by Griff Hosker
He spoke in our language. That was not a surprise. Most of his work would come from the Gentiles. The Jews were not renowned for being warriors. Yet he knew my name. “You know me?”
“I know that the knight with the gryphon on his shield is a mighty warrior and a favourite of Queen Melisende and King Baldwin. The bazaars are full of the talk of you and your band of warriors. How may I be of service? Do you need a sword?”
“No, Balion.” I turned my head to show the scar. Although my hair had grown it was still red and vivid. “I need a helmet. My last one saved my life and I need one as good.”
He nodded. “You had an open helmet, lord, with a nasal?”
“I did.”
“I am guessing that the smith made it in one piece with a reinforcing band around the bottom protecting the nasal?”
“You know your helmets.”
“I would suggest one like this, lord.”
He showed me a larger helmet than mine. This one had no nasal. The top was quartered by four reinforcing bands. They were not made of iron but another material. However, the front showed the biggest difference. It had a hinged mask. He modelled it on his own head. He struggled to put it on for his head was in proportion to his body.
“See I can lift the visor so that I am able to look with unimpaired vision and the visor affords shade. In this land that is useful. When it comes to battle, I can pull it down. The eye slits are wide but it would take a lucky strike from a bolt or an arrow to penetrate it. The front is also reinforced by strips and it is lighter than you might expect.” He smiled, “The strips are made of a secret mixture of metals. It is my own invention.”
“Which you will keep secret.”
“Of course, lord.”
“Then I will have one and make a second for Robert here.”
Balion looked surprised, “Lord they are expensive. I have only made them for knights.”
“The price you ask is a fair price?” He nodded. “Then make two. And I may need a third for Tom here.”
“Me lord?”
“One day you will be a knight.”
We were all carefully measured. It did not surprise me when Balion took longer to measure my head. He was particularly careful of the wound although, to speak the truth, it no longer irritated me. When the hair had first grown it had but not since then. We paid him half with the promise of the full payment on completion. He thought it would take him a month. That suited me. The doctor did not know my body. I would not need six months. I needed time to recover fully and from what Robert and Garth had said our new men did too. Until then I would leave the road patrols to my men and I would be the lord of the manor. It was a role I had rarely enjoyed.
We met Francis and the new men. I would have them swear an oath at Aqua Bella. I would still pay them but I liked oaths. It was a mutual binding of brothers in arms. So far I had not been let down.
For the next four weeks, I exercised each day. My new men and I practised with wooden swords for the archers had little experience with them. I liked archers who could fight as sergeants. The rest of my men rode the road. Although it was safer they were still needed for the bandits had returned. They had obviously found a different camp. We borrowed Masood and Robert and Garth sought out their new one. They had learned and we found them not. It was far away and well hidden. The bandits who were foolish enough to attack while my men patrolled paid with their lives. We lost not a man nor a camel driver. We knew the land and my men were at one with it. We had been novices when first we had come and now we were veterans.
We returned to Jerusalem for the helmets. I took just a few men. Leaving Robert to pay for and pick up our helmets, I went to speak with the King. He was not in the palace. He and his mother were at Nablus. Theobald, however, was at home. He saw me and I was taken to his quarters. They were as austere as a Hospitaller’s and reflected the nature of this old warrior.
“What can I do for you, William?”
“I would knight Robert and, perhaps Tom, my squire.”
He nodded, “Then do it.”
“Do I not need the King’s permission?”
“You are a courteous knight and your attitude is refreshing. There are many knights who think they are a mighty lord and can do aught that they wish. The King will grant you permission. But if you knight them then you should know that they will be as you and beholden to him. He will be their feudal lord. Aqua Bella has four outlying farms. They serve the estate. You can give those to the knights. It will give them an income although it will detract from yours.”
“I do not mind that. Their duty will be little different from now.”
“No, William. Now they follow your command. They will still follow your command for they are your knights but they will also have to obey the King.”
“They are loyal.”
“I know but I thought that you should know.” He sipped his wine. “I hear that you may be married soon.”
“Yes, to David Ben Samuel’s daughter, Rebekah. If she will have me.”
He nodded and folded his hands, “You should know, and I say this as a friend, that there are many in Jerusalem who frown on such alliances. Many lords have Jewish concubines but none have a wife who is a Jew.”
“You are saying I cannot marry?”
“No, I am saying that the situation has not arisen before and there may be problems.”
“Such as?”
“You may be shunned socially.”
I burst out laughing. It was so loud that the guard on the door poked his head in to see why, “I can see that you do not know me. My father never cared for such conventions and I am his son.” Even as I said it I felt like a hypocrite. He had tried to tell me, in Normandy, that I was just trying to be socially accepted and he had been right. Now I cared not. I have changed and I just wished my father could see the change. He had always been proud of me but he had had no reason to be. Now he had and he was many leagues hence in England. “If I am forbidden to marry her then I would leave the Kingdom, lord.”
“You would not be forbidden but the King could never invite you and your wife to banquets and celebrations.”
