Enemy at the Gate (8 page)

"Aye lord. You are too kind. I would have left them for carrion."

As we rode back to the men we had rescued I reflected that, perhaps he was right but a man cannot change his nature.  I was not naturally cruel.  I had fought men who were.

The nineteen men who had survived had joined together and stood not aggressively but apprehensively. They had dismounted for their horses could carry them no further. I took off my helmet as I approached and handed it to Gilles before dismounting. The leader of the group had a wound to his head, a blow had cut him from his eye to his chin and his ventail hung in two parts.  He looked to be an older man at arms.

"Who are you?"

"I am John of Craven and I lead all that is left of the men of Skipton."

"The Baron of Skipton is dead?"

"No, my lord. " He almost spat the words out and I could hear the hurt in his words. "Sir Edgar fled the field with his brothers. They left us."

"The field?  You had better start at the beginning.  Gilles give them water for they look like they need it."

"Thank you lord, we have ridden for a day and a night without stopping.  There were a hundred of us when we began."

"Then you have lost friends. Go on."

"Sir Edgar had word that the Scots were harrying Furness and my home of Craven. He sent my lord, Ralph de Umbraville, to investigate.  We found a mighty army.  We fought our way back to Clitheroe where the Baron had gathered his army. He had raised the levy and we had a good position but after the Scots charged he fled south. My lord could not leave the men of the west to die and we fought on to allow them the chance to escape the slaughter. We were surrounded.  When it became clear that we could not win my lord decided to gather the survivors and fight our way out.  The enemy were the weakest to the north and we broke through. My lord was heading for York and Archbishop Thurstan." He shook his head and I could see that the old warrior was upset.

Wulfric and his men returned with laden horses. "We will return to Bowes shortly. Carry on John of Craven."

"My lord could have escaped for we were well mounted but he would not leave those who were on foot. The Scots pursued us relentlessly.  They picked off the weak and my lord kept turning to fight. He was a mighty warrior.  He was young but he was puissant. We thought we had escaped.  There were fifty of us this morning when we came towards the high ground. We were heading east when this latest conroi found us. Sir John charged them but he fell as did his squire and his young brother.  The Scots hacked their bodies.  I was left in command.  I had heard that the Tees was safe from the Scots and I headed thence.  They kept coming.  Had you not arrived then I fear I would have joined my lord. Thank you Earl. We owe you our lives. At least now the perfidy of Mandeville will be known."

I now regretted the burial of the Scots. I should have treated them they way they had treated Sir Ralph de Umbraville.  "Tell me, sergeant, who commands the Scots?"

"William Fitz Duncan. He had claim to Skipton through his father in law William de Meschines."

"The army you fought, how big was it?"

"I would guess, from the banners, at least a thousand men. We had but five hundred.  The Galwegians had no armour but they fought well.  My lord wanted to charge them but Sir Edgar declined.  That cost us the chance to defeat them. We slew many but I would guess that five hundred or more survive."

"Come, you shall rest and then we will decide what happens to you."

His eyes narrowed, "Happens to us lord?  Have we done wrong?"

I smiled, "No.  Your scars bear testimony to your honour.  I merely mean that you have, it would seem, three choices: return to fight for your land, join the Archbishop in York or join my men. If it is the first of these then I can help you no longer but if you choose the latter then I can help you."

He smiled, "I am sorry my lord.  I am suspicious of great lords now.  Sir Edgar was base.  I should have known that the warlord of the north, the man who chose honour over riches, would be honourable. For myself I would serve you, lord.  There is naught for me in Copeland or Craven now and so long as you fight Scots then I am your man."

"But there may come a time when I fight Stephen, the one you call King."

He shrugged, "Kings?  Queens? Emperors?  It is all the same.  Soldiers like me just want a leader they can trust."

Wulfric nodded, "Then you have made the right choice, John of Craven."

We headed, not for Bowes but for Barnard Castle.  The news we had heard meant that there was no immediate danger of an attack from the west.  Even a thousand men could not take Barnard. The men we had rescued joined us, to a man and welcome they were.  It was propitious for Sir Hugh's wife gave birth to a son, John, on the day we returned.  It seemed a good omen.

