m s fi rst i nsult bu t i t shal l be ’

h is last .
’

‘
N a y i f I can not stay the stri fe I wi ll share i t
, cried ,

Em ma tou ched to th e qu ick

, Tho u dos t m e wrong to .
‘

deem even for an i nstan t th a t I shri n k for my o w n

, ,
64 H ORSE, H A WK , A N D H O UN D .

welfare s sak e ! Tis n ot i n th e n atu re o f a Fi t z o s b e rn

’ ’

’
Then tu rn ing to the hawk she said Thou m ay s t k now
, , ,

m e for thy l iege lady my brave tassel gentle ! I take

,
-

thee an d thy master with th ee bu t I fear h e i s by fa r

, ,

less wel l reclai m ed th an thee

 C H A P T ER V .

SAXO N A N D N O R M AN .

TH E little V illage o f Exn ing i n S u ffol k was onc e an i m

portant place th e s eat of th e royal pal ace o f th e kings
,

an d queens of East A n gl ia wherei n was born the cele ,

b ra te d S t Eth e ld re d a wh o was the foun d ress of th e

.
,

mon astery of Ely ; an d i ts s tate d id n ot en ti rely d is

appear til l AD 1 2 00 when a plague bro ke o u t wh ich
.
,

d esolated th e population an d a N e w M arke t was set u p

,

a few m i les fro m i t w h i ch sti l l b ears that n am e an d i s

, ,

the wel l kn own racing cen tre

-
.

Ralph d e Gu a de r as Earl o f Eas t A ngli a beca m e th e

, ,

lord o f th is an cient palace o f the Eas t A ngl ian royal

fam ily an d as i t was i n his d ay the fash ion fo r wedd i ngs
, ,

to take place at th e house o f the bridegroom i t was here ,

that preparation s were m ad e for hi s u n ion with Em m a

Fi tz o s b e rn .

I t was i n every way conveni ent fo r Ralph s pu rposes ’

.

S itu ated on the extrem e ve rge o f h is estates j u tting ou t ,

toward s the west w hence h is brid e m us t com e i t was

, ,

th e very n earest poi n t at wh ich she cou ld enter h is

d omain ; n ear also to N ortham pton an d H un tingdon ,

over wh ich W a lthe o f Si w a rd s s o n was earl rega rd ing ,

E
66 SA X ON A N D N OR M A N

whom as we know D e G u a de r had d eep laid sche mes

, ,
-
.

The celebri ty i t bore as the ti m e honou red residen ce o f -

th e East A nglian royal ty an d the birthplace o f o n e o f

,
’

the best beloved O f S axon sai n ts en d eared i t to the

-
,

hearts of the S axon n obles an d thegn s whom i t was ,

Ralph s policy to con ciliate an d of w ho m h e had invited

’
,

to th e ban qu et al l who sti ll poss essed any rem n ant of

th ei r former wealth an d m any who had little left b u t
,

n am es to conj ure with .

D ivers Breton nobles an d knights also held m anors i n

th e n eighbou rhood an d D e Gu a d e r h ad i n h i s o w n
,

fol lowing a strong body o f B reton m ercen aries an d took ,

care to bid the lead ing me n am ongst them an d all he ,

’
cou ld gather o f hi s m other s countrym en having settle
m ents i n Engl and to th e feast M an y N orm ans also
, .

were i nvited m en who were kn own to be d iscon tented

,

w ith thei r share o f th e spoi l o f fai r land s an d d eer

forests an d riches o f variou s kin d s d istribu ted after the

C on qu est o r who l i ke D e G u a de r an d H ereford were
, , ,

’
s m arting un der Wi lliam s tyrann ou s whi m s Last bu t .
,

m ost i mportan t a mongst the gu ests were the members ,

of th e S axon Chu rch m any o f whom cam e to the brid al

, ,

i n cl uding s everal o f the high position s o f bishop and

abbo t
O nly th e highest i n ran k o f such a large assembly
could be sh eltered u nd er the roof o f the palace bu ilt ,

though it had been to su i t A n glo Saxon n otion s o f -

“

hospital ity w hi ch were on a b ou n teous scale

, .

The kn ights an d thegn s o f hu m b l er d egree were

en camped i n th e n eigh b o urhood i n every variety o f te n t
 SA X ON A N D N OR M A N . 67

a nd h u t that wou ld serve fo r tem porary sh elter wh i le ,

each n o b le o r ch i ef brought with h i m a good ly trai n o f

house carles squi res an d pages and a m otley following
-
, , ,

o f atten d an ts and groom s with horses an d houn ds an d

,

su mpter m ules laden with baggage Fo r m i les aroun d .

the ai r was ren t wi th th e n eigh ing o f horses an d shou t

i ng o f m en th e barki ng o f d ogs and clashin g Of arms
, ,

an d the brayi n g of tru mpets whi le above each gay ten t ,

floated a silken ban n er bearin g the arm s o f the occupan t ,

or,
at least tal l lan ces stuc k i n the grou n d besid e i t
,

fluttered thei r pen n on celles arou n d it A ll was m erry .

clam ou r an d con fusion an d d oubtless N ewm arket H eath

,

i ts elf was as gay as i t n ow is o n the m orn ing of the

T w o Thou san d Gu i neas .

The Eas t An glian earl had elected to have the

festivities arranged accord ing to S axon fashion s N ever .

th e le s s h e had e n deavoured to satisfy th e tastes o f al l

,

his guests an d a va ri ety o f entertai n m en ts was provided

, .

A m agn i ficen t pa v i lio n had been erected for the m any

wh o cou ld n o t be accom mod ate d wi th seats i n th e
ban quetin g h al l o f the palace over wh ich waved ri chly
-
,

coloure d flags e mbroid ered with the arm s of the th ree

great earls —th e azure l ion rampan t whi ch Wa lthe o f
,

had assu m ed as his emblem th e red bl u e an d gold en , , ,

arms o f H ereford an d D e Gu a d e r s o w n cogn isan c e

,
’

party per pal e o r an d s able with a bend vai ry , .

To on e sid e o f i t were spaciou s lists hun g with s carlet

cloth on e h u nd red yard s long by forty broad having
, ,

bench es for Spectators i n ti ers alon g the l ength of the

barriers and i n th e centre o n each side a canopy on e
, , , ,
68 SA X ON A N D N OR M A ZV .

d esti ned for the three earls who were to b e j udges of the ,

combat the other for m m a

,
E Fi tz o s be r n — from whos e ,

han ds as Q ueen of Beau ty th e victors were to receive

thei r pri zes — th e n oble lad ies who were her guests an d
, ,

the m aiden s o f her trai n The tou rney was to take place .

a ful l d ay before th e w edd in g so th at the combatan ts ,

m ight be rested an d fi t for the labou r o f feasting The

,
.

co mbats w ere i n n o case to be ( i o u tm flce bu t m erely a ,

trial of strength an d s kill .

O n the Opposite s ide of the pavilion a l arge space o f

groun d was m arked ou t for sports Of a less aristocrati c
character an d set with targets for archery a qu in tain
, , ,

n o t the kn ightly qu i ntai n s uppli ed wi th a full su it o f

good armour su ch as chival ric aspi ran ts tri ed thei r s ki ll

,

on ,
th e providin g o f whi ch was a serious ite m in th e
expenses o f a feudal castle bu t a m ere ring an d san d ,

—
bag leapi ng bars racecou rses both fo r hors e an d foot
, ,

racin g a bear pi t and oth er sports to pl eas e the various

,
-
,

—
tastes of th e sol diery th e socm e n o r tenan ts hold in g
,

lan d by service other than kn igh tly — the bordars o r ,

cottagers hold i ng portion s o f lan d o n cond ition o f

su pplying the lord o f the m an or with pou ltry eggs an d , ,

other s mal l provision s — an d such other freem e n as D e

,

G u a d e r d eemed it wel l to con ciliate .

A richly d ecked bower had been prepared for Em m a

-

Fi tz o s be r n i n th e Ol d A n glo Sax on palace an d i n this -

,

sh e s at with her favou rite Ea dg y th o f N or w ich on the , ,

evening o f thei r arrival at Exn ing Ea dg y th was to be .

her ch ief brid emaid an d the policy of the bridegroo m

‘

was n ot i ll served by thi s hon ou r paid to the relative

-
70 SA X ON A N D N OR M A ZV .

‘
A gal lan t kn ight an d good lin eage said Em m a o f ,
’

qu ietly M y broth er sai d bu t the other d ay that h e

.
‘

’
coun ted h i m amo n gs t the best lan ces he kn ows .

Thou wilt rem ember he res cued my poor ga z ehoun d

Freya from the fan gs o f the w ol f the d ay thy D an ish
hawk was fi rs t flown an d leeched her ten derly after , ,

even using o n her a talis m an wh i ch had been given to

h i m b y a holy pal mer from the East n u rs in g the poor ,

’
beast as gen tly as i f s he h ad bee n a hu m an child .

Tis a good Sign i n a man to show tend ern es s to th e

’

’
poor beasts who cannot m ake thei r wrongs publi c said ,

Em m a H e who w i ll s u ffer i n convenien ce to save a

.
‘

b east pain wil l not d o less fo r weak w o men o r feeble

,

child ren that com e u n d er hi s ch arge .

’

Ea dg y th looked up wi th sparkli ng agreemen t i n her

eyes bu t ben t her head agai n as sh e contin u ed
, ,

This even ing as we d rew n ear the goal o f o u r j ou rn ey

, ,

h e took advan tage of his d uty as es cort to rid e h is

d estrier clos e to the s id e O f m y palfrey an d asked m e ,

what colours I m eant to wear at the tou rn ey an d to give ,

h i m a favou r to wear i n h i s hel m w ith m an y compl i ,

m ents sayin g my good ren own was such th at the n oble

,

God frey d e Bou i llon h im sel f would n ot d isdai n to break

a lan ce i n my ho n ou r .
’

A n d what was thine an swe r sweet fri en d ? asked

‘
,
’

Em m a I know n ot what i n th is c a n fi nd thee food

.
‘

for grief .
’

Ea dg y th con tin u ed i n a grave an d m easured voice ,

I th an ked h i m th at he shou ld do m e such compli

‘ ‘

m en t an d said I doubted not his lan ce an d sword would

,
 SA X ON A N D N OR M A N .
71

wel l d efen d my favou r b ein g pl ied b y a God feari ng ,

-

kn ight an d i n the caus e of a m aide n who h ath n ought

,

to conceal ; bu t I could give n o favou r fo r I h ad ever ,

held th at she who lets a good m an ris k l ife an d li mb i n

her se rvice shou ld b e ready to gu erd on the V ictor an d
, ,
’
that I cou ld n ot d o .

N o w Ea d gy th w hy shou ld st thou h ave given s uch

‘
, ,

an answe r ? asked Em m a vehem en tly

’
Read m e thy .
‘

riddle I pray thee fo r i n good sooth I dee m n ot thou

, , , ,

’
hast th e kn ight i n i ll favou r -
.

S u rely the ridd le is plain to read an swered Ea dg y th ,

’

an d thou shou ld es t kn ow enough o f my m in d to answer

i t I s n ot S i r A i m an d a N orm an and a m I n o t the
.
,

cous i n o f H arold G o dw i n s s o n ? ’

I tel l thee tru ly I am sic k o f thy etern al H arol d

‘

Go dw i n ss o n ! cri ed Em m a sprin gin g u p an d paci n g

’
,

th e roo m H is n a me i s d ragged forth i n season o r

.
‘

o u t Of seas on I t m us t be hard for the poor m an to

.

res t i n h is grave ! H ere are eight years th e N orm an s

an d th e S axon s — i f S axon thou wi l t o w n thys elf som e ,

ti mes thou wi lt correct m e that thou art an A n glo D an e ! -

—have b een l iving i n peac e an d m arryin g an d giving i n ,

m arriage an d thou wou ldst wake up o ld qu arrels and

, ,

part the m i n su nd er agai n A s wel l m igh t I refuse to .

m arry Ral ph d e G u a d e r becau se o f h is English blood .

’

B ut the earl fough t with thy p eople H ow kn ow I

‘
.

bu t th at my ki nsfol k fell by S i r A i ma n d s h an d ? H e ’

was at S en lac though bu t a young s qu i re The gu lf

,
.

that yawn s b etween u s is i mpass abl e ! an d Ea dgy th s ’ ’

shou lders Shook with an i rrepressibl e shu dder .

72 SA X ON A N D N OR M A ZV .

'

‘
Even so s aid Em m a i t was i n fa i r fig h t o n a
,
’
,
‘

h ard ly con tested fi eld an d S i r A i m an d wou ld be i n n o

-
,

way blood gu ilty therefor When a quarrel i s ended

-
.
,

’
gen erou s foes shak e hands .

S o said S i r A i m an d Fo r he asked m e if any reason .

were behin d my answer that he m ight kn o w an d I told ,

’
hi m fran kly that my heart still bled fo r my cou ntry s
wounds an d that I cou ld n ot forget that the lan ce h e
,

offered to p ly i n m i n e hon ou r had ti lted again st m y

cou ntrym en had perhaps been dyed w ith the blood o f
,

those dear to m e H e an swered and s aid that i t h ad .

,

b een a fai r fight with n o i ll blood between th e co m ,

;

b a ta n ts that G o d had m ade the N orman arm s prevai l ,

an d that I o ught to acced e to H is holy wi ll Bu t I .

can n ot feel it so Ea d g y th en d ed with a sigh ,

’
, .

’
Then I m ust try to com fort thee som e oth er way
‘
,

said Em ma res um ing her seat a nd taki ng th e fac e o f

, ,

her fri en d in both her han ds an d tu rn ing i t u p an d ,

kissing it for Ea dg y th was sitting on a low s tool at he r

,

feet as was her won t

, Re m ember thou art o n thy way .

to thy d ear N orwi ch w here som e o f thy ki n m ay stil l ,

be fou n d n ay som e may be amongst the i nvited gu ests

,

to the ba n qu et and en camp ed n ear thee eve n n ow We

, .

k n ow at leas t that m ore than o n e n oble thegn w ill b e

, ,

presen t Who ca n s ay what fate m ay have i n store for

.

’
thee ?
Ea dg y th shook her head .

A las Em m a ! I shal l n ot fi n d com fort so

,
There .

was that in th e face o f th e poor knight as he turn ed away

that I fear m e wi l l hau nt my me m ory to my dying day .
’
 SA X ON A N D N OR M A N 73

‘
N ay then i f that b e thy m ood I wil l waste n o pi ty
, ,

o n thee ,
sai d Em m a
’
S ham e o n thee that thou
.
,

shou ldst s en d my coun trym a n away with a s ad face and ,

d oubtless an achi ng heart for su ch a fan tasti c wh im

,

B u t th e soft ton es o f her voice s om ewhat belied he r

d eclaration that she wou ld b estow n o p ity o n her way
ward frien d .
 C H A P T ER V I .

T H E B R ID E AL E -
.

TH E festivities o f the d ays preced ing the wedd ing

had n o special i ncidents to mark them as more worthy
o f n ote tha n a h un dred s uch which have been d e
scribed i n h istory an d ro mance bu t th e weddi n g d ay
,
-

itsel f left i ts mark o n ti me an d has been record ed

,

as o f w oefu l bearing o n the destin ies o f the many who

partook o f its good cheer by chron iclers con temporary
,

an d m ode m .

Th e cerem on ies observed a t the m arriage were after

the Anglo S axon fashion s and Ralph de G u a de r hi mself
-
,

wore the S axon garb : a tun ic o f saffron s il k reach ing

to the knee wi th a bord er rou n d the n eck an d he m o f
,

e mbroidery i n gold th read edged wi th erm ine an d

, ,

fasten ed at the waist with a wid e b elt o f highly

’
wrough t golds m ith s work set with j ewels ; s uspend ed
fro m this a short s w ord hi lted with gold in lai d ivory
,
-
,

an d a fie rce look ing hu nting kn i fe no less richly em

- -

b e lli s he d
. O n h is shou ld ers a short scarlet cloak lin ed
with erm in e an d fastened b y a ban d across the chest of
,

s i milar work and design to the bald ri c having at eac h ,

extremity a roun d clasp o f D an ish fi ligree m uch raised i n ,

74
 TH E B RID E A LE -
.
75

the c en tre, where a splen did ruby repeated the red of th e

cloak S tockings o f s carlet cloth cross gartered with
.
,
-

gold e n b raid an d short b rown l eather b oots the heels

, ,

arm ed with the golden spu rs o f kn ighthood completed ,

h is apparel .

H is earl s coron et was embed d ed i n the crisp da rk

’

cu rls of his clos e cropped hai r which to have b een i n

-
, ,

keeping with h is d ress shou ld h ave b een lon g e nough to

,

li e upo n his shou ld ers an d th e colou r o f to w ; an d to say

, ,

tru th his swart cou n ten an ce was sti l l less i n characte r

,
.

Yet fro m an aestheti c poin t of Vi ew the costu m e was

su fficiently becom ing an d th e person al appearance Of th e
,

brid egroo m d rew forth a fu ll share o f prais e fro m th e

n oble dam es a nd damsels who graced the d ay with their
presen ce fo r h e looked stri kin gly h andsom e flushed as
, ,

h e was with excitemen t h is face an i m ated an d h is kee n

, ,

eyes fl a shi ng .

The pol i cy o f adopti ng i t was another question .

M an y of the English n o b les an d knigh ts who m i t was ,

i n ten ded to fl atter rather resente d his assu m ption o f

,

thei r n ati on al garb as a m ockery an d i n sult after th e ,

part h e h ad b orn e i n h elpin g to crush thei r caus e a n d

help th e Conqueror to the throne whi le the N orman s ,

an d B reton s were offen d ed by i t .

The guest i n whos e hon ou r h e had ch i efly assu m ed it ,

Wa lthe o f Earl o f N orthu m b erland N orth ampton an d

, , ,

H u n tingd on wore a s i m i lar garb wi th al l the ease o f

,

c ustom an d grace of habit an d looked i n very truth an

,

Engl ish pri n ce Tal l b road ch ested brawny armed his

.
,
-
,
-
,

l ong light hai r hanging in sh in ing curl s upon his shou l

76 TH E B RID E A L E -
.

de rs h is stron g wris ts ci rcled with m any b r a celets h an d s , ,

a rms an d n eck covered with blu e tattoo m

,

arks he stood -
,
.

by the East A ngli an earl with a pleasan t sm

,

ile o n h is
ruddy face an d i n his sleepy blue eyes Th is earl e .

Wa lte o f or Wa ld e n e says H olinshed was son n e ( as ye

,
’
,

hau e h eard ) to Siward th e nobl e earl e o f N orthu mber

lan d Of whose valu re i n th e ti m e o f K Edward the co n
, .

fe s s o r ye hau e heard H is s o n the aforesaid Wa lte o f

.
, ,

i n stren gth of bod ie an d h a r d i n e s s e d i d n ot d egenerate

fro m his father for he was tal l o f person age i n sin ews
, ,

an d mus cu ls v e ri e strong an d m ighty In the slaughter .

of th e N orm an s at Yorke h e showed p r o o fe o f his ,

p r o w e ss e i n s tri king Off th e heads of m an ie o f the m with

h is o w n e han ds as th ey cam e forth Of th e gates s i n g li e
,

o n e by o n e
’
.

B u t th is doughty hero th is s o n o f S iwa rd and E thel,

flx d who m th e N orther n scalds cel ebrated i n thei r sagas

, ,

an d who claim ed relation ship to the k ings o f D en mark

an d d esce n t from the Fai ry Bear the great w h ite bear ,
-
,

the hou nd o f H ry mi r who was cred ited with twelve ,

’
m en s strength an d eleven m en s wi t by the N orsemen ’

’
was n ot so stron g of m i n d as o f body the eleven m en s
’
wi t of h is u rsin e an ces tor h ad n ot co m e down to h i m .

H e had n ot the i ndom i table spi ri t O f H arol d Go dw i n s s o n

o r H ere w ard L e o fri cs s o n an d he s u ccu mbed to the fi ne r
,

brai n o f th e N orm an general H e had don e ho mage to .

William an d had accepted the han d of Wi lliam s n iece

,
’

J ud ith d aughter of the Con queror s o w n s ister A delaid e

,
’

an d gran d daughter o f Robert the D evi l and A rlete o f

-

Falaise an d i n retu rn the earldom wh ich h ad been

, , ,
78 TH E B R ID E A L E -
.

colours o f the kirtle an d skirt were s ubtly blen ded ,

hu ng fro m her shoulders an d w a s held up by tw o ,

l ittl e page boys H er aubu rn hai r flowed over th e

.

m an tle and was bou n d by a s ilver fi llet fasten ed i n

, ,

fron t w i th o n e large e m erald O ver face an d figu re fel l .

a veil o f d el i cate Cypri an crape flowered wi th s ilver ,

thread .

Green sign ified youth an d sal mon o r flesh colou r

, ,

typi fied earthly j oy H er beauti fu l costu m e h ad b een

.

d esign ed fo r her by n o less a person tha n her u ncle the ,

B ishop o f Exeter who was pl eased to e m u late S t

, .

’
D un stan by d esign in g a lady s d ress .

J ud ith her brid e wom an o n whos e arm she leant wore

,
-
, ,

a robe Of ri ch red sam ite heavy with gold an d osten ta ,

t i o u s ly N orman in style H er tal l stately figu re was as

.
,

straight as an arro w an d mad e a splen di d foil to the

,

sh rin king form of the bride .

H er cl ear cut cold featu res and sparkling steel blu e

-
,
-

eyes wore a sarcasti c and critical expression bu t she ,

acted her part w ith a grace and cou rtesy w hi ch the m any
who lon ged to pass adverse criticis ms on Aer cou ld n o t
bu t adm i t to be perfect .

Em m a fel t a s trong repugn ance to her kin swo m an ,

’
the m ore s o perhaps that J udith s featu res an d eyes
rem inded h er o f the ki ng she was defying an d every ,

ti me she met thei r glan ce a th ri l l of d read an d fo re b o d

,
’

ing passed through her heart .

The wedd in g process ion was preceded to the chu rch

by a dozen S axon Scops or bard s who sung each to the ,

sou nd o f his c rui t a harp h aving fi ve stri ngs yet a fford

, ,
 TH E B R ID E A L E -
.
79

i ng a very sweet m usi c an d by esqu ires an d pages

,

s trewi n g flowers an d the gu ests were l ed by Earls

W a lthe o f an d H ereford the l atte r with his you n g cou n
,

tess on h is arm .

The l ittl e chu rch at Exn ing wou ld n ot have con tai ned
so great a co mpany bu t the fash ion i n t hose d ays was
,

for the brid e and b rid egroo m to stan d o n the th reshold

till the cerem ony was al most con cl ud ed A fter the .

wedd i ng ring h ad b een bestowed with d u e cere mony ,

bein g placed fi rst o n the thu mb a n d s u ccessively upon the

second an d fou rth fi nger where i t was al lowed to remain
, ,

that finger being supp osed by th e m ost scienti fi c au thor

ities o f the ti m e to be j oin ed to the h eart by a s mal l
—
artery the couple en tered th e sacred portal an d a d
, ,

v a n c e d to the altar before whi ch the n u ptial benediction

,

was given by the bridegroom u nd er cover o f a square ,

veil hel d aloft by fou r tal l kn ights and term ed a care

, ,

’
cloth .

Wi n e b lessed b y th e officiati ng pries t was then pou red

, ,

i n to a splen d id golde n bride cu p i n which was placed a

-
,

sprig of gi lded rosem ary supposed to have th e gi ft o f

,

stren gth en in g m emory an d i n creasi n g ten d ern ess an d ,

m an y o t her good qual iti es I n this the brid e and brid e

.

groom pledged each oth er an d it was then han ded roun d

,

to al l th e guests A W heaten cake i n token o f plenty

.
,

and fru itful ness was then broken between them fro m
, ,

whence we d erive o u r bride cake -

.

O n leavin g the ch u rch the n ewly mad e husban d an d

,
-

wife were crown ed with garlan ds of flo w ers and the Earl ,

o f H ereford presen ted his sister with h er dower .

80 TH E B RID E A L E -
.

Th e word brid al com es fro m th e S a x on Ory d ea la -

,

from a custo m a mong that peopl e o f the brid e sel ling to

each gu est a tan kard of foam in g al e d ra w n fro m the tu n
by her o w n fai r han ds th e price bei ng at fi rst paid i n
,

kind an d consisti ng of a con tribution to the ba n qu et by

, ,

which m ean s th e expens e o f en tertain ing a great co m

pany was lessen ed for the youn g coupl e Fo r this s i mple .

excha n ge more costly presents were s ubstituted a ft er a

,

while a part o f th e custom which sti ll s u rvives though

, ,

the brid e n o longer offers an equ ivalen t .

This cerem ony was m agn i ficen tly o b served at th e

East A nglian earl s wedd ing an d Em m a d e G u a d e r
’

d ispen sed th e favou rite S axon d rin k i n a glorious golden

beaker wh ich was of d epth su ffi cien t to try the wi nd and
,

capacity o f the gallan ts as they strove to empty i t wi th

,

o u t drawing breath parti cu larly o f th e N ormans who

, ,

w ere not adepts at th e art o f copious d ri n king M any .

an d rich were th e presen ts Offered i n paym en t with fit ,

tin g good wishes a nd compli m ents Wa lthe o f bestowin g ,

the most super b Of a ll a pai r o f D an ish torcs o f that

,

beautiful gold fi l igree the worki n g of which was the

,

special glory o f the D ani sh golds mi ths o f that d ay an d ,

a white bear s sk i n o f rare beauty an d valu e

’
.

A boun tifu l feast followed pages an d esqu ires clad i n

, ,

the colou rs o f the n obles an d kn ights they s erved pre ,

sentin g the d ishes o n th e k nee o n e gold en plate being,

s et bet w een each lady an d gentleman i t being the d uty

o f the latter to ca rve C hoi ce m orsels for his fai r charge

with his d agger P eacocks i n thei r feath e rs cran e heron

.
, , ,

an d swan porpoise seal ven iso n an d boar s head were

, , , ,
’

,
 TH E B R ID E A L E -
. 81

a mongs t th e d el icac ies o ffered an d th e u n ited science of ,

S axon an d N orm an cooks achieved som e tri um ph s o f

cu lin ary ski ll we m ay be su re A receip t fo r fo rc em eat
, .

wh ich has co m e d own to us fro m thos e d ays wi ll show ,

they were n o novices i n th e m atte r I t i s to be co m .

pou nd ed o f pork figs an d cheese m oi sten ed with ale

, , , ,

seasoned with p epper an d salt an d baked i n a crust , ,

garn ished with p o w d e r i n g s o f suga r an d co mfits A ll .

thes e good thi ngs were washed d ow n w ith rare wi n es ,

Gascon an d Rhen ish wi th hippoc ras an d pigm ent spiced

,

to s u it th e S axon palate wi th moral an d m ead cide r , , ,

perry an d ale
, .

I n all S axon profusion was u n ited to th e d ai nty

,

N orm an cookery an d u nd er the in flu en c e o f this heavy

, ,

hospi tality the m ale porti o n of the guests grew s om e

,

what bois terous .

When the atten dan ts brought i n large S axon d ri n ki ng

horn s fi lled with hyd ro m el an d beer an d m arked with
, ,

knobs o f brass to in d i cate to what d epth the gu ests might

quaff withou t fear of i ntoxi cation wi th cups o f spiced ,

wi n e fo r thos e who preferred i t th e brid e aros e from her ,

s eat her Norm a n d el icacy al ready offend ed b y th e

,

copiousness o f the potation s .

N evertheless b efore she left sh e tou ched her l ips to

, ,

o n e o f the huges t d ri nk ing horn s and pledged the guests -

.

Then she withdrew wi th the lad ies of the com pany ,

the Cou ntess J u dith castin g a strange glan ce o f c o n

te mp tuo u s m al ice as sh e wen t .

The brid e s chal le nge was as m ay be i m agined recei ved

’

, ,

wi th ready enth usias m an d called forth such l usty cheer

,

F
 2 TH E B RID E A L E -
.

i n g that sh e had reached her bower ere i t d i ed away

,
.

B efore i t h ad well ceased the Earl o f H ereford rose to ,

his feet h i s proud you ng face ful l of w ayward tri u mph

,
.

’
N oble earls baron s an d kn ights he sai d who hon ou r
, , , ,

this board w i th you r p resen ce ye have this d ay pl edged ,

the heal t h Of th e brid egroo m m y n oble broth er i n l aw ,

- -
,

th e Earl o f East A nglia an d ye have bu t n ow w ith a ,

n obl e en thusias m pledged the brid e m y fair s ister I ,

.

as k o f you yet an o t her p ledge D ri n k to t h e m arriage .

i tsel f i n toke n that you on e an d al l j ustify my n oble

, , ,

brother an d mysel f i n o u r defi a n ce o f th e m and ate o f

the tyran t Wi lliam the B astard who strove to h ind er
, ,

thei r u n ion
M any a j ewel led hu n ti ng k n ife an d mz s er z co r de flashed
’ '
’
-

i n the ai r to show that th ei r own ers accepted the bold

pl edge ; for i n those w i ld d ays w hen every m an s han d ,
’

was against every m an i t was the fash ion that when ,

two d ran k together each shou ld hold up his dagger ,

while the other w a s i n th e d efen celess p osition n e c e s s i

t a te d by the a c t o f d rinki n g .

By th e bon es of Ki ng O ffa the fou nd er o f S t

‘
, .

A lbans whose holy A bbot Fr i th ri c s its am ongst u s

,

to day ye d o wel l to support m e ! sai d H ereford ’

-
, .

‘
Bu t I would have you r hearts eve n m ore closely wi th
m e ! T o that end I as k ye to answer m e a question o r
t w o ere ye d rai n th e c u p to pledge m e
, Shal l I as k .

the m ? ’

A s k the m ! shou ted every l usty th roat aroun d the

‘ ’

board .

‘
I as k ye then my cou ntrym en you N orm an baron s
, , ,
 TH E ERTD E A L E -
. 83

an d knigh ts an d you n oble B reton s w ho h ave fought

, ,

with u s shou l der to shou lder a y an d y o u valian t , ,

S axon s who were foem en worthy o f h is steel was n ot

, ,

my father Wi lliam Fi tz o s b e r n a good m an a n d tru e ?

, ,
’

sh outed the m en o f La n g u e d o u i n or d i d the ’

B reton s o r S axon s gai n say them .

D id h e shed his blood l i ke w a ter i n W i lliam s cau se ? ’

D id he figh t beside h i m i n the thickest o f th e fray a t

’
H astings ?
Ou i shou ted N o rman s an d B reton s an d the S axons ,

assen ted wi th m u ttered cu rs es .

Could Wi llia m have con qu ered h is kingd om withou t

’ ’
m y father s a i d ?
‘
N o n I cried the N ormans .

‘
Th en I as k i s i t fi ttin g and j ust that Wi lli am the
, ,

B as tard should refuse h is s anction when William ,

Fi tz o s b e r n s s o n pl eads for i t to th e m arriage o f

’

Wi lliam Fi tz o s b e rn s d aughter with a n oble English

’

earl ? ’
H e re he bowed to Ralph d e G u a de r w ho had ,

risen an d s tood besid e h i m I s i t n ot a threefold .

‘

a ffront to the m e mory o f my father to m e h is s o n an d , ,

to my n oble broth er i h law the Earl o f Eas t A nglia ?

- -
,
’

N orm an s B reton s a nd S ax on s j oi ned i n a howl o f

, ,

reprobation o f W i lliam o f N orm an dy s cond uct the ’

S ax on s d elighting to fi n d fau l t w ith the conqueror o f

thei r woefu l lan d o n any pretext an d boiling w ith w rath ,

at w rongs o f thei r o w n I f any d issen ted thei r feeble

.
,

voi ces were d rown ed i n th e outcry o f indign ation that

s tormed rou n d the board Th e cups were d rained to .

the last d rop .

84 TH E B R ID E A L E -
.

‘
Wi lli a m is n o righ tfu l D u ke o f N orm an dy still less ,

d oth i t be fit h i m to styl e h i m sel f a king cried a N orman ,

’

n oble . H e w a s born i n ad ultery an d God favou rs n o t ,

’
the ch ild ren of s i n fu l parents .

‘
A n d born of m ea n blood ! shou ted another
’
Wh o .
‘

was A r lete o f Falais e the tann er s d aughter that her son

,
’

shou ld be an oin ted king even i f h e had been born i n

,

’
wedlock ?
’ ’
‘
I f a n atu ral son m ight su cceed to h is father s honou rs ,

s aid the Earl o f H ereford h is face fl ushed wi th the

,

su ccess Of his appeal N icholas Abb é o f S t O uen had

, ,
.
,

been D u ke of N orm an dy for h e w a s the son o f D u ke

,

Robert s elder brothe r A s N i cholas w a s set asid e o n

’
.

accou n t of his birth s o shou ld Wi lliam be

,
Guy o f .

’
B u rgu nd y is the rightfu l hei r !
’
‘
N obles an d kn ights o f B retagn e ! c ried the brid e
groom less fiery than his N orman brother i h la w bu t
,
- -
,

speaking with a cal m i mpressive voice an d flinging ou t ,

each syllable as i f i t were a challenge i n itself ye ,

‘

who h ave so faithfully supported m e i n this land which ,

i s the lan d o f my bi rth bu t n ot o f you rs ! M en of

,

G u a d e r and M ontfort ! ye too have shed you r blood

l i ke water fo r the s ake o f this i ll born N orm an who had
-
,
’
God s own l aws against h i m an d what re w ard hath h e
,

given you ? Lan ds wasted by the ravages o f w a r ,

whi ch when y o u have tilled he hath taken away agai n

to bestow o n those who were higher i n his favou r !
Som e o f you r n u mber he hath put to death ! N a y
m ore ! Bretagn e stil l mou rn s her glorio us Cou n t
Conan whom he sle w wi th the co w ard s weapon
,
’
86 TH E B R ID E A L E -
.

an d his su n ken eyes gleam ing w i th a lustre that seemed

al m ost supern atu ral fro m ben eath his sn ow white bro w s -
.

Truly a d ign i fied figu re i n his splen d id vestments an d

, ,

a patheti c o n e also so w orn was h e b y su ffering so

, ,

trembling was the thi n right h and i n w hich he held ou t

the c ross .

Earls baron s an d knights ! cri ed the Old m an i n

‘ ’

, ,

his eloquen t preacher s voi ce th e Earl o f H ereford

’

,
‘
,

whos e health ye have j ust pledged has told m e grievous ,

n ews Kn ow all presen t that he i s an excom m un icated

.
, ,

m an
M any a cheek that h ad hith erto been fl ushed with
excite m en t blan ch ed at th at awful word a n d a s ilenc e
that m ight h ave bee n felt su cceeded the passion ate
u proar M en cast qu estion i ng glan ces at thei r n eigh
.

bours won dering each i f the other wou ld have strength

,

o f m i n d either to retract o r fu l fil his pledges to a

m an un d er the anathem a o f the Chu rch an d wh i ch ,

altern ative h e wou ld choos e .

Yes ! cried Fr i thr i c his voice rising clea r as a b el l

‘ ’
,

i nto the si len ce Th e N orma n Chu rch has cu rsed h i m

.

by the m ou th o f that tool o f Wi lliam th e Bastard that ‘

d espoi ler o f sain ts an d robber o f san ctuari es Lan fran c , ,

by the grace o f that sam e W i lliam th e B astard A rch ,

bishop o f Ca n terbury ! B ut th e En glish C hu rch blesses

h i m —the C hu rch o f S t D unstan S t Ead m u nd an d .
,
.
,

S t C u thb e rht —o f the bl ess ed m artyrs fEth e lr i c an d

‘

.
,

f Eth e lw i n e —whose holy m e mbers A rch b ishop S tigan d

, , ,

Bishop ZEth e lmae r an d A bbot Wu lfr i c n o w langu ish

, ,

i n the d un g eons o f the tyran t ! I n the n am e o f th e

 TH E ER TD E A L E
-
. 87

English C h u rch , I here pron ou n ce that cu rse i nval id ,

an d give my b ened i ction to the ma n w h o has pity o n

th e su fferi ngs o f a l uckless race who wi ll h elp to m ake
,

i ts oppressor bi te the d us t
H ere he ex tend ed h is thi n h an ds over Roger s ben t ’

h ead an d repeated th e ben ed iction

,
.

The other bishops a nd abbots presen t rati fied h is

action and th e ten sion o f th e crisis gave way before
,

a fresh bu rs t o f cheering loud er th an any previ ou s

, .

Th en Ralph d e G u a d e r tu rn ed to Wa lth e o f who ,

had sat very qu i etly through al l the tu m u lt bu t had ,

sho w n d u ring A bbot Fr i thr i c s speech evid en ce o f risin g

’

e motion .

‘
V alian t h ero ! h e said hast thou n o wron gs to
’

,
‘

complai n o f at th e h an d s o f th e m an w h o h as conquered
thy cou n try an d robbed i ts pri n ces a n d n obles o f thei r
,

bi rthrights ? w h o ha s m u rde red o r d riven i n to exi l e the

lawfu l hei rs o f i ts b road acres ? H ast thou n o reven ge
to take o n h i m who harried thy patri m ony an d m ad e ,

i t a barren waste where even th e wi ld b easts starve ?

,

A r t thou appeased becaus e h e gave thee back thy

’ ’
father s land s i n s uch sorry plight ?
Wa lth e o f ros e to h is feet li ke a gian t n ewly awakened ,

m agn ifi cen t i n his slowly arou sed wrath his sinewy ,

chest expan d ed the m uscles i n h is spl end id n eck

,

knotte d l i ke wh ipcord an d h is b lu e eyes spark lin g with

,

anger so that he looked as i f he were veri ly that Thor

, ,

God o f B attles wh o m his D an ish forefathers worshipped

, ,

com e down to earth H e tossed h is m antle back fro m

.

h is bra w n y arms an d his hand s worked i nvoluntarily

, ,
 8 TH E B R ID E A L E -
.

till th e l eft s ough t th e h i lt o f the j ewelled hu n ting kn ife -

i n his baldric an d the right was exten ded to w ard s th e

,

s ky H is long golden m ou stach e bristled til l i t stood

.

al most straightly from either chee k an d he shook h is ,

yel low m an e li ke a l ion .

B y S t J oh n o f B everl ey n o
. h e cri ed ,
Th e blood .

o f starved wom en an d ch i ld ren cri es for j usti ce ! The

spi rits o f m en whos e fl esh w a s eaten b y thei r fel lows after ,

every hors e an d d o g an d cat h ad been devou red cal l for ,

vengean ce o n th e h arrier o f N orth u mberlan d ! S laves

rattl e thei r chain s who through hi m sold thei r freedo m
for food ! Th e s ated cro w s and raven s alon e croak
hi s praises fro m fu l l m aws for they grew fat o n the ,

u nbu ried corses Of those whose dwellings h e had bu rn ed

an d whos e hom esteads h e had lai d waste ! I t would b e
a si n to hol d myself u n der bon d to th e tyran t
Th e S axo n th egn s received th is speech with wi ld
acclai m .

Ay cri ed on e fro m H ampshire and as i n the

‘ ’ ‘
, ,

n orth s o i n th e south ! O th er kings h ave hu n ted wi ld

beasts that thei r subj ects might n ot be torn with the m .

This s cou rge o f G o d mai m s an d slaughters h is s ubj ects

that the wi ld beasts m ay l ive for his h u nting ! M ay
h is N e w Forest p rove a ba n e to h i m an d h is chi ldren
N obl e Wa lth e o f cried Ralph
’
‘
,
the ti m e i s com e
,
‘

to avenge o u r wrongs Wi l liam is beyon d the sea with

.

th e flo w er o f hi s ch ivalry an d hard b eset by rebel lion s

,

and feuds i n the boso m o f h is fa mi ly for such a tyran t ,

i s h e that his o w n kin sfol k hate h i m I t i s l ittl e li kely

that h e wi l l co m e bac k b u t i f h e does i t wi l l be at a
, ,
 TH E B RID E A L E -
. 89

d isadvantage J oi n us thou wh ose s talwart arm stru ck

.
,

o ne N orm an head afte r another fro m its sh ou ld ers

at the gates o f York — thou w ho fir e d s t the wood
whe rei n o n e hu nd red N orm ans sheltered an d slew ,

the m as they ven tu red forth li ke rats fro m a bu rn in g

’
house ! J oi n thy twelve m en s stren gth to ou rs !
We th ree earls m ight be agai n as S i ward Leofric an d , ,

God w in A s i f the N orm a n h ad n ot con quered

.
,

’
God w i n s son wou l d have held th e throne s o sh al l ,

’
S i w ard s son b e k ing w hen we i n tu rn have lai d th e
N orm an low !
’

‘
Wa lthe o f C y n i ng ! Waes h ael ! Waes hael ! cried ’

the th egns .

‘
C al l n ot th e Bastard a N orman ! shou ted th e Earl ’

o f H ereford Th e N orm ans d isown hi m

.

Then sai d Fr i th r i c fix in g h is shin in g m ou rnfu l eyes

, ,

upon the Earl of N orth u mberla nd ,

‘
Wa lthe o f son o f S iward l et thy word s b e u ph eld
, ,

by d eed s ! Thy h an d was o n the plough an d thou ,

d id s t tu rn i n the fu rrow an d m ake term s with the

spoiler o f thy land S ee to i t thou fa i le s t n ot thy
.
,

cou ntrym en agai n ! ’

T u rn in g to the Earl o f East A ngl ia h e con ti n u ed ,

‘
Thou also s on o f Ralph the S taller forget th e evi l
, ,

teach ing o f thy you ng days when thy heart was ,

’
wean ed fro m thy father s l an d G ive thy m anhood i n .

am en d for thy you th an d J es u pardon th ee ! J oin ,

han ds ye t wo an d tend er each a han d to thi s brave

, ,
-

N orman whos e sou l revolts a t th e cruelties o f t h e m an

,

who m his father served alas ! for evi l as wel l as good ! ,

96 TH E B RID E A L E -
.

S w ear a sole m n oath ye th ree n oble earls to be tru e

, ,

to each other an d to righ t this m uch wronged land !

,
-
’

A huge cheer of assen t bu rst fro m th e fol lowers of

th e three earls an d they j oined hand s an d s w ore a great
,

oath that they w oul d u n i t e to oust th e tyran t fro m

the thron e an d s eat thereon i n h is stead Wa lth e o f
,

Si w a r d s s o n .

A n d th ey settled i t that Wa lthe o f shou ld brin g his

m en fro m the north an d seek assistan ce from h is o ld
,

frien d Sweyn King o f D en mark to s trengthen hi s

, ,

hand s ; that H ereford should arm th e west an d Eas t ,

A n gli a the east an d s o en cl os e th e forces o f Wi lli am i n

,

a d ead ly trian gle o f hosti le steel .

1
SO en ded the fatal bri d e ale -
.

1
Se e App e ndi x , N o te A .
 C H A P T ER V I I .

D ELIL AH SH EA R S SAM SON .

ON the morn ing following th e b ride al e Wa lthe o f shou ld

-
,

h ave b een early asti r to th e en d that h e m ight be pre

,

sen t a t th e brid e chamber to wi tn ess the p resen tation

-

o f th e
’
morn ing gi ft fro m th e bridegroo m to the b rid e ,

accord in g to th e fash ion o f th e ti m es .

B ut alas ! th e recrean t h ero lay stretched upon h is

cushion s i n the obl ivion of slu m b er h is gigan ti c l i mbs
,

outspread i n th e m os t co mplete repose an d h is heavy ,

breath ing witn essi ng to th e d epth o f the potation s o f th e

n ight before .

By hi s couch watched J ud ith n iece to th e m an agai ns t

,

whom the Engl ish h ero h ad raged s o poten tly when th e ,

gen erou s wi n e had stolen away th e caution that was

won t to ward h is speech .

H er m agn i ficen t atti re o f th e p reviou s d ay was laid

aside an d she was d ressed i n a s i m ple travelling gown
,

o f grey C loth .

H er face wore a s trange expression of tri u mphan t

m al ice as she s tooped over th e Sleepin g gian t and when
, ,

ever he sti rred o r showed any sign s o f waking she passed ,

he r cool an d slend er fi ngers over his heated forehead ,

91
 2 D EL IL A H SH EA R S SA M S OZV .

an d stroked back the th ick gol den curls that cl ustered

o n his brow m es meris ing h i m to sleep agai n with her
,

gen tle tou ch es .

The d ay wore on an d the s un was high i n the heaven s

, ,

’
and J udith s sharp cold face grew more an d more ,

tri u m phan t .

A ti m e cam e at last however when even h er d eft , ,

fi n gers cou ld n o lon ge r bi n d the w ings of sleep an d the ,

earl Open ed h is bl u e eyes with a m ighty ya w n spri ngin g ,

i n to con sciousn ess with an u n easy sense o f havin g u nder

taken heavy responsibi lities Fo r Wa lth e o f l ik e m os t .
,

gi an ts was la z y an d though terribl e when ro used h ad a

, , ,

stro n g preference for qu i etn ess an d peace .

Therefore h e gave a great s igh when he re m e mbered

th e vows of the n ight before an d wished he were wel l ,

out Of his h azardous u n dertaking A mbition had s m al l .

hol d of his n ature an d h e h ad far rather be a n earl ,

i n peace than a m on arch who h ad to figh t for h is

,
-

thron e M oreover his rel igious senti m ents were strong

.
, ,

an d in cl ined to an asceti c renu nci ation J udith swept .

back th e cu rtai n from th e l atti ce and let a flood of ,

n oon d ay light i nto the hitherto carefu l ly d arken ed

cha mber .

Wa lth eo f s tarted .

‘
I t is n oon ! h e s aid Why d i ds t thou n ot wake
’
.
‘

m e ? By S t J ohn o f Beverley ! i t was m eet t hat I

.

shoul d h ave atten ded the presen tation o f th e m orning

’
gift .

J ud ith kn ew that her lord was d eeply m oved b y hi s ,

i nvocation o f the N orthu mbrian s ai n t whose n am e was ,

 D EL /L A H SH EA R S SA M S ON 93

con n ected with al l the wrongs th at he preferred to forget

when he was i n an am iable mood Y e t sh e answered .

cal m ly an d wi th scorn i n h e r voic e Wh o c a n wak e a

, ,
‘

d ru n ken m an ?
A n d the champion wh o had struck Off the head s o f
the N orm an warriors o n e afte r another with a single
, ,

b low of his terri b le s eax at the gates o f Yo rk was s o

, ,

i g n om in i ously u n der the ru le of his N orm an wi fe that ,

he s w allowed h is w rath an d m ad e n o rep ly .

J u dith m ad e has te to i mp rove her advan tage an d to ,

’
carry th e w a r i n to the e ne my s camp .

’
H o w I h ate these S axo n ex cesses ! she con tin ued ;
on ly befitti ng barb arian s loweri ng m en below th e l evel
,

o f the brutes who eat when they are hungry an d d ri n k

, ,

w hen they are thi rsty an d abstai n w h en want i s satis fi ed

,
.

Thou m adest n o t a fai r pi ctu re Wa lthe o f lying sprawled

, ,

o u t and ins ens ibl e i n thy tipsy s leep a p rey to any evi l ,

creature who h ad chan ced to com e thy way C y n i ng o f .

the S axon s i n deed ! Learn fi rs t to be ki ng o f th in e

,

o w n appetites

Wa lth e o f started an d h is brows k n itted ove r his s till

,

h eavy eyes .

H o w k newest thou that wi tch o f En dor ? h e

‘ ’
,

dem an ded .

N a y thou hast experien c e that the spi rits Of t h e ai r

,

are at my beck an d that m y power serves m e to gai n

,

k no w l edge o f al l th at con cern s my dearly beloved spouse -

,
’

retu rn ed J udith w ith a s n eer

, .

‘
S orceress ! I believe i n sooth thou art leagued wi th
, ,

the devi l qu oth Wa lth e o f fu riou sly an d his expression ,

94 D E L IL A H SH EA R S SA M S ON

was n o m etaphor H e was s upers titious by n atu re an d

.
,

h is sharp wi tted wi fe had d on e h er u tm ost to i mpress

-

hi m with the n otion that her i ntellectu al gi fts were r e

plen ished from s upern atu ral sources H en ce her powe r .

over hi m Bu t I tell thee thou hadst better n ever have

.
,

’
been born than m edd le i n th is concern of thy h usban d s .

Fo r this con cern i s the con cern n ot o f m y poor u n

worthy s elf bu t of my cou ntry o f my people ! A n d I
, ,

tel l thee foreign h arri dan I had l iefer s tran gl e thee w i th

, ,

m in e o w n han ds than b e frustrated

" ’
Ti s pity quoth J ud i th cal m ly si n ce the m atter
, ,
‘

is m arred already .
’

What m eanest thou vi per ? shouted Wa lth e o f

‘
,
’

ful ly arous ed an d springing to h is fee t an d advan cing ,

toward s J ud ith wi th a threaten ing ges tu re his m ighty ,

fist w hich cou ld have stru ck th e l i fe fro m h er frai l

,

body at a blow c lenched i nto an i ron ball an d the , ,

kn ots i n his m assive throat working with n ervou s

excitem en t .

B u t J ud ith faced h i m u n moved her prou d face fla s h ,

i ng w ith scorn Fo r t h e blood o f Robert the D evi l an d

.

A r lete of Falaise was h o t i n her vei ns and perhaps sh e ,

opi ned also th at even i n hi s wrath her heroi c lord was

, ,

to o gen erou s to h urt h er S he d id n ot qu ai l before hi m .

bu t stood looki ng at hi m wi t h her defi an t steadfas t ,

eyes .

S lay me i f thou wi lt she s aid withou t a falter i n h er ,

’

ton e Th at which i s d on e cann ot be u ndon e My

.
‘
.

d eath wi ll n ot h i nder the stou t m essenger th at sped

th rough th e n ight ere thou hadst reeled fro m th e ,
96 D EL J LA H S H EA R S SAIMS ON

kneel in g on o ne kn ee b esid e her prostrate warrior had ,

I been a m an Wa lth e o f I had n ot been h ere to s ave

, ,

thee and thy cou ntry an d thy people fro m th e co u se

, ,

q u e n c e s o f thy d run ken fol ly H oly Ma ry b e praise

. d
that made m e a wo ma n ! W a lthe o f what i s thy love for ,

thy peopl e i f thou w ou ldst plu n ge th em agai n i n b lood

,

an d fi re for th e vai n hope Of s atisfying an i mpossible

ambition ? Was not th e harryi ng o f N o rthu mberlan d
en ough that thou wou lds t h ave th e whol e coun try
,

’
ravaged fro m n orth to sou th ?
N O m an o f m a ny word s was th e h ero o f York an d h is ,

on ly reply to thi s eloqu en t appeal was to m u t ter an

occasion al cu rs e i n h i s beard n or di d h e rais e his face
,

fro m the pi llows am on g which h e had plu nged i t .

’
‘
I tel l thee J u d ith wen t on Wi l li am wou ld harry
, ,
‘

th e lan d fro m York to H astings as h e h arri ed i t fro m ,

D u rh am to York rather th an lose i t from h is grip A n d

, .

thi n kest thou th at he who m H arol d Go d w i n s s o n cou ld

n ot bau l k nor d rive fro m the land ere on e N orman
cas t l e o r s tronghold was bui lt i n it though h e had th e ,
’

full force of the S axon chivalry at h is b ac k cou ld b e s o ,

easi ly ou sted fro m the sadd l e in to wh ich h e has cli mbed ,

n ow the mos t part o f the n ation are dead or ruin ed ,

an d torn by d issens ions an d rivalry ? Thin kest thou I

wou ld n ot gl ad ly be a qu een i f there were any hope
of s u ch an ending to thi n e exploi t ? Bu t s eei ng i t
no t ,
I have chosen rather to endeavour to s ave thy
’
l i fe .

‘
S ave my li fe ? Thou hast rather l ost i t ! S ay s t ’

’
thou not that thou hast betrayed m e to Lan franc ?
 D EL ILA H SH EA R S SA M S ON 97

H e raised his head at las t an d looked her i n the ,

fac e .

N a y Wa lth e o f ! answered J u di th softly l ayi ng her

‘ ’

, ,

slender han d upon his h uge sh ou ld er The foreign .

‘

harrid an loves her h us ban d ! I wou ld save thee n o t ,

d estroy the e The l ette r was co uched i n thy n am e an d

.

seal ed with thy s eal an d s o wri t as thou gh thou hadst,

bu t s ee m ed to j oin th e p lot the better to d i s co mfit th e

’ ’
k ing s ene m ies .

‘
Thou fi en d i n fern al ! c ri ed W a lthe o f startin g u p ’

again i n an agony H as t thou s o d ared to su lly my

.
‘

good n ame — to pai n t m e so b lac k a traitor ? ’

‘
S oftly my husban d ! Th e v o w th at is fi rs t m ad e
,

coun ts m ost bind ing I wou l d save thy n a m e fro m the.

fou l stai n o f treachery to thy gen erous l i ege lord -

,

Wi lliam o f N ormandy to who m thou d ids t hom age i n ,

pers on on the bank s of the Tees com in g o f thi n e o w n ,

free w i ll to tender i t a n d acceptin g his forgiveness h is

, ,

frien dship an d the han d o f h is ki n swo man Yes th e

,
— .

h an d o f thy poor wife J u dith who wou l d fai n lead thee ,

back to thy n obl er s el f .

’

The logic o f this speech bore heavi ly o n Wa lthe o f ,

w h o threw h i msel f d own agai n upon the cou ch with a

cu rs e a n d a moan .

‘
Wou l d th at th e su n h ad n ever ris en on the d ay I
fi rs t s a w ligh t h e m uttered .

J ud ith stretch ed o u t he r han d an d raised the golden

cru cifi x which was suspended by a chai n fro m her
husban d s neck s o that i t was o n a l evel wi th h is
’

eyes .
98 D ELTL A H SH EA R S SA M S ON

Though we be of two nation s Wa lthe o f sh e said

‘
, ,
’

gen tly we are s ervan ts o f o n e Lord Th e abbot who

,
‘
.

bade thee plu nge thy cou n try afresh i n b lood an d fi re is

n o tru e pries t o f God A n d for my cou n trym an Roger
.
,

Of H ereford thinkest thou Lan franc excom m u n icated

,

hi m for n ough t P — Lan fran c who l oved hi m as a son , .

Wou lds t thou associ ate with o n e accursed ? What m otive

c a n h e have i n this s ave the s laki ng o f h is over ween in g -

prid e ? As fo r the B reton o r the Engl ish m an o r what , ,

s oever he be c al led Ralph o f Gu a de r h e who fought

, ,

again st h is peopl e alt H astings can h ave littl e sp u r s ave

h is o w n a m b ition Wi lt thou b e th e tool o f su ch as
.

thes e ? I tel l thee Wa lth e o f i f thou b y ti m ely retu rn

, ,

to thy sober s ens es d ost frustrate th e plotti ngs o f these

me n thy m em ory wi ll b e green i n the pages o f the

,

ch ron i clers but i f thou dos t strength en the m i n thei r fol ly

, ,

th e ages wi l l curs e thee Withou t thee they are power .

less It i s thy n am e th ey conj u re wi th son o f S iward

.
, .

What S axon wou ld fi ght fo r Roger o f H ereford th e son ,

o f thei r mighti est foe or for th e ren egad e half bred

, ,
-

Ral ph d e Gua d e r ? Go n o w to Lan fran c th row thy ,

sel f a t h is feet an d al l bloodshed wi l l be stopped

, .
’

A n d Wa lthe o f groan ed a n d kissed th e cruci fi x as she,

h el d i t to h i s l ips fo r h e was d eeply reli giou s after th e

,

w il d m an n er o f h is ti m es ; hu mble i n h is faith an d li ttl e ,

dream in g that the Saxon C hu rch h e loved so wel l

woul d o n e day acco unt h i m a m artyr an d accord th e ,

power o f m iracle worki n g to the tomb i n which his

-

head les s corse would repose th e trysting place o f cou nt ,

-

l ess pilgr i ms ,
 C H A P T ER V I I I .

K N IG H T ER R A N T A N D M ER C EN AR Y
-
.

SIR A IMAN D DE after he had bee n fo r

SO U R D EV AL ,
bidd en by Ea dg y th of N orwi ch to wear h er colou rs
open ly i n his hel m at th e tou rn ey had cast abou t i n ,

h is m i n d for so m e m eans o f s o bearin g them that sh e

shou ld be aware th at he did so an d sh e alon e ,
.

