He was brave and fearless, and altogether free from the superstition of the times.

Even the threats of the pope, which although Prince John defied them yet terrified him at heart, were derided by his follower, who feared no one thing in the world, save, perhaps, the return of King Richard from captivity.
No sooner had the suspicion that his rival was in the neighbourhood possessed him, than he determined that one of two things must be carried out: either Sir Cuthbert must be killed, or the Lady Margaret must be carried off and forced to accept him as her husband.

First he endeavoured to force Sir Cuthbert to declare himself, and to trust to his own arm to put an end to his rival.

To that end he caused a proclamation to be written, and to be affixed to the door of the village church at the fair of Evesham.
Cnut and several of his followers were there, all quietly dressed as yeomen.

Seeing a crowd round the door of the church, he pressed forward.
Being himself unable to read writing, he asked one of the burgesses what was written upon the paper which caused such excitement.
"It is," the burgess said, "in the nature of a cartel or challenge from our present lord, Sir Rudolf.