The Fallen Crown

by Griff Hosker

  I waved a hand at the darkness lit by so many flickering fires that the frost seemed to sparkle. "The site means that there is little opportunity for a flanking move. The dyke protects one flank and we know that Stephen now has fewer horses than he did. We will advance upon each other and slog it out. When they fight it will be knight against knight and they will be pressed close. There will be little opportunity for skill. It will be strength of your arm, your weapon and your armour which decides the day. Our task is to watch in case the enemy breaks through or to see a weakness in their lines. If they do then we attack."

  "We have less than forty horsemen, lord. What difference can we make?"

  "You forget Dick and his archers. When we advance then they will too and when we charge their arrows will range ahead of us and make our attack more effective. Dick and his men double our strength. Besides we do not attack a whole line we either plug a dyke or exploit a hole. We will be enough."

  He nodded, "I hope that I may prove to be worthy."

  "You have proved it already, Sir William. My men and I would now lie dead had you and your men not held the road for us as you did."

  After he had retired I went to the horse lines. Rolf looked content. I had not owned him long but already I felt the connection which would make us a single fighting machine. He understood my slightest move. He would respond to a nudge of my knee or the flick of a spur. In battle that could make all the difference. I stroked his mane and whispered, "Tomorrow we shall see your true heart. Tomorrow we go to war." He nodded his head as though in agreement. I patted his neck and I retired. I had done all that I could. It was now in the hands of God.

  We woke and prepared for the battle in darkness. Edgar made sure that all my men ate. Wulfric had drilled that into him. Who knew how long the battle would be? The horses were fed with grain and watered. We walked them to our position. Dawn brought a cold and grey day. I hung the mace I had captured from my cantle. I had my sword, a dagger and a short sword . Along with my spear I was as well armed as I could be. I allowed Rolf to nuzzle me as I gave him the gnarled apple I had found in one of the deserted huts. He swallowed it in one. Then he raised his head up and down. "Today, we must be as one!"

  We watched as the three battles formed up before us. The Earl's looked the most colourful as the front rank was filled with the banners of the great lords who supported the Empress. The dour Welsh infantry to the right looked plain by comparison. My eyes were drawn to the enemy. I saw that Stephen had dismounted most of his knights. They would fight on foot. The two flanks were a mix of horsemen and infantry. The left of the enemy line was commanded by William of Aumale while their right by Alan of Brittany. As with all such battles it took some time to get into position. We did not mount while they moved into place. The weakness of both armies was the lack of archers. Had I been the Earl then a third of my men would have been archers but there looked to be perilously few. It was too late to worry about that for we could do nothing about it.

  We were close to the rear ranks of the army. Dick and his men planted stakes in the ground for protection as the two behemoths closed with each other. Then they remounted.

  As the army advanced to meet the enemy, who stood and waited, we advanced too. I wanted to be as close to the fighting as I could in case we were needed. Then Earl Robert made his first mistake. He did not use his archers to weaken the enemy. He should have halted and loosed his arrows but he did not. I saw then Stephen's plan. He was emulating Hannibal. His strong centre would not move but his mobile flanks would. William of Aumale and Alan of Brittany charged the Welsh!

  I felt as though I had the power to see into the future for I could see what would happen. I turned, "Dick, dismount and prepare to loose your arrows."

  He knew me well. He might not know what was going to ensue but he trusted me. "Aye lord!" He and his men had already planted more stakes in the ground behind them in anticipation of having to dismount and they tied their horses to them and then strung their bows.

  "Richard, stand behind the archers and let my banner fly!"

  We were closer to the right flank for that was where I had feared the enemy would break through. I saw the horsemen of William of Aumale strike the Welsh infantry. He was an experienced knight and his men were well trained. Their lances were held by knights who were knee to knee. Archers sent arrows from behind the knights and they struck the Welsh line. Men fell and it was no longer a solid wall of shields and spears. There were gaps. When the line of horsemen hit it there was a sound like a blacksmith striking iron. Then I heard the cries of death. The frozen ground meant that the horses were travelling quickly. I saw the banners of Aumale and his men as they bowed and bent the Welsh line and drove deeply into it. It was like a branch of a tree. It bent until it could bend no more and then it snapped. The Welsh broke as the knights broke through the front ranks and into the heart of it.

