Baron of the North (2 page)

Since we had begun to slaughter less for the winter and to bring many inside our walls we had prospered. It was the wolves who now went hungry and not us.  It was however a double edged sword.  It made us more attractive to raiders. "Good but remain vigilant.  Do not let the ditches be filled with rubbish and keep up the practice with the fyrd."

He laughed, "Aye my lord and I daresay you will be teaching me to suck eggs sometime soon!"

I laughed, "You are right Osric.  Perhaps I think I am speaking to my younger knights such as Harold."

"Fear not, my lord, they are good fellows and they will learn.  They have a good teacher; you."

As we rode back the sun was setting in the west, lighting our way back home. "Well, what did you learn?"

"That it would be hard to take Norton using horses for the swampy ground protects one side and the other has deep ditches."

"Aye Baron but the gate house is weak."

Hugh had a good eye for such things. "Well done Hugh.  We will improve it in the spring."

As we rode through the town I noticed, for it was now in my mind, that the gatehouse into the town was also a weak point. I shook my head.  I was becoming foolish. It did not matter about the gate to the town for my castle was there as a sanctuary.  It was when I approached my gate that I saw the weakness in my own argument. The river gave good protection but the gate could be taken by determined knights.  The gatehouse was only as tall as two men and the towers were small. It needed to be much higher. I stopped and dismounted.  I had asked my squires to picture themselves as attackers and now I did the same. Here, if I was a knight I could stand on my horse's back and scale both the walls and the tower.  This would not do.

"Leofric take Scout to the stables.  I will not need you again until the morrow."

Aiden, who scouted for me and acted as a gamekeeper approached me. "Baron will you be hawking?  Caesar and Sheba are in fine form."

I was about to say no and then I relented.  I had little enough time to myself as it was.  "We will go the day after tomorrow."

For some reason that seemed to please my former slave. "Excellent my lord. They will be ready."

John, my Steward, was also waiting close by. "My lord we need to hold a Session soon.  There are many cases which must be heard."

"In seven days I travel north on the King's business. If it cannot be three days from now then the cases will have to wait until Advent."

"Three days from now will suffice, Baron."

"Good.  Tomorrow I wish to speak with William the Mason and Sir Edward.  Arrange it if you please."

"Aye my lord."

"And I need you at both meetings."

I had aroused his curiosity but he knew me well enough not to pursue the matter. I felt guilty when I entered my Great Hall.  Adela and my children rushed towards me. I knew that I should spend more time with them but I always had so much to do. My childhood had been the same.  My father had been away so much fighting the enemies of the Empire that I barely recognised him when he came home. I eased my conscience by persuading myself that William would have more of my time when he became older and could accompany me to war.

I smiled at him and swung him around. While I was at home I would make it up to him. After the servants had taken them both to bed and Adela and I sat before the roaring fire she put her hand on mine. "Thank you my husband, that made all the difference to our son."

"I know I do not do enough but…"

"But you are a warrior and you are lord.  Both of those are important.  I understand. Do not fret."

"I have to leave again soon."

"I know.  You will need to stop any raids for the animals and the crops before winter sets in and the harvest is stored. At least I know you will not be away for winter.  I am content."

"I am lucky and I do not deserve you."

"Without you my lord, I would have been as someone dead. You saved me and all that I am I owe to you."

My mason lived close to the castle and he arrived first for the meeting.  I walked around the walls with him and with John. "How is the work going, William?"

"Thanks to you, Baron, I am kept employed as are my sons. The church will take time but your generosity means that it will be the finest south of Durham and north of York.  I am proud to be working on it."

"Good." I pointed to the gate of my castle.  It sat in the middle of the low curtain wall. "I would make my gate stronger."

"You have ideas, Baron?  I fear that I have more knowledge of churches and cathedrals than castles. If you know what you have in your mind then I can build it but…" He spread his arms and he shrugged.

"I know exactly what I want. I would like the gatehouse to be as tall again as I am." William nodded.  "And I want it connecting to my tower."

That shook them both. William said, "That will require a large amount of stone!"

John said, "And expensive!"

I smiled at John, "As it is my coin I will be using then it is for me to determine what is expensive and as for the amount of stone… can we get enough, William?"

"Aye my lord.  There is still plenty at Piercebridge but if the river freezes then we will not be able to get it."

"Then John, I want you to arrange with Ethelred to bring as much stone as he can fetch before the river freezes."

"Ethelred?"

"He is enterprising and he has a ferry.  I am sure it is not beyond his wit to transport stone down the river.  There will be profit in it for him. Just make sure there is not too much."

