by Griff Hosker
"When I was an outlaw the priest there was kind to us. We can take shelter in his church and, as it is a grange, he has a barn. It is close to the forest in case we are pursued."
"It is many years since you lived there. He may be dead."
"He may but he was young. He was my age."
Henry had heard his words and said, "You put a lot of faith in this priest Sir Richard. He may have changed."
"He is my cousin. I trust him."
It was almost eighty miles to our destination. Had we not had to watch for enemies we could have travelled quicker but each time Rafe signalled that there were travellers ahead we took shelter. It was dark by the time we left the Great North road and headed west and south to the small hamlet hidden by the eaves of the forest.
Dick halted us by the forest. "If you stay here lord then I will go first. I do not want him frightened by mailed men. To those who live in the forest mailed men are oft time enemies."
After he had gone Henry asked, "Was he truly an outlaw?"
"He was and the archers who are with us were too. Sir Harold was an outlaw before he became my squire."
"And can you trust them?"
I heard a snort from Long Tom behind us. "You have fought with these men and seen them fight for me, your mother and you. What do you think?"
His head dropped, "I think that I should learn to think before I speak." He turned to Long Tom, "I am sorry if I offended you. I am young."
Long Tom grinned and said, "No offence taken, young sir."
Dick returned, "Come, my cousin Robert lives still. I will show you his barn."
With the horses unsaddled, fed, watered and hidden, we went into the rude hut which lay close to the church. The church was substantial and made of stone. We learned from Robert that Roger the Poitevin had built it.
I could see similarities with Dick but while Dick was broad and powerful the priest was thin and looked as though a good meal was needed. He tried to press food upon us but we had brought ham, cheese and bread. We shared with him. We might have to go on short rations soon but the shelter was worth the sacrifice.
Dick said, "How goes it here now, Robert? Is life as hard?"
"It is more unpredictable. It was hard and then the Scots were given the Honour of Clitheroe and the taxes have not been collected these four years. We have no protection but it is free to live here. The Bishop of Lincoln sometimes sends for his tithes but they are fearful of the outlaws."
"I thought they had all gone."
"They disappeared for a while and then when the Civil War began men sought refuge here. I do what I can for them and I minister to their needs." He peered over to Henry. "And this is the boy who will be king."
I think Henry bridled at the term boy but he remembered his disparaging comments to Long Tom and he merely nodded.
"He will be a good king."
The priest looked at me, "How do you know, Earl?"
This time it was Gilles and Richard who took offence at his tone. I shook my head at them. "He has served with us. He is brave but not reckless. He is thoughtful and yet decisive and he has lived amongst us. That is how we know."
The priest smiled and crossed himself, "Then thank the lord for that! The sooner he becomes King and ends this anarchy the better. I would not mind paying taxes for some peace and safety."
The next day we headed south. The Great North Road was no longer our route and we had other roads to use. They were narrow and rarely straight. They passed through smaller places but there were far more of them. It would be a tortuous journey. Every clutch of huts and hamlets could house enemies or alert our enemies to our presence deep in their land.
We had been travelling for a short time when Henry said, "I have a great responsibility do I not Warlord?"
"You do indeed."
"That tiny hamlet where we stayed is so small and yet a decision from me could either make their lives a misery or joyful beyond belief."
I said nothing for this was how I knew he would be a good king. He was learning.
Dick asked, "Do we try to ride until we reach Oxford, lord? It is a long way and our horses may suffer overmuch."
"No for I would do the last part with fresh horses. We know not where Stephen and his forces are. We may have to fight our way through their lines."
"Then I know of no other place we could stay." We would have to sleep in the woods and hedgerows.
"Bedworth, lord."
I turned to Richard. My squire rarely volunteered information unless he was confident and he sounded as confident, "Bedworth?"
"When I was a squire we stayed in the inn there. It is on the main road and visitors use it. The landlord seemed like a fair man and it is far from a castle."
Dick said, "That is dangerous."
"Perhaps, Sir Richard, but even if we are betrayed it is but fifty miles to Oxford. I offer the suggestion only. It is not perfect I know."
"We will try it. Who knows, it may prove to be the best decision we have made."
Bedworth had no manor. Rafe reported that when he returned to us after scouting it out. We had arrived before dusk. We had ridden a long way but we had not pushed our horses. The hardest day could be the next. "It looks quiet, lord, and I saw no warriors of any description." He grinned, "The inn looked inviting and it had a large stable."
"Then let us cast the die and see what befalls us."
The village had a green on which animals were grazing. It was not on the Great North Road , we had left that soon after our last halt and it lay off the cobbled road which led to Northampton, along a greenway. There were few people about as we rode through save one old man who was watching the animals. He knuckled his forehead as we passed and then stared at me. The inn was the largest building in the village and had two floors. We reined in and I handed my reins to Gilles. "Be ready for a swift departure." I wondered if the herder had recognised me. "Come Dick, let us see what sort of welcome we have."
The entrance was low and we had to stoop to enter. It was dark and the interior was lit by smoky tallow candles. There were half a dozen men inside. The owner, or at least, I assumed he was the owner, strode over to me. "My lord, what can we do for you?"
