Baron's War

by Griff Hosker

  William took me on a tour of the castle. We met many of his household knights. They were devoted to Sir William for he was a charismatic man and the fact that he spoke to me as a friend meant that I was treated well by his knights. I was not the enemy and that was important. Alfred loved the tour. Angers was a bigger castle than mine. The sentries all had fine tunics and helmets. He would have stayed all day if I had allowed it.

  Before we left William took me aside to speak to me alone. “Sir Thomas you and your family are in a parlous position. I can only protect you while King John is Duke and I can offer him my support. If I was not here… well let us say that the French wish to have your castle, Saumur, Tours and Angers. Those four are their avowed targets. If I were you I would make plans to go to England. The parchment you hold is a passport for you. It guarantees safety. England is an island. King Phillip may wish to rule it but it will be a harder nut to crack than Normandy or Maine.”

  “Thank you, lord. Your advice is sage.”

  When we left to return to the inn I thought about his words. They had been a warning. He was leaving the camp of John. Which side would he choose?

  I was distracted for the whole afternoon. Alfred chattered on about the castle and the defences that he had seen. Ralph was excited about his spurs and spoke animatedly to Fótr about the ceremony of knighthood. I could not rouse interest in the items which were for sale. I had thought the parchment meant security. I was wrong.

  “You are troubled lord?” Sir Richard recognised the signs.

  I nodded, “I am Sir Richard. This revolt by the barons is more widespread than I had thought. King John’s ill treatment of prisoners will sour relations further. If they rise against him what then?”

  “Then we will be rid of him and can live in peace.”

  I shook my head. “Who would be Duke? Remember that King John is supposed to owe fealty as Duke to King Phillip. He has never acknowledged that. Would a new Duke bow the knee? Could I bow the knee? I think not. I have much to think about.”

  My wife was even more excited than Alfred when she returned. She had spent all of my coin on furnishings, cloth, dishes, pots; in fact, everything that held no interest for me whatsoever! I smiled and looked as though I was pleased. It was not her fault. William des Roches had sown the seeds of doubt in my mind. James Broadsword had also done well. He had not only bought all the weapons and mail I had asked of him, he had even found six English men at arms who were keen to serve me. What brought me the most delight was that Geoffrey had managed to find a house by the river. Although it only had three sleeping chambers it had a stable and secure gate. I asked him to find two housekeepers at La Flèche to maintain it.

  The six months leading up to the birth of Rebekah, my first daughter, were the most peaceful I had ever known. The French did not come. King John battled with barons in Normandy and there was a civil war in both Maine and Normandy but it did not affect me. William des Roches, the seneschal, kept peace along the Loire. His strength protected us and we prospered. Ralph was knighted two months before the birth of Rebekah and his uncle and I sat with him. I had a proposal.

  “Sir Ralph you are now a knight. I have no more manors here in the Loir valley to give you.”

  He shook his head, “I need no manor.”

  I waved my hand, “Yet I have a task for you.”

  “Yes lord?”

  “Whorlton, in England, is unoccupied. The longer it remains so the more chance of damage and disrepair. I would have you, if you will, go to England and become my castellan and run the manor.” He looked at his uncle. “If you say no then I will ask Sir Edward but, to speak truly, I would rather he stayed here.”

  “Of course, I will go, lord. It is just that I am not certain that I am up to the task.”

  “You are but you would not go alone. James Broadsword has told me that he would end his days in England. There are other men at arms and archers who wish to travel thence. You will have a good garrison. I will have Father Abelard make another copy of King John’s command but I would have you just make the castle strong and the people prosperous. If this civil war escalates then I wish a place of safety that my family can use.”

  “Then I would be honoured to go lord.”

  It took half a month to organise. I sent with my captain, Henry, a letter to my aunt. Her own letters to me had spoken of banditry in the north. The Sheriffs were not doing their job and so I wanted her to know that she had my men upon whom she could call. When he returned Sir Ralph left with James and a boat load of men at arms and archers. It was a sad parting but the feast we held the night before they left was a merry one. For some of the men at arms they were leaving shield brothers. That was hard.

