by Griff Hosker
We turned a corner by Cornhill and saw the backs of five men. I saw that two of them wore spurs. They were knights. A sixth man lay on the ground bleeding. My grandson was tall and I saw his head above those men attacking him. “Stockton!” I gave the battle cry to make the attackers fear us and to give hope to my grandson. Two of the attackers turned and fled. I shouted to John of Oxbridge, “Take four men and get after them!”
I saw William slide to the ground and two men turned to face us. Even in the dark I could tell that they had swarthy complexions. They should have run but, instead, the two of them charged me. I was taken by surprise and I barely blocked the blow from the first sword with my dagger. As I parried the second sword with my own, Thomas and Richard ran up and skewered the two would be killers with their swords. Even as I pushed them aside I saw my grandson kill the knight with whom he was fighting.
He dropped to his knees. William was lying in a pool of blood. Harry of Norton knelt next to him. Harry helped to heal the men’s wounds in battle. Brother Peter had trained him. He began to bind his left arm and said, over his shoulder, “He is lucky lord. It is a bad cut on his left arm but he will heal. He has a blow to his head but I see his eyes opening.”
“Good.” I rounded on Samuel, “And what in God’s name were you doing? Trying to get yourself killed?”
He looked shamefaced. The wounds to his young squire were his responsibility. “I did not like sitting doing nothing. I thought to look for knights myself.”
I pointed to the dead knight, “And you found one! You were lucky we came when we did.”
He looked contrite, “I know and I am sorry.”
John of Oxbridge returned. He shook his head, “We lost them, Earl Marshal. There was a fist fight outside an inn by the Guildhall and they disappeared into the crowd.”
“It is not your fault. Bring these four bodies with us.”
Sir Harold said, “And four of you flank the Warlord. He is in danger.” I looked at him. “Warlord if two men turn to face twelve then either they are very good or they are dedicated. They went for you. They ignored me, Sir Richard and our squires. You are the target and you are the man they wish dead!”
Chapter 5
We examined the bodies by the light of brands in the open ground behind the city gate. The knight was, like the other dead men at arms, someone who had been in the Holy Land or hot climes at the very least. They all had good mail, even the men at arms. Sir Harold surmised that they had been sergeants at arms and at least one of them had been a Templar. He had found the symbol of the Templars around his neck. He held the token in his hand.
“See Warlord, we have seen this before.”
Richard said, “I cannot read the words. How do you know it is Templar?”
Samuel took it and used his fingers to illustrate as he spoke. “My father has one of these he took from a dead Templar. The two men represent the Templar order. The words are hard to read because this has been borne for many years and some of the letters have been damaged.”
“John of Oxbridge take their heads and plant them on spears on the bridge. Let our enemies know that we have taken their killers. Tomorrow I will speak with the Abbot. Until then no one leaves or enters the castle. There will be no exceptions.” I looked pointedly at Samuel who nodded.
“And the bodies, Warlord?”
“Fasten them with stones and put them in the river after dark when it is high tide.”
Samuel held up a small bag. He opened it and held it to my nose. “What is that?”
“Hashish. Masood, my father’s scout uses it occasionally. He chews it. He told me that it makes a man immune to pain. It might explain why those sergeants at arms recklessly attacked us. They thought they were invincible.”
We were in a sombre mood when we re-entered the tower. We sat with Samuel to continue to discover what had happened. William was taken to the doctor. “Well? Let us know all!”
Samuel nodded. “We went to the inn. We were looking for a dark-skinned man and we found one.”
Sir Harold shook his head, “Then you were meant to find him.”
“I can see that now but we thought we were hidden in the shadows.”
“These men are good. They would have smelled you.”
“Smelled us?”
“You bathed today?”
“Of course.”
“Then they smelled the soap you used. They smelled that you wore clean clothes that did not smell of piss or dung. They could have followed you in the dark. Go on.”
“We were not completely stupid. When he entered the alleyway close to the Cornhill we did not follow. We thought to find you and tell you.”
