CHAPTER XXV.
IN SEARCH OF THE KING.
The following day, with many thanks, Cuthbert started from the castle,and in the first place visited the convent, and told Lady Margaret thatshe would be fetched in a few days by Sir Baldwin and his wife. He tooka tender adieu of her, not without many forebodings and tears upon herpart; but promising blithely that he would return and lead her back intriumph to her castle, he bade adieu and rode for London.
He had attired himself as a merchant, and took up his abode at ahostelry near Cheapside. Here he remained quietly for some days, and,mixing among the people, learned that in London as elsewhere therapacity of Prince John had rendered him hateful to the people, and thatthey would gladly embrace any opportunity of freeing themselves from hisyoke. He was preparing to leave for France, when the news came to himthat Prince John had summoned all the barons faithful to him to meet himnear London, and had recalled all his mercenaries from different partsof the country, and was gathering a large army; also, that the baronsfaithful to King Richard, alarmed by the prospect, had raised the royalstandard, and that true men were hurrying to their support. Thisentirely destroyed the plans that he had formed. Taking horse again, andavoiding the main road, by which he might meet the hostile barons ontheir way to London, he journeyed down to Nottingham. Thence ridingboldly into the forest, he sought the outlaws, and was not long ere hefound them. At his request he was at once taken before their leader, aman of great renown both for courage and bowmanship, one Robin Hood.This bold outlaw had long held at defiance the sheriff of Nottingham,and had routed him and all bodies of troops who had been sent againsthim. With him Cuthbert found many of his own men; and upon hearing thatthe royal standard had been raised, Robin Hood at once agreed to marchwith all his men to join the royal force. Messengers were dispatched tosummon the rest of the forest band from their hiding-places, and a weeklater Cuthbert, accompanied by Robin Hood and three hundred archers, setout for the rendezvous. When they arrived there they found that SirBaldwin had already joined with his retainers, and was by him mostwarmly received, and introduced to the other barons in the camp, by whomCuthbert was welcomed as a brother. The news that Prince John's army wasapproaching was brought in a fortnight after Cuthbert had joined thecamp, and the army in good order moved out to meet the enemy.
The forces were about equal. The battle began by a discharge of arrows;but Robin Hood and his men shot so true and fast that they greatlydiscomfited the enemy; and King John's mercenaries having but littlestomach for the fight, and knowing how unpopular they were in England,and that if defeated small mercy was likely to be shown to them, refusedto advance against the ranks of the loyal barons, and falling backdeclined to join in the fray. Seeing their numbers so weakened by thisdefection, the barons on the prince's side hesitated, and surroundingthe prince advised him to make terms with the barons while there was yettime. Prince John saw that the present was not a favorable time for him,and concealing his fury under a mask of courtesy, he at once acceded tothe advice of his followers, and dispatched a messenger to the baronswith an inquiry as to what they wanted of him. A council was held, andit was determined to demand the dismissal of the mercenaries and theirdispatch back to their own country; also that John would govern only ashis brother's representative; that the laws of the country should berespected; that no taxes should be raised without the assent of thebarons; that all men who had taken up arms against his authority shouldbe held free; and that the barons on Prince John's side should returnpeaceably home and disband their forces. Seeing, under thecircumstances, that there was no way before him but to yield to thesedemands, Prince John accepted the terms. The mercenaries were ordered tomarch direct to London, and orders were given that ships should be atonce prepared to take them across to Normandy, and the barons marchedfor their homes.
Satisfied, now that the mercenaries were gone, that they couldhenceforth hold their ground against Prince John, the royal barons alsobroke up their forces. Robin Hood with his foresters returned toSherwood; and Cuthbert, bidding adieu to Sir Baldwin, rode back toLondon, determined to carry out the plan which he had formed. He was themore strengthened in this resolution, inasmuch as in the royal camp hehad met a friend from whom he parted last in the Holy Land. This wasBlondel, the minstrel of King Richard, whose songs and joyous music hadoften lightened the evening after days of fighting and toil inPalestine. To him Cuthbert confided his intention, and the minstrelinstantly offered to accompany him.
