Baron of the North

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.
 

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The English Channel

I stood with Sir Edward at the prow of the King's ship, '
Hand of God
'. It was the largest ship in which I had sailed but I did not like the motion of the precocious English Channel. I had found that the only way I could endure it was to stand at the bow and watch the horizon.  It calmed my queasy insides. On this particular voyage I also needed to speak alone with Sir Edward. We had been tasked with escorting the Empress Matilda to Normandy to allow her to prepare for the arranged marriage to Geoffrey of Anjou. Neither the Empress nor I were happy about the arrangement. Geoffrey was just fourteen and he was half of the Empress' age.  It did not strike me as the basis for a successful marriage. For myself I still harboured feelings for her. I loved my wife but within me burned a flame and that flame was Matilda.  I was no fool and I knew that my love could never be consummated but I was still consumed with both frustration and anger. Sir Edward knew me as well as any, save Wulfstan, my mentor, and he stood by me at the bow looking out to sea.

"At least we will not have to stay long, Baron. Once we have safely delivered her to the castle at Caen then we can return to your castle in Stockton." I said nothing.  That was a double edged sword.  I would be home with my family, whom I loved, but I would be parted, forever, from the other woman I loved. It was cold comfort. "And the King has rewarded you for your efforts too. You are now, since the illness of the Bishop of Durham, the only lord between the Tees and the Tyne who can stop the incursions of raiders.  You are the Baron of the North."

Since Bishop Flambard had fallen ill, some said his end was close, there was no incumbent for Durham and I had been commanded to watch over the Palatinate. It was a poisoned chalice. I laughed, "And what does that get me?  Nothing but more responsibility and the punishment should I fail.  It brings me neither more land nor taxes.  The taxes from the Palatinate still go to the church and to the King.  I do the work and they reap the benefits."

Edward laughed, "You are too honest and that is your trouble.  Any other knight being given this opportunity would find a way to increase his prosperity."

I had to smile for he was correct. "I am sorry if my honesty offends you Edward but it was the way I was brought up."

"I know and I am only trying to make you see the cup half full rather than half empty. The King shows you favour and this will lead to more, believe me."

I had no opportunity for reply as the lookout on the masthead shouted, "Sail Ho! Sail to the East!"

A sail from the east was a threat.  The Captain needed no orders from me to beat out to sea.  I turned to Edward, "Get the men on deck.  This may be a friend but, in these waters, it is more likely to be an enemy."

He headed down the centre of the ship. My three squires all appeared as though by magic.  They presented themselves by my side. Two of them, Leofric and John were of low birth and were young.  They might never become knights but they served me well.  The third, Hugh of Gainford, was the son of one of my knights who had been killed by raiders the previous year.  He was now my ward until he became old enough to hold Gainford for the King and for me.

"My lord?" As the eldest squire Hugh took command.

"Bring me my helm, sword and shield.  There may be danger."

They raced below decks and I heard the second shout from the mast head.  "She is of Flanders! She has a consort!"

There were two ships now and the fact that they were from Flanders, an avowed enemy of Henry King of England meant that we were in danger.

The Empress Matilda came on deck with Judith and Margaret her two ladies in waiting. "Baron?"

"Two Flemish ships seek us.  You had best go below decks."

"Perhaps they have peaceful intentions."

I nodded, "And perhaps tonight the sun will set in the east.  Go below decks please and let us defend you."

My squires brought my arms.  We did not have armour. That was too dangerous at sea. If these two Flemish warships wished to attack us then we would show them that we were prepared. Dick led my archers up from the hold where they were berthed first.  There were twenty of them and they were the finest archers in the whole land.  Many of them had been outlaws in Sherwood but now they served me. Wulfric brought up the eight men at arms we had brought.  The rest remained in Stockton protecting my family. Finally Edward and his squire, Hugh's cousin, Gille appeared armed and ready for war.

"Dick, have half of your men in the rigging and split the rest between the forecastle and the aft castle. Wulfric divide the men. I know not which side they will attack. Sir Edward and I will deal with any who break through your ranks."

"Aye Baron."

