Irish War (Anarchy Book 16)

by Hosker, Griff

  King Henry brought knights with him. They were young and they sought land. This was how the King managed to gain favours. He took the younger children of rich lords so that they could win manors. It cost the King nothing and ensured that he had the support of the most powerful of his barons, counts and earls. His grandfather and great grandfather had also been astute, politically. He also brought with him Thomas Becket as an adviser. He was a very organised man. He knew little of war but he understood lists and numbers. Henry needed someone like him.

  Henry greeted me warmly. “You and your son have, once again, served me well, Earl Marshall.”

  “If you speak of Scotland then that was all my son.”

  “It was your son leading the men you trained. I take your point. William has done well. And Bishop Puiset?”

  I lowered my voice and told him of the attempt on our lives and my conclusions.

  “But you have no proof.” I shook my head, “And he swore an oath?”

  “Your majesty, he lied. I know when a man lies.”

  “I think you are wrong, Earl Marshal. It is his eternal soul he is wagering.”

  I did not argue. There was no point. Pressure had been applied. I dare say it was from the Pope.

  “And I have devised a plan to defeat King Rhys ap Gruffyd.”

  He beamed, “Good, for I wish to be away before the harvest is collected in. You are wrong about the Bishop but what you said about the Flemish and French confirms what I have heard. King Louis is building an alliance. He knows that you and your son are my bastion against the Scots. King Malcolm is under pressure from his own people. I think King Louis would hope to use him to divert us in the north while he eats into Normandy and Anjou. What is your plan?”

  “You and the main army will head down the coast and follow the main road through Novo Burgus, which the Welsh call Casnewydd-ar-Wysg. That way you would draw the Welsh towards you. The farmers will be in the fields sowing crops. Their sheep will be lambing. King Rhys will not be able to allow us to roam at will in his land. He will have to bring us to battle. They have two castles close by and it would be tempting for them to try to trap us between them.”

  He nodded. He had a good mind for strategy. “And you would have us make that a trap?”

  I nodded, “You would take three fifths of the army. That would tempt him to try to take us. Then we could use our horses. The last thing we need is for him to sit behind his walls. That would not suit your majesty’s plans.”

  “No indeed.” He looked thoughtful as he digested my words. “And you, with two fifths of the army?”

  “I would be approaching from the north and the side they least expect.”

  “You would fall on their rear.” I nodded. “It would be a hard plan to time.”

  “Richard de Clare has good scouts. I have ridden with them. We would send them to tell you when we were in position and then you could appear to fall into their trap. They will use archers but we have enough archers to counter them. It is you and your knights who will hold them.”

  “You expect me to do much.”

  “If you wish, majesty, we could reverse roles. I am more than happy to hold them and you fall on their rear. However, …”

  He stared into my eyes. I think he sought to see if I was mocking him, “However, they know that I have made reckless mistakes like that in the recent past and you have not. If they see your banner then the king will be suspicious. You have defeated him before.”

  I shrugged, “We can fool him. We must hurt him so badly that he cannot begin to expand again. The reparations you make King Owain pay means that the men of Gwynedd will be weak for a while. You do not want Deheubarth to become more powerful. We need weak Welsh kingdoms.”

  He studied the maps I had shown him and he nodded, “Who would you take with you?”

  “De Clare and Fitzgerald. They have sound men. It would be slightly less than two fifths but I am content for all are mounted and we need to move quickly.”

  “I approve. I know not why you like this de Clare so much. His father fought against us.”

  “If we chose only those who had fought for us we would have a small army. All the rest are dead!”

  “A little blunt.”

  “And he has something he wishes to ask you later. I beg you to listen to him.”

  “If he asks for Pembroke again…”

  “He will not!”

  He took me to one side, “What you have said about the Pope may no longer be true, Earl Marshal.”

  Intrigued, I asked, “Why not?”

  “We now have a new Pope and he is English! Nicholas Breakspear is now Pope Adrian IV. He has written to me. He has something he wishes me to do. When you return home, I think you may find the Bishop of Durham a little more compliant.”

  Before we ate that night at a feast for the senior leaders, I told Richard that he should approach the King after the meal. “So soon?”

  “If you do not then he may hear of it from another and I know that would annoy him and aggravate the situation.”

  “Very well. Who goes with you on the sneak attack?”

  “You and Raymond Fitzgerald.”

  “Good. He is a fine leader. A little rash but brave as a lion. I will have him seated close to us so that we can get to know one another. When do we leave for the attack?”

  “We wish to rest the horses which recently travelled from London. Three days at the most.”

  He shook his head, “Then this visit will cost me a fortune.”

  “See Thomas Becket. He handles the King’s coin. He will reimburse you.” It happened that Thomas was heading for the King’s quarters as we spoke. He had sheafs of papers with him. “Lord Chancellor, a word.”

  “Of course, Earl Marshal. You and your son have saved the kingdom a fortune and brought it great wealth. I always have time to speak with you.”

  “Good. Count Striguil here is concerned that his finances will be stretched if the army stays here three days. You can see his point.”

