by Griff Hosker
Chapter 7
We passed beneath Oxford's walls and headed for the castle. Surrounded by water and only accessible over a double bridge and a barbican, this was a strong castle. Sir Robert D'Oyly was pleased to see my banner as we rode through his gates. He rushed to greet us. I had persuaded him to defect to us a year since and he had loyally held this crucial castle since then. As the gates slammed behind us I breathed a little easier. These walls were more secure than those of Devizes. Once we were safe we sent messengers to tell the Empress' supporters where we were. I would have to rely on my ship to take the news north. The enemy knew and there was little reason to hide. If Oxford could not be defended then the war was over.
At the end of October we received news that the exchange had been arranged and made by Reginald of Cornwall and the Bishop of Winchester. It would take place in November. On the last day of October a column of horsemen was spied approaching down the Leicester road. The garrison was stood to but it was just Dick and his archers. They had received my summons. It meant I could send my Angevin archers and men at arms back to Leofric. I had felt guilty having deprived him of the best warriors. I said farewell to them and they headed down the road to Bristol. With Brian, Padraig and the others dead Leofric had just my archers who were English. Would he become Angevin as my son had become Norman?
With Dick and his conroi I now had the finest archers in England and the most dependable men at arms. I could face our enemy. 'Adela' had docked again at Bristol and was waiting for my men so that they could return to Anjou and my ship could trade once more. If I was to fight on I needed finances to do so. War is expensive!
"What news from Stockton, Dick?"
"The Scots have become increasingly active since your departure, lord. They raided the lands around Appleby a month since. Sir Hugh sent a message that many families had been enslaved and villages destroyed. There is a new constable at Carlisle. He is related to the Mormaer of Athol. He is young and seems to wish to impress Prince Henry, his liege lord. Sir Edward sends patrols to the north to keep them at bay but it is wearing. Wulfric is all for attacking them and putting them in their place but Sir Edward holds him in check. He finds it too peaceful at Pickering. We are awaiting your return, lord."
There was just the faintest hint of criticism in Dick's voice. I understood it. I had been away for far too long. "Wulfric is right as is Edward. If I was there I would lead our men and bloody the Scots' noses however so long as the situation here is as it is then I will agree with Sir Edward."
We were alone and we could talk. "The land is restless, lord. As I came south I saw many new castles being built."
That was ominous although I had done it myself. If there was a king then you sought his approval. While Stephen had been in captivity there was no king and the new castles which had proliferated would be a problem I would have to deal with. "When the Earl of Gloucester returns then we shall plan our campaign. We are weak but the enemy must be as weak as we."
"Aye lord but my men and I will be glad for a week or two of rest. We have been in the saddle almost daily since April. I fear our horses are as weary as we are."
"Then we will get more. I still have ransom gold from Normandy and gold from Count Geoffrey. He was generous."
While the Empress fretted about her brother I went with Dick, my three squires and my men to procure horses. We bought up every mount within twenty miles of Oxford however that yielded us but ten. As we rode back with the last of them I said to Dick, "If we cannot buy them then we will have to take them from our enemies."
Henry, who hung on our every word, asked, "Is that honourable, lord?"
"No, but it is both pragmatic and practical, Henry. We cannot prosecute the war without horses and if we cannot buy them then we take them. If we have them and the enemy do not then we are stronger."
Dick said, "Besides, my lord, if we take them from our foes we restrict the war that they can wage." My archer was aware that we were teaching a future king. His classroom was the back of a saddle.
The Earl of Gloucester and the other prisoners arrived at Oxford in the middle of November. He arrived on a stormy day which matched his stormy mood. His face was filled with anger. He was looking for a fight from the moment he arrived. Foolishly I gave him one. I regret it now but sometimes these things are meant to be. However it could have resulted in disaster.
It was the sight of Henry which sparked the row, "What in God's name is he doing here? He should be in Anjou with his father. If Stephen captured him then the war would be truly over."
