by Griff Hosker
There were guards on the road into Bicester and we were halted at the town gates. "State your business!"
"I am Ralph of Northampton and I have materials ordered by the King."
I peered from under the hood of my cloak. There was a sergeant at arms and four men. We could slay them but that would do us no good.
"And who are you?"
"I am Roger of Fulford and I bring men to serve the King."
He seemed satisfied. "The wagons can be left on the south side of the town but you, sir knight, must travel to Temple Cowley, it is just a couple of miles from Oxford. The King has his main camp there. He will be pleased to see more men, no matter how few in number. His sergeant at arms will give you the passes you will need to travel. We are wary here. There are rumours of a rebel force in the east."
"Thank you."
And with that we were allowed through the gates of Bicester. The merchant's company helped us out of the gates and to the huge camp of wagons and supplies which were gathered there. Stephen was preparing for a an attack and from the number of wagons and carts it was imminent. We could not get to Oxford soon enough. We bade the merchant farewell and spurred our horses. I had planned on reaching Oxford before dark but the merchant had delayed us. It had been a fortuitous meeting for we were closer to Oxford than we would have been otherwise. We rode tightly together and we rode hard. The leisurely journey had saved our horses and with Oxford just ten miles ahead we could afford to gallop.
Rafe and Long Tom rode ahead of Dick and I. Henry, Gille and Richard were tight behind us with the four archers and the spare horses bringing up the rear. We found the enemy or rather the enemy found us, just half a mile from the walls of Oxford.
"Halt!" Eight men had a brazier at the side of the road. They wore leather armour and looked to be men of Northampton for I recognised the livery.
This time we could not afford to halt for we would be discovered. We had no passes and we were so close that we had to force the road. I drew my sword, "At them!"
Rafe and Long Tom had been ready with their weapons and they leaned forward to slash at the two men before them. Dick and I burst between them. The Sergeant at Arms thrust his pike at Dick who flicked it away and I brought my sword across the side of his head. Gilles and Richard slashed at and wounded two surprised looking guards and the other three fled. Their voices, however, had raised the alarm. There were others camped nearby. The dusk had hidden them from us but now I heard the alarm being repeated down the lines. We had our chance and I seized it.
"Gilles lead the horses and the squires towards the castle. Henry, you must gain us entry."
As they galloped past us I threw off my hood. I needed a disguise no longer. I grabbed my shield and we rode after our companions. I heard men rushing from our left and right. In the darkening gloom it was hard to make them out. We kept a hundred paces behind the last of the sumpters. We wore no mail. That was on our pack horses. It meant we could ride quicker. I heard hooves behind us. Glancing over my shoulder I saw four riders. One wore mail. Ahead I saw the walls of Oxford looming up and I could hear an alarm bell ringing within the town. In the time it took to look at the town walls and gatehouse, then back the riders were less than thirty paces from us.
"Dick, Rafe! Turn!"
I turned first and my move took the four riders by surprise. I brought my sword across the chest of the mailed man. The edge bit into his mail and the force of my blow allied to his speed threw him from his horse. I wheeled Rolf around and slashed at the back of a second man. I hacked through to his spine. Dick, Rafe and Long Tom took care of the other two. We slapped their horses on their rumps and they galloped down the Banbury Road with us.
The gates were still firmly closed when we reached them. Behind us I could hear the thunder of hooves as we were pursued. Henry's voice sounded shrill but he showed that one day he would command, "I demand you open the gate! I am Henry Fitz Empress!"
I shouted, as I reached the bridge, "And I am the Earl of Cleveland!"
There was a pause and then the gates creaked open. Above us I heard the crack of crossbow bolts as the defenders saw our pursuers. Dick and I were the last ones through the gates. We had made Oxford but now we would be trapped inside. We were besieged in the castle of Richard D'Oyly! But we had reached the side of the Empress. No matter how black things looked we had achieved the first part of my plan. I now had to work out a way to extricate her from the town and castle of Oxford.