I was not certain if he recognised me but my spurs marked us as knights. "We have another nine men with us and twenty odd horses. We seek beds and stables for the night. Can you accommodate us? We have money."
He looked dubious. I had no doubt that there were many who would stay and try to leave without paying. A lack of gold was the least of our worries. I took out my purse and picked out an Imperial gold piece. It was a large coin and would pay for the inn never mind the rooms.
His eyes lit up, "Aye lord and we have the finest food between London and York here." He frowned, "I only have four rooms here in the inn but there is a stall above the stable."
"That will be fine. For that I want the horses grooming and feeding grain."
"Of course, my lord."
I nodded to Dick who left to fetch my men. I was weary. My shoulder and my knee ached. I sat, acutely aware that every eye was on me. My cloak covered my surcoat and they would wonder who I was. I doubted that many here would know my wolf emblem.
"Wine or beer lord?"
I knew that any wine he could have would be like vinegar and I saw that the locals all had foaming ale. "Your beer will be acceptable." I smiled when I saw the relief on his face. He would have had to apologise for the wine. Dick and my squires walked in. I knew that, for Henry, this would be the first time in such a place. He had been cosseted. He stayed in castles and fine halls, not inns with wildlife racing through the roof. "Fetch beer for us all."
They sat down and Henry peered around, nervously. Gilles said, "It will be fine Henry. These are just ordinary folk. The fare will be plain but wholesome and we will sleep in a bed this night."
I smiled, "The three of you will share a room. It may just be straw on the floor."
The ale arrived along with my six men. They sat at an adjacent t
able. The five of us on my table looked like nobles. The six archers looked like a bunch of cut throats. Men who might have ventured a comment suddenly found their beer more interesting.
We ordered food and I began to relax. Suddenly the door opened and the man who had been tending the animals stood there. The landlord said, "Tom Lame Leg, what are you doing here? You cannot afford even a horn of ale."
He said, "I just came to speak with the lord."
"Leave them be. They are important men and do not wish to be bothered by the likes of you."
He began to turn and I said, "Stay. Do you know me?"
"Aye lord. You are Alfraed, Earl of Cleveland and I served you and your father in Norton when the Scots came. I was there when he was killed. He was a fine man."
I stared at him desperate to bring a name to mind. He looked ancient. Then again it had been more than twenty years since my father had died. It suddenly came to me. "Tom, it is Tom, son of Garth! What happened to you?" He shuffled towards me. "Here, Gilles make room for an old comrade. Sit, old friend. Landlord, ale for this warrior and food too."
"Thank you lord, but I do not wish to be a bother."
"This is no bother. We fought together and that makes us brothers. What happened to you?"
"When you went to the east to our father's home in the city of the Emperor I had cross words with some of those in the manor. My wife had died of the fever and I drank too much. I was argumentative in those days. The lame leg didn't help. I left."
"Had you stayed there would have been a home for you."
"I know lord, but you were away a good six months and... well we all make mistakes. I went on the road and I had some hard times. I never took to the hood though. I was never an outlaw. Now I look after the animals. They let me sleep in their pens."
The ale and food had arrived. Tom looked up at me, "Do not wait for an invite. Eat and eat hearty. I do not forget an old comrade." I ate too. The food was well cooked but it was hard to digest for I thought how many other Toms had left my service. I had been so concerned about the Empress that I had forgotten so many. I could almost hear my father and Wulfstan chiding me. I saw my squires looking at the emaciated skeleton that was now Tom Lame Leg. I knew that they were wondering how he had been a warrior.
I finished my food and told them. "Old Tom here was a mighty warrior. When the Scots came and slew my father Tom was one of the few left defending his battered body. They were outnumbered but they fought as heroes. They had no mail like you, young Richard. They had a leather hauberk, an old helmet, a sword and a round shield but we sent the Scots packing."
There was pride in Tom's eyes and his voice as he said, "Aye, we did that, lord."
The food had been served, not on dishes but bread platters and Tom was about to devour the platter. "Landlord, more food and ale for Tom. He is my guest this night."
Dick understood Tom more than my squires. I could see Henry frowning as he struggled to understand why I was making such a fuss of this smelly old man. I began to become annoyed and then realised it was not their fault. All three had spent the time not with the poor, nor even the men at arms but knights and their equals. I reached into my purse and took our four gold coins and ten silver ones.
"We have rooms here and in the stables this night, Tom. I would have you share with us. The archers will make you more than welcome."
Dick nodded his assent, "Aye they will old friend."
"And this small pile of gold and silver is for you. I would urge you to take one of our horses and head north. Return to Stockton. There we shall find you a home. But if not then use it for yourself."
"I cannot take this lord! It is too much."
"I never released you from my service, Tom. You are owed this for your time since I left. Obey my command."
I saw relief flood his face. "Aye lord I will go home. I will go back to Stockton. I do not need a horse, I can walk."
"We have a spare horse and you hurt your leg in my service. The day we forget our old warriors is the day we lose." I looked over to Dick who nodded.
