by Griff Hosker
There were twenty of us in the Great Hall. Our squires served us. Tom was one of the older squires but I saw another who looked a little older. Those two would be knights soon enough. Harry was learning by watching the other squires. He served us at home but here was different. Here were men who would not merely smile when a squire made a mistake but might make a comment which would reflect badly on his lord. I doubted that would happen amongst this company but Harry did not know that. The talk was of the tiny war we had fought in Wales. Only two of the knights had served under me for the other barons had greater manors than I did.
I had had the most success and so I was questioned by the others about the quality of men I had fought. “What do you think, Sir William? Is the war over in Wales? Will Glendower hide in his mountains or is there more to come?”
I shook my head, “No, Sir Richard. We have not brought this Glendower to book and Wales has many places he could hide and gather more men. But if we hold the ring of castles around Snowdon then I believe he will be contained.”
Sir Henry Longchamp nodded, “There is no money to be made from a war against the Welsh! However, it is good practice for our squires eh?” He nodded to his son, who was the squire of an age with Tom, “My son, Richard, did well enough. He managed to kill two Welshmen. I shall knight him next year.” I saw the grin on his son’s face as he heard the news. Tom, too, was pleased for his friend.
“I am afraid that Tom will have to wait. He is blooded and he has unhorsed a man at arms but he is not quite ready yet.”
Tom nodded. He was sensible and had heard the tales from my men at arms of other young knights who had been knighted too early and come to a bad end.
Another knight, Sir Humphrey Boyer asked, “And the Scots?”
“The Percy family regard the border as their own fiefdom.” I heard the bitterness in the constable’s voice. “I know that His Majesty is less than happy that he does not receive his share of ransom from them. I think that they believe that the distance from London makes them immune from our laws and customs. He has the cheek to demand money from the King for doing his duty and keeping the northern march safe. Still, now that he is in Wales with Prince Henry, that might change.” I doubted that very much but I kept my own counsel.
When we returned home, the next day, I reflected that I had learned much. Tom and Harry also seemed in good humour, “It is good, father, to speak with other squires. If nothing else it tells us that our training with your men at arms is superior to the training some of the others receive. You know that Richard Longchamp cannot use a bow!” Both my sons could use a bow. They would never be archers for an archer had to be dedicated to the art but they could pull a warbow and it made them stronger, more importantly, it taught them the real value of archery. Harry hesitated, “I invited him to visit with us and then Alan of the Wood could teach him. He seemed quite keen.”
“You should have asked me first but I can see no harm. When next we meet, I shall ask his father.”
Harry gave me a sheepish look, “Harry and I already invited him. We asked him to visit for Christmas.”
I shook my head, “What of his family?”
“He has many brothers and sisters. He will not be missed.”
“And your mother? What of her? You know how she frets about entertaining guests.”
Tom just grinned, “We thought you could speak with her!”
“I can see those games of chess have paid off for you have used a clever move to achieve your aim. I shall ask her but I am not hopeful that she will be happy about it.”
In the event, I could not have been more wrong. She was delighted! I knew there was more to this than the simple answer I received from her. Of course, I had to endure the next weeks which involved much cleaning and preparation of my already immaculate hall but I put up with it all for she was happy and my life was better for it!
The reason for her happy mood became clear three days before the arrival of the squire from Piddington.
Alice was fitted out with a completely new set of expensive clothes. I cocked an eye at my wife, “A great deal has been spent on these clothes. Am I missing something?”
She shook her head, “This is an opportunity for Alice. We can show her off to an eligible bachelor. Richard Longchamp may not be the young man who will wed our daughter but she sees precious few young men as it is.”
I looked over at Tom who was shamefaced and hurried out to the stables, “Don’t tell me you put our son up to this!”
She smiled triumphantly, “Sons! You do not think I would leave it to you to find a young man for our daughter? I asked Tom and Harry to determine if any squires were looking for a bride and Richard Longchamp was one. Of course, Alice has to approve but I am hopeful.”
“And what of me?”
She stood and kissed me on the cheek, “Why you do not matter, husband. You just pay the dowry if he pleases Alice and, of course, me!”
I actually felt sorry for Richard. He was entering a dragon’s den. I would just sit back and enjoy the spectacle.
I know not if it was the fact that Alice had seen so few potential suitors or if it was meant to be but they got on well with each other from the moment they met. My wife liked him too for he was an affable young man. I think the reason it worked was because Richard was very similar to Tom and Harry. He seemed to fit in well with the house. When he left, after twelfth night, he asked if, when he had gained his spurs, he might be able to court my daughter. I could not say no. My hall was more peaceful and I was happy. I was hopeful about the coming year. The small, day to day events of the manor had now become as important, if not more, than the affairs of state to which I had been party for so many years.
It was Easter which brought potential disaster for both the King and the Kingdom. Conwy Castle, that mighty bastion holding back the Welsh had fallen!
