A New Place

A New Place

‘John. John!’ called his mother from the gatehouse. She needed John home before the drawbridge was raised. Elizabeth felt secure when the bridge was up and the portcullis down, though it was a shame to cut John’s playtime short. John was happy enough to amuse himself within the castle walls though. There was even a well room where he could sail his replica ship. He dreamed of one day commanding a King’s ship on the way to war in France.

‘What do you think of our new place?’ Elizabeth asked her son. ‘I like it much better than London, away from the smells and disease.’ ‘Me too’ answered John, ‘only it’s a little lonely at times.’

‘I’ll have a real boat built for you, so you can sail the river and defend us from the French!’ she said with a smile, belying the fear within of such an attack becoming a reality. Her husband, Edward Dallingridge, was aware of this too, considering security at Bodiam Castle seriously.

It wasn’t until five centuries later that Bodiam was invaded, not by hostile forces but by Londoners who came in their thousands each summer, hop picking for the Guinness family. It was a new and exciting experience - some of them had never known such fresh air and freedom to roam, away from the claustrophobic city. One summer’s evening in 1954, 10 year old John Junior ran from the hop fields to the castle and jumped into the cool waters of the moat. The carp didn’t worry him even though some were almost as long as his legs. He noticed a clearing amongst some reeds where a swan had abandoned her nest. He clambered into the reed bed and sat in the nest, and suddenly an irresistible tiredness overcame him. He dreamed fitfully, of Knights and fine ladies, and of a boy just like him. His dream felt so real that he could even hear the boy’s mother calling him ‘John. John!’ ‘I have a beautiful boat for you, your father had it made by the finest silversmith, look!’ She handed the model to her son. What a fine miniature ship it was, with intricate sails and rigging. John took it and ran to his boat and rowed to the reed bed; his secret place where he would play with imaginary friends and enemies. Leaning out, he held his silver ship on the water, dreaming of it victorious under his command. It slipped from his fingers and suddenly, his ship was lost. He cried out, and John Junior awoke. Then John Junior heard the shouts again ‘John, John!’ and recognised his mother’s voice, searching frantically for him. He swam to the bank and ran towards his mother’s calls. His mind carried vivid pictures of John, and his beautiful toy ship. He looked behind him ‘I’ll be back John’ he whispered, ‘we’ll find your ship, don’t cry, we’ll sail that ship together. You and I John, you and I.’