King Henry's Champion Read online

That made our task easier. I would have to use my spear over my left side. As I spurred Scout on the sound of our hooves made men leap from their tents in surprise. I used an overhand grip to hold my spear. I stabbed down at the surprised Scot who was pulling up his breeks. The sound of our horses and the shouts from men who saw us caused confusion and consternation within the camp. Men ran for weapons. Others dived back into tents to don armour and helmets. My right hand worked so hard stabbing down that it ached from the effort. I had no idea of the damage I was doing but I felt flesh when I struck each time. I was hurting the enemy. When I saw the castle walls appear I yelled, “Wheel!”

  I jerked Scout to the left. Leofric now protected my right. We charged at right angles to the road we had used. If there had been confusion before when we rode down the road, now we caused chaos. Our column had split into two and the enemy appeared leaderless. Some of Dick’s archers had followed us in and were now using the camp fires to burn the tents. A pall of smoke began drifting across the camp. It disguised our numbers. As we were freed from the constriction of riding in fours we began to extract a terrible price for the earlier attack on Norham. The spears were long enough to strike a man cowering on the floor. As horses rode through tents the occupants fled to be speared and trampled.

  One brave man at arms faced me with his shield and his axe. As I stabbed him he smashed through the wooden shaft of the spear with his final blow then at Scout. Leofric’s quick hands thrust his spear into the warrior’s back. I drew my sword and leaned forward. The men before us were illuminated by the fires Dick’s men had started. They were easy to see. I jerked Scout’s head away from the stabbing spear and, as the spear hit the shoulder plate protecting my right shoulder, I took his head.

  My old wound in my left arm began to ache. This was the longest I had used a shield in some time. I had been warned that it would be weak. I was just grateful that we were almost through the camp. I saw the woods ahead. I slashed at the last two men I saw to my right and then I was in the woods. I rode for ten paces and then, after reining Scout in, turned around. I saw Leofric. He was grinning. His spear was gone, shattered no doubt during the brief but furious mêlée.

  I knew that the last man in my line would be Wulfric. I had given him that most dangerous of roles for he relished the challenge and the honour of being the last man in the line. Along with Roger of Lincoln they were the most reliable of all my men. When he and Roger arrived I headed towards the road. Behind us we could smell the smoke and the burning. We could hear the cries and the shouts from the camp. One thing was certain, they would not attack us in the morning.

  When we reached the ford Dick was waiting. He had thirty captured palfreys and sumpters with him. He also had eight head of cattle and four sheep. He shook his head, “I am sorry, my lord, the rest ran off and we could not capture them.”

  “Fear not you have done well. We have added to our horses and it will take them some time to recapture the others. Did you lose any men?”

  “Michael of Hartburn. He fell from his horse and they butchered him. His killers died.” His tone told me of the revenge his archers had extracted. My archers were not the men I would choose to cross.

  It had been one of Harold’s archers had fallen. He would be upset. I waited close to the castle as the riders rode past. I saw that we had lost some men at arms. None were of my retinue but I felt their loss nonetheless. Sir Phillip and his squire had both died in the attack. They had come for glory and treasure. They had their glory now. I wondered if the manor of Elsdon was cursed. It seemed to bring the lords there no good fortune despite its fine aspect. Sir John of Rothbury was also wounded. He would not be of much use until his wound was healed. All things taken into consideration it had gone as well as I could have expected. Now I just waited for them to disband their army and go home.

  Dawn was breaking. As I wearily led Scout through the gates of Norham I saw a relieved William. He was no longer a child but not yet a man and I saw, in his face, the desire to rush down and embrace me on my safe return. John had his hand firmly around his shoulders. He would stop any such indiscretion. I nodded to Sir Roger, “We are safe for another day at least. They will not attack today.”

  Sir Roger came close and said, quietly, “Food, my lord, is scarce. This time of year we have lean provender but with your men too…”

  I smiled, “My archers have captured some animals. We will butcher them. The men can eat the meat and the women and children can make a stew from the bones and greens. There should be plenty at this time of year.”

