Return of the Knight

by Griff Hosker

  Edward kept looking over his shoulder. “What is the matter Edward? We are just fifteen miles from our home and we have passed no one.”

  “I know my lord but I like it not when we have no archers with us. A war bow is very comforting and our archers have noses like dogs. They can smell an enemy.”

  “I have no intention of fighting anyone this day, Edward. At the first sign of trouble we turn around and head home for we shall have discovered what we need.”

  We rode the old Roman road which was wide and straight. The ditches along the sides needed attention but the surface was still a good one. King Henry had understood that good roads meant horsemen could travel swiftly from one place to another. The straight roads meant that we saw the combat taking place half a mile ahead. We had crested the rise after we had heard the clash of steel.

  Edward son of Edgar said, “This would be where we turned around and rode home then eh lord?”

  I had spied a shield I recognised. It was the shield of the de Ferrers family: vairy or with gules stood out. One thing I had learned in the east was the name for the devices on the shields of knights. I did not know who the men were fighting but the enemy of my enemy was my friend. “Let us first send the men with the red and gold shields hence eh? Then we will go home.”

  We spurred our horses. We were so few in number that we would be neither seen nor noticed until it was too late. This was a mêlée. There were twenty or so horsemen involved. I saw that some were knights. Three men lay on the ground and there were four horses wandering forlornly in the nearby fields. I drew my sword and hefted my shield. I did not recognise the shields of the men who were fighting the de Ferrers. That meant nothing. Even if they were French I would fight alongside them for the de Ferrers were King John’s favourites.

  One of the knights with red and yellow shield saw us when we were thirty paces from them. I was recognised for I heard him shout, “It is The Gryphon!” I knew my enemies named me thus after my device. The knight and his squire rode at us and two men at arms disengaged to join them.

  We rode towards each other, the knight and I, sword to sword. Novices often just try to block an enemy sword. A veteran tries to strike a blow. We were both veterans. He swung at my helmet and I swept my sword across his chest. My sword hit first. The effect was to slow down his strike. He hit my helmet but I barely felt it. Fótr had improved his skills with a sword and he lunged beneath the squire’s outstretched sword. De Ferrers’ squire’s sword scraped off his helmet. Fótr’s blade found flesh. It came away bloody and the squire dropped his own sword, jerked his head around and galloped off in the direction of Le Mans. As I had expected Edward and Ridley were too good for the men at arms. Both lay dying in ever widening pools of blood. The knight was hurt and seeing that he was isolated he followed his squire. We could have caught him but the beleaguered travellers were in danger of being overwhelmed.

  We spurred our horses and I caught a knight squarely in the middle of his back. My sword ripped through surcoat, mail and gambeson. A long wound snaked down his back. He fell from his horse. Ridley wielded a long axe and he took the head of another man at arms. When Edward’s sword came through the chest of a squire I heard a voice shout, “Enough! Back to the castle!”

  I saw that the knight we had come to rescue had been knocked from his saddle. A squire and a young boy of no more than eleven summers stood ready to defend their lord’s body. There were five men at arms left. They looked at the four of us. They had no idea whose side we were on.

  One of them said, “I thank you, lord for coming to our aid but I know you not and thus far Normandy has proved to be a nest of vipers.” He spoke accented Norman. I guessed he was English.

  I spoke in English, “I am Sir Thomas of La Flèche and my land begins just five miles hence. Who are you?”

  The knight raised his head. He said weakly, “Then our quest is ended. We came to seek you out. I am Richard of East Harlsey and this is my son. Lady Ruth sent us. It has cost me five men but…” he fell unconscious.

  “Edward, see to him. Ridley, Fótr, collect the horses, mail and weapons. Put Sir Richard’s men on horses. We must leave quickly. Those men will return and this time they will have more horsemen.”

  I dismounted and went to Edward. The knight’s squire and son looked concerned. “Do not worry, Edward has been tending to men’s wounds for many years. How is he?”

  Edward did not look up. “He has a wound to his arm and to his leg. He will need stitching but here is not the place.” He looked up at the knight’s son. “What is your name?”

  “Dick.”

  “Well you can be your father’s healer. His leg is not serious but his arm is. See how I have tied this cord around his upper arm?” The boy nodded. “It will stop the bleeding but you need to release the cord and then tighten it every half a mile. Your squire can lead your father’s horse and you can ride behind him. Can you do that?”

  “Will he live?”

  Edward grinned and ruffled the boy’s hair, “Of course he will. I have my reputation to consider.”

  The hard part was lifting the unconscious knight on to his horse. Dick was small enough to sit on the cantle and keep his father upright.

  I mounted. “You five watch our rear and bring the horses. Edward, Ridley take the van. Fótr you and I will ride on either side of Sir Richard.”

  I was desperate to hear their story but it was not fair on the boy nor the squire to ask yet. Sir Richard was the one who would know all. We had left the dead men where they lay. Two knights had been killed. When we had taken their helmets, I had seen that they were young knights. Sir Richard had slain one and his squire the other. King John might have left us alone before now but he would not ignore this latest slight. My ride to the north might be costlier than I thought.

