by Griff Hosker
“My father is not a well man. He has done more than enough for this land and King Henry’s lands in France! There are others need to bear that mantle!” I was aware that I had raised my voice and men were looking at me. I cared not. I pushed the platter of food away. “I have lost my appetite. Knights of the valley let us arm. We, at least, know our duty!”
I glared at Richard of Bayeux. He shrugged, “I am an old man with a worm eating out his insides. It matters little to me lord who rules this land. I will do my duty too. It will not do me any good but I will die knowing that I was a true knight.”
I felt slightly guilty about my words. I realised now that the Constable had meant well and was asking me to help the King. I could not allow my father to do that. I would have to speak with the King. It might mean leaving my home but the King needed my family and it would be my responsibility.
Samuel hurried after me, “What is amiss, father?”
I shook my head, “Politics! A knight should never get involved in politics. His duty is to defend his lands and his people. Remember that!”
“Aye father.”
I rode Goldie. I needed a clever horse and she was lucky. A knight needed luck. We left the gate and headed west. Darkness had fallen. My two scouts were already in place and my archers were two hundred paces ahead of us. We needed no words and so we rode in silence. We turned when the woods appeared to the north of us and headed along the trail. Robin Hawkeye awaited us. He said nothing but he waved and we followed him. We reached a clearing. I had lost track of where we were but I trusted my scouts and my archers. The archers’ horses were already there and were being watched by three men. As we dismounted the three disappeared east and the men at arms from Robert of Howden took over. I tied the reins of Goldie to an oak tree. I waited until my knights and men at arms were with me and then I followed the archers.
We moved in silence through the trees. We had seen the forest from the road but the darkness had a way of distorting time making the obvious seem strange. Suddenly Aelric appeared in front of me with Edgar. He put his head to my ear, “Lord, the Scots are in the woods. I think they meant to launch an attack on us.”
I had to think quickly, “You cannot use your bows. Tonight, you become assassins. Have your men hide behind trees and await the Scots.” He nodded and disappeared. I waved Roger of Bath forward. “The Scots are coming. We will ambush them. Spread the word.”
My knights and squires were close to me, “What is it father?”
“The Scots are here in the woods. We ambush them!” I waved James de Puiset over. “You do not know my men. Stay with me.” He nodded, “Thomas, Ralph, behind us!”
I drew my sword and dagger. I waited. The Scots had tried something I had not expected. What could they have hoped to achieve? Then I remembered the tunnel which Richard of Bayeux had mentioned. Perhaps they knew of it too. To get to it they would have to go all the way around the castle and approach the tunnel from the south. If there were French knights with them then it was possible. Speculation would have to wait.
My eyes were now accustomed to the dark. Since we had ceased walking my ears could now listen to the woods. My men would all be still so when I heard the crunch of a foot on a leaf or a dried twig then I knew there were Scots close by. I heard the first Scot die, just up ahead. There was a soft sigh and the sound of someone being lowered to the ground. One of my archers had made his first kill. Unless you were listening for it then you would not have heard it. The Scots would be making noise as they walked. There would be a knight, at the very least, leading them. They were not as stealthy as my men. That was why we had walked with our knights and men at arms at the rear.
There may have been other silent deaths. I heard nothing but suddenly the silence of the night was ripped apart. As soon as a noisy Scot died screaming, I heard a Scottish voice shout, “Ambush!”
James made to move and to pass me. I put my hand on his middle and shook my head. Stillness was still our best weapon. My patience was rewarded when two Scots came towards us. They had not seen us for the tree behind which we sheltered hid us and I peered between the forks of two large branches. I tapped James on the shoulder as I stepped out, swung my sword and hacked through the middle of the first Scot. James, stepping to the other side of the tree, brought his sword from on high and cut across the neck of his foe. Having stepped from behind the tree I now saw the battle raging in the forest. It was hand to hand and no quarter was given. It was the kind of work in which my men excelled. My men at arms were protected by mail and my archers knew how to use the forest.
I noticed that there were no more Scots heading our way. I raised my sword and waved it forward. To my right I saw Samuel copy my action and to my left Alf did the same. We moved towards the Scottish camp. Roger of Bath signalled the men at arms to spread out like a line of beaters. We would drive the survivors of the aborted attack on the castle into a killing field. We passed the bodies of dead Scots. I heard a horn sound from the Scottish camp. Then I heard a voice shout, “Form a line! We must hold them until help can be brought from the camp!”
That order was a warning that we might be the ones who would be trapped. I began to hurry. I heard the thrum of an arrow. My archers could not use their bows as well as they might like but if the Scots formed a shield wall then they would be easy targets for my bow men. I reached Aelric. I had to step over the body of Ralph of Ely. My archer had been hacked almost in two by an axe. Aelric had formed his men into a line. If the Scots rushed them then there was a danger they might be hurt.
“A wall for the archers!”
