The Lances of Lynwood Read online

  CHAPTER 2

  The house of Lynwood had long been famed for loyalty, which had oftencost them dear, since their neighbours, the Lords of Clarenham, neverfailed to take advantage of the ascendency of the popular party, andmake encroachments on their privileges and possessions.

  Thus when Sir Hugo Lynwood, the old Crusader, was made prisoner bySimon de Montfort's party at Lewes, he was treated with great severity,in order to obtain from him a recognition of the feudal superiority ofthe Clarenhams; and though the success of the royal party at Eveshamoccasioned his liberation, his possessions were greatly diminished.Nor had the turmoils of the reign of Edward II. failed to leave theirtraces on the fortunes of the Lynwoods. Sir Henry, father of thepresent Knight, was a staunch adherent of the unfortunate monarch, andeven joined the hapless Edmund, Earl of Kent, in the rising in whichthat Prince was entrapped after the murder of his brother. On thisoccasion, it was only Sir Henry's hasty flight that preserved his life,and his lands were granted to the Baron Simon de Clarenham by the youngEdward III., then under the dominion of his mother Isabel, and RogerMortimer; but when at length the King had freed himself from theirtrammels, the whole county of Somerset rose to expel the intruders fromLynwood Keep, and reinstate its true master. Nor did Simon deClarenham make much resistance, for well knowing that an appeal to theKing would occasion and instant revocation of the grant, he judged itadvisable to allow it to sleep for the present.

  Sir Henry Lynwood, therefore, lived and died unmolested. His eldestson, Reginald, was early sent to the Royal Camp, where he soondistinguished himself, and gained the favour and friendship of thegallant Prince of Wales. The feud with the Clarenhams seemed to becompletely extinguished, when Reginald, chiefly by the influence of thePrince, succeeded in obtaining the hand of a lady of that family, thedaughter of a brave Knight slain in the wars in Brittany.

  Since this time, both the Baron de Clarenham and his son, Sir Fulk, hadbeen on good terms with the Knight of Lynwood, and the connection hadbeen drawn still closer by the Baron's second marriage with the LadyMuriel de la Poer, a near relative of Sir Reginald's mother. Many atime had Dame Eleanor Lynwood ridden to Clarenham castle, under theescort of her young brother-in-law, to whom such a change from thelonely old Keep afforded no small delight.

  Eustace, the only one of Sir Henry's younger children who survived therough nursing or the over-nursing, whichever it might be, that thinnedin former days the families of nobles and gentleman, might as well, inthe opinion of almost all, have rested beneath a quaint little image ofhis infant figure, in brass, in the vaults of the little Norman chapel;for he was a puny, ailing child, apt to scandalize his father andbrother, and their warlike retainers, by being scared at the dazzlinghelm and nodding crest, and preferring the seat at this mother's feet,the fairy tale of the old nurse, the song of the minstrel, or the bookof the Priest, to horse and hound, or even to the sight of the martialsports of the tilt-yard.

  The last five years had, however, wrought a great change in him; hebegan to outgrow the delicacy of his constitution, and with it, toshake off his timidity of disposition. A diligent perusal of theromances of chivalry filled him with emulation, and he had appliedhimself ardently to all knightly exercises, looking with greateagerness to the time when he might appear in the Prince's court. Hehad invested it with all the glory of the Round Table and of thePaladins; and though he knew he must not look for Merlin or the SiegePerilous, the men themselves were in his fancy Rolands and Tristrems,and he scarcely dared to hope he could ever be fit to make one of them,with all his diligent attention to old Ralph's instructions.

  Some of Ralph's manoeuvres were indeed rather antiquated, and affordedmuch amusement to Gaston d'Aubricour, who was never weary of teasingthe old seneschal with descriptions of the changes in the fashion ofweapons, tourneys, and machines, and especially delighted in historiesof the marvellous effects of gunpowder. Ralph would shake his head, vowthat it would soon put an end to all true chivalry, and walk off tofurbish his favourite cross-bow, with many a murmured reflection on thefolly of quitting good old plans, and especially on that of his master,who must needs bring home a gibing Gascon, when honest English Squireswere not scarce.

