St. George for England: A Tale of Cressy and Poitiers

by G. A. Henty

  CHAPTER VI.

  THE MELEE.

  "You have won your prize stoutly and well, sir 'prentice," the kingsaid. "I should not have deemed it possible that one of your age couldhave smitten such a blow, and right glad should I be of a few hundredlads of your mettle to follow me against the French. What is yourcalling?"

  "I am an armorer, my liege," Walter answered.

  "An you are as good at mending armor as you are at marring it," the kingsaid, "you will be a rare craftsman one of these days. 'Tis a rare pityso promising a swordsman should be lost to our army. Wouldst like tochange your calling, boy, and take to that of arms?"

  "It is my hope to do so, sir," Walter answered modestly, "and his gracethe Prince of Wales has already promised me that I shall some day ridebehind him to the wars."

  "Ah! Edward," the king ejaculated, "how is this? Have you been alreadyenlisting a troop for the wars?"

  "No, sir," the young prince replied, "but one day, now some four yearssince, when I was riding with my Lord Talbot and others in the fieldsnear the Tower, I did see this lad lead his play-fellows to the assaultof an earthen castle held by others, and he fought so well and gallantlythat assuredly no knight could have done better, until he was at laststricken senseless, and when he recovered I told him that should hechoose to be a man-at-arms I would enlist him in my following to thewars."

  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 ofLondon furnishes me is ever one of the best in my army. We shall see thelad at work again to-morrow and will then talk more of it. Now let usbestow 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 bestSpanish steel, which was the prize given by the city to the victor. Theking 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 ledoff by the marshal. After this many of the young nobles of the courtjousted on horseback, ran at the ring, and performed other feats ofknightly exercise to the great pleasure of the multitude. The marshal onleading Walter away said to him, "You will be captain of the city bandto-morrow, and I must therefore tell you what the king purports. He hasprepared a surprise for the citizens, and the present show will bedifferent to anything ever before seen in London. Both to show themsomewhat of the sieges which are taking place on the borders of Franceand the Low Countries, in which Sir Walter Manny and many other gallantknights have so greatly distinguished themselves, and as an exercise forthe young nobles he has determined that there shall be a castle erected.It will be built of wood, with battlements and towers, with a moatoutside. As soon as the lists are over a large number of workmen willcommence its erection; the pieces are all sawn and prepared. There willbe machines, ladders, and other appliances. The ten champions on eitherside will fight as knights; you will have a hundred apprentices asmen-at-arms, and the court party will have an equal number of youngesquires. You, as winner of to-day's tourney, will have the choice ofdefense or attack. I should advise you to take the defense, since it iseasier and requires less knowledge of war, and many of the other partyhave accompanied their fathers and masters in the field and have seenreal sieges carried out."

  "Can you show me a plan of the castle," Walter said, "if it be notcontrary to the rules, in order that I may think over to-night the planof fighting to-morrow?"

  "Here it is," the marshal said. "You see the walls are two hundred feetlong and twelve feet in height, with a tower at the end and one over thegateway in the center six feet high. There is a drawbridge defended byan 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 besupposed to be full, and must be crossed on planks or bridges. Two smalltowers on wheels will be provided, which may be run up to the edge ofthe 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 puttogether in the king's court-yard, and the pieces are all numbered. Twohundred carpenters will labor all night at it, besides a party oflaborers for the digging of the moat. It will be a rare show, and willdelight both the citizens and the ladies of the court, for such a thinghas never before been attempted. But the king grudges not the expensewhich it will cost him, seeing that spectacles of this kind do much toarouse the warlike spirit of the people. Here is a list of the variousimplements which will be provided, only it is understood that themangonels and arblasts will not be provided with missiles, seeing thatmany 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 toldoff to serve them. Cross-bows and arrows will be used, but the weaponswill be blunted. You will see that there are ladders, planks for makingbridges, long hooks for hauling men down from the wall, beams forbattering down the gate, axes for cutting down the palisades, and allother weapons. The ten who will serve under you as knights have alreadybeen nominated, and the city will furnish them with full armor. For theothers, the apprentices of each ward will choose sufficientrepresentatives to make up the hundred who will fight as men-at-arms;these will wear steel caps and breast-pieces, with leather jerkins, andvizors to protect their faces, for even a blunted arrow or a woodenquarrel 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 thespectacle which the king had prepared for the amusement of the citizenson the morrow.

