WELL SETTLED
"Well, well, well," Mr. Ormskirk exclaimed when Edgar brought the story
of all that had happened since he had been away to an end, "indeed you
surprise me. I know that many knights fit out parties and go to the
wars, not so much for honour and glory as for the spoils and ransoms
they may gain, and that after Crécy and Poictiers, there was not a
single soldier but came back laden with booty and with rich jewels,
gold chains, and costly armour, gathered from the host of French nobles
who fell on those fields; while knights who were fortunate enough to
capture counts, earls, or princes, gained ransoms that enabled them to
purchase estates, and live without occasion to go further to the wars
during their lives. But I never thought that you would benefit by such
a chance. As it is to my mind more honourable to save life than to take
it, I rejoice that you have come to your fortune, not by the slaying of
enemies, but by the saving the lives of a man, his wife, and daughter,
who are rich enough to reward you.
"Assuredly, if a man like Mynheer Van Voorden had fallen into the hands
of the Count of Flanders, the latter would have extracted from him, as
the price of his freedom, a sum many times larger than that which he
has expended on the purchase of these two estates, and the building of
the castles. Well, Edgar, I congratulate you heartily. You can now ride
to the wars when the king's banner is spread to the winds, and do your
duty to your country, but there will be no occasion for you to become a
mere knight adventurer--a class I detest, ever ready to sell their
swords to the highest bidder, and to kill men, against whom they have
no cause of complaint, as indifferently as a butcher would strike down
a bullock with a pole-axe.
"Between these men and those who fight simply in the wars of their own
country, the gulf is a wide one, as wide as that betwixt a faithful
house-dog and a roving wolf. When are you going to receive your new
acquisition, or are you intending to ride first to London to thank the
Fleming for his noble gift?"
"Assuredly, we should have first ridden to London, father, but we each
found in the bottom of our boxes a short letter which we had at first
overlooked. The letters were the same, save for our names. Mine ran:--
"'_Dear Sir Edgar,_
"'_It has given me very great pleasure to prepare this little surprise
for you. I pray you, do not mar it in any way by returning me thanks.
The gift is as naught in comparison with the service rendered. I am
proceeding to the North to-morrow on business with Earl Percy, and
shall not return for some weeks. When we meet next, I pray you, let
there be no word of thanks concerning this affair, for I consider
myself still greatly your debtor. You will find an agent of mine at
your castle. He has been there some time, has made the acquaintance of
all the vassals and others, and will introduce you to them as their
lord. He has my instructions either to remain there to manage your
affairs for six months, or for any less time you may choose. But
methinks you will do well to keep him for that time, as he is a good
man of business, and you will need such an one until you have mastered
all the details, and can take matters entirely in your own hands._'
"So you see, father, we shall be free to start to-morrow. Sir Ralph,
Lady De Courcy, and Mistress Aline will ride with us, and I trust that
you will come also. We shall first go to Cliffe, which will be on our
road, and, indeed, I believe that for some distance Albert's lands join
mine. Then we shall go on to my castle--it sounds absurd, doesn't it,
father?--and doubtless we shall be able to stay in Hoo, or if not, 'tis
but two or three miles to Stroud, where we are sure to find good
lodging."
"I should like to ride with you, Edgar, but it is years since I have
bestridden a horse."
"We shall ride but slowly, father, for Dame De Courcy loves not for her
palfrey to go beyond a walk. If you like you could bestride Hal
Carter's horse, which is a strong and steady animal, and he can walk
alongside, so as to be ready to catch the rein if it be needed. He will
be very glad to go, for the honest fellow is in the highest delight at
the news of my good fortune."
"I think that I could do that, Edgar, yet I will not go by Cliffe, but
straight to Hoo. I can then travel as I like, and shall not have to
join in talk with Dame De Courcy nor the others, nor feel that my bad
horsemanship makes me a jest."
"Very well, father, perhaps that would be the pleasantest way for you."
"If I get there before you, Edgar, I shall stop at a tavern in the main
street of Hoo. There is sure to be one there; and will rest until you
come along. If Hal Carter learns that you have passed through before my
arrival, I will come straight on to the castle."
