Welsh War

by Griff Hosker

  When I heard the shouts from ahead and the neighs of horses then I knew that we were close to the camp. I pulled up my shield. The Scots had little mail but some of the deadliest weapons known to man. Their war hammers could smash a horse’s skull to pulp. I saw the brighter colours of surcoats. There were knights ahead. Men were forming a hurried shield wall. I pulled back my arm. I saw a Scot wearing just breeks. He had no helmet but he had a two-handed axe and he began to swing it in a figure of eight. I had no intention of losing my horse to such a weapon. My horse was well trained and the terrain meant we were not travelling as fast as we normally did. I headed directly for him and that presented him with a dilemma. He needed me to be on one side or the other. His swing meant he would strike my horse from the side. When I was twenty paces from him he adjusted his feet and moved to my left, away from my spear. I pulled Bella’s head to the right and then to the left. He wore no helmet and I saw confusion. His axe head dropped a little lower. Spurring Bella I pulled back my arm and, leaning forward, rammed my spear over my horse’s head and into his chest. His axe weakly struck my shield. He was a big man and I let his weight drag his body from my spear. I raised it just as a knight rode at me with his own spear.

  He wore an open face helmet with a nose protector. His horse was fresher than Bella but not as well trained. As he spurred his mount towards me I saw that the knight was struggling to control the beast. I could have ridden Bella with just my knees. He rode directly for me and I saw him pull back his arm. We rode shield to shield. We would both have to use our spears over our horse’s heads. I had done this before. As we closed I stood in my stirrups and drove my spear downwards. My action made him thrust upwards. There was less for him to hit and, in the event, he hit my shield. I twisted as I rammed my spear downwards. He deflected my spear but only as far as his thigh. Blood spurted and my spear was torn from my hand. He rolled over and off his horse. William would have been watching. He would secure the prisoner.

  Drawing my sword, I looked for my next opponent. The Scots were fleeing. I spurred my horse. Bella was a good horse and she could jump. The dead and wounded lay behind me but the detritus of the camp lay before me. She jumped over piles of unused spears. I saw a youth, little older than the King. He looked around in panic when he saw me. Turning he continued to run. I used the flat of my sword to smack into the back of his head. He fell in a heap. He would wake with a headache as his memory of his first battle. I reined in when I reached the edge of the woods.

  I turned in my saddle, “David of Wales, the ones who flee are yours!”

  My archers, keen to have useful employment, galloped beyond me into their natural terrain. My archers could loose from the back of a horse. The Scots would only be twenty or thirty paces from them. They would not have to draw fully back. My knights and men at arms had subdued the Scots. The shocked survivors had not been expecting such an attack. They had thought we squatted within our walls.

  “James of Corfe, secure the camp. I leave you in command.”

  “Aye lord.”

  I saw the King and Sir Richard edge from the safety of the woods. William galloped over to inspect Bella. He handed me a fresh spear. As my men checked their own beasts and their girths the King reined in. “That was speedily done, Earl.”

  “It helped that they kept a poor watch. I do not think that they were ready to attack. There look to be places left for more camp fires. You had best instruct James of Corfe to keep a watch for reinforcements.”

  Alfred said, “I will tell him, Earl. I think that it may have been a knight they expected for they left space by the tent of the knight you slew.” He turned to ride to James of Corfe.

  “Your son is confident for one so young.”

  Sir Edward rode up, “Good training, my liege. Ridley the Giant made him practise daily and young Alfred learned to defeat him. When you can beat a man twice your size then all else is possible.” There was genuine pride in his voice. I knew that he hoped his own sons would turn out as well as Alfred.

  The conroi led by Sir Richard and Sir Geoffrey began to edge through the woods where they had captured many of those fleeing our attack. I saw that the camp was secured and when Alfred rode back I said, “A column of fours. We head to Kelso.”

  As we headed down the river road my son said, “You know that we will not reach Jedburgh until dark, if at all.”

  I nodded, “I know but we have to try. The alternative would be to halt at Kelso. The first camp was the immediate danger. The next two have monasteries and towns close by. We threaten them and they will realise the danger of even contemplating a raid in the future.”

  “Your father is right, Alfred. I heard stories from my father of the Warlord. He did just this. The Scots feared him. He was the one who captured the Scottish King and gave twenty years of peace to the borders.” Sir Edward was my link back to the time of the Warlord.

  Ridley the Giant rode just behind Edward and he added, “Cedric Warbow told me that the people of Bamburgh now have double the numbers of villagers that they had twenty years since. The Warlord might be long dead but his shadow still lies upon this land.”

  I had much to live up to.

  My archers rejoined me when we were five miles from Kelso. “We have ensured that any who survived the attack are fled back to their homes. The camp at Kelso is between the Abbey and the river. I saw the banners of four knights there. There is little cover for the last mile or so. The ground slopes down to the camp and the river from Ednam Hill. You will be charging across open fields where they graze their cattle.”

  “Cross the river, David, and have your men south of Kelso. When the Scots flee you can stop them.”

  “Aye lord but there are people up and about on the roads. This will not be like the attack on the camp. They will spot you as they close. This time they will be ready.”

