Northern Knight (15 page)

"They are not closing in on us Sir Geoffrey.  Sir Edward has driven them off.  I believe we are safe."

"Good.  I hate being in here while my men fight."

Harold stirred and opened his eyes, "Where am I, Baron?"

"We are in Prudhoe Castle and St Cuthbert has saved you." I pointed to the relic. He tried to rise, "We are in Father Richard's hands now.  We rest.  Sir Edward commands and all is well."

By nightfall the Scots had disappeared.  We licked our wounds and counted the cost.  Two men at arms and two archers had been killed when we had been surrounded.  It did not make it any easier knowing that we had killed far more of them and their bodies littered the forest to the west of Prudhoe.

I ventured out to speak with Sir Edward. "I am sorry, Baron, I was late."

"It matters not." I paused.  He wished to tell me the reason. "What delayed you?"

"I was careless and had no scouts out.  They must have sent some lightly armed men along the Roman Road and we were ambushed.  It cost me two men and we pursued them.  I was angry at my loss.  I am sorry."

"We did not suffer as a result but it shows that we must never let down our guard for an instant."

That night our sentries spotted the flames of burning buildings towards the east.  The Scots were raiding. I held a council of war with my knights. "We will need to pursue them tomorrow and as early as possible. We have failed to do as the Bishop wanted and his people will suffer as a result.  We cannot allow that to continue. We must scour the land of the Scots."

Sir Edward pointed to my leg, "You and Sir Geoffrey are both wounded and Harold is hurt."

"I can ride can I not, Father Richard?"

I could see him torn between the truth and what he wanted to tell me. Truth won out.  "You can ride but you should not.  You will delay the healing process."

"There and Sir Geoffrey need not fight.  He can carry the banner and Leofric can use a sword." I saw my squire almost leap to his feet. "And Harold is recovered.  He can fight. I know that we are fewer in number but so are the Scots and they will think that they have bested us.  They have not." I waved over the castellan. "Has Sir Marmaduke lances here?"

"No, my lord but we have long spears."

"Then they will do. I want the conroi ready to ride an hour before dawn.  We know where they will be heading; it will be south and east but I will send Aiden out now to be certain."

After Aiden had left us Leofric came over.  "Did you mean it, my lord? I can fight?"

"You will have a sword and a shield and you will watch my right side as Harold used to.  You will have your weapon and you will use it but I want no reckless heroics. If we were not desperately short of men then you would just carry my banner. I cannot afford to lose you." He grinned, "It takes too long to train up a new squire!"

Although chastened by my words he nodded, "I will do my best, my lord.  I have worked hard with Harold and I am ready to face our enemies."

When I awoke I was stiff and I regretted my decision to ride. Leofric helped me with my armour.  My mail legging had been temporarily repaired but I could not risk any further damage.  I would have to use skill and experience. The wound had only been stitched. Another blow would open it up. I had just mounted when Aiden arrived.  "They are close to Gateshead. Their camp is a few miles from there.  They have camped at a small swale by a stream. They have cattle, sheep and slaves. They have been busy since they fled."

"And if they reach the bridge at the New Castle then they can hold the north to ransom. It is fortunate they did not push further east else they would hold the bridge already. Where are they camped?"

"They are on the sloping ground close to the bend in the river by the small stream and they have set sentries."

"Then we will ride to cut them off from the bridge. If they think we are still in Prudhoe they will get a shock."

It was less than a dozen miles to where they were camped and another three to the bridge. We rode hard through the early hours of the morning while it was still dark.  The faint hint of dawn made me spur Scout on.  My leg was complaining but the stitches appeared to be holding.  I did not feel the insidious trickle of blood from a burst wound. We saw the glow from their fires as we rode to the south of them. We made the southern edge of the bridge by dawn.  I sent the exhausted Aiden to the castle to warn those within of the proximity of the Scots.  I told him to rest within the walls.  He had done more than enough.

