by Griff Hosker
Speaking with Alf the Blacksmith was like taking a bath in warm feelings. I left his company feeling hopeful. With folk like that we could not lose and it made me even more determined that the Scots would be sent packing. I could do nothing about Stephen and his Queen. The Earl of Chester would do what he wished but I could wage my war. When Spring came then we would ride forth with mail and fine horses. We would have more archers and men at arms. I might not be able to help the Empress but I could make up to my people for my absence. We would punish the Scots for their depredations. This new mormaer would be brought to book.
When the snows of January arrived we were trapped within our castle and town. The only news came from the 'Adela'. The river had not frozen and so when William of Kingston arrived he was greeted with great joy for he brought spices, wine and other luxuries from Anjou. We had swords and weapons to send back to Leofric and my son but his greatest cargo was the news he brought. Stephen's coronation was confirmed as well as the rumour that he was travelling north to speak with Ranulf of Chester. I knew that meant the slippery Earl would be given a gift and he would change sides once more. When William left with my ship, at the end of the month I knew that we would be isolated for some time to come. Visitors and travellers were rare at the best of times. In winter they were nonexistent.
I took Henry to visit the manors close to Stockton. Barnard Castle was too far away in winter but the others were just an hour or two away. I had not seen Sir William of Yarm since he had lost his hand and I was unprepared for his appearance and the deterioration in his health. It was as though his spirit had been removed along with his hand. Lady Anne was also grey. But they brightened when they met the future king. They saw it as a great honour to their humble home. Yarm was still a wooden castle. It was a throwback to the time of the first Normans who came north but it was their home and it was safe enough.
I had taken Sir Tristan with me and as we left I asked, "Why did you not tell me of the change in your father?"
"I am sorry, lord. I hope, each time I visit, that he will be his old self but he is always worse. He is growing old and now he cannot be a warrior he sees no purpose in life."
Even though he did not know Sir William the visit visibly upset Henry. "Your father was hurt fighting for me and my mother."
"He was."
"So we are to blame for his condition?"
I stopped Rolf and looked at Henry, "You cannot think like that. You will be the anointed king. If you worry about those warriors who might be hurt fighting for you then you would never go to war. A king has to make hard choices. I also have to make difficult decisions, even Sir Tristan here does. It comes with the responsibility of being a knight. A king just has more responsibility. You need to think about the men you lead but you cannot worry that they will live or die. If you have made the right plan then more of them will live than perish in your cause."
"I have much to learn."
"I think that is why your mother sent you here. On the frontier it is a harsh world and lessons learned are clearer and easier to see."
My new mail was ready by February and so was Henry's. He was more excited about his hauberk than even my squires. I had paid for them both although Alf would have done it for nothing. Henry paraded around in it, obviously pleased with the effect.
"Thank you smith. When I am king you shall make all of my mail."
"I would be honoured, sir."
"I would also like you to make me a sword. You made the Earl's did you not?"
"I did, sir."
"Then can you make me one too?"
"I could but you are not yet fully grown. You would barely get the benefit from it." Gilles and Richard were with me. "Young Master Gilles here he is about to have his first man's sword. I have been making it since he left for France. When he goes to war this year he will have a fine blade but he has had to wait years for it."
"Then I will wait too." Another lesson was learned, patience.
We did not have many visitors but we received one a week or so after we had collected our mail. It was a priest from York. Although the new Archbishop was no friend of mine and, indeed, had been appointed by Stephen, there were still priests who had been close to us when Thurstan ruled. It was one such priest, Father Thomas. He rode an ass and was wrapped up against the cold wind. Father Henry brought him into my keep.
"Father Thomas has news, Earl. I believe you will wish to hear it."
Sir Tristan, Sir John and Sir Harold were in my hall and they leaned forward to hear the news. Any news was welcome but from a friend it was doubly so.
"We are eager to hear what you have to say. Does the Archbishop know you are here?"
He smiled, "I was sent with a sealed message for Durham. I was one of Archbishop Thurstan's priests. I am not popular and the long ride north through this wintery land was a suitable punishment for siding with the venerable Archbishop. I mind not for the ride helps me to think and to contemplate."
"Your news?"
"King Stephen is ill. Some say he is close to death!"
The news was both unexpected and shocking. "How?"
"He became unwell and then a fever took over. Some say he contracted the disease in Bristol Castle. There are rumours that the Empress poisoned him."
"That is a lie!"
Father Thomas looked up in surprise at Henry's outburst. I smiled, "You will have to forgive my squire. He is still learning but it is understandable for the Empress is his mother. However I agree with him, the Empress would never stoop to such an act. It is more likely the damp conditions in his quarters."
"What does this mean, lord?"
"It means, Gilles, that perhaps God is on our side but so long as Stephen lives it cannot affect us. Thank you for your news, Father Thomas. The roads north of here are dangerous. Sir Harold and a company of my men at arms will escort you to Durham and bring you back here."
"Is that not dangerous for your men? I would not wish them to come to harm on my account."