We left early but we made sure that Tom was safely on his way. Rafe gave him a spare sword and the moment he strapped it on he became a little younger and his back was straighter.
"It is some years since I had a sword, lord. Memories come flooding back to me. I will wait for you after your journey."
We rode with him to the Great North Road. With the coins in his purse he was a tempting target but he had a weapon and he could defend himself. As we turned south Dick said, "I feel happier for that encounter lord. I know not what put the thought in your head Master Richard but it was a good one. I wonder how many more of our former comrades who were wounded are in such straits."
"I know not but when we return home I will ask John to draw up a list of those old warriors who live in our manors. It would be a useful list to have. They could be a reserve in times of danger."
With happier thoughts than we had had we set off for Oxford. We would be leaving the Great North Road soon for Oxford had not existed before the time of the Saxons. The road was not as straight and there would, in all likelihood, be more enemies before us.
"Lord how do we get through their lines?"
"I have thought of that. They will have the town surrounded and will be suspicious of all riders but more so from the west. We will approach from the north east, Bicester, and we will wrap ourselves in our cloaks to hide our surcoats. If we meet any we try to trick our way past them."
Dick nodded, "Then we need Maud, Countess of Chester, she could trick her way into heaven, pick the Devil's pocket and be out before he knew it." It sounded insulting but he was right. Maud, the Earl of Gloucester's daughter, had more spirit and courage than most men. She had won and held Lincoln for us.
"Then we say that we are from York and I am Sir Roger de Lacy."
Henry said, "He is a supporter of Stephen is he not?"
"He is and we captured his brother at the battle of Lincoln. His brother died before he could be ransomed."
"Suppose he fights at the siege already, lord?"
"Then the ruse is up and we fight our way in."
We were approaching Banbury when we had some luck. Rafe rode back to us. He had been a mile ahead. "Lord there is a wagon broken down ahead. There are merchants and they have guards."
Dick said, "Should we find a way around them, lord?"
"No, we are twenty miles from Oxford let us try our disguise and hope that the merchants do not know de Lacy. His lands are far to the north. He did not fight at Lincoln. We gamble."
Dick was dubious, "Lord, it is one thing to gamble with our lives but Henry here is the future king. It is the country with which you gamble."
He had spoken quietly but Henry had sharp ears. "Do not worry Sir Richard, my family has a history of gambling. If they had not then my great grandfather would never have risked crossing the sea to capture a whole country."
"There. We have the approval of our next monarch!"
As we approached the guards around the broken wagon became wary. I held up my hands, "We are no danger to honest travellers. Can we help?"
"I am Ralph of Northampton. We are transporting goods to Bicester for the King and the wagon broke." He glared at the carters. "These fools charge me a fortune for inferior wagons."
"It is the metal we carry my lord. It is too heavy for our wagons."
I pointed to the spare cart horses they had. "Then pack some heavy goods on the spare horses. You will have to travel more slowly but that will still be faster than this will it not?"
Both the carter and the merchant smiled. The merchant snapped, "Get on with it then. Load the horses and get the spare wheel fitted." He turned to me. "I am indebted to you....?"
"Roger de Lacy of Fulford. It is near to York."
"I know of Fulford. I have sent goods there before. Would you do us the honour of travelling with us, lord? These are parlous times and I would be grateful for your protection. I will pay for food on the way."
"We are heading for the King's camp at Oxford and we should be there as soon as possible."
"Bicester is but a little out of your way and the King needs what I carry." He leaned over to me. "I transport a trebuchet. The King intends to assault the walls before winter."
I had heard of the trebuchet. It was more powerful than a mangonel. The Emperor had some. I knew that they were more complicated to make than a simple engine to hurl rocks. I nodded, as though reluctant, "Very well as you serve the cause of King Stephen then I will escort you."
"Besides Bicester is where he has a vast camp. You may find yourselves quartered there."
With my advice heeded we were soon on my way. I did not need to tell my men to watch their tongues. They played the part of dour northerners. If the guards thought them miserable and unfriendly it would not hurt our cause.
I rode with Ralph of Northampton and I spoke to him. "I had thought the siege and the war might be over. I heard that the Earl of Gloucester is in Normandy. With just the Empress to capture the war could soon be over."
"It is not the Earl of Gloucester who should worry you. I would have thought that living close to York you would have feared the Wolf of the North more; the fiendish Earl of Cleveland! I just thank God he is fighting the barbaric Scots. Let them both slaughter each other and keep us safe."
"He does not venture down to York overmuch."
"And for that you should be grateful. The mention of his names makes honest men lock their doors and double their guards."
"So the siege will soon be over?"
He shook his head, "The town has strong walls and the castle is protected by the river from the town. But by Christmas the King will dine in Oxford. Nothing gets in and nothing gets out of the town. They will starve soon."
We halted half way to Bicester. The merchant knew the road and there was an inn. We ate well and rested the horses. I could tell that Dick fretted about the delay. His eyes flickered at every new arrival. I believed it helped us. As we left an autumn squall struck us. It followed us intermittently all the way to Bicester. We had our cloaks pulled tightly around our heads to afford some protection and conversation was, perforce, limited.