Warlord of the North (7 page)

We had no archers to silence any guards on the town walls. They were all with Dick. I was just grateful that the walls were made of wood and, as such, easier to both scale and destroy. I had no idea of the garrison but I was gambling that my men were made of sterner stuff than the Scots. We dismounted just half a mile from the walls.  We had not seen signs of a sentry but I would not take any chances.  We led our horses. The gate on the southern corner of the town walls was relatively low. The sea almost lapped at its base.  I think, for that reason, they had few guards there.

We stopped at a large dune and peered at the walls. I could see no one on them.  I nodded to Wulfric.  He sent forward four of our younger men at arms.  We left the horses to the squires and we followed.  Erre and his companions were happy to be back on foot.  They were never comfortable horsemen. There was little breeze but what there was came from the north.  That was good for it took our scent away from any dogs and, more importantly, the smell of a burning Greatham from Hartness. We waited while the four men formed a human pyramid and one of them clambered over the wall. Something made me turn and I saw, to the south, a glow in the sky.  Dick had done as I asked and the manor of Greatham was burning.

I heard a noise from above us and a body was pitched over.  It was a Scot. He had a second mouth beneath his chin.  There were footsteps from within and then I heard the bar moving.  Deep in the town I heard the shouts as the alarm was given.  They had not seen us but they had spied the fire in the south. The door opened and we slipped through. 

Hartness rose from the gate to the south on a slowly rising piece of ground up to the church on the headland. There were walls on three sides but there was no castle.  The cliffs protected the fourth side. The houses through which we passed were the low mean huts of those with the most lowly tasks and I doubted that they were Scots. We left them and ran towards the harbour. That was where we would do the most damage.  We had half a mile to go before we reached it and we managed half of that before we met our first foe. Wulfric must have heard the clatter of horses for he waved us into the shadows. Horsemen galloped down towards the gate shouting for it to be opened.  The gatekeepers lay dead and would heed no more orders.

We had thirty men at arms and we were spread out along both sides. When four of the ten horsemen had passed I yelled, "Now!" Our ambush from the dark was sprung.

I swung my sword at the mailed leg of the knight who rode by me. It sliced through the mail, flesh and finally bone before the leather stirrup stopped it. The rider tumbled over the other side of the horse. A horse reared and would have clattered my helmet had Wilfred not waved my banner before it.  The flapping flag made the beast try to turn but there was nowhere to go and it fell, taking its rider with it. I used the fallen horse to jump up and plunge my sword into the rider's chest. Erre, Wulfric and the Varangians had fiercely sharp axes and they used them to good effect.  The horses and the horsemen were ruthlessly despatched by masters of the axe. The luckless horsemen had ridden to aid their comrades and been attacked in their own town. The garrison was in disarray.  Five lay dead or wounded and two dying horses blocked their escape.  The remaining three turned and galloped back to the harbour and the church.

We followed.  In the narrow confines of the street we could move as swiftly as they could. We ran so closely to them that one of Sir Hugh's men managed to strike a blow on the rump of one of the horses.  It reared and brought its hooves down on men at arms running to aid their lords.

The town was now wide awake but there was confusion.  The cry had been that Greatham was afire and yet now men were dying in their streets. I have no doubt that we were outnumbered but it mattered not for we were mailed and we knew where they were.  As far as the Scots were concerned I had a whole army with me. Panic set in. Darkness increased our numbers and our sudden appearance terrified all. Some Scots tried to slow us down.  They used spears and swords to stop our advance and buy their last two knights time to organize. Their swords struck our shields.  Our axes and swords found flesh. Within a few blows they were gone and there was no one before us. Suddenly we emerged into the middle of the town.

"Harold and Hugh, take your men and captured the port.  Burn any ships you find."

My two knights ran off with their men in close attendance. The Great Hall was next to the church of St. Hild and I shouted, "Wulfric, Tristan, to the manor house!"

We ran up the slope. It should have had a ditch here but it did not and that was a costly mistake.  We were a long line of  fifteen warriors and we were driving the survivors up to the manor house.  They should have used the slope but they did not. There was little honour in striking at unprotected backs and hacking at their legs but we were not in a position to do any favours.  We had to kill to survive.

Wulfric reached the door first.  Someone just managed to shut it but they had not put the bar in place for Wulfric brought his axe over his head and the door shattered in two. Erre and Sven the Rus followed him into the hall yelling their wild war cries.  They were all three in their element.  With shields over the backs they were willing to trade blows with whoever they found. The sword blows they took did not pierce their armour but their axes tore through mail, bone and flesh. The defenders retreated to the second floor and pulled up the ladder.  When Sven received a spear thrust to the shoulder I yelled, "Enough! Fall back! Bring kindling.  We burn this to the ground!"

