The Fallen Crown (13 page)

The days in December were short and it took us some time to reach the castle. The ground was frozen hard and our breath formed a fog as we spoke.

When we reached the castle we headed for the west gate. I said, "I will go forth and speak with those within.  Dick take charge."

"Be careful, lord."

"I will, Dick.  I have no death wish upon me.  I serve the Empress and I see a way of doing so here."

I took off my helmet and rode with Gilles and my standard towards the castle gates. I reined in close enough to shout, "I would speak with Sir Robert D'Oyly.  Tell him that the Earl of Cleveland wishes conference with him."

A grizzled man at arms shouted, "Try no tricks, my lord.  I have six crossbows aimed at you and the boy!"

I nodded and turned to Gilles, "Are you afraid, Gilles?"

He smiled, "No lord.  You would not have brought us here if you thought that this would end in bloodshed."

"How do you know?"

"I have served but a short time yet Sir Richard and Sir John have told me how you always weigh up battle with talk and always choose wisely. I am content besides my shield is close and my mail is strong."

A short while later a knight somewhat younger than I appeared, "I am Sir Richard D'Oyly.  What is it you wish?"

"To speak."

The man next to him pointed a finger at me and shouted, "That is the Wolf ! He is not to be trusted."

"Peace D'Elbeuf." I had met a knight with such a name before, Sir Hugo and he had been a black hearted villain.  I wondered if my suit might be a waste of time. Sir Richard turned to me again. "He is right, my lord, you do have a reputation for cunning.  Why should I speak with you?"

"Because there are just two of us.  You have counted my men behind me and seen that there are not enough to worry you.  It will not cost you much to listen."

I saw him nod, "They say you are cunning but they also say that you are a man of your word." He shouted down, "Open the gates and admit the Earl and his squire but no one else!"

The gates were opened and we rode through. I saw that the guards were wary and it made me smile.  They feared the two of us. We passed over the River Isis and through the barbican.  We crossed another bridge over the Isis again and then we were in the bailey.  This was a well made castle.  I admired the design.  This would take a long siege to reduce it. I dismounted and handed my reins to Gilles once we were in the bailey. I also gave him my helmet. "This will not take long."

Sir Robert and the knight called D'Elbeuf headed towards me along with two other older knights. Sir Robert said, "I have heard of your deeds against the Scots. It affords you a conversation, no more. Come we will go inside.  It is too cold to stand out here."

I could feel the hostility from D'Elbeuf but I ignored it.  I had many enemies.  They did not worry me.  It was those who feigned friendship that I feared. We did not go into the hall but a guard room in the west tower.

"Well, Earl, you have your audience, speak."

"My lord I will speak plainly you are fighting for a usurper. I know not if you were in Westminster when we swore the oath to King Henry to support the claim of his daughter for the crown but I know that your father was." I waited.

"I was not there but you are right.  My father swore an oath to King Henry.  What of it."

"I ask you this; would King Henry wish Stephen of Blois upon the throne? Would he want this chaotic civil war?"

"King Stephen was anointed." I sensed that he was spouting what he had been told and that his heart was not behind his words.

"His brother, Henry, managed to manipulate that event while the Empress and the Earl of Gloucester buried their father, the King. It was not England who crowned Stephen it was London."

D'Elbeuf snorted, "He is trying to trick you, my lord!"

"Sir Roger keep silent or leave.  It is I who speaks with the Earl and this is still my castle."

In answer he said, "I cannot stay here in the presence of this traitor.  I will leave!" He stormed out.

Sir Robert gave an apologetic shrug, "He likes you  not, my lord."

"He has reasons and it offends me not.  I serve the Empress Matilda."

"I know.  You were her champion and the King's Champion.  It granted you admittance to my castle.  Now tell me, plainly, what do you want?"

"I will speak as one knight to another for I believe you to be a man of honour.  I wish you to support the claim of Empress Matilda and her son Henry Fitz Empress." I expected rejection but there was none.  The other knights looked to Sir Robert. I sensed that he was vacillating. "You know that the Earl of Gloucester has an army not far away at Wallingford." I saw his eyes flash and I held up my hand.  "I threaten not.  You know I speak the truth and I tell you that there are no plans to take this castle." I smiled, "To speak clearly this is such a well made castle that we would lose too many good men if we tried to do so.  If you reject my offer of peace and friendship then I will return to Wallingford.  This is not a threat.  There is no sword hanging over you."