A ccord ingly h e h ad a n ew d evice blazon ed o n h is

,

shield —a star shining from a band o f blu e sky betwee n

,

’
two barriers o f sabl e cloud with the m otto L esp er a n ce
, ,
‘ ’

w t d a n s le Oleu bl u e bein g th e colou r m ost affecte d

’
’
,

by Ea dg yth and to be worn by her h e kn ew at the

, , ,

bri de ale
-
.

This shiel d he bore with bril lian t fortun e i n the j oust ,

an d plied hi s lan ce so wel l that the highes t prize was

’
award ed to hi m a lady s bracel et gl ea m ing with m any
,

gems wh ich Em m a Fi tz o s b e rn han d ed to h i m with a

,

bright s mi le ; while Ea dg y th w h o stood behin d h er , ,

thrilled with pl easure an d pride that th e kn ig ht w h o had

placed his valou r at her d isposal had s o worthily acquitted
h imself though i t was bu t a pain fu l pleas u re si n ce she
, ,

d eem ed that an i mpassabl e gu lf d ivided them an d she ,

grieved to see how withou t weari ng any token openly

, ,
1 00
 K N IGH T ER RA N T A N D M ER CEN A R Y
-
. 10 1

S i r A i m an d sti l l contri ved to ca rry her col ou rs The .

ingen u ity of the hom age tou ched Ea dg y th to the qu ick ,

fo r sh e was n o coqu ette an d h ad n o wish tha t a gall an t ,

you th shou ld waste his breath i n vai n s ighs for her

favo ur .

S o when Em m a wi t h a graciou s co mpl i m en t cro w n ed

,

S i r Ai m and with l au rel an d h an ded hi m the pri z e h e ,

had won away fro m th e many d exterou s lan ces an d

s trong arm s which had con tend ed for i t Ea dg y th s eyes ,
’

were fu l l o f ru th an d S i r A i mand seeing the m grew

, , ,

s udden ly glad at heart .

N a y n obl e Em ma h e said decl ini ng to tak e the

‘ ’

, , ,

’
bracelet fro m her h and Though my lady s eyes are as.

bright as the j ewels that stud this gold en ci rclet they ,

l ook n o t u pon m e wi th favou r n either m ay I w ea r her ,

token i n m in e helm nor pl ace my trophi es at her feet ,

.

B estow the prize therefore upon o n e o f thy fai r d am sel s

, ,

whose s mall wrist perad ventu re i t m ay be o f s i z e to

, ,

’
su i t.

S o sa ying h e d escen ded i n to the l ists again m oun ted

m
, ,

h is steed a n d rod e away a id the cheers of the spectators

, .

Emm a tu rned to the m aiden besid e he r and bad e he r ,

h ol d o u t her wrist .

’
I be lieve sh rewd ly th e bracelet wi l l fi t thee she said ,

an d Ea dg y th bl ushi ng was obliged to obey a nd saw the

, , ,

j ewel led ci rclet bla z ing rou n d her arm w i th strangely

m i ngl ed feel ings o f tri u mph an d sorro w .

O n the d ay o f the brid e ale i t fel l to the lot O f S i r -

,

A i mand as th e younges t kn ight i n Ralph d e G u a d e r s

’

following to keep ward over the sen tries o f the ca mp

, ,
1 02 K N IGH T ER RA N T A N D M ER CEN A R Y
-
.

a nd n ecessarily therefore to b e absen t from the b an qu et

, ,
.

SO whi le his chief was pledging his guests with pledges

,

of d i re i mport an d me n were feasting an d revellin g an d

,

’
vowi ng m ad vows to help each other s treason an d follow ,

the th ree great ea rls i n thei r wi l d en terprise th e u n ,

con scious Kn igh t o f S ourd eval was riding th rough th e

starl it n ight fro m outpost to ou tpost passing the watch ,

word hi ms el f had chosen fo r the n ight .

Co r ag e e Oo mz e cam cz e n ce h e said as h e proved each

’ '
’

, ,

post .

Fa z t to u t lzo mme f o r t e fier an swered each sen try

’
‘ ’ ’
.
,

Fo r S i r A i man d i t m u st be ad m itted was of a

, ,

rom an tic cast o f m i nd an d th rew h i ms elf heart an d s ou l

,

i n to the fan tastic i mages o f chival ry whi ch were then

bei ng evolved by the brightest spirits o f the age an d ,

n ever lost a n opportun ity of en forcin g a good max im i f ,

i t were on ly i n so s m all a m atter as a watchword .

H i s you ng h ead was as fu l l o f s chem es for th e re

form ation and i m prove men t o f th e world as that o f any
m od ern S ocialist and havin g late ly m et a pal mer who
,

had retu rn ed from a visit to the H oly S epu lchre he h ad ,

falle n a d ream ing o n h i s chan ces o f eve r being able to

-

travel thither h i msel f a proj ect whi ch h ad hau n ted hi m

,

fo r a l ong ti me w i th m ore or less persisten ce an d which ,

had started i n to prom i nence agai n i n his m in d sin ce

Ea dg yth had given so d iscou ragin g an an s w e r to hi s
s uit .

B eing profou nd ly religious he h ad been in cli ned to ,

believe that her an swer was gu ided by H eaven to l ead

hi m back to the l ess worldly schem e which had so fi lled
1 04 K N IGH T ER RA N T A N D AIER CEN A R Y
-
.

A li lye ma id w i th ch e ek es pa l e
a ll ,

An d ga r me n ts w hy te , a n d sn o wy v e il ,

Sh e e b i tte rly did w e e pe a n d w a il .

O
’
a ea r Mam/e

Si r Bor s b e h e ld , a n d s tra igh t h ys b r e s t

Fo r pi tye ga i n s t hi s h aub e rk e pr e st
’
.

0 sw eet M am/e I

q uod
I lov e th e e so e
‘ ’ ‘
La dye , he e , ,

T h t I to e D e th w old g l dlye g o e
a a ,

If I migh t e se thy cru e l w o e !

a
’

O dea r [Va ry/e

Sh e e rd robb e r s hold
‘ ’
a n sw e e , In a

L i es Ch a i n e d a co mlye k n igh t a n d b old .

’

0 s w eet M a ry e
‘
M i ne h e r te of dysmal dre d
i s fulle
L e s t h e e b e foully do n e to d e dd e ,

Fo r I h a v e pro mi se d hi m to w e dd e
O dea r M a ry e

Th en gre w Si r Bors a s whi te a s She e ,

An d n e v e r a n sw e r a n sw e r e d h e e .

A ru e l s tou nd didd e pi e rce h i s b r e st

c ,

Ye t s oo thly l id h e e l a n ce i n r e s t
a ,

An d p a r te d i nsta n t o n hi s q u e s t .

0 clea r M a ry e !

V .

An d w hilo m fou n d th e robb e r s hold ,

’

An d fr e e d th e c o mlye k n igh t a n d b old .

0 s w eet M a ry e
An d s e tte him ongood s te e d
hi s o wn

( Though i n w a rdly h i s w ou d s did b l e e d ) n ,

An d s trip t h i s ha ub e k e for h i s n e e d
r ,

T h a t h e migh t b e i n k n igh t li k e w ee d
'

- .

0 clea r M a ry e ’
.
 A N IGH T ER RA N T A N D M ER CEN A R Y
’
105
-
.

V I.

And ra n b e fore h i m i n th e m ire ,

T h at he e m igh t fitlye have a s quir e .

0 s w eet fil my/e I
The n w he n the y rea cht the lilye ma id ,
‘
B ehold thy co mlye k igh t he sa id n ,

A d s a w he r ch a u nge fro m w hi te to r e dd e
n ,

Th e n smili g a t h e r fe e t fe ll d e dd e
, n , .

0 dea r M a rj /e

A s S i r A i man d h u m med hi s son g a secret j oy cam e ,

to h is heart for he felt that althou gh his pligh t was sad

, ,

’
being d istastefu l to his lady for his coun try s sake a t ,

least n o c o mly e kn igh t a nd b old o f an y other n ation

‘
,

S axon or B reton had forestalled h i m i n h er regard ; o f

,

that h e fel t doubly assu red fo r i n the fi rs t pl ace i f i t

, , ,

had been so he fel t convin ced that Ea dg yth would have

,

frankly avowed i t whe n h e begged h er perm issio n to

,

show hi msel f at the tou rn ey as h er kn ight an d second ly ,

the expression h e had s u rprised o n h er face when h e

had refused to take the priz e b racelet .

S udd en ly these d rea m s were i n terrupted .

Th e s old ier ban ished th e love r .

S ir A i man d ch eck ed h is ho rs e and sti ffen ed i nto ,

rigidi ty l i ke a poin ter s centing gam e

, .

Trot ! trot ! trot ! The beat o f a h orse s tread leav ’

i ng the cam p at a rapid pace sou nd ed th rough the

dark n ess .

S i r A i m an d struck spu rs in to h is own gal lan t d estri er ,

and dashed forward in the d irection he j udged the h orse

m an was takin g end eavou ring to i ntercept hi m by c utting
,

O ff an angl e .

Th e trot changed in to a gallop and though the ,

1 06 K N IGH T ER RA N T A N D fl/ E R CEN A R Y
-
.

N orman knigh t even caught sight of a dark figu re

h u rrying through th e gloom he soon fou n d that hi s
,

s teed was n o m atch for t h e on e h e was pu rsu ing ; b u t

’
J udith s m essenger had a n arrow escape .

Retu rn ing to the camp D e S ou rdeval qu es tion ed th e

,

sentries but fi n ding that the hors em an h ad issued fro m

,

th e qu arter occupied by the N orthu mbrian s in the retin ue

o f Earl Wa lth e o f over w h i ch he had n o j urisd i ction he
, ,

was forced u nwi lli ngly to let th e m atter rest .

M eanwhi le th e camp h ad grown quiet The sound s .

o f revel ry an d th e m ighty chorus which fro m ti m e to

ti m e had bu rst from the palace — S i r A i man d l ittle

guessed thei r d i re i mport h ad ceased an d th e si len ce
-
,

was on ly broke n by th e occasion al n eigh o f a horse o r ,

wh in ny from som e o f th e m u les belon ging to the

’
ecclesiastical gu ests or th e clash Of a senti n el s spear
,

agains t h is shiel d an d j ingl e o f h is harn ess as he pac ed

his post o r perhaps som e wan dering owl hootin g at the
,

d is tu rbers o f his accustom ed hu n ting grou n ds

-
.

Th e east grew red w ith da w n an d S i r A i m an d was

,

relieved from his watch by the kn ight n ext o n d uty an d ,

wen t to w ards h is o w n pavilion to rest A s he passed

.

th e quarters o f the B reton kn ights in the Eas t A ngli a n

earl s fol lo w in g b e was hailed by a group w h o were sti l l
’

lin gering at th e entra nce o f o n e of the pavi lion s a n d ,

tal king together rathe r n oisily of th e events o f th e

even ing So m e fe w o f the B reton s were vassals to
.

Ralph d e G u a d e r hold ing land s u nd er h i m on h is estates

,

o f G u a d e r an d M ontfort b u t the greater n u mber were

,

adventu rers whom the earl h ad gath ered rou nd hi m ,

1 08 K N IGH T ER R A N T A N D M ER CEN A R Y
-
.

d elight h e ad ded with a coars e l augh a n d half forced

, ,

th e N orm an to en ter the ten t with hi m when pou rin g , ,

o u t a goblet o f Gas con he chal l enged S i r A i m an d to ,

pledge th e en terpris e .

N a y ! Fi rst I m us t kn ow wh at i t is
’
‘
s aid th e ,

N orman .

‘
To u nseat that upstart an d u su rper Wi lli a m th e ,

B astard fro m hi s i l l gotten seat on the th ron e of

,
-

Englan d an d to pu t a better m an i n his place an swered

’

, ,

S i r A lai n i n a hectori ng ton e ; an d to wi n fo r ou rselves

su ch good shares o f the lan ds as is d u e to o u r val orou s
’
lances .

S i r A i m an d started back loo kin g fi xed ly at th e ,

Breton an d h i s han d i n stin ctively s ought hi s sword

,

hi lt bu t i n a m om ent h e regai ned hi s com posu re .

‘
M ethi n ks the earl s som ewhat pon derou s S axon ’

hospitality h as tu rned thy ho t b rain s a bi t S i r A lai n , ,

’

h e sai d con t e mptuou sly N ei t her t hou n or I are l i kely .

’
to d ri n k that pled ge !
S i r A lai n s m iled at hi m wi th an evi l s m i le bu t h e ,

kept hi s temper S t N i cholas ! B ut every man h ere

.
‘
.

has d ru n k i t thi s even i n g an d every m an wh o sat at ,

Ralph d e G u a de r s m arriage board ; an d sooth to say

’

, ,

i f thou had st bee n p resen t to hear the l i st o f that sa m e

Wi lli am s c ri mes that w ere brough t u p again st h i m
’
,

m ethin ks s o Vi rtuous a kn ight as t hysel f had d run k i t

t o o wi th a ri der to v o w that such verm i n were best
,

’
exterm i n ated fro m the earth .

‘
I t i s t ru e D e S ou rdeval ! A ll d ran k th e pledge
, ,

’
N orm an s B retons an d S axon s C horused the kn ights
, , ,
 K N IGH T ER R A N T A N D M ER CEN A R Y
-
. 1 09

arou n d . We are u nde r oath to pu l l Wi llia m from the

th ron e an d set up W a lth e o f i n h i s stead .
’

‘
I t can n ot b e ! c ri ed S i r A i m and overwhel med
’
,
It .
‘

i s treachery ! The earl can n ot b e gu i lty of s u ch

basen ess
A n d who a rt thou to stigm atise as b asen ess wh at s o
m any m en as good as thee hol d fi t an d good ? chorused ’

the B reton s .

’
B y th e rood ye a re scarcely fai r to the lad sai d o n e ,

so mewhat m ore sober than his co m panion s Th e co m .

mu n i ca t i o n is sudd en to say the least N either d i d h e

,
.

he a r th e eloque n t catalogue o f Wi l li a m s fau lts whi ch ’

’
wrough t o ur blood to the bo i ling poi n t .

’
‘
N o r wou ld I have l isten ed to a word o f i t ! cri ed
S i r A i man d fi e rcely I would h ave th rown down my
.
‘

gauntlet had i t been the earl hi m self who trad u ced his
l iege l ord an d king ! A n d what were ye for lea l kn ights ,

’
fai r s irs that ye gave ea r to su ch treason ?
,

‘
Look ye m y galliard sai d A l ai n d e Gou ri n co n
, ,
’

t e mp t uo u s ly I s hould advi s e yo u to d ro p that h ero o f

‘
,

rom au n t strai n for i t is a l ittl e o u t o f fash ion here an d

,

n ow By m y halid o m thou wi lt scarce fi n d a foot page

.
,
-

i n the whol e cam p that wi ll support th ee ! Th e fel l

’
monger s gran dson h as carried h i s tyran n ies a l ittl e too
far even fo r the pati en t stomachs o f h is se rvi le N orm an s
at las t ; an d as for u s B reton s we h ave l on g b id ed o u r
,

ti m e to pay hi m o u t for thos e d ish es o f I tal ian soup to

whi ch he treated Cou nts A lai n an d C on an .
’

‘
I wil l n ever drop th e strain whi lst I h ave breath i n
my b ody ! s aid S i r A i man d stoutly
’
P e rhaps w he n.
‘
,
 1 10 K N IGH T ERR A N T A N D M ER CEN A R Y
-
.

the m orn in g com es i t wi ll b e you who wi l l p ipe to a

,

d i fferen t tu n e fai r sir s Let m e pass gen tlem en ; I

,
.
,
"

’
would g o to my pavil ion .

N o t so fast ! an swered S i r A lain i n terpos ing hi s

‘ ’

bu l ky person b et w i xt D e S ou rd eva l an d th e door of the

ten t .N o t u nti l thou has t d run k the pledge ! I t would
be scarce politi c to l et loos e so puissan t a kn ight wh i l e
’
h e d eclares hi mself hosti l e to o u r en terpris e .

S i r A l ai n an d th e m ost part o f the Breton s were i n

thei r b anqueti ng robes a rm ed on ly wi th sword s an d ,

daggers but a half dozen at l east had prepared fo r

,
-
, ,

d uty an d were i n fu l l h arn ess an d these closed rou n d

, ,

thei r lead e r an d b arred S i r A i ma n d s retreat

,
’
.

’
S i rs said D e S ou rdeval ye are si x to on e withou t
, , ,

cou n ting u narm ed m en I f y o u stan d n o t at treason to .

you r k in g lord ye wi ll scarce b e particu lar i n givi ng fai r

-
,

pl ay to o n e who is tru e to h i m B ut I tel l y o u that y e .

shal l n o t force me i n to co m plici ty with you r traitorous

plan s i f ye hack every li mb fro m my b ody A n d I wil l .

sel l my life d early si nce every blow I stri ke wi ll b e fo r

,

’
my l iege as wel l as for myself .

Thou youn g foo l ! retu rn ed D e Gou ri n we have

‘
’

,
‘

n o wish to hu rt a hai r o f thy head Thou n eedest n o t .

d rin k th e pled ge i f i t i rks thee bu t for ou r o w n sakes ,

we m u st shut thy m outh i n on e way o r other Resist .

an ce to su ch od ds i s m ad n ess Yield thysel f a pr i son er .

,

an d the worst that wi l l b efal l thee i s a l i m ited sph ere o f

action ti ll s uch ti m e as we ca n hon ou rably exchange
thee agai nst any o f o u r m em b ers w ho may get i n to .

’
Wi l liam ’
'
s cl utches .
1 12 K N IGH T ERRA N T A N D M ER CEN A R Y
-
.

cu red for ever o f the toothach e o r any other ach e th at

flesh is hei r to .

H is com rad es with a s avage howl closed o n S i r

, ,

A i man d an d overwhel m ed by n u mbers he was born e

, , ,

d own an d l ay sensel ess and bleed in g besid e h i s slai n

,

foe .

’
M eanwhi le J u di th s m essen ger was speeding on h is
way to th e P ri ma t e wh i le t h e un fortu n ate k n ight wh o
,

h ad striven so hard to stop h i m was thu s foul ly e n

treated lest h e sh ould h i mself be th e bea rer o f som e
,

su ch m essage .
 C H A P T ER IX .

N OR WIC H .

AFTER the brid e al e th e sp len d i d com pany parted

-
,

m ain ly i n three great d ivi sions : Earl Wa lth e o f an d

his followi ng to the n orth ; Earl Roge r to th e west ;
Earl Ralph with hi s bride h is N orm an kn ights an d
, ,

Breton vassa ls an d m ercen ari es h i s A nglo S axo n

,
-

vassals an d sym pathisers to th e east ; a few mi n or

,

parti es of i ndepend en t baron s kn ights an d thegn s goi ng

, ,

thei r s everal ways .

The Earl o f N orfol k an d S u ffolk an d h is trai n rod e

forth along the o ld Rom an Ik e n i e ld S treet wh ich ran ,

then an un interrupted cou rse fro m within a few m i les o f

Exn ing to N orwi ch .

D e G ua d e r rode besid e hi s youn g countess o n a gen tl e

fia eg zeenee which paced qu ietly b esid e her pal frey an d
’

, ,

d id n ot break i n upon thei r con vers e by any p ran ks o f

his o w n h is squ i re l ead i ng the fi ery O liver an d a n
, ,

atten d an t fol lowing wi th a m ul e carryi n g h is arm ou r ,

l ance a n d spear
,
.

I t m ay wel l b e s upposed that the n obl e bride g roo m

spared n o pai n s to m ak e the ti m e pass pleasan tly fo r
h is you ng cou n tess which u n d er th e ci rcu mstan ces was
, , ,

H
1 14 N OR WICH .

n o d ifficu lt task for the m id — M ay weather was d el ight

,

ful an d whethe r th ey rod e over h eaths or through the

,

forests wh i ch th en spread over the greate r part o f

,

the cou n try they were su rrou n d ed with flow ers an d the
,

song o f bi rd s The yellow gors e was gorgeou s i n the

.

open fi lling th e a m wi th i ts al m on d s cen t an d the

, ,

wh i n chats fl utte red from bush to bush tryi ng to lu re

-
,

them away from the spot that hi d th ei r n ests O ver .

h ead the l arks carol led an d th e s parrow hawks pois e d -

m otion l ess wh ile rou n d an d about the m darted th e

,

busy swallows .

Where they passed a ho mestead fru it trees were gay ,

-

with blossom apple an d ch erry an d pear an d the

, ,

sweet b reathed kin e were stan d i n g i n the m eadows

-
,

kn ee d eep i n th e flo w e r j ewel led grasses fo r was it n ot

- -
,

TVi the m onth when cows are m i l ked thrice i n th e

d ay accordi ng to the quai n t Old A n glo S axon calenda r ?
,
-

N o w an d agai n they m et a shepherd with a fl oc k o f

e w es and l ambs o r m ore often the i n evitabl e S axon
, , ,

swi neherd with hi s grunti ng pigs .

Bu t alas ! th ey passed m ore often th e bl acken ed

rui n s where a h om estead h ad on ce been for th e c urse o f ,

wa r had desolated the l an d O ver the thatchless rafters .

h ung th e wh ite bran ches of the flowering M ay the more ,

l i ke s now b ecaus e n o girl ish fingers h ad stripped the m

,

to d ec k M aypoles .

They j ou rn eyed also th rou gh m any a m i le o f forest l and ,

where the great trees i nterlaced thei r bough s i n t o th e

beau ti fu l arch es wh ich the Gothi c a rchitect i m ita t ed so
wel l i n ston e an d the wi ld bi rd s thronged i n u n d is turbed
,
1 16 N OR WICH

al l the prid e an d pan oply of gloriou s war ! They mad e

a good ly sight as they moved along the su n shi n e ,

flash ing o n th ei r m ai l h auberks an d high peaked s teel -

sadd les an d the w in d flutteri ng the gonfalon s o n thei r

,

l an ces thei r well appoin ted hors es s n ortin g and cu rvet

,
-

tin g a stron g body o f m en a t arm s bowm en an d

,
- -
, ,

s li ngers fol lo w in g afoot .

D oubtless m any a S axon serf an d bord ar cursed them

as they passed n ot knowi ng th at th e powerful earl who
,

led the m had avowed h i mself champ ion o f the S axon

caus e and m ean t on ce m ore to rai se the stan dard o f
,

revol t .

D oubtless m an y a stout forester peered at them

fro m beh in d the sh elter o f green l eaves an d raged
.
,

with i mpoten t an ger at thei r strength .

P erhaps others greeted them wi th courtesy an d proffers

of friendshi p a n d Offeri ngs o f ga me for th e outlaw s c o n
,

t r i v e d to be w on derful ly wel l i nformed o f the m arch of

even ts an d D e G u a d e r was keen ly al ive to the de s i ra

,

b i li ty of m aking al l possible all ies am ongst the scattered

En glish a n d d id n o t n eglect the brave spiri ts who had
,

taken to the wi lds rather than s ub mit an d w ho wi elded ,

s o s t rong a weapon i n poss essin g the l ove o f th e co m mon

people .

H owever that m ight h ave been they j ou rn eyed safely

,

th rough wood an d wold g oing slowly to su it th e co m fort

,

o f th e l adi es an d the c apacity o f the su mpter m u les an d

, ,

revel li ng i n the brigh t spring weathe r .

A mongst the kn ights who pressed rou n d the m

Ea d g y th looked i n vai n for th e figu re o f S i r A i m an d
 N OR WICH . 1 17

d e S ou rd eval Em m a happy wi th her brid egroom took

.
, ,

n o notice of his absen ce ti ll on the s econ d d ay o f thei r

, ,

j ou rn ey the earl h avi n g left h e r s id e to give som e

,

necessary ord ers to h is train sh e saw that Ea dg y th was ,

sad an d s i len t an d re m em b ered th at the hero o f the

,

tou rney h ad n o t appeared i n th e ran ks o f thei r escort .

S he su rmi sed th at i t was l ikely h e had pu rposely avoided

co mpan ionsh ip w h ich cou ld on ly lead to pain an d had ,

contrived to fu l fi l so m e other d uty ; so when the earl ,

rod e up to her side again sh e pu t som e l ight qu estion ,

to h i m regard ing th e kn ight an d was s u rprised to see ,

his face gro w d ark a s thu n d er H e an swered bri efly .

,

however that S i r A i man d was d etained o n busi n ess o f

,

w eight an d Em ma rather perplexed d i d n o t ventu re

, , ,

to qu estion hi m further A t the m o ment the j ester

.

G r i llo n n e a mbled u p m oun ted on a piebald n ag with a

,

ch u ckle head an d goose ru mp an d c u t capers which

- -
,

m ad e both ear ! and cou n tess laugh so that the poor ,

Knigh t o f Sou rd eva l was banished fro m Em m a s ’

t houghts .

O n th e even in g of th e fou rth d ay they cam e i n sigh t

o f the chu rch es a n d trees o f N orwich with the n ewly ,

bu i lt C astl e B la u n che flo u r rising i n s tately s tren gth

above the m ( for n o c athed ra l spi re dwarfed i t then ) the ,

bri lliant beams o f the setting su n gi ld in g its sn owy

to w ers an d l ighting the squ are m ass o f the lofty keep
, ,

which sti ll after eight h und red years o f war and weathe r
, ,

1
stan d s fi rm an d sol id on i ts th ron e above the ci ty .

Em m a exc lai m ed i n d elight when she fi rst ca m e i n

1
Se e App e n di x , N o te B .
1 18 N OR WICH .

sight o f this good ly castl e which brought ho m e to her ,

pl easan tly th e power an d weal th o f her n obl e hu s b and .

A garrison o f five hu nd red m igh t hol d i t for ever !

‘ ’

cried Ralph en thus iastically i f on ly m an n a woul d fal l ,

‘

from th e Skies to feed them o r that they m ight be fed ,

by a S an Graal That re m i nd s m e sweet thou wi lt li k e

.
, ,

to hear my m in s t rel tel l th e story o f B la u n ch e flo u r ,

w h o w a s the betro thed o f P ercival e the searcher for ,

the Graal Th e fai r wh i te wal ls faced w i t h good ly

.
,

Caen s ton e seem ed to m e i n thei r i nvi ncibl e d ignity

,

to resem b le a pu re m ai d en s o I n am ed the m after ,

’
h er .

N or w ich i n those d ays was su rrou nd ed b y broad an d

d eep stream s at l east five ti m es as wi d e as i ts presen t
,

m od est rivers and the ch ro n i cl ers o f Ed w ard the C o n

,

fe s s o r s d ay record that the fis h e r fol k su ffered terri bly

’
-

thro ugh th e reced ing o f the waters A s andban k so m e .

d istan ce ou t at sea was j ust em erging where Yarm ou th

n ow stan ds an d sea goi n g vessels cou ld m ake thei r way
,
-

past th e walls o f B la u n ch e flo u r .

The l eve l o f the water was m an y feet above i ts

p resen t mark an d the c astle was s u rrou n d ed an d
, ,

ren dered very stron g by deep d itches of early Bri tish ,

constru ction o n a s i mi lar schem e to thos e traced at

,

Rising C a s tle a cre an d m any other places where N orman

, , ,

architects h ad availed the mselves Of th e earthworks

con structed by earlier peopl es The castl e was su r .

rou n ded by th e ci rcu lar m oat w h i ch sti l l ex ists whi le a ,

l arge horseshoe fosse exten d ed to the sou th coveri ng ,

th e great gate o f the c astle whi ch was at the foot o f ,

1 20 N OR WICH

over d ice playi ng n o t to speak o f graver m iscon d uct i n

-
, ,

w hi ch you are sai d to waste the w hol e d ay an d bad e

hi m study theology an d th e d ecrees of the Roma n
‘

P on tiffs an d to give especi al atten tion to th e sacred

,

A lso to d is m i ss certai n m on k s o f evi l repu ta

’
can ons .
‘

A t al l even ts h e d oes n o t appear to have been

’
tion .
,

an active oppon ent to th e Eas t A n glian earl an d i t ,

m ay b e that he was n ot sorry that th e archbi shop h e so

m u ch d isl iked shou l d h ave a l ittle trouble d u ri ng h is
ti m e o f tem poral power .

I n the D omesd ay su rvey mad e el even years later , ,

1 0 8 6 fifty —
,
fou r church es are recorded an d I 5 6 5 bu rgesses ,

an d 4 8 0 bord ars we re a mong th e i nhabitan ts Th e .

town was p robably l arger i n 1 0 7 5 as i t suffered m uch ,

d u ri ng th e subsequen t s iege an d m an y an entry of ,

Wa r m w a s ta w a s ta b ears testi m ony to th e sorrow

, ,
’
,
’

Ralph d e G u a de r brought upon th e pl a ce .

Where the bu sy m arket place i s n ow spread b road -

,

m eadows for the castle u s e cal led the M agn a C ro ft a or ,

castl e fee an d th rough th em ran a stream havin g i ts

, ,

ris e o n A ll S ai nts Green an d flowing across th e presen t

’

site o f D avey P l ace to th e river Th e qu iet Q uaker .

burial grou n d occupi es the J ousting A cre or Gi lden C roft , ,

where many a n obl e kn ight gave o r received a b roken

head i n sheer good fel lowship an d a m iabl e love o f
fi ghting ; an d m any a fai r l ady en cou raged th e giver
with s m il es o r wept for the receiver S o the lovers o f
, .

peace s leep cal m ly u nder th e sod th at on ce was tram pled

by the eager steed s o f the m en a t arms - -
.

Such was th e N orwich to wh ich Ralph d e Gu a d e r

 N OR WICH . 121

b rough t hom e h is b ri d e ; and as th ey entered i t the , ,

kn ights i n t h ei r retin ue pricke d thei r j ad ed steed s an d

sti rred thei r m ettle that they m ight pranc e s u ffi ci ently
,

gai ly
. Th e tru mpeters flou rished thei r tru mpets to ,

give n otice to the good p eopl e that th ei r earl an d h i s

brid e were approach i n g an d though travel stai n ed an d
, ,
-

weary the cavalcad e m ad e a b rave appearan ce

,
.

Ri ch an d poor N orm ans S axons D an es Fl em ings

, , , , ,

an d J ews all Of wh i ch n ati on s were represented i n the

,

town —the last n am ed h avi ng m ad e th ei r fi rst ap pea r

,
-

ance therei n at th e h eels o f the N orm an i nvaders an d ,

bein g h ated accord ingly — crowd ed i nto th e streets to ,

wel co m e an d ad m i re the bri d e and brid egroo m or at , ,

the l eas t to ren der that h om age wh ich ci rcu mstances

,

ren d ered pol iti c .

Fo r i t m ust be reme mbered that th e d ign ity o f th e

powerfu l Earl o f East A ngli a was al most royal Th e .

feud al ki ng was firs t am on g peers an d th e earls cam e

‘
,
’

n ex t to hi m even s o l ate as the reign of Q u een El i zabeth

th e parl iamen tary form u l a of royal spee ches was My ,
‘

right loving Lord s an d you my righ t fai thfu l an d

, ,

’
obed ien t su bj ects .

Th e Y k e n i lde w e i e en tered N orwi ch where afterwards

‘ ’

stood the B razen D oors passi n g by A ll S ai nts Green ,

’

to the C astle H i l l th e caval cad e so enterin g what was

cal led th e N e w B u rg con s istin g o f N orm an dwel lings
,

erected sin ce the Con qu est wh ich then as n ow took i ts , , ,

n am e from the Chapel i n the Fi eld an d i n cl uded th e ,

parish es o f S t Giles an d S t S tephen s

. H ere the .
’
.

en thu s iasm was e ffu sive an d a wel l d ressed populace ,

-
122 N OR WICH

waved caps o f rich fu r i n th e ai r whil e s i l ken hangin gs

,

an d gay ban n ers w aved fro m th e wi n dows .

I t was with m ingled feeli ngs that Ea dg y th o f N or w ich

r e en tered her bi rth plac e in th e train o f th e N orm an
-

l ady A ll he r l ovi ng recoll ections w ere embittered by

.

the sight o f C hanges that rem i nded h er of th e su fferings

o f her peopl e an d th e rui n o f thei r cause an d the tears ,

cam e i nto h er eyes when sh e compared th e welcom i ng

c ro w d o f foreign ers th at shou ted arou n d her w ith th e
s cen es stamped o n her child ish mem ory when she had ,

seen th e stalwart D an es an d S axon s gather to greet

H arol d Go d w i ns s o n an d h ea rd thei r lou d Waes hael
,
‘

S torm s o f anger an d j eal ou s m is ery m oved her as sh e

passed through th e N e w B u rg for the s m art dwel lings
,

o n each sid e o f th e street had al l b een b u i lt si n ce the

Con quest an d showed th e wealth o f th e i nvad er A s

,
.

they approached th e castl e her h eart san k more an d

,

m ore I t seem ed to her as i f its h eavy fou nd ation s h ad

.

been l aid upon her breast s o cru el ly d i d i t bri ng h om e

,

to h er th e stren gth o f th e yoke wh i ch was riveted upon

th e n eck s of h er peopl e Fo r i n archi tectu re m ore than
.

i n any art d i d th e N orm an s ex cel th e peop l e they

con qu ered an d though th e m oats had b een there whe n
,

H arol d was earl the fortress wi thi n them was bu t a

,

rud e stru ctu re .

Wh en they reach ed the castle gate a l ively scen e was ,

enacted The garrison m arched down to s alute th e ear !

.

an d hi s bride l ed by the castell an on a prancing

,

charger an d form in g i n gl ittering l in es on eithe r si de

,

th e B al e There were com pan i es o f archers cl ad i n

.
1 24 N OR WICH .

They ren t th e ai r wi th a great cheer as th ey form ed ,

i n l in e before the ear ! an d cou n tes s an d th ei r retinu e ;

a n d th e castel lan S i r H o el d e S t Bri ce a kn ight wh o
, .
,

h ad grown grey i n the servic e of the Lord s of G u a de r

an d M on tfort an d who h ad fought u n der th e father of
,

’
Ralph s B reton m oth e r gave th e cue wi th a compl i m en t
, ,

to the brid e .

‘
Long l ive the daughter o f Wi lli am Fi tz o s b e rn ! ’

he cried W hereat the sold i ers cheered agai n

,
.

Em m a s miled an d bo w ed and tri ed to pay th e m ,

equ al com pl im en ts i n retu rn .

’
‘
Wi th such a castle an d s u ch gallan t d efen ders sh e
, ,

said fea r wou ld be i mpossible eve n i f th e blood of th e

, ,

’
veri est coward ra n i n h er vei n s i n s tead of that of a hero .

Whereat th ey gave s til l loud er cheers an d vowed ,

t hat they wou l d spen d every d rop o f th ei r b lood to

d efen d her i f n eed were .

Then th e earl treated them to a little haran gue .

’
H e kn ew they mean t what they said he tol d them , ,

for he h ad seen them fi ght n ot only from behi n d ston e ,

w al ls bu t han d to han d o n the fiel d of H asti ngs

,
an d
add ed that h e was glad h e kn ew thei r metal fo r
,
‘
,

’
perhaps it wou ld be rung sooner than they look ed for .

A n ann oun cem en t received with voci ferou s d elight by

th e wi ld men o f war wh o s carce though t li fe worth
,

l iving i n ti m e of peace an d looked to th e givi ng an d

,

takin g of sh rewd blows both for a m use m en t an d fo rtun e ,

cari ng l ittle i n what caus e t hey were bestowed .

Wh i le thi s took p lace Ea dgy th had tu rn ed he r eyes

,

to the south east th e o ld portion of the town look ing

-
,
 N OR WICH 1 25

over to the Thorpe m arsh es where the bright M ary ,

’
b u ds had oped thei r golden eyes and th e wi llows were
‘
,

wh ite wi th catkins an d the Thorpe wood s were i n thei r

,

fresh verd u re A n overwhel m ing sense o f desolation

.

cam e u po n he r as she m arked th e o ld fam i l i a r Obj ects

—
am on g wh ich he r ch i l dhood had been passed an d m ore
forci bly as she n oted the absenc e of othe rs She d re w .

her vei l ac ross her face l est i t shou ld b e seen that she ,

was w e e pi n g .

T h e caval cad e m oved o n aga in S i r H oe l rid ing by ,

’
the earl s sid e They passed i n to the n orth ern en d of
.

King S treet an d so to the ancien t p alace of the East

,

A nglian earls wh i ch stood wh ere th e S t Ethelbert Gate

, .

i s n ow an d h ad a ch ape l d ed i cated to that sai n t wh o

, ,

had been a kin g of th e East A ngles H e was m u rdered .

by O ffa Ki ng of M e rcia a t th e i n stigation o f his wi fe

, ,

Q u e n d r id a The h ead o f th e vi cti m ised p ri n ce rolle d

.

d own as h is body was bein g carri ed away ; a blin d m an

stu mbled over i t an d accidental ly tou chi ng his eyebal ls
, ,

w ith the blood received his s i g h t agai n, A wel l sprang .

u p where the head fel l S o ru n s the legend . .

A t the palace they were received b y a gai ly C l ad hos t -

of s ervan ts an d retai n ers B rave squi res an d sm art .

pages portly bu rsa r an d an xi ou s steward cel larers

, , ,

cooks and scu l lion s s tately d am es an d pretty bower

,

m aid ens ti rewo m en d ai ry and gri n d in g m aid s ( for i n

, ,
-

’
thos e days wind m i l ls had not been i nven ted s o woman s ,
‘

sphere i n clu ded the gri nd in g of flou r i n a han d m i ll )

’
-
,

these and many m ore s tood wai ti n g i n order of thei r

, ,

ran k and d ressed i n thei r bravest apparel

, .
1 26 . N OR WICII .

Behi n d the earl s household was a sti l l larger company

’

o f socmen and s laves fro m the n i n e m an ors which

Wi lliam Of N ormandy had bestowed o n Ralph d e
G u a d e r when h e gave hi m th e East A ngli an earldom ,

m aki ng altogeth er a good ly c rowd o f retainers ; and

w e m ay guess how they all strai n ed forward to catch

the fi rst gli mpse o f the n oble yo un g bri d e thei r lord

was bringing hom e an d how Em m a t hough wel l used
, ,

to homage was glad t o bow her fai r h ead u n der excus e

,

o f cou rtesy and so hi de h er glowin g face fro m s o many

,

cu ri ou s eyes .

O n th e pl ain before the p al ace Opposite S t M i chael s

’

, .

Chapel ( T o mb la n d) s i x fi n e beeves were roasting whol e

,

fo r the en tertain men t o f the popul ace an d a tu n o f ,

wi n e an d several fat b arrels of ale were broached where ,

wi th throats that had grown hoarse wi th shou ting

welco m e shou ld b e refreshed .

S o cam e Em m a Cou n tess of N orfol k and S u ffol k to

, ,

her n ew hom e i n N or w ich where she was to spen d bu t

,

a few short m onths fu ll o f terror s u fferin g an d sorrow

, , ,

an d by h er beari ng u n der m isfortun e to prove herself

t he worthy d aughter o f her n oble si re an d to be kn own
,

i n the pages o f history as th e heroi n e of th e m ost

rom an ti c i nci den t i n the a n n als o f N orwich Castle .
1 28 L A N FR A N C .

over veteran opp on ents an d soo n beca me fam ous I taly

,
.
,

however was at that ti m e torn by dissen si ons an d h e

, ,

was early i nvolved i n poli tical qu arrels so that h e deem ed

,

i t wi s e to qui t the arena o f his foren s i c tri u m ph s an d ,

to seek the less gen ial bu t safer cli m ate o f N ormandy .

H ere he soo n attai n ed h igh e mi n en ce and opened a ,

school at A vran ch es to which scholars cam e in crowd s

,

but s udd en ly the i llustrious advocate disappeared and ,

n o on e k n ew whi ther .

H e was d isc overed s o m e three years later l ivin g the

, ,

l ife o f a pen i ten t i n the seclud ed m on astery o f B ec a ,

s m al l es tablish m en t fou n d ed b y h i s coun trym an H e rlui n ,

bu t whi ch afterward s beca m e fa m ous through having

s u ppl ied C anterbu ry with three a rchbishops A fter a .

ti m e Lan fran c becam e th e prior o f B e e an d was a s

, ,

mu ch sought as a religiou s teacher as h e had hi therto

been as a lawyer .

I n his n ewly awaken ed zeal Lan fran c took i t upon

-
,

h i m to denoun ce the in ten d ed m arriage o f th e D u ke of

N orman dy with M ati ld a o f Flan ders ; the P op e h aving
threaten ed exco m m un i cation as the couple were w i th in
,

the prohi bi ted degrees o f relation ship .

O n e fi n e d ay th e qu iet m on ks o f Bec working i n thei r

, ,

garden amongst thei r cabbages an d on ion s were su rprised ,

by the adven t o f a gay com pan y O f kn ights i n holid ay

attire su rrou n di ng an ecclesiasti c who rod e pom pously
,

u pon a fi ne white m u le Th e excitem en t i ncreased to

.

’
boil in g poin t when the Visitor was foun d to be th e d u ke s
chaplai n H e rfa s t whom we have al ready i n trod u ced to
,

the reader as holdin g the B ishopri c of Elmham i n 1 07 5 ,

 L A N FR A N C . 1 29

and that his reti nu e was com pos ed o f n obles h igh i n

favou r at the cou rt ; and the m u ch i mp ressed m on ks -

hastene d to tel l thei r pri or o f the honou r shown h i m .

B u t the p rior was giving aud i en ce to a beggar an d ,

’
m ad e the d uke s e m issaries wait till hi s con feren ce was
leisu rely con cluded H e u n derstood perfectly wel l th at
.

Wi lliam wish ed to bribe hi m b y this d i spl ay o f favou r

, ,

into givi ng his assen t to the wedd ing an d h e had a m i n d ,

to assert h is i n depend en ce .

H e rfa s t was as ign oran t as h e was pom pou s and the ,

accomplished prior took every opportun ity of exposing

’
his guest s ignoran ce even placi ng i n h is hand s an
,

a b c d a r i u m o r spel ling book to th e great a muse men t o f

,
-
,

the spectators an d th e h uge wrath of H e rfa s t who rod e ,

back to h is royal m aster with a fi n e tale o f th e i n solen ce

o f the Lo mbard upstart .

Wi llia m was so i n cens ed that h e fel l i n to a paroxys m

,

o f rage ordered L an fran c o u t o f th e cou ntry an d sen t a

, ,

ban d o f sold iers to bu rn on e o f the granges O f th e

m on astery to the grou nd as a practi cal witness to h i s
,

anger at th e way i n which his courtiers had been

treated .

I magine the con stern ation am on gst the m on ks o f Bec .

Lan fran c h owever was equal to th e occasion Wi llia m

, , .

had ordered h i m to qu i t th e cou ntry B u t th e brethren .

o f B ec were poor an d there were n o parliam en tary

,

trai n s i n those d ark ages to ca rry passengers fro m o n e

en d o f a coun try to the other for a pen ny a m i l e They .

m ust t ravel i n the sadd le or o n foot Chu rch men for .

,

the m ost part patron ised m u les of con siderable s i ze an d

,
1 30 L A N FR A N C .

high breeding an d j ou rn eyed i n n o s mal l state B ut t h e

, .

on ly an im al th e stables o f B ec cou ld boast was a sorry

steed angu la r of j oi n t an d far fro m soun d N on e th e
,
.

less th e prior m ou n ted i t an d set off for Rou e n where

, ,

h e had been bidd en to appear before the d u ke ere h e

qu i tted th e country .

Wi lli am cam e forth to m eet the h aughty chu rch man ,

w h o had dared to thwart an d con dem n hi m and to ,

m ak e fu n of hi s chaplain accompan ied by a gallan t

,

trai n o f kn ights an d squ i res H e expected to m eet a

.

caval cad e a lm os t as n u m erou s an d m agn i fi cen t as his

own .

H i s face w a s d ark with anger an d he wrapped hi ms elf

,

i n thoughtfu l tacitu rn i ty m ed i tating a rebu ke befitti ng

,

the i n solen ce with which h is con d es cen s ion an d favou r

h ad bee n me t .

H e gre w i mpatien t wh e n alon g th e s traight level road

n oth ing cou ld be seen bu t a s in gl e horseman on a la m e
j ad e whos e n os e a l most t ou ch ed th e groun d at every
,

step an d w hos e pace was easi ly kept u p wi t h by a

,

follo w er o n foot .

A s this sorry trio approach ed ho w ever h e s aw tha t , ,

t he m en w ere habited as mon ks and H e r fa s t who rode , ,

besid e h is royal m aster o n his sleek w hite m ul e flu shed ,

d eeply red .

Ti s Lan franc h i m sel f ! h e ex clai med

’
.

‘
What n e w m u m mery i s t h i s ? d em an d ed Wi lliam ’

his keen eyes straying over the comical figu re o f the

prior an d his wretched m ou nt an d a s m i le gleam ing over
,

h i s s t ern face brief bu t i rrepressibl e for Wi l li am was a

, ,
 L A N FRA N C . 13 1

l over o f h o rs e fle s h an d spared n o pai n s o r expen se i n

,

the i mportation o f fi n e horses fro m S pai n for h is o w n

use Th e creatu re h e bestrod e was a s plen did an im al
.
,

an d the strongest of con trasts to th e p ri or s pitifu l n ag ’

.

S light as th e s mi le w a s an d h asti ly repressed , ,

Lan fran c saw i t an d too k i n stan t advan tage

,
.

’
By you r com m an ds s aid th e audacious prior airi ly
, ,

’
‘
I a m leavi ng you r d om i n i ons bu t i t i s on ly at a foot s ,

pace that I can proceed o n s uch a wretched beast as

th is ; g ive m e a b ette r hors e an d I shal l be better able,

’
to obey you r co m m an d s .

Wil lia m had a keen sen s e of h u m ou r an d perhaps felt ,

that th e C lever Lombard would be a form idable fo e .

H e l aughed a royal laugh of magni fi cen t a m u semen t .

’
‘
Who ever heard before h e asked of an offender , ,
‘

ven tu ri ng to ask a don ation from th e very j udge h e has

O fle n d e d
’
?
H e r fa s tgrew redd er than ever with ch agri n an d
mo rti fica ti o n for h e s aw very plai n ly that th e subtl e
,

p rior had mo lli fie d th e d u k e by h is i ntrepi d j oke A n d .

s o i t w a s an d fro m th is strange m eeting resu lted n o les s

,

a m atter than th e es tabl i sh men t o f a fri end shi p wh ich

’
lasted ti l l Wi lli am s d eath .

N o t l ong afte rwards Lan fran c wen t to Ro me to plead

,

with th e P ope an d u rge hi m to give h is san cti on to that

,

m arriage which th e prior had h itherto opposed so

bitterly A n d this h e d id wi thou t i n con sistency for h is
.
,

oppositi on h ad been based u pon Wi lli am s d efi an ce o f ’

th e H oly S ee w hen therefo re h e persuad ed the

, ,

hau ghty d uk e to hu m b le h i mself and plead m eekly for ,

1 32 L A N FR A N C .

a d ispen sation wi th p ro m is es th at h e an d h is brid e

,

wou l d b ind th em selves to m any d u ties i n retu rn a m ongst ,

others to en dow each a n abbey an d two hospitals

, ,

th e seem i ng subm i ssion of Lan fran c was real ly a

tri um ph .

A ft er a wh il e though m u ch agai ns t h is wi l l Lan fran c

, ,

was i ndu ced to leave N orm an dy an d assu m e th e on erou s ,

’
pos t o f P ri m ate o f Wi lli am s n ewly con qu ered ki ngd o m -

o f England H e eve n appea led to P op e A l ex an der I I

. .

to extricate hi m from th e d ifficu lti es o f su ch high offi ce ,

an d to perm i t h i m to retu rn to th e m on astic l i fe which ,

above al l thi ngs d el ighted h i m B u t th e P op e refu sed .

to i nterfere and La n fran c accepted the i nevitable

, ,

an d set to work w ith cou rageou s zeal to m a ke the b est

of h is m an ifold d uties An d h e acqu i tted hi m self l i ke
.

a brave an d good m an steeri ng a wis e cou rs e a mongst ,

t h e j ealous N orm an s an d aggri eve d S axons s el ecti n g ,

Vi r t uou s me n to fi l l th e posts wh ich becam e vacan t ;

a n d though n o d oubt partak i ng the prej ud i ces o f the
, ,

conqu erors y e t secu ring good m en a m ongst th e Saxon

,

cl ergy as fri en ds The Chu rch o f Englan d owes m uch

.

to h i m for he was distin ctly an i mperi al i st an d s toutly

, ,

resi sted papal aggression layi ng the seeds o f that ,

n ational ity which h as saved u s fro m s o m any evils .

I t m ay b e i m agin ed that the simple m i nded an d -

gen tle Wa lth e o f mu ch m ore ad ept at wi eldi ng a s eax

,

than at choppin g logic an d who was as wax i n the han d s

,

of his clever wi fe was as water u n der the treatmen t o f

,

th i s subtle Lo mbard who cou ld m ou ld to h is wi sh e s

,

even th e self wi l led and astute W i lliam

-
.
1 34 L A N FRA N C .

thee that thou d idst con sort with a m an who was

,

’
an athem a o f the H oly Chu rch H is m obi le fa ce grew .

stern b u t it was a stern n ess not u n m i xed wi th sorrow

,
.

‘
N ay an swered Wa lthe o f eagerly I kn ew n ot o f
,
’
,
‘

that ti l l th e banqu et was wel l n igh end ed whe n i t was -

,
’
i m possi bl e to tu rn back .

H e was rel ieved a t th e ton e o f th e arch b ishop yet ,

c ou ld n ot keep reflecting b it t erly i n his heart that this ,

light treatm en t o f a forced oath when taken by the son

o f S iward ag a i n s t Wi lliam was very di fferent to th e ,

View take n o f th at m ad e b y the s o n of Godwi n f o r

Wi lliam H arol d h a d b een bran d ed a perj u rer fo r
.

abj u ri ng a forced oath .

N evertheless sai d th e archbishop n ot yet relaxi ng

’

, ,

his face thou h adst k nowledge that th e m en w hose

,
‘

bread w a s broken for thee were acting i n d i rect opposi

ti on to th e m an d ate o f thy k ing lord and ki ns m an w hos e -
,

cl emen cy had pard on ed thy form er m isd eed s agains t

hi m whose han d had b een reach ed to thee i n fel lowship
, ,

and w hose n iece had been given to thee to be b on e of

thy bon e fl esh o f thy flesh ,
.
’

‘
I n good sooth father replied W a lthe o f reluctan tly
, ,
’

an d w ith the ai r o f a schoolboy repeatin g a lesson b y

rote I thought m i ne u ncl e an d kin g lord w a s play
,
‘
-

i n g a som e w h at tyran n ical part i n d ivid i ng t w o tru e

lovers I see n ow th at he had reason s whi ch I little
.

’
su spected .

This d efen ce had been suggested by J u d ith .

L a n fra n c s fi n e sen sit ive fac e grew sad

’
Sp eaking i n .

a lo w sorrowfu l voi ce as though th e subj ect caused hi m

, ,
 LA N FR A N C . 13 5

i nexpressi bl e pai n he s aid M y s o n i t w a s n o t fo r ligh t

, , ,

o r frivolous reason s that Wi llia m o u r kin g lord i n terfered -

to thwart the wishes o f h i s earls N o r was i t wi thou t .

cause o r i n truth wi thou t gri evou s n ecessity th at I

, , , ,

d eclared the an athem a of th e H oly Ch u rch agai nst the

son of the m an wh o d i d more tha n any oth er to crown
o u r N orm an d u ke an Engli sh ki ng H ad i t been bu t a .

’
qu estio n of a m arriage th e arch bi shop con ti n u ed i n th e
,

sam e strain bu t i n a sti l l softer ton e and rather as i f

, ,

speak ing to h i m self than to th e earl God forbi d that ,

‘

I shou l d have parted who m H e had e l ected i n H is al l

seei ng wisdo m to un ite H e s igh ed d eeply fo r i n h is ,

you th he had bee n the h usban d o f a m u ch l oved wife -

,

w hose d eath h ad take n a ll fl avou r fro m earthl y j oy fo r

hi m and had been the caus e o f h is p reci pi tate retreat

,
.

fro m a posi tio n o f wealth an d fa m e to s eek con solati on ,

i n the C loister I hav e loved Roger Fi t z o s be rn as a

.
‘

son ! I h ave striven wi th h i m i n a ffecti on ! B IIt alas ! ,

i n vai n O n e fol ly was ad d ed to an other u n ti l at las t

.
,

fool ish ness swel led i n to cri m e H e d en i ed j ustic e to

.

th e i nj u red H e i n vaded the property o f h is ki ng l ord

.
-
,

an d of hi s peers ; an d n ow he has crowned al l b y this

attem pted treason brough t to th e ligh t at the u nholy
,

ban quet at wh ich thou wert thys el f tempted to evi l ,

Wa lthe o f A h ! I h ave wept tears o f blood over this

l ost sheep Would that my efforts had recalled hi m to
.

t h e fol d ! Bu t the ti m e i s past ’

.

H e stretched o ut h i s thin tran sparen t hands before,

h i m his d ark eyes fi xed upon sp ac e as i f con templatin g

, ,

a vision o f the b loods hed to com e .

136 LAN ERAN C .

H e was si len t an d Wa lth e o f bein g a m an o f few

, ,

words was si len t also

,
.

S u dd en ly the Lombard turn ed h is gleam i ng e yes upo n

th e N orthu mbri an earl Wa lthe o f started for i n hi s
.
,

h eart was no repen tan ce for h avin g atten d ed th e b an qu et ,

n o r fo r any o f his treason able d esigns bu t on ly a fi erce ,

wrath a ga in st th e N orman w i fe who had d efeated his

p lan s and brought h i m m ore tightly un der the yoke he
,

hated an d it s eem ed to hi m as if those d ark eyes cou ld

,

read h is most secret thoughts H e shift ed h is h uge fra m e .

u n easi ly so that th e bracel ets whi ch ri nged hi s tattooed

,

arms al m ost to th e elbow clanged together a nd h is , ,

large fin gers sought the j ewel l ed h aft o f th e hu nti ng

kn ife whi ch hu n g at his bald ri c n o t th reateningly bu t , ,

fro m habit .

Yet i f h is thoughts were read th ey w ere ignored ,

.

’
‘
B ut th ou at l east art h ere ! L anfran c exclai med ,

h i s m obile featu res ligh ted by a bri llian t s m ile T hy .

‘

better a nge l h as prevai led an d by the m ercy o f O u r

, ,

Lady has brought thee bac k to the fold at th e eleven th

,

’
hou n
W a lthe o f looked rel ieved an d he l ifted h is h ead an d
,

tossed back the yellow m an e which had fal len over h is

face .

‘
I pray thee fath er h e sai d earn estly en couraged b y
, ,
’

the P ri mate s s mile ; stan d by m e i n my troubl e an d

’ ‘
,

plead my cau se w i th Wi lli am o f N orm an dy TIz o u hast .

the power to i n fluence hi m A dvise m e h ow I m ay b est

.

'

act to wi n hi s pardon for my tran sgression ; ho w b est

assu re hi mof th e si n cerity o f my retu rn to al legianc e .
’
 LA N FRA N C . 137

I wi ll s tan d b y thee my so n repl i ed the archbishop

, ,
’
,

claspin g Wa lthe o f s great han d in h i s slend er fi ngers

’
.

A n d he ful filled h is p rom is e with u n swervi n g fi deli ty ,

even to the las t wh e n th e u n fortun ate son o f S iward

,

l ay doom ed to death in prison ; n or i f Lan fran c cou ld ,

have prevented it wou ld Wi ll ia m have con su m m ated

,

that greatest b lot upon h is reign th e executi on o f the ,

N orthu mbri an earl Thou art i m pu ls ive my son an d

.
‘
, ,

s i m ple m i nded an d therefore eas ily sn ared

-
,
Bu t I .

b el ieve n ot that thy heart is evi l o r that thou wou lds t be ,

other than a pious son o f o u r H o ly M other C hu rch .

’

N o in d eed ! said W a lthe o f m uch a ffected by the

‘ ’
, ,

appeal which roused al l the n atu ral pi ety an d h u m il ity

,

o f his n atu re . H e cross ed h i msel f with m uch fervou r .

‘
Tel l m e what to d o father Whatever thou wi l t
,
.

co m m an d I wi l l perfo rm .
’

My son I wou l d bi d thee cross th e sea to N orm andy

,

an d see k Wi l lia m i n person con fessin g al l fran kly an d , ,

th rowi ng thysel f on h is m ercy N o r wou l d i t be .