As we backed out we despatched the dead and took any weapons or treasure which lay on the bodies. Henry of Langdale had found some torches and he and Gurth went around setting light to anything which would burn. Richard of York raked out the burning wood and coals from the fire and they, too, began to burn.  We had to back out hurriedly as a draft dragged the flames up and we heard the screams from those above as they realised that their place of refuge was, in fact, a trap. There were no windows or openings and, as we watched, we saw them hacking holes in the wall to escape.  Only one succeeded although as he jumped he was enveloped in flames and he writhed in agony on the ground until Gurth put him out of his misery.

We saw more flames from the water and we ran to join Sir Harold.  There was one cog and ten fishing boats in the harbour.  All were set alight by my men and they burned.  Sir Hugh's men were finishing off the last resistance.  Some men threw themselves into the water in an attempt to escape. Some may have made it but they would have had to shed their armour and survived water which was as cold as ice.

"Back to the gate!" The fire had spread from the manor house to the adjacent houses.  The only ones which would not be burned were the ones by the gate.  They belonged to the poor and the lowest. I would let them live.  They were not Scots. 

When we reached the gate I had my men mount.  "Come we go to the aid of Dick."

Wulfric snorted, "If he needs any help then I am a Welshman!"

We were half way to Greatham when we met Dick.  He and his archers had been pursuing those who had fled the manor.  He returned with us to the manor of Greatham. When we reached the manor we found that there were two wounded men who had not perished.  One had lost a hand and the other had been hamstrung. Neither would pose a threat to me or my people.

"Who is your leader?"

The one who had lost a hand had cauterised himself but he was in pain. "Give me something for the pain and I will speak."

Dick picked up a jug which still had wine left in it.  He found a discarded goblet and poured some.  The man drank greedily.  I doubted it would do much to ease his pain but we had obliged him.

"Now speak."

"It is Robert De Brus who is head of our family now.  It was his nephew Richard whose head you threw over the wall. The Captain of the men at arms sent word to Hartness along with Sir Richard's wife."

I turned to Sir Harold, "Did you see any women in Hartness?"

Before he could answer the one armed man said, "They sailed this afternoon for Normanby.  Sir Robert has taken over the castle there.  All the women left.  We thought you were dead. We were bold then. All fear your name. It is said you have never been defeated."

I said nothing.

Wulfric said, "Should I end their miserable lives, my lord?"

"No. There is no need.  Hartness is destroyed and all are dead or fled." I turned to the two men. "If my men see you after the next new moon then you will die. I would head back to Scotland and tell all there that the only piece of England they will claim is that which covers their body."

"I will lord and thank you for your mercy."

We mounted and headed home. Dawn was breaking in the east when we spied my walls. We had made a start and now I had the name of one of my enemies but it would be a long war and I had no doubt that there would be many more battles before it was over.

John, my steward, woke me just before noon, "Sorry to wake you my lord but you said you wanted to be awakened as soon as Aiden arrived." I sat up.  "He is here."

"Thank you, John. I will need to talk with you later about our finances.  If we are to fund this war against the Scots then I need to know how to pay for it."

He looked shocked, "Surely the Bishop of Durham will provide funds!"

"Plan for us to pay and then if we are given any by the Palatinate it will be a pleasant surprise." As I strode downstairs I reflected that money was the least of my troubles.

Aiden was waiting patiently for me, "I was worried, Aiden.  Did you have trouble?"

He looked puzzled, "I did as you asked, lord.  I kept out of sight.  I found the Scots and I scouted Durham."

"Sit, please.  I am sorry.  I should never doubt you.  You are like the forest itself. Go on..."

"There are small bands of Scots between here and Durham but not enough to trouble you, my lord. Further west there is a large army.  It is at Barnard Castle.  I think I saw the Scottish Royal banner there.  Durham is free from Scots and is on a war footing.  I did not enter.  The Bishop's standard flies yet."

"You have done well. Tomorrow we ride to Durham and scour the land of these brigands."

Sir John came to speak with me once Aiden had left us.  I still saw him as my squire and yet he was now a knight in his own right. "Earl, may I speak?"

"Of course, John."

"Have I disappointed you in some way?"

"Disappointed?"

"You did not take me with you when you raided Hartness. I wondered if you thought less of me."

"Sit." He sat and I saw the young man in his eyes. This was another mistake on my part. Perhaps I had taken on too much.  "John you are my castellan. Your job is to protect my castle.  When I ride abroad I do so knowing that my castle is in safe hands; yours. I asked Sir Edward and Sir Richard to remain in their castles too and you know how much I value them."

"But I do nothing!"

