The Bastard's Son

by H A CULLEY

  ‘I’m not entitled to be called my lord, I’m a tenant-in-chief up in Northumberland and also one of Lord Peverel’s tenants.’

  ‘De Cuille,’ the boy said thoughtfully, then his eyes lit up. ‘You captured Gisors Castle!’ he exclaimed.

  ‘That much is true, with the help of my son and numerous others, especially my squire.’

  ‘Come with me, Sir Hugo.’

  The boy’s self-confidence had returned and he set off down the corridor without checking to see if Hugo was following him.

  Five minutes later he was being introduced to a knight who was apparently the page-master and assistant to the chamberlain – the man who managed the royal household. Justin quickly explained that Sir Hugo was the hero of Gisors and that he had been allocated lodgings outside the palace by mistake.

  ‘Sir Hugo, please accept my apologies. I’ll arrange more suitable accommodation for you immediately. The palace is a little full at the moment so I fear that your men will have to stay where they are. You squire may accompany you, of course. You may eat in the great hall but below the salt, I’m afraid.’

  ‘Please don’t put yourself to the bother. I’m happy staying with my men. I’ve never sat below the salt in my life and I don’t intend to start now. We’ll find our own food. However, what I would like to know is why I’ve been summoned to court. No-one seems to know and, if I’m not required for anything, I’d quite like to get back to Derbyshire.’

  ‘Oh! I’m sorry no-one thought to tell you, Sir Hugo. The king has specifically requested your presence because he thought you might like to go hunting with him.’

  Hugo returned to the tavern in a foul mood.

  ‘We’ve come all this bloody way so that I can go hunting, apparently. If I’d wanted to go hunting there is a perfectly good royal forest not a couple of miles away from my hall.’

  ‘I’ll get your hunting gear ready then, shall I, Sir Hugo?’ Oskar replied, unable to repress a grin.

  ‘What are you grinning about, you monkey. Perhaps it’s time I beat you again to teach you some respect.’

  Oskar’s grin broadened. Hugo had never beaten him, nor any of the other squires he’d had over the years from what Oskar had been told.

  ‘Go on; get out of my sight before you put me in a good mood. Don’t you understand that I want to be miserable, you imbecile.’

  ‘Very good, Sir Hugo. When and where are you to report for this hunt?’

  ‘No bloody idea. Presumable that arrogant little puppy, Justin, will come and let me know.’

  In fact the next time Justin came to see him it was with a message, not from the king, but from his brother Henry.

  ‘Sir Hugo, Prince Henry presents his compliments and wonders whether it would be convenient for you to see him in his chambers this evening an hour before the evening meal.’

  Hugo was surprised. He’d seen Henry from a distance but he’d never met him formally. He wondered what on earth he wanted.

  ‘Very well, Justin. Thank you.’

  ‘I’m to wait for a reply.’

  Hugo, who was distracted by this development, didn’t really hear the boy and merely waved his hand in dismissal.

  ‘Run along Justin. I’ll take Sir Hugo’s reply to the prince.’

  Oskar smiled at the page to confirm his promise but Justin still looked dubious. He knew that the page-master would tan his posterior if the prince complained that he hadn’t done as he was told, but he didn’t have much option, so he left.

  ‘I suppose I have little alternative but to go and see what Henry Beauclerc wants but I don’t trust the man. He’s too clever for his own good and he resents both his elder brothers. I’m certain that this show of bonhomie towards the king is all an act.’

  Hugo suddenly realised that he was confiding in his squire and revealing more of his innermost thoughts than was wise. Oskar immediately gathered from the expression on his master’s face what was bothering him.

  ‘Don’t worry Sir Hugo. I would never betray you, if that’s what you are worried about. I’m your man now and always.’

  ‘Thank you, Oskar. You’d better go and tell Beauclerc I’ll be there.’

