The Bloody Border Read online

  King Henry nodded, “And we have done so. Sir William, the son of the Earl of Cleveland, is now the Lord of Elsdon. His family know how to manage wrongdoers.”

  Until that moment the Scots, and Malcolm of Fife, in particular, had looked calm. As soon as the news was delivered, I saw a change. If my son was here then they risked my intervention. My family was often called the bane of the Scots. The Warlord had almost captured Prince Henry after the Battle of the Standards and he had been responsible for the capture of King William. The Earl and those around him stiffened. King Henry had surprised them.

  “The Treaty of Falaise is still in place.” King Henry glared at Fife and the other lords, “I will make the financial punishments instituted at that conclave seem like nothing if there is further trouble along this border.”

  It was a powerful statement. It left a silence until The Earl of Fife spoke, “King Henry, King Alexander is quite right. It is Scottish barons who do this. It is young headstrong knights who see the Treaty of Falaise as something dishonourable. They are young warriors.”

  The King gave a thin smile, “Then unless you wish to either ransom or bury them, curb them. The Earl of Cleveland will ensure that this border is safe!” The Scots left soon after looking a little less confident than when they had arrived.

  Chapter 3

  William and I left for Elsdon before dawn the next day. We had no men at arms with us and the six of us just slipped away as the early morning fog filled the Tweed Valley. There was little chance of reaching Elsdon in one day and so we planned on staying at Rothbury. It would give me the chance to speak with Sir Eustace. We would travel quicker than with the entourage of the King. Once he had finished with the King and Queen of Scotland we were forgotten. He had told Sir William what to do and he would quit England as soon as he could. I wondered why the Warlord had devoted his life to the Empress Matilda and her son, Henry. Perhaps that Henry had been more grateful than mine.

  We would head to Wooler where Baron Geoffrey of Wooler had a small castle. As we rode, I counselled our squires and pages. “What we do today is not the same as when we rode north. We are travelling the borderlands and there are dangers here. Keep your hands on your daggers and short swords. If we are attacked, forget the sumpters. Defend yourselves.”

  Henry Samuel asked, “Grandfather, are we likely to be attacked? I thought we were in England.”

  “We are, Sam, but there are bandits here. If we had our archers and men at arms then I would fear nothing but the four of you have yet to learn how to be squires and pages.”

  We had no shields with us but William and I had our helmets hanging from our saddles. I had not brought Crow but a good courser, Hawk. William had done this before and he was alert. The road had been built by the Romans and was largely straight but the contours of the land inevitably led to bends. In addition, the trees which had once been cleared had been reclaimed by shrubs, bushes and trees. There were many places where we could be ambushed. Each time we passed a village or hamlet, Crookham, Milfield, Akeld, we made a point of paying for food and water for the horses. We also spoke to the locals. I did not need to but we engaged in conversation and learned much.

  In Akeld I spoke with the smith who was beating a ploughshare. He was a large man and I saw a sword hanging from his wall. It looked to be well used. “How goes life here, smith?”

  He stopped work and looked up at me, “It is good that you have not far to go, lord, Wooler has a good castle. If you wish my advice, I would hurry the next few miles.”

  I cocked my head to one side, “Trouble?”

  He laughed, “Not for the Earl of Cleveland but you have some young lads here.”

  “You know me?”

  He nodded, “Cedric of Elsdon is my cousin. I followed you when we trounced the Scots. As they say around here, lord, ‘gan canny’.”

  I saw Sam looked puzzled. I smiled as I explained, “It is the local dialect for ‘go carefully’. Thank you, smith.” I flipped him a penny, “That is for your trouble.”

  He slipped the coin into his apron, “No trouble, lord. Folk around here respect you and your name.”

  As we mounted, I said, “William, ride at the fore with Matthew and Mark. The smith was warning us of danger. I will ride with John and Sam.”

  As we left the village, I saw that the road was straight for almost a mile but then it entered a wood. There lay danger. I had Sam on one side of me and John on the other. John was still a poor rider. He was getting better but he had little confidence in his ability to stay in the saddle when his horse galloped. Sam was younger but was happy to turn in his saddle to watch the horses behind. John was concentrating so hard that a bandit could have crept to within ten paces and he would not have been seen. I said, quietly, “If we can traverse those woods then I believe we will be safe for Wooler is not far on the other side. Remember, if there is danger, hold the sumpter’s reins in your left hand and take out your dagger. If we are attacked then you two stay behind me.”

