The Dunston Blade

by John Daines

  John replied that he was not sure what would happen next until he had spoken to Sir Cedric. John tried to find Tania to introduce her to his family but he could not see her in the crowd, it was not until the evening that people began to disperse and John was able to take Jack and his family over to Sir Cedric and Tania. “Good to see you again Jack, I often think of that day when I came upon John by the woods and you and your wife looked after me so well, a great deal has happened since then. How is Dunston getting along now that de Brehalle has gone?”

  “Very well sir, we need someone in the Castle to govern us though as people soon slip back into bad habits,” answered Jack. Sir Cedric looked at John. “Perhaps we can rectify that soon, meanwhile Carac had better return to Dunston and make sure everything is as it should be.”

  Roger had been hovering on the edge of the group and John called him over.

  “This is a very good friend of mine sir,” he said to the Earl.

  “I know you, do I not. A de Brehalle, brother of the one John sent back to Calais and an enemy of the King.” “Not any more sir, now the Marshal of Stamford and a King’s man should I be needed.”

  Roger drew himself up as he said this.

  “And who is this young lady?” queried Sir Cedric.

  “My wife Laila,” answered Roger and there was a look from Joan. The Earl invited Jack and his family to return to the house with them and they left the Palace. That night John sat on his bed trying to remember all that had happened that day, his hand went to the little leather purse at his breast and took out the ring. Placing it on his finger he was surprised to find it fitted, he looked at the strange letters engraved on it.

  The next few days were like a holiday to John, with his family around him and Tania accompanying him, life was good.

  Roger and Laila were the first to leave after only a day as Roger’s position meant he was needed back in Stamford. John promised to visit when he could, this would be sooner than both of them thought.

  Jack left for Dunston soon after to tend to his business at the Smithy, John would be visiting Dunston Castle soon he thought, Carac and Gavin decided to accompany Jack which would offer them protection should they need it. John and Tania were then left alone, apart from her maid, while Sir Cedric went to and fro from the Palace. They were all seated at dinner one evening when Sir Cedric announced that they would leave for Wymondham the next day, it was time to get back to the normal running of his estates. As they left the London house the sky was filled with black forbidding clouds, they had not journeyed far when the rain began to fall and they were forced to shelter under trees in a small wood, the men at arms were used to roughing it but the ladies in the party grumbled as they tried to pull their cloaks tighter around themselves. The horses too had a hangdog look as they stamped on the earth and started to turn it into thick mud, a break in the clouds came and the party moved on. Several days journeying brought them in sight of Wymondham and as they entered the town it was noticeably quieter than usual, a few people were out going about their business but they hardly looked at the travellers as they rode through even though it was their lord.

  Sir Cedric told Gavin to go to the Mayor and ask for a report. The Castle came in sight and as they drew nearer they could see the drawbridge was raised.

  “Sound a horn,” said Sir Cedric. “I fear there is something wrong.”

  Carac sent a clear call on his horn and they saw the drawbridge lower and a rider came out of the Castle towards them, he rode up to Sir Cedric and spoke to him. The Earl turned towards them and ordered everyone to make haste to the Castle. When they had dismounted in the bailey Sir Cedric called John.

  “There are large bands of armed men roaming the countryside and the scouts report that there is a man trying to get them organised and form a small army and take the town. You must ride to Dunston with all speed and find out what is happening there. I can only spare you one hundred more men and take Carac as well, report the position there as soon as you can.”

  There was feverish activity as John organised his party while the rest were being gathered to protect the town, he only had a few moments to speak to Tania and then they were off.

  John approached Dunston with a little apprehension and was glad when he came out of the forest and could see the Castle, Carac sounded his horn again and John was surprised to see a drawbridge lowered.

  “Someone has been hard at work in our absence,” said John. “Do you know anything about this Carac?”

  “I left instructions when I left for London, it was to be a surprise for you,” replied the young Squire. John was even more amazed to find water in the moat.

