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Wulf the Saxon

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"It would have been better to have held your peace altogether,
Wulf."

"It would, my lord, but it would also surely have been better had
the bishop abstained from talking about slitting ears."

"That would have been better also, but two wrongs do not make a
right. I was present when the bishop made his complaint, and upon
my inquiring more into the matter, his version was somewhat similar
to yours. I then pointed out to him that if holy bishops lost their
tempers and used threats that were beyond their power to carry into
effect, they must not be too severe upon boys who forget the respect
due to their office. Nevertheless, I admitted that you were wrong,
and I promised the king, who was perhaps more disturbed by this
incident than there was any occasion for, that I would take you to
task seriously, and that to avoid any further brawl between you and
young Fitz-Urse, you should for a time be sent away from court. I
did this on the agreement that the bishop should, on his part,
admonish Walter Fitz-Urse against discourteous behaviour and unseemly
brawling, and had I known that he had put his hand on his dagger,
I would have gone further. Have you any witnesses that he did so?"

"Yes, my lord; I saw the smith Ulred among those standing by, and
doubtless he would see the action."

"That is well," Harold said. "I shall acquaint the bishop with the
fact when I tell him that I have ordered you to leave for your
estate at Steyning, and that if his page denies it, I have witnesses
to prove the truth of your assertions. I think in that case he will
be glad to drop the matter, for were I to mention the fact to the
king, he, who has a horror of the drawing of weapons, would order
Walter Fitz-Urse to be sent back to Normandy. So your exile is not
likely to be of long duration. You understand, Wulf, that I am not
seriously angered with you in this matter. You are but a boy, and
one cannot expect that you will behave as a prudent man; but remember,
lad, even a boy's words may do mischief, especially when placed as
you are. There may come a time when you shall show by deeds and not
by words your feelings against the Normans, but till then bear
yourself prudently. We Saxons are over given to hasty words, and
this is a fault. I myself, as all men know, have no love for the
Normans, but no one has heard me speak against them. The king loves
them, as is but natural, seeing that he was brought up amongst them,
and I have not withstood his wishes in the matter, trying only that
a certain amount of preferment in the land should be bestowed upon
those who are its owners and not strangers to it and its tongue.
You will ride this afternoon for Steyning, Wulf, but I hope it will
not be long before you are back again. If I had my own way in the
matter, I should think that sufficient had already been said and
done in so trifling a matter as a boys' quarrel; but as it has been
brought before our king by a bishop, it is in the king's eyes a
serious business, for assuredly he himself would have borne a reproof
from William of London more meekly than you did, and having therefore
become a church matter, it is altogether beyond my power to interfere.
At any rate, a short sojourn on your estate will do you no harm;
it is sometime since you were there, and it is a good thing that
the lord of the soil should be well known by those over whom he is
placed."

Wulf bowed deeply and withdrew. The prospect of a visit for a few
weeks or even months to Steyning was not a terrible one. It was
some years since he had stayed there for any time. He had been two
years at Waltham, and since his father's death had been for the
most part with Harold, and the thought of an unrestricted life and
of spending his time as he chose, hunting and hawking, and going
about among his tenants, was by no means unpleasant. He was quite
satisfied that Harold was not seriously angered with him, and for
anything else he cared little.

As he understood that his duties as a page were at present at an
end, he thought he would first call upon Ulred the smith, to ask
him if he had seen Walter Fitz-Urse handle his dagger, and also to
tell Osgod that he was going away for a time. He found the smith
at work.

"Good morning, Master Wulf; though this is not the first time I
have seen you today, for I was at hand when you had that quarrel
with the Norman page."

"Yes, I caught sight of your face, Ulred. It was about that I have
come to you. The bishop has made complaint against me to the king,
and Earl Harold has ordered me to go down to Steyning for a time.
Of course I acted wrongly in speaking as I did to the bishop, but
so far as Walter Fitz-Urse is concerned I maintain that I did no
wrong. I told my lord as much, and that the Norman put hand upon
his dagger. The earl said that if I could prove that it would benefit
my case. I told him that I had seen you close by, but that I did
not know whether you saw the page do it."

