A FIGHT IN THE OPEN
It was seven in the evening, and Sir Ralph and his family had just
finished their evening meal, when one of the retainers announced that
two porters had brought a letter and some goods from Mynheer Van
Voorden.
"Let them bring the goods in here," Sir Ralph said, "and then take them
into the kitchen and give them a tankard of ale and refreshment, and
keep them there till we have a letter ready for their master."
The party were surprised to see the bulky parcels brought in. One of
the men handed a letter addressed to Sir Ralph. "Go with my retainers,
my good fellows," the latter said, "and remain until I see what your
master says. Here, Albert, my scholarship is rusty; read what the
Fleming says; it may tell us what are in those crates."
"They are not for you, father," Aline, who had run across to look at
them, said; "one is for Albert and the other for Edgar."
The letter was as follows:--
"_To the good knight, Sir Ralph De Courcy, greeting--It seems to me
that, prone as your son and Master Edgar Ormskirk are to rush into
danger in order to aid and succour those in peril, it were but right
that they should be clad in armour suitable for such adventures, and
meet that such armour should be provided for them by one of those who
has benefited by their valour, whose life and that of his wife and
daughter have been preserved by them. Therefore I send them two suits
as the only token I can at present give them of my thankfulness and
gratitude. It is feeble testimony indeed, but none the less sincere. I
know well that the armour made by Master Armstrong could be borne by
none worthier, and trust that the swords will ever be used in the cause
of right and in the protection of the oppressed and the unfortunate._"
Aline clapped her hands joyfully as Albert finished reading the letter.
"A timely gift indeed," the knight said; "and one that does honour both
to the giver and those who receive it. Open the crates, lads, and let
us see what the worthy Fleming has sent us."
The casques were the first pieces that came to view. Albert carried his
to his father, while Aline placed Edgar's on the table in front of Dame
Agatha. The knight examined it carefully.
"I know the suit," he said, "for I was in the armourer's shop a week
before these troubles began, with the Earl of Suffolk, who had asked me
to go with him to choose a suit. This, and another like it, stood in
one corner, and mightily took my fancy, though others were there from
the master armourers of Milan and Toledo. These two suits were,
however, he thought, not as fine and ornamental as he should like;
indeed, they were scarce large enough for him, for he is well-nigh as
big as I am myself, and he chose a Milan suit, but Master Armstrong
said to me, 'I see you know a good piece of steel, sir knight, for
methinks those two suits are the best that I have ever forged, and I
would not part with them for less than the price of the very finest of
those inlaid ones. I have tried their strength in every way and am
proud of them, but it may be that I shall keep them here for some time
before I sell them. The foreign arms are now all the fashion, and those
who can afford the best would take the more showy of the foreign suits,
but I would not bate a penny in their price were these two suits to
stand in my shop as long as I live. Do you see that tiny mark?--you
need to look closely at it to make it out. That was made by a
cloth-yard arrow shot by an archer, who is reputed the strongest in the
city, and who carries a bow that few others can bend to its full; he
shot at a distance of five yards, and I doubt if among all those suits
you would find one that would have stood such a test without a deep
dint.' 'Tis a noble gift, lads, and the Fleming, whom I should hardly
take to be a judge of armour, must either have had a good adviser with
him, or he must have trusted himself wholly to Master Armstrong's
advice."
"'Tis like enough, father, that Sir Robert Gaiton may have gone with
him to choose them when they left us yesterday. I have heard him say
that though 'tis in the stuffs of Italy and the East that he chiefly
deals, that his agents abroad sometimes send him suits of the finest
Milan armour, swords of Damascus, and other such things, for which he
can always find purchasers among the nobles who deal with him. He
therefore would probably be a good judge."
By this time the crates were completely unpacked, and the armour, with
the swords and daggers, laid upon the table, where the two lads
surveyed them in silent admiration.
"Put them on," Sir Ralph said. "I know that you are longing to do so,
and it would be strange were you not. Do you buckle them on the lads,
dame. You have done me the service many a time, and it is right that
you should be the first to do it for Albert. Aline, do you wait upon
Edgar. As you are new to such work, your mother will show you how to do
it, but seeing that he has struck five mortal blows in your defence, it
is right that you should do him this service."
