by Griff Hosker
We spent another week making sure that the border was safe and repairing the castle. The Duke was no fool and he awarded the manor to Richard of Thiberville as a reward for helping his son. I saw the wisdom in that. Richard was a good, if dull knight. He would make a good guardian of this border fort. We headed back to Rouen. I had already sent back the wagons with the cloth and other treasures. Neither the Duke nor Henry wished to share in our success. I knew that what we had was more valuable than the coins they had collected.
When we reached Rouen my wounded men greeted me. They were almost fully healed. Edgar had taken it upon himself to rent a warehouse by the river. He and the others used it as a hall and as a storage facility. I had trained my men well.
After I had seen to my horses I joined the Duke and his son in the castle. There was news from England. "The Earl of Chester has escaped captivity, Earl!"
The Duke flourished the letter as though it was a major event. I was more sceptical. The snake had shed his skin once more that was all. However I kept my voice neutral, "That is good news my lord."
Henry said, "Perhaps it is time to renew our offensive in England, Earl."
Before I could speak his father said, "No, my son; we lost too many knights to the men of Flanders. We must use this time to build up our forces. In any event winter will soon be upon us. Who would brave the German Sea or the English Channel in such weather?"
For once I was in total agreement with the Duke but for different reasons. The Earl of Chester's escape would not harm the Usurper. He had not been hurt since the battle of Lincoln and that was many years hence. What would hurt Stephen would be the loss of revenue. Our attack on Flanders had helped in that direction but we needed to do more. Already I had begun to plan the next phase of my offensive against Stephen. What I did not need was a botched attempt at invasion.
"Besides you can use your new found wealth, young Henry FitzEmpress to hire more warriors. They can augment the twenty your mother provided."
He brightened, "Thank you Earl and I will train them so that they are the equal of yours."
I saw the briefest of frowns on his father's face before he smiled, "Just so."
A week later our two ships returned from the Holy Land. They were both heavily laden. William of Kingston stepped brightly from the cog, "We had a good voyage, my lord. After calling at Constantinople we landed your son at Antioch without incident. Your son purchased supplies and arms for his men in the markets of Constantinople. When I last saw him he and his men were preparing to head to the County of Tripoli for they heard that there was need for Norman knights. They spent some coin buying more suitable garb for his men found it a little hotter than they had expected."
I was relieved. Inside I was joyful for I knew the dangers of the journey he had undertaken. However I remained outwardly calm. "That is good and from your vessels I see that you made good trades?"
He nodded, happily, "Aye we did. We shall trade some here and then the rest at Hainaut."
I pointed to the warehouses, “We also have much to trade; cloth and lace."
He frowned, "Then that might be better taken back to Stockton, lord. They produce cloth in Hainaut and our ladies cannot get enough cloth."
"You are the merchant. I will take your advice. Then when you have traded here make all speed to Hainaut. I will come with you for I wish to speak with the Count."
"And you would be welcome."
I returned to the castle where I approached Henry. "I would take my leave of you for a week or so."
He looked disappointed, "But my training is not complete."
"I know but I would visit with the Count of Hainaut. A good leader does not just take his victories without thought. I would know the effect of our raid into Flanders. Besides you will be much occupied with hiring your new men." He nodded, "A word of advice though. I would use Dick and Edgar to examine the ones you hire first. Both are good judges of warriors, as you know."
"Thank you for the advice. I will heed it."
Two days later we were heading out to sea. I took Ralph of Nottingham and Alan son of Alan with me as well as Richard. We took no horses. This would be a diplomatic visit only. As soon as we left the Seine I noticed the wintery weather. The seas were black and rough. The skies filled with scudding, rain filled clouds. We wrapped our cloaks tightly about us and huddled close together for warmth.
"This must be worse for you, William. After all you have just come from the warmth of the Holy Land."
"Aye lord but we have become acclimatised to it. It grew colder each day as we travelled north."
"Did you learn much about life in the Holy Land?"
William smiled, "There would have been a time when I wondered at such a question but I am now a father too. You worry about your son."
"No matter how old he is he will always be that helpless bundle my wife held in her arms to me and I would do all in my power to protect him from harm."
"I fear that the good days in the east are fading, lord. Although I do not think your son has gone there to make his fortune. He has gone to atone." I glanced at him. He smiled, "We spent many hours talking lord. We are of an age and share more than a name. He does not mind the enemies he has to fight. I met many who sought passage home. We brought eight to Spain. They had had enough of the heat and the Moorish horsemen have made life too hard. Your son is made of sterner stuff."
I was happy that I had spoken with William. It did not lessen the dangers my son would face but I respected my captain who faced the terrors of the sea every day and he knew courage when he saw it. My son would survive.
The winds, the waves and the tides meant it took longer to reach Antwerpen than we had hoped. It was dusk as we edged our way into the harbour. The cargo we carried would be much appreciated in this busy port. William and Oswald, Ethelred's captain, had spent their money wisely on goods such as spices, glass, silks and the like. In Rouen they had both made a fortune already and now they would do the same in this northern port.