'

d etri men tal to thy s u i t i f thy hands bore so m ewhat of

the prod uce of th e land s a n d hon ou rs h e has bestowed
u pon thee with so l avish a gen erosity .
’

Wa lth e o f sh udd ered I t was n o p leasan t prospect to

.

the powerfu l ea rl whose head had of l ate been s o fi lled

,

wi th sche m es o f a mbi tion thus to hu m b le h im sel f a,

secon d ti me to th e con quero r of h is people .

Bu t Wa lthe o f s cou rage was m ore o f th e physical o rder

’

than the m oral H e was besid es o f gen tl e d isposi tion

.
, , ,

and s i n cerely d esi red to avert bloodshed an d he though t ,

that hi s d efection from the ran ks of th e conspi rators

138 L A N ER A N C.

would preven t any atte m pt to m eet Wi lli am i n the

fi eld .

Therefore h e bo w ed his head Thi n e advi ce is m eet

.
‘
,

’
father h e sai d ; I wi l l cross the s eas an d s eek Wi lliam
,
‘
,

bearin g ri ch presents to testi fy m v regret fo r the past ,

an d presen t goodw il l.
’
1 40 TH E CA S TELL A N OF B LA UN CH EFL O UR .

won d erful therefore that they ele cted to figh t i t o u t

, , ,

n otwithstand i ng the odds agai n s t them .

The Earl o f N orfol k an d S u ffolk h ad assembled his

forces an d hel d al l i n readi n es s for departu re on th e
,

morro w . The d readed m omen t had co m e an d h e ,

’
sought his wi fe s bo w er feeli n g that h e wou ld m uch ,

’
liefer m eet Wi lliam s m en a t arm s - -
.

I t was a su n ny l ittl e room on the eas t sid e o f the

palace l ookin g over th e m arshes o f th e lo w h ol me w hich
,

the n bordered th e W e n s u m with a w i ldern ess of s edges

an d wh i te water li l ies an d u p on whi ch so m e eleven
-
, ,

years l ater H erb ert d e L o s i n g a erected th e cathed ral

,

w h i ch is o u r p resen t pri d e an d j oy .

Em m a l oved to w atch the h igh p rowed gal leys pass -

i ng to an d fro u pon the river with sai ls spread an d , ,

oars flash ing an d stou t rowers ben d in g to thei r work ;

,

an d to see the m lad i ng an d u n l ad i ng at L o v e lly s S tai the ’

a wh arf situated abou t a third o f th e d istan ce between

the presen t ferry an d Foun d ry Brid ge .

H ere Ea dg y th wou l d enter t ai n her w ith stories o f he r

girlhood an d tel l h o w sh e had see n her cousi n H arold
, ,

Go d w i n s s o n lan d at t hat wharf w hen h e cam e to

, ,

N or w ich aft er his i m prison m ent i n N orman dy ; an d

h o w Leo fri c Earl o f M ercia to who m the s ai n ted K in g
, ,

Ea d w a r d h ad given t h e East A nglian earldom i n H arold s

’

absen ce m et h i m wi th al l hon ou r a n d o f the magn an i

,

m ous s trife between the tw o when Le ofri c wou ld give ,

back th e earldom an d H arold woul d fa i n have had hi m

,

keep i t an d how H arol d took i t for a ti m e bu t retu rn ed ,

i t o n ascen d ing th e thron e .

 TH E CA S TELLA N OF B LA UN CH EFL O UR . 141

A n d when the white swans ca m e sai li ng a mongst th e

reeds b end in g their long n ecks fro m s i de to s id e the

, ,

S axon m aid en wou ld tel l h er fri en d o f H arol d s beloved ’

h er n amesake Ea dg y th Sw a n n e h a ls th e m ost beautifu l

,

wom an i n N orfol k o r for th e m atte r o f th at i n al l

, , ,

England an d wou ld bu rs t i nto tears when she though t

,

o f th e s ad end i n g o f t hat fai r roman ce .

A n d Em m a woul d s m i le at her enthusias m bu t yet ,

grew i n sym pathy with this En gl ish peopl e the s m oke ,

of whos e d w el li ngs w a s rising arou n d h er an d al m ost ,

foun d i t i n h er h eart to wish that her hero Wil liam h ad

been a l it t l e les s successfu l and to qu estion whether i t
,

had n o t been m ore vi rtuou s o f hi m to stay at h om e i n

h is n ative N orm an dy .S o m ehow Sh e had n ever a d
m i red h i m s o freely si n ce he h ad en d eavoured to part
her from h er b etrothed .

I n s uch a m ood as this was Em m a w h en h er husban d

sought her wi th th e i n ten tion o f tel ling h er the s ecret
,

o f h is bold en terpris e b u t he l i ttl e guessed how m uch

,

her sym pathies h ad tu rned agai n st Wi lli am for as i s , ,

often th e case when conviction s are chan ging sh e had ,

mad e up for her cold n ess o f feel i n g b y warmth of speech ,

an d had sough t so to aton e fo r her act o f reb el lion i n

’
marryi ng Ral ph against the king s m an date .

Therefo re th e earl kn ew n ot how to begi n his explan a

tion and sat before her e mbroi dery fram e al most as
,

d eeply e mbarrassed as W a lthe o f had been before th e

’
archbishop Tis tru e he had tol d her ere thei r wedd ing
.

th at the quarrel m u st n eeds be fought out yet i t seem ed ,

’
n o t th e easier to s ay ,
My s tand a rd is l ifted .
1 42 TH E CA S TE LL A N OF B LA UN CH EFL O UR .

H is face was ashy pale fo r i t was to h i m cruel as ,

d eath to leave h i s youn g brid e before a m on th had

passed although he had k n ow n that the parting m ust
,

com e .

Em ma look i ng at h i m d ropped her s il ks i n horror

, , ,

an d th ro w in g her arm s roun d h i s n eck asked coaxingly

, ,

w hat ai led hi m .

A n d Ralph tu rn ed h is hea d a w ay w i thou t speaking .

Can i t be that I h ave o ffend ed th ee i n aught ? asked ’

t h e you n g cou ntess an x iously .

N a y Em m a I am the offen der i f offen der th ere be

, , ,
.

M eth i n ks the worst o f al l ai lm en ts i s m i ne for I mu st ,

’
leave thee an d p erchan ce an ger thee also
,
.

Leave m e ? H er breath caught i n a sob o f terror

’
.

Ralph faced her desperately M y love thou kn owest .

,

o u r wedd i ng was agains t the express m an date of the

’
king Lan fran c the ki ng s m an whom h e m ad e
.
, ,

—
P ri mate o f a l l Engl an d i n pl ace of the holy S tigan d ,

whom he u nj u stly deprived an d w h o yet la n gu ishes ,

i n prison — hath tu rn ed bitterly again st thy brother

,

o f H ereford who m whilo m h e w a s w on t to treat as

,

a son an d has set a ban o f excom m u nication upon

,

’
him .

A lo w c ry o f horror escaped fro m Em m a .

Ralph s eyes flashed fi re H e caught h is wi fe s w h ite

’
.
’

han d s as they were sliding d own from hi s n eck hal f ,

withdrawn at t he fear that h e r love had l ed her i n to

dead ly sin sin c e th e brother who had cou n ten anced h er
,

m arriage an d u rged her to i ts fu l fi l men t was cast o ut

, ,

by the Chu rch .

1 44 TH E CA S TEL L A N OF EL A UN OH EEL O UR .

groan over th e past n or c a n I stop to chop logi c over ,

th e presen t Th e poin t is this : Th e k ing s me n are

.
’

m arching to attack me My on ly cou rs e i s to fi ght for .

i t and i f possib l e m ake a j u n ction w ith thy brother

, , ,

Roger when i t m ay be that th e opp ressed S axon s w i l l

,

stri ke a blow to regain th ei r freed om an d wi th m y , ,

trusty B retons I m ay stil l gai n th e d a y , .

’

Em m a clasped h er han ds i n s ore d istress .

I s i t i n good sooth com e to thi s that thou m ust go

‘
,

forth agai n st the king ? A las m y fool ish face tempted

’
thee to wron g Ti s I th at a m to bla m e
.
’
.

Ralph caught her to hi m an d kissed h er N a y by .

‘
,

the heart o f O u r Lady Tis Wi l l ia m s m ad pri de that .

’ ’

i s to blam e an d that alon e Speak n o s land er again st

,
.

my wife or it wi ll go i l l with thee for I wi l l n ot brook

, ,

’
to hear i t .

Em m a d rooped her head again st his should er s m i ling ,

’
th rough her tears O h Ralph sh e sai d i f thou wert .
, , ,
‘

bu t goin g i n a good cau s e the partin g wou ld n ot b e so ,

’
bitter .

Ralph having n o good argu ment to proffer i n reply

, ,

lost his temper H e spran g up and paced the room .

,

m ak in g his gol den spu rs j ingl e at each i mpati en t

s trid e .

I thought when I wedded a Fi tz o s be rn I shoul d

‘

escap e the lot o f m ost men to b e wept an d wai led ,

over at every cri n kl e i n the rose l eaves o f fate But -

.

i t seem s thou art but o f the sam e stu ff as other women ,

’
after all .

Em m a fl ush ed over n eck an d brow S he d rew h ersel f .

 TH E CA S TEL L A N OF B L A UN CH EFL O UR . 145

proud ly erect an d hasti ly wiped away the tea rs that

,

were rol ling d own her cheeks .

N aught b u t d read of gui lt an d a too fon d love

cou ld have d rawn tears fro m a Fi tz o s be r n she answered ,
’

h augh t i ly Thou shalt n ot n eed to com plai n again

.
‘
,

’
my lo rd .

’
‘
N a y m y sweet lady pardon m e pleaded th e earl
, , , ,

tu rn i ng to h er with en treatin g eyes I n good sooth I .

‘
,

am wel l n igh d istracted an d th e s ight of thy tears

-
,

m akes m e too bi tterly con scious o f m y o w n lac k of

worth B ut what woulds t thou have m e d o ? I f i t were
.

bu t a question of my own poor l ife I wou ld subm it an d , ,

let Wi l liam d o his worst i f s uch a cou rse wou ld pl easu re

,

thee ; b u t I can n ot d esert thy brother n or my own poor

'

Bretons an d the Saxon s who have thrown i n thei r lot

,

wi th m i n e Thou kn owest Wi lliam i s n ot gentl e with

.

such as c ross hi s wi l l I t wou ld m ean loss o f l and s an d

.

lifelon g i m prison m en t to thy brother an d myself an d ,

the loppi ng Off a han d and a foot for each o f my Breton s ,

at th e least whi le h anging wou ld b e to o m i ld a m easu re

,

’
i n his eyes for th e S axon s .

Em m a s han d s were tightly cl en che d togethe r

’
Th e .

m omen tary flush had faded fro m her face an d i t was ,

pale as death bu t she n eith er sobbed n or fli n che d

, .

’
‘
I h ave mad e my choice an d I wi l l ab id e by i t sh e , ,

s aid i n a low fi rm voi ce N o r wi ll I qu ai l before th e

,
.
‘

Consequen ces o f o u r d eed We h ave chosen each other .

a gai nst the whole world P erhaps i f thou hads t trusted

.

m e m ore ful ly t hou hadst n o t been vex ed w ith tears

,
.

’
Thy a n n oun ce men t was so me w hat su dden .

K
1 46 TH E CA S TEL LA N OF B L A UN CH EFL O UR .

‘
Le t that i l l grai ned spee ch rest i n i ts grave dear
-

love Thou hast spoken l i ke a Fi tz o s be rn n o w said

.
,

th e earl taki ng her han d s agai n i n his an d d rawing

,

her back to hi s shou lde r I wan t thee to b e of good .

‘

’
cou rage for I h ave treated th ee as a hero s daughter
, ,

and appoin ted thee C astel lan o f B la u n ch e flo u r i n my

absence I have vested i n thee the suprem e and sole
.

com mand Thi n e i t shal l be i n case of s iege wh i l e I

.
,

a m a w ay — whi ch G od forfend —to su rren d er o r d efen d

, ,

the castle on whatsoeve r term s m ay s eem good to thee .

Si r A lain d e Gou ri n an d S i r H o el d e S t B rice wi ll act .

u n der th i n e o rd ers an d be th i n e advis ers Wi lt thou .

take the office ?

‘
Yes I wi l l take i t an swered Em m a withou t a
, ,
’

’
m om en t s h esitation although h er w hole sou l trembled
,

w i th i n her at th e prospect of bein g left i n h er you ng

feeblen es s to com man d the tu rb ulen t D e Gou ri n for ,

whom she had a strong aversion and the veteran S i r ,

H o el who was a total stranger to h er albei t h e h ad

’

, ,

been so long i n h er h us b an d s train ’

.

‘
Thou art i ndeed a fi t brid e fo r a warrior cried ,
’

Ralph gazing with ad m i ration at h er d eterm ined

,

fac e .

Em m a longed to th row her arm s aroun d h is n eck and

so b but con qu ered the i m pu lse an sweri ng on ly with a
, ,

s m il e .

’
Thou said es t I was sudd e n sweet resu m ed Ralph
‘
, , .

‘
M eth in ks an agony that m ust be sh arp h ad b est be
short To that en d I Would n ot poison for thee the
.

brief ti me we had together wi th the shadow o f parting .

 C H A P T ER XII .

T H E STAN D A RD O F R EV O LT .

TH E d ay w hich was to part Em m a d e Gua de r fro m

her brid egroom d awn ed cl ear and bright an d the s u m m er ,

su nshin e sparkled u pon the broad reaches o f th e Yare ,

an d gleamed a m id st th e p al e green rush es an d brown

osier bed s o f the C o w h o lme shin ing wi th i mpartial ,

equali ty n ot on ly upon th e j us t an d the u nj ust bu t upon

, ,

the j oyou s an d the s ad .

I n n ooks and corners a mongst th e reeds and water

weed s th e coots and w ater hen s were ten d ing thei r
,
-

n estl ings .

O n the site of the busy rai lway station the tal l ,

hero n poised gracefu l ly o n on e l eg as his d escendants ,

d o to this d ay some ten o r fi fteen m i les n eare r the

,

sea.

The yellow water li lies were pushi ng thei r golden

-

buds to the surface an d the reeds w ere growing d usky

,

at the top whi le th e hot s u nshi n e brought o u t the

,

fragran ce of the sweet gale o r bog myrtl e whi ch covered

-
,
-
,

m any an acre n ow b u ilt over with its d ark green

, ,

bushes .

Westward the b road wood lands were i n the you ng

1 48
 TH E S TA N D A RD OF R E VOL T 1 49

beau ty o f thei r su m mer d ress wearin g sti l l so m ewhat o f

,

th e rich variety of spri ng M oun tain ou s wh ite cloud s

.

cast purpl e shadows over the sea o f thei r close packed -

c ro w ns i n the shelter o f whi ch s ang m e rles and m avises

, ,

an d the fitfu l n ighti ngale ; whi le above m arsh an d

wood lan d m an y a ha w k an d bu stard hu n g poised o n
m otion l ess wi ngs fo r i n those d ays the ga mekeepers
,

h ad n o qu arrel wi th the m .

Th e sen ti n els on the keep of B la u n ch e flo ur had a fai r

pan ora m a to look u pon as they m arch ed to an d fro upon
th e walls ; bu t they d id n ot pay m u ch h eed to the
beau ties of n atu re they were far too m u ch en grossed in
,

the doi ngs i n th e cou rtyard of the castl e below an d ,

thei r eyes on ly l eft th e kn ights who were gathered there ,

for a n occas ion a l glan ce at the ar med hos t asse mbl ed

withi n th e ci rcle o f the barbican .

Truly the cluster o f gallan t warriors b efore th e grand

portal o f the castl e gl itterin g fro m head to foot with
,

shi ni ng steel l avishly orn a m en ted with gold an d si lve r

, ,

were a good ly sight to s ee ; though perhaps Roger

B igod m ay h ave gathe red a s ti l l gayer com pany rou n d
hi m a cen tu ry later when gau dy p lu m es an d s urcoats
,

em b roide red with th e coats of a rm s o f th e wea rers we re

the fash ion of th e d ay I n Wi lliam the C onqu eror s
.
’

ti m e m i litary fi nery had t ren ched l it tl e o n the stri ctly

,

usefu l and the ri chn ess o f thes e caval i ers consisted m ore
,

i n fin e i nl ay o f p reciou s m eta ls than i n feathers and

e mbroidery or fan tastic h el m s o r armou r Thei r h eads
, .

were covered with s m al l con i cal steel caps having a -

,

n asal to protect them from a transvers e cu t across the

[5 0 TH E S TA N D A RD OF R E VOL T

fac e o r were en cased i n h uge cyl i nd ers o f steel having

, ,

n arro w apertu res for the n ecessi t ies o f sigh t an d brea th

ing ; thei r long hauberk s were o f lin k ed m ai l o r l eath er ,

se w n al l over w ith l i ttle rings o f steel ; thei r straight

cross h i lted s w ord s m easu red t h ree an d a half to fou r
-

feet i n l ength an d w ere encased i n richly chased a n d

,
-

j ewelled scabba rds an d s uspen ded fro m bald rics ablaze

,

with gol d an d gems Each w o re i n h is bel t the

.

and at th e sad d le bo w s o f so m e hu ng th e
-

bat tle axe o r mac e Thei r oval or heart sh aped shields

-
.
-

were fro m fou r to five feet long rich ly e mbossed an d , ,

ofte n bearin g a rai sed spi ke in th e cen tre Th ei r long .

la n ces were adorned with square or swallow tailed -

pen nons accord ing to thei r ran k fo r wh en a knight

, , ,

obtain ed the ran k of ban n eret o r leader o f a troop th e, ,

poi nts were shorn off h is pen non Th ei r saddles an d .

hors e fu rn itu re were stud ded w i th steel bosses an d often ,

the rein s w ere steel ch ai ns pl en tifu l ly en riched w ith

gold and th e heavy steeds they bestrode had n eed of
,

al l th ei r stu rdy stren gth to carry thei r bu rdens o f m an

’

an d m etal at a gal lop even a t the pro mpting of gol den

,

spu rs .

Before th e portal stood D e Gu a d e r s m agn i ficen t barb ’

O l iver C h amping h is bit an d w i th d i ffi cu lty restrai n ed

, ,

by the s qu i re who held h is bri d le rei n the white foa m -

,

flyi ng fro m his heavy cu rb upon h is gild ed trappin gs ,

an d h is fox colou red man e tossing i n th e breez e

-
.

A few word s o f th e great portal i tself before wh i ch ,

'

this brave com pany was assembled The vestibule o n .

th e eastern sid e o f the keep n ow kn own as Bigod s Tower

’
, ,
1 52 TH E S TA N D A RD OF R E VOL T .

‘
A G u a de r ! a G u a de rshou ted kn ights an d soldiers .

Lon g l ive the earl an d coun tess

The n oble cou pl e bowed cou rteou sly an d the earl , ,

wh o h eld i n hi s h an d s the keys o f the cas t le tu rn ed to ,

his con sort an d then cas t a prou d glance al ong th e

,

ran ks o f h is retain ers .

Kn ights an d soldi ers h e s aid i n cl ear tru mpet ton es ,

’
,

w h ich coul d be h eard even by the senti n els o n the

bat t lem en ts before I go forth to battl e i t is m eet that I

, ,

shou ld appoi n t a Castell an to have charge o f my castle

o f B la u n c h e flo u r a n d this I d o n ow before ye al l
,

assembl ed i n the person o f m y d ear lady an d cou n tess

, ,

Em ma d aughter o f the vali an t Wi llia m Fi tz o s b e r n

,
I .

appoi nt her to th e sole an d su prem e co m m an d and to ,

h ave a s d eputi es u n der her and a s mi li ta ry advi sers

'

, ,

but u n der her pl easu re an d to b e dis missed i f she thin k

,

fit — S i r H o el d e S t Bric e and S i r A lai n d e Gourin

, . .

K nigh ts an d gen tl e m en y o u w h o are about to go forth,

to battl e wi th m e an d to share my d angers an d I h O p e

, , , ,

my successes I ma ke you wi tn esses o f th e fact o f thi s

,

appoi ntm ent so th a t i f I fall i n th e chan ces of the fi eld

, ,

y o u m ay h u rry to my lady s stand ard an d rein force i t

wi th you r strength Kn ights an d sold iers o f the garri son
.
,

I charge ye to serve you r Castel la n an d l iege lady w ith

faith fuln ess an d fervou r ; to render her hu m ble obed i
en ce an d to d efen d her as ye wou ld d efen d you r own
,

lady loves wives an d chi ld ren I com m i t her an d m y

-
, , .

castl e an d wi th them my j oy an d my hon ou r to you r

, ,

care J u stify my trust !

.
’

A s h e spok e h e han d ed th e keys o f the castle to

 TH E S TA N D A RD OF R E VOL T 1 53

Em m a who took them with trem bl i ng fi n gers and

,

attached them to her gi rd l e l ook in g at the ran k s of s teel

,

clad me n arou nd h er with a brave though blan ched face .

A great roar o f cheerin g rol led rou n d th e spaci ous

cou rtyard s uch as Em m a h ad n ever heard i n he r l ife
,

before though she was to h ear i ts l i ke i n th e co m in g

,

mon ths A sseveration s an d vows an d battl e c ri es

.
-

m ingl ed i n wi ld con fusion shou ted fro m s tentori an ,

lungs i n m ore than o n e language D ex aie cried th e .

‘

N ormans an d th e Breton s cried G u a d e r e t M ontfort

Ao i e H e ys a a !
’ ’
‘
an d Th e H oly Rood ! from ‘

Engli sh of varyi ng types w hi le th e kn ights shook thei r

lances and c ried to God to Sh i eld thei r l ady i n thei r
,

abs en ce A rm s clashed an d horses s ta m ped an d i t

.
, ,

seem ed as i f al l the d ogs i n N o r w ich were ba rkin g .

When the tu m ul t had so mewhat subsided an d t he ,

startl ed pigeon s were ci rcl ing back to thei r favou ri te

perches o n the battlements Em ma with a beati ng heart , , ,

m ad e her l it tl e s peech i n answer T u rn ing fi rs t to th e .

garrison Sh e said , ,

I than k ye al l for you r d evotion good si rs an d

‘
,

sold iers ! an d her clea r fl ute l i ke voi ce was to th e fu l l

’

,
-

as d istin ct as that o f the earl N o r d o I doubt th at ye .

will d o you r d u ty to G o d to you r ear ] an d to m e h is , , ,

d epu t y i n whatsoever sore straits m ay befall To y o u

, .
,

n oble kn ights sh e conti nu ed tu rn i ng t o the grou p w ho

,
’

were abou t to d epart with the earl I return than ks for ,

you r cou r tesy an d beg y o u to bear i n m i nd that my

,

lord s fortu n es and fai r fam e n ay even h is li fe d o i n

’

, , ,

so m e m easu re depen d u pon the sh arpn ess of you r

1 54 TH E S TA N D A R D OF R E VOL T .

swords an d you r promptn ess to u s e th e m i n h is beh alf

, ,

an d there fore every bl o w ye stri k e wi ll be s tru ck in m y

defen ce for i n sooth I shou ld die i f i ll o r d ishonour
, , ,

cam e to hi m
The cheers o f the garri son an d th e vows of th e
kn ights to d o thei r de v o i r by thei r lord bu rs t forth m ore
tu m ultuously than before ; bu t th e cou n tess tu rn in g to ,

h er h usban d sai d i n a l ow voic e

, ,

I can b ea r n o m ore Ral ph

‘
Farewel l ! M ay O u r
,
.

Lady an d S t N i ch olas gu ard th ee an d bring thee shor tly

.

hom e "
S he h el d o u t her h ands to hi m appeal in gly an d he , ,

pressin g them ben t forward has ti ly an d k issed her o n

,

the forehead .

A D z eze dear lady ! h e said with a voice l ess steady

'
’

, ,

than her own Forget n ot to n am e m e i n thin e

.
‘

orison s ! ’

H e stepped for w ard an d m ou nted h is i mpatien t

destri er w hi ch excited al most to m ad n ess by th e cheer
, ,

i ng o f me n an d th e cl ash o f arms pran ced an d cu rveted ,

’
proud ly as h e fel t h i s m aster s hand Th e tru m pets .

blared the p ortcul li s creaked upon its h in ges an d the

,
o
,

d rawbridge C lan ked upon its chai n s .

Th e gay caval cad e set forth o n thei r adventu res n on e ,

kn o w i n g how o r w h en o r i f ever t hey shou ld return

, , , .

The a rm ed h eel s o f th e steed s cl attered upon th e pave

m en t an d thun d ered over th e d rawbridge an d lu sty ,

C h eers ren t the a i r before an d behi nd th em fro m the ,

w aitin g host u pon th e pl a in an d from th e garrison i n ,

th e cou rtyard of the castl e .

1 5 6 T H E S TA N D A R D OF R E VOL T .

wen t away ful l of h igh hopes an d vi si on s o f gl ory ben t

, ,

’
on wi nn in g hi s spu rs an d weari n g ti ll he h ad d one so
, ,

as th e custo m w a s a golden chai n aroun d h i s righ t arm

, .

Laughin g an d fearless as he rod e a w ay w ith the blue ,

’
su m m er sky reflected i n his blu e N orsem an s eyes little ,

d i d t hey w h o w atched hi m d ream i n wh at pligh t t hey

w ould s ee h i m retu rn A fter the m fol lo w ed pages
.

l ead ing Iz a eg zzefz ees w h i ch thei r m asters m ight rid e w hen

’

the weight of thei r arm ou r had fati gued t hem an d th ei r

fi ery war steeds N ext the baggage o n s u m pter mu l es
-
.
,

an d a secon d body o f archers an d slingers to protect

the rear .

S o they rod e away o n th e b right su m mer m orn in g ,

an d Em m a an d h er ladies watched thei r slow progress

from the battle m en ts ti l l the last gl i m mer o f th e gl i tter
in g arm ou r w a s los t i n th e d i stan ce h er eyes fol lo w i ng
,

th em by wood an d m ere n ow h id den by thic kets n o w

, ,

crossin g the ope n m oorl an d covered wi th golde n gorse ,

n o w startli ng a sol itary h eron fro m h is post amongst the

m arshes n o w a s kei n o f wi ld fo w l fro m som e shin i ng

,

p o o L
Ea dg yth w atched
besid e th e coun tess w ith eager eyes ,

an d a great h op e i n h er b osom that h er cou ntry men

m igh t ye t com e by thei r o w n agai n A d elu sive hop e .
,

an d on e sh e w ould s carcely have h eld i f sh e h ad kn o w n

m ore o f the facts o f the case The English h ated th ei r
.

con qu eror an d fou n d h i s yoke oppress ive : I f Ea d g a r

,

IEth e li n g had been m an enough to stan d agai n st

Wi ll i am an d lead the m i n revolt they ml g h t have
‘

, ,

struggled to overtu rn the N orm an even Wa lthe o f -

 TH E S TA N D A R D OF R E VOL T . 1 57

they m ight have welco med as a n ati on al C hieft ai n —bu t

they s a w too clearly that Ral ph d e Gua de r an d Roger
o f H ereford were ben t on ly o n thei r o w n advan cem en t ,

to ral ly i n n u mbers to t hei r ban n ers S m al l gai n woul d .

i t be to the m to pu l l Wi lli am fro m th e th ron e o nly to

place on e of his tu rbu len t barons i n h is stead .

B u t the patrioti c ta l k whi ch th e Earl of Eas t A n glia

ha d affected wi th th e hope o f gain ing S axon a id had
, ,

been as hon ey to the l isten i n g ears o f Ea dg yth an d h ad ,

helped her to bea r the tria l o f seein g s trangers i n the

:

’
palace wh i ch had been H arol d s aforeti m e She had .

al mos t forgiven Ralph h is part at S en lac an d was ,

bui ld in g the m ost n obl e castl es i n the ai r as she watched

th e rebel arm y m arching away .

B ut th e youn g cou ntess torn wi th d ou bts i n bitte r

, ,

angu ish for both h usban d and b rother watched wi th ,

clasped h an d s an d a set pal e face an d spoke n ot a word

, ,

bu t at last w hen even he r an xi ous ga z e cou ld n o longe r

,

d iscern a vestige o f th e m ovi ng force she tu rned to ,

Ea dg y th .

’
‘
Let us to o u r bowe r am i d ston e wal ls sweet she , ,

s aid . I h ad hoped to h ave d on e wi th su ch wh en I left

the sto rmy bord e rs o f Wal es an d cam e h i ther to peace
,

fu l N orfol k At least I h ad tho u ght tha t thei r shel ter

.
,

wou l d be n eed ed on ly for protecti on agai n st th e wi ld

’
Dan ish V i ki ngs n ot to guard m e fro m my o w n fol ks
,
.

S he sighed d eeply an d Ea dg y th scarce cou ld thin k of

,

con solation Li ke most o th er p eop l e i n al l days and al l

.

pl aces i t seem ed to them that thei r ti mes w ere sad ly out

,

o f j oin t .
1 58 TH E S TA N D A R D OF R E VOL T

So they d escended from their post o f obse rvation and , ,

’
c rossing the cou rtyard entered th e C onstable s Lodge
, ,

whi ch was to be thei r ho m e ti l l the war en gin es o f th e

-

royal forces co mpel led th e m to shel ter behi n d the sol id

wal ls o f the keep .

The bower D e G u a d e r h ad p repare d fo r his brid e was

as magni fi cen t an d co mfortabl e as the resou rces o f the
ti m es perm itted a n d h ere D a m e A mi ci a d e Reviers sat
awaiti ng them h er i n firmi ti e s having preven ted her
,

fro m cli mbi n g the steep n ewel st a i rcas e o f the great

towe r .

Th e pretty bowe r m aidens cl ustered rou n d th e ven er

-

abl e o ld lady and chattered to h er gai ly o f al l th at h ad

,

taken place vyin g wi th each other i n recalling al l the

,

detai ls o f the sti rri ng sigh t th ey had j us t wi tn essed an d ,

i n conveyi ng them to her du l l ears .

Bu t D am e A mi c i a fel t keen ly that what was but a

pleasan t excitem en t to m ost of them m ust h ave been
acu te angu ish to her d arling .

Where i s you r l a dy chi ld ren ,

asked she bu t on ly
Ea dg y th had n oticed that before they l eft th e great
tower th e cou ntess had s l ipped qu ietly away from th em
,
.

S he had gon e to the oratory that l i ttl e oratory whi ch

,

i s stil l shown to those who visi t the re m ains o f N orwich

Castle .

The archway b y wh ich she had entered was suppor t ed

b y two colu m n s with orn am ental capi tals A t th e an gl e
.

were carved pel ican s i n th ei r p iety vuln ing thei r breasts

, .

Ah
‘
thought Em m a a s she passed them i f I coul d ,
‘

strip my own breast an d so m ake soft the bed s of thos e

,
 C H A P T ER XIII .

ST . N IC H O LAS FO R G UAD ER !

TH E o rigin al plan o f cam paign d rawn ou t by the Earls

o f East A ngli a an d H ereford h ad been sad ly marred
by the d efec t ion o f Wa lthe o f whos e cou n ti es o f H u n
,

t i n g d o n an d N orth ampton l ay bet w een them so that , ,

i nstead o f being a bon d of un i o n they had n o w b eco m e ,

adverse territory .

With W a lth e o f assi stin g them on ly Worcestershire ,

an d War w i ckshi re w oul d h ave d ivi d ed the m bu t si n ce he ,

had left them i n the lu rch they must n eeds fi ght h al f

,

across Englan d to effec t a j un ction Th ey had this .

co mfort however that Wa lthe o f had left the cou n try

, ,

i n order to m ake h i s peace wi th th e king an d wou ld ,

no t person al ly en cou nter them whi le thei r position s at

,

th e extrem es of east an d west exposed an y forc e

attacking ei th er o f the m to b e i tself attacked i n th e
rea r by th e o t her Fur t he r th e u nsettled state o f t h e
.
,

Welsh border an d the readi n ess o f the C elts to sei ze

,

any excu se for i nvasion ren dered H ereford s m ovemen t

,
’

’
doub ly form id abl e for the king s l i euten ants .

D e G u a de r hoped that for thi s reason th e m ai n forc e

, ,

of the opponen ts m ight be tu rn ed toward s H ereford ,

160
 S T N ICH OLA S FOR G UA D E R
.
/ 161

an d that he m igh t be u pon the m before they we re

aware th at he had take n the fi eld The h ope proved .

d el us ive
.

When he reached h is m anors a t S w a ffha m of w h ich ,

place he w a s lord h e fou n d that the roya l arm y was

,

al most upon hi m an d that he m u st give battl e there

,

an d then .

Ralph had n eed to put for th h is bes t powers of

gen eralsh ip for the force agai nst hi m was led by fou r
,

’
o f Wi llia m s m os t bri llian t officers

Earl W i l liam d e Warren n e an d S u rrey the husban d ,

of the ki ng s stepd aughter G u n d re d to w hom h ad bee n

’

give n twen ty eight m an ors i n Yorkshi re an d on e

-
,

hu n d red an d thirty n in e lord ships i n N orfolk an d w h o

-
,

was bu ild in g a fi n e castl e at A c re n ear S w affham so ,

’
that h e was Ralph s n eighbou r an d p robably n o very ,

cordial o n e Th e N orm an earl had wo n experi en ce o f

.

Fen lan d fi ghting i n the cam paig n agai nst H ereward a

few season s previously an d had n ever forgiven the
,

Engl ish for kill i ng his b rother who was lead in g the,

k in g s men through th e terri ble quagm i res o f the I s le o f

’

Ely ; so h e grou n d his teeth an d swore strange oaths ,

as was th e way o f the N orman s that n o w the ti m e fo r ,

retribution had co me .

N ex t th er e w a s Robert M alet son o f the brave old ,

S ir Wi ll iam who h ad helped to bea r the cors e o f

,

H arold G o d w i n s s o n t o i ts fi rst bu rial an d who too k ,

with hi m to h is own grave the love an d respect o f

N o rm an s an d English a lik e leavin g h is s o n an i n
,

he ri t an ce of l an d s i n N orfol k an d S u ffol k .
1 62 S T N I CH OL A S F OR G UA D E R
. .
’

B esid es w ere t w o w arli ke bishops : O d o o f Bayeu x ,

the king s half brother a n d Geoffrey o f C ou tan ces

’
-
, ,

warriors wh ose prestige was i tself equal to a large body

o f troops .

A fter the d ea th o f Rober t th e D evi l A r lete o f ,

Falais e th e m other o f Wi lli am the C on queror m arried

, ,

a kn ight n am ed H e rlu i n d e Co ntevi lle an d bore hi m ,

t w o sons Robert C oun t of M ortain an d O do B isho p

, , , ,

o f Bayeu x .

O d o had a l arge share o f th e m ilitary gen i u s o f his

grea t half brother ; n evertheless th e ch ron i cles say : H e
-

w a s no i ns tigator to wa r n or cou ld h e be d raw n thereto , ,

an d th erefore m u ch feared by th e sold iers B u t upon !

.

great n ecessity h i s cou ns el s i n m i l i tary affai rs were o f

,

special avail so far as m ight con sist with the safety o f

,

religion To th e ki ng w hose b rother he was by th e

.
,

m other his affection s w ere so great that he cou ld n o t

,

’
be severed from hi m n o n ot i n the cam p H e equipped
, , .

o ne h u nd red ships o f war as his con tri bu tion t o the

i nvasion of Englan d an d fough t i n person at H asti ngs

, ,

for wh i ch he was rewarded by th e earldo m of Ken t on e ,

hu nd red and eighty fou r lordships i n that cou n ty an d

-
,

two hun dred an d fifty i n oth er parts o f Englan d ,

i n clu ding Rising i n N orfo l k w here h e bui lt a fin e

, ,

castl e .

A fflu e nce d id n ot i m prove h is character H e grew .

rapaciou s an d greedy an d d egraded h is sacred office by ,

flagran t i m moral ities .

Th e fol lowers of thes e fou r red oubtable l eaders far

’
o u t n u mbered D e G u a d e r s an d were better d ri lle d a n d
-
,
1 64 ST . N I CH OL A S F OR G UA D E R

Ralph w a s n o t i l l pleas ed to see the B ishop of Bayeu x -

com e forward for the cruel t ies h e had perpetrated w hi l e

,

sharing the Vi ce regen cy o f Engl an d wi th Wi llia m -

Fi t z o s b e r n h ad w o n h i m the h atred o f th e S ax on s an d ,

the N orman s regarded hi m with j ealousy an d d istrust ;

so that o f al l Wi l lia m s leaders h e was least li kely to ’

wi n Ral ph s fol lo w ers to his si de by personal i n flu

’

en ce .

Yet th e warlik e bishop was wel l fitted to grac e th e

s add le of a knight Tall robust an d h andsom e in th e .
, , ,

pri m e o f you thfu l m anhood he looked i nd eed a n obl e ,

caval ier an d any wh o s aw hi m m ight wel l deem th at

,

the feats by which he h ad m ade h i m sel f famous at

H asti ngs m ight b e ecl ipsed by h is prowess o n the fi el d
before hi m .

H is eyes spark led with the ex cite m ent of the co m in g

struggl e an d h is upright an d m uscu l ar form was arm ed
,

cap d p z e i n al l the trappi ngs o f kn ightly harn ess O n ly

'

- -
.

i n o n e particu lar d i d his equ ipm en t d i ffer from that o f

th e warriors arou n d hi m H e bore n either l ance n or .

sword bu t on ly h anging fro m h is sad dle bo w a huge

, ,
-
,

m ace w ith i ron spi kes a w eapon m o re dead ly than ,

either be i t said t hough l ess like to spil l b lood b y this

, ,

subterfuge professing to obey the l aw o f the C hu rch

which forbade h is ord er to sh ed b lood .

H e n ow cam e as a messenger of peace —o n con d itions .

B ut what co n d itions
’
N oble barons a n d k n ights he shouted here
‘ ‘
, ,
’

presen t i n con tu m acious ass e mbly ! I n th e na m e o f

ou r king lord Wi llia m of N orman dy suprem e sovereign
-
, ,
 S T N ICH OL A S F OR G UA D ER
. 1 65

o fthes e real m s by th e wi l l o f th e sain ted Ea d w a rd th e

,

C on fessor an d th e election o f th e W i ta n a g e mOt

,
No
thu n d ered s ome o f the A nglo S axon s wh o foll owed -

Ralph d e G u a d e r) By th e wi ll o f t he s ai nted Ea d w a rd
the C on fessor an d th e el ecti on o f the Wi ta n a g e mOt !
,
’

repeated th e bishop i n stil l l ouder ton es we h is r e p re , ,

s e n ta t i v e s d o here d em and o f you th at ye d el iver u p

,

the body o f the vi l e an d au d aciou s traitor Ralph d e ,

G u a d e r som eti m e Earl o f N orfol k an d S u ffol k bu t

, ,

n o w un d er a t tai n der for high t reason ; an d th e person s

of hi s B reto n fol lowers here arranged i n blan k rebel lion

,

agai nst thei r liege l ord an d s ove reign Wi llia m th e ,

N orm an upon which d eliverance an d you r i m m ed iate

,

retu r n to a l legian ce you r past m is deed s w i l l receive fre e

,

pardon be ye N orman or S axon

, .
’

Ralph d e Gu a de r s d ark vis age was convu ls ed w ith

’

passion wh en he heard h i msel f an d h is coun trymen thus

s i ngl ed ou t and excepted from al l hop e o f pardon an d
h e vowed within hi s th roat that i f h i s N orm an an d
S axon vassals an d alli es accepted th e terms h i mself ,

and h is bold Breton s woul d forthw ith tu rn u pon them ,

an d so entreat th em that few shoul d live to p rofi t b y

thei r d el i n quen cy .

B u t th e d oubt was short l ived Ralph was a brave-

.

l ead er an d a generou s m aster and m oreover wel l , , ,

ski lled i n raising the ambiti ons o f such as had e mbarked

’
i n his boat A shou t of derision hai led the bishop s
.

harangu e before the heral d h ad ti m e to repeat i t

formal ly rising fi rst from a d ozen or so of lusty th roa t s
,

’
i n Ral ph s n ear neighbou rhood and spread ing after wa rds,
1 66 S T N ICH OLA S F OR G UA D ER
. .
’

t hrough the whol e host . Ralph hi msel f flun g back th e

ans w er .

" ’
‘
Tel l you r base born us u rper h e shou ted that the
-

m
, ,

N o rm an s h ave tired of hi s ingratitud e an d dee

- hi s ,

o ffers o f pardon as l ittle l ike to b e fu l fi lled as the fai r ,

p rom ises o f land s an d hon ou rs h e m ad e the m before

H asti ngs Te ll hi m that th e S axon s have yet to aven ge
.

H arol d Go dw i n ss o n an d w in back thei r broad acres

, ,

an d that th e Breton s a re n ot yet with i n the po w er of

th e m u rd erer o f C ou n t A l ai n an d Co u n t Con an .
’

‘
I t i s wel l repl ied th e bishop who n otwithstand ing , ,

the el asticity o f his ecc l es iasti cal conscien ce preferred ,

honest fightin g to the choppi ng o ff the han ds ears , ,

an d n oses o f prison ers wh ich m u st n eeds have fol lowed

the acceptan ce of h i s terms A fter su ch a m essage
.
‘
,

we n eed have n o com pu nction i n s tri ki ng th e fi rs t

’
blo w .

The d ay w a s overcas t and h eavy m asses o f grey ,

cl oud w ere s cudd i ng up fro m th e south west shed di ng -

,

bl i nd ing gushes o f rai n at i n tervals an d a gusty , ,

w histli ng wi n d swept the open heath A s B ishop O d o .

’
w i thd rew to the ran ks o f the ki ng s men a wi ld er ,

w h istl e shri lled through the air an d sh arp cri es o f pai n,

startled th e larks an d th e whi n chats fro m their n ests -

a m ong the gorse .

The battle had co m men ced wi th an al m ost si m u l

t a ne o u s fl igh t o f arrows o n each sid e Fo r a long ti m e .

D e Gu a de r acted stubborn ly o n th e d efen sive H is .

on ly chan ce was to keep the king s forces at bay along ’

the D evi l s Dyke B ut the l in e to be gu ard ed was very

’
.
1 68 S T N ICH OL A S F OR G UA D ER /
.

forced an other an d before they were wel l aware o f

,

t hei r m is fortu n e a large body o f kn ights h ad gai ned th e

,

eastern sid e o f the dyk e .

D e Gu a d er i n stantly formed h is caval ry an d led

the m to t h e charge wi t h th e cry o f S t N i cholas for
,
‘
.

G u a de r an d the groun d shook ben ea t h th e th un derin g

feet o f the d estriers .

D ex A z e e t N o tr e D a me ” shouted the warli ke

’
‘

bishop w ho led th e fo e an d th e mai led hosts C losed

, ,

w i t h a c rash th at w a s heard by the ward ers o n th e wal l s

of t he n e w castle tha t W il l ia m d e Warren n e was

'

build i n g at C astle A cre .

B ut when D e G u a d e r an d h is fol lo w ers h ad he w n

thei r way through t he thick squ ad ron t hat m et t he m a ,

fresh body s tood ready fo r them a nd fu rth er hosts w ere ,

pouri ng acros s the dyke .

Th e odd s were s o overwhel m ing that th e Eas t ,

A ngl i an earl w a s forced to fal l back ; an awfu l retrea t ,

for his troops were h arassed i n th e rear by th e rem n an t

o f the ban d th ey had j u s t C harged .

The royal ist knights pressed after t hem d rivin g t he m ,

back an d back off the fi rm h eath toward s the morasses

n ear Fo u ld o n ; m any a gal lan t hors em an flou n dering
i nto t h e qu agm i res an d stiflin g i n the black oo z e .

Car n age grew fi erce rou n d th e East A ngli an ban n er ,

an d an xious eyes fol lowed the wavin g gold an d black

pl um es u pon D e Gu a d e r s hel m for m an y fel t that to
’

l ose thei r l eader woul d be to los e th e d ay I n those

,
.

ti mes i n d ivid ual p rowess often tu rn ed th e fortu n e o f a

fi eld I t was th e era o f s i ngl e combats a n d a thri l l
.
,
 S T N I CIIOL A S F OR G UA D E R
. 1 69

passed th rough a ll t h e host w h en afte r long seeki ng , , ,

Ralph an d Od o m et a t len g th I t was as i f t he w hol e .

fi eld paused to watch .

They h ad fou g ht s id e b y s id e at H as t i ngs these ,

two splen did warri ors to Ral ph s sh am e be i t spoken !

,
’

They had sat side by si d e at m an y a festive board ,

an d had t ri ed th ei r s trength an d d exteri ty i n the

fri en d ly struggl e o f the tou rn ey N o w they m et a s .

morta l foes h u rl ing i nsul t at e ach other

, .

‘
P iti ful ren egad e twi ce told a trai tor ! cried O d o
,
’
,

‘
h ow d a r e s t thou d ra w good s teel to d efen d thi n e
u n kn ightly carcase
‘
Na y ! My sword has better caus e t han eve r hath
thy m ace u n s a n c ti fie d sh aveling ! retorted Ralph
,
’

‘
the cause of a fel l m onger s grandson
-
’

The tau n t stru ck hom e s in ce i t i nclud ed O do w i th

,

Wi ll iam .

S tri king the rowel s i n to their ho rses they fle w at each ,

other l i ke tigers .

Th e head of Ral ph s l ance had bee n chopped o ff a

’

few m o men ts before by a bl ow fro m a S axon seax s o ,

’
h e had bu t hi s sword to oppose to the bishop s a w fu l
m ace .

A glea m o f steel a nd a d u ll horri bl e crash

,
A wild ,

yel l of e xecra tion an d t ri um ph fro m a hu n d red throats !

Fo r both th e ch am p io n s were d o w n Each party closed .

up to p rotect i ts l ead er an d a fearfu l con fl ic t began

,

arou n d the fal len heroes .

But though O d o w a s d own G eoffrey of Cou tan c e s , ,

Wi l li a m d e Warren n e an d Robert M a le t w ere ready to

,
1 70 S T N ICH OL A S F OR G UA D ER
.

take his place an d shrewd blows were given an d taken

,

i n the n eighbourhood o f each o f these redoubtabl e

ch ampi ons wh i le al though th e East A ngli an earl had
, ,

m any brave kn ights In his fol lowin g the i n su rgen ts ,

w ere Vi rtual ly wi thout a l ead er .

’
Ralph s fal l d ecid ed the fate of th e d ay i f i t had eve r ,

been doubtful The fl ight of h is army was on ly d elayed

.

by the frantic val ou r o f the B reton s w h o w ere ben t o n

,

selli n g their li ves as dearly as possi bl e .

The tid e of battle rol led eastwa rd s grad ual ly d c ,

gen eratin g i n to a pu rsu it an d bu tchery an d th e origi nal

,

s i te o f the struggle was left to th e d ead an d th e dyi ng .

The wi nd h ad risen sh aking the whi te tassels of the

,

cotto n grass w h i ch covered acres o f the m arshes an d

-
,

bending th e aspen s ti l l the w h ite u nd ersid es o f thei r

leaves alon e w ere vis ible as i f i t were preparing w h i t e
,

shrouds fo r the d ead A s th e clou ds parted th e red su n

.
,

shon e forth between thei r scuddi ng m ass es fl ushing ,

t he m to vi vi d crimson an d shedd in g a l u ri d light upo n

,

the ensangu in ed fi el d o f fight gl itteri ng red ly o n the

,

harness o f the fal len an d pai n ting th e pale faces o f th e

,

d ying with a hu e as bright as th e li fe blood that welled-

fro m thei r w ou n ds B ut n o wi nd cou l d sha ke yonde r

.

tuft o f reed s as i t is shaken ! B eho ld a m otley figu re

co m es cautious ly forth an d advan ces al on g th e field ,

peering cu riou s ly i n to the faces of the fallen as it co m es .

I t i s G r i llo n n e the Earl o f East A ngli a s j ester

,
’
.

Gri m j ests h e m u st m ake i f h e woul d su it h i s wi t to his

s u rroun d i ngs
A n d gri m j ests he d oes m ake ; for often w h en afte r , ,
 S T N ICH OLA S F OR G UA D E R
. 17 1

consid erabl e toi l h e has gai ned sigh t o f the face o f a

,

d ead or wou n ded m an hal f bu ried un d er fal le n frien ds

,

a n d foes h e expresses h is d isgus t an d abhorren ce a t

,

’
recogn isin g o n e o f Wi lli am o f N o rman dy s supporters ,

by pu lling hi s nose o r moustach ios —n ot very vi olently ,

i t is tru e an d usu al ly fol lo w i n g u p th e i n d ign i ty by

,

’
placing the Vi cti m s h ead i n as co m fortable a position as
th e ci rcu mstan ces al lowed .

Bu t a t last he fou nd a face which h e treated otherwi se .

‘
A h my d ear l ord ! he c ri ed pl acing his h and s
,
’
,

tend erly u nder the s enseless h ead ; h e cou l d d o n o

more for a h eap o f slai n and the hoof o f a dead ch arge r
,

w ere pi led a b ove the earl .

‘
O h sweet n un cle ope n th in e e y es thy d ear eyes
, , , ,

an d glad the h eart o f thy poor faith fu l fool Go d .

forbi d ! Tho u cans t n ot b e d ead ! Fo r thy l ady s sak e

’

’
thou canst n ot be d ead ! H e too k fro m h is breast a
s mal l flask con tain ing a st ron g cord i al an d pou red a ,

portion o f its conten ts down the earl s throat ten derly ’

w iping away the blood w hich oozed fro m a con tused

woun d i n h is forehead ; an d after a ti m e Ral ph s eyes ’

—
open ed l angu id ly Open ed an d closed agai n al m os t
,

instan tly .

Good l ad ! Good l ad ! exclai m ed th e ol d j ester

‘ ’

ch eerful ly There i s li fe i n the e yet I wel l see

.
‘
, ,

and we wi ll h ave thee a l l safe and sou n d yet H oly ,

M a ry be p raised ! B u t I can not d o the j ob single

ha nded val ian t hero as I a m an d I l ik e n ot to l eave
, ,

thee les t thin e en e m ie s retu rn

,
H ist ! I have a .

fio n !
’
no
1 72 S T N ICH OL A S F OR G UA D E R
.
’
.

H e took o ff his li ttle parti col ou red cape an d g o t i t

-
,

u pon the earl s shoulders an d h e d re w from his pocket

’

his j ester s cap wh ich he had thrust therei n to sti ll t h e

’

n oi se o f the bel ls an d d ecorate d therewi th th e earl s

,
’

stately head ; a n d h e took the earl s batte red helm ’

,

w hi ch had rol led o ff an d l ay n ear by wi th its gol d an d

, ,

b lack pl u mes m ightily d raggled an d fas tened i t u po n ,

t h e head o f a d ead Breto n kn i g ht Si r Guy d e Lan dern eau , ,

w h o had fal len at a l i ttle d istan ce fro m his leader an d ,

n o t long after w ards N ex t he armed hi msel f w ith the

.
,

m ai l j e rki n a n d steel ca p of on e O f the sl ain a rchers

-
,

added thereto a short sword the n fl ed precipitately to ,

fi nd help to extricate th e earl .

A n d h e was bu t j ust i n ti m e .

S carce ly h ad he d isappeared w hen a s ea rchin g party ,

Of th e ki ng s m en cam e to that qu arte r o f the fi eld an d

’

carried Off tri u m phan tl y the d ea d kn igh t up on whom

G r i llo n n e had fix ed the earl s hel met
’
1
.

1
Se e A pp e n di x ,
N te o C .
1 74 H O IV TH E C O/VQ UE R OR D EA L S WI TH R E B EL S
.

ad van cing s un e re so l arge a party co uld be pu t i n

m otion .

M oreover Em m a had little heart for s uch en tertain

,
-

men t wh i ch chi efly served to b ri ng ba ck m emori es o f

,

happi er d ays when Earl Roger an d Ra lph d e Gu a d e r

,

h ad been besid e her ; and al l the prowess o f her D an ish

h awk di d bu t rem in d her of h er h usband an d his
d angers S oar an d stoop an d chan celier as h e m ight
.
, , ,

he fai led to m ove her en th usi asm an d d i d b ut rend e r ,

her m ore sad wh ile the encom i um s o f S i r A lai n D e

,

Gou r i n wh o m ad e a poi nt o f attend i ng her o n these

,

e xpedi tions i rked ra ther than pl eased h er H is eri ti

, .

c i s ms ad m i ri ng as they were seem ed to her i mperti n en t

, ,

when passed o n a bi rd wh i ch Ralph d e G u a d e r had

pronoun ced as on e of th e most perfect h e h ad ever
s een .

S o she strove to cheat th e hou rs by em broid erin g a

mag n i fic ent m an tl e for her absen t lord usi ng all the ,

m ost elaborate S axon stitches which she h ad learn ed ,

fro m Ea dg yth who sat ever at her elbow to help her

, ,

i f sh e forgot her l esson S uch gorgeous m an tles were

.

m u ch i n fashion am on g th e N orm an exqu isites .

Ea d g y th herself w a s busy by Em m a s d esi re m ak ing

’

, ,

an altar cloth for th e chapel of the castl e i n which

-
,

the D e Gu a d e r an d East A n glian arm s were m ingl ed

som ewhat i ncongruou sly w ith pi ctori al i l lustration s of
th e l ife o f S t N ichol as Th e chaplai n o f th e aforesai d
. .

ch apel had d rawn the d esigns being a very clever ,

l i m n er an d i llu mi n ator a nd h e took great i n terest i n

,

the progress of th e pious work losing n o opportun ity ,

H O IV TH E C OIVQ UE R O/I D EA L S IVI TH R EB E LS
’
. 175

to vi sit the fai r e m bro id eress whe n she was engaged

u po n it
H e was a you ng Breto n o f good fa m i ly bu t h ad su n k ,

h is patronym i c fo r the priestly Father P ie rre the ‘

,
’

ven erable title bein g rather in congruou s to his boyish

face an d shy sh ri n kin g ways ,
H e was a n asceti c .

enthusiast believi ng stern ly i n the mo rti fica t i o n of the

,

fl esh an d his young c he c k s were s un ken his l arge d ark

, ,

eyes h ol low an d gli tteri n g an d h is tal l figu re pain ful ly

,

em aciated Bu t h is stern ness was al l fo r hi ms elf ; to h i s

.

flock he was the ki nd est of pastors an d i n h is h u m i li ty ,

h e di d n ot ventu re to enter u pon poli ti cal m atters ,

accepti ng the j u dgm en t of his feudal superior as pa ra

mou n t and n ot to be qu estioned
,
.

Em m a d id n ot feel d rawn to h i m H er p racti ca l .

n ature cou ld n ot comp rehen d or draw com fort from h is

mystic an d d rea my ecstasi es and sh e n eed ed a strong , ,

clear headed guid e to advis e her on th e tangi b le an d

-
,

i m mi n en t perplexiti es that en ci rcl ed her .

O h fo r an hou r o f Father Theod red ! sh e sighed

‘ ’

o n e d ay whe n Father P i erre h ad left th e apartm en t

, ,

after making a vag ue reply to a qu estion she had

add ressed to hi m tou ching som e s m al l u rgen t du ty o f
,

the hou r O u r good chaplai n hath m ore an xi ety

.
‘

regard ing the orderin g of thy n eed lework warriors for

the ad orn men t of h i s chape l t h an for the bodies o f th e
,

living m en who are d efen d ing i t m ethi n ks ! In good ,

sooth Ea dg y th I feel tired o f this sti tch ery I wou ld

, , .

th e wi n d blew n o t so keen ly o n th e battl em en ts I .

’
cou ld b e ever watchi ng th e horizon l i ke som e sea rove r s -
1 76 H O W TH E CON Q UER OR D EA L S WITH R EB E L S
.

deserted m ate lookin g o u t fo r th e gl int of su n o n a

,

steel headpiece as s uch an o n e wou ld watch fo r a sai l

, .

Th e ston e w all s wel l n igh sti fl e m e ! I feel en tombed-

sitting h ere where I can not s ee i f any approach to bri ng

,

tidin gs o f my d ear lord ! Fetch m e m antl e an d head

rai l sweet d am sel
,
M eth in ks i f I si t here l onger
.
, ,

che w in g the cud of bitter reflection I shal l go stark ,

staring m ad Let u s go to the battle m ents an d fight

.

the win d
Ea dg y th w hos e more phlegm ati c temperam e n t d i d
,

n ot seek rel ief fro m m ental p ai n i n physical ex ercis e ,

s m i led at the res t less ness o f her frien d bu t i nstan tl y ,

’
lai d as id e her n eed le w ork au d sough t her lady s ti re ,

w o man w h o brought th e wished fo r garm ents

,
-
.

