Crusade (12 page)

Sweyn interrupted.

‘Hereward went to Spain at a crucial point in his life, when Edith Swan-Neck asked him to lead the English resistance. Adela and I felt we were at the same crossroads in our lives.’

I had heard talk of Doña Jimena’s great beauty and was intrigued to know how true it was.

‘She is everything that is said about her and more. She is in her mid-twenties, with three young children – Maria, Cristina and the newly born Diego Rodriguez – but she still looks like a young girl, exactly as Hereward used to describe her, “as perfect as a black pearl”.’

Adela, irritated at the men dwelling on Doña Jimena’s loveliness, continued their account.

‘We were given a warm reception in Zaragoza. Hereward’s name was enough to get us an audience with the Cid – although I, as a woman dressed in the garb of a knight, did raise a few eyebrows!’

Adela was now in full flow.

‘Rodrigo has lost favour with the Christian King, Alfonso VI of León and Castile, and has offered his services to the Moors of southern Spain. There he finds
much more justice and honour than among his kinsmen in Christian Spain. Rodrigo introduced us to the Muslim knights of Valencia and in particular to al-Muqtadir’s son, Yusuf al-Mu’taman. They are a remarkable family and it is obvious why the Cid would want to serve them.

‘They have just completed their gleaming new palace, the Aljaferia, and Prince Yusuf is visited constantly by scholars from all over Europe. His book
Kitab al-Istikmal
–
The
Book of Perfection
– we were told is a wonder of mathematical calculation. If only Torfida were alive, I’m sure she would have understood it and been able to discuss it with him for hours.’

Sweyn was just as effusive.

‘Yusuf and Rodrigo told us about the Mos Militum, the Code of Knights, which is spreading in southern Europe. It is a code of honour based on the Futuwwa, the Way of the Spiritual Warrior, as written in the holy book of Islam, the Quran, and the Mos Maiorum, the code of honour of Ancient Rome. Young knights are adopting it throughout Spain, Italy and France. The code requires us to be honourable, truthful, courageous and humble, and to protect the weak – women, children and the old. Adela and I have both sworn to adopt the Mos Militum for the rest of our lives.’

It felt as if I were listening to visionaries or zealots who had found an eternal truth. Adela continued the sermon.

‘Hereward often talked about the Talisman of Truth, the ancient amulet they carried, and its messages of truth and courage. We also remember the Oath of the Brotherhood, the principles they fought for. The Mos Militum is an extension of that, but it’s not an amulet or an oath, it’s a way of life.’

I was fascinated, and I could see that Edwin was also intrigued.

‘It sounds like a worthy standard to follow; we must talk more about it. But first, you both need to be granted the title of knight and be given your own pennons. That is something only Count Robert can do, as I no longer have a domain to call my own. In your case, Adela, it is a highly unusual step for which I do not think there is a precedent.’

‘Then I will have to prove myself as better than the men.’

It was unusual for the trial of knighthood to be attempted at Sweyn’s age, but there was little doubt he was ready. Adela was old enough, but – as far as I knew – no woman had ever attempted it.

I looked at Edwin, who had been listening to the account of the trip to Zaragoza with mixed feelings. He was angry that, yet again, we had been disobeyed, but his admiration for our young companions’ conviction was all too evident. He just shrugged his shoulders.

‘So be it. Let’s talk to Count Robert and ask for them to be put to the test.’

9. Knighthood

While final preparations for the army’s attack on Scotland were made, Robert agreed that Sweyn could undergo the trial of knighthood as practised in Normandy for generations. However, he was adamant that Adela could not be admitted to the Order of Knights. His argument, although a massive disappointment for her, was compelling – even though I told him that she was formally a brother-in-arms to Edwin, Sweyn and myself.

‘That is your choice and has nothing to do with me, but no one has ever heard of a woman being admitted to the knighthood. If I were to be the first to sanction it, I would be ridiculed far and wide. And besides, it’s just wrong – she’s a woman, and women shouldn’t fight on the battlefield, let alone be knights.’

‘Many women have fought in battle and many have died.’

