by Griff Hosker
“These men will continue to die until you surrender. They are brave men and deserve a leader with courage.”
“You are the devil incarnate! I yield.”
“Louder so that men may hear you.”
“I yield!”. Those that had not fled threw down their weapons.
I turned and shouted, “Garth, have our men douse the flames!”
I turned to look at the battlefield. Four of Sir Robert’s men had died. They had all been in the fore. Matthew had escaped injury as had most of my men. I saw a couple of the newer warriors nursing wounds but all stood and looked to be whole. The same could not be said for the tower of Otterburn and its occupants. It looked like they had used water to douse the flames while we had been fighting and when Garth and my men began to use the river water then the flames started to die.
“Matthew, watch our prisoners. Sir Robert, I thank you.”
He shook his head, “The victory belongs to you and your men.”
I dismounted and handed my reins to Matthew. “Let us go and see how Sir James fares.”
Even as we approached the tower, I saw the door open and the last men at arms of the old knight carrying his body from the tower. I shook my head, “He should have enjoyed a quiet life on the Tyne fishing.” Brother Abelard was with him. The priest had his arm in a sling and a bandage on his head. “What happened, Brother Abelard?”
“They came just after dawn. It was Sir James’ habit to walk to the river and back before dawn. It was he who spied them. I was with him for we liked to pray facing east and the rising sun. It was his warning saved those who now emerge from the tower. We saw them and he slew four while his people ran into the tower. Six of his men managed to join us and the eight of us fought.” I cocked my head to one side. “Aye, lord, I fought. I could not stand by and watch my old friend die alone. His men were slain and then he was struck a mortal blow. I barely managed to get him inside the tower before the Scots were upon us. We barred the gate.”
I nodded, “You had no time to send for help.”
“No, lord. We barely managed to get inside the tower. At first Sir Malcolm and Sir Duncan tried to persuade Sir James to surrender. They said that people would be treated well. We both knew that to be a lie but Sir James kept them talking. It cost him his life for I could not tend to him properly. It was almost noon by the time they gave up and resumed their attack. Sir James died in the middle of the afternoon. He made me promise to hold out. He knew that you would come. He said you were the hope of the north.” He shook his head, “How did he know that you would reach us?”
“He was an old warrior. He knew I would spy the smoke and wonder. He also knew that I sent a patrol here each day.” I walked over to his body, “I promise you, old friend, that I will watch over your people until we have a new lord appointed by the Bishop of Durham.”
It was too dark to return to our home. The buildings were too full of smoke for us to use. We camped out before the tower. We put the captured Scots to collecting the bodies. The Scottish dead would be burned and we would have the folk of Otterburn buried in the churchyard. Brother Abelard tended to the wounded. He was not gentle with Sir Malcolm.
The next morning, we buried our dead before we burned the Scots. Once more I was angry. Sir Duncan and his father should have attacked me. There would have been more honour in that. I spoke with Sir Robert. “I would have you take Sir Malcolm and his men back to my castle. I will escort the remaining squire to the border and ensure that none of them remain on the soil of England.”
“I will do so.”
We walked to the prisoners. “Sir Malcolm, choose a man to ride for your ransom.”
“You took all the coin we had when you captured my son!”
I nodded, “Then we shall ride back to your manor and take your goods as recompense. I am certain the captives we recovered would appreciate a more comfortable life.”
He shook his head, “You are a fool! They are peasants! Their husbands were villeins! Why do you worry about them?”
I was becoming angry again. “Sir Robert, we will ride and take all that there is to take from Sir Malcolm’s hall.”
“Wait! My cousin the Earl of Fife may pay my ransom.”
“Then choose your man to take the message.”
He waved over, not a squire but a scarred veteran. “Angus, ride to the Mormaer of Fife and tell him my predicament.” He suddenly seemed to find his position amusing. “Aye, go to my cousin and the wrath of God will descend upon Sir William.”