Accordingly, early the next morning, Mr. Ormskirk started with Hal, and
Edgar, after seeing them fairly on their way, rode over to the De
Courcys'. All were in readiness for the start.
"Is not Mr. Ormskirk coming with us?" Dame De Courcy asked. "Recluse
though he is, I thought he would surely tear himself from his books on
such an occasion."
"He has done so, dame, and is already on the road to Hoo, under the
charge of Hal Carter. 'Tis so many years since he has bestridden a
horse that he said that he should be ill at ease riding with such a
party, and that he would therefore go on quietly, with Hal walking
beside him, and would join us when we came to Hoo."
They mounted at once. Dame De Courcy rode on a pillion behind Sir
Ralph. Aline bestrode--for side-saddles had not yet come into use--her
own pony. Two retainers followed, one leading a sumpter horse, with two
panniers well filled with provisions and wine, together with some
women's gear, in case the weather should turn bad, and a change be
required at the halting-place for the night. They started briskly, and
Edgar was glad that his father had gone on alone; the pace would have
sorely discomposed him. Alternately walking and going at a canter they
arrived in three hours at Cliffe.
"There is your castle, Albert!" Aline exclaimed. "It seems well-nigh,
if not quite, finished, and is strongly posted on that hill,
overlooking the whole country from Dartford to Sheerness. You will need
a chatelaine before long, brother mine."
Albert laughed, but coloured a little.
"Time enough to think of that, Aline."
"Nay, I am in earnest. Many are betrothed, if not married, long before
they attain your age."
"I may say the same to you, Aline. 'Tis the fashion now for girls to be
betrothed between twelve and fourteen. I have been wandering about and
fighting and have had no time to think of love-making."
Aline shrugged her shoulders. "You had better ask Sir Ralph and my
mother for their views about me, Albert. It is not for a maid to make
her own marriage, but a valiant knight like yourself can manage your
own affairs, Methought perhaps that you would have to tell us that the
Fleming's fair daughter was to assist you in the management of the
castle that her father has given you."
"Joanna Van Voorden!" Albert exclaimed, indignantly, while Edgar burst
into laughter; "why, she is well-nigh as big as her mother already, and
promises to be far bigger. Thank you, Aline; if the castle and estate
had been offered me on the condition that I married her, I would have
had none of them."
"Well, sir, shall I make another guess?" Aline asked, mischievously.
"No, no, Aline," Albert said, hastily. "No more guessing, if you
please."
They had by this time approached the castle. "Look, father!" Aline
exclaimed, clapping her hands; "they must have been on the watch for
us. See! they are raising a flag on that staff on the turret, and see,
there are your arms blazoned on it."
"'Tis a goodly castle for its size," the knight said, as he drew rein
and turned his horse so that his dame might get a better view of it.
"There is a dry moat, which is lined with stonework. The walls are not
very high, but they are well defended by those flanking towers, and the
place could stand any sudden assault. I should say that it was about
the same strength as our own. So far as I can see, the other
arrangements are quite different. There is no keep, and it seems to me
that the house is built rather for comfort than for defence; the
windows are large, and it looks more like a Flemish house built within
a castle wall than an English place of strength. Now let us ride on,"
and they pressed their horses forward. The gates were thrown open when
they approached within a hundred yards; the drawbridge over the moat
had been already lowered.
"Ride you first, Albert," Sir Ralph said; "you are lord of the place."
As they came to the head of the drawbridge, a middle-aged man of grave
aspect, dressed in the garb of a citizen, appeared at the gate, and six
men-at-arms, in steel caps and body armour, armed with pike and sword,
drew up behind him.
The man bowed deeply to Albert. "Welcome to Cliffe Castle, sir knight,"
he said. "I am Nicholas Hocht, and have, by the orders of my master,
Mynheer Van Voorden, been here for the last year to superintend the
building of this castle, and in carrying out his other commands
respecting it, with further orders to remain here, should you desire
it, for the further space of six months as your steward. I received a
message from him yesterday, saying that possibly you would be here
to-day, and I must, therefore, have everything in readiness for you.
The warning was somewhat short, but I have done my best, and I trust
that you will pardon any shortcomings."