  I examined the knight, his son and his squire as we rode. The knight and squire both had good mail but it was not well cared for. I saw that many of the links had been damaged and there was evidence of rust. The journey from England was a long one. It was also expensive. Their horses were thinner than they should have been. It was no wonder the fight had been so one sided. A weak horse is not the platform to fight overwhelming numbers.

  We reached my castle after dark. Had we been pursued we would have been caught. The horses of our new companions were too weak to travel faster than a walk. Sir Richard woke half way along the road and that made our life easier, still too weak to answer questions coherently, I left that for the safety of my castle.

  An English Knight

  Chapter 13

  Father Michel whisked Sir Richard off to his cell to stitch him. His squire and son accompanied him. The five men at arms went with my men to the warrior hall.

  “Is this the knight your aunt spoke of?” Concern was written all over my wife’s face.

  I nodded, “I am guessing so for the numbers fit that which I was told.”

  “It was lucky that you rode north today. Had you not…”

  “I know. It was the dream which made me go there.”

  “I will go and see cook. She will have made plenty but the three of them look as though they need fattening up.”

  I went to the flagon of wine and poured myself a healthy goblet. It was the red wine made by Albert Grenville. If I wished to drink white wine it would be Roger of Meaux but, in truth, I preferred the heavy wine made by Albert. One of the servants, Henri, brought in a platter with bread, cheese and strips of ham.

  “Thank you, Henri. Better bring in another four goblets. And I think that they will need some water for them to wash.”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  Fótr returned at the same time as Henri, “Are the horses being tended to?”

  “Yes lord. They have been given grain. Sir Richard will not be able to ride that horse for a month at least. I know not how they have survived this long.”

  “It has been a hard journey and that is no mistake.”

  Just then Dick and Ralph, Sir Richard’s squire re
turned, “The priest said we were in the way, lord. He sent us away.”

  I smiled, “He prefers to work alone. He knows his business and your father is in safe hands. Wash and then help yourself to bread, ham and cheese. Fótr pour our guests some wine.”

  Ralph, the squire, said, after Henri had dried his hands for him, “We never thanked you properly, my lord, but I know that had you not arrived when you did then we would have been dead men.”

  “God guided my horse this day. Come and sit. This is good wine.”

  Dick said, “We only drink ale, lord.”

  I laughed, “That was in England. Now you are in wine country. Drink it for it will make you feel better.” He drank and I saw his eyes widen. “How old are you, Dick?”

  “I have seen ten summers.”

  “You look older.”

  “Yes, lord. I am big for my age.”

  As much as I wanted to know their story it would not be right to question them without their father. “And you Ralph, how long have you been a squire?”

  “I have seen seventeen summers, lord, and I have served my uncle for the last six years.”

  “And where is your father?”

  “When King John was King Richard’s regent he had my father arrested for treason. It was a lie. I was with Sir Richard then and I could do nothing to save my father. It is a regret I will take to my grave. My father was loyal to King Richard but England is now a country without laws and without justice. He was executed and his lands taken from my family.”

  Without hearing the rest of the story, I now began to understand why Sir Richard had sought me out. Dick and Ralph drank in silence. My questions had reminded them of their past. Ralph ended the silence. “This is a fine castle lord. When we did not enter the keep directly I wondered. It seems so inconvenient but now I see that you have made it a safer place to defend.”

  Fótr nodded, “Sir Thomas has made many improvements since we first came. We managed to survive a siege!”

  That initiated an animated conversation between the three of them. I just sat back and listened. Fótr had missed Johann and Richard. Since the other two squires had left my castle he had been lonely. This was good.

  My wife returned. Dick and Ralph stood and bowed, “Do not stand on my account but I can see that you have both been well brought up. Your mothers would be proud of you.”

  Ralph looked at Dick, “Our mothers are dead, my lady. Mine died of a broken heart when my father was executed and my aunt died of the coughing sickness three years since. We have missed them.”

  My wife had a kind heart and she walked over to the two of them and wrapped her arms around them, “While you are here I shall be as an aunt to you. I can never replace your mothers but there are times when young men need a woman to speak to. Is that not right, Sir Thomas?”

  She was clever. I smiled, “It is and I know that better than any for it was my aunt who sent you here to me.”

  Father Michel came in helping Sir Richard. His arm was in a sling. His son ran to him but Sir Richard waved him away, “I have a slight wound to my leg. It will not incapacitate me!”

  Father Michel shook his head, “My lord this knight needs bed rest. I have stitched his arm. If he exerts himself then he might burst the stitches.”

  I nodded, “Sir Richard, while you are my guest you will heed the advice of my physician. Sit and have a goblet of wine.”

  He looked at me and frowned. Then he smiled, “Forgive me my lord. I am not used to suffering wounds. It annoys me. I apologise, my lady. I am not normally this boorish but we have had a hard journey to reach here and it has cost me five men.” He looked around, “Where are my men?”

  “Peace Sir Richard. They are in the warrior hall and they are being tended to. They will eat well and drink well. They will sleep and they will begin to recover.” Seeing that he now had wine I raised my goblet, “Prince Arthur and death to King John!”

