by Griff Hosker
“Won’t the dogs find them, Stephen?” Hal knew the right questions to ask.
My tracker laughed, “Dogs are stupid animals. If they have the scent then they might be able to follow. We know their prints but not their smell. No, Master Henry, the dogs are to put the fear of God into them and make them run. Then we will have them!”
We moved another half a mile into the woods and then Stephen held up his hand. He looked to me, “My lord, they are close. I smell fire.” He pointed to the north. “That direction.”
Hal’s lesson was over. This was serious business. We were hunting bandits, “Alan, you take half the archers and sweep east, Stephen, take the other half and sweep west. We will give you a count of five hundred and then set the dogs loose.”
They set off. We dismounted and tied our horses to the trees. I detailed ten of the Earl’s men to watch them. I cared not that they felt slighted. My men were better and I knew it. We only had twelve men to hunt and we had more than enough with us for that task. I counted off the numbers and then nodded to Harold. He let the four huge dogs go and they hurtled off through the woods. Drawing my sword, I ran after them. My men at arms, Ralph, John, Hal and Tom followed me. I heard shouts and cries from ahead. Suddenly four men rushed towards us. They had bows and swords.
“I command you to lay down your weapons I…”
I got no further. They nocked and drew in one motion. I stepped behind a tree as three arrows thudded into it. I spun around the far side and reached the nearest bandit as he nocked a second arrow. John had run towards a second bandit and struck him on the head with the flat of his sword. I hacked down at the first man’s right hand. I half severed it and the bow fell to the ground. Tom, Ralph and Henry ran to the other two so quickly and had their weapons at the men’s throats that they dropped their bows and fell to their knees.
One of them looked up when he saw the youths who had taken them. He shouted, “These are nothing more than pups!”
Tom and Ralph just stared at him but Hal backhanded him so hard that he fell backwards. “And pups have teeth! You are not a man! You are less than the soil beneath my feet for you prey on the weak. If I were the lord, I would hang you now.”
I said, quietly, “But you are not and the law of your uncle rules this land. Men died for the charters. They will be tried.” I turned to the man, “And then they will be hanged!”
When we reached the camp, we saw that one of the dogs had been slain and that the rest of the bandits lay riddled with arrows. Alan shook his head, “I am sorry, lord, we tried to take them without this but they fought and when they killed the dog…”
“Make no apologies. Had you slain them all it would have saved the hangman a job.” I pointed to the captured men. “Dig graves and we will bury your friends here. Roger, have the men search for what they stole. We may be able to return it. Ralph, Tom, Henry, go fetch the horses.”
We left the bandits in the gaol at Northampton. They would await the Earl’s pleasure. My men asked if they could have a drink in one of Northampton’s inns. As they deserved it, I acceded. When John said he would stay with them Hal looked at me pleadingly. Roger said, “If you leave Hal with us, lord, we will watch over him You have our word.”
Harold Four Fingers nodded, “Aye, lord. He has done well.”
“Very well.” I could not see his face but I knew his thoughts, “You, Tom, will return home with me. I will not risk your mother’s wrath!”
My men did not stay late in Northampton but the ride back was many miles and they arrived back after dark. I saw that young Henry was the worse for drink. He was not falling over drunk nor vomiting but he had the giggles. Sir John looked at me apologetically, “I am sorry, lord. He hid his state from us. He seemed to be able to match Ralph beaker for beaker. When he slipped from his stool, we knew he could not and came home.”
My wife smiled and ruffled Henry’s hair, “Every young man goes through this. I daresay my Tom will one day. It is good that he had those about him who would watch over him. He has learned a lesson and will be better for it. Come, Hal, I am not your mother but I will put you to bed. Ralph, give me a hand. Tom, stop grinning and fetch water and a pail. I would not have a mess on my floor.”
My wife had a good heart.
