Home › Sir Nigel › Sir Nigel: Pommers

Sir Nigel: Pommers

After a long battle of wills the horse was broken and conquered; he fell in the heather with a sobbing sigh, throwing his rider over his head, stunned. The young squire was first to recover and, kneeling by the panting, overwrought horse, he gently passed his hand over the foam-flecked face, and the whinnying Pommers thrust his nose into the hollow of Nigel's hand. "You are my horse, Pommers," Nigel whispered, and laid his cheek against the craning head. "I know you, Pommers, and you know me, and with the help of Saint Paul we shall teach some other folk to know us both." The monks of Waverly Abbey held Nigel for debts and wrongs against them and he was haled before the Abbot for trial, was judged guilty, and sentenced to imprisonment; but when they would have restrained him Nigel drew his sword, which angered the Abbot, who charged his bowman to draw his bow and defend Holy Church and her decrees. Tragedy was imminent, when Samkin Aylward, a famous archer, came to Nigel's rescue, at once attaching himself to the young squire's service, and afterward following him into many dangers. Into the midst now came a man whose appearance dominated the scene. This was the famous soldier, John Chandos, with a message to Nigel Loring. Said Chandos, "He who comes to seek the shelter of your roof is your liege lord and mine, the King's high majesty, Edward of England."

While a guest at Tilford Abbey, Chandos's stories filled the mind and heart of Nigel with a stronger desire than ever for adventure, and he begged to go as Chandos's squire, under the standards of the King, Edward of England, to which Chandos assented.

Nigel made his arrangements for leaving home; they were few and simple, for he had only his Pommers, his loyal Sam Aylward, and at last his long-wished-for suit of armor and a small amount of gold.