Knight of the Empress (9 page)

The knight who had spoken had a choice; he could fight with me or accept my claim. He ignored my comments. "The Count of Flanders demands that you quit the field and abandon Calais.  Go back to Normandy and he will allow you to live."

Robert of Gloucester laughed.  He turned to me, "It seems Baron, that you may get the opportunity to show this knight that you are no liar." He turned back to the two Flemish knights. "This will be settled here and now on this piece of land."

We returned to King Henry.  He was smiling, "I take it they are not willing to compromise?"

"No, my liege.  They wish to fight."

"Send the archers in to harass their crossbowmen."

I felt my heart sink into my boots as the messenger rode to Dick.  They would have to advance close to the crossbowmen and would be at great risk.  Their advantage was that they could release up to eight arrows in the time to send a bolt upon its way.

I watched them as they moved forward. The crossbowmen knelt and levelled their weapons. Dick had been an archer in the woods of Sherwood.  He had fought crossbows before. He had his archers release three arrows and then I watched as they all ran to the left and the right. There was a momentary hesitation from the crossbows as they picked out their targets. Another three arrows went on their way.  Dick had them moving again.  I saw five archers who had been struck but the crossbows had suffered, thirty dead. The advantage was with the archers and the next exchange left just one dead archer and another twenty dead crossbowmen. It was too much for them and they fled from the unequal contest.  Dick was no fool and his archers raced back to the flanks before the men at arms could be launched.

King Henry nodded his approval, "Your archer is a fine leader, Baron. Robert, have the men at arms advance and your archers support them."

The archers were all mounted and they could move, dismount and then release their arrows.  Their rate of fire would be lessened as they would require horse holders but they could loose over the men at arms.  It was something the crossbows could not do.

King Henry shouted, "Knights of Normandy and England, let us end the threat from this upstart.  Forward!"

The men at arms were moving at a canter and the Flemish army responded.  They sent their own men at arms towards them. I saw that they had a small body, no more than fifty or so, of spearmen.  King Henry had deigned to use infantry.  He had wanted speed. The line of knights remained static on the ridge.  I had Edward next to me and Sir Guy of Doncaster on the other side.  I had never fought with Sir Guy but he rode tight to my leg and I felt confident about our charge. I saw the archers halt and dismount.  The men at arms began to move faster and Dick's archers released arrow after arrow over the heads of the men at arms.  They plunged into horses and men at arms.  The whole line was thrown into confusion as horses fell and brought down others.  The crossbows were felling but a handful of men at arms and soon they would be in danger of being overrun while our archers could maintain their rain of arrows.

"Trot!"

I levelled my lance across the cantle of my saddle.  The tourney had given me an insight into my opponents.  Each one had aimed for my head. I could use that to my advantage. The battle between the men at arms was one sided now and the English and Norman men at arms were driving the Flemish back into their knights.  They were overrunning their crossbows.

"Charge!"

There was just a small gap between us and the enemy now. I spurred Star and he leapt forward.  I had to fight to hold onto him. I saw a knight with a yellow shield and two red fess across it.  I aimed for him. I was now accustomed to the speed of combat and I relaxed as I adjusted my lance across my cantle. I hoisted my new shield up and pulled back my arm.  Success came with timing and I judged this one well. I punched forward and ducked my head.  His lance skittered across the top of my helm but my lance plunged into his middle and threw him from the saddle.  I released the now useless lance and drew my sword.  Harold was just behind me with his spear and I took comfort from that.

Our line was no longer tight for we had broken their static defence. I saw the knight with the red shield to my right and I yanked my reins around to head for him. I could no longer see De Brus.  The knight with the lion rampant suddenly darted towards me.  I had not seen him but Harold had.  He punched his lance at the shield and the knight had to veer in front of me.  I stood in my saddle and brought my sword down.  It hit his shield and his helmet.  He fell to the side and pulled his horse with him.  I yelled, "Up!" and pulled on my reins.  Star was magnificent and climbed above the dying knight.  As we were landing I saw a knight preparing to bring his sword down on Robert of Gloucester.  I had less than a moment but I swung my sword horizontally and brought it across his unprotected back. He arched as his spine was severed and fell to the ground.  I looked for the red knight but, once again, he had evaded me.

As I looked around for another opponent I saw my false knight, Richard. He had just unhorsed a man at arms and was preparing to bring his sword down. "Richard you traitor! Today is your last on earth!"

