Henry II (The Anarchy Book 13)

by Griff Hosker

  “If he is to be king, lord, then he must learn to control his feelings and not let others see them. You, of all people, know that a good king has to be measured and cool.”

  He turned his horse’s head around, “And I can see, Earl, that you have managed to do with the Empress’ son what I have failed to do with mine.” He nodded to Henry, “You are a credit to your parents and to the Earl here. I can see his hand in the moulding of a future king.”

  “The Earl has helped and I am grateful but, uncle, I am my own man. I do not move to another man’s hands on the reins.”

  “And that is as it should be. Tonight, we feast and tomorrow we negotiate as I promised when last we met.”

  The feast was one worthy of a monarch and future monarch. The food, ale and wine flowed freely. I was pleased to see that Henry drank conservatively. I listened more than I spoke; as did Henry. I learned much. I learned of trouble in the islands to the north where there were still rebels, Vikings and those who sought the Scottish crown. It explained much about the present situation. I had caused King David enough trouble in the southern part of his land. I could now see why they had taxed Amounderness so heavily. They were taking as much as they could, while they could. He needed a peace as much as we did. Henry, Prince of Cumberland, glowered and drank. His enmity did not bother me.

  The result was that, the next day, when we gathered with the priests and clerics to discuss the new treaty, the Prince of Cumberland was absent. King David apologised and blamed the eels and oysters his son had consumed. I knew better.

  “So, Henry, what is it that you wish?”

  Henry smiled. We had discussed this many times. “I wish the lands you took from King Stephen returned to me.”

  King David nodded, “You mean the lands of Scotland which your grandfather took from us.”

  “We can debate the ownership of those lands from now until judgement day for I could go back beyond that time to the time when the Scots were still bandits in Ireland who stole the land from the Picts. I wish the lands to the south of the Roman Wall and as far north as the Tweed returning to England.”

  “No, I will not agree to the land north of the Tyne and south of the Tweed. The land south of the wall is open to negotiation.”

  The Earl of Chester could contain himself no longer, “I wish the Duchy returning to me!”

  Both Henry and King David looked at him and he quailed.

  King David shook his head, “I am sorry, Earl, but you are not Henry FitzEmpress. I am not certain that I like the idea of you as a neighbour.”

  The Earl made to rise and I snapped, “Ranulf, sit! You are now at the table with kings and princes. This is not a petty matter.” I turned to the king. “I understand your doubts. I think I have a solution. The Earl will acknowledge both your sovereignty and that of Henry FitzEmpress.” Henry flashed a look at me. “Of course, Henry FitzEmpress would have the higher duty of fealty from the Earl. That way your borders would be assured for the Earl would be a mutual assurance for both kingdoms.”

  I saw Henry and the King both nod. Ranulf looked to open his mouth but I shook my head and he nodded. It was better than he might have hoped.

  “If I agree to that then I need something for my son. Prince of Cumberland is an empty title if that land is part of England. He is Earl of Northumberland and that is the land between the Tyne and the Tweed.” He leaned forward, “I can see that you are well read, Henry and you will know that the Earls of Northumberland often owed allegiance to Scotland. If my son is retained as Earl of Northumberland, then he will swear fealty to England in the same way that the Earl of Chester does for the Duchy of Lancaster.”

  There was silence. I thought it a reasonable proposal. I could not say anything. This had to be Henry’s decision.

  “Will your son agree to this?”

  “He is my son and heir. He will do as I command. The Earl of Cleveland has devised a secure plan for peace. The Earl of Chester and my son are our guarantee of peace.”

  It made sense. The Duchy of Lancaster was worth more than the wild lands of Northumberland. Henry smiled, “Then I agree.” He clasped hands with his great uncle.

  King David turned to the clerics and priests, “I would have you draft a treaty and then we shall sign it. I need to speak with my son first.” As he stood he leaned over to me and said, quietly, “It seems you are not only a warlord but something of a diplomat, Earl. I can see now why my generals found it so hard to defeat you.”

  I nodded, “And now that we have peace then the problem will not arise again.”

  The Prince of Cumberland was not happy to be relinquishing his lands and it was not until the next day that the treaty was drawn up and all of the interested parties signed and sealed the document. King David pointedly asked me to be a signatory. I knew why. I was known to be a man of my word. By signing the treaty, I agreed to keep to my own lands. Prince Henry of Scotland was not happy but he had to agree. When we left, the next day, that was the last time I would see him alive. He remained a bitter enemy of mine until his death.

  Ranulf, Earl of Chester, headed south to his home and Henry FitzEmpress headed east with me. We called in at Barnard Castle on the way home. It was important that Sir Hugh of Gainford know the contents of the treaty. His life would become much easier.

  When we reached Stockton my ship, ‘Adela’ was in port. More importantly there was a letter there which summoned Henry back to Normandy. His father, the Duke of Normandy, wished to see him. This fitted in well with our plans for he had already decided to return home to raise an army to invade England and retake his lands. The south west remained in his hands and my enclave in the north east was the perfect place to begin an attack. With our backs safe we could bring a mighty army from my valley to aid those raised in Normandy.

