



Produced by sp1nd and the Online Distributed Proofreading
Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from
images generously made available by The Internet Archive)






[Illustration: How the Conqueror deals with Rebels.]


THE SIEGE OF NORWICH CASTLE

_A STORY OF THE LAST STRUGGLE
AGAINST THE CONQUEROR_


BY
M. M. BLAKE

_With Illustrations by the Author_


LONDON
SEELEY AND CO. LIMITED
ESSEX STREET, STRAND
1893




TO MY FATHER
THIS STORY IS
AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED




CONTENTS.


CHAP.                                                            PAGE

    I. THE SUZERAIN'S 'NAY,'                                        9

   II. LOVE OR LOYALTY,                                            25

  III. JEST AND EARNEST,                                           37

   IV. HORSE, HAWK, AND HOUND,                                     53

    V. NORMAN AND SAXON,                                           65

   VI. THE BRIDE-ALE,                                              74

  VII. DELILAH SHEARS SAMSON,                                      91

 VIII. KNIGHT-ERRANT AND MERCENARY,                               100

   IX. NORWICH,                                                   113

    X. LANFRANC,                                                  127

   XI. THE CASTELLAN OF BLAUNCHEFLOUR,                            139

  XII. THE STANDARD OF REVOLT,                                    148

 XIII. ST. NICHOLAS FOR GUADER!                                   160

  XIV. HOW THE CONQUEROR DEALS WITH REBELS,                       173

   XV. 'O HIGH AMBITION LOWLY LAID!'                              189

  XVI. WIFE OR WIDOW?                                             206

 XVII. HOW RALPH CAME HOME,                                       222

XVIII. BESIEGED,                                                  234

  XIX. 'STONE WALLS DO NOT A PRISON MAKE,'                        244

   XX. A OUTRANCE,                                                256

  XXI. THE ORDEAL BY FIRE,                                        272

 XXII. A SUBTERRANEAN CONFLICT,                                   285

XXIII. HOW OLIVER DIED,                                           299

 XXIV. FAMINE,                                                    313

  XXV. BRETAGNE,                                                  327

 XXVI. CONCLUSION,                                                336

APPENDIX,                                                         347




LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.


                                                                 PAGE

HOW THE CONQUEROR DEALS WITH REBELS,                    _Frontispiece_

EMMA FITZOSBERN ACCEPTS THE TASSEL-GENTLE,                         62

JUDITH WATCHES HER SLEEPING SPOUSE,                                92

LANFRANC JESTS WITH THE CONQUEROR,                                130

WALTHEOF'S HUMILIATION,                                           136

BISHOP ODO MEETS DE GUADER,                                       170

THE TOWER STAIRS,                                                 178

THE RESCUE OF THE EARL,                                           198

EMMA'S FIRST SIGHT OF THE FOE,                                    240

THE BIG RAT HAS GONE INTO HIS HOLE,                               292

A WARRENNE! A WARRENNE! FOR WILLIAM THE NORMAN!                   300

DE GUADER DONS THE CROSS,                                         342




THE SIEGE OF NORWICH CASTLE




CHAPTER I.

THE SUZERAIN'S 'NAY.'


It was towards the close of the year of our Lord 1073. As we now
reckon, it would have been some way into 1074, but in those old times
they began their twelve-month on March 25th. So, notwithstanding that
the daffy-down-dillies were pushing their grey-green blades through the
softening earth, and that the partridges had chosen their mates for the
season, it was the end of 1073, and just before Easter.

The fair Emma Fitzosbern, sister and ward of Roger, Earl of Hereford, a
young damsel of splendid beauty, in whose honour the chivalric
champions of Normandy and Bretagne were busy cracking each other's
heads, according to the fashion of the times, had followed the example
of the partridges, and promised her hand in marriage.

The mate she had chosen was splendid and brave, and, after the king,
was equalled in power and wealth but by two other men in all England.
Ralph de Guader or Wader had received the earldom of Norfolk and
Suffolk, and the post of Constable of Norwich Castle, from the
Conqueror, in return for his services at Hastings and his prowess in
beating back the Danes from the eastern coast.

His father and grandfather had held lands in England, and he claimed
English blood when it suited his purpose, being the only Englishman who
bore the rank