King Henry's Champion Read online

  I suddenly felt uncomfortable, “I lost my wife and child last year. It was difficult. I made a pilgrimage to Caen to ask for forgiveness.”

  He nodded, “Then take a word of advice from a man of God, Earl, forgive yourself!”

  I took his words to heart. Perhaps he was right. I could do nothing about my sin. I could not take it back. The only ones who knew of it were the Empress, myself and her two women. It was not as though it could become public knowledge. I was the one punishing myself.

  When we left Carlisle I did not return the way we had come along the Roman Military Way. I headed south and east to ride back along the Tees valley. I know not why I made that decision. The routes were roughly the same distance. However I think there was something that Gilbert had said about outlaws. Over the last few years we had fought many enemies and vanquished them. Always there were warriors who escaped. I suspected that this was where the outlaws came from who plagued the west. I rode towards Penrith and Brougham. Both were lonely outposts. There were forests and woods between them and Carlisle. We went along that dangerous road. If I dared not to travel that way with my men at arms what chance did merchants stand?

  Wulfric asked me about my decision as we rode across the Irthing. “Why take this road, my lord?” I told him and he laughed, “Do you think any outlaw would be foolish enough to take on sixteen mailed knights and their servants? They would need to have a death wish.”

  “You may be right but our presence will stop them raiding for the duration of our journey. That is enough for me.”

  “It is a pleasant enough road, that is for certain, but I do not like the West Moors we have to cross. They are a bleak place through which to travel.”

  “They teach us much, Wulfric, for the road across them was built by the Romans. They endured more to make them than we will suffer in crossing them.”

  My horse, Scout, was aptly named for his skill. He proved it this day as he whinnied and tossed his head as we passed a small wooded dell by the side of the road. I drew my sword in an instant. I had learned not to ignore his messages. Wulfric who rode by my side drew his weapon and waved half of his men at arms to the left and the other half to the right the moment my sword was drawn. They surrounded the wood and I gently urged Scout into the ditch. I lifted a branch with my sword and saw two cowering children there. They were no more than seven or eight summers old. Both were boys.

  They covered their faces with their hands and tried to shrink back into the bush beneath which they sheltered. They spoke in Saxon but with a dialect I found hard to understand.

  “I beg you to spare us!”

  I sheathed my sword and took off my helmet. I must have frightened them. “Come, I will not harm you. I am the Earl of Cleveland. I am lord of this land. Leofric, dismount and bring them out. William, help him.” Handing their reins to John they went down into the dell and gently helped the two children to their feet.

  “Fear not for the Earl is a good man and a friend of the King.” Leofric was also the most sensitive of my squires and knew the right words and tone to use.

  I took Scout back on to the road. “Give them drink. They look thirsty.” John handed them a skin with small beer and the two children drank gratefully. “Now tell me your tale.”

  “We live in Bolton, yonder, on the other side of the river. Two nights ago outlaws came. They killed Athelstan the headman and they…” The elder of the two shook his head as though the memory was too painful.

  “Are they there yet?”

  “I know not, sir. I brought my little brother and ran here. The outlaws did not see us leave. We went to the church but they had slain Father John and so we ran here. We did not know what else to do. We have been hiding for they were fierce and wild men.”

  “William you and Leofric stay here with the boys and the servants. Give the children food and stop them being afraid.” I smiled at Leofric, “Make them laugh.”

  Wulfric had waved Roger of Lincoln and Edgar to scout out the land while I was interrogating the children and they came back. “There is a track, my lord, and it leads south to the valley. I can see smoke in the distance. It may be the place they spoke of.”

  I nodded, “It is a shame we have not Dick and his archers. Their skills in the woodland would come in useful.”

  Wulfric looked offended, “Just because we wear mail, my lord, does not mean that we cannot be silent. You wish to find these bandits, my lord?”

  “I do.”

