by Griff Hosker
The King sighed, “And what happens now?”
“We ride to London and there, Parliament will decide. The lords here gathered wish me to be King of England. I am ready to sit upon the throne.”
The King pointed an accusing finger at Henry Percy, “The Earl of Northumberland has sworn an oath that my life will be spared and I will retain my title.”
The Earl nodded, “Your life is safe. I swear that none shall take your life but as for your title and estates? That is up to Parliament.”
The King turned to me. On his left hand he had a ring with a blue stone. His wife Anne had given it to him on the occasion of one of his birthdays whilst at Eltham. He took the ring from his finger. “I have little left to give you, Will Strongstaff, but I give you this for it is precious to me and it shows how much I owe to you. You are the only one, save Henry of Monmouth, who has not betrayed me.” His eyes glared around the assembled lords. “I now free you from your oath. Take Tom here and return to your family. I am King in name only. He unbuckled his sword from his belt and handed it to Tom. “Here, this sword and scabbard are yours. I would not have the carrion fight over it once I am gone, I would rather it went to a true warrior with a heart which was not craven!”
Tom took it, “Thank you, Highness.”
I went to the King and put my arms around him. I embraced him. There was a time when that would have resulted in my death. Now he hugged me back. I said, in his ear, “If you have need of me, for any purpose, then send word and I will be at your side. Nothing shall stop me.”
When I stepped back, I saw that tears coursed down his cheeks, “My wife was right, you are the best of men and I should have aspired to be more like you. Farewell, Will.”
“Farewell, lord.” As I turned, I looked Henry Percy, the Earl of Northumberland, in the eye, “And know this, my lord, I was there to witness your oath. Do not break it or you shall risk my wrath!”
The room was shocked. Henry Bolingbroke said, “Sir William, let us not create animosity.”
My voice was cold, “My lord, I know that you did not betray the King but in this room are others who did. I do not forget and any who makes an enemy of me had better ensure that they do not betray you or Henry of Monmouth. I am a hard man to kill! Many have tried and few have succeeded.”
I dared, with my eyes, any to challenge me but they all lowered their gaze. None had the courage to face me with bared sword. I saw hatred in the eyes of Henry Percy as he looked away from me. I had made an enemy of him. I cared not.
Tom and I left Chester and headed home. I was sick of the lords of England. I wanted to be back with my men. They had more nobility than any of the lords I had just left. Tom and I rode most of the way in silence. We spoke of the King’s gifts and of the way he was treated but we did not do so when others were listening. It was as we neared Weedon that my son spoke his fears out loud. “Father, we have made an enemy of the Earl of Northumberland and those other lords. Are you not afraid?”
“I am not afraid for they are cowards all. Mowbray had courage for he would have fought a duel with Henry Bolingbroke. If they had had courage and honour, they would have challenged me in Chester. They did not.”
“Why?”
“They thought I would beat them. A duel is a test of skill and courage. It is not like a battlefield where accidents and fate can intervene. It is truly in God’s hands.”
That first week at home saw both Tom and I reluctant to talk. We had witnessed something momentous. We had seen the end of a King’s rule. We told my family what we could and I spoke with my men. They had liked the King and were as saddened as I was. They could not understand how he had been abandoned. They were happy that Hal had been knighted. They liked him.
We heard, in early October, that Parliament had deposed Richard and Henry was to be crowned King. We heard it from Henry of Monmouth who rode to my manor to tell me personally. “I am also here to tell you, my lord, that you will not be invited to the coronation.”
I smiled, “I did not expect an invite.”
“But I did! And my father wanted you there. Without you neither of us would be in the position we are.”
“I did nothing to undermine King Richard!”
“No, my lord and we know that. Had you been invited then there would have been trouble. You upset too many lords in Chester. They seek your life. There is already likely to be trouble soon after the ceremony.”
“Why, my lord?”