Chapter 16
The months flew by. Hal learned his lesson and when the unmarried warriors went to the alewife in Weedon he was more temperate. He and Ralph were good looking young men and the unmarried girls of the village took a shine to them. Their company was sought. After my wife spoke to me, I took the nephew of the King to one side and counselled him, “Henry, you know that one day you might be King?”
“I do, my lord, but the King is hale and hearty, that day, should it ever come, is many years hence.”
“Even so, you do not want the mistakes of youth to come back and haunt you. I hear that you have dallied with the maids of the village.”
He smiled, “My lord, have you read of my family? The first King Henry had so many bastards by so many women that he made one the Earl of Gloucester. It is said the Earl of Kildare is descended from one of my grandsire’s offspring. However, you offer good counsel. I will be careful.”
“Then let me put it another way. This is my manor and I am responsible for those in the village. No matter how noble your seed I would not have it in any of my maids. Do you understand?”
He smiled, “Of course, my lord. Their loss will be the gain of others. You are a good lord of the manor. My time here has been productive.”
“I know for you are now a good warrior. If you were not noble born then you could hire out your sword.”
“That is not what I mean, my lord. Your men are the best at making raw metal into steel. I have seen that which I could not see while at Monmouth or Northampton. I have seen the men who would fight for England. I know how they think. Even my father does not know that. He speaks of their courage but he does not know what makes them fight. You do and now so do I. When we sit and talk, I hear their hearts. You are a better leader of men than my father.” He smiled at my face, “Do not deny it, lord. My father is a great leader and can command nobles but you have the touch with those who do the real fighting. I am learning that.”
My time with the young man, who was becoming as dear to me as my own sons, was nearing the end when the Earl of Northampton arrived unannounced. My wife, who was rarely panicked, ran around the kitchen like a headless chicken when his men approached, “Peace, wife, he comes to see his son is all. Wine, bread and cheese, that will suffice.”
The Earl had a serious face. “Will, dismiss all but my son. I have news to give to you.”
My wife had laid the table and she shooed all from the room in which we dined each night. “Father, what is it? You look so serious.”
“The country dangles on a knife edge. The King has finally exacted his revenge. His uncle, Warwick and Arundel have all been arrested. Arundel’s brother, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has been exiled for life. The Duke of Gloucester is imprisoned in Calais, Warwick in the Tower and Arundel in Carisbrooke Castle. There are trials taking place of those and others who upset the King. My cousin means to have vengeance. There are plots and conspiracies. William, you and Henry need to be careful. Trust no one. I am pleased that you are here and away from the murky waters of English politics. Perhaps my son’s misdemeanours in Northampton’s inns are a price worth paying.” Hal gave his father a sharp look and he smiled, “You think I would not find out?”
It was not only the King who had spies. I wondered if James had reported to the Earl?
“Do you wish your son returned to you, lord?”
He shook his head, “God’s Blood, no! He is safer here than anywhere. My father watches the King, and I seek his enemies. This is a storm through which we pass. I pray that we will all survive.” He stood, “I go to watch the King’s enemies for they are England’s enemies. I would have you watch your backs. Treachery is all around us.”
After he had gone my wife, m
y knight and my squires returned. Their faces were filled with questions. I sighed, I could not tell them all but I had to warn them. “The throne of England is threatened from within. We have enemies abroad but, at this moment, there is a conspiracy to overthrow King Richard. Young Henry may be in danger. We keep a good watch for strangers and those we do not know.” We told our men to be vigilant and then resumed our work on making Henry of Monmouth into a complete warrior. I had just a couple of months left to do so.
We paid frequent visits to Northampton. Although the Earl was not at home for much of the time, we knew his trusted lieutenants and knew that the news we would be given would be accurate. It was there that I learned the fate of the men who had been arrested by the King. Arundel had been executed while Warwick had confessed to all and was now incarcerated upon the Isle of Man. The news of the King’s uncle was more sinister. He had been a prisoner in the castle at Calais. His gaoler had been the Earl of Nottingham, Thomas Mowbray. I did not like Thomas Mowbray. He had been a leading opponent of the King and had been a co-conspirator with the Lords Appellant. He had managed to ingratiate himself into the good offices of the King. He was now Earl Marshal! The Duke of Gloucester was murdered while in his charge. The King had had his vengeance. He had told me he would and now I wondered where he would stop.