“Wait, Angus. Tell the Earl that he sends coin to the value of two hundred pounds in silver. If warriors come then I will hang Sir Malcolm from my tower. This family is treacherous! Do you understand?”
“Aye lord.” He turned to Sir Malcolm, “Dinna worry, my lord, we will fetch the man’s silver and then we will raise an army and wipe them off the face of the earth!”
“I admire your courage, Angus, but leave now without saying another word or it will be the worse for both of you.”
When he had gone, Sir Robert led the prisoners down the road. With my archers before us, we rode to the border. We passed a dozen men who had succumbed to their wounds on their flight back to their home. There was no sign of armed men and I led my warriors back to Otterburn. We would stay for a couple of days and repair the damage.
Chapter 12
In the end, we stayed for three days. Brother Abelard took charge. Thanks to Sir James the damage to the manor had not been critical. The men who farmed there still lived and, thanks to his staunch defence, the Scots had not raided the farms which lay close by. We had been lucky but I would need to send a message to the Bishop. This was not over.
When we reached my castle, I was greeted by Sir Robert, Brother Paul and Alan of Bellingham. All were keen to know what were my plans. I know that they looked at me and saw someone who was too young for such a weight upon his shoulders. They were wrong for the death of my brother in York had helped me to grow up far quicker than most young men. Martin Longsword was a reminder of that day in York. It had changed us both. I had watched my father and when I had followed his banner I had learned. I suppose I was like him after Arsuf. I had to trust my own judgement and I did.
“We have guests for a while, Brother Paul. While Alan of Bellingham sees to their spiritual needs you will have to ensure that they do not eat as they would in their own castle. We have hard times ahead.”
Brother Paul smiled, “And you, lord, how are your spiritual needs? You are now the last bastion between the heartland of the north and any bandits and brigands who choose to raid us.”
I nodded. The priest had a good point. “I pray that the Bishop will do something about that. Until the ransom is paid, we have a hostage. I told the Scots that if they attempted any sort of military action, I would hang their lord and I meant it.” I saw the shock on the faces of Alan and Brother Paul. I turned to Sir Robert, “Sir Robert, I thank you for your help in this matter. You have lost men and I cannot recompense you for them.”
“They died as warriors, Sir William. Redmarshal is a safe manor. They are less necessary there.”
“I would have you leave and report all to the Bishop.”
“He may still be in London.”
“Then speak to the Dean. We need a lord in Otterburn. I know that Sir James had the foresight to try to plan for his succession but it did not happen that way.”
“Aye, William, I will and your father? Do you wish his aid yet?”
“My father has been ill and if I send to him each time I am under attack then I might as well build a chamber for him here in my castle. No, I will find a way to deal with this threat. What I will do is ride myself to Morpeth. Sir Ranulf may find this new threat a reason to stir himself.”
Despite the fact that we had just returned I had my two-man patrols restarted immediately. The men who rode forth now knew the size of their task. They also knew the land better. Garth Red Arrow suggested that they should use more circumspect routes around Ott
erburn in case there were watchers. They had known when my men would arrive. Sir James’ early morning ritual had foiled their plans. We could not rely on such luck again. Sir Robert and his men left and my castle felt emptier. It had been good to have a brother in arms with me.
Alan of Bellingham had much to occupy him, even without the recent attack. August was almost upon us. The next few months would be his busiest. With the additional mouths to feed the Reeve of Elsdon would work from dawn to dusk and often beyond. Brother Paul waited until I had spoken with my Reeve before he approached. Sir Robert and his men were barely five miles down the road when we returned to the life of a border fort. “Sir Malcolm’s wound was a bad one. He will not walk properly again.” It was not a critical statement.
“You know it was inflicted by himself?” He nodded. “Some might call that divine intervention.”
“God is a forgiving God. Sir Malcolm’s sins will be weighed.” He made the sign of the cross. “I had to stitch it and he will not be able to be moved for a week at the very least.”
“I doubt that the ransom or attackers will be here before then. He has sent to the Earl of Fife and the journey to Fife will take more than ten days. And the others?”
