Henry II (The Anarchy Book 13)

by Griff Hosker

  It was Dick and his archers who turned the tables on the Count of Champagne. The crossbowmen had been scattered and Dick brought his archers closer to the flanks of the men of Champagne. Their arrows began to bite. The fleeing levy saw the archers and veered towards the centre of the Count’s line. Without crossbows, the men of Champagne could only hold up their shields and try to protect themselves from Dick and his archers. At eighty paces Dicks needlepoint bodkin arrows would tear through mail, gambeson and flesh.

  I shouted. “Reform!” James sounded the horn. It took some moments for my men to cool their blood enough to heed my words. The slaughter had been terrible. The field was littered with those who were warriors only for this battle. They had fought and they had died. Their fields would go untended. We were just two hundred paces from the Champagne line and the Count feared we would charge. I had just eighty men but with the archers on their flank they were vulnerable.

  I shouted, “Wheel. Let us aid the Viscount!”

  We turned and walked our weary horses towards the mêlée between the men of Blois and the Angevin. It was hard to see who was winning. I saw the banners of Sir Leofric and Viscount William. They appeared to be beleaguered. I had to risk Albert. I spurred him, “Come, James, let us go to the side of my most loyal knight!”

  With just my five men at arms in close attendance we were the first to reach the men of Blois. It was not honourable but we hit those who were fighting Sir Leofric’s men at arms and struck their backs. I brought my sword, its edge almost gone, onto the back of a knight. There was a crack as something broke and a cry which seemed wrenched from deep within the knight of Blois. He fell from his horse.

  I heard Sir Leofric’s voice, “See the standard of the Warlord! The wolf comes! Hold and fight for the Warlord!”

  The men of Blois knew me. It was not just by reputation. I had slain many of their fathers and brothers. I had had ransom from almost every noble family. My name was a name to inspire terror. I urged Albert forward for I saw Henry of Blois’ banner. Behind me I heard a horn sound three times. Sir Robert was leading my reserve across the field to attack the Count. I had no doubt that he had been advised by my Sergeant at Arms. Wilfred was never one to stand by when there was killing to be done.

  James rode on one side of me. He had the standard and his reins in his left hand and his sword in his right. To my left rode Leopold of Durstein and he was wielding a war hammer to great effect. The three of us began to carve a path to Henry of Blois. He was busy fighting William and it was an uneven contest. Even as we approached I saw William’s standard fall as his squire was cut down. I spurred Albert who leapt forward. His mighty hooves and shoulders barged a knight to the side and I brought my sword sideways to bite into his side. It came away bloody and he fell from the saddle.

  I shouted, “Henry of Blois, you have no honour! You signed a treaty with the Count of Anjou. I will have you!”

  The last man between us was struck by James who struck him in the head with my standard and then hacked him in the neck with his sword. As he fell Henry of Blois turned. I saw Sir Leofric urge his horse to the side of the Viscount. Henry of Blois spurred his horse towards mine. He had a war axe. He aimed it at Albert’s head. I jerked it around and brought my sword down on the haft of the axe. It was a mighty blow and the axe fell from the Count’s grip. He pulled his sword. It took a moment and in that moment, I whipped Albert’s head back around. Albert was a well-trained war horse and his teeth bit the neck of Henry of Blois’ mount. Its reaction turned Henry of Blois’ newly drawn sword away from me. His shield was before me and standing in my stirrups I brought my sword down with all the force that I could muster. His shield dropped. Still standing, I whipped my shield around and hit his shoulder with its edge. His horse was still moving and he lost his balance. He fell from the saddle.

  I quickly dismounted and, as the Count tried to rise, pressed my sword against his neck, “Surrender or die! I do not mind which for you were ever the most dishonourable of knights!”

  “I yield! I yield!”

  His squire lowered his standard and his knights sheathed their weapons. I looked for the Viscount and Sir Leofric. Both had bloody visages but they lived.

