CHAPTER V
GREY DICK SHOWS HIS ARCHERY
So sorely did the horses need rest, that Hugh and his people could notride from London till the following morning, and evening was closing inbefore they found themselves drawing near the gate of Windsor Castle. Inthe market-place of the little town they pulled rein, while one of themwent to search for a good inn at which they might lie, for the placeseemed to be very full of people. Suddenly, as they stood there,wondering at the mighty, new-built keep which towered above them, atrumpet was blown and from round a corner appeared a gay procession ofnoble-looking men, and with them some ladies, who carried hawk on wrist,all mounted on splendid horses.
Now, the people who had gathered to study the strangers or tout fortheir custom, took off their bonnets and bent low, saying: "The King!The King! God save him!"
"Which is his Grace?" asked Hugh of one of them, whereon the man pointedto a royal-eyed and bearded knight, still in early middle life, who rodetoward him, talking to a gallant youth at his side.
Now a thought came into Hugh's mind that the present time is always thebest time to strike. Leaping from his horse, he advanced bowing, andstood in the pathway of the King. Seeing this, two of the fine Courtlords spurred their horses and rode straight at him, thinking to drivehim back. But he held his ground, for their insolence made him angry,and, catching the bridle of one of the horses, threw it on its haunchesso sharply that the knight who rode it rolled from his saddle into themire, whereupon every one laughed. In a moment he was on his feet again,and shouting:
"Out of the road, jackanapes, dressed in your grandfather's mail, unlessyou would stop there in the stocks. Do you know whose path you block?"
"That of his Grace," answered Hugh, "for whom I have a message that hewill be glad to hear, and, popinjay, this for yourself; were it notfor his presence it is you who should stop upon the road till you werecarried thence."
Now, noting this disturbance, the King spoke to the youth at his side,who came forward and said, in a pleasant, courteous voice, addressingHugh:
"Sir, why do you make trouble in these streets, and tumble the good SirAmbrose Lacey from his horse with such scant ceremony?"
"Sir," answered Hugh, "because the good Sir Ambrose tried to ride hishorse over me for no offence save that I would deliver a message to hisGrace, which he will wish to hear."
"This is scarcely a time for the giving of messages," replied the youngman, "but what is your name, and who sends the message? I am the PrinceEdward," he added modestly, "so you may speak to me without fear."
"My name is Hugh de Cressi, your Highness, and I am sent by the ReverendFather Sir Andrew Arnold, of Dunwich, and have followed his Grace fromWestminster, whither I and my men rode first."
Now, the Prince went to the King and spoke to him, and, returningpresently, said:
"My father says that he knows both the names you give well enough andholds them dear. He bids that you and your people should follow himto the castle, where you will be entertained, with your horses. SirAmbrose," he added, "the King desires that you should forget yourcholer, since he saw what passed, and deems that this young stranger didwell to check your horse. Follow on, Hugh de Cressi, the officers willshow you where you and your men may lodge."
So Hugh obeyed, and rode with the rest of the train and his folksthrough the gates of Windsor Castle. Nor did they do so unobserved,since many of the Court had no love for Sir Ambrose, and were glad tosee him tumbled in the mire.
After they had stabled their beasts, as Hugh, followed by Grey Dick,was advancing toward a hall which he was told that he might enter, anofficer came up.
"His Grace desires your presence before you sup," he said.
Pointing to Grey Dick, at whom the officer looked doubtfully, Hugh askedthat he might accompany him, as he had much to do with the message.After some argument they were led through various passages to a chamber,at the door of which the officer wished to take away Dick's bow. But hewould not give it up.
"The bow and I do not part," he said, in his croaking voice, "for we arehusband and wife, and live and sleep together as the married should."
As Dick spoke the door was opened, and Prince Edward appeared.
"And do you eat together also, good fellow?" he asked, having overheardthe talk.
"Ay, sir, we feed full together," replied Dick grimly; "or so thoughtsome on Blythburgh Marsh a few days gone."
"I should like to hear that tale," said the Prince. "Meanwhile, sinceboth my father and I love archers, let him pass with his bow. Only keephis arrows lest it should happen to grow hungry here."
