initial commit of ebook 3429HEADmain

2 files changed, 9698 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/old/stgfe10.txt b/old/stgfe10.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2b36546
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/stgfe10.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,9698 @@
+Project Gutenberg Etext Saint George for England, by G. A. Henty
+#1 in our series by G. A. Henty
+
+Copyright laws are changing all over the world, be sure to check
+the laws for your country before redistributing these files!!!
+
+Please take a look at the important information in this header.
+We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an
+electronic path open for the next readers.
+
+Please do not remove this.
+
+This should be the first thing seen when anyone opens the book.
+Do not change or edit it without written permission. The words
+are carefully chosen to provide users with the information they
+need about what they can legally do with the texts.
+
+
+**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts**
+
+**Etexts Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971**
+
+*These Etexts Prepared By Hundreds of Volunteers and Donations*
+
+Information on contacting Project Gutenberg to get Etexts, and
+further information is included below. We need your donations.
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a 501(c)(3)
+organization with EIN [Employee Identification Number] 64-6221541
+
+As of 12/12/00 contributions are only being solicited from people in:
+Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa,
+Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Montana,
+Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota,
+Texas, Vermont, and Wyoming.
+
+As the requirements for other states are met,
+additions to this list will be made and fund raising
+will begin in the additional states. Please feel
+free to ask to check the status of your state.
+
+International donations are accepted,
+but we don't know ANYTHING about how
+to make them tax-deductible, or
+even if they CAN be made deductible,
+and don't have the staff to handle it
+even if there are ways.
+
+These donations should be made to:
+
+Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+PMB 113
+1739 University Ave.
+Oxford, MS 38655-4109
+
+
+Title: Saint George for England
+
+Author: G. A. Henty
+
+Official Release Date: September, 2002 [Etext #3429]
+[Yes, we are about one year ahead of schedule]
+[The actual date this file first posted = 04/20/01]
+
+Edition: 10
+
+Language: English
+
+Project Gutenberg Etext Saint George for England, by G. A. Henty
+*****This file should be named stgfe10.txt or stgfe10.zip*****
+
+Corrected EDITIONS of our etexts get a new NUMBER, stgfe11.txt
+VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, stgfe10a.txt
+
+This etext was produced by Martin Robb (MartinRobb@ieee.org).
+
+Project Gutenberg Etexts are usually created from multiple editions,
+all of which are in the Public Domain in the United States, unless a
+copyright notice is included. Therefore, we usually do NOT keep any
+of these books in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+We are now trying to release all our books one year in advance
+of the official release dates, leaving time for better editing.
+Please be encouraged to send us error messages even years after
+the official publication date.
+
+Please note: neither this list nor its contents are final till
+midnight of the last day of the month of any such announcement.
+The official release date of all Project Gutenberg Etexts is at
+Midnight, Central Time, of the last day of the stated month. A
+preliminary version may often be posted for suggestion, comment
+and editing by those who wish to do so.
+
+Most people start at our sites at:
+http://gutenberg.net
+http://promo.net/pg
+
+
+Those of you who want to download any Etext before announcement
+can surf to them as follows, and just download by date; this is
+also a good way to get them instantly upon announcement, as the
+indexes our cataloguers produce obviously take a while after an
+announcement goes out in the Project Gutenberg Newsletter.
+
+http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext02
+or
+ftp://ftp.ibiblio.org/pub/docs/books/gutenberg/etext02
+
+Or /etext01, 00, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90
+
+Just search by the first five letters of the filename you want,
+as it appears in our Newsletters.
+
+
+Information about Project Gutenberg (one page)
+
+We produce about two million dollars for each hour we work. The
+time it takes us, a rather conservative estimate, is fifty hours
+to get any etext selected, entered, proofread, edited, copyright
+searched and analyzed, the copyright letters written, etc. This
+projected audience is one hundred million readers. If our value
+per text is nominally estimated at one dollar then we produce $2
+million dollars per hour this year as we release fifty new Etext
+files per month, or 500 more Etexts in 2000 for a total of 3000+
+If they reach just 1-2% of the world's population then the total
+should reach over 300 billion Etexts given away by year's end.
+
+The Goal of Project Gutenberg is to Give Away One Trillion Etext
+Files by December 31, 2001. [10,000 x 100,000,000 = 1 Trillion]
+This is ten thousand titles each to one hundred million readers,
+which is only about 4% of the present number of computer users.
+
+At our revised rates of production, we will reach only one-third
+of that goal by the end of 2001, or about 3,333 Etexts unless we
+manage to get some real funding.
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation has been created
+to secure a future for Project Gutenberg into the next millennium.
+
+We need your donations more than ever!
+
+Presently, contributions are only being solicited from people in:
+Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa,
+Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Montana,
+Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota,
+Texas, Vermont, and Wyoming.
+
+As the requirements for other states are met,
+additions to this list will be made and fund raising
+will begin in the additional states.
+
+These donations should be made to:
+
+Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+PMB 113
+1739 University Ave.
+Oxford, MS 38655-4109
+
+
+Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation,
+EIN [Employee Identification Number] 64-6221541,
+has been approved as a 501(c)(3) organization by the US Internal
+Revenue Service (IRS). Donations are tax-deductible to the extent
+permitted by law. As the requirements for other states are met,
+additions to this list will be made and fund raising will begin in the
+additional states.
+
+All donations should be made to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation. Mail to:
+
+Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+PMB 113
+1739 University Avenue
+Oxford, MS 38655-4109 [USA]
+
+
+We need your donations more than ever!
+
+You can get up to date donation information at:
+
+http://www.gutenberg.net/donation.html
+
+
+***
+
+If you can't reach Project Gutenberg,
+you can always email directly to:
+
+Michael S. Hart <hart@pobox.com>
+
+hart@pobox.com forwards to hart@prairienet.org and archive.org
+if your mail bounces from archive.org, I will still see it, if
+it bounces from prairienet.org, better resend later on. . . .
+
+Prof. Hart will answer or forward your message.
+
+We would prefer to send you information by email.
+
+
+***
+
+
+Example command-line FTP session:
+
+ftp ftp.ibiblio.org
+login: anonymous
+password: your@login
+cd pub/docs/books/gutenberg
+cd etext90 through etext99 or etext00 through etext02, etc.
+dir [to see files]
+get or mget [to get files. . .set bin for zip files]
+GET GUTINDEX.?? [to get a year's listing of books, e.g., GUTINDEX.99]
+GET GUTINDEX.ALL [to get a listing of ALL books]
+
+
+**The Legal Small Print**
+
+
+(Three Pages)
+
+***START**THE SMALL PRINT!**FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS**START***
+Why is this "Small Print!" statement here? You know: lawyers.
+They tell us you might sue us if there is something wrong with
+your copy of this etext, even if you got it for free from
+someone other than us, and even if what's wrong is not our
+fault. So, among other things, this "Small Print!" statement
+disclaims most of our liability to you. It also tells you how
+you may distribute copies of this etext if you want to.
+
+*BEFORE!* YOU USE OR READ THIS ETEXT
+By using or reading any part of this PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm
+etext, you indicate that you understand, agree to and accept
+this "Small Print!" statement. If you do not, you can receive
+a refund of the money (if any) you paid for this etext by
+sending a request within 30 days of receiving it to the person
+you got it from. If you received this etext on a physical
+medium (such as a disk), you must return it with your request.
+
+ABOUT PROJECT GUTENBERG-TM ETEXTS
+This PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm etext, like most PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm etexts,
+is a "public domain" work distributed by Professor Michael S. Hart
+through the Project Gutenberg Association (the "Project").
+Among other things, this means that no one owns a United States copyright
+on or for this work, so the Project (and you!) can copy and
+distribute it in the United States without permission and
+without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth
+below, apply if you wish to copy and distribute this etext
+under the "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark.
+
+Please do not use the "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark to market
+any commercial products without permission.
+
+To create these etexts, the Project expends considerable
+efforts to identify, transcribe and proofread public domain
+works. Despite these efforts, the Project's etexts and any
+medium they may be on may contain "Defects". Among other
+things, Defects may take the form of incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other
+intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged
+disk or other etext medium, a computer virus, or computer
+codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment.
+
+LIMITED WARRANTY; DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES
+But for the "Right of Replacement or Refund" described below,
+[1] Michael Hart and the Foundation (and any other party you may
+receive this etext from as a PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm etext) disclaims
+all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including
+legal fees, and [2] YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE OR
+UNDER STRICT LIABILITY, OR FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY OR CONTRACT,
+INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE
+OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE
+POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
+
+If you discover a Defect in this etext within 90 days of
+receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any)
+you paid for it by sending an explanatory note within that
+time to the person you received it from. If you received it
+on a physical medium, you must return it with your note, and
+such person may choose to alternatively give you a replacement
+copy. If you received it electronically, such person may
+choose to alternatively give you a second opportunity to
+receive it electronically.
+
+THIS ETEXT IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED TO YOU "AS-IS". NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE MADE TO YOU AS
+TO THE ETEXT OR ANY MEDIUM IT MAY BE ON, INCLUDING BUT NOT
+LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
+PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
+
+Some states do not allow disclaimers of implied warranties or
+the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the
+above disclaimers and exclusions may not apply to you, and you
+may have other legal rights.
+
+INDEMNITY
+You will indemnify and hold Michael Hart, the Foundation,
+and its trustees and agents, and any volunteers associated
+with the production and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm
+texts harmless, from all liability, cost and expense, including
+legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the
+following that you do or cause: [1] distribution of this etext,
+[2] alteration, modification, or addition to the etext,
+or [3] any Defect.
+
+DISTRIBUTION UNDER "PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm"
+You may distribute copies of this etext electronically, or by
+disk, book or any other medium if you either delete this
+"Small Print!" and all other references to Project Gutenberg,
+or:
+
+[1] Only give exact copies of it. Among other things, this
+requires that you do not remove, alter or modify the
+etext or this "small print!" statement. You may however,
+if you wish, distribute this etext in machine readable
+binary, compressed, mark-up, or proprietary form,
+including any form resulting from conversion by word
+processing or hypertext software, but only so long as
+*EITHER*:
+
+[*] The etext, when displayed, is clearly readable, and
+does *not* contain characters other than those
+intended by the author of the work, although tilde
+(~), asterisk (*) and underline (_) characters may
+be used to convey punctuation intended by the
+author, and additional characters may be used to
+indicate hypertext links; OR
+
+[*] The etext may be readily converted by the reader at
+no expense into plain ASCII, EBCDIC or equivalent
+form by the program that displays the etext (as is
+the case, for instance, with most word processors);
+OR
+
+[*] You provide, or agree to also provide on request at
+no additional cost, fee or expense, a copy of the
+etext in its original plain ASCII form (or in EBCDIC
+or other equivalent proprietary form).
+
+[2] Honor the etext refund and replacement provisions of this
+"Small Print!" statement.
+
+[3] Pay a trademark license fee to the Foundation of 20% of the
+gross profits you derive calculated using the method you
+already use to calculate your applicable taxes. If you
+don't derive profits, no royalty is due. Royalties are
+payable to "Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation"
+the 60 days following each date you prepare (or were
+legally required to prepare) your annual (or equivalent
+periodic) tax return. Please contact us beforehand to
+let us know your plans and to work out the details.
+
+WHAT IF YOU *WANT* TO SEND MONEY EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO?
+Project Gutenberg is dedicated to increasing the number of
+public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed
+in machine readable form.
+
+The Project gratefully accepts contributions of money, time,
+public domain materials, or royalty free copyright licenses.
+Money should be paid to the:
+"Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+If you are interested in contributing scanning equipment or
+software or other items, please contact Michael Hart at:
+hart@pobox.com
+
+**END THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.08.01*END**
+[Portions of this header are copyright (C) 2001 by Michael S. Hart
+and may be reprinted only when these Etexts are free of all fees.]
+[Project Gutenberg is a TradeMark and may not be used in any sales
+of Project Gutenberg Etexts or other materials be they hardware or
+software or any other related product without express permission.]
+
+
+
+
+
+This etext was produced by Martin Robb (MartinRobb@ieee.org).
+
+
+
+
+
+Saint George for England
+
+by G. A. Henty
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+MY DEAR LADS,
+
+You may be told perhaps that there is no good to be obtained from tales of
+fighting and bloodshed, - that there is no moral to be drawn from such
+histories. Believe it not.  War has its lessons as well as Peace. You will
+learn from tales like this that determination and enthusiasm can accomplish
+marvels, that true courage is generally accompanied by magnanimity and
+gentleness, and that if not in itself the very highest of virtues, it is
+the parent of almost all the others, since but few of them can be practised
+without it. The courage of our forefathers has created the greatest empire
+in the world around a small and in itself insignificant island; if this
+empire is ever lost, it will be by the cowardice of their descendants.
+
+At no period of her history did England stand so high in the eyes of Europe
+as in the time whose events are recorded in this volume. A chivalrous king
+and an even more chivalrous prince had infected the whole people with their
+martial spirit, and the result was that their armies were for a time
+invincible, and the most astonishing successes were gained against numbers
+which would appear overwhelming.  The victories of Cressy and Poitiers may
+be to some extent accounted for by superior generalship and discipline on
+the part of the conquerors; but this will not account for the great naval
+victory over the Spanish fleet off the coast of Sussex, a victory even more
+surprising and won against greater odds than was that gained in the same
+waters centuries later over the Spanish Armada. The historical facts of the
+story are all drawn from Froissart and other contemporary historians, as
+collated and compared by Mr.  James in his carefully written history. They
+may therefore be relied upon as accurate in every important particular.
+
+Yours sincerely,
+
+G. A. HENTY.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I: A WAYFARER
+
+
+It was a bitterly cold night in the month of November, 1330. The rain was
+pouring heavily, when a woman, with child in her arms, entered the little
+village of Southwark.  She had evidently come from a distance, for her
+dress was travel-stained and muddy. She tottered rather than walked, and
+when, upon her arrival at the gateway on the southern side of London
+Bridge, she found that the hour was past and the gates closed for the
+night, she leant against the wall with a faint groan of exhaustion and
+disappointment.
+
+After remaining, as if in doubt, for some time, she feebly made her way
+into the village. Here were many houses of entertainment, for travelers
+like herself often arrived too late to enter the gates, and had to abide
+outside for the night.  Moreover, house rent was dear within the walls of
+the crowded city, and many, whose business brought them to town, found it
+cheaper to take up their abode in the quiet hostels of Southwark rather
+than to stay in the more expensive inns within the walls. The lights came
+out brightly from many of the casements, with sounds of boisterous songs
+and laughter.  The woman passed these without a pause. Presently she
+stopped before a cottage, from which a feeble light alone showed that it
+was tenanted.
+
+She knocked at the door. It was opened by a pleasant-faced man of some
+thirty years old.
+
+"What is it?" he asked.
+
+"I am a wayfarer," the woman answered feebly. "Canst take me and my child
+in for the night?"
+
+"You have made a mistake," the man said; "this is no inn. Further up the
+road there are plenty of places where you can find such accommodation as
+you lack."
+
+"I have passed them," the woman said, "but all seemed full of roisterers. I
+am wet and weary, and my strength is nigh spent. I can pay thee, good
+fellow, and I pray you as a Christian to let me come in and sleep before
+your fire for the night. When the gates are open in the morning I will go;
+for I have a friend within the city who will, methinks, receive me.
+
+The tone of voice, and the addressing of himself as good fellow, at once
+convinced the man that the woman before him was no common wayfarer.
+
+"Come in," he said; "Geoffrey Ward is not a man to shut his doors in a
+woman's face on a night like this, nor does he need payment for such small
+hospitality.  Come hither, Madge!" he shouted; and at his voice a woman
+came down from the upper chamber. "Sister," he said; "this is a wayfarer
+who needs shelter for the night; she is wet and weary.  Do you take her up
+to your room and lend her some dry clothing; then make her a cup of warm
+posset, which she needs sorely. I will fetch an armful of fresh rushes from
+the shed and strew them here: I will sleep in the smithy. Quick, girl," he
+said sharply; "she is fainting with cold and fatigue." And as he spoke he
+caught the woman as she was about to fall, and laid her gently on the
+ground. "She is of better station than she seems," he said to his sister;
+"like enough some poor lady whose husband has taken part in the troubles;
+but that is no business of ours. Quick, Madge, and get these wet things off
+her; she is soaked to the skin. I will go round to the Green Dragon and
+will fetch a cup of warm cordial, which I warrant me will put fresh life
+into her."
+
+So saying, he took down his flat cap from its peg on the wall and went out,
+while his sister at once proceeded to remove the drenched garments and to
+rub the cold hands of the guest until she recovered consciousness. When
+Geoffrey Ward returned, the woman was sitting in a settle by the fireside,
+dressed in a warm woolen garment belonging to his sister.
+
+Madge had thrown fresh wood on the fire, which was blazing brightly now.
+The woman drank the steaming beverage which her host brought with him. The
+colour came faintly again into her cheeks.
+
+"I thank you, indeed," she said, "for your kindness.  Had you not taken me
+in I think I would have died at your door, for indeed I could go no
+further; and though I hold not to life, yet would I fain live until I have
+delivered my boy into the hands of those who will be kind to him, and this
+will, I trust, be tomorrow."
+
+"Say nought about it," Geoffrey answered; "Madge and I are right glad to
+have been of service to you. It would be a poor world indeed if one could
+not give a corner of one's fireside to a fellow-creature on such a night as
+this, especially when that fellow creature is a woman with a child. Poor
+little chap!  He looks right well and sturdy, and seems to have taken no
+ill from his journey."
+
+"Truly, he is well and sturdy," the mother said, looking at him proudly;
+"indeed I have been almost wishing today that he were lighter by a few
+pounds, for in truth I am not used to carry him far, and his weight has
+sorely tried me.  His name is Walter, and I trust," she added, looking at
+the powerful figure of her host, "that he will grow up as straight and as
+stalwart as yourself." The child, who was about three years old, was indeed
+an exceedingly fine little fellow, as he sat, in one scanty garment, in his
+mother's lap, gazing with round eyes at the blazing fire; and the smith
+thought how pretty a picture the child and mother made. She was a fair,
+gentle-looking girl some two-and-twenty years old, and it was easy enough
+to see now from her delicate features and soft shapely hands that she had
+never been accustomed to toil.
+
+"And now," the smith said, "I will e'en say good night.  The hour is late,
+and I shall be having the watch coming along to know why I keep a fire so
+long after the curfew.  Should you be a stranger in the city, I will gladly
+act as your guide in the morning to the friends whom you seek, that is,
+should they be known to me; but if not, we shall doubtless find them
+without difficulty."
+
+So saying, the smith retired to his bed of rushes in the smithy, and soon
+afterwards the tired visitor, with her baby, lay down on the rushes in
+front of the fire, for in those days none of the working or artisan class
+used beds, which were not indeed, for centuries afterwards, in usage by the
+common people.
+
+In the morning Geoffrey Ward found that his guest desired to find one Giles
+Fletcher, a maker of bows.
+
+"I know him well," the smith said. "There are many who do a larger
+business, and hold their heads higher; but Giles Fletcher is well esteemed
+as a good workman, whose wares can be depended upon. It is often said of
+him that did he take less pains he would thrive more; but he handles each
+bow that he makes as if he loved it, and finishes and polishes each with
+his own hand. Therefore he doeth not so much trade as those who are less
+particular with their wares, for he hath to charge a high price to be able
+to live. But none who have ever bought his bows have regretted the silver
+which they cost. Many and many a gross of arrowheads have I sold him, and
+he is well-nigh as particular in their make as he is over the spring and
+temper of his own bows.  Many a friendly wrangle have I had with him over
+their weight and finish, and it is not many who find fault with my
+handiwork, though I say it myself; and now, madam, I am at your service."
+
+During the night the wayfarer's clothes had been dried.  The cloak was of
+rough quality, such as might have been used by a peasant woman; but the
+rest, though of sombre colour, were of good material and fashion. Seeing
+that her kind entertainers would be hurt by the offer of money, the lady
+contented herself with thanking Madge warmly, and saying that she hoped to
+come across the bridge one day with Dame Fletcher; then, under the guidance
+of Geoffrey, who insisted on carrying the boy, she set out from the smith's
+cottage. They passed under the outer gate and across the bridge, which
+later on was covered with a double line of houses and shops, but was now a
+narrow structure. Over the gateway across the river, upon pikes, were a
+number of heads and human limbs. The lady shuddered as she looked up.
+
+"It is an ugly sight," the smith said, "and I can see no warrant for such
+exposure of the dead. There are the heads of Wallace, of three of Robert
+Bruce's brothers, and of many other valiant Scotsmen who fought against the
+king's grandfather some twenty years back. But after all they fought for
+their country, just as Harold and our ancestors against the Normans under
+William, and I think it a foul shame that men who have done no other harm
+should be beheaded, still less that their heads and limbs should be stuck
+up there gibbering at all passers-by. There are over a score of them, and
+every fresh trouble adds to their number; but pardon me," he said suddenly
+as a sob from the figure by his side called his attention from the heads on
+the top of the gateway, "I am rough and heedless in speech, as my sister
+Madge does often tell me, and it may well be that I have said something
+which wounded you."
+
+"You meant no ill," the lady replied; "it was my own thoughts and troubles
+which drew tears from me; say not more about it, I pray you.
+
+They passed under the gateway, with its ghastly burden, and were soon in
+the crowded streets of London. High overhead the houses extended, each
+story advancing beyond that below it until the occupiers of the attics
+could well-nigh shake hands across. They soon left the more crowded
+streets, and turning to the right, after ten minutes walking, the smith
+stopped in front of a bowyer shop near Aldgate.
+
+"This is the shop," he said, "and there is Giles Fletcher himself trying
+the spring and pull of one of his bows. Here I will leave you, and will one
+of these days return to inquire if your health has taken ought of harm by
+the rough buffeting of the storm of yester-even."
+
+So saying he handed the child to its mother, and with a wave of the hand
+took his leave, not waiting to listen to the renewed thanks which his late
+guest endeavoured to give him.
+
+The shop was open in front, a projecting penthouse sheltered it from the
+weather; two or three bows lay upon a wide shelf in front, and several
+large sheaves of arrows tied together stood by the wall. A powerful man of
+some forty years old was standing in the middle of the shop with a bent bow
+in his arm, taking aim at a spot in the wall. Through an open door three
+men could be seen in an inner workshop cutting and shaping the wood for
+bows. The bowyer looked round as his visitor entered the shop, and then,
+with a sudden exclamation, lowered the bow.
+
+"Hush, Giles!" the lady exclaimed; "it is I, but name no names; it were
+best that none knew me here."
+
+The craftsman closed the door of communication into the inner room. "My
+Lady Alice," he exclaimed in a low tone, "you here, and in such a guise?"
+
+"Surely it is I," the lady sighed, "although sometimes I am well-nigh
+inclined to ask myself whether it be truly I or not, or whether this be not
+all a dreadful dream."
+
+"I had heard but vaguely of your troubles," Giles Fletcher said, "but hoped
+that the rumours were false. Ever since the Duke of Kent was executed the
+air has been full of rumours. Then came news of the killing of Mortimer and
+of the imprisonment of the king's mother, and it was said that many who
+were thought to be of her party had been attacked and slain, and I heard -"
+and there he stopped.
+
+"You heard rightly, good Giles, it is all true. A week after the slaying of
+Mortimer a band of knights and men-at-arms arrived at our castle and
+demanded admittance in the king's name. Sir Roland refused, for he had news
+that many were taking up arms, but it was useless. The castle was attacked,
+and after three days' fighting, was taken. Roland was killed, and I was
+cast out with my child. Afterwards they repented that they had let me go,
+and searched far and wide for me; but I was hidden in the cottage of a
+woodcutter.  They were too busy in hunting down others whom they proclaimed
+to be enemies of the king, as they had wrongfully said of Roland, who had
+but done his duty faithfully to Queen Isabella, and was assuredly no enemy
+of her son, although he might well be opposed to the weak and indolent
+king, his father. However, when the search relaxed I borrowed the cloak of
+the good man's wife and set out for London, whither I have traveled on
+foot, believing that you and Bertha would take me in and shelter me in my
+great need."
+
+"Aye, that will we willingly," Giles said. "Was not Bertha your nurse ? and
+to whom should you come if not to her?  But will it please you to mount the
+stairs, for Bertha will not forgive me if I keep you talking down here.
+What a joy it will be to her to see you again!"
+
+So saying, Giles led the way to the apartment above.  There was a scream of
+surprise and joy from his wife, and then Giles quietly withdrew downstairs
+again, leaving the women to cry in each other's arms.
+
+A few days later Geoffrey Ward entered the shop of Giles Fletcher.
+
+"I have brought you twenty score of arrowheads, Master Giles," he said.
+"They have been longer in hand than is usual with me, but I have been
+pressed. And how goes it with the lady whom I brought to your door last
+week?"
+
+"But sadly, Master Ward, very sadly, as I told you when I came across to
+thank you again in her name and my own for your kindness to her. She was
+but in poor plight after her journey; poor thing, she was little accustomed
+to such wet and hardship, and doubtless they took all the more effect
+because she was low in spirit and weakened with much grieving. That night
+she was taken with a sort of fever, hot and cold by turns, and at times off
+her head. Since then she has lain in a high fever and does not know even my
+wife; her thoughts ever go back to the storming of the castle, and she
+cries aloud and begs them to spare her lord's life. It is pitiful to hear
+her. The leech gives but small hope for her life, and in troth, Master
+Ward, methinks that God would deal most gently with her were He to take
+her. Her heart is already in her husband's grave, for she was ever of a
+most loving and faithful nature. Here there would be little comfort for her
+- she would fret that her boy would never inherit the lands of his father;
+and although she knows well enough that she would be always welcome here,
+and that Bertha would serve her as gladly and faithfully as ever she did
+when she was her nurse, yet she could not but greatly feel the change.  She
+was tenderly brought up, being, as I told you last week, the only daughter
+of Sir Harold Broome. Her brother, who but a year ago became lord of
+Broomecastle at the death of his father, was one of the queen's men, and it
+was he, I believe, who brought Sir Roland Somers to that side. He was slain
+on the same night as Mortimer, and his lands, like those of Sir Roland,
+have been seized by the crown. The child upstairs is by right heir to both
+estates, seeing that his uncle died unmarried. They will doubtless be
+conferred upon those who have aided the young king in freeing himself from
+his mother's domination, for which, indeed, although I lament that Lady
+Alice should have suffered so sorely in the doing of it, I blame him not at
+all. He is a noble prince and will make us a great king, and the doings of
+his mother have been a shame to us all. However, I meddle not in politics.
+If the poor lady dies, as methinks is well-nigh certain, Bertha and I will
+bring up the boy as our own. I have talked it over with my wife, and so far
+she and I are not of one mind. I think it will be best to keep him in
+ignorance of his birth and lineage, since the knowledge cannot benefit him,
+and will but render him discontented with his lot and make him disinclined
+to take to my calling, in which he might otherwise earn a living and rise
+to be a respected citizen. But Bertha hath notions. You have not taken a
+wife to yourself, Master Geoffrey, or you would know that women oft have
+fancies which wander widely from hard facts, and she says she would have
+him brought up as a man-at-arms, so that he may do valiant deeds, and win
+back some day the title and honour of his family."
+
+Geoffrey Ward laughed. "Trust a woman for being romantic," he said.
+"However, Master Fletcher, you need not for the present trouble about the
+child's calling, even should its mother die. At any rate, whether he
+follows your trade, or whether the blood in his veins leads him to take to
+martial deeds, the knowledge of arms may well be of use to him, and I
+promise you that such skill as I have I will teach him when he grows old
+enough to wield sword and battle-axe. As you know I may, without boasting,
+say that he could scarce have a better master, seeing that I have for three
+years carried away the prize for the best sword- player at the sports.
+Methinks the boy will grow up into a strong and stalwart man, for he is
+truly a splendid lad. As to archery, he need not go far to learn it, since
+your apprentice, Will Parker, last year won the prize as the best marksman
+in the city bounds.  Trust me, if his tastes lie that way we will between
+us turn him out a rare man-at-arms. But I must stand gossiping no longer;
+the rumours that we are likely ere long to have war with France, have
+rarely bettered my trade. Since the wars in Scotland men's arms have rusted
+somewhat, and my two men are hard at work mending armour and fitting swords
+to hilts, and forging pike-heads. You see I am a citizen though I dwell
+outside the bounds, because house rent is cheaper and I get my charcoal
+without paying the city dues. So I can work somewhat lower than those in
+the walls, and I have good custom from many in Kent, who know that my arms
+are of as good temper as those turned out by any craftsman in the city."
+
+Giles Fletcher's anticipations as to the result of his guest's illness
+turned out to be well founded. The fever abated, but left her prostrate in
+strength.  For a few weeks she lingered; but she seemed to have little hold
+of life, and to care not whether she lived or died. So, gradually she faded
+away.
+
+"I know you will take care of my boy as if he were your own, Bertha," she
+said one day; "and you and your husband will be far better protectors for
+him than I should have been had I lived. Teach him to be honest and true.
+It were better, methinks, that he grew up thinking you his father and
+mother, for otherwise he may grow discontented with his lot; but this I
+leave with you, and you must speak or keep silent according as you see his
+disposition and mind. If he is content to settle down to a peaceful life
+here, say nought to him which would unsettle his mind; but if Walter turn
+out to have an adventurous disposition, then tell him as much as you think
+fit of his history, not encouraging him to hope to recover his father's
+lands and mine, for that can never be, seeing that before that time can
+come they would have been enjoyed for many years by others; but that he may
+learn to bear himself bravely and gently as becomes one of good blood."
+
+A few days later Lady Alice breathed her last, and at her own request was
+buried quietly and without pomp, as if she had been a child of the bowman,
+a plain stone, with the name "Dame Alice Somers", marking the grave.
+
+The boy grew and throve until at fourteen years old there was no stronger
+or sturdier lad of his age within the city bounds. Giles had caused him to
+be taught to read and write, accomplishments which were common among the
+citizens, although they were until long afterwards rare among the warlike
+barons. The greater part of his time, however, was spent in sports with
+lads of his own age in Moorfields beyond the walls. The war with France was
+now raging, and, as was natural, the boys in their games imitated the
+doings of their elders, and mimic battles, ofttimes growing into earnest,
+were fought between the lads of the different wards.  Walter Fletcher, as
+he was known among his play-fellows, had by his strength and courage won
+for himself the proud position of captain of the boys of the ward of
+Aldgate.
+
+Geoffrey Ward had kept his word, and had already begun to give the lad
+lessons in the use of arms. When not engaged otherwise Walter would, almost
+every afternoon, cross London Bridge and would spend hours in the
+armourer's forge.  Geoffrey's business had grown, for the war had caused a
+great demand for arms, and he had now six men working in the forge. As soon
+as the boy could handle a light tool Geoffrey allowed him to work, and
+although not able to wield the heavy sledge Walter was able to do much of
+the finer work. Geoffrey encouraged him in this, as, in the first place,
+the use of the tools greatly strengthened the boy's muscles, and gave him
+an acquaintance with arms. Moreover, Geoffrey was still a bachelor, and he
+thought that the boy, whom he as well as Giles had come to love as a son,
+might, should he not take up the trade of war, prefer the occupation of an
+armourer to that of a bowmaker, in which case he would take him some day as
+his partner in the forge. After work was over and the men had gone away,
+Geoffrey would give the lad instructions in the use of the arms at which he
+had been at work, and so quick and strong was he that he rapidly acquired
+their use, and Geoffrey foresaw that he would one day, should his thoughts
+turn that way, prove a mighty man-at-arms.
+
+It was the knowledge which he acquired from Geoffrey which had much to do
+with Walter's position among his comrades. The skill and strength which he
+had acquired in wielding the hammer, and by practice with the sword
+rendered him a formidable opponent with the sticks, which formed the
+weapons in the mimic battles, and indeed not a few were the complaints
+which were brought before Giles Fletcher of bruises and hurts caused by
+him.
+
+"You are too turbulent, Walter," the bowyer said one day when a haberdasher
+from the ward of Aldersgate came to complain that his son's head had been
+badly cut by a blow with a club from Walter Fletcher. "You are always
+getting into trouble, and are becoming the terror of other boys. Why do you
+not play more quietly? The feuds between the boys of different wards are
+becoming a serious nuisance, and many injuries have been inflicted. I hear
+that the matter has been mentioned in the Common Council, and that there is
+a talk of issuing an order that no boy not yet apprenticed to a trade shall
+be allowed to carry a club, and that any found doing so shall be publicly
+whipped."
+
+"I don't want to be turbulent," Walter said; "but if the Aldersgate boys
+will defy us, what are we to do? I don't hit harder than I can help, and if
+Jonah Harris would leave his head unguarded I could not help hitting it."
+
+"I tell you it won't do, Walter," Giles said. "You will be getting yourself
+into sore trouble. You are growing too masterful altogether, and have none
+of the quiet demeanour and peaceful air which becomes an honest citizen. In
+another six months you will be apprenticed, and then I hope we shall hear
+no more of these doings."
+
+"My father is talking of apprenticing me, Master Geoffrey," Walter said
+that evening. "I hope that you will, as you were good enough to promise,
+talk with him about apprenticing me to your craft rather than to his. I
+should never take to the making of bows, though, indeed, I like well to use
+them; and Will Parker, who is teaching me says that I show rare promise;
+but it would never be to my taste to stand all day sawing, and smoothing,
+and polishing. One bow is to me much like another, though my father holds
+that there are rare differences between them; but it is a nobler craft to
+work on iron, and next to using arms the most pleasant thing surely is to
+make them. One can fancy what good blows the sword will give and what hard
+knocks the armour will turn aside; but some day, Master Geoffrey, when I
+have served my time, I mean to follow the army.  There is always work there
+for armourers to do, and sometimes at a pinch they may even get their share
+of fighting."
+
+Walter did not venture to say that he would prefer to be a man-at-arms, for
+such a sentiment would be deemed as outrageous in the ears of a quiet city
+craftsman as would the proposal of the son of such a man nowadays to enlist
+as a soldier.  The armourer smiled; he knew well enough what was in
+Walter's mind. It had cost Geoffrey himself a hard struggle to settle down
+to a craft, and deemed it but natural that with the knightly blood flowing
+in Walter's veins he should long to distinguish himself in the field. He
+said nothing of this, however, but renewed his promise to speak to Giles
+Fletcher, deeming that a few years passed in his forge would be the best
+preparation which Walter could have for a career as a soldier.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II: THE HUT IN THE MARSHES
+
+
+A week later a party of knights and court gallants, riding across the
+fields without the walls, checked their horses to look at a struggle which
+was going on between two parties of boys. One, which was apparently the
+most powerful, had driven the other off from a heap of rubbish which had
+been carried without the walls. Each party had a flag attached to a stick,
+and the boys were armed with clubs such as those carried by the apprentice
+boys.  Many of them carried mimic shields made of wood, and had stuffed
+their flat caps with wool or shavings, the better to protect their heads
+from blows. The smaller party had just been driven from the heap, and their
+leader was urging them to make another effort to regain it.
+
+"That is a gallant-looking lad, and a sturdy, my Lord de Vaux," a boy of
+about ten years of age said. "He bears himself like a young knight, and he
+has had some hard knocks, for, see, the blood is streaming down his face.
+One would scarcely expect to see these varlets of the city playing so
+roughly."
+
+"The citizens have proved themselves sturdy fighters before now, my
+prince," the other said; "they are ever independent, and hold to their
+rights even against the king.  The contingent which the city sends to the
+wars bears itself as well as those of any of the barons."
+
+"See!" the boy interrupted, "they are going to charge again. Their leader
+has himself seized the flag and has swung his shield behind him, just as a
+knight might do if leading the stormers against a place of strength. Let us
+stop till we see the end of it."
+
+With a shout of "Aldgate! Aldgate!" the leader of the assailants dashed
+forward, followed by his comrades, and with a rush reached the top of the
+heap.
+
+"Well done!" the young prince exclaimed, clapping his hands. "See how he
+lays about him with that club of his.  There, he has knocked down the
+leader of the defenders as if his club had been a battle-axe. Well done,
+young sir, well done!  But his followers waver. The others are too strong
+for them. Stand, you cowards, rally round your leader!" and in his
+enthusiasm the young prince urged his horse forward to the scene of
+conflict.
+
+But the assailants were mastered; few of them could gain the top of the
+heap, and those who did so were beaten back from it by the defenders. Heavy
+blows were exchanged, and blood flowed freely from many of their heads and
+faces, for in those days boys thought less than they do now of hard knocks,
+and manliness and courage were considered the first of virtues. Their
+leader, however, still stood his ground on the crest, though hardly pressed
+on all sides, and used his club both to strike and parry with a skill which
+aroused the warmest admiration on the part of the prince. In vain his
+followers attempted to come to his rescue; each time they struggled up the
+heap they were beaten back again by those on the crest.
+
+"Yield thee prisoner," the assailants of their leader shouted, and the
+prince in his excitement echoed the cry.  The lad, however, heard or heeded
+them not. He still kept his flag aloft in his left hand. With a sudden
+spring he struck down one of his opponents, plucked up their flag from the
+ground, and then fought his way back through his foes to the edge of the
+battleground; then a heavy blow struck him on the temple, and, still
+holding the flags, he rolled senseless to the foot of the heap. The
+defenders with shouts of triumph were rushing down when the prince urged
+his horse forward.
+
+"Cease!" he said authoritatively. "Enough has been done, my young masters,
+and the sport is becoming a broil."
+
+Hitherto the lads, absorbed in their strife, had paid but little heed to
+the party of onlookers; but at the word they at once arrested their arms,
+and, baring their heads, stood still in confusion.
+
+"No harm is done," the prince said, "though your sport is of the roughest;
+but I fear that your leader is hurt, he moves not; lift his head from the
+ground." The boy was indeed still insensible. "My lords," the prince said
+to the knights who had now ridden up, "I fear that this boy is badly hurt;
+he is a gallant lad, and has the spirit of a true knight in him, citizen's
+son though he be. My Lord de Vaux, will you bid your squire ride at full
+speed to the Tower and tell Master Roger, the leech, to come here with all
+haste, and to bring such nostrums as may be needful for restoring the boy
+to life."
+
+The Tower was but half a mile distant, but before Master Roger arrived
+Walter had already recovered consciousness, and was just sitting up when
+the leech hurried up to the spot.
+
+"You have arrived too late, Master Roger," the prince said; "but I doubt
+not that a dose of cordials may yet be of use, for he is still dazed, and
+the blow he got would have cracked his skull had it been a thin one."
+
+The leech poured some cordial from a vial into a small silver cup and held
+it to the boy's lips. It was potent and nigh took his breath away; but when
+he had drunk it he struggled to his feet, looking ashamed and confused when
+he saw himself the centre of attention of so many knights of the court.
+
+"What is thy name, good lad?" the prince asked.
+
+"I am known as Walter Fletcher."
+
+"You are a brave lad," the prince said, "and if you bear you as well as a
+man as you did but now, I would wish no better to ride beside me in the day
+of battle.  Should the time ever come when you tire of the peaceable life
+of a citizen and wish to take service in the wars, go to the Tower and ask
+boldly for the Prince of Wales, and I will enroll you among my own
+men-at-arms, and I promise you that you shall have your share of fighting
+as stark as that of the assault of yon heap. Now, my lords, let us ride on;
+I crave your pardon for having so long detained you."
+
+Walter was some days before he could again cross London Bridge to inform
+his friend Geoffrey of the honour which had befallen him of being addressed
+by the Prince of Wales. During the interval he was forced to lie abed, and
+he was soundly rated by Master Giles for again getting into mischief.
+Geoffrey was far more sympathetic, and said "Well, Walter, although I would
+not that Gaffer Giles heard me say so, I think you have had a piece of rare
+good fortune. It may be that you may never have cause to recall the young
+prince's promise to him; but should you some day decide to embrace the
+calling of arms, you could wish for nothing better than to ride behind the
+Prince of Wales. He is, by all accounts, of a most noble and generous
+disposition, and is said, young as he is, to be already highly skilled in
+arms. Men say that he will be a wise king and a gallant captain, such a one
+as a brave soldier might be proud to follow; and as the king will be sure
+to give him plenty of opportunities of distinguishing himself, those who
+ride with him may be certain of a chance of doing valorous deeds. I will go
+across the bridge tomorrow, and will have a talk with Master Fletcher. The
+sooner you are apprenticed, the sooner you will be out of your time; and
+since Madge married eight years since I have been lonely in the house and
+shall be glad to have you with me."
+
+Geoffrey Ward found his friend more ready to accede to his request, that
+Walter should be apprenticed to him, than he had expected. The bowyer,
+indeed, was a quiet man, and the high spirits and somewhat turbulent
+disposition of his young charge gave him so much uneasiness, that he was
+not sorry the responsibility of keeping him in order should be undertaken
+by Geoffrey. Moreover, he could not but agree with the argument, that the
+promise of the Prince of Wales offered a more favourable opportunity for
+Walter to enter upon the career of arms and so, perhaps, someday to win his
+way back to rank and honours than could have been looked for. Therefore, on
+the following week Walter was indentured to the armourer, and, as was usual
+at the time, left his abode in Aldgate and took up his residence with his
+master. He threw himself with his whole heart into the work, and by the
+time he was fifteen was on the way to become a skilful craftsman. His frame
+and muscles developed with labour, and he was now able to swing all save
+the very heaviest hammers in the shop. He had never abated in his practice
+at arms, and every day when work was over, he and his master had a long
+bout together with cudgel or quarterstaff, sword or axe; Walter of course
+used light weapons, but so quick was he with them that Geoffrey Ward
+acknowledged that he needed to put out all his skill to hold his own with
+his pupil.  But it was not alone with Geoffrey that Walter had an
+opportunity of learning the use of arms. Whenever a soldier, returned from
+the wars, came to have a weapon repaired by the armourer, he would be sure
+of an invitation to come in in the evening and take a stoup of ale, and
+tell of the battles and sieges he had gone through, and in the course of
+the evening would be asked to have a bout of arms with the young
+apprentice, whom Geoffrey represented as being eager to learn how to use
+the sword as well as how to make it.
+
+Thus Walter became accustomed to different styles of fighting, but found
+that very few, indeed, of their visitors were nearly so well skilled with
+their arms as his master. Some of the soldiers were mortified at finding
+themselves unable to hold their own with a boy; others would take their
+reverses in good part and would come again, bringing with them some comrade
+known to be particularly skilled with his weapons, to try the temper of the
+armourer's apprentice. At the age of fifteen Walter had won the prize at
+the sports, both for the best cudgel play and the best sword-and-buckler
+play among the apprentices, to the great disgust of many who had almost
+reached the age of manhood and were just out of their time.
+
+On Sundays Walter always spent the day with Giles Fletcher and his wife,
+going to mass with them and walking in the fields, where, after service,
+the citizens much congregated. Since Walter had gone to work he had taken
+no part in the fights and frolics of his former comrades; he was in fact,
+far too tired at the end of his day's work to have any desire to do aught
+but to sit and listen to the tales of the wars, of the many old soldiers
+who pervaded the country.  Some of these men were disabled by wounds or
+long service, but the greater portion were idle scamps, who cared not for
+the hard blows and sufferings of a campaign, liking better to hang about
+taverns drinking, at the expense of those to whom they related fabulous
+tales of the gallant actions they had performed. Many, too, wandered over
+the country, sometimes in twos or threes, sometimes in large bands, robbing
+and often murdering travelers or attacking lonely houses. When in one part
+or another their ill deeds became too notorious, the sheriffs would call
+out a posse of men and they would be hunted down like wild beasts. It was
+not, however, easy to catch them, for great tracts of forests still covered
+a large portion of the country and afforded them shelter.
+
+In the country round London these pests were very numerous, for here, more
+than anywhere else, was there a chance of plunder. The swamps on the south
+side of the river had an especially evil reputation. From Southwark to
+Putney stretches a marshy country over which, at high tides, the river
+frequently flowed. Here and there were wretched huts, difficult of access
+and affording good hiding- places for those pursued by justice, since
+searchers could be seen approaching a long way off, and escape could be
+made by paths across the swamp known only to the dwellers there, and where
+heavily-armed men dared not follow. Further south, in the wild country
+round Westerham, where miles of heath and forest stretched away in all
+directions, was another noted place where the robber vagrants mustered
+thickly, and the Sheriff of Kent had much trouble with them.
+
+The laws in those days were extremely severe, and death was the penalty of
+those caught plundering. The extreme severity of the laws, however,
+operated in favour of its breakers, since the sympathy of the people who
+had little to lose was with them, and unless caught red-handed in the act
+they could generally escape, since none save those who had themselves been
+robbed would say aught that would place the pursuers on their traces, or
+give testimony which would cost the life of a fellow-creature. The citizens
+of London were loud in their complaints against the discharged soldiers,
+for it was upon them that the loss mainly fell, and it was on their
+petitions to the king that the sheriffs of Middlesex and Hertford, Essex,
+Surrey, and Kent, were generally stirred up to put down the ill-doers.
+
+Sometimes these hunts were conducted in a wholesale way, and the whole
+posse of a county would be called out.  Then all found within its limits
+who had not land or visible occupation were collected. Any against whom
+charges could be brought home were hung without more ado, and the rest were
+put on board ship and sent across the sea to the army.  Sometimes, when
+they found the country becoming too hot for them, these men would take
+service with some knight or noble going to the war, anxious to take with
+him as strong a following as might be, and not too particular as to the
+character of his soldiers.
+
+Walter, being of an adventurous spirit, was sometimes wont of a summer
+evening, when his work was done, to wander across the marshes, taking with
+him his bow and arrows, and often bringing home a wild duck or two which he
+shot in the pools. More than once surly men had accosted him, and had
+threatened to knock him on the head if they again found him wandering that
+way; but Walter laughed at their threats, and seeing, that though but an
+apprentice lad, he might be able to send an arrow as straight to the mark
+as another, they were content to leave him alone.
+
+One day when he was well-nigh in the heart of the swamp of Lambeth he saw a
+figure making his way across.  The hour was already late and the night was
+falling, and the appearance of the man was so different from that of the
+usual denizens of the swamp that Walter wondered what business there might
+be.  Scarcely knowing why he did so, Walter threw himself down among some
+low brushwood and watched the approaching figure. When he came near he
+recognized the face, and saw, to his surprise, that it was a knight who had
+but the day before stopped at the armourer's shop to have two rivets put in
+his hauberk. He had particularly noticed him because of the arrogant manner
+in which he spoke.  Walter had himself put in the rivets, and had thought,
+as he buckled on the armour again, how unpleasant a countenance was that of
+its wearer. He was a tall and powerful man, and would have been handsome
+had not his eyes been too closely set together; his nose was narrow, and
+the expression of his face reminded Walter of a hawk. He had now laid aside
+his helmet, and his figure was covered with a long cloak.
+
+"He is up to no good," Walter said to himself, "for what dealings could a
+knight honestly have with the ruffians who haunt these swamps. It is
+assuredly no business of mine, but it may lead to an adventure, and I have
+had no real fun since I left Aldgate. I will follow and see if I can get to
+the bottom of the mystery."
+
+When he came close to the spot where Walter was lying the knight paused and
+looked round as if uncertain of his way. For four or five minutes he stood
+still, and then gave a shout of "Humphrey" at the top of his voice. It was
+answered by a distant "Hallo!" and looking in the direction from which the
+answer had come, Walter saw a figure appear above some bushes some four
+hundred yards distant. The knight at once directed his steps in that
+direction, and Walter crept cautiously after him.
+
+"A pest upon these swamps and quagmires," the knight said angrily as he
+neared the other. "Why didst not meet me and show me the way through, as
+before?"
+
+"I thought that as you had come once you would be able to find your way
+hither again," the man said. "Had I thought that you would have missed it I
+would have come ten times as far, rather than have had my name shouted all
+over the country. However, there is no one to hear, did you shout thrice as
+loud, so no harm is done."
+
+"I thought I saw a figure a short time since," the knight said.
+
+The man looked round in all directions.
+
+"I see none," he said, "and you may have been mistaken, for the light is
+waning fast. It were ill for anyone I caught prying about here. But come
+in, sir knight; my hovel is not what your lordship is accustomed to, but we
+may as well talk there as here beneath the sky."
+
+The two men disappeared from Walter's sight. The latter in much surprise
+crept forward, but until he reached the spot where he had last seen the
+speakers he was unable to account for their disappearance. Then he saw that
+the spot, although apparently a mere clump of bushes no higher than the
+surrounding country, was really an elevated hummock of ground. Anyone might
+have passed close to the bushes without suspecting that aught lay among
+them. In the centre, however, the ground had been cut away, and a low
+doorway, almost hidden by the bushes, gave access into a half subterranean
+hut; the roof was formed of an old boat turned bottom upwards, and this had
+been covered with brown turf.  It was an excellent place of concealment, as
+searchers might have passed within a foot of the bushes without suspecting
+that aught lay concealed within them.
+
+"A clever hiding place," Walter thought to himself. "No wonder the posse
+search these swamps in vain. This is the lowest and wettest part of the
+swamp, and would be but lightly searched, for none would suspect that there
+was a human habitation among these brown ditches and stagnant pools."
+
+To his disappointment the lad could hear nothing of the conversation which
+was going on within the hut. The murmur of voices came to his ear, but no
+words were audible; however, he remained patiently, thinking that perhaps
+as they came out a word might be said which would give him a clue to the
+object of the mysterious interview between a knight and one who was
+evidently a fugitive from justice.
+
+His patience was rewarded. In the half hour which he waited the night had
+fallen, and a thick fog which was rising over the swamps rendered it
+difficult to discern anything at the distance of a few paces.
+
+"You are quite sure that you can manage it?" a voice said as the two men
+issued from the hut.
+
+"There is no difficulty in managing it," the other replied, "if the boat is
+punctual to the hour named. It will be getting dusk then, and if one boat
+runs into another no one need be surprised. Such accidents will happen."
+
+"They will be here just before nightfall," the other said, "and you will
+know the boat by the white mantle the lady will wear. The reward will be
+fifty pieces of gold, of which you have received ten as earnest. You can
+trust me, and if the job be well done I shall take no count of the earnest
+money.
+
+"You may consider it as good as done," the other replied.  "If the boat is
+there the matter is settled. Now I will lead you back across the swamps. I
+would not give much for your life if you tried to find the way alone. Who
+would have thought when you got me off from being hung, after that little
+affair at Bruges, that I should be able to make myself useful to your
+worship?"
+
+"You may be sure," the knight replied, "that it was just because I foresaw
+that you might be useful that I opened the doors of your cell that night.
+It is always handy in times like these to be able to lay one's hand on a
+man whom you can hang if you choose to open your mouth."
+
+"Did it not strike you, sir knight, that it might enter my mind that it
+would be very advisable for me to free myself from one who stands towards
+me in that relation?"
+
+"Certainly it did," the knight replied; "but as I happen to be able to make
+it for your interest to serve me, that matter did not trouble me. I knew
+better than to bring money into this swamp of yours, when I might be
+attacked by half a dozen ruffians like yourself; and I took the precaution
+of informing Peter, the captain of my men-at-arms, of the spot to which I
+was going, bidding him, in case I came not back, to set a hue and cry on
+foot and hunt down all who might be found here, with the especial
+description of your worthy self."
+
+Walter could hear no more; he had taken off his shoes and followed them at
+a distance, and their voices still acted as a guide to him through the
+swamp. But he feared to keep too close, as, although the darkness would
+conceal his figure, he might at any moment tread in a pool or ditch, and so
+betray his presence.  Putting his foot each time to the ground with the
+greatest caution, he moved quietly after them. They spoke little more, but
+their heavy footsteps on the swampy ground were a sufficient guidance for
+him. At last these ceased suddenly.  A few words were spoken, and then he
+heard returning steps. He drew aside a few feet and crouched down, saw a
+dim figure pass through the mist, and then resumed his way. The ground was
+firmer now, and, replacing his shoes, he walked briskly on. As he neared
+the higher ground along which the road ran he heard two horsemen galloping
+away in the distance. He now turned his face east, and after an hour's
+walking he reached the armourer's.
+
+"Why, Walter, you are late," the smith said. "The men are in bed this hour
+or more, and I myself can scarce keep awake. Where hast thou been, my
+boy?"
+
+"I have been in the swamps and lost my way," Walter replied.
+
+"It is a bad neighbourhood, lad, and worse are the people who live there.
+If I had my way the whole posse should be called out, and the marshes
+searched from end to end, and all found there should be knocked on head and
+thrown into their own ditches. There would be no fear of any honest man
+coming to his end thereby; but now to bed, lad. You can tell me all about
+it tomorrow; but we have a rare day's work before us, and the fire must be
+alight at daybreak."
+
+On his way back Walter had debated with himself whether to inform his
+master of what had happened. He was, however, bent upon having an adventure
+on his own account, and it was a serious thing in those days for an
+apprentice lad to bring an accusation against a noble. The city would not
+indeed allow even an apprentice to be overridden, and although Geoffrey
+Ward's forge stood beyond the city walls it was yet within the liberties,
+the city allowing its craftsmen to open shops just outside the gates, and
+to enjoy the same privileges as if dwelling actually within the walls.
+
+On the following afternoon Walter asked leave to cease work an hour earlier
+than usual, as he wished to go across into the city. The armourer was
+surprised, since this was the first time that such a thing had happened
+since the lad had worked for him.
+
+"What are you up to, Walter? - some mischief, I will be bound. Go, lad; you
+have worked so steadily that you have well earned more than an hour's
+holiday should you want it."
+
+Walter crossed the bridge, and seeking out four or five of his old
+companions, begged them to bring their bows and clubs and rejoin him at the
+stairs by London Bridge. To their laughing inquiries whether he meant to go
+a-shooting of fish, he told them to ask no questions until they joined him.
+ As soon as work was over the boys gathered at the steps, where Walter had
+already engaged a boat.  There were some mocking inquiries from the
+watermen standing about as to where they were going shooting. Walter
+answered with some light chaff, and, two of the party taking oars, they
+started up the river.
+
+"Now I will tell you what we are bent on," Walter said.  "From some words I
+overheard I believe that some of the ruffians over in the marshes are this
+evening going to make an attack upon a boat with a lady in it coming down
+the river. We will be on the spot, and can give them a reception such as
+they do not expect."
+
+"Do you know who the lady is, Walter?"
+
+"I have not the least idea. I only caught a few words, and may be wrong;
+still, it will do no harm should I be mistaken."
+
+The tide was running down strongly, for there had been a good deal of rain
+during the preceding week, and all night it had poured heavily. It was fine
+now, but the stream was running down thick and turbid, and it needed all
+the boys' efforts to force the wherry against it. They rowed by turns; all
+were fairly expert at the exercise, for in those days the Thames was at
+once the great highway and playground of London. To the wharves below the
+bridge ships brought the rich merchandise of Italy and the Low Countries;
+while from above, the grain, needed for the wants of the great city was
+floated down in barges from the west.
+
+Passing the Temple, the boys rowed along by the green banks and fields as
+far as Westminster, which at that time was almost a rival of the city, for
+here were the abbey and great monastery; here were the king's palace and
+court, and the houses of many of his nobles. Then they went along by the
+low shores of Millbank, keeping a sharp lookout for boats going down with
+the stream. It was already getting dark, for Walter had not allowed for the
+strength of the stream, and he was full of anxiety lest he should arrive
+too late.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III: A THWARTED PLOT
+
+
+A boat was rowing rapidly down the stream. It had passed the village of
+Chelsea, and the men were doing their best to reach their destination at
+Westminster before nightfall. Two men were rowing; in the stern sat a lady
+with a girl about eleven years old. A woman, evidently a servant, sat
+beside the lady, while behind, steering the boat, was an elderly retainer.
+
+
+
+"It is getting dark," the lady said; "I would that my cousin James had not
+detained us so long at Richmond, and then after all he was unable to
+accompany us. I like not being out on the river so late."
+
+"No, indeed, my lady," the woman replied; "I have heard tell lately much of
+the doings of the river pirates. They say that boats are often picked up
+stove in and broken, and that none know what had become of their occupants,
+and that bodies, gashed and hewn, are often found floating in the river.
+
+"How horrible," the girl said; "your tale makes me shiver, Martha; I would
+you had said nothing about it till we were on land again.
+
+"Do not be afraid, Edith," the lady said cheerfully; "we shall soon be safe
+at Westminster."
+
+There were now only two or three boats to be seen on the river. They were
+nearing the end of their journey now, and the great pile of the Abbey could
+be seen through the darkness. A boat with several men in it was seen rowing
+across the river towards the Lambeth side. It was awkwardly managed.
+
+"Look out!" the steersman of the boat coming down stream shouted; "you will
+run into us if you don't mind."
+
+An order was given in the other boat, the men strained to their oars, and
+in an instant the boat ran with a crash into the side of the other, cutting
+it down to the water's edge. For a minute there was a wild scene of
+confusion; the women shrieked, the watermen shouted, and, thinking that it
+was an accident, strove, as the boat sank from under them, to climb into
+that which had run them down.  They were speedily undeceived. One was sunk
+by a heavy blow with an oar, the other was stabbed with a dagger, while the
+assailants struck fiercely at the old man and the women.
+
+At this moment, however, a third boat made its appearance on the scene, its
+occupants uttering loud shouts.  As they rowed towards the spot their
+approach was heralded by a shower of arrows. Two of the ruffians were
+struck - one fell over mortally wounded, the other sank down into the boat.
+
+
+"Row, men, row," their leader shouted, "or we shall all be taken."
+
+Again seizing their oars, the rowers started at full speed towards the
+Lambeth shore. The arrows of their pursuers still fell among them, two more
+of their number being wounded before they reached the opposite shore. The
+pursuit was not continued, the newcomers ceasing to row at the spot where
+the catastrophe had taken place. Walter stood up in the boat and looked
+round. A floating oar, a stretcher, and a sheepskin which had served as a
+cushion, alone floated.
+
+Suddenly there was a choking cry heard a few yards down stream, and Walter
+leapt into the river. A few strokes took him to the side of the girl, and
+he found, on throwing his arm round her, that she was still clasped in her
+mother's arms.  Seizing them both, Walter shouted to his comrades. They had
+already turned the boat's head, and in a minute were alongside.
+
+It was a difficult task to get the mother and child on board, as the girl
+refused to loose her hold. It was, however, accomplished, and the child sat
+still and quiet by Walter's side, while his comrades endeavoured to stanch
+the blood which was flowing from a severe wound in her mother's head.  When
+they had bound it up they rubbed her hands, and by the time they had
+reached the steps at Westminster the lady opened her eyes. For a moment she
+looked bewildered, and then, on glancing round, she gave a low cry of
+delight at seeing her child sitting by Walter's side.
+
+On reaching the steps the boys handed her over to the care of the watermen
+there, who soon procured a litter and carried her, she being still too weak
+to walk, to the dwelling of the Earl of Talbot, where she said she was
+expected.  The apprentices rowed back to London Bridge, elated at the
+success of their enterprise, but regretting much that they had arrived too
+late to hinder the outrage, or to prevent the escape of its perpetrators.
