CHAPTER XXIII.
_ON THE FIELD OF LEWES._
They stood looking down upon the green plains and the venerable Prioryof Lewes. The cup-like hollow presented a strange appearance, beingdotted over with tents, and filled with armed men, moving hither andthither like human ants, intent upon some important task. Within thewalls of the Priory the King was lodged, with his brother, his son, andhis counsellors.
The little knot of youths, stationed upon the knoll that commanded aview of these things, had their eyes fixed upon a small party of riderswho were moving forward towards the Priory, carrying a white flag beforethem.
A nearer view would have told an observer that two of this party wereecclesiastics in their robes of office, being in fact none other thanthe Bishops of London and Worcester; but those spectators on the knolldid not need the evidence of eyesight to tell them that. They were wellaware of the embassy of the Bishops, and of the import of the messagethey bore.
"If that fails to bring his Majesty to his senses," said Amalricgravely, "nothing can avert a bloody battle."
"I would we might settle the matter by force of arms!" cried Jack, whoseblood was up, and who was eager for the ordeal of battle. "Even if theKing doth make promises, who knows if he will keep them? I am sick ofparley. I want the sword to be loosed from the scabbard. The King haswrought desolation and ruin wherever he has gone. It is time that hetasted that which he has inflicted."
Jack spoke with eager impetuosity, which seemed suited to the martialaspect of his strong, well-knit figure. He had gone up in the worldsince his escapade with the fire-ship. He had now a fine charger of hisown, and a suit of mail. He was ranked as one of Amalric's esquires, andwas a favourite even with the Earl himself, who spoke kindly to himwhenever they met.
London had of late been the headquarters of the Barons' army, whilst theroyalists had been marching hither and thither over the country,"accompanied," as the chronicler of the time described it, "by threecomrades--plunder, fire, and slaughter. There was no peace in the land;everything was destroyed by sword, fire, rapine, and robbery; everywherewas clamour and trembling and woe."
It was a state of things which could not continue, and the hearts of thenation turned to the Earl as to a deliverer who alone could save themfrom such misery. The men of London were with him heart and soul, andhad furnished him with a contingent fifteen thousand strong, with whichto meet and overcome the tyrant. But still De Montfort hesitated to drawthe sword in open battle against his sovereign; and even now, at theeleventh hour, when the two armies had mustered about the field ofLewes, he had sent two Bishops of known probity and piety, to endeavourto bring the King to reason before the last appeal to arms was made.
"What said the letter of the Earls?" asked Jack eagerly of Leofric, whoas a ready scribe was often employed in such matters as these. "Thouwert closeted long with them last night. What did they say that hath notbeen said a hundred times ere now?"
Leofric drew from his tunic certain fragments of parchment, closelywritten, which he scanned several times over, and then made reply toJack's question.
"The Earls of Leicester and Gloucester did but repeat for themselves andtheir party what has been said a hundred times before--namely, that theydesired peace, and to serve the King faithfully, and only to put downthe enemies of the realm, who deceive both his Majesty and the Prince,and do despite to the realm. They offered to pay a large sum ascompensation for hurt done to the King's property, if he would makepeace and observe the Provisions of Oxford, and submit to the decisionof 'certain chosen Churchmen' what statutes ought to be observed, andhow far the oaths taken ought to be binding, saying that they wished tokeep their faith as Christians, and avoid the stain of perjury."
Long and eagerly did the comrades upon the hillside talk together,wondering whether this embassy of the Bishops would succeed where otherthings had failed, or whether the King, blinded by pride and advised byevil counsellors, would press matters on to the bitter end. They couldobserve the signs of commotion below, round and about the Priory, andfinally they watched the great gates being flung wide open to admit ofthe exit of the ambassadors.
"What news will they bring--what news?" cried Amalric breathlessly, andhe turned and hastened towards his father's quarters, mounting hishorse, which stood tethered a little way off, and galloping away withoutwaiting for his companions.
Leofric had paused when about to follow, for his eye had been caught byan advancing figure that looked somehow familiar, and which seemedmaking straight for them upon the knoll. Just as Amalric rode off, Jackbroke into a quick exclamation,--
"By my troth, here is our quondam companion Hugh!"
The next moment Hugh le Barbier stood beside them, grasping their handsand looking with eager affection into their faces.
Although he came from the hostile camp, there was no hostility in thehearts of the Oxford students as they stood together once more. Eagerlydid Hugh ask of their welfare, eagerly did they question him as to hisadventures during the past months, and, above all, most eagerly did theyask him if he knew what sort of answer the King had returned to themessengers just sent, and whether there was any chance of a cessation ofhostilities.
Hugh gravely shook his head.
