by Griff Hosker
We had finished eating, drinking and washing when my father called down to us. “Better arm yourselves.”
Wulfstan had been correct; it did not take long to arm. We raced up the ladder and I was amazed how refreshed I felt, even after a night without sleep. My father pointed to the Scots or, as we now believed them to be, Norman Crusaders.
“They are leaving.”
“Then it is a good thing. We have won a great victory father.”
“I am not so certain. Wulfstan mount the men at arms. Just leave the villagers and Branton with me. Follow them and see where they go.” He looked at me. “Take your lances. I would not have them get up to mischief until they have left our land.”
As much as I wanted to ride my new horse I could not risk it. I had to get to know him and he had to learn about me. It would take time. God willing we would have the winter to learn each other’s ways. I was not used to the lance which Wulfstan thrust into my hand and it felt a little awkward. I had to grip both my shield and my reins in my left hand and my lance in my right.
The Normans had disappeared into the woods by the time we galloped over the bridge from our castle. I felt happier having four of my father’s warriors with us. Only my father and Garth remained at the castle.
We were outnumbered but they would be hungry, tired and they had been beaten. As we reached the woods I suddenly realised that they had not taken the Durham Road. They were heading up the valley. “Wulfstan, these mean mischief. We should hurry.”
He frowned, “Mischief?”
“There are two farms along this road. The farmers are with us but their homes are in danger.”
“They are buildings and they can be rebuilt.”
“And imagine the heartache of having to rebuild again. My father is right we owe a duty to our people. We must hurry.”
He stared at me, “That is your command, my lord?”
I knew that this was a test. I went with my heart, “It is.”
He grinned and clapped me on my back. “We will make a knight of you yet, young Lord Alfraed. Ride!”
Unlike the Normans our horses were fresh as were we and we galloped hard up the lane. We also knew the land. The farms were on a high ridge on the other side of the valley. Like the land to the north of the castle the valley bottom was boggy and we kept to the road riding in a tight column. Wulfstan led flanked by Osric. Osric did not have a spear or a lance. Instead he hefted a mighty war axe. He could do as much damage with that as a lance.
We saw the flames beginning to lick around the wooden roof of the first building. However the Normans had not expected pursuit and we caught them unawares. Only the handful of knights was mounted. The others were all on foot. I saw Sir Tancred shout an order and his men hurried to their horses. He and his knights galloped north down the valley. Our priority was saving the buildings. As we were on the rising slope we were able to spread out and I found myself riding next to Athelstan. I shouted, “The rest of you men douse the flames and save what you can! We will deal with these animals!”
One of the men at arms had managed to mount his horse but Scout was pounding towards him quickly and his horse was not under control. I pulled my arm back as I had been trained to do and I punched the lance, as though with my fist. The head of the lance punctured his armour and his chest. My blow was so hard that it threw him from his horses. I saw Osric swing his axe. It split the man at arms who had yet to mount his horse in two. They were too concerned with escape to fight but now there were but six of us.
I wheeled Scout around to follow the knights north. I found myself alone until I heard Wulfstan’s voice shout. “Slow down my lord. Keep a steady pace.”
He was right, of course. The blood was coursing through my veins and the joy of battle filled my head. I needed to focus. The others joined me and I rode at the head of the small column of oathsworn with Wulfstan. We could clearly see our enemies as they began to climb the ridge of Billing. They were not heading for Durham, or if they were they were taking a long and circuitous route. I realised that they were not extending their lead and yet our horses were not exerting themselves. Wulfstan had been right. We could catch them when the time was right.
“That was a good thrust with the lance. I could never do that as well as you did.” I looked at Wulfstan in surprise. “I told you I fight on foot. You must teach Harold that skill.”
After another couple of miles I knew that they were taking the road north. It ran close by Hartness. We had yet to meet De Brus. Would he aid us or the Normans? I noticed that the sun was past its zenith. Wulfstan seemed to read my thoughts. “We are now in the land of Hartness. Soon they will become the problem of De Brus but we will follow them a little further.”
