King Henry's Champion

by Griff Hosker

  I saw the standard flying and knew that Sir Barnard was at home. We had travelled so quickly back from Edinburgh that I doubted he would have heard of the treaty. I would have to judge my moment to tell him the news. He did not come to greet us. I took only my knights to his hall.

  “An unexpected pleasure, Earl.”

  “I am just making a patrol of the borders to make sure they are safe. There were many outlaws before the summer.”

  “I have scoured the forests of them. You will have a wasted journey.”

  I smiled, “It will not be a wasted journey for my young knights here. They are eager to hunt men. You are not in your estates in Scotland?”

  “There is trouble there, my lord; the usurper is causing trouble along the Clyde.” He poured us a goblet of wine each. “Did I hear that rebels attacked Norham?”

  “You heard correctly. We sent them hence.”

  “I hope that does not mean the Scots will retaliate. I would hate for our northern lands to be ravaged.” Although he had a sympathetic look on his face his eyes betrayed the glee he felt.

  “Oh no, Baron, I can guarantee that the Scots will not attack.”

  He smiled, “I do not know how you can be so sure, my lord.”

  “I can assure you it has nothing to do with force of arms. The Earl of Gloucester and I visited with the King of Scotland and obtained a treaty. He promises not to harbour rebels and not to attack along the border. He gave his seal and swore before priests. I think we are safe.“

  I stared at him and watched the conflict in his eyes. He was a rebel and a traitor. He had been clever and disguised his actions but this was a blow to him. He nodded, “That is excellent news, my lord.”

  As we mounted our horses I leaned down and said, “You will need to keep a close watch on your borders. If the King of Scotland scours his land of English rebels then they may come through your land. You will, of course, capture and detain any you find. We now have a new Bishop of Durham, Geoffrey Rufus. He, too, will need to kept informed.” I smiled, “Things have changed, Baron Balliol, and for the better.”

  He said, without any enthusiasm, “Praise be to God.”

  Aiden had not been needed to scout but once we left the castle at Barnard and headed towards the border we would need his eyes and ears. As he trotted off, my archers and those of Sir Harold and Sir Tristan spread out in a loose screen. This was dangerous and hostile country.

  There were no manors in this part of the country. The land would barely support rye and barley. It was good for cattle and sheep only and they were too easy to steal. The odd farmers we saw eked out a living nothing more. We would see no one before the wall. The culmination of our march would be to meet Sir Hugh Manningham at the deserted Roman fort close to the high cliffs. The cliffs meant that our flank was always safe there.

  Aiden met us there, “Sir Hugh is a mile or so to the east. He is coming steadily west. I will head north of the wall.” He pointed to the forests which began to spread towards Scotland. “I will rejoin you on the road, my lord.”

  He slipped away so silently that he was like a gust of wind. We dismounted and my horses were fed grain. There was a well there and we drew water.

  Sir Hugh galloped up as my men and squires tightened girths. I had not seen him since our trip north and when he dismounted I told him of our journey. He laughed, “I would have liked to have seen the looks on their faces! The Nemesis of the Scots in their capital and dictating terms! I wish the Earl of Strathclyde had risked his arm with you, Earl. That would have put them in their place. I heard about the tourney from the Bishop of Durham. We should hold one here. It makes for better knights!”

  I was about to tell him of my plans to train the knights of Anjou when Aiden galloped towards us. “My lord, there are Scottish men in the forests yonder.”

  Sir Hugh frowned, “Would the Scottish King risk breaking the treaty so soon?”

  “What were they doing?”

  “They are hunting a band of warriors who are just a mile from their position.”

  “Did you recognise this second group?”

  “No, my lord. I do not think they were the men from Carlisle. I did not recognise their livery.”

  I had a dilemma. There were two bands of warriors. One was definitely an enemy but I knew not the other one. I remembered my father telling me that if you followed orders and they were just and honourable orders then you could not go far wrong. I had been charged with keeping the border clear of the Scots. The forest was in England.