Edward arrived as we were finalising the details. He listened as I explained what I wanted. "That is an excellent idea, Baron. It will give you two baileys; both would be protected.  An enemy would find it almost impossible to take the two"

"There, William, you have you plan.  Take your measurements and give the estimate of stone to John. You have plenty of time."

He bowed and scurried off with his eldest son taking out his wax tablet. The three of us would have a great deal of time to talk. "John, Sir Edward and I will need to take some of our men north for three or four weeks. You have four days to gather supplies for us.  I have the arrows already being made but we will need food and spears.  You will need to see Alf."

"My lord, with the new gatehouse this will burden your treasury considerably."

"Do not worry about that, John.  The King has made me Baron of the North.  While the Bishop of Durham is indisposed I will be administering the Palatinate Treasury. The cost of our men in the north will be borne by Durham."

He brightened, "Then, in that case Baron, I can have all ready in four days time.  Will you use wagons or horses?"

"Horses are easier. I will take ten archers and ten men at arms.  Sir Edward you will need just five archers and five men at arms.  We leave the rest to guard our lands." He nodded, "So, John, you need supplies for forty five men. I will also require men to care for the horses so make it fifty and find me the men to look after the horses."

"Will you be taking your war horses?"

"As it is the Scots we may be fighting then no.  I would not risk Star with those savages."

He bobbed his head, "Then if that is all?" I waved him away.

The two of us walked my walls and looked to the south across the river. "Are you in a better humour, Baron now that you have seen your family?"

"A little." I said nothing but stared across the river to Sir Edward's manor.

"She is the Empress no longer but she is beyond your grasp Baron. Firstly you are married.  That is reason enough. And then there is the fact that none of us may like that she is marrying a child but it is the King's decision and we obey him. We still serve her but we cannot do that properly if you harbour these secret desires."

"You know?"

"I am not blind and I have seen the way that she looks at you but it cannot be. We both know that. You have a fine wife and family.  Most men would be content with that."

"I know." I sighed, "And thank you. I needed someone to tell me what I knew in my heart. I will throw myself into this new task.  Who knows there may be not only glory but rewards too?"

"There will be little glory, Baron; we go to fight the Scots!"

The weather had become unsettled when we left for the north.  It was a wet and windy day as we headed north from my manor on the Durham Road. The five men we had to care for our animals included the freed slave, Oswald. He was eager to help and to earn the coin John was paying. He had told me that his life began again the moment we rescued him and he would make the most of it. I had also brought Aiden for he had told me, when we were hawking, that he missed the company of my archers and men at arms.  He liked scouting.  He would have made a fine warrior save that he was invaluable as a scout. Harold and Tristan had trained together as squires and they rode easily side by side.  Hugh and Gille, Edward's squire, were cousins and they travelled as a pair.  It was a small conroi of knights but we were close.  In the dark days to come that would prove vital.

We reached Durham and the Castellan, Hubert of Lincoln, appeared pleased to see me. "We were told of your impending arrival by a messenger from the King.  I, for one, am more than happy that it is to be you who will defend the border."

"I must warn you, Castellan, that I do not intend to base myself here.  My men and I will make a show of force along the border and then winter back in the valley.  We will return in the spring. I am not here as a guard but as a deterrent."

"I understand and you are close enough for us to send to should the Scots make another surprise attack."

"Your words suggested that there are some who are less than happy at my appointment?"

"Many lords have left their lands in England and gone to their estates in Scotland. More left when the rumour of your arrival spread."

I smiled, "I cannot help that.  Is Sir Hugh Manningham still on the wall? The lord of the Manor at Hexham has not departed has he?"

"He is, Baron, and he is like a rock. I am grateful for his presence."

"Good. Now we will need supplies when we come in the spring.  I wish to move quickly and I do not want to have to bring a month's supplies with me."

"I will see the reeves and the stewards and it shall be arranged." He waved his arm towards the keep.  "You will stay tonight, Baron?"

"I will."

The castle at Durham made my own seem like a Saxon hut! The Great Hall was large enough for a huge conroi, far larger than mine. There were just the ten knights and squires who ate with the Castellan and the Dean.  The rest of our men ate in the warrior hall.  It suited us better; Wulfric was adept at garnering information. When Hubert had had a few goblets of wine he opened up a little. "There is a new baron who has been threatening the border castles."

"Is he from England or is he a Scot?"

"Neither.  He has come from Anjou."

"Who is he?"

