March 1067 Topcliffe
Christmas had not been the joyous time we had hoped. William was crowned and he showed his political acumen by restoring the lands of Edwin and Morcar to those two earls and giving Edgar the Aetheling large tracts of land in the south. If it had not been for the indefatigable Queen then we would have all been down at heart but the news from Scotland had heartened her as she now had a sanctuary and she was the reason we survived the dark times of midwinter. Gytha’s pregnancy was not going well and it took all my patience to control my tongue as she lambasted all bar the Queen. Poor Sarah could not do right and I for one was glad when, as the first flowers of spring thrust their heads through the icy ground my son began his journey of life. The Queen and Sarah dismissed me, along with the other men so that they could concentrate upon the task in hand. Ridley came over as soon as he knew and it felt good to have my oldest friend with me on that momentous day.
When Harold was born I finally realised that my responsibilities had doubled. I now had a wife and two estates to care for in addition to all my warriors. The child was my future and he suddenly dominated my life. The walls of my castle which had seemed so secure now felt perilously thin and the news of their uncle’s submission to the Normans made our place in the land even more perilous.
Aethelward and my men insisted on the ceremony of wetting the baby’s head. This was a simple enough process, it meant drinking as much ale and wine as we had and telling each other how great we were as warriors and how powerful Harold would be. Before I became totally inebriated we managed to have a serious conversation about the future.
“We could fight for this land!”
“Yes Aelfraed, if we had the support of all the lords but the Earl’s defection has thwarted us. I have spoken with the lords hereabouts and we can only count on a thousand men at most and of those it is your men and Ridley’s who would be the shield wall. Less than one hundred could not stand up to the Normans when they come. We will have to hope that the Earls change their mind. Now that William has returned to Normandy there may be some hope.” None of us could actually call the Norman, King as though by not naming him it would make his state untrue.
“So you would have us submit to William?”
Aethelward had looked at me sadly. “It is not even as easy as that. Ridley could submit but you are the bastard son of Harold. You are the hero of Fulford and Rhuddlan. You are a threat to William. Add to that the strategic nature of this place and you can see that William would have to put one of his own men in place here.”
At that point Ridley had looked appalled. “If Aelfraed is thrown off his land I would join him.”
“Think about your people both of you. If you fight then your people would suffer. Do you want that Ridley?”
He was silent; torn between his duty as a lord and his duty as a friend. Osbert swallowed off his ale and said flatly. “I care not, I will follow my lord to the gates of hell is needs be. I am his man and I think most of the others would feel the same too.” Branton and the others had banged their beakers in agreement and as tear filled my eyes we had drunk ourselves into oblivion.
By the time that summer arrived the three children of the house were a noisy distraction. The twins, Harold and Ulf had begun toddling and managed to find every nook and cranny which they could. They were both fascinated by my Harold who seemed a placid enough baby. He looked to have more of his mother about him than of me and I did not mind for I had always thought of myself as unattractive. I had never seen my face save reflected in someone’s shiny shield but it was an impression I had of myself. I was content with the way things were. The early summer was, however spoiled by Aethelward’s illness. He began coughing, not uncommon in the wet spring but Sarah confided in me that she had seen blood mixed with the sputum. My uncle laughed it off and he recovered but it was the first sign of his decline.
When we heard that Edwin, Earl of Mercia was to marry one of William’s daughters then we knew that there would be no revolt. Despite the unrest in Hereford and Exeter the Normans had just taken over. We knew that was largely because there were no leaders south of Mercia, they had all died at Senlac Hill and we deluded ourselves that William had not come north because there were leaders and he feared them. That was arrogant and we were wrong. It did, however make the Queen’s mind up. Word had got out that she was in Topcliffe and Branton’s scouts had reported many spies in the hills.
One morning she came to speak with Aethelward and myself. “I will take Malcolm up on his offer of sanctuary. You are sure you can trust him?”
“I believe he is an honourable man and it is in his interests to keep you safe.”
“Then I will go in high summer.” She turned to me. “I will miss Gytha and yourself Aelfraed; you have shown true generosity and I can see your father’s nobility in every inch of you. I hope that my sons turn out as fine as you.”