  “James, how goes our attack?”

  He turned and then gave a cheer, “They are retreating, lord. The Count of Champagne has yielded the field! We have won!”

  The men around me began chanting, “Warlord! Warlord!”

  I pulled myself into my saddle and, standing in my stirrups shouted, “This is a victory for Henry, Duke of Normandy and soon to be King of England!” The chants turned to cheers as we celebrated an unlikely victory.

  Chapter 17

  The only thing worse than a battle lost was a battle won. I remember my father saying that. He was right. We had won and Anjou was safe but we had lost warriors. We had lost more warriors than I had expected. The enemy’s plan had ensured that. It was a lesson to me. I had expected him to do one thing and he had done another. There were archers and men at arms who had served me for years and they lay in the fields close by Herbault. Edward the Fair, Garth son of Gurth, Walter of Crewe, Richard of Middleham, Cedric and Oswald would not be returning to England. They had kept their oath and it grieved me that they were dead. We lost Angevin warriors and we lost Normans but my men from England hurt me more for they died far from home. They had followed me and they had died. We would remember them. I was weary and ready to go home.

  We camped close by the field. We had priests with us and, while I was still angry at the deaths of my men, I summoned them. I had Henry of Blois brought before us.

  “You will now swear an oath that you will never oppose Duke Henry or his brother William! Swear now on this Bible or by God I will slay you myself!”

  He nodded, laid his hands on the Bible and said, “I so swear.”

  The priests made the sign of the cross and nodded.

  “Furthermore, you will pay an indemnity of six thousand crowns. Until it is paid you will remain a prisoner at La Flèche.”

  He nodded. Blois was a rich County. I had no doubt that France would have paid subsidies to the Count for his support.

  I turned to Sir Leofric. “When the ransom is paid one third will go to the Viscount, one third to you and one third to me! It will not compensate for the loss of so many brave men but we can rebuild.”

  “Lord, that is too much!”

  “I am Warlord and I have spoken.” His shoulders sagged and he accepted the gold. “Viscount. I suggest that you appoint a lord for this manor. Choose a strong knight who can defend this crossing. I do not think that the Count will threaten again but the Count of Champagne is a different matter.”

  “Aye Warlord and after today I will hold you in even greater esteem than I did before.”

  “Remember this, Viscount, a leader is only as good as the men he leads. Today I led the finest archers, men at arms and knights in the whole of Christendom. I am honoured to have fought in their company. Choose the men you lead wisely and you will be repaid. Have the armour, horses and weapons distributed equally.”

  “You do not stay lord?”

  “No, Sir Leofric. I fear this conspiracy will be felt in England. This snake’s brother will seek to take advantage of my absence. My men and I return home!”

  He nodded, “Then I will give you some of my men to replace those that you lost, lord. You have saved this County. The least I can do is to help you to save the land of my birth.”

  My men and I left the next morning. I was confident that both Sir Leofric and the Viscount had learned enough to protect Anjou and the southern borders of Normandy. Charles would not know of my departure for some time and he would be wary of another defeat. Henry would still have battles to fight in the north and the east but my business was in England. We made good time and reached Rouen in under two days. None had heard of our victory for we had ridden as hard and as quickly as any messenger. We arrived so unexpectedly that Henry and his duchess were not in the castle;
they were hunting. It gave me the chance to charter two ships to take me and my men home.

  When they arrived back from the hunt they were surprised, “Earl, how went the campaign?”

  “We won, Duke, but some of the brave men who campaigned alongside you in England in the border wars died. Your brother fought us and fled. He is now with the Count of Champagne. I fear that they will join King Louis and the men of Flanders. Your southern borders are secure. As for the east? I know not.”

  “Then together we will defeat this alliance of evil.”

  I took a deep breath, shook my head and said, “No lord. I must to England. Stephen will not wait now. He will take Wallingford and then head north. If he heads north then I fear he might well take my valley. Either you or I must fight him!”

