King Henry's Champion

by Griff Hosker

  The King gathered his leaders. “When the enemy begin their approach we will send a battle to ambush them with fifty knights and fifty men at arms. I give command of this force to Alfraed, Earl of Cleveland for it was his plan and I know it will be carried out with great courage.” He nodded so that I could speak.

  “I intend a double ambush. I want all of the archers mounted and waiting a mile from where we will attack the vanguard. I have no doubt that they will pursue us for we will flee. The archers will further bloody their nose. This will secure our escape, slow down their advance for they will be more cautious and whittle down their numbers. Ralph of Wales will be captain of the archers. He has done this before.”

  We then had to choose the men who would come with us. I chose only the best. The ones I disappointed would have to prove themselves later. This would not be the last battle but it would be the one which determined if we won or lost the rest.

  The scouts reported that the enemy camp was in chaos. It took two days to recover their horses and another two to begin their move west. Once they broke camp I led my battle to the place of ambush. Our scouts reported their speed. It was slow for they had a large baggage train. We could move faster. We reached the hill before the enemy vanguard was in sight. Scouts watched from the woods. The enemy could not see us but, until we broke the skyline we could not see them. I used John as our eyes. The enemy would not worry about a single figure on the hillside. He took off his helmet and wrapped a cloak around his mail. I hoped they would think him a shepherd. Roger of Lincoln held his horse for him at our main battle line. The only men at arms in the front rank were my two. The rest were in the second rank. I gave the place of honour, to my right, to the Count of Anjou. I trusted him more now than I had done previously.

  It was nerve wracking to wait knowing that the whole of the enemy line was approaching. I had had to trust John’s judgement. When the vanguard was almost level with me he would return and we would charge. We would be travelling downhill and the enemy would be just two hundred paces from us when they saw us.

  John ran up to us, “They come!”

  As he mounted and took the standard which Wulfric held for him I shouted, “Keep the line and when I signal retreat then follow!”

  “Aye lord!”

  I spurred Hunter. We trotted along the flat part and then crested the rise. I saw their vanguard spread out. There were almost a hundred knights riding in a column of twos. At their side marched a line of crossbow men. The column was led by two knights and their squires. They bore the banners of Montfort and Pointel. They did not see us until we began to canter a hundred and fifty paces from them. Some froze and others turned to try to charge up hill to us. They did not have lances and they drew their swords. It was this indecision which helped us. At fifty paces I lowered my lance and shouted, “Charge!” Bolts clattered off my shield. I saw one knight, to my right pitched from his horse but then the men with the crossbows fled. I pulled back my lance and punched at the brave knight with the yellow surcoat who charged uphill towards me. I struck his middle and my lance penetrated his mail, ripped into his stomach and broke.

  I threw away the broken stump and drew my sword. A crossbow man was trying to reload his weapon and I brought my blade down and split his helmet and skull. A knight came at me from my left and Wulfric’s lance smashed into him and knocked his mortally stricken body to the ground. Any knights who had escaped our first line were slaughtered by the men at arms who came hard behind. The knights who had originally fled turned to face us. We had momentum and we had bloodied our weapons. I jerked Hunter’s head to the left and surprised the knight with the green and blue quartered surcoat. He was so busy trying to turn his horse that he failed to block my blow with his sword. He only caught part of my blade and my sword ripped through the mail links on his right shoulder. I had quick hands, Athelstan had called them the quickest in Christendom and I brought my blade backhanded as I passed him. It bit through his mail and his neck. He fell to the ground. I could see now that we had broken them and the survivors were flooding east to the safety of the main battle.

  “Fall back!” After making sure that all had heard me I wheeled Hunter right. Two knights faced me. I spurred Hunter and then pulled back on the reins. He leapt forward and raised his hooves. The knights were riding palfreys. One shied away while the other was clattered by Hunter’s hooves. I swept my sword across the chest of the knight on the shying horse. Already unbalanced he fell to the ground next to his companion. I heard the crunch of his skull as Wulfric galloped over his body. My horse had killed or maimed two knights.

  I turned to see if John was still behind me and he was. His grin and his bloody sword told me that he had slain our enemies. We did not gallop. Our horses needed to recover. Besides which I knew that the enemy would take time to reform. We had some time and I knew that, up ahead, Ralph had the archers ready to surprise them. I was desperate to know if we had lost many men but that would have to wait until we reached the King.

  Count Geoffrey rode next to me. His face, like that of John, was full of the joy of battle. “We harvested them like wheat. We could have destroyed their whole army!”

  “We did what we intended, Count. Had we pursued them then we might have lost more than we can afford to. Surprise worked for us. This campaign will not be over in one encounter. These archers will give them a shock.”

  He looked to the left, “Which archers?”

  Wulfric laughed, “The ones, my lord, who are hidden in the trees. The knights behind will soon get a rude awakening.” The road rose a little just past the ambush site.

  I stopped, “Count, lead the knights home, I would watch the enemy from here.”

  I think he was going to argue and then he remembered that the King had given me command. His days of disobedience were long passed. “I will.”

