Nay ask me among the neighbours, I am stout for Brackley.” Nay, bully knight, I love not the rogue Walsinghams they were as poor as thieves, bully knight. “Good knight,” said the host, “I will swear upon the cross of Holywood I did but pay to Walsingham upon compulsion. For those that have paid rent to Walsingham I shall take good measure - you among the rest, mine host.” If other men be chosen, it shall avail you nothing rather it shall be found to your sore cost. I must have good men for head boroughs, and I will have Adam-a-More high constable see to it narrowly. “Now, mark me, mine host,” Sir Daniel said, “follow but mine orders, and I shall be your good lord ever. The host of the Sun stood before the great man. At the lower end of the room about a dozen of his men stood sentry over the door or lay asleep on benches and somewhat nearer hand, a young lad, apparently of twelve or thirteen, was stretched in a mantle on the floor. He had taken off his visored headpiece, and sat with his bald head and thin, dark visage resting on one hand, wrapped warmly in a sanguine-coloured cloak.
By his elbow stood a pottle of spiced ale. Kettley was one such place it had come very lately into his clutches he still met with opposition from the tenants and it was to overawe discontent that he had led his troops that way.īy two in the morning, Sir Daniel sat in the inn room, close by the fireside, for it was cold at that hour among the fens of Kettley. He was one who trafficked greatly in disputed inheritances it was his way to buy out the most unlikely claimant, and then, by the favour he curried with great lords about the king, procure unjust decisions in his favour or, if that was too roundabout, to seize the disputed manor by force of arms, and rely on his influence and Sir Oliver’s cunning in the law to hold what he had snatched.
But the Knight of Tunstall was one who never rested from money-getting and even now, when he was on the brink of an adventure which should make or mar him, he was up an hour after midnight to squeeze poor neighbours. Sir Daniel and his men lay in and about Kettley that night, warmly quartered and well patrolled. Chapter I - At the Sign of the Sun in Kettley
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