A Clerk of Oxford, and His Adventures in the Barons' War

  CHAPTER XXIV.

  _AFTER THE BATTLE._

  "Sitteth all still, and hearkeneth to me: The King of Alemagne, by my loyalty, Thirty thousand pounds asked he, For to make the peace in the countree, And so he did more. Richard, though thou be ever trichard [treacherous], Tricken [trick us] shalt thou never more.

  "The King of Alemagne gathered his host, Made him a castle of a mill-post, Went with his pride and his mickle boast, Brought from Alemagne many a sorry ghost To store Windsor. Richard, though thou be ever trichard, Tricken shalt thou never more."

  This was the song which resounded through the camp of the victors afterthe battle of Lewes, together with others in praise of De Montfort, toolengthy to be quoted here.

  Richard, the King's brother, King of the Romans and Earl of Cornwall,was the especial butt of the popular disfavour, and his recent behaviourhad added greatly to his unpopularity.

  He had betrayed a very grasping spirit in claiming as his individual duethe entire sum of thirty thousand pounds, offered by the Barons as anindemnity to the King; and his haughty note to the Barons afterwards wastaken in very bad part, seeing that once he had been their friend andally. He was looked upon as being both treacherous and vindictive; andthis song (which is remarkable as being the earliest specimen of itskind in the English language, nearly all such compositions being inNorman-French or Latin up to this date) was composed in the camp atLewes, and sung lustily by the soldiers in the very ears of the captiveRichard.

  Leofric, from his place in the tent where the wounded had been conveyed,could hear the sounds of mirth and mockery as the triumphant soldierspassed to and fro. His friends came in and out with various items ofnews; and upon the second day a new face looked in upon him as he lay,and eagerly stretching forth his hands, he exclaimed,--

  "Hugh, is that truly thou? Right glad am I to see thee. I did fear thatthou mightest have been numbered with the slain. But how comest thouhither?"

  "I came with the Prince, to give myself up prisoner, even as he hathdone. But they desire no captives save a few of the highest in the land.Your great Earl knows how to use nobility and generosity in the hour oftriumph. He even spoke a kind word to me, and restored to me my liberty.I heard that thou wert here, and came to visit thee. How goes it withthee, good comrade? I trust thy wounds are not grievous."

  "Nay, little more than scratches; only there be many of them, and I didlose much blood ere I was aware. Tell me of thyself, Hugh, what didstthou do? I see thou hast thine arm slung in thy scarf. Thou hast notcome off scot-free."

  "A fellow broke the bone of my sword arm with his axe," answered Hugh;"but that matters the less, since there will be no more fighting, theysay, these many days. All the talk is now of peace and brotherly accord.There are messengers passing to and fro betwixt the Earl and the King;and already the royalist troops are melting away. I cannot grieve thatthe fight has ended thus, even though I fought upon the royal side. Ilove not the crooked dealings of the King; and I hate the minions hesurrounds himself with, so that honest subjects cannot get anigh him. Itwill be well for the land when these are banished. And yet I would thatthe King should be a King, and not a puppet even in the hands of aworthy man such as your Earl."

  Leofric made a sign of assent. He was enough of a student and scholarhimself by this time to be well aware that no subject, even though hewere the highest in the land, could long rule in the name of apractically captive King. It was against the traditions and instincts ofthe nation. The people might support a movement for the redress ofcrying grievances, even at the expense of the King's liberty; but whenthings had been put upon a better footing, jealousies were certain toawaken, there would come disunion amongst those who had been united inthe hour of peril, and he who had been regarded as the saviour of thenation at this crisis would doubtless come to be looked upon as a tyrantand even a usurper, if he succeeded in imposing his will upon the Kingfor any length of time, and held the reins of government firmly in hishand. Something of this had been seen already, after the Provisions ofOxford had made De Montfort so great a man in the kingdom. It was likelyto be seen again more markedly now, when a great victory had put him inactual possession of the person of the King.

  Nevertheless the news which reached the camp as to the terms suggestedby the Barons showed that these were characterized by great moderation."The Mise of Lewes," as it was called, provided that all foreignersshould be excluded from office, though aliens should have free entryinto the country for trading and private purposes. The royal revenueswere to be managed with greater economy, and the abuse of churchpatronage to be checked. Other disputed matters were to be referred toarbitrators--some French and some English nobles.

  For the rest, a general amnesty was to be declared, and a release ofprisoners on both sides effected. The King and the Prince, and a few oftheir next of kin, would remain hostages in the hands of the Barons; butall men of lesser account might return to their own homes.

  Indeed, it was the Earl's great desire that peace should be restored tothe troubled kingdom, and that the ravages of the recent campaign shouldbe forgotten.