Aline coloured with pleasure. Her mother first instructed her how to
arm Edgar, and then herself buckled on Albert's harness. Their swords
were girt on, and the casques added last of all.
"They look two proper esquires, wife," the knight said; "and as we ride
to-morrow I shall make but a sorry show beside them."
"Ah, father," said Albert, "but your armour has many an honourable
mark, and it can be seen that, if it is not as bright as ours, 'tis in
battle that its lustre has been lost, while all can see that, bright as
our armour may be, it has not had the christening of battle."
"Well put!" his mother said, softly. "There was no more noble figure
than your father when I first buckled his armour on for him. It was a
new suit he had taken from a great French lord he had overthrown in
battle, and I was as proud of him as I now feel of you, for you have
shown yourself worthy of him, and though your arms are unmarked, 'tis
but because your battles were fought before you had them."
"We had hardly ventured to hope for this, dame," Sir Ralph said, with a
strange huskiness in his throat. "No knight could have begun a career
more creditably or more honourably. Three times has he fought--once on
behalf of you and Aline, twice for men and women in danger. In what
better causes could he have first fleshed his sword? Now, unbuckle him
at once, dame, that he may write in my name a letter of thanks to this
noble Fleming. I have not written a letter for years, and our friend
would scarce be able to decipher it were I to try." Then he went on, as
she removed Albert's casque: "There was good taste as well as judgment
in the purchase of those arms, Agatha. To me who knows what arms are,
they are superb, but to the ordinary eye they would seem no better than
those generally worn by knights or by esquires of good family; whereas,
had he bought one of these damascened suits it would at once have
attracted attention, and the lads would have been taken for great
nobles. I doubt not that guided the stout alderman in his choice. He is
a man of strong sense and sober taste, and had he not been born a
merchant he would have made a rare good fighter."
As soon as Albert's harness was taken off he sat down and wrote, in his
fair clerkly hand, a letter of the warmest thanks on the part of Sir
Ralph, Edgar, and himself to Van Voorden. After this had been sent off,
the swords and daggers were examined and admired, Sir Ralph declaring
the former to be of the finest Toledo steel and the latter to come from
Damascus. Edgar had said little, but he was even more delighted with
his new acquisition than Albert. To have a good suit of armour had been
his greatest ambition, but his father was by no means wealthy, and he
had thought that his only chance of obtaining such a suit would be to
overthrow some French noble in battle.
The next morning they were up betimes, and mounted a few minutes before
the hour at which the city gates would be opened. Sir Ralph and his
dame rode first, Aline took her place between her brother and Edgar,
the latter keeping a watchful eye over her horse, which was fresh after
six or seven days' idleness. The two retainers rode behind, having the
ladies' valises strapped behind them. The city churches rang out the
hour when they were within a hundred yards of the gate, and as this
opened, Van Voorden, with his daughter behind him on a pillion, rode
out to meet them, followed by two mounted men.
"That is thoughtful and courteous of him, dame," the knight said. "He
might well have come alone; but it is kindly of him as well as
courteous to bring his daughter."
As the party met, the Fleming bowed deeply to Lady Agatha.
"I have brought my daughter with me," he said, "in that I might
introduce her to you, and that she might assure you, in her mother's
name, of the pleasure your visit will give her."
"'Tis kind and courteous of you, Mynheer Van Voorden," Dame Agatha
said, as, leaning over, she shook his daughter's hand.
"My mother bade me say that she is impatiently waiting your coming, and
that your visit will give her the greatest pleasure--and yours also,
Mistress Aline," she added, as the girl rode up, "and I am sure that it
will give me great pleasure too."
Joanna Van Voorden was some two years older than Aline. Both were fair,
but of a different type, for while Aline's hair was golden, the
Joanna's was of a tawny red. Even making allowance for the difference
in age, she was of a heavier build than the English girl, and gave
signs of growing up into a stately woman.
"And now, Master Van Voorden," the knight said, as the latter turned
his horse, and they proceeded on their way, "I must repeat in person
what I said in my letter, how deeply obliged we are to you for the
superb suits of armour you sent last night to my son and his friend."