+
+
+
+Walter on his return home related the whole circumstance to his master.
+
+"I would you had told me, Walter," the latter said, "since we might have
+taken precautions which would have prevented this foul deed from taking
+place.  However, I can understand your wanting to accomplish the adventure
+without my aid; but we must think now what had best be said and done. As
+the lady belongs to the court, there is sure to be a fine pother about the
+matter, and you and all who were there will be examined touching your share
+of the adventure, and how you came to be upon the spot. The others will, of
+course, say that they were there under your direction; and we had best
+think how much of your story you had better tell."
+
+"Why should I not tell it all?" Walter asked indignantly.
+
+"You should never tell a lie, Walter; but in days like these it is safer
+sometimes not to tell more than is necessary. It is a good rule in life, my
+boy, to make no more enemies than may be needful. This knight, who is
+doubtless a great villain, has maybe powerful friends, and it is as well,
+if it can be avoided, that you should not embroil yourself with these.
+Many a man has been knocked on head or stabbed on a dark night, because he
+could not keep his tongue from wagging.  'Least said, the sooner mended,'
+is a good proverb; but I will think it over tonight, and tell you in the
+morning."
+
+When they met again in the workshop the armourer said: "Clean yourself up
+after breakfast, Walter, and put on your best clothes. I will go with you
+before the mayor, and then you shall tell him your story. There is sure to
+be a stir about it before the day is done. As we walk thither we can settle
+how much of your story it is good to tell."
+
+On their way over the bridge Geoffrey told Walter that he thought he had
+better tell the whole story exactly as it had occurred, concealing only the
+fact that he had recognized the knight's face. "You had best too," he said,
+"mention nought about the white cloak. If we can catch the man of the hut
+in the swamp, likely enough the rack will wring from him the name of his
+employer, and in that case, if you are brought up as a witness against him
+you will of course say that you recognize his face; but 'tis better that
+the accusation should not come from you. No great weight would be given to
+the word of a 'prentice boy as against that of a noble. It is as bad for
+earthen pots to knock against brass ones, as it is for a yeoman in a
+leathern jerkin to stand up against a knight in full armour.
+
+"But unless the lady knows her enemy she may fall again into his snares.
+
+"I have thought of that," Geoffrey said, "and we will take measures to
+prevent it."
+
+"But how can we prevent it?" Walter asked, surprised.
+
+"We must find out who this knight may be, which should, methinks, not be
+difficult. Then we will send to him a message that his share in this
+night's work is known to several, and that if any harm should ever again be
+attempted against the lady or her daughter, he shall be denounced before
+King Edward himself as the author of the wrong. I trust, however, that we
+may capture the man of the swamp, and that the truth may be wrung from
+him."
+
+By this time they had arrived at the Guildhall, and making their way into
+the court, Geoffrey demanded private speech with the Lord Mayor.
+
+"Can you not say in open court what is you business?" the Lord Mayor asked.
+
+
+
+"I fear that if I did it would defeat the ends of justice."
+
+Retiring with the chief magistrate into an inner room, Geoffrey desired
+Walter to tell his story. This he did, ending by saying that he regretted
+much that he had not at once told his master what he had heard; but that,
+although he deemed evil was intended, he did not know that murder was
+meant, and thought it but concerned the carrying off of some damsel, and
+that this he had intended, by the aid of his comrades, to prevent.
+
+"You have done well, Master Walter, since that be your name," the
+magistrate said. "That you might have done better is true, for had you
+acted otherwise you might have prevented murder from being done. Still, one
+cannot expect old heads upon young shoulders. Give me the names of those
+who were with you, for I shall doubtless receive a message from Westminster
+this morning to know if I have heard aught of the affair. In the meantime
+we must take steps to secure these pirates of the marsh. The ground is
+across the river, and lies out of my jurisdiction."
+
+"It is for that reason," Geoffrey said, "that I wished that the story
+should be told to you privately, since the men concerned might well have
+sent a friend to the court to hear if aught was said which might endanger
+them."
+
+"I will give you a letter to a magistrate of Surrey, and he will despatch
+some constables under your guidance to catch these rascals. I fear there
+have been many murders performed by them lately besides that in question,
+and you will be doing a good service to the citizens by aiding in the
+capture of these men.
+
+"I will go willingly," the smith assented.
+
+The Lord Mayor said, after a moment's thought. "It will be quicker; I will
+tell the justice that if he will come to the meeting of the roads on
+Kennington Common, at seven this evening, you will be there with your
+apprentice to act as a guide."
+
+"I will," the armourer said, "and will bring with me two or three of my men
+who are used to hard blows, for, to tell you the truth, I have no great
+belief in the valour of constables, and we may meet with a stout
+resistance."
+
+"So be it," the Lord Mayor said; "and luck be with you, for these men are
+the scourges of the river."
+
+That evening the armourer shut up his shop sooner than usual, and
+accompanied by Walter and four of his workmen, and all carrying stout oaken
+cudgels, with hand- axes in their girdles, started along the lonely road to
+Kennington. Half an hour after their arrival the magistrate, with ten men,
+rode up. He was well pleased at the sight of the reinforcement which
+awaited him, for the river pirates might be expected to make a desperate
+resistance. Geoffrey advised a halt for a time until it should be well-nigh
+dark, as the marauders might have spies set to give notice should strangers
+enter the marsh.
+
+They started before it was quite dark, as Walter doubted whether he should
+be able to lead them straight to the hut after the night had completely
+fallen. He felt, however, tolerably sure of his locality, for he had
+noticed that two trees grew on the edge of the swamp just at the spot where
+he had left it. He had no difficulty in finding these, and at once led the
+way. The horses of the magistrate and his followers were left in charge of
+three of their number.
+
+"You are sure you are going right?" the magistrate said to Walter. "The
+marsh seems to stretch everywhere, and we might well fall into a quagmire,
+which would swallow us all up.
+
+"I am sure of my way," Walter answered; "and see, yonder clump of bushes,
+which you can just observe above the marsh, a quarter of a mile away, is
+the spot where the house of their leader is situated."
+
+With strict injunctions that not a word was to be spoken until the bush was
+surrounded, and that all were to step noiselessly and with caution, the
+party moved forward. It was now nearly dark, and as they approached the hut
+sounds of laughter and revelry were heard.
+
+"They are celebrating their success in a carouse," Geoffrey said. "We shall
+catch them nicely in a trap."
+
+When they came close, a man who was sitting just at the low mouth of the
+hut suddenly sprang to his feet and shouted, "Who goes there?" He had
+apparently been placed as sentry, but had joined in the potations going on
+inside, and had forgotten to look round from time to time to see that none
+were approaching.
+
+At his challenge the whole party rushed forward, and as they reached the
+hut the men from within came scrambling out, sword in hand. For two or
+three minutes there was a sharp fight, and had the constables been alone
+they would have been defeated, for they were outnumbered and the pirates
+were desperate.
+
+The heavy clubs of the armourers decided the fight.  One or two of the band
+alone succeeded in breaking through, the rest were knocked down and bound;
+not, however, until several severe wounds had been inflicted on their
+assailants.
+
+When the fray was over, it was found that nine prisoners had been captured.
+ Some of these were stunned by the blows which the smiths had dealt them,
+and two or three were badly wounded; all were more or less injured in the
+struggle. When they recovered their senses they were made to get on their
+feet, and with their hands tied securely behind them were marched between a
+double line of their captors off the marsh.
+
+"Thanks for your services," the justice said when they had gained the place
+where they had left their horses. "Nine of my men shall tie each one of
+these rascals to their stirrups by halters round their necks, and we will
+give them a smart run into Richmond, where we will lodge them in the jail.
+Tomorrow is Sunday; on Monday they will be brought before me, and I shall
+want the evidence of Master Walter Fletcher and of those who were in the
+boat with him as to what took place on the river. Methinks the evidence on
+that score, and the resistance which they offered to us this evening, will
+be sufficient to put a halter round their necks; but from what I have heard
+by the letter which the Lord Mayor sent me, there are others higher in rank
+concerned in the affair; doubtless we shall find means to make these
+ruffians speak."
+
+Accordingly, at the justice's orders, halters were placed round the necks
+of the prisoners, the other ends being attached to the saddles, and the
+party set off at a pace which taxed to the utmost the strength of the
+wounded men.  Geoffrey and his party returned in high spirits to Southwark.
+
+
+On the Monday Walter went over to Richmond, accompanied by the armourers
+and by the lads who had been in the boat with him. The nine ruffians,
+strongly guarded, were brought up in the justice room. Walter first gave
+his evidence, and related how he had overheard a portion of the
+conversation, which led him to believe that an attack would be made upon
+the boat coming down the river.
+
+"Can you identify either of the prisoners as being the man whom you saw at
+the door of the hut?"
+
+"No," Walter said. "When I first saw him I was too far off to make out his
+face.  When he left the hut it was dark."
+
+"Should you know the other man, the one who was addressed as sir knight, if
+you saw him again?"
+
+"I should," Walter replied. He then gave an account of the attack upon the
+boat, but said that in the suddenness of the affair and the growing
+darkness he noticed none of the figures distinctly enough to recognize them
+again. Two or three of the other apprentices gave similar testimony as to
+the attack.
+
+A gentleman then presented himself, and gave his name as Sir William de
+Hertford. He said that he had come at the request of the Lady Alice Vernon,
+who was still suffering from the effects of the wound and immersion. She
+had requested him to say that at some future occasion she would appear to
+testify, but that in the confusion and suddenness of the attack she had
+noticed no faces in the boat which assailed them, and could identify none
+concerned in the affair.
+
+The justice who had headed the attack on the hut then gave his evidence as
+to that affair, the armourer also relating the incidents of the conflict.
+
+
+"The prisoners will be committed for trial," the justice said. "At present
+there is no actual proof that any of them were concerned in this murderous
+outrage beyond the fact that they were taken in the place where it was
+planned. The suspicion is strong that some at least were engaged in it.
+Upon the persons of all of them were valuable daggers, chains, and other
+ornaments, which could not have been come by honestly, and I doubt not that
+they form part of the gang which has so long been a terror to peaceful
+travelers alike by the road and river, and it may be that some who have
+been robbed will be able to identify the articles taken upon them.  They
+are committed for trial: firstly, as having been concerned in the attack
+upon Dame Alice Vernon; secondly, as being notorious ill-livers and
+robbers; thirdly, as having resisted lawful arrest by the king's officers.
+The greatest criminal in the affair is not at present before me, but it may
+be that from such information as Dame Vernon may be able to furnish, and
+from such confessions as justice will be able to wring from the prisoners,
+he will at the trial stand beside his fellows."
+
+Walter returned to town with his companions. On reaching the armourer's
+they found a retainer of the Earl of Talbot awaiting them, with the message
+that the Lady Alice Vernon wished the attendance of Walter Fletcher, whose
+name she had learned from the Lord Mayor as that of the lad to whom she and
+her daughter owed their lives, at noon on the following day, at the
+residence of the Earl of Talbot.
+
+"That is the worst of an adventure," Walter said crossly, after the
+retainer had departed. "One can't have a bit of excitement without being
+sent for, and thanked, and stared at. I would rather fight the best
+swordsman in the city than have to go down to the mansion of Earl Talbot
+with my cap in my hand."
+
+Geoffrey laughed. "You must indeed have your cap in your hand, Walter; but
+you need not bear yourself in that spirit. The 'prentice of a London
+citizen may have just as much honest pride and independence as the proudest
+earl at Westminster; but carry not independence too far.  Remember that if
+you yourself had received a great service you would be hurt if the donor
+refused to receive your thanks; and it would be churlish indeed were you to
+put on sullen looks, or to refuse to accept any present which the lady
+whose life you have saved may make you. It is strange, indeed, that it
+should be Dame Vernon, whose husband, Sir Jasper Vernon, received the fiefs
+of Westerham and Hyde."
+
+"Why should it be curious that it is she?" Walter asked.
+
+"Oh!" Geoffrey said, rather confusedly. "I was not thinking - that is - I
+mean that it is curious because Bertha Fletcher was for years a dependant
+on the family of Sir Roland Somers, who was killed in the troubles when the
+king took the reins of government in his hands, and his lands, being
+forfeit, were given to Sir Jasper Vernon, who aided the king in that
+affair."
+
+"I wish you would tell me about that," Walter said. "How was it that there
+was any trouble as to King Edward having kingly authority?"
+
+"It happened in this way," Geoffrey said. "King Edward II, his father, was
+a weak prince, governed wholly by favourites, and unable to hold in check
+the turbulent barons.  His queen, Isabella of France, sister of the French
+king, a haughty and ambitious woman, determined to snatch the reins of
+power from the indolent hands of her husband, and after a visit to her
+brother she returned with an army from Hainault in order to dethrone him.
+She was accompanied by her eldest son, and after a short struggle the king
+was dethroned. He had but few friends, and men thought that under the young
+Edward, who had already given promise of virtue and wisdom, some order
+might be introduced into the realm. He was crowned Edward III, thus, at the
+early age of fifteen, usurping the throne of his father. The real power,
+however, remained with Isabella, who was president of the council of
+regency, and who, in her turn, was governed by her favourite Mortimer.
+England soon found that the change which had been made was far from
+beneficial. The government was by turns weak and oppressive. The employment
+of foreign troops was regarded with the greatest hostility by the people,
+and the insolence of Mortimer alienated the great barons. Finally, the
+murder of the dethroned king excited throughout the kingdom a feeling of
+horror and loathing against the queen.
+
+"All this feeling, however, was confined to her, Edward, who was but a
+puppet in her hands, being regarded with affection and pity. Soon after his
+succession the young king was married to our queen, Philippa of Hainault,
+who is as good as she is beautiful, and who is loved from one end of the
+kingdom to the other. I can tell you, the city was a sight to see when she
+entered with the king. Such pageants and rejoicing were never known. They
+were so young, he not yet sixteen, and she but fourteen, and yet to bear on
+their shoulders the weight of the state. A braver looking lad and a fairer
+girl mine eyes never looked on. It was soon after this that the events
+arose which led to the war with France, but this is too long a tale for me
+to tell you now. The Prince of Wales was born on the 15th of June, 1330,
+two years after the royal marriage.
+
+"So far the king had acquiesced quietly in the authority of his mother, but
+he now paid a visit to France, and doubtless the barons around him there
+took advantage of his absence from her tutelage to shake her influence over
+his mind; and at the same time a rising took place at home against her
+authority. This was suppressed, and the Earl of Kent, the king's uncle, was
+arrested and executed by Isabella. This act of severity against his uncle,
+no doubt, hastened the prince's determination to shake off the authority of
+his haughty mother and to assume the reins of government himself. The
+matter, however, was not easy to accomplish. Mortimer having the whole of
+the royal revenue at his disposal, had attached to himself by ties of
+interest a large number of barons, and had in his pay nearly two hundred
+knights and a large body of men-at-arms. Thus it was no easy matter to
+arrest him. It was determined that the deed should be done at the meeting
+of the parliament at Nottingham. Here Mortimer appeared with Isabella in
+royal pomp. They took their abode at the castle, while the king and other
+members of the royal family were obliged to content themselves with an
+inferior place of residence.
+
+"The gates of the castle were locked at sunset, and the keys brought by the
+constable, Sir William Eland, and handed to the queen herself. This knight
+was a loyal and gallant gentleman, and regarded Mortimer with no affection,
+and when he received the king's commands to assist the barons charged to
+arrest him he at once agreed to do so. He was aware of the existence of a
+subterranean communication leading from the interior of the castle to the
+outer country, and by this, on the night of the 19th of October, 1330, he
+led nine resolute knights - the Lords Montague, Suffolk, Stafford, Molins,
+and Clinton, with three brothers of the name of Bohun, and Sir John Nevil -
+into the heart of the castle.  Mortimer was found surrounded by a number of
+his friends.  On the sudden entry of the knights known to be hostile to
+Mortimer his friends drew their swords, and a short but desperate fight
+took place. Many were wounded, and Sir Hugh Turpleton and Richard Monmouth
+were slain.  Mortimer was carried to London, and was tried and condemned by
+parliament, and executed for felony and treason. Several of his followers
+were executed, and others were attacked in their strongholds and killed;
+among these was Sir Roland Somers.
+
+"Queen Isabella was confined in Castle Risings where she still remains a
+prisoner. Such, Walter, were the troubles which occurred when King Edward
+first took up the reins of power in this realm; and now, let's to supper,
+for I can tell you that my walk to Kingston has given me a marvellous
+appetite. We have three or four hours' work yet before we go to bed, for
+that Milan harness was promised for the morrow, and the repairs are too
+delicate for me to entrust it to the men. It is good to assist the law, but
+this work of attending as a witness makes a grievous break in the time of a
+busy man.  It is a pity, Walter, that your mind is so set on soldiering,
+for you would have made a marvellous good craftsman. However, I reckon that
+after you have seen a few years of fighting in France, and have got some of
+your wild blood let out, you will be glad enough to settle down here with
+me; as you know, our profits are good, and work plentiful; and did I choose
+I might hold mine head higher than I do among the citizens; and you, if you
+join me, may well aspire to a place in the common council, aye, and even to
+an alderman's gown, in which case I may yet be addressing you the very
+worshipful my Lord Mayor."
+
+"Pooh!" Walter laughed; "a fig for your lord Mayors! I would a thousand
+times rather be a simple squire in the following of our young prince."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV: A KNIGHT'S CHAIN
+
+
+The following morning Walter put on the sober russet dress which he wore on
+Sundays and holidays, for gay colours were not allowed to the apprentices,
+and set out for Westminster. Although he endeavoured to assume an air of
+carelessness and ease as he approached the dwelling of Earl Talbot, he was
+very far from feeling comfortable, and wished in his heart that his master
+had accompanied him on his errand. Half a dozen men-at-arms were standing
+on the steps of the mansion, who looked with haughty surprise at the young
+apprentice.
+
+"Dame Alice Vernon has sent to express her desire to have speech with me,"
+he said quietly, "and I would fain know if she can receive me."
+
+"Here, Dikon," one of the men cried to another within the hall. "This is
+the lad you were sent to fetch yesterday. I wondered much who the city
+apprentice was, who with such an assured air, marched up to the door; but
+if what thou sayest be true, that he saved the life of Dame Vernon and her
+little daughter, he must be a brave lad, and would be more in place among
+men and soldiers than in serving wares behind the counter of a fat city
+tradesman.
+
+"I serve behind no counter," Walter said indignantly.  "I am an armourer,
+and mayhap can use arms as well as make them."
+
+There was a laugh among the men at the boy's sturdy self-assertion, and
+then the man named Dikon said:  "Come along, lad. I will take you to Dame
+Vernon at once.  She is expecting you; and, my faith, it would not be safe
+to leave you standing here long, for I see you would shortly be engaged in
+splitting the weasands of my comrades."
+
+There was another roar of laughter from the men, and Walter, somewhat
+abashed, followed his conductor into the house. Leading him through the
+hall and along several corridors, whose spaciousness and splendour quite
+overpowered the young apprentice, he handed him over to a waiting woman,
+who ushered him into an apartment where Dame Vernon was reclining on a
+couch. Her little daughter was sitting upon a low stool beside her, and
+upon seeing Walter she leapt to her feet, clapping her hands.
+
+"Oh! mother, this is the boy that rescued us out of the river."
+
+The lady looked with some surprise at the lad. She had but a faint
+remembrance of the events which occurred between the time when she received
+a blow from the sword of one of her assailants and that when she found
+herself on a couch in the abode of her kinsman; and when she had been told
+that she had been saved by a city apprentice she had pictured to herself a
+lad of a very different kind to him who now stood before her.
+
+Walter was now nearly sixteen years old. His frame was very powerful and
+firmly knit. His dark brown hair was cut short, but, being somewhat longer
+than was ordinary with the apprentices, fell with a slight wave back on his
+forehead.  His bearing was respectful, and at the same time independent.
+There was none of that confusion which might be expected on the part of a
+lad from the city in the presence of a lady of rank. His dark, heavy
+eyebrows, resolute mouth, and square chin gave an expression of sternness
+to his face, which was belied by the merry expression of his eyes and the
+bright smile when he was spoken to.
+
+"I have to thank you, young sir," she said, holding out her hand, which
+Walter, after the custom of the time, raised to his lips, bending upon one
+knee as he did so, "for the lives of myself and my daughter, which would
+surely have been lost had you not jumped over to save us.
+
+"I am glad that I arrived in time to be of aid," Walter said frankly; "but
+indeed I am rather to be blamed than praised, for had I, when I heard the
+plotting against the safety of the boat, told my master of it, as I should
+have done, instead of taking the adventure upon mine own shoulders,
+doubtless a boat would have been sent up in time to prevent the attack from
+taking place.  Therefore, instead of being praised for having arrived a
+little too late, I should be rated for not having come there in time."
+
+Dame Vernon smiled.
+
+"Although you may continue to insist that you are to blame, this does not
+alter the fact that you have saved our lives. Is there any way in which I
+can be useful to you? Are you discontent with your state?  For, in truth,
+you look as if Nature had intended you for a gallant soldier rather than a
+city craftsman.  Earl Talbot, who is my uncle, would, I am sure, receive
+you into his following should you so choose it, and I would gladly pay for
+the cancelling of your indentures."
+
+"I thank you, indeed, lady, for your kind offices," Walter said earnestly;
+"for the present I am well content to remain at my craft, which is that of
+an armourer, until, at any rate, I have gained such manly strength and
+vigour as would fit me for a man-at-arms, and my good master, Geoffrey
+Ward, will, without payment received, let me go when I ask that grace of
+him."
+
+"Edith, go and look from the window at the boats passing along the river;
+and now," she went on, as the girl had obeyed her orders, "I would fain ask
+you more about the interview you overhead in the marshes. Sir William de
+Hertford told me of the evidence that you had given before the justice. It
+is passing strange that he who incited the other to the deed should have
+been by him termed 'Sir Knight'. Maybe it was merely a nickname among his
+fellows."
+
+"Before I speak, lady," Walter said quietly, "I would fain know whether you
+wish to be assured of the truth.  Sometimes, they say, it is wiser to
+remain in ignorance; at other times forewarned is forearmed. Frankly, I did
+not tell all I know before the court, deeming that peradventure you might
+wish to see me, and that I could then tell the whole to your private ear,
+should you wish to know it, and you could then bid me either keep silence
+or proclaim all I knew when the trial of these evil-doers comes on."
+
+"You seem to me to be wise beyond your years, young sir," the lady said.
+
+"The wisdom is not mine, lady, but my master's. I took counsel with him,
+and acted as he advised me.
+
+"I would fain know all," the lady said. "I have already strange suspicions
+of one from whom assuredly I looked not for such evil designs. It will
+grieve me to be convinced that the suspicions are well founded; but it will
+be better to know the truth than to remain in a state of doubt."
+
+"The person then was a knight, for I had seen him before when he came in
+knightly harness into my master's shop to have two rivets put into his
+hauberk.  I liked not his face then, and should have remembered it
+anywhere.  I knew him at once when I saw him. He was a dark faced knight,
+handsome, and yet with features which reminded me of a hawk."
+
+Dame Vernon gave a little exclamation, which assured the lad that she
+recognized the description.
+
+"You may partly know, lady, whether it is he whom you suppose, for he said
+that he would detain your boat so that it should not come along until dark,
+and, moreover, he told them that they would know the boat since you would
+be wrapt in a white mantle."
+
+The lady sat for some time with her face hidden in her hands.
+
+"It is as I feared," she said at last, "and it grieves me to the heart to
+think that one who, although not so nearly related in blood, I regarded as
+a brother, should have betrayed me to death. My mind is troubled indeed,
+and I know not what course I shall take, whether to reveal this dreadful
+secret or to conceal it."
+
+"I may say, madam," Walter said earnestly, "that should you wish the matter
+to remain a secret, you may rely upon it that I will tell no more at the
+trial than I revealed yesterday; but I would remind you that there is a
+danger that the leader of yon ruffians, who is probably alone acquainted
+with the name of his employer, may, under the influence of the torture,
+reveal it."
+
+"That fear is for the present past, since a messenger arrived from Kingston
+but a few minutes since, saying that yester-even, under the threat of
+torture, the prisoners had pointed out the one among their number who was
+their chief.  This morning, however, it was found that the warder who had
+charge of them had been bribed; he was missing from his post, and the door
+of the cell wherein the principal villain had been immured, apart from the
+others, was opened, and he had escaped."
+
+"Then," Walter said, "it is now open to you to speak or be silent as you
+will.  You will pardon my forwardness if I say that my master, in talking
+the matter over with me, suggested that this evil knight might be scared
+from attempting any future enterprise against you were he informed that it
+was known to several persons that he was the author of this outrage, and
+that if any further attempts were at any time made against you, the proofs
+of his crime would be laid before the king."
+
+"Thanks, good lad," the lady said, "for your suggestion.  Should I decide
+to keep the matter secret, I will myself send him a message to that effect,
+in such guise that he would not know whence it comes. And now, I would fain
+reward you for what you have done for us; and," she went on, seeing a flush
+suddenly mount upon the lad's face, as he made a half step backwards,
+"before I saw you, had thought of offering you a purse of gold, which,
+although it would but poorly reward your services, would yet have proved
+useful to you when the time came for you to start as a craftsman on your
+own account; but now that I have seen you, I feel that although there are
+few who think themselves demeaned by accepting gifts of money in reward for
+services, you would rather my gratitude took some other form. It can only
+do that of offering you such good services that I can render with Earl
+Talbot, should you ever choose the profession of arms; and in the meantime,
+as a memento of the lives you have saved, you will, I am sure, not refuse
+this chain," and she took a very handsome one of gold from her neck; "the
+more so since it was the gift of her majesty, our gracious queen to myself.
+ She will, I am sure, acquit me of parting with her gift when I tell her
+that I transferred it to one who had saved the lives of myself and my
+daughter, and who was too proud to accept other acknowledgment."
+
+Colouring deeply, and with tears in his eyes at the kindness and thoughtful
+consideration of the lady, Walter knelt on one knee before her, and she
+placed round his neck the long gold chain which she had been wearing.
+
+"It is a knight's chain," the lady said, smiling, "and was part of the
+spoil gained by King Edward from the French.  Maybe," she added kindly, "it
+will be worn by a knight again.  Stranger things have happened, you
+know."
+
+Walter flushed again with pleasure.
+
+"Maybe, lady," he said modestly, "even apprentices have their dreams, and
+men- at-arms may always hope, by deeds of valour, to attain a knight's
+spurs even though they may not be of noble blood or have served as page and
+squire to a baron; but whether as a 'prentice or soldier, I hope I shall
+never do discredit to your gift."
+
+"Edith, come here," Dame Vernon said, "I have done talking now. And what
+are you going to give this brave knight of ours who saved us from
+drowning."
+
+The girl looked thoughtfully at Walter. "I don't think you would care for
+presents," she said; "and you look as if a sword or a horse would suit you
+better than a girl's gift. And yet I should like to give you something,
+such as ladies give their knights who have done brave deeds for them. It
+must be something quite my own, and you must take it as a keepsake. What
+shall it be, mamma?"
+
+"Give him the bracelet which your cousin gave you last week," her mother
+said; "I would rather that you did not keep it, and I know you are not very
+fond of him."
+
+"I can't bear him," the girl said earnestly, "and I wish he would not kiss
+me; he always looks as if he were going to bite, and I will gladly give his
+bracelet to this brave boy."
+
+"Very well, Edith, fetch the bracelet from that coffer in the corner."
+
+The girl went to the coffer and brought out the little bracelet, then she
+approached Walter.
+
+"You must go down on your knee," she said; "true knights always do that to
+receive their lady's gifts. Now hold out your hand. There," she went on in
+a pretty imperious way, "take this gage as a reward of your valour, and act
+ever as a true knight in the service of your lady."
+
+Bending down she dropt a kiss upon Walter's glowing cheek, and then, half
+frightened at her own temerity, ran back to her mother's side.
+
+"And now," Dame Vernon went on, "will you thank your five comrades for
+their service in the matter, and give them each two gold pieces to spend as
+they will."
+
+"He is a noble lad," Dame Vernon had said to herself when Walter had taken
+his leave. "Would he had been the son of one of the nobles of the court! It
+might have been then, if he distinguished himself in war, as he would
+surely do, that the king might have assigned Edith to him. As her lord and
+guardian he is certain to give her hand as a reward for valour in the
+field, and it may well be to a man with whom she would be less happy than
+with this 'prentice lad; but there, I need not be troubling myself about a
+matter which is five or six years distant yet. Still the thought that Edith
+is a ward of the crown, and that her hand must go where the king wills,
+often troubles me. However, I have a good friend in the queen, who will, I
+know, exert what influence she has in getting me a good husband for my
+child. But even for myself I have some fears, since the king hinted, when
+last he saw me, that it was time I looked out for another mate, for that
+the vassal of Westerham and Hyde needed a lord to lead them in the field.
+However, I hope that my answer that they were always at his service under
+the leading of my cousin James will suffice for him. Now, what am I to do
+in that matter? Who would have thought that he so coveted my lands that he
+would have slain me and Edith to possess himself of them? His own lands a
+thrice as broad as mine, though men say that he has dipped deeply into them
+and owes much money to the Jews. He is powerful and has many friends, and
+although Earl Talbot would stand by me, yet the unsupported word of an
+apprentice boy were but poor evidence on which to charge a powerful baron
+of such a crime as this. It were best, methinks, to say nought about it,
+but to bury the thought in my own heart.  Nevertheless, I will not fail to
+take the precaution which the lad advised, and to let Sir James know that
+there are some who have knowledge of his handiwork. I hear he crosses the
+seas tomorrow to join the army, and it may be long ere he return. I shall
+have plenty of time to consider how I had best shape my conduct towards him
+on his return; but assuredly he shall never be friendly with me again, or
+frighten Edith with his kisses."
+
+"Well, Walter, has it been such a dreadful business as you expected?" the
+armourer asked the lad when he re-entered the shop. "The great folks have
+not eaten you at any rate."
+
+"It has not been dreadful," Walter replied with a smile, "though I own that
+it was not pleasant when I first arrived at the great mansion; but the lady
+put me quite at my ease, and she talked to me for some time, and finally
+she bestowed on me this chain, which our lady, the queen, had herself given
+her."
+
+"It is a knight's chain and a heavy one," Geoffrey said, examining it, "of
+Genoese work, I reckon, and worth a large sum. It will buy you harness when
+you go to the wars."
+
+"I would rather fight in the thickest melee in a cloth doublet," Walter
+said indignantly, "than part with a single link of it."
+
+"I did but jest, Walter," Geoffrey said laughing; "but as you will not sell
+it, and you cannot wear it, you had best give it me to put aside in my
+strong coffer until you get of knightly rank."
+
+"Lady Vernon said," the lad replied, "that she hoped one day it might again
+belong to a knight; and if I live," he added firmly, "it shall."
+
+"Oh! she has been putting these ideas into your head; nice notions truly
+for a London apprentice! I shall be laying a complaint before the lord
+mayor against Dame Vernon, for unsettling the mind of my apprentice, and
+setting him above his work. And the little lady, what said she? Did she
+give you her colours and bid you wear them at a tourney?"
+
+Walter coloured hotly.
+
+"Ah! I have touched you," laughed the armourer; "come now, out with the
+truth.  My lad," he added more gravely, "there is no shame in it; you know
+that I have always encouraged your wishes to be a soldier, and have done my
+best to render you as good a one as any who draws sword 'neath the king's
+banner, and assuredly I would not have taken all these pains with you did I
+think that you were always to wear an iron cap and trail a pike. I too,
+lad, hope some day to see you a valiant knight, and have reasons that you
+wot not of, for my belief that it will be so. No man rises to rank and fame
+any the less quickly because he thinks that bright eyes will grow brighter
+at his success."
+
+"But, Geoffrey, you are talking surely at random. The Lady Edith Vernon is
+but a child; a very beautiful child," he added reverently, "and such that
+when she grows up, the bravest knight in England might be proud to win.
+What folly for me, the son of a city bowyer, and as yet but an apprentice,
+to raise mine eyes so high!"
+
+"The higher one looks the higher one goes," the armourer said
+sententiously.  "You aspire some day to become a knight, you may well
+aspire also to win the hand of Mistress Edith Vernon. She is five years
+younger than yourself, and you will be twenty-two when she is seventeen.
+You have time to make your way yet, and I tell you, though why it matters
+not, that I would rather you set your heart on winning Mistress Edith
+Vernon than any other heiress of broad lands in merry England. You have
+saved her life, and so have made the first step and a long one. Be ever
+brave, gentle, and honourable, and, I tell you, you need not despair; and
+now, lad, we have already lost too much time in talking; let us to our
+work."
+
+That evening Walter recalled to Geoffrey his promise to tell him the causes
+which had involved England in so long and bloody a war with France.
+
+"It is a tangled skein," Geoffrey said, "and you must follow me carefully.
+First, with a piece of chalk I will draw upon the wall the pedigree of the
+royal line of France from Phillip downwards, and then you will see how it
+is that our King Edward and Phillip of Valois came to be rival claimants to
+the throne of France.
+
+"Now, you see that our King Edward is nephew of Charles le Bel, the last
+King of France, while Phillip of Valois is only nephew of Phillip le Bel,
+the father of Charles.  Edward is consequently in the direct line, and had
+Isabella been a man instead of a woman his right to the throne would be
+unquestionable. In France, however, there is a law called the 'Salic' law,
+which excludes females from the throne; but it is maintained by many
+learned in the law, that although a female is held to be incompetent to
+reign because from her sex she cannot lead her armies to battle, yet she no
+ways forfeits otherwise her rights, and that her son is therefore the heir
+to the throne. If this contention, which is held by all English jurists,
+and by many in France also, be well founded, Edward is the rightful King of
+France. Phillip of Valois contends that the 'Salic law' not only bars a
+female from ascending the throne, but also destroys all her rights, and
+that the succession goes not to her sons but to the next heir male; in
+which case, of course, Phillip is rightful king.  It is not for me to say
+which view is the right one, but certainly the great majority of those who
+have been consulted have decided that, according to ancient law and usage,
+the right lies with Edward. But in these matters 'right is not always
+might.' Had Isabella married a French noble instead of an English king it
+is probable that her son's claim to the throne would have been allowed
+without dispute, but her son is King of England, and the French nobles
+prefer being ruled by one of themselves to becoming united with England
+under one king.
+
+"At the time of the death of the last king, Edward was still but a boy
+under the tuition of his mother, Phillip was a man, and upon the spot,
+therefore he was able to win support by presence and promises, and so it
+came that the peers of France declared Phillip of Valois to be their
+rightful monarch.  Here in England, at parliament held at Northampton, the
+rights of Edward were discussed and asserted, and the Bishops of Worcester
+and Coventry were despatched to Paris to protest against the validity of
+Phillip's nomination. As, however, the country was not in a position to
+enforce the claim of their young king by arms, Phillip became firmly seated
+as King of France, and having shown great energy in at once marching
+against and repressing the people of Flanders, who were in a state of
+rebellion against their count, one of the feudatories of the French crown,
+the nobles were well satisfied with their choice, and no question as to his
+right was ever henceforth raised in France. As soon as the rebellion in
+Flanders was crushed, Phillip summoned the King of England to do homage for
+Aquitaine, Ponthieu and Montreuil, fiefs held absolutely from the crown of
+France.  Such a proceeding placed Edward and his council in a great
+embarrassment. In case of a refusal the whole of the possessions of the
+crown in France might be declared forfeited and be seized, while England
+was in no condition to defend them; on the other hand, the fact of doing
+homage to Phillip of Valois would be a sort of recognition of his right to
+the throne he had assumed. Had Edward then held the reins of power in his
+hands, there can be little doubt that he would at once have refused, and
+would have called out the whole strength of England to enforce his claim.
+The influence of Isabella and Mortimer was, however, all powerful, and it
+was agreed that Edward should do homage as a public act, making a private
+reservation in secret to his own councillors, taking exception to the right
+of Phillip.
+
+"Edward crossed to France and journeyed to Amiens, where Phillip with a
+brilliant court awaited him, and on the appointed day they appeared
+together in the cathedral. Here Edward, under certain protestations, did
+homage for his French estates, leaving certain terms and questions open for
+the consideration of his council. For some time the matter remained in this
+shape; but honest men cannot but admit that King Edward did, by his action
+at the time, acknowledge Phillip to be King of France, and that he became
+his vassal for his estates there; but, as has happened scores of times
+before, and will no doubt happen scores of times again, vassals, when they
+become powerful enough, throw off their allegiance to their feudal
+superiors, and so the time came to King Edward.
+
+"After the death of Mortimer and the imprisonment of Isabella, the king
+gave rein to his taste for military sports.  Tournaments were held at
+Dartford and other places, one in Westcheape. What a sight was that, to be
+sure! For three days the king, with fourteen of his knights, held the list
+against all comers, and in the sight of the citizens and the ladies of the
+court, jousted with knights who came hither from all parts of Europe. I was
+there each day and the sight was a grand one, though England was well-nigh
+thrown into mourning by an accident which took place. The gallery in which
+the queen and her attendants were viewing the sports had been badly
+erected, and in the height of the contests it gave way. The queen and her
+ladies were in great peril, being thrown from a considerable height, and a
+number of persons were severely injured. The king, who was furious at the
+danger to which the queen had been exposed, would have hung upon the spot
+the master workman whose negligence had caused the accident, but the queen
+went on her knees before him and begged his life of the king. The love of
+Edward for warlike exercises caused England to be regarded as the most
+chivalrous court in Europe, and the frequent tournaments aroused to the
+utmost the spirits of the people and prepared them for the war with France.
+ But of the events of that war I will tell you some other night. It is time
+now for us to betake us to our beds."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V: THE CITY GAMES
+
+
+
+The next evening the armourer, at Walter's request, continued his
+narrative.
+
+"Soon after the tournament we began to fight again with Scotland. For some
+years we had had peace with that country, and under the regency a marriage
+was made between David, King of Scotland, son of Robert the Bruce, and the
+Princess Joan, sister to our king, and a four years' truce was agreed
+to."
+
+"But why should we always be fighting with Scotland?" Walter asked.
+
+"That is more than I can tell you, Walter. We were peaceful enough with
+them until the days of Edward I; but he set up some claim to the throne of
+Scotland, the rights of which neither I nor anyone else, so far as I know,
+have ever been able to make out. The fact was he was strong, and thought
+that he could conquer Scotland. The quarrels between her nobles - most of
+them were allied by blood with our own and held possessions in both
+kingdoms - gave Edward an excuse to interfere. Scotland was conquered
+easily enough, but it was a hard task to hold it. Sir William Wallace kept
+the country in a turmoil for many years, being joined by all the common
+people.  He inflicted one heavy defeat upon us at Stirling, but receiving
+no support from the nobles he was defeated at Falkirk, and some years
+afterwards was captured and executed here. His head you may see any day
+over London Bridge. As he fought only for his country and had ever refused
+allegiance to our king, it seems to me that his fate was a cruel one.  Then
+when all appeared quiet, Robert Bruce raised Scotland again, and was
+crowned king.  There was war for many years, but at last, at Bannockburn he
+inflicted such a defeat upon us as we have never had before.  After that
+there were skirmishes and excursions, but Edward II was a weak prince, and
+it seemed that the marriage of David and the Princess Joan would bring
+about a permanent peace between the two countries; but it was not to be
+so."
+
+"Many of the English nobles held claims by marriage or grants upon lands in
+Scotland. They had, of course, been driven from these when the English were
+turned out by Bruce. By the terms of the marriage treaty in 1328 it was
+agreed that they should be reinstated. It was a foolish clause, because it
+was plain that the King of Scotland could not take these lands again from
+the Scotch nobles who had possession of them, many of them being well-nigh
+as powerful as himself. At this time Edward Baliol, son of the great rival
+of Robert Bruce, was in England. He still claimed the throne of Scotland as
+his right. Round him gathered a number of the English nobles who claimed
+lands in Scotland. The king offered no hindrance to the gathering of this
+force, for I doubt not that he was glad to see dissension in Scotland,
+which might give him some such pretext for interference as that which
+Edward I had seized to possess himself of that country. At first Baliol was
+successful, and was crowned at Scone, but he was presently defeated and
+driven out of Scotland. The Scots now made an eruption across the frontier
+as a retaliation for Edward's having permitted Baliol to gather a force
+here for his war against Bruce. King Edward was on the point of starting
+for Ireland, and he at once hastened north. He defeated the Scots at
+Halidon Hill, captured Berwick, and placed Baliol upon the throne. Bruce
+fled to France, where he was supported and encouraged by the French
+king."
+
+"The ill feeling between Edward and Phillip of Valois had gone on
+increasing ever since the former had been compelled to take the oath of
+allegiance to the latter, but outwardly the guise of friendship was kept
+up, and negotiations went on between the two courts for a marriage between
+the little Prince of Wales and Joanna, daughter of the French king."
+
+"The aid which Phillip gave to Bruce increased the bad feeling, and Edward
+retaliated for Phillip's patronage of Bruce by receiving with the greatest
+honour and courtesy Robert of Artois, a great feudatory of France, who had
+been banished by King Phillip. For a time, although both countries were
+preparing for war, peace was not broken, as Edward's hands were full in
+Scotland, where Baliol having bestowed immense possessions upon the English
+nobles who had assisted him, the country again rose in favour of Bruce.
+During the three years that followed King Edward was obliged several times
+to go to Scotland to support Baliol, who held the crown as his feudal
+vassal. He was always successful in the field, but directly his army
+recrossed the frontier the Scotch rose again.  In 1330 a new crusade was
+preached, and in October of that year King Phillip solemnly received the
+cross and collected an immense army nominally for the recovery of
+Jerusalem.  Whether his intentions were honest or not I cannot say, but
+certainly King Edward considered that Phillip's real aim in creating so
+great an army was to attack England. Whether this was so or not would need
+a wiser head than mine, Walter, to tell. Certainly Phillip of Valois
+invited Edward to cooperate with him in the crusade. The king in reply
+stated his belief that the preparations were intended for war in Europe
+rather than in Asia; but that if the King of France would agree to conclude
+a firm league of amity between the two countries, to restore the castles
+and towns of Aquitaine, whose surrender had been frequently promised but
+never carried out, and would bind himself by oath to give no assistance,
+direct or indirect, to Scotland, he would join him in his war for the
+delivery of the Holy Land."
+
+"I must say that King Edward's demands were reasonable, for it was clear
+that he could not march away from England with his whole force and leave
+Baliol unsupported against the assaults of his Scotch enemies, aided by
+France. Phillip was willing to accede to the first two conditions; but in
+regard to the third positively declined treating until David Bruce should
+be restored to the throne of his father. Now, had the French king openly
+supported Bruce from the first, none could have said that his conduct in
+befriending a dethroned monarch was aught but noble and generous; but he
+had all along answered Edward's complaints of the aid afforded by Frenchmen
+to the Bruce by denials that he himself supported him; and this declaration
+in his favour now certainly seemed to show that he had at last determined
+openly to throw off the veil, and that his great army was really collected
+against England.  Robert of Artois craftily seized a moment when the king's
+indignation against Phillip was at the highest. At a great banquet held by
+King Edward, at which all his warlike nobles were present, Robert entered,
+preceded by two noble maidens carrying a heron, which, as you know, Walter,
+is considered the most cowardly of birds. Then in loud tones he called upon
+the knights present each to swear on the bird to perform some deed of
+chivalrous daring. First he presented it to King Edward himself, giving him
+to understand that he regarded him but as little braver than the heron for
+resigning without a blow the fair heritage of France."
+
+"The moment was well chosen, for Edward was smarting under the answer he
+had just received from Phillip. He at once rose and took an oath to enter
+France in arms; to wait there a month in order to give Phillip time to
+offer him battle, and to accept the combat, even should the French
+outnumber him ten to one. Every knight present followed the example of the
+king, and so the war with France, which had been for years a mere question
+of time, was at last suddenly decided upon. You yourself, Walter, can
+remember the preparations which were made throughout England: men were
+enrolled and arms prepared. We armourers were busy night and day, and every
+man felt that his own honour, as well as that of the country, was concerned
+in winning for King Edward the heritage of which he had been unlawfully
+robbed by the King of France."
+
+"On the 17th of March, 1337, at the parliament at Westminster, the king
+created the little prince, then seven years of age, Duke of Cornwall; and
+the prince immediately, in exercise of his new dignity, bestowed upon
+twenty of the most distinguished aspirants the honour of knighthood.
+Immense supplies were voted by the parliaments held at Nottingham,
+Westminster, and Northamton. Half the wool shorn in the summer following
+was granted to the king, with a variety of other taxes, customs, and
+duties. The revenues of all the foreign priories in England, a hundred and
+ten in number, were appropriated to the crown. Provisions of bacon, wheat,
+and oats were granted, and the king pawned his own jewels, and even the
+crown itself, to hire soldiers, and purchase him allies on the Continent.
+So great did the scarcity of money become in the country that all goods
+fell to less than half their value. Thus a vast army was raised, and with
+this King Edward prepared to try his strength with France."
+
+"Phillip on his part was making great preparations.  While Edward had
+purchased the assistance of many of the German nobles Phillip raised large
+armaments in the maritime states of Italy. Spain also contributed a number
+of naval adventurers, and squadrons were fitted out by his vassals on the
+sea coasts of Normandy, Brittany, and Picardy.  King Edward had crossed
+over into Belgium, and after vast delays in consequence of the slowness of
+the German allies, at last prepared to enter France at the end of
+September, 1339. Such, my lad, is the story, as far as I know, of the
+beginning of that war with France which is now raging, and whose events you
+know as well as I do, seeing that they are all of late occurrence. So far,
+although the English have had the best of it, and have sorely mauled the
+French both in the north and south, we have not gained any such advantages
+as would lead to a belief that there is any likelihood of an early
+termination, or that King Edward will succeed for a long time in winning
+back his inheritance of the throne of France."
+
+"There is no doubt that the war weighs heavily upon the people at large.
+The taxes are doubled, and the drain of men is heavy. We armourers, of
+course, have a busy time of it, and all trades which have to do with the
+furnishing of an army flourish exceedingly. Moreover, men of mettle and
+valour have an opportunity of showing what they are composed of, and
+England rings with the tales of martial deeds. There are some, Walter, who
+think that peace is the greatest of blessings, and in some ways, lad, they
+are no doubt right; but there are many compensations in war. It brings out
+the noble qualities; it raises men to think that valour and fortitude and
+endurance and honour are qualities which are something above the mere
+huckstering desire for getting money, and for ignoble ease and comfort.
+Some day it may be that the world will change, and that war may become a
+thing of the past; but to my mind, boy, I doubt whether men will be any
+happier or better for it. The priests, no doubt, would tell you otherwise;
+but then you see I am an armourer, and so perhaps am hardly a fair judge on
+the matter, seeing that without wars my craft would come to an end."
+
+Walter remained in thought for some time. "It seems to me, Master Geoffrey,
+that while wars may suit strong and courageous men, women would rejoice
+were such things to be at an end."
+
+"Women suffer most from wars, no doubt," Geoffrey said, "and yet do you
+mark that they are more stirred by deeds of valour and chivalry than are we
+men; that they are ever ready to bestow their love upon those who have won
+honour and glory in war, even although the next battle may leave them
+widows. This has been always somewhat of a marvel to me; but I suppose that
+it is human nature, and that admiration for deeds of valour and bravery is
+ingrained in the heart of man, and will continue until such times come that
+the desire for wealth, which is ever on the increase, has so seized all men
+that they will look with distaste upon everything which can interfere with
+the making of money, and will regard the man who amasses gold by trading as
+a higher type than he who does valiant deeds in battle."
+
+"Surely that can never be," Walter said indignantly.
+
+"There is no saying," the armourer answered; "at any rate, Walter, it will
+matter little to you or to me, for many generations must pass before such a
+state of things can come about."
+
+Two days later Walter, who had been across into the city, returned in a
+state of excitement.
+
+"What do you think, Geoffrey? The king, with the Prince of Wales and all
+his court, are coming to the games next month. They say that the king
+himself will adjudge the prizes; and there is to be a grand assault-at-arms
+between ten of the 'prentices with a captain, and an equal number of sons
+of nobles and knights."
+
+"That will be rare," Geoffrey Ward exclaimed; "but there will be some
+broken limbs, and maybe worse. These assaults-at-arms seldom end without
+two or three being killed.  However, you youngsters will not hit as hard as
+trained knights; and if the armour be good, no great damage should be
+done."
+
+"Do you think that I shall be one of the ten?" Walter asked anxiously.
+
+"Just as if you did not know you would," Geoffrey replied, laughing. "Did
+you not win the prize for swordplay last year?  And twelve months have
+added much to the strength of your arm, to say nothing of your skill with
+weapons. If you win this year again - and it will be strange if you do not
+- you are like enough to be chosen captain. You will have tough fighting, I
+can tell you, for all these young aspirants to knighthood will do their
+best to show themselves off before the king and queen. The fight is not to
+take place on horseback, I hope; for if so, it will be settled as soon as
+it begins."
+
+"No, it is to be on foot; and the king himself is to give orders as to the
+fighting."
+
+"You had best get out that helmet and coat of mail of yours," Geoffrey
+said, "I warrant me that there will be none of finer make or of truer metal
+in the tourney, seeing that I made them specially for you. They are light,
+and yet strong enough to withstand a blow from the strongest arm. I tried
+them hard, and will warrant them proof, but you had best see to the rivets
+and fastenings. They had a rough handling last year, and you have not worn
+them since. There are some other pieces that I must put in hand at once,
+seeing that in such a melee you must be covered from head to foot."
+
+For the next week nothing was talked of in London but the approaching
+sports, and the workmen were already engaged in the erection of the lists
+and pavilions in the fields between the walls and Westminster. It was
+reported that the king would add valuable prizes to those given to the
+winners by the city; that there would be jousting on horseback by the sons
+of the court nobles, and that the young Prince of Wales would himself ride.
+
+
+The king had once before taken part in the city sports, and with ten of the
+citizens had held his own against an equal number of knights. This was at
+the commencement of his reign; but the accident to the queen's stand had so
+angered him that he had not again been present at the sports, and his
+reappearance now was considered to be an act of approval of the efforts
+which the city had made to aid him in the war, and as an introduction of
+the young prince to the citizens.
+
+When the day arrived there was a general flocking out of the citizens to
+the lists. The scene was a picturesque one; the weather was bright and
+warm; the fields were green; and Westminster, as well as London, sent out
+large numbers to the scene. The citizens were all in their best; their
+garments were for the most part of somber colours - russet, murrey, brown,
+and gray. Some, indeed, of the younger and wealthier merchants adopted
+somewhat of the fashion of the court, wearing their shoes long and pointed,
+and their garments parti-coloured. The line of division was down the centre
+of the body; one leg, arm, and half the body would be blue, the other half
+russet or brown. The ladies' dresses were similarly divided. Mingling with
+the citizens, as they strolled to and fro upon the sward, were the
+courtiers. These wore the brightest colours, and their shoes were so long
+that the points were looped up to the knees with little gold chains to
+enable them to walk. The ladies wore headdresses of prodigious height,
+culminating in two points; and from these fell, sweeping to the ground,
+streamers of silk or lighter material.  Cloths of gold and silver, rich
+furs, silks, and velvets, were worn both by men and women.
+
+None who saw the nobles of the court walking in garments so tight that they
+could scarce move, with their long parti-coloured hose, their silk hoods
+buttoned under the chin, their hair braided down their back, would have
+thought that these were the most warlike and courageous of knights, men
+whose personal prowess and gallantry were the admiration of Europe. Their
+hair was generally cut close upon the forehead, and the beard was suffered
+to grow, but was kept trimmed a moderate length. Many of the ladies had the
+coat-of-arms of their family embroidered upon their dresses, giving them
+the appearance of heralds' tabards.  Almost all wore gold or silver
+girdles, with embroidered pouches, and small daggers.
+
+Thus the appearance of the crowd who moved about among the fields near the
+lists was varied and brilliant indeed.  Their demeanour was quiet, for the
+London merchants deemed a grave demeanour to belong to their calling, and
+the younger men and apprentices restrained their spirits in the presence of
+their superiors.  For their special amusement, and in order, perhaps, to
+keep them from jostling too freely against the court gallants and ladies,
+the city authorities had appointed popular sports such as pleased the
+rougher classes; and bull baiting, cock-fighting, wrestling for a ram,
+pitching the bar, and hand ball, were held in a field some distance away.
+Here a large portion of the artisans and apprentices amused themselves
+until the hour when the king and queen were to arrive at their pavilion,
+and the contests were to commence.
+
+Presently a sound of trumpets was heard, and the royal procession was seen
+moving up from Westminster. Then the minor sports were abandoned; the crowd
+gathered round the large fenced-in space, and those who, by virtue of rank
+or position in the city, had places in the various stands, took their
+places there.
+
+There was a flourish of trumpets as the king and queen appeared in front of
+the pavilion, accompanied by the Prince of Wales and many of the nobles of
+the court, and a shout of welcome arose from the crowd. The shooting at a
+mark at once began. The preliminary trials had been shot off upon the
+preceding day, and the six chosen bowmen now took their places.
+
+Walter had not entered for the prizes at archery. He had on previous years
+shot well; but since he had fully determined to become a man-at-arms he had
+given up archery, for which, indeed, his work at the forge and his
+exercises at arms when the fires were out, left him but little time. The
+contest was a close one, and when it was over the winner was led by the
+city marshal to the royal pavilion, where the queen bestowed upon him a
+silver arrow, and the king added a purse of money. Then there were several
+combats with quarterstaff and broadsword between men who had served among
+the contingents sent by the city to aid the king in his wars. Some good
+sword-play was shown and many stout blows exchanged, two or three men were
+badly hurt, and the king and all present were mightily pleased with the
+stoutness with which they fought.
+
+The apprentices then came forward to compete for the prizes for sword-play.
+ They wore light iron caps and shirts of thickly quilted leather, and
+fought with blunted swords, for the city fathers deemed wisely that with
+these weapons they could equally show their skill, and that with sharpened
+swords not only would severe wounds be given, but bad blood would be
+created between the apprentices of the various wards. Each ward sent its
+champion to the contest, and as these fought in pairs, loud was the
+shouting which rose from their comrades at each blow given or warded, and
+even the older citizens joined sometimes in the shouting and took a warm
+interest in the champions of their respective wards.
+
+The iron caps had stout cheek-pieces which defended the sides of the face
+and neck, for even a blunted sword can deliver a terrible blow if it fall
+upon the naked flesh. It took a long time to get through the combats; the
+pairs were drawn by lot, and fought until the king decided which was the
+superior. Some were speedily beaten, at other times the contests were long
+and severe. It was generally thought by the apprentices that the final
+contest lay between Walter Fletcher of Aldgate and Ralph Smith of Ludgate.
+The former was allowed to be superior in the use of his weapon, but the
+latter was also skilful, was two years older, and greatly superior in
+strength. He had not taken part in the contest in the preceding year, as he
+had been laid up with a hurt in his hand which he had got in his employment
+as a smith, and the lads of Ludgate were confident that he would turn the
+tables upon the champion of the eastern ward.  Both had defeated with ease
+the various opponents whom they had met, but it chanced that they had not
+drawn together until the last round, when they remained alone to struggle
+for the first and second prizes.
+
+The interest in the struggle had increased with each round, and wagers were
+freely laid upon the result. According to custom the two champions had laid
+aside their leathern shirts and had donned mail armour, for it was
+considered that the crowning contest between the two picked young swordsmen
+of the city would be a severe one, and greater protection to the limbs was
+needed.
+
+Before taking their places they were led up to the royal pavilion, where
+they were closely inspected by the king and his nobles.
+
+"You are sure that this man is still an apprentice?" the king asked the
+Lord Mayor, who was seated next to him; "he has the appearance of a
+man-at-arms, and a stout one too; the other is a likely stripling, and is,
+as I have seen, marvellously dexterous with his sword, but he is but a boy
+while the other is a grown man.
+
+"He is an apprentice, my liege, although his time will be up in a few days,
+while the other has yet three years to serve, but he works for an armourer,
+and is famed through the city, boy as he is, for his skill with weapons."
+
+After a few words to each, exhorting them to do their best in the sight of
+the queen and her ladies, the king dismissed them.
+
+"I know the young one now!" the Prince of Wales said, clapping his hands as
+the apprentices turned away to take their places. "My Lord Talbot, I will
+wager a gold chain with you upon the smaller of the two."
+
+"I will take your wager," the noble answered; "but I am by no means sure
+that I shall win it, for I have watched your champion closely, and the
+downright blows which he struck would seem to show that he has the muscle
+and strength of a man though still but a boy."
+
+The event justified the Prince of Wales's confidence; at the commencement
+of the struggle Ralph Smith tried to beat down his opponent by sheer
+strength as he had done his prior opponents, but to his surprise he found
+that all his efforts could not break down his opponent's guard. Walter
+indeed did not appear to take advantage of his superior lightness and
+activity, but to prefer to prove that in strength as well as skill he was
+equal to his antagonist. In the latter respect there was no comparison, for
+as soon as the smith began to relax his rain of blows Walter took the
+offensive and with a sweeping blow given with all his strength broke down
+his opponent's guard and smote him with such force upon his steel cap that,
+blunted as the sword was, it clove through the iron, and stretched the
+smith senseless on the ground.  A loud shout broke from the assemblage. The
+marshal came up to Walter, and removing his helmet, led him to the royal
+pavilion, while Ralph was carried to a tent near, where a leech attended
+his wound.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI: THE MELEE
+
+
+
+You have won your prize stoutly and well, sir 'prentice," the king said. "I
+should not have deemed it possible that one of your age could have smitten
+such a blow, and right glad should I be of a few hundred lads of your
+mettle to follow me against the French. What is your calling?"
+
+"I am an armourer, my liege," Walter answered.
+
+"And you are as good at mending armour as you are at marring it," the king
+said, "you will be a rare craftsman one of these days. 'Tis a rare pity so
+promising a swordsman should be lost to our army. Wouldst like to change
+your calling, boy, and take to that of arms?"
+
+"It is my hope to do so, sir," Walter answered modestly, "and his grace the
+Prince of Wales has already promised me that I shall some day ride behind
+him to the wars."
+
+"Ah! Edward," the king ejaculated, "how is this? Have you been already
+enlisting a troop for the wars?"
+
+"No, sir," the young prince replied, "but one day, now some four years
+since, when I was riding with my Lord Talbot and others in the fields near
+the Tower I did see this lad lead his play-fellows to the assault of an
+earthen castle held by others, and he fought so well and gallantly that
+assuredly no knight could have done better, until he was at last stricken
+senseless, and when he recovered I told him that should he choose to be a
+man-at-arms I would enlist him in my following to the wars."
+
+The king laughed.
