The King Is Dead

by Griff Hosker

  "No, my lord!"

  "Take them away!" They were dragged screaming from the hall. The other four continued to look at the ground. "You four did not deny what you did. Do you wish to die?"

  One, slightly older than the others, lifted his head, "No, my lord but I would not lie to you."

  "Then you all obeyed William of Lucker's orders? You took money from poor villagers?"

  "Aye, we did. None of us are proud of our actions but before he took us we were poor and hungry. He fed us and he armed us. We were grateful."

  "What is your name?"

  "I am Edward of Beadnell. This is my brother Alfred and our two cousins, Aethelred son of Ralph and Harold son of Ralph."

  "Your families are dead?"

  He nodded, "Or slaves. Our fathers told us to run when the Scots and the Earl Gospatric came and attacked our farms."

  "Look at me all of you. I like to see into a man's heart when I speak with them." They all looked at me. I could see resignation on their faces. "Answer my questions honestly and I will judge you fairly. Do you understand?"

  They all nodded and I saw a hint of hope on their faces.

  "Who visited William of Lucker and was a noble?"

  They looked at each other. Edward said, "We knew no names, my lord. You must believe us. But we saw visitors and they were knights, or men at arms at least."

  "Good then you saw the symbols and signs on their shields."

  They all nodded, eager to please. Edward of Beadnell said, "One, who came in the last few months had a lion with a red tongue."

  "Good. Was he alone?"

  "No he brought other men with the same livery."

  His brother said, "One of them was different."

  "No, Alfred, they all had lions with red tongues."

  "One had a lion on a yellow background."

  I turned to Sir Roger, "Flanders! This is what I want. Omit no detail."

  They nodded for I had smiled and they were encouraged. "Most who had visited before had the yellow and red stripes of the Earl Gospatric."

  "Any others?"

  Alfred seemed to be growing in confidence. "Do you remember brother, there was the knight who had a yellow shield too but not with a lion."

  His brother nodded eagerly. "Aye, it was an eagle with outstretched wings looking to the left. I did not like him. He was cruel. He had Harold the Lame slain for muddying his surcoat."

  Aachen! The Count of Aachen was my enemy. Our feud went back to the time I had rescued the Empress Matilda. "Is that all?"

  I could see them searching their memories for more. "There were others but they wore mail only and we did not understand their words."

  I looked at Sir Roger, "Well?" he nodded. "You have answered me honestly and now I will pass judgement." They looked to the left as Wulfric walked in wiping his bloody sword with a cloth. "What would you have me do with you?"

  They looked surprised at my question. Then Edward said slowly, "Why let us live, my lord. Preferably with limbs and eyes intact. Even life as a thrall would be better than death or maiming."

  "My captain of archers tells me that you can draw a bow."

  They nodded, "Aye my lord. We were young when we joined the outlaws but our fathers had begun our training as archers." Edward looked worried, "We lost our bows at the hall!"

  I saw Sir Roger smile. "Do not worry about your bows. Sir Roger here needs archers." Hope erupted in their eyes and I held out my hand for caution. "If he were to offer you the chance to become his archers then we would both need a most holy oath."

  "We would so swear."

  "Sir Roger fetch a bible."

  Sir Roger said, "My church is too poor for a bible, Earl, I am sorry."

  I saw crosses around the four boy's necks. They were made of wood but they were crosses nonetheless. "In that case swear on your crosses."

  I nodded to Wulfric who said, "Repeat after me. I swear to be Sir Roger of Norham's man unto death."

  They all intoned, " I swear to be Sir Roger of Norham's man unto death."

  I took out my sword. "From your names you four were named after Saxon kings."

  "Aye my lord."

  "As was I." I held up the sword. "This sword has the pommel stone from King Harold Godwinson's blade. I would have you touch the blade and repeat the oath. I believe this will be as strong an oath as that on your cross."

  They knelt and said, with even more fervour, " I swear to be Sir Roger of Norham's man unto death."