  “Of course.” He looked relieved. I wondered where I had acquired such knowledge. I had grown up never worrying about where my food came from. Now I knew how to manufacture food from nothing.

  I was mindful of Sir Roger’s comments as I ate my frugal meal in his hall. It would take time to butcher and cook the animals. That would be a task for the day. I decided that when Dick and his men went scouting this day they should hunt too. I hoped it would not be necessary. Perhaps we had bloodied the Scots enough but it paid to be prudent.

  After the meal I bade farewell to Sir Roger. “I will see my men and then I will share their camp. It does not seem fitting that I should have abed when they are enduring the hard ground.”

  “But you are an earl!” He sounded shocked.

  “And not long ago I was a baron like you and before that a squire. Never forget from whence you come, Sir Roger.”

  My men were quite happy camped by the river. They had augmented their diet with salmon taken from the river and hares killed by the finest archers in England. They were happy. Although they had not taken anything of value, save the horses from the Scots, they had all done well from the battle. I knew that anything of value would have been stripped from the bodies. More importantly, they had won and that was immeasurable. A warrior could eat a handful of grain and be happy if he had won. Sometimes a feast tasted like dust when you had lost.

  I sat with my squires and knights around a fire. It was daylight and we did not need the fire but soon we would sleep and a fire seemed part of that. “Have we set sentries? It would not do for the Scots to repeat our trick.”

  “Dick has his archers on the two islands and Wulfric has organised the sentries around the camp. If the Scots get past them then they had better flee fast for Wulfric is not a forgiving taskmaster.” Sir Edward was a good second in command. He made sure that nothing was overlooked.

  I did not think that the Scots would be able to do anything until they had sorted the mayhem of their camp. “Good then I can sleep for an hour or two.”

  “Will they retire?”

  “I know not. They should for we have beaten them twice and suffered little in return but they are Scots and have more courage than brains.”

  William was next to me. He showed me a sword, “I took this from the Scot I killed today. It is not the best sword I have ever seen.”

  “I disagree for this is the first sword you have taken and as such will never be bettered. You will achieve great things, my son, but today when you are barely out of your youth you killed a man and protected a baron. This sword should be honoured and protected. Within this sword lies the spirit of Sir William. Never forget.”

  I saw a different look on his face when I handed it back to him. Sir Edward and Wulfric nodded their approval. They knew that I was making the knight who would rule my land after me. As I lay down to sleep I wondered about another son, who lay many miles hence in Anjou. Would I have a hand in moulding a King of England? We rolled in our cloaks and lay on the ground. I slept but my rest was disturbed by the faces of the knights who had died that day. I had been lucky in my fights. Would my son be as lucky?

  I woke, due to my active mind, before noon. My squires slept on as did most of my knights. I rose and walked towards the river. I passed the sentries who bowed as I passed. “All quiet?”

  “Yes my lord. I think we have stopped the Scots this time.”

  “Perhaps but remain vigilant.”

>   The sound of the river made me need to make water. Dick appeared from the trees on the narrow island in the middle of the river. “Good morning, Earl.”

  “Morning Dick. How is your accommodation?”

  He smacked his cheek, “Fine but the other guests are a little annoying.” The river teemed with midges and biting insects.

  I nodded, “It should not be for too long. Unless they come on the morrow or the day after I think they will not come at all.” A sudden thought came to me. “Do we know who commands?”

  “No my lord; we saw banners but I only recognised that of Gospatric. I will see if we can capture a scout or two.”

  “Do not take risks. It is not that important. And if you do scout combine it with hunting eh? I would like some fine Scottish venison!”

  I walked back towards the castle. What I had said to Dick was not quite true. The King was keen to know who his enemies were. The ones who had attacked us had not been the leaders. When we had attacked their camp they were ensconced in Berwick. I had seen neither banners nor liveries. Was it a Scot or a rebel? Perhaps Gospatric himself had crawled out from under his stone, I know he harboured thoughts of a throne; to be the King of Northumbria was his avowed intent.