He charged his horse at me.  I had practised against him many times and we knew each other well.  I had never fought him from the back of a horse before.  That day Star came into his own.  Perhaps the wound he had received in the tourney had changed him, I know not but, as I jerked his reins around he reared slightly and that made Richard flinch as Star's head came around. I did not strike at his shield but brought my blade across the top of his horse's head.  He tried to bring his sword up to counter my blow but he merely slowed down the strike and my sword bit into his arm. As Star's head came down he bit into the neck of Richard's horse which pulled around to the left.  I now had Richard broadside on to me and, standing in my stirrups smashed my sword across his helmet.  I knew it was a good helmet, Alf had made it but my blow had the anger of betrayal behind it and Richard my first knight and my false knight, fell dead at my feet. He would betray no one else.

The Flemish army was disintegrating. Our archers had weakened them and our charge had shattered them. All around knights were raising their arms in surrender. I raised my sword to decapitate a knight with a yellow shield and a red star. He dropped his sword and demanded mercy. I lowered my sword. He took off his helmet and shook his head, "I cannot fight a madman like you.  It is true what they say, Alfraed of Norton is the devil incarnate."

"You know me?"

"We have all heard of the knight in blue with the two stars and the black horse which is spawned by the devil."

I turned and saw a grinning Harold, "Take this knight to our camp."

"Aye my lord, and he is right.  It is like following the devil when you and Star ride.  I would not like to stand against you."

In those days, before the civil war, it was a civilised kind of war and knights were more inclined to take prisoners. Count Charles was taken and I was there when King Henry addressed him. "You will pay me one thousand gold talents.  You will do this each year for three years.  At the end of that time I will return Calais back to you.  If you forfeit once then I will keep Calais.  What say you?"

Had the Count not tried to kill or capture the Empress then I might have felt sympathy but as it was I felt merely scorn.  He acceded.  He had little choice else. We all returned to Calais richer men.

The knight I had captured, Richard of Bruges, came from a rich family and I received twenty golden talents as ransom. My men also did well as they pillaged the battlefield.  Dick was rewarded by the King with ten gold pieces.  And the best news of all was that we had lost no men. God had favoured us.

Ten days later, as the first of the Autumn storms whipped the waves outside Calais and the last of the ransoms was paid, I was summoned to King Henry and Robert of Gloucester.

"You have done well for me, Alfraed Baron of Norton.  As a reward I free you from the Palatinate of Durham. You answer only to me in all matters military and financial." He handed me a document with his seal attached, "You are now a household knight and one of my closest fellows." He came to me and kissed me on both cheeks.  He held out his hand and Robert handed him a seal on a bronze chain. "You are now my Marcher lord for the Valley of the Tees.  I charge you with the protection of the river and my peoples."  I flicked my eyes to Robert who shrugged.  "You have fulfilled your duty.  Take ship and return to Norton."

I was dismissed. I sought Robert of Gloucester. "This does not sound good."

"It is not.  The Scots have raided Carlisle and stolen cattle.  Already they may have attacked the Tees.  God speed my friend.  You go from the pan to the fire! My father and I must remain here and consolidate our gains.  We will return at Christmas.  Until then it is up to you and lords like you to protect our land." He handed me a document with an official seal. "This is for you.  You may demand service from any knights along the Tees and you have the authority to raise the fyrd. I pray you can hold on until we reach you."

"And the Empress, my lord, what of her?  Is she safe now?"

"She is as safe as she can be.  Form what you say your Swabian friends will watch over her.  She is Empress and you have a job to do in England."

We managed to find a ship which was going to London and could accommodate us and our horses. As we sailed down the Thames I reflected that we had needed two ships to take us to war but only one to bring us back.  Edward mentioned our lack of numbers as we passed the castle which dominated the city.  It had been William the Bastard's mark on the land.  It showed the country that he ruled.

"We should get more men here in London.  There will be more of them and they will be cheaper to hire than further north."

"But will they be men we can rely upon?"

"Wulfric and I were swords for hire for many years.  Allow us to choose them.  You could have Dick ride to his old forest and see if any others wish to become archers."

"I am anxious to reach home."

"I know my lord.  Like you I am worried about what we might find but that makes it all the more important that we have enough men when we reach there."