"I like your honesty lord and I can see from your eyes that you speak the truth. My people are hungry." He smiled, "That is the result of you and your army but I take comfort that you hurt none of my people in your raids.  Was that deliberate?"

"When this war is over, and it will be one day, we will all have to live here.  I would not wish to be remembered as an English knight who slew ordinary English folk.  My fight is with the enemies of England both within and without. I fight for the Empress and England for they are the only things worth fighting for."

"I would not have my people suffer more."

"I give you my word that they will not."

"I need to speak with my counsellors." He waved a servant over, "Fetch the Earl some mulled ale."

I nodded, "And some for my squire too."

Sir Robert looked surprised.  "It is what I have heard of you.  Despite your elevated position you care for all who serve you."

I shrugged, "The day I do not is the day I have lost the right to rule.  The title has a responsibility as well as rights. I am well aware of both."

It took until afternoon for him to reach a decision.  "I have decided I will join the Empress' cause but I would speak with her personally.  I trust your word but I would look into her eyes as I have looked into yours."

I nodded, "As would I. My men and I will escort you to Gloucester if you will allow us."

"If we leave now we could reach there by tonight."

"Aye, Sir Robert.  The roads are clear and my men are well mounted. I will send my squire to fetch my men to the gate."

Sir Robert showed his confidence in me by only bringing two knights, their squires and six men at arms. I sent Alain of Auxerre back to Wallingford to tell the Earl of Gloucester that I would be returning to the hall. He would wonder the reason but I could not worry about hurt feelings. If we could regain Oxford then it was a blow as great as the capture of Lincoln. I sent Gurth and Alan son of Alan ahead to warn the Empress of our arrival.  I did not need to send an elaborate message; the Empress was one of the cleverest women I had ever met.  She would be ready to entertain Sir Robert.

We rode swiftly and spoke as we rode. After I had been closely questioned about my campaigns and victories I asked about Lincoln.

"Lincoln, my lord?  What brings that to mind?"

"I was there with the Earl's daughter and helped to capture it.  It has a place in my heart."

"Then I fear you may not like my news.  The citizens of that city have appealed to King Stephen to return it to royal rule.  The Earl of Chester and his brother are unpopular rulers."

"Where is the King now then?"

"I have heard that he is gathering forces with which to invest Lincoln.  I was asked to be ready to defend the borders should the Earl of Gloucester attempt to intervene."

I realised that the usurper was as sharp as ever.  He had almost anticipated our plans.  Did we have a spy, I wondered? Then I put the thought from my head.  Of course we had a spy.  There were probably many of them.  When knights like the Earl of Chester and Geoffrey of Mandeville were willing to swap sides more frequently than they changed their breeches it was highly likely that lesser knights would be in the pay of another.  The only ones I could truly trust were my own men.

We reached Gloucester after dark.  We were cold and we were hungry but the warmth of the Empress' smile and the welcome more than made up for it. Sir Robert needed no persuasion.  He was smitten as soon as he laid eyes on the Empress.  He dropped to one knee, "I swear to be your knight unto death! Oxford Castle is yours, your majesty!"

She raised him up and kissed him lightly on the cheek.  "And I am doubly pleased that you are now on the side of right and of England.  Come let us warm you." Unusually for one in her position she took Sir Geoffrey and myself by our arms and walked us into the fire lit hall. "I am blessed to have two such fine knights on my arms. How all the ladies will envy me."

In that moment she sealed the compact she had made with Sir Robert.  He was hers.  He proved to be faithful, as he said, unto death.

After we had retired Margaret came to my chambers, "The Empress would have a word with you, lord."

"Is it safe?"

She nodded, "It is safe.  I have Edward and Wilfred watching the corridors.  You will not be observed."

