Boynton Village Courier
July 28th, 1376

Robert de Boynton Triumphant at "Good Parliament"

Robert de Boynton returned to Yorkshire this week after months in London as Knight of the Shire in Parliament. Robert Boynton said, "It was an honor to serve in such an important Parliament and I am proud of what we accomplished."

Parliament watchers cite the House of Common's impeachment of Latimer, Councillor to the King and Constable of Dover, as an historic first. "If Parliament can control who the King selects to run the government, the power of the King will be severely limited," said A. Wishful Thinker.

Boynton focused on issues of local concern, however. "The King, in his grace, accepted my humble petition for the protection of our coast from the recent depredations of Scottish brigands."

A Commission of Array was issued to Lord Percy, the prior of Bridlington, and Robert Boynton, who will now have the power to raise troops for the defense of the coast.

John the Millar said, "It's about time! If those raiders come back, we'll give 'em a what for!"

Such patriotic fervor was not universal, however. A serf who asked not to be named said, "I'll be laying low should Sir Robert come round. Raiders won't bother me none because I haven't got anything worth taking, see? So why should I be marching off to fight to protect their lordships, or their millarships either, for that matter?"

 

Boynton Village Courier
October 10th, 1378

Robert de Boynton Dead!
Berwick Falls to Scottish Raiders

Boynton Village reeled at the news of the loss of our local lord to treacherous Scottish raiders.

Sir Henry Percy, who appointed Boynton to the position of Constable, is furious with the surprise attack and planning his revenge. "I will take back the Castle if it is the last thing I do. I will see that every one of those Scottish bandits dies. For Robert! Boynton was a great soldier. It is only through the lowest of unchivalrous trickery that the Scots could take the castle."

Boynton's tenure as Constable was not long, as he was ignobly mowed down by Scottish raiders just three days ago. The cowardly crew attacked at night, catching the Castle defenders unprepared. Boynton and his men fought to the bitter end, but could not overcome the disadvantage of their treacherous enemy's surprise attack. Some have even suggested that the Scots may have received help from within the Castle, allowing them to breach the Castle walls without raising the alarm.

At the time of Boynton's appointment as Constable, it seemed a promising placement. It put Boynton in sight of Henry Percy, who is widely considered to be a rising star in national politics. Boynton's wife and children were lodging with him in the Castle at the time of the attack. No word yet on their whereabouts or condition.

Berwick Post
October 7, 1378

Castle Falls to Scots in Surprise
Attack

Berwick was stunned to wake up this morning to find Berwick Castle in enemy hands after the Castle guard failed to hold it against a small band of Scottish raiders.

Castle watchers and military strategists are shaking their heads over this shocking loss, especially as rumors fly that the Constable, Robert Boynton, never engaged in the fight. Sources close to the Castle guard say that Boynton was found drunk in his quarters by the raiders after the fighting was over. They say Boynton died leaping out the window trying to escape.

Sir Henry Percy, who appointed Boynton, is said to be riding hard to reach Berwick. Percy plans to retake the Castle at all costs. "I don't see how this could have happened. I can assure you there will be a full investigation of this incident, as soon as the Castle had been recaptured."

A local merchant, who asked not to be named, questioned Percy's commitment to defend Berwick. "It's all very well to come riding to the rescue, but if he'd had an experienced Constable running the Castle, it wouldn't have been taken in the first place! Percy's placing patronage before security, and we're the ones who pay for it!"