The Remembered

Chapter Twenty-five

1459

Stamford, England



The All Saints' Church was filled to capacity on Sunday well in advance of the service in anticipation of what might be preached by Father James. Father James nervously greeted the parishioners at the front door until a few minutes before the service was to begin. Greeting Lady Darby gave him greater courage.

'Gud dee, me lady, I am glad that you are 'ere.'

'You are me priest and this is the Lord's dee. I 'ave comb as 'e wuld expect,' replied Agnes.

'I 'ope that you feel the same after the worship meeting,' stated James.

'God willing, I will 'ere 'is voice in your message,' said Agnes quietly.

'Aye, God willing,' replied James.

Lord Darby had not returned from his errand and Lady Darby sat alone in their pew.

James had expected Richard to attend the service, and was surprised that he had not arrived. Still, it was the appointed time, and James took his seat at the front of the chapel.

Before the service started, the prior of Saint Leonard's entered the chapel to the hushed whispers of the congregation. But greater excitement was elicited when another priest entered the door and started up the isle. He was obviously of high rank as was attested by the purple robe with golden trim and large elaborate miter on his head. He also carried a large golden staff. Whispers went through the congregation that it was the Bishop of Lincoln. He had with him an entourage of other priests of less rank. An audible gasp arose and the congregation stood in recognition. The bishop's countenance was stern and his eyes did not leave James as he walked to the front and took his seat, whispering to the prior as he did. James looked straight ahead and did not acknowledge the bishop beyond standing for him.

The rituals of the service proceeded as usual without variance and soon it was time for James to speak. He caught the bishop's eye as he approached the pulpit and in that moment decided that he would keep his comments brief and without criticism of the Church or its doctrine. As he stood at the pulpit, his eyes connected with Lady Darby. He hesitated for a few moments and as he did, the bishop and prior again started to whisper to each other. James let his gaze wander across the congregation and as he did, he thought, 'I 'ave prayed to know God's will and I 'ave God's word on me side. I will deliver the message that I feel God intends for me to deliver.'

'Me fellow lovers and followers of God and 'is Sone, I hail you this dee, The Lord's dee,' he started.

With his reference to being a follower of God and His Son, the prior coughed and whispered loud enough to be heard, ''e is no follower of or lover of God!'

Ignoring the distraction, James continued, 'You 'ave comb 'ere to worship your Lord and to partake of the emblems of 'is death and resurrection. You are to be commended for your faith and devotion and God who 'ears your prayers of worship in secret shall reward you openly.'

Members of the congregation smiled at the promise that God would hear and answer their prayers.

'Boot, partaking of The Lord's supper is in vain,' he said in a voice that could clearly be heard throughout the church. Many members of the congregation looked at each other and whispered loudly. Some objected audibly, but the loudest objection was heard from the prior and the bishop.

'Blasphemy,' shouted the bishop.

Undeterred, James spoke with greater boldness. He felt as though he were Paul the Apostle in front of King Agrippa and he desired to speak with as much conviction.

He continued, 'It vain because the authority of the Church is vain. The Apostle Paul said soch wuld occur before the coming of The Lord again in the flesh. As I taught last Soondee, the selling of indulgences is evidence of 'ow the Church 'as strayed.'

James continued to explain the writings of the Apostle Paul regarding a falling away from the truth, the need for a prophet and the ultimate restoration of Christ's church before he comes again. Many in the congregation welcomed his remarks, but the prior and the bishop continued to increase in agitation as he spoke.

Concluding his remarks, James said, 'Children of God do nay need to pray through the saints, boot they 'ave direct access to the throne of God through the merits of 'is Sone. The Lord himself taught us 'ow to pray and that was directly to our 'Father which art in 'eaven. Your Father will 'ear your prayer. The saints 'ave no great'er access to the throne of 'eaven than yourselves.'

The bishop could take no more of what he considered blasphemy. Rising to his feet with his face red with anger, he pointed at James and shouted 'Enuf! I will 'ear no more. Seize this man!'

At that command, soldiers who had come with the bishop and had been waiting outside the church were summoned. There was significant commotion in the church as the congregation also arose to their feet, some gasped in shock that the bishop was seizing James, some voiced approval. As the soldiers marched quickly to the front of the chapel, all eyes of the congregation followed them and then settled on James. There was no place for him to run if he wanted to, so he waited in silence. The soldiers grabbed him roughly and pulled him from the pulpit and shoved him toward the isle. The isle filled quickly as the soldiers led James to down the isle toward the back of the church. James looked desperately into the eyes of Lady Darby as he passed by. Struggling to turn to look at her, James yelled, 'Me lady, send word to me mum.'

