Warlord of the North

by Griff Hosker

  "Aye lord, " John sounded almost worried.

  Wulfric nudged Dick, "And that is why the Earl is such a good general, he knows how to avoid an ambush and beat a hasty retreat without losing face."

  "You have never been married, Wulfric, it is a skill every married man learns!"

  Once in the hall I sat on my chair. My legs were still a little unsteady after so many days at sea. John poured me some wine. I drank deeply. My Angevin manor produced good wine. "Now, pour yourselves some wine and then speak. Tell me the news which is bursting from you."

  They both deferred to John. "My lord, the usurper has lost more of Wales. One or two castles hold out but it is largely lost." I nodded, I had heard that. "Balliol and De Brus are now in London. They are reconciled with Stephen the Usurper and he gives them honours and titles. It is said he is angry that you gave Barnard Castle to Sir Hugh."

  "I shall not lose much sleep worrying about upsetting a usurper. However I do not like the fact that those two have benefitted from Stephen's favour. The next time they are in my sword length they shall die. And the Scots themselves?"

  Dick shook his head, "I have had my men spying upon them. They see an opportunity to defeat you whilst not upsetting Stephen or breaking the peace."

  That was more serious and a threat I would have to deal with. "Have they made any moves yet?"

  "No, Earl. I have had patrols watching for the places they might cross into the valley. Sir Hugh has done the same. Sir Hugh Manningham also sent a man, Oswald, to tell you that he has heard of plans being made north of the border. They are rumours which are like a will o' the wisp. They are hard to put flesh upon."

  Wulfric downed the last of his wine, "My fear, lord, is Durham. The Bishop is a weak man. I would not like them to come through our back door. We have made the west a solid wall but the north..."

  "Then we plan for an attack from there. Any more news?"

  Wulfric stroked his beard, "I think there are spies operating close to the castle or the town. If I am honest I think the town."

  "What makes you say that?"

  "We have found camps which we did not expect. There are fires which our people did not make. If we have spies close to Scotland then it stands to reason they have the same. We just cannot find them."

  Dick nodded, "It was my hunters who spied them. The problem is that there are many people who come to Stockton to trade and for work. Some of the camps may well be honest travellers but..."

  "But you do not think so?"

  "No lord. Travellers leave more signs and clues as to who they are. All that we find are the burnt out remains of fires and footprints which are hard to read. These are people who know how to hide their tracks. That sounds like spies to Wulfric and me."

  "And what have you done to find them?"

  "It is difficult, lord, for we know not if we seek a man, a woman, a youth, a couple... it is not like Lavinia who sought work in the castle. None have done that. We can spot spies who are soldiers but...these may well be ordinary folk. I am sorry lord, we should have done better."

  I waved a hand, "I should have been here and now I will put my mind to that. Do you think that they have much to report?"

  "Numbers of men, defences, that sort of thing. Where our archers patrol. They will be looking for a pattern and, perhaps, weakness."

  "Then, Wulfric, let us change the numbers and the routes our men patrol. We are now on a war footing." They nodded. "On a more optimistic note I have brought treasure, horses and weapons from Normandy." I smiled, "We were successful."

  "And how is William?"

  "He has his own manor now and a conroi of his own. He fought well. He is a man now and reflects well the training he received from you Wulfric and you John."

  "He was easy to train, lord. He had natural ability like his father." I nodded my thanks. From many men it would be empty flattery but Wulfric was always honest. "And Rolf?"

  "He is with his brothers in the otherworld."

  "He died well, lord?"

  "He won the battle for us and his oathsworn died protecting his body."

  Wulfric nodded his approval, "As they should. I hope that I shall go the same way."

  "Do not rush, will you, Wulfric? I fear I shall need you by my side for many years."

  "Aye I will, lord."

  "And I have asked Leofric to find more men at arms for us. With the cessation of hostilities in Normandy there should be men looking for a banner to follow. Perhaps they will choose mine. Brian will ensure that they are of the right standard." John refilled the goblets, "How goes the training of the archers?"

  Dick shook his head, "Slowly, lord. It is the strength we need to build up. Until they have muscle and can pull back the war bow it matters not how accurate they are. It is a matter of strength but we progress, we have another ten archers. Perhaps by Spring we may have another ten."

  "I pray we have until Spring."

  "Amen to that Lord."

  "And my other knights how do they fare?"

  "Sir Tristan and Sir Harold have improved their castles immeasurably."

  I laughed, "In Harold's case that would not be hard! He only had a hall!"

  "He now has a stone tower and a ditch. He has diverted the two streams to form a moat. I think his new wife has made him worry a little more."

  "Norton?"

  "The people there are happy enough, lord and we visit each day. I have two riders go out each day to visit Norton, Hartburn and Elton. It is good training for them and they combine the ride with hunting. We eat well."

  "Let us not hunt too many of our own animals. Next week let us hunt in the woods close by Guisborough. If De Brus is with Stephen of Blois then he will not need his own animals."

  They left when Alice and John my steward arrived. Both were more than happy with the coin and the supplies I had brought. "And your ship, John, the one you and Ethelred are building; how goes it?"

