David the Prince - Scotland 03

by Nigel Tranter

  But once again Stirling, Alexander's capital, where the Forth narrowed itself sufficiently to be bridged, and another rock like Dunedin, fort-crowned, dominated the crossing, failed to produce the King. A restless man, he was always off somewhere, they were told, this time apparently up into Drumalban, North Atholl where, on an island in Loch Tay of all places, he was building a nunnery in his mother's memory - why there, was obscure. But Sir Eustace de Morville, Hugo's uncle, first Edgar's and now Alexander's Great Constable, was there, and received them warmly, declaring that it was not worth their while to go further, for the King was due back within two days for a council meeting. On enquiry, they learned that Queen Sybilla was not with her husband, indeed it appeared that she seldom was, maintaining her own establishment on her dowry lands of Clunie, on the Ore, in Fife, and going her own way.

  So the visitors waited at Stirling. The following day David took Matilda for an excursion into the Highland hills readily accessible, where her joy in fine scenery was further stimulated by the sight of Lochs Menteith, Ard and Chon and their surrounding bens of rock and heather.

  They got back to Stirling to find Alexander returned, and glad to see them, especially Matilda. He had a roving eye for women, and quickly came to a due appreciation of his new sister-in-law's qualities. He had seen her before, at his wedding, but only briefly. Now he did not hide his admiration - and it was clear that he was used to having his way with women.

  To temper the process David enquired after the Queen - and was unprepared for the answer.

  Alexander snorted. "Henry dealt me an ill bargain there!" he declared, without the least constraint. "Sybilla serves me little, as wife or queen!"

  "I am sorry. And . . . still no children?"

  "She is barren." The King grinned. "I have proved sufficiently otherwhere that the fault is not mine! Indeed, she glories in it, lies with whom she will, in despite of me! It was an ill match you came making that day, Davie! You have done a deal better for yourself." He turned to Matilda.

  "Think you he did it of a purpose?"

  She looked surprised. "How that, Sire?"

  "Did he not tell you? He brought me Henry's offer of Sybilla. Advising acceptance. To bind our two kingdoms closer. Like a fool I agreed. I wonder if he knew that she would never bear me a son? So Davie himself is now my heir! Is it not simple?"

  "Never heed him, Matilda," David said. "He but cozens you."

  "Is it cozening to say that you are heir to my throne? And brought me Henry Beauclerc's proposal?"

  "I have never thought of myself as heir," David declared. "You are young yet - not two years older than am I. You could yet have lawful sons . . ."

  "But not on Sybilla — and there's the rub! And, since she is Henry's daughter, I can by no means put her away. I am held fast. So you, my dear new sister, God willing, will one day be Queen of Scots!"

  She shook her lovely head. "I am older than you, if David is not."

  "Ah, but you do not have men seeking your blood - whatever else they may seek of you, woman!" he said, deep-voiced. "As they will seek yours, if so be you become King one day!" he added, pointing a finger at his brother. "Mind it. Three times I have been assailed, with intent to slay. Our father slew MacBeth and Lulach. Their kin will slay me if they can — and you after me. Never forget that. The northern line seek the throne and will have it if they can."

  There was an uncomfortable silence.

  "You had a close escape at Invergowrie last year, Alex, I heard," David said.

  "It was MacBeth's grandsons, with a host from Moray and Ross. That was sufficiently ill. But I esteem it worse that the Mormaors of Mar and the Mearns sent me no word. They must have known that this force marched through their lands. Only Gillibride of Angus sent me warning, just in time. I shall not forget that."

  "You believe that Mar and the Mearns deliberately withheld warning to you? That they do not support the Crown? Two of your lesser kings?"

  "Yes."

  "Why? Have you done aught to offend them?"

  "No more than any firm hand can offend, at times. And this Scotland needs a firm hand, God knows! Edgar, whose hand was palsied, proved that. Our Father's hand was sufficiently firm, although he was not loved. But since then . . ."

  "If some of your mormaors do not support you, Alex-whom do they support? You are crowned High King, on the Stone of Destiny. To whom they have given their oaths of fealty. What is the alternative?"

