by Griff Hosker
I smiled for Henry had a wit about him which my men appreciated. I was not sure that his father even knew what a joke was. He was a most serious man!
We were summoned to the Great Hall the next morning. I had been surprised that the King had not held a feast. Instead, he had eaten alone and we had eaten in the Great Hall. We had been seated amongst friends. There were suspicious looks flashed between groups of nobles. I had been seated with the Duke of Lancaster, his son and grandson. Ralph Neville, the Earl of Westmoreland, was also with us. The Earl of Northumberland had not been invited and I took that to be ominous. My seating marked me as a member of the Lancastrian faction. I had little choice in the matter for Henry Bolingbroke was my liege lord.
When we arrived in the Great Hall, the King was seated on his throne. His child bride was on a throne next to him. For one so young she seemed very self-assured. Perhaps that had been her upbringing at the court of her father, the King of France. The King waited until all were assembled. There were no chairs, we all stood. A clerk approached with a servant who carried many parchments.
The King stood, “Know that we have brought you here today for you are all the most loyal of my nobles. You are here to meet my bride and so that I may reward those who have shown their loyalty.”
A murmur and buzz of anticipation raced around the Great Hall.
“Tonight, we hold a feast but, for now, we will give titles to those who deserve a reward for our enemies have now been dealt with.”
I looked at young Henry. The words were ominous. Had he had a part in Gloucester’s murder?
“Firstly, we reward our great friend and supporter, Thomas Mowbray, Earl of Nottingham and, from this day forth, the Duke of Norfolk!” If the King expected a great roar of cheers and support then he was proved wrong. There was a deathly silence. Mowbray had betrayed too many people in the past for him to have much support. Nonetheless, he stepped forward and took the parchment. It confirmed what I had suspected. The King was complicit in the murder of his uncle.
The next to be rewarded were all the lords who had signed the affirmation of the treachery of Warwick, Gloucester and Arundel. The Earl of Huntingdon was made Duke of Exeter, the Earl of Kent became the Duke of Surrey. Thomas le Despenser became Earl of Gloucester. John Beaufort became Earl of Somerset. Others were also rewarded with lesser titles. I could sense the growing disquiet of Henry Bolingbroke and his father. The Earl of Westmoreland was also concerned. I wondered why I had been invited to this gathering. The only reason I could divine was that it was to be close at hand in case there was trouble. The King knew I would protect him if someone tried to kill him. I looked at Henry Bolingbroke. His face was impassive but I could hear his breathing, he was angry. My hand was on my sword in case he should suddenly lose control and attempt to harm the King.
“And there are others who deserve reward. My cousin Henry Bolingbroke, the Earl of Northampton and Derby, has shown himself to be loyal. To him I give the Dukedom of Hereford and all that goes with it.”
That was, probably, one of the richest titles he could have given any for the land around Hereford was amongst the most productive in the land. Only Gloucester was richer and that just had an earl. Henry walked up to receive it and his son, Hal, said, quietly, “That was a surprise. He has made my father even richer. Why?”
I asked myself the same question.
The new Duke of Hereford returned with a bemused look on his face. He turned to his father and said, “Now men will wonder what I did to be rewarded so highly.” He was thinking of Mowbray’s murder of Gloucester.
“You were loyal to the King.”
I could see that Henry Bolingbroke did not believe his father. I thought we had done when the King said, loudly, “And we have one more person to reward. Once, I had hoped to reward this most loyal of subjects with a knighthood and a manor. That pleasure, it seems, was denied me by my cousin. Now I can reward William Strongstaff, knight of Weedon and Stony Stratford. Walter FitzArthur was also a traitor and he has paid for his crimes. He lost his head and now I grant his manor, Dauentre, to Baron William known as Strongstaff. Come, Will.”
