by Griff Hosker
Although there was no gate on the tower we could still gain entrance that way. The lower level would be the stables and we allowed our horses to rest in the cool of the stone tower. Whilst Harold fetched water and hay I ascended the tower. We needed more stone but Olaf had promised me fresh supplies by the end of the week. I was a realist. The quarried stones which remained were few in number. We had enough for the tower and the gate through the curtain wall but that was all. The curtain wall itself would require stones from a different source or we would have to quarry them ourselves.
I looked at the hills to the south and east. One day I would have to visit those lands; apart from Hartness they were our nearest neighbours. I knew that there was a priory and I had heard the land around Guisborough was also owned by the De Brus family. I wondered if it was the same man who owned Hartness. I doubted it for Guisborough was a rich manor yielding wheat. I rubbed my hand along the stone of the wall. It came away dirty. This castle would need finishing first.
One advantage of my tower was that you could see all of those who wished to use Ethelred’s ferry. Word had spread and many travellers saved time when heading for the north by coming directly across our river. Ethelred had begun to employ men to help him. It was a well made ferry. He now had a rail running along two sides and the first rope he had used to haul the ferry across had been augmented by a second. It was a swift passage even at high tide. Ethelred himself now dressed in finer clothes. He also showed himself to be a clever man by becoming a trader. He had his men travelled to York and Northallerton to buy goods which he resold. Norton held a market each Saturday and Ethelred built up his fortune. He made profits. I knew that my father would become richer as a result. Ethelred had more monies for us to tax. We now made our own money and my father produced copper coins which we used to pay for small services. We were still on the lookout for a miller. The women of the farms and Norton had to grind by hand. It took hours each day. A mill could change all that. I knew that, once my castle was finished he would have a mill and mill pond built. That would supply us with fish all the year around.
When my reverie was ended I wandered around my new manor. I was greeted by smiles. A weary Alf bobbed his head when I passed his smithy. “A grand party, my lord. It had been a good year.”
“It has.”
“And we were spared Vikings this year too.”
I was surprised, “Vikings?”
“They still raid although not as frequently as they used to. Sometimes six months go by without a raid. This last year is the longest anyone has ever known without a visit from the dragon ships.”
“What do they come for?”
“Slaves and animals.” He pointed to the north. “We just head as far north as we can when we know they are coming. They don’t like to stray too far from the river. Olaf and the fishermen were usually fortunate enough to spot them at sea. Ten years ago the bastards came out of a fog and they took many on that raid.” He nodded towards the tower. “When you are here, sir, we will be safe.”
I had thought Vikings were a thing of the past. The ones who travelled through the Rus to Miklagård seemed to me the last remnants of the Viking raider. Apparently I was wrong.
I used our walk around the village to plan what it would look like when I ruled there. We already knew where the ditch and moat would be. They were marked by a line of river sand which William had used as a marker. The moat would run along the other side. Even if we were short of stone we could still build a moat and, with the stone of the tower for protection, we would be safe there.
We had a leisurely ride back to Norton. We went the long way, through the Hart Burn. I was anxious to see how the two Toms had settled. They were not where I had expected. There was a piece of flat land close to the burn but they had not built there. Harold pointed to the reason. “Look sir. The land close to the river is very verdant. This burn bursts its banks when it rains heavily and the land is flat here. Any house would be flooded every time it rained. Tom is no fool. If we climb this bank I am sure we will find him.”
He was right. At the top of the bank they had cleared trees and were making a wooden hall. Despite having only one good arm to use effectively Old Tom was still doing his share. They stopped working when we arrived. Tying our animals to the trees Harold and I helped them to move some logs. The extra hands made light work of it. “We can bring the men to help you Tom if you desire? It would not take us long.”
Old Tom shook his head. “No sir, you and your father have done enough. Besides I want our blood and sweat to be here. We have had no home since the Normans destroyed our old one. This will be my last home. I shall die here. I would rather build it myself.”
I understood. They were almost exactly the same words as used by my father. Both my father and Tom had lived much longer than most men. They were unusual. They were seeing old age.
Four days after the feast the ransom arrived. William’s younger brother arrived with an escort of four men at arms. I saw the worried look on his face. He thought he had not brought enough. He looked at my father who shook his head, “It is not mine to collect. My son was the victor.” He stepped aside.
Robert Fitzjedburgh lifted a small chest from the sumpter. He handed it to me. “My father says that this is all the gold he can raise and hopes that my brother can keep his ears.”
I caught sight of William who coloured. I think he knew at that point that I would let him go no matter what the ransom was. I opened it and saw that it contained gold. I was about to count when Robert said, “There are thirty four gold pieces, my lord although some are smaller than others.”
I feigned deliberation. I lifted the gold pieces and examined them. Some were familiar and I recongised the face of King David but others appeared to show other rulers. The men of Jedburgh raided far and wide.
Finally I nodded, “The ransom is paid. Sir William you may take your destrier and return to your family.”
That surprised him. “You are letting me keep my horse?” Such animals were valuable; a good one was worth more than the ransom I had just received.
