Earl (11 page)

I smiled, “I have much to occupy me, Sir Gilbert.  I have recently returned from a Welsh campaign and then this foray into Scotland.  I shall be pleased to get home and enjoy my manor.”

As we headed east, the next day I confided in Hugh. I trusted him and I worried for him.  “I have heard disturbing news of Sir Barnard de Balliol.  It may be nothing but he is a friend of William Comyn.”

“Is he the brother of Walter, the one who tried to ambush us?”

“I do not know but I am guessing that he is. I would like you to keep watch on him, surreptitiously of course.  But you need to be careful around him.  Watch your words and keep your ears open.”

“Why do we not tell the King or the Earl of your suspicions?”

“Because they are just that, suspicions. I am learning that we have to play a game.  We know not who our enemies are and who our friends are. I know whom I trust and you are one of those. You are young but I am confident that you will make the correct choices.” He nodded and looked thoughtfully to the north.  “I am sorry that you lost those men at arms.  I know that they are hard to replace.”

“I have their armour and their weapons. You said that Sir Gilbert de Bois said that your name is becoming known.  It works for us.  We have many soldiers of fortune who cross the Tees and seek employment.  I will hire more.”

We made it to Gainford before dark and I stayed with Sir Hugh.  Although I was eager to get home it would have been rude of me to leave quickly.  Sir Hugh had shown himself to be a calm and confident leader.  He had demonstrated loyalty and I would reward that loyalty.

When I reached Stockton my wife was surprised.  Wulfric and the others had not returned from their expedition and she had thought I would have been away longer. When I told her of the ambush I expected a different reaction but she was unexpectedly calm. “Our son has survived and he looks to have come out of the ordeal well. But I pray that both of you are more careful on your next campaign.”

Both my son and I were relieved.

After a fine meal and a pleasant evening I felt replete.  I was home in my castle.  It was not as strong as some but it was certainly better than most. I had seen that on my travels. My family were safe within its walls. I felt full of energy the next day and relished the prospect of being a lord of the manor for the next few months.  I sent for John my steward and my clerk. 

“John, I need to write a letter to the Earl.” It did not take long to dictate the missive.  Neither the Earl nor I went in for flowery phrases.  I gave him the bare bones of the events. When I had finished John said, “Sir, if I may speak without offending you?”

“Of course.”

He sighed and laid down his scribe.  “It is just that the treasury is shrinking.  You have many expenses and with new men to equip and to pay I am not sure that we have enough.  You have brought cattle and treasure to the manor but we have more mouths to feed.  Your work on the castle and the church are not cheap.” He held up his hand, “I know they are necessary, my lord, but they are expensive.”

I smiled.  I had chastised him for holding the purse strings too tightly.  I could hear, in his voice, that he did not wish to upset me further.  “What do you suggest, John, son of Leofric?”

“Taxes, my lord.” I cocked my head quizzically.  “I know that the King has his taxes but we only get a small part of those. You provide protection for the people and they prosper.  We need to tax that prosperity.”

“But I do not wish to lose their support.  They are vital to us.”

He nodded, “The tax I propose is not going to be a burden. A penny a month for each house which is within the walls of the town and one halfpenny a month for those with a mile of the walls.”

“Can the people afford that?”

“Look at the homes of some of the burgers, my lord and how they dress.  They can afford it.”

“Even so that will not bring in a fortune.”

“No but we now have many visitors.  We tax Ethelred for every person who uses his ferry and tax them if they stay in the town or castle.”

“I hope that would not deter visitors.”

“I do not think so and it is the reason I stopped short of taxing ships any more than we do.  They are vital.”

“Is that the limit to the taxes?”

“Well sir I did think that we could use the farmers to supply the food for the men at arms and archers.  If each contributed a little then our bills would shrink.” He saw me frown.  “I promise you sir, that once we have the finances under control we can cease the taxes.  You will be going on campaign again, will you not?” I nodded.  “And hopefully that will bring in more treasure than the recent one to Wales.” He shook his head, “The Welsh are too poor.  We need a campaign in Normandy.  That is where the real money can be made.”

