by Griff Hosker
I jerked Rolf's head around and headed back to my men. I saw Dick and his archers as they relaxed their arms. They had been ready to loose at the first sign of danger.
"Will he keep his word, lord?"
"I think he has little alternative. The flower of Scotland lie in Yorkshire and the ones who remain are waiting for ransom. They will be impoverished. That is why William Redere's little brother is so annoyed. His brother must have gambled on victory against England and riches. He was riding a poor palfrey and his armour was old. I suspect we will have a little trouble from the likes of Redere and bandits but our main enemy will be the knights of Stephen. De Brus and Balliol will scurry back with tales of my words. Espec will ferment trouble too. We have one ally and he is an old and frail cleric. I will be happier when my ship returns with news from Anjou!"
Sir Hugh was delighted with our news. We spent the night at his castle. As we feasted I suggested that he and his men at arms help us to scour the forests of bandits and the survivors of the battle. "Harvest time comes soon and then winter. These men will become more desperate. It is best we rid the land of them now so that you may sleep easier this winter."
With our scouts out we left early the next morning. We rode in groups of ten and swept through the woods and forests. When Edgar found the burnt out farm and the dead bodies we concentrated our search. It was not pleasant work, hunting men but we had to for the good of the people. We drove through the woods and flushed out groups of men. Most were the survivors of the first attack at Northallerton. They were the shaven headed Galwegians. They were tough and hard to kill. It took most of the morning to slay the band of fifty who had taken up residence. The afternoon was a little easier for the other bands were smaller and they were the men of Lothian and of the Islands. I suspected they were the ones whose lords had died. There would be little honour returning home without a lord and brigandage was a better option.
We had done enough and I led my men back to Stockton. We arrived back after dark and I felt weary as we headed to the west gate. Even Wulfric looked tired. "I am getting too old for this campaigning lord."
"As am I but needs must."
"You have a castle and a home, lord. You should enjoy them."
"And I will but only when I have heard from the Empress."
Alice took one look at Gilles and shook her head, "My lord you must look after yourselves more. Sit now and I will bring you wine and food."
I smiled at Gilles. "She means well."
"She is right, lord, you do too much. Is there no other lord who could shoulder the responsibilities?"
"I am lucky to have loyal knights such as Sir Edward and the others but we have too few knights. I need more. The trouble is finding them. I have the power to make them but until the likes of you are ready then I have no one."
"Are there manors lord?"
"Aye, Norton and Normanby. Both need a lord of the manor. Both need a castle. If the rebellion in Kent fails then Stephen will visit his wrath upon us and I need a ring of defences. You saw how poorly the enemy did when they besieged both here and Barnard Castle. We need to make all our manors as strong."
Perhaps it was the wine or the excellent food but the answer became blindingly obvious to me. I went to bed happy that night knowing I had a partial solution to my problem. I slept well despite my injuries. When I rose it was the blow from the standard bearer which still troubled me. Although my shield had taken the blow my arm was both black and blue. In the days since the battle I had had little chance to rest it.
I rose and ate with Sir John and Gilles. He knew the men of the castle better than I did and I questioned him about them. Of all those who followed me I knew them the least well. John was as I knew he would be, brutally honest. It was his way. After I had ordered Gilles to bring Sir Tristan and Sir Harold to me I sent for John, my Steward. I told him what I intended. For once he was in full agreement. I then spent an hour going through the affairs of the lands I controlled. Half of the ransoms had been paid already and the other half would soon be here. We had the finance to do what I wanted. He went away with a list of tasks and orders for both William the Mason and Captain William when he returned.
Tristan and Harold were both curious when they arrived. I saw it on their faces. "How goes the rebuilding of your manors?"
Both shook their heads, "It is heartbreaking, lord. We have done all that work building fine homes and the Scots destroy them both in an afternoon. Our wives are heartbroken. All their pots and linens are destroyed."
"I know Sir Tristan. Tell me, both of you and I wish an honest answer, do you each have a site at your manor where you could build a good stone castle?"
They looked at the ground and then it was Harold who spoke. "In Hartburn the answer would be no. We have no river such as you have here or at Norton and the high ground is not enough to build a castle which would be large enough to defend."
"The same is true of Elton."
"Yet both manors are productive and need a lord?"
"Aye lord."
"Lord, speak plain for I was brought up in Sherwood and I do not understand these games you play."
"I am sorry, Harold, but I play no games. You both have families and you need a castle where you can protect them. Is that not correct?"
"It is lord."
"Then I have two plans. I speak with you first because I have others with whom I wish to share my ideas. I have powers I have not used. Until the Empress or her son are crowned then I shall use them. Normanby and Norton need lords of the manor. They are both perfect for stone castles. If you wish them then I give you those manors."
"And the alternative plan, lord?"
"More complicated, Sir Tristan. You would continue to be lords of the manor but your families would live here. I would give you each a tower for your wives and children. They would be safe and you would still be lords of Hartburn and Elton." They looked at each other nervously and I smiled. "I had a wife once. Go speak with your wives but I need your answer within the hour."
