Tombland

I followed him to the head of the marchers. In one place sheep were being expertly butchered, and I recoiled at the site of a great heap of guts and other offal lying on the ground, flies buzzing over it. The messenger smiled. ‘Only the best cuts are suitable for Kett’s camp,’ he explained proudly.

He led me to where a stool and a small desk had been set out, perhaps taken from one of the manor houses. Robert Kett sat there, surrounded by papers and plans. His brother William was with him, along with Captain Miles in his half-armour, a couple of other men in semi-military attire and a surpliced clergyman. Kett looked tired, but his eyes were keen as ever as he looked up at me. He did not smile.

‘How fare you today, Serjeant Shardlake, after all this marching?’ Suddenly he laughed. ‘Forgive me, but you look like an old peasant. Fear not, though, we have your pack and robe safe.’

‘I am better now the march is slower. But my shoes are starting to wear out.’

‘We must get you a pair of solid country shoes clouted with nails, such as many of our people have brought. Those that can afford them, at least.’

‘I should be grateful, Master Kett.’

William said sharply, ‘Captain Kett henceforth, not Master.’

‘Certainly.’

Robert said, ‘Soon we shall be at the top of Mousehold Heath, the long journey ends and we make final camp. The bells will ring out across the countryside once more, and beacons will be lit. Word has gone out for men to come, and bring supplies. The lords we have not captured are fled. Tomorrow we shall organize our people by their Hundred districts, the old historic regions of Norfolk, then elect representatives of the Hundreds.’ He looked at me hard. ‘Our men need to get settled. When the representatives are elected, we shall draw up a list of grievances – demands – for the King and his commissioners. And send out orders for the requisitioning of goods around the county, in the name of the King and the Protector.’

‘And soon we must begin the trials of the gentlemen,’ the clergyman added. ‘More will be brought in when we send men out to requisition goods, and there are those among us who would kill them. The promise of holding trials, according to law, as well as recording their iniquities, will restrain violence.’

Kett nodded. ‘We’ve some scriveners among us, and the young lawyer Master Godsalve, though he would run if he could, but legal skills such as you have, Master Shardlake – they would be invaluable at the trials. To advise me on points of law and evidence.’

‘I see.’

‘When we reach Mousehold, the carpenters among us will have great business cutting down trees from Thorpe Wood, making shelters – this dry weather must have been sent us by God, but it surely cannot last forever. And they will build a place of justice, too.’ His voice became stern. ‘I know you are a man of conscience, Serjeant Shardlake, but it is time for you to decide whether to help us or to become a prisoner yourself.’

I took a deep breath. ‘I have decided, and I shall help you at these trials with legal advice. So long as the penalty for wrongdoing is only imprisonment.’

Miles spoke impatiently. ‘We can’t stop some getting a bit of a buffeting, not after all our people have suffered.’

‘Perhaps you think even imprisonment too harsh,’ Kett probed.

I hesitated. ‘I understand why you cannot simply let your prisoners go. They might raise men against you.’

‘That is true,’ William Kett snapped. ‘But it is also a matter of justice.’

Robert Kett said, ‘When we get to Mousehold, we shall put our prisoners in the Earl of Surrey’s old palace. Conditions will not be harsh, not unduly.’

‘Will you then take the oath all the men in the camp have taken,’ William asked me, ‘to stand together come what may?’

I clenched my fists, realizing that my hands were shaking. I looked at Robert and said, ‘I cannot do that, at least not yet. But I will take an oath to you to assist honestly in the trials with any questions of law. I understand it will help you to have a serjeant-at-law advising you,’ I added boldly, ‘so our aims coincide.’

William looked angry. ‘Why should we allow this hunchback to dictate terms?’

Robert, however, raised a hand. There was an English New Testament on his desk; he held it up. ‘Then take the oath to assist us. An oath to the camp, not to me.’ I put my hand on the bible and swore as he asked. I could see from his eyes, though, that he was still not satisfied. William grunted.

There was a silence. I broke it by asking, ‘Do you know when the Protector’s commissioners for Norfolk will arrive?’

Kett shook his head. ‘We have no word. Soon, I hope. We shall welcome them.’

I thought, But will they welcome you?

I did not wish to try Kett’s patience further, but there was one more thing I had to say. ‘You told me you would think about releasing my assistant Nicholas Overton, Captain Kett. I beg you again to consider it. He has only spoken foolish words, for which surely a man should not be imprisoned.’