Sir Harold laughed, "The winter has been dull. For our sake I hope something interesting happens on the journey!"
By Easter we had heard no more and preparations were under way for our spring offensive. I sent Aiden down to York for news. He was able to mix with those in the city and pick up news. When he returned he told us that the Usurper had worsened and might die. Henry was torn when he heard the news. Stephen was his cousin and he wished that he was no longer king but, like me, the thought of death by disease did not seem right for a warrior. We delayed our proposed attack on Carlisle. If the King died then, summons or not, I would head south and see that the Empress or her son was crowned this time. I would take every knight and man at arms to ensure that it happened. If the Earl of Gloucester objected then I cared not.
When Aiden returned I sent him, Edward and Edgar to the west to spy out the land around Carlisle. We had fought there before but if this new constable was determined to impress then he might have made changes to his defences. My intent was not to reduce Carlisle. That was a costly business as Carlisle was built of stone and had a river and a moat to defend it. Instead we would ride north of the Eden and Esk rivers. The land which lay beyond the Roman Wall in the west was Scottish. I would reduce the castles there.
It was William of Kingston who brought the news, in early May, that Stephen the Usurper had recovered and was now in good health. My feelings were mixed but it meant that we could not do as I had wished. I could not return to the Empress. I was still a banished knight and without a lord. We could go to war.
Part Two- Warlord's War
Chapter 8
We headed west towards Carlisle. Sir William had stayed in Yarm. He could not fight and I needed his men to watch my valley. All the rest accompanied me save Erre and his men at Norton. With Sir Phillip and Sir Richard I had two companies of archers who could decide any battle for me. Sir Wulfric and Sir Edward had men at arms who were the equal of mine and we had a force which, thanks to our horse breeding and purchases, were all
mounted with fifty remounts. I intended to shock the Scots and show them that the peace treaty meant nothing. Each castle had a small garrison left to defend it and I had ponies and young boy riders ready to fetch me in case Prince Henry of Scotland took it upon himself to attack us in the east.
My knights were all in good spirits. Those who had seemed young once, like John, Harold and Tristan were now full grown men with children. Some would ride to war with us as squires. One of Sir Edward's sons, John, would be ready for his spurs in a year or so. He carried his father's banner. Sir Edward was very proud of him.
When we reached Barnard we would collect Sir Hugh's men and I would be leading the largest number of men I had yet commanded alone against the Scots. Here I did not need to ask permission or to seek approval. I did not have to worry about the delicacies of position, authority or feelings. I was warlord and I made such decisions. If I had the same power further south then Stephen would still lie in Bristol!
On the journey across the old Roman Road Henry Fitz Empress was assaulted by questions. He was the grandson of a king. Most of my knights and their families were low born. Henry seemed to have been born in a rarefied atmosphere. His mother was named Empress. They asked question after question. I was going to intervene and silence them when Gilles said, "I would not interfere lord. If you do he will be seen as being different. He wishes to be a squire and learn as the others do. This way they will be satisfied and he will be accepted. When you go into battle he and the other squires will have to work as one. Besides he has as many questions for them. He will cope."
I smiled, "You have grown wise, Gilles." I followed my squire's advice and soon the questions stopped and it was Henry's turn to ask questions of them. Some of the answers surprised him for not all of my knights were surrounded by servants, slaves and vast halls. Gilles of Normanby had only recently been knighted and his squire, Henry too, had been the son of a swine herd killed by Sir Edward Mandeville's men in a raid. Their conversation was illuminating for all of them.
We camped outside Barnard Castle. The knights and squires were housed in the huge keep there. It was the first time we had all been gathered together as one mailed family. It was a large gathering. With nine knights and eleven squires we filled the hall with both bodies and noise. The healer we would take with us, Father James, also joined us and he blessed the food before we ate. I saw and listened and watched. These men would be fighting for me and it was at times like this that I learned more about them. They had, with one or two exceptions, been squires first and they were still growing into their role as knight.
Sir Hugh told us in more detail of the attacks. They had been deliberate, brutal and in force. Sir Hugh used, like all of us, those men who lived by the lonely ways, as scouts. They had huts in the forests and raised their families there. They had been slain and their families slaughtered before they could warn us. Then bands of men had attacked the small villages and isolated farmsteads at the same time. They had not burned them for that would have alerted Sir Hugh but the men had been slaughtered and dismembered while the women and children along with the animals had been driven into captivity. It was only a chance patrol by some of Sir Hugh's men which had stopped them emptying the land of the English. Sir Hugh had chased shadows all the way to the Eden valley. The one they had slain had been a Scot and wore the surcoat of Moray. It confirmed that they were Scots.
When he had finished I stood. "I know the Empress has signed a peace treaty but we cannot let this raid go unpunished. If we do so then they will return and encroach further east. We will hurt them so badly that they do not even think of a return." I looked down at Henry. "That may not be until my new squire becomes king but it will happen!"
