by Griff Hosker
They were tracks over which we passed but the hard frosts of winter still lay upon them. Jack Frost had an icy grip upon the land. We were well wrapped against the cold and our horses were well fed. I had had John, my steward, prepare great stores of hay and the poorer quality grains and cereals to feed my horses. They were each as important as the men I led.
With my three scouts far ahead of us I was able to ride easily. We would have warning of danger. I was growing accustomed to Rolf, my new horse but I still missed my old mounts. Scout was still the finest horse I had ever ridden. He had a nose for danger and a heart as big as that of Wulfric. Star had been a warhorse who would face down any enemy. I wondered what type of horse Rolf would turn out to be. He was bigger than Scout and not as big as Star but I had yet to put him in extreme danger. That would be his first test. I knew that, in the years to come, we would both be severely tested.
The fields could not be worked; the ground was too hard but the people of Ayeton had cattle, sheep and a few goats. They were penned close to the village itself and we descended upon the village as the animals were being watered. My banner and device were recognised. Our arrival was sudden and unexpected. They had no time to flee to their hall. The villagers dropped to their knees. I was blunt, "Who is your lord and your master?"
The farmers looked to their headman. I was aware of the dilemma in which I had placed him. It was why I had not asked him for his loyalty. "Our lord was the Baron of Normanby, lord and he is dead."
"Who collects the taxes?"
"Henry de Brus will come in the spring."
"He will not this year. I am your lord and master now." I pointed to Sir Edward. "Sir Edward and Sir Richard of Yarm shall protect you. If tax collectors come from the east pay them but send word and we will recover them for you."
"We pay no taxes to you lord?"
I smiled, "We will recover your taxes and take half." He looked disappointed. "Half is better than none and this way your animals will be protected."
A voice from the back said, "Ralph let us take the offer. This way the bandits and brigands will not have free rein. You will rid us of those will you not, lord?"
Sir Edward answered for me. "Aye I will rid the land of those for you when you swear allegiance to the Earl of Cleveland!"
The men all made the sign of the cross and chorused, "We swear allegiance."
"Have you one among you who knows the land twixt here and Guisborough?"
A young man, a little older than William, my son, stepped forward. "I am Alan of Grange. I was the Baron of Normanby's man, lord and I helped old Harold, his gamekeeper. I know the land as well as any."
We had brought four spare horses. "Edward, give a horse to Alan. Lead us safely to Guisborough and you shall be rewarded."
"Thank you my lord." He mounted the horse well. This man had ridden before. I saw that he had a bow which he had picked up. No one said goodbye to him. I needed to find out more about this man later. He took us across a low path which passed beneath the strange rock the locals called the Topping. It was little more than an animal track but the frost had made it passable. When the land thawed we would have struggled to stay upright. The path meant that we approached the castle and settlement from the direction of the woods. It had been a good decision to use him. We arrived unseen.
We halted and Alan turned to me. "They have built a watch tower a mile in that direction, lord." He pointed to the north. Had we stayed on the road then we would have been seen.
I turned, "Ralph of Wales, take four men and capture the tower."
"Should we burn it, Lord?"
"Not until you see flames from Guisborough." They rode off. I had been to Guisborough before but not for some years. I waved Alan of Grange over. "Have they improved the defences of the castle?"
"Improved, lord?"
"Have they added stone?"
"No, lord. It is still wood." We were now close enough for me to use my archers and men at arms rather than my scouts. "Alan, go with Aiden. Aiden, stop any message leaving Guisborough to head south."
"Aye lord."
The four of them trotted off. I was confident in their skills. My three men could stand next to a warrior in the woods and be invisible. I had no doubt that a gamekeeper who had survived the slaughter of Normanby would also have such skills.
Sir Edward nudged his horse next to mine. "What is your plan, lord?"
"The gate faces north. The priory is to the west. We use the priory to hide our approach." I pointed to the sky, "It is past noon already. Both the monks and the garrison will be at ease. There will have been no signal from the tower. They will not expect an attack. It is winter. We ride through the gate as hard and fast as we can."
