CHAPTER FOUR
“Scutage
to be paid at the rate of three marks per knight’s fee. That had been my demand
ever since my war with Philip of France. It is plain for anyone to see and
which is more the Holy Father in
The King fell silent at the end of this little speech glaring sulkily in front of him. The only other person in his company was an impressive-looking individual of military bearing but one who obviously knew of the fine things of life also. A crusty warrior perhaps but one who knew how to laugh and enjoy himself.
“Why William” recommenced John Plantagenet “I can always trust you. Why cannot everyone else have your diligence and sense of fair play? Don’t blush either but I am still more than appreciative of the great naval victory you achieved for me off Damme about a couple of years ago.”
“Tush good brother, my King” responded William Longsword, for this is who it was “I was but doing my duty. Once the rebellious members of your baronage have a second thought they will realise that you are a much better proposition as ruler than ever Dick was.”
“Yes
but at least Lion-Heart was lucky in his military adventures - or rather the
publicity was good, a great public relations exercise. I was on a hiding to
nothing in
“You mentioned Stephen Langton” commented Longsword “why not send him together with good old William Marshal to find out from the disaffected nobility exactly what they want.”
“That’s a good idea. From what our intelligence sources tell us they are some 30 odd miles away at one of the Earl of Winchester’s manors. Yes, let’s see if Langton can mediate as the Holy Father would wish him to.”
“Sire,
a visitor wishes to see you. Can you see him, he claims that it is of vital
importance the matter that he wishes to broach with you.”
The King and his half-brother
glared with some irritation at the clerk who had interrupted their animated
discussions.
“Sirrah what nonsense is this?” growled Longsword “we are on important business, cannot you see that the King does not wish to be disturbed?”
“Can you make a judgement once you have actually seen me and heard my suggestions, your excellence?”
The youthful figure of Guy, the squire the reader met earlier in our story appeared in front of this small but eminent audience.
“Impudent pup!” snorted John “I’ll give you your due you’ve got guts. State your case youngster and I’ll judge whether your journey here was worth a commendation or else a kick up the backside.”
Guy advanced fairly confidently into the royal presence. Almost anonymously a monastic figure heavily cowled and walking with an almost apologetic gait sidled alongside the squire.
“My
name is Guy de Buissant” announced the young man “and I come from
“Oh yes” mused John “my niece Eleanor of Brittany is lodged there.”
“I suppose my half-niece” muttered Longsword.
“You always were good at working-out relationships” laughed John “I suppose you got that from your mother the fair Rosamund.”
“Maybe” grimaced the royal relative.
Guy de Buissant coughed slightly to bring the conversation back to his proposal.
“Why yes, young man” noted John Lackland “you were going to put a proposition to us.”
“Sire” began Guy “I hope that you will not consider me too forward.”
“A bit late for that” snapped the King “get on with what you were going to say.”
“I
am painfully aware of the existence of a number of your subjects who have
become somewhat rebellious in recent months. You will, I trust, your grace, be
sending emissaries out to gauge the strength of feeling amongst the
dissidents.”
“Of course, the Archbishop of
“With respect, your grace, not immediately. Both gentlemen are excellent in their different ways, but I would humbly suggest that ‘an advance guard’ of sorts appeared before your barons to prepare the way, put the royal case so to speak, in effect soften their attitudes.”
“Oh yes and who do you suggest for this highly sensitive, and somewhat difficult task? Possibly yourself, you are barely a lad and not, I would surmise fully au fait with all the ways of the World.”
“No sire I have another person in mind.”
“Well go on tell me who!” snorted the King.
“Your loving and well-disposed niece your grace.”
The King and Longsword looked in startled fashion at the monastic figure stood next to the squire. Until now they had barely acknowledged that person’s existence. Strangely the voice that emanated from the cowled and robed visitor was high and feminine.
“I know that......” began John.
“Yes sire” responded the ‘monk’ throwing back the cowl “I am your late brother’s daughter, Eleanor of Brittany.”
“God in Heaven!” stormed the King blanching visibly.
“How the hell did you get loose? De Buissant I’ll have you without any of your accoutrements by the time I am finished with you.”
“Wait, my royal uncle!” Eleanor stated with considerable authority. “Guy has done what I have told him to do. I have a plan to weaken the resistance of your enemies. My silver tongue can be put to persuading the barons to reduce their demands. Why if I, the sister of Arthur of Brittany, appear supportive of King John then surely - after all my family have been through - that must make your dissident nobility think again.”
“Possibly” mused John Lackland “what think you William, is this a plausible idea?”
“I
am intrigued” grinned Longsword “but what guarantee have we that you do
not rail against the King and support the barons in their demands when you get
there?”
“Well, dear half-Uncle” laughed the Pearl of Brittany “why did I not go straight to the barons? Why did I come here first? Surely that indicates some fidelity on my part to your cause. Guy here has also shown his loyalty to you - he is very much a King’s man.”
“You certainly seem to be in the young lady’s good books, de Buissant” smirked the King “have you given her a tumble?”
“Royal uncle!” snorted Eleanor “would I....”
“Don’t be so prudish -- or give that impression anyway” interrupted John “that’s irrelevant, go on with your defence. your own position is far from certain. What is in it for me if I let you act as my envoy with the barons?”
“If I prove disloyal then I deserve everything I get. Even my life can be made forfeit and you can cut-back the cost from the Exchequer - I may even be something of an expense to you. However” quickly continued Eleanor “if I prove a help then can I be received at Court instead of being kept in the background as some royal nonentity.”
“It may work” muttered Longsword to the King “Give the girl a chance, at least she is showing some initiative.”
“Yes, in any case Eleanor is less of a focal point than Arthur would have been. What have I to lose? Alright girl” continued John “make your preparation. I cannot give you long. At least prepare the way for the Marshal and the Archbishop, give it your undivided attention. By the way do you need an escort? I think that I should provide you with one including some of my own hand picked retainers.”
“Of course, uncle I did not expect anything less. I would also like to continue to have Guy here as my escort, he is a young man of parts....”
“I’m sure he is” roared the King “the less said about that the better, get yourself ready and be prepared to leave.”
The
Princess bowed herself out with Guy de Buissant hastily following her. When
they had left, John looked inquiringly at his half-brother for some form of
encouragement. A great bulwark to fall back upon was Longsword, reliable in a
crisis,
a confidant par excellence, a good dicing and gambling companion to boot.
“There’s everything to be gained there” reassured Longsword “I think that we should be pleased that our extended family has so much enterprise and get-up-and-go about it. All is not yet lost, the barons are largely motivated by self-interest and greed and that can be successfully countered anytime. Know a person’s weakness and you have your adversary over a barrel everytime. Everyone has their price. Let’s see if young Eleanor can find out what the barons’ is.”
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