The Last of the Vikings

clothe my na

nds, stol'n ou

t, when most I

espe

members of our Order had to endure, and the still more harrowing cruelties and bloodshed heaped upon

history. In reality the history of our time was made by the important actors, the common people pla

een nothing but annihilation and utter extermination. The main body of the Normans swarmed forwards like locusts as soon as they had devastated one part. But the castle of the youthful Ealdorman Oswald could not be taken without s

d no pretension to invulnerability, yet it was plain to him that some days must

rmour, and in person directed the labours of the housecarles who laboured at strengthening and repairing the fortifications;

the walls, and, after blowing a blast fro

, there,

Oswald re

e have ye from your master?-

veth thee summons to deliver up to him, within the space of twenty-four ho

nder if we yield to his wishes, and

forthwith without conditions, and trust to our clem

ny trust or reliance in his word. If he would fain have possession of this castle, tell him he must first take it, fo

ed the masses of archers and men-at-arms who swarmed around the camp by day. In the stillness of night he had crept within earshot of wary sentinels in company of Wulfhere the freeman, in the hope that some chance, or some overweening confidence on the part of th

nts were situated to the rear, and were intercommunicable by a covered way. The entrance to Lady Alice's tent was hung with richly embroidered curtains, whilst costly figured velvet carpets from the looms of Rouen were spread over the soft carpet of nature. As already

large measure of fame on the battle-field, and in the lists at tournaments. He had undoubtedly a large measure of reckless valour, and enormous physical strength; but he was utterly destitute of that chivalry and knightly courtesy which was reckoned only second to personal prowess. His chief recommendation in De Montfort's eyes was that

defenders, and she shuddered as she contemplated the impending carnage and bloodshed which hovered over the camp and the castle alike. Thus, often as she sat in her tent did she watch the mailed Saxon chief, as he paced his walls and directed the housecarles as they laboured at the fortifications-far too often,

rite maid and confidante, Jeannette

is Saxon, and valiant withal. Jeann

my lady, and brave too

was, I thought, so like the statue of Mars in the old home in Normandy. The same curly locks; the sa

it much,

y about the open brow which bespeaks a magna

all this,

knights and soldierly men must be brave to avenge the oppressed, and magnanimous to the fallen and the weak, scorning to wreak vengeance upon helpless men and women. I thought all brave men must be at l

I go in daily fear of him. His gloating eyes are ever upon me, and once he caught me in his arms. But let him beware! I carry that

onks down at the abbey. I heard his lascivious, gloating words, and I looked into his greedy eyes, and his ste

think better of him when the

mountain of evil-smelling carrion. I shall hie me to Normandy, and there in my books I'll find a worthy knight, all brave

omes to your tent

te. I shall feign sickness;

nd stalked into the tent. His gait was unsteady, and his e

untarily shrank from his grasp. "What! aren't we friends yet? I did but d

th to part wit

ve been done. They're jolly fellows, those monks, and know what's what, I warrant. T

nd made haste to c

xon knight to you

my prowess, I would challenge him to single combat, and you should see how he would fare when matched with Norman valour. But let him boast himself a day or two until we

ered him hono

s other Saxons, a sudden exit at the sword's point, or a slower p

e meant; and she well knew that the Baron would not only use them, but

od it can do to massacre and torture helpless men and women I can't tell; i

ests, especially the leaders, and those who have spirit in them. The churls may serve some useful purpose, when we

our resting-place? I am aweary of being dragged at the heels

f it for us. Then comes love and downy pillows-eh, my queen, i

ening as was Vigneau's general conversation, his am

d with rage. Then his tongue gave vent to this pent-up storm, and, with a volley of oaths and t