"Aye lord."
"Dick, I want your archers to clear the gate into the bailey."
"Aye lord."
Guisborough had a wooden wall and a ditch. There was a gatehouse which led to the outer bailey and a second below the hall and mound. All that we had to do was to take the gate to the outer bailey. I gambled on a garrison at the gate of four men only. We tightened girths and loosened weapons and then I led my men forward. In the absence of a squire Stephen the Grim carried my banner and rode behind Wulfric and myself.
We emerged from the woods and headed across the narrow, shallow stream. Some monks who were gathering from the hedgerows saw us but they would not have time to sound the alarm. They were too busy fleeing. My banner was known. As we wheeled around the front to the stone priory I saw the castle. It was less than a hundred and fifty paces from us. Even as I turned and readied my spear Dick and his archers dismounted and were knocking arrows. The guards and sentries were chatting and looking to the north. It was the cries of alarm from villagers which drew their attention to us. Had I been more ruthless I might have had my archers slay them. I was no De Brus; I would kill only warriors.
The five sentries saw us and they wasted time laying down their weapons as they tried to draw up the bridge. Fifteen arrows plummeted into their bodies. One lived long enough to try to raise the bridge but it was too heavy and Dick himself ended his heroic efforts with a well aimed shaft. We thundered over the wooden bridge and under the gate. The main gate was up the slope and already men were pulling up the bridge there too. We would not reach it in time. Dick and his archers were too far away, however we had attained our first aim.
"Sir Edward."
"Yes lord."
"Have six of your men secure the leading burghers and hold them as hostage."
"Aye Earl." He laughed, "That was easy enough."
As he rode off I shouted, "Dismount." I handed Rolf's reins to Stephen the Grim. He would stay by the gate with my banner and the horses. The rest of the men at arms tied their mounts to the wooden ramparts. Dick and his archers did the same. "Come Wulfric, let us see if they are in the mood to surrender."
"My lord you spoil all our fun."
"Remember Wulfric that Father Henry said to take things easy for a while. Your stitches have almost healed. Do not undo the father's good work."
"I know my body, lord. I will take it easy but if you are inactive for too long your body does not fully recover. I do not need a priest to tell me that."
I saw men hurrying to the walls of the inner bailey. The banner was that of De Brus but it was not Robert who led these men. From what we had heard in Ayeton I guessed that it was Sir Henry. I did not know him. I was no fool and I held my shield before me. Sure enough one of the crossbowmen risked a bolt. It thudded into the shield. Before a second could come my way four arrows struck the walls. One of them hit the crossbowman whose weapon fell into the ditch followed, a moment later by the dead man. We had so many archers that shields' came up and those with crossbows decided that discretion was the better part of valour.
Dick shouted, "Right lads, loft your arrows."
They began to send their arrows vertically. Crossbows had to aim horizontally. I heard a cry from the ramparts. The defenders would need shields. We stopped thirty pa
ces from the gate. I shouted, "Surrender your castle and I will ask for ransom. Fight and you shall die."
A shield with a red diagonal cross on a yellow background appeared. "I will not surrender to a rebel and a traitor."
Wulfric growled next to me. "I believe I am both Wulfric. He is right to address me thus." I lowered my ventail so that I could speak a little clearer to the walls. "Then that should tell you I am a dangerous man to cross. I repeat my offer. Surrender your castle and I shall demand ransom. You will live."
"My Uncle left me in command of this castle while he is with the King. I will defend it."
"Then you are brave but foolish. Had you stone walls then you might hold us off. Ask your men. They know me."
There was silence and then raised voices. Finally the shield disappeared and I heard, "Very well. We will come out. Promise me that your archers will not release arrows at us."
"You have my word!"
Next to me Wulfric lowered his axe. He sounded disappointed as he said, "They used to fight us."
