The King Is Dead

by Griff Hosker

  What did that mean? He would not elaborate. Sir Richard was of a different generation. He was the King's friend and I was half his age. I had to work it out for myself.

  The journey was almost ninety miles in length. We would need to stop half way. Alençon was a good place. I knew the lord there, Sir Geoffrey of Tours, and we would be afforded a good welcome. However the forests to the north were a dangerous place. When we had travelled north with my father, we had encountered bandits and brigands there. Life on the King's business was never easy.

  Had the situation in Normandy been as it was in England then a rider could have been sent ahead to warn Sir Geoffrey and the King of our imminent arrival. In these days of treachery and intrigue that was far too dangerous. We had to make our own way and keep scouts out ahead. This was where my archers proved invaluable. They melted into the woods ahead of us. Like good hunting dogs they startled the four bandits who waited for us five miles from Alençon. Dick and his archers chased them. It was more effective than killing them. This way they spread the word that the party riding through the forest was to be left alone.

  Sir Geoffrey was delighted to see us. It had been some time since we had fought together but he was my age and we shared children of a similar age and wives who had passed away. He was one of the few men who understood how I really felt. His son, John, was also his squire and he and William disappeared with Leofric and John almost the moment we arrived. It was good to see William with other young bloods. My host had some fine wine from the Burgundy valley and he broached a jug.

  "Well, Sir Geoffrey, how are things here in Normandy? Sir Richard warned me that the King is sitting atop a volcano."

  "That is not the half of it. There are rumours that the Count of Anjou and Matilda have asked for the Norman castles to be handed over while the King is still alive."

  "I cannot believe that he took that well."

  "He did not. Someone has been poisoning the Empress' ear."

  "And that someone will be paid for by France."

  He took a deep swallow. "And there is more." Shaking his head he said, "There are rumours that they have met with the rebels."

  I felt my heart sink. This was the worst possible news. The only other realistic heir were the brothers Blois. I would not be able to bring myself to swear allegiance to them. I would return to Constantinople if that day ever dawned. Now the words of the castellan of Caen rang in my ears.

  "And where do you stand on the matter, Sir Geoffrey?"

  His eyes bored into me. "On the side of the King and on those whom the King entrusts the Kingdom and Dukedom."

  "And that means you would not support the Empress if she rebelled."

  "Would you?" Then he shook his head, "Of course you would, you are honour bound. You are a Knight of the Empress. I once thought that was a golden crown now I see it is a shackle. I am sorry, Alfraed. I would not fight against you yet it may be that I must."

  "I hope it will not come to that."

  He brightened, "Of course we all swore to ensure that their eldest son, Henry, attained the throne. I would fight for Henry."

  I smiled, "And I would give my life for Henry too."

  We clinked goblets, "And then we need not fight. Here's to King Henry the Second!"

  I did not sleep well, that night, despite the fine wine. I was in danger of becoming a traitor. Sir Geoffrey was right, I could not abandon the Empress. If she rebelled against the King would I fight her and the Count? I could see no way out of my dilemma. I wrestled with the problem all the way to Le Mans.

  We were not far from the castle when William said, "You are quiet, father. Is there a problem?"

  "There are always problems. You will discover that as you get older. Enjoy these years. You will never know such peace and freedom again. Once you are knighted you have responsibilities."

  "I have them now."

  "Keeping my armour oiled and my sword sharp are hardly onerous."

  He was silent for a while. "You would have told mother what troubled you."

  "Aye. I would." I left it at that.

  The royal standard told me that I had reached the King and he not departed for pastures new. This was a large castle, almost the size of Caen. It was filled with knights and men at arms. "Wulfric, see to the men. Leofric and John, take care of the horses. I will find the King and tell him that we are here."

  I recognised the castellan. It was Henry de Varenne. He and I had been with the Earl of Gloucester when we had fought on the Welsh Marches. When I had been rewarded with Cleveland, he had been given Le Mans. He was a loyal follower of the King.

  "Ah, the hero of the tourney. It is good to see you Alfraed. A long way from Wales is it not? We were two young knights with barely a ducat between us and look at us now."

  "Aye Henry but I would hope we are still the same beneath this finery."

  "Aye, a man is nothing if he is not true."

  "This is a fine castle."

  "It needs to be. We guard the back door into Normandy. In the days of Count Fulk this was oft times the front line. I am pleased that we are friends with Anjou now but I hear they are becoming restless. Perhaps the son is much like his father."

  "I do not think so. He was young and impetuous but I think he has grown and changed. I daresay I will see him when I have delivered my news to the King."

  Robert, Earl of Gloucester's voice boomed out as I crossed the bailey. "Thank the Lord, you have arrived. I wondered if my message had reached you."

  I looked to Henry, "I will speak with you later. My news is important."

  He shook my hand, "Aye I hear you are the bastion in the north. Good luck, my friend."

  I turned. He was alone and I could speak. "You said, 'message', my lord. What message? I received no message."

  He frowned. "I sent it two months since. My father has need of you. " I gave him a blank look. "You did not receive it?"

  I shook my head, "I was on the northern border fighting Frenchmen who attacked the northern valleys."

