The Fallen Crown (20 page)

Some of the arrows struck the gate and one or two fell short but the rest all struck home. The defenders must have thought that the arrows had failed for there was no sudden inferno. More arrows were sent and a plume of dense smoke rose.  That aided the defenders for it meant my archers could no longer see them.  Some threw water to douse the fire below.  It made the smoke thicker but my archers released more fire arrows and I saw, in places, that the pig fat was now afire. The water had little effect on the pig fat.

"Edgar!"

My men at arms ran forward.  The smoke now helped them for those on the top of the gate could no longer see them. They threw more faggots and pig's bladders. This time there was an inferno when the fat and the wood struck the fire.

"Sir Harold!"

Sir Harold and his men at arms had two wooden bridges we had made.  We actually had four but the other two were kept in reserve. Protected by the shields of Sir Hugh's men at arms they ran forward with the heavy bridges and placed one across the first ditch.  The second was not laid over the other ditch for there was a risk that it might burn.  It was placed close to the first bridge.  My men retreated.  We needed to be patient.

A squire galloped around, "My lord, Sir Wulfric says they are trying to escape through the north gate."

"Sir Edward, take your men and go to Sir Wulfric's aid.  Sir William, go also."

The fire was now out of control.  This was summer and it spread to the walls on either side.  The gatehouse could not be held.  It was a towering inferno.  All those who had been there had fled.  We could not enter for the fire was too fierce but it would not be long before it would be safe to enter.

"Men at arms, mount."

There was a loud crash as the two gates fell inward.  Sparks and flames shot into the air. The gate was open but we could not pass through the fiery towers just yet.

"Sir Harold, the second bridge."

Sir Harold and his men ran over the first bridge and picking up the second advanced to the ditch.  The wind swirled the flames and they had to hold their shields before them to stop them being scorched and burned. As they came back Edgar shouted to James, to one of Harold's men at arms.  "When you get to hell you will be ready for it James of the Oxbridge!"

He laughed and said, "Aye and I dare say that you will be there to greet me!"

I was anxious to get inside the castle but I needed to be patient. When I saw the defenders forming a shield wall within the outer bailey I knew that it was time. With Sir John, Sir Tristan, Sir Hugh and Sir Harold at my side we galloped over the bridges.  They held and we clattered over in pairs.  Sir Harold and I were the first into the bailey and I charged directly at the thin shield wall of Scots. I pulled back my spear and rammed it into the face of the warrior in the middle. Harold's spear took the next one in the shoulder and then the two of us were through the gap we had made.  The other three widened it so that by the time my squires and the men at arms had crossed the bridge then the shield wall was no long a wall.

I jerked Lion's head around and thrust my spear into the side of Angus of Fife. It tore through his mail and into his organs.  I twisted as I pulled it out. It looked as though it was being attacked by snakes.  He fell to the ground mortally wounded. The spear broke in two as he fell and I drew my sword. As I laid about me I saw that few of these men wore mail. It was a massacre.  We had slain many on the walls and those that had survived our initial charge found themselves surrounded by mailed horsemen who gave no quarter. It ended quickly.  We had won.  Sir Hugh had been avenged and the Scots would use his castle no more.

"Take the mail and weapons from them and then place the bodies in the hall.  Fire the hall when you have searched for anything of Sir Hugh Manningham's"

"Aye lord."

The fire had died down by late afternoon but by then we had put the bodies in the hall and it was on fire.  The rest of the palisade was ignited and soon the air was filled with black acrid smoke and the smell of burning flesh.  The Scottish priest came to say words over the funeral pyre.  He gave me a baleful look when he had finished.

"I warned them priest! Get you to the New Castle and tell your Prince Henry that the Earl of Cleveland comes.  If he wishes to flee now is the time!"

He turned and ran. The first part of my plan had succeeded, would the second?

We found supplies in the kitchens before we burned them along with the hall.  The beer and the bread we also consumed. My sentries on the road had killed two messengers but two others had fled.  That was all part of my plan.  I could do little about Carlisle but so long as they thought I had an army abroad they would sit tight behind their walls. The New Castle was a different matter.  It was built of stone and controlled the crossing of the Tyne.  I had no intention of storming it.  I was prepared for a siege.  If I had to miss the coronation because I was reducing the power of the Scots then I would live with that.  They would not need me to put a crown on the Empress' head.  I had no doubt that Robert of Gloucester would claim that privilege. However I hoped that I could draw Prince Henry into a battle.

We left early the next morning. I sent Sir Hugh along the southern bank of the river. It was only twenty or so miles to the crossing of the Tyne.  There were no castles in our way.  It had been why Hexham had been so vital to us. With it destroyed the Scots would need men to patrol the old Roman Wall and I could raid and attack them at will. I would play the invader in my own land.

As we travelled along the valley we saw their scouts ahead. What they did not know was that I had sent Dick and his archers accompanied by Sir Edward, Sir William and their men, across country, north east.  They would block the road north at Morpeth.  I did not need to reduce the castle there.  If we blocked the road then they could do little.  In many ways I hoped that the garrison would try to dislodge my men. It would be an expensive foray if they did so.