I was touched. “Majesty I would not separate Gytha from your side. The King has said that he will shelter my lady and I will feel happier if she is there when the storm breaks.”
“You believe that the storm will break?”
“My uncle does and he is rarely wrong. I believe it too and this land will not be safe when William does come north.”
“Does Gytha know of this?”
“Not yet.” I hung my head. “I fear no man in battle but I dare not broach this with my wife. Does that make me weak?”
“No Aelfraed, that makes you a man. I will speak with her.”
I thank the lord for the Queen. She had a charm about her that took one’s breath away. Gytha could not say no and by midsummer we set off north. I took Branton again for Osbert would be needed to defend the manor. Ridley promised to watch over my estates as well. In truth we were doing well. The crops and animals had done well and I had taken a great deal of coin to Reuben the Jew. If it was not for the spectre of William looming over us life would have been good. I now had forty men at arms and I took five of them with us for we had the Queen. Our progress was slower than it had been and it took us six days to reach Eidyn Dun where the King was spending the summer. This time we had no trouble for his lords were expecting us and they cheerfully escorted us the last few miles to the new hall the king was having built on top of Arthur’s seat.
When he met the Queen he was as gallant as any man wooing a woman. He had no wife and I idly wondered if this could be a union which might turn out well for England. If the King of Scotland married the Queen of England then they would be a powerful force to face the Normans. There may have been political will for such a union but there was neither spark nor emotion and they just became good friends. Aethelward and I had intended to return swiftly south but Ross and the King reminded me that I had promised I would try out a few bouts with some of his eager warriors. I regretted that promise but I could not renege and we stayed for a month. Luckily this allowed me to prepare for a combat. I had not fought for almost a year, since I had been wounded and training was not the same as a bout. I wished that Ridley was there for I had always trained with him. Nor was Osbert available and I had to use my men at arms. They meant well but they were, in truth, in awe of me firstly as their lord and secondly as a renowned warrior. I did not improve my skills but I did manage to become fitter. I just hoped that the muscles would remember what they ought to do when I faced one of these Scotsmen, all of whom looked like giants.
I had never fought for exhibition and I asked Aethelward about it. “You use swords and shields but the swords are blunted. There is a master of ceremonies who determines when to stop the combat for no-one is supposed to die.”
I became worried. “Do they die?”
A cloud appeared over his face. “Men have been wounded in these combats when the combatants become too excited. I would finish it early if you can.”
As Branton helped me to dress I confess that I was feeling quite nervous. I should have remembered my promised and tried my arm against Osbert who would have given me a better assessment of my fitness for combat. Now it was too late. What exacerbated the situation was the fact that Malcolm had deemed our combat to be the highlight of the games and I had to sit, along with the King, Ealdgyth and Gytha to watch the other events. I had no opportunity to practise. The games themselves would have been interesting had I not had this gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach and a sudden ached down the scar which ran along my back. There were wrestling bouts, warriors threw hammers, warriors danced across razor sharp swords and two teams of warriors engaged in a tug of war across a pit of fire. All of it passed before me in an annoying blur as I wondered who I would fight.
As the last of the defeated tug of war team rid themselves of the last sparks from the fire Malcolm turned to me. “Now my Saxon friend, it is time for you to finish the show.”
“And whom do I fight?”
The grin he gave me was that of the wolf. “It is Duff; a warrior from the highlands. He is the chief of a tribe and he has fought many Vikings from Orkney. He is a fierce warrior.”
As I stepped down I saw Aethelward give me a confident nod. He did not look worried but then he did not have to face this warrior who had never been defeated. Branton was waiting with my shield and the sword I was to use. It was not as balanced as mine own but it was not as heavy as I had expected. At least I had my own shield and I knew that to be strong. Branton had my cap which went beneath my helmet and he made sure that it fitted snugly before encasing my head in the helmet Ralph had made for me. I had never seen such a fine helmet on any field of battle and he had added a small spike at the top in which we could place a feather to mark me in battle. We had done so after Stamford but I had yet to fight it a battle using the identifying feather. Finally he held my gauntlets and I was ready.
