Warlord of the North (9 page)

Wilfred had a heavily bandaged face and was asleep when I went to visit him in the quarters I had given to him and his mother.  His mother stood over him. She was the wife of a knight and she shed no tears but I saw concern etched all over her face.  Father Henry was there too.  They both turned when I entered.

"Your son is brave and did well." She nodded, "Tell me, Father Henry, will he heal?"

He nodded, "Your healer, Edgar, saved his life. He stopped the bleeding. I have instructed Alice that he should be fed broth for I do not wish him using his jaw. It is just time to heal that he requires."

"Then tell him, to aid his healing, that when he is healed I shall knight him.  He has all the virtues a knight needs and when we take back your manor he will be lord once more."

Lady Hilda impulsively took my hand, "Thank you my lord." She hesitated, "You believe you will take back our home?"

"I have no doubt, my lady.  Come the spring when our numbers are grown and our defences here are secure then we will begin the fight back."

"Thank you, my lord.  My husband was ever your man and my son will be the same."

We did not rest on our laurels. The next day I left my men at arms to continue to work on the gate and walls while I went with Aiden, Dick and every archer.  I had another message to send. We first went to speak with Sir Edward.

He was in his bailey practising, despite the snow, with his squire and men at arms.

"The arm is healing then?"

"Aye my lord but we both know that the best way to heal is to use. I will be ready the next time you fight. How went your raid?"

"There is no threat from the west, at least not until spring.  I have bought us enough time to improve our defences. And the east?"

"My scouts have reported that Guisborough and Normanby have both begun to prepare defences.  It seems your words to the spy worked!"

I smiled, "Good.  The more his word is doubted the better. The Bishop has been duped by his clerk, what better than to dupe the clerk? I ride with my own archers to scout out the east. I need to send a message to Robert de Brus."

"And what of the New Castle?"

"Sir Hugh Manningham and his knights will call there and demand its surrender."

"Does he have enough men for a siege?"

"He needs them not.  He will leave it a week and then take his men there.  By then the word of our victory at Barnard Castle should have got out and the word of what I do here. We hope to deceive them into thinking we have more men than we actually have. They cannot know which of my knights remain. If it does not succeed then I will, indeed, take my men north but I wish to improve my defences.  I want my castle to be a haven from the Scots."

The south bank of the Tees from Thornaby to Normanby was swampy and filled with small streams and rivulets. The safest way to reach Normanby and Guisborough was to head south and use the low line of hills.  They were covered in trees.  This was not farmland.  A valley ran from the west to the sea and emerged at the scar which jutted out into the icy waters of the ocean. Had I so chosen I could have raided that valley. It was the granary for Normanby and Guisborough but I knew that most of those who farmed there were English.

The low hills separated Normanby from Guisborough and I intended to show Sir Robert just how vulnerable he was. Aiden led us by trails which only he knew.  I had brought Gilles with me for I wanted him to watch Aiden. If he could learn to be another Aiden then I would be satisfied.

We emerged above the castle at Normanby.  It was not a stone castle and I could have reduced it but there was little point so long as I had no lord. I also needed men to man the walls and defend against De Brus in Guisborough. I wanted De Brus on the defensive.  I could not afford to have him and his men raiding the southern bank of the Tees.  So long as he was isolated then he could not help King David.  I was no fool and I knew that King David would have to deal with me sometime.  He had the west of the land he claimed and I was the enclave in the east which he needed.

We dismounted and tied our horses to the trees while we went to the eaves of the forest to spy out the enemy. I saw the red diagonal cross on the yellow background flying from the keep.  A De Brus was in command.  I doubted that it would be Robert. He would be behind the stone walls of Guisborough.  We watched for a while.  There were sentries watching from the walls and we heard the clash of swords as men practised. Then we saw men leave the castle and head first east and then wend their way south up the snow covered track which led to the woods we occupied.

Dick said, "Unless I miss my guess these are hunters from the castle."

Aiden had keener eyes than most, "They are soldiers, my lord, they carry swords as well as bows."

