Enemy at the Gate

by Griff Hosker

  He halted ten feet from me. Neither of us dismounted although we both took off our helmets to show that we were here to speak and not to fight. We both knew, however, that one false move from either side could result in a bloody encounter. As I stared into his eyes I wondered if I should break the convention and fight him. I was certain that I could defeat him. Even as the thought entered my head it disappeared. I could not behave so basely.

  "Well, Earl, what brings you this far from your river? Have you come to gloat about the trick you used to gain Lincoln?"

  "No, nor did I come to compliment you on the trap you set for us on the Great North Road. We have come to fetch the Empress Matilda, the rightful heir to the crown of England."

  "Is this all that you bring? This motley crew of brigands?"

  I smiled, "It is all that you can see although we managed to capture Lincoln with just six men. If I were you I would worry about that."

  "So you did come to gloat!"

  "Relieve the siege and allow the Empress to leave!"

  "I cannot do that."

  I shrugged, "The Empress is safe enough in the walls of Arundel. It is to be a battle then or perhaps I will use my men's skills at night. Will you sleep easy at night knowing that my men of the woods, my archers, are wandering abroad?"

  For the first time doubt filled his face. Stephen came from Blois. Archers there were rare. They preferred the crossbow. The skill of my archers was known not only in England but Normandy and Blois. They were hated and feared. I had fine knights and men at arms but the weapon most of my enemies feared was my archers.

  "I do not wish my cousin harm."

  "You have a strange way of showing it."

  "If I let her leave the castle to your protection would you persuade her to return to Anjou?"

  I laughed, "England waits for four years for her to return and you want me to put her on a boat back to her husband? I think you have been eating the mushrooms which make a man mad!"

  Even as I had been speaking he had been looking at the faces of my men. He saw no doubts there. He had a garrison to subdue and two of his most resilient enemies before him. If we attacked and he lost this battle it might mean he would lose the war and with it his borrowed crown. He nodded, "Very well. I will allow you, Earl, to fetch the Empress but I want her far to the west and away from London!"

  I could see why he wished that. If the Empress was in Wallingford then the people of London might rise up in support. I thought it unlikely but I understood his reasons. I cared not. I had what I wanted.

  "And the Baron here can travel back to his castle unmolested?"

  He nodded, "You have my word."

  "Good then you have my word that we will not slit your men's throats this night!"

  I saw that I had angered many of the knights who were close to their leader. Stephen smiled, "It is good speaking with you Earl for you never change. You have a steel stake for a spine and you never bend. Come, let us go else we will not reached Arundel before dark."

  I shook my head, "We will come on the morrow. I have promised you safety for tonight. I feel safer here."

  "You do not trust me?"

  "I have no reason to doubt your word but some of your men are as treacherous as vipers. I would not trust them as far as I could spit. We will stay here and travel in daylight to Arundel."

  He nodded and turned his horse to lead his men away. I had made no friends that day but I cared not.

  The Baron was ecstatic, "We have won!"

  "When the Empress is in Bristol with her brother then we will have won. I will not count my winnings while I still sit at the table."

  He nodded, "That is, perhaps, wise. I will wait here tomorrow until you are safely in Arundel."

  "No, my lord, ride tomorrow for your castle. You have many enemies and some may try to take your refuge. The Empress will need that if she is to take London and the east."

  "You have a cold and calculating mind, Earl. It has been a pleasure to serve you."

  Chapter 15

  Even though we had been promised safe passage I kept my scouts out as a protective screen. We reached Arundel unmolested. Stephen waited there and he rode with me to the gate. I took off my helmet. The Empress appeared on the ramparts and I shouted, "My Empress, I have permission to escort you and your retinue to your brother, the Earl of Gloucester."

  Stephen shouted, "You have my word that, until you are safely with your brother then you shall be unmolested."

  "We will be with you shortly!"

  As we waited Stephen said, "I have told you before Earl that I only mean the best for England."