Lady Darby pushed her way into the isle and tried to follow, but the press of the crowd was too much. The noise in the church was reaching a crescendo and over the noise she called out, 'I will. Where is she to be found?'

James urgently shouted back, 'Lambley, near Not'ing'am. At the only bakery.'

Outside the church, the soldiers started to load James into a wagon, when the sheriff, who was with them stopped them.

'And where do you expect to take this man in this wagon?' demanded the sheriff.

'To Lincoln where 'e will stand trial for 'eresy,' replied the captain.

'Nay, you will take this man to the Stamford dungeon,' shouted the sheriff.

The prior and the Bishop of Lincoln were on the steps of the church now and the bishop demanded that James be sent to Lincoln.

'Nay, I 'ave jurisdiction 'ere and 'e stays in Stamford until approval is given of the aldermen for 'is removal to Lincoln.

'You 'ave no jurisdiction over Church affairs,' replied the bishop sternly. ''e goes to Lincoln.'

''e will nay leave Stamford until I say 'e leaves Stamford,' countered the sheriff as he laid his hands on James to keep him from getting into the cart.

The All Saints' Church was now devoid of parishioners as they had all followed the commotion outside. The bishop and the prior were under some pressure to prevail in the struggle so as to not appear to acquiesce to the demands of the secular authority and they leaned close together and whispered.

After a moment, the bishop addressed the sheriff in a cold and demanding tone, 'Very well, 'e can be put on trial 'ere well enuf.' Then, turning to the soldiers, said, 'Take the 'eretic to Saint Leonard's Priory. 'e can be guarded there.' Addressing the sheriff again, he continued, 'After the trial, 'e will be returned to you for punishment.'

The sheriff relaxed his grip on Richard and replied, 'You intended to say, 'If 'e is found guilty.'

'Yes, if 'e is found guilty,' repeated the bishop in an irritated tone and added, 'Is there any doubt?'

Some in the crowd cheered at the pronouncement of heresy on James. Lady Darby had seen and heard enough and left immediately with the servants who had conveyed her there. As her coach was pulling away from the church, James was loaded into the cart and the cart began to make its way through the narrow streets of Stamford in the direction of Saint Leonard's. Agnes watched from the window of her coach until her coach rounded the corner and out of site of the wagon.

Once at the estate, Agnes debated whether to send a servant right away or to wait in hopes that John would return the next day and make the trip himself. In the end, she decided that it would not be wise to lose a day and she sent a coach to Lambley with a set of fresh horses.

James was taken to Saint Leonard's Priory and locked inside a small room. James was glad that the priory did not have a room underground and that this room had a straw mat and a small window.

The bishop and the prior met in the prior's quarters to discuss how to proceed. 'Why 'old a trial at all?' asked the prior. 'Is it nay obvious that 'e is guilty of 'eresy?'

'Aye, it is obvious,' replied the bishop, 'boot we must 'old a trial and record the proceedings.'

'And must we also assign sumeone to defend 'im?' asked the prior. 'There is nay a monk who will agree to soch a task.'

'God will defend 'im if 'e is innocent,' replied the bishop. 'If 'e is guilty, no one can provide defense.'

With that, it was agreed that James would provide his own defense and that the trial would begin the next day.

James spent most of the night in prayer, but when he did try to sleep, his sleep was restlessly interrupted by dreams of what his fate would be. He was surprised when the door to his cell was not opened as soon as it was light. He expected that they would want to get his trial done right away. When the bell chimed ten times, he was still left waiting in the room, but right after the bell was rung 12 times, the door was opened and he was summoned out and led to the large hall. The reason for the delay now became clear to James. Assembled in the large hall were the monks, the prior and the bishop as he expected; but also gathered were some of the towne's people. He looked over the assembly for Richard or for Lord or Lady Darby, but they were not to be found. He recognized some of the towne's people as those who had been at the All Saints' Church the day before and were some that had been vocally opposed to his teachings.

James had expected to be tried before the monks of the priory, all of whom were well acquainted with him and he had expected it to cause himself some embarrassment. Oddly though, as he stood before the seated bishop and the others, he was not embarrassed, he was not ashamed, he was not frightened. He only felt peace and the peace seemed to fill him with power.

