Welsh War Read online

  We stayed at the mighty fortress that was Bamburgh. Impregnable and majestic it was now a royal castle with a constable. Sir James Redvers was delighted to be hosting his king. The castle rose above the sea and the sand on a solid rock. As far as I knew it had never been taken and that was why it was now a royal residence. It might be rare for a King of England to visit but it would not be in the hands of a potential rebel. I asked Sir James about the Scots.

  “They appear to be behaving themselves, lord. Merchants can travel the roads and there have been far fewer cattle raids. However…” He hesitated.

  The King said, “Go on. Speak. Do not stop because you fear you might offend me. This is my castle and you are my castellan. I expect the same honesty from you as I receive from the Earl of Cleveland.”

  Sir James inclined his head, “You are right, majesty. The truth is they have not dismantled their castles. Their knights are frequently seen by the Tweed. Sir Richard at Norham can give you a better idea for he is the closest knight to the Scots but the merchants who travel the roads are uneasy and there are now far fewer of them.”

  The King looked at me for clarification. “That means, King Henry, that they fear something will happen and they will stay away until it is safe. Merchants are cautious men and think in terms of facts and figures, profit and loss. When the threat of a loss looms, they stay away from danger. Of course, it may be that there is little for them to trade.”

  Sir James shook his head, “The contrary, lord. I have heard that the merchants can make great profit in Jedburgh and Berwick. They do not even need to travel to Edinburgh.”

  That had me puzzled. I had intended this progress to show the King his land. Now it looked as though I had brought him into danger. “How many men can you spare for a journey to Norham?”

  “I have five knights and ten men at arms who are mounted.” He smiled. “It is widely known, Earl, that you prefer your men mounted.”

  “That I do. I would have them accompany us to Norham. We will return them when we head south.” After I had escorted the King to his chamber and Sir Richard had set the watch I went, with Alfred, to David of Wales. “Send two good men north of the Tweed tomorrow. I would like to know if there is danger.”

  “Aye lord. I think you are wise.”

  “Have you heard something?”

  “Cedric Warbow often visits an ale house in the village when we are here.” He smiled, “The ale wife who runs it and Cedric are both of an age. When he was there he was talking with some of those who fish along the coast. They speak of more mailed men than they have seen in a long time. They are suspicious of the Scots.”

  “They are always suspicious of the Scots!” My son’s tone was scornful.

  “Aye but you are right to send men north, lord. I believe there is something amiss. I will send Cedric and Will son of Robin. They are both familiar with the Tweed.”

  “But why would they come now?”

  “Because, my son, it is harvest time. These border lords are lazy men. Why raise your own crops and animals when you can steal them? Their clans have been doing it for generations. It is why the Romans built a wall.”

  We left after dawn. With the men from the Bishop, the King’s men, my own men and those from Bamburgh I had almost two hundred men. It was not an army but if we had to fight then it would take a much larger force of Scots to defeat us. Once we had climbed the rise from Bamburgh the land was largely flat. We headed up the old Roman road which led to Norham. I had fought at Norham more than once. It was a well-made castle. Hugh Puiset had allowed it to become prey to the predatory Scots but since then it had been much improved. Even when the outer wall fell it was hard to take. A natural gorge forced an attacker to the bridge which could be raised. The well had never run dry and I knew that the Bishop of Durham kept it well supplied. Only a fool would try to take Norham but the Scots might well be contemplating crossing the river to raid.

  King Henry was puzzled, “Everyone, you included, Earl, said that the Scots were finished. Is there a threat?”

  “You have to understand, my lord, that there are two Scottish threats. The first is the King and his army. They are not a threat for there is trouble in Caithness and the King’s eye is drawn thither. The second type of Scot is the beast which is the border lord. In times past, they had land on both sides of the Tweed and down as far as the New Castle. They still try to claim Carlisle even though it was theirs for but a couple of years during the time of Stephen and Matilda. These Scots would like another war. If they cannot have another war then they will take the riches of England for Scotland is a poor and desolate country. You father defeated them and I have beaten them.”

  “Yet they rise again.”