+
+"I deemed not that the lads of the city indulged in such rough sports; but
+I wonder not, seeing that the contingent which my good city of London
+furnishes me is ever one of the best in my army. We shall see the lad at
+work again tomorrow and will then talk more of it. Now let us bestow upon
+him the prize that he has so well earned."
+
+Walter bent on one knee, and the queen handed to him a sword of the best
+Spanish steel, which was the prize given by the city to the victor. The
+king handed him a heavy purse of gold pieces, saying:
+
+"This may aid in purchasing your freedom."
+
+Walter bowed deeply and murmured some words of thanks, and was then led off
+by the marshal. After this many of the young nobles of the court jousted on
+horseback, ran at the ring, and performed other feats of knightly exercise
+to the great pleasure of the multitude. The marshal on leading Walter away
+said to him, "You will be captain of the city band tomorrow, and I must
+therefore tell you what the king purports. He has prepared a surprise for
+the citizens, and the present show will be different to anything ever
+before seen in London. Both to show them somewhat of the sieges which are
+taking place on the borders of France and the Low Countries, in which Sir
+Walter Manny and many other gallant knights have so greatly distinguished
+themselves, and as an exercise for the young nobles, he has determined that
+there shall be a castle erected. It will be built of wood, with battlements
+and towers, with a moat outside. As soon as the lists are over a large
+number of workmen will commence its erection; the pieces are all sawn and
+prepared. There will be machines, ladders, and other appliances.  The ten
+champions on either side will fight as knights; you will have a hundred
+apprentices as men-at-arms, and the court party will have an equal number
+of young esquires. You, as winner of today's tourney, will have the choice
+of defence or attack. I should advise you to take the defence, since it is
+easier and requires less knowledge of war, and many of the other party have
+accompanied their fathers and masters in the field and have seen real
+sieges carried out."
+
+"Can you show me a plan of the castle," Walter said, "if it be not contrary
+to the rules, in order that I may think over tonight the plan of fighting
+tomorrow?"
+
+"Here it is," the marshal said. "You see that the walls are 200 feet long,
+they are 12 feet in height, with a tower at the end and one over the
+gateway in the centre six feet high.  There is a drawbridge defended by an
+outwork of palisades six feet high. The moat will be a dry one, seeing that
+we have no means of filling it with water, but it will be supposed to be
+full, and must be crossed on planks or bridges. Two small towers on wheels
+will be provided, which may be run up to the edge of the moat, and will be
+as high as the top of the towers.
+
+"Surely they cannot make all this before morning?" Walter said.
+
+"They will do so," the marshal replied. "The castle has been put together
+in the king's courtyard, and the pieces are all numbered. Two hundred
+carpenters will labour all night at it, besides a party of labourers for
+the digging of the moat.  It will be a rare show, and will delight both the
+citizens and the ladies of the court, for such a thing has never before
+been attempted. But the king grudges not the expense which it will cost
+him, seeing that spectacles of this kind do much to arouse the warlike
+spirit of the people. Here is a list of the various implements which will
+be provided, only it is understood that the mangonels and arblasts will not
+be provided with missiles, seeing that many would assuredly be killed by
+them. They will be employed, however, to show the nature of the work, and
+parties of men-at-arms will be told off to serve them.  Crossbows and
+arrows will be used, but the weapons will be blunted. You will see that
+there are ladders, planks for making bridges, long hooks for hauling men
+down from the wall, beams for battering down the gate, axes for cutting
+down the palisades, and all other weapons.  The ten who will serve under
+you as knights have already been nominated, and the city will furnish them
+with full armour.  For the others, the apprentices of each ward will choose
+sufficient representatives to make up the hundred, who will fight as
+men-at-arms; these will wear steel caps and breastpieces, with leather
+jerkins, and vizors to protect their faces, for even a blunted arrow or
+wooden quarrel might well kill if it struck true."
+
+On leaving the marshal Walter joined Giles Fletcher and Geoffrey Ward, who
+warmly congratulated him upon his success. He informed them of the
+spectacle which the king had prepared for the amusement of the citizens on
+the morrow.
+
+"In faith," Geoffrey said, "the idea is a good one, and promises rare
+sport, but it will be rough, and we may expect many broken limbs, for it be
+no joke to be thrown down with a ladder from a wall even twelve feet high,
+and there will be the depth of the moat besides."
+
+"That will only be two feet," Walter said, "for so it is marked on the
+plan."
+
+"And which do you mean to take, Walter, the attack or the defence? Methinks
+the king has erred somewhat in making the forces equal, for assuredly the
+besiegers should outnumber the besieged by fully three to one to give them
+a fair chance of success."
+
+"I shall take the assault," Walter answered; "there is more to be done that
+way than in the defence. When we get home, Geoffrey, we will look at the
+plans, and see what may be the best manner of assault."
+
+Upon examining the plan that evening they found that the wall was continued
+at an angle at either end for a distance of some twenty feet back so as to
+give a postern gate behind each of the corner towers through which a sortie
+might be made. Geoffrey and Walter talked the matter over, and together
+contrived a plan of operation for the following day.
+
+"You will have one great advantage," Geoffrey said. "The apprentices are
+all accustomed to the use of the bow, while the young nobles will know but
+little of that weapon; therefore your shooting will be far straighter and
+truer, and even a blunt-headed arrow drawn from the shoulder will hit so
+smart a blow that those on the wall will have difficulty in withstanding
+them."
+
+After the talk was ended Walter again crossed London Bridge, and made his
+way to Ludgate, where he found his late antagonist, whose head had been
+plastered up, and was little the worse for the conflict.
+
+"There is no ill-will between us, I hope," Walter said, holding out his
+hand.
+
+"None in the world," the young smith said frankly. He was a good-tempered-
+looking young giant, with closely-cropped hair, light-blue eyes, and a
+pleasant but somewhat heavy face.
+
+"My faith but what a blow was that you gave me; why, one would think that
+your muscles were made of steel. I thought that I could hit a good
+downright blow, seeing that I have been hammering at the anvil for the last
+seven years; but strike as I would I could not beat down your guard, while
+mine went down, as if it had been a feather, before yours. I knew, directly
+that I had struck the first blow, and felt how firm was your defence, that
+it was all up with me, knowing that in point of skill I had no chance
+whatever with you.
+
+"I am glad to see that you bear no malice, Ralph," Walter said, "and hope
+that we shall be great friends henceforth, that is, if you will take me as
+such, seeing that you are just out of your apprenticeship, while I am not
+yet half through mine. But I have come to talk to you about tomorrow. Have
+you heard that there is to be a mimic siege?"
+
+"I have heard about it," Ralph said. "The city is talking of nothing else.
+The news was published at the end of the sports. It will be rare fun,
+surely."
+
+"It will be pretty rough fun," Walter replied; "and I should not be much
+surprised if some lives are lost; but this is always so in a tournament;
+and if knights and nobles are ready to be killed, we apprentices need not
+fear to hazard our lives. But now as to tomorrow. I, as the winner today,
+am to be the leader of the party, and you, as second, will of course be
+captain under me. Now I want to explain to you exactly what I propose to
+do, and to arrange with you as to your share in the business."
+
+The young smith listened attentively to Walter's explanation, and, when he
+had done, exclaimed admiringly:  "Why, Walter, you seem to be made for a
+general.  How did it all come to you, lad? I should never have thought of
+such a scheme."
+
+"I talked it over with my master," Walter said, "and the idea is his as
+much as mine. I wonder if it will do."
+
+"It is sure to do," the smith said enthusiastically. "The castle is as good
+as taken."
+
+The next day all London poured out to the scene of the sports, and the
+greatest admiration and wonder were expressed at the castle, which had
+risen, as if by magic, in the night. It was built at one end of the lists,
+which had been purposely placed in a hollow, so that a great number of
+people besides those in the pavilions could obtain a view from the
+surrounding slopes. The castle was substantially built of heavy timber
+painted gray, and looked at a little distance as if constructed of stone. A
+flag floated from the central tower, and the building looked so formidable
+that the general opinion was freely expressed that the task of the
+assailants, whoever they might be - for at present this was unknown - was
+quite impossible. At ten o'clock the king and his court arrived.  After
+they had taken their places the two bands, headed by their leaders,
+advanced from the lower end of the lists, and drew up in front of the royal
+pavilion.  The leaders took their places in front. Behind them stood ten
+chosen followers, all of whom, as well as their chiefs, were encased in
+full armour.  Behind, on one side, were 100 apprentices, on the other 100
+esquires, all attired as men-at-arms. The court party were led by Clarence
+Aylmer, son of the Earl of Pembroke. His companions were all young men of
+noble family, aspirants for the order of knighthood. They were, for the
+most part, somewhat older than the apprentices, but as the latter consisted
+chiefly of young men nearly out of their term the difference was not great.
+ Walter's armour was a suit which the armourer had constructed a year
+previously for a young knight who had died before the armour could be
+delivered. Walter had wondered more than once why Geoffrey did not
+endeavour to sell it elsewhere, for, although not so decorated and inlaid
+as many of the suits of Milan armour, it was constructed of the finest
+steel, and the armourer had bestowed special care upon its manufacture, as
+the young knight's father had long been one of his best customers. Early
+that morning Geoffrey had brought it to his room and had told him to wear
+it instead of that lent by the city.
+
+"But I fear it will get injured," Walter had urged. "I shall not spare
+myself, you know, Geoffrey, and the blows will be hard ones.
+
+"The more need for good armour, Walter. These city suits are made for show
+rather than use. You may be sure that young Pembroke and his band will
+fight their hardest rather than suffer defeat at the hands of those whom
+they consider a band of city varlets."
+
+Before issuing from the tent where he and his companions had put on their
+mail Walter carefully fastened in the front of his helmet a tiny gold
+bracelet. Upon taking their places before the pavilion the king ordered the
+two leaders to advance, and addressed them and the multitude in the
+following words:
+
+"Brave leaders, and you, my people, I have contrived the pastime today that
+I may show you on a mimic scale the deeds which my brave soldiers are
+called upon to perform in France. It is more specially suited for the
+combatants of today, since one party have had but small opportunity of
+acquiring skill on horseback.  Moreover, I wish to teach the lesson that
+fighting on foot is as honourable as fighting on horseback, for it has now
+been proved, and sometimes to our cost, in Scotland, that footmen can
+repulse even the bravest chivalry. Today each party will fight his best.
+Remember that, even in the heat of conflict, matters must not be carried to
+an extreme. Those cut off from their friends will be accounted prisoners,
+as will those who, being overpowered, throw down their arms. Any wounded on
+either side will not be accounted as prisoners, but may retire with honour
+from the field. You," he said, looking at Walter, "as the conqueror of
+yesterday, have the choice of either the attack or defence; but I should
+advise you to take the latter, seeing it is easier to defend a fortress
+than to assault it. Many of your opponents have already gained credit in
+real warfare, while you and your following are new to it. Therefore, in
+order to place the defence on fair terms with the assault, I have ordered
+that both sides shall be equal in numbers."
+
+"If your liege will permit me," Walter said bowing, "I would fain take the
+assault. Methinks that, with my following, I could do better thus than in
+defence."
+
+The king looked somewhat displeased.
+
+"As you will," he said coldly; "but I fear this will somewhat mar the
+effect of the spectacle seeing that you will have no chance whatever
+against an equal force, more accustomed to war than your party, and
+occupying so superior a position. However," he went on, seeing that Walter
+made no sign of changing his mind, "as you have chosen, so be it; and now
+it is for you to choose the lady who shall be queen of the tourney and
+shall deliver the prizes to the victors.  Look round you; there are many
+fair faces, and it is for you to choose among them."
+
+Smiles passed between many of the courtly dames and ladies at the choice
+that was to be made among them by the apprentice lad; and they thought that
+he would be sorely puzzled at such a duty. Walter, however, did not
+hesitate an instant.  He ran his eye over the crowd of ladies in the royal
+gallery, and soon saw the object of his search.
+
+"Since I have your majesty's permission," he said, "I choose, as queen of
+the tournament, Mistress Edith Vernon."
+
+There was a movement of surprise and a general smile.  Perhaps to all who
+thought that they had a chance of being chosen the selection was a relief,
+as none could be jealous of the pretty child, who, at the king's order,
+made her way forward to the front, and took her seat in a chair placed
+between the king and queen. The girl coloured brightly; but she had heard
+so much of tourneys and jousts that she knew what was her duty. She had
+been sitting far back on the previous day, and the apprentice, when brought
+up before the king, was too far below for her to see his features. She now
+recognized him.
+
+"Sir Knights," she said in a loud, clear, childish voice, "you will both do
+your duty today and show yourselves worthy cavaliers. Methinks that, as
+queen of the tourney, I should be neutral between you, but as one of you
+carries my gage in his helm, my good wishes must needs go with him; but
+bright eyes will be fixed on you both, and may well stir you to deeds of
+valour."
+
+So saying, she resumed her seat with a pretty air of dignity.
+
+"Why, sweetheart," the king said, "how is it that this 'prentice lad knows
+your name, and how is it that he wears your gage, for I know that the young
+Pembroke wears the glove of the Earl of Surrey's daughter?"
+
+"He saved my life, sir, mine and my mother's," the child said, "and I told
+him he should be my true knight, and gave him my bracelet, which you see he
+wears in his helm."
+
+"I recall somewhat of the story," the king said, "and will question my Lady
+Vernon further anon; but see, the combatants are filing off to their
+places."
+
+With flags flying and trumpets blowing young Pembroke led his forces into
+the castle. Each of his ten knights was followed by an esquire bearing his
+banner, and each had ten men-at-arms under his immediate order. Two of
+them, with twenty men, remained in the outwork beyond the drawbridge. The
+rest took their station on the walls, and towers, where a platform had been
+erected, running along three feet below the battlements. The real
+men-at-arms with the machines of war now advanced, and for a time worked
+the machines, which made pretence at casting great stones and missiles at
+the walls. The assailants then moved forward and, unslinging their bows,
+opened a heavy fire of arrows at the defenders, who, in turn, replied with
+arrows and cross-bows.
+
+"The 'prentices shoot well," the king said; "by our lady, it would be hot
+work for the defenders were the shafts but pointed! Even as it is the
+knocks must be no child's play, for the arrows, although not pointed, are
+all tipped with iron, without which, indeed, straight shooting would be
+impossible."
+
+The return fire from the walls was feeble, and the king said, laughing, "So
+far your knight, fair mistress, has it all his own way. I did not reckon
+sufficiently upon the superiority of shooting of the London lads, and,
+indeed, I know not that I ought not in fairness to order some of the
+defenders off the walls, seeing, that in warfare, their numbers would be
+rapidly thinned. See, the assailants are moving up to the two towers under
+shelter of the fire of the archers."
+
+By this time Aylmer, seeing that his followers could make no effectual
+reply to the arrow fire, had ordered all, save the leaders in full armour,
+to lie down behind the parapet. The assailants now gathered thickly round
+each tower, as if they intended to attempt to cross by the bridges, which
+could be let down from an opening in the tower level with the top of the
+wall, while archers upon the summit shot fast and thick among the defenders
+who were gathering to oppose them.
+
+"If the young Pembroke is wise," the king said, "he will make a strong
+sally now and fall upon one or other of the parties."
+
+As he spoke there was a sudden movement on the part of the assailants, who,
+leaving the foot of the towers, made a rush at the outwork in the centre.
+The instant they arrived they fell to work with axes upon the palisades.
+Many were struck down by the blows dealt them by the defenders, but others
+caught up the axes and in less than a minute several of the palisades were
+cut down and the assailants poured in.  The defenders fought gallantly, but
+they were overpowered by numbers. Some were struck down, others taken
+prisoners by main force, and the rest driven across the drawbridge, just as
+the gates were opened and Pembroke, at the head of the defenders, swarmed
+out to their assistance.
+
+There was a desperate fight on the bridge, and it was well that the armour
+was stout, and the arms that wielded the weapons had not yet attained their
+full strength. Several were knocked off the bridge into the moat, and these
+were, by the rules, obliged at once to retire and take no further part in
+the contest.  Walter and Ralph the smith, fought in front of their men, and
+hard as Pembroke and his followers struggled, they could not drive them
+back a foot. The court party were galled by the heavy fire of arrows kept
+up by the apprentices along the side of the moat, and finding all his
+efforts to regain the earth-work useless, Pembroke withdrew his forces into
+the castle, and in spite of the efforts of the besiegers managed to close
+the gates in their faces. The assailants, however, succeeded in severing
+the chains of the drawbridge before it could be raised.
+
+From the tower above, the defenders now hurled over great stones, which had
+been specially placed there for the purpose of destroying the drawbridge
+should the earthwork be carried. The boards were soon splintered, and the
+drawbridge was pronounced by the Earl of Talbot, who was acting as judge,
+to be destroyed. The excitement of the spectators was worked up to a great
+pitch while the conflict was going on, and the citizens cheered lustily at
+the success of the apprentices.
+
+"That was gallantly done," the king said to Queen Philippa, "and the leader
+of the assailants is a lad of rare mettle. Not a captain of my army, no,
+not Sir Walter Manny himself, could have done it more cleverly. You see, by
+placing his forces at the ends of the wall he drew all the garrison thither
+to withstand the assaults from them, and thus by his sudden movement he was
+able to carry the outwork before they could recover from their surprise,
+and come down to its aid.  I am curious to know what he will do next. What
+thinkst thou, Edward?" he asked his son, who was standing by his side.
+
+"He will win the day," the young prince said; "and in faith, although the
+others are my comrades, I should be glad to see it. He will make a gallant
+knight, sir, one of these days, and remember he is engaged to follow my
+banner, so you must not steal him from me. See, my liege, they are taking
+planks and ladders to the outwork."
+
+"They are doing wrongly then," the king said, "for even should they bridge
+the moat where the drawbridge is, they cannot scale the wall there, since
+the tower defends it, and the ladders are but long enough to reach the
+lower wall. No, their leader has changed his mind, they are taking the
+planks along the edge of the moat towards the tower on the left, and will
+aid the assault by its bridge by a passage of the moat there.
+
+It seemed, indeed, that this was the plan. While some of the assailants
+kept up the arrow fire on the wall others mounted the tower, while a party
+prepared to throw a bridge of planks across the moat. The bridge from the
+tower was now lowered; but a shout of triumph rose from the defenders when
+it was seen that by some mistake of the carpenters this was too short, and
+when lowered did not reach within six feet of the wall.
+
+"All the better," the king said, while the prince gave an angry
+exclamation.  "Accidents of this kind will happen, and give an opportunity
+to a leader to show his resources.  Doubtless he will carry planks up to
+the tower and so connect the bridge and the wall."
+
+This, indeed, was what the assailants tried to do, while a party threw
+planks across the moat, and rushing over placed ladders against the wall
+and strove to climb. They strove in vain, however. The ladders were thrown
+down as fast as they were placed, while the defenders, thickly clustered on
+the walls, drove back those who tried to cross from the tower.
+
+"I do not see the leader of the assailants," the prince said.
+
+"He has a white plume, but it may have been shorn off," the king said.
+"Look, the young Pembroke is making a sortie!"
+
+From the sortie gate behind the tower the defenders now poured out, and
+running down to the edge of the moat fell upon the stormers. These,
+however, received them with great steadiness, and while some continued the
+attack the rest turned upon the garrison, and, headed by Ralph the smith,
+drove them gradually back.
+
+"They fight well and steadily," the king said. "One would have thought that
+they had reckoned on the sortie, so steadily did they receive it."
+
+As only a portion of the garrison had issued out they were unable to resist
+long the pressure of the apprentices, who drove them back step by step to
+the sally- port, and pressing them hard endeavoured to force their way in
+at their heels.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII: THE YOUNG ESQUIRE
+
+
+While the attention of the whole of the spectators and combatants was fixed
+upon the struggle at the right-hand angle of the castle, a party of twenty
+'prentices suddenly leapt to their feet from among the broken palisades of
+the outwork.  Lying prone there they had escaped the attention of the
+spectators as well as of the defenders.  The reason why the assailants
+carried the planks and ladders to this spot was now apparent. Only a
+portion had been taken on to the assault of the right-hand tower; those who
+now rose to their feet lifted with them planks and ladders, and at a rapid
+pace ran towards the left angle of the castle, and reached that point
+before the attention of the few defenders who remained on the wall there
+was attracted to them, so absorbed were they in the struggle at the other
+angle.  The moment that they saw the new assailants they raised a shout of
+alarm, but the din of the combat, the shouts of the leaders and men were so
+loud, that their cries were unheard.  Two or three then hurried away at
+full speed to give the alarm, while the others strove to repel the assault.
+ Their efforts were in vain. The planks were flung across the moat, the
+ladders placed in position, and led by Walter the assailants sprang up and
+gained a footing on the wall before the alarm was fairly given. A
+thundering cheer from the spectators greeted the success of the assailants.
+ Springing along the wall they drove before them the few who strove to
+oppose them, gained the central tower, and Walter, springing up to the top,
+pulled down the banner of the defenders and placed that of the city in its
+place. At this moment the defenders, awakened too late to the ruse which
+had been played upon them, came swarming back along the wall and strove to
+regain the central tower. In the confusion the assault by the flying tower
+of the assailants was neglected, and at this point also they gained footing
+on the wall. The young nobles of the court, furious at being outwitted,
+fought desperately to regain their lost laurels. But the king rose from his
+seat and held up his hand. The trumpeter standing below him sounded the
+arrest of arms, which was echoed by two others who accompanied Earl Talbot,
+who had taken his place on horseback close to the walls. At the sound
+swords dropt and the din abruptly ceased, but the combatants stood glaring
+at each other, their blood too heated to relinquish the fray readily.
+
+Already much damage had been done. In spite of armour and mail many serious
+wounds had been inflicted, and some of the combatants had already been
+carried senseless from the field. Some of the assailants had been much
+shaken by being thrown backward from the ladders into the moat, one or two
+were hurt to death; but as few tourneys took place without the loss of
+several lives, this was considered but a small amount of damage for so
+stoutly fought a melee, and the knowledge that many were wounded, and some
+perhaps dying, in no way damped the enthusiasm of the spectators, who
+cheered lustily for some minutes at the triumph which the city had
+obtained. In the galleries occupied by the ladies and nobles of the court
+there was a comparative silence. But brave deeds were appreciated in those
+days, and although the ladies would far rather have seen the victory
+incline the other way, yet they waved their handkerchiefs and clapped their
+hands in token of their admiration at the success of an assault which, at
+the commencement, appeared well-nigh hopeless.
+
+Lord Talbot rode up to the front of the royal pavilion.
+
+"I was about to stop the fight, sire, when you gave the signal. Their blood
+was up, and many would have been killed had the combat continued. But the
+castle was fairly won, the central tower was taken and the flag pulled
+down, a footing had been gained at another point of the wall, and the
+assailants had forced their way through the sally-port.  Further resistance
+was therefore hopeless, and the castle must be adjudged as fairly and
+honourably captured."
+
+A renewed shout greeted the judge's decision. The king now ordered the
+rival hosts to be mustered before him as before the battle, and when this
+was done Earl Talbot conducted Walter up the broad steps in front of the
+king's pavilion.  Geoffrey Ward, who had, after fastening on Walter's
+armour in the tent, before the sports began, taken his place among the
+guards at the foot of the royal pavilion, stept forward and removed
+Walter's helmet at the foot of the steps.
+
+"Young sir," the king said, "you have borne yourself right gallantly today,
+and have shown that you possess the qualities which make a great captain. I
+do my nobles no wrong when I say that not one of them could have better
+planned and led the assault than you have done. Am I not right, sirs?" and
+he looked round.  A murmur of assent rose from the knights and nobles, and
+the king continued: "I thought you vain and presumptuous in undertaking the
+assault of a fort held by an equal number, many of whom are well accustomed
+to war, while the lads who followed you were all untrained in strife, but
+you have proved that your confidence in yourself was not misplaced. The
+Earl of Talbot has adjudged you victor, and none can doubt what the end of
+the strife would have been. Take this chain from your king, who is glad to
+see that his citizens of London are able to hold their own even against
+those of our court, than whom we may say no braver exist in Europe. Kneel
+now to the queen of the tourney, who will bestow upon you the chaplet which
+you have so worthily earned."
+
+Walter bent his knee before Edith Vernon. She rose to her feet, and with an
+air of pretty dignity, placed a chaplet of laurel leaves, wrought in gold
+and clasped with a valuable ruby, on his head.
+
+"I present to you," she said, "the chaplet of victory, and am proud that my
+gage should have been worn by one who has borne himself so bravely and
+well. May a like success rest on all your undertakings, and may you prove a
+good and valiant knight!"
+
+"Well said, Mistress Edith," Queen Philippa said smiling.  "You may well be
+proud of your young champion. I too must have my gift," and drawing a ring
+set with brilliants from her finger she placed it in Walter's hand.
+
+The lad now rose to his feet. "The prince my son," the king said, "has
+promised that you shall ride with his men-at-arms when he is old enough to
+take the field. Should you choose to abandon your craft and do so earlier I
+doubt not that one of my nobles, the brave Sir Walter Manny, for example,
+will take you before that time."
+
+"That will I readily enough," Sir Walter said, "and glad to have so
+promising a youth beneath my banner."
+
+"I would that you had been of gentle blood," the king said.
+
+"That makes no difference, sire," Sir Walter replied. "I will place him
+among the young gentlemen, my pages and esquires, and am sure that they
+will receive him as one of themselves."
+
+Geoffrey Ward had hitherto stood at the foot of the steps leading to the
+royal pavilion, but doffing his cap he now ascended. "Pardon my boldness,
+sire," he said to the king, "but I would fain tell you what the lad himself
+has hitherto been ignorant of. He is not, as he supposes, the son of Giles
+Fletcher, citizen and bowmaker, but is the lawfully born son of Sir Roland
+Somers, erst of Westerham and Hythe, who was killed in the troubles at the
+commencement of your majesty's reign. His wife, Dame Alice, brought the
+child to Giles Fletcher, whose wife had been her nurse, and dying left him
+in her care. Giles and his wife, if called for, can vouch for the truth of
+this, and can give you proofs of his birth."
+
+Walter listened with astonishment to Geoffrey's speech.  A thrill of
+pleasure rushed through his veins as he learned that he was of gentle blood
+and might hope to aspire to a place among the knights of King Edward's
+court. He understood now the pains which Geoffrey had bestowed in seeing
+that he was perfected in warlike exercises, and why both he and Giles had
+encouraged rather than repressed his love for martial exercises and his
+determination to abandon his craft and become a man-at-arms when he reached
+man's estate.
+
+"Ah is it so?" the king exclaimed. "I remember Sir Roland Somers, and also
+that he was slain by Sir Hugh Spencer, who, as I heard on many hands, acted
+rather on a private quarrel than, as he alleged, in my interest, and there
+were many who avowed that the charges brought against Sir Roland were
+unfounded. However, this matter must be inquired into, and my High
+Justiciar shall see Master Giles and his wife, hear their evidence, and
+examine the proofs which they may bring forward. As to the estates, they
+were granted to Sir Jasper Vernon and cannot be restored.  Nevertheless I
+doubt not that the youth will carve out for himself a fortune with his
+sword. You are his master, I suppose? I would fain pay you to cancel his
+apprenticeship.  Sir Walter Manny has promised to enroll him among his
+esquires."
+
+"I will cancel his indentures willingly, my liege," the armourer answered,
+"and that without payment. The lad has been to me as a son, and seeing his
+high spirit, and knowing the gentle blood running in his veins, I have done
+my best so to teach him and so to put him in the way of winning back his
+father's rank by his sword."
+
+"He hath gone far towards it already," the king said, "and methinks may yet
+gain some share in his father's inheritance," and he glanced at little
+Mistress Edith Vernon and then smiled at the queen. "Well, we shall see,"
+he went on. "Under Sir Walter Manny he will have brave chances of
+distinguishing himself, and when my son takes the field he shall ride with
+him. But I am keeping the hosts waiting.  Bring hither," he said to Earl
+Talbot, "Clarence Aylmer."
+
+The young noble was led up to the king. "You have done well, Clarence;
+though you have been worsted you fought bravely, but you were deceived by a
+ruse which might have taken in a more experienced captain. I trust that you
+will be friends with your adversary, who will be known to you henceforth as
+Walter Somers, son of Sir Roland of that name, and who will ride to the
+wars, whither you also are shortly bound, under the standard of Sir Walter
+Manny."
+
+The cloud which had hung over the face of the young noble cleared. It had
+indeed been a bitter mortification to him that he, the son of one of the
+proudest of English nobles, should have been worsted by a London
+apprentice, and it was a relief to him to find that his opponent was one of
+knightly blood. He turned frankly to Walter and held out his hand. "I greet
+you as a comrade, sir," he said, "and hope some day that in our rivalry in
+the field I may do better than I have done today."
+
+"That is well spoken," the king said. Then he rose and in a loud voice
+addressed the combatants, saying, that all had borne themselves well and
+bravely, and that he thanked them, not only for the rare pastime which they
+had made, but for the courage and boldness which had been displayed on both
+sides. So saying, he waved his hand as a token that the proceedings were
+ended, and returned with the court to Westminster; while the crowd of
+spectators overflowed the lists, those who had friends in the apprentice
+array being anxious to know how they had fared.  That evening there was a
+banquet given by the lord-mayor. Walter was invited to be present, with
+Giles and Geoffrey, and many complimentary things were said to him, and he
+was congratulated on the prospects which awaited him. After dinner all the
+'prentices who had taken part in the sports filed through the hall and were
+each presented with a gold piece by the lord-mayor, in the name of the
+corporation, for having so nobly sustained the renown of the city.
+
+After the entertainment was over Walter returned with Geoffrey to the
+bowyer's house, and there heard from his two friends and Bertha the details
+of his mother's life from the time that she had been a child, and the story
+of her arrival with him, and her death. He had still difficulty in
+believing that it was all true, that Giles and Bertha, whom he had so long
+regarded as father and mother, were only his kind guardians, and that he
+was the scion of two noble families.  Very warmly and gratefully he thanked
+his three friends for the kindness which they had shown to him, and vowed
+that no change of condition should ever alter his feelings of affection
+towards them. It was not until the late hour of nine o'clock that he said
+goodbye to his foster parents, for he was next day to repair to the lodging
+of Sir Walter Manny, who was to sail again before the week was out for the
+Low Countries, from which he had only returned for a few days to have
+private converse with the king on the state of matters there. His friends
+would have delivered to him his mother's ring and other tokens which she
+had left, but thought it better to keep these, with the other proofs of his
+birth, until his claim was established to the satisfaction of the lord
+justiciaries.
+
+The next morning early, when Walter descended the stairs, he found Ralph
+Smith waiting for him. His face was strapped up with plaster and he wore
+his arm in a sling, for his armour had been twice cut through as he led his
+party in through the sally-port.
+
+"How goes it with you, Ralph?" Walter said. "Not much the worse, I hope,
+for your hard knocks?"
+
+"Not a whit," Ralph replied cheerfully, "and I shall be all right again
+before the week is out; but the leech made as much fuss over me as if I had
+been a girl, just as though one was not accustomed to hard knocks in a
+smithy. Those I got yesterday were not half so hard as that which you gave
+me the day before. My head rings yet with the thought of it.  But I have
+not come to talk about myself. Is the story true which they tell of you,
+Master Walter, that you are not the son of Giles the bowyer, but of a great
+noble?"
+
+"Not of a great noble, Ralph, but of a gallant knight, which is just as
+good. My father was killed when I was three years old, and my mother
+brought me to Bertha, the wife of Giles the bowyer, who had been her nurse
+in childhood. I had forgotten all that had passed, and deemed myself the
+son of the good citizen, but since I have heard the truth my memory has
+awakened somewhat, and I have a dim recollection of a lordly castle and of
+my father and mother."
+
+"And they say, Walter, that you are going with Sir Walter Manny, with the
+force which is just sailing to the assistance of Lady De Montford."
+
+"That is so, Ralph, and the good knight has taken me among his esquires,
+young as I am, although I might well have looked for nothing better than to
+commence, for two years at least, as a page, seeing that I am but eighteen
+now.  Now I shall ride with him into the battles and shall have as good a
+chance as the others of gaining honour and winning my spurs."
+
+"I have made up my mind that I will go with you, Master Walter, if you will
+take me; each squire has a man-at-arms who serves him, and I will give you
+good and faithful service if you will take me with you. I spoke to the
+smith, my master, last night when I heard the news, and as my
+apprenticeship is out next week he was willing enough to give me the few
+days which remain. Once out of my apprenticeship I may count to be a man,
+and seeing that I am nineteen, and as I may say well grown of my years,
+methinks I am fit for service as a man-at-arms, and I would rather fight
+behind you than labour all my life in the smithy."
+
+"I shall be glad indeed, Ralph, to have you with me if such be really your
+wish, and I do not think that Sir Walter Manny will say nay, for they have
+been beating up for recruits through the kingdom, and we proved yesterday
+that you have courage as well as strength. If he will consent I should be
+glad indeed to have so brave a comrade with me, so we may consider that
+settled, and if you will come down to Westminster, to Sir Walter Manny's
+lodging, this afternoon, I will tell you what he says touching the matter.
+You will, of course, need arms and armour."
+
+"I can provide that," Ralph replied, "seeing that his worshipful the
+lord-mayor bestowed upon me yesterday five gold pieces as the second in
+command in the sports. I have already a steel cap and breast and back
+pieces, which I have made for myself in hours of leisure, and warrant will
+stand as hard a knock as the Frenchmen can give them."
+
+Going across into the city with Geoffrey, Walter purchased, with the
+contents of the purse which the king had given him, the garments suited for
+his new position.  He was fortunate in obtaining some which fitted him
+exactly.  These had been made for a young esquire of the Earl of Salisbury;
+but the tailor, when he heard from Geoffrey for whom they were required,
+and the need for instant despatch, parted with them to Walter, saying that
+he for whom they were made could well wait a few days, and that he would
+set his journeymen to work at once to make some more of similar fit and
+fashion.
+
+Walter felt strange in his new attire, and by no means relished the
+tightness of the garments, which was strictly demanded by the fashion of
+the day. His long hose, one of which was of a deep maroon, the other a
+bright yellow, came far up above the knee, then came a short pair of trunks
+of similar colours divided in the middle. The tight-fitting doublet was
+short and circled at the waist by a buff belt mounted in silver, and was of
+the same colours as the hose and trunks.  On his head was a cap, peaked in
+front; this was of maroon, with a short erect feather of yellow. The
+long-pointed shoes matched the rest of the costume. There were three other
+suits similar in fashion, but different in colour; two like the first were
+of cloth, the third was of white and blue silk, to be worn on grand
+occasions.
+
+
+"You look a very pretty figure, Walter," Geoffrey said, "and will be able
+to hold your own among the young gallants of the court. If you lack
+somewhat of courtly manners it will matter not at all, since you are
+leaving so soon for the wars.
+
+The dress sets off your figure, which is fully two years in advance of your
+age, seeing that hard work has widened you out and thickened your muscles.
+I need not tell you, lad, not to be quarrelsome, for that was never your
+way; but just at first your companions may try some jests with you, as is
+always the manner of young men with newcomers, but take them in a good
+spirit and be sure that, seeing the strength of arm and skill which you
+showed yesterday and the day before, none will care to push matters with
+you unduly."
+
+One of the journeymen accompanied Walter to Westminster to carry up from
+the boat the valise with his clothes and the armour which he had worn in
+the sports.  Sir Walter received the lad with much kindness and introduced
+him to his future companions. They were five in number; the eldest was a
+man of some thirty years old, a Hainaulter, who had accompanied Sir Walter
+Manny to England at the time when the latter first came over as a young
+squire in the suite of the Princess Philippa. He was devotedly attached to
+the knight, his master, and although he might several times have received
+the rank of knighthood for his bravery in the field, he preferred remaining
+in his position as esquire and faithful friend of his master.
+
+The other four were between the ages of nineteen and twenty-one, and all
+belonged to the families of the highest nobility of England, it being
+deemed a distinguished honour to be received as a squire by the most
+gallant knight at the court of England. Their duties were, as Walter soon
+learned, almost nominal, these being discharged almost exclusively by John
+Mervaux. Two of the young esquires, Richard Coningsby and Edward Clifford,
+had fought in the melee, having been among the ten leaders under Clarence
+Aylmer.  They bore no malice for the defeat, but received Walter with
+cordiality and kindness, as did the other young men. Walter on his arrival
+acquainted the knight with Ralph's wish to follow him, and requested
+permission for him to do so. This was readily granted, Sir Walter Manny
+telling the lad that although esquires were supposed to wait entirely upon
+themselves, to groom their horses, and keep their armour and arms bright
+and in good order, yet, in point of fact, young men of good families had
+the greater part of these duties performed for them by a retainer who rode
+in the ranks of their master's following as a man-at-arms.
+
+"The other esquires have each one of their father's retainers with them,
+and I am glad that you should be in the same position. After you have taken
+your midday meal you had best go across to the Earl of Talbot's and inquire
+for the Lady Vernon, who is still staying with him. She told me at the
+king's ball last night that she wished to have speech with you, and I
+promised to acquaint you with her desire. By the way, dost know aught of
+riding?"
+
+"I have learnt to sit on a horse, Sir Walter," the lad answered. "My good
+friend Geoffrey, the armourer, advised that I should learn, and frequently
+hired from the horse-dealer an animal for my use. I have often backed
+half-broken horses which were brought up by graziers from Kent and Sussex
+for use in the wars. Many of them abode at the hostels at Southwark, and
+willingly enough granted me permission to ride their horses until they were
+sold. Thus I have had a good deal of practice, and that of a rough kind;
+and seeing that latterly the horses have, for the most part, found it
+difficult to fling me when sitting barebacked across them, I think I could
+keep my seat in the high-peaked saddles on the most vicious, but I have had
+no practice at tilting, or at the ring, or other knightly exercises."
+
+"That matters not at all," the knight said. "All these knightly exercises
+which you speak of are good in time of peace, for they give proficiency and
+steadiness, but in time of war he who can sit firmly in his saddle and
+wield sword and battle-axe lustily and skillfully is equal to the best; but
+never fear, when this expedition is over, and we have time for such things,
+I will see that you are instructed in them. One who has achieved so much
+martial skill as you have done at so early an age will have little
+difficulty in acquiring what may be termed the pastime of chivalry."
+
+Ralph arrived just as Walter was setting out. The latter presented him to
+the knight, who spoke with praise of the gallantry which he had displayed
+on the previous day, and then handed him over to John Mervaux, with
+instructions to enroll him as a man-at-arms among his followers, to inform
+him of his duties, and to place him with those who attended upon the other
+esquires.
+
+After seeing Ralph disposed of, Walter went across to the Earl of Talbot
+and was again conducted to the presence of Dame Vernon.
+
+"You have changed since we met last, young sir," she said with a smile,
+"though it is but a month since. Then you were a 'prentice boy, now you are
+an esquire of Sir Walter Manny, and on the highway to distinction. That you
+will win it I am well assured, since one who risked his life to rescue a
+woman and child whose very names were unknown to him is sure to turn out a
+noble and valiant knight. I little thought when my daughter called you her
+knight, that in so short a time you might become an aspirant to that
+honour. I hope that you do not look askance at us, now that you know I am
+in possession of the lands of your parents. Such changes of land, you know,
+often occur, but now I know who you are, I would that the estates bestowed
+upon Sir Jasper had belonged to some other than you; however, I trust that
+you will hold no grudge against us, and that you may win as fair an estate
+by the strength of your arm and the king's favour."
+
+"Assuredly I feel no grudge, madam," Walter replied, "and since the lands
+were forfeited, am pleased that of all people they should have gone to one
+so kind and so fair as yourself."
+
+"What, learning to be a flatterer already!" Dame Vernon laughed. "You are
+coming on fast, and I predict great things from you. And now, Edith, lay
+aside that sampler you are pretending to be so busy upon and speak to this
+knight of yours.
+
+Edith laid down her work and came forward. She was no longer the dignified
+little queen of the tournament, but a laughing, bright-faced girl.
+
+"I don't see that you are changed," she said, "except in your dress. You
+speak softly and naturally, just as you used to do, and not a bit like
+those little court fops, Uncle Talbot's pages. I am afraid you will not
+want to be my knight any more, now that you are going to get great honours
+at the war; for I heard my Uncle Talbot tell my lady mother that he was
+sure you would gain great credit for yourself."
+
+"I shall be always your knight," Walter said earnestly; "I told you I
+should, and I never break my word. That is," he went on, colouring, "if
+Dame Vernon makes no objection, as she well might."
+
+"If I did not object before, Walter," she said smiling, "why should I do so
+now?"
+
+"It is different, my lady; before, it was somewhat of a jest, a sort of
+childish play on the part of Mistress Edith, though so far as I was
+concerned it was no play, but sober earnest.
+
+"It needs no permission from me," Dame Vernon replied, "for you to wear my
+daughter's colours. Any knight may proclaim any lady he chooses the
+mistress of his heart, and a reigning beauty will often have a dozen young
+knights who wear her colours. However, I am well content that one who has
+done me such great service and who has shown such high promise should be
+the first to wear the gage of my little daughter, and if in after years
+your life fulfils the promise of your youth, and you remain true to her
+gage, there is none among all the youths of the court whom I would so
+gladly see at her feet. Remember," she said, as Walter was about to speak,
+"her hand will not be at my disposal, but at that of the king. His majesty
+is wont to bestow the hands of his wards upon those who most distinguish
+themselves in the field. You have already attracted his royal attention and
+commendation. Under Sir Walter Manny you will be sure of opportunities of
+distinguishing yourself, and the king may well be glad some day at once to
+reward your services and to repair a cruel injustice by bestowing upon you
+the hand of the heiress of your father's lands. If I mistake not, such a
+thought has even now crossed his majesty's mind, unless I misinterpreted a
+glance which yesterday passed between him and our sweet queen. I need not
+tell you to speak of your hopes to none, but let them spur you to higher
+exertions and nobler efforts. Loving my little Edith as I do, I naturally
+consider the prize to be a high one. I have often been troubled by the
+thought that her hand may be some day given to one by years or temper
+unsuited for her, and it will be a pleasure to me henceforth to picture her
+future connected with one who is, I am sure, by heart and nature fitted for
+her. And now, farewell, young sir. May God protect you in the field, and
+may you carry in the battle which awaits you the gage of my daughter as
+fairly and successfully as you did in the mimic fray of yesterday!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII: OFF TO THE WARS
+
+
+Two days later Walter started with Sir Walter Manny, with a large number of
+knights, squires, men-at-arms, and archers, for the Orwell. Walter was
+mounted, as were the other squires and men-at-arms, and indeed many of the
+archers. Ralph Smith, in the attire of a man-at-arms, rode behind.
+
+Walter was in the highest spirits. A brilliant career was open to him under
+the most favourable circumstances; he had already distinguished himself,
+and had gained the attention of the highest personages in the realm, his
+immediate lord was one of the bravest and most chivalrous knights in
+Europe, and he had to sustain and encourage him the hopes that Lady Vernon
+had given him, of regaining some day the patrimony of his father. It was a
+satisfaction to him that he was as well born as those who surrounded him,
+and his purse was well lined as any in the company. Although he had spent
+the largess which had been bestowed upon him at the tournament in procuring
+clothes fitted for his rank, he was yet abundantly supplied with money, for
+both Geoffrey Ward and Giles Fletcher, having no children of their own and
+being both well-to-do men, had insisted upon his accepting a sum which
+would enable him to make a good appearance with the best.
+
+A large number of squires followed the banner of Sir Walter Manny. The
+records of the time show that the barons were generally accompanied in the
+field by almost as many squires as men-at-arms. The former were men of good
+family, sons of knights and nobles, aspirants for the honour of knighthood,
+and sons of the smaller gentry. Many were there from pure love of a life of
+excitement and adventure, others in fulfilment of the feudal tenure by
+which all land was then held, each noble and landowner being obliged to
+furnish so many knights, squires, men-at-arms, and archers, in accordance
+with the size of his holding.  The squires fought in the field in the front
+rank of the men-at-arms, save those who, like Walter, were attached to the
+person of their leader, and who in the field fought behind him or bore his
+orders to the companies under his banner.
+
+In the field all drew pay, and it may be interesting in the present day to
+know what were the rates for which our forefathers risked their lives. They
+were as follows:  each horse archer received 6 deniers, each squire 12
+deniers or 1 sol, each knight 2 sols, each knight banneret 4 sols. 20 sols
+went to the pound, and although the exact value of money in those days
+relative to that which it bears at the present time is doubtful, it may be
+placed at twelve times the present value. Therefore each horse archer
+received an equivalent to 6s. a day, each squire 12s., each knight 24s.,
+and each knight banneret 48s. per day.
+
+Upon their arrival at the Orwell, where many troops from other parts had
+been gathered, the expedition at once embarked on board the numerous ships
+which had been collected. As that in which Sir Walter sailed also carried
+several of his knights there was not room for all his young esquires, and
+Walter and the three other juniors were told off into another ship. She was
+a smaller vessel than most of those which composed the expedition, and only
+carried twelve men-at-arms and as many archers, together with the four
+young squires, and a knight, Sir John Powis, who was in command of the
+whole.
+
+"Your craft is but a small one," the knight said to the captain.
+
+"She is small, but she is fast," the latter answered. "She would sail round
+and round the best part of the fleet. I had her built according to my own
+fancy.  Small though she be, I warrant you she will be one of the first to
+arrive at Hennebon, and the sooner the better say I, since I am but paid by
+the trip, and would fain be back again at my regular work. It pays better
+carrying merchants' goods between London and Holland than taking his
+majesty's troops over to France."
+
+"Your speed will not be of much avail," Sir John Powis said, "seeing that
+the fleet will keep together."
+
+"Yes, I know that is the order," the captain answered; "but accidents
+happen sometimes, you know" - and his eye twinkled. "Vessels get separated
+from fleets.  If they happen to be slow ones so much the worse for those on
+board; if they happen to be fast ones so much the better, seeing that those
+they carry will arrive long before their comrades, and may be enabled to
+gain credit and renown while the others are whistling for a wind in
+mid-ocean. However, we shall see.
+
+The next morning the fleet sailed from the Orwell. It contained 620
+men-at-arms, among whom were many of the noblest and bravest of the
+country, and 6000 picked archers in the pay of the king. The whole were
+commanded by Sir Walter. The scene was a very gay one. The banners of the
+nobles and knights floated from the lofty poops, and the sun shone on
+bright armour and steel weapons. Walter, who had never seen the sea before,
+was delighted. The wind was fair, and the vessels glided smoothly along
+over the sea. At evening the knight and his four young companions gathered
+in the little cabin, for it was in the first week in March, and the night
+was cold.
+
+"Will you please tell me, Sir John," Walter said to the knight, "the merits
+of this quarrel in which we are going to fight? I know that we are going in
+aid of the Countess of Montford; but why she is in a sore strait I know
+not."
+
+"The matter is a mixed one, Walter, and it requires a herald to tell you
+all the subtleties of it. John III, Duke of Brittany, was present with his
+liege lord, Phillip of Valois, in the last war with England, on the border
+of the low country.  When the English retired from before Tournay Phillip
+dismissed his nobles. The Duke of Burgundy was taken ill, and died at Caen,
+in Normandy, on the 30th of April, 1341.  Arthur II, his father, had been
+twice married. By his first wife he had three sons, John, Guy, and Peter.
+John and Peter left no issue. Guy, who is also dead, left a daughter, Joan.
+ By his second wife, Jolande de Dieux, Duke Arthur had one son, John, Count
+of Montford. Thus it happened, that when Duke John died, his half-brother,
+the Count of Montford, and Joan, daughter of his second brother Guy, were
+all that survived of the family.  These were the rival claimants for the
+vacant dukedom. In England we have but one law of succession, which rules
+through the whole land. In France it is different. There the law of
+succession depends entirely upon the custom of the county, dukedom, or
+lordship, which is further affected both by the form of grant by which the
+territory was conveyed to its first feudal possessors and by the mode in
+which the province had been acquired by the kings of France. This is
+important, as upon these circumstances alone it depended whether the son or
+the granddaughter of Arthur II should inherit the dukedom.
+
+"Joan claimed the duchy as the daughter of the elder brother.  The Salic
+law of France, which barred females from the right of succession, and in
+virtue of which Philip of Valois succeeded to the throne instead of King
+Edward, certainly did not obtain in Brittany. Duke John regarded Joan as
+his heiress, and married her to Charles of Blois, nephew of the King of
+France, thus strengthening her in her position; and he also induced the
+provincial parliament of Brittany to acknowledge her husband as his
+successor in the dukedom.  Altogether it would seem that right is upon
+Joan's side; but, on the other hand, the Count of Montford is the son of
+Jolande, a great heiress in Brittany. He is an active and energetic noble.
+The Bretons love not too close a connection with France, and assuredly
+prefer to be ruled by a duke whom they regard as one of themselves rather
+than by Charles of Blois, nephew of the French king.  Directly Duke John
+was dead the Count of Montford claimed the inheritance.  Assuming the title
+of duke he rode to Nantes, where the citizens did him homage, and then
+proceeded to Limoges with a large train of men-at-arms, and there took
+possession of the immense treasures which the late duke had accumulated in
+the course of a long and tranquil reign. With these sinews of war at his
+command he turned to Nantes, where he had left his wife the countess, who
+was a sister of the Count of Flanders. He immediately invited the nobility
+of Brittany to a grand banquet, but only one knight of any renown presented
+himself at the feast, the rest all holding aloof. With the wealth of which
+he had possessed himself he levied large forces and took the field. He
+first marched against Brest, where the garrison, commanded by Walter de
+Clisson, refused to acknowledge him. After three days' hard fighting the
+place was taken. Rennes was next besieged, and presently surrendered. Other
+towns fell into his hands, and so far as Brittany was concerned all
+opposition, except in one or two fortresses, ceased. In the meanwhile
+Charles of Blois sought assistance from his uncle the King of France; the
+Count de Montford, therefore, crossed to England and besought the aid of
+King Edward, and did homage to him as King of France. Edward, on his part,
+promised to assist him.  The fact that Phillip was sure to espouse the
+opposite side was in itself sufficient to decide him; besides which, the
+dukes of Brittany have always been in a special way connected with England
+and bear the English title of Earls of Richmond.
+
+"Believing that his journey, which had been a secret one, was unknown to
+the King of France, De Montford went boldly to Paris, where he had been
+summoned by the king to an assembly of peers called to decide upon the
+succession. He found, however, that Phillip had already obtained news of
+his journey to England. His manner convinced De Montford that it was unsafe
+to remain in Paris, and he secretly made his escape. Fifteen days
+afterwards the peers gave judgment in favour of Charles of Blois. The Dukes
+of Normandy, Burgundy, and Bourbon, the Counts of Alencon, Eu, and Guisnes,
+and many other French nobles, prepared to lead an army into the field to
+support Charles, and the king added a body of 3000 Genoese mercenaries in
+his pay.
+
+"Knowing the storm that was preparing to break upon him, De Montford put
+every town and castle in a state of defence. He himself, confiding in the
+affection of the inhabitants of Nantes, remained in that city, while his
+wife repaired to Rennes.
+
+"The Duke of Normandy advanced from Angiers with an army of 5000
+men-at-arms and a numerous infantry, and after capturing the castle of
+Chantoceaux marched to Nantes and laid siege to the city. A sortie was made
+by the besieged, led by Henry de Leon, but, being attacked by the whole of
+the French army, they were driven back into the town, a great many of the
+citizens being killed. A warm altercation took place between Henry de Leon
+and De Montford, who attributed to him the evil result of the sortie. The
+result was that a large number of the citizens whose friends had been
+captured by the French conspired to deliver up the place to Charles of
+Blois, and Henry de Leon also entered into private negotiations with the
+Duke of Normandy. De Montford, finding that he could rely neither upon the
+citizens nor the soldiers, surrendered to the duke on condition that his
+life was spared. He was sent to Paris, where he still remains a prisoner.
+Winter was coming on, and after putting Nantes in a fresh state of defence
+and leaving Charles of Blois there, the Duke of Normandy dismissed his
+forces, engaging them to reassemble in the spring. Had he pushed on at once
+he would have experienced no resistance, so great was the panic which the
+surrender of Nantes and the capture of De Montford had caused among the
+latter's partisans.
+
+"In Rennes, especially, the deepest despondency was felt. The countess,
+however, showed the greatest courage and firmness. Showing herself, with
+her infant in her arms, she appealed to the citizens, and by her courageous
+bearing inspired them with new hopes. Having restored heart at Rennes she
+traveled from garrison to garrison throughout the province, and filled all
+with vigour and resolution.  Feeling, however, the hopelessness of her
+struggle against all France, she despatched Sir Almeric de Clisson, who had
+lately joined her party, to England, to ask the aid which the king had
+promised. He arrived a month since, and, as you see, our brave king has not
+been long in despatching us to her aid; and now, youngsters, to bed, for
+methinks that the sea is rougher than it was and that the wind is getting
+up."
+
+"Aye, that is it," the captain, who heard the knight's closing words,
+exclaimed.  "We are in for a storm, and a heavy one, or my name is not
+Timothy Martin, and though with plenty of sea-room the Kitty makes not much
+ado about a storm more or less, it's a very different thing in the middle
+of a fleet of lubberly craft, which may run one down at any time. I shall
+edge out of them as soon as I can, you may be sure.
+
+Before morning a serious gale was blowing, and for the next three or four
+days Walter and his companions knew nothing of what was going on. Then the
+storm abated, and they staggered out from their cabin. The sea was still
+high, but the sun shone brightly overhead. In front of them the land was
+visible. They looked round, but to their astonishment not a sail was in
+sight.
+
+"Why, where is the fleet?" Walter exclaimed in astonishment.
+
+"Snug in the Thames, I reckon," the captain said. "Soon after the storm
+came on one of the sailors pretended he saw the lights of recall on the
+admiral's ship; but I was too busy to look that way, I had enough to do to
+look after the safety of the ship. Anyhow, I saw no more of them."
+
+"And what land is that ahead?" Walter asked.
+
+"That is Brittany, young sir, and before nightfall we shall be in the port
+of Hennebon; as to the others, it may be days and it may be weeks before
+they arrive.
+
+The lads were not sorry at the chance which had taken them to their
+destination before their companions and had given them a chance of
+distinguishing themselves. Late in the afternoon the ship dropped anchor
+off the castle of Hennebon, and Sir John Powis and his following were
+conveyed in the ship's boats to shore. The countess received them most
+graciously, and was delighted at the news that so strong a force was on its
+way to her aid.
+
+"In the absence of Sir Walter Manny, madam, I place myself and my men at
+your orders. Our horses will be landed the first thing in the morning, and
+we will then ride whithersoever you may bid us."
+
+"Thanks, Sir John," the countess replied. "In that case I would that you
+ride by Rennes, towards which the army of the Duke of Normandy is already
+advancing. The garrison there is commanded by Sir William of Caddoudal, a
+good and valiant knight."
+
+The horses were landed on the following morning, and accompanied by the
+four young squires and the men-at-arms, and followed by the twenty archers
+on foot, Sir John Powis set out for Rennes. They arrived there, but just in
+time, for the assailants were closing round the city. They were received
+with the greatest cordiality by the governor, who assigned apartments to
+Sir John and the squires, and lodged the men-at-arms and archers near them.
+
+
+In a day or two the whole of the French army came up, and the siege
+commenced.  Sir John Powis, at his own request, was posted with his men for
+the defence of a portion of the wall which was especially open to the
+assaults of the enemy.  These soon commenced in earnest, and the Genoese
+and Spanish mercenaries endeavoured to carry the place by assault.
+Sometimes one point would be attacked, at others points far distant.
+Covered by the fire of the French crossbowmen, the Spaniards and Germans
+came on to the assault, carrying ladders, with which they strove to climb
+the walls, but the defenders plied them so vigorously with quarrels from
+their cross-bows and flights of arrows that they frequently desisted before
+reaching the walls. When they pushed on, and strove to ascend, their luck
+was no better. Great stones were hurled down, and boiling oil poured upon
+them. The ladders were flung back, and many crushed by the fall, and in
+none of the assaults did they gain any footing in the town.  Machines were
+used, but these were not sufficiently powerful to batter down the walls,
+and at the end of April the city was as far from being captured as it was
+on the day of the commencement of the siege.
+
+Walter bore his full share in the fighting, but he had no opportunity of
+especially distinguishing himself, although Sir John several times
+commended him for his coolness when the bolts of the crossbow-men and the
+stones from the machines were flying most thickly. But although as yet
+uninjured by the enemy's attacks, the prospect of the city holding out was
+not bright. The burghers, who had at first fought valiantly, were soon
+wearied of the strife, and of the hardships it entailed upon them. The
+siege had continued but a short time when they began to murmur loudly. The
+force under the command of the governor was but a small one, and it would
+have been impossible for him to resist the will of the whole population.
+For a time his exhortations and entreaties were attended with success, and
+the burghers returned to their positions on the walls; but each time the
+difficulty became greater, and it was clear to Caddoudal and Sir John Powis
+that ere long the citizens would surrender the place in spite of them. The
+English knight was furious at the cowardliness of the citizens, and
+proposed to the governor to summon twenty of the leading burghers, and to
+hang them as a lesson to the others; but the governor shook his head.
+
+"I have but two hundred men on whom I can rely, including your following,
+Sir John. We could not keep down the inhabitants for an hour; and were we
+to try to do so, they would open the gates and let in the French. No; I
+fear that we must await the end."
+
+The following morning Sir John was awoke with the news that in the night
+Caddoudal had been seized and thrown into prison by the burghers, and that
+a deputation of citizens had already gone out through the gate to treat
+with the Duke of Normandy for the surrender of the city.
+
+The English knight was furious, but with his little band he could do
+nothing, especially as he found that a strong guard of burghers had been
+placed at the door of the apartments occupied by him and the esquires, and
+he was informed that he must consider himself a prisoner until the
+conclusion of the negotiations.
+
+Cowardly and faithless as the burghers of Rennes showed themselves to be,
+they nevertheless stipulated with the Duke of Normandy, as one of the
+conditions of the surrender, that Caddoudal, Sir John Powis, and the troops
+under them should be permitted to pass through the French lines and go
+whithersoever they would.  These terms were accepted. At mid-day the
+governor was released, and he with his men-at-arms and the band of
+Englishmen filed out from the city gate, and took their way unmolested
+through the lines of the French army to Hennebon.
+
+They had been for a month in ignorance of all that had passed outside the
+walls, and had from day to day been eagerly looking for the arrival of Sir
+Walter Manny with his army to their relief. Once past the French lines they
+inquired of the peasantry, and heard to their surprise that the English
+fleet had not yet arrived.
+
+"We were in luck indeed," Walter said to his companions, "that Captain
+Timothy Martin was in a hurry to get back to his tradings with the
+Flemings. Had he not been so, we should all this time have been kicking our
+heels and fretting on board a ship."
