by Kevin Ashman
‘Are you sure about this, Sire?’ asked Fermbaud.
‘I am,’ said Longshanks. ‘This man ruled these lands long before we even arrived here and it is only fitting that he lays in peace.’ He turned and received a bejewelled sword from Orland. ‘It seems Gerald of Essex employed the best craftsmen in repairing the sword but the value lays in its history not the gold.’
He laid the weapon on the Emperor’s chest and for a few moments all three men stood in silence as they stared down at the coffin. Finally Edward took a deep breath and turned to Orland.
‘The deed is done,’ he said, ‘have the casket closed and buried beneath the floor. When done, I want to see no sign it was ever disturbed and every man is to swear on pain of death never to repeat what they saw this day.’
‘Is that it, then Sire? Is there no memorial to be made to the memory of Macsen?’
The king paused for a moment and looked upward.
‘What is this tower named?’
‘It has no name,’ said Fermbaud.
‘Then let it be called after the Emblem of Macsen. His people created an empire that ruled the known world and we only follow meekly in their footsteps so in memory of Macsen Ap Wledig, this tower will be named after the bird that adorned their banners.’ He turned to face Fermbaud. ‘Agreed?’
‘It is a fitting legacy, said Fermbaud, ‘henceforth it will be called the Eagle Tower.’
----
Epilogue
Brycheniog
November 1215
Geraint and Fletcher stood in the cemetery. Each held a shovel and looked down upon the grave at their feet.
‘Are you sure about this?’ asked Fletcher.
‘No,’ said Geraint, ‘but it makes sense. Garyn told me that the Abbot dug up the bodies of our family many years ago and had them fed to the dogs but while we were in the castle, a serving girl told me she overheard Father Williams telling Gerald of Essex that his treasures lay in the graves of common men. Knowing the way he thinks, I fully believe he would have buried some here and laughed at the thought of us praying before his wealth. If I am right, there could be enough in here for us to rebuild the forge and your house.’
‘And if you are wrong?’
‘Then nothing changes,’ said Geraint, ‘but unless we try, we will never know.’
‘So be it,’ said Fletcher and without further ado, pushed the spade into the topsoil of the grave of Thomas Ruthin.
----
A few leagues away, Father Williams lay in his bed within the Abbey. He had suffered another bout of sickness but again seemed to be pulling through. A knock came upon the door and a monk entered.
‘Father,’ said the Monk, ‘there is someone from the village who has been sent to pay their respects. He says he has a gift for you.’
‘Send him in,’ said Father Williams and a few moments later, a young boy entered, closing the door behind him.
‘Welcome,’ said the Abbot weakly, ‘what is your name, boy?’
‘My name is unimportant,’ came the reply, ‘for I am here on behalf of another.’
‘And who may that be?’
‘My father,’ said the boy and removed his hood.
Father Williams stared at the boy’s features, struggling to recall where he had seen them before.
‘And who was your father?’
‘You knew him as Garyn Ap Thomas,’ said the boy, walking toward the bed, ‘and he has unfinished business.’
Realisation dawned on the Abbot but as he drew a breath to call for help. Thomas leaped forward and clamped his hand over his mouth.
‘If it wasn’t for you, old man,’ he hissed, ‘I would now be working the forge surrounded by a loving family. Instead, we live from hand to mouth and the only thing I have is a fleeting memory and my father’s blade. The memory will be mine for evermore but his blade I share with joy in my heart.’ As he spoke he pushed a knife deep into the Abbot’s stomach, watching his victim’s face screw up in agony.
‘You did not win, old man,’ said Thomas backing away, ‘for even from the grave it is my father’s blade which ends your life. Make that your final thought, priest and take it to hell where you truly belong.’
As the Abbot choked on his own blood, Thomas turned and walked away without remorse, back to his family and the uncertain future that lay before them all.
----
***The End***
Author’s Notes
Obviously the story of Garyn and his comrades is a tale of fiction but many of the background events throughout the book, and indeed the three previous books are based on real occurrences. There was a real uprising in 1294 and the rebel leader was called Madog but though our story paints him as a young man, the real Madog was considerably older. The other rebel leaders are also based on the stories of real people at the time though embellished with artistic license to make the book work. Where castles are named as being taken by certain rebel leaders then this is based on real events. Actual facts are readily available all over the internet and for those who would like to learn more about the revolt of Madog, there is plenty of information available.
Suffice to say, Madog and his comrades rampaged through Wales in a very short space of time and many castles fell before them. Edward had to postpone his war in Gascony to put the rebellion down and at one point had an army approximately 35,000 strong.
The Siege of Denbigh
Denbigh Castle was held by the Earl of Lincoln and had been for over ten years. When Cynan laid siege to the castle within its walls, it is thought that he first captured the external well, denying the defenders a source of fresh water. In such circumstances, a castle would soon fall to a determined besieging force. Excavations indicate that in the years after the Madog uprising, the castles walls were extended to encompass the well.
