The Dunston Blade (35 page)

There was more murmuring and several of the men moved away from Baron Holt and his friends.

“This is all very well,” said a thick set man. “How do you see us benefitting from all this cooperation, I am Hugo of Fakenham.”

“We have the example in the south of the Shire,” replied John. “My Tenants enjoy a standard of living not seen elsewhere, because we work together. I
intend to show you how this is achievable. Today I want your allegiance to the King and your Earl, those who freely give it, step forward.”

The Sheriff was the first to move and knelt in front of John, placed his hands between those of the new Earl and swore his allegiance. Gradually more came
forward and the Sheriff noted their names. There were some who left and John asked the Sheriff to send their names to him. When the ceremony finished John
removed his coronet and he brought Tania and the children into the Hall, they moved about talking to groups. A banquet had been prepared and as they sat
down the general mood lightened and there were many laughs at the bawdy jokes that were told. After the festivities the Sheriff told John that the Abbot
had arranged a High Mass in the morning. Later in their rooms John asked Tania what she had found out in talking to the people who were there.

“They are ready for a change,” she said. “They think that Cedric was away too much, which I suppose he was, fighting for his King and going on a Crusade.
There is a lot of interest in what you said about improving the economy of the Shire.”

The following day they attended the High Mass in the Cathedral and the place was full. Most of the Barons and some families were there. After the Mass
several of the Barons returned to the Castle and asked to speak to John. Gathered together in the Great Hall they discussed arrangements to visit Wymondham
much to John’s delight as they appeared positive. John spent time with the Sheriff the next day and suggesting ways that the Castle could improve it’s
defences and also be a central point for the Shire. After spending a week at the Castle and meeting the City dignitaries and other senior citizens John and
his column moved off towards Wymondham. Passing back through the villages John began to realise more fully the responsibility he was undertaking, many
Earls and nobility used their position to gain wealth and make the peasants even poorer so they could indulge themselves. He would make every effort not to
fall into this trap and he knew Tania would help.

They arrived back in Wymondham and John talked with Gavin at some length, he wanted him to continue the way John had organised it. Gavin pondered on that
for a while, but he agreed, there was nothing wrong with what had gone before so why ‘rock the boat’. John was pleased he could leave Dunston in hands he
knew were safe. Joan would be a help for her mother who wanted to stay in Dunston. He felt more relaxed now that the future was taking shape, his next
challenge would be a journey to Bishops Lynn and talk to the Barons and nobility in the west of the land he had to govern.

Laying beside Tania that night John felt a familiar urge and turned towards her.

“Are you sure you can manage, old man,” she said with a twinkle in her eye.

“I could take on three of you, wench,” he replied as they shed their night shirts and he crushed her in his arms. Snuggled up together afterwards John
wondered if there would be more children, he was very happy with the family size at it is. Finally they drifted off to sleep.

The next few days John made sure he got to know all the Wymondham staff, Rowan had always been friendly but now seemed to have a new lease of life and made
sure that everything that John wanted was produced in double quick time. John smiled as young Edmond began to follow Rowan about, the Steward did not seem
to mind as he answered all Edmonds numerous questions. Harold spent most of his time in the stables or at the practice field, honing his skills with the
sword and bow. John coached him when he could but did not let him use his sword although he wondered what would happen when his son eventually had it in
his hands. There had been no word from Sir Cedric or the King’s Marshall regarding what was happening in Scotland, John secretly hoped he would not be
called upon. He decided to circle south and visit many of the small villages that were in this area which was mostly left to itself. They departed with a
large force of men and carts that were laden with cloths and seeds. The earth around the edge of the fens was rich and John calculated that it would
produce enough food to feed the Shire if he could persuade the farmers to join with him. Many of the villages were deserted when they arrived, the
inhabitants having fled when they heard of this ‘large army’ approaching so John sent out riders to tell the villages who he was and not to be afraid.
Gradually the word spread and they were welcomed by the headman of each village and most farmers were eager to accept John’s plan. The cloths and seeds
were the ‘icing on the cake’. John’s small army were enjoying the journey too as the pace was easy and they were feeding well. He had to make sure they
were watched in the villages as there were many pretty girls who were fascinated by the tough looking soldiers.