‘I know, and they have died well, but it has usually been in extremis to defend their homes and children. It still doesn’t make it right in my eyes, or in the eyes of God. Let that be my final word on the matter.’

Few men would disagree with Robert and there was little point in pressing him further, so I had to give Adela the bad news. I had one crumb of comfort for her, which was that Robert had agreed that she could undertake the test on the strict understanding that, no matter how well
she performed, it would not qualify her to join the Order of Knights.

Edwin helped me break the news to her.

‘I will speak to the Count myself,’ she vowed.

‘You will not, Adela. That would be countermanding my authority and I will not allow it.’

‘I am the equal of all of them – and better than most. It is not just.’

Edwin intervened.

‘Remember who you are speaking to.’

‘My Lord, I’m sorry, but I want to be treated according to my talents, not constrained by traditions that men created to keep women as slaves.’

‘You have my sympathy, but you can’t fight the way the world is.’

‘On the contrary, sire, I can and I will.’

‘I understand but, on this occasion, I can’t help you.’

‘My Lord, I realize how much you have supported Sweyn and myself, and we will always be grateful. So, if I accept this, what will become of me? Will I be able to accompany you on campaigns?’

‘I don’t see why you can’t carry on as page in my retinue – and, indeed, bear arms. Let me talk to the Count after the trial.’

The trial was undertaken with the help of several of Robert’s senior knights, in a series of tests supervised by Hugh Percy. A large crowd gathered when word spread around the camp that Adela had been allowed to take the challenge.

There were many emotions and opinions about Adela
within Robert’s army, both among the fighting men and the men and women who made up the baggage train. All assumed she would have preferred to be a man and that her sexual desires favoured women rather than men. That was understandable, given her appearance and demeanour, and most men – and many of the women – were adamant that a long night with a well-endowed, vigorous young man would solve all her problems. A few were more sympathetic, admiring her fortitude as well as her martial skills and courage.

The tests were arduous: target practice with longbow, crossbow and javelin; tilts at dummy targets and personal jousts with some of Robert’s finest horsemen; duels on foot and on horseback with sword, mace and seax; various tests of horsemanship, including a long-distance gallop through the forest and heath; and the final challenge, a foot-race around the camp where, at several points, they had to run a gauntlet of abuse, blows, traps and obstacles.

The test was scored by Hugh Percy and both passed handsomely. Sweyn’s score was one of the highest anyone could remember, while Adela’s would have put her close to the elite bracket of candidates had she not suffered the misfortune of being taken clean out of her saddle in one of her three jousts, which lost her several points. However, accompanied by much cheering, her sheer determination, desperate scrambling and instinctive cunning meant she beat Sweyn by ten yards in the foot-race, even though he had the physique of a hunting dog.

The camp was delighted at the outcome and had been thoroughly entertained for an afternoon.

It was a very special moment for Sweyn when he stood
before Count Robert to be dubbed a Knight of Normandy. He bowed to his lord and, with the only blow to which Sweyn was required not to retaliate, Robert struck him hard across the side of his face with the mailed side of his gauntlet, drawing blood from his cheek and nose. He then handed him his pennon, placed his sword in his hand and raised it to the assembled crowd. The army cheered enthusiastically and his fellow knights raised their swords in the time-honoured salute.

Sweyn had got his wish. He was a member of the Order of Knights at the tender age of sixteen, an honour usually bestowed at a boy’s coming of age at twenty-one. Only members of the higher nobility or warriors of exceptional ability were given such an accolade so young.

The most significant gesture, one that I will remember for the rest of my days, was embodied in the colours of Sweyn’s pennon. Robert had sought advice from me and, despite what the three colours represented, was magnanimous enough to grant Sweyn the crimson, gold and black of Hereward’s war banner, the colours chosen to represent the Talisman of Truth by the noble Einar in 1069.

Sweyn tied the pennon to his lance and held it high in the air. It was yet another huge paradox for me to contemplate: it was less than ten years since Ely; we were in the wild and forsaken burgh of Durham, still not recovered from Norman brutality; and once more Hereward’s colours flew proudly over English soil, this time in front of William’s firstborn son and heir and the cream of Normandy’s army.

