Enemy at the Gate

by Griff Hosker

  "Then you have been misinformed."

  "Prince Henry has been given the earldom of Northumberland and restored to the earldom of Huntingdon and lordship of Doncaster; King David, himself, has been allowed to keep Carlisle, Westmorland, Cumberland and Lancashire north of the Ribble. I have no reason to lie."

  "None save that it would bring me into the Empress' fold."

  "Which is where you should be, lord. You swore an oath to King Henry to uphold his daughter's claim."

  "Stephen was crowned!"

  "More shame on those that did so. We all took an oath to see that the Empress and her son would rule. Now is the chance to make amends. The Empress has allies in Kent who are making advances. This year sees the return of your father in law and the Empress."

  I could see that I had surprised the two men. Maud poured more wine. "It is as I said, husband, my father will return. Join them."

  Just then the door burst open and a dishevelled looking messenger threw himself to the floor. "My lord, I apologise for the interruption but I bring grave news."

  I looked at Maud. She said, behind her hand, "He is in the service of the Baron of Congleton."

  "Rise then for you look like a worm wriggling there! Speak!"

  "I have come from Windsor, lord and there was an announcement that King Stephen has concluded a peace treaty with the Scots. All of your lands north of the Ribble as well as Doncaster, are to be given to the Scots. Prince Henry has been given Doncaster and he is there now looking at his new lands and manors."

  Ranulf was roughly the same age as I was but he behaved, sometimes, like a spoiled child. He hurled his beaker at the messenger and began to beat the table with his hands. "I have been betrayed! That bastard! I will kill him! He has deceived me for the last time!"

  Maud put her hand on mine and shook her head. She said quietly, "He is often thus. He will calm soon."

  His half brother said, "The Earl was right, brother. He did not lie."

  I could have taken offence at that but I chose to ignore it. "You say that the Prince is at Doncaster?"

  The shaken messenger looked grateful that I was not hurling things at him, "Aye, lord. He arrived there three days since. He came directly from Durham."

  I wondered how he had got by my castles and then realised, that in winter, he could do so with ease. Maud asked, "Why do you ask, my lord?"

  I shrugged, "I just thought that if we could get hold of the Prince then we might be able to exchange him for the lands Stephen the Usurper gave away."

  The Earl of Chester suddenly looked interested, "Could we?"

  "When I chased him back to Carlisle he had but one household knight with him. He may be guarded but they will not be the best of guards. It could be done. However, my lord, if you did that then you would be rebelling against Stephen for he has signed a peace treaty. Are you willing to do that?"

  "By God I am! You and my wife are both right! I should never have broken my oath. I have been punished by God for that act!" His wife jumped up and kissed him. Then he looked at me, "Earl, will you come with us? You have the best men at arms in the land and this is the sort of thing you are used to."

  "Not exactly used to but I will come with you. The Prince and I have unfinished business."

  "It is ninety miles to Doncaster. If we took spare horses we could be there in two days." He suddenly seemed to realise that the messenger was still in the room. "Go and thank your lord. I will reward him when time permits." The messenger bowed and left. "I am sorry that I ever doubted you. I was seduced by Stephen's generosity."

  "It is easy to be generous with another man's goods, titles and lands. He has done the same to you; giving your lands and titles to an enemy. He seeks to cling on to power no matter what it takes."

  The food was brought in. I said, "My knights, they are being fed?"

  Maud shook her head, "Of course. How rude. William fetch the knights of the Earl of Cleveland and see that his other warriors are well looked after."

  I felt happier with my knights close by. It was important that they knew what we were about. I told them the news and Dick said, "Doncaster? I know the area. It has fine woods for hunting but the castle is a strong one. It would not fall easily to a conroi such as ours."

  I shook my head, "I had not planned on assaulting the castle. The Prince will want to inspect his lands. He will be abroad and there we can take him. Philip's archers should be in their element in the woods and forests."