'Place your 'and on the Gospels and state your name and swear that you will tell the entire truth to this assembly,' stated the monk who had been assigned to have him swear an oath. James did so and noticed that one of the other monks had been assigned to keep a record of the proceedings. After thus swearing, another monk that had been assigned as prosecutor, stepped forward and addressed James.

'James, you 'ave been accused of teaching doctrine contrary to the authority of God's Church and of taking authority unto yourself. 'ow do you answer these charges?'

'I am nay guilty of the offenses as described,' replied James calmly at which a commotion was heard amongst the assemblage as they took umbrage with his statement.

The prosecuting monk was prepared for James' reply and asked that another monk read the teachings that James had delivered the day before. James was surprised at the accuracy. He hadn't noticed anyone writing his words, surely that would have been obvious to observe. The monk must have memorized it and applied it to paper later. As the monk read, there were gasps from the assembly, especially from those who had not been at the sermon.

'Are these nay your words?' demanded the prosecutor.

'Aye,' replied James.

Cries of ''eretic,' rang out from the crowd.

'Do they nay testify against you? Do they nay show that you 'ave taught doctrine contrary to the authority of God's Church? Do these words nay show that you 'ave taken authority unto yourself?'

James replied that he had no authority except as evidenced in God's word and he explained again that he did not teach against God's Church, only against those who had usurped God's Church.

'Blasphemy!' shouted the prior. 'Need we 'ear more?'

'Let 'im talk,' replied the bishop. 'The record will justify our actions.'

The prosecutor didn't question James further that day. Instead, he called witnesses from among the monks that knew James and from amongst the towne's people. Most of the monks spoke of James friendly disposition, but also that he had questioned many articles of Church doctrine. The prior himself was called on to bear witness of the same.

The next day, James was the only witness questioned and he answered without apology. At the end of the day, they presented him with a confession to sign. It read, 'I, James, have taught doctrine contrary to God's Church. I have been given a fair trail and the verdict of this tribunal will be just. I have been led astray by the devil, for which, unless I reject all my words, my soul will spend the rest of eternity in hell.' James would not affix his signature.

James was left in his cell for the next two days. Other than receiving food and water, he had no contact with anyone and it caused him to wonder whether they would set him free, but he knew that was not likely.

Richard also sat in the Stamford dungeon, unaware of James' arrest. After a few days, Richard heard the upper door creak open and heard someone descending the steps. The door of his cell was opened and he was ordered out. Richard leapt to his feet in anticipation of being set free. He was hoping to appear before John Darby, who could clear up the improper arrest. But, disappointment set in when he saw that the alderman at the bench was not John.

'State your name,' demanded the alderman.

'Richard Easton.'

'You 'ave been arrested for thievery. 'ow do you plead?'

'Innocent, me lord.'

'Innocent. We 'ave a witness that will swear that you are the man.'

''e is the thief, me lord,' replied Richard.

'Accusing your accuser will nay do you gud. If you do nay tell the truth, we will extract it from you,' said the alderman firmly. 'Even now, me guards are ready with the rack. Wuld you like the rack?'

'Nay, me lord,' replied Richard. 'Did me accuser say who it is that I robbed?'

'It does nay matter, a thief is a thief,' said the alderman loudly. Then turning to the guards, he said, 'Away with this man. The rack will get the truth.'

'Nay, me lord. I beg you to summon Lord Darby. 'e will put all straight.'

'Lord Darby? Why wuld I summon Lord Darby?'

''e knows of me innocence, me lord and 'e will nay approve of the rack.'

The alderman looked down at the papers before him and hesitated. 'Very well. 'arm can nay comb of waiting for Lord Darby. Take this man back to 'is cell.'

With that, Richard was led back down the dark, stone staircase and into his cell. When the door was shut, he was surprised at his relief to be in the cell. The rack was far worse than the cell, he would not likely have survived the rack.

It was after dark when John Darby's coach rolled into Stamford and he went straight to the almshouse. He gently lifted the old woman from the coach and carried her up the stairs. He was surprised at how light she was and how frail. He left her with the caregivers who had been hired with the generous endowment that John had made to the house.

'Lord Darby, it is gud that you are arrived safely,' said the caregiver. 'much 'as 'appened in Stamford since you took your leave.'

