October 26th 1216 A.D. – The Baggage Train Arrives

Abbot Ambrose paced up and down in front of his desk. The message that he had hoped might never arrive, had been brought to him the previous evening. One of the Cartmel monks had handed him the scroll, embossed with the Templars’ two horsemen seal. The visitor from last year was on his way and would be arriving the next morning. The monastery had less than two days to ensure everything was ready for the knight’s arrival.

The Treasurer of the Abbey was the only one of the Abbot’s team who knew anything about the chamber beneath the nave floor. Ambrose had ensured that the mason, who’d constructed the room, had been moved on. And he was unconcerned about the peasants who’d provided the hard labour. There was no one in that group of importance. Who would they ever meet to tell? Ambrose called his Treasurer and asked him to check that the chamber was clean and ready for their visitor.

The next morning arrived all too quickly. But the knight didn’t get there until shortly after the midday meal. The Abbot’s Prior arrived at his house to inform him a large wagon had pulled up in front of the gatehouse. Accompanied by a plainly dressed man on horseback. Ambrose told his Prior, to assemble all the monks in the Chapter House and await his instructions. He wanted them out of the way for the next hour, whilst he dealt with the arriving load.

He hurried along to the gatehouse. The wagon was drawn up alongside the building. Two men were standing in front, both tall. The Abbot instantly recognised one of them by his scar. But he was not dressed this time in the Templar uniform. The knight caught sight of Ambrose and shouted across to him.

“Good day to you Brother Abbot. As promised a cargo of goods from Swineshead.”

Close enough to the truth thought Ambrose.

“Preparations for storage are complete, I trust?”

The Abbot nodded that they were.

“Very well then. Show myself, and my companion the location. There’s no need of any labourers for us. We will stow the goods ourselves.”

The two men followed Ambrose, carrying the first of the wooden chests between them. Less than an hour later, the three men stood stooped over at the foot of the staircase in the chamber beneath the nave. The Abbot himself was holding the torch that lit the room. All of the lockers were now full and locked.