However, a messenger from my castle towards the end of the month scotched that idea. "My lord, there is a message from Sir Hugh Manningham.  King David himself has brought an army.  Sir Eustace fitz John has declared for King David and handed over Alnwick Castle.  Parts of Yorkshire around Malton have declared for King David. Sir Hugh says to prepare for war. He fears that we are the target for the enemy. "

"And any news from York?"

"Archbishop Thurstan has raised the levy in Yorkshire. There is a sealed letter for you at Stockton."

I turned to my knights.  "We return to our castles.  Sir Hugh, I fear that I must leave you alone and without our aid.  Prepare for siege."

"Aye lord. The enemy is truly at our gates now."

My ship was already in port when we returned. Sir Tristan had been despatched to visit with his father and tell him our news. I summoned Captain William, "I need to keep you in port but be ready to sail at a moment's notice."

"Aye my lord.  We have heard the gossip.  The Scottish King himself comes. I can take families to safety if you wish."

"I do not think that any will wish to leave but I thank you for your offer. My walls are high and they are thick. The only way across the river is by ferry and we can tether that on the southern bank.  No, Captain William, I need you to take a message to Anjou."

"Then I will await your orders."

John, my steward, had already begun making plans.  We had amassed a great deal of salted and preserved meat.  We needed no more but the first of the vegetables were now ready and he was storing the best of those. "We have a little wheat but plenty of rye, barley and oats.  We will not need to ration it for a while."

"I hope it does not come to that. Keep me informed.  We have new men to place on your books.  They cost but, in the long run, they will save us."

"I know that now, lord."

Finally I summoned Philip of Selby. I told him, in detail, what we had learned and the parlous state of the north. "You must ride to your uncle.  I believe he may wish conference with me. I will meet with him anywhere but I believe that he will wish it to be a discreet meeting.  The Carthusian Monastery at Mount Grace would seem a logical choice."

"Aye, my lord.  I will ride immediately."

"Take your men with you.  These are dangerous times and I would not have you ambushed."

I was not yet done.  I went into my town.  Gossip had spread and there were worried looking burghers gathering and talking.  "Lord, is it true?  Does the Scottish King come?"

"He can come but we will resist him." I pointed to the walls of my castle.  "Do you think he can breach those walls? You have seen my warriors; are there any better men in the land?  It is the Scots who come.  They are like fleas on a dog.  They irritate and they bite but they do not hurt the beast.  We will endure and emerge successfully." They seemed mollified and I headed for Alf.  I found him speaking with Father Henry, "This is fortuitous.  I can speak with you both at the same time."

"We have heard the news, lord."

I shook my head, "You have heard the gossip.  I will now tell you the news!"

Father Henry nodded and Alf said, "I am sorry, my lord."

"A Scottish army has attacked castles in the west and captured them.  King David is bringing an army south.  That is the news.  However we know not the size of the army nor when it will come. We deal with what we know.  My steward has supplies laid in.  I suggest that the people of Stockton share their supplies and you two ration them.  Remember that we will have those from the outlying farms joining us.  The folk of Hartburn and Elton have no castle.  They will be housed in my bailey for the duration of the incursions. The people must know that I have made plans and that we know what we must do."

"Aye my lord." Alf looked relieved.

"Father Henry, the Archbishop has summoned the levy.  There will be succour from the south."

"They will help us?  Even though we fight against King Stephen."

"You should know that King David says that he comes here to aid the Empress Matilda but I know it for a lie.  He seeks to enlarge his kingdom while anarchy reigns."  They both nodded.  "I have also gained seventeen more men at arms as well as the new members of the garrison. We might not be able to meet the King of Scotland in the field but we can greet him from behind our walls."

"I will speak with the people, lord, and give them comfort."

"Thank you, Father."

That done I walked my walls.  Would the King come this way? He had to.  If he did not then he left a dagger at his back. He would come.  I would need to send a messenger to Norton.  They had been raided many times before and they would require my protection.  Luckily they were as close by as Hartburn Manor and could wait until the enemy were seen on the Durham Road. I looked north. Would the Bishop of Durham fight? There was so much that I did not know.  I had made plans but this was not like fighting a battle where you knew the lie of the land.

