THE MELEE.
"You have won your prize stoutly and well, sir 'prentice," the king
said. "I should not have deemed it possible that one of your age could
have smitten such a blow, and right glad should I be of a few hundred
lads of your mettle to follow me against the French. What is your
calling?"
"I am an armorer, my liege," Walter answered.
"An you are as good at mending armor as you are at marring it," the king
said, "you will be a rare craftsman one of these days. 'Tis a rare pity
so promising a swordsman should be lost to our army. Wouldst like to
change your calling, boy, and take to that of arms?"
"It is my hope to do so, sir," Walter answered modestly, "and his grace
the Prince of Wales has already promised me that I shall some day ride
behind him to the wars."
"Ah! Edward," the king ejaculated, "how is this? Have you been already
enlisting a troop for the wars?"
"No, sir," the young prince replied, "but one day, now some four years
since, when I was riding with my Lord Talbot and others in the fields
near the Tower, I did see this lad lead his play-fellows to the assault
of an earthen castle held by others, and he fought so well and gallantly
that assuredly no knight could have done better, until he was at last
stricken senseless, and when he recovered I told him that should he
choose to be a man-at-arms I would enlist him in my following to the
wars."
The king laughed.
"I deemed not that the lads of the city indulged in such rough sports;
but I wonder not, seeing that the contingent which my good city of
London furnishes me is ever one of the best in my army. We shall see the
lad at work again to-morrow and will then talk more of it. Now let us
bestow upon him the prize that he has so well earned."
Walter bent on one knee, and the queen handed to him a sword of the best
Spanish steel, which was the prize given by the city to the victor. The
king handed him a heavy purse of gold pieces, saying:
"This may aid in purchasing your freedom."
Walter bowed deeply and murmured some words of thanks, and was then led
off by the marshal. After this many of the young nobles of the court
jousted on horseback, ran at the ring, and performed other feats of
knightly exercise to the great pleasure of the multitude. The marshal on
leading Walter away said to him, "You will be captain of the city band
to-morrow, and I must therefore tell you what the king purports. He has
prepared a surprise for the citizens, and the present show will be
different to anything ever before seen in London. Both to show them
somewhat of the sieges which are taking place on the borders of France
and the Low Countries, in which Sir Walter Manny and many other gallant
knights have so greatly distinguished themselves, and as an exercise for
the young nobles he has determined that there shall be a castle erected.
It will be built of wood, with battlements and towers, with a moat
outside. As soon as the lists are over a large number of workmen will
commence its erection; the pieces are all sawn and prepared. There will
be machines, ladders, and other appliances. The ten champions on either
side will fight as knights; you will have a hundred apprentices as
men-at-arms, and the court party will have an equal number of young
esquires. You, as winner of to-day's tourney, will have the choice of
defense or attack. I should advise you to take the defense, since it is
easier and requires less knowledge of war, and many of the other party
have accompanied their fathers and masters in the field and have seen
real sieges carried out."
"Can you show me a plan of the castle," Walter said, "if it be not
contrary to the rules, in order that I may think over to-night the plan
of fighting to-morrow?"
"Here it is," the marshal said. "You see the walls are two hundred feet
long and twelve feet in height, with a tower at the end and one over the
gateway in the center six feet high. There is a drawbridge defended by
an outwork of palisades six feet high. The moat will be a dry one,
seeing that we have no means of filling it with water, but it will be
supposed to be full, and must be crossed on planks or bridges. Two small
towers on wheels will be provided, which may be run up to the edge of
the moat, and will be as high as the top of the towers."
"Surely they cannot make all this before morning?" Walter said.
