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will be a staunch defence against the Scots. No, I fear that the danger to the Empress and her child will come from those in Normandy, Blois and France.” I looked at Edward, “And that means that Rolf and our other brother knights will have to be the wall of steel around them.”
    As my knights discussed the situation I sipped my wine. My words to Edward had set off a trail of thoughts off. I could not just go to Normandy as I wanted to.  It would be seen as desertion of my duties. The machinations and plots across the Channel were out of my hands now.  My duty was to defend the land of the north. I would have to hope that Rolf and his Swabians were up to the task. My job was to make the border safe.
    I felt I owed it to Adela to make the wedding a special time.  Although we celebrated the union of two fine families for me it was also a celebration of Adela’s life.  The castle and the church were decked out in spring flowers.  I had my servants and slaves scrub the paths and corridors.  We had fresh rushes gathered so that the whole place smelled clean and fresh. There were no unwholesome vapours. Since we had been touched by the plague I was wary of any noxious aroma. Father Henry looked forward to this most prestigious of marriages. It would be a great day for my church and my town.
    The wedding also gave me the opportunity to apprise my other knights, who had come for the festivities, of my plans.  I was less open with them. The manors closest to me were my most trusted of knights. I just spoke of my fears for the border and the Scots. The worrying topic which arose was that of outlaws and bandits.  It seemed that the west was not the only place suffering and all had had deer poached and travellers attacked.  I left them instructions to scour the land of such vermin. They were happy to apply the letter of the law.  The miscreants would be shown no mercy.
    After a joyful celebration and with aching heads we left with our war horses and war gear for Gainford.  Armed servants brought sumpters with supplies. Our camps would be defended and I would not need to waste men at arms or archers on such tasks.
    As we headed west to Sir Hugh’s home I saw Dick and Harold deep in conversation.  I knew of what they spoke.  Both had been outlaws in Sherwood many years hence. Dick especially would be unhappy with my edict. While Sir Hugh introduced his new wife to her servants and guards and my men adjusted saddles I went to speak to the two of them.
    “I would speak with you both privately.”
    “Aye, my lord.”
    “You are not happy about the punishment for outlaws are you?”
    Harold said, “I know why you gave the order, my lord, but it is hard for us for we lived in the greenwood.”
    “You were ones who fought the injustice of Norman inflexibility.  You had no other way to feed your families. I saw this new breed of outlaw at Bolton.  They are opportunists.  The two new falconers are orphans because of them.  Did you and your brethren prey upon the poor? Did they hurt the farmers and their families?” They shook their heads. “If this was poor men taking the odd deer then I would turn a blind eye.  But we cannot have merchants and travellers attacked.  Think on my words and you will see that I am right.” There was a difference between brigands and men driven by desperation to live in the wild woods.
    We left Gainford with a healthy garrison and rode north to Barnard Castle. I had made sure that we had left plenty of men to guard our castles.  I had the largest retinue with ten men at arms and ten archers.  We were however all mounted and even the archers had helmets and leather jerkins for protection.  We would be able to handle ourselves.
    Edward rode next to me. “Will Sir Barnard de Balliol be at home?”
    “I hope so.”
    “Why was he not invited to the wedding, my lord?”
    “He was invited but his steward said that he was still in Scotland and was due back this day. That is another reason