Burwick

Here is my rendition of Burwick Castle.

Henry and Peter

As the early morning light peeked through the heavy drapes on the windows, Henry slowly left his dreams of happiness and roused himself to start the day. Today he was going to make those dreams come true. Today he was going to win the fair heart of his love and finally be happy with her by his side. Nothing could burst his bubble of confidence. He had practiced hard with the weapons master over the past few days and knew he was prepared for this.
Springing out of bed, Henry rings for his manservant. Winston appears in the doorway, "What can I do for you sir?"
"Where is Christophe?"
"I believe you fired him last week sir." Winston replies.
"Why hasn't there been a replacement hired?" Henry asks disdainfully. "I NEED a manservant immediately!"
"I would be delighted to attend to your needs, my lord." Winston replies hopefully. "Anything to help you sir."
Warily, Henry directs Winston to help him get dressed for breakfast. He has always had suspicions concerning the man and his strange ways, but his mother likes him. Therefore he remains mute on the subject of Winston's extra curricular activities. Far be it for him to judge. Besides today is about Diane and his fight for her. No sense sullying the start with adverse thoughts around an old man's eccentricities.
Dismissing Winston, Henry takes one more look at himself in the mirror and smiles. Today was going to be a day to remember!

In another place, Burwick to be exact, another person is also found still abed. However, Peter is not, and rarely is, alone in this bed. Arm lazily thrown over the dark-haired serving girl he bedded last night, Peter is still deeply asleep.
Simeon appears outside the bedroom door an hour before midday to waken the lord of the house. Knocking to announce himself, Simeon slowly enters the rather dark room. He shoos Bridgette, the serving girl from downstairs, out the door and prepares to wake his lord.
Clearing his throat, "My lord..." Simeon says softly.
Peter wakes with a start and glares at Simeon. Shaking himself like a dog, he growls, "What time is it?"
"Almost midday, sir" Simeon softly replies. "I do apologize for waking you, but remember you have Henry of Westchesterfieldville to answer today."
"Oh, yes." Peter runs a rough hand through his hair, "If only I could forget about this silly mess. It's not like the girl is worth this much fuss."
"I would council against ignoring Henry though my lord, if it is not too bold of me to say so."
"Yea, I know. I can not afford to look weak or afraid. Especially against a jellyfish like Henry," Peter sighs. "That would only create a stir amongst my supporters, and I can not have them thinking I am weak."
Swinging his feet from under the furs and onto the floor, Peter sighs again. Better to get this done and over with rather than sit and dwell on it.
Striding across the room, Peter grabs the breeches and tunic he'll wear under his armor. "Lets be done with this, Simeon."

Riding across the bridge and towards Burwick once more, Henry can not calm the butterflies in his stomach. He has waited a long time to best Peter, and knows that today is the day it will happen! Soup was just as excited as the horse pranced into the courtyard. Rocket was actually Henry's charger, but he preferred Soup for almost everything but warfare. Rocket was already at Burwick, rested and ready to go. Hopefully he had received a better breakfast than Henry. Cold porridge was not his idea of an ideal way to start the day. However, Henry refused to let anything dampen his spirits.
Dismounting, Henry hands the reins over to a stable boy and enters the stables to find Rocket.

Peter strolls down the staircase and into the entryway heading towards the door. Diane peeks out from the shadows of the alcove she was sitting in and watches him stride through his home. There was a certain unmistakable air about him that drew women to him like a moth to the flame. The flame never bothers to notice the moths that it devours. Diane doubted Peter did either.
The door slams shut behind him as he heads for the stables. Another battle over her. A battle between dreams and flames that can only end in disaster. She dared not watch, yet knew she couldn't sit here and wait for news of the outcome.
Sighing, Diane rose and headed towards the staircase. It would be best to appear as if she at least cares about the outcome, even if her appearances mask her true feelings.

Peter mounts his black charger at the far end of the field. His man at arms, George, carefully latches the various buckles into place on his breastplate. Because of the extreme weight of his armor, Peter must be geared after mounting. Good thing his charger is built for carrying a heavier load! The last buckle in place, George gingerly places the helmet into place and steps down off the block. The charger snorts and side steps a bit, anxious to perform this dance he does best. George hands Peter his black and white striped lance and steps away from the horse and rider.