Then they entered the chamber, led by the Prince. It was a fine place,with a vaulted stone roof and windows of coloured glass, that lookedlike the chancel of a church. Only at the head of it, where the altarshould have been, was a kind of dais. On this dais were set somehigh-backed oaken chairs with many lanterns behind them in which burnedtapers that, together with a great wood fire, gave light to the chamber.
In one of these chairs sat a gracious lady, who was embroideringsomething silken in a frame. This was Queen Philippa, and talking toher stood the tall King, clad in a velvet robe lined with fur. Behind,seated at a little table on which lay parchments, was a man in apriest's robe, writing. There was no one else in the room.
Hugh and Dick advanced to the foot of the dais, and stood there bowing.
"Who are these?" asked the King of the Prince. "Oh, I remember, the manwho overthrew Sir Ambrose and said he had a message!"
"Ay, Sire," answered the Prince; "and this dust-coloured fellow is hisservant, who will not part with his bow, which he calls his wife andsays he sleeps with."
"I would all Englishmen did the same," broke in the King. "Say, man, canyou shoot straight?"
"I know not, Sire," replied Grey Dick, "but perhaps straighter thanmost, for God, Who withheld all else from me, gave me this gift. Atleast, if I be not made drunk overnight, I'll match myself against anyman at this Court, noble or simple, and stake twenty angels on it."
"Twenty angels! Have you so much, fellow?"
"Nay, Sire, nor more than one; but as I know I shall win, what does thatmatter?"
"Son," said the King, "see that this man is kept sober to-night, andto-morrow we will have a shooting match. But, sirrah, if you proveyourself to be a boaster you shall be whipped round the walls, for Ilove not tall words and small deeds. And now, young Master de Cressi,what is this message of yours?"
Hugh thrust his hand into his bosom, and produced a sealed packet whichwas addressed to "His Grace King Edward of England, sent from AndrewArnold, priest, by the hand of Hugh de Cressi."
"Can you read?" the King asked of Hugh when he had spelt out thissuperscription.
"Ay, Sire; at least if the writing be that of Sir Andrew Arnold, for hewas my master."
"A learned one and a brave, Hugh de Cressi. Well, break seal; welisten."
Hugh obeyed, and read as follows:
"Your Grace:
"Mayhap, Sire, you will remember me, Andrew Arnold, late master of theTemplars in this town of Dunwich, in whose house, by your warrant forcertain services rendered to your grandsire, your sire, and to yourself,I still dwell on as a priest ordained. Sire, the bearer of this, Hugh deCressi, my godchild, is the son of Geoffrey de Cressi, of this town, thegreat wool-merchant, with whom your Highness has had dealings----"
"In truth I have!" interrupted the King, with a laugh. "Also I think theaccount is still open--against myself. Well, it shall be paid some day,when I have conquered France. Forward!"
"Sire, this Hugh is enamoured of Eve Clavering, daughter of Sir JohnClavering of Blythburgh, a cousin of his House, a very beauteous maiden,commonly known as Red Eve, and she in turn is enamoured of and betrothedto him----"
Here Queen Philippa suddenly became interested.
"Why is the lady called Red Eve, sir?" she asked in her soft voice."Because her cheeks are red?"
"No, Madam," answered Hugh, blushing; "because she always loves to wearre
d garments."
"Ah, then she is dark!"
"That is so, Madam; her eyes and hair are black as ash-buds."
"God's truth! Lady," interrupted King Edward, "is this young man'smessage of the colour of the eyes of his mistress, which, without doubt,being in love, he describes falsely? On with the letter!"
"Out of this matter," continued Hugh, "rose a feud yesterday, duringwhich Hugh de Cressi killed his cousin John, fighting _a outrance_, andhis servant, Richard the Archer, who accompanies him, commonly known asGrey Dick, slew three men with as many arrows, two of them being Normanswhose names are unknown to us, and the third a grieve to Sir JohnClavering, called Thomas of Kessland. Also, he killed a horse, and whenanother Frenchman tried to grasp his master, sent a shaft through thepalm of his hand."
