“Yes, My Lord?”

“What news?”

“My Lord, my agent, Father Francis has returned to Normandy. Count Alan is still in Hardrada’s court gleaning what information he can. We have a line of communication with Alan that entails a week’s sailing time in perfect weather.”

“And?”

“Father Francis observed preparations for invasion. Any request for longboats were summarily dismissed. Visits to ship builders met with the same negative response. There is an increase in war-like activity by Viking forces, as much as any Viking practices war.” and he sneered derisively. “There is an increased presence of warriors about Oslo. These are the obvious facts. Court gossip is supported by the facts. Hardrada is using the scapegoat exile Tostig as the excuse for invasion, but people close to the king suggest Hardrada will seize the opportunity with the death of Edward the Confessor to invade in the confusion of succession. The country, the province, the foothold may be his.

“And Tostig?”

“A discard, My Lord.” and he drew his finger across his neck.

“Was there any attempt at alliance?”

“Yes, My Lord. Hardrada ignores any attempt to talk. Tostig is not witless, however. He and his henchmen can read the runes as well as anyone. Either Tostig or his advisors have made approaches to both Francis and Alan. Francis invited Tostig to Normandy for treaty talks. Naturally, “and he spread his arms, “ after our visitation by Harold and Wulfnoth he was skeptical. Father Francis offered him complete freedom and safe passage to and from Rouen.”

“Yes?”

“My Lord, he is on his way. He likely believes, with his intelligence, he can play both ends against the middle. Normandy and Norway take England and Tostig takes the crown.”

“Mon Dieu!” and he struck his forehead, “what an idiot! Bring him to me when he arrives. What of the Dane Cnut?”

“The Danes are quiescent at present. The hot-head Cnut has been silenced by the merchant elders. He still stirs the young bloods who feel they must prove themselves in war. At present, according to my agent, he poses no threat. It is not time to even scotch the snake until our vessel contract is complete.”

“Ah, yes, vessels. Where is young Trivett?”

“He is being married today, My Lord.” replied Count Roger. “The bays and rivers along the coast are filling with longboats. The fellers of trees have returned to the farms. The sawyers have rendered the necessary planks. The shipwrights, if you can imagine, are satisfied. Everything is going according to plan. Even the Walloons are creating sails in time for completion. There will be a mighty armada of Norman oak and Danish softwood.”

“And Rupert?”

Roger continued, “ He is still in France, My Lord. He is hiring mercenaries on promise of great Saxon loot or Saxon land. It has not been easy in France or Italy to round out our forces, but he does his best without coin.”

“Coin, yes. William Fitz Osbern, how stands our treasury?’

Osbern wrung his hands. He appeared about to cry. He whined like any accountant. “My Lord, we are deep in debt throughout the realm. The fleet has been a great expense. Merchants in Denmark, Flanders and here in Normandy have been rubbing their hands in glee. If we were not in a greed driven economy and squeezing every coin for every drop of sustenance we would be in great financial difficulty. It is imperative that we have the English throne. Many debts will be paid off in land. However,” with a toss of his head, “ we are viable.”
“Count Robert, how does our army fare?”

“My Brother, your personal forces have been expanded and are in a high state of readiness. Yeoman Olan had the archers strung as tight as their bowstrings. The sergeant needs no supervision, but I have taken part in his exercises. I needed two days rest after one day with Olan. He has this fetish about fitness. He has a circular course laid out. ‘Enemy’ targets are placed at irregular intervals and the position is changed regularly. The men run target to target loosing a shaft at each and woe betide the archer who misses.”

“Robert, that is nothing new.”

“I know, My Lord, but I have never seen archers in such fine shape physically and mentally. Olan is a perfectionist.”

“The infantry?”

“Count Roger and I have your men in training. We’ve begun using some of Olan’s preparation methods. Our permanent forces will provide the sergeants of any combined army we mount.”

“And our knights?”

“We have the numbers, My Lord, but their training forays are lackadaisical. They see war in the distant future. The knights need days of work.”

