The thundering hooves of the approaching horsemen confirmed the sentry’s warning. The line of light horse reined in when they were five hundred paces away. They had expected to fall upon a few archers and suddenly they saw a wall of iron facing them. The numbers grew and we saw the Norman knights with the Perci banner come to the fore. They surveyed the scene and we waited for their attack.
Aethelward said, confidently, “They will not attack tonight.”
“How do you know? “
“Look at their horses. They have ridden hard carrying armoured men. I can see that they are lathered. If they do attack I will be surprised for they will lose.”
He was right for we saw them withdraw to a low hill about a mile away in the lee of the white horse. They set up camp. I turned to Osbert, “Stand the men down but I want a screen of sentries to warn us of their approach. Light the cooking fires on the other side of the hill.” He looked at me strangely, “We need our sentries to have no distractions.”
Ridley nodded, “I remember in Wales, Aelfraed. Those sentries did not see us for they had fires burning.”
“I will do so my lord.”
The three of us watched the Normans for a while until night fell completely and all we could see where their fires. “Do you think they will come tonight?”
“I would, nephew, if I were Perci. If only to see what the terrain is like. If he does not then he is a poor general and tomorrow will be easy. If he does then we will have our work cut out on the morrow. But as a precaution have the men take water from the stream and soak the ground behind the ditches on the flanks. It will not hurt us but it will slow down any advance.”
I ate as I walked around our lines. I wanted my men to see me and gain confidence from that but I also wanted to be close to the front line in case they did come. Ridley copied me and followed me around but Aethelward was tired, and if I am honest, not well. He retired early leaving the watch to us. We saw the fires dim and then the night was black. “Ridley, you get some sleep now and I will wake you at moon set. You can have the early watch.”
Reluctantly my friend went to bed. “Osbert. You sleep now and I will wake you in an hour or so. I may need some company then.”
I could not sleep anyway. My mind was filled with the worry of Maiden Bower. Should I have left more men to defend it? Could I have sent the Queen and my people to Medelai? None of this was any use for it was in the past but it tormented me that I had been so keen to bring the Normans to battle that I had forgotten my weakness, Maiden Bower. I wandered amongst the sentries, ensuring that they were alert. Their teeth showed white in the night and they nodded their respect. Suddenly we heard a cry and we drew our weapons. There was another noise and a second cry. I turned to the sentries next to me and held my finger to my lips. I then signalled for them to go forwards with me. When we reached the ditch we saw the scurrying shapes of the enemy scouts who had fallen foul of the ditch and the stakes. It was dark and I could not see but when morning came I expected I would see some blood on the sharpened spikes. Our defences had been effective.
When Osbert relieved me I fell into a sound sleep. The fact that they had come meant that it would be a hard day and I knew that we had to defeat them quickly to enable me to find out where Guy and Copsi had gone. If the Normans did not attack the next day then we would have to.
We were up and fed before dawn, anticipating an early attack. They had seen how few we were and they would have identified the fyrd, distinctive by nature of their lack of uniformity. Of course they did not know that our fyrd were better trained and prepared than those who had died with Harold. Branton and my archers each had two quivers; one held the mail breakers and the other the normal missiles. Aethelward sat astride his horse just behind the men at arms, the better to survey the enemy ranks. It was he who saw them advance.
“Here they come.”
William of Perci had brought bundles of faggots which they intended to lay in the spike filled ditch. “Archers, take out those men.”
The range was just over a hundred paces and the archers sent over flights of fifty arrows at a time. Even though each faggot bearer had a warrior protecting him with a shield, they took heavy casualties. They were brave men for they succeeded in covering the stakes, some of them with their dead bodies. William’s herald lowered a pennant and the light horse, armed with a spear and shield and covered in leather armour, galloped forwards. Osbert began to bang his shield with his spear and it was taken up along the line. I knew how unnerving that sound was. It was a message to the horsemen that we were not moving. As soon as they crossed the ditch the land began to rise and that allowed Branton’s archers to aim at the horses on a flatter trajectory. It also visibly slowed up the charging horses. The front rank was decimated and the few who threw their spears and javelins did little damage to our shield wall. When they retreated there were dead and dying horses scattered along our front and the dead horsemen amongst them.
