British hegemon

Chapter 141 Smoke and Fire

It was late October 1306.

At this time, the Scottish borders were in complete turmoil, and the smoke of war filled the entire northern land.

It is said that the new king went to Aberdeen in northeast Scotland, or even further north, demanding military services and money, promising support in exchange for favorable terms, and threatening terrible revenge against anyone who betrayed him.

His allies ensured the safety of towns such as Brigham, Cooper, and Dundee.

The ports on the east coast were coerced into providing cash: merchants in Dundee and Aberdeen were taken hostage and forced to pay.

The Perth sheriff was imprisoned and threatened with death until they paid the fifty-four pounds, which Robert claimed was the money he was entitled to as king.

For castles and fortresses that refused to pledge allegiance or were unable to be defended, the new king implemented a "scorched earth" policy.

They demolished the city walls, burned the grain and fodder, and drove away the residents.

Meanwhile, the Kingdom of England to the south also began to amass troops. King Edward held a grand "Swan Festival" at his palace in London, knighting hundreds of knights. Prince Carnarvon Edward was to lead a powerful army north to quell the rebellion.

Prior to this, Emmer de Valence, the Scottish governor appointed by the King of England, had led a sizable army to recapture Cooper and Perth.

In addition, a band of robbers known as Wallace the Avengers has appeared near Glasgow, and they have already robbed several...

He was a wealthy merchant and a local gentry, and was very famous.

The English sheriff of Glasgow was assassinated and died tragically in the street, and English merchants and pro-British nobles fled the city to Galloway, where English troops were stationed.

Scattered messages continued to reach Aran Island through refugees and merchants.

The most excited people were not our protagonist Roger, but the Baron of Arron Island and his new Inner Court knights, who had long wanted to show their prowess.

A few days ago, John the Whiteface received a letter from Squin Abbey, from Robert the Bruce, who had just become King of Scotland. In the letter, he invited all Scottish nobles to lead their troops to Perth to "defend the dignity and independence of Scotland."

Feeling valued, Baron John was filled with righteous indignation and decided to cancel his plan to attack Galloway, instead heading north to "serve the King." He began intensive preparations for the expedition, and Brodick Castle was bustling with activity every day.

The chaotic atmosphere outside seemed to have no effect on the Milk House Manor. At this moment, inside and outside the manor, people continued to farm, fish, and train as usual, creating a busy scene.

Roger wore a long-sleeved four-ring chainmail, with a padded armor underneath. The chainmail hood hung at the back of his neck, and the dark gray robe on his shoulders was embroidered with the emblem of a red eagle and a black longship. A Viking battle axe was inserted into one side of the belt at his waist, and a knight's sword was hanging on the other side.

If you add accessories like a throat guard, shoulder guards, hand guards, neck guard, as well as a barrel helmet and pelvic pouch, his full set of weapons and armor would weigh over sixty pounds.

Dragging his heavy armor, Roger stepped into the stirrup with his left foot, and with his right leg and left hand gripping the front saddle, he jumped twice before successfully mounting the horse.

He simulated the action of drawing and slashing with his sword again on horseback, then dismounted after sheathing his sword and repeated the action of putting on armor and mounting his horse once more.

After repeating this dozens of times, Roger was exhausted, his mouth dry and his back drenched in sweat.

Marne walked up to Roger carrying a sheepskin water pouch and handed it to him. "Sir, you've practiced enough today. It's time to rest for a while."

Roger took the water pouch, uncorked it, took a swig of light beer, and caught his breath. "It's not difficult to mount a horse lightly equipped normally, but it really takes some effort to mount a horse fully armored."

Maren had been riding and fighting for many years, and he was already skilled at putting on armor and mounting a horse, so he didn't find it difficult. However, it was not appropriate to say such things at this time. He only offered a few words of encouragement and then said, "Sir, the Baron's mansion has sent people again."

Roger swallowed a mouthful of wine. "White-faced sent someone again to persuade me to fight alongside him?" With that, he tilted his head back and gulped down another mouthful.

Recently, John the Whiteface has sent men several times to summon the soldiers of Milkhouse Manor to follow him eastward to defend the king. He even offered Roger the huge sum of money, promising not to return Milkhouse Manor's land and to fully refund the shield tax.

Roger knew that Whiteface John was worried that he would pose a threat if they left the island with the troops, but Roger was determined not to get involved.

He actually put aside his personal ambitions for the time being and tried his best to persuade Whiteface John to give up the idea of ​​joining King Bruce at this point.

Attacking Galloway would only severely damage Whiteface John's prestige, but going to participate in King Bruce's first battle would most likely result in total annihilation.

This is not the outcome Roger wanted.

But the more Sir Roger opposed it, the more the Baron insisted, even citing disobedience to military orders as a reason to remove Roger from his position as the army's first lieutenant.

"This time they didn't ask you for men, but they've set their sights on our warhorses, saying they want to conscript half of the horses from the Milk House Manor for the campaign."

Roger spat a mouthful of light beer onto the ground. "He's dreaming."

"The messenger brought a loan agreement for the three pounds and fifteen shillings you owed last autumn when the grain tax was collected. Baron John the Younger means that if you are not willing to temporarily borrow half of the army, you will have to repay the five pounds of the debt with interest."

This was a compromise devised by the old baron when he was alive to reduce Roger's taxes, mainly to avoid setting a bad example for other lords.

But to his surprise, John the White-Faced Man brought up this old grudge to settle accounts with him.

Roger knew that Whiteface John was recently worried about raising military funds and expenses.

If it were according to his old temper, he definitely wouldn't have paid back the money, but now Roger has changed his mind. Since he wants to go to his death, he might as well send him on his way.

"Tell the old housekeeper to give them money and kick them out."

"Also, send a messenger to tell our Baron John that I will be going on a long trade trip soon, so he can rest assured."

Marne turned to leave, but Roger called him back. "Yesterday, the ship that Kader and his men sent back brought news: a minor nobleman named Simon Fraser near Glasgow has recruited a group of over two hundred people from the Selkirk Forest, and they've reportedly already captured some castles and lands occupied by the English. Do you know this Simon Fraser?"

Marne paused and thought carefully for a moment, "I've heard old Baron John mention this name before. He seemed to be a staunch opponent of Edward. He mainly operated in the central region and didn't have much contact with us."

Roger grunted in response, told Marne to relay the message, and then muttered to himself, "Two hundred men dare to attack a castle fortress? Isn't this just a village brawl?"

He shook his head. "I wonder if there's a massive battle involving tens of thousands of people to the east..."

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