We both sounded calm for this was not the first time we had been outnumbered and with no apparent means of escape. I peered to the east and saw that the two ships were slightly smaller than us but I knew that they would have larger crews.

"The King's nephew seeks his cousin eh, Baron?"

William Clito had attained the Flemish crown when Charles of Flanders had died.  Louis of France played complicated games and the son of our King's brother was anxious to gain the Kingdom of England as well as the Dukedom of Normandy. These two ships had been sent to stop us reaching Caen.  Once there the Empress would be beyond his clutches.

I strode aft to consult with the captain.  "Can you out run them?"

He shook his head.  "We could if there were but one. No, Baron, they will catch us.  The only question is when."

"Dick I want your archers to go for the crew around the rudder."

"Aye Baron."

I turned to my squires and Edward, "Whoever they are I am certain that the six of us will have more skills than they do.  We use those skills and we fight as one. This ship becomes our horse. Edward and I will be at the fore and you four protect our backs."

I saw that the two Flemish ships had more canvas than we did and they began to gain, inexorably.  We were sailing through the channel, past the ports of Calais and Boulogne.  They would be of no help; they were ports of Flanders. We had to defeat the two ships and continue our journey.  There were six archers attached to the crew and they would augment my own.  There lay our one advantage.

I called to the captain. "Take in some canvas captain.  They are going to catch us and I would rather have a better platform for our archers."

"Aye Baron! Two reefs!"

His crew scurried up the rat lines and within a short time we had slowed and our passage was smoother.  We had taken the two Flemish ships by surprise and they hurtled towards us under full sail. I saw their crew as they hurried to slow their own ships down.  They were just a couple of hundred feet astern of us. I saw Dick make a signal and his best archers released arrows to pluck the crew from the rigging.  Their sails were taken in but it was slower than their captains had intended and they came abeam of us.  It afforded me the opportunity to see what the opposition was like. I saw at least two knights on each ship but there were only four men at arms. The majority appeared to be just brigands and pirates.  The danger lay in the crossbowmen. I did not need to issue orders.  As soon as the crossbows were levelled arrows flew from our ship and either felled them or drove them to shelter.  There is no enemy more despised by an archer than one who wields a crossbow.

The ship to landward was closer to us.  "Captain, head for the ship to port!" We began to turn.  It meant we would fight one ship for a short time before the other could come to his aid. "Let us deal with this nearer vessel first." Leaving Edgar with half of the men at arms we joined Wulfric.

The ship, I saw her name was
'Sainte Marie'
, was close to us and they obliged us by sending grappling hooks over. Those throwing them had no protection and my archers killed them. I saw the knight who led them had a yellow and black shield quartered by three lions.  This was a knight of the household of William Clito. We had spears at the ready.  When they came they would have to either use ropes to swing aboard or clamber over the side.  Either way they could not hold a shield and our spears would force them back. There were twenty men about to leap across the chasm. Although they outnumbered us as long as the other ship did not strike us soon then we had a chance.

They leapt. As I thrust forward with my spear and felt it tear into the unprotected chest of an axe wielding Flem I noticed that the knights held back.  Many of those who jumped fell to their deaths but sheer weight of numbers meant that half of their number reached our deck.  Edward and I moved forward.  His left shoulder touched my right and I had some protection from his shield.  Our spears were gone.  Mine had broken and Edward's was at the bottom of the sea along with the man he had killed. Wulfric and his men parted as we approached.  The two Flemish knights took the opportunity to swing on board and came at Edward and I.  That suited me.  It was not right for a squire to face a knight.

I found myself facing the one with the three lions on his shield.  His helmet meant I could not tell his age but he was shorter and wider than me. He had a better balance than me on the pitching ship. I waited for I had fast hands and I would use them. He swung his sword at me.  Leofric's spear darted out and the knight instinctively brought up his shield. I deflected the sword which did not have as much force behind it as the knight had intended. Rather than swinging down with my blade I let it dart forward with all of my weight behind it. I did so confidently knowing that Edward protected my right. I felt my sword strike something soft.  I pushed harder and then withdrew.  I caught the sight of blood on my blade.

I heard Edgar shout, "Baron, t'other ship is close."