"Assuredly I did," the smith replied, "and had my cudgel in readiness
to tap him on the wrist if he had drawn his dagger. I would testify
the same before King Edward himself."

"Thank you, Ulred, I will tell my lord so."

"I am sorry you are to be sent away from court. That is a bad job,
Master Wulf, and Osgod here will miss you greatly."

"That shall I," the lad said. "Could you not take me down with you,
young master? You could teach me there how to comport myself as
your squire, so that when the time comes that you need one, I should
know my duties. Besides, you could practise on me with sword and
battle-axe."

"I could not do much in the way of teaching you, Osgod, seeing as
yet I am myself but a learner, but I should be glad, in truth, to
have you with me, and it would be good for me to keep up my practice
in arms. I shall feel almost like a stranger there, and should like
to have one I know with me. I could ask Earl Harold to let me have
a horse for you from his stables, where he has two or three score
doing nothing."

"With your favour, sir, I would rather trust to my own feet. I am
a stout walker, and though I shall not be able to keep up with you,
I think that each night I can get to the hostelrie where you may
put up; but, if not, it matters little, I can make my way after you
and join you there--that is, if my father will give me permission
to go."

"You may as well go sooner as later," the smith said. "Since you
have taken into your head that you will be Master Wulf's man, I see
not that it will benefit you remaining in the forge. You know enough
now to mend a broken rivet and to do such repairs to helm and armour
as may be needed on an expedition; therefore, if the young thane
is minded to take you I have naught to say against it."

"Then so shall it be," Wulf said, "I shall see my Lord Harold before
I start, and will tell him that you are minded to be my man, and
that I am minded so to take you. He will not object, I am sure, but
it were best to ask him, since, when I return to court, I shall
have you about me."

"When do you start, Master Wulf?"

"I am ordered to go to-day; therefore, as soon as I have
seen the earl again I shall be off."

"Where will you sleep to-night?"

"I shall ride to Guildford this afternoon."

"Then you had better lay aside your hammer at once, Osgod,"
the smith said, "and don fresh clothes, and make your best suit
into a bundle and start without delay; it is but ten o'clock,
and you may be at Guildford before sunset. 'Tis but thirty
miles, and eight hours' walking will take you there. If the young
thane tells you that Lord Harold makes objection to his taking
you, you can turn your face backward to-morrow and no harm
will be done."

"I shall overtake you before you are half-way, Osgod, and
can then take you up behind me on my horse; and now I will
go back to the palace. I may have to wait some time before I
can see Earl Harold. From sunrise to sunset he has but a few
moments to himself, and I shall have to watch my time to get
a word with him."

It was not, indeed, until two o'clock in the afternoon that
Wulf had a chance of speaking to the duke. Then, seeing that
he was for the moment alone, he entered the room and stood
with bowed head waiting for Harold to address him.

"So you have come to say good-bye, Wulf," the latter said kindly;
"it is best so, boy. A time in the country will do you good, and
there will be much for you to do down there. I have ordered two of
my men to be in readiness to mount and ride with you, for I would
not that you should go unattended. One of them will bear a message
from me and a letter under my hand to the steward, and will tell
him that although you will, of course, remain as my ward until you
come of age, you are in all respects to be treated as if you were
already my sworn man, and thane. It would be well if you could
gather among your tenants twenty stout men as house-carls. The
steward is ordered to pay to you whatever moneys you may require,
and to account for them to me when he sends me in his checkers.
These house-carls will, of course, be paid. There must be ample
store of armour at Steyning for them, for your father was followed
by forty house-carls when he went with me to the Welsh wars. One
of the men who goes with you is a stout man-at-arms and is one of
my own house-carls; he will remain with you and will instruct your
men in arms and teach them to fight shoulder to shoulder. There may
be bad times ere long, and it is upon trained troops and not upon
hasty levies that we must most depend. In time I trust you will be
able to place fifty such men in the field, but at present twenty
will suffice. Have you aught to say to me before you go?"

"Yes, my lord; first, to thank you for your kindness, and to say
that I will carry out your instructions; secondly, to tell you that
Ulred the smith saw Walter Fitz-Urse handle his dagger, and was
standing ready to knock it from his hand did he draw it. Lastly,
that Ulred's son Osgod, who is a stout lad a year older than myself,
and for his age well accustomed to arms, desires to be sworn as my
man and to serve me in hall and in field. I like him much and have
almost daily practised with him in arms, and I should be glad to
have him with me if you see no objection."