"You are right in that I have not given you enough to do and for that I apologise. The men you command are mine. You should have men, like Erre and the others who guard the castle but are your men. You need oathsworn of your own. I have told John that the priority now is defence and he will make funds available. There will be young men of Stockton who wish to become warriors.  You and Leofric did a fine job of training William. Do the same for your own men at arms. There are archers too for Alf has everyone at archery after church each Sunday. Find those who wish to serve."

"I can do that?"

"You are a knight and you are my castellan. Remember your men at arms and archers need no horses.  They will be static.  They guard my castle.  They guard you and your family."

"But I have no family yet."

I smiled.  I had not told him all the trivial news from Maine and Normandy. "Leofric is taking a wife.  Even now they may not only be married but have children. Tristan, Hugh, Harold all have wives and some have children. You will too. This Scottish incursion will end and peace will return."

"And yet if Stephen of Blois...."

"Ah, you are right. He is a boil which has yet to burst but we have time.  I hope and believe that the Empress and the Earl of Gloucester will return to this land to claim the throne that is rightly hers. On that day I shall ride behind her as a Knight of the Empress."

"Thank you, my lord, for confiding in me."

"I should do this more often. This is your home as well as mine.  When I am here then join me whenever you can.  We need to speak.  If we do not understand each other's minds then what chance do our warrior's stand?"

He rose, "I will begin to choose my men in the morning, lord."

"Oh one thing; we must look to ourselves for everything. Find women of the town whom we can pay to make new surcoats.  We need our enemies to know who we are."

I did not take all of my men with me when I headed north.  I left Wulfric and Dick along with Sir Hugh and his men to help with the new gate and the wall.  I took Sir Tristan and Sir Harold along with their retinues.  Aiden came as scout. He had told me the road to Durham was clear. If there were any small bands of Scots then the two conroi would be more than enough to deal with them. It was my tongue I expected to use and not my sword.

It was depressing to ride the Durham Road and see the burnt out farms and the flocks of carrion birds feasting on the corpses of the dead. This was because I had been absent and the Bishop had procrastinated. Sir Harold and Sir Tristan flanked me. "Can we win, my lord? Can we beat the Scots and then take on Stephen of Blois and the might of England?"

I looked at Sir Tristan. "I believe we can but even if I thought we were doomed to failure then I would still fight on."

"Why, my lord?"

"Because a knight has to fight for that which he believes. He has to do what is right.  It is what makes us different to our men at arms. Let me ask you a question. Are you happy for the Scots to ravage our land as they have done?"

"Of course not but in fighting the Scots we weaken ourselves and we will be in no position to fight Stephen of Blois."

I laughed, "One battle at a time, Tristan.  But I take heart from your words.  You fight with my banner still"

"Always, my lord but I have a family now and I fear for them."

"And that is why I have your families behind walls.  I am improving my defences and I have told your father to do the same. The worst thing you can do, Tristan, is to give up hope."

We rode in silence and then Harold said, "Tell him of the Spartans, lord."

"Harold is right, the Spartans are a good example.  When I studied in Constantinople, I read of three hundred Spartan warriors who defied and held up an army of ten thousand Persians. They did not give up hope."

"Did they win?"

"They died and yet they won for Greece remained free because of their sacrifice. That may be true of us.  I believe we will win but I am no fool.  We may all perish but if those who come after us can live under either the Empress or her son Henry then our deaths will have been worthwhile."

He nodded and reflected.

"However take heart from Harold."

"Harold?"

"Aye, he grew up an outlaw.  He lived in the forest and the men of William the Bastard and William Rufus could not capture or subdue them. They used the forest and they used the land.  That will yet be a most important ally.  The land will help us drive these Scots hence. My father and my namesake took to the forests and fought as outlaws against the Normans when they came. They survived. Do not give up hope just yet."

The gates of Durham were barred but men still worked their fields. Their shouts of greeting gave me hope for they were pleased to see my banner. It was my standard which gained us entry to the mighty bastion. Our squires took our horses while the three of us hurried to meet with the Bishop. He was in his hall along with his clerk, William Cumin. I did not like that.  He was related to the enemy and a papal spy.  Why did the Bishop tolerate him?

The Bishop smiled and rose to greet me, "My lord this is the best news I have had in some time.  We had heard that you were dead!"

I  pointedly looked at the clerk, "The Scots tried to have me killed but as with all things Scottish it was badly managed and I live."

I saw Cumin colour.

"This is good news then.  I pray you sit.  We have much to say to each other."

I drew my sword and put the point to the clerk's throat. "I will not speak while this Scottish spy sits here.  I wonder he is not in the deepest dungeon in Durham!"

"My lord, sheath your sword in my hall!"

William Cumin was sweating.  "I am waiting."

