The Fallen Crown

by Griff Hosker

  The head of the squire flew before my face as Edgar slew him but the squire had done his duty. He had bought his master time to escape. Gilles picked up the standard from the squire's dead hands. The enemy broke. They had to try to fight their way through Wulfric and his men. My former sergeant at arms and his men were laying about them and causing great slaughter. His war axe smashed through shields and metal, flesh and bone.

  Small pockets of men fought around the bodies of their knight but most fled. I could not afford my men to follow them far and besides they were broken. They would not relieve the siege of the New Castle. As my men ending the suffering of the dying and collected horses and booty I led Rolf to Sir Edward and Dick. I saw that Sir Edward's shield was broken and his sword bent. His face was bloody but his grin told me that was the blood of his enemies.

  "It is some time since I fought so hard. God's blood but I feel alive."

  I gestured to the dead men at arms and archers. "Your men have paid a price."

  Dick nodded, "Aye lord but the Scots have paid a dearer one."

  It was the middle of the afternoon when we returned to the town walls. I had the captured standards planted outside the gates of the castle. Those within would have heard, if not seen, the battle. The captured standards would tell them the result. Sir Philip said, "Sir Hugh has captured the bridge, lord. His men are keeping down the heads of those on the bridge gate."

  "Good. Father Thomas there are men to heal and some to send to God."

  "Aye lord."

  "Come Gilles, let us go and speak with Angus of Fife. Richard, fetch the banner we captured."

  We rode to the gate and waited. The constable appeared. His face and helmet were blackened with soot; the result of the fires we had started. I pointed to the banner. "As you can see the Mormaer of Berwick has been defeated. Here is his banner. There is no one coming to your aid. Surrender now and my offer still stands. You may leave and follow your defeated army north."

  "A generous offer, my lord but we stay. I have promised my Prince and I will do my duty."

  "It does you great credit but when my men take these walls, and take them they will, I cannot guarantee the safety of any within these walls."

  He nodded, "We are warriors all. Do your worst, Earl. We shall be ready!"

  I rode back to the camp. "Wulfric have the men make ladders but do so at a distance from the town so that they are neither seen nor heard."

  "Aye lord."

  "Sir William have your men begin to build a ram before the gates of the castle but make sure they do it slowly."

  He smiled, "You do not intend to attack the barbican then?"

  "No Sir William but I want them to think that we do."

  My men needed rest. Sir Philip and his men continued to harass the walls and those of Wulfric's men who were fit enough, made ladders. I sat and planned our night time assault with my knights and sergeants at arms.

  "We spend this day and the next resting and let them think that we intend to use the ram. Tomorrow night we assault the west gate. I will lead the attack. We will then attack the castle from the town. Later today I will row across the river and speak with Sir Hugh."

  Wulfric said, "Leading an assault is dangerous my lord, let one of us do it."

  "The day that I allow someone else to lead for me is the day I give up my sword and learn to grow vegetables. I will lead. We will need a bridge making to span the ditch. You had better make it two. I want an attack on a wide front. We outnumber them and I intend to use those numbers."

  We had found a small boat upstream and Gilles and Richard rowed me to the southern bank of the Tyne. Sir Hugh had made his camp there. I greeted him warmly, "You have done more than I could have hoped. I pray it did not cost you too many of your men."

  He shook his head, "The enemy lost far more for we were cautious."

  "Tonight I want you and your men to rest. Tomorrow night, as soon as it is dark I would have you and your men hammer wood as though you are making something to attack the gate. Then have your archers loose fire arrows into the walls. I want them to think that we are attacking this side but do not risk your men. You are putting on a show that is all. We will begin the real attack." I suddenly realised that he knew nothing of our victory and so, while we ate I gave him an account of the battle.

  He nodded, "Time draws on, my lord. Will you be able to be there for the coronation?"

  "I hope so but this is more important than watching a ritual. It is but half a day to ride to Stockton from here and the 'Adela' will be waiting for me. Captain William has promised me he can do the voyage in under four days at this time of year. Tomorrow night will decide all."