Chapter 13
We hurried through the narrow streets of Oxford towards the castle. Word had spread of our arrival. I heard my name and that of Henry whispered and murmured as we rode through knots of people summoned by the sound of the alarm bell. As more came out they grew into shouts.
"Warlord, is your army following?"
"Praise God we are saved! The hero of Lincoln is come!"
"Have you come to defeat Stephen again?"
"We have Henry and the Warlord, what cannot we do?"
Those were the words I heard but there were others. I did not have the heart to say that the eleven of us were all the relief force which could be mustered. The Empress with Robert D'Oyly and her two ladies awaited us. I allowed Henry to dismount first and greet his mother. I followed and handed my reins to Gilles, "Sir Robert are there stables enough for our horses?"
He nodded, "There are stables enough but we lack grain and I fear that we shall be eating the horses soon unless the siege is lifted."
I spoke quietly as the Empress was hugging her son and I did not want to spoil the moment for them."I fear that there will be no relief. Stephen has war machines arriving. Soon he will begin to batter your walls."
The knight nodded, "Then we shall have to defend our castle. As you know the moat surrounds the castle and it will not be easy for him to break us down."
"But the town walls are vulnerable. I saw that as I rode in. I would bring in as much food as you can to the castle. Winter comes and that might be our best ally."
The Empress turned to me and said, as she put her hands on my shoulders, "You have done the impossible again and brought my son to me. Henry has told me that my messengers did not reach you. If it was not for your ship and his captain then we would be trapped here. Now that you have arrived we have hope once more."
I nodded not daring to break the bad news to her. "Your son has done well. He has been a good and faithful squire. I shall be sorry to lose him."
Henry looked up at me, "Lose me? But I am your squire!"
"No, for that office ends now. You are with your mother, the Empress. The two of you are the future of England. While your mother was free then we could indulge our belief that you and I could be knight and squire. Now is time for reality, Henry Fitz Empress. You will make a fine knight, is that not so Gilles?"
"Aye lord, he has learned well. He will easily earn his spurs."
"High praise indeed from a hard taskmaster. Now you must learn to be king. Your mother can begin to instruct you and then you must return to your father for if I hear aright then Normandy will soon be yours. You will be Duke of Normandy. That is a higher rank than is mine."
"But you are Warlord!"
I laughed, "And I answer to no one. If you are Duke then you have the King of France as a liege lord as well as the Pope. I have no such masters."
Maud put her arm around him, "Come we will get food and warmth." She smiled at Dick and the archers, "And I owe you seven a debt of gratitude too. Thank you for bringing my son safely home."
As we headed towards the mighty keep I wondered just how safe this castle really was. My squires and archers took the horses to the stables. I looked around at the walls: with a keep, a strong barbican and five towers I knew that we could hold the enemy at bay. Hunger and disease were different enemies. The Great Hall, in the heart of the Keep, was well lit and warm. The Empress had been about to dine and we ate well. While she caught up with her son I spoke with Robert D'Oyly about the defences.
"The city wall is not as
high as the castle walls but up until now Stephen has not tried too hard to take them. We are lucky for the gates have good strong towers. If he attacks there he will struggle and would bleed his army away."
"So as long as we can hold the walls of the town then we are secure?"
"Until the food runs out."
I looked at the plate of food before me. "Then in that case I would suggest we go on rations now. This will be the last feast until we are relieved."
"And where will the relief come from?"
"Unless Sir Miles or Sir Brian takes command no one until the Earl of Gloucester returns. I am assuming that he has been told of the danger?"
"We sent word by ship. Help should come." Sir Richard did not sound confident.
"However it might take longer than we thought. We may have two or three months to sit out the siege. Is that not so?" He nodded glumly.
