Baron's War

by Griff Hosker

  “I believe it was Maud the alewife.”

  He frowned, “Maud? I knew a Maud once. It cannot be the same one for this one married a farmer from Yarm. She was a comely wench.”

  “Maud is a common name.”

  “Aye lord. So it is.”

  Fótr joined me when Edward had gone. “And what will you do on this St. Stephen’s Day?”

  “Godwin said he would help me to practise.” He smiled, “I did not drink much last night and he did. I hope it will make my task easier.”

  “Think again, Fótr, Godwin can fight well drunk or sober!”

  When my wife joined me with my children she was also in good humour. “Staying up late means that I get more sleep in the morning. With this one,” she patted her tummy, “I need all the rest I can get for he is never still.”

  Alfred joined us. He had a platter filled with meat. “Can you eat all of that, son?”

  He nodded, “Aye father. I would be as big as Ridley the Giant and then I will be able to defeat every warrior I meet!”

  When Lady Ruth joined us, the atmosphere became even more festive. I was not certain that I would be able to cope with such celebrations until twelfth night. I had hoped for time to go hunting and riding with Alfred and Fótr.

  It was noon when Edward returned and he had a silly expression on his face. “You have been a long time buying ale!”

  He looked at me blankly, “Ale? I forgot.”

  I was puzzled. This was not like Edward. “Then where have you been?”

  “I spoke with Father Abelard. I am to be wed!”

  “Wed. Do you not need a woman for that?”

  My wife said, “Husband!”

  Edward smiled, “His lordship is right. It does seem strange but when I went to buy the ale I found that Maud was the same comely girl from my youth. Her husband died and the farm failed. She is now the ale wife and I asked her to marry me. She said yes. Father Abelard said that we can marry at Michaelmas!”

  Lady Ruth was the most delighted of all, “A wedding! On top of Christmas!” She looked up to heaven. “Thank you, Lord!”

  We laughed.

  The wedding was held in our church in Stockton. Sir Edward’s was too small. Even my church could not accommodate all of my men and many were outside. It was later, when we were toasting the bride and the groom that I realised this was the first marriage, since my own that I had witnessed. Most of my men had just taken women and become husband and wife. It seemed momentous. Maud became Lady Maud and was a little over awed by it all. My wife and Lady Ruth took her to one side to put her at her ease. I stood with Ridley and Edward. Fótr, Gilles and Petr were close by. Our two older squires were as interested in the marriage as any. They were lusty young men and seeing an older knight like Edward marry made them both think about their future. They could not marry while still a squire but they could become betrothed. The trouble was there were no young women for them.

  “Soon, Edward, you will have children like Ridley here.”

  “Maud is not young lord. I am not certain.” His words belied the hope that was in his eyes.

  All was well and we looked forward to a new year which would be as hopeful as the old one had ended.

  Sherriff of York

  Chapter 12

  My plans to visit York were delayed. It was not procrastination on my part merely that we had problems in the valley which needed my attention. When the snows melted in February it was followed by unusually heavy rains. There was flooding. Thanks to the ditches dug by my men Stockton remained largely undamaged but the lands around Norton and Hartburn were inundated. We had to house the refugees in Stockton. When the rains abated I decided to put in place the digging of the cut in the Tees. It would prevent flooding. Every man from my garrisons and every man in the valley was involved. I was entitled to call upon each man for forty days a year. It was supposed to be in times of war. I used five of those days for a war against the river!

  It was messy work and it was hard work but it brought every man and warrior together. Sir Edward and our squires worked in kyrtles and seal skin boots alongside pig farmers, herdsmen and tanners. The levy returned to their homes after five days and my men and I finished off the work. Father Abelard had joined us in the labour. He had a clever mind and his advice helped to save us from catastrophic mistakes. He wisely suggested building up the banks to prevent flooding and, some years later, during the great flood of 1212, we were saved the devastation which destroyed whole settlements further upstream.