He was irrepressible. “Very well but the Lady Adela knows the mood of the people.  If she tells me that they are unhappy then we will revoke the taxes.”

“Believe me sir I have spoken with many in the town and they appreciate that they are safe. It is over a year since we were raided.  They prosper.”

After he had gone I decided to take a walk around the town.  Adela and I had done so many times in the past but we had got out of the habit. Adela was keeping a close watch on William.  She did not let him accompany me.  I went alone. I wanted the opportunity to view my manor closely and without unnecessary questions. The gate house which led to the town was almost complete.  The double gates were a solid barrier. I patted the stone approvingly as I passed through them; nodding to the sentries.  Alf and the other burghers had made stone walkways through the town. They gave a sort of structure and order to what, in many places, was a random huddle of huts.  The homes within the wooden palisades varied from Ethelred’s magnificent hall to wattle and daub dwellings. Ethelred’s hall acted as a home and a warehouse.  I did not mind its ostentation.  It could hold most of the town if danger came.  The majority of the homes were the huts which had been around since before the Romans.  They were round and made of wattle and daub. Some had stone bases but they were all just one room. The exception was Alf who had an oblong building.  Half was his home and the open half was his workshop and smithy.

I walked east first towards the tannery.  It was the place which had the most unpleasant aroma in the whole town but it was necessary.  The tanned hides brought in a good income and I shared in that income. The smell meant that few homes were in this part of the town. The gate at the eastern end was wood but it had two small towers and the tanners were the defenders of that gate.  The north gate was also made of wood. This was the place where those who worked close to the river could be away from the smell.  They all had a greater income.  These would easily be able to afford John’s tax. The exception was Hilda the ale wife who still lived close to the castle and the river.  She was almost as rich as Ethelred and it was said that Wulfric had his eye on her as a bride. Although I suspect he would just have used her as a convenience.  Wulfric would not want an encumbrance of a wife.

The west gate was made of stone.  Eventually I would have all of the wooden palisades which surrounded the town replaced by stone but that would have to wait. The west gate had been chosen as the first to be made of stone because it was the closest to my castle. Even as I examined it I began to plan for the wall which would join the gate to my castle. That would need stone and that in turn meant more income. 

It was when I returned to my castle that I realised we needed more accommodation.  With more men at arms and archers we were growing short of space.  In addition I needed chambers for those like the Earl and the Dean of Durham who sometimes visited.  Perhaps John was correct; we did need taxes.

My three warriors returned three weeks later.  They had done well.  I saw a column of men approaching the ferry.  I was eager to see what they had gathered for me.  I saw at least six archers and six men at arms.  Erre stood with three axe wielding warriors and I knew that he had done as I had asked. We had lost three men and gained fifteen.  John son of Leofric might be unhappy but I was not.  We would have the autumn to train and prepare them to fight under my banner.

Erre was more than happy, “We found these three straight from the boat.  They had come all the way from the Muslim lands to the south of Aquitaine.  They were glad to be away from that disease ridden land and they came cheaply!”

In contrast to Erre Wulfric was unhappy when I told him of the losses we had suffered.  He was a plain outspoken man, “Some of the other lords should bear some of the dangers, my lord.  It is always you.”

“I am Earl and it comes with the title. Roger and Aelric did well.” I waved a hand towards the new arrivals who were busy examining their new home.  “Are you happy with them?”

“Oh aye my lord.  There were thirty or forty we could have brought but we wanted the best. They have heard that you pay well and are a noble knight. It made our task easier. I suggested the others sought employment with Sir Edward, Sir Richard and Sir Harold.”

“Sir Hugh needs men also.”

“Do not worry, my lord. I let them all know they would be welcome.” We heard a shout as William practised with Leofric.  “I heard your son did well in his first battle.”

