wearing a dirty apron appeared from behind a bar. “They were too many for me, your worship, and they
wouldn’t keep quiet,” whined the man.
“Much more of this and I will close this Inn,” said Roger. He spotted the most sober of the bunch and called him out. “What causes you to make merry at
this time of the day, speak up or you will find yourself in gaol?” The man stood unsteadily before Roger and tried to explain that they had arrived late
last night from Worcester and they were on their way home to the East, they had been fighting for a baron but had been routed by the King’s men. Roger told
them to gather their belongings and be outside the town walls in half an hour, there was a mad rush for the door and as everyone tried to get out at the
same time. None got out as they were all stuck in the doorway. Roger sat down on one of the bar stools, laughing with his men. “I don’t think we will see
them again, but we must keep our eyes open as there will be more of them coming through,” said Roger. He turned to the landlord and remonstrated with him.
“Don’t let this happen again. Have a couple of men to keep order or I will close you down.” The landlord bowed and said he would do what Roger suggested.
Roger wondered if Roland would be among the men passing through. During the next week more of the retreating army passed the town, Roger doubled the guards
at the gates then suddenly the movement of men stopped and there were more going the other way.
“They have been persuaded to make a stand somewhere, and the Knights are rounding them up,” said one of the guards as they walked the walls.
“We have not lost any more men,” said Roger. “I think our boys know they are better off here.”
A guard came hurrying up to Roger and reported that they had news of a large force of Knights and men spotted south of the town moving west.
“Did you see any banners?” asked Roger.
“We managed to talk to one of the pike men and they are part of Prince Edward’s army going to Worcester,” said the guard.
“No wonder the other troops turned round,” commented Roger. A thought crossed his mind, should he report this news to one of the barons, but he decided
against it and not get involved. Arriving home for his evening meal, Roger poured himself a jug of cider and settled himself in his favourite chair. The
door from the kitchen opened and the maid walked in.
“You have beef tonight sir,” she said. “I have also made a plum pudding.”
“You will make me fat and lazy, Laila, would you join me tonight, I could do with some company?”
“Thank you sir there is enough, and my mother is visiting her sister so my time is my own.”
Roger looked at her, a comely girl and she kept his little house clean and comfortable, I am beginning to feel that this is now my home he thought. Ralf
could have his draughty Castle, this was better by far. They both sat down to enjoy the beef, Roger started a conversation by saying. “It is time you
called me by my real name, you are more a friend than a servant.” Laila smiled and her face softened, she appreciated the fact that she had been very lucky
that Roger had picked her out of all the girls that had tried to gain this position, however she also wondered what she might have to do to keep it. Roger
and his group kept a vigilant eye on anyone entering the town, he posted extra guards on the gates to deter any fugitives, but everything quietened down,
II
On the morning of their departure John looked out over the valley and saw a huge encampment that must have arrived during the night. He and Gavin were
ready in the Bailey when Sir Cedric with Gilbert de Clare, Alfred of Ely, Robert of Lincoln and Henry of Almain strode out of the Castle and mounted their
horses. The group rode out with John and Gavin following leading the destrier and spare horses. A company of Sir Cedric’s men at arms joined them and the
whole ensemble prepared to move
wouldn’t keep quiet,” whined the man.
“Much more of this and I will close this Inn,” said Roger. He spotted the most sober of the bunch and called him out. “What causes you to make merry at
this time of the day, speak up or you will find yourself in gaol?” The man stood unsteadily before Roger and tried to explain that they had arrived late
last night from Worcester and they were on their way home to the East, they had been fighting for a baron but had been routed by the King’s men. Roger told
them to gather their belongings and be outside the town walls in half an hour, there was a mad rush for the door and as everyone tried to get out at the
same time. None got out as they were all stuck in the doorway. Roger sat down on one of the bar stools, laughing with his men. “I don’t think we will see
them again, but we must keep our eyes open as there will be more of them coming through,” said Roger. He turned to the landlord and remonstrated with him.
“Don’t let this happen again. Have a couple of men to keep order or I will close you down.” The landlord bowed and said he would do what Roger suggested.
Roger wondered if Roland would be among the men passing through. During the next week more of the retreating army passed the town, Roger doubled the guards
at the gates then suddenly the movement of men stopped and there were more going the other way.
“They have been persuaded to make a stand somewhere, and the Knights are rounding them up,” said one of the guards as they walked the walls.
“We have not lost any more men,” said Roger. “I think our boys know they are better off here.”
A guard came hurrying up to Roger and reported that they had news of a large force of Knights and men spotted south of the town moving west.
“Did you see any banners?” asked Roger.
“We managed to talk to one of the pike men and they are part of Prince Edward’s army going to Worcester,” said the guard.
“No wonder the other troops turned round,” commented Roger. A thought crossed his mind, should he report this news to one of the barons, but he decided
against it and not get involved. Arriving home for his evening meal, Roger poured himself a jug of cider and settled himself in his favourite chair. The
door from the kitchen opened and the maid walked in.
“You have beef tonight sir,” she said. “I have also made a plum pudding.”
“You will make me fat and lazy, Laila, would you join me tonight, I could do with some company?”
“Thank you sir there is enough, and my mother is visiting her sister so my time is my own.”
Roger looked at her, a comely girl and she kept his little house clean and comfortable, I am beginning to feel that this is now my home he thought. Ralf
could have his draughty Castle, this was better by far. They both sat down to enjoy the beef, Roger started a conversation by saying. “It is time you
called me by my real name, you are more a friend than a servant.” Laila smiled and her face softened, she appreciated the fact that she had been very lucky
that Roger had picked her out of all the girls that had tried to gain this position, however she also wondered what she might have to do to keep it. Roger
and his group kept a vigilant eye on anyone entering the town, he posted extra guards on the gates to deter any fugitives, but everything quietened down,
II
On the morning of their departure John looked out over the valley and saw a huge encampment that must have arrived during the night. He and Gavin were
ready in the Bailey when Sir Cedric with Gilbert de Clare, Alfred of Ely, Robert of Lincoln and Henry of Almain strode out of the Castle and mounted their
horses. The group rode out with John and Gavin following leading the destrier and spare horses. A company of Sir Cedric’s men at arms joined them and the
whole ensemble prepared to move
Similar Books
