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MEN OF IRON
MEN OF IRON
by Ernie Howard Pyle
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MEN OF IRON
INTRODUCTION
The year 1400 opened with more than usual peacefulness in England。
Only a few months before； Richard IIweak； wicked； and treacherous
had been dethroned； and Henry IV declared King in his stead。 But it was
only a seeming peacefulness； lasting but for a little while； for though King
Henry proved himself a just and a merciful manas justice and mercy
went with the men of iron of those daysand though he did not care to
shed blood needlessly； there were many noble families who had been
benefited by King Richard during his reign； and who had lost somewhat of
their power and prestige from the coming in of the new King。
Among these were a number of great lordsthe Dukes of Albemarle；
Surrey； and Exeter； the Marquis of Dorset； the Earl of Gloucester； and
otherswho had been degraded to their former titles and estates； from
which King Richard had lifted them。 These and others brewed a secret plot
to take King Henry's life； which plot might have succeeded had not one of
their own number betrayed them。
Their plan had been to fall upon the King and his adherents； and to
massacre them during a great tournament； to be held at Oxford。 But Henry
did not appear at the lists； whereupon； knowing that he had been lodging
at Windsor with only a few attendants； the conspirators marched thither
against him。 In the mean time the King had been warned of the plot； so
that； instead of finding him in the royal castle； they discovered through
their scouts that he had hurried to London； whence he was even then
marching against them at the head of a considerable army。 So nothing was
left them but flight。 Some betook themselves one way； some another；
some sought sanctuary here； some there； but one and another； they were
all of them caught and killed。
The Earl of Kentone time Duke of Surrey and the Earl of Salisbury
were beheaded in the market…place at Cirencester； Lord Le Despencer
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MEN OF IRON
once the Earl of Gloucesterand Lord Lumley met the same fate at Bristol；
the Earl of Huntingdon was taken in the Essex fens； carried to the castle of
the Duke of Gloucester； whom he had betrayed to his death in King
Richard's time； and was there killed by the castle people。 Those few who
found friends faithful and bold enough to afford them shelter； dragged
those friends down in their own ruin。
Just such a case was that of the father of the boy hero of this story； the
blind Lord Gilbert Reginald Falworth； Baron of Falworth and Easterbridge；
who； though having no part in the plot； suffered through it ruin； utter and
complete。
He had been a faithful counsellor and adviser to King Richard； and
perhaps it was this； as much and more than his roundabout connection
with the plot； that brought upon him the punishment he suffered。
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MEN OF IRON
CHAPTER 1
Myles Falworth was but eight years of age at that time； and it was only
afterwards； and when he grew old enough to know more of the ins and
outs of the matter； that he could remember by bits and pieces the things
that afterwards happened； how one evening a knight came clattering into
the court…yard upon a horse； red…nostrilled and smeared with the sweat and
foam of a desperate rideSir John Dale； a dear friend of the blind Lord。
Even though so young； Myles knew that something very serious had
happened to make Sir John so pale and haggard； and he dimly
remembered leaning against the knight's iron…covered knees； looking up
into his gloomy face； and asking him if he was sick to look so strange。
Thereupon those who had been too troubled before to notice him；
bethought themselves of him； and sent him to bed； rebellious at having to
go so early。
He remembered how the next morning； looking out of a window high
up under the eaves； he saw a great troop of horsemen come riding into the
courtyard beneath； where a powdering of snow had whitened everything；
and of how the leader； a knight clad in black armor； dismounted and
entered the great hall door…way below； followed by several of the band。
He remembered how some of the castle women were standing in a
frightened group upon the landing of the stairs； talking together in low
voices about a matter he did not understand； excepting that the armed men
who had ridden into the courtyard had come for Sir John Dale。 None of
the women paid any attention to him； so； shunning their notice； he ran off
down the winding stairs； expecting every moment to be called back again
by some one of them。
A crowd of castle people； all very serious and quiet； were gathered in
the hall； where a number of strange men…at…arms lounged upon the
benches； while two billmen in steel caps and leathern jacks stood guarding
the great door； the butts of their weapons resting upon the ground； and the
staves crossed； barring the door…way。
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MEN OF IRON
In the anteroom was the knight in black armor whom Myles had seen
from the window。 He was sitting at the table； his great helmet lying upon
the bench beside him； and a quart beaker of spiced wine at his elbow。 A
clerk sat at the other end of the same table； with inkhorn in one hand and
pen in the other； and a parchment spread in front of him。
Master Robert； the castle steward； stood before the knight； who every
now and then put to him a question； which the other would answer； and
the clerk write the answer down upon the parchment。
His father stood with his back to the fireplace； looking down upon the
floor with his blind eyes； his brows drawn moodily together； and the scar
of the great wound that he had received at the tournament at Yorkthe
wound that had made him blindshowing red across his forehead； as it
always did when he was angered or troubled。
There was something about it all that frightened Myles； who crept to
his father's side； and slid his little hand into the palm that hung limp and
inert。 In answer to the touch； his father grasped the hand tightly； but did
not seem otherwise to notice that he was there。 Neither did the black
knight pay any attention to him； but continued putting his questions to
Master Robert。
Then； suddenly； there was a commotion in the hall without； loud
voices； and a hurrying here and there。 The black knight half arose；
grasping a heavy iron mace that lay upon the bench beside him； and the
next moment Sir John Dale himself； as pale as death； walked into the
antechamber。 He stopped in the very middle of the room。 〃I yield me to
my Lord's grace and mercy；〃 said he to the black knight； and they were the
last words he ever uttered in this world。
The black knight shouted out some words of command； and swinging
up the iron mace in his hand； strode forward clanking towards Sir John；
who raised his arm as though to shield himself from the blow。 Two or
three of those who stood in the hall without came running into the room
with drawn swords and bills； and little Myles； crying out with terror； hid
his face in his father's long gown。
The next instant came the sound of a heavy blow and of a groan； then
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MEN OF IRON
another blow and the sound of one falling upon the ground。 Then the
clashing of steel； and in the midst Lord Falworth crying； in a dreadful
voice； 〃Thou traitor！ thou coward！ thou murderer！〃
Master Robert snatched Myles away from his father； and bore him out
of the room in spite of his screams and struggles； and he remembered just