The Dunston Blade (21 page)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Yes, my lord” replied the Mayor.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Let us hope he remains so.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

“
Je declarer que le tourney commence.”

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

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

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

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

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

“Are you entering, Gavin?” asked John.

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

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