English Knight (4 page)

I heard the horses as they jingled and jangled their way up the slope. Suddenly I spied the gates of the castle open and horsemen and foot soldiers emerged. Wulfstan jammed his helmet down.  “Lord Ridley we should make for the trees.”

“Very well.”

I was going to argue but the rest all rode to the trees. When Wulfstan spoke they tended to listen. Once we reached the top of the rise they all jumped down and took their shields and weapons from their horses before hobbling them in the tree line. I was surprised at the speed with which the old men did so.  Osric chuckled, “Come along, young sir. Prepare yourself.”

I did as they did but I knew not why. “This is nonsense.  They might well be coming in peace.”

“In which case, my son, we have lost nothing by preparing for war.”

I saw that they all had their shields slung easily across their backs.  Only Ralph and Garth had their weapons out for they wielded axes and needed two hands. As I turned I saw that the horsemen were much closer.  There were four of them and they had a Gonfanon with a golden star on a red background.  They also had the same design on their shields.  The eight men at arms who followed them all displayed the same symbol. The four horsemen reined in as their men at arms hurried to catch them.

Their leader raised his helmet and lowered his ventail so that he could speak with us.  “Who are you that dare to cross my lands?” I saw that he was little older than I was.

My father took off his helmet. “I am Ridley of the Varangian Guard and we are travelling to England.”

“Then you are spies of Henry brother of Curthose, the sons of the Bastard! Lay down your weapons.  You are my prisoners!”

My companions did not seem at all discomfited by the young man’s words.  “We cannot do that for we are not spies. What is your name?”

“I am Guillaume Fitzbois and I hold this demesne for my father Guy du Bois.  Surrender or die.”

In answer my father swung around his shield and drew his sword. “You may try to kill us but as right and God are on our side I do not think that will happen.”

The angry young man wheeled his horse and rode away. Was it over?  Had my father’s words discouraged them? Osric said, “They are going to get enough space to charge us, Master Alfraed: be ready.”

I noticed that Ralph and Garth stood on either side of my father whilst the other four flanked me. Wulfstan murmured quietly, “Follow through with the blow if you have to strike.  These men will try to kill us.  Be in no doubt about that. A wounded man is twice as dangerous!” He nodded to me.  “Listen for Osric’s commands.  When he speaks obey him instantly and we shall all live.”

The four riders halted and then lowered their spears. Behind them the four archers pulled back on their bows. As soon as the arrows were released the four horsemen, followed by the four men at arms with spears, charged towards us.  I felt the ground shake as they thundered up the hill. The arrows fell ineffectually short. I saw how clever Wulfstan had been in choosing this defensive position.  The slope was rounded like the bottom of a pot. The horses slowed as it became steeper. They would reach us at barely a walk. The young Guillaume Fitzbois was outstripping his peers and I heard Osric chuckle. “What a fool he is!” We held our shields up and the second flight of arrows thudded into them.

The riders headed directly for my father.  I feared for him. The spear was lowered and pulled back ready to punch into my father’s mail.  I could not believe that he stood there so calmly.  As the spear head was pulled back a number of things happened all at once. First Osric shouted, “Charge!” It seemed bizarre for we were outnumbered and on foot.  They were on horses. I obeyed and we ran towards the advancing soldiers. The next thing was that Ralph and my father locked their shields and met the spear and thirdly Garth swung his war axe.  It smashed into the side of the head of Fitzbois’ horse.  There was a loud crack as the horse’s head was crushed by the head of the axe and Guillame Fitzbois flew over the head of his horse.

Ralph swung his axe and it smashed into the shield of the second rider who fell at the feet of Egbert.  Egbert’s sword was pricked into his ventail in an instant, “Surrender or die!”

The knight had no option.  He put up his hands and said, “I surrender.”

Osric’s war axe smashed through the spear which was jabbed at him and Athelstan stabbed the surprised spearman in the stomach. A second spear came at Wulfstan who flicked it contemptuously to one side and then brought his sword down across the neck of the spearman.