Robert then addressed Adela directly.

‘Adela of Bourne, you have acquitted yourself with great distinction here today, you have performed as well
as the best of my knights. I hope you understand why I cannot dub you as knight today – but rest assured, you have won our respect.’

Robert nodded and a steward brought forward a magnificent black destrier of the size, quality and colour reserved for the elite Matilda Conroi.

‘Please accept this mount. It reflects our regard for you and especially your outstanding skill as a horsewoman.’

Adela, despite the disappointment of being denied knighthood, seemed overawed. She did not curtsy of course, but bowed deeply, smiled broadly and took the reins of the horse. The crowd responded warmly – most seemed won over by her impressive performance in the trial.

‘Count Robert, I am very grateful and appreciate all the support you have given Sweyn and myself. We are in your debt and will serve in whatever capacity you wish. The mount is a fine specimen and a more than generous gift. I will put him to good use, sufficient to be worthy of such largesse. As for convention, I hope to prove to you that although some traditions are worth keeping, many are not.’

Adela’s combative spirit could not be quashed.

I was much relieved that Robert appeared to take it in good part.

Later that night, Robert asked to see me.

‘I have been thinking about Adela. Do you want her to stay with this campaign and any others we go on together?’

‘Yes, I do.’

‘I think that’s a problem. There is much disquiet among
the knights, and innuendo and banter among the men. Many of the women are suspicious or jealous of her. I had not given it a thought but, after the trial, Hugh, Yves and Aubrey came to me with the gossip. They are set against her staying – they say she will cause trouble, and that’s the last thing we want when we’re about to set out for Scotland.’

‘What are you saying?’

‘I assume she likes women rather than men?’ Robert asked bluntly.

‘It is never discussed. She has never taken any interest in men – except to be very protective of Sweyn, whom she treats like a younger brother. I know of no evidence to suggest that she’s inclined to either men or women, which must be a consequence of her trauma as a girl.’

I then told Robert what I knew of the events in her village. However, the information, although eliciting much sympathy, did not dispel his concerns.

‘There are many in the Church and in the nobility who would have her flogged – or worse – if there were any suggestion of her fornicating with another woman.’

‘There is no suggestion of that.’

‘That may be so, but I can’t stop
the rumours and I can’t have disquiet in the army or the baggage train. Hell, in my naivety, I gave her a stallion today. When she said she’d put him to good use, you can imagine the insinuations that echoed around the camp!’

I despaired.

‘Robert, please, this will break her heart. She knows nothing else, has no other dreams; she just wants to fight.’

‘Someone is going to have to wed her. It will stop all the rumours and she can accompany you on as many campaigns as she likes; sometimes, the wives of knights not blessed with children accompany their men.’

‘That is preposterous. Who do you suggest takes her in marriage?’

‘I’ve no idea, but you must find someone. We can give him a small estate as an inducement, and I understand she is not without her own dowry.’

‘She wouldn’t accept it; I would wager a Danegeld on it.’

‘What about the boy, Sweyn? Or Edwin? That might be a good match.’

‘Robert, this is a shock. I need time to think.’

‘You have twenty-four hours. We march at dawn the day after tomorrow.’

I had to act quickly, and immediately sought Edwin’s advice.

‘Count Robert is adamant that someone must take her as a wife if she is to continue in his service.’

‘Sire, I thought he was an admirer.’

‘He is, but Hugh Percy and the others have spoken to him and are set against it. They say it will cause trouble and that many of the knights are opposed, claiming that she prefers to be the ram doing the tupping rather than the ewe being tupped.’

‘It is unfair, my Lord, she has done nothing wrong. I think I know why the knights are causing trouble. Some time ago, I woke early one morning to find her alone by the horses and very pensive. Eventually, she told me that during the night she had been disturbed by two knights from Avranches, naked, drunk and egged on by others,
who were fondling her and pulling down her leggings. As you might guess, her seax was at the throat of one and her foot in the balls of the other within moments. I suspect both were humiliated. She told me that it was not the first time it had happened.’