Baron's Crusade Read online

  Baron’s Crusade

  Book 8

  in the

  Border Knight Series

  By

  Griff Hosker

  Published by Sword Books Ltd 2019

  Copyright © Griff Hosker First Edition

  The author has asserted their moral right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the author of this work.

  All Rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of the copyright holder, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

  A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

  List of protagonists (Fictional ones are in italics.)

  Sir Thomas of Stockton, Earl of Cleveland.

  William of Elsdon- Sir Thomas’ son

  King Henry III of England (Henry Winchester)

  Richard, Earl of Cornwall (King Henry’s brother)

  King Thibaut of Navarre, (Theobald of Champagne)

  Pope Gregory IX

  Duke Peter of Brittany

  Hugh, Duke of Burgundy

  Amaury de Montfort

  Simon de Montfort

  Henry of Bar (French Nobleman)

  As-Salih Ayyub (Meledin- Muslim ruler)

  As-Salih Ismail- Muslim ruler of Damascus

  An-Nasir Dawud- Muslim Lord of Kerak

  Al-Muzaffar Mahmud, Emir of Hama

  Al-Mujahid, Emir of Homs

  Al-Adil II- Saladin’s nephew and the ruler in Cairo

  Following the death of Saladin, his Empire was broken up by warring sons. Saladin was a Kurd as were his sons but some went south and took over the land of Egypt. The others stayed in the north and east where they led the Kurdish side of the family.

  Sir Thomas

  Prologue

  My son, Sir William of Elsdon, and Lady Mary of Annan, the only surviving child of Lord Kerk of Annan, were married in my church in Stockton. The marriage had been arranged by the King and Queen of Scotland and I was not certain if King Henry of England approved, but I knew that this would make my son’s land safer and for me, that was all-important. The royal couple had been grateful that the daughter of Lord Kerk now had a protector and it would not hurt to have the King and Queen of Scotland as grateful allies. However, neither my wife nor I would have agreed to a political marriage. We ourselves had fallen in love and I wanted my son to enjoy that too. Despite the situation, he and Mary had both been smitten when they had met in York. King Alexander had held out the promise of the possibility of a fortune belonging to Mary’s family but that did not matter to either William or me. As it was held in Jedburgh Abbey and the monks there were less than friendly towards either William or myself it was unlikely that we would be accessing it any time soon. We were rich enough. Our wars and raids had made all of my knights comfortably off.

  After the wedding, the couple returned north to Elsdon. I remembered from my own marriage that those first days of marriage were special. The couple would get to know one another. It also allowed me that most rare of pastimes; peace. I did not have to raid nor go to war. King Henry seemed to have forgotten me, for the moment, and that was the way I liked it. I was able to enjoy my land and my people. I built, I went hunting and hawking, I invested a nunnery. In short, I did all the things which had been denied me since that fateful day at Arsuf when my father had been slain. The Holy Land seemed a lifetime ago. The death, at my hands, of the Bishop of Durham now seemed an action committed by someone else, even the crusade in the Baltic which had brought me Margaret seemed to be the stuff of legend and now I enjoyed a quiet and peaceful time.

  Chapter 1

  I now had seven grandchildren and William and Mary would soon produce more; when I had been a sword for hire, I had never thought I would become a grandfather. Now that I had children and grandchildren then I had a complete life. I knew that I was lucky but it had not always been so. King John had almost ruined my life and despite the fame I had gained at Arsuf, King Richard had not been the friend he should have been. King Henry, the new King, had also shown that he put himself before his country and my son and I had frequently been used as pawns by the King. It did not sit well with me and I was happy to stay in the north where I knew and trusted the people and the lords who followed me, and I was well away from the politics which I despised.

  Mary was with child just six months after the marriage and my wife fretted about the position of the manor which was close to the border raiders. “Elsdon is a wild manor and the Scots are too close for my liking!”

  I shook my head, “Mary is Scottish!”

  “Do not be obtuse! You know what I mean and the Earl of Fife is not only her enemy but the enemy of our son and of you.”

  I sighed, “And we have beaten them at every turn. We now have good lords of the manor there and the King and Queen of Scotland are our friends.”

  She changed her tack. I had noticed that women were very adept at this. “Then think of the medical attention she could receive here. We have a doctor in the castle. The midwives of Stockton are amongst the finest in the land. Bring them home just until they have the child. Besides, the journey north to see our new grandchild might be too hard for a lady of my years!”

  I burst out laughing, “Do not make me laugh! You will outlive me and you are fitter than some of the men at arms.”

  “Thomas?” When she used her gentle voice then I knew I was done for. Her hectoring voice made me argue but when she was gentle then she knew I would accede to her request.

  I shook my head, “Very well, I will make the offer but if our son rejects the idea then I will not do more.”

  “That is all that I ask.”