I n a few mom ents Em m a an d Ea dg y t h had l eft

the lodge a scen ded the spi ra l stai rcase i n the great
,

tower an d were pacing upon th e battlem ents I t w a s

,
.

o ne o f t hose grey chilly d ays frequ ent i n the Eastern ,

cou n t ies w hen the n orth west wi n d brings ha z e from

,
-

the Fenlan ds an d th e Wash an d th e N orth S ea ;

, ,

coveri ng th e sky w ith a lead en p al l an d bringin g wi nter ,

into su m mer s h eart Colu m n s o f d us t ros e along the

’
.

road w ays b u t the wi n d swept away al l m ist an d fog

, ,

an d th e cou ntry sh owed bleak an d n aked to the

hori z on .

The senti nels sal uted thei r cou ntess a n d h er l ady

i n waitin g with a d eep reveren ce b ut they were
-
,

accustomed to see thei r fai r C astellan s can n ing the

d istan c e as if d istrustin g that any eyes cou ld be so
,
-

k een an d faithfu l as h er o w n .
1 7 8 H O W TH E C ON Q UE R OR D EA L S WITH R E B EL S .

barbi can an d after a short parl ey the portcul lis w a s

, , ,

raised th e d rawbri dge lowered an d he rod e forward

, ,

i n to th e cou rtyard o f the castl e .

Em m a d es cended ful l of tre mulou s excitem en t Sir .

A lai n d e Gou ri n m et he r o n h i s way to the cou rtya rd , ,

to qu estion th e n ew com er -
.

‘
I wi l l sen d word at on ce i f he prove to be o n e of ,

’ ’
the earl s m en o r brings any m essage o r n ews said
, ,

S ir A lai n .

N a y repl i ed Em m a I wi ll mysel f go d own Each

’ ‘
.
, ,

’
m o m ent o f w ai ting wi ll prove a year .

S o with Ea dg y th besid e her an d h er trai n of ladies

, ,

followi ng sh e wen t d own to th e great portal o n the

,

eas t s id e o f th e k eep wh en ce a short ti me before sh e,

h ad bidd en God S peed to h er noble spous e an d h is

‘ ’

army .

The horsem an was su rrou n ded by a cu rious cro w d

of soldiers an d d om estics A rchers an d m en a t arm s .
- -

of al l sorts an d cond itions from th e gu ard room pages -

, ,

squ ires cooks an d scul lions h a d all com e forth to see

, , , .

C ertain of th e garrison who had been trying thei r

strength for pasti m e i n a wres tling bout had l eft thei r ,

sport an d s tood with brawn y a rms a ki mbo a n d mou th s

, ,

agape Even th e pal e face o f the chaplain was am ongst

.

the grou p his d ark eyes gazing with pi ty an d awe upon

,

th e m an who form ed i ts cen tre .

H e was i n s orry pl ight ! H is hors e fle ck e d wi th ,

foam an d bloody w i th spu rri ng head d own nostri ls , ,

red an d l i m b s tre m b l i ng wi th fatigue looked as thou g h

, ,

another m i le h ad been utter ly beyon d h is s pen t

 r
The To we Sta i rs .
1 80 H O W TH E CON Q UE R OR D EA L S WI TH R EB E L S .

’
‘
I t i s al l over ! h e mu ttered hoars ely forcin g hi s ,

swollen lips to u tter th e word s wi th d ifficu lty The .

‘

earl is slai n an d my m aster ; an d th e army is scattered

,

l ike a flock of Sh eep ! Flee flee ! They are com in g ,

after m e to s torm the castl e

H e raised h is right arm fro m w hi ch the h an d h ad ,

been ri ven th e stu mp bl ack with th e seari ng o f red hot

,
-

i ron s with wh i ch the flo w of blood h ad been staunch e d ,

i n a gestu re o f entreaty .

A fearfu l w i tness tru ly as to wh at m ight be expected

to follow o n d efeat .

A howl of fi erce an ger ran aroun d the cou rtyard ,

an d m any a s tron g breast heaved wi th an i n dign an t

sob o f i mp oten t rage ; cu rs es l ou d an d d eep w e re
showered o n the heads o f Willi am of N o rm an dy an d
hi s vicegerents .

‘
H eed hi m n ot nobl e Em m a ! c ri ed S i r H o el d e
,
’

S t B rice hasti ly
. . By the H oly V i rgi n ! tis bu t a
‘ ’

recrean t who has l et hi m self be mad e prison er an d n ow ,

repeats th e story they have stu ffed h im with ! O u t o f

hi s wits with th ei r rough treatm en t an d s m al l w ond er ! ,

M ay the Foul Fien d s ei z e the m for thei r barbari ty

‘
Christ be my wi tn ess I speak soo th ! cri ed th e ,
’

u nfortun ate fugitive I a m S tephe n le H a re a u squ i re

.
‘
,

o f the body to S i r Guy d e Lan dern eau an d I swear ,

b y the H oly C ross I s aw the earl fal l with m i n e o w n

,

’
eyes !
‘
Thou S tephen le H a re a u ? Thou ? shou ted S ir ’

A l ai n de Gou ri n startle d ou t of his equ ani m ity as he

,

l ooked at the pitiful obj ect before his eyes an d r e ,

H O W TH E C ON Q UE R OR D EA L S WITH R EB E LS . 18 1

m embered the han dsom e gal l an t h e had seen rid e fro m

the castl e gates a few weeks b efo re .

A fresh hiss o f execrati on bu rst fro m the bystan ders ,

’
as the cruel ty of th e you n g m a n s fate ca m e hom e to
th em .

S tephen le H a re a u ! Th e ha n dso m est a n d m ost

’
popu lar squ ire in the earl s fol lo w ing ! They k n ew
h i m too for a brave an d d au n tless sold ier
, ,
.

S i r H o el looked towa rd s th e cou n tess won deri n g

'

how she wou ld h e a r the blow for the d i fficu lty w i th ,

which she ha d m ain tained her s e lf co n tro l when sh e a

h ad parted with her nobl e b ri degroo m had been

m an ifest to all an d n o w th e wors t fears sh e cou ld
,

then have en tertai n ed were d eclared to have com e to

pass .

B ut Em ma wh o had sh ru n k fro m the approach o f

,

evi l stood fi rm to m eet i ts actu al con tact H er face

,
.

was wh ite as m a rble an d her l ips qu ivered b ut sh e sai d

, ,

i n a firm voi ce ,

‘
Th e cru elty thi s poo r gen tle m an h as u n d ergon e
m ay wel l nerve o u r hearts to res istan c e S t N i chol as . .

gran t thou art i n th e right S i r H o el H e m ay wel l

,
.

deem things bl ack er th an th ey are ! I prithee keep ,

h i m n o longer an swering o u r vai n queri es Let hi m .

b e l i fted fro m hi s hors e an d carried to th e spi tal I wi l l .

tend h i m wi th m y own han ds H i s poor steed also

.
,

let i t be cared for .

’

Ea dg y th an d several of th e lad ies were sobbing

hyste ri cal ly behi n d he r S h e tu rned to them . .

‘
C ourage da m es an d d am sels ! she said w i t h a
,
’

,
I8 2
-
H O W TH E CON Q UER OR D EA L S WITH R EB EL S .

si m pl e d ignity that sham ed them i nto self con trol -

.

‘
I h ave heard as evi l tales a s this a n d fou n d the m ,

van ish li ke d ream s at the breakin g o f th e morn .

’

S h e gathered h er ro b es arou n d her an d swept back

i n to the keep and call ing her ti rewo man ord ered he r
, , ,

to bring su n d ry ess en ces an d s i mpl es which li k e every , ,

n obl e lady of th e ti m e she kept by he r th e scien ce o f

, ,

m edici n e bein g ch iefly i n femi n i n e h ands i n those d ays .

Then bid di n g Ea dg yth to attend her sh e p roceed ed

, ,

at on ce to the spital to leech th e u n fortu n ate squire

,
.

She stopped a few m om en ts i n the chapel to d irect ,

the chaplai n to offer m asses for th e soul s o f thos e wh o

had fal len i n th e battl e A sob caught her breath a s
.

sh e rem embered the earn est repetitio n w ith wh i ch

S tephen le H a re a u had d eclared th at th e earl was
am ongst th e m .

Bu t she d are not thi n k an d wen t o n h u rried ly to

,

d i rect that others sho u ld be offered fo r the safety of

those who had escaped an d for the su ccess o f the i r
,

u n dertakin g .

H er m i n istration s to th e wou n ded man kept at bay

the fierc e troop of agon is ing though ts that were th ron g
i n g down u po n her l ike a pack o f hu ngry wolves .

Rol ling ban d ages an d p reparin g s alves an d u ngu en ts

, ,

she h ad s carce ti me to specu late u pon the probabi lity

o f th e truth of h er patien t s d i refu l n ews
’
T rue n o .
,

d ou b t i t was as far as h i s kn owl edge wen t b u t there

, ,

was h ope as S i r H o el had suggested th at h is report

, ,

of the b attl e h ad been su p pl i ed by thei r oppon ents an d ,

h i mself sen t off by th em as a m essenger of evi l ti di ngs

, ,
1 84 H O W TH E C ON Q UER OR D EA L S WITH R EB E LS .

an d the S axon th egn A lfn o th o f Walsham

D e re s fo r t, , ,

with s ome dozen m en a t arms have rid den i n from - -

,

Cambridgeshire an d con fi rm — a sob brok e hi s voi ce

,

‘
i n every item th e d i re tid ings b rought by poor Steph e n
le H a re a u
’
.

’
‘
D o they say then th at I a m a widow ? asked , ,

Em m a i n a strange hard voice with so awful a cal m , ,

i n i t that th e thick ski n n ed S i r A lai n who was l i ttl e

,
-
,

won t to h eed the tears o r shri eks of women o r to spa re ,

them i n any respect i f they stood i n h is way shud dered ,

a s h e heard i t H e thought th e co un tess w a s going

.

m ad .

’
‘
I fear a nswered S i r H oel th ere i s n o d oubt the
, ,
‘

earl i s slain S t N i chol as rest h i s sou l

, .

‘
Th en gen tlem en ask ed Emm a i n the sam e strange
, ,
’

h
ton e w at is to be d on e
,
1 ’

’
‘
God kn ows ! exclai med S i r H oel the great tears ,

runnin g down h i s fu rrowed face an d d ri ppi ng u pon h is ,

hau b erk .

N ob le lady said S i r A lai n eagerly speaking for

‘ ’
, ,

th e fi rst ti m e i t i s wel l know n that the wrath of th e

,
‘

P ri mate an d o f hi s m aster Wi ll ia m the N orm an i s

, , ,

pri n cipal ly en ki n d led agai nst th e coun trym en o f the

l ate earl Thy safety most noble coun tess i s of cou rs e
.
, , , ,

what e very m an i n the garri son wou ld give his l i fe to

i n su re therefore my hu m b l e couns el fo r what i t m ay
, ,

be worth is that th ou shoul dest at once tak e shi p with

,

th e trusty B retons un d er my com mand and m ake for ,

’
B retagn e an d thy l ate husb and s estates o f Gu a de r an d
,

’
M on tfort .
H O W TH E C ON Q UER OR D EA L S WI TH R EB EL S . 185

‘
What i s thy coun sel S i r H o el ? dem an d ed Em m a ,
’

stil l wi th th e sam e u n n a t u ral cal m .

‘
D ear l ady I wou ld advis e thee as d oth S i r A lai n
,
.
’

B u t wou ld n ot th e garrison thus bereft o f h al f thei r ,

’
n u mbers fal l an i n stan t prey to the en e my ? as ked
,

Em m a
’
‘
I t i s n ot Wi l lia m s poli cy to provoke the S axons
an d to his own coun trym en h e i s ever co m pl ace nt ,

u rged D e Gou ri n with th e sam e eagern ess

,
Therefore .
‘

my m ean ing is that th e castle be su rren d ered at on ce

, ,

i n whi ch case th e garrison wou ld prob ably be softly

d ealt wi th we B reton s b ein g o u t o f the way ; whereas
,

further resistan ce wi ll b e useless an d wi l l b ut fu rther

.

provoke thei r vengean ce the styl e o f which we have ,

se e n f
‘
A rt thou of thi s advi ce also S i r H oel ? de m an ded ,
’

Emm a
S i r H oel b owed h is head D ea r lady h e said .
‘
,
’
,

‘
there i s n o d ou b t that th e P ri mate h ath an i mosi ty
’

agai nst u s B retons an d m ay p rove kin der to N orm an s

,

and S axon s ; yet m eth in ks I wi ll stan d b y the m a n d ,

advis e them n ot to try hi s m ercy soon er tha n i s n eed ful .

I cou n sel therefore that thou shou ldest s o far fol low
, ,

S i r A lai n s advi ce as to take sh i p with h im sel f an d hi s

’

ban d fo r B retagn e Fo r my part I wi l l fight for i t wi th

.
,

the garrison rem ai n in g to m e B la u n che flo u r has bee n .

built to s tan d a siege an d we m ay wel l victu al it b efore

,

’
supplies can be cu t o ff We m ay yet m ake good term s . .

’
There spoke th e spiri t o f a true kn igh t ! cried
‘

Em ma tu rni ng on D e Gouri n with s o fierce a flash i n

,
1 86 H O W TH E C ON Q UE R OR D EA L S WITH R EB EL S .

her eyes that he started so great a change was i t from

, ,

the stony i nd i fferen ce of h er fo rm e r m ann e r .

‘
Go fai r si r i f i t sui ts thee ! Take al l thy fai n t
, ,

h earted m ercen aries with th ee to thei r native B retagn e !

I wi l l stay wi th S i r H o el an d d efen d thi s castl e wh ich ,

th e earl gave i n to my charge Th e [O le earl thou .

,

’
s ai d s t ? M ethi n ks thou art w on d rou s quic k to m ake
s o certai n of hi s d eath ! M ethi n ks al l thes e ga l lan t
gen tle men who h ave gal loped back to th e safe wal ls o f
B la u n che flo u r i n su ch hot haste scarce waited to see ,

i f he was woun ded o r slai n ! Fo r me he wi ll n ever b e

the la te earl O n earth o r i n heaven h e i s my h u s b an d
.

still an d I wil l hold h i s castle h opi ng perh aps selfi shly

, , , ,

that h e wi l l com e to clai m i t I wi ll hol d i t i f on ly to .

have ven gean ce on h is foes

S i r H o el watched her i n d elighted s u rprise Sir .

A l ain flushed hotly u n d er her attac k but coul d n ot ,

bu t ad m i re th e high spi ri ted beau ty as she h u rl ed he r

-

i nd ign an t tau nts at his head .

‘
N o w by al l th e sain ts ! thou art unj us t to m e an d
,

my poor fol lowin g noble lady ! he exclai m ed

,
My ’
.
‘

’
obj ect was bu t to secu re thy safety .

I f the earl b e i nd eed sl ai n sai d Em ma with a tre mo r,

’
,

i n her voice my safety boots m e bu t little ; if h e be

,
‘

n ot i t is i mportan t that B la u n ch e flo u r hol d ou t to the

,

l ast gasp Besid es ye kn ow not h ow i t fa res wi th m y

.
,

brother o f H ereford hi s arm s h ave perchan ce prevai led ,

an d h e m ay be able to rel ieve u s .

’

A slend er hope said Si r A l ain i mpatien tly

’
‘
, B ut .
‘

ou r l ives are at thy d isposal noble Em m a ,

.
’
1 88 H O W TH E C ON Q UER OR D EA L S WI TH RE B EL S
.

A n d so sayin g sh e qu itted th e apar t m en t .

A las !
’
‘
S i r H o el m u rmu red m ore to hi m sel f than
,

t o D e Gou ri n when sh e was gon e I d oubt she is ‘

, ,

buoyin g hers el f with a fals e hop e an d that o u r n oble ,

D e Gu a d e r wi ll glad h er eyes n o m ore .

’

B y the rood an swere d S i r A lain I d oubt so too ,

‘
.

B ut m eth inks so fai r a wid ow and s o wel l d owered an d

,
-

youthfu l w i th al m ay fi n d con solation o n this s ide th e

,

grave H oly M ary ! A d a m e o f spi rit ! I f o u r m otley

.

garrison S axon s D an es Fl e m i ngs and other were

, , , , ,

o f m etal that woul d ri n g to th e sam e tu n e o u r cas e ,

’
wou l d n o t look so d esperate .

‘
M ethin ks the m ercen ari es un de r thy h an d are th e
’
m ost d oubtfu l m etal withi n the wal ls good si r a nswered , ,

S i r H o el gravely eyeing his com pan ion som ewh at

,

keenly .I f thou can st get th e right ri ng o u t of t/z em

‘
,

I thin k I ca n an s w er for the rest

 C H A P T ER XV .

LOWLV LAID
’
‘
0 H IG H AM B IT IO N !

TH E choughs a n d raven s wh ich had fla p p e d lazily

away wi th n oisy win gs an d harsh croaki ng when th e
, ,

Royalists had com e to search amongst th e d ead an d

wou n ded for Ral ph d e G u a d e r h a d s ettled d own to
,

t hei r ban quet agai n as soon as thei r d istu rbers h ad

d eparted m istakenly laden wi th th e body o f th e B reton
,

kn ight whom G r i llo n ne had d ecorated with the earl s ’

he l met Thei r fou l beaks were busy with th e flesh o f

.

the dead an d th e eyes of the l iving .

The h arsh clam ou r o f thes e n oi sy revell ers pi erced a t

length to th e fai n tin g ears of th e fallen earl who was ,

i n som e m eas ure revived by th e cord ial which Gr i llo n n e

had pou red down his th roat C onsc iousn ess ca me back
.

to hi m a poor ex change u n d er su ch ci rcu m stan ces fo r

, , ,

ki n d obl ivi on Fo r h e coul d m ove n ei ther han d n o r foot

.
,

an d the w eight upon h is ch est was as th e oppress ion of

—
a fearful n ightm are a n ightm are fro m which there was
n o awaking H e l ay helpless — the l ivin g u nd er the d ead
.

A b ove hi m stretched the twi light sky sti l l flushed ,

wi t h fleetin g b lood red cloud s b eyon d wh ich fro m pale

,
-
, ,

gree n pools of i n fin i te depth gl i m me red here an d there

, , ,

1 89
1 96 O H IGH A M B ITI ON L O WL Y L A ID

a si lvery star To the right s tretched the sombre heath

.
,

i ts risin g h il ls c rested with fantasti c figures o f contorted

slain m en an d horses stiffen ed i n to u n cou th an d terri ble
,

form s ; whi l e groanin g woun ded were heaped between

them thei r pan ting anguish n ot l ess awfu l than th e
,

s i len ce o f the d ead .

To hi s l eft a lso were witn esses o f battle bu t n ot so ,

many fo r on that sid e the hu ngry m orass es had

,

swallowed them u p To th e south a n d wes t th e

.

m easu rel ess fen stretched to the hori zon cri mson to its ,

farthest verge wi th th e en san gui n ed glow of th e sun ,

’
th e tal l reed s redd en ed li ke warri or s lan ces that h ad
been d ipped i n the l i fe b lood of the foe -
.

The air was ful l of the awfu l scen t of wou nd s an d

blood and the wei rd d an k odou rs o f the d ecaying
, ,

s edges wh i l e th e wai lin g wi n d piped and m oan ed over

,

th e wold swaying th e ru sh es th ough scarcely m aking

, ,

a rippl e o n th e p rotected su rfaces o f the bottom less

l agoon s .

M al lard an d teal an d plove r cam e C i rcli ng back to

thei r haunts i n th e lon ely swa mps n ow that the d i n of ,

battl e wh ich had frighten ed th em was over an d don e

, ,

and as the twi light d eepen ed bats an d owls cam e

, ,

forth wi th s i lent win gs to h u n t thei r n ight roam i ng -

p rey .

’
Ralph s open eyes l ooked on ly into the sky and at the ,

wi ld wi n d d riven clouds fleeti ng acros s the cal m i m

,
-
,

m u ta b l e heaven s beyon d as the struggl i ng hosts o f ,

m ortals fleet ove r th e fac e o f etern ity .

H is sou l was fi l led wi th an overwhel m ing sense of

192 0 H I GH A M B ITION L O WL Y L A ID .
”

A w i ld
gladness ca me to hi m bu t as the sky gre w ,

d ark an d the stars were obscu red by clouds hope left

, ,

h i m again .

I f i t were he i n deed he has forgotten m e o r has m et

, ,

h is d eath i n tryi n g to save m e .

’

Then al l the j oys o f earth passed before h i m i n a fai r

pageant and h e th ough t o f h i s young brid e wi th h er
,

C lear lovin g eyes that he m ight n ever see again an d

, ,

to whom he had bee n u n ited wi th su ch m agn i fi cenc e

s carcely a m onth before an d w ho was bu t a few sho rt
,

m i les fro m th e scen e o f his presen t su fferi ng ; an d at

th e thought bu rn in g tears wel led from beneath h i s
,

closed li ds an d rol led down h is bron zed cheeks moist ,

’
e n i n g th e parti colou red edges o f Gr i llo n n e s cape
-
.

Ah i t i s bitter ! h e groan ed
, .

N o t more bi tter fo r th ee than for the scores an d ten s

o f scores thou hast led in to li ke m isery
’
said awa kened ,

con scien ce gri m ly .

‘
M ea r te/p a ! mea culp a ” m u rm u red the u n fortun ate
.

warrio r i n h i s angu ish M y d ays have been evil i n the

.

l an d I h ave sought n o t th e wi l l o f H eaven but m i ne

.
,

own vai n glory B u t o h M ary M oth er let n ot my sin s

-
.
, ,

be Vi sited on th e head o f m y sweet lady ! as thou wert

a wom an protect her from al l harm
,
S u re W i l lia m wi l l
’
be m erci fu l to h is k in swoman .

D is m al i ndeed were th e thoughts that chased each

other across his restless brain whi ch seem ed to m ake ,

u p b y its activity for th e en forced sti l lness o f hi s body .

V i sion s c ro w d ed u pon h i m o f h is castle o f B la u n c h e

flou r i n fla m es an d hi s lady i n th e power o f ins ulti ng
,
 0 H IGH A M B ITION L O WL Y L A ID ” . 1 93

or — an d i t was l ittle l ess terribl e his a mbitiou s

to ,

j ealous Spiri t— to o cou rteous conqu erors som e o n e o f

-
,

who m m ight perchan ce fi n d favou r i n her eyes and

, ,

d rive his m em ory fro m her heart .

A t l ength howeve r a s the stil ln ess o f the n ight fel l

, ,

over the plai n b roken on ly by th e m oani n g wi nd or the

,

agon ised groan of som e fel low su fferer h e grew cal m er -

, ,

a nd a d eep resign ati on flood ed his b reast .

‘
M eez he m u rmu red again D eath s eem ed .

i n evita b le and he bowed his spi ri t h u mb ly to accept i t

, .

H ark
Th e m ingl ed anguish an d j oy o f hOp e awaked on ce
m ore Fo r the s i len c e was b roken by a soun d so fai n t
.

that hi s listen in g ears cou ld sca rce d etect its repetition ,

d istracted as they were by the tu m ultuou s pulses whi ch

th rob b ed at the possi b il ity of escape Yet why h ope .

rather tha n fear ? Why shou ld the soun d o f a p

c h i n g steps m ea n fri end s rather than foes ?
p ro a

Th e fact grew certain S teps we re approa chin g an d

.
,

were accompan ied by a cl ash o f arms that betokened

sold i ery .

H ow h e strai n ed to catch eve ry fain t sou n d that

m ight i n d icate th e d irection i n w h i ch th e s e h i s fellow
'

m en al ive a n d strong an d capable o f help were

, ,

movi ng !
St N i ch olas b efri end m e
. I f th e m i racl e is wrought
that I be rescu ed fro m thi s l ivin g tomb I v o w to m ake ,

pilgri mage to th e H oly S epulch re b efore m y days are

’
don e !
T hen he shudd ered i n s ick m is ery lest th e b an d
1 94
(
0 H I GH A M B ITI ON L O WL Y L A ID ” .

shou ld pass hi m by ! B etter a blow from the mi s er i

co m e o f a n en emy th an the languishing tortu re of his
’
,

presen t position .

O thers thought so too for he heard m ore than o n e ,

piteou s c ry for help .

Th en h e th e prou d earl lifted up a feeble voice an d

, ,

c raved d el iveran ce even by death ! ,

A n d i t cam e .

‘
H ere ! here ! Thi s way my lads thi s way ! cri ed , ,
’

th e fa m i lia r voi ce of th e fa ith ful j ester Look you .

,

gal liard s there is my fa m ous ca p an d cape ! S ai nts be

,

p raised ! H e wears the m still Th e Lord gran t th ere .

i s a living sku l l i n the cap I sh rewd ly though t I h eard .

h i m squ eak !
A y G ri llo n n e thou d id st su re en ough ! cried the
‘ ’

, , ,

earl ; and th e revu lsio n of feel ing fro m d esp air to hope
was so great that h e fai n ted agai n .

When he revived h is head was i n G ri llo n n e s arms ,

’

an d the i n tolerabl e weight o f the slai n who h ad falle n

above h i m wa s re moved fro m h is li mbs wh ich however , , ,

were so nu mbed that he cou ld n ot m ove them H al f a .

-

dozen stou t fel lo w s a rchers slingers an d spearm en , , , ,

were bustl ing a b ou t h im d i m ly Visibl e by the li g ht o f a ,

horn l an tern wh i ch on e o f the m carri ed .

G r i llo n n e seeing h is eyes open in stan tly held a flas k

, ,

to his l ips an d when the d raught had helped his revival

"

, ,

n odd ed sagely .

"
T i s wel l to b e taken fo r a fool s o meti mes n uncl e ,
’

h e rem arked twitch ing hi s tin kl ing ca p from th e earl s

,
’

head . T hy fi n e hel met has bee n C arried O ff i n tri u mph

‘
 0 H IGH A M B I TION L O WL Y L A ID
(
6 ”
1
9 .

palace i s p repared for thee Thou art n ot saved yet b y .

a very l on g chal k I f S t N i cholas i s hal f so gen erou s

. .

as thou d e e me s t h e w i ll give m e my reward at on ce l i ke

, ,

a free han d ed gen tlem an i n th e shape of s uccess to th e

-
,

safe en ding o f my u ndertaking ; n o r m ust we spend

’
fu rth er ti m e i n palaver .

H e beckoned to the me n who were with h i m an d fou r ,

o f them cam e for w ard w ith a l itter roughly wove n o f

os iers o f which a pl en tiful su pply was n ea r a t hand

, .

G r i llo n n e and an oth er l ifted th e earl i n to i t an d they set ,

o ff at a rapi d pace the j ester guidi n g the m alon g the

,

s m oothest path ; an d watching over his charge with

tende r care .

T o D e Gu a de r it seem ed as i f he were cou ched o n

p i llows o f softest d ow n n otwithstand ing his wou n ds
,

a n d the pai n th e moti on caused h i m for the j oy o f ,

being rescued fro m his horrib le en to mb m en t an d o f ,

havi ng yet a chan ce of l i fe an d l ove was so i n tens e that ,

h e s eem ed to be i n a d ream of bliss .

H is eyes fi lled with gratefu l tears each ti m e that a

gleam fro m th e lantern gave hi m a fitfu l gli mps e o f
Gri llo n ne s face N eve r h ad he though t to b e s o glad
’
.

to look o n th at wiz en ed wh i m sical coun ten an ce with

, ,

its O b li qu e eyes twi nkl in g with m ingled m alice an d

affection an d which seemed al m ost quai nter u nd er th e
,

con i cal steel cap with the n asal i n which he had e n

-
,

s conced i t o n giving u p h is ca p to the earl than i n that ,

stran ge headgear i tself .

The way was n o flowe ry o n e either S lai n me n a n d .

horses en cu m b ered the b earers at every step an d mor e ,

 0 HIGH A M B ITI ON L O WL Y L A ID

than on e pi tifu l voi ce fro m som e woun ded wre tch i n

‘

s uch plight as the earl h ad j ust been res cu ed from b e ,

sought the m i n m ercy to stop an d give ai d for the sake ,

of M ary M other an d the sai n ts i n heaven M ost pitifu l .

’
o f al l was th e c ry fo r
‘
Water fo r the love of C h rist !
,

fro m m en w hos e l i mbs were actual ly i m m ers ed i n th e

rippling edges o f the m eres o r engu lfed i n the s limy
ooze and w h o were s o fain t fro m w ou n ds o r s o s et fast
, ,

by the slai n above them that they cou ld reach n o d rop

,

Wherewi t h to m oisten thei r parched l ips an d slake th e

bu rni ng d eath th irst wh ich tormented them B ut th ey
-
.

c ri ed to d eaf ears ; nay when entreatin g arm s were

,

th rown arou n d th e li mbs o f t h e l itter bearers a sharp

-
,

c u t across th e kn uckles wi t h dagger o r an lace speedi ly

un clasped th e d etain i n g fi ngers whether they bel onge d

,

to frien d or fo e .

I t was rough treatm ent bu t the m en were ris ki ng

,

thei r l ives i n thei r en d eavou r to save th at of the earl ,

an d d elay wo ul d have been fa tal both to hi m an d to

t hem selves . The fact th at the body o f S i r Guy d e
Lan d ern eau had been removed b y the en em y proved
’
t hat they d esired to m ake c ertai n o f D e G u a d e r s fate ,

and on fin d in g thei r m istake they m ight at any ti m e

retu rn to recti fy it .

The moon had risen by t h is and shon e between the

,

swift fleeting cloud s that sped ac ross the sky By her .

l igh t and the u ncertai n gli m m er of th e l an t ern Ralph ,

saw that two of h is rescu ers wore the winged hel ms an d

long m oustaches an d gold en torcs d istingu i sh i n g the
costu me of th e D anes H i s heart l eapt wi th hop e
.
 0 H IGH A M B ITION L O WL Y L A ID
(
1 98

that the m essengers h e h a d d espatched to th e cou rt of

K i ng S weyn h ad m oved th e warli ke m on arch to seize
th e opportun ity o f stri kin g a b low at his an ci en t enem y ,

Wi llia m o f N orm a ndy an d h ad sen t hi m ti m ely r e

,

i n fo r ce me n ts B ut thei r progres s was t o o rapi d for

.

spee ch an d whatever m ight be his cu riosi ty he had to

, ,

li e passive i n his l itter an d al low h 1ms e lf to b e bor n e

Whi th erso ever hi s rescu ers pleased .

A n d b y what a wei rd a n d d esolate p athw ay di d they

b ear hi m
H eadi ng apparen tly fo r th e ve ry heart of the fe n
, ,

th at s tretched wes tward as far as eye cou ld reach i ts ,

l evel s u rface u nb roken by tre e or hi ll an d on ly varied ,

b y b eds o f tal l reed s an d s nake l i ke pool s of sti ll d ark

-
,

water the su rfaces o f wh i ch were scarcely rippled by

,

th e gu sty breeze they advan ced stead i ly for the b etter

,

part of a n hou r .

The fitfu l light of the h alf shroud ed m oon cast

ghastly gleams u pon the wavi ng pl u mes of the fl oweri n g
sedges an d white tufts of the m eadow sweet wh os e -
,

stron g and some w hat sic kly perfu m e m i ngled strangely ,

l uscious with the dan k odou rs o f peat an d d ecayi n g

,

rush es an d grasses N o w an d agai n so me frightened

.

bi rd flew s crea m in g from its roostin g place o r d us ky -

,

water rat gl ided h astily i n to thi cker cover o r plunged

-
,

with a flO p i nto the water wh i le the pipe o f the curlew

, ,

o r boom of th e b ittern soun d ed fro m afar off in the

,

m elancholy marshes Th e lon elin ess was i n ten se an d

.
,

see m ed b u t accentuated by th e pres ence o f bi rd an d

beast .
 O H IGH A M B I TI ON L O WL Y L A 1 D f ’
. 1 99

I n the di m n ess o f the cloudy n igh t with the u n certai n

,

b ursts o f moon light that see m ed to m ake th e ch aos o f

,

scarce d ivi d ed earth an d wate r bu t m ore d iffi cu lt to

d isting uish the m en who bore th e earl th reade d th eir
,

way through th e bewi ldering maz e wi th a n u n erri ng ,

cel eri ty an d absence o f hesitation th at proved the m to

b e n o strangers to i ts myste riou s soli tu d e .

A t leng t h they halted besi d e a ch an nel less over

,

grown wi th weeds an d rushes than the m any they had

passed an d wh i ch was i n fac t the Great O use River
, , , .

O n e of the party pu t a horn to hi s lips an d sou n ded a

couple o f m ots H i s su m m ons was an swered fro m the
.

water an d i n a few secon ds a boat i mpel led by eight

,

stu rdy oars me n shot forth from a ben d i n the river an d

d rew to the ban k Th e earl was speed i ly pu t o n boa rd
.
,

with the faithful G ri llo n n e at h i s he ad an d hi s beare rs,

e mbarked som e with hi m so m e i n a s econ d boat wh ich

, ,

had com e i n the wak e of the fi rst .

D e Gu a d e r con fi ded h i ms el f u tterly to th e safe

keepi ng o f his j ester an d the rhyth m i c soun d of the oars
, ,

w hich h e bel i eve d were every m omen t b ringing h i m

n earer to l iberty soothed hi m i n express i b ly H e fel l

,
.

i nto a d ro w sy s leep o f e xhaustion n ever re al ly losi ng

,

con sciousness bu t d evoi d o f al l i m patience an d al most

, ,

of al l cu riosity a s to whi ther h e was bein g taken .

B ut the splash o f the oars ceased a t length an d the ,

keel o f th e boat grated on the shore o f a s mal l island ,

rais ing a m odest c row n a l ittl e above th e level of the

su rrou ndi ng fen I t w a s protected by an earthwork
.

somewhat s i m ilar i n con stru ction to th e great dykes

 O H IGH A M B ITI ON L O WL Y L A ID
‘
2 00

’
wi th C am b ri dge i s seam ed the D evi l s Dyk e
w h i ch , ,

Fle a mdyk e an d others an d had th e l igh t serv ed th e

, , , ,

lo w t u rrets o f a long ramb l i ng t w o stori ed hous e m ight

, ,
-

have b een seen behin d i ts shel ter .

A s um mon s was given by a few mots on the horn ,

an d i n answer a deep voice threw a challenge across th e

s ullen su rface o f the w aters ,

’
Wh o goes there ?
S t N i ch olas fo r Gu a de r
.

A rattl e o f chai ns and hoarse c reaking o f bolts an d

h inges followed an d a h eavy gate was slo w ly l ifted
, ,

wh i ch ad m i tted th e b oats i nto an i n n e r moat Th ey .

gli ded i n an d m oored thei r vessel s at a s mal l l andin g

stage o n the oppos i te side the gate C losing i nstan tly ,

beh i n d th em .

A s they d id s o the s en try as ked an x iously i n a low

, ,

’
voice an d i n th e S a x o n tongu e What cheer ? ,
‘

A l l s wel l w a s th e an swer
‘ ’
.

‘
S t Ead m u n d be p rai sed ! ej acu lated th e sentry
.
’

ferven tly an d the earl s h eart leapt with a th ri l l o f j oy

’

an d gratitu d e to the poor u n kn o w n sold ier who cared

abou t h is safety so i n fin itely p re cIOu s had the hu mbles t
,

hu m an sym pa t hy becom e to hi m si n ce those d readfu l

hou rs when h e had thought hi m self doo med to qu i t the
cheerfu l earth an d th e faces of h i s fellow m en fo r ever -

m ore !
I ns id e the en closu re a party o f wi ld l ook ing ceorl s -

s u rroun ded them w i th shaggy locks and rud e j erki n s o f

,

sheepskin arm ed with pi kes an d s taves for th e m os t

,

part bu t som e few better C lad an d bearin g th e terribl e

, ,
 0 H IGH A M B I TI ON L O WL Y L A ID ”
(
202 .

h eads s in ce H ereward L e o fr i cs so n s downfal l an d h ave ’

a n atu ral fell ow feeli ng fo r thy d i s co mfitu re sweet

-
,

’
n u n cl e .

M ean while they had reached th e en trance of the

hou se an d th e earl was born e i nto a long b arnli ke hal l
, ,

ve ry sparsely fu r n i tu r e d with a table runn ing al most ,

fro m o n e en d o f i t to th e other an d rude s ettles an d ,

stools placed agai nst i t as i n preparation for a m eal ,

.

A t on e en d was an archway leadi ng i nto another apart

m en t wh ich seem ed to j udge by th e heat an d th e
, ,

savou ry odou rs th e n oi ses o f pots an d kettles an d othe r

,

i nd i cation s whi ch ca m e from i t to be a kitchen ; whi le ,

at the other en d was a cheerfu l fi re o f peat besid e wh ich ,

s at an aged wa rrior weari n g th e A nglo D an ish tu n ic -

an d cross gartered hos e h is w hi te hai r flowi ng back

-
,

over h is shou lders an d h is gri z zled beard growing close

u p h is cheeks so that i t seemed al m ost to meet the
,

bu shy white eyebrows that shad ed his b right blue eyes .

H is bald ri c was richly worked wi th gold a n d h e wore ,

m assive gol d bracelets o n his arm s .

Besid e h i m stood a broad shou ldered athleti c young -

,

m an i n si mi la r garb ; his thic k fair h ai r su rrou nd in g h i s

head l i ke a lion s m an e an d h is long moustaches an d
’
,

golden beard showing lighter than th e bron zed sk i n o f h is

cheeks an d chest ; his eyes as brigh t an d bl u e as those
of his father an d h is neck an d si n e w y arms covered
,

with tattoo m arks B ut the l i nen tu n ic he wore was

.

d ra b bled with m u d an d g ore an d o n e of h i s feet was ,

swathed i n ban dages th rough which the cri mson stain s ,

wou ld force thei r w a y an d h is m uscu lar han d grasped ,

 O H IGH A M B ITION L O WL Y L A ID ”
‘
. 2 03

the a rm o f h i s father s carved oak chai r to eas e his

’

weight so mewhat fro m the wou nd ed foot .

O n th e opposite sid e o f the large open fi replace sat a

m on k i n th e habi t o f th e Black Fria rs an d n ear by a ,

stately lady wearing the head rail an d flowi ng robes

,

which had been the fash ion i n the ti m e of the C on fessor ;

whi le a bevy o f d am sels waited b eh in d h er look i ng to ,

ward s the wou n ded earl wi th cu riou s eyes .

Th e old thegn ros e as th e bearers b rought thei r

n oble b u rden forward advan c ed to th e l i t t e r an d
, , ,

bowin g with great d ignity said i n hi s o w n tongue , ,

‘
By th e H oly C ross ! m y h eart is gl ad to see thee
safe ben eath m y roof o h valorou s earl ! Wou ld that
, ,

Ea ldr e d G o d w i n ss o n had m ean s to offer fi tting h o s p i t

ali ty to the son o f Ralph th e S tal le r i n whose han d h is ,

o w n h as b een placed an d u nd er whose s tandard h e h as

fought i n m any a h ard fi eld ! A l as ! th e glory of hi s

hous e has faded B arely ca n he save hi s l ast d ays from
the fury of his foes b y hid i ng i n thi s wi ld ern ess of the
m eres ! But to s uch a s he possesses thri ce welco m e , ,

n obl e earl ! H ad n ot age an d i n fi rm i ty clogged hi s

steps as secu rely as chai n s o f i ron h e h ad sal l i ed forth ,

to thy rescu e h i m sel f H ad n ot a spear thrust i n the

.
-

i nstep g o t this m orn whi le fighti ng i n thy ran ks

, ,

crippled Leo fri c his son th at son had gon e forth to seek
,

’
thee H ere th e you nge r m an bowed d eeply i n token
.

o f assen t an d reverenc e I t boots n o t ! H i s fol lowers

‘
.

’
have been tru e an d thou art here
,
.

Brave thegn return ed D e G u a d e r ra is ing hi msel f

‘
,
’

as fa r as poss ibl e i n his l itter I than k thee for thy ,

‘
204

fi del ity to a ru in ed an d defea ted m an ! T he sain ts

’
forefend that my presen ce bri ng evi l to thy retreat !
N a y ans w ered Ea ld re d had th ose who would harm
’ ‘
, ,

u s the W i t to t rack us we h ad perished long sin ce B u t ,

.

thou ar t sore wo un ded ! B e rw i n e the wi do w o f m in e ,

’
eldest born shal l l eech thy h urts
-
,
.

A cou ch w a s prepared i n a recess n ear the fi replace ,

an d th e earl was p laced there on Cord i als an d delicat e .

soups wi th o melettes o f plovers eggs were b rough t

,
’
,

to temp t his appetite an d th e yo ung thegn s wid o w ,

’

examin ed h is woun ds p a n s e d an d d ressed them w ith ,

soothing u nguen ts a nd fi n al ly b oun d them u p i n l in en

,

o f h er o w n weaving an d wi th th e greatest tend ern ess ,

an d ski ll .

M eanwhi le th e stalwart fel lows who h ad born e the

stri ck e n n oble so far u po n thei r stron g shou ld ers — n o ,

light bu rden sheathed as h e was i n al l h is m ai l —with

,

Gr i llo n n e an d others were regaled wi th the savou ry ,

messes whose od ou rs had ass ai led t he m wi th s uch

enticing welcom e through the ki tch en d oor as they
e ntered an d i n sooth they had a meme fi t for a king
, , ,
.

S t ewed an d fried eel pi ke an d l amp reys i n pasties , ,

roast g o s s a n de r curlew an d sn ipe — fare fi t for an

, ,

epi cu re a n d by n o m eans cavi l led at by the h ungry

,

—
m en before whom i t was served ad d thereto good
c id er an d al e .

Fo r t his island i n the meres was the hom e o f i n

n u merab le W i ld fowl an d fish as many crowd ed the ,

waters a rou n d it Wi ld s w a n n e s g o s s a n de rs wa ter

.
‘
, ,

crows h ern es h ernsha w s cran es cu rle w e s m all ard

, , , , , ,
 C H A P T ER XV I .

W IFE OR WID OW P

TH E C astell an o f B la u n ch e flo u r swept hasti ly from

the ch am ber where sh e h ad h eld coun ci l wi th the two
kn ights d oubtin g l est her power o f sel f con tro l shoul d
,
-

fai l h er an d that the d esperate gri ef which was gn awi n g

,

at h er h eart shou l d gai n th e upper han d and m ar th e ,

stately boldness o f m ien whi ch sh e saw affected them

no t a l ittle by bri ngin g the weak tears which are
,

’
accou n ted a wo ma n s privi lege .

S he rem embered bi tterly that al mos t the l ast d ay

which sh e had spen t with her d ear lord had been
clouded for hi m by h er weeping an d she felt as i f by
,

m ain tain ing fi rm n es s n ow sh e was carryi ng o ut h is

wish es.

’
I vexed h i m w ith my tears she said to h erself A h
, .

’
n ow I wi l l b e the very h ero s d aughter h e bad e me to
be I w i ll be bold er than h is m ailed retai ners Whi le
. .

I can get on e s oldier to fight for m e o n e ward er ,

to pace th e walls I wi ll hol d h is castl e ready to

,

receive h i m
B y su ch b rave word s sh e tri ed to s tifl e the awfu l
206
 WIFE OR WID O W 9 . 207

terro r that assai led her secret h eart that th e tidings o f

S tephen le H a re a u were in d eed tru e .

Leavi ng th e room hasti ly sh e nearly fel l over th e ,

fai r figu re o f Ea dgy th wh o was kneelin g o n the ,

th reshold .

‘
Ea dg y th ! what d ost thou here ? I s th is o b eying
m y behests ? I b ade the e ten d th e wou n ded from ,

’
w ho m other d uties cal led m e .

P ardon d ea r Em m a ! I feared l est thou shou ld st n eed

,

my service I have n ot forgotten the d ay when I fou n d

.

thee sensel ess i n thy cha mbe r a nd these n ews be so

’
d i re.

Fai n t heart ! cri ed Em m a con tem ptuously taking

‘ ’
,

refuge i n in dign ation D ost thou then cred i t th e wil d

.
‘

stories o f thes e ru n aways ? H ow b ut by tel li ng o f slain

l ead er and ru in ed caus e coul d they excuse thei r o w n
coward i ce ? The cousi n of H arol d Go d w i n ss o n shoul d
d espi se the m for flOd z ng S
'

H er eyes b l azed with the light o f fierce d eterm i n ati on ,

as sh e h issed out the word whi ch i n the ears o f S axon

o r D an e w a s the m ost d egradi ng th at cou ld be appli ed

to a w arri or .

Th e m i ld natu red Ea dg yth whose cou rage was o f

-
,

th e moral ord er an d with whom fortitud e an d fidelity

,

were greate r than h igh spi ri t gazed wond eringly at her ,

friend S he had seen Em m a c ry over a fa w n the dogs

.

h ad lacerated or over the d ead body of a pet bi rd wh en

, ,

her o w n eyes had been tearl ess an d thi s strange strength ,

o f Em m a s made her shive r for sh e fu lly believed that

’

th e earl was slai n .

2 08 WIFE OR I
/VID O I
/V
?

Em m a looked i n h er startled face an d l aughed .

‘
Ten d them bonn ibel l an d ease the pai n o f thei r
, ,

w ou n d s ; bu t cred it them n ot Let my lord d eal w i th .

them when he comes back at th e head o f a vi ctorious

’
army .

Ea dg y th l i ke th e kn ights thought th at the cou n tess

, ,

was goi ng m ad P erhaps she was ; bu t her mad n ess

.

s aved the garrison .

Yet to say tru th her high spi ri t qu ai led whe n she

, ,

r e en te re d
-
the spital The d raggled blood stain ed .
,
-
,

d ej ected warriors who l ay an d lean ed an d stood , ,

around with every vari ety o f woun d to be d ressed

, ,

were n o C heerin g sight N o r when sh e saw thei r .

,

pal e stern faces grave w i th defeat an d haggard

, ,

fro m fatigue d i d sh e stigm a t ise them i n her

,

heart as sh e had stigm ati sed the m i n words as

, ,

coward s — n o d z ng s ’
'

H er wom an s h eart wen t o u t

.

i n sym pathy to th e sufferi ng hu m an ity around her .

She d i d n ot pause to settle th e qu estion whether

th ey had fled prem atu rely or stood b y th ei r l eader
—
i n w ho m was al l her j oy to the las t b itter gasp ,

as brave m en shou ld S h e d ared n ot i nvestigate too .

C losely lest they shou ld convin ce her that sh e had

,

wronged th em an d so d aun t th e h ope that w a s her

,

only com fort .

Wi th ti rel ess i nd ustry sh e b usi ed hers elf i n the

m an u al l a b ou r o f th e l eech i n such crud e form s as ,

the m ed ical scien ce o f th e d ay allowed H o w rud i .

m en tary th ey were m ay be guessed fro m th e story

told u s by old Robert o f Gloucester of the D u k e ,
2 10 WIFE OR WID O W ?

H e fa ced the cou n t es s dogged ly w i th a defian t gleam ,

i n h is b ulging bl ue eyes whi ch sh e d id n ot fin d i t

pleasan t to m eet H i s cheeks were m ore pu rp le than
.

ever an d i t seem ed to Em m a that h i s red m oustach e

,

al m os t qu ivered with flam e w hile his brawny figu re was ,

a do rned with an u n u sual d isplay o f fin ery th e flashin g ,

j ewels o n h is bald ri c attractin g her eyes even i n that

mom en t o f d istress .

H e u rged that wh at h ad seem ed a doubtfu l ru mou r

i n the morn in g had beco me certai n n ews by n ight ,

si nce fugi tive after fugitive had con fi rm ed the tidings

fi rs t b rough t b y S tephen le H a re a u an d begged ,

h er o n ce m ore to thin k o f her o w n safety an d allow ,

hi msel f an d his trusty B reton s to escort her t o

B retagn e .

‘
I s i t b u t to repeat to m ine ears the i dle plai n ts o f
thes e run aways that thou hast su m m on ed m e to solem n
con clave good knight ? My an swer o f the morn in g
,

’
s tand s .

Sh e b roke i n to a laugh that was low an d si lvery

enough but whi ch caused even the thi c k s ki nned
,
-

m ercen ary to sh iver an d sh e wou ld have swep t from

,

the room but recoveri ng hi mself D e Gou ri n stepped

, , ,

forward and l ayi ng h is m ai led hand on her arm d etai n ed

, , ,

her .

’
‘
By the Rood ! he e x clai m ed thou shalt n o t go ! ,
‘

T hou alon e i n al l t h is castle dost refus e to believe the

i n evi tabl e I tel l thee kn ights o f m y followi n g whose
.
, ,
'

word i s sacred as m y o w n s a w Ralph d e G u a de r stru c k

,

down by the mace of O do o f B ayeu x ; n on e cou ld live

 WIFE OR WID O W ? 211

after such a blow were his harn ess sevenfold thi ck ! ,

B esides th e p ress o f battle was u pon th e sp o t where h e

,

fel l an d th e feet o f the h ors es mus t h ave ach ieved wh at

,

O do began if hi s m ace com pleted i t no t

’
, .

Ea dg y th who atten ded the cou ntess u ttered a s crea m

, ,

o f horror an d en deavoured to stop hi s speech

, Wou lds t .

tho u ki l l h er ? sh e cri ed ’
.

Em m a shook hersel f free fro m h is grasp an d faced

’

hi m with flashing eyes of scorn .

By th e mass n oble l ady pardon m e ! I wou ld h ave

, ,

spared thee thes e rud e detai ls b u t perforce I m us t have ,

thee comprehen d .
’

I f the earl i n d eed be perished said Em m a bi tterly ’

“

, ,

‘
li fe wi l l not be s o sweet to m e that I shoul d take s uch
care to save i t S ave thys elf an d thy Breton s i f thou
.

wi lt I f ye go there wi l l be les s to m an the wal ls b u t

.
, ,

’
fewer m ou ths to feed .

The last words were u ttered with a careless con temp t

that was absolutely sub li m e an d th e blusteri n g me rce n ,

ary n o longer ven tu red to d etai n he r .

’
‘
C ertes the don zelle i s m ad ! he asserted wi th a
, ,

rou n d oath whe n she h ad left the C h amber for her

, ,

absolu te refusal to leave B la u n ch e flo u r had thrown to

the wi nd s h is plan for becom ing her s econ d h usband ,

and beco ming lord o f her fai r m an ors .

O utside th e chamber d oor Em m a tu rne d to her loving

bower maid en l i k e a creatu re o f th e wood s at bay
-
.

Ea dg yth s sympathy was mo re dread fu l to her than the

’

’
B reton s brutal fran kn ess I wou ld be alon e Ea dg y th . , .

I am goin g to th e o ratory she forced h er white li ps to ,

’
2 12
'

WIFE OR WID O W ?

m u rmu r an d a l mos t fl ed fro m her si d e down the

”

c ircl i ng stai rway .

Ea dg y th followed at a d istan ce and when Em m a h ad , ,

d isappeared w i thi n th e sacred portal th rew herself ,

prostrate at the th reshold li k e a fai t hfu l hou n d , as sh e

,

h ad thrown h ersel f at the door of the cou n ci l C hamber -

i n the m orn in g .

Em m a al on e at last kn elt before the shrin e o f th e

, ,

V i rgi n S he chose th at rath er t han the on e ded icated

.

to S t N i chol as for i t seem ed to her i n her angu ish that

.
,

her husban d s patron s ain t h a d forsaken his votari es i n

’

thei r d istress .

The gri ef she had so lon g h eld at b ay shook her from

h ead to foot with a long qu iveri ng sob that hel d her
speechless an d al most stopped her brea t h S he stretched
, .

o u t her arm s i n mu te s uppl icati on to H eaven S caldin g .

tears forme d slo w ly in her eyes an d rol led on e by on e ,

down her blood less C heeks .

Then a fresh gust o f agony shook her l i ke a leaf .

A h D z eze meme! sh e m oan ed ; the horses ! the horses !

'
‘
,

They achi eved i f O do fai led he said ! O h C hrist ! i t , ,

can not be ! Th at d ear head that h as pi llowed o n my

boso m
Q uivering an d shudd ering she san k upon the col d ,

flags o f the floor The grey l ight o f m orn ing creep ing
.
.

th rough th e n arrow oriel fou n d her sti l l there .

‘
Oh,
cou n tess ! sweet countess ! on e waits without
who wi l l n ot deliver h is m essage to any bu t thee and ,

Re bea r s t/ze ea VIS S ig

’
n et
2 14 WIFE OR WID O W ?

o fth e m issive gu arded by the fai r haired long li mbed -

,
-

Dan e with such j ealou s care S i r A lai n eyeing hi m ,

as he stood before th em with n o very grac i ou s

cou nten ance .

When Em m a ca m e i nto th e room the D an e ,

salu ted h er profou nd ly h is tow colou red loc ks al most ,

-

touching h is kn ee an d his form id able d ou ble edged

,
-

axe rattlin g o n th e floor as he ben t ; then h e pu t

i n to the h ands o f the cou n tess a packet ti ed w ith a
sl en d er sil ken cord .

Em ma started with j oy for her qui ck eyes n oted th e ,

m any j oi n s i n that si l ken cord an d recognised i t as ,

’
composed o f the fringe with whi ch R alph s su rcoa t had
been d ecked .

Th e D an e then d re w from hi s finger a rin g an d ,

hand ed i t to her an d tru ly en ough i t was D e G ua d e r s

, , ,
’

S ign et .

Em m a s fi ngers trembl ed so violen tly th at she cou ld

’

scarce read the s u p e rs cr i p tu re en d orsed with a c lerk ly ,

scroll ,

‘
To th e fai r han ds o f Em m a d e Gu a de r ,

C astellan o f o u r C astel l o f B la u nche flo u r i n

’
N o ro w i c .

S he d rew the little mz s er z co r de at he r gi rdle an d severed

’ ’
’

the si l k .

’
B id th e chaplai n h ither sh e said fo r i n tru th sh e
‘
, ,

h ad little l earn ing an d her li terary attai n m en ts d id n ot

,

exten d far b eyon d the rea din g o f her o w n nam e ; n ot

withst a n ding which her eyes q uesti oned eagerly the
,
 WIFE OR WTD O VV e 215

fairly i llu m i ned page before her whi ch was the work of ,

th e m on k who has been m en tion e d as si ttin g by the

hearth of Ea ld re d G o d w i n s s o n i n h is Fen lan d refuge for ,

the earl s clerkly sk i l l was l ittl e greater than that of his

’

wi fe .

I m patien tly she awai ted th e co m ing o f the chap lain ,

an d wh en h e ca m e thru st th e ch erish ed pa rch m en t in to

, ,

his hand an d fol lowed hi s read in g word b y word with

, , ,

h u ngry avid ity .

Fai r an d d ear Lady an d C ou n tes s sai d th e m issive

’

, ,

‘
i l l news h as thy u n fortu n ate k n igh t Wherewith to vex
thi n e heart Th e b attle wen t against m e By l ittle
. .

l ess than a m i racle was m y l i fe d ear for thy sweet sa ke , ,

preserved to m e A long story whi ch som e d ay I yet

.

hop e to relate to thee I am sore wou n d ed bu t n o t .

,

’
dan gerous ly
’
‘
Th e holy sain ts b e prais ed ! ej acu l ated S i r H oel
fervently .

A y l— the holy sai n ts b e praised echoed S i r A lai n

‘ ’

, ,

wi th som ewh at halti ng zeal fo r this resuscitated earl ,

pu t an en d to al l his schem es .

’
‘
Therefore resu m ed th e chaplain contin u ing h is
, ,

read ing vex n ot thys elf w ith fears

,
‘
B u t for my .

wou n d s on ly I h ad been wi th thee by n ow but cou l d

, ,

n ot m ou n t steed o r Iz a aque nee The m essenger wil l ’

tel l thee my retreat an d the plan by wh ich I yet hop e

,

to prevai l an d to wi n fa m e for thee D efend m y Castel l

, .

of B la u n ch e flo u r sweet my C astellan an d by the aid

, , ,

o f good S t N i cholas I wi l l com e back to th ee a t the

.
,

head of such an host as wi l l put al l o u r foes to rou t I .

2 16 WIFE OR WID O W ?

cou n t the d a i e s ti ll I see thee again The B lessed .

V i rgi n h ave thee i n her keeping .

These from thy leal an d loving h usban d

‘ “

R AL P H DE G UAD ER A N D M O N TFO R T ,
Earl of N orfol k and S u ffo l k
’
.

’
Th e missive was sign ed by the earl s o w n han d an d ,

sealed wi th hi s wedd ing ri ng on which was graven the ,

cogn isan ce o f H ereford .