He sighed and lowered his voice, “I can speak openly for I know you are trustworthy. My father plans to take back the titles and lands which Richard gave to Thomas le Despenser, the Earl of Huntingdon and Kent and Edward, son of the Duke of York. He believes they betrayed the King.”
“And King Richard?”
“Is secure in the royal apartments in the Tower. He is safe from those who would wish him harm.” He paused, “All save himself. My cousin Richard is now his own worst enemy.”
Now I understood. “Thank you for taking the time to tell me, my lord. Know that I will happily serve both you and your father should you need me.”
“And the same goes for you. I have heard that Percy and Neville still rankle about the comments you made. My father has warned them that he will not condone duels and so they are contained but we thought you should be warned.”
I nodded, “I do not worry about border raiders who live far to the north but I thank you.”
When he had left, I threw myself into the task of running four manors. In the first month, I rode with my men at arms and Tom to see that all was done well. Harold Four Fingers had proved himself to be an able Reeve and Sir John was more than happy. More importantly, Sir John had met the daughter of one of the merchants in Dauentre, Richard of Blecheley. Blanche was a beauty and John was happy. As a bachelor knight he needed my permission to marry. I gave it to him and also the manor of Stony Stratford as a wedding present. My wife was happy for Dauentre yielded us far more riches than our first manor.
It was in late November that word came to us that Red Ralph was ill, possibly dying. His son came to tell me that he wished to speak with me. I took Ralph with us as well as Tom, six archers and my men at arms. They all liked Red Ralph and insisted upon accompanying me. The weather was atrocious and our mood sombre. I could have stayed in Middleham Castle but it was a Neville castle and they were friends of the Percy family.
When I saw him I was shocked. Red Ralph looked like a skeleton. His wife tried to be brave but I knew that she was holding back tears for the sake of her family. Outside his room she said, “He has hung on, my lord, just to speak with you. He is in great pain. I do not know why he has not died already. He has been shriven. Heaven knows he is in no condition to commit any more sins.”
His eyes opened as soon as his eldest son and I walked in, “You came! I knew that you would.” He tried to smile. “And your company too. I am honoured.” My men, those who wished to say farewell, came in with me one by one. Each said their goodbyes and left.
When they had gone and there was just Tom and Ralph in the room I sat on his bed and took his hands in mine. They were icy despite the fact that his wife had a good fire burning. “I came as soon as you sent for me but you have been ill for some time. Why did you not send earlier?”
“I asked you to come but not to see me die. I will just slip away quietly. I have news for you. I needed to tell you that there is a price on your head. Men come here to buy horses. Some are less than honest men.” He inclined his head, “I take money where I can. One knew that I knew you and he warned me that when he had been in Northumberland there were men being hired to kill the Baron of Dauentre.”
“Who was hiring them?”
“He knew not. It could have been Scots. They still wish vengeance for the war you made on them but it could equally be the Percy family. The Earl has made no secret of the hatred he bears you.”
I waved my hand, “That matters not. I will deal with threats later. What matters is you.”
“T
hank you. Those in the Blue Company all felt as though you were our son. For Peter and Tom, you still are. I now have Ralph and my own children. I pray you watch over Ralph.”
“You know that I will.” I saw that Ralph was already weeping. When we had ridden north his brother had told him how ill his father was but neither expected him to look as he did. He was like a corpse already. Red Ralph’s eyes closed and I thought he had gone. Then he opened them and tried to smile at me. “Red Ralph, you are as true a friend as I ever had. Each year on this day we will hold a feast and my men and I will remember a great warrior. I will say farewell now for you need your family with you,”
He tried to squeeze my fingers. “Will, you are family. Farewell.”
Tom and I left the chamber. His wife and the other children were waiting, “I think, Mistress Mary, that his time is almost come. I have said my farewells.”