"Not at all, Wulf; it is well that a man should have at his side
one in whom he can altogether trust, be he of gentle blood or simple
man-at-arms."

"Then I may take him down with me, my lord?"

"Yes, if it pleases you. Can he ride?"

"Not as yet, my lord, I will see that he is instructed down at
Steyning. He started to walk this morning, understanding that if
you refused him permission to be my man he would at once return.
We shall overtake him on the road."

"Bid one of your escort take him up behind," the earl said, "I like
his spirit. See that he is fittingly apparelled. You shall hear
from me ere long."

Half an hour later Wulf mounted, and with his two followers rode
from Westminster.




CHAPTER II.


COUNTRY LIFE.

Far from being depressed, Wulf felt his spirits rise as he rode
away on his banishment from court, for instead of feeling it a
disgrace he regarded it as a step forward in life. Earl Harold
could certainly, had he been so inclined, have smoothed down the
angry prelate, and could have retained him at court; but by the way
he had spoken, Wulf was convinced that the earl let him go because
he thought that it was good for him to be away. For four years he
had been under tutelage, first at Waltham, and then at the court.
In the last position his life had indeed been a pleasant one, for
as one of Harold's pages he had mixed with all the noble youths of
the court, and had had a place at every festive gathering. Still,
he had been but a page, and treated as a boy. Now he was to go
forth, and to learn his duties as his father's successor.

Harold's steward, who had since the thane's death acted as the
earl's agent in the management of the estate, would instruct him
doubtless in his civil duties, while the soldier who rode behind
him would teach him how to lead men in battle, and how to make the
fighting force of the estate efficient. Beyond these duties his
time would be his own. He would have responsibilities, but they
would be the responsibilities of a thane towards his tenants, and
not of a page towards his master. He was going away a boy, but if
it pleased Harold that he should remain away for two years he would
return a thane. A young one, indeed, but one who had learned the
duties of his station, and who, if needs be, could take his place
in the field of battle at the head of his followers. For, even
putting aside the Normans, from whom the earl seemed to think the
greatest danger would come, there was never any long cessation of
fighting in England.

There were the Welsh, who were always turbulent; the Danes of
Northumbria, who were still a distinct people, although throughout
the rest of England their identity was fast being merged into that
of the Saxons. There were the Norsemen, still ready to take every
opportunity of interfering in the affairs of England, or, if none
offered, to plunder and harry the coast. There were the earls of
Mercia, who bore no great love to the house of Godwin, and who
resented the ascendency of the West Saxons. Lastly, there was
Harold's brother Tostig, a fiery and turbulent noble, now Earl of
Northumbria, who was jealous of Harold, ever ready to join in plots,
and in close alliance with Norway already; he had several times
withstood the royal authority, and would assuredly again become a
fomenter of trouble should he see a favourable opportunity. At the
king's death, if not before, that opportunity would be sure to
present itself. Harold would be certainly chosen king by the people
of London and by the West Saxons, but almost as certainly would his
claim be disputed by the earls of Mercia on one hand, and by Tostig
and the Danes on the other. Wulf was sure, therefore, that the work
spent in preparing his tenants to take the field when called upon
to do so, would not be wasted.

Full of these thoughts he rode for some miles from Westminster
without addressing himself to the two men behind him; then, bethinking
him that these were trusted followers of the earl, and had been
specially told off by him to accompany and stay with him, he called
them up to his side. Wulf had donned a riding suit instead of court
attire, which, in deference to the king's partiality for the Normans,
was, even among the staunchest opposers of the foreigners, a
compromise between Saxon and Norman fashions. He now wore a tunic
of a bright green cloth, girded in at the waist and reaching only
to the knee. Over this was worn a garment closely resembling the
Roman toga, though somewhat less ample. The folds in front fell
below the waist, but it was looped up at each shoulder by a brooch,
leaving the arms bare. His legs were clad in tightly-fitting trousers,
and his feet in somewhat high shoes. On his head he wore a cap in
shape closely resembling the Phrygian bonnet. He was armed with a
dagger, and a short sword, which hung by a leather strap, two or
three inches long, from his belt. The outer garment had a hood which
could in bad weather be drawn over the head.

