Return of the Knight

by Griff Hosker

“That there was an ambush ahead.”

  “And you would dismount and send men into the woods to check. Edward have two trees felled. David of Wales, make traps in the woods so that they think there will be men waiting. This will give the horses a short rest. It is the best that we can do.”

  We ate and drank along with our horses. We discarded all that we would no longer need. I had the horses packed more efficiently and we left just as the sun was dipping past its zenith. With archers ahead and behind my men at arms led the horses. I rode in silence for I had much on my mind. King John had conceded the Vexin. That had been a contentious piece of land since the time of the first King Henry. It was a plateau on the right north bank of the Seine running roughly east to west between Pontoise and Romilly-sur-Andelle and north to south between Auteuil and the Seine near Vernon. I saw now why Le Goulet had been chosen for the meeting but what had made him do that? He had kept the mighty fortress of Chateau Galliard but he had given King Philip a route into Normandy. Why had King Philip given up his claims to the Angevin Empire? King John had to accept that, in those territories he had to acknowledge Philip as his lord but that meant little. It merely prevented open war. There was much I needed to discover. I was also interested in Prince Arthur’s motives in all of this. Had he initiated the betrayal or was he also as surprised by his faithless knight.

  We rode until dark. By my reckoning we still had forty miles to go to reach my castle. I intended to do so the next day. After a night’s rest the horses would be fresher and we had remounts now. Once we reached La Flèche then I would make sure that all of the horses fully recovered. It looked likely that we would have great need of them in the future. I had used a stick to smash a wasps’ nest. I knew what the consequences were. The four knights were also less than happy about the cold fare we ate in our improvised camp. My men at arms brooding presence ensured that they behaved.

  The four young knights became even more agitated, the next day, as we left the forests to join the road which would take us the last eight miles to my home. They began to chatter away to each other. Robert of La Flèche rode behind them, silent and taciturn. They forgot he was there and my man at arms learned much about them and their families. We stopped to water the horses at a trough just six miles from my home. Robert walked up to me, “Lord they are thinking of fleeing and heading east to Chateau-sur-le-Loir.” They were waiting until we stopped and then remounted.” He laughed, “They think I am a fool. They think I am like Ridley and an Englishman.”

  “Thank you.” I walked back to the four of them. “You are planning on running.” I said it plainly and the truth could be seen on their faces. “You are welcome to try. Cedric Warbow. There is an ash tree two hundred paces away. Show these arrogant young warriors just how good you are.”

  “With pleasure, lord.” He strung his bow, casually nocked an arrow and, in the twinkling of an eye had struck the tree dead centre.

  “Feel free to run. The arrow which hits you will not kill you. It will lame you. I am certain that a knight who limps on one leg will be able to find something to do other than being a knight! You gave your word. You could have fought on but you did not. You yielded and you have learned a harsh lesson.”

  Valery de Montparnasse said, “We will not run but you will rue this day. My mother is the cousin of the King. He will not suffer this dishonour.”

  “The dishonour is yours not mine.”

  As we neared the castle I was pleased to see that, in the few days we had been away, progress had been made. There were now two wooden towers one in the centre of each of my long walls. The ditch around Jean of Durtal’s farm was almost complete and I saw men working on another two towers. With the extra manpower I had brought back from the Seine we would make even more progress. My wife was pleased to see me. She and Sir William greeted me when I dismounted. She glanced at the four sulky looking knights, “I see that you have made new friends, husband.”

  There was a twinkle in her eye. I kissed her and laughed, “Of course. We are now completely alone. King John and King Philip have made peace. I expect to have visitors before midsummer day.”

  Sir William said, “And Prince Arthur?”

  “Confirmed as Duke of Brittany but I fear that is a parlous position.”

  He pointed to the walls. “The men have worked hard and the masons have laid the foundations for the two barbicans.” He smiled, “We may be a pariah amongst the rest of this land but there are still those who choose to come and live close to us. Two farmers came yesterday and asked if they could farm to the west of the town between the moat and the road. I pointed out that those buildings had been destroyed when the French last attacked. They seemed happy enough.” He pointed to the east. “They are bringing their families in the next day or so.”

  “We had better put these four knights somewhere safe.”

  When Sir Leofric had built the castle he had built the keep first and then piled the earth and spoil from the moat around it. The result was that the gate to the keep was actually a good fifteen paces above the ground. There were large storage rooms. When we had been besieged they had all been packed with barrels and supplies. Now one was empty. It was dry and, with summer coming it would be cool. More importantly it had a door which could be locked. They would be secure. I did not trust the four of them.

  When all was done I went to play with my son. As Margaret said he was not yet at the playing stage but I enjoyed making ridiculous noises and pulling faces. I swore that he smiled but my wife said it was wind.

  Seven days after our return and with two more wooden towers completed, James Broadsword, in the tower of the keep, spied banners. “Sir Thomas, we have company!”

  I had been expecting this. “Sir William, fetch the captives. Have the men stand to.”

  “Should we have the gates barred?”

