Irish War (Anarchy Book 16) Read online

  Irish War

  Book 15

  in the

  Anarchy Series

  By

  Griff Hosker

  Published by Sword Books Ltd 2017

  Copyright © Griff Hosker First Edition

  The author has asserted their moral right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the author of this work.

  All Rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of the copyright holder, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

  A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

  Thanks to Design for Writers for the cover and logo.

  Dedicated to Hilary Springgay; a lovely lady taken far too soon.

  Book list

  Ancient History

  The Sword of Cartimandua Series (Germania and Britannia 50A.D. – 128 A.D.)

  Ulpius Felix- Roman Warrior (prequel)

  Book 1 The Sword of Cartimandua

  Book 2 The Horse Warriors

  Book 3 Invasion Caledonia

  Book 4 Roman Retreat

  Book 5 Revolt of the Red Witch

  Book 6 Druid’s Gold

  Book 7 Trajan’s Hunters

  Book 8 The Last Frontier

  Book 9 Hero of Rome

  Book 10 Roman Hawk

  Book 11 Roman Treachery

  Book 12 Roman Wall

  The Aelfraed Series (Britain and Byzantium 1050 A.D. - 1085 A.D.

  Book 1 Housecarl

  Book 2 Outlaw

  Book 3 Varangian

  The Wolf Warrior series (Britain in the late 6th Century)

  Book 1 Saxon Dawn

  Book 2 Saxon Revenge

  Book 3 Saxon England

  Book 4 Saxon Blood

  Book 5 Saxon Slayer

  Book 6 Saxon Slaughter

  Book 7 Saxon Bane

  Book 8 Saxon Fall: Rise of the Warlord

  Book 9 Saxon Throne

  The Dragon Heart Series

  Book 1 Viking Slave

  Book 2 Viking Warrior

  Book 3 Viking Jarl

  Book 4 Viking Kingdom

  Book 5 Viking Wolf

  Book 6 Viking War

  Book 7 Viking Sword

  Book 8 Viking Wrath

  Book 9 Viking Raid

  Book 10 Viking Legend

  Book 11 Viking Vengeance

  Book 12 Viking Dragon

  Book 13 Viking Treasure

  Book 14 Viking Enemy

  Book 15 Viking Witch

  Bool 16 Viking Blood

  Book 17 Viking Weregeld

  Book 18 Viking Storm

  The Norman Genesis Series

  Rolf

  Horseman

  The Battle for a Home

  Revenge of the Franks

  The Land of the Northmen

  Ragnvald Hrolfsson

  The Anarchy Series England 1120-1180

  English Knight

  Knight of the Empress

  Northern Knight

  Baron of the North

  Earl

  King Henry’s Champion

  The King is Dead

  Warlord of the North

  Enemy at the Gate

  Warlord's War

  Kingmaker

  Henry II

  Crusader

  The Welsh Marches

  Irish War

  Border Knight

  Sword for Hire

  Modern History

  The Napoleonic Horseman Series

  Book 1 Chasseur a Cheval

  Book 2 Napoleon’s Guard

  Book 3 British Light Dragoon

  Book 4 Soldier Spy

  Book 5 1808: The Road to Corunna

  Waterloo

  The Lucky Jack American Civil War series

  Rebel Raiders

  Confederate Rangers

  The Road to Gettysburg

  The British Ace Series

  1914

  1915 Fokker Scourge

  1916 Angels over the Somme

  1917 Eagles Fall

  1918 We will remember them

  From Arctic Snow to Desert Sand

  Wings Over Persia

  Combined Operations series 1940-45

  Commando

  Raider

  Behind Enemy Lines

  Dieppe

  Toehold in Europe

  Sword Beach

  Breakout

  The Battle for Antwerp

  King Tiger

  Beyond the Rhine

  Other Books

  Carnage at Cannes (a thriller)

  Great Granny’s Ghost (Aimed at 9-14-year-old young people)

  Adventure at 63-Backpacking to Istanbul

  William, Earl of Cleveland

  The northern borders are still filled with danger and we need a strong hand here to control it. I hereby appoint William of Stockton to be Earl of Cleveland and I charge him with the protection of the border.

  Henry II- The Welsh Marches

  Part One

  Scotland

  Prologue

  My father and I had barely had moments with each other before he was whisked off with King Henry. He was going to war in Anjou. It seemed that our destiny was to be apart. Yet he had spent some little time with my wife, son and daughter. They had met and seen each other. For that I was grateful. More than that the four of them got on so well that it was as though they had always known each other. Even now, just five days after they had left, Samuel still pined for the grandfather he had just met. Each night he would ask me to tell him tales of his deeds. I found that I did not know them all. I sought out Aiden one day. He had been with my father the longest of any of those who lived in the castle and the valley. He had been bought as a slave. Now he led my father’s hunters, scouts and gamekeepers. I rode with him around the manor and he told me the stories I did not know. Aiden was the one who knew them all. Now that I knew them I could pass them on to my son. My father had done great deeds. They were the kind of deeds which shape kingdoms and gain thrones. They were tales filled with my father’s honour fighting the treachery of others. I discovered that my father was a very modest and noble man.