I was greeted by the harbour master as though I was a conquering hero, "My lord of Cleveland! This is an honour. Your visit is both a surprise and timely. The Count was asking, just the other day, when your ships were due."
"Is there a problem?"
"It is better that my master speaks with you. I am but a simple man and I would not wish to get my facts wrong. I know tides and sailors."
I turned, "Richard, Ralph, Alan; we go ashore."
"Will we need shields, my lord?"
"No Ralph, just our swords." Turning to William I said, "Make your trades and then await my instructions."
"We cannot leave until tomorrow at the earliest lord. The tides will not be right."
"It may be longer." I held up a purse, "Here is..."
William shook his head, "No lord, we have more than enough coins ourselves. We profit by your patronage."
The rain had sleet in it and we hurried from the port towards the town. Already I could see even more newly erected buildings. Baldwin the Builder was living up to his name. Lothair, his son, greeted us before we reached the gates. "Your visit could not have been more timely, lord. My father had begun to draft a letter to you."
"Is there a problem?"
Shaking his head he said, "Not for us. Your attack on Poperinge forced the Count of Flanders to withdraw his army. From deserters we learned that he feared a Norman invasion. His men now wait behind walls, fearful of the wrath of the Earl of Cleveland and the young prince. No, it is you who is in danger. Come, my father will explain all."
I worried that my home was in danger. We had dealt with the danger from the Flemish mercenaries. Surely the fact that we had trounced them in the border meant that they could no longer mount a threat? I was speculating and that was always dangerous. It was better to wait for actual news rather than build a house of straw from fragments and snippets.
The Count waved us to seats inside his dining chamber. "You are more than welcome here, Earl. You shall stay the night. I have a ro
om prepared for you." He looked at my men at arms.
"Ralph and Alan, I will not need you for a while. Is there somewhere they could find food and a bed, my lord?"
"Of course, Lothair see to it."
My men hesitated, "I will be safe enough. Richard can be my chamberlain for the night."
After they had gone Baldwin said, "Such loyalty. The men we hired from Normandy all spoke of the bond you have with your men. It is to be admired. I am not certain my own men would do the same."
I said nothing. Whatever words I uttered would either sound insulting or patronising.
Lothair returned, "They are sharing the quarters with your bodyguards, father."
"Good." He waved a servant over, "Fetch wine and food and then see that we are not disturbed."
I took off my cloak and gauntlets for the fire had made the room hot. Richard looked relieved that I had set the precedent and he copied me. When the door closed behind the servant Lothair poured the wine. "Firstly, Earl, I am twofold in your debt. The men who came from Normandy put steel in our warriors and your attack on Flanders dampened Flanders' desire to take my land. I have no doubt that they will renew their efforts but we now have the winter to prepare our defences. I will use my skills as a builder to try to make fortresses as strong as yours and the Duke’s."
“I am pleased to have been of service.”
"The men you sent have been more than helpful. Richard of Angers has now been elevated to the position of Captain of the Guard and he is most useful."
I nodded, "Richard is a good man. Had he been one of my men I would have knighted him."
"Even though he is not noble born?"
"Few of my knights are noble born. It is not a requirement in Cleveland."
"Interesting." Baldwin sipped his wine, thoughtfully.
"Father, your news."
"Of course. There am I thinking of myself when it is you who is in danger."
"The Flemish?"
"As I said, they are behind their walls. No it is another enemy closer to home." He placed his goblet on the table and then interlaced his fingers. He closed his eyes, briefly, as though he was weighing his words. "Three weeks since a Danish ship put into port. There was a courtier on board who brought a message from Valdemar the Great. He is on the cusp, it seems, of gaining the crown. He was testing the waters, so to speak to see if we would support him."
"And?"
Baldwin smiled, "We are a small County. It is better not to commit too soon to arrangements which might come back to haunt us. I told him that until we had ended the threat from Flanders we could not commit to an alliance but that we were not opposed to one." I smiled. Baldwin was the complete diplomat. He had avoided offending his potential neighbour without committing himself.
Lothair saw my smile, "We are not as fortunate as you, lord. We do not have an army which is the envy of all. We have to navigate a course through dangerous waters."
"I was not criticising your father, Lothair. I too have had to make compromises. All leaders do."
"You are right Earl and that brings me to you. When the courtier was in his cups he mentioned the number of Norman and Angevin warriors we had. He let it slip that they would soon be able to earn much coin in England. I confess that I plied him with more drink and more questions for I knew that his words concerned you. It seems that the Prince of Cumberland, Prince Henry of Scotland, is flexing his muscles. He has hired men who have begun to desert King Erik the Lamb. His cause is lost and they know that Valdemar has a long memory. They are leaving like rats from a ship. Prince Henry is paying well, it seems. I could not divine their purpose but it seemed to me that they would be a threat to you."
"And you say that this was three weeks since?"
"Aye but I think you still have time. King Erik is still king, in name at least, and he still has many of his men who remain at his side. Besides it is winter and we have heard that it has come early to your homeland. They have had snow already."