A h fai r si rs c ri ed Em m a exul tingly looking how

‘ ’
, , , ,

ever a t S i r A lain an d with con tem ptu ous d efiance i n

, ,

h er flash ing eyes ye see th e i n stin ct o f the tru e wi fe

,
‘

was m ore trustworthy than th e eye witness of belted -

knigh ts ! Let u s charitably suppose that th ei r poor

h eads were som e w hat flu s te re d wi th t h e h u rly bu rly o f -

battle M ethi n ks they were over qu i ck to b elieve thei r

.

’
leader slai n .

Then tu rn ing to the m essen ger she qu esti oned h i m

, ,

regard in g th e battl e a nd th e retreat and the m an n er ,

o f th e earl s escap e ; and h eard t h e story w e already

’

k n ow of Gri llo n n e s ready wi t an d the refuge i n the

’

fens .

Th e Dane was o n e o f thos e wh o had h elp ed to carry

the wound ed ear ] an d had been chos en as a m essenger
,

becaus e he was trustworthy ren own ed as a s w i ft ru n n er , ,

an d could carry m essages o f i m portan ce to su ch D an ish

s eam en as m ight b e with thei r vessels at N orwi ch for
trad ing pu rposes bes ides his m essage to the cou ntess
,
.

D epen den ce had n ot been placed o n h i m alon e ; oth er

m essengers had been d espatched from th e Fenlan d camp ,
2 18 WIFE OR WID O W ?

H alf a n hou r later th e countess arrayed i n h er richest

- -
, ,

robes with steel cap o n h er head and h er gorget

,
-
,

glisten ing i n the m orn in g s un as i t ros e a n d fel l w ith

the swi ft heaving o f her bosom stood at th e great east ,

portal with th e D an ish m essenger at her s id e an d

, ,

looked d own u pon th e eager faces of th e h astily

assembled garrison .

A ru m ou r h ad gon e forth that the earl had escaped ,

an d wou ld yet retu rn i n tri um ph an d a glow o f excite ,

m en t lighted every eye As Em m a saw the stalwart .

form s an d th e strong determ i n ed cou nten an ces before

her a thri ll o f p rid e swel led her heart at the though t
,

th at he r warrior h us b an d shou ld have given h er com m an d

over them Th e spi ri t o f W il liam Fi tz o s b e r n l ived

.

agai n i n the breast o f h is d aughter I w i ll be worthy .

‘

’
o f the hon ou r that Ralph s choi ce b esto w ed o n m e
’
sh e ,

thought I f aught a wom an c a n say o r d o m ay

.
‘

i nspi re m en to gall an t d eeds thes e m en shal l n ot fai l ,

’
thei r lord .

Emotion b rough t high words to h er l ips an d fi re to

h er eyes H er h eart veri ly shouted with d elight for the
.

j oyfu l m essage w h ich she had to d el iver B rave kn igh ts .

’
an d soldiers ! she cri ed an d her voi ce rang through th e
,

fresh m orn i ng ai r li k e th e clang of a si lver tru m pet ,

‘
glad n ews have I fo r loyal ears Earl Ral ph yet l ives ! .

S ee th is m issive is sign ed by his o w n noble h and !

,

’
H is S ign et blazes on my finger !
S he held the scrol l aloft i n her hands and th e s un ,

shi n e flashed o u the ri ng .

A G ua d e r ! a G u a d e r ! shouted th e assembl ed host

’
 WIFE OR WID O W 2 19

an d arm s were ra ised an d weapon s clashed whi l e som e ,

th ree hu n dred stout th roats echoed the shou t S t ,

‘
.

’
N i cholas for G u a d e r l

‘
Yesterday you r cou n tess an d her cou n sellors were
s ore d istressed Em m a wen t o n ; for as ye kn o w the
,
’ ‘
, ,

u n fortu nate squ i re S tephen le H a re a u and those wh o

, ,

fol lo w ed hi m b elieved that th e earl was slai n ; bu t we

,

wou ld n ot v e x ye wi th o u r gri ef ti l l d oubt was changed

i
i nto certain ty D oubt s chan ged in to certai nty
.
— b ut a
certai n ty o f life n ot d eath ,

A roar of cheers rent th e ai r again .

‘
Yes you r lord l ives ! c ried Em ma
,
’
H is fi rs t fi eld .

i s lost bu t i t wi l l n ot b e his last ! H e i s woun ded

, ,

sorely bu t n ot dangerously S ee ! so the lette r says !

,
.

H is way is ope n to D en mark This galla n t D ane has .

born e his m essage across fi eld an d over flood faith ,

fu l ly as he h elped to carry th e ea rl hi m sel f fro m the

,

’
battle field .

S he tu rn ed to the m esse n ger be sid e her wh o cl ashed ,

h is great axe upon h i s roun d wood en shi eld with i ts ,

strange e m b ossi ng o f i ron n ai ls a n d shouted Waes ,

‘

’
h ael !
Th en Em m a tol d agai n the story o f th e earl s rescu e ’

though sh e d id n ot reveal his hid ing place lest there -

,

shoul d be traitors i n th e camp an d how h e i n ten ded to ,

’
tak e ship for D en m ark to ask aid of K i ng Sweyn who ,
‘
,

sh e s aid h as al ready p ro m ised it The n the earl w i ll

,
‘
.

s eek his own fai r lan d s i n B retagn e an d h e wi ll cal l hi s ,

vassals to h is standard an d co m e across the sea at th e

,

head of a great host to rel ieve h is faithfu l garrison i n

2 20 WIFE OR WID O W ?

B la u n ch e flo u r I s any m an so m ean o f h eart that h e

.

wi l l n ot v o w to good S t N icholas to d o h is b est to

.

keep th e castl e to th at hou r ? I f so let hi m d eclare ,

hi msel f a fl Od z zzg an d qu i t th e company of gal lan t

'

m en ! ’

N o t o n e ! N o t on e ! rang roun d the castl e yard

‘ ’

a nd echoed back from th e h igh ston e tower o f the keep ,

reverberating i n tu m ultu ous thu n der fro m b ase to

su m m it .

Th en o ld S i r H o el d e S t B rice too k o ff his pl u m ed .

barret an d w aved i t i n th e ai r where h e stood

, ,

beh in d his lady hi s eyes hu mi d an d hi s lips qu iverin g

, ,

’
as h e echoed N o t o n e !
,

S i r A lain d e Gou rin listen ing w ith a strange expres

,

sion of sati rical d isd ain on his florid cou n tenan ce rattl ed ,

h is sword from i ts sheath an d waved i t i n th e ai r ,

w h ere h e stood behin d his lady an d shou ted with a ,

’
l usty voice N o t o n e !
,

’
‘
I than k ye fri en d s ! cried the cou n tess
, To you r .
‘

strong arm s an d you r loyal h earts I com m it my

fate an d that o f my lord S t N i chol as give ye . .

’
fortitud e !
Tu rn in g to a page w ho stood besid e h er wi th a si lver
tray sh e took a velvet pu rs e fro m i t an d scattered broad
, ,

pieces amongst th e sold iery .

A l argesse ! a largess e ! they cri ed ; an d al l was j oy

’

an d h i lari ty .

‘
Ye shal l taste a vi n tage better than ever grew even
i n th e vi n eyards o f H ereford or Ken t cri ed the cou ntess
’

an d she gave orders to the steward to b roach a cas k o f

 C H A P TER XVI I .

H o w R AL P H C A M E H OM E .

‘
SWEET n u n cl e methi n ks som e o f thy wi ts adhere d
,

to my c a p an d that when I pu t th e s ame u pon thy

, ,

n o b l e s ku ll they fou n d an en tran ce i nto i t by th at

,

’
crack th e worshipfu l b i shop s m ace rove th erein else ,

thou hadst n eve r assayed this m ad j ou rn ey ! Why ,

thou h ast scarce taken a step wi thou t giving a

’
groan .

H ave I been so w eak Gr i llo n n e ? Earl Ralph asked ,

’
,

a fain t s m i le brightenin g his pale worn face , .

’
H e was on horseback but rode at a foot s pace an d , ,

ben t over the n eck o f h i s Ha eg ue n ee l i ke an aged an d ’

decrepi t m an H e was d ressed i n a loose flowi ng

.

S axon blous e an d h ad n ot a li n k o f m ai l on h is person

,

from top to toe O n h is left rod e G ri llo n n e wh o strove

.
,

to ch eer hi m with l oving bante r ; o n his righ t th e youn g

A nglo D an e Leofri c Ea ld r e ds s o n the son o f h is late
-
, ,

host i n th e Fen land refuge a l ittle behind cam e a s mall

ban d o f m en a t arm s a squire l ead ing Ralph s S pan ish
- -
,
’

’
d estrier an d a m u le bearin g the earl s h arn ess m aking
, ,

so me score i n al l .

222
 H O W R A LP H CA M E H OM E . 2 23

I n good sooth conti nu ed th e earl i t h ath n o t

’
'

, ,

seem ed to m e t hat my path was strewn with rose leaves -

,

bu t on ly wi th the thorn s stri pp ed bare o f flowers Ye t .

’
would I g o th rough i t seve n ti m es over to see my lady s
’
fac e again .

‘
Wel l a d ay n u n cle ! an d a pretty ga lliard thou art
- -
, ,

forsooth to figu re before a gracious da m e with thy hol low

, ,

C heeks an d thy h awk s eyes gl arin g o u t o f cavern s d eep

’

’
en o fo r pi xi es to bide i n repli ed th e p rivi leged j es ter
’
,
.

‘
Cogs bon es ! thou h adst done b etter to go to D en
m ark fi rs t as tho u d idst i n tend there to have pi c ked ,

u p a fe w stou t fol lowers an d a l ittle flesh to cover thy

worn fram ework withal Th e wom en ever love th e signs .

o f power
’
.

A j ealou s pang flush ed th e earl s gau nt face with a

’

fain t hu e of red What i f th e foo l spoke truth and

.
,

Em m a shou l d tu rn fro m h i m i n his d efeat and embitter ,

his hu miliation by fresh rep roaches ? She had sen t h i m

forth with a dou b tin g heart scarce wi shi ng hi m success , ,

i n that he fought against h er ki ns man an d s u zera in ,

Wi l lia m of N orman dy A ll h is feu dal po mp an d glory .

,

at the h ead o f the eager army h e then led to battl e had ,

fai led to m ove th e b oso m o f the d aughter o f Wi lliam

Fi tz o s be r n who young as sh e was had seen m an y a fair
, , .

host g o forth with streami ng penn on s and noisy clari ons .

H ow then would she greet the weary wou nd ed wight

, , ,

wh o c rept b ack to h is castle li ke a thief i n th e n ight wi th ,

a poor rem nan t o f faithfu l fol lowers i n l i ttle better plight

t han h i mself ?

T ruth i s s eldo m palatable to m en i n high places ,

22 4 H O W R A L P H CA M E H OM E .

an d the j ester s light words had stru ck hom e to o

’

su rely .

‘
Th ou p r e s u me st S i r Fool ! quoth the earl sharply
,
’
.

‘
Thi ne o fii c e d oth not establ ish t hee a c ri ti c o f m in e
‘

’
action s !
‘
M ercy sweet n u ncle ! I ery yo u m ercy ! A fool s
,
’

word s cou n t for nothin g ! cri ed Gri llo n n e l ooki ng into ’

’
his lord s face with so m uch love i n his clear keen eyes , ,

t h at D e G u a d e r in stan tly forgave hi m .

Thou art the bes t fri en d I have G r i llo n n e he said ,

i mpu lsively .

‘
N a y there tho u dost wrong to a thou san d stout
,

hearts good m y lord ! answered the j ester n oble

,
’

,
‘

Leofri c there a mon gst th e n u mber B ut see thy toi ls .

,

are wel l n igh en ded Yonder ri se th e whi te walls o f

-
.

’
N orwi ch C astl e .

S t N i cholas be praised ! exc l ai m ed the earl ferven tly

.
’
.

Right glad shal l I be to shel ter my achin g h ea d withi n

the towers Th e n ext bosqu et shal l serve m e fo r
.

ti ring room I wi l l sho w myself i n harness as b efits a

-
.

’
k n igh t .

S om e two hou rs later the warders at th e great gate o f

,

C astl e B la u n ch e flo u r saw a s mal l troop o f horse men

approaching the portal at a foot pace amongst them a -
,

k n ight i n m ai l bu t withou t cogn isan ce or su rcoat o r

, , ,

shield h is coun tenan ce covered by his large roun d

,

hel met an d rid ing besid e h i m a m otley coated j ester

, , ,
-
,

whos e wel l kn own Visage caused a thri l l of excite men t

-

amongs t the gu ard s great er than the general appearan ce

,

of th e group ; for m any a si mil ar o n e had dem anded

2 26 H O W R A LP H CA M E H OM E .

others wore roun d steel caps with a n asal whi ch l eft th e

-
,

featu res Visibl e .

H e doffed his steel headp iece si len tly an d looke d ,

aroun d u pon th e th rong Th e gaun t p ale face wok e

.
,

n o i nstan t respon se fro m th e m any on lookers bu t the ,

cou n tess sprang forward with outstretched arm s to h is

sadd le bow-
.

‘
M y lord ! sh e cri ed’
S oldiers ! d o you n o t know
.
‘

’
you r earl ?
‘
A G u a de r ! a Gu a de r
Th e cr y resou n d ed i n the cou rt with vigou r even su r
passi ng that o f a few d ays before when thei r Castel lan s
,
’

eloquen ce had m oved them s o d eep ly .

R alph de Gu a d e r caugh t h is wife s outstretched arms ’

i n h i s own an d look ed down i nto th e fai r face he h ad

,

—
feared n ever to see agai n ; an d then n o t the gentle
lady but th e m ail ed warrior swoon ed
,
.

Worn o u t with th e terribl e fatigues h e had u nd ergon e ,

whi le yet u n healed of h is wou n ds the earl reeled i n hi s,

s add l e a n d wou ld have fal len if the ten der arms o f h i s

, ,

wife had n o t caught h i m i n thei r clasp .

H is head san k o n Emm a s should er Th e fi ery O liver

’
.

tu rn ed h is i n t elligen t head a n d caressed h er arm soft ly

w ith h is velvet n os e bu t stood wi thou t m ovin g a l i mb
, ,

ga z i ng at h er with h is fu ll bright eyes H e seem ed t o

, .

u n derstan d H ad h e m oved the cou n tess wou ld have

.
,

fared i ll .

Em m a was qu i ckly eased o f her beloved bu rd en by

th e retain ers aroun d an d th e i n sen sible earl was born e
,

wi thi n th e shelterin g wal ls o f the keep an d laid upon h i s ,

 H O W R A LP H CA M E H OM E . 227

own broid ered carved o a k bed i n h is o w n spacious an d

, ,

lu xu rious room .

A h ! h o w Em m a w ept a nd prayed an d j oyed over

hi m an d laughed lo w ly for d eligh t that i n very truth
,

sh e had h er w arri or on ce more .

H o w she bu rn t sweet ess en ces an d bathed his l ips ,

w ith perfu m ed waters a n d s hudd ered a t t h e prin t o f

,

O d o s m ace that s ti l l m arked h is bro w w i t h a black a nd

’

s ul len scar .

Ralph open in g hi s steel grey eyes upon th at eager

,
-

face lost all fear lest h is gaun tnes s an d h u m ili ation an d

,

d efea t shou ld lessen wi fely love .

’
‘
Sweeth eart ! h e sighed S weetheart ! God be .

prai sed th at I see thee agai n ! Th e m em ory o f his ’

d esolation o n the battl e fi eld cam e over h i m with res ist

les s force H is breast heaved wi th a m ighty sob as he
.

’
too k his wi fe s han ds agai n i n his o w n an d pressed the m
to h is l ips .

They brough t m e n ews o f t hy d eath Ralph Bu t I , .

kn ew better wh ispered Em m a a s she ben t over h i m

,
’

, ,

her qui ck tears fal lin g o n h is face I kn ew b etter ! .

‘

Thou coulds t n ot h ave d ied but I had kn own i t M y .

’
h eart had been ren t i n twa in .

Then Ralph told h er t h e h istory of h is struggl e an d ,

of the long d read fu l hou rs w hen h e l ay tw ix t li fe an d ’

d eath u pon the fi eld ; an d how G r i llo n n e h ad schemed

an d s aved hi m ; an d o f th e refuge i n th e Fens A .

m u rmu red story tol d i n a voi ce fain t and weak with

,

s uffering an d received with m any an ej aculation of

,

sym pathy an d love .

228 H O W R A L P H CA M E H OM E .

‘
I had plan ned to steal away privily by Wel ls on th e
sea an d there take sh i p for D en m ark D e G u a d e r said
, ,
’
.

Bu t sweetheart the thought o f thee was to m e as the

, ,

thought o f water to th e pi lgri m i n th e d esert Thee I .

m u st see or perish for longi ng A n d I see thee

,
He . .
’

d rew her to h i m an d feasted hi s eyes o n h er face .

A n d for that thou d id st con fron t d an ger an d d i ffi cu lty

an d the pai n o f thy s ore wou nd s ? said Em m a proud ly ’
.

‘
I n sooth the wou n ds were sore bu t o f danger there ,

was l ittle answered the earl Then h e sp rang u p fro m

,
’
.

the cou ch i n to a sittin g posture w i t h a su dden n ess th at

startled his gen tle l eech They d ee m m e crush ed h e .
‘
,
’

said S o flushed are they by thei r vi ctory that they

.
‘

are careless to pu rsue i t fu rther I fou n d n o trace o f .

their troops as I d ragged weari ly to N orwi ch Th ey .

h ave gon e wes t I d eem i t to d eal wi th thy brother

, ,
.
’

A las m y poor Roger ! I w oul d w e had n e w s o f h i m

‘ ’

, ,

said the cou ntess her face d ra w n wi th pain D e G u a de r , .

cau gh t the change i n her face wi th j ealou s qu ickn ess .

Th e old hau n tin g fear came bac k lest she should scorn
th e broken m an .

‘
Em ma my defeat is d i re ! D ost thou cred i t ho w I
,

have com e back to thee — hid i ng b ehi n d bush an d ,

bri ar beaten poverty stri cken a l l bu t alon e ? I who

, ,
-
, ,

l eft thee at the h ead o f a n obl e army n ow sca t tered l i ke ,

ch aff before the win ds ! D ost thou n ot Spu rn m e ? ’

The d aughter o f Wi lliam Fi tz o s b e rn l ooked i n th e

fac e o f th e m an she had C hosen for richer for poorer , ,

for better for wors e ,

.

’
M y k n ight sh e said hadst thou com e m a i m ed of
‘
, ,
‘
2 36 H O W R A L P H CA M E H OM E .

i n my following an d th e best born I so loved the lad

, .

that I woul d h ave had h i m squ i re to m i n e o w n body ,

b ut that S ir Gu y d e Lan d ern eau was as a father to hi m ,

and had fo rm ed h i m i n al l fi ttin g a m an a t arm s S i r - -

.

Guy d ead too ! Yet death i s Bu t the sold i er s portion

’

’
i t i rks m e n o t Ti s that th e fi en ds shou l d m uti late o n e
.

of Le H a re a u s gen tl e blood I t beggars c red en ce !

’
.

’
Thei r own l ead er i s of su ch prou d li n eage H a ha ! .
,

Em m a had m oved s oftly to h i s sid e an d h ad en laced ,

her sl end er fi nge rs roun d h i s m ai led arm striving to ,

soothe h i m wi th m u te symp athy .

S eest tho u n ot th e m enace i n the i nsu lt Em m a ?

‘
,
’

They spare n ot ran k H ad I been taken my fate had .

,

been even as Le H a re a u s ’
.
’

Em m a shud dered recal lin g Le H a re a u s aw fu l face as

’

sh e had s een i t o n th e d ay of h is retu rn I t bears n ot .

‘

to thin k of sh e sai d ,
’
.

S w eet I must go forth ! I m ust seek S weyn

,

U lfs s o n of D en m ark i n mi n e o w n person h e dal lies with

my m essengers I must go to h i m an d d em and fu lfil
.

m en t o f his pledges I m ust go to Wader an d M on tfort

.

an d assembl e my vassalage H ast tho u courage to .

hold B la u n ch e flo u r ti l l my retu rn ? ’

I have cou rage for augh t that profits thee .

’

Ralph gazed i n her face h is eyes a fla me w ith j oyou s ,

pride H e took her fai r C heeks bet w een h i s pal ms a n d

.
,

ben t d own an d kissed her brow an d lips .

M ethi nks th ere is but little ris k my Falcon ! he ,

’
.

said .They cann ot turn fro m wes t to east as th e s u n ,

does i n a n ight That gives m e ti m e They wi l l scarce

, . .
 H O W R A LP H CA M E H OM E . 23 1

attempt B la u n ch e flo u r an d I n o t i n i t I f they d o i t i s .
,

i mpregnabl e Ere s ix weeks I sh al l rel i eve t hee w i th a

.

’
fai r force at m y back .

Em m a looked wistfu l ly i n h i s eyes H er h eart ached .

at th e thought o f losi ng h i m agai n .

‘
C ou rage m a m i e ! h e sai d m istakin g th e ca use o f
,
’ ’
,

her hesitation .

’
M y cou rage fai ls n ot R al ph she answered ,
I h ad ,
.
‘

held thy castle while a ma n woul d obey my ord ers an d

stan d to th e wal ls even h ads t thou b een d ead as they
, ,

tried to m ake m e believe H ow then shou l d I qu ai l to .

hold i t for thee livin g ? I d o bu t m ou rn that we m ust

’
part again .

A n d agai n R a lph too k h er face between his pal m s

an d kissed i t .

M eanwhi le Lan fran c th e P ri m ate sat wri tin g i n h is

, ,

closet ; a satisfi ed s m i l e hovered ro un d th e corn ers o f

h is m obi le lips an d l ighted u p th e d epths o f h is gleam
i ng S outhern eyes A m on k s tood waiting to receive
.

the letter .

I t ran thus
To h is lord Wi lliam K ing of the Engli sh his faith fu l
, , ,

L anfran c send s h i s faithful s er v ice and fai th fu l prayers .

Glad ly wou ld we see you as a n an gel o f Go d bu t we , ,

a re u n wi ll i n g that you shou ld take the troub le o f c ross

i n g the sea at this particu la r j un ctu re Fo r i f you w ere .

to co m e to p u t down thes e trai tors an d robbers yo u ,

wou ld do us d ishonou r R o d ulph the Cou n t or rather

.
,

the traitor an d h is who le army h ave been routed an d

, ,
232 H O W R A L P H GA M E H OM E .

ours with a great body o f N orman s an d S axon s a re i n

, ,

pursu it O u r leaders i n form m e that i n a fe w d ays they

.

wi l l d rive these perj u red wretches i n to th e sea o r captu r e ,

them dead o r a live The d etai ls I sen d yo u by thi s .

m on k who may be trusted as he has don e fealty to m e

, ,
.

May God A l mighty bless y o u 1

.
’

Th e detai ls wh ich L a n fra n c s m essenger h ad to give ’

o f th e d efeat o f the Earl of East A ngl ia or as the , ,

prelate styled hi m R o d u lp h the Cou n t we al ready , ,

k now .

Turn ing to t he m on k th e archbishop said Regard , ,

‘

ing th e bas e uprisin g favou red and h eaded by ou r lord

k ing s cou sin Roge r Earl o f H ereford th e tidi ngs are
’

, , ,

o f l i ke goo d savou r I nform o u r l iege that th e En gl ish

.

prelates Bishop Wu lfstan an d A bbot AZth e lw i g i n un ion

, ,

wi t h U rs e S heri ff of Wo rcestersh i re have h i nd ered th e

, ,

traitor from pass ing the S evern and have taken the ear l ,

h i mself prison er wh ereon we pray o u r liege hearti ly to

,

make kn o w n his wishes h o w we m ay bes t dispos e o f this

haugh t prisoner .

Forget n ot to repeat li kewis e the s tratage m by whi ch

the C ou n t R o du lp h s m en deceived us so that we m ad e ’

n ot h i s body sec u re an d k n ow n ot certain ly i f h e b e ,

dead o r a live .
’

I wi l l forget n o detai l good my lord A rch b ishop

‘
, ,
’

repl i ed the m essenger ; and Lan fran c folded his letter ,

a nd fastened i t wi th a si l ken cord an d sealed it wi th his ,

officia l seal .

1
La n fra n c ,
Opp i 5 6 tra sl a te d by
. .
,
n H oo k , L i v es f Me
o Ar e/z bz r/Iop s
'

of Ca n ler bu ry , vol i i p 1 3 6
. . . .
 C H A P T ER XVI I I .

B ESIEG ED .

‘
M ETH IN K S Em ma my foes wi l l s ay that Ralph d e
, ,

G u a de r was a recrean t kn ight w h o fled fro m his d evoi r

,

an d l eft his lady to fight fo r h i m ! Beshrew m e but i t ,

m isli kes m e to l eave thee

S o quoth the earl when after a few d ays o f rest an d
, ,

rehabi litation at B la u n ch e flo u r he was m aking ready ,

to go o n board a Dan ish galley which l ay m oored at ,

’
L o v e lly s S taithe h er brightly colou red sails flapping
,

i d ly i n the su m mer win d ; the heads of th e oarsm en ,

with thei r l ong light hai r an d long light m oustaches ,

showing i n even ran ks along her bulwarks an d her high ,

d ragon carved p row glea mi ng i n the su n

-
.

Em m a upright an d determ i ned w ith the keys o f the

, ,

castl e at her gird le an d w eari ng h er steel ca p and m ai l

,
-

gorget forced bac k the tears that sprang to her eyes

, ,

an d turned prou d ly to the w arrior besi d e her who , ,

d ressed i n com plete m ail wi th h i s lon g cross h and led

,
-

s w ord suspen ded fro m a j ewel le d bald ri c IOORea the ,

’

perfect figu re o f a h ero .

‘
N a y my Ralph ! wh atever hard things th ey may
,

say o f thee they wi ll never be s o m ad as to accus e i bee

,
23 4
 B E SIE GED . 23 5

o f augh t that savou rs o f coward i ce Thy valou r has .

been to o wel l p roven on m an y a wel l fou gh t fi el d ! D id -

n ot Wi lliam see thee fi gh t at H astin gs an d give th ee ,

thi n e earld om fo r thy prowess ? D ids t t hou n o t d efen d

h is con quest from th e D anish i n vad ers an d w i n fresh ,

hon ou rs an d lan ds ? Who co ul d withs tan d thee i n the

tourn ey ? O h i t i s preposterous ! Rebel they m ay cal l
,

thee recrean t n ever !

,
’

Ralph d e G u a d e r however gauged the j u sti ce o f

, ,

th e makers of history better tha n h i s warm hearted -

cou ntess 1
.

H e l ooked at th e waiting galley with a sigh won d er ,

i ng i f h e should ever agai n be lord i n his En glish

earld om .

H e had n ot been id le d u ri ng hi s short stay i n hi s

capital Wi thou t waiting fo r h is wou nd s to heal he ha d
.
,

been up an d doing as soon as a few d ays o f rest h ad

mad e i t possible H e h ad s u m mon ed h is l ocal su p
.

—
porters w ho i f we m ay j ud ge fro m th e n u mber of
,

estates en tered i n D o m esday as Wa r m later o u — were

n u m erous to more than on e cou nci l an d had d on e m uch
, ,

to restore th ei r con fiden ce i n hi s a rm s an d thei r bel ief

i n h is u lti m ate s uccess .

H i s o w n heart had grown lighter as h e we nt the rou nd

o f h is m agn i fi cen t n e w castle wh i ch Wi l lia m h ad m u n i
,

t i o ne d w ith every i mprovemen t then kn own an d tru ly ,

i t seemed w el l nigh i m pregn abl e wi th its h igh towers

-
,

an d battlem en ted walls an d d eep su llen moats , ,

.

P reparation s for th e siege h ad been going m erri ly

1 Se e App e n d ix , N o te D .
 36 B E SIE GED .

forwa rd Fa t b eeves were d riven up fro m the m eadows

.

the b leati ng of sheep m ingled strangely with the

clangor o f arms an d th e large herds o f swi n e so
,

d ear to S axon houseke epi ng con tributed thei r qu ota o f

Vi cti m s w h i le n ot a little fun was caused am on g th e
,

laughter loving soldiery by the exci t ing d ifficu lties o f

-

p ersu ad ing the squeaki ng porkers to c ross th e draw

bridge an d m any were the tussles an d i n som e cases
, , ,

d ire the m is fortu n es i n cu rred i n the spor t .

B arrels o f salt m eat an d flou r an d ale were rol le d u p

the balliu m by th e stalwart arm s o f the bows an d bi lls ;
a rm s d estin ed alas to be but bare ski n an d bon e when
,

they shoul d issu e agai n fro m the walls o f the fortress .

All was b ustl e an d p len ty S i n ews o f war o f every

.

ki n d w ere there i n s u p e rflu i ty .

D e G u a d e r saw cl early that to Shu t h i msel f u p i n the

cas tl e w a s to m ake h i mself helpl ess ; bu t that to leave
i ts d efen ce to hi s vassa ls an d go forth to col lec t rein force
,

m ents i n D en mark an d Bretagn e and take the besiegers

,

i n rear was a p lan that pro mised al l su ccess and every

,

m an a mong his cou nsellors agreed with h i m .

Yet i t w a s hard to l eave th e fai r brid e for wh om he

h ad risked s o m u ch an d wh os e n oble sympathy i n hi s
,

m isfortu n es had endeared her to h im a thousan dfold .

N o won der that his heart fai led hi m at th e l ast when ,

the m o men t fo r parti ng had arrived and the ti m e an d ,

tid e that wait for n o m an were rip e for d eparture .

‘
I t m is li kes m e to leave thee he said .

‘
Sweet my lord “
h e t hat putteth his han d to the
,

plough m u st n ot look back said Em ma m eetin g h i s

, ,
2 38 B ESIE GED .

the oratory an d kn elt before th e a ltar i n speech less bu t

,

passion ate prayer wh i l e th e tears sh e had repressed so

,

lon g chased each other d o w n her C heeks .

A terribl e fear was gna w i n g at her heart that he r ,

h usban d had bu t l eft her to d ie i n that w i ld D en mark ,

a mongst the rough N ors emen for sh e kn ew h o w sore ,

an d d esperate were h is u nh ealed w ou nd s and by what ,

e ffort his high spi ri t forced hi s bod y i nto action .

S h e had steeled herself t o serve h i m as h e w ished to

b e served but i t h a d bee n li efer to h er wo man s heart t o
,
’

ten d an d leech h i m in to pe rfect health than to co m m and ,

an d u rge h is vassals to hu rt others as sorely .

’
M ean w hile the king s forces were n ot so far away as
Ralph suppos ed .

O n the eve of the third day aft er the earl s e mb a r k a

’

tion th e w ard ers o n the battl em ents of B la u n ch e flo u r

,

h eard afar off the thu nd erous tramp o f steed s an d th e

j i ngle an d C l an g of h arn es s an d arms an d as the su n , ,

san k i n a splen dou r o f gold en clouds h i s last rays gilded ,

th e hasti ly pi tch ed pavi lion s o f B ishop Geoffrey o f

C outan ces Earl W i lliam o f Warrenn e an d Robert
, ,

M alet wh o led the i nvestin g army to th e attack

,
.

Th e Bishop of Bayeu x though n ot dead as the , ,

fugitives supposed who h ad seen the combat between

O d o an d Earl Ralph w ith i ts catas t rophe o f m utu a l
,

u nhors ing was k OVS a e eo mba z for th e ti me being an d

,
-
’
-
‘

u nable to seek retrieval o f h i s k n ightly prowess i n

person .

Th e C oun tess Em ma W i th Ea dg yth an d her ladi es

, ,

a scend e d to the b attle ments o f the keep to view th e

 B E SIE GED . 239

en ca mp men t o f the foe and i n sooth the sight woul d

,

have been gay enough i f i t had n ot born e so d i re a

m ea n in g .

Groups of glitteri ng h orsem en thei r l ong lances ,

decked with m a ny colou red pen n on s glea m ing i n th e

-

golden light thei r hors es cu rveting and p ran cin g were

, ,

rid ing hither an d thither d i recting an d superi n ten din g

, .

Long l in es o f bowm en an d slin gers we re advan ci ng i n

o rd er at a qu ick m arch wheeli ng an d breaki ng i n to
,

com panies as they re ached th e c ampin g grou nd Train s .

o f su m pter m u les an d squi re s with l e d horses m i ngl ed

with the i n fan try an d shou ts an d laughte r the brayi ng ,

of tru mpets an d n eighi ng o f horses m ixed fitfully i n the ,

soft south wi n d S om eti m es even the words were au d i b le

.

as s om e man a t arms shou ted to h is fol lowers an d the

- -
,

blo w s o f the m al lets with w hi ch the pol es of the p a v i l

ion s were bein g d riven into the grou n d cam e sharply
th rough the ai r Th e ten ts themselves were d eck ed with
.

ri chly hu ed si lks an d s oon d isplayed th e ban n ers of thei r

-
,

n oble own ers A s the twi light deepened som e hun dred s
.
,

o f w a tchfire s threw ou t bright flames i n to the d usk an d ,

mad e the ai r fragran t wi th thei r sweet wood s moke ,

seem ing to bl a z e th e brighter as th e cu rfew boom ed

forth fro m the C h u rch towers i n N or w ich to bi d all the ,

inhabi tan ts of hu mbl e ran k rake o u t thei r ch eerfu l

hearths .

A ll the pom p an d C i rcu mstance o f glorious war as

‘
,
’

i t was kn own i n those d ays was spread ou t before ,

B la u n ch e flo u r and as Em m a watched the doings of her

, ,

foe there rose i n her spi rit th a t wi ld an d mysteri ou s

,
2 46 B E SIE GED .

’
‘
raptu re o f battle whi ch m odern D arwi n i an s expl ain
,

b y tracin g back o u r l i n eage to tiger forefathers — that ,

strange yearn i ng to dare al l an d spe n d l ife i tself i n o n e

great effort wh ich som e have said i s bu t th e endeavou r
,

to satisfy ou r i nsti n ct to grappl e wi th abstract evi l by

person ifying i t i n th e form o f a h u man foe ; bu t w hi ch
others d efi n e perhaps m ore tru ly as the fi nal e fflo r
, ,

e s ce n c e o f egotis m run riot whi ch satis fies its l ust o f

,

power even at th e cost of d estruction to i tself .

Good o r bad th e feel ing flooded Em ma s heart A t

,
’
.

sight o f real d anger m en acing a n d close s h e wh o had

, ,

fainted at t he thought o f i t grew b ol d as any o f th e

belted kn ights in the hostil e host below Th e blood of .

her hero father coursed swiftly throu gh her vein s an d ,

th e wi ld battl e son g o f Rol lo wh i ch had s erved her

-
,

an cestors so ofte n as a n a t i onal hym n hau nted her ,

brain .

S he had ascended o n e o f the s m al l flights o f steps at

th e angl e o f th e battle m en ts which s erved to raise th e ,

s en tin el above th e m erlon s .

Ea dg y th s tood besi de her and th e l ad i es an d kn ights

,

i n atte n dan ce were al l busi ly watchin g the en camping

foe th rough th e e mbrasu res an d were o ut o f earshot , .

Em ma stretched o u t her right han d with its sm al l

fi ngers tightly clen ched an d shook i t at th e bel eagu er
,

i n g hos t .

‘
M eth in ks Ea d g yth thes e h augh t C h evaliers wi th
, ,

thei r bald rics an d thei r gol den spu rs an d above al l my ,

Lord Bishop of C outan ces c u t a sorry figu re assemblin g

,

’
their forces thus to c ru sh a wo man sh e cri ed wi th a n , ,
 B E SIE GED . 24 1

excited l augh H ow wrathfu l wi ll they b e when th e

.
‘
,

brave ger falcon they d ee m to b e m ewed u p wi th i n these

-

towers swoops d own upon the m as fro m the s kies with ,

a gal lan t army o f bol d B reton s b acked by som e o f ,

Sweyn U lfs s o n s b est warriors D o you r wo rst ye tools

’
.
,

o f my tyrant kinsm an ! I fear ye n ot M y lord is safe .

m y lord ye wou ld fai n have h in dered fro m bein g m in e .

n —
A d I a m safe als o whatever b etid e my mz s ee z eo r de
,
’
’
'

’
assu res that .

‘
H oly M ary preserve thee from su ch a d esperate
safety ! exclai m ed Ea dg yth whose sad sti l l face c o n
’
, ,

t ra s te d strongly with th e flushed exci tem en t o f the

i mpu lsive N orm an .

Thou art d own h earted Ea dgy th said Em ma a fter

-
, ,

a pierci ng gl an ce i nto her bower m aid en s eyes I -

’
.
‘

kn ow the e too wel l to beli eve that thy d epression com es

fro m vulgar fear Tel l m e thy gri ef We are as private
. .

’
here as i n my bower N on e ca n h ear ou r speech. .

‘
S eest thou yo n star shin ing betwee n two b ars o f
cloud n o b le Emm a ? I t rem in d s m e of o ne who bore
,

a pai n ted s tar between two cl oud s for h is cogn isance .

A d ire doubt h au nts m e l est he be i n th e ranks o f th e

fo e ; fo r I wel l re me m b er his heart was always with
th e D u ke o f N orm an dy .
’

‘
S i r A i m an d d e S ourd eval ? N a y su rely h e would ,

n ot lift his han d against his lord B esi des the earl told .
,

’
m e that he had sen t hi m o n a lon g j o u rn ey .

Through Ea dg yth s heart passed a qu iver o f pain

’
.

’
‘
N o t surely th e longest j ou rn ey o f al l h er anxiou s ,

a ffection whispered bu t she was si lent ,

.

Q
2 42 B E SIE GED .

P oor chi ld I feel fo r thee ! said the cou n tess laying

,
’
,

her han d caressingly on th e flaxen head of the S ax on ,

whi ch her elevated position on th e ston e steps en abled

her to do comfortably She had assu med a very m atron ly
.

m an ner sin ce the gol d ring h ad been s lipped U pon h er

finger by her h eart s C hosen and i n t ruth she fe lt as i f
’

, , ,

years of exp erien ce h ad gon e over her h ead s in ce the

d ay when h er brother had com e to h er an d told her
’
that h er broken troth shou l d soon be m en d ed .

S i r A lai n d e Gou ri n approach ed wi th an obsequ ious

air an d the coun tess said to h i m gaily I hop e fai r sir
, ,
‘
, ,

th e gen t lemen yonder are wel l sati sfied wi th the qu arters

they h ave chosen fo r m eth in ks i t wi l l be so m ewh at l on g
,

e er th ey ch ange them for th e hospi tabl e shelter o f

’

B la u n ch e flo u r
’
.

At w hi ch
D e Gou rin l aughed applau dingly an d swore ,

that i f the garrison had half the spi rit of thei r C astel lan ,

they wou ld sen d the m to b id e s ti l l farther from thei r

d oors .

Then the cou n tess led her ladi es down to th e C hapel ,

where the chaplain perform ed a speci al m ass prayi ng ,

the protectio n o f th e heaven ly powers for the b e

l eaguered garri son an d for al l who fought o n thei r s id e ,

at h om e or abroad an d offeri ng prayers for th e safety

,

an d succes s o f the earl .

Th e tears rol led d own Em m a s cheeks as she repeated

’

these last and m any o f the ladi es sobbed a udibly partly

, ,

for the woes o f thei r cou ntess an d partly through fears

o r sorrows o f thei r own .

When the servi ce was over Em m a d is m issed h er ,

 C H A P T ER XIX .

WA LL S
’
‘
STO N E D o N OT A P R ISON M AK E
.

SIR A IM AN D
’
‘
a p rison er i n this castle ?
DE SO U RD EV AL
repeated the coun tes s i n a ton e of th e most complete
su rpris e an d her C heeks grew whi te wi th a sudd en
,

h orror for to explai n th is th ing ei the r i t s ee m ed

, , , ,

to h er the you ng kn ight whose h on est face an d

, ,

n o b l e b earing h ad won her respect an d th e heart

o f h e r best loved b ower m aiden m ust b e u nworthy ;
- -
,

o r — an d the thought gave h er a keen er pang than

even sh e had suffered fro m the ru mou r of hi s d eath
th e master o f th e castle had m ad e evi l us e o f hi s
power .

Wherefore i s thi s ?
‘
K nowest thou his offence ,

’
fath er ? de man ded the coun tess .

Th e you ng pri est bo w ed his head Daughter i f thou .

,

wi l t know the truth th e o ffen ce o f a too great fi del i ty to

,

his su z era i n Wi lliam of N orm an dy h e answered in a

, ,
’

low voi ce .

A spas m o f p ai n crossed Em ma s face at thi s

’

obj ective presen tmen t o f her worst fear an d the terrible ,

heart searchings wi th wh ich she h ad en tered i nto the

-

244
 (
S TON E WA LL S D O N O T A P R IS ON M A K E .
’
24 5

struggl e agai nst the C on qu eror return ed with ren ewed

force .

’
‘
I w ou ld hear this prisoner s defenc e fro m his o w n
lips an d j udge for m ysel f o f h i s gu i lt she said tu rn i ng
, ,
’

to Father P i erre with qu i ck d ecis ion and a pale set , ,

’
face Lead m e to h i m
. .

‘
N o b l e Em m a th e d ungeon i n whi ch h e is chai n ed
,

i s n o seem ly pl ace fo r gold e mbroid ered s li ppers an d -

’
erm in ed robes .

‘
Less s eem ly sti ll then for a n i n n ocen t m an i f
, , ,

i n nocent h e b e cri ed Em m a each syll abl e sou n di ng

,
’

lik e a chal len ge thrown at a fo e Show m e th e way .

‘
.

I wi l l see mysel f to th e lodgm ent o f al l u nd er m y

fl
’
ro o

Then a sati sfi ed light gl eamed from Father P i erre s

’

u nworl d ly d ark eyes an d h is thi n asceti c features r e

, ,

la x e d i n to a s m i l e Th e H oly M other reward an d ‘

.

’
s u stain thee my d aughter ! h e sai d softly
,
Co m e then .

at once
Em m a fol lowed h i m ; ou tward ly c al m bu t i n reality ,

deeply m oved an d n ot wi thou t terror at thought o f

,

enteri ng those terri ble d un geon s wh i ch although she , ,

had passed h er l ife i n castles had h itherto been known ,

to her on ly by n ame .

H e l ed her th rough wi n d i n g passages secured

by more than o n e h eavy cl angorous po rtal — th e ,

vau lted wal ls ech oing to the creak o f thei r hinges

— into the s ilence an d the d arkness of th e base
m en t .

The chaplai n was free to pen etrate at wi l l i nto th es e

2 46
(
S T ON E WA L L S D O N OT A P R IS ON M AK E .
’

halls o f su ffering an d d espair in the prosecution o f

h i s sacred office bu t th e warders who guarded the
,

vari ous portal s half forgot to m ake thei r reve ren ce to

th e pries t as they stared w ith open —
,
eyed s urpris e at
th e l ad y ti ll on recogn isin g her they s al uted with
, , ,

clum sy h aste an d strove to aton e for momen tary n egli

,

gen ce b y quick openi ng of the door w h ich form ed

thei r ward .

Em m a shu d dered as th e torch wi th whi ch Fa the r

P i erre had provided hi ms elf gl ea m ed o n the d am p ,

m ass i ve walls I t s eem ed to h er that i mprison men t

.

between the m wou ld o f i tself bri ng d eath to her an d ,

she marvel led how an y h u m an c reature shou l d s ustai n

l ife u nd er s u ch cond itions .

‘
I n sooth n obl e Em m a said Father P i erre as the
, ,
’

co u n tess gave exp ression to thi s feelin g the holy ,

‘

sai nts have sen t thee hith er this n ight becau s e ti m e ,

grew p ressin g A l ittl e wh i le an d the m an wh o i s th e

.
,

obj ect o f thin e erran d o f m ercy woul d be released by a

s tern e r liberator—d eath I f thou shou ldst d eem hi m
‘

worthy o f h is d u ngeon h e wi ll n o t n eed gu ard ing ,

lon g ! ’

A h ! sighed Em m a with a sharp pang o f horror an d

’
, ,

i nsti n ctively qu i cken ing her steps as i f a m omen t m igh t ,

be fatal .

They had reach ed a n arrow pond erous d oor stu dd ed , ,

wi th huge n ai ls Fathe r P ierre produced a key whi ch

.

h e had taken fro m a ward er who stood at the en d o f

the p assage H e turn ed i t i n th e lock an d d rawing
.
, ,

back thei r solid b olts pushed open the door an d entered

,
248
(
S T ON E WA L L S D O N O T A P R IS ON M AKE .
’

‘
Fear n othing S i r A i man d sai d th e pri es t r e a s s u r
, ,
’

i n g ly . I t i s I Father P ierre an d I have bro ught thee

-

hop e an d at l east the su rety that thy case w i l l be

,

i nqu ired i nto an d sifted to the grou n d S ee the n obl e .

,

Coun tess Em m a h as herself deigned to Visi t thy prison .

S t M i chael has answered thy prayers !

.
’

The captive stared rou nd hi m w i th haggard eyes ,

whi ch see med al most supern atu ral ly large an d bright ,

and Em m a quai led as they rested at l ength upon her ,

with an expressio n o f wonder a nd in qu iry .

‘
Th e Countess Em m a ? he repeated i n a fain t voi ce ’
,

’
th e brid e ?
Ti m e for hi m had been s tan d i ng stil l s i n ce the d ay
o f that fatal bri de al e which brought evi l i n som e form
-
,

to a l l who partook o f i t !
A r t thou i n d eed S i r A i man d d e S ourd eval ? s ai d
‘ ’

Em m a crossi ng the cel l a n d stan di n g before the prison er

, ,

her beautifu l face fu l l o f p ity yet n ot al l softn ess Un

, .

’
h appy kn ight she added al most stern ly her clea r
, , ,

d ecisive utteran ce ri nging rou n d the cell what cri m e ,

‘

hast thou co m m itted agai n st my lord that thou art ,

s ubj ect to such d u rance

D e S ourd eval th rew back his h ead w ith a gestu re of
i n dignation ; then hi s expression changed to o n e o f
sad n ess an d h e threw hi mself o n hi s k n ee before th e
,

cou n tes s .

N oble Em m a h e said th e on ly cri me I h ave com

‘ ’ ‘
, ,

mi tte d again st thy l ord and m i n e own liege was that of ,

b ei ng faith fu l to h is su zerai nan d m i n e n o r ca n I beli eve ,

the kind an d gen erous D e Gu a d e r kn ows m y fate .

’
 (
S T ON E WA L L S D O N OT A P R IS ON M AK E .
’
2 49

Than k God ! cried Em m a with a s ud den sob

’
, .

’
‘
Thou has t b een good to m e always ! e xclai med D e
S ou rdeval wi th i n tense excite men t his breast heaving
, ,

an d h i s eyes shi nin g as h e spoke O h gracious cou n tess .

, ,

bear my petition t o thy lord an d tell h i m that A i man d ,

d e Sou rdeval was n ever un fai thfu l to hi m i n word o r

d eed an d pray h i m to si ft th is m atter to the bottom
, ,

’
for i f h e knoweth aught tis mos t l i ke that his ears
,

have been a b used b y the u n true m al ign ities o f my

’
en em ies .

Kn owes t th ou n ot th at th e earl i s sped to D en m a rk ,

there to col lect fresh forces W herewith to rel ieve u s

fro m the beleagu erin g host that n o w s its before the
castl e wal ls ? asked Em ma wi t h less fi rm n ess feel ing
’
, ,

for th e fi rst ti m e the ful l weight o f the responsibi lities

she had u nd ertak en I n my hand s i s th e ru li ng
.
‘

o f the castl e ; tel l m e therefore the bu rden o f thy

, ,

’
petition .

Then S i r A i m an d related to h er th e story o f his a d

ventu res o n th e n ight of he r b ri dal an d h o w S i r A lai n ,

d e Gou ri n had fou l ly en treated h i m a n arrative broke n ,

by terri bl e fits o f coughin g sh owi n g h o w d eeply the ,

chil ls o f h i s prison had wrought u pon his fram e an d by ,

excl am ations o f su rprise fro m th e cou n tess who w a s ,

m uch startled to discover th e con du ct of the B reton

kn ight and i n great perplex i ty fo r sh e fel t keenly that
, ,

S i r A i m a n d had but acted the part o f an h onourable

m an an d that to offer hi m a pardon u n d er such ci rcu m
,

stances would b e bu t an i n su l t M oreover h e s eem ed .

,

’
to ignore th e earl s p resen t pos ition of active rebel lion ,
250
‘
S T ON E WA L L S D O N OT A P R IS ON M A K E .
’

an d sh e cou l d n ot gather how far he was aware of th e

position o f affai rs .

D oubtless Si r Kn ight sh e said th in e i mp ulse to be

, ,
’
,

faithfu l to thy s uzerain was that o f a tru e an d loyal sou l ,

an d n on e c a n bla m e thee ; bu t Wi lliam o f N orman dy

h as m ade the lan d groan u nder hi s tyran ny an d so ,

haugh t an d overbearin g w a s he that fo r th e m ere , ,

d elight o f showing his power he cru shed his m ost lovi ng ,

peers u n der h is heel Thou kn owest th at h e str ove .

to part my lord fro m m e and forbade o u r m arriage ; ,

an d so wroth was he at th e breach o f his cap ri ciou s

m andate that i n self d efen ce m y lord was d ri ven to
, ,
-
,

take arm s L et the past b e forgotten Thou shalt be

. .

rei nstated i n al l kn ightly h onou r an d sh al l prove thy ,

faith to th e earl thy lord by d efending hi s lady i n his ,

’
absen ce .

S he hel d o u t her wh ite j ewel led han d to the gau n t ,

u n kem pt p rison er l ooki ng i n his face wi th a persuasive

,

witchery that might h ave tempted a m an to l eave a

palace for a d un geon Bu t D e S ou rd eval kept b ack his .

meagre unwashed h an d
,
.

’
‘
N o b le countess h e exclai m ed wi th a long so bb in g
, ,

sigh that showed how great th e e ffort was to speak

,

word s th at m igh t close for ever hi s half open ed prison -

door agai nst whom a m I to d efen d thee ? Am I to

,
‘

fight me n wh o are faithful to thei r kn ightly vows by the ,

si d e o f traitors w ho have brok en troth

‘
M y son ! my son ! i nterposed Father P i erre ’

an xiou sly Th e kn ight s bold word s bro u ght hom e th e

.
’

u nvarn ished truth of the Situation with a startl ing clear

252
(
S T ON E WA LL S D O N OT A P RIS ON M AK E .
’

which Father P i erre had observed to be i l l s uited to

d u ngeon floors an d tu rn i ng away ,
.

S i r A i man d bowed his head i n si len ce and made ,

n o e ffort to recal l her as sh e swept toward s the ,

d oor though his trem bl in g l ips an d clen ch ed fi ngers

,

showed th e fie rce n e s s of th e struggl e he was

m aki ng .

But Em m a paused before she reached the door .

’
‘
Thou art too prou d S i r K n ight she sa id cold ly , , .

B ut fe w c a n rival th e Fi tz o s b e rn s i n that quali ty an d I ,

also h ave m y p ride I scorn to m ake con d iti ons w i th a

.

man circu mstan ced as thou art A bu se my gen erosity

'

i f thou list Thou art free ! .

’

M ary M other i n heaven bl ess th ee fo r thy goodn ess ,

n oble countess ! c ri ed D e S ou rd eval raisi ng his hea d

’
,

w ith a s tart o f j o y Yet m eth i n ks I a m scarce fre e

.
‘

yet ! H e l i ft ed h is shackl ed l im bs an d m ad e the h eavy

’

i ron s clang u pon the floor .

A h good S t N ichol as n o ! cri ed Em ma with a

‘ ’
.
, , ,

fresh shock as sh e realised what su fferi ngs the prisoner

,

mu st have u nd ergon e B u t thou shalt be free before .

‘

’
the su n i s i n th e s ky .

’
‘
N oble cou ntess i n terru pted a harsh voice behind
,

h er what m ean s thy p resence i n thi s cel l at s uch an

,
‘

hou r ? By the Rood ! thou dost great honou r to th e

wou ld b e m urderer o f thy hu sban d
-
.
’

’
Liar ! h issed the prison er bet w een hi s s et teeth .

Em m a turned with a start to face S i r A lai n d e Gou ri n ,

h is C heeks purp le with p assion and hi s qu iveri ng han d ,

on th e h i lt o f his melrer z eo r de The coun tess thought i t

'
‘ ’
.
 ‘
S T ON E WA L L S D O N OT A P R IS ON M AK E .
’
253

pol itic to ign ore hi s speech altho ugh every word had ,

reached her ears .

S i r A lain she exclai m ed si m u l atin g pl easu re at h i s

,

appearan ce Thy co min g i s m ost opportun e I was

.
‘
.

abou t to s en d a m essenge r to thee Give orders forth .

with that the i rons b e stru c k fro m the l i mbs o f this

worthy knight wi thou t delay H e h a t h been sh rewdly .

m isun derstood an d my wi l l i s that h e b e s et free

,

She look ed th e m ercen ary h ard i ly i n th e face as Sh e

gave hi m her co m man d an d th e V i l lai n quai led H e
,
.

saw that he had co m e too l ate to preven t her fro m

.

hearin g S i r A i ma n d s statem en t o f the case

’
.

H e accepted th e o b l ivion i n wh ich she h ad b u ri ed his

fi rst in su ltin g speech an d took an entirely d ifferen t ton e
,
.

’
‘
Thy wi l l i s law n o b le cou ntess he sai d obsequ iou sly
, , ,

an d wi th a low b o w .

Em ma d i d n ot reti re to rest u n ti l She kn ew that th e

k n ight was com forta b ly lodged i n the state apartm en ts
of the castl e .

Th e B reton had been com pletely taken b y su rpris e .

H e had i m posed upo n th e c a r! with a story which th e

latter i n th e excite men t attend an t u pon his a m b itious
,

enterprise had n eglected to veri fy an d i t had n ever

, ,

entered his head that the cou n tess wou ld trou bl e h erself
abou t the m atter H e supposed that the earl h i mself
.

had at least spoken to her o f S i r Ai m an d as a culpri t ,

an d that she was enti rely ign oran t o f hi s pres en ce as a

prison er In th e castle as she h ad b een u n ti l the strange ,

i mpu ls e whi ch cam e to he r to h ave a m ass sai d for hi m ,

caused h er to n am e hi m to the ch aplai n .

254
‘
S T ON E WA LL S D O N OT A P RISON M AK E .

Even i n case o f her fi nd ing th e m atter an d wi shing o ut

to prob e i t h e h ad an ingen ious story ready Wherewith

, ,

to pu t h er off th e scen t .

B ut the su dd en n ess with wh ich sh e had taken m atters

i n to her o w n han ds an d h ad Visi te d the p risoner an d
,

heard Iz z s version of th e facts qu ite overcam e the som e

’

what clu msy wi t o f the B reton .

H is fi rs t i m pu lse as usual had b een to b l uster bu t the

, , ,

fi rm n ess wi th wh i ch the cou n tes s con fronted h i m had

fai rly cowed h i m fo r the m om en t as h e kn ew that h e ,

woul d have to j u sti fy hi mself and to eat a good m any ,

o f h is words before S i r H o el an d th e N orm an k nights o f

th e garrison to whom h e had accoun ted fo r D e S ou r

,

d e v a l s a b sen ce by rep resenting that h e had been sen t

’

o n an e m b assy b y th e earl .

M an y were the c urses that he i nwa rdly showered

on th e d evoted head o f Fathe r P i erre to whom he ,

attribu ted th e discovery o f hi s s chem es an d h e also ,

revi led hi mself fo r havi ng forgotten h i m as a possi b le

ch an n el o f com mu n ication b etween the prison er an d the
cou n tess .

H is wits had n o t been the b righter for the h o u r at

which Em m a had h app en ed o n her i nopportu n e dis
c o v e ry for h e had been i ndu lgi ng freely i n his favou rite
,

spiced hippocras d uri ng the even i ng an d therefore i t ,

seem ed b est to h i s clu m sy cu nn in g to offer n o further

open opposition to the coun tess an d to carry o u t he r ,

orders hi mself thus gain ing ti me to concoct pl ausi ble

,

excu ses b efore S ir H o el s hou l d kn ow o f the a ffai r .

Em m a also ke pt her o wn cou nsel an d did n ot say a ,

 C H A P TER X X .

A O U T R AN C E .

TH E m orn ing cam e an d wi th i t cares m ore i mportan t

,

than the fate o f the poor Kn igh t of S ou rdeval .