Sir Harold said, “When you turned then there were five men behind you.”
He looked shocked, “How did you know?”
My former squire laughed, “It is many years since I was an outlaw but there are some things you do not forget.”
“Why do you think they did not kill you?”
“I think they wanted us alive. The knight who escaped looked to be the leader. I would know him again!” He added eagerly.
“But you drew your swords and fought them.”
He nodded, “It seemed the right thing to do.”
“And it was. Better a death with a sword in your hand than be tortured like Guiscard, Jean and Arne.” I patted the back of his hand. “You have been lucky and learned a valuable lesson.” He nodded. I leaned back, “It is me that they seek. Had we more men then I would have every building searched.”
Sir Harold shook his head. “This city is like Sherwood to the men we hunt. They know every inch of it. The streets are like warrens. The only way would be to burn the houses and wait for them to flee.”
I laughed, “A somewhat drastic approach but it would work. We have more intelligence than we did. Four of their number are dead. We have to have hurt them.”
Sir Harold said, “Aye and paid them back for our dead men.”
“Tomorrow night, we all keep our eyes and ears open when we are dining with the abbot. He may know something or I might be overly suspicious but he has stables.” I looked at Samuel. “Had William not been injured then we might have used the squires to examine them but we only have three now and if the abbot is involved then your excursion tonight will have put them on their guard.”
It was late when we retired for I had made certain that all of them, knights and squires knew what we planned. We all had to be of one mind. The next day was one in which we prepared. I would not leave the Tower. Sir James would still be travelling to France. This threat was a bigger one than we had expected. It felt cowardly to sit behind our walls but I had perilously few men. I sent for Samuel so that I could interrogate him more. He could not tell me anything else. That was his lack of experience. He had fought in battles but the murky world of a city like London was beyond him.
After he had finished I said, “Samuel you and your father, along with your sister Ruth are now the only family I have. I would have you safe.”
“I am a knight.”
“I am not talking about battles and combat. You are the equal of any knight but you are naïve if you think you can take on treacherous snakes like de Mamers on their terms. Promise me you will not be so reckless again.” He hesitated, “William could have died because of you.”
“I will not be foresworn. I swear that I will not put any man’s life in jeopardy but I will not allow you to be killed while I still breathe. I know I have much to learn. Yes, William was hurt, but both of us learned valuable lessons this night.”
I sighed. He was of my blood and I had done the same as he when I had been younger. “Tonight, we leave the Tower. Although we are just going to eat I would have you prepare as though for war. Wear mail and gambeson. Have sharpened swords and daggers.”
“I will!”
Although we wore mail we dressed in clean surcoats. We would not take helmets and we would leave our shields but we wore arming caps and coifs. If the Abbot thought it r
ude then so be it. We were groomed and shaved. I wanted the abbot at his ease. I needed to know where he stood. We had walked into a city filled with traps, ambushers and treachery. We had to be ready for anything.
I sent for the Chancellor. He arrived with his guards and looked every bit as worried as he had done the first time we spoke. I told of the deaths of my men and the attacks on Samuel and William. “Then none of us are safe!”
“I fear you are right. I would have you bring your family here to the Tower. It is the most secure building in London. It is not perfect but we can defend it.”
“I have no family. I just have retainers and clerks.”
“Then bring them and your guards. Until we have aid from France we are vulnerable to attack.”
His sergeant at arms, Egbert, nodded, “He is right, my lord. They have more men at arms here and the White Tower can be defended even if the walls fall.” He looked at me, “There are plenty of supplies, Earl Marshal?”
“We have enough for three months!”
The Chancellor was convinced. He would be my only extra guest. The Archbishop of Canterbury had taken to his castle at Rochester. That was as strong as the White Tower. I could go to the meal with the abbot confident that I had taken all the steps necessary to keep England safe.
