by Griff Hosker
My words silenced them for they knew it to be true.
Three days into August my patrol galloped in to bring word that Scots were coming. “It is the Earl of Fife, lord. I recognise his banner.”
“Have they come for war?”
Idraf shook his head, “If they have then they are ill prepared. They have just twenty men and a wagon. They are all mounted.”
“Do they have spare horses?”
He shook his head, “No, lord, why, is that important?”
“They must have spies who have observed us and know that Sir Malcolm cannot ride. We will need to have men watching the woods close by.” I berated myself. It was an oversight. It might not hurt us but it was a lesson learned.
I sent for Roger Two Swords, “Have the prisoners brought to the lower bailey. Ask Garth to man the walls with his archers. There should be no tricks but this will ensure that there are none.”
The Earl of Fife had become older and a little fatter since the last time I had seen him. Sir Ranulf of Morpeth had told me that the Earl was now a close confederate of the Scottish King. Some, however, saw him as a rival for the throne. If he could wrest Northumberland from the hated English then it would ease his passage to the crown.
I was mailed as were my squire and my men. We outnumbered the Earl and his guards. I saw his eyes flicker to the walls and my archers. I did not think he had anything planned. My preparations guaranteed that he would not attempt anything.
He dismounted and slipped his coif from his head. He looked over to Sir Malcolm who was supported by two of his men. “I hope my cousin has been treated well.”
“He has been treated better than the captives you hold in Fife, my lord.”
He scowled at me, “The wound has been treated?”
“Aye, and it is healed. Ironic eh, the wound was caused by the knight’s own axe. Perhaps God guided it.”
I could see that he was becoming angry for I had an answer to all that he said. “The ransom is in the wagon.”
“Roger Two Swords.”
“Aye lord. Come on lads.”
The Earl looked down at me. I think he thought being on the back of a horse made him superior. It did not. “You should not have raided my cousin’s hall.”
“And he should not have razed Yalesham to the ground. This tit for tat will not end well for you, my lord. King Henry made it clear that there should be no further raids. I was there at Norham when your King said so. My father is surety for that peace. You do not want my father to head north, do you, my lord?”
He came closer to me. His face was infused and reddened. He did not like to be reminded of the defeat, “Sir James is no more. Perhaps we have had enough of this tit for tat. Perhaps we wish it ended. Your King is in Gascony and cares not about the fate of a bachelor knight and my King, well, let us say that he and I have an understanding. It may be that tit for tat is not enough. If you have a canker then the best thing to do is to cut it out!”
“You threaten me?”
“Let us call it a friendly warning. This land is harsh and unforgiving. I am certain that your father can find a better manor in the rich valley of the Tees. Forget Elsdon. Forget its people. Enjoy your life. I paid the full ransom. Use it well.”
“And I shall!”
We watched the wagon, now filled with Sir Malcolm and his men as they passed through my gatehouse. The baron shook his fist at me. It was an impotent gesture.
“Alan of Bellingham. Take twenty pounds from the ransom and divide it amongst my men. Take another ten and give it to the Yalesham widows.”
“That is generous, lord, they will not expect it.”
“Then they should for they have all suffered. All helped in this victory. Bury the rest in the cellar. We will save it for time of need.”
The next day I had my men scour the woods which lay close to my land. We found signs of intruders. We had been watched. It was one of my new archers, Adam Green Arrow, who came up with the solution. “Lord, I have seen plentiful signs of rabbits in these woods. Let your archers come each day to hunt them. It will be good practise for us and will let us watch for the enemy. If we simply patrol then they will know where we ride. They must know of our patrol to Otterburn each day.”
He was right. We began the change immediately. I also went with six men at arms to Otterburn. They had recovered from the attack. The damaged buildings had been repaired.
I spoke with Brother Abelard, “Is there aught you need?”
“You mean apart from a lord of the manor, lord? It may be that we need grain when winter comes. The harvest will be a good one but there are tares and weeds which should not be there. We were building when we should have been weeding.”