"Speak not of it again, I pray you," the merchant said. "I owe them a
debt of gratitude that I never can hope to repay, and the harness was
indeed but a slight token of it. I can only hope that some day I may
have an opportunity of more worthily testifying my gratitude. We shall
scarcely be able to lodge you, lady," he went on, turning to Dame
Agatha, "as I could have done in my house at Bread Street, for the one
I have hired, although comfortable enough, is much less commodious;
still, I doubt not that you will find your rooms more comfortable than
those you occupied in the Tower, for indeed, as yet, even English
palaces, stately though they be, have not the comforts that we Flemings
have come to regard as necessaries."
"So I have understood, sir, but I think that some of our city merchants
cannot be far behind you, judging from what my daughter has told me of
the abode of Sir Robert Gaiton."
"No; many of the London traders are in this respect far better housed
than any of the nobles with whose castles I am acquainted, and Sir
Robert has, in Italy and elsewhere, had opportunities of seeing how the
merchant princes there live. I have known him for some years. He is one
of the foremost men in the city; he has broad and liberal ideas, and
none of the jealousy of us Flemings that is so common among the
citizens, although my countrymen more directly rival him in his trade
than they do many others who grumble at us, though they are in no way
injured by our trading."
So they chatted until they reached the spot where the knight required
to turn off towards the bridge. There was a moment's pause, the valises
were transferred to the saddles of the Van Voorden's followers, while
adieux were exchanged. Then the Fleming's party turned to the right,
while the knight, Edgar, Albert, and the two retainers trotted down at
a smart pace to the bridge. Here Sir Robert Gaiton, in full armour,
with fifty stout men-at-arms, were awaiting them.
"Good morrow, Sir Ralph, and you, young sirs," Sir Robert said, as they
rode up. "Let me congratulate you on your armour, which becomes you
mightily."
"And for which," Sir Ralph put in, "I think we have somewhat to thank
you for choosing."
"Yes; I went with Van Voorden to Master Armstrong's, not so much to
choose the harness as to give my opinion as to the size required, and
these suits greatly took my fancy. The armourer guaranteed their
temper, and they were, as it seemed to me, about the right size; for
although just at first they may be somewhat roomy, 'tis a matter that a
few months will mend.
"Are they comfortable, Edgar?" he added.
"I suppose as much so as any armour can be, Sir Robert; but 'tis the
first time I have worn such things, and they seem to me marvellously to
confine me, and with the vizor down I should feel well-nigh stifled in
my casque, and as if fighting in the dark."
"You will get accustomed to it in a short time. I know that when I
began to be known in the city, and found that I must, like others of
the better class of citizens, ride in full armour when occasion
offered, I felt just as you do. Perhaps more so, for I was some seven
or eight years older, and less accustomed to changes, but even now I
would far rather fight with my vizor up, save that one must have its
protection when arrows or cross-bow bolts are flying; but as against
other knights I would always keep it up; the helm itself and the
cheek-pieces cover no small part of the face, and naught but a straight
thrust could harm one, and I think I could trust my sword to ward that
off. However, I have never yet had occasion to try. I have had more
than one encounter with Eastern and African pirates during my voyages,
but I have never taken my helmet with me on such journeys, and have not
suffered by its loss."
By this time they were across the bridge, and, proceeding at a sharp
trot, until beyond the boundaries of Southwark, they broke into a
gallop. When, after going at this pace for three or four miles, they
reined their horses into a walk, Sir Ralph said, "Albert, if it likes
you, you can remove your helmet and carry it on your saddle-bow."
"Thanks, father; indeed I was well-nigh reeling in my saddle with heat.
Edgar, will you take yours off?"
"No, thank you, I have got to get accustomed to it, and may as well do
so now as at any other time." Under their helmet both wore a small
velvet cap. "You are looking quite pale, Albert," Edgar went on, as his
friend unhelmed.
"It is not everyone who is made of iron, as you are," Albert laughed.
"You must make allowances for me. In another year or two I hope that I
too shall be able to bear the weight of all these things without
feeling them; but you must remember that it is not two years since I
began hard exercise, while you have been at it since your childhood."
"I don't forget it, Albert, and I wonder at you daily."
At Greenwich they heard many tales as to the damage committed by the
peasants on their homeward way. Houses had been sacked and burnt, and
many persons of substance killed.
