Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651

by William Harrison Ainsworth

  CHAPTER VII.

  HOW COLONEL LEGGE BROUGHT IMPORTANT NEWS TO THE KING, AND HOW HISMAJESTY PAID A VISIT TO SEVERN END.

  Careless was able to execute the king's commands much more quicklythan he expected. Encountering a small party of dragoons near Malvern,he ordered them to scour the lower part of the hill, while he himselfre-ascended the heights. The Roundheads, however, had made good theirretreat. They had hidden their horses, it appeared, in a deep chasm, onthe hill-side, and after their unsuccessful attempt, had descended intothe plain, where they were lost among the woods.

  A singular discovery was made by Careless. On visiting the rock,on which the commandant had fallen, he found the spot stained withblood, but the body was gone. By whom had it been removed? Not by theRoundheads--that was certain. In all probability Colonel James had notbeen mortally wounded, as was at first supposed, but had recoveredsufficient strength to crawl off. The search made for him provedineffectual, and Careless was obliged to return to Madresfield Courtwithout having effected a single capture. The king having by this timerecovered his good-humour, laughed at his aide-de-camp's ill success.

  "Oddsfish!" he exclaimed. "I had nearly lost my crown by that foolishascent of the Worcestershire Beacon--rather too high a price to pay fora fine view."

  His majesty was alone, Colonel Lane and those with him having proceededto Worcester.

  Next morn, Charles arose betimes, broke his fast lightly, and had justmounted his charger with the intention of setting off to Worcester,when his departure was stayed by the arrival of Colonel Legge, one ofhis most gallant and trusted officers, and familiarly called by hismajesty "Honest Will."

  Colonel Legge brought very important news. He had been with areconnoitering party to Evesham, and had captured a couple of Roundheadscouts, from whom he had obtained information respecting the enemy'smovements. Cromwell was approaching with a large army, having seventeenthousand horse and foot under his own command; while the regimentsof Lord Grey of Groby, Fleetwood, Ingoldsby, Lambert, and Harrison,together with the militia that had recently joined the Parliamentaryforces, swelled the amount to upwards of thirty thousand.

  "Nearly treble my force," exclaimed Charles. "But were they fortythousand I should not fear them."

  "'Tis well you are prepared, sire," remarked Legge.

  "Much has yet to be done," replied the king. "The passes of the Severnand the Teme must be looked to. Upton, Powick, and Bransford Bridgesmust be broken down. Haste thee to Worcester, Will. Summon a councilof war to meet me three hours hence. By that time I shall have visitedUpton and Powick, and perhaps Bransford. Is Massey at Upton?"

  "Massey's head-quarters are at Severn End, sire, the residence ofJudge Lechmere. The judge sides with the Parliament, but I suspecthe is a time-server, and will always support the party in power. Ifyour majesty is victorious, he will throw himself at your feet. SevernEnd is a fine place, and Massey seems to like his quarters. JudgeLechmere's nearest neighbour is loyal Tom Hornyold, whom you willassuredly see at Pitchcroft to-day."

  "Oddsfish! Judge Lechmere must be an astute fellow from thy account ofhim, Will," replied Charles, laughing. "I will go first to Severn End.Perchance I may see the judge. If so, I will have a word with him."

  "Fine him heavily, sire, or imprison him, if he will not join you,"said Legge.

  "Humph! I like not to have recourse to harsh measures," rejoinedCharles. "Still, an example ought to be made of such a man. Now, offwith thee to Worcester, Will. Say to all that thou hast left me in goodspirits."

  "I can say so with truth, my liege," replied Legge.

  Careless undertook to conduct his majesty to Severn End, being wellacquainted with Judge Lechmere's residence. Their course lay throughthe loveliest part of the chase, but Charles was too much preoccupiedto notice the beauties of the scene, and Careless did not ventureto disturb the profound reverie into which his royal master hadfallen, and which lasted till they came to the precincts of a large,well-timbered park, in the midst of which stood a fine old houseembosomed in a grove of rook-haunted trees.

  "Is this Severn End?" asked Charles.

  "No, my liege; this is Blackmore Park, the abode of your staunchadherent, Captain Thomas Hornyold."