His mother bowed her head. It was up to me to defend her decision. "The Empress thought that he should be in the land he will rule eventually and I brought him. His father approves. If the clergy and the people will not accept Matilda as Queen then perhaps they will accept Henry as king."
His eyes narrowed, "But I see your fingers all over this Cleveland! You see yourself as someone who can manipulate the boy! Is that why he wears your wolf?"
Henry, to his credit, stood up to his uncle, "I asked the Earl if I could be his squire! It was my choice and no one makes me do things I wish not to do."
"Quiet, boy and speak when you are spoken to!"
"And you, Earl Robert curb your tongue and give the man who will be your lord one day some respect!" I would not have my son spoken to like that.
"And who are you to speak thus to me?"
I was angry but it was a cold anger. "I am the man who fought the Scots at the Standard and captured Stephen at Lincoln. I am the man who rescued the Empress at Devizes and helped her husband capture Mortain." I paused. "I am not the man who caused the rout of Winchester."
His hand went to his sword. I kept mine at my side. "I could have you killed for that!"
"Why? Are you king here or just the bastard son of one? A word of advice, Robert of Gloucester, either take your hand from your sword or I will draw mine and the exchange with Stephen will be a complete waste for you will lie dead!"
He glared at me for a moment. I saw that the Empress was white and the room was deadly silent. Without looking around I knew that Dick and his men had their weapons ready. I was not afraid. If violence broke out there would be but one winner. However a battle between us would only harm the Empress and her cause.
He took his hand from his sword. He turned to Sir Richard D'Oyly. "I am your liege lord, D'Oyly, and I wish this man and his rabble ejected from this castle!"
Maud said, "We cannot fight amongst ourselves! We do the work of Stephen. You are both angry and have said that which should not have been said. Make peace for my sake."
I held out my hand, "For my part I regret my hasty words. Take the hand of friendship."
The Earl of Gloucester kept his hands by his side, "D'Oyly! You heard my command or shall I strip you of this castle too?"
He turned to me, "I am sorry Earl. I owe you much but..."
I nodded, "It is not your doing Richard. Take care of the Empress for me. I know I can trust you." I stared at the Earl daring him to do something about my insult but he just stared back. "Let us go. We shall return north where there are men I can trust. I am sorry to leave you, my lady, but you are quite correct a war only serves our enemies. When your brother has calmed then send for me and I will return." She nodded and I saw that she was crying. I turned to Henry, "Look after your mother, Henry."
He shook his head, "I am your squire my lord and I will follow your banner." He glared at his uncle, "Besides I will be safer in your company!"
"No!" I saw Matilda's face and it was as though she had woken from some dreadful nightmare.
"I must, mother, and you are safe here. This castle is as strong as any. I will return a better and wiser youth for I can learn more from the Earl than I can here. Unlike my uncle he knows how to win battles."
"Why you little..." The Earl moved his hand back to strike him.
My hand had my dagger at the Earl's throat in an instant, "Speak again and you shall lose your tongue! Gilles take Henry and Ri
chard and get the horses. Dick!"
"You can lower your sword, my lord."
I looked around and saw Henry Warbow and Ralph of Wales. Their taut bows were aimed at the Earl while Rafe and Long Tom were covering the others. Everyone knew the power of my archers' bows and no one moved. By the time we reached the outer bailey the horses were ready and our chests were packed upon the spare horses we had bought.
My archers mounted and the Earl of Gloucester pointed at me. "I will not forget this insult, Cleveland!"
"Good for I want our parting to haunt you! You are sending away the only chance you have of defeating Stephen. I once followed you for I thought you a leader. I was wrong. You are self centred and shallow. Your father was a true leader and he would be ashamed of you!"
He roared, "I shall kill you for that!"
"You may try but I suspect you will use the hands of others to do your dirty work. Farewell, my lady. You know where I shall be."
"Farewell; you are ever the Knight of the Empress. I will end this conflict. Take care of my son." Her voice sounded frail and weak against the wind and I left the woman I loved once more. I dug my spurs into the flanks of my horse and he leapt forward.