"The king ought to have let us charge the fellows," Sir Ralph said, as
they went forward again. "When men find that they get off without
punishment for misdeeds, they will recommence them as soon as the
danger is past. One lesson would have made itself felt over the whole
land. I heard last night that there was news that many manors and the
houses of men of law have been destroyed in Essex, and that the rioters
have beheaded the Lord Chief-Justice of England, Sir John of Cambridge,
and the Prior of St. Edmondsbury, and set up their heads on poles in
the market-place of Bury, and have destroyed all the charters and
documents of the town. We shall have great trouble before order is
restored, whereas had we charged the rioters of Kent, who are the worst
of all, the others would have been cowed when they heard of the
slaughter. By our lady, we will give these fellows a rough lesson if we
find them besieging our castle."
"Is it a strong place, Sir Ralph?"
"No. With a fair garrison it could easily repel any assault by such
fellows as these, but it could not stand for a day against an attack by
a strong body of men-at-arms, even if they were unprovided with
machines."
When within five miles of the castle they obtained sure news that it
was attacked by some two thousand of the rioters, but that so far as
was known it was still holding out.
"Shall we gallop on, Sir Ralph?" the alderman asked.
"Nay, we will rather go more slowly than before, so that our horses may
be in good wind when they arrive. We shall need all their strength, for
we may have to charge through them two or three times before they break
and run, and then we will pursue and cut them up as long as the horses
have breath. These fellows must have a lesson, or we shall never be
able to dwell in peace and quiet."
When within half a mile of the castle they saw that the flag was still
flying above it, and knew that they had arrived in time. Then Albert
put on his helmet again, and the two lads followed the example of Sir
Ralph and the alderman, and lowered their vizors, for, as the knight
said, "Though some of the knaves threw away their bows at Smithfield,
many of the others took them away." On reaching a field near the
castle, they could see that a fierce fight was going on. The rioters
had procured ladders, and were striving to climb the walls, while a
small party of armed men were defending the battlement.
"By St. Mary, we are but just in time!" the knight said. "We four will
ride in front. Sir Robert, will you bid your men form in two lines and
follow us, one line twenty yards behind the other. Bid them all keep
together in their rank, the second line closing up with the first if
the fellows make a stout resistance, but above all things they must
keep in their order, and follow close behind us."
The alderman raised his voice, and repeated the orders to the men.
"The reports as to the rascals' numbers were about right," Sir Ralph
said. "Now, boys, do you keep between us, and leave a space of some
three yards between each horse, so as to give each man room to swing
his sword. Now, Sir Robert, let us have at them."
Going slowly at first, they increased their speed to a fierce gallop as
they neared the mass of rioters. They had been noticed now. The men on
the ladders hastily climbed down again; confused orders were heard, and
many were seen separating themselves from the main body and flying. The
mass of the rioters, however, held their ground, seeing how small was
the number of their opponents. A flight of arrows was shot when they
were some sixty yards distant, but as all were bending forward in their
saddles, and the arrows were shot in haste, most of them fell harmless;
three or four of the horses were struck, and plunged violently from the
pain, but still kept on with the others. With a shout the party fell
upon the rioters, the weight of the riders and horses throwing great
numbers to the ground, while the knights and their followers hewed
right and left with their swords.
The bravest spirits had thrown themselves in front, and once the troops
had cut their way through these, but little resistance was met with
beyond, the peasants seeking only to get out of their way. As soon as
they were through the crowd they turned again, and in the same order as
before, charged the mob, with the same success. As they drew up and
again turned, Sir Ralph ordered them to charge this time in single line.
"They are becoming utterly disheartened now," he said, "and we shall
sweep a wider path."
This time when they drew up they saw that the crowd had broken up, and
the rioters were flying filled with dismay through the fields.
"Chase and slay!" Sir Ralph shouted, raising his vizor that his voice
might reach all; "give no quarter; the business must be ended once and
for all."
Edgar and Albert both threw up their vizors--there was no fear of
arrows now, and both felt half stifled. There was no longer any order
kept, and the horsemen followed the fugitives in all directions. The
two lads kept together so as to be able to give each other assistance
should any stand be made. None, however, was attempted; the greater
portion of the rioters had thrown away their arms, and when overtaken
they raised cries, for mercy.