I smiled, “I would not deprive you of your livelihood but I would choose easier pickings next time if I were you.”
He grinned, “The lesson is learned.” He clasped my arm. “Thank you for your hospitality. I have learned much here.”
The goodbyes took some time. I noticed that he and Sir Richard had a long farewell. They had become friends. I took the chest into the hall and began to divide the coins. It was mine to divide. I was the master. I knew, however, that it would be foolish to lose the good will of my men.
I summoned Richard, Wulfstan, Egbert, Osric and Athelstan. I chose the five largest coins and then five smaller ones. I gave one of each to them. They nodded and smiled. Only Sir Richard looked slightly disappointed. When my father’s oathsworn had gone I asked, “Disappointed, Richard?”
“Not with my pay but with the size of the ransom. From what Sir William said I thought his family had more money than this.”
“Then perhaps they are wise for they have not impoverished their manor for one reckless son.”
He nodded and left. I summoned Edward and his men along with Dick and John, the two archers who had come with us. I gave each of them a gold coin. “You have done well. Dick and John here are the coins for the two Toms. Take them to them.”
Dick grinned, “They will be both pleased and surprised. This is more gold than I have ever seen in my life.”
“You fight for me now. There will be more.” Then I summoned Harold and Aiden.
To Harold I gave one gold coin and Aiden, to his surprise, received a smaller one. “But my lord I did no fighting!”
“You are my man, Aiden, and you will benefit like the others.”
I took some coins from the box and then put it under my bed. I had more than half left yet. Father Peter was at the church. It showed the effects of the feast and he was tidying. I gave him a gold coin. “Here father. This is for you and the church. Use it as you see fit.�
� I looked at his vestments which were quite plain.
He saw my look and shook his head, “The last thing I need, my lord, are fine clothes. I am a priest. I will use some of this to commission a bell from Alf and I will ask William to build a small vestry for me.”
I knew that he slept in the church. It was a cold existence in winter.
Finally I found William and gave him five coins. “What is this for, my lord?”
“For the building of the castle. I pay you now so that when I am not here the work will continue apace.”
“Not here? You are going somewhere?”
I nodded, “I will need to take my men and visit with our neighbours. It is time that they knew there was a new knight in this land. I would not have any confusion over it.”
Chapter 18
Two weeks later we heard rumours of the imminent arrival of the king’s tax collectors. Some had fled north to avoid paying and Ethelred learned of the unwelcome visit. They were the merchants who could carry their riches with them surrounded by armed guards. Ethelred profited. We saw them all as we toiled in my castle. I virtually lived there now. I lived in what would be the hall with Harold and my men at arms. The top floor was still under construction and was too dirty but the room we used was adequate. We had yet to put in internal walls. The pillars which supported the ceiling were the only encumbrance in the huge space.
It was Wulfric who saw the tax collector. “My lord, there is a mighty host across the river. I think it is the tax collector.”
I leaned over the battlements, “Aiden, ride to my father and warn him that the tax collectors are here.” I turned to William. “Keep my men working, Harold, and I will take them to my father.”
I cleaned myself up as best I could and donned my tunic and sword. By the time I reached the river the heavily laden ferry was almost across. I frowned. The ferry was full and yet there were as many men and horses on the other side. How many tax collectors did King Henry need?
I strode down to meet them. I noticed that there were knights disembarking. This was my first experience of tax collection in England; did they need knights to enforce the collection? I was twenty paces from them when they stopped and parted. It was not just the tax collector. It was King Henry himself. I bowed and stammered, “Your majesty! We were not expecting you!”
He came over and raised me up. “I know. Walk with me.” He spoke quietly. “Your father’s letter, along with news I received from elsewhere made me fear for the north. I thought I would come with my tax collector and see for myself.”
His equerry brought his horse and he mounted. As he did so I saw his glance flick to the castle but he said nothing. “Ride with me to Norton and we can talk.”
Harold had anticipated well and he brought Scout over.
“I will stay only briefly for I wish to reach Durham by this evening.” He turned and looked at the ferry. “That is a good idea. Whose was it? Yours?” I nodded. “You are an enthusiastic young man I can see that. Tell me all.”
I told him of the raid by Sir Tancred and our encounter with the De Brus family. I mentioned the Scots raid but not the ransom. “You have been busy. And is your father well?”
“He seems to get younger the longer he lives in this land. He is grateful that you gave him this manor.”
He flashed me a look and examined my face for a lie. He had given us this manor because he knew it was dangerous. I had grown up in Constantinople and I could keep a stoic look upon my face easily. He seemed satisfied and grunted, “Aye well, I could have done worse with my gift.”
We rode into the castle and the king turned to the leader of his retinue. “Keep the men out here. I shall be safe within these walls. Water the beasts for we leave within the hour.”
We were followed by the tax collector and his clerks. Ominously they carried large books with them. King Henry strode up to the hall as though he owned it; which, of course, he did. He saw my father bob and bow, “Baron Ridley, have your steward give the details of your farmers and your holdings to my tax collector.”
“Yes my liege, Garth.”
