‘Edith Swan-Neck is angry with her sons. They defy her and continue their sporadic raids in Devon. Their men are ill disciplined and they are squandering the inheritance from their father on too many Danish and Irish mercenaries who seek only plunder. The people of Exeter have risen to support them once, and paid dearly for it, when Duke William sent a squadron to punish them. Many were executed; they are unlikely to support them again.’
Hereward interrupted Edmund to ask about the Scots.
‘King Malcolm of Scotland lends support to Edgar the Atheling, and to anyone else who needs a safe haven north of the border. He did send a large force down the west coast from Carlisle but, when they reached Penrith, they turned west and started to burn and pillage in Cumberland. We have learned not to rely on his men. There is good news in Mercia, especially Shropshire and Herefordshire, and Chester is strong in its support for us. Their leader is a thegn, Eadric the Wild. He attacks from the Welsh Mountains where he is being aided by Bleddyn, Prince of Gwynedd, and his brother Rhiwallon, Prince of Powys.’
Hereward had another question. ‘What are these men like?’
‘They fight well enough and have helped Eadric become a sharp thorn in William’s side. They destroyed a half-finished Norman motte and bailey at Hereford and now hold the borders, more or less unopposed. William’s heavy cavalry are no match for them on high ground.’
‘Do you think they would venture beyond the borders and move east to attack Nottingham, Warwick, or even Lincoln?’
‘It is doubtful whether the Welsh would support Eadric that far from their homeland.’
‘And what of the Danes?’
‘Many messages have been sent. Their king, Svein Estrithson, says he will come when the time is right.’
Hereward spent a few moments pondering Edmund’s answer before commenting. ‘We have to think about the Danes carefully. They will demand a great deal in return for their support — perhaps the whole kingdom! There is little point in removing a Norman, only to replace him with a Dane. But it is good to know he will come. If his army has to be bought, what do we have?’
‘I have brought all of King Harold’s remaining treasury with me. Half his wealth went with his three sons to Ireland, some went to his daughters in exile in Flanders, and Edith Swan-Neck has enough for herself. What remains is sufficient to support this small force plus the men I’ve dispersed around the earldoms.’
‘But nothing left to entice the Danes?’
‘I’m afraid not, sir. Our resources are very limited, especially compared to the plundered gold and silver available to the Duke.’
Hereward left until last the vital question about the most important of England’s surviving forces. ‘What of the Earls of Mercia and Northumbria, Edwin and Morcar?’
‘I’m afraid that is the worst news of all, both have submitted to William and are at his court at Winchester.’
Hereward’s blood rose. ‘Absent on Senlac Ridge, and now they sup with the Devil!’
‘They bring shame to all of us, sir.’
‘What of their housecarls?’
‘Some, the loyal ones from Northumbria, are with us. Some of Edwin’s Mercians are with Eadric the Wild, but most have gone to ground.’
‘These are the men we have to recruit; then we will be much more powerful. So, Edmund, after that gloomy account, I hope you can offer me at least a tiny morsel to nibble on. Tell us some good news.’
‘Well, sir, your judgement to land here in the North has been vindicated. There is good news from Northumbria, and it may be the spark we need. At the turn of the year, William elevated a Norman brigand called Robert de Commines to be Earl of Northumbria. He arrived with an escort of five hundred men and installed himself in the house of the Bishop of Durham. He and his men then went on the rampage, murdering anyone who stood in their way. Now the whole area has risen against him. Scouts arrived two days ago with news that de Commines and his entire garrison have been put to the sword by a large force, led by the Northumbrian thegns, some of Morcar’s housecarls and a vigilante group formed by the people of Durham. There is now no Norman presence in the North beyond York. What’s more, York is for the taking, as few Normans are within its walls.’
‘Excellent. That will feed our hunger, but we must act quickly.’ Hereward was galvanized. The adrenalin started to rush as he barked his orders. ‘Martin, you must organize your messengers. Their instructions need to be very precise and everyone must act in unison.’
‘How many men?’
‘At least ten. They must be able to ride like the wind and be swift of foot, as they may need to abandon their horses. Have them ready at dawn tomorrow. Edmund, is the Atheling with King Malcolm in Scotland?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Good. He must come south, proclaiming that he is the rightful King and that his army is on the march under my command. He must gather all the support he can in Durham and continue south to York. York will be our stronghold and, for the time being, our capital city. The Archbishop can crown Edgar as King.’
‘Sir, I’m afraid Archbishop Ealdred has sworn allegiance to William.’
Hereward’s enthusiasm turned to anger. ‘How many traitors do we have in this kingdom?’
‘Too many, sir. Far too many.’
‘Ealdred is clearly a coward, and cowards can be easily persuaded. Martin, word must be sent to our supporters in York that we will approach across the Pennines, and that Edgar will enter from Durham. Emphasize that our arrival is imminent. Convey my congratulations to Eadric the Wild for his brave resistance in Mercia. Tell him that now would be the ideal time to mount another attack on any burgh or city he feels appropriate. Finally, when our base in York is secure, he should be prepared to join us on a full-scale march to the South. Please stress that his Welsh comrades, the Princes Bleddyn and Rhiwallon, are more than welcome as part of his force. A message must go to King Harold’s sons in Dublin, encouraging them to accelerate their raids in Wessex.
‘Next, the Danes. Edwin, this is a task for you. Your blood is sufficiently noble to look King Svein in the eye and say that I would be grateful for his regal presence in England. Tell him that the spoils will be great, but that he must accept Edgar’s sovereignty of England. Edmund, where is Edith Swan-Neck?’
‘She is with the nuns at Lincoln, sir.’
‘She must know of our plans. Her presence in York in support of Edgar would be invaluable. Finally, Edmund, send for the remainder of our men and tell them to bring provisions, blacksmiths, carpenters and cooks. A general rallying call must be sent via your network of scouts for all loyal men to join any of the forces we’ve mentioned, or to instigate actions in their own areas to add momentum to our cause. Now is the time to act swiftly and decisively. All Norman soldiers are targets; all Norman merchants are to be attacked; all Norman goods are to be plundered. Are there any questions, gentlemen?’
There was no response, only a look of steely determination in the eyes of all present.
‘Very good, let’s rest. Tomorrow we set out to regain a kingdom.’
As Hereward walked away, he took the Talisman from under his smock and looked at it. He remembered Torfida’s words and knew that her spirit was with him.
His sternest test, as leader of the great English rebellion against William and the Normans, had begun.
By midday the next day, the messengers were long gone and Hereward’s force was on the march.
At Einar’s recommendation, it had been agreed that the family, protected by a small group of housecarls under the command of the thegn Hogor, would camp at a place called Clitheroe Hill, an isolated knoll with commanding views over the heavily wooded valley of the Ribble. It would serve as the rear encampment for the approach to York, with a forward camp further into the Pennines at Einar’s birthplace, the fortified hilltop settlement at Skipton, only two days’ ride from York. The baggage train, supplies and treasury would remain on Clitheroe Hill, from where, should things not go well at York, a speedy retreat was possible into the surrounding fells.
As they made their way eastwards, the ground rose and became more remote. Other than a small settlement of monks and peasants at the Abbey of Whalley, they saw no one between Preston and Clitheroe. The only significant presence was the great cowl of Pen Hill, which glowered at them whenever there was a clearing in the forest. Einar said it was a place of worship for those who still followed the old religion and that Druid sacrifices to the old gods were made from its summit. Hereward paid little attention to the stories, but thought the presence of the massive hill might be propitious. He also knew it was a perfect lookout, should a tactical retreat be needed in the next few weeks.
