Earl

by Griff Hosker

  “I will give it some thought but I cannot see a solution to this problem; at least not one with a happy outcome.”

  We heard footsteps coming down the corridor. She leaned and kissed me on the lips and then said, “Come to my chamber tonight.” She spun lightly away to a chair and was seated when Cedric returned with the wine.

  He was followed by the Earl and the Swabian knights. Rolf rushed up to me and picked me up in a bear hug. “It is good to see you!” As soon as I was deposited I was picked up by Gottfried and then by Karl. My ribs ached after their enthusiastic welcomes.

  The Earl loved this and he roared with laughter. “You four would make a formidable weapon! None would be able to stand in your way.”

  Rolf nodded, “And if Sir Edward and Sir Guy de la Cheppe were here then we would be invincible!” He clapped me on the back. “How long do you stay?”

  I gestured to the Earl. “We go hunting and then I must return to the north. We have to be ever vigilant!”

  The Earl said, “Tonight we feast and tomorrow we hunt the wild boar.”

  I did not drink overmuch and I was, generally, silent. I listened to Rolf and the others as they spoke of life in Anjou. Although they did not criticise outright I could hear in their tone that they were unhappy with the behaviour and attitude of the Empress’ young husband. The Earl frowned but he did not say much. When I rose to retire the Earl followed me out and spoke to me in the corridor where we could not be overheard.

  “You are close to my sister, I know that. If you get the chance I beg you to persuade her to return to her husband. My father is not a patient man. If the marriage fails then it will be the nunnery for my sister. He wishes his lands to be in firm hands after he is gone.”

  “I will do my best but I am not certain what I can do.”

  He peered at me and it was though he was seeing into my heart. “You have the power over my sister, Alfraed, and we both know this.”

  As I went back to my chamber then I knew why the Earl had brought me here. It was not to hunt. It was to make Matilda return home. I undressed and sat looking at the pommel of my sword which hung from the head of the bed. Had my father’s spirit sent me to fetch the sword to make me focus on being a warrior and to forget the entanglements which had been placed in my path? I know not how long I stared at the blue stone which sparkled in the candlelight but I heard a soft tap on the door. Returning the sword to its scabbard I went to the door and opened it. There stood Margaret, the Empress Matilda’s servant.

  “My lord,” she spoke so quietly that I had to bend down to hear her. “My lady wishes a word with you in her chamber.”

  I lifted my head and shook it. “I am sorry, Margaret, I cannot do that. It would not be honourable for your lady is married as am I. I am a knight and I have taken vows. As much as my heart wishes me to do as your lady asks then I must be strong.”

  She smiled, sadly, “You are a good man and my lady is a good lady. You are right but it will break my lady’s heart.” She curtsied and left.

  I did sleep but I know not how. My heart was not in the hunt the next day and it was left to the Earl himself to make the best kill; a fine tusker who killed two of the Earl’s hounds before he was killed. The Earl was in good humour. After bathing I joined the Earl and his knights in the hall. As I entered he toasted me and then gestured to the fire. I joined him. He smiled, “You are a good fellow, Alfraed. My sister has told me that she returns to her husband tomorrow. I knew that I could rely on you. I told you that you had power over her.”

  The feast that evening was in honour of the Empress. She glanced at me, frequently, and smiled each time. I knew that I had done the right thing but that did not mean that I was happy about it. If I was Wulfric or a man at arms then I would have been able to obey my heart. I was a knight and I was a gentleman. I had responsibilities as well as rights.

  I stayed another two days after the departure of the Empress and her knights. I had done my job and the Earl said, “I have secured the border and with my knights returned here we can both leave. I will now follow my sister and accompany her to Anjou. I want to make sure she gets there. You, my friend, need to show yourself in the north. Word of our victory will have spread and your presence on the border will discourage any attempts by our neighbours to encroach upon our lands.”

  “What of Carlisle and Durham?”

