In the centre I prepared to meet the foot. We were heavier and I counted on our two lines to punch a hole in their defence. We struck with a clash of iron on wood. My well trained men were soon stabbing and jabbing at the less well protected Normans. Suddenly I heard a shout from Osbert, “My lord, the cavalry!”
I looked to my right and saw, to my horror, Earl Morcar and his horsemen riding north. They had broken. “Osbert, back right.”
Osbert’s part of the line began to edge around to form another side to our line. I roared, “Halt!” We were winning in the middle but if we advanced we would be surrounded. I turned to look for a way out of this trap for Morcar’s desertion had given Perci the advantage of numbers. Our only chance was to defeat the knights and hope that William retreated. I turned to Edwin of Malton next to me; he would be the next sergeant, if we survived this disaster. “Edwin, hold the line whilst I aid Lord Ridley. Listen for my command and do not advance!”
He grinned as he hacked a foot soldier with his short axe, “Aye my lord.”
I extracted myself from the line and trotted to the left where the knights were still heavily engaged. I saw Branton. “Make me a hole in the middle of their line on my command and then be prepared to cover our retreat!” He nodded and I stood in the second line, men made a gap for me and I found myself just behind Ridley. It was a stalemate. “Branton! Now!”
Suddenly eight arrows flew dangerously close to our heads, striking the four knights at the front of their line. There was a gap and I pushed myself to Ridley’s left. “Wedge!” Stabbing forwards with Boar Splitter I felt the blade slide into the horse’s throat and beyond it to embed itself in the knight’s gut. Horse and rider fell to one side and there was an even bigger gap. I slid my shield around and held Death Bringer. As I began to swing I felt Ridley, to my right do the same and soon the swinging blades were carving a path through horses and knights who had no answer to the scything blades of death. Their lances lay shattered and they could not reach us with their swords. It was with some relief that I heard the Norman voices shout and the remaining knights fell back. I quickly looked to the right. The attack there was being held.
“Topcliffe! Fall back! Branton, harry them.”
We had lost many men and as we closed our lines to retreat I saw that we would do well to survive the retreat. We were now heavily outnumbered. It was Fulford all over again and we had been betrayed by one of our leaders. I took Boar Splitter from the dead horse and held my shield before me for the danger now would be the crossbowmen and the light horse. I heard a horse behind me and Branton’s voice. “My lord, there is a small wood half a mile north.”
Without turning I shouted, “Good! Keep the crossbows and horse away from us; we can deal with their foot easily enough.” Their foot soldiers were reluctanttoclose with the scything axes and swords. They were mercenaries, they were not fighting for their country; we were!
Even though we were retreating we killed more of them as we slowly trudged backwards. When we could, we rotated our men so that fresher men were in the front and it was heartbreaking to leave our dead littering the field but we had no option. Our work was mechanical as we swung and parried, blocked and stabbed. Osbert’s training paid off on that day as men fought beyond pain and beyond sense. Just performing the actions drilled into them at Topcliffe. Branton’s archers did a magnificent job, riding to attack any who threatened our flanks and their horse became wary of them. By the time the sun was setting we had reached the safety of the woods and it was with some relief that I saw Perci’s pennant dip and his men retreated. The last fifty men at arms sank to their knees in exhaustion. We had tasted defeat and retreat and, I for one did not like the taste.
Chapter 10
When Branton returned he had many empty saddles. “You have done well, Branton, and saved us this day. I will not forget it.” He nodded. “See how many horses you can find and, if you are able bring any of our wounded from the field.”
We knew there were wounded for we could hear their pitiful cries as they lay amongst the carnage. I did not know if the Normans would bother with their own dead but we had so few men left now that every man, even the wounded, was worth double the dead and dying Normans. Osbert spat on the ground as he bound a wound on Edwin’s arm. “With respect my lord, Earl Morcar is a prick and if I see him again…”
“Do not worry, Osbert, we have fought alongside that coward for the last time.”
“With whom will we fight then, Aelfraed, for we have few men left?” Ridley’s voice of reason chilled me to the bone.
“I do not know. What is the alternative? Submit?” I looked at Ridley and suddenly realised that he had a future. “You could take your men back to Coxold and continue as Thegn.”
He smiled sadly. “Aelfraed, it has always been the same, my world and yours are tied together with a bond which has been determined by wyrd. Where you go, there go I.”
“But Ridley, I am outlaw. You know what that means?”
“Aye my lord, it means that every man’s hand is turned against you. You have no home and you will be shunned by all.”
“And you choose that?”
“I choose that.”
I turned to the circle of warriors who watched us and listened to the conversation. “And all of you, do you choose that; for I will give coin to any who wish to go home. It is only Aelfraed of Topcliffe who is outlaw.”
In answer they all banged their shields and roared, “Aelfraed.” None left me and we were all outlaws from that moment on. The sign of the Red Horse became the symbol for rebellion and resistance to all invaders.
When Branton returned he had managed to acquire thirty mounts, some of them Norman. He also found eight warriors who were wounded. Two of them would not see out the night but, at least they would die amongst comrades.”My lord, we cannot stay here. We must move.”
