The Fallen Crown (17 page)

Our swords rang together time and time again.  When I saw the short sword begin to bend I took a step back, thrust it into the ground and drew my long sword.  The pommel had the blue stone which had been in King Harold's sword.  The weapon always filled me with a sense of power and so it was again. Now we had weapons of equal length. We were both as skilled as each other.  As I tried to stab him he countered with his own sword. He tried to swing and take my head but I blocked with my shield.  Around us men died, were wounded or yielded but we fought on. Our swords rang together time and time again. Both our hauberks were torn and links broken.  Our surcoats were bloodied and ripped. Our helmets were dented but still we fought on.

I think it was my belief that I was in the right and that God was on my side and that of the Empress which determined the outcome. I brought the sword from behind me and I put every ounce of strength into the blow. Stephen countered with his own sword but it shattered in two. Before he could do anything more I dropped my shield and putting my sword to his throat I tore his helmet from his head and shouted, "I have taken the King! Yield!"

Around us those closest stopped fighting but they did not drop their weapons.  It was as though time had stopped still.

I said, quietly so that only he could hear, "I  do not wish to kill you for you have fought well but know that I will to avoid further slaughter and death. If you wish to live then surrender now!" I dropped his helmet to the ground.

He nodded and dropping to his knees shouted, "I yield.  The field is yours Alfraed, Earl of Cleveland!" Then to me, he added quietly, "The crown has, indeed, fallen!"

The Earl of Gloucester sent the Earl of Chester and his men to pursue those who had fled. I had Stephen escorted towards the castle by my men at arms. They had earned the right.  Their bloodied surcoats and dented helmets told their own story. "Let us go, my lord.  You have hurts.  The Countess will have a healer." We marched proudly towards the gate of Lincoln Castle. I was anxious to see both my men and the Countess.

He rose and grimaced as he did so. "You have a powerful arm, Alfraed.  I can see why you were so successful in the mêlée."

Richard rode up with our two horses. "Would you care to ride, my lord?"

"Thank you Alfraed.  It is somewhat more dignified than trudging." Stephen was aware of his appearance.  A horse would give him some dignity.

We mounted and I led Stephen, the knight who had been King of England, through the gates and into Lincoln Castle.  The fact that he rode beneath my banner gave me satisfaction. My men had performed heroically.  They had done far more that most of those who had fought that day.

The Countess, flanked by my grinning men, greeted us in the inner bailey. "My husband is alive?"

I nodded, "He pursues the survivors through Lincoln's streets. Have you a healer? This lord is hurt."

She nodded, "If you would care to dismount..." I saw her about to say
'your majesty'
but she changed it at the last moment, "my lord."

He had the good grace to bow, "I shall have to get used to that, for a while at least." I dismounted too. "What are your plans for me, Alfraed?"

"I do not command. It is up to the Earl in the short term but, ultimately, the Empress. We will discuss this when the healer has finished with you."

As the Countess and her guards led him off my men at arms and archers who had garrisoned Lincoln ran up to me, "My lord, we watched from the gate. You were Hercules this day!"

"Thank you Cedric but I ache in every muscle of my body! How was it within the walls?"

"The Countess is more like a warrior than many knights I have known, my lord , and yet she is so gentle.  She helped the healer with those injured during the siege."

Oswald asked, "Was it our men who destroyed the siege engines?"

Richard said, "Need you ask, Oswald?  Of course it was!"

Laughing I said, "You must excuse Master Richard's cockiness, Oswald.  He was wounded and now he is a veteran."

Richard flushed, "I am sorry Oswald, I meant no offence."

Oswald shook his head, "You are a veteran, Master Richard.  I can see it in your walk."

It was night time by the time the pursuit had finished. The captured knights were all brought into Lincoln so that they could be held until ransomed. I thought better of the Earl of Chester when the first thing he did was to embrace his wife. Robert of Gloucester was, once more, in a good mood.

"That was nobly done Alfraed.  Your charge was timely and your attack on the flank saved the day.  I thank you."

It was a genuine gesture and I nodded.  "The Usurper fought bravely."

"He did.  He slew and wounded many knights before you tamed him.  You are still the champion of my father even after his death. Where is Stephen?"