William the Mason had been waiting outside. He had his two sons with him. I remembered when my father had first given him work. The two boys had been quite young then. Now they were strong young men who were masons in their own right. "I wish you to build me a castle at Norton and another at Normanby."
William showed no surprise. "As large as this one, lord? Made from stone?"
"Not as large as this but in both cases I want an outer bailey large enough for those who live in the manor to take shelter. Stone? Largely but you may have to use wood too. I want them up by next summer."
"That is a lot of work lord."
I nodded, "Hire as many men as you need. John will make the funds available to you."
"If you would allow my sons each to be responsible for a castle then I could supervise the two. The work would move on quicker."
"If you are happy, William, then I am too."
"And the lords of the manor?"
"That I do not know, yet, but they will work closely with you."
He nodded, "And thank you, my lord. Not many lords would give a chance to two such young masons."
"You have never let me down, William."
Alice must have been waiting outside for she entered as soon as the masons had left. "Lord, you will need new clothes. I have taken the liberty of arranging for some seamstresses to make you new ones. Alf can make mail but that is all!"
I was distracted, "New clothes?"
"I went to wash those that you have worn on campaign and they fell apart. I am having you new ones made. I just came to tell you, lord." It was not a matter for discussion. She had taken the decision and her tone told me that I would obey her in this.
"And I appreciate it, Alice. You will have to excuse my behaviour. I am more used to dealing with men that ladies. I apologise."
She put her hand to her mouth, "Oh, no my lord. Do not apologise. I meant nothing."
"You are right to chastise me so. I deserve it."
Sir
Harold and Sir Tristan entered, followed by Sir John, and Alice scurried away like a frightened mouse. I almost laughed. She had a good heart and it was a shame that her husband had been killed so young and on my service. Sir John, Gilles and myself had become her new family. My two young knights were confused by her hurried departure. Sir John smiled. He was castellan and he knew Alice better than any. She mothered him as much as she did Gilles.
"Well?"
"Our wives are quite happy to stay here, lord and we are too. Hartburn and Elton are close enough for us to manage them and to protect their people from here."
"Good. I will see John and Alice and explain the new arrangements. I think that Alice, in particular, will be happy. She likes the presence of the babies. Gilles!"
My squire ran in, "Yes, my lord."
"Fetch Erre, John of Craven, Wulfric and Dick, if you please."
"Should we go, lord?"
"No Sir Tristan, this concerns you and Sir Harold." I had spent most of the night coming up with my ideas. Each person I had spoken to had clarified them but I knew this last part would be the hardest. Wulfric, Erre and Dick were used to my hall but John of Craven was not. Since he had entered my service all had spoken of his honesty and his discipline. He had behaved heroically when the Scots had tried to scale our walls. He was a warrior in the mould of Wulfric. I saw his confusion when he arrived with the others. I think he thought he had caused me some offence.
"Two of you have served me since I first came to Stockton all those years ago. I would reward you. Wulfric and Dick, or rather Richard, I shall knight you at Martinmas."
"We need no title, lord."
"I know, Wulfric, but I need knights and you two have the qualities I need. It is not a request, it is a command." They nodded, "And you, Erre, have served me well. I would knight you too."
" I am but a common soldier, lord!"
"As was my father. Now I wish you, Sir Erre and you, Sir Wulfric to be lords of the manor at Norton and Normanby! You shall rule for me. William the Mason will build a castle at each site. You will need to hire your own men at arms but there will be silver for you to hire them. When the time is right you shall pay taxes but, for now, the Scots are paying for our men. Sir Richard, I need you and your archers. You will have no manor but your archers will become your company with your own livery."
They looked stunned, "What say you?"
"Lord I would still fight at your side."
"And you shall Wulfric but I need the iron from the Eston hills protecting. Until I hear from Anjou there will be no campaign. We hold what we have. You hold on to what we need. You will be at Normanby and you will have Guisborough to watch. With your eyes upon it then De Brus cannot use it. You see my reasoning now?"
"Aye lord."
John of Craven asked, "Lord, what am I here for? You are not knighting me nor making me a lord of the manor so why am I here?"
"You are no longer a young man, John, but you are a warrior. I have had good reports about you. With Erre and his Varangians leaving for Norton I need someone here to help Sir John and to be castellan when we campaign. Sir John's mighty arm was needed at Northallerton. With you here I know we can leave Stockton in safe hands. The men of Copeland follow you already and the Frisian warriors seem happy to serve with you.
His face broke into a smile, "Then I am honoured, lord and I accept, gladly!"
The easy part was telling them the hard part was working out, with John, the finances and the logistics of moving men and horses to the two manors. Initially it would mean we had a smaller garrison at Stockton but that would not be for long. Both Norton and Normanby, as well as the surrounding area, had young men who wished not to farm but to fight. Erre and Wulfric were the finest of teachers. The rest of September was exhausting but in a different way from the rigours of battle.
