A Proper End by Andrew Wareham

Author:Andrew Wareham [Wareham, Andrew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PublishNation
Published: 2021-06-13T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

“Captain Harcombe coming down the road, sir. Both troops. In good order.”

Micah wondered why. Returning with no signs of battle suggested that they had met up with whatever, whoever was to the north, had talked and come away content.

“Crafty little men, these squireens up in hills, hereabouts, Red Man!”

Micah leaned back in his chair, ready to be entertained.

“How so, Michael?”

“Why, they heard of a civil war and wanted no part of it. I talked with eight of them, together over a dinner table, them inviting me and those of importance over the hills north of Ludlow for a few miles, and to the west, I think. They incline towards the old ways in religion, but not so much as to want any Romanist in their lands. Good, solid members of the Established Church are they, unless London shall send orders otherwise when they will obey instantly. The Church is not so important to them that they will risk their livelihood for it. The same for the King. They had as soon see a King on his throne as not, but do not care deeply one way or the other. None of their sons have ridden off to war, for either party.”

Micah was puzzled.

“What of these reivers who have burned out all they came across?”

“That is the best part, Red Man. They heard of a Parliamentary force sitting down in Leominster. Simple reason said it would sooner or later move up to Ludlow. That accomplished, what next?”

That seemed a good question.

“Well, do you see, Red Man, they would become involved in our war. They did not want the risk of opposing us. Even less did they fancy offending the King’s people, who are rumoured to have forces in Cheshire and down into Salop, in the north, a garrison they were sure of in Shrewsbury, and likely along the coast of the north of Wales, although that is only a guess. The best might be if we were to march and show ourselves as masters in their hills. Yet, they would not wish to invite our presence, for that might open them to censure, and worse, if the King’s Party prevailed in the war. The best they could think of was to create a reason for us to march north.”

Micah began to laugh.

“They sent men down to Ludlow with false tales that would cause us to enter their lands – without seeking their permission or aid – and leave them able to still to plead innocent to the King if occasion arose.”

“Just that, Red Man. Crafty little fellows!”

“Not wholly unwise, Michael. They have prevented their lands from being despoiled. I presume you suggested taxation to them?”

“I did, not to their surprise. They have little by way of coin up in their hills. They can supply beef on the hoof and pigmeat, salted and smoked. As well, they are willing to allow young men to join our ranks, though they have no horses for them. Of interest is the rumour they offered, of King’s Men well to the north of their parts, on the coast, in fact.

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