We were at Bicester before any dared speak with me. Dick asked, "Where to, my lord? The days are short and we have no tents."
"We push on to Lincoln. We will ride through the night." I turned to Henry, "You may regret your choice young Henry for this will be hard for even my most hardened veterans."
He nodded, "If you and your wounds can endure then so can I."
"Lincoln, lord?"
"Aye Dick. It may be that I can persuade the vacillating Chester to remain in the camp of the Empress. I might salvage something from this disaster."
The road along which we travelled was the old Roman Road called the Fosse Way. The biggest obstacle we would have would be the castle at Leicester. It was not a large castle and the garrison belonged to Ranulf, Earl of Chester but I did not want to take any chances. It was dark when we passed by the castle and we skirted its walls so that none saw us. It was almost midnight when we reached Lincoln. I did not attempt to enter the town but rode, instead, to the main gates.
"Who goes there?"
"It is the Earl of Cleveland and I would have conference with the Earl of Chester. Admit us."
"The watch is set and the Earl is not here. I will not wake the Countess!"
The ride had aggravated my leg and my shoulder and I was not in the best of humours. "I demand that you let us in."
"Demand away for..."
I recognised the voice straight away as, Maud, Countess of Chester shouted, "Robert open the gates; now!"
As we rode beneath the gatehouse I glimpsed the cloaked figure of Maud approaching across the outer bailey. "I am sorry Alfraed. My husband took the better men with him to London."
"London?"
"Aye, he goes to attend the coronation of Stephen and Matilda."
I was too late. "He changes sides again?" I dismounted and handed my reins to Gilles.
She took my arm and led me across the bailey, "Come into my hall. We will speak where it is warmer."
Her servants had banked the fire and we were struck by a wall of heat once the door to the Great Hall was shut. She looked questioningly at Dick and my squires, "You can speak before them besides this is Henry Fitz Empress. I think he has some interest in this conversation."
She smiled, "It is good to see you my lord and you are right. It does concern him. My husband is pragmatic. He attends the coronation but he does not yet side with Stephen. Does that make sense?"
"To me? No. But then I never understood your husband. Tell me, Maud, why do you stay with him?"
"He is my lord and...I know not." I saw her shake her head, "And how is my father?"
I would not lie to her, "We have had a falling out. He has threatened to kill me."
She laughed, "You two butt heads like Billy goats. You cannot have two such bulls in the same field. There can be only one. So, you return to Stockton?"
"Aye we do. We will stay here tomorrow unless you feel it would be wrong."
"Of course not. I am happy for the company and I can get to know my cousin Henry here!"
It was a good decision. A November storm blew in from the north. A month later and it would have been filled with snow. As it was it was filled with sharp raindrops which chilled to the bone. My knee ached! Maud insisted that we stay another day and I was grateful. Dick took the opportunity to try to buy more horses. He managed to buy four and Maud sent her steward into the town to buy bolts of cloth for our surcoats. The battles and the seas had taken their toll. When we reached Stockton then Alice would have to make new ones for my squires and me.
In the two days we were there Gilles and Richard took the opportunity of teaching Henry how to be a squire. They also gave him lessons with the sword. Both were accomplished swordsmen despite the fact that Gilles had had humble origins and Richard's training had been badly neglected by his lord. I could see that Henry would become proficient for he had natural ability. It came through his mother's line and, I liked to think, through his father. If he was to ride with my men then he needed to be able to handle himself.
We left when the weather abated. Maud was a little tearful as we left. I think she was fond of me. I had known her since she had been a child. "Take care of yourself, Earl. Do not let your honour lead you to an early grave. Farewell cuz. I look forward to the day that you are king."
"And when I am, cousin, I will not forget your kindness and your loyalty."