  Jack came bursting into the tent where Leofric lay, his face alight withexcitement.

  "Hast heard the news? The Earl has made a proclamation throughout thecamp ordering all the clerks and students of Oxford to return to theirstudies. As a token that he means what he says, his own son is to head aparty of returning students. Amalric has said that he will take me inhis train, and has sent me to see if thou canst likewise travel. On themorrow Lord Henry sets out along the coast in charge of his cousin, thePrince, who is to be taken for security to Dover Castle. Lord Amalricdesires to travel a part of the way with them, and then turn northwardand pass through London, which is said to be full of rejoicing andtriumph. They say the Earl and the King will go thither in companyshortly. I trow it will be a gallant spectacle, and I would be there tosee. Hugh will go with us, and Gilbert likewise, and others who havefollowed the fortunes of the Earl's son. Prithee, say that thou wiltalso be of our party!"

  Leofric eagerly declared himself quite fit for the saddle. None of hiswounds was severe, as he had said; and he was much restored by those fewdays of rest in the hospital tent. He would greatly have regretted thenecessity to remain behind when his comrades moved onwards, and he atonce left his bed and proceeded to array himself, and to walk forthleaning on Jack's sturdy arm.

  The camp was in all the commotion of breaking up. Numbers of men hadalready been dismissed to their own homes. Hugh came up to his friendswith a beaming face.

  "Right glad shall I be to see Oxford again!" he said, "and to resume thepeaceful life of study there. Battles and camps are well enough intheir way, and against a foreign foe would I serve most willingly. Butit is ill work drawing the sword upon a brother Englishman. Let merather meet him in disputation and strife of well-sharpened argument,than in the bloody field of battle!"

  Leofric heartily agreed with this sentiment, and even Jack, who hadperhaps enjoyed the excitements of the campaign more than the others,admitted that he would be glad enough to see Oxford again, and resumehis studies there.

  "It was the King's doing that ever we left at first," he said. "I trowhis Majesty has had good cause to wish that he had left the clerks ofOxford to their books and studies. He has had reason to know that theycan wield other things than the pen, when the blood in them is stirredup."

  The comrades visited their horses and looked well to them. A few days ofrest and feeding upon the green plains of Sussex had done them muchgood, and they looked well able to carry their owners gallantly upon theproposed journey.

  "We shall be too large a company to push on very fast," said Hugh."Moreover there will be interruptions in the march from our friendlywell-wishers, who will desire to show us honour as we go. And if thoucanst not ride with the party, Leofric, why, thou and I will tarrybehind, and send Jack forward to see all, and tell us what has betidedwhen we meet in Oxford again."

>   Leofric, however, expressed a hope of being able to ride the whole way;and upon the morrow a gallant-looking company started forth eastwardalong the coast.

  Prince Edward and his cousin, Henry de Montfort, were the two mostnoteworthy figures, the Prince being by far the more majestic anddignified, although Lord Henry had an ample dower of good looks and acorresponding amount of self-esteem. He and his brother Simon werealready giving their father anxiety by symptoms of that rashness andpride which had a disastrous effect upon the fortunes of their house alittle later on; but in private life they were amiable and warm-hearted,and towards their cousin Edward the whole family of the Earl felt agreat affection. The young men had been comrades and playfellows inchildhood and youth, and the fact that they had met in hostile fight buta few days earlier did not seriously interfere with amicable relationswhen brought face to face once more.

  Nevertheless it was Amalric who was really the greater favourite of thePrince, and his face lighted brightly when he saw that he was to be oftheir company. Guy and Amalric were far more lovable in disposition thanHenry and Simon, their elder brothers, and Edward greeted his youngercousin with affection and pleasure.

  "So thou art on thy way back to Oxford? Would that I were going withthee! If I am to be kept in durance awhile, why not as well there as inanother place? Had not Providence thought well to make a Prince of me, Iwould verily be a clerk of Oxford. Tell me some of thy student tales aswe ride along, good cousin. I would hear of that great riot whichdisturbed the peace of the town just after I had been asked to keepaway. I trow you clerks and students have other pastimes than the studyof your books!"

  The Prince laughed heartily at the tale told him of the obsequies of theshattered gates, and of the attack on the property of the hapless Mayor.

  "So that is how you clerks learn to handle your weapons so well! I trowyour Chancellor must have as hard a task in ruling his city as a monarchin ruling his kingdom."

  And then the Prince suddenly grew grave, and fell into thought, perhapsrevolving in his mind the events of his father's reign, and theincapacity he had shown in ruling his people in lawful fashion. He satlooking straight out before him with set lips and sombre eyes, and nonedared speak to him again till the mid-day halt was called.

