Fairfax Fights Fair-fact

EPILOGUE

CHAPTER 1 ILKLEY MAY 1625

  Finally, winter was over at Denton Hall and the merry month of May was underway.

Lord Fairfax, Ferdinando to his family and friends looked out of his window in his well appointed study and gave a contented sigh. He was home after a difficult few weeks in Parliament.

  Ferdinando was a tall and stocky man. He had long black hair down over his shoulders, in the fashion of the day. He had a neat Van Dyke beard and moustache. Ferdinando was wearing a black shirt with white embroidered trimmings, black trousers and black riding boots. Although he looked a fashion plate, his clothes were practical,

  England had a new king, Charles I of the Stuart dynasty. Normally it would be a time of rejoicing but Ferdinando had his doubts.

  He felt deep within him that this king could not be trusted to run the country. Ferdinando felt Charles was too vain and convinced of his right to rule to listen to Parliament. Ferdinando felt there would be trouble ahead for the nation which might even lead to war with Spain over the Protestant risings in Holland.

  The Dutch were employing mercenaries who had no real loyalty except to their bellies and Ferdinando feared they could move to England to rob and pillage as England was not in a position to make an organised defence of the realm.

  Ferdinando looked around his room at the sturdy, dark furniture in the contemporary Jacobean style and sighed contentedly. He had everything he needed and felt content with life despite the problems in parliament.

  Lady Mary entered the room with a smile on her face. It is an important day today and preparations are underway,  she said with a near laugh in her voice, I am so happy Ferdinando we can do so much for the people of Ilkley today.

  Lady Mary Fairfax was a beautiful petite lady with blonde hair cascading down her back. She wore a green velvet dress offset with white lace. She was tall for a woman but not as tall as her husband.

  I am sorry my dear, said Ferdinando, "I have been so distracted with affairs of state but you now

have my undivided attention." He smiled his twinkling smile that Lady Mary loved so much.

  She said almost with a laugh in her voice, The victuals are almost ready to transport to the feast, we are only waiting for Mrs Higgins to return from the woods with her herbs that she will add to the meat on the way.

  I’m sure the boys will enjoy the day, she said, but I hope there isn’t a repeat of last year when all three were arrested. Ferdinando smiled and said, They are only doing what boys do but I will certainly make sure Thomas leaves his sword at home.

  They are good hardworking boys but I do worry that something dreadful could happen if they get into a fight. There is only old Joshua the constable and I do feel he is too old and feeble to handle a brawl without help. Someone could be killed before the fight is broken up. That Jenks boy does carry a dagger I have heard. His mother and father always insist he does no wrong. Mary said this with a cloud across her face her face etched with concern.

  I will send our groom Wilfred Marsden to watch for them and will ask him to take his billyclub with him, he is more than capable of dealing with Mr Jenks and his bullying ways. During the famine of ‘23 when we supplied the town with food Jenks not only failed to thank us he was rude about it calling me a Royalist.

  Just then into the room came three thirteen year old boys. Thomas Fairfax, son of Ferdinando and Mary, William Lee who was an orphan taken in by Mary and used as a farm labourer and John Marsden son of the groom.

  Thomas was dark skinned with a mop of jet black hair, he was a slight figure with wiry muscles. His nickname was Black Tom and even his mother and father called him that in acknowledgement of his swarthy complexion.

  William Lee was also dark haired with almond eyes indicating his Oriental ancestry.

  John Marsden was a tall muscular boy with striking blond hair.

  Good morrow mama and papa,  said Thomas, bowing deeply and grinning broadly. Are we ready for the feast? As Thomas said this William and John bowed also.

  We are just waiting for Mrs Higgins to return with the herbs for the meat and then we can go, said Mary looking anxiously at the door, I hope nothing has happened to her, one hears of strange noises in the woods these days.

  Just then Mrs Higgins entered with a basket of herbs and a strange look on her face.

Your grace, let me tell you what happened to me in the woods…..

