EXTRACT FOR
Edwin`s Ecstasy
(Author Unknown)

      Ralph yanked Edwin to his feet none to gently.  "Yes my Lord, this young cockerel here is Lord Cranwell's egg don't you know. He apparently is your new squire damn his eyes." 

      Edwin riveted his attention on the stern visage of Sir Thomas Chatterton, Lord Westbrook. He was tall with penetrating dark brown eyes. That level gaze took in everything at a glance. It was clear to Edwin that this was no man to trifle with.  Chatterton's dignified demeanor was accented by the carefully trimmed beard that perfectly matched the thick, brown, slightly graying locks that reached to his powerful looking shoulders.  Everything about the man announced power, command and intelligence. 

      Lord Thomas smirked at the new arrival, "What a pretty lad, I suspect you take after your mother eh?" A frown creased the young man's forehead but he said nothing. Thomas continued,   "Leave us Ralph, I'll return him to your tender care soon enough but now we best get better acquainted." 

      Ralph bowed slightly, "Yes my Lord!  Welcome to Lord Westbrook's service young Bellamy." 

      When they were alone Chatterton went on, "No offense lad.  I meant my comment about your mother as a compliment.  I see the same steel in your eyes that your father has and you hold your tongue well. Please sit down and share some wine with us." 

      Edwin promptly sat in a chair a few feet away from his new benefactor. "How shall I address you sir?"  Thomas poured out some wine in a flagon and handed it to Edwin. The younger man noted the utensil was of quality pewter and very finely etched. 

      Chatterton continued, "When you are in public you may address me either as Sir or Lord Westbrook depending on the circumstances.  My Lord is also acceptable. When we are alone like this you may call me Sir Thomas or sir and I will address you as Edwin, fair enough?" 

      "Yes, Sir! Tis an honor to serve you and I hope I will be worthy of your gracious patronage." 

      Thomas laughed quietly this time.  "I can see you've learned your father's lessons well. There are three major areas of conduct you will learn here.  The first and most important is court etiquette. I know that will sound strange to you but how you conduct yourself at the king's court or any important gathering can do great things for your career. As you know the Norman and French courts are very formal and certain rules and obligations must be followed.  It is our tradition and yours as well." 

      Edwin asked with eager curiosity, "Have you actually met the king?" 

      "Of course and so will you, but all in good time.  Henry is a man's man and a brave knight to boot. Tis a pleasure to serve such a courageous and intelligent man as he.  But he won't have a minute for a budding youth such as yourself so you will have to earn his respect and notice." 

      Edwin smiled, "So my father has told me. Are you about the same age as my Lord father?" 

      Thomas smiled, "Actually I'm a few years older." 

      Edwin looked surprised, "You look younger sir than he. You carry your years well my Lord." 

      Thomas drank down some of his wine and leaned back in the chair.  "Thanks for that Edwin.  That's nice to hear.  When you get to my age, you don't know how many years you have left.  Few men of valor reach fifty and the few of us that reach sixty are usually sad relics full of aches and crippling diseases. Tis best to die well and live well I say." 

      Edwin's eyes misted a little, "I wish I'd known my grandfather. He fought in the crusades and stories have come down to us about his exploits. Of course he's long dead God bless his soul."  Edwin crossed himself after transferring the flagon to the other hand. 

      Thomas became pensive, "Yes that generation was a tough, no nonsense group of ruffians that ever crossed Christendom. They feared nothing save God and the devil.  Well we're a little more civilized these days and Henry's court is a model of decorum and the rule of law.  Peace has finally healed this kingdom since the days of Stephen and Matilda. What a squabble that was." 

      "I heard things were very bad sir Thomas." Thomas drank some more wine. "Bad isn't the half of it. King Stephen was a kind man in spite of the times. Perhaps he was too kind hearted for such tumultuous days.  Late in his reign I'm told, he was walking to the cathedral to pray for God's mercy.  Starvation was a common thing in those days.  He reached the steps of the church and he sees a woman lying there with a child lying in her arms.  They'd both starved to death.  The king actually wept, God reward his tender heart.  Soon after that, he allowed his poorer subjects to hunt deer and other forest animals to help keep them alive during the famine. It was perhaps his most noble act in a less than exemplary reign. To this day the peasants pray for Stephan's spirit during all souls day." 

      They were silent for a long time as they sipped more wine. Edwin asked, "What were the other two areas I need to learn?" 

      Thomas started, "God's wounds! I'd almost forgotten!  Yes young Edwin, you must learn the use of arms and knightly chivalry.  Hopefully you will become a knight one of these days and you need to know the proper knightly codes and the use of weapons.  I'm sure you know something already but you've got a hell of a lot more to learn, trust me." 

      "I do my Lord." 

      Thomas refilled the flagons.  "Well the last thing is you must learn the proper social conduct expected by ladies from good men of valor and rank.  Someday you will have to marry and there are certain expectations and responsibilities concerning the correct treatment of women.  Perhaps it might not be as vital as weapon craft but you would be surprised how much importance proper relations with women of rank can be. However for now, I believe that learning court etiquette and weapon craft will keep you busy enough.  Your formal training starts tomorrow morning." 