  "And a charming place it is," observed the king; "I would all mystaunch adherents were as well housed!"

  After skirting the moss-grown park pales for a few minutes, they cameupon a long and stately avenue, down which a troop of horse was riding,with their leader at their head.

  "As I live that must be Tom Hornyold's troop!" cried Charles, halting,while Careless signed to the king's escort to stop.

  Seeing Careless ride towards him, and comprehending the aide-de-camp'sobject, Captain Hornyold put his troop into a trot, and presently drewup before the king.

  Tom Hornyold's manly bearing, open countenance, frank manner, andsteady look prepossessed the king in his favour.

  "I trust your majesty will pardon my inattention to your summonsyesterday," said Hornyold, after making an obeisance. "Here are fortygood men and true, who will fight well for you, and I have had barelytime to get them together."

  "Mistress Jane Lane explained all to me, Captain Hornyold," rejoinedCharles, graciously. "You did quite right, and I thank you heartily. Bymy faith, you have brought me some famous recruits."

  As he moved towards the troop, he was welcomed with a shout thatstartled the clamorous rooks overhead, and put to flight a herd of deerthat had been couching beneath the trees.

  Well pleased with the appearance of the recruits, many of whom wereremarkably fine-looking young men, and all well accoutred and extremelywell mounted, the king thus expressed his satisfaction:

  "Good men--good horses--good weapons, and strong arms to wieldthem--those you have brought me, Captain Hornyold, and I thank you oncemore. Gentlemen," he added to the troops, "I cannot tarry longer withyou now, though I fain would say something more, but I have much to do,as you are aware. I shall see you again at Pitchcroft. Au revoir!"

  Bowing graciously to Captain Hornyold, he then rode off, attended byCareless and followed by his escort.

  On quitting Blackmore Park, the king approached another equallywell-wooded domain, which he did not need to be told belonged to JudgeLechmere.

  It was, in sooth, Severn End, and their road towards the house ledthem for a short distance near the bank of the river. The groundscontained many noble trees, amongst which were several towering elmsand broad-armed oaks that delighted Charles, as did a remarkably fineservice-tree, which he pointed out to his attendant.

  As they drew near the picturesque old mansion, it was easy to perceivethat it was under military occupation--sentinels being placed at theentrance, while small parties of dragoons were gathered on the terrace,as if awaiting orders; and a troop of cavalry was drawn up on the lawn.A soldier was walking a powerful charger to and fro before the porch.

  Drums would have been beaten, and trumpets sounded, but the king wouldnot allow any announcement of his arrival to be made. Leaving hisescort at the extremity of the lawn, he rode up to the portal withCareless. He then dismounted and marched up the steps, merely returningthe salutes of the officers he encountered.

  Loud and angry tones were audible as he crossed the hall, and guidedhim to the room in which General Massey could be found. The door beingpartly open, Charles pushed it aside and entered a large chamber witha somewhat low roof, panelled with black oak, ornamented with severalfull-length portraits.

  This was the dining-room, and in the midst of it stood General Massey,booted and spurred, with his hat on, and his riding-whip in hand,evidently prepared to mount his charger.

  A fine, tall, broad-shouldered man was the general, and well becamehis rich accoutrements. His back being towards the door he did notnotice the king's entrance. Full of wrath, as we have intimated, he waspouring his fury on the head of a grave-looking personage in a blackvelvet gown, and having a black skull-cap on his head, who was standingcalmly before him.

  Perhaps this individual, wh
om Charles had no doubt was Judge Lechmere,recognised his majesty. If so, he gave no sign, but kept his keen greyeye steadily fixed on the irate general.

  "Hark ye, judge," thundered Massey. "'Tis you, and such as you,supporters of this rebellious Parliament, who ought to suffer most,and by Heaven you _shall_ suffer. You shall be forced to contributelargely to the expenses of the war you have compelled his majesty toundertake for the recovery of his throne. You are fined five thousandpounds."

  "By whom am I fined that large sum?" demanded Lechmere, in a calmtone. "Not by the king, I am well assured. He would not commit such aninjustice."

  "You are fined by me--that is sufficient. I have his majesty's warrantfor all I do."

