The Templar, the Queen and Her Lover

Chapter Eight

Queen’s chamber

Baldwin smiled as he was introduced to the other men in the chamber, but inside he was still anxious. If only he had been able, hewould have remained at home with his wife and their children.

But no man could refuse the King’s summons with impunity. He had demanded Baldwin should come here, so Baldwin had complied.At least he had Edgar, his sergeant from those far-off days when he had been a Knight Templar, to stay in his manor with hiswife and ensure that she was safe. His son was causing him concern, though. The lad would not suckle as children should, inBaldwin’s experience. Like any other rural knight, he had bred many animals, and he knew as well as any other husbandman whata young creature needed. A boy like Baldwin needed plenty of milk, and while he refused to suckle from both breasts he wasnot gaining as much as he ought. While Jeanne was reluctant to admit that her son was not feeding enough, she accepted thathe might be able to do better, and Baldwin had instructed Edgar to enquire as to whether there was a woman in Crediton whowould be willing to act as nursemaid and wet nurse to his little boy. That way, perhaps he could ensure not only that hisson received adequate sustenance, but that his wife was given some time to rest and would suffer less from exhaustion.

He should be there, though. It was ridiculous that he should be drawn over to London now, with the likelihood of being sent to France to escort the Queen, when his duty meant remaining at the side of his wife.

Except no man had any duty which could take precedence over the interests of the King, of course. All were the King’s subjects,and owed their lives and wealth to him.

The others here were a mixed bag, though, he thought as he studied them.

William de Bouden he knew by reputation. The shortish, thickset and glowering ginger-haired comptroller was, so far as heknew, honourable and reliable. He had been the Queen’s Comptroller before, and Baldwin had heard that she was furious whenhe was removed from his post. However, all her friends and servants were taken away from her at the same time, so her rageat his departure was probably only an indication of her general discomfiture, rather than at this specific man’s removal.

One of the King’s better generals was going to lead the Queen’s diplomatic party: Lord John Cromwell. Tall and dark-haired,with narrow features but bright, intelligent black eyes, he had been Lord Steward to the King’s household for some while,and although he must have felt the same concern as barons like Mortimer before the supposed rebellion of the Lords Marcherthree years ago, he had remained true to the King. Baldwin wondered at that. He had himself stayed constant, but the doubtshad been terrible.

There were three other knights in the room being granted their brief audience with the Queen, and one was familiar: a tall,fair, handsome man with the haughty blue eyes of one who knew that the world existed to amuse and satisfy him — Sir Charlesof Lancaster.

Baldwin had met him with Simon while they were travelling on pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, and he had been with themon their return when they had been shipwrecked off the island of Ennor. Sir Charles had been a loyal vassal of the Earl of Lancaster, but when the Earl had been killed after his ill-conceived opposition to the King, SirCharles had been left without a master. Like so many other homeless and rootless knights, he had left the country to travelabroad, seeking fame and fortune in the only way a chivalric man could, at the point of sword or lance. But even there hisattempts to gain some prestige and honour failed. Now, however, he had clearly become less a mercenary, more a respected householdretainer of the King. He wore the King’s own badge at his breast.

The other two, so Baldwin learned as they were introduced, were Sir John de Sapy and Sir Peter de Lymesey. Neither was knownto him. Sir John was a man of middle height, with a square face and calm grey eyes, while Sir Peter was a little taller, moreof Baldwin’s own build, but with a strangely rectangular face and dark eyes under heavy brows. Both stood with their handson their swords, and bowed only cursorily. At least Sir Charles bowed like a knight honouring a lady, Baldwin thought as healso bent at the waist. However, when he straightened up again, he saw that amusement in Sir Charles’s eyes, and wonderedwhether the ostentatiousness of his reverence was purely to conceal his cynicism about the lady’s position. All knew aboutDespenser’s hold on the King.

‘Ah, Sieur Baldwin de Furnshill, n’est-ce pas?’ the Queen was saying, and Baldwin urgently bowed again, returning his attentionto her.