As we rested our horses and waited I weighed up the different strategies I could employ. If there were no captives involved then I could withdraw into the castle and wait for them to move.  However Aiden had reported that they had captives and if I did that there would be nothing to stop them from continuing their raid. If I had more archers and men at arms then I could wait on this small rise and allow them to attack us as they had at the Roman fort.  It seemed to me that I only had one option.  We would attack them whilst they were on the move and hope to scatter them. It was a mad idea and yet the only one which appeared to me to have the slightest chance of success.

We now had six men less than we had had when we set off. In addition three of us were not fully fit.  We did, at least, have the spears we had acquired in Prudhoe.

"We ride to the Scots' camp and, as soon as we see them, we attack.  Dick, I want you and the archers to prepare an ambush between here and the place they are camped. I intended to charge them, cause as much damage as I can and then draw them onto your archers."

"We have but eighteen now, Baron."

"I know but it will have to suffice."

"And if they do not follow?"

"Then, Sir Edward, we will have failed the Bishop and he will lose his people, his animals and many of his buildings." It was a depressing thought for I could not see how we could defeat such a large warband.

We rode with the rising sun at our backs. We had but a mile or two to go. The Scottish leaders had learned their lesson and they had scouts out.  As soon as they saw us the four riders turned tail and galloped back to their army.  It was a chance and I took it. "Follow them and ride hard."

I gambled that the four scouts had not had enough time to count us. We were coming from the castle and it was conceivable that they might think we were a separate force. I hoped for panic. This was not a Roman Road over which we travelled. It was a track made by feet over centuries and was just hard packed earth. It deadened, somewhat, the sound of our horses. It was also not straight and followed the river.  As we came around a bend in a wedge five knights wide we saw the warband.  The four scouts had only reached them moments earlier.  I saw the scouts on their ponies pointing at us. There was little order in the force we saw.  The vanguard was the knights with the captives and animals in the middle.  There were warriors on the flanks but the bulk was at the rear. We had parity of numbers, at least for the moment.

"Charge!"

They were less than a hundred paces when I put spurs to Scout.  The knights had no lances and they hurriedly tried to form a line and charge at the same time. There were just six knights but I saw twenty mounted men at arms behind and the four scouts. Their trumpets called for their rearguard but they had animals and captives to negotiate.

We struck their line.  My leg screamed in pain and I knew that I would not be able to stand in my stirrups.  I punched as hard as I could at the leading knight and my borrowed spear found a gap between his shield and his cantle.  The head of the spear ripped into his middle and, as he fell broke the weapon in two. I swung the broken spear horizontally and it cracked into the shield of the knight to my right.  As he lifted his shield to deflect it Harold speared him with his own weapon. My knights had spread out so that there were nine of us facing the three remaining knights.  Sir Richard took one while Sir Guy and Sir Guiscard finished off the last two. They were leaderless.

Edward spurred his horse on and rode directly at the sergeant at arms who was busy ordering his men into a line.  Edward's spear rammed into his throat and emerged from the back. My lieutenant released the now useless weapon and swung his sword at the men behind.  He was like a man possessed. He was making up for his error the day before. The joy of battle seemed to have filled all of my men and I heard Wulfric screaming his war cry.

I rode towards the men at arms with my sword drawn.  I saw that Leofric had done as I had asked and he was just behind me to my right. The men on foot were now flooding towards us.  Their war cries and screams filled the air. The Scot who charged me had a short war axe. As he swung it I blocked it with my sword. A chip of wood flew from the handle.  He tried a second swing, this time at Scout's head. I put every ounce of strength I had into the counterblow and I heard a crack as the axe handle broke.  Even as he looked in disbelief at the shattered weapon Leofric ran him through. Our charge had taken us through their lines and Wulfric and his men slew the guards. The captives were freed, "Run along the river to the New Castle.  We will hold them off!"

I watched as the thirty or so captives ran along the trail.  I realised that there were men with them.  This was unusual.  Normally the men would be killed. The rearguard, who was the bulk of their band, was still trying to get at us but the animals were in the way. I had an idea.  "Drive the animals at the rearguard!"

