by Griff Hosker
The enemy formed up next to the wall. My archers sent arrows to catch any who were careless enough not to have their shields held before them. I saw axes. They had examined the gate and knew how fragile it was. Even though they were careful my archers, although few in number, were skilled. They hit men. None were killed but when they were taken back within the walls then I knew that we were hurting them.
“They seem desperate to get inside the Tower lord.”
“There is a treasure room there. The royal regalia are to be found in chests. This is the safest place in England. These are swords for hire. They do not rely entirely on the money their lord, de Mamers, pays them. They seek rewards. De Mamers will use that greed to get at my grandfather. For him this is not about coin it is about vengeance and power.”
Banging their shields, the men began to filter down to the bridge. Those who had come from the Aldgate joined the others. The column would be eight men wide when it reached us. As they tramped across the bridge a hail of missiles was sent in their direction. Stones were dropped from the battlements; darts and spears were thrown. The stones crushed heads even though they were encased in metal. Darts and spears found gaps in mail for they were plunging vertically. When men fell that allowed our archers to send arrows to pierce mail. The column was thinned. Men fell over the parapet to land in the ditch breaking limbs or worse.
We heard the hammering of shields and axes on the burned gate. We used that time as well as we could. Six more men fell before we heard a crash and then a cheer as the charred remains of the gate crumbled. In their eagerness to get into the shelter of the gatehouse men lowered shields or raised their heads in triumph. They were hit and then I heard Sweyn shout, “They are here my lord.”
“Aelric, you know what to do!”
As we descended the stairs the archers ran across the fighting platform towards the south west bastion tower. They would join Atheling and his archers. When the enemy broke through they would have a killing ground to cross. Our bowmen would make them pay dearly for their gain.
Sir Richard and I stood at the fore. I drew my sword. Sweyn and Brian flanked us. Our squires stood behind and the other handful of men fanned out to protect our flanks. We would not hold them long but the more we killed the longer we would survive. Although this gate was not braced it was stronger than the outer gate for its face had not been weathered. The archers at the south west bastion were still reaping a fine harvest. I watched as John of Oxbridge led his men back to the ditch with the embedded stakes. They would be safe. The dead would come from the men I had chosen to lead. As the axes crashed into the gate I said, “When they begin to overwhelm us then hurry back to the walls. Sir Richard and I have the best mail. Do not tarry for us.” There was silence. “This is not a request, it is a command and you will all obey.”
I had put steel in my voice and they chorused, “Aye lord.”
The cries from the other side of the gate told me that my archers were still able to find flesh. The sun was rising and the day was passing. Would this be the day when the Earl arrived? My father? Speculation was idle. We would fight until we could fight no more. At least we would be able to have a greater concentration of men on our walls!
I saw the first crack in the gate appear. The enemy renewed their efforts and soon I saw a gap. Sweyn and Brian still had throwing spears they had not used and when Sweyn saw the bare head of a bearded man at arms he hurled it. The man saw the missile at the last minute and it struck him in the face. He fell backwards and as a second man picked up the axe he was struck by Brian. There was a delay while others donned helmets and began to hack at the gate. It would be a matter of time.
“On my command we run at the men coming through. Cause as much harm as you can and wait for my order to fall back.”
The gate fell suddenly. Two axe men hacked so hard that they fell sprawling to the ground.
“Now!”
We charged them. The two men who had fallen pushed themselves to their feet only to be struck down by Richard and me. Brian and Sweyn took two other axemen by surprise. Their shields were around their backs and my two men at arms used the tried and trusted method of smashing them in the face with their shields and then slicing across their necks. The narrow gateway helped us. Six of us were able to block it. We were facing men at arms and I saw knights trying to reach us. I swung my sword backhand and hit a man at arms below the rim of his kettle helmet. Richard lunged and used his point to stab at the throat of a second. Sweyn and Brian along with Dick Tom’s son were enjoying success too as men who had been using weapons two handed now had to swing shields around. Sweyn was roaring in his own language and seemed to bear a charmed life.
The tall knight five rows from the front lifted his visor to shout, “Hold! Fetch spears!”
They were going to use a shield wall and it was time to leave. “Fall back! Now”
Sweyn was a Frisian. They were related to Norse and Danes. I think in that moment he went berserk. While Brian and Dick obeyed me Sweyn hurled himself into the heart of the enemy at the gates. As we were falling back I saw that his attack had taken them by surprise and two men fell to his sword. Then a spear was rammed through his leg. Even though he was badly wounded he continued to fight. He used his shield as a weapon. Hacking his sword at a squire who tried to stab him Sweyn was speared a second time. I saw the bloody spear head come through his back. He was still fighting. He was dying but they would have to take his head to stop him. The tall knight did just that. He brought his sword around and decapitated my brave Frisian.