B efore th e d ew was o ff th e m ead ows the shri l l ,

tru m pets o f th e besiegers were heard at th e barbican ,

d em an di ng a parl ey an d cal l ing for ad m ittan ce i n the

,

n am e o f the kin g .

The cou n tess holding cou n sel wi th S i r H oel d e S t

,
.

B rice an d S i r A lain d e Gou ri n an d other o f the kn ights

,

o f th e garrison replied th at she wou ld acced e to th e

,

parley an d receive the m essenger i n person ; and

, ,

accord ingly the m ess enger was bl in dfolded ad m itted

, ,

w ithi n th e castl e an d con d ucted t o the cou nci l cham b er

,
-

i n th e great tower .

The kn igh t who bore th e m essage o f the ki ng s ’

li eutenan ts was sh eathed i n com plete arm ou r an d ,

exceed ingly stately i n h is m ien an d figu re b ei ng tal l ,

an d of great pers on al strength H e was n o oth er than .

Robert M al et whos e father the l oved an d hon ou red

, ,

W i lliam M alet h ad been i n bod i ly p rowess s econ d to

,

n on e bu t the C on qu eror h i msel f o f thos e who fough t o n

th e N orman s id e at H astings .

25 6
 A O UTR A N CE . 257

As h e ente re d the room th e rebel kn igh ts i n ,

s ti n c ti v e ly s traighten ed them selves a n d assu m ed su ch ,

d igni ty o f b eari ng as they were capa b l e of showi n g ;

b ut n on e bore com pari son wi th h i m s ave Leofri c
Ea ld re ds s o n th e stalwart A n glo D an e who had n ever
,
-
,

ben t the kn ee to the N orm an Co nque ror and wh o ,

n ow s tood at th e righ t han d of th e cou n tess wi th the ,

lightn ings of a n oble d e fi an ce gl ea m i ng i n h is blu e

eyes .

Yet M alet h i mself was to b eco m e a re b el before h is

death When th e s il ken kerch i ef w ith w hi ch hi s eyes
.

h ad been covered was re m oved h e gazed proud ly roun d ,

the assembly and bowed his tal l h ead to th e cou n tess

,

alon e .

‘
I n the n am e o f W i l lia m the Con qu eror K ing o f ,

Englan d an d D uke o f N orman dy h e sai d i n a com man d

’
,

i ng voi ce I cal l upon Ralph d e G ua de r an d Mon tfort

,
‘
,

h eretofore Earl o f East A ngl ia bu t d eprived o f h is ,

earldom for that h e h as wrongfully taken arm s agains t

h is s u zerai n an d li ege lord ; an d I d eman d that h e
i nstan tly su rrend ers this castle whi ch he hold s on ly as ,

t h e C onsta b l e o f th e k in g I d em an d th at en trance i n to
.

the sai d castl e b e at on ce given to th e troops of h is

Grace the king an d th at he thereby refrai n fro m
,

a ddi n g stil l furthe r to his gu i lt by con tu m aciously ,

’
retai n ing i t .

‘
The Earl of East A n gl i a hath taken ship from th is
cou n try a n d ha th d evolved th e duti es o f C astella n u pon
,

m e his coun tess replied Em m a cal m ly

, ,
’
.

I n that cas e n obl e l ady — I can n ot style thee countess

, , ,

R
258 A O UTR A N CE .

fo r thou has t n o longer righ t t o th e t i t le — I cal l upon ,

t hee as C astell an o f th i s cas t l e o f B la u n c he flo u r to

, ,

s urren der i t to the l ieutenants o f thy l iege an d kins m an ,

Willia m o f N orman dy an swered th e you ng kn igh t

,
’

fi xin g h is keen bl u e eyes upon Em m a s fai r face whose ’

features worn by th e an x iety sh e h ad u n d ergon e

, ,

were patheti c i n thei r pal lor an d m oved h is h eart to,

pi ty . I m ay wel l s uppos e
‘
h e c ontin ued bold ly
, ,

that i n so doin g thou wi lt w ith pleas u re d i sbu rd e n

‘

thy s le n d er shou ld ers of so heavy and u n w o man l y a

bu rden .
’

Em m a d re w herself up wi th a sl ight gestu re o f d isd ai n

for su ch m isbestowed sym pathy Th e kn igh t respon d ed .

by a dd i n g hasti ly M oreover I w ou l d appeal to thy

,
‘
,

gen tleness an d n atu ral i nsti n c ts of m ercy to preven t th e

u seless shedd ing o f blood whi ch the hol d i ng o f thi s
castle m ust c au se by prolongin g a struggle wh ich can
,

on ly en d on e w a y .
’

Em ma s d el i cate n ostri ls qu ivered and th e fi n e fi rm

’

lips set fi ercely .

‘
The C ou n tess o f Eas t A nglia desi res to know th e
terms o n wh i ch she i s asked to yield u p her fai thfu l
garrison to the ten d er m erci es o f the m en who m uti lated
S tephen le H a re a u she s aid stil l cal m ly bu t w i th
,
’

, ,

flashing eyes an d d ue emphasis o n her ti tl e

,
Th e race .
‘

i s n ot al w ays to th e swift n or the battle to the s tron g

, ,

an d methi n ks her gen tlen ess an d love of m ercy are m ore

nearly con cern ed i n preven tin g her fai thfu l defen d ers
from en cou nterin g su ch a fate as h is .
’

‘
To th e C astel lan of B la u n ch e flo u r I reply t hat t h e ,
2 66 A O UTR A N GE .

thy s u zerain Th e d aughter o f Wi ll i a m Fi tz o s b e r n

.

shou ld be slow to d ra w th e s w ord agai n st Wi lli a m o f

’

N orm an dy
’
.

‘
The d ecisi on is fi n al S i r K nigh t repl i ed Em ma
, ,
’

curtly ; th in ki ng to herself that Wi l l ia m o f N orm andy

had n o t scrup led to i n sult the son an d daughter o f
Wi lliam Fi tz o s be rn She added to those i n atten dan ce
.
,

‘
Let thi s b rave gen tl em an b e recond u cted to the gate
’
wi thout d elay .

The envoy bowed i n si le n ce an d allowin g th e sil ke n , ,

k erchief to b e again b ou nd over h i s eyes h e m arched ,

wi th stately gra ce fro m th e apartm en t .

S o Em m a d e G u a d e r cast d own he r gaun tlet b esid e

that o f her hus b an d an d d ared th e power o t h er great
,

cousi n .

Before the su n was m idway i n th e h eavens a fi erce ,

struggle had begu n b etween th e besiegers an d th e

besieged fo r possession o f the barbi can This was n ot .

a strong constru ction of m ason ry as i n the N orman

c astl es of th e twelfth cen tury bu t a deep an d wid e fosse
,

o r m oat ,
wi th a high vall u m strengthen ed wi th stou t
palisad ing o n its i n n er sid e o f a s e mi ci rcu lar o r h orse
,

shoe form the horn s n early tou ch ing the presen t d itch
, .

Th e causeway that passed between the horn s an d the

presen t d itch by which access was given to the castle
, ,

was am ply protected by th e towers o f th e gate ho use -

an d th e wal ls o f the cas tle i tself from when ce arrows ,

and quarrels woul d easi ly reach assailan ts Th e s i mi l ar .

foss e and pal isaded val lu m s u rrou n ding the castl e meadow
afforded addition al protection to the eastern extre mity
 A O U TRA N OE . 26 1

of the cause w ay ; the portion o f t h e se mi ci rcle to th e

so uth west b ei ng m ost open to attack
- .

Spear m en an d j aveli n th rowers l in ed t h e palisad es

-
,

an d from thei r cover repel led th e on s laugh t of the

assau lti ng m e n a t arm s who h ad fu rther to withstand a
- -
,

whi zzi ng shower o f arrows fro m bowmen h idi ng i n the

wood en stal ls o f th e m arket .

’
The k ing s m en were en deavou rin g to throw a wood en
bridge ac ross th e di tch O n e en d was furnished wi th
.

wheels the other wi th huge grapp lin g i ron s w hich they

,
-
,

strove to m a ke fast i n the vallu m .

Watch ing them stood Leofri c Ea ld re ds s o n who o n , ,

t he n ight before when S i r A lai n d e Gouri n had been

,

sn eeri ng at th e p ri m itive S axon earthwork s had said , ,

w i th a laugh and a fi erc e gleam i n hi s eyes Let m e ‘

,

d efen d the m ; I a m us ed to the rud e English fash ion s .

’

A b an d o f his terri bl e house carles arm ed with thei r -

,

great b attle ax es an d long o f hai r an d large of l im b

-
, ,

waited h is ord ers wi th the ai r o f bloodhou nds i n a l eash

s train in g a t th ei r collars .

Fro m a loophol e o n th e sou thern si de o f the keep ,

l ighting the gallery wh ich run s within th e wal ls on a

level with the great en tran ce th e cou n tess an d her ,

bowe r maid en Ea dg yth watched the s tri fe

-
.

Ea dg y th h ad b een pres en t i n th e cou n ci l C hambe r -

d u rin g th e aud i en ce o f Robert Malet Thou wast .

‘

gra nd Em ma she was sayin g to h er lady an d friend

, ,
’
.

‘
Thou wast s o stron g an d cou rageous while to say sooth , , ,

m y o w n hear t was beatin g li ke an arm ou re r s h am m e r ’

.
’

‘
Thou art a strange child my Ea dg y t h said Em m a , ,
’
262 A O U TR A N CE .

affectionately well p leased with the ad m ission o f the

,

En glish m ai den .

A wi lder shou t fro m the besi egers than any preceding

broke thei r con vers e an d for som e m o men ts each
,
:

watched th e progress o f th e fight i n breathless si len ce .

Fo r th e assai lan ts had establ ished thei r bridge against

th e val lum an d over i t th e attacking kn ights ch arged i n
,

a b ody l ed by Robert M alet i n p erson his high cres t

, ,

toppi ng them all an d by sh eer w eight o f horse and

,

harn ess they d rave do w n the barricades an d pressed in ,

hewing i n s un der al l b efore them .

Ea dg y th gave a sh ri l l scream an d threw her arm s

wi ld ly rou n d the c ou ntess w h o stood m oti on less wi th
, ,

eyes d i lated an d heavin g breast .

Th en rang out th e wi ld N orse war cry Ahoi ! ahoi -

,

A n d Leofri c an d h i s fi erce carles spran g forwa rd li ke

tige rs ; an d the flash an d crash o f thei r great axes s mote
eye an d ear wh i l e mo re than o n e knightly sad dl e w a s
,

emptied m ore than o n e rid erless d estrier ran n eighin g

,

arou nd the en closu re ; m ore than o n e m ai led warri or ,

i m pervi ous to arrows an d quarrels was cloven th rough ,

his h el m an d lay li feless on the ground .

The A nglo D an es laughed i n thei r yel low beards an d

-
,

vigorou sly i mproved th ei r a dvan tage so tha t i n a few ,

m omen ts the kn ights were forced b ack beyon d the l in e

o f th e barricades som e gettin g b ack across the bridge
, ,

som e fal lin g i nto th e water .

S ee fool ish chi ld thy c o u s i n has d riven them back

,

cried Em m a Fo r Leofri c w a s aki n to H arold on t h e

.
-

m oth er s sid e an d so akin to Ea dg yth She stroked the

’

, .
2 64 A O U TR A N CE .

When th e aged l ady i n waiti ng cam e to h er i n - -

,

obedi en ce to th e m essage Ea dg y th had conveyed th e ,

cou n tess left th e loophol e th rou gh wh ich so s ti rring a

d ra m a was V isible an d advan ced to meet her
,
I n eed .
‘

’
th e support o f thy reveren d presence d ea r d am e sh e , ,

’
said and told h er h o w she h ad fou n d o n e o f her l ord s
,

kn i g hts i mprison ed as sh e beli eved o n a m isu nderstand

, ,

i n g an d that she w ished to qu estion hi m agai n havin g

, ,

tak en i t upon h er to free h i m .

Th e ol d lady cou l d h ea r each syl labl e o f Em m a s ’

cl ear soft voice though sh e was u n trou b led by th e

, ,
.

shouts o f the co mbatan ts below an d sh e n odd ed h er ,

stately h ead w i t h i ts c rown o f s now wh ite h ai r tasteful ly -

,

d raped with a b roi dered vei l o f Cyprian c rape .

A good lad a good l ad a n d ever cou rteou s an s w ered

’

, , ,

D am e A mi ci a Thou dost wel l to probe the m atter

.
‘
.

’
I th ought h e h ad gon e to B retagn e .

I t s eem s he was i n d u ran ce i n this castl e said Em m a ,

’
.

But w e knew i t n ot o r if my lord kn e w i t h e had n o

, ,

ti m e to s ift th e charges again st h i m M ethin ks if h e .

,

have so mewhat erred he h as b een p u nished en ough an d

, ,

’
I m ay gran t h i m pardon .

Ay i f we forgive n ot the trespasses of oth ers h o w ,

can we p ray with a c l ean h eart that o u r o w n m ay be

’
forgiven ? replied th e o ld lady n odd in g again We ,
.
‘

m u st p ractise forgiveness or o u r patern osters are bu t a

,

’
m ockery .

N o furth er words were spoken ti ll they reach ed the

apartm en t to wh ich acco rd in g to the orders o f th e
,

cou ntess S i r Ai m an d had been conveyed

,
.
 A O UTR A N CE . 26 5

De G ou ri n had taken th e precaution to place a stou t

ward er at the d oor who an n oun ced the visit o f the
,

cou n tess to th e knight .

Whe n Em m a en tered the cham b er S i r Ai m an d th rew ,

h i msel f o n his kn ee before he r wi th an exp ression o f d eep

,

homage and b owed to her an d to her venerabl e atten dant

,
.

’
‘
N obl e coun tess h e exclai med I scarce k now h ow
, ,
‘

to form my gratitud e i n word s

Em m a was freshly shoc ked when sh e saw his face an d
form S haven an d C lose c lipped as becam e a N orm an
.
-

knight and clad i n tu n i c an d h ose the ravages o f two

, ,

m on ths o f m isery were but the m ore conspicuou s as ,

they owed n o adventitiou s aid to wi ld el f locks an d -

shaggy beard H i s ch eeks were su nken a n d his eyes

.
,

u n n atu ral ly brigh t with fever an d th e bon es o f his thi n

,

han ds an d l i mbs w ere p i ti ful to see H i s voice also was .

hoarse and hollow Em ma fel t that the revelation s o f

.

the m orn i ng moved her m ore n o t less than th e d olefu l , ,

horrors o f th e prec ed i ng n igh t .

’
‘
I fea r m e thou hast greatly su ffered sh e sai d i n ,

volu n tari ly Ris e S i r A i m an d an d be seated ; thou

.
‘
,

art n ot fi t to stand .

A n d S i r A i mand was forced to obey he r fo r as h e , ,

rose to his feet h e tottered an d cl u tched at a stool fo r

,

s uppor t an d Em m a recal led so m e fears that h ad crossed

,

h e r m i n d d u ring the n ight with pathetic a musem en t

, ,

for s h e had bee n h au n ted wi th the i dea that she had

perhaps l et loos e a v ery d an gerou s cham pion i n th e
castle The poor kn ight l ooked l i t tle able to fight ei the r
.

for her cause o r agai n st i t .

2 66 A O UTR A N OE .

‘
I had com e hither to qu esti on thee more closely as
’
to th e C i rcu m stan ces o f thy i mprison ment th e cou ntess ,

said an d to s ee i f thy proud spi ri t be at al l softened by

,
‘

my bou n ty bu t m ethin ks th e best thing I can d o is to

,

’
send thee a goo d leech .

N ob l e coun tess thy gen erosi ty h ath n ot left m e

‘
,

u n m oved sai d S i r A i m an d eagerly

,
’
I give th ee my .
‘

parol e n ei ther to attem pt escape n o r i n any way to

, ,

co m m un icate wi th aid or abet the besiegers i f i n deed

, , ,

thou wi lt b e graciou s en ough to accept i t so u n graciously

’
an d tardi ly given .

’
‘
I wi l l accept i t repl ied the cou n tess wi t h a gratified
, ,

s m i l e ; an d D a m e A mi c i a s mi led als o seein g that her ,

l ady was wel l pleased although her d eafn ess preven ted ,

h er from kn owin g very clearly her reason s for satis

faction .

The coun tess had felt that th e ol d dam e s i n firm ity ’

m igh t be conven i en t for th e chi ef obj ect o f her vi si t

,

was to qu estion the kn igh t more closely regard ing the

ci rcu mstan ces o f h i s i mprison m en t an d sh e cared n ot t o ,

t ru s t h is i nd ictm en t o f S i r A lain to any o f her gossip

loving ladies .

‘
I wou ld that S i r A lain bore n ot s o i mportan t a
’
pos itio n i n the garrison sh e sai d after l istening agai n , ,

to D e So u rde v a l s story ’
The B reton s ma ke th e .
‘

m ost part o f ou r strength and save o n e o r two wh o , , ,

are vassals to my lord h e h ath th em al l u n de r h is ,

’
com m and .

’
‘
Lady an swered D e S ou rd eval strive n o t to see m e
, ,
‘

righted to th e detri men t of thy wel fa re I t may w el l be .

2 68 A O U TR A N CE .

Em m a d re w her gen tly u po n the seat besid e her .

‘
S u rely thou a r t gl ad to k n ow that h e i s safe i f thou ,

j o ye s t n ot th at he is n ear ?
’

‘ —
A h yes ! I a m glad glad i n deed o f h i s safety !
’

replied Ea dg y th i n a lo w thri l lin g voi ce an d her h and , ,

sought the bracel et wh ich she wore as e ver .

An d n o t o f his n earn ess

‘
I kn ow n ot ! I k n ow n ot ! I t m ean s bu t fresh
stru ggl e an d m isery " The tears rolled d own he r
ch eeks .

Why struggl e Ea d g y th ? Fate h as u n ited you w h en

,

a l l poi n ted to sep arati on Ea dg yth h e n eed s thee I .

, .

told thee sooth when I s aid h e was i n safety B u t he .

h a s su ffered m uch H e is i l l B e tho u h is leech Da m e

. . .

A mrc ra w i l l atten d thee — her m otherly heart w ar ms

’
towards the you t h .

‘
I l l ? Ea dg y th looked i n the coun tess s eyes w i t h
’ ’

a lm ost fierc e qu esti on in g .

‘
I ll repeated Em ma s mi lin g
,
’
N o t dyi n g ; not i n
,
.
‘

d anger ; I sai d safe I t is a long story Ea dg y th but

“
.
”
, ,

’
I m u st tel l i t thee
Then s he ito ld th e h istory we al read y kn ow an d h OW ,

afte r Ea dg yth s re mark about hi m o n the battlem ents it

’

h ad entered her h eart to h ave a m ass said for h i m h o w

i t had l ed to h is discovery an d how sh e h ad Visi ted hi m ,

i n his d ungeon .

When she cam e to that poi n t and na rrated her visit , ,

d escribing h i s sorrowfu l a spect wi th u ncon sciou s path os ,

Ea dg y th Spran g u p an d clasped her hand s above h e r

head . O h the terribl e i nj us t ice o f it
,
she groan ed an d ,
 A O UTRA N CE . 2 69

afterwards she paced backwa rds and for wa rds u nable to ,

control her e motion .

‘
B u t thy hero was sh rewd ly saucy Ea dg y th Woe , .

—
begon e an d d esperate as he was I al most wish I h ad le t ,

thee see the figu re h e cu t with his un kem pt beard an d ,

tan gled l ocks as long as thos e o f thy S axon cha mpion s

, ,

—n atheless he wou ld m ake n o terms I m ight free hi m .

,

o r l eave h i m chain ed by th e leg l ik e a hobbled steed as ,

I fou n d h i m O n e m igh t have though t he h ad passed a

.

pl easan t ti m e d own there i n the d ark H e wou ld n o t .

eve n give m e h is parol e not to h el p ou r b esiegers i f I

’
gave hi m the chance .

Ea dg y th s eyes lighted u p with a proud j oy

’
That .
‘

’
was n oble she said u nd er h er b reath
, .

Em m a l aughed H e h ad co m e to a better m in d this

.
‘

’
m orn i ng she said ; I fou n d means whereby to tam e his
,
‘

’
proud spi ri t .

Ea dg y th tu rn ed to her wi th a start an d wi ld vision s ,

o f racks an d th u m bscrews and other fash ion ab le i n s tr u ,

m ents of the ti m e passed through h er m in d H er spi ri t

,
.

was so torn with the terror o f the d ay an d the excite ,

men t she h ad u n dergone th at she d i d not pau se to ,

conside r probab ilities Em ma ! thou hadst n ot hear t.

‘

to c rush o n e so u nh appy ? ’

‘
I had ! said Em ma ’
.

Ea dg y th s eyes looked d u m b rep roach more eloquen t

’

tha n w ord s .

" Yes said Em m a ; I hold n ot the office of C astel l a n

’ ‘
,

of B la u nch e flo u r by h alves ! I m ad e use of my

power .
’
2 76 A O U TR A N OE .

‘
What d idst thou d o ? asked Ea dg y th i n a scarcely ’

audi bl e vo i ce .

‘
I gave hi m h is l iberty withou t con d itions an d had ,

h i m lodged i n o n e o f the best apartm ents o f the castl e .

’
Tba t touched my kn igh t s pri de ; he wou ld n ot h ave m e
ou tdo hi m i n gen erosity so h e capi tu l ated thi s m orn ing
, ,

an d offered m e his parole wi thou t fu rther ask ing ! an d ’

the cou ntess brok e i nto a s i lvery peal o f laughter .

O h Em m a that was li ke thy d ear self !

’

, , cried
Ea dg yth run ning to the cou n tess th rowing h erself on
, ,

her knees before her an d h iding h er head i n Em m a s

,
’

robes li ke a repen tan t chi ld .

Em ma kiss ed her N o w m aid en thy pa rt m ust be

.
‘
, ,

don e Th e kn ight has promi sed n either to help th e

.

en emy n or to attempt escape B e i t for thee to persu ad e .

hi m to buck l e o n his harn ess an d fight fo r us H e c a n .

s carce see thy sweet face an d kn ow thou art i n danger , ,

’
an d n ot lift h is han d to help th ee !
I persuad e h i m l — to b reak hi s k n ightly vows a n d
‘

fight against h is lawfu l l iege ? N ever ! cried Ea d g y th ’

raising h er h ead an d throwing i t back proud ly S tran ge .

‘
,
’

sh e con tin u ed m ore to hersel f than to th e cou n tess

, ,

i n deed s carce knowing th at sh e spoke aloud ho w thy

, ,
‘

haught cou rage and n oble gen erosity are al lied with s o
’
l ittle sen se o f m ora l right !
A fl ash of pai n a n d s o m e i n d ign a t i o n c rossed the
cou n tess s bro w ’
I d en y thy right to j udge m e sh e
.
‘
,
’

sai d cold ly There are som e who s trai n after s u ch hi g h

.

i deals th ey fai l to see the d u ties th at li e n ear ; gratitud e

, ,

fo r in sta nce an d the w elfare of t hei r fri en ds !

,
’
 C H A P T ER XXI .

T H E O R D EAL B Y FIR E .

A T th e close of the day the b arbi can s ti l l re m ai n ed

i n the keepi ng o f the bes ieged .

I t had not been retain ed wi thou t t he loss o f m any

a stout sold ier an d th e spi ta l was crowd ed wi th patients
, ,

who oc cupied al l th e h eali ng tal ents of th e cou ntess an d

h er l adi es .

Whe n Em m a at last ret i red to her cham b er wi th her ,

S axon b ower mai den i n atten dance sh e was so weary

-
,

and worn wi th th e excitem en t an d strai n o f the day ,

that she threw h erself u pon the bed with ou t even takin g ,

o ff her j ewels and fel l asleep almost i m medi ately

,
whi le
Ea dg yth aft e r softly layin g a warm coverl et over her
, ,

l ay down b es id e her .

B ut n ot to sleep H er brain was fu l l o f d i re an d d i s

.

t u rb i n g i m ages an d even the fac e o f S ou rd eval whi ch

, ,

i t had b een so great a j oy to her to behol d on ce more ,

cam e to h er as sh e had seen i t wan an d m elan choly , ,

whe n h e turn ed to her as she entered his apartm en t ,

be fore i t fl ashed with b rig htness on recogn ising who had

com e t o hi m The C hange i n h i m had shoc ked her and
.
,

i n h er n e rvou s an d d epressed mood sh e th ough t o f h i m

272
 TH E ORD EA L E Y FIR E . 273

as o n e who m d eath h ad m a rked fo r his o w n an d h is ,

i m age was but as a pale spectre rou n d whi ch the m an i ,

fol d forms of wound ed an d dyi ng an d tortu red m en ,

who m sh e had beheld d urin g the d ay grou pe d as a ,

ce n tral poi n t .

H er ears were ful l of the wi l d shouts o f the

besiegers an d the sh rieks o f th e inj u red th e awfu l ,

cl ash o f seax o n hel m an d hurtle an d whi z o f ,

arrows A gai n an d agai n she woke fro m a fitfu l

.

d o z e th i nkin g to hear the thun de r of charging kn ights

,

an d the fi erce A o i ! o f Leofric Ea ld re ds s o n an d his

‘ ’

carles as they leaped forth fro m the cove r o f the

,

pal isad es upon the foe .

A t las t fro m s uch an awa ken ing sh e sprang from th e

bed ; better she thought to wak e al l nigh t than su ffe r
, ,

su ch awful d reams .

Bu t the awaken ing d id n ot si lence the cries Th ey .

were n o d ream s thos e sc rea m s of terro r thos e head

, ,

ren d ing sh riek s fo r help they were d read fu l reali ties ;

,

an d rush in g to th e wi n d ow she gazed o u t wi th a beatin g

, ,

heart at the wes tern s ky wh ich fli ckered an d flared wi t h

,

strange an d gh ostly gleam s .

Sh e ran bac k to the sleepi ng coun tess an d by th e ,

l u rid l igh t saw that sh e was sm il ing i n her s leep .

‘
Wake ! wake ! O h Em ma ! d ea r cou n tess ! this
,

i s n o n ight for sleep M ethi n ks the d awn i s l ike to

.

brin g the last d read d ay ! A las ! she sl eeps li ke a

young i n fan t tha t knows n ot d ange r or woe Wake .
,

"
Em m a ! Thy l i fe m ay hang on i t
Th en the cou ntess open i n g he r eyes d rea m ily m u r
, ,

S
2 74 TH E ORD EA L E Y FIR E .

m u red Thou hast b ro ught good s uccou r Ralph

,
‘
Th e ,

n ext mom en t sh e s ta rted up M a ry M othe r ! wh at i s .

‘

’
i t chi ld ?
,

Th ere i s mu rd er i n the ai r Em m a ! S ee th e very

‘
, ,

sky is ful l o f tokens Listen ! l iste n ! O h sai n ts i n

.
,

heaven h o w they scream

They d id i n deed ! Th e coun tess spran g from the
b ed an d ru shed to th e wi n dow also .

’
They have fi red th e town ! sh e c ried ; th ey h ave
‘ ‘

fi red th e town — th e S axo n qu arter ! S i r H o el said

'

th ey wou ld
The S axon qu arter ! O h my ho me my hom e cri ed
‘
, ,

Ea dg yth an d pressin g her han ds to her ears i n a vai n

, ,

e ffort to sh u t ou t the sh rie ks o f the s ufferers sh e ,

cowered with closed eyes upon the floor

, , .

L et us go to th e great portal o f the keep wh ence w e ,

’
can see it s ai d th e cou ntess
, .

S ee i t ! cried Ea d g y t h
‘ ’
A h Em ma n o ! I could .
‘
, ,

’
not loo k ! I t wou ld k i ll m e .

But Em m a wen t forth bold ly i n ten t to kn o w i f any ,

th ing cou ld be don e to res cue the victi m s .

N orwi ch i n those days was an open town Th e wall s .

an d towers o f w h ich portion s sti l l re mai n to gladden

,

the eyes of arch ae ologists were n o t bui lt ti ll so me fi fty

,

years l ater s o that it was n ot possible to d efen d the

,

to w n itsel f M oreover although th e earl h ad fou nd

.
‘

supporters am ongst the S axo n an d A n glo Dan ish i n -

h abi tan ts o f th e older quarte rs nu mbering m ore tha n ,

o n e rel ative of H arol d G O dw i n s s o n the m aj ori ty of the ,

N orm an d eni zen s of the N e w B u rg a rou nd th e Chapel

2 76 TH E ORD EA L B Y FIR E .

c urses an d execration s bu rst from th e wh ite l ips o f

t he soldiers who were crowding the eastern walls o f

B la un ch e flo u r a n d the kn ights who h ad asse mbled

,

before th e portal o f th e keep .

A s the cou n tess ca m e down am ongst them she cou l d ,

n o t repress an exclam ati on o f horror fo r n eve r i n her ,

li fe had she beheld anyth in g so awful .

S i r H o el d e S t Bri ce cam e i nstan tly to h e r s id e

. .

‘
A las d ear l ady ! th is is n o scen e for th ee
,
Retu rn .

’
to thy bowe r There i s n o d anger for the castle
. .

‘
My p lace is here S i r H o el sai d Em m a fi rm ly
,
I ,
’
.
‘

a m C astel lan o f this castl e Th e battle i s n ot a lways to .

the strong S ee yonder fl a m es hi ssing through th e ai r

.
,

are m ore terri ble than a h u n dred m ailed warriors ! The

fla me o f wit i s given to wo m an as wel l as to m an
’
Wi llia m s m en are doing thee homage n obl e cou ntess , ,
’

said D e Gou ri n with a s n eer

,
Thes e a re fi n er bon fi res .

t han the good people o f N orwich ligh ted o n th e n ight

o f thy a rrival i n thei r town

Em m a tu rned fro m h i m with a s hudd er o f d isgust .

H o w hath this been accom plished S i r H o el ? she

‘ ’

a sked of the old er kn igh t By wh at m ean s h ath the .

‘

fi re been en ki nd led
’
‘
Th e king s m en are provi d ed with m ighty engi n es ,
’

answered S i r H o el N ever have I seen m angon el o r

‘
’

balista that carri ed so far They are th ro w mg red hot .

-

s ton es an d balls o f l ead fro m them an d the o ld houses ,

yon d er have b een so w e ll d ri e d by th e su n o f late that

,
,

’
t hey b u rn l ike tin der S ee h e add ed poin ting ou t
.
, ,

som e glowing stars in the south east which Em m a had -

,
 TH E ORD EA L E Y FIR E . 2 77

n ot b efore d is tingu ished fro m the burn ing fragmen ts

tossed aloft by th e actio n o f th e flam e thei r fi ery ,
‘

h ai l conti n u es even n o w They h ave got possession of .

the Cy n i n g Ford an d are flinging thei r m i ssi les fr o m ,

’
across the ri ver .

A n d are we to stan d here an d gape at th e m an d d o

‘
,

’
n ought to stop them ? d em and ed the cou n tess eagerly .

‘
Good S t N i cholas ! how the cattle bel low i n the
.

castle meadow ! A re th e poor beasts i n d anger ? ’

The fi re frighten s them an d n o won d er ! an swered

‘
,
’

S i r H o el B ut th ey are i n safety un less perh aps som e

.
, , ,

fragm ent h ere an d there m ay be carried fro m the fi re

, , ,

an d som ewhat scorch thei r h ides A s for thy form e r .

qu estion I see no t t ha t a ny thing ca n be don e H avi ng

, .

possessi on o f the ford I kn ow n o t how we c a n d islodge ,

’
the m .

I t wou ld b e b ut th rowi ng away good l ives to atte mpt

‘

’
i t said D e G o u ri n w h o cared li ttle whethe r a few S axons
, ,

m ore o r less were b u rn ed o n thei r o w n hearthston es .

Ea dg y th ! excl ai m ed the cou n tes s i mpetu ously to

‘ ’

her bower m aiden w h o h ad followed h er n o tw i ths ta n d

-
, ,

ing h er terror hast thou n o t tol d m e there was a

,
‘

w a y through the ma rshes th at H arold used against th e ,

V ikings ? ’

Ea d g y th with wi ld eyes an d teeth chattering i n t h e

,

extrem i ty of h er horror gazed a t th e cou ntess as i f h e r ,

fea r ha d taken away her reason .

Th e co un tess repeated h e r questi on an d Ea d g yth , ,

w ith a n effort fo rced h ersel f to atten d

, .

Ay th at is so
‘
, My kin sman Leofric w ou ld be .
278 TH E OR D EA L B Y FIR E .

fami liar wi t h i t H e h as fough t every i n ch o f thi s

.

’
groun d agai nst th e D a n es u nder yo u r l ord ! she
said .

’
‘
Where i s thi s Leofri c ? Let hi m be su m mon ed ,

com man ded t h e cou n tes s .

H e i s yon der h elpin g h is coun trym en to s ave thei r

ski ns from the fi re sai d S i r A l ai n con te mptuously
,
’
.

A gai n th e coun tess com ma n ded Let h i m b e s u m ,

‘

mo n e d
A nd wh en n ot long after , Leofri c Ea ld r e d s s o n stood
,

before her sti ll breathing hard after hi s ex ertion s h is

, ,

face begri med with d ust and s m oke an d th e wi ld fir e ,

l igh t glea m ing o n his torc a n d m ai l corselet an d bracel ets ,

she asked hi m i f h e kn e w o f any way by which h e cou ld

steal u nperceived through the marsh es and take th e ,

a rti l lerym en o f t he fo e by su rprise .

‘
By As g a a r d ! yes ! ex clai m ed Leofric tu rn ing to
’

D e Gou ri n A n d so I told thi s fai r s i r an hou r a g o

.
‘
,

and offered to show h i m how h e m ight take th em i n

flan k a nd stu ff thei r accu rsed red hot balls down th ei r
,
-

o w n th roats ; o r I w ou ld have taken a b an d u nd er my

o w n ord er twen ty o f my hou se carles if h e woul d add

,
-
,

twenty stou t m en fro m th e garrison B u t h e wou ld .

h ear n on e o f it .
’

‘
We shal l b e the safer that the bu ild i ngs yond er are
’
burn ed sai d D e Gou ri n
,
Why th row away good lives .

’
to stop it ?
‘
Why was I n ot told of this suggestion ? asked S i r ’

H o el fro w n ing
,
Thou takest over mu ch u pon thysel f
.
,

Si r A lain
2 80 TH E ORD EA L B Y FIR E .

balistas to frag ments served a good m any o f thei r m en

,

l i kewis e an d retu rn ed as they cam e to th e west ban k of

,

th e rive r .

The n t hey add ed t hei r strength to th at o f the towns

fol k to figh t the flam es an d b v m ean s o f cleari ng large
, ,

spaces to wi ndwa rd o f th e b u r mn g hou ses stopped th e ,

fi re fro m sp read i ng i ts ravages i n d e fi ni tely B u t fiv e .

l es s retu rn ed th rough the castl e gate than had left i t .

S o w en t the fi rs t d ay an d the fi rs t n igh t o f th e siege .

When d ay b rok e th e attac k o n the ba rbi can began

,

again an d so i t was for five d ay s afterward but at the

,

end o f the si xth th e barri cad es were al most battered

down an d strong bridges were established across the
,

ditch so that the d efend ers thought i t wise to aban don

,

i t to th e ene my as sca rcely worth the l ives it wou ld c ost

,

to m ain tai n poss ess ion o f it Bu t this m ean t n o very .

great advan tage to th e besi egers .

They stood before t h e great gate of the castl e the ,

actual entran ce to wh i ch looke d li ke a m ere m ouse hol e -

between the sheer strong wal ls of its t w o flan king towers .

T hey wel l kne w th e m ake of such gateways thei r fold

i n g doors o f solid oak stren g thened with bars a n d bol ts
-
,

of i ron an d s tud ded with h uge nai ls to p reven t the

,

cuttin g ou t o f a panel o r stavin g i n o f th e sam e ; the

s trong portcul l is behi n d them a harrow shaped i ron ,
-

grati ng to be l et up an d d own i n a m o m en t by m ean s

,

o f pu l leys fro m th e insi de ; above th e d oors a row of

chi m ney li ke apertu res cal led m achicolation s th rough

-
, ,

wh ich the d efenders could pou r scaldi ng wate r m olten ,

l ead o r an y other d ead ly m atter u pon th e d evoted head s

, ,
 TH E ORD E A L B Y FIR E . 28 1

o the assaul t ing colu m n w ho w e re exposed also to a

f ,

cross fi re o f qu arrels s ton es an d other m iss i les from the

, ,

flan king to w ers .

Truly to assau l t such a portal was n o chi ld s play

’

, ,

e ven with such ai d as could be given b y the rud e

arti llery of th e ti mes petron el s an d a g e ro n s for throw
in g ston es an d l eaden pel lets catapu ltas fo r shooti n g ,

a rrows an d th e t re bu ch e ttu m o r w a rre w o lf special ly

, , ,

d esigned for the s m ash ing i n o f gates an d walls ; al l

these an d m ore o f thei r k i n d the king s m en were wel l
, ,
’

p rovid ed w i t h .

S tou t Earl Warren n e an d the ast ute B ishop o f ,

C outances an d the a ccom plished lan ce Robert M al et

, , ,

hel d m any a consultation as they rod e roun d the i n

vested fo rtress and scan n ed i t eagerly to see i f haply
,

they m ight discover so m e wea k point wh i ch shou ld give

them advantage i n the attac k .

B ut they d ecide d that they m ust beco m e m asters of

the grea t gate a n d s o of th e d i tch before they cou ld
, ,

m ake an y assau lt o n the castle itsel f .

A m on th had passed away b efore th ey were so

m asters ; bu t bei ng so they had thei r oppon e n ts i n a
,

veritabl e trap Th e bes i eged knew wel l th at a harde r

.

struggle tha n ever lay before th em i n thei r awful isola

tion cu t o ff fro m com m un ion wi th thei r fellow creatures
,
-

by a wal l of h um an fu ry as e ffectual ly as i f they had

been w recked o n som e desert i s lan d i n that vast ocean
o f the west the opposite shores o f w hich w ere al l
,

u nk n o w n to th e m though i ts great eastern rollers

,

d ash ed in spray u pon th e B reton and N orm an coas ts .

282 TH E OR D EA L B Y FIR E .

Through al l this weary ti m e o f fear and s uspense ,

wi th i ts ha rassi ng d u ti es an d oppress i v e sorro w s th e ,

C oun tess Em m a fou n d com fort i n t wo d u mb fri end s

O l iver the earl s Span ish d estrier who h ad been left i n
’

, ,

the fortress when D e G u a d e r em barked fo r D enm ark ;

’
and the brave tassel gen tl e t hat had been R alph s gift to
-
,

her upon th e d ay o n whi ch sh e had prom ised to sh are

his fortu n es good o r i ll
, .

O live r h ad been restored to his master after he had ,

been stru ck d own by O d o s m ace by o n e o f those stran ge

’

acciden ts which see m to have the finger o f fate i n them .

S om e of the old theg n Ea ld re d s m en had Vis ited the battle

’

fi eld several days after the figh t to s ee ho w the l an d l ay ,

’
and what the king s m en were d oing They were attacked .

by a ban d o f N orm a n sold i ers head ed by a kn ight wh o ,

was m ou n ted o n a spl end id d estrier Th e ani ma l was .

ful l o f strength and cou rage bu t the rid er bei ng as they

, ,

afterwards foun d o n e Steph en M ain d e fer a parven u

,
- -
,

w h o had mad e his fortun e ou t o f the woes o f Englan d ,

l ike so m an y of h is cou n trym en a nd who h ad won his ,

spu rs w i thou t h avi ng l earn ed to ri d e i n stead o f pro ,

fit i n g by th e n obl e booty th at h ad fal len to his share ,

was brough t to his ru i n th ereby ; for the fi ery barb ,

u nused to such h an d l in g as he gave i t an d d oubtless ,

won dering l i ke J ohn ny Gi lpi n s steed W hat thin g upon

,
’

hi s b ack had g o t becam e u n manageable i n th e ex cite

,
’

m en t o f the fray an d threw hi s clu m sy n ew m aster

,

heavi ly to the earth Th ere h e l ay sprawli n g as li ttl e

.
,

versed i n carrying h i s arm ou r as i n m an a g in g his ho rse ,

an d Ea ld re d s m en d id n o t lose thei r Oppor tu n i ty o f

’
2 84 TH E ORD E A L B Y FIRE .

w ith that ch ivalrous cour tesy that was so odd ly m ixed

w i th the feroci ty of th e ti m es .

S o the ki ng s men an d th e earl s m e t i n fri en dly sym

’ ’

pathy o n e d ay an d p repared for bitter con test o n th e

,

m orrow w h en th e b es iegers p lan n ed to m ake assau l t

,

upon the wal ls them se lves .

Within the castle al l w a s bus tle an d busin ess H arn ess

.

w a s mend ed a n d bul lets were mou ld ed bo w s restrung

,

and arro w s feathered axes an d sword s w hi rred o n th e

,

g r m d s to,
ne h uge cau ld ron s w ere prepared wherein to
heat w ater to pou r upon besiegers heads ; a n d even
’

t h e coun tess an d her lad ies helped to carry ston es w i th

thei r own fai r han d s an d pi le the m ready for the us e o f

,

the s lin gers .

M ea n w h i le the swallo w s whee led an d twi ttere d over

head as they whe el and twitter n ow ; and d own i n the
woods the m erles and m avises sang 0 11 u nd isturbed by
t h e tu mu l t w hile s w ans w ere m arshal lin g green grey
,
-

cygnets across th e pools i n th e m arshes o f th e C o w h o lme .

 C H A P T ER XXII .

A SU B T ER R A N EAN CO N FLIC T .

TH E b esi egers o n thei r part h ad n ot been idl e They .

had establ ished qu i te a In e nag ery o f m echan i cal co n

t ri v a n ce s rej oicin g i n th e zoologi cal n am es of tortoises
, ,

sows an d cats to p rotect thei r approaches to t he

, ,

white walls o f B la u n ch e flo ur an d u n d er cove r o f thes e

,

they had cut a chann el to th e castle d itch an d d rain ed

th e water from it s o that i t was as d ry as a t p resen t
, ,

though i nstead o f growi ng fai r green ery o f bushes an d

,

flowers i t showed a botto m of parched foetid m u d

, ,

u nder the hot su m m er s un .

Th ey had th row n u p large mou n ds of earth at

i nterval s arou n d th e bal liu m an d u pon these had
,

b ui l t u p towers of wood overtopping the wa l ls These .

were fu rn ished w ith d rawbridges whi ch coul d be l e t

d o w n at pleasu re upon the m erlon s o f the battle
m en ts so to give i ngress to th ei r m en a t arm s ; thei r
,
- -

u pper storeys servi ng to shelter archers an d s l ingers ,

wh il e fro m the lower battering ra ms were s tu rd i ly

,
-

p lied an d the w a r re w o lv e s flun g t hei r stones and

,

b a l ls of lead .
2 86 A S UB TE R R A N EA N CON FL IC T .

These towers h ad cost them m any good l ives for n o t ,

on e h ad been established wi thou t a fi erce struggl e .

S al ly after sal ly had been m ade fro m th e c as t l e but , ,

i n the en d n u m bers prevailed an d at l ast thei r i mp e rt i

, ,

n en t wood en c rests were reared above the C ae n ston e

of B la u n ch e flo u r .

Those w ithi n were however mOre t roub led by th e

, ,

m i nes whi ch thei r assai lan ts h a d ru n from the botto m

o f the moat b en eath the fou nd a t ion s o f the castle ; for

al though these had been met by cou n term i n es an d m any ,

a furiou s co m b at had taken place i n these u n can ny l ists ,

each m i n e m ean t a poi n t to b e gu ard ed with j ealous

care an d was a source o f weakn ess an d an x i ety ; d e
,

m and ing exhau stin g sentry d u ty from the al ready over

burd en ed ga r rison .

Th e cou ntess fou n d her o ffi ce o f C astel lan n o sin ecu re .

The motley garrison w ere anything bu t homogen eou s .

A ll man n er o f pet ty j ealousies person al an d nation al , ,

raged am ong them Th e N orman s were j eal ous o f the

.

Breton s an d th e Breton s b l ustered abou t i n depen d en ce

, ,
’
boasting that th ey were n o m an s men ‘
whil e th e
S axon s hated them both an d regarded their refin em en ts
,

as dan dyism s an d thei r cou rtesies as can t ; an d t h e

N o rm an s an d t h e Breton s both l ooked d own upon the
S axon s as savages an d gibed at thei r pri est bes towed
,
-

k n ighthood ; so th at o n th e whol e they were as m uch

, ,

i n cl i ned to fight agai nst each other as agai n st the king s ’

forces outs id e th e wal ls and som eti m es a ctu al ly ca m e

,

to blows .

H oi ve v e r th e cou ntess set her w om an s wit t o weigh

’

,
2 88 A S UB TE R R A N EA N C ON FL IC T .

gethe r h e gave evide n ce o f shrewd i nd ign a t i on bu t n o ,

keen su rprise .

’
‘
I love n ot th e m ercen ary h e an swered and wi sh , ,
‘

t hat h e had n ot so high a com man d i n th e g arrison .

I k n ow wel l th at h e h ad n o great likin g for th e youn g

N orm an pr n a k OIn nz e wh ose boyish enthusi as ms were
’
/
,

stronger than his prud en c e an d l ed h i m to th row tau nts ,

at S i r A lai n s thick head al l the m ore gal l in g that they

’

’
w ere barbed with truth .

But he agreed tha t u n d er the ci rc u m stan ces i t was

, ,

b est to let m atters stan d D e Gou ri n was evid en tly o f

th e s am e Opi n ion an d s ave for a few vei led g ibes at the
, ,

m agn an i m i ty of the cou n tess m ad e n o referen c e to th e ,

freein g o f th e you n g kn ight .

S i r A i m and for his part h ad a d is m al ti m e of it an d

, , ,

al m ost w ished h i m sel f back i n h is du ngeon secu rely ,

chai n ed by the l eg .

A s soon as hi s health began to me n d wh ich wa s ,

speedi ly en ough u n der the co mbin ed i n flu en ces o f good

,

food good ai r and the sight o f hi s l a dy s face Ea dgy th

, ,
’

w ithd rew that las t and sweetest i n fluen ce .

Fo r sh e was d etermi n ed by n o w ord o r look o f hers

to tempt hi m to be un tru e to h is high stan d ard o f
hon ou r an d she felt o n her o w n par t m ore S axon than
,

ever an d j udged th e gu l f bet w ee n them i m pas sable s ave

, ,

by the w reckage o f the i deal s o f both ; an d therefore

sh e dee med that to b estow her compan y u pon h i m
woul d be b ut crue l kin dn ess .

S o th e poor kn ight moon ed about in soli ta ry m ed i ta

tion an d h i s retu rn in g stren g th m ad e ina ction a v e r i t
,
 A S UB TER R A N EA N CON FL IC T . 2 89

able purgatory to hi m To hear blo w s goin g an d have .

,

n o han d i n givi n g o r taki ng them was tru ly abou t th e ,

cru ellest tortu re that cou ld have been i nven te d for on e

o f his order and te m per i n thos e d ays when Christi an s

sti ll thi rsted fo r th e V a lh alla o f th e o ld N ors em en ,

wherei n the i m m ortal heroes were heale d o f thei r

wou nd s at n ight that they m ight s lay each othe r ove r
agai n i n the m orn i n g .

A gai n an d again h e was o n th e poi n t o f throwi ng

h i s scruples to the win d an d buc kli ng o n sword an d ,

hel m i n d efence o f th e generous d a m e wh o had given

hi m hi s freedo m so u n cond ition al ly A gai n a n d agai n .

h e restrain ed hi m self and d id pen an ce by fasti ng an d

,

prayer wishi ng th e W h il e that she had left h i m i n

,

d u ran ce so h e h ad escaped su ch doubti ng an d search

,

ing of h eart .

N o r d id he fi n d m uc h peace i n H all N orm an .

,

B reton an d S axo n were al l again st hi m Gibes an d

,
.

’
j eers were h is portion They cal led h i m th e l ad i es .
‘

’ ’
tam e tiercel the gam ecoc k wi thou t sp urs the
,
‘
,

’
‘
d ancing bear an d a hu nd red other n a mes suggestive
,

o f carpet kn ight erran try

-
Then h is fi sts wou ld b al l
-
.

an d his C lear cu t h i gh bred fac e gro w wh i te wi th anger

-
,
-
,

t hough h e n ever m ad e reply as h e felt i t an evid en t ,

poin t of hon ou r th at bein g a prisone r on parole he , ,

m ight n eithe r ris k h is own person which carried value ,

for ransom n or seek to inj u re any of the garrison

, .

B u t on the eve of the assau lt wh en the coun tess was ,

hold in g cou n ci l w i th S i r H o el d e St B rice attend ed .

,

o n lv by Ea d g y th the youn g N orm an prayed au dien ce

,
2 96 A S UB TER R A N EA N C ON FL IC T

o fhe r an d on i ts being gran ted s trod e i nto th e C hamber

,

with cu riously fl ashing eyes .

I beseech th ee n obl e Em m a t o furn i sh m e with an

‘
, ,

h el m a n d an hauberk an d the sharpest s w ord thou

,
‘

canst s pare ou t o f th in e arm ou ry an d I wi ll pu t the m ,

’
to a good use i n thy servi ce h e said with speech that , ,

was rather too hasty to be clear .

H ast fou n d thy senses at last brave si r ? demanded ,

’

S i r H o el s m ili ng i n dulgen tly for he had always li ked

, ,

th e you ng kn ight .

Bu t Ea dg y th n oticed h is flushed C hee k and exci ted

m ien wi th a C h i l l d read at h er h eart Was h e abou t to .

be false t o the n obl e i d eals for whi ch h e h ad en d ured

— —
so m uch o r sai n ts i n H eaven fo r fe n d l d i d h i s ex
,

a g g e ra t e d l ove to h is su z erain lead h i m to con tem plate

a baser falsen ess s ti l l an d so con fuse h is m in d that h e

,

shou ld fancy i t woul d be Vi rtu e to betray the castl e ?

H er cousi n Leofri c had sai d m ore than on ce that on ly ,

a wom an pl ayi ng Castel lan wou ld be s o i mpruden t as

to allow o n e hold in g so i nvid i ou s a posi tion as d id D e
S ou rd eval to be free of the castl e an d a w are o f al l i ts
,

s ecrets ; an d th ough at the ti m e sh e h ad cried sha m e

on his m ean suspi cion s the word s had rested i n her ,

m i nd with the burr l ike persisten cy characteristi c o f

-

su ch suggestions of evi l .

Th e cou n tess however looked at h i m with her fran k

, ,

gl ad eyes an d rej oi ced fo r sh e h ad always hoped that

, ,

the ti m e would com e wh e n h e wou ld repay he r

gen erosity with com plete al legian ce an d sh e was abou t ,

t o rep ly u n con d itional ly A y that wi l l I

’

, , .
ca n serve thee bes t i f n on e know o f this m at ter n or the ,

en d i n V i ew s ave Leofri c al on e B u t this I wi ll s ay i n

,
.

e xplanation there is a trai to r i n thy cam p and I wou l d

, ,

fai n foi l h i m I can n ot fight u nd e r thy ban n er n obl e

.
,

countess b ut i t accords wi th my v o w o f ch ival ry to save

,

’
thee fro m fou l b etrayal .

‘
Le t Leofri c Ea ld re d s s o n be s u m m on ed S i r H o el , ,
’

said the cou n tess .

A n d i n the en d D e S ou rdeval obtai ned h i s boon .

Kn owi n g what had been gran ted to the N o rm an an d ,

that Leofric an d h is stou t c arles w oul d n ot h ave accepted

service u n der h i m un l ess with som e prospect of sti ff
work to follow S i r H o el was so mewh at su rprised to see
,

th e A nglo D an es li nger later t han us ual over the wassai l

-

bowl i n H al l that even seeing too that o n the m o rrow ,

i t was certai n th at sh rewd bl ows would b e going an d al l ,

h ead s wan ted clear .

S i r A lai n d e Go u ri n thought fi t to rebu ke them .

Fo r as thi ck s kul ls as you r ba ttle axes there m ay -

’
boas t Child e Leofric h e sai d they had bes t h ave
, , ,
’

A n d h e set a
’
wakefu l wi ts un der the m by d awn .

w orthy exam pl e by leavi ng th e revel .

H is most i mportan t fol lowers slipped after fi rst o n e ,

an d then another but s ti l l the V i ki ngs dran k o n and

, ,

S ir H o el began to have qu eer d oubts o f the wisd o mof

‘

gran ti ng the wh im s ical D e S ourdeval con trol over s uch

a crew an d d etermi ned to wa tch them out
, .

P resently i n came S i r A i mand wrapped i n a long ,

C loak wi th a hood over hi s head an d whispere d to

, ,

Leofric ,
29 4 A S UB TER R A N EA N C ON FL IC T .

‘
By O d i n ! al l s fish that com es to my n et B reton
’
.

o r N orman w hat have th ey to d o in H arold s N orwich ?

’ ’

return ed Leofri c s avagely B u t I l l n o t poach on thy

.
‘ ’

m an ors S i r A lai n to thee

. .
’

Two m i n utes later the B reton m ercen ary lead in g the

, ,

fo e with whom he had traito rously co mpou nd ed t o save

hi s own ski n was startled to m eet th e fi erce w h ite face
,

o f S i r A i mand i n stead o f th e frien dly co unten an ce o f

o n e of h is o w n r u ffia n s .

‘
H a ! caught i n thi ne o w n bu rrow despi cabl e rat ! ,

shouted the N o rm an an d th e n ext m om en t t hey

,

were hewing at each other with th e fu ry o f a lon g

h atred .

D e Gou ri n had th e d isadvan tage o f s urpris e an d h e ,

los t h is head and struck w i ld ly D e S ou rdeval got .

withi n his gu ard an d th e n ext m o m en t th e B reton rol led

,

heavi ly to earth .

O ver his dead body waged a fi erce battle but i t was ,

n o t m ain tai ne d for long The besi egers expecting to

.
,

be l ed straight i n to the h eart o f th e castl e were n ot ,

p repared fo r the d eterm i n ed resistan ce they m et w i th

thu s a t th e o utset an d cred i ted the B reton s w i t h
,

d ecoyi ng th em i n to a trap The l atter w e re the re fo re

'

th e chief combatan ts for thei r cas e was d esperate

, .

They were between t w o foes an d s carce o ne o f ,

them escaped al ive ; no r d i d S i r A i m and fi n d an y

great difficu lty i n keepin g hi s v o w to deal wi t h the m
alon e.

S o S i r A i m an d s l ew h is en emy in the bowels of th e ~

earth ; th e m an through whos e treachery he had been

 A S UB TE RR A N EA N CON FL I C T . 29 5

forced to li v e for so ma ny lo n g d ays as d eeply b u ried

from the fre e ai r an d cheerfu l l ight o f d ay Yet the .

person al quarrel was m er ged i n a greater cau se an d i n ,

reven gi n g h i s own wron g h e was savi ng the b rave

C ou n tess Em m a an d the lady of hi s love w i th al l th e
.

wo manhood i n th e castle fro m the horrors of a s udd e n

,

sack .

When th e ga rrison h eard of th is feat wh i ch the ‘

’ ’
lad ies tam e tiercel an d the D an i sh wolf had carri ed
’ ‘

th rough between them th e e nthusias m kn ew n o bounds

, ,

an d th e cu rses an d m aledi ction s th at were pou red o n

the sen sel ess h ead o f th e treacherou s B reton kn e w no
bou nd s either til l Si r A im an d said
, ,

‘
Th e greate r h is si ns the greate r n eed w e p ray,

fo r h i m an d ordered m asses fo r the d ead m an s sou l

'
’ ’

at h i s own expen se so pu ttin g b itter ton gu es to

,

sham e .

Th e cou ntess ca m e d own i nto the great hal l an d m et

t h e heroes o f the hou r with shi n ing eyes an d heartfelt

th an ks bu t to s ay truth they were b oth m ore an xiou s

, ,
’

for k in d glan ces a n d sweet praise fro m he r Sa x on

bower m aid en an d thei r eyes wen t rou nd the hal l i n
-
,

search o f her B ut She was n ot there ; sh e had sl ipped

.

away to ask th e chaplai n to s et her pen an ces for havin g

entertai ned suspicion s o f an i n n ocen t person .

