For the rest of that day we headed for Hexham over the high moors. But then, just as the sun was beginning to set, we stopped and the order was given to set up camp.
De Castile had selected a wide flat area directly next to the road, and soon the squires, pages and the few camp-followers who’d been allowed to come with us were scurrying around putting up tents, lighting fires and securely tying and grooming the horses.
De Castile set up strong lines of defence, with large numbers of heavily armed guards at every quarter. And a rota was made that would see the camp protected throughout the night. The Lancastrians wouldn’t find it easy to take us by surprise if they were in the area.
Within an hour my large tent and that of Francis, De Castile and several other of the senior knights had been put up. The camp looked like the field at a tournament where knights set up highly decorated tents called pavilions, and where they also hang their shields painted with designs that show who they and their families are. But this wasn’t any sort of game.
The atmosphere was quiet and, as the sun sank, an icy wind whipped over the moors, driving most into the shelter of their tents or around the fires. I think many people believe that an army on the march does nothing but drink and sing and have the sort of good time usually found only at feasts and banquets. But this certainly isn’t the case, not before a battle anyway. Afterwards, if they’ve won, I’ve heard there might be some who try to wash away the horrors of what they’ve seen with too much drink.
But in my tent, the night before the battle was long. My bed was narrow, though I couldn’t really complain; most would be sleeping on the hard ground wrapped in blankets. But as a Prince of the realm my tent and travelling bed had been carried on one of the few wagons we’d brought with us.
Thankfully Gisborough had a straw mattress that he slept on near the entrance, so I wasn’t alone. I think he was still nervous of me, but he was even more nervous of what was coming, so for once he was willing to talk.
“This will be your first battle, I suppose?” I said into the darkness, knowing he wasn’t asleep.
“Yes, my Lord,” he said. Then after a pause he added: “But I’ve seen many without actually fighting in them myself. When I was six there was a raid on my home. I saw men killed and injured.”
“The enemy was driven off?”
“Yes, they were only a small party who thought they could raid an undefended Yorkist house. They didn’t realize my father could fight like a cornered bear and all our servants carried arms. Not many rode away.”
“Let’s hope the same can be said tomorrow after the battle.” I said.
“You’re sure it will be tomorrow then?”
“Almost certain. De Castile has sent out scouts to spy out the land and to find the main part of our army. They can’t be far away.”
“The Lancastrians can’t be either.” Gisborough replied nervously. “What will we do if we meet them first?”
I shrugged, then realizing he couldn’t see me in the dark I added: “I’m not sure; fight if we have to, but it’d be safer to retreat if we can. We’d be heavily outnumbered and if we tried to take on the whole Lancastrian army on our own… well, we wouldn’t last very long.”
“No, I suppose not.” Gisborough replied in a small voice.
“You don’t have to worry too much. You’ll be acting as my arms bearer on the battlefield; so you won’t be in the actual fighting. The only time you might have to go anywhere near is if someone’s horse is killed and you’re called on to take in a replacement.” I paused, realizing this didn’t sound very comforting. “But anyway, you’re my squire and as I’m not allowed to get too close to the action, neither will you.”
“I’m not afraid, my Lord,” Gisborough suddenly said determinedly.
“Aren’t you? Why not? We’re not going on some sort of pleasure ride, you know. People will die on both sides – probably thousands of them. Anyone who’s not afraid of that must be mad!”
Gisborough was silent for a while, then said. “Perhaps what I meant to say was I’m afraid, but I’ll do whatever I have to do… I’ll do whatever I need to do.”
I thought about his words carefully “That’s different,” I said after a while. “Perhaps that’s all that can be expected of any of us.”
The next day we woke up to news that De Castile’s scouts had returned during the night and reported that they’d found our army and that a meeting place had been agreed.
Gisborough looked relieved when he heard, and I suppose I must have too. What I’d said earlier was obviously true. A party of a hundred knights and a few fighting squires would have been crushed by the Lancastrian army if they’d found us first.