  "Then abdicate and give the crown to your cousin. England suffers with this civil war."

  "I cannot do that."

  "And yet you can give away a huge part of England to the barbarians from the north. I am sorry but I do not believe you. You are a bad leader. I have fought alongside you and know that you are no coward but, I am sorry, you are no king."

  "Then there is no more to be said. We will meet on the field of battle."

  "I have no doubt about that. And when we do then God will decide who has behaved with the most honour."

  "Sadly, Earl, we both believe that."

  The Empress emerged with her knights, her women and Henry fitz Empress. Her young son had grown. The Empress and her women rode horses rather than riding in a litter. I was pleased it would make for a quicker journey. Despite the words of Stephen I did not wish to risk her on the road for too long.

  She offered me her hand to kiss. "Ever the white knight, you come to my rescue each time I need you."

  "I swore an oath, my lady, and I do not break such oaths. Come Empress, let us away. We have far to travel if we are to get to Bristol."

  She leaned in towards me, "We go to Gloucester. I have forces gathering there."

  "It is further to travel."

  "I know but it is where my brother has gone. We were under siege but we still received messages."

  I turned to Dick, "Have four of your archers ride to Gloucester and warn the Earl that we are on our way. Give them spare horses so that they reach it in one day."

  "Aye lord."

  Young Henry nudged his pony next to mine. "Judith and Margaret both said that you would come, lord."

  I nodded to the two women; both were keepers of secrets. They smiled. "They are wise women, my young Lord Henry."

  "You fought the Scots and defeated them?"

  "I was part of the army."

  "Did you slay many?"

  "Our army slew ten thousand, lord. They will not trouble your northern lands for some time."

  "Will we have the crown soon, Earl? Mother says that you will know such things."

  I glanced at the Empress who gave a shy smile, "You have a way of making things happen, Aelfraed. You took Lincoln with three knights."

  "That was the Earl's plan and we would not have succeeded without the courage of Lady Maud and Lady Hawise."

  "As ever you are too modest. And now you have travelled through the heart of the enemy's lands and raised the siege."

  "It was bluff but Stephen is stretched. It is good that you and your brother have arrived for we have the opportunity to finally defeat Stephen. With Lincoln in our hands and the peace with Scotland we can shift the balance to us." I waved my hands at the knights who followed her. "With knights and your brother the enemy can be brought to heel. There are many in the land who vacillate. It will not take much to bring them on our side."

  Henry piped up, "And I will fight at your side, lord!"

  I looked at Matilda who gave the slightest shake with her head. "That is indeed an honour my lord but first you must be tall enough to ride a palfrey. This is my new squire, Richard. He is but six years older than you. When you are his size then you can fight with me."

  "But I am the son of an Empress!"

  I laughed, "And Gilles is but the son of an archer. It matters not." I tapped my heart. "It is in here that decides if you are a warrior or
not. These two young men have both stood with me and faced overwhelming odds. There will come a day when you do so too. Be patient and I promise you that I will keep you close when we fight your mother's enemies. But you would not wish a warrior to watch over you when he could be fighting, would you?"

  "I suppose not. Then will you teach me how to become a great champion like you?"

  "When time allows I will. Richard, Gilles, tell the young prince what the job of a squire entails while I speak with the Empress."

  Young Henry dropped back and I nudged Rolf next to the Empress. "You wish to speak of those I can trust and those I cannot?" I nodded. "These are dangerous times. I am grateful that my father's wife offered me sanctuary. I fear it would have been the tower otherwise."

  "The Bishop of Durham has his own interests at heart. He supports neither Stephen nor you although if either of you appeared outside his walls then he would join you. The Archbishop of York wishes to support you but Stephen was anointed and he must support the anointed one. Old Thurstan will guard your borders from your uncle who used the lie that he fought for you." I shook my head. "He did not. He took your land and killed your people."