“He is sending the crossbowmen against the archers.”
Branton nodded his acknowledgement. I saw that the foot soldiers began to advance steadily towards us. William of Perci was no fool. My archers were not numerous and could only fire at one target. He was sacrificing his crossbows to enable his infantry to weaken us. I turned to Ridley and Osbert who were standing just behind me, “As soon as the first men are across the ditch we will charge them. They will not be expecting that.”
They both grinned and Osbert shouted, “Shield wall!” I stepped back between Ridley and Osbert. If we went into wedge formation then we would be the tip. The line which approached us was ragged and not continuous. The men in it had not trained as we had. They might outnumber us but we were organised.
The first fifty had crossed the ditch and Osbert yelled, “Forwards!”
We moved quickly, but without running towards the line of foot soldiers. I held Boar Splitter above my shield and identified the warrior I would be hitting. He too had a mail shirt and the Norman helmet with the nasal. His shield was a shorter version of the kite shield used by the knights and in his hand he held a spear. We were a solid line and the brave man advanced towards it. I could see that I was taller and I mentally adjusted my aim so that I would strike downwards. The advantage of a round shield was that any blow which struck the top would slide around the side. The man before me had no such aid and when I stabbed down he reacted by pushing his shield up. He was too slow and all he succeeded in doing was driving the spear head into his skull. I twisted the blade out and looked for another enemy. I saw, from the corner of my eye that Osbert and Ridley were slightly behind me. We had ended in a wedge formation. Around me I could hear the sounds of battle, cries of joy and death screams. When I saw the ditch a little way ahead I shouted, “Charge! Push them in the ditch!”
Even though they had filled in the ditch it was uneven and, as we hit them, they fell to be stabbed as they lay on the ground, pinning their writing bodies to their own faggots. “Withdraw!”
We pulled back steadily to our original position. I turned to look for Aethelward but I could not see him. I checked down the flanks and saw that the crossbowmen had retreated and most of Branton’s men remained. Branton himself came running over, “Lord Aethelward has been struck by a bolt. He lives but he cannot direct the battle.” He saw the shocked look on my face, “He will live my lord.”
There was a lull as the Normans regrouped. We had taken few casualties but they had been badly hit and their confidence dented. They still outnumbered us. I watched as they divided their horse. The knights took their right flank while the lighter horse took the left. The mauled foot and crossbowmen began to advance up the middle.
“Branton use your mail breakers against the knights and send the other archers to the right.”
There were only a hundred knights and they thought they would ride through my archers and attack our flanks. They would have a shock coming. “Ridley, go to the left side of our line, Osbert, take the right.” I needed two experienced heads if the archers did break. I glanced behind me. There was now no-one to command the fyrd now that Aethelward had fallen.
I was gratified to see that the foot moved cautiously towards us. Their resolved weakened the closer they came to us they clambered over their dead comrades. I was able to watch the knights as they rode up the hill towards Branton. I say rode rather than charged for it was, perforce slower than they would have liked, for the ground was wet and the horses carried a heavy load. I wondered if Branton had delayed his men too long for the horsemen were but sixty paces away and he had not given the order. The men before me were a hundred paces away and trudging rather than marching towards us. I heard, “Loose!” from Branton and turned to see the twenty arrows fly towards the Normans. Ten knights were plucked from their saddles and two horses veered away from the deadly missiles hurtling towards them. The rest of the knights halted and covered themselves with their shields. Whoever was in command decided that discretion was the better part of valour and retreated down the hill. It did not save them for Branton and his men continued to pour arrow after arrow at them. Only half of their force reached their own lines unscathed.