  "Not as fast as we had hoped lord but it will be ready by Spring."

  "Until then I intend to send 'Adela' to La Flèche every month. William of Kingston is happy about that. He will bring back wine, spices and men. There will be plenty of room for your goods on board."

  "Thank you my lord!"

  I smiled, "And of course William will not charge you excessively!"

  He shook his head ruefully, "You are learning from me, my lord."

  "Alice I need women of the town to make surcoats for the men I have yet to hire. I will pay them. Could you organise that for me?"

  "Of course, my lord."

  "And now that Gilles is my squire he will need to have chambers in the hall. John you must teach him to read and to write."

  John did not look happy and Alice said, "Lord, I can read and write. I would enjoy the task."

  I think John was surprised by her offer. I was not. She had not been able to have children and the opportunity to be as a mother to Gilles was appealing. "Thank you Alice, I would appreciate it."

  I rode, the next day, to tell my knights of the news from Normandy. I knew that it would bring them hope. It brought the day that the Empress would come to England that much closer. I also told them of Rolf. They all knew him and it saddened each of them. Edward was affected the most. We had fought together and now there were just three knights of the Empress left. Edward was feeling his mortality.

  When I went to visit I took Gilles and Aiden with me. I had plans for Aiden. As we returned from visiting Norton I said, "Aiden I wish you to travel to Sir Hugh Manningham. But you must use the back roads and the secret roads. I want none to know that you go on an errand for me."

  "I will do that lord. Is that why you brought me here with just you and Gilles?"

  "It is. There are spies operating in my valley. Dick has found their camps. You must have seen them too." He nodded. "Sir Hugh is still a friend and he may now know who conspires against me. Is it Gospatric or is there another? If I know the name of my enemy then I can do something about it."

  Aiden nodded,
"There is another way, lord. Let me hunt them."

  "When you return from your mission we will do that but it is the head which must be removed. While you are away I intend to sweep and scour my lands."

  Gilled asked, "Why Sir Hugh in Hexham, lord? Surely the west of your land is where the Scots are the most dangerous."

  "They are but both Wulfric and Dick fear danger from the north and I am inclined to agree with them. The Roman Wall is the easiest place for an enemy to slip through. Sir Hugh Manningham has fewer men now for he must watch the Tweed too. If Baron Hexham has heard nothing I will send to Sir Hugh of Gainford."

  "I will leave before dawn, lord. It will take me some days to take the greenways and the backways."

  "Just be safe."

  I organised the hunt for the spies as soon as I got back. While Aiden was heading north I had every archer and every man at arms not on sentry duty riding through my woods and forests seeking out those who might be spies. When we returned at the end of the day I discovered that there was no sign of recent camps. John had fretted about the camps for he felt that he should have done something about them in my absence.

  "If I had been more vigilant in your absence, lord, this would not have happened."

  "When we look back, John, our eyes can see much further! It is in the past and it is gone. Let it go."

  "But what do we do now, lord?"

  "It has made our task easier."

  All three looked at me in surprise. "Easier, lord?"

  "Yes John. If the spies is not in the woods then there is but one place left for them. Stockton. The camps were needed while they established themselves."

  "Spies? More than one?"

  "The camps we found were occupied by more than one person. They will be in Stockton."

  "But we have had many new incomers of late."

  "These spies have to get their information back to their lord and master. We look for someone who comes and goes. They will be one of the spies. A spy who stays in Stockton is useless to his master."

  It was a place to start but, before I ate I visited Alf. Taking him to one side I explained the news we had discovered. "Are you certain, lord? All of those who have joined us seem to be the kind of people we would welcome."

  "If you were a spy in a Scottish camp you would say good things about King David and you would insult me would you not? That is what makes them a spy. These people will appear to think as we do. Remember Lavinia."

  "Aye lord." He rubbed his chin. "If you are right then there are but four people whom it could be. Ethelred has a new man who travels to Barnard Castle for him. Ethelred has a number of women in Barnard town who spin wool for him. The wool of the upland sheep is good. This is but a recent turn of events. It has only begun since Sir Hugh of Gainford became lord of Barnard. Stephen of Coxhoe is his name. He appears to be a diligent worker and Ethelred is pleased with his honesty."

  "He sounds likely. He could easily pass a message to another spy in Barnard. We may not be the only place they have spawned. And the others?"

  "Father Henry has a new servant. He travels once a week to York. The priests of Durham still send messages to York. Since we hold the ferry they only come south as far as Stockton."

  "And his name?"

  "Alan Squint Eye."

  "He too is likely. This may prove harder than I thought. The third?"

  "Edgar son of Tom. He gathers wood for Harold the Fletcher. He travels far afield to seek the best shafts. Sometimes he is away for two or three days at a time. He always brings back good wood but he could meet someone on our borders. You could travel many miles in two or three days."

  "And the fourth?"

  "Robert of Whitby. He is a fisherman. He plies his trade at the mouth of the river and beyond. He is a popular man for he always catches bigger fish than the river fishermen."