“He killed a Scotsman who was as big as you.” I saw the look of doubt on his face.  “I finished off the man but William stopped the axe from hitting Leofric.”

“Then I will lend a hand with his training.  Leofric himself has much to learn.”

“You are right.  We have the autumn to make the men into one conroi.”

“We fight in winter?”

“I do not know but I have a feeling that we may do. There are questions I need answers to.”

It was not war which took me away from my home it was another summons from the King. Now that Matilda had returned to her husband every knight was summoned to London to swear allegiance once more to Matilda. The King was taking no chances. The last time we had sworn the Empress had been a widow.  Now she was married.  It was typical of the King.  He was thorough.

It was the Earl of Gloucester who would accept our oaths. The King would remain in Normandy. We did not need war horses and we did not need a large retinue. I took my squires, Roger of Lincoln, Edgar and, of course, my son William. He now felt part of my retinue. My wife was happy for there would be little danger on the road to London. We left the Tees towards the end of November. It was strange how the King always chose December for such ceremonies.  Perhaps he was superstitious; his father had been crowned in December. Even though we did not have our retinues we were a large number of men.  There were over twenty knights in our party.  Along with the men at arms, squires and servants we made a formidable force. I was happy that both our homes would be safe and that we would not risk an attack on our journey.

I led the column and I led them hard. We made almost sixty miles each day so that we reached London in five. I remembered my father saying that King Harold had marched further in five days on foot and then fought a battle. It was no hardship for we stayed in castles along the way.  King Harold and his men had slept in fields. We also knew where we would stay whilst in London. The Earl of Gloucester had sent word that we were to be housed at his hall.  I had stayed there before and knew that it was close to the Cathedral. As the Earl was still on the road it was left to his castellan to inform me of the events which would take place.

Henry d’Abbeville had fought alongside me and we trusted each other. He was one of the Earl’s most loyal of knights. That was important for there were many knights I did not trust. He took me to one side when I arrived. “I am pleased you and your men have arrived.  The Earl and the King know of your loyalty. Your presence will be a show of force.”

“There are traitors in London then?”

“Let us say there are some who do not wish the County of Anjou to have the opportunity to grow at our expense.”

“But it is the Empress who is named heir and not Geoffrey of Anjou.”

“And if she dies?  She has, as yet, no child. I know the King is keen for her to bear an heir for him. Until she has a child then the situation is dangerous. Her death, whilst childless, would plunge the country into chaos and anarchy. And then there are others who might seek to take power for themselves.”

“You mean the brothers Blois?”

“I do not dishonour either of the brothers but there are rumours. They are that, however, just rumours.  There are always enemies. So long as the King’s brother lives then there is a danger that someone could put him on the throne and rule through him.” He smiled, “The King has placed his closest ally, Roger of Mandeville in charge of the Tower.  Now that the Welsh princess is back in Wales it is a prison no longer. It is the strongest keep in the land.  So long as the Tower is held then the country is safe. You should keep your eyes and ears open while you are here in London. Come we will join your knights.” As we returned to the others he said, “The Earl knows that you keep the north safe and that he keeps the west free from danger.  The two protected borders guarantee that the Empress will become Queen and will rule.”

I saw the doubt on his face which belied his words, “But until she is with child there is danger.”

Nodding he said, “There is danger.  As we know from the death of the King’s son one heir is never enough.” He smiled, “You should have a second son.  You will have plenty of manors to leave to your heirs.”

As we joined the rest I contemplated his words.  I had not even thought about heirs but he was right.  I needed to plan for the future. By my reckoning I would be thirty years old when the year changed. I had come to the land of England as a callow youth and now I was a powerful Earl who commanded Barons. I had but one son.  Edward had only recently married and he had one son and a second child on the way.  I had been remiss.  When I returned I would need to look at my own circumstances.  I had rejected the advances of the Empress.  I did not regret that decision but I knew that it was irrevocable. I should look now to my home. Adela loved children.  A third child would be good for us all.