By the time Sweyn fell we had covered half of the distance to the gate in the curtain wall. Richard and I were with Brian and Dick. The others had reached its safety already. We walked quickly backwards. The men in the gateway, freed and unconstrained hurtled after us. I heard a voice shout something but the words were lost. I guessed the tall knight was ordering them into line. Some obeyed but my archers, now moving parallel to us on the fighting platform of the river wall were sending arrows into them. Two men reached us. “The rest get back!” The squire who brought his sword across my shield had the right technique but he lacked the strength he would need. The blow made his arm shiver more than mine. Instead of going for his shield I swung from on high. He brought his shield up and instead of doing as I had done and angling his shield he held it flat. I heard his arm break. I smashed him in the face with my shield and he fell unconscious. The knight whom Richard was fighting was gaining the upper hand. I had spared the squire. I would not spare the knight and I brought my sword backhand across his back. As his back arced Richard hacked him across his thigh. He dropped to the ground.
Sir Ranulf shouted, “Sir Samuel, run the rest are safe!”
I saw that there were just archers left on the fighting platform. When we were safe they would cross the stake filled ditch. Slipping my shield over my back we ran. I saw that the walls were thickly lined with knights, men at arms and archers. When we were just forty paces from the wall I saw goose fletched arrows soaring over our heads. The gate slammed shut and we were safe.
Sir Richard looked at me and shook his head, “Why did Sweyn do that?”
“Ralph of Bowness and Erre once spoke to me of warriors who had the madness of battle upon them. They said a man did not choose that end. It chose him. Who knows? Whatever the reason he saved us. We now have a chance. They may have the gate but our archers can make the outer ward into a killing ground. They will have to attack the north wall or the east wall. We have a chance.”
We hurried up to the fighting platform. The Earl Marshal awaited us, “That was bravely done by all.” He pointed at the piles of bodies which lay between us and the gatehouse. I counted at least thirteen dead men and others, the squire and knight included, were being helped back. Shading my eyes, I saw that the sun was almost at its zenith.
“Sir Samuel take your men. Have wounds healed and take sustenance. We will watch. We have set them a conundrum. There are many ways of taking this Tower. Which one will the
y choose?” My grandfather seemed remarkably calm. It was like a game of chess to him and he was seeing which move our foe would make so that we could counter it.
William and Harry had not escaped unscathed. While Sir Richard and I had helmets with visors we could lower they just had a helmet with a nasal. The squire I had fought had even less protection for his face. He had just had a round pot helmet. Both the mail of the two squires had been damaged and both had cuts upon their faces. None would be disfiguring but they had both had a valuable lesson. Most of our men at arms had such marks of honour. As we headed to the Great Hall I said, “Head for the dispensary and see the healer. Such wounds can go bad. We will save food and ale for you.”
As we ate Sir Richard gave me a strange look. “My father would be alive but for the treacherous Abbot. We were surprised. Even though we have been outnumbered since then we have not lost men. The Abbot will pay.”
“I understand your murderous thoughts and I agree that he should pay but think on this Richard. He may have fled already. What if he seeks sanctuary in a church? Would you risk losing your spurs for such as he?”
“Would you let your father go unavenged?”
“In truth I know not but if I had a friend then I would hope he would give me counsel and guidance.” He nodded. “Let us first defeat this enemy and seek to bring to justice all those who deserve it. We have three butchered men who need vengeance. Do not forget them. They deserve as much as your father.”
“You are right.” Just then our squires arrived. We smelled them before we saw them for the healers had applied strong smelling salves.
William said, before he had even sat, “I would have a better helmet and mail, lord.”
“I fear you will have to wait until you win your spurs.”
He poured himself some wine.”
“And when will that be, lord. I have served for some time.”
“You are right and I should have thought on this earlier. You can play the rote?”
“I can get a tune from it but my singing voice is so dire that it matters not.”
I smiled. “I know you have languages and that your sword and horse skills are of the best. I would say that when we return home and I have the opportunity of seeing if my pages are ready to begin training as squire then I will ask my father to knight you.”
He beamed.
Sir Richard knew the question on Harry’s lips and he forestalled it. “Harry, you will have to wait some time. Ethelred and Walter were about to be knighted and you would have followed soon after. I know I was lucky to have your services as well as Walter. I have a young brother at home and we need to train him to become a squire first. He was to have been my father’s but… I fear he will resent being my squire. I will fight one battle at a time.”
Harry was a pleasant lad, “I understand lord and I have much to learn. I need languages and the skill to play the rote and to sing.”
I said, more to change the subject than anything else, “Duke Richard of Aquitaine is said to have not only a sweet and melodious voice but he has composed many songs. When next we meet we should ask him to teach you if he is able.”
“Did he not revolt against his father, lord?”
“He did Harry but if the King can forgive him then so can I.”
We ate in silence until Harry asked, “How will we hold them off a second time, lord?”
I sighed for I had thought all of this through. I had put myself in the enemy’s position. How would I take the Tower? “They can now attack at two places. The Tower has solid walls but there are just arrow slits low down and they cannot be used to defend the last gate. If they concentrate in the south, by the river then we just have the wall and river gate tower that we can use. They will demolish the buildings by the gatehouse and build another ram. There is neither ditch nor bridge near to the gate. It will fall. At the same time, they can keep up the pressure on the north wall, perhaps even the east wall. We have three walls to defend during the daylight.”
Sir Richard glanced up at me, “And night time?”