  In the event, my son surprised me and he brought his pregnant wife south to Stockton. My wife had been correct about the medical care and Richard, named after Mary’s father, was a healthy bairn and I was happy. They had their own quarters in my castle and I saw the red-faced child every day. Everything about the situation was perfect. Perhaps Fate had determined that my son and his wife should be at my castle, for a month after the birth I received a message from York. King Henry was visiting York and had asked to meet with me and my son. We were told that the Archbishop of Canterbury would be there too and I was immediately suspicious. Why would the leading prelate in the country come north and why would he wish to speak with me and my son? What I could not do was refuse to attend. I knew the problems of annoying a king!

  I did not take many men; we took our squires, pages and just four men at arms. My most experienced men at arms and archers were close in age to me and had seen almost sixty summers; I did not take them. I had to obey the King’s command; they did not. My wife gave me a long shopping list and so I took my steward with me. Geoffrey knew what my wife liked far better than I did. Our squires and pages had fought together when we had defended Elsdon and the Coquet Valley from the Scots. They conversed easily as they rode and followed behind William and I as we headed south. With two of my men at arms before us, for security, William and I were able to talk as we rode.

  “Do you think, father, that King Henry wishes to reward us for our services on the border?”

  I laughed, “You are still young, William, and do not know the way that kings work. We serve a purpose and, as such, are useful but our King fears his barons. It was they who rose against his father and the Great Charter bound King Henry and his powers. No, this will not be to reward us. As I discovered with King Richard, kings can soon forget what knights do for them and I do not look forward to this meeting for I do not thi
nk that we will see any benefit from it. This visit will result in some service we will owe the crown and that will, inevitably, mean I will have to leave my valley and, if truth be told, I grow weary of such journeys. I have seen over sixty summers and I do not relish campaigns as much as I did when I was young.”

  My son was shrewd, “From what Ridley the Giant and your senior men have told me you never enjoyed campaigning. You did what you did to get back the manors our families had once owned.”

  “Perhaps, but now we have them.”

  “And yet to retain them we have to keep on the good side of King Henry.”

  I nodded, “Now you are learning. This should not affect you. Whatever happens in York you should be able to return to your manor with your wife and son.”

  “That is unlikely to happen, father, for why else would I be summoned to accompany you? I have been included too. Whatever the King requires of you he will require of me.”

  He was right, of course, and the thought depressed me even more. Just when I had a life I could enjoy, the wilful King would disrupt it.

  Going to York was always difficult. Each time I saw the Bootham Gate, the entrance to York from the north, my heart sank for my firstborn, Alfred, had been treacherously slain at the Sherriff’s stables. Although his death had been avenged, each time I dismounted and allowed my horse to be led away I relived that moment when I had lost my child. It still hurt, even now.

  The Sherriff of York had been my squire and despite the fact that the royal visit took over most of the castle my son and I, along with our squires and pages, had fine accommodation for Ralph remembered the kindnesses shown by my wife and I. It was Sir Ralph who greeted us. He had not campaigned for some years and it showed. Where William and I were still relatively lean, Ralph was a little portlier than when he had been my knight. “The King has brought many guests, my lord. He and the Archbishop are with the Archbishop of York. They have, it seems, much to discuss.”

  “And have you any idea why we have been summoned?”

  He shook his head, “Your guess is as good as mine, lord. You know how close the King is. Come, I will take you to your quarters and then I shall broach a hogshead of wine. The King brought a couple, in lieu, no doubt, of any payment for his stay.” He shook his head, “When a King visits the coffers empty!”

  I laughed, “Aye, it was ever thus!”

  We left our squires and pages to organize the rooms and went to the Great Hall. As we entered Sir Ralph groaned, “I forgot about our French guest.”

  I looked into the hall and saw a man whose back was to us. “French guest?”

  “Simon de Montfort, the putative Earl of Leicester. He came after the King’s arrival and is waiting to speak with the King.”

  The French baron turned and rose as we entered. I could speak French. All those who wished to get on at court could speak the language of the King but I was reluctant to speak it here in the north of England. I determined to speak English. I suppose I must have frowned or it may have been that de Montfort was sensitive to such facial expressions for he spoke in heavily accented English as he tried to win me to his side. I was one of the two most powerful earls in the north of England.

  “Earl, it is an honour to meet you and your son. Your victories in the north were truly inspiring.” He seemed to be genuine in his praise. I saw no lie in his eyes.

  “You are most kind, my lord.” I knew that he had not been confirmed in his title yet. I was unsure of his actual title and ‘my lord’ seemed to be the safest form of address.

  Sir Ralph poured wine and we chatted. I had expected a pleasant conversation with my son and former knight but de Montfort’s presence meant that our conversation was more stilted and formal than I would have liked. I did, however, learn much. De Montfort had also been promised the Earldom of Chester in addition to the inherited title of Leicester. The earldom of Chester had belonged to his family until King John took it from them. Now, in return for de Montfort's elder brother being allowed to keep his French and Norman lands, Simon de Montfort had given up claims to France to recover their English estates. King Henry knew how to play barons off against each other. He had given himself an ally and that, perhaps, explained de Montfort’s presence.

