I took off my helmet, “You know that I am the Warlord and I am never foresworn!”
“Aye, you are a bastard but an honourable one!”
I dismounted and, sheathing my sword, pushed my way through the many Scotsmen who were throwing down their weapons. I was anxious to get to my son. I saw him descending to greet me. He too had taken off his helmet. Like me he was covered in the blood of friend and foe alike. He seemed bigger than when last I had seen him and was burned almost black by the sun. But he was still William. He threw his arms around me and he hugged me. I said nothing for the words would not come. I squeezed him as I had when had been born. He said nothing but I heard him almost sobbing. Perhaps it was the exhaustion I know not. I opened my eyes and saw that my knights and squires had formed a circle around us. Their backs were to us. They were giving us privacy in this charnel house of a battle.
Eventually he relaxed his grip and I held him at arm’s length. Before I could say a word, he dropped to his knees, “Forgive me father. I have seen the error of my ways. You were right. I should never have doubted you.”
I raised him up and smiled. “This is as it was meant to be. Had you not left you would not have met Rebekah and two bonnier bairns I have yet to see. The hand of God is upon your return. You are alive. Henry is king and all is well with the world.” I shouted, “Come we need to bury our dead and get back to my castle. We need a real celebration.”
My men all turned and cheered. That loud cheer which would have echoed to Durham and back was the final blow which defeated the Scots. Even had they harboured any ideas of resuming the fight, that single resonating cheer sucked all the fight out of them.
William held his hand out and said, “This is Ralph of Bowness. He would serve you at the castle.”
I saw before me the one-eyed giant who had fought so ferociously. I smiled and clasped his arm. “Then you shall serve me and welcome.”
“This is Alf, my squire. Like you he was named after grandfather’s friend Aelfraed.”
I saw a younger version of my father, “Wyrd !” His squire, Alf, was the giant I had seen fighting at my son’s side.
Ralph of Bowness laughed, “Aye you would be Ridley’s son!”
I saw a bloody Dick and his archers returning from the forest. He was alive. I grasped his arm, “Once again, old friend, I am indebted to you for saving my son.”
“Lord I swore an oath to protect you and your family. How could I have done other.”
“Then this is a glorious day!”
William shook his head, “It would be father were it not for the fact that Thomas, son of Oswald the archer and knighted by me, now lies dead as does his squire, Stephen. They fought bravely and both were young. All their hopes lay before them. Their harvest is now a field of weeds and I cannot rejoice.”
I put my arm around his shoulder. “I understand, believe me I do.” I shouted. “Put our dead on their horses. We shall bury them at Stockton.” I looked at the Scottish knight, “We will help you bury your dead unless you wish to burn them?”
“The ground is hard and there are animals who would despoil them. If we had a priest then we could burn them.”
My son said, “Brother Peter will speak over their ashes.”
The knight nodded, “Aye then we shall burn them. Away lads, let’s find kindling so that our brave brothers may have a seemly end.”
The sun was beginning to set as we headed back to Stockton. The fire behind us burned brightly and our column was silent and sombre. There were neither songs nor rejoicing. Both Scot and English were silent. We had each fought a good battle but we had lost friends. We trudged through the icy fog filled night and headed for my castle and the King. We had a victory! It was the first since England was reunited and was a sign of hope for the future.
Chapter 11
I sent my scouts back to warn the castle of our arrival. The animal pens would be used to house the prisoners. We had over one hundred of them. Another sixty Scots, including most of their knights, lay burned in the fields to the south of the battlefield. We had lost men. My son grieved for both his knights and his men at arms. Dick had lost archers. Had we not arrived when we had then all would lie dead. It was obvious to me that none would have surrendered.
My son and I rode together. Once again, our knights and men at arms protected us. Dick and Wulfric were at the van. They left a gap before and behind us. William and I spoke. He told me of the rescue and his promise to Ralph. He asked if the Varangian could serve me. I nodded, “Then once again this is ordained, my son, for John of Craven has told me that he wishes to have an easier life. From what I saw at the battle he is a rock and will be a good leader of our men. He reminds me of Erre.”
William smiled, “Aye, I had not thought of that but you are right he does.
“But I fear I will have to leave soon.”
“Leave?”
I lowered my voice, “There is dissension in Anjou. Geoffrey fitz Empress is trying to take power.”
“The King’s youngest brother is there. I met him. He is loyal and Leofric is there too. They will fight Geoffrey.”
“The French are stirring the pot. They have ever been thus. They did the same with Stephen and Eustace of Blois. Unwilling or unable to defeat us they undermine us with allies. I will have to go with the king and deal with the problem.”
“But, father, you have done much already. Is it not time for you to sit before the fire and enjoy your grandchildren?”
“I do not think that is my fate. When I met old King Henry in the woods in Maine, it changed my life. Since that time, I have been bound to this family whether I will or no.”
“And after Geoffrey is brought to book?”
I sighed, “The Welsh have been doing as the Scots have done and encroached into England. The difference there is that there is none to oppose them. Here, even without me, there are my knights,” I patted my son’s arm, “and now my son.”
“Me? How can I take your place?”
