Limp Carter A Medieval Tale
Peter Smith entered the low cottage and dumped the heavy sack onto the beaten earth floor. A few acorns spilled onto the floor out of a small rip but Peter didn’t notice in the darkness of the interior. He picked up a handful of dried reeds, strewn, to carpet the floor and took them over to the stone fireplace at one end of the small chamber. He leant down and with one hand felt the embers for heat. Satisfied, he picked up a half-burned stick and scraped the ash away and dropped the bunch of reeds on the cleared area. With his broad brimmed hat, he wafted the reeds until they flamed up and added a few more. Striding purposefully back to the doorway, he firmly closed the heavy wooden door with the help of a broad shoulder and then quickly strode back to feed the flames with half burned sticks until he had a blaze going then added a log or two.
Satisfied with the fire, he rose and stretched his weary back, stroking the smooth stone with pride and rightly so he felt. Peter had built the stone fireplace with his own bare hands, using the stone from his father’s smithy. He had seen fireplaces like this up at the big house, much grander than his and he was always intrigued how efficient they were in keeping the smoke out of the room and preventing the wooden beams and thatch catching alight.
Being a resourceful lad, he had built the fireplace and its chimney; to replace the open fire they had had in the middle of the floor. There was no use for the smithy now that his father lay slain on some battlefield in France, fighting for his Lord, his King and England. Peter was now the head of the family, looking after his two younger sisters. His thoughts wandered to his mother who had died in painful childbirth, just after his father departed with Lord Lonsdale on his horse, accompanied by ten yeomen on foot, from the village. It had been a sad day as the men were forcibly marched off to do the bidding of their Lord and Master on a vague promise of future entry to heaven for their service to the Crown and God Almighty.
His lasting memory of his father was a shout of, ‘Look after your mother and sisters Peter!’ and that was what he was doing. He was a strapping lad, the build of his father, who always ensured the family was well fed and looked after. Peter was always bringing home a duck, a poached rabbit or a fat trout to feed his family and they had fared better than most in the village.
The family were fortunate to be slightly beyond the loose cluster of homesteads and prying eyes. The smithy had to be away from other buildings to stop fire spreading, so the Lord had allowed them to build a shelter and furnace on the swamp at the edge of the forest. People said that they wouldn’t survive the winter there in all that damp but resourceful John Smith and his wife had built up a fine homestead with a main thatched cottage of wattle and daub and a smithy to one side. The thatch had come from the reed beds in the swamp and was much better than straw. Peter now was being accused by the villagers of getting above his station in life. None of the villagers had a stone fireplace and certainly not a byre for their beasts and pigs. Peter had seen that they didn’t keep cows in the big house or pigs so he had converted the now redundant smithy into a shed for the animals and built a fireplace which caused much muttering amongst the folk. It didn’t even escape the notice of the Reeve, who was now the landlord and Master of the estate, in absence of the Knight.
The Reeve was a pretty evil fellow, who was more concerned with lining his own pockets than providing for his Lord but in his absence, Peter was allowed to do his will. Fortunately, the Reeve recognised, that by not pressing his serfs too hard, he could collect more tithes and rents, so they were generally left to till their fields in peace as long as they did a good days work on the Lord’s land as was their place in life. With many of the sturdy menfolk away, the remainder had to work harder to make ends meet. The Manor house was now depleted, with Lady Lonsdale off at the Court, so the big house was virtually closed down and didn’t need so much work. The horses had also gone to the battle fields so didn’t need best fodder or currying, so more time was spent on the fields producing more tithes for Robber Reeve as he was called out of earshot.
Peter Smith was a busy lad, always fending for his two sisters and sickly mother. He was good with animals, so his duty was to feed, milk and cater for the wants of his Lordship’s beasts which gave him occasional access to the big house and new ideas above his station. He also cut reed for thatch and made-up willow hurdles as shown by his father. The swamp was a good provider. The willow trees had been pollarded by his father and now produced an abundant crop of sticks and staves for weaving. Ducks and moorhens nested in the reeds and were a welcome source of eggs, meat and down feathers which were collected to be sold at the fair. No one ventured into the swamp and Peter was left to his own, to set up bird traps and collect eggs in season. He also set up some eel traps made out of willow which were not lawful but since no one fished the swamps, it was a shame not to reap the bounty of that land.