When we halted, four hundred paces from their city walls we were close to their west gate and the gatehouse of the castle.  I saw the Scottish Prince's standard flying alongside that of Northumbria.  I knew that he would be watching.  What would he see?  He would see a paltry force, albeit mounted, of less than two hundred men.  If the priest had reported to him, as I thought he would, then that would tally with the number he had seen.  A third of my men had been hidden from him. I guessed that he had the same number of men as I did. Would that tempt him into battle?  I hoped so.

We began to set up our camp but I had Sir Philip's archers and men at arms with their bows trained on the walls.  If they sallied forth while we were busy they would get a bloody nose. I rode, with Gilles and Richard, down towards the river.  I could see that they had, as I did, a tower and a wall guarding the quay.  There were two small vessels there. When night fell I would take the opportunity of firing them. The river was not shallow enough to ford but it mattered not.  I saw that Sir Hugh and his men had taken the far end of the bridge across the Tyne. It had yet to be built of stone and my men had taken them by surprise. We could, if we wished, set fire to it. We had Prince Henry trapped in his castle.  He could sit out a siege or try to chase us away.  I hoped he would chase us away.

I rode back to the gate and sat on Lion just watching. It was a well built castle. King Henry had begun it. It had a drawbridge and a fine gate house. I took off my helmet.  I recognised Prince Henry.  I had chased him back to Carlisle after the battle of Northallerton or as it was now called, the Battle of the Standards.  I think the name had become popular after the death of Archbishop Thurstan.  It was he whom people associated with the victory.

I waited and eventually the Prince spoke, "So you have taken Hexham.  And now you would take this castle of the Tyne. What terms do you offer?"

I shook my head, "The terms are simple.  Surrender and give up your title of Earl of Northumbria."

"That is laughable! You have a handful of men and you expect me to surrender!"

"Tell me, Prince, when did I lose to a Scottish army of any size?" There was silence.  "Word may not have reached here yet but Stephen of Blois is now in Bristol Castle.  He is a prisoner of the Empress.  She will be crowned in June. What think you to that? When the ceremonies are over I shall ask her for an army to come north.  We will take back what you have stolen and then see if there are any  juicy morsels we might like to take north of the Clyde and the Forth!"

I could see that he knew of the capture of Stephen; it explained why he was willing to discuss terms so quickly but he had not thought through the implications.

"I need time to consider my position.  Come back in the morning and I will give you my decision!"

I gave a mock bow.  "I am going nowhere!"

I turned as he disappeared, "Sir Tristan have your men take the first watch.  Make sure no one leaves by this gate.  Sir Gilles, take your men and watch the river."

Wulfric and my other knights had heard the interchange.  "He must be worried, lord. Perhaps he has few men inside the walls.  We could assault it."

"No, Wulfric.  Too many would die.  It is well made.  Be patient, we will see what the morning brings."

Gilles and Richard had barely taken off my mail when Sir Gilles galloped up and shouted, "Lord, the two ships are sailing downstream.  The Prince has boarded! He has fled."

I had been duped.  I should have taken the ships when I first saw them. "Thank you Sir Gilles.  You may have your men join Sir Tristan and watch the gates." He left and I waved over Sir Philip. "It seems the Prince has lied to me.  Have your archers pick off as many of their sentries as they can. Tonight I want fire arrows sending over.  Have your men work in rotation. I want them to have as little sleep as possible."

Sir Harold said, "A dishonourable trick, my lord."

"I blame myself.  I should have expected it. We will prosecute the siege. Have a rider sent to Dick and Sir Edward.  Tell them what happened and warn that they may send a relief force down from Berwick."

"How do you know, lord?"

"There were two ships in the river.  Neither was large enough to allow many men to escape. One, I think, was to aid the Prince's escape and the other, more than likely to find help. Berwick is close enough to have men here in a long day."

I had a sour taste in my mouth.  I had made my plans and thought them fool proof.  I was wrong. I ate sparingly and walked our lines.  The camps of my men ringed the town walls to the west and the north. My archers were spread around so that they could annoy the  garrison.  I wanted the enemy nervous and worried. Wulfric joined me.  "You should not berate yourself so, lord. We are in no worse a position than we were. True the Prince has fled but that will make the garrison less keen to fight." I said nothing.  "You worry about the coronation, lord.  You wish to be there."

"Not for the ceremony, Wulfric.  I am not concerned with the pomp and the rituals but until the crown is on the Empress' head I will not settle."

"Aye lord.  You have been with the Empress since the beginning.  There is only Sir Edward who has shared the journey with you."

"And now it is almost done.  That is why I wish to be there to see her achieve what her father intended."

"Then if the siege is still in place when you have to leave just go. Sir Edward can keep  the pressure on as well as any."

Wulfric was right.  He was just a common soldier but he had the ability to see through complicated problems and create simple solutions. "Very well.  We will see what tomorrow brings." Before I retired I rode with Gilles and Richard around the walls.  When I reached the eastern side I could see all the way to the priory at the mouth of the Tyne.  There were one or two small huddles of huts between the town walls and the sea but nothing that suggested reinforcements.  If any came they would either come by sea or down the road from Berwick and Bamburgh.

