Return of the Knight

by Griff Hosker

  I saw his sword come across his cantle as he prepared to stand in his stirrups and strike at my head. We were barely four paces apart when I switched Dragon to the left. I brought my sword hard across his chest. My heart was filled with thoughts of my castle and my family. It was a crushing blow. He tumbled from the saddle. I jerked Dragon’s head to the left. His squire sat petrified in his saddle. I punched his shoulder hard with my shield and he fell backwards. We were outnumbered and, as I continued my turn I saw that Fótr and my archers were beleaguered by the men who were following. My men at arms were all engaged. I slid my sword into the side of the man fighting Edward and as he fell from the saddle shouted, “Back to the archers. Fótr is in danger!”

  “Aye lord.” David and the archers were using the horses as a barricade but soon they would be overwhelmed, there were but nine of them. The four men at arms who had ridden around the circled horses did not expect us to return. There was no finesse to our attack. We simply charged our war horses into them. I used shield, sword and Dragon’s teeth to knock them from their saddles. Dragon was tiring. I could see more men heading for my archers. If I had a few more men we might have held them but I could see that we had too few.

  Suddenly, behind me, I heard a horn. It sounded three times and then three times again. It was Sir Richard and Sir Henry. Turning to Edward I shouted, “We have help! I have run enough! Let us charge!”

  My archers saw us coming and moved aside the horses. As we passed through I saw two bodies lying there. The horses parted on the other side and the two of us burst through and headed towards the surprised French. They had been on the verge of breaking through and now two madmen were attacking them. The French were on foot. I brought my sword from behind me and ripped up through the hauberk of the man at arms who was too slow to bring his shield around. I pulled back on the reins to allow Dragon to smash his hooves down on a second. A man at arms ran at me with an axe. An arrow plucked him from the air and then, suddenly Sir Richard and Sir Henry were next to me. Dragon was spent but I laid about me with my sword until the French finally broke and fled down the road. Eager to atone for their tardy arrival my two knights chased them down the road.

  I took off my helmet and turned. Edward, son of Edgar was still there. He and his horse were covered in blood. I could see that his sword was notched but he lived. I took off my mail mitten and held my arm out. “Edward, that was nobly done. This trip has opened my eyes to many things. When we return home, you will begin training. I would have you a knight.”

  “Me lord? I am the son of a hawker!”

  “The Duchess saw it in you. Edward son of Edgar, you have nobility which is in you if not your blood.” We turned around and rode back to the circle of horses. Three of the captured horses lay dead. I saw that John Wayfarer and Harry Archerson, two of my archers lay dead. Fótr was having his wounds tended to by David of Wales. “Lord your squire is a true warrior. He fought like a lion!”

  “As did you all.”

  I looked up and saw Henry Youngblood leading two horses. Draped over them were the bodies of Jack son of Harold and Gurth Sven's son. My men had been faithful unto death. We had survived but at a terrible and irreplaceable cost.

  It was noon by the time we entered my castle. It had taken time to chase the French away from the forest. We took our dead, the captured horses and the mail and the weapons from the dead. Sir Richard was abject in his apology, “My lord I am sorry we were late. In our haste to leave I did not send out scouts and we were ambushed not far from the castle. By the time we had dealt with them we had lost time and…”

  “These things happen, Richard. You must learn from them. Here a single mistake can be costly.” I pointed to the four cloak draped bodies. “We will talk more when these are buried and we are safe within our walls. There is much treachery around us and much honour too. I would dwell on the honour and not the treachery.”

  My townspeople all gathered to watch us enter my town. We dismounted and took first the four bodies of the men who had left with me and now lay dead. My tiny conroi left our horses for others to care for and we went directly to my chapel. My wife and Father Michel awaited us. Neither said a word but Father Michel opened the door and went to the altar. We laid the bodies before the altar and then we all knelt in prayer. It was a stark reminder that this was our fate. One day all of us would lie here.

  Father Michel said, after some time, “My lord, leave the dead with me. We will prepare them for burial. There are many who would attend for these men were popular.”

  I stepped out into the light and my wife threw her arms around me, “Welcome home. The knight has returned and all is well.”

  “Aye love and my home feels even more special now!”

  Epilogue

  When we reached our home Fótr came to me and showed me and my wife what Eleanor Fair Maid of Brittany had given him. It was half a heart made of gold. “All the way home, lord, I have wondered what this meant.”

  My wife said, “The Maid gave this to you?”

  “She did, my lady.”

  Margaret squeezed her hand around Fótr’s hand. “Then she has the other half. It means her heart is yours. No matter what happens she will be true to you.”

  “Then I have hope?”

