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lands north of Cumbria.”
    “But he could be lying.”
    “He is covering himself in case of failure. He knows that I will report what he says to the King.  The rebels will not come through the back door which is Barnard castle.  It would reveal him once and for all as a traitor.  He plays a dangerous game. The Scots and the rebels will come down the east coast.  This is confirmed by Wulfric’s information.” I saw Wulfric nodding. “We need to find out where and be ready to meet them.”
    “Could we not attack them in Scotland?”
    “We could, Harold, but that might risk the ire of the King; besides our lines of supply would be stretched. I will use the knights of the north to repel them when they come.”
    My words set my knights to speaking animatedly about the possibility of war. I began to plan my strategy. The knights who were loyal to the King were the ones from around the New Castle and Morpeth area.  I could rely on them but, sadly, they had few men at arms. I needed a fast moving force to counter the rebels. They would outnumber us and I could only hope to stop them through speed and manoeuvre. They would come down the east coast.  That would protect the traitors in the west.  I did not doubt that Sir Barnard had confederates. The richer land was just north of the Tyne.  Further north it was slightly less fertile. I would have to stop him before they could harm the rich land of the Palatinate. It was mid afternoon when we arrived, unannounced at Hexham.  This time we were given a warm greeting by Sir Hugh who was an old friend and as loyal a knight as a man could wish for.
    There was no apology this time, “We will squeeze you all in, my lord.” He rubbed his hands, “This bodes well.  Your presence means profit for me and my men! Whom do we fight this time?”
    I laughed and put my arm around his shoulders. “All in good time, Sir Hugh.  Let us find somewhere away from others before I speak.”
    While our squires saw to our horses we knights gathered in his Great Hall and I went through my thoughts and my plans. I had had many miles to devise it. “I think it is a good plan, my lord.”
    “Now I need your local knowledge, Sir Hugh. Which lords of the manor should I take and where would you say the Scots would be likely to attack?”
    He poured us all some rough wine.  He liked it deep, red and strong. He wiped his beard with the back of his hand as he considered his response. “Morpeth and Rothbury have sound lords. William of Warkworth is new but he has no castle as yet.  I think he is not a particularly rich knight.  Eager young bloods are always good to have in your line. William of Warkworth is one.  He is keen to increase his power and his treasury. Roger of Norham is but recently appointed.  Bishop Flambard built the castle in which he lives.  As the Scots hold Berwick it is the northernmost manor. The river which borders his castle is the line between England and Scotland.  It is disputed by the Scots. We would have to use his men in any case. If there is an attack then the Scots must take Norham first. Phillip of Elsdon I know not.  He was also only but recently appointed.  The rest of the lords of the manor are Either Gospatric’s supporters or have gone with the Earl to Scotland.”
    “Thank you for that assessment.  Have you a map?”
    He waved one of his men at arms over and he hurried out of the room.  It is not a good map but it shows the roads.” He laughed, “They are all Roman! Those who lived here before we came could not be bothered to either repair the old ones or build new ones.”
    When his man returned with the map he spread it on the table.  Sir Hugh placed a dagger at one corner, the jug of wine on a second and his sword across the bottom. He jabbed a finger at each of the places he named, “Norham at the north, Elsdon and Rothbury here on the road to my castle.  As you can see there is Warkworth, closer to the coast and Morpeth at the south. It is