The man who was the bearer of Harold's orders to the steward wore
a civilian dress, not unlike that of Wulf's. He occupied the position
of a confidential scribe to Harold. The other wore the garb of a
soldier. He was clothed from head to foot in a tight fitting leather
suit, upon which were sewn iron rings overlapping each other, and
strongly resembling in appearance the chain-armour of later days.
His casque, with a curtain of leather similarly covered and affording
a protection to the neck, cheeks, and throat, hung from his saddle-bow,
and he wore a cap with a long projecting peak, while a cloak was
thrown over his shoulders and fell almost to his feet.

"I am afraid you will find it but dull time with me, Leof," Wulf
said as they came up abreast of him, "for the earl says that he has
charged you to remain with me at Steyning."

"I shall not be sorry for that," the soldier said bluntly, "for I
shall be right glad to be away from these Normans who fill every
place at court and swagger there as if Englishmen were but dirt
under their feet. Moreover, I love not London nor its ways, and
shall be glad to be down again among honest country folk, though I
would still rather be following my lord the earl in the field."

"And you, Master Gurth, will your stay down at Steyning be a long
one?"

"No, indeed. I have but to bear my master's wishes and instructions
to the steward, and to stay for a few days to see that they are
carried out according to his desires. I am not like Leof, for I
prefer life in London, where one meets with learned monks and others,
can obtain sometimes the use of a choice manuscript, and can hear
the news from beyond the seas, whereas in the country there is
nought to talk about save beeves and sheep. I like the journey well
enough, though I would that the animal I bestrode were more gentle
in his paces. He has for the last half-hour been fretting on the
rein to place himself by the side of yours. Horses are well enough
for nobles and fighting men, but for a peaceful scrivener like
myself a chair makes a far more comfortable seat."

The soldier gave a contemptuous grunt, and Wulf laughed. "It is
well that we have not all the same tastes, but for my part a seat
in a chair tires me more than one in a saddle, and I am never more
happy than when galloping briskly along," and he shook the reins,
a signal which the horse had been expecting for a considerable time,
and at once responded to by breaking into a canter.

"Stay you, I pray, Master Wulf," the scrivener cried in great
tribulation as his horse followed the example of its companion.
"Even if the animal does not break my neck he will jolt the life
out of me. I pray you curb him in if you would not see me prone in
the dust; and if I am disabled, who is to carry the earl's message
to the steward?"

Wulf reined in his horse. "Pardon me, good Gurth. I had forgotten
that you are not accustomed to journey on horseback. I was scarce
conscious, indeed, that I touched my horse, but he is used to travel
more rapidly, and was so eager to be off at the slightest hint that
I was willing that he should do so. We will try and journey soberly
for the rest of the distance."

Osgod was overtaken, plodding steadily along the road, fifteen miles
from town. Leof took him up on his horse, and they reached Guildford
just as the sun was setting. The inn, which stood in the principal
street of the town, was a low building built with a massive framework
filled in with bricks. The ground-floor was occupied by a single
room. At one end was the great fireplace where, over a pile of
blazing logs, were hung many cauldrons and pots. Round the room ran
a raised bench some six feet wide on which the guests disposed
themselves for sleep at night; rough tables and benches occupied
the rest of the room. Some twenty or thirty travellers were seated
at these. Few were eating, but the greater portion had horns of
beer or mead before them. As Wulf and his companions entered, after
giving over their horses to one of the helpers, the host, seeing
by his attire that he was of condition above the ordinary, came
forward and led him to the end of the room nearest the fire, where
the floor was raised a foot and a half above the general level,
forming a sort of dais where travellers of distinction could take
their meals apart from the rest of the guests. Leof was now spokesman.

"We will have supper, and of your best, master host, for we have
ridden from London. We are in the service of Earl Harold, and are
riding with this young thane, Wulf of Steyning."