I nodded, "Then let us hunt them. Gilles, watch the horses."

There were ten hunters.  I surmised they were men at arms.  That made sense.  When Sir Guiscard and his men had died then those who hunted for him would also have perished. Whoever ruled now in Normanby would only have those men he had brought to hunt and they would be unfamiliar with the woods.  It explained the high numbers. Fortune had given me the opportunity of sending an even stronger message to De Brus.

Dick and his archers were not men at arms.  They were nimble footed wraiths who barely left an imprint in the snow.  I walked behind, aware that I would be leaving a trail. The men at arms were not the best hunters in the world and we heard them before we saw them. It soon became obvious that they had set traps for game in the woods and were collecting those. Dick halted and looked at me.  I stopped and nodded. They disappeared.

I could not see what they were about but it soon became obvious. I heard the sound of arrows being loosed and the soft thud as they struck bodies unprotected by armour. There were shouts as the hunters realised they were being attacked.  There were two cries and then there was silence. Henry Warbow found me, "They are all dead, lord."

I followed him back. Already the bodies were being stripped of anything which  might be of use. Aelric held up some rabbits.  "They were emptying traps, lord."

Dick held a medallion.  He had taken it from around the neck of the leader.  "It is the seal of De Brus.  This is a sergeant at arms." He gave it to me and I put it in my surcoat.

"Fetch the rabbits and the weapons.  Let us return to our horses."

Once mounted we rode to the path they had taken from the castle. As the crow flies the castle was just half a mile from the woods.  Leaving Dick and my archers hidden in the woods I rode with Aiden and Gilles down the winding trail. The footprints of the dead hunters marked it.

"Aiden if we are attacked then your task is to take Gilles to Dick and safety."

"Aye lord."

"Why do you bring me, lord?  I am no warrior."

"You are learning Gilles. When you became my groom you joined my retinue. All of my men are warriors but there is more to being a warrior than fighting with a sword.  You use your head.  Aiden here knows that.  I would have you watch him and learn." He nodded, "Aiden, have an arrow knocked."

I knew we were seen as we descended the hillside. I had no doubt that the woods were being watched.  Whoever commanded would wonder if the three of us were alone and also speculating about the ten men at arms. We did not ride swiftly and the gates opened and five mailed men emerged.  I soon saw that they wore the livery of De Brus.  I halted and we waited for them. I could see that they were suspicious.

"You are the Earl of Cleveland." I nodded. The young man who spoke said, "Do you come here to surrender to me?"

"And who are you?"

"I am William, younger brother of Robert de Brus.  King David has given him this land."

"It was not his to give and far from surrendering I come to tell you that you have until Easter to vacate this castle and go back to Scotland.  After that time I will destroy you."

His laugh was not convincing for his eyes flickered around as though seeking out my army. "Bold talk for one knight with two peasants as guards."

It was my turn to laugh, "I have seen little to frighten me here.  One callow boy and four men at arms do not constitute a threat."

One of the men at arms suddenly spurred his horse. He managed three strides before an arrow appeared in his throat. I spurred Scout and charged the four.  Swinging my shield around I blocked the blow from the man at arms to my left before hacking at the head of the one to my right.  He blocked the bow but fell from the saddle. The young knight and the other man at arms wheeled out of sword range. He was not ready to face King Henry's Champion. I swung Scout around and brought my blade into the back of the remaining man at arms who was trying to control his horse.  His mail was severed and I heard a crack as bones broke.  He too fell from his horse.

Aiden and Gilles were already galloping up the hillside and I followed. The two rider less horses followed me.  I smiled. Sometimes fortune favoured the bold. I glanced over my shoulder and saw that Sir William had summoned riders.  A dozen men followed him as he pursued us. I shouted, "Aiden, Gilles, collect these two horses."

They reined in and grabbed the reins as the two horses passed them.  We continued to twist our way up the slope to the woods and my waiting archers.  Two of the pursuing men at arms decided to forego the track and attempt to come directly up the slope.  It was an unmitigated disaster and the two horses slithered their way to the bottom of the hill taking their riders with them.