  “Aye grandfather.”

  I drew my sword. It would do no harm and the smith’s words had been a warning that I ignored at our peril. I left my helmet on my cantle. William would spot the ambush before I did. I was now convinced that the smith had been warning us. He would have known there were bandits. He could not afford to make enemies of them and so he had been obtuse in his warning.

  We passed through scrubby trees into the woods proper. The Romans had built a ditch on both sides of the road when their legions had constructed it. Time and nature had filled it in and bushes had joined the weeds to encroach upon the road. Even as William raised his sword to shout a warning the first arrow flew from the trees. In all, four arrows came from the undergrowth which lined the side of the road. We were lucky that they were sent towards William and me. We had mail. The arrows were simple hunting arrows sent from hunting bows. Had they hit flesh they would have caused a wound. They did not. One hit my shield and another struck my surcoat and mail. Donning my helmet, I spurred Hawk and rode into the woods. The arrow which was sticking from my mail and surcoat told me that it had come from my right. I knew that I was abandoning my grandson but if I stayed with him then a lucky arrow might hit him and he wore no mail. William and I had to take on these bandits, no matter how many there were!

  I saw an arrow come straight for me. I even saw the archer. He was a small red-haired man. I swashed my sword before and miraculously managed to deflect it. He turned to run. I twisted Hawk’s reins and leaned forward. I swept my sword from the right and it bit deeply into his neck. The speed of Hawk’s hooves took me beyond his falling body and my sword slipped out. To my left, I saw another bandit pulling back on a bow. These were poorly made bows. He was concentrating on sending an arrow towards the road. Even as he let out his breath to release the arrow Hawk’s head had hit his left hand as my sword hacked across his back. I heard the clash of steel and urged Hawk back to the road.

  I saw Matthew lying on the ground and John, Sam and Mark with daggers drawn defending his body. Three bandits, one with a short sword and two with axes were advancing. Of William, there was no sign. I did not hesitate, I roared a challenge and spurred Hawk. It made the three of them turn. As they did so Mark lunged at one of them and his dagger ripped into the man’s upper arm. The other two made the mistake of hesitating. As I reached them, I pulled back on the reins. Hawk’s hooves clattered into the skull of one of them while I split open the head of the other. The man who had been wounded suddenly found three daggers aimed at him and an angry knight with a sword. He dropped his axe and fell to his knees.

  I looked up as I heard movement through the trees. William had his sword in the back of another bandit. “The rest are fled or dead.” He looked down and saw Matthew.

  I dismounted and handed my reins to Sam. Matthew was breathing. I saw his chest moving up and down. He was still alive. I turned to his brother, “What happened, Mark?”

  “His horse put her hoof in the ditch and he did not keep the saddle.
”

  I smiled. A bloody coxcomb would soon heal. “Sit him up. John, find some cord and bind the hands of these two criminals.”

  William said, “There are two dead on this side.”

  “We will take these two back to Wooler. His lordship can deal with them and then rid the woods of the bodies and the ones who survived.”

  I turned as Matthew came to. “I am sorry, Sir William. How can I be a squire when I cannot sit on a horse?”

  My son laughed, “Let us say it will be a challenge but the four of you showed today that you are no cowards.” I glared at the prisoners, “Unlike these bandits.”

  It was almost dark by the time we reached Wooler Castle. The two bandits had slowed us down. Our attire gained us entry and the Lord of Wooler, Sir Geoffrey, waited in his lower bailey. He was older than I was. He was about Edward’s age. He was overweight. He had not hunted bandits in his woods. He had enjoyed the venison it provided and had drunk mead and ale.

  “I am the Earl of Cleveland and this is my son, William, the new Lord of Elsdon Manor. We were attacked by these two bandits and others in the woods north of here. We slew some but the others escaped.”

  I dismounted. Baron Geoffrey walked over to one of the men and lifted his chin, “I might have known. Brian Sheep Stealer. He turned to the other, “And this would be Andrew the Scot. Both are wanted for sheep stealing.”