  “Of course. The army outside fends for itself but here…send me your bills Count Striguil and I will scrutinise them. We are more than happy to pay for that which the King and his guest use but none other!”

  “Of course.” When he had gone from earshot Richard said, “An old man in a young man’s body. Is he always so serious?”

  “I believe he does enjoy hunting and hawking but he is a serious cleric that is for certain. He appears to have principles.”

  The King had surrounded himself with the sons of the important lords. He was making friends for the future. We had had to fight for the throne and he was not going to relinquish it easily. His major commanders were also seated with him. Others might have felt slighted but not I. I knew that I was held in the highest regard and I did not need to listen to the boasting of young knights who had yet to do anything and older lords whom I had beaten during the civil war. I needed to get to know the two men whose knights I would be leading.

  There could not have been a bigger contrast between the two lords. Where Richard was sophisticated and witty Raymond was more like Wulfric. He was a bear of man. His nickname was Le Gros and I could see why. He was enormous. He seemed a little in awe of me.

  “Earl Marshal I grew up listening to stories of how you saved the kingdom for the Empress and her son. I am honoured to serve with you.”

  “You flatter me.” I disliked people talking of my exploits and I changed the subject. “I knew your grandmother, Nest ferch Rhys. I met her when she lived in the tower back in Old King Henry’s time.”

  He nodded, “She mentioned you. She said you were the one true knight. My father, William, was lord of Carew and he admired you although he sat out the civil war holding on to the village of Carew for the crown.”

  It was a diplomatic answer. “When we leave I want us to ride and ride quickly. The aim is to appear as ghosts who move unseen through the land. When we are in position then we must appear as twice the number of men we actually have.
This will be a test of your skills and those of your men but if you are successful then your reputations will be made.”

  Raymond banged the table, making others turn, “By God, Earl Marshal! I should like to leave right now!”

  I laughed, “There would be little point as the King does not leave for three days. Do either of you have archers?”

  “Raymond said, “I have ten Welsh archers. They are deadly!”

  “I have ten also.”

  “Then I will put them under the command of my captain, Aelric. He knows how I like my archers to be used.” They both nodded their agreement. “And how many knights?”

  Nest’s grandson said, “Four.”

  “I have fifteen.” Count Striguil noticed my raised eyebrows and he shrugged, “After our success against the Welsh, men begged to serve me. I have manors I can promise them. I could have more but that would mean leaving border castles unguarded.” He lowered his voice. If I go to the aid of King Diarmait Mac Murchada then I will need those knights.”

  I shook my head. He had spoken too loudly and Raymond had heard. “What is this? The chance of land in Ireland?”

  He was a loudly spoken man. Richard said, “Keep your voice down! I will tell you more in the morning but keep this to yourself!”

  He smiled, “Of course.”

  I leaned over, “I am telling you to keep it to yourself. If you speak of this to another….”

  He actually recoiled, “I am sorry Earl! I swear…!”

  I held up my hand, “Let us enjoy the feast. Count Striguil, I think that before the King retires you should speak with him.”

  “Aye lord. I think I should.”

  As usual I drank little and I was pleased that my two companions emulated me. I had trained Henry well and he also drank sparingly. I had taught him that men had loose lips when in their cups. As knights staggered from the table I nodded to Richard. He rose and approached the King who had Geoffrey Mortimer with him. That knight could barely raise his head from the table.

  Sir Raymond said, as Count Striguil left us, “I know I am loud and vulgar, Earl Marshal, but you shall not find a truer knight in the whole of Wales. I swear.”

  I smiled and put my arm around his shoulder, “Take some advice from an old knight. Swear less and let your actions speak for you eh? I can see that you mean well. Go to bed and we will speak with you in the morning. I would talk with all the men we take. You will learn that when I lead I do so in a manner different from other men. It is why I have the luxury of grey hairs and my limbs intact!”

  He clasped my arm, “Thank you Earl Marshal. I shall not let you down.”

  I waited for Count Striguil to speak with the King. I saw their heads together as Count Striguil put his case forward. The King listened. Sir Geoffrey was lying face down in the remains of his venison stew. He would hear nothing. King Henry waved me over. I took my wine and joined them.

  “Did you know of this?”

  “Count Striguil apprised me of the situation and I advised him to speak with you. But I believe you had an idea, your majesty, as the Irish king approached you first.”

  He nodded, “Why should we help the Irish? What can we gain?” There was a strange look in Henry’s eyes. He was not drunk and yet I thought he was testing de Clare.

  Count Striguil looked nonplussed, “He might become an ally!”

  Henry laughed, “If he cannot regain his own kingdom then he is of little use to me. I would rather you stayed here and guarded the borders, Count Striguil.”

  I put my hand on the King’s arm. I was one of the few who were permitted to do so. “Do not be so hasty, your majesty.”

  “I will listen to your words, Earl Marshal, for you have rarely led me astray but I will need convincing.”

  I spread a hand at the young knights who were staggering from the hall. “You have many young knights who require a manor. Do you think that we will take enough from the Welsh to make the prospect attractive?”

  “No, the best land has gone. All that is left is rocky hillsides filled with sheep.”