All these thoughts were just making him hungry as he remembered the rabbit hidden in amongst the acorns of his sack. He put the blackened pot onto the fire and expertly skinned and dismembered the rabbit with his sharp axe and threw the pieces into the pot; supper for his sisters when they returned from their chores at the big house. On the way from the strip fields of the House, Peter would detour via the forest to cut down a stout staff with his axe that he always carried with him. It had been made by his father when the smithy was operating and the charcoal men were supplying the fuel. That was now long ago. The staff was a legitimate item for the serfs to carry but for Peter it became a weapon to knock down a fleeing rabbit and later as fuel when it had dried out.
Much of his time was spent walking from cottage to field strip, from field strip to the big House, from his cottage to the Common where he could graze the beasts. This seemed such a waste of time to Peter and he managed to swap strips of land with his neighbours to consolidate his holding in one area. This wasn’t allowed by the Lord but Robber Reeve didn’t care as long as he got his tithe and rent. His sisters who had an ear to the workings of the estate used to tell tales that Robber Reeve was known to collect rents and note down a lower charge in the big book also sold off more tithes than noted. It was also said that he had a hoard of coins hidden in an old iron pot, hidden under his fireplace.
The girls arrived in a rush which was unusual. They obviously had news and were anxious to divulge it to Peter. Mary the eldest, a strapping lass, blurted out that Sly Lonsdale, as he was called behind closed doors, had been captured by the French King in battle and Lady Lonsdale was due back from Court to raise the ransom for his return. Sally the younger and prettier sister then chirped in that Milady would be back in two days and the house was being opened and that the two girls would be her maids. They had been practising saying ‘Milady’ and curtsying and carrying things on trays without spilling. They were quite excited and quite put out when Peter retorted in a vexed voice that it would mean more work, more rents and more trouble for everyone. He told them in a loud voice that Robber Reeve had skimmed off all the wealth and the estate was poorer than a church mouse. He asked them where Milady Lonsdale, with all her airs and graces, was going to raise a hefty ransom. He also told them, in no uncertain terms, that it would be, ‘Off the backs of us bloody serfs!’ Peter had shouted that in disgust. He then told them their supper was in the pot, that he wasn’t hungry anymore and he was off to fend for the animals, stalking out to the byre, slamming the door to.
Peter leaped over the hurdle in anger and startled the two cows and sow. He then felt guilty at not bringing the sow some fresh acorns and pulled down some hay and straw from the above netting as recompense. In the dim light he felt and settled his beasts. The cows were his pride and joy. Small and sturdy, they could pull a plough or cart all day, thanks to his good husbandry and good feeding. Even the Lord’s beasts were puny in comparison. The sow was also good and healthy, providing him with a large litter each season even though it vexed him to have to part with most of the piglets to the Lord’s coffers as rent and taxes.
His thoughts went back to the black news that the girls had brought. Peter felt good that his sisters would have a better task, serving Milady than scrubbing in the kitchens but the hammer of the ransom would be a blow for all. He also had a dark thought, wishing that his Lordship had been killed in battle by the most painful means or had been trodden to death after falling from his horse. His father had told him that the Knights dressed richly for battle, to be recognised and to ensure that their lives would be spared. His father had said that the aim of the Yeoman was to knock such a fine gentleman off his horse, capture him and then demand a ransom. A portion of the ransom would be shared out with the Yeomen as part of their reward for going into battle.
Darker thoughts crossed Peter’s mind as he calculated his meagre wealth and wondered what extra demands would be made of him and his neighbours. Robber Reeve had at least the sense to allow his serfs a certain amount of leeway in the number of beasts or poultry they kept and ensured each man tilled and seeded the maximum amount of land possible. That way, he could and did manage to get higher tithes and more for himself. If her Ladyship demanded they forfeit his wealth and future by taking his cow or sow, then how would he be able to till the land he had and how was he going to pay the rent in future with no piglets.