  "There Sir Roger, you have new archers."

  As I sheathed my sword the four of them kissed the hem of my surcoat. "Thank you, Earl, for your mercy."

  Wulfric shooed them out, "Aye well this time you have chosen a master. It is always better than being taken!"

  Chapter 5

  Late in the afternoon my two knights rode in with their prisoners and news. I saw that they had wounded men with them. None were as severely hurt as John but they were hurt. They had six prisoners with them. Sir Harold spoke for the two of them. "These are Scottish brigands. They had been raiding the villages along the border." He shook his head. We found empty farms where the people had been..." he shook his head as though to erase the memory. "I will not speak of it."

  "Did they say whom they followed?"

  "Some said Balliol and one said De Brus. I would not trust the words of any of them."

  "What would your judgement be?"

  "I would hang them and leave their bodies for the carrion."

  "No lord!" Wulfric backhanded the speaker.

  "Very well, Harold, I trust to your judgement. Wulfric take them to then northern gate and hang them. Leave their bodies there until Sir Roger deems fit to have them removed." Like the two who had had their thumbs removed they were dragged screaming from the hall. "Are you happy Sir Roger?"

  "Aye. It will serve as a warning to all such brigands and I will do as you suggest, my lord. I will use the coin well."

  "We will stay until the end of the month. By then John and the others will be fit to travel. We will ride the border and make our presence known. We leave it to you to visit your folk in the hinterland and let them know that William of Lucker and his outlaw tax are no more." I lowered my voice, "Speak with their headmen and get them on your side. Have their men practise with weapons. Find a bowyer and a fletcher. Have war bows made for them. You have an army here!"

  We rode out as one conroi. We left our wounded men in the castle as a garrison and to recuperate. Sir Roger headed south while I led my conroi across the river towards Berwick. Sir Harold had grown in confidence. "Do we mean well by this, Earl?"

  "I need to let the Lord of Berwick know what we have done. It will show them that I fear them not and will tell them that it was I who did this. If they are to have someone to hate then it should be me."

  We knew the road to Berwick. We had attacked there before. This time we rode in plain sight along the road. We were three miles from Berwick when mailed men met us.

  "You are breaking the peace, Earl Alfraed of Cleveland!"

  I recognised Sir James Monteith. He was castellan of Berwick. "I come in peace, Sir James for my men have killed your countrymen and allies and I would not hide from you."

  "My countrymen?"

  "Brigands who followed De Brus and Balliol crossed the border. They murdered, pillaged and raped Sir Roger's tenants. Their bodies hang from the gates of Norham Castle if you wish to reclaim them."

  "It they are murderers then they have what they deserve."

  "I should also tell you that Sir Guy de Senonches led a large conroi in an attempt to attack Otterburn. He was defeated and escorted back to Jedburgh. I have yet to report this to my king but I would urge you to advise your own king. There were your countrymen as well as rebels with this Frenchman. Many would constitute this as an act of war. You were fortunate that I was in an understanding mood. The Frenchman was little more than a brigand."

  "He has returned to France."

  "You knew he was here."

&nbs
p; "After you defeated him I did." I could see that the Scot was embarrassed. "I thank you for your patience, Earl."

  I nodded, "We have also cleansed our own lands. The outlaw called William of Lucker and his band are all destroyed. That is good for all our people."

  I could see that this was news to him and confirmed that William of Lucker had had the support of the Scots. "That is good. And what will you now?"

  "Now I will return to England and scour the Tweed to make sure that all brigands, outlaws and bandits are removed, no matter which lord they follow."

  Sir James nodded, "And I would do the same. Go with God."

  "And you."

  I was relieved, the peace still held. Perhaps I had overstepped my authority but I thought not. We crossed back over the river and headed west. We took our time and I had Dick and the archers scour the woods for any outlaws who lay within the confines of the woods. There were none. Sir Harold and Sir Tristan had cleared them. We crossed the river again and rode up to the abbey there. It was a new building and showed that King David had used much gold to have it erected. The abbot came out to greet us.