I nodded.  I knew that he was right. And it made sense to do so in London.  There were taverns and inns where we could stay.  It was the only part of the country where we could guarantee a bed. As a household knight I could have requested accommodation in the Tower but I would be viewed with suspicion.  The Tower was the King's prison.  His brother resided there; heavily guarded.  The guards and the constable did not know me as a household knight.  I did not wish to be viewed with suspicion. I would make my own arrangements.

I sent Dick and the archers north to find more of their fellows. "We will follow in three days.  Do not worry about horses we have more than enough for the men you will find." We now had a string of rounceys and palfreys as well as five destrier.  I had recovered Richard's. My father had paid for the animal in the first place. It sounded petty but he had betrayed both me and my father.

My father and his men had always believed that things happen for a purpose. We did, indeed, manage to recruit ten men at arms.  That was down to Wulfric and Edward.  Their names were well known. I also knew that the name of Alfraed of Norton attracted the right kind of warrior too. I managed to have short surcoats made for them. But it was when I needed mail for them that we struck really lucky.  There was an armourer who had a forge hard by the river and the Tower.  One of my new men, Arkwright, told me of him. He had some mail for my men but, after speaking with him, I discovered that he could make mail gloves rather than the mittens I wore. The mittens protected the back of the hands well but the palms were exposed.  Even better were the mail leggings he showed us.  My greaves protected the front of the legs but not the back.  He made leggings for Edward and me.  There were flexible metal knee pieces which divided the weight. The whole contraption was much lighter than I had expected.  Even better was the fact that we did not need boots and the mail leggings made riding easier. We cheerfully parted with some of the ransom we had collected. Money was no object for good armour. We rode north better protected than we had ever been.

We were close to Doncaster when Dick emerged from the forest with our four new archers. It was not as many as I would have wished but I knew that if they came from the forest then they would be good men. It was a powerful conroi which headed north up the Great North Road.  We made good time despite the increasingly wet weather. Our surcoats protected the armour from the worst of the rain although the rust we accrued would still need to be removed. As we approached the Tees I began to think, for the first time, of my home on the river. I had left as an impoverished knight.  Now I had gold and, more importantly I had power. With that power came responsibilities. I would need to administer justice and I knew that could be time consuming but I resolved to be a fair arbiter of the law. My father had taught me that.  As we waited for Ethelred and the ferry I wondered when I had changed from the head strong and wild youth who had not wanted to leave Constantinople into the knight who had been given this valley to rule.

Stockton 1123

Our homecoming had been joyous and that first Christmas in my castle at Stockton had been both festive and enlightening. Wulfstan had protected my land well in my absence. There had been threats from the north but the vigilance from the men I had left behind meant that we suffered no harm.  I was relieved.

Despite my misgivings on the way back from Caen my home still stood. Faren was with child again and she had blossomed. Adela had been overjoyed to see me when I had stepped from Ethelred's ferry. I could see that she had wanted to throw her arms around me but she did not.  I suspect that was due to my reserve.  I merely smiled at her. I had changed in more ways than one. I had met the Empress and all others would now be compared to her. Norton, too, had prospered.  Osric and Athelstan had both done well in spite of their self-doubt when I had appointed them. They had transferred their loyalty to my father to Norton.  They would serve the manor equally well. An unexpected and welcome surprise was that Aiden had managed to train a hawk for me.  I could now be a real lord of the manor and go hawking.

As the days began to lengthen, imperceptibly at first, I sat with Edward and Wulfstan in the west tower looking towards the hills that rose in the distance, watching the sun set on a snow covered land. We had brought wine back with us and, as long as it lasted, we would enjoy it. "So, Alfraed, you are to rule the Tees. You have done well. That is a mighty leap from lord of the manor."

"I think rule is too strong a word, Wulfstan. I was charged with protecting the Tees from the Scottish raids."

"It is rule in all but name." I inclined my head in agreement.  "There are lords at Normanby, Yarm, Gainford and Piercebridge. They are all the men you can command.  Hartness has people but no lord and Guisborough is still in the hands of the De Brus. How will you deal with them?" I knew that Wulfstan was doing what he always did; he was testing me and my mettle.  How would I deal with problems which might be just around the corner?

As with many things I had yet to think things through. I would not have much of an army without the De Brus knights. "I will have to visit with the De Brus clan but I would rather see the other four lords first.  I hope they have knights."

