by Griff Hosker
It soon became obvious that this attack had happened perhaps ten days earlier. Animals had begun to eat the bodies. Sir James would not have known of it. There was no need. There was no church in the hamlet. It was a long walk to Otterburn. Often such folk gathered in the open for prayers. They had a place filled with their ancient dead. Crudely carved stones and crosses showed us where they interred them. We buried them in that cemetery. The bodies we buried almost doubled the number of graves. Garth Red Arrow saw that the tracks led north-west. The Scottish bandits had been foiled by us but the folk of this hamlet had not been so lucky. We headed to Otterburn. Cedric and his son returned directly to their farm.
Sir James had aged considerably since last I had seen him. The men he had lost in the short war had not been replaced. He looked to be in poor health. When I told him of the tragedy, he was distraught. “It is my fault. When I was a younger knight I rode abroad and the Scots feared me. Yalesham was a small community. They were good people. They kept to themselves. It will die now.” I did not like to say that it was a place of the dead already. It was a ghost settlement.
This melancholic outpouring would do nothing for the farmers who remained, “My lord, we must act. I will send to Sir Ranulf and Sir Eustace. We must mount men and respond to this. They took the women and children. They cannot have gone far. How many men do you have?”
“There are just four of them and they are as ancient as I am.”
“Then send the four to your farms and warn them of the danger from the Scots. We need more men. Rothbury and Morpeth are well garrisoned. With their help, we can quash these incursions. If we strike sooner rather than later then we may prevent more losses.”
When we reached my castle, it was dark. I was exhausted. It was not just the ride which had done so it was inner exhaustion. While I had been making my castle stronger, other Englishmen were suffering. I wrote letters to Sir Ranulf and Sir Eustace. “Alan, I would have you and Brother Paul deliver these letters. I intend to ride tomorrow to the north-west. If Sir James has not been patrolling the Roman road from High Rochester then who knows what mischief there may be.”
Before I retired, I went to the smith’s house. “I fear that I must leave you and your wife alone in the castle tomorrow. I will speak to Rafe, Tom and Harry. They are all close enough to come to your aid. Keep the gates barred until we return.”
He nodded, “You need not fear, lord. We will keep your home protected. Anne and I could hold off an army from your keep.”
I had been lucky in the people I had chosen.
We left before dawn for we had many miles to travel. We were mailed and we had both spears and shields. We were going to war. Tam dropped the bar into place as my last man clattered over the bridge. I realised that if I made the bridge into a draw bridge then they would be even safer.
There was a road to Otterburn. We made faster time there. Sir James’ men told us that they had found the tiny hamlet of Byrness destroyed. It was not a recent event but had happened since my father had defeated the Scots. So much for their peace. Otterburn was now the last English settlement before Scotland. “Sir James, I will ride to the high pass at Redesdale. We will look to see if we can find traces of these bandits.”
I knew it was hopeless. Yalesham had been destroyed many days ago and Byrness many months since. Even allowing for the slow progress the bandits would make taking their animals and captives north they would now be safe in Scotland enjoying English mutton and beef. Even so, I had to ride the road to the border for my own peace of mind.
The Roman road ran along the River Rede. It undulated. We passed the old Roman fort. High Rochester had been a thriving village but raids over the years had made it a place of ghosts. We stopped at the fort to water our horses and eat. It afforded a fine view to the north-west towards Scotland. It was as Matthew, John and I were enjoying bread and fresh cheese that my sharp-eyed squire, leaning against the gate, spotted men approaching.
“Lord, I see a horseman leading men on foot. They are coming down the road. They come from the Scottish side of the fort.”
“Climb a little higher and ascertain numbers.” While he did so I shouted, “Stand to!”
Matthew had clambered up to the fighting platform, “It is a knight, by his mail and he has two more men on horses. I guess there are twenty men in total.”
This was not an English knight. He was Scottish. Had we not had attacks on villages and hamlets then his intentions might have been peaceful. I would take no chances. “Walther, line the wall with our archers. Wilfred, have the sergeants mount. John, you stay here with the archers.” I hurried to my horse. I was riding Eagle. I had not ridden him much of late. I now saw that my choice of horse was fortuitous. “Matthew, unfurl the banner. We will let these Scots know who we are. Perhaps it will make them withdraw and we can avoid bloodshed.”
We left the fort and headed through the south gate to the road. The fort and the ridge hid us from view. Once on the road, we trotted towards the Scots. As we crested the ridge we were seen. They were two hundred paces from us. My archers were hidden and they saw just eight men. We might have been mounted but we were outnumbered. If they continued approaching in a loose column then their intentions were peaceful. They halted and it soon became obvious that they were belligerent. The horsemen donned helmets and the men on foot spread out.
I shouted, “Walther, choose your moment well to send your arrows.”
“Aye, lord!”
“Matthew, stay behind me and watch my back.”
“Aye, lord.”
