by Griff Hosker
"We need to take advantage of the lack of order further south, lord. The uncertainty of this anarchy prevents growth. These opportunities only come once."
I liked John but I did not enjoy speaking with him. All was about coin and profit. I preferred speaking with my knights like Sir Harold and Sir John who were both riding my lands and their borders to keep them safe. I listened to John but I spoke with the others. That was the difference.
Richard, Gilles and James joined me. They were dishevelled for they had been practising. James was a raw talent. He had his father's build and natural ability but he needed his skills improving. He could ride and he could fight, after a fashion. What he could not do was fight on the back of a horse. He needed to do so well and so my two squires spent every waking moment with him.
"Do you think the war is really over in Normandy, lord?" Gilles's father had been Norman and I had taken him, the only survivor from his whole family, under my wing.
"Count Geoffrey is now Duke of Normandy so it is no longer our concern. Perhaps Sir Leofric will enlighten us." The letter from my castellan was as important to me as the cargo the cog carried.
James was excited. I could see it as he leaned on the wooden rail eager to catch the first view of the merchant ship. His father had not spent as long with his youngest as he had with his elder brother, John. Now James was receiving more attention and it showed. He had not forgotten his father and his brother, no man did that, but he was realising that he had a life and he had a future. Instead of falling into a pit of despair he had risen to a world of hope.
Richard said, "I expect Gilles will be hoping that the cog brings some of those oils from the east so that he can smell better."
I turned and looked at my squires. Gilles had reddened, "What is this?"
"Nothing, lord! I shall box Richard's ears later."
James laughed. He was the youngest of the three and his laugh was still that of a child, "It is my sister. Gilles is sweet on Mary."
I saw, from Gilles face, that this was true. It was to be expected. They were close in years and both attractive. "You two behave as my squires ought or get yourself hence."
"Yes lord!" They both looked down the river.
I winked at Gilles who gave me a wan smile. I would speak with him later.
John rubbed his hands. "She is well laden! I asked him for as much wine as William could manage to carry. We sent more barrels over to Anjou when he set sail this time."
"Barrels?"
"Yes, my lord, there were too many breakages when we used jugs. If we use barrels then we can put it in jugs ourselves. Despite the fact that York is closed to us we do a brisk trade in wine with them. The loss of Normandy and Anjou means that the Norman who dwell there are desperate for wine."
He had more ways of making money than I could even contemplate. He was good for the manor, however, for I had the best armed, armoured, supplied and trained men at arms and archers in the land. My archers were the elite in a land where the bow was still the deadliest weapon on the battlefield. It had won me a battle more times than enough.
"It is good to be home, my lord!" William of Kingston shouted when the cog was still forty paces from the shore.
John said quietly, "He took a wife a year since lord. Harold the rope maker's daughter. They live this side of the ox bridge where they have a rope walk. She is heavy with child."
"Thank you John." I had missed much in my town. It was no wonder that William made such swift journeys. He was eager to be with his wife. I began to feel guilty for sending him on such errands.
My sentries caught the thrown lines and tied the ship to the stone quay. William leapt ashore and gave a slight bow, "A good trip, my lord and I have letters for you."
I resisted the temptation to ask if any were from my son or the Empress. "Thank you William."
He hesitated and then asked, "Am I likely to be needed to sail soon, my lord?"
I smiled, "Not for me. I am happy for you to be with your wife but John here holds the purse strings."
John gave a wry smile, “I am sure we can manage seven nights for you!"
"I would have given you fourteen!"
John said, "Let us split the difference, my lord, ten!"
Although I was desperate to read the letters, bound in an oilskin, which William handed me, I also needed to get his news. He was our eyes and ears on the world.
"There is unrest in the counties north of Normandy, lord. The counts of Holland, Brabant and Hainaut are in dispute with the Count of Flanders. They each seek cities to take from the other. The alliances are shifting since France made peace with Normandy. If there was no civil war in Denmark then I think that whoever was king would take advantage of the situation."
"How goes the civil war in Denmark?"
"There are four contenders. King Erik the Lamb is still the king but it is in name only. Sweyn, Canute and Valdemar are all more powerful. You were wise to trade with Valdemar for I think that he will win and besides he is the most honourable."
We had almost reached my gates. "And to whom do we sell our iron and weapons?"
William looked at John and then back to me, "We just sell them to merchants in Edjberg. It is on the west coast of Denmark and is easy to get to. It is a good port and well protected. Their king lives on the east coast at Hedeby. It would take many days to reach it."
We reached my inner bailey and I could tell that he was uncomfortable. I put his mind at ease. "I meant no criticism. It is not our civil war and we are right not to be involved. As Christians we do not like to profit from war but we must survive."
He looked relieved, "The profits are great lord although I think the merchants we sell them to make even more. They are more than generous to us when we arrive and vie for my business."
John put his arm around my sea captain, "Then before you rush to the arms of your wife we must go through your manifests."
He rolled his eyes, "I think this must be the price I have to pay to have ten days with my wife."
