his way out of the churchyard, the fellow was softening in his old age!
He was determined to keep himself hidden down here in Temple. As one opposed to the King, it was wise to maintain a low profile. That was partly why he had grown so angry when thatsilly chit Julia had admitted her pregnancy. It drew attention to the parish, would gain it a bad reputation. He could have imposed the
leyrwite
, of course – the fine imposed for women who were less chaste than they should be – but thank God, it proved unnecessary as Adam had been willing to take her. After all, imposing the
leyrwite
was no way to thank his master for this living. No, better that the silly girl took herself off to the parish where the father lived.
Mind, that was before John had realised his error with Adam. The other priest had turned out to be an equal embarrassment and threat to John’s own safety. He could deal with it by reporting Adam to the rural dean, and yet that seemed too cruel. No, John would keep that threat up his sleeve for now.
For this magnanimity, John must live with the awareness of his danger at all times, for rumours could attach themselves even to the innocent.
Especially at a time when war was brewing.
The inhabitants of Cardinham left their church with their spirits uplifted by the priest’s assurances of the wonderful life to come, during which all men and their women would be safe from hunger or cold, from fear or from sadness. The poorest today would be rich in Heaven, while the rich and powerful would be barred from Heaven’s gates. They could wail and gnash their teeth as they were herded away, down to Hell.
Bolstered by this cheerful prospect, the peasants of the parish mingled at the church’s yard before setting off homewards. Some, like those from Colvannick, had a walk of more than a mile back to their homes, and they were reluctant to set off immediately. Sunday was one of the few days when people could talk and enjoy themselves without fear of the lord’s men noting their laziness and reporting them.
Serlo took a look about him and started off on his way.
‘Something wrong, miller?’ Richer called.
‘Nothing.’
‘Yet you seem in a hurry. Where are you going? Home to your lovely wife?’
‘Leave her out of it!’ Serlo answered. People, he saw, were listening. Many would like to see him pulled down a peg or two, he knew, and he curled his lip at old Iwan the smith and Gregory, his grandson, who were taking it all in. He felt hurt that they should listen so insolently – it reminded him of when he was young, and some of the older boys picked on him, taunting him about his father’s drunkenness. In those days he was swift to burst into tears, and he was aware of a tingling at his eyes even now.
‘What are you staring at?’ he snapped peevishly. ‘An old fool, and a young one, both listening to things that’re none of their business. Go and join the women gossiping if you’re hard up for news!’
‘Anyone can listen to me,’ Richer said mildly. ‘I don’t mind. You’ve been charging people for your own benefit instead of asking for the proper tolls, haven’t you, Serlo? I think you ought to account for that missing money. We wouldn’t want a thief to profit from his stealing, would we? The castellan wants to know what you’ve been up to.’
‘Don’t tell me that Gervase and Nicholas are bothered! This is nothing to do with them! I
own
the farm of the tolls. I bought it. No, this is all because of
you
! And there’s only one reason a murderous hireling would be interested in my affairs.’
‘A …’ Richer felt his throat tighten with rage. ‘And what would that be?’
‘The same as any other
mercenary
. You’re just looking to line your own pocket!’
The slur hurt, and Richer was about to punch the arrogance from his face, but better counsel prevailed. If he was to punish the slob, better that he should do so later, when there were fewerwitnesses. ‘Miller, I am no
He was determined to keep himself hidden down here in Temple. As one opposed to the King, it was wise to maintain a low profile. That was partly why he had grown so angry when thatsilly chit Julia had admitted her pregnancy. It drew attention to the parish, would gain it a bad reputation. He could have imposed the
leyrwite
, of course – the fine imposed for women who were less chaste than they should be – but thank God, it proved unnecessary as Adam had been willing to take her. After all, imposing the
leyrwite
was no way to thank his master for this living. No, better that the silly girl took herself off to the parish where the father lived.
Mind, that was before John had realised his error with Adam. The other priest had turned out to be an equal embarrassment and threat to John’s own safety. He could deal with it by reporting Adam to the rural dean, and yet that seemed too cruel. No, John would keep that threat up his sleeve for now.
For this magnanimity, John must live with the awareness of his danger at all times, for rumours could attach themselves even to the innocent.
Especially at a time when war was brewing.
The inhabitants of Cardinham left their church with their spirits uplifted by the priest’s assurances of the wonderful life to come, during which all men and their women would be safe from hunger or cold, from fear or from sadness. The poorest today would be rich in Heaven, while the rich and powerful would be barred from Heaven’s gates. They could wail and gnash their teeth as they were herded away, down to Hell.
Bolstered by this cheerful prospect, the peasants of the parish mingled at the church’s yard before setting off homewards. Some, like those from Colvannick, had a walk of more than a mile back to their homes, and they were reluctant to set off immediately. Sunday was one of the few days when people could talk and enjoy themselves without fear of the lord’s men noting their laziness and reporting them.
Serlo took a look about him and started off on his way.
‘Something wrong, miller?’ Richer called.
‘Nothing.’
‘Yet you seem in a hurry. Where are you going? Home to your lovely wife?’
‘Leave her out of it!’ Serlo answered. People, he saw, were listening. Many would like to see him pulled down a peg or two, he knew, and he curled his lip at old Iwan the smith and Gregory, his grandson, who were taking it all in. He felt hurt that they should listen so insolently – it reminded him of when he was young, and some of the older boys picked on him, taunting him about his father’s drunkenness. In those days he was swift to burst into tears, and he was aware of a tingling at his eyes even now.
‘What are you staring at?’ he snapped peevishly. ‘An old fool, and a young one, both listening to things that’re none of their business. Go and join the women gossiping if you’re hard up for news!’
‘Anyone can listen to me,’ Richer said mildly. ‘I don’t mind. You’ve been charging people for your own benefit instead of asking for the proper tolls, haven’t you, Serlo? I think you ought to account for that missing money. We wouldn’t want a thief to profit from his stealing, would we? The castellan wants to know what you’ve been up to.’
‘Don’t tell me that Gervase and Nicholas are bothered! This is nothing to do with them! I
own
the farm of the tolls. I bought it. No, this is all because of
you
! And there’s only one reason a murderous hireling would be interested in my affairs.’
‘A …’ Richer felt his throat tighten with rage. ‘And what would that be?’
‘The same as any other
mercenary
. You’re just looking to line your own pocket!’
The slur hurt, and Richer was about to punch the arrogance from his face, but better counsel prevailed. If he was to punish the slob, better that he should do so later, when there were fewerwitnesses. ‘Miller, I am no
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