Stewart Binns - Anarchy

I immediately despatched Eadmer.

‘I need a full report. Go around the blockades, I need to know what Mathilde and William are up to.’

It took Eadmer two days to complete his reconnaissance. When he returned, he brought unwelcome news. I called everyone together to hear his report.

‘Ma’am, the Countess of Boulogne is camped at Stoke on the Itchen with an army led by William of Ypres. They are mainly Bretons, with Flemish mercenaries. But there are also several squadrons of the London militia who, I am ashamed to say, are mainly Englishmen. I estimate two hundred knights and at least two thousand infantry, including archers and crossbowmen. Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester, is with Countess Mathilde.’

Brien FitzCount could contain himself no longer at the mention of Bishop Henry’s name.

‘What a bastard! He has a remarkable gift for discovering that his duty always points in the same direction as his self-interest!’

Even in the midst of the gloomy news, we could not fail but smile at Brien’s sardonic turn of phrase.

Eadmer finished his report with two more pieces of grim news.

‘All the roads are closed, nothing can get in or out of Winchester. And their army is beginning to break camp – they will be on the march tomorrow.’

Earl Robert stood and began to pace the floor.

‘How far away is Stoke?’

‘Eight miles, my Lord.’

‘Well, it seems we’re snared in our own trap. We can’t get an army the size of ours inside this bailey and then feed them. And we can’t hold the burgh’s wooden ramparts, most of which have been damaged by the flames, against an army the size of Mathilde’s. We’ve also got to think of Henry’s garrison inside Wolvesey; they will be an additional problem.’

He looked at me, almost plaintively. I nodded, signalling that I concurred with the only obvious solution. He spoke on behalf of us both.

‘Ma’am, you must get out tonight under cover of darkness – you, Greta and your Lotharingians. Earl Harold will get you away with Eadmer, just the six of you. Take some horses, but no regal trappings. I will hold the fortress here to give you time to get away. Hopefully you will be secure in the west by the time they realize you’ve gone. Ranulf, I suggest you take your men north to Chester, break through the blockade; we’ll need your men for another day. Brien, you should do the same. Go to your castle at Wallingford; it is our most eastern outpost. If you can hold it, it will remain a thorn in Mathilde’s side. Miles, you and your men will stay here with me.’

‘Of course, my Lord. It will be an honour.’

Maud stood; her hopes and dreams were in tatters. She took several deep breaths before addressing us.

‘My Lords, I am grateful to you all. The last few weeks have not gone well for us. Stephen is still being financed from Flanders, and I suspect he also receives support from the King of France. Now it seems the London merchants are lending him their silver too. But I will not give in; with your support, I will fight on.’

She kissed and embraced each of us, then beckoned to Greta.

I issued final instructions before the ladies took their leave.

‘Greta, we depart at midnight. You must prepare only two bags each. Eadmer, you are to look after King Edward’s crown and the great seals. You can leave the keys; the Treasury has already been ransacked.’

Once again, I thought about our cause. Maud’s success was under serious threat and the once proud burgh of Winchester, old King Edward’s favourite place, was a charred cinder, its people destitute.

They were paying a high price, as was England.

We rode all night, finding some rest at John FitzGilbert’s castle at Luggershall, then on to Devizes and finally to Gloucester, where Greta and Maud collapsed in total exhaustion.

Ten days later, Miles of Gloucester appeared. He was alive, but was in a sorry state – he had lost his armour and his weapons, he was naked from the waist up, and his horse was spent. Eadmer and I helped him into the Great Hall, gave him a cloak and seated him in front of the fire. We gave him food and a flagon of wine. He waited for Maud to arrive, before giving us his account.

‘I’m afraid I had a difficult journey back, ma’am, so please forgive my appearance. I became separated from my knights and was pursued all the way across Salisbury Plain. I had to go to ground to get away. Winchester was a rout. When William and Mathilde’s army appeared, they swept over the walls of the burgh like a tidal bore. We had to abandon our position and attempt a fighting retreat to the north-west. We made a stand at Stockbridge and held our ground for a while. In the midst of their onslaught, an old friend rode into our lines. David, King of Scotland, had been on his way to support you at Winchester with two hundred knights. To his immense credit, when he heard of our plight, instead of returning home, he rode to our aid. His men bought us some time, but we were still overwhelmed.

‘We formed a final redoubt, but it was futile; men fell in droves until I counted our number as only a few dozen. King David managed to get away with a bodyguard of knights. My Captain put me on a horse before he was cut down, but I don’t think Earl Robert made it. The last time I saw him, he was surrounded by Flemish knights; I fear the worst.’

Maud sat by Miles and cradled his head in her lap. It was a touching moment. She summoned the stewards.

‘Take this brave man to his chamber!’

That evening, Maud and I had a heart to heart. She sat on my knee in front of the fire, looking forlorn. When she spoke, her question was candid.

‘Is our game over, my darling?’

‘Not quite. You’ve still got Stephen cooped up in Bristol. As long as you have him, the game is still on.’

‘But we are in retreat and our position looks bleak. My chance has gone; we have suffered enough, the people have suffered enough. I want to rule a strong and peaceful land, but England is in ruins.’

‘I admit that our situation is not ideal, but we’ve come so far. Don’t abandon hope yet.’

‘I don’t feel as strong as you. Help me, Hal. Lend me some of your courage.’

‘You are the strongest woman I’ve ever met; you don’t need to borrow anything from me. While you live and the boys live, your cause – and that of England – is still alive.’

‘Thank you, Hal. I love you very much.’

I carried her to our bed, where she eventually fell asleep, leaving me to reflect on our future.

It was true, we were still in the game, but the odds were swinging against us. I knew that Maud missed the boys more and more with every passing day. At least there was one small crumb of comfort: we had been about to send word to Argentan for them to be brought to Westminster for Maud’s coronation. But thankfully, that never happened; recent events would have been impossible to bear, had they been with us. I started to drift off to sleep and, as I did so, I longed to be in St Cirq Lapopie with our boys.

At the beginning of October, our refuge in the Lot became even more appealing. To our astonishment, an envoy appeared at Gloucester with a message from Mathilde of Boulogne. It was short and to the point.

The forces of King Stephen of England have in their custody Robert, Earl of Gloucester, captured at Stockbridge during a rebellion against his lawful King.

We propose an exchange of prisoners.

Queen Mathilde will offer herself at Bristol as hostage in exchange for the release of her husband, Stephen, our sovereign King. After the release of Stephen, and when he reaches Winchester, Earl Robert will be released, subject to his son, William, being taken as hostage.

When Earl Robert reaches Bristol, Queen Mathilde will be released, as will Earl Robert’s son in Winchester.