Henry II (The Anarchy Book 13)

by Griff Hosker

  “They are weakening lord!” Ralph of Nottingham pointed to the riders now milling out of bow range.

  “Rear rank, take over at the front. Front rank fall back.”

  As we slipped through the second rank I saw that Peter Strong Arm had no shield and his left arm hung down. He caught my eye and shrugged, “Broken, lord!”

  “Join the horse holders. Raymond, see to Peter Strong Arm.”

  I clambered on to the stones of the ruin. I saw that we had slain perhaps twenty or more men. There were others who were wounded and heading back into the safety of the woods. The main body of knights were gathered together and they sat astride their horses two hundred paces from us. I looked at the stones on which I stood.

  “Dick, if your archers stood on these ruins would they have a greater range?”

  “Aye lord!”

  “Then bring your strongest here and, on my command, send your arrows to that knot of riders. They are the leaders. If we kill them then the rest may be too discouraged to fight.”

  “We can do that!”

  He clambered up to where I had stood and called to his men. Twenty of them were arrayed on the ruins. I know not what the French thought. They did not use the war bow as much as we did. They would now learn of its range and superiority.

  Dick nodded at me and I shouted, “Now!”

  The archers sent twenty arrows and then another twenty. The second flight was in the air before the first had landed. It was carnage. The forty arrows knocked men from saddles, killed men and wounded horses. A trumpet sounded and they fell back towards the safety of the forest.

  “See to the wounded and prepare to ride.”

  “Lord what about the French dead?” I looked at Ralph of Nottingham. He grinned, “There are some pretty rings here, fine mail and they look to have coins.”

  He was right. My archers and men at arms deserved the bounty. “Strip their dead. It is yours!”

  Wilfred and Dick did not join in the stripping of the bodies but they joined me. “What think you?”

  “I think they will not follow us. We have slightly greater numbers and they have learned to fear my arrows.”

  “Your men did well. Whom did we lose?”

  “Long Tom, Eric of Ingleby, David the Cooper’s son and Garth son of Bergil.”

  “They were good men all. Were any of them wed, with bairns?”

  “No lord. They were all young.” He shrugged, “They fought well but did not move away fast enough. An archer has to be quick or he will be dead.”

  Chapter 14

  We left after dark. Our horses had a good rest and we did not think that they would risk a night attack. My men were known to be masters with a knife. We did not gallop. Men and beasts were weary. I struggled to keep open my eyes. Poor Raymond succumbed to sleep and we had to tie him to his horse. His fellow warriors would make his life a misery when we returned home. They could be cruel.

  We found my men and the Queen at Evreux. The lord of the manor there was old William of Evreux. He had fought alongside King Henry and knew me well. When he had spied the Queen and my men he had ridden out to them. He did not need to know the story; he knew that Sir Richard and James wore my livery and that was good enough for him. He had men watching the road for us and we were afforded a fine welcome. He had made sure his cooks kept hot food for us. His priest saw to our wounded. When the gate slammed shut, I said, “Thank you old friend.”

  He put an arm around me. “Here is a tale I cannot wait to hear. Your knight and his squires are close mouthed and the Queen of France and her ladies were so tired that my wife showed them to their beds and would not let me question them.”

  I nodded, “I cannot tell you all but I promise you a tale which will pay for our food.”

  The story I told was a version of the truth. I told how we had gone to bring the Queen to Rouen but I did not say why. I told him of the treachery of Geoffrey, Count of Nantes and I told him of the French attempt to stop us.

  He chuckled when I told him of how we had tricked and trapped them in the forest and he appreciated my use of the mansio. “I wish I had been there. Your archers have a well-deserved reputation, Earl. But tell me, where do you think the Duke’s brother will go? Should I keep watch for him? His actions were dishonourable and treacherous.”

  “It is a guess but the King of France’s court would seem the place he would head. He could tell the King that he learned of my intentions and intended to stop me.”