  “And that is why we have such strong castles.”

  Norham was built of red stone and stood high above the Tweed. The small village which had grown up nearby lay closer to the river and below the castle. The walls of Norham represented sanctuary for the villagers. Sir Richard Scoop knew me and he recognised my banner alongside that of the King. He was cautious. The Scots were tricky and ruses were often employed. The fact that my coif lay around my shoulders and he could see my face helped. He greeted us close to his keep.

  Recognising the King’s livery, he bowed, “Welcome Your Majesty. Earl, it is good to see you again. Does your visit presage problems?” He was looking at me as he spoke.

  “We thought not when we set out. The King has never seen the northern extremities of his land. The Earl Marshal asked me to watch over the King.” Sir Richard was an old soldier and he read the message beneath my words. I saw it in his eyes. “However, Sir James and the villagers of Bamburgh were uneasy. They thought that the Scots might be up to something. You keep men watching the river?”

  “The river? Yes. Beyond the river? No, for I did not wish to prompt another war.”

  Sir Richard was letting sleeping dogs lie and that was always a mistake. It would not do to berate him for he had a difficult task. I nodded, “No matter. I have sent two scouts north of the border. They will return later this night. We would stay a day or two before returning to Stockton.”

  “Of course, although you may find the accommodation a little basic. The hall is a little small for such a host.”

  Alfred nodded, “No matter, my lord. We will make do. We are warriors, after all.” My son was young but he was putting the King’s knight to shame. I saw the King’s knight look at Alfred in a new light. It was not his fault. I had had to concentrate upon the King and I had neglected the instruction for the man who would lead King Henry’s household knights. The Earl Marshal had set me a mighty task.

  While the King was settled into his quarters I went with Sir Richard Scoop and William down to the river to view the other side. The path down to the river was steep and an enemy would struggle to assault the castle from that side. The undergrowth, however, on both sides of the river was thick. “Sir Richard why have you not removed the undergrowth from the far side of the river?”

  “The Scottish side?”

  “Yes, Sir Richard. How do you know if there are enemies there?”

  “They could not scale this side of the defences.”

  “That is not the point. They could move downstream and cross by the village. You could be cut off from the south.”

  “They have never done so yet.”

  I sighed. The castellan felt safe in his castle and had not thought through the implications of an attack on the hinterland. “We will help your men to fell the trees and clear the undergrowth. At the very least it will give you firewood and kindling for the winter.”

  He laughed, “Aye lord and up here the winters are long and grim.”

  “I know for I have often fought here in winter. Come we will follow the path to the village.”

  The path was not an easy one and that was a good thing. It was little used. The village was a huddle of perhaps seven dwellings. I guessed that they owed their livelihood to the castle. Although Sir Richard had his own bake
house and alehouse those in the village would supply them with river fish and vegetables. There would be women and girls there who would satisfy the needs of a garrison of men who had need of them. I had seen old Roman forts where the same settlements had grown up. The villagers bowed as we passed.

  “Do they practise their archery on Sundays?”

  “Sometimes but there are less than fifteen men in the village.”

  “And if you were attacked then those fifteen men could add to your defence. Make it so.”

  We began the steep climb to the castle. The constable said, “My lord have I disappointed you?”

  I shook my head, “You have become complacent is all. I have learned both here and abroad that the moment you cease to be vigilant is when an enemy can strike. I do not envy you your position but it is your appointed duty. You have no wife?”

  “She and my children died when the pestilence visited my home in Durham. It is why I accepted this position.”

  Now it became clear to me that the castellan had come here to die. He was like a monk and Norham was his cell. I would have to speak with the Bishop. Norham needed someone who looked out and not within.

  That evening, as we ate, I smiled for Norham’s food was basic. It was plainer fare than he was used to and there was no wine. For myself it was good honest food. The King was learning about his people.

  Cedric and Will arrived late in the evening. David of Wales brought them to me as soon as they arrived. “The Scots are up to something, lord. There are armed camps just two miles from where we crossed the river downstream from the village.”