  “Thank you, David. Then it will be a battle from which the King will learn.” He rode off and I turned in my saddle, “Henry, send two riders. Tell Sir Richard and Sir Geoffrey that we halt a mile from Kelso. We will need to change our plans.”

  “Aye lord.”

  Alfred said, “A charge?”

  “Aye, we have the knights and our men at arms are well mounted. The Scots, save for their handful of knights will be afoot. It has been many years since they faced a charge of heavy horse. It will test their resolve. We will be charging downhill. I will let Sir Richard’s men bear the brunt of this charge for he and his horses can rest while we head for Jedburgh.”

  We stopped in the lee of the hill called Ednam. It rose like a green pimple. We knew that the town lay beyond. We had been lucky and not been seen by any who used the road. I wondered if David of Wales had shifted them. “Sir Richard you and your knights will lead the charge into their camp. Sir Geoffrey and I will support you. Ride hard and do not worry about those who flee. David of Wales waits for them. Your majesty, if you and the squires ride to the top of the hill you will have the best view of the battle.”

  “This will be a battle?”

  “They have knights and there is an Abbey and town nearby. The ones in the camp had no one to see their valour. These will want to show their courage. The squires will stay with you.”

  With open ground before us we could form longer lines and ride boot to boot. Sir Richard had knights in his front rank and his men at arms behind. My conroi formed the third and that of Sir Geoffrey would be the reserve. We followed Sir Richard’s men at arms. As we neared the top and began to descend I saw the camp. The town and Abbey lay on a piece of higher ground. If this had been a month later then the ground where they camped would be a bog. We were just cantering when I heard the horns from the camp. A drum sounded and I saw the Scots mounting horses and grabbing spears. The slope enabled us to gather speed without hurting our horses too much. We still had some miles to go to reach Kelso.

  The handful of Scottish horsemen placed themselves on the left flank of the line of spearmen. They were protecting the town. The spearmen were larg
ely without mail. Most had the small round shield called a targe. They were well made for they had layers of wood laid at right angles and were covered in leather and studded with metal. Their swords were short swords. They presented Sir Richard and his men with a hedgehog of spears. This would be a test of nerve as much as a test of military skill.

  I glanced down my line. We had kept together and our spears were vertical. It made riding easier. I saw the spears of Sir Richard’s men as they swayed to the horizontal. Now that we were on flatter ground I could see little of the Scots but I heard the clatter, the crack and the shouts as Sir Richard’s men struck their line. A Scottish horn sounded and the Scottish knights charged into our right flank. I hoped that Sir Geoffrey had heeded my instructions. We supported Sir Richard and he protected us. As Bella leapt over the body of one of Sir Richard’s men at arms I lowered my spear. Sir Richard had broken through the wall of spears. His own spears and lances lay shattered. Not all of the Scots had perished and one faced me with his targe and short sword. I punched over the small targe and into his left shoulder. Twisting as I withdrew it my spear head came clear.

  Behind me and to my right I heard the clash of knights as my daughter’s future husband struck the Scottish knights. Above the cries and the sound of steel on steel I heard a Scottish voice, “We yield!” We had defeated them.

  We had no time to waste. We had to get to Jedburgh. Sir Richard had wounded men but there were priests in the abbey who could heal. I waved my sword and the King and the squires galloped down from the hill. Sir Geoffrey joined me as we headed down the road. It was the middle of the afternoon and we had ten miles or more to cover. “That went well, my lord.”

  “Aye it did and you have justified my faith in you. That was well done.”

  He smiled, “I could not allow my future wife’s father to be in danger.”

  We halted two miles south of Kelso. David of Wales awaited us there with the Scots they had ambushed. There were thirty. Half were dead and half were prisoners. “Have some of your men escort them back to Kelso.”

  Just then the King reined in, “That was a magnificent charge!” I saw the joy of battle in his eye. He had thought it easy.

  “Your majesty, it was against men without mail. Had we not succeeded then we would never have held our heads up again. We have some miles to go. If you wish then you can stay here at Kelso.”

  “No, Earl, I have been a spectator. If my warriors can fight and ride then I can ride and watch.”

  As we rode down the road Alfred said, “The horses are spent. We cannot charge them again.”

  “You are right and besides that would alert the Scots. We will try something different.” I waved David of Wales forward. “It will be night when we attack. Take your men to the bridge over the Jed. Hold it and stop any fleeing. We will make a night attack on foot.”

  Sir Edward said, “And the horses?”

  I turned, “King Henry and the squires can be horse holders. I am guessing that will be a new experience for you, majesty?”

  He laughed, “All of this is new and do not worry. I am aware that I have much to learn and if part of that means holding horses then so be it.” The son was nothing like his father and that was a good thing.

  We crossed the Tweed and headed south. The Scots would know we were coming but they would expect us to come from north of the Tweed. By taking the southern route there would be more who would be sympathetic to England. David and his archers would clear a path for us. In plain cloaks and without surcoats they could be seen as outlaws or brigands. As the afternoon faded to dusk I became more hopeful of success.

