English Knight

by Griff Hosker

  “Then, my lord, when we have built the wooden walls we will scout the paths ourselves. I will become as familiar with them as any attacker,” Wulfstan grinned, “and I am sure master Alfraed and his new squire can discover the joys of swamps too. It is all good training to be a knight.”

  My mouth dropped open, “How can that be good training to be a knight? We ride horses.”

  “Aye and when an axe man takes the legs from your horse and you are afoot then you will need to be nimble on your feet and know where the solid ground lies.” He always had an answer.

  After we had eaten, my father gathered us around. “We have two tasks this week. First we make our ditch and our walls.” He pointed to the church. “We surround the church with the walls and we make a roof. We will have to send to Persebrig for our stone. I would have a stone floor for the church. When the walls are completed and the church roofed then I will go with Ralph, Garth, my son and Harold and we will travel to Durham. The rest of you can build my hall.”

  Osric shook his head. “That is too few men to protect you, my lord. Take more of us.”

  My father rarely raised his voice but he had this ability to sound his words slowly so that each one was like the blow of an axe on a shield. “I am taking three good knights and a squire for protection. I need a hall building ready for the winter. We have much to do.” He shrugged, “If there are any guards to be hired or bought in Dunelm then I will buy them. That is all that I can promise.”

  And so we worked hard. All of us, father included, cut the wood for the palisades and buried then in the ground. Then we dug a ditch all the way around and piled the spoil next to the ramparts. Wulfstan explained that when we acquired the stone we would reinforce the base with it and use it to build a gate and a tower. I could see that adding a curtain for the church would add to our work but father was determined. It took us a good ten days, working every moment of daylight to complete it but when it was finished we were safe; for the first time.

  I was curious about the lack of interest in us. None of those who owed fealty to my father and worked the land came to see us. He seemed philosophical about the whole thing. “Their crops are still to be harvested as are their animals. When we are secure then we will tax them.”

  The completion of the roof of the church proved to be easier than we had expected. On one of his scouting expeditions Wulfstan had found the remains of a Roman house. It had not been a fine villa; there were neither mosaics nor a bath house but there were still some stones and, best of all, roof tiles. We made a cart and carried them back so that, before we left for the Bishop’s castle, we had a water proof roof on the church and Osric had some stone for the foundations of the hall.

  When we left we took Aiden with us to look after the pack horses and my father asked Faren what supplies she needed. Surprisingly there was little she asked for. “We are close enough to the sea to make our own salt, my lord and you have more spices than I have seen before. Perhaps some flour to tide us over until the crops are in.”

  We were up before dawn and ready to ride whilst it was still dark. There was a well worn track which headed north and west to meet up with the old Roman Road. As it went to Durham and thence no further we took to calling it the Durham Road. We smelled the fires from the farms of our tenants as we headed north west. We had yet to meet them but the smell of wood smoke alerted us to their position. We knew that the manor given to my father abutted the lands of the Bishop. Redemarshall and Bishop’s ton were the two settlements Brother John had identified on a map.

  The first dim light of the new dawn peered over the eastern horizon as we passed by the first of the villages which we owned. Thropp had been settled by Danes. I wondered who lived there now. They had a wooden walled village and it looked to be a good defensive site. Once we were north then we were in the land owned directly by the Bishop. I saw little evidence of a military presence as we headed along the road which was still cobbled in places.

  Harold and I led the small column while Aiden brought up the rear with the horses. We only spoke once it was light. Until then, we warily watched and listened for danger. I took the opportunity of examining my squire and his appearance. He was a better warrior now than when we had first met but he did not look like a squire. His leather armour was functional as were his leather helmet and sword. Until we had a smith working in the fort we would he hampered and have to rely on the weapons and armour we had brought from the east. He needed a shield. The other expense I needed to persuade my father to make was some better horses. Scout was a good horse but he was no war horse. He would struggle to carry me in armour to battle. I needed a young horse which was much bigger than he was. I was not hopeful about being able to buy one. They were uncommon here in the north. I would need to win one on the field of battle. Somehow I doubted that Scottish raiders would provide what I needed.

  I listened to my father speaking with Ralph and Garth behind me. If you did not know them it would be hard to identify the lord for they spoke easily with each other. My father had told me how often they had stood in a shield wall. There was little rank in a wall of death. It explained much.

  “We will need a mason, Lord Ridley. Our skills in building are basic.”

  “Aye but will we find one? I have not noticed many fine buildings. There will be masons in Durham but I suspect that they will be occupied working for the Bishop.”

  “And Osric is right too, lord, we have too few men. We could not defend our walls if we were attacked. We have barely enough men to hold the tower we have yet to build.”

  My father lowered his voice but I could still hear his words. “We must give my son a start. He is young but he is improving.”

  Garth chuckled, “Aye he is but have we enough days left to make him into his father?”

  “He will not be his father. His father was a housecarl. My son is a knight. He will achieve more than I could ever have dreamed. He will take Ridley and his name into the future and bards will boast of his deeds.”

  “Your deeds are mighty, my lord and men sing of them.”

