by Griff Hosker
I smiled, “King Henry promised to take the cross to atone for the murder of Archbishop Becket. He has yet to take the cross. I am sure that someday Sir James will travel east for a pilgrimage.”
“Aye, lord, I would!”
“We do not speak of this in public. I trust our men but if they knew then they would not be able to hide their suspicions. This is a complicated web and we need to find all of the strands before we try to take the spider!”
The Earl of Leicester had not only joined the rebellion against King Henry but helped the French to invade England. He was now in captivity having had all of his lands taken from him. My decision to visit Leicester was deliberate. It was now controlled by a loyal Constable, Sir Richard de Hauteil. The King had appointed Sir Richard but I wished to know the mood of the lords of Leicester. Did they support Earl Robert?
The Constable was a Norman. I had fought alongside him in the wars against Blois and France. Although twenty years my junior we had many shared experiences. In light of the letter I could not afford to totally trust him but I would listen to him, at least.
“I thought, Earl Marshal, that when the King regained his crown we would have a land free from dissent.”
“He has four sons and there are many lords who seek power. You are Constable of this castle for that very reason.” He nodded, “Tell me, have you heard of four knights travelling around this land and remaining hidden? I heard a rumour of four men wanted for killing the relative of an old comrade in Normandy.”
He looked around. None were listening and so he lowered his voice. “As you know I am not English. Some of the lords who live hereabouts seem to think I cannot speak English.” He shook his head. “They say things they think I will not understand. I remember serving with your Sir Wulfric. I learned my English from him.”
I laughed, “Then you have an earthy understanding of our words.”
“I do. You know that in the Holy Land they have a cult who take the hashish plant and are called assassins?”
“My son has been on crusade and he has told me of them. They cannot be in England for they would stand out. We do not have many such swarthy men. My son’s scout Masood is from the Holy Land and he often draws stares and comments.”
“No, Earl Marshal, the cult has given rise to an order of knights. They have no name but they share a common goal and end. They are hired killers. I heard of them when I was in Italy and then again in Normandy. I had not heard of them in England until lately. They are from all the races of Europe: there are Lombards, Teutons, Swedes, Spaniards, Frenchmen and English. They have one thing in common. They had all lost lands. It makes them hate those in power and those with lands.”
“Then they kill in secret?”
“Sometimes but often they take part in a tourney. You know that men are often killed in the mêlée. It can happen by accident. These killers are deliberate and ruthless.”
“They have a leader? A symbol?”
“A symbol? I think not. They are secret and they are clever. As for a leader; if they have one he is well hidden. I tell you all of this, Earl Marshal for I have heard of a band of knights who travel in this land and they do so in secret. They have supporters who offer them shelter. Some knights may indeed fear them but they are present here in England. When you travel the roads, I would not do so at twilight or night. There have been many men killed on the road which passes through Sherwood. It is blamed on the outlaws.” He shook his head, “Outlaws use arrows and not a broadsword. Outlaws travel on foot and do not ride war horses. They are here and you would be a prime target for them.”
“You are a well-travelled man. If you were to say who was behind it then who would it be?”
“Earl Marshal I have, like you, survived a long time. I try to avoid conspiracies and speculation. I do not know and I do not want to know. I can swear that I know nothing. I told you what I did for you are an old comrade and the most respected knight in the land. I would not have you killed because of my lack of vigilance. I will have some of my men at arms escort you as far as Northampton. Once you are south of there then you are amongst a nest of vipers.”
We saw no trouble on the one hundred and twenty-five miles to London but after I had told my knights my latest news it confirmed their intention to stay with me and for Sir James to take ship to France. My seal gained us entry to the White Tower. King Henry had improved the castle. Building a tower to guard the entrance of the keep and a warrior hall had been amongst the first. I confess that I did not think he had gone far enough. The south west bastion tower and gate were a start but I think it needed a moat too. I could do nothing about that. We arrived in the late afternoon. I was tired and my head was hurting more than normal. I was getting through Brother Peter’s potion far too quickly. I would have to endure the pain and use less of the remedy. The Constable at Lincoln had confirmed that William Marshal was in France. There would be no one for me to delegate the responsibility. I would have to see it through. Would I live long enough to do so?
I installed our men at arms and archers in the warrior hall and sent for the chancellor, Ralph de Warneville. He was also the Treasurer of York. I had met him once for the Archbishop was known to me. I gave Sir Harold the responsibility of assessing the quality of the garrison and the defences of the Tower. In light of the threat from this new order of knights we would have to watch for enemies here, in the heart of England.
The Chancellor did not arrive immediately. I did not take offence at that. I guessed it would be caution. He would need to bring the ledgers and accounts for me to peruse. In all honesty that did not concern me. I needed to discover if the plot was widespread. I had to find out just who was loyal and whom I needed to suspect. I sent Guiscard the Gascon and two of his men to visit as many inns of London as they could. They went without surcoats and wore old clothes. They would be my spies. I needed to know the mood of the city and I needed to know if there was gossip about swords for hire. Jean de la Lude and Arne Arneson came from Anjou and Norway. The three of them would pass for mercenaries. I told them to take a couple of days. I wanted a true picture and the three of them would need to assimilate themselves into London. I did not worry about them. They were the best of scouts.
