by Griff Hosker
I rose early having had but an hour’s sleep. I went to my men at arms. They were already up as they had not spent the night carousing. “Wilfred, take Raymond and Leopold. Find Jean, the stable master. Henry FitzEmpress has said we can choose horses from the herd north of Rouen. Choose twenty. We will need four war horses amongst them.”
“Aye lord.”
“Ralph of Nottingham, you shall be elevated, albeit temporarily, to the position of squire. James will be needed by the new Duke and I need a squire. You are the youngest looking of my men. It will have to be you. Can you perform the tasks of a squire?”
He grinned, “I eat in the Great Hall?”
I shook my head, “There is more to being a squire than having better food.”
“I know, lord, and yes I can.”
Wilfred snorted, “You will have to learn to wash more than once a week!”
Leopold of Durstein laughed, “Aye and comb your hair and beard!”
“Your beard will need to be trimmed and you will need a better surcoat. When James rises then have his. He will not be needing it for a while and it is a better one than the one you wear. As for the rest of you; today you become my spies. Move around the town and castle.” I took out a bag of coins. “Here Günter, share this out. Buy drinks and pretend that the Warlord is becoming lazy and lax. Ingratiate yourselves with those who might have news. Until the coronation and tourney you shall have an easy time.”
“Aye lord.”
I knew that they would not abuse the freedom I gave them. When you have fought alongside a man as long as I had fought alongside these then you knew their hearts and these were true.
I went to visit with Geoffrey of Anjou. I knew that he would be up early. I found the doctors bleeding him. They did that when they could find no other cure. It showed that they were lost. He dismissed them and I sat on his bed.
“Well, Warlord? You have slept on it and have a plan?”
“I do. I have given your son my squire. He is an extra bodyguard. I have sent my men for horses for we will need to be mobile. I am not certain about this tournament.”
“I know. I debated long and hard about that particular part of my plan. I need Louis to send men to the coronation who are warriors. Henry and you need to see the mettle of those you may be fighting. The tourney does that. I do not think that Louis will come.” He laughed, “He will fear assassination.”
“And yet none of your family have ever engaged in such an act.”
“I know.”
“Your son, Geoffrey, is not happy.”
“That is in the nature of a second son. He will come to terms with his lot.”
I was not certain abut that but I kept my counsel. “Do you have spies who can tell you what your enemies are about?”
He shook his head, “I did but some betrayed me and then the malady struck. It was another reason for my decision. I need to prepare to meet my maker.” He smiled, “I am happier now and feel better for you have the reins of the young colt that is my son. He will be directed well. You served my wife most loyally. I am happy.”
The coronation was set for the next month. The Bishop kept me informed about the names of those who would attend. Henry of Blois, Stephen’s brother, would represent England. That was interesting. King Louis would not attend but he would send his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine. I had met her when she had been a child. She had impressed me and I was keen to see what sort of woman she had become. The other name which interested me was Siegfried of Trier. He had fought in England against us. He had a shield with a white unicorn upon it. I had challenged him and he had refused to fight me. His presence was interesting. None of the other leaders of the conspiracy accepted the invitation. That did not mean that they sent no killers. My men would watch.
Each week I made a point of speaking with my men. As the days passed they became more accepted. They appeared to drink a great deal in the local bars but, in reality, they did not. They harvested snippets of information and we would sit and piece them together. Gradually we gathered lists of those knights and lords who did not approve of the decision to make Henry Duke. The common factor was that they were all friends of Geoffrey, Count of Nantes and Henry’s brother. I told both Henry and the Count of Anjou but they were not convinced that it meant danger. I could not convince them and so I told my men to be wary when he was about. I did not think he would try anything himself but he was heir if anything happened to Henry and so my men watched for his web.
To be fair to him he just avoided us. I contemplated having one of my men watch him and then realised that might aggravate the situation. Instead Henry and I took to riding the country around Rouen. We visited all the knights whose support he would need if he was to conquer England. His maturity shone through. Having served with me and my men he knew how to talk to both nobles and men at arms, priests and peasants. He had an easy manner with him. I saw many of the daughters of older knights flashing eyes at him. He was a handsome young man and I felt proud. When he came to choose a bride he would have plenty of choice.
A week before the coronation we were heading west back to the castle and I broached, once more, the subject of a bride “Are there none that we have seen who would be suitable as a bride?”
“I have seen none. How was it for you and your wife? Did you know immediately?”
“No, it was like Gilles and Mary. She came into my life by accident when I rescued her and we grew close. My father had a saying- ‘It is wyrd’. It means something happens that was mean to. Meeting Adela was truly wyrd.”
He smiled, “Then what you are saying, Warlord, is that I need do nothing for it will happen whether I will or no.”
“You are getting too clever! I think you are right. What will be, will be.”
When we reached the castle, the preparations were well under way. The Bishop had concentrated on the actual ceremony. While Henry went through the inevitable rehearsals I sought Robert of Mortain. I felt guilty having left him to organize most of the tournament.
“How goes it Sir Robert?”