"I shall," he said, "be of assistance to you. Minstrels are likeheralds. They are of no nationality, and can pass free where aman-at-arms would be closely watched and hindered. Moreover, it may bethat I might aid you greatly in discovering the prison of the king. Sogreat is the secrecy with which this has been surrounded that I questionif any inquiries you could make would enable you to trace him. My voice,however, can penetrate into places where we cannot enter. I will takewith me my lute, and as we journey I will sing outside the walls of eachprison we come to one of the songs which I sang in Palestine. KingRichard is himself a singer and knows my songs as well as myself. If Ising a verse of some song which I wrote there and which, therefore,would be known only to him, if he hears it he may follow with the nextverse, and so enable us to know of his hiding-place."
Cuthbert at once saw the advantages which such companionship would bringhim, and joyfully accepted the minstrel's offer, agreeing himself to goas serving man to Blondel. The latter accompanied him to London. Heretheir preparations were soon made, and taking ship in a merchantmanbound for the Netherlands, they started without delay upon theiradventure.
The minstrels and troubadours were at that time a privileged race inEurope, belonging generally to the south of France, although produced inall lands. They traveled over Europe singing the lays which theythemselves had composed, and were treated with all honor at the castleswhere they chose to alight. It would have been considered as foul a deedto use discourtesy to a minstrel as to insult a herald. Their personswere, indeed, regarded as sacred, and the knights and barons strove togain their good-will by hospitality and presents, as a large proportionof their ballads related to deeds of war; and while they would writelays in honor of those who courteously entertained them, they did nothesitate to heap obloquy upon those who received them discourteously,holding them up to the gibes and scoffs of their fellows. In no way,therefore, would success be so likely to attend the mission of those whoset out to discover the hiding-place of King Richard as under the guiseof a minstrel and his attendant. No questions would be asked them; theycould halt where they would, in castle or town, secure of hospitalityand welcome. Blondel was himself a native of the south of France,singing his songs in the soft language of Languedoc. Cuthbert's NormanFrench would pass muster anywhere as being that of a native of France;and although when dressed as a servitor attention might be attracted byhis bearing, his youth might render it probable that he was of noblefamily, but that he had entered the service of the minstrel in order toqualify himself some day for following that career. He carried a longstaff, a short sword, and at his back the lute or small harp played uponby the troubadour. Blondel's attire was rich, and suitable to a personof high rank.
They crossed to the Scheldt, and thence traveled by the right bank ofthe Rhine as far as Mannheim, sometimes journeying by boat, sometimes onfoot. They were also hospitably entertained, and were considered to morethan repay their hosts by the songs which Blondel sang.
At Mannheim they purchased two horses, and then struck east for Vienna.
The journey was not without danger, for a large portion of this part ofEurope was under no settled government, each petty baron living in hisown castle, and holding but slight allegiance to any feudal lord, makingwar upon his neighbor on his own account, levying blackmail fromtravelers, and perpetually at variance with the burghers of the towns.
The hills were covered with immense forests, which stretched for manyleagues in all directions, and these were infested by wolves, bears, androbbers.
The la
tter, however, although men without pity or religion, yet held thetroubadours in high esteem, and the travelers without fear entered thegloomy shades of the forest.
They had not gone far when their way was barred by a number of armedmen.
"I am a minstrel," Blondel said; "and as such doubt not that yourcourtesy will be extended to me."
"Of a surety," the leader said; "the gay science is as much loved andrespected in the greenwood as in the castle; and moreover, the purses ofthose who follow it are too light to offer any temptation to us. Wewould pray you, however, to accompany us to our leader, who willmightily rejoice to see you, for he loves music, and will gladly be yourhost so long as you will stay with him."
Blondel, without objection, turned his horse's head and accompanied themen, followed by Cuthbert. After half an hour's traveling they came to abuilding which had formerly been a shrine, but which was now convertedto the robbers' headquarters. The robber chief, on hearing from hisfollowers the news that a minstrel had arrived, came forward to meethim, and courteously bade him welcome.
"I am Sir Adelbert, of Rotherheim," he said, "although you see me in sopoor a plight. My castle and lands have been taken by my neighbor, withwhom for generations my family have been at feud. I was in the Holy Landwith the emperor, and on my return found that the baron had taken theopportunity of my absence, storming my castle and seizing my lands. Invain I petitioned the emperor to dispossess this traitorous baron of mylands, which by all the laws of Christendom should have been respectedduring my absence. The emperor did indeed send a letter to the baron todeliver them up to me; but his power here is but nominal, and the baroncontemptuously threw the royal proclamation into the fire and told themessenger that what he had taken by the sword he would hold by thesword; and the emperor having weightier matters on hand than to settroops in motion to redress the grievances of a simple knight, gave thematter no further thought. I have therefore been driven to the forest,where I live as best I may with my followers, most of whom wereretainers upon my estate, and some my comrades in the Holy Land. I makewar upon the rich and powerful, and beyond that do harm to no man. But,methinks," he continued, "I know your face, gentle sir."