I went up to greet him. The others had had a hand clasp and been given the parchment. King Richard embraced me. He said, in my ear, “You have been the most loyal of my subjects. You have suffered when I have been melancholic and I have forgotten to thank you. This manor is to make up for that.” He moved back and added, smiling, “This also makes you my liegeman. As Baron I have first call upon your services!”
Even when he was being generous the King was plotting. He had rewarded Henry Bolingbroke and, in the same breath, taken me away from him. I still had the two manors of Weedon and Stony Stratford as well as Whittlebury. I would reap the rewards but my service now reverted to the King. He had played the game better than the new Duke.
As I returned to my place the King said, “And now we will keep apart until it is time for us to dine. I daresay all of you will have much to talk about.”
After the King had left there was an outburst of conversation from all in the hall. It was left to Hal to congratulate me, “I am pleased for you, my lord. This is a great step for you. I know that you will still be loyal to my father and the King! You are an acrobat, my lord, for you walk a tight line between two cousins.”
I was forgotten. My reward was insignificant. Now Mowbray, the new Duke of Norfolk and, Bolingbroke, the new Duke of Hereford were rivals. I watched the arrows fly from their eyes towards each other. Their thin-lipped nods of acknowledgement meant nothing. In their hearts they were now enemies. The King had been clever. Had he just rewarded one then he would have created a rival for the throne. This way he kept all of his Dukes at each other’s throats.
I listened. The Earl of March, Mortimer, was being spoken of as a possible heir to King Richard. He was in Ireland and therefore could not defend himself. It was worse than the gossips around the village well. I found myself sickening of it.
That evening, as we ate in the Great Hall, I asked the new Duke of Hereford if there were any opportunities for my men at arms to go to war. He laughed, “You have more than enough money, Will. Why go to war?”
Hal answered for me, “Father, do you not know this man who trained you? He is a warrior. His men are warriors. He needs to use his skills.”
The Duke of Hereford shrugged, “Apart from Gascony, and that is now at peace, I know of nowhere which requires armed men.”
Ralph Neville said, “Not true, my lord. Before I left my home the Sherriff of Westmoreland, John, Earl of Clifford, told me that the Earl of Fife has broken the peace. My cousin, young Hotspur, is busy dealing with the Douglas Clan. I was going to raise men myself to go to the aid of those who live north of Carlisle.” He smiled, “I would be honoured to have you and your men in our service. The Scots always bring much coin when they are ransomed.”
“Then I will take you up on your offer. Where do you muster?”
“Carlisle.”
“I shall leave on the morrow.”
The Duke of Lancaster, whose lands were adjacent to Westmoreland, said, “Make sure that you speak with the King before you go. It would be diplomatic to say the least. When he spoke of you, he did seem to make a point about you serving him.”
“Thank you, my lord, that seems like sage advice.”
That ceremony was the last time I spoke with John of Gaunt. He had been part of my life since I had been a boy in Spain. He could have made an attempt to take the throne from Richard but he never did. Like me he had sworn an oath to the Black Prince and he had kept it.
The next morning, while my men prepared our horses, I went with Tom to speak with the King. He was in his private quarters. I was admitted quickly. That surprised me. “Ah Will, come to thank me again?”
I smiled, “Of course, Highness. I did not expect to be rewarded. I was just doing my duty.”
“As you have always done. You have thanked me and when I need you again, I will send for you. Do not be tardy!”
<
br /> “Of course not, but I am here to ask if I have your permission to join the Earl of Westmoreland. The Earl of Fife has broken the peace and has raided the borders. The Earl has asked for me and my men.”
His face was a mask. I had no idea what his response would be. When he gave me a broad grin, I was relieved, “Of course! The Scots need a lesson from time to time. Hotspur failed at Otterburn. You can show him what the King’s man can do! Go with my blessing but do not stay overlong.”
I gave my farewells and left with a lighter heart than I had had in a long time. For the first time in many a year I would not have to worry about politics. All I had to do was fight and I knew how to do that!