In times past we would have halted at York and enjoyed the hospitality of Archbishop Thurstan. The old man was now dead and the gates would be barred to us. I headed, instead for Helmsley and Wulfric. We would travel to the east of York. It was less than a hundred miles and we could do it in daylight if we rode hard and changed horses.
It was no surprise to me that we were spotted not far from Malton. Wulfric controlled his land aggressively. His men did not wait for trouble; like their master they sought it. William Longshank led the horsemen who met us, "A bitter day for a ride, my lord."
"Aye and your fire will be all the more welcome. How goes it William?"
"Quiet and that does not suit Sir Wulfric. He will be pleased to see you for he has been like a bear with a sore head without heads to cleave. Your return makes that more likely."
I remained silent. It would be best if my news were given directly to Wulfric.
His hall was not huge but it suited him for he was unmarried and had no household knights. He normally shared his table with some of his men at arms but that night he dined with Dick and our squires. As we ate I told him all from the victory at Mortain to the rout of Winchester.
He shook his head sadly, "Brian and Padraig and the others had a good death but it is sad that so many of our old comrades are gone. It seems that apart from Wilfred and Dick here, there is just Sir Edward and me left from the beginning of this adventure."
"I am afraid so. My men at arms are growing smaller in number."
"So, lord, we are alone?"
Henry piped up, "We have my father's armies in Normandy!"
Wulfric smiled but Gilles flashed an angry look at him. Squires, even of royal lineage, kept silent before their betters.
"It is worse than that Wulfric. The Empress has made peace with the Scots. When we fight them we disobey her. I will truly be a warlord, beholden to none."
For some reason that seemed to please him. "All the better. There are no rules when it comes to fighting the Scots. It is a pity winter is upon us else we could punish them this year!"
"We are banished until the Empress can send for us. We build our forces up until spring and then we ride to war." I had spent the journey north brooding about the losses at Appleby. I was angry and I wished to punish someone. It would be the Scots.
Wulfric insisted upon escorting us up through the valleys of the Cleveland hills to our home. "I have killed many bandits and brigands l
ord but there are always more. They are like fleas on a dog. I am surprised that the monks at Fountains Abbey and Rievaulx are not bothered more. We visit them to make sure that they are safe but they seem to like their isolation."
"The brigands fear hell. The Scots do not mind slaying monks but home grown bandits do."
Stockton was like a welcoming beacon as we waited by the river for Ethelred and the ferry. We were home. As we stepped aboard I saw that it was new and larger. "You have invested in a new ferry, Ethelred?"
He grinned, "It is worth the investment lord. Many people use this for it saves a long journey west. Besides I did not waste the old one. I can use that too."
December proved to be a cold, harsh month. It was a rude welcome to the north for young Henry who had been brought up in balmy Anjou where even the worst winter was like a cool day in a Stockton summer. He was made to feel welcome by all and there was so much for him to learn. Edgar and his brother, along with Aiden taught him about animals and hunting. Aiden took my three squires out each day to give them skills. It was good training for a knight and they were as safe in Aiden's hands as any. I had much to contend with in my castle. There were cases to be heard and John, my steward, had a long list of jobs he wished me to undertake and complete. I was also aware that my castle needed improvement. I had my mason, William, build new warrior quarters attached to the west wall.
Those tasks completed I visited with Alf and the people of my town. I confided in Alf for I trusted him. He had to know that we were now a rebel kingdom even within England. He was pleased to see me. He felt like we were now related for his daughter had married Sir John of Stockton, one of my household knights. I told him of the setbacks. I had learned that honesty paid.
"It will pass, lord. Even here we have heard of Lincoln, Winchester and Mortain. We know that we have had victories and we have had reverses. We know that Stephen will be crowned King once more. Here, in your valley, we prosper still. Goods arrive and leave. We all grow richer. I now have six forges and they work every moment of each day. It is good that we have iron so close to us. More settlers come to our fertile valley and there is work for all those who come." He grinned, "And I am to be a grandfather. Sir John has strong seed in him. I feel it in my bones that it will be a boy!"