  “Ireland is a primitive land. There are hills rather than mountains. They do not have castles and they have no knights. They fight half-naked and their horses are overgrown ponies.”

  “So?”

  “Count Striguil could take the lords you brought for land to Ireland. In exchange for service he could demand manors. Your knights would have land, villeins and an income. Who knows what that might lead to?” I appealed to Henry’s love of power. His grandfather and great grandfather had had it too.

  Henry’s eyes showed that he was excited. “You are talking about extending our land to Ireland.”

  Count Striguil frowned, “I thought that we were going to help King Diarmait Mac Murchada?”

  “We are but when we have recovered Leinster the knights who are there can take the other kingdoms. The Earl Marshal is right this is an opportunity.” He smiled, “I will tell you now what the Pope asked of me in his letter.” He lowered his head and his voice. “The Irish have a corrupt church. They are also the last bastion of slavery. It is almost a trade there. They are savages! The Pope has issued a papal bull and he has asked me to intervene. Matters in Anjou and Normandy prevent me from doing so but I see that we now have an opportunity to gain favour with the Pope and to extend the land which we control.”

  “Then you are agreeing, your majesty, that Count Striguil can help the King of Leinster.”

  Henry looked first at de Clare and then at me. “I agree, Earl Marshal, but on one condition.” I nodded. “You will go as my representative! I need an old head who can negotiate and knows how to take advantage of circumstances. I want no Norman king of Ireland save me and that is unlikely to happen in my lifetime. Is that clear, Count Striguil?”

  De Clare nodded. There would be no going back to Stockton in the near future. My honour and the need to do right by de Clare had been my undoing. “Very well, majesty, just so long as Count Striguil has his titles returned to him.”

  I saw Henry’s eyes narrow and then he laughed and clapped Count Striguil on the back, “God, Earl Marshal, you are the last of a dying breed. You are like my grandfather and Uncle Gloucester! You know how to win. Very well, Earl Richard!”

  Chapter 10

  We left three days later before dawn had broken. I was anxious to disappear into the woods and hills of the Brecon before any spies around the castle were about. We would be seen but the longer we could delay discovery the better. King Henry would take the longer, albeit quicker route, along the Roman Road which went along the coast. He would do so with much noise and fanfare. Our purpose was to alert the Welsh to King Henry whilst keeping my men hidden.

  The two scouts rode ahead of us followed by Aelric and the archers. We had thirty-eight and I was pleased with that number. In five flights, they would send more than a hundred and fifty messengers of death towards the Welsh. With twenty-two knights and twenty-two squires we had heavy cavalry that could more than hold their own. Finally, we had thirty-six men at arms. Mine were the equal of any Welsh knight and I was satisfied. We made Abergavenny by the end of the first day and we entered the castle of Sir Hamelin. He could not fight. He was too old and we needed youth but he gave us food and accommodation. Better than that he gave us six of his own men as scouts. They were like gold for they knew Brecon well.

  When we left, before dawn to avoid notice, we knew that was our last night in a castle. Our next night would be in the open or within the eaves of the forest at least. We were close to the hamlet of Finni-Fach when the Welsh brigands attempted to ambush us. They had obviously not scouted us out but saw the archers on horses and mistook them for, well I know not what, but whatever the reason they launched an attack. It was worrying that our scouts had not spotted the ambush.

  When we heard the clash of metal I spurred Warrior and pointed my spear ahead. The men at arms, led by Roger of Bath spread out and rode to flank the attackers. It was only later we realised that they were brigands. For al
l we knew King Rhys had ambushed us. Aelric had dismounted the archers and they were using the horses for shelter. They were releasing arrows into the forest. I rode to the left with James in close attendance. A surprised Welsh archer turned and pulled back his bow. I leaned down and lunged as his arrow flew over my head and my spear impaled him. I withdrew it and galloped after another brigand who was trying to evade me. My spear took him in the back. We had to be ruthless. The last thing we needed was for King Rhys to know that Normans were to the north of him. When I saw John son of John ahead, then I knew we had destroyed them and I rode back to the road. My men reported that we had slain over thirty brigands. They would no longer prey on travellers.

  Rhodri dropped to his knee, “I am sorry, lord, I have let you down. You commanded me to lead these scouts and I have failed.”

  “No, Rhodri, you have not. It is a lesson and we shall learn. From now on two scouts ride the road and the rest ride in the forest. We will be forewarned!” We had escaped without too much damage. We had been lucky and we could not rely on such luck all the time.

  We found a campsite before dark. As I walked around the perimeter checking the sentries I saw Rhodri alone. I could see that the scout was still angry with himself. “Aelric, go and speak with him.”

  “I know why he berates himself so. We lost a scout and three archers today. That is his fault.”

  “Aelric, remember when we were learning. You forget the years we have between us. The grey hair on our heads and in our beards is testimony to the dead.”

  He bowed, “You are right, Warlord. In the valley, we are used to the best. Here they are still learning.”

  Count Striguil asked, “How did your men at arms know what to do? Mine and Sir Raymond’s just followed yours.”