The Dunston Blade (34 page)

“I yield.”

John turned from him to find one other man slumped in his saddle from a blow that Tristan had inflicted and the other two surrounded by the group from the
wood. One of the men called to John.

“I am Robert Fitzherbert, son of the man you murdered in Yarmouth, I demand the right of single combat with you to avenge my father.”

John removed his helm and asked Fitzherbert to do the same. The remaining man also bared his head and John was surprised to find himself looking at
Cuthbert of Aylesham who was also at the event in Yarmouth. John looked at him and said.

“You know very well it was not murder and you were trespassing on my land. I told you not to cross my path again or I would have your head, it appears I
now have two opponents, well so be it. I have the choice of weapons and ground, for you young man,” he said looking at Fitzherbert, “sword, and on foot
here.”

With that John dismounted and replaced his helm. Fitzherbert dismounted and drew his sword and immediately rushed at John who parried the blow and stepped
back. Fitzherbert sensing he had the upper hand pushed forward with a flurry of swings, John parried them and sized the man up. He noticed the young mans
swings were misdirected on a back swing so after the next forward slice he made, John stepped in drove his sword up under his breast plate. Fitzherbert
staggered back as John withdrew his blade, he tried to gather himself to continue and John said.

“Enough, you are severely wounded.”

The young man drew himself up and swung his sword again saying.

“To the death!”

John’s sword felt alive in his hand as he stepped inside the swing and the blade entered Fitzherbert’s unprotected throat. He fell and John went to him and
removed his helmet, as the young man’s eyes fluttered to a close John said to him.

“It was not murder.”

John stood and looked for Cuthbert who had dismounted and was looking fearfully at John.

“I am not a skilled swordsman so I yield to you now and you may do to me what you will.”

John thought for a moment.

“I charge you to return home and not to come south ever again. I will ask the Earl to increase your tax to recompense the damage you have inflicted here.”

Cuthbert bowed and said he agreed.

“I wonder how the rest of the Barons in North Norfolk will look on this,” said Tristan.

“No doubt Sir Cedric will have an opinion when he gets back,” said John.

The remaining attackers had been rounded up and John told them of the Baron’s deaths.

“You are free to return home, after you have buried all the dead. Remember we are all Englishmen and should not fight among ourselves. Save your strength
for when we fight off invaders.”

With that he rode towards the Castle which had now lowered the drawbridge and was opening the gate. He entered his home and found his family waiting for
him, Tania ran to him as he dismounted and he took her in his arms. Looking over her shoulder he espied a young man standing holding his brother’s hand and
a nurse with a toddler.

“Have I been away that long?” asked John.

“You have my love,” responded Tania. “You left me with something to remember you by, a beautiful baby girl, come and see her.”

John said he wanted to get out of his armour first so as not to frighten her, but before he could move the younger boy ran over to him and said.

“You have been a long time away father, will you stay with us now so we can learn to fight like you?”

“I will I promise, my son. These old bones are getting tired,” answered John.

The older boy had moved closer.

“We know how to fight and we would not have let them in.”

“I am sure you would not have, and I thank you, Harold, for protecting your mother, brother and sister,” said John as he put out his hand to Harold.

The young man was hesitant but shook the proffered hand and suddenly put his arms around John.

“Let me get out of this tin can and we will talk together,” said John, a little taken aback.

After he had refreshed himself and they were sitting in his room, with his new daughter on his knee, John turned to Tania.

“Perhaps the country will settle down now and the other Barons will leave me in peace. Come Ceolwen, I love the name you chose, we will all dine together
tonight. That is if you can keep awake,” he said to the little girl who giggled and jumped down.

It was a joyful occasion in the hall that night a they all relaxed and related what had happened since they had last sat down together. Jack and Matilda
were now looking frail and John was glad his father had handed the Smithy over to William and had employed a new lad in the Castle forge. John, Tristan and
Stephen had inspected the Castle and found no serious damage, the fire arrows had burnt a couple of roofs which could repaired easily. Sadly there had been
two deaths in the Castle guards and ten had died in the battle outside. In the following days John visited all his Tenants making sure they were up to
strength and that the wool was making it’s way to Flanders. He sent Stephen over to meet with Philip de Bleese to make a second outlet as wool was piling
up in the warehouse.

II

The years had dealt kindly with John and he still had good health and vigour and his energy was felt by all who had dealings with him. He decided to make a
journey to Wymondham to see Sir Cedric, he had heard that he was returned from the North, he planned to take all the family and this pleased Tania. They
set off one bright morning with a strong escort, though there had been no reports of trouble. Alban sounded his horn as they approached the castle and they
found the gates open and Sir Cedric standing in the Bailey to welcome them. John looked at him and noticed how much he had aged, still fit but slower and
heavier. The Lady Ann was still at the Castle but not as a wife, which did not please Tania. Later, as John and the Earl sat talking it became clear why he
had not wed the Lady. She had two sons and if she had tied the knot with the Earl they would have inherited Wymondham. Sir Cedric spoke to John.

“You have always been like a son to me as you know, so I am making it official and legal that you shall be my heir when I die. There has to be continuity
to run the estate and the area I am responsible for as Earl. I want you to come to London with me to make this official and we will see the King at the
same time.”

John was stunned at this announcement and it was a few moments before he responded.

“You do me a great honour Sir, it will take me a while to get used to this.”

“You have two sons John, so the line of succession will be stable for a few years unless war intervenes.”

The Earl grasped John’s arm and the emotion could be felt in the air. They made arrangements for their trip to London and John went to tell Tania of the
news. Tania was full of questions about where would they live, would they move to Wymondham, what would happen to Dunston, would he be an Earl and what
would that mean. John fended her off as best he could but some of the questions he knew he would have to find answers for to satisfy himself.