  It was dusk when we crossed the Jed by the Mill. Mordaf and his brother greeted us. “David of Wales asked us to keep the miller and his family safe.” He grinned. “We only extracted two sacks of flour as payment!” My men were resourceful. “The Captain suggested you leave your mounts here, lord. It is but a mile to the Abbey and they are camped hard by there.”

  “Dismount.” The horses were lathered and exhausted. We had ridden them too far. They would enjoy water and oats which had yet to be milled. We left our cloaks by our horses as well as our spears. We would not need them. I took off my helmet. A coif would suffice. The King dismounted. “Your Majesty I will send someone back for you. Your men can fetch our horses.”

  “Good luck, my lord!”

  “A warrior always needs that and the Good Lord to be watching over him.”

  Once we had forded the river I divided my men. “Sir Geoffrey take your conroi and sweep up from the river. Remain silent until the alarm is given and then shout as though you lead an army. We will attack from the Abbey side. God willing, we will meet in the middle!” He nodded and we parted. Alfred and Edward flanked me. Fótr and Sir William tucked in behind and they were flanked by Ridley and Henry. It was a formation with which we were familiar. I remembered, from previous visits, that the Abbey was on a higher piece of ground and the valley sides rose steeply. The tents and the camp would have to be closer together. This town was larger than Kelso and there would be more civilians. They were on the flatter ground south of the Jed. We moved silently. We were on grass which was grazed by sheep and cattle. They had been gathered ready for the cull. They moved obligingly out of way and their noise masked ours.

  Ahead I could see the camp fires. Men were moving before them and there appeared to be a great deal of movement. We had either been seen or a survivor had reached them. I drew my sword, after pulling up my coif over my arming cap and began to run. The others soon picked up the pace. We were running over grass and we were coming from the east and the dark. We were not seen. Sir Geoffrey and his men were. I heard a scream and then a shout of, “Cleveland!”

  The diversion helped us as men ran towards the river. There was a tent of knights who had been tardy to rise when the alarm was given. Perhaps they had taken the time to don mail. We ploughed into them. We had no choice but to fight for they stepped into our path. I punched my shield into the face of the nearest knight as I raised my sword. At the same time a knight swung his sword at my side. Alfred’s shield flicked out and stopped it. The weight of the men behind us knocked three of the four knights to the ground. I held my sword at the throat of the man I had knocked over, “Yield or die!”

  He had little choice and he shouted, “Yield! I yield!” The others all followed suit.

  “Back in your tent and do not move.” Knights always had the option of yielding. Ordinary warriors did not and consequently they normally fought to the death or fled. One band, I took them to be shield brothers, decided on the former and ran at us. I was pleased I had not worn my helmet for these moved quickly. They lacked mail but made up for it with a ferocious attack. I saw, as one deflected my sword with his targe that he had a dagger in his left hand. I had used the technique. The wickedly pointed tip came for my middle. I too had fast hands. The edge of my shield just managed to stop it hitting me but my move exposed my shoulder. He hit me hard. If I had not had metal disks on my shoulders then the mail might have been damaged. The Scotsman was grinning as though he enjoyed the battle. I decided to use my own guile. I feigned a lunge and when he brought his sword and shield together I spun on my right leg to bring my sword into his unprotected side. My sword scraped off his ribs but, even though he was mortally wounded, he still tried to kill me. I knocked him away with the edge of my shield. Edward and Alfred had killed their foes and Fótr had led four of my men at arms to attack another shield band.

  When I saw men fleeing towards me then I knew that Sir Geoffrey had won. They saw us and turned to head for the bridge. As we disposed of the last of those who refused to surrender I heard the cries of the Scots as they ran into David of Wales and his archers. We had defeated these raiders and prevented a terrible ordeal for ordinary folk living south of the border.

  “Fótr, there are some horses over there. Take one and fetch the King and our horses. He will want to be here for this victory.”

  “Aye lord.”

  Sir Ed
ward, Alfred, collect the mail and weapons.”

  “Aye lord.”

  “Sir William organize the prisoners.”

  “Aye lord.”

  I sheathed my sword and laid down my shield. I slipped the coif from my head. Sir Geoffrey was still close by. “I thought, lord, that when the alarm was given then we were done for.”

  Shaking my head, I said, “These are brave fellows but our mail and organisation will always win in the end.” He sheathed his sword. “You know that you can stay in the Palatinate with Rebekah. I know that Elton is a small manor and you might have hoped for more.”

  “It is rich lord for it is close to Rebekah’s home and she will be happier being close to her mother and sister. Besides I have spoken with Sir Fótr and he seems to think that we can grow wheat.”

  “I have heard that it can be done. I am used to barley and oat bread!”

  Just then my knights and men at arms began to herd the captives together and to pile up the weapons and mail. Behind me an imperious voice said, “Was this well done, Earl? You have broken the peace!”

  I turned and saw a dumpy little man who looked incredibly well fed. It was the Prior. He had two churchmen with him and a grey beard who looked to be the chief burgher. “I have broken the peace? Explain to me, Prior, why there are three armed camps close to the border? My men crept close to the camps and heard them plotting. This would have been a raid on English land. I stopped it! Do not speak to me of peace!”