Somewhere on the outskirts of Denbigh, history tells us of a great battle between Madog’s forces and those of The Earl of Lincoln. Madog was the victor on the day but De Lacey escaped with much of his army intact and tried to retake the town and the castle. He was unsuccessful and seemed to join forces with Longshanks at a later date.
Edward’s Advance into Wales
In December 1294 Edward Marched into Wales, leaving a huge army at Rhuddlan while he campaigned toward Denbigh and along the north coast. A fleet of twelve boats and a galley of five hundred men set sail from Chester to try and establish a bridgehead at Ynys Mon, known today as Anglesey but the mission was unsuccessful and as he ventured further west, Madog’s forces cut off and attacked his supply column, forcing Edward to return to Conway with all speed.
Once there, he took refuge in the castle as the main force of his army was on other side of the river and unable to come to his rescue. For a while, Madog actually had the king of England at his mercy, albeit encamped in one of the most formidable castles in the ring of steel. How long the siege lasted is unclear but apparently the conditions were very poor and they had to ration the supplies until a ship managed to brave the storms and resupply the fortress. Records are unclear whether then siege was lifted by the Earl or Warwick or simply a break in the weather allowing Edward’s own forces to come to his rescue, but eventually Madog was forced to withdraw.
The Battle of Maes Moydoc
On 5th March 1295, the Earl of Warwick marched his army through the night and surrounded Madog’s forces in a valley called Y Fygin near Welshpool in Wales. The Welsh army are reported to have fought ferociously and made extensive use of the Schiltron formation to repel the attacks. Though many were slaughtered, some escaped into the forests including Madog himself. The attack of the English is particularly noted due to their unusual use of individual archers amongst the infantry, a tactic unheard of at the time.
Madog went on to continue the struggle until about July of that year when he was either captured by the English or gave himself up, sources differ on the outcome.
The fate of the Rebel leaders.
Morgan Ap Maredudd was pardoned by the king and went
on to serve him faithfully for the rest of his life. Madog was incarcerated in the Tower of London and Cynan was indeed hung drawn and quartered.
The Sword of Macsen.
Though the focus on the sword of Macsen is just part of the story, the tale of Macsen Wledig is indeed a well-known one in Wales. According to the story he was a Roman Emperor and came to Wales to marry the woman of his dreams.
A mile or so from Caernarvon castle are the ruins of the Roman fort of Segontium and it can be assumed that Macsen would have at least lived there for a while as Caernarvon was Helen’s home town.
Edward the first was fascinated by anything historical and had a great respect for the Romans in particular. Caernarvon Castle was built in the manner of the fortresses he had seen while on crusade in the East and there are accounts that when the bones of a Roman Emperor were discovered in Caernarfon he had them laid to rest somewhere in the castle. Interestingly enough, there is indeed a tower in Caernarfon castle called The Eagle Tower.
Author’s Message
The Medieval Sagas have been fun to write and I am actually quite sad the story of Garyn and his compatriots has finally come to an end.
Since the first book was released, I have enjoyed fantastic support and comments from around the world and it soon became a labour of love as I delved deeper into the history of my own country.
Even the tale of the first Madoc reaching America in 1170 was fascinating to research and though it is a bit controversial, I haven’t seen any evidence to the contrary. Until that time, let’s just say it is a very strong possibility.
Over the last year, I have discovered so much more than you have read between these pages so far and though there are many text books out there listing the facts and figures, I have come to realise there is a rich seam of history waiting to be explored further, but in an easily read format such as this series.
Subsequently, over the next few months there will probably be a follow up set of books covering the era of Owain Glyndwr, one of the most famous Welshmen in history who was proclaimed Prince of Wales approximately a hundred years later and fought the English in many battles covering a span of nine years.
Finally, thanks to everyone who have read the series and made it such a success. There are new books coming out all the time so check in regularly and if you haven’t read the others, the links are below. I also like to communicate with my readers so don’t be shy and feel free to contact me via e mail or social media. Again the links are below.
Anyway, in the words of Madog Ap Llewellyn…
‘This day is done so until next we meet…’
Hwyl Fawr
Kevin
More Books by K. M. Ashman
The India Sommers Mysteries
The Dead Virgins
The Treasures of Suleiman
The Mummies of the Reich
The Tomb Builders
The Roman Chronicles
Roman I – The Fall of Britannia
Roman II – The Rise of Caratacus
Roman III – The Wrath of Boudicca
Roman IV – Boudicca’s Daughters (Coming Soon)
The Medieval Sagas
Medieval I – Blood of the Cross
Medieval II – In Shadows of kings
Medieval III – Sword of Liberty
Medieval IV – Ring of Steel
Novels
Savage Eden
The Last Citadel
Vampire
Audio Books
Medieval – Blood of the Cross
The Last Citadel
See more of Kevin’s work at:
kevin-ashman.blogspot.co.uk
Or contact him direct at:
[email protected]