  "And Ranulf, Earl of Chester?"

  "I confess I do not know. It was a bold move to take Lincoln but he joined Stephen quickly enough when he was crowned and only switched sides when he had lands taken from him."

  "You paint a black picture."

  "There are bright spots. Cleveland and the Tees are safe. Edward and Wulfric guard it. Wallingford is well protected by Brian fitz Court and will be a good base to attack London and the Thames Valley. When Stephen's heartland is threatened we shall see the resolve of his supporters."

  "I hope so."

  Young Henry laughed at something Gilles had said and we both turned. "He is a fine young boy."

  She nodded, "He takes after his father. I hope he proves to be as valiant. I fear he will need all of his courage if he is to wrest the crown from my cousin."

  "There are things we can do to make what we hold safer. Your majesty needs strong castles. Sir John of Merpel died because he had an old wooden castle. When King David came to Stockton we lost barely a man and he lost many. We must have more archers. Crossbows are no use. My archers are feared more than knights. Your people can use them. These knights are Norman or Angevin and they are good fellows but if we are to win back the crown then the people will look to English knights and English men at arms. It is why it was so important to have the Earl of Chester on our side."

  She nodded, "I can see that. Now that my brother has committed himself to our cause we can begin to win back the land as well as the hearts and minds of our people."

  Lowering my voice I asked, "I am curious. Why did he not commit earlier?"

  "He and my husband had a falling out and there were those who encouraged my brother to claim the Dukedom." She shook her head. "I am sorry, Aelfraed. You cannot be in two places at once but you are the one who can talk to both my husband and my brother and mediate. I tried but I failed. I am just a woman."

  I heard a tut from Margaret behind us and I smiled, "My lady you are the strongest woman I have met. There is steel in you. Your grandfather would be proud of you. The fact that you could not mediate is not a criticism of you but rather your husband and brother."

  The journey passed quickly for we had much to say and our eyes spoke even more. The Earl of Gloucester and Sir Miles fitz Walter met us forty miles from Gloucester and escorted us the rest of the way. It was the end of our precious time together. From now on we would be under the scrutiny of everyone. I cherished those hours and miles I had with the Empress.

  The army which gathered at Gloucester was nowhere near the size of the army which had faced and defeated the Scots. It was, however, man for man a better army. Once we were in the Earl's hall he greeted me like a long lost brother, "Aelfraed the hero of Northallerton! Gods but I wish I could have been there! We would have chased those barbarians all the way back to their highlands!"

  I nodded, "Sadly those who were with me would have none of it. They slunk back to their own castles with their loot!"

  "We are together now. This is Sir Miles fitz Walter, the High Sheriff of Gloucester. He is a firebrand just like you. He and the High Sheriff of Hereford, Sir Pain Fitzjohn are my two rocks. Now that you have joined us there will be no stopping us. I have great plans to conquer this land."

  "I will do all that I can to promote the cause of the Empress and young Henry."

  The Earl of Gloucester rubbed his hands together, "I would suggest a strike now while the Usurper is distracted by Arundel. If the Earl of Chester can mobilise his forces in the north then we may well trap Stephen between us. Then we prepare our forces. You two can lead the men we already have. I will send a messenger to Ranulf." The Empress stood all the while listening to this. Henry was by her side. I could see that she was becoming increasingly agitated.

  "Am I to stand here while you make these decisions, brother? I bring a hundred and forty knights. What do you bring? Where were you when I was trapped in Arundel? It took the Earl here to come hundreds of miles through hostile land to rescue me."

  The Earl of Gloucester reddened and stormed off. Sir Miles turned to follow and I said, "Sheriff, you have a choice to make here. Do you follow the Earl or the Empress? I know you hold your office through him but we owe our duty to the Empress and her son."

  He nodded and returned to us, "The Earl can be a little...."

  "Overbearing?" I ventured.