Although our men wanted to come with us I needed them to keep the walls guarded. There was little sign of unrest but it would take but a spark to start a revolt. I had Peter Longstride captain the guard at the city gate. If there was trouble then they would come quickly. This band of knights had come with a purpose and I knew that once I was dead it would be like an avalanche. Were my months, not weeks but days?
Our squires and their horses were not taken to the stables. That interested me. Instead they were taken to a water trough. The friars had some bags of grain although we had walked such a short journey that it was not necessary. Food and drink were provided for the squires. They had thought of everything. There were platters and goblets for the squires and two ducks had been cooked for them. The Augustine friars lived well. These were not poor friars. They ate and drank as well as any baron. The Abbot greeted me with a smile but the smile was not in his eyes. “Welcome Earl Marshal. Forgive my friar for his words yesterday. They are very protective of me.”
There was something familiar about the abbot but I could not put my finger on it. It was the context which confused me. I had seen someone who looked like him but it was a memory, a shadow from the past and the shadow did not wear the habit of an Augustine abbot.
“Think nothing of it Abbot…?”
“Call me Geoffrey, Earl Marshal. I am not precious about my title. I am a humble priest who seeks to do God’s work.”
It was as we sat down and candles were brought to illuminate the table that I saw he had a healthy colour. He looked to be unlike many churchmen. He was muscled and he had not run to fat. If I had seen him in other clothes then I would have said that he was a warrior.
Prayers were said and then the tiny birds’ eggs in aspic were brought out. The wine which was poured was of the highest quality and had not been heavily watered. This was not a poor order for there were spices in abundance. I ate one out of politeness.
“You look to be a man who has travelled.” He cocked his head. “Forgive me I notice such things. Your skin has been burned by the sun. I do not think that the English sun gave you such a deep tan.”
He smiled, “My family left England when my grandfather was killed. My father took the cross and I was born in Outremer. I joined the order in Italy.”
I sipped the red wine in my goblet, “A good wine. I have a vineyard in Anjou and this is its equal. It tastes like it is from the same region.”
“I confess that I like my wine. This is from the vineyards close to La Manche in Berry where we have a monastery. I was canon there before I came here.”
The fish was brought in. It was a lake pike. The abbot had spared no expense. He had to have had this fish ready prepared for the feast. There were no lakes close to the city. Had he always planned to invite me to dine or was this for another guest? I was in a suspicious frame of mind. His friars and servants kept our goblets filled but we drank sparingly. We needed our wits about us. I was becoming increasingly suspicious of our host. As the night wore on he seemed to relax more and drink more. I broached the subject of the unrest.
He smiled, “When the King is absent there will always be unrest. We need a King on the throne rather than posturing in France. We do not need France. We have England.”
“Yet the King has land in France too: Poitou, Gascony, Brittany, Aquitaine, Normandy, Maine. More of France belongs to King Henry than to King Louis. Is he not right to protect his lands from the voracious French?”
For the first time the abbot’s mask slipped. “Some would argue that the land was stolen from the French.” He pushed his wine away and smiled, “I am afraid I have enjoyed too much of this French wine.” He laughed, “Perhaps it is twisting my tongue. I am of course a simple priest and politics do not concern me. What I do know, Earl Marshal, is that many more of the poor seek our help. Coin is spent on war when it should go for alms.” I nodded as the sweet meats were brought in. Rich butter biscuits which were covered with honeyed nuts were brought in along with figs and goats’ cheese.
I found the abbot to be a hypocrite. We had eaten enough in one night to feed the poor of London for a week.
He rubbed his hands as the laden platters were placed in the middle of the table. “This is my indulgence and my vice, Earl Marshal.”
Just then Sir Harold rose, “I am afraid I need to make water, Abbot.”
He smiled, “Brother Raymond would you take Sir Harold to the garderobe. Ask Roger to bring in the dessert wine.