  "Is this visit one of conquest or supplication, my lord?"

  "Neither, Abbot. It is the visit of a neighbour to give you information. I serve the Bishop of Durham and his lands extend to the river. We have found many of the Bishop's people slain by bandits and brigands. We have killed them." He nodded. "However they came from over the border. I came here to ask you to exhort those who live hereabouts that the punishment for such transgressions will be death."

  "I understand." He studied me, " From your wolf standard I see that you are the Earl of Cleveland,."

  "I am."

  "Even your enemies speak well of you. Thank you for your words and I will give you a piece of information. You have made an enemy of Sir Guy de Senonches. He will not rest until you and your family are dead."

  "Thank you for the warning but I had guessed that already. As he has gone back to France I will worry about that later."

  He came closer to me, "Normandy is close to France. It is known that you are a Knight of The Empress and you are sworn to protect her."

  "She is in danger?"

  "She may be." He made the sign of the cross, "May God watch over you. I have looked in your eyes. You are an honest man and your heart appears pure. I like not treachery from any and it is known that you are honest. Be careful."

  I had much to reflect upon as I rode back to Norham. I sat with my three knights, Wulfric and Dick. We discussed, each night, what we had discovered. On their own the small pieces of information we had were like gossamer; thin and insubstantial. Tied together they became steel. There was a conspiracy. The King and the Empress were the targets. They were close together and vulnerable. Lavinia the poisoner had shown us how easy it was to get close to one of us. I knew now that once the King and the Empress were neutralised then the Scots and their allies would invade the north. I could only be in one place at once. I had to get to the King. It meant risking my land but I had to gamble that I could reach Normandy and stop the conspiracy from succeeding.

  We left at the end of the month. John had recovered well although he had an ugly scar. He seemed proud of it. The archers he had recklessly tried to save were now bound to him. They recognised his act for what it was. Sir Roger had managed to hire two men at arms before we left and I gave him two of the horses we had captured. We began our journey south. Sir Hugh Manningham's castle was conveniently placed at the end of our first day's journey and he was eager for news.

  After I had told him he said, "And I have the ransoms. Your shares are ready for you to take south."

  I took him to one side. "I will be heading for Normandy. I would have you use my share to buy more men at arms. You will need to be a stronger presence here. Sir Edward and my valley knights will support you should a major attack occur but a monthly progress will ensure that the Scots and the rebels are wary."

  "Thank you for your share. I will do as you ask. Tell me though, why Normandy?"

  "I have evidence now to present to the King. I know whence the unrest has originated and I believe that the Empress may also be in danger."

  "Then you are honour bound to help her. Do not worry, Earl. I will put the coin to good use."

  My last call before I reached my home was to the Bishop of Durham. I sent my two knights, men at arms and archers on ahead and retained just my squires. I spent half a day with the Bishop. I had much to tell him and much to ask.

  When I had finished he nodded. "I see now why the King puts so much faith in such a young knight. I approve of your actions, all of them. I have some young knights whom I could appoint to the northern manors. Heaven knows we need them. Poor Sir Roger has a precarious position so close to the border." He leaned forward, "Tell me, do you think the Scots will invade?"

  "So long as there is the threat of King Henry coming north then I think that they will keep the peace. It is the lordlings and rebels who will keep encroaching. Sir Roger and Sir Hugh are both aware of the danger."

  "Good. I think you should travel to Normandy. I have much to report. I will write it myself for it is only for the King to read. There are many spies. I can trust Ranulf but after that..."

  "I will visit with Archbishop Thurstan too. If I am away then his lords south of the Tees must bear a greater responsibility."

  While we were speaking Brother Michael, who was a great healer examined John and, as we were leaving, declared that Edgar had done well. I was relieved. John needed both legs to be a knight. The Bishop clasped my arm as he bade me farewell. "See the King but return as soon as you can I beg of you."