"Wulfric!"

"Aye Baron." I knew that Wulfric would take half of the men from this side and support Edgar.  Our archers were whittling those down on this port side.

I punched with my shield.  John son of Tan threw his spear at the warrior who hurled himself at my left side.  He was thrown back against the side of the ship.  The knight I fought was wounded and, when he slipped on blood he was forced back. I tried the same manoeuvre a second time. This time he managed to bring his shield down and my sword went into his leg. Edward slew the second knight and the Flemish sailors were forced back. 

The Flemish knight shouted, "Back!"

Barely six men made it back to their ship and they threw the grappling lines into the sea.  We had no time to gloat. We turned and ran to support Edgar and Wulfric. The departing Flemish ship and our bloody weapons were enough to send the crew of the second Flemish ship to reconsider their position.  Had both ships managed to attack us at the same time then things might have gone awry.  As it was our manoeuvre had taken them by surprise and we managed to defeat one.  We had had a certain amount of luck but the backbones of my men had helped.

As we surveyed our naval victory my men all cheered. Out of the corner of my eye I caught sight of Empress Matilda and her ladies.  They had defied my orders and now stood applauding with the rest. I saluted Empress Matilda who gave a little curtsy and then blew me a kiss. My life was complicated and it looked as though it would become even more confused in the future.

Stockton

I felt my usual sense of relief when I saw my castle in the distance.  The light coloured stone stood out against the river and the green behind rose towards the distant hills. After the plots, plans and power struggles of London and Normandy it was a relief to return to a world over which I had some control. Both courts were full of fawning faces which hid the real intentions and thoughts of those who inhabited those rabbit warrens of deceit. It had been a wrench to leave the Empress Matilda. Once we reached Normandy we had had to behave with more formality. We were inn Caen. It was a castle riddled with prying eyes and potential spies. The journey she took to Rouen was under the eyes of a full conroi of knights.  I watched her depart with sadness for she was not a happy woman and she was going to a marriage she did not desire. On the journey back to King Henry's court I had been distracted and kept to myself.  My men knew me well enough to keep their distance.

When we reached London I reported to the White Tower where I had a private audience with the King.  That was rare for he trusted few and showed that he valued me.  He might use me liberally but he appeared to trust me.

"Now that the Bishop of Durham is very ill and close to death another Bishop will need to be appointed. The Pope will need a list of names from which to choose the successor. Neither the Archbishop of Canterbury nor myself have any candidates in mind and so, as I told you before, you must command the land around the Palatinate. You have done so before and I know that there is no better choice. You will keep the border safe. I have much to do in Normandy. The wedding of my daughter is a momentous event.  It will secure our southern borders and bring a little respite to my Dukedom. Your news of the attack by the Flemish ships is, however, worrying and I shall have to return to Rouen sooner than I would have hoped. I will have to return for the marriage of my daughter in any case.  With my son busy on the Welsh Marches you have a great responsibility on your shoulders. You will be my rock in the north."

"And the Scots, my liege, how do I deal with them?"

"A good question.  King David might be related to me but I know that he covets the land north of the Tyne. He is, however, not foolish enough to risk war with England, not yet anyway. It is more likely that men will raid from the lands of the Scot and that is what you need to prevent. You should deal forcefully and decisively with any incursion which threatens our people of Durham and the north." He smiled but I knew King Henry, he was cold and calculating, "Do this for me and you shall be rewarded.  Baron of the North is but one step.  You shall be advanced."

That had been what I was afraid of. Advancement meant leaving the world I had built and being sent somewhere else. I did not want to leave my castle and my river. As we had headed north, with newly acquired horses and men at arms, I had discussed with Edward and my squires my new orders. We knew that protecting the Palatinate was achievable but the land north of the Tyne was less easy to patrol.

"You have good knights on the Tees, Baron. They are a barrier of iron!"

"I know Edward but they are on the Tees. The Tyne is almost forty miles further north."

Hugh of Gainford had gradually regained his confidence following the loss of his father and his family, "Baron, you could use that iron to make safe our valley and have a small force of horsemen who could patrol the Tyne."

