The Bloody Border

by Griff Hosker

  I rode with my son to see Sir Richard. The three knights needed to know my plans. If I was able, I planned on sending my knights and married men home for Christmas. To do so meant ending the threat of the Eliot clan. I had written to both the Bishop and the King. The King’s letter would not reach him until the Spring. Sir Geoffrey would have to be away from my daughter until a replacement could be found. It could not be helped. Sir Robert, Sir Peter and Sir Richard had already scouted out the border and the tower. As my son had surmised, they had learned from his attack. There was now a ditch, and the tower was permanently manned. My son had learned too. He knew that fire could be the most effective means of destroying a tower. We would use fire to destroy it. We decided on an attack in two days’ time. The freezing weather had actually helped us. The ground was as hard as rock. If there was a thaw then we might have difficulties but, at this time of year, thaws were rare.

  Sir Ranulf and his thirty men arrived. Twenty were either men at arms or crossbowmen. The other ten were farmers who had horses. Morpeth had rich farmers. The quality of their arms was second to none. I was not sure of the quality of the men wielding the expensive weapons. My son thought that Black Bob would have made a fortune from his farmers. We left six men to guard the castle at Elsdon. They would also help the men of the village to continue to rebuild their homes. Although they each had a roof there was much to be done to the interiors. We rode first to Otterburn where the rest of the men awaited us. There we loaded our wagons. We were taking two. They would be strong points beneath which we could shelter and they carried that which we needed for the short siege we had planned. I hoped that they would not expect us until the spring and that, unlike my son, they would have failed to lay in adequate supplies.

  If we had wanted to have complete surprise then we would have ridden at night. I chose to arrive in daylight for I wanted none of the rats to escape. I sent our archers on a long ride to the north, east and west of the hall and tower. They would stop an escape. I planned on setting up a perimeter during the day and attacking at dawn the next day. The fact that they would be expecting it would be offset by the fact that they would keep watch all night too. My son had told of his sleepless nights while he had waited for a Scottish attack. For lesser men that would have a debilitating effect. We rode beneath our banners. I wanted them to know who came for them. This was another reason for a daylight attack. I had no doubt that watchers along the route had warned them of our imminent arrival. They would send riders for help. Those messengers would perish at the hands of our archers. As we neared the tower, and as snow began to fall again, I saw men hurrying to the top of the tower and manning the fighting platform of the hall. My son pointed out another recently added feature. They had added a wall to connect the tower with the hall. That was lined with men. The Scots were using crossbows and hunting bows. They would wonder where were our vaunted archers. When arrows fell onto their backs, they would discover the answer.

  We dismounted and tethered our horses. Each knight had been allocated a section of the perimeter to watch. Men went to the woods to hack down smaller trees. We would build a barricade. We would have our own fort. There would be women and children in the hall. We had brought with us, Brother Abelard. He was a brave man and he volunteered to walk close to them and deliver a message. We had none of our archers but I had Sir Ranulf’s crossbowmen watch for treachery.

  “I am here to speak for the Earl of Cleveland.”

  A voice from the tower shouted, “Speak priest and be quick. We are watching for tricks.”

  “No tricks. You are surrounded but the Earl Marshal is aware that you have women and children with you. He guarantees them safe passage.”

  There was a loud laugh, “They need no such guarantee for your attack will fail and help will come from the Earl of Fife.”

  It was as I had suspected. They had sent for help as soon as we were spotted.

  Brother Abelard persevered, “No matter how well-intentioned we are we cannot guarantee that innocents will not suffer.”

  “We have heard enough, priest. Move beyond the range of our crossbows or you shall die where you stand.”

  Brother Abelard returned to us. I smiled at him and put my hand on his shoulder, “You tried and, when we attack, we will be mindful of those without weapons.”

  “I was in Otterburn, lord. Good intentions are often not enough, I will pray that the Good Lord watches over them.”