  “Good. Roger, take half the men and ride north. Cross the river and make your way to the village. Approach from the south. We will drive them on to your blades.”

  I knew I had offended Wulfric’s professional pride. He rarely tried to take charge but his suggestion was a good one and I nodded to confirm it. I donned my helmet and drew my sword. I turned to the boys, “How many were there?”

  They looked lost and confused. The elder said, “There were many of them, my lord. They had swords and spears.”

  “Did they wear mail such as this?”

  He nodded, “Two of them did but it was not as fine as yours and they did not have such a noble banner.”

  As I followed Wulfric I knew what we faced. These were the remnants of some of the warriors we had defeated. The two with mail would be men at arms. All of the knights had been ransomed. We rode silently down the track. Our armour was well oiled but our spurs and horse furniture jingled slightly. It could not be helped. The trail through the woods twisted as it followed the natural contours down to the river. It prevented us from seeing what was ahead but I could smell the wood smoke from the fires.

  I caught a glimpse of the top of the wooden tower of the church and then we were at the river. It was not wide nor was it deep for there was no need for a bridge. The other men at arms joined Wulfric and me to form one line. I saw a man’s bare backside in the long grass on the other bank. He turned when he saw us and, rising from the woman gave a shout. “Alarum!”

  I spurred Scout and led my men, splashing across the shallow water. The man looked ridiculous as he tried to run while pulling up his breeks. When he heard my horse approaching he turned and tried to draw his short sword. I swung my arm back and laid his half naked body open from the crotch to the gullet with the edge of my sword. Scout clambered up the other bank and I saw men emerging from the huts. They were ragged but they were armed. I spied the two men with mail. They saw us and shouted orders for their men. They must have thought that they stood a chance against the seven of us. There were fifteen of them. Their men began to form a line. Some had spears and some had swords. The two leaders showed some skill for they made a rudimentary shield wall with themselves at the centre.

  I was the only one without a lance; John had my standard. Wulfric yelled, “Charge!” I allowed the others to get a horse’s head ahead of me. John held the standard like a lance. We had practised this manoeuvre often and, as they neared the ragged line they stood in their stirrups, leaned forward and punched. The high cantle at the rear of the saddle gave us all good support for such a manoeuvre. John’s standard caught an outlaw square in the middle of his head. Although the lance did not have a spear head it had a piece of metal in the shape of a wolf at the end and it laid the man unconscious. Two others fell to spears but the two leaders in the middle showed both their skill and their mettle by fending off my men. As the two men whose spears had broken swung to the side to allow them to draw their swords I brought my sword from over my head and swung it at the warrior to my left. I was aware of Wulfric’s axe swinging the other way towards the leader on the right.

  Scout’s head and hooves can be intimidating. The man flinched in fear. Although my sword did not strike flesh it smashed through the wooden spear and struck him in the shoulder. I saw that Wulfric’s warrior had only half a head. The rabble fled only to run headlong into a line of mailed warriors. It was my men at arms led by Roger of Lincoln. The warrior whom I had struck tried to draw his sword. I twisted Scout’s head to open up the man’s body and swung m
y sword back handed. The sharp edge tore across his throat and he sank slowly to his feet, bleeding to death.

  I saw that there remained no one left alive close to me and I reined in Scout. I lifted my helmet from my head. Roger of Lincoln and the others had taken the fight out of the rest. The ones who had not been slain surrendered. “Wulfric, find the hostages. Padraigh go and fetch the rest of the men. We have work to do here.”

  I handed my reins to John, “Well done, John. That was a fine blow.”

  He grinned. “You have to be more accurate when you don’t have a spear head but it is good practice, my lord.”

  I sheathed my sword and walked towards the huts. Women and children were emerging, fearfully. Mothers were clinging to small children; younger women clung together. There were only old men left. I walked over to a greybeard who had a crudely bandaged head.

  “I am sorry for your loss.”

