Return of the Knight

by Griff Hosker

  I pointed south, “Head south and you may be safe. If we find you again you will pay with your lives. Without horses, the four men gratefully limped south and we continued east. As we galloped down the road people fled, leaving homes empty. We would search them on our way back. We found our archers and the last three men at arms just a mile from the castle.

  Cedric Warbow was laughing, “What is so funny, Cedric Warbow?”

  “They were so scared that when they saw us they left their animals and fled for the castle.” He pointed to the animals which were flocking nearby.

  We headed back. Every field was cleared of animals, which we drove before us. We knew there would be no pursuit. We had slain the best of their warriors. Each house and hall was searched. We took back thirty head of horse, twenty cattle and fifty sheep not to mention twelve pigs and countless fowl. With the mail and weapons from the six dead men at arms we had made a good start.

  Over the next few days we repeated our raids. This time I was not foolish enough to be predictable. There were more than enough French manors within half a day of riding from us. When James and David finally returned from Angers we had another thirty men. Twenty were men at arms but ten were archers. All were either English or Welsh. They were the golden treasure we had not found in the manors. They were not valued in this land and they were eager to serve an English lord who knew how to reward them. Between us Sir William and I had thirty-six archers. That was a formidable force. With his own retinue now as powerful as mine Sir William raided on his own.

  By the time April came and we had done that which I had intended, scorching the borderlands, we had horses enough. We had mail and weapons to spare and our coffers were full. Geoffrey, my steward, would be able to buy for the town that which we could not produce. The first thing we bought was stone. I had local masons begin to make two barbicans so that the moats and gatehouses were protected. It would take a year to complete but I now had a vision of what my manor could become, a fortress against all enemies. The siege had shown me the weaknesses and I would eradicate them.

  I took James Broadsword with me and walked my walls. Sir William was with me. “I wish you to be castellan here. When I travel north to Le Goulet I want our families protecting. I wish you, while I am gone to have wooden towers built on the two long walls. Begin with one tower on each wall in the middle. Then divide that with others. I want towers that can be used by archers.” I pointed north. The wood in which the French had camped was too close to my walls for my liking. “Use the trees from the southern end of that wood.”

  He nodded. He was an old soldier and knew the value of strong defences. “You have the keep which is the strongpoint and with two barbicans then the gates will be safer. The weakness is the two walls. Aye we can do that and we can make the walls harder to attack by building embrasures. With wooden shutters in place we can protect the archers too.” He rubbed his hands. “I have often sought a home. Now I can help make one.”

  With just twenty or so days before I rode north I spent as much time with my new son as I could. He had changed dramatically since he had emerged red and misshapen. Now he looked like a baby. He had the bluest and most piercing eyes I have ever seen. I was still fearful of holding him badly and also of terrifying him with my visage. I became so concerned that I had Fótr shave my beard and moustache so that I looked less frightening to my son. At the same time, I had my hair close cropped. My wife did not like it but I felt more comfortable. Even then a plan was forming in my mind.

  I would be leaving Sir William and his men to guard my home along with James Broadsword. Until our defences were improved we were still vulnerable. When Sir William walked with James and myself to examine the defences he said, “If we were to extend the moat around the barbicans they would make a small lake. It would help Jean of Durtal and make the barbicans almost impossible to take without great loss of life. The new towers James will be building will allow more archers to bring their arrows to bear.” It was a good idea. William, like me, now had a family to consider and he was making our home as strong as it could be.

  I chose just ten archers and ten men at arms to accompany me. I chose the ones who had been in the Holy Land and the Baltic. They were the oldest but they had the most experience. I had fought alongside some of them for nine years. In that time, we had learned how each fought. We would be hiding from plain view and seeking an opportunity to come to the aid of Prince Arthur. For that I needed a stiletto and not a cudgel.

  It was hard to leave my wife. Her soft eyes smiled at me, “You are a true knight. You go to do that which is right. Yours is the kind of tale sung by troubadours. We will be safe and God will watch over you for what you do is noble.”

  We left and headed north. We had spare horses but I did not take war horses save one for Ridley the Giant! I had scouts out and we rode beneath anonymous grey cloaks and with no banners to mark us. The danger would come when we neared the Seine. That would be where all the barons were gathered and it was the northern border of Normandy. By then we would be deep within land which was hostile to us. We had a hundred and fifty miles to travel. That would only take us five days but I intended to make a camp twenty or so miles from the Seine. There was a huge forest north east of Le Mans and there we could hide. I had a plan in my head. I would not speak of it until we were camped for it was audacious.

  We travelled north east along the quiet roads. There was just civilian traffic. They were wary of mailed horsemen but unworried. There had been peace for almost a year and the ones we spoke with assumed that we were Normans heading for the Seine and the meeting. My archers found us a dell in the woods with grazing, water and shelter in the form of charcoal burner’s huts.

  We knew that the meeting was due to take place in May but as men had been travelling north for some time I assumed it would be imminent. As we had travelled north Edward son of Edgar had asked me about that. “Lord, if they are to have a meeting then why not pick a day, have the meeting and be done with it. Gathering so many men for so long merely asks for trouble. Men at arms gathered in one place with little to do is a recipe for trouble.”