Returning to Weedon I reflected on the way the King had changed since the death of his wife. Not only had the three leading enemies of the King been either killed or imprisoned, all of those who had served them had also had their lands forfeited. The King had revoked some of the laws passed by Parliament. The war in Ireland had yielded him enough coin so that he did not need to go with a begging bowl in hand. The lands he had taken from his enemies, Gloucester, Arundel and Warwick had also made him rich. He had shaken off the fetters of Parliament and he could rule as he wished. There was no Anne to guide him and advise him. He now surrounded himself with those who agreed with all that he said.
Nearing our home, I said, “Well, Hal, you are almost at the end of your time with me. In a month I will return you to your father. You will re-enter a noble world.”
He laughed, “Sir William, your family and your men have more natural nobility than any of the fawning courtiers who surround the King.”
“Be careful for that could be construed as treason.”
Shaking his head, he said, “Nay, lord, for I impugn those who fawn and not the King. He is my uncle and I am loyal to King Richard.”
“Good.”
“I would ask a favour. When I am knighted and a lord, when I come into my properties then, should I need a captain of men, I would deem it an honour if you would serve me.”
“That day is some way off but aye, God willing that I am still hale when that time comes, I will follow your banner and gladly for I see, in you, one who could lead men and that is a rarity.”
As the time came for Henry to prepare to return to Northampton, the mood of my men changed. They had enjoyed training the youth and his company. Roger and Alan came to me just a week before he left. Henry was with Ralph and Tom exercising their horses. “Lord, the men grow a little restless. They are warriors. Our work with Hal is done and they wonder what awaits them. They like not this inactivity.”
I nodded, “I, too, yearn for action. I am a soldier and it is in my blood. When we visit with the Earl, I will ask him of any lord who needs us to fight for him.”
“Not all feel this way, lord, “Harold Four Fingers and the other married men are content with their lives and the rest, David, Natty, Geoffrey of Gisburn, wish to guard your home with John of Aldgate.”
Alan of the Wood nodded, “I also, lord, have a bairn and a second on the way. My days of wandering are gone. Stephen the Tracker can always lead the men.”
“Thank you for your honesty and it is good that my home will be guarded. We will speak more on this when we are in Northampton and I know the Earl’s mind.”
In the end, we did not go to Northampton. Henry of Monmouth and the Lord of Weedon were summoned to Westminster to meet with the King and the Earl of Northampton. If this was a visit to the King then we had to go and be ready for court. I chose ten of my men at arms to accompany me and we chose our best horses. My wife ensured that all of us had, not only a set of clothes in which we would travel but also two other good changes. She wanted her son and her family to look their best. She included Hal in this.
The day we parted she was tearful and young Henry looked emotional, “My lady, you have been as a mother to me. Nay, I will say more. You have given me such love and affection that I feel as Tom does. You are a good woman and I was lucky to have had you to watch over me. I will never forget it.”
She kissed his cheek, “Nay, Master Hal, you have been a delight. My children are all better for having been in your company. I wish you well for I see your star rising.”
We headed down the road to London in a sombre mood. Speculation about the King and his reasons for our invitation were pointless. None knew the mind of the King these days. He was no longer the young man I had trained. I had done that which I had promised his father and if I did no more then I would have kept my word. I remembered his words all those years ago at Eltham. He had invited the Duke of Gloucester and those who wished him harm to his palace. He had intended to imprison them. The Richard who had been guided by Anne would not have carried out such an act but this new Richard, who wielded a tyrannical sword might.