  We spent the rest of the evening discussing plans. It was decided we would take my men along with the Earl, his half brother and ten of his men at arms. The two brothers soon drank more than was good for them and, after my knights had retired, I was left with Maud.

  "Do not misjudge my husband, my lord. He has many good qualities."

  "Self control and loyalty do not appear to be among them."

  She shook her head, "You are the perfect knight. My father told me so. He wished he could be more like you. Look how long it took him to declare for his sister. It is another reason why my husband joined Stephen. He wanted to do as you did but lacked the self belief. You see problems, which would be impossible obstacles to others, as challenges to overcome. You were being your usual modest self earlier. It was you who led the forces which defeated the Scots. You did that despite fighting alongside men you despised. It is no wonder the King had you as his champion and you continue to serve the Empress even though she is far away."

  "It was the way I was brought up. You cannot change your nature. I fear the Earl will be ever thus." She nodded. "The sooner your father comes here the better."

  "Amen to that but fear not, Aelfraed, the blood of the Conqueror runs in my veins too. I may be a woman but I can fight... in my own way!"

  As we headed east it was as though winter had disappeared and spring was trying to burst forth. The skies were bluer and the air felt fresher even though the ground was still hard and a vicious wind blew from the east. The skies gave us heart as we headed into the biting breeze. We would stop but once at Glossop Castle. The Baron there, William Peverel, was a friend of the Earl. It was half way and we would be weary when we arrived.

  "I know not this Baron. Upon whose side does he sit?"

  "He says Stephen, but as I did that too it will not be a problem."

  "And how will you explain me?"

  "I will say that I have persuaded you, as my friend, to travel and meet with King Stephen and settle your differences."

  "And will that be believed?"

  He laughed, "You are the only one who sees things as either black or white. The rest of us see shades of grey and accommodation. He will believe us."

  The castle was set against the high hills which were the east west barrier. The Baron greeted us warmly enough and the Earl was correct. He seemed to accept the story that I was considering speaking with Stephen. It helped that he knew me not. I had never fought with him. That, in itself, was revealing for he had never fought alongside King Henry nor the Earl of Gloucester. He had not earned what he held. He was, however, generous with his hospitality and the two brothers, once more, ate and drank more than my knights. We were on campaign and we would be frugal in what we drank. My knights and I retired early leaving the Earl to carouse with his friend.

  We had not told him our plans save that we were heading for the London Road as we believed that was where Stephen would be. The Baron left with us for he was on his way to his castle at Nottingham. We parted at the Dunford Bridge. My knights were alert as we rode the road to Barnsley. We did not want to alarm the Prince. My banner was furled and we rode beneath the banner of Chester. As far as all knew the Earl was still a loyal supporter of Stephen.

  While my men rode like professional men at arms the Earl and his half brother had to stop, frequently, to empty the contents of their stomachs. I saw Dick's look of disapproval. He was the most recent knight. He had earned his title and could not understand the behaviour of those who were, apparently, his betters. Tristan and I had been brought
up with other young men like that and we were not surprised. I reflected that, of my knights, only Sir Tristan and Sir Hugh were noble born. I had been lucky with them. Those whom I had made noble appreciated their position. Perhaps that was why I had such loyalty amongst my men.

  We approached Doncaster towards dusk. Leaving me with my men in the woods a mile from the castle, the Earl and his brother rode towards the castle. The Prince's banner flew from its keep. They would visit with the constable there and send word to us to capture the Prince when the opportunity arose. As it was late we knew we would have to spend a night in the forest for it would have looked suspicious had one of the Earl's men tried to leave during the night.

  I saw my knights looking at each other and, finally, Sir Harold spoke for them all. "Can we trust the Earl, lord? He has changed sides remarkably quickly. I thought we would have had to persuade him and use many arguments but he came to our side as soon as you arrived."

  I nodded, "Whose banner do we follow, Harold?"

  "The Empress, of course."

  "And why is that?"

