by Griff Hosker
When the gates were opened and those who had chosen to leave left it was a surprisingly small number. The priest and Robert of Bowes were among them. It mattered not; Sir Hugh had his own priest who had fled Gainford with him. After they had been sworn in the new retinue of Sir Hugh of Gainford went about their business. Sir Hugh said, "I will send my men back for my wife and my things. We will be out of your hair, lord."
I smiled, "I mind not the company. Are you certain? You are now the western border."
"This is a strong castle and I have learned much from you, lord. My wife is keen to be lady of the manor again. She will enjoy furnishing this castle."
I nodded, "As would the Lady Adela. You know that while I am away Wulfric and Sir John are just a day's ride away?"
"I do. I cannot thank you enough for this honour."
"Aye well when Sir Wilfred has rebuilt Piercebridge then you will be more secure here. In days gone by he would have acknowledge you as overlord and, when the Empress is returned to power that may be true again. For now I wish my knights all to be equal."
"And we are happy to be so. A round table has no head save you, Warlord."
His words reassured me and I headed back to my ship which was almost complete and ready for sea.
Part 2
Anjou
Chapter 11
We sailed a week as soon as my ship was ready. The Archbishop wrote to tell me that Stephen had held a grand court in London where he had made edicts. He had reversed Henry's policy on the forests. I smiled at the news. I had done so already. He had also confirmed all titles and earldoms. He did not say that mine was to be removed. I found that interesting. He also spent lavishly. He was trying to buy the barons. It would work. Those around London were the ones who rarely had to fight for anything and they took whatever was on offer. Ominously I heard that the Welsh had begun to eat into the lands of the Welsh marches. His knights had been defeated. The Earl of Gloucester's lands were diminishing. Robert de Brus had already ingratiated himself with Stephen and sworn fealty. In return his titles had been confirmed. He now held both Hartness and Guisborough. Although disturbing I still had his sacred oath. The problem would come when I fought Stephen.
The 'Adela' was a fine ship. Ethelred and John had used their own money to commission a second, smaller version. It was their coin; I did not mind. It would be built while we were in Normandy. We took neither horses nor banner. My standard would flutter from my battlements and I would buy a new horse, if I needed it, in La Flèche. Sir John and Wulfric knew my orders and we had three castles under construction. William the mason was helping Sir Harold, Sir Tristan and Sir Wilfred to build strongholds against the Scots and any other enemies.
As we headed down the Tees, and thence out to sea I stood at the stern with Gilles and Captain William. This was a new crew. The sailors came from my town while the three officers had never worked together before. I was happy to watch them grow together. Gilles was excited to be travelling back to his homeland. He had grown in the time he had been with me. The helmet and hauberk fitted him, albeit loosely, and, with his new surcoat, he looked like a squire now rather than a stable boy.
Once William realised I was not watching him critically he relaxed and we talked of my hopes for his ship.
"I have two manors, William, and you are the bridge between them. Your men will need to become warriors for these seas are dangerous and I have many enemies." I laughed, "You can count my friends on Harold's fingers!"
"Your men of Stockton are all skilled with weapons and have brought their bows. We will get better."
"Good. And I am happy for you and your crew to benefit financially from these voyages. John and Ethelred have both become rich through trade."
"Thank you, lord, it is rare to find a master who is sympathetic to such needs."
"I think you will find, William, that I am unlike other lords in many ways."
We docked at Angers rather than St. Nazaire. I did not wish to have to hire a berth on a salt barge. I needed speed. William knew what we had to buy and he would have enough time to negotiate a good price. I wanted to speak with Philippe, Leofric's steward, before William sailed home.
The Empress was at home with her two sons. The sentries told me that Geoffrey of Anjou was busy raiding castles in Normandy and that my son rode at his side. When I spied Maud I saw that she was with child again. She and the Emperor had been unable to have children. She had proved now that it was not her fault. She bloomed and I felt my heart race again at the sight of her. At her side were her two boys. I could not help noticing how much young Henry had grown. As I recalled he was now three. I was delighted when he saw me and shouted, "Mother! It is the wolf! He has returned! Now we shall have victory!"
I smiled and the Empress blushed a little, "You must forgive him, Earl Alfraed. He loves the tales your son tells of you and he remembered the wolf on your livery." She pointed to it. "I see it has sported a red tongue and eyes."
I nodded, "I have much to tell you."
She turned, "Margaret, take the boys to the bailey where they can play. Judith take the Earl's squire and his belongings to his quarters."
They both curtsied and gave me a knowing look. They were the ones who knew our secret. They were the guardians of the tryst and the secret of the child.
"Come, my lord, we will walk by the river, it is pleasant at this time of year and it is quiet. We may talk there."
I told her, as we walked, of all that had happened in England. I was careful not to criticise the strategy which had allowed Stephen to steal a throne. I needed to speak with William and Rolf first. We stopped by the bank. She seemed distracted. "You are ever the Knight of the Empress. I cannot thank you enough for your efforts on my behalf."
