Field of Blood

there.' The young woman lifted her head. 'I am a seamstress, an embroiderer. I buy in cloth and sell it from a small shop below.' Her lower lip quivered. 'Miles and I had been married four years. He was well thought of. Why should anyone…?'
    'Tell me what happened,' Athelstan repeated. He leaned across and patted the young woman on her hands.
    'The day before yesterday,' Eccleshall replied, 'I went down to Westminster and received the Regent's letters for the Earl of Arundel. I then journeyed back to the royal stables in Candlewick Street where, by the Chancellor's writ, two horses and a pack pony were ready'
    'What time was this?' Athelstan asked.
    'After three o'clock in the afternoon. I then journeyed on to Mincham Lane. Miles was already waiting. He made his farewells and we travelled down Bridge Street across the Thames and through Southwark. A pleasant journey, Brother, no trouble. We decided to lodge for the night at the Silken Thomas.'
    'Wouldn't you travel further?'
    'No, once you get beyond Southwark the highway becomes lonely, rather deserted. Miles and I had decided to rest overnight and leave before dawn. By riding fast and changing horses, we could be in Canterbury by nightfall.'
    'And nothing happened?'
    'We arrived at the Silken Thomas. I hired a chamber while Miles took our saddlebags up. A simple, narrow room, two cot beds, the promise of a meal with bread and ale before we left in the morning. We must have stayed there about two hours. The sun was setting. I was dozing on the bed when Miles shook me awake. "Philip," he hissed. "I've forgotten my silver Christopher." Show him, Bridget.'
    The young woman undid her purse and took out a silver chain with a medal of St Christopher hanging on it. The medal was large, about two inches across. Athelstan took it and studied it carefully. It weighed heavily, probably copper-gilt with silver.
    'Miles had always been a royal messenger,' she explained. 'And, whatever the journey, he always took this with him. But, before he set off, he changed and left this on a stool in our bedchamber.'
    'And he went back for it?' Athelstan asked.
    'He wouldn't listen to me.' Eccleshall shook his head. "I'm going back," Miles said. "It won't take long." He put on his cloak and hood and went downstairs. I followed and said that I would wait for his return, he replied he wouldn't be long and galloped away.'
    'And what happened then?'
    'He never came home.' Mistress Sholter spoke up. 'But there again, Brother, I did not expect him. After Miles had left, I closed up the shop and went up to Petty Wales to buy some goods and provisions. I returned.' She fought back the tears. 'I thought Miles and Philip were safely on the road to Canterbury.'
    'When he didn't return,' Eccleshall said, 'the next morning I travelled back into the city. I thought something had happened but, when I visited Mistress Bridget, she said she had not seen her husband. I then began my search. I heard rumours of corpses being found and came here.' He shrugged. 'I recognised Miles immediately but the other two I've never seen before.'
    'And what was Miles wearing?' Athelstan asked. 'The same as me, Brother: a tabard, war belt, boots and cloak.'
    'A strong man?'
    'Oh yes, vigorous, a good swordsman.'
    'So, if he was attacked, he would defend himself resolutely.'
    'Brother, both Miles and I were soldiers.'
    Athelstan paused and looked at the wall painting behind his visitors, depicting David killing Goliath.
    'Let us say,' Athelstan began slowly, 'that Miles was attacked as he travelled back into Southwark. The first question is why?'
    'He was a royal messenger, Brother. He wore the tabard and shield.'
    'But why should someone attack him?'
    Eccleshall shrugged. 'For any money he carried, his horse and weapons, not to mention the despatches.'
    'But he wasn't carrying them that night, was he?'
    'Oh no, Brother, I had them with me at the Silken Thomas.'
    'Very well.' Athelstan played with the tassel on the cord round his waist. 'Had anyone a grudge against Miles? Was it possible that you were followed to the Silken Thomas and, when Miles left…?'
    'No, Brother,' Bridget Sholter intervened. 'Miles was a merry soul. No one had a grudge or grievance against him.'
    'So, it has to be put down to either robbery or treason?'
    'It's possible. The Great Community of the Realm often attacks royal messengers.' 'And what happens then?' Eccleshall looked surprised.
    'I mean,' Athelstan explained, 'are their bodies left in a