The sound of horns told us that it was time to enter the arena. “Good luck my lord but you do not need luck for you will beat him.”
He like Aethelward looked confident but I was not. When I stood before the King and the other lords I glanced to my right and saw that the warrior I was to fight was a whole head taller than me and I am not a small man. He had the shoulders of Ridley and I felt a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach. The King just said, “Finally we have a contest between a champion of the Saxons and one from the Highlands. May the better warrior win.”
I turned to face Duff. He had teeth missing so that when he grinned at me it was like looking into a rock filled cave. “And dinna fret wee man, the better man will win and you’ll be on your arse before too long.”
It seems strange now but it was in that moment of arrogance and pride from Duff that I knew I would win for he was one man and I knew that I could beat any warrior one on one, the secret was finding his weakness. He swung his sword above his head and I could see that he had a longer reach than me which meant I had to get in close. I remembered the words of Aethelward, finish it quickly and I determined to do just that. Suddenly he swung his sword all the way from his back to crash down on my shield. Had it been another shield it would have shattered and I think he thought so too for, as the sword slid off the metal discs, he looked surprised and then annoyed. I wondered how strong his shield was if he had won his other combats by breaking his opponent’s shields with his first blow? I swung my sword sideways at his shield for his move had been risky. I connected well and saw a sliver of wood slice off and he stepped back a little. With a roar he swung over hand again and this time I stepped inside his swing and punched upwards catching his sword hand with the boss of my shield. The blow did not connect and he stepped backwards, warier now. His eyes narrowed and I could see him assessing my strengths and weaknesses. The crowd, too, had quietened and I suspect that many of the Scots had seen him fight before and had expected an easy, early victory.
He circled me and began to use his longer reach. The problem was he could not strike me hard enough at that range but I too was feeling the effects of my first combat as muscles began to ache as did the wound on my back. As he swung at me I stepped inside and hit against his knee; his extra height made it easier for me to strike below his shield and he roared back in anger. The sword was not edged but he had been hit by an iron bar and it had hurt. He now swung, in an anger fuelled by rage, at my head. I just ducked and punched again with the boss of my shield. As he stepped back I punched at his shield with the fist, wrapped around the pommel of my sword. The two blows took him by surprise and he fell backwards. As he tumbled I pulled my sword back and smashed down at his head. He was good and, for a bog man, had quick reactions; he protected himself with his shield. This time it was a sliver of wood which fell from it but a chip and a crack appeared. He rolled to the side and leapt to his feet. He now knew he had a contest and I could see that he was going to finish it quickly. His eyes narrowed and he grinned; once more I looked into the rocky cave. He pulled his sword back to swing for my head and once again I stepped inside with my shield to punch him but it was a trap. The sword did not come down but he enfolded me with his arms.
“Got you now you scraggy wee shit!”
He pulled his head back and I knew he was going to head butt me, I had used the tactic myself but what he had forgotten was his height and I put my head forwards so that he connected not with my nose but the top of my helmet. The spike Ralph had fitted on the top was no bigger than a thumbnail but it was enough to pierce his eye socket and as he roared back screaming, with blood pouring from his wound I saw the remains of his eye drip to the ground. The warrior charged with supervising the contest raced in to prevent me continuing, not that I would have done so and the crowd remained silent. Suddenly I heard clapping, a single pair of hands and saw the King, on his feet applauding. Next to him with shocked expressions were my wife and the Queen while Aethelward and Branton smiled and nodded. The King’s applause signalled the crowd that they too could show their feelings and they began to shout and cheer, the warriors banging their shields.
I felt a movement behind me and turned to see Duff lurch towards me his hand covering the mess which had been his eye. I was on guard for I knew not what he intended. To my immense relief I saw him grin and hold out his right hand. “Not such a scraggy wee shit eh wee man? I can see that your reputation is deserved and I will have to ask you about your weapons when we have the chance.”
“You are a brave and fearsome warrior. I was lucky.”