"It may well be so, Sir Adelbert," the minstrel said, "for I too was inthe Holy Land. I followed the train of King Richard, and mayhap at someof the entertainments given by him you have seen my face. My name isBlondel."
"I remember now," the knight said. "It was at Acre that I first saw you,and if I remember rightly you can wield the sword as well as the lute."
"One cannot always be playing and singing," Blondel said, "and in lackof amusement I was forced to do my best against the infidel, who indeedwould have but little respected my art had I fallen into his hands. Thefollowers of the prophet hold minstrels but in slight reverence."
"What is the news of King Richard?" the knight said. "I have heard thathe was lost on the voyage homeward."
"It is not so," Blondel said. "He landed safely on the coast, and wasjourneying north with a view of joining his sister at the court ofSaxony, when he was foully seized and imprisoned by the Archduke John."
"That were gross shame indeed," the knight said, "and black treachery onthe part of Duke John. And where is the noble king imprisoned?"
"That," said Blondel, "no man knows. On my journey hither I havegathered that the emperor claimed him from the hand of the archduke, andthat he is imprisoned in one of the royal fortresses, but which I knownot. And indeed, sir knight, since you are well disposed toward him, Imay tell you that the purport of my journey is to discover if I can theplace of his confinement. He was a kind and noble master, and howeverlong my search may be, I will yet obtain news of him."
The knight warmly applauded the troubadour's resolution, and was turningto lead him into his abode, when his eye fell upon Cuthbert.
"Methinks I know the face of your attendant as well as your own; thoughwhere I can have seen him I know not. Was he with you in the Holy Land?"
"Yes," Blondel said, "the youth was also there; and doubtless you mayhave noticed him, for he is indeed of distinguished and of good family."
"Then let him share our repast," the knight said, "if it seems good toyou. In these woods there is no rank, and I myself have long dropped myknightly title, and shall not reassume it until I can pay off my scoreto the Baron of Rotherheim, and take my place again in my castle."
The minstrel and Cuthbert were soon seated at the table with the knightand one or two of his principal companions. A huge venison pasty formedthe staple of the repast, but hares and other small game were also uponthe table. Nor was the generous wine of the country wanting.
The knight had several times glanced at Cuthbert, and at last exclaimed,"I have it now. This is no attendant, sir minstrel, but that valiantyoung knight who so often rode near King Richard in battle. He is, as Iguess, your companion in this quest; is it not so?"
"It is," Cuthbert replied frankly. "I am, like yourself, a disinheritedknight, and my history resembles yours. Upon my return to England Ifound another in possession of the land and titles that belonged to thenoble I followed, and which King Richard bestowed upon me. The Earl ofEvesham was doubtless known to you, and before his death King Richard,at his request, bestowed upon me as his adopted son--although but adistant connection--his title and lands and the hand of his daughter.Prince John, who now rules in England, had however granted these thingsto one of his favorites, and he having taken possession of the land andtitle, though not, happily, of the lady, closed his door somewhatroughly in my face. I found means, however, to make my mark upon him;but as our quarrel could not be fought out to the end, and as the falseknight had the aid of Prince John, I am forced for awhile to postponeour settlement, and meeting my good friend the minstrel, agreed to joinhim in his enterprise to discover our lord the king."
The knight warmly grasped Cuthbert's hand.
"I am glad," he said, "to meet so true and valiant a knight. I haveoften wondered at the valor with which you, although so young, boreyourself; and there were tales afloat of strange adventures which youhad undergone in captivity for a time among the infidels."
At Sir Adelbert's request Cuthbert related the story of his adventuresamong the Saracens; and then Blondel, tuning his lute, sang severalcanzonets which he had composed in the Holy Land, of feats of arms andadventure.
"How far are you," Cuthbert asked presently, when Blondel laid his luteaside, "from the estates which were wrongfully wrested from you?"
"But twenty leagues," the knight said. "My castle was on the Rhine,between Coblentz and Mannheim."
"Does the baron know that you are so near?" Cuthbert asked.