When the 'Adela' hove into view at the end of September it seemed that it had been ordained by a higher power for at the bow was my son William. My ship had brought me the perfect gift. "Come, John, let us go and see my son!"
Chapter 10
Although I was both excited and pleased that my son had come I wondered at the reasons. He leapt from the ship as soon as the side touched the jetty and before the crew had tied her up. He put his arms around me and hugged me. There was power in those arms. My son had grown and was almost as tall as I was. When he finished growing he would be bigger.
"This is indeed an unexpected pleasure!"
He stepped back and took John's outstretched arm. "And for me. Good to see you, Sir John! I am happy to be in Stockton again."
"Is there trouble?"
He laughed, "There is always trouble, father, but I must speak with you. I can stay but one night and then I needs must return home." He took a step towards my castle and then stopping blurted out, "You know I am to be a father!"
"I know!" Despite my best efforts I could not keep the disapproval from my voice.
He shook his head, "The Empress is happy enough, father."
We could not speak further for my son was greeted by my soldiers most of whom had served with him and they all liked him. Most had helped to train him.
Wulfric was in the inner bailey readying his horse, preparing to go to Normanby and he picked William up in a bear hug. "The cub is back! And growing! That wine in Anjou must suit you, young master!"
"It does although you have lost none of your strength either. Perhaps I should take back some English beer."
"It does not travel well." He mounted, "Do you stay long?"
"I return tomorrow."
"Then I will hear your tales the next time we meet." He turned to me, "I shall be back within the month lord."
"If you need aught then send word."
"I will."
I could see that William was intrigued. I smiled, "After your news, which is of greater import, I will give you mine!"
Alice rushed up and curtsied, "My lord, it is good to see you. I will go and prepare a chamber. Sarah will fetch food and ale for you." She rushed out saying, "Such changes! Such news!"
William looked bemused and John said, "Alice thinks she is the mother to us all. If you were staying then you would get used to her ways."
The three of us were alone in my hall. I had dismissed the servant. "So, William, why did the Empress send you?"
"She would have sent a letter but feared that your ship might be captured or sunk."
"That could still have happened with you on board."
William looked at me and I saw that the boy had long since disappeared. Over four years of war and three years of Civil War had hardened him. "Then I would have perished but my message would remain a secret." I nodded. Alice and the servants came in with the food and ale. After they had gone William continued. "The Empress and the Earl will invade next spring. They will land on the south coast. Kent supports our cause and the south and west are still loyal to the Earl."
"And what of me? I hear what you do not say. You speak of the west and the south. You talk of the east. What of the north?"
"Ranulf of Chester is an ally of Stephen but spies have told us that there is discord between the two of them. The Empress remembers that you and the Earl were close once and that he respects you. She wishes you to bring him to our side. He is a powerful Earl and the son in law of the Earl of Gloucester. If he could align with us then the balance of power in the north would shift."
I nodded, "That would make sense but King David says that he is an ally of the Empress. It was he took the Earl's lands in the north."
"And that is why she sends you. She has not entered into any alliance with Scotland. His words are not the truth. He said he would support her in return for the historic lands of Scotland. She refused. She knows of the privations you have suffered and what the Scots have done to our people. You must convince the Earl that he should join us."
"And I will do so. I can see why the Empress sent you. Now eat and I will tell you our news." I told him of the siege and the battle. I spoke of th
e arrangement I had made with King David and I finished by telling him of my plans for the castles.
When I had finished he raised his beaker, "My father, the hero of the north! Many say that had you led our forces in Normandy the war there would be over! I can only hope to be half the man that you are."
"You will be greater. And will you come to England with the Empress and the Earl?"
"I may. The Empress still has work for me to do and the Count relies upon me. Sir Leofric is a good castellan and runs La Flèche well. He can both manage and protect the manor. Besides the Count and the Empress have given me a manor in Normandy. I am the Baron William de Ouistreham."
"That is a fine manor."
"It will be but the castle there was reduced in the early days of the war. I must make my fortune in England and collect ransom. Then I will make it a fine castle."
"And the girl, Eliane, what of her? Will you marry her?"
"A little blunt, father, but to be expected. Eliane does not expect that. She is happy to be a lady and to bear my child."
"You said in your letter that you just wanted my permission. I give it to you."
"The letter was written in haste. Eliane and I have considered our position. I have told her she will have all the accoutrements of marriage without the title."
"She will be your mistress."
"A little blunt but yes."
"Your mother would not be happy about that."
"True and the Empress has also spoken to me. She thinks, like you that I ought to marry her."
"And why do you not?"
"Who knows what awaits me? I am still young. I swear that neither Eliane nor my child will suffer. She will be accorded all that a wife would have save, of course, the title wife and lady."
"You have changed but perhaps that is my fault for leaving you alone in Anjou. Had you been here..."
"Had I been here, father, I would have been seen as Wulfric called me, the cub. In Normandy I am known for my deeds and not those of my father. I am my own man and I like that. I am not you nor could I ever be." He stood, "And now I would like to visit with Sir Harold and Sir Tristan."