  "In faith," Geoffrey said, "the idea is a good one, and promises raresport, but it will be rough, and we may expect many broken limbs, for itwill be no joke to be thrown down with a ladder from a wall even twelvefeet 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 theplan."

  "And which do you mean to take, Walter, the attack or the defense?Methinks the king has erred somewhat in making the forces equal, forassuredly the besiegers should outnumber the besieged by fully three toone to give them a fair chance of success."

  "I shall take the assault," Walter answered; "there is more to be donethat way than in the defense. When we get home, Geoffrey, we will lookat the plans, and see what may be the best manner of assault."

  Upon examining the plan that evening they found that the wall wascontinued at an angle at either end for a distance of some twenty feetback so as to give a postern gate behind each of the corner towersthrough which a sortie might be made. Geoffrey and Walter talked thematter over, and together contrived a plan of operation for thefollowing day.

  "You will have one great advantage," Geoffrey said. "The apprentices areall accustomed to the use of the bow, while the young nobles will knowbut little of that weapon; therefore your shooting will be farstraighter and truer, and even a blunt-headed arrow drawn from theshoulder will hit so smart a blow that those on the wall will havedifficulty in withstanding them."

  After the talk was ended Walter again crossed London Bridge, and madehis way to Ludgate, where he found his late antagonist, whose head hadbeen plastered up and was little the worse for the conflict.

  "There is no ill-will between us, I hope," Walter said, holding out hishand.

  "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 thinkthat your muscles were made of steel. I thought that I could hit a gooddownright blow, seeing that I have been hammering at the anvil for thelast seven years; but strike as I would I could not beat down yourguard, while mine went down as if it had been a feather before yours. Iknew, directly that I had struck the first blow, and felt
how firm wasyour defense, that it was all up with me, knowing that in point of skillI had no chance whatever with you."

  "I am glad to see that you bear no malice, Ralph," Walter said, "andhope that we shall be great friends henceforth, that is, if you willtake 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 youabout 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 nothingelse. The news was published at the end of the sports. It will be rarefun, surely."

  "It will be pretty rough fun," Walter replied; "and I should not be muchsurprised 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 neednot fear to hazard our lives. But now as to to-morrow. I, as the winnerto-day, am to be the leader of the party, and you, as second, will ofcourse be captain under me. Now I want to explain to you exactly what Ipropose to do, and to arrange with you as to your share in thebusiness."

  The young smith listened attentively to Walter's explanation, and, whenhe had done, exclaimed admiringly: "Why, Walter, you seem to be made fora general. How did it all come to you, lad? I should never have thoughtof such a scheme."

  "I talked it over with my master," Walter said, "and the idea is his asmuch as mine. I wonder if it will do?"

  "It is sure to do," the smith said enthusiastically. "The castle is asgood as taken."

  The next day all London poured out to the scene of the sports, and thegreatest admiration and wonder were expressed at the castle, which hadrisen, as if by magic, in the night. It was built at one end of thelists, which had been purposely placed in a hollow, so that a greatnumber of people besides those in the pavilions could obtain a view fromthe surrounding slopes. The castle was substantially built of heavytimber painted gray, and looked at a little distance as if constructedof stone. A flag floated from the central tower, and the building lookedso formidable that the general opinion was freely expressed that thetask of the assailants, whoever they might be--for at present this wasunknown--was quite impossible. At ten o'clock the king and his courtarrived. After they had taken their places the two bands, headed bytheir leaders, advanced from the lower end of the lists, and drew up infront of the royal pavilion. The leaders took their places in front.Behind them stood the ten chosen followers, all of whom, as well astheir chiefs, were incased in full armor. Behind, on one side, were onehundred apprentices, on the other, one hundred esquires, all attired asmen-at-arms. The court party were led by Clarence Aylmer, son of theEarl 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 chieflyof young men nearly out of their term the difference was not great.Walter's armor was a suit which the armorer had constructed a yearpreviously for a young knight who had died before the armor could bedelivered. Walter had wondered more than once why Geoffrey did notendeavor to sell it elsewhere, for although not so decorated and inlaidas many of the suits of Milan armor, it was constructed of the fineststeel, 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 himto wear it instead of that lent by the city.