  Aiden was plain-spoken and simple of speech. I heard the stories devoid of hyperbole and exaggeration. “I know not how he did most of what he did do, my lord. My task is easy. I find the enemy but your father, why he seems to read the minds of whichever foe he fights and makes their plans look like nonsense. He makes men do that which seems impossible and yet they do it. In all the time I have known him he has never been foresworn. He sleeps alongside his men and shares their food. He does not take all, he shares.” He shook his head, “I know that I am lucky to have him as my lord.”

  He had filled in the gaps by the time we reached Stockton again. “Thank you, Aiden, what you have told me is most helpful.”

  Aiden reined in and looked at me earnestly, “But lord, he is not becoming any younger. He still fights in the fore. He still risks his life. I wish that he were here, lord, for then he would be safe. You would look after your father.”

  I shook my head. “I am a shadow of that great man.”

  “You are wrong lord, for I spoke with Masood and know that the Warlord’s blood courses through your veins too. You are young. Young men make mistakes but you have atoned. Your father told me of the Crusades. You have been reborn and here you can be the new Warlord and let your father enjoy his autumn years.”

  “I thank you for the stories, Aiden,
and I will try to make him stay at home, but the King seems to need him.”

  “He has served the King, the King’s mother and the King’s grandfather. Surely that is enough for any man.”

  Aiden was right. The royal family owed him more than they could ever pay. I was now, even more saddened by my father’s departure and I went to his solar. Aiden was right. The Warlord had done enough. The talk with Aiden had focussed me. I had a job to do. My father and the king had entrusted me with the peace of the north and my first task was to meet with the King of Scotland. King Malcolm was young. I had been given clear instructions by King Henry. In return for the prisoners we had taken I was to demand the return of both Northumbria and Cumbria. As compensation, I was to offer King Malcom the County of Huntingdon and the title of Earl. It was a clever move for it would mean that the King of Scotland had to pay homage to the King of England. Just as important was that Malcolm could not be a knight until King Henry knighted him. I knew that young King Malcolm was passionate about knighthood.

  The King had asked me to use the offices of the Bishop of Durham. I had sent a message to de Puiset asking him to visit with me to discuss my visit to Scotland. Despite using the king’s name, the refusal had been perfunctory bordering on the downright rude. I would have to do this alone but, when I had done with the Scottish King, then I would turn my attention to the Bishop.

  I planned on travelling to Carlisle to give my demands, personally, to King Malcolm. I would not use a letter. I had a wax tablet and a stylus. I had used them in the Holy Land. I made a list of the knights and men I would take on my visit. I chose them carefully. Sir Wulfric and Dick were the first names I wrote. They had served my father longer than any and were doughty warriors. Sir John of Stockton, Sir Harold of Hartburn and Sir Gilles of Norton would also come with me along with their retinues. I would take Brother Peter too. He was a priest and that might aid the negotiations but he was also a warrior and who knew when that skill might be needed. Now that Ralph of Bowness was my castellan I knew that my family would be safe in my father’s castle. I would be accompanied by a little over a hundred men but they were the finest warriors to be found in the land and I was not worried. If I needed it I had Hugh of Gainford still holding on to Barnard Castle for me. It would be enough. I would take my servants and a baggage train. I was representing a king. I needed to look as powerful as one.

  Chapter 1

  I left clear instructions with my wife, the Steward and Ralph of Bowness. My father had told me how he had left the valley once and raiders had almost destroyed it. That would not happen while I was in command. I sent riders to have the knights who remained to ride long patrols to the borders. I had left Sir Phillip at Piercebridge. That was the main route south.

  It was hard to say goodbye to my wife but I left her in good hands. Alice, my father’s housekeeper, viewed my family as the one she had never had. She took the children to the kitchen for some sweet treats the cook had made while I said goodbye to my wife.

  “Be careful husband.”

  “This is not the Holy Land and I do not go to war. I go to barter with a king. I will return before the month is out.” I held her at arm’s length. “What think you to your husband now? I am advanced by a king to speak with a king. I am lord of the whole of the north!”

  She leaned forward and kissed me, “You are always the same man to me. I have seen your greatness and know that many kings could learn much from you but I am pleased that you have been rewarded.”

  I shook my head, “I think the cold of England has affected you. I am lucky and I know it. I will have Alice light a hot fire tonight.”

  She stepped on her toes to kiss me goodbye, “You are a fool. But you are my fool. While you are gone I will get to know the people of Stockton and perhaps some of the other ladies of the valley.”

  “Visit the town but do not venture beyond it. With so many knights and men at arms with me I would be happier with you safe in my castle. Besides I shall have a feast when I return and we are rid of these prisoners; then you shall meet the other ladies and they will all be awed by your beauty.”

  “And you, my husband, have been affected by the sun of the Holy Land!”

