Northern Knight

Published by Sword Books Ltd 2015

Copyright © Griff Hosker First Edition

The author has asserted their moral right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the author of this work.
 

All Rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of the copyright holder, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

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Cover by Design for Writers

Stockton 1125

My son, William, was born in January. This was not a wolf winter as we had endured the previous year but it was cold on the day he was born. That was a good sign. It meant he would grow up to be as tough and as hard as the land into which he was born. The cold, harsh borders in the north of King Henry's lands were filled with enemies.  Some enemies appeared to be friends until they stabbed you in the back. The women who attended my wife, Adela, and Faren, who supervised all, kept me well away from the birthing room.  It would have been considered unlucky to have me present. I spent the day with my knights, Edward and Wulfstan, looking north from my battlements. It was too cold to practise and I was too nervous. Wulfstan had three children and had gone through this already.  He and Edward kept my mind from what was going on below.

"I wonder if the Earl of Gloucester's punitive raid eliminated all of the rebels, Alfraed." Northern barons had allied with Scottish knights to take advantage of the king's absence.  We had helped to quell the rebellion and the Earl had headed north with his knights to teach the Scots better manners. He had since returned south to his lands on the Welsh marches.  The Scots were not the only enemies we faced.

"I doubt it, Wulfstan.  Too many have lands in Scotland and we know that many fled there after the battle of Gretna. They will be building up their strength and biding their time.  With the Earl in the south and the King still in Normandy then they can ferment their plots and plans." I would have taken all of our army to march into Scotland and lay it waste much as King William had done when he had first arrived in the north.  If there were no knights who dreamed of our lands then we would all be safer.

"Then we must prepare for a spring and summer of raids. Our cattle and sheep have done well over the winter.  Now that we keep fodder for the winter then we keep alive many more animals.  You did well to conceive the idea. However the Scots and the dissident lords will seek to take them from us. They want what we have but they do not wish to work for it." Wulfstan cast a critical eye over me.  "Have you fully recovered from the wound you received at Durham? We thought to have lost you."

I smiled and pointed to Edward.  "Ask my mother there! Edward has Harold reporting to him each week on my exercise and the wound."

Edward was not put out by the implied criticism, "I am concerned, Baron.  You have made this manor and those at Norton and Hartburn prosperous.  If you were to fall in battle who knows what lord the King would appoint."

"I am fit, Wulfstan.  I am fitter than I was before I was hurt.  Alf made me a practice sword which is half as heavy again as my own sword.  I use it each day to spar with Harold. I am becoming stronger.  In fact it has worked so well that I need to have my armour let out a little for my shoulders are now broader.  Fear not, I will be ready for the Scots when they come."

Harold came running up the stairs and we all turned with expectant looks upon our faces.  "Is it….?"

"Sorry, my lord, it is not the baby." He frowned.  "At least I do not think it is.  There is a messenger arrived from York.  He has brought you this." He handed me a sealed document.

I took it.  "Has the messenger been taken care of?"

"Aye my lord, Seara is feeding him but he leaves for Durham as soon as his horse is rested.  He has a message for the Bishop too."

This sounded ominous. I looked at the seal.  It was the mark of Robert Fitzroy of Caen, Earl of Gloucester and illegitimate son of King Henry.  With the King in Normandy then he was the most powerful man in the land. While my knights and squire watched me I read the short document.  Robert did not waste words.

"It seems that the Emperor is not well and has not long to live. We are to be alert to more raids from the north. We must prepare to travel." Edward nodded.  We had both sworn an oath.

I looked south east as though I could see all the way to Worms and the Empress Matilda.  I fingered the medallion she had given me.  Like Edward I was a Knight of the Empress and sworn to defend her.  I wondered if she would be an Empress still when her husband died.  I doubted it for I had been told that the Sallic law governed the Empire and that meant a woman could not rule. It was strange.  I had married Adela last summer because the Empress was beyond my grasp and now, she would be a widow; should I have waited?  The Housecarls and the Saxons whom my father had led believed that there were supernatural forces determining our lives.  Sometimes I agreed with them. This was fate.

"My lord?"

I looked around and saw the three of them staring at me. "Oh sorry, I was day dreaming. What did you say?"