‘Your highness,’ he responded, also in French. It was fortunate that he, like almost all knights, was multilingual. Everyman who served the King must learn the King’s first language, French, as well as the common English tongue. In Baldwin’s casehe must also speak some Latin for conversations with the clerks in his courts and with the men of the Church, and he had beenforced to pick up some of the old language that was still so common about the west of Devon and Cornwall. In comparison with that, the French of this lady was a great deal easier.

‘You are alone here? Your friend the bailiff is not with you?’

‘My lady, I came here alone, I fear.’

It was true enough. He would have given much to know that his old companion Simon Puttock was at his side. There were so manydangers he could conceive during this mission to France. It would have been comforting to know that Simon was with him.

‘You should have asked him to join you, sieur.’

He bowed without answering. When he glanced about him, he was pleased to note that Sir John and Sir Peter were muttering quietlyto each other as they looked at him. Clearly they were wondering who this stranger might be.

It was curious, he felt, that when there were so few knights up and down the country — perhaps two thousand all told — itwas possible to be met at every turn by a fresh face. For his part, he was sure that he had never met these two, but thatwas little surprise. After all, he was a rural knight from the wilds of Devon with no interest in the goings-on at court.He spent his days seeing to his livestock, hunting, and increasingly being involved in the day-to-day affairs of the localcourts, both as a Keeper of the King’s Peace, and as a Justice of Gaol Delivery. That was enough to keep him busy.

More recently, and against his will, he had been elected as a representative of his county in Parliament, although he hadbeen forced to attend only one meeting so far. When he was coming up to London more regularly he would be forced to get toknow many more men like these, no doubt.

As the introductory audience finished, and Baldwin was able to leave the room, he reflected on that fact. The idea of meeting more of his peers was not comforting.

As the men left her, Queen Isabella eyed them closely. That keeper, Sir Baldwin, was known to her after the investigation hehad conducted into the deaths in the palace earlier in the year, and if she didn’t trust him totally, she was at least assure as she could be that he was an honourable man.

It was the others about whom she was nervous. Her comptroller, William, was well known to her, of course. He had been withher for many years before the King removed him. Now she had demanded his return, and she felt fairly comfortable that he wasloyal still. He was her man. The same could not be said for Cromwell and his other three knights. De Sapy, she thought, lookedshifty — the sort who would change allegiance as the wind changed; de Lymesey she did not like. He had a directness of staringthat made her feel as though he was undressing her. Not quite disrespectful enough for her to complain, but there was thatsexual note in his eyes. She would not dare trust him alone. Lancaster himself she was quite certain of. He was a mercenary,and entirely untrustworthy. So, if she were to offer a bribe to de Sapy, he might be reliable enough for a while, she thought.And that was the best she could say about them.

Now the lower orders were being trooped in to her. The cooks, the clerks under de Bouden, some guards, and finally a bandof musicians.

These last were a shockingly scruffy lot. Their leader was clad in a tabard with her insignia, but although the material wasclean and fresh he managed somehow to make it look ancient. This man, Ricard, introduced a tubby, younger man called Adam,fair-haired and tousled; then a slender fellow with bright eyes and the manner of a sparrow; then a heavier-set drummer withlowered, suspicious eyes, and finally a tall fellow with the delightful lilt of the Irish. He bowed most graciously, and shehonoured him with a smile and slight nod of her head.

His tones reminded her of Mortimer. That poor man had been successful in Ireland before he had fallen from grace. He’d been sentthere to stop the ravages of the Scottish, and it was largely because of his efforts that the Gallowglasses had been throwninto the northern seas.

‘Blaket, I am glad you shall join us on this,’ she said to Richard.

He nodded, his eyes reflecting his pride in her words. Alicia was just behind her, and she saw his gaze go to her. But thenIsabella saw how his eyes darkened as he took in the sight of the musicians.