  I turned Hunter around and waited with my three men. The leading enemy riders saw us stop and, seeing my banner, spurred on their horses. Wulfric smiled, “You have done this to draw their attention to you, my lord.”

  “Aye Wulfric. It guarantees they will not look at the archers.” We turned, as though afeard and headed down the road.

  For just a handful of archers they had an immediate effect. Releasing their arrows at almost point blank range they swept horsemen from the backs of their horses. Ralph had laid his ambush so that they hit the unprotected right sides of the column. Even so five managed to make it through the arrow storm and lumbered up to us. We wheeled around to face them. I parried the blow from the first knight with my shield as Wulfric severed his spine. I swept my sword to the right and it slid over the top of the knights’ shield and into his throat. Roger easily defeated the knight who came at him. He took the blow from the sword and then lunged at the knight’s neck. Roger was a strong man and the links of the coif were torn apart. I watched in admiration as John punched my standard with his left hand to hit the helmet of his opponent and then stabbed him through the mouth.

  The fifth knight found himself surrounded by four men. “Surrender or die.” He hesitated. I smiled, “You will die. My men are the best. Ask your dead companions.” I saw that he was young. “Surrender and tell this tale to your grandchildren.”

  His shoulders slumped and Wulfric leaned over and took his sword. I saw my archers had mounted and were heading up the road to join us. “Come, my lord. We have given them enough chances to take your life this day.” My two men at arms flanked the young knight and we turned to head west and our camp. My plan had worked.

  The King had taken no chances and he and the rest of the army were arrayed before the town. As I approached down the same road which Montfort would take I looked the defences Sir Richard had erected. They were daunting. Of that there was no doubt. They would not stop them but they would slow them down. If I had all of my archers from home then they would have made it a killing ground. There were stakes pointing east and they were well sharpened. We had to slow to negotiate them. A charging army would have no chance t
o evade them. Even without my archers they would not find it easy. I saw Geoffrey of Anjou pointing behind him as he spoke to the King. His animation told me that was recounting the ambush. As the Count’s teacher I was proud of what he had done. He had obeyed orders and, as far as I could see, his knights had suffered no losses.

  The King had a huge smile on his face. “I see we have our own Ulysses here. You are a true strategos, Alfraed!” He held his hand out to clasp mine. He noticed the prisoner behind. “And a captive. We will question him later. You two have done more than enough this day. Sir Richard and the others can take charge here. We will go and enjoy the adulation of the town.”

  The King, whilst a good general, was an even better leader. He understood the art of war. By riding through his army with the victorious knights he would share in that glory. Leofric and William, both bandaged, were waiting for us. They took Hunter and unsaddled him. They had some apples for him. He had deserved them. John helped to take off my metal plates, helmet and shield. I was keen to question the captive.

  I saw that, with his helmet off, he was a young knight. He looked to be just a little older than John. He had not been a knight for long. Perhaps he was caught up in the moment and saw his chance for glory. He had been luckier than his four companions. They lay dead. Wulfric and Roger guarded him. The King had finished acknowledging the cheers of his arm and he and Geoffrey, Count of Anjou, joined us. As the knight had surrendered to me he was my prisoner. The King nodded to me; a signal for me to begin questioning him.

  “What is your name?”

  “Phillip of Breteuil.”

  “Will your family pay ransom?”

  He looked down at the ground, “You killed my elder brother; I do not know.”

  “That is an honest answer. Who leads your army?” He hesitated. “Come there is no dishonour in an answer.”

  “Amaury of Montfort.”

  “And who is the Black Knight?”

  He looked afraid, “You know of him?”

  “We know that you have a champion with your army and he wears black mail. We do not know his name. Is he so afraid that he hides behind black armour?”

  “He is not afraid! He is a powerful warrior. He does not need to give his name.” He looked at my surcoat, “You are the King’s Champion, are you not? Alfraed Earl of Cleveland?”

  “I am.”

  “Then be afraid for the Black Knight has sworn to kill you. He takes no treasure nor does he want land. He serves with the army for the chance to fight and to kill you.”

  Wulfric forgot he was in the presence of the King and he snorted, “Then he had better be damned good!” I glowered at him. “Sorry, my lord.”

  I looked at the King, “Have you any questions, your majesty?”

  “What is your intention?”

  “Your majesty?”

  “You are not a rebel. Breteuil is not in Normandy. Montfort wants Normandy but what was promised to you and the other French knights?”

  “He tempted them with the prospect of manors. Breteuil is poor. My brother and I joined the army for Lord Montfort promised us land here in Normandy.” He gave a sad smile, “Your father did much the same in England did he not, your majesty?”

  The King smiled, “He did indeed.” He waved over some of his household guards. “Have this knight taken away. We will ask for ransom should the enemy ask for a truce.”

  After he had gone Count Geoffrey said, “At least we know where we stand. They are here for land.”

  The King gave me a curious look, “And to kill your teacher. It seems you have an enemy. Do you know who it is?”

  “Know?” I shook my head. “Guess? Yes. I believe it is Waller; the knight who escaped me in England. Now that I know his identity he must hide. If he thinks I fear him then he is wrong.”

