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motte and bailey castle at Elsdon.  It remained to be seen if they were still occupied by the English. The castle and manor at Morpeth appeared to be although they had not been large enough to stop the raids. I knew that they had raided Rothbury.  It seemed prudent to begin there.
    I turned to Cedric.  "Will we reach Rothbury this night?"
    "No Baron. We will reach Otterburn but even Elsdon is too far."
    "And is there a lord at Otterburn and men at arms?"
    "No Baron.  The lord of the manor took the cross these ten years. He has a steward who runs the estate for him. The people fear that their lord has forsaken them and has found a better manor in the Holy Land. Outremer attracts many knights who wish a better life than here in the harsh cold north."
    "Fear not Cedric when King Henry hears of this he will appoint another lord. Who is the lord?"
    "Richard D'Umfraville.  His grandfather was given much of the land around the Coquet.  I fear the grandson did not feel it was good enough for him.  His younger brother stayed.  It is he who lives in Elsdon."
    The lassitude of the King was causing more problems than he knew.  I now realised that he saw the Palatinate and Northumberland as barriers to prevent the Scots raiding the richer lands to the south.  Our valley was the real border.  These lands were too poor to be profitable.  It was why his father had laid waste to so much of it. I saw forests and I saw moorland.  It might make good land for hunting but I would not like to farm here.
    "Aiden, go with Cedric and scout out Otterburn and the land around it. I will take no chances with this Fitzwaller."
    Hugh nudged his steed next to mine as the two scouts rode off. "Baron, this land is not worth defending.  Why not go back to Hexham?  Does it matter if the Scots have this moor and forest?"
    "You may be right Hugh but what of the people who live here.  They are English are they not?  Do they not deserve our protection?"
    "Are we not Norman?"
    "The moment King William landed at Pevensey then every knight who took land on this isle ceased to be Norman. They became English. The trouble is many knights do not realise that."
    Edward growled, "And the three knights who lead this conroi, young Hugh of Gainford, are all English! Your land is in England and that makes you English!"
    I heard the anger in Edward's voice and Hugh mumbled, "I am sorry I have offended you, Sir Edward."
    "He is a squire, Sir Edward and he has much to learn.  Give him time."
    I saw Edward nod but knew that he was still seething inside. Edward was English through and through.  He spoke Norman when he had to but his heart was in England and not Normandy.
    Otterburn had a simple tower amidst the huts that made up the large village by the river. We reached it in the late afternoon.  It had been sited well and had a good view across the land. The villagers must have seen our approach for the door of the tower was shut.
    "I am Baron Alfraed and I am here on the King's business." A head appeared from the top of the tower.  "Are you the Steward?"
    "I am, my lord."
    "Then open the door so that we may take refuge here for the night." I saw him hesitate.  I took off my helmet. "If we were enemies then we could take this tower with ease."
    I did not need to glance behind me to know that Dick had the archers stringing their bows.  The head disappeared. I dismounted and handed my reins to Leofric. "Wulfric, set up camp behind the tower.  It looks to be sheltered and there is water below."
    "Aye, Baron."
    The door opened and a nervous looking man opened it.  "I am Gilbert of Otterburn and I am the reeve and steward here.  I am sorry we barred the gate, Baron but we have had many raids from across the border and it is safer to be in here."
    I waved a hand. "Have you been raided of late?"
    "A month since, riders came from the east.  We had warning for we saw smoke in the distance and we hid within the tower.  They took the sheep and cattle from the fields