The year: 1330. The place: a building near Nottingham castle
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Humphrey de Bohun watched as the young king and his friends examined the fellow that Sir William Eland had brought before them. He was an old man, but his upright stance and firm tread indicated he had once been strong and lithe. He wore the clothes of a prosperous peasant or craftsman, but there was no fear in his eyes. Without effort, he fell on his knees before the king, and his gaze was respectful but steady.
"Is this the man you mentioned?" Edward asked. "What is his name, and how can he help us?"
"Yes, sire. His name is Robin, and he is known to many here in Nottingham as Robin Hood. He was a notorious outlaw for many years".
"An outlaw? Then why have you brought him to us?"
The kneeling figure stirred. "It is true, sire", he replied, speaking Norman French, though strangely pronounced, "But I had been most falsely accused, and unjustly denied a hearing. I spent many years in hiding, until I was pardoned by your grace's illustrious father, who was lately treasonously overthrown and murdered by the traitor Roger Mortimer."
Edward and the young nobles who were with him turned to Eland, who nodded in confirmation. "This Robin came to me and told me his story, and so I brought him here".
"But how can he help us?"
The man they called Robin Hood answered, "There are tunnels under Nottingham castle, leading to an entrance within the walls. I know the way well; but Mortimer and his friends may not. I can lead you through them, and catch the traitor by surprise."
The lords looked at each other, then Lord Clinton ventured to say, "But why should we trust this fellow? We're told he was an outlaw. What if he's leading us into a trap?" Humphrey de Bohun had much the same thought, but said nothing.
Robin Hood answered, "Sire, I act from love of your father, who pardoned me. He was the only king who cared for the common people of England. This is my revenge, for his sake, on the traitor Mortimer. I shall lead you into the castle, and if I betray you, then kill me!"
Lord Montacute now spoke: words he had long been pondering. "Sire, it is now three years since Roger Mortimer overthrew and murdered your father, since when you have been king in no more than name. Mortimer even dared execute your uncle, the Earl of Kent, without consulting you. Now Mortimer is in the castle above us, and is at this moment holding in his arms your mother, Queen Isabella, whom some call the she-wolf of France. They say she is with child by him. We must act now! Mortimer has spies everywhere. I have little doubt that by tomorrow he will be told of our meeting here, and then we are all as good as dead."
There was a pause, then Edward suddenly made up his mind. "I do not wish to have a bastard half-brother. You are right; we must act this very night. Robin, we shall trust you, for we have no choice. My friends; are you with me on this?"
They all nodded.
"Very well then. We set out tonight. By tomorrow, I shall rule as king, or we shall all perish. But, my friends, my mother is not to be harmed in any way, and let us seize Mortimer for trial as a traitor rather than kill him. Now arm yourselves!"
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There were eight of them, carrying swords and axes, who walked through the moonlit streets and alleys of Nottingham that night. Two carried torches. At Robin Hood's advice, they wore no armour and were shod with their softest shoes for silent movement in the castle. No-one was stirring. They knew the danger, but the thrill of the hunt was on them.
Robin led them to a spot on the rockface below the castle, where he pulled aside a mass of brambles to reveal the low opening to a cave. Inside it was wholly dark, and those who had no torches clung to the coats of those who did. Their slippers were soon soaked with water on the rough wet floor. After what seemed an eternity, Robin halted before an ancient door, which he very slowly pushed open. It creaked, but there was silence on the other side, They passed through and found themselves in what seemed to be an old kitchen, long since abandoned. At the far end, a stairway led upwards. Robin signalled to them to stand motionless and silent, and faint noises were heard from the level above, where there was the flickering glimmer of torchlight. He drew a dagger from his belt and crept up the stairs on his own. He was gone for some time, but having come so far, what could the king and his friends do but trust him now?
After what seemed an age, Robin returned. "The room above us is now empty", he reported, "There was a solitary guard, but he will no longer trouble us. I ventured further, and there I saw a dozen armed men asleep on the straw."
"That will be the main guardroom", said Sir William Eland, "We must pass through it to reach the bedchamber. What now?"
"It is too late to retreat," Edward announced. "Let us press on and trust in God to help us, for our cause is just."
In the upper room there was a body slumped on the floor, the victim, no doubt, of Robin's dagger. The young king walked past it without a glance. Then, seeing now the value of wearing only soft slippers, they tiptoed past the sleeping men and out through the doorway at the end, but then suddenly a rasping whisper called "Who are you, and what do you want?" By the light of the torches they beheld an armoured serjeant, sword in hand, barring their way, his grizzled face suspicious and hostile.
Edward came forward. "I am your king!" he announced. "Will you serve me?"
There was a long, agonising pause while the serjeant considered whether to rouse his guards; then suddenly he lowered his sword and fell on one knee before the young king. Edward touched him on the head. "I shall remember your loyalty. Now, do not let anyone follow us until we have dealt with the traitor Mortimer."
Led by Eland they ascended more stairs until they came to a locked door. "Come out, Mortimer!" they called. There was no reply from within. Humphrey de Bohun was the first to step forward, and at a nod from the young king, swung his axe agaist the door. After several more blows it splintered and they rushed in.
There on a bed lay Isabella, the widow of King Edward II. The woman who was called the "she-wolf of France", now had fear in her eyes and her arms protectively clasped the man beside her. Roger Mortimer, the mighty Earl of March and for the last three years the real ruler of England, was clad only in his shirt. He was a strong, heavy man, but his black hair was streaked with grey. He made no move to defend himself or to defy his foes, but rose from the bed and allowed himself to be led away, as if he had accepted his fate, which was to suffer a trairor's death. As they left the room, Isabella cried out, "My son, spare gentle Mortimer!"
As they passed out through the guardroom they found that the serjeant had roused his soldiers to stand in file on either side, and he himself saluted royal party. The men who had been hired to defend Mortimer did not now move a muscle to save him.
King Edward looked around for Robin Hood, to thank and reward him, but he was nowhere to be seen. His task fulfilled, the old outlaw had vanished.
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