  "There are over-many alternatives, man - with aspirations to the throne. A plague of them! There are these MacBeth's grandsons, Murdoch and Airbertach. There are Lulach's grandsons, the sons of Malsnechtan. And now, I hear, there are some who declare that Eth's son, Malcolm, should be Prince of Strathclyde. Eth himself is debarred, as a churchman - and besides, he has no desire for the throne. But he is our elder brother, and his son is not debarred from the succession. Moreover, he represents both the north and south lines of our house. Eth's wife was Malsnechtan's sister, Lulach's daughter. There is no question but that Lulach's line, through MacBeth's Queen Gruoch, was the senior branch of our royal house. MacBeth himself recognised it, by naming Lulach, his stepson, as heir, not his own sons. And, since I have produced no heir, and you are considered to be an Englishman, there is this talk."

  "I have never thought of myself as in line for the throne, I tell you. If this other, Malcolm, our nephew, would help to unite the realm, then make him Prince of Strathclyde indeed."

  "No, no. That would raise as many problems as it would solve! MacBeth's grandsons of Moray and Ross would have none of it. They see Malcolm MacEth as representing the northern line only through the female side, whereas they are sons of sons. Forby, there could still be another objector to either of these. Our cousin Madach of Atholl. His father, Melmore, was lawful brother to our father, who was illegitimate. Moreover he has married Hakon of Orkney's daughter, .who is great-grand-daughter of Thorfinn Raven Feeder, himself grandson of Malcolm the Second. Madach says that he has no ambitions for the throne, himself. But if I am without heir, and you are one of Henry's earls, then he believes that his child Angus has more right to be King than any of these others. Saints help us — what a coil! You see how friendship with Henry has cost our house? You, one of his earls, myself his sonless good-son!"

  David stared from brother to wife, unhappily. "I had no notion of all this. I suppose that I should have known it, all this of descents, but . . ."

  "Edgar believed that there was a curse on our house - and perhaps he was right. But... I am King and shall remain so, despite all these dogs yapping round my throne. But the heir, the heir to Scotland, must be made clear to all. I have thought on this. That heir must be you, Davie. None other could I trust. Besides, you have the wits for it. But - how do you stand with Henry? As Earl of Huntingdon — his earl. As King of Scots, you would be subservient to Henry? So it is being claimed."

  "Not so. I expressly paid my fealty to him only for Huntingdon. I stated before all that my prior fealty and loyalty was to you, the King of Scots."

  "He did - and most roundly," Matilda confirmed. "I rejoiced - even if Henry did not!"

  "Thank God for that, at least!" Alexander said. "I shall see that all hear of it. And that you, meantime, arc my heir. Yet, Davie - I cannot make you Prince of Strathclyde. Even though, as recognised heir to my throne, I wish you to rule all south of Forth and Clyde. You understand, man? I am not old, as you said - not yet thirty-one. Sybilla could die. I could then marry again and have a son. If I made you Prince of Strathclyde, my son would be deprived of his birthright. I cannot do that. . ."

  "I understand very well, Alex. And agree. I have no wish to be Prince of Strathclyde. I shall be heir-presumptive, if it is your wish, not heir-apparent, as the phrase goes. Although not desiring to be heir at all ..."

  "Good, Davie - good! And you will govern the South for me? As well as Henry's Cumbria? You do so now, in some measure. But I would have it made full rule - to be viceroy. For I cannot spare the time, the men or the sill
er for it, placed as I am. My treasury is all but empty - Edgar saw to that! And you - you are rich, all say! Thanks to this lady."

  David looked at his wife - and forbore to remind his brother that Edgar had also wanted to make him ruler of the southern half of Scotland, but that he, Alexander, had refused it, saying that the kingdom could not be divided.

  Matilda nodded. "David is rich, yes. And able. I think that he will rule your southlands for you very well, Sire. The gold and the silver will be the least of it."

  "I rejoice to hear you say so, Sister."

  "How free are to be my hands in this, Alex? In ruling for you? In Cumbria, I rule for Henry, but he holds the purse-strings. Here, it seems, that is not to be — since the purse is to be mine own! But how far may I govern, without reference to you, the King?"

