by Griff Hosker
I had given my riders more than one letter. The ones riding to the Flemish and Poitevin borders would be away for four days. The ones closest would arrive first. I marched with the men from Rouen and from Djupr and Caen. Between us, we had four hundred warriors. Bagsecg of Montfort and his horsemen would already be at Évreux. I knew that King Charles would have expected me to drop everything and run to his side but I had to plan. We had wagons filled with darts, stones, arrows and javelins. It would not slow us down as most of the army marched. We were not as slow as a Frankish army.
When we reached Évreux I was relieved to see that it had a huge armed camp surrounding it. There were men loyal to the King as well as his Lothringian warriors. Many of my men had already arrived and I saw that Bagsecg had taken charge of all of the horsemen. They would be our secret weapon in this war.
Bjorn was pleased to see me. He was not used to the company of kings. The King was with him and Count Fulbert who led the Lothringian contingent. Hagano, the King’s adviser, appeared to be absent.
“Count Robert, you came. I was not sure you would.” The relief on the King’s face was clear to be seen.
“I gave my word.” I looked around. I could not see the main reason for the King’s dilemma, “Where is Hagano?”
“I sent him north-west to gather more warriors and to bring them here.”
“He has not returned yet?”
The frown showed me that the King was unhappy that he had not returned, “Hagano is a good man and he will bring warriors to us.”
“And the Queen?”
“She took my son back to Wessex.”
“She would have been safe in Rouen.”
He smiled, “I know but she feared for our son. There is a channel between our enemies and her father. Her brothers will care for her.” King Edward had recovered from his illness and now ruled England once more. “I am content for we can fight this foe without worrying about my family.”
“And where are your enemies? Where is King Robert?”
Count Fulbert shrugged, “We think in Laon to the northeast of us.”
Such poor intelligence was disappointing. “Why has he not advanced to Paris to occupy the palace and gain control of the capital?”
The King said, “I believe that he worries the citizens still support me. He has the support of the nobles but not the people.”
“Then we have a chance. How many men do you command?”
The King looked nervously at Count Fulbert, “Count Robert, I am no soldier. Count Fulbert commands my men.”
I did not know the Lothringian. I looked at him closely. What I saw I did not like. He did not look like a warrior. “Well, he does not command my men. I ask again. How many men do you have?”
The Count looked annoyed. “We have over two thousand men.”
“And how many are warriors?”
“They can all fight.”
“I did not ask that. I asked how many are warriors. I have left at home the farmers and those who have little experience of fighting. All of my men are seasoned warriors. When we are all mustered there will be fifteen hundred of us. Two hundred are the finest horsemen you will ever see. When we fight, the Normans will be under my command,”
“And the King will be under my protection.” It sounded like petulance from Count Fulbert. The King would be safer if my men guarded him. I could hear the Norns spinning and I was powerless to do anything about it.
My son was the last to arrive. He came with just his bodyguards. More alarmingly neither Ragnar the Resolute nor Bergil Fast Blade were with him. He brought with him some disturbing news. “As soon as Robert found us, I sent out scouts. There is an army gathering at Poitiers.” His eyes told me he had other news which was only for my ears. “I have gathered my men close to Andecavis. I will stop them from crossing the river.”
Count Fulbert smiled, “So, Count Robert, you will not be bringing fifteen hundred men to the battle!”
“If there is an army which threatens my land from the south then I may not be bringing any men to this battle.”
The smile was wiped from the Lothringian’s face, “You cannot desert the King at this time! He needs you.”
“I owe my allegiance first and foremost to the people of Brittany and Normandy. I will speak with my son privately and then give you my decision.”
When we were alone William said, “There is a plot here, father. When Robert reached us with the news, I began a muster but I sent riders by secret ways to the south and east. I have explored the land there. I know the number of warriors who reside in the borderlands. Previously there were few of them. My riders reported that those numbers had trebled and we found spies and scouts all along our eastern border. We eliminated them.”
“Then they were expecting me to send for you and they would have attacked as soon as you left. Clever. You did the right thing.”