Chapter 4
We heard about the disaster on the eighth of April, a week after it fell. I was summoned to Northampton to meet with the King. He was incandescent with rage. It emerged that Rhys and Gwilym Tudur had been working with the rebel leader and while the garrison was at church on Good Friday, the gates of the castle had been opened and the castle fell without a blow being struck! The handful of men in the garrison were now prisoners.
The King had the Earl of Stafford, Hugh le Despenser and his other advisers with him in the castle. “Hotspur! That Northumbrian cockerel has lost my strongest castle! I gave him the castle and instead of watching the Welsh he spends his time in Chester! My son should have known better than to rely on him!”
I thought that was a little unfair for it was the King himself who had appointed Percy and given him the castle but no one argued with the King when he was in this mood.
The Earl of Stafford said, “Your Majesty, what do we do?”
“Do? I would have thought that was obvious. We ride to my son’s side and I punish Percy. We cannot afford a muster for the exchequer is empty and parliament is unwilling to negotiate with the Welsh. You gentlemen will bring your men at your own expense!”
I now saw why there were so few of us. He wanted those who were the most loyal to him and who would not refuse to join him.
“We ride immediately!”
I was annoyed for had he given us some warning I could have sent riders to Sir John and my other knights. I was luckier than some for Hugh le Despenser had to return to London first. At least my manors were on the march west. It also meant that I could speak with Sir Henry on the way west and we could discuss a dowry.
However, as we headed west, my mind was wrestling not with a potential marriage but with the fear that there was treachery involved. Rhys and Gwilym had made no secret of the fact that they were related to Glendower. What worried me was that they had also seemed close to Henry Percy. As they had managed to infiltrate his castle I wondered if there was collusion. It seemed a little convenient to me that they had taken over such a powerful castle so easily. What game was Hotspur playing?
&nbs
p; This time our column moved faster for the King had brought fewer men. The finances must have been in a parlous position and he had had to cut his cloth accordingly. I saw that the Earl of Stafford was now one of his closest advisers and they spent most of the journey deep in conversation. I had seen many knights assume the position of confidante to the King. I was happy with the Earl of Stafford to do so for he was a good man and certainly no Robert de Vere. I knew that in his mind King Henry saw me as a bodyguard. My advice might be sought but only on military matters. That did not worry me. The poisonous world of politics and power had been the downfall of many men who thought they could change England.
I spoke at length to Richard’s father. Our sons rode together behind us and their laughter lifted our mood. They were young and did not have the worries which we did. “My son is much taken with your Alice.”
“And your son has charmed my whole family. When he is knighted it will be a good match.”
“Aye, I would have knighted him already but for this campaign. His mother insists upon all of the pomp and ceremony which is due him.”
I wondered if that was a criticism of the way I had knighted Roger and Wilfred. Perhaps Sir Henry thought I disparaged the act. I did not. For me, it was the title and responsibility which were more important rather than the vigil, the clothes and the ritual but then like Roger and Wilfred I had been brought up a commoner.
This time we did not head for Chester but the Clwyd Valley. I knew what King Henry intended. He rode to Glyndyfrdwy, the home of Glendower. Servants only were within the hall and the grounds. The King sent them packing and then we burned the hall to the ground. We wasted a day devastating the home of Owain Glendower. It was vindictive for the Welsh rebel was not there. He was in the vastness of the heartland of Wales surrounded by mountains whence we could not pass easily.
We reached the siege lines at Conwy. It was lucky that the Welsh had taken only the castle and not the town or else it would have been the devil’s own task to shift them from the town. We heard the hammering of siege engines as we rode through the town gates. It was Prince Henry himself who greeted us. We dismounted and Prince Henry dropped to a knee, “I am truly sorry that we lost the castle, father, but there was treachery!”
This was not the place for recriminations; we were in a very public place and King Henry was aware of that. “This was not of your doing. I gave this castle to Sir Henry. Where is he?”
“He and his men are prosecuting the siege. We have a hall for you. Idris, the merchant who owns it took shelter with the Welsh rebels in the castle. We believe he was part of the conspiracy. It was well planned.”
“Come, take me to the hall and we can speak in private.” He turned to me, “We may need you, Sir William, come with us.”
I handed my reins and helmet to Tom and followed father and son and the Earl of Stafford. They did not speak until we were within the hall. Prince Henry had two of his own household on guard and they were detailed to guard the door. Once inside King Henry said, “Will, find us wine and some food.”
By the time I returned the three of them were deep in conversation. “We have to assume that we cannot trust any knight who is Welsh.”
“What of lords like Mortimer, father?”
“His family may have vast tracts of land in Wales but he is as English as any man! No, I speak of those like the Tudur brothers.”
I had been brought for a purpose and I did not remain silent, “They were close to Lord Percy when we were at Chester, my lord.”
They both looked at me, I saw the Earl of Stafford smile, and King Henry shook his head, “You are suggesting treachery which could cost Percy his head! Besides this was his castle.”
“King Henry, it makes no sense to me either, however, I am just a common soldier and I do not play high stakes for crowns, thrones and power.”