  "But I fear it will get injured," Walter had urged. "I shall not sparemyself, you know, Geoffrey, and the blows will be hard ones."

  "The more need for good armor, Walter. These city suits are made forshow rather than use. You may be sure that young Pembroke and his bandwill fight their hardest rather than suffer defeat at the hands ofthose whom they consider as a band of city varlets."

  Before issuing from the tent where he and his companions had put ontheir mail, Walter carefully fastened in the front of his helmet a tinygold bracelet. Upon taking their places before the pavilion the kingordered the two leaders to advance, and addressed them and the multitudein the following words:

  "Brave leaders, and you, my people, I have contrived the pastime to-daythat I may show you on a mimic scale the deeds which my brave soldiersare called upon to perform in France. It is more specially suited forthe combatants of to-day, since one party have had but small opportunityof acquiring skill on horseback. Moreover, I wish to teach the lessonthat fighting on foot is as honorable as fighting on horseback, for ithas now been proved, and sometimes to our cost, in Scotland, thatfootmen can repulse even the bravest chivalry. To-day each party willfight his best. Remember that, even in the heat of conflict, mattersmust not be carried to an extreme. Those cut off from their friends willbe accounted prisoners, as will those who, being overpowered, throw downtheir arms. Any wounded on either side will not be accounted asprisoners, but may retire with honor from the field. You," he said,looking at Walter, "as the conqueror of yesterday, have the choice ofeither the attack or defense; but I should advise you to take thelatter, seeing that it is easier to defend a fortress than to assaultit. Many of your opponents have already gained credit in real warfare,while you and your following are new to it. Therefore, in order to placethe defense on fair terms with the assault, I have ordered that bothsides shall be equal in numbers."

  "If your liege will permit me," Walter said, bowing, "I would fain takethe assault. Methinks that, with my following, I could do better thusthan in defense."

  The king looked somewhat displeased.

  "As you will," he said coldly; "but I fear that this will somewhat marthe effect of the spectacle, seeing that you will have no chancewhatever against an equal force, more accustomed to war than your party,and occupying so superior a position. However," he went on, seeing thatWalter 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 thetourney 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 choicethat was to be made among them by the apprentice lad; and they thoughtthat he would be sorely puzzled at such a duty. Walter, however, did nothesitate an instant. He ran his eye over the crowd of ladies in theroyal gallery, and soon saw the object of his search.

  "Since I have your majesty's permission," he said, "I choose, as queenof the tournament, Mistress Edith Vernon."

  There was a movement of surprise and a general smile. Perhaps to all whothought that they had a chance of being chosen the selection was arelief, as none could be jealous of the pretty child, who, at the king'sorder, made her way forward to the front, and took her seat in a chairplaced between the king and queen. The girl colored brightly; but shehad heard so much of tourneys and jousts that she knew what was herduty. She had been sitting far back on the previous day, and theapprentice, when brought up before the king, was too far below for herto see his features. She now recognized him.

  "Sir knights," she said in a loud, clear, childish voice, "you will bothdo 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 ofyou 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 todeeds 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 ladknows your name, and how is it that he wears your gage, for I know thatthe 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 Itold him he should be my true knight, and gave him my bracelet, whichyou see he wears in his helm."

  "I recall somewhat of the story," the king said, "and will question myLady Vernon further anon; but see, the combatants are filing off totheir places."

  With flags flying and trumpets blowing young Pembroke led his forcesinto the castle. Each of his ten knights was followed by
an esquirebearing his banner, and each had ten men-at-arms under his immediateorder. Two of them, with twenty men, remained in the outwork beyond thedrawbridge. The rest took their station on the walls and towers, where aplatform had been erected running along three feet below thebattlements. The real men-at-arms with the machines of war now advanced,and for a time worked the machines, which made pretense at casting greatstones 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 behot work for the defenders were the shafts but pointed! Even as it isthe knocks must be no child's play, for the arrows, although notpointed, are all tipped with iron, without which, indeed, straightshooting 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 notreckon sufficiently upon the superiority of shooting of the London lads,and, indeed, I know not that I ought not in fairness to order some ofthe defenders off the walls, seeing that in warfare their numbers wouldbe rapidly thinned. See, the assailants are moving up the two towersunder shelter of the fire of the archers."

