Thanks for that comprehensive freewill - it is very detailed and will result in a tweak here and there.
The rider who falls is the York Herald, the other gent is his boss, The Norroy, head herald in England. This is revealed about ch8.
There are trees in the marsh because this is an alder carr, a former open wetland or shallow lake now become colonised by trees. This particular site is today covered by a trunk road and bridge. Where Tom lives is now a housing estate.
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