"I am much beholden to you, Master Hocht," Albert said. "You have done
well, indeed, for a fairer castle and one better placed no one could
desire."
The men-at-arms saluted as he rode on. Entering the gate, they were
able to see the house itself. It was, as Sir Ralph had said, rather a
Flemish house than a knightly castle; the lower range of windows were
small and heavily barred, but above there were large casements, pointed
roofs, and projecting gables. It had an air of comfort and brightness.
On the top of the broad steps leading to the great door were four
retainers, all similarly attired in doublets of russet cloth and orange
hose. As soon as the party alighted they ascended the steps, led by the
steward. When they entered the great hall a general exclamation of
surprise broke from them.
They had expected to see bare walls and every sign of the place having
only just left the builders' hands; instead of this everything was
complete, the massive oak beams and panels of the ceilings were
varnished, the walls were wainscoted, the oak floor highly polished;
Eastern rugs lay here and there upon it, carved benches ran along the
sides, and a large banqueting table stood in the centre; rich curtains
hung by the window, and a huge fire was piled on the hearth.
"Why, this is a work of enchantment, Master Hocht," Dame Agatha said.
"I have had but little to do with it, lady," the steward replied. "The
woodwork was all made in London, to my master's orders, and I had but
to superintend its being placed in position."
He led them from room to room, their surprise and delight continually
increasing; all were furnished richly in the Flemish style with
cabinets, tables, settees, and armoires. There were hangings to the
windows and rugs on the floors; everything was ready for habitation,
the linen presses were full of table-cloths and napkins and sheets. The
beds were ready for sleeping in, with their great bags of soft
feathers, their thick blankets and silken coverlets. These more than
anything else excited the dame's admiration. Never had she seen beds
approaching these in softness and daintiness.
"With the exception of the furniture in the hall," Master Hocht
explained, "everything has come direct from Flanders, having been
selected by Mynheer Van Voorden himself, and sent by sea to Gravesend."
After having inspected the whole of the house they returned to the
hall. Here the table had been spread. A silver skewer, to act as a
fork, an article then unknown in England, was placed before each, and
an admirable repast was served, the steward himself officiating as
carver, while the four servitors carried the platters, which were of
fine Flemish ware, to the guests. Albert had begged his father to take
the head of the table, but the latter refused positively. He sat on one
side of his son and his dame on the other. Fish of several kinds,
meats, and poultry were served. All cut up their meat with their
daggers, and carried it to their mouths on the point of the skewer.
Albert and Edgar had learned the use of them in Flanders. Lady Agatha
and Aline said that they were charming, but Sir Ralph declared that he
greatly preferred using his fingers. After the meal was concluded,
water was brought round in a silver bowl, with a damask napkin for them
to wipe their fingers on.
"The wine is excellent," Sir Ralph said. "You can scarcely have
purchased this at Cliffe or Gravesend."
"It is from the cellar, Sir Ralph, which is well stocked with the wines
of France and Spain."
"Truly, Albert," Dame Agatha said, "this is not a castle; it is a
veritable enchanted palace. Mynheer Van Voorden is like one of the good
genii the Saracens believe in, who can, at will, summon up from the
ground a vast palace, ready built and furnished. I trust that it will
not at once vanish as soon as we leave it. Were it to do so I should
scarcely be more surprised than I have been at its splendour and
comfort."
"Do you tarry here to-night, Sir Albert?" the steward asked, as they
rose from the table.
"No, we are going to take horse at once and ride to Hoo."
"Will you take the men-at-arms with you? They have horses in the
stables."
"Not to-day," Albert said. "We are a family party, and travelling
quietly."
As they rode into the street of Hoo, Mr. Ormskirk came out of a tavern,
where he had been resting. After greeting the ladies and Sir Ralph, he
said, "I had begun to think that you must have changed your minds, and
that you were not coming hither to-day. I expected you three hours ago."
"We have been viewing the marvels of an enchanted castle, Mr.
Ormskirk," Dame Agatha said. "We will not tell you about them, for
doubtless you will see others like them here, and it would be a pity
for me to prepare you for what you are to see."
