July 1152 A.D. – Newbury, England – Testing Loyalty

Some say that young children can forget traumas from their childhood. Other people argue that they are affected by these events forever. There can be few more traumatic events than being marched to the gallows as a seven year old. The young boy however, appeared outwardly calm.

In front of the gallows that had been built directly in front of Newbury castle, stood a small group of King Stephen’s advisers. The tallest waited for the boy to stand on the platform. Then he hailed the Constable of Newbury who was standing, observing on the castle wall.

“Sir, you see what means you have forced upon us!”

No reply from the castle.

“What news from your master John Marshal. Will he surrender the outpost as he agreed? Or will he have us hang his son, whom he willingly gave as hostage?”

The Constable replied in a voice that belied his true feelings.

“My Lord instructs me to tell you, that he has the hammer and anvils to make more sons, more easily than more castles.”

The King’s man shook his head in disbelief. He indicated to the guards to take the boy from the gallows, and return him to the ranks of the besieging army. The advisers to the King actually had no intention of killing the boy. But John Marshal had no way of knowing that. Neither did his son William.