Edward stood to pour some more wine while Wulfstan placed another log on the fire. "We only have three my lord. I know that our men at arms and archers are the best for we have seen them fight but if a large force comes south to raid we cannot sit behind our walls. We must go and meet them. King Henry wants the valley protecting from the ravages of raiders; not just Stockton and Norton. "

"I know." Neither was telling me anything I did not know.  Doubts assailed me from each direction.  My chain of office felt like a leaden weight. We drank in silence for a while listening to the logs crackling on the fire. I changed the subject. "Your son has grown Wulfstan."

My old mentor smiled, "Aye, Edward, he is a proper little boy. Perhaps God will grant us a daughter next."

I was surprised. I had thought that he would have wished for another son.  "A daughter Wulfstan? I would have thought you would have wished for another son to follow you."

He shook his head.  "I have changed, Alfraed, as you have.  You still have a journey to take but you are getting there.  While you were away I saw Adela grow from a frightened young girl into the lovely creature you have ignored since you came back.  I would have a daughter so that she could become like Adela."

"Ignored?"

"When you went away you looked at her with soft eyes and she with you. She gave you a token to protect you while you campaigned and you have come back indifferent to her.  She is hurt you know.  Faren has told me she has heard her crying in the night."

"But I gave her no promises."

"Not with your words but you did with your eyes." I knew he was right and I could not meet his gaze.  I stared at the fire.  Wulfstan was as close to me as my father had been and I did not like to be criticised by him. What made it worse was that he was right. I had neglected her and there had been an expectation. He was right; I had changed.

Edward's quiet voice broke the uncomfortable silence which filled the room. "It is the Empress is it not?"

I looked up and stared at Edward.  Did he know of my feelings? Wulfstan asked, "The Empress?"

"Aye, I think our young lord became infatuated by her when we journeyed to Worms."

Wulfstan shook his head, "She is an Empress. Put those thoughts from your mind.  I saw men broken on the wheel in Miklagård for even looking askance at the Empress of Byzantium."

"Aye and the Emperor was none too pleased either. He took against the baron."

"It was nothing and we are here now far from any entanglements."

Wulfstan leaned over and tapped my chest. "You still have them there.  Rid your body and your mind of them.  No good can come of them."

"I will do so but that will not make my feelings towards Adela, return."

"Alfraed, your father charged me with making you a warrior, a knight, someone he could be proud of. There is more to being a knight than just fighting and riding a horse.  It is in the way you behave and the way you treat people.  Generally I think you have become such a knight save in one regard; women. There you fail to meet the standards.  Your father would not be happy with your treatment of a vulnerable young girl. Think on that!"

I found it hard to look at Adela over the next few days for I knew, in my heart, that Wulfstan was right. During a break in the weather I took the opportunity to visit Norton.  I took Edward and our squires. I was also feeling guilty about neglecting what had been my father's home. I visited his grave in the church before I did anything else and I silently said a prayer for his soul.

Father Peter found me kneeling still. "We say prayers for him and the others who died defending us each day.  Your father was loved, Sir Alfraed."

"I know and he had his wish. He died here in England.  He is at peace now and this grave in his church is somewhere I feel I can be close to him. And how are you Father Peter?"

"The church in Durham is still unhappy that they did not appoint me. The Dean himself came to chastise me." He shrugged, "I have been ordained and I know that I do a good job here. What care I for the politics of the church?"

"So long as I approve then do not fear.  The King has appointed me defender of the valley. I will visit the Dean and speak with him. How are the people?  Do they prosper?"

"They do.  Osric and Athelstan are good men and they care for the people here." He hesitated.  "You should speak with them, lord, for they have received disturbing news of late."

I hurried to the hall where I found my father's oathsworn laughing with Edward. They rose and each gave a slight bow. "Edward here was telling us how you captured a castle without losing a man.  Would that I had seen that.  It was the sort of thing your father would have loved."

"It was luck."

Edward shook his head, "I keep telling him that we make our own luck."

"As the new defender of the valley I will be visiting all of the manors along the river.  I need an accurate number of men who might be available. How many are there in Norton?"

"We have ten spears and four bows."

"Good. Are any of the bows young men who might join my conroi?"

"Young Alan, son of Garth, is someone who might suit.  He needs work for he is still growing but he should be ready for war by summer."

"Good."

"Father Peter said that you had heard disturbing news of late."

"Aye, Alfraed; there is no lord at Hartness yet but it prospers and armed men have passed along the road north to Hartness. If we had had the men and the authority then we would have visited."

"Thank you.  I will take my men and pay them a visit in my new position as defender of the valley. Hartness guards the estuary."