  He shook his head, "You might say that, lord, for you know him but I cannot. " he dropped to his knee, "I serve you, your majesty, as I served your father. Command!"

  She held her hand for him to kiss, "I did not object to my brother's plans but I did not like the way I was treated as a piece of furniture!"

  I smiled, "I think he was just enthusiastic. I will speak with him. So, shall we prepare to attack along the Thames Valley, Sir Miles? Sir Brian has a mighty castle and if we can build on his success we can work our way towards London."

  He nodded, "I will get Sir Pain and organise our men." He looked nervously at the Empress, "And who will lead this army, Empress?"

  "Why King Henry's champion of course, Aelfraed Earl of Cleveland."

  He raced off and I bowed. "I will find your brother then while you settle yourself into your new quarters." I turned to my knights. "Find quarters for the men. I will take Gilles and Richard with me."

  "Aye lord."

  I mounted Rolf and we rode after the Earl. He had been heading for his men. When I reached his camp I found it being packed up. I recognized Reginald, Earl of Cornwall. "Where is the Earl?"

  Sir Reginald looked embarrassed. "It seems we are returning to Bristol. The Earl wishes to hunt."

  I shook my head, "This is not well done, my lord. We should be fighting Stephen and not each other."

  "I know. I will try to persuade him to return. When he calms down he may be more amenable. He likes not being spoken to that way; not least by women."

  As I rode back I reflected that I had fallen out with the Earl myself for being outspoken. The Earl liked men who agreed with him. Gilles asked, "Will we campaign then, lord?"

  "We will."

  "And you will lead the army?"

  "Aye but it will be smaller than it should be. Still it will be more men than I am used to."

  When we reached the Earl's Hall Sir Pain and Sir Miles were in conversation with the Empress. They looked up expectantly. "Your brother has gone to Bristol. We will have to undertake this expedition without him."

  Sir Miles shook his head, "We cannot leave the Empress undefended."

  "You are right. We will take but half of the knights you brought. The rest can remain as your protectors."

  "But that will leave you perilously short of men."

  "What we have are superior to our enemies. I will use my discretion. My aim is to move quickly. Sir Miles, Sir Pain, I only take mounted men. We move quickly. We forage for our food
and we take castles in which we will stay. We take those castles which lie between here and Wallingford and then use Wallingford to bring the enemy to battle. We leave the day after tomorrow while Stephen is still at Arundel."

  I saw that I had stunned them but they both nodded their agreement.

  The messenger who arrived that night put an end to those hopes. He dropped to his knees before Matilda. "Empress, King Stephen has lifted the siege and moved north."

  "Where to?"

  "I know not. He left with his army."

  When the four of us were alone I said, "This complicates things. He could be anywhere. Perhaps he goes to Lincoln to retake his castle?"

  The Empress said, "But that does not change our plans, Earl. If we attack down the valley it means we will have less opposition."

  "Perhaps. However I cannot think of a better strategy. We still leave at the appointed time."

  In the end it took longer to prepare the retinue of the two Sheriffs. My men were chafing at the bit but the two Sheriffs did not have enough horses. I even gave them some of the ones we had captured. We were about to leave when a messenger arrived from Sir Brian fitz Court. He dropped to his knees before me, the Empress was still within. "My lord, The Earl of Chester has been visited by King Stephen."

  Even before he uttered his words I knew what was coming. "Gilles, fetch the Empress, Sir Miles and Sir Pain." I smiled at the messenger. "Wait until the Empress arrives. This news should be heard by her too. Rise"

  The three of them came together. Young Henry was with his mother. I nodded to the messenger, "Empress the Earl of Chester has joined with King Stephen. Lincoln is back in the hands of the enemy." He seemed uncertain what to say and just said, "I am sorry."

  The Empress was ever gracious and she smiled, "You are the messenger only and not the turncoat. Go into the kitchens and have some food. When he had gone she said, "You seem prescient, Earl. Did you know?"