  The castellan said, “I knew nothing of this.” I said nothing for he had been remiss in his duties.

  “We crept close enough to their camp to hear their words, lord. It is why we were so tardy returning. Three days from now is when they plan to cross the river. There will be no moon that night. We heard them joking about leaving just twenty men to watch the castle while the rest would disport themselves in the land hereabouts. They said that no word would reach the castle and the constable would think that the fairies had spirited the people and animals away.”

  I looked at Sir Richard, “And they would be right. Sir James in Bamburgh has men riding but not as far as this part of England.” I turned back to my men. “How far south are the camps?”

  “As we said, lord, there is one just two miles from here, one at Kelso and one at Jedburgh.”

  I turned to the King. “We need to act.”

  For the first time in a few days he looked anxious. “We will be breaking the peace.”

  “Aye to save the lives of your people. Your majesty, I will take it upon myself to lead volunteers and rid the border of these camps. I have been outlaw before. It will not worry me if the Scots call me so again.”

  “No, I am King of England and this is England. The people need protection. I will come with you.”

  I looked at his knight and nodded. He would have to watch the King. “Cedric, how many are in the camps?”

  “The largest is at Jedburgh and there are more than a hundred and fifty men there. The others have between sixty and a hundred. The one two miles from here has two knights and ninety men. While we waited for dark to make our escape we counted them.”

  “Then we ride tomorrow. We sweep down the Tweed and we take as many of them as we can. Then, Constable, you and your men will need to watch the border a little more closely through the next months. Once the harvest is in and the animals culled then there will be little for them to raid. Even if we do not succeed in killing or capturing all of them we will hurt them. I will hold a council of war as soon as we have broken our fast. Tell the leaders of the conroi to meet me in the Great Hall.”

  There were just a handful of us left. Sir Edward, Sir Alfred, Sir William and Sir Fótr joined the King and his solitary knight. Sir Richard looked nervous for even Alfred had more experience of battles than he had. Sir Edward was the most experienced warrior. Only I had fought in more battles. He looked over to the King and his knight, “My lords this will not be a battle. The men we fight will have arms and some may be mailed but they have come to the borderlands as robbers.”

  The King said, “Even the knights?”

  “Especially the knights. Unlike the Earl the Scottish knights will keep the best treasure for themselves.” He looked at me and then turned to the King, “Your Majesty, I mean no offence by this but you and Sir Richard should stay close to the squires. It will not be a battle but that does not mean there will be no risk. There will be arrows and thrown spears. Their boys will hurl stones and they can kill just as easily as a sword. There is no shame attached to hiding behind a shield. Sir Richard you have a great responsibility.”

  The King reflected for a moment, “There are many who would think your words insolent Sir Edward but I see you bear the scars of many battles. In addition, you are the leading knight in the Earl’s conroi. I will heed your advice.” There was an edge to his words. He had not liked the lecture. It had been necessary but Edward was bluff and not noble born. He would not dress his words.

  Alfred saw Edward flush at the tone. “My brother, William, wanted to be at the fore. It took Skipton to show him the dangers of battle. I remember when I was your age, your majesty, and I saw my father’s knights winning battle after battle. They made it look easy and it is not. I think you will find tomorrow instructive.”

  “One battle wins all?”

  I shook my head, “There may be three battles tomorrow. We head south sweeping up the Scots and dispersing them. This is a chevauchée. This is a raid into Scottish land. If we can hurt them then the constable will have a safe and quiet winter. The north will be safe from raids and we will be able to turn our eyes south.” I looked pointedly at Sir Richard, “You will need to speak to James of Corfe. Some of his men will guard the King along with you but we will need the rest. I would have him at the counsel of war.”

  The King frowned, “He is a commoner. He is not a knight!”

  I smiled, “You may not have noticed, my liege but I have more men at arms than knights. I think your James of Corfe will do well enough.”