  “I will stay in touch with you, Warlord.” Henry clasped my arm as he prepared to board my ship. “I thank you again for bringing me so far. I am ready to seize back my throne but I still need you at my right hand.”

  “And I will ever be at your right hand. Farewell. Tell your mother I asked after her.”

  “I will.”

  Chapter 2

  And so, we had a year of peace. It was the first year I had known without war since I had come to England as a young knight. The Scots kept their word and we had a peaceful frontier. Stephen and his Queen licked their wounds and tried to recoup money they had lost to my men. They raised their taxes and tried to get money from the church. They stayed in the south and east. That was where their strength lay. The only disturbing element was Eustace of Boulogne, the son of Stephen and his Flemish queen, Matilda. Now named heir, he rampaged the lands around the east. It was said he was little more than a bandit or robber baron and the people suffered. His men raped and pillaged; they ravaged the land and made life in East Anglia and Essex intolerable. He was too far away for me to punish and it was the only cloud in an otherwise perfect sky.

  We prospered. I knighted Richard, my squire. I did not give him a manor. He was my household knight. Gilles and Mary had a son, Edward, and Gilles was a good lord of the manor of Norton. When he had lived at my castle James, Sir Edward’s son, had been Sir Gilles’ squire. Sir Gilles had insisted that James remain as my squire. He took on another; Walter was John my Steward’s son and he was not a cleric. He would not follow his father into the world of books. He had grown up in a castle filled with young knights and he wished to be one. James was Mary’s brother. The arrangement was better. Walter was out of his father’s view and Mary was not there to fret and worry about her little brother; it suited me. I would not have to train a new squire for some time. Sir Harold’s son, Richard, began training to be a squire too. Walter and Richard came to my castle when their lords did not need them and they trained under James’ critical eye. With Wilfred, my sergeant at arms, to oversee them it worked. Wilfred was a common man but my squires respected him for he knew all there was to know about fighting and war.

  The peace with the Scots allowed St
ockton to expand. The wooden wall and ditch fell into disrepair as houses spread beyond our former boundary. We had many settlers who came from the north. Prince Henry of Scotland was not popular amongst those who lived around Hexham, the New Castle and Berwick. Many farmers and former soldiers headed south to my land. I had fought alongside many of them. I recognised men at arms who came from Rothbury, Morpeth and Otterburn. They had survived in the hope that I would come and reclaim Northumberland for England. In that I had failed. The new settlers, however, would prove to be an asset when we came to attack Stephen and I knew that day was coming.

  My town was showing signs of prosperity in the houses which were being built. Although most were of wattle and daub there were some built partly with stone and which occupied two floors. Ethelred, Alf’s brother, even had a stone built house. The streets close to their homes were paved with cobbles. It was a true sign of civilisation.

  My estate in Anjou also prospered. Leofric was a good lord of the manor and I received as much coin from La Flèche as I did from the rest of my manors with the exception of Stockton. I also receive a steady influx of warriors he had trained. With trade restored, my two merchant ships were in constant demand and our industries prospered. My avaricious steward, John, was happy that his coffers were being filled.

  My life would have been perfect save for two things. I heard nothing from my son William, who had gone on crusade and I heard nothing from Matilda, the Empress and Henry’s mother. She now lived in a priory and communication was impossible. I made up for it by hunting and absorbing myself in the training of James to become a knight. He had already learned much from both Richard and Gilles. Had Richard had been knighted by me he would have continued his training with him. I wondered if James would be the last squire I would train to be a knight. When this war was over I could not see myself needing one. Many knights used their squires as a sort of glorified servant. I had always used them as an extension of my sword arm and shield. During the year, he became even more accomplished. He was a good squire. His father would have been proud of him.

  It was the early part of the New Year and the ice on the river had melted. The snows had gone from all but the top of Roseberry when a ship arrived from Normandy with a message. It bore the seal of Geoffrey of Anjou. Although he was now Duke of Normandy he often used his old seal. My curiosity was piqued as I opened the letter. It was brief and to the point. More importantly it was in his own hand; I recognised it. I folded it after reading.

  “James, find Sir Richard and John, my steward, I need to speak with them.”

  They hurried to my side for an urgent summons from me was unusual. “My lord?”

  “I have been summoned to Rouen by Geoffrey Duke of Normandy and Count of Anjou. He has asked me to make all speed. The letter stresses the urgency. I know not how long we will be away. James, go to ‘Adela’ and tell Captain William that we have to sail on the morning tide. Ask Ethelred and Alf if they have goods to sell. It would be a shame to miss the opportunity.”

  “Aye, my lord.”

  “Richard, choose ten men at arms to accompany us. I do not think this is war but it may be we need them.”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  “John, I leave you to run the estate. I will ask Sir Harold to hold the sessions for me and you can deal with the taxes.”

  A little portlier and greyer after years of eating and drinking well, John knew my ways. “This is an abnormal occurrence my lord. The Duke does not normally send for you. What do you think it portends?”

  “I confess that I do not know. I am intrigued rather than worried. I would have you write some letters for me to send to my knights whilst I am away. I will also dictate a list of instructions for you. Times past I have been away longer than I intended.” I waved to the servant who hovered near to the door. “Ask Alice to fetch some cheese and wine. We have a busy time ahead of us.”

