Tombland

Robert nodded. ‘I’ll take him to Gunville Manor. Let the one-armed man go, he’s their servant, he can help get things ready for tonight. But see someone keeps an eye on him. Take the long lad and Flowerdew’s boys to the lock-up. Those boys are valuable hostages.’

‘Master Kett,’ I said, pleadingly, ‘let Nicholas stay with me. I will answer for him.’ Kett looked at Toby, who said, ‘No, he’s against us, lock him up.’

‘You three, take them,’ William said. Strong arms seized Nicholas and the boys. For a second I thought Nicholas might struggle, but he allowed himself to be led away. William turned to Barak. ‘Go down to the abbey, ask for Captain Atley, he’ll see you make yourself useful.’

There were loud cheers as a fresh column of men appeared; bearing arms ranging from scythes to crossbows and hauling a battered cannon on a wheeled carriage, they entered the already crowded streets. At their head an elderly man in clerical garb carried an ancient banner showing the head of Christ. ‘Another village in,’ said William. ‘I’ll send them down to the monastery grounds. They can set the banner up to mark the place and duddle up there tonight.’

‘Aye, each village should put up a banner or flag to mark where they’re from, or people will get themselves lost in this crowd.’

‘I’ll see you later, I promise,’ Barak said to me, then turned towards the abbey ruins. I felt suddenly alone, and thought of John Boleyn, in his cell at the castle. What would happen to him now? And Isabella, Scambler, Edward and Josephine? Robert Kett turned to me. ‘Come with us,’ he said abruptly.

* * *

MY WRISTS UNTIED , I walked with the brothers and a small escort past the abbey ruins, across the river. Everywhere people hailed and cheered the Ketts, some raising weapons. There was no chance of escape. An old man in a makeshift white robe, with white hair and a straggly little beard, stood on top of the half-demolished wall of the precinct, brandishing a bible as he addressed a small crowd. I heard him say, ‘I prophesy that the rule of the saints predicted in Revelation has come, that we are the chosen and shall inaugurate the rule of Christ!’

‘Old Gribbin at it again,’ William said wryly.

Robert frowned. ‘We need people to settle down quietly.’

William nodded agreement. ‘There are groups camped outside the town. There’ll be more coming in tomorrow. I think we’ll have to start moving, Wymondham can’t take any more. Miles has had every house with room to spare requisitioned. Thank God the weather’s holding.’

‘Is there enough to eat?’

‘Just about.’ William smiled. ‘Most have brought food or beer with them. Good Norfik commonsense.’

We walked perhaps a mile, until we reached a two-storeyed house of red brick with a pleasant knot-garden and tall chimneys. We were led up into the house. The hallway was crowded with people, talking animatedly. A young man came over to Robert Kett and threw his arms round him. ‘Yer back safe, Father! Thank the Lord! What happened with Flowerdew?’

‘He ran, the canker blossom. But his fences are down, and we have his sons! Christ’s wounds, Loye, we have a great crowd in Wymondham!’

‘Aye. And news has come in from Cambridge and Downham, the commons are risen there too!’

Kett stepped back. For the first time his face showed real emotion. ‘This is a mighty work!’ he said. ‘It has to be God’s doing!’

An attractive woman with grey hair, a little girl of six or so at her side, came up, and Robert embraced her. ‘Alice, Alice! And little Margaret!’

‘Granfer!’ The child danced up and down with excitement. ‘Did you catch the bad man?’

‘No, but we taught him a lesson!’

‘Robert,’ the woman said, ‘if you go tomorrow, I am coming with you. I am decided. Let Loye and the other boys look after things in Wymondham, my place is with you.’

William looked doubtful. ‘I think the women should stay at home.’

Kett put his hand on her shoulder and said tenderly, ‘We shall see, my dear. Now, I must have a word with this man.’ I thought, Where are they planning to go? His family looked at me curiously. Robert said, ‘There is a little time before Miles and the others arrive. William, take a turn back up the road again, see how things fare.’

William nodded and left the house. Robert opened a door and motioned me to enter. It was the office of a man of business; tidy, a desk with documents and books of accounts, reminding me Kett was a man of some substance, though in status far below Flowerdew. Or me, for that matter. He drew up a comfortable chair and motioned me to sit, poured us some beer from a flagon, then lit a candle – the light was starting to fade – and sat behind the desk. He laced his fingers together and looked at me. His expression was neutral, but his large eyes narrowed.

‘You looked uncomfortable when you were walking here,’ he said after a moment.

‘I am better now. I have been having trouble with my back. Please, where am I?’