Baron's War Read online

  “And you can obey orders too! Stay with the horses and the baggage.”

  I saw Fótr speak with Tom. He and Mordaf galloped off across country. We were far enough away from Louailles that they would not be seen and it would allow them to approach through the woods from the west. I had my helmet hung from my saddle. At the first sign of danger I would don it but I wanted a clear line of sight. If I donned it then the ambushers would know that we expected trouble. We passed through Louailles. There was a horse trough and we stopped to water the horses. As we did so it allowed us to look ahead. Tom and Mordaf had not returned. That could mean that they had not discovered the ambush and were still looking but my archers were so skilful that it might mean they had seen it and thought to ambush the ambushers. If the enemy were using crossbows then the two bows could send far more arrows towards them than they could send bolts.

  “Fótr, fetch me a spear.” Some of my men at arms had already sought a spear from Godwin. I would try one. If these were armed the same as the ones in the earlier ambush then they would have leather mail. A spear could kill!

  With the spear in my hand I spurred Skuld to catch up with my archers. I saw that they had their bows strung and each carried three arrows. If there was danger then they would dismount and send three arrows towards the brigands in a heartbeat.

  Ridley said, “Remember, lads, it is we who protect Sir Thomas now. We are not pox ridden half-wits like those at Falaise!”

  In the end we saw them first. There were twelve riders across the road. They had spears. I saw, on the side of the road, stakes embedded in the ground. Behind them were men. I suspected there would be men at arms and crossbows. The woods to the side looked like the kind of place men would be hiding. I saw Griff and my eight archers halt just three hundred paces from the enemy. They knew the range of crossbows and there were aware of the speed of charging horsemen. My archers trusted that the ten of us would protect them.

  I slipped my helmet on to my head. “Form line.” By forming line, we threatened the horsemen. I watched as my archers spread out and headed towards the woods. I knew not where Tom and Mordaf were but whoever was in the woods were dead men. This was the time to trust my archers. The ten of us would charge the horsemen. Their crossbows, I could not see exactly how many there were, would be aimed at us but my archers would target the crossbows. Once they were eliminated then the men at arms would be the target. I saw that my line had spread out. We would not charge boot to boot. We had to give a target which was hard to hit.

  I watched as Griff drew back and sent his first arrow to plunge into the shoulder of one of the crossbowmen. It made then loose their crossbows too early. Most hit the trees behind which my archers sheltered. Griff had realised that he had the wind with him. He had taken cover behind a stunted tree. Arrows could be released over such an obstacle. A crossbow had a flat trajectory. I spurred Skuld as my archers moved forward and sent eight arrows towards the enemy. I saw the crossbowmen frantically reloading. I spurred Skuld. We had to reach the horsemen before the crossbows could be reloaded. Their horsemen realised their dilemma and belatedly spurred their own horses. We had momentum. I lowered my spear and aimed Skuld at the one horseman with a mail hauberk. He had been a knight. My archers had the range. The crossbows were eliminated and I saw the men behind the stakes close ranks to make a shield wall. Ignoring the men on foot I concentrated upon the horsemen.

  The man who had once been a knight had a lance. That showed his heritage. I guessed he had not used it much lately for it wavered up and down. The lance was longer than my spear. It hit me on the top part of my shield. I angled my shield so that the sliding lance hit the air above my left shoulder. I rammed my spear towards his middle. His mail was old and his shield slow to block the strike. My spear tore into his middle and the speed of our collision meant that the shaft was shattered. I let go and drew my sword. I saw the remaining men on foot looking at me. They turned and fled. I saw their horses waiting just twenty paces down the road. They were sumpters. One man stood to face me. Perhaps he was a former squire of the knight. I used Skuld’s skill to fool the warrior. He slashed at air as I stood in the stirrups and hacked across his neck.