The castle was indeed in all respects an almost exact duplicate to that
of Cliffe. They were received as before by the Flemish steward. There
were the same number of men-at-arms and servitors, and the fittings and
furnishings were as perfect as those of Cliffe. After going over it,
Edgar drew Sir Ralph aside.
"Sir Ralph," he said, "the castle, perfect as it is, still lacks one
thing--a mistress. I have long hoped that the time would some day come
that I should ask you for the hand of Mistress Aline, but though I have
been fortunate, and have won rank and some distinction, I was but a
landless knight, and in no position to ask for your daughter's hand.
That obstacle has now been removed, and I pray you to give her to me. I
love her very truly. My thoughts have never wandered for a moment from
her, and I trust that I shall be able to make her happy. Unless the
banner of England is hoisted I shall go no more to the wars."
"I am in no way surprised at your request, Edgar," the knight said;
"and, indeed, for the past two years my dame and I have talked this
over, and hoped that it might be. I have during the past year had more
than one request for her hand, but have refused them, for her mother
told me she believed that Aline's fancy has long inclined towards you."
He called Dame Agatha to join him, and on hearing Edgar's request, she
heartily concurred with the knight.
"Nothing could please us better," she said. "We have long regarded you
almost as our son, and we need have no fear that Aline will thwart our
wishes and yours. Have you spoken to your father?"
"I spoke to him last night, lady, and told him what my hopes have long
been, and that Van Voorden's noble gift now rendered it possible for me
to speak; that it might be some time before it could be more than a
betrothal, since, although I had rank and land, I was still without
money to enable me to make the castle comfortable for her abode. Now
that, owing to the Fleming's generosity, this difficulty is also
removed, I hope that you will not think it necessary that our marriage
should be delayed."
"I see no reason at all," Sir Ralph said. "Here is everything ready for
her, and no noble in England could offer so comfortable a home to his
bride. The castle lacks a mistress, and the sooner it has one the
better. Therefore, you can take her as soon as her mother can get her
ready."
They now joined Albert, Aline, and Mr. Ormskirk, who had mounted to the
top of one of the turrets and were admiring the view.
"'Tis a fair home," Sir Ralph said.
"It is indeed, father."
"What say you to becoming its mistress, daughter? Sir Edgar has asked
for your hand, and has gained mine and your mother's hearty consent.
What say you?"
The girl coloured up to her forehead as her father spoke. "I am ready
to obey your orders, father," she said, in a low tone, "the more so as
my heart goes wholly with them."
"Take her, Edgar. 'Tis not often that a young knight gains castle, and
land, and bride in twenty-four hours. May your good luck continue all
your life."
"You have robbed me of my chatelaine, Edgar," Albert said, after the
first congratulations were over. "Aline had half promised to come and
keep house for me for the present."
"You must follow Edgar's example," Sir Ralph said. "Who is it to be,
lad?"
"I had intended to speak to you shortly, father, but as you ask me I
will do so at once. I have seen no one whom I could love so well as
Mistress Ursula, daughter of Sir Robert Gaiton, and methinks that I am
not indifferent to her."
"She is a fair maid," Sir Ralph said, "and her father is a right good
fellow, though but a city knight. Still, others of higher rank than
yourself have married in the city, and as Sir Robert has no other
children, and is said to be one of the wealthiest of the London
citizens, she will doubtless come to you better dowered than will
Aline, for, as Edgar knows, my estates bring me in scarcely enough to
keep up my castle and to lay by sufficient to place my retainers in the
field should the king call on me for service. So be it then, my son. As
we have settled to sleep here to-night, it will be to-morrow afternoon
before we get home. The next day I will ride with you to London, and
will ask Sir Robert for his daughter's hand for you."
Not the least happy of the party at the castle was Hal Carter. He
passed the afternoon in walking, sometimes round the walls, sometimes
going out and making a circuit of the moat, or walking away short
distances to obtain views of the castle from various points. The news
that his master and Aline De Courcy would shortly be married raised his
delight to the highest pitch, for it pointed to an early occupation of
the castle. The thought that he, Hal Carter, was to be the captain of
the men-at-arms in a castle like this seemed to him a huge joke. It was
but two years before that he had been hunted as a rioter, and would
have been executed if caught. That so famous a leader as Sir Hugh
Calverley should have praised him greatly, and that he was now to have
men under his command, seemed to him as wonderful a thing as that his
master, whom he had known as a young boy, should stand high in the
king's favour, and should be lord of a castle and a wide estate.
