Warlord of the North

by Griff Hosker

  "I know that he is a king but King David does not strike me as honest."

  "How so your grace?"

  "He gave his word to King Stephen that there would be peace but he did not swear on either a relic or the bible. Also his son, Prince Henry, now has a large estate in the heart of England. You are right about Balliol and that cost us dear. Prince Henry's lands in Huntingdon will pose same threat. It is a dagger at the breast of England."

  "I can do nothing about that and, to be honest, your grace, it is in my interests if Prince Henry causes trouble for Stephen of Blois. I will watch the land to the west. Sir Hugh Manningham might well have gone over to King Stephen but he will watch the border like a hawk. I can now look to the west. Carlisle and Barnard Castle will be kept under close scrutiny." I had plans for Barnard Castle but the Archbishop was an honest man. I would not compromise him.

  When we reached York the Archbishop gave us beds in his warrior hall. It would not be appropriate for us to stay with him at his palace. It suited us anyway. John had a long list of our requirements and he went with two men at arms to procure them. I went with Wulfric, Gilles and Dick and we collected the treasure I had sent from Normandy when we had fought the French and defeated Guy de Senonche. I had sent half to La Flèche and the other half here to York. Even John would be impressed by it. We took it to the hall where Wulfric assigned two men to guard it. Oswald and Cedric were huge men. Their size alone would have deterred would be thieves.

  Thanks to those who had come south with the Archbishop word of my stance had spread so that we were an object of curiosity. I was a rebel who walked free. It helped us in that we did not need to offer explanations for our requests and needs. Wulfric and Dick sat in the inn they called 'The Saddle'. It had long been frequented by old soldiers and those seeking work. By drinking there Wulfric and Dick would be able to find the men we needed. They would not need to seek them out; they would come to us.

  Armed with names supplied by the Archbishop I headed for the river. There were a number of merchant vessels in port. I knew that I would not be able to tempt a captain from his vessel but I hoped there might be a first mate who sought advancement. The equivalent for sailors was the inn they called 'The Blind Beggar'. I went there with Gilles.

  We sat and we waited. "Will we not have to tell them what we seek, my lord?"

  "We have time enough and my name is known. We let the curious come to us. The curious are normally the most garrulous and it is their gossip which will draw the right candidate to my table."

  Gilles was curious himself and, as we sat and waited he asked me about my stance. "Lord, we have a Duke at home but you argued with a king! Were you not afraid?"

  "Of Stephen?" I shook my head, "He is a man. I have fought alongside him and I respect him as a warrior but he is not king. There is not enough oil in the world nor enough priests to make him a king in my eyes for King Henry wished the next king to come from his loins."

  "You have strong beliefs, lord."

  "And you are wise for one so young Gilles. Aye I do have strong beliefs. At the end that is all a man has to take with him to the otherworld."

  A merchant walked over to us. I could tell his trade for he was well dressed and had soft hands. He bowed, "Lord, you are the Earl of Cleveland?"

  "Aye I am."

  "I am Isaac of Lincoln. I understand you are seeking to buy cloth and other items. I can procure them for you at a reasonable price."

  "My Steward deals with that see him. I am here seeking seamen."

  He looked surprised, "You have a ship?"

  I smiled, "Why else would I seek seamen? Are you a seaman?"

  He laughed, "No lord. If I were I would sail back to my homeland in the east. I like not the sea." He bowed, "May God be with you."

  I smiled, "Now it begins. He will go and sell his information. He will know who is seeking employment."

  "But you just said seamen."

  "I know. It means we have a larger group of candidates from which to choose. I will know the man when I see him."

  They came in dribs and drabs at first. Their numbers grew as word spread and then they thinned out as I made it clear what I sought. In the end I chose three. William of Kingston had been first mate on a ship but had a falling out with the Captain. Others had told me this before I met him. His name had come up as a young sailor but a skilled one. The argument had arisen over the sea captain's daughter. She and William had eyes only for each other but the captain disapproved. When I finally offered him the position he had been honest with me.

