by Griff Hosker
Richard, who was the youngest asked, "How long will they take?"
"As long as they need. You do not hurry a sword. His lordship's sword has never let him down. Each smith puts part of himself in every sword he makes. For those who serve the Earl of Cleveland it must be the best. You will have to be patient." He pointed to swords in various stages of manufacture. "The blade has to be hammered and tempered. It must be balanced. See those, they are almost ready for their point and these for sharpening. Finally they have the pommel and the guard fitted. You young masters will help in that process. These swords are for sale in the markets of Anjou and Normandy."
As we headed back to my castle Gilles asked, "Did your former lord not have a sword made for you, Richard?"
Richard shook his head, "I was the one who fetched and carried for the others. The sword I offered to the Earl was one I took from the field."
I remembered that day. I had made a good decision to spare his life and accept his offer of his sword. "And when you are full grown then we shall visit with Alf again and have your mail made. For the present that which you wear will have to do. Now go and see to Rolf and your horses. We ride at the end of the week. I would see how my people fare. Make sure that all is well. Check every piece of leather and groom all the horses well."
"Aye lord."
I sought John, my Steward. He was less parsimonious since the last attack by the Scots. He had realised that my expenditure on weapons, mail and the castle were well spent. Some men built fine castles to make a statement. They told the world that they were important. My castle was not like that. It served one purpose: to protect the Tees valley and my people.
"When the 'Adela' docks I want her turned around as quickly as we can, John. We need more men from Anjou." The Normans and the French were not as good natural bowmen as those we had in Wales and in England. Griff of Gwent attempted to reverse that by training any likely archers. There were many good men at arms and Brian and Padraig made sure that any they sent were good warriors.
"Aye lord. And I have a list of things which we need. We will need to build a larger bread oven. The one we have cannot keep up with the demand."
I pointed to the outer bailey. "There is room aplenty by the river wall. It is safer there too."
"I will get the men to building it immediately. And there is something else, lord. The mill is not producing as much flour as we need."
The mill was by the manor of Norton. It was inconvenient having to transport it by cart along the greenway. "Any suggestions?"
"Father Henry said he had seen a mill at an abbey he visited. They had dug a leat from the river so that they could divert the river to power the mill. It saved them having a mill pond." He pointed upstream. "There would seem to be a good place."
"Ask for the Father's advice. I think it is a good idea. If we are besieged again it will save us being cut off from our mill. And we have goods aplenty to send and sell in Anjou?"
"We have. The tanners have produced much leather and the women are adept at making many things from it. The wool we produce too is much sought after. The potters are getting better and one day we can sell our own pots and tiles made from the clay of Stockton."
"Good. I shall visit my manors this week. I will hold sessions the week after. Have all the cases I need to hear ready for then and be ready to collect the taxes." He nodded. Those tasks brought in an income. He liked them. "Next month I expect to take a conroi south. I wish everything to be ready. Servants, tents, horses, weapons and food. I rely on you John."
"I know sir and I will not let you down."
"On the morrow I will take a tour of my land."
He already knew that I was leaving a healthy garrison. He had no fears there. My chores were done and I retired to my solar. I had had a busy morning. Alice would have placed my jug of wine, bread, cheese and ham there already. She knew my habits. I enjoyed looking south and west from my window. I felt I could see all the way to Gloucester and Matilda. My lady and I knew we were fated never to be together but it did not stop me dreaming. As with all such fantasies it led me to try to come up with a strategy to defeat Stephen once and for all. Had the Earl of Gloucester not been so arrogant we might have joined forces after we captured Lincoln and defeated Stephen of Blois. He had been weak then. The moment had slipped away and now we were having to claw back land lost in his campaign. The defection of the Earl of Chester had changed everything.
I left my castle before either Philip of Selby or Dick returned. I was not worried. Both were clever men and would not be caught. Better that they take their time and gain valuable intelligence than come back too soon with ill founded news. I took just my squires and ten men at arms. I was not travelling far but with the bandits and brigands who abounded once I left my valley it was as well to be prepared.
I would travel to Gainford and thence to Barnard Castle. Sir Hugh had a castellan at his manor. He held Barnard Castle for the Empress and one day he would return to Gainford. He had had William my mason build him a fine gatehouse and barbican. He still had a castle with wooden palisades but little by little he was improving it.
Spring in England, especially the north, was unpredictable. When we set out it was as though winter had returned. A chill wind hurtled in from the north and was in our faces for the first few miles. It was only when we turned, just before Yarm, that we managed to get a little respite. The wind made conversation impossible. That was probably just as well for I had much on my mind. Sir Hugh was a fine knight but I had given him a task which was almost impossible. His nearest aid, should he be attacked, would come from his small garrison at Gainford. It would take a rider almost half a day to reach my castle and even if we left straight away he would have to hold off an enemy for at least a day. His castle was well built and had a curve in the river for protection but he did not have a large number of men to defend the walls. I hated leaving him alone while I went to fight for the Empress.
After halting for some refreshments and a warm at the fire in Gainford Castle we pushed on to Barnard Castle. The approach from the east was deceiving. The castle seemed to have no natural defences. It was only when you tried to get around the castle that you saw how formidable they really were. That was Hugh's problem. The river could be forded or even bridged and once he was besieged then an enemy could overwhelm him.