  When my daughter was born I was relieved that all had gone well and that we had had so much peace. It seemed strange but Eleanor of Aquitaine died the same day as my daughter was born. Those of my men who had come from the Baltic saw it as a sign. They saw in my daughter the spirit of Eleanor. I was not so certain. I was sad for I liked the old lady. I wondered what her son might do now that he was free from her fetters. A week after Rebekah’s birth William des Roches and his knights and men at arms appeared at my gate. I could see from his face that something had happened.

  He would not enter my castle and we spoke in the guardhouse of the east gate. I sent the men thence so that we could be alone. “Sir Thomas, I have left the service of King John. He has gone beyond the pale.” I waited. “Prince Arthur has been murdered in Rouen. It is rumoured that it was de Braose who did the deed but I believe it was King John himself. The body was found in the Seine. I believe that with his mother dead he feels he does not have to adhere to her edicts. With his mother’s death it seems all restraint has gone. If I were you I would watch your back.”

  “What will you do?”

  He looked sad and placed his hand on my shoulder, “I have offered my support to King Phillip. I take my men back to Le Mans. We will take Maine and then Normandy.”

  “Then we are enemies once more.”

  “I will not fight you. I am still your friend and ally. King Phillip is no fool. He knows he would lose too many men taking this castle. The greater danger comes from the new seneschal. Brice the Chamberlain is a mercenary paid for by John. If he is ordered to crush you then he will. Only Aquitaine will be free from war. Lock your gates and prepare to weather the storm.” He clasped my arm, “Farewell. I am still your friend and will do all that I can to help you but as I said many months ago, England might be your best hope.”

  After he had gone I told my wife all. She was sad, “I liked Arthur. He made mistakes. It is a shame, for others who are not dukes and princes can make mistakes and they live. He made errors of judgement and has paid for them with his life. I will say prayers for him.” She picked up our daughter and went to nurse her.

  I sent for Fótr and summoned my household knights. We held a counsel of war. I told them William’s news. Like me they were shattered by it. While Arthur lived then we had hope that he might become Duke of Normandy. Now the choice was John or Phillip and neither appealed to me.

  “So lord, what do you do?”

  “My heart tells me to ride to Rouen and kill de Braose but that would not bring back Arthur and, as Sir William said, it is likely that it was King John who did the deed. I am loath to leave this land. We are all settled here but if life becomes impossible then I will return to England. I have Whorlton.” I poured some wine. “I would have honesty from you. Do not give me the answer you think I seek.”

  William of La Lude said, “I am settled at La Lude. I now have three children and we are settled. I will stay lord.” He shrugged. Whoever rules I may be able to come to some arrangement.”

  Sir Henry said, “I too like this land and I would stay here. For me England is no longer my home. Like Sir William I would seek an arrangement. I am sorry, lord, for you have done all for me.”

  “Do not worry about my feelings. None of you owe me anything. The six months of peace we have h
ad is down to you four as much as anyone.” I turned, “Sir Richard?”

  “My nephew is in England but I like it here. My son likes it here. I could see Dick becoming a knight here but not in England.” He shook his head. “I do not know, lord and that is the honest truth.”

  I was being deserted, “Sir Edward?”

  He laughed, “Need you ask? As much as I like my castle my men and I would take ship to England in a heartbeat.”

  I knew where I stood. Like most of my knights I was reluctant to give up La Flèche but I had a family to think of and I would not come to an arrangement.

  “Then we prepare to ride the storm. When it has abated we can then decide our course! Thank you for your honesty. A lord never led better nor more resolute warriors.”

