“You may be right,” the young king said,
“but you see, my councillors think otherwise,
and I am not yet rightly my own master. In one
matter, however, I can have my way, and that is in
dispensing honours. You know what I said to you
before you went hence, that, young as you were, I would
fain knight you for the valiant work that you had done.
Since then you have done me good service, as well
as the realm, by having, with Sir Ralph De Courcy
and Sir Robert Gaiton, defeated a great body of the
Kentish rebels, who were the worst and most violent
of all, though there were with you but fifty men-at-arms.
This is truly knightly service, and their defeat drove
all rioters in that part to their homes, whereas, had
they not been so beaten, there might have been much
more trouble, and many worthy men might have been
slain by them.
[Illustration: EDGAR AND ALBERT ARE KNIGHTED
BY KING RICHARD.]
“Moreover, as you are going to Flanders with
our good friend Mynheer Van Voorden, who is in a way
charged with a mission from us, it is well that you
should travel as knights. It will give you more
influence, and may aid him to further my object.
Therefore, I am sure, that all here who know how stoutly
you have wielded your swords, and how you gave aid
and rescue to the worshipful Mynheer Van Voorden and
his family, to stout Sir Robert Gaiton, Dame De Courcy
and her daughter, and how you bore yourselves in the
fight down in Kent, will agree with me that you have
right well won the honour.”
Then, drawing his sword, he touched each slightly
on the shoulder:
“Rise, Sir Albert De Courcy, and Sir Edgar Ormskirk.”
As the lads rose they were warmly congratulated by
several of the nobles and knights standing round.
“I will not detain you,” the king said,
a short time later. “Doubtless you have
many preparations to make for your voyage. I hope
that things will fare well with you in Flanders.
Bear in mind that if you draw sword for Mynheer Van
Voorden you are doing it for England.”
THE TROUBLES IN FLANDERS
On re-entering the city gates they first went to an
armourer’s, where they purchased and buckled
on some gilded spurs.
“Truly, Albert, I can scarce believe our good
fortune,” Edgar said, as they left the shop.
“It seems marvellous that though we have not
served as esquires, we should yet at seventeen be
dubbed knights by the king.”
“You have well deserved it, Edgar; as for me,
I have but done my best to second you.”
“And a very good best it was, Albert,”
Edgar laughed. “’Tis true that in the
skirmish outside Aldersgate I might have managed by
myself, but in the Fleming’s affair and in the
Tower I should have fared hardly indeed had it not
been for your help. I fancy that we have the Fleming
to thank for this good fortune. You see he had
already told the king that we were to accompany him,
and perhaps he may have pointed out to him that it
might be to the advantage of his mission that we should
be made knights. He has great influence with
the Court, seeing that he has frequently supplied the
royal needs with money. First let us visit our
good friend Sir Robert Gaiton.”