"His Majesty is greatly incensed against the Barons. He would scarcelisten with patience whilst the letter was being read. Had it beenbrought by others than Bishops, I fear me he would not even have heardit. His brother sat beside him, and in scorn he declared that he aloneclaimed the full sum offered by the Barons, as indemnity against his ownpersonal losses. He and the Prince were equally indignant with the King;and whilst his Majesty dictated the terms of a wrathful letter in whichhe defies the Earls, and throws back their allegiance and their oaths offidelity in their teeth, the Prince and his uncle together wrote anotherletter even more haughty and insulting than the one composed by theKing, calling the Earls of Leicester and Gloucester 'faithlesstraitors,' and I know not what besides, and hurling defiance at them ina fashion than can but lead to one end. There will be no avoiding abattle now!"
Jack's eyes lighted with triumph, but Hugh spoke sorrowfully. He lovedthe Prince, and he felt bound to the royal standard by his duty as asubject. But the cause was not dear to his heart. Henry was not amonarch to inspire either confidence or love, and his embracing thecause of his foreign favourites--against whom this movement was reallydirected--and telling his own English Barons that any opposition to themwas opposition to him, and that their quarrel was his, rendered him buta pitiful creature in the eyes even of those who desired to serve himloyally and well. None could stand near the royal presence without beingcontinually galled and chafed by seeing aliens and sycophants preferredto honest and noble subjects of the realm. Hugh had had a fair insightof late into the methods of the King, and his heart was somewhat heavywithin him at the thought of what must lie before the kingdom if theissues of the day should be favourable to the royal cause.
"If only the Prince were King!" he breathed. "He is hot and rash now,stirred up to filial emulation in his father's cause; but his heart istrue and his judgment sound. Were he to be at the head of the state, weshould not have to groan as we are groaning now."
And then turning suddenly away to another subject, he asked news ofLinda, where and how his comrades had seen her last, and if she werestill safe in the care of the Constable.
"Yes, and like a sister to Mistress Alys," answered Leofric. "I trow sheis safe from any threatened peril there. But we have heard and seennaught of her foes since they were driven forth from the city by theChancellor. I misdoubt me if they will ever seek to return."
"And Lotta--is aught known of her?" asked Hugh.
"She dwells with her parents yet," answered Leofric. "I seldom see her;but Gilbert Barbeck tells me sometimes of her. She refused to visitLinda in the Castle, and spoke fierce words which show that her heart isyet bitter within her. But more than that I know not. She was always astrange creature. Her own mother knows not how to deal with her."
"Some say she hath a familiar spirit, and some that she is mad, whichperhaps is one and the same thing," said Jack. "All I know is that shelooks at you with eyes that burn like live coals. Methinks she has beendabbling with Tito's evil books. If she takes not care, she may beducked or burnt as a witch yet!"
But this was scarce time or place to dwell on private topics. Littledoubt could now exist that they were on the eve of a great battle. Hughlooked regretfully into Leofric's eyes as they clasped hands beforeparting.
"I would we could fight side by side, instead of in hostile camps," hesaid; "but when this cloud of evil and misery has swept by, I trust thatwe may be comrades once again, in Oxford or elsewhere."
"To be sure! to be sure!" cried cheery Jack. "Let once the King bebrought to reason, and all those vile foreigners sent back to their owncountry, and our good Earl (foreigner though he be in race, yet not atheart) at the head of his Council, then we shall forget our troubles andfeuds, and all will go merry as a marriage-bell."
Yet for the moment there was nothing of merriment in the hearts of men,but a stern nerving of themselves for coming strife.
Leofric and Jack were met by the news that the King had received theembassy with coldness and hostility, and had sent back an answer soinsulting and uncompromising that nothing was now thought of but theappeal to arms.
Leofric, going in search of Amalric, found himself in the midst of anearnest gathering of knights and nobles, and heard the clarion voice ofDe Montfort raised in solemn protest.
"By the arm of St. James, I have done all that man can do to keep thepeace of the realm and my oath of allegiance. Be the result of thisday's work upon the head of his Majesty! He has brought all uponhimself. I would have saved him from it if I could."
The Earl had had a presentiment, of which he had spoken before, that Maywas to be a fortunate month for him, and an unlucky one for the King. Hewent about amongst his people now with a look of serene courage upon hisface; and whilst stimulating them to do their best in the coming fight,he urged them not to forget that their foes were also their brothers,and that they must show mercy to the vanquished in the day of victory.
A sense of great seriousness and earnestness prevailed in the ranks ofthe Barons. They trusted their cause to the God of battles, assured ofits righteousness, and inspired by a religious as well as a patrioticzeal. Many friars were with them, encouraging them by their presence,and filling their hearts with fervent and pious thoughts. The soldiersregarded their cause as a holy crusade against tyranny and slavery, andin token of this feeling they fastened upon their arms a white cross, asan outward mark of their faith. In a battle with their own countrymensome such sign might be needed to distinguish friend from foe. A sternenthusiasm filled all hearts, and the confidence of the soldiers intheir leader was unfaltering.