"I said, my lord, how will our lives change as a result of his death?"

"I do not think it should affect us here."

Wulfstan smiled sadly and shook his head. "And there you are wrong, Alfraed. It is as though a stone has been thrown into a pond.  We are far from the middle here but the ripples will reach us eventually.  Did you read between the lines in the letter?" I must have shown my confusion. He tapped the parchment in my hand.  "Matilda can now be heiress to the throne."

"She is a woman."

"But she is young yet and can marry again. She is only twenty three.  She could remarry and have children. She is now the most valuable woman in the western world.  She is heir to Normandy, England and Maine. If the right candidate to be Emperor married her…"

Just then there was a cry from below and I heard the wailing of a child.  The others cheered and clapped.  My son was born.  I was happy for the birth but saddened by the thought that someone else would marry Matilda.  Someone else would father her a child. I smiled and prepared a face to meet my wife and my son. I was a man torn.

As spring came we prepared our land and our men for the summer ahead.  I held the first session of the year.  We collected the taxes. Everyone gained, the Bishop and the King had their share and we, the lords of the manors, reaped the rewards of good husbandry and the management of our lands.  Edward and Wulfric journeyed to York to hire men at arms. It was an annual ritual. We shed winter and prepared to summer. We knew that we would face dangers from the north; King Henry's prolonged absence in Normandy determined that. We were seen as the soft part of the land.  We had no large armies and yet we were better off than those north of the Tyne and the Solway. The hard work of our people meant nothing to those who wished just to take the fruits of out labours. Although hiring more men at arms was an expense we had discovered that it was a justified one.  It kept out people safe and we only hired those whom Wulfric, my sergeant at arms, chose.  He had a good eye for warriors.

My son was at that stage in his life where his world was his mother and his wet nurse.  I could go and pull faces which occasionally amused him but more often than not he was either sleeping or eating.  When he was doing neither of those then he was wailing.  Wulfstan had prepared me for the ordeal. I chose that time to take some men at arms and visit the knights who followed my banner. As the winter had been relatively kind and we had had a successful season of campaigning, my knights had added men to their retinue and improved the weapons and armour.  A knight was only as good as his armour and his men. I warned them, without divulging too much, that I might have to leave for Normandy at any time.  They were happy to follow my lieutenant, Edward.  Although not noble born he was a warrior through and through. If he was with me then Wulfstan, who had fought in the Varangian Guard, would be the deputy who would protect my land. The other four knights recognised that. After leaving instructions for patrols along the river and towards Hartness I returned to my home.

I saw a large number of horses in the bailey and I was curious who our visitors were. I was greeted by one of the knights of the Earl of Gloucester. I had served with Sir Hugh d'Amphraville and he was a reliable and noble knight. "The Earl has need of you."

I could see he wanted to speak privately. "Come and we will walk my ramparts." As we reached the top I saw Roger of Lincoln approaching.  "We would speak in private."

"I will tell the men, my lord."

When we were alone he said, "The Emperor is close to death.  The King has asked for you to take your men and be there at the end.  When he dies the Empress will need an escort back to Caen."

"Is he in Worms still?"

"He is."

"Tell me, if you can, Sir, from where does the danger lie? Who are the enemies of the Empress?"

He laughed, "Where do they not?" He held his fingers up as he enumerated them one by one: The Angevin, Charles of Flanders who has not yet forgotten Calais, Louis and William of Clito who has been promised Normandy by the French king. If you add to that those who would relieve the Empress of her regalia and jewels I would say it is an extensive list."

"I am not trying to get out of this but why me?  I am certain there are knights in Normandy who would be better and closer placed."

"True but the Empress asked for you and you were the first name which came to the King and to the Earl.  Take it as a compliment. You were successful when you returned her to her husband despite the problems and you have more men now."  He was of an age with Robert of Gloucester and he smiled.  "For what it is worth I think you are the best choice for this task. I have warred alongside you and I have seen that you have an eye for this sort of thing. If anyone can extract her from her predicament it is you."

I inclined my head, "I do take it as a compliment but if I take my men then who is to guard my lands and my family?" Almost on demand my son began to wail from the nearby tower.  I laughed, "Do you see?"