  By the time we had finished I had to hold my first assizes. In England they tended to be more regular than in Anjou. It helped me to get to know the people of my manor. I discovered the good and the innocent as well as the rogues and the chancers. Dispensing justice was a great responsibility. The Sunday morning training had yielded results. The men were much better with their bows. None could compete with my own archers but David of Wales identified four young men who could be trained to be archers.

  Sir Edward and his bride made Wulfestun more secure and comfortable. Although his wife had seen thirty summers she soon fell pregnant much to Edward’s delight. A practical woman, she had the women who lived at Wulfestun turn the bolts of cloth Edward had bought into surcoats for his men at arms. He took as his sign the hawk, for his father had been a hawker.

  The arrival of my son, William, also delayed my departure for York. He came at the beginning of May. Having held my assizes, I had contemplated leaving for York when the hall was filled with women racing around as my son entered the world. For my Aunt Ruth this was a wondrous moment. She would be present at the birth of a child. She regarded my children as her grandchildren. Alfred and Rebekah both called her Nanna. As I waited I sent Fótr to Whorlton to inform Sir Ralph that I would need him when I visited York. He lived within the land controlled by the Sherriff of York. He would need to visit with the King’s representative.

  The birth was more difficult than the other two had been but the child was born healthy and my wife, although tired, was well. I stayed at home during the rest of May. The final delay was the arrival of ‘Swan of Stockton’. She had wintered in the Loir for her hull needed cleaning. She had a cargo of wine. We would sell it. Captain Henry had made money for himself with short journeys down the Loire and the Maine. He was happy. We loaded his cargo of iron and hides. I asked him to bring back as many horses as Sir Richard and my other knights could spare.

  I had collected the taxes just after the assizes. It meant I had coin. I had confirmed Sir William’s steward, Edgar of Hartburn, as my own and I left him with half of the coins. That would be a reserve in case we needed it. The Scottish knights had yielded us some coin which Edward and I had shared. We were not as badly off as we might have been. The rest I took with me. I took just six men at arms and four archers. The land to the south was at peace. Sir Edward had ensured that the north was also free from danger. We had bought a breathing space with our defeat of the raiders. They would return.

  As we had some money to spare and the hall was becoming crowded I set my mason to building an annex to the hall. It would mean that visitors could be accommodated and yet the ditch would still protect the halls. The alternative was to tear down my hall and rebuild. That was impractical. An annex would suffice. With three children, Lady Ruth’s women and my wife’s it would be hard to put up Sir Ralph and his squire if they came to stay. When I was happy that the mason knew my thoughts, we left.

  When I reached Whorlton I saw that Sir Ralph and James Broadsword had improved the castle over the winter. When the floods had devastated the valley, they had left Sir Ralph’s lofty perch untouched. He now had a stone keep and the gatehouse was under construction. I also saw that he had a squire.

  “Who is this, Sir Ralph?”

  “This is John of Swainby. His father has the largest farm in Swainby. He wished his son to be a warrior.” He lowered his voice. “He paid for his horse and mail, lord and, to speak truly, he is a keen youth. James is training him.”

/>   “I have the same with Ridley’s son, Petr. They will both become, in time, good squires.”

  “Did you collect your taxes?”

  “Your taxes lord.” I nodded. “I did and the Sherriff’s man collected them. He was surprised that there was a lord here but pleased for he had more taxes than in other years.”

  “How so?”

  “This land is free from Scottish raids but thanks to the injustice of King John and the Sherriff’s rule, there are many bandits and brigands. I have scoured my forests of them. I left their heads on spears and we have had no repetition. The people were able to work harder and produce more.”

  “Good. Bring your surplus coin with you. We shall leave for York on the morrow. If we ride hard we can do it in a day. It is but thirty-eight miles and we have good horses.”

  Sir Ralph brought just his squire. He left his men toiling on the new gatehouse. Our three squires chatted and I rode with Sir Ralph. “I asked you to bring coin to see if we can buy some sheep.” I tapped his surcoat, “And you still have my surcoat.”