'Aye, and whot 'as 'appened?' queried John.

The caregiver told him about the incident with James.

'The Bishop of Lincoln was 'ere in Stamford?' asked John.

'Aye and 'e may yet be in Stamford. Per'aps at the priory where they took James.'

'I go at once,' replied John and left the almshouse. The sheriff recognized John's coach and greeted him at the bottom of the stairs.

'Lord Darby,' said the sheriff, 'I beg you comb to the dungeon, we have a thief there.'

'You 'ave an accused thief there,' retorted John.

'Aye, an accused thief,' the sheriff corrected himself. 'The other aldermen will nay 'ear 'is case. It is waiting for you.'

'I will see 'im tomorrow,' replied John. 'I go now to Saint Leonard's.'

'They may use the rack on 'im before tomorrow,' said the sheriff.

'You tell the guards that they will answer to me if the rack is used.'

Aye, me Lord,' responded the sheriff.

John ordered the coach to the priory. At the priory, he inquired as to James' condition.

'The 'eretic is well,' replied the prior. 'We have nay laid 'ands on 'im,' asserted the prior.

'I shuld like to see 'im.'

'Lord Darby, do nay get involved in this thing,' warned the prior. 'It can only turn oot poorly for you.'

'I shuld like to see the prisoner,' insisted John.

'Very well then,' replied the prior and he summoned a monk to escort John.

The monk led John down a series of dark, narrow hallways to the light of a single candle. At the cell, the monk lit another candle and handed it to John and opened the door. After opening the door, John looked at the monk as though to encourage him to leave and the monk backed away several paces.

John stepped into the cell and the candlelight illuminated James laying on the mattress without any bedding.

'Lord Darby!' exclaimed James and he leapt to his feet. 'I am so grateful that you 'ave comb.'

'Aye, I comb as quickly as I 'eard. 'ave they mistreated you?'

'Nay, I am well.'

'I do nay know whot I can do to 'elp you James,' replied John.

'There is no need, Lord Darby,' said James. 'I am prepared to meet the fate of the Maiden.'

'Do nay give yourself up as a martyr just yet,' urged John. 'I will speak with the prior.'

'Do nay implicate yourself in this, me Lord.'

The monk returned and asked John to leave the cell. 'I will do whot I can,' promised John.

John returned and spoke with the prior.

'There is nuthing that you can do, Lord Darby,' said the prior.

'When will you move 'im to the Stamford dungeon?'

'At the first light of dee,' replied the prior. And then sensing that John may try something to free James, he added, 'Do nay attempt to free 'im. It wuld turn oot badly for you. We 'ave guards enuf and we will also post our guards at the dungeon. '

'I am nay going free 'im by force, boot per'aps we can speak of other arrangements.'

'Other arrangements?' asked the prior.

'Aye, I know that this priory is far in debt and 'as been for years. Wuld you nay like to be free of those debts?' asked John.

'Aye. Comb back tomorrow and we will discuss it.'

John turned to leave and the prior stood to show him out. 'Do nay bother, I will show meself oot,' said John.

John went straight home to Agnes where she was very excited to greet him.

'John, me luv. I am so 'appy. I 'ave missed you so,' she said as she ran into his arms.

'It is gud to be 'ome and told 'old you again, me luv,' said John as he held her tightly and kissed her lips.

After the kiss, Agnes said, 'John, I 'ave sent a man to Lambley to fetch James' mother.'

'Lambley, by Not'ing'am?'

'Aye, that is the same.'

'A gud long way, that,' replied John as he reached down to remove his boots.

'Aye, boot 'is mum shuld be 'ere, do you agree?'

'Aye, you did well.'

'There is sumething else also,' Agnes said. Her tone and expression concerned John and he looked up into her eyes again.

'Whot is it then, me luv?' asked John and he took her in his arms.

'It is Richard. 'e 'as nay been seen for several dees.'

'Whot? 'e 'as nay been 'ere to see 'is lad?'

'Nay, and I am worried. Whot culd 'ave becomb of 'im?'

'I do nay know. I will luk for 'im tomorrow. Per'aps 'e is at Easton-on-the-'ill.'

'Nay, I 'ave sent a man there to check and 'e is nay there.'

'I will find 'im tomorrow, me luv,' promised John.

The priory did not wait for first light to transfer James to the dungeon in Stamford, but they transferred him in the middle of the night, fearing an attempt to free him.