  “I have ordered that the castellan at Carlisle builds a larger keep. It should be safe enough for a while. The river protects the castle as does the Tees for you. Durham?” He shrugged, “Until my father appoints a new Prince Bishop then you must watch that closely. Do you have doubts about their loyalty?”

  “It is my closest neighbour. I would be happier if I knew that the lord who ruled as Bishop had a strong arm.”

  “And that is the problem my friend. We need someone unique. They must be acceptable as a leader of the church and yet a strong warrior. As they cannot marry it is not necessarily an attractive appointment. Men wish to leave something for their children. You know that as a father. I must confess that if I were the King I would have chosen someone before now. The trouble is that the Palatinate is a powerful piece of land.”

  I was not unhappy about returning home. The Earl’s words had made me realise how important my family was. In addition I could throw myself into being a lord of the manor once more. As there were just a handful of us we made excellent time and caught up with Sir Edward and the captured animals close to Northallerton. William of Yarm had recovered and he and the wounded men at arms were with Sir Edward. My closest friend was not in the best of humours. “I pray we reach home soon. If not then I fear I will slaughter every animal here! They stink and they move so slowly that an old man could move faster.”

  I laughed, “But think of your people when they receive this bounty and think of the men you can hire with the profits.”

  “Perhaps but I am yet to be convinced.” He gave me a searching look, as we headed up the old Roman Road to the north. “And how is the Empress?”

  “She has returned to Anjou. Rolf and the others asked after you.”

  I realised that I had been both clumsy and curt but Edward merely nodded, “That is good. And what of us? Has the Earl more plans?”

  “We are to show ourselves along the border. I will leave the three of you to stay with your manors and take Sir Hugh with me. It will do him good and I am sure Sir Hugh Manningham will enjoy a show of strength.”

  “The Lady Adela may be unhappy at your brief visit.”

  I nodded, “I know. Perhaps I will take William. That will please my wife.”

  As we rode the last few miles I pondered Sir Edward’s words. I had not been unhappy to obey the Earl’s commands. If I was at home then I would mope but if I was on campaign then I would have too much to think on to worry about my family. I was being selfish and I knew it. My wife would be sad at my absence but she would smile and bear it as she always did. She was long suffering.

  All of my people were pleased to see me. The sight of the captured cattle and the treasure we had taken from our enemies meant prosperity for all. Although I had not been away for long my town and my castle looked a little stronger. William the mason had been busy as had my men at arms. We did not rest upon our laurels and were ever vigilant. The better our defences then the less likely we were to be attacked.

  I had been lucky in the campaign. I had lost none of my men and those who had been wounded could still fight. Although two of them would not be able to ride to war they would still be able to guard my home and that was an equally important task. As we waited for the ferry to come across the Tees I turned to Wulfric, Dick and Erre. “I would have the three of you ride to York and see if there are archers and men at arms for hire. Choose only the best.”

  Dick nodded, “And if we cannot find them there, my lord?”

  “Then head for Sheffield, Nottingham and Lincoln. You have a month to bring them back.”

  The ferry bumped into the wooden jetty. Ethelred�
�s ferryman, James the Elder bowed. “Welcome back, my lord.”

  “And we are glad to be back, James.”

  Wulfric asked, “Will you not need us for a month, my lord?”

  “Your task is more important. I have to make a procession to the north but others can deputise for you. It will be good to see which of them can be leaders.”

  “You would replace us, my lord?”

  “No Wulfric but none of us are immortal. I shall be taking William with me to begin his preparations. I am preparing for the day when I am too old to fight and besides when we go to battle it is good to have others who can command.”

  I saw the relief on their faces. Sometimes my men surprised me. Did they not know that they were as valuable to me as the stones of my castle?

  Erre asked, “Why me, my lord? I do not mind but there are unlikely to be warriors such as us in this land.”

  “There may be more than you would think and I wish more warriors like you. You have proved your worth more than once. Now that we have lost William the Tall I would bring your number up to ten, including you. You will know the qualities you need to spot.”

