by Lorenzo, EH
The next morning John looked at his feet and they were greatly improved. The blisters were not so raw and open as they had been and his feet were not so swollen. The cloth that he had wrapped around them was worn out and so he cut off some more of his cloak and wrapped his feet.
Outside the shed, he found some more ointment and a loaf of bread wrapped in a cloth. He couldn't remember ever receiving a more kind gift. He smiled and held the items close to his chest in appreciation. Then he walked to the road and headed north.
For the next several days John relied on the goodness of strangers, peasants, who had little themselves, but were willing to share what they had. His feet improved with each application of the ointment until he was able again to wear his boots.
Eventually, John was in Cambridge. He was excited because he knew that Cambridge was only a few days walk to Stamford and home. Cambridge was a busy towne and the streets were full of people. The university played an important role in the towne and there were many students among the inhabitants of the towne. John was quite familiar with Cambridge, having been there many times as a student.
As John walked through the streets, he was brush aside by people of status. He was getting accustomed to treatment such as this and it bothered him less. He turned onto a street that had been very familiar to him as a student. When he turned the corner, he ran into a group of young college men.
'Oot of me way, peasant,' one of them shouted as he pushed John to the side. The shove caused John to tumble into one of the other students. That student pushed him again and John lost his footing and fell to one knee.
'Oy, luk at 'is boots, they 'ave been nibbled on by mice,' said one of the students.
The first student picked John up by pulling on his shirt. Looking him in the eye, the student said, 'Did the mice get your tongue also, can you nay speak?' Then he pushed John back to the ground.
The group of students lost interest and moved on leaving John to pick himself up. Standing to his feet, he watched the group walking away and he was surprised at his feelings. He wasn't angry with the students and he wasn't embarrassed. Instead, he felt sorrow for them. He felt sorrow for their immaturity and also sorrow that they would likely go through their lives treating others with contempt. He mostly felt sorrow for himself though, because he saw himself in the action of the lads.
John looked at the street and directly across was a public house that he had been in many times before. Peasants had been so good to him the last several days, but he longed for the hot meal of a public house. He walked across the street an looked into the window. 'If only me 'ad a few pence,' he thought, 'I culd go inseed and enjoy a 'ot meal.
His gaze was naturally drawn toward the fire and he focused on a man sitting near to the fireplace. He looked oddly familiar to John, but why? John watched the man for a few moments. It appeared that he had just finished his meal. John wished it were himself with a fully belly from a hot meal. He turned and walked on, still wondering who the stranger was.
John hadn't gone far before it occurred to him who the man near the fireplace was. He turned around abruptly and rushed back to the public house where he intended to confront the man. John pushed open the door swiftly just as the man from the inside pulled the door open. The unexpected ease of opening the door threw John off balance and he collided with the man that he was seeking, startling them both.
'You thief,' John asserted, grabbing the man by the throat and shaking him. ''ow did you get away?' The man struggled to speak, but John did not release his grip. 'I will see that the sheriff knows aboot you.' With that, John grabbed his arm and dragged him outside. The other man coughed and gasped for air and stumbled along as John pulled him. Finally, the man could speak.
'I am nay a thief! John, it is I, Richard! I did nay steal your pouch! John, I am Richard Easton of Easton-on-the-'ill!'
John stopped and released his grip and turned to face Richard. He studied Richard's face closely and when recognition set in, he grabbed Richard and held him close. 'Richard, me friend. Is it really you? 'ow did you comb to be in Cambridge?'
Richard looked at John's worn and cut boots, his tattered cloak and filthy clothing. He looked as much like a peasant as Richard had ever seen.
'John, whot 'as 'appened to you?'
'I was robbed and I lost me 'orse.'
'Comb inseed and let me buy you a hot meal,' insisted Richard.
Once inside, Richard related to John the circumstances of how he had tried to stop John from being robbed on the ship and how he had escaped after being mistaken for a thief. John told Richard of his fallen horse and that he had been robbed, and he told to him of his experiences in traveling with no money.
'ow is it then,' asked John 'that you 'ave muney to buy this meal?'
'I am a glazier, remember. I 'ave repaired a window or two when I 'ave need and I 'ave enuf for a room and for food.'
'I am grateful to you, Richard,' said John. ''ave you nay 'eard of the bat'le of Stamford?'
'Aye, I 'ave, boot I 'ave no other news. I am anxious to get 'ome.'
'Aye, I am worried for me wife, Agnes. You wuld like me wife, she is a strong woman.'
'Aye, as is me Margaret. If Agnes is strong, she will be fine,' Richard assured him.
'May I travel with you, Richard? I am nay of much 'elp. I can nay repair a window, or anything else, boot I can now walk fast.'
'Absolutely, you will travel with me. We are nay from 'ome now. I 'ave enuf muney to get us there and we will nay 'ave to sleep in barns,' said Richard with a slight smile.
The two men traveled the next three days together and renewed their friendship. It was late in the night when the two arrived at Easton-on-the-hill.
