Nigel Tranter - The Path of the Hero King

“You must be the Lord Prior of Hexham, sir, come to meet me. I thank you for your courtesy,” he said gravely.

“How may I serve you?”

Surprised, the other, a purple-faced, sagging-jowled man of strong features and intolerant eye, drew a much-be ringed hand over his thin-lipped mouth.

“If you would serve us, my lord-then come and accept of our hospitality, you and yours,” he answered stiffly.

“But spare our city.” And he waved his plump hand towards the ominous smoke-clouds.

“Your hospitality it will be my pleasure to accept. But as to sparing your city, Sir Prior-tell me why I should?”

“Because it is a city of Holy Church. An ecclesiastical jurisdiction of great age and sanctity. As is all the country around-all Church land, Hexhamshire. Sacred to the blessed Saint Wilfred whom God loves, my lord.”

“Sire!” James Douglas barked, at the Prior.

“Eh …?”

“I said, Sire. Not my lord. Address His Grace as befits a king, sirrah. And get down from that horse.”

After a moment or two, the other slowly dismounted, frowning.

He did not speak.

It was Bruce who inclined his head, not the other.

“I have heard of Hexham Priory’s fame, of course,” he said.

“Its greatness. And all this goodly land is yours also? This Hexhamshire? How far does it extend, my lord?”

“All around you. You have been on my land these last miles Since Allen River. Church lands. Hexhamshire comprises 50,000.

The King looked approvingly around him.

“A goodly heritage indeed,” be nodded.

“Rich. Fertile. How much had you in mind, my lord?”

The other opened his mouth, and shut it again, purple deeper.

“Come, sir. You must have some notion of your city’s worth?

And your 50,000 acres of Hexhamshire? You, and these others, came expressly to me. Came with a proposal to put to me, I think?

How much? Out with it!” That last was snapped in a very different tone of voice from heretofore.

The Prior blinked rapidly.

“I… we would be prepared to make some small… tribute, Majesty,” he conceded guardedly.

“A token of… of goodwill.”

“A token, yes. In order that your town and country be not destroyed.

How much, man?”

“What can I say, Sire?” The clerical voice held a note that might almost have been anguish now.

“I am but a poor priest entrusted with the pastoral care and oversight of God’s flock in this place …”

“Your town, shire and treasure. How much?” And when the other only compressed already thin lips, Bruce jabbed a finger towards the chief of the magistrates.

“You, then-how much?”

That was more than the Prior could in any way allow.

“We have some few cattle,” he jerked.

“Wool. Grain. Forage …”

“And silver,” Bruce added.

“But little, Sire. We are not rich in moneys …”

“Tush, man-the rings on your hand alone do belie you! Your cattle and grain and forage I will accept. Such as I require. But to save your town and lands, you will pay me 2,000 mer ks in silver.

Forthwith. Is it agreed?”

A stricken moan issued from the cleric’s-lips.

“You cannot … you cannot mean it, Sire! Not 2,000! It is not possible. It would beggar us. Indeed, I do not have so much …”

“Then find it, sir. Sell your rings, perhaps? Or do you prefer that Hexham goes up in flames? Like Gillsland and others?”

“No! No, Sire-no!” came from the magistrates, in a wailing chorus.

“On payment of 2,000 silver mer ks Englishmen, or 1,300, pounds if so

you prefer it,” Bruce went on sternly, “I shall sign you a decree

declaring that the town of Hexham, with Hexhamshire, be free from all further tribute of reparation for English damage done in Scotland for the space of one year from this date. The Prior of Hexham to remain hostage in my hands until such payment is made. Agree to this now, or I command immediate advance upon your town, without mercy. Is it so agreed?”

“Yes, yes,” the townsmen cried. All eyes were on the Prior.

Slowly, expressionlessly, that man inclined his head.

“Very well. Then we shall accompany you back to your Priory, my lord,” the King nodded.

“As your guests, to receive your hospitality, as offered. Hexham is safe … for a year. Come, to horse …”

As they rode towards the town, Douglas, at the King’s side, shook his head.

“I mislike this chattering with the enemy, Sire,” he said.

“We came to punish, not to barter and deal! To cause the English army at Berwick to look back over its shoulder…”

“Spoken like my good brother Edward!” Bruce asserted, smiling.

Edward had advisedly been left behind in Scotland to prosecute the siege of the English in Perth. He would have fitted but uncomfortably into this highly delicate campaign.

“How do you know what we came to do, Jamie? We came to upset the Berwick army, without fighting it, yes. But much more. And that, I swear, is already achieved-or will be when the tidings reach them. Think you burning and her ship the only way to cause the English alarm?

It is their confidence, their pride, I would undermine. And this day’s work will do that even better than yesterday’s. Though yesterday’s was necessary for today’s.”

“You mean… you planned this, Sire?”

“Say that I hoped for it. This Prior has served me better than he knows. Better than just by filling my purse! He leads the way for others to follow. Others will be prepared to dc what the proud Prior of Hexham did not balk at-to buy their safety. For the moment! All over the North of England, let us hope.”

“But … you could have had the wealth of Hexham -all of it-by but drawing your sword! Why this tempo rising …?”

“Do you not see it, Jamie? I warrant Thomas Randolph would have

understood! He has a head on his shoulders for more than swordery. See

you-my realm is direly impoverished. The governance of a kingdom

requires much money. My treasury is empty, and I can by no means fill

it from Scotland. If I burned Hexham today and took its treasure-that

would be all I would win from it. This way, I have given it assurance

for a year, for 2,000 mer ks

Think you that next year it will not think perhaps to buy more safety, instead of fighting? And others like it? Another 2,000.

Riches breed caution, James-and the English North has grown rich on the spoil of Scotland. We shall see to it that all hear of Hexham’s bargain. There are many, many towns and abbeys and priories in these parts. After my burning of Gillsland, as was necessary, and sparing Haltwhistle and Hexham, I swear others will seek to make similar bargains. We shall, of course, burn here and there, to remind all! Hereafter, by constant raiding over the Border, I intend to see that Cumberland and Northumberland-aye, and even Durham and York-pay their taxes to King Robert rather than King Edward! Think you this will not trouble the English at Berwick—or at least, their leaders-as much as a few more towns ablaze?”

Douglas was speechless.

Hexham was situated at a most vital junction of ways and roads and rivers. In every direction valleys and routes radiated. Even as the crow flew, however, it was sixty and more miles to Berwick.

They had four days, Bruce reckoned. And with the sort of men he had brought, a great deal could be achieved in four days, from a centre like Hexham. That very evening he split up his force into two hundreds, under eager captains, and next morning sent them forth, strictly commanded, wolves amongst scattered sheep-but careful, calculating, persuasive wolves, who intended to come back this way again and again, seeking sheep’s fleeces rather than their blood.

Then he rode back to Haltwhistle, where all would rendezvous four days hence-unless, somehow, a major English attack developed sooner. From Haltwhistle he could keep a general’s eye on Carlisle and the southwest- and could be back through empty bills to the Border in two or three hours.