"You gave none to the Flemings," the lads shouted in return, infuriated
by the scenes that they had witnessed in London; and for an hour they
followed the fugitives, sparing none who came within reach of their
swords.
"We have done enough now," Albert exclaimed at last; "I am fairly
spent, and can scarce lift my sword."
"My horse is spent, but not my strength," Edgar said, as he reined up.
"Well, we have avenged the Flemings, and have done something towards
paying these fellows for their insults to the princess. Now let us wend
our way back; I must say good-bye to Sir Ralph and the sturdy alderman,
and will then ride home and see how my father has fared. I have little
fear that any harm has befallen him, for his magic would frighten the
rioters even more than our swords. Well, our armour has stood us in
good stead, Albert. When we charged the first time I was several times
struck with bill-hook and pike, and more than one arrow shivered on my
breast-piece, but I found that the blows all fell harmless, and after
that I wasted no pains in defending myself, but simply struck
straightforward blows at my opponents."
"I found the same, Edgar; the weapons glanced off the armour as a stone
would fly from a sheet of strong ice."
For a while they rode slowly to give their horses time to recover wind.
When they had done so, they rode more rapidly, and, keeping a straight
line--they had before ridden a devious course in pursuit--they arrived
in an hour at the castle. Here they found that most of the horsemen had
already returned. Two hundred bodies lay dead on the ground over which
they had charged so often; and when notes were compared they calculated
that no less than five hundred of the rioters had been slain.
"I think we shall hear no more of rioting in this neighbourhood," Sir
Ralph said, grimly. "If the king had but taken my advice and ridden out
to Blackheath with his knights and half the garrison of the Tower, and
with such aid as the loyal citizens would have furnished him, he and
the city would have been spared the humiliation that they have
suffered. One blow struck in time will save the need of twenty struck
afterwards. Had we but killed a thousand on Blackheath it would have
spared us the trouble of slaying perhaps ten times that number now;
would have saved the lives of many honourable gentlemen throughout the
country, to say nothing of the damage that has been wrought in London.
So you are riding home, Edgar? You are right, lad; I trust you will
find all quiet there."
"Would you like twenty of my men to ride with you?" the alderman asked.
"No, thank you, Sir Robert; my father, who, as I told you, is a man of
science, has prepared sundry devices, any one of which would terrify
these peasants out of their wits; and if they have troubled him, which
is like enough, I will warrant that he has given them as great a scare
as we have given these fellows to-day."
"At any rate, Edgar, you had best take a fresh horse. Yours has done a
good day's work, indeed; and it is just as well that you should
bestride an animal that can carry you off gaily should you fall in with
another party. There are half a dozen in the stalls. I don't suppose
they have been out since we have been away; besides, methinks that
after such hot work as we have been doing a cup of wine will do us all
good."
Edgar, therefore, rode into the castle, and while he was taking a cup
of wine and a hasty meal in the hall, Sir Ralph's servitors changed his
saddle to a fresh horse, and the lad then started for home. Confident
as he felt, it was still a great satisfaction to him to see that no
signs of violence were visible as he approached the house. The door in
the gate was indeed closed, contrary to usual custom.
Dismounting, he rung the bell. A small grille in the door opened, then
the servitor's head appeared.
"Now then, Andrew, what are you staring at? Why don't you open the
gate?"
"I was not sure that it was yourself, Master Edgar. In that grand
helmet I did not at first make you out. Well, I am glad that you have
come back safely, young master, for we heard of parlous doings in
London."
"Yes, I have come back all right. I hope that everything has gone on
well here."
"Ay, ay, sir; we had a bit of trouble, but, bless you, the master sent
them running, most scared out of their senses." And the man burst into
a fit of laughter.
"Here, take the horse, Andrew; I must go in to see him."
"Hulloa! hulloa!" Mr. Ormskirk exclaimed; "is this really my son?"
"It is, father; and right glad am I to see you safe and well. I told
Sir Ralph that I felt sure you would be able to hold your own here;
still, I was very pleased when I saw that the gate stood uninjured, and
that there were no signs of attack."
"Has Sir Ralph come back?" Mr. Ormskirk asked; "and knows he that the
rabble are besieging his castle?"