I heard raised voices within the walls. I smiled, some must have objected to the surrender. I had just turned to shout for Dick when the gates opened and ten horsemen galloped out. Far from surrendering, they were attacking. The men nearest me reacted the quickest. Wulfric stepped before me and swung his axe at the horse which hurtled towards us. My other men at arms made a hasty shield wall. Dick and his archers were unsighted. They could not release for fear of hitting us. The rider whose horse was hacked by Wulfric flew over his head and landed at the feet of Ralph of Thirsk who stabbed him in the neck.
The ones who had not had the chance to take a horse now flooded out. I turned to shout. "Stop them!" Stephen the Grim had a horse in each hand and could do nothing about the men in mail galloping towards him. The knight rammed his spear at Stephen who spun and fell to the ground. Then they were through. Sir Edward's men charged at their side for they were still mounted and they slashed and stabbed at those towards the rear. My men at arms were angry and they fell upon the men on foot. Sir Henry and two men escaped the carnage beyond the gate. None survived within.
"Wulfric, take my men and search the hall. Fetch anything of value and then burn it!"
"Aye, lord, with pleasure!" he shook his head in disbelief. "They had surrendered!"
"They will pay."
I ran down to Stephen the Grim. The horses had not wandered far and the standard was still planted by the gate. He lay on the ground and I saw blood. His eyes opened, "I am sorry, lord."
"It is not your fault. Where are you hurt?"
He held his hand to his shoulder. The tip of the spear had broken some mail links and entered his left shoulder. It was a flesh wound only. "Henry Warbow, find me a priest or a monk. I want this man looked at."
"Aye lord."
My men began to drive the thralls and servants from the hall. They carried the valuables from within and were watched by my men at arms. Behind them I saw flames licking the roof of the hall. "And burn the ramparts. Tear them down in the ditches. I want nothing to remain of this nest of dishonourable knights!"
The servants and slaves stopped close by me at the gate. I was aware that I had an angry look and they would fear for their lives. I pointed to the best dressed of them. "You, what is your name and what is your job?"
"I am Philip of Clitheroe and I am the Steward of the Baron of Guisborough."
He stood erect but I could see the fear on his face. "And who surrendered and then fled?"
"Sir Henry de Brus, my lord."
"You and the rest of the servants and slaves are now my property." He nodded. "Do not try to escape and serve me well and you may be returned to your master." I swept a hand around them all. "The same goes for all of you."
Philip of Clitheroe said, "You are known to be a man of your word, lord."
"Which is more than can be said for you former master."
"He was young, lord..."
"If I meet him again he will not age!"
Wulfric and Sir Edward joined me. "We have the burghers. They fear that they will be killed."
"Good for I am angry enough." I saw that Stephen was being tended to. "When the monk has finished with Stephen burn the rest of this castle. I want the walls burned and the ditches filled."
As I passed the monk said, calmly, "The Prior hopes that you will leave the Priory alone, lord. He had nothing to do with this."
"Save that he is the Prior appointed by Robert De Brus. I will speak with him when I have time."
I went to the villagers who were awaiting my judgement. The representative of their lord and master had fled. He had not stayed to protect them and now they were at the mercy of the Warlord of the North.
I did not waste time; that was not my way. "Your lord has deserted you. He saved his own skin. I am the Earl of Cleveland and, until the rightful heir to the throne of England is crowned then I intend to rule this land. If you pay your taxes to me then I will give you protection."
The leader of the village rose, a little fearfully, "We will live, lord? You will not enslave us?"
"That is what I said. I will go further. If you feel that you cannot stay here and pay taxes to a warlord then leave. I will not hinder you but, " I raised my voice and pointed my finger, "if you are disloyal to me or treacherous in your actions then I will hang you."
"What of the Prior, lord?"
"What of him?"
"We give him a tithe."
"You give him a tenth of all that you produce?"
"Aye lord."
I shrugged, "That is up to you but as far as I am concerned you need not. I will speak with the prior before I leave." I looked at the sky. Evening was approaching. "We will stay here this night. You will feed us." I pointed to the two dead horses. "We will eat the horses." I would not begin my rule by taking food from their mouths.