"By St. George," said the King, "but here is shooting! Were they near toyou, Grey Dick?"
"Not so far away, Sire. Only the light was very bad, or I should havehad the fourth. I aimed low, Sire, fearing to miss his skull, and hejerked up his horse's head to take the arrow."
"A good trick! I've played it myself. Well, let us have done with theletter, and then we'll come to archery."
"Sire," read on Hugh, "I ask your royal pardon to Hugh de Cressi andRichard the Archer for these slayings, believing that when you have readthese letters it will be granted."
"That remains to be seen," muttered the King.
"Sire, Sir Edmund Acour, who has lands here in Suffolk, Count de Noyonin Normandy, and Seigneur of Cattrina in Italy----"
"I know the man," exclaimed Edward to the Queen, "and so do you. Ahandsome knight and a pleasant, but one of whom I have always misdoubtedme."
"--Is also enamoured of Eve Clavering, and with her father's willseeks to make her his wife, though she hates him, and by the charter ofDunwich, of which she is a citizen, has the right to wed whom she will."
"It is well there are not many such charters. The old story--brave mendone to death for the sake of a woman who is rightly named Red Eve,"mused the King.
"My Liege, I pray that you will read the letter herein enclosed. Hugh deCressi will tell you how it came to my hand, since I lack time to writeall the story. If it seems good to your Grace, I pray you scotch thissnake while he is in your garden, lest he should live to sting you whenyou walk abroad. If it please you to give your royal warrant to thebearer of this letter, and to address the same to such of your subjectsin Dunwich as you may think good, I doubt not but that men can be foundto execute the same. Thus would a great and traitorous plot be broughtto nothing, to your own glory and the discomfiture of your foes inFrance, who hope to lay their murderous hands upon the throne ofEngland. "Your humble servant and subject,
"Andrew Arnold."
"What's this?" exclaimed the King starting from his seat. "To lay handsupon the throne of England! Quick with the other letter, man!"
"I was charged that it is for your Grace's eye alone," said Hugh as heunfolded the paper. "Is it your pleasure that I read it aloud, if I can,for it is writ in French?"
"Give it me," said the King. "Philippa, come help me with this crabbedstuff."
Then they withdrew to the side of the dais, and, standing under alantern, spelled out Sir Edmund Acour's letter to the Duke of Normandy,word by word.
The King finished the letter, and, still holding it in his hand, stoodfor a minute silent. Then his rage broke out.
"'He of England,'" he quoted. "That's your husband, Edward, Lady, who isto be overthrown and killed 'that Philip's son may take his seat and becrowned King at Westminster,' which God is to bring about before thisyear is out. Yes; and my cities are to be sacked and my people slain,and this French dog, Edmund Acour, who has sworn fealty to me, is to berewarded with wide English lands and high English titles. Well, by God'sblood I swear that, dead or living, he shall be lifted higher than hehopes, though not by Normandy or my brother of France! Let me think! Letme think! If I send men-at-arms he'll hear of it and slip away. Did notgood old Sir Andrew call him a snake? Now, where's this girl, Red Eve?"
"In sanctuary, Sire, at the Temple Church in Dunwich," answered Hugh.
"Ah, and she's a great heiress now, for you killed her brother, andAcour, although he has wide possessions in sundry lands, was ever aspendthrift and deep in debt. No, he'll not leave unless he can getthe girl; and old Sir Andrew will guard her well with the power ofthe Church, and with his own right arm if need be, for he's still moreknight than priest. So there's no hurry. Tell me all you know of thisstory, Hugh de Cressi, omitting nothing, however small. Nay, have nofear, if you can vouch for your fellow there, all of us in this chamberare loyal to England. Speak out, man."
