The Bloody Border

by Griff Hosker

  William looked a little downhearted when I saw him. “There is much work to do, father.”

  “Aye and my men will happily join you in that work. When I came back to England, I was just pleased that I had a hall. There were no walls but I had a hall. It was a start. You have a beginning. I had your mother, William and Rebekah. You are a bachelor knight.”

  “And this is no place for a woman, father. I am content to face the dangers without a wife.” Alan stood deferentially to one side. Our squires arrived. The room had an empty cheerless look. “John, take Sam and find kindling. You are the son of a smith, I am guessing you know how to make a good fire. Let us brighten this place.”

  “Aye lord.”

  “Matthew, Mark we need food. Alan, where do you cook?”

  “The kitchen in the lower bailey.”

  “Take the food we brought and we will test your skills at cooking eh?”

  They cheerfully turned to go. Alan nodded, “I will accompany them, lord.”

  My son had taken charge and that was good. Now I needed information. I shook my head, “No Alan, stay with us for we need to speak.” There were still three chairs which were whole. “Come let us sit and speak as civilised men. I am old and my bones ache from riding these days.” We sat. William was still wrestling with the problems of his manor and I saw that he was distracted. “So, Alan, what is your tale for I can see that there is more here than a lay brother put out to end his days quietly away from the mother church?”

  He smiled and nodded, “I was a Hospitaller, lord. I was a brother-sergeant. I was wounded when Jerusalem fell. I left the order and came home. I was born in Bellingham and thought to come back and find peace here. I went first to Durham to ask the Bishop if I could be a lay brother for the priest at Bellingham. This was during the Scottish invasion. It was after that when the Bishop remembered me. He sent me here.” Alan slapped his sword, “I am a priest but I can be a shepherd to these people and protect them against the privations of the Scots.”

  William looked up, “One man against the Scots?”

  He smiled, “When our Good Lord began his ministry, he was alone and then he found twelve to help him. Besides a man must make a stand. The few people who live here are good folk. They need someone to watch over them. They are the kind of people around whom I grew up. I am content, lord, to give my life for them.”

  I nodded, “My son is young and he will learn.” He smiled. I could see that this Hospitaller had inner peace and that was rare. He had expected to die in the Holy Land. Each day was now a new beginning. I spied hope. “Forgive my son’s words. He is young and recently knighted. Tell me, have you had trouble since first you came?”

  “Bandits. They steal cattle and sheep. The only farms and farmers who survive are those who live within sight of the castle. They come here when the bandits are abroad and they man the walls. Since we have adopted this defence, we have had no losses.”

  “And they come from the north-west?”

  He nodded, “Otterburn guards the road but these bandits just slip through the forests and take the animals. They are not warriors. They are predators. They are organized and they are well armed.”

  “You were a warrior, numbers?”

  “The largest band we had was when thirty of them came. It would have gone ill for us had not Sir James of Otterburn arrived with four of his men at arms. They drove them hence.”

  The boys had returned with kindling and a fire began to blaze. Alan said, “If that is all, lord, I would go and help your squires. They seem like good boys. I have told you all that I know.” He stood, “I am happy that we have a lord.” He smiled at me, “The son of the hero of Arsuf brings hope to my heart.”

  “Sam, John, go and help them prepare food.”

  Sam nodded, “Aye, Grandfather, for I could eat a horse with the skin on!” I laughed. That was one of Ridley the Giant’s favourite phrases.

  William said, “It looks hopeless.”

  “Really? I thought the opposite.”

  “The opposite?”

  “If a lay brother and half a dozen farmers can thwart the bandits what can you, men at arms and archers not achieve? Tomorrow I ride to Durham and then Stockton. I will not tarry long in our home. I will return with men who wish to serve you. Until the King sends the monies he promised you, I will provide your coin but this manor has potential. There are trees to help you repair your walls and to improve the gatehouses. There is stone aplenty. You can build a barbican around your gateway into this keep. The archers can hunt in the woods. You will have food and our men can find the rat runs these Scots use. You train your farmers to fight and you encourage others to come and to work the fields. It is not hopeless. It is hopeful. This manor has plummeted as far as it can. Anything which you do will improve it.” My words seemed to show him the enormity of the task he faced but I hoped they gave him a plan. I would have much to do in Stockton and the sooner I returned home the better.

  Hot food made his mood improve. He and his squire and page would have to camp in the keep for there was not enough furniture. Alan of Bellingham had slept on a mattress filled with hay. Beds could wait. My son had horses and we decided that he would take the men at arms and Alan and ride his manor, the next day. It would show the people that law had returned and would warn the Scots that their days of banditry were numbered.

  I confess that as I left him, the next morning, I was more than sad. I felt as though I was abandoning my child. I was leaving him at the edge of the world. I was deserting him on the bloody border. We rode hard. We had left all but one sumpter with my son and we made good progress. I spent just one night with the Bishop. I made it quite clear what I required. I ensured that we were alone when I spoke with him.