I awoke to good news.  Sir Philip's archers had managed to set a couple of the wooden buildings inside the castle on fire.  They had put the fires out but damage had been done and I knew how dispiriting that could be.

"Let us see if they are in a mood to surrender."

I rode, this time with all of my knights, to the gate. I decided to pretend that I did not know that the Prince had left.  "I am here as I promised to speak with the Prince."

An older warrior spoke, "I am Ralph of Ponteland.  The Prince has gone and I command the castle now."

"Then my terms are different. Surrender the castle, lay down your arms and you may return to your homes so long as you swear not to bear arms against England again."

"A fair offer my lord but I will decline. I gave my word I would defend the castle until the Prince returns.  I will keep my word."

I nodded, "I admire your honour but it will end badly for you."

"I pray it does not but I know your lordship's reputation.  I prayed last night and our fate is in the hands of God."

I turned my horse and headed back to our lines. Sir Tristan said, "What did he mean
'when the Prince returns'
?"

Wulfric said, "He tries to frighten us.  In his position I would do the same." He turned to me. "I had my men count the men on the walls.  There are less than eighty in the garrison.  I know not how many our archers have slain but we can whittle them down a little more. They cannot defend all the walls.  We could attack the west gate of the town. It is the barbican which is stoutly defended."

"Perhaps but let us wait until we hear from Dick before we assault the walls.  Keep up the pressure and  let me know if anything changes."

I strode amongst the archers who ringed the wall.  Each one chose his own targets.  They scanned the battlements and town walls.  Each time a head was foolish enough to appear, however briefly, then an arrow sped in their direction.

I stopped next to one, "How goes it Bertrand?"

"We have hit flesh.  I have heard the cries, my lord. Some arrows miss but we have a goodly supply. By the end of the day they should be weakened so that we can attack the walls."

My archers were confident.  They knew, as well as any, the dangers of assault but the fact that the garrison appeared to have few archers and crossbows  meant the danger was not as great.  I had just reached the west gate when one of Dick's men galloped up.   "My lord, a Scottish army marches down the road. Our scouts saw them. Sir Edward is preparing to fall back.  Our scouts and archers annoy them with arrows. Sir Edward asks for orders."

This was what I had feared.  There was a high and open area just to the north and east of the town.  It would suit my horsemen.  I would have to abandon the siege and ride to the aid of my men. The archers would work in fours.  One would hold the horses while the other three loosed arrows.  They would send five flights and then fall back. We had practised the move.  They could slow them down and allow me and the rest of my men to join Sir Edward. "Tell him to fall back to the flat ground to the north and east of the town walls.  I will join him."

I ran back to the camp.   The fact that I was running made men stare.  "Alarm! To horse!"

My men were already mailed but it took some time to saddle the horses. "Sir Philip, you command the siege.  Keep up the pressure with the arrows.  Have a servant signal Sir Hugh to take the bridge." I wanted the garrison occupied rather than wondering where my army had gone.

My other knights looked at me expectantly.  "The Scots have sent an army to relieve the siege.  Sir Edward and Dick are holding them back. Arm yourselves. We use spears. Keep your banners furled until we attack!"

None asked the numbers and none moaned or whined.  It was not their way.  We would see the numbers when we drew close and complaining would do nothing. The enemy had been clever.  We would have to be cleverer.

"Gilles, ride ahead and try to spy out the numbers.  Tell Sir Edward we come.  Have him dismount his men.  Dick can guard his flanks."

My squire galloped off.

The site I had chosen was not far from the town walls.  I had seen it the previous day. It was a flat piece of high ground with fine views of the sea. I saw Gilles reach Sir Edward.  My archers were like a cloud of insects further up the road.  Beyond them I could see the banners of the enemy. This was not a battle such as the Standard nor even Lincoln.  We would not deploy into lines and face each other.  I intended to attack as soon as we were within range. I did not want the Scots to organise.  They would be in a line of march. This was the time to hit them.  I would use Sir Edward to hold and fix them while we would use the speed and mobility of our horses to attack them.  The flat land would allow us to form a long line.

We were trotting up the road and approaching the skirmish rapidly.  Gilles galloped up.  "My lord there are two hundred or so of the enemy.  Half of them are mounted. The rest are on foot."

"Who leads them?"

"Sir Edward says it looks like the banner of the Mormaer of Berwick."

I had fought the men of  Berwick before, at Norham. They knew me.

The ground around us was flatter now and there were no houses.  It looked like they used it for winter grazing.  "Form line!"

I saw Sir Edward as he and his men dismounted to our right. With just twenty men at arms and fifteen archers he had a small enough number of men.  Dick's twenty five archers would swell his numbers but the enemy would soon overwhelm them.  I had to hope that their eye was on them and not the New Castle. Gilles rode next to me on one side with Edgar on the other. Richard was behind.  When I gave the order then my banner would flutter behind me.

I could now see the enemy.  Their line of march was already disrupted as their horsemen tried to close with the archers.  Dick and his men were too wily to be caught and I watched as Dick ordered them to fall back. I had fought with him enough to know the signals he used.