by Griff Hosker
I had time to work out which was the most dangerous of my opponents. They all had mail with a ventail and they wore helmets with a nasal. They all bore swords and held shields but two of them were the old fashioned longer shields. They were difficult to use on foot. I brought my sword over and swung at the knight with the better shield. He deflected the blow and he and a second knight struck at my shield. I dropped to one knee and supported my shield with my left leg. At the same time I swept my sword at knee height. None of them wore greaves and I felt my sword slice into the shins of one of them who screamed and dropped to the ground. I stood and leapt into the gap he had created. The move took the other two by surprise. I saw, through my visor, Edward and my men at arms rushing to reach me but they had to fight their way through half naked Scotsmen who were laying about them with two handed swords. Sir Richard was still mounted! The man whose legs I had hacked was out of the fray and he was writhing on the ground. The two remaining knights were more wary now.
I did not give them the chance to outflank me. I darted forward with my sword and the tip went for the eye of the one to my right. His head jerked back and I flicked the sword to the left. It caught the nasal of the second knight. I stepped back quickly as the first knight hacked at the space my head had just occupied. My move took my head away from the body of the blade but the end of the sword cracked into my helmet. It made my head ring but my helmet was well made and my padding prevented injury. I stepped forward and punched at the knight whose nasal I had caught. My shield caught him full in the face and he fell to the floor.
It was the last knight who was the most dangerous. He had managed to strike my helmet. His sword arced towards me and I met it with my sword. It rang like a church bell. I had quick hands and I brought my sword around faster than he did. He barely had time to block the blow and he stepped back. I saw that there were no Scots behind him and he was backing towards the hut. Bodies littered the ground before us. I feinted towards his eye again and, as his head jerked back I stabbed down towards his knee. Although covered by hose it was not good mail hose and the tip tore through the links. I twisted as I pulled the sword from it. He suddenly dropped his sword and yelled, “I yield! I am your prisoner! Mercy!”
I was suddenly aware that Edward and his men, along with Harold were now standing at my back. I saw the other two knights behind me, lying dead. My men had finished them off. We had won. I took off my helmet and felt the cool air wash over me and I struggled to get my breath. All I could hear were the cheers of my men and the sound of their swords on their shields as they chanted, “Alfraed! Alfraed!” Over and over.
I looked up and saw that Sir Richard had taken off his helmet and he was grinning too. He saluted me with his sword. “I can see that I will make my fortune with you, Sir Alfraed.” He shook his head. “By God sir but you are fearless!”
Wulfstan walked over to us, “He has been ever thus Sir Richard. Next time I would recommend that you dismount or else you risk losing the lord who will bring you that fortune.” There was heavy censure in his words. He nodded to Edward, “And you need to be a little nimbler on your feet too!”
Edward looked a little shamefaced. “It will not happen again my lord. Sir Alfraed is a mighty warrior and we will become better.”
I had regained my breath and I took the sword of the knight. “What is your name, sir?”
“I am William of Jedburgh.”
“And can your family afford a ransom or should I have your throat slit here and now?”
He looked shocked. I saw that he was my age. This was his first loss. “But I surrendered my sword!”
I pointed my sword at the hut. “And you tried to kill my people. I ask again, can your family afford a ransom?”
He nodded, “Aye sir, they can.”
I turned to Wulfstan, “Are there any of his men left alive?”
Osric laughed, “We left one as you requested Sir Alfraed.”
“Good. Then give him a rouncy and send him back for the ransom.” They brought the man forward and gave him a horse. He had a slight wound to the head but he would survive. “Tell your master’s family that they have one month to send the ransom or he dies.”
The warrior looked at William of Jedburgh who asked, “How much is the ransom to be?”
“I laughed, “Whatever they think you are worth so you had better pray, William of Jedburgh, that it is enough.” I slapped the rump of the rouncy which galloped off.
Grim and his family came out. He was nursing a wounded arm but he was smiling. “Thank you for coming to our aid, my lord.”
“I am sorry we were so tardy. Take any weapons you wish from the dead. We will dispose of the bodies.”
He nodded, “Thank you, my lord. That is kind.”
“Did you lose anything?”
He shook his head, “Two slaves, and my son has a cut to his coxcomb but we were lucky.” He pointed to his hut. “I built my hut big enough for the animals too.”
“Perhaps you should use stone next time. It does not burn!”
As we stripped the bodies and piled them up I noticed that there had been casualties. Scanlan had a wound to the leg and he would limp for the rest of his life but, more seriously Big Tom, one of Branton’s archers had suffered a wound to the shoulder. He tried to struggle to his feet as I approached. His son, Little Tom was bandaging him. I waved them both down.
“Well Tom how is it?”
He looked up at Harold and shook his head, “I’ll never pull a bow again, my lord. I am useless as an archer.”
I saw, from Harold’s face, just what a devastating piece of news that was. Young Tom, too, was upset. “Fear not, we will not abandon you. We will devise something.”
As we rode back to Norton, leaving a pall of smoke marking the dead Scots, I spoke with Wulfstan and Harold. “What can we do for him? He is a doughty warrior.”
