Earl

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.

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

Cover by Design for Writers

To Ron and Sue Ringrose; two lovely, generous people.

Since my return from the east and my elevation to Earl I had not been as happy as I might have been. I bore a secret.  The heir to the throne of England and the lands of Normandy and Anjou had left her husband and incurred the wrath of her husband.  One of her knights, Rolf, had told me that she had left him and fled, possibly to London. The secret was that she might come to my home.  I dared not tell anyone that she might arrive for fear of insinuations against both of our characters. I would have to appear as surprised as any if she did arrive. Such deception did not sit well with me. I was, I hoped, an honourable knight. I wanted a simple life. None could understand my moods.  All thought I should be happy and joyful at the advances I had made. I had come from Constantinople with my father and in a very short time become first a Baron and then an Earl. I had done so without any sponsor.  It had been because I fought well and was rewarded for being a good warrior. I had no confidante. The one to whom I could have entrusted my secret was Edward, also a knight of the Empress. However, since my return, I had not seen Edward.  He had been with his conroi at Hexham enjoying the hospitality of the Baron there, Sir Hugh Manningham. I was desperate for his return. I needed to speak with someone.  I hated secrets.

The other weight upon my shoulders resulted from the death of Osric, the last of my father's oathsworn.  When I had been in Miklagård I had retrieved two treasures from my former home.  The servants there knew naught about them and I had hoped that Osric could have shed light upon them.  One was the blue stone which had rested in Harold Godwinson's pommel until the battle of Stamford Bridge. The other was a golden wolf with two blue stones for the eyes.  The blue stones were smaller versions of the pommel stone.  It was a mystery and I knew not how to solve it. It was little wonder that I was so distracted.

And then there was the seal which King Henry had given to me.  It was a wolf! I could not fathom how that came to be.  The King could not have known what I had found and yet the ring seemed to complete the circle: a blue pommel stone from the sword of a king, a wolf sign with blue stones and a signet ring given by a king with a wolf upon it. Yet the circle appeared to trap me!

Surprisingly I had found some consolation, no matter how small, in the words of my new men at arms. When I had fought for the Emperor I had found some of the men who had fought alongside my father and they had left the service of the Emperor to follow my banner. Erre, their leader had told me of a tradition amongst the peoples of the North.  They spoke of something called
wyrd
.  It seemed to be Fate. My father and his oathsworn had also known this phenomenon.  It had only come to light when we reached England. It was not an Eastern belief. I knew that the priests would frown on such pagan ideas but it actually brought me some peace.  It seemed that there was another force directing my life.  I liked to believe it was my father and my names sake, Aelfraed. I did not think it blasphemous to believe such things.  When I died I believed I would go to heaven. Why should my father and his best friend not be in heaven too? Perhaps they were watching and guiding me. My father had always enjoyed setting me puzzles and tasks to stretch my mind.  Mayhap this was another such.

Edward did not arrive back until the late winter.  The snows had been bad in the north and he had been trapped by roads made impassable by the snow fall. I was pleased to see him when he arrived at my castle.

When I saw him I engaged in small talk.  I was nervous of divulging my news. "How is Sir Hugh?"

"He has made the Roman Wall secure, Baron, and it prospers. It is now a fine demesne. We killed many wolves when we were there for the hunting is good."

My look must have startled him for he said, "What is it my lord?  Have you seen a ghost?"

I led him to my eastern tower. I showed him my new ring, "I am now Earl of Cleveland."

"That is good news but what troubles you? The elevation is good news and yet your face was one of shock."

I told him of my discoveries and the wolf. He nodded.  "I understand. This is almost witchcraft, my lord."

"I know." I then unburdened myself and told him of the letter from Rolf the Swabian.

"You can do nothing about this, my lord.  I know of your feelings and those of the Empress but sometimes these things are not meant to be. You must obey our lord and master the King and we must defend this land.  That is our duty. You are married and there is no honour in coveting the wife of another man no matter how young he is."

"And if the Empress comes to my home?"

"I pray that she will not. If she did then I fear that the world we know would end. The King would not countenance such an open act of disobedience." He paused.  “Know that I will stand by you and the Empress no matter what happens.”

“I know but this is my problem and I will deal with it.”

As the winter drew closer to spring it seemed that the Empress would not visit with me as Rolf had intimated. During a visit from one of the priests from York upon his way to Durham I discovered a possible reason. Roger of Mandeville, one of King Henry's most trusted commanders, had been given the Tower and therefore London to guard.  Matilda was under his protection; she stayed in the Tower. It was more likely that Sir Roger was her guard.  He was a loyal and ancient friend of the King who would not gainsay him. She would not be travelling north. I actually felt relief for I did not know how I would have coped had the Empress visited me.