"Methinks that he does not," the knight replied, "but that he deems meto have gone to the court of the emperor to seek for redress--which, heguesses, I shall certainly fail to obtain."
"How many men have you with you?" Cuthbert asked.
"Fifty men, all good and true," the knight said.
"Has it never entered your thoughts to attempt a surprise upon hiscastle?" Cuthbert said.
The knight was silent for a minute.
"At times," he said at length, "thoughts of so doing have occurred tome; but the castle is strong, and a surprise would be difficult indeed."
"If the baron is lulled in security at present," Cuthbert said, "anddeems you afar off, the watch is likely to be relaxed, and with a suddenonslaught you might surely obtain possession. Blondel and myself are notpressed for time, and the delay of a few days can make but littledifference. If, therefore, you think we could be of assistance to you insuch an attempt, my sword, and I am sure that of my friend, would be atyour disposal."
The knight sat for some time in silence.
"Thanks, generous knight," he said at last, "I am sorely tempted toavail myself of your offer; but I fear that the enterprise is hopeless.The aid, however, of your arm and knowledge of war would greatly add tomy chances, and if it pleases you we will ride to-morrow to a pointwhere we can obtain a sight of the baron's castle. When
you see it youshall judge yourself how far such an enterprise as you propose ispossible."
"Is your own castle intact?" Cuthbert asked.
"The walls are standing," he said; "but a breach has been made in them,and at present it is wholly deserted."
"Do you think," Cuthbert asked, "that if you succeeded in surprising anddefeating the garrison of the castle that you could then regain yourown, and hold it against your enemy?"
"I think that I could," Sir Adelbert said. "The baron's domains are butlittle larger than my own. Many of my retainers still live upon theestate, and would, I am sure, gladly join me, if I were to raise myflag. The baron, too, is hated by his neighbors, and could I inflict acrushing blow upon him, methinks it would be so long a time before hecould assemble a force, that I might regain my castle and put it in anattitude of defense before he could take the field against me."
"If," Cuthbert said, "we could surprise the castle, it might well bethat the baron would fall into your hands, and in that case you might beable to make your own terms with him. How strong a force is he likely tohave in his castle?"
"Some fifty or sixty men," the knight replied; "for with such a force hecould hold the castle against an attack of ten times their number, andhe could in twelve hours call in his retainers, and raise the garrisonto three hundred or four hundred men."
Blondel warmly assented to Cuthbert's scheme, and it was settled that atdaybreak they should start to view the Castle of Rotherheim. At earlydawn they were in the saddle, and the three rode all day, until towardsunset they stood on the crest of a hill looking down into the valley ofthe Rhine.
The present aspect of that valley affords but a slight idea of itsbeauty in those days. The slopes are now clad with vineyards, which,although picturesque in idea, are really, to look at from a distance, nobetter than so many turnip fields. The vines are planted in rows andtrained to short sticks, and as these rows follow the declivities of thehillside, they are run in all directions, and the whole mountain side,from the river far up, is cut up into little patches of green lines. Inthose days the mountains were clad with forests, which descended nearlyto the riverside. Here and there, upon craggy points, were situate thefortalices of the barons. Little villages nestled in the woods, or stoodby the river bank, and a fairer scene could not be witnessed in Europe.
"That is Rotherheim," the knight said, pointing to a fortress standingon a crag, which rose high above the woods around it; "and that," hesaid, pointing to another some four miles away, similarly placed, "is myown."
Cuthbert examined closely the fortress of Rotherheim. It was a largebuilding, with towers at the angles, and seemed to rise almost abruptlyfrom the edge of the rock. Inside rose the gables and round turrets ofthe dwelling-place of the baron, and the only access was by a steepwinding path on the riverside.
"It is indeed a strong place," Cuthbert said, "and difficult to take bysurprise. A watch no doubt is always kept over the entrance, and therewe can hope for no success. The only plan will be to scale the wall bymeans of a ladder; but how the ladder is to be got to so great a height,I own at present passes my comprehension." After much thought, Cuthbertwent on, "It might, methinks, be practicable for an archer to approachthe walls, and to shoot an arrow over the angle of the castle so that itwould pass inside the turret there, and fall in the forest beyond. If tothis arrow were attached a light cord, it could be gained by one on theother side, and a stronger cord hauled over. To this could be attached arope ladder, and so this could be raised to the top of the wall. If asentinel were anywhere near he might hear the rope pulled across thebattlements; but if, as we may hope, a watch is kept only over theentrance, the operation might be performed without attracting notice."