  “I am proud to wear it lord!”

  “Thank you for that but, like Sir Edward I would have you wear your own. There may come a time when associating with me may harm you.”

  “But this is your manor!”

  “Perhaps, but one of the reasons I am visiting the Sherriff is to ensure that we hold on to it. Now that I am lord of Stockton there may be a problem. And there is something else, you need a wife. I would have my knights produce children. Sir Edward is to be a father.”

  “There are precious few young ladies close to me. The nearest lord appears to be at Helmsley and I have yet to meet him or his family.”

  I now saw why Whorlton had been neglected for so many years. It was isolated and poor. The purchase of sheep might transform it into something which would yield Sir Ralph enough money to hire more men at arms. He had a small garrison.

  “Tell me, lord, what do you know of the Sherriff? I know little.”

  “I met him when I was on crusade. He may remember my name if not me. That is my hope. He is close to King John and that is why he is High Sherriff. He was given Pontefract Castle which is a powerful and important stronghold. He is also High Sherriff of Cumberland. In truth, Ralph, I am not certain that we shall see him but I have to present my parchment for your protection.”

  As we were clearly knights we were allowed free entry to the walled city of York. We entered through the old Roman gate. The walls were Roman and made York the greatest fortress in the county. I headed for the river. There was an inn there my father had used. It was called ‘The Saddle’. He used it for it had a stable and, in his time, had served good food.

  I dismounted and the innkeeper came out. He bowed when he saw my surcoat. “You must be the Earl of Stockton!”

  I shook my head, “That was my father. I am Sir Thomas, his son.”

  “The squire who saved King Richard! The hero of Arsuf. You are welcome, lord. Tab, see to the lords’ horses. Fetch their baggage!”

  Our rooms were adequate. Petr and Fótr would have to sleep on the floor but they did not mind. It was too late for any business and so we ate in the inn. The innkeeper, Edgar, proved to be a mine of information. He told us of the Sherriff and the men who were powerful in York.

  “The Sherriff is rarely here, lord. His son, Sir John acts as Constable. It is he that you will need to see.”

  I could tell that he was keeping information from me. He told me of the markets and where we could buy cloth. He told me the best place to purchase sheep but when I pressed him about Sir John he was evasive. I realised that I was being unfair. Edgar had to live in York. I would be wary when I met the Constable.

  We left our men to wander the town and we took our squires to the keep. It was a circular one and looked, to me, to be impregnable. The river protected one side and the mound was one of the biggest I had ever seen. We were asked to wait in an ante chamber while we were announced.

  John de Lacy was a little younger than I was. I could see that he liked to impress his guests for, while he was a short man, he had a large chair on a dais which meant that even when seated he was at eye level. If I had brought Ridley the Giant he might have had to look up. A clerk hovered nearby and there were two men at arms behind him. We stood there like penitents while he read the parchment I had given to the clerk.

  He nodded, “So you are the lord at Whorlton, Sir Thomas?”

  Unsure of the correct form of address I said, “No Constable. Sir Ralph here acts as castellan for me. I have inherited Stockton manor.”

  He frowned and turned to the clerk. They whispered. “I thought your family was disinherited. They lost the manor!”

  I nodded, “They did but Sir William, who was the incumbent, died but, before he did, I was adopted as his heir. I have presented the testimony to the Bishop of Durham.”

  “Then you are indeed a fortunate man. To have murdered a bishop and offended a king would not normally garner such rewards.”

  I smiled a thin smile, “Perhaps that is because I was unjustly treated.”

  He leaned back and put the fingers of his hands together. “My father, the Sherriff, has spoken of you. He was at Arsuf that day. He was with King Richard. He admired you for what you did. For that reason and that reason only, I will allow you to continue to have Sir Ralph as your castellan.” He turned to the clerk. “Have it so noted, Cedric.”

  “Aye lord.”

  “However, as you failed to inform me of your arrival I fine you and your lord ten gold pieces.”