The archers on the right had not fared as well and I saw fewer flights flying from their arrows. Luckily Branton saw their plight and I saw the resourceful sergeant send ten of his archers to reinforce them. Then I was too busy to notice as we became engaged. Crossbow bolts flew over our heads and began to strike the fyrd. I turned and roared, “Fyrd! Up shields”
My men already had their shields up but some of the less well trained paid for it with their lives. We strode forward to engage the men at arms. Boar Splitter stabbed and jabbed at all before him and I could see the fear in men’s eyes. No-one wished to confront the Red Horse and the deadly spear. I was in that happy state warriors sometimes achieve; I was in a rhythm stabbing and punching. One of my victims fell sideways clutching the shaft, my weapon was torn from my grip. In one fluid motion I slid my shield around and took up Death Bringer. Our line was looser but my men, who surrounded me, knew my action and they moved out of the circle of death as the axe began to weave a path before me. The warriors before me had terror in their eyes. They stabbed their spears at me but my new armour deflected most of the blows and those that did strike me did not penetrate Ralph’s excellent work. One warrior, braver than the rest, attempted to step inside my swing; with a slight correction the axe head sliced through his helmet and into his skull. The soldier behind tried to take advantage as I withdrew my blade but the warrior next to me thrust his spear into his mouth, already shouting his triumph.
That was enough for most of them and they began to retreat. “After them! Do not let them regroup. Branton! Keep your eye on the knights.”
I knew that Ridley and Osbert would warn me of danger to our flanks and my only fear was a charge by the knights. I never, for one moment, thought that Osbert and Ridley were harmed. The men we fought were not the Welsh Housecarls, they were not good enough. We passed beyond the ditch and still they retreated, the ones at the back running away. Our archers began to shoot arrow after arrow into their unprotected back. I wondered if we would be able to reach their leader, still sitting impassively on his mount behind the rest of his men. I heard, “Ware right!” Looking over I saw the light horse preparing to charge.
“Fall back. Keep in good order.”
We managed to reach the security of the fyrd and we gathered our breath. The field was covered by their dead. There appeared to be mercifully few of our men lying in the mud and I saw Ridley and Osbert safe on the flanks. This was where I missed my uncle and his advice. I had no idea how many we had killed but assumed we were almost even. “Branton!”
“Yes my lord?”
“Mount up all of your archers. We are going to attack them. You keep the horse away from us. Ride at them and shoot your arrows.” I grinned, “They have learned to fear you. Osbert, Lord Ridley.” When they reached me I was pleased to see them whole and without wounds. “Have we lost many?” I was aware that I only had two hundred men at arms. We could not afford high losses.
“A handful.”
“We are going to attack them. Ridley, take half of the men at arms on the left, Osbert the rest of them on the right. I will lead the fyrd.”
Osbert cocked his head, “Are you sure, my lord? They are unpredictable.”
“I will have my fyrd behind me and Branton will keep watch on the horses. I will give the command when I have spoken to the fyrd. Let me know if Perci makes a move.”
I moved up the hill towards the fyrd. The wounded had been taken behind the men and I wondered how my uncle was. I was desperate to speak with him but time was of the essence. The men of the fyrd looked eager and, as I approached, they began to roar my name. I held up my hands for silence and they all stopped. “Today we get revenge for King Harold. Today I will lead you to attack and defeat these Normans. Some of you know me, others do not.” I glared at them, “No-one goes ahead of me. Is that clear?” Some said ‘yes my lord’ and others nodded. “Keep together and make sure your shoulders touch your neighbours. The men of Topcliffe will be behind me, watch them.” I saw my own people visibly grow a head taller. “Form your lines and follow me.”
I walked down the slope and saw that the Normans had still to move. That, in itself, gave me confidence. We had them worried. I carried Death Bringer for I wanted to inspire fear in these foot soldiers. “Let them know we are coming!”