  That evening I walked the camp again. My archers continued to send fire arrows into the town and the castle. Sir Hugh had told me that his men were making it hard for the garrison to fetch water to fight the fire. This constant attack was draining them. When I visited the ram I saw that they had cleverly constructed the roof first so that the defenders could not see the progress within. Sir William was enjoying the deception. "I think my lads will be a little disappointed if they don't get to actually use the damned thing!"

  "Tell them that we will be assaulting the walls but not the gate."

  "You still intend to scale them, my lord?"

  "It is not as hazardous as you might think. I fear boiling oil and boiling water. With the fires we have started I cannot see them using either. Any water they have is needed to fight our fires. If you had ever seen the walls that the Empire builds then you would know that these are not true obstacles."

  The next night we lined up beyond sight of the walls. We had ten ladders and there would be two teams of five men. We would carry our ladders over the two bridges when we heard the attack on the river. Each of my knights insisted on leading eight of the ladders. Edgar and Wilfred would lead men up the other two. I had my sword and my mace. I would not be wearing a cloak. I did not wish to be encumbered.

  As we waited in the dark I said, "We must clamber up the ladders quickly. One slip could be disastrous. The first ones on the walls secure it for the others. I intend us to be the first up." I saw them nodding in the dark. Günter the Swabian would be behind me followed by Gilles. I insisted that Richard would be last. He was not happy. He followed Leopold of Durstein who would ensure that my young squire came to no harm. We had all smeared soot on our helmets and mail. We needed to be hidden for as long as possible.

  We moved towards the wall as soon as night fell. Dick's archers were close by. They sent arrows at any sentries whose white faces showed above the wall. Philip and his archers continued to send fire into the heart of the castle.

  Suddenly I saw, to the south, arrows which appeared to be arcing towards us. It was an illusion. Then I heard a mighty clamour as Sir Hugh began his false attack. The alarm was sounded in the castle and the town. My men picked up our ladder and followed the archers who carried our bridge. They would stand guard close to the walls and pick off any defender they saw. We tried to be silent but as soon as mailed men clattered over the bridge then they knew that we were coming. Leopold and Jean of Angers threw up the ladder and held it there. Holding my shield over my head I climbed up the stairs. I held, in my right hand, a short sword. It would be of more use until we gained the bailey.

  I heard shouts above and felt something clatter into my shield. It made me move faster. Then a rock was thrown. Had I not had the shield angled then I might have been thrown from my perch. I used my right hand to pull myself up. I knew how many rungs there were and as I approached the top I prepared to let go with my right hand. I was still holding on when a war hammer slammed into my shield. The spike penetrated the leather and wood. I pulled back with my hand. The warrior wielding it was not expecting the movement and he lost his balance. I pressed closely into the ladder as he hit my shield. I yelled, "'Ware below!"

  As his body and hammer slid from my shield I took advantage of the fact that there would be no one above me. I clambered up the last two rung
s and, thrusting my sword forward, blindly, leapt on to the wooden walkway. Ahead of me two men were raising rocks to hurl down upon Harold. I ran at them with my sword held out. I just hurled myself into them. One lost his balance and tumbled to the stones below. The other took the full force of my sword in his side. I twisted as I pulled it out. He joined his comrade on the stones below. Without waiting for Sir Harold I ran towards the door which led into the gatehouse.

  Günter had his long sword and he ran next to me. We barely fitted on the walkway but we were a frightening sight to behold. Three men turned from throwing stones at Wulfric to turn and face us. Günter was to my left and he swung his sword two handed in a wide sweep as I stabbed at the man closest to the wall. Günter's sword almost cut one man in two. And the man I had stabbed in the thigh dropped to one knee. The third raised his sword in triumph and then his face showed a look of surprise as Wulfric's axe severed his spine in two.

