[Roger the Chapman 04] - The Holy Innocents Read Online Free PDF

trees, Then, hoisting my pack a little higher on my back, I started to descend the hill.

Chapter Three

    Geoffrey of Monmouth, in his Historia Britonum , tells us that Brutus, son of Sylvius, grandson of Aeneas the Trojan, founded Totnes, and gave his name to the whole island of Britain - but there are some things I have always begged leave to doubt. On the other hand, having seen it for myself, I would take anyone's word that Totnes is a rich and thriving town, and that its wealth is founded on wool. All trades connected with that commodity - tucking, fulling, spinning, weaving, dyeing - are well represented both within and without its walls; and while other occupations do of course flourish there, it is the fleece of the Devonshire sheep which is responsible for its general air of prosperity. Or perhaps I should say 'was', for I have not visited the place for many years now.
    And one thing at least I know has changed. In that spring of 1475, the castle was still in the possession of the powerful Zouche family, all ardent supporters of the House of York, and therefore the climate of the town was also Yorkist.
    During the time that I spent there, I never heard a single whisper against King Edward or his younger brother, Prince Richard. Nowadays, however, that freebooting Lancastrian, Sir Richard Edgecombe of Cotehele, is lord of Totnes and appoints the castle's constables.

    But I digress... I followed Grizelda's direction and went in by the West Gate, close to the cattle market. A drover entered just ahead of me, driving two of his beasts to the shambles for slaughter, and I asked him who in authority I might speak to concerning my sighting of the outlaws. He suggested the names of several Town Wardens, who would pass my information on to the Mayor who, in his turn, would decide if it were of sufficient importance to be retailed to the Sheriff.
    'But if you want to catch the early-morning trade,' my informant advised me, nodding at my pack, 'I'd leave all such civic matters until later. The women will be out and about betimes today. Most of 'era have been up since dawn, hocking, and they'll be in the mood to spend money. If you've any blue ribbons in your pack,' he added, 'save some for me. My woman fancies herself in a blue ribbon, though why I don't know! An uglier face it'd be hard to find between here and t'other side o' Dartmoor. If you want a good stand,' he continued charitably, 'take up a position opposite the Priory, near the Guildhall.'
    I thanked him and moved away. He called after me, 'As to that other business, try Thomas Cozin. He's a Warden of the Leech Well. He'll give you a sympathetic hearing and not ask too many awkward questions.' The friendly eyes twinkled. 'Such as why you didn't try to capture the entire band of ruffians single-handed.'
    I laughed, in recognition of the drover's shrewd appreciation of the pitfalls of dealing with Authority, repeated my thanks and strode out, past the pillory and the shambles, past prosperous looking houses and shops to an open space alongside the Guildhall, near the East Gate. There was already a small crowd of vendors, selling pies and hot pigs' feet, bundles of rushes and earthenware pots. A wandering minstrel was piping a jig and a trio of jugglers entertained those townspeople who had already spent their money, but were not yet prepared to return home to dinner.
    By the greatest good fortune, no other chapman had yet arrived to peddle his wares, so I was able to claim the undivided attention of the women once I had opened my pack and displayed its contents. I did a good trade in needles, thread, laces and other such mundane objects among the wives and beldams; but the younger, flightier women vied with each other in the purchase of ribbons and brooches, coloured leather tags for their girdles and kerchiefs of fine white linen, trimmed with Honiton lace.
    I had sold more than half my stock when I saw a little knot of women coming towards me, their eager faces