  He nodded, “I will seek out others such as me but I am not certain we will succeed.”

  I looked up as I heard a cry from across the river. It was William and he was waving wildly. My wife held Hilda and they too waved. The moment I stepped ashore he raced up to me and threw his arms around me. I saw that his head came to just above my waist. He was growing.

  “Did you kill many men, father?”

  “I did. And look,” I turned to Leofric and held out my hand. He brought the helmet we had taken from the small dead Welshman. Although still too big for William he would grow into it. “Here, my son, a helmet from a dead Welshman. When you have burnished it then we will make a leather lining for it.”

  His face lit up. When he put it on his head half of his face disappeared. My wife shook her head. “It is too large, my husband.”

  I winked, “He will grow into it.”

  As I walked into my castle she told me of the happenings in the town and what Hilda and William had been up to. It was as far removed from the slaughter at Chester as one could imagine and was nothing like the intrigues of Empress Matilda and her husband but the mundane nature of my life in my castle and town brought me comfort. I was home.

  John, my steward and clerk, brought me down to earth when I entered my Great hall. “My lord, there are many cases and disputes for you to settle. With so many new people living in the manor we, needs must, have a session each quarter.”

  I sighed, “Then I will hear all of the cases next week.” I was a lord of the manor once more.

  Chapter 8

  The sessions helped me to spend a little time with my family and allowed me to break it to Adela that I had been tasked with scouring the border. She had a remarkably understanding attitude.

  “It is a great honour husband that the King trusts you to control the border. I am proud of you.”

  “I will take William with me. It is time he began his training as a squire.”

  Her face fell. “He is too young! His life will be in danger.”

  “I promise you that he will be safe but he will be the lord of the manor one day. My own father began his life as a warrior when he was little older than William. Leofric will always be at his side. Besides, there should be little enough danger. I am only sent to show the Scots that they are not forgotten. They will have spies who will know I was in Wales.”

  I persuaded her. I believe that she was afraid that if I made William stay at home he would blame her.

  I sent word to Sir Hugh of Gainford and asked him to bring ten of his men along with me. I intended to use Sir Hugh Manningham’s conroi for the bulk of my force. I would take just ten men at arms and ten archers from my retinue. It would be a chance for Roger of Lincoln and Aelric to lead and I could watch them. Some men might be a good warrior and yet be a poor leader. I did not mind that but I had to know. Wulfric and Dick were natural leaders. I dare say that given different circumstances they could have been knights.

  Star was left behind again as was Aiden. The hawks had been neglected and I wished him to discover how many animals we had on our lands. I did not wish my people to hunt the deer and the boar to extinction. Although we enjoyed the meat there were always plenty of rabbits. I wished my son to enjoy the fine hunting I did.

  We rode up the coast road for I wanted to see how De Brus was faring. Hartness was prospering. Since the new lord of the manor had taken over it had been a well governed and defended piece of land. Sir Hugh and I did not stop long for I was keen to spend the night at Hexham. The nights were lengthening and we made the sanctuary that was Hexham before night fell. The land was well ruled by Sir Hugh Manningham but the woods and forests had the potential to be the lairs of brigands and bandits. Young Scots still liked to venture south for the opportunity to capture and ransom those who ventured alone.

  This was the second time I had taken William north and I noticed a marked change in him this time. He asked more questions of Leofric. He was attempting to learn more on this journey. He was growing. I had done the same when my father had shown an interest in my development as a warrior. I was pleased. I listened to their conversation as we rode up the north Tyne. “Why does John carry the standard, Leofric? Is he a better warrior?”

  I heard John snigger. Leofric was a thoughtful squire and he would not be upset by the question or John’s laughter. “No William. John is a bigger warrior. The standard will fly higher in his hands. It means I fight more frequently than John for he must listen for your father’s commands. It is the standard which tells our men what they must do. If you have to hold it then you have a great responsibility. It also means you will find it hard to defend yourself.”

