Hastings (Conquest Book 1) by Hosker Griff

Author:Hosker, Griff
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sword Books Ltd.
Published: 2023-05-26T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

The single battle of Mortemer ended the war. The destruction of his ally left King Henry of France with no alternative other than to ignominiously slink back to France. Duke William had not even had to draw a sword for the Count of Eu and the Warenne brothers had won the war for him. I had a second horse, sword and purse for my pains. The helmet was too badly damaged to be of use but I took it anyway. Aimeri could reuse the metal. Bruno did even better; Sir William generously allowed him to keep the ransom of the standard bearer. In hindsight that was not surprising for Sir William had captured a count and his ransom would be a mighty one. After returning what we could to the people of Mortemer, we began the long and slow ride home. We were all in high spirits. Bruno and Guy tried to persuade me to follow Bruno and serve Sir William de Warenne but I had made up my mind. For good or ill, I was a Malet and I would follow my path. We reached Arques-la-Bataille and feasted for some days. Duke William arrived on the second day and that feast was even better.

Bruno and I did not have to serve at the table, and Sir Radulf also insisted that we sit with the other knights. Here my star had risen. I found it ironic that the duke and other Normans held me in high esteem but at Graville-Sainte-Honorine I was seen as little more than a hired sword with a hog bog for a grange.

Sir William not only had the ransom but also the promise of land. Duke William did not specify which lands but he was a man of his word. Ponthieu was confiscated by the duke, and the other rebellious lords who had fought against us were exiled and their lands were taken. One, Roger fili Episcopi, was given Mortemer. Bruno and I thought that unfair as the knight had been with Duke William and had done nothing to merit the reward. I wondered what treat lay in store for Sir William.

I left Varenne, Sir William’s home, a fortnight after the battle. It was a sad parting for I was losing my best friend and I knew not when I would see Bruno again. Leading Blaze and my second captured horse, Zeus, I rode Louis and the captured weapons hung from Zeus’ panniers. Blaze deserved the rest.

My half-brothers had returned immediately after the cessation of hostilities. They had not fought and had no reward for their service. Every lord and his mesne owed the duke forty days a year of service. They had given that but had nothing to show for it. As I rode into the manor, the pueros who were practising stopped to watch me. Baldwin laughed, “I see you have landed on your feet again, Richard fitz Malet. You have the luck of the devil.”

Odo shouted, “Where is Bruno? He was not hurt, was he?”

I dismounted and tied my horses to the rail.

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