  My men at arms and squires were urging their horses on. We had to get to the men before they reached their horses. I could not afford a chase through Maine. Leaning to the side I swung my sword across the back of a luckless man at arms who had been slower than his comrades. My sword grated along his spine. Fótr caught another with his spear. Ridley the Giant and Padraig the Wanderer managed to reach two more before they could mount their horses. Their deaths saved four others who made their horses and galloped off. My archers had followed through the trees. They slew another five. I reined in. It would be a fruitless chase and I would learn nothing.

  I looked around and counted my men at arms. Not all had survived. I had one dead man. Even as Griff and my archers searched the bodies I saw Tom and Mordaf emerge from the woods. They rode their horses and raised their bows. They had killed those waiting to ambush us. King John had failed. Would he try again?

  William des Roches

  Chapter 4

  The attack had been repulsed and we had won but we had lost men. Jean de la Mont lay dead and we had two more wounded men. We did not have far to go to reach my manor and so we took Jean’s body back with the five horses we had captured. We burned the bodies of the attackers. As we headed south the black smoke rose behind us. Tom and Mordaf had told us that they had come across ten men with crossbows in the woods. Their skills as both archers and foresters had helped them to slay them all without suffering a wound. The crossbows which had been intended to kill us made good kindling for the funeral pyre.

  Ridley had examined the bodies before they had been burned. “There was one amongst them who had been a knight, lord. He had spurs. None had good swords and the mail we found was not worth saving. They were swords for hire. The men were desperate.”

  “As was John. He could not afford to use men who might be traced back to him. He will have used someone like de Ferrers to hire the killers. It is known that there is a blood feud between us. I have no doubt that there will be another manor in England for de Ferrers.”

  Sir Edward was in his new castle and working with his men on the tower above the gate. He saw the body draped over the horse. “You had trouble, lord?”

  “We were ambushed twice. Keep your eyes open for a half dozen or so men who may have escaped us. I am not sure they would risk my wrath by attacking this close to my home but these are desperate times.” I told him the news and my parchment.

  He smiled, “Eleanor of Aquitaine is a wise old bird, lord. It is sad that she will retire to a nunnery. I will miss her.” He looked up at Fótr who was talking to Gilles, Edward’s squire, and added quietly, “And how did Fótr take the news that the Maid was in England?”

  “Better than I might have hoped. There is now a chance that he might get to see her. We can now go to England without fear of arrest.”

  “But will you, lord?”

  “Not yet for we need to deal with whatever Phillip throws at us first but we shall go and soon.”

  Alfred ran to me as soon as we rode through the town gate. He had watched our approach from the keep. He was a clever boy with sharp eyes. He, like Edward, had seen the body on the horse and also the bandaged Godwin. “You fought?”

  I dismounted and picked him up. “That is my welcome? Where is the, ‘I am glad you are home father for I have missed you’?”

  He hugged me, “You know that I have missed you but how many men did you kill?”

  “There was no honour in their deaths for they were desperate men, hired to kill me.” I saw his eyes widen. “We are safe here. Fear not.”

  Margaret was a kind woman. She had known Jean and her eyes were sad when I told her of his death. She looked at me for signs of a wound. My scarred face was a reminder of the dangers of combat. “But you are safe?”

  I nodded, “And I have a document which
guarantees our safety. I will rest for a day or so and then ride to Angers to speak with William des Roches. Would you wish to come with me?”

  She nodded, “Soon I may not be able to travel and they have merchants there with goods we cannot buy here. Geoffrey has told me that we have coin aplenty. I would use some to make our home more pleasant before you hire more men!”

  “Those men keep us safe.” I took out one of the bags of coins we had taken from the killers. The other I had split amongst my men. “And I have more coins here. Spend what you will. We will not need more men for a while.”

  Many of my men were now married. They hurried to their families. Fótr saw to the horses. I took the document to my hall. I waved over Geoffrey. “I am pleased to see you well lord.”

  I showed him the parchment. “I would have a copy made of this. Can you make a fair copy?”