  "So long as you support my throne and interests, always, your hands are free, Davie. Indeed, I will thank you not to trouble me overmuch with decisions. Save in matters which affect the whole realm. I have more than sufficient to consider here. You will be viceroy, making the King' decisions for him, in general. Keeping me informed. What more do you want?"

  "It is not more that I want, but clarity, assurance, knowledge of what are to be my powers and limitations. See you, the Merse and Teviotdale are being much raided by Northumbrians. Cospatrick of Dunbar receives no aid from you. A fort, a castle in the Norman style, built at a place called Rook's Burgh, where Teviot joins Tweed, and garrisoned always, would greatly assist in controlling the march there. Your march. A royal castle ..."

  "Then build it, Davie - build it. But do not ask me to pay for it! Take what measures you see fit. You are my brother, our mother's son, as well as my heir. If I cannot trust you, whom can I trust?"

  "Very well. Put it in a paper, signed and sealed . . ."

  David sat in at the council-meeting next day, to underline his new authority in the realm and, amongst much else, to have his position as heir-presumptive and Viceroy of the South confirmed and ratified - even though the councillors involved appeared to him less than representative. But it was sufficiently lawful, with the King presiding, the Chancellor, the High Judex or Justiciar and the Great Constable present, although only two of the ri, Madach of Atholl and Constantine of Fife, as well as the new Bishop Cormac of Dunkeld and sundry lesser lords and Celtic Church abbots. All, even Madach, seemed relieved over David's adherence. Presumably the situation was not all merely fortuitous, and something of it would have been conveyed to him at Caer-luel, by messenger, had he not chosen to make this journey. Not for the first time, David wondered what quality of monarch Alexander made? Compared with Henry Beauclerc's careful planning and organisation, government here seemed very rough-and-ready — not how he himself would conduct a kingdom's affairs. Which seemed now to be a subject to which it might be wise to devote a little thought.

  Two days later they left for the South, both of them more thoughtful than when they had arrived.

  IN THE MONTHS that followed, David found himself to be filling the role of buildings-supervisor and master-of-works more often than that of viceroy. He seemed to be involved, personally and perpetually, in stone-and-lime, not only with the abbey at Shiel Kirk but with the new castle at Rook's Burgh which, since he must now have a suitable base on his Scottish territories, was being erected not just as a stronghold but as a reasonably comfortable residence and hunting-lodge as well. Moreover, with Matilda expressing no intentions of returning to Earl's Barton or Northampton meantime, it became incumbent upon him to provide more comfortable quarters at Caer-luel than the gaunt castle there could offer, and more permanent than their lodgings in the monastery. This requirement was much enhanced when, one morning in July, Matilda announced that she was fairly sure that she was pregnant.

  David was overjoyed. "My dear, my dear - can it be true? Are you sure? The saints in heaven be praised! A son, a son! It is wonderful, a, a miracle!" He picked her up bodily - and then set her down again as quickly, indeed almost with a jolt. "Oh, I am sorry, my love - sorry! Forgive me. I have not hurt you

  "Foolish! I am well, well! Is it so strange? Was it not to be expected? We have not . . . stinted our efforts, have we, my love? No miracle! But I cannot promise you a son . . ."

  "It will be a son - I know it. I suppose that we will have to name him Henry. He said that - Henry. He said that our first son should be called Henry after himself, and he will be godfather. But - you will be able? Sufficiently well? We must be careful, very careful ..."

  "I am none so old as all that, David! Perfectly able. I have done it before, after all - three times. With little to-do. But — you are happy? That is what matters . . ."

  So the building-work at Cacr-luel was hastened on and improved, a pleasant house at the riverside, near but not part of the castle complex. This was still not finished when another and rather similar residence was commenced almost alongside, for Hugo de Morville. Hugo had been sent south to Huntingdon twice or thrice to see to David's and Matilda's interests there - for the de Morvilles were prominent vassals of that earldom - and had come back the last time with a wife, Beatrix de Beauchamp, daughter of one of the Honour's Bedfordshire vassals, a cheeful, generously-made creature, all warmth and smiles, who quickly became a favourite of all and Matilda's companion and aide. So another house was called for.