Chapter 17
My wife was delighted with my new title and manor but mystified as to the reason I was going to war, “We have coin! We have four manors! Why fight?”
Her words sounded remarkably like the Duke of Hereford's, “Because, my love, my warriors grow rusty. Apart from fighting bandits they have not used their skills since Ireland.” I lowered my voice. I fear there is unrest in England. There are lords who seek to unseat the King from his throne. There may come a time when we need the skills of my men simply to survive.”
“Very well.” She understood that logic.
Sir John said, “I will prepare our horses, lord.”
“No John, I need you to go to Dauentre. There is no lord there yet. You have a good mind. I will give you authority to act in my stead until I return. My love, you could go with him. It may be that you wish to live there rather than here at Weedon. The town has a market!”
That convinced her and I was able to concentrate on preparing my men and horses. Jack and Blaze had been retired and I had bought Caesar and Hart from Red Ralph. Caesar was a cross between a destrier and courser. He was magnificent. I had a full mail caparison made for him for he could carry it. Hart was a good palfrey and she had some courser blood in her too. Red Ralph had learned how to breed. We left my married men at Weedon. Ralph was the one who was most annoyed to have missed out on the opportunity to go to war. He would be with Sir John.
We rode north for I intended to stay at Middleham. I needed no horses but old friends like Red Ralph helped me to stay sane. The lords I served, young Hal apart, were unpredictable and their motives were always suspect. Red Ralph, Peter the Priest and Old Tom were different. They said what they thought and had no ulterior motives.
Red Ralph lived closer to the border than anyone else I knew and I spoke to him of the Scots. He shook his head. “They are wild men, Will. If you have fought the Irish then you know their soldiers for they are of the same blood. They have knights as we do. I heard that the Douglas who died at Otterburn was a particularly good knight.” He grinned, “We might have found him hard to kill. They don’t use archers and they like fighting with a small round shield called a buckler. They use it to punch you and the sneaky Scot will try to gut you with the dagger he hides behind it. Some of the Scots are quite well off. They have land in England. From what I heard from my neighbours most Scots dream of owning a piece of England. They want a piece of England but not the rule of an English king.”
“Thank you for that.”
“From what you say, Will, you don’t need to fight. You have four fine manors. Wait until you have to fight!”
“You sound like my wife.” I laughed. “Tell me, Red Ralph, if you had to go to war today and to fight what would be the outcome?”
“Who do I fight?”
“You say the Scots are just wild, then make it them.”
He hesitated, “It has been many years since I drew sword. If I am honest, I would probably last a few strokes.”
“And that is why I must fight. The Irish campaign was years ago. Our skills grow rusty when we cease to war. I am not yet ready to hang up my sword. Young Henry has asked for me to go to war with him when he is old enough to lead. I would like that for he is a good lad. Besides, my men wish it as does Tom.”
“I am guessing my son is unhappy to be left at home.”
“He is but when he does go to war, he will be able to handle himself.” I lowered my voice, “And I fear that war is coming. The King is not yet dead and already carrion gather ready to pick the corpse to pieces.”
“And you are now part of that world.”
“I am.”
When I left the next day, I felt sad. I was the last of the Blue Company who still plied his trade.
Carlisle Castle was a real castle. By that I mean it was a border fortress. It had been attacked many times. The Scots had taken it in times past but not since the time of King William of Scotland. The Nevilles and the Cliffords knew its worth and kept it well maintained. They patrolled the border. The Earl was already in the castle and he greeted me like a long-lost friend.
As he took me to the keep, I asked, “I spoke with others as I came north. The Earl of Fife has lands in the east. Why is he here in the west?”
He laughed, “Blame Henry Percy. He was so annoyed when the Scots claimed that they won the battle of Otterburn that he has been harassing them and taking back their cattle for the last seven years. The Earl of Fife seeks to make us pay for what the Earls of Northumberland take!”
