by Smith, Skye
The carnage caused by the swinging axes was gruesome. Arrows injure and kill cleanly, but axes were the opposite extreme. They hack, and hammer, and crush, and there is blood and gore and guts when they do their work. And there was no escape from these flailing axes, because any Norman that stood to fight them, sprouted arrows.
The constable's man, the farmer, was now running towards the camp, screaming to his wife and daughter. Telling them over and over to stay down, and not to rise. A Norman saw him running through the camp without a weapon and went for him with a sword. Gerke's axe smashed his skull like it was a melon just as the farmer ran by.
The bowmen were now running around the slough following the path that Klaes had taken to reach the right side of the camp. When they reached the start of the spit they saw four Normans running as fast as they could down the muddy strand away from the camp. Twenty arrows lofted into the sky and all four men fell, crippled or dead.
"Take some prisoners," Raynar yelled across the camp. "I want to ask them questions.” He yelled it over and over, which was the only thing that saved the lives of but three of the men. After the fight was finished, and after the Frisians had rested to calm their battle rage, Klaes, Gerke, and Raynar went to question the three prisoners.
They were bound and sitting on the sand, but they would not tell them what they wanted to know. Who sent you? What were your orders? Is there another ship? What were your plans? None of the questions were being answered, even with the threat of physical violence by Gerke, who was big enough to scare any man, and frightening to behold because he had not yet washed the battle gore from his face and hair and beard.
Meanwhile the farmer comforted his daughter by holding her in his arms and allowing her to endlessly weep. Klaes had told his men that the farmer was to have all the coin that they found on the bodies, as recompense for his lost stock and food. Meanwhile the farmers wife was limping from corpse to corpse holding a jeweled Norman dagger, which she was using to cut off the cocks of the dead men. No one stopped her. It was her due. These men had gang raped her and her daughter, and she was making sure that they would be eunuchs forever more in the afterlife.
Raynar called to the farmwife to come and speak to him. She walked over, carrying the bloody dagger and the basket of cocks. Gerke had told him that her intent was to burn them in the campfire so that they could never be reunited with their men.
The three prisoners looked at the gore in the basket with disgust and fear. Normans prided themselves on their 'manhood'. Raynar spoke to her in French, though she understood not a word of it. "These three won't talk, so you may as well take theirs as well."
The words had an immediate effect on the prisoner sitting closest to the wife, for he whimpered, "If you let us go, before she has her way, I will tell you everything."
Raynar translated the answers to Klaes.
They were sent by the Regent Bishop Earl Odo.
Their orders were to capture the big cog, capture the treasure, and kill all on board.
There were two other longships with them, but they were on watch at the northern and southern points of the Wash.
Their plan was to wait here until the big cog put to sea again, and then follow it to trap it against their sister ships, which ever way it sailed out of the Wash. That was why all of the crew were gathered here at the camp, waiting.
The farmer's wife had been joined by her husband and daughter. They were staring with hatred at the three prisoners. They heard Raynar tell Klaes that the answers seemed truthful and to let them go, but unarmed. "They won't get far. They are wounded, and the fyrd is still looking for them."
"No," yelled the farmers daughter, wiping her tears from her eyes. "They are mine. I claim them for what they did to me."
Raynar gave her a warm smile and shrugged his shoulders and told her "But I promised them I would set them free. Your mother has taken her fitting revenge on the rest of them."
One of Klaes's men came to tell them that they had finished burying the bodies in a shallow trench, and had loaded everything of value into the Karvi. They were ready to row it to Spalding.
Klaes looked at the daughter, and then looked at Raynar, and said, "Raynar, you have promised to let them go. So cut their legs free, but leave their hands tied. They don't need their hands to walk freely. Come on, get on with it and let's be away to Spalding."
As they rowed the Karvi away from the shore, Raynar watched the scene on the beach. The three men had not gotten far before the farmer had used a broken Norman sword to hack at their ankle muscles. Now the daughter was bending over one of them. He turned away. Unlike the rest of the crew, he didn't want to watch. Instead he went and stood by Gerke and busied himself with learning about this different kind of ship. The kind of ship that had controlled the North Sea for centuries.
* * * * *
Klaes and Raynar reported to the Earls what they had found out from the Norman prisoners, and then the Countess sent them away to the kitchen to get something to eat. When the room was emptied except for Edwin, Morcar, Edgar, Hereward, and Beatrice, they began to discuss the fate of the great treasure that they had brought with them from London.
Hereward told them that since Odo knew that the treasure was on Edgar's cog, it would be safer if it were hidden in the trust of the Abbot at Peterburgh.
"I agree with Hereward," Edwin said, looking at each of the other lords in turn. "The English army's treasure is better left at the abbey in Peterburgh. It is safer there than in Dun Holm or York, and closer to the south, where it will be needed to fight William."
Edgar thought about it. "Alright, I agree. We don't want it to fall into Norman hands, but we also don't want it lost to us. My Cog risks both. But it must be redeemed only to me or to one of my agents. I was entrusted with it by Harold Godwinson, and I saved it from capture by the Normans."