  "Treachery again!" He smacked one fist into the other. "Then what brings you here?"

  "News of treachery at home and the Archbishop of York asked me to escort your father's gold."

  "Well that is good news. Come best you tell the King first and save repeating it." He saw William. "It is good to see your father, William! He is a sight for sore eyes."

  We strode towards the keep. I saw that there were fewer standards than I had expected to see. King Henry's supporters appeared to be diminishing. "Sir Richard said that the King was dealing with rebels, my lord?"

  "It is a dangerous game they play my friend. We heard rumours of rebellion and unrest. Taxes are not paid and yet, when we visit the afflicted area it is gone; it is a will o' the wisp. We have had to punish some barons who were seen to be questioning the King's right but it is our sister and her husband who cause the King the most grief." He looked at William. "My father will explain."

  I was surprised by how much the King had aged. The flecks of grey were now white and his body did not seem as strong as it had once been. His eyes, however, still flashed with fire. "Alfraed! You have heeded our summons at last!" He waved a hand, "The rest of you leave us save my son and Richard of Redvers."

  I turned to William, "You had best go too. Find our quarters and help Leofric."

  "Aye father."

  The doors of the hall slammed ominously shut. Robert of Gloucester said, "The Earl did not receive our summons, my liege! The message went elsewhere."

  The fiery eyes flared, "And the messenger?"

  "I know not. He had not returned."

  "Then I dare say his body will be in some forest in England being picked over by crows. I am sorry, my lord, I thought ill of you. I wondered if you too had joined this conspiracy against me."

  "No, my liege, I swore an oath and I would not break it."

  "You are like your father. You believe an oath is binding. Some men now believe it is an inconvenience."

  "The Earl has w
orrying news from England."

  I handed the King the two letters. The seal was still unbroken on both. I saw the King suspiciously examine them closely. I should have been offended but I was not. If he thought his daughter was about to join the rebels then why not question a knight loyal to her. While he read the documents Robert of Gloucester brought me some wine. We were in wine country and it was good.

  When he had read them he asked, "Do you know what the two prelates say?"

  "In detail? No, roughly? I think so."

  "You have done well and uncovered much treachery. Tell me what you know."

  I told him all. I watched Sir Richard and the Earl of Gloucester as I spoke. I saw the King's old friend become angry. Finally I told of the pirate attack.

  The King nodded when I had finished, "At least I cannot blame the pirate attack on my enemies at home. We are indebted to you. And, perhaps, the missing messenger may not have caused us as many problems as it might. Who knows, maybe it was intended that you were not summoned else we might have suffered an incursion in the north and lost our gold. But I need you here now." He sighed and sat back with his hand to his head. He closed his eyes and we waited in silence. One did not interrupt a king who was deep in thought.

  The Earl refilled my goblet and gave me a wan smile. Sir Richard held his goblet out too.

  The King opened his eyes. "We will take you into our confidence. You deserve that, at the very least. If you were going to betray us you would have had more than enough opportunities before now. The Count of Anjou is a young man. I had high hopes for him. Especially after your last visit, however it seems someone has his ear and is giving him advice which will lead him into conflict with me. My daughter follows him. That is my fault; I threw her at this young man to gain a County. My son and I had tried to talk to him but he is suspicious of us." He held his goblet for a refill. "They demand that I hand over the royal castles in Normandy to them now! Before I am dead!"

  The Earl had refilled his father's goblet and he said, "They asked, my father."

  "Asked, demanded! It is the same thing." We all knew it was not. There was little I could say in response to that. We waited for his anger to subside. "Whatever word I use the effect is the same. I would have no castles in Normandy. It would provoke the nobles to rebellion and civil war would ensue." He drank some of the wine which appeared to cool his temper for he spoke much more quietly thereafter. "Perhaps I should return to England. I enjoy hunting there and God knows I have spent little enough time there but I wanted to make this land safe for my grandson. Our future is in young Henry." For the first time he smiled, "He is full of fire is that one. He can barely walk but he waves the wooden sword I gave him like a young Alfraed! He reminds me of you when you fought at the tourney! He fears no one." He smiled at the memory. "That is why you must go to my daughter. Persuade them to change their course. They are sailing close to dangerous rocks. Find whoever advises them ill." He slammed his goblet down, "And end their advice!"

  "I will do as you command my liege."

  Perhaps he heard the hesitation and doubt in my voice for he added, "If you need to then kill this advisor no matter who it is! You have my authority."

  "With respect, your majesty, there is a danger that this might alienate your daughter and the Count even more."

  He smiled, "You are the brightest and most intelligent of my lords. You have a Greek mind. Use it for England and your King. Leave no trace of what you do. I have no doubt that there are secrets in your life which are hidden from me. I have looked in your eyes and see someone who is much like me. You have a ruthless streak hidden within you. Use it for England and for my grandson."

  "I swear, my lord, that your grandson will become King of England."

  He stood and came over to clasp me about the shoulders, "And an oath from the Earl of Cleveland is one written in blood! It will never be broken." He released me, "Did you bring enough men?"

  "I have enough my lord. So long as you do not wish me to fight the whole of the French army then I have sufficient."