+
+On nearing Hennebon, Sir William Caddoudal, with Sir John Powis and the
+squires, rode forward and met the countess. They were the first bearers of
+the news of the surrender of Rennes, and the countess was filled with
+consternation at the intelligence. However, after her first burst of
+indignation and regret had passed, she put a brave face on it.
+
+"They shall meet with another reception at Hennebon," she said. "This is
+but a small place, and my garrison here, and the soldiers you have brought,
+will well- nigh outnumber the burghers; and we need have no fear of such
+faintheartedness as that which has given Nantes and Rennes into the hands
+of my enemy. The English aid cannot tarry long. Until it come we can
+assuredly hold the place."
+
+All was now bustle in Hennebon. Sir John Powis took charge of a part of the
+walls, and busied himself with his men in placing the machines in position,
+and in preparing for defence. The countess, attired in armour, rode through
+the streets haranguing the townspeople. She urged the men to fight till the
+last, and bade the women and girls cut short their dresses so that they
+could the better climb the steps to the top of the walls, and that one and
+all should carry up stones, chalk, and baskets of lime to be cast down upon
+the assailants.  Animated by her words and gestures, the townspeople set to
+work, and all vied with each other, from the oldest to the youngest, in
+carrying up stores of missiles to the walls. Never did Hennebon present
+such a scene of life and bustle. It seemed like an ant-hill which a
+passer-by has disturbed.
+
+Absorbed in their work, none had time to think of the dangers which
+threatened them, and a stranger would rather have thought from their
+cheerful and animated countenances that they were preparing for a great
+fete than for a siege by an army to which the two chief towns in Brittany
+had succumbed.
+
+Ere long the French army was seen approaching. The soldiers, who had been
+labouring with the rest, buckled on their armour. The citizens gathered on
+the walls to hurl down the piles of stones which had been collected, and
+all prepared for the assault.
+
+"Sir John Powis," the countess said, "I pray you to grant me one of your
+esquires, who may attend me while I ride about, and may bear my messages
+for me.  He will not be idle, nor will he escape his share of the dangers;
+for, believe me, I do not intend to hide myself while you and your brave
+soldiers are fighting for me.
+
+"Willingly, lady," Sir John answered. "Here is Walter Somers, the son of a
+good knight, and himself brave and prudent beyond his years; he will, I am
+sure, gladly devote himself to your service."
+
+The French, encouraged by their successes, thought that it would be a
+comparatively easy task to capture so small a place as Hennebon, and as
+soon as their camp was pitched they moved forward to the attack.
+
+"Come with me, Master Somers," the countess said. "I will mount to one of
+the watch-towers, where we may see all that passes.
+
+Walter followed her, and marvelled to see the lightness and agility with
+which the heroic countess, although clad in armour, mounted the rickety
+ladders to the summit of the watch-tower. The French bowmen opened a heavy
+fire upon the walls, which was answered by the shafts of the little party
+of English bowmen. These did much execution, for the English archers shot
+far harder and straighter than those of France, and it was only the best
+armour which could keep out their cloth-yard shafts. So small a body,
+however, could not check the advance of so large a force, and the French
+swarmed up to the very foot of the walls.
+
+"Well done, my men!" the countess exclaimed, clapping her hands, as a
+shower of heavy rocks fell among the mass of the assailants, who were
+striving to plant their ladders, crushing many in their fall; "but you are
+not looking, Master Somers. What is it that you see in yonder camp to
+withdraw your attention from such a fight?"
+
+"I am thinking, Countess, that the French have left their camp altogether
+unguarded, and that if a body of horse could make a circuit and fall upon
+it, the camp, with all its stores, might be destroyed before they could get
+back to save it."
+
+"You are right, young sir," the countess exclaimed, "and it shall be done
+forthwith."
+
+So saying, she descended the stairs rapidly and mounted her horse, which
+stood at the foot of the tower; then riding through the town, she collected
+a party of about three hundred men, bidding all she met mount their horses
+and join her at the gate on the opposite side to that on which the assault
+was taking place.  Such as had no horses she ordered to take them from
+those in her own stables.  Walter was mounted on one of the best of the
+count's chargers.  Immediately the force was collected, the gate was opened
+and the countess rode forth at their head. Making a considerable detour,
+the party rode without being observed into the rear of the French camp.
+Here only a few servants and horse-boys were found, these were at once
+killed or driven out; then all dismounting, set fire to the tents and
+stores; and ere the French were aware of what was going on, the whole of
+their camp was in flames. As soon as the conflagration was perceived, the
+French commanders drew off their men from the attack, and all ran at full
+speed towards the camp.
+
+"We cannot regain the town," the countess said; "we will ride to Auray at
+full speed, and re-enter the castle when best we may.
+
+Don Louis of Spain, who with a considerable following was fighting in the
+French ranks, hearing from the flying camp followers that the countess
+herself was at the head of the party which had destroyed the camp,
+instantly mounted, and with a large number of horsemen set off in hot
+pursuit.  A few of the countess's party who were badly mounted were
+overtaken and slain, but the rest arrived safely at Auray, when the gates
+were shut in the face of their pursuers.
+
+The blow was a heavy one for the besiegers, but they at once proceeded to
+build huts, showing that they had no intention of relinquishing the siege.
+Spies were sent from Auray, and these reported that the new camp was
+established on the site of the old one, and that the French evidently
+intended to renew the attack upon the side on which they had first
+commenced, leaving the other side almost unwatched.
+
+Accordingly, on the fifth day after leaving the town, the countess prepared
+to return. Except Walter, none were informed of her intention, as she
+feared that news might be taken to the French camp by friends of Charles of
+Blois; but as soon as it was nightfall, and the gates were shut, the
+trumpet sounded to horse.  In a few minutes the troop assembled in the
+market-place, and the countess, accompanied by Walter, placing herself at
+their head, rode out from the town.  The strictest silence was observed. On
+nearing the town all were directed to dismount, to tear up the
+horse-cloths, and to muffle the feet of their horses.  Then the journey was
+resumed, and so careless was the watch kept by the French that they passed
+through the sentries unobserved, and reached in safety the gate from which
+they had issued. As they neared it they were challenged from the walls, and
+a shout of joy was heard when Walter replied that the countess herself was
+present. The gates were opened and the party entered. The news of their
+return rapidly ran through the town, and the inhabitants, hastily attiring
+themselves, ran into the streets, filled with joy. Much depression had been
+felt during her absence, and few had entertained hopes that she would be
+able to re- enter the town. She had brought with her from Auray two hundred
+men, in addition to the party that had sallied out.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX: THE SIEGE OF HENNEBON
+
+
+The besiegers of Hennebon were greatly discouraged at the success of the
+enterprise of the countess. They had already attempted several desperate
+assaults, but had each time been repulsed with very heavy loss. They now
+sent to Rennes for twelve of the immense machines used in battering walls,
+which had been left behind there on a false report of the weakness of
+Hennebon. Pending the arrival of these, Charles of Blois, with one division
+of the army, marched away to attack Auray, leaving Don Louis to carry on
+the siege with a force considered amply sufficient to compel its surrender
+after the arrival of the battering machines.
+
+In a few days these arrived and were speedily set to work, and immense
+masses of stone were hurled at the walls.
+
+Walter continued to act as the countess's especial squire.  She had
+informed Sir William Caddoudal and Sir John Powis that it was at his
+suggestion that she had made the sudden attack upon the French camp, and he
+had gained great credit thereby.
+
+The effect of the new machines was speedily visible.  The walls crumbled
+under the tremendous blows, and although the archers harassed by their
+arrows the men working them, the French speedily erected screens which
+sheltered them from their fire. The spirits of the defenders began to sink
+rapidly, as they saw that in a very short time great breaches would be made
+in the walls, and that all the horrors and disasters of a city taken by
+assault awaited them.  The Bishop of Quimper who was within the walls,
+entered into secret negotiations with his nephew, Henry de Leon, who had
+gone over to the enemy after the surrender of Nantes, and was now with the
+besieging army. The besiegers, delighted to find an ally within the walls
+who might save them from the heavy losses which an assault would entail
+upon them, at once embraced his offers, and promised him a large recompense
+if he would bring over the other commanders and nobles. The wily bishop set
+to work, and the consequences were soon visible. Open grumbling broke forth
+at the hardships which were endured, and at the prospect of the wholesale
+slaughter which would attend a storm when all hope of a successful
+resistance was at an end.
+
+"I fear, Walter," Sir John said one morning, "that the end is at hand. On
+all sides submission is spoken of, and all that I can say to keep up their
+spirits is useless. Upon our own little band we can rely, but I doubt if
+outside them a single determined man is to be found in the town. In vain do
+I speak of the arrival of Sir Walter Manny. Nearly ninety days have elapsed
+since we sailed, and all hope of his coming is gone. I point out to them
+that contrary winds have been blowing, and that at any moment he may
+arrive; but they will not hear me.  The bishop has gained over the whole of
+them by his promises that none shall be molested in property or estate
+should they surrender."
+
+"It is sad to see the countess," Walter replied; "she who has shown such
+high spirit throughout the siege now does nothing but weep, for she knows
+that with her and her child in the hands of the French the cause of the
+count is lost. If she could carry off the child by sea she would not so
+much care for the fall of the town, but the French ships lie thick round
+the port, and there is no hope of breaking through."
+
+Two days later the conspiracy came to a head, and the people, assembling
+round the countess's house, clamoured for surrender. The breaches were
+open, and the enemy might pour in at any time and put all to the sword. The
+countess begged for a little further delay, but in vain, and withdrew to
+the turret where she had for so many weary weeks watched the horizon, in
+hopes of seeing the sails of the approaching fleet. Walter was at the time
+with Sir John Powis on the walls.
+
+Presently a large body of French were seen approaching headed by Henry de
+Leon, who summoned the town to surrender. Many standing on the walls
+shouted that the gates should be thrown open; but Sir John returned for
+answer that he must consult the countess, and that upon her answer must
+depend whether he and his men would defend the breach until the last.
+
+"Come with me, Walter," he said, "we must fain persuade the countess. If
+she says no, we Englishmen will die in the breach; but though ready to give
+my life for so brave a lady, I own that it is useless to fight longer. Save
+our own little band not one in the town will lift a sword again. Such
+resistance as we can offer will but inflame them to fury, and all the
+horrors of a sack will be inflicted upon the inhabitants.  There she is,
+poor lady, on the turret, gazing, as usual, seaward."
+
+Suddenly they saw her throw up her arms, and then, turning towards the
+city, she cried, as she perceived the English knight: "I see them! I see
+them! The English fleet are coming!"
+
+"Run up, Walter," Sir John exclaimed, "maybe the countess is distraught
+with her sorrows.
+
+Walter dashed up to the turret, and looking seaward beheld rising over the
+horizon a number of masts.
+
+"Hurrah ! Sir John," he shouted, "we are saved, the English fleet is in
+sight."
+
+Many others heard the shout, and the tidings ran like lightning through the
+town. In wild excitement the people ran to the battlements and roofs, and
+with cheering and clapping of hands hailed the appearance of the still
+far-distant fleet. The church bells rang out joyfully and the whole town
+was wild with excitement.
+
+The Bishop of Quimper, finding that his plans were frustrated, gathered
+around him some of those who had taken a leading part in the intrigue.
+These, leaving the city by a gate at which they had placed some of their
+own faction to open it to the French, issued out and made their way to the
+assailants' camp, to give news of the altered situation. Don Louis at once
+ordered an attack to be made with his whole force, in hopes of capturing
+the place before the arrival of the English succour. But, animated by their
+new hopes, those so lately despondent and ready to yield manned the
+breaches and repulsed with great slaughter all attempts on the part of the
+French to carry them. While the struggle was still going on, the countess,
+aided by the wives of the burghers, busied herself in preparing a sumptuous
+feast in honour of her deliverers who were fast approaching, their ships
+impelled by a strong and favourable breeze. The vessels of the French
+hastily drew off, and the English fleet sailed into the port hailed by the
+cheers of the inhabitants. The countess herself received Sir Walter Manny
+on his landing, and the townspeople vied with each other in offering
+hospitality to the men-at-arms and archers.
+
+"Ah! Sir John Powis," Sir Walter exclaimed, "what, are you here? I had
+given you up for lost. We thought you had gone down in the gale the night
+you started."
+
+"We were separated from the fleet, Sir Walter, but the master held on, and
+we arrived here four days after we put out. We took part in the siege of
+Rennes, and have since done our best to aid the countess here."
+
+"And their best has been much," the countess said; "not to say how bravely
+they have fought upon the walls, it is to Sir John and his little band that
+I owe it that the town was not surrendered days ago. They alone remained
+steadfast when all others fell away, and it is due to them that I am still
+able, as mistress of this town, to greet you on your arrival.  Next to Sir
+John himself, my thanks are due to your young esquire, Walter Somers, who
+has cheered and stood by me, and to whose suggestions I owe it that I was
+able at the first to sally out and destroy the French camp while they were
+attacking the walls, and so greatly hindered their measures against the
+town. And now, sir, will you follow me? I have prepared for you and your
+knights such a banquet of welcome as our poor means will allow, and my
+townspeople will see that good fare is set before your soldiers."
+
+That evening there was high feasting in the town, although the crash of the
+heavy stones cast by the French machines against the walls never ceased.
+Early the next morning Sir Walter Manny made a survey of the place and of
+the disposition of the enemy, and proposed to his knights to sally forth at
+once and destroy the largest of the enemy's machines, which had been
+brought up close to the walls. In a few minutes the knights were armed and
+mounted. Three hundred knights and esquires were to take part in the
+sortie, they were to be followed by a strong body of men-at-arms.
+
+As soon as the gates were opened a number of archers issued out, and taking
+their place at the edge of the moat, poured a rain of arrows upon the men
+working the machine and those guarding it. Most of these took to flight at
+once, the remainder were cut down by the men-at-arms, who at once proceeded
+to hew the machine in pieces with the axes with which they were provided.
+Sir Walter himself and his mounted companions dashed forward to the nearer
+tents of the French camps, cut down all who opposed them, and setting fire
+to the huts retired towards the city.
+
+By this time the French were thoroughly alarmed, and numbers of knights and
+men- at-arms dashed after the little body of English cavalry. These could
+have regained the place in safety, but in the chivalrous spirit of the time
+they disdained to retire without striking a blow. Turning their horses,
+therefore, and laying their lances in rest, they charged the pursuing
+French.
+
+For a few minutes the conflict was desperate and many on both sides were
+overthrown; then, as large reinforcements were continually arriving to the
+French, Sir Walter called off his men and retired slowly. On reaching the
+moat he halted his forces. The knights wheeled and presented a firm face to
+the enemy, covering the entrance of their followers into the gate. The
+French chivalry thundered down upon the little body, but were met by a
+storm of arrows from the archers lining the moat. Many knights were struck
+through the bars of their vizors or the joints of their mail. The horses,
+though defended by iron trappings, fell dead under them, or, maddened by
+pain, dashed wildly through the ranks, carrying confusion with them, and
+the French commanders, seeing how heavy were their losses, called off their
+men from the assault. Sir Walter Manny with his party remained without the
+gate until the enemy had re-entered their camp, and then rode into the town
+amid the acclamations of the inhabitants, the countess herself meeting her
+deliverers at the gate and kissing each, one after the other, in token of
+her gratitude and admiration.
+
+The arrival of the reinforcements and the proof of skill and vigour given
+by the English leader, together with the terror caused by the terrible
+effect of the English arrows, shook the resolution of Don Louis and his
+troops. Deprived of half their force by the absence of Charles of Blois, it
+was thought prudent by the leaders to withdraw at once, and the third
+morning after the arrival of Sir Walter Manny the siege was raised, and the
+French marched to join Charles of Blois before the Castle of Auray.
+
+Even with the reinforcements brought by Sir Walter Manny, the forces of the
+Countess of Montford were still so greatly inferior to those of the
+divisions of the French army that they could not hope to cope with them in
+the field until the arrival of the main English army, which the King of
+England himself was to bring over shortly. Accordingly the French laid
+siege to and captured many small towns and castles. Charles of Blois
+continued the siege of Auray, and directed Don Louis with his division to
+attack the town of Dinan. On his way the Spaniard captured the small
+fortress of Conquet and put the garrison to the sword. Sir Walter Manny, in
+spite of the inferiority of his force, sallied out to relieve it, but it
+was taken before his arrival, and Don Louis had marched away to Dinan,
+leaving a small garrison in Conquet. It was again captured by Sir Walter,
+but finding it indefensible he returned with the whole of his force to
+Hennebon.  Don Louis captured Dinan and then besieged Guerande. Here he met
+with a vigorous resistance, but carried it by storm, and gave it up to be
+pillaged by his soldiers. He now sent back to Charles of Blois the greater
+part of the French troops who accompanied him, and embarked with the
+Genoese and Spanish, 8000 in number, and sailed to Quimperle, a rich and
+populous town in Lower Brittany.
+
+Anchoring in the River Leita, he disembarked his troops, and leaving a
+guard to protect the vessels marched to the interior, plundering and
+burning, and from time to time despatching his booty to swell the immense
+mass which he had brought in his ships from the sack of Guerande.
+
+Quimperle lies but a short distance from Hennebon, and Sir Walter Manny
+with Almeric de Clisson, a number of English knights, and a body of English
+archers, in all three thousand men, embarked in the ships in the port, and
+entering the Leita captured the enemy's fleet and all his treasure. The
+English then landed, and dividing into three bodies, set out in search of
+the enemy.
+
+The English columns marched at a short distance apart so as to be able to
+give each other assistance in case of attack.  The news of the English
+approach soon reached the Spaniards, who were gathered in a solid body, for
+the enraged country people, armed with clubs and bills, hung on their
+flanks and cut off any stragglers who left the main body.  Don Louis at
+once moved towards the sea- coast, and coming in sight of one of the
+English divisions, charged it with his whole force.
+
+The English fought desperately, but the odds of seven to one were too
+great, and they would have been overpowered had not the other two divisions
+arrived on the spot and fallen upon the enemy's flanks. After a severe and
+prolonged struggle the Genoese and Spaniards were completely routed.  The
+armed peasantry slew every fugitive they could overtake, and of the 7000
+men with whom Don Louis commenced the battle only 300 accompanied him in
+his flight to Rennes, the troops of Sir Walter and de Clisson pursuing him
+to the very gates of that city.  Sir Walter marched back with his force to
+the ships, but finding the wind unfavourable returned to Hennebon by land,
+capturing by the way the castle of Goy la Foret. Their return was joyfully
+welcomed, not only for the victory which they had achieved, but because the
+enemy was again drawing near to the town.  Auray had fallen. The brave
+garrison, after existing for some time upon the flesh of their horses, had
+endeavoured to cut their way through the besiegers.  Most of them were
+killed in the attempt, but a few escaped and made their way to Hennebon.
+
+Vannes, an important town, and Carhaix quickly surrendered, and the French
+force was daily receiving considerable reinforcements. This arose from the
+fact that large numbers of French nobles and knights had, with their
+followers, taken part with Alfonso, King of Castile and Leon, in his war
+with the Moors. This had just terminated with the expulsion of the latter
+from Spain, and the French knights and nobles on their way home for the
+most part joined at once in the war which their countrymen were waging in
+Bretagne.
+
+Seeing the great force which was gathering for a fresh siege of Hennebon,
+Sir Walter Manny and the Countess of Montford sent an urgent message to
+King Edward for further support. The king was not yet ready, but at the
+beginning of August he despatched a force under the command of the Earl of
+Northampton and Robert of Artois. It consisted of twenty-seven knights
+bannerets and 2000 men-at-arms.  Before, however, it could reach Hennebon
+the second siege of that city had begun. Charles of Blois had approached it
+with a far larger army than that with which he had on the first occasion
+sat down before it. Hennebon was, however, much better prepared than at
+first for resistance. The walls had been repaired, provisions and military
+stores laid up, and machines constructed. The garrison was very much
+larger, and was commanded by one of the most gallant knights of the age,
+and the citizens beheld undaunted the approach of the great French army.
+
+Four days after the French had arrived before Hennebon they were joined by
+Don Louis, who had been severely wounded in the fight near Quimperle, and
+had lain for six weeks at Rennes. Sixteen great engines at once began to
+cast stones against the walls, but Sir Walter caused sandbags to be
+lowered, and so protected the walls from the attack that little damage was
+done. The garrison confident in their powers to resist, taunted the
+assailants from the walls, and specially enraged the Spaniards and Don
+Louis by allusions to the defeat at Quimperle.
+
+So furious did the Spanish prince become that he took a step unprecedented
+in those days of chivalry. He one morning entered the tent of Charles of
+Blois, where a number of French nobles were gathered, and demanded a boon
+in requital of all his services. Charles at once assented, when, to his
+surprise and horror, Prince Louis demanded that two English knights, Sir
+John Butler and Sir Hubert Frisnoy, who had been captured in the course of
+the campaign and were kept prisoners at Faouet, should be delivered to him
+to be executed. "These English," he said, "have pursued, discomforted, and
+wounded me, and have killed the nephew whom I loved so well, and as I have
+none other mode of vengeance I will cut off their heads before their
+companions who lie within those walls."
+
+Charles of Blois and his nobles were struck with amazement and horror at
+the demand, and used every means in their power to turn the savage prince
+from his purpose, but in vain. They pointed out to him that his name would
+be dishonoured in all countries where the laws of chivalry prevailed by
+such a deed, and besought him to choose some other boon. Don Louis refused
+to yield, and Charles of Blois, finding no alternative between breaking his
+promise and delivering his prisoners, at last agreed to his request.
+
+The prisoners were sent for, and were informed by Don Louis himself of
+their approaching end. At first they could not believe that he was in
+earnest, for such a proceeding was so utterly opposed to the spirit of the
+times that it seemed impossible to them. Finding that he was in earnest
+they warned him of the eternal stain which such a deed would bring upon his
+name. The Spaniard, however, was unmoved either by their words or by the
+entreaties of the French nobles but told them that he would give them a few
+hours to prepare for death, and that they should be executed in sight of
+the walls after the usual dinner hour of the army.
+
+In those days sieges were not conducted in the strict manner in which they
+are at present, and non-combatants passed without difficulty to and fro
+between town and camp.  The news, therefore, of what was intended speedily
+reached the garrison, whom it filled with indignation and horror. A council
+was immediately called, and Sir Walter Manny proposed a plan, which was
+instantly adopted.
+
+Without loss of time Almeric de Clisson issued forth from the great gate of
+Hennebon, accompanied by 300 men-at-arms and 1000 archers. The latter took
+post at once along the edge of the ditches. The men-at-arms rode straight
+for the enemy's camp, which was undefended, the whole army being within
+their tents at dinner. Dashing into their midst the English and Breton
+men-at-arms began to overthrow the tents and spear all that were in them.
+Not knowing the extent of the danger or the smallness of the attacking
+force, the French knights sprang up from table, mounted, and rode to
+encounter the assailants.
+
+For some time these maintained their ground against all assaults until,
+finding that the whole army was upon them, Almeric de Clisson gave order
+for his troop to retire slowly upon the town. Fighting every step of the
+ground and resisting obstinately the repeated onslaught of the French,
+Clisson approached the gate.  Here he was joined by the archers, who with
+bent bows prepared to resist the advance of the French. As it appeared that
+the garrison were prepared to give battle outside the walls, the whole
+French army prepared to move against them.
+
+In the meantime Sir Walter Manny, with 100 men-at-arms and 500 horse
+archers, issued by a sally-port on the other side of the town, and with all
+speed rode round to the rear of the French camp. There he found none to
+oppose him save servants and camp-followers, and making his way straight to
+the tent of Charles of Blois, where the two knights were confined, he soon
+freed them from their bonds. They were mounted without wasting a moment's
+time upon two spare horses, and turning again the whole party rode back
+towards Hennebon, and had reached the postern gate before the fugitives
+from the camp reached the French commanders and told them what had
+happened.
+
+Seeing that he was now too late, because of De Clisson's sortie, Charles of
+Blois recalled his army from the attack, in which he could only have
+suffered heavily from the arrows of the archers and the missiles from the
+walls. The same day, he learned from some prisoners captured in the sortie,
+of the undiminished spirit of the garrison, and that Hennebon was amply
+supplied with provisions brought by sea. His own army was becoming
+straitened by the scarcity of supplies in the country round, he therefore
+determined at once to raise the siege, and to besiege some place where he
+would encounter less serious resistance.
+
+Accordingly, next morning he drew off his army and marched to Carhaix.
+
+Shortly afterwards the news came that the Earl of Northampton and Robert of
+Artois, with their force, had sailed, and Don Louis, with the Genoese and
+other Italian mercenaries, started to intercept them with a large fleet.
+The fleets met off the island of Guernsey, and a severe engagement took
+place, which lasted till night. During the darkness a tremendous storm
+burst upon them and the combatants separated. The English succeeded in
+making their way to Brittany and landed near Vannes. The Spaniards captured
+four small ships which had been separated in the storm from their consorts,
+but did not succeed in regaining the coast of Brittany, being driven south
+by the storm as far as Spain.  The Earl of Northampton at once laid siege
+to Vannes, and Sir Walter Manny moved with every man that could be spared
+from Hennebon to assist him.
+
+As it was certain that the French army would press forward with all speed
+to relieve the town, it was decided to lose no time in battering the walls,
+but to attempt to carry it at once by assault. The walls, however, were so
+strong that there seemed little prospect of success attending such an
+attempt, and a plan was therefore determined upon by which the enemy might
+be thrown off their guard. The assault commenced at three points in the
+early morning and was continued all day. No great vigour, however, was
+shown in these attempts which were repulsed at all points.
+
+At nightfall the assailants drew off to their camp, and Oliver de Clisson,
+who commanded the town, suffered his weary troops to quit the walls and to
+seek for refreshment and repose. The assailants, however, did not disarm,
+but after a sufficient time had elapsed to allow the garrison to lay aside
+their armour two strong parties attacked the principal gates of the town,
+while Sir Walter Manny and the Earl of Oxford moved round to the opposite
+side with ladders for an escalade. The plan was successful. The garrison,
+snatching up their arms, hurried to repel their attack upon the gates,
+every man hastening in that direction. Sir Walter Manny with his party were
+therefore enabled to mount the walls unobserved and make their way into the
+town; here they fell upon the defenders in the rear, and the sudden
+onslaught spread confusion and terror among them. The parties at the gates
+forced their way in and joined their friends, and the whole of the garrison
+were killed or taken prisoners, save a few, including Oliver Clisson, who
+made their escape by sally-ports. Robert of Artois, with the Earl of
+Stafford, was left with a garrison to hold the town.  The Earl of
+Salisbury, with four thousand men, proceeded to lay siege to Rennes, and
+Sir Walter Manny hastened back to Hennebon.
+
+Some of Sir Walter's men formed part of the garrison of Vannes, and among
+these was Sir John Powis with a hundred men-at-arms.
+
+The knight had been so pleased with Walter's coolness and courage at the
+siege at Hennebon that he requested Sir Walter to leave him with him at
+Vannes. "It is possible," he said to Walter, "that we may have fighting
+here. Methinks that Sir Walter would have done better to leave a stronger
+force. The town is a large one, and the inhabitants ill-disposed towards
+us. Oliver Clisson and the French nobles will feel their honour wounded at
+the way in which we outwitted them, and will likely enough make an effort
+to regain the town. However, Rennes and Hennebon are not far away, and we
+may look for speedy aid from the Earl of Salisbury and Sir Walter should
+occasion arise."
+
+Sir John's previsions were speedily verified. Oliver Clisson and his
+friends were determined to wipe out their defeat, and scattered through the
+country raising volunteers from among the soldiery in all the neighbouring
+towns and castles, and a month after Vannes was taken they suddenly
+appeared before the town with an army of 12,000 men, commanded by
+Beaumanoir, marshal of Bretagne for Charles of Blois. The same reasons
+which had induced the Earl of Northampton to decide upon a speedy assault
+instead of the slow process of breaching the walls, actuated the French in
+pursuing the same course, and, divided into a number of storming parties,
+the army advanced at once to the assault on the walls. The little garrison
+prepared for the defence.
+
+"The outlook is bad, Walter," Sir John Powis said.  "These men approach
+with an air of resolution which shows that they are bent upon success. They
+outnumber us by twelve to one, and it is likely enough that the citizens
+may rise and attack us in the rear. They have been ordered to bring the
+stones for the machines to the walls, but no one has laid his hand to the
+work. We must do our duty as brave men, my lad, but I doubt me if yonder is
+not the last sun which we shall see. Furious as the French are at our
+recent success here you may be sure that little quarter will given."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X: A PLACE OF REFUGE
+
+
+
+The French, excited to the utmost by the exhortations of their commanders,
+and by their desire to wipe out the disgrace of the easy capture of Vannes
+by the English, advanced with ardour to the assault, and officers and men
+vied with each other in the valour which they displayed. In vain did the
+garrison shower arrows and cross-bow bolts among them, and pour down
+burning oil and quicklime upon them as they thronged at the foot of the
+wall. In vain were the ladders, time after time, hurled back loaded with
+men upon the mass below. The efforts of the men-at-arms to scale the
+defences were seconded by their archers and crossbow-men, who shot such a
+storm of bolts that great numbers of the defenders were killed. The assault
+was made at a score of different points, and the garrison was too weak to
+defend all with success. Sir John Powis and his party repulsed over and
+over again the efforts of the assailants against that part of the wall
+entrusted to them, but at other points the French gained a footing, and
+swarming up rushed along the walls, slaying all whom they encountered.
+
+"All is lost," Sir John exclaimed; "let us fall back to the castle and die
+fighting there."
+
+Descending from the wall the party made their way through the streets. The
+French were already in the town; every house was closed and barred, and
+from the upper windows the burghers hurled down stones and bricks upon the
+fugitives, while parties of the French soldiers fell upon them fiercely.
+Many threw down their arms and cried for quarter, but were instantly slain.
+
+
+
+For a while the streets were a scene of wild confusion; here and there
+little knots of Englishmen stood together and defended themselves until the
+last, others ran through the streets chased by their exulting foes, some
+tried in vain to gain shelter in the houses. Sir John Powis's band was soon
+broken and scattered, and their leader slain by a heavy stone from a
+housetop. Walter fought his way blindly forward towards the castle although
+he well knew that no refuge would be found there. Ralph Smith kept close
+beside him, levelling many of his assailants with the tremendous blows of a
+huge mace. Somehow, Walter hardly knew how, they made their way through
+their assailants and dashed in at the castle gate.  A crowd of their
+assailants were close upon their heels.  Walter glanced round; dashing
+across the courtyard he ran through some passages into an inner yard, in
+which, as he knew, was the well. The bucket hung at the windlass.
+
+"Catch hold, Ralph!" he exclaimed; "there is just a chance, and we may as
+well be drowned as killed." They grasped the rope and jumped off. The
+bucket began to descend with frightful velocity. Faster and faster it went
+and yet it seemed a long time before they plunged into the water, which was
+nigh a hundred feet below the surface. Fortunately the rope was
+considerably longer than was necessary, and they sank many feet into the
+water, still retaining their hold.  Then clinging to the rope they hauled
+themselves to the surface.
+
+"We cannot hold on here five minutes," Ralph exclaimed, "my armour is
+dragging me down."
+
+"We will soon get rid of that," Walter said.
+
+"There go our helmets; now I will hold on with one hand and help you to
+unbuckle your breast and back pieces; you do the same for me."
+
+With great efforts they managed to rid themselves of their armour, and then
+held on with ease to the rope. They hauled the bucket to the surface and
+tied a knot in the slack of the rope, so that the bucket hung four feet
+below the level of the water. Putting their feet in this, they were able to
+stand with their heads above the surface without difficulty.
+
+"This is a nice fix," Ralph exclaimed. "I think it would have been just as
+well to have been killed at once. They are sure to find us here, and if
+they don't we shall die of cold before tomorrow morning."
+
+"I don't think they will find us," Walter said cheerfully.  "When they have
+searched the castle thoroughly it may occur to some of them that we have
+jumped down the well, but it will be no particular business of anyone to
+look for us, and they will all be too anxious to get at the wine butts to
+trouble their heads about the matter; besides, it must be a heavy job to
+wind up this bucket, and it is not likely there will be such urgent need of
+water that anyone will undertake the task."
+
+"But we are no better off if they don't," Ralph remarked, "for we must die
+here if we are not hauled out. I suppose you don't intend to try and climb
+that rope.  I might do twenty feet or so on a pinch, but I could no more
+get up to the top there than I could fly."
+
+"We must think it over," Walter rejoined; "where there is a will there is a
+way, you know. We will take it by turns to watch that little patch of light
+overhead; if we see anyone looking down we must leave the bucket and swim
+to the side without making the least noise. They may give a few turns of
+the windlass to see if anyone has hold of the rope below; be sure you do
+not make the slightest splashing or noise, for the sound would be heard
+above to a certainty."
+
+Ten minutes later they saw two heads appear above, and instantly withdrew
+their feet from the bucket and made a stroke to the side, which was but
+four feet distant, being careful as they did that no motion was imparted to
+the rope.  Then though it was too dark to see anything, they heard the
+bucket lifted from the water. A minute later it fell back again with a
+splash, then all was quiet.
+
+"We are safe now, and can take our place in the bucket.  They are satisfied
+that if we did jump down here we are drowned. And now we must think about
+climbing up."
+
+"Aye, that will require a good deal of thinking," Ralph grumbled.
+
+For some time there was silence; then Walter said, "The first thing to do
+is to cut off the slack of the rope, there are some twelve feet of it. Then
+we will unwind the strands of that. There are five or six large strands as
+far as I can feel; we will cut them up into lengths of about a couple of
+feet and we ought to be able to tie these to the rope in such a way as not
+to slip down with our weight. If we tie them four feet apart we can go up
+step by step; I don't see much difficulty about that."
+
+"No," Ralph said much more cheerfully, "I should think that we could manage
+that."
+
+They at once set to work. The rope was cut up and unravelled, and the
+strands cut into pieces about two feet long. They then both set to work
+trying to discover some way of fastening it by which it would not slip down
+the rope.  They made many fruitless attempts; each time that a strand was
+fastened with a loop large enough for them to pass a leg through, it slid
+down the rope when their weight was applied to it. At last they succeeded
+in finding out a knot which would hold. This was done by tying a knot close
+to one end of a piece of the strand, then sufficient was left to form the
+loop, and the remainder was wound round the rope in such a way that the
+weight only served to tighten its hold.
+
+"Shall we begin at once?" Ralph said, when success was achieved.
+
+"No, we had better wait until nightfall. The vibration of the rope when our
+weight once gets on it might be noticed by anyone crossing the
+courtyard."
+
+"Do you think we have sufficient bits of rope," Ralph asked.
+
+"Just enough, I think," Walter replied; "there were six strands, and each
+has made six pieces, so we have thirty-six.  I know the well is about a
+hundred feet deep, for the other day I heard some of the soldiers who were
+drawing water grumbling over the labour required. So if we put them three
+feet apart it will take thirty-three of them, which will leave three over;
+but we had better place them a little over a yard so as to make sure."
+
+In a short time the fading brightness of the circle of light far overhead
+told them that twilight had commenced, and shortly afterwards they attached
+the first strand to the rope some three feet above the water.
+
+"Now," Walter said, "I will go first, at any rate for a time.  I must put
+one leg through the loop, and sit, as it were, while I fasten the one
+above, as I shall want both hands for the work. You will find it a good
+deal easier to stand with your foot in the loop. If I get tired I will
+fasten another loop by the side of that on which I am resting, so you can
+come up and pass me. There is no hurry. It ought not to take up above an
+hour, and it will not do for us to get to the top until the place becomes a
+little quiet. Tonight they are sure to be drinking and feasting over their
+victory until late."
+
+They now set to work, and step by step mounted the rope. They found the
+work less arduous than they had expected. The rope was dry, and the strands
+held tightly to it.  Two or three times they changed places, resting in
+turn from the work; but in less than two hours from the time they made the
+first loop Walter's head and shoulders appeared above the level of the
+courtyard. He could hear sounds of shouting and singing within the castle,
+and knew that a great feast was going on. Descending a step or two he held
+parley with Ralph.
+
+"I think, perhaps, it will be better to sally out at once.  Everyone is
+intent on his own pleasure, and we shall have no difficulty in slipping out
+of the castle unnoticed. All will be feasting and riot in the town, and so
+long as we do not brush against any one so that they may feel our wet
+garments we are little likely to be noticed; besides, the gates of the town
+will stand open late, for people from the villages round will have come in
+to join in the revels."
+
+"I am ready to try it, Master Walter," Ralph replied, "for I ache from head
+to foot with holding on to this rope. The sooner the better, say I."
+
+In another minute both stood in the courtyard. It was a retired spot, and
+none were passing. Going along the passage they issued into the main yard.
+Here great fires were blazing, and groups of men sat round them drinking
+and shouting. Many lay about in drunken sleep.
+
+"Stay where you are in the shade, Ralph. You had best lie down by the foot
+of the wall. Anyone who passes will think that you are in a drunken sleep.
+I will creep forward and possess myself of the steel caps of two of these
+drunkards, and if I can get a couple of cloaks so much the better."
+
+There was no difficulty about the caps, and by dint of unbuckling the
+cloaks and rolling their wearers gently over, Walter succeeded at last in
+obtaining two of them. He also picked up a sword for Ralph - his own still
+hung in its sheath - and then he joined his companion, and the two putting
+on the steel caps and cloaks walked quietly to the gate. There were none on
+guard, and they issued unmolested into the town. Here all was revelry.
+Bonfires blazed in the streets.  Hogsheads of wine, with the heads knocked
+out, stood before many of the houses for all to help themselves who wished.
+ Drunken soldiers reeled along shouting snatches of songs, and the burghers
+in the highest state of hilarity thronged the ways.
+
+"First of all, Ralph, we will have a drink of wine, for I am chilled to the
+bone."
+
+"Aye, and so am I," Ralph replied. "I got hot enough climbing that rope,
+but now the cold has got hold of me again, and my teeth are chattering in
+my head."
+
+Picking up one of the fallen vessels by a cask they dipped it in and took a
+long draught of wine; then, turning off from the principal streets, they
+made their way by quiet lanes down to one of the gates. To their dismay
+they found that this was closed. The French commanders knew that Sir Walter
+Manny or Salisbury might ere this be pressing forward to relieve the town,
+and that, finding that it had fallen, they might attempt to recapture it by
+a sudden attack. While permitting therefore the usual licence, after a
+successful assault, to the main body of their forces, they had placed a
+certain number of their best troops on the walls, giving them a handsome
+largess to make up for their loss of the festivities.
+
+At first Walter and his friend feared that their retreat was cut off for
+the night, but several other people presently arrived, and the officer on
+guard said, coming out, "You must wait a while; the last batch have only
+just gone, and I cannot keep opening and closing the gate; in half an hour
+I will let you out.
+
+Before that time elapsed some fifty or sixty people, anxious to return to
+their villages, gathered round the gate.
+
+"Best lay aside your steel cap, Ralph, before we join them," Walter said.
+"In the dim light of that lamp none will notice that we have head-gear, but
+if it were to glint upon the steel cap the officer might take us for
+deserters and question us as to who we are.
+
+Presently the officer came out from the guard-room again. There was a
+forward movement of the little crowd, and Walter and Ralph closed in to
+their midst. The gates were opened, and without any question the villagers
+passed out, and the gates were shut instantly behind them.
+
+Walter and his comrade at once started at a brisk pace and walked all night
+in the direction of Hennebon. Their clothes soon dried, and elated at their
+escape from danger they struggled on briskly. When morning broke they
+entered a wood, and lay there till evening, as they feared to continue
+their journey lest they might fall into the hands of some roving band of
+French horse. They were, too, dog-tired, and were asleep a few minutes
+after they lay down. The sun was setting when they awoke, and as soon as it
+was dark they resumed their journey.
+
+"I don't know what you feel, Master Walter, but I am well-nigh famished. It
+is thirty-six hours since I swallowed a bit of food, just as the French
+were moving to the attack.  Hard blows I don't mind - I have been used to
+it; but what with fighting, and being in the water for five or six hours,
+and climbing up that endless rope, and walking all night on an empty
+stomach, it does not suit me at all."
+
+"I feel ravenous too, Ralph, but there is no help for it.  We shall eat
+nothing till we are within the walls of Hennebon, and that will be by
+daylight tomorrow if all goes well. Draw your belt an inch or two tighter,
+it will help to keep out the wolf."
+
+They kept on all night, and in the morning saw to their delight the towers
+of Hennebon in the distance. It was well that it was no further, for both
+were so exhausted from want of food that they could with difficulty drag
+their legs along.
+
+Upon entering the town Walter made his way at once to the quarters of the
+leader. Sir Walter had just risen, and was delighted at the sight of his
+esquire.
+
+"I had given you up for dead," he exclaimed. "By what miracle could you
+have escaped? Are you alone?"
+
+"I have with me only my faithful follower Ralph Smith, who is below; but,
+Sir Walter, for mercy's sake order that some food be placed before us, or
+we shall have escaped from the French only to die of hunger here. We have
+tasted nought since the attack on Vannes began. Have any beside us
+escaped?"
+
+"Lord Stafford contrived, with two or three others, to cut their way out by
+a postern-gate, bringing with them Robert of Artois, who is grievously
+wounded.  None others, save you and your man-at-arms, have made their way
+here."
+
+In a few minutes a cold capon, several manchets of bread, and a stoop of
+wine were placed before Walter, while Ralph's wants were attended to below.
+ When he had satisfied his hunger the young esquire related his adventures
+to Sir Walter and several other knights and nobles, who had by this time
+gathered in the room.
+
+"In faith, Master Somers, you have got well out of your scrape," Sir Walter
+exclaimed. "Had I been in your place I should assuredly have perished, for
+I would a thousand times rather meet death sword in hand, than drop down
+into the deep hole of that well. And your brains served you shrewdly in
+devising a method of escape. What say you, gentlemen?"
+
+All present joined in expressions of praise at the lad's coolness and
+presence of mind.
+
+"You are doing well, young sir," the English leader went on, "and have
+distinguished yourself on each occasion on which we have been engaged. I
+shall be proud when the time comes to bestow upon you myself the order of
+knighthood if our king does not take the matter off my hands."
+
+A little later Robert of Artois died of his wounds and disappointment at
+the failure of his hopes.
+
+In October King Edward himself set sail with a great army, and landing in
+Brittany early in November marched forward through the country and soon
+reduced Ploermel, Malestrail, Redon, and the rest of the province in the
+vicinity of Vannes, and then laid siege to that town. As his force was far
+more than sufficient for the siege, the Earls of Norfolk and Warwick were
+despatched in the direction of Nantes to reconnoitre the country and clear
+it of any small bodies of the enemy they might encounter. In the meantime
+Edward opened negotiations with many of the Breton lords, who, seeing that
+such powerful aid had arrived for the cause of the Countess of Montford,
+were easily persuaded to change sides. Among them were the lords of
+Clisson, Moheac, Machecoul, Retz, and many others of less importance.
+
+The Count of Valentinois, who commanded the garrison of Vannes, supported
+the siege with great courage and fortitude, knowing that Charles of Blois
+and the King of France were collecting a great army for his relief. Uniting
+their forces they advanced towards the town. Before the force of the
+French, 40,000 strong, the Earl of Norfolk had fallen back and rejoined the
+king, but even after this junction the French forces exceeded those of
+Edward fourfold. They advanced towards Vannes and formed a large entrenched
+camp near that of the English, who thus, while still besieging Vannes, were
+themselves enclosed by a vastly superior force.  The King of France himself
+arrived at the French camp. The French, although so greatly superior, made
+no motion toward attacking the English, but appeared bent upon either
+starving them out or forcing them to attack the strongly entrenched
+position occupied by the French.
+
+Provisions were indeed running short in the English camp, and the arrival
+of supplies from England was cut off by a strong fleet under Don Louis,
+which cruised off the coast and captured all vessels arriving with stores.
+At this moment two legates, the Cardinal Bishop of Preneste and the
+Cardinal Bishop of Tusculum, arrived from the pope and strove to mediate
+between the two sovereigns and to bring about a cessation of hostilities,
+pointing out to them the scandal and desolation which their rivalry caused
+in Christendom, the waste of noble lives, the devastation of once happy
+provinces, and the effusion of innocent blood.  Going from camp to camp
+they exhorted, prayed, and reproached the rival sovereigns, urging that
+while Christians were shedding each other's blood in vain, the infidels
+were daily waxing bolder and more insolent. Their arguments would have been
+but of little use had either of the monarchs felt sure of victory. King
+Edward, however, felt that his position was growing desperate, for
+starvation was staring him in the face, and only by a victory over an
+immensely superior force in a strongly entrenched position could he
+extricate himself.  Upon the part of the French, however, circumstances
+were occurring which rendered them anxious for a release from their
+position, for they were not without their share of suffering. While the
+English army lay on a hill the French camp was pitched on low ground. An
+unusually wet season had set in with bitterly cold wind. The rain was
+incessant, a pestilence had destroyed a vast number of their horses, and
+their encampment was flooded. Their forces were therefore obligated to
+spread themselves over the neighbouring fields, and a sudden attack by the
+English might have been fatal.
+
+Thus distress pressed upon both commanders, and the pope's legates found
+their exertions at last crowned with success. A suspension of hostilities
+was agreed to, and the Dukes of Burgundy and Bourbon on the one side and
+the Earls of Lancaster, Northampton, and Salisbury on the other, met as
+commissioners and agreed to a convention by which a general truce was to be
+made from the date of the treaty to the following Michaelmas, and to be
+prolonged from that day for the full term of three years. It was agreed
+that the truce should embrace not only the sovereigns, but all the
+adherents of each of them. The truce was to hold good in Brittany between
+all parties, and the city of Vannes was to be given into the hands of the
+cardinals to dispose of as they chose. It was specially provided that in
+the case of any of the adherents of either party in the Duchies of Gascony
+and Brittany waging war against each other, neither of the monarchs should
+either directly or indirectly meddle therewith, nor should the truce be at
+all broken thereby.
+
+Immediately the treaty was signed, on the 19th of January, 1343, the King
+of France dismissed his army, and Edward sailed for England with the
+greater part of his troops.  The Countess of Montford and her son
+accompanied him, and the possessions of her husband in Brittany were left
+to the guardianship of her partisans, with a small but choice body of
+English troops.
+
+The towns which had fallen into their hands and still remained were Brest,
+Quimper-Corentin, Quimperle, Redon, and Guerande; Vannes was handed over to
+them by the cardinals, and Hennebon, of course, remained in their
+possession.
+
+Walter returned to England with Sir Walter Manny, and on reaching London
+was received with delight by his old friends Geoffrey Ward and Giles
+Fletcher, who were never tired of listening to his tales of the wars. Dame
+Vernon also received him with great kindness, and congratulated him warmly
+upon the very favourable account which Sir Walter Manny had given of his
+zeal and gallantry.
+
+The time now for a while passed very quietly. Walter and the other young
+squires practised diligently, under the instructions of Sir Walter, at
+knightly exercises. Walter learned to bear himself well on horseback and to
+tilt in the ring. He was already a skilful swordsman, but he spared no
+pains to improve himself with his weapons. The court was a gay one, and
+Walter, as a favoured esquire of one of the foremost knights there, was
+admitted to all that took place. His courtly education, of course, included
+dancing, and when he went down, as he often did, for a long chat with his
+old friends, Geoffrey often said, laughing, that he was growing such a fine
+gentleman that he hardly liked to sit in his presence; but although changed
+in manner, Walter continued to be, as before, a frank, manly young fellow,
+and free from the affectations which were so general among the young men of
+the court.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI: A STORMY INTERVIEW
+
+
+Soon after Walter's return from France Dame Vernon returned to her country
+estate, and a year passed before he again saw her. During this time the
+truce which had been established between England and France had remained
+unbroken. It was certain, however, that ere long the two powers would again
+come to blows.  The King of England had honourably observed the terms of
+the treaty.  Upon his return home he had entirely disbanded his army and
+had devoted his whole attention to increasing the trade and prosperity of
+the country. The measures which he took to do this were not always popular
+with the people of England, for seeing how greatly they excelled the
+English manufacturers Edward encouraged large numbers of Flemings and other
+foreign workmen to settle in London, and gave them many privileges to
+induce them to do so; this the populace strongly resented. There was a
+strong ill feeling against the Flemings and serious popular riots took
+place, for the English traders and workmen considered that these foreigners
+were taking the bread from their mouths. The king, however, was wiser than
+his people, he saw that although the English weavers were able to produce
+coarse cloths, yet that all of the finer sort had to be imported from the
+Continent. He deemed that in time the Flemings would teach their art to his
+subjects, and that England would come to vie with the Low Countries in the
+quality of her produce.  Such was indeed afterwards the case, and England
+gained greatly by the importation of the industrious Flemings, just as she
+afterwards profited from the expulsion from France of tens of thousands of
+Protestant workmen who brought here many of the manufactures of which
+France had before the monopoly. The relations between England and the
+Flemings were at this time very close, for the latter regarded England as
+her protector against the ambition of the King of France.
+
+But while King Edward had laid aside all thought of war, such was not the
+case with Phillip of Valois. He had retired after the signature of the
+treaty full of rage and humiliation; for hitherto in all their struggles
+his English rival had had the better of him, and against vastly superior
+forces had foiled all his efforts and had gained alike glory and military
+advantage. King Edward had hardly set sail when Phillip began to break the
+terms of truce by inciting the adherents of Charles of Blois to attack
+those of De Montford, and by rendering assistance to them with money and
+men. He also left no means untried to detach Flanders from its alliance
+with England. Several castles and towns in Brittany were wrested from the
+partisans of De Montford, and King Edward, after many remonstrances at the
+breaches of the conditions of the truce, began again to make preparations
+for taking the field. Several brilliant tournaments were held and every
+means were taken to stir up the warlike spirit of the people.
+
+One day Walter had attended his lord to the palace and was waiting in the
+anteroom with many other squires and gentlemen, while Sir Walter, with some
+other noblemen, was closeted with the king, discussing the means to be
+adopted for raising funds for a renewal of a war with France, when a knight
+entered whom Walter had not previously seen at court.
+
+"Who is that?" he asked one of his acquaintances; "methinks I know his
+face, though it passes my memory to say where I have seen it."
+
+"He has been away from England for some two years," his friend answered.
+"That is Sir James Carnegie; he is a cousin of the late Sir Jasper Vernon;
+he left somewhat suddenly a short time after Dame Vernon had that narrow
+escape from drowning that you wot of; he betook himself then to Spain,
+where he has been fighting the Moors; he is said to be a valiant knight,
+but otherwise he bears but an indifferent good reputation."
+
+Walter remembered the face now; it was that of the knight he had seen enter
+the hut of the river pirate on the Lambeth marshes. When released from duty
+he at once made his way to the lodging of Dame Vernon. Walter was now
+nineteen, for a year had elapsed since the termination of the French war,
+and he was in stature and strength the match of most men, while his skill
+at knightly exercises, as well as with the sword, was recognized as
+pre-eminent among all the young esquires of the court.
+
+After the first greeting he said to Dame Vernon: "I think it right to tell
+you, lady, that I have but now, in the king's anteroom, seen the man who
+plotted against your life in the hut at Lambeth. His face is a marked one
+and I could not mistake it. I hear that he is a cousin of yours, one Sir
+James Carnegie, as you doubtless recognized from my description of him. I
+came to tell you in order that you might decide what my conduct should be.
+If you wish it so I will keep the secret in my breast; but if you fear
+aught from him I will openly accuse him before the king of the crime he
+attempted, and shall be ready to meet him in the ordeal of battle should he
+claim it."
+
+"I have seen Sir James," Lady Vernon said. "I had a letter writ in a
+feigned hand telling him that his handiwork in the plot against my life was
+known, and warning him that, unless he left England, the proofs thereof
+would be laid before justice. He at once sailed for Spain, whence, he has
+returned but a few days since. He does not know for certain that I am aware
+of his plottings against us; but he must have seen by my reception of him
+when he called that I no longer regard him with the friendship which I
+formerly entertained. I have received a message from him that he will call
+upon me this evening, and that he trusts he will find me alone, as he would
+fain confer with me on private matters. When I have learned his intentions
+I shall be the better able to judge what course I had best adopt. I would
+fain, if it may be, let the matter rest.  Sir James has powerful interest,
+and I would not have him for an open enemy if I can avoid it; besides, all
+the talk and publicity which so grave an accusation against a knight, and
+he of mine own family, would entail, would be very distasteful to me; but
+should I find it necessary for the sake of my child, I shall not shrink
+from it. I trust, however, that it will not come to that; but I shall not
+hesitate, if need be, to let him know that I am acquainted with his evil
+designs towards us. I will inform you of as much of our interview as it is
+necessary that you should know."
+
+That evening Sir James Carnegie called upon Dame Vernon. "I would not
+notice it the other day, fair cousin," he said, in return for her stiff and
+ceremonious greeting; "but methinks that you are mightily changed in your
+bearing towards me. I had looked on my return from my long journeying for
+something of the sisterly warmth with which you once greeted me, but I find
+you as cold and hard as if I had been altogether a stranger to you. I would
+fain know in what way I have forfeited your esteem."
+
+"I do not wish to enter into bygones, Sir James," the lady said, "and would
+fain let the past sleep if you will let me. Let us then turn without more
+ado to the private matters concerning which you wished to speak with me."
+
+"If such is your mood, fair dame, I must needs fall in with it, though in
+no way able to understand your allusion to the past, wherein my conscience
+holds me guiltless of aught which could draw upon me your disfavour. I am
+your nearest male relative, and as such would fain confer with you touching
+the future of young Mistress Edith, your daughter.  She is now nigh
+thirteen years of age, and is the heiress of broad lands; is it not time
+that she were betrothed to one capable of taking care of them for her, and
+leading your vassals to battle in these troubled times?"
+
+"Thanks, Sir James, for your anxiety about my child," Dame Vernon said
+coldly.  "She is a ward of the king. I am in no way anxious that an early
+choice should be made for her; but our good Queen Philippa has promised
+that, when the time shall come, his Majesty shall not dispose of her hand
+without my wishes being in some way consulted; and I have no doubt that
+when the time shall come that she is of marriageable age - and I would not
+that this should be before she has gained eighteen years, for I like not
+the over young marriages which are now in fashion - a knight may be found
+for her husband capable of taking care of her and her possessions; but may
+I ask if, in so speaking to me, you have anyone in your mind's eye as a
+suitor for her hand?"
+
+"Your manner is not encouraging, certes; but I had my plan, which would, I
+hoped, have met with your approval. I am the young lady's cousin, and her
+nearest male relative; and although we are within the limited degrees,
+there will be no difficulty in obtaining a dispensation from Rome. I am
+myself passably well off, and some of the mortgages which I had been forced
+to lay upon my estates have been cleared off during my absence. I have
+returned home with some reputation, and with a goodly sum gained in the
+wars with the Moors. I am older than my cousin certainly; but as I am still
+but thirty-two, this would not, I hope, be deemed an obstacle, and
+methought that you would rather entrust her to your affectionate cousin
+than to a stranger. The king has received me very graciously, and would, I
+trust, offer no opposition to my suit were it backed by your goodwill."
+
+"I suppose, Sir James," Dame Vernon said, "that I should thank you for the
+offer which you have made; but I can only reply, that while duly conscious
+of the high honour you have done my daughter by your offer, I would rather
+see her in her grave than wedded to you.
+
+The knight leapt from his seat with a fierce exclamation.  "This is too
+much," he exclaimed, "and I have a right to know why such an offer on my
+part should be answered by disdain, and even insolence."
+
+"You have a right to know," Dame Vernon answered quietly, "and I will tell
+you.  I repeat that I would rather see my child in her grave than wedded to
+a man who attempted to compass the murder of her and her mother."
+
+"What wild words are these?" Sir James asked sternly.  "What accusation is
+this that you dare to bring against me?"
+
+"I repeat what I said, Sir James," Dame Alice replied quietly. "I know that
+you plotted with the water pirates of Lambeth to upset our boat as we came
+down the Thames; that you treacherously delayed us at Richmond in order
+that we might not reach London before dark; and that by enveloping me in a
+white cloak you gave a signal by which I might be known to your creatures.
+
+
+
+The knight stood for a moment astounded. He was aware that the fact that he
+had had some share in the outrage was known, and was not surprised that his
+cousin was acquainted with the secret; but that she should know all the
+details with which but one besides himself was, as he believed, acquainted,
+completely stupefied him. He rapidly, however, recovered himself.
+
+"I recall now," he said scornfully, "the evidence which was given before
+the justices by some ragged city boy, to the effect that he had overheard a
+few words of a conversation between some ruffian over in the Lambeth
+marshes, and an unknown person; but it is new to me indeed that there was
+any suspicion that I was the person alluded to, still less that a lady of
+my own family, in whose affection I believed, should credit so monstrous an
+accusation."
+
+"I would that I could discredit it, Sir James," Dame Vernon said sadly;
+"but the proofs were too strong for me.  Much more of your conversation
+than was narrated in court was overheard, and it was at my request that the
+ragged boy, as you call him, kept silence."
+
+"And is it possible," the knight asked indignantly, "that you believed the
+word of a fellow like this to the detriment to your kinsman? Why, in any
+court of law the word of such a one as opposed to that of a knight and
+gentleman of honour would not be taken for a moment."
+
+"You are mistaken, sir," Dame Vernon said haughtily.  "You may remember, in
+the first place, that the lad who overheard this conversation risked his
+life to save me and my daughter from the consequences of the attack which
+he heard planned; in the second place, he was no ragged lad, but the
+apprentice of a well-known citizen; thirdly, and this is of importance,
+since he has recognized you since your return, and is ready should I give
+him the word, to denounce you.  He is no mere apprentice boy, but is of
+gentle blood, seeing that he is the son of Sir Roland Somers, the former
+possessor of the lands which I hold, and that he is in high favour with the
+good knight Sir Walter Manny, whose esquire he now is, and under whom he
+distinguished himself in the wars in France, and is, as Sir Walter assured
+me, certain to win his spurs ere long. Thus you see his bare word would be
+of equal value to your own, beside the fact that his evidence does not rest
+upon mere assertion; but that the man in the hut promised to do what you
+actually performed, namely, to delay me at Richmond, and to wrap me in a
+white cloak in order that I might be recognized by the river pirates."
+
+Sir James was silent. In truth, as he saw, the evidence was overwhelmingly
+strong against him. After a while he stammered out, "I cannot deny that I
+was the man in question; but I swear to you that this boy was mistaken, and
+that the scoundrel acted altogether beyond my instructions, which were
+simply that he should board the boat and carry you and your daughter away
+to a safe place."
+
+"And with what object, sir," Dame Vernon said contemptuously, "was I to be
+thus taken away?"