  “That is kind of you, Ralph, but we both know that we are forgotten already in Byzantium.” He raised his voice. “Alfraed, take Harold and scout ahead. There is a forest coming up and it is the sort of place a bandit might use for an ambush.” He laughed a little, “I am sure Harold will identify the perfect place for such an ambush!”

  To be honest I was glad to ride ahead. The sedate pace of the three older warriors did not suit me. I kicked Scout on. He seemed pleased to be trotting rather than walking. “Where would you ambush us if you were waiting in the woods?”

  “You see yonder, sir, where the road rises and then turns. That would be a good place for an ambush. A pair of good archers could cover the approach and they would wait around the bend. The others would wait in the ditches and the brush on this side of the woods.”

  “Not in the woods?”

  “No, my lord. Most horsemen worry only about woods and they would not be alert until they entered the eaves. A good bandit can disguise himself and lie in a ditch and remain unseen.”

  “And were you a good bandit?”

  He grinned, “Aye, my lord, the best. I think that is why Robert of the Wood was so angry about my leaving. I could hide in a ditch all day and not be seen.”

  “Have you killed up close, with a dagger?”

  His face became serious, “Aye my lord; more times than I care to think of.”

  “Is it hard?”

  “It never gets easy but in most cases it was the man I killed or me. I survived. My father did not.”

  We had reached the bend in the road. Harold slipped from his horse and jabbed his spear into the murky waters of the ditch which ran along the road. I knew from those in the east that they were designed to be kept clean. Since the Romans had left no one had bothered. “And you could hide in that water?”

  He nodded, “You have a reed through which you breathe. Normally you hide there just before the ambush. It is no
t long to wait and it guarantees success.”

  There were no hidden men and we waved on the others. The woods went almost all the way to the walls of Durham. When we emerged on the ridge to the south of the castle we halted. The road went steeply down to the bridge across the river. There was a gatehouse there and we saw the road climbed up to the castle and the cathedral which dominated the skyline. We could see the masons working on the magnificent structure. The river ran around three sides of the castle and the town. I could now see why the Scots had not bothered trying to take it. They would have lost many men. It seemed to me that the only way would be to build rafts and cross the river. Of course an attacker would then have to climb the steep bank and face arrows and missiles from the walls. It explained why they had chosen the softer target of Norton.

  Ralph, however, had a sharp, military mind. “The Scots would have needed to pass close by this castle to reach Norton. Why did the Constable not sally forth and bring them to battle?”

  My father pointed to the west. “Perhaps there is a ford further west.”

  Ralph was not convinced, “Perhaps.”

  Chapter 8

  The men at arms who presented their spears to us were not dressed in mail. They wore leather but they looked like men who knew their business. They looked insolently at my father, who smiled, patiently. When they did not speak he did so. “I am Baron Ridley of Norton, recently appointed by King Henry. I am here to present my titles and deeds to the Seneschal.”

  His tone and titles had an immediate effect. “If you would dismount then you can lead your horses up to the hall. The Seneschal is holding his weekly court. You will have to wait until he has finished.”

  We dismounted. I did not like the man’s tone but my father and his oathsworn seemed happy enough. The hooves of our horses clattered across the stone bridge. It was a steep climb up to the tower and the hall. I noticed that the wall ran along both sides of the gate and it turned. It was not finished yet but an enemy would have to endure an attack from both sides if he was to take the tower. This was a castle which would be the equal of Caen when it was finished.

  The cathedral lay to one side of the bailey. It had men scurrying up the half finished tower. They had, seemingly, many masons here. There was a trough filled with water. “Aiden, water the horses. Harold, help him.”

  The four of us walked towards the Great Hall. The two guards saw our weapons and our armour but they parted to allow us entry. Inside there was a small man seated on a chair which looked far too big for him. This was the first time I saw the Seneschal of Durham, Geoffrey Fitzrobert. I came to learn what a clever and devious man he was. He would have fitted in well at the court of the Emperor. He knew how to play the game of politics. He was as shifty as quicksand. We stood at the back and listened to his deliberations. It would tell us much about the man. I was learning. The man who was brought forward to be examined was not a knight. His rough clothes showed him to be a workingman but a freeman. The Seneschal had a high pitched voice and I noted that he spoke in Norman. I wondered if the man could understand what was being said.

  “William of Lincoln you have been found guilty of attempting to defraud the Bishop of four gold pieces. How plead you?”

  Surprisingly the man spoke in Norman. It was halting but I could understand it. “My lord, I protest. I was paid that coin for work on the West Chancel of the cathedral. It was honestly earned.”

  The Seneschal smiled and it was an evil smile filled with cruelty. “Robert of Durham disputes that and maintains that he completed the work. He says that you did not do the work you were contracted for. He says that you spent much time with your wife. Are you calling the master mason a liar?”

  I did not have much experience in courts but I knew that this was not something to say lightly. The accused’s shoulders slumped, “I did the work.”

  “And Robert of Durham says you lie. We have no reason to doubt the word of the master mason. You are fined four gold pieces and banished from Durham. Pay my clerk.” The mason reached into his purse and walked towards the clerk. “If there are no further cases to be heard then this session herewith ends.” The strident voice echoed around the hall.