  While half of the men watched the other half toiled. We built a low palisade of stakes to stop a nighttime attack and then we built shelters. With fires lit from the branches we had taken from the hewn timbers, we cooked the food we had brought and we waited. It was dark when David of Wales and some of our archers began to arrive. They had done their job and, moving in, they had sealed the circle. I had no doubt that the men at the top of the tower had seen them. They would now know that their message had not got through. I was with my son and we were the ones closest to the tower. When we attacked, we would have the hardest task. After we had eaten, we set half of our men to watching and the other half to sleeping. We had no intention of spending a long time at the siege. A little loss of sleep would not hurt any of us and neither William nor myself wished to risk a nighttime sortie.

  At dawn, we fuelled our fires to cook our food. We would also need the fires for a secondary purpose. If my plan succeeded then we would fire the tower. We brought forth the pavise we had made and carried in the wagons. We erected them within bow range. The crossbows were the only weapon which could reach our pavise. The bolts sent from the top of the tower thudded into them as they were marched forward. Men at arms then escorted archers and crossbowmen to them. When they were all in position, I had Matthew sound the horn and from around the perimeter bolts and arrows were sent towards the defenders. They were not sent blindly. They were aimed at those with crossbows and arrows. There was no arrow storm. My men aimed. When one crossbow and its operator tumbled from the top of the tower there was a huge cheer. It heartened my men. We knew that others had been struck but that tumbling warrior was a clear sign that we were winning. We cleared the top of the tower. Arrows came from all around and while they could protect men on one side most were hit by arrows in the back. When the returning arrows diminished and then died it was time for the next phase of our attack. Knights led our men at arms to carry kindling towards the base of the tower. We did not worry about the hall. If the tower was destroyed then the hall would fall. We used teams of men. Three men ran together. The knight carried the kindling and he was protected by two men at arms with shields. It made sense for it was the knights who were the best protected. We had the best hauberks and helmets. They forbade me from taking part. They persuaded me by pointing out, quite rightly, that my wound would slow me up and I would be putting two men at arms in jeopardy.

  We lost two men while we completed that. They were both from Sir Ranulf’s contingent. They had not fought together. When my son advanced, he was with Roger Two Swords and Wilfred of Sheffield. They moved as one. They even had to endure spears hurled from the top of the tower but they still placed their faggot at the base of the tower. When it became obvious what they were doing, the defenders tried to clear it. The door opened and two men tried to use spears to disperse the faggots. One was struck in the hand by an arrow and the other in the foot. They did not try to repeat it. By the time the sun was setting we had almost enough oil-soaked faggots around the base to attempt a fire. David of Wales had shown the other archers how to make fire arrows. We had had time and they had made resin covered bag arrows. They had to be prepared in advance. The advantage was that they were guaranteed to burn and unlike the cage type fire arrows would not be doused when they struck wood. Every archer had three such arrows. Teams of eight moved behind the pavise. We had a burning torch to ignite them. The first arrows flew true and struck the oil-soaked kindling. The faggots smoked and then erupted in flame. The defenders tried to use water but Sir Ranulf’s crossbowmen discouraged them. We sent another fou
r arrows at the kindling to encourage the fire and then saved the others. We had a hall to attack and that was made of wood.

  Darkness fell but we hardly noticed for the flames leapt up the walls of the building. It was made of stone but the door was not. The flames began to burn the door and the intense heat began to crack the mortar. We heard shouts from within. Water hissed as they hurled water to try to slow down the flames. There were arrow slits in the walls and when we saw smoke emerge, we knew that the fire had spread to the floor of the tower. The tower was made of stone but the interior was wooden. Floorboards would burn. Once it ignited the stairs or ladders within then the ones in the upper floors were doomed. They could climb to the top and then all hope would be gone. I saw ropes cascading from the top. No-one attempted a descent. That would be foolish until there was no other choice. Smoke began to pour from the top. The falling snow did little to slow down the voracious flames. The first man who attempted to climb down was struck by an arrow. It delayed the others but when we saw flames licking the top then we knew the end was nigh. They cascaded down the ropes. Some made it but most did not. Some were struck by arrows while others could not hold on and they fell to the ground. Then there was just the crackle of the fire as the flames consumed the tower. The wood which had been used to build the framework burned. A huge part of the upper tower suddenly crashed to the ground. It fell on a section of the newly built wall. Men died. The tower took a night to die. When dawn broke half had fallen and the other stood like a jagged stump.

