Irish War (Anarchy Book 16)

by Hosker, Griff

  We hurried out of the keep and left by the town gate. I saw that Dick and his archers were there. He looked at me and saw my wound, “Lord?”

  “Guard the walls Dick.”

  William was as angry as I was. I could tell it by his gait. We reached the house of the two brothers and I sent Ralph of Bowness around the back. There were two front doors. One led to the workshop and one to the accommodation. Others had come into the street. I said, “Back in your homes until I say!”

  They obeyed my commands.

  “Alf, James, take four men and search the workshop.”

  I nodded to William and he tried the handle. The door was not locked. We entered with swords at the ready. Ralph of Nottingham had brought a lighted brand and he held it aloft. The place was empty but we saw signs of a hurried departure. “Wilfred, take some men and get to the stables. See if their horses are there.”

  By the time we had confirmed that both the workshop and the rooms were empty Wilfred was back. “Three horses are gone, lord, but there are six other horses there. They must belong to the dead men in the castle.”

  I nodded, “We can do nothing this night. I will have Aiden, Edgar and Edward find their trail.”

  We fetched Alice and Rebekah from the children’s room. Poor Rebekah was visibly shaken. Alice said, “I will make a posset. That will help people to sleep.” That was Alice’s way. There was always some food or a drink to remedy any situation.

  Rebekah asked, “What did they want?”

  William said, bluntly, “They wanted my father and I dead.”

  “But why?”

  I sat down. My wound had begun to ache. “Many reasons. As they were French and Flemish then I can see that the French King had a hand in this. However, we have upset the Bishop of Durham and he had two French knights at his court.”

  “We will ride thither tomorrow and confront him. Pope or no Pope we will not be attacked in our own castle.”

  After they had drunk the posset Rebekah and William retired to the room they shared with their children. The rest left Dick and I alone. “When I go to Wales, Dick then you and Wulfric will be even more important than before. We will speak with Alf and Ethelred. I need those two to interrogate every newcomer. We did it once before. I thought that with the Scots subdued and Stephen dead we had no reason. I was wrong.”

  “We have enough guards now. We can strengthen the defences. It has cost us four dead men at arms and that is sad but it could have been worse. It might have been you and your son.”

  Alf and Ethelred were summoned first thing. Aiden and his two men had ridden out directly we had returned. Aiden said that he could track in the dark. The two senior burghers were distraught that such a thing could have happened. We had once had a town watch. The two men promised to reintroduce it and to use the gates again. Peace had been an illusion.

  When Aiden returned it was with the news that the two men had taken ship to France from Hartness. It had been waiting for them. Hartness was the Bishop’s port. The questions we had for him mounted. We left just before noon. I took six knights with men and a large conroi. I wanted the Bishop to be worried. If he had fled too then I would know who had caused this problem.

  I suspect he knew something for he was there to greet us as we entered the castle. He was coming from his cathedral, “Earl Marshal, Earl, what can I say? That you came so close to death…”

  How did you know?”

  “My official at Hartness was questioned by your men. He sent directly to me for he knew that the enemies you sought left by my port. If there is anything I can do to make it up…”

  “Where are those two Frenchmen; the ones who came from the Pope?”

  “They left a month since. They were disappointed not to be granted manors.”

  I nodded, “Brother Peter, go to the Cathedral and fetch the Bible which therein resides.”

  “That is a valuable book!” The Bishop was outraged at my audacity more than the fact that the Bible would be brought from his church.

  Brother Peter said, mildly, “I will be careful. I know how to carry a Bible, even a valuable one!”

  I led the Bishop inside his hall. Many of his priests and knights were gathered. That suited me. When Brother Peter returned I said, “Place it on the table.” He did so. “Bishop Puiset I want you to put your hand on that Bible and swear that you had nothing to do with the attempt on our lives.”

  “I told you I knew nothing.”

  “Then you can swear with a clear conscience.”

  “Earl Marshal, this is unseemly. I should not have to swear.”