De Montfort had won great renown as a soldier in Gascony, and his troopshad implicit faith in his powers. Moreover he set them an example evenin faith and piety; for upon the eve of the battle he spent the nightin prayer, whilst the Bishop of Worcester--one of the emissaries to theKing, and himself a notable patriot, Walter de Cantilupe by name--rodethrough the ranks, and urged the men to confess their sins and receiveabsolution, that they might ride forth upon the morrow in the fullassurance that the power of God was with them.
Early upon the morning of the fourteenth of May, before the sun hadrisen, the army of the Earl set itself in battle array, and prepared forthe march. In sight of all his men De Montfort bestowed the honour ofknighthood upon his brother-in-arms and brother Earl the young EarlGilbert of Gloucester, and two others; after which, with brave heartsand cheery faces, the men marched in capital order towards that verycrest of rising ground from which a few days before Leofric and Jack hadlooked down upon the town and Priory of Lewes, when the Bishops had goneforth with their embassy.
Since his accident in the winter, the Earl of Leicester had not beenable to ride as much as formerly, and he had a litter in which he wascarried. In that he travelled as far as this halting-place, although hewas to mount his charger during the battle. His litter would, however,be kept in readiness upon the field, in the event of his requiring it;and it was to remain beside the standard upon which his arms wavedproudly. For the nonce, instead of himself or any of his own followersoccupying it, there were placed inside for security those four traitorsof London who had once plotted his destruction, and who had beenhostages in his hands ever since. These men, bound, were placed in thelitter when it was vacated by De Montfort in favour of the charger nowled up for him to mount.
But before doing so, the Earl turned to his soldiers, and addressed themin his clear, ringing tones,--
"Beloved comrades and followers, we are about to enter upon battleto-day in behalf of the Government of the kingdom, to the honour of Godand of our mother Church, and moreover for the maintenance of our faith.Let us pray for grace and vigour, that we may overpower the malice ofour enemy. Since we are His, to Him we commend our bodies and souls."With these words he fell upon the ground, stretching out his arms in theform of a cross, all his soldiers following his example, whilst theBishops cried aloud,--
"Grant us, O Lord, our desire of a glorious victory, to the honour ofThy name."
Then the battle was set in order, and Leofric and Jack found themselvesplaced in the right wing, which was to be led by Henry de Montfort, withGuy and Amalric as his assistants. The centre was under the command ofthe newly-made knight, Gilbert of Gloucester, who was to show his valourto-day. The left wing was composed mainly of the Londoners, many of whomhad never seen war. They were commanded by three young nobles of knowncourage. As for De Montfort himself, he took up a position where hecould watch the progress of the fight, and give help to that portion ofthe army which seemed most to require it.
The situation was a good one, on rising ground; and the tents andbaggage were piled on the crest of the hill, where the banner of DeMontfort floated by the side of his vacated litter.
They had marched rapidly, in order to surprise the King's party; butwarning had reached them, and already there was a great stirring in thehollow, which was alive with bands of soldiers being drafted intoposition.
Jack looked down with kindling eyes and flushed cheeks, and almostimmediately a strange sort of roar began to run through the ranks. Thecause of this excitement appeared to be the banner which had just beenunfurled in the royalist ranks.
"The red dragon! the red dragon!"
Leofric and Jack looked wonderingly at each other.
"What mean they by that? What is the red dragon?" they asked. AndAmalric, looking over his shoulder with a stern, set face, made reply,--
"When the ensign of the red dragon is unfurled in the ranks of the King,it is the sign that no quarter is to be given. We are to be slaughteredlike sheep in the shambles if it pleases Heaven to give our foes thevictory."
At the sound of those words a strange murmur ran through the ranks. Mengripped their sword-hilts hard, and set their teeth with a sense of ironresolution, and an indignation which would go far to win the day.
The field was in motion. The quick eyes of those posted upon thehillsides saw that the royalists had begun to move. Prince Edward on theright, was bearing vehemently upon their left wing, which consisted ofthe London levies. The Prince had been bitterly angry with the men ofLondon ever since they had stoned and insulted his mothers barge, as shetried to escape by water from the Tower, but was driven ignominiouslyback by the citizens, who hated her for her many extortionate chargesupon the city. Now he was rushing furiously against his foes, whowavered before the charge of trained horsemen. But no more of that couldLeofric and Jack see, for at this moment their own ranks were calledupon to move forward, and, behold, the battle had begun!
