A Clerk of Oxford, and His Adventures in the Barons' War

by Evelyn Everett-Green

  CHAPTER III.

  _OLD OXFORD._

  With glowing cheeks and beating hearts, Leofric Wyvill and Jack Dugdalebeheld the walls of Oxford towering above them in the clear morningsunlight.

  For many long hours during the previous night had the four travellerssat over their camp fire, listening and telling of the life of themediaeval University city. Already Leofric and Jack felt a thrill ofpride in the thought that they were to be numbered amongst its sons;already they had wellnigh made up their minds that they would set uptogether in some nook or turret in the city walls, make a sort of eyrythere for themselves, and live frugally upon the small sum of money theypossessed, until they were able to earn something towards their ownmaintenance, or could borrow from one of the "chests" provided for thebenefit of poor students.

  Hugh had carried his point, and Leofric's purse now held a few goldpieces as well as his own small store of silver. By the exercise ofeconomy the two friends would be able to live in modest comfort for aconsiderable time, and Leofric, at least, hoped before long to earnmoney by his penmanship and talent in illuminating parchments.

  PLAN OF OXFORD

  SHOWING THE POSITION OF

  THE ANCIENT HALLS, etc.,

  ACCORDING TO WOOD.

  _12th and 13th Centuries._]

  They knew by this time where their new comrades lived. Gilbert had alodging with an honest citizen of the name of Seaton, who kept a shophard by Carfax, and sold provisions of all sorts to clerks and others.He was one of the burgher class, who contrived to keep on good termsboth with the scholars and his fellow-citizens, and in the frequentcollisions between "town and gown"--to borrow the modern phrase--hestood good-humouredly aloof, and would not take sides in any dispute.

  Hugh lived in one of the many Halls which had sprung up within the citywalls. These were not collegiate institutions, but were merely places ofabode, hired perhaps by a number of clerks collectively, perhaps by somemaster, who received inmates as boarders. They lived in these houses,and took their meals there--everything being of the roughest andsimplest description--and attended lectures in the different schoolsaccording to their own fancy. Some of the richer students enlisted theservices of a tutor; but many lived a free and lawless existence,learning almost nothing, frequenting lecture just for the fashion of thething, but making no progress in scholarship, and spending the best partof the day in amusement or fighting.

  In the schools attached to the religious houses there was more order,more comfort, and more decency of life than in these self-constitutedHalls; but amongst such clerks as had no leaning towards the religiouslife there was a strong feeling of preference for simply secular abodes;and there were difficulties between the monks and the Universityauthorities with reference to the course in Arts which held back manyfrom attaching themselves to the monastic schools.

  All this Leofric and Jack had been told with more or less of detail, andalready Leofric was resolved against settling himself upon Osney Island,in the Domus Dei there. He would present his letter to the Abbot, butnot until he had made a nook for himself somewhere else. Gilbertdeclared that he knew of a little turret in the city wall, not far fromSmith Gate, in which two students had lived for a considerable time. Ifit were empty, they could take possession of it, and by the expenditureof a little money and ingenuity could transform it into quite arespectable living-chamber for themselves. Many a poor clerk hadinhabited a chamber of that sort before, and Jack and Leofric secretlythought that they should prefer the quiet life on the wall to the noiseand confusion which plainly too often reigned in the various Halls.

  "We will go in by Smith Gate, and see if the turret be empty," saidGilbert; "if so, these lads can take possession forthwith, and we willshow them where they can provide themselves with such things as beneedful for them."

  They were nearing the city by now. Already there had spread beyond thewalls a certain number of Halls and other buildings. The Church of St.Mary Magdalene and the colony of the Austin Friars were without the wallon the northern side, and a few Halls had sprung up along HorsemongerStreet, as it was then called, which was on the north side of the cityditch, where Broad Street now runs.

  The Austin Friars were only just beginning to appear in Oxford; but theBlack, White, and Grey Friars had already obtained a footing in thecity. As the travellers approached the gate, they saw the cowled figuresflitting about, some with black habits over their long whiteunder-dress, some with a simple gown of grey or brown, bound with a cordat the waist. These latter, who all (save the old and infirm) wentbarefoot, were the Franciscans or Minorites--the Grey Friars of whom thelads had heard; and they regarded them with curiosity and veneration,believing them to be full of sanctity and virtue.

  Out through the gate, just as the youths approached it, came a couple ofMasters in their gowns and hoods. Leofric and Jack scanned themcuriously, and eagerly inquired of their companions who they were.