Harold spoke up, “I know him. He could not bear to watch others using their bows and him unable to help.”
Wulfstan nodded, “He can still work though. He could farm.” Harold shot a look of surprise at Wulfstan. “We need farmers and farmers who can fight are even more valuable than ordinary ones.”
“What about his son Tom?”
Tom and Harold were of an age.
“He could join his father on the farm.”
I found myself agreeing with Wulfstan. “It is time we trained our own men to be archers. If it had not been for Branton and the rest of you we would not have survived. We owe you all a debt we can never repay. Have you a plot of land in mind?”
Wulfstan nodded, “When we came back the other day we passed by the burn where the deer congregate. It looks to be a pleasant little plot of land and no-one lives there yet. It will need clearing but Tom could hunt for us while the land was being cleared. It is just a mile or so from the castle. They would have a safe refuge.”
“Good, then they can have the land at Hart Burn. I shall speak with my father.” I glanced over my shoulder and saw Sir Richard watching us. “Well, Sir Richard, what say you?”
“Your men are brave and loyal and we have had a good day.” He hesitated, “But tell me, how do we divide up the spoils?”
I laughed, “This is the largest haul we have yet made. We will decide when we get home.”
Although the raiders from Scotland had had few coins about their person there was enough to give everyone of my men some silver. I gave one of the knight’s horses to Sir Richard as well as one of the suits of mail. The other suit of mail I gave to Edward and he was grateful. The swords were of dubious quality. The better ones were given to those who lacked one and the rest of the weapons were given to Alf to make into new ones. The whole community prospered and there was a joyous atmosphere that evening. My father, of course, agreed to give the land around the Hart Burn to Tom and his son. Branton nodded his grateful approval. They had gambled much when they had followed us north and he was relieved that we looked after his men.
Father Peter and Faren saw to the
wound of William of Jedburgh. Having given his word he was allowed to wander the castle freely although we kept an eye upon him. That evening as we ate my father questioned him.
“Why on earth did you come all the way from Jedburgh to raid my small manor?”
“The ones further north are too well defended. We could go west but it is a short road down to here. The Romans built well. And we heard you had cattle.” He shrugged, “The news of prosperity travels far in this poor land.”
“It will cost your family I think.” My father looked at me, “What ransom did you ask?”
“I asked them to decide. If it is not enough we can send them back his ears.”
I thought Ralph was going to choke on his food. My father laughed, “I think William of Jedburgh, that I will decide if the ransom is enough.”
I shrugged, “If this is the quality of Scottish knights then we will have more when others seek to rob us”
My father frowned as he stared at me. He hated rudeness more than anything and I had never learned to curb my tongue.
Sir Richard said, “Before you censure him my lord you should know that he took on three knights, on foot and defeated them all. I have never seen such speed in a sword. Sir William and his fellows were brave but they were no match for your son. Is that not right, Sir William?”
Our guest nodded. “Sadly I must agree. I am used to fighting knights who fight on horses. Your son used a spear as a lance and then managed to kill one of my best men with a single throw.” He waved a hand at Wulfstan and the others. “Had I known that there were two knights and five Varangians then I might have tried elsewhere.”
“A costly lesson, but at least you are alive to learn it. We will try to make your stay as comfortable as we can.”
“I hope that it is not too long, Baron Ridley. I will have to seek my fortune in the Holy Land. It is said that a man can make a fortune there.”
“Perhaps or you could just run your manor well.” My father was a kind man. I am not so certain we would have experienced the same hospitality had the roles been reversed.
Chapter 17
I could not wait to get back to the castle. Scanlan refused to stay at the hall and he came with us to Stockton. He mixed the mortar whilst we laboured. We also had William’s son for his work at Norton was done. Wulfstan came with us as he wanted to see the progress we had made. He stood with me by the river and looked up at the tower. “There will be three floors?”
“Aye and a small tower at each corner.” I pointed to the river. “The river will protect us yonder and with a moat, a curtain and a drawbridge we could laugh away a siege.”
“It would be strong I grant you. Well I will join you in work today my young apprentice. I cannot have you becoming bigger and stronger than me.”
The addition of Wulfstan meant that the building raced on. He was both strong and hard working. A week before midsummer saw us ready to begin the final floor and the four towers. The shell would soon be finished. Scanlan was on the second floor helping William with the mortar when he shouted, “Armed men on the southern bank my lord.”
Each of us grabbed our arms. Ethelred hurried from his ferry. “Should I fetch them, my lord or send to Norton?”
Wulfstan peered across. “They are not knights and there are but five of them. Edward, take your weapons and Alan; accompany Ethelred. Do not set foot on land until you know their intentions.”
We watched the ferry as the three men hauled it across to the other bank. Surprisingly Edward allowed it to land directly. The five armed men boarded and they pulled across.