“Then that is good for I would not care to be anywhere which did not accept my choice of bride.”
“And England? Has that changed so much that you could take a Jewess home and be accepted?”
That thought struck me like a blow. I had not thought of it. “I confess I do not know but I will cross that bridge when I come to it. It may be a moot point for the lady has not accepted my proposal yet.”
“And she is... well, let us say she was badly used by de Waller.”
“And for that he will pay.”
“There is a rumour that he was seen in Tripoli. I have not had it confirmed but I thought you should know.”
“I thank you. And thank you for the advice and the warning. You have given me much to think on.”
As I made my way back home my head was filled with new problems. I had given no thought to either Rebekah’s race or her religion. Would she be persecuted if I took her to England? As I had said to Theobald, until I had an answer from Rebekah there was no problem. However, I knew that there could be one in the future. My father had taught me to plan for all eventualities.
When I reached Aqua Bella, I saw Alice. She was collecting eggs from the chickens. “Alice, I would like something special tonight. What can you come up with at short notice?”
“Your men went hunting yesterday. They slew an oryx. I could cook a haunch of that along with the sweetbreads and offal. We have figs and peaches which will enhance the taste and I could use some of the pepper and saffron.” She hesitated. “It is an expense lord.”
“I will buy more and make sure you cook enough for the families of you and Absalom.”
Her face lit up. “Thank you, lord and I will serve honey peaches and rice for the pudding.”
“Have we any goat’s cheese yet from the new goats we purchased?”
“There is some, lord,
but it is light and runny. It will be better in a month or two.”
“Good. The doctor recommended more milk and cheese to help me recover.”
She crossed herself, “We are all grateful, lord, that you were spared. My husband said that he has never known the land to be so fertile and the estate so prosperous.”
That evening I dressed in my finest robe. I had much to say to my men. We used one of the larger rooms now for there were many of us. The room was not as luxuriously appointed but we were warriors. When and if Rebekah married me, we would eat in the room the old lord and his wife had used. It was more fitting for a lady. I made sure that Francis used the older wine. It had aged in the amphorae. The cool rooms carved out of the rock were perfect for keeping it in the best of conditions.
Word must have spread amongst my men that this was an important event for all took special care with their appearance. I smiled for Garth had actually washed and combed his unruly locks and tied his hair back. He looked almost human rather than the shaggy bear he usually resembled.
Before the food was served I stood with my goblet of wine in my hand. “Warriors of Aqua Bella. This is the first feast we have all enjoyed together. The warriors who followed me from Normandy and England have now been joined by new brothers. This is a new start for all of us. First, I should say that, as you know I have asked the Lady Rebekah to marry me.” Garth led the men in banging on the table. I smiled. It was a tradition which went back to the Vikings and Saxons. I saw worried looks on the faces of those servants who were from the Holy Land. “Let us raise our goblets and toast the Lady Rebekah.”
“Lady Rebekah!”
“Today I spoke with Theobald. He said that there may be some who oppose the marriage of a Christian to a Jewess.” Their good humour disappeared. Like me they had not thought that there would be a problem. “Know you that I will marry the lady and I care not what anyone says!”
This time the banging of the tables was deafening.
I smiled when it subsided, “I had thought to ask for your support but I can see that I have it.”
Garth growled, “Aye lord, and I will cuff any who makes a disparaging remark.”
“I hope it will not come to that. And I have more news. This concerns two of you.” They all looked around, wondering what it might be. I had not spoken to either Tom or Robert on the way back from Jerusalem. I had meant to but my mind was still filled with the words of Theobald. “I intend to knight Captain Robert and Thomas, my squire.”
It took them all by surprise especially as I had said Thomas and not Tom.
Tom looked up at me, “But I am the son of an archer, lord!”
“And the captain of your father was an archer made a knight by my father. I have spoken with Theobald. He approves but you should both know that you can refuse.”
“Why should we do that, lord?”
I turned to Robert, “Because, my old friend, with the title come responsibilities. You owe me duty and, so long as you live in the Holy Land, also to the King of Jerusalem. There are two farms which will become your manors. Both produce the sheep and goats we eat. The families there would be yours to command and to care for.” I smiled as they took that in. “So, what say you?”
They looked at each other and nodded.
“Good and, Alf, until I can find another, you will take over as my squire.”
For some reason that made him as happy as Tom. “Thank you. lord! That is an honour I had not expected although I have learned much from Garth.”
Garth ruffled his hair, “Aye but you will never be an archer. You started too late. You will make a swordsman and, perhaps, you can learn to ride a horse properly now!”
“And speaking of horses: Robert I give you Leonidas as your war horse and Thomas of Aqua Bella, you can have Strong-arm, the horse I brought from Normandy.”
It was a fine feast and a fine evening. We all drank more than was good for us and poor Tom had to be carried to bed by Garth but as Francis said as he escorted me to my chambers, “That was well done, lord. The farmers, John and Matthew, will enjoy having someone to watch over them and the two young masters are both kind men. My wife wept with joy when she heard the news. They are like family.”