  Very different was the state of the old Keep of Lynwood from the quiet,almost deserted condition, in which it had been left so long, now thatthe Knight had again taken his wonted place amongst the gentry of thecounty. Entertainments were exchanged with his neighbours, hunting andhawking matches, and all the sports of the tilt-yard, followed eachother in quick succession, and the summer passed merrily away.Merrily, that is to say, with Sir Reginald, whose stirring life in campand court had left him but few and short intervals for enjoying hishome and the society of his wife; with Eleanor, who, relieved from longanxiety, began to recover the spirits and health which had nearlyfailed her; and with Eustace, to whom the arrival of his brother andhis followers brought a continued course of novelty and delight; butless joyously with the Knight's followers, who regretted more and morethe gay court of Bordeaux, and grew impatient at the prospect ofspending a tedious winter in a peaceful English castle.

  Their anticipation of weariness, and the contrary expectations of SirReginald, were destined to be equally disappointed: for two months hadnot passed since his return before a summons arrived, or, more properlyspeaking, an invitation to the trusty and well-beloved Sir ReginaldLynwood to join the forces which the Duke of Lancaster was assemblingat Southampton, the Prince of Wales having promised to assist KingPedro of Castile in recovering the kingdom from which he had beendriven by his brother Enrique of Trastamare.

  Sir Reginald could not do otherwise than prepare with alacrity to obeythe call of his beloved Prince, though he marvelled that Edward shoulddraw his sword in the cause of such a monster of cruelty, and he wasmore reluctant than ever before to leave his home. He even promisedhis sorrowful Eleanor that this should be the last time he would leaveher. "I will but bestow Eustace in some honourable household, where hemay be trained in knightly lore--that of Chandos, perchance, or someother of the leaders who hold the good old strict rule; find goodmasters for my honest men-at-arms; break one more lance with DuGuesclin; and take to rule my vassals, till my fields, and be thehonest old country Knight my father was before me. Said I well, DameEleanor?"

  Eleanor smiled, but the next moment sighed and drooped her head, whilea tear fell on the blue silk with which she was embroidering thecrosslet on his pennon. Sir Reginald might have said somewhat to cheerher, but at that instant little Arthur darted into the hall with newsthat the armourer was come from Taunton, with two mules, loaded with astore of goodly helmets, swords, and corselets, which he was displayingin the court.

  The Knight immediately walked forth into the court, where all had beenactivity and eagerness ever since the arrival of the summons, the smithhammering ceaselessly in his forge, yet without fulfilling half theorder continually shouted in his ears; Gaston d'Aubricour and RalphPenrose directing from morning to night, in contradiction of eachother, the one always laughing, the other always grumbling; themen-at-arms and retainers some obeying orders, others being scolded,the steel clanging, hammers ringing without intermission. Most of theparty, such at least as could leave their employment without a sharpreprimand from one or the other of the contending authorities, theSeneschal and the Squire, were gathered round the steps, where thearmourer was displaying, with many an encomium, his bundles of lances,his real Toledo blades, and his helmets of the choicest fashion.Gaston d'Aubricour and Ralph were disputing respecting a certain suitof armour, which the latter disapproved, because it had no guards forthe knees, while the former contended that the only use for suchprotections was to disable a man from walking, and nearly from standingwhen once unhorsed.

  "In my day, Master d'Aubricour, it was not the custom for a braveman-at-arms to look to being unhorsed; but times are changed."

  "Ay, that they are, Master Penrose, for in our day we do not giveourselves over the moment we are down, and lie closed up in our shellslike great la
nd tortoises turned on their backs, waiting till some oneis good enough to find his way through our shell with the_misericorde_."

  "Peace, peace, Gaston," said the Knight. "If we acquit ourselves aswell as our fathers, we shall have little to be ashamed of. What thinkyou of this man's gear?"

  "That I could pick up a better suit for half the price at old Battista,the Lombard's at Bordeaux; nevertheless, since young Eustace would bethe show of the camp if he appeared there provided in Ralph's fashion,it may be as well to see whether there be any reasonableness in thisold knave."