As I neared the top I wheeled Scout around and unsheathed my sword.  I smiled as Sir William also reined in to allow his men at arms to close with me. I watched them approach and, when they were just thirty paces from me lowered my sword. Six men were plucked from their saddles and two more were struck by the arrows from Dick and his men. Sir William shouted, "Fall back!"

As they departed I shouted, "Tell your brother this is just the beginning.  None of you is safe from my men!"

They ran back so quickly to their castle that we had all the time in the world to collect the swords and mail from the corpses.

By the time February arrived my gate was finished and my wall almost complete.  Those who had come from Cowpen had gone to Norton to begin work on repairing the walls.  More easily defended than their own home they were happy to be given the land by me. Their families remained at Stockton while the men cleared all signs of the vicious attack which had made Norton a village filled with ghosts. A rider came south from Sir Hugh Manningham.  The New Castle had refused to surrender.  His men besieged it but the good news was that the Bishop of Durham had stirred himself and sent some of his own knights north to join Sir Hugh and subjugate the Scots. The men in the New Castle were no long a threat to us.

As January had progressed we had received a steady influx of volunteers.  Men at arms whose lords had died or been killed by the Scots came to my castle.  I used Wulfric and Dick to assess them. Not all remained.  Some were sent on their way for we doubted their integrity. We were not so desperate that we would take any.  We needed men on whom we could rely.  Even so our numbers had swollen and we had erected another warrior hall in the town.  The inner and outer baileys were too crowded. We had also had to build another stable. Horses were not the problem.

I summoned all of my valley knights to a counsel of war.  Dick and Wulfric attended too. We had made a good start but there was much yet to be done. None had far to travel and we began early in the afternoon. I told them the news that I had. There was little new.  Sir Hugh Manningham kept me informed about Scottish incursions.  So far they had not tried to reinforce the New Castle and Norham still blocked the route south.

"We have hurt De Brus. Hartness and Greatham remain empty wastelands.  I have Dick and his archers riding there once a week to ensure that the Scots have not tried to retake them. The question remains, 'what do we do about Normanby'?"

No one volunteered to speak.  Finally Dick rose. "My lord I think the castle would not stand long against a determined attack. We halved the garrison."

Sir Richard said, "But what if they have reinforced it?"

"Then they will have weakened Guisborough.  Sir Robert has a limited number of men.  It is winter and the harsh snows mean that all are suffering.  Had Sir John and John my steward not laid in large quantities of supplies then we would be hungry too."

Sir Edward said, "Then let us take from the De Brus family.  If we attack their castles then we will lose men and as we all know we can ill afford that. The Earl is right; King David will come in the Spring to punish us and to complete his invasion.  We will need all of our strength then."

"You speak wisely Sir Edward. That is food for thought."

Wulfric smiled, "It would be good for our men at arms to work together. We are all mounted and we could ravage their lands and strip it of all supplies. They rely heavily in the sheep which are on the moors. We could easily capture them.  With Dick's archers alongside us they would need to mount a large force to stop us."

Sir Richard said, "You mean act like brigands and outlaws?"

I shook my head, "You may not have noticed, Sir Richard, but we are outlaws.  King David claims this land and we act outside his law.  Stephen who claims the throne has yet to stir from his London stronghold.  Until we have a legitimate ruler once more then we are outlaws in the truest sense of the word." I could never bring myself to grace Stephen with the title king. He was a usurper. "When William the Bastard took the throne and King Harold was slain my father and Aelfraed were outlaws.  They fought from the safety of the woods.  It was neither chivalrous nor honourable but it was necessary.  Be under no illusions, Sir Richard, we are not fighting for our honour, we are fighting for our existence."

Of all my knights Sir Richard was the one who worried me most. I knew now, beyond all doubt that the rest would follow me over the precipice of rebellion. At some time I would need to address the problem of his divided loyalties.

I was about to send them hence when a shout came from the south tower.  "Lord, mounted archers approach!"