He had the grace to smile, "I see, but I am afraid that the King only cares for his daughter now. As you know she is the only heir he has and I am afraid that your own considerations do not matter to the King."

"When do I leave?" I could see that there was little point in presenting more objections.

"As soon as you can. There are two ships awaiting you at Hartness."

I frowned, "Why not here?"

"They brought the new lord of Hartness and his retinue."

"And who is it?" My heart was in my boots for I knew the name, even without it being spoken.

"Baron Raymond de Brus." He saw my face.  "Do not worry, Baron, the renegade who was there formerly is only a distant cousin.  The new Baron is cut from a different cloth. He is a good man and will be a stout ally for you."

I was sceptical but I would speak with him before I left. "I hope he is for if any harm comes to my family then I care not if I incur the king's displeasure. I shall cut his heart out and raze Hartness to the ground!"

"You mean that don't you?"

I said nothing but turned to speak to Roger of Lincoln who stood at the other end of the ramparts. "Roger, find Sir Edward and Harold.  I need them." Sir Hugh joined me, "I am sorry for my words Sir Hugh but the family of De Brus has caused me much pain.  They were the reason my father was killed. I serve the King but I will not sit idly by and watch my family hurt."

He smiled, "I understand but you need to be more diplomatic when you speak.  I would not betray a confidence but there are others who might."

As I reached the main hall I saw John, son of Leofric, my clerk.  "John, entertain Sir Hugh for me.  I have to tell my lady I go to do the king's bidding." I saw Sir Hugh's mouth open and close like a fish.  I suspect he was telling me to be discreet.  This was my family and I would tell them what I chose.

Adela was feeding when I entered.  "Seara said we have a visitor.  You should have told me I could have had the wet nurse see to William."

"It is a messenger from the King.  I am to go to Worms and escort the Empress back to Normandy."

Her face fell.  I know not if she suspected there had been a bond between the Empress and I but she was a clever woman. She was also the most loyal wife a man could wish for. Then she brightened. "It is another honour, Alfraed, the King thinks highly of you."

"Aye," I said sourly, "Especially when it is a task which others would refuse. There is more.  The King has appointed another De Brus to the manor of Hartness." This time she could not disguise her feelings and her hand went to her mouth. "It is a different part of the family but I will have a word with him before I leave. Fear not, my lady.  I am not taking all of my men.  You will be well protected here and I should be back this six month."

She composed herself. "I am not the frail girl I was. I have survived the wolf winter.  Do not fear for me my husband but promise me you will watch out for yourself."

I leaned over and kissed her.  "For you I shall."

I sent riders to Wulfstan and my knights. I sent Wulfric, who was my sergeant at arms.  He told them that I would be away and they would have to serve under Wulfstan until my return. Harold was already in my castle and I gave him instructions.  "We shall be away for some time.  We will leave the warhorses here.  I am not going to risk a sea voyage and the rigours of campaigning in Germany.  If we have to fight then we use our palfreys. Make sure that Dick has enough arrows and we will need lances."

"Yes my lord.  And Lady Adela?"

"I leave Wulfstan and Wulfric here in my place.  We do not take all of our men.  Twenty men at arms and ten archers in addition to Aiden will do." Even as he left to begin the gathering of our supplies I prayed that Rolf and the other Swabian knights would also be on hand to protect the Empress.

Edward arrived with Wulfstan.  Neither knew the reason but, when they saw the messenger I knew that they would work it out for themselves. I spoke in the hearing of Sir Hugh.  I wanted him to report to the Earl and thence the King that I was not happy about certain things. "We are to go to Worms and escort the Empress.  I leave Wulfstan in command.  Wulfric will stay also.  We take twenty men at arms and ten archers.  I will take Dick and Aiden too. You should both know that the King, for whatever reason has placed a de Brus in Hartness. Our ships leave from there and I intend to let Sir Raymond know that I command in the valley and that he will protect my lands with his life. We will make sure that our people are protected."

I glared at Sir Hugh, willing him to object to my tone.

Wulfstan nodded, "Do not worry; I shall be visiting all of your knights.  He will understand. I will make sure of that"

"Good.  I have told Harold that we will not need warhorses. I intend to move as quickly as we can. Expect us back by autumn."