His family all went into the chamber and I joined Tom before the fire. Red Ralph’s words had worried me. I was not afraid for myself but I had put his family in danger. I took Tom and went to the barn, “Roger of Chester, there are men who seek to end my life. I fear they may try something here. They are either Scots or the men of the Percy family. We had best keep watch.”
“Aye, lord. We will watch!”
Red Ralph died in the middle of the night. He was surrounded by his family and he appeared to be content. He was buried two days later in Middleham at the Church of Saints Mary and Alkelda. The lord of the manor sent his steward to represent the family. As a Neville he would not risk a meeting with me. As was the way in the north the death was celebrated, that evening, by drinking, eating and remembering Ralph’s life. It was good. We had smiles on our faces for Red Ralph was a good man and he had loved life and his family. The world had lost someone worth mourning.
The result was that we did not leave his farm until mid-morning. My enemies found us to the south of Middleham. The twisting road we rode was a perfect place for ambush. It might have succeeded had I not had Alan of the Wood leading my archers. He had liked Red Ralph and wished to see him before he died. His senses worked quicker than any and he had his sword out and was shouting, “Ambush!” before any of us realised there were enemies. He rode towards a stand of bushes. His archers slipped from their horses and strung their bows. Roger of Chester galloped after Alan.
Drawing my sword, I looked for enemies. I heard a shout from the shrubs and then the hired men poured from cover. There were no nobles. These were men who had either been bandits or men at arms. They knew their business. Hart whinnied and I turned as eight of them sprang from cover close by and ran towards Tom, myself and Ralph. I whipped Hart’s head around. I slashed at the head of one man. As my sword grated across his skull another grabbed Hart’s reins and pulled my horse down. I had fallen from a horse before and, as I went down, I kicked my feet from my stirrups and rolled free. An axe came for my body as I lay on the ground. King Richard’s sword split the axeman’s head in twain. My son had saved my life.
As I stood, I heard Ralph shout, “Sir William is down! Rally!”
I was in a dell and there were five men coming towards me. Another two had hurled themselves at Tom and Ralph. My son and Sir John’s squire, Ralph, were fighting for their lives. I was alone. I took out my ballock dagger and faced the five. None of my opponents had a long sword and that gave me my only advantage. I swept mine before me to keep them at bay. Behind me I heard a crash and a whinny as a horse was brought down. Two of the men suddenly ran to my left and right. They were trying to outflank me. I ran at the other three. I hacked with my sword at the head of one while I ripped up my dagger at a second. I felt a blade slice across the bicep of my left arm as my sword continued its swing and hacked into the skull of one of them. My dagger drove up into the groin of another. More men were coming towards me. The man who had sliced my arm shouted in triumph and I brought my knee up into his groin. I whirled, blindly, with my sword. I connected with a blade and I turned. Men still came after me. There were two and a third who was bent double. I saw that one had an axe. He was the most dangerous. I feinted with my dagger and he swung his axe. It committed him to a blow. Once started he could not undo it. My sword entered his throat.
I heard a shout, “Ware behind, lord!” Then I heard the twang of a bow and the man who had been about to slice into my back fell. In turning, the edge of my sword had hacked across the thigh of the man I had kneed in the groin. He fell to the ground. It was a deep wound. It bled heavily. I whirled around, seeking more enemies. They were dead or were trying to flee. Alan of the Wood had been wounded. The arrow which had saved me had come from Stephen the Tracker. Ralph and Tom walked towards me. They lived but I saw the body of John Bowland. The axeman I had slain had killed him first. His head lay next to his body.
I knelt next to the man who had been wounded in the thigh. He was pressing his hands against the wound to stem the flow of blood. “Who sent you?”
“Go to hell!”
His accent was a northern one. I could not differentiate between Northumberland and Scotland. “I can end your pain if you tell me the name of your paymaster.”
His answer was to spit a bloody gob of phlegm at me. Then he raised his hands and blood flowed freely, “You are a dead man walking!” His head lolled to the side and he died.