"Of course, father," Edgar said, as early the next morning he took a
turn upon the battlements with him, "you will leave St. Alwyth and come
here?"
"I don't think that I could do that, Edgar," Mr. Ormskirk said,
doubtfully.
"You will find it very lonely there, father; and, of course, we can fit
you up a laboratory here, and you can go on just the same way as you
did at home."
"I do not see that I shall be more lonely than I have been for the last
two years, Edgar, and, indeed, as you know, even when you were at home
I lived very much my own life, and only saw you at meals and for an
hour or so of an evening; therefore, your being established here will
make but little difference in my life, and, indeed, whenever I feel
lonely I can ride over here for a day or two. I thank you all the same,
Edgar; but, at any rate, for the present I will continue to live at St.
Alwyth. I have the good prior, who often comes in for a talk with me in
the evening, and makes me heartily welcome should I, as I do sometimes,
go to the monastery for an hour after sunset. Sir Ralph never passes my
door on his way down to Dartford without dismounting and coming in. I
am happy in my own life, and as long as I have health and strength
shall hope to continue it. Should my interest in my work flag, or when
I feel that I am getting too old for useful work, which will, I trust,
be not for many years yet, I will then gladly come and end my days
here."
So the matter was left for the time, and although Edgar more than once
tried to shake his father's determination, and Aline added her
persuasions to his, he failed to alter Mr. Ormskirk's resolution. Sir
Ralph and Albert returned from London after staying there for a few
days. Sir Robert Gaiton had consented willingly to his daughter's
marriage with Albert, and had announced his intention of giving her a
dowry greater than that which most nobles could have bestowed on a
daughter. The king had expressed very great satisfaction at hearing of
the gift Master Van Voorden had bestowed on the young knights, and took
great interest in their approaching marriages.
"They will then have enough land for a knight banneret's feu," he said;
"that pleases me much. I should, on the report of Sir Hugh Calverley,
have appointed them to that rank, but at present there are no estates
in my gift, and I waited till some might fall in before I appointed
them. Now, however, there is no further need for delay, and I will
order the patent appointing them to be made out at once, for they can
now, if called upon for service, take the field with the proper
following of their rank. Has Sir Edgar adopted any cognizance? Of
course your son will take yours."
"I don't think that he has ever so much as thought of it, sire."
"I will talk it over with my heralds," the king said, "and see if we
can fix upon something appropriate, and that is not carried by any
noble or knight. When will the weddings be?"
"In two months' time, sire. Sir Robert Gaiton and his dame asked for
that time. My son will, of course, be married in London, and will be
wed in St. Paul's, I have not yet thought about my daughter's marriage,
but it will doubtless be at the chapel in the castle."
"'Tis a pity that they could not be married together here, Sir Ralph."
"I believe that my daughter's tastes and those of Sir Edgar would
incline to a quiet wedding, with just our neighbours and friends, and
doubtless Albert's would also lie that way; but in this matter Sir
Robert must, of course, carry out the arrangements as he wishes; and as
an alderman and like to be lord mayor in two years he would wish to
make a brave show on the occasion."
Before the time for the weddings approached came the news that things
had gone badly in Flanders. At the approach of the French army a
council was held among the leaders, and it was agreed that the allied
army could not fight with any hope of success against it. Accordingly,
the men of Ghent retired to their own city, and the English marched
with great haste to the coast and shut themselves up in Bruckburg,
while the bishop himself galloped as far as Bergues. Bruckburg
surrendered on the arrival of the French army, all the English being
permitted to embark with the great spoil that had been taken. Sir Hugh
Calverley, whose advice throughout had been always disregarded, had
ridden to Gravelines with his small body of men-at-arms and thence took
ship to England. The bishop, on his arrival home, was, with the knights
who had been his councillors, very badly received; for it was held that
by their conduct and ignorance of affairs, and by the manner in which
they had behaved in Flanders, they had brought great discredit upon
England.