It was enough to make her smile. The group was careful to avoid looking at Alicia, she noticed, and there was no surprisethere. After the way their companion had insulted her the last time they had played in the palace, it was wonderful that theyhad dared to return here. But they were reliable. Not only were they competent as musicians (though not as good as some ofthe singers she was more used to), they were also known to her. The fact that they had behaved rather disreputably on thelast occasion meant that this time they would be sure to be more cautious in their manners. She did not wish for any bad feelingto be caused by fools who were supposed to be there for entertainment just because they grew lecherous towards some Frenchgirls.

No, she was content. Blaket might be unhappy to see them — Alicia must have told him how the man had attempted to molest her- but they would serve her purposes.

‘Is that boy with you?’ she asked suddenly.

The leader of the musicians reddened and grunted that yes, he was a little lad whose mother was dead, and they had-

‘No, that is enough. Bring him here to me.’

She studied the little fellow with a heart that felt taut and painful. ‘He is a handsome little man. I like his face. He remindsme of my brother when I was a child myself.’

‘Your majesty, would you mind if I brought him with me? There is no one I can leave him with in safety, and I would be anxious forhim all the time.’

The Queen considered, then nodded. ‘And if you have trouble arranging transport — for he will not be able to walk all theway — you have my permission to put him into one of the carts. He is very young.’

She had thanked them all for joining her on her journey, and now she watched them depart to prepare for the start.

‘Well, Alicia? What do you think?’

‘The musicians could do with a good clean. De Bouden promised me that he had seen them washed.’

‘He lied,’ Isabella said. She looked about her. Eleanor was at the far end of the room, briefing the ladies-in-waiting whowould be travelling with her, and was for a moment out of earshot. ‘Which was the man who tried to rape you?’

‘He was not here.’ Alicia smiled. ‘Perhaps he was too nervous to come with them.’

‘Maybe,’ Richard Blaket said. He had approached them from the doorway, and now he stood gazing after the men as they left.‘He is not there. The Irishman has replaced him.’

‘Good,’ the Queen said. As she spoke, she saw her chaplain in the doorway and beckoned him. ‘I am thankful you too will joinme, Peter.’

‘I am glad that my presence comforts you,’ he responded. ‘Although whether there can be a happy conclusion to the embassy,I doubt.’

‘Let us hope that there may be,’ she said.

Thorney Island

Baldwin was glad to be out of the little chamber, and as he walked along the corridor which led to the great hall and outto the palace yard before it, he was aware of Sir Charles’s footsteps behind him.

‘Sir Baldwin, a moment, sir.’

‘It is a pleasure to see you again, Sir Charles.’

There was a laziness in Sir Charles’s eye that betrayed his mood. He was amused to see how Sir Baldwin had hurried from theroom. ‘You are as easy in the presence of royalty, I see, as you always were in any other company.’

‘I don’t know that I understand you,’ Baldwin said. He was reluctant to consider their last meetings on Ennor. During histime there, to his shame, he had committed adultery with a lonely woman, and the memory was still painful — especially theaftermath when he returned to England and his wife once more. ‘But tell me, how is it that you are now a household knight?’

‘When the last time you saw me I was a desolate renegade, you mean?’ Sir Charles said sharply — and then laughed aloud atthe sight of Baldwin’s face. ‘Don’t take me too seriously, Sir Baldwin. I am permitted a sense of humour, I think.’

‘There is much about you which appears to have changed,’ Baldwin said.

‘It is some little while since we were thrown up on the beaches of Ennor, is it not? One year and a half, and yet it couldbe a decade for me. We parted in Cornwall, did we not? I made my way to London, hoping that I might find some position whichwould be not too arduous, while not attracting too much attention from any enemies — such as men in the King’s employ! Butwhen I was discovered by one of them, to my astonishment I learned that I was not considered a dangerous enemy of the King,as I had expected, but was fully pardoned.’

‘Why would that be?’

‘Ah. Well, I happened upon an old friend. Do you know Sir John de Somery? He is a knight banneret in the King’s household.There are few enough of them, in God’s name. Time was, back in the tenth year of the King’s reign, when there were some fourteen or fifteen. Now there are three. At the same time the King has reduced his knights from almost fiftyto about half that.’