He greeted us at his gate. His men had spied my banners coming from some distance away. "Good to see you again, lord. I will have rooms prepared for you and your squires."
"Thank you. I thought Stockton was cold but here it is even colder and I am sure I felt a few flecks of snow!"
He laughed, "You did lord."
I turned to my squires, "See to the horses and then join me in the Great Hall." As squires the care of the horses was second only to their duty to protect me.
His wife bobbed a curtsy, "It is good to see you, my lord. I have had mulled wine prepared and there will be hot food soon. I will go and hurry the servants."
I smiled, "No on my account, dear lady. I need little in the way of comfort these days."
She smiled, "Nonetheless lord, I would not be showing you the proper respect if I did not."
We sat before his roaring fire. "How goes the work on your defences, Sir Hugh?"
"I have made devices to pour oil and boiling water from my walls. We have laid in great supplies of pig fat. I know that is the best deterrent."
"And how will you keep them from your walls?"
"I am loath to improve a castle which may well be returned to that traitor Balliol. I will not give him a drawbridge but we now pull in the bridge each night. I keep scouts and hunters in my woods. If Scots or strangers are seen then we pull up the bridges straight away."
"Good. But remember, I am but a day away. It seems to me that you are in a good position to hold off an enemy for a few days at least."
He hesitated.
"Speak, Sir. Hugh. You know me better than that."
"When you are away, lord as I know you mus
t, then who will come to my aid?"
It was a good point. "Sir Erre and Sir Richard are both well placed to come to your aid. If the enemy was the Scottish army then all would retire to my castle anyway. I would say send to Durham but I fear that is full of enemies too."
"I will have to pray that Sir Hugh and Sir Erre can reach me in time then." He sounded resigned to his fate.
I drank some of the mulled wine. It tasted good. I came to a decision. "I will also leave Philip of Selby and his archers. They are well mounted and if they reached you before an attacker then I am confident you could hold off the Scots. Do not forget the men who live in this valley have no love for the Scots. Their lord, Balliol, might but not his people. Use them on your walls. We have shown before that doughty folk using slings and bows can defeat mailed warriors."
My squires returned and we spoke of other things. "Think you that this is the year the tide will turn for the Empress, Lord?"
"I hope so but I confess that I do not have enough knights to force the issue. The Empress and I are dependent on the Earl of Gloucester."
"Why does he not support the Empress more than he does?"
That was a very good question. "I am not certain but in my dealings with him, over the years, I have seen that he sees himself as his father's son. He can never be king but he seeks power. He seeks a throne. He has one now. It is the west of England. He has conquered large parts of Wales yet that is poor country." I shook my head for I could not understand the strategy. "If he conquered more of the south and the east then he would have even greater revenue!"
I realised I had become heated. My squires looked fearful but Sir Hugh smiled, "Fear not Gilles and Rich. Your lord is a passionate man. He fights for this country and has greater vision than any other I have met. It is why we all serve him."
The doors of the hall swung open and servants appeared with trays laden with food. "Your men are eating with the men at arms, my lord. They have fine fare too."
"Thank you mistress now pray come and sit by me. I would hear of your children!" I was regaled with tales of their young family and it made me think about the young family I had never seen, my son's.
I decided to head home through Durham and we left before dawn. I had not seen Geoffrey Rufus for some time nor had I heard from him. He had not been the Bishop his appointment had promised. Most of that was the fault of William Cumin, his secretary. He was in the pay of the Scots. It meant that the Bishop neither supported nor opposed the Empress. He had to tread a fine line between appeasing the Scots and upsetting me. If I was going away then I needed him to guard my northern borders or at least warn me of Scottish incursions..
We passed through empty villages as we headed east. In some lay bodies, decayed and eaten by animals, in open view. It was desolate. Where we did see life, on distant farms, the sight of my horsemen drove the people within to bar their doors. Had I had time then I would have investigated but time was pressing. The days were still short. The city of Durham had always been prosperous. It was the jewel in the northern crown and yet, as we headed through the outskirts, I saw few people and those I did see were fearful and scurried away as we passed. As we neared the walls I said, "Richard, unfurl the banner."
My ten men at arms were led by Wilfred. As we neared the walls he said, quietly, "I like this not, my lord. Is this safe?"
"I know not Wilfred and, like you, I am cautious. Keep your eyes open. I shall just take Gilles with me. If we are admitted then I will speak with the Bishop. If we are not admitted then that tells us much. I do not intend to stay long. Keep your eyes and ears open."
"We will, my lord."
The gates were closed. That was not a surprise. The land was on a war footing. A face appeared at the battlements. I had taken off my helmet and my hands were not close to my weapons. I came in peace, "I am the Earl of Cleveland and I would speak with the Bishop."
The two guards looked at each other. Their heads disappeared and then reappeared. One shouted, "The Bishop is not a well man. It is said he is close to death."
"Then all the more reason that I speak with him."
There was a hurried conference and the two men left.
I turned to Wilfred. "Watch for treachery."