  "Ready Dick!"

  He had seen what I had seen and he nodded. "Aye lord."

  "Mount!" My men, already in our lines, mounted our horses.

  The Welsh ran not along the dyke for they feared the icy waters but flowed between the earl's undamaged battle and my men. William of Aumale and his men pursued them. The stakes which my archers had planted afforded some protection. They channelled the fleeing Welsh and meant any horsemen could not attack my archers. As soon as the enemy horse were in range Dick shouted, "Release!" Their arrows fell amongst the knights. They were no longer a solid line and both horses and knights fell. It was only one or two who fell but it slowed the advance. To the left of us I saw that the other two battles had joined with their enemy and the lines there ebbed and flowed. The dismounted battle of Stephen held the knights of the Earl. It was this right flank which would decide the outcome.

  "Prepare!" We had to stop the horsemen or else they would turn and attack the flank of the Earl's men. If they broke then it would be the end of the battle. As Dick's archers got into their stride and released more arrows so more of the horsemen fell. I heard the Welsh knights trying to rally the fleeing Welsh foot. We had to strike at that moment. A charge from us might rally the Welsh.

  "For God, England and the Empress! Charge!"

  We were not a long line but we rode together, knee to knee. We struck William of Aumale's men on their shield side so that they could not strike a blow in return and we hit them when they were already blown and spread out. I pulled back my spear and punched as hard as I could at the white shield with the red boar upon it. The knight's cantle only held him front and rear. He tumbled from his horse and as Rolf galloped over him I heard the sickening crunch as his skull was caved in. I pulled back my spear and looked for my next target. A knight with a blue and yellow quartered shield tried to turn his horse. He had shattered his spear already and he faced me with a sword. In trying to turn he stopped his horse. I was galloping and had the slight slope with me. I punched forward and this time the spear caught the edge of his shield and was then driven deep into his chest. As he fell the head of the spear was broken and I threw away the broken end.

  I heard a trumpet sound the recall and William of Aumale's men began to withdraw. I knew it was his style. He had been cautious at Northallerton. His men turned and began to move back towards the city walls. I know not why but many of the magnates and powerful men in Stephen's army thought that signalled defeat and, incredulously, began to flee. Some of Aumale's men joined them. Behind me I heard the Welsh cheer and they began to rally.

  I halted to allow Rolf to rest and to assess the situation. The magnates who had fled had allowed Prince Madog to push back Alan of Brittany's men. But in the centre the dismounted men of Stephen still held the line. They were solid and the horses of the Earl could not penetrate the steel and wooden wall. Horses fell and formed a barrier preventing more horses from approaching. Had I been Earl Robert I would have dismounted my men.

  I saw Stephen himself as he wielded his axe. Horses and knights fell before the Usurper. I had fought alongside him and knew that he was
neither a coward nor a poor warrior. Even as I watched I saw him take first one and then a second knight with two mighty blows. Men fell back reluctant to face certain death. It needed a champion to fight him. I saw none for the Earl of Gloucester, our leader was not in the fore. He was, instead, directing his knights. His squires rode to pass orders and to bring up more men from the rear. I saw him look for me. I was not where he thought I would be. I was on his right and close to the enemy. Before me William of Aumale was rallying his shattered column. His horses blown he was dismounting his men. The Welsh were also reforming and preparing to advance.

  I turned, "Dick, take your archers and harass the left flank of the enemy!"

  He waved acknowledgement.

  "Form line!"

  We had some men who had fallen during the charge and we had a shorter line however some of the Welsh knights took it upon themselves to join with us. I raised my sword, "For God and the Empress! Charge!"

