Welsh War

by Griff Hosker

  “And the siege?”

  The King sighed, “We lost seven knights in the attack by Northampton’s men. He should have used your caution but I fear he was trying to impress me. If it had not been for your successful attack we would have lost even more. More than one hundred and fifty died before they closed their gates. We have miners digging beneath the cat. It will take time but we will bring down the wall. You have time to get well.” He looked around. “I am concerned that one of the men we trusted could try to kill you.”

  I looked at Alfred. He shook his head. “The men who were with us when we attacked the tower have disappeared. No one remembers them arriving or which lord they served. When the column was formed they joined in! They could have been Welsh!”

  “Or they could have been the men who served Sir Hugh. He seems to have inspired loyalty in his men.” My worst fears appeared to have been realised.

  “We are now scrutinising everyone. Sir Jocelyn was most concerned and he is as vigilant as any. We change the password each day. Your knights and the King are the only ones excused the rigour.”

  “And I am happy to give a password. You are worth more to me than any indignity I might suffer.” The King rose. I stayed here until you woke to tell you that all is under control. I am still learning but I would rather you whole and leading us than leading and dead!”

  When he had gone and a relieved doctor had departed I sat with my sons and Egbert. I could see that my loyal servant had been most concerned by the turn of events. “And our men?”

  William laughed, “Any who approach our camp are given such a hard time that we are like a leper colony.” His face lost its humour, “It is worrying, father. I did not know that there was a blade which could pierce mail.”

  Alfred nodded, “A sailmaker’s bodkin can do the same. You have to be close to manage to kill. From now on there will be Sam and Robert at your back when you move… even when you pee!”

  “And you found no such blade in the camp?”

  “It would be easy to secrete. Do not worry that was their best chance. They failed! They will not catch us a second time.”

  I had had wounds before but this one took the most out of me. I felt as though I had no energy. Egbert proved to be a godsend. He sourced food which began to build me up. He served kidneys and calves’ livers. The King was appalled when he heard that I was eating offal. Egbert was adamant. He knew what to serve me. He had the men at arms gather wild greens and cooked them with wild garlic and onions. Over the next week I gained strength and energy. Alfred kept me apprised about the siege. The miners tunnelling under the cat were making progress beneath the wall of the inner bailey. Soon they would be ready to fire it. We had captured their supplies when we had taken the outer bailey. Already they would be suffering hunger.

  When the fire was finally lit under the mine I was strong enough to go to the breach to view it. It was spectacular. The flames and the smoke erupted from the mine as though a dragon had breathed fire. The symbol of the Welsh was the dragon and it seemed apposite. As the fire burned the men on the outer wall fled to the keep. It was obvious that the wall would fall for the cracks appeared within a short time of the fire being lit. When the wall tumbled some of the men of Oxford raced through the breach. It was a mistake. Crossbow bolts cut them down.

  The King took command and ordered all to stay in the outer bailey. He shouted, “We will do as the Earl of Cleveland did! Tomorrow we use shields to enter the bailey and secure the outer gate! We lose no more men to these traitors. Time and hunger are now on our side.”

  We sent men in at dawn and they opened the gate. It was a safer way to enter the inner bailey. We camped in the inner bailey and the garrison asked for parley. Sir Jocelyn thought that the siege was over but Sir Edward and I knew better. “He is buying time. He has not enough supplies now and William thinks his brother Falkes is on the way. He is not. There are too many men twixt him and Bedford for that.”

  Sir Edward was right. The negotiations were for the safe passage of the females of the castle. The female members of the household, including Falkes' wife, and Henry de Braybrooke were released. The women were sent to the town while Henry de Braybrooke was held captive. After speaking with the King, we discovered that he was in fact an innocent victim. He had been High Sheriff and Falkes de Breauté had held him captive. He became a valuable ally for he was able to tell us about the dispositions of the men within the keep. We discovered that there were just eighty knights who remained. Men at arms had been deserting over the walls and into the river. The thought passed through my mind that they could have been the assassins. Then I dismissed it. Deserting men just fled. William de Breauté would not surrender. De Braybrooke told us that he was certain his brother would come to his aid. The miners were set to build a mine beneath the keep. I knew why the knights did not surrender. They had been told they would be executed.