  "Nay, I know not the names of all the Masters in the city," answeredHugh, laughing; "there be too many for that. Belike they have beenlecturing in School Street this forenoon, and are going back to theirHalls. Some of these same Masters will like enough come and invite youtwain to attend their lectures; but give not too ready an answer to thefirst who asks. Rather visit several and pick out those who please youmost. It is oft the poorest and least learned who are most eager forlisteners, the better sort having always their lecture-rooms full."

  And now they were actually within the city precincts. Smith Gate beingso close to School Street, the eager eyes of the two new-comers wereimmediately gratified by the sight of many hurrying figures of clerksand Bachelors and Masters, some going this way and some the other,talking earnestly together, disputing with some warmth and eloquence, orsinging snatches of songs, like boys released from school.

  It was not easy for unaccustomed eyes to distinguish the rank of thevarious passers-by; for academic dress was still in its infancy, andthere were few, if any, statutory rules respecting it. The habit of theclerk was very much what he wore at home, and the black cappa ofBachelor or Master was often the same, though Masters were beginning towear the square, tufted cap, and had the right to the miniver hood ofthe nobles and beneficed ecclesiastics. The scarlet gown of the Doctorhad just come into use, but was at present seldom seen, as many wereunable to purchase so costly a robe. The most common garment for everyperson in the University was the "tabard" with the girdle, and thesetabards might be either red, black, or green; but black was thecommonest colour, as being the most serviceable in daily wear.

  Fain would the lads have lingered to watch the shifting throng of clerksand their preceptors, as they streamed out from the lecture-rooms forthe mid-day meal; but Hugh and Gilbert laughed at their eager curiosity,and drew them along to the left down Hammer Hall Lane, pausing suddenlyupon reaching a small turret in the wall, which once had been open tothe street, but was now closed in by a few mouldering boards.

  "Good!" cried Gilbert, as he pulled aside one of the boards; "the placehas not been taken. Now look well at it, you two, and see if you thinkyou can make shift to live here till a better place offers."

  Pushing their way within the circular recess, the lads saw that a rudestairway led up to some sort of chamber overhead. Mounting the ricketysteps with care--for they had become loose and rotten--they foundthemselves in a small and not unpleasing little chamber, lighted byseveral long, narrow loopholes, and roofed in securely from the weatheroverhead.

  The flooring was rather decayed, and there was a mouldering smellpervading the place; but its former occupants had done various things torender habitation possible. A fireplace and chimney had been contrivedin one corner, and some rude shutters had been affixed to keep out thecold air at night, or in inclement weather. A rickety shelf that wouldserve as a table still hung drooping from its nail. Plainly the placehad been lived in before, and might well be again. Leofric and Jacklooked round it, and smiled at one another.

  "We could live here like princes, if there be nothing to hinder,"
saidthe latter. "Can we come and fix our abode here without making paymentto any one?"

  "Marry yes, since nobody uses the place. There be many such nooks alongthe walls, and poor clerks have settled themselves there again andagain, no man saying them nay. In times of war they might post archersor marksmen at these loopholes; but short of a siege, I trow none willdisturb you. And from without ye can climb easily upon the wall, andenjoy the air and watch what goes on beneath. Also there be the FishPonds just below, and I warrant ye will catch many a good supper fromthence when ye be in need of a good meal."

  Jack laughed, for he had no small skill as a fisherman; but just now hewas all agog to see Oxford and settle into these new quarters.

  "Had I but a few tools and some boards, I would fix us up bench andtable, mend the stairs and the floor, and make the place as comfortableas heart could wish," he cried.

  "And I would gather rushes for the floor, and wood for the fire, and weshould feast right royally on the last of the provisions we laid up forthe way," added Leofric.

  "Then come away to Carfax, where ye can lay in such stores as ye need,"cried Gilbert. "I will take you to honest Master Seaton, where I havealways lodged. He will tell you where to go for all ye need, and theright price to pay: for there be dealers in the city who seek to mulctclerks and scholars, and charge them more than the fair price for goods;and the Chancellor, and even his Majesty the King, have had tointerpose."

  "What is Carfax?" asked Leofric, as, after depositing their goodscarefully in the turret, they replaced the boards and sallied forth oncemore.

  "Why, the meeting of the four great streets of the town--Quatrevois somefolks call it--where High Street, Great Bayly Street, Fish Street, andNorth Gate Street all meet. St. Martin's Church is there with its greatbell, and whenever there be strife 'twixt citizens and clerks, thatbell booms out to gather the citizens together; whilst ourrallying-point is St. Mary's, whose bell rings to warn us that they arerising against us. At other times Carfax is the chief mart of the city,and the bull-ring stands in the centre. But come, and thou shalt see forthyself; and good Master Seaton will give us all some dinner, I trow."