"He had wounds.  He is with the healer.  He is guarded. He asked what was to be done with him."

"I have much to do here.  What say you escort him to my sister? That is far from that harpy of a wife of his.  Enough of his lords left the field.  We still have enemies to deal with but we now hold Lincoln.  The country is divided in two."

I looked over to the far corner of the hall where the Countess and her husband were closeted. "And the Earl; is his defection forgiven?"

"Given the result I think so but we will watch him carefully in the future."

The evening proved to be a strange one.  We had been trying to kill each other all morning and yet the former king chatted happily with the Earl of Chester, Robert of Gloucester and me. It was the code by which we lived. The other knights who had been ransomed were also feted.  Baldwin Fitz Richard did not seem discomfited that I had wounded him. Sir William had also been wounded.  I thought he should have stayed in his chamber but he was keen to be at the feast.  He was pale and looked in pain.  He had taken a sword thrust to the shoulder. I sat by him.  For the young knight this was elevated company.

"I hope I did good service, my lord."

"You did Sir William.  The Earl of Chester is lucky to have you as one of his knights."

"I fear he will rid himself of me soon enough."

Dick had been listening, "If you lose his patronage I would take your men and seek your fortune.  Normandy has many opportunities for a landless knight."

Dick was right but I offered him another alternative, "If you need another lord I would happily have you as one of my knights.  I have no manor yet but Sir John here has none and he seems happy enough."

Sir John said, "Lord, you do have a manor."

"What?"

"
Liedeberge."

"Of course, I do.  I had forgotten  Would you not wish it?"

"No lord.  I am happy to serve you and live in Stockton. It is my home."

Dick laughed, "Of course that has nothing to do with Alf's comely daughter who flutters her eyes whenever you pass!"

He reddened and changed the subject.  " Liedeberge needs a lord of the manor."

I nodded, "Yet I would not cause a rift between the earl of Chester and myself.  But if you leave his service Sir William, I can offer you a manor." His face told me his answer. I turned to Sir John, "Have you told Alf of your interest in his daughter?"

"Lord, Dick is teasing I..."

"A knight does not lie, especially to his lord.  Answer me truthfully."

He hung his head and then said, "No lord."

"Then speak to Alf.  It is the honourable thing to do and he will be happy with the match." I smiled, "He will give you a fine dowry!"

Dick nodded, "And you will never need pay for mail or weapons again!" Dick was ever practical.

Three days later Stephen was well enough to travel and it was deemed that we could travel back to Gloucester.  The Empress had been informed of the capture of her enemy.  Before we left the Countess of Chester took me to one side.  "Thank you, Alfraed for leaving your men to guard me.  They were like rocks. They spoke highly of you. How did you learn to inspire such loyalty?"

"From my father and he learned it from my namesake who fought for King Harold." I held up the sword hilt.  "This stone came from his sword.  It is this which inspires me. It is a throwback to an earlier time.  If I ever become arrogant I think back to King Harold lost it all because he did not have the control over his people that he needed. I will not make that mistake.  I work hard to keep my people loyal."

"From what your men told me you have no fears there. Take care, my lord.  The Empress needs you more than you can know."

Her husband saw us and joined us.  I had spoken little to him while we had been in the castle.  I was not certain if he was avoiding me or if it was a coincidence. He put his arm protectively around his wife. "My lord I am indebted to you. Had you, your men and Sir William not done what you did then the castle might have fallen and my wife held hostage.  I am sorry for any offence I may have caused you in the past."

I nodded. "I am unimportant, Ranulf.  I fight for the Empress and her son.  We are close to victory but until she is crowned and free from attack I shall not rest. Any offence you may have caused me is immaterial.  So long as you are now committed to our cause is all that I ask."

"And I am.  I beg you to ask her to confirm my brother as Earl of Lincoln, I pray you will support him."

"I will do so but I hope that you are less high handed with the citizens of these towns.  It was they who invited Stephen here."

"I know. I have much to learn and you are a good example." He pointed to Sir William who was chatting to Sir John. "As a gesture of friendship I understand that Sir William has attached himself to your knights.  I do not object.  If he can serve you then I am happy."

"Thank you, Earl, I would not have done anything behind your back."