  “Prince Arthur and death to King John!”

  After he had emptied the goblet he said, “I think I have found the right place, lord.”

  Henri came in, “My lord, we are ready with the food.”

  “Then bring it in. Come, Sir Richard, you shall sit between my wife and I. Lady Marguerite will sit between your son and squire. Tonight, we will make life as pleasant as possible.”

  We did not speak at first for the three of them fell upon the food as only men who have been on short rations can do. When he did speak Sir Richard apologised to my wife. “I am sorry we are so silent, Lady Margaret. The food is most welcome and has taken away my manners. I cannot remember the last time we ate so well.”

  “Do not apologise, Sir Richard, I take it as a compliment. I remember when we had hard times in the Baltic. It is good to see your son and squire with such healthy appetites. There will be time for talking when you are replete.”

  The wine helped and when the empty platters were cleared away I said, “And now, Sir Richard, your story for I am intrigued. My aunt said that you lost your lands when you objected to the Sherriff. That seems harsh.”

  He gave a rueful smile, “Objected might be the wrong word.” He leaned back. “After my wife died I concentrated on my manor and the people who lived there. I let the world go by and I ignored the wrongs that were done by King John. He was Prince John then. My brother’s unwarranted death made me leave the comfort of my home and I decided to take on the injustice that lay close to home. The Sherriff of York was another of John’s cronies. When he demolished the homes of twenty families to build a new tax house and left them with no means to support themselves it was too much.”

  “You objected.”

  “As I said, it was slightly more than that. I rode into his guild hall with my horse whip and I whipped him. Four of his men tried to stop me and I slew them. I was declared outlaw. It was the last straw but I was foolish. I let my temper get the better of me. We fled north. I had heard that the lord of the manor in Stockton still provided justice. That was where I met your aunt and she told me of this place. The Sherriff’s men were on my trail and I could not put her in jeopardy. We slipped south across the river and headed through the moors. I knew that the monks of Meaux Abbey used ships to transport their wool to France and the Low Countries. I knew the Abbot. He was the brother of my brother’s wife. He gave us passage to Bruggas. We then made our way through Flanders and France. As soon as we reached Normandy we found danger. Someone recognised my livery and we were attacked north of Rouen. I lost two men in that fight. We fled south. I did not know the land and when we reached Le Mans we were found again. We tried to outrun our enemies but our horses were spent. We did not rest them enough after the sea voyage and they have had short rations.”

  “Fear not, your beasts are being cared for.”

  “I have much to thank you for.”

  “Now you are here, what would you?”

  “I would serve you, Sir Thomas.”

  “Yet you are much older than I am. Is that possible?”

  “I may have seen more years but that does not mean I have more experience. I have fought the Scots when they raided and I have kept my men well trained. You are the hero of Arsuf. You fought in the Baltic Crusade. I would serve you, if you would have me.”

  “Of course. I now lead three knights. When first I came here I was alone. Now I am in the company of honourable knights.”

  As Sir William and Sir Henry were in their own halls there was room enough for the three new guests. I insisted that Sir Richard remained in the keep until Father Michel was happy with his recovery and I took his son and squire to visit with his men at arms and horses. When they reported back that all was well Sir Richard was able to relax a little more and obey orders. Leaving the three of them in my keep I took a strong patrol north. I led forty men. I could not believe that the death of de Ferrers’ men had not resulted in pursuit. That could only mean one thing, they intended to punish me and my town.

  Having archers who could ride faster and further than mailed men I wa
s able to send our scouts to discover where the enemy lay. My archers knew how to hide and they met with us fifteen miles from my castle. “Lord, there is a large conroi heading down the road. Half are mounted men and we counted the banners of twenty knights.”

  “Any archers? Crossbows?”

  “They have twenty crossbows, lord.”

  “Any war machines or baggage?”

  “No, lord.”

  “Then this is a chevauchée. They mean to punish me by taking from my people.”

  We were still in my land and I knew of a site which was perfect to meet them. The road rose steadily towards a wood. Although the trees were well back from the road they afforded shelter for my archers. We headed for it and my archers dismounted and spread themselves in the woods.

  Edward said, “Should we send back for more men, lord?”

  “No, we hurt them and send them back to Le Mans. It will not end the threat but it will give us more time to finish Le Lude and the bastion. It will allow my people to gather their crops and make their wine. We wait and let them attack us.”

  “Aye my lord.”

  We dismounted too. The horses grazed on the grass which lay close to the road. Then we spied the approaching banners. They would see us too. I saw the banners stop. I could not make out individual banners and I do not think they would be able to identify ours. The fact that there was just one banner would give them confidence.

  They began to move again and we mounted. I kept my helmet by my saddle. I would don it at the last minute. I turned in my saddle. “Two lines of ten. Fótr, unfurl my banner and keep it flying. Signal as though you are summoning other riders.”

  My men laughed at the ruse. None of us had lances or spears. I could see, as the knights approached us that they did. However, they would have to attack uphill. Surprisingly they stopped just four hundred paces from us. I wondered if they knew that I had archers waiting in the woods. Two of their knights took off their helmets and rode towards us with their palms uppermost.