King Henry smiled, “And you talk of me, Will. You may be right but if he is playing a traitor’s game, we must be cautious and careful. Who else is involved?”
Prince Henry was clever. When he had been Hal living in my hall and playing chess with my sons, I had seen that. He was astute and observant, “Perhaps Glendower himself?”
“Why, my son, what has he to gain?”
“From what I have seen, father, Wales is a rocky, mountainous country which is not worth much. If an enemy of the crown sought to take the crown from your head then he could happily give away all that King Edward took and return it to the Welsh.”
The Earl of Stafford nodded, “It is true; the lands to the west of mine go to Shrewsbury and I know the Welsh would have the rich land of Shropshire back under their control.”
The King sipped his wine and pondered. I knew that King Henry had a mind for plots and he showed it that day. “Glendower is not within the castle walls?”
“No, father, it is the Tudur brothers and their knights.”
“Then Glendower is hiding in Wales. He will be gathering men, for while we are here at the siege we are tied to the land and I have brought precious few men with me. Sir William, I want you to take a battle of men. Use my knights from Northampton and your own. With your archers and men at arms, you have a fastmoving force. I want you to harry the Welsh and make it hard for Glendower to gather his forces. You need not fight battles. Use ambush.” He smiled, “Do as you did in Lithuania. There you impressed even the Teutonic Knights.”
He had given me a tall order for Wales was vast and the roads which criss-crossed it few and far between. “And where will he be?” I looked at the Prince.
“Machynlleth and Aberystwyth are the most powerful centres of Welsh resistance, my lord. They always have been.”
I nodded, “And how long should I chase him, King Henry?”
“I charge you to take no more than two months. If we have not reduced the walls of Conwy by then we will have failed.” I nodded. “I would have you lay waste to the heart of Wales. Make them hungry and they will sue for peace.”
“It will be hard on the ordinary people, King Henry.”
“You have your orders, Sir William, and I know that you will obey them.” I nodded. “Do not tell your men nor your knights whence you ride until you are on the road. If Percy is the traitor you, my son and the Earl of Stafford believe him to be then let us not give him the opportunity to warn his ally, eh?” I saw once more that he had a mind which was like a steel trap. “And now we can let in our lords. Send for Percy, let us see what he has to say for himself.”
I stood to the side when King Henry addressed the assembled lords. All eyes were on the King and the knight of Northumberland. “How did you lose the jewel that is Conwy, Lord Percy?”
I was able to watch Percy’s face and I noticed that he had hooded eyes and he could mask what was going on behind them, “Your Majesty, we were betrayed. The garrison was in church. These Welsh are Godless creatures that they should use such devices.”
“Just so.” The King flicked an imaginary speck of dirt from his tunic, “And are you confident that you can affect the surrender of the castle without damaging its walls? This is a bastion against the Welsh and I would have it returned to its former position.”
“I swear that I will do it before June, my lord!”
“Good! Then I will leave the Earl of Stafford to aid you. We return to London for I have pressing matters there which also demand my attention. I will take the knights of my household as I can see that you have no need of horses here.”
I had to admire King Henry. We would leave the town together but while he would head home, I would lead my men south to find Glendower. My sons were disappointed that we would not be participating in the siege. I pointed out that sieges were the bane of knights. “The only way into a castle is over the walls. That means clambering up a ladder while those on the walls can rain death upon you. The castle of Conwy is well endowed with heavy war bodkins. I doubt that they will use knights to attack for if they did then they would die. The gates will be attacked and if men are to climb ladders and siege tow
ers then it will be the men at arms!”
We left the next day and escorted the King as far as the Dee and he crossed to Chester. He took with him just his personal escort and we turned to head along the Dee into the heartland of Wales. I sent Alan of the Woods ahead to scout. I planned on reaching Glyndyfrdwy and camping there in the desolation of Glendower’s home. The King had appointed me lord of the battle when he had left us but I saw, as we headed south and west, the questions on all of the faces of the knights who rode with me. I normally told all to those with whom I rode but I was silent.
It was almost dark when we reached the blackened earth of the Welsh manor and while our men made camp, I gathered the twenty knights I led around me, “We have been ordered by the King to find any Welsh rebels and destroy them. We are heading for Machynlleth and Aberystwyth. Regard this as a chevauchée. The Welsh think to fix our attention on Conwy while they raise an army. We are here to slow down or even stop that growth. We ride hard and we ride fast. There will be no battles and there will be little glory but what we do is by the command of King Henry and I will do all that I have been asked to do!”
The knights who knew me were not surprised by my tone but I saw that some of the other knights were taken aback. I softened my tone when I spoke with each one individually and explained what precisely we would do. We had twenty knights, forty archers and forty men at arms. With our squires and servants, we would be approaching a hundred and thirty men in total. We could not take any castles and so we had to destroy the Welsh halls which lay in the heartland of Wales. We had to take or kill their animals and make them hungry so that they could not fight. I was the one knight who had been in this part of Wales. When I had accompanied King Richard from Ireland I had travelled down the narrow roads and passes. I knew the difficulties which lay ahead.