![Insurrection: Renegade [02]](https://fs.collectorofbookboyfriends.com/600525/thumbs/152x264/insurrection-renegade-02.jpg)
upon this opportunity, that Winchelsea had not abandoned his stance.
‘Why now?’ Edward’s voice was low, anger etched in his face. ‘Why does Rome intervene after five years?’
The papal messenger who had given the order to Bek answered. ‘My lord king, while in Paris, Sir William Wallace gained much support from the King of France, who recommended him to his holiness. He has since visited the papal curia and been welcomed by—’
‘ Sir William?’ Edward spat the title across the explanation, his grey eyes blazing. ‘I do not care whose blade or arse that brigand kissed to acquire that honour, he is as noble as a butcher’s hound! He is a felon. An outlaw. Why, in Christ’s name, is he being welcomed at the papal court?’ The king wheeled away, thinking furiously, as the papal messenger turned uncertainly to Winchelsea. So, Philippe was interfering again, was he? He had thought the trouble with his cousin was on the way to being finished. The war over Gascony had ended, he had married Philippe’s sister and his son was due to marry the king’s daughter. After years of conflict, England and France had agreed a truce and Edward was hopeful that his rich French duchy would soon be back in his possession. Now, this.
‘Wallace has garnered much sympathy for his cause at the papal curia,’ said Winchelsea, rising to draw the king’s attention. ‘I strongly advise you to heed the order, my lord. The truce with France, mediated by his holiness, is still in its infant stages. Your son is yet to marry Lady Isabella and the treaty that will restore the Duchy of Gascony to you and your heirs has not been formally ratified.’ Winchelsea played the statesman skilfully, his tone firm, but reasoned. ‘Enter into negotiations with the Scots, my lord. Obey the papal order and end the war. Do not make an enemy of Pope Boniface. He is not a forgiving man.’
Edward didn’t look at the archbishop, but the man’s words, full of carefully nuanced threats, burned in him. After two years in England, during which time he never once lost sight of his aim, he had led his men north to finish what he started. John Balliol might be languishing in papal custody in France – his release from the Tower part of the deal Edward had brokered with the pope over Gascony – Wallace might be abroad and Robert Bruce missing. But that hadn’t stopped the Scots continuing the insurrection begun by those three men. Edward would not stop until the entire kingdom was under his control. Neither would he rest, nay sleep , until Wallace was swinging from a gibbet and Bruce – well, he had other plans for that renegade.
‘We should discuss this in private, my lord,’ intervened Bek. ‘We can speak again on the morrow,’ he added to Winchelsea.
Before Edward could respond, the tent flaps opened and Humphrey de Bohun appeared, his broad face flushed with triumph. ‘My lord, Caerlaverock’s garrison has surrendered. The castle is ours.’
The king stared at the young commander, realising that he could no longer hear the crashing of stones. ‘Bishop Bek, draft a response that these men will take back to Rome with them tomorrow. In it you will defend my policies in Scotland and you will explain to his holiness that I have a right to subdue a people who owe me their allegiance and yet rise in rebellion against me. I set John Balliol upon the throne and he paid me homage as a vassal, accepting my right as his superior. It was his breaking of that oath and his alliance of swords with France that began this war.’ Edward’s gaze came to rest on Winchelsea. ‘I will bring Scotland under my dominion, your grace, and deal with every treacherous son of a bitch who defies my will, if it takes the last breath in my body.’
Chapter 6
Lough Luioch, Ireland, 1301 AD
Robert entered the clearing several strides ahead of the rest of the company, the staff grasped in his fist. During their passage across the lough, the sky had lightened to an
‘Why now?’ Edward’s voice was low, anger etched in his face. ‘Why does Rome intervene after five years?’
The papal messenger who had given the order to Bek answered. ‘My lord king, while in Paris, Sir William Wallace gained much support from the King of France, who recommended him to his holiness. He has since visited the papal curia and been welcomed by—’
‘ Sir William?’ Edward spat the title across the explanation, his grey eyes blazing. ‘I do not care whose blade or arse that brigand kissed to acquire that honour, he is as noble as a butcher’s hound! He is a felon. An outlaw. Why, in Christ’s name, is he being welcomed at the papal court?’ The king wheeled away, thinking furiously, as the papal messenger turned uncertainly to Winchelsea. So, Philippe was interfering again, was he? He had thought the trouble with his cousin was on the way to being finished. The war over Gascony had ended, he had married Philippe’s sister and his son was due to marry the king’s daughter. After years of conflict, England and France had agreed a truce and Edward was hopeful that his rich French duchy would soon be back in his possession. Now, this.
‘Wallace has garnered much sympathy for his cause at the papal curia,’ said Winchelsea, rising to draw the king’s attention. ‘I strongly advise you to heed the order, my lord. The truce with France, mediated by his holiness, is still in its infant stages. Your son is yet to marry Lady Isabella and the treaty that will restore the Duchy of Gascony to you and your heirs has not been formally ratified.’ Winchelsea played the statesman skilfully, his tone firm, but reasoned. ‘Enter into negotiations with the Scots, my lord. Obey the papal order and end the war. Do not make an enemy of Pope Boniface. He is not a forgiving man.’
Edward didn’t look at the archbishop, but the man’s words, full of carefully nuanced threats, burned in him. After two years in England, during which time he never once lost sight of his aim, he had led his men north to finish what he started. John Balliol might be languishing in papal custody in France – his release from the Tower part of the deal Edward had brokered with the pope over Gascony – Wallace might be abroad and Robert Bruce missing. But that hadn’t stopped the Scots continuing the insurrection begun by those three men. Edward would not stop until the entire kingdom was under his control. Neither would he rest, nay sleep , until Wallace was swinging from a gibbet and Bruce – well, he had other plans for that renegade.
‘We should discuss this in private, my lord,’ intervened Bek. ‘We can speak again on the morrow,’ he added to Winchelsea.
Before Edward could respond, the tent flaps opened and Humphrey de Bohun appeared, his broad face flushed with triumph. ‘My lord, Caerlaverock’s garrison has surrendered. The castle is ours.’
The king stared at the young commander, realising that he could no longer hear the crashing of stones. ‘Bishop Bek, draft a response that these men will take back to Rome with them tomorrow. In it you will defend my policies in Scotland and you will explain to his holiness that I have a right to subdue a people who owe me their allegiance and yet rise in rebellion against me. I set John Balliol upon the throne and he paid me homage as a vassal, accepting my right as his superior. It was his breaking of that oath and his alliance of swords with France that began this war.’ Edward’s gaze came to rest on Winchelsea. ‘I will bring Scotland under my dominion, your grace, and deal with every treacherous son of a bitch who defies my will, if it takes the last breath in my body.’
Chapter 6
Lough Luioch, Ireland, 1301 AD
Robert entered the clearing several strides ahead of the rest of the company, the staff grasped in his fist. During their passage across the lough, the sky had lightened to an
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