Man at arms, p.12
Man at Arms, page 12
“At least we fought them off this time and it feels better.”
“How many did we lose?”
“Two men died and five have serious wounds but when I see what we inflicted then I know we got off lightly.”
“The villagers can go back to their homes but until our prisoners are delivered to the Baron then my men cannot relax. Put the extra horses in the outer bailey. Will there be food?”
He beamed. “Of course, Captain, and the women have been working since the savages fled. It will be a feast!”
As I walked up to the inner bailey and the keep, I saw Stephen. He was carrying the mail he had taken from the dead man at arms he had slain. He looked jubilant. “You did well today and came of age. Few men who are not knights get to slay a man on horseback. You have skill and yet a month ago you could not ride.”
He shook his head, “It is you, Captain, you are a good teacher, and you give a man confidence. I would stay with you when you leave.”
We had reached the main gate and I paused, “Leave?”
“It is no secret amongst your men that this is just a way for you to earn money and then you will be away to Gascony.”
I continued to walk, “I had not decided where I would go but Baron Mortimer hired me to do a job. We have, I believe, done that job. If you stayed here, you would have an easy life.”
He grinned, “I enjoy winning and with Lord Rhys taken there would be no one left to defeat!”
For some reason, I was happy that the least experienced of the Wigmore men had chosen to follow me.
We shacked the men at arms and two of the Wigmore men agreed to be their gaolers. I took responsibility for the Baron but as he had yielded, he would not need to be watched. Robin arrived after dark with the news that the Baron wanted the four prisoners taken to Wigmore the next day where they would be tried for their crimes.
As we ate that night Lord Rhys, who had lost all his arrogance, asked, “What will happen to me, do you think?”
I shrugged, “Ransom? I know not.” That did rankle a little. I had taken him, and he had surrendered to me but I was not a knight and the ransom would go to my lord. I would not grumble about it nor let it sour me, but it was another incentive for me to rise through the ranks and become a noble. It had happened to John Chandos and I wanted it to happen to me!
Chapter 9
I took just three men at arms with me: Michael, Gareth and Roger. There was work to be done on the ditches and the castles. We took the four worst horses with us just in case the Baron tried to claim them, and we kept the mail and weapons in the Keep. Wigmore village was little bigger than Knighton but the castle was enormous and being built of stone seemed much more imposing. The sight of it affected Lord Rhys who visibly shrank in his saddle. He had dreamed of a fiefdom which was enormous and now he saw the castle which was merely one of Baron Mortimer’s he realised that he could not have fulfilled his dream. Once more we stopped in the outer bailey and walked our prisoners up to the walled bridge over the ditch. We were expected and the responsibility of keeping weapons in the backs of the men at arms was handed over to the Baron’s men.
I turned to my men at arms, “Go to the warrior hall where there will be food and ale.” I leaned in and spoke to Michael, “Keep your ears open!”
“Aye, Captain.”
I followed the prisoners, and we were taken into the Great Hall. I could see that the hall was set out as a court already. Baron Mortimer had much faith in me! I also saw a knight I recognised from the campaign in Gascony. It was Sir Walter Pavely, and he was one of Prince Edward’s retinue. He stood just behind Baron Mortimer. The Baron nodded to me and then to the Bishop of Hereford who was seated next to him.
The Bishop stood and began to read. The first part was in Latin which I did not understand and then he spoke in a language which I could understand, French. “Lord Rhys ap Bleddyn, you have been apprehended by Baron Wigmore’s men after attempting for a second time to cause mischief at the Baron’s castle at Knighton. Captain Hawkwood, tell us of the Battle of Knighton and your pursuit of Lord Rhys. Place your hand on the Bible when you do so and speak the truth.”
I stepped forward and, after placing my hand on the Bible, went through the whole of the battle from the attack in the mist to the ride towards Crug.
When I had finished the Bishop said, “Do you dispute any of Captain Hawkwood’s testimony?”
