Poisonous Plots Read online

  Henry smiled, “I should warn my old friend, Thomas Becket, that I am coming to visit my own church? Why?”

  The Archbishop took in that there were many armed knights there. He saw William. The looks of hatred and enmity from William’s oathsworn made the one he had given me seem like a smile. Thomas Becket forced a thin smile, “I pray you come with me to my chambers and there we can talk, your majesty.”

  “Very well, Earl Marshal, brother William, come with us. The rest, go and see to the horses.”

  “But why do we need the Earl, your majesty, or even your brother. Surely you and I can sort out any differences which we have.”

  “No, Thomas, they will be with us.” I hid my smile for the King’s use of the Archbishop’s former name was intended to insult him. We entered the opulently apportioned chambers. The King sat and the three of us followed.

  The Archbishop looked at me, “There were men killed in Canterbury on your last visit, Warlord!”

  “Yes, I fear that it is a more dangerous place these days. As soon as I heard of the attacks and the gangs of armed thugs I left. It is kind of you to worry about me.” I could play games too.

  The King said, “And now would you care to explain why you have refused to sanction my brother’s marriage to the lady of his choice?”

  “Sanguinity, your majesty. I had no choice.”

  William was about to speak and King Henry held up his hand to silence him. “Others with closer blood have had their marriages sanctioned in times past.”

  “So long as I am Archbishop then that will not be the case. I will uphold the letter of Church Law.”

  William spoke quietly, “There are many who question your right to be Archbishop.”

  Thomas Becket paled. “Are you like the Warlord? Do you threaten God’s representative?”

  Henry’s voice cut like a knife, “You are only God’s representative because I appointed you. That can change!”

  “Not without the permission of Rome and that will never be.”

  “And Paris? What of their influence?”

  Once again his look when I spoke the words were ones of pure hatred. His head came around like a frightened animal being hunted, “What are you talking about?”

  “I am talking about the visit you made to King Louis in Paris when he offered to back you as Pope.”

  It was a pure guess but Becket reacted. Although he tried he could not conceal the guilt upon his face. He stood and to give himself time to compose himself he said, “Would you care for wine?”

  King Henry laughed, “You offer us wine when what we wish is an Archbishop of Canterbury who serves England.”

  “I serve the Church.”

  I could see that King Henry was becoming angry. “Explain why you are not confirming the bishop’s choice of priests.”

  “They have chosen the wrong men.”

  “And you know because you have met them?”

  He glared at me. “I do not need to meet them. The bishops were appointed by my predecessor. I will replace the bishops when the opportunity arises. I intend to rid the English church of corruption.”

  I could see his plan now. If all of the bishops were supporters of the Archbishop of Canterbury and he served another power then the King would be helpless. When the Church had refused to support Maud after the battle of Lincoln it had been the end of her bid to regain the crown. I nodded and smiled, “Excellent! When do you resign!”

  “Your majesty! I object to this man!”

  King Henry stood. “He makes an excellent suggestion. I will give you tonight to consider your position. When we meet on the morrow, I will either have your agreement that my brother can marry as well or your resignation. There will be no third way.”

  The Archbishop stood, “Then I must be alone and pray to God for guidance in this matter. I will hold vigil this night that I may make the right decision in God’s eyes for I serve him first, King Henry.”

  “And we will away to Dover Castle.”

  “No, your majesty I beg you to stay here. It is sixteen miles to Dover and it is almost dark. I promise you that you will be well looked after.”

  “Very well. It means that we can speak at first light. I have more pressing matters than dealing with a troublesome priest!”

  We were, to be fair, wined and dined well. The food was as good as I had eaten and the wine came from Gascony.

  We slept well and when we rose we went to the cathedral to search for Becket. He was not there. We went to his rooms. When we reached the Archbishop’s quarters we were greeted by the Dean. He smiled apologetically.

  “Where is the Archbishop? I assume he has spoken with God.”

  “I am afraid, Your Majesty, that he is not here.”

  In that instant I knew where he was. “He has gone to Dover to take ship! He flees to his master!”

  I was proved right. As we reached the castle and the heights over the harbour we saw a ship sailing west. Padraig and James rode down and confirmed that the Archbishop had fled. King Henry was incandescent with rage! He had been thwarted. He could not rid himself of the Archbishop if he was not in the country. We rode to Dover Castle where the King did what he could. King Henry confiscated all the benefices of the archbishop's clerks, who had accompanied him into exile. He also ordered the exile of Becket's family and servants. We stayed in Dover for five days while he wrote letters to all of the bishops and archbishops. The Bishop of London, who did support the King was placed in charge of the church. However, he could not overrule the Archbishop on the matter of William’s marriage. He did confirm the appointment of priests. I was sent back to London to organise the ships which would take us to Normandy. King Henry had had enough of wasting time on the Church. He had a land to save.

  Chapter 3

  William felt he had been forgotten in all of this. He returned with me to London. He and his knights brooded about the injustice of it all. The Archbishop had fled the land yet his decision could not be rescinded. Richard le Breton did, however, concede that my advice had been good. “I thank you Earl for persuading me to keep my sword sheathed. But for you I might have killed him out of anger. I see now that it would have changed nothing save the state of my soul. I am in your debt.”