+
+"I do not seek to excuse myself," the knight replied calmly, having now
+recovered his self-possession, "for I own I acted wrongly and basely; but
+in truth I loved you, and would fain have made you my wife. I knew that you
+regarded me with only the calm affection of a kinswoman; but I thought that
+were you in my power you would consent to purchase your freedom with your
+hand. I know now that I erred greatly. I acknowledge my fault, and that my
+conduct was base and unknightly, and my only excuse is the great love I
+bore you.
+
+"And which," the lady said sarcastically, "you have now transferred to my
+daughter. I congratulate you, Sir James, upon the possession of a ready wit
+and an invention which does not fail you at a pinch, and of a tongue which
+repeats unfalteringly any fable which your mind may dictate. You do not, I
+suppose, expect me to believe the tale. Still, I own that it is a
+well-devised one, and might, at a pinch, pass muster; but fear not, Sir
+James. As hitherto I have kept silence as to the author of the outrage
+committed upon me, so I have no intention of proclaiming the truth now
+unless you force me to do so. Suffice that both for myself and for my
+daughter I disclaim the honour of your hand. So long as you offer no
+molestation to us, and abstain from troubling us in any way, so long will
+my mouth be sealed; and I would fain bury in my breast the memory of your
+offence. I will not give the world's tongue occasion to wag by any open
+breach between kinsfolk, and shall therefore in public salute you as an
+acquaintance, but under no pretence whatever will I admit you to any future
+private interview. Now leave me, sir, and I trust that your future life
+will show that you deeply regret the outrage which in your greed for my
+husband's lands you were tempted to commit."
+
+Without a word Sir James turned and left the room, white with shame and
+anger, but with an inward sense of congratulation at the romance which he
+had, on the spur of the moment, invented, and which would, he felt sure, be
+accepted by the world as probable, in the event of the share he had in the
+matter being made public, either upon the denunciation of Dame Vernon or in
+any other manner.
+
+One determination, however, he made, and swore, to himself, that he would
+bitterly avenge himself upon the youth whose interference had thwarted his
+plans, and whose report to his kinswoman had turned her mind against him.
+He, at any rate, should be put out of the way at the first opportunity, and
+thus the only witness against himself be removed; for Lady Vernon's own
+unsupported story would be merely her word against his, and could be
+treated as the malicious fiction of an angry woman.
+
+The following day Dame Vernon sent for Walter, and informed him exactly
+what had taken place.
+
+"Between Sir James and me," she said, "there is, you see, a truce. We are
+enemies, but, we agree to lay aside our arms for the time. But, Walter, you
+must be on your guard.
+
+You know as well as I do how dangerous this man is, and how good a cause he
+has to hate you. I would not have divulged your name had I not known that
+the frequency of your visits here and the encouragement which I openly give
+you as the future suitor of my daughter, would be sure to come to his ears,
+and he would speedily discover that it was you who saved our lives on the
+Thames and gave your testimony before the justices as to the conversation
+in the hut on the marshes.  Thus I forestalled what he would in a few days
+have learnt."
+
+"I fear him not, lady," Walter said calmly. "I can hold mine own, I hope,
+against him in arms, and having the patronage and friendship of Sir Walter
+Manny I am above any petty malice. Nevertheless I will hold myself on my
+guard.  I will, so far as possible, avoid any snare which he may, as 'tis
+not unlikely, set for my life, and will, so far as I honourably can, avoid
+any quarrel with which he may seek to saddle me.
+
+A few days later Walter again met Sir James Carnegie in the king's
+anteroom, and saw at once, by the fixed look of hate with which he had
+regarded him, that he had already satisfied himself of his identity. He
+returned the knight's stare with a cold look of contempt. The knight moved
+towards him, and in a low tone said, "Beware, young sir, I have a heavy
+reckoning against you, and James Carnegie never forgets debts of that
+kind!"
+
+"I am warned, Sir James," Walter said calmly, but in the same low tone,
+"and, believe me, I hold but very lightly the threats of one who does not
+succeed even when he conspires against the lives of women and children."
+
+Sir James started as if he had been struck. Then, with a great effort he
+recovered his composure, and, repeating the word "Beware!" walked across to
+the other side of the chamber. The next day Walter went down the river and
+had a talk with his friend Geoffrey.
+
+"You must beware, lad," the armourer said when he told him of the return of
+Sir James Carnegie and the conversation which had taken place between them.
+ "This man is capable of anything, and careth not where he chooseth his
+instruments.  The man of the hut at Lambeth has never been caught since his
+escape from Richmond Jail - thanks, doubtless, to the gold of his employer
+- and, for aught we know, may still be lurking in the marshes there, or in
+the purlieus of the city. He will have a grudge against you as well as his
+employer, and in him Sir James would find a ready instrument. He is no
+doubt connected, as before, with a gang of water pirates and robbers, and
+it is not one sword alone that you would have to encounter. I think not
+that you are in danger just at present, for he would know that, in case of
+your murder, the suspicions of Dame Vernon and of any others who may know
+the motive which he has in getting rid of you would be excited, and he
+might be accused of having had a share in your death. Still, it would be so
+hard to prove aught against him, that he may be ready to run the risk in
+order to rid himself of you. Look here, Walter. What think you of this?"
+and the smith drew out from a coffer a shirt of mail of finer work than
+Walter had ever before seen.
+
+"Aye, lad, I knew you would be pleased," he said in answer to Walter's
+exclamation at the fineness of the workmanship.  "I bought this a month ago
+from a Jew merchant who had recently come from Italy. How he got it I know
+not, but I doubt if it were honestly, or he would have demanded a higher
+price than I paid him. He told me that it was made by the first armourer in
+Milan, and was constructed especially for a cardinal of the church, who had
+made many enemies by his evil deeds and could not sleep for fear of
+assassination. At his death it came as the Jew said, into his possession. I
+suppose some rascally attendant took it as a perquisite, and, knowing not
+of its value, sold it for a few ducats to the Jew.  However, it is of the
+finest workmanship. It is, as you see, double, and each link is made of
+steel so tough that no dagger or sword-point will pierce it. I put it on a
+block and tried the metal myself, and broke one of my best daggers on it
+without a single link giving. Take it, lad. You are welcome to it. I bought
+it with a special eye to you, thinking that you might wear it under your
+armour in battle without greatly adding to the weight; but for such dangers
+as threaten you now it is invaluable. It is so light and soft that none
+will dream that you have it under your doublet, and I warrant me it will
+hold you safe against the daggers of Sir James's ruffians.
+
+Walter did not like taking a gift so valuable, for his apprenticeship as an
+armourer had taught him the extreme rarity and costliness of so fine a
+piece of work. Geoffrey, however, would not hear of his refusal, and
+insisted on his then and there taking off his doublet and putting it on. It
+fitted closely to the body, descending just below the hips, and coming well
+up on the neck, while the arms extended to the wrists.
+
+"There!" the smith said with delight. "Now you are safe against sword or
+dagger, save for a sweeping blow at the head, and that your sword can be
+trusted to guard. Never take it off, Walter, save when you sleep; and
+except when in your own bed, at Sir Walter Manny's, I should advise you to
+wear it even at night.  The weight is nothing, and it will not incommode
+you. So long as this caitiff knight lives, your life will not be safe. When
+he is dead you may hang up the shirt of mail with a light heart."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII: JACOB VAN ARTEVELDE
+
+
+King Edward found no difficulty in awakening the war spirit of England
+anew, for the King of France, in an act of infamous treachery, in despite
+of the solemn terms of the treaty, excited against himself the indignation
+not only of England but of all Europe. Oliver de Clisson, with fourteen
+other nobles of Brittany and Normandy, were arrested by his order, taken to
+Paris, and without form of trial there decapitated. This act of treachery
+and injustice aroused disgust and shame among the French nobles, and
+murmurs and discontent spread throughout the whole country.
+
+In Brittany numbers of the nobles fell off from the cause of Charles of
+Blois, and King Edward hastened his preparations to avenge the butchery of
+the adherents of the house of Montford. Phillip, however, in defiance of
+the murmurs of his own subjects, of the indignant remonstrances of Edward,
+and even those of the pope, who was devoted to his cause, continued the
+course he had begun, and a number of other nobles were seized and executed.
+ Godfrey of Harcourt alone, warned by the fate of his companions, refused
+to obey the summons of the king to repair to Paris, and fled to Brabant.
+His property in France was at once seized by Phillip; and Godfrey, finding
+that the Duke of Brabant would be unable to shield him from Phillip's
+vengeance, fled to the English court, and did homage to Edward.
+
+On the 24th of April, 1345, Edward determined no longer to allow Phillip to
+continue to benefit by his constant violations of the truce, and
+accordingly sent a defiance to the King of France.
+
+De Montford, who had just succeeded in escaping from his prison in Paris,
+arrived at this moment in England, and shortly afterwards set sail with a
+small army under the command of the Earl of Northampton for Britanny, while
+the Earl of Derby took his departure with a larger force for the defence of
+Guienne.
+
+King Edward set about raising a large army, which he determined to lead
+himself, but before passing over to France he desired to strengthen his
+hold of Flanders.  The constant intrigues of Phillip there had exercised a
+great effect. The count of that country was already strongly in his
+interest, and it was only the influence of Jacob van Artevelde which
+maintained the alliance with England.  This man had, by his talent and
+energy, gained an immense influence over his countrymen; but his commanding
+position and ability had naturally excited the envy and hatred of many of
+his fellow citizens, among whom was the dean of the weavers of Ghent, one
+Gerard Denis. The weavers were the most powerful body in this city, and had
+always been noted for their turbulence and faction; and on a Monday in the
+month of May, 1345, a great battle took place in the market-place between
+them and the fullers, of whom 1500 were slain. This victory of the weavers
+strengthened the power of the party hostile to Artevelde and the English
+connection; and the former saw that unless he could induce his countrymen
+to take some irretrievable step in favour of England they would ultimately
+fall back into the arms of France. Accordingly he invited Edward to pass
+over with a strong force into Flanders, where he would persuade the
+Flemings to make the Prince of Wales their duke. King Edward at once
+accepted the offer, and sailing from Sandwich on the 3d of July arrived in
+safety at Sluys. His intention had been kept a profound secret, and his
+arrival created the greatest surprise throughout Flanders.  He did not
+disembark, but received on board a ship with great honour and magnificence
+the burgomasters of the various towns who appeared to welcome him. The king
+had brought with him the Prince of Wales, now fifteen years old, who wore a
+suit of black armour, and was therefore called "the Black Prince."
+
+Walter Somers was on board the royal vessel. The Prince of Wales had not
+forgotten the promise which he had six years before made to him, and had
+asked Sir Walter Manny to allow him to follow under his banner.
+
+"You are taking my most trusty squire from me, Prince," the knight said;
+"for although I have many brave young fellows in my following, there is not
+one whom I value so much as Walter Somers. It is but fair, however, that
+you should have him, since you told me when I first took him that he was to
+follow your banner when you were old enough to go to the wars. You can rely
+upon him implicitly. He cares not for the gaieties of which most young men
+of his age think so much. He is ever ready for duty, and he possesses a
+wisdom and sagacity which will some day make him a great leader."
+
+Walter was sorry to leave his patron, but the step was of course a great
+advancement, and excited no little envy among his companions, for among the
+young esquires of the Prince of Wales were the sons of many of the noblest
+families of England.
+
+Sir Walter presented him on leaving with a heavy purse.  "Your expenses
+will be large," he said, "among so many young gallants, and you must do
+credit to me as well as to yourself.  The young prince is generous to a
+fault, and as he holds you in high favour, both from his knowledge of you
+and from my report, you will, I know, lack nothing when you are once fairly
+embarked in his service; but it is needful that when you first join you
+should be provided with many suits of courtly raiment, of cloth of gold and
+silk, which were not needed while you were in the service of a simple
+knight like myself, but which must be worn by a companion of the heir of
+England."
+
+Walter had hoped that Sir James Carnegie would have accompanied the forces
+of either the Earls of Northampton or Derby, but he found that he had
+attached himself to the royal army.
+
+Ralph of course followed Walter's fortunes, and was now brilliant in the
+appointments of the Prince of Wales's chosen bodyguard of men-at-arms.
+
+The councils of all the great towns of Flanders assembled at Sluys, and for
+several days great festivities were held. Then a great assembly was held,
+and Van Artevelde rose and addressed his countrymen. He set forth to them
+the virtues of the Prince of Wales, whose courtesy and bearing had so
+captivated them; he pointed out the obligations which Flanders was under
+towards King Edward, and the advantages which would arise from a nearer
+connection with England. With this he contrasted the weakness of their
+count, the many ills which his adherence to France had brought upon the
+country, and the danger which menaced them should his power be ever
+renewed. He then boldly proposed to them that they should at once cast off
+their allegiance to the count and bestow the vacant coronet upon the Prince
+of Wales, who, as Duke of Flanders, would undertake the defence and
+government of the country with the aid of a Flemish council. This wholly
+unexpected proposition took the Flemish burghers by surprise. Artevelde had
+calculated upon his eloquence and influence carrying them away, but his
+power had diminished, and many of his hearers had already been gained to
+the cause of France. The burgher councils had for a long time had absolute
+power in their own towns, and the prospect of a powerful prince at their
+head foredoomed a curtailment of those powers. When Artevelde ceased,
+therefore, instead of the enthusiastic shouts with which he hoped his
+oration would be greeted, a confused murmur arose. At last several got up
+and said that, greatly attached as they were to the king, much as they
+admired the noble young prince proposed for their acceptance, they felt
+themselves unable to give an answer upon an affair of such moment without
+consulting their fellow countrymen and learning their opinions. They
+therefore promised that they would return on a certain day and give a
+decided answer.
+
+The Flemish burghers then took their leave. Van Artevelde, after a
+consultation with the king, started at once to use his influence among the
+various towns.
+
+After leaving the king he bade adieu to the Prince of Wales. "Would you
+like," the young prince said, "that one of my esquires should ride with
+you? His presence might show the people how entirely I am with you; and
+should you have tidings to send me he could ride hither with them. I have
+one with me who is prudent and wise, and who possesses all the confidence
+of that wise and valiant knight, Sir Walter de Manny."
+
+"I will gladly take him, your royal highness," Van Artevelde said, "and
+hope to despatch him to you very shortly with the news that the great towns
+of Flanders all gladly receive you as their lord."
+
+In a few minutes Walter had mounted his horse, accompanied by Ralph, and,
+joining Van Artevelde, rode to Bruges. Here and at Ypres Van Artevelde's
+efforts were crowned with success. His eloquence carried away the people
+with him, and both these cities agreed to accept the Prince of Wales as
+their lord; but the hardest task yet remained.  Ghent was the largest and
+most powerful of the Flemish towns, and here his enemies were in the
+ascendant. Gerard Denis and the weavers had been stirring up the people
+against him. All kinds of accusations had been spread, and he was accused
+of robbing and selling his country. The news of the hostile feeling of the
+population reached Van Artevelde, and he despatched Walter with the request
+to the king for a force of five hundred English soldiers as a guard against
+his enemies.
+
+Had Artevelde asked for a large force, Edward would have disembarked his
+army and marched at their head into Ghent. As the rest of the country was
+already won, there can be little doubt that this step would at once have
+silenced all opposition, and would have annexed Flanders to the British
+crown. Van Artevelde, however, believed himself to be stronger than he
+really was, and thought with a small party of soldiers he could seize his
+principal opponents, and that the people would then rally round him.
+
+Upon the arrival of the five hundred men he started for Ghent; but as he
+feared that the gates would be shut if he presented himself with an armed
+force, he left the soldiers in concealment a short distance from the town
+and entered it, accompanied only by his usual suite. At his invitation,
+however, Walter, followed of course by Ralph, rode beside him. No sooner
+was he within the gates than Van Artevelde saw how strong was the popular
+feeling against him. He had been accustomed to be received with bows of
+reverence; now men turned aside as he approached, or scowled at him from
+their doors.
+
+"Methinks, sir," Walter said, "that it would be wiser did we ride back,
+and, joining the soldiers, enter at their head, or as that number would be
+scarce sufficient should so large a town rise in tumult, to send to King
+Edward for a larger force and await their coming. Even should they shut the
+gates, we can reduce the town, and as all the rest of Flanders is with you,
+surely a short delay will not matter."
+
+"You know not these Flemings as well as I do," Van Artevelde replied; "they
+are surly dogs, but they always listen to my voice, and are ready enough to
+do my bidding. When I once speak to them you will see how they will smooth
+their backs and do as I ask them."
+
+Walter said no more, but as he saw everywhere lowering brows from window
+and doorway as they rode through the streets he had doubts whether the
+power of Van Artevelde's eloquence would have the magical potency he had
+expected from it.
+
+When the party arrived at the splendid dwelling of the great demagogue,
+messengers were instantly sent out to all his friends and retainers. A
+hundred and forty persons soon assembled, and while Van Artevelde was
+debating with them as to the best steps to be taken, Walter opened the
+casement and looked out into the street. It was already crowded with the
+people, whose silent and quiet demeanor seemed to bode no good. Arms were
+freely displayed among them, and Walter saw men passing to and fro
+evidently giving instructions.
+
+"I am sorry to disturb you, Master Artevelde," he said, returning to the
+room where the council was being held, "but methinks that it would wise to
+bar the doors and windows, and to put yourself in a posture of defence, for
+a great crowd is gathering without, for the most part armed, and as it
+seems to me with evil intentions."
+
+A glance from the windows confirmed Walter's statements, and the doors and
+windows were speedily barricaded. Before many minutes had elapsed the
+tolling of bells in all parts of the town was heard, and down the different
+streets leading towards the building large bodies of armed men were seen
+making their way.
+
+"I had rather have to do with a whole French army, Master Walter," Ralph
+said, as he stood beside him at an upper window looking down upon the
+crowd, "than with these citizens of Ghent. Look at those men with bloody
+axes and stained clothes. Doubtless those are the skinners and butchers.
+Didst ever see such a ferocious band of savages?  Listen to their shouts.
+Death to Van Artevelde!  Down with the English alliance! I thought our case
+was a bad one when the French poured over the walls into Vannes but
+methinks it is a hundred times worse now.
+
+"We got out of that scrape, Ralph, and I hope we shall get out of this,
+but, as you say, the prospect is black enough.  See, the butchers are
+hammering at the door with their pole-axes. Let us go down and aid in the
+defence."
+
+"I am ready," Ralph said, "but I shall fight with a lighter heart if you
+could fix upon some plan for us to adopt when the rabble break in. That
+they will do so I regard as certain, seeing that the house is not built for
+purposes of defence, but has numerous broad windows on the ground-floor by
+which assuredly they will burst their way in.
+
+"Wait a moment then, Ralph; let us run up to the top storey and see if
+there be any means of escape along the roofs."
+
+The house stood detached from the others, but on one side was separated
+from that next to it only by a narrow lane, and as the upper stories
+projected beyond those below, the windows were but six feet distant from
+those on the opposite side of the way.
+
+"See," Water said, "there is a casement in the room to our left there which
+is open; let us see if it is tenanted."
+
+Going into the next room they went to the window and opened it. It exactly
+faced the casement opposite, and so far as they could see the room was
+unoccupied.
+
+"It were easy to put a plank across," Ralph said.
+
+"We must not do that," Walter answered. "The mob are thick in the lane
+below - what a roar comes up from their voices! - and a plank would be
+surely seen, and we should be killed there as well as here. No, we must get
+on to the sill and spring across; the distance is not great, and the jump
+would be nothing were it not that the casements are so low.  It must be
+done as lightly and quickly as possible, and we may not then be seen from
+below.  Now leave the door open that we may make no mistake as to the room,
+and come along, for by the sound the fight is hot below."
+
+Running down the stairs Walter and Ralph joined in the defence. Those in
+the house knew that they would meet with no mercy from the infuriated
+crowd, and each fought with the bravery of despair. Although there were
+many windows to be defended, and at each the mob attacked desperately, the
+assaults were all repulsed. Many indeed of the defenders were struck down
+by the pikes and pole- axes, but for a time they beat back the assailants
+whenever they attempted to enter. The noise was prodigious. The alarm-bells
+of the town were all ringing and the shouts of the combatants were drowned
+in the hoarse roar of the surging crowd without.
+
+Seeing that however valiant was the defence the assailants must in the end
+prevail, and feeling sure that his enemies would have closed the city gates
+and thus prevented the English without from coming to his assistance, Van
+Artevelde ascended to an upper storey and attempted to address the crowd.
+His voice was drowned in the roar. In vain he gesticulated and made motions
+imploring them to hear him, but all was useless, and the courage of the
+demagogue deserted him and he burst into tears at the prospect of death.
+Then he determined to try and make his escape to the sanctuary of a church
+close by, and was descending the stairs when a mighty crash below, the
+clashing of steel, shouts, and cries, told that the mob had swept away one
+of the barricades and were pouring into the house.
+
+"Make for the stair," Walter shouted, "and defend yourselves there." But
+the majority of the defenders, bewildered by the inrush of the enemy,
+terrified at their ferocious aspect and terrible axes, had no thought of
+continuing the resistance. A few, getting into corners, resisted
+desperately to the end; others threw down their arms and dropping on their
+knees cried for mercy, but all were ruthlessly slaughtered.
+
+Keeping close together Walter and Ralph fought their way to the foot of the
+stairs, and closely pursued by a band of the skinners headed by Gerard
+Denis, ran up. Upon the first landing stood a man paralysed with terror. On
+seeing him a cry of ferocious triumph rose from the mob. As nothing could
+be done to aid him Walter and his follower rushed by without stopping.
+There was a pause in the pursuit, and glancing down from the upper gallery
+Walter saw Van Artevelde in the hands of the mob, each struggling to take
+possession of him; then a man armed with a great axe pushed his way among
+them, and swinging it over his head struck Van Artevelde dead to the floor.
+ His slayer was Gerard Denis himself.
+
+Followed by Ralph, Walter sprang through the open door into the chamber
+they had marked, and closed the door behind them. Then Walter, saying, "I
+will go first, Ralph, I can help you in should you miss your spring,"
+mounted on the sill of the casement. Short as was the distance the leap was
+extremely difficult, for neither casement was more than three feet high.
+Walter was therefore obliged to stoop low and to hurl himself head forwards
+across the gulf. He succeeded in the attempt, shooting clear through the
+casement on to the floor beyond. Instantly he picked himself up and went to
+Ralph's assistance. The latter, taller and more bulky, had greater
+difficulty in the task, and only his shoulder arrived through the window.
+Walter seized him, and aided him at once to scramble in, and they closed
+the casement behind them.
+
+"It was well we took off our armour, Ralph; its pattern would have been
+recognized in an instant."
+
+Walter had thrown off his helmet as he bounded up the stairs, and both he
+and his companion had rid themselves of their heavy armour.
+
+"I would give a good deal," he said, "for two bourgeois jerkins, even were
+they as foul as those of the skinners. This is a woman's apartment," he
+added, looking round, "and nothing here will cover my six feet of height,
+to say nothing of your four inches extra. Let us peep into some of the
+other rooms.  This is, doubtless, the house of some person of importance,
+and in the upper floor we may find some clothes of servants or
+retainers."
+
+They were not long in their search. The next room was a large one, and
+contained a number of pallet beds, and hanging from pegs on walls were
+jerkins, mantles, and other garments, evidently belonging to the retainers
+of the house.  Walter and Ralph were not long in transmogrifying their
+appearance, and had soon the air of two respectable serving-men in a
+Flemish household.
+
+"But how are we to descend?" Ralph asked. "We can hardly hope to walk down
+the stairs and make our escape without being seen, especially as the doors
+will all be barred and bolted, seeing the tumult which is raging
+outside."
+
+"It all depends whether our means of escape are suspected," Walter replied,
+"I should scarce think that they would be. The attention of our pursuers
+was wholly taken up by Van Artevelde, and some minutes must have passed
+before they followed us. No doubt they will search every place in the
+house, and all within it will by this time have been slaughtered. But they
+will scarce organize any special search for us. All will be fully occupied
+with the exciting events which have taken place, and as the casement by
+which we entered is closed it is scarcely likely to occur to any one that
+we have escaped by that means. I will listen first if the house is quiet.
+If so, we will descend and take refuge in some room below, where there is a
+better chance of concealment than here. Put the pieces of armour into that
+closet so that they may not catch the eye of any who may happen to come
+hither. The day is already closing. In half an hour it will be nightfall.
+Then we will try and make our way out.
+
+Listening at the top of the stairs they could hear voices below; but as the
+gallery was quiet and deserted they made their way a floor lower, and
+seeing an open door entered it.  Walter looked from the window.
+
+"There is a back-yard below," he said, "with a door opening upon a narrow
+lane.  We are now upon the second storey, and but some twenty-five feet
+above the ground. We will not risk going down through the house, which
+could scarce be accomplished without detection, but will at once tear up
+into strips the coverings of the bed, and I will make a rope by which we
+may slip down into the courtyard as soon as it is dark. We must hope that
+none will come up before that time; but, indeed, all will be so full of the
+news of the events which have happened that it is scarce likely that any
+will come above at present."
+
+The linen sheets and coverings were soon cut up and knotted together in a
+rope.  By the time that this was finished the darkness was closing in, and
+after waiting patiently for a few minutes they lowered the rope and slid
+down into the yard. Quietly they undid the bolts of the gate and issued
+into the lane. The mantles were provided with hoods, as few of the lower
+class of Flemings wore any other head-covering.
+
+Drawing these hoods well over their heads so as to shade their faces the
+two sallied out from the lane. They were soon in one of the principal
+streets, which was crowded with people. Bands of weavers, butchers,
+skinners, and others were parading the streets shouting and singing in
+honour of their victory and of the downfall and death of him whom they had
+but a few days before regarded as the mainstay of Flanders. Many of the
+better class of burghers stood in groups in the streets and talked in low
+and rather frightened voices of the consequences which the deed of blood
+would bring upon the city. On the one hand Edward might march upon it with
+his army to avenge the murder of his ally. Upon the other hand they were
+now committed to France. Their former ruler would return, and all the
+imposts and burdens against which they had rebelled would again be laid
+upon the city.
+
+"What shall we do now?" Ralph asked, "for assuredly there will be no issue
+by the gates."
+
+"We must possess ourselves of a length of rope if possible, and make our
+escape over the wall. How to get one I know not, for the shops are all
+closed, and even were it not so I could not venture in to purchase any, for
+my speech would betray us at once. Let us separate, and each see whether he
+can find what we want. We will meet again at the entrance to this church in
+an hour's time. One or other of us may find what we seek."
+
+Walter searched in vain. Wherever he saw the door of a yard open he peered
+in, but in no case could he see any signs of rope. At the end of the hour
+he returned to their rendezvous. Ralph was already there.
+
+"I have found nothing, Ralph. Have you had better fortune?"
+
+"That have I, Master Walter, and was back nigh an hour since. Scarce had I
+left you when in a back street I came upon a quiet hostelry, and in the
+courtyard were standing half a dozen teams of cattle. Doubtless their
+owners had brought hay or corn into the city, and when the tumult arose and
+the gates were closed found themselves unable to escape.  The masters were
+all drinking within, so without more ado I cut off the ropes which served
+as traces for the oxen, and have them wound round my body under my mantle.
+There must be twenty yards at least, and as each rope is strong enough to
+hold double our weight there will be no difficulty in lowering ourselves
+from the walls."
+
+"You have done well indeed, Ralph," Walter said. "Let us make our way
+thither at once. Everyone is so excited in the city, that, as yet, there
+will be but few guards upon the wall. The sooner, therefore, that we
+attempt to make our escape the better."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII: THE WHITE FORD
+
+
+They made their way without interruption to the wall.  This they found, as
+they expected, entirely deserted, although, no doubt, guards had been
+posted at the gates. The Flemings, however, could have felt no fear of an
+attack by so small a force as the five hundred English whom they knew to be
+in the neighbourhood.
+
+Walter and his companion soon knotted the ropes together and lowered
+themselves into the moat. A few strokes took them to the other side, and
+scrambling out, they made their way across the country to the spot where
+the English had been posted. They found the Earl of Salisbury, who
+commanded, in a great state of uneasiness. No message had reached him
+during the day. He had heard the alarm- bells of the city ring, and a scout
+who had gone forward returned with the news that the gates were closed and
+the drawbridges raised, and that a strong body of men manned the walls.
+
+"Your news is indeed bad," he said, when Walter related to him the events
+which had taken place in the town. "This will altogether derange the king's
+plans. Now that his ally is killed I fear that his hopes of acquiring
+Flanders for England will fall to the ground. It is a thousand pities that
+he listened to Van Artevelde and allowed him to enter Ghent alone. Had his
+majesty landed, as he wished, and made a progress through the country, the
+prince receiving the homage of all the large towns, we could then very well
+have summoned Ghent as standing alone against all Flanders. The citizens
+then would, no doubt, have gladly opened their gates and received the
+prince, and if they had refused we would have made short work of them.
+However, as it has turned out, it is as well that we did not enter the town
+with the Fleming, for against so large and turbulent a population we should
+have had but little chance. And now, Master Somers, we will march at once
+for Sluys and bear the news to the king, and you shall tell me as we ride
+thither how you and your man-at-arms managed to escape with whole skins
+from such a tumult."
+
+The king was much grieved when he heard of the death of Artevelde, and held
+a council with his chief leaders. At first, in his indignation and grief,
+he was disposed to march upon Ghent and to take vengeance for the murder of
+his ally, but after a time calmer counsels prevailed.
+
+The Flemings were still in rebellion against their count, who was the
+friend of France. Were the English to attack Ghent they would lose the
+general goodwill of the Flemings, and would drive them into the arms of
+France, while, if matters were left alone, the effect of the popular
+outburst which had caused the death of Artevelde would die away, and
+motives of interest and the fear of France would again drive them into the
+arms of England. The expedition therefore returned to England, and there
+the king, in a proclamation to his people, avoided all allusion to the
+death of his ally, but simply stated that he had been waited upon by the
+councils of all the Flemish towns, and that their faithful obedience to
+himself as legitimate King of France, was established upon a firmer basis
+than ever.
+
+This course had the effect which he had anticipated from it. The people of
+Flanders perceived the danger and disadvantage which must accrue to their
+trade from any permanent disagreement with England. They were convinced by
+the events which soon afterwards happened in France that the King of
+England had more power than Phillip of Valois, and could, if he chose,
+punish severely any breach of faith towards him. They therefore sent over
+commissioners to express their grief and submission. The death of Artevelde
+was represented as the act of a frantic mob, and severe fines were imposed
+upon the leaders of the party who slew him, and although the principal
+towns expressed their desire still to remain under the rule of the Count of
+Flanders, they suggested that the ties which bound them to England should
+be strengthened by the marriage of Louis, eldest son of the count, to one
+of Edward's daughters.  More than this, they offered to create a diversion
+for the English forces acting in Guienne and Gascony by raising a strong
+force and expelling the French garrisons still remaining in some parts of
+the country. This was done.  Hugo of Hastings was appointed by the king
+captain- general in Flanders, and with a force of English and Flemings did
+good service by expelling the French from Termond and several other towns.
+
+
+
+The character of Jacob van Artevelde has had but scant justice done to it
+by most of the historians of the time. These, living in an age of chivalry,
+when noble blood and lofty deeds were held in extraordinary respect, had
+little sympathy with the brewer of Ghent, and deemed it contrary to the
+fitness of things that the chivalry of France should have been defied and
+worsted by mere mechanics and artisans. But there can be no doubt that
+Artevelde was a very great man. He may have been personally ambitious, but
+he was a true patriot.  He had great military talents. He completely
+remodelled and wonderfully improved the internal administration of the
+country, and raised its commerce, manufactures, and agriculture to a pitch
+which they had never before reached.  After his death his memory was
+esteemed and revered by the Flemings, who long submitted to the laws he had
+made, and preserved his regulations with scrupulous exactitude.
+
+Edward now hastened to get together a great army.  Every means were adopted
+to raise money and to gather stores, and every man between sixteen and
+sixty south of the Trent was called upon to take up arms and commanded to
+assemble at Portsmouth in the middle of Lent. A tremendous tempest,
+however, scattered the fleet collected to carry the expedition, a great
+many of the ships were lost, and it was not until the middle of July, 1346,
+that it sailed from England.
+
+It consisted of about 500 ships and 10,000 sailors, and carried 4000
+men-at- arms, 10,000 archers, 12,000 Welsh, and 6000 Irish.
+
+This seems but a small army considering the efforts which had been made;
+but it was necessary to leave a considerable force behind for the defence
+of the Scottish frontier, and England had already armies in Guienne and
+Brittany.  Lionel, Edward's second son, was appointed regent during his
+father's absence.  On board Edward's own ship were Godfrey of Harcourt and
+the Prince of Wales.  Walter, as one of the personal squires of the prince,
+was also on board.
+
+The prince had been greatly interested in the details of Walter's escape
+from Van Artevelde's house, the king himself expressed his approval of his
+conduct, and Walter was generally regarded as one of the most promising
+young aspirants to the court. His modesty and good temper rendered him a
+general favourite, and many even of the higher nobles noticed him by their
+friendly attentions, for it was felt that he stood so high in the goodwill
+of the prince that he might some day become a person of great influence
+with him, and one whose goodwill would be valuable.
+
+It was generally supposed, when the fleet started, that Guienne was their
+destination, but they had not gone far when a signal was made to change the
+direction in which they were sailing and to make for La Hogue in Normandy.
+Godfrey of Harcourt had great influence in that province, and his
+persuasions had much effect in determining the king to direct his course
+thither. There was the further advantage that the King of France, who was
+well aware of the coming invasion, would have made his preparations to
+receive him in Guienne.  Furthermore, Normandy was the richest and most
+prosperous province in France. It had for a long time been untouched by
+war, and offered great abundance of spoil.  It had made itself particularly
+obnoxious to the English by having recently made an offer to the King of
+France to fit out an expedition and conquer England with its own resources.
+
+
+
+The voyage was short and favourable, and the expedition landed at La Hogue,
+on the small peninsula of Cotentin, without opposition. Six days were spent
+at La Hogue disembarking the men, horses, and stores, and baking bread for
+the use of the army on the march. A detachment advanced and pillaged and
+burnt Barileur and Cherbourg and a number of small towns and castles.
+
+In accordance with custom, at the commencement of the campaign a court was
+held, at which the Prince of Wales was dubbed a knight by his father. A
+similar honour was bestowed upon a number of other young aspirants, among
+whom was Walter Somers, who had been highly recommended for that honour to
+the king by Sir Walter Manny.
+
+The force was now formed into three divisions - the one commanded by the
+king himself, the second by the Earl of Warwick, and the third by Godfrey
+of Harcourt. The Earl of Arundel acted as Lord High Constable, and the Earl
+of Huntingdon, who was in command of the fleet, followed the army along the
+sea- coast. Valognes, Carentan, and St.  Lo were captured without
+difficulty, and the English army advanced by rapid marches upon Caen,
+plundering the country for six or seven leagues on each side of the line of
+march. An immense quantity of booty was obtained. As soon as the news of
+Edward's landing in Normandy reached Paris, Phillip despatched the Count
+d'Eu, Constable of France, with the Count of Tankerville and 600
+men-at-arms, to oppose Edward at Caen. The Bishop of Bayeux had thrown
+himself into that city, which was already garrisoned by 300 Genoese.  The
+town was not defensible, and the only chance of resistance was by opposing
+the passage of the river Horn, which flowed between the suburbs and the
+city.  The bridge was barricaded, strong wooden towers were erected, and
+such was the confidence of the inhabitants and their leaders that Edward's
+promise of protection for the person and property of the citizens was
+rejected with scorn, and the whole male population joined the garrison in
+the defence of the bridge.  Marching through the deserted suburbs the
+English army attacked the bridge with such vehemence that although the
+enemy defended the barricades gallantly they were speedily forced, and the
+English poured into the town.  Before the first fury of the attack was over
+near 5000 persons were slain. The Count of Tankerville, 140 knights, and as
+many squires were made prisoners. The plunder was so enormous as to be
+sufficient to cover the whole expenses of the expedition, and this with the
+booty which had been previously acquired was placed on board ship and
+despatched to England, while the king marched forward with his army.  At
+Lisieux he was met by two cardinals sent by the pope to negotiate a truce;
+but Edward had learned the fallacy of truces made with King Phillip, and
+declined to enter into negotiations. Finding that Rouen had been placed in
+a state of defence and could not be taken without a long siege he left it
+behind him and marched along the valley of the Eure, gathering rich booty
+at every step.
+
+But while he was marching forward a great army was gathering in his rear.
+The Count of Harcourt brother of Godfrey, called all Normandy to arms.
+Every feudal lord and vassal answered to the summons, and before Edward
+reached the banks of the Seine a formidable army had assembled.
+
+The whole of the vassals of France were gathering by the orders of the king
+at St. Denis. The English fleet had now left the coast, and Edward had only
+the choice of retreating through Normandy into Brittany or of attempting to
+force the passage of the Seine, and to fight his way through France to
+Flanders. He chose the latter alternative, and marched along the left bank
+of the river towards Paris, seeking in vain to find a passage. The enemy
+followed him step by step on the opposite bank, and all the bridges were
+broken down and the fords destroyed.
+
+Edward marched on, burning the towns and ravaging the country until he
+reached Poissy. The bridge was as usual destroyed, but the piles on which
+it stood were still standing, and he determined to endeavour to cross here.
+ He accordingly halted for five days, but despatched troops in all
+directions, who burned and ravaged to the very gates of Paris.  The
+villages of St. Germain, St. Cloud, Bourg la Reine, and many others within
+sight of the walls were destroyed, and the capital itself thrown into a
+state of terror and consternation. Godfrey of Harcourt was the first to
+cross the river, and with the advance guard of English fell upon a large
+body of the burghers of Amiens, and after a severe fight defeated them,
+killing over five hundred. The king himself with his whole force passed on
+the 16th of August.
+
+Phillip, with his army, quitted St. Denis, when he heard that the English
+army had passed the Seine, and by parallel marches endeavoured to interpose
+between it and the borders of Flanders. As his force was every hour
+increasing he despatched messengers to Edward offering him battle within a
+few days on condition that he would cease to ravage the country; but Edward
+declined the proposal, saying that Phillip himself by breaking down the
+bridges had avoided a battle as long as he could, but that whenever he was
+ready to give battle he would accept the challenge. During the whole march
+the armies were within a few leagues of each other, and constant skirmishes
+took place between bodies detached from the hosts.
+
+In some of these skirmishes Walter took part, as he and the other newly
+made knights were burning to distinguish themselves. Every day the progress
+of the army became more difficult, as the country people everywhere rose
+against them, and several times attempted to make a stand but were defeated
+with great loss.  The principal towns were found deserted, and even Poix,
+which offered great capabilities of defence, had been left unguarded. Upon
+the English entering, the burghers offered to pay a large ransom to save
+the town from plunder. The money was to be delivered as soon as the English
+force had withdrawn, and Walter Somers was ordered by the king to remain
+behind with a few men-at-arms to receive the ransom.
+
+No sooner had the army departed than the burghers, knowing that the French
+army was close behind, changed their minds, refused to pay the ransom, and
+fell upon the little body of men-at-arms. Although taken quite by surprise
+by the act of treachery Walter instantly rallied his men although several
+had been killed at the first onslaught. He, with Ralph and two or three of
+the staunchest men, covered the retreat of the rest through the streets,
+making desperate charges upon the body of armed burghers pressing upon
+them. Ralph fought as usual with a mace of prodigious weight, and the
+terror of his blows in no slight degree enabled the party to reach the gate
+in safety, but Walter had no idea of retreating further. He despatched one
+of his followers to gallop at full speed to overtake the rear-guard of the
+army, which was still but two miles distant, while with the rest he formed
+a line across the gate and resisted all the attempts of the citizens to
+expel them.
+
+The approach to the gate was narrow, and the overwhelming number of the
+burghers were therefore of little avail. Walter had dismounted his force
+and all fought on foot, and although sorely pressed they held their ground
+until Lords Cobham and Holland, with their followers, rode up. Then the
+tide of war was turned, the town was plundered and burnt, and great numbers
+of the inhabitants slain. Walter gained great credit for holding the gate,
+for had he been driven out, the town could have resisted, until the arrival
+of Louis, all assaults of the English.
+
+The river Somme now barred the passage of Edward.  Most of the bridges had
+been destroyed, and those remaining were so strongly fortified that they
+could not be forced.
+
+The position of the English was now very critical. On one flank and in
+front were impassable rivers. The whole country was in arms against them,
+and on their rear and flank pressed a hostile army fourfold their strength.
+ The country was swampy and thinly populated, and flour and provisions were
+only obtained with great difficulty. Edward, on finding from the reports of
+his marshals who had been sent to examine the bridges, that no passage
+across the river could be found, turned and marched down the river towards
+the sea, halting for the night at Oisemont.
+
+Here, a great number of peasantry attempted a defence, but were easily
+defeated and a number of prisoners taken.  Late in the evening the Earl of
+Warwick, who had pushed forward as far as Abbeville and St. Valery,
+returned with the news that the passages at those places were as strongly
+guarded as elsewhere, but he had learnt from a peasant that a ford existed
+somewhere below Abbeville, although the man was himself ignorant of its
+position.
+
+Edward at once called the prisoners belonging to that part of the country
+before him, and promised to any one who would tell him where the ford lay
+his freedom and that of twenty of his companions. A peasant called Gobin
+Agase stepped forward and offered to show the ford, where at low tide
+twelve men could cross abreast. It was, he said, called "La Blanche Tache".
+
+
+
+Edward left Oisemont at midnight and reached the ford at daylight. The
+river, however, was full and the army had to wait impatiently for low tide.
+ When they arrived there no enemy was to be seen on the opposite bank, but
+before the water fell sufficiently for a passage to be attempted, Sir
+Godemar du Fay with 12,000 men, sent by King Phillip, who was aware of the
+existence of the ford, arrived on the opposite side.
+
+The enterprise was a difficult one indeed, for the water, even at low tide,
+is deep. Godemar du Fay, however, threw away part of his advantage by
+advancing into the stream.  The English archers lined the banks, and poured
+showers of arrows into the ranks of the enemy, while the Genoese bowmen on
+their side were able to give comparatively little assistance to the French.
+
+
+
+King Edward shouted to his knights, "Let those who love me follow me," and
+spurred his horse into the water.  Behind him followed his most valiant
+knights, and Walter riding close to the Prince of Wales was one of the
+foremost.
+
+The French resisted valiantly and a desperate battle took place on the
+narrow ford, but the impetuosity of the English prevailed, and step by step
+they drove the French back to the other side of the river. The whole army
+poured after their leaders, and the French were soon entirely routed and
+fled, leaving two thousand men-at-arms dead on the field.
+
+King Edward, having now freed himself from the difficulties which had
+encompassed him on the other side of the river, prepared to choose a ground
+to give battle to the whole French army.
+
+Louis had advanced slowly, feeling confident that the English would be
+unable to cross the river, and that he should catch them hemmed in by it.
+His mortification and surprise on finding, when he approached La Blanche
+Tache, that twelve thousand men had been insufficient to hold a ford by
+which but twelve could cross abreast, and that his enemy had escaped from
+his grasp, were great.  The tide had now risen again, and he was obliged to
+march on to Abbeville and cross the river there.
+
+King Edward now advanced into the Forest of Cressy.
+
+Hugh de le Spencer, with a considerable force, was despatched to Crotoy,
+which he carried by assault after a severe conflict, in which four thousand
+of the French men-at-arms were slain. The capture of this city removed all
+danger of want from the army, for large stores of wine and meal were found
+there, and Sir Hugh at once sent off a supply to the tired army in the
+field.
+
+The possession of Crotoy and the mouth of the Somme would have now rendered
+it easy for the English monarch to have transported his troops to England,
+and to have returned triumphant after the accomplishment of his
+extraordinary and most successful march through France. The army, however,
+was elated by the many great successes it had won, he was now in Ponthieu,
+which was one of his own fiefs, and he determined to make a stand in spite
+of the immense superiority of the enemy.
+
+Next morning, then - Friday the 25th of August, 1346 - he despatched the
+Earl of Warwick with Godfrey of Harcourt and Lord Cobham, to examine the
+ground and choose a site for a battle.
+
+The plan of the fight was drawn out by the king and his councillors, and
+the king yielded to the Black Prince the chief place of danger and honour
+placing with him the Earl of Warwick, Sir John Chandos, and many of his
+best knights.
+
+The ground which had been chosen for the battle was an irregular slope
+between the forest of Cressy and the river Maie near the little village of
+Canchy. The slope looked towards the south and east, from which quarters
+the enemy was expected to arrive, and some slight defences were added to
+the natural advantages of the ground.
+
+On the night of the 25th all the principal leaders of the British host were
+entertained by King Edward. Next morning, Mass was celebrated, and the
+king, the prince, and many knights and nobles received the Sacrament, after
+which the trumpet sounded, and the army marched to take up its position.
+Its numbers are variously estimated, but the best account puts it at about
+30,000 men which, considering that 32,000 had crossed the Channel to La
+Hogue, is probably about the force which would have been present allowing
+that 2000 had fallen in the various actions or had died from disease.
+
+The division of the Black Prince consisted of 800 men-at-arms, 4000
+archers, and 6000 Welsh foot. The archers, as usual, were placed in front,
+supported by the light troops of Wales and the men-at-arms; on his left was
+the second division, commanded by the Earls of Arundel and Northampton; its
+extreme left rested on Canchy and the river, and it was further protected
+by a deep ditch; this corps was about 7000 strong.
+
+The king himself took up his position on a knoll of rising ground
+surmounted by a windmill, and 12,000 men under his personal command were
+placed here in reserve.
+
+In the rear of the Prince's division an enclosure of stakes was formed; in
+this, guarded by a small body of archers, were ranged the wagons and
+baggage of the army, together with all the horses, the king having
+determined that the knights and men-at-arms on his side should fight on
+foot.
+
+When the army had taken up its position, the king, mounted on a small
+palfrey, with a white staff in his hand, rode from rank to rank exhorting
+his soldiers to do their duty gallantly. It was nearly noon before he had
+passed through all the lines, and permission was then given to the soldiers
+to fall out from their ranks and to take refreshments while waiting for the
+coming of the enemy. This was accordingly done, the men eating and drinking
+at their ease and lying down in their ranks on the soft grass with their
+steel caps and their bows or pikes beside them.
+
+In the meantime the French had, on their side, been preparing for the
+battle.  Phillip had crossed the Somme at Abbeyville late on Thursday
+afternoon, and remained there next day marshalling the large reinforcements
+which were hourly arriving. His force now considerably exceeded 100,000
+men, the number with which he had marched from Amiens three days
+previously.
+
+Friday was the festival of St. Louis, and that evening Phillip gave a
+splendid banquet to the whole of the nobles of his army.
+
+On the following morning the king, accompanied by his brother the Count
+d'Alencon, the old King of Bohemia and his son, the King of Rome, the Duke
+of Lorraine, the Count of Blois, the Count of Flanders, and a great number
+of other feudal princes, heard Mass at the Abbey, and then marched with his
+great army towards Cressy. He moved but slowly in order to give time to all
+the forces scattered over the neighbourhood to come up, and four knights,
+headed by one of the King of Bohemia's officers, went forward to
+reconnoitre the English position. They approached within a very short
+distance of the English lines and gained a very exact knowledge of the
+position, the English taking no measures to interrupt the reconnaissance.
+They returned with the information they had gathered, and the leader of the
+party, Le Moyne de Basele, one of the most judicious officers of his time,
+strongly advised the king to halt his troops, pointing out that as it was
+evident the English were ready to give battle, and as they were fresh and
+vigorous while the French were wearied and hungry, it would be better to
+encamp and give battle the next morning.
+
+Phillip saw the wisdom of the advice and ordered his two marshals the Lord
+of St. Venant and Charles de Montmorency to command a halt. They instantly
+spurred off, one to the front and the other to the rear, commanding the
+leaders to halt their banners. Those in advance at once obeyed, but those
+behind still pressed on, declaring that they would not halt until they were
+in the front line. All wanted to be first, in order to obtain their share
+of the honour and glory of defeating the English. Those in front, seeing
+the others still coming on, again pressed forward, and thus, in spite of
+the efforts of the king and his marshals, the French nobles with their
+followers pressed forward in confusion, until, passing through a small
+wood, they found themselves suddenly in the presence of the English army.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV: CRESSY
+
+
+The surprise of the French army at finding themselves in the presence of
+the English was so great that the first line recoiled in confusion. Those
+marching up from behind imagined that they had been already engaged and
+repulsed by the English, and the disorder spread through the whole army,
+and was increased by the common people, who had crowded to the field in
+immense numbers from the whole country round to see the battle and share in
+the plunder of the English camp.
+
+From King Edward's position on the rising ground he could see the confusion
+which prevailed in the French ranks, and small as were his forces he would
+probably have obtained an easy victory by ordering a sudden charge upon
+them.  The English, however, being dismounted, but small results would have
+followed the scattering of the great host of the French. The English army
+therefore remained immovable, except that the soldiers rose from the
+ground, and taking their places in the ranks, awaited the onslaught of the
+enemy.
+
+King Phillip himself now arrived on the field and his hatred for the
+English led him at once to disregard the advice which had been given him
+and to order the battle to commence as soon as possible.
+
+The army was divided into four bodies, of which Phillip commanded one, the
+Count D'Alencon the second, the King of Bohemia the third, and the Count of
+Savoy the fourth. Besides these were a band of 15,000 mercenaries, Genoese
+crossbow-men, who were now ordered to pass between the ranks of cavalry and
+to clear the ground of the English archers, who were drawn up in the usual
+form in which they fought - namely, in very open order, line behind line,
+the men standing alternately, so that each had ample room to use his bow
+and to fire over the heads of those in front. The formation was something
+like that of a harrow, and, indeed, exactly resembled that in which the
+Roman archers fought, and was called by them a quincunx.
+
+The Genoese had marched four leagues beneath a hot sun loaded with their
+armour and heavy cross-bows, and they remonstrated against the order,
+urging that they were in no condition to do good service without some
+repose.  The Count D'Alencon, furious at their hesitation, ordered them up,
+but as they advanced a terrible thunderstorm, with torrents of rain, broke
+over the armies, and wetting the cords of the crossbows rendered many of
+them unserviceable. At length the crossbow-men were arranged in front,
+while behind them were the vast body of French cavalry, and the order was
+given for the battle to begin.
+
+The Genoese advanced with loud shouts but the English archers paid no
+attention to the noise, but waited calmly for the attack. At this moment
+the sun, now approaching the west, shone out brightly between the clouds
+behind the English, its rays streaming full in the faces of the French.
+The Genoese were now within distance, and began to discharge their quarrels
+at their impassive enemies, but as they opened fire the English archers
+drew their bows from the cases which had protected them from the rain, and
+stepping forward poured their arrows among the Genoese.  The crossbow-men
+were smitten as with a storm, numbers were struck in the face and other
+unprotected parts, and they were instantly thrown into confusion, and
+casting away their cross-bows they recoiled in disorder among the horsemen
+behind them.
+
+Phillip, passionate and cruel as ever, instead of trying to rally the
+Genoese, ordered the cavalry behind them to fall upon them, and the
+men-at-arms at once plunged in among the disordered mass of the
+crossbow-men, and a wild scene of carnage and confusion ensued, the English
+archers continuing to pour their unerring arrows into the midst.
+
+The Count D'Alencon, who was behind, separated his division into two
+bodies, and swept round on one side himself, while the Count of Flanders
+did the same on the other to attack the Prince of Wales in more regular
+array. Taking a circuitous route, D'Alencon appeared upon a rising ground
+on the flank of the archers of the Black Prince, and thus, avoiding their
+arrows, charged down with his cavalry upon the 800 men-at-arms gathered
+round the Black Prince, while the Count of Flanders attacked on the other
+flank. Nobly did the flower of English chivalry withstand the shock of the
+French, and the prince himself and the highest nobles and simple
+men-at-arms fought side by side. None gave away a foot.
+
+In vain the French, with impetuous charges, strove to break through the
+mass of steel. The spear-heads were cleft off with sword and battle-axe,
+and again and again men and horses recoiled from the unbroken line. Each
+time the French retired the English ranks were formed anew, and as attack
+followed attack a pile of dead rose around them. The Count D'Alencon and
+the Duke of Lorraine were among the first who fell. The young Count of
+Blois, finding that he could not ride through the wall of steel, dismounted
+with his knights and fought his way on foot towards the banner of the
+Prince of Wales. For a time the struggle was desperate, and the young
+prince, with his household knights, was for a time well-nigh beaten back.
+
+
+
+Walter, fighting close beside the prince, parried more than one blow
+intended for him, and the prince himself slew the Count of Blois, whose
+followers all fell around him. The Count of Flanders was also slain, and
+confusion began to reign among the assailants, whose leaders had now all
+fallen.  Phillip himself strove to advance with his division into the
+fight, but the struggle between the Genoese and the men-at-arms was still
+continuing, and the very multitude of his troops in the narrow and
+difficult field which the English had chosen for the battle embarrassed his
+movements.
+
+Charles of Luxembourg, King of the Romans, and afterwards Emperor of
+Germany, son of the old King of Bohemia, with a large body of German and
+French cavalry, now assailed the English archers, and in spite of their
+flights of arrows came to close quarters, and cutting their way through
+them joined in the assault upon the men-at-arms of the Black Prince. Nearly
+40,000 men were now pressing round the little body, and the Earls of
+Northampton and Arundel moved forward with their divisions to his support,
+while the Earl of Warwick, who was with the prince, despatched Sir Thomas
+of Norwich to the king, who still remained with his powerful reserve, to
+ask for aid.
+
+"Sir Thomas," demanded the king, "is my son killed, overthrown, or wounded
+beyond help?"
+
+"Not so, sire," replied the knight, "but he is in a rude fight, and much
+needs your aid."
+
+"Go back, Sir Thomas, to those who sent you and tell them from me that
+whatsoever happens they require no aid from me so long as my son is in
+life.  Tell them also that I command them to let the boy win his spurs,
+for, God willing, the day shall be his, and the honour shall rest with him
+and those into whose charge I have given him."
+
+The prince and those around him were filled with fresh ardour when they
+received this message. Each man redoubled his efforts to repel the forces
+that were incessantly poured down upon them by the French. On all sides
+these pressed around them, striving desperately, but ever in vain, to break
+through the solid ranks of the English. The French men-at-arms suffered,
+moreover, terribly from the attacks of the Welsh infantry. These men, clad
+in thick leather jerkins, nimble of foot, accustomed to a life of activity,
+were armed with shortened lances and knives, mingled fearlessly among the
+confused mass of French cavalry, creeping beneath the horses' bellies,
+standing up when they got a chance, and stabbing horses and men with their
+knives and pikes. Many were trampled upon or struck down, but numbering, as
+they did, 6000, they pervaded the whole mass of the enemy, and did terrible
+execution, adding in no small degree to the confusion caused by the shower
+of arrows from the archers within the circle of the men-at-arms. The
+instant a French knight fell, struck from his horse with a battle-axe or
+arrow, or by the fall of a wounded steed, the half-wild Welsh were upon
+him, and slew him before he could regain his feet.
+
+The slaughter was immense. The Count of Harcourt, with his nephew the Count
+D'Aumale and his two gallant sons, fell together, and at last Charles of
+Luxembourg, seeing his banner down, his troops routed, his friends slain,
+and the day irreparably lost, and being himself severely wounded in three
+places, turned his horse and fled, casting off his rich emblazoned surcoat
+to avoid recognition. In the meantime Prince Charles's father, the veteran
+King of Bohemia, once one of the most famous warriors of Europe, but now
+old and blind, sat on horseback at a little distance from the fight; the
+knights around him told him the events as they happened, and the old
+monarch soon saw that the day was lost. He asked them for tidings of his
+son Charles of Luxembourg, but they were forced to reply that the banner of
+the King of the Romans was no longer in sight, but that, doubtless, he was
+somewhere engaged in the melee.
+
+"Lords," said the old man, "you are my vassals, my friends, and my
+companions, and on this day I command and beseech you to lead me forward so
+far that I may deal one blow of my sword in the battle."
+
+His faithful friends obeyed him, a number of knights arranged themselves
+around him, and lest they should lose him in the fight they tied their
+horses together by the bridles and charged down into the fray. Advancing
+directly against the banner of the Prince of Wales, the blind monarch was
+carried into the midst of the thickest strife.
+
+There the little group of knights fought gallantly, and after the battle
+was over, the bodies of the king and his friends were found lying together,
+their dead horses still linked by the bridles.
+
+During this terrible battle, which had been raging since three o'clock,
+Phillip had made strenuous efforts to aid his troops engaged in the front
+by continually sending fresh bodies to the assault. It was now growing
+dark, terror and confusion had already spread among the French, and many
+were flying in all directions, and the unremitting showers of English
+arrows still flew like hail among their ranks. As the king made his way
+forward, surrounded by his personal attendants to take part himself in the
+fight, his followers fell thick around him, and his horse was slain by an
+arrow. John of Hainault, who had remained by his side during the whole day,
+mounted upon a fresh horse and urged him to fly, as the day was lost.
+Phillip, however, persisted, and made his way into the melee, where he
+fought for some time with extreme courage, until almost all around him were
+slain, the royal standard bearer killed, and himself wounded in two places.
+ John of Hainault then seized his bridle exclaiming "Come away, sire, it is
+full time; do not throw your life away foolishly; if you have lost this day
+you will win another," and so almost forced the unwilling king from the
+field. Phillip, accompanied by the lords of Montmorency, Beaujeu, Aubigny,
+and Mansault, with John of Hainault, and sixty men-at-arms, rode to the
+Castle of Broye, and there halted for a few hours. At midnight he again set
+out, and in the morning arrived safely at Amiens.
+
+The Black Prince held his station until night without yielding a single
+step to all the efforts of the French.  Gradually, however, the assailants
+became less and less numerous, the banners disappeared, and the shouts of
+the leaders and the clang of arms died away, and the silence which
+prevailed over the field at once announced that the victory was complete
+and the enemy in full flight. An immense number of torches were now lighted
+through the English lines, and the king, quitting for the first time his
+station on the hill, came down to embrace his gallant son.  Edward and his
+host rejoiced in a spirit of humility over the victory. No songs of
+triumph, no feastings or merriment were permitted, but a solemn service of
+the church was held, and the king and his soldiers offered their thanks to
+God for the victory He had given them. The English army lay all night under
+arms, and a number of scattered parties of the French, wandering about in
+the darkness, entered the lines and were slain or taken prisoners.
+
+The dawn of the next morning was thick and foggy, and intelligence coming
+in that a large body of the enemy were advancing upon them, the Earls of
+Northampton, Warwick, and Norfolk, with 500 men-at-arms and 2000 archers,
+went out to reconnoitre, and came in the misty twilight upon an immense
+force composed of the citizens of Beauvais, Rouen, and some other towns,
+led by the Grand Prior of France and the Archbishop of Rouen, who were
+approaching the field.