  I nodded. The first part had succeeded. The second part would be harder. We would have to use men to clear the newly built wall and the outbuildings so that we could burn the hall down. I hoped they would send the women and children out before it came to that. Such a decision was out of my hands.

  We ate and we prepared. I had the horn sounded and we stood to. We would attack from all sides. We estimated that more than twenty men had already died. That number again must have been wounded. I gambled that we outnumbered the survivors. We made a shield wall. I was flanked by my son and Ridley the Giant. Our squires and pages would not attack. They would wait to come to our aid only if we fell. Behind us, our archers formed up. This time there would be an arrow storm. All around the beleaguered hall and newly built walls our men were forming up.

  I said, over my back, “Now Matthew!” My son’s squire blew and the horn sounded three times and we began to march. We stepped on to our right legs and held out shields before us. The arrow storm worked but, even so, I still felt the bolts as they thudded into our shields. Had I been using the crossbow I would have aimed at the legs. Luckily for us, the Scots did not.

  We had spears for the wall they had built was the height of a man. When we had been watching, during the night, we had seen that the wall was not well mortared. In fact, it looked to have been laid in a hurry. We marched in time. Stones, as well as bolts, cracked into our helmets and shields. I heard a grunt as one of our men was felled. One of those from the second rank took his place. I knew that I was one of the lucky ones. I had a helmet with a visor. A stone could not harm me and it would take an incredibly lucky bolt to penetrate the eye holes. I saw the shields and the faces of the men behind them. They were not a continuous line. As we neared it, I saw a warrior raise his axe as he prepared to smite me. We were too close for bolts to hurt us and I raised my shield as I thrust upwards with my spear. Although the axe hit my shield and shivered my arm, my spear slid under the arm which held the axe and I pushed hard to drive the long spearhead into his body. He began to tumble and I stepped closer to the wall to allow his body to fall behind me. Putting my back to the wall I rammed my spear into the snow-covered earth and dropped my shield. I cupped my hands. Harold Hart was a big man. He ran at me and, placing his foot in my cupped hands, I thrust him upwards. He soared above the wall and I heard him land with a thud. All along the wall others were doing the same. Leaving the ones who had jumped to clear the fighting platform, I led the rest of my men to the door of the hall. We had the option of fire but the defenders saw that they had lost. The gates opened and a mass of humanity flooded out. My men had been told what to do. We stood back. The women and children were allowed to flee unharmed. The warriors were slain. It was too easy; they came out piecemeal. Behind me, I heard the sounds of battle on the fighting platform as my men swept it clear. I pointed my sword and Ridley the Giant led my men into the hall. There would be Scots who were hiding. We would find them and slay them. I had not seen Sir Eustace nor the Earl of Fife. We had caught sight of Sir Malcolm but that had been the day the siege started and he had been in the tower.

  By dawn, there were none left alive inside save for an old man. He had been the last and he stood facing my men while holding an old axe in two hands. Ridley would not hurt him. He walked up to him and tore the axe from his hand. “You are a brave one, old man, but we have killed enough.”

  I said, “Where is Sir Malcolm?”

  “His lordship burned in the tower, you English bastard.”

  I nodded, “Give the man warm clothes. We take what remains and then we burn the hall.” I pointed to the man. “Tell your clan that they may rebuild here but if they ever raid Otterburn or Elsdon then I will salt the land! Now go!”

  It was morning before we had gathered all their animals and emptied the hall. We found their treasure buried in the cellar. There was a chest with two hundred pounds in silver. We took it and then fired the hall. Their horses had all been in the stable and we returned to Otterburn with horses and wagons which were laden with booty. The first part of my task was done. The next would take a little more time.

