by Griff Hosker
“But we do not have enough men for that!”
“My lord, he does not know that!”
“Wulfric is right, it is the kind of trick that I would use but Stephen does not know the size of our army. Until you reached us, lord, I had no idea you had landed nor did I know the number of men you would bring. Stephen will be the same. Until he sees our army he will be guessing. We have the morning to attack. I believe a resolute attack will succeed. They will be standing to all night. The Earl of Chester’s men can watch and then be the reserve in the morning although I do not think that we will need them.”
Henry nodded, “Then, my lords, I suggest you retire. Ranulf, I leave you in command of the enemy camp.”
“Aye my lord, I have good men. They will do their duty.”
I walked with Henry back to his tent. “We are close, Warlord. I do not want to make a mistake now and lose all that we have achieved. Can we defeat him in battle?”
“I have done so already. His power is weaker than it was. It is an illusion. The Church no longer supports him. His son and heir has been defeated by me, twice. We have taken his one castle in the west. The only strongholds he retains are London and Oxford. We know that London is filled with fair weather sailors. If they believe that Stephen will lose they will abandon him. The one thing we do not need is to besiege Oxford. Your mother held out there for a long time. We want him brought to battle. If he does not come forth then we threaten London. You are popular. Eustace frightened the burghers of Bury St. Edmunds. Stephen will not want you to win over the capital.”
“Do not leave me, Warlord! Stay by my side. I feel as though I am riding a powerful stallion. I need you to help me control it.”
“Today you showed me that you can be a leader in war and a leader in peace. When you become the second Henry to rule England you will be a great king and rule an empire of which your great grandfather and grandfather would be proud!”
He nodded, “Thank you, now I pray you rest. You too will need to be fresh on the morrow.”
Robert and James had finished cleaning my mail. They had found some river sand and put it in a sack with vinegar. It had taken them some time but it was now without blood and rust; it shone. Robert was polishing my helm while James now put an edge on my dagger and sword.
“We fight tomorrow, lord?”
“We may, James, but we will not be in the fore if we do.”
“And whom will you ride tomorrow, lord?”
“Rolf I think. I do not need a warhorse. I will save Badger for our next charge. Whenever that is.”
I was awoken in the early hours of the morning by the sounds of alarm. I jumped from my cot and, grabbing my sword, ran from the tent. Had I been wrong and had Stephen launched a surprise attack on us?
A rider came galloping in. “Lord, the enemy has fled. They have left the camp in the dark of night and sneaked away towards Oxford.”
I cursed Ranulf. He could not even mount a guard on a defeated enemy. Had our good work been undone?
“Rouse the camp! To horse!”
Henry came from his tent. “What is it Warlord?”
“Ranulf’s men were not as attentive as they should have been and the enemy have fled. Stephen has a mighty army yet. We must march to Oxford, hot on their tails. If we can catch them before they reach Oxford, then there may be no damage.”
We both turned as Ranulf Earl of Chester rode into the camp. His red face showed both his anger and his embarrassment. I was about to chastise the Earl when I remembered that Henry commanded now.
“Well my lord?”
He dropped to one knee, “I am sorry lord. I did not have enough sentries. The enemy slew the men on the north side of the camp. They left at midnight.”
I could contain myself no longer, “Midnight? That was three hours ago! They will be in Oxford by now!”
“The sergeant at arms who was supposed to check on them was drunk.”
Henry snapped, “It was your watch, Earl! You are responsible. If men die because of this, it is your fault.”
“Men have already died lord.”
“Aye and they were yours! They know the folly of following a fool!”
I shook my head, “There is little point in pursuing them. We must prepare for battle. He will come here. We will have our battle, lord, but we will be outnumbered.”
We moved north of the camp so that the river was on our left and we had the earthworks behind us. We could always retreat there. Henry punished the Earl of Chester by having his men guard the baggage. We seemed an inadequate force to meet the might of Stephen. We had less than a thousand men. Four hundred, at least, of the enemy had fled the night before. Dick and his archers were on the road to Oxford. They would watch for our enemy.
Dick and his men rode in just after noon. “He comes lord. He has many banners.”
“Archers?”
He shook his head, “Forty only and a few crossbows too but he has more knights than we.” He turned to rejoin his men and then said, Eustace is with him. He is on a cart. And he brings God.”
Henry asked, “Brings God?”
“He has some bishops and churchmen with him. They carry relics.”
Henry asked, “I thought he and the Church had fallen out. What does this mean?”
“I can read the thoughts of warriors, lord, but churchmen are like women to me; they are a different species!”
The enemy halted at the village of Benson, just one mile north of our position. We watched as they arrayed for battle. We had few choices over our formation. We had four battles, mine, Leicester, Norfolk and the Duke’s which was augmented by the defectors. We had less than eight hundred men for the Earl of Chester guarded the baggage and the bridge.
“Do we attack him, Warlord?”
I shook my head, “We fight on foot. He has no archers and we do. It might still go ill with us but we can bleed him away.”
We all waited for the enemy to attack. He had the numbers and the land gave neither side an advantage. We were, therefore, surprised when a priest came from their lines to speak to us.
