The Scots have decided to take advantage of the Civil War in England and King David invades. The only opposition to his mighty army of 26,000 men is the Warlord of the North and an ancient Archbishop of York. With cruel invaders rampaging through northern England and ravaging the land, enemies must join together to fight off the enemy who threaten to take half of the country.
This is Book 9 in the Anarchy series and covers the Battle of the Standard. King David of Scotland invaded the north of England with 26,000 men. Archbishop Thurstan had less than fifteen thousand to face them. The Scots were broken, losing 12,000 men. Prince Henry, the King’s son, made Carlisle with one follower. Only nineteen knights reached Scotland with King David still wearing their hauberks. The majority threw them away to make flight easier.
I have used this battle and other incidents from the period and woven them into the story of Alfraed, the fictitious Earl of Cleveland.
I hope you enjoy it. I certainly enjoy writing the series.
Excerpt
I rode at the head of our small column with Sir John on my right side. Cedric and Oswald rode together behind and the least experienced, Ralph, rode at the rear. We might only be facing bandits but would take no chances. My shield was held tightly to my body. Rolf suddenly snorted. I looked around and saw the dead man with an arrow sticking in his chest as he fell from his perch. My archers were silent killers. The body alerted us to the dangers ahead. I knew that we were getting close and I hissed, “Cedric, Oswald, flank us.”
The two men at arms rode to my left and Sir John’s right. Dick and his archers might be the shield but we would be the hammer which smashed the bandits. Suddenly I heard cries ahead. I spurred Rolf who responded immediately. He was a powerful beast and I had to pull back on the reins lest he out run the other three. They caught up with me as we galloped towards the sounds of combat. An arrow came straight at me. It was a blur but I knew what it was. I flicked up my shield and the arrow pinged off the surface and into the trees. Then I saw the bandits. They were crouched as they tried to take advantage of the low bushes and send arrows towards the enemy they could see; me and my four men on horses. My archers were hidden but their arrows were taking their toll. Dick and his men had surrounded the camp and all the bandits’ attention was on us.
There were more bandits than I had expected. Some I could see as soon as we reached the clearing. A handful wore helmets and leather hauberks. Some had been soldiers. Their weapons and their demeanour told me that. I could not restrain Rolf any longer. He had the smell of battle in his nostrils and he leapt forward. A brigand with a poleaxe swung it at me. Had I had a sword he might have caught me but I jerked Rolf to the left as I thrust at him with my spear. His two handed weapon meant that he had no defence against the blow and my spear head went into his throat. I twisted and pulled as Rolf galloped into the heart of the camp. Two bandits stood thirty paces from me and pulled back on their bows. Suddenly they pitched forward as Dick’s archers’ arrows struck their backs. They fell and their backs looked like a hedgehog.
Sir John had only one man who was bigger and stronger than he and that was Wulfric. He rode directly at the leader of the bandits. He had a short mail byrnie, a shield and a spear. Sir John rode straight at him. Cedric galloped to his right and his spear took the bandit who was guarding the side of the leader. Sir John’s spear smashed into the shield of the leader. It was such a powerful blow that the spear shattered in two but the man was thrown to the ground. He lay stunned. Sir John whirled around and drew his sword in one practised motion. As the leader rose to his feet he brought his sword around and took his head. It rolled into the middle of the camp and its dead eyes stared at the grey skies.
The last few bandits threw down their weapons and fell to their knees. “Mercy! We beg mercy!”
I reined in Rolf. He had not had enough and would have charged again. My men emerged from the forest. I saw that we had not lost a man. I had not expected to. Then a movement to my left caught my eye. Five women and two children emerged from the dell in which they had sheltered.
The grey haired gammer dropped to her knees. “My lord. You have saved us.”
I dismounted and handed my reins to Oswald. “Rise. Who are you?”
“I am Anna wife of Arne of Thorpe. These are my daughters and granddaughters.”
“These are the bandits who killed your men?”
She glared at the eight who had surrendered. “Aye lord, and worse.” I saw the younger women pull the two young girls closer. She did not need to elaborate.
One of the men said, “We only did what Alan of Trimdon told us, lord. Give us mercy!”
I turned to Anna, “It is your decision, Anna wife of Arne of Thorpe, what is the fate of these men!”
“Give me your knife, lord, and I will mete out justice myself.”
I saw the men recoil and knew what she intended. “No, mother, for you would to live with that. Whatever punishment you decide we shall deliver.”