“We have the field and I have the heralds organised. I thought we could have a mêlée first and then allow the knights who wish to participate in single combat. That way there will be fewer available and we will have the best knights to fight at the end. I have two prizes to award. The Count has been generous.”
“Good and will you be taking part?”
“I will. I have my own knights who like to fight alongside me. I take it that you will not.”
“I cannot. I brought men at arms only.”
“And yet I have seen them training, lord. They are the equal of many a knight.”
“Our civil war has made them thus. I pray that it is over soon.”
“Amen to that, lord, Amen.”
Chapter 4
King Louis sent his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine. She was the first of the important guests to arrive. Henry was busy with even more rehearsals when she arrived as was his father and it was left to me to greet her. She was stunning. I had last seen her as little more than a child and now she was a woman grown. She had a daughter too. Now twenty-eight years old she had matured into a true Queen.
She remembered me and smiled broadly when she saw me “My lord! Do you remember me?”
“Of course, I do, your majesty. I see you have grown into a beautiful woman.”
She took my hand, “You flatter me.” As we walked into the hall she said, “You made quite an impression on me, my lord. I think I was in love with you. When you came to my father’s court you swept in like a whirlwind.”
“Now you flatter me!”
“No, it is true. You were so handsome.” She smiled and her face it up, “You still are. You were the most famous knight to visit our home and your deeds were spoken of in every court in every kingdom. The Knight of the Empress and King Henry’s Champion! You were the stuff of legend. I dreamed that you would come, one day, sweep me off my feet and I would be your lady.” She sighed, “It was not meant
to be but I am glad that you are here. It will be one friendly face, at least.”
“I cannot see any who would not be friendly towards you, my lady.”
She was shrewd, “I represent France today, my lord, and not Aquitaine. I live at the French court and I know the politics which go on. There will be eyes watching me and in some of those eyes there will be daggers. I can be the diplomat.”
I sat her at a chair in the Great Hall while the steward and her servants took her bags and chests to her quarters. Her two bodyguards stood by the door, watching us suspiciously. They had not only been sent to guard but also to spy.
“Gaston, Alain, you may leave us.”
“But, your majesty, the King told us to guard you.”
“And I am quite safe with the Earl of Cleveland. He has guarded an Empress and I am certain that he can guard me. Now obey me. You may wait without if you wish but you both smell of horse and it offends me!”
Chastened they both left the room and closed the door.
When they had gone, she smoothed out the wrinkles in her dress and then smiled into my face as I poured some wine. “Tell me what young Henry is like. He is just seventeen, I believe. Young to be a Duke.”
“He is young in years but he has maturity and he is clever. I have travelled with him for ten years. He has fought at my side and he will make a great king.”
She lowered her voice, “You think he will be king?”
“I know it for I swore an oath that I would see him crowned. I will see him crowned in England and he will be a good king.”
“He will have a mighty empire too. England, Normandy, Anjou and Maine. That would make him the most powerful ruler in Europe.”
“Do not forget Wales, Ireland and Scotland, your majesty.”
“He is ambitious then?”
“He takes after his grandfather and great grandfather.” I handed her the goblet of wine which she sipped. I knew, having met her father and visited her home, that the wines of her land were less acidic than those of Anjou. “The wine is satisfactory?” She nodded but she seemed somewhat distracted. “And you are happy, majesty?”
She drank some more of the wine and then looked up into my face. “They say, Earl, that you are the most honest man in Christendom.” She put her goblet n the table. “I am married if that is what you mean. I had little say in the marriage and to speak the truth, my husband is less than happy that I have only produced a girl thus far. He wishes for sons and he blames me.” She picked up her wine and sipped some. “I am speaking out of turn, forgive me.”
I shook my head, “My lady I am, I believe, a gentleman and I do not gossip. What you say to me remains with me unless you say other.”
“I know why I was so bold, my lord, I feel as if I know you. When I was at home and you visited, you were the first person to speak to me as though I was a person and not just a pretty young girl. That day changed my life. I saw that I could be more than was intended for me. I could use my mind and use the power which my rank gave me to make changes. Sadly, when my father married me off for political reasons it put a halt to my growth.”
Just then I heard the noise of Henry and James returning. My squire was good for the young Duke. They were of an age and had ridden together. They had both endured Edgar and Wulfric’s rigour. Thus it was, that they entered ebulliently and the Queen of France saw them both, for the first time.
She rose and both Henry and James stopped. They bowed and Henry said, “Warlord, who is this vision of loveliness I see before me?”
I gave a wry smile. I hoped that the two bodyguards had not heard. “This is Eleanor, the Queen of France, my lord.”
“But I thought you would be older.” His innocence made his words a compliment for the woman who was eleven year his senior.
She laughed and held her hand out for Henry to kiss it. “I can see that you have not just trained the Duke for war, Earl. And who is this other young man?”
“I am James of Thornaby, your majesty. I am, at present, the Duke’s squire but I am normally the squire of the Earl.”
She gave me a shrewd look, “You are truly a kingmaker, are you not? I wonder how I would have turned out if your hand had guided my course.”