Lord Rhys glanced briefly at me and then his hand went to the cross he wore about his neck and which he had fingered since the Bishop first spoke, “No, my lord.”
The Bishop nodded and said, solemnly, “You have murdered the innocent of Herefordshire and slain Baron Mortimer’s officers. What have you to say to these charges?”
Every eye was on the Welsh knight. I had expected defiance at the very least, perhaps some legal justification, but all the fight seemed to have been sucked out of him. “I throw myself on the mercy of the Baron.”
The look on the Baron’s face told me that it would not be forthcoming or at least not in the manner the Welshman expected.
The Bishop looked at the Baron and said, “It is for the jury to decide his guilt, my lord.”
It was then I saw that there were eight other knights apart from Sir Walter and they were seated close by the Baron who turned and said, “Verdict?”
One by one they all gave the same one, guilty. This was the first trial I had witnessed. I had missed Alexander of Roxburgh’s, but I had assumed there would be arguments and counter-arguments. I suppose the fact that I had taken him after the attempt to take Knighton was irrefutable proof of his guilt.
The Baron had grown since I had seen him last. His beard was fuller, and he had filled out a little more but to me, he still looked like a youth. He stood and spoke, “Lord Rhys ap Bleddyn for your crimes you could be dragged around the town of Wigmore before being hanged alive and then disembowelled and quartered but we have heard your plea for mercy and as Christmas does approach we commute the sentence to beheading. You will be taken from here to a chamber where we will provide a priest so that you may meet your God prepared. You will be executed on the morrow. Now as to the three men taken by Captain Hawkwood.” They all looked up. “You will be taken from here now and hanged!”
One dropped to his knees and cried, “Mercy, Baron, mercy!”
The young Baron smiled, “But this is mercy for you will not be tortured first. You deserve such torture for it was not just warriors whom you slew, there were farmers and their families.”
It was at that moment that I saw one of the men who had served at Knighton. Of Wilfred, there was no sign, but Baron Mortimer had other witnesses ready in case there was a counter-argument.
“Take them away and have their heads removed after the execution. Captain Hawkwood can place them on spikes at Knighton when he returns tomorrow morning.”
The three were unceremoniously dragged away while a pair of men at arms led Lord Rhys out. It was then that eyes turned to me. The Baron said something to the Bishop and then said, “Hawkwood, come and join us.”
I walked to the table behind which the Baron and the jury were seated. Sir Walter also sat down and gestured for me to sit between him and the Baron.
“Sir Walter remembers you from Gascony and the chevauchée which the Duke of Lancaster led. You were modest when you came to seek employment, archer, but I can see that you did not boast for this victory with just twenty men against a much larger force is impressive.”
Sir Walter said, “Twenty men?”
I nodded, “We were behind walls and ditches we had improved, my lord, and the Welsh were poorly led.”
“Yet from what I heard yesterday when your archer reported to the Baron, you and some of your men rode on horses and fought and defeated men at arms and a knight. You, indeed, unhorsed and defeated Lord Rhys!”
I smiled, “He was not a very good knight, my lords. He rode too far and exhausted his horse and while I have limited skills, I saw little evidence of much training in his strokes!”
The Baron beamed, “You have secured the border for me and in the Spring, I can retake Cefnllys and Rhayader.”
It looked like I would have employment for another year. I was wondering if it would be impolite to have increased pay when he continued, “I shall need you to winter at Knighton but in February Sir Walter wishes men to serve with him, Prince Edward and the King in an action against the French and the Castilians.”
I turned to Sir Walter, “The King asked for me?”
He smiled, “I was sent here to ask the Baron for men at arms and archers to serve on ships. I had not even thought of you until your man came yesterday and I remembered that you had fought at Sluys with Sir Walter Manny. The Baron was more than happy to release you.”
“Then I would be honoured. Baron, would it be rude of me to ask for a couple of the men who fought with me at Knighton? I know that it would weaken your garrison, but some have shown skill.”