Behind me I heard Guillame Fitzbois yell, “We surrender! Quarter! We yield! You have won.”

I turned to see my father with his sword at the throat of the felled knight. We had killed two men, a horse and defeated four knights and none of us had a scratch. How had seven old men and an untried boy managed to achieve that feat?

We left after the young knight had sworn to do penance in Tours Cathedral for his unwarranted attack. I saw hatred in his eyes and he would remember us, however he had lost face in the eyes of his men and we were safe; for the time being.  Of course we quickly hurried out of his land for there was little point in tempting providence.  My father left Egbert to watch our backs. The young knight had been humiliated and who knew what he might do.

I rode at the head of the small column with Wulfstan. “How did Garth stand there with the horse charging?  And how did he manage to strike the beast?”

“Most horses will try to avoid you.  Of course if it is a solid line of knights then you rely on the locked shields before you and behind you. In a skirmish the horse will swerve because it can. The difference is if a knight charges on a war horse, a destrier.  They are trained to trample and bite.  The young knight rode his second best horse, his palfrey. Because Garth was on the extreme right and we were to the left the horse would have veered towards the gap.  It meant its head would be travelling towards the swinging axe. Timing is a matter of practice.  Garth has a good eye for such things and he practises swinging. A horseman who falls from his horse is helpless.” I took that information in. Perhaps these old men had something to tell me which might actually be of use. Wulfstan looked at me.  “You did well today but I still sensed that you hesitated. You must be confident that your blow will end the combat.  It may not but if you deliver with the full force of your arm then you have an excellent chance of ending the combat. Remember we have the finest armour of any warrior that we will meet.”

“But you and the others wear the old fashioned helmet.”

He laughed. “We like the open face.  It means we see better. Of course, you are right, an open helmet invites a spear thrust or a blow from a mace. We have fought like this since our fathers fought. It is too late for us to change.”

It was a pleasant land we travelled through and we rode in silence.  I had learned to keep my eyes open and to watch my horse.  Scout had already proved his skill at sniffing out danger and I was growing fond of him.

“Why did you and the others not help Garth and Ralph to defend my father?  You are his oathsworn.”

Wulfstan closely examined my face as he answered, “We are your oathsworn too. When your father no longer commands then we follow you.  Until then we guard you,” he smiled, “Your father is still a mighty warrior while you have much to learn.” I was not certain I liked that but I had to believe Wulfstan for, so far, his advice had been sound. It seemed I needed the others to watch over me.

We spent the next three days avoiding all settlements and, especially, castles.  We camped in the woods and ate frugal meals.  I learned how to cook. It was summer and Athelstan was a good hunter. I found the food we ate blander than my palate was used to and lacked the variety I appreciated but it took the edge from my hunger. We met a few travellers and when we discovered that we were close to Le Mans my father ordered a detour to avoid that huge castle. Wulfstan sent me to the rear, to my father, when we began the detour.  I had long ago realised that I was still little more than a child in their eyes and I obeyed.

It was obvious my father wished to speak with me. “How do you feel about this journey now?  Do you still hate your father for bringing you so far from the comforts of your fabulous home?”

“I do not hate you.” I smiled, “Although I will admit that I was not happy about travelling to the end of the world.”

“Your destiny is there.” He looked wistfully to the west. “I had not even seen ten summers when I followed Aelfraed and his uncle. I left my home to follow the sword.  It was not a happy home and I never looked back. I hoped that you would not regret leaving your home.” He put his hand on my arm. He had a gentle touch for a hardened warrior. “I learned to be a warrior. I lived amongst warriors such as these.” He gave a deep, heartfelt sigh. “I yearn for those carefree days before the Normans came.” He tightened his hand over my arm. “I learned about myself in those years.  When we fought the Welsh and faced charging horses I learned to be a man and a warrior.  I was proud of you the other day when you did not flee. That was the first time you had faced a charging horseman and I know the temptation is to run.  Already you are changing.”