My men were the finest men at arms in the land. Each was equipped as a knight. All had a full mail hauberks, good swords and the best of helmets. Moe than that they could think for themselves. There were just ten of them but I would back them against fifty others.
"Aye lord." He turned to Richard, "And you, Master Richard, you keep tight hold of that banner and if I say move then stick closer to me than my horse's saddle!"
Wilfred was a rough and ancient soldier. He had lost teeth and had scars. I saw Richard nodding fearfully, "Aye Wilfred!"
Eventually the doors groaned open. The two men we had seen waved us through. I saw a knot of men at arms waiting by the keep. I saw no priests. I glanced around the walls. They were manned but not heavily. Where was the garrison? If this was all that the Bishop had to defend his walls then the Scots could walk in any time they chose. We stopped and I handed my reins to Oswald and my helmet to Richard. My shield hung from Rolf's side.
A sergeant at arms gave a slight bow, "I command the garrison Lord. I am Ralph of Rothbury."
I had not met the man before but he was a powerful looking warrior. Rothbury had been English and was now Scottish. This man could have allegiances on either side.
"I hear the Bishop is ill?"
He nodded, "The priests are with him."
"Then take me to him."
He hesitated, "I am not certain that is a good thing, my lord."
I looked him in the eyes. "Know you that I am the Warlord of the North?" He nodded. "I led the armies of the north when we defeated King David at Northallerton and I have a warrant from the Empress Matilda to rule in her stead. Would you disobey me?" He looked around. Someone else was making decisions here. He quailed. "He is in the chapter house."
"I know where that is!" I did not add that I had recaptured this castle from enemies before. "Wilfred, watch the horses. Come Gilles!" As we strode across the green to the chapter house I said, quietly, "I rely on you to watch my back!"
"Aye lord." His hand went to his sword.
I entered the chapter house and surprised a young priest who turned around with a startled expression on his face. "I am the Earl of Cleveland. Where is the Bishop?"
Unlike the sergeant at arms the priest looked happier to see me when he heard my name. "Come with me, my lord. It is good that you have come."
As he led me through a corridor I asked, "Trouble?"
"The Dean will tell you all." He shrugged, "I am but a novice, my lord. You need to know facts and not what a young priest has gleaned."
I smiled, I liked this young and earnest man. "What is your name, priest?"
"I am Brother Thomas, sir, from Leyburn."
"You are an honest man. My castle always welcomes such men." He nodded. I knew we were close to the Bishop's quarters when I began to smell death. It hung in the air and lay like a fog in the tees valley. If the Bishop was not already dead then he would be before too long.
An older priest stood as we entered the chamber.
I turned to my squire, "Gilles, go back to the chapterhouse door and keep watch." He glanced around the room and I smiled, "I am safe here. These are men of God and we can trust them." He left.
The Dean said, "Not all men of God are to be trusted my lord. I am William of Arundel, the Dean of Durham."
I looked at Geoffrey Rufus. He lay still and white looking like a piece of marble. "How is the Bishop?
"He clings on to life by a thread."
"What is the illness?" The young priest and the Dean looked at each other. "Speak!"
The Dean said, "I think he was poisoned. He was hale and he was hearty a week since and then he woke one morning vomiting. We gave him purgatives and water but I think the deed was done by then."
"Has he woken?"
&nb
sp; "Sometimes he opens his eyes but we have heard no words these last three days."
I went to the bed and touched the Bishop's hand. It was still warm but only just. I could feel his heart beating in his wrist but it was painfully slow. As I held it I said, "I saw empty villages and dead bodies. Was this the Scots?"
I heard the Dean say, "The Scots have not visited their wrath on us these last two years; not since the battle." I took that in as I looked down at the man on whom King Henry had placed such faith. "And the garrison; it seems a little smaller than it used to." His words were guarded.
"They are riding abroad."
"And who leads them?"
There was another pause and before the Dean could answer the Bishop's eyes opened, "My lord, you have come. God has answered my prayers." His voice was weak but I saw the spark of life in his eyes.
"I am come."
His claw like fingers gripped my hand as though he was clinging on to life. He pulled my arm down towards him. I lowered my head. "I have not long for this world. I am at peace and I have no more sins for I have confessed." I did not know if he was talking to me or to God. "I have been poisoned. It is Cumin. You were right in your suspicions he is in the pay of the Scots."
The effort of speaking was too much and he sank back into the bed. His hand fell to his side.
I turned, "Where is Cumin?"
The Dean said, "In the Great Hall. He commands here now."
"And his men?"
"They are led by his nephew, Osbert."
"And they lay waste to this land?" The Dean looked helplessly at me and nodded.
I felt the Bishop's fingers as they tapped on my arm. He did not open his eyes but he whispered, "Take care of my people, lord."
Just then Gilles burst in. "Lord, armed men are heading this way from the keep!"
I turned to the Dean. "Stockton will always welcome those who cared for this man. I will have to leave now. I have few men with me but I shall return."
The Dean nodded, "I know, lord. That has always been a comfort but we are bound to the Bishop. So long as he lives we stay. I pray you hurry. They mean to trap you."