The Lion of Justice - Plaidy Jean (список книг txt) 📗

Nay, Father, if you watch me from wherever you are, do not think too badly of me. I have followed in your steps as far as possible. I think of you and your wise laws. I follow them. But I am myself and must act accordingly.

Robert had brought his face to that of the King.

‘My lord is thoughtful.’

‘Ay.’ said Rufus, ‘and it is time you dressed me for the banquet.’

‘My lord’s hose.’ cried Robert, and a page came running with the garment. Robert’s nose crinkled with disgust. He covered his face with his hands and pretended to weep.

‘What foolery is this?’ demanded Rufus laughing.

‘It is more than I can endure.’ wept Robert. ‘My lord King to wear such hose!’

‘What’s wrong with them?’ demanded Rufus.

‘They are unworthy. I could bow to my lord but never to such a pair of hose.’

‘Have done with your jesting and dress me.’

‘‘Tis no jest, lord; these hose are unfit for royal legs. Send for the varlet who brought them to you.’

Rufus looked on with amusement as the man appeared trembling before Robert who had seated himself on the faldestol, cleverly imitating Rufus.

‘Hose, man, hose!’ he shouted.

‘Yes, my lord,’ said the frightened man.

‘You bring such hose to our lord the King!’

‘They are the King’s hose, sir.’

‘Tell me the price of these hose, man.’

‘I know not.’

‘Then find out.’

The frightened man scurried away and Robert continued to amuse the company by murmuring: ‘Hose...inferior hose...an insult to my royal legs...’ He even endeavoured to make his face grow red with feigned temper.

The page returned with another man and Robert signed for them to stand before him.

‘These offending hose.’ said Robert. Pray what did they cost?’

‘Three shillings, my lord.’

‘Three shillings. You would encase the King’s royal legs in three shillings’ worth of hose? You should have your eyes put out for such treason.’

The frightened chamberlain began to tremble.

‘My lord.’ he began, ‘the King has never questioned...’

‘He is questioning now. A King should never wear hose that cost less than a mark. Bring me a worthy pair of hose if you do not wish to see how fierce my displeasure can grow.’

The chamberlain bowed and hurried off. In a few moments he returned with a pair of hose.

‘How much did these cost?’ asked Robert without looking at them.

‘Two marks, my lord. They are very fine hose.’

‘They will serve. And, fellow, never on pain of death offer the King three shilling hose again.’

The company was greatly amused and Robert minced over to the King holding the hose before him.

‘They look no better than the others.’ said Rufus.

‘Yet they cost two marks and are therefore worthy of your royal legs.’

Robert could always be relied on to enliven the company with amusing games and there was laughter while the King was dressed.

Then down to the hall they went to the banquet where three hundred ushers and doorkeepers had been placed at all entrances to keep out the hungry people, who attracted by the smell of roasting meat, and knowing the hour when the meal would be taken, had assembled outside and if not prevented would come rushing into the hall as the food was carried in and try to snatch it from the dishes.

Everything was in order. There stood the ushers, their rods in their hands, ready to keep out the rabble and make sure that the food and drink were carried to the table unmolested.

They feasted and in due course the King retired to his chamber accompanied by his chosen companions.

* * * * *

Anselm was preaching against the vices of the King’s entourage. He declared that the King and his friends partook in the most abandoned sodomy. They were extravagant; the new fashions were disgusting to all normal men, for gentlemen wore long robes and mantles which swept the floor and their gloves were so long and wide, that a man could not use his hands when encased in these ridiculous objects. Their hair was worn long and flowing; it was crimped and curled; their shoes with the ram’s horn toes, their mincing manners—all these, declared Anselm, were an abomination.

It should be remembered what had happened to the Cities of the Plain. How soon before God raised his hand against the King of England and his minions?

‘God curse Anselm,’ said Rufus, and he wished that he could rid himself of the man. When he thought of the rich lands of the See of Canterbury still remaining in the hands of Anselm he grew so angry that the veins knotted at his temples and his friends feared he would fall to the ground in a fit.

His hatred of the Pope had grown, for he had made a grave miscalculation concerning him. Urban had sent the pallium to Canterbury and saved a delicate situation, and Rufus had presumed, in view of the secret communications between them, that if he acknowledged him as the true Pope he would repay that recognition by relieving Anselm of his office.

Urban was wily. He was accepted in England. This was what he wanted, but since this had come about, why should he agree to the deposition of a man for whom he had the utmost respect in order to satisfy a king who lost no opportunity of stating his animosity towards the Church?

So Rufus having acknowledged Urban as Pope was still left with Anselm.

It was clever Ranulf who found a way. There had been a rising in Wales and all those in possession of goods and lands were by law forced to supply men and money to suppress the revolt.

The Welsh had been subdued but, pointed out Ranulf, Anselm had done little towards the victory.

‘The forces he sent were ill equipped,’ declared the King’s friend. ‘Why, with his resources he should have sent far more. This is an offence for which he can be summoned to your court and made to answer this charge.’

‘Let him be sent for,’ said Rufus, ‘and let him be accused. Let him be proved to be a traitor. Can I be expected to allow a traitor to hold my See of Canterbury?’

Ranulf arranged that Anselm should be sent for, but Anselm did not answer the summons.

The King was furious. He wanted to have him brought by force, but he realized that this was not wise. Anselm was head of the Church and as Archbishop of Canterbury was not under the jurisdiction of the King. He answered to the Pope, and Rufus cursed himself for having acknowledged Anselm’s friend and ally.

It was a false step, but Rufus was too honest to blame anyone but himself for that.

Anselm should be condemned and they would see what could happen then.

A messenger arrived from Anselm for the King. He would not come to the court and the King had no powers to force him. He in his turn must have the King’s permission to leave the country and he asked for it now. He wished to go to Rome to discuss his affairs with the Pope.

Rufus’s immediate reply was a refusal; but after some consideration it occurred to him that it would not be a bad step to get Anselm out of the country. Once he was out, what harm could he do? The Pope could rage all he liked, Rufus was King in his own country; and with Anselm no longer there why should not Rufus seize the rich lands of Canterbury? Archbishop! He could do without an Archbishop.

So he let it be known that he might possibly accede to Anselm’s request and as a result the Archbishop prepared to leave for Rome.

He came to take his farewell from the King and give him his blessing.

‘Spare yourself.’ shouted Rufus. ‘I’ve no need of your prayers.’

‘We all have need of prayers, my lord. A king more than his humblest subject.’

‘I’ll do my own praying.’ shouted Rufus. ‘Go where you will but get out of my sight.’

Anselm left and as soon as he had gone Rufus sent for several of his knights. ‘Go to Dover.’ he commanded, ‘and make sure you reach there before the Archbishop. Search his baggage lest he be taking to Rome any of the treasures of the Church.’