The knight was delighted with the project, which seemed perfectlyfeasible, and it was agreed that the attempt should be made.
"It will need," Sir Adelbert said, "an archer with a strong arm indeedto shoot an arrow with a cord attached to it, however light, over thecorner of the castle."
"Methinks," Cuthbert said, "that I can do that, for as a lad I was usedto the strong bows of my country. The first thing, however, will be toobtain such a bow; but doubtless one can be purchased in one of thetowns, which, if not so strong as those to which I was accustomed, willat any rate suffice for us."
The party bivouacked in the woods for the night, for the horses hadalready done a very long journey, and needed rest before starting backfor the Black Forest. At daybreak, however, they started, and atnightfall rejoined their band. These were delighted when they heard thescheme that had been set on foot, and all avowed their eagerness to joinin the attempt to restore their lord to his rights.
Two days later they set out, having already procured from the nearesttown a strong bow, some arrows, a very light rope, and a stronger onefrom a portion of which they manufactured a rope ladder capable ofreaching from the top of the wall to the rock below. The journey thistime occupied two days, as the men on foot were unable to march at thepace at which the mounted party had traversed the ground. The eveningof the second day, however, saw them in sight of the castle. ByCuthbert's advice, Sir Adelbert determined to give them twenty-fourhours of rest, in order that they might have their full strength forundertaking the task before them. During the day Cuthbert, guided by theknight, made his way through the woods to the foot of the rocks on whichthe castle stood. They were extremely steep, but could be mounted byactive men if unopposed from above. Cuthbert measured the height withhis eye from the top of the castle wall to the place which he selectedas most fitting from which to shoot the arrow, and announced to theknight that he thought there would be no difficulty in discharging anarrow over the angle.
At nightfall the whole party made their way silently through the woods.Three men were sent round to the side of the castle opposite that fromwhich Cuthbert was to shoot. The length of light string was carefullycoiled on the ground, so as to unwind with the greatest facility, and sooffer as little resistance to the flight of the arrow as might be. Then,all being in readiness, Cuthbert attached the end to an arrow, anddrawing the bow to its full compass, let fly the arrow. All held theirbreath; but no sound followed the discharge. They were sure, therefore,that the arrow had not struck the wall, but that it must have passedclear over it. Half an hour elapsed before they felt that the cord waspulled, and knew that the men upon the other side had succeeded infinding the arrow and string attached. The stronger cord was nowfastened to that which the arrow had carried, and this graduallydisappeared in the darkness. A party now stole up the rock, and postedthemselves at the foot of the castle wall. They took with them the coilof rope-ladder and the end of the rope. At length the rope tightened,and to the end they attached the ladder. This again ascended until theend only remained upon the ground, and they knew that it must havereached the top of the wall. They now held fast, and knew that those onthe other side, following the instructions given them, would havefastened the rope to a tree upon the opposite side. They were now joinedby the rest of the party, and Sir Adelbert leading the way, and followedby Cuthbert and Blondel, began cautiously to ascend the rope ladder.
All this time no sound from the castle proclaimed that their intentionwas suspected, or that any alarm had been given, and in silence theygained the top of the wall. Here they remained quiet until the wholeband were gathered there, and then made their way along until theyreached the stairs leading to the courtyard. These they descended, andthen, raising his war-cry, Sir Adelbert sprang upon the men who, round afire, were sitting by the gate. These were cut down before they couldleap to their feet, and the party then rushed at the entrance to thedwelling-house. The retainers of the castle, aroused by the sudden din,rushed from their sleeping places, but taken completely by surprise,were unable to offer any resistance whatever to the strong force whichhad, as if by magic, taken possession of the castle. The surprise wascomplete, and with scarce a blow struck they found themselves inpossession. The baron himself was seized as he rose from his bed, andhis rage at finding himself in the po
wer of his enemy was so great asfor some time to render him speechless. Sir Adelbert briefly dictated tohim the conditions upon which only he should desist from using his powerto hang him over his own gate. The baron was instantly to issue ordersto all his own retainers and tenantry to lend their aid to those of SirAdelbert in putting the castle of the latter into a state of defense andmending the breach which existed. A sum of money, equal to the revenuesof which he had possessed himself, was to be paid at once, and theknight was to retain possession of Rotherheim and of the baron's personuntil these conditions were all faithfully carried out. The baron had noresource but to assent to these terms, and upon the following dayCuthbert and Blondel departed upon their way, overwhelmed with thanks bySir Adelbert, and confident that he would now be able to regain and holdthe possession of his estate.