  By this time Aylmer, seeing that his followers could make no effectualreply to the arrow fire, had ordered all, save the leaders in fullarmor, to lie down behind the parapet. The assailants now gatheredthickly round each tower, as if they intended to attempt to cross by thebridges, which could be let down from an opening in the tower level withthe top of the wall, while archers upon the summit shot fast and thickamong the defenders who were gathering to oppose them.

  "If the young Pembroke is wise," the king said, "he will make a strongsally 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 thecenter. The instant they arrived they fell to work with axes upon thepalisades. Many were struck down by the blows dealt them by thedefenders, but others caught up the axes and in less than a minuteseveral of the palisades were cut down and the assailants poured in. Thedefenders fought gallantly, but they were overpowered by numbers. Somewere struck down, others taken prisoners by main force, and the restdriven 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 thearmor was stout, and the arms that wielded the weapons had not yetattained their full strength. Several were knocked off the bridge intothe moat, and these were, by the rules, obliged at once to retire andtake no further part in the contest. Walter and Ralph the smith foughtin 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 theheavy fire of arrows kept up by the apprentices along the side of themoat, and finding all his efforts to regain the earthwork useless,Pembroke withdrew his forces into the castle, and in spite of theefforts of the besiegers managed to close the gates in their faces. Theassailants, however, succeeded in severing the chains of the drawbridgebefore it could be raised.

  From the tower above, the defenders now hurled over great stones, whichhad been specially placed there for the purpose of destroying thedrawbridge should the earthwork be carried. The boards were soonsplintered, and the drawbridge was pronounced by the Earl of Talbot, whowas acting as judge, to be destroyed. The excitement of the spectatorswas worked up to a great pitch while the conflict was going on, and thecitizens cheered lustily at the success of the apprentices.

  "That was gallantly done," the king said to Queen Philippa, "and theleader of the assailants is a lad of rare mettle. Not a captain of myarmy, no, not Sir Walter Manny himself, could have done it morecleverly. You see, by placing his forces at the ends of the wall he drewall the garrison thither to withstand the assaults from them, and thusby his sudden movement he was able to carry the outwork before theycould recover from their surprise and come down to its aid. I am curiousto know what he will do next. What thinkst thou, Edward?" he asked hisson, who was standing by his side.

  "He will win the day," the young prince said; "and in faith, althoughthe others are my comrades, I should be glad to see it. He will make agallant knight, sir, one of these days, and remember he is engaged tofollow my banner, so you must not steal him from me. See, my liege, theyare taking planks and ladders to the outwork."

  "They are doing wrongly, then," the king said, "for even should theybridge the moat where the drawbridge is, they cannot scale the wallthere, since the tower defends it, and the ladders are but long enoughto reach the lower wall. No, their leader has changed his mind: they aretaking the planks along the edge of the moat toward the tower on theleft, and will aid the assault by its bridge by a passage of the moatthere."

  It seemed, indeed, that this was the plan. While some of the assailantskept up the arrow fire on the wall others mounted the tower, while aparty prepared to throw a bridge of planks across the moat. The bridgefrom the tower was now lowered; but a shout of triumph rose from thedefenders when it was seen that by some mistake of the carpenters thiswas too short, and when lowered did not reach within six feet of thewall.

  "All the better," the king said, while the prince gave an angryexclamation. "Accidents of this kind will happen, and give anopportunity to a leader to show his resources. Doubtless he will carryplanks up to the tower and so connect the bridge and the wall."

  This, indeed, was what the assailants tried to do, while a party threwplanks across the moat, and rushing over placed ladders against the walland strove to climb. They strove in vain, however. The ladders werethrown down as fast as they were placed, while the defenders, thicklyclustered on the walls, drove back those who tried to cross from thetower.

  "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, andrunning down the edge of the moat fell upon the stormers. These,however, received them with great steadiness, and while some continuedto attack the rest turned upon the garrison, and, headed by Ralph thesmith, drove them gradually back.

  "They fight well and steadily," the king said. "One would have thoughtthat 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 toresist long the pressure of the apprentices, who drove them back step bystep to the sally-port, and pressing them hard endeavored to force theirway in at their heels.