  He shook his head, “I can write lord. Father James has a young priest just come to him, Father Abelard. He has a fair hand. He has been making a second Bible. Father James wishes one in each church.”

  “He sent for the priest?”

  Geoffrey nodded, “Father Abelard comes from the monastery at Chinon where Father James trained. He keeps in contact with the abbot there. Father Abelard no longer wished the life of a monk. He is young.”

  “Then have him brought here. I would not let this out of my sight.”

  “Of course, lord.”

  After he had gone I sat in my chair in the west tower and drank some heady wine. The parchment was all important. Father Abelard’s copy would not have the same weight as the original but if anything happened to the original then the priest could attest to the existence of the document. I did not trust John. The two ambushes had shown that he paid lip service to his mother. When she died he would renege on his oath; of that I was certain. He had done so when annulling his first marriage. He had made up some nonsense about not seeking the Pope’s permission to marry. Isabella of Angoulême was a pretty twelve-year-old when he married her. John had been attracted to her by her looks but also because she had been engaged to Hugh le Bruin. He was devious. The plan had not worked as well as King John might have hoped for it alienated the Lusignan faction. That meant more enemies in the south. I needed to visit with William des Roches. Although John’s seneschal, he had shown me both respect and had prevented others from attacking me. He had to see the parchment. Like Father Abelard he could attest to its existence.

  When Father Abelard arrived, I was amazed at how young he was. He was, however, delighted to copy the document. He was honoured to have been given the task. “My copy, lord, will not be legal. It will not have the signatures nor the seals.”

  I nodded, “I know but you have now seen the original. If anything happens to the first document then we can produce this and you can testify to the existence of the other.”

  He smiled, “I heard that you were a clever man, lord. I look forward to serving you.”

  Over the next few days I busied myself with my men and my defences. James Broadsword knew better than any what we needed. “James, I would have you accompany me to Angers when we go to speak with Sir William. We will leave Ridley the Giant in command.”

  “You take Sir Richard with you, lord?”

  “Aye.” I had decided to take fewer men with me. I did not wish to appear to be intimidating the seneschal with large numbers. Now that I had Whorlton I needed to speak with Sir Richard. This would also be the first time that Alfred had left La Flèche. He was excited. We had a small pony for him and he would ride with me. I charged Fótr with watching him.

  We left seven days after my return. I had a chest of coins for my wife and James to spend. Geoffrey, my steward came with us. I had plans for him. My wife travelled in a closed carriage. She was with child and I did not wish to risk damaging my unborn child. We also took a wagon for the goods we would buy.

  “The document lord, it is good news?” Sir Richard rode with me.

  “Aye Sir Richard. It means we can return home to England one day. Not yet for I would not leave this land while the French threaten.”

  Sir Richard looked back to where his squire and nephew, Ralph, was speaking with Fótr and Alfred. His young son, Dick rode with them. “Lord before we do return I would have my nephew knighted.”

  I nodded, “You are a knight. You need not my permission.”

  “Yet I would have you dub him lord. He admires you and it would mean much to me.”

  “Then I will be happy to do so. And would you and your son return to England with me when I go?”

  He was silent for a moment and stared into the distance as though gathering his thoughts. “Lord, it pained me to leave England. I left many good men there. I cannot return to England. I am sorry. I would stay here. I like La Flèche. I would end my days here, if you and the good Lord permit it.”

  “But Ralph?”

  “My nephew would return to England. He has told me, often, how he misses the land. The hills where he grew up are wild and he likes them. And his father is buried in England. I think he would like to visit his grave. There is another reason for his spurs, lord. You will need a household knight to accompany you.”

  “I think that Sir Edward will wish to return too but you are right. I will need knights with me. However, that is some time off.” My mind was already working on the plans I knew I had to make. I could see the dangers which were growing in Normandy and Anjou. I had a wife and family. I could face trials and tribulations but I would not inflict that upon my family.