CHAPTER XXVI.
KING RICHARD'S RETURN TO ENGLAND.
Journeying onward, Blondel and his companion stopped at many castles,and were everywhere hospitably entertained. Arriving at Vienna theylingered for some time, hoping there to be able to obtain someinformation of the whereabouts of King Richard. Blondel in his songsartfully introduced allusions to the captive monarch and to the mourningof all Christendom at the imprisonment of its champion. These allusionswere always well received, and he found that the great bulk of thenobles of the empire were indignant and ashamed at the conduct of theemperor in imprisoning his illustrious rival. The secret of his prisonplace, however, appeared to have been so well kept that no informationwhatever was obtainable.
"We must carry out our original plan," he said at length, "and journeyinto the Tyrol. In one of the fortresses there he is most likely to beconfined."
Leaving the capital they wandered up into the mountains for weeks,visiting one castle after another. It was no easy matter in all cases toget so near to these prisons as to give a hope that their voice might beheard within, or an answer received without. More than once crossbowbolts were shot at them from the walls when they did not obey thesentinel's challenge and move further away. Generally, however, it wasin the daytime that they sang. Wandering carelessly up, they would sitdown within earshot of the castle, open their wallets, and take outprovisions from their store, and then, having eaten and drunk, Blondelwould produce his lute and sing, as if for his own pleasure. It needed,however, four visits to each castle before they could be sure that thecaptive was not there; for the song had to be sung on each side.Sometimes they would cheat themselves with the thought that they heardan answering voice; but it was not until the end of the fourth week,when singing outside the castle of Diernstein, that a full rich voice,when Blondel ceased, sang out the second stanza of the poem. Withdifficulty Blondel and Cuthbert restrained themselves from anextravagant exhibition of joy. They knew, however, that men on theprison wall were watching them as they sat singing, and Blondel, with afinal strain taken from a ballad of a knight who, having discovered thehiding-place of his lady love, prepared to free her from her oppressors,shouldered his lute, and they started on their homeward journey.
There was no delay now. At times they sang indeed at castles; but onlywhen their store was exhausted, for upon these occasions Blondel wouldbe presented with a handsome goblet or other solid token of the owner'sapproval, and the sale of this at the next city would take them far ontheir way. They thought it better not to pass through France, as Philip,they knew, was on the watch to prevent any news of King Richard reachingEngland. They therefore again passed through Brabant, and so by ship toEngland.
Hearing that Longchamp, Bishop of Ely, one of Richard's vicegerents, wasover in Normandy, and rightly deeming him the most earnest of hisadherents, they at once recrossed the sea, and found the warlike prelateat Rouen. Greatly delighted was he at hearing that Richard'shiding-place had been discovered. He at once sent across the news toEngland, and ordered it to be published far and wide, and himselfannounced it to the barons of Normandy. Then with a gorgeous retinue,including Cuthbert and Blondel, he started for Vienna, and arrivingthere demanded an interview with the emperor.
The news that it was now certain that Richard was imprisoned in a castleof the emperor had already spread through Europe, and the bishop hadbeen received everywhere with tokens of sympathy; and so great was thefeeling shown by the counts and barons of the empire that the EmperorHenry felt that he could no longer refuse to treat for the surrender ofhis captive. Therefore he granted the interview which Longchampdemanded. The English envoy was received by the emperor surrounded byhis nobles. The prelate advanced with great dignity.
"I come," he said, "in the name of the people of England to demand therestoration of King Richard, most unjustly and unknightly detained aprisoner in his passage through your dominions."
"King Richard was my foe," the emperor said, "open and secret, and I wasjustified in detaining one who is alike my enemy and a scourge to Europeas a prisoner, when fortune threw him in my hands. I am, however,willing to put him to a ransom, and will upon the payment of one hundredand fifty thousand marks allow him to go free."
"I deny your right to detain him or to put him to ransom," the bishopsaid. "But as you have the power, so my denial is useless. England ispoor, impoverished with war and by the efforts which she made in theservice of our holy religion. Nevertheless, poor as she is, she willraise the sum you demand. There is not an Englishman who will notfurnish all he can afford for the rescue of our king. But once again, inthe presence of your nobles, I denounce your conduct as base andunkingly."
