by Griff Hosker
He was proud of me. He did not say that normally. I looked at him and saw that he had become older already on this journey.
“When we meet this king I will have to abase myself before him. I do not wish to do so but it will be necessary. Aelfraed and I were thorns in his father’s side. He will not forget that but I hope he will forgive. If not then you and the others may be on your own.”
“No! I stay with you.”
“The important thing is for you to get to England. My home was in the north and from what I have learned from travellers it is an empty land now that William the Bastard has scoured it. I hope that we can carve out our own demesne there. The land has many hills and a warrior can build a better castle than the ones we have seen so far. We have money and can hire cunning builders who will make our new home impregnable. Then we will hire warriors.”
“Mercenaries?”
“No, my son, warriors who will fight for us. The payment will be their due. It worked in Constantinople and I see no reason why it should not work in England.”
I gestured with my arm towards the warriors and spoke quietly. “These men fight for you because they are oathsworn.”
He laughed, “And I pay them too. They would fight for me whether I paid or not but they deserve payment do they not?”
We rode in silence as I took in his words. I had taken so much for granted. Of course they would be paid. They were not slaves to work for nothing and they deserved their coin.
“What happens when the money runs out? How do we pay them then?”
“Unless you waste it then that will not happen for some time. We have enough for many years. By then you should have farmers who will produce crops and rear animals. You share in the profit of the men who work your land.”
I had not thought about money before. When I lived in Constantinople I always had coins to use and bills were always paid. Life was going to get more complicated. What did I know about farming? Or running an estate? I was destined to be a warrior. I had felt a rush of blood when I had fought the men from Anjou. I had had time to prepare and to anticipate. Wulfstan was right, I had been hesitant but I would not make the same mistake twice.
We knew that we were in Maine and that was now a vassal state of Normandy but it was not a settled place. Bands of discontented knights still disputed with the King of England who had taken both Normandy and Maine from his brother. Anjou to the south and Blois to the east were also unhappy about the expansion of the belligerent Henry. We would have to proceed carefully. We kept a keen watch about us and I listened to Scout. He had proved invaluable in identifying danger.
It happened that we were leading our horses. We did not always ride them for we had far to go. The ground was climbing, albeit gently and we were keen to conserve the animals. They were faring better than they would have in the east. Here there was plenty of good grass on which they could graze and I had found an increasing number of apple trees which Scout appreciated.
Wulfstan always had an answer for my questions. When I asked him about the walking he pointed to mighty Osric who was striding ahead of us. “Osric and the rest of us fight on foot. We have powerful legs and strong arms. You saw how Ralph despatched the horse with one blow. If we ride too much then our legs and arms become weaker. We rode until now because we needed to make time. Now we are nearing our destination. We will need to be warriors.”
“We will have to fight the king?”
“I hope not for he will have the best warriors in the land and many of them. No when we get to England there will be many who will not wish to see a Saxon with land.”
“How will we get land?”
“Your father has a claim to the manor of Coxold in the north of the land. He will ask the king for the land given to him by King Ethelred.”
“But he is Norman, why should he help a Saxon?”
“Your father is an honest man and he may be able to persuade the king. If not then we will find a lord who may take us as vassals.” He sighed. “This is really about you, Master Alfraed. Your father can count his years left to him on one hand. He has already outlived all of his fellows. You must learn from him so that you can prosper and carry his name and yours on.”
That was an awesome responsibility. I had thought about my father dying but it was something which was in the future. It was like marrying, becoming a father. It was there but it was a long way in the future and not worth worrying about. If my father had a mere five years left then I should get to know him more. Suddenly Scout’s ears pricked and he slowed. “Wulfstan!”
“I saw.” He gave a low whistle and the others stopped. I was slower than the rest but they all hobbled their horses and grabbed their weapons. I had learned now that we fought on foot. I donned my helmet and my world shrank. I could see the advantage of a more open helmet. Luckily my mask merely covered my eyes and not my ears. I watched as Osric waved us forward and we moved through the woods. I could hear the clash of arms. Someone was fighting ahead.
As the noises grew I drew my sword and pulled my shield around a little tighter. There was a dell and a stream ahead and in the middle were five hunters. They were being attacked by eight knights and ten men at arms. There were the bodies of four dead hunters and two men at arms and the remaining hunters were getting the worst of it.
I would not have known who to side with but my father did. He roared a challenge, “Varangian!” and hurled himself down the slope towards the men at arms. They were taken by surprise as was I. I ran as fast as I could to catch my father. Three men at arms turned to face him. He had outrun Ralph and Garth. I watched as he deftly deflected one sword whilst stabbing at a second man. The third brought his sword around to strike at his unguarded back. I did not hesitate this time. I brought my sword over my head and sliced through the soldier’s shoulder and arm. He fell screaming to the ground. Ignoring his dying throes I punched the other warrior with my shield and when he fell at my feet skewered him to the ground. I stood before my father looking for another enemy.