  My livery was recognised as we approached the gate of Angers. We were allowed in immediately. I would not impose upon William des Roches for it might put him in a difficult position. I had plans to buy a home in Angers. I had coin enough and we could use it for Geoffrey to come and buy that which my wife needed. We went to the large inn by the river. The innkeeper was more than happy to accommodate us.

  “James, I would have you buy the weapons and mail that we need.”

  “Aye lord.”

  “Geoffrey, you will accompany my wife but I would also have you search out a small house that we might buy. Close to the river would be good. Four sleeping chambers would be all that we need.” We had spoken of my idea before and he nodded. “Alfred, would you accompany and guard your mother or would you come with me?”

  My wife laughed, “My lord, that is no choice! He will go with you!” Alfred’s face was eloquent.

  I took just Sir Richard, his squire, Fótr and Alfred with me. The rest of my men guarded my wife and James. They had coin about them and there were cut purses in Angers.

  We walked to the castle. We were bareheaded but we had swords. We were admitted but asked to leave our weapons with the chamberlain at the guard house. I did not mind. The weapon I held in my hand, the parchment, was more powerful than my sword.

  We were taken to the Great Hall and wine was brought. William des Roches did not keep us waiting. Often the great and the mighty did so just to show their power. William was not like that.

  He held out his hand, “Sir Thomas. It has been some time.” I bowed. “And this must be your son.”

  “Aye lord, Alfred. The knight is Sir Richard of East Harlsey.”

  “You are all welcome, sit. What brings you here?”

  I knew that he would know why I had come. Messengers travelled almost daily from Rouen to Angers. William des Roches was vital to John. He guarded the Loire.

  I took out the parchment and handed it to the seneschal. He read it carefully. Smiling he said, “The Dowager Queen’s hand is all over this. You have done well. This gives you security.”

  “From the Duke but not from the French. Another reason for my visit was to discover if there is danger from that quarter.”

  “There is always danger. However, King Phillip and his army are close by the Vexin. I think that the army which lies across the border from our lands is not yet a threat. I have my barons at the border keeping a good watch.”

  I had something delicate to
broach, “Lord, when I travelled south from Falaise my men and I discovered that there is unrest amongst the barons of Maine and Normandy.”

  His steely eyes were piercing, “And you heard my name mentioned.”

  I nodded, “I did but as I did not know the men who suggested you as a future Duke I ignored it.”

  “Thank you for your honesty. Aye I have been approached but I am loyal to the Duke. He has treated me well.” I was relieved. I did not want to fight William des Roches. His face darkened. “There is something else. Following the departure of you and the Dowager Queen Arthur of Brittany was moved to Rouen. William de Braose is lord there.”

  That was unwelcome news. “Was he not involved in the Abergavenny massacre? He is one of King John’s lap dogs.”

  William smiled, “Lap dog is a little strong but he was involved in the massacre. He is a hard man.”

  “And is Prince Arthur safe?”

  “I hope so.” He leaned forward. “If I could speak in confidence?” Sir Richard nodded as did I. “I am disturbed that many of the prisoners King John took after Mirebeau lie in dungeons and I have heard they are being mistreated. I have written to King John to ask about them and their safety. I also asked for assurances about Arthur. I know the boy is foolish but he is the rightful Duke of Brittany. He has yet to reply to me.”

  These were worrying developments. Sir Hubert had been an honourable man. “Thank you, lord. That has given me much to ponder.”

  “Like you I believe in the young Prince and I would not wish harm to come to him but, at the same time, I had no desire to be Duke. You need to know that.”

  I believed him. He was many things but a liar was not one of them. When he heard that Ralph was to be knighted he insisted upon giving him a pair of spurs. I saw the look of envy on Fótr’s face. He was desperate to be a knight. We spent half a day with William des Roches. I learned much about the politics of the south. King John had made a bad judgement of error when he had married Isabella. He now had the most power faction in Poitou against him. The barons were rising in all of his lands save Aquitaine and they were loyal only because of his mother.