“We are all like family, Francis, and I know how lucky I am.”
Chapter 17
A month before Passover we had a visitor. The Master and a company of Hospitallers stayed with us. The Master was apologetic when they arrived. “I am sorry to have landed upon you, Sir William and feel free to say that there is no room but we are travelling to Jaffa and Jerusalem could not accommodate us. We are happy to sleep in the stables and to find our own food.”
I shook my head, “You will eat with us. And this is serendipitous for I have need of your counsel.”
He smiled, “Then we can both benefit from this.”
Alice was delighted to be cooking for the Knights of St. John and it was a harmonious arrangement. I went, with the Master, to the roof while the food was prepared and the Hospitallers prayed in my chapel. We had rigged a canvas shade and the view was spectacular. The potted lemon and orange trees gave a pleasant smell. Francis had a servant bring up some chilled wine. Our rock hewn cellars kept the wine at a perfect temperature.
“So, Sir William, what do you wish to ask me about?”
Having broached the subject with Theobald I found it easy to speak with the Master. I told him of my dilemma; the possibility of a marriage to a Jew.
He smiled, “I do not think there is a problem. The only one that I could see is that the ceremony would have to have two priests: one a Jew and one a Christian. Personally, I think that this is a good thing. It shows that not all of us come here as conquerors. But, as you have intimated, the lady may well refuse. I have no doubt that some of her own people might disapprove.”
I nodded, “What you say is right and I have as yet no priest. I have my own chapel but no priest.”
He suddenly laughed, “God works in mysterious ways does he not?”
I was confused, “I suppose so, what makes you speak thus?”
“We go to Jaffa not only to bring back new volunteers but also to take those brothers who return to England. The Empress Matilda gave us a priory there. It is small. Some of those who can no longer be warriors are going there. We suffered grievous losses in the Damascus debacle. One of them wishes to stay but we could find no purpose for him.” He sipped his wine. “This is good wine. There is a connection to you for he is the sergeant you saved. Brother Peter lost the use of his left arm and he does not wish to leave this land yet. He has, like you, unfinished business. He could be your priest.”
“Would that suit him? I would be happy but I would not like to force a man to stay here.”
“We will ask him but I already know the answer for he wished to thank you in some way for saving his life. I will go and fetch him.”
As he descended I went to look out over the valley. I had said I would go back to England to be with my father and yet this land suddenly looked more appealing. Here, I was rich and had a good life. I had people around me whom I could trust and, most importantly, Rebekah would probably not wish to leave her own family. If I solved one problem then I would create another.
“Lord.”
Turning I saw the Master with Brother Peter. I had only seen him briefly and then in the heat of battle. He was a big man. With a mop of red hair and a red beard he would stand out on a battlefield. He had a sword still but his left arm hung uselessly from his side. When he spoke, I knew him to be from the north of my country. There were many red heads there. They had come over with the Vikings and the Irish. “Sir William, the Master says you have need of a priest.” I nodded. “If you would have me then I would serve under you. I do not wish to leave the Holy Land for I do not think my work here is done. I know I cannot serve the Knights of St. John but I can still fight and still be a priest.”
“Then you are welcome, Brother Peter. By your voice you are English and from the north of my
country. Whereabouts do you hail from?”
“I come from Cumberland. My father was a farmer at Coningestun by the Water in that shire. My family were slaughtered in a raid by the Scots. I was away serving with the Lord of Craven fighting Stephen the Usurper. I left England for it held nothing for me and joined the Knights of St. John.”
I nodded, “My father has some of the men from Craven who serve him.”
“I know, lord and that makes this seem right somehow.”
“Welcome Peter. I will show you the chapel.”
He smiled, “Lord I found it already and I prayed there. My prayer has already been answered.”
The meal was a lively affair. Our guests and my men had much in common. We had all emerged from the fiasco at Damascus with honour and shared experiences. When I told the Master that I was to knight Robert and Thomas he was pleased. “They both fought well. We need honourable knights.”
That led us, quite naturally, to speak of dishonourable knights. “Have you heard anything of the Count of Provence or de Waller?”
He nodded, “They both went to Tripoli. The Count of Provence and his men left for home but de Waller disappeared. When I was in Jerusalem we heard of rogue knights who were terrorising the land north of Galilee. From their activities both Theobald and I think it is de Waller. The knights from Nablus and Belvoir are now riding patrols in the area but it is believed that they are hiding in the land of the Assassins.”
“But that is Seljuq land! Is it not dangerous for him?”
“He has the protection of the Old Man of the Mountains. However, one of his men was captured. He was tortured and, before he died, although he refused to give up the whereabouts of his former master he did say that his master had sworn vengeance on you and… the family of Ben Samuel.”
Although it was warm I felt a cold chill flood over my body. “I must warn them!”
“They have been warned. The King sent a messenger two days since. I was asked to convey the news to you although neither the King nor Theobald feel you have anything to fear.”