“You need not fear. I will not see you go hungry.”
“And a new lord? Elsdon had to wait years for you. I fear that the people would drift south if there was no lord to protect them. Byrness and Yalesham still lie empty.”
“That I cannot answer. It is a few weeks since I sent the message. Who knows?”
The end of August was when we began to harvest our first crops. It was a time for vigilance. With my archers scouring the woods my men at arms and I rode the roads. We went as far north as Otterburn, northeast to Rothbury and south-west to Bellingham. The ride to Rothbury was to warn Sir Eustace that we were being vigilant. That was the direction from which I feared danger.
It was at this time that Tam found he would be a father. I found out from John. It was not a surprise that the son of a smith and a blacksmith should get on. John, when he had time, often helped at the forge. In truth, John was now more of a squire than a page. With just the three of us, there was little need to wait at table. The three of us got on well. We had changed the sleeping accommodation so that I had my own chamber and the other two shared a chamber. We had a third one in case I had guests. When Sir Robert had been with us then the three squires had huddled together in the smallest room. We had also built a pair of garderobes. We built them on the fighting platform. In winter it was cold but if we had added one to our sleeping chamber then that would have made the sleeping chamber cold. I knew that if I married then I would need a kitchen closer to my keep but my new arrangements suited me. The heating stone by the fire kept our food warm. Anne was a clever woman.
It was at the start of September when we saw riders from the south. I hoped it was news from the Bishop but when my sentries reported that it was mailed men and a number of them at that then I had the garrison stand to. The direction of their approach did not suggest danger but it could always be a trick. I stood on my gatehouse peering south. It was Matthew who identified them, “It is my brother, Mark. That is the Earl! I do not recognise the knight next to him. His face is hidden by his coif.”
I cared not. It was my father and I had not seen him for such a long time that my heart soared. “Stand down! Roger, ask Mistress Mary to prepare the new hall for guests.” I turned to Garth, “Have we game?”
“We have rabbits aplenty, lord, and Alan Whitestreak took a fox yesterday. We have meat for a stew I think and there is still some venison from our hunt.”
“Good.”
I descended to the lower bailey. I saw that the other knight was Sir Richard. I was slightly disappointed. I had hoped that the Bishop had sent a new lord of the manor. My father dismounted next to me and handed his reins to Henry Samuel. My nephew had grown too!
My father embraced me, “Son, I am sorry that I was not able to come sooner.”
I held him tightly and said, “Sir Robert told me about your illness. You are well now?”
“Aye, the leeches cured me.” I knew that he did not mean it. He was making light of it. That was always my father’s way. He could be dying and he would joke.
As I stepped back, I saw that he was greyer and leaner. He was not totally over it. “And you, young Sam, you have grown.”
He grinned, “It is Henry now, Sir William! Soon I will be a squire and then a knight. I shall be Sir Henry then.”
/> I tousled his head, “To me, nephew, you will always be Sam.” I turned and spread my arms, “Come, gentlemen, we have accommodation newly built for you and we shall feast this night.”
I walked with my father and Sir Richard. I turned to Sir Richard, “And I nearly forgot, congratulations, Sir Richard. Now, all that you need is a manor.”
“I have one already!”
“Then I am doubly pleased. Where is it?”
He pointed north, “Otterburn. I am the new lord of Otterburn!”
The Bishop had, indeed, answered my prayers but was it another poisoned chalice? I turned to look at the men who followed us. Only four wore my father’s livery. The rest wore the livery of Sir Richard. He had sixteen men with him. It was not enough but it was more than I had had when I had come, little more than a year ago.
Chapter 13
We had double cause for celebration. My father had brought some of the wine from La Flèche and we both ate and drank well. My mother had also sent clothes she had had made for me by her ladies as well as the food I enjoyed. I missed my mother. Once we had got over the pleasantries about the family, both of my sisters were with child again, we moved on to more serious matters. Sir Richard was keen to know what sort of problems he faced.