  I went directly to see Sir Roger. He was busy with his sergeant at arms and they were walking the ramparts to ensure they were ready for another attack. “The castle looks in a good state of repair, Sir Roger.”

  He nodded, “It is a pity that Bishop Flambard did not finish the work. There is not enough stone here yet.” He pointed to his keep which was half stone and half wood. “That is our strongest part of the castle and yet it is too small.”

  I agreed but this was too far from my home for me to be able to help. I had told him I would press for funds. It was now imperative that I did so. “When we have ended this threat I will have to take my men south again. Will you and your garrison be able to defend this crossing after we have gone?”

  “I think so. We can summon help from Morpeth and Rothbury.”

  “Do not forget Hexham. Sir Hugh Manningham has the largest number of men at arms in this area. He is always happy to meet the Scots in battle.”

  He smiled, “I know I saw him leading his men when you swept the enemy from the field. He is a towering figure of a man. I would hate to face such as him and your Wulfric. They are giants!” He looked to the east. “Will they come again?”

  “Perhaps. Tomorrow will tell.”

  The rest was vital not only for our men but also our horses. They had to carry mailed men into battle. Recovery time was vital for them. The captured animals meant that we were no longer short of food. Dick and his archers combined scouting with hunting and we had Scottish game in abundance. It seemed fitting that the Scots were feeding us and the meat we ate tasted even sweeter. Dick reported to me when he delivered the game to the cooks.

  “They are still in their camp, my lord but they have a ring of sentries. We saw no scouts.” Berwick was now ringed with sentries but they were defending not attacking.

  I had only managed a couple of hours of snatched sleep and my hard bed called. I slept better. My dreams were not haunted by the dead. I was awake early the next morning. My shoulder ached from the hard ground. I understood now why the King always had so much baggage. He slept well. Others in the camp were up and moving. Leofric came over with a jug of small beer. “Here, my lord.”

  “Thank you Leofric.” I looked at the eastern sky. There appeared to be dark rain clouds on the horizon. Clouds from the east meant we would soon have rain for it was a brisk breeze. “Make sure that my mail is oiled today. I fear we will have a shower or two ere long.”

  As the camp came to life, so the sky lightened, but not by much. I felt the first spit of rain and knew that my predictions had been correct. My men were warriors first and foremost. As soon as they felt the rain they hurried to don their mail and surcoats. The good news was that the rain would be as much an enemy to the Scots as to us. We would both have to fight nature. The fires were quickly protected. Relighting a damp fire was a task no one enjoyed. Food was forgotten as nature decided to give us a dousing. Leofric ran over with my mail. He grinned, “You must have second sight, my lord, I had just finished oiling it when the rain began.”

  He helped me to put on my mail and then my surcoat. I wondered if this meant the end of the Scottish threat. Suddenly a horse galloped in. It was Ralph of Wales who had been waiting at the northern island. “My lord, the Scots and the rebels, they are coming in force.”

  I nodded, “Discourage their crossing but get all of your men back here as soon as you can. We have few enough archers as it is.”

  Ralph pointed to the skies. The rain was now crashing to earth. “This will not help our bow strings, my lord.”

  I nodded. “Do your best.” Wulfric appeared at my side as did Sir Edward and Sir Hugh. “They come. But they come from the north this time.”

  Sir Edward slid his foot in the mud before our feet. “This is treacherous stuff in which to fight. It has not been raining long and yet this is turning into a quagmire already.”

  That was our fault. My men had been hurrying through the camp organising themselves while the rain had been falling. We were responsible for the churned up ground. “It cannot be helped. Send a messenger to Dick. We will need his archers. Have him leave a couple of sentries on his island. Tell the men to form up to the south of the castle between the road and the motte. The river protects the northern side of the castle.” They hurried off and William appeared with his own mount and Scout. “I thought you would need this.”