Long term, she would cut off her nose to spite her face he thought. He wasn’t going to take it sitting down, he would go to the Reeve and explain his case and the same for the others and maybe the Reeve could persuade Her Ladyship to take a long-term view and maybe even forego on Sly Lonsdale’s ransom, but he knew in his heart that the worst was to come. He wondered what he could salt away for himself and sisters before the demands fell, but apart from the beasts and sow, they had nothing else to hide.
Despondent, he went back into the cottage to be greeted by his sisters who presented him with a bowl of choice rabbit pieces, specially kept for him. He thanked them and bade them goodnight and that he would see to the fire after he had done his thinking. Next morning he visited Robber Reeve and laid out his case and even had the audacity to suggest that the Good Lady might borrow the money from the money lenders and the estate income and rents would pay them off eventually. The Reeve listened with a cruel grin and sent Peter off packing telling him it was not his business and his place was only to serve the Lord and Lady who graciously gave them all an existence. At least he felt that he had done something and felt that the Reeve had listened and maybe even agreed with him although it was not his place to admit that fact.
Her Ladyship arrived with all her splendour and immediately found fault with everything and had people scurrying hither and thither trying to please her, as Peter learned from his sisters. She then called in the Reeve and shouted at him a lot. Next, she called in the two bailiffs who collected the rents and shouted at them for some time and then called in the Reeve again. This time she had the bailiffs set on the Reeve in a harsh way until he told them where he had hidden his hoard of money, stolen from the estate. Some bird had obviously sung to Milady about his wicked ways. Eventually he confessed and they all had trooped off to the Reeves quarters and found a small bag of coins hidden where he had told them. The Lady then had the bailiffs search the place more thoroughly and even tore it apart completely and they, unsurprisingly, came across other hidden hoards of a more substantial nature. The bailiffs had to restrain the Lady from gouging the Reeves eyes out with her sharp nails. They kicked the well beaten Reeve out and declared him an outlaw. They then counted the hoard of coins and the Lady announced that it was well short of the ransom needed and instructed the bailiffs to go and collect the remainder from her serfs forthwith.
That’s when Peter’s troubles began or really just got much larger. The bailiffs came round to the cottage the next day demanding that Peter give up the sow as part of his offering. They made matters worse by saying that they would also come for his beasts if the sow didn’t achieve a good price at the market. They wouldn’t listen to his reasoning and Peter wasn’t one to plead so one of the bailiffs gave Peter a clout with his staff, the purpose of which was to knock some sense into him. It only infuriated him and a scuffle broke out which turned into a proper brawl. Peter was well equipped for a fight being a strong strapping lad and punched the staff wielding bailiff in the lower stomach and again in the throat and had him on the ground wailing and groaning for help. His fellow officer then made the mistake of drawing his knife and confronting Peter, at which point Peter drew his axe from his belt and clattered the bailiff mightily around the head with the flat of the blade. The man fell as if pole-axed to the ground, lifeless, with blood pouring from his head. At that moment Peter knew he had lost the fight, the battle and the war and he was a condemned man and would be punished and at the best be outlawed to wander the forests and byways, at the mercy of all.
Peter made a quick decision that he would settle his own fate. He went to the cottage, picked up his longbow and quiver full of arrows, a billhook made by his father, a small metal pot and a strong sack. He closed the cottage door carefully, gave the groaning bailiff a kick and noted that the bloodied one was stirring and strode off towards the forest and a new life as an outlaw. He hoped his sisters would understand and hoped they wouldn’t be in trouble on his behalf. At least the bailiffs had more than they bargained for. Two beasts, a sow and very sore heads but the estate lost his future rents and tithes which was now of little concern to him. He had no worries fending for himself in the forest and wasn’t fearful of the dragons and goblins that were purported to live there, a tale spread to keep the good folk out. He was more concerned about the bands of other outlaws who roamed and robbed travellers and the Lord’s foresters, whose job was to clear out the outlaws by whatever evil means they chose, to maintain the game for the Lord. That’s where his trepidations lay.