We all ran from the hall and up the stairs to the ramparts. Across the river I saw sixteen archers.  Dick grinned and I breathed a sigh of relief.  "Tell Ethelred that they are friends.  Ask him to bring them over."

The others looked at me and I said, "It is Philip of Selby.  He is a relative of the Archbishop of York and a stout fellow.  I hope he brings good news."

We descended to the bailey to greet our guests. He had not changed since we had served together but I saw that he and his men now sported leather jerkins and all had helmets and swords.  He had seen my archers and emulated them. He dismounted and bowed, "My lord the Archbishop sends you his best wishes.  He has offered our services until the threat from Scotland is over."

I felt relief, "I am grateful!"

He lowered his voice, "He also has messages for your ears only."

I nodded.  Raising my voice I said to the others, "I pray you return to my hall. My housekeeper will bring refreshments." I led Philip of Selby to the ramparts and waved my sentries away. "What news then?"

"King Stephen is in London yet and he is securing the support of nobles there.  There is trouble in Wales and he has despatched de Clare to subjugate the Welsh."

"And what of Scotland?"

"His grace believes that King Stephen will come north to deal with the problem himself."

That would bring a confrontation to a head sooner rather than later."Thank you and also for coming to our aid."

He laughed, "Is is not altruistically motivated my lord.  I expect to be much richer as a result."

With the extra men I was able to send Wulfric and Dick to rampage through the east of Cleveland and they captured huge quantities of animals. Dick and Philip's archers were the difference and each time Sir Robert brought his knights to the field in an attempt to stop the privations the arrows of our archers drove them hence. After two weeks of such raids and, with my men controlling all, he sent an embassy to me suing for peace.  It was his nephew who came.  We met on the south bank of the Tees beneath the walls of Sir Edward's castle.

He dropped to one knee, "My lord, my brother begs you to stop these raids and to bring peace to our land."

I smiled, "In an instant."

He looked up at me, surprised, "As easily as that? We just ask and you accede."

"Of course not, there are conditions.  Firstly you leave Normanby." He nodded, "Secondly your brother and your family take an oath not to attack any of the manors in the valley. If you do this then I will not visit your family with the full force of my men. In addition I wish restitution in the amount of a hundred gold crowns as indemnity against his future behaviour and to recompense those who lost land to the unwarranted Scottish attack."

"I will need to speak with my brother."

"Then next time tell your brother to send someone who has the power to negotiate or better still come himself.  You have three days.  We will meet in the church of St. Peter in Thornaby."

I wondered what had prompted such an about face.  I doubted that my raids had such an effect. I sent Aiden north to scout the lands to the west of the manor of Hexham.  With Sir Hugh still besieging the New Castle I worried of the dangers from Scotland.  The winter snows had gone and while the weather was inclement armies could move more easily.

Sir Robert and his brother arrived at St. Peter's as requested.  I had all my knights there as well as my own priest, Father Henry. I wanted a binding oath. Sir Robert's face betrayed him.  He did not wish to do this.  He had been ordered to do so. The question remained why. The money was handed over.  I did not count it.  They had lost enough face already. He read the oath and put his hands on the bible. He swore.  As he rose to leave he glared at me. Sir Robert and I did not exchange a word. We were enemies despite his oath. I knew then that this was not over.

For my knights however, it was viewed as a great victory. We now had security in the east as well as the north and west. Their humour and mood improved as, it seemed, did the weather. The first shoots of new growth could be seen and we had our first lambs. When Aiden returned, two days after the oaths were taken, everyone was in a state of excitement.  Wilfred had had his bandages removed and, although thin and wasted, he managed to speak. Father Henry was delighted and  pronounced him healed. I kept my word and told him that I would knight him on the following Sunday.  Then Aiden galloped in.  His lathered horse told me all that I needed to know. There was trouble.

I hastened to greet him.  He threw himself from his horse and pointed north.  "My lord an army;  it is led by the son of Earl Gospatric and it is heading down the valley towards Auckland. He will be here in two days, three at the most."

He was out of breath and gasping for air.  "Someone give him water.  Dick! I need an archer!"