Sir Hugh Calverley, on the other hand, was received with honour, it
being well known that all that had been done had been contrary to his
advice, and that had this been followed the event would have turned out
very differently. The people at large, however, considered that the
blame for the ill ending of the expedition was due entirely to the
delay on the part of the Duke of Lancaster in crossing over with the
army under him. It was known that he had been altogether opposed to the
expedition, which had prevented the one he desired from sailing to
Spain, and that he was minded to bring ruin upon it by delaying, under
many false pretences, from crossing to France. He had been extremely
unpopular before, but this added very greatly to the ill-feeling with
which he was regarded.
But, in truth, the bishop's expedition failed from its own weakness. In
no case could an army so collected and led have effected any great
thing; but the headstrong folly and arrogance of the bishop, and his
unprovoked attack upon the Flemings, precipitated matters, and the
scornful neglect of all the counsel tendered by the veteran knight who
accompanied the expedition, rendered it a shameful disaster.
The marriage of Sir Edgar with Aline was celebrated a fortnight before
that of the bride's brother. The ceremony took place at the castle of
the De Courcys, and was attended only by neighbours and friends, and by
Sir Robert Gaiton, who rode down from town and presented the bride with
a superb casket of jewels.
On the following day Sir Edgar with his wife rode to his castle at Hoo,
where for the first time his banner, with the cognizance chosen by the
king, a very simple one, being a sword with the words "_For King and
Honour_," was hoisted at their approach, while the banneret denoting
Edgar's new rank flew from another tower. The number of the men-at-arms
had been increased to ten, and great was Hal Carter's pride as he took
his place in front of them and saluted as Sir Edgar rode in. Ten days
later they started for London to attend Albert's wedding; which was
celebrated with much pomp in St. Paul's, the king himself and most of
the nobles of the Court being present.
Neither of the two young knights ever rode to the wars again, for in
King Richard's time the royal banner was never again raised in France;
and yet they were not without a share of fighting. Many depredations
were committed along the coasts and at the mouths of rivers by French
freebooters and lawless people, and the castles of Hoo and Cliffe were
well placed for preventing such incursions by men landing anywhere in
the Hundred, either from the Medway or the Thames. There was no fear of
such marauders sailing up the Medway past Hoo, for Upnor Castle barred
the way, and indeed Rochester was too large a place, defended as it was
by its castle, to be attacked by such pirates, but below Hoo a landing
could be effected anywhere, and boats with a few hands on board could
row up the creeks in the marshes, pounce upon a quiet hamlet, carry off
anything of value, and set the place on fire.
Such incursions had been carried far up the Thames and great damage
done, but as the ships of Fowey and other places were equally busy
damaging French commerce and ravaging their sea-coast, no complaints
could be made to France even during the very brief period when there
was a truce between the two countries. Not only from across the Channel
did these marauders come, but from the islands of Friesland and
Zeeland, where the inhabitants--hardy sailors to a man--were lawless
and uncontrolled. After having suffered several times from these
pirates, and been moved by the constant complaints of their tenants,
Edgar and Albert went up to town and laid the matter before the king
and council, pointing out that these attacks were becoming more
frequent and general all along the coast, and praying that measures
might be adopted for putting a stop to them.
"But what do you propose should be done, sir knights?" the king asked.
"I would suggest, your Majesty, that either a few fast ships should be
placed at various points, such as the mouth of the Medway, Harwich,
Dover, Hastings, and Southampton, that might keep a watch for these
pirates, or else that some of your vassals round the coast should be
appointed to keep forces of some strength always under arms, just as
the Percys are at all times in readiness to repel the incursions of the
Scots; but should you and the council think this too weighty a plan, we
would pray you to order better protection for the Thames. It was but
the other day some pirates burnt six ships in Dartford Creek, and if
they carry on these ravages unpunished, they may grow bolder and will
be sailing higher still, and may cause an enormous loss to your
merchants by setting fire to the vessels at the wharves, or to those
anchored out in the stream."
"The matter would be serious, assuredly," the king said, "and would
cause so great a trouble to the citizens of London that it would be
well that some means should be taken to prevent it. I will talk the
matter over with the council, sir knights, and will let you know in an
hour's time whether we can do aught in the matter."