I saw a large wood ahead and I became immediately wary. It looked ominously tempting. I did not wish to be ambushed again. “We will halt here. There is little point in courting danger.”
Wulfstan laughed, “You have grown today. Where is the reckless fire eater we all know and love? We had better dismount and rest the horses before we ride back.”
We had barely stepped down when we found ourselves surrounded. A Norman voice said, “Who are you intruders to trespass on the land of Baron Robert De Brus and to risk his wrath?”
Chapter 12
We realised later that they had been waiting for us. There were four knights and ten men at arms. The men at arms had crossbows pointed at us. The quarrels they used could punch through any armour. Resistance would be futile. The man who spoke was completely mailed; his age and features were hidden. He, like me, wore a full face helmet.
Wulfstan spoke, “We serve Baron Ridley of Norton and we were pursuing Scots raiders who attempted to storm our castle yesterday.”
“We saw no Scots.”
“And yet we pursued them. They were but a short way ahead of us.” Wulfstan pointed into the forest, “You can see where they passed by the broken branches and leaves.”
The knight who spoke first ignored Wulfstan’s words. “You will have to accompany me to Hartness and await judgement by my master. Hand over your weapons.”
No one moved and Wulfstan’s voice took on a more powerful note. “We cannot do that for we have not broken any law. We did not leave the king’s road which merely crosses the land of Hartness and we have neither hunted nor taken from your master. We must decline your offer.”
“I have eight crossbows aimed at you, Housecarl, you would all be dead in an instant if I so commanded.”
Wulfstan actually laughed, “If we so chose we could be upon your crossbowmen before they could raise their machines and the bolts would be as likely to hit one of you as us. You have us surrounded.” He shook his head, “A good leader would have had his crossbowmen on one side. We will not go with you, at least, not peacefully.”
The crossbowmen raised their crossbows again. It made me smile for a crossbow is a heavy weapon and hard to aim whilst on a horse. Wulfstan had been very clever. He had forced the men at arms to continue aiming them. He was tiring them.
“Who are you, Housecarl?”
“I am Wulfstan of the Varangian Guard.” There was silence. The men of Hartness who surrounded us looked intent upon mischief and I had this uneasy feeling that this had all been planned. I worried that the Normans we had pursued would return to join these men of De Brus. I saw Wulfstan glance towards the woods and he edged his horse away from the threat and towards the knight. It seems he had the same thought. “Will you let us go or will blood be spilled this day?”
Once again the knights maintained their threatening silence. Osric lifted his helmet and ran his hands through his lion like mane. “This knight you see before you, Alfraed of Norton, saved the life of King Henry in Normandy. King Henry is your master too. Allow us to pass or you may suffer his majesty’s displeasure.”
For the first time we had said something which disconcerted them. “He is a mere stripling and he does not even own a warhorse!”
“Then you should be even more impresse
d that he fought on a palfrey and defeated two knights who would have slain our liege.”
“I do not believe you.”
Osric’s face darkened, “Are you calling me a liar?”
“Let us put your word to a trial by combat. If your young knight here is as good as you say then he should easily be able to unhorse one of my knights.”
Wulfstan shook his head, “Your knights all ride destriers.”
I heard the sarcastic, mocking laugh in the voice of the hidden knight. “Your red headed friend here said he managed to defeat two knights on his palfrey.”
I could see that we would either be cut down by bolts or I would have to fight. “It is fine, Wulfstan. I am bored listening to this arrogant Norman’s rants. The sooner we fight the sooner we can get home.” Just then Scout decided to open his legs and unload a pile of stinking dung in front of the knight. I laughed, “And my horse agrees!” I drew my sword.
Wulfstan rode next to me. “Be careful Alfraed; they mean to kill you. This whole pretence of unhorsing you is just that, a ruse so that they can legitimately kill the heir to Norton.”
“I know.”
“Watch for their horses. A good war horse is trained to fight just like its master.”