CHAPTER 2 DENTON WOODS

  Mrs Higgins had been widowed many years. She had been married for thirty years to Edward Higgins who was Lord Fairfax’s groom since his youth and sadly he was gored by a bull and died from his injuries. Mrs Higgins still missed him and had never remarried. She looked about 90 years old, her skin bore the wrinkles and scars of years of hard work and outdoor living. Although she was slightly stooped she was very mobile. She held a deep secret, but more of that later.

  She worked in the kitchen being an excellent cook adding herbs to her cooking but never divulging the recipes. She sought out herbs in Denton Woods and other ingredients. She was considered to be a witch  by some in the town in that she could take ordinary plants, crush and mix them to change a plain meat dish into something special. She was not a witch, merely a mistress of the culinary arts.

  She had been in the woods for some time when she noticed a strange smell like rotting meat mixed with sulphur. She was not alarmed as she found some of her herbs by using her keen nose for plants, but nevertheless she kept her eyes open for what could be the dead body of a deer. If she found it she would leave it as the scavengers and insects might have been eating it.

  The next moment she heard an unearthly howl like a creature in pain, like the dying screech of a man. This unnerved her but as nothing appeared out of the woods, after a few minutes she said to herself, I indulged that smell and apprehended that scream. She liked to use long words Lady Mary used but she often used the wrong word.

  She now ignored the scream and continued her search not knowing that she was being watched from the trees nearby.

  Watching her were three sinister men, these were Captain Victor Van Schloots, Soldier Johann Kronk and Soldier Wilhelm Henk. They were mercenaries fighting for the Dutch resistance against the Spanish rulers of Holland. They were all Dutch but would not volunteer to fight unless they were paid. They cared nothing for Holland, they had been petty criminals before they joined the army specialising in street crime against the infirm and elderly. There purpose in England was simple. They were intending to rob the weak so they would not have to return to Holland and they had another purpose regarding Lord Fairfax which was … .

  Van Schloots was a tall handsome man, wearing the long hair and Van Dyke beard of the time; he had many scars of battle on his sardonically evil face.

  Kronk was very tall and rangy with dirty looking brown hair and noticeably rough hands.

  Henk was a plump blonde with an evil leer on his face when his face was at rest.

  All three wore their mercenary uniforms of the Dutch resistance movement, although they had discarded the orange sashes.

  They came out of the woods keeping their horses to a gentle walk and approached Mrs Higgins. Lady, said Henk, give us your money now and we will not hurt you.

  I have no money I am but a poor servant, so bugger off and take your foreign ways with you.

  For once, the three intended no harm only information, so Van Schloots said in his sibilant voice. We intend you no harm, good lady. If you have no money we will take something in return.

  I’ll not swyve with rapscallions like you, you ugly heathens.

  We do not require your body dear lady, just some information. Van Schloots smiled showing his black and brown teeth. We want to know if the mighty Lord Fairfax has any bulbs.

  I have no idea of bulbs so just go away and ride on never to return here.

  Kronk snarled Let’s run the old witch through. He drew his sword whilst Mrs Higgins drew herself up bravely and looked him in the eye. Do it you snivelling coward, kill a defenceless old woman.

  Suddenly from the nearby bushes came a hideous scream which startled the horses causing them to buck and rear. The three soldiers galloped off feeling terrified.

  Mrs Higgins felt grateful to her saviour thinking it must be one of Ferdinando’s workers. Then she smelled that terrible smell again which clearly was not the usual body odour the men carried around permanently before their weekly dip in the River Wharf. However she decided whatever it was it had saved her and meant her no harm. She continued to gather the herbs and returned to Denton Hall without hurrying. ...

CHAPTER 3 MRS HIGGINS REVEALS ALL

  Mrs Higgins was invited in to the study to tell Ferdinando what had happened. He listened patiently and tried not to smile when she used incorrect words but he felt very moved at her bravery to stand up to three armed mercenaries. His face clouded when she mentioned bulbs however.

  Lady Mary looked at Ferdinando and with a questioning look on her face asked What are bulbs, dear?

  Ferdinando replied. The Dutch have developed a new flower called a tulip which is more valuable than gold.

  Lady Mary scoffed, Who would waste money on a flower? Er, actually I did, said Ferdinando shuffling his feet.