  I saw now why the innkeeper had been so circumspect. John de Lacey was lining his purse while his father was absent. This was little short of extortion. I saw Sir Ralph open his mouth and I shook my head. I reached into my purse and took out ten coins. It would hurt our finances. I placed them, one by one, on the table. I took the parchment and rolled it. “And this means that all debts are paid? There will be no further… requests for payment save the annual taxes?”

  He smiled, “If Sir Ralph obeys all of the laws of this land then that will be so.”

  I nodded, “We would appreciate a copy of those laws, lord for we have recently come from Anjou and there the law is a little less murky!”

  He coloured. “Of course. Return in the morning and Cedric will have a copy ready for you.”

  “And a copy of the judgment on Sir Ralph.”

  “Of course.”

  “You are a careful man Sir Thomas.”

  “I have learned to be so in the Holy Land, Durham, Sweden and, latterly, Anjou. I have learned to adapt.”

  When we left Sir Ralph said, “I am sorry my lord. This is my fault. I should have presented the parchment as soon as I arrived but I was so busy…”

  “Peace Sir Ralph. This was robbery pure and simple. The fact that it was legal does not change what it was. Now I see why the barons are unhappy. There appears to be no redress from King John’s officers and they exist only at his favour. We will have to be more careful.”

  I spent some of the coins I had left making purchases for my wife. She needed fine cloth so that she and her ladies could make clothes for my children. We met up with my men at arms and archers in the inn. The food was good and, unlike the Constable, Edgar did not rob us.

  “What did you learn?”

  Godfrey shook his head ruefully, “That York is the most expensive town I have visited. We called in at an inn by the cathedral. The ale was twice the price it is here. We found a smithy selling weapons. I could have bought five swords in Angers for the same price as one in York.”

  Edgar had been listening, “That, my lord, is a local tax. A tenth is added to every bill and sent to the Sherriff. It is his son’s idea. Most of the inns charge more just to make a profit. Here, I cannot afford to. My customers are, generally, sailors and they are careful with their coin.”

  The next morning, we collected our documents and headed for Northallerton. There was a sheep market there. It was a thirty miles journey. The
re was a lord at Northallerton. Sir Hugh Fitzwaller was known to me. I had met him in Angers once for he had a cousin who had a manor in Poitou. He was happy to accommodate us. He was particularly friendly because of my great grandfather and his role in the battle of the standard. Sir Hugh was old fashioned and was still loyal to the memory of the Warlord and Archbishop Thurston.

  We sat at his table with his wife, his two sons and his daughter. They were of an age with Fótr and Ralph. They chatted happily. His daughter, Isabel, was stunning and I could see both Fótr, Gilles and Sir Ralph, vying for her favour. Sir Hugh obviously wanted to speak. He did so furtively. “I am pleased that there is a lord at Whorlton. I liked not the empty manor but even more important I am happy that a descendant of the Warlord is at Stockton. You will be a barrier to the Scots.”

  I shook my head, “I have no castle. I have a hall which has a fighting platform. I can hold off a warband but not an army with siege engines.”

  “The King has much to answer for.” He sipped his wine. “I can speak to you in confidence? You are a true and honourable knight?”

  “Of course.”

  “Then know this, there are barons here in the north; they are more powerful than I. These barons are unhappy about King John and his malignant rule.”

  “Rebellion?”

  He shook his head, “No Sir Thomas, a different kind of war. They use alliances and wish to bring the King to account for his actions. He uses ‘ira et malevolentia’ to those who do not do as he wishes.”

  I had heard of this anger and ill will. Thomas Becket had been killed as a result of this.

  “The latest to suffer is William Marshall.”

  I could not contain my shock, “But he is the greatest knight in the land. He took over as adviser to the King after my great grandfather passed away. He is renowned as the most loyal of knights.”

  “Then that should tell you the strength of feeling. I have heard the de Lacey family may be the next to suffer ‘ira et malevolentia’. He fears their power.”