  The squire asked a passing servant where Prince Henry’s chambers were. When he got to the door onto the corridor it was slightly ajar and he heard murmured voices coming from inside the outer room. At first he couldn’t make out what they were saying and wondered whether he should knock or wait for whoever was with the prince to leave. Ruefully he realised that Justin would have known but, not having been a page, or used to the protocol associated with living in a great house, he paused uncertainly. If he was back at Wark or Edale he would have entered without any hesitation and then waited for Sir Hugo to notice him. Perhaps that what he should do here.

  He was on the point of entering when one of the voices was raised.

  ‘For the sake of God and all his angels, man. What isn’t clear to you? On the morrow I’ll lead the hunt away from the king after one of the deer and you take my wretched brother chasing after the other. Then you put an arrow in his chest and come and let me know that the deed is done. The two stags have already been captured ready for the hunt so just play your part. It couldn’t be simpler. Now get out, and don’t let me down on the morrow or you’ll really regret it.’

  Oskar was appalled by what he’d overheard but he had enough sense to realise that it would be very dangerous for him to be caught eavesdropping. He ran back down the corridor and then turned and walked back towards the door. A man looking somewhat agitated came out of the room, closing the door quietly behind him, and walked past the squire without even noticing him. Oskar breathed a sigh of relief and knocked on the closed door.

  His message delivered, he ran back to Sir Hugo’s room to inform him about the plot to kill the king, but he wasn’t there. He didn’t have a chance to have a word in private with him until later that evening. By then he was no longer certain that he should tell his master what he had overheard.

  ‘What did the prince want, Sir Hugo?’ he asked to prevaricate.

  ‘None of your business, boy,’ Sir Hugo glared at him. Then, seeing the hurt look on the boy’s face, he added ‘he had a lot of questions about the situation in Northumberland and over the border. Funny, I wouldn’t have thought he had any interest in the North. What property he has is either in the south of England or in Normandy.’

  ‘He might be interested if he were king though.’

  ‘Why do you say that?’ Hugo asked, his curiosity piqued. ‘Do you know something? If so, you had better tell me.’

  So Oskar told him all he had learned whilst standing outside the prince’s door.

  ‘You didn’t recognise the chosen assassin?’

  ‘No, I’m afraid not. I’ve seen him before with the king but I don’t know his name.’

  ‘If you see him this evening ask someone who he is. Be casual though, don’t arouse any suspicion.’

  ‘What will you do, Sir Hugo? We can’t let King William be murdered.’

  ‘No, I agree; much as I dislike the man. I’ll need to think on it.’

  -X-

  At first Hugo thought of asking for a private audience with the king but it was almost certain that he’d have to give a reason and, even in the unlikely event of his request being granted, it wouldn’t be scheduled before tomorrow’s hunt started. He could try and gain the king’s ear during the hunt itself but, again, he was unlikely to be able to get near enough to the king and, in any case, other ears would be listening, including most probably those of Henry.

  In the end he decided to keep an eye on the king and an even closer one on Sir Walter Tyrell, who Oskar had found out was the name of the man he had seen coming out of Henry’s chambers. If the hunt split, he would stick with the king’s party. Once he’d decided what to do he got a little sleep but he rose just before dawn feeling jaded.

  Squires were not invited on royal hunts. Trained huntsmen looked after the dogs and foresters were there to do an
ything else required. Oskar went in search of Peter for some practice with sword and shield to take his mind off things. To his surprise Justin appeared and watched them. During a rest break Oskar beckoned him over.

  ‘Have you started weapon training yet?’

  ‘Unfortunately not. I’m just a glorified messenger at my age. At least I don’t have to serve a load of silly women as most pages my age have to. I hope the king doesn’t get married until I become a squire.’

  ‘From what I hear I think you’ll get your wish.’

  Justin giggled. ‘The rumours aren’t true you know. One or two other men have tried to seduce me, but not the king.’

  ‘Did they succeed?’

  ‘Of course not!’ The boy looked affronted. ‘I’m no catamite.’

  ‘I’m sorry. It’s just that you are remarkable good looking and I just wondered.’

  The boy smiled and looked at him demurely through lowered eyes when Oskar said that he was good-looking and he wondered if the boy was really as innocent as he seemed.