The name of Earl Harold was sufficient to gain for them the best
attentions of their host, and in twenty minutes supper was served,
consisting of trout broiled over the fire, swine's flesh, and a
stew of fowls and smoked bacon flavoured with herbs. Wulf took the
head of the table, and the other three sat a short distance below
him. The dishes were handed round, and each with his dagger cut off
his portion and ate it on his wooden platter with the assistance
of dagger and fingers only, for the utility of forks was at that
time a matter undreamt of. After the meal was over, the host brought
a ewer of water with a napkin, and each dipped his fingers into the
water, an operation necessary even for the most dainty feeder.
Presently a glee singer came in, and for an hour amused the guests
with songs, for the most part of a patriotic character.

Wulf was then conducted by the host to a small chamber upstairs,
where there was the luxury of a bed stuffed with straw. The rest
of the travellers, including Wulf's companions, merely wrapped
themselves in their cloaks and lay down on the raised bench which
ran round the room.

On the afternoon of the third day the party arrived at Steyning.
It was four years since Wulf had been at home, and he gave a shout
of pleasure as his eye fell on the long low house with its background
of trees, and touching his horse with his heel he left his companions
behind and galloped towards the door. An old servitor came out.

"Why, Cedric, do you not know me? I am Wulf, whom you first taught
to play single-stick and to draw a bow."

"Why, surely it is my young master," Cedric said, taking the hand
that Wulf held out to him and placing it to his lips; "this is a
glad day indeed for us all. We have longed sorely for a sight of
you, for though I say nought against Master Egbert the steward, who
is well liked by all, it is not the same as having our lord with
us. You have come to stay, I trust."

"For a time at any rate, Cedric. Earl Harold wishes me to learn my
duties as a thane and to fit myself to lead my people in the field
if it be necessary."

"I trust that it never will be so," Cedric said, "but as we fought
under your father so will we all be ready to fight under you should
it be needful. The men of Steyning were never backward when there
was fighting to be done, and in my young days there was no lack of
that, though we have had quiet times since King Edward came to the
throne."

The house was not built for the purpose of resistance, for, unlike
the Normans, the Saxons did not deem it necessary to convert their
houses into castles. It was, however, massively framed, the windows
on the ground-floor were barred, the door was strong and solid, and
after nightfall none could come in or go out without the knowledge
and consent of the master. Wulf's companions came up just as the
steward himself appeared at the door. He knew both Gurth and Leof,
having himself been in the service of Harold before being deputed
by him to manage the estates of Steyning during the earl's guardianship
of its thane.

"The earl sends his greetings to you, Egbert," Gurth said, and he
has sent us hither with the young thane, who, as the letter I bring
from the earl will inform you, has come down to take up his position
as lord here, and to learn from you all things connected with his
estate."

"Welcome to Steyning, thane," the steward said, doffing his cap;
"it is well that you should be here. I have done my best to carry
out the earl's commands to keep all things in readiness for your
coming, and to be just and fair to the tenants, seeing that they
pay their dues, and yet not pressing too hardly upon them if things
go not well with them; but it is always best that the master should
be in his own place, and right willingly do I give over my authority
to you."

"The authority has been in good hands, I know well," Wulf said,"
and right heartily do I thank you for having so well filled my
place; but I would not take up my thaneship as yet I am but a boy,
and have to learn my duties from you, and shall account myself but
as your pupil. I know something of the ways of court, but nothing
at all of those of the country, and it will be long before I am fit
to take the control of things into my own hands."

They had by this time entered the great hall which formed the common
room of the establishment. Its arrangement was similar to that of
the room at the inn, with its raised dais for the master, his family,
and guests, while the rest of the room was devoted to the retainers
and servants. The cooking, however, was carried on in a room apart.
There were two fireplaces, one upon the dais and the other in the
body of the hall. On the walls hung trophies of the chase and arms
of all sorts. The wooden roof was supported by massive beams, and
with the exception of the trophies on the walls there was no attempt
at decoration of any kind. During the residence of the family at
the house, however, the hangings of tapestry, the work of generations
of dames of Steyning, their daughters and maids, hung upon the walls
round the dais.

The news quickly spread of the arrival of the young thane, and a
score of men and eight or ten women and maids flocked into the hall
to welcome him, and as he stood on the dais each in turn came forward
to kiss his hand and salute him.

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