  "Not his written warrant," said the judge.

  "I need it not," cried Massey. "What doth your Lord-General, as youstyle him? I do not desire to imitate his ruthless and robber-likeproceedings. I do not intend, like him, to plunder churches, hospitals,and private dwellings. I do not mean to break open chests and carry offgold by the sack, and plate by the cart-load, as he did at Worcester,after the first siege. But I will imitate him in one thing. I willpunish wealthy offenders like yourself by fines proportionate to theirmeans. You have amassed money, I know, and, though a lawyer, I hopehave come by it honestly. Had you been loyal you might have kept yourmoney. But since you are a rebel, and a favourer of rebels, you shalldisburse your gains for the king's use. You shall pay me the fivethousand pounds I demand."

  "And yet you affirm that you design not to plunder me," observed JudgeLechmere, still with perfect calmness. "What call you this but plunderon the greatest scale? Better strip my house of all it contains--bettercarry off my pictures and my plate--than fine me in a sum so large thatI cannot pay it. Again I say, I am certain the king would not allowthis demand to be made."

  "His majesty will approve of what I do," rejoined Massey. "But I willnot bandy words with you. You are now in my court, judge, and mydecision holds good here. I will have the sum I have named--no less.Two thousand pounds--the first instalment--must be paid before noon onThursday. That will give you two days to raise it. If you fail, I willhave you shot in your own court-yard. You hear! No excuses will avail.Till then you are a prisoner in your own house."

  "If I am a prisoner, how am I to raise the money, general?" asked thejudge.

  "That is your concern," rejoined Massey. "Have it I must--or you die!"

  As he turned to quit the room, he perceived Charles standing behind him.

  "Ah! sire," he exclaimed. "I did not know you were here."

  "Am I indeed in the king's presence?" exclaimed Judge Lechmere, withwell-feigned astonishment.

  "You are in the presence of the sovereign to whom your allegiance isdue, my lord judge," rejoined Charles, with dignity.

  "Whatever my feelings may be towards your majesty," said Lechmere, "Icannot consistently----"

  "You dare not declare yourself in my favour, eh, judge?" cried Charles."Well, I will give you till Thursday for reflection. Naturally, you areincluded in the general pardon I have published, and if you then returnto your allegiance, I shall be disposed to forget the past, and willremit the heavy fine imposed upon you by General Massey. Nay, I will domore; I will take you into my favour."

  "I thank your majesty for your goodness. I will perpend the matter."

  "Methinks it requires little consideration," observed Charles, somewhatsternly. "You have to choose between your lawful king and a usurper.You will best consult your own interests in serving me."

  "I am inclined to believe so, sire--nay, I am certain--yet give me tillThursday."

  "I have said it," rejoined Charles. "I now leave you in GeneralMassey's hands."

  With a grave bow to the judge, who had rushed forward as if to throwhimself at his majesty's feet, but stopped suddenly, he quitted theroom, followed by Massey.

  As he crossed the hall he laughed heartily.

  "Your judge will turn Royalist on Thursday, if nothing happensto-morrow," he said.

  On quitting Severn End, Charles accompanied General Massey to Upton.

  They rode through Hanley, where a stately pile belonging to the Earlsof Gloucester once stood, and where Massey's troops were now encamped.

  The general had with him a detachment of five hundred horse and aregiment of dragoons, and he assured the king that he felt confident ofpreventing the enemy's passage at Upton Bridge, come in what force hemight.

  Together they carefully examined the fine old bridge, which, like thebridges of Worcester and Powick, was somewhat narrow, but had deepangular recesses. It was strongly built of stone, and had severalarches.

  Charles advised its total destruction, but Massey was of opinion thatit would suffice to break down the central arch; and the king givinghis assent, a large body of men was at once set to work upon the task.

  After witnessing the commencement of the operations, Charles took leaveof Massey, urging him to be more than ever vigilant, as the safety ofthe army now depended on him, and rode on with his escort to Powick.

  The security of this important pass seemed to be guaranteed by thepresence of General Montgomery and Colonel Kirke, with two battalionsof foot and a regiment of horse, and Charles, with a mind very muchquieted, crossed the river to Worcester.