Henry said, “May I show you around the castle, your majesty?”
“Of course. What lady would not like two such handsome knights at her side?” She held her hands out so that they could walk on either side of her.
As they left I wondered what this fiery concoction would create. They were two of the most exciting young people I had ever met yet one was married to the sworn enemy of the other. I wondered if I should interfere. Then I remembered my conversation with Henry. What would be would be.
The arrival of the Queen heralded the other visitors. The next day they began to arrive in numbers. My task was to greet them at the door of the Great Hall and they would then be taken in by a servant to meet with Henry and his father. If any of those who tried to enter showed signs of aggression, then my task was to disarm them. I recognised one or two of the early arrivals but the one who stood out was the knight with the white unicorn, Siegfried of Trier. This time he was accompanied by other knights wearing variations on his livery and I guessed that they were his household knights. He represented the Empire.
He smiled when he greeted me. “Ah the Warlord. The last time we met was in England. I am pleased that you are still alive.”
The man had a silky voice which made me shudder. It sounded reptilian. I could not let my feelings be known for there was now much more at stake and so I smiled back. “Have you not gone up in the world, my lord? The last time we met you were hiring out your sword.”
He shrugged, “A knight does what he has to prevent himself becoming bored but I confess the pay was an incentive. It allows me to buy the best of horses and wear the finest of armour. Now I am back in the service of the Empire.”
We were interrupted by the arrival of Charles of Champagne. As a count, he was the higher ranking of the two and I had to defer to him. When I saw him I did not like him. He had a cruel mouth and a hawk’s nose and he smelled of perfume. He reminded me of too many lords I had seen in Constantinople.
He did not speak, he sneered, “The Earl of Cleveland. I did not know you were still alive. I was sure I heard that you had been killed in one of these petty border wars that you fight in the barbaric country in which you squat.”
All of his words were intended to insult but I remembered my position and I smiled, “It is true that many men have tried to kill me and some have come close but the Good Lord always seems to spare me. Perhaps he is saving me for something else. Who knows? The new Duke enjoys fighting with me for his future. He has ridden alongside me many times.”
The Count of Champagne gave me a cold smile, “He is not Duke yet.”
I leaned in, “He will be Duke before long and one day he will be King of England. Any who try to stop him must come through me.”
Charles of Champagne shrugged, “I wish you luck then for Normandy and Anjou have many enemies.”
I put my hand on the hilt of my sword, “But none, I hope, would be foolish enough to try anything here in Rouen at Henry’s coronation. Suicides do not get into heaven and an attempt on Henry’s life would amount to that.”
“I am here for the food and the tourney. I was merely speculating.”
He walked on. Siegfried of Trier said, “You are not afraid of anyone are you, Earl? The Count is a powerful man.”
“I fear no-one!” Siegfried nodded and entered the hall.
By the end of that day all had arrived. I was pleased for being polite to people I did not like did not sit well with me. I went to my chamber to change. Before I left the gate I summoned my men who had all been within earshot. “Wilfred, I want a rota of men to watch Henry’s corridor. Two men at all times. Two hours’ watch should be sufficient. James will be sleeping behind the door of Henry’s chamber.” I hesitated, “And keep watch on the door of the Queen of France’s chamber
. She is just two rooms from Henry. It should not be a hardship.”
“And what of you, lord? Who watches you?”
“I have Ralph and I do not think that I will be a target.”
“Do not be too sure, my lord. I watched many of those who arrived. Most of them threw you murderous looks as they approached.” Wilfred was a shrewd warrior and little escaped his attention.
“If they are trying to kill me then they will not be harming harm Henry. I will be safe eh Ralph?”
“Aye lord. Two Englishmen are more than enough for these foreign monkeys!” Ralph was a typical Englishman. He thought England the best of places, populated by the greatest of men.
Ralph helped me to dress. His clumsy attempts brightened my mood. James’ fingers fastened the buttons and straps with ease. Ralph fumbled. I would be wearing my silken surcoat. It was my most expensive garment. The silk had cost a small fortune and Alice had done all of the embroidery herself. It was light and it was comfortable. More importantly it would surpass most of the finery worn by those knights who came to impress. I knew that was as important as anything else. I was under no illusions and neither was Henry. The Queen of France apart, most of those who were at the ceremony were enemies of Henry and of me. They were coming to spy or perhaps to jeopardise the ceremony. The banquet would be a game of chess. Wearing fine clothes was a good opening move.
Ralph also had a fine surcoat although not one made of silk. When he was dressed, I took him through the etiquette of the meal. “Henry and his father eat first. When they have taken a bite then you may do so. Do not drink too swiftly: firstly, you may spill your wine and secondly, you will become drunk. Sip or abstain. We will be waited upon but if my goblet is empty or my platter needs refilling then you will have to serve me. Do not worry; I will be drinking little and I have a small appetite. You are not at the feast to enjoy yourself but to watch. You may not speak the language of those who will be around you so use your eyes. You are a hunter. They are like game animals. Their gestures, looks and movements will tell you much.”