I glanced down and saw Aiden and his two hawkers.  They were just returning from the hunt.  A deer was slung over the rear of Aiden's mount. "Aiden, a word."

He quickly joined me. "Yes lord?"

"The Scots are coming.  I need your eyes and ears again.  He is coming down from the Tyne. I need to know numbers but, most importantly,
I need to know when he arrives so that we can gather the people within my walls."

"Should I leave now?"

I nodded, "I think we have some time but take Edward and Edgar with you.  Take care for I would not be without your services."

He smiled, "Fear not lord, if I cannot hide from an army of Scots then it is time for me to take up telling tales in the ale wife's kitchen.  We will leave in the morning."

As he turned to leave I asked, "Where could an army cross our river?"

"In winter there is nowhere until Piercebridge and the bridge there but in summer, if there has been no rain, then there are places by Neasham, Hurworth and Croft which a bold general could use."

"Thank you, Aiden.  As ever your knowledge is invaluable."

I was disappointed.  I had hoped that we could deny the King the crossing of the river.  I had contemplated sending men to hold the bridge at Piercebridge but if there were fords then there was little point. The next days were spent in frenetic activity as storehouses and granaries were filled and more weapons made.

Philip of Selby returned before Aiden.  He had left sooner and had less distance to travel.  "Lord Archbishop Thurstan will meet with you at the priory as you suggest.  He was leaving at the same time as I did. He will be there by now."

I looked at the sky. There were still some hours before dark.  These were still long days. "Then I will leave now."

I sought Sir John.  "I go to visit with the Archbishop.  I shall return on the morrow.  You command until then." He nodded, "Wulfric, I want ten men to escort me.  You stay here with Sir John."

"Aye lord."

Gilles and I led the men as we left the ferry and galloped south.  It was only fourteen miles to the priory and we rode hard.  The horses were strong and speed was of the essence. We reached there in less than two hours. The Archbishop had brought a company of men at arms with him.  Gilles and I were admitted immediately.  We were taken to the Prior's chambers.  The Archbishop and the Prior were there along with the High Sheriff of York, William Espece. I had met him before but I did not know him well. He was Stephen's appointment.

The Archbishop looked every day of his seventy years. He held out his ring for me to kiss, "It is good to see you Aelfraed."

"And you, your Grace."

"You know the Sheriff?" I nodded. "These are dangerous times but we are joined against a common enemy.  I have persuaded the Sheriff that you are a noble who puts loyalty to the land above all else."

It was diplomatically put.  "I am, your Grace. How stands our defence against the Scots?"

"We have men coming from Nottingham,
William Peverel
,
Geoffrey Halsalin
, and from Derbyshire led b
y
 
Robert de Ferrers
.  The King has sent De Brus and Balliol from London with mercenaries.
" I frowned and the Archbishop held up his hand. "They are on the side of England in this.  I know that you doubt their loyalty." He paused.  "I have sent them by ship to meet with King David to discuss terms."

I began to lose my temper, "They have allegiances in Scotland; you cannot trust them! What were you thinking?  They are traitors!"

He waited for me to subside, "I hope, my son, that you trust me." I paused and nodded. "We still prepare for war. Will you join us?"

"That may be a moot point, your Grace. If David comes south then he will have to cross the Tees.  I believe that he will come to take Stockton. I may not be able to join you for I may be the only thing which keeps King David from Yorkshire."

"My sources tell me that he has more than twenty five thousand men with him, Aelfraed, can your castle hold out against those odds?"

It was a grim smile I gave him, "Whatever the outcome you would not have to face twenty five thousand men, your Grace for my castle is strong. We will make them bleed for every inch of my land. I know what you are asking and the answer is no, I will not abandon Stockton to the Scots.  They are beasts and my people deserve more."

Sir William spoke for the first time, "My lord, you are wilful! Think of the country! We need your men here with us! It is known that the Scots fear you. Abandon Stockton.  We can rebuild a town but if we are defeated then we lose the country."