  “Mount up! We hunt Scots. Dick, have the archers ahead of us. Aiden, go with them. When you spy the Scots dismount and await our arrival.”

  “Aye my lord.”

  “John, unfurl my banner let them know who comes for them.”

  The old Roman fort had a gate which led north and we passed through it and descended the steep path which led north. Aiden and my archers were already many paces in front of us. My men had spears but I chose my sword. I slid it in and out of my scabbard. It moved easily. My shield now had more padding and it nestled well against my arm. Today would be a test of the Greek doctor’s ointment.

  The land began to rise towards the forest. Already I could hear the clash of metal on wood in the distance. Men were fighting. When I saw the archers’ horses being held I reined in. Griff of Gwent ran up. “My lord, Captain Dick says the men are the men of Strathclyde. He recognised their banner. They are ahead and attacking the other warriors. Dick does not recognise their standard. The ones they fight are losing.”

  This was like the mêlée except this time it was real and men were dying. I took the decision. It might bring me trouble but I was doing as ordered; I was keeping the border safe. “Tell Dick to attack the Scots. “ I drew my sword. “Harold, take the right flank and sweep around. Tristan, take the left flank. Sir Hugh, bring your men behind my conroi. We shall be the hammer. Wulfric have the men form a line on me.”

  This part of the forest had fewer trees than some others. We could see, sometimes, twenty or thirty paces ahead of us. I saw the first dead warrior soon after we entered. He had an arrow in his back. Dick and his men had been at work. I saw others who had been slain by the Scots. Some looked Scottish others looked like Vikings. Who were they?

  I saw Dick and his archers sheltering behind some trees and bushes. The ground ahead was lightening. We burst into the thin autumn light. Twenty of the Scots had gathered behind a shield wall at the edge of the small clearing. They had their backs to the trees. Their banner was a blue background with a white cross and a yellow star. I vaguely recognised it as being a knight I had seen at Norham. He had escaped the slaughter.

  I leaned forward with my sword. “Forward! For King Henry of England!”

  None of those in the shield wall had spears but some had long axes. Wulfric’s mount forced its head ahead of Leofric. My sergeant at arms preferred to put himself in harm’s way. His axe was held easily behind him. The shield wall was holding for they had trees at their back. I wheeled Scout to the left so that we could ride across their line. A sword darted out and caught my knee. The mail held but it was a well struck blow. I would feel the hurt the next day. I whipped my right hand and sword above the line of shields. I felt it strike the side of a helmet.

  I pulled my arm back and swept a second time. We were nearing the end of the shield wall and I pulled Scout’s reins to the right. I saw that Wulfric’s axe had carved a hole in the wall. Two men were down. One was clutching his face and I guessed what had hit him. I carried on with the turn. Wulfric and I burst through the hole that we had made. The shield wall was broken. I fended off the axe to my right and brought my sword over. I plunged it into the face of the axe man.

  And then we were back in the forest; although thinner there were more places for the Scots to shelter. I slowed Scout down. I was lucky. The Scot who hid behind the huge pine tree emerged with his two handed sword too early. I jinked Scout to the left and brought my sword across the man’s sword. It fell to the groun
d. John’s standard smacked into the side of the man’s head. It sounded like an axe hitting a tree.

  The ground was falling away as we headed into a valley bottom. We could now move barely faster than the men we were pursing. More importantly I was not certain where the border was. I dared not go across the border for that would be a violation of the treaty. When I reached the small and shallow river I raised my sword to halt the line. Wulfric’s voice behind me boomed out, “Reform!”

  The rest of my men at arms reined in and I saw Sir Tristan appear. His horse had been wounded and he and his squire leapt from the backs of their mounts to tend to the injury. I saw John and turned, looking for William and Leofric. I was relieved when I saw them rein in.

  I shouted, “Aiden!”