I smiled, "So it would seem, William. I would have you bring her to meet with me. John, invite the captain and his good lady to my table." He nodded and I added, "But not tonight eh?"
Once in my hall I waved a servant over, "Roger, have Alice send me some wine, cheese and bread. I will be in my solar."
"Aye lord."
As I turned I saw my three squires, "And I have no need of you three but I fear you have need of water, soap and a comb. Go!"
My solar faced south and west. If afforded me a fine view down my valley. It was a place of calm. I was about to enter when I saw Mary approach. In the corridor, I could hear the bantering voices of my three squires. She looked wistfully at them, "What is amiss, Mary?"
She brightened a little, "Oh nothing my lord. Save... nothing."
I put my sealskin package on my table and beckoned her over. Putting my hands on her shoulders I said, "When your father died and you became my ward I told you then that I would be your mother and father. Tell me what troubles you?"
She buried her head in my shoulder and began to weep. Between sobs she spoke, "I am grateful that you have brought me here and I want for nothing but..." She looked up. "James has the other squires and I am left alone. When you are busy then I rattle around this castle. I miss my mother. Alice is kind and she does all that she can however your household demands much of her time. I sew and I try to keep myself occupied but... "
"But you need a companion." I nodded. "I have been remiss and I apologise. I am a gruff old soldier who is used to the ways of war and not the ways of women." I pointed up. "My wife, Adela, would have chided me."
"Oh no, lord!"
"She would and I will address the matter. Now promise me that you will not hide your pain beneath your brow. You will tell me all. I am not such an ogre am I?"
"Oh no lord, you are the kindest of men and I am being foolish."
"You are not. You are a young woman who is now orphaned." Alice appeared with a servant and a tray
. "Now go and wash your face. You should smile and not weep." She curtsied and hurried from my hall.
Alice followed me into my solar and when the servant had laid down the tray dismissed him. "Is there anything I could do, my lord? I have seen her lonely but she is a lady and I am but a servant."
"You are more than that, Alice, and we both know it. My wife would have known what to do." I tried to think back to the times before she had died and before we had had William. "I will try to get some of the girls of the town to come and spend time with her."
"Girls of the town, lord?" Alice sounded outraged.
I smiled, "John of Stockton married Alf's daughter did he not? Besides I think it would be good for all of them. I will visit with my burghers and invite a selected few."
Alice nodded and then brightened, "I have an idea, lord. I am handy with a needle and I know that the Maid Mary is too. Perhaps we could make a tapestry?"
"That is a most excellent idea. Have you the materials?"
"We have a bolt of cloth and some thread but, perhaps William could trade for more. I know that the women of Holland and Hainault are renowned for their needlework."
"Where did you hear that?"
"John, your Steward, and William of Kingston were speaking of it as I passed."
"Then we will do that. It will be good to have the sounds of women's voices here once more."
As I sat down I reflected that since Harold had gone back to his home in Hartburn and John had taken over the manor of Elton the castle had been empty. Tristan now lived in Yarm and the three families had brightened my life. Perhaps that was why I was in such a sour mood of late.
I laid the three letters before me and took a sip from the wine. It was not the new wine. That would need time to settle after the long journey. This was the last of the wine we had brought back when last I had been to Normandy. That seemed like a lifetime ago.
I recognised Leofric's hand and that of the Empress but the third I did not. Its strokes were larger. I turned it over and saw it bore the seal of Henry FitzEmpress. He had not written to me before. I opened it and read that first.
Rouen,
My Lord Cleveland,
As you must know by now my father is now Duke of Normandy. I wished you there when he was anointed but there was no time. As the war in England is at a standstill I would beg of you to visit with me. You have yet to finish my training as a knight. I pray that you can come. You son is now at court and I am certain that he would like to see his father. He often speaks of you.
Your former squire,
Henry FitzEmpress
Marquess of Caen
I put the letter down. It was ironic that the son I could never acknowledge was the go between for my lawful son and myself. I re-read the letter. Should I go?
I laid it down and took the one from Leofric. I was not yet ready for the Empress' words.
La Flèche
My lord,
I hope this letter finds you well.
Your manor prospers and we have had both good crops and large numbers of animals being born. Your tenants prosper and the manor grows. I have sent my steward's accounts to John so that he may approve them.
I now have another son. God has granted us a healthy baby. I gave money to the church to have a new altar built in celebration. Our land is prosperous now that peace is here and it is right that we give thanks to God.
Now that the war is over in Normandy there are many warriors seeking employment. I have twenty such here now. We cannot afford to keep them all nor do we have need of them but I will send the better ones to you should you need them.
How goes the war in England? We hear little in Anjou. The little I do know suggests that you are the rock in the north while the Empress has her lands in the south west. Will this anarchy ever end?
Your servant and castellan,
Leofric of Stockton
An idea began to form in my mind. I was lucky to have such a loyal knight as Leofric watching out for my interests in Anjou.