“Stop! Roger, take over these laggards. I want them battle hardened. Break a few hard heads if necessary. Put Rupert on them.”

“Yes, My Lord. When he returns.”

“Robert!”

“Yes, My Lord.”

“What news from England?”

“Edward, My Lord, is very frail, confined to bed. The leeches hover over him, but the master physician will not allow him to be bled. If Edward hadn’t been praying and confessing the Lord would have taken him long ago according to De Gournay.”

“He’s still in England?”

“Oh yes, My Lord.”

“Continue.” And he steepled his hands.

“Harold has solidified the country. Oh, there are minor disputes, but with Mercia, Northumbria and York supporting him he has gained what amounts to absolute control. He warns of turmoil and trouble with Edward’s demise. He has the Witan, their assembly of lords, prepared for invasion by the ‘trolls’ of Normandy. The Witan sees invading enemies at every turn. With a headless government in Edward’s imminent death, Harold’s stories of invasion, real of fanciful, and Harold’s personal appeal or threat, the Witan will crown him without doubt.”

“I should have killed him I suppose.”

“My Lord, we are not pagans!”

“Who told you that!” and all laughed at his witticism. “Does he know of our preparation?”

“My Lord, the world knows of our preparation. They can see it anywhere in Normandy.”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

Young page entered and waited for acknowledgment.

“Well?”

“My Lord, your butler begs me to report Lord Tostig has arrived.”

“Robert, you have had experience with him. Make him and his entourage comfortable and tell him I will receive him at the earliest possible moment.”

“Yes, My Lord.”

“Thank you, my friends. Till further notice.”

“My Lord.” and they filed from the room.

“Now someone has forgotten their shoes. I see them just under the arras.” And the shoes were quickly withdrawn. “Mais, they’ve disappeared. They must be magic shoes.” He strode toward the arras. Suddenly from the end dashed Lisa and leapt into her father’s arms.

“I’ll give you the biggest hug. Grrr! Grrr!” and the Duke acquiesced. “I give! I give! I love you! MY! You might have been a murderer ready to assail me. I might have run my sword through the hangings.”

“Mon Pere, don’t tease. The only door leads to Mother’s chambers!”

“Oh yes!” but William had escaped other assassination attempts by vigilance. “Did you come for love of your Papa or did you request a boon of your lord and master.”

“Mon Pere, don’t be silly. Mother wants to see you.”

“Well as a gentleman, I never disappoint a lady especially so grand a lady as the Duchess. Shall we take your secret passage?”

“Mais qui, My Lord AND Master!”

William laughed at her cheek and the two disappeared behind the heavy cloth and through the hidden door.

“My Dear, I hope I didn’t interrupt you. “ as Matilda reached out her hand.

“No, My Love, but I suspect Miss Big Ears of spying. It’s like the old saying, ‘The walls have ears’”

“Adeliza, you must never repeat anything you’ve heard of your father’s business!”

“Mama!” as if to say, ‘Do you think me a child!’

“Of course, my Daughter, but I’ll expect a full report after your father leaves. He never tells me anything.” And they all smiled at the family fun.

“Lisa, please check with Hugh, the butler and see that Lord Tostig has been attended.”
“Yes Father.” and off she dashed.

“Tostig?”

“Yes Dear, he was invited by Father Francis to form an alliance. He is under a flag of truce or I would likely kill him; he’s such an ass!”

“You wouldn’t ally yourself with Tostig Godwinesson!” she said with some shock.

“There’s not a chance in Hell.”

“But you’ll use him?”

“That was my idea. From what I have heard and what I have seen Harold is a competent general and fighter. He has limitless soldiers at his disposal. He doesn’t have a chancy channel to cross. We are very vulnerable at that point. If he has invasion on two fronts…?”

“Yes, My Dear, a coordination of efforts.”

“Exactly”, and he slapped his knee.

“That’s why I wished to see you.”

“Invasions?”

“No, a chancy channel.”

The Duke looked puzzled.

“How is the weather today, My Lord?”