The King's brother, Richard of Cornwall, King of the Romans, was leadinghis forces against them. In another moment the rival armies had met witha crash of arms. There was a stifling sense of pressure, and then arecoil; whilst over the heads of their own men came hurtling showers ofstones c
ast from above at their assailants, and soon the closely-serriedranks both of friends and foes were a little broken and scattered,whilst man met man and horse charged horse in the indescribable _melee_of a hand-to-hand battle.
Side by side, shoulder to shoulder, rode Amalric, Leofric, and Jack.They felt rather than saw the recoil of their foes, who at first hadbeen pressing upon them with such fiery vehemence. Charging down thehill, they met the answering charge of mail-clad warriors; but the slopeof the field was in their favour, and they hewed them down and routedthem, despite the fiery resistance they met.
They were down upon the level now, and before them stood the serriedranks of the centre of their foes' army behind which floated the reddragon, marking the spot where the King himself was posted.
But from behind, the ranks of the young De Montforts had been reinforcedby the contingent commanded by the Earl himself, and the knowledge thattheir great leader was with them and amongst them seemed to turn tosteel the muscles of the soldiers, and with shouts and cries of fury andanticipated triumph they hurled themselves again and again against theseopposing warriors, till at last they felt the solid wall give way beforethem, and with a yell that rent the firmament they dashed into thebreach.
"For God and Earl Simon! for God and Earl Simon!" was the cry upon thelips and in the hearts of the soldiers as they felt the breaking up oftheir royalist foes.
Leofric had been fighting might and main, blindly sometimes, andbreathlessly, yet with a skill and fury which surprised even himself.Suddenly he began to feel everything swimming around him. He had beenconscious of no wound, but he saw that his blood was flowing fast. If hefell in the midst of this _melee_, he must surely be trodden to death ina moment. But he was becoming so faint that he scarce cared what becameof him, when he suddenly felt an arm cast about him, and heard a voicesay in his ear,--
"Hold up, good comrade, hold up! I will get thee out of this. Thevictory is won! The King is wounded and in full flight! We may quit thebattlefield with glory now. The day is ours!"
An hour or two later Leofric opened his eyes to find himself lying in atent, amid a number of other wounded men, the honest face of Jackbending over him with kindly solicitude and concern.
"How goes the day?" he asked, as soon as he could find voice; and Jack'sface beamed all over as he replied,--
"Why, right gloriously! The King's forces are routed. He has takenshelter in the Priory. The King of the Romans has shut himself up in awindmill, whence he has been besieged by our men, who will shortly havehim out--treacherous Richard, as all call him, who once called himselfthe Barons' friend. I trow there be no man in all the kingdom more hatedthan he!"
"And the Prince?" asked Leofric, striving to sit up in his excitement,but finding himself exceeding weak.
"Why, the Prince might have made things worse for us, had he been aswise as he is brave. He routed the London wing, but pursued them sofuriously and so far that whilst he was slaying and hacking the fortunesof the day went against his father. Then on his return, ere he knewthis, he set his men against the litter which stood beside the standard,and where he thought to find our great Earl seated. His men camefuriously up the crest of the hill, and surrounding the litter began tocry out, 'Come forth, come forth, Simon, thou evil one; come forth fromthat litter, thou worst of traitors!' And at last, getting no response,they broke open the litter, and in the confusion which followed, all thefour hostages, men of their own party, were hacked to death by their ownfriends!"
"Poor creatures!" said Leofric, with compassion; "that was a gruesomefate. But what did the Prince next?"
"He made a circuit to get to his own side of the plain once more, andonly a while back was about to make a sally; but the Earl sent proposalsfor a truce, and these were accepted: for indeed what could even sobrave a Prince do, with a band of men exhausted by fighting andmarching, and dispirited to the verge of despair by the knowledge thatthe cause was lost?"
"Hast thou seen aught of Hugh?" asked Leofric; but Jack shook his head.He had had his hands full in helping first his own wounded comrade, andafterwards those who lay stretched upon the field of victory. He hadbeen working and toiling from dawn till now--marching, fighting, andcarrying in the wounded. He had had no thoughts to spare for any but hisown side.
A shout of laughter, and the tramp of many feet, announced thatsomething fresh had happened. There was a great tumult of sound, andJack darted out to see what was happening.
He came back with his face bubbling over with mirth.
"They are bringing in Richard, treacherous Richard, the King of theRomans," he cried--"he who, in his letter but the other day, calledhimself 'always august,' They are calling him a bad miller, and twittinghim with his august windmill! Oh, thou shouldest see his face! He lookslike a dozen thunder-clouds all rolled into one!"
A great burst of cheering from some place hard by told that the prisonerhad been brought to Earl Simon's tent; and with the failure of the lightcame the knowledge that the battle was fought and won. The field ofLewes had decided the fate of the country for the present. The Baronshad achieved an undoubted victory.