When the Earl arrived he too gathered his closest advisers and leaders. We met in his hall and, with guarded doors, he confided in us. As the doors were closed I looked around.  I recognised a few of the fifteen men in the room.  Most of them held manors in the south and west of the country.  Ranulf de Gernan, the Earl of Chester, and I were the only two earls from the north. I wondered at that.

“I know that many of you wonder at the need for a ceremony to swear allegiance to my sister yet again.” He spread his hands. “The fact that you are the handful of men whom I have summoned should be evidence enough for the need. Many do not wish to swear. There are some who vacillate. My father has yet to produce another heir and with each passing month that seems more and more unlikely.  Now that my sister has been reconciled with her husband my father wishes to make a statement that the Empress Matilda will become Queen of England. The ceremony will take place tomorrow. I intend to have my clerk make a note of those who are absent.  I will visit with the absentees myself and discover the reason for their absence.” The stern tone of his voice made it clear that any who did not attend would be dealt with.  “All of you need to return to your manors and be vigilant.”

Roger of Mandeville snorted, “When the Lady Maud becomes Queen she can safely rest behind the walls of my tower. We can laugh away any attempt to overthrow her.”

We all smiled for Roger was a warrior through and through.  He was as close to the king as a brother.

The Earl smiled, “The problem is, old friend, that the Empress resides in Anjou.  We need to look closer to home for danger.”

I ventured, “You mean the brothers Blois?”

The Earl frowned briefly.  We had had words on this matter before.  “You seem obsessed with Sir Stephen and his brother.  They are in London and they will be at the ceremony.  They will swear the oath.”

I knew the brothers and I did not trust them. “And what if they are foresworn?”

There was an audible gasp from the room.  That was unthinkable. The Earl shook his head, “When we doubt oaths then all order in the world is gone.  Let us deal with the world we know.” He pointed to Ranulf de Gernan and me.  “I have especial intelligence for you two lords. Although the Welsh are subdued it seems that their friends from Ireland are casting covetous eyes on Cumberland and the land to the north of Chester.”

Ranulf frowned; his father in law’s words came as a surprise. “How do you know, my lord?”

“I have an understanding with the King of Gwynedd. I have given him free rein to pursue his ambitions in Powys. He thought to give me that information as thanks. I think he was disillusioned when his mercenaries fled after you had retaken Chester. I believe he called them, ‘
ungrateful snakes’
.”

Roger of Mandeville asked, “Is that not dangerous; allowing the king of Gwynedd to become more powerful?”

“The land he covets is mountainous and unproductive.  He seeks it to become King of all Wales. For the moment we will allow that.  My father knows all.  I have exchanged letters with him. Wales is a minor consideration at the moment. Should it become necessary I believe we can defeat him.” He gestured towards me. “The Earl of Cleveland showed that.  The men of Gwynedd have few knights.  Their only power is their archers and, outside their mountain aeries they can be defeated.” He nodded to the two of us. “When you return home be vigilant around the borders.  Sir Gilbert de Bois is here in London to take the oath.  Although he has few men Carlisle should be the rock upon which the men of the west will fall.”

“The castle is still unfinished, my lord. I was there recently.”

“Then I will send coin back with you, Earl, so that the work can be accelerated.”

After the Earl had finished I sought out Ranulf.  “What do you make of Gilbert de Bois?”

“I have had little to do with him.  I have been completing my own repairs. Despite what my father in law says I am still worried about the Welsh.”

“You are wise to do so. The land to the west is well within my reach. I can be at the west coast in two days if I just bring horsemen.”

“You have more mounted men that I do but I can be there in a day but it would be more likely to be two.”

“Then we need Sir Gilbert de Bois to be vigilant. We will need to speak to him as soon as the ceremony is over. The Earl is right.  If it is the Irish and their Vikings who come over then our castles will hold them for they are made of stone.  However the wild men of the west move swiftly and they could devastate the rich farmland which lies south of Carlisle and north of Chester.”