      "Thank you sir Thomas." 

      "I know over the next few years you will find Ralph and myself demanding and sometimes very stern but we do it for your own good. We have to train several squires like yourself.  Ralph has no favorites and neither will I. When you do something wrong, you'll get a stern word from me and a boot up the ass from Ralph, is that understood?" 

      Edwin laughed, "My father has done worse than that. He's given me the leather strap on many occasions and he's called me every name from the devil's spawn to Lucifer's child.  I prefer honesty my Lord." 

      "Then you shall have it in good measure, young Bellamy. I'm glad to see you have not been spoiled. It will make your training more valuable to you in the long run.   You'll sup with us this evening and then Ralph will show you to your quarters. It won't be like home.  You'll have to share your room with two other young squires like yourself.  Someday you may get a private room but you'll have to earn it like everything else here.  If you want respect you will have to obtain it with deeds and not words, remember that and you'll do fine here." 

***

      Edwin was dazzled by the banquet in the great hall. The music of a lute was virtually drowned out by loud laughter and the barking of dogs.  Platters laden with food were quickly placed on the tables.  Goblets of wine and cups of mead soon found thirsty throats while chunks of meat were carved by all manner of knives.  Both men and women alike ate with their hands and occasionally wiped their greasy fingers on the dog's fur as the hungry animals eagerly waited for scraps and bones to be tossed their way. 

      Edwin saw Lady Chatterton for the first time.  She was tall for a woman, very well breasted with long lustrous red hair that glistened with hints of gold in the flickering torch light.   Her remarkable hair contrasted beautifully with her deep, penetrating green eyes. Her smile was inviting and her laughter throaty as she sat beside her Lord husband.  She was obviously a lot younger than Sir Thomas.  Around the rest of the table there were men at arms, other squires, women of differing social station and various servants.  It was apparent to Edwin's appraising glance, the lower the social rank, the drabber and plainer the clothes.  Those of privilege sat closest to Lord Chatterton while the men and women of base rank or mere servants sat either at the furthest end of the main table or at some of the other smaller benches. 

      Edwin was ravenous after the long journey that day. He devoured roast beef and a spicy turkey pie.  Wine kept being poured into his flagon and after awhile his head began to swim in pleasant, mellow circles. However during the long meal, he was far too insecure and shy to speak with anybody.  So he kept stuffing his mouth with the tasty meat and mixed vegetables. Soon he was imbibing the fruity mead to wash down the excellent meal. 

      When Edwin finally got to his room he was drunk.  He staggered to a pallet where he gratefully collapsed on the straw. It was comfortable enough although the pillow filled with goose feathers was a bit to thin. Soon after, two other young men entered the room.  "Well, well, well, this must be Lord Cranwell's youngster!" 

      Edwin sat up bleary eyed. "Who are you?" 

      The taller of the two laughed, "I think this youngster has had too much to drink eh?" The other chortled, "I wonder if he doth know what day 'tis past?" Edwin rubbed his eyes to see better but the room was dark and only a little moonlight trickled through the partly shuttered window. He stood up and found that the larger of the two was a full head taller than he. 

      The tall one spoke, "I'm John Fitzgibbon and this is my second cousin twice removed, Harry Laroy." 

      Edwin didn't know why but he instinctively disliked these two. So he asked in a non to friendly tone,   "That's Welsh isn't it?" 

      Harry growled in response, "Tis but only by half.  My mother was English and my father 'tis loyal to your king at least some of the time." The two related squires laughed but it was quite apparent they weren't very amused. 

      Edwin shook his head. "That doesn't make much sense to me but it's probably the wine. My name is Edwin Bellamy." 

      John suddenly moved and grabbed Edwin's shirt by the collar none too gently. "You were lying in my bed young sir!  You can have the pallet by the window.  We've been here for a year and you'll follow our rules when you're in this room or you'll get slapped around a bit, understand little lad?" 

      Harry laughed without mirth, "Put the young whore son down Jon.  He's tarried to long at the wine. Just toss the young baggage on yon bed." A moment later, Edwin found himself lying on the indicated place.  It wasn't as comfortable as the other but the pillow was a little thicker at least. Edwin was still groggy from excess of wine and mead and he kept his resentment in check. It wasn't wise to antagonize two men at the same time especially when they were larger and stronger than he was.  So he said nothing while John and Harry talked. 

      After a few more derisive comments about Edwin's inability to hold his own liquor, John eventually ignored the lad and asked Harry, "Isn't Mary Brook quite the wicked wench?" "Yes she spreads for Tim Long, Will Fox and Jim Talbot to.  I've been with her twice and praised be, I didn't get the pox." 

      "Well I've heard she's clean enough but I haven't sampled her treats yet.  Meg's more my taste.  She's wide in the hips and rides me as if I were a stallion. Not only that but she has an excellent mouth and she uses it for more than just kissing, I warrant you." 

      Harry laughed, "That sounds like excellent whoresmanship Sir John.  You always liked the fair haired wenches. I'll bet a Nottingham shilling she's a fucking sullied Saxon bitch!" Both young squires laughed at the jest and such talk filled Edwin's reeling brain until he eventually drifted off into oblivion.