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Authors: John Daines
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his retinue returned to Wymondham where the men set up camp outside the Castle, Sir Cedric arranged a feast for them and the celebrations
went on into the night. John and Gavin took care of the horses and stowed all the armaments away. Carac was waiting for them in the Castle and wanted a
full report on all that happened.
“Let us get cleaned up first and go down to dinner, we haven’t eaten a decent meal since we left,” said Gavin. In the great hall they found the other
Knights and Squires that had accompanied Sir Cedric, they sat down and the food began to appear chickens, joints of beef, a whole pig, geese and the centre
piece, a swan. There was plenty of ale and mead and gradually everyone relaxed. Carac was still pressing for details of the battle but John really wanted
to forget it for a while, the frenzy at the finish had upset him. The next day he finished his work in the Castle and Carac suggested they go into
Wymondham as Gavin was on duty. The two arrived in the town to find it was market day, they wandered through the colourful stalls and chatted to the
vendors. Many wanted to know what had happened at Evesham but John gave only a sketchy account.
“I am going to the Priory,” said John and mounting Anvil rode off .
Sitting alone in the church he reflected on how he felt about fighting and living as a Squire. Sir Cedric was a kind man and John liked him, he was
generous and supportive to his people, in the town and countryside. John felt he could learn much under his guidance. The life was certainly different to
working in a forge. He returned to meet Carac and they journeyed back to the Castle together.
Over the next years life in the Castle settled down and apart from having to chase robbers and patrol the countryside around the Castle there was nothing
exciting happening. John studied the books in the Library and listened to Gavin, he was determined to show Sir Cedric his gratitude for giving him the
chance to better himself.
One evening Sir Cedric called John into his room. “I am going to arrange a Tournament in the valley. I will send invitations to my friends, I know Prince
Edward has gone on a crusade, but I hope some of my friends are still here, send messages to those I tell you.”
“Are we not joining Prince Edward?” asked John
“No, one crusade was enough. Once we know how many Knights can accept my invitation we will get ready for the event, it will keep us sharp and ready,
meanwhile you, Gavin and Carac had better train harder as I expect to win.”
John returned to the Bailey where his friends were already practicing and gave them the news.
For the next month the three Squires studied hard and honed their fighting skills, they did not want to let Sir Cedric down in the Tournament. John was
rapidly becoming unbeatable with the sword and long bow while Gavin practiced new moves with his lance and spear, Carac could outride both of them and fire
his short bow in rapid succession whilst guiding his mount with his knees. Watching from a window Sir Cedric felt a pride in their expertise, and thought
about his daughter. He missed her company but he convinced himself he had been right in sending her away, perhaps he would bring her back for the
Tournament.
The Castle was buzzing with excitement as the preparations for the Tournament got under way. Heralds were despatched to notify the Knights who had accepted
Sir Cedric’s invitation. A Herald was also sent into Wymondham to tell the townspeople of the event. Traders will be setting up stalls and the population
will no doubt turn out in force to see the fun. With people travelling in from the surrounding countryside the town’s Inns will be filled and local houses
will try to benefit by hiring out bedrooms.
John was sitting on the mounting block, resting after cleaning Anvil, when Carac ran up to him and said. “Guess where I am going John.” John looked at him
with a bemused smile, “I’m going to Lincoln to
went on into the night. John and Gavin took care of the horses and stowed all the armaments away. Carac was waiting for them in the Castle and wanted a
full report on all that happened.
“Let us get cleaned up first and go down to dinner, we haven’t eaten a decent meal since we left,” said Gavin. In the great hall they found the other
Knights and Squires that had accompanied Sir Cedric, they sat down and the food began to appear chickens, joints of beef, a whole pig, geese and the centre
piece, a swan. There was plenty of ale and mead and gradually everyone relaxed. Carac was still pressing for details of the battle but John really wanted
to forget it for a while, the frenzy at the finish had upset him. The next day he finished his work in the Castle and Carac suggested they go into
Wymondham as Gavin was on duty. The two arrived in the town to find it was market day, they wandered through the colourful stalls and chatted to the
vendors. Many wanted to know what had happened at Evesham but John gave only a sketchy account.
“I am going to the Priory,” said John and mounting Anvil rode off .
Sitting alone in the church he reflected on how he felt about fighting and living as a Squire. Sir Cedric was a kind man and John liked him, he was
generous and supportive to his people, in the town and countryside. John felt he could learn much under his guidance. The life was certainly different to
working in a forge. He returned to meet Carac and they journeyed back to the Castle together.
Over the next years life in the Castle settled down and apart from having to chase robbers and patrol the countryside around the Castle there was nothing
exciting happening. John studied the books in the Library and listened to Gavin, he was determined to show Sir Cedric his gratitude for giving him the
chance to better himself.
One evening Sir Cedric called John into his room. “I am going to arrange a Tournament in the valley. I will send invitations to my friends, I know Prince
Edward has gone on a crusade, but I hope some of my friends are still here, send messages to those I tell you.”
“Are we not joining Prince Edward?” asked John
“No, one crusade was enough. Once we know how many Knights can accept my invitation we will get ready for the event, it will keep us sharp and ready,
meanwhile you, Gavin and Carac had better train harder as I expect to win.”
John returned to the Bailey where his friends were already practicing and gave them the news.
For the next month the three Squires studied hard and honed their fighting skills, they did not want to let Sir Cedric down in the Tournament. John was
rapidly becoming unbeatable with the sword and long bow while Gavin practiced new moves with his lance and spear, Carac could outride both of them and fire
his short bow in rapid succession whilst guiding his mount with his knees. Watching from a window Sir Cedric felt a pride in their expertise, and thought
about his daughter. He missed her company but he convinced himself he had been right in sending her away, perhaps he would bring her back for the
Tournament.
The Castle was buzzing with excitement as the preparations for the Tournament got under way. Heralds were despatched to notify the Knights who had accepted
Sir Cedric’s invitation. A Herald was also sent into Wymondham to tell the townspeople of the event. Traders will be setting up stalls and the population
will no doubt turn out in force to see the fun. With people travelling in from the surrounding countryside the town’s Inns will be filled and local houses
will try to benefit by hiring out bedrooms.
John was sitting on the mounting block, resting after cleaning Anvil, when Carac ran up to him and said. “Guess where I am going John.” John looked at him
with a bemused smile, “I’m going to Lincoln to
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