  "Lord I will take the position but I needs must take Alice with me. Her father may go to the Archbishop."

  "You may bring the girl with us but you shall be wed in Stockton. Is that clear?"

  He had smiled, "It is our most fervent wish."

  "We leave on the morrow. Make your arrangements and meet us at the cathedral."

  Henri the Breton was different. He was on a ship where the others did not like his accent nor his origins. It happened. He too had been an officer, albeit junior, on a merchantman. His skill lay in the knowledge of the waters around the islands and coast of the land of the Bretons. He was happy to be sailing a ship which would take him close to his home.

  Harold Three Fingers was unlike the other two in many ways. He was not an officer. He was far older than the rest. He had lost two fingers as a young man when he had been caught poaching. As a result he had turned to the sea. He wanted to serve me for he had grown up in Norton before my father had been given the manor. He had something you could not buy. He had experience. Henri and William were young and obviously capable. Harold had seen it all. He would not sail with us for long. He was a greybeard but my promise to him was a home after he left the sea.

  He had been my last appointment and he had nodded as he shook my hand, "And I take you at your word, lord, for all know that your word is made of steel. It is never broken."

  The father of Alice came to see me that night as I made my way back to meet the Archbishop. "My lord, you cannot do this! I do not want my daughter to wed that man."

  I nodded, "He is a poor sailor?"

  "No, he is the best. I cannot fault his seamanship."

  "He is cruel and abuses your daughter?"

  "No, lord, he is most gentle with her."

  "It is against your daughter's will?"

  "No lord, she is besotted by him."

  I spread my arms, "Then why in God's name do you oppose this union? You are a fool for you have lost, by your own admission, a good sailor and your daughter. Why?"

  "There is a merchant in the town and he will pay a handsome dowry."

  I was almost stumped for words, "You would sell your daughter to a man she does not love? What kind of man are you?"

  "A man with three daughters and no sons. Alice is the prettiest and will fetch the best dowry."

  I was tempted to run the man through there and then. Instead I reached into my purse and pulled out a gold coin. "Here is your dowry. Take it and be gone." He grasped it eagerly and I saw cunning in his eyes. "And this is the last. Do not think to go to the Archbishop and claim she was taken against her will. Firstly the Archbishop is a friend of mine and secondly I am Warlord now. The law in my land is my law; I answer to no king. Now go!"

  The Archbishop invited me to dine with him. "I know you think less of me, Alfraed, for having sided with King Stephen but I am a man of God. However I am also a practical man. King Stephen will bring stability to the helm of the ship. England has enemies, not least those close to Normandy. France and the Empire still cast covetous looks at us. England is a prize to be picked. Stephen will stop that. Even now he is travelling to Wales to drive those enemies back. What does the Empress and her husband do? They raid and plunder Normandy like robber barons. Yet you support her still."

  "I know you speak from the heart. However I cannot be in two places at once. I will sail to Anjou and I will try to steer the Empress in the right direction. I seem to have some influence there
but I have to wait until my lands are secure and I can leave them."

  "Good. Then I will build up my forces so that, should the Scots attempt to attack again, I will support your forces."

  I heard each word, "Support?"

  "Even King Stephen acknowledges you the best general we have. My men will fight under your banner... against the Scots. We will not fight our King."

  "Then I will lead. And Durham?"

  "Geoffrey Rufus knows your worth as do his lords. He will follow your banner against the Scots."

  "He still has a Scottish viper close to his breast."

  "We are aware of that but he is powerless at the moment."

  "Save as a spy where he can pass all of his information back to his master."

  "He knows little of what goes on and nothing of my plans. It will have to suffice. So long as he is the papal appointment he is not to be harmed."

  I smiled, "I do not need to worry about such things."

  The Archbishop shook his head, "You would be excommunicated, Alfraed. And that is a step I believe you will not risk."

  He was right. So long as the Pope supported him he would live.

  Our convoy left the next morning. My sailors walked for they were not used to horses. Alice rode. She was young and she was pretty. She smiled as I passed, "Lord thank you for what you have done. I heard you paid my dowry."