  I could see he was bleeding from a head wound but he was like an injured bear. He roared. Turning to the door he ran at it. The last of those before us had fled within and barred it. He began hacking at it with his axe. Peter Strong Arm joined him and the two set to work as though they were felling trees. It was a matter of a few strokes and a hole appeared. A spear darted out, striking Peter Strong Arm in the leg. He redoubled his efforts. When the next spear came out I grabbed it and pulled. The hole was bigger now and as the man's head appeared, Peter Strong Arm had his revenge and took the head.

  Günter shouted, " Stand back!" He took a run and hurled himself bodily at the door. He was a squat, solid man and the door burst open. His speed took him inside the tower. I followed for I knew he would not be able to use his long sword within the confined space. He was lying on the floor, somewhat stunned. I saw Angus of Fife raise his sword to end his life. As he did so I rammed the short sword under his raised arm. It came out the other side and was torn from my grip. Looking like Christ on the cross he fell to the ground and I drew my sword.

  I used my shield to barge others out of the way and I ran to the stairs. As I did I held my sword before me. I was lucky, there was no one on them. I ran down. As I turned a corner I saw that Gilles was with me. When we reached the bottom there were five surprised men guarding the mechanism which lowered the bridge over the ditch. Their surprise worked in our favour. Gilles bravely ran to my right to protect that side. I brought my sword in a long sweep, backhand across my body. An axe and a sword cracked into my already weakened shield. I saw splinters fly. My sword smashed into the coif of a man at arms. I must have broken something for he fell. I punched with my shield at the two men who had attacked me. One fell, stunned but the shield broke in to pieces. I took the mace from my belt and used that to block the blow from the sword. Before he could recover I had pinned him to the wall with my sword.

  Wulfric and Leopold had joined me. "Gilles, get the gate open."

  As he did so I slashed one of the ropes which held the bridge. Günter, looking a little unsteady joined us and his sword took the other. There was a crash as the bridge slammed down and then Gilles had the gate open. Sir Philip and my archers hurled themselves across the bridge. With swords in hand they raced into the outer bailey. We had not yet won but it was a matter of time only.

  Chapter 18

  By dawn the last of the garrison was either dead or had run through the east gate and fled. We had the New Castle. We had lost men. Sir William had lost his right hand. He would never wield a sword again. Father Thomas saved his life but it was a high price to pay for the victory. We had lost many men at arms and all of my knights had a wound to remember the battle by. We spent the next day seeing to the wounded and collecting weapons, mail and treasure.

  We ate a frugal meal in the hall. Tristan had to feed his father. He smiled as he did so. "Time was, father, you would have fed me as I do with my young son. I never thought to be feeding you!"

  "Do not get used to it. I shall have my smith make me a hook. I shall feed myself before too long."

  My men were resilient. I spoke to them all at the end of the meal. "Tomorrow I will leave for Stockton. It is a week until the coronation. Wulfric, I leave you in command of this castle. Keep a good garrison. The rest can return home. Sir Edward and Sir Harold, you will accompany me to London for the coronation. I will take Edgar and Wilfred along with my squires. That should be enough. Sir John you will return and hold Stockton for me until I return. The rest of you must be vigilant. Prince Henry may return to try to retake his castle. Sir Wulfric do not try to hold the castle against odds which are too great. It is not worth it. After the coronation we will bring an army north and conquer what was once ours."

  We travelled light, when we left before dawn. We headed across the bridge and south down the little used greenway. It had been a busy thoroughfare until the Scots had taken Durham. Now there was no need for it. There was no trade. I was lost in my thoughts as we headed towards my river. We had done well; we had done better than I could have possibly have hoped. Prince Henry had been dealt a body blow; Sir Hugh had been avenged and we now had a toe hold north of the Tyne. Once peace came again to the south then we could do as I had promised and retake England. I had no doubt that Stephen's wife and her mercenary, William of Ypres, would fight a little while longer but so long as we held the figurehead in Bristol Castle she could do little to change events. The key had been the battle of Lincoln. In one stroke we had captured the King and ended the war.

