As Lord Edward's steward, Sir
Rodger is a wealthy man in his own right. If the thought of
becoming part of the royal household intimidates you, put your
worries aside. Ancient Westminster Palace al ows you to live
right in the city of London, and Windsor Castle is a wondrous
place with many newly built towers right on the River Thames."
"It is Sir Rodger who intimidates me," Rosamond blurted.
"Rosamond dearest, Sir Rodger took breakfast with me this
morning. He sang your praises to the high heavens and is
obviously besotted with you. Take my advice and don't hold
out against marriage as I did with Earl Simon. It wil do you no
good; a man as determined as he wil have his way at any
cost."
"Goddamn the man!" Rosamond cursed. "The devious devil
got to you before I did. He is not in the least besotted."
"Rosamond, you haven't the faintest idea how lovely you are.
Your hair is the most glorious shade of gold, and your eyes are
like violets. You remind me of a long-legged gazel e I once
saw in the Arabian desert. Your explosive reaction to Rod tel s
me you are not indifferent to him, by any means. A clever
woman like you should be able to wrap him around your little
finger. Learn your feminine power, Rosamond, then don't be
afraid to use it!"
Four
During the next week, Simon de Montfort and Edward Planta-
genet spent every waking moment in each other's company.
Clearly, Earl Simon was trying to woo the prince to side with
the barons. He was a persuasive man who focused on his
goal single-mindedly, and as the days passed, the two
powerful men, one dark, the other fair, found they had a great
deal in common. Both were big men with abundant energy
and driving ambition. They could hunt al day, then stay up al
night discussing weapons, warfare, and military maneuvers.
With great enthusiasm they organized training exercises for
their men-at-arms and personal y demonstrated the best way
to wield a broadsword, mace, or battle-ax.
Simon pointed out that the leadership qualities required to
direct men in battle were similar to those needed to lead a
country. It took courage, foresight, strategy, determination,
tenacity, generalship, and an unswerving belief in your own
destiny Lord Edward had these qualities in abundance, and
Simon recognized, too, that the prince was developing a
shrewdness as keen as his own. De Montfort was an
ambitious man who knew Edward had the qualities of
leadership. How long would it be before Lord Edward
exercised his shining magnetism and royal aura to draw men
to do his bidding and transfer their loyalty from Simon to
himself? Before Edward recognized his ful power, de Montfort
wanted him to sign a solemn oath that he would abide by the
Provisions of Oxford.
To this end, Earl Simon sought out Rodger de Leyburn,
another shrewd young man, but one who was passionate
about the baronial cause. "Rod, you are closer to Edward than
any other of his captains. Am I right in thinking him persuaded
to our cause?"
39
"He would like to heal the rift between the barons and the
royalists, because he knows it would be best for the country.
Continual hostility leads to the people's discontent and enmity.
He has no objection to Parliament meeting on a regular basis
to enforce the laws of the land and discuss state problems. He
hopes a stronger government wil solve problems, not create
them. He now agrees with you that the king's advisers should
be Englishmen of vision who wil fol ow wise policies,
encourage trade al iances, and veto expensive foreign wars
that drain the treasury."
"I too think he wil not oppose the Provisions, but I need more,"
Simon said. "Before Parliament convenes at Candlemas, I
would like his signature swearing that he wil abide by the
Provisions."
"I wil use whatever influence I have, Earl Simon."
"You are a good man, Rod. Have you set that wedding date
yet?"
Rodger laughed rueful y. "There is a problem; my betrothed
has no interest in
Rodger is a wealthy man in his own right. If the thought of
becoming part of the royal household intimidates you, put your
worries aside. Ancient Westminster Palace al ows you to live
right in the city of London, and Windsor Castle is a wondrous
place with many newly built towers right on the River Thames."
"It is Sir Rodger who intimidates me," Rosamond blurted.
"Rosamond dearest, Sir Rodger took breakfast with me this
morning. He sang your praises to the high heavens and is
obviously besotted with you. Take my advice and don't hold
out against marriage as I did with Earl Simon. It wil do you no
good; a man as determined as he wil have his way at any
cost."
"Goddamn the man!" Rosamond cursed. "The devious devil
got to you before I did. He is not in the least besotted."
"Rosamond, you haven't the faintest idea how lovely you are.
Your hair is the most glorious shade of gold, and your eyes are
like violets. You remind me of a long-legged gazel e I once
saw in the Arabian desert. Your explosive reaction to Rod tel s
me you are not indifferent to him, by any means. A clever
woman like you should be able to wrap him around your little
finger. Learn your feminine power, Rosamond, then don't be
afraid to use it!"
Four
During the next week, Simon de Montfort and Edward Planta-
genet spent every waking moment in each other's company.
Clearly, Earl Simon was trying to woo the prince to side with
the barons. He was a persuasive man who focused on his
goal single-mindedly, and as the days passed, the two
powerful men, one dark, the other fair, found they had a great
deal in common. Both were big men with abundant energy
and driving ambition. They could hunt al day, then stay up al
night discussing weapons, warfare, and military maneuvers.
With great enthusiasm they organized training exercises for
their men-at-arms and personal y demonstrated the best way
to wield a broadsword, mace, or battle-ax.
Simon pointed out that the leadership qualities required to
direct men in battle were similar to those needed to lead a
country. It took courage, foresight, strategy, determination,
tenacity, generalship, and an unswerving belief in your own
destiny Lord Edward had these qualities in abundance, and
Simon recognized, too, that the prince was developing a
shrewdness as keen as his own. De Montfort was an
ambitious man who knew Edward had the qualities of
leadership. How long would it be before Lord Edward
exercised his shining magnetism and royal aura to draw men
to do his bidding and transfer their loyalty from Simon to
himself? Before Edward recognized his ful power, de Montfort
wanted him to sign a solemn oath that he would abide by the
Provisions of Oxford.
To this end, Earl Simon sought out Rodger de Leyburn,
another shrewd young man, but one who was passionate
about the baronial cause. "Rod, you are closer to Edward than
any other of his captains. Am I right in thinking him persuaded
to our cause?"
39
"He would like to heal the rift between the barons and the
royalists, because he knows it would be best for the country.
Continual hostility leads to the people's discontent and enmity.
He has no objection to Parliament meeting on a regular basis
to enforce the laws of the land and discuss state problems. He
hopes a stronger government wil solve problems, not create
them. He now agrees with you that the king's advisers should
be Englishmen of vision who wil fol ow wise policies,
encourage trade al iances, and veto expensive foreign wars
that drain the treasury."
"I too think he wil not oppose the Provisions, but I need more,"
Simon said. "Before Parliament convenes at Candlemas, I
would like his signature swearing that he wil abide by the
Provisions."
"I wil use whatever influence I have, Earl Simon."
"You are a good man, Rod. Have you set that wedding date
yet?"
Rodger laughed rueful y. "There is a problem; my betrothed
has no interest in
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