The emperor could with difficulty restrain his passion; but the sight ofthe somber visages of his nobles showed that they shared in no slightdegree the feelings which the English envoy had so boldly announced.
"Before, however," the emperor said, "I surrender King Richard, he mustbe tried by my peers of many and various crimes of which he is accused.Should he be found guilty of these, no gold can purchase his release.Should he, however, be acquitted, then as my word is given so shall itbe."
"Although," the prelate said, "I deny your right to try our king, andbelieve that he himself will refuse to accept your jurisdiction, yet Ifear not the result if our lord be left in the hands of the nobles ofthe empire and not in yours. I can trust their honor and courtesy."
And turning upon his heel, without another word he quitted theapartment.
An hour later the bishop and his following took horse and rode with allspeed to the north coast, and thence sailed for England. The news of theamount of ransom filled the people with consternation; but preparationswere at once made for collecting the sum demanded. Queen Eleanor wasunceasing in her efforts to raise the money for the release of herfavorite son. The nobles contributed their jewels and silver; the peoplegave contributions of goods, for money was so scarce in England that fewhad the wherewithal to pay in coin. Prince John placed every obstacle inthe way of the collection; but the barons had since their successfulstand obtained the upper hand, and it was by intrigue only that he couldhinder the collection.
In the meantime, popular opinion throughout Europe was strong upon theside of King Richard. The pope himself wrote to the emperor on hisbehalf. The barons of the empire were indignant at the shame placed upontheir country; and the emperor, although he would fain have thrownfurther delays in the way, was obliged at last to order the first stepto be taken.
A solemn diet was ordered to assemble at Worms. Here were collected allthe nobles of the empire, and before them King Richard was brought. Itwas a grand assembly. Upon a raised throne on the dais sat the emperorhimself, and beside him and near him were the great feudatories of theempire, and along the sides of the walls were ranged in long rows thelesser barons. When the doors were opened and King Richard entered, thewhole assembly, save the emperor, rose in respect to the captivemonarch. Although pale from his long confinement, the proud air ofRichard was in no way abated, and the eyes that had flashed sofearlessly upon the Saracens looked as sternly down the long lines ofthe barons of Germany. Of splendid stature and physique, King Richardwas unquestionably the finest ma
n of his time. He was handsome, with afrank face, but with a fierce and passionate eye. He wore his mustachewith a short beard and closely-cut whisker. His short curly hair wascropped closely to his head, upon which he wore a velvet cap with goldcoronet, while a scarlet robe lined with fur fell over his coat of mail,for the emperor had deemed it imprudent to excite the feeling of theassembly in favor of the prisoner by depriving him of the symbols of hisrank.
King Richard strode to the place prepared for him, and then turning tothe assembly he said, in a voice which rang through the hall:
"Counts and lords of the Empire of Germany, I, Richard, King ofEngland, do deny your right to try me. I am a king, and can only betried by my peers and by the pope, who is the head of Christendom. Imight refuse to plead, refuse to take any part in this assembly, andappeal to the pope, who alone has power to punish kings. But I willwaive my rights. I rely upon the honor and probity of the barons ofGermany. I have done no man wrong, and would appear as fearlessly beforean assembly of peasants as before a gathering of barons. Such faults asI may have, and none are without them, are not such as those with whichI am charged. I have slain many men in anger, but none by treachery.When Richard of England strikes he strikes in the light of day. Heleaves poison and treachery to his enemies, and I hurl back withindignation and scorn in the teeth of him who makes them the chargesbrought against me."
So saying King Richard took his seat amid a murmur of applause from thecrowded hall.
The trial then commenced. The accusations against Richard were of manykinds. Chief among them was the murder of Conrad of Montferat; but therewere charges of having brought the Crusade to naught by thwarting thegeneral plans, by his arrogance in refusing to be bound by the decisionof the other leaders, and by having made a peace contrary to theinterests of the Crusaders. The list was a long one; but the evidenceproduced was pitiably weak. Beyond the breath of suspicion, no word ofreal evidence connecting him with the murder of Conrad of Montferat wasadduced, and the other charges were supported by no better evidence.Many of the German barons who had been at the Crusades themselves cameforward to testify to the falsity of these charges, and the fact thatRichard had himself placed Conrad of Montferat upon the throne, and hadno possible interest in his death, was alone more than sufficient tonullify the vague rumors brought against him. Richard himself in a few ascornful words disposed of this accusation. The accusation that he,Richard of England, would stoop to poison a man whom he could havecrushed in an instant was too absurd to be seriously treated.