  How much? The room suddenly had an atmosphere of tension. Seven pence, replied Ferdinando. That’s a month’s wage for a labourer. Ohh Ferdinando. Why? Ferdinando said, It is an investment and when it produces more bulbs we will make money from them.

These mercenaries know about it and will try to steal it. said Lady Mary angrily.

Mrs Higgins now interrupted. I think whatever screamed in the woods will protect us.

  What do you think it was? asked Tom. William and John also looked at her with a curious expression on their faces.

  Mrs Higgins hesitated before replying. I think it was a Woodwose, a creature of the dark woods.

  Lady Mary interrupted, That is a legend, an old wives tale and is complete nonsense.

  Your ladyship, pardon me for being so backwards way round but we forest folk are aware of things in the woods that nobody else can exceed. She said it respectfully but also truculently. They have been wandering the woods long before we was about and will be there after we have gone.

  William asked, What are they and are they real?

  Mrs Higgins paused meaningfully looking at everyone with an unusual, almost mystical look on her face and began to speak slowly.

  Before man was around the Woodwose ruled the earth, it was a tall hairy creature being more than 8 foot tall. She paused for effect.

It is covered from head to toe in red and brown hair. Not fur mind but hair like the hair on your head only thicker. All in the room were giving her their full attention. It has a face like a man-Yes-a man.

  John gasped, A man! he exclaimed loudly.

  Yes a man Master John.

  Fernandino said sarcastically, Really?

Yes said Mrs Higgins, but there is much more.

His hairy body needs a good wesh in watter. He is as mucky as ‘t fireback because he lives in the woods. And he reeks summat nasty.

  Tom’s curiosity was now aroused. So what does he smell of?

Mrs Higgins replied Begging your pardon Your Grace, but he smells of dung mixed with stockings that ain’t been changed in a month of Sundays.

That bad,eh smiled Tom.

Fernandino said, Perhaps his scent is to attract a mate.

Does nowt for me. replied Mrs Higgins.

  Lady Mary then looked at Mrs Higgins and said with a voice laced with curiosity.You mentioned a scream but I was wondering if it was a bird or a fox as they scream, don’t they?

Yes Milady they do but not like the Woodwose, his scream can be heard for miles around and would chill the blood of demons.

Why does he scream, Mrs Higgins? asked William.

I think it is to scare people away from him. I think he is shy and harmless because I’ve never heard of anyone being hurt by him, not round here anyway.

  So what do you think he or possibly it is? asked Lady Mary.

Mrs Higgins was milking the moment. She licked her lips and looked at each person in turn.

They are people.

People! exclaimed Black Tom.

  Yes, Master Tom. I truly believe they are what came before us and will be here when we have gone.

I’ve seen hairy men with beards like Old Jasper but even he does not have hair all over, as far as I know. said John.

Well that’s what I believe. said Mrs Higgins.

  William said, I have heard of such hairy men too in China, my father told me about them and I believe him.

What do you think, Ferdinando? asked Lady Mary.

  I have seen monkeys at the Tower of London and so it could be a big monkey that walks like a man. was Ferdinando’s rather offhand reply.

  Tom, John and William looked at each other with glances of agreement.

We will ride ahead of you to Ilkley to help the servants unpack the food. said Tom.

The boys planned to go through the woods on the way to Ilkley…..

CHAPTER 4 A STRANGE MEETING IN THE WOODS

  All three boys left the house for the stables and John’s father had been grooming and preparing their horses for the couple of miles journey to Ilkley. Marsden was a huge unit of a man with long blonde hair and biceps the size of Bingley.

  Each boy had been given some coins by Lord Fairfax mainly to show their support for the traders of Ilkley rather than being like many young aristocrats of the time who would help themselves. Also, Black Tom treated William and John as equals despite their lowly status.

  It was usual to ride along the banks of the River Wharf to the town but in view of the intriguing conversation with Mrs Higgins they decided to take it slowly through the dense woods as their horses were capable of negotiating hazards.

  Tom said, I hope we hear and maybe see the Woodwose it would be really exciting. William and John nodded in agreement.