'I wuld 'ave you in to meet me Margaret,' said Richard, 'boot, the cot'age is dark and all must be asleep.'
'Aye, she wuld nay like to meet me tonight and I am anxious to get 'ome. I do nay wish to be away from Agnes one more moment.'
'Until we meet again, then,' replied Richard.
'Aye and it will nay be long,' John promised. 'I am glad that your parent's cot'age is fine. It appears that Easton-on-the-'ill escaped the bat'le's fury.'
'Aye and I 'ope the same is true of your 'ome,' offered Richard.
With that, the two friends parted company.
Chapter Twenty-two
1456
When John reached his home after leaving Richard he found the bridge across the mote drawn up. The house lay several hundred feet inside the safety ring of the moat. Gardens of shrubbery lay between the moat and the house.
'Oy, it is I, John,' he yelled and waited several minutes.
'Oy, let down the bridge. It is I, John.' After several more minutes waiting, John decided that the house was too far away and too large to allow his voice to carry inside. He resigned himself to spending one more night outside. There was a stand of bushes at the edge of the moat and not far to the right of the draw bridge. He thought that they would shelter him from the breeze, so he laid down amongst them and fell asleep.
As the sun rose a few hours later, John became aware of someone speaking.
'Oy, get oot of 'ere, you must leave.'
In his fatigue, John's mind was foggy and the words were not quite registering with him. Now he felt a stick poke him.
'Oy, get oot of 'ere before I call the dogs.'
Those words had become familiar to him over the last several days and he woke with a jolt and instinctively started rise and run as he had done before. Then he remembered where he was.
'Nay, it is I John. I 'ave returned.'
The servant stood back and eyed John carefully. He had never seen his master with a growth of whiskers and clothing so dirty and ragged.
'Who are you?' the servant demanded.
John stood and removed his hood. 'I tell you man, I am John Darby. I am master of this 'ouse.'
The servant quickly bowed his head in recognition. 'Forgive me sir. I did nay know that it was you.' If the servant expected a blow, it didn'
t come.
'Is Agnes well?' asked John.
'Aye, sir, she is well and she is worried for your safety.'
John hurried across the bridge and through the gardens to the house.
Agnes saw him approaching as she watched from a window, but did not recognize him. She called to a servant to bar the door, but as John neared, she saw that it was him and ran to greet him.
'John, you are 'ome,' she said as she ran into his arms. Despite his appearance and filth, she embraced him tightly. 'I am so glad that you are 'ome.'
'Aye, me luv. I am 'ome, 'ow are you? I 'eard of the bat'le and came 'ome as quickly as I culd.'
'We are fine, John, boot the All Saints' Church 'as been severely damaged.'
'Never mind the church for now, me luv. You and the servants are fine?'
'Aye, God 'as been our protector,' replied Agnes.
Agnes took John into the house and ordered a hot meal be prepared and water heated for a bath. As he ate his meal, he told her about his experience of trying to get home. He told her about the landowners that would not help him and of the peasants that did help. He particularly told her about a little, old woman who had so little, but shared so much.
'Agnes, tell me aboot the bat'le and 'ow the church received damage,' he requested after he had finished telling her about his travels. She related to him the battle as told to her from those who had been in Stamford and also as she had seen from the estate. 'Your fine new steeple still stands, boot there is much other damage,' she said concerning the church. 'Will you rebuild it?' she asked.
'Agnes, me luv. I do nay only wish to repair the church, boot I will build a 'ome for the elderly poor.'
Agnes looked at John in surprise. 'Who takes care of them if they 'ave no family?' John continued.
Agnes was indeed surprised. She had never known John to be concerned with common people. He had always considered it God's will that they occupied the station that they did in society. He had only considered them important if it met his needs to get wool to market, or to care for his property. She had long hoped for a softening of his heart. She knew that he was a good man, but he had seemed too occupied with his own wants to see the needs of others.
'You want to build an alms'ouse?' Agnes asked.
'Yes, me luv, an alms'ouse,' John replied with excitement. 'I can see it clairly in me mind. We will build it next to the All Saints' Church and we will ensure its endowment for years to comb.'
'John, I think that is a wonderful plan,' said Agnes and she hugged and kissed him. 'Boot, you do nay smell gud. Please, go and bathe,' she said with a smile.
'I must go and see the All Saints' Church,' John said urgently and he stood as though he would leave the house right then.
'You will nay until you 'ave bathed,' insisted Agnes.
'Yes, me luv,' said John and he kissed her on the forehead.
'John, there is sumething that I did nay tell you,' Agnes said in a serious tone.
'Whot is it, me luv?'
'It is the old priest of All Saints'. 'e is deed John,' replied Agnes in a somber tone.
'Deed? Whot 'appened to 'im?' asked John.
''e was killed during the bat'le. I am nay certain 'ow.'
John's eyes moistened and he said, 'That is so sad. I luved that man. 'e 'as been me priest all of me life.'