  I had barely dictated one letter when Alice and the servant reappeared with the cheese cured ham and wine. She shooed the servant away and served us herself.

  “Richard and I will be leaving for Normandy, Alice.”

  She nodded, “I have your summer clothes prepared. I will pack them. Do you know how long you will be away, lord?”

  “No, Alice, but I will return as soon as I am able. In my absence have rooms prepared.”

  “You are expecting guests, lord?”

  “Young Henry FitzEmpress said that he would be returning to these shores. It has been a year since he left. I do not know but I guess that he may return with me. That would be one explanation for the invitation.”

  “While you are away we will have your rooms and the guest rooms cleaned thoroughly. We would not want the pestilence here.”

  “But my castle is clean is it not?”

  “Aiden has seen rats by the kitchens. If they are there then who knows where else they might be. I will have him and his men use their ratters and I will have rosemary fires lit. It will drive away the creatures we do not want. I would have done it before but it would make the castle smell unpleasant for you.”

  John looked up. “But I live here too, Alice!”

  “You are not the lord! You and your family will either have to bear it or go to Norton. Sir Gilles now has a new hall and the old one lies empty!”

  She curtsied and left. John shook his head, “She is a force of nature that one. I will go to Norton, lord. This place will be unbearable!”

  Alice had a good heart and cared for us. If she worried about pestilence, then I was happy for her to cleanse it. My wife and child, along with many townsfolk had died when a plague had visited my castle. Had Alice been living under my roof then who knows what the outcome might have been?

  I was able to tell Dick of my plans. Since the peace with the Scots he and his men had not had to patrol my borders. Rather than being idle, it was not in their nature, they had been training likely archers to join the ranks of my bow men.

  “I will continue to train men. You think that Prince Henry will return with you?”

  “I know not but I will keep you informed. I have told all of my knights to have their men ready for war this year. It may be that we are ready to take on the Usurper and end this conflict.”

  “Aye. It has felt strange, this last year, lord. We have had neither trial nor tribulation yet, from what travellers tell us, there are still parts of England where conflict rages.”

  “And that is why, Dick, I want us prepared.”

  It took half a day to beat down to the mouth of the river. The wind was against us and the twists and turns, loops and ox bows, were interminable. William also told me that the water was still thicker than normal, because of the ice which had only just gone. “Do not worry, lord. When we reach the open sea then ‘Adela’ will fly. We used Ethelred’s shipyard to clean her hull of weed this winter and with the money we have made I have purchased new canvas and ropes. She is like a new ship.”

  I watched the coast of England slip by. It was ironic that the war which had devastated the country had made me and many of my knights far richer than we might have been. If my son ever returned to England and his home, he would find he had a huge inheritance. The manor now generated much income and my people were prosperous. I wondered how he fared. I did not expect a letter. Perhaps, when some knight returned from the crusade, he might have news. Until then I would have to hope that he survived in the hostile world of the east. I had grown up in Constantinople and I knew the enemies he faced. The followers of Islam were fanatics and totally ruthless.

  It took longer to reach Rouen than Captain William expected. It was partly the winds and also the twists and turns the river took before we reached the Norman capital. We had goods in the hold which Captain William would sell. My knights, Alice and John had also given William a list of items he needed to buy. Our fattened purses gave us much choice.

  Henry watched us approach from the quay. Our tortuous voyage up the Seine had been seen by the watch towers at the mouth and along its length.
We were expected. I stepped ashore and saw an immediate change in Henry. He was now seventeen years old and he had grown. He looked like a man. I bowed. He took my arm. “I am glad you came.”

  “I was surprised when the letter came from your father. I had expected one from you saying that you were ready to bring your forces to England.”

  He turned to the two men at arms who followed us. “Keep others away from us, Philippe.”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  His tone worried me. “Is there trouble?”

  “Yes, Warlord. My father is ill. I fear he is dying.”

  “He is a young man. What is he, thirty-six?”

  “He was thirty-seven not long ago.”

  “Even so that is no age. He is fit and healthy. Poison?”

  “He has a food taster and I have been eating and drinking the same as he. He seems to sicken from the inside. The physicians say it is the wasting disease. No matter how much he eats he loses weight.”

  “Then why has he summoned me? I am no doctor.”

  “He wishes to speak with you. King Louis conspires once more.”

  “Again? What of the problems he has on his borders?”

  “He is gathering allies like squirrels collect nuts. It is not only Stephen; he has made an alliance with Champagne, Flanders and others further afield. The Holy Roman Empire may not be the power that it was but King Louis seeks allies from within.”

  “And your mother? Has she any influence?”

  “What little she had is now gone. It is why my father sent for you. I am not the general that you are, Warlord. My father always looked up to you.”

  We were approaching the gates to the castle. I now regretted not bringing more men. Had I just brought Dick and my archers then I would have had an edge over any enemy we fought. “Is war imminent?”

  “No. It is just a conspiracy at the moment. I think my father thought your presence would deter our foes.”

  As we walked into the castle I reflected that the Duke had a high opinion of me which I was not certain I merited.