“There is a blood feud with the clan who live across the border. It was begun by their raid but I fear it will not end until they are destroyed.” I told them of the visit by the Earl of Fife and his words to me.
My father shook his head, “I should have ended this the last time.”
“Impossible, father. That would have necessitated riding through Scotland.”
My father smiled, “We had just defeated the largest army they had. It was the right thing to do. The King had given me command and I should have used the power he gave me.” He shook his head sadly, “I do not think he will give me such power again. I am afraid that we are pawns used by the King to his own ends.”
Sir Richard said, “I do not understand. How are we used?”
“To me, the burning of Otterburn is enough evidence to allow the King to invade Scotland and to punish them. When King William was captured it was not just the treaty which was draconian, England almost bankrupted Scotland. The King’s sister is married to Alexander. That fact means he needs a better reason to invade.” He looked at me, “However, William, I am concerned. Your news about Sir Eustace is disturbing. Perhaps we will ride there in a few days’ time. Let Sir Richard settle into his manor and then the three of us will introduce his new neighbour. Perhaps this old warhorse can annoy him enough to make him indiscreet.”
The next day my men at arms escorted Sir Richard to his new home. I understood his need to be presented alone as the new lord of the manor. Brother Abelard would be happy and my men would be able to help my friend to settle in. My archers hunted and scouted in the woods and I walked with my father, our squires and our pages around my castle. He approved of all of the improvements but, as we stood on the fighting platform above the gates and viewed the lower bailey, he shook his head, “You are thinking of this as a castle such as Stockton.”
“Not really but I like many of the features of Stockton castle.”
“We are luckier there, my son. The Warlord built a castle as part of the town. The town wall makes ours a stronger castle. We have a bigger river. Your strength lies in the hill on which stands your keep and your two baileys. Use them.”
“How?”
“You need to protect what you have. You have your smithy and your wool hall there already. What about your cattle? Your pigs? Your sheep?”
“They graze on the fells.”
“And there they can be raided. You have good pasture by the river. You have cut down trees already. Pull the stumps and grass will grow. Build cow byres and pig pens inside the lower bailey. Put the animals out in the day and at night they will be secure. You have dogs here, good dogs. Use this space. Your warrior hall in the lower bailey is unnecessary. Build another one close to your keep. You have begun well. Take it to the extreme.” He saw my worried look. “You have ransom. Use it! Buy stone!”
“Then I am here forever?”
“That is your choice. You can return to Stockton any time you wish although I have a feeling that you would not wish to leave these people until they had a strong lord and weaker enemies.”
He knew me well, “You are right and we will begin when my men return.”
We then rode the manor. My father knew only the main roads. I took him along greenways and hunter’s trails. I showed him where we had found enemies. In short, I showed him a complete picture of my land.
That evening, as we dined, he put his palms together almost as though he was praying. Then he leaned back. “The four farms and the house in the village are not a problem. David of Amble can reach your castle walls when he hears danger. They can be in your castle walls as soon as an attack is detected. It is Cedric the Sheepman, Rafe’s sons and Phillip the Priest who are at risk. You have to impress upon Cedric that if they are attacked, he makes his way here and leaves his sheep.”
“He will be loath to do that. The sheep are his life.”
“Then you must reassure him that you will make good his losses.”
“That would be expensive!”
“Not if you take them from those who robbed you.”
“You mean raid across the border?”
“The fact that you have not yet done so shows that you have honour but this is not about honour. Despite what kings might think or wish, this type of raiding has existed since before the Romans. While you are lord of the manor then you must be better at it than the Scots!”
“But what about the King? The Bishop?”
He laughed, “I defied King John and rid myself of an evil Bishop. Let me worry about that!” My father’s confidence terrified me.
Three days later Sir Richard returned with my men at arms. He had ridden to the border and my men had shown him wherein the danger lay. My father gave him the same speech he had given to me. “And tomorrow we give a different message to the Scots. If you are right, William, then whatever we say on the morrow will be sent directly to the Scots. They wish to play a game? Let us show them that we are better at it!”