Hollering and screaming we slapped the flat of our swords against the rumps of the cattle which turned and ran west to escape the punishment.  The sheep and goats that were behind them joined in the stampede. It is easier to start such a stampede than it is to stop one. The rearguard stood no chance.  Six of the braver ones were trampled to death before the rest fled west. When we saw that we had succeeded we halted.  Our horses needed the rest.

"Leofric ride and fetch Dick and his archers." While my squire rode away I lifted my helmet. "God was on our side today, my friends."

"Aye and the cattle helped too."

We watched as the animals, no longer being struck, gradually slowed and then stopped. Soon we would be able to collect them and drive them to the New Castle. Unbelievably our charge had succeeded.  I had gambled and won.

The people and the animals remained at the New Castle while we chased the raiders back to the Tyne.  Dick and the archers kept their swords at their backs.  They still outnumbered us but they were leaderless and on foot. We stopped when we reached Chollerford and the fort. I had left eight men at arms at the New Castle.  They would strip the dead of their valuables, collect the horses and then escort the captives back to their homes. Aiden delivered a message to the Bishop informing him of the raid and the result. I still wondered why they had taken the men prisoners.  The only answer I had was that they required male slaves and that was disturbing.

As Midsummer passed and late summer approached I could feel proud of what my men had achieved. We had defeated two invasions and raids with minimal loss to ourselves.  Although the raiders had had little treasure our stipend from the Bishop more than compensated. We were a fine force which could hold its own against any enemies.

The next couple of weeks were spent in recovery.  Both men and animals had been pushed to the limit.  Now we could go back to our regular rhythm of practice and vigilance. When Aiden returned it was with another conroi.  Sir Hugh Manningham had a manor high up in the Wear Valley.  His ten men at arms and his ten archers were most welcome.  We discovered that, unlike us his reward was not money but the manor of Hexham. Odo had paid for his rebellion with his life and, having no heirs, his land was forfeit. Sir Hugh had benefitted. Hexham was a much richer manor.  He and his men would use the fort at Chollerford until they had rebuilt their castle. We were no longer tied to the fort.

We had the luxury of spare men and we used it to range further afield and watch all of the crossing points on the wall. We saw occasional scouts but our presence, in numbers, discouraged them. The worst appeared to be over.  As summer passed our wounds healed and our skills improved.  Leofric was fast becoming a good swordsman. Harold was a good teacher and, along with Tristan, enjoyed helping the young squires. Leofric appeared to grow stronger each day.  I was pleased I had not had him a good set of armour made for by the time Christmas came he would have grown out of it. By the end of summer Sir Hugh was quite happy to take over the duties of guardian of the north. More of his men had arrived from his old manor and with the ditch repaired around his castle and walls erected he had security once more.  Hexham could control the upper Tyne.

As we headed back to Durham, all of us considerably richer, and as we passed the New Castle, I realised that the Gospatric clan was still an unresolved problem.  The castle which controlled the Tyne needed a strong hand. It did not have one. We still had enemies who harboured rebellious thoughts and they were protected by the Scottish King.  It was like a wound which festered. It had not gone away.

The Bishop was delighted to see us.  His banner and his relic were returned to him as was his priest.  He had been a dour man but Father Richard had certainly been useful.  I wondered about asking for a priest to accompany us again. Wulfric was a rough and ready healer; we needed a skilled one. The final stipend was paid and we headed south.  The crops we passed showed that it had been a good summer and that promised a safer winter. We had been away for many months and I wondered if I had another child yet.  It had been five months since we had left home; perhaps there was a son or daughter awaiting me.

When we reached Stockton it was a momentous occasion. We would all be returning to our own manors. Our work was done and we were a band of brothers.  I now trusted Sir Raymond, as Wulfstan had told me I would. I had been wrong about him and that was a lesson I had learned. We had all got on remarkably well and I was happy that we had learned so much about each other. They were all eager to return to their families and our parting was brief but heartfelt.