"What is the country if it is not the people? Would you have me abandon my people?  I would not be a knight if I did so.  I will bleed for you, your Grace, we will die for you.  But I will not leave my castle. When we are gone they will have to cross the river upstream of Yarm.  They will have to come down this road. If you dispose your men between here and Northallerton you can halt him. My people will be as the three hundred Spartans, Themistocles, and buy you the time!" I smiled as did the Archbishop.

"I am flattered by the illusion but do not die just yet, Earl. Our emissaries may yet succeed."

I laughed, "And the sun may rise in the west! Balliol and De Brus will not bring you success. They bring only treachery!" I rose. "I will return to my home and prepare for the worst.  If that worst becomes fact then I pray that you will tell the Empress, the Earl of Gloucester and my son  that I did my duty."

"Do not throw your life away, my son. The loss of the land north of the Tees would not be the end of things."

I stared at him, "It would be for my people, your Grace. Farewell."

I rode north, in the dark.  I could have stayed but I was angry.  The lives of my people rested upon the shoulders of two hypocritical traitors.  Once more I was on my own.  Sir Hugh's words came back to me.  We would have twenty five thousand Scots descending upon us and I had less than two hundred and fifty warriors to defend my valley.

I headed through Yarm even though it was after dark. "Who goes there?"

"Stockton!"

I was admitted.  "My lord! What is the danger?"

"It is the Scots.  An army of twenty five thousand is heading south.  We will hold them at Stockton. I came here, Sir Richard to offer your wife and the family to sail to safety on the
'Adela'
. She waits in Stockton."

Lady Anne put her arm through her husband's.  He smiled, "There was a time, my lord, when I doubted my duty but no longer. What can I do?"

"The Scots will attack me but they may try to force a crossing here.  Deny them and slow them down.  That is all. The Archbishop has an army south of us but there will be no more than ten thousand of them.  If we live then we will join him."

"I will do so lord. But I do not fear for Stockton.  With you on the battlements the Scots will waste their fury on its fine walls."

It was beyond late when I entered my gates. "Alice, fetch me red wine! I have need of it. Sir John, Gilles, Wulfric, Dick, join me I have need of like minded fellows."

They came warily. Gilles knew my mind, he had been with me. The others said nothing of my mission and they drank with me.  I needed no words of support.  I just needed the companionship of men with whom I had faced danger.  We were about to be destroyed and I wanted some memories to take with me. When I had had enough drink to make me smile and to loosen my tongue Dick asked, "Lord, what troubles you?"

"We face twenty five thousand men and the Archbishop has sent Balliol and De Brus to negotiate the peace. That is like letting the fox in the henhouse!"

Wulfric filled his beaker, "Lord, it makes no difference. They are treacherous and the Scots will still come here.  We know that.  We hold the walls and they die.  It is as simple as that."

Sir John smiled, "He is right, lord.  You were wise in the times of plenty and you put your gold into the walls of this castle.  We will laugh away a siege.  The King could have a hundred thousand men.  He has to cross a moat and scale our walls. Even if he does that he has to face us beard to beard on our walls and we now have more men.  I would back any of your men against ten Scots."

They all nodded, even Gilles.

"Are you all mad?  Is it the full moon?"

Dick said, "No lord, we are not mad.  We are your men... to the death! We fight with you and stand shoulder to shoulder.  We face whatever comes our way.  I fear no man when I am led by," He stood and raised his beaker, "the Warlord of the North!"

The others joined him and suddenly I felt at peace.  If I was to die then what better company than that of these men.

On return from my meeting I visited my knights and made their families the same offer I had made to Sir Richard.  None took me up on it. They understood my offer but wished to stay.  Sir Tristan and Sir Harold however  had their families prepare to leave their home and join me as did the people of Norton. Their manors could not be defended.  We would lose the  men who defended them and gain nothing.  Better to protect the people.  We could rebuild manor houses. My leaders were now aware of the seriousness of the situation and they all worked harder than ever to prepare for the enemy. We were a people under threat and we worked together.