Hereward waved away the point. "The abbey keeps safe the treasures of many wealthy families. Since the Normans invaded, it has become a good business for them. All those that have fled north have left some of their wealth in the Abbey's vaults. There are many ways to set up the redeeming. The use of signet rings is normal. On a treasure of this size, I would suggest two different signet rings."
"I trust your judgement on this, Hereward," Edgar replied. "You are a knight of the Abbey, and your uncle is the Abbot. What would you suggest I do."
"Hide one of the signet rings close to Peterburgh, and keep the other safe with you. When you need to redeem the treasure, bring the rings together for that purpose. Otherwise keep them apart."
Countess Beatrice suggested something quite cunning. "In these unsettled times, I should also make a deposit at the Abbey. My jewels at least, and some of Thorold's emergency coin. Right now they are hidden in the ground, but all it would take would be a knife to Lucy's throat for me to give it up. Why not put one ring with my jewels, rather than hiding it? Then it will be hidden at the abbey."
"Thank you, but no, Beatrice," replied Hereward. "It would be better hidden where Edgar can give instructions to anyone to retrieve it."
"I cannot believe that Odo would have ordered all of your deaths," Beatrice said. "Not just you men, but Edgar's whole family. He is a monster. That would end the Saxon royal bloodline."
"I don't think it is Edgar that he wants dead so much as me," replied Edwin, "so that I cannot marry into William's family. The rest would have been killed to leave no witnesses."
"Edgar is on his way to Scotland," said Morcar. "That is a long way away, and news travels slowly. If an English army needs the treasure, it could take months to get both signets together."
"I must keep at least one of the rings,” demanded Edgar. "Here,” he pulled his gold signet ring off his finger. "We will take this now and hide it outside of the manor somewhere. Under the big willow in the water meadow for instance. Margaret has a signet ring. It will be the other one that stays with me."
"Umm," Hereward waved to him. "We need both rings at the Abbey before you hide one. Kla
es can take us there in the captured Norman longship, and with all of us, and his crew dressed as Normans. Any Normans that see us will let us pass, and so will any locals."
"Tomorrow then," said Edgar, wanting to sound like he was in charge. "Beatrice, are you coming with us to make your own deposit?"
"Yes," was all she said. She was still wrapping her mind around these men having the treasure of the English army with them. It would be a king's ransom in wealth. How could they have put her folk in such danger without warning her. Just nights ago, it almost cost the life of all of her guests, and of Lucy. She didn't know whether to be proud to be so trusted, or to be angry for putting her folk at such risk without her permission.
* * * * *
The next day Raynar and Margaret spent the whole day together, un-chaperoned and away from the watchful eyes of Agatha and Cristina. It was a curious day, because everyone else except the three princesses left for the port first thing in the morning. Even Beatrice.
"Where is your ring,” asked Raynar softly while they were relaxing on Margaret’s bed and touching each other in places and in ways that Agatha would not have approved of.
"Edgar took it with him. He wouldn't say why, just that he needed it for the day."
"Oooh, the secrets of the Earls. Klaus and Gerke went off with them, but they wouldn't tell me where. Neither would Hereward. I expect that from Hereward. He keeps many things secret. He is Edwin's spy master you know."
"Really. Well, I know most of Edgar's secrets, but I will never tell them. He uses me to sound out ideas, and to write his letters. I polish his words, because he is so immature."
"Like me," whispered Raynar. He looked down her cleavage and sighed. It would be so easy to seduce this woman, here and now. He reached over and kissed her softly on the lips. She explored his lips with her tongue, and he sighed again. Being sworn to protect her was a double edged sword. It meant that he could have private time with her, as much as he wanted, but that he could not take advantage of it.
It wouldn't be so bad if she herself wasn't so hot to have him. Even now she was teasing him by rubbing him. It was sweet torture. Well only until tomorrow. Then she would be on her way by the ship to Dun Holm and he would be guiding Edwin and Morcar to Chester.
In truth, Margaret wasn't the worst of his problems with women right now. All she did was get him so horny that he couldn't see straight. A bigger problem was that Anske and Edeline were still at the manor helping Beatrice, and he had slept with both of them while living on their island. If either of them discovered that he was this horny, he would not be able to say no to them, despite Margaret still being here. And, and, ... he was truly smitten and in love with Margaret.
* * * * *
* * * * *
The Hoodsman - Frisians of the Fens by Skye Smith Copyright 2010-13
Chapter 18 - Amnesty Proclamation in the Domus, Holborn, October 1100
Wyl and Raynar had argued many times about Henry's offer of amnesty and employment for any English bowman who swore a blood oath to the King and was recruited into the Royal Archers.
The risks were enormous. What if it were a trap to capture the brotherhood. The Hood had been running micro rebellions against the Normans for some thirty years, and were hated by the land lords. The brothers would have to walk into a Norman castle and offer their services. There could be Norman guards waiting for them along the way. There could be Norman guards waiting for them in the castle. Until the first were recruited, there was no way of knowing if it was a trap or not.
On the other hand, if it was true, and not a trap, the gain for the brothers was huge. Not just an amnesty and employment, but the designation of 'freeman' for them and their families. Entire families would no longer be serfs. For sure any serf families would need to leave the land, for there were few tenant farms to rent anymore. So what. So they had to move to a town. They would be free.