  Then he roused himself, and was gracious and friendly of aspect to all.He recognized both Leofric and Hugh, and spoke to them both. Hugh hadbeen with him in his band, and had fought lustily and well. He had wonthe approval of the martial Prince on more than one occasion since hehad been with him, and now he greeted him with a smile.

  "So thou art going to exchange sword for pen, and the strife of arms forthe war of words? Well, I trust thy studies will not again be broken upby warlike clamour; and yet if it should so betide, I would that I mightfind myself surrounded by such trusty followers as thou hast provedthyself to be."

  "My liege lord," said Hugh, slightly bending the knee, for he desired toshow even more reverence to a captive Prince than he might have done toone having his liberty, "I trust that if such a day should ever comeagain, thou wilt find my poor sword again beneath thy banner. The Princehas but to command, and the soldier must obey."

  Edward gave him a slight smile of gratitude and approval, and turned hiskeen glance towards Leofric.

  "Ah, my friend of the boar-hunt! said I not that we should meet againsome day? So thou hast been in the fight, and hast gotten some wounds?Well, well, it is but the hap of war. I know that thou canst strike alusty blow when the fighting mood is on thee."

  Leofric bent the knee, but made no answer. He loved the Prince, andfound it hard to realize that they had fought in hostile camps. Edwardasked no question; but Leofric knew he must be aware of this, andsomething like remorse filled his heart. War which pitted brotheragainst brother, and subject against Prince, seemed to him a horriblething, abhorrent in essence both to God and to man. The disease that waseating into the heart of the country might need the remedy of the knife;nevertheless the application of it was painful and terrible, and at thatmoment Leofric was keenly conscious of it.

  Perhaps Edward guessed at the thoughts which were passing through hismind, for his own face softened slightly in expression as he said,--

  "Think not that I reproach thee, good youth; I tell thee of a truth thatwere I in thy place, methinks I should act as thou hast done. Thesehideous things must needs be for the sake of the realm. But pray Heaventhere be brighter and happier days in store for England yet. LeofricWyvill, I once did promise thee the reward of thy lusty stroke whichperchance saved the life of thy Prince. Not yet has come the day for theredemption of that promise. What can a captive Prince do for therecompense of those who have served him? But my word is passed, and Ishall not forget. The time may come when I shall redeem that pledge.Till then I have naught but thanks to offer."

  Then he passed upon his way into the interior of the inn, and Leofricturned upon Hugh with something almost like bitterness in his voice, ashe said,--

  "Why, why does such a son league himself to the crooked policy of such afather?"

  Hugh slightly shook his head.

  "It is no love for the policy, believe me; it is filial duty towards hissire. How could a son take up arms against his father, without incurringthe wrath of God? Or how can a son of the spirit of young Edward standaloof whilst the sword is drawn against his father and his King? No, no,he can do nothing else than fight for him; but thou canst see forthyself how he feels in his heart. He hates the methods and the crookedways of the King. Once let him sit upon the throne, and we shall see adifferent rule indeed."

  Leofric was not destined to travel far with the cavalcade which escortedthe Prince. That very night he was attacked by an access of fever,brought on probably by riding too soon; and he had perforce to remainbehind when the troop started forth the next morning.

  Hugh remained with him of his own accord, bidding Jack go on with theothers, and bring them all the news when they met in Oxford. Hugh foundhis broken arm rather stiff and painful, and was not sorry to be sparedthe long days of riding; whilst his heart was turning ever more and moreimpatiently towards Oxford, where Linda would be waiting for them, andwhither they would travel by easy stages so soon as Leofric was fit forthe saddle.

  They were detained a week at this place before they attempted to resumetheir journey, and then they travelled very leisurely. They found thecountry full of rejoicing at the termination of the war and the successof the people's party, as they liked to call it. Rumour declared thatthere was to be a Parliament in London almost at once, and that, besidesthe nobles and knights, "four discreet men" from some of the leadingtowns were to be summoned to attend. This was a distinct step in thedirection of constitutional government, and the policy of the great Earlwas warmly commended on all sides. Little feeling at present existedwith regard to the captive condition of the King. The nation beganopenly to say that he was always the slave and captive of his ownfavourites. It was better he should be in the hands of those who caredfor the liberties and rights of the English people than in the hands ofthose who sucked the blood of the nation and reviled its down-troddensons at the same time.

  Everywhere the name of Earl Simon was in all men's mouths. His praiseswere chanted aloud in rude songs, in which he was described as thesaviour of his country, the instrument of God, the upholder of right andjustice, the wisest, most valiant, and noblest of men.