  “If you do not swear then I will put you on trial for attempted murder.” My voice was calm but inside I was seething. He had to have known something. My fingers itched. I wanted to draw my sword and lay it at his throat.

  His eyes narrowed and I saw the hatred he bore me and my son in them. He placed his right hand on the Bible and said, loudly, “I swear that I knew nothing of the attack on the castle at Stockton, the attempt on the Warlord and his son’s life nor of the men who committed this. I knew nothing about their ship which was in Hartness.” He lifted his hand as though it burned. “There!”

  It was in that moment that I knew he was lying and yet he had sworn on the Bible. I saw the outrage on the faces of his people. They were outraged that I had made him swear and yet some of them had to have known too. I could do nothing.

  “One more thing then, Bishop, unless you wish Hartness to be taken from you have your people there scrutinise and examine every ship which enters the harbour. The French are not our friends.”

  He nodded, “I have learned much from this Warlord and there will be changes!”

  Part Three

  Wales

  Chapter 9

  My wound was just itchy when we set off for Chester. That was a good sign that it was healing. My son had been embarrassed that his sword had wounded me. I found it amusing.

  This would be the first time I had travelled the road since Cumbria had been returned to the Countess. It meant an easier journey. My title also afforded me accommodation in churches, castles and monasteries. Gone were the days when we slept in woods with stakes and armed guards. We would return to that in Wales but, for the present I enjoyed the seven-day ride. Enjoyed was not the right word. My mind was filled with the treachery of my enemies. Even in my most precious of sanctuaries I was in danger.

  As we rode I did what I had done when I had served the Empress. I went through every enemy and worked out if they were part of the plot. I was just pleased that she was safe, within her priory. Since her son had become king and she had retired then she could enjoy a life of contemplation. I was sad that we could not be together but I was sadder that she was denied the joy of being close to sons and grandchildren. I doubted that I would ever see her again and I often wondered if she thought of me.

  As we descended the road across the hills towards our next halt I dismissed the Scots as the ones who had sent the killers. Galloway, Fife and Argyll were all leaders who were capable of murder but they would not hire French or Flemish men to do the deed. I still had enemies in Normandy and Anjou. Any of those could have hired the men. The problem with those as killers is that they would have found it easier to do so in battle. When I had fought alongside Henry in the last rebellion there had been no attempt on my life. Nor would it have been the Welsh. I might be a thorn in their side but they would have waited for me to come into their lands again.

  It was then that I realised that the attempt had to have been on both William and myself and that left just one person who stood to gain, Hugh de Puiset. Louis VII would have backed the attempt. It suited him to have discord and dissension in the north. The Bishop of Durham was the one who had pulled the strings. I could not believe that he had been foresworn. William and I had spoken, along with my senior knights, before I left. A closer watch would be kept on Hartness. The Bishop would be visited once a month by one of William’s knights. We had decided to put the valley on a war
footing. Knights would patrol their manors and beyond. Strangers would be questioned and those who came from France specifically scrutinised. If that discouraged foreigners from our land then it would not hurt us. Our ships would still trade with other ports and their ships would be welcomed. Armed men with strange accents would not. Not one of my knights had dissented.

  Countess Maud made us welcome. She always greeted me warmly with hugs and smiles. Whenever we walked she linked my arm and walked close to me. She was still an attractive woman. Some widows seemed to diminish when their husbands died. Not so Maud. I had known her for a long time. We were able to have comfortable silences and we understood each other well.

  “I have to thank your son for what he did for the King and my family. The handover of the castles went easier for us. Already the revenue is flooding in once more and Chester can become what it was before Stephen gave away that which was not his.”

  “And what of your Welsh border? The King and I campaign in the south. Is the north safe?”

  “King Owain Gwynedd ap Gruffydd has kept the peace since your battle in the Clwyd. We had begun to strengthen the castles there. What we need is a castle which is closer to the mountain of Snowdon where the land between the sea and its slopes is narrow.”

