by Griff Hosker
An older man grinned and shouted, “Open the gates, they are friends! I am Henry of Nantwic and the constable here. I am right glad to see you. I will come down and join you.”
The double gates took some time to open and I could hear the approach through the woods of our animals, squires and servants. The constable was a short squat warrior with flecks of grey in his hair and beard. He gave a slight bow, “I thank God that King Henry sent relief.
As I strode through the gates, I shook my head, “He sent us but our purpose was a chevauchée.” Just then one of the cows lowed. “You will eat well for we captured animals. We are on our way to the siege of Conwy.”
“Then you will have to negotiate the siege lines at Caernarfon first.”
It was not unexpected news but it was unwelcome. I nodded, “With your permission, we will stay here for a couple of days for my men have hurts and if we have to fight again, I would have us fresher than we are. Have you a weaponsmith?”
“Aye, we have.”
“Good for I have plate which needs to be repaired.”
I discovered that the garrison was just thirty-two men. King Edward had built his castles well for Henry of Nantwic believed that they could have held out. “What concerns me is that we were not supplied by ship.”
I nodded, “When I reach Conwy, I will put that to the Prince. He is young and he is learning but he will be a good Prince of Wales in the fullness of time.”
We had lost seven men. None of them came from my company. Some of the lords of Northampton were not as experienced in such battles as my men. Sir Henry had been saved by his armour but it was ruined and he would need a new breastplate. Sir Raymond had the most serious wound. The beak had broken his skin and his breastbone. The castle doctor tended to him but he would not fight again on the raid. Luckily the Welsh knights had fled without taking their plate and it was replaced. We had taken twenty horses including eight coursers. There were also great quantities of coins. We buried the Welsh dead, noble and commoners alike, in the ditch they had dug for defence and the stakes they had planted were fashioned into crude crosses. Our men were buried in the castle close to the small chapel. I had no doubt that Harlech would have to endure other such sieges and I did not want our dead despoiled by vengeful Welshmen!
We ate well that first night in Harlech. There was a Great Hall and my knights and squires ate with the constable. The rest of our men ate well too and they shared the warrior hall. Our horses were stabled and the animals in the outer ward. We relaxed.
I learned that the constable of Caernarfon was also the Mayor of the town. His name was John Bolde. Henry of Nantwic was hopeful that the town would have held out. “They have good town walls and the castle is stronger than any save Conwy.” But for the treachery of the Tudur brothers, this whole rebellion would never have ignited. “The townsfolk of Caernarfon are loyal to England for it is a prosperous town. Here we just guard the road from the south.” He looked sad, “It is a lonely and thankless existence, lord.” I felt sorry for the constable.
When we left, two days later, I felt nothing but admiration for the tiny garrison of Harlech. They had a thankless task for they were, as the constable had told us, forgotten and surrounded by a sea of enemies. I wondered at their choice of occupation. As we headed north, I realised that I had been in a similar position before the Black Prince had chosen me to train his son. But for that twist of fate, I might have been quite happy to serve my time in a castle in Wales.
I sent scouts out to look at the siege lines of Caernarfon. Alan came back and reported a similar situation to Harlech except that they had defences facing south too. The sun had just passed its zenith and I called a council of war. “We cannot do as we did at Harlech for we have fewer men and there are still those with hurts. We either abandon our horses and try to cross the mountains to get to Conwy or we try a trick.”
Sir Henry asked, “A trick, lord?”
“I have no doubt that some of those who fled from Harlech will have come here and told them of the English who broke the siege. They will not know our numbers. The fact that they have defences looking south tells me that this is true. I propose to announce ourselves with horns and banners. We ride north as though we are a much bigger army. We have our squires don the plate we took from Harlech and ride the captured coursers so that they count our horsemen and assume we are a larger force than we actually are. We use our archers to rain death upon them and then we simulate a charge.”
Sir Henry shook his head, “You risk all on one throw of the die?”
“It is a risk, I grant you, but the garrison at Harlech showed me the mettle of the men who defend these castles and the people are loyal. I hope that when we attack, the garrison will sortie. It is my decision, Sir Henry, and I will lead the charge.”
Sir Henry laughed, “And I will follow you, my lord!”
Our squires were more than happy to don the helmets and plate we had taken from the Welsh knights and to mount their warhorses. They even fashioned gonfanon to place on their lances so that they looked like knights who led other knights. Our men at arms added to the illusion and, with horns blaring, we headed up the road to Caernarfon. The archers led and that meant they could dismount and nock their arrows as the rest of us marched up the road. We heard horns from ahead, most were from the Welsh but some were sounded from within the castle walls. The constable knew that we approached for he could see our banners. The Welsh began to form lines to fight against us. They had dug a ditch along both sides of the road but the road north was free from obstruction. The archers’ horses were led away and my archers formed two long lines. Both sides were within arrow range but there was a protocol about such matters. I lined up my knights and men at arms. To add to the illusion of a greater army our servants sound horns. They were half a mile behind us and driving the cattle and sheep. My men turned in their saddles as though to encourage them to hurry to our aid. I rode to the fore and raising my sword shouted, “Loose!”