"They will do so," the marshal replied. "The castle has been put
together in the king's court-yard, and the pieces are all numbered. Two
hundred carpenters will labor all night at it, besides a party of
laborers for the digging of the moat. It will be a rare show, and will
delight both the citizens and the ladies of the court, for such a thing
has never before been attempted. But the king grudges not the expense
which it will cost him, seeing that spectacles of this kind do much to
arouse the warlike spirit of the people. Here is a list of the various
implements which will be provided, only it is understood that the
mangonels and arblasts will not be provided with missiles, seeing that
many would assuredly be killed by them. They will be employed, however,
to show the nature of the work, and parties of men-at-arms will be told
off to serve them. Cross-bows and arrows will be used, but the weapons
will be blunted. You will see that there are ladders, planks for making
bridges, long hooks for hauling men down from the wall, beams for
battering down the gate, axes for cutting down the palisades, and all
other weapons. The ten who will serve under you as knights have already
been nominated, and the city will furnish them with full armor. For the
others, the apprentices of each ward will choose sufficient
representatives to make up the hundred who will fight as men-at-arms;
these will wear steel caps and breast-pieces, with leather jerkins, and
vizors to protect their faces, for even a blunted arrow or a wooden
quarrel might well kill if it struck true."
On leaving the marshal Walter joined Giles Fletcher and Geoffrey Ward,
who warmly congratulated him upon his success. He informed them of the
spectacle which the king had prepared for the amusement of the citizens
on the morrow.
"In faith," Geoffrey said, "the idea is a good one, and promises rare
sport, but it will be rough, and we may expect many broken limbs, for it
will be no joke to be thrown down with a ladder from a wall even twelve
feet high, and there will be the depth of the moat besides."
"That will only be two feet," Walter said, "for so it is marked on the
plan."
"And which do you mean to take, Walter, the attack or the defense?
Methinks the king has erred somewhat in making the forces equal, for
assuredly the besiegers should outnumber the besieged by fully three to
one to give them a fair chance of success."
"I shall take the assault," Walter answered; "there is more to be done
that way than in the defense. When we get home, Geoffrey, we will look
at the plans, and see what may be the best manner of assault."
Upon examining the plan that evening they found that the wall was
continued at an angle at either end for a distance of some twenty feet
back so as to give a postern gate behind each of the corner towers
through which a sortie might be made. Geoffrey and Walter talked the
matter over, and together contrived a plan of operation for the
following day.
"You will have one great advantage," Geoffrey said. "The apprentices are
all accustomed to the use of the bow, while the young nobles will know
but little of that weapon; therefore your shooting will be far
straighter and truer, and even a blunt-headed arrow drawn from the
shoulder will hit so smart a blow that those on the wall will have
difficulty in withstanding them."
After the talk was ended Walter again crossed London Bridge, and made
his way to Ludgate, where he found his late antagonist, whose head had
been plastered up and was little the worse for the conflict.
"There is no ill-will between us, I hope," Walter said, holding out his
hand.
"None in the world," the young smith said frankly.
He was a good tempered-looking young giant, with closely cropped hair,
light-blue eyes, and a pleasant but somewhat heavy face.
"My faith! but what a blow was that you gave me! why, one would think
that your muscles were made of steel. I thought that I could hit a good
downright blow, seeing that I have been hammering at the anvil for the
last seven years; but strike as I would I could not beat down your
guard, while mine went down as if it had been a feather before yours. I
knew, directly that I had struck the first blow, and felt how firm was
your defense, that it was all up with me, knowing that in point of skill
I had no chance whatever with you."
"I am glad to see that you bear no malice, Ralph," Walter said, "and
hope that we shall be great friends henceforth, that is, if you will
take me as such, seeing that you are just out of your apprenticeship,
while I am not yet half-through mine. But I have come to talk to you
about to-morrow. Have you heard that there is to be a mimic siege?"
"I have heard about it," Ralph said. "The city is talking of nothing
else. The news was published at the end of the sports. It will be rare
fun, surely."
"It will be pretty rough fun," Walter replied; "and I should not be much
surprised if some lives are lost; but this is always so in a tournament;
and if knights and nobles are ready to be killed, we apprentices need
not fear to hazard our lives. But now as to to-morrow. I, as the winner
to-day, am to be the leader of the party, and you, as second, will of
course be captain under me. Now I want to explain to you exactly what I
propose to do, and to arrange with you as to your share in the
business."