Edward had agreed, "He is right, Baron. We have good mounted archers and men at arms.  Use the revenue due to you from the Palatinate to pay others to guard Stockton."

By the time I stood on Ethelred's ferry across my river we had formulated my plans. We had but a short time until winter and I knew I would have to impose my presence upon the Palatinate and the land of the Tyne.  There were many treacherous men who would seek to fill the vacuum left by the Bishop. I knew whom I could trust on the Tees. However, the further north I went the less I would know of the loyalty of the men there. Some would have allegiances and land north of the border.

I smiled as we neared my castle.  Adela, my wife stood there with my young son, William, holding her hand and my daughter Hilda in her other arm. This was my rock. Behind her stood my steward, John, son of Leofric.  He was a clever young man and his mind gave me the freedom to be a knight. He managed the manor and the revenue. I was able to be a knight because of his efforts.

Our slow and steady approach also afforded me the opportunity of examining my castle. The keep was not the biggest I had seen but it was well made and the curtain wall cleverly designed by my mason.  And yet there was still something lacking. The idea was driven from my mind as we bumped against the jetty and William hurled himself at me as I stepped ashore. "Father, you are home!"

"I am indeed and what a fine fellow you are becoming!"

"Yes father and I am almost big enough to ride my pony!" He looked around, "Where is Uncle Edward?"

"He and his men returned to their castle.  Fear not he will visit with us soon." Adela handed Matilda to one of her servants and I hugged her.  "I missed you. Is everyone well?"

She knew what I meant; one of my father's retainers, Athelstan had died just before I had left to escort the Empress home. There were just two of them left now. "Osric and Wulfstan are in good health.  Fear not for their health, my husband.  And you carried out the task the King required of you?"

I took her arm and led her back into my castle, "I did and he has honoured me with more responsibility." As we walked up the ramp towards the solid door I told her of my new title and the task the King had set for me.

She was undaunted and actually excited, "It speaks well, my husband, that the King rewards you so.  Why I expect you to be an Earl before too long."

I shook my head and laughed, "Let me get used to this title first before you make my head so big that I will require a new helmet."

The next day I rode, with my three squires, to visit with my knights at Elton, Hartburn and with Osric at Norton. They were the three manors which were the closest to mine and, while Edward guarded the south they had the crucial task of guarding the north. It had been many months since I had seen Wulfstan.  He and his family were happy just a mile or so north of my castle. He had built a homely manor.  He had no castle and his home was like a rambling rabbit warren filled with his lively and happy children. I sometimes resented the fact that he rarely visited. However, when I saw him playing with his sons I knew why he kept to his manor. He had been a soldier until late in life.  Having found a good woman and become a father he was making up for lost time.

"Alfraed, it is good to see you!"

Wulfstan had been the warrior who had trained me and it was always good to see him. He might be a little greyer and his belly a little larger but there was no man I would rather have at my back in battle and that included Edward.

"And you." I waved a hand at his home. It was only built of wood but it was sturdy and could be easily defended.  He had no men at arms now but his men were all fine archers and he had many good yeomen he had trained.  If he were to be attacked then it would need a doughty enemy to best him. "I see you have made your home bigger."

Faren came to join him. As she wrapped her arm around his waist I saw that she was with child again, "My family is growing, Baron.  And how goes it with you?"

I told him of my encounter with the Flemish ships and my new task. He nodded and gestured for me to sit on the bench which faced south and looked over the becks which edged his land. "Your father would be proud. You have taken the start he gave you and increased it. It will be Earl next."

I laughed, "You are as bad as Adela. One small step at a time eh?"

"You did not come here to watch the deer drinking at the stream, what is on your mind?"

"I cannot fool my mentor can I? Edward suggested a way to protect the King's land while ensuring that the valley is not left vulnerable."

"Take mounted archers and men at arms and use the castles on the border."

I laughed, "You are a mind reader."

"No, it is obvious. It worked the last time but it is also clear that you cannot keep a large force fed that far from home.  You would need to make it small and you would wish me to watch your home while you were away."

I nodded, "I know that she does not complain but I hate to leave Adela alone."