  “Your Grace, the King plays a dangerous game here. The two of you could have appointed any lord to Elsdon, God knows it needs one. Yet you appointed a young knight and I have to ask myself why? Were the two of you thinking that my name would keep it safe?” His eyes flickered. I knew then that there was more to it. I shook my head, “No, the King is more devious and I am disappointed in you, Your Grace. You think that putting my son there means that I will bring my knights to his aid. The knights of the Tees Valley have a good reputation. You yourself sent for me when you last had trouble. You know that I would not desert my son. This is a way for the King and you to have warriors fight on the border without pay!”

  He shook his head, “You do me a grave disservice, Sir Thomas. If you are needed then there will be a payment from the Palatinate but you are right, King Henry sees you as your grandsire. He sees, in you, another Warlord of the North.”

  I sat back in my chair, “And yet his father and uncle just used my family for their own purposes.”

  Richard Poore shrugged, “Sir Thomas, he is King. Kings are not as other men. If you expect them to behave like ordinary men then I think you are in for a disappointment. Fear not. Your son will have support. By the time you return with your son’s men, I will have wagons with grain and other supplies for the winter. He shall not want. I will send a priest. Alan is a lay brother. I have families who seek land. They will come next year. King Henry might plan and plot but I am the Prince Bishop and I swear that I will keep the people of the Palatinate safe but to do so, lord, I need the aid of you and your son.”

  He was right. I could not expect a King to behave well. It was not in their nature. I had been forced into this corner and my life would never be the same.

  Chapter 4

  When I reached home without William I had first to beard my wife. She was not happy. “Why could I not say goodbye to him? I will come with you and see that his castle is well appointed!”

  I held up my hand, “No, you will not. This is the borderlands. Our son has a dangerous task and the last thing he needs is to worry about his mother.” I did not mention the attack in the woods although I was sure that Henry Samuel would blurt it out at some point. “When I deem it safe then I will take you. Until then you will write to
him.” I saw the tears well in her eyes. I put my arms around her. “I know how you feel. It broke my heart to leave him but he is a man. He has to make his own way in the world as we did.”

  “But he is alone!”

  “He is not,” I told her of Alan, Matthew and John.

  She seemed appeased, “Then I will fetch the chests with his clothes! I will pack all that he needs.” She glared at me, daring me to argue, “And I will send wine from your cellar and spices from our kitchens!”

  I would not argue. I sent Mark to John’s father. Our squires and pages needed arming. I provided the coin to pay, for armour did not come cheap. Then I sent for Henry, Ridley and David of Wales. “I need archers and men at arms to serve my son. I want single men for this is not the place for married men with bairns. I want volunteers. I need men who will serve my son as you serve me.” Knowing what I wanted they left me. I was left with Sam.

  “If I become a squire and then become knighted, I might have to leave here, grandfather.”

  “Aye Sam. John will not see his mother and father again for a long time. He may never see them again. I am not getting any younger. William might not see me grow older. It is our life and we have to endure all that is put in our path.”

  He nodded, “I know. I am just thinking that I would make the most of my time with my mother. May I go and see her and my sister?”

  “Of course. I will not need you again until we head north on the morrow. Mark’s backside will be hardened to the saddle by the time we return here to Stockton!”

  I headed to the stables. Alan Horse Master was my next port of call. I had left sumpters with my son but he would need palfreys. “Alan, I am sending men at arms and archers to Elsdon to be with my son.”

  “I know, lord, Henry Youngblood told me. I take it we will not see these horses again?”

  “I doubt it.”

  “Then although we have enough the colts and fillies we have bred will not be ready as replacements. We will need to go to the horse fair at Appleby to buy more.”

  “See Geoffrey my steward and he will provide the funds. Do you have enough good animals? My son needs a courser.”

  “I had one for him already, lord. When you left for Norham I assumed he would be returning here. Eagle is a good horse. Not as good as Crow but Crow has destrier in him.”

  “Good. We leave in the morning.”

  “All will be ready.”

  I saw John returning through the gate. He carried with him a basket. He grinned when he saw me. “Mother wept when she heard of the attack. She has sent some of her preserves for us. Jams, relishes, chutneys and pickles.” I nodded. That was the way of mothers all over. “And she has sent clean undershirts and hose. She does not want me to let the family down.”

  “And your father?”

  “He is a weaponsmith. He had already begun work on swords, helmets and short mail byrnies for your squire and a helmet for me. Mine will not be ready today. He has said he will make them for Mark and Matthew. He hopes they will be ready for the morrow.”

  That set me to thinking what else William might need. I left my castle and walked to Matthew’s father’s tannery. When I reached him, I told him that his son would be living is Elsdon and then asked him for hides. “Lord, do you need these as hides or as leather to be used by the men at arms and your grandson?”

  “We will need hide jerkins and buskins for all of them. There is no tanner in the castle.”

  “The jerkin and the boots I have already. They just need finishing work. As for the belts and horse furniture, I have those ready to be shipped.”

