son,
should they meet him. They would be journeying in the company of one of the papal legates who had first helped to persuade
King Edward II that his wife should be sent on this peace mission: the Bishop of Orange. Bishop Stratford of Winchester and
William Ayrminne, who had helped arrange the latest truce between the two countries, were already assumed to be with King
Edward, and briefing him on the latest developments in their discussions.
‘There appears to be a general marshalling of all who may be able to sway the King’s thinking,’ Baldwin said.
‘Even us, you mean?’ Simon grinned.
‘Two English bishops, the Pope’s envoy, us … there were others in the party with the Bishops, too. I saw Isabella speaking
at length with a King’s herald, who was surely being sent back with private messages,’ Baldwin said. ‘When a Queen feels the
need to accumulate such a powerful party to her, you may be sure that the message is important.’
‘How will he react?’ Simon asked. He had no interest in the great and good who had been sent home. He was just keen to set
off himself. ‘It is not all good news for our king.’
‘Hardly. Still, the Bishop of Winchester is a sound fellow, I think; a diligent, thoroughly responsible man. He’ll weatherthe storm. After all, he is more or less used to the King’s temper. He’s suffered from the King’s anger before.’
‘In what way?’ Simon asked.
‘When he was given his bishopric, the King had expected another to be given it, and he punished the Bishop by confiscating
all his lands and assets. It cost Bishop John twelve thousand pounds to recover them, so I’m told.’
Simon winced at the sound of such a fortune. ‘At least he is reconciled to the King now, though? After all, he’s been sent
here on this embassy to negotiate for the King, so there must be renewed trust, I suppose?’
‘Not necessarily,’ Baldwin said. ‘But Bishop John has more skill than almost any other in the King’s service when it comes
to careful, practical negotiation. The King needs him, whether or not he likes it, or Bishop John!’
‘And William Ayrminne? Will he weather the stormy blast?’
‘He is a skilled negotiator, who’s spent plenty of time in the King’s service. He’s wily enough to see himself safe, I make
no doubt. Personally, I wouldn’t trust him further than I could hurl him.’
‘Why?’
‘He’s a canon at Westminster Abbey, but he spends a great deal of time with the Queen. I think he’s looking for a new position
with her as his patron. Never trust a man who is seeking advancement! He will trample anyone in his ambition.’
‘And in the meantime, we shall travel with the Bishop of Orange. Do you know him?’
‘I saw him briefly in Westminster. I think he’s a sound enough man.’ Baldwin shrugged. He did not add that any man whom a
pope might choose as his legate was not to be trusted. Simon already knew his trenchant views on the papacy and the corruption
of the curia, so did not press the matter.
‘In any case, all we need is to return to England with them, and we can forget all about France and get on home,’ Simon said
with a broad smile.
Baldwin grinned back, nodding. There was nothing that could spoil their pleasure this day.
On the road near Crowborough, Kent
He was riding past at full tilt, when he reached the place. Someone had once told him that a man could always remember a place
that was fearsome to him. Well, he didn’t need to be told that. Not now. The horse itself could sense what had happened here,
even though the beast was not with him when he had originally come past.
There was not a sound. Even the wind had died. As he sat in the saddle, the beast beneath him pawing at the soft soil here
in the woods, he was struck with a revulsion so distinct, it was almost a physical barrier to his dismounting. But he could
not ride past. It wasn’t possible. He had to do this to ensure his
should they meet him. They would be journeying in the company of one of the papal legates who had first helped to persuade
King Edward II that his wife should be sent on this peace mission: the Bishop of Orange. Bishop Stratford of Winchester and
William Ayrminne, who had helped arrange the latest truce between the two countries, were already assumed to be with King
Edward, and briefing him on the latest developments in their discussions.
‘There appears to be a general marshalling of all who may be able to sway the King’s thinking,’ Baldwin said.
‘Even us, you mean?’ Simon grinned.
‘Two English bishops, the Pope’s envoy, us … there were others in the party with the Bishops, too. I saw Isabella speaking
at length with a King’s herald, who was surely being sent back with private messages,’ Baldwin said. ‘When a Queen feels the
need to accumulate such a powerful party to her, you may be sure that the message is important.’
‘How will he react?’ Simon asked. He had no interest in the great and good who had been sent home. He was just keen to set
off himself. ‘It is not all good news for our king.’
‘Hardly. Still, the Bishop of Winchester is a sound fellow, I think; a diligent, thoroughly responsible man. He’ll weatherthe storm. After all, he is more or less used to the King’s temper. He’s suffered from the King’s anger before.’
‘In what way?’ Simon asked.
‘When he was given his bishopric, the King had expected another to be given it, and he punished the Bishop by confiscating
all his lands and assets. It cost Bishop John twelve thousand pounds to recover them, so I’m told.’
Simon winced at the sound of such a fortune. ‘At least he is reconciled to the King now, though? After all, he’s been sent
here on this embassy to negotiate for the King, so there must be renewed trust, I suppose?’
‘Not necessarily,’ Baldwin said. ‘But Bishop John has more skill than almost any other in the King’s service when it comes
to careful, practical negotiation. The King needs him, whether or not he likes it, or Bishop John!’
‘And William Ayrminne? Will he weather the stormy blast?’
‘He is a skilled negotiator, who’s spent plenty of time in the King’s service. He’s wily enough to see himself safe, I make
no doubt. Personally, I wouldn’t trust him further than I could hurl him.’
‘Why?’
‘He’s a canon at Westminster Abbey, but he spends a great deal of time with the Queen. I think he’s looking for a new position
with her as his patron. Never trust a man who is seeking advancement! He will trample anyone in his ambition.’
‘And in the meantime, we shall travel with the Bishop of Orange. Do you know him?’
‘I saw him briefly in Westminster. I think he’s a sound enough man.’ Baldwin shrugged. He did not add that any man whom a
pope might choose as his legate was not to be trusted. Simon already knew his trenchant views on the papacy and the corruption
of the curia, so did not press the matter.
‘In any case, all we need is to return to England with them, and we can forget all about France and get on home,’ Simon said
with a broad smile.
Baldwin grinned back, nodding. There was nothing that could spoil their pleasure this day.
On the road near Crowborough, Kent
He was riding past at full tilt, when he reached the place. Someone had once told him that a man could always remember a place
that was fearsome to him. Well, he didn’t need to be told that. Not now. The horse itself could sense what had happened here,
even though the beast was not with him when he had originally come past.
There was not a sound. Even the wind had died. As he sat in the saddle, the beast beneath him pawing at the soft soil here
in the woods, he was struck with a revulsion so distinct, it was almost a physical barrier to his dismounting. But he could
not ride past. It wasn’t possible. He had to do this to ensure his
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