  “I am glad you came when you did, my lord. I think they had the slave markets of Dublin in mind for us.”

  I nodded, “My men are coming and they have food. We found two boys.”

  He nodded. “Edward and Edgar, they are the sons of Egbert the Tall. Their parents are both dead now. They have nothing.”

  I frowned. It sounded like they were being dismissed, “But those in the village can look after them.”

  He shook his head, “I am sorry, my lord. It was hard enough to feed us all as it was. Without the men to hunt we can only look after our own families. They are not wanted.”

  I was beginning to become angry. “Then it is as well that I did not take the same attitude or you would all be headed to the slave market.”

  My voice was loud and he recoiled, “I am sorry, my lord, but if the priest had been alive he would have known what to do.”

  I realised, at that moment, that I could do nothing for this village. Whichever lord held Penrith or Appleby would need to see to them. I had enough troubles in my own valley. “Then send to your lord and tell him what has happened. Tell him that it was the Earl of Cleveland who told you to do this.”

  The seven prisoners were brought forward. I walked to one and said, “Where are the others hiding?”

  He stepped back at the force of my words. “There are no others, lord, we are the only ones. The brothers Thorir and Thorstein were our leaders and they lie dead. We just did what they said. Give us mercy.”

  I remembered the first warrior I had killed who had been raping a woman. They deserved no mercy, “Hang them all!”

  “Oh no, my lord! We beg of you. Give us our lives.”

  “You want your lives?” They nodded. “Then perhaps I should have you blinded? Would that be merciful? You do not deserve any mercy for you have destroyed a village. Hang them!”

  All seven were strung from the trees which lined the river. They hung wriggling and squirming until they choked to death and then their lifeless bodies swayed above the gentle waters of the Eden. While my men gave out the last of our food I went to Edward and Edgar. They were with Leofric and William. I saw that my squires were giving them some of the honey cakes they had kept for themselves. They were kind.

  “Your parents are dead.” They nodded. “It seems that there is no one here to look after you.” I saw William stare at me. His face was full of questions. I gave the briefest shakes of my head. “How would you like to come to my castle with me? I am sure we can find a home for you and work to keep idle hands busy.”

  “Yes lord! Can we be warriors? We want to be able to defend ourselves.”

  “Perhaps, for now you will come home with me. Leofric, William, let them ride double with you. They are not heavy and it would not do to have them walk.”

  “Of course, my lord.”

  We left Bolton on Eden but I knew that the village would not prosper. If you deserted your own then God would desert you.

  Chapter 2

  It was Aiden who solved the problem of the two orphans. Since his old codgers had died of the plague he had had to look after the hawks himself. Leofric and John had both started out as falconers. It helped Aiden and he, in turn, would look after them. Adela, my wife, had been the guardian of all creatures who were hurt. Perhaps it was something I would have to do now. I dictated a letter to John, my clerk, and had a second copy made. I sent one to Gilbert de Bois and the other to the Earl of Chester telling them of the problem of outlaws.

  I went to my church to seek out Father Henry. I told him what the new Bishop of Carlisle had said about forgiveness. He nodded, “The Augustinians are great thinkers, my lord, and that is good advice. I know that you and Father Matthew had a special relationship. He gave his life for your family. In time I hope that we will have the same understanding. Until that time I can only say forgive yourself and I will absolve you of all sins now.”

  He made the sign of the cross over me.

  “Without penance? You know not my sins!”

  He smiled, “I have spent the winter talking with those in the parish. A better knight and a better man would be hard to find. Your people have told me of all that you have done. Whatever sin you have committed your good deeds have more than made up for it.” He sighed, “They would have you smile again and be the lord they love.”

  From that moment on I resolved to smile more. I might not feel the smile within but I could show it without. It helped for my smile made others happier too and we settled into a more satisfied way of life. The two orphans were popular with my men at arms and all those within the castle. They seemed to be a symbol of hope.