P erhaps n on e felt d eeper i n d ign ation against th e

foi led traitor tha n those o f the B reton mercen aries w hom
h e h ad n o t i n cluded i n his ban d o f deserters I f h is .

plot had been s uccessfu l they would pro b ably h ave ,

suffered m ost of al l i n th e garrison fo r m ercen aries are ,

29 6 A S UB TER R A N EA N OON FL IOT

rolling ston es w h o m ake en em ies wherever they go an d ,

whose servi ces bei ng pai d fo r i n cash an d plun d er w i n ,

n o gratitud e even from those they d efend T hey kn ew .

wel l that i f the besi egers got the u pper hand i t woul d ,

go hard wi th them .

Th erefore they stood aghast when they h eard of th e

treachery o f th ei r l ead e r an d o f thos e of th ei r com rades
w ho had been with hi m feelin g that treachery to b e i n
,

a m an ner twofold toward s themselves They gath ered .

rou n d D e S ou rd eval asking eager qu esti on s .

H ow had h e d iscovered the p lot ? H ad h e k n own

‘

It long ? Wh at proofs had h e to support h is asse r

’
tion ?
-

To w h ich h e m ad e reply that he had n ot kn own i t

l ong on ly an hou r or tw o b efore h i s cou n terplot was
,

fra med an d executed an d i t h ad co m e to hi s kn owledge

,

i n this wise A certai n sold ie r i n D e Go u r i n s ban d had

.
’

been S i r A i ma n d s warder d u ri ng h i s i m prison men t i n

’

the d ungeons o f the castle an d i t seemed that the m an

,

h ad conceived a great affection fo r h i m B ei ng o n e o f .

the sen tries whose d u ty it was to gu ard the m in e h e ,

h a d received i nstruction s from D e Gou r i n to ad m i t th e

’
ki ng s troops and was perforce m ade privy to th e
,

n efariou s design s o f the lead er .

Bel i evin g D e S ou rdeval to be hosti l e to the garrison ,

an d wishi ng to d o h i m a good turn he h ad told ,

h i m o f th e sch em e o n ha n d an d had u n d ertaken to

,

procu re a d isgu is e for h i m so that h e m igh t pass

'

ou t a m id D e Go uri n s b and ’
The m an would tel l
.

th em the story h i mself ; he n ow lay boun d i n the

“
'
 C H A P T ER XXIII .

H OW O LIV ER D IED .

B UT there was l ittle ti m e for askin g qu estion s an d

maki ng i n qu i ri es o r for celebrating th e exploits o f
,

heroes N orm an o r A nglo D an e

,
-
.

Th e m orn in g light was creeping u p the east an d th e ,

C hirp an d twitter of w aken ing sparro w s was th e sign a l

for the batteri n g ram s an d pickers to com m en ce th ei r
-

ominou s clatter .

The attack was m ad e at s everal poin ts si m ultaneous ly ;

an d al l th e strength o f th e garrison weakened as i t ,

was by th e l os ses o f a month o f stri fe w a s n eed ed o n ,

th e walls .

From every looph ol e the archers an d sl in gers ai m ed

whi zzing arrows an d h urtlin g ston es upon the colum n s
o f the assailan ts an d fro m between the m erlon s great
,

sacks o f wool and horsehai r were suspen ded to protect

the wal ls from the batteri ng ra ms whi le huge logs o f
-
,

ti mber were hu rled upon th e pickers M olten lead an d .

boi ling wate r was pou red d own u pon th e head s o f th e

besiegers li ke a veritable hel l rain -
.

B ut for al l thei r efforts the assaul t m ad e p ro

gress . I n two d is tinct places th e w alls w ere s o
29 8
 H O W OL I VER D IE D .
99

batter ed that horsem en cou ld h ave ridd en through th e

breach .

The garrison d id thei r best to throw u p earthwo rks

-

i n sid e th e bro ken walls an d fou ght val ian tly to d efen d
,

the m sallyin g forth at i n tervals wi th th e i mpetus o f

,

m en who fel t thei r case desperate .

B u t the b esi ege rs fought with fu ry als o They we re .

weary o f d al lying wee k afte r week before the wal ls of

a castle wh ich was u nd er th e com m an d o f a wom an ,

an d were d eterm in ed to get the m astery if en ergy an d ,

valou r could accom pl ish it .

Th e cou n tess mo un ti ng the battlem en ts o f th e keep

,

o n e day tha t sh e m ight see fo r hersel f th e work in g

“

o f th e m ighty en g i n es which we re pl ied agai nst h er

s tronghold had seen Earl W i l lia m d e W arren n e an d
,

Robert M alet s tanding together i n o n e of the wood en

to w ers al ready described As she ben t forward to loo k
.

b elow a ston e from a petronel struc k the wal l n ot far

,

beneath her and the fragmen ts an d d ust flew i n t o

,

her face an d upon the wal l o n wh i ch her han d had

rested .

H e r noble adversari es wh o were watchin g her could

, ,

n ot repress an excla m ation of d i s ma y a t this ; but '

Em ma withou t blen chi ng took h er kerchief fro m he r

, ,

gipsi re an d n on chalantly dusted the walls wi th i t .

‘
Y o u d o wel l to fight a housewi fe wi th d ust fai r ,

’
si rs ! she cried send ing a m oc kin g peal o f si lvery
,

l aughter to follow her wo rds .

Su ch tau nts w ere n ot u nheeded o r forgiven They .

h el ped to nerve t h e lead ers w h o l ed the attack ; an d

3 6 6 H O W OL I VE R D IED .

they were m en who were accustom ed t o lead thei r me n

to V icto ry O n this d ay the chequered shiel d of Earl
.

Wa rren n e pressed forw ard as i f i t were possessed o f

m agi c powers w hich m ad e it p roo f again st every b low
, ,

an d wherever it wen t it h ad eager followers ; whi le

you ng Robert M alet showed h i msel f the w orthy son o f
his great father A s for the B ishop of C ou tan ces h e
.
,

conten ted hi m self wi t h blessi ng the col u m n befo re i t

started an d rem inding the soldiers that the bro ther
,

of th e C ou n tess Em m a was an excom mu nicated

man .

Earl Warren n e strai ned every n erve to m ake the

assau l t a s ucc ess H e l ed h is m en i n person to th e
.

breach ; and his strong voi ce d om in ated the tu m ult

"
with trum pet ton es as h e cri ed D e x ai e ! Fo r Wi lli am
, ,

the N orman "

A Warren n e ! a Warrenn e ! respon d ed h is m en as
‘ ’
,

they struggled forward over th e cou nter scarp u nd er a -

,

pelti ng hai l o f arrows and j avel in s fro m th e battle

men ts .

Withi n the breach stood Leofri c Ea ld re ds so n ho lding ,

h is great do uble edged axe i n h is h an d with his m en

-
,

arranged i n a S axon wedge the fron t ro w kneeling , ,

with shield tou ch ing shield an d a fores t o f spears ,

bri stl ing o u t above them l i ke the spin es o f a porcu pi n e

, .

They an swered the N orm an battle c ry with a w i ld

'

shout that m ad e the walls ring again an d echoed up ,

th e s id es of the keep behi n d them A hoi ! ahoi ! A ,

‘

G u a de r ! a G ua d e r !
’
other wise they were motion l ess
as statues .
 H O W OL I VER D IED .
36 1

Earl Warren n e had won expe rien ce th at form ation o f

a t H asti ngs and he w el l kn ew how i nvu l n erabl e i t was
, ,

an d how the terri ble s e a x e s coul d c rash through hel m

an d h auberk H e knew h ow stratage m alon e h ad
.

prevai led over i t ; ho w p reten d ed fl igh t h ad cheated

the S axon s i n to pu rs u it an d how they h ad s o foregon e
,

thei r ad vantage ; an d he d eterm i n ed to e m ploy th e

s ame d evice agai n .

S o h e leapt h is horse i n over the shattered wall and ,

hi s men — a t ar ms fol lowed h im bu t spen t thei r force i n

-
,

vain o n th e living rampart before them m ore than o n e

reel ed with cleft hel m et from th e saddl e an d Wa rren n e ,

hi m sel f wavered an d t urn ed .

S eeing thei r leader give way th e ban d broke a n d ,

pressed tu mu ltuously back over th e tempora ry d raw

bri dge thrown across th e waterless m oat fo r thei r use ;
a n d Leofri c a nd h is m en s pran g forward to p u rs u e
them .

Th en Warren n e tu rn ed aga i n wit h a fi erc e ral lyin g

cry,
and h is kn ights u sed to strict d is ci pl in e an d
, ,

i nstan tly u n d erstan d ing his aim turn ed wi th h im a nd , , ,

as at H astings the advan tage w a s won I t was a

, .

ha z ard ous experi ment b ut i t had succeed ed

, .

M an to ma n the battleaxes an d spearm en were n o

match for the m ai led an d mou n ted N orm ans The .

struggle was bitter H orses and kn igh ts N orman s

.
,

an d English fel l cu rsing an d kicki ng fro m th e bridge

,

i nto the m oat But Earl Warrenn e with a bevy of

.
,

kn ights at hi s heels mad e thei r way through th e

‘

breach penetrating i n to th e courtyard o f the c a stl e ;

,
36 2 H O W OL I VE R D IED .

whi le Leofri c lay senseless o n the brid ge w i th hi s ,

yello w curl s d angl ing over th e edge streaked with ,

cri mson an d d rippin g red d rops i nto the gu lf below

,
.

’
So the king s m en ha d m ad e thei r w a y w i thi n th e
wa lls o f B la u n ch e flo u r after two m on ths of strong
,

’
end eavou r ; an d the sight of Warren ne s ch equered
ban n er i nsid e th e d efen ces they had h eld so m an
fu l ly brought te rror i n to the h earts o f the besi eged .

Thei r u n nerved a r ms stru c k feebl e blo w s ; an d th e

k i ng s k n i g h ts ro de th em d o w n d rivi ng them to th e
’

very s tair w ay of the great e n tran ce to th e d onj o n

keep .

A ll at on ce from above thei r h eads ca m e a clear

,

voice li ke a cl arion ,

‘
S t N i cholas for G ua de r ! A G u a d e r ! a G u a d e r !
.

’
S hal l you r lord com e back an d fi nd his cas tl e l ost ?
,

There on t h e platform before th e gran d en trance

, ,

stood a wh ite robed figure wi th U pl ift ed arms an d a

-
,

w ild ly shin ing face w h i ch s et t h e h al f pagan A nglo

,
-

Dan es th i n ki ng o f V al kyri es an d N orns an d the Breton s ,

an d N orm an s o f angels and sain t s ; bu t w h en they

r ecog n i sed the face of Em m a th e cou n tess they ,

shouted a m ighty shou t an d the bloo d came back,

i n to thei r hearts w i th a great glow of d eterm i nation ,

an d the y rushed once m ore fi ercely agai nst thei r

assailants .

‘
I a m h ere to s ee h o w bravely y o u m ai ntai n his cause
i n his absence cried Em m a from th e portal .

Then th e kn ights m i xed i n the w il d me/ee at h er

t ’

feet ; whi le the k ing s archers shot t h ei r whi zzing shafts

’
36 4 .
H O W OLI VER D IED .

al lj oin ed i n tu m ultuous cheers an d vowed to save ,

thei r countess an d thei r castl e if they d ied to the last

m an .

IlIe VOi ! brave hearts !

‘
/ C ri ed the coun tess ’
Tha t .
‘

was wel l spoken ! H oly M ary gran t my lord m ay

reli eve us ere m any d ays are past
Then they entreated her to have h er woun d looked
to ; an d sh e swept away to the spital an d there had ,

the arrow cut o ut of her wh ite arm so al l her wounded ,

warriors m igh t see ; and th e legen d o f her un fli n ching

courage spread li ke wild fi re th rough th e garrison an d -

even i nto the camp o f th e bes iegers wi thout .

’
By St M ichael !
‘
. cri ed Robert M alet these ,
‘

re bels s eem to h ave th e k n ack o f coi n ing h eroi n es .

Thou an d m y father Earl Wa rren n e had shrewd , ,

’
experien ce of H ereward s wi tch o f a wi fe i n the
Fen lan ds by Ely — ho w sh e woun d up th e wi l d
,

gal l iard s her husban d got to fol low him with her
“

sorceri es an d i n cantation s till they were at th e poin t

of m adness ! S ooth m ethi n ks we have to d eal wi th
,

’
such anothe r .

T he n Leofri c Ea ldre ds so n wh o had been carri ed i n to ,

the camp an d l ay wi thi n earshot raised hi msel f up an d

, ,

swore m ighti ly .

N o w i tch was T o rfri d a

‘
-
he cri ed i n anger bu t , ,
‘

as true an d n oble a wo man as ever God made ! S o

’
truly is D e G u a de r s coun tess N orm an though sh e ,
’
be !
A t wh ich the ki ng s c aptains laughed an d tu rn ed to
’

L eofri c .
 H O W OL I VER D IED .
36 5

Ay !
’
t hou
wast o n e of th at p esti len t H ereward s
‘

most saucy upholders I wel l rem em b er ; an d n ow ,

’
t hou art leader i n thi s h orn et s n est also I trow !
’
said ,

Earl Wi lliam D ost thou kn ow th e m ark we are bi d

.
‘

to set on all o u r prison ers i n thi s affai r to the en d ,

that we m ay recogn is e th em agai n when w e m eet

the m ? ’

’
‘
D o you r w orst usu rpin g co w ards ! answered th e
,

fu rious A ngl o D an e Wh e n S w eyn U lfs s o n fol lows

-
.
f

D e G u a de r ho m e an d clai m s h is o w n an d d rives th e
, ,

t an n er s gran dson fro m th e thron e he ha s stolen

’

he wi l l put bi s m ark o n y o u i n re tu rn I warran t ,

’
me !
M al et s face grew d ark ; for Wi ll ia m hi mself an d
’

’
Wi l li am s fol lowers resen ted n o i ns ul t so d eeply as any
al lus ion to th e hon est fel l m on ger o f Falaise -
.

Bu t Earl Warrenn e was too wi se to qu arrel wi th a

wou n ded m an an d sai d good hu mo u re d ly
,
-
,

"
Twou ld b e a pi ty to lop a li mb from so fi n e a
warri or as thysel f no b le Leofri c P erhaps so m e e x ce p
, .

tion can be m ad e i n thi s case We are told th at S i r .

A i man d d e S ourdeval i s detai n ed i n B la u n ch e flo u r

agai nst h is wi ll an d that h e i s faithfu l to the k ing I f
, .

’
that be so an ex change m igh t be effected
, .

Leofri c who d i d not relish t he pros pect o f h aving

,

h is right foot hewed o ff cou rageou s as he was gasped , ,

for j oy at this proposition I t m ean t eve n more to .

hi m than escape fro m cri p p le ho o d for l ife ; i t m ean t

that he woul d regai n entran ce i n to B la u n che flo u r ,

a n d be n ear the fai r cou si n w ho had becom e clear

U
3 06 H O W OL I VE R D IE D .

to his heart an d t hat his rival wou ld be parted

,

from her .

’
That i s tru e h e s aid eagerly The kn ight i s t here
,
.
,

an d h as refused to stri ke a blow aga inst th e king s ’

’
troops .

M eanwhil e the su n was si n ki ng i n the s ky an d with ,

n ight cam e parti al cessation o f hosti l iti es The besieged .

were hol d ing coun ci l as to wh at step shou ld n ext be

taken but the cou n sel lors had dwind led i n nu mber S i r
,
.

A lai n d e Gouri n was n o longer there with his pu rp l e

face an d b latan t ways bu t h e cou ld be better spared ,

than Leofric a n d tha n several others who had fallen

,

du ring the m on th .

’
We c an not h old th e wal l s an other d ay sai d S i r
‘
,

H o el sad ly ; there i s n oth ing for i t bu t to reti re

‘

i n to the keep I t wil l take them s om e ti m e to

.

dislodge u s from thence ; th e m ason ry i s s ol id as the

’
earth .

A n d ti m e i s al l we n eed ! exclai med the countes s

’
‘

eagerly S he w a s very pale an d had her arm i n

.
,

ban dages bu t her eyes were bright with fever an d

,

d eterm in ation and she i nsisted o n taki n g her part i n the

,

d iscu ssion My lord m us t soon be h ere

.
‘
.
’

’
‘
We may hold th e keep for m on ths said a kn ight , .

‘
Yes i f m an n a woul d fal l fro m heaven suggested
, ,
’

an other j es tingly els e I fear we m ust n eeds eat each

’
other ere m an y moon s had w a n ed .

‘
Gen tlem en sai d S i r H o el gravely the re i s a m ean s
,
’

,
‘

by wh i ch we m ay in c rease o ur su ppl ies a shade l ess

’
d esperate than that .
36 8 H O W OLI VER D IED .

groom in g could m ake i t ? H ad sh e not patted h is

splen d id n ec k m orn an d n ight and plai ted h i s thi ck ,

m an e an d had h i s velvet n os e th rust into her soft pal m s

,

for an apple o r a waste ! cake ? She kn e w h ow the earl

loved th e creatu re an d had m isl i ked l eavin g hi m behin d
, ,

an d she hersel f loved h i m both fo r h is m aster s sake an d ’

for hi s o w n H e s eem ed to her half hu ma n as sh e

.

thought o f h is i ntel ligen t eyes an d the clear soft n eigh

, , ,

m usical as th e whistle o f a blackbi rd wi th which he was ,

w on t to greet her an d a sob caugh t h er b reath as sh e

,

thought o f condemn ing hi m to d eath S he k new also .

th at h e was worth h is weight i n gold .

Yet to sacri fi ce hi m see med to her a cl ea r d u ty as ,

sh e looked roun d the ci rcle o f relu ctan t m en abou t her .

They wou ld n eve r as k i t she kn ew S om e few hors es

, .

’
wou l d b e kept an d th e earl s d estri er amongst them as a
, ,

m atter o f cou rse ; bu t sh e rem em b ered how she had

heard i t tol d of Wi ll iam the C onqu eror that when on , ,

his m arch o n C hester hi s m en weary wi th labou r an d

, ,

cold b egged hi m to let th em go b ack h e d is mou n ted

, ,

an d wen t afoot to en courage them and shared al l thei r ,

h ard ships Was h er lord a l ess gen erous k n ight than

.

Wi l li am ? A thousand ti m es n o ! I f h e were i n
B la u n ch e flo u r he woul d be th e fi rs t to lead th e s acrifi ce
, .

As h e was absen t she m ust d o i t for hi m

, These .

thoughts flashed through her m i nd i n a m o men t though ,

they a re long to write .

’
Thou art right S i r H oel she said i n a steady voice
, , .

Tis l ik e ki llin g a chi ld for a kn ight to kil l h is steed I ,

wel l u nderstand Yet i t i s b ut wisdom a s we are c i r

.
 H 0 W OLI VER D IED .
3 09

cu ms ta n ce d an d I make n o doubt i f my lord w ere h ere

, ,

he woul d be the fi rst to m ake the s acri fice Therefore .

I b eg thee dear S i r H o el — sh e l ai d her left h an d on his

, ,
’

arm a n d woul d h ave pu t the othe r wi th i t had i t n ot

, ,

been s t i fle n e d with ban d a ges an d looked i nto his face

’

wi th her c lear brave eyes very p atheti c n ow wi th heavy

, , ,

rings o f blu e rou n d them a nd th in w a n cheeks b en eath

, , ,

’
‘
I beg thee d ear S i r H o el d espatch my lord s d estri er
'

, ,

with thin e o w n blad e and see that h e s u ffer n o need l es s

,

’
pain .

A chorus o f protests bu rs t fro m t he kn ights n ot

a m an bu t offe red his steed to save O liver ; bu t the
cou n tess s ai d hastily A tten d to my behest I pray,
‘
,

thee S i r H o e!
, an d hu rried fro m th e room .

S he wen t to he r bower where Ea dg y th was awai ting ,

he r Sh e had n ot trusted any o f he r l ad ies to atten d

.

her i n her cou n ci l chamber l es t thei r co u rage shoul d ,

give way an d s o weake n her i nflu en ce over the kn ights

, .

N o w whe n sh e m et Ea dg y th s look of ten der i nqu iry

’

, ,

an d fel t her caressi ng a rm s rou n d her sh e was overco me ,

herself S he d ropped he r poor wea ry head o n Ea dgy th s

.
’

—
sh ould er an d wept wept as sh e had n ever don e i n h er
—
li fe before n o n ot even i n the chape l through that lon g
,

sad n ight when sh e believed h ersel f a widow ; fo r her

fresh you ng strength was i n i ts pri m e then an d n o w she ,

was weakened physical ly by the strain o f con ti nu ed

an xiety an d the acute pai n of her woun ded arm .

The storm of sobs was so lon g and V iolen t that ,

Ea dg y th wh o had s ca rcely ever seen her cry was sore

, ,

afraid Sh e d readed that som e fel l d isaster had befal len

. .
3 16 H O W OLI VER D IED .

B ut she was a good com forter ; she d id n o t t ease w i th

qu esti on s sh e only p ressed her fri en d fon d ly to her and
, ,

k i ssed and caressed h er til l she grew cal mer .

O h Ea dg y t h sai d the cou n tess at l ength th ey a re

’ ‘
, , ,

’
going to ki l l th e horses an d Ral ph s d estri er m ust d ie,
.

The cl ea r O liver
To Ea dg yth this reason fo r such excessive grief
seem ed al most absu rd a nd her bl u e eyes open ed ,

wi dely .

O h I a m a poor weak fool ! s ai d Em m a d rawi ng

‘ ’

, ,

away to break down so utterly Bu t my arm aches

,
‘
.

sh re w d ly Ea d g y th an d I a m n ot used t o pai n
, , .
’

Sh e threw hersel f upon the embroi dered bed tears ,

rolling s ilen tly d own he r cheeks .

‘
P oor sweet ! sai d Ea dg y th ’
I d o n ot m arvel tha t .
‘

even thy wond erful spiri t shou ld yiel d to n atu re Th is .

’
day has been fearful i ndeed .

Why d oes n ot Ralph co m e ? Why d oes h e n ot

‘

come ? ex clai m ed Em ma coveri n g her face with he r

’

slender han d s wh i ch had grown so th i n t hat sh e cou ld

,

scarce kee p on he r wedd in g ring My heart i s ful l o f .

‘

fears Ea d g yth I d rea m t o f h i m l as t n ight i l l an d

, .
,

sorro w ful tossing o n a bed of fever H e w a s il l when

, .

h e w en t a w ay hi s wou nds hal f healed I t is al l d oubt

,
-
.

an d d read — and horror l ’

Ah C h ri s t h a v e m ercy upon u s ! sai d Ea dg y th who

‘
’

, ,

was k n eelin g besid e the bed .

I d are n ot ask for m ercy s ai d Em m a piteously

‘
I ,
’
.

a m fighting i n a wrong caus e ! Thy S i r A i mand said i t .

I h ave bro u ght all th is woe an d s u fferin g o n th e man

3 12 H O W OL I VER D IED .

Yet i n al l her s el f abandon m en t she had s pared

-

Ea dg y th an d had n ot told her that th ey were

,
be
i mprison ed i n the keep fro m that d ay forth n or that her
,

cousi n Leofri c Ea ldre ds s o n was dead or i n t he han ds o f

the en emy .
 C H A P T ER x x 1v

FAM IN E .

WH EN the b esiegers attacked the wal ls of B la u n ch e

flo u r on the morn in g fol lowi ng they found them ,

u nd efend ed a nd took possession with shouts an d

,

j u b i lation.

Th e besieged she ltered beh in d th e stron g ra mparts

,

o f the keep felt m uch as sh ipwrecke d m ari n ers who

, , ,

from th e presen t safety o f so m e roc ky islet watch the ,

risi ng o f the tid e k n owi ng that th ei r l ives d epen d u pon

,

the heigh t to wh i ch the shi n in g water wil l atta in ,

un l ess i nd eed so m e fri end ly vessel co m e to th e rescu e

an d carry th em o ff .

Th e h op e o f th e i mpri son ed garri so n was i n the

com in g of the earl an d as Earl Warren n e an d Robert
,

M alet rod e ro un d the keep an d saw h ow strong an d

,

fl awl ess was the m ason ry they had a sh re w d fear that

,

D e G u a d e r wou ld yet bri ng th e D anes an d Bretons

u pon them before they had ti m e to complete thei r
victory and th at after al l thei r hard figh t in g an d
, ,

expend itu re o f lives an d ti m e an d m on ey th e qu arry ,

would escape t hem .

3 14 ID4 AIZAUE .

So they determ i ned to cal l a parley and end eavou r ,

to caj ol e th e cou n tess into resign in g th e fortress .

N eed less to say thei r su m mon s w a s eagerly r e

,

s p o n d e d to by th e garrison .

Em m a trembled wi th hope th at was al m ost pain as ,

she in qui red w hat terms th e e n voy was em powe red to

gran t .

‘
Safe cond uct to herself h er l adi es and a reason able
-
, ,

escort i f she wou l d give her parole to le ave th e cou ntry

,

w i thin a month — n o m ore

’
.

Sh e reali sed the n t ha t her h op e had bee n d espai r ;

that she had n ot had cou rage to h ope at al l .

‘
Safe cond uct for myself m y l ad i es an d every sou l
-
, ,

’
i n the garrison replied th e cou n tess proud ly
, I will .
‘

’
yiel d for n o less .

The envoy was n o t em po w ered to gran t i t .

‘
D ear l ady i t were better to accept the terms We
,
.

can not i ns u re th e safety eve n o f t hysel f an d thy l adi es

i n the en d advised S ir H o el privately N ou ght l ies
’ ‘
.
,

before u s b u t qu ick starvation ; the provi sions are very

’
shor t
D esert y o u an d all w h o h ave fought s o n obly for u s ,

an d braved every peri l for u s to i n su re o u r o w n safety ,

N ever ! Remember Stephen le H a r e a u ! They w oul d

d eal with y o u l i kewis e cried Em ma ,
’
I h ave given .
‘

’
my answer C onvey i t to thy l ords ! sh e tol d th e
.

envoy .

Then th e messen ger said there was a fu rther matter .

I t was u nderstood tha t a l oyal k n igh t S i r A i m an d ,

d c S ou rd eval w a s i n the castle a prison er a nd th e

, , , ,
3 16 FA IWIN E .

fo r thy ki n d ness an d gen erosi ty ! I wi ll s eek

a ll

serv i ce far from h ere ; my swo rd shal l n ot be against

thee ! ’

‘
The generosity has n ot been al l o n m y s id e S i r ,

’
Kn ight ! repl i ed the cou ntess with moisten i ng eyes ,
.

‘
I wou l d i n deed that m y cause were o n e w ith th at o f
Wi l liam o f N o rm an dy ; that al l th is tu rmoi l was at an
end and that n o m ore b rave l i ves were to be sacri ficed
,

fo r m e an d m i ne A deep qu iveri ng s igh fol lowed he r

’
.
,

speech .

‘
Lady Ea dg y th said S i r Ai mand with a voi ce n ot ,
’

qu i t e so steady as before as he tu rned to the S axon ,

m aid en I a m glad thy kin sm an profi ts by my

,
‘

freedom I t wi ll com fort m e that i f I can not mysel f

.

labou r i n thy d efen ce my p oo r l i fe h as served to res tore ,

on e w ho c a n to th e garrison —far m ore valiantly an d

’
worthi ly than I .

H e forced o u t the words H e h imsel f tri ed to .

believe that h e w a s glad bu t i n truth the bitterest sting , , ,

o f parti ng lay fo r hi m i n t h e thought that the m an

who m h e regarded as h is rival should be i n th e castl e ,

favou red by d ai ly an d hou rly i n tercou rse u n d er ci rc u m

s tan ces th at mu s t n eeds d ra w the h ardest hearted -

together H e re m em bered with ren ewed angui sh al l

.

th e tortures of Tan talu s h e had en d u red d u rin g h i s

en forced i n activity ; bu rn in g to d istin guish h i msel f
’
before his lady s eyes an d forced to remain a d rone i n ,

the h ive whil e Leofri c h ad bee n free to show hi msel f

,

the hero he was an d woul d n ow h ave sti ll fai rer ,

opportun ity .
 FA M IN E .
3 17

H is eyes sought hers therefore fu l l o f a sad n ess , ,

which belied h is words

Ea d g y th longed to tea r a favou r fro m h er d ress an d ,

b id hi m wear i t i n his h el m a gai ns t al l com ers fo r that ,

n o other k n ight stranger o r k i n shoul d ever carry i t

, , .

But she thought Who kn ows that w e s hal l ever m eet

,
‘

a gai n ? Why s hou l d I bin d hi m ? S o sh e an swered ’

bo w i ng her head to h id e the springing tears M a ry ,

‘

M o ther have the e i n h er keepin g

S he gave h i m her h an d wh i ch he kiss ed reveren tly , ,

an d so departed an d hal f a n hou r l ater Leofri c

,
- -

Ea ld re ds so n was born e in to the keep on a litter .

When Ea dg yth saw h er kins m an her h eart s mote her ,

that h is fate had m oved her s o l ittl e ; fo r hi s b row

was d amp with pai n a n d his brawny arms d ropped ,

fee b ly b y his s id e an d al l hi s strength was fled from

,

hi m S h e pa u sed an d b oun d hi s wou nd s with tend er

.

care an d washed the clotted b lood from h is lon g yel lo w

,

cu rl s wond eri ng i f i n deed i t were true that h e was S i r

,

A i ma n d s rival or i f i t were on ly a fi gmen t o f love s

’ ’

self tor t uri n g j eal ousy

-
.

From ti m e to ti m e Leofri c m oan ed as sh e m i n is

t e re d to hi m b u t scarc ely open ed h i s eyes
, D id h e .

know w ho i t w a s she wondered or i f h e kn ew d i d

, , , ,

he care ?
When the last bandage was fastened an d she stood ,

fo r a m o men t to see if aught m ore could be don e for

he r patien t Leofri c raised h is weary head an d looked
,

i n h er fac e .

H e d i d not speak h e had s carce strength for that ;

,
3 18 FA M IN E .

h is eyes were fu l l o f grati tud e an d spoke his th an ks bu t

, ,

they told h e r som eth in g m ore .

Then Ea dg y th kn ew that S i r A i man d had sai d soot h ,

an d her heart s mote h er an d her breath caught w i th an

,

i n w ard s o b .

Leofric l ifted h is h an d feebly an d hel d i t for hers .

H ad she given it h e woul d have pressed i t to hi s l ips

,

—
she cou ld not b ut an hou r b efore A i m an d d e S ou rd eval
,

had kissed i t !
Leofri c let his great n erveless ha n d fall listlessly
besid e hi m agai n .

‘
Tho u art th e b est l eech i n the world cou si n h e , ,
’

m u rm ured and closed his eyes again

,
.

Ea dg yth hu rri ed away to th e bower .

The d ays that fol lowed were li ke a n evi l d ream

for al l i n the cas tl e The d ead ly m on otony let them
.

note cl early how h ou r by hou r d eath was creepi ng

, ,

n earer .

The m angon els and w a rre w o lv e s were b usy at thei r

work an d th e d i n o f thei r proj ecti les was ever i n th e
,

ears of th e besi eged B ut thes e were n ot what th ey

.

feared . Thes e cou ld bu t spl in ter a fragm en t o ff a

ston e here an d there bu t cou l d m ake n o d angerous
,

breach i n walls thirtee n feet th i ck ; besides wooden ,

gal leries h ad been proj ected from th e battlemen ts ,

through which the defen d ers pou red scaldi n g rai n o f

boi l in g water an d m ol ten l ead u pon th e engi neers ,

and so preven ted any l e ngthen ed attac k upon a given

s po t
N o ; th e en em y they feared was Fa mi n e She stared
3 20 FA M IN E .

t heir thoughts or be thi nki n g like horriblen ess hi mself

, ,

whil e they b uckled their bel ts tighter to stay their

pang s
The countess worn to a shad ow wi th her arm sti l l
, ,

bandaged —for the w orry a n d care sh e had u n d er

,

gon e had h urt her health an d kept her w ou n d fro m

healing — was ever am ong them con soli n g en treat
, , ,

i ng com m and ing i nventi ng al l m an ner of com forts

, ,

fo r thei r souls an d thei r bodi es S h e i t was who .

prom pted the cooks to m ake d ai n ty dishes o u t of m os t

u n li kely m ateri al s ; who sang the son g o f Rol lo as sh e
passed o n h er way an d kept u p thei r h earts with gay
,

j ests .

O n e d ay an a rcher had th e good fortu n e to shoot a

heron th at was flappin g wi th even ly beating wi ngs
acros s the s ky s o that i t fel l fl utteri ng u pon the roof o f
,

the keep an d was s oon k i lled an d presen ted b y th e

,

l ucky marksm an to th e cou n tes s as a fi t tri b u te to her ,

private tabl e th e fare o n whi ch as a ll kn ew h ad b ee n

, , ,

poor en ough for s om e ti m e past .

S he thank ed th e stou t bowman h earti ly b u t bad e ,

h i m fol low her an d led the way to th e great kitchen

, .

Then she bad e th e s cu l li on s plu c k the n obl e bi rd and ,

after that was d on e put it with her o w n w hite h ands ,

i n to the great cau ldron wh ich was cooki ng for the

men .

’
Share an d share alike she said ; an d th e sol diers
‘
,

’
cheered her s o that the k ing s m en h eard i t outsid e th e
,

wal ls an d wond ered what good lu ck could have com e

,

to thei r prison ers .

 FA M IN E .
32 1

One morn ing Ea dg yth m et h er kin s man L eo fri e ,

Ea ld re ds so n who had so fa r recovered fro m h is woun d s

,
.

a s to be able to keep watch an d ward an d to see that ,

the sen ti n els d id thei r d uty H is face bore traces of .

violen t agitati o n .

‘
Wel l m et c o o s i n e cri ed h e ; I wanted to see thee
, ,
’ ‘
.

Keep thy lady o ff the battle ments to day an d go n ot -

,

’
thither thysel f .

Ea dg y th looked i n h is face an d tre mbled Thou , .

‘

hast b ad n ews I wi l l heed thy w arn i n g B u t where

. .

fore ? Is aught m ore terrible than we d ai ly witness to

’
be seen ?
‘
By O d in an d Thor yes ! I t b ears n ot the tel l ,

O h, Leofri c i nvoke n ot those d read fu l paga n

,

na mes i n such an hou r ! P ray rather to the holy

’
s ai nts .

I f thou wou ldst tak e m e i n han d a good m an m ight ,

perchan ce b e m ade o f m e co o s i ne sai d th e w i ld Leofri c , ,

’

wi th a laugh hal f te n d er an d h alf bi tter .

Ea dg y th shoo k her head .

‘
B ut thou has t sorely alarm ed m e Leofri c I wou ld , .

’
ra ther k now the worst .

‘
Well th e cou ntess m ust kn o w som e ti me ; perhaps
,

i t w ere better told th rou gh thee Th is then i s the .

, ,

sight to be seen from th e battlem ents and i t is ugly as ,

’
sin . The vein s o n h i s fo rehead s wel led a n d his strong ,

t h roa t gath ered i nto kn ots whi le h is fin gers clen ched on ,

the hi lt o f h is d agge r A tal l gal lo w s righ t clos e u n de r

.
,

ou r noses an d th ree m en h anged thereon ; with an

,

X
3 22 FA M IN E .

’
i nscri ption over them Th e traitor Breton s traitor ,
“

’3 )
m essengers .

Ea dg y th clasped her han ds The earl has s en t an d .

,

t hey have caugh t h is m en

’
‘
That s i t ; an d Leofri c m u rm u red a few wishes
’

regarding th e king s m en that at t h e l east were u n

’

charitable Further o n e o f th e m en i s the poor fool

.
‘
,

G r i llo n n e — a quick witted rascal as ever was c all ed

-

—
wise he who s aved h i s m aster s o cl everly after the
’
battle .

‘
G ri llo n n e '
What ! Gri llo n n e so en treated ? ex ’

clai m ed Ea dg yth with a shudder ,

B ut that wi l l be a .
‘

sore blo w to the earl when h e comes to kn ow i t A rt .

’
thou su re ?
A y ; the k n ave s face was o n e n ot easi ly m istaken
‘ ’ ’

s aid Leofri c .

Ea dg y th hu rried to the bower an d tol d the coun tess ,

what she had he ard .

B ut i t is good n ews it is great n ews cri ed Em ma

, ,

with sparkling eyes Ralph i s alive an d tryi ng to help

.
,

u s ! Ala ck e ! I g ri e v e for the poor envoys an d G ri llo n n e .

A h t i s sad such a fate has befal len h i m the poor

’
, ,

honest fool ! hi s qui c k wits h ave n ot saved h i m after

’
all.

Em m a was right i t proved to b e good n ews for , ,

Earl Warren n e and h i s col leagues before hanging the ,

m essengers had extracted from them the i ntel ligence

,

that Ralph d e Gu a de r had col lected a great force i n

Bretagn e an d a mongst the D an es an d t hat h e was ,

com ing to the reli ef o f his beleagu ered castl e A .

3 24 FA M IN E .

Th e cou n tess stood a m ongst them sobbing l i ke a ,

chi ld .

N o praise i s du e to m e i t i s al l to you my gallan t ,

’
defen d ers .

S o the ans w er w en t back to Earl Wi lli am d e Warren n e

th at the keys of C a s tle B la u n C h e flo u r shou l d be su r
‘

rendered o n the m orrow .

’
Th en al l the garrison atten d ed a Te D eu m i n th e ‘

chapel o f S t N icholas . .

A fter w ard s when th e kn ights had agai n assem b led i n

,

th e great hall th e cou n tess sai d , ,

Leofri c Ea ld re d s s o n th ese gentle m en thy com rades

, ,

i n arms sha me themselves that t hey shou l d w ear th e

,

bel t an d spurs whi l e o n e wh o has fough t so kn ightl y

shou ld n ot clai m them We wel l kn ow thou h ast them
.

n ot sol ely becaus e thou wert t o o ca reless to cl ai m

them bu t I woul d not have thee leave B la u n che flo u r
,

u n d ub b e d f
’
Leofri c s pale hunger eaten cheek s tu rn ed red wi th -

pleasu re .

‘
I f the m en wh o h ave fought w ith m e here esteem “

m e peer I w i ll n ot rej ect the hon ou r h e a n s w ered at

, ,
’

which the hal l rang w ith cheers .

T h en said the cou ntess s m i lin g , Wi lt thou h ave ‘

’

thi n e accolade in o u r N orm a n fashi on from the h and s , ,

of a knight an d t ake S i r H o el d e S t Bri ce fo r thy

‘

, .

sponsor or i n the way o f thi n e o w n peopl e at the

, , ,

hand s o f Fath er P ierre

’
‘
N a y quoth the turbul en t h ero there i s a better ‘ ‘

, ,

w a y than either M any a good m an h as taken hi s

.
 FA M IN E .
325

kn ighthood from the han ds o f a m ai d en Let my fai r .

’
ki nswom an thy bower m aid en stan d spon sor to m e ;
,
-
,

and h e tu rn ed appeal i ngly to Ea dg y th .

‘
A truce to thy j ests Leofri c Ea ld re d s so n this is n o
, ,

ti m e fo r the m ! an s w ered Ea dg y th sharply fi nge rin g

’

th e bracelet s he al w ays wo re u pon her arm .

‘
By th e Rood I m ean n o j est c o o s i n e ! J ou rd ain
, ,

took hi s kn ighthood fro m the h an d s o f h is lady ; why

’
n ot I fro m thee ?
Keep to th e ol d S axon cu stom Leofri c take i t from ,

th e han d s of Fathe r P ierre .

’

An d so h e d id ; an d his last n igh t withi n th e wal ls of

B la u n ch e flo u r was spen t i n vigi l an d p rayer before th e
alta r o f the chapel wher e on lay h is arm ou r
, .

O n the m orrow th e brave d efend ers o f N o r

,

wich Castle m arched forth from i ts shelterin g walls ,

with al l the hon ours o f wa r ; carryi ng thei r arm s ,

and fu lly equipped with flags flyin g an d ban n ers

,

waving .

The l eaders o f th e roya l forces sen t pal freys for

the coun tess an d her lad i es an d ca m e i n s tate to ,

m eet the wo man who had hel d th em al l at bay

s o long a rm ed cap a p i e thei r horses pran cin g an d
,
- -
,

c u rvetin g and plu mes d ancin g i n th e bree z e M any

, .

a courtly compl i m ent they paid to thei r fai r fo e ,

and Earl Warrenn e took th e keys hi msel f fro m h e r

white h an ds .

Then B ishop Geoffrey an d Earl Warren n e an d , ,

Robert M alet took possession o f C astl e B la u n ch e flo u r

formal ly an d th rew i n to i t a garrison of three hu nd red
,
32 6 FA M IN E .

m en a t arms an d a body of Oa li s ta r i i an d other

- -
,

engi n eers .

A n d A rch bish op Lan fran c w ro te to Ki ng

term s m ore forcible than polite Glory be ,
‘

high ! you r kingdom is at l as t pu rged from

’
t hes e Bretons .
3 2 8 ER E TA GN E .

‘
But n o t u s co o s i n e ! We shall n ever be con quered
,

i n spirit y o u an d I ! W e are A n gles to the backbon e

, ,

an d always sh al l be I n the fat Fen lan d w e m ay yet

.

l i ve a life of o u r o w n doin g ho mage to n o m an an d , ,

d efying fate S hare my i slan d hom e a m ongst th e m eres

.
,

Ea d g y th
’
I have s trength to protect thee
. .

Then Ea dg y th Shook her head sadly her voice w a s ,

scarcely audible as sh e an s w ered ,

‘
I a m n ot s o staun ch as you thin k m e k in s man I ,
.

fea r I a m con qu ered body an d sou l D ay by d ay i t , .

hath been born e i n u pon m e m ore stron gly that the

N orm an s have w o n b ecau se they d eserved to win
’
.

Leofri c Open ed h is blu e eyes at this an nou n cem en t ,

an d rou nd ed his m outh for an oath bu t recol lected ,

h i msel f an d checked i t an d tug ged h is yello w beard ,

i nstead .

‘
I s ay i t advised ly Leofri c Ea ldre d s s o n : we Engl ish
,

have lost because we were selfish an d lazy ; sun k i n

enj oym en t ; tu rbu lent an d u nwi lli ng to subm it to ,

d isc ipli n e H ast thou n ot thysel f told m e ho w the

.

N orm an s spen t th e n ight b efore S en lac i n praye r an d

vigi l whi le the English feasted an d d ran k i t away ?
,
.
’

A h Ea dg y th w el l fo r thee thou art a wo ma n !

‘ ’

, ,

a n s wered Leofric gri nd in g his teeth h i s cheeks fl ushed

, ,

w i th an ger Then h e bu rst o u t laugh ing i n his light

.

hearted merry way though there was a tai n t of b itter

, ,

n ess i n his m i rth .

‘
By A s g a a rd an d O d in ! I believe thou art be w i tch ed
by tha t pal e sh ave n faced N orm an p r a a lzo mme a s
,
-
’
,

they cal l i t— Ai man d d e S ou rd eval My u n clerk ly .

.
 B R E TA GN E .
3 29

tongu e an d d own righ t ways d oubtl ess bear i l l the

“
con trast wi th s uch a parfai t kn ight H e brought
d o w n his strong h an d o n his thigh w i th a force that
m ad e al l h is bra celets j i ngl e S ay frank ly n ow .
‘
,

kins w o man thou th i n kest h i m the better m an of us

,

’
twain ?
H e d read ed the an swer th ough h e b raved i t Bu t ,
.

Ea dg y th looking s teadily i n h is face rep lied

, , ,

‘
I sh ould n ot speak sooth Leofric Ea ld re d s s o n i f I , ,

deni ed i t I d o thin k h i m the bette r m an

. Thou .

thysel f hast said he w a s thin e equ al i n the melee ; and ,

’
certes he i s m ore gen tl e i n h all
, .

Leofric tu rned away and h ung h is head on ly fo r a ,

mom en t Th en h e faced Ea dg yt h with a bright s m i l e

.
,

the i n dom itabl e spi rit o f the m an meeti n g the heart

wou nd as i t wou ld h ave met on e of th e flesh .

’
‘
B u t I a m here an d h e i s abs en t h e s aid ; a l ive
, ,
‘

d og they say i s better than a d ead l ion A n d h e i s

, , .

o f the conqu erors an d I o f the conquered so all thy

, ,

gen erosi ty shou ld be thro w n i n to my sid e of th e balan ce .

Besi d e he added seriously th e blood of thy coun try

,
’

,
‘

m en i s o n hi s blade wh i lst I am o f thy people ,

.
’

Ea dg y th shudd ered an d clu tched the po m m el of her ,

sadd le ; th e qui ck tears started fro m her eyes and ,

rol led o n e after another down her cheeks .

Leofric lean ed over and l ai d his broad pal m u pon h e r

li ttl e trembli ng hand .

‘
Go n ot a w ay fro m t hy cou n try i n the train o f the
foreign woman Ea d g y th —though God forbid that I
, ,

s houl d say a ught against he r for sh e i s brave an d ,

3 36 ER E TA ON E .

beau ti fu l — bu t com e thou over i n to th e Fen l an ds an d

, ,

share my risks an d co m fort m y poor old fathe r and

, ,

tam e m e Rough as I am I woul d al w ays be gen tl e to

.
,

Ea dg y th
’
tk ee, .

‘
Wou ld st th ou w e d me w i th another m an s i m age i n ’

m y h eart Leofri c ? asked Ea dg y th with a t remb l ing

,
’

voi ce .

’
‘
I w ou l d d rive out that i m age by my o w n avowed ,

Leofri c .

‘
That thou wi lt n ever d o co o s i n e ! said Ea dg y th ,
’

fi rm ly N o d o n ot d ream i t
.
‘
,
I c a n n eve r be his .
,

n either can I wed any other N o r can I l eave my l ady .

n o w i n her sore d istress an d sorrow N o Leofri c I .

, ,

can not go with thee ask m e n o m ore i t i s b ut pa i n to ,

’
both .

Then Leofri c saw sh e was i n ea rn est and d esisted , .

A ffecting to see som e dangerou s obj ect th at requ i red

i nvestigation h e struck spu rs i nto h is li a eg n en ee an d
,
’

d ashed o ff i nto the brushwood that bordered th e road ;

an d whe n h e j oi ned the c aval cad e again h e took care ,

’
n ot to choose the n eighbourhood of h i s cousi n s palfrey .

A b ou t a fortn ight later the co un tess an d her l adi es, ,

am ongst who m was the fai thfu l Ea dg yth wen t on board ,

a lon g bodied high prowed galley at L o v e lly s S taithe

-
,
-
’
.

I t was propel led by twe n ty fiv e oars o n each sid e an d -

,

fla u n te d gaudy e mbroidered sails to the wi n d the m ai n ,

m ast bei ng surround ed by a gal lery rou nd which a

sentin el could wal k Th e garrison of B la u n ch e flo ur
.

e mbarked o n board a s mal l floti l la o f si m i l ar vessels .

We m ay i m agin e h o w they su ffered as they m ad e

33 2 B R E TA GN E .

B ri ttany folks as an xious to learn how sh e had fared -

,

an d h ow escaped .

The cou ntess learn ed with j oy t hat Ralph was at

M on tfort scarce forty m i les a w ay prepari ng wi th migh t
, ,

an d m ai n an expedition for t h e rel i ef of B la u n ch e flo u r .

’
H ad she n ot seen the warships i n the harbou r ? they
asked .

We may g u ess ho w qu ickly m essengers were sen t o ff

to Mon tfort a n d h ow Ralph m oun ted i n hot haste a s
,

soon as they told h i m that h i s cou n tess h a d co m e with ,

al l h er gal la n t garrison an d how h e gal loped to m eet

,

the m as fast as his s teed coul d gal lop N o doubt h e .

sighed that h e h ad n ot O live r u n d er hi m then .

Em m a an d h er followi ng g o t what horses they cou ld ,

an d started for M ontfort .

Th e August su n shon e hotly from th e bl ue conti n en tal

sky a n d the apples were tu rn ing yel lo w an d red i n th e
,

orch ard s along th e road As n oon cam e o n the travellers

.
, ,

havi n g ridden s om e fi fteen m i les o n very so rry beasts ,

were fai n to rest the m at a wayside hostel .

Th e countess an d her lad ies ascend ed th e lad d er t h at

served for a stai rcase to th e u pper cha mber an d w h i l e , ,

food was p reparing below lay down upon the rushes to ,

res t thei r weary l i mbs .

Th e coun tess occupi ed a low pal let bed that stood i n

a corn er o f the room an d so utterly weary an d broken
,

d own was she that she cou ld n ot even rej oice at thought
,

o f seei n g h er hu sban d speedi ly She soon fell i n to a

.

heavy s lu mber broken by d reams of th e d readfu l past

,

m ore terribl e even than the real i ty .

 B RE TA GN E .
333

S he heard again the d i n of th e w a rre w o lv e s an d

m an gon el s a n d th e crash o f the ston es flu ng b y the m
,

as th ey s tru c k the wal ls the clash of swords an d ,

cl angor o f arm ou r ; an d th e te rro r an d woe o f i t

overcam e h er Sh e awok e wi th a s cream Th rowing
. .

o u t her arm s wi ld ly her h an ds Cam e i n con tact wi th a

,

m an s m ai led gau ntlets an d sh e sp ran g u p c rying

’
, , ,

B la u n ch e flo u r i s take n ! T o the rescu e to the res cu e !

’
‘
D ost thou n ot k n ow m e my wi fe m i n e o w n ? , ,

’
a n swered Ralph s Voice broken with sobs Woul d to
,
.
‘

Go d I h ad n ever left thee !

’

Em m a bu rs t i n to hysterical laughter an d threw ,

hersel f u pon he r h usban d s breast sob b ing fo r j oy I ’

, .
‘

was d ream i ng Ralph ! Wou ld al l bad dream s m igh t

,

’
en d as h appi ly .

The n they sat d own s id e by s ide upon the bed an d ,

’
looked i n each other s faces Th ey were alon e for .
,

Em ma s lad i es had d elicately wi thd rawn wh en the earl

’

entered kn owi ng that they wou l d rather be i n p rivate

,
.

H ow pale thou a rt an d thi n my sweet said Ralph ’

‘
'

, , ,

rep roachin g h i mself more an d m ore b i tterly that h e had

left her to struggle alon e .

’
‘
I fear my poor face has lost i ts fai rn ess Ralph with , ,

an anx iety o f ton e that was al l of love an d n aught of

van ity .

‘
Thou art te n ti m es fairer to m e than eve r before my ,

heroine ! an swered D e G u a de r fon d ly

’
B u t l et m e .
‘

make excuse e er I qu estion t hee Th is i s how I ca me

’
.

n ot to thin e ai d I wen t as thou k no w es t to D en mark

‘

.
, , ,

and sought Sweyn U lfs s o n an d begged h i m bear o u t ,

3 34 B R E TA GN E .

h is pro mis es an d assist m e wi th m en tel ling hi m that h e ,

m ight yet hoist W i lli am from th e En gl ish thron e A n d .

’
S weyn s w ore by the head o f S leipn i r O d in s hors e , ,

w hich thou k nowest i s a m ighty oath a mon gst these

D an i sh hea t hen s that h e w ou ld sup port m e B u t the n

,
.

my wou n ds bein g half healed brok eou t afresh an d my

, ,

head being s til l sore through O do s b lo w I fel l i nto a ’

,

fever an d lost my m i n d for s i x weeks M ean w hile

,
.

Sweyn had m ad e n o m ove and w hen I cam e to myself

,

I was sti ll wea k an d powerl ess A s soon a s I g o t .

strength enough I cam e over here to col lect my vassals

, ,

an d cal l to m e whoever wou ld pu t h is han ds b et w een

m in e a nd be my m an ; an d I sen t o ff messenge rs to
comfort thee
’
‘
Who m Wi l lia m s m en caught an d h anged o n a ,

gal lows as h igh as the donj on k eep in terposed Em ma ,

’
.

Ralph gnashed h is teeth .

Ah ! was i t s o ? M y faithful G r i llo n n e was th is the ,

reward of thy lon g se rvi ce ? I have brought evi l o n al l

wh o loved m e ! I h ad al l i n read in ess a n d shou ld have ,

started i n a day bu t the blessed s ai n ts be prais ed thou

, ,

art here i n safety an d there i s n o n eed N on e ca n tell

, .

how I have su ffered th i nki ng o f thee .

’

TA y cheeks are hol low enough i n tru th ; thou can st ,

not cro w over m e sai d Em m a with a flash o f her o ld

,
’

gaiety A n d then sh e told h i m the l on g story o f the

.

siege o f B la u n che flo u r .

Ralph lis ten ed as o n e spel lbou nd an d when she had ,

en ded her tal e he slipped o n his knee at her feet .

’
‘
Let m e d o thee ho mage h e said wi th a p roud fon d
, , ,
 C O N C L U SI O N .

WH OEV ER wi ll m ay fi n d n o s m al l part
,
th e ensu ing
o f
C hapter i n the pages of grave h istori an s ; but i n n o
sober leaf o f history wi ll they fi n d record ed h ow i t
fared w ith Ea d g y th o f N orwich an d S i r Ai m an d d e
S ourdeval .

Ralph a nd Em ma li ke an orthodo x h ero an d heroin e

, ,

l ived happi ly together to the en d of thei r days though

they had to fight a good m any m ore battles D e .

G u a d e r had m ad e hi m self a m ighty en emy in Wi ll iam

th e C on qu eror K ing o f Englan d an d D uke of N o r
,

m an dy on e who i n his l atter capaci ty had n o m i n d

, ,

to h ave Ralph rampan t o n th e borders o f his d ukedom .

S o he i nvaded Brittany an d strove to ru n D e G u a de r

,

to earth i n his own cou n t ry ; h e i n vested D ol b u t had ,

to rais e the s iege somewhat ign om in ious ly owi ng to ,

th e help rendered to the besi eged by A lan Fe rg a n t ,

son of the reign ing C ou n t H o w el o f Bri ttany an d ,

P hil ip of Fran ce who w a s always delighted to s upply

,

aid again st Wi lliam .

S w eyn U lfs s o n Ki ng o f D en mark carried o u t his

, ,

pro mises to Ralph an d sen t hi s s o n C n u t with H akon

,

J arl to i nvad e Englan d ; th ey appeared o n the

3g
rin d
 C ON CL USI ON 337

east coast with a fleet o f t w o hu nd red ships an d ,

actual ly pu t i nto the H u mber though rather to o l ate

,

to serve the pu rposes o f the a mbi t iou s earl .

Wi l liam w hether real ly frigh t en ed o r m oved by the

, ,

l us t o f pow er w h ich w a s rapidly gain in g upon h i m ,

an d w hich C lou d ed h is later years w i th hate an d m isery ,

m ad e th e d escent of the D an es a pretext for th e wors t

cri m e o f h i s reign — th e j u d i ci al mu rd er o f Wa lthe o f ;
— fo r i t m ust be n oted that wi t h this exception
, ,

his con d uct to th e En glish pri n ces was generou s an d

m i ld
.

When the son o f S iward had carri ed to Wi ll iam

the n ews o f th e plot i n wh i ch h e had taken pa rt ,

the C on qu eror h ad received h i m gracious ly an d had ,

pardon ed hi m freely for hi s o w n sha re of the m ischi e f .

B ut he kept hi m at h i s sid e although he d id n o t cal l

,

h i m a prison er ; and soon after lan ding i n England

, ,

arrested h im o n a C ha rge o f co mpli city with th e D an es ,

w h o had been his o ld co m rad es W i l lia m had th at

.

excu se for th i n kin g h i m d angerou s .

’
Then cam e J ud ith s opportu n i ty S he hated the.

hu sban d she had been forced to m arry for State

pu rposes an d stood forth as his accuse r pou ri n g h er
, ,

poison i nto the ears o f h er royal un cl e U n fortun ately .

-

Wi ll ia m l isten ed a n d cast the son of S iward i nto

,

prison at Wi n ch este r where he l an gu ished for m onths

, ,

whi le a m ock trial w a s going o n w h ich m an y h ungry

,

N ormans w ho wan ted hi s estates w ere d eterm i ned

, ,

shou l d en d to thei r l iki n g Iv o Tai llebois who h ad

.
,

b een o n e of H ereward s m ost ven omous foes an d whos e

’

Y
33 8 CON CL USI ON

land s adj oi n ed thos e o f W a lthe o f was a mongst the ,

m ost cla m orous fo r his d estru cti on ; an d the P ri m ate

Lan fran c his best ad vocate an d alm ost sole fri en d ,

recognisi ng perh aps that i t was by hi s persu asion that

W a lthe o f had been i nduced to pl ac e hi msel f i n the
p o w e r o f th e C on qu eror .