The young smith listened attentively to Walter's explanation, and, when
he had done, exclaimed admiringly: "Why, Walter, you seem to be made for
a general. How did it all come to you, lad? I should never have thought
of such a scheme."
"I talked it over with my master," Walter said, "and the idea is his as
much as mine. I wonder if it will do?"
"It is sure to do," the smith said enthusiastically. "The castle is as
good as taken."
The next day all London poured out to the scene of the sports, and the
greatest admiration and wonder were expressed at the castle, which had
risen, as if by magic, in the night. It was built at one end of the
lists, which had been purposely placed in a hollow, so that a great
number of people besides those in the pavilions could obtain a view from
the surrounding slopes. The castle was substantially built of heavy
timber painted gray, and looked at a little distance as if constructed
of stone. A flag floated from the central tower, and the building looked
so formidable that the general opinion was freely expressed that the
task of the assailants, whoever they might be--for at present this was
unknown--was quite impossible. At ten o'clock the king and his court
arrived. After they had taken their places the two bands, headed by
their leaders, advanced from the lower end of the lists, and drew up in
front of the royal pavilion. The leaders took their places in front.
Behind them stood the ten chosen followers, all of whom, as well as
their chiefs, were incased in full armor. Behind, on one side, were one
hundred apprentices, on the other, one hundred esquires, all attired as
men-at-arms. The court party were led by Clarence Aylmer, son of the
Earl of Pembroke. His companions were all young men of noble family,
aspirants for the order of knighthood. They were, for the most part,
somewhat older than the apprentices, but as the latter consisted chiefly
of young men nearly out of their term the difference was not great.
Walter's armor was a suit which the armorer had constructed a year
previously for a young knight who had died before the armor could be
delivered. Walter had wondered more than once why Geoffrey did not
endeavor to sell it elsewhere, for although not so decorated and inlaid
as many of the suits of Milan armor, it was constructed of the finest
steel, and the armorer had bestowed special care upon its manufacture,
as the young knight's father had long been one of his best customers.
Early that morning Geoffrey had brought it to his room and had told him
to wear it instead of that lent by the city.
"But I fear it will get injured," Walter had urged. "I shall not spare
myself, you know, Geoffrey, and the blows will be hard ones."
"The more need for good armor, Walter. These city suits are made for
show rather than use. You may be sure that young Pembroke and his band
will fight their hardest rather than suffer defeat at the hands of
those whom they consider as a band of city varlets."
Before issuing from the tent where he and his companions had put on
their mail, Walter carefully fastened in the front of his helmet a tiny
gold bracelet. Upon taking their places before the pavilion the king
ordered the two leaders to advance, and addressed them and the multitude
in the following words:
"Brave leaders, and you, my people, I have contrived the pastime to-day
that I may show you on a mimic scale the deeds which my brave soldiers
are called upon to perform in France. It is more specially suited for
the combatants of to-day, since one party have had but small opportunity
of acquiring skill on horseback. Moreover, I wish to teach the lesson
that fighting on foot is as honorable as fighting on horseback, for it
has now been proved, and sometimes to our cost, in Scotland, that
footmen can repulse even the bravest chivalry. To-day each party will
fight his best. Remember that, even in the heat of conflict, matters
must not be carried to an extreme. Those cut off from their friends will
be accounted prisoners, as will those who, being overpowered, throw down
their arms. Any wounded on either side will not be accounted as
prisoners, but may retire with honor from the field. You," he said,
looking at Walter, "as the conqueror of yesterday, have the choice of
either the attack or defense; but I should advise you to take the
latter, seeing that it is easier to defend a fortress than to assault
it. Many of your opponents have already gained credit in real warfare,
while you and your following are new to it. Therefore, in order to place
the defense on fair terms with the assault, I have ordered that both
sides shall be equal in numbers."
"If your liege will permit me," Walter said, bowing, "I would fain take
the assault. Methinks that, with my following, I could do better thus
than in defense."
The king looked somewhat displeased.