Ridley and Osbert began banging their shields and those in the fyrd who had them, mainly my men did the same and then a single voice started a chant which they all took up, “Aelfraed! Aelfraed!” I moved forwards and the whole ungainly line headed down the slope. The chant and the banging help to keep the rhythm and when I glanced down I saw that they were all marching in step. The bodies were a minor inconvenience as we stepped over them. I saw the pennant dip and the remnants of the light horse charged. It was a weak charge for the horses were blown and Branton’s archers kept up such a withering rate that they soon withdrew. Crossbow bolts began to strike the men and Branton changed his target. I actually saw one heading for my face, I slightly inclined my head and felt it fly along my cheek.
Perci had recognised the fyrd and me. He obviously saw his chance and he and fifty knights rode in a wedge towards me. I roared, “Shield wall!” noticing, as I did so that William of Perci was in the third rank. He was a careful warrior. Branton’s men were using their mail breakers but I knew they would have few left. The whole battle would be determined by the men of the fyrd and Death Bringer. Fortunately he was aiming his wedge at me and my men had spears- I, of course, didn’t. I would be facing the most powerful weapon of the age with just an axe and a mail shirt.
I began swinging, watching, as I did so, the spear held out by the lead warrior. He had a golden star on his shield. I was aware of other knights being struck by arrows but the one at the front bore a charmed life. Suddenly the spear struck my shoulder just as my axe bit, savagely, into the horse’s neck. My blow was so hard that it almost severed the head. The spear head caught in the metal plates and was torn from the rider’s grip. As he tumbled to the ground I raised the axe and in one blow decapitated the surprised knight. I quickly swung again and this time connected with a knight’s leg. He screamed in agony and wheeled his horse around. I was suddenly facing William of Perci. His horse had stopped and he held his spear in his hand, without warning he threw the spear overhand at me. I reacted without thinking and Death Bringer pinged off the head of the spear making it spiral away and behind me. He actually smiled at me and nodded acknowledgement. Shouting something in Norman the knights rode away as quickly as they had charged. My fyrd cheered and we continued our descent towards the cowering foot soldiers. I knew that the time was right and I shouted, “Charge!”
The moment that we broke into a run the enemy just broke and fled, following the departing horsemen. “Branton! After their horsemen. Harry them.”
Soon the only Normans left were those who were dead or about to be dead. The fyrd crossed the field, slitting throats as they went and pickling up pieces of armour and weapons. Ridley made his way towards me, “I think your grandmother was watching you this day Aelfraed.”
“I think someone was. Find out the butcher’s bill. I must find Aethelward.”
Aethelward was awake, lying amongst the wounded. His shoulder was bandaged and there was blood seeping from it. The farmer who had repaired him was more used to animals. “Well?”
“We won and they fled.”
He closed his eyes, sighed and lay back. For a moment I thought he had expired but, after what seemed an age, he opened them and said, “Thank god for that. I was worried when you attacked their line. That was not our plan.”
“No Uncle, but as there is another column near Ripon I knew we had no time to sit and wait for them to attack. We had to strike quickly. The arrows worked and that took the heart from their knights. They are used to taking arrows and still winning. Branton’s arrows kill!”
When we tallied up our losses, they were lighter than we could have hoped; sixteen archers, thirty men at arms and forty of the fyrd. There were many wounds but all but three of them would survive. The Normans had lost heavily. We found eighteen dead knights, almost a hundred and fifty of their horsemen and two hundred foot soldiers and crossbowmen. Perci would have to head south and lick his wounds,
I held a war council, “Osbert, take the fyrd back to Topcliffe and half of our men at arms and archers. Lord Ridley and I will follow them south and then take Aethelward to Jorvik for I do not like the look of his wound. Although Osbert did not like splitting our forces he knew that I was worried about Maiden Bower. We lashed a sling together made from cloaks and spears and put Aethelward between two horses. Our progress was slow but I still felt every bump as my uncle winced. I was grateful when we reaching Easingwold and he passed out. I suppose I could have taken him to the priory just ten miles north but I did not trust Morcar any more. He needed to know that we had won. We had our first victory against the Normans.