"Sir Guy Fitzwaller.  He has six household knights and many men at arms and crossbowmen with him."

The name made me freeze.  It was like an icicle in my heart. I knew the name. Edward asked, "What is it Baron?  You look like you have seen a ghost."

"Not a ghost but an unpleasant memory. When we travelled from the east we saved the King from this Fitzwaller's father whom I slew. The King took a heavy ransom from him and his family.  He was supposed to swear allegiance to King Henry.  If he is troubling the border then he is forsworn."

"He may have renounced his allegiance.  He is in Scotland, Baron."

"You are right, Sir Hubert.  This complicates matters.  He hates me and swore to kill me." I swallowed the last of my wine. "Tell me when did he arrive in Scotland?"

"I am not certain.  Perhaps a year ago, maybe less."

"About the time the king began to plan to marry the Empress and was seeking suitors. It begins to make sense now. He must have had wind that Geoffrey of Anjou was available. I must warn you Sir Hubert this is a cunning knight. He and his father were willing to kill a king.  That tells you much. He is someone who is used to playing for high stakes."

"It does indeed."

"And where is his castle?"

"
Skaithmuir, close to Berwick."

"Then it is some way north of here."

"It is but he has raided as far south as Rothbury. He took many slaves and cattle last year."

"And why did you not seek help then?"

"The Bishop had other matters on his mind.  It was just before he went back to London and now…" He crossed himself, "God will watch over him I am sure."

It may sound callous but the Bishop's soul was not my concern.  I had ridden north feeling confident.  We had trounced every band of raiders sent against us but this was different.  This was an Angevin raider. This was someone who had fought King Henry for many years and survived. He would not be as easy to defeat and he had twice as many knights as I possessed.  I would need to be on my guard.

As we rode the thirty odd miles to Hexham I told the others of my earlier encounter with this Angevin knight.  I gave more detail than I had to Sir Hubert. "Believe me he is both cunning and cruel.  He almost had King Henry in his grasp and in those days he was much younger.  I doubt not that he will now be both clever and even more devious.  I am glad that we have brought Aiden for we will need his skills."

"Do you know that part of the country, Baron; the land close to the coast?"

"No Harold.  I have never been there.  I know that it is a wild land and desolate.  It is one reason they raid so far south.  They even struggle to grow barley and oats in that region. If there is one consolation it is that the men of Anjou will not find it to their liking."

Sir Hugh had heard of the raids, "The bastards come nowhere near me but I have received many refugees who fled their privations. Do you want my men to accompany you?"

"Not this trip but I would appreciate a couple of local men who know the area. We will return in the spring and then we might need some help. All I intend to do with this visit is let Fitzwaller and the other knights know that I am here to stop their raids."

The two men he gave to us were Cedric and Garth.  Both were foresters who had lived further north until the frequent raids had driven them south.  They hated the Scots more than most. They and Aiden would be our eyes and ears. We left just after dawn.  The showery, windy weather had given way to a grey overcast sky and scudding winds which drove into our faces.  It was not pleasant riding. We headed for Otterburn first and then Elsdon.  There was a tower at Otterburn and a motte and bailey castle at Elsdon.  It remained to be seen if they were still occupied by the English. The castle and manor at Morpeth appeared to be although they had not been large enough to stop the raids. I knew that they had raided Rothbury.  It seemed prudent to begin there.

I turned to Cedric.  "Will we reach Rothbury this night?"

"No Baron. We will reach Otterburn but even Elsdon is too far."

"And is there a lord at Otterburn and men at arms?"

"No Baron.  The lord of the manor took the cross these ten years. He has a steward who runs the estate for him. The people fear that their lord has forsaken them and has found a better manor in the Holy Land. Outremer attracts many knights who wish a better life than here in the harsh cold north."

"Fear not Cedric when King Henry hears of this he will appoint another lord. Who is the lord?"

"Richard D'Umfraville.  His grandfather was given much of the land around the Coquet.  I fear the grandson did not feel it was good enough for him.  His younger brother stayed.  It is he who lives in Elsdon."

The lassitude of the King was causing more problems than he knew.  I now realised that he saw the Palatinate and Northumberland as barriers to prevent the Scots raiding the richer lands to the south.  Our valley was the real border.  These lands were too poor to be profitable.  It was why his father had laid waste to so much of it. I saw forests and I saw moorland.  It might make good land for hunting but I would not like to farm here.

"Aiden, go with Cedric and scout out Otterburn and the land around it. I will take no chances with this Fitzwaller."