  We headed obliquely towards the left flank of the huge block of men who were defending Stephen the Usurper. The knights were at the fore and we charged men at arms. Once again we charged shields. Their weapons were in their right hands. If they turned to face us then they would not support Stephen. As we neared I pulled back on Rolf's reins and his huge hooves rose in the air. As I released him they clattered and crashed down on the shields of some of the men at arms. I heard their cries and the crack as shields and arms were broken. As a gap was created I leaned forward to cleave the skull of a knight in the second rank. My knights and men at arms had followed me and we began to make inroads into the side of this enormous column of men. I spied the Earl of Chester as he led his men forward to try to end the battle by killing or capturing Stephen. I had to turn my attention back to the men before me. Rolf's hooves cleared the ground once more and then I felt him tire. His flank was bloody from a sword thrust. Ahead I saw that the enemy were still in a solid mass. Our horses were tired. I had to do something differently.

  I turned and shouted, "Richard!" I slipped my mace into my left hand and shouted, "Dismount!"

  As I dismounted I saw the Earl of Chester as Stephen's axe smashed his sword in two and the Earl was forced to fall back. Richard arrived, "Do you need Lion, lord?"

  "No we fight on foot. Take Rolf back and see to his hurts!"

  "We are winning lord!"

  I shook my head. "Not so long as Stephen stands! Now retire!" I turned and shouted, "Stockton! On me!"

  Sir William and his men were still mounted as were the Welsh knights. Their horses began to die as the men at arms, on foot, hacked and stabbed at weakened horses. It was time to fight on foot. Sir William began to have his men dismount. Some of the Welsh knights did the same and they joined my band.

  "Form a wedge! Gilles, watch my back!"

  "Aye lord!"

  There were less than twenty of us but we knew how to fight together. Sir John was on my left and Edgar guarded my right. Sir William and the Welsh saw us and augmented our numbers.

  "Forward!"

  Holding my shield before me and with my sword touching its top we stepped together. We marched in time. We had done this before and knew each other's rhythm. I thrust my sword forward and it pierced the eye of a man at arms. As he threw himself back the sword tore a hole in his face. Sir John brought his sword in a long sweep and hacked into the neck of a second. Günter the Swabian's two handed sword carved death to the right of Edgar. He used both hands to swing the sword and his shield hung loosely from his left arm. My men marched inexorably on. I heard the Welsh leader order his infantry, having rallied to form a mass of warriors behind and to the side of us. We were the cutting edge of a huge band of men. Out of the corner of my eye I saw more men fleeing back into Lincoln. We were winning but so long as Stephen stood then we did not have the field. Men would die so long as his banner flew and he fought.

  I felt a blow hit my shield as Baldwin Fitz Richard struck my shield with his mace. He was one of Stephen's most loyal knights and a worthy adversary. I brought my sword over my head and tried to strike at his neck. He brought up his shield to block the blow but it had such power that I saw him recoil. Our wedge was now flattened into a line and my men were fighting individually. Only Gilles remained close to me. As Baldwin stepped back I punched with my shield. In my left hand I still held the mace and the power of the blow made Baldwin take another step back. He slipped in some entrails and slippery guts which lay behind him. As he struggled to keep his feet I stabbed forward. He tried to bring his own shield around but he was too late and my sword severed some links in his mail and slid along his side. My sword came away bloody!

  He regained his balance and raised his sword to strike me. Blood spurted from the wound I had made as he did so and the strike was weak. I blocked it with my shield and then swung my sword backhand across his middle. He brought his sword down and my blade broke it. "Yield, my lord! Or you will die. You have no sword."

  He must have known that his wound would continue to bleed and he was weakening. He dropped to a knee he said, "I yield."

  "Gilles, take care of this brave knight."

  Stephen was still laying about him with his axe and the bodies of the knights he had slain littered the ground. Enough had died!

  "Stockton! On me!"