  There was a silence as William took that in. “When I become a squire, Leofric, what will I do?”

  “You will do whatever our lord asks. When Sir Hugh was the squire of your father, John and I spent much of the time when they were fighting holding Star and the destrier of the other knights. A squire must be skilled in many things.”

  “And will you be a knight, like my father and Sir Hugh?”

  “That depends upon our lord. If he chooses to knight us then perhaps but we have much to learn and far more skills to acquire.”

  “You are not ready now then?”

  I heard John answer, “It will be some years before we even consider trying to gain our spurs.”

  William’s voice was filled with disappointment as he said, “Then I will have even longer to wait.”

  Both of my squires and Sir Hugh’s laughed at the sad little voice he adopted. I turned in my saddle, “Which is why you need to learn as much as you can from these three squires. Watch and learn. Tonight John will show you how to put an edge on a sword.”

  He brightened, “Your sword?”

  “No, my son. You can sharpen John’s sword for him. When he is satisfied with your skill then you can watch him sharpen mine and we shall see if you are ready for that responsibility.” That seemed to satisfy him.

  As we approached Hexham I saw that Sir Hugh Manningham had improved his defences considerably and I knew that any attacker would lose many men in an attempt to take it. He had done it gradually and whilst it was not made of stone it was strongly made. My messenger had warned him of our imminent arrival and he had quarters prepared for my men. This was another reason I had brought so few of my men. It cost my knights when I had to stay with them. The giant who protected the Roman Wall for me grinned when he saw William. He liked my son.

  “I see you have brought another powerful knight to my home. Welcome young William!”

  My son stood a little taller and then bowed. “Thank you for your hospitality, Baron.”

  Sir Hugh waved his arm, “Pray enter!” As they passed by he said to me, “Your message was brief, Earl. What is it that we do?” Sir Hugh followed us as we entered.

  His hall was darker than mi
ne for it was made of wood and only lit by candles and the fire. It seemed oppressive after my airy home. “The Earl of Gloucester wishes us to show a presence along the border. Although our neighbours have been quiet of late he worries that the Welsh incursions may encourage them.”

  He snorted as he waved over a servant with some wine. “If they have any sense they would head further west. Sir Barnard does not seem worried about raids.”

  I saw my former squire, Hugh of Gainford look uncomfortable. Baron Barnard of Balliol was his closest neighbour. I asked, “You have heard something?”

  He shook his head, “No but Sir Barnard seems to be absent often. As my closest manor I oft times visit.” He smiled, “I learned from you, Earl that close ties make for better defence.”

  “Aye you are right there! I know that Morpeth and the New Castle are stout allies. If their defences were breached or their loyalty compromised then I could not hold the road south.” he nodded towards me as he drank some of the wine. “And until we have a new Bishop of Durham then the situation betwixt us is parlous.”

  I liked Sir Hugh for he was plain speaking. He had voiced my concerns. The Palatinate was the jewel in the crown of the north. Whoever controlled it could rule the north. Since the death of Bishop Flambard then there had been a succession of temporary castellans. The Archbishop of York had placed a reliable priest to manage the cathedral and the religious side but it was the walls of stone which worried me and not the walls of faith.

  “Then when we have processed we will ride home that way and visit with the Baron.” I shrugged, “I do not like to use my title but this seems a good time to command some service.”

  He feted us well and it was good for the men at arms to get to know each other. We rose early and headed west.

  Sir Hugh brought most of his men with us as we headed north to the old Roman Wall and the road which ran along its southern side. There were trails, tracks and greenways to the north of the wall but the position of the solidly made Roman Road meant we would be seen clearly as we headed west. We were making a show for the Scots. I would not need to visit the castle at Carlisle. The Earl had assured me of its loyalty. It was the area to the east of that castle which posed the threat. With those who lived in Ireland eager for the promise of raids in England that route was the easiest for them to take. They could land on the north bank of the Solway and flood eastwards with nothing to stop them save Hexham, then Morpeth and then the New Castle.