Conquest

By the time Hereward’s force reached Tadcaster, they had received news that lifted their spirits once more. It was brought by Edwin, who, breathless with excitement, blurted out the details. When Edgar and the Danes attacked in overwhelming numbers, they had been able to scale the tower at York and achieve total success. The only Norman survivors were William Malet and Gilbert of Ghent and their families. It had been a fierce and bloody battle. Earl Waltheof had distinguished himself by killing dozens of Normans single-handedly, beheading them as they tried to escape through the gate of their tower.

However, there was one significant and disturbing piece of news, which Edwin saved for the end. ‘I’m afraid the city is in ruins, burned to the ground. The Normans torched everything before they scurried to their tower.’

‘So the city is ours, but nothing remains!’

‘I’m sorry, sir.’

‘And what of the Norman tower?’

‘Gone, sir. We burned that down.’

‘Where are Malet and Gilbert of Ghent?’

‘With the Danes — they have taken them to their ships on the Humber. They intend to ransom them.’

‘And Edgar and his forces?’

‘Outside York, waiting for a response from you.’

Hereward shook off his despondency and replaced it with a look of defiance.

‘Then let’s give them one. Martin, send a messenger to the Atheling. Tell him to wait outside York; we will arrive as quickly as we can. We will then go to the Danes to prepare for a major battle with William on ground of our choosing. Edwin, who is Bishop of Durham?’

‘Aethelwine, sir.’

‘Is he loyal?’

‘Yes, sir, he is now. Initially, after the coronation, he spoke for William, saying that he was the anointed King. However, he changed his view because of the behaviour of the Normans, especially when Robert de Commines threw him out of the Bishop’s Palace!’

‘Send word to him; he will anoint Edgar as King. If York Minster is in ashes, we can take Edgar to Durham. It is an important enough bishopric to persuade Rome that the hand of God is supporting Edgar’s crown.’

Hereward and his force hurried to meet the triumphant Prince Edgar at Selby on the Ouse, a few miles south of York. It was a joyous meeting and Hereward reserved a particularly warm welcome for Waltheof to acknowledge his heroic deeds at the Norman tower. Edgar declared that a great banquet should be held and hunters were sent out to provide the fare. It mattered little that their dining hall was a clearing beside the old road to York; a grand celebratory feast was enjoyed that very evening. Later that night, in the midst of the gorging, more news came to gladden their hearts.

Hereward stood to make the formal announcement. ‘Men of England, following your great victory at York, the heroics of the sons of King Harold in the South West and the courageous stand of Eadric the Wild and his Welsh allies in Mercia, Aethelwine, Bishop of Durham, has agreed to crown Prince Edgar in what remains of York as the rightful and proper King of England. He has already left Durham for the coronation and will be here in a couple of days.’

A cry of joy rose from everyone assembled.

‘Tomorrow, we will travel to meet Prince Osbjorn, commander of the Danish army, to plan our attack on the Normans.’

Another, even louder cry echoed around the clearing.

‘Eat and drink your fill. Enjoy your great and noble victory!’

At noon the next day, Hereward and a small group were ready to leave the camp to meet the Danes on the Humber.

Suddenly, the calm was disturbed by the noise of sentries announcing that a messenger approached. The herald, a boy of only nineteen who had the physique of a hunting dog, jumped from his horse gasping for air.

Sir…’ He could not speak.

‘Get him water. Take your time…’

Einar came to Hereward’s aid. ‘It’s Uhtred, sir.’

‘Uhtred, compose yourself. Your message can wait until you get your breath.’

After a few moments, the messenger was able to deliver his report. ‘Sir, it’s not good news. Duke William is at Tadcaster. Arkil the Fair has stayed behind to keep watch, but he told me to come here as quickly as possible.’

‘He is almost on top of us; how can this be? How can he have got here so quickly?’

‘His good fortune, and our bad luck, sir. He was hunting in the Forest of Dean on the Welsh border. His army was on a tour of Mercia in a show of strength to intimidate the locals. He summoned his army and was on the move as soon as he heard the Danes had entered the Humber.’

‘How does Arkil know this?’

‘Sir, it makes me sick to say this, but many Englishmen are cooperating with the Normans. It is easy to hear of the Normans’ plans, because so many Englishmen are part of them.’

‘It is hard to believe!’ Hereward kicked at the ground in frustration. ‘Please, carry on with your report.’