  I looked to the north. Now that we had cleared some of the trees for timber we had a much better view. The column was more than a mile away and I could not see siege engines. It looked to be made up of horsemen. “I think not. That would make them think that we were afraid of them. If they show belligerence we have time enough to close the gates.” I saw that there were four sumpters with what looked like chests. When I had discovered the identity of the captives I knew that they would pay a healthy ransom.

  As they closed with us I saw that they were going to take the eastern road. Jean of Durtal had wisely removed the bridge over the ditch to his farm but he continued to work on the fences he was building. I saw that the banner of the King of France was amongst the French standards. I recognised that of the Comte de Senonche and others that I had seen at Le Goulet. My beard had grown and I was more recognisable. I headed, with Sir William, to the east town gate. I left the captives to be watched by Ridley the Giant, Father Michel and our two squires. My archers lined the wall.

  Roger of Meaux looked worried as we crossed the town square, “Does this mean trouble, lord?”

  “I think not. They come to pay ransom. There will be more gold spent in my town. It is all good.”

  The men at work on the barbican had stopped. At the moment it looked a mess. I smiled to myself. It was not a dignified entrance to my castle and town. I did not think the Comte de Senonche would be happy. Sir William and I stood in the gateway. The riders approached. I held up my hand, “I do not intend to allow such a large group in my town. Comte choose six men and bring in the sumpters and the horses for your knights. You will have to dismount to enter my castle. The gate does not accommodate riders.”

  When I had first come I had found the gate into my castle an annoyance. Now I could see why Sir Leofric had built it as he had. It could accommodate a led wagon and a horse but not a rider on a horse. When we rode to war we used the town square to mount. It was a minor inconvenience.

  The Comte dismounted and handed his reins to one of the men he had selected to accompany him. He smiled at me although it was not a friendly smile. It was the smile of a reptile. “Having work done on your walls I s
ee, Sir Thomas.”

  “Some of the neighbours were a little exuberant. We are just putting it to rights. When next you visit you will find it much cosier.”

  The smile left his face, “You cannot win you know. I admire your courage but it is misplaced. You can do nothing for Prince Arthur. King Philip will attend to you once Boulogne and Flanders are brought to heel.”

  I stopped, “In which case this meeting is ended.”

  “What?”

  “I made it quite clear that part of the ransom price was peace for one year. If King Philip is planning to attack me then I will keep the knights here and hang them, one by one when the attack begins.”

  “But Sir Valery is a relative of the King!”

  It was my turn to smile. “I know.” I shouted, “Take the prisoners back to their cell there will be no exchange this day.”

  “Wait!” he glared at me, “Very well. We will agree to peace for a year.”

  I pointed at Father Michel. He held a Bible. “You will swear on the Bible.”

  I saw his face fall. He nodded.

  As we turned I noticed that, amongst the men with him was Guy of Chateau-sur-le-Loir, William des Roches’ squire. “I am surprised to see you in such company Guy of Chateau-sur-le-Loir.”

  He nodded, “The Seneschal of Anjou sent me to make certain that all was done well.”

  “Good.” There was more to it than that but I would bide my time.

  The swearing was done first. Then I had Father Michel count out the coin. While that was going on Guy of Chateau-sur-le-Loir sidled over to me and spoke quietly to me in English. “My lord also sent me with a message and with news. Prince Arthur has had enough and he has fled to the court of King John in Rouen.”

  I could not keep the dismay from my face.

  He nodded. “The Seneschal said that he has people watching the Duke and he is safe. He also said to tell you that King John bribed King Philip with twenty thousand gold marks. The King of France now has coin to make war where he will. He warned you to watch your back.”

  I pointed to the Bible, “The Comte has sworn for France!”

  “You were at Le Goulet. Do you remember all those knights seeking a master? Now King Philip has the coin and they all have a master. They did not swear. King Philip plays these games well. My master is your friend but…”

  “But I have placed myself in this hole and I need to get myself out.”

  He nodded, “Just so, my lord.”

  New Blood

  Chapter 11

  I had been warned and so I took precautions. I divided my men at arms and archers into patrols of six men; four men at arms and two archers. Each day one patrol would ride east and one west. They would meet up at the road to Le Mans and ride in together. To vary it and confuse any who might be watching, one random day in three they would reverse the route. The result as that we would be warned of any threat to us. They also scouted out the French manors which lay close to us. I had not given up on the idea of taking them as a buffer and to enlarge the number of men who would fight for me.

  At the end of August men arrived from Angers. They had come from England. They came in response to the letter I had sent to my aunt. A knight led them. He was young. There were twenty-four of them and they had walked. They looked weary. My sentries spotted them in the west when they were half a mile away and their weariness showed for I reached the gate well before they did. They stopped at the gate and the knight gave a slight bow. I saw that his boots had seen better days and his armour was the old-fashioned scale armour.

  “I am Henry fitz Percy, lord. I have here a letter from,” he gave a tired smile, “you know the lady and I will not use her name. We have all been sent here for we have a mutual hate for King John, his taxes and his tyranny. We wish to fight against him. The choice is obvious: become an outlaw and live in the forests or join Sir Thomas of La Flèche. When the lady… offered to send us here on the ‘Swan of Stockton’ we leapt at the chance. There are more waiting to join us but the ship had a full cargo. We had to sleep on the deck.”

