Before Plantagenet - Chapter 75
August 1092- Anjou, France
Foulques’ hand scraped the handle of his sword. How he so very much wished to use it.
Before him in these small chambers stood Aubry Karling and Marguerite. At his side was the Steward Guilhem and Chancellor Godfrey.
“What have you to say for yourselves?” Foulques demanded to the two lovers.
Aubry, lip quivering, fell to his knees. “My lord, please forgive my indiscretion.”
“Indiscretion? Indiscretion?!” Foulques bellowed. “You betray my son, who treats you as a brother, and you say indiscretion?!”
“A grievous mistake,” Aubry said. “I… I was weak-willed. A fool, deserving of contempt.”
Behind his mask, Foulques rolled his eyes. He noticed Marguerite do the same. That just made him angrier.
The duke stood up and kicked the kneeling Aubry in the chest, sending him face-first onto the cold ground.
“And what will you say to my son? The young man who would have you rise alongside him?” Foulques demanded. “You simply intend to call it a mistake?”
“I… I... I am sorry, my lord, to you and him, for what I have done,” Aubry said between gasps for air.
“And you,” Foulques said as he turned to Marguerite. “You would one day be the Duchess of Anjou and this is how you repay this generosity?”
“Your generosity saw my father murdered,” Marguerite said, locking eyes with Foulques. “Am I to be thankful for that?”
“Your husband had no say in such things,” Foulques said. “He has clashed with me over it.”
“Then he may learn what it feels to be caught in the schemes of others,” Marguerite said.
That earned her a slap from Foulques.
But she just smirked in response.
“I hoped you might feel that way,” she replied.
“She-devil,” Foulques said.
“You would know, serving the ‘Son of Satan’,” Marguerite said.
Foulques rose his hand to strike her again, but held up. She did not flinch, and appeared to welcome it. The duke lowered his hand and walked back beside his advisors.
“Are you mad, woman?” Aubry spat.
“I am furious,” Marguerite said. “As I have been for nearly half a decade.”
“Our lord could have us killed,” Aubry said.
“If that is his will, I welcome it,” Marguerite told him. “I am not a coward. I am not ashamed of my actions. Or the life we have created together.”
Foulques eyes widened. He looked to his advisers, and Aubry, who appeared equally shocked.
“What did you say?”
“I am with child,” Marguerite said. “And it is not your son’s.”
This time Foulques could not restrain striking her. His advisers quickly moved to pull Foulques back before he could unleash more than one blow to her. Again, Marguerite remained unbowed.
Aubry, meanwhile, was shaking.
“My lord, I did not know!” he insisted. “I swear, I did not realize she was… I did not want…!”
Foulques pulled his sword free and started toward Aubry, who scrambled, on his hands and knees, trying to flee.
“My lord!” Guilhem shouted. “Please! This is not what must be done.”
“My family’s honor besmirched and my son betrayed!” Foulques exclaimed. “It is nothing less than he deserves!”
“My lord, please!” Godfrey said as he moved in front of him. “He has wronged you but it will be looked upon with great distaste if you murder him!”
“Every man in the realm will understand!” Foulques bellowed.
“Leave this matter to Geoffrey!” Godfrey pleaded. “He is who has been truly wronged. It is his choice.”
Foulques was red in the face, as Godfrey blocked him from Aubry, who was against the wall, behind, still on his knees, whimpering pleas for forgiveness.
Pathetic, absolutely pathetic. The girl infuriates me, but at least she has dignity.
Foulques placed his sword back onto his belt and turned away from them, walking toward the door to the chamber.
“Quietly place him under guard, in his chambers,” Foulques ordered. “Until Geoffrey can deal with him.”
“What of the lady?” Godfrey replied.
“The same to her,” Foulques said.
Though unlike Aubry, Foulques doubted Marguerite would try to flee. It was clear she enjoyed her revenge far too much.
Foulques motioned for Guilhem to follow him.
“What do you need of me?” the steward asked.
