Tombland

‘Warwick has his two sons with him, Ambrose and Robert, boys in their teens – I think we shall give a good account of ourselves against them! He has also, God help him, appointed the Marquess of Northampton, who has been skulking in Cambridge with the Norfolk gentry since we defeated him, as his second-in-command! Moreover, the grand officials of Norfolk have pleaded with Warwick that they cooperated with us only under pressure, and have been forgiven and allowed to accompany the army – though made to wear laces round their necks as symbols of their perfidy!’ Everyone laughed at this, though Kett’s tone became more serious. ‘I must not hide from you that we face our greatest trial. This new army is as near as numerous our own. One thousand four hundred Switzer landsknechts, far more ferocious fighters than the Italians we faced last month, are also on their way from London to join them. Warwick has with him not merely gentry popinjays, but professional soldiers, including a contingent from the Scottish wars led by one of his most experienced commanders, Captain Drury. They may arrive as early as tomorrow!’ He was silent a moment, looking over the crowd, gauging its mood. But nearly all the faces I could see, especially those of the younger men, were firm and set. Voices shouted out, ‘We are prepared, we are ready!’ ‘Ready to die, for they will leave us nothing to live for!’

Kett pressed on. ‘Norwich is being fortified, and should the army penetrate the city our men are trained to fight them street by street, as we did the Marquess of Northampton! And if, at the end, we must fight in the open field, we are ready for that, too, with weapons, skilled leaders and the advantage of high ground! By the grace and mercy of God, whose cause we have served from the start, may we win – and our aims prevail – at last!’ Yet a shadow crossed his face, and I could not help wondering whether, having received full report of the strength of Warwick’s army, he was beginning to doubt the outcome.

But there were cheers and clapping; Kett waited a moment before resuming: ‘And now, one last thing. I believe the time has come for the womenfolk who have accompanied their men here to return home, to bring in the harvest and await their victorious menfolk. With what may happen in the coming days, I think Mousehold Heath no longer a place for women.’ He took a deep breath. ‘Also, those men wounded in past battles, or who are sick or aged, should now go home. But I thank you all for the help you have given us. And now, men, to your tasks!’ He raised his hands and nodded thanks as fresh cheers rang out, then left the stage with the others. As he passed me, William Kett said, ‘Master Shardlake, there is to be another additional market today, and you are to come to it; be at the crest of the hill in an hour.’

* * *

WE RETURNED TO the Swardeston camp, sombre yet determined faces surrounding us. One of the prophets walked through the crowd waving his Testament, crying out that the hour of the Apocalypse was come, and the men of the camp were God’s chosen. Some cheered him on, others ignored him. ‘Kett made a brave speech,’ Nicholas said. ‘He promises victory, but does not hide the strength of Warwick’s army.’

‘He has been honest with us all since the first day.’

‘That he has,’ a voice behind me agreed, and I turned to see Michael Vowell. He said, ‘I go down to Norwich shortly, to help with military preparations there.’ He clapped me on the shoulder. ‘A great victory is coming, Master Shardlake. Many of my friends doubt, as I do, whether this army is even sent by the Protector. He may rescue us yet.’ He nodded and walked away.

Nicholas looked after him thoughtfully. ‘I hope he’s right. I hear there have been some desertions, and there may be some more now Captain Kett has made it clear what we face.’

‘You will fight?’ Simon asked him.

‘I don’t know. And you?’

Simon looked him in the eye. ‘I shall do as I am told, take the horses wherever they are needed.’ He added quietly, ‘I have never been happier than here.’

‘And you are as good a man as any of them,’ Nicholas said.

Goody Everneke squeezed Simon’s arm. ‘I pray God bring you all safe through this trial.’ There were tears in her eyes. ‘Since my poor husband died I, too, have never been happier than at Mousehold. But it seems I must go.’

‘But you are a widow,’ I said. ‘Captain Kett spoke only of womenfolk who had accompanied their men.’

Goody Everneke smiled. ‘No, he said the camp is no longer a place for women. And’ – she looked at me shrewdly – ‘I have seen for myself that supplies are running low. The villages have little enough left to live on themselves till the harvest is brought in, they can send no more.’ She took a deep breath. ‘A couple of the older men are coming back to Swardeston with me, we should start snudging along.’ She hugged us in turn, Josephine the longest. ‘Let me go on ahead. No long goodbyes. Fare ye all well.’ She walked quickly away.