Peter quickly settled into the life in the forest which provided him with ample game and avoided the necessity of contact with the general public on the roads and byways although he did spot signs of other outlaws in the vicinity. His biggest problem was finding shelter for the night and from the heavy rains. He was careful to change his abode nightly and leave no sign of his presence, unlike the other clumsy outlaws. After a few weeks on his own he became more adventurous and expanded his range. He also admitted to himself that he missed the company of others, particularly his two sisters so when one day, when he came across another bedraggled fellow, he took him under his wing and taught him a more comfortable life in the forest. With two of them they could set a proper lookout and feel safer. Hunting became easier as one could drive the game towards Peter’s longbow. The concern of poaching the Lord’s and King’s game was of no concern to him any longer since, as an outlaw they couldn’t threaten him with anything worse. His only concern was the obvious trails left by the other bands which surely would attract a posse of foresters down on them. He and Harry, his new companion, left no sign of their presence but they could easily be caught up in a general sweep.
With a haunch of venison over his shoulder Peter and Harry carefully approached an encampment of men roasting a puny rabbit over a fire. There were five of them, crouched hungrily around the smoky fire with no lookout posted. At a safe distance, Peter called out a welcome and the band scattered grabbing their staffs and cudgels up off the ground besides them. Peter stepped into the clearing to be in full view and called again, shouting that he had a haunch of venison for them. This brought out a few and they talked a while. Peter threw the large joint down near the fire and stepped back allowing the band to hungrily start carving up the meat and roast it on sticks. This gave Peter the opportunity to size up the individuals and talk to them. He told them he had abundant supplies of meat and warned them that if they didn’t cover up their tracks, they would have the foresters down on them.
He then invited them to join him as a band and he would ensure they were well fed and looked after. Three of them immediately took up the offer whilst their leader and his crony declined and wolfed down the welcome offering. Peter was thankful of the outcome since he didn’t need any competition for leadership until he had proven his worth and quickly led his band away. The three newcomers were in a sorry state of clothing and ravenously hungry. Peter led them to his small encampment whilst Harry was sent off to check the traps and snares. The fire was built up with dry, nonsmoking wood and a pot was placed to heat. Harry returned with a couple of rabbits which Peter dismembered, threw into the pot with bits of venison and soon a mouth-watering aroma rose from the pot. Peter had to stop the three diving in before the meat was properly cooked. Harry was sent off to the nearby stream for water whilst Peter handed out some skins to the newcomers to fend off the cold. Having eaten Peter and Harry cleaned up the encampment and buried the bones and embers, leaving no signs of their presence and marched the band off some distance to shelter for the night. Peter and Harry took turns as lookouts as the three slept soundly.
Next morning Peter led his group to the nearby stream for water and to check his fish traps. Fortunately, a number of sizeable fish had succumbed to his lure and he was again able to feed his band a healthy breakfast which gave him another opportunity to size up the newcomers. He now had a different problem on his hands. The main issue was their tattered clothing which hardly kept out the weather. He would have to employ different tactics if he was to keep his band together. Food was not a problem but to get extra clothing he would need to make contact with the outside or since he and they were on the ‘Outside’ of the people, inside the broad community. The three newcomers suggested highway robbery but Peter was against that since it would bring rapid retribution. Instead, he decided on trading. There was a constant demand for meat and he had a forest full so they set off on a hunt. With four of them driving the game Peter quickly shot a large doe which they quartered and ate bits. They then carefully walked to the nearest highway and hid in the side bushes and posted a lookout in both directions. Soon a laden cart was spotted and Harry, who was the smallest and least threatening, was unwillingly volunteered to do the bargaining whilst the others lay in hiding. Harry did well and after stopping three more carts they ended up with an assortment of cloaks, boots and other apparel. They would do the same the following day until all were well shod and clad.
The band thrived. They roamed the forest leaving no signs of their presence and only made contact by trading. The band grew in size and one of the members was no other than Robber Reeve who disclosed, to Peter’s additional wrath, that the monies the Reeve had squirreled away was far more than the ransom demanded and that Lady Lonsdale just used the additional taxation as an excuse to collect more money, to pay off her substantial debts at Court, which she had accumulated to curry favour. Robber Reeve, as he was now known openly, was a useful teacher for Peter. From him he learned the ways of the inside world, about trade, finance and the laws of the land and how to work them to one’s own advantage. Robber Reeve admitted that he had been too careless with his hoarding and too open with his fleecing of the estate but under his lordship the estate had thrived and the rents and tithes had been rising but not on the Estate records. Robber Reeve put in Peter’s mind ways of becoming a freeman rather than eking a miserable existence in the forest forever.