I stepped before Aelric. James and Samuel took their places next to me and then the archers started to work. The Scots were ten paces from us. Although it was night they could still be seen at that range. If my archers could see them then they would die. Some of the Scots had shields and they stood behind them. It mattered not for my archers were close enough to choose which eye they sent their arrow through. The arrows did not just thin their lines, they reaped them like wheat. As I had hoped that was too much for some of the Scots. They left their line to rush us. In the dark they might have thought that we, too were archers. I fended off the axe with my sword and ripped my dagger across the throat of the first Scot. Dark blood spurted; showering me. Samuel excelled in this sort of work. He had an efficiency which I admired. There was no wasted effort. He used his height and long arms well as did Alf. The few who ran at us were soon despatched. James’ lack of experience showed. He tried to block a sword with his dagger and did not have enough room to swing his sword. Had not Ralph, my squire, been close at hand then this might have been James’ last battle. As it was the Scot fell. When Robin Hawk Eye sent an arrow into the Scottish knight’s mouth the survivors fled.
James made to move towards the Scottish as I went to examine the Scottish knight’s body. Samuel said, “Hold Sir James. We have done what we intended. Roger of Bath, collect our dead and wounded. Aelric, take what we need from the bodies.”
I saw that the knight next to the Scot was a Frenchman. I said, “Samuel, search this warrior. He is French.”
James asked, “How do you know?”
Samuel said, “Look at his sword and his dagger, they are French made. His surcoat has a fleur de lys upon it. This is a French warrior. He may be a man at arms. His lord will either be fleeing back to the Scottish camp or lie dead in the woods. That is why our men search.”
“I thought you were just grave robbers.”
Samuel shook his head as he stood with the items he had recovered from the body. “You have much to learn James de Puiset.”
I had found a seal as well as a purse of coins. I recognised the surcoat as that of the lord of Falkirk. The knight I had killed was too young to be the lord and had to be one of his sons. Edward and Edgar ran towards me, “Lord the Scots come. We have made a few traps but they will be upon us soon.”
“Back to the horses!”
We hurried back through the trees. We passed the dead.
Any wounded had been given a warrior’s death. Even a Scot did not deserve to have his face eaten by a rat or a fox. I heard cries from behind as the Scots discovered the traps set by my woodsmen. We reached the horses. The wounded were mounted first and then the dead draped across the backs of their horses. Four men would not return to Stockton. We headed back to Bamburgh.
Richard of Bayeux must have been watching for us. The gates swung open to admit us. He looked puzzled, “Did you not attack their camp, Earl? We watched from the north wall but we heard nothing from the camp until the horn sounded.”
“They were planning an attack. I think, Constable, that others know of this tunnel. It is low tide now, is it not?” He nodded. “Then we were lucky. Had I not taken my men on this foray we could have woken to enemies within.”
“I will have a pair of men set to watch the well. Then your raid was not a success?”
“Just the opposite. Had we attacked their camp with arrows we might have killed men but we could not have been certain to kill knights. Ten knights fell in our attack as well as men at arms. A French knight and two men at arms were slain. Make sure that the knights of Durham are roused early so that they can prevent the Scots from raiding.”
Our squires saw to our horses and took our mail to be cleaned. I sat with my knights in the Great Hall. It was too soon to go to bed for our minds would be racing. We sat and drank. “What is the French connection, lord?”
“I think Padraig, that it is the normal French mischief. They like to use a little gold to encourage our neighbours to raid. There is an uneasy peace with France. This way Louis can have those knights eager for war, fight over here under Scottish colours.”
Samuel snorted, “Then they are fools for they fought under French colours. If they wished to stay hidden they should have either discarded surcoats or ridden under false colours.”
“Is that honourable?”
Alf, Sir Morgan, looked at James and shook his head, “You think there is any honour in what they did or what we planned? The Earl is right to make war this way. The Scots wish to make England their land. We do all that we can to stop it! Would that every lord of the north did the same.”
Alf’s tone could be a little blunt. I saw James colour as he took in Alf’s words. “You mean my uncle?”
My knights all looked to me. I would not lie to this young knight. He had shown courage. “That is what Sir Morgan means. Your uncle has sent less than forty knights to retake his own castle. He is not committed. He is Prince Bishop and should act accordingly.” I stood. “You all did well this night. Get some sleep for we ride again this afternoon.” I had a plan which would, hopefully, drive the Scots home.
My father had told me that when you led you did not get much sleep. I was learning that now. Until I had returned from the crusades I had had a life which was free from such worries. I made my own decisions and did not worry about others. Now I worried. Robert of Howden was a competent leader of knights but he lacked imagination. I had told them to ensure that the Scots did not raid. My knights would have known what that entailed. I was unsure about the Durham knights. I rose just before noon and I went directly to the north gate. Richard of Bayeux was there.
“Well, constable?”
“I have heard the sounds of fighting but it came from the north of their camp.”
I nodded. That did not worry me. The Scots would raid that side first. What did worry me was that we had had no report back from the knights and men at arms we had sent. “Tomorrow I will rid this land of the Scots.” I saw the question on the constable’s face. “It is not arrogance but we have weakened them. No matter what Robert of Howden does this day he will have weakened the enemy.”
“He may have weakened the men you have at your disposal.”
