Conquest

Edmund finished by describing Edith’s attempts to form a coherent group to begin a rebellion. Edwin and Morcar had pledged Northumbrian and Mercian forces to the cause. Harold’s sons had a few hundred men in Ireland and would sail as soon as summoned. She had an agreement with the Danes that they would set sail if an English rebellion began, but there had been no commitment from the Scots or the Welsh.

‘What of the men of the southern earldoms — how many housecarls could be mustered?’

‘It is difficult to estimate. Another winter has passed and skirmishes go on all the time where men die. William has ordered searches for weapons and armour. If any are found, all men of military age in that household or village are executed. Hundreds must be in hiding, but we don’t know exactly how many.’

‘How many men are at Glastonbury, or could be available upon our return?’

Edmund, not wanting to be the bearer of bad news, gulped a little. ‘Five, maybe seven hundred.’

Everyone was shocked.

Hereward tried to hide his disappointment. ‘Not an army of biblical proportions!’ He paced around in circles, deep in thought. ‘If that is the number in the south, those in Ireland make it a thousand. Edwin and Morcar should be able to muster two thousand more. If we can attract a few sturdy men back from their mercenary endeavours overseas, we have the beginnings of an army. It depends on their quality and whether they have the stomach for the fight. Remember, things went against us on Senlac Ridge by only a few minutes and a few hundred men.’

‘You are right, sir. If you will return and lead us, we have a chance.’

‘Thank you, Edmund. Worry not, I intend to return and fight. England is too precious to me; I cannot grow old and fat here as her lifeblood drains away.’ He paused, deep in thought. ‘Would it be possible to raise the Fyrd — or, at least, some of them?’

‘Some would come but, I think, in small numbers. Besides, if many came, we wouldn’t have the resources and organization to look after them, or use them effectively; they might be more trouble than they’re worth.’

‘You’re right. Thank you for your excellent and candid report. Stay close to me over the next few months; I’m going to need men like you.’

‘I am yours to command, sir.’

‘What about you, young Edwin?’

‘I’m going to fight with you, sir… if you’ll have me.’

‘I will. Stay close to Alphonso and Einar; watch what they do, and follow their orders to the letter. Do you understand?’

‘Yes, sir.’

Hereward took a deep breath. ‘From what we’ve heard, we must make for the North of England. It is beyond William’s immediate reach and is Edwin and Morcar’s stronghold. We can sail around the south-west coast and meet Harold’s sons in Ireland on the way. The North is also a good place to meet representatives of the Danes. Einar, that is your homeland — what do you think?’

‘It is a good plan. Most of the wealth is east of the Pennines, but William may well have York under his heel by now. The same might be true of Chester, although you could make contact with the Welsh from there. Lancaster may be too far north, but there is a settlement at a place called Preston, near the mouth of the River Ribble. Although it is isolated, it is on the westerly route to Scotland. York is due east, accessible by an ancient track through the Pennines via a hamlet called Skipton. It is a place I know well; it is where I was born.’

‘There could be no finer recommendation, Einar. We will make landfall in England at Preston on the Ribble, in the earldom of Northumbria. Edmund and Edwin, return to England as quickly as you can. We have much to do here, but we will follow as soon as we can and rendezvous in exactly one month. Tell Edith Swan-Neck to stay where she is; there are too many spies around and we don’t want to alert William. Bring only two hundred men to Preston, but be sure they are the best available; all must be trained housecarls, fit and eager to fight. We must have a small and mobile baggage train; no wives, children, camp followers of any kind.

‘Finally, and this is important, tell no one where they are going; just tell them that they are to meet me in the North to form a new army. They should expect to be away until the autumn harvest at the earliest, but that is all you can tell them. Is that clear?’

‘It is, sir.’

Much needed to be done at St Cirq Lapopie before the departure for England.

To Hereward’s surprise, not only did Martin change his mind about staying, so did the rest of the family. At an emotional gathering, Martin led the discussion and all agreed that, having been through so much, they should face this final challenge together. Even when Hereward gave them his truthful assessment of the odds against success, they were not discouraged.

Only Cristina said anything negative — and that was about the English weather, which Alphonso had told her would chill her blood.