Hugh nudged his steed next to mine as the two scouts rode off. "Baron, this land is not worth defending.  Why not go back to Hexham?  Does it matter if the Scots have this moor and forest?"

"You may be right Hugh but what of the people who live here.  They are English are they not?  Do they not deserve our protection?"

"Are we not Norman?"

"The moment King William landed at Pevensey then every knight who took land on this isle ceased to be Norman. They became English. The trouble is many knights do not realise that."

Edward growled, "And the three knights who lead this conroi, young Hugh of Gainford, are all English! Your land is in England and that makes you English!"

I heard the anger in Edward's voice and Hugh mumbled, "I am sorry I have offended you, Sir Edward."

"He is a squire, Sir Edward and he has much to learn.  Give him time."

I saw Edward nod but knew that he was still seething inside. Edward was English through and through.  He spoke Norman when he had to but his heart was in England and not Normandy.

Otterburn had a simple tower amidst the huts that made up the large village by the river. We reached it in the late afternoon.  It had been sited well and had a good view across the land. The villagers must have seen our approach for the door of the tower was shut.

"I am Baron Alfraed and I am here on the King's business." A head appeared from the top of the tower.  "Are you the Steward?"

"I am, my lord."

"Then open the door so that we may take refuge here for the night." I saw him hesitate.  I took off my helmet. "If we were enemies then we could take this tower with ease."

I did not need to glance behind me to know that Dick had the archers stringing their bows.  The head disappeared. I dismounted and handed my reins to Leofric. "Wulfric, set up camp behind the tower.  It looks to be sheltered and there is water below."

"Aye, Baron."

The door opened and a nervous looking man opened it.  "I am Gilbert of Otterburn and I am the reeve and steward here.  I am sorry we barred the gate, Baron but we have had many raids from across the border and it is safer to be in here."

I waved a hand. "Have you been raided of late?"

"A month since, riders came from the east.  We had warning for we saw smoke in the distance and we hid within the tower.  They took the sheep and cattle from the fields but left us alone."

"You will find it hard to survive in the winter."

"Aye my lord.  We only grow oats and barley here and they will not last the winter."

"Then as you lord is absent I give you permission to hunt this winter for rabbits and deer."

"Thank you, Baron.  Would you care to sleep this night within the tower?"

I shook my head, "I did not give you hunting rights for my own gain. I will camp with my men. The King wishes his people to be safe.  When I next speak with him I will tell him of your plight." He nodded his gratitude. "Tell me Gilbert what of Elsdon and Rothbury?  If you were raided then what of them?"

His face darkened.  He gestured for me to follow him inside. The tower was crowded with people, "You are safe my friends.  Return to your homes.  Tonight we are under the protection of the Baron."

They knuckled their foreheads as they left the tower. There were no steps leading to the top; it was a series of ladders. It was not easy in my armour but I deemed that he thought it necessary.  I saw that Edward followed me. We reached the top.  The sky was darkening towards the east.  He pointed to the north east and there was a faint glow against the skyline. "That, Baron, is Elsdon. The smoke began this morning and the fires burn still."

"Then you did right to be wary of us. Tell me, Gilbert, when you were raided for your animals was Elsdon not raided too?"

"I think not for Ralph of Elsdon came with his three men at arms the day after the raid and offered us help."

"Then there is a knight in the castle?"

"No, Baron, Ralph is the son of the knight, William D'Umfraville. He is but a squire.  His father was killed six months since when he went to the aid of Rothbury."

"But the castle was not attacked?"

"I think not.  There are many roads from Rothbury to Hexham, lord.  Elsdon blocks one as we block this one but there are ways around it and the Scots are cunning. He only has ten men to defend the castle and it is made of wood." He pointed again, "I fear the worst."

It was too late to risk a night march.  I descended.  It was almost as difficult as climbing to the top. "Dick put two men in the top of the tower. I fear the Scots are in Elsdon."

I gathered my knights and squires around me. "We need a good guard keeping this night and we leave before dawn. The Scots are causing mischief to the north of us. This may well be the new frontier!"

That evening as we ate a frugal meal Tristan and Harold questioned me about the D'Umfraville family. "If the king charged Baron Richard with defending this land and gave him castles why would he leave?"

"Taking the cross and going on Holy Crusade is seen as a noble and holy pilgrimage. We know that it is the way to riches and a more comfortable life but the church and the king encourage knights to do this." I waved my hand around the huddle of poor and crude huts. "The people here are the ones who suffer. You would both do well to remember that.  Tristan, you have no manor as yet but your father is a fine example of a good lord of the manor.  Copy him."