The King Is Dead

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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A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

Cover by Design for Writers

Thanks to Simon Walpole for the Artwork.

Stockton Summer 1134

It had been some months since I had received news that the Empress Matilda had given birth to a second son, Geoffrey.  My fellow Knights of the Empress, Rolf and the others had written to tell me that the Empress had been close to death during her labour. They had sent for priests. That was dangerous for England.  Her father had named her his heir and every baron had sworn fealty. I had yearned to be with her but I knew I had to stay in England. I had sworn to the King that I would defend the borders of his realm. I was the knight he trusted in the northern marches. The King of England spent more time in Normandy than he did in England. I could understand why; there he was beset on all sides by enemies. All of them wanted the prize that was Normandy. King Louis of France constantly plotted to try to gain control of Normandy. Only Anjou and Blois were reliable allies.  And I had my own doubts about Blois.

Relations with Scotland were strained. That was partly my fault. I had, on the King's orders, campaigned to defeat the rebels and border raiders.  It had antagonised the Scots. If I left my post along the Tees Valley then the gates would be open and raiders would flood through England's back door. My knights and I had to constantly patrol the land north of the old wall and the wild forests which lay to the south of it. As not only organized bands which threatened us but the outlaws and lordless men at arms who used the trees as their home.

Since my wife had died I had a lonely existence. I took consolation that my son, William, had many of his mother's traits. He was both thoughtful and kind. I knew that I was not kind. He was now coming up to the age where he would start filling out his youthful body and becoming a man. He had spent a couple of years now as my squire and would, one day, be a knight. Wulfric, my Sergeant at Arms, spent long hours each day training my son to become a strong warrior.   His arms needed to be oaks to wield a sword for long hours in battle and to hold a shield. This would be the year where he would begin his real training as a knight.  My other two squires, Leofric and John, were older than my son and had been squires for longer but I suspected it would be William who would be knighted first.  He was my son and would be lord of the manor when I died. Even so, both John and Leofric were the same age I had been when I was knighted. I wondered if I was being fair to my faithful squires. They had been low born whereas my son was the son of a noble.  Ironically my father had also been low born.  He had attained nobility through courageous service to King Harold.

Far away, in Normandy, events were moving which would change our destiny forever. King Henry was not getting any younger and there was rebellion in the air.  Despite the fact that every Norman and English knight had sworn a sacred oath to support Matilda when King Henry died, I knew that many would be foresworn.  They would go back on their oaths.  Perhaps the King would not die this year but as he was well over sixty years of age, he was already approaching the end of his life. I had sworn an oath in the Abbey but I had another oath which was more powerful and pertinent.  I was a Knight of the Empress and I would support Matilda come what may. And I had a secret known to no other man; I was the father of Henry, her son.  He would be King of England one day and I would do all in my power to ensure that he attained the throne. When the King did eventually die, I would make sure that my son had the chance to become king.

My steward, John son of Leofric, brought me the letters which I had asked him to write. The reports and messages I had to send were part of my duties but I did not enjoy the task.  I had written to the Bishop of Durham and a second to the Archbishop of York.  Both were my masters
and they were keen to know the state of the taxes, the people and the peace.  After I had used my seal he said, "And we have a session due in seven days time, my lord."

I groaned and he smiled, he knew I liked it not.  Most other lords could hunt and pleasure themselves but I had been trained to do my duty.  I would put the King and his business before my own pleasure. "Are there many cases?"

"A day's worth if we begin early."

"Then we will get them done in half a day!"

"Aye, my lord. And I have a request from the council.  They beg you to ask the King for permission to hold a weekly market.  Trade is booming and a market will bring even more."

I did not mind such requests.  The people of Stockton were hard working and they deserved such prosperity.  It was one duty that filled me with joy, "Write the letter and I will sign it." I stood and went to the west window.  "I will take my men at arms and my archers on a progress.  They grow fat and lazy as I do."

"No my lord, we, who benefit from your peace, are the ones who become fat.  You and your men work hard each day.  I am glad that I am a clerk and not a warrior. I am just grateful for the lack of war." Perhaps he was right.  The Valley had been peaceful for some time. My enemies knew and feared me.

Most of my people had to do service each Sunday after church.  The men practised at the butts while others used spears but John, as my steward, was exempt as were the leading members of the council.  I know that I should have insisted that they learn to take up arms but I believed that man should use whatever talents God had given him. I doubted that either John or Ethelred would  ever make a good warrior while Alf my blacksmith needed no exercise.  If any attacked us then his mighty hammer would be the most fearsome weapon an enemy had ever seen.