  “We would need to make war on him first and take that land. I do not think that King Henry has the appetite for that. The mountains yield little that he wants. The Welsh Marches are rich.”

  “Then why does he have you going to war? We hold the marches do we not? Surely de Clare and the lords who are there can hold on to them. Striguil and the other castles are mighty fortresses are they not?”

  We were walking by the Dee and I pointed to its water, “They are but they guard the coast. The waters of the seas guard them. King Rhys ap Gruffydd is young but he is clever. He uses his mountain strongholds to launch raids. They take slaves and cattle. The lords lose income and the King loses revenue. This will not be a long campaign. If we are still there at harvest time then I will be surprised. We will use our mobility to strike quickly. The young Welsh king needs to be discouraged. He can raid his neighbours but the Marches must be peaceful.”

  We headed back to the castle for darkness was approaching and I was still wary of a knife in the dark. “But he knows you are coming. It is common knowledge that King Henry and Count Striguil are gathering an army to punish King Rhys ap Gruffydd.”

  “Knowing that an enemy is coming and defeating him are two entirely different things. Remember Lincoln? Stephen knew we wanted the castle but he did not know that we would take it with a handful of knights and a pair of very brave women!”

  She squeezed my arm, “You always know the right thing to say. Have you never thought of remarrying?”

  I smiled at her, “Is that a proposal?”

  She laughed, “That is not the worst idea in the world, I would not be averse. I am a woman and I have needs but I do not think that King Henry would like our union. The daughter of the Earl of Gloucester and the Warlord of the North might be a combination which would threaten his throne.” She continued to squeeze my arm and said, huskily, “But you are always welcome in my home. You know that.”

  I nodded, “I know that and I too am a man who has needs but I would not risk damaging a lady’s reputation.” I put my hand on her hand and squeezed her fingers. “You are a fine lady and deserve to be happy.”

  She laughed, “Sadly I am the daughter of the bastard son of the old King and as such I am a prize heifer! Come, let us make merry this night. I would have each day joyous!” I enjoyed a wonderful evening in Chester Castle.

  When we reached Striguil King Henry had not arrived. We had travelled quickly and all of my men were mounted. I guessed that Henry had more baggage than we did. We had used sumpters for our equipment. King Henry preferred wagons.

  I liked Richard de Clare. I knew the reasons for Henry’s suspicions but I thought them unfounded. All that Richard de Clare wanted was his title and his lands returned. It would not have cost Henry anything to give it to him for the title lay vacant. Richard de Clare’s Welsh lands were Pembroke. To give the title to another he would have to give the land to another. Henry was no fool. Count Striguil was a powerful knight. His family was also descended from a Duke of Normandy. He could trace his lineage back to Richard Duke of Normandy. The de Clare family also had other estates in England, in Surrey, as well as Normandy and Anjou. As a warrior, he reminded me of William. He was a fierce fighter and a superb rider. He led men well and, more importantly, they followed his banner.

  He greeted me warmly and appeared excited. “Earl Marshal, I am to be married!”

  I smiled, “Congratulations. Who is the bride to be?”

  “Eva, Aoife MacMurrough, the daughter of King Diarmait Mac Murchada of Leinster.”

  I showed my surprise. “Does King Henry know of this?”

  “Not yet.” He looked worried. He looked around and, taking my arm said, “Let us walk by the Severn. I need your advice. I know that you are an honourable man. What I say will remain in confidence.”

  I nodded, “Unless it threatens my king.”

  He shook his head, “That it will not.” We walked close to the river. There was no one near us but had there been then the sound of the waters would have masked our words. “Last year the king was deprived of his kingdom by Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, High King of Ireland. He visited King Henry and asked for his help. The king said he was too busy. The King told him to seek help from the marcher lords.” He looked at me and watched my reaction. That meant that King Henry had begun this course of action. “He came here on his way back and asked me and my brother lords for help. I met Eva and I was smitten. King Diarmait noticed this and offered his daughter’s hand in exchange for my help.”

  I felt my heart sinking. This was the sort of action which could cost a lord his head. “And what do you say?”