  ‘What were you doing listening at Henry Beauclerc’s door yesterday?’

  The question caught Oskar off guard and he spluttered incoherently and went red.

  ‘I was… I had a message from Sir Hugo, but you know that.’

  ‘Yes, of course. But why were you standing with your ear pressed to the open door?’

  ‘I was.. I was checking to see if it was convenient for me to enter.’

  ‘Hmmm,’ Justin replied sceptically. ‘You seemed very disconcerted about whatever you heard. What was it?’

  Oskar thought that Justin was very astute for a boy of ten, worryingly so. If it came out that he knew about the assassination plot, he could expect to be tortured and killed, whatever the outcome.

  ‘Do you want to live to become a squire, Justin?’

  ‘Yes, of course. What do you mean? Are you threatening me? Why?’

  ‘No, I’m not threatening you, but what I overheard could be very dangerous for me and for anyone else who knew that I was there.’

  The boy paled. What had started as an innocent bit of teasing had suddenly turned nasty.

  ‘I’ll forget I ever saw you. I wish I hadn’t now!’

  With that the page fled.

  -X-

  When they came to the two stags that the huntsmen had apparently chased with the dogs into a clearing with two tracks leading out of it, Hugo realised that Oskar was telling the truth, not that he’d ever really doubted him. He had just hoped that the lad had misheard. One stag was chased down one track by the dogs and the second one escaped via the other. The huntsmen called the dogs back to allow the king and his nobles to have the kill.

  ‘This way sire,’ Tyrell took the king’s reins and led the horse in the direction of the left hand path before letting go and the two of them set off in pursuit.

  Some went to follow them but Prince Henry called out, ‘let the king have that one. Follow me. Don’t let the other stag escape.’

  Dutifully the rest turned down the right hand path. Hugo watched them go with dismay. Henry’s plan had worked perfectly. The truth was that Henry was much more popular than his brother and most courtiers wanted to join his group, if a choice had to be made. He tried to follow Tyrell and William but there were several others who were trying to follow the rest down the left hand path who got in his way.

  ‘Come on, come with me,’ he yelled but no-one did so.

  With his heart in his mouth he set off alone after the king. He found him five minutes later, on his own lying on the ground with only his palfrey sedately munching grass nearby for company. The arrow jutting from the centre of his chest made checking that he was dead unnecessary, but Hugo threw himself off his horse and put his hand under the late king’s nose to make sure he was no longer breathing. He wasn’t.

  Hugo stood up wondering what to do next. Tyrell had evidently fled as soon as he’d murdered William and there was no-one within earshot. Then he noticed that William was carrying a hunting horn over his left shoulder. It was a wondrous thing with lots of gold decoration. It wasn’t meant to be used; it was the sort of flamboyant accessory that William would carry for show. Nevertheless it worked and Hugo blew on it until others came.

  The first to arrive was Prince Henry.

  ‘Is he dead?’

  Many thought it strange that he showed no remorse nor enquired what had happened. When he was told that the king was indeed dead, he muttered something about getting back to Winchester with all speed and departed without giving any instructions for the care of his brother’s body. The courtiers chased after him and even the huntsmen and the foresters made themselves scarce. Hugo couldn’t blame them; they were probably scared of being put to the torture to find out what they knew. The thought that he, as the person who was found alone with the body, might also be questioned in a similar manner never entered his head. His one concern was that the king’s corpse should be treated with respect and conveyed to a suitable place of sanctuary as soon as possible.

  He mounted his horse and set off for a grange he’d heard of a few miles away. The problem was he didn’t know the New Forest and wasn’t certain were the grange lay. Fortunately he came across a carter and his son taking some barrels of ale into a tavern in Winchester and he told them what had happened. At first they were incredulous, but when he showed them where the corpse lay they believed him. They were reluctant to take the body to the abbey in Winchester at first, but the purse of silver that Hugo gave them changed their minds. Once he had seen them on their way he rode as fast as he could back to the palace to find out what was happening.