The headman looked relieved, "Of course lord. And where will you sleep?" He looked pointedly at the burning hall.
"I will see the Prior."
I heard hooves and turned to see Ralph of Wales leading his men and Aiden, his. "No one passed us lord."
"The tower is destroyed."
"Aiden, return to Ayeton. Stay there this night. Tell them De Brus is fled and they will pay their taxes to me."
"Aye lord."
"Wulfric arrange for sentries. Sir Edward and I will visit the Prior. Gilles, his squire, will bring you news."
"Aye lord."
We mounted our horses and rode around to the priory. We dismounted at the gate where novice monks awaited us. "The Prior is inside. He asks that you leave your weapons outside."
Sir Edward laughed, "I cannot see anyone making us do that so out of the way, boy."
We strode towards the hall. Robert De Brus had built well. It was a stone hall and a stone priory church. The huts in which the monks slept were made of wood but they looked to be comfortable. The prior was seated on a leather covered chair on a raised dais. He looked to be a king receiving foreign dignitaries. His pomposity was about to be pricked. He was a large overweight man in contrast to the thin and emaciated villagers we had seen.
He frowned, "You are the Earl of Cleveland, the renegade I believe?"
"That depends upon who is speaking. The Empress Matilda and her son, Henry Fitz Empress believe me to be the only power in England. If you speak with the usurper, Stephen then he will call me a renegade."
"What have you done with Sir Henry?"
"Did your monks not tell you? He has fled. Guisborough is now mine."
For the first time he looked worried. He had not been told. His tone changed. "You are a knight of the realm and I hope that you will behave as such."
"I am the new lord of the manor. The Priory is on land belonging to the manor. I am now your lord. And as I am Warlord I do not answer to any other lord in England."
I saw him thinking of a way out of this. He could not. He gave a thin smile, "So long as you protect this land from enemies then we are happy."
"I promise you that the people of Guisborough will be safer in my charge than they ever were under the rule of De Brus. My men will be fed but we need somewhere to sleep. This hall will do."
"That is out of the question. This is a holy place and I will not have it filled with men of war."
It was my turn to smile. I am sorry, did I not make myself clear? I was not asking; I was commanding. We will be sleeping here this night." I turned to leave and, before I did, I paused, "One more thing; I have told the people that they do not owe you a tithe any longer. They can pay if they wish. I advised them not to."
He stood up and coloured red with anger, "But where do we get our money? Where will we obtain our food?"
"If this was church land then you would be entitled to take from your tenants but this is my land now. Have your monks grow their own food. Other monasteries and priories do. We will return when we have eaten. We will arrange the hall ourselves."
Sir Edward chuckled as we left, "I thought he would erupt like a volcano back there."
"This De Brus is a clever man. He endows a church and then has his own people pay for it. That way he ingratiates himself with God and the Church and yet it costs him nothing."
"Well it is ours now."
"I do not think we have seen the last of Sir Robert. But we have rid ourselves of one problem; at least for a while."
Chapter 3
Following our return from our successful capture of Guisborough Sir Edward's men had actively scoured the woods for any bandits or remnants of the De Brus soldiers. My men had kept the north clear. I was still distracted by the lack of news. The Archbishop of York had sent nothing to me for many months. I trusted Thurstan but who knew if he could send a letter to me? His nephew, Philip of Selby served me still, but the Archbishop was the most important man I knew who still lived in England and sympathised with me. He had not sent a message to me for many months. I was blind.
The 'Adela' returned to Stockton three weeks after we drove Henry De Brus from Guisborough. The return of my ship filled me with joy. John my steward as well as Sir John and Father Henry waited at my dock as my battered ship came in. Gilles, my squire, was waving madly from the bows as it edged up the icy river. Winter had not loosened its grip yet. Captain William brought the ship to a gentle halt and his crew threw lines to secure my vessel to the bank. Even though I was desperate for news of the Empress and my son I was patient. The fact that the ship was lying low in the water suggested that she was heavily laden but I was concerned with the state of the sails and the ropes. She looked to have been in the wars.