  "I will but I fear, Bishop, that England is in for some cold winters. We should prepare."

  We hurried home for I had much to do before I left for Normandy. Wulfric had lit fires beneath Alice, my housekeeper, and John, my steward, so that all was prepared for me. As I dismounted I said to the three squires. "I will go and speak with Alf first. I want each of you to go this afternoon and have new mail made for you. And then, before we leave for Normandy, school your young warhorses. I fear we shall need them sooner rather than later."

  Wulfric heard my words and he shook his head, "We need another year to make them true destrier, my lord!"

  "We have six months and they can be schooled on the road to Normandy."

  Something in my tone made him pause, "That soon, my lord?"

  "Perhaps."

  I strode to my chambers. "Come John, today you can be my squire and remove my armour so that I may talk with you."

  "Aye my lord."

  As he pulled my surcoat off I said, "I will be leaving for Normandy soon. I take seven men at arms and six archers. The rest I leave here under the command of Erre."

  "Yes my lord," he laid the surcoat on the bed and began to wrestle with my mail.

  "We have brought much gold back from the north."

  "Excellent, my lord!"

  "Do not be so happy yet. Let me tell you of my spending plans. I am having three sets of mail made for my squires."

  "Understandable, lord, Wulfric told me of John's wound."

  "And then we need William the Mason to improve the defences of the castle. In addition I want another cellar building to store food. Buy whatever you need this year so that we can have a surplus of beans and other food which can be stored. Beans dry and keep well. Buy salt or have salt made, I care not which. We need to preserve as much meat as we can."

  "Is war coming, my lord?"

  "I think so but I cannot predict when. I wish to be prepared. Our gold goes into future. We do not keep it. I hope that we will increase our revenue for this year, at least, our lands will be safe."

  "Aye, my lord."

  I smiled as I donned my tunic. "What, no arguments?"

  "When you speak thus, my lord, I listen. I may like gold and economy but I am no fool. I will do as you have ordered."

  My visit to Alf served two purposes; we needed mail and he was the leading c
itizen in my town. He needed honesty from me.

  "Good to see you, my lord."

  "You may not think so when I have finished."

  "Have we offended you, my lord?"

  "No but I have some things which you may find unappetising. I need new suits of mail for my squires and mail leggings for all of them." I put five gold pieces on his anvil. Each was worth a year's labour.

  He rubbed his hands. "This I find very appetising!"

  "And I need them in a week!"

  "A week?"

  I warned you."

  He nodded, "If I hire extra men and cease all other work then we should be able to. Can I use the old mail?"

  "So long as it does not weaken the whole."

  "Then it shall be done."

  "The next part is more delicate. It is for your ears only but you will need to make judgements based upon my words."

  He took off his apron and led me to the rear of his smithy. He poured us each a jug of ale. "This sounds serious, my lord."

  "I think trouble may be coming sooner rather than later. I fear that there will be rebellion or invasion north of us. My men and I have quelled it temporarily but I need to ask the King to allocate more men to the defence of the Northern March. Until then the defence will be down to us and I will be in Normandy for a short while. I hope to be back by Christmas but, as we know, sometimes these things do not work out."

  "Then we will have to be vigilant."

  "And watch for spies."

  "Spies?"

  "Not all who come to our town will be who they say they are. There may be refugees but within their numbers are those who would spy or harm us. Remember last Christmas?"

  "Aye, my lord, I do."

  "Father Henry is a good judge of character. Use his skill. John and William the Mason are improving my defences and John is laying in plenty of supplies. If danger comes while I am away then have the townsfolk go into the castle."

  "Aye you are right, the town walls are no long sufficient. We need to make them bigger. There are more homes without rather than within." He finished off his ale. "Thank you for confiding in me, my lord. You can trust me."

  I patted his shoulder. It was like stroking granite, "I know, Alf, I know."