Henry, latched into his armor and astride Rocket, takes his red and yellow lance from the boy standing beside the block. The butterflies increase tenfold and Henry takes a deep breath. Rocket dances sideways and rolls his eyes at the excitement he feels from the rider on his back. Throwing a small side kick to show his disapproval, Rocket makes it hard for Henry to maintain his seat. Henry forcefully calms himself and takes control of the animal beneath him. Turning his charger around, Henry faces Peter.

Without a second's hesitation, Peter kicks his horse into gear, and aims for Henry's heart. Henry likewise thunders across the field, desparately trying to aim his lance at the spots his trainer told him to look for. Weak spots in the armor, in his opponent's balance, and the head; all critical points that will lead to victory and his dreams.
With a crash of thunder, the two riders come in contact with the wooden lances. Peter turns his mount around at the end of the field and pulls him to a stop. Rocket stops at the other end of the field, saddle empty. Henry lay facedown in the dirt. A few of the staff members rush over to check and see if Henry is still in one piece.

Mouthfull of dirt, Henry feels the bitterness of defeat. Shame, dispair, and a broken spirit lay in the dirt with him, holding him still. What was he going to do now? How could he ever look at himself in the mirror again, let alone see Lady Diane after this humiliation. Henry shut his eyes to the world and his dispair.

What will Henry do now? What will Diane do now that Henry has once again lost to Peter?

A Twist in the Sheets

Strolling through the glass french doors out onto the terrace, Lady Katherine took a deep breath of the rich country air. Her white knuckles gripping the cup of afternoon tea in her hand was the only sign of her anxiety. Outwardly she appeared to be calm, sort of serene as she brushed a lock of blond hair away from her face. Few would have recognized this as the calm before the storm except her mother. Her mother would know what to do. She always had. Unfortunately her mother had left this world a few years ago and left Katherine with her aging father and his dwindling sums.
Katherine smiled in remembrance of a time when life seemed to be nothing but dreams of fairy tales, princesses, and ponies. Things little girls always dream of as they make that transition between child and woman. Then their dreams transform into hopes for a happy prosperous family, with beautiful healthy children and a happy endearing husband. A home to be proud of and a household to run. Never do those dreams include children that don't survive or survive with aliments that make life almost not worth living. Nor do those dreams include absent fathers, poor living conditions, or a leaking roof.

'Funny how dreams and reality are never quite the same,' thought Katherine as she took a small sip of her tea. Her father's misfortune in gambling created a large debt at their door. In turn this ruined many of Katherine's chances at securing a wealthy husband, for who would pay a proper bride price for her? Her long blond hair was her best quality, yet it could not completely overshadow the plainness of her face, the muddy brown eyes, or overweight appearance that did not encourage many suitors. 'Who is going to want me now?' she thought to herself.
Slowly she dropped her hand down to her midsection and wondered at the life that was forming. How could she have fell for his advances? He never wanted to marry her. It was one night of weakness, yet a night she will now have to live with forever.
"Peter, how could you do this to me?" Katherine asks the silence. Worse yet, wait until Diane finds out she is carrying his child! Then Katherine knew she would truly be on her own for her only friend would leave her.
Katherine wipes the tears of loneliness from her eyes. How was she ever going to escape this horrible situation she is in?

Henry proudly enters the solarium still dusty from practice. His mud encrusted boots clicked loudly on the bright tiled floor.
"Practice go well dear?" Elizabeth asks without looking up from her embroidery.
"As, always dear mother!" Henry crows. "Edward barely nicked my armor this time. I do believe I am more than ready to meet Burwick on the field tomorrow."
"That is good dear." his mother replies. "Just please be careful. We don't want you breaking your arm again."
"Careful?! Mother, breaking arms and legs is what us men do!" Henry snorts in annoyance. "Only this time the plan is to not break my arm, but to break his!"
"Well at least TRY to come out of this thing tomorrow relatively unharmed, okay?" Elizabeth looks up at her son with concern in her eyes. "A mother worries. We don't enjoy patching up our sons as much as they enjoy breaking things."
"Yes yes mother," sighs Henry as he rolls his eyes. Mothers can be so patronizing sometimes! With peck on his mother's cheek, Henry strolls out of the solarium towards a hot bath and cleaner clothes.