“And my scouts found evidence of Bretons in their ranks. They wore the sign of the Count of Cornouaille. We had heard rumours that he was gathering men in Poitou and this confirms it.”
“Return to Andecavis and do what you must to protect our land. If you think you can take more, especially towns which bridge the river then do so.”
He nodded, “You will not bring the rest of our men?”
“You are right William, there are plots and conspiracies. I asked myself why the army was gathering at Laon. If you wish to take Frankia then you need to take Paris and to hold it. If you are at Laon then Rouen is as close as Paris. King Robert, as he styles himself, is seeking Normandy as well as Frankia! We have to defeat this army, not for King Charles, but for Normandy.”
“As ever I am in awe of your mind. You take care, father, I have need of you and your mind for many more years. I would like you to see my son born.”
“Your wife is with child?”
“Aye and this time I am hopeful it will be a boy!” My son and his bodyguards left immediately.
When he discovered that my men and I were staying, Count Fulbert was less aggressive. The next day I was summoned to a meeting with the Count and the King. They had taken over Bjorn’s hall. Men were still arriving, we could not leave just yet but Bjorn’s resources were being stretched. There were lesser lords with the two leaders but they made way when I arrived and I sat next to the King. Count Fulbert had taken charge, that much was obvious. “We need to strike and take Paris, Count! We would have you use your horsemen to take and hold the bridges.”
I shook my head, “I have too few. If you want me to take Paris then I will send for my ships. With my drekar, you do not need the bridges but taking Paris is the wrong strategy.” I feared a conspiracy. If we headed to Paris then the army at Laon could attack Normandy.
The King frowned, “Then what is?”
“The army is to the north of us. If we take Paris, they could cut us off. Their army would be free to besiege us there and take my land.”
Count Fulbert sneered, “Then this is all about you, Count Robert.”
“I admit that I fear for my land. An army in the south and an army in the north could spell the end of Normandy. However, there is another reason. Robert of Neustria is in the north and if we eliminate him then the King’s crown and throne are safe.”
“And if we march north and he evades us and takes Paris?”
I smiled, “Then I bring my ships and we did as we did a few years ago, we take Paris.” I was looking at the King as I spoke. I was reminding him that I had yet to let him down. I willed him to take my side over Count Fulbert’s.
He nodded, “It is a good plan, Count Fulbert, and it takes us closer to Lothringia. There must be more loyal warriors there than you have brought.”
That thought had crossed my mind. The three contingents, Norman, Frank and Lothringian were about equal in number. The Count frowned and then nodded, “If Count Robert will not do as I ask then we will have to adopt his plan. However, King Charles, you will be under my protection!”
With the cast of the die so t
he future of Frankia was decided. We left seven days later when the last of my men and the last Frankish warriors loyal to the King arrived. We headed north. Bagsecg and his men led. They scouted the roads and kept us warned of danger. The Count of Lothringia insisted that we be the van. Again, that suited my men for it meant we were not eating other’s dust but I was also wary. It was our head which was poking above the parapet.
One of my most dependable warriors was Sven Mighty Arm. He held the fief of Gisors for me. It had a good stronghold above the river and, as we rode by his walls, one of Bagsecg’s riders, Charles of Montfort, galloped in. Sven and I were discussing his home and how it could be defended. “Lord,” the rider pointed northeast, “Lord Bagsecg is suspicious of the wood south of Bieuvais.”
I turned to Sven who nodded, “Aye lord, the next few miles are the border. There are Franks who live there. From what I have heard they are loyal to Robert of Neustria. They were unhappy when King Charles gave the local abbey to Hagano.”
Hagano was King Charles’ bane. I had a decision to make. It was risky but I had learned that taking risks often paid off. “Charles of Montfort, ride back to Bagsecg. We will be bait. Tell him to secrete his horsemen until we are attacked. I want him to envelop our enemies with his horsemen.”
I looked at Sven, “Sven, your local knowledge can make the difference here.”
“There is a wooded area just south of Bieuvais. The road passes through it. If I wished to harm an invading army I would ambush there.”