  I nodded, "It was nothing."

  "It was, lord, for it took away any guilt I felt and discharged my obligation to my father. I would be honoured if my lord would give me away when I am wed."

  My own daughter was dead. I would never give away another bride. I nodded, "It is I who am honoured."

  John, my steward, urged his horse next to mine, "You have a mighty treasure my lord. Perhaps we could build a second ship!"

  "One ship at a time, John. When this one is built I will leave for La Flèche. Before I do you, Ethelred and Alf need to decide what we trade and what we wish in return. This will be my one voyage I may be away until Yule. Until that time it will be my knights who protect my land."

  "That is a long time lord."

  "Aye but with the Scots cowed there is no better time. Besides the Archbishop will watch our borders and offer aid if the Scots are foolish enough to attack."

  We did not stop at Northallerton on the way back. We headed directly north and pushed hard. Our sailors had to sit in the wagons for they were holding us up. Once we passed Alan's former home at Osmotherley we made good time. I waved Dick and Wulfric forward and we rode ahead of the convoy.

  "I leave for Anjou as soon as my ship is built." I told them of the words I had spoken with the Archbishop.

  "He is a good man, my lord, I trust him."

  "Good, Dick. And I believe that Sir Hugh Manningham will do his duty. Before I go I intend to ride to Barnard Castle . I want Sir Hugh to command there."

  "We cannot besiege it, lord. We would lose too many men."

  "We will not do so, Wulfric. You know the garrison. Do they like the Scots?"

  "Most do not, lord."

  "Then we use that. We trick our way in to the castle and we use our new men at arms and archers to do so." We had taken on five new archers and five men at arms. "Alan of Osmotherley has proved himself a doughty warrior. We send him and the new men to Barnard. They offer to fight for Barnard de Balliol. They open the sally port and we enter. We give those within a choice, serve Sir Hugh of Gainford or leave."

  "And if they fight, lord?"

  I smiled, "Wulfric you and I will be there and Dick will have his archers on the walls. Do you honestly believe that having faced us three times and been thrashed three times they will try to fight when the outcome will be their death?"

  He laughed, "You are right and with Barnard Castle in our hands we need not worry about an attack from the west."

  "Aye for the alternative is to build a new castle at Gainford. This is the better way. Then, while I am away we can patrol the Tees as far as Barnard Castle . Your job while I am away is to make my castle impregnable and to make my conroi invincible. We are buying time. Let us use it wisely."

  Our return threw the castle into a frenzy of activity. Our new sailors needed homes building. The cloth was made into new surcoats for my men at arms. Any labourers not toiling in the fields were thrown into the maelstrom of shipbuilding. I rode with Sir Hugh and Sir Tristan to Yarm. Before I left I needed words with Sir Richard.

  I took only my knight's squires and Gilles. I was not going in force. Sir Richard was in his bailey practising. He stopped when we entered. He gave a bow. "Sir Richard we need to talk. I wish the air between us to be clear. You are my neighbour and we cannot have bad blood between us. These are your children and I would not drive a wedge between you."

  "Aye, lord, come into my hall." I noticed his wife throw her arms around Sir Tristan. Tears coursed down her cheeks.

  Once at the table I spoke. "You know that I have made my position to the... to Stephen, clear?"

  "Aye lord."

  "What you may not know is that there is a truce between us. I have been charged by the Archbishop to defend the land against the Scots. I will do so. I would have done so without the request but the support of the Archbishop is important. It allows you to fight under my banner and yet not compromise your loyalty to the man you call king."

  He looked relieved, "Lord, that will aid my sleep."

  His wife nodded, "It is true, lord. My husband paces the room at night. He does not like being torn."

  "I am afraid the day will dawn when your husband will have to decide whom he follows: Stephen of Blois or the Empress Matilda. When the rightful heir comes to England to claim the throne I will support them."

  Sir Richard nodded, "I understand lord but that day is some way off."