As we rode Hal appeared quiet. “You have a problem, Hal? Until I return you to your father, I am still your mentor and you know that I am discreet.” I wondered if this was about the village girls. Right until he had left, he had enjoyed their company. He had sworn that their honour was intact but he was young and I wondered if there was an attachment.
“The Duke of Gloucester was of royal blood. Do you think my uncle had anything to do with his death?”
In one way I was relieved at the subject he had raised but in another, it disturbed me for the thought had crossed my mind. “The Earl of Nottingham is ambitious. He was part of the conspiracy to unseat the King. It would not surprise me to learn that he did it of his own volition.”
“But you do not believe it?”
“Let us reserve judgement. We will know when we reach the court.”
“How so, Sir William?”
“If Sir Thomas did this without the King’s knowledge then when we reach Westminster he will be under arrest.”
“And if not?”
“Then we can only think the worst.” I looked at him for his shoulders were slumped. I had learned to read what his body shape meant. “What is it that you fear?”
“My father and I are of royal blood. Are we in danger too?”
“Your father is now an ally of the King. Your grandfather advises the King. I believe that you are safe but if you wish me to find bodyguards for you…”
He shook his head, “I will speak with my father first.” He nodded ahead to where my men at arms rode, “And besides, I think I know how to judge men now. I did not just learn swordplay with you.”
We had been invited and so we were admitted to the palace. I only recognised a couple of the King’s guards. Most of the ones I had known at Eltham had died with Dick of Craven in Ireland. They directed the men to the barracks and one of them took us to the palace itself where a page took us to our chambers. I passed many of the new favourites of the king: the earls of Rutland, Kent and Huntingdon, John Beaufort, John Montacute and Thomas le Despenser. They were dressed in their finery and looked to be in good humour. They nodded to me but spoke cheerfully to Henry of Monmouth. I knew that they looked down on me. I was low born. Henry was the nephew of the King and his company worth courting.
Henry showed his strength of character, “My lords, until I have seen my father, I am still the ward of this great knight. I beg your indulgence. I will speak with you when I may.” It was a polite answer but it displeased the young men.
The page took us up some stairs, “My lords, the King has place
d your chambers adjacent to those of your father, the Earl of Northampton and Derby.”
We had two rooms. That was almost a luxury. As we were shown the chamber the Earl’s door opened. He walked to my chamber and when the page had gone waved us into my room. He spoke quietly, “The King is up to something but I cannot quite work out what. There is a rumour that he is favouring Edward, the Duke of York’s son.”
I asked, “Favours, lord?”
“It seems that the King has given up on siring an heir. Perhaps he cannot produce an heir. It may be he does not like women.” I knew that for a lie. He and the Queen had been as close as any couple I had seen. I ignored it. “Whatever the reason, he is looking around for someone to become the next King of England.”
I shook my head, “This sounds like court gossip, my lord.”
He shook his head, “Nottingham is here and he is closeted with the King. The Duke of York seeks to advance his son and many nobles think that the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Roger Mortimer, has a better claim than some others.” He was talking about himself. “I want to warn you to keep your wits about you. Do not drink too heavily.” He turned to me, “My father is here although he is not well. He says that the King still holds you in high regard. If you can discover anything then I beg you to let me know. I do not like being in the dark.”
I shook my head, “I have never been a spy, my lord. I will speak with the King but my oath to his father means that I can do nought to harm him. Do not ask me to, my lord. I am your liegeman but he is my King.”
“Nor would I expect you to betray him but surely you want a King of England you can trust?”
“Aye, but I am no kingmaker. I am a warrior and I serve God, King Richard and England.”
He nodded, “You are a good man, Will Strongstaff: too good for…” he waved a hand. “What will be will be. I am no traitor! I will speak with you later, my son.”
When his father had gone Henry said, “That was well spoken, my lord. I know that my father hopes that I will attain the throne. If it is meant to be, it will happen. I am still young as is the King and my father. Both are but thirty years of age. My grandfather lives to be sixty-four. I could have lost all of my teeth and hair before I climb the throne!”