“Night time means we need men on the river wall and gate. They can attack there too. I will use John of Oxbridge to watch the river. He has proved himself to be resourceful and invaluable. Had we more knights then I would have used one there. Sir Ranulf and his knights can defend the north wall and we will take the inner curtain wall. Richard I would have you and the garrison defend the east wall.”
“That is the least likely to involve danger.”
“True but the garrison has been badly mauled. Captain Robert and his men will be with you. It is the best plan that I can think of. If they build a ram on the east side of the wall then we are in trouble for our archers are stretched thin enough as it is.”
“I am sorry, Samuel, you are right. It is just that I will be further away from the Abbot there.”
“I think our clerical friend will be as far away from danger as it is possible.”
When I had finished eating I went to tell the others where they would be stationed. Aelric nodded when I told him. “We are running short of arrows, lord, and we have only enough for two more days. It might be possible to stretch that to three but I am not sure.”
“Do your best. We have to pray for help.”
“Your father will come.”
The Earl Marshal came from his room where he had been resting. He looked to have a little more colour about him. He must have heard my words for he said, “You are right Samuel.” He tapped his chest. “I can feel it here. He will come!” I smiled. “I will stand with you on the inner wall.”
By the ninth hour of the day we were all in position. The enemy had moved his men up so that they were beyond bow range but ready to advance. I saw that they had either been reinforced or they had finally committed all of their men. I had twelve archers on my wall. Half that number were on the north wall and the rest were in the tower. Atheling was in command and he would shift them between rooms to use the arrow slits. We had throwing spears and the last of darts. The armoury was now empty.
A horn sounded and the enemy began to advance. As I had anticipated they headed for the river side of the outer ward. They were helped by the fact that they held their shields on their left arms. Aelric shook his head at my unspoken question. “We would be wasting arrows, lord. Better wait until they are at the gate.”
I nodded. I had Brian and four other men with rocks and stones at the gate which led into the inner ward. They had no ram but I saw axe men and they also had huge shields to protect them. One of Sir Ranulf’s pages ran to me, “Lord they have begun to attack the north wall.”
“Thank you.” I turned to William, “If they come to the east wall then we are lost.”
My grandfather said, “We have held them off before. If you were the enemy would you relish attacking us? We have beaten off all of their attacks and they have lost many more men than we. This is bravado. We fight for every inch of this castle. Make them bleed, Samuel! Make them bleed!”
I hefted a throwing spear as the line of men drew closer to the wall below me. Behind the ones with shields were others with ladders. They were simple ones. The flooded ditch which led from the river could be waded by men. Equally they could, if the had to, use the shields.
Just at that moment I heard another horn. This time it was from the east gate. “Well, lord, it looks like they have decided to attack from three sides.”
I nodded and then shouted, “Remember men, we sell our lives dearly!”
“That is the spirit Samuel.” My grandfather drew his sword. “The Earl Marshal of England fights with you men! We stand or fall together!”
Chapter 15
The horn seemed to give the enemy heart and they surged forward. Arrows flew towards them but my men were so spread out that it was not the deadly shower we usually used. Even so men fell and their charge slowed as they moved more cautiously. The enemy were shouting and cheering. It was what men did to give themselves courage. Some of them made the mistake of heading
for what they perceived as the shallow part of the flooded ditch. It was shallower but it was also in range of the Tower. Six men fell and the others changed direction and came further south. The archers aimed at the men carrying the ladders. They had shields and wore mail. They had not repeated their error of using lightly armoured men. When the first ladder was pressed against the wall I leaned over. I had my shield over my head and a bolt smacked into it. The force was such that the tip came through. I looked down and saw a shield below me. It was advancing towards me. Had I had a stone then I might have hurt him but our last stones were with Brian by the gate.
Dick Tom’s son hurled a dart from the side. I know not if luck guided his hand or he was particularly skilled but the outcome was that he struck the sergeant in the left leg. I heard a grunt. Emboldened, Dick picked up small stones. They would not kill but they would annoy. Still the shield came up as stones rattled off the sergeant’s mail. The sergeant was only human and when he was three paces from the battlements he began to lower his shield in preparation for pulling himself over the crenulations. It also afforded him some protection from Dick’s stones. I seized my opportunity and I hurled the spear. I threw it with great force and it entered his shoulder between his head and his arm. Blood spurted. He tried to pull his shield over his head again but merely succeeded in losing his balance. He tumbled backwards. His trailing leg brought down a second man.
Just then I heard a cry from behind me, “Open the gate!”
What was Richard thinking? The Earl Marshal sheathed his sword, “I will go and see what is happening. Fear not you are winning.”
He was right for we had held their ladders. Axes rang on the gate but it was studded with metal and the axes would be blunted. Brian and his men had thrown stones to stun or kill four of the attackers but the attack on the west wall was a disaster. Here we were holding them. The gate tower had good line of sight and they were sending arrows into the sides of the men who climbed. They could only hold their shields over their heads. Some of the men were brave and struggled up even though they had arrows in their mail. I drew my sword for three men had managed to reach the battlements. “With me William!”