  A messenger arrived in the middle of March from York. His arrival, though in many ways joyful, was also the harbinger of a dark cloud of war. The rider, wearing the livery of the Archbishop of York, handed me a sealed scroll. “I have to get to Durham, my lord, but it is good news!”

  His arrival had drawn all of my men into the bailey and Father Henry, whose church was just outside my wall, entered too. I opened and read the words. I forced myself to ready the news calmly and loud enough for all to hear.

  “The Empress Matilda has given birth to a son! There is another Henry who will be king of this land! God save the King! God save the Empress! God save Henry!”

  Everyone repeated my words.

  I turned to Father Henry, “Have the church bells rung.” He hurried off, “John, have one of my cattle butchered and cooked. Let the whole manor celebrate!”

  I kept the smile on my face but all the while I was wondering if this was my son. If that was true then my son could, possibly, attain the throne of England. The news was definitely good news for England. There would now be a male heir to the throne. We had all sworn allegiance to the Empress and I expected that the King would repeat the ceremony for his grandson.

  I waved John, William and Leofric over. “Ride to Yarm, Thornaby, Norton and Hartburn. Tell my knights the good news and bid them come tomorrow for a feast to celebrate.”

  John my Steward reappeared. He frowned as he heard my words, “Another feast, my lord? Is that not profligate?”

  “John, how many times must I tell you? It is not your money. It is my money. Besides Aiden took the new falconers out yesterday with some of my new archers and there are four deer in the pantry. We have plenty of food.”

  He smiled, “Excellent, my lord!”

  I spent that night in my southern tower. I was trying to see to Normandy and Anjou. I was picturing Matilda and her new son. She was thirty one years old. I remember Adela and Faren telling me that it was harder for women who were not young to have babies. The proclamation had said nothing about the health of the Empress. I could not help worrying. I guessed that young Henry would be healthy. The King would not have sanctioned the proclamation otherwise. I fell asleep in the tower and woke, cold and stiff in the middle of the night. Before I went to my bed I walked my battlements to look at my sleeping town. The sentries moved aside as I passed. I could smell the aroma of roasting meat from the town. I would enjoy some with my knights.

  I ran my hand over the smooth sto
ne of the battlements. My castle was almost finished. The roofs had been fitted over the battlements to protect us from arrows and the well had been dug. We could hold out in the castle for months. We had a bakery as well as cellars filled with preserved meats and food. Apart from the river we also had a well. We brewed our own beer and Adela had seen to it that the kitchens could feed an army.

  Outside the curtain wall, in the town, the houses had multiplied. There was little room within the walls and so those who had arrived recently had built them as close to my walls and ditch as they could manage. It was something of a sprawl but my town council ensured that there were paths running through the huts and that all the ditches were kept clean. They had issued orders for each resident to keep the paths outside their homes clear and if not they were fined. I looked to the east and saw the tannery where smoke spiralled into the sky all day and night. It was the place the plague had first taken hold and, ironically, where there had been the least number of infections. Life was unpredictable. I reached the end of my inspection and yawned. I was now tired. The walk helped me to sleep. My town and my castle gave me pleasure.

  My knights brought their wives and, in Edward’s case his children to my feast. Adela had begun the tradition and I was not about to change that. Sir Richard of Yarm arrived with his daughter and wife. I could see that Anne was excited. Her father shook his head irritably, “She has been desperate to thank you my lord for giving her permission to marry Sir Hugh.”

  I embraced the young woman, “I was delighted and pleased to be able to do so. Sir Hugh is a fine young man. He was my squire and there is no better knight in the valley. Soon your brother and Sir Harold here will find fine young women like yourself and we will have weddings and babies aplenty.”

  Sir Richard’s wife, also called Anne, looked at the empty chair at the other end of the table, “Your wife was a good woman, my lord.”

  “I know, she was the best.” I felt uncomfortable talking about her and I left it at that. They all knew me. They would understand.