“I had Bishop Hildebert investigate whether or not we can have the marriage annulled,” Foulques said. “We must now expedite those efforts. Inform him of such.”
“Understood, my lord,” Guilhem said.
“And send for my son,” Foulques said. “He will not like the news, but he must hear it.”
“Perhaps Godfrey is better suited,” Guilhem said. “Or your daughter.”
“You do not think me capable?” Foulques demanded.
“You… you are certainly capable,” Guilhem replied. “But I think it may require a more delicate touch. The subject would be difficult for any man to stomach.”
“There is only one person who should deliver such news,” Foulques said. “Send for him.”
“As you wish, my lord,” Guilhem replied.
Foulques returned to his chambers and poured himself some wine. He also prepared a cup for Geoffrey, before closing his eyes.
He dreaded this conversation. Though he did not know Geoffrey to be close with Marguerite, being cuckolded would not be welcome for any man, especially one who had a revolt being fought in his name. And to know that it was your close friend who did it…
It had been a long time… or perhaps it was the first time… that Foulques ever felt pity for his son. He also hoped it would be the last time.
The young man entered the chambers. If he had some inkling of what was about to occur, he did not let on, marching in with his usual disinterested look. He’d heard that wasn’t the case when he was around the council members, but to his father’s face, Geoffrey always seemed to wish he were some place else.
This was one time Foulques agreed with him.
“You called for me, father,” Geoffrey said. “Guilhem said it was urgent.”
“Sit,” Foulques said as he offered him the cup of wine.
“I’d rather stand,” Geoffrey said.
Foulques rolled his eyes. “Your petulance will do you no favors in life, boy.”
“My apologies, father,” Geoffrey replied.
Foulques could hear the sarcasm in his voice. It made the duke grit his teeth.
“Even when I feel remorse for you, you insist on making it difficult,” Foulques said.
“Remorse?” Geoffrey asked. Suddenly, his face grew less confident, almost fearful. “Why would you have remorse?”
“Your wife,” Foulques said.
“Marguerite? What is wrong with her?” Geoffrey demanded. “I saw her in the morning. Did something happen?”
“She has been unfaithful to you,” Foulques said.
“Unfaithful?” Geoffrey asked. “How?”
“Unfaithful as she has bedded another man,” Foulques said. “And… she carries his child.”
Geoffrey appeared confused. “But we were just wed… it’s too soon for…”
“Yes, that is why we know it is not yours,” Foulques said.
“How… how did you learn of this?” Geoffrey asked.
“The she-devil herself admitted to it,” Foulques said. “With pride I might add.”
Geoffrey shut his eyes and shook his head.
“This… I don’t believe this,” he said. “You… you are testing me.”
“No, I wish I were,” Foulques said. “But it is no test. You can ask Godfrey and Guilhem, they were there. Or see Marguerite under guard until we decide what is to be done with her. Or Aubry.”
“Aubry?” Geoffrey asked. “Why is Aubry under guard?”
Foulques lowered his eyes, but still could see his son’s widen out of his peripheral vision.
“This
is a test,” Geoffrey said. “You mean to test my resolve, my composure in crisis. To say my wife and my closest friend…”
Foulques took a deep breath. “This is no test. It is… what has happened. I am sorry.”
“No, I do not believe it,” Geoffrey said. “Where is Aubry? I must speak with him.”
“There is little good in that,” Foulques said. “We must decide what to do with him and Marguerite once the marriage is annulled.”
“Annulled?”
“She carries another man’s child,” Foulques said. “We cannot allow such a thing to stand without punishment.”
Appearing bewildered, Geoffrey just kept shaking his head. “I must speak with Aubry.”
He hurried from Foulques chambers, leaving the duke with no choice but to follow his son as he made his way to his friend’s chambers. A pair of guards stood there and Geoffrey demanded they stand aside. They did - when Foulques, behind his son, motioned for them to with a hand signal.
Geoffrey stormed into Aubry’s chambers, with the latter appearing to be fearful of what was to come.
“Is it true?” Geoffrey simply said.