Our news came from such visitors.  The ferry across the river was a safe route from York to Durham.  It was why I had built the castle here in the first place.  My father had been given Norton some four miles north of us.  I recognised, as did my father, the value of this river crossing. Father Ralph, the priest, spent a night with us telling us news, gossip and the changes that were being wrought in the land. Our other news carrier would be Olaf and Dai the two sea captains who used my port to trade.  Like visitors on foot they knew there would be a welcome and they knew that they would be safe.  The land was still a dangerous place for travellers both on land and sea.

I threw myself into the management of my manor. I now had another six men at arms; they were recruited from the Varangian Guard.  They reminded me in many ways of Athelstan and my father's oathsworn.  All were still warriors at their peak but they were looking for a quieter life.  I made them the guard for my castle. They did not ride but they were all doughty warriors who had served the most powerful man on earth. Erre was their leader and he would command.  They could still take the field if needed but I knew that my family would be as safe as any with their swords to guard them.

Now that the King had given me my seal I incorporated that into my coat of arms.  I paid the women of the town to sew them on the new surcoats I had had made.  My retainers painted them on their shields and my wife sewed one on my banner which John, my squire, carried. I knew that I was lucky to have so much gold.  My father had left me much and we had made more than enough on our journeys.  It was why I had more men at arms than most knights.

With twenty five experienced men at arms and eleven archers we could hold our own against most enemies.  We would never have enough archers and Dick, my captain of archers, had spent the winter training young men to become archers.  Although they would be able to use a bow in a couple of years they would need at least four to be an archer who could fight alongside Dick and the others. I had the satisfaction of knowing that my home would be well protected by these erstwhile archers and my Varangians.

I even went hunting with Aiden my falconer, as well as John and Leofric my squires. Adela was always telling me that I ought to spend more time hunting and enjoying my life.  Other lords spent their whole lives doing that.  I had been brought up differently and it did not sit well with me to indulge in leisurely pursuits.

When Father Ralph returned from Durham he brought a pair of letters for me from Sir Henry de Vexin, the knight who held Durham for the King, and the Dean, Brother Michael, whose life I had saved. They both said the same thing but in different tones.  Sir Henry de Vexin felt he was my superior and his tone reflected that. Brother Michael wrote to me as a friend and as a priest who cared for his people. The message, however, was the same. The harsh winter further north had sent young warriors south to take animals, women, and slaves.  They had chosen the Garth of the Bishop.  It was close to the now derelict motte and bailey castle the Bishop of Durham had first lived in.  Now that he had a stone castle it had been left empty. My manor was the closest and Sir Henry de Vexin wanted me to cleanse the land of the swarm of vermin, as he put it.  Had Brother Michael not asked me to help the people there then I might have refused. Sir Henry had knights of his own.

I summoned Wulfric my Sergeant at Arms. "We ride tomorrow before dawn.  I want half of the archers and five of those training to be archers.  It will be good practice.  We will need just six men at arms and my squires."

He nodded and then asked, calmly, "Where do we ride, my lord?"

I smiled.  I expected him to read my mind. "There are thieves and brigands in the forests around the Bishop's Garth.  We are to rid the forests of them."

Wulfric seemed quite pleased.  "That is good my lord.  The men were becoming a little fat and lazy.  Why, three of them have even taken women! Can you believe it?"

"Have you not thought of taking a woman, Wulfric?"

He laughed, "I take them when I want them, my lord.  I don't want to keep them and I certainly don't want a brood of whining, puling children around my feet!"

Wulfric was an old fashioned warrior.  War was all to him.  He was good at it.  When he went into battle with his war axe he was a frightening sight to behold and I would have feared to face him. I knew that I was lucky to have him as my sergeant at arms.

I laughed, "We will take Aiden.  It will save time finding them."

"Should we bring the new warriors, my lord?"

"No for we shall be on horses. This is not their strength.  We hunt and we need quick hands and eyes."

That evening, as we ate in my hall, Adela brought up my humour and my moods. "You have been distracted of late, my husband. Is there something on your mind?  I would have thought that your elevation to Earl would have made you happy."

I hated lying to my wife but I did not like upsetting her either. I compromised.  I told her what was worrying me about my new position. "The problem with being an Earl is that it not only gives you power it can make you a threat to others. Sir Henry de Vexin was affable and friendly when he first took over Durham.  Now I am an earl I can read the resentment in his letters.  The Barons here in the north support me but what of those to the west and the south?  Will they see me as a threat?  An upstart? A Greek who has insinuated himself into the favour of the King?"

"But you are not a Greek!"

"Half Greek through my mother but it is an insult I have heard from those who do not like me, like the brothers from Blois." I smiled, "Do not worry, once I am back in the saddle then I will become my old self again. Perhaps I am nervous of the task which lies ahead."