Elizabeth watches her son walk out of the room and sighs. It is one thing to encourage her son in his pursuits, quite another listening to him whine about the pain when he falls. If only he were more focused on running the estate and connecting with the people instead of chasing this fool girl. Bashing another man over the head with a stick was not going to solve any problems. Either way this goes tomorrow, Henry was not going to come out of it unscathed. Jousts were not easy on the body, and last time Henry was lucky only his arm broke. A fall from a charger often created much more damage. Elizabeth only hoped that Henry would learn his lesson this time and turn his attention to more mature pursuits. Diane was only going to get him into more trouble than she was worth. As lovely as the girl is, Elizabeth knew her heart was still roaming. No matter what Henry did it was obviously not going to be enough for her. He needed to move on.
Elizabeth sighs. If the pain of another broken arm or leg can not get through to Henry that he is on a fool's errand chasing after that girl, then anything she might have to say is not going to. Just like his father, he has to learn things the hard way!

Next week we'll see who actually ends up in the dirt, Henry or Peter, as they joust their way into (or out of) a woman's heart!

Challenge issued!

Lady Diane quietly slips out of bed and grabs her robe from the floor. It was still dark, the wee hours of morning. She imagines what her father is going to say if he finds out where she has been. They had so many plans for her that she was not ready to commit to. If only she had been born to someone of lower class, she would not be forced into marriage and the dull role of being someone's wife. Once you married, the men stopped looking at you for fear of your husband's wrath and your husband started looking at other prospects. Everyone had mistresses and ladies on the side! She didn't expect her marriage to be any different.
Peter stirs, pulling her out of her thoughts and into the present. She needed to move quickly before he woke and started asking questions she didn't want to answer right now. She grabs her slippers and tiptoes towards the door. Carefully she opens the door just wide enough for her to slip out and quietly pulls it shut behind her.

 It is quiet early for the sun is just now peaking over the trees. A thick white cloak of fog lays over the land and softens the early rays of the sun. Henry brings Soup down the lane towards Burwick Manor, set on his mission to confront it's lord. The architecture of the house is very old. Burwick has been around for generations and its lords have the respect of the people. Nevertheless, this is not going to stop Henry from achieving his goal. He wants Diane as his own and no stuck-up, rich pig is going to keep her from him.
Henry steels his jaw with determination as he approaches the heavy iron gate. The gate-keeper stumbles out of the house and glares at him. Obviously the man had just rolled out of bed at the sounds of Soup's hoofbeats since he was still tying his belt and buttoning his shirt.
"What do you want," growled the gatekeeper at Henry.
"I'm here to see the lord of the house and challenge him to a test of strength," sneered Henry. "Open this gate immediately!"
With a snort and another angry glare, the gatekeeper proceeds to open the gate to let Henry in.
Henry brushes past him into the courtyard.
Dismounting, he looks for the stable boy that should be waiting to take his horse. Finding no one, he grows impatient and nervous. Surely Peter would not be rude to him before he even has the chance to challenge him! Another minute or two goes by as Henry debilitates. Should he look for the stables on his own? Soup needed a good rubdown and feed. Hospitality demanded that his horse at least be looked after.
Suddenly a small boy, no more than eight or nine winters old, appeared and asked if he could take Soup to the stables. Relieved, Henry hands the boy the reins and quickly approaches the door. The butler opens the door after the third knock and escorts him into the drawing room.

Peter wakes to the sound of gentle knocking at his door. His butler, Simeon, pokes his head inside. "Sir, pardon the intrusion, but you have an early morning visitor." Simeon quietly says. "It is Lord Henry of Westchesterfieldville, I do believe he is here on behalf of the Lady Diane, sir."
Peter shuts his eyes against the immediate headache at the mention of Henry's name. The poor bloke is probably here to issue another challenge at which he will again have to dump him in the dirt. When was the guy going to learn?
"I'm up, Simeon." Peter grumbled. "I'll be down shortly. Coffee is needed, I think, before discussing anything with Lord Henry."
"Very good sir, I'll have the maid bring it up."
"No, need. I'll take it at the breakfast table. Henry can wait a few more minutes since he felt it necessary to wake me this early."
"Very well sir." Simeon gently pulls the door shut while Peter grudgingly gets out of bed.