"Were besieging, father; for with us came a worthy city knight with a
troop of fifty stout men; and we have given the rioters such a lesson
that methinks there will be no more rioting in this part of Kent, for
from four to five hundred of them have been slain, and I believe all
the rest are still running!"
"It was a lesson much needed, Edgar, for after their doings in London
these fellows would never have been quiet, had they not been roughly
taught that they are but like a flock of sheep before the charge of
men-at-arms.
"But whence this armour, my son? Truly it is a goodly suit. My coffer
is so low that I know not how I shall make shift to pay for it."
"It is a gift, father, and Albert has one like it. 'Tis of the finest
steel, and is, as you see, all undinted, though it has had many a
shrewd blow from arrow, bill-hook, and pike in to-day's fight. But the
story is a long one to tell, and I pray you, before I begin it, to let
me know how matters have fared here, for I hear from Andrew that you
have not been left entirely alone."
Mr. Ormskirk smiled. "No, I had a goodly company three days ago. Some
hundred of men from Dartford joined, I am sorry to say, by a good share
of those at the village, came round here in the evening with the
intent, as they were good enough to say, of roasting the witchman in
his bed. Andrew had brought me news of their intentions, so I was ready
for them. I had gone out and had painted on the door, with that stuff I
told you of, the rough figure of a skeleton holding a dart in his hand.
It was of the same colour as the door, so that it did not show in the
daylight. Then I fixed along on the top of the wall a number of
coloured lights that I had seen in use in Italy on fête days, and of
which I learned the composition. I had, as I told you before, placed
cases of Friar Bacon's powder round the house, and had laid trains to
them by which they could be fired from within the wall.
"Had it been dark when they came the skeleton and that skull would have
sufficed; but it wanted still an hour before these devices would be of
use. I made them out in the distance, and thought that something else
would be needed. Therefore I got that Eastern gong that I purchased as
a curiosity at Genoa, and lighted a fire in the courtyard. As soon as
they approached I threw pitch into the fire, making thereby a great
column of smoke, and set Andrew to beat the gong furiously, telling him
to shout and yell as he pleased. Then I went to an upper window to
observe the effect. The crowd had halted some fifty yards away and
stood open-mouthed gazing at the place, and indeed it was no wonder
that such ignorant men were scared, for truly the yelling of Andrew and
the noise of the gong were enough to frighten anyone who knew not what
it meant.
"For some time it seemed to me that they would depart without venturing
farther, but some of the bolder spirits plucked up courage and went
about among the others shouting that no true Kentish man would be
frightened by a noise that meant nothing, they had but to break down
the door and they would soon put an end to it. However, the night began
to fall before they got fairly in motion, and I went down and prepared
to fire the powder should it be needful, and besides I hoisted the
skull above the parapet over the gate. Thinking that the light of the
phosphorus might not show up well a short distance away, I placed in
addition some red fire in the skull. I then got on the wall, and sat
down where I could peep out without being seen. Shouting a great deal
to encourage each other, they came on until within a few paces of the
gate. Then I heard a sudden cry, and those in front pushed back and
stood staring at the door as if bewitched; then all ran away some
distance. After much talk they came forward again, timidly pointing to
the figure as they advanced.
"This was now, doubtless, plain enough to be well made out fifty yards
away. There they came to a halt again. Then I called out to Andrew to
light the fire in the skull, and set the jaw wagging, having so
balanced it, that having been once set going it would wag for two or
three minutes before it stopped. Then he ran one way with a brand from
the fire, and I the other, and twelve green fires burst out. There was
a yell of horror when the skull was made out. The alarm was doubtless
heightened by the green fire, they having never seen such a thing
before, and they started to run wildly off. To hasten their flight I
ran down and fired four of the powder cases, which exploded with a
noise that might have been heard at Dartford.
"After that Andrew and I went quietly to bed, sure that not another
soul would venture to attack the house. Andrew went into the village in
the morning. He found that some of the men had been well-nigh killed by
fright. All sorts of tales were told of great blazing skeletons that
dashed out from the gate with dart in hand, and of a skull that
breathed out red fire from a blazing mouth, and grinned and gibbered at
them. As to the noises and the ghastly green fire, none could account
for them, and I do believe that there is not a villager who would
approach within a quarter of a mile of the house after dark, on any
condition."