Sir Hugh looked surprised, "Baron, the Empress will have a retinue…"

"I have travelled with the Empress before.  She can travel quickly.  If her retinue cannot then we leave them.  I am charged with protecting the Empress only! The rest are of no consequence to me!"

We left before dark and reached Hartness at high tide.  Sir Hugh came with us.  When we reached the manor Sir Raymond greeted us.  Despite what Sir Hugh had said I could see the family traits in his face.  I hoped that they would not extend to his character too!

"Sir Edward and Harold, get our war gear on the boats.  Sir Hugh and I need conference with Sir Raymond." The de Brus knight frowned a little.  It was his manor and he was being ordered around.  I could see that he did not like it. I nodded towards his hall.  "Shall we speak within where it is quieter?"

Once we were inside Sir Hugh played peacemaker. "Sir Alfraed here has been charged by King Henry with protecting the valley.  All of the knights in the area around Norton fight under his banner when danger threatens."

Sir Raymond smiled, "Ah I wondered. That is good, Sir Alfraed.  I have heard much of you.  Your exploits in Calais and Durham are the stuff of legends."

I disliked flattery and I was a blunt man. "Sir Raymond, I would be lying if I said I was happy about your appointment." I held up my hand as he began to speak. "Hear me out and you will understand why. Your cousin, Sir Robert, who held this manor before you abducted the lady who is now my wife and treated her vilely.  He harboured the knights who slew my father and killed many of my closest friends.  The coward then fled to Anjou before justice could be meted out to him.  I am astounded that King Henry would countenance replacing one de Brus with another." I paused for breath.  "And now I am sent to Normandy and leave my family close to the grasp of the family who have done me and mine so much harm."

"I swear that I am no threat to your family and I have not seen Sir Robert these many years.  I have won this manor through loyal service to the King."

I laughed, "In my experience your family is very adept at saying one thing and doing another.  Your coat of arms should be the mask of Janus."

He coloured and Sir Hugh said, "Baron, you go too far."

I turned my baleful glare at Sir Hugh. "I know exactly how far I go." I turned back to Sir Raymond who had also coloured a bright red. I did not know if it was anger or embarrassment.  "I have left Sir Wulfstan in command in Stockton.  He will visit you, on my behalf. When I return, if I hear good reports of you then I will apologise for my attitude and my words. Until then I ask you to do as my other knights have done; watch the borders of the valley and keep it safe."

He took a deep breath.  "I will do so and I promise that you will see the truth when you return."

I nodded and turned.  I heard Sir Hugh speak with Sir Raymond as I strode to the waiting ships.  Already the sky was darkening in the east.  Night was falling.  I glanced around for the headman, Harold of Elwick.  I had been suspicious of him when I had met him.  Now he was nowhere to be seen and that, with a new lord of the manor was equally suspicious. I could do nothing about it yet but I would seek him out when I returned.

The horses had all been loaded when I reached the two boats.  Neither was large and we would be cramped aboard them for the journey down to Normandy. We waited until Sir Hugh joined us before boarding. I left Edgar in charge of the men at arms who were on the other ship, 'La Reine' while Dick and the archers came on board our ship, 'Le Duc du Normandie'. Both captains were eager to get some sea room and we set sail without delay. 

This was the first time I had viewed the river and my land from the sea. I could see why the captains had come to Hartness.  The walls of the town rose high on a cliff above the sea. The estuary, in contrast looked to be a marshy and dangerous tangle of small streams and sandbanks.  I knew, from Olaf, that it was not and the main channel was easy to find once you had sailed it a couple of times.  It might explain why we did not have more ships visiting our river. I wondered what we could do about that.  More trade meant prosperity for all.

As I looked around the small coastal vessel I realised that we would not be comfortable.  There was just a main deck and a hold.  Harold and Aiden would sleep in the hold with the horses as would a couple of the archers. They would look after the animals on the voyage. I did not envy them.  The smell was bad enough but when you allied that to the pitching motion of the ship it was a recipe for sea sickness. All that we had above the hold was a couple of canvas awnings spread amidships close to the mast. I was just grateful that the journey would take but a few days. With just dry rations and stale beer it did not promise to be an enjoyable voyage.