He shook his head. “No for if we had had blades with edges I would have been dead long before the end.”
As he was led away Gytha and Branton raced over. “Aelfraed I was so scared. I thought he was going to kill you.” As Gytha hugged and kissed me I felt her body shake with emotion. “Had I know that this was what combat was like I would never let you go to war.”
Branton removed my helmet. “Nice move my lord, I will get Ralph to put one of these on my helmet eh?”
When Malcolm arrived I bowed my head slightly and said, “I am sorry your majesty, I did not mean to wound your warrior.”
He looked puzzled. “He was engaged in combat as you were; he will not mind and he will bear his scars with honour and tell the tale of his combat with the English hero.”
I suppose that was the difference between me and Duff for I would have been annoyed to be wounded in an exhibition; combat is a serious business. I was, at least, happy that I had not lost the ability to fight. Gytha led me to our quarters with a protective arm around my shoulders and tears of relief still coursed down her cheeks. I was glad that she had not seen a real battle which would have reduced her to a quivering wreck. She continued to fuss and mother me as she dressed me for the feast. “You must look your best tonight for everyone wishes to speak with you.” I say dressed me but it was more a case of her choosing my clothes and then adjusting them to create the best effect. For me I could have worn anything so long as it was comfortable.
The feast was magnificent as it marked the end of the summer games and also the arrival of the Queen of England. It was not only the lords who were intrigued and fascinated by their English visitors but the lord’s ladies were keen to speak with the woman who had been married to two kings. I was on the King’s left side with Gytha between us whilst the Queen and Aethelward were to his right. It meant that I had no opportunity to speak with my uncle but in truth I would have had no opportunity to do so as I was inundated with questions from the other warriors. They were intrigued by my shield and when I told them that it was the first thing I had made when I became a Housecarl they became even more enthusiastic. All of them wished to see my helmet closer up and all of them regretted that I had not brought Boar Splitter, my spear and Death Bringer, my axe. Their eyes lit up when I told them of the forging of the spear and the mixing of the metal with my blood and with the stories of my two weapons. Gytha too was entranced as she had never heard the stories. The evening ended perfectly when a minstrel sang the song of Aelfraed and Duff the one eye. I think Duff was even more pleased at his fame and he stood to take bows at the end, his head and eye still heavily bandaged.
After the feast when we sat before the roaring fire, for the midsummer nights were colder in the north, Calum, Lord of Fife, joined us. His eyes were aglow as he effusively praised me and my skills. Gytha and the Queen were quite taken with the Scottish lord and he told them of our connection. Both women were intrigued by the strange connection. Ealdgyth nodded at the end, “It is wyrd. Your life is being shaped, Aelfraed, by powers beyond this world.”
“I believe that my mother and grandmother watch over me and protect me.”
“No there is more to it than this. You are the thread which joins your uncle to me, to the Lord of Fife and to Harold. The Danes have beings they call the Norns who spin webs around men’s lives. I can see their hand in this.”
“Is it good or evil your majesty?”
“It is wyrd and that can be good and evil at the same time. When my first husband was killed, that was bad for him but good for Harold and for me.”
Calum suddenly looked embarrassed. “Your majesty, my lady, I too believe that this is wyrd for I have wanted to find a way to repay Lord Aelfraed and now I believe I can. The King has offered you his protection and I would like to do the same. I have spoken with him and my castle, which is across the estuary, is even safer than the half built castle of the King. I would be honoured if you would allow me to offer you my protection.”
Aethelward turned to Malcolm. “How does your majesty view this?”
“It is a good thing Aethelward for I know that the ladies will be safe and I can concentrate upon defending my kingdom for we have heard that the King of the Danes is beginning to look across the waters.”
Aethelward became interested. “He claims the English throne through Cnut and he is a powerful King.” He looked first at the Queen and then at me. “I believe that it is safer for you to be in Fife which is further from the Danes and the Normans majesty but it is, of course, not my decision.”
“We would always take your advice Aethelward for it is always wise and well thought out.”