  The old knight nodded, “This will bring war.”

  “It will indeed and you will be the front line here.”

  “I swore an oath to the old Duke. I will not be foresworn. Besides I have heard good things about his grandson. He seems to have a sharp mind.”

  “He does that.”

  We stayed the next day too. All of us were exhausted and Eleanor’s ladies could not face another day in the saddle. I sent James to Duke Henry to tell him that we had succeeded but we rested. I spent some time talking with the Queen. We spoke alone.

  “You and your men have paid the price for our happiness, Earl. It does not seem right.”

  “It is our duty. As my father often said, there are ways for a man to earn a living without swearing an oath. We all chose this life and we knew what it entailed. When we fight we normally win but if we die then so be it.”

  “Your knight and squires behaved impeccably today, Earl. They are so young and yet so accomplished. The knights at my father and my husband’s court were nothing like them. Why is that so?”

  “The knights you knew were made of metal but it was not the metal of which my knights and squires are made. My men have been tempered by blood and fire. We have fought this war since King Henry was murdered. All we know is war. We are an island within an island and, until recently, we were surrounded by our enemies. Henry has fought alongside me for ten years and that is why I know that he will be a good ruler. He takes after his mother. She is strong and she is a fighter.”

  “And his father?”

  I was saved from an answer by the arrival of a messenger. Sir William brought him directly into our presence. “I am sorry to disturb you but this messenger comes from Nonancourt. He has news which is of great importance.” He looked at the messenger who looked at me fearfully. “Speak! The Earl will not bite you!”

  He nodded and addressed me directly. “The King of France has declared you outlaw. He has announced that you kidnapped his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine.” I said nothing but just nodded. The messenger seemed to take some comfort in this. He continued. “The evidence is from Geoffrey Count of Nantes who swears that he tried to stop you. The King has sent a message to the Duke of Normandy. He says that unless his wife is returned and the Earl of Cleveland placed in chains then a state of war will exist.”

  Eleanor said, “But that is not true! I came of my own volition and Geoffrey was the one who tried to kidnap me!”

  I smiled, “Peace, my Queen, this is a game. Tell me messenger, how came this news to you?”

  “A rider came to our gates and asked to speak to our lord. He gave a letter to my lord and asked for it to be delivered to Duke Henry. My lord questioned him and discovered what I have just said. I hope that I have not offended you, lord.”

  I took a silver penny from my purse and threw it to him. “I am offended by the lie but you did not tell the lie. Go with God.”

  When he had left us, I could see that Eleanor was distraught. “This is wrong! You are being maligned!”

  “I have had lies told about me my whole life. Those who know me will know the truth. Your husband is a clever man, your majesty. His conspiracy against Henry now has legitimacy. It becomes a crusade to rescue a woman who has been abducted. Perhaps it is better this way. The boil which was festering has now come to a head. Let us see if my protégé can lance it!”

  My men were angrier than upset. Wilfred snorted, “Damned lying Frenchmen! I would gamble a month’s pay that they cannot lie straight in bed.”

  Le
opold of Durstein nodded, “It is as well they are piss poor warriors.”

  “Aye Warlord, let them bring whom they choose. My archers will give them all an early grave.”

  They were in a belligerent mood and that did not bode well for our enemies.

  It took just one day to reach Rouen. Eleanor and her ladies were keen to reach the castle; the message had alarmed them. The decree had them worried for what had been an adventure was now more serious. Henry met us five miles from his capital. He greeted Eleanor formally and we rode on either side of her.

  I nodded to him, “We have heard the news, lord.”

  “Aye, it has upset my plans somewhat. We are to be married in two days’ time. The Archbishop himself is to marry us.” He hesitated, “Except that…”

  Eleanor asked, “Except that what, my lord?”

  “First you must swear that you enter into this marriage of your own free will.”