  “You do not understand kings and princes. These are nobles. I know this place. There are forests close by where they can hunt. They will feast. They will joust. All the while they will be seeking support from the counts and dukes who are present. King John and King Philip are masters of this game but Prince Arthur is not. When each side has their supporters arranged they will then each make their demands. It is like the game of chess. There are pawns which will be discarded because they are unimportant. Prince Arthur will be such a pawn.”

  “And what can we do, lord?”

  “We can offer sanctuary. We can offer the Prince the chance to build his army from within our walls. There are others, like me and Sir William who support the Prince. He will be the magnet which draws them to us.”

  When the camp was set up I chose the men I had decided I would take with me. “Ridley and David, you will stay here and guard the camp. I will take Fótr, Edward son of Edgar, Philippe of Poitou and Griff Jameson north to the Seine. I am going to pretend to be a knight of the Livonian order. Three of us can speak Swedish. I doubt that there will be many at the meeting who can do so. It will allow us to speak in front of others and not be understood. We will say that we are seeking a new lord.”

  “But you will be recognised!”

  “No David of Wales. The blow from the mace changed my face. I have no beard and my hair is cropped. I even have a brand-new helmet. We will wear plain surcoats and leave our shields here. If we can we will buy new ones at Vernon. It is close to Le Goulet but if not then no matter.”

  “They will know Skuld.”

  “And I will not take her. I will ride Ridley’s war horse. I will use Philippe and Griff to keep you informed of any changes to my plan. If you do not hear from me then keep a watch on the road from the Seine and, if there is pursuit when we come you will ambush them.”

  “And how long do we wai
t?”

  “If we have not returned in a fortnight then we are dead or captured. If we are captured there will be a demand for ransom. Do not pay it. I will escape for I will not yield for ransom.”

  “Be careful, lord. I would not wish to be the bearer of such news.”

  “Nor will you be. Enjoy the hunting around here! It looks like the land teems with game!”

  I sensed nervousness amongst my men. “We will stay in the background. I intend to avoid both King John and King Philip but I will try to speak with Prince Arthur.”

  “And William des Roches, lord?”

  “We definitely avoid him but he is not the one I worry about. It is the Comte de Senonches. Some of his men may know of my wound. We keep to ourselves. Philippe and Griff, you do not speak Swedish. Pretend you are mute when we do so. Bring a spare palfrey. If we can we will rescue Prince Arthur.”

  “Aye lord.”

  We reached Vernon. I could see why it was important. There was a stone bridge across the Seine and they were building a castle. King Philip had only gained the site four years earlier. We found an inn and arranged rooms. None were surprised at our visit. I discovered that they had had a steady flow of knights heading to Le Goulet. The only surprise was that we were so late. Philippe managed to buy four plain shields and I felt better when we left, the next morning, with shields hung from our cantles. What we had discovered was that we would not have accommodation. We would have to camp. It was summer and so we would risk the open air.

  We spied the camp from afar. The lesser barons and knights were camped well away from the hall and castle of Le Goulet. We had passed perhaps five tents when a Norman voice shouted, “I would not waste your time friend. The best spots have been taken.”

  I nodded and said, in Swedish, “We will camp here. Find a spot.”

  Edgar smiled and replied in Swedish, “Yes, Lord Petr.” We had decided on that name in memory of Birger’s brother.

  I dismounted, “Thank you.”

  “You are not Norman? Your mail and helmet look Norman.”

  I pointed vaguely north, “We served in the Baltic Crusade. We heard there might be coin to be made here for swords without masters.”

  “Aye as did we all but I fear that we will get crumbs. There will be no war. The best that we can hope is that one of the knights who gains a castle close to the border needs knights and men at arms. You may be better off than most. There is just you, a squire and three men. You will be cheap.” He waved a hand around his fire, “There are five knights here and five squires. With England at peace and now Normandy… perhaps we will try Sicily. I am Sir Richard D’Arcy.”

  “Petr Bergeson. Perhaps I will see you around.”

  “Perhaps. We have heard that the two kings will sign the charter in two days’ time. Then those who came for war will leave and it will just be those like my comrades who will serve any so long as we are paid.”

  As I walked towards a waving Fótr I passed similar camps with knights whose armour needed attention and whose conversation showed their lack of hope. Although well away from the road Edward had managed to find a spot close to the stream and two small crab apple trees. We would be able to make a shelter with our cloaks. Leaving my helmet and shield I said, “Edward get a fire going and something cooking. I will take Fótr and see if I can locate Prince Arthur.”

  I put the hood of my cloak over my head. The sun was shining brightly and others had adopted this method of staying cool in the hot sun. It allowed me to look for faces I might know. The closer we came to the castle the more defined became the camps. There were Angevin, Breton, Norman, French, English. I was surprised to see the camps of the men of Flanders and Boulogne. Every representative of the old Plantagenet Empire was here. I stopped short of the small wooden castle and its gate. English and French sentries stood there. I saw the standards of England and France fluttering from the keep and I also saw the banner of Brittany. Prince Arthur was in the castle. I had little chance of getting in there. Every face would be scrutinised.