I did not recognise the surcoat of the Scottish knight. Now that they were closer, I saw his spurs. He had a squire but no banner. Only the knight wore mail. The others wore studded leather jerkins. They had open faced helmets. They did not gallop. They were keeping pace with their men on foot. The ones on foot were all dressed differently. None wore a tunic to identify them. They had a variety of weapons. None had a bow. Half wore helmets.
Roger Two Swords observed, “If you wish my opinion, lord, then I would say these are farmers come with their lord to steal English animals.” I heard a murmur of agreement from the others. He was right.
“They have shown their intentions. We wait until Walther has sent his arrows and then we charge at the knight.”
I wondered if Walther had left it too late for the Scots were just one hundred and fifty paces from us when he began to loose his arrows. I need not have worried. He knew his business. The six archers sent eighteen arrows in quick succession. I yelled, “Charge!” as the first of the arrows hit. One struck a horse and unseated the rider. Three others hit the men on foot. We had taken them by surprise. It would not last. I saw more men fall, including the squire. Nine of the men on foot suddenly took off towards the fort. That left two horsemen and five men who could fight. I rode for the knight. He had a spear, as did I. I hefted my shield around and spurred Eagle. I had the advantage for mine was a war horse. The Scot rode a palfrey and small one at that. Eagle had power and managed to gallop faster than the others around me. The mounted man at arms came at my shield side. I concentrated on the knight. The spears of the knight and the man at arms struck at the same time. One spear hit my shield while the other, the knight’s, slid along my helmet. I pulled back and stood in my stirrups as I rammed my spear at the knight’s middle. Although he managed to pull his shield around it did not stop my spear which punched him from his saddle. He was dumped unceremoniously on the ground. Matthew rammed my banner into the side of the head of the man at arms. He fell unconscious at the side of his horse.
When Roger led my men at arms to hack and slash at the remaining five men at arms close to us then it was over on our side of the field. I wheeled Eagle and pricked the throat of the knight, “Yield or die! I care not which it is!”
“I yield!”
Then I heard shouts and cries. My six archers and John were being attacked by the nine men who had been on the left of the Scottish line. “Matthew, guard the prisoners. The rest,
with me.” We wheeled and galloped towards the wall. The ditch had long ago been filled in and was now just a hollow. I saw men fighting. My archers could use swords but they were better as archers. I galloped through the north gate. I saw, to my horror, two Scots fighting Walther of Coxold. He had John behind him. The rest of my archers were engaged in mortal combat and could not go to his aid. I did not hesitate and I rode towards the backs of the two Scots. Walther blocked one sword with his own and then the other sword with his dagger. John’s hand darted out with his dagger and he stabbed one of the Scots in the thigh. The other also had a dagger and he ripped it across Walther’s throat. I reached them just a lifetime too late. My sword split open the head of one Scot and then backslashed the wounded one across the neck. They both fell dead.
It was over. None remained alive but we had lost an archer. It had not been a good trade. I was angry. I turned to Garth Red Arrow, “See to Walther’s body. We will take him back with us. I will go and have words with this knight.” I dismounted and handed my reins to John. He looked shocked and with good reason. A man had died to protect him and he had come within a sword strike of death himself. “Watch Eagle.” Having something to occupy his hands would take his mind off the event.
The man at arms who had fallen from his horse and the squire were both sitting upright as was the knight. They were both bruised and battered from the fall but they were not wounded. I strode towards them. Walther was the first of my men to die and I was angry. “What is your name?”
“Sir Duncan Eliot.”
“Why did you break the peace?”
“I did no such thing. You attacked us!”
“This is England. You passed the border seven miles ago.”
“We dispute that! This is Scotland.”
He sounded petulant. There was little point in arguing with such a one. “I hope your family values you for the ransom has just doubled. Annoy me again and you may rot in my castle until you are both old and grey!” I pointed to the squire. “You and your man at arms go to your lord’s home. The ransom is one hundred pounds of silver!”
The knight said, “What? That is a fortune!”
“And it will teach you to honour the border.”
“And if they cannot pay?”
I smiled, “Or perhaps they will not! It is no matter to me. If they refuse to pay then you shall work the bellows for my blacksmith!”
“I am a knight!”
“Then pray that your family values you. Now you two, go!” They went to the horses. I shook my head, “No! You walk. It is but six miles to the border! Walk!”
We took what little the men had on them and left their bodies. We slung Walther’s body over his horse. We would bury him in our village. He deserved a grave where he could be mourned. We reached Otterburn where I told Sir James what we had discovered. He looked at the knight with hatred, “Your people slew innocent villagers. If you were my prisoner then I would hang you!”
I smiled, “And that may well be his fate, Sir James, but for now we will return to my home.”
The meeting had upset the knight. Sir James looked like a kindly old man but there had been pure hatred in his eyes.
The young knight looked confused. “Why are you both so angry?”
“You honestly do not know?”
“We were coming to raid cattle and sheep. Our people have done so since before men recorded life in these parts.”
I so wanted to strike him but I knew I could not. “And what of the women you enslaved? The men you butchered?”
He looked down, “The women will be looked after.”
