The Heavy Crown
“It might as well of thorns be made
To pierce the skin, frail and frayed
To let the sanguine trickles run
For the true trial has just begun!
Accursed be those too eagerly
Who seek to grab at prophecy
Who listen not to rhymes of old
To echoes of three brothers bold
Who shaped this land and all within
Who fought for friend, for kith and kin
Yet still this symbol does inspire
Even from the deathless pyre
Be warned all those of great renown:
Death waits within the heavy crown.”
To pierce the skin, frail and frayed
To let the sanguine trickles run
For the true trial has just begun!
Accursed be those too eagerly
Who seek to grab at prophecy
Who listen not to rhymes of old
To echoes of three brothers bold
Who shaped this land and all within
Who fought for friend, for kith and kin
Yet still this symbol does inspire
Even from the deathless pyre
Be warned all those of great renown:
Death waits within the heavy crown.”
- Composed by Brother Nylan of Taunton
* * *
Gainsborough, England - May 1129
Gainsborough, England - May 1129
Eadward stood before the chamber door of the privy council and softly placed his hand to it as if willing it to be locked. The smooth wood was anything other than his own thoughts at the now. There was much to be done and he had no desire to speak with these Lords...not now. Not after what his brother had told him. Still, he squared his shoulders and pushed to find the first full council meeting in some few years.
“My Lords,” the Prince announced as he walked in and saw the King’s empty chair, “I thank you for finding such quick progress to Gainsborough at the now. I know that it must have been some hardship.”
The newest member of the King’s council looked with question, “Where be the King, my Lord Chancellor? I would think him to show for a meeting of such great import.”
Eadward delicately walked around the King’s seat and found his usual chair before looking to Robert of Normandy and then the rest in attendance, “I am afraid that I must impart some words that I have little wish to say to you, my Lords. I am grieving within mine own heart. Two of you have already this ill news, but I must now speak it to you all.”
The Bishop Cearl seated at the other end of the table offered a kind eye, “Perhaps our prayer before we begin, my Lord Chancellor?”
“Yes...” Eadward took his seat in full and gave nod, “I think that would find us all well met, my Lord Bishop. And most needed.”
As the Bishop offered prayer, the Duke from Normandy looked around to all with some question. He noticed the sad faces from both the Chancellor and the Marshal and the Bishop himself kept a solemn visage. When he was done, Eadward took some moments to look them each in the eye before he began again.
“I would answer your question,” Eadward looked to Robert, “And I must say before I do a welcome to this room and our company. It is with great faith that His Grace does name you to join with us, and I hope that you will find us all well met in return.”
Robert kept a skewed brow but allowed a smile, “I am most pleased to be in your company, but there are many solemn faces and I would know what this means.”
Eadward produced a parchment and put it to the table for all to see. He tapped his finger upon it as he looked to the document with sadness and then finally raised his head to look to them, “It is the great misfortune of our bold King that he has continued to suffer from ailments for these last many years. Though there seemed to be a healing, in these last months he is yet again unwell. I know, as the rest of you be certain to hope, that he be cured of his disease. However...at this time...”
The Norman looked around the table and saw sad faces as Eadward hesitated to finish his thought. The Prince himself could only look to the document with sorrow as he continued, “...at this time, His Grace does see fit to appoint a Regent to act with good faith in his stead.”
The youngest of them, Lord Harold of Gloucester looked to the Chancellor with shock, “Can this be true?”
“I am afraid that it is,” Eadward gave a solemn nod and tapped at the parchment once more, “Here is his word, signed and given seal. In it, I am named the King’s Regent and know well that I may depend upon each of you in the coming days until the King has regained his health.”
Robert of Normandy looked to the youngest brother of Wessex and Beorhtmaer simply held his head low but gave a quick nod without saying a word. The Norman then produced a caring face as he turned to Eadward once more, “His Grace must surely be in great pain to have followed on with such a drastic step and I would support him and you in every way that I am able, my Lord.”
“I am glad to hear of it,” Eadward answered him, “And please do not make mistake...the King is within his right mind at the now. It is only that his body fails him that he thinks it necessary to go here. He does fear incapable of caring for the strength of the realm as he was once able and needs this protection. I will be certain to speak with him often.”
“May we see His Grace?” Lord Harold asked with concern.
Eadward looked to Harold with some sympathy, “The King does not wish an ogling body of bystanders to witness his infirmity, however he would permit this group to appoint one among you if they must needs confirm what I have said to you now.”
Always a protector of King Uhtræd, Bishop Cearl raised a finger, “May I then suggest that it be Lord Harold here that does so. As I have already heard the confession of His Grace, I have no need to confirm what is well known already and as you and the Lord Marshal are his brothers, it may not be considered a trusted source.”
Beorhtmaer kept his head low but still gave nod and Eadward turned from the Bishop to the rest, “Shall we then be in agreement, sirs? I shall arrange it if so.”