  The men who were close enough joined me and I led six of them towards Stephen. He had been forced backwards so that he was now directly ahead of me. As he slew another young knight I hacked the head from a man at arms who bravely tried to block my advance. Edgar and Sir John slew a man at arms and wounded a knight who tried to stop me. My surcoat was well known. There were just six men between me and Stephen. "On my men! One more push!" Edgar and Sir John hacked and slashed, Günter still had the strength to swing his long sword in a wide arc. Wilfred and Gurth never tired. The last barrier to our enemy fell and with no more men between us I shouted, "Stephen! Yield for you are defeated!" It should have been the Earl of Gloucester who made the offer but he was too far back from the fray.

  The usurper swung his axe to take the arm from Sir Guillaume D'Aubigny. Stephen lifted his helmet. I could see that his face was drawn and he was tired, "You said it would be between us Alfraed. I will not relinquish the crown. It is still atop my head."

  I nodded, "I knew it would come to this. Then lay on Stephen the Usurper and we fight until the crown is finally fallen."

  I sheathed my sword for he had an axe and I did not wish to risk blunting it more. I took my mace and advanced. He swung his axe. He had killed so many now that it was little better than a club. Even so my arm shivered with the blow as it struck my shield. I brought the mace around in an arc. The blow was so powerful that even Stephen took a step back when it hit the top of his shield. He was a skilled warrior and he regained his balance and then swung his axe at me. Instead of blocking it with my shield I swung my mace and the two weapons crashed together. The axe shattered and fell to the ground. I dropped the mace and drew my short sword. It was sharp. I still had my better sword.

  Stephen drew his own sword. It was slightly longer than mine. I think he sensed an advantage for he stepped back as he started to swing. He would use the longer reach he had. It was a mistake for I was quick and I stepped forward and in two strides we were face to face. I rammed the hilt of my sword at his face and punched him. His head reeled as it hit his ventail. He tried to hit my shoulder with the pommel of his sword. I had a plate there and it do no harm. As he stepped back he swung his sword and I blocked it with mine. He had to get further away to take advantage of his longer sword but the press of men behind him stopped him from doing so. I saw arrows flying overhead to fall amongst those at the rear of this column and knew that Dick was doing his job. If I could finish Stephen then the battle might be won.

  Our swords rang together time and time again. When I saw the short sword begin to bend I took a step back, thrust it into the ground and drew my long sword. The pommel had the blue stone which had been in King Harold's sword. The weapon always filled me with a s
ense of power and so it was again. Now we had weapons of equal length. We were both as skilled as each other. As I tried to stab him he countered with his own sword. He tried to swing and take my head but I blocked with my shield. Around us men died, were wounded or yielded but we fought on. Our swords rang together time and time again. Both our hauberks were torn and links broken. Our surcoats were bloodied and ripped. Our helmets were dented but still we fought on.

  I think it was my belief that I was in the right and that God was on my side and that of the Empress which determined the outcome. I brought the sword from behind me and I put every ounce of strength into the blow. Stephen countered with his own sword but it shattered in two. Before he could do anything more I dropped my shield and putting my sword to his throat I tore his helmet from his head and shouted, "I have taken the King! Yield!"

  Around us those closest stopped fighting but they did not drop their weapons. It was as though time had stopped still.

  I said, quietly so that only he could hear, "I do not wish to kill you for you have fought well but know that I will to avoid further slaughter and death. If you wish to live then surrender now!" I dropped his helmet to the ground.

  He nodded and dropping to his knees shouted, "I yield. The field is yours Alfraed, Earl of Cleveland!" Then to me, he added quietly, "The crown has, indeed, fallen!"

  Chapter 14

  The Earl of Gloucester sent the Earl of Chester and his men to pursue those who had fled. I had Stephen escorted towards the castle by my men at arms. They had earned the right. Their bloodied surcoats and dented helmets told their own story. "Let us go, my lord. You have hurts. The Countess will have a healer." We marched proudly towards the gate of Lincoln Castle. I was anxious to see both my men and the Countess.

  He rose and grimaced as he did so. "You have a powerful arm, Alfraed. I can see why you were so successful in the mêlée."

  Richard rode up with our two horses. "Would you care to ride, my lord?"