  “We found the original spring that keeps it full,” explained Carac. They rode in over the bridge and halted in the Bailey, a troop of men at arms were lined up and as John dismounted the captain called out.

  “Three cheers for Sir John.” An embarrassed John smiled and acknowledged the welcome. Boorman was waiting by the main door and said to John.

  “ Welcome home sir, your rooms are ready,” and he led John to the rooms de Brehalle’s had occupied. They were large and well furnished and had double aspect windows looking out over the Bailey and the countryside. John sat in a chair and thought of the day, Boorman had said, ‘welcome home’ but was this home? The Castle had been taken in Sir Cedric’s name and was part of his lands, what was the future going to bring to John, he did not want to be an adventuring knight, that would mean no Tania, in fact little had really changed in his situation. During the following weeks John and Carac toured the tenant farms, mills and all the businesses that came under the jurisdiction of the Castle. Sir Cedric had confirmed the boundary marks of all the estates when he was in London and overall the Earl had gained considerable land. Everywhere they went they were told of the fear people had that they would be attacked by marauding groups of outlaws. John promised regular patrols and he sent out scouts to search for these groups but had no success to date. They had been back in the Castle for only two days when one of the scouts came in to report that a large body of men were gathering south of Saxlingham and there was definitely a leader who was organising them. John sent a courier to Sir Cedric with this news and asked for more men to protect the Castle and villages, he also started training the men for war.

  At the evening meal John spoke to Carac and his captains. “We must be ready to repel any attack on the Castle and organise skirmish parties to reduce the size of the rebel band. Strike and disappear, will be the order until we are ready to take them on in battle.”

  Carac nodded. “The Castle is ready and I know we can hold it with the minimum number of men, the moat is full and the walls repaired, we also have improved the archer slits as you suggested.”

  “From the reports I have,” said John, “they do not appear to be well organised and they have no heavy weapons, but I intend to have a look at them myself tonight.”

  Carac was not happy about that, however he agreed that if John was well protected it would be useful for him to see the opposition and judge their strength. That evening a group of men came from the town to volunteer as soldiers, several had weapons from past campaigns. As the darkness spread over the countryside, John and seven men rode out of the Castle towards Saxlingham. They stopped at a farm near to where the outlaws had been seen last. The farmer, one of John’s tenants, hid their horses in the barn, he told them where the outlaws were camped and John and his men started off in that direction. The camp fires were the first sign of the enemy and John crept stealthily forward. The outlaws were enjoying a supper of roast pig, stolen from the farms, and were relaxed and taking their ease. In the light from the fires John could see a man talking earnestly to half a dozen better dressed men, he was gesturing towards Saxlingham and sweeping his hand across his body. John suddenly started, he knew the man, it was Ralf de Brehalle. How had he returned to England and then here? John crept back to a safe distance and signalled his men to go back to the farm. Once mounted they rode quickly back to the C
astle. John found Carac and told him what they had found.

  “It’s obvious he wants to try and take the Castle back,” said John. “I did not see enough men for him to be able to do that but I am wondering who was he talking to.”

  Sir Cedric’s scouts came back to tell him that there was an increase in the outlaws and deserters congregating to the South west of the Castle and town. They told the Earl that there were approximately 200 in the main group. Sir Cedric called his captains together and decided to use his cavalry to disperse them and drive them south west if they could, the Kings army was mustering in that direction in preparation to march on Wales.

  With his normal garrison and the addition of volunteers from his tenants Sir Cedric mustered over 1000 men, a good 400 were cavalry. Leaving sufficient numbers to protect the Castle and town he decided to send 300 of his men at arms to Dunston. After several successful sorties against the outlaws they did break them up with most making for the South. The Earl kept patrols out around the town and countryside to keep the outlaws on the move, they did not appear to want to stand and fight.

  John was pacing the battlements when he noticed movement at the edge of the forest. Approaching towards the Castle he could see a column of men.

  “They are ours, I can see a standard and that is Sir Cedric at the head,” said an excited guard.

