The Remembered Read Online Free PDF

in to see Gleda.

Gleda was already pushing hard and crying out in pain. Lind took Richard in his arms and Bromley by the hand and went across the lane to the church to pray. Mrs. Reilly went about her work with the efficiency that her years of experience had given her.

'You must nay push, me luv, it is too airly.' But, the pushing had already been done and Mrs. Reilly could see the top of a little head.

It seemed like hours, but soon Mrs. Reilly was at the church and called them home. 'Comb and see your girl,' she said to Lind. 'Comb and see your sister,' she invited Bromley.

Lind put aside the cares of the world for a moment as he gave thanks in his heart for the care of God on his family.

Gleda was weak, but had done well. She would recover and wee Richard was placed at her side along with a new little girl. Gleda smiled with contentment, almost as though she had already forgotten her travail.
     

Chapter Three
    1428 – 1432
    Easton-on-the-hill
    The future looked bright for Lind and Gleda. Lind worked hard in the fields and Gleda was able to raise chickens and hogs in the yard. On account of the death of its owner, the priest had been given an ox after the illness had moved through Easton-on-the-hill, The priest was so grateful to the Eastons for taking in Richard that he gave the ox to Lind. The ox was a great blessing to the family because now Lind was able to plow much more land, and because rents on land were depressed, Lind was able to secure more land to farm. Gleda felt that they were being blessed by God for taking Richard into their family. Lind accepted that maybe it was God's will after all.

Bromley was old enough to work in the fields with his father and did so every day. Being the oldest son, he was rightful heir to the farm and the cottage. Farming seemed to be in his blood.

Richard was too young to care about farming or much of anything else except exploring in the fields and woods. He loved to go with his father so that he could play. His sister, Geva, usually stayed at home with her mother.

Richard especially loved to play in the ruins of the old Roman walls that stood outside Stamford close to his father's fields. He loved to wield a stick as his sword and a larger stick for his horse. He defeated many enemies in that fashion.

His companion in these adventures was a boy near his age that he had met at the ruins. The boy's name was John Darby. John was the son of John Darby, a land owner and a merchant. The ruins were technically on John Darby's land. As a member of the Company of the Merchants, he enjoyed complete control of the exporting of wool in and around the area of Stamford. Sometimes he was referred to as a Merchant of the Staple of Calais. Calais, France was conquered by the English in the year 1347 and since that time it enjoyed the stature of being the principle location for wool imports onto the continent. John Darby, the father of John, was one of twenty-six traders and as such he enjoyed prestige and wealth. He was an Alderman of Stamford as well.

'The Sco'ish are combing,' shouted Richard to John. 'There, just over the 'ill. 'urry, let us get into the castle.'

The two boys scurried into the protection of the ruins and fought off the imaginary invaders with skill and precision. Richard had suffered a sever wound to his leg in the process, but that was miraculously healed when John announced that the queen was nearing the castle walls.

The two boys could play for hours together and often did. 'We will be great knights sume dee, will we nay.' John exclaimed to Richard. 'Aye!' Of course, Richard agreed.

1432

The years had passed pleasantly for the Eastons. The weather had been mild and harvests had been good. The ox had died, but Lind was successful enough that he was able to purchase a younger ox and a cow.

England's long war with France continued, but there was relative calm around Stamford. The war with France had taken a sudden turn for England with the capture