  “Ever the squire, well done, William.”

  I mounted and we rode into the castle. “Sir Roger, the Scots come but from the eastern island. I will place my men to the south of the castle.”

  Sir Roger nodded and pointed to the skies which were black from horizon to horizon, “A black day for a fight. I should warn you, my lord, that the river hereabouts soon bursts its banks.” He pointed to the west where the clouds were even blacker. The rain clouds were everywhere. “If it has been raining over the hills, too, then the river will soon swell. I would not have your men trapped.”

  “Thank you but if it does flood then it does our work for us. You will have drier bowstrings. Keep arrows falling on their right flank. Have you any crossbows?”

  “Aye my lord, four of them.”

  “Use them.”

  I mounted Scout and rode to join my men. I rode a little too fast as I left the solid stones of the road to the castle and Scout’s hooves slithered in the mud. I barely managed to keep my seat. It was a warning for me. We could not use our war horses. Already the ground was churning up into an impassable morass. As I approached the lines which Wulfric was forming I saw that there were hedgerows to the east. In dry weather we might have a chance to escape through them but in mud the hedges would stop us. My views were confirmed when I saw Sir Tristan’s squire, John, fall from his saddle when his horse, ridden too fast, slipped in the mud. The young squire was embarrassed rather than hurt.

  I rode towards Wulfric; he shook his head, “No good for horses, my lord.”

  “No Wulfric. We fight on foot. Have stakes driven before us to discourage their horsemen and have spears fetched.” As my orders were obeyed I looked around and saw that there was a rise, albeit a slight one, and I walked to it.

  John rode up with my standard. The rain was pouring from his helmet. “We need no horses today, John. Plant my standard here and this will be the centre of the line.”

  I heard stakes being driven into the ground. Wulfric had had each of the men at arms cut down their own stake. They were hammering them in before us. They were angled to face the enemy. Once that was done they sharpened the ends into a point. My knights rode up. “Send the horses to the castle. We fight on foot.”

  Sir Hugh nodded, “Damned treacherous under foot, my lord! It is like walking on ice!”

  “Aye. We use this small piece of high ground.”

  Sir
Richard laughed, “If this is a piece of high ground then when I pee that must be a river!”

  Sir Edward said, “The Earl is right. The rise may only be the height of my knee above the other ground but it is higher and we are already churning this into mud.” He slithered his foot in the mud. “When we fight we will have firmer ground and they will slip.”

  I turned to see the men at arms using their daggers and hatchets to sharpen the stakes. Dick and his archers hurried in. “Your archers are to be placed behind our line, Dick. Make sure our right flank is covered. The castle covers our left.”

  He shook his head, “Wet bow strings limit our range, my lord.”

  “I know, do your best.”

  “My lord!”

  I turned and saw Ralph of Wales and his archers galloping from the distant hedgerow. I could see their horses labouring across the muddy field. The rain showed no sign of abating.

  “Wulfric get the lines organised. I want two lines of men. Make sure there are plenty of spears behind us.”

  Ralph reined in. “They come, my lord. We slowed them a little but,” he held his hand to the skies, “this is not good for war bows.”

  “I know. Put your men on the right flank with Dick and keep your horses tethered. We may need them.”

  The squires hurried up to us having taken the horses to the castle. It was almost comical to see them trying to move quickly through cloying and clinging mud. I turned to spy out the enemy. Their foot had come through the hedge first in case we had an ambush. They formed up. I saw that they had a line of lightly armed men before their horse. They would try to clear away the stakes. Behind them their horsemen waited. I saw the knights in the middle and recognised the banner of Gospatric. The Earl was leading our enemies. They had less than forty men at arms in their ranks. There were other horsemen but they had no mail. Our two attacks had diminished their numbers. Gospatric was gambling on destroying our small force but had he chosen the wrong day? Looking down the line I thought I saw a couple of men wearing the white surcoat of crusaders. If they fought this day then they would be wearing brown!