Sir James was eager to set sail for France. He was keenly aware that he might have to travel a long way to find the King and my son. I asked him to wait. “We need to speak with the Chancellor first. I wish to give the King as much information as we can.”
The cleric arrived after dark and was escorted by six burly guards. “Earl Marshal, you have arrived not a moment too soon. I fear there is danger to the King here in his own city.”
“Rebellion?”
He shook his head. “Would that it was as simple as that. If there was rebellion in the air then I would have sent for you and written to the King. This is worse. I cannot put my finger on it but there is an air of unease in the city. Many lords are in France. Some fight for the King. Some hide from the King and some are prisoners of the King! Trade has dropped off and taxes are slow to come in. There have been rumours of lords hurt in hunting accidents. Many manors close to London now have no lord.”
“That could be a form of rebellion.”
“It could but it could also be because the lords who pay the taxes are incarcerated.” He leaned forward, “Have you brought all of your knights?”
Shaking my head, I said, “Just four.”
He shook his head, “That is not enough.”
“It will have to do for that is all that I have brought. I need a list of barons who are known to be loyal to the King. I want no speculation. I need a list which is accurate.”
“Then it will be a short list. I will write it before I go.”
“Do you have spies?” He hesitated. “Come do not be coy! I know churchmen. I knew Becket!”
He crossed himself, “I have men who keep their ears to the ground if that is what you mean.”
“Then have them search for newly arrived knights and men at arms. As
you say most are in France or on their estates. I need to know of new arrivals.”
He frowned, “Why?”
“You say there is an air of unease. No one will risk coming to London while there is such an air. Any who come are suspect.”
He nodded, “I am glad that you are here.”
I nodded, “The list.”
He took a quill and parchment and began to write. I knew now that my hope of a sudden visit to abdicate my responsibilities was out of the question. I would end my days in the Tower. It had been some months since Brother Peter told me I had merely months to live. I was living on borrowed time.
The cleric finished. I saw that he had not signed the document. The first three names were known to me. Indeed, the first had been with me when I had captured King William. The others were lesser lords. I did not know them. The first three would be the ones whose help I sought.
Ranulf de Glanvill,
William de Mandeville, 3rd Earl of Essex,
Hervey de Walter, Lord of Parham,
Sir Richard of Peckham,
Sir Geoffrey of Greenwich,
Walther of Leeds
“Were I you, Earl Marshal I would destroy that parchment once you have read it. Failure to do so might result in death for those six men.”
After he had gone I wondered at his words. He was Chancellor and yet he was fearful for his life. I sent for my four knights. They had spent the day looking at the security of the tower. It was far from perfect. The arrival of our men, however, had trebled the number of men available to us.
We can improve the defences, lord. The gate which is closest to the city is stone and solid. The gate to the east although weaker is protected by the Tower. There is no gate on the north wall. The river gate has a tower and the south west bastion tower to protect it. If the gatehouse in the west wall fell then we might struggle to hold the castle.”
“Thank you, Harold. Here is my plan. Tomorrow morning, we don plain cloaks. Do not wear your surcoats. Choose four good men to accompany us. Archers would be good. We will walk the streets and discover the mood of the people. Then we shall try to find you a ship, James.”
Sir Richard asked, “Why do we walk the streets, Earl Marshal? Is that not dangerous?”
“We will be mailed but I know of no better way to discover the mood of a city. The Archbishop is worried. I wish to discover if he has reason to be worried or if he is just a nervous churchman. It is also some time since I was in the city. There has been much work in the last few years. Let us be as scouts. Your father will tell you the value of a scouting expedition. Instead of discovering where the trees and rivers lie we will see where the roads narrow and can be held. We will find where we might be ambushed or where we might ambush. Make no mistake, Richard. This is war but not one which you have experienced.” I saw Samuel nod. I was teaching my grandson another lesson. I had fought in towns and knew that it was a deadly battlefield.
The four archers we took each carried a short sword and a dagger. We crossed the bridge from the tower. At the moment the ditch was almost dry but I had set some of my men to deepening it at low tide. Then we would have water under the bridge to the castle.
. We headed for the area around St. Paul’s of the Cross. That was where the markets could be found. We knew we were getting close when we smelled the bread from St Paul’s bakehouse. This was the heart of the city. People needed meat, fish and poultry. They needed corn and they needed bread. All of them could be obtained within a hundred and fifty paces of the cathedral. The huge market there was called Cheap. We could buy almost anything we wished there.
My men tried to protect me as we passed through the throngs of folk buying and selling. The fact that they had coin to spend was a good thing. There was prosperity and that would make the people less likely to rebel. It was also a place filled with foreigners. Many were from the foreign ships anchored in the river. They sailed up the river and sold their wares then returned home with the profits and the goods they had bought. I found a stall selling wine from the Vendée. The area of Poitou was very loyal to the King. A visitor from that region would be more sensitive to a change in mood.