I heard Ralph chuckle, “You can leave your father to us now Alexander! There are enemies aplenty for you.”
I glanced and saw that they protected him with their shields. I saw a knight rushing at me with his mace ready to strike me. I notice that he had a longer shield than I did. He was more used to fighting on a horse. I know that I should have been less reckless but my blood was up and I had just killed two men. I ran straight at him. He swung his wicked looking mace at my head and I barely managed to get my shield up in time. The blow numbed my arm but I was inside his guard and I stabbed blindly at him. My hands are fast. I felt my sword grate along his mail. He stepped back. I saw anger in his eyes but I could not see his mouth for it was covered by a ventail. I was tiring a little but the practice with Wulfstan on the ship had prepared me well.
I stepped forward and brought my sword over my head. He swung his mace at the same time. He was trying to break my arm and he struck my shield a second time. My shield had been made by the finest armourer in Constantinople. It had cost a gold talent. Strips of metal were cunningly concealed below the leather covering. My shield held. His fared less well and I saw the wood beneath the leather. The blue shield with the yellow stars was looking a little worse for wear. I used my shield offensively and I smacked it hard at his hand which held the mace. He recoiled and the anger was replaced by fear. I feinted with my sword and he pulled his shield up for protection. I spun around and brought my sword into his unprotected back. This time the sword bit through the mail and the padded tunic. When I pulled it away I saw blood on it. I punched him in the back with my shield and he fell at my feet. I was about to ask him to surrender when he swung his mace at my leg. Had I not been wearing greaves he might have broken it. As it was I jumped and he only caught my leg a glancing blow. I was so angry that I swung sword and decapitated him.
I was out of breath with my exertions and I looked for my next enemy. There were none. The other knights and men at arms were on their knees.
I turned to see my comrades. Their helmets were pushed back and they were all grinning at me. My father came over and clapped me on the back. “Well fought, my son. For a moment I thought I was watching my old friend Aelfraed. He too had fast hands and a sword which was like lightning.”
There were four hunters remaining. One looked to be of an age with Osric and he was the only one who appeared to be without a wound. He had a grey flecked beard and looked to be the leader. He held his hand out to me. He spoke in Norman. “Thank you, sir. That was a well fought battle.” I nodded my thanks for I was still out of breath. I took off my helmet and felt the cool air on my sweating face. The man looked surprised. “And yet you are little more than a boy!”
I was about to snap a retort when my father stepped forward. “This is my son, Alfraed and I am Ridley of Coxold and Constantinople.”
The man frowned. “A strange combination. Coxold is in England is it not?”
“Aye sir. Do you know it?”
“I have heard of it. I am Henry King of England and Duke of Normandy!”
Chapter 5
My father dropped to his knees as did the others. I was a little slower. My father said, “Then it is you, sire, that we seek.”
The king said, “Rise, Ridley of Coxold, although you claim false title. I will deal with these rebels first.” There were just four men at arms left and three mailed and well armed knights. I noticed that they all wore the same livery as the knight I had killed. “You, Guy Fitzwaller, shall go back to your father’s castle and fetch me a ransom of fifty gold talents. When it is paid then you can have your father’s body. He has paid for his treachery with his life. You will pay with gold. You will bring it to Caen where you and your brothers will swear fealty to me on the tomb of my father.” The young man nodded and, leaving his sword there, he mounted his horse. His ventail was lowered and I saw the look of anger on his face as he glared at me. He might swear fealty to the king but I was his enemy. That was two enemies in Anjou already!
“Come, we will ride to my hunting lodge. Have you horses?”
My father nodded, “Aye, we do.” Wulfstan led the others to retrieve our horses. When they returned the bodies of the dead hunters were draped over their horses and the mail and the arms from the dead men were strapped to the knight’s horses along with the body of the leader. They walked.
My father rode with the king. I said to Wulfstan. “Will they leave the bodies there?”
The king laughed, “Until they have paid the ransom they will have no choice. I think Guy Fitzwaller will be at Caen before we are.” He turned to me, “Come boy and ride next to me and your father.”
I did not like the term boy and Wulfstan hissed, quietly, “He is the king! Hold your tongue.”
I nodded. “So Ridley of Coxold, how do you claim your title? That estate belongs to Odo and has done since before I was born.”
I almost held my breath. The king owed us something but my father’s story could result in us joining the men of Fitzwaller in the donjon at Caen castle.
“I was given the estate by King Ethelred but I fought against your father.”
“You were at Battle Hill?”
“No. I was at Stamford Bridge where we fought Tostig and Hadrada.“ He looked defiantly at the king, “But we fought against your father’s men when they came north.”
The king frowned. “You fought with Aelfraed Fitz Godwinson?”
“I fought with Aelfraed, aye.”
“I heard he died fighting the men of Sicily in Byzantium.”
“Aye he did. He has been dead these thirty years.”
“And you named your son after him?” My father nodded. “If you had known who I was would you have done things differently back there?”
“No, for you were being attacked and it is my duty to defend the weak.”