  “Then you are welcome. “Godwin of Battle, take the men to the warrior hall. Come Sir Henry, bring your squire.”

  He shook his head, “Do not accord me false title, my lord. I have trained as a knight but King John refused to knight me for I am the bastard son of William Percy who died last year. He denied me knighthood so that he could take the family manor of Topcliffe. That is why I come to you as an impoverished knight. In England there was nothing for me. I will go to the warrior hall if my presence offends you or your good lady.”

  “The greatest knights I knew were impoverished knights. They were the Hospitallers in Outremer. I am more than happy to dub you as a knight but I cannot promise that you will make your fortune. I have been a sword for hire and know the pitfalls.”

  “We care not for a fortune do we, Richard?”

  The squire was younger than Johann. He grinned, “No lord. But a roof and a bed which did not roll and was dry would be good.”

  I liked them both immediately. I was learning how to judge people and these two, without even reading my aunt’s letter, felt right. Edward and James would get to the bottom of the motives of the archers and men at arms who had come. We needed them, of that there was no doubt. As I headed up to my keep I wondered how I would fund them. If I raided again then I would be breaking the peace I had brokered. The alternative was to tax my people and, so far, I had avoided that. The only tax my people paid was the tithe to the church. Soon the harvest would be collected in. Even if they wished war the peace would still hold for another month or two. If we could get to October without war then we could begin to sell our surplus and bring in coin to our beleaguered manor.

  I called Fótr over. “Find Geoffrey and have this knight and his squire given rooms.”

  He grinned, “Yes lord.”

  My wife was feeding our son. He seemed to be a hungry boy. That was good. “We have a new knight and squire. He is poor.”

  She smiled, “And there is nothing wrong with poor.” She made to rise.

  “Stay; I will see Geoffrey. We still have room but we must give thought to a manor for William and Marguerite.”

  My wife frowned, “Does that not mean making war on an enemy and will that not bring the wrath of the French upon us?”

  “It does and so I must judge the moment well. Fear not I will do my best to avoid the apocalypse.”

  Geoffrey came into the hall. He had had no problem with finding rooms. “They did not mind sharing and the room is more than adequate, Sir Thomas.”

  “Tell me Geoffrey, you handle the finances. How many men can I afford to retain?”

  “How many have arrived, lord?”

  “Twenty-four including a knight.”

  “Then that is not a problem. I assume that the knight will not need payment?”

  “No but he needs mail, helmet and horses.”

  “Thanks to your raids we have plenty of those. There is money enough. It is land that we need. Already we have too many houses in the town. There is land, lord, but it belongs to the French or to Anjou.”

  “You would have me take it?”

  “War is expensive lord. Men die and people starve.” He shrugged. “I am learning that you are in the mould of Old Sir Leofric. I never knew him but from what my father told me you sound like a similar man. Trust to your judgement. The grape harvest will be a good one. We have never had as much wheat and thanks to your raids we have double the animals we had in Sir Philip’s time. It is not a problem.”

  “And the masons?”

  “Roger of Meaux and the Council have funded the barbicans. I confess, lord, I pointed out that the building work would benefit them more than us. Trade is going well and they are all rich men. They are not fools, lord, they do not wish to lose you as the lord of the manor and they are confident that we will ride out this particular storm.”

  That evening we had a larger gathering than normal. Henry fitz Percy and Richard were
just pleased to be welcomed. The ladies of Lady Margaret and Lady Marguerite enjoyed the company of the handsome young man. I think he felt uncomfortable in the glare of their gaze. My wife sensed the young man’s discomfort and when the sweetmeats had been finished and we drank the heavy wine and ate the cheese she ordered the ladies to bed.

  Henry had drunk well but he was not yet drunk. When we had finished the heady wine, he would be. Sir William and I enjoyed talking to him for we learned about England. It had been many years since we had lived there. I had lived outside its borders longer than I had lived within.

  “It is a country where men look over their shoulders, lord. King John has set baron against baron. He is like a crow. He picks off the weak and flies away when an eagle or hawk shows itself. Then he undermines those mighty birds.”

  Sir William said, “He is doing the same here. I fear for Prince Arthur.”

  “He will not become King?”

  “I fear not Henry but I still hope that we can use him to build a rebellion against Lackland.”

  “You are alone here, lord.”

  “Yes, Henry and there are other lords who might offer you better prospects.”

  “I do not need prospects, lord. I need a lord I can follow. When I spoke with Captain Henry I got a good feeling about you and your aunt speaks of you as a new Achilles or Ajax.”

  I laughed, “I am her only relative. Of course, she thinks well of me.”

  “It is more than that. Your walls are well laid out and I can see how you could improve them further. I feel lucky that you have given me the opportunity to prove myself. I will work hard and obtain better armour and a horse.”

  I smiled, “We have those for you already. Tomorrow Fótr will take you to the stables. There are four spare warhorses. Choose one. Geoffrey has mail for you and your squire. I know that Richard is growing but he might as well be protected as best he can be.”

  “I do not know how to thank you, Sir Thomas.”

  “Wait until we have to fight our enemies and then thank me.”