The Impoverished Knight
When King Edward went hunting at Bestwood and Lancashire in 1363, he took the impoverished knight with him, a prisoner (Geste). John O'Gaunt, King Edward's son, the Duke of Lancaster owned much of the land on which they hunted and tragedy struck when Sir Richard's son got thrown into jail for killing two of the Duke's men while jousting. Needing to bail his son out of prison, his father borrowed £400 from the Abbot of York on condition he paid it back within the year.
Unable to repay the money, Sir Richard, rode to York twelve months later intending to plead for more time. From there he planned to go across the ‘salty sea' to the Holy Land. (History tells us Sir Richard Vernon had a license to go overseas in 1364.) On his way to York, the knight encountered Robin's men at the Saylis. After being interrogated, Robin trusting the knight's honesty loaned him the money, gave him fine clothing, a grey pack-horse, a Palfrey, a saddle, a pair of boots, and a pair of gilded spurs worn by knights. For good measure, Robin instructed Little John to act as his squire on the journey to York.
Sir Richard arrived at Saint Mary’s Abbey on time, depriving the abbot and High Justice of England of the opportunity to gain his property by default. Wanting to know how they helped the needy, he pleaded poverty. Their reaction shocked him. Far from helping others, those callous, merciless clerics thought only of themselves and their own personal gain. The law was their ultimate weapon. Horrified by their greed, he took the bag of gold given him by Robin out of his pocket and throwing it on the table he left the building. His property secure thanks to Robin’s generosity and goodwill he rode home a happy man to tell his wife the good news.
Two years after Bestwood, Robin and his men were waiting at the Saylis for the impoverished knight to pay his debt. Before long two black monks from St. Mary’s Abbey appeared one of whom was the High Cellarer. They said they only had 20 marks and had never heard of a knight’s £400, so it surprised Little John to find £800 when he searched their bags. Robin concluded the Virgin Mary, the guarantor of the knight’s loan, had sent the money to help the poor. After the monks finished their meal, they galloped away saying, “We could have dined cheaper at Blyth or Doncaster.” Robin told them to “give the abbot his regards and be sure to send a monk to dine with him every day.”
Meanwhile, on his way back from the Holy Land, the knight gathered enough money, perhaps with bounty from the Battle of Auray, to repay the £400 Robin had loaned him. (The Battle of Auray led by de Montfort in the Hundred-Year War took place in September 1364.) After stopping to help another knight on his way to the Saylis, Sir Richard finally caught up with Robin while it was still light. Handing the money over, Robin said, “nay, for Lady by her High Cellarer sent my pay.” After, Robin finished telling his tale, the knight laughed and exclaimed, “By my pledge, your money is ready here!” “Yes,” said Robin, it came from Our Lady with £400 interest. The £400 in your hand replaces the money you lost to your scheming friends. Your son is out of jail and we are both £400 richer than this time last year.”
* The abbots at St. Mary's 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.")
The Peasants Revolt Copyright © 2014, Graham Kirkby.
Unable to repay the money, Sir Richard, rode to York twelve months later intending to plead for more time. From there he planned to go across the ‘salty sea' to the Holy Land. (History tells us Sir Richard Vernon had a license to go overseas in 1364.) On his way to York, the knight encountered Robin's men at the Saylis. After being interrogated, Robin trusting the knight's honesty loaned him the money, gave him fine clothing, a grey pack-horse, a Palfrey, a saddle, a pair of boots, and a pair of gilded spurs worn by knights. For good measure, Robin instructed Little John to act as his squire on the journey to York.
Sir Richard arrived at Saint Mary’s Abbey on time, depriving the abbot and High Justice of England of the opportunity to gain his property by default. Wanting to know how they helped the needy, he pleaded poverty. Their reaction shocked him. Far from helping others, those callous, merciless clerics thought only of themselves and their own personal gain. The law was their ultimate weapon. Horrified by their greed, he took the bag of gold given him by Robin out of his pocket and throwing it on the table he left the building. His property secure thanks to Robin’s generosity and goodwill he rode home a happy man to tell his wife the good news.
Two years after Bestwood, Robin and his men were waiting at the Saylis for the impoverished knight to pay his debt. Before long two black monks from St. Mary’s Abbey appeared one of whom was the High Cellarer. They said they only had 20 marks and had never heard of a knight’s £400, so it surprised Little John to find £800 when he searched their bags. Robin concluded the Virgin Mary, the guarantor of the knight’s loan, had sent the money to help the poor. After the monks finished their meal, they galloped away saying, “We could have dined cheaper at Blyth or Doncaster.” Robin told them to “give the abbot his regards and be sure to send a monk to dine with him every day.”
Meanwhile, on his way back from the Holy Land, the knight gathered enough money, perhaps with bounty from the Battle of Auray, to repay the £400 Robin had loaned him. (The Battle of Auray led by de Montfort in the Hundred-Year War took place in September 1364.) After stopping to help another knight on his way to the Saylis, Sir Richard finally caught up with Robin while it was still light. Handing the money over, Robin said, “nay, for Lady by her High Cellarer sent my pay.” After, Robin finished telling his tale, the knight laughed and exclaimed, “By my pledge, your money is ready here!” “Yes,” said Robin, it came from Our Lady with £400 interest. The £400 in your hand replaces the money you lost to your scheming friends. Your son is out of jail and we are both £400 richer than this time last year.”
* The abbots at St. Mary's 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.")
The Peasants Revolt Copyright © 2014, Graham Kirkby.
