Far and near , in the forest and in the fields along the river , people began to desert their labours and hurry towards the sound ; and in Tunstall hamlet a group of poor country-folk stood wondering at the summons . Tunstall hamlet at that period , in the reign of old King Henry VI. , wore much the same appearance as it wears to-day . A score or so of houses , heavily framed with oak , stood scattered in a long green valley ascending from the river . At the foot , the road crossed a bridge , and mounting on the other side , disappeared into the fringes of the forest on its way to the Moat House , and further forth to Holywood Abbey . Half-way up the village , the church stood among yews . On every side the slopes were crowned and the view bounded by the green elms and greening oak-trees of the forest . Hard by the bridge , there was a stone cross upon a knoll , and here the group had collected -- half a dozen women and one tall fellow in a russet smock -- discussing what the bell betided . An express had gone through the hamlet half an hour before , and drunk a pot of ale in the saddle , not daring to dismount for the hurry of his errand ; but he had been ignorant himself of what was forward , and only bore sealed letters from Sir Daniel Brackley to Sir Oliver Oates , the parson , who kept the Moat House in the master 's absence . But now there was the noise of a horse ; and soon , out of the edge of the wood and over the echoing bridge , there rode up young Master Richard Shelton , Sir Daniel 's ward . He , at the least , would know , and they hailed him and begged him to explain . He drew bridle willingly enough -- a young fellow not yet eighteen , sun-browned and grey-eyed , in a jacket of deer 's leather , with a black velvet collar , a green hood upon his head , and a steel cross-bow at his back . The express , it appeared , had brought great news . A battle was impending . Sir Daniel had sent for every man that could draw a bow or carry a bill to go post-haste to Kettley , under pain of his severe displeasure ; but for whom they were to fight , or of where the battle was expected , Dick knew nothing . Sir Oliver would come shortly himself , and Bennet Hatch was arming at that moment , for he it was who should lead the party . `` It is the ruin of this kind land , '' a woman said . `` If the barons live at war , ploughfolk must eat roots . '' `` Nay , '' said Dick , `` every man that follows shall have sixpence a day , and archers twelve . '' `` If they live , '' returned the woman , `` that may very well be ; but how if they die , my master ? '' `` They can not better die than for their natural lord , '' said Dick .
`` No natural lord of mine , '' said the man in the XXXXX .
Daniel Dick House Oates hour labours oak-trees ploughfolk smock yews