  My scout rode up, “Yes my lord?”

  “Where is Scotland?”

  He pointed across the river. “There my lord. This, I think, is the end of England.”

  He could not read and he had never seen a map but Aiden knew the borderlands as well as any and if he said this was the border then that was good enough for me. I nudged Scout into the middle of the river. I raised my sword and shouted so that all might hear me. “King David has signed a treaty forbidding Scots from attacking England! To those who hear my voice I warn you that if I find you I will hang you!”

  Silence reigned. I turned Scout and headed back. Dick rode up. “We have surrounded the men they were fighting my lord. They are downstream.”

  “On this side of the river?”

  “Aye my lord.”

  “Then let us see who they are.”

  We formed up in two lines and rode along the banks of the river. Half a mile downstream I saw them in a clearing. They had taken cover behind some boulders and rocks. There looked to be forty of them. I saw at least ten who wore the armour and helmets of Vikings.

  I halted and took off my helmet. It was the sign for peace. I did not want to kill these just yet. They were the enemies of the Scots but who were they?

  “I am Alfraed, Earl of Cleveland and the King’s appointed protector of these lands. You have violated our sovereignty. Before I have you slain who speaks for you?”

  Suddenly a throwing axe was hurled at me and a Norse voice shouted, “This speaks for me, Norman!”

  I easily deflected the axe and the thrower fell with three arrows sticking from his head and chest. I heard swords being unsheathed, “Hold!” There was silence. “Was that your spokesman or a fool?”

  A warrior took off his helmet and stepped forward, “It was a fool; a brave fool but a fool nonetheless. I am Máel Coluim mac Alaxadair the rightful King of Scotland and I thank you for your intervention.”

  “Then I have been charged with removing your bodies from England too.”

  I heard a ripple of angry comments from the men behind the young warrior. He held up his hand. “We are not here out of choice. We lost a battle three days ago and this band had been pursuing us. I was not certain where we were until I saw the wall. I am sorry for our transgression but I swear we did not do so deliberately.”

  Behind me I heard Wulfric say, “They tried to kill you, my lord. Let us slaughter them!”

  “Hold. I have yet to make up my mind.” I nudged Scout closer to him, “If I choose to let you live where would you go?”

  “You are saying I could not travel through England.”

  “I am. Word would get back to my King and he would think I had not kept my promise to keep this land Scot free.”

  “Then we will return to Scotland.” He hesitated, “You have driven Lachlan and his men off?”

  “Who is Lachlan?”

  “Lachlan, the son of the Earl of Strathclyde; it was he who defeated us.”

  “They have dispersed north. If you leave now and move quickly then you should be able to escape them.”

  “Then do we have your permission to leave?”

  “So long as you promise to stay north of the border then, yes.”

  “Thank you. I have heard of you and even your enemies say you are a fair man. One more thing…”

  “Yes?”

  “We have not eaten for two days. Have you food you can share with us?”

  I burst out laughing. “I admire your cheek, Máel Coluim mac Alaxadair. John, fetch food for them.” As food was brought I sent Harold and Tristan to collect, with their men, the arms and treasure from the dead. I spoke with Máel Coluim. He was an affable young man but I had no doubt that if he were King he would be as keen to regain his English lands as King David.

  As they left I shouted, “I wish you well Máel Coluim mac Alaxadair but remember; do not return on pain of death.”

  Harold and Tristan had returned. They joined me and Wulfric. Wulfric said, “We should have killed them. The King will be disappointed.”

  “I think not. Máel Coluim mac Alaxadair will continue to fight and so long as he does then King David’s gaze and avarice will not be directed to England. Once he is defeated, and I believe he will be, then it will be different. Besides, Wulfric, it was my decision and my responsibility.”

  Sir Harold said, quietly, “We all stand behind you my lord.”

  “I know but there are times when one person takes the blame, if there is any blame and in this case that is me.” I smiled, “Was there anything of value?”