I looked at her. This sounded very formal. "I swore an oath to your father. I do not break oaths."
She took my right hand in hers, "Alfraed there should only be truth between us. We have shared a bed, our hearts and a son. You and I have something between us that was ordained by higher powers than we. I know from your face and your words that you are disappointed in me."
I shook my head, "Never. Stephen took advantage of a situation and, perhaps, you were slow to react but I am convinced, in my heart, that your son will become King of England."
"Our son."
"Yes, my love, our son."
"But I shall not be Queen?"
I shook my head, "I shall be honest with you. It is the only strategy which will work. There is too much bad feeling about what the Angevin have done in Normandy. You are seen as the wife of Count Geoffrey. Those with estates here and in England are bitter for they fought Count Fulk for years. It has increased support for Stephen. He will lose that support when he has to tax them for he is spending your father's treasury far quicker than he ought."
"What else could we have done, Alfraed?"
"Had I been here I would have pursued the war ruthlessly and conquered the dukedom quickly. From what I heard the Count has conquered, pillaged and withdrawn. The best way is to keep an army in the field until you have defeated all. There are too many enemies out there for hit and run."
I was aware that she still held my hand. It was hard not to envelop her in my embrace.
"Will you stay? I know the Count will heed your advice. Teach him how to conquer Normandy. If we control that then we can look to England."
"I will stay until summer is gone but then I must return home. The Scots fear me but if I am not there..."
"I know. We need you in your valley."
"What of your brother?"
"Robert was distraught at our father's death. He blamed himself."
"He could have done naught about it. Where is he now?"
"He is in Caen. He holds it for me."
"He is a mighty leader who should be drawing men to your banner."
"You are here now. Things will improve." She let go of my hand and we looked into each other's eyes. "Life is not fair, my love. We can look, we can remember and
we can dream but we cannot be as we would be."
"I know. We had best go within before tongues wag." As we made our way in I said, "And what of Rolf? Is he well?"
"He is healed now, my lord, and he acts as mentor to your son William. Young Cleveland has proved himself to be a fearless lord. My husband thinks highly of him. He now has men at arms of his own."
"And where is he now?"
"He is with my husband on the Norman border."
"I shall join them after I have visited La Flèche."
"Your castellan has made a difference there. The people think well of him. His marriage was a fruitful one. His wife is with child and the act has made the castle and the town much closer. You have made a wise choice, my lord."
I gave a rueful smile, "Sometimes I do."
We were still outside the castle, "We could never have been as one. I was the daughter of a King. I was used as a pawn in a game of chess. I was married to an Emperor and then a Count. My father saw me not as a daughter but as a prize heifer."
"You sound bitter."
"I am. All I wished was to run away with you as you asked and to begin a new life somewhere but we were both too honourable for that. Duty came first. On my grave it should say, 'she did her duty'."
We heard a squeal from the bailey and then Henry hurtled out brandishing a wooden sword. Gilles followed him waving another one. "Protect me Uncle Alfraed, the Scots are after me!"
"Always remember young knight, that you never run from the Scots; you face them and roar even louder. They will run." I winked at Gilles. Henry turned and roared. Gilles obliged by running away. Judith, Margaret and the Empress all laughed.
Maud said quietly, "You do not just bring hope, you bring joy and, to me, peace." We went indoors. The moment had gone. We would now be Empress and loyal knight once more. As I bowed to go to my quarters she added, "Go to my husband,. Advise him. Make him fight the way you and my father fight. He has changed and that is thanks to you. I wish it."
"I will do as you command."
Later, as I changed for the feast I said, "Thank you Gilles, that was well done."
"I had a little brother just like the young lord. I used to play like that with him."
"Where is he now?"
"He died of the plague along with my sister and mother when my father served on campaign with you. He was but four when he died."
There was little else to say. Everyone had their secrets and some were sadder than others. The meal was pleasant for it was us, the Empress, her ladies and her boys. I forgot, albeit briefly, that I was Warlord. I smiled and joked with Henry and Geoffrey and we regaled them with tales of knightly deeds.
We borrowed two horses from the Empress and rode the next day to my manor on the Loir. The castle still looked small but it was solid. My standard still flew from the gate. We had brought a new one as well as new surcoats for my men at arms. It was Brian who was at the gate and his beaming smile told me that he was pleased to see me.
"My lord! An unexpected pleasure!"
I dismounted, "And how is your new home? All that you hoped?"
"Aye lord. We had some trouble when the King was killed but we drove the raiders hence and we have had peace since then."
"And Leofric is to be a father I hear?"
"Aye, lord, at harvest time." He looked at Gilles, "And who is this, my lord?"
"This is Gilles son of Guy of Tours. He was my groom but I am training him to be a squire. In the absence of Wulfric perhaps you can give him some lessons."
"Aye, I will. And you will be here for a while, lord?"
"I will go back after summer. The Scots need keeping in check."