“My lord, the Bishop of Lincoln would have you speak with King Stephen in the middle of the field. He asks if the Earl of Cleveland will attend also.”
Henry turned to me, “Is this a trick?”
The priest said, “It is a truce, lord, and the Bishop will stand surety.”
I nodded, “Come lord, if it is a trap you and I can fight our way out. We have done so before.”
Henry laughed, “Aye and your men would fall like wolves on any attempt at such base treachery.
Stephen was accompanied only by William of Ypres while there was a veritable gaggle of priests with the bishop. Stephen had aged. He was both grey, thin and drawn. Had he been wounded? I looked over his shoulder and saw the cart with his son in it. He had his banner hanging from it but I saw him sitting up. I wondered why he was not there to speak as well. He was Stephen’s heir.
We sat in silence. The Bishop said, “This war has gone on for too long already and too many men have needlessly died. Theobald, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has made a plea that you end this war.”
I looked at Henry and nodded. He smiled and said, “So, cousin, you wish to abdicate?”
Stephen had the good grace to laugh. “No, my feisty young cockerel. I can see that this old warhorse beside you has taught you all of his ways.”
“Coming from you, Blois, I take that as a compliment.”
He shook his head, “You never afford me my title of King!”
“I do not recognise you as king.”
The Bishop held up his hands. “My lords, winter is almost upon us. Would you have the country starve while men fight? It is the people who would suffer. Would you bicker and squabble like children? You, King Stephen, are the shepherd of your people and you, young Duke Henry have a responsibility to the people that you would lead.”
Henry nodded, “You are right but I tell you now, Bishop. That I will not cease to fight for th
e crown.”
“And I will not abdicate.”
There was silence. Then the Bishop smiled, “If we have a truce until February then we could all meet at Winchester, which is a holy city, and there meet with the Archbishop and, your majesty, your brother Henry.”
I turned to look at the priest, “Henry of Blois? He signed a peace treaty with me and swore to keep the peace.”
The Bishop gave me a wry smile, “Then coming to Winchester to discuss a peace here would seem to be expected would it not, Earl?”
I would have carried on fighting but I was not one who would be king. Henry nodded, “I am willing to have a truce until February but I will not give up any land or castles we have taken nor will I disarm my men.”
Stephen jutted out his chin, “Nor will I but I too am willing to have a truce. My son is still injured.” He gave me a curious look, “I warned him not to cross swords with you, Alfraed. I would he had listened.”
“He is a killer and deserved to die. I know not why he lives.”
The Bishop waved an irritated hand at me and said, “Then it is settled, Henry, Duke of Normandy and Stephen King of England agree not to fight again until after the negotiations in February.”
Henry said, “Agreed.”
“Good. Your majesty?”
Stephen said, “And the Earl of Cleveland.”
The Bishop looked puzzled, “But the Duke has agreed to…”
Stephen shook his head, “I can remember when every lord in the land agreed to peace, including the Earl of Gloucester, but one man, with a pathetically small number of men kept fighting. I will agree but only if the Earl swears that he will not fight until after the truce.”
Every eye was turned to me. I wanted to scream, ‘No!’ as loudly as I could but I had made a potential king. I had to back him. I looked at Henry and he nodded. My shoulders aged and I said, “I so swear.”
When I looked into Stephen’s eyes I saw no joy but relief. He was afraid of me. In that instant I regretted my oath but I knew that I could not break it.
I turned Rolf and headed back. It was rude and I had forgotten my etiquette. I should have allowed Henry to leave the field first but I was angry. Henry galloped after me, “It is for the best, Earl. This way I can return to Normandy and sign the treaty with Louis and be back in Winchester for the meeting. By then I can have many men in England and I will refuse to sign another treaty!”
I smiled, “You have truly changed. You are wise beyond your years.” I suddenly stopped as a thought struck me like a thunderbolt. “I am a fool. I listened to what was said and not to what was not said.”
Henry looked confused, “I do not understand you.”
“Who was not mentioned in the discussion?”
He looked even more puzzled.
“Eustace of Boulogne. Surely if he is the heir to the throne he should have been present or mentioned at the very least. Stephen assiduously avoided reference to him. He said he would not give up the throne. He did not say that his son had to be king.”
“Well what does that mean?”
“I am not sure but we have some time to work it out.” Those in our camp were, generally, happy with the truce. Sir Hugh was anxious to return to Ipswich and repair the damage to his lands. The Earl of Chester still smarted from his disastrous duty and wished to be away from the gaze of both Henry and the other peers. We had seen an opportunity for victory and his negligence had cost us that chance. The Earl of Leicester chose to return to Lincoln and fortify it. The truce meant that the royal stronghold was ours and to neglect it would be a folly worthy of the Earl of Chester.
Henry addressed us all. “I ride to Bristol for I would take ship this day, if I can. Return to your manors. I leave Alfraed, Earl of Cleveland, in command of my armies until then. He will meet me in Winchester in February. As for the rest return to your homes and take advantage of this brief peace. Hereford, make sure Wallingford is well supplied. If the conference in February fails, then you will be under siege again.”