  William also turned, “And I too am also in your debt. I have another manor at Dartford. It is on the London Dover road. I have neglected it but I shall retire there to be ready to marry my bride when Becket is no longer Archbishop. I will be closer to Canterbury.”

  “You will not go with us to France? There you can use the war to rid yourself of this melancholy.”

  He lowered his voice, “I have to tell you, Earl, that I am disappointed in the King. He has what he wants and he does not seem willing to help me achieve that which I wish. I have no desire to go to Brittany.”

  “There may be a dukedom there.”

  “There could be a kingdom there and I would not want it without Isabel at my side.” I could see that his spirits were at a low ebb. “I trust you to watch out for my interests.”

  “And you know I shall.”

  He smiled, “You have always been my mother’s most loyal and faithful knight. There was no man spoken of more highly.”

  “You should visit her, lord. She is not well.”

  “Perhaps. I will give it some thought.”

  We parted at Dartford and I headed to London with my men. Geoffrey FitzMaurice could not believe the company we kept. “Lord your service has opened my eyes. Hitherto the world I viewed was from lowly knights who served lords. We were kept at the sides fit to sweep up the horse’s droppings. Now we sleep under the same roof as kings and princes.”

  “We are all just men. I began as a humble English knight and I was barely noticed. God gives us opportunities. Wise men seize them. Foolish ones spurn or waste them.”

  We stayed in the White Tower. It was centrally located. While James arranged for surcoats and mail for my new men at arms I went to the port to hire ships. We would be sailing to Rouen
. The King needed ships for his household knights and servants. Most of the soldiers who would be fighting were already in Normandy. I knew that I would need one ship for the King’s horses. He was particular about his mounts. I needed seven ships for the household knights and the King’s war gear. The eighth would be the ‘Adela’. When she returned with my men she would take us. I felt more comfortable with a captain I knew and trusted.

  The city of London was busy. With the civil war over and England quiet many knights were preparing to take the cross and crusade. De Clare was still consolidating his hold on Ireland and so the knights from the west were drawn there. My son, William, Earl of Cleveland, drew the knights from the north and so those seeking their fortune in the east were knights from the south and the east. I found it ironical that they had been the supporters of the usurper, Stephen.

  There were also many Knight Templars in the city. Their purpose appeared a little more veiled and hidden. They appeared to be busy acquiring grain and supplies for their castles in the Holy Land but I was suspicious. They could have done the same from the land of the Lombards and had a shorter sea voyage. Apparently pious, they all appeared to me to have the look of hardened killers. My son had spoken highly of the Hospitallers but despised the Templars. Perhaps that was what gave rise to my distrust.

  The King returned three days after me and was pleased with the progress we had made. He took me to one side, ostensibly to look at the progress made by the builders but, in truth to speak to me privately. “I called in at Dartford on the way back and saw my brother. I knew that he harboured a grudge against me. You knew it too.”

  I would not deny it. “I knew that he was unhappy about the Archbishop’s decision.”

  “I learned my lesson with Geoffrey. It does not do to have siblings brooding. I have ordered him to Normandy with us. I wish him to sail with you. You can watch him.”

  “Your majesty I am not a spy. I swore an oath to your mother to protect her and her family. William is family.”

  “And I am your king.”

  “Do you think, Your Majesty, that if I thought for one moment that there was any danger from William that I would allow it? I was the one who warned you of Geoffrey.” I realised that my tone was hectoring. It was the tone of a father chastising a son.

  He frowned and then smiled, “You are the only one I allow to speak to me like that. Make sure you do not do it in public, Earl or my new quarters here could become your permanent home.”

  “I know my place, your majesty.”

  “Then you can still bring my brother with you. He will be safe enough in Rouen. Being in England just makes him brood.” I nodded. “We have heard that Becket is under the protection of the King of France at Pontigny. It seems your suspicions were correct.”

  “And Pontigny is deep in the heart of France. He is safe from assassins there.”

  “Assassins?”

  “Your brother’s household knights harbour murderous thoughts.”

  “Ah.”

  The next day I was relieved to see ‘Adela’ arrive. When Dick stepped ashore I was delighted. I had not expected my Captain of Archers. I had knighted him many years ago but to me he was still Dick. He was the outlaw who had chosen to join me a lifetime ago. Like me he was a greybeard and, like me, he did not have the strength he once had but he had a mind which knew ambush and archers better than any man.

  He stepped ashore and I grasped his arm, “My old friend, this is an unexpected pleasure!”

  “Your son did not need me. Aelric can now lead the archers and, if truth be told, it will be easier for him to take command without looking over his shoulder at me to judge if I approve or nor!”

  “Then I am glad. How many did you bring?”

  “The archers I brought are: Tom the Fletcher, Grant, Robert of Sheffield, Ralph of Wales, Will Green Leg, John, Rhodri of Bala, Robert son of Alan, Tomas ap Tomas and Henry Warbow. I chose men at arms whom you now well: Roger of Bath, Alan son of Alan, James of Tewkesbury, Alain of Auxerre, John son of John, Gunther of Swabia, Harry Lightfoot, Peter Strong Arm, Arne Arneson and John of Norton.”