  Chapter 19

  Sir Ranulf left us at Otterburn. I had spoken to him and he understood my mind. He would not become lax and he would aid the two young border knights. I sent my knights and most of my men home. I kept a handful of the single men. The rest would get to return home to their families. Christmas was almost upon us and they were eager to return home now that the danger had passed. I chose to stay in Elsdon. My wife would not be happy but she would understand. Our son would not be alone.

  After our knights had left and we had rearranged the sleeping arrangements, we dined. My son said as we sipped wine we had fetched from Sir Malcolm’s hall. “You need not do this, you know. I am content here alone.”

  “I do it not only for you but for myself. We had to do what we did. I regret nothing but it is an act of war.” I saw William about to speak, “I know that the Scots began this and their raid on Yalesham as well as the attacks on Otterburn and Elsdon were acts of war as well as banditry. The difference is that we succeeded. We defeated their knights. We damaged their ability to attack us. However, the Earl of Fife was not amongst the dead. He will be bitter. As soon as he can he will seek an audience with the King of Scotland and demand action. If action is forthcoming then I need to be here. I can do as I did this time. I can order Sir Ranulf to join us. More, I can order the knights of the New Castle and the rest of the County to follow my banner and defend this border. Personally, I do not think that the King of Scotland will stir himself. He seems a little indolent or perhaps he plays a game.” I saw William nod in understanding. “And of course, it saves me two journeys in deepest winter. I promised the people of Gilsland and of Carlisle that I would rid them of the threat of Hobkirk and I will do so.”

  We enjoyed a joyous if somewhat frugal Christmas. There were many young children in the castle and village. Their happiness made up for the fact that the special foods the women had prepared for the feast had been consumed by the Scottish and English attackers. I had Sam and William and I was content. The wine we had taken was good and I just enjoyed being with my son and grandson.

  The rest of December and January passed. Had I wanted to I could not have left. Elsdon, like Bellingham, Otterburn and the rest of the north was cut off by snow which fell for a fortnight. If my son had not laid in enough salted food for a longer siege then things might have gone ill. We finished the fresh food we had brought when w
e had razed the Scottish manor by the third week in January. When we could not get out, I played chess with William and Sam. It was training for war. My son showed how much he had grown for he took men to visit Otterburn and Bellingham. It was hard going but it had to be done. The few miles took three times as long as it should have done. He did it to reassure himself that they survived. He even went to Rothbury. Still, without a lord, the people were suffering but they survived too.

  In the depths of winter, we had a wedding to celebrate. Robin Greenleg married one of Rafe’s daughters, Eleanor. This was a close community and there were many unmarried women. It gave us a cause to celebrate as January drew to a chilly end. Until the thaw, they would have to live in Rafe’s new farmhouse. I gave them five silver pounds as a dowry. It was part of my share of the booty from Sir Malcolm. I had money enough. I remembered when I had been a newly married husband. Five pounds would have seemed like a king’s ransom.

  When February came it brought a thaw. The weather did not feel any warmer for the wind blew from the icy hills to the west of us but gradually the snow started to disappear. It made the rivers rise. The leat had been repaired and we were able to manage the flooding which ensued as water flowed over ground which was still frozen below the surface. Mounds of ice remained in the places where we had made paths. We needed the thaw. The animals were running out of feed. William’s farmers did not want to slaughter the animals they had husbanded but they would if the alternative was animals starving to death. The grass in the pastures would be their salvation but only when the snow went and the floodwater followed.

  This was not my manor and Henry Samuel watched my son as he went about the business of the lord of the manor. Sam was learning how to run a manor. If he became a knight it would be his work too. My manor was too big for such lessons and I had people who took the burden from my shoulders. We were standing on the gatehouse watching William, his farmers and his men diverting the flood water into the ditch around the castle. Even while we watched we saw the waters start to recede and muddy grass appear.