+
+By some extraordinary accident they had not met any of the fugitives flying
+from Cressy, and were ignorant that a battle had been fought. The English
+charged them at once.  Their advance-guard, consisting of burghers, was
+easily overthrown. The second division, which was composed of men-at-arms,
+fought bravely, but was unable to withstand the charge of the triumphant
+English, and was completely broken and defeated. The Grand Prior was killed
+and a vast number of his followers slain or captured. During the whole of
+the morning detached parties from Edward's army scoured the country,
+dispersing and slaughtering bands of French who still remained together,
+and towards night the Earl of Northampton returned to the camp with the
+news that no enemy remained in the vicinity that could offer a show of
+resistance to the English force.
+
+It is said that a far greater number of French were killed upon the second
+day than upon the first. This can be accounted for by the fact that on the
+first day but a small portion of the English army were engaged, and that
+upon the second the English were fresh and vigorous, and their enemy
+exhausted and dispirited.
+
+The greater number of the French nobles and knights who fell, died in their
+attempts to break through the Black Prince's array. Besides the King of
+Bohemia, nine sovereign princes and eighty great nobles were killed, with
+1200 knights, 1500 men-at-arms, and 30,000 foot; while on the English side
+only three knights and a small number of men-at-arms and infantry were
+killed.
+
+The body of the King of Bohemia and those of the other great leaders were
+carried in solemn pomp to the Abbey of Maintenay. Edward himself and his
+son accompanied them as mourners. On the Monday following Edward marched
+with his army against Calais, and summoned the town to surrender. John of
+Vienne, who commanded the garrison, refused to comply with the demand. The
+fortifications of the town were extremely strong and the garrison numerous,
+and Edward perceived that an assault would be very unlikely to succeed, and
+would entail great loss, while a repulse would have dimmed the lustre of
+the success which he had gained.  He therefore determined to reduce it by
+famine, and the troops were set to work to build huts. So permanently and
+strongly were these constructed that it seemed to the enemy that King
+Edward was determined to remain before Calais even should he have to stay
+there for ten years.
+
+Proclamations were issued in England and Flanders inviting traders to
+establish stores and to bring articles of trade of all kinds, and in a
+short time a complete town sprang up which was named by Edward "New-Town
+the Bold". The English fleet held complete possession of the sea, cutting
+off the besieged from all succour by ship, and enabling abundant supplies
+for the army to be brought from England and Flanders. Strong parties were
+sent out in all directions.  The northern provinces of France were scoured,
+and the army was amply provided with necessaries and even luxuries.
+
+After the first terrible shock caused by the crushing defeat of Cressy,
+King Phillip began at once to take measures for the relief of Calais, and
+made immense efforts again to put a great army in the field. He endeavoured
+by all means in his power to gain fresh allies. The young Count of
+Flanders, who, at the death of his father at Cressy, was sixteen years of
+age, was naturally even more hostile to the English than the late prince
+had been, and he strove to win over his subjects to the French alliance,
+while Phillip made them magnificent offers if they would join him. The
+Flemings, however, remained stanch to the English alliance, and held their
+prince in duresse until he at last consented to marry the daughter of
+Edward. A week before the date fixed for the nuptials, however, he managed
+to escape from the vigilance of his guards when out hawking, and fled to
+the court of France.
+
+In Scotland Phillip was more successful, and David Bruce, instead of
+employing the time given him by the absence of Edward with his armies in
+driving out the English garrisons from the strong places they still held in
+Scotland, raised an army of 50,000 men and marched across the border into
+England plundering and ravaging. Queen Philippa, however, raising an army,
+marched against him, and the Scotch were completely defeated at Neville's
+Cross, 15,000 being killed and their king himself taken prisoner.
+
+Walter's conduct at the battle of Cressy gained him still further the
+favour of the Black Prince. The valour with which he had fought was
+conspicuous even on a field where all fought gallantly, and the prince felt
+that more than once he would have been smitten down had not Walter's sword
+interposed. Ralph too had fought with reckless bravery, and many French
+knights and gentlemen had gone down before the tremendous blows of his
+heavy mace, against which the stoutest armour availed nothing. After the
+battle the prince offered to make him an esquire in spite of the absence of
+gentle blood in his veins, but Ralph declined the honour.
+
+"An it please you, Sir Prince," he said, "but I should feel more
+comfortable among the men-at-arms, my fellows.  In the day of battle I
+trust that I should do no discredit to my squirehood, but at other times I
+should feel woefully out of my element, and should find nought for my hands
+to do, therefore if it so pleases your Royal Highness, I would far rather
+remain a simple man-at-arms.
+
+Ralph did not, however, refuse the heavy purse which the prince gave him,
+although indeed he, as well as all the soldiers, was well supplied with
+money, so great were the spoils which the army had gathered in its march
+before Cressy, and which they now swept off in their raids among the
+northern provinces of France.
+
+One evening Walter was returning from a banquet at the pavilion of the
+Prince of Wales, with Ralph as usual following at a little distance, when
+from a corner of the street a man darted suddenly out and struck a dagger
+with all his force between his shoulders. Well was it for Walter that he
+had taken Geoffrey's advice, and had never laid aside the shirt of mail,
+night or day. Fine as was its temper, two or three links of the outer fold
+were broken, but the point did not penetrate the second fold, and the
+dagger snapped in the hand of the striker. The force of the sudden blow,
+however, hurled Walter to the ground.  With a loud cry Ralph rushed
+forward.  The man instantly fled. Ralph pursued him but a short distance
+and then hastened back to Walter.
+
+"Are you hurt, Sir Walter?" he exclaimed.
+
+"In no way, Ralph, thanks to my shirt of mail. Well, indeed, was it for me
+that I was wearing it, or I should assuredly have been a dead man. I had
+almost begun to forget that I was a threatened man; but I shall be on guard
+for the future."
+
+"I wish I had followed the fellow," Ralph said. "I would not have slain him
+could I have helped it, but would have left it for the hangman to extort
+from him the name of his employer; but, in truth, he struck so hard, and
+you fell so straight before the blow, that I feared the mail had given way,
+and that you were sorely wounded if not killed. You have oft told me that I
+was over-careful of you, but you see that I was not careful enough,
+however, you may be assured that if another attempt be made those who
+attempt it shall not get off scot free. Do you think of laying a complaint
+before the provost against him you suspect?"
+
+"It would be useless, Ralph. We may have suspicion of the man from whom the
+blow came, but have no manner of proof. It might have been done by any
+ruffian camp- follower who struck the blow only with the hope of carrying
+off my chain and purse. The camp swarms with such fellows, and we have no
+clue which could lead to his detection, unless," he added, stooping and
+picking a piece of steel which lay at his feet, "this broken dagger may
+some day furnish us with one. No; we will say nought about it. Sir James
+Carnegie is not now in camp, having left a week since on business in
+England. We exchange no words when we meet, but I heard that he had been
+called away. Fortunately the young prince likes him not, and I therefore
+have seldom occasion to meet him. I have no doubt that he credits me with
+the disfavour in which he is held by the prince; but I have never even
+mentioned his name before him, and the prince's misliking is but the
+feeling which a noble and generous heart has, as though by instinct,
+against one who is false and treacherous.  At the same time we must grant
+that this traitor knight is a bold and fearless man-at-arms; he fought well
+at La Blanche Tache and Cressy, and he is much liked and trusted by my lord
+of Northampton, in whose following he mostly rides; 'tis a pity that one so
+brave should have so foul and treacherous a heart. Here we are at my hut,
+and you can sleep soundly tonight, Ralph, for there is little fear that the
+fellow, who has failed tonight, will repeat his attempt for some time.  He
+thinks, no doubt, that he has killed me, for with a blow so strongly struck
+he would scarcely have felt the snapping of the weapon, and is likely
+enough already on board one of the ships which ply to and fro from England
+on his way to acquaint his employer that I am removed from his path."
+
+The next morning Walter mentioned to the Black Prince the venture which had
+befallen him, and the narrow escape he had had of his life. The prince was
+extremely exasperated, and gave orders that an inquisition should be made
+through the camp, and that all men found there not being able to give a
+good account of themselves as having reasonable and lawful calling there
+should be forthwith put on board ship and sent to England. He questioned
+Walter closely whether he deemed that the attack was for the purpose of
+plunder only, or whether he had any reason to believe that he had private
+enemies.
+
+"There is a knight who is evilly disposed toward me, your highness," Walter
+said; "but seeing that I have no proof whatever that he had a hand in this
+affair, however strongly I may suspect it, I would fain, with your leave,
+avoid mentioning his name."
+
+"But think you that there is any knight in this camp capable of so foul an
+action?"
+
+"I have had proofs, your highness, that he is capable of such an act; but
+in this matter my tongue is tied, as the wrong he attempted was not against
+myself, but against others who have so far forgiven him that they would
+fain the matter should drop. He owes me ill-will, seeing that I am aware of
+his conduct, and that it was my intervention which caused his schemes to
+fail. Should this attempt against me be repeated it can scarce be the
+effect of chance, but would show premeditated design, and I would then,
+both in defence of my own life, and because I think that such deeds should
+not go unpunished, not hesitate to name him to you, and if proof be wanting
+to defy him to open combat."
+
+"I regret, Sir Walter, that your scruples should hinder you from at once
+denouncing him; but seeing how grave a matter it is to charge a knight with
+so foul a crime, I will not lay stress upon you; but be assured that should
+any repetition of the attempt be made I shall take the matter in hand, and
+will see that this caitiff knight receives his desserts.
+
+A short time afterwards Walter accompanied the prince in an excursion which
+he made with a portion of the army, sweeping the French provinces as far as
+the river Somme.  Upon their way back they passed through the village of
+Pres, hard by which stood a small castle. It was situated some forty miles
+from Calais, and standing upon rising ground, it commanded a very extensive
+view over the country.
+
+"What say you, Sir Walter?" the prince said to the young knight who was
+riding near him. "That castle would make a good advanced post, and a
+messenger riding in could bring news of any large movements of the enemy."
+Walter assented.  "Then, Sir Walter, I name you chatelain. I shall be sorry
+to lose your good company; but the post is one of peril, and I know that
+you are ever longing to distinguish yourself. Take forty men-at-arms and
+sixty archers. With that force you may make shift to resist any attack
+until help reaches you from camp. You may be sure that I shall not be slack
+in spurring to your rescue should you be assailed."
+
+Walter received the proposal with delight. He was weary of the monotony of
+life in New Town, and this post in which vigilance and activity would be
+required was just to his taste; so, taking the force named by the prince,
+with a store of provision, he drew off from the column and entered the
+castle.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV: THE SIEGE OF A FORTALICE
+
+
+Walter's first step on assuming the command was to examine thoroughly into
+the capabilities of defence of the place, to see that the well was in good
+order, and the supply of water ample, and to send out a foraging party,
+which, driving in a number of beasts and some cart-loads of forage, would
+supply his garrison for some time. The castle he found was less strong than
+it looked.  The walls were lightly built, and were incapable of
+withstanding any heavy battering. The moat was dry, and the flanking towers
+badly placed, and affording little protection to the faces of the walls;
+however, the extent of the defences was small, and Walter felt confident
+that with the force at his command he could resist any sudden attack,
+unless made in overwhelming force, so that all the faces of the wall could
+be assaulted at the same time. He had a large number of great stones
+brought in to pile against the gate, while others were brought into the
+central keep, similarly to defend the door should the outer wall be
+carried.  He appointed Ralph as his lieutenant, and every day, leaving him
+in charge of the castle, rode through the country for many miles round,
+with twenty men-at- arms, to convince himself that no considerable force of
+the enemy were approaching. These reconnaissances were not without some
+danger and excitement, for several times bodies of the country people,
+armed with scythes, axes, and staves, tried to intercept them on their
+return to the castle, and once or twice Walter and his men had to fight
+their way through their opponents. Contrary to the custom of the times,
+Walter gave orders to his men not to slay any when resistance had ceased.
+
+
+
+"They are but doing what we ourselves should do did French garrisons hold
+our castles at home, and I deem them in no way to be blamed for the efforts
+which they make to slay us. In self-defence, of course, we must do our
+best, and must kill in order that we may not ourselves be slain; but when
+they are once routed, let them go to their homes. Poor people, the miseries
+which this war has brought upon them are great, and there is no wonder that
+they hate us."
+
+This leniency on Walter's part was not without good effect. When the
+country people found that the garrison of the castle of Pres did not carry
+fire and sword through the villages around, that they took only sufficient
+for their needs, and behaved with courtesy to all, their animosity to a
+great extent subsided. No longer did the women and children of the little
+villages fly to the woods when they saw the gleam of Walter's approaching
+spears, but remained at their avocations, and answered willingly enough the
+questions which he asked them as to whether they had heard aught of the
+movements of French troops. So far as possible, Walter refrained from
+seizing the cattle or stores of grain of the poorer classes, taking such as
+he needed from the lands of the wealthy proprietors, all of whom had left
+the country, and were either with the French army or sheltering in Paris.
+Five of his best mounted men Walter chose as messengers, and one rode each
+day to New Town with the news which had been gathered, returning on the
+following day, and then resting his horse for three days before again
+setting out.
+
+Night and day sentries were placed on the walls, for although Walter heard
+nothing of any body gathering in his immediate vicinity, a force might at
+any moment issue from Amiens and appear suddenly before the place. Such was
+indeed what really took place, and at daybreak one morning Walter was
+aroused by the news that the sentinels saw a large body of men rapidly
+approaching. The horse of the messenger next on duty stood, as usual,
+saddled and bridled in readiness, and without a moment's delay Walter
+ordered the man to mount and ride to the prince, and to give news that the
+castle was assailed, but by how large a force he could not as yet say.
+
+The instant the messenger had started through the gates Walter ascended to
+the walls; he saw at once that the party was a strong one; for although
+still at some distance, and but dimly seen in the gray morning light, he
+judged that it must contain at least a thousand men-at-arms. At this moment
+a call from the sentry on the other side of the castle was heard, and
+hastening thither, Walter saw that another body nearly as numerous as the
+first were approaching from the side of Calais, having made a detour so as
+to place themselves between the castle and the army, to which news would
+naturally be sent of their coming.  Walter watched his messenger, who had
+now ridden half a mile towards the approaching body. Suddenly he saw him
+turn his horse and ride off at right angles to the road.
+
+"He sees them," he said, "and is going to try to ride round them. I fear
+that there is but little hope of his escaping, seeing that they are between
+him and Calais, and that assuredly some among them must be as well or
+better mounted than himself." As he spoke a party of horsemen were seen to
+detach themselves from the flank of the French column and to gallop off at
+full speed to intercept the messenger; the latter diverged more and more
+from his course, but he was constantly headed off by his pursuers, and at
+last, seeing the impossibility of getting through them, he again turned his
+horse's head and galloped off towards the castle, which he reached a few
+hundred yards only in advance of his foes.
+
+"I could not help it, Sir Walter," he said, as he galloped in at the gate.
+"I found that although Robin is fast, some of those horsemen had the turn
+of speed of me, and that it was impossible that I could get through; so
+deeming that I should do more service by coming to strike a blow here than
+by having my throat cut out in the fields, I made the best of my way
+back."
+
+"Quite right, Martin!" Walter said. "I should have been grieved had you
+thrown your life away needlessly. I saw from the first that your escape was
+cut off.  And now, men, each to his place; but first pile up the stones
+against the gate, and then let each man take a good meal, for it is like
+enough to be long before we get a chance of doing so again."
+
+Again ascending to the walls Walter saw that the first body of men-at-arms
+he had perceived was followed at a distance by a strong force of footmen
+having with them some large wagons.
+
+"I fear," he said to Ralph, "that they have brought machines with them from
+Amiens, and in that case they will not be long in effecting a breach, for
+doubtless they know that the walls are but weak. We shall have to fight
+stoutly, for it may be days before the news of our leaguer reaches the
+camp. However, I trust that the prince will, by tomorrow night, when he
+finds that two days have elapsed without the coming of my usual messenger,
+suspect that we are besieged and will sally forth to our assistance. And
+now let us to breakfast, for we shall need all our strength today, and you
+may be sure that French will lose no time in attacking, seeing that
+assistance may shortly arrive from Calais."
+
+There were but few preparations to be made. Each man had had his post
+assigned to him on the walls in case of an attack, and piles of stones had
+been collected in readiness to cast down upon the heads of those attempting
+an assault.  Cauldrons were carried up to the walls and filled with water,
+and great fires were lighted under them. In half an hour the French
+infantry had reached the spot, but another two hours elapsed before any
+hostile movement was made, the leaders of the assailants giving their men
+that time to rest after their long march. Then a stir was visible among
+them, and they were seen to form in four columns, each about a thousand
+strong, which advanced simultaneously against opposite sides of the castle.
+ As soon as their intentions were manifest Walter divided his little force,
+and these, gathering in four groups upon the walls, prepared to resist the
+assault. To four of his most trusty men-at-arms he assigned the command of
+these parties, he himself and Ralph being thus left free to give their aid
+where it was most needed.
+
+The assailants were well provided with scaling-ladders, and advanced with a
+number of crossbow-men in front, who speedily opened a hot fire on the
+walls.  Walter ordered his archers to bide their time, and not to fire a
+shot till certain that every shaft would tell. They accordingly waited
+until the French arrived within fifty yards of the wall, when the arrows
+began to rain among them with deadly effect, scarce one but struck its mark
+- the face of an enemy. Even the closed vizors of the knights and chief
+men-at-arms did not avail to protect their wearers; the shafts pierced
+between the bars or penetrated the slits left open for sight, and many fell
+slain by the first volley. But their numbers were far too great to allow
+the columns being checked by the fire of so small a number of archers; the
+front ranks, indeed, pressed forward more eagerly than before, being
+anxious to reach the foot of the wall, where they would be in comparative
+shelter from the arrows.
+
+The archers disturbed themselves in no way at the reaching of the wall by
+the heads of the columns; but continued to shoot fast and true into the
+mass behind them, and as these were, for the most part, less completely
+armed than their leaders, numbers fell under the fire of the sixty English
+bowmen. It was the turn of the men-at-arms now.  Immediately the assailants
+poured into the dry moat and sought to raise their ladders the men-at-arms
+hurled down the masses of stones piled in readiness, while some poured
+buckets of boiling water over them.  In spite of the loss they were
+suffering the French raised their ladders, and, covering their heads with
+their shields, the leaders strove to gain the walls.  As they did so, some
+of the archers took post in the flanking towers, and as with uplifted arms
+the assailants climbed the ladders, the archers smote them above the joints
+of their armour beneath the arm-pits, while the men-at-arms with pike and
+battle-axe hewed down those who reached the top of the ladders.  Walter and
+Ralph hastened from point to point encouraging the men and joining in the
+defence where the pressure was hottest; and at last, after two hours of
+vain effort and suffering great loss, the assailants drew off and the
+garrison had breathing time.
+
+"Well done, my men!" Walter said, cheeringly; "they have had a lesson which
+they will remember, and if so be that they have brought with them no
+machines we may hold out against them for any time."
+
+It was soon manifest, however, that along with the scaling-ladders the
+enemy had brought one of their war-machines. Men were seen dragging massive
+beams of timber towards the walls, and one of the wagons was drawn forward
+and upset on its side at a distance of sixty yards from the wall, not,
+however, without those who drew it suffering much from the arrows of the
+bowmen. Behind the shelter thus formed the French began to put together the
+machine, whose beams soon raised themselves high above the wagon.
+
+In the meantime groups of men dragged great stones laid upon a sort of hand
+sledge to the machine, and late in the afternoon it began to cast its
+missiles against the wall.  Against these Walter could do little. He had no
+sacks, which, filled with earth, he might have lowered to cover the part of
+the walls assailed, and beyond annoying those working the machines by
+flights of arrows shot high in the air, so as to descend point downwards
+among them, he could do nothing.
+
+The wall crumbled rapidly beneath the blows of the great stones, and Walter
+saw that by the following morning a breach would be effected. When night
+fell he called his men together and asked if any would volunteer to carry
+news through the enemy to the prince. The enterprise seemed well-nigh
+hopeless, for the French, as if foreseeing that such an attempt might be
+made, had encamped in a complete circle round the castle, as was manifest
+by the position of their fires. Several men stepped forward, and Walter
+chose three light and active men - archers - to attempt the enterprise.
+These stripped off their steel caps and breastpieces, so that they might
+move more quickly, and when the French fires burned low and all was quiet
+save the creak of the machine and the dull heavy blows of the stones
+against the wall, the three men were lowered by ropes at different points,
+and started on their enterprise. A quarter of an hour later the garrison
+heard shouts and cries, and knew that a vigilant watch had been set by the
+French, and that one, if not all, of their friends had fallen into their
+hands. All night long the machine continued to play.
+
+An hour before daylight, when he deemed that the enemy's vigilance would be
+relaxed, Walter caused himself with Ralph and twelve of his men-at-arms to
+be lowered by ropes from the wall. Each rope had a loop at the bottom in
+which one foot was placed, and knots were tied in order to give a better
+grasp for the hands. They were lowered at a short distance from the spot at
+which the machine was at work; all were armed with axes, and they made
+their way unperceived until within a few yards of the wagon. Then there was
+a cry of alarm, and in a moment they rushed forward among the enemy. The
+men working the machine were instantly cut down, and Walter and his party
+fell upon the machine, cutting the ropes and smashing the wheels and
+pulleys and hewing away at the timber itself. In a minute or two, however,
+they were attacked by the enemy, the officer in command having bade a
+hundred men lie down to sleep close behind the machine in case the garrison
+should attempt a sortie. Walter called upon Ralph and four of the men-
+at-arms to stand beside him while the others continued their work of
+destruction. The French came up in a tumultuous body, but, standing so far
+apart that they could wield their axes, the English dealt such destruction
+among their first assailants that these for a time recoiled. As fresh
+numbers came up, encouraged by their leader they renewed the attack, and in
+spite of the most tremendous efforts Walter and his party were driven back.
+ By this time, however, so much damage had been done to the machine that it
+would be some hours before it could be repaired, even if spare ropes and
+other appliances had been brought with it from Amiens; so that, reinforced
+by the working party, Walter was again able to hold his ground and after
+repulsing a fresh onslaught of the enemy he gave the word for his men to
+retire at full speed.
+
+The French were so surprised by the sudden disappearance of their foes that
+it was a moment or two before they started in pursuit, and Walter and his
+men had gained some thirty yards before the pursuit really commenced.
+
+The night was a dark one, and they considerably increased this advantage
+before they reach the foot of the wall, where the ropes were hanging.
+
+"Has each of you found his rope?" Walter asked.
+
+As soon as an affirmative answer was given he placed his foot in the loop
+and shouted to the men above to draw up, and before the enraged enemy could
+reach the spot the whole party were already some yards above their heads.
+The archers opened fire upon the French, doing, in spite of the darkness,
+considerable execution, for the men had snatched up their arms at the
+sudden alarm, and had joined the fray in such haste that many of them had
+not had time to put on their steel caps. There was noise and bustle in the
+enemy's camp, for the whole force were now under arms, and in their anger
+at the sudden blow which had been struck them some bodies of men even moved
+forward towards the walls as if they intended to renew the assault of the
+previous day; but the showers of arrows with which they were greeted cooled
+their ardour and they presently retired out of reach of bowshot. There was
+a respite now for the besiegers. No longer every few minutes did a heavy
+stone strike the walls.
+
+The morning's light enabled the defenders of the castle to see the extent
+of the damage which the battering machine had effected. None too soon had
+they put a stop to its work, for had it continued its operations another
+hour or two would have effected a breach.
+
+Already large portions of the wall facing it had fallen, and other portions
+were so seriously damaged that a few more blows would have levelled them.
+
+
+
+"At any rate," Walter said to Ralph, "we have gained a respite; but even
+now I fear that if the Black Prince comes not until tomorrow he will arrive
+too late."
+
+The French, apparently as well aware as the garrison of the necessity for
+haste, laboured at the repair of the machine.  Bodies of men started to cut
+down trees to supply the place of the beams which had been rendered
+useless. Scarcely had the assault ceased when horsemen were despatched in
+various directions to seek for fresh ropes, and by dint of the greatest
+exertions the machine was placed in position to renew its attack shortly
+after noon.
+
+By two o'clock several large portions of the damaged wall had fallen, and
+the debris formed a slope by which an assaulting column could rush to the
+bridge. As soon as this was manifest the French force formed for the
+assault and rushed forward in solid column.
+
+Walter had made the best preparation possible for the defence. In the
+courtyard behind the breach his men had since morning been driving a circle
+of piles, connected by planks fastened to them. These were some five feet
+high, and along the top and in the face next to the breach sharp-pointed
+spikes and nails had been driven, rendering it difficult in the extreme for
+anyone to climb over. As the column of the assailants approached Walter
+placed his archers on the walls on either side of the breach, while he
+himself, with his men-at-arms, took his station in the gap and faced the
+coming host. The breach was some ten yards wide, but it was only for about
+half this width that the mound of broken stones rendered it possible for
+their enemies to assault, consequently there was but a space of some
+fifteen feet in width to be defended. Regardless of the flights of arrows,
+the French, headed by their knights and squires, advanced to the assault,
+and clambering up the rough stones attacked the defenders.
+
+Walter, with Ralph and three of his best men-at-arms, stood in the front
+line and received the first shock of the assault. The roughness and
+steepness of the mound prevented the French from attacking in regular
+order, and the very eagerness of the knights and squires who came first in
+contact with their enemies was a hindrance to them. When the columns were
+seen gathering for the assault Walter had scattered several barrels full of
+oil and tar which he found in the cellars over the mound in front of the
+breach, rendering it greasy and slippery, and causing the assailants to
+slip and stagger and many to fall as they pressed forward to the assault.
+Before the fight commenced he had encouraged his soldiers by recalling to
+them how a mere handful of men had at Cressy withstood for hours the
+desperate efforts of the whole of the French army to break through their
+line, and all were prepared to fight to the death.
+
+The struggle was a desperate one. Served by their higher position, and by
+the difficulties which the French encountered from the slipperiness of the
+ground and their own fierce ardour to attack, Walter and his little band
+for a long time resisted every effort. He with his sword and Ralph with his
+heavy mace did great execution, and they were nobly seconded by their
+men-at-arms. As fast as one fell another took his place. The breach in
+front of them was cumbered with dead and red with blood. Still the French
+poured upwards in a wave, and the sheer weight of their numbers and the
+fatigue caused by the tremendous exertions the defenders were making began
+to tell. Step by step the English were driven back, and Walter saw that the
+defence could not much longer be continued. He bade one of his men-at-arms
+at once order the archers to cease firing, and, leaving the walls, to take
+refuge in the keep, and thence to open fire upon the French as they poured
+through the breach.
+
+When he found that this movement had been accomplished Walter bade the
+men-at- arms fall back gradually. A gap had been left in the wooden fence
+sufficient for one at a time to pass, and through this the men-at-arms
+retired one by one to the keep until only Walter and five others were left.
+ With these Walter flung himself suddenly upon the assailants and forced
+them a few feet down the slope.  Then he gave the word, and all sprang
+back, and leaping down from the wall into the courtyard ran through the
+barrier, Walter and Ralph being the last to pass as the French with
+exulting shouts leapt down from the breach. There was another fierce fight
+at the barrier. Walter left Ralph to defend this with a few men-at- arms
+while he saw that all was in readiness for closing the door rapidly in the
+keep. Then he ran back again. He was but just in time. Ralph indeed could
+for a long time have held the narrow passage, but the barriers themselves
+were yielding. The French were pouring in through the breach, and as those
+behind could not see the nature of the obstacle which arrested the advance
+of their companions they continued to push forward, and by their weight
+pressed those in front against the spikes in the barrier.  Many perished
+miserably on these.  Others, whose armour protected them from this fate,
+were crushed to death by the pressure; but this was now so great that the
+timbers were yielding. Walter, seeing that in another moment they would be
+levelled, gave the word, sprang back with Ralph and his party, and entered
+the keep just as with a crash the barrier fell and the French poured in a
+crowd into the courtyard.  Bolting the door the defenders of the keep piled
+against it the stones which had been laid in readiness.
+
+The door was on the first floor, and was approached by a narrow flight of
+stone steps, up which but two abreast could advance. In their first fury
+the French poured up these steps, but from the loopholes which commanded it
+the English bowmen shot so hard that their arrows pierced the strongest
+armour. Smitten through vizor and armour, numbers of the bravest of the
+assailants fell dead.  Those who gained the top of the steps were assailed
+by showers of boiling oil from an upper chamber which projected over the
+door, and whose floor was pierced for this purpose, while from the top of
+the keep showers of stones were poured down. After losing great numbers in
+this desperate effort at assault the French drew off for a while, while
+their leaders held council as to the best measures to be taken for the
+capture of the keep.
+
+After a time Walter from the summit saw several bodies of men detach
+themselves from the crowd still without the castle and proceed into the
+country. Two hours later they were seen returning laden with trunks of
+trees. These were dragged through the breach, and were, in spite of the
+efforts of the archers and of the men-at-arms with their stones, placed so
+as to form a sort of penthouse against one side of the keep. Numbers of the
+soldiers now poured up with sacks and all kinds of vessels which they had
+gathered from the surrounding villages, filled with earth. This was thrown
+over the beams until it filled all the crevices between them and formed a
+covering a foot thick, so that neither boiling oil nor water poured from
+above could penetrate to injure those working beneath its shelter. When all
+was ready a strong body armed with picks and crowbars entered the penthouse
+and began to labour to cut away the wall of the keep itself.
+
+"Their commander knows his business," Walter said, "and the device is an
+excellent one. We can do nothing, and it only depends upon the strength of
+the wall how long we can hold out. The masonry is by no means good, and
+before nightfall, unless aid comes, there will be nought for us but death
+or surrender."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI: A PRISONER
+
+
+As long as it was light an anxious look-out was kept from the top of the
+keep towards Calais. There was nothing to be done. The besiegers who had
+entered the walls were ensconced in the various buildings in the courtyard
+or placed behind walls so as to be out of arrow-shot from above, and were
+in readiness to repel any sortie which might be made to interfere with the
+work going on under the penthouse. But no sortie was possible, for to
+effect this it would be necessary to remove the stones from the door, and
+before this could be accomplished the besiegers would have rallied in
+overwhelming force, nor could a sortie have effected anything beyond the
+slaying of the men actually engaged in the work.  The beams of the
+penthouse were too strong and too heavily weighted with earth to be
+removed, and the attempt would only have entailed useless slaughter.  The
+penthouse was about forty feet in length, and the assailants were piercing
+three openings, each of some six feet in width, leaving two strong
+supporting pillars between them.  Anxiously the garrison within listened to
+the sounds of work, which became louder and louder as the walls crumbled
+before the stroke of pickaxe and crowbar.
+
+"I shall hold out until the last moment," Walter said to Ralph, "in hopes
+of relief, but before they burst in I shall sound a parley. To resist
+further would be a vain sacrifice of life."
+
+Presently a movement could be seen among the stones, and then almost
+simultaneously two apertures appeared. The chamber into which the openings
+were made was a large one, being used as the common room of the garrison.
+Here twenty archers, and the remaining men-at-arms - of whom nearly
+one-half had fallen in the defence of the breach - were gathered, and the
+instant the orifices appeared the archers began to send their arrows
+through them. Then Walter ascended to another chamber, and ordered the
+trumpeter to sound a parley.
+
+The sound was repeated by the assailants' trumpeter.
+
+"Who commands the force?" Walter asked.
+
+"I, Guy, Count of Evreux."
+
+"I am Sir Walter Somers," the young knight continued.  "I wish to ask terms
+for the garrison.
+
+"You must surrender unconditionally," the count replied from the courtyard.
+ "In ten minutes we shall have completely pierced your walls, and you will
+be at our mercy."
+
+"You may pierce our walls," Walter replied, "but it will cost you many
+lives before you force your way in; we will defend the hold from floor to
+floor, and you know how desperate men can fight. It will cost you scores of
+lives before you win your way to the summit of this keep; but if I have
+your knightly word that the lives of all within these walls shall be
+spared, then will I open the door and lay down our arms.
+
+A consultation took place between the leaders below.  There was truth in
+Walter's words that very many lives would be sacrificed before the
+resistance of so gallant a garrison could be overcome. Every minute was of
+importance, for it was possible that at any moment aid might arrive from
+Calais, and that the table would be turned upon the besiegers.
+
+Therefore, after a short parley among themselves, the count replied:
+
+"You have fought as a gallant knight and gentleman, Sir Walter Somers, and
+have wrought grievous harm upon my leading. I should grieve that so brave a
+knight should lose his life in a useless resistance. Therefore I agree to
+your terms, and swear upon my knightly honour that upon your surrendering
+yourselves prisoners of war, the lives of all within these walls shall be
+spared."
+
+Walter at once gave the order. The stones were removed and the door thrown
+open, and leading his men Walter descended the steps into the courtyard,
+which was now illuminated with torches, and handed his sword to the Count
+of Evreux.
+
+"You promised me, count," a tall knight standing by his side said, "that if
+he were taken alive, the commander of this castle should be my prisoner."
+
+"I did so, Sir Phillip Holbeaut. When you proposed this adventure to me,
+and offered to place your following at my command, I agreed to the request
+you made me; but mind," he said sternly, "my knightly word has been given
+for his safety.  See that he receives fair and gentle treatment at your
+hand. I would not that aught should befall so brave a knight."
+
+"I seek him no harm," the knight said angrily; "but I know that he is one
+of the knights of the Black Prince's own suite, and that his ransom will be
+freely paid, and as my coffers are low from the expenses of the war, I
+would fain replenish them at the expense of the English prince."
+
+"I said not that I doubted you, Sir Phillip," the count said calmly; "but
+as the knight surrendered on my word, it was needful that I should warn you
+to treat him as I myself should do did he remain in my hands, and to give
+him fair treatment until duly ransomed."
+
+"I should be glad, count," Walter said, "if you will suffer me to take with
+me as companion in my captivity this man-at-arms. He is strongly attached
+to me, and we have gone through many perils together; it will lighten my
+captivity to have him by my side."
+
+"Surely I will do so, Sir Walter, and wish that your boon had been a larger
+one.  The rest I will take back with me to Amiens, there to hold until
+exchanged for some of those who at various times have fallen into your
+king's hands. And now to work, men; lose not a moment in stripping the
+castle of all that you choose to carry away, then apply fire to the
+storehouses, granaries, and the hold itself. I would not that it remained
+standing to serve as an outpost for the English."
+
+The horses were brought from the stables. Walter and Ralph took their
+horses by the bridle, and followed Sir Phillip Holbeaut through the now
+open gates of the castle to the spot where the horses of the besiegers were
+picketed. The knight, and his own men-at-arms, who had at the beginning of
+the day numbered a hundred and fifty, but who were now scarcely two-thirds
+of that strength, at once mounted with their prisoners, and rode off from
+the castle. A few minutes later a glare of light burst out from behind
+them. The count's orders had been obeyed; fire had been applied to the
+stores of forage, and soon the castle of Pres was wrapped in flames.
+
+"I like not our captor's manner," Ralph said to Walter as they rode along
+side by side.
+
+"I agree with you, Ralph. I believe that the reason which he gave the count
+for his request was not a true one, though, indeed, I can see no other
+motive which he could have for seeking to gain possession of me. Sir
+Phillip, although a valiant knight, bears but an indifferent reputation. I
+have heard that he is a cruel master to his serfs, and that when away
+fighting in Germany he behaved so cruelly to the peasantry that even the
+Germans, who are not nice in their modes of warfare, cried out against him.
+ It is an evil fortune that has thrown us into his hands; still, although
+grasping and avaricious, he can hardly demand for a simple knight any
+inordinate ransom. The French themselves would cry out did he do so, seeing
+that so large a number of their own knights are in our hands, and that the
+king has ample powers of retaliation; however, we need not look on the dark
+side. It is not likely that our captivity will be a long one, for the
+prince, who is the soul of generosity, will not haggle over terms, but will
+pay my ransom as soon as he hears into whose hands I have fallen, while
+there are scores of men-at-arms prisoners, whom he can exchange for you.
+Doubtless Sir Phillip will send you over, as soon as he arrives at his
+castle, with one of his own followers to treat for my ransom.
+
+After riding for some hours the troop halted their weary horses in a wood,
+and lighting fires, cooked their food, and then lay down until morning. Sir
+Phillip exchanged but few words with his captive; as, having removed his
+helm, he sat by the fire, Walter had an opportunity of seeing his
+countenance. It did not belie his reputation. His face had a heavy and
+brutal expression which was not decreased by the fashion of his hair, which
+was cut quite short, and stood up without parting all over his
+bullet-shaped head; he had a heavy and bristling moustache which was cut
+short in a line with his lips.
+
+"It is well," Walter thought to himself, "that it is my ransom rather than
+my life which is dear to that evil-looking knight; for, assuredly, he is
+not one to hesitate did fortune throw a foe into his hands."
+
+At daybreak the march was resumed, and was continued until they reached the
+castle of Sir Phillip Holbeaut, which stood on a narrow tongue of land
+formed by a sharp bend of the Somme.
+
+On entering the castle the knight gave an order to his followers, and the
+prisoners were at once led to a narrow cell beneath one of the towers.
+Walter looked round indignantly when he arrived there.
+
+"This is a dungeon for a felon," he exclaimed, "not the apartment for a
+knight who has been taken captive in fair fight. Tell your master that he
+is bound to award me honourable treatment, and that unless he removes me
+instantly from this dungeon to a proper apartment, and treats me with all
+due respect and courtesy, I will, when I regain liberty, proclaim him a
+dishonoured knight."
+
+The men-at-arms made no reply; but, locking the door behind them, left the
+prisoners alone.
+
+"What can this mean, Ralph?" Walter exclaimed. "We are in the lowest
+dungeon, and below the level of the river.  See how damp are the walls, and
+the floor is thick with slimy mud. The river must run but just below that
+loophole, and in times of flood probably enters here."
+
+Phillip of Holbeaut, on dismounting, ascended to an upper chamber, where a
+man in the dress of a well-to-do citizen was sitting.
+
+"Well, Sir Phillip," he exclaimed, rising to his feet as the other entered,
+"what news?"
+
+"The news is bad," the knight growled. "This famous scheme of yours has
+cost me fifty of my best men. I would I had had nothing to do with it."
+
+"But this Walter Somers," the other exclaimed, "what of him? He has not
+escaped surely! The force which marched from Amiens was large enough to
+have eaten him and his garrison.
+
+"He has not escaped," the knight replied.
+
+"Then he is killed!" the other said eagerly.
+
+"No; nor is he killed. He is at present a prisoner in a dungeon below,
+together with a stout knave whom he begged might accompany him until
+ransomed."
+
+"All is well then," the other exclaimed. "Never mind the loss of your men.
+The money which I have promised you for this business will hire you two
+hundred such knaves; but why didst not knock him on head at once?"
+
+"It was not so easy to knock him on the head," Sir Phillip growled. "It
+cost us five hundred men to capture the outer walls, and to have fought our
+way into the keep, held, as it was, by men who would have contested every
+foot of the ground, was not a job for which any of us had much stomach,
+seeing what the first assaults had cost us; so the count took them all to
+quarter. The rest he carried with him to Amiens; but their leader,
+according to the promise which he made me, he handed over to me as my share
+of the day's booty, giving me every charge that he should receive good and
+knightly treatment.
+
+"Which, no doubt, you will observe," the other said, with an ugly laugh.
+
+"It is a bad business," the knight exclaimed angrily, "and were it not for
+our friendship, in Spain, and the memory of sundry deeds which we did
+together, not without profit to our purses, I would rather that you were
+thrown over the battlements into the river than I had taken a step in this
+business. However, none can say that Phillip of Holbeaut ever deserted a
+friend who had proved true to him, not to mention that the sum which you
+promised me for my aid in this matter will, at present time, prove
+wondrously convenient.  Yet I foresee that it will bring me into trouble
+with the Count of Evreux. Ere many days a demand will come for the fellow
+to be delivered on ransom."
+
+"And what will you say?" the other asked.
+
+"I shall say what is the truth," the knight replied, "though I may add
+something that is not wholly so. I shall say that he was drowned in the
+Somme. I shall add that it happened as he was trying to make his escape,
+contrary to the parole he had given; but in truth he will be drowned in the
+dungeon in which I have placed him, which has rid me of many a troublesome
+prisoner before now. The river is at ordinary times but two feet below the
+loophole; and when its tide is swelled by rain it often rises above the
+sill, and then there is an end of any one within.  They can doubt my word;
+but there are not many who would care to do so openly; none who would do so
+for the sake of an unknown English knight. And as for any complaints on the
+part of the Black Prince, King Phillip has shown over and over again how
+little the complaints of Edward himself move him."
+
+"It were almost better to knock him on head at once," the other said
+thoughtfully; "the fellow has as many lives as a cat.
+
+"If he had as many as nine cats," the knight replied, "it would not avail
+him.  But I will have no violence. The water will do your work as well as a
+poinard, and I will not have it said, even among such ruffians as mine,
+that I slew a captured knight. The other will pass as an accident, and I
+care not what my men may think as long as they can say nothing for a
+surety. The count may storm as much as he will, and may even lay a
+complaint against me before the king; but in times like the present, even a
+simple knight who can lead two hundred good fighting men into the field is
+not to be despised, and the king is likely to be easily satisfied with my
+replies to any question that may be raised. Indeed, it would seem contrary
+to reason that I should slay a captive against whom I have no cause of
+quarrel, and so forfeit the ransom which I should get for him."
+
+"But suppose that a messenger should come offering ransom before the river
+happens to rise?"
+
+"Then I shall anticipate matters, and shall say that what I know will
+happen has already taken place. Do not be uneasy, Sir James. You have my
+word in the matter, and now I have gone so far I shall carry it through.
+From the moment when I ordered him into that dungeon his fate was sealed,
+and in truth, when I gave the order I did so to put an end to the
+indecision in which my mind had been all night. Once in there he could not
+be allowed to come out alive, for his report of such treatment would do me
+more harm among those of my own station in France than any rumours touching
+his end could do. It is no uncommon affair for one to remove an enemy from
+one's path; but cruelty to a knightly prisoner would be regarded with
+horror. Would you like to have a look at him?"
+
+The other hesitated. "No," he replied. "Against him personally I have no
+great grudge. He has thwarted my plans, and stands now grievously in the
+way of my making fresh ones; but as he did so from no ill-will towards
+myself, but as it were by hazard, I have no personal hatred towards him,
+though I would fain remove him from my path. Besides, I tell you fairly,
+that even in that dungeon where you have thrown him I shall not feel that
+he is safe until you send me word that he is dead. He has twice already got
+out of scrapes when other men would have been killed. Both at Vannes and at
+Ghent he escaped in a marvellous way; and but a few weeks since, by the
+accident of his having a coat of mail under his doublet he saved his life
+from as fair a blow as ever was struck.  Therefore I would not that he knew
+aught of my having a hand in this matter, for if after having seen me he
+made his escape I could never show my face in England again. I should
+advise you to bid three or four men always enter his cell together, for he
+and that man-of-arms who follows him like a shadow are capable of playing
+any desperate trick to escape.
+
+"That matter is easily enough managed," Sir Phillip said grimly, "by no one
+entering the dungeon at all. The river may be slow of rising, though in
+sooth the sky looks overcast now, and it is already at its usual winter
+level; and whether he dies from lack of water or from a too abundant supply
+matters but little to me; only, as I told you I will give no orders for him
+to be killed.  Dost remember that Jew we carried off from Seville and kept
+without water until he agreed to pay us a ransom which made us both rich
+for six months?  That was a rare haul, and I would that rich Jews were
+plentiful in this country.
+
+"Yes, those were good times," the other said, "although I own that I have
+not done badly since the war began, having taken a count and three knights
+prisoners, and put them to ransom, and having reaped a goodly share of
+plunder from your French burghers, else indeed I could not have offered you
+so round a sum to settle this little matter for me. There are not many
+French knights who have earned a count's ransom in the present war. And now
+I will take horse; here is one-half of the sum I promised you, in gold
+nobles. I will send you the remainder on the day when I get news from you
+that the matter is finished."
+
+"Have your money ready in a week's time," the knight replied, taking the
+bag of gold which the other placed on the table, "for by that time you will
+hear from me. I hope this will not be the last business which we may do
+together; there ought to be plenty of good chances in a war like this.  Any
+time that you can send me word of an intended foray by a small party under
+a commander whose ransom would be a high one I will share what I get with
+you; and similarly I will let you know of any rich prize who may be pounced
+upon on the same terms.
+
+"Agreed!" the other said. "We may do a good business together in that way.
+But you lie too far away. If you move up as near as you can to Calais and
+let me know your whereabouts, so that I could send or ride to you in a few
+hours, we might work together with no small profit."
+
+"I will take the field as soon as this affair of yours is settled," the
+knight replied; "and the messenger who brings you the news shall tell you
+where I may be found. And now, while your horse is being got ready, let us
+drink a stoup of wine together in memory of old times, though, for myself,
+these wines of ours are poor and insipid beside the fiery juice of
+Spain."
+
+While this conversation, upon which their fate so much depended, had been
+going on, Walter and Ralph had been discussing the situation, and had
+arrived at a tolerably correct conclusion.
+
+"This conduct on the part of this brutal French knight, Ralph, is so
+strange that methinks it cannot be the mere outcome of his passions or of
+hate against me as an Englishman, but of some deeper motive; and we were
+right in thinking that in bargaining for my person with the Count of Evreux
+it was more than my ransom which he sought.  Had that been his only object
+he would never have thrown us into this noisome dungeon, for my report of
+such treatment would bring dishonour upon him in the eyes of every knight
+and noble in France as well as in England. It must be my life he aims at,
+although what grudge he can have against me it passes me to imagine. It may
+be that at Cressy or elsewhere some dear relative of his may have fallen by
+my sword; and yet were it so, men nourish no grudge for the death of those
+killed in fair fight. But this boots not at present. It is enough for us
+that it is my life which he aims at, and I fear, Ralph, that yours must be
+included with mine, since he would never let a witness escape to carry the
+foul tale against him. This being so, the agreement on which I surrendered
+is broken, and I am free to make my escape if I can, and methinks the
+sooner that be attempted the better.
+
+So let us work to plan how we may best get out of this place.  After our
+escape from that well at Vannes we need not despair about breaking out from
+this dungeon of Holbeaut."
+
+"We might overpower the guard who brings our food," Ralph said.
+
+"There is that chance," Walter rejoined, "but I think it is a poor one.
+They may be sure that this dishonourable treatment will have rendered us
+desperate, and they will take every precaution and come well armed. It may
+be, too, that they will not come at all, but that they intend us to die of
+starvation, or perchance to be drowned by the floods, which it is easy to
+see often make their way in here. No, our escape, if escape there be, must
+be made through that loophole above. Were that bar removed, methinks it is
+wide enough for us to squeeze through. Doubtless such a hazard has not
+occurred to them, seeing that it is nigh twelve feet above the floor, and
+that a single man could by no possibility reach it, but with two of us
+there is no difficulty. Now, Ralph, do you stand against the wall. I will
+climb upon your shoulders, and standing there can reach the bar, and so
+haul myself up and look out."
+
+This was soon done, and Walter seizing the bar, hauled himself up so that
+he could see through the loophole.
+
+"It is as I thought," he said. "The waters of the Somme are but a foot
+below the level of this window; the river is yellow and swollen, and a few
+hours' heavy rain would bring it above the level of this sill. Stand
+steady, Ralph, I am coming down again."
+
+When he reached the ground, he said:
+
+"Take off your belt, Ralph; if we buckle that and mine together, passing it
+round the bar, it will make a loop upon which we can stand at the window
+and see how best we can loosen the bar. Constantly wet as it is, it is
+likely that the mortar will have softened, in which case we shall have
+little difficulty in working it out."
+
+The plan was at once put into execution; the belts were fastened together
+and Walter standing on Ralph's shoulders passed one end around the bar and
+buckled it to the other, thus making a loop some three feet in length;
+putting a foot in this he was able to stand easily at the loophole.
+
+"It is put in with mortar at the top, Ralph, and the mortar has rotted with
+the wet, but at the bottom lead was poured in when the bar was set and this
+must be scooped out before it can be moved. Fortunately the knight gave no
+orders to his men to remove our daggers when we were thrust in here, and
+these will speedily dig out the lead; but I must come down first, for the
+strap prevents my working at the foot of the bar. We must tear off a strip
+of our clothing and make a shift to fasten the strap half-way up the bar so
+as not to slip down with our weight."
+
+In order to accomplish this Walter had to stand upon Ralph's head to gain
+additional height. He presently, after several attempts, succeeded in
+fixing the strap firmly against the bar half-way up, and then placing one
+knee in the loop and putting an arm through the bar to steady himself, he
+set to work at the lead. The sharp point of the dagger quickly cut out that
+near the surface, but farther down the hole narrowed and the task was much
+more difficult. Several times Ralph relieved him at the work, but at last
+it was accomplished, and the bar was found to move slightly when they shook
+it.  There now remained only to loosen the cement above, and this was a
+comparatively easy task; it crumbled quickly before the points of their
+daggers, and the bar was soon free to move.
+
+"Now," Walter said, "we have to find out whether the bar was first put in
+from below or from above; one hole or the other must be a good deal deeper
+than the iron, so that it was either shoved up or pushed down until the
+other end could get under or over the other hole. I should think most
+likely the hole is below, as if they held up the bar against the top, when
+the lead was poured in it would fill up the space; so we will first of all
+try to lift it. I must stand on your head again to enable me to be high
+enough to try this."
+
+"My head is strong enough, I warrant," Ralph replied, "but I will fold up
+my jerkin, and put on it, for in truth you hurt me somewhat when you were
+tying the strap to the bar."
+
+All Walter's efforts did not succeed in raising the bar in the slightest,
+and he therefore concluded that it had been inserted here and lifted while
+the space was filled with lead.  "It is best so," he said; "we should have
+to cut away the stone either above or below, and can work much better
+below. Now I will put my knee in the strap again and set to work. The stone
+seems greatly softened by the wet, and will yield to our daggers readily
+enough. It is already getting dark, and as soon as we have finished we can
+start.
+
+As Walter had discovered, the stone was rotten with the action of the
+weather, and although as they got deeper it became much harder, it yielded
+to the constant chipping with their daggers, and in two hours Ralph, who at
+the moment happened to be engaged, announced to Walter that his dagger had
+found its way under the bottom of the bar.  The groove was soon made deep
+enough for the bar to be moved out; but another hour's work was necessary,
+somewhat further to enlarge the upper hole, so as to allow the bar to have
+sufficient play.  Fortunately it was only inserted about an inch and a half
+in the stone, and the amount to be cut away to give it sufficient play was
+therefore not large. Then at last all was ready for their flight.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII: THE CAPTURE OF CALAIS
+
+
+When the bar was once ready for removal the captives delayed not a minute,
+for although it was now so late that there was little chance of a visit
+being paid them, it was just possible that such might be the case, and that
+it might occur to the knight that it would be safer to separate them.
+
+"Now, Ralph, do you go first, since I am lighter and can climb up by means
+of the strap, which you can hold from above; push the bar out and lay it
+down quietly on the thickness of the wall. A splash might attract the
+attention of the sentries, though I doubt whether it would, for the wind is
+high and the rain falling fast. Unbuckle the strap before you move the bar,
+as otherwise it might fall and I should have difficulty in handing it to
+you again. Now, I am steady against the wall."
+
+Ralph seized the bar and with a great effort pushed the bottom from him. It
+moved through the groove without much difficulty, but it needed a great
+wrench to free the upper end. However, it was done, and laying it quietly
+down he pulled himself up and thrust himself through the loophole.  It was
+a desperate struggle to get through, for it was only just wide enough for
+his head to pass, and he was so squarely built that his body with
+difficulty followed. The wall was four feet wide, and as the loophole
+widened considerably without, there was, when he had once passed through
+from the inside, space enough for him to kneel down and lower one end of
+the strap to Walter. The latter speedily climbed up, and getting through
+the slit with much less trouble than Ralph had experienced - for although
+in height and width of shoulder he was his equal, he was less in depth than
+his follower - he joined him in the opening; Ralph sitting with his feet in
+the water in order to make room for him.
+
+The dungeon was upon the western side of the castle, and consequently the
+stream would be with them in making for shore. It was pitch dark, but they
+knew that the distance they would have to swim could not exceed forty or
+fifty yards.
+
+"Keep along close by the wall, Ralph, if we once get out in the stream we
+might lose our way; we will skirt the wall until it ends, then there is a
+cut, for as you saw when we entered, the moat runs right across this neck.
+If we keep a bit farther down and then land, we shall be fairly beyond the
+outworks."
+
+Ralph slipped down into the water, and followed by Walter swam along at the
+foot of the wall. They had already been deprived of their armour, but had
+luckily contrived to retain their daggers in their belts, which they had
+again girdled on before entering the water. The stream hurried them rapidly
+along, and they had only to keep themselves afloat. They were soon at the
+corner of the castle.  A few strokes farther and they again felt the wall
+which lined the moat. The stream still swept them along, they felt the
+masonry come to an end, and bushes and shrubs lined the bank. They were
+beyond the outer defences of the castle.  Still a little farther they
+proceeded down the stream in order to prevent the possibility of any noise
+they might make in scrambling up being heard by the sentinels on the outer
+postern. Then when they felt quite safe they grasped the bushes, and
+speedily climbed the bank. Looking back at the castle they saw lights still
+burning there. Short as was the time they had been in the water they were
+both chilled to the bone, for it was the month of February, and the water
+was bitterly cold.
+
+"It cannot be more than nine o'clock now," Walter said, "for it is not more
+than four hours since darkness fell. They are not likely to visit the
+dungeon before eight or nine tomorrow, so we can rely upon twelve hours'
+start, and if we make the best of our time we ought to be far on travelling
+on a night like this through a strange country. I would that the stars were
+shining. However, the direction of the wind and rain will be a guide to us,
+and we shall soon strike the road we traveled yesterday, and can follow
+that till morning."
+
+They were not long before they found the track, and then started at a brisk
+pace along it. All night they struggled on through wind and rain until the
+first dawn enabled them to see the objects in the surrounding country; and
+making for the forest which extended to within a mile of the road, they
+entered deep into its shelter, and there utterly exhausted, threw
+themselves down on the wet ground.  After a few hours of uneasy sleep they
+woke, and taking their place near the edge of the forest watched for the
+passage of any party which might be in pursuit, but until nightfall none
+came along.
+
+"They have not discovered our flight," Ralph said at last, "or they would
+have passed long before this. Sir Phillip doubtless imagines that we are
+drowned. The water was within a few inches of the sill when we started, and
+must soon have flooded the dungeon; and did he trouble to look in the
+morning, which is unlikely enough seeing that he would be sure of our fate,
+he would be unable to descend the stairs, and could not reach to the door,
+and so discover that the bar had been removed. No; whatever his motive may
+have been in compassing my death, he is doubtless satisfied that he has
+attained it, and we need have no further fear of pursuit from him. The rain
+has ceased, and I think that it will be a fine night; we will walk on, and
+if we come across a barn will make free to enter it, and stripping off our
+clothing to dry, will sleep in the hay, and pursue our journey in the
+morning. From our travel-stained appearance any who may meet us will take
+us for two wayfarers going to take service in the army at Amiens."
+
+It was not until nearly midnight that they came upon such a place as they
+sought, then after passing a little village they found a shed standing
+apart.  Entering it they found that it was tenanted by two cows. Groping
+about they presently came upon a heap of forage, and taking off their outer
+garments lay down on this, covering themselves thickly with it. The shed
+was warm and comfortable and they were soon asleep, and awaking at daybreak
+they found that their clothes had dried somewhat. The sun was not yet up
+when they started, but it soon rose, and ere noon their garments had dried,
+and they felt for the first time comfortable. They met but few people on
+the road, and these passed them with ordinary salutations.
+
+They had by this time left Amiens on the right, and by nightfall were well
+on their way towards Calais. Early in the morning they had purchased some
+bread at a village through which they passed; Walter's Norman-French being
+easily understood, and exciting no surprise or suspicion. At nightfall they
+slept in a shed within a mile of the ruins of the castle of Pres, and late
+next evening entered the English encampment at New Town. After going to his
+tent, where he and Ralph changed their garments and partook of a hearty
+meal, Walter proceeded to the pavilion of the prince, who hailed his
+entrance with the greatest surprise.
+
+"Why Sir Walter," he exclaimed, "what good saint has brought you here? I
+have but an hour since received a message from the Count of Evreux to the
+effect that you were a prisoner in the bands of Sir Phillip de Holbeaut,
+with whom I must treat for your ransom. I was purporting to send off a
+herald tomorrow to ask at what sum he held you; and now you appear in flesh
+and blood before us! But first, before you tell us your story, I must
+congratulate you on your gallant defence of the Castle of Pres, which is
+accounted by all as one of the most valiant deeds of the war. When two days
+passed without a messenger from you coming hither, I feared that you were
+beleaguered, and started that evening with six hundred men-at-arms. We
+arrived at daybreak to finding only a smoking ruin.  Luckily among the
+crowd of dead upon the breach we found one of your men-at-arms who still
+breathed, and after some cordial had been given him, and his wounds
+stanched, he was able to tell us the story of the siege. But it needed not
+his tale to tell us how staunchly you had defended the castle, for the
+hundreds of dead who lay outside of the walls, and still more the mass who
+piled the breach, and the many who lay in the castle-yard spoke for
+themselves of the valour with which the castle had been defended. As the
+keep was gutted by fire, and the man could tell us nought of what had
+happened after he bad been stricken down at the breach, we knew not whether
+you and your brave garrison had perished in the flames. We saw the
+penthouse beneath which they had laboured to cut through the wall, but the
+work had ceased before the holes were large enough for entry, and we hoped
+that you might have seen that further resistance was in vain, and have made
+terms for your lives; indeed we heard from the country people that certain
+prisoners had been taken to Amiens. I rested one day at Pres, and the next
+rode back here, and forthwith despatched a herald to the Count of Evreux at
+Amiens asking for news of the garrison; but now he has returned with word
+that twenty- four men-at-arms and fifty-eight archers are prisoners in the
+count's hands, and that he is ready to exchange them against an equal
+number of French prisoners; but that you, with a man-at-arms, were in the
+keeping of Sir Phillip of Holbeaut, with whom I must treat for your ransom.
+ And now tell me how it is that I see you here. Has your captor, confiding
+in your knightly word to send him the sum agreed upon, allowed you to
+return? Tell me the sum and my treasurer shall tomorrow pay it over to a
+herald, who shall carry it to Holbeaut."
+
+"Thanks, your Royal Highness, for your generosity," Walter replied, "but
+there is no ransom to be paid."
+
+And he then proceeded to narrate the incidents of his captivity at Holbeaut
+and his escape from the castle. His narration was frequently interrupted by
+exclamations of surprise and indignation from the prince and knights
+present.