The clerk began to babble, "I have sworn to my lord that I am a loyal servant of Durham and owe no allegiance elsewhere!"

I looked in disbelief at the Prince Bishop, "And you believe this snake?"

"There is no need for such language, my lord.  Yes I do believe him.  He swore on a bible."

I sheathed my sword. "He lies but it is your home. You, get out of my sight.  I would not lose a moment's sleep if I ended your life so think on that.  Do not let me see you again or you will die."

"My lord! It is my home!"

"Go! Worm!"

When he had gone I saw that the Bishop was shaken. "That was not well done."

I rounded on him, "And was it well done when you allowed the Scots to come to my valley and slaughter my people?  Where are your armies?  Where is the opposition to the Scots?"

"I was helpless.  Some of my castles defected to the Scots when they came south. What could I do?"

"You should have been more of a Prince and less of a Bishop.  You have a banner. Lead forth your men and others will flock to it."

"They did not attack my lands."

I pointed to the door through which the clerk had gone, "You have a spy in your home. Can you not see the plots and plans of King David and the earl Gospatric?  Are you a fool?"

"How dare you! I am Prince Bishop and you owe allegiance and fealty to me!"

I said nothing at first. "You know that King Henry is dead?" he nodded, "And that Stephen of Blois claims the throne?"

"Aye I do."

"How stand you with that?  Do you not support the claim of the Empress Matilda and her son Henry?  Did you not swear an oath to King Henry?"

"King Stephen will bring stability to the land and he has a firm hand."

"King Stephen?  Then you have joined his side.  If he was such a strong leader he would have come north to rid our land of these Scots.  Now I know your mind.  What of Sir Hugh Manningham?  He would not defect."

He shrugged, "I know not.  We have had no word."

"Have you tried to contact him?"

"I cannot risk my men.  I have few enough as it is."

I stood, "I once thought you brought hope to Durham, Geoffrey Rufus, I now see that I was wrong. You say I owe you allegiance and fealty; you are wrong.  I owe you nothing! You lost those rights when you failed in your duty.  I owe my allegiance to King Henry and his heirs."

"But the King is dead!"

I nodded, "And until the Empress and her son have a throne I have no one to whom I will bend the knee. Do not cross me Bishop or you shall be my enemy.  I once captured this castle with a handful of men and I can do so again.  You have few men who can stand up to my warriors. If you allow the Scots through your land again and do not fight them then you become my enemy and I will happily put my own Prince Bishop in Durham."

"You cannot do that!"

"I am a warlord and I do anything I choose!"

I strode out of the hall leaving a white face cleric who genuinely feared for his life. As we headed to our horses Sir Harold said, "Was that wise, my lord?"

We mounted our horses and I swept a hand around the waiting men at arms of Durham. "Do you think that the Bishop and these men will oppose the Scots?  They will wait to pick up the morsels the Scots leave for them.  We are better off without them for they are not to be trusted."

The grizzled Sergeant at Arms said, "My lord that is not fair! We would fight the Scots but we were told to stay within these walls."

I nodded, "Well know this; I fight the Scots.  If there are any men among you who wish to fight then go to Stockton. I can use men with spines." I saw the Bishop and his clerk as they came to the door of the hall, "For the rest; the spineless ones who follow a procrastinator, then stay here but there will come a time for vengeance and retribution and I am a good friend but a terrible foe! Remember that!"

We galloped out and headed across the Wear. I led them east and north. None said a word for they saw my anger. Eventually Wilfred, my squire, asked, "Where do we go, my lord?"

I slowed Scout down.  There was little point in thrashing our horses to death.  "Hexham.  I must speak with Sir Hugh.  Aiden ride ahead and warn Sir Hugh that we are on our way."

"And if there are Scots there?"

"Then return to us, Aiden, but I believe he holds out yet."

As Aiden galloped off I spoke with my two knights. "I now see how the Scots succeeded.  Their spy poisoned the mind of the Bishop.  He is weaker than I thought.  It allowed them to get close to Stockton unseen.  I doubt not that Sir Hugh is free.  They have captured the New Castle but Hexham will be a beacon.  From now on expect enemies rather than friends." I looked up at the sky. "We have less than three hours before nightfall and we have forty miles to cover. We ride hard!"

We used the Roman Road.  It had the advantage that an ambush was difficult and its surface suited our mounts.  Even so we did not reach Hexham in daylight.  Darkness fell and riders loomed up out of the dark.  We drew swords but I heard Sir Hugh Manningham's reassuring growl, "Thank the lord we have found you. There are Scottish raiders everywhere."

We rode in silence with drawn swords for the last three miles.  We did not speak until our mounts were stabled and we were in the Great Hall whose fire took the chill from our faces and hands.