After we had eaten I was shown my quarters. I was lucky enough to have a small chamber for myself. It was close to the Empress' and when there was a knock at my door I knew who it would be. Margaret and the Empress stood there. I admitted the Empress and Margaret nodded as she closed the door. She was loyal and discreet, she would watch the corridor.
Maud threw her arms around me and kissed me, "I have missed you and your strong arms."
"And I you but we both know these are fleeting moments."
"I know. Hold me tightly and I will keep the memory longer." We stood in silence and she sighed. It was a sigh of contentment. Eventually she pulled back and said, "Henry has told me all. The young are honest. Excommunication?"
"It was a threat. They could not have carried it out and even if they did it would not upset me o'er much."
"There you are wrong for the people would have had difficulty in following you had such a writ been issued. The ordinary people believe what the priests and bishops say."
"I think your son might disagree there. He seems to have a sceptical attitude towards the clergy."
She laughed, "That is your bad influence, my lord. You are making our son into a rebel!"
"Why did the Earl travel to Normandy? It seemed out of character."
"That was your doing. You had such success at Mortain that he wished to emulate you. Here he could only win small battles. There he can gain glory and treasure. All spoke of the chests of coins and treasure you brought back."
"I hate to say it but we need him and his men here now."
"It is that bad?"
"Food will run out in less than two months." I had given her the stark truth and it hit home. He eyes widened and I nodded. "I have told Robert that we now begin rationing. All of us must cut down what we eat and eke it out."
"I know you are giving me the worst but I believe with you here that we have a chance."
"I hope so but at the moment I cannot see how we can get out of this trap. With Stephen surrounding the town and but one way in and out we need a miracle."
The next day I walked the walls and saw myself that Stephen had decided to begin the assault. War machines were being constructed beyond arrow range. He had men moving huge shields into place to protect those who would work the machines. They would also provide cover for his archers and his bowmen. As I walked the walls with Sir Robert, Dick and my squires it became obvious to us all that we could not defend all the walls. Luckily we only had the four main gates but even there our paltry numbers of archers and crossbows would not be as effective as they might.
I shook my head, "When I think of the archers we have at home, Dick. Every farmer and burgher can pull a bow."
Sir Robert said, "I am afraid that the people of Oxford are a prosperous folk. They think that pulling a bow is beneath them. The garrison are all that we can depend upon."
"Then when Stephen takes all their goods and wealth from them they might reconsider."
The three of us made our plans. The castle did not need defenders. It could neither be overlooked nor assaulted. Therein lay a problem for if the town fell then there was no escape. The stream which led to the Thames and the moat around us had no bridges. We would be trapped. The barbican was well made as was the bridge across two moats to the castle. It was a castle within a castle. We placed our archers and crossbows in the gatehouses. I could not risk an attack at night and so they slept there, watching in shifts. The knights and men at arms were allocated a section of the town walls. Sir Robert forced the burgers to take up arms and watch the walls too. Their reluctance was in direct contrast to the attitude of my people when the Scots had besieged us.
Three days after we had arrived the Empress, Henry, the Constable and myself were summoned to the town gates. Stephen had arrived for truce. He had taken off his helmet and was flanked by William of Ypres and William Martel his two most experienced commanders. I stood next to the Empress and Henry.
As soon as he saw me he nodded, "It was you who sneaked into the castle. I thought it would be. You cannot stay away from the side of my cousin overlong and young Henry too. We are well met eh? Although perhaps the circumstances suit me a little better this time than the last time in Bristol."
The Empress asked, "What are your terms, Stephen? We are quite comfortable here."
"They are simple. Quit the castle and return to Normandy. Your brother and husband appear to be as successful there as we are here. I fear I have lost Normandy but then you have lost England too."
Henry began to become irritated and I said, quietly, "Be a squire again and listen. Do not rise to his jibes." He nodded. I said loudly, "I think England is too big a mouthful for you, Usurper. This castle is strong and even if it were to fall I have yet to see a foe who could take my valley from me. So long as I hold the valley then England shall never be defeated."