I thought he might be angry, but it was the opposite. He seemed delighted. “Of course! I have hired more men who will come in January to relieve you. I would have the change of garrison effected smoothly. Sir Walter will speak with you now and then we shall see you at the execution tomorrow. I will have decent food sent down to the warrior hall.”
Sir Walter smiled, “Come with me, Hawkwood, and we will take a turn around the battlements.”
He led me up to the top of the walls where we could walk and talk without the risk of being overheard. “This is fate, you know. I came here without much hope for I knew that the Baron was young. When I heard your name yesterday then I saw an answer to our dilemma. The Castilian pirate, although he calls himself a lord, Charles de la Cerda, has attacked and murdered the crews of many English and Gascon ships. Trade between Gascony and England has been interrupted and a fleet of over forty ships now lurks in Flanders threatening our trade. The wine ships cannot sail from Gascony!” I hid my smile. Lords could not be deprived of their wine. “This is not the season for sailing, and we are safe for the moment. The King is using a papal envoy to attempt to end this piracy, but we are not hopeful. The King and the Prince are gathering a fleet at Wynchchelse and the Cinque Ports. We need men like you to man them. When the talks fail and fail they will, then we will sail and end this pirate’s reign.”
“The King would hire us?”
“Aye, until the Castilian fleet is destroyed you and your men will be King’s men.”
“And how many men do you expect?”
He smiled, “If they are Hawkwood’s men then as many as you can manage. You are to be at Wynchchelse by the first day of April. You will need to equip your company for battle. The King hires warriors and does not provide weapons.”
I nodded and we agreed on a rate. We stopped at the top of the huge donjon and I said, “My lord, may I ask a question? It is not about the battle ahead but the trial.” He nodded. “Why did the knight not defend himself in court? He must have known that there could be but one outcome.”
Sir Walter smiled sadly, “That was down to you and your presence in the court. He was not defeated by a knight, nor even a man at arms but an archer. He was ashamed. You are right that he was a poor knight, but he was a knight, and all honour went the moment you unhorsed him.”
“Ah.”
“You know, Hawkwood, from what I have heard you could be a man at arms. Consider it, for there would be more advancement. Had you been a gentleman at arms then you might have dined with us in the Great Hall rather than with the garrison in the warrior hall.”
“My lord, I am content. I lead my men and it is their respect which means more to me.” I smiled, “Besides, regardless of the quality of the food, I will be more comfortable eating with the garrison. I will not have to worry about making a mistake!”
He laughed, “Aye, you are right there.” We looked down and saw the three men at arms being hanged. Their bodies had been hauled up while we were speaking and now, they wriggled and struggled as they were slowly strangled. It was not the way a warrior should die.
I left the castle and went to the warrior hall. Michael said, “Do we leave now Captain? We can be back at Knighton just after dark.”
I shook my head, “We leave on the morrow for we have to take the heads of the men at arms back to Knighton, but I have good news.” While I enjoyed the ale provided I told them about our new contract.”
Roger and Gareth looked apprehensive, “Fighting at sea, Captain, but we have no experience!”
“Roger, it is like fighting on land for a man with a sword. You do not have to ride but the ship does move. You keep your feet well apart.” I shrugged, “And if you fall overboard then you have a swift death for your mail will drag you down. Do not worry. I fought at Sluys with Sir Walter Manny and I have confidence.”
That evening two of the garrison who had left Knighton when we arrived sat with us. They wanted to know how we had succeeded when they had failed. We told them of our work on the defences and my strategy.
One of the men, John, nodded, “Wilfred had lost his desire, Captain. He is now a lay monk and he is at peace. We lost men we should not have lost.”
“And will you be returning to Knighton?”
They both nodded, “The Baron has already told us that we have an opportunity to redeem ourselves and next time the Welsh will lose!”
“I think the heart has gone from the Welsh,” I told them of the pile of bodies we had burned. “The plague and their foolish attack have stripped the land of warriors. You will be redeemed!”