  As we approached my castle I saw the masts of my ship in the river. William of Kingston had done as I had asked. Before I had left we had packed chests with our fine clothes. Normally such things would not be a consideration but I was going to see my Empress crowned. It deserved the best of my clothes. As I changed out of my bloodied surcoat and into better one Gilles asked, "Do you want me to fetch your spare shield, my lord?"

  "No Gilles. We will not be fighting. We will comb our hair and beards and we will smell of flowers for the women. We go to a church and we go to see a sovereign anointed."

  We hurried down to the quay for I was anxious to catch the evening tide. Moments were now precious. Alice looked like a proud mother as Richard and Gilles, dressed in newly tailored surcoats, boarded 'Adela'. The two of them were as close to her own children as she would ever get. As the sun glinted from the west it seemed to bathe my castle in a golden glow. Its towers made it look like a crown and I saw the reflection in the river. It was a sign. The crown would soon be on the head of the Empress.

  William of Kingston was a good sailor and we made good time. In his hold he had a cargo for Anjou. None of it was perishable but trade went on and helped us to prosper. "When I have offloaded on the Maine, lord, shall I return to London for you?"

  "No, William. I have brought gold. We will buy horses. I have a mind to visit my new manor at Liedeberge. I would see how Sir William fares. Besides I may be needed by the Earl if Queen Matilda does not accept that the Empress has replaced her. You return to Stockton. I am certain that John will be eager to receive the goods you bring."

  I was surprised, as we approached the Tower, that there was not more evidence of the coronation. We had made London with two days to spare and yet I saw no fields filled with tents nor markets taking advantage of the crowds who would attend it. We tied up at the quay next to the William's White Tower. The tide was on the turn and as soon as he had offloaded my captain set sail and headed towards the sea.

  I noticed that the Empress' standard flew from the Tower along with that of De Mandeville. "Edgar and Wilfred, stay here with the squires. Watch our chests and we will see where we are to stay."

  I did not recognise the guards at the gate to the inner ward but they recognised me. "My lord, we expected you days ago. The Empress was most concerned."

  "Where is she?"

  "She has gone with her ladies and her guards to the Abbey to discuss arrangements for the impending coronation with the Archbishop. The constable is within."

  As we entered I saw that the guards were on
high alert. Had my livery not been so well known I am not certain we would have been admitted. I had not met the Earl of Essex before but knew that he must be a powerful man if he was given the Tower to guard. The last time I had been here was in the reign of King Henry. He had appointed his most loyal knight to the post. I was admitted, along with my knights, into his chambers.

  He gave me a thin smile. He might be an ally of the Empress but that did not mean that he liked me. I had captured his cousin and been an enemy for many years. "The Empress has been fretting about your arrival, lord. She will be pleased you are here."

  I nodded, "I had expected more excitement in the city. Where are the merchants who would make money from such events?"

  "Queen Matilda and William of Ypres are just south of the city. London is nervous. They have never looked favourably on the Empress. Stephen ensured their loyalty."

  I nodded, "He did not tax them as heavily as he might."

  "Quite. Still now that you are here we have the greatest champion in the land. It may sway the people."

  "They should not need swaying. The Empress has the right."

  "The ordinary folk do not see it that way." He waved over a servant. "Have the Earl's chests brought here." He pointed to a narrow corridor which I knew led to stairs. "The Empress has the floor above. There are rooms for you and your people there."

  "Have you horses?"

  "Of course."

  "Then with your permission we will saddle them and ride to the Empress. She should have an escort worthy of her position."

  "As you wish. The stables are in the outer ward."

  My men and chests arrived and after putting them in our rooms they followed me. As we made our way to the stables, I regretted not bringing my helmet. I had thought this would be a peaceful task. It seemed not. As we headed to the stables Sir Harold asked, "What is amiss, lord?"

  "If this was war I would know. It is a feeling that there are enemies waiting in ambush but this is peace and we have a coronation to attend. I know not what the feeling is but it is always better to do something rather than sit and wait. Besides a ride through the streets of the city will give us the mood of the people."