I nodded. I was aware of that too. I moved my shield around so that it completely covered my left side. I saw their leader nod to one of his men. It was the one I would have expected. He was as big as Wulfstan and his horse was at least five hands bigger than Scout. I had seen smaller bulls! I slipped a dagger into my left hand. I had a feeling that I would need all the help I could give myself.
The men of Hartness formed a circle around us. There was a gap of just thirty paces between us. I saw Wulfstan smile and nod. They had made a mistake. The smaller circle suited the nimble Scout. Then my heart sank when I saw that the knight wielded an axe and not a sword. They did intend my death. The leader of the knights said loudly, “May God’s will be done.”
The men of Hartness all crossed themselves and their champion charged at me. I trotted towards him and, as he swung his axe I raised my shield and spurred Scout who leapt past. The axe whistled through fresh air and I whipped Scout’s head around and chased after the Norman who was trying to turn his own horse. He was travelling too fast and in danger of crashing into his fellows. I swung my sword as I drew level with him. He managed to bring his axe up to block the blow but I had the satisfaction of seeing slivers of wood shaved from the haft. I had to pull Scout to the right to avoid the men at arms.
I leaned forward, “Good boy. Let us show this carthorse what you can do eh?” His ears pricked and he whinnied.
I had upset the knight’s plans. He had thought to cow me with a fast charge and a quick blow. He moved more cautiously towards me. I knew that I had to rely on my speed of hand and Scout’s gait if I was to survive. This time he moved towards me with purpose. I kept him to my left so that I could use my shield. My sword had a longer reach than his axe and I did not wish to risk the axe striking Scout.
He brought the axe over his head and I braced myself for the blow. At the same time his horse opened his jaws as he tried to bite Scout. I had to use my sword hand to yank the reins and move his head from the teeth. The axe blow struck my shield and numbed my arm. I spurred Scout and used my left hand to wheel him around so that I could use my sword. I rode parallel to the knight who tried to turn the mighty warhorse. I had the chance to strike with my sword and, once again, I saw slivers of wood sliced from the haft of his axe as he blocked it. His axe was becoming weaker. I could not see his face for he had a full face helmet but he wheeled away from me which showed that he was wary of me.
“Good lad, Scout. You keep away from those teeth, eh boy?”
The knight would get lucky unless I ended the contest quickly. The question was how to do it. I decided to use speed. I kicked on and went for the left side of the Norman. I saw him readying to strike me and, at the last moment, I jerked Scout’s head to the left and brought my sword down towards his head. He was too busy trying to adjust his horse and he failed to bring his shield up in time. He had a good helmet but I dented it and I saw him stagger in his saddle. Only the cantle and the pommel of his saddle kept him on his horse.
I continued my wheel around his back and while he was still disorientated struck him with the flat of my blade on his side. He could not keep his balance and he tumbled to the ground. I leapt from Scout’s back and had my sword at his throat as he fought to get his breath. “Do you yield?”
His helmet had fallen from his head and I saw anger on his bloody face. My blow had scarred his features. It had been a good one. He said nothing and so I moved my sword between his legs and cut the thongs holding the mail hose on one leg. “Unless you yield you will lose part of your manhood.” I laughed as I added, “It is only a small target but I am accurate.”
“I yield.”
I sheathed my sword and took off my helmet. I picked up his damaged war axe and snapped it in two across my knee. It had been badly weakened by my blows. Wulfstan brought Scout over and nodded his approval. “Neatly done my lord, but I would have had his bollocks anyway.”
I mounted and Osric said, “Your name, sir knight, for you and I will have words again. I remember insults. I am Osric War Axe!”
The leader took off his helmet and I saw that he was an older knight, of an age with Wulfstan. “And I am Geoffrey Guiscard and we will meet again. I had thought that we had rid the world of your type at Hastings.”
Osric laughed, “You will never rid the world of our type for we are Englishmen and this is our land that you have borrowed.”
I saw crossbows raised and Wulfstan snapped, “Would you be foresworn, Geoffrey Guiscard? You said a trial by combat and my lord won. God watches.” Geoffrey Guiscard nodded and the crossbows were lowered. “And I would prefer you to leave first.”