Our arrows flew first and the Welsh responded. I turned in my saddle and raised my sword. All of my men cheered. They made their horses rear; the action made it look as though we were going to charge. As a second flight flew from our archers and Welsh arrows clattered amongst my knights and men at arms, I heard Welsh horns and commands were given. The Welsh began to withdraw west away from this threat. It was crucial that they were not allowed to stop and watch for this imaginary army heading from the south and west.
I shouted, “Charge!”
My archers broke ranks and allowed us to charge through them. I had briefed my men about this eventuality. The charge was at the canter rather than the gallop, but it was realistic enough to deceive them about our intention. The orderly retreat became a rout as the Welsh raced away from the charge. A couple of foolhardy knights bravely counter charged us. The success of our trick was shown when they charged men at arms. The two knights were slain and that encouraged the rest to continue their flight. We followed them for half a mile and then I called a halt.
“My lord, I will dine off that ruse for many a month. They outnumbered us by more than three to one.”
“Aye, Sir Henry, but not in knights. This Welsh rebellion is dangerous because the people are behind Glendower, but so long as he has few knights then they will always flee.”
We entered the castle at Caernarfon as conquering heroes.
Chapter 6
When we reached Conwy, the siege was over but the Tudur brothers had escaped justice and they had fled. The Prince had lost men in the assault and there was little joy in his eyes when we spoke. However, he was delighted at our success and pleased that Harlech and Caernarfon had resisted the Welsh.
We were alone and so I could speak plainly, “The people are behind this rebellion, lord. I am not certain that the chevauchée I led will have done any good. I obeyed your father’s orders but I fear it will harden the resistance to our rule. The only way we will succeed is if we destroy Glendower and that will require an army for he is
able to slip away through the high passes. I do not think that your father will sanction such an expense.”
“You are right. I must build up my own forces. First, I have to win over the men of Cheshire.”
“And that will be easier said than done.”
I looked around, “And there is something else, lord, do you not find it strange that the only castle they took was the castle which was Percy’s and that the Tudur brothers were known associates of the Earl?”
He nodded, “And my father is of the same opinion. I have received, a few days ago, a missive from the King. I am to strip Lord Percy of Conwy and Anglesey.”
“He will not be happy.” I looked at Prince Henry, “And why have you not spoken of this yet? One day you will be King. You cannot fear men like Percy or they will use that fear to control you.”
He coloured and I knew that I was close to the mark, “The castle fell the day I received the letter and we have had much to do.” He smiled, “I confess, that when I saw your banners, I felt more confident. I would that you were with me when I tell him. I do not fear him but you have witnessed the great and the good conduct their business for twenty years. I value you, your advice.” He smiled, “I learned more from you in one week than in all the time I have been with Percy. I am still young, Sir William, but I am learning.”
It was then I realised that Hal had only seen fourteen summers. He was still a boy. I had been unfair in my judgement of him. He waited until we had all dined in the Great Hall at Conwy and the heroism of the attackers praised. A singer made up a song about Prince Henry. Hal did not enjoy the attention and it was not a particularly good song. I saw Mark the Minstrel, one of my men, wrinkle his nose at some of the poor lines. The singer was a Northumbrian and the song made rather too much of the actions of Henry Percy. As the evening degenerated into a drinking contest Prince Henry waved over Henry Percy. The knight had been less than happy that Sir John and I flanked him while we ate. He took it as an insult.
“Lord Percy, I have to thank you for your advice during the siege. It was most informative.” The faint praise from Prince Henry told me that Hotspur had done very little indeed! “However,” he proffered a parchment from which the King’s seal could be clearly seen, “my father has sent this.” The Prince did not let him read it. “He is displeased with the loss of Conwy and, as a result, he has taken back from you that castle and the right to tax Anglesey.”
Henry Percy did not look at the Prince but at me, “I can see that your father has been badly advised and I know who my enemies are. I am insulted, Prince Henry. Tomorrow I will take my men home to the north. There I know there are knights I can trust who keep their word. There they are not dissembling, fawning guttersnipes raised to be amongst their betters.”
He was looking at me and I said, quietly, “Go carefully, Percy! Do not live up to your reputation. I will put this down to the drink but one more word and you and I will settle this with swords. I do not fight tournaments. I was brought up to fight to kill. Think on that before you choose to cross me!” His eyes narrowed. “Or is it that you prefer to have hired men do your dirty work as at Middleham?”
That proved too much. He shouted, “Knights of Northumberland, we have endured enough from these mewling southerners, pack our bags! We leave this castle now!”
I almost burst out laughing. By the time they had packed it would be almost dawn. He would be riding home with men still suffering from drink and he would have to beg accommodation on the way home. He had lived up to his name; he had acted rashly!
The Earl of Stafford was as concerned as I was about Percy. “I know not why King Henry allowed him to be your mentor. He may be a brave knight who holds back the northern barbarians but I do not trust either him or his nature.” He smiled, “And I will also bid farewell, Prince Henry, but unlike Henry Percy, I will not do so with such bad grace. I have done as I was asked and now my men and I can go home. If you need me again then ask and I shall serve with you for I have seen great hope for England in your young body!”