She shook her head, "No, my husband, you are the most assured and confident man I have ever met in my life. Perhaps you are right; you will grow into the role."

"And I shall be in the saddle tomorrow. That will help."

"Bandits and brigands?"

"They can cause as much trouble as raiding Scotsmen and they can be even harder to find. They will melt into the woods which surround the Garth."

Before I retired I summoned John and Leofric, my squires. "I want to be abroad before the sun rises. I am relying on you to have everything ready."

"Do you take Scout, my lord?"

"Aye, Leofric.  He has a nose which can smell out trouble."

I had a restless night.  I know that it was nothing to do with the bandits and all to do with my deception before my wife.  I had a conscience.  Many men did not.  It could be a curse.

John shook my shoulder. I nodded to show I was awake.  I crept from my chamber and went to my tiring room where Leofric waited with John.  They both wore their armour and they soon dressed me.  They handed me my sword.  Each time that I took it I felt excited.  I now had the pommel stone from the sword wielded by the last English King.  I had not used it in anger since it had been fitted and I wondered if it would make a difference to the sword.

"It has been sharpened?"

"Aye, my lord and your dagger."

"Good."

We went to the hall where my steward, John son of Leofric the Moneyer, had the slaves Ada and Ruth waiting with warmed wine, porridge, ham, cheese and bread. "Good morning."

"Morning, my lord," they chorused.

"Have the men been fed too, John?"

"Yes, my lord, an hour since.  Wulfric was keen for them to make an early start.  Aiden left an hour ago too.  He said he would meet you at the farm of Alan the Lame."

I nodded.  Alan the Lame had fought for me when we had despatched the raiders from the west.  He had been wounded in the leg and he limped. I had rewarded him with three cows we had captured and six sheep. I did not want my people suffering because they fought for me. He had a farm just three miles from the Bishop's Garth. It would be a good place to start. The ground would be hard from the overnight frost and Aiden would have his work cut out to find their tracks.

I wolfed down my food and washed it down with the sweetened, spiced, warmed wine. I looked at my squires to make sure they, too, had partaken.  Their platters showed that they had eaten as only young men can.

"Bring spears.  We will be back before nightfall, John."

"Aye, my lord."

Ada handed me my cloak as I stepped out of the door into the inner bailey.  It was cold. We walked to the inner gate and entered the outer bailey and the stables.  Scout stood stamping his fore foot. He was eager to be away too. The winter did not suit his temperament.

Dick, my captain of archers, had chosen five young archers.  I could see the nervousness on their faces.  Not only were they having to ride to war, they were under the scrutiny of Dick, Wulfric and the Earl of Cleveland.  They all knew that success this day would bring forward the time when they would join my illustrious archers. 

"Today we ride to rid this land of brigands but it is also the first time since Yule that we have drawn our swords in anger. Use your weapons well! I want you all to return safely! Ride!"

We headed north from the castle and skirted the walls of the town.  Those elders who managed the borough for me had set a night watch over the gate and the figure of the sentry waved at us as we headed through the dark. I dare say they wondered what the lord of the manor was doing out at this ungodly hour. We rode by the farms and houses which dotted the road leading north towards the land of the Bishop.  As we trotted along it the thought came to me that we needed to improve it. When next we captured slaves I would have them make it a stone road.  William, my mason, always had rubble left from his work.  It would make a better surface than the one we rode upon.

Alan the Lame was waiting for us. I reined in.  "Aiden asked me to wait for you my lord, when he rode through."

"Are there raiders on my land?"

He pointed to the forest to the north east of us. "I told Aiden, my lord, that I had found the carcass of a butchered deer.  I did not think it was you for you always take the carcass back to the castle.  I also found the prints of many men."

"Why did you not send me word?"

I saw fear flicker across his face as he thought he had incurred my wrath. "My wife and my children were ill with the winter sickness.  I am sorry, my lord."

I was being harsh and I knew it. It was not my villein’s job to watch my land.  That was my role. "No, Alan the Lame, I am not chiding you.  I would have you safe."

"There was one other thing.  I normally see Thomas of Thorpe when I collect my firewood from the forest.  I have not seen him these ten days since. Aiden was heading there."

"Thank you.  Is your family well now? Should I send Father Matthew with medicine?"

"They are recovering, my lord.  He smiled.  You are a father and husband too, you will know how we worry."

"Aye, Alan. Take care."

I mulled over his words as I led my men towards the farm which stood on the ridge of Thorpe. It was on the way from the Durham Road to the Garth of the Bishop. I allowed the ones who lived close to the forest to use it to collect firewood.  Many lords did not and punished those who did. Thomas and Alan the Lame would have used that to exchange news. If raiders had come then perhaps Thomas had seen them.