Ranulf nodded, “And they are dangerous men to fight.  Their axes can gut a horse and split a man in two.”

“I know.  My squire’s mount was hacked in just such a way by a Scotsman.”

The ceremony was unenthusiastic.  Save for those loyal to the Earl of Gloucester the rest of the barons looked like children dragged to a church. I saw Stephen and Theobald with their younger brother Henry.  They took the oath however I did not see Sir Barnard de Balliol and that worried me. The Blois brothers gave me a curt and cold nod as they passed. I smiled as I acknowledged them.  I could play the game of the east as well as any.

Ranulf and I waited for Sir Gilbert as he left the ceremony.  He bowed.  We were both his superiors. “Sir Gilbert, the Earl of Gloucester believes that the west may well be attacked by the Irish and their Viking allies.”

For the first time since I had met him he looked worried. “Carlisle?”

“I would hope for such an attack for your castle is strong and we would easily throw them back but I believe they will strike between Carlisle and Chester.  There are few castles there and none are made of stone.”

“You mean the Lune and the Ribble valleys?” He was the most animated that I had ever seen before.

Ranulf nodded, “And the Mersey too.”

“Do not forget Cumberland. There are many who live there who have Norse blood coursing through their veins.”

Sir Gilbert looked concerned, “There are no Normans in that land. They all speak a language I did not understand. Twixt Carlisle and Kendal is unknown to me.”

“I think that is why they have been left to their own devices.  It is a land which grows only rye and barley and hitherto they have not caused trouble.  Allies from the west may change that.”

“What would you have me do, my lords?”

“Send word to the lords whose manors are close to the coast.  They should send messengers to you and the Earl of Chester at the first sight of enemies.  You must send word to me. It is imperative that we all gather before they have spread out.  I have no doubt that they will outnumber us but we will be mounted.”

“Is the Earl certain they will come in winter?”

Ranulf nodded, “The land south of Cumberland is mild, even in winter. It is a short journey from Man and Ireland.  They will come.  I am just surprised they have not come before.”

I laughed, “They are too fond of fighting each other.  Their experience with the Welsh must have given them a taste of wealth.”

Sir Gilbert stroked his beard.  “Then I need more horses.” He looked at me as though I could conjure them out of fresh air.

“You must use your own coin to buy them.  I have money from the Earl of Gloucester to pay for the completion of the castle. Use the taxes the Earl has you collect.”

He smiled, “I thought that was for me.”

We both shook our heads.  “The defence of the manor comes first.  If you wish profit then go hunting!”

Perhaps my tone intimidated him or my reputation.  Whichever it was he subsided and nodded his assent.  “I will buy horses.”

I smiled.  “Good. Keep a good watch on the coast. You must send a rider to me if danger approaches. He can tell the lords along the Tees the news and they can prepare.  A second should be sent to his lordship in Chester. Those two riders should have the finest horses you possess.”

“I will do so.” I knew that he would. It was in his interests to keep us informed.  We might be his only salvation.

As my knights and I rode north, now with a sumpter and chests of coin for Carlisle Castle I took the opportunity of enlightening my knights. They all seemed happy about the prospect of fighting the Vikings and the Irish.  They all knew of the wealth we had brought back from our last encounter.

“Will there be much profit, my lord?”

Sir Guiscard of Normandy was always on the lookout for more money.  He had rich tastes.  Unlike the rest of us his profits went into fine clothes and drink not men. “Perhaps but the enemy will be a dangerous one. Keep horses and men ready to ride at a moment’s notice.  It will be Gainford where we gather. Hugh, you should send a rider to Sir Hugh Manningham here when you receive the news.” I looked at the Baron of Hexham.  “You should make directly for Carlisle.”

“Aye my lord. It will make a change to slaughter the Irish.”

“Do not underestimate them, Sir Hugh.  They are wild and ferocious fighters.  They go for horses!”