  They were twenty of my most experienced men. I would sleep easier knowing that they were close at hand. “We leave in three days. The men can stay ashore. I am certain that there will be places in this city that they wish to visit.”

  “That is true enough. The battles against the Scots have filled their purses. There will be women and there will be inn keepers who will become richer!”

  “And you can stay with me in the Tower. We have much to say to each other for it has been some time since we rode to war together." While he went to find his quarters, I went to William of Kingston. “When we sail we will have the men you brought, my squires, four men at arms as well as other passengers.”

  He nodded, “It will be crowded, lord. I can provide sheltered accommodation for but seven. The rest will have to endure the open. It is only a two or three-day voyage to Rouen.”

  “Then that will have to do.”

  When he arrived William FitzEmpress and his knights were less than happy. They had been ordered to go to Normandy. I tried to make the best of it. “William, you can see your mother. This is an opportunity to be grasped and not shunned. Who knows, if you and your knights do well then there may be manors for you in Brittany.”

  He shook his head, “I have seven of the richest manors in England. More land and coin mean nothing to me. I would have my Isabel.”

  I left the six of them to sulk and continued the planning for the campaign. William was invited to the council of war in the Great Hall at the Tower but he declined. It marked a worsening in the relationship between the King and his brother.

  We studied the maps. King Henry jabbed a spot to the north or Rennes. “That is where we will begin our attack. The Count of Rennes has shown his true colours. His men attacked my Earl Marshal. Richard D’Avranches,” he pointed to a knight close to him, “has reported raids across the border to take animals and captives. We will let him know the price and the punishment for such an action.”

  I hid my smile. Henry was a great leader and a general. He had made the perfect decision. We were close to Rouen and the Norman heartland and it would hurt his greatest Breton foe.

  Richard D’Avranches, whose family lived just the other side of the border said, “What about Mont St. Michel? That is a tasty plum to pick.”

  “It is but it might also bring us into conflict with the church.” He looked at me. “There are enough problems already with the Church. However, Sir Richard, your knowledge of the area would be invaluable. I do not intend to waste time in sieges. We attack soft targets where we can. My aim is to weaken the Count’s power. I confess that my choice of Duke may be somewhat misplaced. I need more control in the land.”

  I ventured, “There is always William.”

  Henry shook his head decisively, “Until he begins to think with his head and not his heart he is of no use to me. However, Earl Marshal, you have given me an idea. I will speak with you about it privately.” He turned to his other leaders. “Our attacks must be swift and decisive. We take his smaller castles and threaten Rennes itself. When the Count is brought to heel we will tackle the next lord who challenges my Duke.”

  After they had left us he said, “The Duke has a daughter, Constance. She is four or five years old. Geoffrey, my son, is six years old. Suppose I had them betrothed and then made Conan abdicate in favour of his daughter?”

  “I do not know the man. What do you think, Your Majesty?”

  “I do not think he is a warrior, that is for certain. If he was then I would not have to intervene. I am decided. When we have cowed Rennes then I will visit Conan and give him my decision. He will still be able to enjoy the life of a Duke and he will not have to fight.”

  Henry’s idea was not a new one. Poor Geoffrey would have to put up with it. I was more concerned about William. His state of mind was confused. Perhaps King Henry was right. It was better to just watch him until he
came out of this stupor.

  I was happier when we sailed. I was among my men. William and his sulky knights stayed together. I had not seen Dick in a long time and we had much to catch up on. He had not met Padraig and he enjoyed getting to know him. Roger of Bath and my men at arms were busy finding out about my new men. There would be suspicion. I had no doubt that there would be bruised knuckles but the three-day voyage would give them all the opportunity to get to know one another.

  Dick and I stood on the leeward side and watched England pass us by, “How goes my son? Does the peace hold?”

  Dick laughed, “Lord you know that in the borderlands the peace never holds. There is no open war if that is what you mean. King Malcolm has kept his word and the treaty holds but the Bishop of Durham is as much use as a blind lookout on a ship! Some of his lords are warriors but too many have bribed the Bishop to give them a decent manor and they do nothing to stop the raids by the cattle thieves. Your son keeps his knights riding the greenways and ambushing the Scots and the other brigands. We catch and kill more of them than the cattle that they manage to steal.”

  “And my grandson and granddaughter?”

  Dick laughed, “Samuel is a proper warrior. Now that he is his father’s second squire he is keen to learn. Ralph of Bowness swears he will be a better swordsman than his father and he rides as though he was born a centaur. Ruth is unlike the other daughters of knights, lord. She has a mind of her own. She does not confine herself to sewing and other such entertainments; she enjoys debating with her brother and playing games of chess.” He laughed, “She beats him more than he beats her. It spurs him on.”

  I nodded. I did not speak for I missed my grandchildren. I had barely got to know my son’s first family before they had died and I had sworn that I would not make the same mistake with this family from the Holy Land. I had made a good start but the Welsh and Irish adventures had kept me away too long. Now I would be away again. I made a promise to myself that when King Henry’s war was over I would go home.