  The small town began just paces from the castle. I saw the river beyond and there, in the middle of the river was a long island, on which there was a tent. I was intrigued and I led Fótr to the inn which stood by the bridge which led to the river. There were no sentries on the bridge but there were men working on the tent. It looked to me as though they were building some sort of dais.

  It was a pleasant day and there were crudely made tables outside the inn. Two knights stood and left. We grabbed their seats before any others could. We ordered some wine, bread and cheese. I spoke in Swedish to Fótr. It added to the illusion and made it unlikely that we would be overheard. “I am guessing that the island will be where the document is signed. That way many can watch but only a few will actually be present.”

  The servant with the food and drink arrived. He presented the bill. It was ridiculously exorbitant. My face reflected my shock. The man said, “With so many people the owner charges what he likes. When all of you have gone then the prices will return to normal. You can take it, my lord, or leave it.”

  “We will take it!”

  I decided to make both the food and the wine last as long as possible. We continued to talk in Swedish. The more we did so the easier it became. “Prince Arthur will have to come across this bridge to get to the tent. We need to get a message to him.”

  “That will not be easy, lord. I am guessing that both kings will have him guarded and William des Roches will be close at hand not to mention the Comte de Senonche.”

  “We have two days.” I gave a wry smile. “I just hope that our money lasts.”

  Just then Sir Richard D’Arcy and another knight walked down the road towards the bridge. He laughed when he saw us drinking, “Perhaps I should try the Baltic. If you can afford this brigand’s prices then they must pay well.”

  The owner, who was standing close by, just sniffed and turned away. “They do pay well but it is a cold land and they have little wine.” I pointed to the island. “That is where the high and mighty will congregate?”

  “It is. We are going to wander across. It might be as close as we ever get but hopefully someone will see our livery from the castle and seek us out.” He shrugged. “It is worth the effort. I am surprised you have no livery.”

  “We served with the Birger Brosa and his livery was the gryphon. We were attacked at Le Mans whilst wearing it.”

  He laughed, “How unfortunate. That is the livery of the renegade Thomas of La Flèche.”

  His friend said, “Or Stockton?”

  “And even Aqua Bella. He is the most interesting knight in this land and the most unfortunate.”

  “How so?”

  “Every man’s hand is turned against him. None will serve except for those with a death wish. I have never met him but his name is spoken throughout the land. Get yourself a livery my friend and then you will be noticed.”

  “Thank you for the advice friend although if I wait get gain a position with a lord I can save myself more coin!”

  The two knights left. It was then that I noticed that they wore no cloaks and their liveries were bright and colourful. They would be seen. That was their plan. They were desperate. We had almost eaten all of the bread and the sun was setting when I decided that we would leave. As we rose I saw two priests heading for the river. Behind them were two men at arms and behind them another two. Betwixt them, hidden, was another figure. As we headed back up the road I saw that it was Prince Arthur.

  I had to think quickly and trust that the Prince could think as quickly. I stopped before the priests and dropped to one knee. I spoke in accented Norman. “Father I need your blessing. I have been on Crusade in the Baltic and I seek employment here. Your blessing will help me to serve God once more.”

  The priests had to stop. I could tell from the look of distaste on his face that the priest disapproved of my action but I had mentioned Holy Crusade and he had to do something. The guards and Prince Arthur had also stopped. I lifted my h
ead slightly and, catching Prince Arthur’s eye, winked.

  The priest said, “So long as you do God’s work you will have God’s blessing.” He made a dismissive sign of the cross and I stood.

  I saw that the Prince had recognised me. I stood. “Then this time tomorrow I will visit the island and pray to God there.” I saw Prince Arthur nod.

  We headed back to the camp. I saw my men peering anxiously for our return. Their relief was obvious. Edward spoke in Swedish, “When you were away so long we became concerned.”

  “We have found the Prince. This time tomorrow I will get to see him again. We may be able to leave tomorrow night.”

  We ate and drank the wine we had brought from home with us. We spoke quietly but, whenever any came close, the three of us who could, spoke Swedish. Mainly we listened to the conversation. From what we could gather the two kings had come to an agreement. Alarmingly there was no mention of Brittany. We heard a heated debate from some knights about Flanders. The rumour was that King John was giving up his suzerainty of the county. The men of Flanders were unhappy about being beneath the French yoke. Sir Richard D’Arcy had thought that the land was ripe for peace. I was not so sure.

  When I awoke I wandered the camp seeking Bretons. Breton warriors wore distinctive armour. They still used an open helmet too. I took my borrowed war horse. That way I would appear to have a reason to be wandering abroad. There were remarkably few Bretons to be found. I had seen a few in Angers when I had met with Prince Arthur. If they were here then they would be in the castle. The few who were camped were barons come to discover what would happen to their Dukedom. I chanced upon one Breton baron who was walking his horse along the road too. He appeared to have a genuine reason for walking it. He kept stopping to examine its withers.

  I paused, “Is there a problem?”

  He nodded, “It is an infernally long way from Mont Saint Michel to here and he has not been stepping out as he should.” He looked up and saw my horse. “That is a fine war horse. You must have coin to afford such a horse.”