My men at arms would not question any of my actions and the secret of our meeting would go with them to their graves.  I knew my men.  There were none more loyal or trustworthy.

They nodded as I passed.  Margaret waited by the door after I had entered.  We were not alone but the Empress could speak.  "How did you persuade him, my lord?"

"I suspected that he was a supporter of your father and it proved so.  Our raids into his lands had weakened him anyway.  Although Oxford is a strong castle; one of the strongest I have ever seen, I am sure we could have taken it. He knew not that we plan to take Lincoln back."

"Then our plans move on apace."

"They do but when I return I will urge your brother to move to Oxford Castle.  From what Sir Robert told me I fear that Stephen may be ready to take Lincoln back from the Earl of Chester. If he invests the castle we will never take it without great loss of men. The Countess can only hold it for a short time."

"Then you must urge him." She put her arms around me and kissed me. "You are ever my rock.  I know not what I would do without you."

"That is a worry you need not have.  So long as I have breath in my body I will serve my Empress and our son."

I knew that there would be ramifications from my visit to Oxford Castle. The Earl liked to be in control of events.  I rode directly into the keep of Wallingford Castle where the Earl and his closest advisers resided. I knew that he was more than a little intrigued when he leapt up as I entered the Great Hall where the lords were all gathered.  "What took you to Gloucester, Alfraed?"

There was little point in small talk and I would not lie.  I spoke the truth. I came directly out with it.  "I negotiated the surrender of Oxford Castle, my lord, but Sir Robert D'Oyly wished to surrender to the Empress in person."

While the rest of the room seemed delighted the Earl frowned. "Come with me.  We must talk!"

Sir John and Dick looked surprised at the Earl's brusque manner but I was not.

He led me to a small antechamber.  He snapped at the sentry, "Let no one enter!"

Once inside he said, "Do you try to usurp me?  Would you lead this army?"

"No my lord."

"Then why went you behind my back?"

"The idea came to me as I rode.  I did not expect the result which ensued, my lord.  What difference does it make? The castle surrendered to the Empress and not to me. We now have a base from which we can advance to Lincoln."

"So you do wish to control the army.  You try to tell me what we should do."

"I will speak plainly for that is my way as you know.  It seems to me that you would argue that black was white.  It appears I have offended you yet I know not how. I thought our plan was to go to the aid of your daughter when she summoned us. This makes it easier. Oxford is closer to Lincoln, is it not?"

"Do not try my patience, Alfraed, Earl of Cleveland. You are what you are because I made you."

"No my lord. There you are wrong. I am what I am because of my deeds.  It was your father who made me Earl and not you."

He drew himself close to me. "I could have you...."

"Have me what?  Thrown in the Tower?  You forget my lord that we control a tiny part of this land.  If we fight amongst ourselves then we do Stephen's work."

"I do not need you.  Take your men and go hence!"

I could see that he was white with anger.  It took all of my self control to keep my sword sheathed. I had to think of the greater good and the Empress.

"Very well I will quit the camp in the morning."

His eyes narrowed, "Where will you go?"

"I am leaving this camp to keep the peace but do not think for one moment that I am afraid of you.  I think of the Empress and her son. I will not tell you where I go for it is none of your business."

His hand went to his sword.

"If I were you, Earl, I would move your hand for if you draw that sword then you will die and all that we have worked for will be wasted."

"You would fight the King's son?"

"No I would fight the King's bastard!"

He pushed me aside and barged from the chamber. As I passed through the hall Sir Miles and Brian Fitz Count accosted me.  "My lord have you upset the Earl?  He stormed out of here like an enraged bull."

"It seems I should have asked his permission before I sought the surrender of Oxford.  I am no longer needed here and I will quit the camp on the morrow."

They both looked shocked, "My lord, we need you! You have helped us to be in this position.  Come the Spring we could attack Stephen and win!"

"Fear not, Sir Brian.  I ride to Gloucester to be with the Empress.  If I am needed send a rider.  I will come even if it means coming to blows with the Earl."

"We will speak with him."

"I fear it will do little good.  It seems he has his Welsh allies now and I am no longer needed."