Harold and Robert locked eyes for but a moment before the Norman gave assent, “I be certain that our Lord here may be a boon to the King as I understand them to be close. I would only wish him the best, my Lords.”
Lord Harold found a slight smile, “I thank you, sirs.”
“It will be good of you to do so...” Eadward pushed forward, “...as I will have need to send word to our other great Lords to let them know of what has taken place. Your testimonial amongst the King’s words will carry great weight, I be certain.”
“Do you think to have trouble from the north?” Harold asked with concern.
Eadward tried to smile, “I do not know and you may tell me that very same, my Lord. His Grace would wish you a fine canvass so that he may know the truth of it. The Lady in Mercia may prove an irritant as she lacks an access that she would wish, but I think that His Grace knows our man in York well enough.”
“Yes...Lord Mark...” Robert sniffed the air with contempt.
“Leave off of it, my Lord,” Beorhtmaer finally spoke in a soft but still forceful tone, “I beg of you.”
The Chancellor and now Regent looked over the table to Robert with a smile, “We shall know of the feeling in the north soon enough. I think not to have issue anywhere else. Lord Æthelmær in Kent remains devoted to the crown and though my Lady wife had wish to join me here at this time, I did beg of Lady Judith to stay in her seat in Norfolk as she is needed there as both Lord and mother to my children.”
“I would say as well...” Lord Harold began to suggest, “...I continue to keep ties in Dorset, Lord Chancellor. While it was a sad thing to see Lord Godwine pass…”
“Not that sad,” Robert suggested under his breath.
“...Nonetheless,” Harold continued, “His son Eadweald is seated fully and your Lady sister does do her worth to help him in every way.”
Eadward gave a solemn nod, “That is fine news amongst the poor we hear today. I be certain that Mathilda would keep him right.”
“My Lord...” Bishop Cearl found question, “...Have you had chance to send off word to the Prince in Meissen?”
“Prince Oscytel has been notified,” Eadward sat tall in his chair, “And at this time, we have not yet received his reply. As much as we may wish it, His Grace does wish it even more. I would tell you the moment that it comes.”
“And what of other pursuits?” Beorhtmaer asked once more in a low voice as he kept a look to the parchment still sitting in the middle of the large table, “His Grace had wish for Glamorgan and I have planned it out. This Earl Cadwgan has few allies...Connacht is ruled by a young boy and I do not see the Catalan Band putting into a struggle without good pay...are we still to move forward?”
Eadward wished to gain the eye of his brother, but Beorhtmaer would not look to him, so instead he turned to the others, “I think to wait on that at the now. There will be time enough to follow on and continue our gains, but first we must find security.”
“I would say that the treasury is secure, my Lord,” Robert chimed in, “There has been little chance to get up to speed in my short time here, but the ledgers do look sound enough even with the playful figures our late Lord of Bedford found. You need not wait on that account.”
“And do you be secure?” Beorhtmaer suddenly looked up and offered the Norman a sharp eye, “Still no wish to travel back to your land so you may see to your plight?”
Robert answered him plainly, “As I have told you before, good Prince...if this be what is tasked of me, I will not yield. My men have it all well in hand and I could not leave His Grace at such a time as this. I should think that you may wish it.”
Eadward reached over to place his hand over his brother’s to quiet him, “We all may wish it, Lord Robert, and His Grace thanks you for your diligence and care.”
Robert offered a thankful nod and Beorhtmaer did not feel the need to push further. Harold seemed slightly confused but looked to the Chancellor with anticipation and Bishop Cearl gave over a comforting smile. Eadward watched them all before looking to the parchment himself once more.
He finally raised his head and tried to find his strength, “It is not a new dawn, my Lords...only a setback that will be overcome as His Grace has always found before. He is our bold King and we should expect nothing else. It is too sad that he must weather such a storm, but he has seen worse in his days and I’ve no doubt that he will prove as worthy as he has always done. We few must hold this together in the meantime and I would count on each and every one. I have no need of oath for myself, but I must needs know that you continue to swear fealty to the King in all ways.”
To a man, they all answered, “I do so swear.”
Eadward tried to find a smile, “That is good. It is needed. England sits in a fine place at the now while the rest of the world turns in turmoil. Our brother by law may find no purchase in France and no other may do so as well...”
Robert offered a nod with a slight grin.
“...And the Holy Father must still find another as well as heresies throughout...” Eadward continued.
Bishop Cearl offered a disappointed frown.
“...Our potential enemies abroad have no avenue to find us whether Scot, Irish nor even the Emperor in Germany...”
Beorhtmaer made no notion of the thought as he kept his look to the parchment upon the table.
“...And so it is we few that must protect His Grace in his time of need so that we may see our realm grow even stronger,” Eadward finished.
Lord Harold looked to them all and then back to Eadward as he offered a full throated, “God save the King!”
Everyone else in the chamber followed him in their own way as they answered, “God save the King!!”
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