Chapter 3 third chapter

And so a new page of misfortune begins, Vigorous, muscular, blond-haired Saxon Landed on the desolate shores of England at the roar of the Germanic Sea. [Note: The earliest inhabitants of Britain were the Celts. In the fifth century AD, the Saxons came to the British Isles from Northern Europe. 】 Thomson: Liberty [Note: Scottish poet. "Freedom" is one of his long poems. 】 It was a very long and very wide hall, but very disproportionately low, and in it stood a long oak table, of rough planks, hewn straight from the forest and scarcely planed, on which Supper has been laid for Cedric the Saxon.The roof was separated from the sky by nothing but a plank and thatch over the beams and rafters; at either end of the hall was a great fireplace, and the chimneys were so poorly constructed that the smoke entered the house at least as much as it flew out. many.The beams and rafters of the low-ceilinged hall were covered with sooty blackness by its continual contamination.The walls of the hall were hung with war and hunting paraphernalia, and in each corner there were two folding doors leading to various parts of the empty dwelling.

The rest of the house also maintained the crude Saxon appearance, a style in which Cedric was proud.The ground is made of a mixture of mud and lime, and it is firmly rammed, which is similar to the ground of our current warehouse.One end of it, which occupies about a quarter of the length of the house, is one level higher than the rest of the ground, called a pedestal, which is used exclusively by the elders of the family or distinguished guests.For this purpose, a table covered with a rich red tablecloth is placed horizontally on the earthen platform; another dining table, which is longer and lower than it, extends from the middle of the earthen platform to the end of the hall. and used by inferiors.These two tables form a T-shape. This ancient table arrangement can still be seen in the historic colleges of Oxford or Cambridge.There were heavy seats and settees of carved oak on the dais, and a canopy stretched over the elevated dining table and these seats, which afforded some degree of protection from the wind, and especially from the rain, for the great persons seated here. , because some places in that poorly-structured house often leak.

The walls of the first earthen platform in the hall are covered with drapes or curtains, and the floor is covered with carpets. These decorations are all finely crafted, some are like tapestries, or embroidered with bright or even gorgeous patterns.Over the lower row of tables, as we have said, there is no shelter under the roof; Rough, heavy benches take the place of chairs. In the middle of the upper table, there were two chairs higher than the others, and these were for the master and mistress of the house, who had to preside at the feast, a duty which earned them a noble Saxon title, which means the so-called Distributor of bread.

Both chairs have footstools in front, which are finely carved and inlaid with ivory, as their unique badge of honor.Cedric the Saxon was presently sitting in one of these chairs, and though he was a common squire, what the Normans call a manor, he was very angry and impatient at the delay in starting the supper, It is the same as all government officials from ancient times to the present. Indeed, judging from the appearance of the head of the family, he was a frank person, but his temper was a little irritable and rough.He was no more than middle height, but with broad shoulders and long arms, he gave the appearance of a strong physique, like that of a man accustomed to endure the toil of war or hunting.He had a square face, a pair of big blue eyes, a cheerful and straightforward face, regular teeth, and a regular appearance. On the whole, he expressed a kind-hearted, but often irritable and angry personality.There was pride and suspicion in his eyes, for his whole life had been devoted to the defense of rights that were constantly being violated; his crisp, fierce, determined will was always on the alert, watching the changes in his surroundings.His hair was long blond, parted in the center on the crown and forehead, and fell down to the shoulders on the sides; it seemed far from pale, though Cedric was approaching sixty.

He wears a grass-green tight tunic, with a gray-white fur trimmed on the collar and cuffs. This kind of fur specially used for trim is called mink, but it is not as expensive as mink. It is said that it is made of gray squirrel fur.The jacket was unbuttoned, and it could be seen that there was a crimson undershirt that was tightly wrapped around the body; the trousers on the lower body were also the same color, but they were very short and did not reach the lower part of the legs, and the knees were exposed.The shoes on the feet were of the same style as those worn by the peasants, but of better quality, with gilt buckles on the upper.On both arms he wore gold bracelets, and around his neck a broad collar of the same precious metal.The belt around his waist, also studded with many gold studs, carried a straight double-edged dagger, with a pointed end, which rested almost vertically against his leg.Behind his chair hung a great crimson woolen cloak trimmed with fur, and a cap of the same material, richly embroidered, which constituted the complete attire of the well-to-do landowner when he went out.A short hunting spear with a broad, shiny steel point rested against the back of his chair, and when he was out, it served as either a walking stick or a weapon, as the occasion required.