“I know, Osbert, place the wounded on the horses, Branton lead us out and have four men as scouts to watch our rear. We trudged north all night, eventually collapsing at Knottingley where we begged some shelter and food from those in the small village. I felt honour bound to tell them who were and that we were outlaws. Cnut, the headman nodded. “That is as maybe my lord but I stood with you at Stamford and to us you will never be outlaw. You are welcome to stay as long as you wish.”
“Thank you Cnut but we will leave on the morrow for I would not wish harm to come to you and your people.”
When we finally reached Jorvik three men had died of their wounds and we had buried them with weapons and honour. Ridley took the majority of our men to Coxold where Ralph Ralphson could repair the damaged armour. We knew that every day was precious. Soon William would come north for all resistance lay with my depleted band of warriors and we needed to find somewhere to winter. Our lives would change irrevocably. I went with Osbert, Branton and six men to Jorvik. I needed money from Reuben but more importantly I needed to speak with Morcar, if only to tell him how I felt.
The sentries on the gates looked shamefaced as we approached the Mickelgate. They looked at each other and then crossed their spears, barring us from entry.
“I am sorry, my lord but you have been declared outlaw and cannot enter.”
I felt my men reach for their weapons and I held up my hand. I did not want to spill Northumbrian blood. “You know who I am?”
“Yes my lord, Lord Aelfraed of Topcliffe.”
“No I am Aelfraed Godwinson, son of the last legitimate King of England, Harold Godwinson. I do not recognise a Norman declaration.” They looked at each other, confused. “Who commands here?”
“Earl Morcar!”
“Then we will see him.” I looked at them both sadly, “I do not wish to end your lives for you are merely doing your duty but at my command these warriors behind me will slay you in the blink of an eye. Do you want that?”
I could not see the expressions on Osbert and the others behind me but it must have terrified the two sentries who stood aside, “Very well, my lord.”
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“Branton, take two men and find Reuben, explain that I need a letter to obtain money in Eidyn Din and Constantinople; a thousand gold pieces from each. He will understand and tell him we may not be able to meet again.” I would have preferred to say goodbye to the old Jew personally but I did not know what reception I would receive at court. “Then meet us on the Coxold road.”
When we reached the court I saw Norman mounts and at least one Norman warrior. We were still armed as at the field of battle. “Osbert, leave the men guarding the horses. You come with me. I fear there may be bloodshed ere long.”
Osbert spoke with the men and I heard them draw their swords. I doubted that any of the garrison in Jorvik would cause them any trouble but the ones inside were a more serious threat. Even as I went into the hall I wondered why I was risking our lives. I could have just taken my money and ridden away but I needed to look Morcar in the eye, if only for the dead who lay at Doncaster and Fulford for this was the second time he had let me down.
The guards at the door looked at our swords. “My lord your weapons…”
Osbert walked up to the man. “Aidan of Easingwold. You and I have stood behind this lord and defended him with our lives. You have a choice, let us enter or die where you stand.” Osbert was known as the toughest of my Housecarls and many said that he could have stood with honour at Senlac amongst the elite of the Housecarls. Aidan nodded to his companion and stood aside, shamefaced.
When the door opened I saw four Normans speaking with Morcar. There was an audible gasp from them all. Morcar went white. He stood with a weak smile on his face. “Aelfraed, good to see you. I though that you were…”
“Dead? I would have been had we not fought our way out after you deserted us and now I see that you are consorting with these Normans.”
“The day was lost.”
“The day was not lost until you ran again. Know this Morcar that you live only because of your sister whom I loved but the next time I see you. You will die.”
“You do not understand Aelfraed. King William has built a castle at Warwick and Edwin has submitted. Harold’s mother has surrendered as has Hereford. There is only you and Hereward in East Anglia who fight. It is over. We have lost.”
I was not surprised by the news but I was disappointed.”It matters not to me. This will be over when Death Bringer is prised from my cold dead hand.”
Over in the corner the four Normans were speaking with, what looked like a servant. Osbert spotted their agitation. He said, quietly, “I don’t want to alarm you my lord but those four look like they have just worked out who you are.”
“Earl Morcar, unless you wish to see bloodshed in your hall, tell your new friends to sheath their swords.”
The four mailed men had drawn their swords. Morcar spoke to them in French but they still advanced. Osbert and I drew our swords and daggers out and faced them. “No! Please, Aelfraed. Put up your sword.”
