Earl

by Griff Hosker

  It was a horrible journey north for the winter attacked us with a vengeance and, when I saw Stockton loom up out of the gloom, I was grateful beyond words. My home seemed warm and inviting after the grey wet world through which we had travelled. My wife looked as beautiful as a spring morning and my children were as jewels in a crown. I was happy. The long dark nights were to be relished rather than dreaded. My wife and I enjoyed each other’s company as we had never done before. I had exorcised Matilda and I was free to love my wife.

  Wulfric was pleased that there was some prospect of war. He had been more than unhappy at the missed opportunity to kill some Scotsmen. He had the men trained well and was keen to try them out. He and Erre rode back to York to enlist more men. Now that we had more warriors like Erre we could afford to take all of our horsemen. We had begun breeding our own horses and had foals which would soon be ready to ride. We had no destrier stallions yet but palfreys were what we used every day. William now had his own mail hauberk and he had grown into his helmet. The leather inner made a tight fit and I had had him made a bigger shield. He had applied himself well under the tutelage of John, Leofric and, most importantly, Wulfric. Adela had not been happy about the bruises and cuts he had suffered. I had told her that they were more valuable than armour. They were a measure of his experience.

  I had also decided that this time we would take Aiden. It would save lives. He was more than happy to be part of an expedition. He enjoyed the challenge. John son of Leofric was also happy for the finances of the manor were now much healthier.

  Wulfric and Erre brought back six men at arms. There were another three of the men who had served in the east. They, like the others, had come from Al-Andalus. I think they went there from Miklagård believing that they would like the climate. They found that they did not for the Moors were cruel and wished to convert all to their religion.

  In the middle of February William the Mason finished the tower of the church of St Mary which lay in my town. Father Matthew asked for the Dean of Durham, Father Michael to consecrate it for us. We still had no bishop there. I, for one, was happy for I liked Father Michael. He would have made a good knight. He could have been a warrior monk had he so chosen. It was when the congregation spilled out into the cold that I realised just how much we had grown. When William had designed the church with me we had had far fewer people. Now we were larger than Carlisle.

  As we waited for the priests to begin I spoke quietly to William. I did not have to bend down as far as last year. He had grown. “God’s grace and favour are as important to you as your armour. Remember that and pray for his help.”

  “I will.”

  There was something about the interior of the church which made me think of a cave beneath the ground. With no outside light it was dimly lit by candles which threw, even in daylight, strange shadows. We all listened in silence to the Latin spoken by the two priests. I knew the words but, apart from Adela, few others did. The ‘Amen’s’ from the congregation came a heartbeat after the ones from us.

  The Dean walked over to my family and laid his hands, first on Adela and me and then on William and Hilda. He blessed us.

  Once outside we were greeted by the smell of roasting meat. I had given one of the Welsh cattle to be cooked as a celebration of the consecration of the church. As my men at arms mixed with those in the town I saw liaisons blossoming. Edward had told me that men at arms only looked to women for marriage when they were settled. I took it as a compliment that they felt settled in my manor.

  It was a good day. Despite the wind and the dark scudding clouds the rain held off and the hardy folk of my town enjoyed the slices of beef which were placed on freshly baked bread platters the flour for which I, too, had provided. In a time of shortage it was a veritable feast and I was pleased to do it for my people.

  I took the opportunity to speak with Alf and Ethelred. Despite John, my Steward’s words I still worried about the effect of the taxes. I spread my arm in a circle. “Our town grows and, I hope, prospers.”

  Alf nodded. “The Church is a clear sign that God favours us. We are content.”

  “Despite the taxes?”

  Although Ethelred frowned, for he was a mean man, Alf laughed. “Do not worry about Ethelred. He still has the first penny he earned tucked away somewhere. The taxes are nothing. We would pay double.”

  Ethelred spluttered, “Now, kinsman, do not be hasty!”