I was keen to return to my castle, but I had to await the punishment. A raised platform had been erected in the centre of the outer bailey and as the chief witness, I was required to attend the execution. I confess that I had never seen one and was intrigued. When I had lived in London and served as an apprentice tailor, I had been unable to attend the many such executions. I stood with the Baron and the nobles as well as the Bishop. The executioner was one of the Baron’s bodyguards and he looked as though he knew how to wield the axe. I knew, from others, that it was not as easy to chop off a head as people might think. Bones could get in the way. A drum began to beat and the Welsh knight was led from the donjon. He was not fettered, and he looked resigned. The steps he took were in time to the drumbeat; they were his last steps on this earth, few men had the dubious honour of knowing when death will strike. For most men, death came as a surprise on the battlefield, but Lord Rhys saw the manner of his death and it would be a very public one. I wondered what thoughts would be in his mind, his last thoughts on this earth. Would he be cursing me? The raised dais was not high and he took two steps on to it. He knelt before the Bishop who gave him his blessing. A priest had shriven him. He stood and took his purse from his belt. He took a golden florin from it and then handed the purse to the Bishop. “Would you see that my mother gets this, my lord?”
The Bishop nodded.
Lord Rhys turned and handed the florin to the executioner, “I pray you to make this a swift end.”
The man nodded, “I will do my best, my lord, and you shall not suffer.”
He placed his head on the block and, after looking at the Baron, who nodded, the executioner raised his axe and in one lightning quick move, took the knight’s head. It was as clean a strike as I had seen. It was so swift that there was not as much blood as I had expected. The head would be displayed on the gatehouse. I had done my duty and so the four of us mounted our horses and led the ones we had brought for the four prisoners. If we were travelling to the muster, we would need them. The Baron did not come to see us off, but Sir Walter did. We took the heads of the men at arms with us.
“Captain, the Baron says you have between ten and fourteen men?”
I nodded, “Close enough.”
“If you can hire more who match your high standards then the King or the Prince will pay. We can get warriors for hire anywhere but we would prefer warriors of quality.”
“I will do my best. I intend to visit my archers who live in London and see if they can be persuaded to leave a life of peace.”
He handed me a parchment, “Here is a royal warrant made out to you. It should mean you can stay in the holy houses along the King’s Road. You will have to pay but they will not turn you away.”
“Thank you, Sir Walter.”
As we rode back to Knighton, I spoke to Michael about the archers who had served with us at Calais. My memory was shocking for I named archers who had died there. In the end, we could only name three still living. Ned and Jack could be sought in Southwark, but Luke could be anywhere. “When February comes, and we are paid off then we shall travel to Southwark. It will cost us coins but that cannot be helped. We have not done as well from this contract as I might have hoped.”
Michael had a clever mind. “Captain we now have many more horses and once we reach London then we shall not need them all. We could sell them. The poor weapons we took from the Welsh can be melted down. They too can be sold.”
“Aye, you are right, and I still have my chests with Basil of Tarsus.” I realised, even as I spoke, that I also had the chest of coins I had recovered from Captain Philip. My men were my investment and when I led my own company and we hired out to princes in Italy, Spain and France, I would be a rich man! At least that was my dream.
The first thing I did when we returned, for it was not long before noon, was to gather just the warriors in the hall. I sent all else away, even Iago for this was not his business.
“We have been offered the chance to fight, for the King and the Prince have hired us for an indeterminate period from the start of April. We are paid here until February. Any man who is within this hall can come with me and be a Hawkwood man. You do not have to do so and any who choose can stay here at Knighton and be part of the new garrison.” I looked around at the faces. My original men would all come, and I knew that without asking. I guessed, from what he had told me that Stephen would wish to join us, but I did not know the rest well enough. “If you choose to join me then I will be your paymaster and I will issue the orders. The King and the Prince may well appoint another to command me, but I will be the one who issues the orders in battle.”