“You have been preparing all of your life for such a task. I will be honest with you, William, when you chose to stay in Anjou and serve Geoffrey I wondered if I had lost you. Now I see that it was meant to be. You were learning to lead and to be a knight without the shadow of your father. Just as your time in the Crusades was decided by others. You have a wife and children you would not have had if you had not gone there. You learned how to lead in the Holy Land. I have spoken with Rebekah and learned much. The King of Jerusalem had you as a trusted leader. You have been prepared for this task.”
My son suddenly turned in his saddle, “There is something you should know about Rebekah.”
I shook my head, “There is a secret she bears. Something scarred her, almost killed her and you were her salvation.”
“You know?”
“No but with age comes the ability to see into a person’s eyes and read beneath their words. I do not need to know the details. I saw pain in her eyes. Had I been meant to know then she would have told me. I know all I need to know about the mother of my grandchildren. You are a lucky man. If I had been able to choose your bride I could not have chosen better. This is well.” I had a sudden thought, “If you wish to live elsewhere…”
“Do not fear father!” He laughed, “I am home and home I shall stay.”
There was still sadness at the deaths of Sir Thomas and the others but my son and I had healed our rift. All was well. Lights from my castle guided us through the last foggy steps. William and Alice were there to greet us as was Rebekah.
“The children are asleep, lord. One of the servants is watching them.”
“Thank you, Alice.” Rebekah and William embraced. “Is there food for the men and the prisoners?”
My steward nodded, “There is, lord, and John of Craven has assigned guards. We have rigged shelters.”
Wulfric reined in next to me, “With your permission lord we will head back to Thornaby. The castle will be crowded enough as it is.”
I nodded,
“Thank you, Wulfric, once again you were my rock.”
“Perhaps lord but time is taking its toll of me. My horse would not have been hurt once upon a time. I am slowing up. One day I will not terrify my enemies and Wulfric will be no more.”
“That is true of us all. Take care my friend.”
Rebekah came up to me and kissed me on my cheek, “Thank you, lord, you said you would bring him home and you did.”
I nodded and William led his wife into the castle. I ensured that all was well and that every knight was accounted for. I walked amongst the Scottish prisoners before I entered my castle, “You will be given food and shelter. Your wounds will be healed but if you try to escape you will be hunted down and slain.”
The old knight nodded, “We understand. The men will not try to run. We are many miles from home and it is winter. The change in the weather is a sign from God.”
I understood what he meant. Alexander of Warkworth had led his men south when it was clement weather. The sudden snow storm and the harsh conditions had contributed to their defeat. Most warriors were superstitious. They understood omens and signs. It had helped us win the battle.
As the gate slammed behind me Alice put her hand on my back, “Lord, you must look after yourself. There are others who can do this! I have laid out food and drink in your solar.” She pulled away her hand, “This is soaked through.” She turned to James who had followed me, obediently on my tour, “Master James go and fetch your master a clean tunic!”
James might be a fearless warrior on the battlefield but he would not argue with the force of nature that was Alice, “Aye Mistress Alice.”
She was right, of course. Once my mail and wet surcoat and cloak were removed and I had changed into a dry tunic, I felt much better. There was a fire in my solar and the spiced mulled wine was just what I needed. “James, get yourself to bed. I will eat and sit here before my fire.”
“Aye lord.” He turned, “It is good that your son is back, lord.”
I nodded.
Alice said, “If there is aught you need then just send Egbert for me.” Egbert was the armed servant who stood at my solar door.
“I will and you take some rest. The castle has strong defences, Alice, but without you it would crumble into dust.”
She shook her head, “Lord, the things you say.”
I did not go to bed. I had much to think about. The arrival of the Varangian and the return of my son seemed to me to be significant events. I had thought that, with the war over, I could enjoy my life. My journey north with the king had shown me that this was not true. Geoffrey needed to be curbed and King Henry had never fought the Welsh. I had, with his grandfather and his uncle. I knew that they would be harder to defeat than the Scots. Their knights and men at arms were not worth worrying about but their archers were the equal of ours and they had many of them. They had a land which helped them too. The castles which old King Henry had built were now in Welsh hands and they would be hard to take. Stephen’s short tenure had cost the country dear.
I had a small chest in the solar and I took out the maps I had of our kingdom. The ones at the bottom had lain untouched for many years. They were the ones I needed. I was still studying them as the first light of grey appeared in the sky. It would take time for the sun to burn off the fog but daylight would not be too far away.
I ate some of the bread, ham and cheese which Alice had laid out for me. If I did not then she would fret and worry. These days I did not need as much food. I looked wistfully at the empty flagon of wine. It had been delicious and I yearned for another. When I heard the sounds of movement and the noise of children I put my maps away and descended. Samuel and Ruth were up and were with their parents at the table laden with bread, honey, porridge, ham, cheese and pickled fish. Samuel saw me as I entered the Great Hall, “Warlord! You are up! Let us play!”
Rebekah admonished her son, “You call him lord! Be respectful to him!”
I shook my head, “Samuel may call me anything he wishes. What game shall we play?”