An hour later, Peter enters the drawing room to a very agitated and irritable Henry. "Have you had your breakfast yet, Lord Henry?" asks Peter.
"How could I have since you are the first person I have seen in the past two hours that I've been waiting here!" exclaims Henry. "Hospitality requires that you at least offer a guest something to drink!"
"You are entirely right, Lord Henry, and I am deeply sorry for the delay on behalf of my servants," Peter states. "Unfortunately they are not used to having guests this early in the morning, but lets remedy that now shall we?" He calls for Simeon to bring his guest coffee and scones. Simeon nods and makes a hasty retreat. He reappears a few moments later with an appropriate tray of breakfast delicacies and a hot pot of coffee.
 After giving Henry a few moments to stave off his hunger, Peter asks, "Now what was so important as to require an all night ride?"
"I am here to issue a challenge on the tournament field for the hand of Lady Diane!" exclaims Henry.
"Ah," sighs Peter, "I thought as much. Are you really ready to end up in the dirt once more over this woman?"
"I refuse to allow her to go to a man like you! She belongs with me!"
"Lord Henry, it might be out of line for me to say, but have you tried asking the Lady Diane what she wants?"
"Of course!" replies Henry. "But, she is uncertain as to her true desires." {And it is my hope to sway that desire in my direction by taking you out of the picture} Henry thinks to himself.
"Very well then," sighs Peter, "If you truly want to revisit this yet again, I will indulge you once more. But hear me, when you end up with your face in the dirt and your rear to the air, don't say I didn't try to talk you out of this."
"That will not happen again!" storms Henry. "You had a lucky shot last time and I was still recovering from my illness over the winter, thus giving you an unfair advantage!"
"If you say so, Lord Henry. If that is the case then at least this time you might present more of a challenge then." taunts Peter.
"You will see!" Henry exclaims angrily as he heads towards the door. He was going to put that pompous rear of Peter's in the dirt if it was the last thing he ever did.
"Good day, Lord Henry, I'll see you soon." Peter calls to Henry as Henry yanks open the front door and storms down the stairs. One of these days that man will learn. Peter wondered how many more times he would have to put Henry's face in the dirt to get the message across that he is not the one standing in his way. The Lady Diane has her own mind and there is much more to taming her than a simple gesture of strength. Remembering last evening, he smiled. She was definately worth the headache though!

Elizabeth's court

It was mid-morning, Lady Elizabeth was just taking her seat at the brunch table where her son, Henry, was already grumbling. Once again the young and exotic Diane had turned him down and he was in a sour mood.

"Again I find her conversing with that rogue Peter of Burwick," he growled into his tea. "They were discussing his recent victory over Sir Mark on the tourney field in France, as if a victory there is worth anything!"

"Didn't Sir Mark beat you last year in Brussels, my dear?" Elizabeth calmly remarked.

"Need you remind me, mother?"

Elizabeth sips her tea quietly. She felt sorry for the poor boy. He had his heart set on this girl, yet she avoided his advances. He once purposed marriage to her, but she turned him down.
Elizabeth knew the stories behind Diane's hesitation. She knew the girl was not ready to settle down nor chose a mate, much to the dismay of her parents. Her father had presented every prince within a week's riding distance to meet with her dismissal. Her poor mother was ailing and they both wanted security for Diane before she expired.
Unfortunately no one had asked Diane's opinion on the matter. She had other ideas!

"I should challenge that Peter to a match," her son declared. "Maybe when I beat the boasting out of him I'll gain some respect."

Elizabeth inclined her head in agreement knowing he would do it regardless of her desires.


Henry strolled out into the courtyard and headed for the stables. James, the stable master, was polishing the carriage tack as he approached. "James, saddle Soup immediately. I am on my way to Burwick with a challenge."

"Yes sir," replied James, dropping the tack and retrieving the gelding.

A few minutes later James watches as Henry turned Soup down the lane towards Burwick.
'That boy was in for another beating over that silly girl once again,' thought James.



Next week we'll discover the terms of the challenge and whether it was worth Henry's trouble to go against Peter of Burwick!