  Before the question was decided, the trampling of horses was heard, andthere rode into the court an elderly man, whose dress and bearingshowed him to be of consideration, accompanied by a youth of eighteenor nineteen, and attended by two servants. Sir Reginald and hisbrother immediately stepped forward to receive them.

  "Sir Philip Ashton," said the former, "how is it with you? This isfriendly in you to come and bid us farewell."

  "I grieve that it should be farewell, Sir Reginald," said the oldKnight, dismounting whilst Eustace held his stirrup; "our country canill spare such men as you. Thanks, my young friend Eustace. See,Leonard, what good training will do for an Esquire; Eustace has alreadycaught that air and courteous demeanour that cannot be learnt hereamong us poor Knights of Somerset."

  This was to his son, who, with a short abrupt reply to the good-naturedgreeting of Sir Reginald, had scrambled down from his saddle, and stoodfixing his large gray eyes upon Gaston, whose tall active figure andlively dark countenance seemed to afford him an inexhaustible subjectof study. The Squire was presented by name to Sir Philip, received apolite compliment, and replying with a bow, turned to the youth withthe ready courtesy of one willing to relieve the shyness of an awkwardstranger. "We were but now discussing the merit between damasked steeland chain mail, what opinion do you bring to aid us?" A renewed stare,an inarticulate muttering, and Master Leonard turned away and almosthid his face in the mane of his horse, whilst his father attempted tomake up for his incivility by a whole torrent of opinions, to whichGaston listened with the outward submission due from a Squire, but withfrequent glances, accompanied by a tendency to elevate shoulder oreyebrow, which Eustace understood full well to convey that the oldgentleman knew nothing whatever on the subject.

  This concluded, Sir Philip went to pay his respects to the Lady ofLynwood, and then, as the hour of noon had arrived, all partook of themeal, which was served in the hall, the Squires waiting on the Knightsand the Lady before themselves sitting down to table.

  It was the influence of dinner that first unchained the silent tongueof Leonard Ashton, when he found himself seated next to his oldacquaintance, Eustace Lynwood, out of hearing of those whose presenceinspired him with shyness, and the clatter of knives and trenchersdrowning his voice.

  "So your brother has let you bear sword after all. How like you thetrade? Better than poring over crabbed parchments, I trow. But guessyou why we are here to-day? My father says that I must take servicewith some honourable Knight, and see somewhat of the world. He spokelong of the Lord de Clarenham, because his favour would be well in thecounty; but at last he has fixed on your brother, because he may dosomewhat for me with the Prince."

  "Then you are going with us to Bordeaux?" exclaimed Eustace, eagerly.

  "Ay, truly."

  "Nay, but that is a right joyful hearing!" said Eustace. "Old friendsshould be brethren in arms."

  "But, Eustace," said young Ashton, lowering his voice to a confidentialwhisper, "I like not that outlandish Squire, so tall and black. Mensay he is a Moor--a worshipper of Mahound."

  Eustace laughed heartily at this report, and assured his friend that,though he had heard his brother often give his Squire in jest his _nomde guerre_ of _Gaston le Maure_, yet d'Aubricour was a gallantgentleman of Gascony. But still Leonard was not satisfied. "Had everman born in Christian land such flashing black eyes and white teeth?And is not he horribly fierce and strict?"

  "Never was man of kinder heart and blither temper."

  "Then you think that he will not be sharp with us? 'More straight inyour saddle!' 'lance lower!' 'head higher;' that is what has beenringing in my ears from morning till night of late, sometimes enforcedby a sharp blow on the shoulders. Is it not so with you?"

  "Oh, old Penrose took all that trouble off their hands long ago. Gastonis the gentlest of tutors compared with him."

  "I hope so!" sighed Leonard; "my very bones ache with the tutoring Iget from my father at home. And, Eustace, resolve me this--"

  "Hush, do not you see that Father Cyril is about to pronounce theGrace--. There--now must I go and serve your father with thegrace-cup, but I will be with you anon."