Faren brought us some ale, "You have a good wife, Baron, as I hope I am a good wife too.  Loneliness is a burden we bear and a price we pay for having a good man." She kissed Wulfstan. "Not that my husband needs to wander far these days."

"And who would you suggest I take with me as my knights?"

"Edward and Harold are your first choice?" I nodded, "Then Tristan of Yarm would be my third."

"That means we take two young knights and only Edward with experience."

"You were their age not so long ago. It will do them good and it leaves the experienced knights to protect the valley."

"We could find ourselves outnumbered if the Scots raid in numbers."

"From what the King said and from what I know King David will be reluctant to allow large numbers to raid.  He would not want retribution from the King or Robert of Gloucester.  They are a rapacious people.  They want to take what our people earn with hard work. If they do send a larger conroi then you retreat to one of the castles and wait them out."

I nodded. It made sense.  Hugh of Hexham had a good castle and there was another at Alnwick and Morpeth. "I will visit with Harold now.  I will need many arrows.  Ask Old and Young Tom for as many as they can manage."

"Old Tom is not in good health at the moment but Young Tom now has a son he has taken as his apprentice.  You will have your arrows."

As we rode the few miles to Elton I reflected that Old Tom's illness was a sign of the times. He had been one of my father's first archers and now he was ailing. Age caught up with us all.  Perhaps Wulfstan had the right idea and was enjoying the fruits of his labours.

Harold had been my squire and his manor showed his youth.  It was half the size of Wulfstan's and he had barely six farms and only ten warriors but he was keen. The land would become more populated but Harold would need to do as Wulfstan had done and make it attractive to farm.

He was pleased to see me.  He had only been elevated to the rank of knight recently and I think he was a little overawed by the responsibility. He had come from humble beginnings.  The idea of having others obey his orders was foreign to him. "I will be pleased to follow you, Baron. A campaign with you is always profitable and I can turn my ten men into twenty and build a tower of stone."

"You need not a tower of stone.  Your people are more than welcome in Stockton if there is danger and you know that."

He nodded, "And when do we leave?"

"The end of next week.  This will be a short campaign before winter sets in.  I use it to let those in the Palatinate know who their new lord is."

Although a temporary appointment I was wise enough to know that some might seek to use my relative youth as a weakness and try to take advantage of me.  I had grown up in the east and I knew strategy. My last stop was Norton.  As we rode there John, my squire, asked, "And what of our mail and our weapons Baron?" He pointed to Hugh who had a hauberk which was the equal of mine.

"When we have finished this upcoming campaign we shall see Alf and have yours made but Hugh here has ceased to grow.  You and Leofric are still youths. I would not waste coin on armour which you will outgrow by the spring."

Hugh said, "Use the battlefield, John, to earn gold for yourself and increase your wealth. I bought this armour myself.  It was not a gift from my father."

I saw John taking that in.  He was the least experienced of my squires and he would, when he finished growing, be the biggest! He would need a mighty warhorse to carry him. He would be bigger than even Wulfric my sergeant at arms.

My visit to Norton was largely sentimental. There was no knight there for me to consult but the small church held the grave of my father and his dead oathsworn.  The only one of them who remained now was Osric.  It would be good to see him. As we approached I turned to my squires. "While I speak with the Steward take yourselves around the manor.  Picture yourself as a raider.  How would you attack it?"

Hugh was a bright youth, "You wish us to find its weaknesses."

"If someone comes south to raid the valley then it is here and Hartburn that will be attacked first."

They took Scout from me and I went into the church.  I always went to my father's grave and spent a few moments there first. As I rose Father Peter approached, "I had heard that you had returned, Baron.  Will you be at home for long this time?"

"No Father. I ride north to the borders but I will not be away for long.  I go to secure our lands north of the Palatinate."

The priest had been one of those who had survived the early Scottish raids and he nodded. "The people miss you but they appreciate what you do for them, my lord."

Osric, too, had aged but he was happier than the last time I had seen him.  It was summer that did that.  Longer nights and sunsets had a way of making everyone happier. "We have had a good year, Baron. The crops are the best we have ever had and the Lord has been kind; our animals are healthy and multiply."