"There are forty knights, lord and over three hundred warriors.  The baggage train is a mile long."

Rafe ran over leading a horse.  Dick had anticipated my orders. "Ride to the New Castle.  Tell Sir Hugh Manningham to lift the siege. He must make all speed to reach us. Tell him we march up the Durham road to meet a Scottish army. Ask him to meet us south of Segges' Field."

"Aye lord." He sprang on to the back of his horse and galloped off.

"Send riders to Sir Richard and Sir Edward.  I need all of their men.  We march at dawn."

"Wilfred, I am afraid you will have to wait a while for your spurs but I leave you in command of my castle.  I will need Sir John.  I know that I can trust you to protect my home."

Alf's work was evident as we gathered the arrows, sword and spears we would need.  Erre and his Varangians stayed at Stockton but all else would come with us. A long baggage train meant they were planning to keep in the field.  I had no doubt that Balliol would venture forth from Barnard Castle and swell the numbers Gospatric had. I could expect nearer four hundred and fifty men. Hugh, Tristan, John and Harold were close by.  I waved them over.

"How many men can we muster if we strip every castle of archers and men at arms?"

"You would leave them undefended, lord?" Sir Tristan looked shocked.

"They will have to be defended by farmers, boys and old soldiers. If I leave men at arms in the castles then we will be defeated and they will capture the castles whether or no."

Sir Hugh nodded and took a piece of charcoal from the fire. He used my table as a piece of parchment.  He made marks as he spoke. "If we assume that Sir Hugh reaches us in time then he will have four knights, forty odd men at arms and almost forty archers.  If we add squires and servants then he will bring almost a hundred men.  We can muster seven knights, over eighty men at arms and a hundred and twenty five archers.  The Archbishop's gift was a timely one."

I nodded, "Then we have two hundred and sixty men to face a possible four hundred and fifty or even five hundred."

"Daunting odds, lord."

"Aye but we are all mounted and they will be tired after their travels. If they reach us in two days as Aiden suggested then I will be hopeful. I want to meet them where we can always retreat back to Stockton if things go awry."

Sir Harold said, "And you need a good position."

I nodded, "He will leave Segge's Field and travel down the Durham Road.  There are a couple of places between there and Stockton.  Layton! It is on a small ridge and it is surrounded by woods. We can use the slope to disguise our numbers and make him think he faces less than he does."

"Aye and he will have to attack uphill.  The woods at the side will allow us to ambush."

Sir Hugh said, "If Barnard de Balliol is with them then he will be suspicious.  We have used that tactic before."

"We will ride at dawn and that should give us two or three days to prepare a reception for Gospatric."

Sir Richard and Edward heeded my commands for I did not imply a choice.  They arrived at my castle with their men. Sir Edward was happy enough but I sensed that Sir Richard was reluctant. "I brought my wife, Earl.  I did not want her alone with Scottish raiders around."

"She will be safe here but had I left you to guard her then the loss of your retinue might have caused us to fail. Our numbers are small enough as it is."

Sir Tristan said, "The Earl knows what he is doing father.  We can win!"

I liked his optimism but I had still to convince myself.

There were three farmsteads which lay on the Durham road.  They all had the name Thorpe.  We called them collectively, Thorpe, although there was a mile between each of them.  Further north on the road lay the farmstead of Layton.  It was long abandoned having been ravaged and raided by the Scots many times before. The result was that the farm itself had fallen into disrepair and was now lumps and bumps.  There was an untidy tangle of trees and bushes which had grown up around the ruins.  It was perfect for my archers.  They could hide within the tangle of brambles, elderberry and hawthorn. They would be protected from attack.

To the north of the ruined farm were thick forests which came perilously close to the road. As Sir Hugh had said the enemy might be suspicious of an ambush.  I intended to use that suspicion. I had my men dig pits and make traps and trips in the forests. When the enemy had lost men navigating them they would see us on the small ridge above the stream which passed behind the farm.  The land had been cleared a little in the days when Layton had been farmed and the forests were a hundred paces from the road. We would fill that hundred paces with my men.