"Our good king Richard is off in the Holy Lands fighting for us, while his brother and all his cronies pollute this land," Marian says, while working deftly with the buckles and loops as though she was born to it.

"The newly appointed sheriff is squeezing the peasants out of their livelihood. Taxation, and more taxation if they seem to have made enough to be simply getting by. It's heartrending for all to see."

But the hallow hung...and few talked.