Several servants watched the face of the Saxon nobleman, waiting for his orders. Their costumes ranged from the gorgeousness of the master to the rough and shabby pig-herder Ge Si in varying degrees.Two or three servants of higher rank stood on the earthen platform, behind the master; the rest remained in the lower part of the hall.There were other creatures in attendance: two or three tall, shaggy greyhounds, the kind used to hunt deer and wolves; and one or two little terriers now called terriers; they seemed to be impatient with the long overdue dinner, simply because they were naturally good at thinking people. His expression was still patient, and he didn't dare to disturb the master's gloomy silence, or the small white wooden stick that the master put next to the dog feeding tray, ready to be used at any time to repel the harassment of these four-legged servants. Be wary and don't dare to mess around.Only one frightening old wolfhound, accustomed to indulgence from his favor, crept beside the noble chair, sometimes risking his master's attention by bringing his big shaggy head to his knees, or Put your nose into his hand.Yet it was also severely reprimanded: Go down, Baldr, go down!I'm not in the mood to mess around with you right now.

Indeed, as we have seen, Cedric was in a very disturbed mood at this moment.Miss Rowena had just come home from vespers at a distant church, wet from the storm, and was changing her clothes.Ge Si also has no news. It stands to reason that he should have driven the pigs home long ago. In this turbulent era, the reason for this delay is probably encountering robbers. People like this in the nearby forest It's like a cow's hair, even if it's not, some neighboring nobles are also lawless. They think they are powerful, and they don't care about other people's property.This matter had serious consequences, since most of the Saxon estates consisted only of numerous herds of pigs, especially in forested areas where food was easily found for these animals.

In addition to these concerns, the Saxon manor was very anxious about the late return of his favorite clown Wang Ba; the man's jokes, though not very good, and his supper, and the usual gulp at dinner. Stopped beer and wine can be said to be an indispensable dish.Not only that, but Cedric had not eaten since noon, and the usual supper time was long gone, which, both in ancient times and in modern times, would have been the reason for the restlessness of the squires.His displeasure was manifested in staccato speech, partly to himself, partly to the servants around him, and especially to the cupbearer, who at intervals would give his silver goblet The glass was filled with wine, as if it was a sedative, why is Miss Rowena still dawdling?

She's changing her hat, replied one of the maids, with the nonchalant tone of a lady's confidant in a modern family, and you don't want her to come to dinner in a hood and a cloak?There isn't a lady in all the county who dresses so quickly as my master. This undeniable argument left the Saxon host speechless, and with a snort of acquiescence, he added: I hope she will choose a fine day next time she goes to church at St. John's.But how is that?He turned his face to the bartender and continued, and raised his voice, as if he had found another unimpeded channel to vent his anger. What kind of devil made Ge Si stay in the wild for so long?I'm afraid something will happen to our pigs; he's been so faithful and prudent, and I was ready to promote him, maybe even make him a bodyguard for me.

The cupbearer Oswald carefully reminded him that the curfew clock had not rung for an hour.It was an ill-chosen excuse, however, because it touched on a sensitive issue and sounded harsh to Cedric. What a curfew clock, to hell with it, cried the Saxon, it is the bastard son of cruelty. ] What a trick, only a heartless slave would put a Saxon's mouth into a Saxon's ear!curfew!He paused and said, Well, curfew, this is nothing more than forcing the honest people to put out the lights, so that thieves and robbers can run rampant in the dark!Humph, curfew!Cowface General Reginald and Philip.Malworthy, like every other Norman adventurer at the Battle of Hastings, knew the magic of curfew, like William the Bastard.I figured that my property must have been stolen by those brigands, who couldn't keep them alive, and had to steal and plunder to maintain this army.My faithful slave is slain, my cattle are taken; and where are the wolves?Didn't someone say that he went out with Ge Si?