“Minor wounds.”
“Good then, Sir Malcolm apart, I will have them work on our defences. We need another hall building in the upper bailey.” I could see the look of disapproval on the priest’s face. “Brother Paul, when I rescued the captives, reprisals were inevitable. These men we captured are little better than brigands. I have already shown them generosity by allowing them to live. We begin the work on the morrow. Alan of Bellingham has too much work already. I will supervise this building.”
I sought out Tam the Smith. We had brought back captured and damaged weapons from the battle. “Tam, we will need weapons. Do you know how to make caltrops?”
“Aye, my lord.”
“Then make a couple of hundred. If we are attacked, we will seed the outside of the walls with them. Make spear and arrowheads. We have a period of grace.”
He nodded, “You are doing the right thing, lord. When we heard what happened, Mary and the others you rescued sang your praises. They endured much at the hands of the Baron’s clan. They are happy that you are their lord. They have confidence in you.”
I hoped it was not misplaced faith.
We now had more men who could work. The ones who had been injured apart I would have all the rest helping us to build the new hall. It was after noon when I gathered them in my upper bailey. “Tomorrow we build a new hall. I intend to use the Scots to labour for us. We will gather stones from the beck. I will attach the new hall to the keep and it will go as far as the stable. The three buildings will be joined and will be easier to defend. If we are attacked then this will be the last refuge for our people. For that reason, I want as much stone in it as we can manage. We will use wattle and daub where we have to. I intend to have the Scottish prisoners dig a ditch all the way around the two buildings. We will defend the outer wall and if that falls retreat and defend the upper bailey. If those walls fall then we have the keep. I hope that by then we will have bled an attacker dry!”
One of the new men, Kurt the Swabian asked, “Are you so sure that they will come again? If they attack here it is tantamount to an invasion of England. Will King Henry countenance such an act?”
“The King is an ocean away and is distracted by negotiations for a bride and alliances. He may well be angry and react but unless we prepare then all he will find will be the burnt out remains of Elsdon. What you may not know is that there is bad blood between my father and the Earl of Fife. Sir Malcolm must have known that when he sent to him for ransom. The Earl of Fife claims the land upon which we live.” I waved a hand, “We build. Tomorrow we hew trees and collect stones. Roger Two Swords I need you and four men to help me to supervise the Scots. They can dig the ditch and the holes for the foundations.”
As I expected, when I gathered the prisoners together the next day, they were not happy about the work they would have to do. Roger had chosen my biggest warriors, Ralph of Raby and Harold of Hart amongst them as guards. I nodded as the Scots complained. “You are here because you lost. You are brigands and bandits. This is your choice: work and live or refuse and I hang you. It is that simple. If I am to feed you then you will earn your bread. Roger fetch me a rope.” Roger went to the keep. I put my hands on my hips. “The shovels are there and the line you are to dig is marked. Either pick up a shovel or stand by the keep so that we may hang you.” When Roger returned with the rope they stood and went to the shovels. They worked.
After two days we had made enough progress for me to ride to Morpeth. It coincided with Alan of Bellingham’s trip to sell the woven wool my women had made. Although we had wanted to sell it at the New Castle, we could not afford to leave Elsdon for too long. Matthew, John and I escorted him. John drove the wagon. He had grown a great deal since he had left his father’s smithy. Matthew, too, now had to shave each day and his already broad chest showed that he would be a warrior who would be as big as Sir Peter. I smiled, he would need more armour than most men. I was aware that I had filled out too. Mary and the women cooked hearty meals. They cooked plain and wholesome fare and I benefitted.
Morpeth was even more prosperous than it had been. I saw that Sir Ranulf was making his wooden walls and hall into stone ones. Was this a sign of prosperity or was it a sign that, like me, he feared war? While John and Alan of Bellingham visited the market, I went to the castle with Matthew. It soon became clear that the new castle was one for comfort and not for war. Sir Ranulf had not heard of the death of Sir James. There was no reason why he should. I had the prisoners and none had fled to his manor.