  “It is an interesting dimension is it not? Still we have hurt them that much is obvious. From what the Count tells me you slew and wounded almost fifty knights and men at arms not to mention crossbow men. This victory today will stop the desertions from our army. There have not been many but some of the farmers decided to go back to their fields. My men found them and hanged them. What did you think of my lord D’Avranches’ defences?”

  “They will slow them. We will need to fight on foot if we are to make the best use of them.”

  Richard D’Avranches nodded but Count Geoffrey looked puzzled, “Why?”

  Richard D’Avranches explained, “The stakes will slow them down and their horses will not be able to charge. We can move on foot and they will be at a disadvantage. We can hamstring their horses and pull the knights from their backs should they be foolish enough to attack on horses.”

  “Kill horses?” he looked appalled. “But they are valuable.”

  The King shook his head, “Men are more valuable. You can buy a new horse. You can capture a new horse and you can train a young horse. Men are more valuable. Learn that lesson, my son.”

  We had done well but the scouts reported that the enemy were still coming on. We spent the night preparing for an attack which was inevitable. The men at arms who had attacked that day were spared the sentry duty which was now even more important. However every squire and man at arms spent the spare hours sharpening weapons and checking the straps on shields and harness. A broken piece of leather could cost a man his life.

  I was summoned to the King’s table to dine with the most senior nobles who were present. The debate centred upon the forthcoming attack. The position of the castle and the river which wound around the bottom precluded a flank attack Given that their aim was to defeat, and hopefully kill or capture the King, their one option was a frontal attack.

  “Cleveland, you have the most experience with archers; how do we use them?”

  “We have too few so we should put them on the walls of the castle. There they will be able to loose over our heads and thin out those who attack us.”

  The King nodded. “Then we place the crossbows on the flanks. That is where we are vulnerable.”

  Old Richard D’Avranches said, “And I would put the farmers on the walls too. They will fight better with a wall before them and they might persuade the enemy that we have more men than we do.”

  We passed the wine around. I brought up the question which was foremost in my mind. “Have any of you fought in a shield wall before?”

  Their looks suggested that I had offended their honour. The King said, “My father fought against a shield wall at Hastings. It has not been used since.”

  “With respect, my liege, it has. When I was in Constantinople the Varangians still used it. I have men at arms in England who still fight that way. Tomorrow may be such an opportunity.”

  “But it is not something we have ever used.”

  “Then perhaps tomorrow might be a good chance. We lock shields and have knights in the second rank can use their spears. We make a wall of shields and men through which no one can penetrate. If they had archers we might be in trouble but they do not.”

  “We will see.”

  I could tell that the King was not convinced but if we fought on foot it was the best way to counter horses. Henry was no fool. He, like the archers, would be in the castle with Richard D’Avranches. It would be the rest of us who would bear the brunt of the fighting. I would have to be persuasive.

  We rose well before dawn. My men and I made sure we ate well. Leofric and William armed us. “You two will need spare weapons in case ours break or we lose them. Watch carefully and if you see us in danger then fetch fresh weapons.” They understood now what they had to do. The tourney had stood them in good stead.

  By the time dawn broke we were behind our hedgehog of stakes. We had two solid lines of knights and then two more of men at arms. They would have to fight through us to get at the King. As the King had not countermanded my suggestion I had instructed those in the front rank in the formation we would use.

  The fanfare did not herald the attack as we expected but a truce. Montfort, Pointel and a herald c
ame to just beyond bowshot range. The rest of their men waited fifty paces behind them. They were bare headed and had open palms. The King joined the Count and myself.

  “An interesting development. What can they want?”

  “You will soon find out, your majesty.”

  “You two come with me. We will talk but watch for treachery.”

  We made our way through the stakes. The oil and water we would spread stood in pails. The killing ground would be made slippery when they actually attacked. We stood forty paces from them. There was silence. It was broken by the King.

  “You asked for this truce. Speak traitors!” He pointed an accusatory finger at Montfort. “This is the third time you have rebelled. The first time I forgave. The second time you were banished. This time means death!”

  Montfort was almost as old as the King. “Do not make threats to me Henry Beauclerc! We have you outnumbered and no more Normans will come to aid you. We come here with a simple demand. Leave Normandy! We will appoint our own Duke. You have England and that should be enough.”

  The King laughed, ”That is your offer? I have wasted good leather to come here and hear your ridiculous and insulting terms? You think to take my Dukedom? Come and try. The carrion will feast on your bones.”

  They did not seem surprised by the refusal and they nodded. Montfort said, “We thought you might say that. We had thought to use our champions to fight for the Dukedom. What say you to that? I see you have your champion here.”

  The King said, “I would say aye save that I trust neither of you to keep your word.”

  “Is your champion afraid?”

  I stepped forward, “I am not afraid and I will fight any that you send but, like the King I do not trust a thrice turned traitor and as there is a pair of you then we doubly doubt you.”

  Montfort waved his hand and his army parted. The black knight and a similarly attired squire stepped forward. “Here is my champion. And it seems that you, Alfraed, Earl of Cleveland, King Henry’s Champion, are afraid to face him.”