Gytha looked to me and I nodded. “Thank you my lord and the debt which I did not think you owed me is now paid.” I was pleased for it meant that my wife and child would be safe. I had doubted that the King would be able to give the two women his full attention but the Lord of Fife was keen to build up his lands and would stay closer to home. As it turned out this was wyrd, and the Queen was right for both good and evil came from it.
Although I was not eager to leave my wife and the Queen the news of the Danish King worried both of us and we bade farewell to our hosts. Whilst we were sad to be leaving I was happy that we had, at least, made friends. We had somewhere safe should the Normans or the Danes make life unpleasant for us. I suspected that the good times were over and I wanted to be as prepared as we could be.
The return journey was swift without the women and their baggage. Once we reached Topcliffe I could see that they had worked hard during our absence. The men were drilling in the courtyard and there were more towers around the wooden walls. I was also relieved to see no sign of Normans. I had seen some of the early crops being harvested and knew that Thomas, my steward, had also played his part. During the journey back from Scotland we had discussed visiting Edwin and Morcar to determine their plans. I was all in favour but Aethelward was not. Eventually I persuaded him that we needed firm information for up to now it was hearsay and conjecture. They had both submitted to William but we did not know what pressure had been applied. When we heard that he had returned to Jorvik it made our decision simple and, together with Ridley, Osbert and my men at arms we descended upon the city. Aethelward had insisted upon a show of force and, as we rode south he kept a wary eye out for ambushes. “I know you like Morcar nephew but he has been under the influence of his brother and Edwin has always been as astute politician. We need to tread warily. I want the Earl to be under no illusion; you and your men at arms are the most formidable force in this part of the world. The Earl cannot muster as many hardened warriors as you possess. I hope that their presence may inject a little iron into his backbone.”
He was right of course. I did like Morcar but I had been disappointed when he had deserted us at Fulford and so many men had died needlessly. What depressed me the most was that without a figure head like Morcar, Earl of Northumbria I could not see how we could fight the invaders. Thankfully we had heard that William was still in Normandy dealing with rebels there and it was Odo who was ruling in his name. The north seemed to have escaped his notice but he would, eventually, realise its potential. The excuse we were going to give for our visit was the news of Sweyn, the King of the Danes and his intentions. We attracted attention as we rode through the gates of the city. The red horse on our shields was recognised and I was pleased at the smiles and the occasional cheers we received. What none of us was happy about was the sight of kite shields for that meant only one thing, Normans. They had reached Jorvik, and all of us kept our hands on our swords as we rode up to Morcar’s hall.
We were too many men to be housed safely in the hall and Osbert sent his men at arms along with Ridley’s to the warrior hall whilst the four of us went to speak with the Earl. I noticed some embarrassed and some furtive looks from the guards who admitted us. Some of them were known to us from Fulford and Stamford but none of the ones we saw had covered themselves in glory. I had to keep an eye on Osbert for he was itching for one of them to say something so that he could start a fight. The behaviour of the Earl’s men at Fulford still rankled with him and the loss of Aedgart at Stamford meant he resented those who had cowered behind Jorvik’s walls while brave men had died. I leaned into speak quietly to him, “Osbert hold that temper of yours in check or you can join the other men at arms.”
“Sorry my lord, I forget myself.”
Morcar had aged a little in the year since we had seen him. He had put on weight and was developing multiple chins. It showed that he had let himself go and not trained as a warrior. It was a mark of the man, demonstrating his brother’s influence. “Lord Aethelward, Aelfraed, Ridley. It is good to see you. It has been too long.” He embraced each of us. “How is my sister?”
“You are now an uncle my lord, Harold.”
I detected the hint of a frown but he quickly hid it. “It is good to have old friends to visit us and what brings you here.”
It was strange that he should ask that for we were the leading Thegns in the Earldom but I let it pass. Aethelward began to tell him of the danger from King Sweyn whilst I scanned the room. There were too many unfamiliar faces for my liking and the three Normans who hovered behind his chair were distinctly sinister and they eyed us equally suspiciously. When Aethelward had finished I could see that Morcar was worried. His eastern coast was the closest point for the Danes if they chose to invade and he remembered Hadrada and the drubbing he had given them.