  I shook my head, “The world would have to be turned upside down for that to happen but you can dream and I am pleased that she gave it to you.”

  Edward son of Edgar began his training. He moved into the castle and Sir Richard undertook the task of making him a knight. The treasure we had been given was spread amongst the survivors. They were all rich men. Any one of them could have left my service and returned wherever they wished. The fact that they chose not to I took as a compliment. Now that my wife knew of Fótr and the Maid she spent a long time with him. She spoke to him of love as only a woman can do. It took time but, gradually he healed.

  I told Sir Richard of my new manor. He nodded, “It is not the richest of manors but it can be defended easily. As the crow flies it is a few miles from my old home. Does this mean you return home, lord?”

  “No, Sir Richard, but it does mean that now I have a home to which I can return.”

  A month after my return Richard Red Leg summoned me to the west town gate again. “Lord that knight is returned. The Seneschal’s man.”

  I nodded and, taking Fótr with me, went to meet him. Sir Guy nodded, “You did well, lord. The Seneschal would like to see you.” I made to return for my horse. “No lord, he is in the woods yonder.”

  As we walked I said, “Is he becoming brave or am I trusted now?”

  “Do you not know, lord that the Seneschal trusts you and your word more than any other. He knows that you are honourable.”

  When I reached him William des Roches shook my hand. “Sir Thomas I am more grateful than you can know.”

  There was something in his voice which alerted my curiosity. “What has happened?”

  “Prince Arthur believes that his mother and sister were kidnapped. He and the French are gathering an army to ride to Mirebeau. They intend to take the Dowager Queen. Had you not taken them there then the French King might have his hands on them. They are safe within Mirebeau.”

  “And you have a traitor too. De Ferrers is in league with the Templars. He sought the Maid too.”

  “The King will never believe such treachery. You have proof?”

  “I have a letter.”

  “Then keep it safe for that is your security. Guard it well.”

  “And you Seneschal, you continue to serve this faithless king who will ignore such behaviour from his knights?”

  “Sir Thomas, I do all that I do for this land and for England. I will not stand by and see tyranny. Here there is none. So far, our people have been treated well. When time allows then I will return to England to speak with William Marshal for therein lies our hope.”

  “Then all is well.”

  He nodded, “And now, your reward. Gold?”

  I shook my head. I ha
d had much time to think this through. “Bazouges sur le Loir; I would have that manor and I would build a castle there.”

  “You do not ask for much! King John would not allow it.”

  “I do not ask King John I ask William des Roches the seneschal of Angers and Tours. You know that I will not take advantage but I would have my home protected. I have knights now.”

  “Then you have it.”

  “And two priests!”

  “Two priests? A strange request. Why?”

  “My knights would have churches in their manors as would I. We know we have God on our side. We would like his priests too.”

  “Very well.” He clasped my arm, “You are an enigma Sir Thomas but I am glad that you live in this land. Where others fight for what they can take you fight for that which you believe. You truly are a chivalrous and honourable knight!” He clasped my arm. I had learned that my first impressions of this knight had been misguided.

  I left him and returned to my castle. We were not finished but I had survived and we now had two allies. That was more than I had had when I had returned from the Baltic. Who knew what the future held?

  The End

  Glossary

  Chevauchée- a raid by mounted men

  Garth- a garth was a farm. Not to be confused with the name Garth

  Groat- English coin worth four silver pennies

  Luciaria-Lucerne (Switzerland)

  Mêlée- a medieval fight between knights

  Nissa- Nice (Provence)

  Vair- a heraldic term

  Wulfestun- Wolviston (Durham)

  Maps and Illustrations

  Historical Notes

  Prince Arthur

  “After King John had captured Arthur and kept him alive in prison for some time, at length, in the castle of Rouen, after dinner on the Thursday before Easter, when he was drunk and possessed by the devil ['ebrius et daemonio plenus'], he slew him with his own hand, and tying a heavy stone to the body cast it into the Seine. It was discovered by a fisherman in his net, and being dragged to the bank and recognized, was taken for secret burial, in fear of the tyrant, to the priory of Bec called Notre Dame de Pres.”

  Margam annals

  Eleanor Fair Maid of Brittany

  I did not know the story of Eleanor until I began researching this book. Hers is a sad story. Eventually King John captured her and imprisoned her in a castle: although the exact location is uncertain. Some said Corfe and then Bristol. When King John died his heir, Henry III continued to have her incarcerated. Her burial and her final resting place are unknown. There is a story there.

  William des Roches

  In May 1199, King Philip of France met with William des Roches at Le Mans and together they attacked the border fortress of Ballon, the fortress was surrendered by Geoffrey de Brûlon, the castellan, but not before being demolished. A quarrel ensued between King Philip and William over the lordship of the site. William was adamant that Ballon belonged rightfully to Duke Arthur, while King Philip wished to retain it as his own.