  Sir Harold’s face was serious as he held out his hand. He opened the palm and there was a silver coin with the image of Conrad. It was almost identical to those we had found on the assassins.

  “Where is the man you took it from?”

  “Up on the other hillside.”

  I mounted Scout and followed Sir Harold. There were three men sprawled untidily together. Two had been killed by arrows. The third had his back laid open by a sword. Harold kicked the body of the man with the sword wound over. “This one.”

  I knelt down and used my knife to slice open his kyrtle. He had a tanned mark around his neck. He had come from the east. “Was this a coincidence I wonder?”

  “My lord?”

  “Just thinking aloud. He has the same coins but he might have acquired them from someone else. However the fact that he has come from the east makes me think he has a connection to this mysterious knight. Would that he was still alive.”

  We left the bodies where they lay. They would feed the carrion over the next few months. Wulfric pointed to the sky. “My lord it is coming on to night. The Scots may come back. There were many of them.”

  “You are right. We will go to Carlisle.”

  It was after dark when we reached Carlisle. A cold wind had come from the east bringing with it biting rain. Sir Gilbert de Bois welcomed us warmly. I was still suspicious of him because of his affiliations to Stephen of Blois but he held the frontier well. “You are out late, my lord.”

  “And I am also frozen to the core. I will tell you all when we are before a fire with something warm in my hand.”

  “Should the Bishop be informed?”

  “It will not hurt to have Bishop Æthelwold hear my news. We have plenty to tell.”

  The squires unpacked; Wulfric organised the men and the knights sat with Sir Gilbert and Bishop Æthelwold before his fire. I told them first of the attack on Norham and our meeting with the King of Scotland. “However when we were on our way here we came across bands of warriors, some of them were Scots and some were Vikings.” I was aware that I was speaking to a man of God but technically I was not lying. “We sent the survivors across the river to Scotland. I will stay here for a week or so and make sure that they have gone. However if you suffer any major attack you should let the Earl of Gloucester and myself know.”

  Æthelwold said, “God preserve us from these savages.”

  “Amen to that Bishop.”

  “And I will ride with you. I would visit the scene of the attack. We have had many men passing through our town. I have kept watch on them. It may be that I recognise some of them. We may have to close the border north.”

  “And that is a goo
d idea.”

  Æthelwold shook his head, “Many travellers are merchants my lord. It would be wrong to deprive them of a living.”

  “Not so Bishop. Most merchants use ships. They can carry more goods. The land to the south of here is still plagued by outlaws. Despite my best efforts there are just too many forests for me to control Cumbria.”

  “Then I will travel that way when I return to Stockton. We shall scour a safe path east for you.”

  I sent Sir Hugh Manningham back to Hexham. He had done well out of the raid and had lost no men. He was in good spirits. “I shall keep my patrols on the north road, Earl. I still do not trust the Scots.”

  I sent Sir Harold and Sir Tristan to the west and the river. They were there to show the Scots that we were watching. I took Sir Gilbert to the forest where the attack had taken place. The animals had been at the bodies but Sir Gilbert did not recognise any of them. I deliberately took him to the warrior who had been in the Holy Land. As soon as he saw him he recognised him. “I know that one!”

  “Are you certain?”

  “He and a Sergeant at Arms came through our town three months since. They were asking about you, my lord. They said they were back from the Holy Land and were seeking a new lord. They said they had heard you paid well.”

  “And they left?”

  “Aye, they headed east. We thought they had travelled to Stockton.”

  “Did they wear surcoats?”

  He thought about it, “No, my lord. The sergeant at arms had mail and the other, well he was dressed as he is now.” He started at the body. “Where they spying for this band do you think?”

  “I am not certain. But if you see the sergeant again then detain him and if he is with a knight wearing a white surcoat with a red griffin then he should be detained too. They are dangerous men and involved in a plot against the King.”