One day, they traded with a carter of timber who spoke of labour shortages at the great City of Winchester where he was taking the timber for the building and extension of the great Cathedral. Peter made an instant decision to join the carter and he called for Harry to join him. They left the band to look after themselves, after all, bickering had broken out and some had become lazy and careless, and he had had enough of their company. Robber Reeve had long since gone to seek his fortune in Southampton Water. The carter welcomed the company and extra protection and they all proceeded onward to Winchester.
The carter usefully knew the ways of Winchester and quickly introduced them to the head Mason and found them reasonable lodgings. They now had new jobs, new comfortable lodgings and a new identity as freemen. Peter now became ‘Tom Forest’ and Harry became ‘John Bailey’ and they hailed from a hamlet near Southampton Water, not that anyone asked questions or were even curious. They just joined a large army of workers, building a new wing to the great and awe-inspiring Cathedral. The big house in Hampton was puny in comparison. Tom and John were assigned jobs with the stone masons fetching and roughly preparing the stones brought from the quarry. Both were quickly recognised for their potential skills, particularly John for his skills at dressing the stone. He was quickly assigned to the more skilful operation of shaping the blocks for arches and columns following wooden templates. Tom was chosen for his strength and was up in the scaffolding positioning and cementing the carved blocks cut by John. They had a good life with plenty of food and beer and mostly rejoiced that they were free men and need do no one’s bidding.
Calamity struck when the scaffolding collapsed and Tom was thrown down breaking a leg. No longer could he work and earn his keep. Only John came to his rescue and supported him in his convalescence. A chance meeting with their old carter provided Tom with work in driving the beasts, where he didn’t need to stand or walk until his leg fully healed. This gave Tom an insight into the trade and business of carting for which there was great demand. The profit he found was not made from the carting but from the sidelines associated. A load of stone paid for by the Church would be diverted to some manor house. A load of timber would also somehow lose its way. Inventive accounting as per Robber Reeve was rife and flourishing. Even John found himself carving a window moulding or door frame which had nothing to do with the Cathedral structure, but unbeknownst to the Church, who was bestowing its largess to the general populace at large.
Tom had a permanent limp and discomfort so a return to building work was not an option. Having had a taste of carting, he liked the freedom and looking after the animals. His patron was doing well and upgrading his carts so that when an old one, that needed repair, came up for sale, he secured it with a deposit and then needed to source the beasts to pull the cart. This brought to mind his two cows he had left behind and thoughts of his sisters who he dearly missed. He hitched a cart ride to Hampton and stole a visit to his sisters who told him tales of woe and goings on at the House. It appeared that the bailiffs hadn’t admitted to their severe beating at the hand of Peter and turned it to an advantage by saying they had driven Peter off and had presented Milady with not only a sow but two prime beasts and land. The Lady was pleased but not aware of the future loss of valuable rent and labour. They also told him that Sly Lonsdale was back and still trying to curry favour with King John and was always planning lavish banquets for the courtiers, which meant the local serfs had to be extra burdened with work and taxes. He in turn, told them of his escapades in the forest and at Winchester and that he was now ‘Tom Forest’ and setting up as a carter. He didn’t tell them of his immediate intention of a bit of cattle rustling but they would hear eventually as he repossessed his two beasts.
The two cows were in a poor state, having been badly neglected. He had to spend a few weeks feeding them up and repairing the old cart as well as a stint working for his friendly carter. There was no end of carting jobs to be had but he chose to do a variety rather than stick to hauling timber and stone and that way he built up much experience and know how. He also ensured that he never hauled an empty cart. He would only take a job if he could contract a return load. He soon got known for the odd and small jobs he was prepared to do and found that by consolidating a number of small jobs, he made more income. He also acquired a new name locally and became known as ‘Limp Carter’ and lost the Tom Forest.
With brisk business John Bailey joined him plus a number of part time loaders and fetchers. A second and third cart followed with more beasts and more carters and labourers plus a yard and byre for his beasts. This left Limp Carter more in administering to his business than actually out on the road. His main job became a chief haulier for the local brewery, moving barrels to and fro, mixed with other goods. Spending more time off the roads meant he had more time to hanker after Hampton and particularly his sisters.