“Perhaps but I intend to use my archers behind a wall of knights and men at arms. And I hope that High Sheriff William de Vesci will bring his men north in the next day or so. The longer the Scots are here the more parlous becomes the position of the Constable of Norham. They are perched on the edge of this land and surrounded by enemies.” I turned, “I will go and eat. If you hear anything then send for me.
I had eaten and my knights had just awoken when I heard a shout from the walls. I went up the stairs to the top of the keep. There I saw a sorry sight. The men of Durham had been badly handled by the Scots. There were horses with men draped over them. I saw that there were just twenty knights returning and less then ten men at arms.
Samuel joined me, “They must have fought a battle, father.”
“And I told them just to stop the Scots from raiding. I did not want a battle from them. Come we will go and hear the bad news for ourselves.”
When we reached the outer ward, the knights had begun to enter. Robert of Howden had been wounded. I said nothing but looked at him. He dismounted and handed his reins to his squire. “The Scots came to challenge us. We fought them.”
I nodded, “And you lost.”
“We slew many of their men.”
“Knights?” His silence was eloquent. “You should have ridden away. I sent you there not to fight but to contain the Scots. They will now be raiding north of Bamburgh. The people there will suffer.” I shook my head. He did not understand my plan. Perhaps that had been my fault. “Tomorrow I will lead the knights who are fit and we will end this incursion.”
“You will fight them then? When I do it then it is wrong and when you do it then it is acceptable?”
“Aye, it is but come tomorrow and you shall see how I do it.” I saw that my words had been like a slap to his face. I turned and, with Samuel, headed for my archers and men at arms.
“He wanted glory such as you enjoy, father.”
“I do not have glory.”
“That was the wrong word; success is what I meant.”
“I have had success, that is true but I have had my setbacks too. Perhaps I was hard on him.”
Samuel shook his head. He was becoming wiser, “No, father for the men who died paid the price for his misjudgement.”
After telling my men at arms and archers what I intended I went to the chapel which they were using as a hospital. That was one advantage we had over the Scots. We had healers and beds inside solid walls. They had nothing save an open and exposed camp. Even if they had healers it was unlikely that they could do much. The victory that morning might have raised Scottish spirits a little but as we had had more success I guessed that the mood was one of depression. I hoped so.
The next morning, we ate early, before dawn and I led my men and the fifteen knights who were fit from the Durham contingent. Even though he was wounded Robert of Howden insisted upon accompanying us. He went up in my estimation. Edgar and Edward rode ahead and we took the same route we had done during our night attack. We rode further west and used the cover of the trees.
Robert of Howden said, “We rode up the road, Earl.”
“And they spied you. This way we will arrive unseen.”
Just then Edgar and Edward galloped in. Their speed made my men at arms and knights pull their shields up and my archers to string their bows.
“Lord, there are Scots heading this way. There are thirty of them and they are all mounted. I think they raid.”
“Aelric take your men and cut off their escape. We will give them a surprise.”
“Aye lord, come men. Robin Hawkeye you take half south and I will head north.”
I took the spear Ralph offered me and donned my helmet. I spurred Goldie. The early warning from my scouts had given us an edge. We outnumbered them anyway but they would be so surprised when we fell upon them that their judgement would be impaired. Robert of Howden’s failed attack would have given them confidence. With Samuel at my side we rode along the narrow trail. We held our spears vertically. It was easier that way. Suddenly I saw a flash of white and blue and I lowered my spear while spurring Goldie.
There were two Scottish knights leading a column of men. They had no spears. This was a chevauchée. They w
ere going for animals, food and slaves. They did not expect to encounter knights. The knight who led was quick thinking. Seeing our spears, he recognised that he was outmatched. He shouted, “Back to the camp!”
They had to turn their horses and on the narrow trail that was difficult. The two knights and their squires had better horses and they managed to turn and gallop down the trail. The men they led were not so blessed. Two of them could not control their horses. Samuel and I stabbed them in their sides with our spears. Their bodies fell and their mounts fled. Three tried to evade us by taking off through the woods. Behind me I heard John of Chester shout, “We will get these men, lord!”
Two more of the Scots were tardy and died. Then I saw, just ahead, lighter ground. We were emerging from the woods. Then arrows flew from my right and left. Men fell. As we cleared the woods I reined in for four hundred paces from us was the Scottish camp. Just two knights and a squire had escaped us.
“Form two lines. Aelric, have your archers ready behind us. Squires, take post behind the archers!”
James de Puiset nudged his horse between mine and Sir Morgan’s. He smiled, “I think I will be safer here, lord, than in the second rank. Sir Morgan is built like Bamburgh itself.” James was learning. He wished to survive the battle and the safest place to do that was within my men’s ranks.
The Scots had learned from our previous forays. There were now stakes at the edge of their camp and a ditch. I had no doubt that the ditch would be full of traps. We waited three hundred paces from the ditches. The Scots formed up. Their men on foot now had long spears to hold us off. They had fewer horses now. I saw the knights’ squires lead their horses forward and the knights mounted in the gap between the stakes.
“Samuel, you have younger eyes. Can you see fleur de lys?”
He nodded. “One knight has a single fleur de lys. He has red chevrons quartered on blue and there are four men at arms with the same livery.”
“Then the French are still here.”