He nodded firmly and my men banged the table and chanted. Their faces told me all that I needed to know. They were resolute. I looked around the table at my loyal band of brothers. The youngest knight was Gilles of Normanby. He had been Sir Edward's squire. Serving with Wulfric he kept the south of the Tees safe. Wulfric and Edward, in contrast, were now both grey. They had been men at arms and had served with me the longest. They were the most experienced of my knights. Dick and Sir Philip were my archer knights while the rest, Tristan, Harold, Hugh and John had all served as squires together. The four of them were more like brothers than any brothers I had ever met. I enjoyed listening to them.
Sir Harold turned to me. "Lord you are quiet this night. Does something lie on your mind?"
"No Harold I am just enjoying the company of men that I can trust. It has been rare of late. Here men speak what is in their hearts. I have missed this."
Sir Edward asked, "Why did the Empress make peace with the Scots, lord?"
The room became silent. I was acutely aware that Henry Fitz Empress was watching my face and listening for my words. I had just told Harold that men could speak what was in their hearts. I had to do the same.
"I was not with her when she made the peace. The Earl of Gloucester was. I think that the north is far from Gloucester. It was a political act intended to put pressure on Stephen' s forces in York. Sometimes these decisions and sacrifices have to be made."
"But you would not have done so, would you lord? You do not bend. You have a vision and you try to shape the world around you to that vision. My great grandfather was the same."
I looked at the Empress' son. His words were more mature than other boys his age. The main difference between him and the other squires was his education. He could read well and had access to books. He had had tutors and could understand complicated arguments. He was no cleverer than the other squires but he was better educated. It showed.
"No, Henry, I would not have made the treaty. King David pretends to be thinking of your mother's interests. He is a relation but if he was thinking of your mother he would not try to take pieces of England. If he attacked York, even if he said it was to rid England of Stephen the Usurper, he would keep what he took. He took Carlisle and the land south of the Wear. He is like a disease and it is spreading south, insidiously. The problem is that England is ruled from London and from Winchester. They are far to the south and they do not bother overmuch with what happens here. It is seen as a wild and dangerous land with little profit. They are happy to let the dogs of war nibble pieces from the carcass of the north. We do not grow much wheat here and the manors are poorer. To them it matters not."
"Yet my great grandfather conquered as far as the Clyde and the Forth."
"He was a great warrior and your grandfather was embroiled in the wars against your paternal grandfather, Fulk. When you are king you will need to keep a close watch on all of your land. You watch your borders. That is where the enemy will try to take pieces of your lands and encroach, insidiously. Use strength to guard them and your heartland will have peace. You need castles like Oxford, Wallingford and Stockton. When England and Normandy are yours you will have a larger Empire than any save the Byzantine Emperor. Think on that!"
My men began banging the table with their daggers and chanting, "Henry! Henry!" It was in that moment that the future king was truly born. He was going to war and, for the first time, it was to reclaim England. He nodded at me and I saw the resolution and steel in his eyes.
We had the finest of scouts with us. Aiden and his men had already reported that there were new castles appearing along the Esk. They were made of wood and earth but there were many of them. From what I gathered from his news they were trying to do as I had done and have castles less than ten miles from each other so that they could give mutual support. Malcolm mac Athol was not to be dismissed because of his youth. Others had made that mistake with me. We were heading for a new castle in the middle of the line. Arthuret lay on the south side of the Esk and guarded the bridge there. I intended to surprise the garrison with a dawn attack while I swam horses across the river to prevent news of our attack reaching Carlisle. Once I held the bridge and the castle we would sweep through the hinterland. I intended to draw Malcolm mac Athol into battle where I would use my archers
to destroy his army. I could not reduce Carlisle but I could stop his men from raiding. My other intention was to gather as many animals as I could. Now that we were isolated we had to increase our herds of horses, cattle and sheep. This would be the easiest way.
If we could have travelled the way the crow flies it would have been a journey of no more than sixty or so miles, less than half a day for we were all mounted. As it was we would have to travel the greenways and valleys. Until we reached the wall which the Romans had built the largest place where we might find some Scots was Aldeneby. The Baron Veteriponte ruled there but I had never met him. On the way there we passed through small villages and hamlets. Middleton had been ravaged by the Scots on their recent attack and was a pitiful sight to behold. Sir Hugh's men had buried the dead but the burned out buildings were testament to the ferocity of the Scottish attack. They had been shocked at the bodies they had found.
The road passed along the valley sides and we were hidden from view. Aiden rode back as we halted some four miles from the small manor of Aldeneby. "Lord there is a small garrison at the manor. There is no motte."
"How many men?"
"Ten, perhaps twelve."
"Is there a way to get around the hall and approach unseen?"
Aiden nodded, "The river is wooded and shallow. I could lead your archers thence."
I waved Dick forward. "Take your archers and go with Aiden. Take the hall."
"Aye lord."
I dismounted, "Feed and water the animals."
Henry would have to get used to this. We looked after our mounts and carried grain with us. Although they would eat grass when they halted we also made sure they had grain too. I heard Richard say, "Come Henry, let us fetch water from the river."
"Why can we not lead the horses there?"