  John descended to the Bailey to welcome the troops who were crossing the drawbridge with the Earl riding Snow.

  “Thought I would come and see for myself how you are coping,” said Sir Cedric. They went inside to the hall and John explained his strategy. Sir Cedric listened and made comment.

  “I agree that it will the right thing to do to attack first while they are still organising themselves. I am surprised that Ralph is involved, I wonder who is behind him.”

  That night John moved out with 100 skirmishers and crept near to the outlaws camp.

  “Carac, take 50 men to the left and on my signal attack, kill as many as you can and withdraw quickly.”

  John waited, the clouds hid the light from the moon and all was still. The horn rang out and the night exploded into yelling and shouting. As John drew his sword he felt his ring hot on his finger, as he went forward his sword felt light in his hand and it seemed to have a life of its own as it lunged and sliced at the outlaws. As quickly as it had started the fighting finished and the skirmishers came together. As the group hurried back to the Castle Carac reported he had lost three men and John had two missing, their bodies were carried back. Once they were behind the Castle walls John called them all together and congratulated them on a job well done. They had succeeded in killing and injuring a good number of the outlaws.

  “Get some sleep now as I expect some action in the morning.”

  Joining Sir Cedric in the Hall John discussed the night’s activities.

  “They will not get caught like that again,” said the Earl. “It will keep them awake tomorrow night, if they are still here.”

  John retired to his bed and soon fell into a sound sleep.

  As the sun rose the following morning the troops were ready and John gave his orders. They were to march out towards the outlaws camp and form a three prong attack to sweep the enemy out of the woods. John made it clear that they must take prisoners especially any high ranking persons. The signal was given to move off with John at the Centre, Carac on the left flank and the guard captain taking the right. As they approached the woods a ragged line of men stumbled clear of the trees, some leaders trying to get them into some sort of order. John halted and called the archers to draw bows, the first flight decimated the front line of the outlaws, this caused more confusion. Five mounted men tried to gain control and John guessed one of these would be Ralph, he put his mounted men to the charge and tried to head off the five, who attempted to retreat into the trees. John’s charge brought them into contact quickly and he soon found himself facing Ralph yet again. The two men circled their horses and suddenly Hammer decided it was time to attack and jumped forward slamming into Ralph’s mount and unseating him. John, on Hammer, towered over the fallen man and shouted to him to yield. Ralph got up onto his feet and in a fit of anger rushed at John, Hammer neatly sidestepped and John slid from his back and drew his sword. The two men faced each other, Ralph full of anger carelessly rushed at John who parried the thrust and dealt a heavy blow to Ralph’s leg. He stood over the fallen man and again asked him to yield. Ralph dragged himself up onto his good leg and made a swipe at John but it missed and the momentum made him stagger into another man who quickly turned and drove his sword through Ralph’s side, piecing his heart. Before the man could withdraw his weapon John had his sword at his throat and the man yielded.

  “I thought he was one of your lot,” the outlaw exclaimed. John knelt by Ralph but as he removed his helm he breathed his last. John remounted Hammer and looked around to find that most of the fighting had ceased and his men were rounding up the outlaws. Carac had four men closely guarded and John rode over to find they were Frenchmen.

  “Take them back to the Castle and put them in the tower until we find out what they are doing here.”

  With the death of Ralph the conflict ceased, some outlaws faded away into the woods but most of those who had not been killed were rounded up and marched back to the Castle.

  The prisoners were crowded into the Bailey and John tried to pick out the leaders, those he sent to the dungeons. In fact John knew he could not feed more than about 100 more men so he decided to march them off to Norwich where they could be put to the ships. Sir Cedric joined John when he questioned the Frenchmen they found that Ralph had convinced them that there was a rich reward if they helped him to regain Dunston. They were becoming suspicious the night of John’s attack and had been arguing with Ralph and were talking of returning home with the men they had brought with them.