He was proud of me. He did not say that normally. I looked at him and saw that he had become older already on this journey.

“When we meet this king I will have to abase myself before him.  I do not wish to do so but it will be necessary. Aelfraed and I were thorns in his father’s side.  He will not forget that but I hope he will forgive. If not then you and the others may be on your own.”

“No! I stay with you.”

“The important thing is for you to get to England.  My home was in the north and from what I have learned from travellers it is an empty land now that William the Bastard has scoured it. I hope that we can carve out our own demesne there.  The land has many hills and a warrior can build a better castle than the ones we have seen so far. We have money and can hire cunning builders who will make our new home impregnable. Then we will hire warriors.”

“Mercenaries?”

“No, my son, warriors who will fight for us.  The payment will be their due. It worked in Constantinople and I see no reason why it should not work in England.”

I gestured with my arm towards the warriors and spoke quietly.  “These men fight for you because they are oathsworn.”

He laughed, “And I pay them too. They would fight for me whether I paid or not but they deserve payment do they not?”

We rode in silence as I took in his words. I had taken so much for granted.  Of course they would be paid.  They were not slaves to work for nothing and they deserved their coin.

“What happens when the money runs out?  How do we pay them then?”

“Unless you waste it then that will not happen for some time. We have enough for many years. By then you should have farmers who will produce crops and rear animals. You share in the profit of the men who work your land.”

I had not thought about money before.  When I lived in Constantinople I always had coins to use and bills were always paid. Life was going to get more complicated. What did I know about farming?  Or running an estate? I was destined to be a warrior.  I had felt a rush of blood when I had fought the men from Anjou. I had had time to prepare and to anticipate. Wulfstan was right, I had been hesitant but I would not make the same mistake twice.

We knew that we were in Maine and that was now a vassal state of Normandy but it was not a settled place.  Bands of discontented knights still disputed with the King of England who had taken both Normandy and Maine from his brother. Anjou to the south and Blois to the east were also unhappy about the expansion of the belligerent Henry.  We would have to proceed carefully. We kept a keen watch about us and I listened to Scout.  He had proved invaluable in identifying danger.

It happened that we were leading our horses.  We did not always ride them for we had far to go. The ground was climbing, albeit gently and we were keen to conserve the animals. They were faring better than they would have in the east.  Here there was plenty of good grass on which they could graze and I had found an increasing number of apple trees which Scout appreciated.

Wulfstan always had an answer for my questions.  When I asked him about the walking he pointed to mighty Osric who was striding ahead of us. “Osric and the rest of us fight on foot.  We have powerful legs and strong arms.  You saw how Ralph despatched the horse with one blow. If we ride too much then our legs and arms become weaker. We rode until now because we needed to make time. Now we are nearing our destination. We will need to be warriors.”

“We will have to fight the king?”

“I hope not for he will have the best warriors in the land and many of them.  No when we get to England there will be many who will not wish to see a Saxon with land.”

“How will we get land?”

“Your father has a claim to the manor of Coxold in the north of the land.  He will ask the king for the land given to him by King Ethelred.”

“But he is Norman, why should he help a Saxon?”

“Your father is an honest man and he may be able to persuade the king. If not then we will find a lord who may take us as vassals.” He sighed. “This is really about you, Master Alfraed.  Your father can count his years left to him on one hand.  He has already outlived all of his fellows. You must learn from him so that you can prosper and carry his name and yours on.”

That was an awesome responsibility. I had thought about my father dying but it was something which was in the future.  It was like marrying, becoming a father.  It was there but it was a long way in the future and not worth worrying about. If my father had a mere five years left then I should get to know him more. Suddenly Scout’s ears pricked and he slowed. “Wulfstan!”