“This is serious news.” He turned to one of the Normans. “You will need to tell the king this news Lord William.”
The young knight sneered. He spoke English but it was heavily accented. “The King does not fear these Danes. We have beaten them before and we shall beat them again and we would not fear a naked man with an axe.”
The smile told us that the insult was intended and a reminder of the brave berserkers who had held us up at the bridge. I felt Osbert and Ridley stiffen and I restrained both of them. “I am sorry my lord you have the advantage of us.”
He turned to face me and when I saw his arrogant and superior look I knew that I did not like him. “I am William of Perci.”
“Well William of Perci. I do not consider myself a coward and yet when I faced those berserkers at Stamford Bridge then I feared him as any warrior who faced an enemy that unafraid of dying. Or are you not afraid of death?”
He looked confused. “Why should I die? I am a Norman knight and no man is my equal.”
Aethelward spoke. “I heard that Harold’s Housecarls slaughtered many Norman knights at Senlac Hill which means they were your equal for they were outnumbered and still held off many charges.”
His hand went to his sword and Morcar nervously interrupted. “Come let us not rake over old wounds. Not with Danes on the horizon. Take your hands from your swords I command it.”
He sounded like a petulant child and I smiled and spread my arms. “It is not we who have our hands on our weapons my lord for we understand the laws of hospitality. Perhaps Norman knights are not taught such manners.”
William reddened and, without bowing to the Earl, stormed out, followed by his countrymen. His lack of respect for the Earl worried me as did his presence. Morcar looked at the door ruefully. “Well that could have gone better.”
Aethelward looked at the courtiers and then back at Morcar. Morcar was many things but stupid and slow were not characteristics of that Earl and he waved away his courtiers. “Osbert, guard the door.”
Earl Morcar looked worried. I smiled. “Your life is not in danger brother but we would not be surprised or overheard.”
Relieved he relaxed in his chair as Aethelward leaned forwards. “Why did you and your brother submit?”
Her looked shocked. “A little blunt Aethelward.”
“But understandable, yes?”
He inclined his head. “There was no support for a rebellion and we thought to bide our time. You and your Thegns are the only opposition to the Normans.”
“I hear Harold’s mother in Exeter and the rebels at Hereford would disagree with you.”
“They are little more than armed mobs. They cannot stand up to cavalry.” Now we had it, they did not fight because they thought they would lose.
I stared into his eyes looking for a lie. “And did you have aught to do with the attempt on the Queen’s life?”
As I said Morcar was generally an honest man and the look of surprise and shock on his face convinced me that he was speaking the truth. “Someone tried to kill the Queen? When? Where?”
“Here, last year.”
He sagged back into his seat. “I did not know. I had nothing to do with it I promise you.”
“I believe you. The question is what can we do now and what are the Normans doing here?”
He looked uncomfortable and squirmed a little in his seat. “The King sent them here to ensure my safety.”
Aethelward looked as shocked as I had ever seen him. “Protection? From your own people?”
“I know.” He paused and looked at the ceiling. “I think they are my guards. Edwin has some with him and Edgar others. The King does not trust us.”
There was an uncomfortable silence in the room. Aethelward sat on the other chair close to Morcar’s. “Then my lord you have a choice. Continue to be the prisoner of William and enjoy your empty title or join with us and throw off the shackles.”
It was then that I realised that
he was afraid. He had not had the success in war and battle that
Ridley and I had enjoyed. To him war meant humiliation and retreat.
He did not think we could win and could not be the figurehead we
wanted. I suspected that the same was true of his brother and as
Edgar was still barely a man we were no better off. I caught my
uncle’s eye and nodded towards the door.
“Well my lord we will take our leave. What do you intend to do
about the Danes?”
His voice sounded dull and without life, as though he knew that he would remain a prisoner, he was a bird in a gilded cage, but a cage nonetheless. “I will have men watch the coast and light beacons.”
As we were leaving I turned ands said, “Perhaps you might improve the defences of your city my lord eh?” He nodded but I am not certain he heard me.