  Eleanor had been distraught before. The lie that she had been abducted upset her. She had time to think about it and now she was angry. “What am I? A child? I know my own mind! There is no man could make me do something I did not want to!”

  Henry smiled, “Then when you have told the Archbishop he will understand and all will be well. We must keep the church on our side. I care not for our foes. With the Earl and my men then we can defeat any who come to my land but the Pope and the church are a different matter.”

  She nodded, “I wonder how many other lies were told about you and the Earl? I heard many things in Paris. Now I know that most of them were half-truths.”

  Henry face became grim, “And my brother will pay for his perfidy!”

  I tried to calm him. “He is your brother, lord. He is young. I agree he should be punished but if you are to be king then your punishment should be delivered with a cool head.”

  “As you taught me. Aye. I have Raymond of Mortain gathering my army at Rouen.”

  “And you have your scouts out too, eh my lord?”

  The guilty look told me he had not. “Scouts?”

  “You have enemies to the north, the east and the south east. We know not about Blois. Louis’ lies may have made the men of Aquitaine angry. If they join the conspiracy, then we would have enemies to the south. You need to send scouts to discover the enemy.”

  “You are right. My brother William is in Angers….”

  I shook my head. “And has no experience in battle. Use Sir Leofric. He has lived here long enough to know the people, the language and the land. Appoint him as adviser to your brother. We both know he will do a good job.”

  Eleanor said, “And I will issue my own decree! I will let the world know of my husband’s lies!”

  “Former husband, my love.” Henry reached over to touch her hand.

  “You are right.” Rouen lay just ahead. “I will speak with the Archbishop as soon as I arrive and he can witness my decree! I will show Louis the Younger that I can shout as loudly as he!”

  I was anxious to see that my wounded men were cared for and I left Henry and his bride to be to make their arrangements. My business would be the war and not the wedding. When I had made sure that my men were being cared for by the Norman healers I went to the Great Hall. There I found Raymond of Mortain. He was surrounded by his senior leaders; counts and earls. They turned as I entered.

  Raymond gave a bow and the rest began banging the table with the handles of their daggers. “A truly heroic feat lord. How did you do it?”

  “God smiled on our venture and I led good men. The Queen of France is a strong woman. It was not as hard as it sounded.”

  Raymond handed me a goblet of wine. “You are too modest.” I drank deeply. It was good wine. Henry had broached a fine barrel. The Count of Mortain lowered his voice, “I am annoyed with myself for not seeing the weakness in the Count of Nantes.”

  “I think we all underestimated his treachery. I do not think the Duke will make the same mistake again. Tell me, is the army all gathered?”

  “No, lord. We have over four hundred knights and three hundred men at arms but there are more on their way. We tried to persuade the Duke to raise the levy but he refused.”

  I smiled, “He learned that from me. They are more of a liability than a help. Better to use men who can fight. Do we have archers?”

  “A few.”

  “I have been telling Normans that they need archers yet you insist on crossbows. When will you learn?”

  “It takes months to train a crossbowman and not years.”

  “King Henry died many years ago. Had you all trained archers then we would have a body of men who could destroy the French and their allies in three showers of arrows. We will have to use my men.”

  “Do you know where we will fight?” The attention of everyone was on me.

  “You have all been lax in sending out scouts!” They looked shocked at my tone. “If you had sent out scouts when the decree arrived then we would know where the enemy were. As it is we are blind! I tell all of you that I want your men ready to ride, literally, at a moment’s notice. I do not care if we have no tents. I care not if your men do not have enough food. We move and we move swiftly when we discover where our enemy is. Our only hope is that we can defeat them one by one. If they all gather, then we will be outnumbered.”

  A voice cried, “Yes but we have you to lead us! We cannot lose!”

  Everyone cheered and I struck my pot goblet on the table so hard that it smashed, “And if we go to war with that attitude then we will lose! Do not be overconfident and take nothing for granted!” I knew that I was overtired but I was angry at their complacency. This would not be an easy war to win. “I am tired. I will retire to my quarters until we eat.”