  They mounted up and were ready to leave the stables when Marsden the groom said, Be careful out there as there may be mercenaries looking for young lads to hold for ransom.

  We are more than capable of dealing with toughs father, said John.

  Marsden shook his head slowly, These are soldiers John, who would not hesitate to do you harm, I would rather you ran away, you have very good gallopers under you.

  The boys did not know that Marsden, who had been a cavalryman, would follow them discreetly at a distance armed with his cutlass which he sharpened and cleaned every other day. Marsden with Ferdinando had taught Black Tom Fairfax how to use a sword so that Tom was now potentially the finest swordsman in Yorkshire.

  William’s late father had married Shao Ling a lovely Chinese lady but sadly she died giving birth to William, Hence they had moved back to Yorkshire. William had been taught how to defend himself using his feet and hands by monks of the Yellow Sun Monastery so that William was more than capable  of dealing with a grown man.

  John was of true Yorkshire stock and was an expert with an old weapon called the cross staff with which he could disarm men without much damage to their bones. He had a sling carried across his back to contain the cross staff but he had to be careful on horseback not to hit his cross staff on tree trunks or get it tangled in bushes.

  Tom had his sword with him as he practiced every day either shadow swordplay or with Marsden. Tom mastered all the classic cut and thrust moves and also he had a few acrobatic moves of his own.

  The three lads were thus ready for their adventure and hopefully a sighting of the Woodwose.

  They set out through the stable gate at the back of the house and walked their horses gently onto the meadow. Once out of sight of the house they moved to the left and entered Denton Woods. Lord Ferdinando was careful about managing the woodlands as he had seen many woods disappear over the years to be used as timber for houses and ships. He preferred to buy in timbers from elsewhere rather than destroy the woodland he owned. He kept it as wild as possible so he could have an annual deer hunt which provided much loved venison for the pot. However, he did not allow poaching apart  from each family could trap and eat one rabbit per week. This applied to all families who worked for him but not the people of Ilkley. They had to buy their rabbit from Mr Jones the butcher who got most of his meat for sale from Ferdinando.

  It was a very warm day and the boys were grateful for the shade and coolness of the woods. The horses wafted their tails at the flying insects that tried to settle upon them. The boys were not troubled by insects, these were part of life in the countryside and flea bites were ignored.

  As the boys got deeper into the woods they all felt a prickling at the nape of their necks a strange feeling perhaps caused by Mrs Higgins’ tale earlier.

  All three boys were eager to see the Woodwose and yet inside were slightly afraid even though there were no stories of anyone being attacked by a Woodwose. There were tales of people disappearing in woodlands being taken by Black Dogs, which were huge ghostly black hounds with thick clanking chains around their necks and which completely ate the person bones, clothing and all leaving no trace. One was known as the Barghest which lived on Otley Chevin about seven miles away but no one had admitted seeing it as those who had seen it had been completely devoured.

  Also many told tales of little people in the woods called variously fairies, elves, dwarves and pixies. These had been seen by many people and again their reputation was one of evil. They were reputed to snatch babies and eat them.

  Deep in thought the boys rode on when suddenly they heard an unearthly howl which chilled the blood of all three.

  I think it is the Woodwose. said Tom in a tremulous tone. It sounds as if it is in pain. Let us be courageous lads and go see. William and John agreed and the three boys set off apace in the direction of the howling. Interestingly, their horses were not disturbed by the howling sound and seemed eager to get there.

  Why was the Woodwose howling? It is necessary to go back an hour or so…

CHAPTER 5 WICKED DUTCH DEEDS

Van Schloots, Kronk and Henk were sitting around a small fire they had made eating rabbits which they had skinned after trapping them with traps made by Kronk. Kronk had worked as a rope and net maker in Rotterdam Docks before joining Van Schloots’s  small band of mercenaries.

As well as the rabbit snares he had made a deer trap of a large net with a system of ingenious knots which tightened when the deer stepped on it so that the hunters could then kill it at leisure.

Henk said, "We need geld have you any plans in mind opa?" Yes as a matter of fact I do was the confident reply of Van Schloots. "We will wait until Lord Fairfax has departed to