The Duke and the King

by Griff Hosker

  I also had Leif Egilsson and Robert son of Henry. The orphan had no other family and I took him under my wing. Until my son sired me a grandson, I would be a foster father to Robert. I would mould him into a warrior. Both he and Leif were of an age and got on well. They also wore the same as my bodyguards. The difference was that they did not carry spears. They acted more as servants than warriors. If we fought then the two of them would defend my banner. I left Rouen in the hands of Leif’s father, Egil. The rebellion in the north had been a warning. I needed a strong hand on Rouen and all of my lords were vigilant.

  We were able to stay in the halls of my lords until we reached Évreux. Bjorn the Brave had the last stronghold before Frankia. I would not risk staying with any lord I did not know and we rode from Évreux to Paris in one long and hard day. King Charles had sent me a piece of parchment which acted as a surety to enter Paris. The last time I had been there had been many years earlier and we had had a fleet of ships. As we crossed one of the newly built bridges into the city I saw how much had been rebuilt. The buildings there put Rouen to shame. King Charles used diplomacy and not war. That was why he needed me. I had an army. The piece of parchment afforded me entry to the island in the centre of Paris. Here the buildings were even grander. My men had to camp by the river but my two young companions and I were given a chamber in the King’s hall. King Charles still held me in high regard.

  We did not arrive until after dark. The King and those guests who had arrived early were eating already. I was taken to a table which was far from the King. He nodded as I sat. I recognised some of the men at his table. I saw Count Arnulf. There was one there I took to be King Edward. He had some young men with him who looked like they could be two of his sons. I guessed I would know the names of the others. I had not fought them yet and so I did not know their faces. I did not mind eating with the lesser lords of Frankia. It gave me the opportunity to listen to their words while studying the faces of men who, one day, I might have to fight. I smiled as I sat for every face turned to me. I was used to that. I was well aware that old age had not diminished my size. All had heard of me. I had fought King Alfred. I had fought alongside Guthrum. Both of those legends were dead but I still remained and every eye looked at me to try to discover how. The followers of the White Christ believed I had a pact with the devil or I was the devil himself.

  Servants brought me a platter and ale. I took out my seax and carved a large slice from the wild boar we were eating. The men alongside whom I was seated moved slightly further away. It may have been out of politeness but I suspected it was fear. I learned that I was seated on the table with the men of Neustria. They did not like me. Until we had begun our attacks Neustria had encompassed not only what was now Normandy but the land around Orleans, Flanders and Provence! They were guarded in their words but they thought me an illiterate barbarian who would not understand them. I did. Their leader was Robert of Neustria. His father had been Robert the Strong and had tried to take the Frankish crown. I knew that King Charles feared him. I suddenly knew why I had been invited. It was to keep his rivals in check. My treatment of my rebels had sent shockwaves through my neighbours. The Archbishop of Rouen had told me that. I had not acted in that manner to achieve the effect but I would use it.

  The exception was Edgar. He was a warrior and a Saxon from Wessex. “I fought you, once, Count.”

  I turned to look at him. He looked to have seen fifty summers and so it could be true. I smiled, “I have fought many men but as you still live, I suspect you did not come within the compass of Long Sword.”

  He laughed, “No, Count. You hewed the heads of many of my friends. They were warriors.” He shrugged. “It is the end most of us expect. My name is Edgar of Haestingas.”

  “You are from Wessex?”

  “I am. I now serve Prince Athelstan, the King’s eldest.”

  “He will be King when King Edward dies?”

  “That depends. We are like the Frankish kingdom. The Eorledmen will elect the King.”

  I laughed, “When I die, and I do not think that death is long overdue, then my son William will rule.”

  “Do you not rule by the will of King Charles?”

  “You have fought me, Edgar of Haestingas. What do you think?”

  “I think that you are your own man and will do that which pleases you.”

  We both decided that politics was not a suitable subject and so we spoke of battles and weapons. For two old warriors, it was safer ground.