  He shook his head, “I am no fool, Earl Marshal! I told him that I could supply men but King Henry would have to give permission in order for me to lead them. I thought to ask him when he comes but I need your help. He listens to you. Everyone knows that since his father died you have become a father figure. Help me to keep my word.”

  “Then you have promised.”

  He sighed, “I have land here but no title. I will serve King Henry but…”

  “If you took your men then what of this land?”

  “That is why I am pleased that you come on this campaign. I believe we can subjugate the men whom King Rhys ap Gruffydd leads and when the land is secure, with your help, I can persuade the King to allow me to regain Leinster for King Diarmait Mac Murchada. It would gain another ally for King Henry.”

  I nodded, “Then I will help you so long as you heed my advice and obey me. I know the King. I have been with him since his birth. Do not speak of this until I say it is the right time.”

  “I swear.”

  I nodded, “Now tell me of King Rhys ap Gruffydd. Where is his stronghold?”

  “It is in the heart of Cantref Mawr. The Carreg Cennen Castle is almost impregnable for it sits on a high cliff. There is but one way to assault it.”

  “What is nearby?”

  “The King has built a monastery called Talley Abbey and there is Dinefwr Castle which overlooks the River Tywi.”

  “How far away is it?”

  “From here ninety miles. It is longer to go by the coastal route and safer for we have castles there. We would be crossing Bannau Brycheiniog. That is a high wilderness filled with bandits and outlaws not to mention bands of warriors who serve King Rhys. The land we call Brecon, is a dangerous place.”

  “Those are often the best routes to take for they can be travelled unseen. If we go by the coast then this king will know exactly where we are. He will place his men to stop us.”

  We had reached the castle and the Great Hall. “Will not King Henry make the decision?”

  “King Henry will be guided by us. The journey is not what concerns King Henry. It is t
he destination. He wants secure borders so that he can concentrate on Normandy, Anjou and Aquitaine.”

  The King did not arrive for another four days. The other Welsh Marcher lords gathered with their retinue. I had not brought my scouts and so I asked for two of de Clare’s. Rhodri and Thomas were both typical Welshmen. They knew their job. I went with them to scout out the approaches to Brecon. I took James, Aelric and Tomas ap Tomas. The two local scouts knew the land well.

  “If I wanted to get to Carreg Cennen unseen which way would I go?”

  They looked at me and saw the grey on my beard. “Riding a horse lord, or in a carriage?”

  I saw the anger on Aelric’s face at the insult. I smiled. “Do not let these grey hairs fool you. I have travelled over worse than Bannau Brycheiniog before now. Answer me this then, if you were to get to the castle unseen which way would you go?”

  They smiled and Rhodri said, “Now that question I can answer, lord. I would travel north, along the Usk Valley. That way you could approach the castle from the north and their eyes would be on the south.”

  “And the Welsh Abbey?”

  “That is not far north. You would have to pass Dinefwr Castle to reach it.”

  “Good then let us see how far we can get in half a day.”

  As we rode I saw the mountains rise to our left. They were a natural ridge. Once you chose your approach then there would be no chance of crossing. A plan began to emerge in my mind. We passed isolated farms and one castle before we stopped at noon at the castle of Abergavenny. It was part of the land ruled by William de Braose. The knight who was in residence was Hamelin de Balun. He was an old knight. I had met him in the last campaign. He had the look of a man who was waiting to die. He greeted us warmly but he would not be fighting alongside us. He did, however, provide valuable information about the land over which we would travel. He confirmed my scouts’ opinion that it would be the best route to take. We returned to Striguil.

  It was dark when we returned and, after eating I pored over maps with de Clare. I missed William for I could use him to test my ideas. Dick and Wulfric were also useful for that. I found Richard de Clare equally receptive. He knew how to listen and to be able to question. Those skills were what I needed. James meant well but he would agree with everything I said. I needed someone to see problems and Richard did that. By the time we had finished I was confident that I had a plane which would yield results.