  When he got there the place resembled a disturbed wasp’s nest. Rumours were rife and no-one seemed to know what to do. Oskar practically wept when he saw his master and kept mumbling how glad he was to see him safe and sound. Hugo had expected to be sent for and questioned as he was the man who had found the king’s corpse but no-one came near him. Then he heard that Henry had been proclaimed king and, even more surprisingly, he would be crowned by the Bishop of Winchester in Westminster Abbey two days hence.

  No one seemed to find this unseemly haste quite remarkable. Only a few remained in Winchester for the funeral of the late king and Hugo found himself as one of a handful of knights and nobles who had stayed behind. The congregation for the burial consisted mainly of monks and a few worthies from the city. Oskar and Peter stood behind him and he was surprised to see Justin join the two squires.

  Afterwards he approached the page.

  ‘I’m surprised to see you here, Justin. I’d have thought that all the king’s pages would have transferred their service to King Henry.’

  Justin looked around him, nervously, then the small boy took Hugo by the hand and let him over to a quiet corner, away from prying ears.

  ‘I could never serve the man who I am certain was behind the killing of my lord, Sir Hugo. My honour wouldn’t permit it.’

  Coming from the mouth of a ten year old it should have sounded pompous and precocious but somehow it didn’t and Hugo admired the child for his stance.

  ‘What will you tell your father when he finds out that you’ve passed up a chance to serve the new king?’

  ‘I told him before he left for London that I won’t serve Henry Beauclerc, so he threatened to enrol me as a novice monk. Of course I didn’t say why I couldn’t serve the new king, merely that I disliked the man.’

  Hugo could see that the boy was nearly in tears.

  ‘What will you do? Become a monk?’

  ‘No, I refused that as well and so my father has disowned me. I’m homeless and all alone in the world now.’

  He looked at Hugo with such a piteous face that Hugo had to laugh.

  ‘And you hoped that I might need a page?’

  ‘Well, if not a page, perhaps a body servant?’ The piteous look had changed to one that portrayed a mixture of hope and pleading.

  Hugo sighed. ‘Very well, but you had better take off that velvet tunic with th
e king’s badge on it. Peter’s the smallest of the squires. Ask him to lend you a tunic until we can get one made to fit you. It may make you look like a midget, but I suspect you can put up with that?’

  ‘Thank you, Sir Hugo. I’m most grateful.’ The boy positively beamed at him.

  ‘And so you should be, boy, and so you should be, given your attitude when we first met.’

  He gave the boy a stern look but the contrite look on the page’s face was so pathetic that he had to grin. Justin didn’t see the change in expression on the old knight’s face as he was looking at the ground. Then tears started to run down his face which he manfully tried to check.

  Hugo thought what a mercurial character Justin had. One minute he was all self-confidence, even arrogance, and the next moment he seemed pathetic and so unsure of himself. Hugo suspected that his superciliousness was all a front and underneath it he was just a shy little boy. He was surprised when he found himself feeling affection for him instead of contempt.

  ‘Come on,’ he said lifting the boy’s chin so that he could see that Hugo was smiling. ‘Go and pack so that we can get out of this awful place with its stench of corruption and intrigue. I can’t wait to get back to Edale and the High Peak where the air is clean. I have a feeling that you’re really going to like it there.’

  Epilogue

  October 1103

  Hugo found himself responding once again to a royal summons. This time it was to attend a Great Council in Nottingham, so at least it wasn’t too far to ride. Behind him rode the sixteen year old Oskar beside Justin. The boy was no longer a body servant. Now that he was nearly fourteen he’d been made Hugo’s second squire. The promotion was titular only; he still did all the dirty jobs that were a squire’s lot and which Oskar didn’t like doing. Nevertheless, he’d never been so happy. Nothing exciting ever happened at Edale but he had become close friends with Oskar and Peter. When they weren’t on duty, they went hunting for birds and small game, rode their horses over the moors, and trained to be knights one day. What more could a boy want?