  As I finished a servant came to me, “The King would see you, lord, privately. When you are done, I will take you hither.”

  I stood, “Take me now. It was good to speak with you, Eorledman Edgar. Perhaps we can talk again, in the future?” He nodded. I smiled at those who had been at my table, “I will leave you now. Perhaps you will be able to talk more freely eh? Now that the barbarian has gone!”

  The servant took me up a stone staircase to a small chamber on the second floor. It looked like it would accommodate just four people. There were two goblets and a jug of wine. “The King asks if you would wait for him, lord. He will not be long.”

  I poured some wine. These days the closer it came to the time for sleeping the less ale I drank. I did not wish to spend all night making water. I drank more wine. It helped me to sleep. The King entered and I stood. I owed him respect. He waved me to my seat and then closed the door. “I have one of my trusted men watching the door. We can speak freely.” I nodded. The King had asked for this meeting. “Thank you for dealing with the Breton problem although I think you benefitted more than I did.”

  “The problem is not over, lord. I have heard, from my sea captains, that Alan, son of Alan the Great is abroad seeking support.” I hesitated, “From King Edward, I believe.”

  “You are well informed.”

  I shrugged, “What happens to the east of my land is a mystery to me but I keep my ear to the ground when it comes to the Saxon kingdoms and the threats to my borders.”

  “There are many who said you dealt harshly with your rebels.”

  I nodded, “And now we have peace and the rebels are gone. Count Arnulf will be dealt with when Brittany is firmly in our hands.”

  “And you made your son the Count of Brittany.”

  “I should have asked?”

  “Perhaps it would have been polite to inform me. After all, Brittany is part of Frankia.”

  “Does it really matter what we call ourselves so long as we are your allies and we protect your land from Danes and Norse who would raid you? Have I not done that which I promised when last I came to Paris? Have there been any raids on your people?”

  “I am grateful and I do not mean to censure you but there is a faction in my land which is trying to oust me. Duke Gilbert of Lothringia and King Henry both seek to unseat me. They are using Hagano, my wife’s cousin, as an excuse but that is all it is, an excuse.”

  “You need a son.”

  He nodded in agreement. “I need a son.” He drank some wine. He studied my face. He was building up to asking me a question. I did not make it easy. I let him struggle to broach the subject. “You know that Count Arnulf’s mother was one of Alfred’s daughters? He is a cousin to the King.”

  “I had heard that.”

  “King Alfred had daughters and sons in equal measure.”

  “I have heard that too.”

  “King Edward has a daughter, Eadgifu.”

  I laughed, “And people call us barbarians. At least we wait until our wives are in the ground before we seek another.”

  He had the grace to smile. “My wife was unwell for some time. I grew accustomed to the fact that she would die. She understood. I think that giving birth to six was too much for her. We kept trying for a son but…”

  “I do not criticise, King Charles.”

  “You can see that it is even more important that you do not raid Wessex.” I nodded, “And, for the time being, at least, you refrain from war with Flanders.”

  “That
is too much to ask, King Charles. The man tried to take half of my land.”

  “I know but you are no longer the chief of a clan. You are a senior noble of Frankia. You must behave differently.”

  “I am an old man, King Charles. It is hard to learn new ways. You hurt a Viking and you had better make sure he is dead for he will have his vengeance.”

  “And that I understand. I just ask that you wait until my new wife has given me a son. They say that revenge is a dish best served cold.”

  “And I am old. I would like to enjoy my vengeance.”

  “Then let me sweeten the taste for you. I will confirm your son’s title and make a gift of one thousand pounds of silver to ensure that you have no need to go to war with Flanders. You could use the silver to build strongholds which would make it hard for the Count to repeat his attack.”

  That was a tempting offer. The new lords in the north would struggle without men to farm their land. I could use the money to build halls which could be better defended and to encourage men to settle in the deserted farms and villages. I nodded, “Very well, Highness but you need to watch out for your enemies. I have also heard that Robert of Neustria is building an army.”