Adela was still with child and young William was toddling next to her. I wondered if he would remember me this time.  He threw his arms open and staggered towards me. I was home and I had a perfect welcome. John, my steward looked a little portlier than I had remembered him but perhaps that was because I was used to seeing lean and hungry soldiers. He followed us into my hall and chatted to Leofric. Adela suddenly gushed out with a torrent of words and told me all that had happened since I had been gone.  She barely paused for breath and, I confess, I heard barely half of it but it mattered not.  She must have been lonely and the least I could do was to listen to her. William, too, just wanted my attention and I dangled him between my legs and then on my knee.  When I winced Adela stopped babbling and asked, "Were you wounded?"

"It was nothing.  It is healed and you are not to worry."

"But I do worry.  And here am I going on about things which are not important while you are hurt."

"I was hurt and now I am well. I can rest over the autumn and the winter."

She rose and kissed me, "Come William, we shall go and organise the feast for tonight." She pointed to John who had been waiting patiently, "I think John wishes to have a word with you."

After she had left I said, "Thank you for looking after her, John.  I had not realised we would be away as long."

"Do not worry, Baron.  We had peace and prosperity. Our animals increased tenfold and the crops promise a great bounty.  Our trade has also increased.  Did you not notice more houses when you came towards the castle?"

"I confess I was too busy speaking with my knights."

"There are many more people and not just here.  Both Norton and Hartburn have new settlers." He laughed, "Ethelred is now so rich that he is having a fine house built and he has asked William the Mason for some stone work."

I shook my head, "He has come a long way since I first met him. And how is the church?  I hope that Ethelred's plans did not interfere with our church."

"No, Baron.  The roof is on and the walls will be up before the first snows. There will be little adornment but we can worship there rather than trudging through the snow to Norton."

"Good.  And we are prepared for winter?"

"As much as we can ever be prepared, aye. Much will depend upon the harvest but I believe it will be a good one. Sir Wulfstan will be pleased to see you back.  He took his duties seriously and spent many hours each week travelling around the manors."

"I will thank him." I noticed that Leofric was still waiting.  "John, Leofric needs mail armour.  Take him to Alf.  I would have him clad as I am."

John frowned, "That would be expensive my lord!"

"Nevertheless he will be clad in good mail.  We have earned enough this summer to pay for a fine suit of mail for every one of my men." He did not look convinced but he nodded.  "And we will need to hire another five men at arms.  I also seek more archers."

He opened his mouth as though he was going to argue and then thought better of it.  "Come Leofric.  Let us find Alf and get this suit of mail."

I went to my chambers. "Aelric, fetch me some water.  I would bathe the dust of the road from me."

My servant scurried off and I took off my armour.  It still hurt when I removed the mail from my legs.  That, too, would need to be repaired. When the water arrived I was pleased that Aelric had brought it warm. "I will see to this myself, Aelric.  Have a jug of wine and a goblet taken to the west tower for me." As I washed it seemed as though I was peeling layers from my body.  I had been a warrior for months and now I would need to return to being a lord of the manor.  I would need to hold a session to decide all the cases which had accrued since May.  Hopefully there would be few. As I dressed in the fine linen tunic I felt better prepared to think about my duties.

I ascended the stairs to the tower.  There were two towers, one to the west and one to the east.  Each one would be used as a guard room but that was only in times of trouble.  They were both small; they could accommodate a small table and two chairs but it was the place I could go and think.  If I wished to reflect on the past I used the east tower where I could look out across the sea to my home many thousands of miles away.  Latterly I had preferred the west tower for, as it was now, I could see a glorious sunset and think about the future.

The wine was there and I poured a goblet. I had soon grown tired of the Chollerford ale and this heavy red wine was like ambrosia. I cautioned myself not to drink too much. I knew that I was lucky.  I had a beautiful wife and son.  My men and my knights were the most loyal one could wish for and I seemed to be lucky in battle.  My father and his men had always said that my namesake had been equally lucky.  Soldiers never minded that. If you were skilled and had luck then that was a good thing. The pessimist in me wondered when my luck would run out.  Everyone's luck did.  My father's had been when de Mamers and his men had raided Norton.  When would mine come? I stopped drinking after two goblets; I was becoming morose. I resolved to look for the positives and not the negatives in my life.