  This time the mine was dug in two days. The garrison had neither bolts nor crossbows left and the miners were able to dig without hindrance. When the smoke began to pour from the keep the de Breauté standard was lowered and William de Breauté led out eighty men. They were paraded in the inner bailey so that the lords, barons, and men at arms could stand on the fighting platform and hear their trial. The Archbishop of Canterbury pleaded for leniency but we had lost over two hundred men and the King was in no mood to be merciful. Three men begged to be allowed to become Templars and go on crusade. They were the only ones who were not executed.

  The King showed a new side to himself. He had been ruthless when dealing with the rebels and even while their bodies swung in the air he tasked Henry de Braybrooke with destroying the whole castle so that not a single stone remained. It was as draconian an act as I could ever remember. The churches and the roads in Bedford all benefitted. The treasure from the castle was distributed amongst all of us. King Henry showed that he understood the value of money. The siege had a been expensive. It had cost him £1,311. That was a colossal sum and was seven times the annual income of William of Hartburn. It showed how committed he was to showing the land that he was the ruler. The King wanted the bulk of the army to march back to London where Falkes de Breauté was said to be gathering men. I was happy to go but Alfred showed his new-found strength. He went to the King and told him, in no uncertain terms, that I was in no condition to go to war again. The King agreed and Sir Edward led my men south. He would command the men of Cleveland. Hindsight is wonderful. Vision when looking backwards is always perfect but I wonder what might have happened had I not headed north up the Great North Road with ten of my men at arms, my sons and servants and Sir Jocelyn de Braose with his men. I will never know but I do know that my dreams have been haunted by the King’s decision ever since.

  I was made to ride in a cart. Sam and Robert rode with me. Until we reached the Tees they would not relax their vigilance. Sir Alfred rode at one side, William at my other and Sir Jocelyn and his squire were the rear-guard. With Ridley the Giant and my men at arms before us, sniffing the air like hunting dogs, I felt sure that we would be safe. We did not relax. Each day we changed the password. One of my bodyguards slept outside my door and the other within. William shared my bed. Egbert slept at the foot. Alfred always had the room to my right and Sir Jocelyn to the left. I felt almost constricted. I confess that I felt better now. Egbert’s diet appeared to have worked and I felt neither pain nor discomfort. It might have been different had I been riding but the cart was an easy and comfortable way to travel for I lay on furs and tents.

  When we reached York I finally felt I could relax. Sir Ralph made us all welcome. We had good chambers and we spent two days there. I would only have Egbert and one of my bodyguards in the chamber with me. I was looking forward to a bed to myself. Alfred went to buy presents for his wife, child and mother. I sent William to buy something for his mother and sisters from me. Sir Jocelyn explored York. I spoke with the Sheriff.

  “The King has grown then, lord?”

  “He has.” I told hi
m of his actions.

  “I am pleased. We need a good king who lives in England!” I nodded and sipped the wine he had provided. “I am more concerned about you. I fear, from what I have been told that these killers who seek you are not Welsh. They would have stood out and your men are no fools.” The thought had crossed my mind. “I think it is the men who followed Sir Hugh and this mysterious son. We destroyed an empire. We both know how vacuous is the Earl of Chester. If we had not ended his reign then his empire would have grown. His men would know that. Perhaps they seek to return but to do so you must be out of the way.”

  He was right but I had not thought of it until then. “We should be safe here.”

  “No, Earl, just the opposite. York is a busy port. Ships leave here for Frisia, Denmark, Norway, France and Anjou not to mention every port in the east coast. My town is filled every day with strangers. My men are constantly rooting out those who would cause harm to my town. The obvious ones are easy but there are others who appear to be law abiding. It is not until they commit a crime that you know they are evil. We have whores and doxies from all over the land serving those you use the river. I will be happier when you are in Stockton. There strangers would stand out. The Lombard dagger is rare. It might be a foreigner who was hired to kill you.”