On of the scouts came back to report to John that a large number of armed men were approaching from the West. John rode out with the scouts to see for
himself and sure enough they spotted them camped in a valley.

From the pennants flying they could see there were two Knights from Lincolnshire in the centre, Sir William de Falchionet and Sir Hugh Calderez, John
recognised their colours from Tournaments he had been to. Riding back to his own men he called Tristan to him.

“Tristan, go as a Herald, to Sir William and enquire why has he entered my Shire with armed men?”

Tristan called two men to accompany him and rode to the encampment. Sir William himself came out to meet him and gave a reply stating that he was defending
his own lands against an invasion by John as his armed excursion to the west of Norwich could only mean that John was after more territory. Tristan said
this was not the case they were visiting their own villages to assist them. Sir William laughed and told Tristan to “go back to your blacksmith and tell
him not to interfere with Norman Nobles.” Receiving this affront John’s temper rose and he called his men together.

“I want bowmen on the high ground on this side of the valley, keep out of sight until the signal. Mounted men with lance to go in on next signal, the rest
will go on foot and clean up. You have all been well trained and many of you have fought with me before. This time we fight for our own homes so keep
discipline and show them their mistake for challenging us.”

The men responded with a cheer and captains prepared the men as John had said. John, dressed now in armour and riding Mace, rode out with Tristan and a
guard. From the top of a hill he surveyed the enemy, They had assembled in battle order and were approaching the high ground. John could make out
Falchionet from his colours and plumes and a little behind him came Calderez. John signalled the bowmen who stood and moved to the top of the rise, John
again signalled and the bowmen loosed in one accurate volley. The front ranks of the oncoming men were decimated as the arrows struck home, the others
faltered but were pushed on by those behind. Again the bowmen released their deadly rain of death and more of the front line died. Falchionet could be seen
urging the men on but the line faltered again. The third volley again struck home and this time the march came to a stop. John signalled for the mounted
men and led the charge down to the enemy with Tristan at his side. They rode into the mass of men like a tornado and flattened all before them until they
came across the centre of the advancing army. Now it was man against man and deadly hand to hand fighting. John saw that the charge had been slowed so
sounded his horn for the foot soldiers to join the melee. He forced Mace towards Falchion, the great horse even more powerful than Hammer. John dropped his
spear and drew his sword and then the killing began. The glittering blade dealt death to all within its reach, Falchionet saw him coming and turned to meet
him, at that moment his horse went down with a spear sticking out from it’s belly Falchion was quickly on his feet and John pulled up. Two of John’s guard
dismounted and seized Falchionet and withdrew as John pushed on through the remainder of the fighting, he could see Calderez and went after him. Most of
the men they were against were now running away but Calderez and three other Knights were still fighting. John pushed in to the fight and came face to face
with Calderez.

“Yield and stop fighting,” called John.

The Knights around Calderez stopped and threw down their swords but their leader just sat his horse and glared at John.

“I see no reason that I should yield. Fight me in single combat and it will be you who yields.”

They both dismounted and all the rest stood back and watched. John stood ready with his sword and Calderez sprang at him with a flurry of strikes which
John parried, John attacked and drove his opponent back to the men who were watching but eased as Calderez stumbled.

“You have lost the battle,” said John. “Get on your horse and be gone from here.”

Calderez sprang at him again and again John parried the blows and returned the attack with his sword now alive in his hands. There was a blur of shining
steel and then the air around the pair was sprinkled with red, red blood from the neck of Calderez as John pressed home his advantage and Calderez fell.
John pulled off the man’s helm but there was no life in the Knight’s body, his neck was almost severed through. Tristan had caught up with them and John
said.