  I laughed for I also knew him well. Alf shook his head and wagged his finger at the merchant and ferryman. “Before the Earl arrived we paid no taxes and we were poor. It was the Earl who allowed you to build your ferry. It is he who draws in the ships and the people.” He jabbed his finger towards the large hall. “You were happy to live in a hut before he came and you now have a lord’s house, servants and slaves. You should be ashamed of such an attitude.”

  “You are right. Forgive me my lord. It is ever thus. A man forgets whence he came.” He chuckled. “Besides those who pass through pay even more taxes than we do and yet they come still.”

  We talked then of the changes we had made and those that we would make in the future. I enjoyed the time speaking with my burghers.

  That evening, with the children asleep and Adela in my arms we lay, huddled beneath our blankets and furs and spoke of the future. I know you are to go away and that it will be at short notice but when you return I will have grown larger.”

  “A child?”

  She giggled, “We lay together so many times on your return that I would have worried if it were not so.”

  I hugged her tighter. I said nothing but I knew that it would be another son. We planned, as all parents do for our three children and I fell asleep dreaming of my two sons riding to war behind me. It was a joyous picture. Those next days were amongst the happiest I can remember. We were like two children with a secret. No one else knew and that made our secret even more special.

  Chapter 11

  Seven days after the feast a rider galloped in his horse all lathered and sweating. He threw himself from the saddle and dropped to his knees. “My lord, Sir Gilbert said that ships have landed men in the Lune valley. They are spreading like ants in summer.”

  “You have done well. John, see to this rider. Ralph of Wales, ride to Normanby and tell the lords twixt here and there that we ride. Griff of Gwent ride to those to the north of us.” They ran to their horses. As the rider from Carlisle rose I said, “You told my knights along the valley?”

  “Aye my lord.”

  “Wulfric, Dick let us ride.”All had been prepared. Our sumpters had the packs of mail and weapons already close by. Erre knew that he was to stay and guard my castle. He now had more men under his command. The servants who would accompany us had their orders. It took less than an hour for us to be ready.

  Tristan and Harold were ready with their men as we passed their halls. They both had small retinues but I was happy that they left their demesne well defended. Tristan’s father, Sir Richard, caught up with us as we passed Sadberge. The farmers along the way looked up in wonder when they saw the colourful array of knights and men at arms pass by. I knew, from my own farmers, that they worried at such movements. It meant danger and they were always vulnerable when we left.

  We reached Gainford in the afternoon. I held a council of war with those knights of mine who had arrived. “As the attack is along the Lune then tomorrow we ride to Kirby Lonsdale. There is a castle there and it is held by the de Taillebois family.”

  Sir Geoffrey of Piercebridge said, “But that is over fifty miles hence and it is winter.”

  “And while we delay then the people who live there will suffer and die.” I turned to Sir Hugh, “Have you sent a rider to Sir Barnard?”

  “He is not at home. He visits with his cousins in Scotland.”

  I said nothing but, when I returned I would visit with Sir Barnard and explain his duties and responsibilities in such a fashion that he could not misunderstand my words!

  It was a mighty host w
hich crossed the Tees and headed for Hawes. It was a slightly shorter route than the one which passed through Barnard Castle but it was over the high moors of the West Moor Land. I decided to risk it. The roads were barely passable. There was little at Hawes but it was a good pass which led to the Lune. Once we made the pass we would have some shelter from the bitingly cold east winds and driving snow which found gaps in our cloaks and our armour.

  I heard William excitedly asking Leofric about the land we would be visiting. This would be his first real campaign and he was keen. That was as it should be. Now that there was the prospect of another son I was less worried about William. He had shown himself to be resourceful and also lucky. Both were attributes which every warrior admired. Skill was one thing but if you were lucky too then others would fight close by you.

  Aiden ranged far ahead with his hounds. I felt happier for his presence. There was little chance of us being ambushed. We could ride easier. Without Aiden we would all end the day with stiff necks from looking over our shoulders and ahead for danger. All had confidence in my former slave who had become as valuable to me as any warrior.

  Sir Edward had become a father again and he told me of his second son, Henry. I kept the news of Adela’s gift from him. It might be bad luck to do so. However I enjoyed his stories for I anticipated my stories after my son was born at harvest time.