  “Then I will take care. We leave tomorrow and you will have to worry no more.”

  Sir Alfred, Sir Jocelyn and William were in high spirits when they returned. My sons had made good purchases and were looking forward to giving them to their mother and sisters. Sir Jocelyn just seemed in good humour. Sir Ralph gave us the best of feasts and we all drank well. It was Robert of Newton who would watch in the corridor while Sam Strong Arm would be behind the door. I had had a great deal to drink and I awoke in the dark of night. I needed to make water. I went to the garderobe and was about to return to bed when the handle on the door moved slightly. My senses had not been dulled by the drink. I drew my dagger and hissed, “There is danger.”

  Sam rose immediately and Egbert a heartbeat later. Egbert drew a dagger and Sam a sword. He hurled the door open and footsteps thundered down the corridor. Sam ran after the man and I knelt next to a dying Robert of Newton. “I am sorry lord but he gave the password. It was…” He said no more. Alfred appeared at his door. He had just a night tunic on but he had his sword in his hand. I pointed and rose. My son ran and his squire, Henry, followed. Behind me I heard William’s door open. I ran down the corridor. This was the first real exercise I had had since the attempt on my life.

  The noise had roused the hall and that was not a good thing. We had the chance to find the killer but if there were people around then it would muddy the waters. It soon became obvious that the killer was heading for the stables. There were guards there. Sir Ralph had been worried that a killer would need horses to flee. There were double guards at all the gates. The walls of York were as closely watched as anywhere. Only the river offered an avenue of escape. We had a chance. As we left the hall to race across the courtyard I saw Sam. He was fighting with two men at the door to the stables. He was struggling and was only saved from death by the intervention of my son, Alfred. Neither man wore mail. William was behind me and I only had a dagger but I did not hesitate. The alarm had been given and I heard Ridley the Giant leading my men from the nearby warrior hall. When I entered the stables, it was dark but I saw three men on horses. Their backs were to me. William appeared next to me. He had a sword in his hand.

  “Surrender now and you will have justice. Fight and you die!” I tried to make my voice as forceful as possible.

  They turned and I saw that it was Jocelyn de Braose, his squire, John, and another man. I was stunned but even as I stood, open mouthed, many events suddenly made sense. “That is what you said to my father and yet you still butchered him! Now you will die at the hand of his son!” He and his squire spurred their horses towards us. William stepped before me. It was brave but foolish.

  A number of things all happened at once. I caught sight of movement to my right as Sam and Alfred, having despatched their opponents had raced in to the stables. They stood in the doorway to prevent them escaping. I saw that the squire, John, intended to ride William down and I grabbed my son and pulled him into one of the stalls. The third man rode at Alfred and Sam. Sam swung his sword at the leg of the man while Alfred lunged up at the middle of the squire, John. Sir Jocelyn was a little behind his squire and he swung his sword at Alfred who did not see him. The blade hacked into the skull of my son, Alfred. Even as his squire, Henry, ran to his lord’s aid he too was cut down by the squire.

  The evil knight turned and, as he spurred his horse shouted, “You took my father and now we are even for I have slain your son!” The knight and squire galloped from the stables.

  I ran to Alfred. It was obvious that he was dead yet I still cradled his body in my arms and I hugged him as tightly as I done when he was a bairn. “You died when it should have been me. I swear, my son, that I will have vengeance on Jocelyn de Braose.”

  I looked up as Ridley the Giant and my men appeared, “He shook his head, “They killed the sentries at the gate.”

  I rose, “Saddle our horses. We will follow him to the ends of the earth if needs be!”

  I went to Sam. He was standing over the man he had wounded. I knelt and put my dagger at his throat, “Send for a priest.” I pricked his neck with the dagger. “Answer my questions and you shall have confession before you die.”

  “I beg you save my life!”

  “Your life is forfeit but you may have absolution. Sam, bind the wound. Where has he gone?”

  “He has a ship waiting on the river, lord. He will be long gone. He and his woman sail to France or Frisia, I know not which.”