  I saw him chew his lip. He was undecided. Eleanor put her hand on his and mine, “Husband, it is as clear as the nose on your face. You must win Normandy and defeat Louis. The Warlord is meant to save England. It is in his blood. His father and his namesake fought for England. We will beat Louis. I kept my eyes open when I was queen of that land. I know both the strengths and weaknesses of his leaders. When he is cowed and humbled, then you shall go to England, join this greatest of Englishmen and claim your throne.”

  I saw him nod. Tears were in his eyes. “It is your appointed duty, Earl. I can think of no man in whom I have more trust. Win my land back for me, Warlord.”

  “It has been my life’s work and it is not over yet but I can see the light dawning.”

  “When I come, I will bring my Duchess and future Queen.”

  “I pray you land at Bristol. I do not intend to tarry long in the north. I must strike quickly. My plan is to head south and subdue as much of the country as I can. If nothing else it will draw Stephen away from Wallingford and you have much support in the west of our country.”

  “Then I will do so.”

  Infuriatingly the ships were not ready to sail for a couple of days. I had forgotten that these were not my ships. William of Kingston would have had his ship ready much quicker. The delay brought us news that Stephen was not having it all his own way in England. Other Earls, having seen what I had achieved, had rebelled. The Earl of Norfolk had raised the men of East Anglia. It was rumoured that the Earl of Leicester thought of deserting the royal cause. We even heard that Stephen had had disagreements with his own appointed Archbishop, Theobald. Stephen’s wars were expensive and the treasury was empty. He had tried to take more money from the church. There had also been a falling out because Archbishop Theobald refused to sanction the coronation of Eustace. It had been forbidden by the Pope. He had fled England. There were glimmers of hope. London was now his last major supporter.

  Eventually we sailed. When we reached the sea, we struck storms and had to shelter in Le Havre until they passed. Each delayed day meant another opportunity for Stephen to hurt our cause. Sir Richard, Dick and Wilfred tried to ease my mind.

  “Lord, even if Wallingford were to fall it will not be long before Duke Henry comes to England. The men of Anjou and Normandy are stout warriors. We will win.”

  “You are right about the men, Dick, and I saw nothing but good during our campaigns but Wallingford is the key to the west. If that were to fall then the rest of the west might follow.”

  The voyage north was fraught for the two captains were not William of Kingston. I feared for our lives. I thought it would ironical if our ships foundered as the White Ship had done. It had been that event which had precipitated the civil war. When we did reach the Tees, I was almost afraid to step ashore. What would I find?

  I was relieved to discover that my land was unchanged and untouched. My fears had been groundless. Even so I threw myself into the business of building an army and seeking allies. Dick and his archers began to sort out the archers who could join his elite company. I sent Sir Harold to Chester to ask for Ranulf, Earl of Chester to prepare to summon his knights and barons. I sent Sir John and Sir Richard by ship, the ‘Adela’, to Bristol. They had to know that I was coming.

  Four days after my return I held a feast for my other knights. It was more of a council of war but we had brought wine back with us from Normandy and a celebration was in order. If nothing else, it served as a way to remember our dead and for them to hear of the courage of the younger warriors like James and Sir Richard.

  As I looked around the table I found myself seeing my men, almost for the first time. The deaths of so many of my men had made me realise that none of us were immortal. Wulfric and Dick now had grey hairs. In Wulfric’s case, there was more grey than dark. Even younger knights like Sir Hugh and Sir Tristan were now grown men with families and sons who would soon be squires. I wondered how I would look to them? I was of an age with Dick and Wulfric. I was not vain. I knew that some lords had expensive mirrors made. The only time I saw my face was a reflection on my burnished helm.

  “You are quiet, lord, what ails you?”

  “Nothing, Dick, save a weariness. Each time I think we have Stephen beaten, Fate throws another obstacle or two in our way.”