"As you will," he said coldly; "but I fear that this will somewhat mar
the effect of the spectacle, seeing that you will have no chance
whatever against an equal force, more accustomed to war than your party,
and occupying so superior a position. However," he went on, seeing that
Walter made no sign of changing his mind, "as you have chosen, so be it;
and now it is for you to choose the lady who shall be queen of the
tourney and shall deliver the prizes to the victors. Look round you;
there are many fair faces, and it is for you to choose among them."
Smiles passed between many of the courtly dames and ladies at the choice
that was to be made among them by the apprentice lad; and they thought
that he would be sorely puzzled at such a duty. Walter, however, did not
hesitate an instant. He ran his eye over the crowd of ladies in the
royal gallery, and soon saw the object of his search.
"Since I have your majesty's permission," he said, "I choose, as queen
of the tournament, Mistress Edith Vernon."
There was a movement of surprise and a general smile. Perhaps to all who
thought that they had a chance of being chosen the selection was a
relief, as none could be jealous of the pretty child, who, at the king's
order, made her way forward to the front, and took her seat in a chair
placed between the king and queen. The girl colored brightly; but she
had heard so much of tourneys and jousts that she knew what was her
duty. She had been sitting far back on the previous day, and the
apprentice, when brought up before the king, was too far below for her
to see his features. She now recognized him.
"Sir knights," she said in a loud, clear, childish voice, "you will both
do your duty to-day and show yourselves worthy cavaliers. Methinks that,
as queen of the tourney, I should be neutral between you, but as one of
you carries my gage in his helm, my good wishes must needs go with him;
but bright eyes will be fixed on you both, and may well stir you to
deeds of valor."
So saying, she resumed her seat with a pretty air of dignity.
"Why, sweetheart," the king said, "how is it that this 'prentice lad
knows your name, and how is it that he wears your gage, for I know that
the young Pembroke wears the glove of the Earl of Surrey's daughter?"
"He saved my life, sir, mine and my mother's," the child said, "and I
told him he should be my true knight, and gave him my bracelet, which
you see he wears in his helm."
"I recall somewhat of the story," the king said, "and will question my
Lady Vernon further anon; but see, the combatants are filing off to
their places."
With flags flying and trumpets blowing young Pembroke led his forces
into the castle. Each of his ten knights was followed by an esquire
bearing his banner, and each had ten men-at-arms under his immediate
order. Two of them, with twenty men, remained in the outwork beyond the
drawbridge. The rest took their station on the walls and towers, where a
platform had been erected running along three feet below the
battlements. The real men-at-arms with the machines of war now advanced,
and for a time worked the machines, which made pretense at casting great
stones and missiles at the walls. The assailants then moved forward and,
unslinging their bows, opened a heavy fire of arrows at the defenders,
who, in turn, replied with arrows and cross-bows.
"The 'prentices shoot well," the king said; "by our lady, it would be
hot work for the defenders were the shafts but pointed! Even as it is
the knocks must be no child's play, for the arrows, although not
pointed, are all tipped with iron, without which, indeed, straight
shooting would be impossible."
The return fire from the walls was feeble, and the king said, laughing,
"So far your knight, fair mistress, has it all his own way. I did not
reckon sufficiently upon the superiority of shooting of the London lads,
and, indeed, I know not that I ought not in fairness to order some of
the defenders off the walls, seeing that in warfare their numbers would
be rapidly thinned. See, the assailants are moving up the two towers
under shelter of the fire of the archers."
By this time Aylmer, seeing that his followers could make no effectual
reply to the arrow fire, had ordered all, save the leaders in full
armor, to lie down behind the parapet. The assailants now gathered
thickly round each tower, as if they intended to attempt to cross by the
bridges, which could be let down from an opening in the tower level with
the top of the wall, while archers upon the summit shot fast and thick
among the defenders who were gathering to oppose them.
"If the young Pembroke is wise," the king said, "he will make a strong
sally now and fall upon one or other of the parties."
As he spoke there was a sudden movement on the part of the assailants,
who, leaving the foot of the towers, made a rush at the outwork in the
center. The instant they arrived they fell to work with axes upon the
palisades. Many were struck down by the blows dealt them by the
defenders, but others caught up the axes and in less than a minute
several of the palisades were cut down and the assailants poured in. The
defenders fought gallantly, but they were overpowered by numbers. Some
were struck down, others taken prisoners by main force, and the rest
driven across the drawbridge just as the gates were opened and Pembroke,
at the head of the defenders, swarmed out to their assistance.