A job came up hauling beer and other commodities to Hampton for one of Sly Lonsdale’s banquets, with a return load of grain from his tithe barn to market. He decided to do the job himself accompanied by John, his right-hand man. He started with trepidation that he would be recognised but John assured him that he would back up his story that this was his first time in Hampton and anyway he had changed a lot with a prosperous air and a greater girth plus a limp. No one would recognise him as Peter Smith the outlaw.
They drove up to the big house and were met by the new Reeve who immediately launched into problems with the quality of goods and the bill of lading. He chose the wrong carter to quibble with. Limp was well aware and experienced in dealing with dishonest Reeves and promptly turned the cart and headed away back. The Reeve finding his match, burst his own pompous bubble and came running after them, pleading for them to return. It was after much haggling on Limp Carter’s part, that he turned the cart back to the house, with a promise of extra feed for his beasts. The offloading and loading went according to Limp’s and John’s arrangements and they watched and checked the inventory like hawks and made the Reeve check off each item separately and if he queried an item for quality or quantity the whole commodity was held back until he relented. ‘All or nothing’ was Limp’s motto that day. The Reeve was flustered and announced that he wouldn’t ever give them another job. Limp retorted that he wouldn’t take a job from such a Reeve even if he paid double for cartage.
The loading of the sacks of grain from His Lordships tithe barn was even more odious. Every sack had to be weighed by Limp and contents inspected for quality of grain. When they had finished Limp asked for the three extra sacks for his beasts as bargained. The Reeve just went purple to the delight of his workers and told them to go off in no uncertain terms. Limp and John calmly turned the cart around to face the homeward direction and promptly started offloading the sacks of grain. This was all too much for the Reeve who left his henchman to sort out the rest. Without a return load the Reeve would get no income to pay for the beer and delicacies brought by Limp so, rather than lose face, he disappeared amid the jeering of his workers. Limp had got the better of the Reeve and they admired that and even more appreciated the hidden barrel of ale that missed the Reeves attention and was cracked open in celebration. Limp got his extra three sacks of feed and a few more, thrown on for good measure. This story was going to be good for retelling countless times and the estate workers waved them off in good cheer.
Limp insisted on stopping in Hampton to check out on his sisters and found an open doorway to a small candle maker’s workshop. Two small girls were dipping sticks of candles in vats of hot tallow and the door was open to let out the heat. With a shout Limp attracted the lady owner who came in out of the back yard wiping her greasy hands on her apron. She immediately sized him up and demanded to know how many candles he needed. Limp was flustered, as this was his former sweetheart that he had left behind and even she hadn’t recognised him. Had he changed so much he mused? He replied that he was a trader and needed regular supplies so could he talk to her husband to fix the price. She replied that she was the proprietor and her husband had long departed this world, leaving two daughters to care for and what price was he asking. Limp replied that if they could step out into the back yard and out of the heat they could discuss more freely.
His first question to her was why did she not recognise him? She looked more closely and then let out a stifled shriek with hand over mouth and cried, ‘Peter Smith, it’s you Peter Smith.’ She wasn’t allowed to repeat that word as Peter’s arms enveloped her and whispered in her ear, ‘Call me Limp. Call me Limp Carter, now a Freeman.’ She looked at him in amazement and thumped him hard in the chest and cried out asking why he had abandoned her? Why had he left her and broke down in tears? Even the girls abandoned their task and came into the yard to see what the commotion was, but they were quickly shooed away, back to work.
Maggie told him all about her misfortune and how she had lost her husband, land and cottage and it was just by good fortune that, whilst begging scraps from the slaughterer, she was taken on to make candles. Now she had her own little business and hovel to live in. John came in to find out what the hold up was and was told to carry on back to Winchester on his own and Limp would catch up later. He then got Maggie to send one of her girls with a message to the big house to the Smith sisters and ask them to come to the Candle shop as soon as possible. Limp then recounted his own story of how he had changed from rags to riches and now he was a prosperous tradesman and a freeman to boot. The sisters eventually came, looking worried and perplexed until they were met by Maggie at the door and told in no uncertain terms that they must refer to the man inside as ‘Limp Carter’ and nothing else. They came into the room and immediately recognised their brother and realised why he had changed his name.