"Brave words from someone who has but a handful of his men with him. I know how many men you brought and a handful of Sherwood archers will make little difference to the outcome of this battle. If that is your decision then prepare for battle. When I capture you, cuz, you shall enjoy the hospitality of the Tower. It is less pestilential than Bristol. And as for you Earl, I fear this may be your last stand. You have not your knights and archers about you."
Dick said, quietly, "Let me send an arrow his way, lord! We can end this now!" I knew that Stephen's jibes had got to him.
"No, Dick, there is truce and it is not honourable." I turned back to Stephen, "I have enough. First catch me before you think to display my head!"
He nodded and turned away.
"They will come soon. He has a plan and he did not expect us to surrender. He just wanted to be seen to be doing the right thing. Henry, take your mother back to the Keep. You will need your new mail and helmet before too long."
Dick said, "I shall have my archers here, lord, at this gate."
"I will be here too. Sir Robert you know your knights and people best."
"Aye, I will keep about the walls. I will have pig fat and water ready. We will give them a hot reception."
The only bridges over the Isis were protected by three strong gates. The one upon which we stood had two small towers and Dick and his archers took their place in them. It afforded them a good view and a greater range for their war bows.
The enemy approached behind a wall of shields. They did not have many horses. There was no point. Stephen and his household knights were the exception. They were gathered on a small piece of high ground just to the north of us and safely out of bow range. I wondered if he posed a threat on his horses but there was a river before him. Perhaps he wished to intimidate us by showing how many men he had at his disposal. The enemy dragged the mangonel into position. As they began to adjust the tension Dick and his archers let loose with their arrows. The men working the machines fell to the deadly rain of arrows. William of Ypres quickly ordered shields to be raised to protect them. It was an illusion for as soon as they prepared to send their rocks at the walls my archers slew the men working the machine when the shields were removed. Even so they managed to hit the walls with a dozen or so rocks.
The damage was clear but they would still have to risk the bridges and there we had the pig fat and boiling water. It would take weeks to destroy the walls.
Gradually they worked their way closer to the walls using the huge shields and the shields of the men at arms to draw closer. Our archers took a terrible toll but Stephen's men moved relentlessly towards the river and the bridge. It was during the middle of the afternoon when they tried their first direct assault. We had the pig fat ready for them should they try the ram we saw approaching but Stephen was clever. Forty men ran forward carrying four ladders and protected by their shields. Their archers and crossbows sent a shower of missiles towards us and we sheltered beneath our shields. Had it not been for my magnificent seven archers then more would have crossed the bridge but only two ladders made it and were pressed against the walls.
I turned to my squires and the ten men at arms Sir Robert had left with me. "Now we shall see their mettle! Stop them before they reach the top!"
"Aye Warlord!"
We had rocks ready for this situation. The men at arms were strong and the rocks were big. My archers kept loosing at others who tried to cross the bridge but, inevitably some made it. I joined the men at arms who were hurling the stones at the knights and men at arms who were ascending. One was pitched from the ladder and fell with a crunch on the bridge. Others, however had done this before and they angled their shields so that the stones slid off the shields. I had my sword ready. Gilles and Richard watched one ladder while I watched the other. Thanks to Dick and his archers these were their only way in.
"Keep hurling stones at those who ascend. If you hit them from the side then their shields are less useful."
"Aye Warlord."
I saw the blue and white shield of the first knight as he closed with me. I did not strike his shield but I waited. His left hand held his shield and his right hand held his sword and the ladder. He must have thought there were no defenders for no one struck at him. As his face appeared above the crenulations he realised his mistake when I drove my sword through his open mouth and out of the back of his skull. As I withdrew my sword he tumbled from the ladder taking two climbers with him. Gilles and Richard had not done as I did and the knight had a foot on the walls before a man at arms swung his axe and bit into the side of the knight. He flew from the ladder and landed with a splash in the river.