"I am sure," the king said, "that not one person here believes this idletale. That I did not always agree with the other leaders is true; but Icall upon every one here to say whether, had they listened to me andfollowed my advice, the Crusade would not have had another ending. Evenafter Philip of France had withdrawn; even after I had been deserted byJohn of Austria, I led the troops of the Crusaders from every danger andevery difficulty to within sight of the walls of Jerusalem. Had I beensupported with zeal, the holy city would have been ours; but the apathy,the folly, and the weakness of the leaders brought ruin upon the army.They thought not of conquering Jerusalem, but of thwarting me; and Iretort upon them the charge of having sacrificed the success of theCrusade. As to the terms of peace, how were they made? I, with somefifty knights and one thousand followers, alone remained in the HolyLand. Who else, I ask, so circumstanced, could have obtained any termswhatever from Saladin? It was the weight of my arm alone which savedJaffa and Acre, and the line of seacoast, to the Cross. And had Ifollowed the example set me by him of Austria and the Frenchman, not onefoot of the Holy Land would now remain in Christian hands."
The trial was soon over, and without a single dissentient the King ofEngland was acquitted of all the charges brought against him. But themoney was not yet raised, and King Richard was taken back into theheart of Germany. At length, by prodigious exertions, half the amountclaimed was collected, and upon the solicitations of the pope and of thecounts of his own empire, the emperor consented to release Richard uponreceipt of this sum, and his royal promise that the remainder should bemade up.
Not as yet, however, were the intrigues at an end. Prince John and KingPhilip alike implored the emperor to retain his captive, and offered tohim a larger sum than the ransom if he would still hold him in hishands. Popular opinion, was, however, too strong. When the news of thesenegotiations became bruited abroad the counts of the empire, filled withindignation, protested against this shame and dishonor being broughtupon the country. The pope threatened him with excommunication; and atlast the emperor, feeling that he would risk his throne did he furtherinsist, was forced to open the prison gates and let the king free.Cuthbert, Blondel, and a few other trusty friends were at hand, andtheir joy at receiving their long-lost sovereign was indeed intense.Horses had been provided in readiness, and without a moment's delay theking started, for even at the last moment it was feared that the emperormight change his mind. This indeed was the case. The king had notstarted many hours, when the arrival of fresh messengers from Philip andJohn induced the emperor once more to change his intentions, and a bodyof men were sent in pursuit of the king. The latter fortunately made nostay on the way, but changing horses frequently--for everywhere he wasreceived with honor and attention--he pushed forward for the coast ofthe North Sea, and arrived there two or three hours only before hisoppressors. Fortunately it was night, and taking a boat he embarkedwithout a moment's delay; and when the emissaries of the emperor arrivedthe boat was already out of sight, and in the darkness pursuit washopeless.
On landing at Dover, the first to present himself before him was PrinceJohn, who, in the most abject terms besought pardon for the injuries hehad inflicted. King Richard waved him contemptuously aside.
"Go," he said, "and may I forget your injuries as speedily as you willforget my pardon."
Then taking horse, he rode on to London, where he was received with themost lively acclamation by his subjects.
The first step of King Richard was to dispossess all the minions of Johnfrom the castles and lands which had been taken from his faithfuladherents. Some of these resisted; but their fortresses were speedilystormed. Sir Rudolph was not one of these. Immediately the news of KingRichard's arrival in England reached him, feeling that all was now lost,he rode to the seacoast, took ship, and passed into France, andCuthbert, on his arrival at Evesham, found himself undisputed lord ofthe place. He found that the hiding-place of his mother had not beendiscovered, and, after a short delay to put matters in train, he,attended by a gallant retinue, rode into Wiltshire to the castle of SirBaldwin of Bethune. Here he found the Lady Margaret safe and sound, andmightily pleased to see him. She was now seventeen, and offered noobjections whatever to the commands of King Richard that she should atonce bestow her hand upon the Earl of Evesham. By the king's order, thewedding took place at London, the king himself bestowing the bride uponhis faithful follower, whom we may now leave to the enjoyment of thefortune and wife he had so valiantly won.
THE END.
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