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was as close to Scotland as one could get.  The River Tweed ran alongside its walls. Scotland claimed this land.  To them this was Scotland. We were in Lothian.  Since time immemorial men had fought over this river and this border. Berwick was across the river and just seven miles away at the coast.  I did not envy Roger of Norham his precarious position.
    It was late afternoon when we rode up.  I noticed that the gate remained closed.  I was not offended.  If I lived this close to the border then I would be cautious too.
    “I am the Earl of Cleveland and I am here on the business of King Henry of England!”
    The gate slowly opened and a young knight approached me. “I am Roger de Puiset and I am Baron of Norham.  Forgive my welcome but this is the edge of the world. When we see unknown knights we are cautious.”
    I dismounted and clasped his arm. “There is no need for apology.  My men will camp here but may I come inside your walls and speak privately with you?”
    “Aye, my lord.  I am honoured that you visit.”
    I waved to Edward and he led the men to the river.  It was a good camp for there was both water and wood. I left Scout for Leofric to care for and followed the Baron into his castle.
    As we walked I spoke, “How many men do you have?”
    “Warriors?”
    “Aye.”
    “Eight men at arms and six archers.  I have ten servants and slaves.”
    “Tell me how you manage to exist here?”
    “It is not easy but the Scots in Berwick have yet to test us. I think they feel that we are not worth bothering about. They often ride along the river and cross at the ford.  I think they do it to show they are not afraid of us. I do not bar their crossing.  I have not enough men.”
    His hall was small but cosy.  I sat and took off my coif and cloak. “I have information which leads me to believe that the Scots and Northumbrian rebels will attack our land soon.  I have brought my battle north to forestall it.”
    He did not seem surprised.  “We have heard rumours of the garrison at Berwick being reinforced. And riders have been here more frequently of late. The people hereabouts are loyal to the King. Have you enough men to stop an army?”
    “I know not but we shall use your castle as a bastion. We can certainly slow them up. I will have other knights and their men at arms and their archers reinforce you. I will put most of the archers in your castle. I intend to use our horsemen to stop this attack before it begins. Where can they cross the river?”
    “Here. There is ford which crosses the river to the island and the north bank.” He pointed beyond his walls.
    “Can the island be defended?”
    He looked surprised as though he had not even thought of that. “Perhaps but we have these walls…”
    “A few archers could cause mayhem to anyone trying to attack across this river. Leave that to me.  I have the finest archers in the land. What of your people. Can they fight? Will they fight?”
    “I know not. They work the land and the river.”
    It was disappointing that he had not trained his fyrd but that could be remedied. “Then tomorrow send out to your people.  They should bring their animals within these walls and they can defend it too. I would deny the rebels any opportunity to live off our land.”
    “But if the Scots do not come?”
    “They will.” It was good that I had come for I was now certain that any rebel army would have swept through Norham unchecked. We were lucky that they had delayed until the better weather had arrived.  I was also in no doubt that they were counting on the men being in the fields tending to the land too.
    I spent another hour going over with the young knight what he needed to do.  He seemed more confident by the time I had finished.
    When I reached my camp it was ordered and it was hidden. It was beyond the wood and hidden from the river yet it was close enough to the castle for us to be able to defend it.  We would have surprise and the rebels would