They helped the downed knight to his horse. “And what is your name sir knight? You are the first knight I have defeated and not killed.”
“I am Richard d’Oilli and I will remember you, Alfraed of Norton.”
“Of course you will, you have a scar to remember me by and you will need a new haft for your axe.”
We watched them leave and then we headed south. “That was planned Wulfstan. They are in league with Tancred.”
“As, I think, are those who live in Durham. There is much treachery here. I wonder if the choice of this manor was so accidental.”
Osric stared at Wulfstan. “What do you mean?”
“The king and Brother John found this manor remarkably quickly. We were in Normandy and not England yet a manor close to such danger and treachery was found. He even had the seal ready to give to us. I believe that he had someone in mind for this manor; someone in Normandy but our arrival allowed him to use us. We were disposable. He could trust us but he owed us little. King Henry managed to wrest a kingdom from his brother I am sure he does not give away manors lightly. I think we need more men and better defences quickly.”
When we reached Norton and told my father he concurred. “But the raiders have gone? The people can return home?”
Wulfstan nodded, “Aye but we will need to rebuild Osbert’s farm. Part of it was burned.”
“The men have already begun to do so.” My father put his arm around my shoulder. “I am sorry to have brought you into such danger, my son. Perhaps I should have died peacefully in the east and allowed you to continue your studies.”
“No father, I was destined to come here. I can feel it and, besides, I am still alive despite the Normans’ best efforts!”
Wulfstan laughed, “Aye, my lord but you have only so much luck. We need to work on your skills and train you to use your new war horse.”
“That reminds me, where is Aiden and my new mount?”
Aiden was grooming the black beast. I led Scout into the stall next to him. They had to get along. The black stallion stamped his hooves and Scout whinnied. They sniffed each other and then went to their pails to drink
. They would get on.
Aiden nodded at the stallion. “It is a fine horse sir. I have seen few as good or as powerful.” He gave me a worried look. “Can you ride him?”
I did not take offence. I had not yet fully grown and I looked too slight to master such a horse. “I hope so but between you, me and Harold we will learn eh?” Both of them nodded. “We need his name.”
Aiden smiled, “The best names come from the horse, my lord.” He rubbed the white blaze, “This one will tell you. He has a star.”
The stallion seemed to nod and all three of us looked at each other. Aiden nodded to me. “Is your name Star then boy?”
This time he whinnied. In the days of my father they would have said this was wyrd. Now we said it was God’s will. I believed that it was wyrd!
Chapter 13
Surprisingly the attack and the raid worked wonders for our people. When we went to Stockton, we were greeted with smiles. The church in Norton was full each Sunday and the men of the fyrd set to training with enthusiasm As Branton and his men made bows so they were able to use them. This was where Branton and his skill came into their own. He had been Aelfraed’s Sergeant of Archers and what he did not know about archery was not worth knowing.
Garth’s wound had healed but he was not the warrior he was and father made him steward of the manor. He was reluctant at first but we needed someone to deal with the tenants. A manor was like a huge estate back home in Constantinople. We were lucky in that there were few disputes which my father needed to settle but that was because we had so few farmers. He would soon have to hold a court for the minor disputes which might arise. We had come to a world which was totally different to the Empire. Here each manor was like a small kingdom and the lord of the manor had great power. Although I spent much of my time either hunting or training with Harold and Branton’s men I attended the weekly council meeting which father held.
The council consisted of father, Garth, Father Peter, William the Mason, Wulfstan and myself. At the first meeting my father made it clear that he wanted representation from the farmers. This was not to make decisions but so that he could consult them. Father Peter was our link to the tenants. They trusted and liked him despite his youth. He worked tirelessly to visit each tenant during the week. He held classes to teach some of the young how to read. I discovered that this was unusual. The king and the Normans wished the people to be kept in the dark. Perhaps my father was more enlightened but it suited Father Peter who went from strength to strength and proved an invaluable ally for my father.