It was dusk when we reached the northern gate of the city. The sentries wondered at our state for men were covered in Norman blood. We were quickly admitted and I sought the nuns at the house of healing. The looks on their faces when they beheld my uncle’s wounds were not hopeful. He woke and murmured, “Go find Morcar. I am in good hands now.”
Morcar was beaming from ear to ear. “I have heard that you have trounced the enemy.”
“They fled the field if that is what you mean but they are still around and there is another column heading for Ripon.” I paused, “William has sent Copsi north.”
Had I slapped him I could not have effected a bigger change. He paled. “It is not over then?”
I laughed. “No, it has not started. But at least you will be safe now and we have the chance to build up the army. You can allow the people back into the city now.”
He looked shamefaced. “They never left. They would not go.”
I was about to become angry but there would have been little point. It was in the past but it just proved that Morcar was not a leader. “I will remain here tonight and then take the army to Ripon to find this Copsi.”
When I returned to the house of healing Aethelward was looking a little better. He grabbed my hand. “Find Reuben and fetch him here.” I was about to argue but he just said, “Do it, please.”
I owed my uncle all and I did as I was bid. Reuben looked a little nervous as he entered the house of healing. The nuns had little love of Jews but my presence and Reuben’s kind and ancient face made it easier.
As we entered his chamber one of the nuns who was leaving touched my arm and gently shook her head. I hoped that I had misunderstood the gesture. Perhaps she meant that Reuben should not be there but in my heart I knew what it meant.
“Reuben, Aelfraed, I am dying.” He held up his hand to silence my arguments. “I am a warrior and I know these things but I have had a good life and I have seen my sister son become the greatest Saxon warrior of his age.” He turned to Reuben, “Old friend, for that is what you are, you have my monies. I hereby bequeath them to my nephew.”
“It will be done my lord and it has been an honour to serve you.” He then did something surprising, he leaned forwards and kissed Aethelward on his forehead. “I will leave you with your nephew now for it is time for those things we leave unsaid, to be said.” He turned to me, “Before you return to your home my lord, if you come to my home, I will apprise you of your assets.” He stood in the doorway looking at Aethelward and then he left.
“Come closer Aelfraed, we have little time.” I sat on the bed and leaned my ear so that it was close to his mouth. “You will no longer have me for advice but I saw today that you do not need it. You are a strategos. I know not how things will turn out. That is wyrd, but I hope that we will prevail and return England to its rightful rulers. If events turn out ill then use your money to buy safety in another land. I was happy in Constantinople and they would make you welcome.”
He sighed and lay back. “Uncle!” He opened his eyes and gave me a wan smile. “I want to thank you for coming back for me all those years ago and making me the man I am. I love you as the father I never knew and I promise that I will not rest until I have ended the rule of the tyrant.”
“Do not waste your life. Unless you can raise the country behind you then you will lose. At the end of my life I realise now that life is precious and not to be thrown away. But I shall now be with Sweyn and Ulf, Osgar, Wolf and Harold and we will watch your deeds…..”
And he was gone. Lord Aethelward, the Varangian Guard, the Thingman, the strategos and my best friend, died in the house of healing in Jorvik.
The next day we laid him to rest in the churchyard of the cathedral. Reuben, Ridley, Branton and Morcar were the only mourners present at the interment. I wanted it to be quiet with those who had known the great man. As we stood in silence, each saying goodbye in his own way, I suddenly felt very lonely. There had always been someone for me, Nanna and then Aethelward and now I was alone; I still had Ealdgyth but she was not someone who could replace Aethelward but it made me desperate to see her gain for with her I could cry, with her I could seek comfort.