  "Surely he comes back with his catch each day?"

  "Normally he does but sometimes he has to travel further out to where the fish congregate. He says the mouth of the Tees, whilst dangerous, is rich with fish. I have know him to be away for two or three days at a time but he always returns with a good catch."

  "This will take some careful planning but I will catch these spies. Tomorrow I will return, Alf and you shall take me around my town so that I may see these four. We will say that I am keen to see how my people fare. I want to know who these four see regularly. It will be those who are incomers anyway."

  "I am sorry for this, lord, but I find it hard to believe that there could be a spy. These four are hard workers. Robert of Whitby and Alan Squint Eye are religious. They are often found in the Church."

  "The Pope himself uses spies, Alf. If it were not for the well disguised tracks in the woods I would agree that these four may be innocent but I have seen the evidence with my own eyes. There are spies in our town. The alternative is even more worrying that someone we know well spies. We are now outlaws, Alf and must rely upon our own resources to survive."

  When I told Wulfric he was a little more direct. "Lord this is easy. Have the four arrested and let me question them. I will discover the truth."

  I shook my head, "That may well be a solution but we will try other ways first. If we are wrong then arresting these four alerts the real spies. These are the ones we investigate first. I have ideas how to trap them but let us just watch them first."

  Over the next four days I saw all of the suspects. None, on first sight, appeared disloyal. As I had learned to my cost first appearances could be deceptive. When Aiden returned he brought equally disturbing news, "Lord Sir Hugh knew nothing of spies but he has heard from his own spies that Barnard Balliol's cousin, the Baron Skipton, is raising an army north of the border."

  Baron Skipton's land was to the south of the Tees. It was almost in the centre of the country and if the Scots held that then we had a dagger held at the heart of the north. With Balliol and Stephen reconciled it could well be that they thought it a good time to retake their lands. As I ran Aiden's words through my head I remembered that Balliol had also claimed the manor of Piercebridge. King Henry had given it, instead, to Wilfred's father.

  "Did Sir Hugh know where this army would march?"

  "He said to tell you that it would not be on his side of the country but when the poor weather closes in then his control of the Roman Wall is tenuous at best. He said that men could slip over. He is right, lord. I have done it many times myself. There are few roads north of the wall but many well used trails. The gates through the wall are now open. Once through there is naught to stop an army."

  "Except for Barnard Castle which blocks that route and the other is through Auckland and towards our back door. You have done well Aiden."

  "And tomorrow I will take my falconers Edward and Edgar. We will seek out these camps."

  "We have looked and they are all cold."

  "Nonetheless I will be happier lord when I have cast my eye over them."

  My three lieutenants were as disappointed as I was with the news. The watch over the four would be spies had yielded nothing. I began to wonder if Wulfric's draconian solution was the only one.

  "At last, lord, we can prepare for their attack in winter. We know from whence they will come and we can be ready."

  Wulfric growled, "You may be right, Sir John but remember how we took Barnard Castle . Unless we have rid ourselves of all spies then they may well be within our walls and that could spell disaster. They could open the gates for the barbarians."

  "Then we must smoke them out."

  "How lord?"

  "We use William the Mason. I will prepare him. The great danger to our enemies is that we make it harder for them to gain entry from the north. We have just improved the western gate to the town but the north gate is still largely wood with a stone foundation. If we were to say that we were building a better gate there then the spy would have news to take north. We have each one watched by a pair of Dick's archers and when they leave we follow them. If they go about their lawful business and do
not leave a message or meet anyone then they are innocent."

  Dick nodded his approval but Wulfric said, reasonably, "Why not actually improve the gate? It makes sense."

  "William and his masons are still helping Sir Harold and Sir Tristan. I would not leave those two exposed. We shall improve the north gate but that will be in spring."

  Dick said, "I will have my archers watch them anyway."

  "Will that not make our suspects suspicious, Dick?"

  "No Sir John, my archers are busy at this time of year making arrows. We do not do it in one place. It will help make our suspects less alert. They will become used to their presence. It is like a hunter in the forest. He hides until the animal no longer sees him."

  William was happy to be part of the deception. He and I went to the north gate and we took measurements and discussed, loudly, what stone we might need and when the work might begin. I hated to deceive both Alf and Ethelred but when we came into the main square we discussed the improvements with the two of them. It meant that, by nightfall, the whole town was talking about the new gate and how it would make us safer.

  The only one who left was Robert of Whitby. He left on the evening tide. He was the only one we could not follow. Dick berated himself, "I should have thought of this problem."

  "Dick, ask the archers who watched him to come here." When they were brought to us I asked, "Who are the ones Robert of Whitby speaks with?"

  Long Tom said, "He is a queer stick, my lord. He keeps to himself but he is a religious fellow. He visits the church each day and prays for half an hour or so."

  I felt the hairs on the back of my neck begin to prickle. "When he is in there is there anyone else inside the church?"

  "Sometimes Father Henry although he was not there the last time he visited."

  "No one else?"

  Rafe who had been watching with Long Tom said, "There is only that servant, Alan Squint Eye. He cleans the church."