The Impoverished Knight
Picture: Horse rider on Loxley Common
After Poitiers when normal life resumed, Robin stopped Sir Richard at the Lee as he rode along the Saylis. “What is your business, Sir Knight,” asked Robin. A sad tale, the knight had to tell. His false friends tricked him out of all his money, and John O’ Gaunt jailed his son for killing two of his knights while they were jousting. Desperate to bail his son out of prison, the knight borrowed £400 from Saint Mary’s Abbey in York. Failure to repay the loan meant he would lose his castle to the abbot*. One year later and still destitute, the knight set out for York intending to plead for more time not knowing the avaricious nature of the abbot who became rich by lending money.
Hearing of the knight’s predicament our heroic archer, knight and merchant who disliked the tax-raising churchmen loaned him £400 on the same terms and conditions as the abbot except the Virgin Mary was the guarantor. Little John serving as his squire accompanied the knight to York, where he settled his debt. From there, Sir Richard crossed the salty sea by permission of the king who issued him with a licence. (Family tree) When he reached foreign soil, fortune favoured him, and he returned home with enough money to repay Robin.
Twelve months after making the loan, Robin and Little John went to the Saylis on Watling Street as arranged. Soon the High Cellarer of Saint Mary’s Abbey came by with another monk at his side. They only had twenty marks, and neither did they know any knight. Imagine Little John’s surprise when he found £800 concealed in their bags! Robin concluded the Virgin Mary sent the money to help the poor. The monks ate their meal as fast as they could, and galloping away shouted, “Blyth and Doncaster are cheaper!” Robin shouted back, “give the abbot my greetings and tell him to send a monk to dine with us every day!”
Sir Richard arrived at the Saylis before sunset. He apologised for his lateness, while offering Robin the £400 he owed. Much to his surprise, Robin refused it, saying, “Nay, our Lady sent my pay by the High Cellarer.” When Robin finished telling his tale, the knight laughed. “By my pledge, you have your money already!” “Yes,” said Robin, “I have my money with interest. The money in your hand makes-up for what your friends stole, your son is free, you are clear of debt, and your property is secure.”
NOTES:
*The abbots of St. Marys were known for their excessive personal fortunes and were frequently in a position to furnish loans to the sovereign. Licences transferring ownership of property in perpetuity granted to the abbey for the acquisition of various properties were numerous. (British history online.)
Sir Henry Green. Knight, High Justice of England, Lord Chancellor, and Chief Justice of the King’s Bench was stripped of his office on charges of corruption in 1365. The Geste tells us the abbot of St Marys had a hold over the Justice of England. (“The justyce of Englonde, the abbot there dyde holde.”)
*Sir Richard was licensed by the king to go overseas in 1364. (Family tree.) He and the king were at Bestwood together. The Battle of Auray led by de Montfort took place in September that same year.
Copyright © 2020, Graham Kirkby. All rights reserved NEXT PAGE
After Poitiers when normal life resumed, Robin stopped Sir Richard at the Lee as he rode along the Saylis. “What is your business, Sir Knight,” asked Robin. A sad tale, the knight had to tell. His false friends tricked him out of all his money, and John O’ Gaunt jailed his son for killing two of his knights while they were jousting. Desperate to bail his son out of prison, the knight borrowed £400 from Saint Mary’s Abbey in York. Failure to repay the loan meant he would lose his castle to the abbot*. One year later and still destitute, the knight set out for York intending to plead for more time not knowing the avaricious nature of the abbot who became rich by lending money.
Hearing of the knight’s predicament our heroic archer, knight and merchant who disliked the tax-raising churchmen loaned him £400 on the same terms and conditions as the abbot except the Virgin Mary was the guarantor. Little John serving as his squire accompanied the knight to York, where he settled his debt. From there, Sir Richard crossed the salty sea by permission of the king who issued him with a licence. (Family tree) When he reached foreign soil, fortune favoured him, and he returned home with enough money to repay Robin.
Twelve months after making the loan, Robin and Little John went to the Saylis on Watling Street as arranged. Soon the High Cellarer of Saint Mary’s Abbey came by with another monk at his side. They only had twenty marks, and neither did they know any knight. Imagine Little John’s surprise when he found £800 concealed in their bags! Robin concluded the Virgin Mary sent the money to help the poor. The monks ate their meal as fast as they could, and galloping away shouted, “Blyth and Doncaster are cheaper!” Robin shouted back, “give the abbot my greetings and tell him to send a monk to dine with us every day!”
Sir Richard arrived at the Saylis before sunset. He apologised for his lateness, while offering Robin the £400 he owed. Much to his surprise, Robin refused it, saying, “Nay, our Lady sent my pay by the High Cellarer.” When Robin finished telling his tale, the knight laughed. “By my pledge, you have your money already!” “Yes,” said Robin, “I have my money with interest. The money in your hand makes-up for what your friends stole, your son is free, you are clear of debt, and your property is secure.”
NOTES:
*The abbots of St. Marys were known for their excessive personal fortunes and were frequently in a position to furnish loans to the sovereign. Licences transferring ownership of property in perpetuity granted to the abbey for the acquisition of various properties were numerous. (British history online.)
Sir Henry Green. Knight, High Justice of England, Lord Chancellor, and Chief Justice of the King’s Bench was stripped of his office on charges of corruption in 1365. The Geste tells us the abbot of St Marys had a hold over the Justice of England. (“The justyce of Englonde, the abbot there dyde holde.”)
*Sir Richard was licensed by the king to go overseas in 1364. (Family tree.) He and the king were at Bestwood together. The Battle of Auray led by de Montfort took place in September that same year.
Copyright © 2020, Graham Kirkby. All rights reserved NEXT PAGE