  Baron’s War

  Chapter 5

  When the war came it was not from the north nor the east. I had expected King Phillip to take advantage of the situation but he did not. Instead he joined William des Roches and they took control of the land around Le Mans. It was Brice the Chamberlain who led his forces north. I suspect it was on the orders of King John. If so it was foolish for I was the best defence against the French. I was summoned to the bastion on the southern side of the river. Sir Richard and his son Dick, now acting as his squire, were already there. The walls were manned and archers had arrows nocked. The new Seneschal wore no helmet and he was open palmed. Behind him was a column of household knights. I could see that he was there to talk. “Sir Thomas I am here to demand that you turn over your castles to me! William des Roches is no longer the seneschal, I am. King John is Duke of Normandy and you are his liege lord. Turn over your castles and you may leave this land and return to England.”

  I studied the man. He was a greybeard and had an enormous frame. He was a huge bull of a man. He had a cruel face. You could see his past in his face and hear it in his voice. I had heard of him. He was known as a cruel lord. William des Roches had told me, before he left, that it had been he who had starved to death twenty-seven knights of Brittany. It was said it was on the orders of King John but he looked like the kind of man who would enjoy it. He had the look of a bandit.

  “This castle is mine. I hold a parchment signed by King John which guarantees my rights as lord of the manor.”

  “The document is no longer legal. King John’s mother is dead! Heed my words or I will take your castle by force.”

  “Better men than you have tried and failed.”

  “Then be it on your own head. I will take this castle and you will die by my hand!” He whipped his horse around and dug in his spurs so hard that I saw flecks of blood.

  I turned to Sir Richard, “Send riders to warn my other castles. Prepare for a siege.”

  After crossing my river, I told my burghers of the situation. I allowed them to discuss the situation amongst themselves. Like my knights they were worried. They knew that William des Roches had been a friend. We were now deserted and alone. Guillaume de La Flèche appeared to speak for all of the merchants and powerful men of my town for when he stood to speak they all looked to be in agreement. “Sir Thomas this town has grown and prospered under your rule but it seems to us that we are now in an impossible situation. If King Phillip comes he will conquer us. We have heard, through our customers that many barons have joined this revolt against John, Duke of Normandy.”

  “Have you any names?”

  Alain the wine merchant said, “Aye lord. Robert of Sees and Ralph of Beaumont have sided with King Phillip in return for certain considerations. Maine is now French. William des Roches has helped to clear the land of those barons who were loyal to King John.”

  Guillaume continued, “So you see, lord, King John, the Duke, call him what you will, cannot win. If William des Roches had remained as seneschal of Angers then it might have been different. We have heard that Tours and Saumur are besieged.”

  I nodded. “And what would you have me do?”

  “The men who come to attack us from Angers must be defeated. We will fight on the walls with your men and we will stand by you. However, if King Phillip comes then we would beg of you to bow the knee to King Phillip. We would come to an arrangement with the French. You have a noble name. You are well respected even by your enemies. Do not allow a stiff neck bring disaster to our town.”

  I might have become angered by the insult but I knew that he meant nothing by it. I stood and Guillaume de La Flèche sat. “I have listened to your words. We are in agreement. The immediate threat to this town comes from Brice the Chamberlain. We will fight him. However, I am a knight and took certain vows. You did not. When we have dealt with the attack from the south I will speak with you again.”

  I knew it was not the answer they wanted. They were merchants and business men. They did not want war. They wanted profits. My six months of peace had been brought to a catastrophic end by the murder of Duke Arthur. I wondered if I should have killed King John when I had had the chance. If I had done so then Arthur might be alive and he might be King of England. I dismissed the thought immediately. Arthur had proved that he could not be a leader. At least King John was fighting for his land. Arthur might have lost Normandy, Brittany, Maine and England. That I could not bear. When I had been first knighted I had learned to be pragmatic. That had continued in the Baltic. I needed to deal with the situation before me and then plan for the future. I was no longer alone. I had a wife and children. I had four knights, and more than one hundred and forty men at arms and archers. Perhaps I would have to take a knee. I did not want to but it might be inevitable.