Early on e m orn i ng w hi le the good fol ks o f Wi n

,

chester w ere asleep i n thei r beds t h e N orm an s l ed the ,

S axon chief wi tho ut the w al ls of th e town Wa lthe o f .

w al ked to th e place o f execu tion cl othed i n h i s earl s

’

apparel w hi ch h e d istri buted am ong som e priests or

, ,

gave to som e poor peopl e who had fol lowed h i m and ,

who m t h e N orm an s permitted to approach o n accou n t

o f th ei r s m al l nu mbers an d en ti rely peacefu l appearan ce .

H aving reached a h i ll at a short d istan ce from the

wal ls the sold iers hal ted an d th e S axon p rostrati ng
, , ,

h i mself prayed aloud for a few m om en ts ; b ut the

,

N orm an s fearin g that too lon g a d elay w oul d cause a

,

ru mou r o f the i n ten ded execution to be spread i n th e

to w n an d that th e C iti zen s w ou l d ris e to save thei r fello w
,

cou ntrym an excla i m ed wi th i m patien ce to Wa lthe o f

, ,

’
‘
A rise that we m ay fu l fi l o u r ord ers
,
H e asked as a .
,

l ast favou r t h at t hey wou ld wai t on ly un ti l he had on ce

,

m ore repeated for the m and fo r hi m self the Lord s

, ,
’

P rayer They al lo w ed h i m to d o so ; an d Wa lth e o f

.
,

rising fro m the groun d bu t rem ai n ing o n his kn ees

, ,

bega n al oud O u r Fathe r wh o a rt i n H eave n ; bu t

,
‘ ’

at the verse an d l ead us n o t i nto temptati on the

,
‘
,
’

executioner seein g perhaps th at dayligh t was beginn i ng

,

to appear would w ait n o longer but sudden ly d rawi ng

, , ,
3 46 C ON CL USI ON .

m ore keen to honou r thei r d ead h e ro a n d they rushed ,

i n cro w ds to his tom b .

J u dith thought herself very lu cky to have al l the

m on ey a n d land s that had belon ged to W a lth e o f an d ,

to be free o f h i m an d m ad e u p h er m in d to h a v e
,

a secon d h usba n d accord i ng to her o w n taste B u t .

she wi shed h i m al ive agai n w hen Wi ll ia m m ad e a

presen t o f her possession s an d al l to o n e S i mon d e
, ,

S enl is a brave b ut lam e and d eform ed kn ight

, ,
.

She refused to carry o u t th e bargain s o Wi lliam ,

consoled D e S en li s w ith her daughter i nstead together ,

wi th al l the l an ds an d m on ey and th e S axon chron icl ers

gloat o v e r J u di th s subsequ en t poverty and sorro ws
’
.

B u t we look i ng bac k n o w th e years h ave roll ed a w ay

, , ,

m ay pity her an d s ee that the cri m e l ay w i th thos e

,

’
who treated a w o man as a chattel an d gave her a w ay ,

to this m an an d that w i thou t con su lti ng h er w elfare

,

or her happi ness rather than with the wom an s o

,

treated .

A n d Em m a s brother th e son of Wi ll ia m s stau n chest

’ ’

vassal h o w fared h e ?
,

When the C onqu eror passed the Straits afte r h is

attempt to red u ce D e G u a d e r at D O I h e called a great ,

cou ncil of N orman baron s to pass j udgm en t o n the

au t hors of the recen t co n sp i racy Ralph d e G u a de r.

they d ispossessed o f all h i s English property as absen t

and contu m acious ; a n d Roger o f H ere ford being a
'

prisoner was brought before the m an d con d emn ed to

, ,

lose al l his land s an d to pass th e rest o f h is d ays i n

,

prison .
 C ON CL USI ON .
34 1

Bu t Wi llia m seem s sti l l to h ave h ad a soft place i n

h is heart for the s o n of h i s o ld fri en d an d s en t hi m ,

on e Easter a ccord i ng to th e cus to m o f th e N orman

,

cou rt a complete su it o f p recious s tu ffs a s i lk tun i c

, ,

an d m an tl e an d a c lose coat tri m med wi th fo reig n

,

fu rs .

B ut Roger w a s fu l l o f prid e and bi ttern ess an d he ,

took th e rich pres en t an d th rew i t on the fi re

-
.

Whe n Wi l li am heard h o w his gi ft h ad been received ,

h e flew i n to a m ighty rage .

‘
Th e man is too prou d who d oes s uch s co rn t o m e ,
’

h e cri ed H e sh al l n ever com e o u t o f m y p rison i n m y

.

days pa V Ie sp lende zz r D ex
,

N o r d id he ; n eith er i n the d ays of Wi ll ia m Ru fus .

H e d ied i n prison Bu t i n th e reign o f H en ry I

.
,
.
,

his two sons won back a portion o f thei r father s

possessi o n s .

Th e lesser accom pl i ces of th e th ree great earls fa red

eve n wors e .

At t h e cou n ci l before m en tion ed M a n foredoom ed ,

‘

a l l the B reton s that we re at th e bri d e al e at N o ro w i c -

,

som e w ere bl ind ed som e w ere d riven from the l and an d

, ,

’
so m e we re put to sha m e S o were th e kin g s tra itors
.

’
brough t low say t h e ch ron i cl es
, .

Tru ly a d is a strous brid al

Yet th e bride an d brid egroom w h o ri sked s o m u ch ,

for each o ther an d i nvolved s o many i n ru in were th e ,

m os t fortu n ate o f t hos e w h o at ten d ed i t .

Though Ralph lost his En gl ish estates he had broad ,

land s i n his m other s cou n try and l ived w i t h h i s hard

’

,
3 42 C ON CL USI ON

wo n con sort i n his castl es of Gu a d e r an d M on tfor t A .

so n an d a d aughter were born to th e m The s on .

succeeded to h is father s B reton possession s an d the ’

d aughte r who m o n e ch ron i cl er n a mes A mi c i a an other

, ,

I tta m arried Earl Rob ert o f Leicester an d bec am e a

, ,

great English lady .

A l ittle over twen ty years h ad Em m a an d Ralph

l ived together the strea m o f t hei r tru e l ove h avi ng
,

foun d peacefu l chan n el after th e rapids an d whirl

pools that fol lo w ed o n the fi rst j oin i ng o f thei r
cou rses t w ai n i n o n e Grey hai rs had begu n t o
.

’
m uste r i n Ralph s dark locks though h is sturd y ,

figure was as strong an d active as ever an d h is hawk

eyes as keen ; m o therhood had soften ed th e high
spi rited Em m a and had b rough t s oft d i mpl es i n to her
,

cheeks an d a lovelight to h er brow H appy i n her .

hom e she d id n ot give m u ch h eed to the sign s o f the

,

ti mes o r n ote th e s tron g n ew spi ri t that was sti rri n g i n

,

th e a ir .

I l u t on e d ay D e G u a d e r ca m e i n to her bo w er i n ful l
h arness w eari ng hel m an d hauberk wi th h is great t w o
, ,

hand ed sword by his sid e .

H e cam e up to h er an d stood before her an d looked

, ,

i n her face an d took her soft mother s h an d between h is

,
’

two big pal ms .

’
See st thou ? he as ked an d he gu id ed her eyes w ith
’

h is o w n to w ard s his arm whereo n w a s bou n d the cross ,

o f the C ru sad ers .

A h Ralph,
she cri ed n o t thou ,
‘

‘
Sweet h e said gen tly When I l ay on the fi eld o f
,
’

,
‘
 CON CL USION .
3 43

my greatest fi ght i n sore distress an d d espai r wi th the

, ,

choughs an d raven s waiti ng to feed o n m in e eyes an d ,

the thought o f thee as o f o n e I shou ld n ever see agai n

t i l l the sound ing o f th e l ast tru m p I vowe d that if l i fe ,

were s pared m e I wou ld o n e d ay m ake pilgri m age to

,

the H oly S epu lch re N o w the ti m e has co m e my lady

.
,
.

Li fe has given m e m ore th a n I h ad d ared to hope for ,

bu t i t is passi ng ; we are n o longe r young y o u an d I , ,

o ld wi fe ! Let m e j oi n th e m en who have respon d ed

to P ope U rban s call ’
Robert C u r th o s e i s m ovin g
. .

I wi l l pu t my h an d s between his an d be hi s man ,

an d m arch under h i s ban ner to j oi n Godfrey d e

Bou i llon .
’

‘
Whom al l m en ho nou r ! sai d Em m a u n der h er ’

breath .

‘
Wi lt tho u give m e thy blessi ng an d thy leave my ,

’
lady ?
’
Thou art sudd e n Let m e be alon e an d thin k sai d ,

Em m a and she left h i m for a spac e Wh e n Sh e cam e .

back to hi m her face was ve ry pal e bu t she m et h is

, ,

eyes wi th a steady s mi l e a n d i n tu rn gu ided them to , , ,

ti e r arm o n w hi ch was bou nd the cross o f the C rusaders

, .

‘
Wi l t thou give m e thy blessing an d thy l eave my ,

’
kn ight ? she asked .

Then Ral ph caught h er i n his arm s an d kissed

her as i f the fatal bri d e ale had been bu t the d ay
,
-

before .

S o i t cam e to pass that Ral ph d e G u a de r w ith m an y ,

of h i s vassals j oi ned the stan dard o f th e D u ke o f

,

N orm andy an d took his lady with h i m

,
With them .
3 44 C ON OL USI OIV .

wen t also Ea dg y th o f N or w i ch fai thfu l i n al l things , ,

a n d u n married still havin g m et n o cham pion w ho

,

cou ld compass that i n w hich h er kins m an Leofri c

Ea ld r e ds s o n had fai led her fai r face sti ll W i nsom e with ,

i ts fram e o f s oft yellow h air an d h er blu e eyes pathetic

,

an d seriou s .

I n A ugust 1 09 6 D e G u a d e r led his k n ights to s w e ll

,

the great army o f C rusaders then assembling o n th e

ban ks of th e Mosel le wi th Godfrey d e Bou i llon at its
,

h ead that very p a r fit gen ti l kn igh t an d m i rro r of

,
‘ ’

chivalry whom al l h istorian s agree to praise n ot on ly

, ,

for spotless morals an d u ntarn ished hon ou r an d the

high id eal h e u pheld before the face of th e world bu t ,

for the cons u m m ate s ki l l an d pa t ien t perseveran ce

‘
,

s elf poss es sion an d p resen ce of m ind by w hich alon e

-
,
’

such a host of turbulen t an d i nd epen d en t chi efs as

that which h e com m and ed coul d have been led to
vi ctory .

A s D e G u a d e r an d h i s l ad y rod e i nto the great cam p

besid e the blu e M osel l e a kn ight ca m e forward to
,

con duct the m to the quarters w h ich had been assign ed

to them H e had a worn asceti c face s eamed wi th scars
.
,

an d lighted by the l arge sombre eyes o f a d reamer of

d ay d reams h is spare figu re w i tnessing to a li fe o f hard
-
,

service an d activi ty .

H e m et D e G u a de r s lady wi t h a sweet s m ile o f

’

reverenc e and recogn ition ; bu t w hen h e saw h er co m

pan ion Ea dg y th o f N or w i ch a flush passed over h is
, ,

bron zed cheeks and u p i nto his foreh ead as far as i t

cou l d b e s een u n der his hel m .
3 46 C ON CL USION .

Ralph an d Em m a d i ed together s omewhere n ear

J erusale m.

Whatever thei r faul ts wh atever thei r s in s at leas t

, ,

they were true to each o ther an d d ied ful fill ing w h at the
,

j udgment o f th e ti m e esteemed th e holiest of d u ties

.
 A P P E N D IX .

N OTE A . T H E M A RR I A G E O F R A L P H DE G U AD ER .

TH E b ri da l of R a lph d e G ua de r to Emma Fi tz o s b e rn i s v e ry
fully d e s c ri b e d b y th e ch ro n i c l e r s , a n d I h a v e e n d e a vou r e d to
k e e p a s c lo s e ly a s po s s i b l e to h i s to ry B u t though I h a v e s e a r ch e d
.

a t l e a s t h a lf a s c o r e a u thori t i e s , a n c i e n t a n d mod e rn , e v e ry o n e
- -

of w ho m s ta te s th a t ma n y a bb o ts a n d b i s hop s w e r e a mo n g th e
c o mp a n y i n n o ca se i s th e n a me of a n y e c c l e s i a s t i c r e c o rd e d
,
I .

h a v e th e r e for e ta k e n a l i b e r ty w i th th e Abb o t of St Al b a n s, o f .

w ho m Fr e e ma n s a y s : All th a t ce r ta i n h i s to ry h a s to s a y a b ou t
‘

Fr i th r i c i s , th a t h e w a s Abb o t of St Al b a n s , a n d t h a t h e di e d o r
.

w a s d e po s e d s o me t i me b e tw e e n 1 0 7 5 a n d T h e s e d a te s
w o uld ma k e i t n o t i mpo s s i b l e th a t h e a tte n d e d th e b ri d a l a n d ,

t r a di tio n r e pr e se n ts h i m a s a v e ry a cti v e w o r k e r i n th e p a t r i o ti c

c a u se o f th e Sa xo n C hu r c h a n d t h e u n ti r i n g oppo n e n t of La n fr a n c .
,

N OTE B . N ORW I C H C A STLE .

H a rrod , Ca s tles a nd p 1 4 5 So me l a te r a r ch ae ologi s ts

Co n v en ts , . .

a r e of opi n io n th a t th e ca s tl e b u il t b y W illi a m th e C o n qu e ro r w a s

s o i n u r e d i n th e s i e g e th a t i t h a d to b e r e b ui l t a n d th e c hro n i c l e r
j , ,

H e n ry d e K n yg h to n u n d e r d a te 1 1 00 a s c ri b e s i t s e r e c tio n to
, ,

W illi a m R u fu s All a gr e e th a t a fin e N o rma n ca s tl e w a s b u il t o n

.

th e o ld Sa xo n e a r th w or k s b y th e C o n qu e ro r th o ugh th e y di ffe r
,

a s to w h e th e r th e e xi s t i n g k e e p i s th e o n e th e n e r e cte d .

3 47
3 48 A P P EN D IX .

N OTE C D E G U AD ER S D E F E A T
’
. .

It i s to r e ma r k e d th a t n o n e o f th e ch ro n i cl e r s N o rma n
be
o r En gli s h s a y a n y thi n g of th i s e n c ou n te r o f O d o
, a n d R a lph .

N o r do th e y n o t i c e R a lph s w ou n d W h a t th e y d o s a y i s t h a t
’
.

D e G u a de r w a s d e fe a te d a t a pl a c e ca ll e d Fa g a d u n a L i n g a rd .

s ugg e s ts th a t th i s n a me i s pro b a b ly a t r a n s l a t io n of B e a c h a m i n
,

N o rfol k a n d th e th e ory i s r e n d e r e d mor e pro b a b l e b y th e fa c t t h a t

,

B e a ch a mw e ll St M a ry w a s a n c i e n tly d iv i d e d i n t o tw o p a ri s h e s
.
,

B e a c h a m a n d W e ll e B u t e igh t mil e s fro m t hi s i s th e V ill a g e

.

of Fo u ldo n w hi ch n a me a cc ordi n g to B lo me fie ld i s a c o rrup tio n

, , ,

o f i ts old Sa xo n c og n o me n At th e G r e a t Su rv e y thi s t o w n o c c u r s
‘
,
.

b y th e n a me o f Fu lg a du n a Fule n do n an d P h uld o n a n d ta k e s i ts
, ,

n a me fro m th e pl e n t y of w il d fo w l w h i c h fr e qu e n te d i t i t b e i n g ,

s e a te d i n th e mi d s t o f fe n s a n d mo r a s s e s Fa g o ] i n Sa x o n s i g n i fie s.
, , .

w il d fo w l a n d i n s o me a n t iqu e w ri t i n g s ti s w ro te Fu g e ld un e
’ ’
,
.

W h a t a s ligh t mi s u n d e r s ta n di n g o f a s tr a n g e n a me o r s lip of th e ,

p e n,
m igh t c h a n g e t hi s w ord i n t o Fa g a d u n a

N OTE D . D E G U AD ER A N D W ALT H EO F .

Th e c h ro n i c l e r s ca ll e d R a lph s e mb a rk a tio n fro m N or w i c h a

’

fligh t w h il e mod e r n h i s to ri a n s a c c u s e th e s tou t e a rl of n o t d a r i ng

t o s ta n d th e s i e g e i n h i s o w n p e r s o n a n d of l e a v i n g th e b ri d e fo r,

w ho m h e h a d ri s k e d s o m u c h to s u s ta i n d a n g e r s h e fe a r e d t o fa c e .

R a lph w a s u n for t u n a te i n o ffe n d i n g a ll p a r ti e s C hro n i cl e r s of .

N o r ma n s y mp a th i e s h a te d h i m for h i s r e b e ll io n a g a i n s t W illi a m
Sa x o n s fo r figh t i n g a g a i n s t h i s p e opl e a t Se n l a c n e i th e r h a d a n y
mo tiv e to s a y a good w o rd fo r h i m w hi l e th e y ca n o n i z e d Wa lth e o f ,

a s a sa i n t ,
W a lth e o f w h o s u r e ly e a rn e d th e n a me of t ra i to r
-

a s ri c hly a s e v e r di d R a lph s i n c e h e e n te r e d i n th e c o n s pi r a c y
,

a g a i n s t W illi a m a ft e r h a vi n g v olu n ta rily a cc e p te d

,
th e h a n d of

th e C o n qu e ro r s n i e c e i n ma rri a g e a n d b i n di n g h i ms e lf u n d e r a
’
,

s ol e mn fo r m of fe al ty th e n t o s hi e ld h i ms e lf a cte d th e e v e r
, ,

h a te ful p a r t of a n i n for me r .
 R EC EN TL Y P U B LIS H ED .

ST D U N ST AN S C LOC K
.
’
A Sto ry of 1 6 66 . By E . WA RD .

Wi th Eigh t Illu s tr tio a ns . P ri ce 5 5 C lo th . .

A P A IR O F O R IG IN ALS . A Story by E . WA RD . Wi th
Eigh t
I llu str tio n s P ri ce 5 5 clo th a . . .

A fr h d pr tty t ory
es an D i ly T l g e s -
a e e ra p /z
I ur t b popul r —R
.

’
s s e or e a . eco a

FR ESH FR O M T H E FEN S A Sto r y o f Thr ee Li n col n s h i r e .

L a sse s By E W A R D Wi th Eigh t Illu s tra tio n s P ri ce 5 8 C lo th

. . . . . .

‘
di t i
Th e s n ct li t h r t ri tio of tw li ttl girl
b u t de ca e c a ac e sa n o e s. T hy
e a re
r i d for
e a l se us w i th for th t i r lly d mir b l —Sp t t
a ce a s ea a a e . ec a o r .

C AED WALIA T h e Sa x o n s i n th e Isle o f Wi gh t B y FR A NK .

COW P ER . Wi th I llu stra tio n s Seco nd Edi tio n C ro wn 8 vo , C lo th ,

. .

pri ce 5 8 .

Th u thor h s o mpli h d th d i fli lt t k of givi g lif d i t r

e a a a cc s e e cu as n e an n e e st to
h i pi tur
s c d p ru l of th b ook w ill giv b oy t ru r id of th m
e, an a e sa e e s a e ea e an ne s r
an d u tom of th ir rough for f th r th
c s s y o th r w i th whi h w
e e a e s an an e c e are
ac q u i t d —
a n e St d . a na a r
’
.

T H E C AP TAIN WIG H T OF TH E .
'

A R o ma n ce of
C ri b roo k e C a stl e
a s By FR A N K C O W P E R . . W i th I llu stra tio n s .

T hird Edi t io n C ro w n 8 clo th pri ce 5 5 . vo , , .

M C o w p r h produ d v ry ttr ctiv

r e tory as ce a e a a e s and o ne w hi ch d rv
ur m y r a d rs —Sp t t
.
, e se e s,
an d w ill dou b tl e s s se c e, an e e . ee a o r .

B ELT AN D SP U R : Sto r ies o f th e K n i gh ts of Old Wi th .

C oloure d Illu stra tio n s Fifth Thou sa n d C ro w n 8 v o . .

,
pri ce 5 5 .

A ve ry high cl a s s gift b ook of th e s piri t s tirri ng ki n d —Sp ecta to r

- - -

A s or t of b oy Froi s sa r t w i th a d mira b l e Illu s tra t io ns —P a ll M a ll

. .

. Ga z ette .

B O R D ER L AN C ES A R o ma n ce o f th e N o r the r n M a rches
i n th e t i me of Ed w a rd II . By th Au thor of B e l t a d e n Spur W i th .
’

C oloure d Illu s tra tio n s . Cro w 8 o c lo th pri ce 5

n v , , 8.

T he b ook i s a good o n e th illu tr tio

e x ll t — Sp
s a n s a re e ce en .
’
ecta to r

FOR EST OU T L AWS o r, ST H U G H AN D T H E K I N G A . .

Ta l e of th e ti me of H e n ry II By th e R e v E G I LL I AT Wi th Si x . . . .

te e n I llu s tra tio n s C ro w n 8 vo c lo th pri ce 6 5 .

, ,
.

D i s ti n ctly o n e of the ve ry b e s t b ook s of th e s e a s o n

’
.

J OH N S T A N D ISH . T he R i s i n g o f Wa t Tyle r B y the R e v . .

E G I L L I AT Wi th
. . Illu s tra tio n s C ro w . n 8 v o , C lo th pri ce 5 5 , .

‘
u thor
T he a , Mr E . . G illi t i w ll k o w
a ,
s e n n as a s u cce s s ful w ri te r of s e mi
hi tori l fi tio
s ca c n , a nd in thi li ttl b ook i s q ui t up
s e e to hi s uu ls a s ta n d rd
a .
'

G u a r di a n .

SEELEY AN D CO . LIM IT ED , ESSEX ST R EET, STR AN D .

AD R I FT IN A G R EAT C I TY . P r ice 5 5. cl o th .

P EAR L O F T H E SEA Thi r d T housa n d . . P rice 5 5 . l

C o th .

A cha rmi n g co n ce p t io n —
‘ ’
Sa tu r day R ev i ew . .

A C R IP P L ED R O B IN . T hi r d Edi tio n . P r ice 5 3 C lo th . .

‘
A pr tty tory
e s , and hr
t e e i s fun a s w e ll as f li g i
ee n n m y of th h p t r
an e c a e s .

A C ITY V IO LET Fi fth Edi tio n P rice 5 s cl o th . . . .

M i ss W i n che s te r w hose po w e r of d e li n e a t i n g ch a ra cte r i s g ivi ng h e r a n

,

hon oura b le pla ce a mo ng the w ri te rs of s e riou s fictio n h a s n e v e r do n e a n ythi ng

b e tte r th a n thi s —Sp ecta to r
,
'
. .

A N EST OF SP AR R OWS 5 clo th . Ei g hth Edi tio n . P r ice 3 . .

Mi Wi h t r
‘
ss t o ly w ri t w i th kill b t w ri t
nc from th h rt d
es e no n es s , u es e ea , an
w i th full k ow l dg of h u bj t H n tory i mo t g ui
e p th tie er s ec er s s s en ne , a e c,
d —P l t M l/ G
.

w i thou t b i g
’
e n tt sa . a . a a ze e .

U N D ER T H E SH IEL D . A T a le . Si x th Edi ti o n . Price

lo th
55 . c .

W w i h ll r ligiou tori e s w r w ri tt i th s m i mpl

‘
e s a e s s e e en n e a e s e and nat ur la
w y
a W . o iv mor h l thy r di g for hildr
e ca n c —A n ce e no e ea ea n c en .
’
ca de my .

W w l o m w i th r l pl ur
e e c o th r b ook by th u thor of
e ea e as e an e e a A N est of
Sp rrow U d r th Shi ld i t b ot d for i t puri ty of to d high
”
a s n e e e s o e n e s ne an
—A t/
.

a pir t io T h r i tru f i th b ook t

'
s a ns . w e e s e un n e , oo . ze n a n .

T H E C AB IN ON TH E B EAC H . A T a le . Fou rth

hou s d P ri c
T an . e 55 lo th
. c .

T hi t d r tory
s en e s ca n n ot f il t h rm a o c a and d lig h t th you g
e e n .
’
— Gn a r a i a n ’
.

TH E WAYSID E SN OWDR OP A T a le Fou r th Edi tio n . . .

P ri ce 3 5 6 d clo th . . .

A b righ t flo w r i d d W i th ll h t d r d gr Mi Wi h t r
e n ee . a er en e n e ss a n a ce ss nc es e
narr t of tho p th ti tori of poor L o do w if th t a t o
a es o ne rou
se a e c s es a n n a a n ce a se

th lovi g ymp thy of hildr

e n —G s i a c en . ua rd
’
an .

C H IR P S FOR T H E C H IC K S . Wi th Thi r ty- o n e Illus tra

io n s P ri ce 2 6 d c lo th
t . 5 . . .

T h b ook i w or thy to b a ur ry f vouri t —G

’
i ’
e s e n se a e . na ra a n.

T h m r i t mo t mu i g d i fi i t ly th mo t rhyth mi l b ook of
‘
e e r es ,
s a s n , an n n e e s ca
po try for you g p o p l produ d thi
e o O th r b id
n hildr
e e ce s se a s n . e s es es C en

m y r d th C hirp w i th pl s ur d mu m t Th illu tra tio

”
a ea e s ea e an a se en . e s n s a re

v ry h ppy
e a .
’

SEELEY AN D CO . LIM IT ED , ESSEX STR EET, STR AN D .

TH E G R A P H I C A R T S A Treatis e on th e V ari eti es
of D r a w i n g P a i n t i n g a n d En gr a v i n g B y P H I L I P G I L B ERT
, ,
.

H A MERTON W i th Fi fty fou r I llu s tr a t i o n s

.
-
.

T hi m iv d u thori t tiv tr ti
s a ss th t h i
e an l p rt o f a l most a a e ea se o n e ec n ca a
v ry b r h of t It i th m t rpi f M H m rto
A b u tiful w ork of la s ti g v lu —
e e an c ar . s e as e e ce O r . a e n .

ea S t d y R i w n a e . a ur a ev e .

T H E P R ESEN T ST A T E O F T H E FI N E A R T S
IN FR A N C E By P G H A MERTON W i th Etch i n g s a n d . . . .

o th e r I llu s tr a t i o n s . C lo th , gil t e dg e s ,
z ls . La rg e Pape r , 42s .

I MA G I N A T I O N IN L A N D SC A P E P A I N T I N G .

B y P G H A MERTON W i th Fo ur te e n C opp e r pl a te s a n d
. . .
-

ma n y V ign e tte s P ri ce 2 1 s C lo th , gi l t e dg e s . . .

THE SA O N Ea Su m m er V oyage By P G : . . .

H A MERTON W i th 1 5 2 I llu s tr a t i o n s b y J P ENNELL a n d th e

. .

Au th or 4 to pri c e z l s C l o th
. . . .

La rg e p a p e r C opi e s ( 2 5 0 o n ly ) pri c e 2 1
-
h a lf b ou n d ,
. .

P I C T U R ES Q U E A R C H I T EC T U R E T w en ty . P lates
b y ERNEST G EOR G E , LA LANNE , LHERM I TTE , & c & c . . Imp .

4to pri ce z l s C l o t h
. . .

T H E A V O N FR O M N A SEB Y T O T EW K ESB U R Y .

T w e n t y on e Etchi n g s b y H EYWOOD SU MNER P ri ce 1 1 I Is 6a

’
-
. . . .

La rg e -
p a p e r C opi e s ,
w t i h P ro ofs of th e P l a te s , 5 s .

T H E I T C H EN V A L L EY FR O M T I C H B O R N E T O
SO U T H AM P T O N T w e n t y tw o Et c hi n g s b y H EYWOOD .
-

SU MNER P ri ce 1 1 1 1 s 6 d
. . . .

We h rtily o mm d i t t r ti
ea c en o a s ts .
— A t/z ezz aeu m .

EI G H T EEN ET C H I N G S BY EN G L I S H FR EN C H , ,

A N D G ER M A N A R T IST S . N o te s by P . G H A M ERTON
. .

I mp e ri a l 4to 3 Is 6 d . . .

T H E A B B EY CH URCH O F ST A L B A N S By . .

J W . C OMYNS C A RR
. . I llu s t r a te d b y Fi v e Etch i n g s b y
ERNEST G EOR G E a n d K ENT T HOM A S , a n d ma n y s ma ll e r
I llu s t r a t i o n s, 1 8s .

LA N D S C A P E By P H ILIP G IL B ER T H A M ERT ON ,
.

A u t hor of Et ch i n g a n d Et ch e r s , T h e G r a ph i c Ar ts , & C
‘ ’
.

C olu mb i e r 8 v o w i th Fifty I llu s t r a t io n s , 5 1 5 s. . .

La rg e
p a p e r C op i e s w i th P roofs o f th e En gr a v i n g s
-
, ,
1 01 . 1o s .

Th up rb volum b for
e s m yb
e id t r pr t o e e e us a e sa o e e se n , s fa r a s t s hi
c ou try i o r d illu tr tio d or tio typog r phy
n s c n ce n e , s a n, ec a n, a , a n d ta s te i n

b i di g t th ir b e s t
n n a e .
 FIN E A R T B OOK S-
.
3

T H E I N N S O F C O U RT . By W J L O FT IE Wi th . . .

T w e lv e En gr a v i n g s a n d ma n y o th e r I llu s t r a ti o n s ch i e fly b y ,

H ER B ERT R A I LTON . C lo th , 2 1s .

La rg e p a p e r C opi e s
-
( o n ly ) 4 2 s 1 00 , .

SC O T T I S H P A I N T ER S By WAL T ER A R M ST R O N G
. .

W i th C opp e r pl a te s a n d ma n y V ig n e tte s
-
P ri ce 2 1 s C lo th . . .

La rg e p a p e r C o pi e s ( 5 0 o n ly ) pri ce 4 l 4s h a lf moro cc o
-
, . .
,

S C H O O L S O F M O D ER N A R T IN G ER M A N Y .

B y J B E AV I N G TON ATK I N SON

. W i t h FIft e e n Etch i n g s a n d
.

n u me ro u s W oo d c u t s P ri ce 1 1 1 1 s 6a La rg e p a p e r C opi e s ’
-
. . . .
,
w i th P l a t e s o n I n di a p a p e r pri ce 3 l 3 s
v ry r p t w orthy of i t u bj t —A tl
, . .

m
’
I n e e es ec s s ec . z e n ee u .

e x

Sp e a rm e n f M i no r
o Il l u s t r a t i o n s i n 1si s a nd Tlt a m e s i s .

I SI S A N D T H A M ESI S : H o urs o n t h e R i v e r fro m

O x ford t o H e n l e y By P ro fe s s or A J C H U R C H W i th
. . . .

T w e lv e P l a te s a n d ma n y V ig n e tte s C lo t h gil t e dg e s , 1 6s . . .

La rg ep a p e r Ed i t i o n w i th P roofs o f th e P l a t e s 4 as
-
, ,
.

A C h e a p Edi ti o n of thi s w or k u n d e r th e t i t l e of Su mme r ,

D a y s o n t h e T h a me s h a s be e n pu b li s h e d Se we d Is ; C l Is 6a
’ ’
. . . . .
, ,

LA N C A S H I R E By L EO H G RIN D ON With Four

. . .

te e n Etc h i n g s a n d n u me rou s V ig n e tt e s P ri ce Il Is La rg e . . .

p a p e r C opi e s w i th P ro o fs of th e P l a te s
, 3s ,
.

Al s o a C h e a p Ed i ti o n C lo th 6s .
, .
4 FIN E A R T B OOK S -
.

ST R AT FO R D ON A V O N , - -
fro m Earl i est T i m e s to
th e
th e D e a t h o f Sh a k e s p e a r e . By SI DNE Y LEE W i th Fo ur .

te e n P l a te s a n d Th i r ty o n e V ig n e tte s by E H U LL P ri ce 2 1 s
-
. . .

C l o th gil t e dg e s La rg e p a p e r C op i e s p ri ce 41 4s v e ll um
, .
-
, . . .

Al s o a C h e a p Ed i t i o n C r o w n 8 v o p r i ce é s c l o th
. . . .

Sp eci men f M i no r Illus tr a ti o ns i n R u i rzed A ooey s

o
‘
of : Yo r ks hi r e .
’

T H E R U I N ED A B B EY S OF Y O R K SH I R E By .

W C H A M B ERS LE F RO Y Wi th Tw e lv e Et chi n g s a n d n ume r o us

. .

V i gn e tte s P r i c e I l Is
A v e ry ch rmi g volu m —
. . .

a Ln M ry e. eca s
’
er cu .

Al s o a C h e a p Edi ti o n C r o w n 8v o pri ce 6s Clo th

. . . .

W EST M I N ST ER A B B EY By w J L o r n a With . . . .

T w e lv e P l a te s a n d man y M i n o r I llu s tr a t i o n s c h i e fly b y ,

H ER B ERT R A I LTON P ri ce 2 1 s La rg e p a p e r C o p i e s 4 1 4s
. .
-
, . .

Th volu m i lik ly t o b of th mo t pop ula r of th m y books

d li g w i th th gr t Abb y —
e e s e e o ne e s e an

th t h v b w ri tt i
'
a a e een en ea G n e ea e . ua r a a n .
6 FIN E-A R T B OOK S .

O X FO R D Chapters by A L AN G With T en Etch ings

. . .

b y A B ru n e t D e b a i n e s A T ou ssa i n t, a n d R Ke n t T h o ma s , a n d
.
-
, . .

se v e r a l V ign e tte s P ri ce Il Is
illu stra te d —L i t
. . .

T old i M L g b t l b e a u tifully
’ ’
n r . an s es s ty e , a n d . er a ry

C/z u r c/z ma n .

Al s o a C h e a p Ed i t i o n
pri ce 6s clo th . C ro w n 8v o , . .

CAM B R I D GE By J W C LAR K M A W ith Etch . . .

, . .

i n g s a n d V ig n e tte s b y B ru n e t D e b a i n e s a n d T o u s s a i n t 1 1 Is -
. . .

A thoroughly r ti ti w ork of topog phi l d

‘
rip tio a d illu tr
s c ra ca e sc n an s a
tio n—1 l l t t L d N w
.
’
u s r a ea
'
on on e s .

A l s o a C h e a p Edi t io n C ro w n 8 v o pri ce 6s clo th . . . .

C H AR I N G C R O SS T O S T P A U L S By J U ST IN ’
. .

M C A RTHY
‘
W i t h T w e l v e C opp e r pl a te s a n d ma n y M i n o r
.
-

I llu s tr a t i o n s b y JO SE P H P ENNELL P ri ce z l s . .

La rg e p a p e r C op i e s w i t h P roofs 2 l 1 z s 6a
’
-
. .
, , .

T h t opog phy f pr ti d w ri t r lik M M C th y who ot s ‘

e ra o a ac se e e r . ar , se n e
on th l fe f th tr t th th tr
e i o d forth e w ri tt
s i
ee s , e ea es, an so , a re en n an

an i m t d tyl form
a e gr b l
s o mp i m t t M P
e, s ll
an a ee a e a cc an en o r . e nn e
’
s
l v r t hi g Th rti t kill i p
c e e e c n s . d i k dr w i g i e a v r mor s
'
s s n en - a n -
n a n s ne e e

striki g ly ho w n th i h i tr t m t of i ty lif
s n d p i i mpr
an n io s ea en c e an O e n -a r e ss ns

of th b u tl of tr t d tr t r hi t tur —S t y R i w
e s e s ee s a n s ee a c ec e . a ura a
’
ev e .

Al s o a C h e a p E di t io n C lo th 6 s .
, .

Sp eci me n of M i n o r Ill u s t r a t i o n s i n La u r ea te
’
s C o u n try .
’

T H E L A U R EA T E S C O U N T R Y S ketches of P laces ’
.

c o n n e c t e d w i th th e L i fe of A lfr e d L o rd T e n n y s o n By A J . . .

C H URC H W i th Fi fte e n C opp e r pl a te s a n d ma n y o th e r I llu s

.
-

tr a t to n s b y EDWARD H U LL P ri c e z l s . .

La g e p a p e r C opi e s b ou n d i n v e llu m 3 l 3 s
r
-
, , . .
 EV E N T S O F O U R O W N T IM E .

A N e w Se ri e s of V olu me s d e a l i n g w i t h th e mor e i mpor t a n t e v e n ts

of th e l a s t h a lf ce n t ury P u b l i s h e d a t 5 s W i th P or t r a i ts o n
-
. .
-

C opp e r o r ma n y I llu s tr a t io n s L i b r a ry Ed i t i o n w i t h P roofs .

,

of th e P l a te s i n r o x b urgh Io s 6 a , ,
.
’
.

TH E R E FO U N D I N G O F T H E G ER M A N
EM P IR E B y C OLONEL M A LLESON C S I W i th P o r tr a i ts
.
,
. . .

o n C opp e r of th e Emp e ror s W i lli a m I a n d Fr e d e ri c P ri n ce .

,

B i s ma r ck a n d C o u n t v o n M ol tk e a n d w i t h M a p s a n d P l a n s ,
.

THE WA R IN T H E C R I M EA
By S i r ED WA R D .

H A MLE Y K C B W i th P or tr a i ts o n C opp e r Of L ord R a gl a n

. . .
,

G e n e r a l T o dle b e n G e n e r a l P e li s s i e r O ma r P a s h a a n d th e
, , ,

Emp e ror N i chol a s a n d w i th M a p s a n d P l a n s .

A w ll w ri tt hi tori l rr tiv w ri tt by o mp t t ri ti
e -
en s d
ca na a e, en a c e en c c an
w ll i form d b rv r of th d v t i t d s ri b Ti m
’
e -
n e O se e e s ce n e s a n e en s e c es . es .

TH E I N D I AN M UT I N Y OF 1 8 5 7 By C olon el .

M A LLESON , C S I W i th P o r t r a i ts o n C opp e r of Si r C oli n

. . .

C a mp b e ll , Si r H e n ry H a v e lo ck , Si r H e n ry La w r e n ce , a n d
Si r J a me s O u t r a m a n d w i t h M a p s a n d P l a n s .

B a t tl e s s i ege s a n d ra pid ma r ch e s a re d e scri b e d i n a s tyl e s piri te d

—Sa tu r a ay
, ,

and c o i n c se .
’
R ev i ew .

!
A C H I EV EM EN T S IN EN G I N EER I N G . By L F . .

V ERNON H A R C O U RT . W i th ma n y I llu s tr a t io n s .

‘
We hop e t hi s b ook ill fi d i t
w n s w ay i to th h d of ll you g
n e an s a n

en gi nee s r . All t he i form tio h b

n a n as een ca e r fully g th r d fro m ll th a e e a e
best our
S ce s , a n d is th r for p rf tly
e e e e ec a cc ura t e . R ev i ew .

T H E A FG H A N W A R S O F 1 8 3 9 —4 2 A N D 1 8 7 8 —8 0 .

By AR C H I B ALD FOR B ES W i th P o rt r a i ts o n C opp e r of Lord .

R o b e r ts , Si r G e org e P ollo ck , Si r Lou i s C a v a g n a r i a n d

S i rd a r s , a n d th e Ame e r Ab durr a h ma n a n d w i th M a p s a n d
Plans .

!
T H E D EV EL O P M EN T O F N A V I ES D U R I N G
T H E LA ST H AL F C EN T U R Y By C a p ta i n S EA RDLEY -
. .

W I L M OT, R N W i th ma n y I llu s tra t io n s

. . .

Amo n g th e o th e r V ol u me s to follo w a re

T H E L IB ER AT IO N O F IT A LY .

‘
T H E O P EN IN G O F J A P AN .

D IS C OV ER IES IN AFR IC A .

T H E A M ER IC A N C IV IL W AR .

O f V ol u me s so ma rk e d t h e re w i ll be no L i b r a ry Edi t io n .
A M Y OT B R O U G H By E V IN C EN T B RIT ON Wit h . . .

I ll us tr a t i o n s P ri ce 5 s c l o th . . .

W i th a tio a l p rid w dw ll o a b ea u tiful E gli sh hi stori ca l ovel

‘

di g story wi th i ts pre tty e g ra vi gs —A d my

n n e e e n n n
thi sw ee t u pr t
s n e en n , n n . ca e .

A N I TA L I A N P I L G R I M A G E By M rs P EN N ELL . .
.

W i th ma n y I ll u s t r a t i o n s b y J P E NNELL P ri ce 6s cl o th . . . .

Th ‘
x tr m ly l v r d rt i ti k et he s w i th w hi h th b ook i s
e e e e c e e an a s c s c c e
fully illu tr t d d d har m d t to th mo t pl ea s t p g
s a e a a c an z es ese s an a es .
’

L i ter a ry Wo r ld .

H O L I D A Y P L EA S U R E S . Twelve Etchings b y
R U DOL F G E I SSL E R C lo th 5 s .
, .

R EY N O LD S A N D GA I N SB O R O U G H By W M . . .

C ONW A Y W i t h Sixte e n I llu s tr a t i o n s C lo th 5 s

. .
, .

M C o w y e s ys sou d e x mpl s of th t of x po i tio

’
r . n a s sa a re n a e e ar e s n,
p tr tiv i ri ti i m h ppy i x pr io
e ne e n c d d ligh tfully
c s en a n e e ss n , an
m thod —S t d y R ev i w
a o , e unc nv
’
ti o l i
na n e . a ur a e .

ST U D I ES IN M O D ER N M U S I C Berl ioz S chu man n , .

,

a nd W a gn e r B y W H H A DOW, M A W i th Fiv e P o r t r a i ts
. . . . .

o n C opp e r C lo t h , 5 s . .

G L I M P SES O F SO C I ET Y IN T H E I TA L I A N
EIG H T EEN T H C EN T U R Y Fr o m th e J o u r n e y o f M r s . .

P I O ZZ I W i th a n I n t ro du ct i o n b y th e C ou n te s s M A RT I NEN G O
.

C ESAR ESC O, an d Six t e e n I llu s tra t i o n s .

C H A P T ER S O N A N I M A L S By P G H AM ER TON . . . .

W i th Eigh t Etch i n g s P u b li s h e d i n c l o th , d e my, a t 1 z s 6d , . . .

an d c ro w n at 5 s.

B OT H SI D ES O F T H E R I V ER . A Tale for Girl s .

B y C E C I L I A LOWND ES C l o th , 5 s . .

A h rmi g li ttl tory of E g li h lif very gra cefully told and

— pe r
c a n e s n s e, ,

tur l
’
fectly na L dya . a .

ED I N B U R G H N O T ES
. By R L P ICT UR ESQ U E . . .

ST E P HENSON W i th ma n y I ll us t r a ti o n s C r o w n 8v o cl o th
. . .
,

3 s 6a
. rox b u rgh 5 s
’
.
,
.

D i tilya n d d li iou sly illu s tr t d

an d h rmi g ly w ri tt
e th y fo rm
c a e an c a n en, e

a volu m w hi h m y b d ri b d w i thou t x gg r t o
e c a li t ra ry g m
e e sc e , e a e a i n, a s a e e
of the fir t w t r S t J m G tt
s a e .
-
. a es s
’
az e e .
10 B O OK S F OR P R IZE S A N D P R E SEN TS .

T H E C A P TA I N O F T H E W I G H T . By FR A N K
C OW P ER W i th I llu s t r a t i o n s b y th e Au t hor
. . P ri ce 5 s c l o t h
. .

A C A N T ER B U R Y P I L G R I M A G E Ri d den , Written .
,

a n d I ll u s t r a te d b y J OSE P H EL I Z A B ETH P ENNELL P ri ce Is ; . .

c lo t h gil t e dg e s a s 6 d
, ,
. .

Th mo t w o d rful hilli gsw orth th mode rn li t r tur h a s to ff e o r ’

e s n e s n at e a e .

D a i ly N ew s

Socci me n Illu s tr a ti o n s i n A Ca n te r bu ry P i lg r i ma g e
‘ ’
f
o .

FL A T L A N D A Rom an ce Of M any D i m en sion s . By

A SQ U ARE
. P ri ce 2 s 6d . . .

T hi b ook i
‘
t o
s po p ul r i s a n ce a a sc e n ti fi tr c i of g r
e a t se eat v lu
a e , and
af iry t l w orthy t r k W th T h
a a e o an i
“
e W t ra e B bi
a es and
“
Ali ce in
W o d rl d
n Of d M g
e an i . x or a az ne .

C /ED WA LL A ; OR T H E SA XON S ,
IN TH E I SL E OF
W IG HT B y FRA N K C OW P ER , M A
. . . W i th I llu s tr a t io n s
T H E Y O R K SH I R E C OA ST A N D T H E C L EV E
LA N D H IL L S A N D D AL ES B y J OH N LEYLA ND . .

W i th M a p , Etchi n g s , a n d o th e r I llu s tr a t i o n s b y AL F RED

D AWSON a n d L AN C ELOT S P EED C r o w n 8 v o c l o th , 7 s 6 d . . . .

La rg e p a p e r ( 2 5 0 o n ly ) , rox b u rgh , 1 z s 6d
-
. .

T H E P EA K O F D ER B Y S H I R E By J OH N L EY L AN D .

W i th M a p, Etch i n g s , a n d o th e r I llu s t r a ti o n s , b y H ER B ERT

R A I LTON a n d A L F RED D A WSON C ro w n 8v o clo th , pri ce . .

7 s 6d
. ro xb urgh , 1 z s 6 d ( 2 5 0 o n ly pri n te d )
. . . .

t J QI
’ ;

S o e c z m e n qf zu a r [cl /es t ) a lu ms i n t he
‘
P ea r o
‘
/ / U e r l/y s /u r e f '

EX P L O R A T I O N O F D A R T M O O R By J LL . . .

W P AGE. W i th M a p Etch i n g s , a n d o th e r I llu s tr a t i o n s

.
,
.

Se c o n d di ti o n C ro w n 8 v o c lo th pri ce 7s 6 d
e . .
,
. .

T h b ook i w ll w ri t t b ou d i pr ti l d riptio
‘
e d s e d
en , an a n s n ac ca es c ns an
old w orld tr di tio
-
W t a A ti q jy ns .
’
es e r n n ua r .

A N EX P L O R A T I O N O F EX M O O R By J L L W . . . .

P AG E W i th M a p Etchi n g s a n d o th e r I llu s t r a t i o n s Se c o n d
.
, ,
.

Edi t i o n C ro w n 8 v o C lo th pri ce 7 s 6 d
. .
,
. .

M P g h r .vid tly g t up hi u bj t w i th th r th t o m of
a e as e en o s s ec e ca e a c es
ff tio
a ec d t h r ul t i th t h h
n, an produ d b ook full of pl a t
e es s a e as ce a ea s n
r di g —G l i
ea n . ra o z c
,
.
12 B OOK S FOR P RIZ E S A N D P R ESEN TS .

A SH O R T H I ST O R Y O F N A P O L EO N T H E
FIR ST . B y P r o fe s so r J R SE EL EY W i th P o r tr a i t P ri ce
. . . .

5 s C l o th
. .

W i thi nli mi ts whi ch th e uthor h a s s t hi mse lf th e ssa y seems

th e
s o e o f s i g u la r for e a n d b ril li an cy —
a e e
'
t o u n n G di c . ua r a n.

T H E A R A B A N D T H E A FR I C A N S ketches o f .

L i fe In Ea ste rn Eq u a to ri a l Afri ca B y S T R I STR A M P R U EN . .

,

M D FR G S
. .
, W i th P or tra i t of Si r C h a rl e s Eu a n Smi th
. . . .
,

a n d o th e r I llu s tra t i o n s C r o wn 8v o clo th pri ce os . .

,
.

men f M i n or Illus tr a ti o ns i n N ew CRi n a

‘ ’
Sj eci o a nd Old .

N EW C H I N A A N D O L D N otes an d O bservation s .

o n th e C o u n tr y a n d P e opl e , ma d e duri n g a R e s i d e n ce o f
T hi r ty Y ea r s B y V e n A E M O U LE , Ar c hd e a co n i n M i d
. . . .

C hi n a W i th 3 1 I llu s t ra t io n s C r o w n 8v o c lo th , pri ce 7s 6 d
. . . . .

r hd o M oul d l w i th topi of g t i
‘
A r
n te e s t , a n d s p k s of
—Ti m
c ea c n e ea s cs r ea ea
th m w i th th
e u thori ty d t w id p r o l x p ri
e a ue o e e s na e e e n ce . es .

T H E P H A R A O H S A N D T H EI R L A N D S cen es O f
.

O ld Eg yp t i an Li fe and H i s t ory . By E . B ERKLE Y W i th .

C o l o ur e d I llu s tr a ti o ns C lo th pri ce 5 s
.
, .

An a cc ou t of tha t w onde rful l d w hi h

n an c is no t o ly i
n n te e st n gr i b ut
14 B OOK S F OR P R IZE S A N D P R ESEN TS .

Sp eci mcn
‘ ’

f
o Illus tr a ti o n s i n Gr eek Gu lli ve r .

"

TH E G R EEK G U L L I V ER S tori es from Lu cian . .

B y Re v A J C H U R C H
. . . W i th I llu s t r a t i o n s N e w Edi t i o n
. . .

C ro w n 8 v o c lo th pri ce 1 s 6d Is s e w e d
.
,
. . . .

Ev ry lov r of li t r tur mu t b pl d t h v L u i good tur d ’

‘
e e e a e s e e a se o a e c an s na
~ e

mo ck rye d r kl
an f y i su h a d mir b l E g li h dr
ec e ss a nc n c an a e n s e ss .
 B OOK S F OR P R IZE S A N D P R ES EN TS . 15

P R O FE S S O R CH U RCH S W ORKS ’
.

ST OR I ES F ROM THE G REEK STOR I ES F ROM L I V Y 5s . .

C O M ED I A NS 5s . .
T H E C O U N T O F THE SA XON
T H E STORY O F THE IL I AD 5s . .
SHORE 53 . ,

T H E STORY O F THE O DYSSEY .

W I TH TH E K I N G AT O XF ORD .

5s .

5s .

T H E B URN I N G O F R OME 55 . .
T H E C H A NTR Y P
R I EST 5 s .

ST OR I ES RO M H OMER
.

F 5" °
STOR I ES F ROM THE M A G I C I A NS
STOR I ES ROM V I R GI L F
.

5s . .

5 5
STOR I ES RO M THE G REEK F T H E YO U N G M A C EDON I AN 5 .
s
T R AG ED IAN s
.

5 S
T H E STORY O F T H E L ST D A AYS
. ,

STOR I ES ROM THE E S T ROM

F A F
H ERODOT U S
O J ER S LE M 3 s 6 d
U AF
55
. . .

T O T H E L I ONS
. .

TH E STORY O F THE P ERS I A N 3 6 61

5 -

W AR ,
5 s ,
H EROES A ND K I N G S 1 s 6d . . .

R OM N L I A F E I N THE D A YS OF STOR I ES F ROM THE IL I A D AN D

C I C ERO .
5s . AENE I D Se w e d 1 s ; cl 1 s 6d
.
,
. . . .

V O L U M E S O F P O P U L AR S C IE N C E .

W I TH ILL U S T R A T I ONS .

T H E G R EA T W O R L D S FAR M So me Ac c ou n t f N a tu r e
’ ’
. o s

C ro ps B y S EL I N A G A Z E 5 s
. . .

T H E O C EA N O F A IR . M e te orology fo r B e gi n n e r s . B y AG N ES
G I B ERN E 5s . .

SU N , M O O N , A N D ST AR S As t r o n o my fo r B e gi n n e r s By . .

AG N ES G I B ERNE 5 s . .

T H E W O R L D S FO U N D AT IO N S
’
G e ology fo r B e gi n n e r s . .

B y AG NES G I B ERNE 5 s . .

T H E ST O R Y O F T H E H ILL S B y R e v H N H U T C H I NSO N 5 s . . . . . .

W O R K S by M R S . M A R SH A L L .

At 5 8 .

R A C HEL LADY R U SSELL

, . D A ME A L I C I A C H A M B ERL A Y NE .

W I N I F REDE S J O U RNA L ’
. J OANN A S INHER I TA N C E
’
.

W I N C HES T ER M EADS . U NDER T HE M END I P S .

U NDER SA L I S B U RY SP I RE . l N FO U R R EIG N s .

IN THE C I TY O F FL OWERS . O N THE B AN KS O F THE O U SE .

M R S W I LLO U G H B Y S O C TA V E
.
’
. IN TH E EA ST C O U NTR Y .

T H E M I S T R E S S O F T AY N E IN C OLSTON S D AYS
’
.

C O U RT . L I F E S A F TER M A T H
’
.

C ONST A NT I A C A REW . EDW A RD ’

S W I FE .

At 8 3 . 6d .

V I OLET D O U G LAS M R S M AIN WA R IN G S J O U RN A L ’

. . .

C HR I STA B EL K I N G S C O T E . LA DY A L I C E .

H ELE N S D I A RY H E I G HTS AND V ALLEYS

’
. .

B ROTHERS A ND SI STE R S . A L I LY A M ON G T HORNS .

M I
 W OR K S by M R S . M A R SH A L L — Co n t i n u ed .

d; At 1 8 . se w e l s .loth6d . c .

R OM A N C E O FT H E U NDER C L I FF . B R I STOL B ELLS .

B R I STOL D I A MONDS . U P A N D D OWN TH E P A NT I L E S .

T H E T OWER O N T H E C L I FF . H ER SE A SON IN B A TH .

T H E O LD G A TEW A Y . T H E T w o SWORDS .

M RS . B ROCK S
’
W ORKS .

CH URCH EC H O ES
a Tal e i l lu strative o f the D ai ly
Se rv i ce of th e P r a y e r b o o k P ri ce 5 s c l o th -
. . .

W ill b fou d v ry u ful i l di g thoughtful you g p opl e to

e n e se ea
of th ir P r y r b ook —G d i
n n n e an
i t llig t
n e en u se e a e - .
’
u ar a n.

C H U R C H EC H O ES, I I A Tal e i llustrative

. of the
Sp e c i a l Se rv i c e s o f th e P r a y e r b o o k C lo t h 5 s -
.
, .

C H A N G ES AN D C H A N C ES .
5 s . C H I LDREN A T H OME .
5 s .

W ORK I N G AN D W A I T I N G T H E R ECTOR Y AN D T H E M A NOR

5 , .
.

M A R G A RET S SE C RET 5 s ’ 5"

H OME M EMOR I ES
. .

C H A R I T Y H ELSTONE 5s . .

5” ’

T H EV IOLET S O FM ONTM A RTR E .

M I C HEL I NE 5 s
55
. .
.

M Y FA THER S H A ND 2 s D A ME W YN T ON S H o M E 3 s 6d
’ ’
. .
. . .

SU N D AY EC H O ES IN W EEK D AY H O U R S . A Se ri e s of

I ll us t r a t i v e T a l e s Ei g h t V o l s 5 s e a ch . . . .

I . T h e C oll e cts .
5 . T h e Epi s t l e s a n d G o s p e l s .

2 . Th e C hu r c h C a t e c hi s m . 6 . T h e P a ra b l e s .

3 . J ou r n e y o f th e I s r a e l i te s .
7 . T h e M ir a c l e s .

4 . Scrip tu r e C h a r a c te r s . 8 . Th e Ex a mpl e o f C hri s t . .

T A L E S b y M ISS C H A R L E S W O R T H .

M I N I STER I N G C H I L D REN 5 s , T H E OLD LOOK I N G - G L A SS . . .

2s . 6d .
,
Is .
,
or 6d .
15

A SE Q U EL TO
‘
M I N I ST E R I N G T H E B ROK E N LOOK I N G- G LA SS .

C H I LDREN 2 s 6d
’
. . .
Is .

SU ND A Y A FTERNOONS IN T H E O L I V ER OF T H E M I LL . 2s . 6d .

N U RSER Y EN G L A ND S Y EOMEN 6d
’
2s 6 d . . .
. 2s . .

T A L E S by M IS S W IN C H E ST E R .

AD R I FT IN A G RE A T C I T Y .
5 s . U ND E R TH E SH I E LD 5s . .

Aii
EST O F SP AR R OWS 5 5
T H E C A B I N ON TH E B E A C H .
5s .

i AY SID E SN OWD R OP 3 6d
s
A C I TY V I OLET’ 5 "
. .

C H I R P W I TH T H E C H I C K S 2 s 6d . . .

A C R I PP L E D R O B I N 5s . . A SEA P E A RL 5 s . .

L o n do n : P r i n te d b y STRAN G EWAYS S ON S , T o w er Str ee t, Cambri dge Ci rcus , WC . .