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[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 of earl, save Waltheof Siwardsson, Earl of Huntingdon,
Northampton, and Northumberland; but, to his shame be it spoken, he was
also the only Englishman against whom it could be told that he fought
on William's side at Hastings.

He had been deprived of the lands of his father, Ralph the Staller, the
chronicles record not wherefore, but it might well be that the house of
Godwin, when they wrought on King Eadward the Confessor, of sainted
memory, to drive his Norman favourites from the land, included Ralph
amongst them on account of his Breton mother, whose influence,
doubtless, inclined the lad to love the folks from over the sea, and
who would have taught him to speak French and demean himself in French
ways, and, that so, a very bitter and personal feud lay between him and
Harold Godwinsson.

He had retired to his mother's estates of Guader and Montfort, in
Bretagne, and had returned thence with a proud following of Breton
knights and fighting men, under William of Normandy's banner, making
the Norman invasion his opportunity to win back his lands at the
sword's point, and to gain other broad acres with them.

In 1073, he, and the man whose brother-in-law he wished to become,
young Roger Fitzosbern, Earl of Hereford, and Earl Waltheof,
nephew-in-law to the king, were the three most powerful nobles in the
country. Their estates almost met across England, and, united together,
they might have done much as they wished with the kingdom. The
Conqueror by no means desired their closer alliance, as we shall see.

But to Ralph de Guader and Roger of Hereford nothing seemed more
reasonable and in every way satisfactory than the union of their houses
by marriage. The former especially was wildly eager to cement their
friendship by this solid bond, for the very good reason that he was
deeply in love with the beautiful and high-spirited Emma, and had
carried her favour in tilt and tourney with such determination and
fury, that champions were shy of accepting his challenge when he took
his place in the lists.

A slight hindrance had marred the progress of the _fiancailles_.
William, the Conqueror of England, was also Duke of Normandy, and his
restless vassals across the straits were apt to get weary of his
continued absence in his new kingdom. Robert of Flanders, his ancient
enemy, in battle with whom Emma's father, the famous William
Fitzosbern, whom Holingshed calls the king's _coosine_, had lost his
life, was always ready to foment any little disputes that might arise
amongst them, and King Philip of France had now joined the troublesome
Frisian hand and glove. So William thought it wise to go in person to
Normandy, to keep guard over the movements of the twain.

Of course the marriage could not take place until the king's consent
was obtained, and messengers had been despatched to Normandy by the two
earls, praying his consent.

Their return was more than due, and was awaited with some anxiety, as
Lent was so near at hand, during which, according to the Roman Church,
no marriage could take place. However, travelling in those days was
very different to what it is in ours. The Channel could not be crossed
in all weathers and all winds, and it was supposed that unfavourable
breezes detained the messengers. Not for a moment was there any doubt
that the answer, when it did come, would be in the affirmative.
Permission had been asked merely as a matter of form.

Meanwhile, every effort was made to entertain the guests at Hereford
Castle, and to prevent the time of their prolonged sojourn from hanging
heavy on their hands.

In Domesday Book there figures a certain Adelina, a female juggler, as
having received lands in the county of Hants, having previously enjoyed
fee and salary from one Roger, a Norman earl.

The talents of this lady were in requisition, and, a heavy downpour of
rain and sleet having rendered outdoor sports unpleasant, a large
company of knights and ladies were watching her agile movements and
ingenious deceptions; shouts and ripples of laughter testifying to
their appreciation of her cleverness.

She performed at one end of the great banqueting-hall, and was clad in
a scarlet dress made Eastern fashion, having a gold-broidered jacket of
the shape we are accustomed to call Zouave, with loose trousers, and
slippers turned up at the toes; she wore a turban upon her head, from
beneath which her long black hair streamed unconfined to her waist,
around which she wore a girdle of snake-skins; her bare arms were
covered with bangles, and in her hand she held a wand on which a
child's skull took the place of the Punch's head which adorns the staff
of a Polichinello.

She had for assistants two brown-skinned, almond-eyed, white-toothed
boys, evidently of Moorish origin, and active as the leopards, whose
skins they wore, had been when alive in their native jungle; and the
bowls, spheres, and other appliances she used were marked with
cabalistic signs in the Arabian alphabet. Evidently, whether or no she
was herself of Moorish blood, she had learned her trade from the
jugglers of the East, whose skill therein still surpasses all others.

In those days the dark-skinned races were identified with Antichrist,
and the entertainment therefore afforded that flavour of the forbidden
which seems so necessary to the enjoyment of some folks. A gibbering
monkey, which perched on her shoulder, and performed strange antics at
her bidding, alternately with wild freaks of mischief of its own
invention, added to the air of _diablerie_ which made the exhibition
attractive.

The young Earl of Hereford, his countess, and their two little sons,
were foremost among the spectators, the earl laughing heartily at the
tricks of his favourite, and rewarding her