+
+"Well, this well-nigh passes all belief," the prince exclaimed when he had
+concluded. "It is an outrage upon all laws of chivalry and honour. What
+could have induced this caitiff knight, instead of treating you with
+courtesy and honour until your ransom arrived, to lodge you in a foul
+dungeon, where, had you not made your escape, your death would have been
+brought about that very night by the rising water? Could it be, think you,
+that his brain is distraught by some loss or injury which may have befallen
+him at our hands during the war and worked him up to a blind passion of
+hatred against all Englishmen?"
+
+"I think not that, your Royal Highness," Walter replied.  "His manner was
+cool and deliberate, and altogether free from any signs of madness.
+Moreover, it would seem that he had specially marked me down beforehand,
+since, as I have told you, he had bargained with the Count of Evreux for
+the possession of my person should I escape with life at the capture of the
+castle. It seems rather as if he must have had some private enmity against
+me, although what the cause may be I cannot imagine, seeing that I have
+never, to my knowledge, before met him, and have only heard his name by
+common report.
+
+"Whatever be the cause," the prince said, "we will have satisfaction for
+it, and I will beg the king, my father, to write at once to Phillip of
+Valois protesting against the treatment that you have received, and
+denouncing Sir Phillip of Holbeaut as a base and dishonoured knight, whom,
+should he fall into our hands, we will commit at once to the hangman.
+
+Upon the following day Walter was called before the king, and related to
+him in full the incidents of the siege and of his captivity and escape; and
+the same day King Edward sent off a letter to Phillip of Valois denouncing
+Sir Phillip Holbeaut as a dishonoured knight, and threatening retaliation
+upon the French prisoners in his hands.
+
+A fortnight later an answer was received from the King of France saying
+that he had inquired into the matter, and had sent a seneschal, who had
+questioned Sir Phillip Holbeaut and some of the men-at-arms in the castle,
+and that he found that King Edward had been grossly imposed upon by a
+fictitious tale. Sir Walter Somers had, he found, been treated with all
+knightly courtesy, and believing him to be an honourable knight and true to
+his word, but slight watch had been kept over him. He had basely taken
+advantage of this trust, and with the man-at-arms with him had escaped from
+the castle in order to avoid payment of his ransom, and had now invented
+these gross and wicked charges against Sir Phillip Holbeaut as a cloak to
+his own dishonour.
+
+Walter was furious when he heard the contents of this letter, and the king
+and Black Prince were no less indignant.  Although they doubted him not for
+a moment, Walter begged that Ralph might be brought before them and
+examined strictly as to what had taken place, in order that they might see
+that his statements tallied exactly with those he had made.
+
+When this had been done Walter obtained permission from the king to
+despatch a cartel to Sir Phillip de Holbeaut denouncing him as a perjured
+and dishonoured knight and challenging him to meet him in mortal conflict
+at any time and place that he might name. At the same time the king
+despatched a letter to Phillip of Valois saying that the statements of the
+French knight and followers were wholly untrue, and begging that a time
+might be appointed for the meeting of the two knights in the lists.
+
+To this King Phillip replied that he had ordered all private quarrels in
+France to be laid aside during the progress of the war, and that so long as
+an English foot remained upon French soil he would give no countenance to
+his knights throwing away the lives which they owed to France, in private
+broils.
+
+"You must wait, Sir Walter, you see," the king said, "until you may
+perchance meet him in the field of battle. In the mean time, to show how
+lightly I esteem the foul charge brought against you, and how much I hold
+and honour the bravery which you showed in defending the castle which my
+son the prince entrusted to you, as well as upon other occasions, I hereby
+promote you to the rank of knight-banneret."
+
+Events now passed slowly before Calais. Queen Philippa and many of her
+ladies crossed the Channel and joined her husband, and these added much to
+the gaiety of the life in camp. The garrison at Calais was, it was known,
+in the sorest straits for the want of food, and at last the news came that
+the King of France, with a huge army of 200,000 men, was moving to its
+relief. They had gathered at Hesdin, at which rendezvous the king had
+arrived in the early part of April; but it was not until the 27th of July
+that the whole army was collected, and marching by slow steps advanced
+towards the English position.
+
+King Edward had taken every precaution to guard all the approaches to the
+city.  The ground was in most places too soft and sandy to admit of the
+construction of defensive works; but the fleet was drawn up close inshore
+to cover the line of sand-hills by the sea with arrows and war machines,
+while the passages of the marshes, which extended for a considerable
+distance round the town, were guarded by the Earl of Lancaster and a body
+of chosen troops, while the other approaches to the city were covered by
+the English camp.
+
+The French reconnoitering parties found no way open to attack the English
+unless under grievous disadvantages.  The Cardinals of Tusculum, St. John,
+and St. Paul endeavoured to negotiate terms of peace, and commissioners on
+both sides met.  The terms offered by Phillip were, however, by no means so
+favourable as Edward, after his own victorious operations and those of his
+armies in Brittany and Guienne, had a right to expect and the negotiations
+were broken off.
+
+The following day the French king sent in a message to Edward saying that
+he had examined the ground in every direction in order to advance and give
+battle, but had found no means of doing so. He therefore summoned the king
+to come forth from the marshy ground in which he was encamped and to fight
+in the open plain; and he offered to send four French knights, who, with
+four English of the same rank, should choose a fair plain in the
+neighbourhood, according to the usages of chivalry. Edward had little over
+30,000 men with him; but the same evening that Phillip's challenge was
+received a body of 17,000 Flemings and English, detached from an army which
+had been doing good service on the borders of Flanders, succeeded in
+passing round the enemy's host and in effecting a junction with the king's
+army. Early the next morning, after having consulted with his officers,
+Edward returned an answer to the French king, saying that he agreed to his
+proposal, and enclosed a safe-conduct for any four French knights who might
+be appointed to arrange with the same number of English the place of
+battle.
+
+The odds were indeed enormous, the French being four to one; but Edward,
+after the success of Cressy, which had been won by the Black Prince's
+division, which bore a still smaller proportion to the force engaging it,
+might well feel confident in the valour of his troops. His envoys, on
+arriving at the French camp, found that Phillip had apparently changed his
+mind. He declined to discuss the matter with which they were charged, and
+spoke only of the terms upon which Edward would be willing to raise the
+siege of Calais.  As they had no authority on this subject the English
+knights returned to their camp, where the news was received with great
+disappointment, so confident did all feel in their power to defeat the huge
+host of the French. But even greater was the astonishment the next morning
+when, before daylight, the tents of the French were seen in one great
+flame, and it was found that the king and all his host were retreating at
+full speed. The Earls of Lancaster and Northampton, with a large body of
+horse at once started in pursuit, and harassed the retreating army on its
+march towards Amiens.
+
+No satisfactory reasons ever have been assigned for this extraordinary step
+on the part of the French king. He had been for months engaged in
+collecting a huge army, and he had now an opportunity of fighting the
+English in a fair field with a force four times as great as their own. The
+only means indeed of accounting for his conduct is by supposing him
+affected by temporary aberration of mind, which many other facts in his
+history render not improbable. The fits of rage so frequently recorded of
+him border upon madness, and a number of strange actions highly detrimental
+to his own interests which he committed can only be accounted for as the
+acts of a diseased mind. This view has been to some extent confirmed by the
+fact that less than half a century afterwards insanity declared itself
+among his descendants.
+
+A few hours after the departure of the French the French standard was
+lowered on the walls of Calais, and news was brought to Edward that the
+governor was upon the battlements and desired to speak with some officers
+of the besieging army.  Sir Walter Manny and Lord Bisset were sent to
+confer with him, and found that his object was to obtain the best terms he
+could.  The English knights, knowing the determination of the king on the
+subject, were forced to tell him that no possibility existed of conditions
+being granted, but that the king demanded their unconditional surrender,
+reserving to himself entirely the right whom to pardon and whom to put to
+death.
+
+The governor remonstrated on the severe terms, and said that rather than
+submit to them he and his soldiers would sally out and die sword in hand.
+Sir Walter Manny found the king inexorable. The strict laws of war in those
+days justified the barbarous practise of putting to death the garrison of a
+town captured under such circumstances. Calais had been for many years a
+nest of pirates, and vessels issuing from its port had been a scourge to
+the commerce of England and Flanders, and the king was fully determined to
+punish it severely. Sir Walter Manny interceded long and boldly, and
+represented to the king that none of his soldiers would willingly defend a
+town on his behalf from the day on which he put to death the people of
+Calais, as beyond doubt the French would retaliate in every succeeding
+siege. The other nobles and knights joined their entreaties to those of Sir
+Walter Manny, and the king finally consented to yield in some degree. He
+demanded that six of the most notable burghers of the town, with bare heads
+and feet, and with ropes about their necks and the keys of the fortress in
+their hands, should deliver themselves up for execution. On these
+conditions he agreed to spare the rest. With these terms Sir Walter Manny
+returned to Sir John of Vienne.
+
+The governor left the battlements, and proceeding to the market-place
+ordered the bell to be rung. The famished and despairing citizens gathered
+a haggard crowd to hear their doom. A silence followed the narration of the
+hard conditions of surrender by the governor, and sobs and cries alone
+broke the silence which succeeded. Then Eustace St.  Pierre, the wealthiest
+and most distinguished of the citizens, came forward and offered himself as
+one of the victims, saying, "Sad pity and shame would it be to let all of
+our fellow- citizens die of famine or the sword when means could be found
+to save them." John of Aire, James and Peter De Vissant, and another whose
+name has not come down to us, followed his example, and stripping to their
+shirts set out for the camp, Sir John of Vienne, who, from a late wound,
+was unable to walk, riding at their head on horseback. The whole population
+accompanied them weeping bitterly until they came to the place where Sir
+Walter Manny was awaiting them. Here the crowd halted, and the knight,
+promising to do his best to save them, led them to the tent where the king
+had assembled all his nobles around him. When the tidings came that the
+burghers of Calais had arrived, Edward issued out with his retinue,
+accompanied by Queen Philippa and the Black Prince.
+
+"Behold, Sire," Sir Walter Manny said, "the representatives of the town of
+Calais!"
+
+The king made no reply while John of Vienne surrendered his sword, and
+kneeling with the burghers, said, "Gentle lord and king; behold, we six who
+were once the greatest citizens and merchants of Calais, bring you the keys
+of the town and castle, and give ourselves up to your pleasure, placing
+ourselves in the state in which you see us by our own free-will to save the
+rest of the people of the city, who have already suffered many ills. We
+pray you, therefore, to have pity and mercy upon us for the sake of your
+high nobleness."
+
+All present were greatly affected at this speech, and at the aspect of men
+who thus offered their lives for their fellow-citizens. The king's
+countenance alone remained unchanged, and he ordered them to be taken to
+instant execution. Then Sir Walter Manny and all the nobles with tears
+besought the king to have mercy, not only for the sake of the citizens, but
+for that of his own fame, which would be tarnished by so cruel a deed.
+
+"Silence, Sir Walter!" cried the king. "Let the executioner be called. The
+men of Calais have put to death so many of my subjects that I will also put
+these men to death."
+
+At this moment Queen Philippa, who had been weeping bitterly, cast herself
+upon her knees before the king. "Oh, gentle lord," she cried, "since I have
+repassed the seas to see you I have neither asked or required anything at
+your hand; now, then, I pray you humbly, and require as a boon, that for
+the sake of the Son of Mary, and for the love of me, you take these men to
+mercy.
+
+The king stood for a moment in silence, and then said:
+
+"Ah! lady, I would that you had been other where than here; but you beg of
+me so earnestly I must not refuse you, though I grant your prayer with
+pain. I give them to you; take them, and do your will."
+
+Then the queen rose from her knees, and bidding the burghers rise, she
+caused clothing and food to be given them, and sent them away free.
+
+Sir Walter Manny, with a considerable body of men-at-arms, now took
+possession of the town of Calais. The anger of the king soon gave way to
+better feelings; all the citizens, without exception, were fed by his
+bounty. Such of them as preferred to depart instead of swearing fealty to
+the English monarch were allowed to carry away what effects they could bear
+upon their persons and were conducted in safety to the French town of
+Guisnes. Eustace de St. Pierre was granted almost all the possessions he
+had formerly held in Calais, and also a considerable pension; and he and
+all who were willing to remain were well and kindly treated. The number was
+large, for the natural indignation which they felt at their base desertion
+by the French king induced very many of the citizens to remain and become
+subjects of Edward. The king issued a proclamation inviting English traders
+and others to come across and take up their residence in Calais, bestowing
+upon them the houses and lands of the French who had left.  Very many
+accepted the invitation, and Calais henceforth and for some centuries
+became virtually an English town.
+
+A truce was now, through the exertions of the pope's legates, made between
+England and France, the terms agreed on being very similar to those of the
+previous treaty; and when all his arrangements were finished Edward
+returned with his queen to England, having been absent eighteen months,
+during which time almost unbroken success had attended his arms, and the
+English name had reached a position of respect and honour in the eyes of
+Europe far beyond that at which it previously stood.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII: THE BLACK DEATH
+
+
+
+The court at Westminster during the few months which followed the capture
+of Calais was the most brilliant in Europe. Tournaments and fetes followed
+each other in rapid succession, and to these knights came from all parts.
+So great was the reputation of King Edward that deputies came from Germany,
+where the throne was now vacant, to offer the crown of that kingdom to him.
+ The king declined the offer, for it would have been impossible indeed for
+him to have united the German crown with that of England, which he already
+held, and that of France, which he claimed.
+
+Some months after his return to England the Black Prince asked his father
+as a boon that the hand of his ward Edith Vernon should be bestowed upon
+the prince's brave follower Sir Walter Somers, and as Queen Philippa, in
+the name of the lady's mother, seconded the request, the king at once
+acceded to it. Edith was now sixteen, an age at which, in those days, a
+young lady was considered to be marriageable, and the wedding took place
+with great pomp and ceremony at Westminster; the king himself giving away
+the bride, and bestowing, as did the prince and Queen Philippa, many costly
+presents upon the young couple. After taking part in several of the
+tournaments, Walter went with his bride and Dame Vernon down to their
+estates, and were received with great rejoicing by the tenantry, the older
+of whom well remembered Walter's father and mother, and were rejoiced at
+finding that they were again to become the vassals of one of the old
+family. Dame Vernon was greatly loved by her tenantry; but the latter had
+looked forward with some apprehension to the marriage of the young heiress,
+as the character of the knight upon whom the king might bestow her hand
+would greatly affect the happiness and well being of his tenants.
+
+Sir James Carnegie had not returned to England after the fall of Calais; he
+perceived that he was in grave disfavour with the Black Prince, and
+guessed, as was the case, that some suspicion had fallen on him in
+reference to the attack upon Walter in the camp, and to the strange attempt
+which had been made to destroy him by Sir Phillip Holbeaut. He had,
+therefore, for a time taken service with the Count of Savoy, and was away
+from England, to the satisfaction of Walter and Dame Vernon, when the
+marriage took place; for he had given proofs of such a malignity of
+disposition that both felt, that although his succession to the estates was
+now hopelessly barred, yet that he might at any moment attempt some
+desperate deed to satisfy his feeling of disappointment and revenge.
+
+In spite of the gaiety of the court of King Edward a cloud hung over the
+kingdom; for it was threatened by a danger far more terrible than any
+combination of foes - a danger which no gallantry upon the part of her king
+or warriors availed anything. With a slow and terrible march the enemy was
+advancing from the East, where countless hosts had been slain. India,
+Arabia, Syria, and Armenia had been well-nigh depopulated. In no country
+which the dread foe had invaded had less than two-thirds of the population
+been slain; in some nine-tenths had perished. All sorts of portents were
+reported to have accompanied its appearance in the East; where it was said
+showers of serpents had fallen, strange and unknown insects had appeared in
+the atmosphere, and clouds of sulphurous vapour had issued from the earth
+and enveloped whole provinces and countries.  For two or three years the
+appearance of this scourge had been heralded by strange atmospheric
+disturbances; heavy rains and unusual floods, storms of thunder and
+lightning of unheard-of violence, hail-showers of unparalleled duration and
+severity, had everywhere been experienced, while in Italy and Germany
+violent earthquake shocks had been felt, and that at places where no
+tradition existed of previous occurrences of the same kind.
+
+From Asia it had spread to Africa and to Europe, affecting first the
+sea-shores and creeping inland by the course of the rivers. Greece first
+felt its ravages, and Italy was not long in experiencing them. In Venice
+more than 100,000 persons perished in a few months, and thence spreading
+over the whole peninsula, not a town escaped the visitation. At Florence
+60,000 people were carried off, and at Lucca and Genoa, in Sicily,
+Sardinia, and Corsica it raged with equal violence.  France was assailed by
+way of Provence, and Avignon suffered especially. Of the English college at
+that place not an individual was left, and 120 persons died in a single day
+in that small city. Paris lost upwards of 50,000 of its inhabitants, while
+90,000 were swept away in Lubeck, and 1,200,000 died within a year of its
+first appearance in Germany.
+
+In England the march of the pestilence westward was viewed with deep
+apprehension, and the approaching danger was brought home to the people by
+the death of the Princess Joan, the king's second daughter. She was
+affianced to Peter, the heir to the throne of Spain; and the bride, who had
+not yet accomplished her fourteenth year, was sent over to Bordeaux with
+considerable train of attendants in order to be united there to her
+promised husband.  Scarcely had she reached Bordeaux when she was attacked
+by the pestilence and died in a few hours. A few days later the news spread
+through the country that the disease had appeared almost simultaneously at
+several of the seaports in the south-west of England. Thence with great
+rapidity it spread through the kingdom; proceeding through Gloucestershire
+and Oxfordshire it broke out in London, and the ravages were no less severe
+than they had been on the Continent, the very lowest estimate being that
+two-thirds of the population were swept away. Most of those attacked died
+within a few hours of the seizure. If they survived for two days they
+generally rallied, but even then many fell into a state of coma from which
+they never awoke.
+
+No words can describe the terror and dismay caused by this the most
+destructive plague of which there is any record in history. No remedies
+were of the slightest avail against it; flight was impossible, for the
+loneliest hamlets suffered as severely as crowded towns, and frequently not
+a single survivor was left. Men met the pestilence in various moods:  the
+brave with fortitude, the pious with resignation, the cowardly and
+turbulent with outbursts of despair and fury.  Among the lower classes the
+wildest rumours gained credence. Some assigned the pestilence to
+witchcraft, others declared that the waters of the wells and streams had
+been poisoned. Serious riots occurred in many places, and great numbers of
+people fell victims to the fury of the mob under the suspicion of being
+connected in some way with the ravages of the pestilence. The Jews, ever
+the objects of popular hostility, engendered by ignorance and superstition,
+were among the chief sufferers. Bands of marauders wandered through the
+country plundering the houses left empty by the death of all their
+occupants, and from end to end death and suffering were universal.
+
+Although all classes had suffered heavily the ravages of the disease were,
+as is always the case, greater among the poor than among the rich, the
+insanitary conditions of their life, and their coarser and commoner food
+rendering them more liable to its influence; no rank, however, was
+exempted, and no less than three Archbishops of Canterbury were carried off
+in succession by the pestilence within a year of its appearance.
+
+During the months which succeeded his marriage Sir Walter Somers lived
+quietly and happily with his wife at Westerham. It was not until late in
+the year that the plague approached the neighbourhood. Walter had
+determined to await its approach there. He had paid a few short visits to
+the court, where every effort was made by continuous gaiety to keep up the
+spirits of the people and prevent them from brooding over the approaching
+pestilence; but when it was at hand Walter and his wife agreed that they
+would rather share the lot of their tenants, whom their presence and
+example might support and cheer in their need, than return to face it in
+London. One morning when they were at breakfast a frightened servant
+brought in the news that the disease had appeared in the village, that
+three persons had been taken ill on the previous night, that two had
+already died, and that several others had sickened.
+
+"The time has come, my children," Dame Vernon said calmly, "the danger so
+long foreseen is at hand, now let us face it as we agreed to do. It has
+been proved that flight is useless, since nowhere is there escape from the
+plague; here, at least, there shall be no repetition of the terrible scenes
+we have heard of elsewhere, where the living have fled in panic and allowed
+the stricken to die unattended. We have already agreed that we will set the
+example to our people by ourselves going down and administering to the
+sick."
+
+"It is hard," Walter said, rising and pacing up and down the room, "to let
+Edith go into it."
+
+"Edith will do just the same as you do," his wife said firmly. "Were it
+possible that all in this house might escape, there might be a motive for
+turning coward, but seeing that no household is spared, there is, as we
+agreed, greater danger in flying from the pestilence than facing it
+firmly."
+
+Walter sighed.
+
+"You are right," he said, "but it wrings my heart to see you place yourself
+in danger."
+
+"Were we out of danger here, Walter, it might be so," Edith replied gently;
+"but since there is no more safety in the castle than in the cottage, we
+must face death whether it pleases us or not, and it were best to do so
+bravely."
+
+"So be it," Walter said; "may the God of heaven watch over us all! Now,
+mother, do you and Edith busy yourselves in preparing broths, strengthening
+drinks, and medicaments.  I will go down at once to the village and see how
+matters stand there and who are in need. We have already urged upon all our
+people to face the danger bravely, and if die they must, to die bravely
+like Christians, and not like coward dogs. When you have prepared your
+soups and cordials come down and meet me in the village, bringing Mabel and
+Janet, your attendants, to carry the baskets."
+
+Ralph, who was now installed as major-domo in the castle, at once set out
+with Walter. They found the village in a state of panic. Women were sitting
+crying despairingly at their doors. Some were engaged in packing their
+belongings in carts preparatory to flight, some wandered aimlessly about
+wringing their hands, while others went to the church, whose bells were
+mournfully tolling the dirge of the departed.  Walter's presence soon
+restored something like order and confidence; his resolute tone cheered the
+timid and gave hope to the despairing.  Sternly he rebuked those preparing
+to fly, and ordered them instantly to replace their goods in their houses.
+Then he went to the priest and implored him to cause the tolling of the
+bell to cease.
+
+"There is enough," he said, "in the real danger present to appall even the
+bravest, and we need no bell to tell us that death is among us. The dismal
+tolling is enough to unnerve the stoutest heart, and if we ring for all who
+die its sounds will never cease while the plague is among us; therefore,
+father, I implore you to discontinue it. Let there be services held daily
+in the church, but I beseech you strive in your discourses to cheer the
+people rather than to depress them, and to dwell more upon the joys that
+await those who die as Christian men and women than upon the sorrows of
+those who remain behind. My wife and mother will anon be down in the
+village and will strive to cheer and comfort the people, and I look to you
+for aid in this matter."
+
+The priest, who was naturally a timid man, nevertheless nerved himself to
+carry out Walter's suggestions, and soon the dismal tones of the bell
+ceased to be heard in the village.
+
+Walter despatched messengers to all the outlying farms desiring his tenants
+to meet him that afternoon at the castle in order that measures might be
+concerted for common aid and assistance. An hour later Dame Vernon and
+Edith came down and visited all the houses where the plague had made its
+appearance, distributing their soups, and by cheering and comforting words
+raising the spirits of the relatives of the sufferers.
+
+The names of all the women ready to aid in the general work of nursing were
+taken down, and in the afternoon at the meeting at the castle the full
+arrangements were completed. Work was to be carried on as usual in order to
+occupy men's minds and prevent them from brooding over the ravages of the
+plague. Information of any case that occurred was to be sent to the castle,
+where soups and medicines were to be obtained. Whenever more assistance was
+required than could be furnished by the inmates of a house another woman
+was to be sent to aid. Boys were told off as messengers to fetch food and
+other matters as required from the castle.
+
+So, bravely and firmly, they prepared to meet the pestilence; it spread
+with terrible severity. Scarce a house which did not lose some of its
+inmates, while in others whole families were swept away. All day Walter and
+his wife and Dame Vernon went from house to house, and although they could
+do nothing to stem the progress of the pestilence, their presence and
+example supported the survivors and prevented the occurrence of any of the
+panic and disorder which in most places accompanied it.
+
+The castle was not exempt from the scourge. First some of the domestics
+were seized, and three men and four women died. Walter himself was
+attacked, but he took it lightly, and three days after the seizure passed
+into a state of convalescence. Dame Vernon was next attacked, and expired
+six hours after the commencement of the seizure.  Scarcely was Walter upon
+his feet than Ralph, who had not for a moment left his bedside, was seized,
+but he too, after being at death's door for some hours, turned the corner.
+Lastly Edith sickened.
+
+By this time the scourge had done its worst in the village, and
+three-fifths of the population had been swept away. All the male retainers
+in the castle had died, and the one female who survived was nursing her
+dying mother in the village.
+
+Edith's attack was a very severe one. Walter, alone now, for Ralph,
+although convalescent, had not yet left his bed, sat by his wife's bedside
+a prey to anxiety and grief; for although she had resisted the first attack
+she was now, thirty-six hours after it had seized her, fast sinking.
+Gradually her sight and power of speech faded, and she sank into the state
+of coma which was the prelude of death, and lay quiet and motionless,
+seeming as if life had already departed.  Suddenly Walter was surprised by
+the sound of many heavy feet ascending the stairs. He went out into the
+ante-room to learn the cause of this strange tumult, when five armed men,
+one of whom was masked, rushed into the room.  Walter caught up his sword
+from the table.
+
+"Ruffians," he exclaimed, "how dare you desecrate the abode of death?"
+
+Without a word the men sprang upon him. For a minute he defended himself
+against their attacks, but he was still weak, his guard was beaten down,
+and a blow felled him to the ground.
+
+"Now settle her," the masked man exclaimed, and the band rushed into the
+adjoining room. They paused, however, at the door at the sight of the
+lifeless figure on the couch.
+
+"We are saved that trouble," one said, "we have come too late."
+
+The masked figure approached the couch and bent over the figure.
+
+"Yes," he said, "she is dead, and so much the better."
+
+Then he returned with the others to Walter.
+
+"He breathes yet," he said. "He needs a harder blow than that you gave him
+to finish him. Let him lie here for a while, while you gather your booty
+together; then we will carry him off. There is scarcely a soul alive in the
+country round, and none will note us as we pass. I would not despatch him
+here, seeing that his body would be found with wounds upon it, and even in
+these times some inquiry might be made; therefore it were best to finish
+him elsewhere. When he is missed it will be supposed that he went mad at
+the death of his wife, and has wandered out and died, may be in the woods,
+or has drowned himself in a pond or stream.  Besides, I would that before
+he dies he should know what hand has struck the blow, and that my
+vengeance, which he slighted and has twice escaped, has overtaken him at
+last."
+
+After ransacking the principal rooms and taking all that was valuable, the
+band of marauders lifted the still insensible body of Walter, and carrying
+it down- stairs flung it across a horse. One of the ruffians mounted behind
+it, and the others also getting into their saddles the party rode away.
+
+They were mistaken, however, in supposing that the Lady Edith was dead. She
+was indeed very nigh the gates of death, and had it not been for the
+disturbance would assuredly have speedily entered them. The voice of her
+husband raised in anger, the clash of steel, followed by the heavy fall,
+had awakened her deadened brain. Consciousness had at once returned to her,
+but as yet no power of movement.  As at a great distance she had heard the
+words of those who entered her chamber, and had understood their import.
+More and more distinctly she heard their movements about the room as they
+burst open her caskets and appropriated her jewels, but it was not until
+silence was restored that the gathering powers of life asserted themselves;
+then with a sudden rush the blood seemed to course through her veins, her
+eyes opened, and her tongue was loosed, and with a scream she sprang up and
+stood by the side of her bed.
+
+Sustained as by a supernatural power she hurried into the next room. A pool
+of blood on the floor showed her that what she had heard had not been a
+dream or the fiction of a disordered brain. Snatching up a cloak of her
+husband's which lay on a couch, she wrapped it round her, and with hurried
+steps made her way along the passages until she reached the apartment
+occupied by Ralph. The latter sprang up in bed with a cry of astonishment.
+He had heard but an hour before from Walter that all hope was gone, and
+thought for an instant that the appearance was an apparition from the dead.
+ The ghastly pallor of the face, the eyes burning with a strange light, the
+flowing hair, and disordered appearance of the girl might well have alarmed
+one living in even less superstitious times, and Ralph began to cross
+himself hastily and to mutter a prayer when recalled to himself by the
+sound of Edith's voice.
+
+"Quick, Ralph!" she said, "arise and clothe yourself.  Hasten, for your
+life. My lord's enemies have fallen upon him and wounded him grievously,
+even if they have not slain him, and have carried him away. They would have
+slain me also had they not thought I was already dead. Arise and mount,
+summon everyone still alive in the village, and follow these murderers. I
+will pull the alarm-bell of the castle."
+
+Ralph sprang from his bed as Edith left. He had heard the sound of many
+footsteps in the knight's apartments, but had deemed them those of the
+priest and his acolytes come to administer the last rites of the church to
+his dying mistress.  Rage and anxiety for his master gave strength to his
+limbs.  He threw on a few clothes and rushed down to the stables, where the
+horses stood with great piles of forage and pails of water before them,
+placed there two days before, by Walter when their last attendant died.
+Without waiting to saddle it, Ralph sprang upon the back of one of the
+animals, and taking the halters of four others started at a gallop down to
+the village.
+
+His news spread like wild fire, for the ringing of the alarm-bell of the
+castle had drawn all to their doors and prepared them for something
+strange. Some of the men had already taken their arms and were making their
+way up to the castle when they met Ralph. There were but five men in the
+village who had altogether escaped the pestilence; others had survived its
+attacks, but were still weak.  Horses there were in plenty. The five men
+mounted at once, with three others who, though still weak, were able to
+ride.
+
+So great was the excitement that seven women who had escaped the disease
+armed themselves with their husbands' swords and leaped on horseback,
+declaring that, women though they were, they would strike a blow for their
+beloved lord, who had been as an angel in the village during the plague.
+Thus it was scarcely more than ten minutes after the marauders had left the
+castle before a motley band, fifteen strong, headed by Ralph, rode off in
+pursuit, while some of the women of the village hurried up to the castle to
+comfort Edith with the tidings that the pursuit had already commenced.
+Fortunately a lad in the fields had noticed the five men ride away from the
+castle, and was able to point out the direction they had taken.
+
+At a furious gallop Ralph and his companions tore across the country. Mile
+after mile was passed. Once or twice they gained news from labourers in the
+field of the passage of those before them, and knew that they were on the
+right track.  They had now entered a wild and sparsely inhabited country.
+It was broken and much undulated, so that although they knew that the band
+they were pursuing were but a short distance ahead they had not yet caught
+sight of them, and they hoped that, having no reason to dread any immediate
+pursuit, these would soon slacken their pace. This expectation was
+realized, for on coming over a brow they saw the party halted at a
+turf-burner's cottage in the hollow below. Three of the men had dismounted;
+two of them were examining the hoof of one of the horses, which had
+apparently cast a shoe or trodden upon a stone. Ralph had warned his party
+to make no sound when they came upon the fugitives. The sound of the
+horses' hoofs was deadened by the turf, and they were within a hundred
+yards of the marauders before they were perceived; then Ralph uttered a
+shout and brandishing their swords the party rode down at a headlong
+gallop.
+
+The dismounted men leaped to their saddles and galloped off at full speed,
+but their pursuers were now close upon them. Ralph and two of his
+companions, who were mounted upon Walter's best horses, gained upon them at
+every stride. Two of them were overtaken and run through.
+
+The man who bore Walter before him, finding himself being rapidly
+overtaken, threw his burden on to the ground just as the leader of the
+party had checked his horse and was about to deliver a sweeping blow at the
+insensible body.
+
+With a curse at his follower for ridding himself of it, he again galloped
+on.  The man's act was unavailing to save himself, for he was overtaken and
+cut down before he had ridden many strides; then Ralph and his party
+instantly reined up to examine the state of Walter, and the two survivors
+of the band of murderers continued their flight unmolested.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX: BY LAND AND SEA
+
+
+Walter was raised from the ground, water was fetched from the cottage, and
+the blood washed from his head by Ralph, aided by two of the women.  It had
+at once been seen that he was still living, and Ralph on examining the
+wound joyfully declared that no great harm was done.
+
+"Had Sir Walter been strong and well," he said, "such a clip as this would
+not have knocked him from his feet, but he would have answered it with a
+blow such as I have often seen him give in battle; but he was but barely
+recovering and was as weak as a girl. He is unconscious from loss of blood
+and weakness. I warrant me that when he opens his eyes and hears that the
+lady Edith has risen from her bed and came to send me to his rescue, joy
+will soon bring the blood into his cheeks again. Do one of you run to the
+hut and see if they have any cordial waters; since the plague has been
+raging there are few houses but have laid in a provision in case the
+disease should seize them."
+
+The man soon returned with a bottle of cordial water compounded of
+rosemary, lavender, and other herbs. By this time Walter had opened his
+eyes. The cordial was poured down his throat, and he was presently able to
+speak.
+
+"Be of good cheer, Sir Walter," Ralph said; "three of your rascally
+assailants lie dead, and the other two have fled; but I have better news
+still for you.  Lady Edith, who you told me lay unconscious and dying, has
+revived. The din of the conflict seems to have reached her ears and
+recalled her to life, and the dear lady came to my room with the news that
+you were carried off, and then, while I was throwing on my clothes, roused
+the village to your assistance by ringing the alarm-bell. Rarely frightened
+I was when she came in, for methought at first it was her spirit."
+
+The good news, as Ralph had predicted, effectually roused Walter, and
+rising to his feet he declared himself able to mount and ride back at once.
+ Ralph tried to persuade him to wait until they had formed a litter of
+boughs, but Walter would not allow it.
+
+"I would not tarry an instant," he said, "for Edith will be full of anxiety
+until I return. Why, Ralph, do you think that I am a baby? Why, you
+yourself were but this morning unable to walk across the room, and here you
+have been galloping and fighting on my behalf."
+
+"In faith," Ralph said, smiling, "until now I had forgotten that I had been
+ill."
+
+"You have saved my life, Ralph, you and my friends here, whom I thank with
+all my heart for what they have done. I will speak more to them another
+time, now I must ride home with all speed."
+
+Walter now mounted; Ralph took his place on one side of him, and one of his
+tenants on the other, lest he should be seized with faintness; then at a
+hand- gallop they started back for the castle. Several women of the village
+had, when they left, hurried up to the castle. They found Edith lying
+insensible by the rope of the alarm-bell, having fainted when she had
+accomplished her object.  They presently brought her round; as she was now
+suffering only from extreme weakness, she was laid on a couch, and cordials
+and some soup were given to her.  One of the women took her place at the
+highest window to watch for the return of any belonging to the expedition.
+
+
+
+Edith felt hopeful as to the result, for she thought that their assailants
+would not have troubled to carry away the body of Walter had not life
+remained in it, and she was sure that Ralph would press them so hotly that
+sooner or later the abductors would be overtaken.
+
+An hour and a half passed, and then the woman from above ran down with the
+news that she could see three horsemen galloping together towards the
+castle, with a number of others following in confused order behind.
+
+"Then they have found my lord," Edith exclaimed joyfully, "for Ralph would
+assuredly not return so quickly had they not done so. It's a good sign that
+they are galloping, for had they been bearers of ill news they would have
+returned more slowly; look out again and see if they are bearing one among
+them."
+
+The woman, with some of her companions, hastened away, and in two or three
+minutes ran down with the news that Sir Walter himself was one of the three
+leading horsemen.  In a few minutes Edith was clasped in her husband's
+arms, and their joy, restored as they were from the dead to each other, was
+indeed almost beyond words.
+
+The plague now abated fast in Westerham, only two or three more persons
+being attacked by it. As soon as Edith was sufficiently recovered to travel
+Walter proceeded with her to London and there laid before the king and
+prince a complaint against Sir James Carnegie for his attempt upon their
+lives. Even in the trance in which she lay, Edith had recognized the voice
+which had once been so familiar to her.  Walter, too, was able to testify
+against him, for the rough jolting on horseback had for a while restored
+his consciousness, and he had heard words spoken, before relapsing into
+insensibility from the continued bleeding of his wound, which enabled him
+to swear to Sir James Carnegie as one of his abductors.
+
+The king instantly ordered the arrest of the knight, but he could not be
+found; unavailing search was made in every direction, and as nothing could
+be heard of him it was concluded that he had left the kingdom. He was
+proclaimed publicly a false and villainous knight, his estates were
+confiscated to the crown, and he himself was outlawed. Then Walter and his
+wife returned home and did their best to assist their tenants in struggling
+through the difficulties entailed through the plague.
+
+So terrible had been the mortality that throughout England there was a lack
+of hands for field work, crops rotted in the ground because there were none
+to harvest them, and men able to work demanded twenty times the wages which
+had before been paid. So great was the trouble from this source that an
+ordinance was passed by parliament enacting that severe punishment should
+be dealt upon all who demanded wages above the standard price, and even
+more severe penalties inflicted upon those who should consent to pay higher
+wages. It was, however, many years before England recovered from the
+terrible blow which had been dealt her from the pestilence.
+
+While Europe had been ravaged by pestilence the adherents of France and
+England had continued their struggle in Brittany in spite of the terms of
+the truce, and this time King Edward was the first open aggressor, granting
+money and assistance to the free companies, who pillaged and plundered in
+the name of England. The truce expired at the end of 1348, but was
+continued for short periods. It was, however, evident that both parties
+were determined ere long to recommence hostilities. The French collected
+large forces in Artois and Picardy, and Edward himself proceeded to
+Sandwich to organize there another army for the invasion of France.
+
+Phillip determined to strike the first blow, and, before the conclusion of
+the truce, to regain possession of Calais.  This town was commanded by a
+Lombard officer named Almeric of Pavia. Free communication existed, in
+consequence of the truce, between Calais and the surrounding country, and
+Jeffrey de Charny, the governor of St. Omer, and one of the commissioners
+especially appointed to maintain the truce, opened communications with the
+Lombard captain. Deeming that like most mercenaries he would be willing to
+change sides should his interest to do so be made clear, he offered him a
+large sum of money to deliver the castle to the French.
+
+The Lombard at once agreed to the project. Jeffrey de Charny arranged to be
+within a certain distance of the town on the night of the 1st of January,
+bringing with him sufficient forces to master all opposition if the way was
+once opened to the interior of the town. It was further agreed that the
+money was to be paid over by a small party of French who were to be sent
+forward for the purpose of examining the castle, in order to ensure the
+main body against treachery. As a hostage for the security of the
+detachment, the son of the governor was to remain in the hands of the
+French without, until the safe return of the scouting party.
+
+Several weeks elapsed between the conclusion of the agreement and the date
+fixed for its execution, and in the meantime the Lombard, either from
+remorse or from a fear of the consequences which might arise from a
+detection of the plot before its execution, or from the subsequent
+vengeance of the English king, disclosed the whole transaction to Edward.
+
+
+The king bade him continue to carry out his arrangements with De Charny,
+leaving it to him to counteract the plot. Had he issued orders for the
+rapid assembly of the army the French would have taken alarm. He therefore
+sent private messengers to a number of knights and gentlemen of Kent and
+Sussex to meet him with their retainers at Dover on the 31st of December.
+
+
+Walter was one of those summoned, and although much surprised at the
+secrecy with which he was charged, and of such a call being made while the
+truce with France still existed, he repaired to Dover on the day named,
+accompanied by Ralph and by twenty men, who were all who remained capable
+of bearing arms on the estate.
+
+He found the king himself with the Black Prince at Dover, where they had
+arrived that day. Sir Walter Manny was in command of the force, which
+consisted in all of 300 men-at-arms and 600 archers. A number of small
+boats had been collected, and at midday on the 1st of January the little
+expedition started, and arrived at Calais after nightfall.
+
+In the chivalrous spirit of the times the king determined that Sir Walter
+Manny should continue in command of the enterprise; he and the Black
+Prince, disguised as simple knights, fighting under his banner.
+
+In the meantime a considerable force had been collected at St. Omer, where
+a large number of knights and gentlemen obeyed the summons of Jeffrey de
+Charny.  On the night appointed they marched for Calais, in number five
+hundred lances and a corresponding number of footmen. They reached the
+river and bridge of Nieullay a little after midnight, and messengers were
+sent on to the governor, who was prepared to receive them. On their report
+De Charny advanced still nearer to the town, leaving the bridge and
+passages to the river guarded by a large body of crossbow-men under the
+command of the Lord De Fiennes and a number of other knights. At a little
+distance from the castle he was met by Almeric de Pavia, who yielded his
+son as a hostage according to his promise, calculating, as was the case,
+that he would be recaptured by the English. Then, having received the
+greater portion of the money agreed upon, he led a party of the French over
+the castle to satisfy them of his sincerity. Upon receiving their report
+that all was quiet De Charny detached twelve knights and a hundred men-
+at-arms to take possession of the castle, while he himself waited at one of
+the gates of the town with the principal portion of his force.
+
+No sooner had the French entered the castle than the drawbridge was raised.
+ The English soldiers poured out from their places of concealment, and the
+party which had entered the castle were forced to lay down their arms. In
+the meantime the Black Prince issued with a small body of troops from a
+gate near the sea, while De Manny, with the king under his banner, marched
+by the sally-port which led into the fields.  A considerable detachment of
+the division was despatched to dislodge the enemy at the bridge of
+Nieullay, and the rest, joining the party of the Black Prince, advanced
+rapidly upon the forces of Jeffrey de Charny which, in point of numbers,
+was double their own strength.
+
+Although taken in turn by surprise the French prepared steadily for the
+attack.  De Charny ordered them all to dismount and to shorten their lances
+to pikes five feet in length. The English also dismounted and rushing
+forward on foot a furious contest commenced. The ranks of both parties were
+soon broken in the darkness, and the combatants separating into groups a
+number of separate battles raged around the different banners.
+
+For some hours the fight was continued with unabating obstinacy on both
+sides.  The king and the Black Prince fought with immense bravery, their
+example encouraging even those of their soldiers who were ignorant of the
+personality of the knights who were everywhere in front of the combat. King
+Edward himself several times crossed swords with the famous Eustace de
+Ribaumont, one of the most gallant knights in France. At length towards
+daybreak the king, with only thirty companions, found himself again opposed
+to De Ribaumont with a greatly superior force, and the struggle was renewed
+between them.
+
+Twice the king was beaten down on one knee by the thundering blows of the
+French knight, twice he rose and renewed the attack, until De Charny,
+seeing Sir Walter Manny's banner, beside which Edward fought, defended by
+so small a force, also bore down to the attack, and in the struggle Edward
+was separated from his opponent.
+
+The combat now became desperate round the king, and Sir Guy Brian, who bore
+De Manny's standard, though one of the strongest and most gallant knights
+of the day, could scarce keep the banner erect. Still Edward fought on, and
+in the excitement of the moment, forgetting his incognito, he accompanied
+each blow with his customary war-cry - "Edward, St. George! Edward, St.
+George!" At that battle-cry, which told the French men-at-arms that the
+King of England was himself opposed to them, they recoiled for a moment.
+The shout too reached the ears of the Prince of Wales, who had been
+fighting with another group. Calling his knights around him he fell upon
+the rear of De Charny's party and quickly cleared a space around the king.
+
+
+The fight was now everywhere going against the French, and the English
+redoubling their efforts the victory was soon complete, and scarcely one
+French knight left the ground alive and free. In the struggle Edward again
+encountered De Ribaumont, who, separated from him by the charge of De
+Charny, had not heard the king's war-cry. The conflict between them was a
+short one. The French knight saw that almost all his companions were dead
+or captured, his party completely defeated, and all prospects of escape cut
+off. He therefore soon dropped the point of his sword and surrendered to
+his unknown adversary. In the meantime the troops which had been despatched
+to the bridge of Nieullay had defeated the French forces left to guard the
+passage and clear the ground towards St. Omer.
+
+Early in the morning Edward entered Calais in triumph, taking with him
+thirty French nobles as prisoners, while two hundred more remained dead on
+the field.  That evening a great banquet was held, at which the French
+prisoners were present. The king presided at the banquet, and the French
+nobles were waited upon by the Black Prince and his knights.  After the
+feast was concluded the king bestowed on De Ribaumont the chaplet of pearls
+which he wore round his crown, hailing him as the most gallant of the
+knights who had that day fought, and granting him freedom to return at once
+to his friends, presenting him with two horses, and a purse to defray his
+expenses to the nearest French town.
+
+De Charny was afterwards ransomed, and after his return to France assembled
+a body of troops and attacked the castle which Edward had bestowed upon
+Almeric of Pavia, and capturing the Lombard, carried him to St. Omer, and
+had him there publicly flayed alive as a punishment for his treachery.
+
+Walter had as usual fought by the side of the Prince of Wales throughout
+the battle of Calais and had much distinguished himself for his valour.
+Ralph was severely wounded in the fight, but was able a month later to
+rejoin Walter in England.
+
+The battle of Calais and the chivalrous bearing of the king created great
+enthusiasm and delight in England, and did much to rouse the people from
+the state of grief into which they had been cast by the ravages of the
+plague. The king did his utmost to maintain the spirit which had been
+evoked, and the foundation of the order of the Garter, and the erection of
+a splendid chapel at Windsor, and its dedication, with great ceremony, to
+St. George, the patron saint of England, still further raised the renown of
+the court of Edward throughout Europe as the centre of the chivalry of the
+age.
+
+Notwithstanding many treaties which had taken place, and the near alliance
+which had been well-nigh carried out between the royal families of England
+and Spain, Spanish pirates had never ceased to carry on a series of
+aggressions upon the English vessels trading in the Bay of Biscay. Ships
+were every day taken, and the crews cruelly butchered in cold blood.
+Edward's remonstrances proved vain, and when threats of retaliation were
+held out by Edward, followed by preparations to carry those threats into
+effect, Pedro the Cruel, who had now succeeded to the throne of Spain,
+despatched strong reinforcements to the fleet which had already swept the
+English Channel.
+
+The great Spanish fleet sailed north, and capturing on its way a number of
+English merchantmen, put into Sluys, and prepared to sail back in triumph
+with the prizes and merchandise it had captured. Knowing, however, that
+Edward was preparing to oppose them, the Spaniards filled up their
+complement of men, strengthened themselves by all sorts of the war machines
+then in use, and started on their return for Spain with one of the most
+powerful armadas that had ever put to sea.
+
+Edward had collected on the coast of Sussex a fleet intended to oppose
+them, and had summoned all the military forces of the south of England to
+accompany him; and as soon as he heard that the Spaniards were about to put
+to sea he set out for Winchelsea, where the fleet was collected.
+
+The queen accompanied him to the sea-coast, and the Black Prince, now in
+his twentieth year, was appointed to command one of the largest of the
+English vessels.
+
+The fleet put to sea when they heard that the Spaniards had started, and
+the hostile fleets were soon in sight of each other. The number of fighting
+men on board the Spanish ships was ten times those of the English, and
+their vessels were of vastly superior size and strength. They had,
+moreover, caused their ships to be fitted at Sluys with large wooden
+towers, which furnished a commanding position to their crossbow-men. The
+wind was direct in their favour, and they could have easily avoided the
+contest, but, confiding in their enormously superior force, they sailed
+boldly forward to the attack.
+
+The king himself led the English line, and directing his vessel towards a
+large Spanish ship, endeavoured to run her down. The shock was tremendous,
+but the enemy's vessel was stronger as well as larger than that of the
+king; and as the two ships recoiled from each other it was found that the
+water was rushing into the English vessel, and that she was rapidly
+sinking. The Spanish passed on in the confusion, but the king ordered his
+ship to be instantly laid alongside another which was following her, and to
+be firmly lashed to her. Then with his knights he sprang on board the
+Spaniard, and after a short but desperate fight cut down or drove the crew
+overboard. The royal standard was hoisted on the prize, the sinking English
+vessel was cast adrift, and the king sailed on to attack another adversary.
+
+
+
+The battle now raged on all sides. The English strove to grapple with and
+board the enemy, while the Spaniards poured upon them a shower of bolts and
+quarrels from their cross-bows, hurled immense masses of stone from their
+military engines, and, as they drew alongside, cast into them heavy bars of
+iron, which pierced holes in the bottom of the ship.
+
+Walter was on board the ship commanded by the Black Prince. This had been
+steered towards one of the largest and most important of the Spanish
+vessels. As they approached, the engines poured their missiles into them.
+Several great holes were torn in the sides of the ship, which was already
+sinking as she came alongside her foe.
+
+"We must do our best, Sir Walter," the prince exclaimed, "for if we do not
+capture her speedily our ship will assuredly sink beneath our feet."
+
+The Spaniard stood far higher above the water than the English ship, and
+the Black Prince and his knights in vain attempted to climb her sides,
+while the seamen strove with pumps and buckets to keep the vessel afloat.
+Every effort was in vain. The Spaniard's men-at-arms lined the bulwarks,
+and repulsed every effort made by the English to climb up them, while those
+on the towers rained down showers of bolts and arrows and masses of iron
+and stone.  The situation was desperate when the Earl of Lancaster, passing
+by in his ship, saw the peril to which the prince was exposed, and, ranging
+up on the other side of the Spaniard, strove to board her there. The
+attention of the Spaniards being thus distracted, the prince and his
+companions made another desperate effort, and succeeded in winning their
+way on to the deck of the Spanish ship just as their own vessel sank
+beneath their feet; after a few minutes' desperate fighting the Spanish
+ship was captured.
+
+The English were now everywhere getting the best of their enemies. Many of
+the Spanish vessels had been captured or sunk, and after the fight had
+raged for some hours, the rest began to disperse and seek safety in flight.
+  The English vessel commanded by Count Robert of Namur had towards night
+engaged a Spanish vessel of more than twice its own strength. His
+adversaries, seeing that the day was lost, set all sail, but looking upon
+the little vessel beside them as a prey to be taken possession of at their
+leisure, they fastened it tightly to their sides by the grappling irons,
+and spreading all sail, made away. The Count and his men were unable to
+free themselves, and were being dragged away, when a follower of the count
+named Hennekin leapt suddenly on board the Spanish ship.  With a bound he
+reached the mast, and with a single blow with his sword cut the halyards
+which supported the main-sail. The sail fell at once. The Spaniards rushed
+to the spot to repair the disaster which threatened to delay their ship.
+The count and his followers, seeing the bulwarks of the Spanish vessel for
+the moment unguarded, poured in, and after a furious conflict captured the
+vessel.  By this time twenty-four of the enemy's vessels had been taken,
+the rest were either sunk or in full flight, and Edward at once returned to
+the English shore.
+
+The fight had taken place within sight of land, and Queen Philippa, from
+the windows of the abbey, which stood on rising ground, had seen the
+approach of the vast Spanish fleet, and had watched the conflict until
+night fell. She remained in suspense as to the result until the king
+himself with the Black Prince and Prince John, afterwards known as John of
+Gaunt, who, although but ten years of age, had accompanied the Black Prince
+in his ship, rode up with the news of the victory.
+
+This great sea-fight was one of the brightest and most honourable in the
+annals of English history, for not even in the case of that other great
+Spanish Armada which suffered defeat in English waters were the odds so
+immense or the victory so thorough and complete. The result of the fight
+was, that after some negotiations a truce of twenty years was concluded
+with Spain.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX: POITIERS
+
+
+After the great sea-fight at the end of August, 1350, England had peace for
+some years. Phillip of France had died a week before that battle, and had
+been succeeded by his son John, Duke of Normandy. Upon the part of both
+countries there was an indisposition to renew the war, for their power had
+been vastly crippled by the devastations of the plague. This was followed
+by great distress and scarcity owing to the want of labour to till the
+fields.  The truce was therefore continued from time to time; the pope
+strove to convert the truce into a permanent peace, and on the 28th of
+August, 1354, a number of the prelates and barons of England, with full
+power to arrange terms of peace, went to Avignon, where they were met by
+the French representatives. The powers committed to the English
+commissioners show that Edward was at this time really desirous of making a
+permanent peace with France; but the French ambassadors raised numerous and
+unexpected difficulties, and after lengthened negotiations the conference
+was broken off.
+
+The truce came to an end in June, 1355, and great preparations were made on
+both sides for the war. The King of England strained every effort to
+furnish and equip an army which was to proceed with the Black Prince to
+Aquitaine, of which province his father had appointed him governor, and in
+November the Prince sailed for Bordeaux, with the advance-guard of his
+force. Sir Walter Somers accompanied him. During the years which had passed
+since the plague he had resided principally upon his estates, and had the
+satisfaction of seeing that his tenants escaped the distress which was
+general through the country. He had been in the habit of repairing to
+London to take part in the tournaments and other festivities; but both he
+and Edith preferred the quiet country life to a continued residence at
+court. Two sons had now been born to him, and fond as he was of the
+excitement and adventure of war, it was with deep regret that he obeyed the
+royal summons, and left his house with his retainers, consisting of twenty
+men-at-arms and thirty archers, to join the prince.
+
+Upon the Black Prince's landing at Bordeaux he was joined by the Gascon
+lords, the vassals of the English crown, and for three months marched
+through and ravaged the districts adjoining, the French army, although
+greatly superior in force, offering no effectual resistance. Many towns
+were taken, and he returned at Christmas to Bordeaux after a campaign
+attended by a series of unbroken successes.
+
+The following spring the war recommenced, and a diversion was effected by
+the Duke of Lancaster, who was in command of Brittany, joining his forces
+with those of the King of Navarre, and many of the nobles of Normandy,
+while King Edward crossed to Calais and kept a portion of the French army
+occupied there. The Black Prince, leaving the principal part of his forces
+under the command of the Earl of Albret to guard the territory already
+acquired against the attack of the French army under the Count of Armagnac,
+marched with 2000 picked men-at-arms and 6000 archers into Auvergne, and
+thence turning into Berry, marched to the gates of Bourges.
+
+The King of France was now thoroughly alarmed, and issued a general call to
+all his vassals to assemble on the Loire.  The Prince of Wales, finding
+immense bodies of men closing in around him, fell back slowly, capturing
+and levelling to the ground the strong castle of Romorentin.
+
+The King of France was now hastening forward, accompanied by his four sons,
+140 nobles with banners, 20,000 men-at-arms, and an immense force of
+infantry. Vast accessions of forces joined him each day, and on the 17th of
+September he occupied a position between the Black Prince and Guienne. The
+first intimation that either the Black Prince or the King of France had of
+their close proximity to each other was an accidental meeting between a
+small foraging force of the English and three hundred French horse, under
+the command of the Counts of Auxerre and Joigny, the marshal of Burgundy,
+and the lord of Chatillon.  The French hotly pursued the little English
+party, and on emerging from some low bushes found themselves in the midst
+of the English camp, where all were taken prisoners.  From them the Black
+Prince learned that the King of France was within a day's march.
+
+The Prince despatched the Captal de Buch with 200 men-at-arms to
+reconnoitre the force and position of the enemy, and these coming upon the
+rear of the French army just as they were about to enter Poitiers, dashed
+among them and took some prisoners. The King of France thus first learned
+that the enemy he was searching for was actually six miles in his rear. The
+Captal de Buch and his companions returned to the Black Prince, and
+confirmed the information obtained from the prisoners, that the King of
+France, with an army at least eight times as strong as his own, lay between
+him and Poitiers.
+
+The position appeared well-nigh desperate, but the prince and his most
+experienced knights at once reconnoitered the country to choose the best
+ground upon which to do battle. An excellent position was chosen. It
+consisted of rising ground commanding the country towards Poitiers, and
+naturally defended by the hedges of a vineyard.  It was only accessible
+from Poitiers by a sunken road flanked by banks and fences, and but wide
+enough to admit of four horsemen riding abreast along it. The ground on
+either side of this hollow way was rough and broken so as to impede the
+movements even of infantry, and to render the maneuvers of a large body of
+cavalry nearly impracticable. On the left of the position was a little
+hamlet called Maupertuis. Here on the night of Saturday the 17th of
+September the prince encamped, and early next morning made his dispositions
+for the battle. His whole force was dismounted and occupied the high
+ground, a strong body of archers lined the hedges on either side of the
+sunken road; the main body of archers were drawn up in their usual
+formation on the hillside, their front covered by the hedge of the
+vineyard, while behind them the men-at-arms were drawn up.
+
+The King of France divided his army into three divisions, each consisting
+of 16,000 mounted men-at-arms besides infantry, commanded respectively by
+the Duke of Orleans, the king's brother, the dauphin, and the king himself.
+ With the two royal princes were the most experienced of the French
+commanders. In the meantime De Ribaumont, with three other French knights,
+reconnoitered the English position, and on their return with their report
+strongly advised that as large bodies of cavalry would be quite useless
+owing to the nature of the ground, the whole force should dismount except
+300 picked men designed to break the line of English archers and a small
+body of German horse to act as a reserve.
+
+Just as the King of France was about to give orders for the advance, the
+Cardinal of Perigord arrived in his camp, anxious to stop, if possible, the
+effusion of blood. He hurried to the King of France.
+
+"You have here, sire," he said, "the flower of all the chivalry of your
+realm assembled against a mere handful of English, and it will be far more
+honourable and profitable for you to have them in your power without battle
+than to risk such a noble array in uncertain strife. I pray you, then, in
+the name of God, to let me ride on to the Prince of Wales, to show him his
+peril, and to exhort him to peace."
+
+"Willingly, my lord," the king replied; "but above all things be quick."
+
+The cardinal at once hastened to the English camp; he found the Black
+Prince in the midst of his knights ready for battle, but by no means
+unwilling to listen to proposals for peace. His position was indeed most
+perilous. In his face was an enormously superior army, and he was moreover
+threatened by famine; even during the two preceding days his army had
+suffered from a great scarcity of forage, and its provisions were almost
+wholly exhausted. The French force was sufficiently numerous to blockade
+him in his camp, and he knew that did they adopt that course he must
+surrender unconditionally, since were he forced to sally out and attack the
+French no valour could compensate for the immense disparity of numbers. He
+therefore replied at once to the cardinal's application, that he was ready
+to listen to any terms by which his honour and that of his companions would
+be preserved.
+
+The cardinal returned to the King of France and with much entreaty
+succeeded in obtaining a truce until sunrise on the following morning. The
+soldiers returned to their tents, and the cardinal rode backward and
+forward between the armies, beseeching the King of France to moderate his
+demands, and the Black Prince to submit to the evil fortune which had
+befallen him; but on the one side the king looked upon the victory as
+certain, and on the other the Black Prince thought that there was at least
+a hope of success should the French attack him. All, therefore, that the
+cardinal could obtain from him was an offer to resign all he had captured
+in his expedition, towns, castles, and prisoners, and to take an oath not
+to bear arms against France for seven years. This proposal fell so far
+short of the demands of the French king that pacification soon appeared
+hopeless.
+
+Early on the Monday morning the cardinal once more sought the presence of
+the French king, but found John inflexible; while some of the leaders who
+had viewed with the strongest disapproval his efforts to snatch what they
+regarded as certain victory from their hands, gave him a peremptory warning
+not to show himself again in their lines.  The prelate then bore the news
+of his failure to the Prince of Wales. "Fair son," he said, "do the best
+you can, for you must needs fight, as I can find no means of peace or
+amnesty with the King of France."
+
+"Be it so, good father," the prince replied, "it is our full resolve to
+fight, and God will aid the right."