“Four beakers of your best red wine, my friend. If it is good enough then I will buy a jug.”
He smiled, “Then I will ready you one now for this wine has been kissed by God!”
I handed over the coins and sipped the wine. It was good but a little young for drinking. “Not bad. You must have made a quick voyage or jugged it too soon. I would have left it in the barrel for a little while longer.”
He nodded. My words had shown him that I knew my wine. “You are a good judge sir but three months from now and it will be like nectar.”
I laughed, “Who knows where we will all be in three months? However, you seem like an honest fellow and I can see you when next you visit if it does not match my expectations.”
He looked shiftily at the jug. “I will do you a special price, lord, for I am not sure when I will return here.”
“The market is thronged. Is there a better one I do not know?”
“Oh it is good now lord but two years since it had the revolt by the King’s sons and I have heard that his eldest son is not happy about his lack of money. If revolution comes again then merchants lose money.”
Samuel finished his wine and said, “They have war in France. Does that not affect the markets?”
He shrugged, “Everyone produces wine in France. We make more money here but we will wait until life settles down again. There is an air of danger here, lord. We hear whispers of unrest.” He shrugged, “We are not warriors we are but simple merchants. Even the seas are more dangerous. Since the King is preoccupied in France there has been an upsurge in pirates raiding merchant ships. Four of us came together to give ourselves protection.”
I handed over the money and gave the jug to Thomas. I did not believe that he was a simple merchant but I could see that there was something which threatened the stability of the crown. I was the lord who had been given the task of protecting the realm and I would do so. I would not be returning to Stockton.
As we went around the various stalls we heard the same message. The market was thriving but it was a case of making hay while the sun shone. All of them saw dark clouds on the horizon. None knew whence the trouble would come but all were concerned and the consensus was that young Henry would be at the root of it all. Alarmingly the rumour of killer knights and men at arms was more widespread. Each was vague and lacked detail but the rumours all had a similar message in them. The rumours were based on fact.
We headed down to the river. The larger ships were on the eastern side of the wooden London Bridge. I noticed that it needed repairs. Like many things it had been neglected. I saw the ship from the Vendée. That was a possibility but I was looking for an English ship. It took some time but we found one. She was a collier from Hartness. Her captain was a grumpy and melancholic man. “Our coal has not brought the price we hoped, my lord. The forges and weapon making workshops here in England do not need it. We are heading to Normandy. There they have a great demand for our coal. There is more demand for new weapons and mail there than in England. It is a trickier voyage and we have to be careful in Normandy but there is coin to be made.”
“Would you take Sir James here and his squire with you?”
I handed him a coin, “Of course Warlord.” He had lowered his voice but I was still shocked.
“You recognised me?”
“When I was a lad we came down from Hartness for the market in Stockton. Aye, Earl, I know you. I am guessing you do not wish your presence known?”
“I would prefer to be anonymous.”
“Then your secret is safe with me. William of Kingston is an old friend and shipmate. Your knight and his squire will be safe.”
“When do you sail?”
“On the last tide of the day. You have a couple of hours at the most my lord.”
I nodded, “Let us return then, Sir James. You need to p
ack and I need to ensure that you know what to say.”
Chapter 4
Once Sir James had boarded the ship I felt much more comfortable. My son and King Henry would know of the threat. It would not be a quick voyage but I trusted both the captain and my knight. That it was not a visible and tangible threat did not worry me. When the princes had revolted we had not taken heed of the warning signs. I hoped that King Henry would this time around. I rode, with a surcoat and armed men, to speak with the three men I could trust. My scouts and spies had still to return with a comprehensive report. I did not mind. I would rather have a full report than gossip and hints. If they came back and told me there were no killer knights in London then I would be happier.
Sir Ranulf was a good knight. The King had rewarded him for his action at the New Castle with a large estate to the north of London. I asked him outright about these killer knights. He looked surprised but not shocked, “I thought them a rumour, Earl Marshal, a legend. I heard of knights disappearing or being found dead but I put it down to outlaws.”
“That is what they wish you to think. There is method to this plan. When they come for me it will be with vengeance in their hearts but there are others that they will kill because it brings their master closer to power.”
“And who is their master?”
I shrugged, “If I knew that then the threat would be ended. It could be the French or,” I measured my words carefully, “it could be one of the princes.”
“Surely not. King Henry is old.”
I shook my head, “I am old, Ranulf. The King is of an age with my son. He could live for another thirty years. Would young Henry wait that long? Richard? He is ambitious. Will Geoffrey be satisfied with Brittany? The only one I can see without a motive is John, He has no hopes of anything and four men would have to die before he could attain the throne.”
“Or it could be someone who has no desire to rule England but wishes to see us weak.”
I had not thought of that and it made sense. “We are all in the dark. Let us try to gather more information and remain vigilant. Have you men you can mobilise in case of danger?”