"I thank you for this information and it puts me in your debt. I shall have to get to England sooner rather than later."
"We have more news too which is also close to home."
"Yes?"
"The English king, Stephen, has overstretched his treasury. It seems he has been too generous to his friends. He has had to buy off many men. He has had to borrow from the Jews of Holland. They hold promissory notes. I fear that if Henry does become king then he will inherit debts."
I shook my head, "Those debts are Stephen's not England's but I thank you for the news. It gives me hope."
We were feted and feasted but I did not taste any of the food. My mind was across the German Sea. The Scots had been beaten by me at every turn but if they had a contingent of Danes then that might sway the balance in their favour. I was needed at home. First, however, I would need to return to Rouen and fetch my men whilst seeking permission to leave. Henry FitzEmpress would not be happy.
Chapter 13
Ralph and Alan confirmed the king's words. Many of the soldiers they had broken bread with had spoken to the bodyguards of the Danish courtier. The gold offered by the Scottish prince was a great inducement. I was silent and Richard said, "We have some time, lord. They cannot come in winter."
I shook my head, "These are Danes. They are hardy men. They came to England and conquered it for a time. A little bad weather will not hurt them. They are also fierce fighters. They do not ride but the long axes can stop a charge of horse. My father fought alongside such men and they defeated Norman horsemen when fighting for the Emperor. I will not underestimate Danes. When we land I want everything loading aboard the two ships. I know it will take some time to navigate the Seine but we will not waste a single moment. I leave you three to see that all is done well."
"Aye lord."
As soon as we docked, four days later, I rushed to the castle. The Duke had had another relapse and was on a couch before the fire. "I am sorry to see you laid low, Duke."
"It is this wound. It makes me dizzy and sleepy. My physician says it could take until the summer for me to fully recover."
I nodded, "I have received unwelcome news which means I must return to England."
The Duke nodded but Henry said, "But why? You are still training me!"
"And I will do so but the Scottish prince is plotting. I will return home and deal with it. You could accompany me if you wished."
I could see that he was torn. His eyes flickered between me and his father. The Duke said, "It is winter, Henry, I will not be stirring. If you wish to go with the Warlord then do so. We will renew our war with Flanders in the spring."
Henry shook his head, "No. My duty is here, at the moment. I have my new men to train and I cannot abandon you while you are indisposed. Besides which this suits my purpose. I would have the Earl begin to prepare the way for my return to England. When he has defeated this new enemy, I will cross the sea and join him with my own army. With the men I have trained and his retinue we will be an unstoppable force!"
"But not for some time I think."
His face fell. "I will work twice as hard while you are away in England. By summer you will return and then you will be the judge."
I was so worried about the Scots that I barely heard his words. "I will and I am certain that your men will be a credit to you."
We sailed early the next day. We were too far upstream for the tide to worry us and it was only the sentries who watched us slip down the Seine. I sat in William's cabin with Edgar, Dick and Richard. Edgar knew the Danes for he and Erre had trained together with the Frisians. The Frisians fought in a similar fashion.
Edgar was one of my oldest and most experienced warriors. His shaven head was covered in the scars and lumps of battle. He was also one of the biggest of my warriors. The wound he had received in Flanders might have killed a lesser man but his layers of muscle aided his armour. He rarely volunteered information. He obeyed orders and when he spoke of our enemies I knew that his words had to be heeded.
&nb
sp; "But, lord, the Danes are the masters of the two handed axe. Some are longer than a man. A lance can get past a spear or a sword but not a Danish axe. They swing it before them as easily as Dick and his archers pull a bowstring. They move it in a rhythmic swing and in time with their fellows. Lances would be splintered before they could strike home. The horses would be slaughtered before they could reach the Danes."
I nodded. Dick said, "But they cannot hold a shield and swing at the same time can they, Edgar?"
"No I think not. But they wear hide armour studded with plates and studs. The armour is hard to cut. That is their main defence. It takes a brave fellow to face one. Ask Erre and the Frisians."
Dick smiled, "And what about arrows?"
I nodded, "That may be the secret Dick but how many Danes will they have and do we have enough archers?"
"I think we can muster a hundred at least, lord. There will be more trained for we left England some time ago."
"The enemy will try to get to you."
"Then we will have men holding our horses so that we can fall back and then continue our rain. They cannot both attack us and the horse, lord. There will be a risk but I know my men."
"I doubt neither you nor your men. The question now remains, where will they attack?"
We were all silent for how could you divine their intention? The border was more than ninety miles wide. Richard broke the silence, "Gilles often set the three of us tests like this, lord. He would have Henry, James and I think how we would deal with an attack from the north. We worked out that there were only a few possibilities. One would be by sea. If they had enough ships then they could land in the river. They could even go further south and invade north of Whitby. There is a long stretch of beach there and there are no castles nearby."
Edgar said, "The Scots do not have a large number of ships."
"But the Danes do. Carry on Richard." I was learning more about my squires. Even when I was absent they were thinking as I did. It gave me hope.