Sir Miles said, "My lord you are worth a whole Welsh army.  Stay close I beg of you."

"It will take death to stop my support of the Empress.  I will fight alongside you once more.  Fear not."

And so I spent Christmas at Gloucester with the Empress and my son.  It was unexpected and I enjoyed it but, at the same time, I knew that it brought disharmony to our ranks. The Empress was sympathetic for she knew her brother and his ways.  Since his father's death he had changed.  Those traits which had been submerged when King Henry ruled, now rose to the surface as the prospect of power grew.

"I think that my brother sees himself as the King of Wales and the west. He and Madog spent hours together before you came.  I think Madog has aspirations to be King of Powys in his brother's stead."

"Then our hope lies in a brave maid.  Maud is our only chance.  Your brother will go to her aid of that I am sure. The only problem is the time it will take.  Were I in command we would be there in less than three days.  I fear that the Earl will take longer."

As December drew to a close we had two messengers.  One was the spy the Empress had sent and the other was a messenger from Geoffrey Mandeville.  They both said the same thing.  King Stephen was marching north and that could only mean one thing, he was heading for Lincoln. I was keen to ride back to Oxford and urge the Earl to act but Matilda shook her head, "No, Alfraed.  I will write to him and give him the information. He will not leave his daughter in the clutches of Stephen.  Even though my cousin would treat her well my brother's honour would be impugned.  He will act."

January came and still the Earl sat in Oxford.  Finally on January the eighth came the dire news we had been expecting.  Ranulf, Earl of Chester and his half brother had fled Lincoln when Stephen had captured that city, seventeen knights and besieged the castle.  But Maud had done as she had said.  She had held the castle however the army which had been intended to rescue her was a hundred and fifty miles away. 

As soon as I heard the news I roused my riders. I was angry and my anger showed in my last words to the Empress.  "I foretold this! And yet I sat here doing nothing! I am just as bad as your half brother! Does no one wish to win this war?"

I saw young Henry clutch his mother's arm.  His face was fearful.

Matilda nodded, "You are right to chastise us so.  I pray that you will reach my niece in time. If any can save this situation it is you, my lord, my champion."

"I hope that I can live up to your expectations."

"Do you ride to Oxford, my lord?"

"No, my prince, I ride to Lincoln.  I made the Countess of Chester a promise and I will not let her down.  If I have to fight Stephen's army alone I will go to her side!"

As we headed north I knew that we had a slightly shorter journey and we would travel much faster than if we first went to Oxford.  I hoped to reach Derby by the end of the first day.  I prayed that the Earl of Chester was there.  If I could put some marrow into his backbone we might be able to threaten Stephen and make him face us rather than the Countess.  I needed time for the tardy Earl Robert to reach his daughter. It was just over ninety miles to Derby and despite the short days and cold weather we had grain for our horses and remounts. We rode hard.

Dick and Sir John flanked me as we headed north.  "Do we know how many men the enemy have lord?"

"No, Sir John, but it matters not. He began the siege two days since.  The Countess hoped to hold out for three, perhaps four days.  If we reach Lincoln by the morrow then that will be the fourth day.  We face whoever we find.  I left warriors with the Countess and I will not abandon them."

Dick said, "They knew the risks lord when they volunteered."

"That matters not.  It is what I said that matters.  I promised that I would return and return I will!"

We skirted every castle we saw.  I knew that some would be supporters of the Empress but I could neither take the chance nor spare the time. I had scouts out and we rode hard stopping only to feed our horses grain and changing any who showed signs of fatigue.

We were close to Burton when my scouts returned, "Lord, armed knights are heading down the road towards us."

"Dick, ambush!"

My archers split into two groups and disappeared.  We formed a solid column of knights, squires and men at arms.  It was with some relief that I recognised the Earl of Chester and his banner.  He reined in, "Alfraed! What are you doing here?"

"I am heading to Lincoln.  Your wife is still there.  I go to her aid. What are you doing here?"

He rode close to me and dropped his voice, "I begged her to leave when Stephen began to attack but she said she would stay and that her father would come."