  "Good. Then the sooner you leave the better."

  "I will leave on the morrow."

  The King handed me a ring. "This is the seal of La Flèche. It is a small manor on the Maine and Anjou border. The lord of the manor died. There are four other men who would have it. Although small in itself its position would give whoever I gave it to too much power. I give it to you. It will give you a home here in Normandy and allow you to be close to my daughter."

  "But, your majesty, my land in Stockton!"

  "And it will still be there when you have finished here. This is more important than keeping the Scots at bay. From what you have told me the men who follow you will keep the Scots in check. I need you here. I need you to make this land safe. La Flèche is on the way to Angers. It is but thirty miles twixt the two."

  I nodded. He might appear old but his mind was as sharp as ever. "As ever, your majesty, I am your man."

  The King summoned his other advisors and I left with Richard of Gloucester. "Is this a poisoned chalice, my lord?"

  " La Flèche?" I nodded. "No. The four lords who want it will be relieved that it has not gone to another. You are seen as the English knight. They will hope that you will spend more time in England than you do here."

  "And I will."

  "Perhaps. Do not disappoint, my father. He has much faith in you and he has honoured you. La Flèche will bring a good income. There is a great deal of trade between Angers and Normandy. La Flèche benefits. It is another reason he has made you lord of the manor. It will not upset the Count of Anjou. He has claimed the manor in the past. His father and the King fought over it many times. It has a good position on the Loire and the castle is well made. The King allowed it to be crenulated."

  "It has a garrison?"

  "There are men at arms there. I will be honest with you, Alfraed, you will need to hire better ones than those you will find. They were almost as old as the lord."

  "And can I appoint a lord of the manor?"

  The Earl shook his head, "Politically that would be a disaster. If you are the lord, as my father wishes, then you will not be a threat to the neighbours but a lord of the manor created by you would suggest that you were building power here."

  "But I am not!"

  "I know. Better you appoint a strong castellan. He should be able to read and write. He will be responsible for the taxes. He needs to speak Norman too."

  "You are not asking much are you my lord? This seems more of a burden than a gift."

  "Do not say that in my father's hearing."

  "Then you tell me, why should I be happy? What do I gain?"

  He laughed, "You are unlike any other knight I know. Other leaders would be delighted to have gained power like this."

  "I seek no power beyond my valley of the Tees. You know that." I sighed, "I am consigning one of my men to a lonely life far from home."

  He nodded, "Much as you and your father were given Norton which was, as I recall, far from your home and yet you came to love it."

  He was right, "Well I shall wrestle with the problem; on the way to La Flèche."

  "I can let you have a few men, if you wish."

  "No, I would rather my castellan, whomsoever that is, is the one to appoint his own men."

  I sought Wulfric and Dick. "Come let us go into the town and find somewhere where we can enjoy some wine."

  Wulfric nodded and said, "We would prefer ale, my lord, if there is a choice."

  "Whatever you wish. It is your minds I wish to use."

  Dick laughed, "Then we must be in trouble if you seek enlightenment from Wulfric." Wulfric snorted his derision.

  We found a pleasant hostelry by the river. It was quieter than most of the others which were occupied by warriors from the castle. I wanted quiet. The ale was not to their liking but the wine was good. "I have been given the manor of La Flèche."

  "Well done, my lord."

  "I need someone to be castellan for me.
Someone I can trust." They both looked at me as though I was discussing the wine. "Would either of you wish to be my castellan?"

  They looked at each other and Wulfric said, "Thank you for the honour, my lord. I think I can speak for both of us when I say that not many knights would treat their men as you treat us. But it is not the life that we would choose. We will continue with the men at arms and the archers."

  They both finished their ale and began to rise. "Thank you for your honesty but I have yet to finish." I waved over the owner.

  "With respect, my lord, if we are to have another we will have a wine rather than this gnat's piss they pass as beer."

  "You are both ruthlessly honest. Well if you will not be my castellan which of your men should we leave for whoever I appoint as castellan?" The landlord brought wine.

  "The obvious choice would have been Roger of Lincoln although I suspect he, too, would have turned down the opportunity. Brian or Padraig work well together and they are friends. Brian would make a better Captain. He is used to command."

  "You agree, Dick?"

  "Aye. Brian was to be wed two years since. His woman died of the winter coughing. Stockton holds sad memories for him. I would choose him."

  "Then that is settled. What about archers?" I saw his face fall. "I know you are loath to lose any but archers here will make all the difference. Are there two, like Brian and Padraig who might enjoy the opportunity?"

  I saw him take a swallow of the wine and grimace, "Griff of Gwent is the only one who has the stomach for this. And he seeks adventure. He would make a good Captain of archers. If you would need someone to train new archers then he is your man. He also has languages as does Brian."

  "And with him?"

  "James the Short and Robert of Derby."

  "They are both new. You are not trying to rid yourself of a problem are you?"

  "I would not do that to Griff. No they get on well with each other and with Griff. They would work well."

  "Thank you. I appreciate the advice. I will let you ask them. Like you I would not force any man to do something they did not choose to do. If they say no then I will not think any worse of them."