At noon in Westminster Abbey, on a hot September day, Richard Plantagenet was crowned King Richard I.
Robin, holding Richard's magnificent sword with its golden hilt fashioned in the shape of two dragons, solemnly watched the Archbishop of Canterbury anoint Richard's head with oil before placing the crown on his head.
Robin was moved beyond words. King Henry had been a good king, a lawmaker, but Robin believed Richard would usher in a golden age. Ceremonially holding the new king's sword, he couldn't help but think that in a matter of days its blade would touch each of his shoulders, and King Richard would dub him Sir Robert. If only he could tell Marian!
The next time they kissed, Robin was thinking, Marian would be kissing a knight. A smug, happy smile appeared on Robin's face, but nobody noticed, as everyone's attention was on the king.
Outside in the crowd, Gisbourne was sulking.
Vasey, who had just pocketed an unsuspecting merchant's fat purse, asked Guy sarcastically, "What's wrong, Gisbourne, hmm? Unhappy because you weren't invited to the party? All the other nobles invited inside the church, while poor little Guy is forced to stand outside among the stinking masses? Grow up, Gisbourne!"
"As Lord of Gisbourne, I ought to be inside!"
"Well, la dee dah dee dah! A clue...no. There is no Gisbourne, remember? The Crown seized your lands and gave them to the Church! You have nothing, Gisbourne...nothing but what I can provide you."
"And what is that? A leaking roof in some filthy backstreet over my head? I ought to be living in a mansion, with dozens of men at my command!"
"In time, Gisbourne. In time. Richard might wear the crown, due to your incompetence, but after today's festivities, Prince John will be one step nearer to having it placed on his head. And then, Gisbourne, there will be no end to what we will command. As long as you do not fail me."
"I will succeed."
"Very good, Gisbourne!"
The abbey bells began to ring out their joyous peals. The crowd outside the abbey cheered.
"It is done," Vasey sneered. "We have a new king. But I have the feeling his reign will be short. Come on, Gisbourne! Let's get you ready for today's joust!"
...
King Richard did not choose to take part in the joust, except as a spectator. He was the very best, never having been defeated, but he scorned jousts as mere pageantry and exercises, longing to prove himself in actual battle. And so, he sat good naturedly on the royal dais with his mother and his sister Joan and his brother John who was too cowardly to joust, watching the bravest men in his realm compete.
Young Robin of Locksley had easily won his first round, and now it was Prince Geoffrey's turn.
Geoffrey was different from both his brothers. He loved jousting, but knew he would despise true battle. He was a thoughtful man, studious and slow to speak, and already a father. With three older brothers, two of whom had already died, Geoffrey had been allowed to marry for love and had chosen the blond Constance of Brittany, who had borne him a daughter Eleanor and an infant son, Prince Arthur.
Waiting his turn in the lists, he looked surprised at the man attending his weapon and his hauberk.
"Where's my squire?" he asked.
"Ill, Your Highness. I'm to serve as your squire in today's festivities."
Prince Geoffrey accepted that, and allowed the man to place the hauberk over his head, then cover it with his tunic and belt. Not realizing the mail of his hauberk was damaged, he mounted his horse and reached for his lance. Again, he noticed nothing wrong, not realizing his lance had been sliced in such a way as to break apart on impact.
The spectators cheered him as he rode his horse onto the tiltyard. But then a hush fell over the crowd, when his opponent appeared.
"Who is that?" King Richard asked, staring at a tall knight, all covered in black, astride a coal black horse.
"No one knows," Prince John hastened to explain, knowing himself who it was. "He only gave the name, 'The Black Knight,' when he entered the lists."
"How very mysterious," Queen Eleanor said, liking the looks of him, since she had a weakness for tall men.
Trumpets sounded, signaling the beginning of the round. The crowd held its breath.
The sound of hoof beats thundered as the two challengers raced toward one another, their lances ready to strike. Gisbourne's heart raced in fear and sweat dampened his brow. He could only pray that Vasey's plan would work, or he might find himself plunged to Hell to pay for eternity for his many grave sins.
Prince Geoffrey's lance broke apart as it struck Gisbourne, just as Vasey had planned. Gisbourne's lance had missed hitting Geoffrey, and the two men's horses had already reached opposite sides of the field.
"Another lance!" Geoffrey shouted, but his "squire" was nowhere to be found.
Guy of Gisbourne knew what he must do. Steering his horse around, he galloped toward Prince Geoffrey, who weaponless, could only wonder what this Black Knight was doing. The crowd gasped in collective amazement when the Black Knight speared Geoffrey with his lance then galloped fiercely away.
King Richard leaped to his feet. "Murder!" he shouted. "After him!"
"Master, what's happened?" Much asked frantically, as Robin leaped onto the back of his horse to be the first to chase after the fleeing knight.
Robin longed for his bow. He knew he could bring the murderer to justice with a single shot, wounding and stopping him, for Robin felt it dishonorable to kill a man by shooting him in his back. But he'd left his bow and quiver in the palace, not needing them today. The rest of the knights who had taken part in the joust were soon behind him on their horses, but the Black Knight had disappeared.
Prince Geoffrey died in his mother's arms. "God save King Richard," were the last words he spoke. Prince John hid his face, pretending to cry.
Thrilled with the success of his plan, Vasey handed the horse over to a butcher then pocketed the payment. Panting heavily, Guy quickly removed his disguise and threw it into the Thames.
"Now I'll truly be made a knight," he thought, believing Prince John would knight him.
"Very good, Gisbourne," Vasey said excitedly. "We have proved ourselves to Prince John! Now, at last, it's beginning! Nothing, Gisbourne, can stop us now!"
