CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Eleanor of Brittany smiled at Guy
de Buissant as he peered towards the assembly of barons gathered at
“Well Guy what do you think of all this?” inquired the Pearl of Brittany to her warrior-squire.
“My Lady who am I to say, but since you ask all hot air and wind if you ask me.”
“Bravely spoken Guy, but no-good points eh from the signing.”
“The peace agreement yes, but as for the document I heard someone call it ......”
“Never mind what people have called it Guy. If it had meant something then the King would have been hide-bound. Whoever put it together displayed excellent sense and good judgement, someone with a brain in their head that did not want to tie the King down. Just getting everyone here, ending the fighting that is a Herculean achievement in itself.”
The general chatter and murmuring amongst the assembled crowd was silenced as the King raised his hand to demand silence. The Archbishop moved forward to place the document before his monarch who merely smiled whimsically at the Prelate.
“Not a particularly devasting parchment to sign” almost smirked the King winking slyly at Stephen Langton “why it covers so many liberties, or rather so-called liberties that not many people will have much idea what its all about. Gets me safely off the hook nevertheless my good Archbishop.”
Langton
coughed nervously “Quite so, my
sign now, and if I may be so bold with some semblance of solemnity.”
“I will place the Great Seal of England on this Charter” beamed the King speaking seriously but glancing wryly at his Archbishop “a justification of the barons through and through” he hissed through the corner of his mouth, “what else is it? Still a mish-mash of clause, after clause, after clause it would take a genius to understand what all the clap-trap is about.”
John Lackland bowed with great magnificence and with a regal sweep of his arm added his Seal to the Magna Carta. There was barely any sound from the nobility, a feeling of unreality indeed, was all the trouble over by dint of a simple act from a beleaguered King? Gradually there was a stir, a few half-hearted cheers, a few grins, the odd twisted look, a few broad whispers, a strange response indeed to such an event.
“You see what an English King I am” almost grated the King addressing his nobles, then smiling “why I have signed a Charter which binds me to put into a position of authority no-one who does not understand the Law of the Land, and importantly is willing to observe it in its entirety. This Charter unites King and people together, are you, like me, ready to make England great, great as her reputation has made her, great as her warrior Kings have created her.”
The
immediate group of noblemen around the King shifted uneasily from one foot to
the other. It had almost seemed as if John Lackland had turned the tables on
them. His brief speech was a war-like, shield banging exhortation to the
Guy
de Buissant was enthralled by the proceedings. He reflected to himself that for
one of his less than exalted status he had featured in a number of events that
had involved people of high rank and standing. Many had bemoaned the
uncertainty of life especially in John’s reign but Guy had found it all a
challenge. In fact even now he could feel the adrenaline in his system. Inspite
of an, at times, studded
courtliness in his behaviour he was a spirited young man who felt fiercely and
indeed passionately about a number of issues.
“Your master will doubtless want you to collect the horses forthwith, we ride later today. I think the formal signing is over now.”
A jolt from the past, a never to be forgotten memory flooding back into his mind sent shock waves through the whole of his body. He looked to where the voice had come from, seemingly a noble lady addressing her servant on a fairly mundane type of errand. There was more to it than that though as sweet tender moments that he had savoured came back to him with all their earlier intensity. His eyes met the deep brown oracles of Saint Mary of Magdala, the unknown lady who had given him his first experience of life. Was it all those years ago, not many really, but like an eternity in view of all that had transpired subsequently. He gasped slightly then slowly lowered his eyes as nonchalantly as possible. Overcome with curiosity he looked-up again mesmerised by the person that had re-appeared after such a long time. Those deep, seemingly intense brown eyes, that jet black hair, that tall perfectly formed body all unchanged by the years - still she would on reflection be as young as he was - anyway such beauty was ageless, like the ocean, forever wild and desirable.
“Good-day to you sir. I hope you find me acceptable to your attentions, you have studied me deeply for a while now.”
“My lady I am sorry, a fleeting memory....”
“My dear young man rather more than that I hope I never forget a face although by my Faith I know rather more about you than merely your handsome visage.”
Guy blushed deeply and coughed slightly attracting the notice of Eleanor of Brittany by his side.
“Your Highness” blustered Guy “please to meet”... then stuttering realised that he had never known the name of his angelic vision, was she really the Saint of Biblical times, he could have sworn she was.
“Allow me to introduce myself, your Highness” interrupted Magdala smiling delightfully with complete self-composure “the gentleman was doubtless about to tell you my name.”
“Indeed” smiled the Pearl of Brittany, amused at Guy’s temporary discomfiture.
“My
name is Eggertrude of Norwich, I am married to Sir Simon of
“Indeed, indeed Lady Eggertrude I have heard the King speak in glowing terms of the good Sir Simon a most valiant warrior and a loyal and devoted follower in these difficult times. Were that all my Uncle’s people were so inclined and so resolved.”
Guy could scarce forebear to laugh. That angel of loveliness, that creature of so much tenderness and at the same so much fire and vibrance, that adorable, most beautiful of women, God, her name was Eggertrude! The name Mary of Magdala seemed so much more apposite, so appropriate. Yet the reality was.... Eggertrude .... still what’s in a name he thought. No-one was perfect, certainly not in these violent, untamed, unregulated times. Eggertrude - Mary of Magdala seemed so much better still no matter - Eggertrude the person was more than perfect in every respect, intelligent, beautiful, exciting, amusing, courageous, every single virtue. Yes, give it to her if she had to have a flaw let it be her name, that was beyond her control - she would always remain Mary of Magdala in his eyes and mind. So let it be!
As Eggertrude made her way from the Concourse, casting a last fleeting amused smile at Guy, Eleanor fixed her eyes on the squire. Guy’s equilibrium remained disturbed for a little longer as he turned to attempt some semblance of a fixed expression in response to the Princess’s gaze.
“Well,
well de Buissant” laughed the
“My Lady I ......”
“Oh come, come, dear Guy, no more pomposity I thought we had got that out of your system.”
“Yes, madam, indeed, but I would never wish to compromise a Lady.”
“Of
course not, Guy, you are an example to all
“Yes, you Highness!”
“God, you would never believe that we have had more than a tumble or two you and I, Guy. By the Faith of all the saints you can be a strait-laced one at times. Still it enables me to keep something of a reputation for probity and chastity among some of those starchy busy-bodies at Court - not that I see much of them where I spend my time under close confinement.”
“Not too close, my Lady.”
“Probably not, but don’t change the subject, Guy. In any case if that young lady was your first you show excellent taste. She obviously taught you a lot. In addition I have heard very good reports of her, this Eggertrude, a fine mind as well as a fine body. Her husband and her are a well-suited pair, in fact Uncle John does not deserve such fidelity and efficiency. More like those two, Sir Simon and his wife, and we would not be in the pretty pickle that we are in now. Still the Magna Carta, as some call it now, has been signed, that might give us all a brief respite.”
“I hope so, my Lady” resumed Guy, glad that the conversation had now taken a slightly different direction “the King deserves some time to get his house in order and show to his subjects what an effective monarch he can be.”
Go to Chapter 15
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