I shook my head and stood. Roger of Chester had come to join me and witnessed his end. “He was a hard man, lord.”
“What have you found?”
“Ralph says that their clothes could come from north or south of the border. They have, in their purses Scottish and English coins.”
“It may be two men. The Earls of Fife and Northumberland might have combined. Ralph, fetch Hart. We will ride to York and tell the Sherriff. He can deal with the bodies.”
Roger nodded, “We will keep watch. These men would not be cheap to hire. If it was not for Alan they would have succeeded. We can keep watch for men from the north.”
I nodded, “This is not over. I thought that when King Richard was deposed then we would have peace. It seems I was wrong.”
Roger nodded towards Tom and Ralph, “Aye, lord, but now we have two more warriors and your enemies had best watch out. They have the old fox to fight and he has two good cubs! The Black Prince chose a good bodyguard for his son!”
Epilogue
It was February when a rider came from the King. I was summoned to the Tower of London. I wondered what I had done wrong. I had kept close to home since the attack. We had heard news of the King but it seemed remote now that I was back in my manor. The plots and conspiracies seemed a lifetime away. King Henry was ruling with authority. He had, at the moment, the backing of Parliament although, from what I had heard, his enemies were circling. For once this was not my problem. Once he became King then Henry Bolingbroke was no longer my liege lord. I owed him duty as King but not landlord. I knew not who that would be. Perhaps his son.
It was his son, now titled Henry, Prince of Wales, who greeted me. The Tower had changed a great deal since I had been Captain of the Guard. There were more towers and it was better defended. That had been the legacy of Richard. I dismounted in the inner bailey. There were now more buildings and there were more sentries. King Henry was being careful.
“I am pleased you came, my lord. I was sorry to hear of the death of Ralph’s father. I know you were close once.”
“Prince Henry, once you have fought in a shield wall with a warrior then there is no such thing as once. You are like brothers until the day you die. It is months since I saw you but I am still pleased to see that you are well and I rejoice in that fact.”
“Being with you, Sir William, has made me a better man.”
“Your father wished to see me?”
“Come, he can explain better than I.” The King had been informed of our arrival and he met us on the second floor where there were royal chambers. At one time the King had occupied them but there was now a whole building in the inner bailey which were the new royal apartments. T
hey were more comfortable. His voice was hushed as he spoke, “I am pleased you came. Inside is Richard, King Richard. He is dying.” My eyes darted to look into his. He held up his hands, “It was not my doing. He has refused food and is starving himself to death. He asked to speak with you. I must warn you that he rambles. Sometimes he speaks to his dead wife, Anne.”
I nodded and he opened the door. I had seen the skeleton that was Red Ralph. King Richard had even less flesh on him. I walked to the bed and he opened his eyes. When he spoke it was as a croak. “You came.”
“As I said I would. What is this foolishness, highness? You should eat.”
He shook his head. I could see that the effort pained him, “I have a plan. I would be with my Anne once more.” He looked to the side and spoke as though his Queen was in the room with us, “I am telling Will, my love. You like Will. He is loyal and does not stab his friends in the back.” The effort was too much and his eyes closed. I thought he was dead. I could feel that the King, his son and Tom were, like me, afraid to breathe. His eyes opened, “I go to God with a clear conscience. I did my duty for my country. I want you as witness. I forgive Henry Bolingbroke, my cousin. Despite what others wanted he did not have me killed. I forgive him for I wanted him to kill me. I understand why he did not. As for the others? None are forgiven. I hope they rot in hell for having abandoned me.” He sighed, “Prince Henry, when you are King keep this man as close to you as your armour. You will live. Listen to him and heed his words for they are sage. I did not and I pay the price. Will, farewell.”
I was about to answer when I heard the sigh of death as he expired. King Richard was dead. Rumours abounded that he lived still while others were convinced that he was murdered. I knew the truth. Any foul play happened long before he starved himself to death in the Tower of London.