“As slaves or concubines. You have spoken enough. Speak again and I may take your tongue.”
We had taken the weapons from their dead. Now we had a smith we could either repair them or melt them down.
Brother Paul and Alan of Bellingham had returned by the time we reached my home. They saw the body of Walther and Alan shook his head, “The first death, lord.”
“Aye, and there may well be more. We have a prisoner. Reeve, I put him in your charge. If he causes trouble then the smith can shackle him. Brother Paul, we have a warrior to bury.”
“We will inter him tomorrow, lord. I can see that you are angry. It does not do to bury a man with anger in your heart.”
“You are right. And what of my messages?”
Alan of Bellingham shook his head, “Both lords said that they were unable to come to your aid at this time and they asked you to deal with the incidents at Otterburn and Elsdon.”
I was disappointed. Had we acted in concert then we might have had success. Coming back, we had discovered that the knight’s family had a manor not far across the border. With two more knights and their men, we could have rescued the ones my men called the lost women of Yalesham. I saw now that it was up to me alone “Thank you for your efforts.” I looked up at the sky. It was turning black. The weather was suiting my mood and I wondered the effect it would have on the security of our manors. I could not bear to eat with the knight. He shared his meal with my priest and Reeve.
I ate in my keep with John and Matthew. John had been silent. I looked at Matthew as John moved his food around his platter. I decided to be harsher than I might have been if we had been in Stockton. “John, there will be more days like today. You will see more men die. If this life is not for you then there is no shame in returning to your father.”
He shook his head, “If anything, lord, it has hardened my resolve. It is just that a man gave his life to protect me today. He was a good man and a respected archer. Am I worthy?”
This I understood. “You make yourself worthy. Each day, from now on you ask yourself if what you have done that day was worth the life of a man. You live the best life that you can.”
“Then I shall do that and I will become a worthy warrior.”
I looked to Matthew, “You were behind me today. I need to know who led the sergeants. I have an idea in my head but you saw more and I need to know what you saw.”
“Roger Two Swords, lord. He is not as old as Wilfred but it was he who was the closest to you. It was he who protected you from the attack you did not see.”
“That is what I thought. And now with Walther dead, I need a captain of my archers too. I will sleep on this and then make my decision on the morrow.”
When I woke, I had made my decision. Brother Paul spoke over the grave of my archer. He was buried in a good spot in the cemetery. I knew that my archers and men at arms would tend it. He had neither wife nor children to do so. After he was buried, I had Alan of Bellingham broach a barrel of ale. Anne had baked some honeyed oatcakes. I know not why they went so well with ale but they did. Anne was helped by Alice. She was not yet too large and she had liked Walther. It felt like family. The weather had turned and the grey skies when we had put soil in the grave had turned to rain. Alice said it was God crying. Brother Paul shook his head. It was an old superstition. We gathered in the hall in the lower bailey.
“While we are all here, I have to tell you that I am going to make Roger Two Swords captain of my sergeants and Garth Red Arrow captain of archers. They will each receive an extra six pennies a month for their trouble.”
The faces of the men told me that they were all happy about the decision. “We thank you, Sir William!”
Alan of Bellingham asked, “What about our Scottish friend?”
“He can stay in the keep for a couple of days. It might do him some good. He seems arrogant.”
Alan of Bellingham nodded, “I spoke with him last night. He lives not far from the border. I am guessing that the other animals which were taken could be found there. The captives too, perhaps.”
“And where would that be?”
“Branxholme, many miles west of here.”
Brother Paul shook his head, “The last time we had raiders the animals were taken to the lands of Fife.”
“This is not Fife. It is the land of the Mormaer of Teviotdale.”
The seed was planted. Coul
d I engage in a raid across the border? I looked at my men, I had too few. It was, however, tempting. I had not received news from either Sir Ranulf or Sir Eustace. Now it was too late for my sergeant at arms. Next time I would not bother to ask them for help.
Sir Duncan’s squire arrived with the ransom ten days later. The rains which had begun on the day of the funeral had not relented. The newly cleaned ditches kept us dry although the river was close to bursting its banks. The squire had an escort of six men. We held them in the lower bailey. My archers had their bows strung in case of treachery. They had brought a spare horse for the knight. The squire dismounted. “I have the ransom.”
I nodded to my Reeve and Brother Paul. “Take it to my keep and count it.”
The squire looked offended, “It is all there, my lord!”
“Good, then when it is counted you can take your lord. Roger, fetch the prisoner.” I smiled, “I hope you have brought a cloak or he will suffer in this rain.”
“I have, my lord.”
Brother Paul came from my keep with Roger and the Scottish knight. Brother Paul nodded. “You are free to go, Sir Duncan, but I give you a warning. The days when Scots could use England as their larder are long gone. Despite what you think this is now England. King William admitted that when my great grandfather captured him. I have been lenient this time. Next time I will be less generous. Next time I will not give you the chance to yield.”
“You have eleven men and two boys! Do you think that we could not walk in here and take this land if we chose?”