  What remained of the night was spent in preparation. William had little to do for me. My horse was prepared and my mail and sword were burnished and ready. He spent time speaking with Alfred. The two were close and that pleased me. I had had neither brother nor sister. I knew that my Aunt Ruth had been close to my father. I had grown up alone. My mother and father had been taken from me all too quickly. It was good that my boys were brothers in arms. I prayed in the chapel. I was risking much. I had the King of England with me. He would witness the most brutal of combats for the Scots hated the English and they would fight tooth and nail. His knight, Sir Richard, would not have experienced what was to happen for this was no tourney. The Scots would attempt to hamstring horses and slip daggers beneath mail. When you struck you struck to kill. A wounded Scotsman was worse than a wounded wolf.

  I slept little for I was worried and when I rose I woke William. I did not mean to. After he had dressed me and donned his leather jerkin we went to break our fast. There was fresh bread and the local cheese. It was harvest time and there were ripe plums and greengages. Fresh eggs completed our meal and I headed for the Great Hall. My knights were the first to arrive. That I had expected. The captains, James of Corfe, David of Wales and Henry Youngblood followed. They had been ready already but they would not dream of arriving before Sir Edward and my knights. The knights of Durham arrived next and then the rest filtered guiltily in. I was about to begin when the King and Sir Richard wandered in. Everyone stared at him. For the first time in his life the King was truly embarrassed. I saw it in his face.

  “Do not wait for me, Earl. I will be, as you so rightly told me last night, a bystander.”

  I nodded, “Thank you King Henry. My plan is simple. We divide into three battles. The knights of Durham will form one battle and will be led by Sir Geoffrey FitzUrse.” My future son in law had impressed me thus
far. As he would soon be a knight of the valley it was important to me to see how he could lead men. I had to have a commander and I knew none of the others. I saw him nod. He seemed to grow a little for he knew he had been honoured. “Sir Richard will lead the knights and men at arms of Norham and Bamburgh. I will lead the men of the valley and a contingent of the King’s men. We cross the river here for we are all mounted. Sir Richard will ride to the north of me and my men. This is their land and they know it better than any. Sir Geoffrey will stay close to the river. We sweep through their camp. The King’s men will secure the camp and deal with prisoners, mail and any treasure. The rest of us will not stop but ride south in an orderly fashion. We halt a mile from Kelso and repeat the attack. Ignore the town, for now. If we have not suffered heavy losses then Sir Richard will secure the town and Sir Geoffrey and myself will continue to Jedburgh. We hold what we have until dawn the next day and then bring back whatever booty we have to Norham.” I saw nods of approval. “The King will ride in disguise. He can have neither banner nor device. It is one thing for a killer of priests and the bane of the Scots to raid but not the King of England.” I realised that I was giving a command but I caught Henry’s eye and he nodded. “Let us ride!”

  I would not hide from the Scots and William would carry my banner. He would be in the third rank. The King and his escort would be amongst the other standards and the squires. Sir Richard led the way to the river. He knew it better than any. We had had dry weather and the river was not deep. As we mounted the other bank I saw Sir Richard wave. He would ensure that he and his knights did all that they could. I knew he felt guilty about his lack of vigilance. We rode a mile north and then halted. I turned to make certain that the King was in position. He was. This would be a test for Sir Geoffrey for he would have to judge the right moment to head upstream.

  We were all ready. My scouts were good men and they had given us an accurate estimate of distance. If Sir Geoffrey was early or late then he would have to deal with the consequences. I raised my spear. I knew that it would soon shatter but it was an easier weapon to use against men on foot whilst on horseback. I rode next to Alfred and Sir Edward. Fótr and William of Hartburn made up the other knights. Ridley and Henry Youngblood completed the front rank. My men at arms followed and then James of Corfe and the King’s men. My archers would be used once the enemy fled. They were better against serried ranks. The Scots would be in a loose formation. Cedric and Will had told us exactly where the first Scottish camp lay. The thundering of our hooves alerted them. Ordinary warriors might flee but the lords had horses and they would not. They would be prepared. The woods through which we galloped did not suit horses and we were not in a completely solid line. That did not matter. I hoped to reach them first so that they would think I was the main threat. When Sir James and Sir Geoffrey suddenly piled in from the flanks then I hoped our victory would be complete.