“Round up any prisoners Tristan and we will see if there are worthy ransoms among them.”

The men who had been watching the final fight looked at one another and wondered at the display of swordsmanship they had just witnessed. One of the young
Knights remarked.

“It’s true his sword has some magic about it, I have never seen speed like that before.”

There was a general nodding of heads and the vanquished trudged off to where the prisoners were being assembled. John stood, with some of his men quietly
waiting, he wiped his blade and returned it to the scabbard.

“There is no magic here, just the result of much practice, “ he said.

The men said nothing and followed him up the hill. There were six junior Knights but non were from rich families, only Falchionet was worth a ransom so
John had him swear to not escape and they set off back towards Wymondham. That evening around a camp fire John questioned Falchionet as to why they had
attacked them.

“You must have known you were on my land, and if your spies are worth their salt you would have known that we were on a peaceful mission.”

Falchionet gave no answer and kept silent for the rest of their journey home. John despatched a messenger to Falchionet’s home for the ransom giving them
forty days to raise it.

Arriving back at Wymondham, Falchionet was imprisoned in the upper room of the tower. He grumbled about the sparseness of the room and John told him he was
lucky to be alive to enjoy what he had. John learned that King Edward had left for Scotland with his army and requested that John should join him at
Carlisle. Tania wanted him to rest first after the last expedition and the men needed rest too, so John lingered for a few days until his men had regained
their strength and he had recruited to fill the gaps made by the men he had lost. Finally he decided to start for Carlisle and on that same day the ransom
for Falchionet arrived. John told him he would journey with them to Lincolnshire where he would be released. The small army moved on, the number somewhat
reduced as he had left more men to guard his land since the last attack. They had reached the outskirts of Chesterfield when a messenger found them to
inform them that the King had died in Carlisle on his way to Scotland. As John made camp another messenger found them with news from Sir Cedric telling him
to continue on to Carlisle. When they arrived at the King’s camp John looked for Sir Cedric and found him near the Royal Pavilion.

“Good to see you John,” said Sir Cedric. “I came with his Majesty after all but will now go with him back to London. The Prince of Wales should be here
soon and you will take your orders from him. Stay with me at the house when you come to the Capital.”

John said he would. The King’s body was taken south and in due course the Prince of Wales arrived and the army moved on over the boarder. After meeting
supporters of the Prince in Scotland and a peace being declared, John approached the Prince and informed him that he was needed urgently in his Shire. The
Prince was too busy with appeasing the Scots that he just nodded and John took that as a signal to depart. He was not pleased that the venture had been a
waste of time, he wanted to get back to his home as quickly as possible so he moved his men on at a brisk pace.

After resting at home for a while John made plans to visit Peter Kortrijt and Philip de Bleese to make sure his wool trade was progressing well, he would
take Harold and Tristan accompanied by just four guards. Tania was not pleased that he should be going away again so soon, Edmond pleaded to be included
but John told him he was needed to protect the Castle, which he didn’t believe. They went down to Yarmouth and stayed with Aelfraed until a passage was
procured to take them to Flanders. It was a cold crossing and winter winds swept the decks keeping them crouched behind the small cabin where John and
Harold chatted to the Captain. They reached Dunkirk and found lodgings for a while waiting to make contact with de Bleese. It was a cold wintery evening
when Philip arrived to meet them in front of a roaring fire in the Inn where they were staying. After the welcomes and when they were sitting drinking warm
spiced wine, Philip brought them up to date on his business. Sadly his father had died two months ago and he was still getting used to the fact he was now
in sole charge. He said he was pleased with the arrangements with Peter, Count of Kortrijt, they had arranged between themselves that Philip would take a
larger share as the transportation cost less. Overall everyone was happy with the arrangements and they looked forward to a profitable few years. Harold
said he would like some fresh air as the heavy wine and the long trip had made him tired. “Take a guard with you,” said John “and a cloak as it is a
miserable night.”