  I took Edward and Edgar as my scouts. Aiden had earned the right to stay at home along with Masood. They were both teaching Samuel how to use a bow and a sling. Knights did not need to use those skills but my father believed that a warrior needed to be able to use anything to defend himself. I could use a bow and a sling. I had rarely needed to. One day I might. The other reason I did so was that it would give Samuel discipline. When he began to train as a knight then he would have to exercise during every waking hour. He would practise, first with wooden sword, and then with a spear. He would work up to a metal sword and a lance. I had asked my two scouts to keep him working. It would stop him getting into mischief while preparing him for the rigour of the training involved in becoming a knight.

  We rode first to Piercebridge where I spoke with Sir Phillip. Satisfied that he knew my mind we pushed on to Barnard Castle. Sir Hugh of Gainford held it for my father. We had captured it from the Scots and it was a thorn in their side for the mighty castle guarded the western approach to the valley. The Scots had tried to take it many times but it was even more difficult to take than Stockton. The men at arms and archers stayed in the town. The knights and squires, along with our servants stayed in the castle. I had brought my four servants. All had been warriors and they could double as guards if we needed them.

  I had been a squire at the same time as Sir Hugh and we got on well. His family had all been slaughtered by the Scots and my father had raised him. It made us more like brothers. He had four knights in the castle. My father had knighted them all. One was Sir Richard who had recently been his squire. He would be given a manor closer to home but he had wanted to learn from Sir Hugh. He had the greatest responsibility of any knight in the valley. If Barnard Castle fell then the whole of the valley could be ravaged.

  With Hugh’s wife Anne as mistress, we ate well in the huge hall. Wulfric and Dick sat together and looked like our grandfathers. They were almost twice the age of any of us. Both had seen us when we had been young. Both had helped to train us and yet I was now commanding them.

  I sat next to Hugh. He knew the border like no other. It was one reason why Sir Richard had asked to serve in the castle. He wished to be where the danger was the greatest. I noticed him crane his head to catch every word that was said between the two of us. He was keen to learn.

  “So, Hugh, how is the border?”

  “It is quiet at present. When the Scots change kings there are always disputes and pretenders who seek to take the throne by force. That means our life is a little easier for a while. King Malcolm is young. He is but fifteen years old. He wishes to be a great warrior but he is a mere pawn. The sons of Máel Coluim mac Alaxandair seek to undermine him. He is beset by raids from Orkney and there are others who claim the throne. He knows not whom to trust.”

  “Then that is good news.”

  “It would be save that he has no control over his own lands. Banditry and brigandage are rife. Petty lords seek to create empires. Since his grandfather died we have had more skirmishes with them than before. And the Bishop of Durham, de Puiset, plays a dangerous game. He flirts with some of the Scots and, I believe, encourages them to raid.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Some of the Scots we have had to deal with were coming west from the valley of the Wear. That is the Palatinate.”

  “Then when I have spoken with this boy I will ride to Durham and tell him of my new title and authority.”

  “I am sorry Earl, I forgot to use your title!”

  I laughed, “Like my father I believe that titles are there to impress our enemies. I need them not with friends.”

  “Do you wish all of my knights and men?”

  I shook my head, “You need to leave a good garrison and knights here to defend the castle but I would have you with me. You know t
he Scots better than any. I am new to them. You will have a better idea if they are trying to deceive me.”

  “Then I will bring just one knight with me; Sir Richard. He is keen to learn how a knight should conduct himself.”

  I saw, out of the corner of my eye, the relief on the face of Sir Richard.

  “Who are they that represent a threat to King Malcolm?”

  “There are foreign enemies but domestically it is Ferchar, Mormaer of Strathearn, Fergus Of Galloway and his son Uhtred and Walter Fitzalan. If the three parties ever decided to join with the sons of Máel Coluim mac Alaxandair then King Malcolm would fall and we would have a mighty host to face.”

  “Could we defeat them?” I smiled, “Without my father?”

  “We could but with or without your father it would be bloody and we would lose many men. More than that, we would lose crops and people would starve. Better that we did not have to fight them.”

  “Your advice sounds good. Then when we ride have all the knights ensure that we look regal. Every banner and standard must flutter as we ride. I know that the Scots will feel stronger not having to face the Warlord but we have enough men who have fought them to make an impression. If the king is as young as you say then this should be a simple task.”

  Things were never simple on the border. We would have a hard ride the next day and I retired early. These days I did not need to tell my squire, Alf, son of Morgan, what to do. He had developed into one of the best squires in the valley. He had been helped by knights such as John of Stockton who had been my father’s squire. His deficiencies had been in horsemanship and now he was as accomplished as any. He woke me before dawn and brought me water to bathe and clothes for travelling. When I had donned my mail, he strapped on my sword and followed me to the Great Hall. Cold food was laid out and other knights were there eating already. Wulfric and Dick were old campaigners They had taught me, when young, to eat when you could and to eat as much as you could for you never knew when supplies would run out.

  Wulfric was a big gruff warrior. He was more like a bear than a man. Yet there was none, save Dick, who was more loyal to my family. That was because neither had ever married. My father’s family was as close to a family as they would get.