I liked the Earl of Stafford. He was a true knight and gentleman. While he might not have Percy’s skill, I would rather have one Stafford at my side in a battle than five Percys.
There was no need for us to rush home. We had mail and plate to divide and we had animals to sell. Prince Henry was returning to Chester and so we rode with him. The markets there would pay us more than in Wales although we did sell some of the animals to those who lived close by Conwy. The siege had taken all of the animals from the surrounding countryside. I rode with Prince Henry and we were now as we had been when I had trained him. We were easy with one another and the shadow of Percy no longer lay between us.
“I fear you may be right about Henry Percy, Sir William. Now that I think back, he was closeted with the Tudur brothers for long periods. He went hunting with them in the Welsh forests close by Snowdon.”
“In which case, he could have had contact with Glendower. The attacks on Harlech and Caernarfon show planning and we found no sign of the rebel leader, Glendower. Perhaps he was warned that I had been sent.”
The Prince’s face was as though a thunderbolt had struck close by him, “Of course! He always had riders going hither and thither. I took them to be messengers going to his home but now I come to think about it they all returned too quickly for such a journey! I am a fool!”
I smiled, “No, Prince Henry, there was no reason for suspicion and you are young. Your father is King and he should shoulder some responsibility.”
“Baron, some might construe that as treasonous talk!”
I laughed, “I know treasonous talk for I heard much of it when I guarded King Richard. I am William Strongstaff and I speak that which is in my heart. It is my way.”
He nodded, “I have much to learn but first I must stand on my own two feet and begin to gather men around me whom I can trust.”
“And you can trust me but I now have a family and lands to manage. More than that, I am getting old. When my son and young Richard Longchamp are knighted, they would be men you could trust and they are young. More, they are untainted by politics. That is the bane of the crown. There are too many men seeking power.”
“Yet you do not; why is that?”
“My upbringing. I had to scramble around for food, shelter and clothes. Worrying if someone else felt differently was not even a thought and that is all politics is. That and a desire for a crown, a throne, or power. Choose men who are happy and content. Look for comfortable men who worry more about the ale they drink than which seat they occupy at table. Seek men who have genuine laughter and not the false laugh with hooded eyes!”
“That is wise advice and I will take you up on the offer of your young knights. Hopefully, we will be given time to prepare for the next rebellion.”
I did not think the Welsh would grant him the time and I was proved correct. After selling our surplus in Chester we began the long ride to our home. I do not know if it had been the intention of King Henry but one effect of the campaign was to draw the men of Northampton closer together. There was easy banter as we rode home.
“So, Sir William, if you would still allow my son to marry your daughter then I intend to knight him at the time of the summer solstice.”
I nodded, “And that would mean a summer wedding. I am agreeable but I will have to speak with my wife for the exact date, my lord.”
He laughed, “Aye, fellows like us can beard the Welsh and not blanch but ask us to question our wives and we quiver and quake. I am the same.” He nodded, “And your son? From what I have seen he is brave and ready to be given his spurs.”
“He has said that he is not ready yet. He will be knighted before we go to war again.”
“You see war on the horizon?”
“Did we extinguish the flames of Glendower’s rebellion or did we merely dampen them?”
“Aye, you are right and that means, unless the King finds money from somewhere, that we will be footing the bill. Instead of ploughing
money back into our land we throw it at Welsh and Scottish wars.”
“I cannot complain, Sir Henry, for war made me what I am. If there had been no wars then I would not be a knight and have the lands I do. I can bear the financial cost but it is the human one I do not relish. I will thank God in my church that I lost none and there are no maimed warriors returning to my manors.”
I parted from Sir John who took Ralph and his men to their home in Dauentre. Ralph had also excelled himself in battle but, like Tom, did not feel that he was ready for his spurs. I know that pleased Sir John for he liked his young squire and to train another would take time. I knew that I was lucky to have Harry almost trained as a squire already. Until Sir John’s children grew, he would have to find young men who wished to serve as his squire. “Give my love to your wife, the Lady Blanche.”
“I will, lord, but you should know that she is always grateful to you for she lives in the finest hall in Dauentre.”
“Weedon is our home, Sir John, and Lady Eleanor is comfortable there.”
I hurried home and this time our greeting was not only warm there was, for the first time, concern from my wife and Alice for another, “Father, how is Master Richard? Was he hurt?”
Tom could have a wicked sense of humour and he had the ability to keep a straight face when telling a tale. He shook his head, “It was terrible to behold, sister. He is whole and I am sure that the lack of a nose will not impair his looks too much!”
Alice screamed and put her hand to her mouth and my wife paled as she wrapped her arm around our daughter. I cuffed Tom none too gently on the back of his head, “Your brother teases you! Richard suffered no harm and acquitted himself well on the battlefield. He is to be knighted in June and we may arrange the marriage after that!”
In an instant, both changed. It was as though storm clouds had been blown away and the sun shone. Both my wife and Alice threw their arms around me.