Garth nodded and took the tax collector and clerks off. Faren appeared with some ale and we all sat at the large table. King Henry toasted us. “A fine castle. You have done well to survive here.”
It was as we had suspected King Henry had had his suspicions and we had been the sacrificial goat. Had we been consumed we would have proved to him beyond any doubt that there was treachery. As it was he still had the manor and we had given evidence of treachery.
“I have spoken with the Bishop of Durham. He is still indisposed and wishes to stay in London for a while longer. However I have persuaded him that the manor of Norton should no longer form part of his holdings. You just pay tax to me.” He smiled but there was no warmth in the smile, “My tax collector will tell you how much you owe me.” I think this was a double punishment. He was taking money from his Bishop while building better defences south of the Bishop’s holdings. This was complicated politics.
He finished his beer. “This is good ale but do you not have any wine? Beer is for peasants and wine is for nobles.”
“I am sorry my liege, we held a midsummer festival and we have yet to replenish our stocks.”
He grunted, “Aye well I can see that. Now what about this castle you have built upon the river? Did you ask permission for that?”
He darted the question at my father like a strike with a sword. My father began to speak but I interrupted. I would not allow my father to take the blame for my decision. “I thought, my liege, that you had given permission for a castle to be built. When we reached here we found a castle already in place and just built a new one to guard the river crossing you used today.”
He stared at me and I saw my father shake his head then the king roared with laughter. “My God, sir but you know how to defend an impossible position! Deftly done.” He shook his head, “I could order your to pull it down stone by stone, you know that?”
I raised my head resolutely, “Aye my lord.”
He considered. “What is the name of that settlement?”
Before I could speak my father said, “It is Stockton, sire. I gave it to my son to hold.” He went on hurriedly, “It is part of the manor of Norton.”
“So now you make lords of the manor too? Should I worry about your search for power Baron Ridley of Norton?”
My father did not rise to the bait, “I am an old man, my liege and if you fear an old man like me then I fear for England. When I met you I told you that I came here to die and I am not a man who is foresworn.”
King Henry’s face softened. “I can see that and all that I have heard confirms that you are a good lord of the manor.” His words told me that he had spies but who were they? “I am happy to confirm your son as baron of Stockton and to allow the erection of the castle however,” he paused and I discovered the real reason for his visit, “in return I require the services of two knights and ten men at arms for a campaign in Wales. The Welsh have attacked Chester and are causing no end of trouble rampaging through Cheshire.” His reptilian smile told us both that he wanted me to serve him and fight his battles with him.
I had little choice in the matter and I nodded. “I would be honoured, sire.”
“Excellent then we will see how much tax you owe and I will return from Durham in a few days.” An ashen faced Garth came in with the tax collector. “Ah Master Jocelyn, how much does Baron Ridley owe us for the year?”
The cleric was a hatchet faced man and his words sounded like blows as he said, “Twenty gold pieces, your majesty!”
My father showed his shock. “My liege, we are a poor manor! Where would my people get such gold from?”
The king shrugged, “I have been told, Baron Ridley that you are a rich man and brought much gold from the east. My men can collect the gold in the form of animals from your farmers if you wish.”
I stood. “That will not be necessary your majesty.” I went to my bed and brought out th
e small chest. I handed it to the tax collector. “I believe the amount you require is in here.”
I saw the look of relief and gratitude on the face of Garth and a frown appear on my father’s face. The tax collector counted out the coin and nodded to the king. “You are a resourceful fellow, Alfraed of Stockton. I look forward to learning more about you as we travel south.” He stood. “I will take my leave.” With that he strode from the hall.
The tax collector picked up the chest. I laid my dagger across it. “A receipt is in order, I believe.”
I am a big man and I had learned the intimidating stare. The tax collector, Jocelyn, actually shook as he waved his clerks over and began to write out the receipt.
The hall seemed almost silent when they had gone. My father said, “I had the gold, my son.”
“I know but you may need it. Besides those weird sisters you go on about meant I was given the ransom for a purpose. I will get more. I am just worried that with Sir Richard and I gone as well as ten men at arms we leave you vulnerable to attack.”
“We can get more men but tell me why Sir Richard and not Wulfstan?”
“Wulfstan will be more use here and besides he has just married. He and Faren need time together.”
He shook his head, “It is but two years since we left our home in the east and I now see the man grown from the boy.”
The good news was that I had had my title and my castle confirmed. I would have to leave it in the hands of the villagers of Stockton but that was a small price to pay. We had two days of frenetic activity as we had horses shoed and clothes prepared. I had to pick ten men at arms to accompany us. I picked Edward and his men first. I chose Dick and John as my archers and finally Wilfred and Edgar from my new men. Wulfric was upset. “Why not me my lord? Have I displeased you?”
“No Wulfric. Until I return I want you as constable of my castle. I would like that and my village kept safe while I am away. Can you hold it for me and keep my people safe?”
He seemed to grow taller. “Aye my lord.”
I was determined to spend my last night in my castle and I took leave of my father as I led my men to Stockton. It was not only my father but his oathsworn, Aiden and Faren who were all tearful as we parted.