His face was worried when I told him. “Does the King know?”
“I told the Bishop and the King is still in Gascony.”
“I liked old Sir James. He was a friend of my father’s.”
That friendship had not helped Sir James. “I think that the Scots are not yet done with us.” I knew not if I should trust Sir Ranulf and so I was circumspect. “I have heard rumours of conspiracies, Sir Ranulf. There are men, it seems, who conspire with the Scots.”
Surprisingly he nodded, “I have heard such rumours.” He flashed me an angry look. “You cannot think me a conspirator!”
“Lord, I am young and have been in this county for less than a year. The only lord I knew well enough to trust completely lies dead. All I do know is that the only ones who have bled for this land are from the manors of Elsdon and Otterburn.”
“I was ill.” He must have realised how pathetic his excuse sounded. “Now I am well. If you need my help again then send a man to me. I will come. I swear, Sir William, that I am a loyal baron!”
I was relieved, “I thank you, lord, and when the Bishop appoints another lord, I will tell you,”
“And I will visit with the Sherriff. He needs to know of the dangers, too.”
With a wagon full of all that we could not produce ourselves we set off home. I was not as perceptive as my father. I could not always detect deception but I thought that Sir Ranulf had been honest with me. He might err on the indolent side and like his comfort more than his duty but I did not see him as a traitor. Sir Eustace, on the other hand, was a dissembler!
By the time we reached the last day of July, there had still been no word from Scotland. Had they abandoned Lord Malcolm? We now had a hall which linked the stables to my keep. We left both empty. Firstly, the wattle and daub would need to dry out and secondly, we would not need it until we were attacked. I was pleased with it. We had gathered enough stones to give a wall which rose, above the ground, the length of a man’s leg. It was a double wall and filled with river pebbles and sand. Above it rose the wattle and daub. The roof was covered in the turf we had dug to make the ditch. The ditch was just six feet deep. It was only intended to slow an attacker down and make it hard for them to use a ram. In the bottom were caltrops. The inconvenience was minor. We ha
d a single bridge to gain entry to the keep and hall. In times of danger, we could seed the ditch with stakes and spikes. They would be added to the caltrops already there.
The completion of the hall coincided with the news that Stephen Bodkin Blade and Margaret of Yeavering were to be wed. She was one of the Yalesham widows. She and Stephen were of an age and seemed well suited. The wedding seemed to have been sent by God for it was a joyous time. The widows and my men were, symbolically, joined. I gave the couple a dowry of two pounds and a piece of land between Harry Sourface’s farm and Rafe’s son. It was big enough for a house and enough land to grow vegetables and raise fowl. Margaret had a small son and daughter. The couple were happy at the gift. The wedding celebrations were joyous. I watched the Scots, along with Matthew, John, Roger and Garth. For the rest, it was like a May Day. We had good ale brewed and there was dancing. Alan of Bellingham and Brother Paul looked, for all the world, like a couple of fathers whose children had wed.
We allowed the captives to watch from the upper bailey. Sir Malcolm had been carried from the keep by two of his men. He looked, sourly, at the dancing and shook his head, “Make the most of this for when my cousin pays my ransom, we will build an army to make this a wasteland.” It was an empty, idle threat. In the two battles and the raid, we had slain his best warriors. If there was a threat then it came from Fife.
“Your cousin does not think much of you, my lord. It has been three weeks and more since we took you and there has been no messenger.” If the knight wished to use his tongue like a sword then I would answer him.
I saw doubt flicker across his face then he shook his head, “It matters not how long it takes just so that I am returned to my manor.”
I went close to him. “You have lost a son and you have lost men. Have you not learned your lesson? You cannot defeat us. My men are better armed, mailed and trained than the rabble you lead.” I saw a couple of his men bridle at the insult. “Oh, they are brave enough but at the end of the day, it is skill which wins battles and not raw courage. King William the Lion discovered that.