“I have a wooden sword. I would play knights and the Scots. Ruth can be the Scots!”
“That does not seem fair. She would be alone. What say I teach you a game which is like knights and the Scots but is less dangerous.”
“A game?”
“Chess.” I looked at William, “Have you taught him yet? I taught you when you had only just learned to walk.”
He shook his head, “Chess… I have not played this game for many years.” He looked directly at me. “I should have for you taught me that all you need to know about battle is on that black and white board.”
“Then the three of us will enjoy it together.”
Thus it was that King Henry and Queen Eleanor discovered us together playing chess before a roaring fire. Alice continually refilled the table with food as it was consumed by my guests. As we ate William and I told the King of the battle and the victory.
“Good. We can use those prisoners to our advantage.” He nodded to his queen who was sitting with Rebekah and playing a game with the children. “My queen and I have spoken. As soon as your ships return I would return to London. Queen Eleanor misses our son. When they are safely ensconced in London I will go with you, Alfraed, to Anjou and we will bring my errant brother to heel.”
I nodded, “As you wish, your majesty.”
He smiled, “When your knights are risen I will tell them.”
My knights and their wives arrived in ones and twos. Half were there when Ralph of Nottingham entered, “Lord, the ‘Adela ’ is approaching.”
“Your ship?”
“Aye lord.”
“Good.” The last of my knights, Sir Gilles of Normanby arrived. King Henry said, “Good, then I can make my announcement and we can pack. I am anxious to sail!” He picked up a metal cover from the warmed ham and, taking out his dagger began to beat upon it to gather attention. I smiled as Alice winced. He was denting her best dishes. “Lords, I pray silence, I have an announcement.”
They all turned to look at the king. He laid down the dagger and the cover. Queen Eleanor came to his side.
“Know you that I offered the Earl of Cleveland the title of Duke of Cleveland. Modest as he is, he declined. I now appoint Alfraed of Stockton to be Earl Marshal of the Horse of England. He will be the most senior knight of the realm. Only I will rank above him. When I return to London I will make the proclamation so that all may know.”
I nodded, “I do not deserve the honour, your majesty, but I accept the title for I know that it means I will serve you still and work towards the enlargement of England!”
My men all cheered until Henry raised his arms, “I have not yet finished. The northern borders are still filled with danger and we need a strong hand here to control it. I hereby appoint William of Stockton to be Earl of Cleveland and I charge him with the protection of the border.”
I saw the look of surprise on my son’s face. I gave the subtlest of nods. He said, “I too am honoured and flattered and I accept.”
We were both surrounded by my men and squires who were as pleased as if they had been awarded the honour. James asked, “Lord, what is a Marshal?”
“It is the title given to the senior knight of the realm and the one who advises the king. The Earl of Gloucester was one and Stephen had a marshal too. It is a great honour.”
“But you will not have land, lord.”
I smiled, “Stockton will ever be my home and I do not think that my son will deny me shelter.”
King Henry took William’s arm and mine, “Come we have much to do. Alfraed, tell your captain that we sail on the next tide.”
“James, go and inform William of Kingston of the king’s command.”
“Aye lord.”
Once in my solar King Henry said, “William, I will be taking your father with me and we shall be away for some time. I leave you in command of the north.” He took out a parchment. “Alfraed, I had your steward write this document for me. It gives Will
iam the power to speak for me.” Handing it to my son he said, “I want you to make contact with King Malcolm. You will offer the prisoners we took in exchange for the return of the land south of the Tyne and the Eden.”
“He will not agree to that, lord!”
“Perhaps not but he will make some concessions. We do not need the prisoners and the return of them will spread the word that you are as formidable a foe as your father. When Geoffrey and the Welsh are contained then I will turn my attention back to the north. The Bishop of Durham will aid you. Between you I want you to put pressure on the Scots. Do not let them build castles and do not let them get comfortable. I will instruct my tax collectors that Cleveland pays no taxes. That way you can use your money to build up your armies. I cannot afford to bring men from Wales to retake the north. You will have to build up the army. I am certain that you can do it.”
William nodded, “I will need more knights.”
“Then knight them. You are the new Warlord of the North. I know, from speaking with your wife, what you did in the Holy Land. There you served a king and served him well. I would have you do the same for me. King Malcolm is young. Use that to your advantage. Do whatever you must to regain our lands. If you do it manor by manor then so be it. From what your father said you have performed miracles with a handful of men at harms and a couple of dozen archers. The fyrd owe you thirty days a year. Use them!”
“Then I will do as you suggest.”
“Alfraed, you will only be able to bring your squire and a servant. The ship will not accommodate more, you know that.”
“I need no servant and besides, Leofric has servants for us in Anjou. I am content.”
“Then I leave you two to say your goodbyes. I will send most of my knights home over land. They can reach London in ten days. It will take me time to organize the ships I need. Earl William, you will have the castle to yourself. I know that we have put you and your father to great inconvenience. It is appreciated.”
After he had gone William asked, “Am I ready for this? Can I lead Wulfric and Dick?”
The Welsh Marches (The Anarchy 1120-1180 Book 15) Page 13