  Gilbert led the way, and the rest followed him willingly. The streetshad thinned considerably, the noontide hour having driven in clerks andmasters alike to their dinner. Gilbert strode down Cat Street, andpointed out to his comrades several Halls situated there, and sounds oflaughter and loud talking and jesting broke upon the ears of thepassers-by, plainly indicating the proximity of considerable numbers ofinhabitants.

  "That was the Hall where I lived last," observed Hugh, as he pointed toa house, somewhat better than the rest, on the left-hand side as theywalked down Cat Street. "Corbett's Hall it was then called; and theMaster was an excellent man. I heard he was about to go elsewhere;probably I shall find a new head by now. But I will not pause there now;I will wait till the fetcher has brought in my goods and chattels. Iwill come with you to Carfax, and pay my respects to good Master Seatonfirst."

  So on went the four, the pair who had never before seen a town gazingwith wonder at the quaint-timbered houses on either side the street,whose projecting upper floors seemed almost to meet overhead. There wasno footpath or paving of any sort; the roadway was but a track, deep inmud in winter, and in dust in summer. St. Mark's Church at the corner,where they turned into High Street, brought Leofric to a standstill, forsuch edifices were new to him; but his companions laughed and hurriedhim on, telling him he could drink his fill of churches in Oxford anyday he chose, but that Master Seaton's dinner would not wait for hisleisure.

  On they went along this wider thoroughfare, not pausing to examineanything in detail, but taking in the general effect of a populatedcity, which was immensely wonderful to the two lads from the country,till Gilbert pointed to a tall tower standing out against the sunny sky,and said,--

  "Yon is St. Martin's Church, and this is Carfax."

  It was, as he had said before, just a meeting of the ways, but such asight as it presented Leofric and Jack had never dreamed of. The openplace seemed full of people: there were stalls on which merchandise ofall sorts was being vended; loud-voiced salesmen were crying theirwares, or chaffering over bargains with customers. There were shops,with signs swinging over them, that displayed a better sort of ware; andlads of all ages, from thirteen upwards, in the tabard of clerks, werestrolling about, buying or examining goods, or exchanging a rough sortof banter with the townsmen. A few Masters or Bachelors would be seenthreading their way through the crowd, but they did not often linger tospeak to any; it was the clerks who seemed to have all the leisure, andsome of these were playing games or throwing dice, whilst others lookedon, encouraging or jibing the players.

  "Heed not that rabble rout," said Gilbert, forcing his way towards arather fine-timbered house at the corner, where Fish and High Streetsjoined; "come to Master Seaton's house, and let us hear all the news."

  Gilbert led the way into a shop, where he was greeted somewhatboisterously by a merry-looking youth behind the counter. He nodded areply, and pushed open a door which gave access to a steep and narrowstaircase, and after ascending this he opened another door, andinstantly a number of voices were raised in welcome and greeting.

  Gilbert and Hugh pushed into the room from whence these sounds issued,whilst Leofric and Jack stood together just on the threshold, gazingabout them with curious eyes.

  They saw before them a quaint, pleasant room, rush-strewn, and plainlyfurnished with table and benches, in which a party of six was gathered,seated round the board, which was hospitably spread with solid viands.

  The master of the house was easily distinguished by his air of authorityand his general appearance. His wife was a comely dame, ruddy of faceand kindly of aspect. On either side of her sat a pretty maiden, one ofsixteen, another of fourteen summers; and the good-looking, strappingyouth, who was now greeting Gilbert and Hugh right eagerly, was veryplainly the son of the house. An apprentice looked on wide-eyed andsilent at the apparition of four strangers; yet it was plain thatneither Gilbert nor Hugh were so regarded in the Seaton household.

  Not only were they joyfully received themselves, but their two comradesquickly shared in the hospitable welcome. They were placed at the table,their trenchers were heaped with good food, and the story of theencounter in the forest was eagerly listened to by all.

  "There be many poor rogues who have taken to the forest in these timesof scarcity," said Hal Seaton, the son. "The harvests have been bad, andprices have been raised; and the idle and prodigal have had much ado tokeep body and soul together. Sometimes they take to theft and pillage,and then flee to the forest for safety; and some go thither in the hopeof killing a fine buck unseen by the huntsmen, or to rob unwarytravellers, especially those that be coming with full purses to pursuetheir studies here."

  "Ay, and there be some that think there will be fighting ere long 'twixthis Majesty the King and the Barons," added Seaton himself gravely."Heaven send such a thing come not to pass! It is ill work when brothertakes up arms against brother, and city against city."

  The youths would willingly have asked more of the state of parties atthis stirring season, but just now personal matters were of morepressing importance. So they left politics for another time, and toldabout the turret hard by Smith Gate, where Leofric and Jack were aboutto ensconce themselves; and Hal begged a half-holiday from his duties inthe shop, that he might take his tools, and some odds and ends of plankslying about in the workshop behind, and help the lads to settlethemselves in.