I went to the yard where I heard my men at arms and squires practising. William, my son, was using the wooden swords they trained with.  He had one in each hand and was fighting both Leofric and John.  They could easily have beaten him but Wulfric knew that it was a good exercise. Many times you found yourself on the battlefield fighting two enemies.  If they were as good as John and Leofric then you would be dead but, thankfully, few were that good.

Wulfric saw my approach.  I saw him wink at me as he shouted, "Leofric and John if you do not put more effort into it I shall make you fight Erre and Sven the Rus!"

I saw the look of fear on their faces as they redoubled their efforts.  Erre and Sven were two Varangian Guards who had joined my service. They were the equal of Wulfric. William had to move both his hands twice as quickly but, even so, some of the blows got through.  My son was wearing a padded gambeson but the hits would still hurt.  I saw him wince.  Had his mother, Adela, been alive she would have chastised Wulfric. I knew that it was necessary. You learned to take blows and continue to fight.  Often it was the man who gave up first in combat who died. Then William's arms began to droop. The wooden practice swords were heavy and the constant effort would make his young muscles burn.  I allowed it to continue for a few moments longer.

"Rest, I need words with Wulfric."

There was relief on all three faces.  I smiled when I saw William rubbing his arms. I led Wulfric to the far side of the bailey.  "How goes his training?"

"He has heart, does your son, but he needs muscle. Another six months and he will be much stronger."

"Good.  I have a mind to take a progress around my land."

Wulfric's face clouded over, "Trouble?"

"Not that I know of but we have been back home for more than half a year and it has been quiet.  We both know that the Scots are never quiet for this long.  Their crops are in and they have naught to do until they harvest them.  There will be lords who are bored of hunting and wish to see if we have relaxed our watch. There will be young bloods who wish to gain a reputation."

He nodded. We both knew that the new Bishop of Durham, Geoffrey Rufus,  was still coming to terms with his new role as Prince Bishop.  In addition he had a clerk, William Cumin, a Papal appointee who was, I believed, a Scottish spy. My presence would be necessary.

"Aye, my lord, it will do no harm.  The men grow rusty here.  It helps to hone their skills to ride in parts which are strange to them."

"Good." We walked back to the squires. "Tomorrow we will give you a morning off.  We have not been hawking for a while. I will see Aiden and have Edward and Edgar prepare the birds."

Wulfric shook his head.  He did not approve. "But we work twice as hard in the afternoon! Enjoy your pleasure but remember that you have to pay for it!"

I laughed.  He was a hard taskmaster but my three squires would grow to be formidable knights as a result. The hawking was not just an opportunity to hunt it was also a chance for me to talk with my squires. I sometimes found it hard to talk to William.  I know not why.  Perhaps my father had had the same problem with me for I remember being able to talk to Wulfstan rather than my father. With John and Leofric around it became easier.

It was a  good day for hawking.  The sky was clear and there were drafts of air which the hawks used to great effect. Edgar and Edward were fine falconers; Aiden had trained them well and the birds brought down a dozen birds. The morning passed quickly. At noon we found ourselves close to Hartburn where Sir Harold was lord of the manor. It was a small manor but held a special place for us.  Wulfstan had died there.

As we rode into his yard I saw him and his squire, Ethelred, practising. He only had a dozen or so men at arms and he had no castle but Harold had come from the greenwood that was Sherwood.  He did not crave a castle. He was happy enough in the old hall.

"Ho, Sir Harold, have you ale for some thirsty hunters?  We can pay with doves!"

He stopped and sank his sword into the wooden block, "Then I shall broach a new barrel!"

The four squires chatted.  I had no doubt that my squires were telling Ethelred that he had it easier than they did.  They had Wulfric to contend with!

Harold knew me well.  He had been my first squire. "A good morning's hunting then, my lord."

"Aye.  And you occupy yourself training Ethelred."

"Until I can afford a sergeant at arms like Wulfric I have to train all my men."

"If you wish you can have the services of Wulfric for a short time.  He would enjoy the challenge."

"Thank you for the offer but I do not doubt that we will be in action again soon.  It has been over quiet of late.  My next gold is marked already.  I buy more men at arms. I think I will build a wall around my hall."

"A good idea and if you have a wall then you need men to defend it." I nodded.  "I am taking my conroi on a progress.  Come with me.  Who knows what we may find."

His eyes brightened, "Scotland?"