‘I am surprised.’

‘So was I. But he had so many who proved to be unreliable. Men who agreed to serve him in exchange for clothing, food anddrink, and living at his expense, are fewer than those who seek money. Why, Sir John de Somery receives two hundred marksfor his service, along with thirty men-at-arms. It is a better way for the King to remain armed and stable.’

‘You mean that a man will be more loyal to a mark than to his oath?’ Baldwin asked.

‘Ach, you are one of the old breed, Sir Baldwin. Believe me, this is the way of the future. Kings cannot expect men to fightand die at their side just because of the past. A man will fight when he can see that his service will enrich him, though.’

‘Not I.’

‘So you have no need of money. I envy you. Me, I need a new horse. And when I find one, I shall require a good saddle forhim. And a decent courser must have the best provisions. Some the King will provide, of course, but for the rest, well, perhapsI shall have to buy it myself. And now I can.’

‘Tell me, though, what of your service to Thomas of Lancaster? Did that not give the King some pause for thought? Surely aman who was the loyal retainer of an enemy — for that was how the King viewed his cousin — would have been viewed askance?’

‘Not today, old friend. No, you saw the man beside me in there? Sir John de Sapy? He was a member of the household six orseven years ago, but during the Lancaster rebellion he was on my side. We were companions in the Earl’s host. Yet he too hasbeen received with a welcome back into the King’s fold. It helped him that he was ever a friend of Sir Hugh le Despenser, of course.’

‘Oh. Any friend of Sir Hugh’s is to be received with honour into the King’s service, then?’ Baldwin said with a sinking feeling.

‘Afraid so. Personally, I dislike the man intensely, but it has to be said, he has the kingdom clenched in his fist. Thereis nothing that happens in the realm without his approval.’

‘What of the other knight? Sir Peter?’

‘Lymesey? Did you never hear of the lady in Warwickshire? Forget her name, but it was Sir Peter who took all her lands, andwhen she tried to have her case heard in court, he prevented it. It’s the first time I’ve heard of an assize of novel disseisinbeing abandoned because a knight threatened all concerned that they’d be burned, maimed or murdered if they continued. Onehas to admire the determination of a man like that.’

‘No,’ Baldwin said with determination. ‘I fear I cannot agree with you.’ To himself he added that such dishonourable behaviourwas the mark of a thief, not a noble.

‘No matter. I refuse to argue with you, old friend. Yet you will have to respect them both, for we are all bound to protecther majesty on the way to meet the French king.’

‘Tell me about this journey,’ Baldwin said, glad to move the conversation away from the behaviour of other knights.

‘Ah. That. Yes. It may be a challenging duty, I fear. The Queen’s task is to persuade her brother to give up all the landshe’s just managed to take from our king. Yet short of planning a full-scale invasion of Guyenne, there is little our Edwardcan do to regain them. King Charles must know he has the whip hand.’

‘Yet he will surely not wish to leave his own sister with egg smeared on her face?’

Charles shrugged. ‘He is a man — she is a woman who’s married his enemy. What would you do?’

‘She is the mother of the future king of England too,’ Baldwin pointed out. ‘Surely King Charles would not wish to deprivehis nephew of his inheritance?’

‘If he could force the boy to pay homage for them, he’d probably be glad of the chance to have the English prince bend theknee to him. But it’ll be a while before the prince becomes king. He is still young, and so is his father. There is no signof the good King Edward suffering an early death.’

‘So her mission will be a challenge. What of our duties?’

‘There are we knights, also Lord John, of course, and the men-at-arms. I think that we will present enough force to guaranteeour safety on the way. However, it is rumoured that many, including the traitor Mortimer, could be preparing a welcome forus. That is what I fear more than anything: the attacks of our king’s enemies while we are abroad.’

‘I see. But as you say, we shall be a strong enough force to defend ourselves from most attacks.’

‘I do so hope.’