In spite of the Norman fires and murders, William exited West Minster as king and regained control of his troops bent on genocide. He had little time for celebration. He had to solidify his hold on his kingdom as he controlled only one tenth of the land. He, in subjugating the Londoners, enslaved them in the building of the Tower and its adjuncts. He called on his advisors and the English lords who understood the land and the people.

“Well, My Lords, where lies the greatest threat to my reign?”

“Sire,” began Robert de Mortain, “let us not forget the threat of the Danes under Canute. He has long sought the throne of England. He is young and ambitious and hot-headed. He reacts like any Norse beserker. He could even now cross the narrows of the North Sea and invade East Anglia. In better weather he could land anywhere on the English coast.”

“Fitz Osbern take notes.”

“Yes, Sire”

“Sire?” they said in unison.

“Edwin and Morcar?”

“Sire, I would worry about English opposition. The English north of Mercia and Northumbria are an unbalanced, undisciplined lot. My brother and I have tried for three years to control and unite those Norse descendants. They do as they please.”

“Are you saying you are too weak to control your thanes?”

“No, no , Sire.” He saw the snare he had set himself, “it’s just that they are difficult to manage.”

“Beauchamp?”

“Sire, I spent some time with Edward’s Queen Edith. She warns that the west country, Wales and Wessex are all descendants of the ancient Britons. They are wild uncivilized creatures that the Saxons never really conquered. The Welsh meanwhile fight for themselves, particularly if they sense enemy weakness. Dorset, Devon and Cornwall were Harold’s people. It would be wise to fence them into the western peninsula.”

“Enemies surround us it seems.”

“Yes, Sire.”

“Suggestions?”

“Sire, I think we should build a series of castles. The Saxons are unaccustomed to the impregnability of our castles nor how to overcome them. You can’t leave an armed castle behind you.”
“Thank you, Odo. Where should we start, in the east?”

“Sire, the town of Norwich is the major town of East Anglia—a market trading center.” replied Odo.

“Sire, let us start small in the north. We could place a roadblock in the route Mercia to London. There is a fine site in Wallingford I saw when we passed through the area.”

“That’s west not north!”

“No matter, it would be a stumbling block that they would have to overcome.”

“Sire, we could bottle up the Celts of Wales with something near the Bristol channel. There is an ancient Saxon fort that could be adapted at Chepstow. The Welsh have never been able to take the stronghold.”

“Good, Earl Waltheof.”

“Sire.”

“Yes, Count Robert.’

“I could place a defensive wall from Southhampton to Bristol. We could establish estates with our soldiers and fulfill your pledge of land.”

“C’est bien. Odo, you work on Norwich. Beauchamp deal with Wallingford. Montgomery, take Waltheof to Chepstow, Brother Robert, you deal with Devon and Cornwall.

King’s Man

The three castles were begun in January 1067. The English were subjected to slave labor. Robert de Mortain selected a group of landless Norman soldiers.

“Count Robert.”

“Yes, Sir Richard?”

“Take the Trivett boys with you. Thomas is like a son to me, but he lost my daughter and grandson in the childbirth. He is depressed, he has lost his will to fight and he is still a farmer in his soul. At least, he looks on the farming as a happier time in his life. He hasn’t the heart to return to the stump farm in Normandy.”

“Tres bien, Sir Richard. I was going to take Will anyway.”

The Wallingford, Chepstow and Bristol/Southhampton group rode out of London as a unit. The size of the group discouraged any attempt of attack. Beauchamp with a heavily armed unit and a few English laborers left the troops at Wallingford. Saxons would build the defensive castle. Montgomery and Waltheof and Robert de Mortain continued together as far as Bristol. One of the English scouts suggested, “My Lord, the distance from Bristol to Southhampton is twice as far as Bridgewater to Bridport. Your Norman fence will be more effective and secure from Bridgewater.”

Could Mortain trust him? He called Will to his side. “This turncoat may be right. Keep him with you. If he is false, kill him.”

Consequently, the Mortain troop leisurely rode toward Bridgewater . Outside the village of Cannington they came upon two farms seemingly abandoned. Thomas searched the land for movement. “Wait.” The unit drew rein. “I’m going to check this out” He rode in to the farm to the largest house. He saw some movement behind the shutter and dismounted. “Venez ici!” but no one came. Fortunately, Will had followed him.

“Come out,” Will said, but was not answered.

Thomas drew his sword and tried the door. It resisted. Someone was holding it closed. Thomas forced it open and reached around to grasp a feminine or childish wrist. He drew the body attached to the wrist around the door. It was the most beautiful young woman with brunette hair he had ever seen.

Will and Thomas questioned her.

“Who are you?”

“I am Sarah, daughter of Leofgar.”

“Where are your parents?”

“Father went to fight with the King. Mother, tried to run the farm herself and tore her heart. She died when one of the villagers returned to tell her father had been slain in battle.”

“Where are your villagers?”

“One man was killed with Father. The other man was crippled. The last was young and unmarried. He ran away from the work.”

“How much land do you have?”

“Two ploughs. [730 acres]”

“How much stock?”

“Six horses, eight cattle and twelve pigs.”

“What happened to the next farm?”

“Mereswith was killed in the war, but there are three smallholders yet. They have helped me some.”

“Will, I would stay here with one of Olan’s men.!”

“What is this farm?”

“It is called Blachmore.”
“Now it will be Blachmore Chilton Trivett—King’s man Trivett.

“And Thomas, I will take the next farm, another Chilton Trivett. Keep it operating for me until I finish the western fence with Count Robert. Rupert’s Elizabeth will love it here. I’ll explain to Count Robert.”

“Merci, Will.”

“And Thomas try to learn a little English when you two go to bed at night.”

Thomas reddened. The girl didn’t understand. Will wheeled his horse laughing at Thomas’s discomfort. Will felt something strike his back. A well-aimed horse ball stained his cloak. Now it was Thomas’ turn to laugh and the girl joined him.