  Ridley had been listening, “We will get to the river.” He ran out.

  “And who was his father?”

  “The same man as was my lord too, Sir Hugh of Craven. I am now the last of them but we kept our oath.”

  The priest came in, “Hear his confession. William fetch my sword for I would execute this traitor myself!”

  “No!”

  “I promised you confession, no more!”

  After I had ended the man’s life I dressed and went, with the Sheriff to the river. My men had been too late. Five ships had all left at the same time. Sir Jocelyn’s horse and his squire’ mount were found wandering along the wharf. Despite our questions and the eagerness of those who lived along the river all that we knew was that the ship he had boarded had been bound for France. A woman had been with them. From the description of those who saw her she was Morag, One Eye Waller’s woman. She had had her vengeance. When we returned to the gatehouse we saw that the men who were there had been poisoned and then stabbed in the heart with a small pointed weapon. Morag had been dogging us for some time. I guessed now that it had been she who had killed Harry son of John. A woman would not appear a threat. The passwords had been useless. Sir Jocelyn had been told them. We had only been safe when my sons had slept in my chamber. York would have been their last chance to murder me. Stockton was too well guarded.

  My son’s killer had escaped and a blackness came over me that was worse than the darkness of my wound. I felt it rise from within me. I felt angry and I felt foolish. I could now see all the clues which should have told me that Sir Jocelyn was the threat but I had been too concerned with the King. My son had paid the price for my negligence. I had almost lost William too! What was the point of securing a throne for a king if a man lost his children? I would follow Sir Jocelyn and I would kill him but first I had a son to bury.

  Epilogue

  My son never saw his own son grow nor did he know that he was an uncle. Rebekah had given birth to a boy while we were at York. He would be named Alfred after my son. Aunt Ruth aged twenty years in a moment. I swear that she began to die the day that I brought back the body of my son and the grim news. It was only that Matilda was even more distraught and needed my aunt. She used the strength of the loss of Ralph all t
hose years ago to offer a few crumbs of comfort to the young widow.

  I wept when he was buried in the church where his forebears lay. I sobbed for the loss. Had God offered me a trade, Alfred’s life for mine, then I would have taken it. I looked at the tomb of the Warlord and my father. He was in good company and yet he had died before his life had begun. He had had so much to live for and now he was dead. Arsuf came back to me. Then I had been helpless to save my father. Thanks to my wound I had been helpless to save my son. I should have been the one to face Sir Jocelyn.

  I knelt next to my son’s body. My wife was with Aunt Ruth, Matilda, Rebekah, Isabelle and William. My son held his arms protectively around them. They stood and they wept. The body was still uncovered. Walter the Mason would carve an effigy to cover his body but for now his bandaged body awaited the stone lid which would cover him until Judgement Day. The bandages stopped his mother seeing the terrible wound which had ended our son’s life. I put my lips close to where I knew the ear would be. He was dead and did not inhabit the body yet I spoke to him anyway. I had to. “I have failed you, Alfred. A father should protect his son and protect his family. I did not do that. Know that your family will want for nothing. Whatever was yours by birth will be your families by right. When we take ransom and treasure then your family will have your share. I will watch over your children and do a better job than I did with you. My family now takes precedence over the King and England! You would have been the greatest knight in Christendom. It may take me a lifetime but I swear I will hunt down your killer and end his worthless life.” The candles in the church flickered as a rogue breath of breeze rustled down the aisle. Was my son speaking with me?

  I stood and walked to the wet nurse who carried my grandson Henry Samuel. He was now more of a toddler and less of a child. I took him from the nurse. Matilda cuddled her new born, Eleanor. “Henry, I make a solemn pledge to you here. Your father has gone but I will be as a father and a grandfather to you. I will be there to catch you when you fall and there to cheer you when you succeed.” I looked at Matilda, “The curse that was Sir Hugh of Skipton continues to blight this land but at least you and my son had some happiness however briefly. You shall live here in Stockton. You will have your own quarters. We will make our home your home. When William and I return we shall have peace in our hearts as well as our land.”