  “I am guessing, lord, that they have a camp in the woods.”

  He gave me a guilty look and nodded. Shaking his head, he said, “Then I will stir myself and rid my land of these parasites. I apologize, Earl. I know your name and had you died in my manor then it would have been a stain on my honour.”

  I nodded. The baron was like many knights. They had a good income from a small manor. They kept few men at arms and did not rouse themselves when the levy was called. His small wooden castle would be too much for bandits or raiders but if the Scots ever chose to attack in force then he would perish.

  “The travellers on this road need you to keep it safe, Sir Geoffrey.”

  “Aye lord, I know. I have been remiss.”

  He had a priest who looked at Matthew. It was as I had thought. A graze on the head. He would survive. The two bandits were kept in chains and, that evening, as we ate, the Baron told us that they would be hanged the next day. We did not stay for the hanging. I did not wish Sam to see it and we left as dawn broke. I wished to be in Rothbury as soon as possible. This time, when we rode, our squires and pages were more alert. They had learned a valuable lesson!

  Baron Eustace of Rothbury appeared to be a real warrior. He wore good mail and had a fine sword hanging from his belt. He had men at arms on his walls and his castle had a stone base with wooden palisades. The gatehouse was made of stone. I knew him from the battles with the Scots. He had been a young knight then and had sought a manor. His action against the Scots had brought him a good castle and a rich manor. As we sat in his hall, I told him of the visit with the Scots and the attacks of the bandits. “Old Geoffrey likes his Malmsey a little too much! He is lucky. Norham guards the north and we guard the south. The whole of Northumberland would have to fall before he was threatened.” He turned to William. “I can tell you, Sir William, that I am right glad that there is a lord of the manor once more at Elsdon. It was a shame about Sir Robert and I am pleased that he has found happiness. I confess I think you are a little young for the task.” He was a bluff plain speaking man and he held his hand up. “No offence intended.”

  “When I was little younger than William, Sir Eustace, I was knighted. My squire and I fought in the Holy Land. I do not think it is the age which makes a knight. It is in a man’s heart and in his sword arm. Sir William has the qualities it will take to keep the border safer than it is at present.”

  “I believe you. We have all heard of the hero of Arsuf.”

  “Arsuf was a lifetime ago. Until my men can be summoned my son, his squire and his page will be alone here. Is there a reeve? A bailiff? Farmers?”

  “Old Alan still watches over the place. He was a lay brother at Durham and when Sir Robert left the Bishop sent him. He does his best. As for farmers? There used to be ten or more farms. They ran mostly cattle and sheep. The raiders took most of them. There are three hardy families left and they farm close to the castle. Old Alan acts as a priest for the priest was slain too. Most of the houses in the village are abandoned. One or two widows live there still.” He saw William’s face. “I fear, Sir William, that you have one of Hercules’ twelve tasks ahead of you.” He shook his head, “But I will do as your father asks. I will send half a dozen of my men with you tomorrow and supplies for a week but I can do no more. You will need to fend for yourself after that. I need all of my men to keep my manor safe.”

  The rest of the meal was spent in ascertaining the potential for the land as well as the dangers. It soon became clear that the Scots were insinuating themselves into the land once more. They were stealing cattle and sheep. When they could they took slaves. I wondered why Sir Eustace had not done more. Then I dismissed the thought. Sir James of Otterburn was old. There was no lord in Elsdon and Sir Geoffrey of Wooler would not be of much help. Now I saw why I had been appointed.

  When we were in our chamber, I spoke with my son, our squires and our pages. “I will visit with the Bishop on my way home. I will impress upon him the need for a priest, supplies and animals. Then I will travel to our home and give your mother the news. She will not be happy. The King could have told us his plans when we were in Stockton! I do not like this way of doing things. It is as though he does not trust us!”

  “No father, it is not like that. I understand him. He had the crown thrust upon his head. His mother left the country and he had bad advisers. Who would you trust in such a situation? He is doing what he must for his crown and his throne. I am honoured that he chose both you and I for this task. I will make the best of it but I will not impose this sentence on others.” He turned to his squire and page, “Matthew, John, if you wish to return to Stockton with my father I will understand.”