“Geoffrey, I…”
“Is it true?!”
“Yes, but…”
Geoffrey punched Aubry across the face, leaving the Karling to stumble. When he stood up, Geoffrey hit him again, and then a third time, causing Aubry to fall to his knees.
Aubry looked up. “I am sorry. So sorry…”
“Sorry you got caught,” Geoffrey said. “That is all.”
“Geoffrey, it did not begin this way,” Aubry said. “She sought my company while you were away. Then when you went to visit your father in Melun… she offered. It were her desire. I did not know she wished simply for revenge. I never would have…”
Geoffrey kicked Aubry in the ribs and left him sprawled, face down on the floor.
“
Her desire?
Her revenge?” Geoffrey sneered. “As if you had no say in the matter. Her reasons were not important. She was to be my wife! You knew that. And you laid with her anyway. Repeatedly? She is not that far along with child - I would have noticed - so your time in February was not enough.”
Aubry did not even raise his head this time, just whimpering while holding his chest.
“
Her desire,” Geoffrey said. “Your desire has been to lay with a woman above your rank for some time. My sister… now my wife it appears. You could have another in time. I would have seen to it. But now?”
Geoffrey spit on him and then turned toward the door, brushing past Foulques as he did so.
“His fate remains in your hands,” Foulques said as he followed him.
“I do not care what happens to him,” Geoffrey said. “I just wish to be left alone.”
He started back to his quarters. But Foulques continued alongside.
“There is the matter of the woman,” he said.
“I do not wish to discuss this now,” Geoffrey said. “Leave me.”
“I have Bishop Hildebert working to have the marriage---”
“Did you not hear me?” Geoffrey asked. “I do not want or wish to hear about you wish to cover me from your mistake.”
“My mistake?” Foulques asked.
“Yes,” Geoffrey said pointing at him with a trembling finger. “All of this is your fault.”
“My fault? It was me who seduced your wife?”
“She seeks to punish me,” Geoffrey said. “Your actions have set this in motion. You had to have her mother. You had to murder her father. This scheme is punishment for what you have done.”
Foulques glared at Geoffrey. But he found himself unable to respond. He already knew Geoffrey was right. As he looked into his son’s eyes could not even muster the will to lie.
“Nothing to say?” Geoffrey asked. “Perhaps there is hope for you after all, father.”
Foulques remained in silence as he watched Geoffrey storm off. Moments later, he heard a door slam in the distance.
……
“What do you mean they refuse?” Foulques demanded in his chamber a week later.
Bishop Hildebert took a step back and lowered his head. “I mean Cardinal Humphrey in Maine has refused your petition.”
“On what grounds?” Foulques asked.
“You recently received special dispensation from the church to carry out the union, ignoring their closeness in relation,” Hildebert said. “Nothing has changed in recent weeks that would overrule that dispensation.”
“She grows heavy with another man’s child!” Foulques exclaimed.
“They do not have proof she has been unfaithful outside of her marriage,” Hildebert said.
“Are you deaf?” Foulques demanded. “Did you not hear what I just said? Did you hear it, Chancellor Godfrey? How about you, Steward Guilhem?”
Godfrey and Guilhem nodded, leaving Hildebert to drop his eyes to the ground.
“They do not condone her decision to have relations before her marriage,” Hildebert said. “But they still will not give an annulment for that. Her punishment will come from God, in this life or the hereafter.”
Foulques stared at the court chaplain in disbelief before slamming his fist down on the table before him.
“This is unacceptable!” he shouted. “If the cardinal will not grant it. Find someone who will. Go to Pope Anastasius himself if necessary!”
The bishop was shaken, his lips and hand trembling. However, he bowed his head and slinked slowly from Foulques chamber.
“He fails me,” Foulques said to Godfrey. “No, he fails this family. This woman threatens the entire House and he can only mew on about the church refusing. They will grant annulment for anything - they just need to be convinced.”
Guilhem nodded. “It may be difficult for him. He is not the most forceful of persons. To be fair to him, it is not why he makes for a good Court Chaplain.”