There was a desperate fight on the bridge, and it was well that the
armor was stout, and the arms that wielded the weapons had not yet
attained their full strength. Several were knocked off the bridge into
the moat, and these were, by the rules, obliged at once to retire and
take no further part in the contest. Walter and Ralph the smith fought
in front of their men, and hard as Pembroke and his followers struggled,
they could not drive them back a foot. The court party was galled by the
heavy fire of arrows kept up by the apprentices along the side of the
moat, and finding all his efforts to regain the earthwork useless,
Pembroke withdrew his forces into the castle, and in spite of the
efforts of the besiegers managed to close the gates in their faces. The
assailants, however, succeeded in severing the chains of the drawbridge
before it could be raised.
From the tower above, the defenders now hurled over great stones, which
had been specially placed there for the purpose of destroying the
drawbridge should the earthwork be carried. The boards were soon
splintered, and the drawbridge was pronounced by the Earl of Talbot, who
was acting as judge, to be destroyed. The excitement of the spectators
was worked up to a great pitch while the conflict was going on, and the
citizens cheered lustily at the success of the apprentices.
"That was gallantly done," the king said to Queen Philippa, "and the
leader of the assailants is a lad of rare mettle. Not a captain of my
army, no, not Sir Walter Manny himself, could have done it more
cleverly. You see, by placing his forces at the ends of the wall he drew
all the garrison thither to withstand the assaults from them, and thus
by his sudden movement he was able to carry the outwork before they
could recover from their surprise and come down to its aid. I am curious
to know what he will do next. What thinkst thou, Edward?" he asked his
son, who was standing by his side.
"He will win the day," the young prince said; "and in faith, although
the others are my comrades, I should be glad to see it. He will make a
gallant knight, sir, one of these days, and remember he is engaged to
follow my banner, so you must not steal him from me. See, my liege, they
are taking planks and ladders to the outwork."
"They are doing wrongly, then," the king said, "for even should they
bridge the moat where the drawbridge is, they cannot scale the wall
there, since the tower defends it, and the ladders are but long enough
to reach the lower wall. No, their leader has changed his mind: they are
taking the planks along the edge of the moat toward the tower on the
left, and will aid the assault by its bridge by a passage of the moat
there."
It seemed, indeed, that this was the plan. While some of the assailants
kept up the arrow fire on the wall others mounted the tower, while a
party prepared to throw a bridge of planks across the moat. The bridge
from the tower was now lowered; but a shout of triumph rose from the
defenders when it was seen that by some mistake of the carpenters this
was too short, and when lowered did not reach within six feet of the
wall.
"All the better," the king said, while the prince gave an angry
exclamation. "Accidents of this kind will happen, and give an
opportunity to a leader to show his resources. Doubtless he will carry
planks up to the tower and so connect the bridge and the wall."
This, indeed, was what the assailants tried to do, while a party threw
planks across the moat, and rushing over placed ladders against the wall
and strove to climb. They strove in vain, however. The ladders were
thrown down as fast as they were placed, while the defenders, thickly
clustered on the walls, drove back those who tried to cross from the
tower.
"I do not see the leader of the assailants," the prince said.
"He has a white plume, but it may have been shorn off," the king said.
"Look, the young Pembroke is making a sortie!"
From the sortie gate behind the tower the defenders now poured out, and
running down the edge of the moat fell upon the stormers. These,
however, received them with great steadiness, and while some continued
to attack the rest turned upon the garrison, and, headed by Ralph the
smith, drove them gradually back.
"They fight well and steadily," the king said. "One would have thought
that they had reckoned on the sortie, so steadily did they receive it."
As only a portion of the garrison had issued out, they were unable to
resist long the pressure of the apprentices, who drove them back step by
step to the sally-port, and pressing them hard endeavored to force their
way in at their heels.