  All this building was not allowed to come between David and his essential duties, of course. The Viscount Richard was recovered, and South Cumbria could be left largely in his care. But David had to spend considerable time in Strathclyde proper, long neglected. Fergus was well able to look after Galloway, Dunegal's Nithsdale, and his own original lordship of Carrick, to the north. But that left huge areas without due supervision. Annandale in especial was a problem, unsettled after Hakon Claw's devastations, and subject to depredations by broken men from the adjoining Forest of Ettrick, yet carrying the principal route from Caer-luel to both Shiel Kirk and Rook's Burgh. David sent Robert de Brus there, one of the most effective of his young Normans, as resident, based on Annan. Liddesdale was another haunt of thieves and cattle-stealers, probing deep into the Cheviot hill-mass, and so a convenient highway for Northumbrian raiders. There he sent Ranulf de Soulis, a tough character. The other great dales, if less significantly important, nearly all called for resident lieutenants. They had their native lords and chiefs, to be sure, but these seldom sought to keep the King's peace, indeed more often than not led the disharmony. So Waller de Avenal was despatched to Eskdale, Ranulf de Limesay to Wauchopedale, the Lovel brothers to Upper Teviotdale and Bernard de Baliol to Lower, and so on. Cospatrick of Dunbar and March was given general over-sight of most of these, which flanked his own lands; and even his brother the Earl Dolfin was prised out of comfortable sloth in Allerdale and sent to establish a presence on the western skirts of the Forest area - where, to be sure, he could still hunt to his heart's content. Still further afield, Walter and Simon fitz Alan were given charge of Ayrdale, Cunningham and Renfrew, with Lower Clydesdale, and Simon Loccard with Upper. They all were given precise instructions as to how they were to behave, the King of Scots' representatives at two removes.

  So Caer-luel became a very different place for those remaining, taking on a rather more dramatic character, and with most of its fire-eating young Normans seen only intermittently. The local inhabitants were on the whole relieved - especially those with daughters.

  Thus passed the months. In February, exactly a year after her wedding, Matilda was brought to bed. David was right, as well as elated and enormously relieved; she produced a fine son. They duly called him Henry mac David. The birth was not a difficult one, and joy was unconfined. Alexander, although envious no doubt, should have been pleased, that there was now an heir to the heir to the throne - always a stabilising influence.

  Matilda's new offspring brought to a head her motherly desire to have back her other children, whom she had been missing more and more. She felt that they had been quite long enough in Normandy. Now that she was inevitably going to be
restricted in her movements by this new arrival, it seemed only right to have them back with her. David was nothing loth. He loved children and had felt some guilt at being the cause of his wife's separation from them. So Hugo was sent off on the long journey to Aumale on the Seine, where the youngsters were now with their great-uncle Count Stephen, to fetch them home. They would spend the summer here in the North, and go to Earl's Barton for the winter.

  All these preoccupations and developments were interrupted for a space in the late spring of that year 1115, with the start of the campaigning season bringing word that the Norsemen were boarding their longships once more - and it behoved wise men to be on the alert. Alexander sent the news - the first they had heard from him — that Madach's good-father, Hakon of Orkney, reported that Sigurd Half Deacon the King had sent a large army and fleet under the Jarl Ivar of Fiodir, which had been living off his islands and devouring his substance all winter. But now they were off westwards, Ivar said to win great treasure, so that Sigurd could afford to go on Crusade - this being the object of the expedition. He had said that he was going to Ireland for this treasure — but Hakon had heard some of the Vikings boasting in their cups that it was really Scotland they aimed for, Strathclyde and Galloway, which were thought to be richer than Ireland. So beware.

  David wasted no time in sending warning to Fergus - for Galloway and Strathclyde were indeed favoured stamping-grounds for the Norsemen - and in summoning all his wide-scattered lieutenants to drop whatever they were at, assemble their fighting men and march to given centres down the coastline fronting the Western Sea. His own Cumbrian army was organised for swift muster, and such shipping as was available he concentrated at the deep-water ports of Silloth and Whithorn and Ayr. David sent word to Henry.