As he ate I asked, innocently, “Have you heard of a group of knights and sergeants at arms from the Holy Land? They are said to be in the city. Having lived in the Holy Land then you might know them.” He looked surprised. The fig with the cheese was half way to his mouth and he froze. I smiled, “I ask because having grown up there you could have come across them.”
“I have not heard of any. They would stand out in this city.”
“And yet last night six of them tried to attack my grandson. I have four of their heads on spears outside my gates. You are more than welcome to inspect them. You might recognise them.”
He placed the fig and cheese, uneaten onto the table. “If I can help I will but there were many warriors in Outremer and I was young.”
“Yet your skin shows that you were there recently.”
“I think you are mistaken.”
I paused and looked at him, “You are a priest, abbot. Do not be foresworn.”
He looked flustered and then smiled, “Of course. Now I recall. I am recently returned from Rome and the sun burned brightly there. You have a suspicious mind, Earl Marshal.”
“That is how I have lived so long.”
“It is late and I am tired, Earl Marshal. It was good to have this conversation. Now I feel that we understand each other. Tomorrow I will come and speak with you at the Tower. Then I will have a clear head and I will be able to examine the dead men. You may be right. There is a chance that I might know them.”
Just then Harold re-entered. He nodded at me. “And I am tired. I look forward to greeting you at the Tower. I cannot promise fare as fine as that which we enjoyed this night but I will send men to the Cheap to see what we can get.”
The squires had heeded my instructions and most of the wine was untouched but the two ducks had been devoured. As we mounted Sir Harold leaned over, “I spoke with one of the friars on my way back. Do you know what the abbot’s family name is?”
I had an idea but I shook my head, “Not really.”
“It is D’Oilli. He is Sir Richard’s grandson.”
I smacked my right fist into my left palm. “Now I see the web. Have your swords ready and keep your wits about you. I suspect treachery this night. Don your coifs.” We did not draw
our swords but slid them a little way out of the scabbard. The night was damp and we did not want them to stick. The metal coifs and ventail did not restrict our view as much as a helmet would but we had less protection.
We passed the Cornhill and headed for the convent. The roads seemed empty but we scanned the buildings which were adjacent to us. These killers had shown that they knew how to hide in plain sight.
The town watch had been warned of our departure. I reined in close to them, “Has anyone left since we arrived?”
“Just a wagon with a family. They said they were heading for Tilbury.”
“No horsemen?” He shook his head.
“Then continue to be vigilant.”
The gate was just eighty paces from the bridge. Sir Harold and I had had the men deepen it so that water now flowed up to the bridge. We would need a larger force of labour if it was to be extended all the way around the walls. As we came out I waved to the men on the gate. There was no sign of the wagon. I should have asked when it left. There was something about it nagged at the back of my mind.
We had just stepped on to the bridge when White Star whinnied. He never made a sound unless there was danger. I drew my sword and shouted, “Ambush!”
The squires and Sir Richard were confused. Instead of drawing their weapons immediately they looked for danger. Samuel and Sir Harold had their weapons out as the men clambered out of the ditch where they had been waiting. I spurred White Star towards the nearest killer as John of Oxbridge shouted, “To arms! To arms! Treachery!”
A spear was rammed towards me but I had made White Star begin to move and I jinked out of the way as I brought my sword down across his shoulders. He wore mail but my blade rasped through the links and into his shoulder. Richard and his squire were in trouble. Richard had his sword out but not his squire Walter. Samuel and Thomas galloped towards them. That left Harold and Etheldred, his squire with me. I saw that there were at least ten men. The gates to the city gate towers groaned open. Even as I brought my sword to slice into the helmet of one of the attackers, Ethelred was speared in the leg. Sir Harold went to his aid and sliced left and right. That left me isolated. Three men ran at me. One grabbed White Star’s reins while a second thrust his spear at me. I brought my sword down at the third man and our blades rang together. White Star slipped and he began to slide down the bank to the water below. There was a scream as his body crushed the man holding his reins. I kicked my feet free from the stirrups. The other two killers scrambled down the bank towards me.