When the young knights returned, the king said:
"There is a royal manor at Bromley at present vacant; 'tis of the value
of fifty-six pounds a year. This we will hand over to you jointly, upon
your undertaking to keep thirty men-at-arms fully equipped and ready
for service, each of you; and also that each of you shall maintain, at
the spots which may seem to you the most advisable, a galley with oars,
in which you can put out and attack these pirates."
Edgar begged permission to consult with his friend.
"You see, Albert, we have already each of us ten men-at-arms, and the
revenue of the manor should well-nigh, if not quite, pay the expenses
of the others. As to the galleys, we could keep them in the little
creek between Cliffe and Graves-end. It would give us employment, and
should we ever be called upon to take the field, the sixty men-at-arms
will make a good beginning for the force we should gather."
Albert assented, and, returning, they informed the council that they
were ready to undertake the charge of keeping thirty men-at-arms each,
always in readiness for service, and for fighting the pirates by land
or water. Returning home, preparations were speedily made, and the men
enrolled and drilled. A watch-tower was raised on an eminence that was
visible from both castles, and a look-out place also erected at the
mouth of the Medway. This was some sixty feet high. A great cresset was
placed at the summit ready for firing, and an arrangement made with the
tenants, on whose land it stood, that a man should be on watch night
and day. His duty would be to keep a vigilant eye on the river, and to
light the beacon if any suspicious vessels were seen coming up. The
smoke by day or the fire at night could be seen at both castles, and by
a pre-arranged system signals could then be exchanged between Edgar and
Albert by means of the watch-tower on the hill.
Albert had two large and fast galleys constructed, for his wife's dowry
enabled him to spend money more freely than Edgar. They had a good many
encounters with the freebooters. Two or three times strong parties that
had landed from ships were attacked by the garrisons of both castles,
joined by the tenantry near, and were driven to the boats with heavy
loss.
Once the beacon from the mouth of the Medway signalled that three ships
had entered the mouth of that river. Edgar signalled to Cliffe, and
when at ten o'clock the French landed just below Hoo, thinking to make
an easy capture of the village, and, perhaps, even to carry the castle
by surprise, they were allowed to ascend the hill undisturbed, and were
then attacked by the sixty men-at-arms, led by the two knights,
together with a number of villagers and countrymen armed with bows and
bills. Although superior in numbers the French were driven down the
hill with great slaughter. Only a few succeeded in regaining their
ships; but the tide had not yet turned, and there was little wind.
Boats were obtained at Upnor, the vessels boarded, and all on board put
to the sword.
Three or four sharp engagements also took place between the galleys and
the pirates ascending the Thames, and at various times rich prizes that
the pirates had taken higher up the river were recovered from them; so
that in time the depredations greatly abated, and the city of London
presented the two knights with costly swords and a vote of thanks for
the great services they had rendered to the city, and to those trading
with it.
They were both too happy in their homes to care to go often to Court,
but they viewed with pain the increasing unpopularity of the king,
brought about by his reckless extravagance, his life of pleasure, and
the manner in which he allowed himself to be dominated by unworthy
favourites. Van Voorden, who had permanently settled in England, often
came down with his wife and daughter to stay for a few days with them,
and declared that he had never laid out money so well as that which had
established two such happy households. The last few years of Mr.
Ormskirk's life were spent at Hoo, where he still dabbled a little in
his former occupation, but never succeeded in finding the elixir he had
laboured so long to discover. On the departure of the Flemish steward,
Hal Carter was appointed to the post, with the understanding that if
his lord should ever ride to battle, he was to revert to the command of
the men-at-arms. Hal was ignorant of figures, but he had a young
assistant given him to manage this part of the work, and his honesty,
his acquaintance with farming, and his devotion to his master, made up
for any deficiency on that score. Both knights sent contingents under
their sons to fight at Agincourt, and were only prevented from taking
the field themselves by the entreaties of their wives and daughters,
and by the thought that it would be as well to give their sons the
opportunity of distinguishing themselves, as they themselves had done,
in their early youth.
THE END.