My final visit was to see Aiden and my hawks. They were both beautiful birds.  Aiden told me how their mother had deserted them when they were chicks and he had hand reared them.  "When will they be ready to hunt?"

"By the summer my lord."

"Good." I looked at the young man who had been bought as a slave but whom I had freed.  He was growing quickly.  The outdoor life had made him both strong and athletic. "Tell me Aiden.  How would you feel about coming to war with me the next time I go?  You would be a great asset as a scout."

"I would be honoured, my lord, but I could not leave my animals without care."

I nodded, "I can understand that.  Then find someone you can train up." We had slaves in both Norton and Stockton.  When buying slaves I had tried to buy families for I hated the thought of splitting up a mother from her children. There would be many boys who were similar to Aiden.  He would be the best one to judge who they were.

"If I might suggest two, my lord."

I smiled, "You have two in mind already eh?"

"Yes my lord. At the moment Osric has them as swineherds.  It is a waste for they both know animals and understand them.  Swine are clever.  They care for themselves."

"I will see Osric."

We came back through Wulfestun and the Hart Burn. I was particularly keen to see how my fletchers Tom and Old Tom were getting on. I was impressed with the small hall they had built.  There were many large trees along the becks which criss crossed that part of my land. They had chosen stout timbers for the roof and walls from the many trees there.  They had built it so that the door was reached by some steps. It made it more difficult to attack. I knew, without looking, that the bottom level of the house would be the place they kept their animals in winter. I also saw that Young Tom had a wife who was with child. "An impressive home, Old Tom.  I see you are beginning to fill it already."

"Yes Baron.  I hope to raise fine archers.  I know you lost some in Normandy."

"We did and we missed your strong backs and arms there too. We have taken on four new ones and we shall be needing arrows for the spring."

"We have a good stock of wood laid in and the geese have been busy too."

I laughed.  The goose feathers were essential for good arrows. "This is a good place here.  You are happy?"

"Yes my lord but we are vigilant.  If the Scots come again we will be ready."

"And I will be vigilant too.  As soon as the snow goes I shall take my men and inform the other lords of their duties then we shall hunt for the raiders and not wait for them to come to us."

William, my mason, had still to finish my castle. Yet as we approached, from the west, I thought how solid it looked.  Having been in Caen and Worms, I knew it was not the largest of keeps but it would be hard to take and would deter raiders. I wondered what other work I could put his way for I was loath to lose such a good workman. As we rode home I asked Edward and the others for their views.  Harold came up with an answer.  "The church in Norton, my lord, it was barely finished when he began work on the castle."

"Besides, baron, the castle still has work which needs completion. The curtain wall and the gatehouse could be much improved.  It is your coin."

"You are both right.  While the weather is inclement I will send him back to Norton and then we will use the gold to make an impressive gatehouse and a sturdy wall."

William was happy when I told him, "I have to confess, Baron, that I was feeling guilty being inactive.  But my family are happy here. This has been the longest time they have spent in one place and they are settled and happy."

"I would keep you here as long as you wish, William.  I want a castle which stands as a rock against whoever tries to take it from us."

Despite my visits and the progress being made all over my manor I could not shake the feeling of guilt.  Edward and Athelstan were both correct; Matilda was unobtainable and yet I did not love Adela.  At least not in the way I loved the Empress. I knew then that I should have spoken with my father at his grave.  After he had died his voice had come into my head.  Perhaps it could come again. I decided to make the effort and be as I had been.  I no longer avoided Adela and I began to speak to her each day.  At first it was uncomfortable but, gradually, it became easier.

My days were filled with practise.  My new men at arms needed to be welded into one and Dick needed to show the new archers how to fight with men at arms. They were coming on well.

"We need helms my lord."

"For the men at arms, Edward?"

"Aye and the archers too."

I went to visit with Alf.  I took the new gloves we had purchased in London. He bowed as I entered his forge.  I noticed that it was busier than it had been when first we had arrived and he had four men working within it. "It is good to have you back my lord.  Was it a good campaign?"

I laughed, "You mean did we make enough gold to help you pay for your new workers."

He had the good grace to nod, "I would be lying my lord if I didn't say that your patronage is appreciated."

"Well you are right.  I have coins.  We need helmets for my archers and my men at arms."

"Helmets for archers, my lord?"

"They are as valuable as my destrier in war. I want one without a nasal for that would impair their archery."