  As the people started to leave my father whispered something in Ralph’s ear; he nodded and left. The three of us approached the Seneschal who had stood and was watching the court empty. We waited patiently. Fitzrobert waved his hand at my father, seeing that he clutched documents. My father inclined his head and handed over the titles and deeds given to him by Brother John in Normandy.

  “My lord, I am Baron Ridley of Norton and King Henry has endowed me with the manor of Norton. Here are my titles and deeds.”

  The Seneschal allowed a brief look of irritation to flash across his face before he adopted the smile of a serpent and began to read the documents. “It is good that good King Henry has appointed a lord of the manor for Norton. We were saddened when the previous owner, Baron Guy de Ville was so treacherously slain by the Scots.” My father said nothing. “Would you and your companions care to spend the night in the castle? I am sure it will be more comfortable than a night on the road.”

  “Thank you for your kind offer, my lord, but my son and I need to get back to the manor. We have yet to build a wall around my hall.”

  “Of course. This is your son?”

  I stepped forward, “Alfraed of Norton, my lord.”

  “Another Saxon name; how interesting. I suspect there is some story here. You must promise me that you will visit at Christmas time. We hold a winter feast and I would get to know you. If there is aught that I can do for you then please let me know. The Bishop is still in London and I rule in his stead.”

  My father nodded, “Thank you for your generous offer and hospitality. We will take advantage of your market for we have come north with few possessions.”

  “You have coin?”

  My father smiled back at the question. “We have coin.”

  After we had left Garth said, “There is someone I would not trust out of my sight.”

  “You are right, Garth. Let us complete our business and get back to Norton.”

  I was surprised to see Ralph outside and he was talking to the mason. My father approached him. “William of Lincoln has my oathsworn here explained what I want of you?”

  The mason nodded. “I did not lie to the court, Baron Ridley. I did the work but I had just finished my work and they wanted to rob me of my payment.”

  “The Seneschal and this Robert of Durham are working together?”

  The mason shifted from foot to foot. “I would not wish to risk further censure. I have lost enough and I will keep my counsel.” He raised his head to look at my father. “You wish me to build a church?”

  “No, the church is built but it is crude and I would like it improved and I would have a tower built.”

  “I do not know you, sir and I do not wish to offend you but what is to stop you from withholding my payment too?”

  Ralph began to bridle but my father restrained him. “No Ralph, he is right. And he appears to be an honest man.” He looked at the mason. “I am Ridley of Norton and when I give my word I keep it. I shall house you and your family and pay you five gold pieces for your work. I give you my word but if that is not good enough then we will part.”

  As I have said my father had this way of speaking that made people trust him. I do not think I will ever have that skill. It worked yet again. William smiled, “I take your word and the work my lord. I shall get my family.”

  My father clasped his arm. “Garth, go with him and see that he is not molested.”

  “Thank you, my lord.”

  When they had gone my father shook his head. “There is much deception here. Come, we will see what the market has to offer.”

  We found little of value in the market. There were neither weapons nor armour and when we asked about a smith we were told that he only worked for the Seneschal. It was the same story with the horses. The one or two they had for sale w
ere of a very poor quality. We bought some rye and wheat flour for Faren. In all we spent but two hours in the castle. It was a disappointing expedition. However the short time in the castle meant we could reach home before dark. When Garth arrived back we were ready to leave.

  William had two sons, a daughter and a tired looking wife. Judith. My father smiled, “Judith, wife of William, you should ride with your daughter.”

  “Oh no my lord, I could not.”

  “I insist. Aiden, help the lady on to the horse. William put your tools in the packs on the horses. I would be gone from hence.” She looked relieved once she wearily mounted. Faren would have someone else to fatten up. It was not just the priest who was thin and emaciated. That was another difference with the east. In the east even the less well off were well fed whilst the rich were positively obese! This land of the north appeared to be constantly on the edge of famine. I had noticed the lack of animals in the fields as we had travelled north. The fields just grew rye, barley and various green vegetables. It would be a poor diet.

  Although I was young and did not know England I too felt that we were in danger as long as we remained in the castle. Our weapons and armour were of a much higher quality than those we saw within the castle walls. There were many envious glances from the handful of knights that we saw. All of them still had the long kite shield and the old fashioned mail with the ventail. My lamellar armour attracted much attention.

  As we left my father put Aiden, the mason and the pack horses in the middle. He rode at the fore with Garth and Ralph. “Alfraed you and Harold watch our rear. I do not trust these people.”

  We noticed that the guards at the gate over the bridge took a great deal of interest in the direction we were taking. There was only one road south but they may have been making sure that we did leave the castle.

  We had plenty of time to return home before dark. Had we not left before dawn we might have struggled. I suspected that the younger child of the mason would slow us down for he looked to be barely six years old. I think Garth thought so too for he reached down to pull the boy before him on his saddle. Garth was a sentimental man. I saw him making the boy smile. He was just like a doting grandfather. He had been denied the opportunity to father children and he was too old to do so now. The young boy made him smile. The laughter of the child enlivened the journey home.