  Leofric began to wonder whether, indeed, the country would settle downcontentedly to what was practically the reign of a subject, and thatsubject by birth an alien. For the moment they seemed to desire nothingbetter than that De Montfort should reign in the name of the King; butwas it possible that such an anomaly could long continue? And what wouldbe the result of the release of the King? for it was not possible thathe should remain a permanent captive in the hands of his Barons.

  These, and many like points, were discussed with keen interest byLeofric and Hugh as they pursued their leisurely journey. Hugh had a fewstout serving-men in attendance on him, afterwards to
make their waynorthward to his father's house. So the two youths travelled in comfortand safety, and were welcomed everywhere along the route as having beeneye-witnesses of and partakers in the battle of Lewes.

  But as they neared the familiar town of Oxford, public matters sank intoa secondary place in the interest of the anticipated meeting withcomrades and friends. Leofric's heart could not but beat with thethought of seeing Alys once more--although to him she was as a brightparticular star, far, far above him, whom he loved and worshipped from adistance, with no conscious sense of anything nearer and more personal;whilst Hugh was engrossed by thoughts of Linda, from whom he had beenlong sundered, although, knowing her to be safe and happy, he had lefther with a mind at ease.

  Had their approach been seen? Surely it must have been; for as theyapproached the Castle by the Quaking Bridge, there was a littlecommotion at the gate, and in another minute Edmund came hastily forth,bare-headed, as if taken by surprise, his face alight with eagerwelcome.

  "Now welcome, welcome, good friends! We have been wearying for news ofye twain. Many of our clerks and students have been flocking back fromall parts of the country, some even from the field of Lewes; but nonecould give us tidings of you. One indeed declared that thou, Leofric,hadst been sorely wounded; but whether for life or death the fellowcould not say. Come in, come in, and tell all thy tale.--Come in, goodcomrade Hugh; right glad are we to see thy face again! Peace andgood-will everywhere abound. Oxford has begun to look like herselfagain. Come in and see my father. We have much to hear and to tell. Comeand give us news of young Lord Amalric, for our Alys has been like adrooping flower ever since he departed; albeit, as I kept telling her,we should speedily have heard had any hurt happened to one of the sonsof the great De Montfort."

  Thus speaking, Edmund led the way into the Castle hall, where alreadythe Constable, his wife and daughter, and Linda had gathered. Rumour hadalready gone forth that some arrival had taken place, and Sir Humphreyhad a warm greeting for the two young student-soldiers returned withnews from the campaign.

  But Hugh had no eyes for any save Linda. He could not speak or think ofanything in the happiness of that meeting. It was Leofric who was forcedto be spokesman, and he was set down in the midst to tell his tale;whilst Alys, from behind her mother's chair, hung upon his words withkindling eyes, flushing and paling cheeks, scarce drawing breath as hespoke of the perils of the fight, and how he had been brought out of itby trusty Jack. She did not look like a drooping flower any longer as atthe supper board she took her accustomed place, Leofric being at herright hand. Father and mother both noted the sudden change in her; andSir Humphrey said to his wife that night,--

  "See what the news of Lord Amalric has done for her! She is a changedbeing since we have known him to be well and sound."

  But Dame Margaret uttered a slight snorting sound, as if she were lesssatisfied with what she had observed.

  "If my Lord Amalric desires the hand of our daughter, he had best loseno more time in the winning of it," she remarked. "Else may he chance towin the casket when the jewel it encloses has been stolen thence."

  "What mean you, wife?" asked Sir Humphrey in dismay.

  Dame Margaret snorted again.

  "Men have no eyes!" she remarked scornfully.

  "But what mean you, wife? I would know more of this."

  "Marry, then thou shalt. But I say not things are so; I only say what Ifear. If the maid's heart be not rather given to Leofric Wyvill, thebachelor, than to the Lord Amalric, the Earl's son, then are mine eyeswofully at fault!"

  Sir Humphrey looked first astonished and then scornful.

  "Tush, woman!" he said impatiently; "the thing is impossible."

  Dame Margaret pursed her lips and said nothing.

  "It must not be!" cried the Constable, rather excitedly; "it must notand shall not be! The Earl is now the first man in all the realm. Hissons will rise to be nobles themselves. It will be a great match for ourlittle daughter, and she hath always been well disposed towards LordAmalric."

  "True; yet is she not better disposed towards another?"

  "It shall not be!" cried the Constable once more. "I will put a stop toit at once. A daughter's hand is disposed of by her father. None shalldispute my right to give that of Alys where I will. The Lord Amalric hasshown every disposition to ask it in marriage. And this I say and mean:if he ask it, he shall have it. The maid shall be a great lady yet, andI pray I may live to see the day."

  The mother said nothing, only pursed up her lips a little. In her heartshe was thinking that a sudden elevation to great power had often beenfollowed by as sudden a fall. What if that should happen to the house ofDe Montfort?