  “And I have heard the same. If he attacked me would you come to my aid?”

  Robert of Neustria was every bit as much my enemy as the King’s. In addition, the land to the east of Normandy and Brittany was now the only land into which we could expand. “Of course. It would be an honour.”

  I saw the relief on his face. He would just need to mention that and it would prevent Robert of Neustria from attacking. We were a force to be reckoned with.

  “While you are here it would be good for you to speak with the other princes, dukes and kings. They are all fascinated by you and your reputation.”

  “They want to know if I am the barbarian they all think I am. I understand.”

  “You are clever, Robert. I have seen that. Your physical appearance belies the leader within.”

  Robert and Leif had been given food to eat with the servants and they had gone to the chamber to make it more comfortable. When I entered, I saw that they were both alert and the hands were on their daggers. I smiled, “Trouble?”

  Leif shook his head, “Nothing that we cannot deal with, lord.” I saw that his knuckles were bloody. He saw my look and smiled, “One of the pages of the Count of Flanders made a disparaging comment. He will not smile for a while. He lost two teeth.” Egil had taught his son well.

  “Keep your eyes and ears open tomorrow. We wear our byrnies beneath our tunics. We have enemies here and it may come to more than knuckles and teeth. While my horsemen are away then you two will watch my back. I do not fear any man but assassination is something they all use. I need to know where Olaf Olafsson is hiding. If you hear his name then let me know.”

  “Aye, lord.”

  “And Robert? You have seen to Blue?”

  “He is content. The other horses give him space. He is like their king.”

  “Aye, Erik has bred a fine animal.”

  I had not known the Queen. I had never met her and I was detached when she was laid in the tomb in the cathedral. Instead, I watched faces. I looked at alliances. King Edward and his sons stood with Count Arnulf while Robert of Neustria huddled with Duke Gilbert and King Henry the Fowler. Eorledman Edgar stood close to the Prince of Wessex. None stood near me. Robert, Leif and myself were shunned. I saw the hated Lord Hagano. The Frankish nobles did not disguise their feelings for him. It seemed to me that he was even more unpopular than I was with them. The exception was Count Arnulf. He seemed just to glower and glare at me through the whole ceremony.

  There was a feast afterwards. We did not sit. Trestle tables were laid in the cathedral and we ate standing up. I had promised the King that I would behave but I did not say I would not speak. I boldly walked up to Count Arnulf of Flanders. He was standing with King Edward. I towered over both of them. Even my two companions were as tall as the two leaders. I smiled, “Count Arnulf, tell me, does the traitor, Olaf Olafsson, still cower in your land?”

  “The Count of Djupr is still my guest.”

  “He is no longer Count of Djupr. There is another. Count Mauger is a fierce warrior and, unlike Olaf Olafsson, is not foresworn. I can trust him.”

  King Edward said, “You have had great success, Count Robert, but it cannot last. We have curbed the Vikings of Northumbria. They are a relic. I accept that they once had power but my father ended that reign of terror. He humbled Guthrum.”

  “I would not know, King Edward, no King has ever humbled me.”

  Count Arnulf said, “There is time.”

  I turned to face him, “Count Arnulf, I have promised my friend, King Charles, that I will not attack Flanders. I keep my word, you will be pleased to hear. A word of warning, however. If any Flemish warrior crosses my border then I will regard that as an attack on me and I will respond. My response will be both swift and terrible. Before you unleash my anger think carefully and tell Olaf Olafsson that my reach is long.”

  “And what of my land, Count Robert? Is that safe from your privations?” King Edward’s voice was curious rather than threatening.

  I smiled, “Of course! There is nothing left to take!”