There was much hugging and kissing and Limp retold his story whilst Maggie and the girls were sent out with a few coins to get some food for all. The girls immediately told how they had heard how Limp Carter got the better of the Reeve at the big House and how he would now be a local hero and the tale, a legend. He then asked them if it would be appropriate for him to ask Maggie to marry him since she had been his former sweetheart. They thought it a grand idea and rushed out to tell Maggie and get her reaction. Well, her reaction was plain for all as she rushed in and hugged Limp and planted a kiss on his lips.
It was all arranged that Limp would marry Maggie in a fortnight after she had sought permission for the marriage. Limp gave her a few coins to grease Sly’s palm and ensure granting of approval and he would move his business to Hampton to be close to his sisters and Maggie would get permission to move off the estate. Since the village of Hampton was located on a major crossroads, he reckoned, business could be brisk since it was so underdeveloped. They planned that he would take over the old tithe barn, which was now abandoned and a large, abandoned cottage with a large garden where they would live. Since they would be paying rent, the Reeve couldn’t refuse the extra income whatever his ill feelings towards Limp. He wanted a very quiet wedding with no guests, not even his sisters, only Maggie, her daughters and John as best man. Who would give Maggie away was the only perplexing question but that was settled by Limp saying in such circumstances it was the Reeves duty, even though it would pain him to do it, at everybody’s expense and hilarity.
The sisters went off with promises that they would not divulge Limp’s true identity and Limp went off to check out the barn and the cottage. He eventually identified three cottages that he wanted to rent plus the tithe barn and told Maggie to mention this when she asked old Sly for permission to marry. That would seal the deal, with Sly seeing all the extra taxes and income coming in. He set off in good spirit, back to Winchester after cutting a hefty staff for protection from the hedgerow with his trusty axe which he still carried with him.
The wedding went off smoothly and even the Reeve improved his spirits after imbibing some good mead and meat at the reception, in the newly acquired tithe barn. Three carts arrived with men and supplies and quickly set to repairing the barn and dwellings to make them habitable. The barn was divided for storage and a beast byre and the two extra cottages were made habitable for lodgers and passing travellers. Very quickly Maggie expanded the business by offering travellers food and lodgings as well as continuing her candle business. Limp quickly got his cartage up and running and being located on the crossroads, paid off for them handsomely and other businesses were attracted, bringing a smile to Sly’s face with the though of all the extra rents. A brewer started up followed by a cooper making barrels for beer, then followed a wool trader and a grain trader, all this by the encouragement of Limp who offered them preferential cartage rates.
All was well until Her Ladyship went on a spending spree to encourage the King to offer them additional estates and lands. The Lord’s ambitions and the Lady’s spending got them into tremendous debt and the only way they could see to cover the costs was to double the rents of the thriving new businesses set up in Hampton. Limp had a private meeting with the Reeve telling him that the businesses couldn’t operate with the additional burden but the Reeve admitted that his hands were tied and the Lonsdale’s wouldn’t listen to reason and the rent increases would be applied from the next day.
Limp was fully prepared for this eventuality and early before twilight, eight carts departed for Winchester, loaded with all the belongings and equipment of the brewer, cooper, wool trader, grain merchant and even the slaughterer joined the exodus. Limp’s sisters also abandoned their Master’s service and accompanied him to Winchester to set up a new life. There was plenty of good trade to be done in Winchester. The Lonsdale’s, the Reeve and the Bailiffs didn’t realise what had happened until midday and that was too late. A message was left with one of the serfs, to pass on to the Lord that the Traders had left before they would be evicted since they couldn’t and wouldn’t pay the increased rents. The only outlet for the Lonsdale’s was to sell up the estate to pay their debts but even that came to nought since King John appropriated all their lands to incorporate it into his new hunting grounds which were named the New Forest. Many villages and estates were appropriated in this way and the serfs and tenants evicted. The Lonsdale’s had cooked their golden goose a second time, probably unaware in their arrogance, or the consequences.