  This was willingly accorded, and Master Seaton and his wife both showedgreat kindness to the would-be clerks. The former unearthed from hisstores some strong sacking fashioned into huge bags, that, stuffed withstraw or dead leaves, did excellently for bedding; and the latter put upin a basket a liberal supply of food from her well-stocked larder, forher motherly heart went out towards the two lonely lads, coming tosettle in a strange city, knowing nothing of the life before them.Leofric's blue eyes and gentle manners won her
affections from thefirst, and no one could help liking honest Jack, who was so merry and sofull of hope and courage.

  Laden with a number of useful odds and ends, the little party made theirway back to the turret chamber; and soon the sound of hammer, chisel,and saw spoke of rapid advance in the necessary work.

  Leofric crossed the river again to gather dead leaves and bracken forbedding, wood for firing, and rushes for the floor. By the time he hadcollected and brought in sufficient stores, the work overhead hadrapidly progressed, and he uttered an exclamation of delightedastonishment as he beheld the result of the afternoons toil.

  The stairs and flooring were mended, rudely, to be sure, but strongly.Something like a fastening had been contrived to the lower entrance, sothat they could use the basement of the turret as a storehouse for woodand other odds and ends. Up above, the little chamber began to lookquite comfortable. The holes in the masonry had been filled up withmortar or patched by boards. The window shutters had been mended, andcould now be used for keeping out inclement wind. One of the loopholeshad actually been glazed by Hal's deft fingers, and he promised to keephis eyes open for any chance of picking up some more glass, so that theothers might be served in the same way. To be sure, the glass of thosedays was none too translucent, and save in very cold weather, it waspleasanter to have the loopholes open to the light of day; but if heavyrain or bitter cold should drive the occupants to close their shutters,it was certainly advantageous if one or two of the narrow slits could beglazed, so that they would not be left in total darkness.

  The shelf table against the wall had been mended, and two stools of asuitable height contrived. When the fire was lighted on the hearth, andthe smoke had been coaxed to make its way up the chimney, the place worea really cosy and home-like aspect, which was greatly enhanced after thefloor was strewn with rushes, and the two mattresses stuffed and laidside by side in a little recess. The spare habits of the boys were hungagainst the wall on pegs, and their few worldly possessions laid inorder upon the shelf which had been fixed up to receive them.

  "I vow," cried Hugh, as he looked around him, "that I would almostsooner have such a lodging as this than spend my days in a Hall. Therebe Halls where fires are scarce known save in the coldest weather, andwhere the rushes lie on the floor till they rot, and become charged withso much filth that the stench drives the luckless clerks out into thestreets. It hath not been so where I have lodged, 'tis true; but therebe Halls wherein I would not set foot for the noisome state they arein."

  Leofric and Jack were charmed with their quarters, and when their guestshad bid them good-bye, and they had fastened themselves in for thenight, they looked at each other with a sense of triumph and joy. Herethey were, established as a pair of clerks in a lodging of their own inOxford, where none was likely to molest them. They had money in theirpurses enough to last them a considerable time. They had made kindfriends who would help them through the difficulties and perplexities oftheir first days; and surely before long they would find themselves athome in this strange city, and would enter into its busy life (of whichthey had caught glimpses to-day) with the zeal and energy of truestudents.

  As they sat at their table, partaking with good appetite, thoughfrugally, of the provisions left from the journey, seasoned by some ofMistress Seaton's dainties, they spoke together of their plans for themorrow.

  "Methinks I should go to Osney, and present my letter. But I shall haveno need to ask for shelter in the Domus Dei, seeing how well we besheltered here."

  "And I would fain see something of the good Grey Friars, of whom so muchgood is spoken in the town," answered Jack; "and we must seek out suchMasters as we would learn from, and find out what fee we must pay toattend their lectures. It is not much, methinks, that each clerk gives,but we must be careful how we part with our money, for we may not findit easy to put silver in our purse when our store has melted away."

  "I shall ask the Abbot of Osney if he will give me vellum or parchmentto illuminate, for I have some skill that way," said Leofric; "I used tohelp the monks of St. Michael. I might e'en do the same here; and,perchance, I might teach thee too, good Jack."

  Jack looked at his rough, red hands, and shook his head.

  "I can make shift to read and write, but I never could do such work asthat," he answered. "I will fish in the ponds, and snare rabbits in thewoods, and make bread of mystelton for us to eat. My care shall be thelarder, and thou shalt have leisure for work if thou canst get it. Sowill we live right royally in our nook, and learn all that Oxford canteach us!"