We did not take my archers. I left them hunting and scouring the woods. They had found tracks, two days’ since, and Garth Red Arrow was keen to hunt down the scouts. We rode with banners and with polished helms. As my father said to me, we were making a statement. He was not only an earl but the leading earl of the north. Sir Eustace would have to defer to him. My father was the cleverest lord I knew. I watched him as we rode towards Rothbury, He was looking at every inch of the road as a potential battlefield. When he stopped us, which he frequently did, I said nothing but I knew he was assessing its potential for ambush. He knew my archers and how to use them well. He said nothing as we rode but I knew I would have a commentary when we returned home.
We halted two hundred paces from the castle. “A good position and a well-made castle.”
Sir Richard asked, “Is that why we stopped, lord?”
“Partly but mainly to allow Sir Eustace to begin to panic and wonder why the Earl Marshal of the Northern Marches is paying him a visit. He will have quarters prepared and a feast. When we tell him that we cannot stay he will be put out. A small victory but a victory nonetheless.”
We rode into the lower bailey. Sir Eustace, his wife and some knights awaited us, “Earl Thomas, this is an honour. Had we known we …”
My father gave him no chance to take charge of the conversation, “I have little time for the proprieties. We need to speak.” He bowed, “Good day, my lady, I am sorry to have arrived unannounced. Next time I will write so that you can prepare properly.” He smiled at her and then turned to Sir Eustace, “And now Sir Eustace, we need to have words!” His tone implied censure and I was glad that my coif hid my mouth. The illusion would have been ruined had they seen my grin. He strode towards the hall like a ship under full sail. Sir Eustace
was shorter and struggled to keep up with him. When we reached the Great Hall, he stopped and waited. I was in awe of my father. I could see that he had forgotten more about strategy than I would ever know.
Sit Eustace said, “Wine for our guests. I pray you, Earl Marshal, please sit.”
Richard and I flanked my father. He had told us to do so on the way to the castle. He sipped the wine. We did too. It was acceptable but my father wrinkled his nose and pushed the goblet away as though it was not good enough. He was playing a part. “Sir Eustace, there are many reasons for my presence. The first is to introduce the new Lord of Otterburn, Sir Richard.”
Sir Eustace beamed, “If there is anything I can do, Sir Richard…”
My father went on to the offensive, “Then that would be a first! When my son sent to you for help to recover captives he was ignored. Is this the sort of support Sir Richard can expect?”
“No, no, Earl I…”
“Sir James of Otterburn died and his people could have followed him yet you squatted like some toad behind your walls while my son saved them! It is not good enough.”
“I am sorry, my lord. I promise it will not happen again.”
“You hold your manor not as my son does, through Durham but through the crown. It would be difficult for you, Sir Eustace, if I were to recommend to the King that he appoints a different lord.”
The silky words slipped out so easily that Sir Eustace appeared not to notice them. When he did his face was a picture, “Earl! I beg of you! I will make amends.”
My father leaned forward, “Baron, I have also heard that there is a conspiracy in the north to take Northumberland and give it to the Earl of Fife. What do you know about that!” The word ‘you’ was emphasised.
The colour flooded from Sir Eustace’s face. “You think I am a traitor?” My father said nothing. “It is a lie! Who is spreading this foul calumny?”
“If it was just one source, I would ignore it, Sir Eustace but, since I have been north of the Tyne, I have had many reports of the conspiracy. You can see how your recent inaction makes you look guilty. You may be innocent. For your sake and that of your family, I hope so but know that I will be gathering knights and barons. We will be riding north to make this border safe. If that means executing traitors as well as bandits then so be it.” Silence fell in the hall. My father stood and smiled, “As I said, this is a brief visit although I shall be at Elsdon, Otterburn and Morpeth for a at least a week. Feel free to speak to me if you hear any information about the conspiracy. I am certain that, if you are innocent, you will understand the need to find out the guilty parties… for all our sakes.”