  Sir Gilles of Norton laughed, “And you find a way to overcome them, lord. We have not been idle whilst you were away. I now have more archers and the men at arms who serve me now have mail. When next we go to war we can field more men.”

  There was hope. Sir Gilles was right and I roused myself. “The hostages we hold we will retain. It will ensure the cooperation of those lords who live close to our land. We will be campaigning far from home.”

  Wulfric nodded, “Sir Gilles of Normanby and myself have kept our patrols around the strongholds of Helmsley and York. The Sheriff keeps close to his castles. His men hide if we come by with a handful of men. The people frighten their children with stories of the wolf who will come from the north. You inspire fear. Our land is safe.”

  I was not certain that I liked the idea of me as some sort of monster to frighten children but if it kept my valley safe then it would be a price worth paying.

  “I intend to head down the Great North Road. I have asked Ranulf of Chester to meet with us at Lincoln. I hope that the threat to the Midlands will draw Stephen to us.”

  Sir Hugh was the most thoughtful of my knights. “With just the forces of Chester and our men. Lord, we have not enough to face Stephen in battle.”

  “We have other allies too. Hugh Bigod, the Earl of Norfolk, has joined the rebellion. His wife is the sister of Mandeville. Although he is besieged in Ipswich our presence in Lincoln may mean he can join us.”

  Dick said, “Do not forget the Earl of Leicester. If he defected to our side then we would have many more men under our banner.”

  I nodded. “There is hope. Now we await my emissaries. We will not leave yet but you need to prepare. Horses and arrows will be vital to us. Choose wisely whom you will leave to guard your castles. While other earls and barons may bring men who march on foot, we will be mounted. As Dick showed at the battle of Herbault the ability to move quickly can decide the battle. If Dick had not brought his archers close to the enemy flank, then that battle might have gone badly.”

  As the knights departed Sir Hugh waited. I knew it meant he wished to speak with me alone. “Lord, I have a boon to ask.”

  “If it is in my power then I shall grant it.”

  “My son, Robert, is now ten years old. I would have him become a squire. I could take him myself but I was not a squire to my father. You were my lord and I would have my son enjoy the same experience.”

  “You, of all people, know the dangers of being my squire. I am always in the thick of the battle. How does your lady feel?”

  “She is fearful, of course, she is, but my son will be a knight and if he is trained by you, lord, then he will be a better knight for it.”

  “Then I will gladly take him as a squire.”

  “I will bring him along tomorrow. He is keen to begin work.”

  I told James who was happy to have some help. “You know, James, that you must teach him the basics.” />
  “Aye lord. I remember Richard and Gilles teaching me. I will try to do as they did.”

  And so, in addition to preparing an army to attack Stephen I had to make Robert, son of Hugh, into a knight. Alf had to make him a helm and we cut down an old hauberk. We had horses but James ensured that the horse we gave to Robert would suit him. As he was not yet full grown we gave him a short sword and James' old shield. The only other item which was made specifically for him was a surcoat and Alice sewed that herself. James was a hard taskmaster and Robert found that there were not enough hours in the day. He came to know all of my horses well. In battle, he would be responsible for fetching a replacement if one fell. James showed him how to ride and carry spare lances and spears. After he had fallen a few times he learned.

  I walked up on them as James was teaching Robert how to keep my edge sharp. I stood outside the armoury and listened. I wanted to know if James was doing as I had asked.

  “But why does the Earl need a sharp tip. My father does not.”

  “You will learn that the Earl has ways which are different from other knights. This sword is special. Alf made it and it can keep its edge better than most. Most swords cannot have such a sharp tip but this means that the Earl can use the stabbing blow as well as the cut. The tip can, if it is well sharpened, cut through mail. I wish that I had such a sword.”

  I left them for he was doing as Gilles and Richard had done with him.

  When my knights returned they brought news, some good and some unwelcome. “The Sheriff of Gloucester has a large force of knights ready to fight for Henry but he made a plea for you to lead them if the Duke is still in Normandy.”