"Close to the border, aye.  I will see the Bishop and then Sir Hugh."

"Good then I may fill my coffers soon enough!"

When we reached my castle my three squires were put directly to work by Wulfric.  He had logs for them to move.  It built up their arms and helped them to work together.  Aiden and the falconers took the doves to Alice while I took the ferry to visit with Sir Edward of Thornaby.

I always enjoyed crossing the river on Ethelred's ferry.  It gave me the chance to admire my castle.  Each year William, my mason, added a new feature.  It was not a large castle but it was strong. The only way it could be taken would be by treachery. We had a well, the river and stores of salted and preserved meat in the cellars beneath my hall.  We could laugh away a siege.

I spurred Scout up the hill towards Sir Edward's hall. Sir Edward had taken a wife some years earlier.  He now had sons and daughters but his wife had had him build a larger, grander hall. I think Sir Edward would have been happy to stay in the first one he had built but his manor now sprawled over a large area. His men at arms took Scout as Sir Edward came to greet me. He clasped my arm.  Shaking his head he said, "My good lady is flying around the hall like a demented hen making it presentable for you."

"She need not.  This is just a quick visit."

"Come, my lord, I will show you my new smithy.  I have my own blacksmith now."

I heard the clang of hammer on metal and felt the heat long before we reached Edward's Vulcan. The smith bowed to me. I picked up a piece of mail he had made. I saw that the links were riveted and not beaten. "Good mail."

"Thank you, my lord."

"Are you from around here?"

"I came from Norton, my lord, and I served my time with Alf, your smith.  He taught me well but I would be my own master.  Two smiths in the same smithy tend to butt heads."

I laughed, "Aye and Alf has a larger head than most." I turned to Sir Edward, "You have done well to have a smith trained by Alf."

Sir Edward grinned, "I know." As we left the smith to his work Sir Edward said,  "So, my lord, what brings you here? I know you do not waste time in idle conversation and there is purpose to your journey."

"I would go on a progress to the border.  I take Harold and wondered if you and your conroi might wish to accompany me?"

"I would, my lord, but my wife would not.  She is with child again and women like their men to be around.  You know that, my lord."

"Aye.  Well I shall be away for a month or so.  I would have you watch my manor and that of Hartburn whilst I am away."

"When do you go?"

"At the end of the week.  John has me holding a session first. I shall take Sir Tristan too. Like Sir Harold he always needs coin."

"You expect to fight then, my lord?"

"I will be close to Scotland.  When did we travel that road and not fight?"

"Aye."

We managed to get away six days later.  John had heeded my words and crammed the cases which, as lord of the manor I had to hear, into one day.  We headed north, up the Durham Road. With squires and servants there were seventy of us. I took Badger as my warhorse rather than Hunter.  Hunter was the new mount I had bought in France.  He was older than Badger and I used him sparingly. My squires had young unschooled warhorses.  They would need more training before they could be used in battle.  This would be a good opportunity for them to get to know them.

We reached Durham by the middle of the afternoon.  The Bishop himself greeted me.  "Earl, it is a pleasant surprise.  I was not expecting you."

"I felt that I had not been doing my duty, your grace. Besides my men grew restless.  We travel to Sir Hugh and will ride the border."

He laughed, "That will be sure to annoy them." Then he became serious.  "Come to my chambers and we will have conference.  Your visit is propitious. I was intending to reply to your recent letter but this is better.  It cannot be intercepted." As we went to his quarters I remembered the letters from the Archbishop of York which had been opened and resealed.  They had cost me a priest and a fine warrior. Face to face was safer.

We sat in his quarters. He carefully closed the door and we sat on the opposite side.  He was a cautious man. He poured me some wine. I raised my goblet to him, "And how is your Papal spy?"

He shook his head, "Like Janus he has two faces. I have Ranulf, my archdeacon, watch him constantly but it is difficult."

"It is a shame he could not suffer an accident."

"I fear that would cause the King too many problems. Already the Pope and King Louis are too close for the King's liking." He leaned forward, "I have had news that the French are casting covetous eyes upon Normandy once more."

"They always do that.  It is why the King stays in Normandy."

"I know but I have heard that a certain Sir Guy de Senonches is in Scotland and that fills me with dread."

"Sir Guy de Senonches?"

"My sources tell me he is a powerful vassal of the King. He is related, distantly, to the Comyn family."

"Your clerk's family."

"Exactly.  And we know that Comyn family claims Durham.  I wonder what trouble this Sir Guy de Senonches will cause north of the border."