In 11th Century England, King William has achieved almost total domination of the Englisc and turns his attention to Scotland.
Owerd, possibly the last of the Britons to be deemed ‘lord’, faces powerful enemies from all quarters. He seems to hold the king’s favour by a thread, which only serves to encourage others to try and bring him down.
Treachery abounds as he tries to juggle multiple roles and prove himself and his men worthy warriors for the Norman king. But will his lust for a woman finally prove his undoing?
Author’s Note:
11th century men and women were just as complex beings as we are today. Owerd, the main character in these chronicles, is no different.
In “King’s Warrior”, the third book of the series, he goes from violence (“…the air was filled with the clash of swords, angry shouts, and screams of the injured”) to compassion (“… Owerd had rarely, if ever, made love as tenderly as he did with Runa that night”) in the space of a day.
Happiness, fear, disgust, anger, pride and jealousy all play their part in Owerd’s character but what comes to the fore is courage, with perhaps a helping hand from fate – “wyrd” if you will.
There was a relaxed but thoughtful gathering over an evening meal of fresh bread, trout and eel with piles of root vegetables in the castle that evening. The men had been joined by Edward’s wife Matilda and that ensured the conversation did not descend into any excessive male-oriented humour or politics. Regardless, the events of the day concerning the Mint could not be avoided.
‘We have ourselves a mystery’, said Edward. ‘All the signs are of some wrongdoing but the means, the offences themselves and the offenders, other than our prisoner Tomas and his woman Joan, are yet undiscovered’.
‘I agree’, said Owerd, ‘although the woman has convicted herself by attacking and wounding one of my men. It is the possible villainy concerning the coinage that has me most concerned. If the minting process is controlled and the weights are correct, I fail to see what can be amiss, though I am cert that something is. Without good evidence we are at an impasse and moving against the moneyer on mere suspicion could make us look both foolish and put us in way of the king’s wrath’.
Cadoc had been quiet during the meal but listening attentively. ‘Could we not search the moneyer’s dwelling on some pretext? That could bring to light any other stolen goods or suchlike’.
Owerd thought upon that for a few moments, considering the risks of being seen to overstep his authority for no good reason. The image of the fleeing Joan then came to mind.
‘Cadoc, kindly take yourself down to our prisoner. If he is to show he is truly cooperating he will tell you where he believes that Joan woman will flee to. Make no promises but you could suggest that I am in a merciful mood’.
The meal was interrupted again after Cadoc had left by a retainer with word that a monk awaited at the door seeking audience with Owerd. He was duly brought in and Owerd rose from the table in delight at recognizing his friend, the warrior monk and intelligencer Brother John.
‘My apologies for the lateness of my arrival, Sir Owerd, but I went seeking you first at the manor in Wilton before being told you would possibly be here. I have news but I would not disturb others with it, though a share of your bread would not go astray. I have not eaten all day’.
Brother John sat eating quietly, enjoying much more than bread alone, as Cadoc returned to announce the village of Grateley as the fugitive’s likely destination.
‘I believe that our man Alard has his residence near there’, mentioned Edward.
‘That settles it’. Owerd shrugged off the torpor brought on by the plentiful food and wine and became brusque and businesslike. ‘Cadoc, kindly have Cuthbert arrange for a messenger to ride to Winchester at first light. I will have three missives for him: one for the king, another for the Sheriff of Hampshire and one for the king’s moneyer who he should find at the Winchester Mint. Tell Cuthbert also to have most of the men ready to ride at the same time. We will go hunting our female thief. Edward and Matilda please excuse me for a little while I have some letters to write’.
As he rose, Brother John did so also and followed him into the ante-room where they could converse privately as Owerd wrote.
‘I thought it best to give you advance notice, Owerd, the angels of darkness are gathering and seek your blood’. John’s manner was easygoing but his message was chilling. ‘You are accused by Sheriff Roger of Gloucester of gathering a large force of soldiers and threatening to burn Gloucester Castle. He complained to Bishop Odo, who placed that before the king, adding his own complaint about you attacking a delegation of his to Wilton Abbey that was seeking contributions for the restoration of Canterbury Cathedral. Odo’s brother Count Robert has added his own accusation to the pile asserting that you lied to the king when you said you had no personal motive in stealing that woman from Trematon Castle and killing his sergeant-at-arms. The king has his mind elsewhere just now over disturbing reports from the north but I suspect he will feel forced to act upon these multiple accusations. Gird your loins my friend for a trip to Winchester yourself and meanwhile stay out of dark alleys’.
‘Those accusations are all nonsense of course’, said Owerd as he looked up from his writing, ‘but I thank you for taking the trouble to let me know. I will be prepared’.
‘I have other news, perhaps of a better nature, Owerd. I know how you value your new ships of war so I called in there at Gosport to see how matters lie. The men there seem to be in good spirits and have made many a capture of pirate vessels of late. Sir Godric I cannot recall meeting before but he seems a competent man and mentioned that should I see you he recommends an early visit. He said you should take a good escort. Why he suggested that I know not but that is something I would recommend anyway, things being as they are’.
‘I must admit John, that these duties as sheriff take up such of my time as to prevent me paying proper attention to the business of being the king’s Sea Lord. I shall make a point of visiting there very soon. Meanwhile, let us go and enjoy a few more cups of the castle’s quite palatable wine and we shall find you a bed for the night’.
The next morning’s weather was not conducive to leaving the warmth of one’s bedding. The sky was a dark glowering grey and a harsh northern wind knocked the already-frigid air another few degrees colder. Owerd was thus delighted to see Cadoc holding his horse ready as he left the castle keep and he could just sight his men gathering their mounts in the outer bailey. Cuthbert stood alongside Cadoc with another housecarl.
‘Ralph here is ready for your messages, my lord’.
Owerd handed over three tightly wrapped pieces of parchment and a small purse.
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James Gault
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