  That night, as I lay with my wife I could not sleep. The baby was asleep and Margaret cuddled in closer to whisper in my ear. She did not want the child awoken. “What troubles you, lord?”

  I whispered in her ear and told her. She sat up. I sat up too. She spoke quietly, “This is simple, lord. We are happy here but this is not your home. We came here because we had nowhere else to go when we left Sweden. If you wish to live here then there is no choice. It is obvious to me that King John is finished here. If you stay here you have to acknowledge King Phillip as your master. Can you do that?”

  I was silent. My sire, the Warlord, had fought all of his life to get Henry crowned King of England. John was Henry’s son. Richard had been King and my father had given his life to save that of the Lionheart. My family had dedicated their lives to the Plantagenet dynasty. I might not like the way he ruled but I had to believe that blood would out. Perhaps when John had children they might be good kings. “No,” I said, “I cannot.”

  She snuggled beneath the sheets, “Then you have your answer. You either fight Phillip, without the support of either your knights or your people, or you leave for England.”

  “You are a wise woman!”

  My knights knew that danger was coming. My townsfolk were ready. We had supplies and our defences were good. It was late the next day when the sentries on the town’s eastern gate shouted to me, “Lord, two men riding in. One looks hurt!”

  I shouted for Father James and ran for the gate. I arrived to see Sir Guy de Changé fall from his horse. His tunic was bloody and he was unconscious. Father James took one look and said, “Get him to the church. Father Abelard, fetch my medical kit.”

  Sir Guy’s squire dismounted. I shouted, “Wine!” I could see that the youth was shocked. This was not the squire he had had when he had helped get us across the Loire. Ridley the Giant handed me a wine skin and I gave it to the squire. “Drink and then tell me all.”

  He drank. He kept hold of the skin and nodded, “I needed that, lord. I am Stephen of Tours. I was one of Sir Guy’s squires. Sulpice d’Ambroise attacked Tours. We could have held if many barons had not deserted us and joined the enemy. We lost the town but Sir Guy took charge of the citadel. We fought for two days. All the other squires died.” He shook his head. “I am the youngest and I am the last. Why did God spare me?”

  “I know not, son. God works in mysterious ways. How did you escape? I assume the citadel f
ell?”

  He nodded. “The other barons accepted the offer to surrender. Sir Guy would not. We escaped on two horses. We would have made it had we not run into a band of knights wearing the livery of Angers. My lord took a lance to the side. I killed the knight and we escaped. We hid in woods. I tried to stem the bleeding. We were too far north to make La Lude and Sir Guy said to come here. He knew that you were a faithful and loyal knight.”

  “Fótr stable these horses. Come Stephen of Tours. We will see how your lord fares. He is a courageous man.”

  As soon as I entered I knew that it was hopeless. The two priests were covered in blood. They looked like the men who worked at the abattoir. Father James came to me, “I am sorry, lord but I cannot work miracles. The lance tore through his insides. I have cleaned the wound and stitched him to stem the bleeding. I have given him, perhaps, one more night on this earth.” He nodded to Father Abelard, “He is confessing.”

  I turned to Stephen of Tours whose face showed that he was distraught to the point of tears, “You must be strong. You have done your duty and brought your master here. You can be proud of yourself.”

  Eventually Father Abelard rose and waved us over. Stephen of Tours dropped to his knees, “I am sorry that I was so slow lord!”

  Sir Guy gave a wan smile, “No, Stephen you did all that you could. Go and fetch me some of Sir Thomas’ renowned red wine.”

  He hurried off and Sir Guy gripped my hand, “I am dying, Thomas. I have done my duty and I can face God with a clear conscience. Would that others could say the same. Save yourself. We cannot win. King Phillip has suborned too many men. Barons now fight with each other for land and not for the rightful ruler. They seek estates.”

  I nodded, “I know.”

  “I beg a boon, lord. Stephen is a good squire. I would have him serve a good knight. I pray you find him one.”