I left with Leofric the next day to visit with Wulfstan, Athelstan and Osric. My father's three warriors were the rocks upon which my family and people depended.  I could trust them to defend my land and to manage the people fairly. I would not have been able to go to war as often as I did were it not for them.

Wulfstan's three children were all growing rapidly and were an indication of what I could expect from William and my unborn child. Wulfstan and Faren had brought them up well and they stood politely while Leofric and I dismounted. "Where is Wulfstan?"

Faren bobbed her head and pointed to the fields to the west of the hall.  "He is helping to gather in the harvest." She smiled, "He has sniffed the air this morning and thought it would come on to rain."

"Come Leofric we will exercise my leg." We left the horses slurping at the water trough and strode towards the fields of oats. I saw Wulfstan amongst his villeins and men at arms.  He was wielding a scythe as though it was a weapon of war and swathes of ripened oats fell at each stroke. His men gathered up the oats in armfuls and laid them in the cart.  Wulfstan, like me, had two oxen to draw his cart. Both of us allowed our farmers to use the mighty beasts.  They were an expense for they needed feeding al winter but they were the best draught animals we had.

He stopped and wiped his brow when he saw us. He handed the scythe to one of his men at arms, "Here William; I will speak with the Baron."

He strode over to the cart where there was a jug and some beakers.  He poured two beakers of ale and held one to me.  "Good to see you, Alfraed. I take it your foray north was worthwhile?"

Wulfstan was the only one, apart from Adela, who used my Christian name.  He had been given the task of raising me by my father.  He was still my mentor and I was still in awe of him and his skill. "Yes Wulfstan."

He quaffed the ale in one swallow and as he poured himself another he nodded at my leg. "I saw you limping as you walked across the field. You were wounded?"

"A spear."

He stared at Leofric, "How was the Baron wounded on the side you were supposed to protect?"

Leofric coloured but before he could reply I said, "That was my fault, Wulfstan.  I had him holding my banner."

"He is your squire.  His job is to protect your side.  You need someone else to hold your banner. You need another squire."

He was right but it still irritated me, "I will get one by and by.  We have finished campaigning for the year anyway."

"You sent the Scots back from whence they came?"

I nodded, "They are good warriors but they fight as a rabble."

"It was ever the way. Do not forget, Alfraed, that your father and I learned discipline from the Emperor in the east. The Scots have only picked up a little discipline from the Normans." He wiped his face, "Come I will walk you back to my hall and you can tell me all." He put a huge ham around Leofric's shoulder, "I am sorry if I misjudged you, Leofric.  Forgive an old man his hasty tongue."

Leofric smiled, "No offence was taken, my lord.  I berated myself too."

I spent the morning with Wulfstan.  He had been active during my absence.  I discovered that he had dispensed justice without the need for sessions.  Most of his judgements were a swift blow which ended most disputes. He had imposed fines for some misdemeanours and the money went to the church in Stockton. As I headed for Norton I reflected on his justice.  Too many lords of the manor inflicted severe punishments for crimes.  Some had those found guilty of crimes blinded or maimed.  We did not. It made little sense for there were perilously few men without hurting the ones we had.  In the end it proved wise for more people wished to live on lands where the justice of Baron Alfraed was seen as eminently fair.

Osric and Athelstan had had more land cleared and drained. Although it would never make good land for crops it was perfect for pigs and Norton was fast becoming the producer of fine ham. When my hunters went hunting the boar we took the young and domesticated them.  There were still more than enough wild boars for us to hunt but the tame variety ensured a steady supply all year. I was more than happy when I returned to Stockton.  Athelstan had given a leg of ham to me which had been smoked in one of the new smokehouses. It was a delicacy I enjoyed.

It was still light as I approached Stockton and I rode slowly so that I could view my little settlement by the Tees. Although I had not deliberately planned it we had encouraged development along the line of huts which had been there when we had first come all those years ago. The old walls around the manor were long gone.  My castle was close enough to afford protection. Ethelred's house now looked like a manor house.  It was on the river side and close to his ferry.  I think he liked to stand at his door and see the storage huts by the river with the goods he traded and his main source of income, the ferry.