H laughed, “I do not think the King of England can be considered weak but I thank you for your intervention. It might have gone ill otherwise. What is it you wish of me, Ridley of Constantinople?”
“I wish to go to England where I can spend my days in peace.”
“You cannot return to Coxold. Odo would not like it.” My father kept his own counsel and said nothing. The king looked at me. “And you, Alfraed son of Ridley, what would you have?”
“My sword fights for my father against all of his enemies!”
I saw my father roll his eyes but the king laughed. “You are a belligerent cockerel! I like that. You could become one of my household knights. I like the way you fight.”
“I serve my father.”
Just then we saw a castle hove into view. “We will see. Tonight you will stay with me. That is for both your safety and mine. I had thought that this part of my land was safe to hunt. It seems it is not.” I flashed a look at him. “Oh do not worry, Alfraed; you and your father will be rewarded for your actions. You saved the life of a king.” He laughed, “Hunting is ever dangerous for my family!”
I remembered, as we entered his small castle with him that his elder brother had been killed in England whilst hunting. Once inside the walls he pointed to a small hall. “You can use my warrior hall. You will be safe in here and we will talk this evening while we eat.”
Once in the hall my father wagged a finger at me. “Do you see me becoming angry with the king? Have you no sense? He can have me killed out of hand as an outlaw.”
“He would have to go through me first.”
Wulfstan and the others all laughed. “There would be a story to tell around the camp fires how the King of England was slain by a youth who had barely started shaving!”
“Do not encourage him! This was wyrd. It was meant to be. We were guided to that forest and to find the ambush. All will be well.”
“I hope so father. I am not as optimistic as you. We cannot have Coxold; what else is there?”
“I can give you the estate of Fitzwaller for your own. I would like doughty warriors like you defending my borders here.”
My father shook his head. “A very fine offer, my liege, but it is England I desire. I could have stayed in the comfort of Constantinople else.”
“It does not do to haggle with a king! Especially when you are a rebel and an outlaw.”
“I was a rebel but I have repented my sins in the Hagia Sophia. The Church has forgiven me.”
“Hmph, the Church can be bought for the price of a pyx! But I do owe you something. I might have been captured and had to pay ransom. If it was not for your son then Robert de Waller might have won.” He finished chewing on the leg of the game bird and threw it over his shoulder to the dogs that lay behind him, waiting patiently for such scraps. “Coxold is in the north is it not?”
“Aye my liege. North of Jorvik.”
The king laughed, “We name it York now.” He held his goblet out for some wine. “My father cleared all who lived north of the Tees. They were like you, Ridley of Constantinople, they were rebels and outlaws. There are many estates there and I need my borders protecting. My cousin, David, casts avaricious looks at my northern marches. The best ones, the ones that can grow wheat, are all gone but I have some which are north of the Tees. They can only support barley and oats. They are not much in demand. How say you to an estate there? I have some empty lands which are north of the Tees. My father swept the rebels from it many years ago.”
“England is all that I desire, my liege.”
“Then when we reach Caen I shall have my clerks write the documents and you can swear fealty to me in Caen Cathedral.”
“Thank you, my liege.”
“Now you can tell me about Constantinople. I had thought to visit it on the way to a Crusade but I have matters here to arrange first.”
He was, despite his words to me, a genial host. He seemed comfortable in the company of warriors. He enjoyed the stories my father and his retainers told him.
When we reached Caen I was impressed. It had good solid walls and looked to be as powerful as Lyon had been. It would not be taken easily.
The River Orne ran along one side; the gate house and the tower looked formidable.
His household knights viewed us with suspicion until they were told of our actions. From then on we were treated as heroes. They were especially keen to hear of the cities and warriors in the east. Guy Fitzwaller brought the ransom. His younger brothers had been stripped of their arms and their armour. They looked most unhappy. The four of them abased themselves before the king. When Guy handed over the ransom I saw the annoyance as the king had every golden piece counted out. It was a further insult. They were taken to the tomb of William where they swore fealty to Henry. I knew that they would now be tied to fighting for him whenever he asked. They might not fight very hard but if they broke their bond then they would burn in the fires of hell. As they left their hatred was directed at us and not the king. We had been the cause of their father’s death and they would not forget it. At least we would be in England and away from their enmity.
We swore our oath on the holy book which the bishop held. It was a sacred oath but I could not see a problem in swearing it. We all needed a lord to follow and this Henry seemed as good a leader as any. It was also a guarantee of land in England and that was my father’s quest.
Surprisingly the swearing of the oath made the atmosphere lighter. His clerks went through their records and found an empty estate remarkably quickly. It was the manor of Norton and had been owned by the de Ville family. It was close to the castle which the Bishop of Durham had used when he had first landed. Now he had a fine castle. “I give you this manor for it guards a crossing of the Tees and protects the Bishop’s lands. He is your liege lord and you will be subject to his command. You may have the title of baron.” He handed my father a ring which a cleric handed to him. “Here is the seal of Norton.”