Oswald answered in the affirmative. snort!This is wonderful!Take him, too, and let the Saxon buffoon amuse Lord Norman.In truth, all of us who work for the Normans are buffoons, and deserve to be looked down upon and ridiculed by them better than a fellow born with half a head.But I must avenge myself, he added, springing up from his chair, remembering the damage he might suffer, and seizing the boar spear, and I will report to the council of squires. Composed of consultation meetings. ] File a complaint.There are my friends, and they will support me; and I will challenge the Normans to a single duel.Let them come in all their clothes, whatever they wear, cowards or cowards.I have used spears like these to pierce through body armor three times as thick as their shields!Maybe they think I'm old, but they'll find that, though I'm alone and childless, Cedric still has Hereward's blood in his veins.Oh, Wilfred, Wilfred!He cried softly, if you would restrain your irrational feelings, your father would not be dying like a lonely oak tree standing in the storm, letting its branches be blown by the wind and rain. !Thinking about it this way, his restlessness turned into a painful feeling.He put the spear back in its place, sat down again, and stared at the ground, as if lost in sad thought. Then suddenly there was the sound of a horn, which woke Cedric from his meditations, and then there was the incessant barking of dogs, not only the dog in the hall, but twenty or thirty dogs shut up elsewhere in the house. , all participated in the chorus of dogs, and finally, thanks to the joint efforts of the white stick and the servants, the riot was quelled. Come to the door, boys!said the Saxon when the dog's barking had calmed down and the servants could hear his voice clearly.Who blows the trumpet there, and what's the matter?Perhaps this, I thought, told us that there had been a robbery or a robbery in my land. Less than three minutes later, a servant came back and reported: Elder Emer of Jurvaux Abbey, and Brienne, the heroic and noble commander of the Knights Templar.The Chevalier de Bois-Guilbert, with a small party, asked to stay overnight at the estate and to eat something. They were going to the town of Ashbey to participate in the tourney held there the day after tomorrow. Elder Aimer Aimer!Brian.Bois-Guibert!grumbled Cedric, two Normans; but Normans and Saxons alike, Rotherwood is always hospitable and does not turn away people from afar; We are more welcome to run some roads and stay elsewhere, but it is not worth spending a lot of time on a night of lodging, a night of wine and food; since they are guests, even the Normans should not be too arrogant.Go, Henderbert, he turned to the servant standing behind him holding the steward's white scepter, and took six servants to lead the group to the guest room to rest.Take care of their horses and mules and don't let them want anything.If they want to change their clothes, let them change, and prepare them fire and bathwater, and beer and wine; order the cook to add some food to our supper as soon as possible, and bring it to the table when these guests are ready to eat.Tell them, Henderbert, that Cedric would have greeted them himself, but he had sworn not to step three steps from the earthen altar in his drawing-room in order to receive anyone not of Saxon noble blood.Go ahead and treat them well, don't let them flatter themselves that we Saxon peasants are poor and mean. The steward led several servants to carry out the master's order, Elder Aimer!Cedric looked at Oswald and muttered, If I remember correctly, it was Giles.Morville, brother of the present Lord Middleheim? Oswald nodded respectfully. His elder brother is now in charge of the family alone, and has usurped another, better family property, Ulfga.The property of the Middelheims; but what Norman nobleman is not so?The abbot, it is said, was an informal, happy-go-lucky priest, more interested in cups and hunting than in bells and scrolls.Well, let him come, he can be welcomed.Tell me, what's the name of that Templar? Brian.Bois Guibert. Bois-Guibert!Cedric said that he still used the tone of contemplating alone and discussing with others, which is a common habit of masters living among servants, as if they were talking to themselves rather than talking to the people around them. Speak, Bois-Ghibert!His name has spread widely, both good and bad.It is said that this man is very brave, and he is a leading figure in that knight order, but he is also contaminated with their bad style of arrogance, arrogance, cruelty, lust, viciousness, fearlessness, and nothing in his eyes.This was told by some warriors who came back from Palestine.Well, since we're only staying for one night, he's welcome too.Oswald, open the oldest casks; take them the best mead, the strongest ale, the richest mulberry wine, the freshest cider, the sweetest and sweetest cardamom wine; The croissant was filled to the brim, and both Templars and monks were good drinkers.Elgeisa, tell your Miss Rowena that she needn't dine in the hall to-night unless she likes to come. But she would love to come, Erjisa replied immediately, because she always wanted to hear the latest news from Palestine. Cedric glared angrily at the open-mouthed maid; but Rowena and all that belonged to her were privileged and inviolable.He had no choice but to answer: Little girl, don't talk too much, your tongue has gone out of range.Take my words to your master, and let her decide what to do.Here at least, Alfred became a hero in English legend. 】The descendant is also a princess. Elgisa left the hall. Palestine!The Saxon muttered, Palestine!Tales of dissolute crusaders and false pilgrims brought from that ominous place, so many love to hear them!I could also ask and inquire with a beating heart and listen to those cunning bums making up overseas stories to cheat a meal, but no, I don't want to do that, a son who disobeys me is no longer mine Son; I don't need to care about his fate. To me, he is no more worthy of my concern than thousands of fellows with crosses on their shoulders. Call this doing God's will. [Note: The Third Crusade (1189 | 1192) was mainly led by Richard the Lionheart of England and Philip II of France, and most of the knights who participated in the battle were Normans. 】 He frowned and stared at the ground for a while. When he raised his head, the two folding doors at the end of the hall opened. The guests walked into the hall.