Insurrection by Robyn Young

Author:Robyn Young
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Historical
ISBN: 9780340963647
Publisher: Hodder
Published: 2004-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

On the snow-dappled hillside above Llanfaes, the English had set up camp. Fires still burned unchecked in the ruins below, the flames garish in the early evening. The last survivors were being led in by knights. It was a miserable group they had been herded into, children weeping, men and women pale and shocked, some wounded.

Robert stood alone, his muscles aching, his broken nose throbbing. The older knights were jovial, pleased with the quick work they had made of the town and the rebels. The younger men were subdued, many left silent by their first taste of blood, a taste they had been so eager for. Aymer, his face swollen beyond recognition and missing two teeth, was among their number. Earlier, Robert had heard the knight telling Humphrey he had been set upon by three rebels. Robert doubted Aymer would ever tell a soul the truth.

As Robert watched, Madog ap Llywelyn was brought out, wounded but alive, in front of the waiting knights and survivors. His hands had been bound behind his back, but he walked upright between the two knights who held him, his head raised defiantly. The golden circlet he had worn into battle remained on his head, the dented metal sticky with blood. He was brought before Edward, who stood tall against the sombre sky, his scarlet surcoat snapping in the wind. Behind the king, two flags were raised, one, his standard bearing the royal arms of England, the other, the faded dragon banner. At a nod from the king, a black-robed cleric moved forward to remove the crown from Madog’s head. The Welsh rebel spat fierce words, but the knights held him firmly and Madog was powerless to stop the cleric taking the Crown of Arthur and conveying it to the English king.

Edward stared at the blood-crusted circle of gold that had brought a nation together against him. Then, seemingly satisfied, he waved it away. ‘We will have it cleaned and made good.’ As the cleric took it, the king’s gaze alighted on Madog. ‘You have incited rebellion, committed murder and trespass, assault and robbery. You have destroyed property, fomented unrest and disturbed your king’s peace.’

Madog didn’t flinch, but kept his eyes on Edward.

Robert, watching with the others, wondered if Madog or any of the survivors even understood what the king had said.

‘For your crimes you will be taken to the Tower where you will spend the remainder of your days.’ The king paused, the wind rippling in the dragon banner. ‘Ten years is a long time. The people of Wales have forgotten the price of rebellion.’ Edward looked behind him, to where John de Warenne and the English earls were gathered. ‘They need another reminder.’

Robert heard a cry and, as the group parted, he saw a figure dragged out. It was a young man with soot-black hair.

Madog shouted and tried to break free.

‘Your brother, Dafydd, so we were told,’ said Edward.

Dafydd’s bruised face was terrified, but he spat on the ground as the knights hauled him past Edward to where two horses were waiting, held by the king’s squires.

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