  We left two days later. My horsemen had much to tell me. They knew where Olaf Olafsson was to be found. Richard son of Sámr Oakheart told me, “There is a fishing village to the north of Bruggas. It is surrounded by marshes and silted rivers. The Romans called it Caletum. Olaf is to be found there. It is believed he is safe. The Count of Flanders has built him a hall.” I raised my eyebrows. “It is said he will become Count of Normandy when you die and your son is defeated. He has been promised as much by Count Arnulf and the King of the East Franks. The other lords who fled you when you came north live there too. They wait for the day they will be given Normandy!”

  “You have done well. Do you think we will be hindered on our way home?”

  Gilles, son of Erik snorted, “The ones we spoke to, lord, were not real warriors. They told a good tale but they were not warriors. They are the popinjays who dress well and never have to fight. They thought because we dressed as we do that we were the same. We let them believe that. I looked at their horses in the stable. They do not even use stiraps. They have the saddles like the Romans used. It is as though they are babies learning to ride.”

  Gilles knew horses. His father had had him on the back of a horse as soon as he could walk.

  “Good. We will let them think we ride home but I intend to visit with my son. There is much that he needs to know.”

  We told no one of our destination. My men thought that there was little chance of ambush. I would take no chances. If we just disappeared when we left Paris then their chances of causing mischief would be limited. The journey to Nantes was arduous but, ultimately, proved free from danger.

  My son had worked hard. He had built a good wall and there were two towers close to the waterfront. He could defend his ships. The Great Hall was like a palace anyway. He had improved it and he and his wife were comfortable. Sprota was a pretty young thing. If she resented being the wife of a Norman, she did not show it. She looked like she would be able to bear children well. I knew that Poppa, my wife, had not had an easy time. Gefn had said it was because she was not broad in the hips. Sprota had no such problem. She appeared to be in awe of me. William, for his part, looked to be genuinely fond of her. The fact that she was a Breton noble’s daughter could not hurt. We went to one of his rooms and I told him all that had transpired since I had left him. As I had expected, he was angry about Olaf.

  “We will make him pay!”

  “I will make him pay. You need to make this land secure. Robert of Neustria is casting covetous glances here. The former Count lives in his palace at Poitiers. He is not yet done with us. There is another who seeks to be Duke of Brittany and that is Alan who lives in Wessex. He calls himself Duke of Brittany and he has the support of King Edward.”

&nb
sp; William smiled, “You have done so much for this land, father. When do you rest?”

  “When I am in Valhalla!”

  He laughed, “Do not let the priests hear you say that!”

  “I worry not about priests. They worry about me. And I am pleased that you have settled down. Sprota looks to be a good wife.”

  He hung his head a little, “I know not about settled, father.”

  “You still lie with other women?”

  He nodded, “It is in my nature.”

  “You have that from your mother! Have you fathered any bastards then?”

  “I may have. I know not.”

  “You will need a son from Sprota, perhaps two or three!”

  “Why? You had a brother and that did not work out so well.”

  Only my son, Sámr or Bergil could speak to me like that. I nodded. “Perhaps you are right. I will leave for home on the morrow. Let us not be distant. Write to me or send a trusted messenger. I need to know when you have a son! Until you do then all that we have done is at risk.”

  We rode home via Rennes for I wished to see if Bergil Fast Blade had fully recovered. I was delighted to see that he was looking much healthier. He had had an easier task than my son. Nantes had been the home of the Breton dukes and loyalty there ran deep. Rennes was closer to Normandy. We had never raided it and Bergil was a good ruler. He had been accepted. He had even taken another wife. She was Breton. She looked a little old for childbearing but Bergil had been hurt badly when his wife had left him. I think he needed the reassurance that it had been his wife’s flaw and not his.

  It was not planned but I headed to Sámr’s stronghold at Caen. His son, who rode with me, was pleased. I had not told my men but I had plans to deal with Olaf Olafsson. To complete them I needed Sámr. Caen was a solid stronghold. It rivalled Rouen. The river was not as protective but if Rouen was ever lost then I would live in Caen. I told Sámr what I had learned and then explained what I had planned.