  Poor Harold had been brought up as an outlaw in Sherwood forest and I saw the confusion on his face. "She is the rightful ruler of England, lord."

  "However, if I was not Earl then whom would you follow?" I looked at Tristan, "Tristan's father behaved the way I believe you would have done. He sided with Stephen, at first, for that was the safest route for his family and the easier act." I held my hand up, "I am not criticising, Tristan. Your father is now on our side but it took a wound to you to do so."

  He nodded, "You are right."

  "And so it is with the Earl. He chose the safe option and the loss of his land is the same as a blow to Tristan was to his father." Understanding lit their faces. "However others may not have the same motivation. Expect treachery."

  I saw Dick nodding, "My time among the outlaws taught me that. Some men smiled and then tried to knife you in the back. The men I trust I see around this fire. All others have to earn that trust. I know what you say, lord but this Earl has not yet earned my trust."

  "And yet I have been ordered to bring him into our camp. I will watch him, carefully, Dick. Doubt not that."

  It was a cold cheerless night in the forest and I was glad when dawn broke. I was no longer the young man who could lie in the woodlands and not feel it. When the Earl and his men left the castle and headed towards us I knew that something was wrong. We had stayed within the woods to avoid observation.

  "What is wrong, Ranulf?"

  His face was red. "We have been thrown out of the castle! That young cockerel demanded that I pay him obeisance as he was now my lord. I refused!"

  His brother said, "We were guarded during the night. Harsh words were spoken before we left."

  I shook my head. Once more the Earl's lack of self control was hurting us. I took a deep breath. I owed it to the Empress and her brother to do my best with this volatile earl. "It does not change things. We wait here. Dick, send four archers to the south road and four to the north road. We will watch this one. When the Prince emerges we will take him."

  William de Roumare said, "He plans to head back to Scotland in the next few days."

  The Earl said, "How do you know?"

  "When you were cursing him and spitting fire and brimstone I was speaking with the servants. They told me that the Prince had heard that the Earl of Cleveland had left his castle and he feared for his life."

  "Then we can take him." I turned to Edgar, "We will make a camp in the forest. Set guards."

  "Aye lord."

  My archers scouted the woods and made sure that we were not discovered. The Earl found the waiting the hardest. He seemed like a pot on the fire constantly bubbling and threatening to spill over on to the coals. His half brother was much calmer and more thoughtful. On the second morning we received unwelcome news. Henry Warbow rode in. "My lord King Stephen has entered Doncaster with knights and men at arms."

  The Earl became agitated, "What does this mean?"

  "I suspect it means that William Peverel sent word to Stephen the Usurper of our presence. Stephen is a clever man. We might take others in with the ruse that I was ready to negotiate but he would know better. Add to that the fact that my absence from Stockton has been noted and I see treachery."

  "Does it not spoil our plans?"

  "Of course not! They still have to travel north sometime. I cannot see either the Prince or Stephen happy to stay in Doncaster. Either they come to seek us or they travel. We continue to watch."

  Henry Warbow brought us news the next morning that the Prince, escorted by Stephen had left Doncaster and was heading north. "He is going home. How many men does he have, Henry?"

  "There look to be ten Scots and Stephen has twenty men with him."

  "We have more than enough to take them!" The Earl was quite excited.

  "It would seem to me that he would have more men than that."

  "Where is your spirit, Aelfraed. I can do Maud's father the greatest favour. I capture Stephen and then the Empress can be crowned Queen."

  This was the foolhardy Earl once more. "We will head north, Ralph, take the archers and try to get ahead of them. We will follow and attempt to trap them between us." I had a picture of the land in my mind. They would head for Pontefract or Wakefield. Both had castles and lords loyal to Stephen. After that it was a short distance to York. There they would be safe.

  As we rode north, towards the road I said, "A better place to ambush them would be north of York. They have to head towards Piercebridge and I know the land well there."

  "No, Earl we will take him as soon as we see him.."