I glared at him. “What and submit? I know not what runs in your veins Morcar but it is English blood which flows in mine. “
Even as we were speaking the four knights launched themselves at us. They had deigned to use daggers. I parried a sword away with my dagger and blocked a sword with my own. Instead of retreating, I advanced for I was bigger and heavier than they were. I punched with my sword and the surprised Norman tumbled to the ground in a heap. I swung the blade at the second man who ducked. I stabbed forwards, instinctively with my dagger, and felt it slice along his cheekbone. He put his hands to face his face to halt the bleeding and I kicked him in the groin to add to his misery. My first opponent had risen to his feet and, angrily advanced on me. His eyes filled with fury and humiliation. Aethelward had always taught me not to fight angry and I never had. The Norman raised the sword to crash it down on my unprotected head; unfortunately for him there was a wooden wheel hung with candles suspended from the ceiling and his sword stuck in it. This was no time to be generous and I ran him through with my sword. Osbert had disposed of one of his men and the other stood there facing two bigger men armed with double his weapons. I stepped forwards and, roaring, “Fuck off!” hit him in the middle of his face with the hilt of my sword. I heard the nose break as he crashed to the ground. “Morcar, choose your friends more carefully in future. Although no-one else had a belligerent look about them, we backed out of the room with drawn blades. Once out of the chamber we strode quickly out of the hall to the gate. Branton was already there with our horses.
Osbert turned to me and grinned. “I do not think we will be invited back there in a hurry.”
“Let us ride!”
As we kicked our horses a crossbow bolt flew from the door of the hall and struck me on my shoulder. The armour saved me but it felt like being punched by Ridley. Branton smiled, “Have you been upsetting people again, my lord?”
“It would appear so. Perhaps Earl Morcar does not know how to get the bloodstains from his floor.”
We rode hard until we reached Coxold; it was a measure of the lack of spine in the Earl that no-one followed us. Ridley had organised a magnificent feast. I had forgotten how hungry I was. I had barely slept for two days and I could not remember the last food I had taken. We all ate in one of Ridley’s barns. It was rustic and it was rough but it felt like a feast of kings. We were depleted in numbers but not in spirit. We spent the whole night talking of those who had fallen and remembering them. Stories were told of their deeds and it was good to know that, when we fell, others would talk of us and keep our memory alive.
The next morning we rose late and we rose stiff. My shoulder ached and, as we dressed Ridley laughed. “It looks as though someone has painted your shoulder green and blue.”
“Those bolts are more than a nuisance. If I had not had the armour I fear I would be dead by now.”
“I will see if Ralph can make some for the other men.”
The four of us, Ridley, Osbert, Branton and myself held a council of war in Ridley’s hall whilst the men had their armour and weapons improved, repaired and renovated. “The question is now what do we do?” I had included Osbert and Branton for they felt like family and I respected Osbert’s views. Ridley would listen and soak all the information up like gravy and a piece of bread. Branton had the ability to see things from a different angle. They remained silent and I think they expected me to give them some choices. “We could do nothing, and hope that William ignores us. We could journey to Ely and help Hereward fight them. We could try to raise an army against William and… well that is my range of strategies exhausted.”
“I do not think, my lord, after our experience in Jorvik, that William will forget us. We have damaged him too many times.”
“I know Osbert and we no longer have the security of Jorvik for the Normans control Morcar.”
Branton played with the feathers of one of his knight killers. “We could go abroad, my lord. I assume that the message to Reuben was to provide you with funds in Scotland and Constantinople. I assume that they are in your mind?”
He was clever; was he questioning my motives? “They are a last resort, Branton, and I would not travel alone, I would take as many with me as wanted to. Aethelward suggested the East and I know that our skills are held in great regard there but I do not wish to desert our people. Thomas, Sarah and the others still burn in my memory and my nights are haunted by the spectre of their deaths.”
“We could just stay here Aelfraed. We could defend Coxold against the Normans. We have enough time to build up the defences.”
“Aye my lord. It would be a hard nut to crack.”
“You are right. We could defend this manor and your people; they would aid us?”
Ridley almost bristled with indignation. “Of course they would, they are loyal.”
I lowered my voice, “And if we lost, Ridley, and they ended up like my people at Maiden Bower, you would be happy about that and you could live with the deed?”
He visibly paled. “But if we did not lose…”
“Lord A
elfraed is right, my lord, if the King does come he will have more men that William of Perci and even William of Perci now has enough men to defeat us. We could hold out for a while, possible even weeks but then we would run out of arrows, and food and the will of the fyrd would weaken. We would be left with fifty of us to fight against a much larger army. We would lose. Many Normans would die but we would lose eventually and then what would happen to the people of Coxold.”
Ridley’s silence was eloquent. “I suppose we could go to Ely and join Hereward.”
No-one seemed excited by that idea. Branton continued to look at his arrow. “There is one other alternative.”We all looked at him. I could see that Ridley was desperate for any solution which would mean his people would survive. “We do not think that William will come before next spring. We spend the winter building up our weapons and making places in the woods where we can live.”
Osbert snorted, “Live in the woods?”
“Think about it brother. We know the woods to the east and the west of the road. The main road north is here. We could make the Norman’s life impossible if we harried them along the road and when they travel around the north. We nearly have enough horses now and we are able to mount all of our men. We could strike in one place and, when they come to look for us, find another sanctuary. Move and strike. They would need a bigger army than they have at present to control the land.”
Osbert nodded, “Aye, my lord and remember, the people at Knottingley are not different from any others and they welcomed us and helped us.”
“I would not wish to put anyone in harm’s way.”
Outlaw (Aelfraed) Page 15