"She was right.  Her father is bringing an army now, even as we speak.  So tell me Ranulf, why it is that she wears the shift and you the armour.  It seems to me that she has more right to be a knight than ever you have."

We were so close that only our squires heard the interchange. "You insult me!" His hand went to his sword. 

"Be careful, Earl.  You have changed so many sides that if I slew you here and now many would say I was doing the Empress and England a service by ending your miserable and pathetic life."

He subsided for he was afraid of me and quite rightly so.  I was angry. He shook his head and held his hand out for me to clasp, "You are right, Earl, I have behaved badly but I see the error of my ways. Come let us return to the Earl and we will retake my castle."

I knocked away his hand, "Get out of my sight.  I will ride to Lincoln! I will do what needs to be done!"

I spurred Lion.  His scouts had to jerk their reins around to avoid us knocking them from their saddles. We had just passed Burton Abbey when I heard a cry from behind.  "Lord, we are being followed."

I wheeled my mount around and waited with sword drawn.  It was Sir William Montague, one of the Earl's knights.  He had twenty men at arms with him.  "Lord, let me follow your banner."

"Why?"

"I was ordered to leave Lincoln by the Earl.  I did not like leaving the Countess alone.  I will ride with you for honour demands it."

"Then you obey my commands and unlike your lord I mean what I say!" As we rode I questioned him to gain as much intelligence as I could.  "Who remains at Derby?"

"It is a small garrison only."

"Who commands?"

"Old Ralph of Derby.  He served the previous lord of the manor."

"Then we spend the night there.  Where does Stephen have his siege engines?"

"From what I heard, he has some in the town but most of them are close to the Fosse Dyke and the river."

I remained silent for the last few miles to Derby.  I was thinking and I was planning.  Stephen could take the castle in five days but not without siege engines.  I decided that we would disrupt his attack. If he chased us off then so much the better.  He could not besiege the castle and chase us. The sight of my banner and my voice opened the gates of Derby to us.  We had shelter and food. While food was prepared I studied the maps which were in the castle.  An approach from the side we were approaching from would mean we would have to cross the dyke and the river. That meant we would have to approach from the north. That suited my purpose.  Stephen's spies would have reported that I had left the Earl's army.  Perhaps my approach from the north might make him think I had brought my valley army south.  That would frighten him. He would take that threat very seriously.  Small in number but not stature we were a force to be reckoned with.

When I had made my plans I summoned Sir William.  We four knights sat apart. "You were in Lincoln recently. Tell me how it stands."

"It is in the hand of the Countess, her garrison and the men you left.  All seventeen knights were captured when King Stephen captured the town." He shook his head.  "It seems that the Countess kept the men at arms and her garrison confined within the castle, as though she expected some disaster."

"How did you know this?  Presumably you were with the Earl."

"We were my lord.  A clerk escaped. He rode to us with the news that the castle had fallen."

"When was this?"

"On the sixth of January Lord."

"And what did the Earl do then?"

"He sent a message to the Empress and prepared to head back to Gloucester, lord." I glared at the knight. "I know lord, there was no honour in this but the Earl is my liege lord.  I have to obey."

I relented.  He was correct. "You are right but I hope you fight well for we will be outnumbered."

"You intend to take King Stephen's forces? There are almost fifteen hundred of them."

"Have you never read of the Spartans?" He shook his head.  "In the ancient times three hundred of these Greek warriors held off an army of ten thousand for over a week.  I have see where they died. It is not numbers which are important, it is the heart which wields the sword. We will prevail."

He looked at Sir John and Dick who were both grinning. He shrugged, "It seems I am with mad men!"

Dick laughed and clapped him about the shoulders.  "Now you begin to understand us.  When you fight for the Earl you do not ask how many, you ask, how?"

Sir John added, "And then you do it! It is simple."

We left before dawn.  Dick sent Ralph of Thirsk and Aelric to scout the road ahead. Until now we had been relatively safe but we were getting closer to the enemy.  I wanted to get as close as I could before we were sighted. They rode back when we were just a few miles northwest of Lincoln.  We were close to the village of Brandsby.  It helped that we had Sir William and his men with us.  They knew the area and identified some of the places we passed through.