I put on my tunic to greet them. I did not see them approach. When I did, finally see them, I had a surprise. One of them was the fellow who had drunk too much and had a rusty weapon in Northallerton. Wulfstan was talking to them when I emerged. He was grinning. “It seems that Wulfric here took offence at my words. I saw the man blush. “He became sober, cleaned his weapons and decided to become a warrior once more.” Wulfstan nodded at the others, “These fellows fought alongside Edward. All seek service with you, Lord Alfraed.”
I looked at them one by one. All had a leather jerkin. Two had bows and all carried a sword. One had a poleaxe. “Take out your swords.” I saw that they were all sharp and rust free. I glanced surreptitiously at Edward who gave the slightest of nods. “Very well, if you will swear allegiance you are my men.” They all knelt and offered their sword hilts to me.
“Welcome to your new home.”
I looked up at the tower. William leaned out. “That is all that we can do, my lord, until we get more stone.”
“Then we will all travel back to Norton and I can introduce you to my father and the rest of the garrison.”
As we rode back we were able to discover all the latest news. Although they had all spent the last couple of months in Northallerton it was close enough to York to hear the gossip. The most interesting news was that King Henry was back in England. The disturbing news was that his tax collectors were in the south part of Yorkshire and were rigorously enforcing their lord’s wishes for money. We would soon need money from our tenants. I did not look forward to collecting it. They were not well off.
We spent the next week preparing for the midsummer holiday. My father had decided to hold a market on that day. Many of the farmers and their wives had spent the winter and the spring making clothes, pots and items carved from bone. The market would give everyone the chance to buy and sell their surplus as well as giving us the chance to celebrate a year since we had come. My father paid for a barrel of beer from Sarah Ale Wife and had Tom, and his son, hunt some of the deer from their land. He made sure that the two were recompensed.
Poor Sir Richard felt out of the celebrations. Everyone, even the five new men at arms, was familiar to someone in the castle. He ended up talking to our hostage. William of Jedburgh’s leg had healed well and he now only had a slight limp. He and Sir Richard had enjoyed some practise with weapons and so they sat away from the rest of the community and chatted.
For everyone else it became the ancient ceremony of courtship. The farmers brought their daughters to the castle and they had garlands of summer flowers in their hair. The men at arms had been celibate since arriving and the sight of so many pretty young girls sparked many a romance. We already had a long standing romance of our own. Wulfstan and Faren often spent the night together. My father had told me privately that as soon as Wulfstan wished he would free Faren and they would marry. I could not understand why Wulfstan had not asked for her freedom and her hand.
I thoroughly enjoyed the day. I just sat back and watched the games that were played and listened to the music. These were my people. These were the farmers and workers of the manor. I looked over to my father and saw the joy on his face. He was remembering such days before the Normans came. The ale flowed freely although I did not drink much. I was more used to eastern wines than English ale but I drank and I toasted sociably. I also ate sparingly of the food. That was not because I was not enjoying it; it was delicious. It was more that I wanted no-one to go hungry. Many of those who enjoyed the festivities struggled to have enough to eat. This was their opportunity to fill themselves with well cooked food. The spices we had brought from the east made all our food special.
I found myself smiling as various couples came and asked my father’s permission to wed. The red flushed cheeks bespoke sudden passion in some. Sir Richard and Sir William seemed bemused by it all. As twilight settled and people looked as though they were ready to depart, my father stood.
Everyone applauded and was then silent. “My friends; this is our first Midsummer feast. It will not be the last,” There was huge applause at that. “I am pleased that many couples have decided to marry. Father Peter will know the marriage ceremony without the book soon!” There was laughter at that. “For myself I have to say that I am happy that Good King Henry gave me this manor for it is all that I hoped it would be and now, before you all depart, I have an announcement to make.” Everyone went silen
t in anticipation. “My son Alfraed has shown himself to be a great knight and a worthy leader. It goes without saying that I am proud of him but he is young. There are many who are older than he is and are yet to be knighted, however today I confer on my son the title of knight. Come forward Alfraed.”
I stood before him, really pleased that I was almost sober.
“Kneel.” I knelt. He dubbed me on both sides of my head. “Rise Sir Alfraed of Stockton.” Ralph handed me my spurs and gave me an intricate silver ring, my new seal.
And so I became a knight. In an instant my father had created a new manor. I hoped that this was legal but I would worry about that later on. I stood and everyone applauded. I was amazed to see Sir William and Sir Richard applauding and cheering as loudly as any. When the cheering died Wulfstan stepped forward, “And now, my lord, that my apprentice is spurred I would like to buy the freedom of Faren and take her to wife.”
This had obviously been planned for my father said, “I give Faren her freedom and welcome.”
The midsummer feasted ended as joyfully as any could have imagined.
When I awoke I did not feel any different. I knew that something important had happened but I was the same warrior I had always been. I woke Harold and the two of us left for my castle. My father had deliberately named it the manor of Stockton, for me. I knew that was important. This marked it as mine to hold for my father. I wanted to get there as soon as I could.
Alf and the villagers were within the walls when we arrived. The children were up and many of the women but the men still drunk from the excesses of the feast. I rode through an open gate. There was no danger but this would all change when I moved in with my men at arms. Then we would keep a secure watch on the gate and the river.