+
+The delay which had occurred had not been without advantages for the
+British army, although the shortness of provisions was greatly felt. Every
+effort had been made to strengthen the position. Deep trenches had been dug
+and palisades erected around it, and the carts and baggage train had all
+been moved round so as to form a protection on the weakest side of the
+camp, where also a rampart had been constructed.
+
+Upon a careful examination of the ground it was found that the hill on the
+right side of the camp was less difficult than had been supposed, and that
+the dismounted men-at-arms who lay at its foot under the command of the
+Dauphin would find little difficulty in climbing it to the assault. The
+prince therefore gave orders that 300 men-at-arms and 300 mounted archers
+should make a circuit from the rear round the base of the hill, in order to
+pour in upon the flank of the Dauphin's division as soon as they became
+disordered in the ascent. The nature of the ground concealed this maneuver
+from the enemies' view, and the Captal De Buch, who was in command of the
+party, gained unperceived the cover of a wooded ravine within a few hundred
+yards of the left flank of the enemy. By the time that all these
+dispositions were complete the huge French array was moving forward. The
+Black Prince, surrounded by his knights, viewed them approaching.
+
+"Fair lords," he said, "though we be so few against that mighty power of
+enemies, let us not be dismayed, for strength and victory lie not in
+multitudes, but in those to whom God give them. If He will the day be ours,
+then the highest glory of this world will be given to us. If we die, I have
+the noble lord, my father, and two fair brothers, and you have each of you
+many a good friend who will avenge us well; thus, then, I pray you fight
+well this day, and if it please God and St.  George I will also do the part
+of a good knight."
+
+The prince then chose Sir John Chandos and Sir James Audley to remain by
+his side during the conflict in order to afford him counsel in case of
+need. Audley, however, pleaded a vow which he had made long before, to be
+the first in battle should he ever be engaged under the command of the King
+of England or any of his children. The prince at once acceded to his
+request to be allowed to fight in the van, and Audley, accompanied by four
+chosen squires, took his place in front of the English line of battle. Not
+far from him, also in advance of the line, was Sir Eustace D'Arnbrecicourt
+on horseback, also eager to distinguish himself.
+
+As Sir James rode off the prince turned to Walter. "As Audley must needs
+fight as a knight-errant, Sir Walter Somers, do you take your place by my
+side, for there is no more valiant knight in my army than you have often
+proved yourself to be."
+
+Three hundred chosen French men-at-arms mounted on the strongest horses
+covered with steel armour, led the way under the command of the Marechals
+D'Audeham and De Clermont; while behind them were a large body of German
+cavalry under the Counts of Nassau, Saarbruck, and Nidau, to support them
+in their attack on the English archers. On the right was the Duke of
+Orleans with 16,000 men-at-arms; on the left the Dauphin and his two
+brothers with an equal force; while King John himself led on the
+rear-guard.
+
+When the three hundred elite of the French army reached the narrow way
+between the hedges, knowing that these were lined with archers they charged
+through at a gallop to fall upon the main body of bowmen covering the front
+of the English men-at-arms. The moment they were fairly in the hollow road
+the British archers rose on either side to their feet and poured such a
+flight of arrows among them that in an instant all was confusion and
+disarray. Through every joint and crevice of the armour of knights and
+horses the arrows found their way, and the lane was almost choked with the
+bodies of men and horses. A considerable number, nevertheless, made their
+way through and approached the first line of archers beyond. Here they were
+met by Sir James Audley, who, with his four squires, plunged into their
+ranks and overthrew the Marechal D'Audeham, and then fought his way onward.
+ Regardless of the rest of the battle he pressed ever forward, until at the
+end of the day, wounded in a hundred places and fainting from loss of
+blood, he fell from his horse almost at the gates of Poitiers, and was
+borne from the field by the four faithful squires who had fought beside him
+throughout the day.
+
+Less fortunate was Sir Eustace D'Ambrecicourt, who spurred headlong upon
+the German cavalry. A German knight rode out to meet him, and in the shock
+both were dishorsed, but before Sir Eustace could recover his seat he was
+borne down to the ground by four others of the enemy, and was bound and
+carried captive to the rear.
+
+In the meantime the English archers kept up their incessant hail of arrows
+upon the band under the French marshals. The English men-at-arms passed
+through the gaps purposely left in the line of archers and drove back the
+front rank of the enemy upon those following, chasing them headlong down
+the hollow road again.  The few survivors of the French force, galloping
+back, carried confusion into the advancing division of the Dauphin.
+
+Before order was restored the Captal De Buch with his six hundred men
+issued forth from his place of concealment and charged impetuously down on
+the left flank of the Dauphin. The French, shaken in front by the retreat
+of their advance guard, were thrown into extreme confusion by this sudden
+and unexpected charge. The horse archers with the captal poured their
+arrows into the mass, while the shafts of the main body of the archers on
+the hill hailed upon them without ceasing.
+
+The rumour spread among those in the French rear, who were unable to see
+what was going forward, that the day was already lost, and many began to
+fly. Sir John Chandos marked the confusion which had set in, and he
+exclaimed to the prince:
+
+"Now, sir, ride forward, and the day is yours. Let us charge right over
+upon your adversary, the King of France, for there lies the labour and the
+feat of the day. Well do I know that his great courage will never let him
+fly, but, God willing, he shall be well encountered."
+
+"Forward, then, John Chandos," replied the prince.  "You shall not see me
+tread one step back, but ever in advance. Bear on my banner. God and St.
+George be with us!"
+
+The horses of the English force were all held in readiness by their
+attendants close in their rear. Every man sprang into his saddle, and with
+levelled lances the army bore down the hill against the enemy, while the
+Captal De Buch forced his way through the struggling ranks of the French to
+join them.
+
+To these two parties were opposed the whole of the German cavalry, the
+division of the Dauphin, now thinned by flight, and a strong force under
+the Constable de Brienne, Duke of Athens. The first charge of the English
+was directed against the Germans, the remains of the marshal's forces, and
+that commanded by the Constable. The two bodies of cavalry met with a
+tremendous shock, raising their respective war-cries, "Denis Mount Joye!"
+and "St. George Guyenne!" Lances were shivered, and horses and men rolled
+over, but the German horse was borne down in every direction by the charge
+of the English chivalry. The Counts of Nassau and Saarbruck were taken, and
+the rest driven down the hill in utter confusion. The division of the Duke
+of Orleans, a little further down the hill to the right, were seized with a
+sudden panic, and 16,000 men-at-arms, together with their commander, fled
+without striking a blow.
+
+Having routed the French and German cavalry in advance, the English now
+fell upon the Dauphin's division.  This had been already confused by the
+attacks of the Captal De Buch, and when its leaders beheld the complete
+rout of the marshals and the Germans, and saw the victorious force
+galloping down upon them, the responsibility attached to the charge of the
+three young princes overcame their firmness. The Lords of Landas, Vaudenay,
+and St. Venant, thinking the battle lost, hurried the princes from the
+field, surrounded by eight hundred lances, determined to place them at a
+secure distance, and then to return and fight beside the king. The retreat
+of the princes at once disorganized the force, but though many fled a
+number of the nobles remained scattered over the field fighting in separate
+bodies with their own retainers gathered under their banners. Gradually
+these fell back and took post on the left of the French king's division.
+The Constable and the Duke of Bourbon with a large body of knights and
+men-at-arms also opposed a firm front to the advance of the English.  The
+king saw with indignation one of his divisions defeated and the other in
+coward flight, but his forces were still vastly superior to those of the
+English, and ordering his men to dismount, he prepared to receive their
+onset.  The English now gathered their forces which had been scattered in
+combat, and again advanced to the fight. The archers as usual heralded this
+advance with showers of arrows, which shook the ranks of the French and
+opened the way for the cavalry. These dashed in, and the ranks of the two
+armies became mixed, and each man fought hand to hand. The French king
+fought on foot with immense valour and bravery, as did his nobles. The
+Dukes of Bourbon and Athens, the Lords of Landas, Argenton, Chambery,
+Joinville, and many others stood and died near the king.
+
+Gradually the English drove back their foes. The French forces became cut
+up into groups or confined into narrow spaces. Knight after knight fell
+around the king. De Ribaumont fell near him. Jeffrey de Charny, who, as one
+of the most valiant knights in the army, had been chosen to bear the French
+standard, the oriflamme, never left his sovereign's side, and as long as
+the sacred banner floated over his head John would not believe the day was
+lost. At length, however, Jeffrey de Charny was killed, and the oriflamme
+fell. John, surrounded on every side by foes who pressed forward to make
+him prisoner, still kept clear the space immediately around himself and his
+little son with his battle-axe; but at last he saw that further resistance
+would only entail the death of both, and he then surrendered to Denis de
+Montbec, a knight of Artois.
+
+The battle was now virtually over. The French banners and pennons had
+disappeared, and nothing was seen save the dead and dying, groups of
+prisoners, and parties of fugitives flying over the country. Chandos now
+advised the prince to halt. His banner was pitched on the summit of a
+little mound. The trumpets blew to recall the army from the pursuit, and
+the prince, taking off his helmet, drank with the little body of knights
+who accompanied him some wine brought from his former encampment.
+
+The two marshals of the English army, the Earls of Warwick and Suffolk,
+were among the first to return at the call of the trumpet. Hearing that
+King John had certainly not left the field of battle, though they knew not
+whether he was dead or taken, the prince at once despatched the Earl of
+Warwick and Lord Cobham to find and protect him if still alive. They soon
+came upon a mass of men-at-arms, seemingly engaged in an angry quarrel. On
+riding up they found that the object of strife was the King of France, who
+had been snatched from the hands of Montbec, and was being claimed by a
+score of men as his prisoner. The Earl of Warwick and Lord Cobham instantly
+made their way through the mass, and dismounting, saluted the captive
+monarch with the deepest reverence, and keeping back the multitude led him
+to the Prince of Wales. The latter bent his knee before the king, and
+calling for wine, presented the cup with his own hands to the unfortunate
+monarch.
+
+The battle was over by noon, but it was evening before all the pursuing
+parties returned, and the result of the victory was then fully known. With
+less than 8000 men the English had conquered far more than 60,000. On the
+English side 2000 men-at-arms and 1500 archers had fallen. Upon the French
+side 11,000 men- at-arms, besides an immense number of footmen, had been
+killed. A king, a prince, an archbishop, 13 counts, 66 barons, and more
+than 2000 knights were prisoners in the hands of the English, with a number
+of other soldiers, who raised the number of captives to double that of
+their conquerors. All the baggage of the French army was taken, and as the
+barons of France had marched to the field feeling certain of victory, and
+the rich armour of the prisoners became immediately the property of the
+captors, immense stores of valuable ornaments of all kinds, especially
+jewelled baldrics, enriched the meanest soldier among the conquerors.
+
+The helmet which the French king had worn, which bore a small coronet of
+gold beneath the crest, was delivered to the Prince of Wales, who sent it
+off at once to his father as the best trophy of the battle he could offer
+him.
+
+Its receipt was the first intimation which Edward III received of the great
+victory.
+
+As the prince had no means of providing for the immense number of
+prisoners, the greater portion were set at liberty upon their taking an
+oath to present themselves at Bordeaux by the ensuing Christmas in order
+either to pay the ransom appointed, or to again yield themselves as
+prisoners.
+
+Immediately the battle was over, Edward sent for the gallant Sir James
+Audley, who was brought to him on his litter by his esquires, and the
+prince, after warmly congratulating him on the honour that he had that day
+won as the bravest knight in the army, assigned him an annuity of five
+hundred marks a year.
+
+No sooner was Audley taken to his own tent than he called round him several
+of his nearest relations and friends, and then and there made over to his
+four gallant attendants, without power of recall, the gift which the prince
+had bestowed upon him. The prince was not to be outdone, however, in
+liberality, and on hearing that Audley had assigned his present to the
+brave men who had so gallantly supported him in the fight, he presented Sir
+James with another annuity of six hundred marks a year.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI: THE JACQUERIE
+
+
+ON the evening after the battle of Poitiers a splendid entertainment was
+served in the tent of the Prince of Wales to the King of France and all the
+principal prisoners. John, with his son and six of his highest nobles were
+seated at a table raised above the rest, and the prince himself waited as
+page upon the French king. John in vain endeavoured to persuade the prince
+to be seated; the latter refused, saying, that it was his pleasure as well
+as his duty to wait upon one who had shown himself to be the best and
+bravest knight in the French army. The example of the Black Prince was
+contagious, and the English vied with each other in generous treatment of
+their prisoners. All were treated as friends, and that night an immense
+number of knights and squires were admitted to ransom on such terms as had
+never before been known. The captors simply required their prisoners to
+declare in good faith what they could afford to pay without pressing
+themselves too hard, "for they did not wish," they said, "to ransom knights
+or squires on terms which would prevent them from maintaining their station
+in society, from serving their lords, or from riding forth in arms to
+advance their name and honour."
+
+Upon the following morning solemn thanksgivings were offered up on the
+field of battle for the glorious victory. Then the English army, striking
+its tents, marched back towards Bordeaux. They were unmolested upon this
+march, for although the divisions of the Dauphin and the Duke of Orleans
+had now reunited, and were immensely superior in numbers to the English,
+encumbered as the latter were, moreover, with prisoners and booty, the
+tremendous defeat which they had suffered, and still more the capture of
+the king, paralysed the French commanders, and the English reached Bordeaux
+without striking another blow.
+
+Not long after they reached that city the Cardinal of Perigord and another
+legate presented themselves to arrange peace, and these negotiations went
+on throughout the winter.  The prince had received full powers from his
+father, and his demands were very moderate; but in spite of this no final
+peace could be arranged, and the result of the conference was the
+proclamation of a truce, to last for two years from the following Easter.
+During the winter immense numbers of the prisoners who had gone at large
+upon patrol, came in and paid their ransoms, as did the higher nobles who
+had been taken prisoners, and the whole army was greatly enriched. At the
+end of April the prince returned to England with King John. The procession
+through the streets of London was a magnificent one, the citizens vying
+with each other in decorating their houses in honour of the victor of
+Poitiers, who, simply dressed, rode on a small black horse by the side of
+his prisoner, who was splendidly attired, and mounted on a superb white
+charger. The king received his royal prisoner in state in the great hall of
+his palace at Westminster, and did all in his power to alleviate the
+sorrows of his condition. The splendid palace of the Savoy, with gardens
+extending to the Thames, was appointed for his residence, and every means
+was taken to soften his captivity.
+
+During the absence of the Black Prince in Guienne the king had been warring
+in Scotland. Here his success had been small, as the Scotch had retreated
+before him, wasting the country. David Bruce, the rightful king, was a
+prisoner in England, and Baliol, a descendant of the rival of Robert Bruce,
+had been placed upon the throne. As Edward passed through Roxburgh he
+received from Baliol a formal cession of his rights and titles to the
+throne of Scotland, and in return for this purely nominal gift he bestowed
+an annual income upon Baliol, who lived and died a pensioner of England.
+After Edward's return to England negotiations were carried on with the
+Scots, and a treaty was signed by which a truce for ten years was
+established between the two countries, and the liberation of Bruce was
+granted on a ransom of 100,000 marks.
+
+The disorganization into which France had been thrown by the capture of its
+king increased rather than diminished.  Among all classes men strove in the
+absence of a repressive power to gain advantages and privileges. Serious
+riots occurred in many parts, and the demagogues of Paris, headed by
+Stephen Marcel, and Robert le Coq, bishop of Leon, set at defiance the
+Dauphin and the ministers and lieutenant of the king. Massacre and violence
+stained the streets of Paris with blood. General law, public order, and
+private security were all lost. Great bodies of brigands devastated the
+country, and the whole of France was thrown into confusion. So terrible was
+the disorder that the inhabitants of every village were obliged to fortify
+the ends of their streets, and keep watch and ward as in the cities. The
+proprietors of land on the banks of rivers spent the night in boats moored
+in the middle of the stream, and in every house and castle throughout the
+land men remained armed as if against instant attack.
+
+Then arose the terrible insurrection known as the Jacquerie. For centuries
+the peasantry of France had suffered under a bondage to which there had
+never been any approach in England. Their lives and liberties were wholly
+at the mercy of their feudal lords. Hitherto no attempt at resistance had
+been possible; but the tremendous defeat of the French at Poitiers by a
+handful of English aroused the hope among the serfs that the moment for
+vengeance had come. The movement began among a handful of peasants in the
+neighbourhood of St. Leu and Claremont. These declared that they would put
+to death all the gentlemen in the land.  The cry spread through the
+country. The serfs, armed with pikes, poured out from every village, and a
+number of the lower classes from the towns joined them. Their first success
+was an attack upon a small castle. They burned down the gates and slew the
+knight to whom it belonged, with his wife and children of all ages.  Their
+numbers rapidly increased.
+
+Castle after castle was taken and stormed, palaces and houses levelled to
+the ground; fire, plunder, and massacre swept through the fairest provinces
+of France.
+
+The peasants vied with each other in inventing deaths of fiendish cruelty
+and outrage upon every man, woman, and child of the better classes who fell
+into their hands.  Owing to the number of nobles who had fallen at Cressy
+and Poitiers, and of those still captives in England, very many of their
+wives and daughters remained unprotected, and these were the especial
+victims of the fiendish malignity of the peasantry. Separated in many
+bands, the insurgents marched through the Beauvoisis, Soissonois, and
+Vermandois; and as they approached a number of unprotected ladies of the
+highest families in France fled to Meaux, where they remained under the
+guard of the young Duke of Orleans and a handful of men-at-arms.
+
+After the conclusion of the peace at Bordeaux, Sir Walter Somers had been
+despatched on a mission to some of the German princes, with whom the king
+was in close relations.  The business was not of an onerous nature, but
+Walter had been detained for some time over it. He spent a pleasant time in
+Germany, where, as an emissary of the king and one of the victors of
+Poitiers, the young English knight was made much of. When he set out on his
+return he joined the Captal De Buch, who, ever thirsting for adventure, had
+on the conclusion of the truce gone to serve in a campaign in Germany; with
+him was the French Count de Foix, who had been also serving throughout the
+campaign.
+
+On entering France from the Rhine the three knights were shocked at the
+misery and ruin which met their eyes on all sides. Every castle and house
+throughout the country, of a class superior to those of the peasants, was
+destroyed, and tales of the most horrible outrages and murders met their
+ears.
+
+"I regret," the Count de Foix said earnestly, "that I have been away
+warring in Germany, for it is clear that every true knight is wanted at
+home to crush down these human wolves."
+
+"Methinks," the Captal rejoined, "that France will do well to invite the
+chivalry of all other countries to assemble and aid to put down this
+horrible insurrection."
+
+"Aye," the Count said bitterly; "but who is to speak in the name of France?
+ The Dauphin is powerless, and the virtual government is in the hands of
+Marcel and other ambitious traitors who hail the doings of the Jacquerie
+with delight, for these mad peasants are doing their work of destroying the
+knights and nobles."
+
+The villages through which they passed were deserted save by women, and in
+the small towns the people of the lower class scowled threateningly at the
+three knights; but they with their following of forty men-at-arms, of whom
+five were followers of Walter, fifteen of the Captal, and twenty of the
+Count de Foix, ventured not to proceed beyond evil glances.
+
+"I would," de Foix said, "that these dogs would but lift a hand against us.
+ By St. Stephen, we would teach them a rough lesson!"
+
+His companions were of the same mind, for all were excited to fury by the
+terrible tales which they heard. All these stories were new to them, for
+although rumours had reached Germany of the outbreak of a peasant
+insurrection in France the movement had but just begun when they started.
+As far as the frontier they had traveled leisurely, but they had hastened
+their pace more and more as they learned how sore was the strait of the
+nobles and gentry of the country and how grievously every good sword was
+needed. When they reached Chalons they heard much fuller particulars than
+had before reached them, and learned that the Duchess of Normandy, the
+Duchess of Orleans, and near three hundred ladies, had sought refuge in
+Meaux, and that they were there guarded but by a handful of men-at-arms
+under the Duke of Orleans, while great bands of serfs were pouring in from
+all parts of the country round, to massacre them.
+
+Meaux is eighty miles from Chalons, but the three knights determined to
+press onward with all speed in hopes of averting the catastrophe. Allowing
+their horses an hour or two to rest, they rode forward, and pressing on
+without halt or delay, save such as was absolutely needed by the horses,
+they arrived at Meaux late the following night, and found to their delight
+that the insurgents, although swarming in immense numbers round the town,
+had not yet attacked it.
+
+The arrival of the three knights and their followers was greeted with joy
+by the ladies. They, with their guard, had taken up their position in the
+market-house and market-place, which were separated from the rest of the
+town by the river Maine, which flows through the city. A consultation was
+at once held, and it being found that the Duke of Orleans had but twenty
+men-at-arms with him it was determined that it was impossible to defend the
+city walls, but that upon the following morning they would endeavour to cut
+their way with the ladies through the peasant hosts. In the night, however,
+an uproar was heard in the city. The burghers had risen and had opened the
+gates to the peasants, who now poured in in thousands. Every hour increased
+their numbers.
+
+The market-place was besieged in the morning, and an hour or two afterwards
+a large body of the ruffians of Paris, under the command of a brutal grocer
+named Pierre Gille, arrived to swell their ranks.
+
+The attack on the market-house continued, and the Duke of Orleans held a
+consultation with the three knights.  It was agreed that against such a
+host of enemies the market-place could not long be defended, and that their
+best hope lay in sallying out and falling upon the assailants.  Accordingly
+the men-at- arms were drawn up in order, with the banners of the Duke of
+Orleans and the Count de Foix, and the pennons of the Captal and Sir Walter
+Somers displayed, the gates were opened, and with levelled lances the
+little party rode out.  Hitherto nothing had been heard save yells of
+anticipated triumph and fierce imprecations and threats against the
+defenders from the immense multitude without; but the appearance of the
+orderly ranks of the knights and men-at-arms as they issued through the
+gate struck a silence of fear through the mass.
+
+Without an instant's delay the knights and men-at-arms, with levelled
+lances, charged into the multitude. A few attempted to fight, but more
+strove to fly, as the nobles and their followers, throwing away their
+lances, fell upon them with sword and battle-axe. Jammed up in the narrow
+streets of a small walled town, overthrowing and impeding each other in
+their efforts to escape, trampled down by the heavy horses of the
+men-at-arms, and hewn down by their swords and battle-axes, the insurgents
+fell in vast numbers.  Multitudes succeeded in escaping through the gates
+into the fields; but here they were followed by the knights and their
+retainers, who continued charging among them and slaying till utter
+weariness compelled them to cease from the pursuit and return to Meaux.
+Not less than seven thousand of the insurgents had been slain by the four
+knights and fifty men, for ten had been left behind to guard the gates of
+the market-place.
+
+History has no record of so vast a slaughter by so small a body of men.
+This terrific punishment put a summary end to the Jacquerie. Already in
+other parts several bodies had been defeated, and their principal leader,
+Caillet, with three thousand of his followers, slain near Clermont. But the
+defeat at Meaux was the crushing blow which put an end to the insurrection.
+
+
+
+On their return to the town the knights executed a number of the burghers
+who had joined the peasants, and the greater part of the town was burned to
+the ground as a punishment for having opened the gates to the peasants and
+united with them.
+
+The knights and ladies then started for Paris. On nearing the city they
+found that it was threatened by the forces of the Dauphin. Marcel had
+strongly fortified the town, and with his ally, the infamous King of
+Navarre, bade defiance to the royal power. However, the excesses of the
+demagogue had aroused against him the feeling of all the better class of
+the inhabitants. The King of Navarre, who was ready at all times to break
+his oath and betray his companions, marched his army out of the town and
+took up a position outside the walls. He then secretly negotiated peace
+with the Duke of Normandy, by which he agreed to yield to their fate Marcel
+and twelve of the most obnoxious burghers, while at the same time he
+persuaded Marcel that he was still attached to his interest.  Marcel,
+however, was able to bid higher than the Duke of Normandy, and he entered
+into a new treaty with the treacherous king, by which he stipulated to
+deliver the city into his hands during the night. Everyone within the
+walls, except the partisans of Marcel, upon whose doors a mark was to be
+placed, were to be put to death indiscriminately, and the King of Navarre
+was to be proclaimed King of France.
+
+Fortunately Pepin des Essarts and John de Charny, two loyal knights who
+were in Paris, obtained information of the plan a few minutes before the
+time appointed for its execution. Arming themselves instantly, and
+collecting a few followers, they rushed to the houses of the chief
+conspirators, but found them empty, Marcel and his companions having
+already gone to the gates. Passing by the hotel-de-ville, the knights
+entered, snatched down the royal banner which was kept there, and unfurling
+it mounted their horses and rode through the streets, calling all men to
+arms. They reached the Port St. Antoine just at the moment when Marcel was
+in the act of opening it in order to give admission to the Navarrese. When
+he heard the shouts he tried with his friends to make his way into the
+bastille, but his retreat was intercepted, and a severe and bloody struggle
+took place between the two parties. Stephen Marcel, however, was himself
+slain by Sir John de Charny, and almost all his principal companions fell
+with him. The inhabitants then threw open their gates and the Duke of
+Normandy entered.
+
+Walter Somers had, with his companions, joined the army of the duke, and
+placed his sword at his disposal; but when the French prince entered Paris
+without the necessity of fighting, he took leave of him, and with the
+Captal returned to England. Rare, indeed, were the jewels which Walter
+brought home to his wife, for the three hundred noble ladies rescued at
+Meaux from dishonour and death had insisted upon bestowing tokens of their
+regard and gratitude upon the rescuers, and as many of them belonged to the
+richest as well as the noblest families in France the presents which Walter
+thus received from the grateful ladies were of immense value.
+
+He was welcomed by the king and Prince of Wales with great honour, for the
+battle at Meaux had excited the admiration and astonishment of all Europe.
+The Jacquerie was considered as a common danger in all civilized countries;
+for if successful it might have spread far beyond the boundaries of France,
+and constituted a danger to chivalry, and indeed to society universally.
+
+Thus King Edward gave the highest marks of his satisfaction to the Captal
+and Walter, added considerable grants of land to the estates of the latter,
+and raised him to the dignity of Baron Somers of Westerham.
+
+It has always been a matter of wonder that King Edward did not take
+advantage of the utter state of confusion and anarchy which prevailed in
+France to complete his conquest of that country, which there is no
+reasonable doubt he could have effected with ease. Civil war and strife
+prevailed throughout France; famine devastated it; and without leaders or
+concord, dispirited and impoverished by defeat, France could have offered
+no resistance to such an army as England could have placed in the field.
+The only probable supposition is that at heart he doubted whether the
+acquisition of the crown of France was really desirable, or whether it
+could be permanently maintained should it be gained. To the monarch of a
+country prosperous, flourishing, and contented, the object of admiration
+throughout Europe, the union with distracted and divided France could be of
+no benefit. Of military glory he had gained enough to content any man, and
+some of the richest provinces of France were already his. Therefore it may
+well be believed that, feeling secure very many years must elapse before
+France could again become dangerous, he was well content to let matters
+continue as they were.
+
+King John still remained a prisoner in his hands, for the princes and
+nobles of France were too much engaged in broils and civil wars to think of
+raising the money for his ransom, and Languedoc was the only province of
+France which made any effort whatever towards so doing. War still raged
+between the Dauphin and the King of Navarre.
+
+At the conclusion of the two years' truce Edward, with the most splendidly-
+equipped army which had ever left England, marched through the length and
+breadth of France.  Nowhere did he meet with any resistance in the field.
+He marched under the walls of Paris, but took no steps to lay siege to that
+city, which would have fallen an easy prey to his army had he chosen to
+capture it.  That he did not do so is another proof that he had no desire
+to add France to the possessions of the English crown. At length, by the
+efforts of the pope, a peace was agreed upon, by which France yielded all
+Aquitaine and the town of Calais to England as an absolute possession, and
+not as a fief of the crown of France; while the English king surrendered
+all his captures in Normandy and Brittany and abandoned his claim to the
+crown of France. With great efforts the French raised a portion of the
+ransom demanded for the king, and John returned to France after four years
+of captivity.
+
+At the commencement of 1363 Edward the Black Prince was named Prince of
+Aquitaine, and that province was bestowed upon him as a gift by the king,
+subject only to liege homage and an annual tribute of one ounce of gold.
+The prince took with him to his new possessions many of the knights and
+nobles who had served with him, and offered to Walter a high post in the
+government of the province if he would accompany him. This Walter begged to
+be excused from doing.  Two girls had now been added to his family, and he
+was unwilling to leave his happy home unless the needs of war called him to
+the prince's side. He therefore remained quietly at home.
+
+When King John returned to France, four of the French princes of the
+blood-royal had been given as hostages for the fulfilment of the treaty of
+Bretigny. They were permitted to reside at Calais, and were at liberty to
+move about as they would, and even to absent themselves from the town for
+three days at a time whensoever they might choose. The Duke of Anjou, the
+king's second son, basely took advantage of this liberty to escape, in
+direct violation of his oath. The other hostages followed his example.
+
+King John, himself the soul of honour, was intensely mortified at this
+breach of faith on the part of his sons, and after calling together the
+states-general at Amiens to obtain the subsidies necessary for paying the
+remaining portion of his ransom, he himself, with a train of two hundred
+officers and their followers, crossed to England to make excuses to Edward
+for the treachery of the princes.  Some historians represent the visit as a
+voluntary returning into captivity; but this was not so. The English king
+had accepted the hostages in his place, and was responsible for their
+safe-keeping, and had no claim upon the French monarch because they had
+taken advantage of the excess of confidence with which they had been
+treated.  That the coming of the French king was not in any way regarded as
+a return into captivity is shown by the fact that he was before starting
+furnished by Edward with letters of safe-conduct, by which his secure and
+unobstructed return to his own country was expressly stipulated, and he was
+received by Edward as an honoured guest and friend, and his coming was
+regarded as an honour and an occasion for festivity by all England.
+
+At the same time that John was in London the King of Cyprus, the King of
+Denmark, and the King of Scotland were also there, and the meeting of four
+monarchs in London was the occasion of extraordinary festivities and
+rejoicing, the king and his royal guests being several times entertained at
+sumptuous banquets by the lord-mayor, the ex-mayor Henry Pickard, and
+several of the aldermen.
+
+Six weeks after John's arrival in London he was seized with illness at the
+palace of the Savoy, and died on the 8th of April, 1364. The Dauphin,
+Charles, now succeeded him as Charles V, and the war between the houses of
+Navarre and Valois was carried on with greater fury than ever. The armies
+of Navarre were commanded by the Captal de Buch, who was a distant relation
+of the king; while those of Charles were headed by the Marechal de
+Boucicault and Bertrand du Guesclin, one of the most gallant of the French
+knights.  A great battle was fought near Cocherel. Contrary to the orders
+of the Captal, his army, which consisted principally of adventurers,
+descended from the strong position he had chosen, and gave battle in the
+plain. They were completely defeated, and the Captal himself taken
+prisoner.
+
+In Brittany John of Montford and Charles of Blois had renewed their
+struggle, and King Charles, seeing the danger of Brittany falling into the
+hands of De Montford, who was a close ally of England, interfered in favour
+of Charles of Blois, and sent Du Guesclin to his assistance.
+
+This was a breach of the treaty of Bretigny, and De Montford at once sent
+to the Black Prince for assistance.  The Prince did not treat the conduct
+of Charles as a breach of the treaty, and took no part himself in the war,
+but permitted Sir John Chandos, who was a personal friend of De Montford,
+to go to his aid. De Montford's army, after the arrival of Chandos with 200
+spears, amounted to but 1600 men-at-arms and from 800 to 900 archers, while
+Charles of Blois had 4000 men-at-arms and a proportionate number of
+infantry. De Montford tried to negotiate. He offered to divide the dukedom,
+and to agree that in case he died childless it should revert to the family
+of Charles. Charles, however, refused all terms, even to grant his
+adversary's request to put off the battle until the morrow, so as to avoid
+violating the Sabbath; and having given orders that all prisoners taken in
+the battle should be hung, he advanced upon De Montford.
+
+Both forces were divided in four bodies. The first on De Montford's side
+was commanded by Sir Robert Knolles, the second by Oliver de Clisson, the
+third by Chandos and De Montford, the fourth by Sir Hugh de Calverley. Du
+Guesclin led the front division of Charles's army, the Counts of Auxerre
+and Joigny the second, Charles himself the third, and the Lords of Roye and
+Rieux the reserve.  The ducal arms of Brittany were displayed on both
+sides.
+
+
+By slow degrees the two armies closed with each other in deadly strife.
+Both parties had dismounted and fought on foot with lances shortened to
+five feet. Du Guesclin and his division attacked that of Knolles. Auxerre
+fell upon De Clisson, while the divisions of the two rival princes closed
+with each other.  After desperate fighting numbers prevailed.  De Montford
+was driven back, but Calverley advanced to his aid, fell upon the rear of
+the French, threw them into disorder, and then having rallied De Montford's
+men, retired to his former position in readiness to give succour again
+where it might be needed.
+
+In the meantime Clisson had been engaged in a desperate struggle with the
+Count of Auxerre, but was obtaining no advantage. Clisson himself had
+received the blow of a battle-axe which had dashed in the vizor of his
+helmet and blinded for ever one of his eyes. He was still leading his men,
+but the enemies' superior numbers were pressing him back, when Chandos, the
+instant the assistance of Calverley had relieved De Montford's division,
+perceiving his danger, drew off a few men-at-arms, and with them fell upon
+the rear of the Count of Auxerre, and dashing all who opposed him to the
+ground with his battle-axe, cleft his way to the very centre of the enemy.
+Pressed by De Clisson in front and broken by the sudden attack of Chandos
+in the rear, the French division gave way in every direction. Auxerre was
+desperately wounded, and he and Joigny both taken prisoners.
+
+Chandos then returned to De Montford, who had gallantly followed up the
+advantage gained by the confusion into which Charles's division had been
+thrown by the attack of Calverley. Charles was routed; he himself struck
+down and slain by an English soldier, and the division defeated with great
+slaughter. De Montford's whole force now gathered round Du Guesclin's
+division, which now alone remained, and after fighting gallantly until all
+hope was gone, the brave French knight and his companions yielded
+themselves as prisoners.
+
+The battle of Auray terminated the struggle between the houses of Blois and
+Montford. More than 1000 French men-at-arms died on the field, among whom
+were many of the noblest in Brittany. Two counts, 27 lords, and 1500
+men-at-arms were made prisoners. De Montford now took possession of the
+whole of Brittany, and at the suggestion of King Edward himself did homage
+to Charles V for the duchy, which he afterwards ruled with wisdom.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII: VICTORY AND DEATH
+
+
+While the Black Prince was with difficulty governing his province of
+Aquitaine, where the mutual jealousies of the English and native officers
+caused continual difficulties, King Edward turned all his attention to
+advancing the prosperity of England. He fostered trade, commerce, and
+learning, was a munificent patron of the two universities, and established
+such order and regularity in his kingdom that England was the admiration of
+all Europe. Far different was the state of France.  The cessation of the
+wars with England and the subsequent disbandment of troops had thrown upon
+their own resources great numbers of men who had been so long engaged in
+fighting that they had no other trade to turn to. The conclusion of the
+struggle in Brittany after the battle of Auray and the death of Charles of
+Blois still further added to the number, and these men gathered in bands,
+some of which were headed by men of knightly rank, and scattered through
+France plundering the country and extracting heavy sums from the towns.
+
+These "great companies," as they were called, exceeded 50,000 men in
+number, and as almost all were trained soldiers they set the king and his
+nobles at defiance, and were virtually masters of France. The most tempting
+offers were made to them to lay down their arms, and the pope sent legates
+threatening excommunication, but the great companies laughed alike at
+promises and threats.  At last a way of deliverance opened to France.
+Pedro, named the Cruel, of Castile, had alienated his people by his
+cruelty, and had defeated and driven into exile his half-brother, Henry of
+Trastamare, who headed an insurrection against him. Pedro put to death
+numbers of the nobles of Castile, despoiled the King of Arragon, who had
+given aid to his brother, plundered and insulted the clergy, and allied
+himself with the Moors.
+
+His quarrel with the clergy was the cause of his ruin.  The pope summoned
+him to appear before him at Avignon to answer to the crimes laid to his
+charge. Pedro refused to attend, and the pope at once excommunicated him.
+The King of Arragon and Henry of Trastamare were then summoned to Avignon,
+and a treaty of alliance was concluded between them, and the pope declared
+the throne of Castile vacant owing to the excommunication of Pedro, and
+appointed Henry to it.
+
+These measures would have troubled Pedro little had it not been that France
+groaned under the great companies, and the French king and the pontiff at
+once entered into negotiations with them to support Henry in his war
+against his brother. It was necessary that a leader in whom the companies
+should have confidence should be chosen, and Du Guesclin, still a prisoner
+of Chandos, who had captured him at Auray, was selected, and the pope, the
+King of France, and Don Henry, paid between them the 100,000 francs
+demanded for his ransom. Du Guesclin on his release negotiated with the
+leaders of the great companies, and as the pope and king promised them
+large gratuities they agreed to march upon Spain. They were joined by a
+great number of French knights and men-at-arms.
+
+The expedition was under the nominal command of John of Bourbon, but the
+real guidance was in the hands of Du Guesclin. As the army marched past
+Avignon they worked upon the terrors of the pope until he paid them 200,000
+francs in gold.  France was filled with joy at the prospect of a riddance
+of the free companies which had so long been a prey upon them. They were,
+too, eager to avenge upon the cruel King of Spain the murder of his queen,
+who was a princess of France.  The same feeling animated the people of
+Aquitaine, and Calverley, D'Ambrecicourt, Sir Walter Hewitt, Sir John
+Devereux, Sir John Neville, and several other distinguished knights, with a
+large train of men-at-arms, joined the adventurers. The great army moved
+through Arragon, whose king in every way facilitated their progress.  As
+they entered Castile the whole people declared in favour of Henry, and
+Pedro, deserted by all, fled to Bordeaux and besought aid from the Prince
+of Wales.
+
+Between Pedro and the English court a firm alliance had existed from the
+time when the former so nearly married the Princess Joan, and immediately
+the king heard of the expedition against him he issued orders that no
+English knights should take part in it. The order, however, came too late.
+The English knights had already marched into Spain with Du Guesclin. As for
+the English who formed no inconsiderable portion of the great companies,
+they had already declined to obey the king, when, at the insistence of the
+pope and the King of France, he had ordered them to disband.
+
+On Pedro's arrival at Bordeaux with his three daughters and his son, they
+were kindly received by the Black Prince, courtesy and kindness to those in
+misfortune being among the leading characteristics of his nature. Pedro,
+cruel and ruthless as he was, was a man of great eloquence and insinuating
+manners, and giving his own version of affairs, he completely won over the
+prince, who felt himself, moreover, bound in some degree to support him,
+inasmuch as he, an ally of England, had been dethroned by an army composed
+partly of English. Pedro made the most magnificent promises to the prince
+in return for his aid, ceding him the whole of the province of Biscay, and
+agreeing to pay the British troops engaged in his service when he regained
+his throne, the Black Prince engaging to pay them in the meantime.
+
+King Edward aided his son by raising an army in England, which sailed for
+Bordeaux under the command of the prince's brother, John of Gaunt, Duke of
+Lancaster. Walter formed part of this expedition. The king had issued his
+writs to him and other barons of the southern counties, and the Black
+Prince had himself written to ask him to join him, in memory of their
+former deeds of arms together.
+
+As it was now some years since he had taken the field, Walter did not
+hesitate, but with thirty retainers, headed by Ralph, joined the army of
+John of Gaunt.
+
+The Black Prince's first step was to endeavour to recall the Englishmen of
+the free companies, estimated to amount to at least 30,000 men. The news
+that he was taking up arms and would himself command the army caused
+Calverley and the whole of the other English knights to return at once, and
+10,000 of the English men- at-arms with the great companies also left Don
+Henry and marched to Aquitaine.  The road led through the territory of the
+King of Navarre, and the Black Prince advanced 56,000 florins of gold to
+pay this grasping and treacherous king for the right of passage of the
+army.
+
+By Christmas, 1366, the preparations were complete, but the severity of the
+weather delayed the advance for some weeks. Fresh difficulties were
+encountered with Charles the Bad, of Navarre, who, having obtained the
+price for the passage, had now opened negotiations with Don Henry, and the
+governors of the frontier towns refused to allow Sir Hugh Calverley and the
+free companies, who formed the advance, to pass. These were not, however,
+the men to stand on ceremony, and without hesitation they attacked and
+captured the towns, when the King of Navarre at once apologized for his
+officers, and renewed his engagements. As, however, the Black Prince had
+received intelligence that he had formed a plan for attacking the English
+as they passed through the terrible pass of Roncesvalles, he compelled him
+to accompany the army. The invitation was couched in language which was
+friendly, but would yet admit of no denial.
+
+On the 17th of February the English army, 30,000 strong, reached the pass.
+It marched in three divisions, the first commanded by the Duke of Lancaster
+and Lord Chandos, the second by the Black Prince, the third by the King of
+Majorca and the Count of Armaguac. The divisions crossed over on different
+days, for the pass was encumbered by snow and the obstacles were immense.
+Upon the day when the prince's division were passing a storm burst upon
+them, and it was with the greatest difficulty that they succeeded in
+crossing. On the 20th of February, however, all arrived safe on the other
+side of the Pyrenees. Du Guesclin, who, seeing the storm which was
+approaching from Aquitaine, had returned to France and levied a French
+army, was nigh at hand, and kept within a few miles of the English army as
+it advanced, avoiding an engagement until the arrival of Don Henry, who was
+marching to join him with the great companies and 60,000 Spanish troops.
+
+Du Guesclin kept up secret communications with the King of Navarre, who was
+still forced to accompany the English army. The latter accordingly went out
+from the camp under pretence of hunting and was captured by a detachment of
+French troops.
+
+On the 1st of April, the Spanish army having joined the French, the Black
+Prince sent letters to Don Henry, urging him in mild but dignified language
+to return to obedience, and to resign the throne he had usurped, offering
+at the same time to act as mediator between him and his brother, and to do
+all in his power to remove differences and abuses.  Henry, confident in his
+strength, replied haughtily and prepared for battle.
+
+The forces were extremely unequal. The Black Prince had under him 30,000
+men; while under Don Henry were 3000 men-at-arms on mail-clad horses,
+20,000 men-at- arms on horses not so protected, 6000 light cavalry, 10,000
+crossbow-men, and 60,000 foot armed with spear and sword.
+
+The night before the battle the Black Prince lodged in the little village
+of Navarretta, which had been deserted by its inhabitants. Walter had been
+his close companion since he started, and occupied the same lodging with
+him in the village.
+
+"This reminds me," the prince said, "of the day before Cressy. They
+outnumber us by more than three to one.
+
+"There were greater odds still," Walter replied, "at Poitiers, and I doubt
+not that we shall make as good an example of them."
+
+"They are more doughty adversaries," the prince replied. "There are nigh
+20,000 English in their ranks - all veterans in war - and they are led by
+Du Guesclin, who is a host in himself."
+
+"Their very numbers will be a hindrance to them," Walter replied
+cheerfully; "and never did I see a better army than that which you have
+under you. I would we were fighting for a better man, for Don Pedro is to
+my mind treacherous as well as cruel. He promises fairly, but I doubt if
+when he has gained his end he will keep his promises. He speaks fairly and
+smoothly, but his deeds are at variance with his words."
+
+"It may be, my lord," the prince replied, "that I am somewhat of your
+opinion, and that I regret I so quickly committed myself to his cause.
+However, he was my father's ally, and having fulfilled all his engagements
+had a right to demand our assistance. I am a bad hand, Walter, at saying no
+to those who beseech me."
+
+"It is so, Sir Prince," Walter said bluntly. "Would that your heart had
+been a less generous one, for your nobleness of disposition is ever
+involving you in debts which hamper you sorely, and cause more trouble to
+you than all your enemies!"
+
+"That is true enough," the Black Prince said with a sigh.  "Since I was a
+boy I have ever been harassed with creditors; and though all Aquitaine is
+mine, I verily believe that there is not a man in my father's dominions who
+is so harassed and straitened for money as I."
+
+"And yet," Walter said, smiling, "no sooner do you get it than you give it
+away."
+
+"Ah!" the prince laughed, "I cannot deny it. It is so much pleasanter to
+give than to pay, that I can never find heart to balk myself. I am ever
+surrounded by suitors. Some have lost estates in my cause, others have
+rendered brilliant services in the field, some have burdened themselves
+with debts to put their retainers in arms - all have pleased to urge, and
+for the life of me I cannot say them nay. I trust, though," he added more
+seriously, "that Don Pedro will fulfil his promises to pay my army. I have
+bound myself to my soldiers for their wages, besides advancing large sums
+to Pedro, and if he keeps not his engagements I shall indeed be in a sore
+strait."
+
+"There is one thing," Walter said; "if he fail to keep his promises, we
+will not fail to oblige him to do so. If we win a kingdom for him, we can
+snatch it from him again."
+
+"We have not won it yet," the prince said.
+
+"We will do so tomorrow," Walter rejoined confidently.  "I hope the
+fortunes of the day may bring me face to face with Du Guesclin. I am thrice
+as strong as when I fought at Cressy, and I should like to try my hand
+against this doughty champion."
+
+The next morning the two armies prepared for battle, the Black Prince
+dividing his army as before. The divisions were commanded as in the passage
+of the Pyrenees, and each numbered 10,000 men.
+
+Don Henry had also divided his force in three parts. In the first division,
+commanded by Du Guesclin, were 4000 veteran French knights and men-at-arms
+with 8000 foot-soldiers; the second was led by the prince's brother, Don
+Tillo, with 16,000 horse; while he himself commanded the third, in which
+were a multitude of soldiers, making up the gross total of 100,000 men.
+
+As on the night preceding the battle of Poitiers, the English army had lain
+down supperless. Soon after midnight the trumpets sounded, and the troops
+soon moved forward.  At sunrise the prince and his forces reached the
+summit of a little hill, whence was visible the approaching host of Spain.
+The first division, under the Duke of Lancaster and Lord Chandos,
+immediately quickened its pace and charged the division of Du Guesclin,
+which received it with great steadiness, and a desperate conflict ensued.
+The Black Prince charged the division of Don Tillo, which gave way at the
+first attack, and its commander, with 2000 horse, at once fled. The
+remainder of the division resisted for some time, but was unable to
+withstand the steady advance of the English, who without much difficulty
+dispersed and scattered it from the field. The King of Majorca now joined
+his division with that of the Black Prince, and the two advanced against
+the great division led by Don Henry.
+
+The Spanish slingers opened upon the advancing force and for a time annoyed
+them greatly, but when the English archers arrived within bow-shot and
+opened fire they speedily dispersed the slingers, and the men-at-arms on
+both sides advanced to the attack. The conflict was long and desperate, and
+both sides fought with great gallantry and determination. Don Pedro - who,
+although vicious and cruel, was brave - fought in the ranks as a common
+soldier, frequently cutting his way into the midst of the Spaniards, and
+shouting to Don Henry to cross swords with him. Henry on his part fought
+with great valour, although, as he had the burden of command upon him, he
+was less able to distinguish himself by acts of personal prowess. Though
+fighting in the thickest of the press, he never lost his grasp of the
+general purpose of the battle. Three times, when his troops wavered before
+the assaults of the Black Prince and his knights, he rallied them and
+renewed the fight.
+
+While this battle was raging, a not less obstinate fight was proceeding
+between the divisions of Lancaster and Du Guesclin. For a long time victory
+was doubtful, and indeed inclined towards the side of the French. The ranks
+of both parties were broken, and all were fighting in a confused mass,
+when, in the midst of the melee, a body of French and Spaniards poured in
+upon the banner of Chandos. He was struck to the ground, and a gigantic
+Castilian knight flung himself upon him and strove to slay him as he held
+him down. Chandos had lost sword and battle-axe, but drawing his dagger, he
+held with one hand his opponent's sword-arm, and at last, after repeated
+strokes with his dagger, he found an undefended part of his armour and
+pierced him with his dagger to the hilt. The Spaniard relaxed his hold, and
+Chandos, throwing him off, struggled to his feet and rejoined his friends,
+who had thought him dead. They now fought with more enthusiasm than ever,
+and at last, driving back the main body of the French knights, isolated a
+body of some sixty strong, and forced them to surrender. Among these were
+Du Guesclin himself, the Marshal D'Audenham, and the Bigue de Vilaines.
+
+As these were the leaders of the division, the main body lost spirit and
+fought feebly, and were soon completely routed by Lancaster and Chandos.
+These now turned their attention to the other part of the field where the
+battle was still raging, and charged down upon the flank of Don Henry's
+army, which was already wavering. The Spaniards gave way at once on every
+side, and ere long the whole were scattered in headlong rout, hotly pursued
+by the English. The greater portion fled towards the town of Najarra, where
+they had slept the previous night, and here vast quantities were
+slaughtered by the English and Gascons. A number of prisoners were taken,
+and the palace and town sacked. The pursuit was kept up the whole day, and
+it was not until evening that the leaders began once more to assemble round
+the banner of the Prince of Wales. Among the last who arrived was Don Pedro
+himself. Springing from his charger he grasped the hand of the Prince of
+Wales, thanking him for his victory, which he felt would restore him to his
+throne.
+
+"Give thanks and praise to God, and not to me," the prince replied, "for
+from Him, and not from me, you have received victory."
+
+About 8000 men fell in the battle, the loss of the English, French, and
+Spaniards being nearly equal; but many thousands of the latter fell in the
+pursuit, and as many more were drowned in endeavouring to cross the river
+Ebro.  Don Henry escaped after fighting till the last, and reaching the
+French territory in safety took refuge in the Papal court of Avignon.
+
+Upon the morning after the battle Don Pedro requested the Black Prince to
+give him up all the Castilian prisoners, in order that he might put them to
+death.  The prince, however, was always opposed to cruelty, and asked and
+obtained as a boon to himself that the lives of all the Spanish prisoners,
+with the exception of one whose conduct had been marked with peculiar
+treachery, should be spared, and even induced Pedro to pardon them
+altogether on their swearing fealty to him. Even Don Sancho, Pedro's
+brother, who had fought at Najarra under Don Henry, was received and
+embraced by Pedro at the request of the Prince of Wales.  The city of
+Burgos at once opened its gates, and the rest of the country followed its
+example, and resumed its allegiance to Pedro, who remounted his throne
+without further resistance.
+
+As Walter had fought by the side of the Black Prince his desire to cross
+swords with Du Guesclin was not satisfied; but his valour during the day
+won for him the warm approbation of the prince. Opposed to them were many
+of the great companies, and these men, all experienced soldiers and many of
+them Englishmen, had fought with great stubbornness. Walter had singled out
+for attack a banner bearing the cognizance of a raven. The leader of this
+band, who was known as the Knight of the Raven, had won for himself a
+specially evil notoriety in France by the ferocity of his conduct. Wherever
+his band went they had swept the country, and the most atrocious tortures
+had been inflicted on all well-to-do persons who had fallen into their
+hands, to extract from them the secret of buried hoards or bonds, entailing
+upon them the loss of their last penny.
+
+The Knight of the Raven himself was said to be as brave as he was cruel,
+and several nobles who had attempted to oppose his band had been defeated
+and slain by him. He was known to be English, but his name was a mystery;
+and the Black Prince and his knights had long wished to encounter a man who
+was a disgrace alike to chivalry and the English name. When, therefore,
+Walter saw his banner in the king's division he urged his horse towards it,
+and, followed by Ralph and some thirty men-at-arms, hewed his way through
+the crowd until he was close to the banner.
+
+A knight in gray armour spurred forward to meet him, and a desperate
+conflict took place.
+
+Never had Walter crossed swords with a stouter adversary, and his opponent
+fought with as much vehemence and fury as if the sight of Walter's banner,
+which Ralph carried behind him, had aroused in him a frenzy of rage and
+hate.  In guarding his head from one of his opponent's sweeping blows
+Walter's sword shivered at the hilt; but before the Gray Knight could
+repeat the blow Walter snatched his heavy battle-axe from his saddle. The
+knight reined back his horse for an instant, and imitated his example, and
+with these heavy weapons the fight was renewed. The Knight of the Raven had
+lost by the change, for Walter's great strength stood him in good stead,
+and presently with a tremendous blow he beat down his opponent's axe and
+cleft through his helmet almost to the chin.
+
+The knight fell dead from his horse, and Walter, with his band pressing on,
+carried confusion into the ranks of his followers. When these had been
+defeated Walter rode back with Ralph to the spot where the Knight of the
+Raven had fallen.
+
+"Take off his helmet, Ralph. Let me see his face.  Methinks I recognized
+his voice, and he fought as if he knew and hated me."
+
+Ralph removed the helmet.
+
+"It is as I thought," Walter said; "it is Sir James Carnegie, a recreant
+and villain knight and foul enemy of mine, a disgrace to his name and rank,
+but a brave man. So long as he lived I could never say that my life was
+safe from his machinations. Thank God, there is an end of him and his evil
+doings!"
+
+Walter was twice wounded in the fight, but upon neither occasion seriously,
+and he was soon able to take part in the tournaments and games which the
+Prince of Wales instituted partly to keep his men employed, partly for the
+amusement of the citizens of Burgos, outside whose walls his army lay
+encamped.
+
+The prince was now obliged to remind the king of his promise to pay his
+troops; but nothing was farther from the mind of the treacherous monarch
+than to carry out the promises which he had made in exile. He dared not,
+however, openly avow his intentions; but, trusting to the chapter of
+accidents, he told the prince that at Burgos he could not collect a
+sufficient sum; but if the army would march into Leon and take up their
+quarters near Valladolid, he himself would proceed to Seville, and would as
+soon as possible collect the money which he had bound himself to furnish.
+The plan was adopted. Edward marched his troops to Valladolid, and Don
+Pedro went to Seville.
+
+Some time passed on without the arrival of the promised money, and the
+prince was impatient to return to Aquitaine.  Don Henry had gathered a
+force in France, secretly assisted by the French king, and had made an
+inroad into Aquitaine, where he obtained several successes, and was joined
+by many of the disinterested nobles of that province.
+
+"You were right," the prince said to Walter one day; "this treacherous
+king, who owes his kingdom to us, intends to break his plighted word. I
+know not what to do; my men are clamorous for their pay, and I am unable to
+satisfy them.  Don Pedro still sends fair promises, and although I believe
+in my heart that he has no intention of keeping them, yet I can hardly
+march against him as an enemy, for, however far from the truth it may be,
+his pretext that the treasury has been emptied by his brother, and that in
+the disturbed state of the kingdom no money can be obtained, may yet be
+urged as valid."
+
+Scarcely had the army encamped before Valladolid when a terrible pestilence
+attacked the army. For a while all questions of pay were forgotten, and
+consternation and dismay seized the troops. Neither rank nor station was of
+avail, and the leaders suffered as severely as the men. Every day immense
+numbers died, and so sudden were the attacks, and so great the mortality,
+that the soldiers believed that Don Pedro had poisoned the wells in order
+to rid himself of the necessity of fulfilling his obligations.
+
+The Black Prince himself was prostrated, and lay for some time between life
+and death. A splendid constitution enabled him to pull through, but he
+arose from his bed enfeebled and shattered, and although for some years he
+lived on, he received his death-blow at Valladolid. His personal strength
+never came to him again, and even his mind was dulled and the brightness of
+his intellect dimmed from the effects of the fever. When he recovered
+sufficiently to inquire into the state of his forces, he was filled with
+sorrow and dismay. Four-fifths of the number were either dead or so
+weakened as to be useless for service again.  The prince wrote urgently to
+Don Pedro for the money due; but the king knew that the English were
+powerless now, and replied that he had not been able to collect the money,
+but would forward it to Aquitaine, if the prince would return there with
+his army. Edward knew that he lied, but with only 6000 or 7000 men, many of
+whom were enfeebled by disease, he was not in a position to force the
+claim, or to punish the base and ungrateful king. Again, therefore, he
+turned his face north.
+
+Charles of Navarre had now allied himself with Don Henry, and refused to
+allow the remnants of the army to pass through his dominions, although he
+granted permission to the prince himself and his personal attendants and
+friends.  The southern route was barred by the King of Arragon, also an
+ally of Don Henry; but with him the prince was more successful. He had a
+personal interview with the monarch, and so influenced him that he not only
+obtained permission for his troops to pass through his dominions, but
+detached him from his alliance with Don Henry, and induced him to enter
+into a friendly treaty with Pedro.
+
+A greater act of magnanimity was never performed. In spite of the base
+ingratitude with which he had been treated, and the breach of faith which
+saddled him with enormous liabilities and debts, which weighed him down and
+embittered the rest of his life, Edward remained faithful to the cause of
+his father's ally, and did his best to maintain him in the position which
+English valour had won for him. He himself with a few companions passed
+through Navarre, and arrived safely in Bordeaux, where his wife awaited
+him, and where he was received with rejoicings and festivities in honour of
+his glorious campaign in Spain.
+
+His health was now irreparably injured. Troubles came thick upon him in
+Aquitaine, and he had no longer the energy to repress them. Risings took
+place in all directions, and the King of France renewed the war. In
+addition to his own troubles from the debts he had incurred, and the
+enemies who rose against him, he was further shaken by the death of his
+mother Philippa, whom he tenderly loved. His friend Chandos, too, was
+killed in a skirmish. Unhappily, while thus weakened in mind and body the
+treachery of the bishop and people of Limoges, who, having bound themselves
+by innumerable promises to him, surrendered their city to the French,
+caused him to commit the one act of cruelty which sullied the brightness of
+an otherwise unspotted career, for at the recapture of the town he bade his
+soldiers give no quarter.
+
+This act, although common enough at the time, is so opposed to the
+principles of mercy and humanity which throughout all the previous acts of
+his life distinguished the conduct of the Black Prince that it cannot be
+doubted that his brain was affected by the illness which was fast hurrying
+him to the grave.  Shortly afterwards he returned to England, and busied
+himself in arranging the affairs of the kingdom, which his father's failing
+health had permitted to fall into disorder. For the remaining four years of
+life he lived in seclusion, and sank on the 8th of June, 1376.
+
+Walter, Lord Somers, returned home after the conclusion of the campaign in
+Spain, and rode no more to the wars.
+
+Giles Fletcher and his wife had died some years before, but the good
+citizen Geoffrey the armourer, when he grew into years, abandoned his
+calling, and took up his abode at Westerham Castle to the time of his
+death.
+
+In the wars which afterwards occurred with France Walter was represented in
+the field by his sons, who well sustained the high reputation which their
+father had borne as a good and valiant knight. He and his wife lived to a
+green old age, reverenced and beloved by their tenants and retainers, and
+died surrounded by their descendants to the fourth generation.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg Etext Saint George for England, by G. A. Henty
+
diff --git a/old/stgfe10.zip b/old/stgfe10.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0cb3f93
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/stgfe10.zip