  Aiden returned shortly before dark. “I have ridden to the castle my lord and told Sir Ivo of our imminent arrival. He had not heard of the raid. He has sent a rider to his father, the Baron of Kendal.”

  I nodded, “Is the castle far?”

  “We will be there as the sun sets.” He grinned as he pointed to the west, “We are heading in the right direction, my lord.”

  Sir Ivo was the second son of the Baron of Kendal. Named after his grandfather he was of an age with Tristan. His small wooden hall would not hold us and we camped in the cold outside his palisade. He did however, have hot food for us.

  “How many mounted men can you bring with us, Sir Ivo?”

  “I have but five mounted men at arms and my squire.”

  He sounded almost embarrassed, “That will swell our numbers and besides we should have riders from the north and the south joining us by late tomorrow.”

  “You intend to attack with the men you have here, my lord?”

  “That depends upon their numbers. At the very least I hope to stop their depredations. I have fought Norse and Irish before. They are fierce fighters but they do not use horses. It may be that our presence alone makes them return home. They cannot have expected such a swift response from us. The King of Gwynedd’s betrayal of them will come as a shock. Make sure you bring plenty of lances. If we can break them with lances we will have fewer casualties.”

  My own knights knew my philosophy but I could see the doubt in his eyes and hear it in his words. “Is there not glory to be had? We can face them sword to sword.”

  I heard Edward snort, “I can see you have never faced a wild Irishman wielding a double handed axe. Ask the Earl’s squire what an axe can do to a horse. Take the Earl’s advice young man and use a lance. It is cheaper to replace than a horse.”

  I saw Sir Ivo redden. He did not like being spoken to as a young man. “Sir Edward means no offence. He has fought since before you were born. He is a rough and ready soldier but his wisdom in the area of warfare is not to be doubted.”

  Mollified Sir Ivo nodded, “Thank you for the advice. I confess I have yet to face an army.” He smiled, “I have done well in the tourney.”

  Sir Edward said, “Then you have naught to fear so long as you follow the banner of the Earl. He is the best general I have ever followed.”

  Sir Gilbert arrived during the evening. He brought with him Baron Geoffrey of Kendal and six knights. His twenty men at arms would be welcome but he only had crossbow men. I preferred the speed of the war bow. We would be reliant upon my archers once more. I was glad I had not left any at home. It seemed we would need them all.

  I led my large battle towards the Lune. Aiden was aided by some of Sir Ivo’s gamekeepers. They knew the land and could move silently. We did not need them to show us where the raiders had been. The burnt out buildings and corpses told their own story. The bodies were those of men and youths who had fought to save their families. There were no animals to be seen. I took this to be a good sign. They would have to move more slowly and would need men to guard the animals and captives they had taken.

  A rider came from the south and met us two miles from the tiny hamlet of Caton. He pointed south. “My lord, the Earl of Chester has sent me. He has found a large force of raiders along the Ribble. They are holding Preston. He begs you to come to his aid.”

  This was a problem. There was not just one force of enemies but two. “Tell the Earl that we must first rid the land around the Lune of the raiders and then we will join him.” He nodded and rode off. I turned to my knights, “It is now even more urgent than ever that we strike and strike quickly. Dick, gather every mounted archer. I want a screen ahead of us and we now move like quicksilver.” As he rode to organise the men I said, “Squires, bring our warhorses. They ride next to us. When we sight the enemy we change mounts.”

  We had twenty one knights and sixty men at arms. With our twenty four squires we had enough armour but did we have the numbers?

  “Wulfric, I charge you to command the men at arms. Form them into one force. When we charge, I want them as two lines behind the knights and the squires.”

  Sir Gilbert asked, “You intend to charge them without knowing their disposition?”

  “Perhaps but I want us to be ready to charge if the opportunity arises. I will not waste time giving orders. Watch my banner. When I signal I expect instant obedience. I know not half of the knights who follow me but you will have to watch my own knights. They know their business.” I saw from some of the faces of Sir Gilbert’s knights that I had offended them. I had not been diplomatic. This was war and I had no time for diplomacy.