  “Good. I will send Geoffrey with the coins to pay for them.”

  “There is no need, lord. It is for my sons and the smith’s son. We are all of this manor.”

  “You are a craftsman and worthy of the hire. I will pay and it will help me to sleep easier. I will be in no man’s debt.”

  By the time I reached my hall again, having spoken to all the tradesmen in my town, there were men at arms and archers waiting for me by the main gate. Henry Youngblood said, “We have the men who have chosen to come with you. There were others who wished to serve with Sir William but they were married. These are all the single men who now serve you, lord.”

  I looked along the line, “Your son, Young Henry, is here, Henry!”

  He nodded, “Aye lord, it is hard to see a son leave home.” He smiled, “As you have discovered too. He is of an age with Sir William and he has skill.” He held out an arm as he introduced each of them, “Richard the Archer's Son.”

  “You did not wish to be an archer then?”

  “I broke my left arm falling from a tree when I was ten years old, lord. The arm took a long time to heal. I can hold a shield and I can use a bow but I do not have the skill of an archer. I am content.”

  “Wilfred of Sheffield. None better with a pike.” I clasped his arm.

  “Roger Two Swords.”

  I saw that the man at arms had two swords in scabbards across his back. “They are short swords?”

  “Aye lord, I can use a long sword and a shield but there are times when two swords can be more effective.”

  “Ralph of Raby.”

  Ralph was huge. He was almost as big as Ridley’s son, Sir Peter. “Your size must draw weapons in a fight, Ralph.”

  “Aye lord but Ridley the Giant has given me tips.”

  “Harold Hart.”

  He was also a big man. Henry had chosen good men for my son. “I knew your father, William. He was a good warrior and served me well.”

  “As will I, lord.”

  “This last man at arms is a new sergeant at arms, lord. He has been with us for less than a month. Stephen Bodkin Blade.”

  “Do you find much use for a bodkin blade, Stephen?”

  He grinned, “Aye lord. I fought in Poitou and some of the French knights there wore plate armour and full-face helmets. The bodkin blade finds holes in helmets. “

  I knew the archers better. David of Wales had trained all of them, “Walther of Coxold, James, John the Archer, Idraf of Towyn, and Abel Millerson.” Only Garth Red Arrow was unknown to me. He had arrived in the last few months but he seemed an affable young man.

  “First, I thank you all for volunteering. Elsdon is neither a town nor does it have an alehouse. I know what you are giving up.” I reached into my purse and, walking down the line, gave each of them five shillings. It was almost half a year’s wages. They looked at me in amazement. They knuckled their foreheads and said, “Thank you, my lord.”

  Nodding I said, “Alan Horse Master has your horses. There are sumpters to pack. You will have arrows and spare tack to take with you. There is little up there and you will need to be resourceful.” I would not sweeten the medicine.

  After they had gone David of Wales said, “You had no need to be so generous, lord. They were happy to serve.”

  “I know but if it was your child at Elsdon would you not do all that was in your power to keep him safe?”

  “Aye, lord.”

  “I will have six archers and six men at arms for my escort. We were attacked in the woods by Wooler. I would not risk my grandson’s life again.”

  We ate together that night. Mark and Henry Samuel served us. I saw my wife and Matilda looking at Henry Samuel with new eyes. As I had expected he had not hidden the fact that he had almost been killed during the attack. When they left to fetch more food from the kitchen Matilda asked, “And will Elsdon be a dangerous place, lord?”

  I would not lie to any of them, “Probably the most dangerous place in England at the moment.”

  My wife put down her knife and spoon. “And you care not that our son is there… alone! Sir Robert’s wife died there! How could you allow this to happen?”

  “That is easy, wife. The King commands. We obey! Would you go back to the life we had? Would you live abroad and be the wife of a sword for hire? I know not about you but I have grown to like this life we lead.”

  “But our son!”<
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  “Our boy is stronger than you know. This is not forever. I will find a manor for him here in the valley but first, he must do as the King has asked. He will have support and you do not think that I will leave him alone do you?”

  Mollified she nodded, “I suppose not.”

  “I will stay with him until he is secure and my men and I have had the opportunity to search for danger. He has the end of summer, the harvest and winter to come.” I saw my wife begin to open her mouth. “And before you ask, I have no intention of allowing you to visit him. For one thing, it is too small a castle and for another, it is too dangerous. Resign yourself that you will not see your son for some time but I have impressed upon him the need to write to you.”

  We had found one of William’s leather jerkins. I would give it to Henry Samuel. It had been Alfred’s originally. Studded with metal it would slow down an arrow but if bodkins came his way then Sam was dead. I contemplated leaving him at home but knew that would only cause trouble. When we returned I would have armour made for him. We did not leave at dawn. My wife would not countenance such a thing. She wanted to say farewell and be presentable when she did so. Had I had time I would have ridden to Redmarshal to consult with Sir Robert. I did not. It was mainly a question of time but I knew that the discussion would raise bad memories. I wanted him content for as long as possible. Isabelle deserved that.