I looked at Charles of Montfort, “So tell Count Bagsecg our plan.”
“Aye lord.”
He rode off and I said to Robert, “Have the horn sounded for my leaders.” The army kept moving as Sámr, Bjorn, Harold, Mauger and the others arrived. I quickly told them about our plan. “I want the men with bows in the centre of the column. They will be flanked by our mailed men. Have them all carry their shields on the outside. The Franks may be piss poor archers but let us not make it easy for them. We hold until Bagsecg attacks and you wait for my command to retaliate.”
Sámr pointed south. The Lothringians and loyal Franks were three-quarters of a mile behind. “Do we warn them?”
“There is little point in alarming King Charles. He is not a man of war.” I had learned that two years earlier the Magyars had invaded his eastern lands. Had that been me, I would have led an army and defeated them. King Charles had asked his nobles to help and they had refused. The Magyars had devasted several fiefs. It had been expensive. King Charles needed Count Fulbert to lead his men. I think it was at that moment that I knew King Charles was doomed. A king had to lead his men in battle. It would not change what we were about for I was defending Normandy. Robert of Neustria was every bit as much my enemy as King Charles’.
My bodyguard heard my words. Robert rode on one side of me and Leif the other. My shield was about my back and they held their shields so that they could protect me. Leif, who slipped his shield onto his right arm said, “Count, don your helmet.”
I shook my head, “I need to see,”
“The helmet just has a nasal, lord, you can see. My father told me to watch over you and keep you safe. Don your helmet, please!” His voice was commanding. He was no longer the deferential youth who had first followed me. He was my oathsworn and he was doing his duty.
I saw Robert nodding. Sámr laughed, “You had best do it, lord. These two are strong enough to put it in place for you and besides, they are right! You and I have old ears and eyes. We do not watch for enemies, they do!”
He was right but I did not enjoy being spoken to as though I was incompetent. I donned my helmet. It was a tight fit for I had my arming cap and a coif. My weaponsmith had fitted an aventail to the back so that the back of my neck had two layers of mail and then the top of my byrnie protecting my neck. All of this took place as we plodded along the road. Blue was finding this easy for he was walking at the pace of men on foot. As I looked at my bodyguard, I saw why Leif had been so insistent. Thanks to Blue’s size and my body the top half of my body and head were well above my guards. I was an easy target.
We travelled another mile and I saw the wood ahead. It spread out for many miles to the east and west. Ahead, beyond the wood, I saw the distant town of Bieuvais. Even if there was no ambush, we still had to either reduce Bieuvais or negotiate its surrender. We had taken this route because Creil, to the south, was a stronger enemy bastion. Bieuvais was just a small stronghold. However, we could ill afford to lose any men. We were heading towards the heartland of our enemies.
The ambush, when it came, proved that Leif’s advice had been sound. Two arrows rattled off my helmet. They made my ears ring but otherwise did not discomfort me overmuch. I shouted, “Shields!” Leif held up his shield and moved his horse closer to mine. Robert did the same on the other side. I felt arrows hitting my back. I was a big target.
Robert said, urgently, “Lord dismount! You are too easy a target.”
He was right and much as it galled me to do so I dismounted. I owed it to the men who protected me. As I stepped between Blue and Robert’s horse, arrows thudded into my cantle and saddle. Then I heard Sámr shout, “Release.” Our archers were good. They were also angered for their Count had been attacked. It sounded like a flock of birds rising into the sky as our arrows fell amongst the ambushers. I heard horns on both sides as Bagsecg and his men sprang their own attack. My bodyguards did not move as Sámr and Bjorn led our men into the woods to destroy the would-be attackers.
By the time Count Fulbert and the King reached us the ambushers had been slain and our men were stripping the bodies of valuables. The look of distaste on the Lothringian’s face was confirmation that the man was unused to warfare. Taking from the dead was a common practice amongst warriors. The coming battle did not bode well. King Charles said, “How did you know?”
“I have good scouts.” I pointed to the distant town. “And the lord of Bieuvais, is he an ally?”