"That is known throughout the land.  Your word and your honour are as renowned as your skills with sword and lance. You are still undefeated. I could not come close to Stephen but you despatched him with ease."

That was not true.  It had been a hard battle but this was neither the time or the place for such discussions. "We all lose sometime, Earl.  My day will come."

The Earl must have spoken with Sir William for, as I left the inner bailey, he was waiting with my men.   He looked apprehensive until I said, "The Earl has seen me.  We will talk of your future as we ride."

We waited for Stephen to emerge with Robert of Gloucester.  They came out with Baldwin Fitz Richard who had recovered somewhat. Stephen mounted his own horse which had been found in the town.  His face was grim as was that of the earl of Gloucester.  They had had words.  Baldwin said, "My ransom is coming, Earl." There was an implied question.

"Then you may leave when it reaches the Countess." I turned to Maud. "I will fetch it myself, my lady.  I may, it seems, be able to return north sooner rather than later."

She nodded, "I pray so, lord, for  you work tirelessly."

The journey to Gloucester was a dangerous one.  Despite the fact that Stephen had surrendered and would not try to escape it would not prevent his friends from attempting a rescue.  We travelled as though going to war with scouts ranging far ahead.  With all of my men back with me I felt more comfortable. We did the journey in three days. Already warned of our arrival the Empress had everything ready for us. There were quarters for Stephen and guards to take over our duties. The Empress and her cousin hurried indoors.

Sir John asked, "Is that it, lord?  Is it over?"

"I know not.  The Empress has yet to be crowned.  London is still a supporter of Stephen. Then there is the problem of the Church. Henry of Blois is still an important figure in the clergy. Let us say I will still have Gilles keep my sword sharp."

I did not have the chance to speak with Matilda for some time.  The feast which was held was a public place and the Empress and her court celebrated our victory well. She caught my eye a couple of times and smiled but that was all. I rose early, before dawn, and was taking the chill morning air when Judith found me, "My lord, the Empress would speak with you."

I went to her chambers. She embraced me, "Thank you Alfraed.  You have given me the crown.  My cousin told me what you did. It speaks well of you that your enemy whom you defeated speaks so highly of you."

"I swore an oath to your father."

"This went beyond a word given to a dead king.  You and I know that. And now I make another demand of you."

"Command and I shall obey!"

"No Alfraed, this is not a command.  I need you and a small group of your men to escort me secretly to Winchester. There I need to speak to Henry of Blois, the Bishop of Winchester."

"Stephen's brother."

"They had a falling out when we held peace talks.  I need the support of the church and Henry is the papal legate now.  If he can sway the clergy then I can be crowned."

"When do we leave?"

She laughed, "Would that all of my knights were as steadfast as you, Alfraed!  I would leave now before the house is up."

"Then I will choose my men."

They did not ask why they were roused so early; they obeyed.  I took Sir John, Dick, Gilles, Theobald, Wilfred and Rafe.  The rest I left under the command of Edgar. We left as the sun rose ahead of us.  It was a bitterly cold day and the Empress and Margaret were well wrapped in furs.  I knew from old that they were both good riders but I had Wilfred and Gilles stay close to them.  Rafe ranged ahead.

As we rode I discovered that young Henry had been sent back to Anjou.  The Count had asked for him. He wished to train him for war.  I had wanted to do that but I took heart from the fact that my son William would be helping to make him into a knight and a warrior. When a flurry of sleet and rain flew into faces all conversation stopped and we huddled together on the road.  The inclement weather meant that we travelled unobserved.

I was unsure of the welcome we might receive from the brother of the man we held prisoner but the Empress seemed confident. Nonetheless I made sure that our weapons were to hand as we approached the gates of the Bishop's palace in Winchester. We waited outside with the rain still finding its way through layers of clothing. Part of me was excited about being here.  This had been Harold Godwinson's capital. My father and namesake had walked these streets.  This was my first visit; it had been something I had anticipated since I had arrived in England.  I did not think it would be under these circumstances but I took comfort from the fact that no matter how politics and treachery insinuated themselves into our world in the end we still remained England.  The Normans had come and displaced Harold but I was proof that the English were resilient.  It was only the lords who spoke Norman; all else spoke English.  I had to believe in a future which was England.