When we entered the hall, I saw many border knights already gathered. I was introduced to them all. They were a curious mix of older knights, my age and younger knights who were yet to be blooded.
“We leave in two days’ time. The Earl of Fife is with his forces north of the Roman wall. Dumfries is their nearest castle. The fact that we have not yet reacted to their incursions has made them bold. We believe that he intends to strike south towards Hexham. If he does so, he risks the wrath of the Percys. We will head east and hope to catch him close to the wall.” He saw my face fall. “Do not worry, Sir William, we have good scouts.”
“And how many men will we take?”
“When the muster is here, there will be thirty knights, fifty men at arms and forty archers. Yours will be the only mounted archers we have.”
I now saw why he had been so keen to offer me the opportunity to join him. Pinning the Scots down would be like trying to grasp quicksilver in your hands. My mounted archers could help the knights and men at arms to do just that.
Tom had now seen fourteen summers. He had a good leather jerkin studded with metal and he had a padded gambeson beneath. His bascinet was well made. The mail coif was as sturdily constructed as I had ever seen. Martin had put a great deal of effort into it. My son now had a longer sword and his shield was full sized. I hoped that it would be unlikely that he would have to fight but, if it was necessary, then he was ready. My men at arms would keep an eye out for him. I had not bothered with my own banner. I would ride beneath the Nevilles’. I was not here for glory.
We left and we were not to the fore. Tom and I rode just behind the Earl of Westmoreland and my men at arms and archers just behind us. The men of Westmoreland were the advance guard. We were not all mounted. The hardy hill men of the north ran behind the horses. These were men who lived and farmed on the fells. They were as tough a group of warriors as I had ever seen. They gave me hope that we could deal with the Scots. We took the road which had been built by the Romans and ran south of the wall. The Roman wall was still an imposing sight. We rode to the south of it and I could see that most of the stone still remained in place. It was not as high as I might have expected but Ralph had told me that it was wide enough for two horses to ride along it. More importantly, there were only a limited number of places where mounted men, or men with stolen cattle, could cross. Two of the Earl’s men were mounted on ponies and they rode along it. They would act as lookouts. They could see further ahead than we and would warn us of an enemy.
The Earl saw me looking towards them. “There is one part of the wall they cannot ride. The Romans cut a path for their foot soldiers in the cliff. At that point our men will ride towards us and then rejoin the wall further east. Other than that, they will have a good view.”
“Do we face an a
rmy or a warband, my lord?”
“Warband. We will be evenly matched in numbers. They raid for plunder and they raid for vengeance. The Percy family have raided and pillaged their lands and they seek redress. It may be that the sight of us makes them flee. If that happens, I want your archers to try to cut them off and slow them down.”
“I would not wish my men isolated.”
He looked at me in surprise, “They serve you, do they not?” I nodded. “Then they will be doing their duty.”
“Nonetheless, I will lead them. I will leave my men at arms with you for your plan is a good one but I am honour bound to stand with my men if I send them into enemy land and put them in harm’s way.”
“As you wish.” He stroked his beard. “I can see now that you are low born. A noble would not worry.”
I think my request had disappointed the Earl. Certainly, after that, he spoke less to me. The cynical side of me wondered if he saw me as a close friend of a future King and wished my friendship. My words had shown him that I was no politician. I was a soldier.
The two scouts disappeared from the skyline. There were trees and I guessed they had reached the cliff the Earl had spoken of. It seemed a long time before we saw them again and when we did, I saw them signalling, “My lord, your men.”
He shaded his eyes and said, “They have found the Scots. They must be close to the Roman fort. The locals call it Housesteads.” He reined in. “I need your archers to cross through the wall. My scouts will show them the best place to slow down the enemy. Are you certain that you still wish to ride with them? I cannot promise that we will reach you in time.”
“They are my men, my lord. My son and I will share their risks.” I turned in the saddle, “Stephen the Tracker, bring our archers. Roger of Chester, have the sergeants follow the Earl.”