  We headed down the road in a four wide column. The archers ranged ahead of us. We had not gone more than two hundred paces when Aiden galloped in. “My lord, we have found them. They are close by and they have a camp close to a bend in the river. There is a hill and they have occupied it. Their ships lie in the river yonder.”

  “How many warriors are there?”

  “I counted over two hundred my lord but there were others in the boats.”

  “Are they moving?”

  “No, my lord, it seems they have risen late. There are captives and I heard wailing.”

  He did not need to elaborate. I knew what the Norse and the Irish would have been doing. I knew that the rider from the Earl of Chester had not seen them or he would have said. That meant that they were returning to their camp after each day’s raiding. They would spread further afield each day. If we struck quickly then we might catch them unawares. “Find Dick and bring him to me.” Turning in my saddle I said, “Warhorses and lances!”

  I dismounted and handed Scout’s reins to William. “Your task, squire, is to guard Scout. Watch the battle and if Star falls then bring Scout to me. If my lance breaks then bring me a fresh one. Do you understand?”

  “Yes my lord!”

  I would have the advantage of two squires following me. Few of my knights had more than one squire. I had just mounted when Dick rode up, “My lord?”

  “Divide the archers in two. Aelric commands one wing. You take the crossbows with you.” I saw the look of distaste on his face. Archers hated the crossbow.

  “Crossbows my lord?”

  “Their bolts can pierce armour. Take them. I want the two of you to guard our flanks. Keep arrows falling while we advance and then when we withdraw. You will make them bleed to death.”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  I saw that my battle was ready. “Forward.”

  With banners fluttering and war horses snorting we rode the last mile to the hill by the Lune. The enemy could not fail to see u
s as we snaked towards the hill. We were like a huge metal snake. They had chosen their camp well for it afforded them a good view across the vale. When we neared I saw the movement on the summit. There was a great deal of action as they prepared to defend themselves against us. I saw that they had made a barrier of captured carts and such. That did not worry me. Their weapons meant they would have to stand atop their defences to fight. The worry was the hill which would sap the energy from the legs of our horses and slow down the final attack. We would be striking at a pace barely above a walk.

  There was a gap in the dry stone wall at the foot of the hill. I led my men through and, while they formed up behind and next to me, I examined the defences. The hill rose to its peak about six hundred or so paces from where we stood. The very top was slightly curved so that the enemy had a flat area on which to stand. They had a solid base from which to fight. I could see many banners but I recognised none. I also saw a few banners from which hung skulls. While most were animal skulls I saw one human one. These were wild men we faced.

  I turned and saw that John and Leofric were behind me. William was with the other squires behind the men at arms. We had three strong lines interspersed with a few squires. Each line was separated by forty paces. It would be my knights who would strike the first blows and that was as it should be.

  I stood in my stirrups so that all could see me. “Let us drive these savages back to their island. We take no prisoners! Forward for King Henry and England!”

  We moved forward at the walk. I had had a leather extension fitted to Star’s saddle so that I could rest my lance upon it. It meant I could strike with an arm which was fresh and full of power. Sir Edward rode on one side of me and Sir Richard on the other. If Sir Gilbert and his knights were put out that I took my own knights in the place of honour I cared not. We fought as one conroi and we knew each other. My line would not break.

  When we were four hundred paces from the enemy line I spurred Star so that he trotted. Glancing down the line I saw that some of Sir Gilbert’s knights were falling back slightly. As we neared the line of Irish and Norse I saw that the raiders had mounted the carts. Some were falling to arrows and bolts as Dick and Aelric rained death upon them from the flanks. When they raised their shields for protection I smiled. My strategy was working. At a hundred and fifty paces we began to canter. Annoyingly those knights who had lagged behind now spurred ahead and did not keep a continuous line. It was only my eleven knights and the four next to them who had any sort of order. It was too late now to address the problem and I lowered my lance and shouted, “Charge!” We were just fifty paces from them when John made the signal.