Leofric came from the keep, "My lord! You should have warned me!"
"I have much to tell you and I know that you have much to relate to me!"
It was good to have an unending supply of wine and I relaxed as I had not done for many months. Here I was safe. There were no intrigues and no enemies trying to harm me. This was a sanctuary. I wondered if King Henry had second sight when he gave it to me. I idly wondered if I should stay here and leave Stockton to Stephen. The thought flitted from my head almost as soon as it had entered. Like the Empress I knew my duty.
When I finished relating events to Leofric he asked, "Do you want our men to return to England?"
"No for if things go ill this will be our home. I will, however, be using our new ship to trade twixt my manors. It will be mutually beneficial. I have some spare weapons Alf made. The bulk of his output we used but English arrow heads and English fletched arrows are the best. We also have new surcoats for you and your men as well as a new standard."
"I have hired more men at arms. The civil war has left many without their lords. Brian here chooses the best."
"I will need four to escort us to the Count. I have offered my services as adviser to him. The Empress thinks it will help."
"Of course."
"My ship will be ready to sail at the end of the week. I would have her filled with some of the produce from this manor: wine, cheeses, oil and spices. Have it sent down with the Empress' horses and bring back the timber, iron and arrows from the ship. Make a list of all that you need from England. I intend to have Captain William make this a monthly voyage; at least until the weather worsens."
Three days later I headed north with Padraig and three of the new men at arms. "How do you find it here on the Loir, Padraig?"
"I am happy. My life has changed. I have a woman now, lord. I only understand half of what she says but that may be an advantage eh? I miss English ale and I miss the lads. I even miss Wulfric although that is rare but I am happy here. I am grateful for the opportunities you have given to me." We rode in silence for a while then he said, "What will happen in England, lord? Will the Empress become queen? She should. She is a good woman."
"I am afraid that many in England and Normandy feel differently. Know this, Padraig, I will never cease to fight for that which King Henry wished. The King of France may have had our King poisoned but it is Englishmen who will decide who rules us."
"Amen to that, Earl."
We headed to the border where fighting was going on. Count Geoffrey was laying siege to the castle of Falaise. Even before I reached there I knew that it was a mistake. The castle was well made and would easily withstand a siege. It was better to strike where damage could be done rather than lose men in fruitless attacks on thick stone walls.
We reached the siege works by nightfall. I saw the wounded being brought back from the walls. I headed towards the tents of the Angevin. I gave my reins to Gilles, "Padraig find us a tent."
I heard raised voices inside the tent. One of them was Count Geoffrey's, "I do not want cowards. I want men who will assault the walls. I want men like William's father who leapt up a burning tower to save the Earl of Gloucester. I saw none of that today."
There was a clamour of voices which suggested that the speakers had been drinking. I strode in. It was a large tent and those who were on the periphery bridled as I pushed past them. Then they saw who I was and the complaints became cheers. I saw William, looking slightly flushed, and he was seated next to the Count of Anjou. He raced to me.
"Now we shall have victory for my father, the champion of King Henry, is arrived!"
He rushed to me and embraced me. He smelled of wine. Count Geoffrey stood, somewhat unsteadily and came towards me. "You are here! We prayed that you would come! God has sent you."
I saw that not all of the knights were as drunk. "I have come from England where Stephen has declared himself King. He claims Normandy for his son Eustace. The Empress and young Henry need us to regain the land of King Henry for them. Arguing among ourselves will not achieve that. Tomorrow we hold a counsel of war. Until then I bid you all depart so that I may speak with the Count and my son."
The drunks were not happy but those who had been drinking less heavily nodded and nudged the drunks out of the way. Soon we had the huge tent to ourselves.
"Earl, had
we known you were coming we could have celebrated."
I spoke quietly. William was less drunk and he heard the censure in my voice. "Have you won a victory? Has Falaise fallen?"
The Count said, "No but now you are here. We will win."
"How many men did you lose today, lord?"
He waved a hand as though the number was immaterial, "Ten, twenty..."
"If you gain the castle what will you achieve?"
I saw William shake his head as though to clear it. He had a mind which Wulfric and I had trained. He began to use it. "We will have a castle, father."
"The Earl of Gloucester controls Caen and that is close to the coast. The garrison cannot move far for you would be able to capture them."
"Then what should we do?"
"Hit them where it will hurt. Rouen is their capital. It is the centre of their power."
"And it has the greatest citadel in Normandy, saving Caen."
"I did not say attack it. I said hurt it. Stop the ships travelling up the river and starve them to death. Stop them gathering their crops. Close the roads from the rest of Normandy."
"Some will get through."
"Aye but some is not enough. Eventually they will have to meet you on the field and that is where you win."
Count Geoffrey said, "I feel unwell."
He raced from the tent and I heard him vomiting.
"Is he often thus?"
"When we fail then aye. It is good to see you father."
"And I you. I hear you now have your own conroi."
"I do. Men speak of me as the wolf cub." He sounded as though he resented the word 'cub'.