  Matthew looked offended, “Just because my father is a tanner, lord, do not assume that I cannot keep my word. I would be a warrior. It seems to me that this will be the best place to learn such skills.” He laughed, “I will, however, need a good helmet and a sword. Brother, when you see our father ask for them for me. Tell him I will pay him when I can.” Mark nodded.

  William looked at John. He smiled, “Lord, fighting Scotsmen seems preferable to working at my father’s forge. I will stay too.”

  Henry Samuel said, “And I can stay too!”

  “No, my grandson, for I need a page to help Mark. You were always going to be mine but this has determined it. I just hope that you are ready for I have seen, here in the north, that this border is not yet ready to be at peace.”

  Elsdon looked to be very similar to Rothbury except that it was much smaller. It was a motte and bailey castle. The keep was made of stone and it was a small one. In the lower bailey were wooden stables and a kitchen. A steep slope protected the upper bailey. We saw it as we approached on the road from Rothbury. The village was little more than a huddle of farms. The bridge over the river was wooden. It was a well-sited castle but it needed work. I could see that the damage from the attacks had not been repaired. There were some stakes missing from the lower bailey. The mill which lay close to the castle also appeared to be disused or damaged.

  Godrey of Etal who was the captain of the six men who came with us shook his head, “You have been given a hard task, lord.”

  “Aye, well, the Lord above will have to help eh?” My son would have to be positive. If he showed doubts then he could not hope to inspire others.

  “That is the spirit, Sir William.”

  As we headed towards the gate, I saw that the church was small and although half built of stone was inadequate. This was a poor manor. I could do better for my son. Yet I knew he would not thank me if I offered him one on the Tees. He was as stubborn as I w
as.

  An older man came from the hall to greet us. I took him to be the lay brother. He wore a simple habit but I saw that he had a sword about his waist. He bowed and said, “I am Alan of Bellingham. I am the Reeve of this manor.”

  Now that we were close up, I saw that despite his sparse, white hair, he had an alert look about him. He had kept himself fit. I dismounted and gestured to my son, “I am the Earl of Cleveland and this is my son, Sir William. He is the new lord of the manor.”

  He dropped to his knees and kissed his cross, “Thank you God for answering my prayers.” He stood and said, “I have done my best to maintain the keep but…”

  My son smiled and held out his arm for his reeve to grasp it, “Fear not, Alan, I am here now and when my father brings back my men, we will make this a safe manor once more!”

  I let the others go ahead. I was examining the castle through the eyes of an attacker. The ditch was a good one but had fallen into disrepair. It needed cleaning and its edges sharpening. The gate could be improved and the palisade needed work. The outbuildings, kitchen, granaries, storerooms and bread ovens had been allowed to become run down and semi-derelict. The palisade around the upper bailey was a little better but the gatehouse was inadequate. The second ditch was also poorly maintained. There was a stable. I was pleased to see that the squires had taken it upon themselves to take the horses there. The keep was a square one. It looked to be three stories high. I knew what I would find before I went in. The gate at the bottom was for horses and animals. A stone flight of steps led to the entrance to the accommodation. I dismounted and Mark came for my horse. I pointed to the door of the keep. “Use this stable. Baron Geoffrey’s men can use the wooden one.”

  “Aye, lord.”

  I climbed the steps. We could make this easier to defend too. I saw that the main living area consisted of three rooms. There was one room with a fire and a larger one with a table. The table was a little worse for wear. On the west side was a small room. It looked to have had a small table and chairs in it at one time. I saw the marks on the floor. It was now empty. I heard Alan explaining to my son what had happened to the furniture. I went up the ladder which led to the upper floor. There I found two sleeping chambers. They were both large. It looked like Alan had been using one. Another ladder led to the trapdoor which led to the roof and the fighting platform. I stepped out and saw that whoever had built it when the Normans first came, had known his business. Archers could send their arrows into the lower bailey and decimate any attacker. William would need archers, good archers! I ran my hand around the crenulations. The stone was rough but it was a well-built tower. There was no damage. Had Sir Robert defended his tower then his wife might still be alive. As I descended the stairs, I realised that if that was the case then Isabelle would still be alone and unhappy.