The King shook his head, “I gave their abbey away and they were not happy.”
“Then let me approach first. Perhaps the threat of a Norman attack might make their allegiance to the new king waver.”
It may have been a combination of their failed attack or it might have been my presence which decided them but the gates were open and the lords and his men had fled. Being the first in meant we reached the hall before the Lothringians and the Franks. They had delayed their advance, I suspect it was to ensure that they suffered no harm and, perhaps, to give the chance of those in the town hurting us! Whatever the reason, we profited from my decision to lead. The general populace bowed and scraped as we entered. They feared me. It was not just in material such as treasure and food, I also learned where the enemy warriors were gathering, Soissons. By the time the King and Count had arrived, we had eaten and I had questioned the burghers to find out as much as I could about the likely site of the battle.
After they had eaten, I sat with the King and his advisers. The King looked pleased, “We have done well. You have done well, Count. If all the opposition is like that, I will soon recover my lands.”
The King was naïve. “King Charles, this was nothing like the real battle will be. This was a gamble that they could hurt our vanguard. It might have been they hoped to kill you in the first encounter and then the threat would be gone.”
“Kill me?”
“You have been deposed, King Charles. We accord you the title but they will not. There is no sin in killing a former king.” I realised he had not understood that. Regicide was a crime but with a new King of the West Franks, Charles was just an ordinary man. “I have heard that they gather at somewhere called Soissons. From what I can gather it is fifty miles from here and there is an old hill fort. They will undoubtedly use that to stop us.”
The King nodded, “I remember it. There is another threat, Count. Before we reach Soissons, we have to pass through Compiègne. That is where one of my forebears, Louis, was deposed.”
I shook my head. “T
hey will not attack us there. We will be able to rest there. While we do, I will send my men to scout out the dispositions of the enemy.”
Count Fulbert shook his head, “Taking charge again, Count?”
I smiled, “I am happy to take suggestions, Count Fulbert, but as you did not seem to know either the battlefield nor the size of the enemy then I suggest you leave your posturing for a later time. I am a warrior and I have no time for politicians! I have known you but a short time and yet I recognise you for what you are, a politician and a second rate one at that.”
His face became effused and red, “I do not need to take such insults.”
I smiled, “I am afraid you do for the alternative is for me to take my men back to my own lands. Of course, on the way, we would ravage the land for we are, after all, barbarians.”
It was a threat which could not be ignored. The King held up his hands, “Peace, Count Fulbert. Until we are at Soissons, we are all in the dark and the Count has shown that his men are more than capable of scouting out the enemy for us.”
The Count stood, “Very well but I will join my men. I find the air here difficult to breathe.”
I growled, “Be careful how you insult me, Count. If I come after you there will be little left for your men to bury.”
He made to reply but I saw fear in his eyes. I might be old but my reputation told him that he would come off worse.
King Charles shook his head, “Robert, why must you be so aggressive?”
I turned, “King Charles, why do you have such poor choice of advisers? Hagano and now Fulbert? It is no wonder you are in this parlous position. I would have sent to my father in law, King Edward. The men of Wessex know their business. They could have kept you on the throne.”
“I tried but Robert of Neustria is also an ally of King Edward.”
I laughed, “Then the ones who will benefit will be the Saxons. Believe me, King, one day they will rule your land!” I saw that my words had come as a surprise to him.
Compiègne was the largest town we had seen. There was a palace there but no opposition. The burghers were hospitable but guarded in their welcome. They wanted their town left whole. They would not offend the Vikings. One advantage of our slow progress and our one victory was that some lords had managed to rejoin King Charles. They swelled our numbers but I was not confident of their ability to fight. Hagano brought two thousand men. Count Fulbert, on the other hand, was delighted for the contingent he would command was now more than five times the size of mine. I had also gained men as some lords who had missed the muster joined me. I sent out Bagsecg and his men to scout. Now that Hagano had joined Count Fulbert and the King I was ostracised. It was as though they did not need me. Once again, we had made ourselves comfortable and had the best quarters. None of my men would leave this part of Frankia poor.