So Hugh began and told of the de Cressis and the Claverings and theirfeud, and of how he and Eve had always loved each other. He told oftheir meeting in the reeds of Blythburgh Fen, and of the death of Johnde Clavering at his hand and of the others at the hand of Grey Dick, andof the escape of Acour from the fourth arrow. He told how he and Evehad swum the Blyth in flood though the ice cut them, and hid on themoor while Grey Dick led the Claverings astray, and came at last safe tosanctuary. He told how Acour's letter had been won from his messengerby Sir Andrew's loyal guile. He told of the penance that Sir Andrew hadlaid upon them because of the new-shed blood of John Clavering, of theflight from Dunwich and the shooting of the horses of the Clavering men,and of their ride to London and to Windsor. He told everything, saveonly the tale of what Sir Andrew had seen in the House of Murgh in farCathay.
When at last he had finished, and though it was long none there grewweary of that story, the King turned to the clerk, and said:
"Brother Peter, make out a full pardon to Hugh de Cressi of Dunwich andRichard Archer his servant for all slayings or other deeds wrought bythem contrary to our general peace. Draw it wide, and bring the same tome for execution ere I sleep to-night. Make out a commission also tothe Mayor of Dunwich--nay, I'll think that matter over and instruct youfurther. Hugh de Cressi, you have our thanks, and if you go on as youhave begun you shall have more ere long, for I need such men about me.You also, strange and death-like man named Grey Dick, shall not lackour favour if it proves that you can shoot but half as well as you haveboasted, and, unless you lie, both of you, as it seems that you havedone. And now to supper, though in truth this news does not kindleappetite. Son, see that this gentleman is well served, and that nonemock him more about the fashion of his armour, above all Sir Ambrose,for I'll not suffer it. Plate and damascene do not make a man, and this,it seems, was borrowed from as brave, ay, and as learned, a knight asever bestrode a horse in war. Come, Lady," and taking the Queen by thehand, he left the chamber.
That evening Hugh ate his food seated among the knights of the Householdat a high table in the great hall, at the head of which, for the Kingsupped in private, was placed the young Prince Edward. He noted that nownone laughed at him about the fashion of his mail or his country ways.Indeed, when after supper Sir Ambrose Lacey came to him and asked hispardon for the talk that he had used to him in the Windsor street--hewas sure that some word had been sent round that his business hadbrought him favour with the King and that he must be treated with allcourtesy. Several of those who sat round him tried to discover what thatbusiness was. But of this he would say nothing, parrying their questionswith others about the wars in France, and listening with open ears tothe tales of great deeds done there.
"Ah, would that I could see such things!" he said.
To which one of them answered:
"Well, why not? There'll be chance enough ere long, and many of us wouldbe glad of a square built like you."
Now, at lower tables, in that vast hall, Hugh's servants, and with themGrey Dick, sat among the men-at-arms of the King's Guard, who were allchosen for their courage, and skill in archery. These soldiers, notingthe strange-faced, ashen-haired fellow who ate with his bow resting onthe bench beside him, inquired about him from the other Dunwich men, andsoon heard enough to cause them to open their eyes. When the ale had gothold of them they
opened their mouths also, and, crowding round Dick,asked if it were true that he could shoot well.
"As well as another," he answered, and would say no more.
Then they looked at his bow, and saw that it was old-fashioned, like hismaster's mail, and of some foreign make and wood, but a mighty weaponsuch as few could handle and hold straight. Lastly, they began tochallenge him to a match upon the morrow, to which he answered, who alsohad been drinking ale and was growing angry, that he'd give the best ofthem five points in fifty.
Now they mocked, for among them were some famous archers, and asked atwhat range.
"At any ye will," answered Grey Dick, "from twelve score yards down toone score yards. Now trouble me no longer, who if I must shoot to-morrowwould sleep first and drink no more of your strong ale that breeds badhumours in one reared upon dyke water."
Then, seizing his bow, he glided away in his curious stoat-like fashionto the hole where he had been shown that he should sleep.
"A braggart!" said one.
"I am not so sure," answered a grizzled captain of archers, who hadfought in many wars. "Braggarts make a noise, but this fellow only spokewhen we squeezed him and perhaps what came out of those thin lips wastruth. At least, from his look I'd sooner not find him against me bow tobow."
Then they fell to betting which of them would beat Grey Dick by theheaviest points.