  Leonard put his elbow on the table, mumbling to himself, "And these ofEustace's be the courtly manners my father would have me learn; theycost a great deal too much trouble!"

  The meal over, Eustace took Leonard into the court to visit the horsesand inspect the new armour. They were joined by Gaston, who took uponhimself to reply to the question which Leonard wished to have resolved,namely, what they were to do in Castile, by persuading him to believethat Enrique of Trastamare was a giant twenty feet high, who rode agriffin of proportionate dimensions, and led an army whose heads grewunder their shoulders.

  In the meantime, Sir Philip Ashton was, with many polite speeches,entering upon the business of his visit, which was to request SirReginald to admit his son into his train as an Esquire. The Knight ofLynwood, though not very desirous of this addition to his followers,could not well refuse him, in consideration of the alliance which hadlong subsisted between the two houses; but he mentioned his own purposeof quitting the Prince's court as soon as the present expedition shouldbe concluded.

  "That," said Sir Philip, softly, "will scarce be likely. Such Knightsas Sir Reginald Lynwood are not so easily allowed to hide themselves inobscurity. The Prince of Wales knows too well the value of hisright-hand counsellor."

  "Nay, Sir Philip," said Sir Reginald, laughing, "that is rather toofine a term for a rough soldier, who never was called into counsel atall, except for the arraying a battle. It would take far sharper witsthan mine, or, indeed, I suspect, than any that we have at Bordeaux, tomeet the wiles of Charles of France. No, unless the Royal Banner beabroad in the field, you may look to see me here before another year isout."

  "I shall hope it may be otherwise, for my boy's sake," said Sir Philip."But be that as it may, his fame will be secured by his going forth forthe first time with such a leader as yourself. The example andfriendship of your brother will also be of the utmost service. Yourchief Squire too--so perfect in all chivalrous training, and aforeigner--who better could be found to train a poor Somersetshireclown for the Prince's Gascon court?"

  "Why, for that matter," interrupted Sir Reginald, whose patience wouldseldom serve his to the end of one of his neighbour's harangues, "itmay be honest to tell you that though Gaston is a kindly-temperedfellow, and of right knightly bearing, his life has been none of themost steady. I took up with him a couple of years since, when poor oldHumfrey Harwood was slain at Auray, and I knew not where to turn for aSquire. Save for a few wild freaks now and then, he has done rightwell, though I sometimes marvelled at his choosing to endure my stricthousehold. He obeys my orders, and has made himself well liked by themen, and I willingly trust Eustace with him, since the boy is of agrave clerkly sort of turn, and under my own eye; but it is for you todo as you will with your son."

  "Is he of honourable birth?" asked Sir Philip.

  "At least he bears coat armour," answered Reginald. "His shield is_gules_, a wolf _passant_, _or_, and I have heard strange tales of hisfather, Beranger d'Aubricour, the Black Wolf of the Pyrenees, as he wascalled, one of the robber noblesse of the Navarrese border; but I havelittle time for such matters, and they do not dwell in my mind. If Ifind a man does his duty in my service, I care not whence he comes, norwhat his forefathers may have been. I listen to no such idle tales; butI though
t it best to warn you that I answer not for all the comradesyour son may find in my troop."

  "Many thanks, noble Sir Reginald; under such care as yours he cannotfail to prosper; I am secure of his welfare in your hands. One wordmore, Sir Reginald, I pray you. You are all-powerful with PrinceEdward. My poor boy's advancement is in your hand. One word in hisfavour to the Prince--a hint of the following I could send his pennon--"

  "Sir Philip," said Reginald, "you overrate my influence, and underratethe Prince's judgment, if you imagine aught save personal merit wouldweigh with him. Your son shall have every opportunity of deserving hisnotice, but whether it be favourable or not must depend on himself. Ifyou desire more, you must not seek it of me."

  Sir Philip protested that this was all he wished, and after reiteratinghis thanks, took his leave, promising that Leonard should be at LynwoodKeep on the next Monday, the day fixed for Sir Reginald's departure.