  In June 1199, King John of England launched a massive attack into Northern Maine from Argentan. On 13 September he was successful in repulsing King Philip from the fortress of Lavardin which protected the route from Le Mans to Tours. Arthur's supporters were forced to come to terms with John, and William met with the English king at Bourg-le-Roi, a fortress of the pro-John viscounts of Beaumont-en-Maine on or about 18 September. John convinced William that Arthur of Brittany was being used solely as a tool of Capetian strategy and managed to convince him to switch sides. With this, John promised him the seneschalship of Anjou. During the night, John's incumbent seneschal, Viscount Aimery, took Arthur and Constance and fled the court. They fled first to Angers, then to the court of King Philip. King John officially designated William seneschal of Anjou in December 1199 and entered Angers triumphantly on 24 June 1200.

  Griff Hosker, December 2017

  Other books

  by

  Griff Hosker

  If you enjoyed reading this book, then why not read another one by the author?

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  The Sword of Cartimandua Series (Germania and Britannia 50A.D. – 128 A.D.)

  Ulpius Felix- Roman Warrior (prequel)

  Book 1 The Sword of Cartimandua

  Book 2 The Horse Warriors

  Book 3 Invasion Caledonia

  Book 4 Roman Retreat

  Book 5 Revolt of the Red Witch

  Book 6 Druid’s Gold

  Book 7 Trajan’s Hunters

  Book 8 The Last Frontier

  Book 9 Hero of Rome

  Book 10 Roman Hawk

  Book 11 Roman Treachery

  Book 12 Roman Wall

  Book 13 Roman Courage

  The Aelfraed Series (Britain and Byzantium 1050 A.D. - 1085 A.D.

  Book 1 Housecarl

  Book 2 Outlaw

  Book 3 Varangian

  The Wolf Warrior series (Britain in the late 6th Century)

  Book 1 Saxon Dawn

  Book 2 Saxon Revenge

  Book 3 Saxon England

  Book 4 Saxon Blood

  Book 5 Saxon Slayer

  Book 6 Saxon Slaughter

  Book 7 Saxon Bane

  Book 8 Saxon Fall: Rise of the Warlord

  Book 9 Saxon Throne

  Book 10 Saxon Sword

  The Dragon Heart Series

  Book 1 Viking Slave

  Book 2 Viking Warrior

  Book 3 Viking Jarl

  Book 4 Viking Kingdom

  Book 5 Viking Wolf

  Book 6 Viking War

  Book 7 Viking Sword

  Book 8 Viking Wrath

  Book 9 Viking Raid

  Book 10 Viking Legend

  Book 11 Viking Vengeance

  Book 12 Viking Dragon

  Book 13 Viking Treasure

  Book 14 Viking Enemy

  Book 15 Viking Witch

  Bool 16 Viking Blood

  Book 17 Viking Weregeld

  Book 18 Viking Storm

  Book 19 Viking Warband

  Book 20 Viking Shadow

  Book 21 Viking Legacy

  The Norman Genesis Series

  Hrolf

  Horseman

  The Battle for a Home

  Revenge of the Franks

  The Land of the Northmen

  Ragnvald Hrolfsson

  Brothers in Blood

  Lord of Rouen

  Drekar in the Seine

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  The Anarchy Series England 1120-1180

  English Knight

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  Northern Knight

  Baron of the North

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  King Henry’s Champion

  The King is Dead

  Warlord of the North

  Enemy at the Gate

  The Fallen Crown

  Warlord's War

  Kingmaker

  Henry II

  Crusader

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  Irish War

  Poisonous Plots

  The Princes’ Revolt

  Earl Marshal

  Border Knight 1182-1300

  Sword for Hire

  Return of the Knight

  Baron’s War

  Magna Carta

  Struggle for a Crown

  Blood on the Crown

  Modern History

  The Napoleonic Horseman Series

  Book 1 Chasseur a Cheval

  Book 2 Napoleon’s Guard

  Book 3 British Light Dragoon

  Book 4 Soldier Spy

  Book 5 1808: The Road to Corunna

  Waterloo

  The Lucky Jack American Civil War series

  Rebel Raiders

  Confederate Rangers

  The Road to Gettysburg

  The British Ace Series

  1914

  1915 Fokker Scourge

  1916 Angels over the Somme

  1917 Eagles Fall

 
1918 We will remember them

  From Arctic Snow to Desert Sand

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  Combined Operations series 1940-1945

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  Other Books

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  For more information on all of the books then please visit the author’s web site at http://www.griffhosker.com where there is a link to contact him.