Besides, while the once-serf families were moving to the towns, the bowman would be earning the king's silver. Silver that could be used by the families to set themselves up in a trade. The peasants in the towns of England were much better off than the peasants of the countryside.
For those who were outlawed, it was a once in a lifetime chance to live normal lives again. Their lives would be so much better. Being an outlaw did not just mean that you were a criminal on the run. It meant that you were living outside any law. That meant that you were not protected by the law. It was as if you were exiled, but within the kingdom. You had no recourse if a crime were committed against you. You had no legal protection from violence. Your family had no claim on anyone who maimed or killed you.
The risks were huge, and the possible benefits were huge. What to do, what to do.
"It is not our decision, Ray,” said Wyl. "The decision is with each man. We can tell them of the offer. We can explain it to them, the good and the bad and the risks. But we are just the messengers, nothing more."
"But you and I both know that they will want us to advise them and most will accept that advice. Just because the offer was sent out by us, will mean to them that we endorse it."
"Our thoughts go around in endless circles," replied Wyl, "I don't want to talk about it anymore. Not until we see the actual details."
They didn't have long to wait. A young orderly came with a message from the gate. "There is a Captain Henry of the palace guard to see you. Should I show him in?"
Wyl and Raynar looked at each other with eyes wide. "Yes, bring him and any with him, here immediately. And send for some strong ale, the porter ale." They both jumped up to go and welcome the King.
They motioned to the orderly to serve the porter ale to the four tall guardsmen that the King always seemed to travel with. Wyl made ready to bow, but Raynar held him back from doing so. "Captain Henry. We are pleased by your visit. Please sit and warm yourself around the brazier."
Raynar signaled Henry not to speak until the orderly had shown the four guards to a table in the courtyard with another brazier. They all took chairs and stools and pulled them into a close circle around the brazier.
"Henry, a word of warning," began Raynar, "even though you come in disguise, your four huscarls do not. Everyone in the palace knows them and knows that where you are, so are they. They spoil your own disguise."
"Aye, hmm, I suppose so. I'll be more careful next time I leave the palace," replied the King. "I only came this time because I did not want you to come again to the palace. I am still dealing with the fear and loathing that your last visit caused. I brought these for discussion.” He handed a scroll pipe to Raynar and watched while the contents of the pipe were read by each of the two men.
Wyl smiled despite himself. The pipe contained a draft of a proclamation of amnesty for bowmen who joined the Royal Archers. Attached to it was a draft of a letter to a castellan describing how the bowmen were to be sworn in, and taken care of. Then there was a list of castellan names, and castle names. Then there was a short draft which declared someone to be freeman archer in the service of the King.
"Well?" asked Henry. He was pleased with this work, and he wanted to be complemented on it. It was most frustrating that the two men carefully read each scroll a second time.
"Oh, uh, my apologies for how slowly I read," said Wyl. Although he could read English and columns of numbers faster than almost anyone in London, French made him stumble. "They are in French."
"The proclamation will be in English, French and Latin," replied Henry, "but the other documents need only be in French. Even the paper that the bowman will be given to prove that he is a freeman. The only men who will care to read them will read French, and perhaps not English."
Raynar saw the crestfallen look on Henry's face and said quickly. "I think they are excellent. May I make some suggestions."
"Of course, is there a desk I can use with quill and ink?" Henry said, and then was lead into the Inn's count house. He signaled his guards to stay with their ale.
"The list of castellans?" questione
d Raynar. "They are all sheriffs, yes. I would use only sheriffs that you yourself have appointed since your coronation. That means striking Nottingham castle, or appointing a new sheriff there. Sheriffs from before your coronation may be tempted to hang some of these men as soon as they crossed the draw bridge, especially that bastard in Nottingham."
"Nottingham is the only one of the six that I did not appoint. He was Rufus' man. Point taken. To attract bowmen from the Peaks and Sherwood forests we must use Nottingham castle, so I shall replace the Sheriff. I owe a favour to my friend Gotse, so I will appoint his son Richard as the new sheriff. Let me make a note of that. Anything else?"
"Make sure that most copies of the proclamation are in English," Wyl spoke up.
Raynar added, "In your instructions to your sheriffs, tell them to immediately feed the men that arrive and give them a bed. Let them have a full tummy for a day before they are asked for an oath, and then allow them to take their oaths in front of other bowmen. Oh, and don't disarm them, especially not of their longbows. They are more useful with their own longbows than with any bow that the army can supply."
"Slow down so I can write that down,” said Henry out of the corner of his mouth.
"While they are at the recruitment castle, allow them a leave from the castle on the next Sunday,” Wyl suggested.
"Good one, Wyl," Raynar confirmed.
"I don't understand," said Henry. "Is that to go to church, or to visit their mothers?"
"The bowmen will not like having to go into a sheriff's castle to be recruited," replied Wyl, "so they will send just one or two ahead to begin with. No others will approach until they hear back from those two men. If the bowmen are given leave on Sunday, then word will spread from alehouse to alehouse that the proclamation is true. Then the rest will come."