  James was waiting for me when I reached my chambers. He had anticipated me and had a bath waiting for me. It was not a large one such as I had in Stockton but it would suffice. It was filled with the hottest water available and set before the fire. I smiled, “Thank you, James. Did Richard tell you?”

  “Aye, lord, and Gilles and John and Leofric and Harold! It is one of the first things that I was told. That and to keep a sharp edge on your sword.”

  He helped me off with my clothes and I stepped into the hot, perfumed water. It was a habit I had had since I had lived in Constantinople. “I feel dirty. Find me something decent to wear.”

  “Aye lord.” He brought over a tray. “The Queen sent this for you, lord. It is from Chinon and she said you would enjoy it.”

  I took a drink of the rich, almost purple, wine. It was heavy and fragrant. I could taste how powerful it was and yet it was not harsh on the tongue. It reminded me of the wines I had had in Aquitaine when I had stayed with her father. It helped me to relax. The wine, the bath and James’ voice as he sang a song from England helped me to rid my mind of those thoughts which sapped hope and I was in a better humour. When I had bathed he shaved me and combed my hair. I felt civilized once more.

  I did not go down to the Great Hall. Instead I took out the map I used. One of the Empress’ priests had given it to me when she had still been married to the Emperor. It had been added to over the years. It was a useful document as it showed the borders of the lands. There was still light coming in through the window and I sat with the rays of the sun over my shoulder.

  This would be an invasion. King Henry had kept the enemy away because they feared his wrath, his knights and his resources. The Earl of Gloucester and myself had been a threat which had made our enemies wary. They now saw Henry as a young and therefore weak king. They would strike. Yet I was still here and I was still a threat. If I was Louis, then how would I rid myself of that threat? Anjou! The answer was so clear that I felt foolish that it had taken me so long to see it. They would attack through Champagne. They would strike south and west. By threatening Angers, they would also threaten my manor at La Flèche. If Henry took the army south, then Louis and his Flemish allies would sweep from the north. If they did nothing, then they would have Anjou and the gateway to Aquitai
ne. I resisted the urge to race down and speak with Henry.

  What I did do was to fold up my map and say to James, “Go find Jean of La Flèche. Have him meet me in the bailey.”

  “Aye lord.”

  Jean was one of the men at arms who had been sent by Leofric to serve with me. He was Angevin and knew the land. While James was away, I wrote a hurried note on a piece of parchment. My father would have been appalled at the waste for the missive was but a few lines long. Parchment was expensive. This was vital for the safety of the realm lay in those few lines. I sealed it with my ring and, wrapping my cloak about my shoulders, descended. Jean was there as well as Dick, Sir Richard and Wilfred.

  They had not been summoned but all three knew me well enough to realise I had a plan in mind. “Good, this will save repetition. I believe that our enemies will make a strike at Angers. I want you, Jean, to take two men and ride to Sir Leofric and give him this message. Tomorrow the Duke will appoint him adviser to his brother, William, but Sir Leofric needs to send scouts out east now.”

  Jean took the letter, “Aye lord. I choose my own men?”

  “Of course.”

  “Then I will leave you.”

  My men were like that. They needed the minimum of instructions and they could be relied upon to do as commanded. When he had gone, I said. “I know we have just returned but I will speak with the Duke and we will take our men south. We will have to leave the defence of the north to the Duke and Raymond of Mortain.”

  “Aye lord. We will need more arrows. My men’s quivers are empty.”

  “And the ones you can get locally are not as good as the ones from home?”

  “Aye lord.”

  “It cannot be helped. We do not have the time nor the resources to make new ones. The horses we captured from the French, Wilfred, we will take those too.” After we had stripped the French dead at the mansio we had found a dozen horses wandering, without riders, in the fields. Although not war horses, they were find mounts.