“I saw.” He gave a low whistle and the others stopped. I was slower than the rest but they all hobbled their horses and grabbed their weapons. I had learned now that we fought on foot. I donned my helmet and my world shrank. I could see the advantage of a more open helmet. Luckily my mask merely covered my eyes and not my ears. I watched as Osric waved us forward and we moved through the woods.  I could hear the clash of arms.  Someone was fighting ahead.

As the noises grew I drew my sword and pulled my shield around a little tighter. There was a dell and a stream ahead and in the middle were five hunters. They were being attacked by eight knights and ten men at arms.  There were the bodies of four dead hunters and two men at arms and the remaining hunters were getting the worst of it.

I would not have known who to side with but my father did. He roared a challenge, “Varangian!” and hurled himself down the slope towards the men at arms. They were taken by surprise as was I.  I ran as fast as I could to catch my father.  Three men at arms turned to face him.  He had outrun Ralph and Garth.  I watched as he deftly deflected one sword whilst stabbing at a second man.  The third brought his sword around to strike at his unguarded back. I did not hesitate this time.  I brought my sword over my head and sliced through the soldier’s shoulder and arm.  He fell screaming to the ground. Ignoring his dying throes I punched the other warrior with my shield and when he fell at my feet skewered him to the ground. I stood before my father looking for another enemy.

I heard Ralph chuckle, “You can leave your father to us now Alexander! There are enemies aplenty for you.”

I glanced and saw that they protected him with their shields.  I saw a knight rushing at me with his mace ready to strike me.  I notice that he had a longer shield than I did. He was more used to fighting on a horse. I know that I should have been less reckless but my blood was up and I had just killed two men.  I ran straight at him. He swung his wicked looking mace at my head and I barely managed to get my shield up in time. The blow numbed my arm but I was inside his guard and I stabbed blindly at him. My hands are fast. I felt my sword grate along his mail. He stepped back.  I saw anger in his eyes but I could not see his mouth for it was covered by a ventail. I was tiring a little but the practice with Wulfstan on the ship had prepared me well. 

I stepped forward and brought my sword over my head. He swung his mace at the same time.  He was trying to break my arm and he struck my shield a second time. My shield had been made by the finest armourer in Constantinople.  It had cost a gold talent.  Strips of metal were cunningly concealed below the leather covering.  My shield held.  His fared less well and I saw the wood beneath the leather.  The blue shield with the yellow stars was looking a little worse for wear. I used my shield offensively and I smacked it hard at his hand which held the mace. He recoiled and the anger was replaced by fear. I feinted with my sword and he pulled his shield up for protection. I spun around and brought my sword into his unprotected back. This time the sword bit through the mail and the padded tunic.  When I pulled it away I saw blood on it. I punched him in the back with my shield and he fell at my feet. I was about to ask him to surrender when he swung his mace at my leg.  Had I not been wearing greaves he might have broken it.  As it was I jumped and he only caught my leg a glancing blow. I was so angry that I swung sword and decapitated him.

I was out of breath with my exertions and I looked for my next enemy.  There were none.  The other knights and men at arms were on their knees.

I turned to see my comrades.  Their helmets were pushed back and they were all grinning at me.  My father came over and clapped me on the back. “Well fought, my son.  For a moment I thought I was watching my old friend Aelfraed. He too had fast hands and a sword which was like lightning.”

There were four hunters remaining. One looked to be of an age with Osric and he was the only one who appeared to be without a wound.  He had a grey flecked beard and looked to be the leader.  He held his hand out to me. He spoke in Norman.  “Thank you, sir.  That was a well fought battle.”  I nodded my thanks for I was still out of breath.  I took off my helmet and felt the cool air on my sweating face. The man looked surprised.  “And yet you are little more than a boy!”

I was about to snap a retort when my father stepped forward. “This is my son, Alfraed and I am Ridley of Coxold and Constantinople.”

The man frowned.  “A strange combination.  Coxold is in England is it not?”

“Aye sir.  Do you know it?”