  “Well, your men will be home before you if they are some of the ones sent to Norwich.” said John. The men were sent back to the tower and John and the Earl discussed sending a message to their families for a ransom to release them.

  Eating a breakfast together John and the Earl talked over the previous days happenings.

  “This rabble could have been larger and more aggressive had they been led by better men,” commented Sir Cedric. “You adopted the right strategy of surprise and your men are well trained. I leave this Castle and the surrounding lands to your care, we will sort out the details with the clerks when you are next in Wymondham and agree the boundaries and the annual tax that I shall expect. How say you John?”

  John sat silently for a moment, everything was happening so quickly.

  “I am honoured sir and I will do all I can to justify the faith you have put in me.”

  “Good,” said Sir Cedric as he rose from the table. “I will go back to Wymondham now and no doubt I will be see you again very soon.” He smiled as he said this and clasped John’s arm.

  After the Earl had left John called Carac to him and they arranged to meet at Dunston Smithy by midday to visit the larger Tenants. John rode out to visit his father and found him and his lads very busy, the forge was burning brightly and there was a sound of hammers at work on the iron. Jack saw John approaching and stopped his work to greet his son.

  “It is good to see you son, we heard of the trouble at Wymondham and that you had beaten the outlaws. We were worried that some may come this way but we have seen no one.”

  “That eases my mind, father,” he said, as they walked back home. “I see the house is finished, you have made good time in completing it.”

  “There are still some finishing touches to make but I wanted to make sure it was complete before winter. The builder is now working in the village helping with the stronger houses. We have started a village fund so that eventually all will have better houses.”

  “A very good idea and when we know more about the Castle finances I will make a contribution, we need to support our villagers so that the work on the farms does not suffer,” replied
John. “Sir Cedric is looking at ideas over at Wymondham to do the same.”

  These ideas were new in the countryside and John understood not all land owners agreed with him and the Earl, they said it would make the serfs idle if you made them too comfortable. Some Lords were indeed too harsh and the land suffered. Carac arrived and he and John, with Sam and a small escort, rode off to visit the rest of the farmers.

  II

  Roger was getting restless, the town was quiet and his guards kept control mostly without the need for him to be there. The baby was due very soon and he was a little nervous that he would become too domesticated and he wasn’t ready for that. He decided to visit John and find out what was happening in Dunston, he would be back for the birth, he insisted to Laila, who was not pleased with his decision.

  “You have a maid now and many lady friends and I shall not be long, but I must find out if there is anything left for me at Dunston,” explained Roger to an unreceptive Laila.

  Roger set off for Dunston early, he enjoyed riding at this time, there were less travellers on the road and air was crisp and invigorating. His horse sensed his mood and broke into a trot that soon ate up the miles. He was looking forward to meeting John and seeing the Castle again, it had been his home for many years. His thoughts turned to the future and what he should do when he went back to Laila, if God was kind he would be a father and that brought extra responsibilities. The life he now led was comfortable enough but it no longer held a challenge, he thought about his soldiering days but they were gone unless there was another war. In this thoughtful frame of mind he found himself riding through Dunston common. Coming out of the trees he could see smoke curling up from the houses in the Village as the inhabitants prepared their evening meal. He was ready to eat too as the bread and cheese he had consumed for his midday meal was long forgotten. He was hoping that he would be in time for supper at the Castle, that is if he was welcome. Past the Village he saw the welcoming lights from the Castle windows, he also noticed the new drawbridge and moat. The drawbridge was up and he could see a guard on the battlements so whoever was in the Castle was prepared to keep out unwelcome visitors. Roger cried out to the guard that he was a friend of John’s and wished to visit him. After a short wait the drawbridge rumbled down and Roger crossed into the Castle. John was there to meet him and the two of them went to the great hall. Roger’s eyes were opened to the improvements that had been made and he could see that John had definitely taken charge of the Castle. He noticed one or two of the old servants and felt pleased John had retained them. Then a familiar voice offered him a glass of wine.