The last letter had the most familiar hand of all, Matilda, Empress and now Duchess of Normandy.
Devizes
My Lord,
The news that my husband is now Duke of Normandy gives me hope that, perhaps, our fortune is changing. The loss of Sir Miles and Sir Brian has cut us deeply and you are now the rock in the north.
My brother and I have the lands hereabouts secure but I have heard disturbing news that the Earl of Chester is contemplating siding with the King once more. If he were to do so then it would put us in a difficult position. Since the defeat of the Bishop of Ely and Geoffrey de Mandeville we have not had a victory.
I am being put under pressure by the Pope to relinquish this castle of Devizes. The Bishop of Salisbury supports my cousin and he has entreated the Pope to have it returned to him. If I had to leave here I would be in a very difficult position. I am not certain that I could remain in England. My brother is a comforting presence.
I am just grateful that I have such a loyal friend and knight as you. You are ever my champion and so long as you live then there is hope that my son may one day become king but I think that is in your hands rather than mine.
Your friend,
Maud
Was I being asked to visit with her? I did not know. Ranulf, Earl of Chester was a snake but I dared not intervene. He had yet to change sides, and any move from me might drive him into the court of the Usurper. The invitation from Henry was tempting. My lands were safe, for the moment, and there appeared to be little to threaten us. I knew, from my conversations with Stephen the Usurper, that he respected me. Perhaps he even feared me. The last thing he would do while I was quiet would be to poke me. A roused warlord would hurt his control of the north. The taxes he took from the lands around York allowed him to be generous. As I sipped my wine I began to formulate plans. For the first time since the flight from Oxford I saw some light in this dark tunnel of intrigue and politics. Henry was the future not only for me but also England. It hurt me to think the thoughts that trickled through my mind but the Empress could do no more. Once the people of London had rejected her then she was a lost cause. By her own admission she might leave England soon. That would be a mistake in my view.
After I had reread the letters and finished the jug of wine I went to my chamber to secure the letters in my chest. I had had Alf make me a lock for it. I trusted my own people but we had visitors and some of the letters contained delicate information. Alice met me in the corridor. "Alice I have invited Captain William and his wife, Morag, for a meal. It will not be tonight but it will be tomorrow."
She smiled, "Good. The table is a little bare with just the five of you around it. We need company. Poor Mary has to endure the talk of men. It is all about war."
"Just so. See to it." I left my hall and headed for the town. It was a bustling and thriving place now. The industry was to the east of the town, closer to the sea. The winds normally came from the west and it took the smell away. On the odd days that it came from the east and we had to endure it the older folk said it was a punishment from God for some misdemeanour. Poor Father Henry had spoken to them but they still clung on to their superstitions. Many still kept the remnants of paganism in their hearts.
I first visited Alf to tell him that his weapons were highly prized in Denmark. As I passed his hall, now a grand two storied manor house which put Harold's to shame, I realised I had no need to do so. Alf had put his profits to good use. His smithy had grown from a single forge and anvil to a veritable hive of workshops. He had his two sons working as well as five other smiths whom he had taken on. One was a smith who worked in gold and silver. That was a clear sign of our prosperity. It was no wonder that so many people flocked here. In a land riven by strife and disorder my manors were a haven of peace and security.
"Alf, I see you are enjoying the fruits of your labours."
My smith was sitting and watching his sons work. He stood, "It is why we have sons, my lord, so that we can enjoy the
rewards of their work."
I laughed. "Your weapons and farm implements sell well. We are all rewarded."
"It is thanks to you, lord. Before you came here this was a huddle of mean huts now it is the most important place between York and Durham. Some would say more important."
I went closer. "I may be going away again but this will not be a long trip."
"You are entitled to go to the outside world, my lord. Since you returned from Oxford you have not ceased in your labours and we all appreciate it."
I nodded, absent mindedly, "Tell me Alf, your daughter has now left to live with Sir John at Elton but are there other young women of the town who are of a similar temperament?"
"If you mean ladies, my lord, then I pray you speak plain."
I smiled, "I do."
"There are one or two. All the women and the girls have good hearts but they can be a little..."
"Unrefined?"
He picked up a piece of rough silver ore. "A little like this. Of great value but hiding its true qualities until it is changed. Aye there are some. Why do you ask, my lord?"
"The Maid Mary of Thornaby has few companions. I would have one or two spend time with her at the castle. It will help her and, I daresay, they will enjoy the experience."
He nodded, "I have three in mind my lord. I will present them to you after church on Sunday."
"Thank you. I would not offend any."
"Nor will I! I have been married long enough to know the pitfalls of speaking too plainly to women!"
As I approached my main gate I saw Leopold of Durstein. He was planting four heads on the spikes we kept there for just such a purpose. Sir William and his archers were walking their horses through my gates.
"Where did you find them, Dick?"
"They were north of Thorpe, my lord. William of Wulfestun alerted us to their presence. Aiden and his scouts found them for us. I would have brought them back for trial but they fought. You do not try to capture a dangerous animal. You kill it."