'I know, me luv. I am soory.'
'I did nay treat 'im as well as I shuld 'ave. I was cross with 'im regarding the capstone of the steeple.'
'I am sure that 'e knew that you luved 'im,' Agnes said reassuringly.
'Who is the priest now?' asked John.
'They 'ave nay named a priest yet, boot they 'ave assigned a very yung priest to oversee the rebuilding of the church. Rumor is that if 'e does well, 'e will be the new priest.'
''ave you met 'im?' asked John.
'Aye, 'e is very yung, boot 'e is very friendly and kind. I think that the people are starting to like 'im. sume say that 'e is too yung.'
______
James stepped over the rubble inside the All Saints' Church. He had been assigned to oversee the rebuilding of the church, but was having no success with funding. The Abbey was far to poor itself and the people of Stamford either didn't have money because of the war, or some said that Stamford already had plenty of churches and there was little reason to rebuild. He had also heard rumors that many thought that he was too young to undertake such a task and that even if he managed it and was assigned as the priest, he was too young for that also.
James knew that his one hope of rebuilding lay in John Darby. He knew that the Darby's loved the All Saints' Church and despite the fact that it was not the biggest or the most ornate, they seemed dedicated to it. He hoped that the commitment that they displayed in the building of the steeple would extend to the rebuilding of the church. He felt that it was a sign from God that the steeple still stood. Surely, God wanted the church rebuilt. Why else would the steeple stand pointing toward heaven? James hoped that perhaps John would agree to add a new and larger sanctuary.
James had already approached Agnes with the idea of the Darby's funding the rebuilding and she seemed interested.
'Gud dee priest.'
James looked up to see a well dressed gentleman who he didn't recognize, but beside him was Agnes Darby.
'Gud dee sir,' James replied and then said, smiling at Agnes, 'Gud dee me lady.'
'I am John Darby and am one of the parishioners of this church. I 'ave comb to see the damage for meself. Agnes tells me that you are James from Saint Leonard's Priory and 'ave been assigned to oversee its rebuilding.'
'Aye, I am James, a 'umble servant of God. I am from the priory with the commission as you 'ave stated.'
'Agnes also tells me that you 'ave nay 'ad success in securing the funds for the rebuild.'
'Aye, you are well informed sir, boot God will provide, in that I 'ave faith.'
'Faith does nay build churches,' observed John.
'Excuse me impertinence sir, boot faith is exactly whot builds churches,' retorted James gently.
John thought for a moment and realized that the priest was right.
'It is damaged sir, boot God left your fine new steeple,' offered James, attempting to break the awkward silence. He didn't wish to offend his potential benefactor, but he knew that his ultimate benefactor was God.
Looking up at the steeple, John replied 'Praise be to God.'
'Aye,' replied James and Agnes together.
John walked in silence amongst the rubble and observed that, while many of the timbers could be reused, the roof would need to be reconstructed entirely. The north wall was the only wall that had sustained significant damage, but the other walls would need to be studied carefully to ensure that they were sound. The glass of the north wall was gone, and the stress of the fallen roof had severely damaged the glass on the south wall and it would need to be replaced.
As John studied the damage, James stayed near Agnes. 'Do you suppose that 'e will consent to funding the rebuilding of the church?' asked James.
Agnes smiled at James and said, 'Oh, I suspect that 'e will, boot 'e may 'ave a bigger plans yet.'
'And whot may they be?' asked James.
'I can nay say, boot you can ask 'im.'
John returned and stated, 'We must rebuild this church. If you will oversee the construction, I will fund it entirely. God 'as been gud to me. Do you nay agree, Agnes?' Agnes smiled in agreement.
James smiled broadly and clasped his hands toward heaven. 'God be praised. Lord Darby, your name will surely be writ'en in 'eaven.'
'I 'ope you are right priest,' said John with a smile as he hugged Agnes. Agnes was very pleased.
'James, there is sumething else that I want you to do,' said John still looking at Agnes with a smile on his face. 'I 'ave determined to also build an alms 'ouse for the elderly just to the east of this church. I will 'ire a man to oversee both, boot 'e will answer to you.'
'An alms 'ouse Sir Darby!' replied James with surprise.
'You will be a blessing to many. God bless you.'
'Work will begin within the fortnight,' promised John.
'This is indeed wonderful news,' said James with excitement. 'I must tell the Prior right away.'
Turning to Agnes after they had left the church, John said to Agnes, 'I must take me leave and go to Easton-on-the-'ill to speak with Richard. Will you ride with me or shuld I fetch you 'ere lat'er?'
'It is a beau'iful dee, I will ride with you.'
Margaret was outside gathering eggs when she saw a gentleman and lady ride up on fine horses. It was unusual for anyone to be on the lane near the cottage since it was the last cottage before the road ended. It was even more unusual for a gentleman and a lady to come calling. She straightened her dress and ran her fingers through her hair and walked to the lane to greet them, but she waited to first be greeted by them.