  "It is. I will leave you now so that you may speak with Sir Hugh and your son. There will be things you need to say."

  Lady Anne followed me out. "Lord!" She bowed her head, "You are an honourable man. Try to understand my husband. He knows that without you he would have nothing and yet now that he has such a fine manor he is afraid to lose it by being a traitor."

  I lifted her head, "I know he is a good man but someone who breaks an oath loses their soul. This world is fleeting but heaven lasts forever. Hopefully it will all turn out for the best."

  As I rode back to Stockton I said, "Gilles you have proved your skill with my horses. They are all happy."

  "Thank you lord."

  "Would you like to learn skills with weapons too?"

  "Aye lord."

  "Good for you and I will go alone to Anjou and you may need your sword there. I will have you a surcoat made and we will see if Alf has some mail which will fit."

  Father Henry was happy to marry the young couple and, indeed, it proved a great celebration for the whole town. It was a day away from the hard work which we had engaged in for, what seemed, a lifetime. I was surprised at my emotion when I gave away young Alice. Perhaps it was the proximity in the church of my dead wife and child. Adela would have approved and that made me fear that I might break down. The fact that it was such a happy day for all gave me the strength I needed.

  My ship, to be called 'Adela', was almost complete and so we headed for Barnard Castle . We had heard that many men had defected from Barnard de Balliol. Some had joined us and so we had a better idea of the garrison. Our new warriors, led by Alan, were quite happy to take the risk. They would present themselves as a band of mercenaries. None were known to the men in the castle and the only one who had fought against them was Alan. I doubted that he would be remembered. We waited in the forests where we had ambushed the Scottish army. Our eleven men marched off to the castle. They looked the part.

  Once it became dark we approached the walls. We already knew where the sally port was and my forty men waited there. The door creaked open and Simon the Jew stood there. He waved a hand and bowed. We entered. Dick and his archers scurried up to the walls where the sentries had been trussed and bound. Sir H
ugh and I went with Wulfric and my men at arms to the warrior hall. All lay asleep within. There were just thirty men. We each went to a bed and held our weapons to the men's chests. I nodded and said, "Awake, the castle is taken!"

  The man beneath my sword opened his eyes and they widened in terror when he recognised me. "Lord I pray you do not kill me!"

  I spoke loud enough for them to hear but not loud enough to wake the rest of the castle. "None of you will be harmed if you remain silent. Rise and come over here. Wulfric, watch them."

  "Aye lord."

  Sir Hugh and his six men at arms followed me and we went to the quarters occupied by Sir Barnard. We opened the door and entered. There were two women in the bed but the man was not Sir Barnard, it was his castellan, Robert of Bowes. Stephen must have retained Balliol as a 'guest'. Sir Hugh held his sword at the man's throat and one of his men brought in a brand. One of the women woke and gave a scream. The other two woke immediately.

  "Get dressed and come down to the Great Hall. Sir Hugh escort these to the hall and then find any other servants, slaves and warriors."

  There were a few scuffles and shouts. One or two of those in the castle had to be cuffed by my men but, by and large, it was painless. The men at arms and sentries were brought to the hall. They were cowed by my men who surrounded them. I stood on the table so that all could see me.

  "You all know me, I am the Earl of Cleveland and now Warlord of the north. My avowed aim is to make this land free from the raids and privations imposed by the Scots. Your lord, Barnard de Balliol, is a traitor and a coward. I challenged him to combat and he refused. He now hides with Stephen of Blois in London. This castle now belongs to me. I give it to Sir Hugh of Gainford who is now lord of the manor. He is under my protection." I glared around the room but none dared gainsay me. "I intend no harm to any. Even Robert of Bowes is free to leave. When dawn breaks all those who do not wish to serve Sir Hugh and myself will leave. You will leave with only that which you can carry. All horses, sumpters and palfreys will remain within these walls. If you stay then you swear an oath to myself and Sir Hugh, on a bible. I hope I have made myself clear. The sun will rise soon. You have until its first rays peer through the wind holes to decide."