They returned home and John accompanied Roderick on his next tour of the tenants, he found most of them in good humour owing to the increase in their
income due to the new arrangements with Flanders. John considered increasing his business with Philip de Bleese to give Peter of Kortrijt some competition.
Settling back in Dunston John spent more time with his sons making sure they attended their lessons he also devoted time with Harold to school him in
archery and sword play, The lad was developing into a strong young man and he had to have his wits about him to keep ahead of the boy. Ceolwen was growing
too and Tania was schooling her how to be a young lady. She was a quiet girl, not like her mother.

They had not been home long when word came that Sir Cedric had arranged the trip to London, he requested that the whole family went and also to bring
Tristan. The whole cavalcade moved off and with his protective men at arms they caused quite a stir as the processed through the villages. Harold and
Edmond were fascinated with the London house and the River Thames, they soon found a spot in the garden where they could watch the boats going up and down.
Ceolwen was fascinated and it took all the boys time stopping her falling in the river. One morning they spotted the Royal Barge, Edmond was disappointed
that the King was not on board.

Sir Cedric returned from a meeting with the King to inform them that he had decided to stand down as the Earl of Norfolk. He was finding it difficult as
his age increased and as he now had a successor the King had agreed that John should take the position now. The ceremony would take place the next day to
which they were all invited. Dressed in all their finery they set off for the palace.

Most of the Nobles were assembled and King Edward stood and stated that as an Earl John must support his King at all times. John stepped forward and knelt
before his sovereign who placed the belt and sword around John and congratulated him saying he was looking forward to having him join him on his next
venture. John’s heart dropped as he knew this would be another march to Scotland. The necessary parchments were signed and they went to an anteroom where a
meal had been prepared. The King was in a jovial mood and teased Tania and told Harold he must study hard and become a Knight.

Returning to the London House John was in a thoughtful mood and later in bed he was rather perfunctory in his love making which did not please Tania who
said she might as well go to a nunnery. The next day a servant reported that a sickness had struck many people in the City and John decided they would not
venture out, Harold and Edmond were disappointed as they wanted to see the sights so John arranged a River Barge so they could at least view the
Westminster Palace and other buildings from the water. When they returned Sir Cedric and John decided that it would be better to move back to Wymondham as
the Earl wished to make sure that John took up his position with the least amount of trouble. They knew the North Norfolk Barons would not be happy with
the new situation as John had already crossed swords (literally) with two families. That night they celebrated John’s new position and Sir Cedric’s
retirement, many of his London friends said they were pleased that he would be joining them and adding to their strength in running the country.

When they eventually arrived back in Wymondham John and Cedric spent many hours in Cedric’s room discussing the best way to approach the changes that they
had to make. John’s thoughts were who should reside at Dunston, should he make that his base. He rode to Dunston with just his escort, leaving Tania and
the family at Wymondham, by the time he reached the Castle he had made his decision. On entering the Castle he found everyone in a sombre mood, Boorman
came to him and told him his father was seriously ill.

When John reached his fathers room Matilda told him that the doctor had said it was a malfunction in his heart. Jack could only manage a whisper to greet
his son and John could see he was very weak, he looked at the leeches the doctor had recommended and wondered if this was the right treatment. John found
Stephen, who was sympathetic, but like most people believed Jack’s fate was in the hand of God.

“I need to speak with you as soon as my father improves, there are many challenges facing us and we need to be prepared.”

At that moment Boorman came to him and said, “Your father is calling for you.”

John went with him and found that the old man was near death. John grasped his hand and Jack opened his eyes, looked directly at John and with a final
expulsion of breath life departed from him. John looked down at his father and thought of all that the man had given him, life, tuition and help as he
grew, he left the room and walked up to the battlements, a favourite place when he wanted to be alone with his thoughts. Sir Cedric brought Tania and the
family home for the funeral and John told him he had decided to put Gavin into Dunston and he would take residence in Wymondham. The Earl was pleased and
said he agreed to John’s decision regarding Gavin.

When John had moved into Wymondham and Sir Cedric had moved to London John thought about how he would approach the Barons. He sent a messenger to the
Sheriff of Norwich telling him he would visit him and to assemble all the Barons at the Castle. In the message he also asked him to suggest to the Abbot it
would be a kind gesture to celebrate High Mass whilst he was there. John wanted Tania to accompany him to which she agreed and the whole family set off
with their retainers and two hundred mounted men.

John sent riders ahead who announced what was happening and as the column progressed through the villages crowds came out to see. The streets of Norwich
were crowded with onlookers as the information that the new Earl was coming to the City. Arriving at the Castle the Sheriff welcomed them and conducted
them to the Great Hall, there he had arranged a chair on a raised platform almost like a throne. John changed his cloak and placed his Earl’s coronet on
his head then climbed onto the platform. The Barons and city dignitaries had gathered in front of the platform some had found chairs but most just stood.
John walked to the edge of the platform and spoke to them.

“Some of you I know but most of you I do not,” he started. “We are all of the same Shire and have all pledged allegiance to our King. I am now your
representative to that King. Sir Cedric has moved to London and will work for us in Parliament and as the King’s advisor, for our part we must live
together in harmony and work towards making this a great Shire.”

There was some murmuring from the assembly.

“If you have something to say, say it now,” said John.

A rather overdressed young man stood and said. “We are quite happy looking after our own business, we have no need to be involved with anyone else.”

“It is polite to tell me your name before speaking, young man,” said John.

“William of Holt,” he replied.

“Well, William of Holt, when you are besieged by the French please do not call on us, as we will not know you,” said John.