“Well, fine. A brilliant fall day.”

“Good, I have something to show you. I’ve ordered a carriage and an escort.”

In no time they were jouncing along the riverside road in her carriage accompanied by six armed retainers. There in the middle of the Dives River sat a magnificent longboat at anchor. It wasn’t huge, but must have measured between one hundred twenty and one hundred fifty feet in length and twenty to thirty feet in the beam. It looked as sleek as the wind-a dragon ship with a monstrous head as its bowsprit.

“Well?” he questioned.

“My Dear, it is yours.”

“Mine?”

King’s Man

“ I had it constructed as your flagship.”

William was overcome. Tears formed in the strong man’s eyes. He hugged her fiercely and kissed her passionately. A small boat was coming to shore to carry them to the new vessel. Matilde was not to be left behind.

He inspected the ship from stem to gudgeon and gave his stamp of approval.

“It is a vessel fit for a duke, Matilde!”

“My Dear, it is a vessel fit for a king!” ‘It will be a wonderful time in the castle tonight’, she thought.

In spite of a night in Matilde’s bed the Duke was ready for the Tostig meeting in the morning. A page introduced him. “The Lord Tostig.”

“Ah, yes, come in Tostig. It has been some time since we had a visit from the Godwines. Your brothers dallied here for months before going home.”

“ I remind you Duke William that I have been guaranteed safe passage under a flag of truce.”

“I know that. I wouldn’t think of detaining you. You may leave immediately. “ and the page, quick to comprehend, opened the oaken door.

“No! No!” and Tostig was confused. “We have some business to discuss.” The Duke leaned forward seemingly in anticipation. “Thank you for your warning that Harold was to drive me out.”

William had not expected that. Tostig was not the type to express gratitude.

Tostig continued, “ My Lord, I was wrongfully exiled from my charge. Northumbria and York are mine and I want them returned.”

“What resources do you have at your disposal Tostig?”

“I escaped with a small fortune in coin and a few of my retainers.”

“So, you would like to hire my forces.”

“I would like to. Yes, but, I didn’t escape with that much coin. I seek an alliance. You have always coveted the English throne and I have had control of the English north. I see you are prepared for invasion. So am I.”

“But, you just said that you didn’t have the coin , Tostig.”

“I’ve bought Hardrada.”

“What with?”

“Loot. He supplies the army and the invasion fleet. Once we are ashore, I’ll raise the fyrd of Northumbria and rout Morcar, Edwin and with Norway’s help, the disloyal bastard brother Harold.”

“Then Tostig, you don’t need me?”

“Ah yes, You are the southern diversion. We coordinate our attacks and Harold must split his army. He brags twenty-five thousand troops.”

“Sacre bleu! It will be best we form a mutual invasion plan. Twenty-five thousand you say? You realize that Edward promised the throne to me.”

“Yes, Lord William, I’ve heard that, but you don’t really think Horrible Harold will allow it.”

“No, I suppose not. How will we do it? What is your plan?”

“Duke William, your agent invited me here to discuss your plan!”

“Oh, I’m not good at militarial things. I think Lord Tostig you should talk to my commander, Robert de Mortain.”

“Perhaps that would be best.”

“I will have Count Robert with you anon. Page, summon Count Robert. I would speak with him summarily and Lord Tostig awaits his pleasure.”

“Yes, My Lord.”

“And Tostig, my home is your home. Count Robert will see you within the hour.” William practically pushed the Saxon out the door. When it was closed, two lords one on either side said simultaneously, “What an ass!”

William has just begun to control his temper when Robert de Mortain was introduced.

“My Lord and Brother.”

“Robert, I’ve been duping that fool Tostig. I’ve elevated you in his eyes commander of all my forces. Introduce him to weapons: show him our fleet; let him watch Olan and the archers. Offer him a plan of cooperation. You can tell him anything, because I have no intention of keeping any promise. But lay the groundwork for a coordinated invasion and a systematic method of communication. I want to know what two fools are doing in the north.”

“Yes, My Lord.”