The Siege of Norwich Castle: A story of the last struggle against the ConquerorBlake, M. M. (Matilda Maria)
General
The Siege of Norwich Castle: A story of the last struggle against the Conqueror
Blake, M. M. (Matilda Maria)
Historical fiction; William I, King of England, 1027 or 8-1087 -- Fiction
In August 1096, De Guader led his knights to swell the great army of
Crusaders then assembling on the banks of the Moselle, with Godfrey de
Bouillon at its head, that 'very parfit gentil knight' and mirror of
chivalry, whom all historians agree to praise, not only for spotless
morals and untarnished honour and the high ideal he upheld before the
face of the world, but for the 'consummate skill and patient
perseverance, self-possession and presence of mind,' by which alone
such a host of turbulent and independent chiefs as that which he
commanded could have been led to victory.
As De Guader and his lady rode into the great camp beside the blue
Moselle, a knight came forward to conduct them to the quarters which
had been assigned to them. He had a worn ascetic face, seamed with
scars and lighted by the large sombre eyes of a dreamer of day-dreams,
his spare figure witnessing to a life of hard service and activity.
He met De Guader's lady with a sweet smile of reverence and
recognition; but when he saw her companion, Eadgyth of Norwich, a flush
passed over his bronzed cheeks and up into his forehead as far as it
could be seen under his helm.
'Sir Aimand de Sourdeval!' cried Emma, with a quick movement of
delight. 'Welcome the sight of thy brave, true face amidst this host of
God.' Then she called back her husband, that he might pardon and be
pardoned for what had happened in the old, sad days, and Ralph did so
with the free, candid generosity of the times, which were saturated
with the spirit we strive to keep alive in our public schools to this
day--free fight and no malice borne.
Sir Aimand was one of Messire Godfrey's most trusted knights, whom the
commander held in close attendance on his person; heart and soul in the
Holy War, full of joy that so great a thing was going forward.
'You leave not wife or child by a lone hearthstone, Sir Knight?' asked
Emma, feeling sure that the answer would be 'Nay.'
And 'Nay' it was. 'The lady of my choice would not have me, noble
dame,' he answered in a low voice, scarcely daring to look at Eadgyth;
'a leal knight loves not twice.'
'But she will have thee now,' said Emma, and, taking Eadgyth's hand,
she laid it in his. Nor did Eadgyth withdraw it.
Before the host of the Crusaders had moved from the Moselle, the Norman
and the Saxon had vowed to be one.
Did they see the Holy City together with the eyes of the flesh? Did De
Guader and his faithful consort see it? History answers not; it tells
us only that Ralph and Emma died together somewhere near Jerusalem.
Whatever their faults, whatever their sins, at least they were true to
each other, and died fulfilling what the judgment of the time esteemed
the holiest of duties.
APPENDIX.
NOTE A. THE MARRIAGE OF RALPH DE GUADER.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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