  The King and the two archbishops arrived just an hour after we had begun to enjoy the wine. The King had always been a religious man. He had spoken often to me of his wish to go on a crusade and so I was not surprised to see him with the two most senior churchmen in the land but I still wondered why Canterbury had come north. The smile the King gave me was genuine. I hoped that he truly knew how much he owed the crown which sat upon his head to me and my men.

  “Sir Thomas, it is good to see you and your brave son. Once more you have saved the north of England from the privations of the Scots!”

  “I serve my King.”

  He smiled, “And you will continue to do so.” He turned to Sir Ralph, “Sherriff, I would have a conference with Sir Thomas and his son, I pray you take Sir Simon to the Minster. Let him rejoice in the church we have raised to God!”

  Simon de Montfort did not wish to be taken away from this conference and he objected, “But King Henry, I have seen it already!”

  “Then see it again!” The King’s voice had lost its humour and was cold and commanding.

  Sir Ralph knew that the King wished privacy and he smiled as he said, “There are some parts which even pilgrims do not see. Come, Sir Simon. It will give us an appetite for the feast we hold later.” Sir Simon nodded and Sir Ralph spoke to his senior servant, “Abelard, when you have ensured that there is wine and food for our guests have all the servants retire beyond the doors until they are needed.”

  “Aye, lord.”

  The King and the two archbishops made themselves comfortable and the King waited until Abelard and the others had left before he spoke, “Sir Ralph is a discreet man. He is a good Sherriff.”

  I was not certain if the last words he spoke was a statement or a question. “He is a stout man and reliable. I am certain that the Archbishop would concur.”

  Walter de Gray, the Archbishop of York, knew the value of an honest Sherriff and he smiled, “He is the most trustworthy man in the north, Sir Thomas excepted.”

  “Good. Now that we are alone, we can speak. I will let the Archbishop of Canterbury give you the background while I enjoy some of this most excellent looking ham.”

  Edmund Rich had only been Archbishop for a relatively short time. Walter de Gray was a more assured prelate. I could hear the nervousness in the voice of the former prebendary of Salisbury as he spoke. I knew that the three previous choices for Archbishop had been quashed by Pope Gregory and I wondered if that accounted for the hesitancy I could hear in the Archbishop.

  “Know you that the King has a great desire to go on Holy Crusade?” I nodded. “And Pope Gregory is concerned that the agreement to leave Jerusalem in Christian hands runs out in less than five years.” I did not know that. “His Holiness has imposed a tax to fund another Crusade to go to the Holy Land and ensure that Jerusalem does not fall into Muslim hands once more.” He paused and looked at me. I knew about the tax. Every church in England sent money each month to York.

  I was confused. It was obvious that all three men sought some comment from me but this had nought to do with me. My days as a crusader had ended when I had brought my wife back from the Baltic. I played for time until my mind, slowed, no doubt, by the wine, could grasp the point they were trying to make, “And who will lead this crusade, my lord?”

  “King Thibaut of Navarre also known as Theobald of Champagne.”

  I had heard of this Frenchman who was also Count of Champagne. He had a reputation as a good leader.

  The King wiped his hands on a napkin and then drank some wine. He looked at the goblet, “A somewhat indifferent wine.” Then he looked at me, “The Pope and I have had our disagreements of late and I would heal the breach between England and the Church of Rome.”

  I expected him to say th
at he would, therefore, be joining the Crusade. If he did then there could be a problem as Navarre was a smaller kingdom than England and I could not see King Henry acquiescing to a junior king. I merely nodded to show that I understood his motives. Was he consulting me as a senior Earl?

  “To that end, we would have you visit with the Pope and deliver a letter from us and then join the crusade on our behalf.”

  My mouth must have dropped open for I could not believe what I was hearing. My son spoke for me, “King Henry, my father is no longer a young knight and he has served on a crusade twice. He was the hero of Arsuf!”

  King Henry smiled, “And that is why, Sir William, you will accompany your father. You are young and your deeds on the border have shown us that you are a knight who is the copy of his father.”

  It was one thing to send me but quite another to force my son to go, “Your Majesty, my son has recently become a father. His place is in his home!”

  King Henry’s eyes became cold, “And your son married a Scottish heiress without our permission.” His flattery had been the honey and this was now the stick. This crusade will expunge any wrong that was done and will result in my royal blessing for this marriage, more I will also confer the manor of Seggesfield upon him. I am sure that Alan of Bellingham can hold Elsdon for him and your son would be closer to you.” He smiled but it was a smile without humour, “That is generosity enough.”

  “And just the two of us would represent England, Your Majesty?”

  He laughed, “Of course not. There are other knights who wish to go on crusade under the standard of England. You will have others to join you.” He smiled and added, “My brother, Richard, Earl of Cornwall, is also anxious to go on a crusade but it will take us time to organize an army which is large enough to represent England. Give me a year, that is all, and when my brother arrives then you can come home.” He picked up the goblet and was about to drink from it and then pushed it away. “I must see if the Sherriff’s man has opened the wine I brought!”