I rode part of the way with the Duke. Leofric would return to Anjou with his men. “I know it hurt you to agree to the truce but it is worth it. Return home and enjoy some time in your castle.”
“Unlike you, lord, I have no wife to return to and my son is still in the Holy Land.”
“You have not heard from him?”
“I would not expect to. William is a man of war and not a cleric. Besides it is hard for a message to cross the Middle Sea. After he has atoned, he will return, I am sure and I pray that I will be alive to see him. When that day comes, he will return to a new England. He will see an England ruled by you.”
“You see that day as close?”
“I see that day as imminent. If I am forbidden to fight there is naught to stop me riding the land is there, lord?”
“Of course, not but why?”
“This day has made me realise that Stephen fears me. He was relieved beyond words when I swore. If he fears me then not only will others who serve him fear me but there will be knights and commoners who feel the opposite. They will welcome me. I would ride in the open and speak with these people. We shall need them after the truce for if the King does not stand down then we shall fight again and need their arms.”
“You have my permission.”
After they had left we spent some days helping Roger of Hereford repair and improve his defences. He turned the counter castle at the bridge into a defence for the bridge. My men destroyed Crowmarsh Gifford. I then led my men up the Thames valley to Oxford. I had not been there since the Empress and I had fled all those years ago. When we reached the castle, I expected to have to stay in the town for Stephen and his son had been within. However, when we arrived, I was invited in by the castellan, William de Chesney.
De Chesney had been appointed to Oxford by the Earl of Gloucester but after the earl’s death he had been persuaded to join Stephen. I was surprised by the invitation but grateful for the castle was spacious and my men and I enjoyed better accommodation than we might have expected.
William de Chesney raised his goblet for a toast, “Here is to the greatest knight in the land, Alfraed, Earl of Cleveland.”
Not only my knights but the garrison knights all joined in lustily. When De Chesney sat down I said, “Your words are a contrast to you position, William. You hold the castle for Stephen.”
The servants brought food and I hacked a leg from the game bird as William answered, “Lord when the earl died and the Empress fled to Normandy, we were alone. Henry was a boy and only the bastion that is Stockton remained free. That is many miles hence and I compromised. I regret it now.”
“Henry will be king.”
De Chesney leaned in, “I know it, lord.”
I was intrigued, “How?”
When the King returned here after the truce he and his son argued. His son was angry that he was neither invited to the meeting nor mentioned at it. He took his men and departed. He and his father left on bad terms. His son said he had not been party to the peace and he would continue to fight.” He paused, “He took William of Ypres with him.”
“He was ever Queen Matilda’s man.”
“The war is ending lord and William of Ypres is a mercenary. The pickings of the last few years have been lean. He is not as rich as he hoped. The truce does not suit him. And he also knows that the war is almost over.”
Throwing the gnawed bone on to the table I took a chance. Athelstan had told me that there were moments you should seize and this was one such moment. “Then if you are so certain, join Henry FitzEmpress. Hold this castle for him.”
“Bur lord, the truce!”
“I have not fought you for this castle have I? I have asked an old ally to rejoin us. Hold this for Henry. With Wallingford in our hands then when the truce is ended, Henry and I can meet Stephen and his son on the field of battle and end this once and for all.”
I was aware that those on our table had been listening. There was silence. I stood and raised my gob
let, “William de Chesney, the Earl of Gloucester is in heaven now and watches your moves and hears your words. You know that he would have you support his nephew. Join us!”
He stood and touched goblets, “I will, lord, I will. This castle now stands for Henry FitzEmpress.”
It was not so much of a surprise as people made out. De Chesney had been the earl of Gloucester’s man and had only joined Stephen because he had been isolated. The stones in the wall around Stephen were beginning to crumble.
We left two days later and headed for Lincoln. I had Sir Wulfric take Sir Hugh, Sir Gilles of Normanby and Sir Phillip of Piercebridge back to Stockton with their men and our spare horses. There was peace and I knew we would need to be ready for war in February. It meant we could still defend ourselves but we would move much more quickly and impose less of a strain our hosts. Sir Hugh, Sir Gilles and Sir Phillip were happy to be able to spend Christmas with their families. They left us just before Lincoln. I was anxious to let the Earl of Leicester know of the defection. Sir Harold and Dick rode next to me as we headed towards that great city and castle.
Sir Harold said, “I spoke with some of the barons in the castle. You hurt Eustace badly in the battle of Bury St. Edmunds, lord. It is even more serious a wound than we were led to believe.”
“Yet he was able to argue with his father and leave. The hurt cannot be so much.”
“He looks to be recovered yet the baron to whom I spoke told me that he now has fits. He sometimes lies and cannot be woken for an hour or so at a time. The times he is ill grow longer each day.”
“Aye lord and I heard that his father does not think he can be king. There were words about the younger son, William.”
“Yet I heard that he is a studious youth who does not wish to be a powerful lord like his father.”
Dick nodded, “And that is another cause for argument. The Queen has sided with her son against her husband. She has given Eustace funds to continue to prosecute the war. He has not agreed to the truce.”