The men at arms had all respected Aethelward and we marched in sombre silence across the Ouse, and north west to Topcliffe. Yesterday’s victory now seemed hollow. We had paid a bigger price than I had wanted and I was even more determined to rid my land of these invaders. Reuben had given to me a list of my assets and I was a rich man. He had given me a small box of coin. When I had asked him why, he had inclined his head and said he had a feeling that I would need it sooner rather than later. It was only a tiny part of my money but money was not important to me; people were.
We were still ten miles from Maiden Bower when we saw the thin tendril of smoke spiralling into the sky. Branton had his scouts out but we were all on edge. One of his scouts suddenly appeared, waving his arms. We halted and readied our weapons. “Riders approaching!”
We relaxed when Branton recognised them as two if his archers. Their faces were ashen as they reined in their mounts. “My lord, Sergeant Osbert sent us, Maiden Bower has been attacked and destroyed.”
I turned to Branton, “Take charge and bring the men along. I will ride ahead.”
“I will come with you Aelfraed.”
Ridley and I rode as though the devil was chasing us. I cared not if Sweyn suffered, this was far more important. The smoke grew as we drew closer. I could see that the wooden walls had gone long before we reached it and, of the settlement, neither a stick nor stone remained unburned. We could see the fyrd, under Osbert’s direction, moving the bodies into neat lines. When he heard our approach he turned to come towards me and dropped to his knees. I dismounted and lifted his face. Tears were coursing down his cheeks. “Rise Osbert and tell me all. But first, were there any survivors?”
“No my lord, all are dead.” He stood, “All.” The emphasis on the last word told me all that I needed to know. I nodded to him to begin.
“It was late when we reached here last night for the men were weary. The fires were still burning. We ran the last mile but we could not save any of the buildings. We found one survivor, Ralph’s boy, Ralph. He was hiding in the river, hidden by the stream. He sleeps now but he told us the story. Norman knights arrived the day before yesterday with a proclamation which took Topcliffe from you and gave it to a Guy of Evreux. Thomas argued that you were rightful ruler and he was slain, when Sarah tried to intervene she too was slain. The men on the walls had opened the gates to see what was happening and the Normans rode in unopposed. They slaughtered all who were within. Ralph told his son to hide and then he fought the Normans with his hammer. We found his body surrounded by much blood. He died well.”
“And the Queen?” He took a breath. “Come on man. She is dead. Tell me how?”
“She and her servants were raped and then they had their throats slit. I have placed her body with that of Ralph, Thomas and Sarah.” He looked at me tearfully, “I knew that they were special to you.”
I waved a hand around the dead. “They were all special to me.” I took him and embraced him. “Thank you old friend, I know that was not easy. Take me to the Queen.”
As I gazed down on the wife of my father I suddenly realised that I was the only one who knew she was with child. That secret died with Aethelward and Ealdgyth. “We will bury them all in the morning in the ruins of Thomas’ home.” This was a new way to wage war. This was the Norman way. All had been killed, men, women and children. It gave us a foretaste of what was to come when William himself came north.
As we went out into the setting sun I asked Osbert. “Who was with the Norman knight and where did they go?”
“Ralph son heard one say he was Copsi, Earl of Northumbria. He said they headed north west. “
“Which means Ripon or Medelai. Tomorrow, send a rider to Medelai to see if they are there and then you and I will visit Ripon.”
He and Ridley looked shocked. “You cannot take the army to Ripon…”
“Never fear Ridley. I will take just Osbert for the army is in no condition to take a city and I would not risk innocent Northumbrians dying. If we waited for them to come to us then we would be trapped between them and William of Perci’s force. No I have to strike quickly. We will go in disguise to Ripon if the curs are not at Medelai. And then Ridley, old friend, I would like you to care for my people as this land has been given to another.”
“Of course. What will you do?”
“Do? Why when I have finished with these murderers I will continue to fight this Norman tyranny. When I have disposed of these two murderers then we will raise the north. This is not the end of the war. It is the beginning. Morcar had better decide it he is part of it or not for I have finished playing at war. Now it is to the death!”