  I did not reply. I had the majority of the men at arms and I would decide when we attacked. Within a short time we had reached the road and made good time along it. My archers would be able to ride across country and make much better time. Ralph of Wales knew his business. He would keep them closely watched and send a messenger to me when the time was right for an ambush. Pontefract was a couple of hours from Doncaster and I suspected that the Prince and Stephen would stop there for refreshment. As we neared the castle I slowed us down. "What is the problem Earl? Why do we stop?"

  "Yonder is a castle. We cannot ride through it. We must wait until we see our prey move north and then skirt the castle."

  "Why not skirt it now and get ahead of them?"

  "We have men ahead of them. What if they choose to turn around and head back? This could be a ruse. He may be visiting his nearest neighbour." I could see that the Earl was not used to thinking such things through. He just reacted. "Send one of your men to the town. He can return here when he sees which way they go."

  "John. Ride to the town." The Earl gave him a copper coin. "Buy yourself a beaker of ale."

  I put my arm on his shoulder, "If you are questioned tell them that you are on your way to Barnsley on an errand for your master and make sure you leave by the west gate." He looked at the Earl who nodded.

  William Roumare said," You are a cautious man, my lord."

  "It is how I have survived so long surrounded by enemies. If you do not think, you die."

  I could feel the Earl's impatience. He fiddled with his mail and with his sword. He strode around like a caged wolf. I shook my head and said to his brother, "He is wasting energy."

  "It is his way. He is a man of action."

  "Better to save your action for when it will do the most good; on the field of battle."

  John returned a short while later. He reined in next to the Earl. "I have found out where they go! They are riding to Tadcaster where they will spend the night."

  "Excellent!"

  "How did you find out, John?"

  "I was in the inn and when two of the King's men entered in livery they began to talk about it."

  "That is convenient." I was suspicious of such happenstance.

  The Earl shrugged, "Sometimes men are careless. We are wasting time. We can catch them at the River Aire. They will have to catch the ferry at Fr
yston. We ride!"

  I let the two brothers lead their men off. Something about this did not smell right. I rode next to Dick. He was the master of ambush. I told him what we knew. He shook his head, "I am sorry, lord but it is just too much of a coincidence for two of Stephen's men to go into a tavern and tell the whole world their plans."

  Harold asked, quite reasonably, "But how could he know that the Earl has defected and that we pursue them?"

  "I can think of two reasons: the servant who brought us the news and William Peverel. Both could have told Stephen. It is known he pays well. I fear that this is a trap. Warn the men. We may have to run from our foes this time." I now regretted sending my archers ahead. They would be watching for somewhere where they could spring an ambush upon our prey. I hoped that they did not fall foul of whatever plan the Usurper and the Prince had concocted.

  The Earl and his men were now half a mile ahead of us for they were eager to catch our prey when they tried to cross the ferry. Just after the small village of Brotherton there was a wood which closed in with the road as it descended towards the river. The Earl was so concerned with catching Stephen and Prince Henry that he failed to keep a close watch on the undergrowth to the side of them. Suddenly arrows, spears and stones were hurled at the column of men. Four men at arms fell in the first volley. It was a trap. I heard a horn sound and knew that Stephen and Prince Henry would be returning to deal with the enemy they thought was me.

  "Dick, take Tristan and go right with half of the men. John, take Harold and go left with the other half. Leave your squires with me!" I spurred Rolf. "Draw your swords, squires and keep tightly to me."

  My plan was simple. The ambushers needed to have their attention on the road. That would enable my men at arms to catch them unawares. I had no doubt that Ralph of Wales would be bringing my archers back for they would have heard the clamour. I drew my own sword and pulled my shield tighter to my body. Even as we approached another three men at arms fell. The Earl, his brother and their squires were fighting desperately but they were assailed on all sides by men wielding axes and billhooks. Horses and men at arms fell for they were overwhelmed by sheer numbers.