“It makes me almost wish Telent remained in the position,” Foulques said. “But the fool had to be careless.”
Foulques sighed and turned to Godfrey.
“See what you can do,” the duke ordered. “If Hildebert is not capable, I will send someone who is.”
“I am thankful you show such faith in me,” Godfrey said. “But this is a matter for clergy. I am uncertain if my words will have any meaning.”
“They surely cannot hurt,” Guilhem said.
“Aye, I will endeavor to make certain they do not,” Godfrey said. “Perhaps working alongside our good bishop.”
“I care not for the how,” Foulques said. “See that it is done.”
Godfrey gave a slight nod before departing as well.
“Do you think he will succeed?” Foulques asked.
“I have my doubts,” Guilhem said.
“What are our alternatives?”
“We could simply declare the marriage invalid,” Guilhem said. “The girl has no relatives who are likely to fight for her. Alberic, perhaps, but I doubt he wishes to both anger you and empower her.”
“Then why do we not do that?” Foulques asked.
“Because the church may not recognize our decision,” Guilhem said. “In that case, should Geoffrey marry again, while Marguerite lives, they will declare that marriage invalid, and all children born of it illegitimate.”
Foulques cursed.
This is a simple request. Why did they insist on making it so difficult?
The door to Foulques chambers opened once more, revealing Geoffrey.
The duke had not spoken to his son since revealing the affair to him, but it appeared Geoffrey intended on changing that.
“If I may have a moment alone with you, father?” Geoffrey said. “We have matters to discuss regarding my wife.”
Foulques nodded and motioned for the steward to leave him. Guilhem did, closing the door behind him.
“You have spoken to her?”
“Briefly,” Geoffrey said. “Her words drip with venom. It is as I have long feared with her. I do not know if I could ever trust her.”
“Did you discipline her?” Foulques demanded.
Geoffrey glared at his father for a moment before shaking his head. “And how am I to punish her? Beat her until she loses her bastard child? I think such a thing beneath any Christian man. Lock her away? You have already nearly done as much. She says she has not left her chambers in days.”
“And you would like her to?” Foulques asked.
Geoffrey sighed. “No, I did not say that. I just point out the limitations on what we can do.”
“I continue to work to see the marriage annulled,” Foulques assured him. “The priests dawdle, but we will see this injustice taken care of.”
“Dawdle?” Geoffrey replied. “I hear they reject your petitions outright.”
Foulques frowned. “For now.”
Geoffrey smirked, but shook his head. “It appears the only injustices being repaid here are you own.”
Foulques narrowed his gaze at his son. “Mind your tongue, boy. I have the last month looking for a way to relieve this embarrassment to you - one your reputation can not afford if you wish to command any respect should you ascend in Aquitaine.”
“You do not do this for me,” Geoffrey said. “You do it because you know it is your fault. But I suppose I should be grateful you have realized this is your doing.”
“I might remind you that it was not my friend who bedded your wife,” Foulques said.
“No, it is your chickens which come home to roost,” Geoffrey said. “All of this. Not just Marguerite but all you have suffered as of late.”
Foulques glared at him. “I thought you did not believe this was all God’s punishment.”
Geoffrey laughed. “
God’s punishment? I would never try to understand His will. But I do not look to God for what has happened here. I look to men. It is men, not God, who make up the priesthood, who would deny our petitions for an annulment.
“God did not tell Marguerite to punish me. She did that of her own volition. And why? Because of actions you have done. Just as the priests deny us because you are a known murderer.
“Look to the king. Boudewijn may try to claim he acts in God’s name by attacking the ‘Son of Satan’, but we know he fights because he seeks the crown and nothing more.”
“And God is not punishing Alberic in Aquitaine, father. His counts do not rebel because they hear the holy spirit. They do so because they hate him - divine punishment? No the mortal ones work just fine.”
“You realize some say you will bring them deliverance in Aquitaine,” Foulques said.
“I realize people tell themselves all sorts of things. In fact I think it was you who told me such,” Geoffrey said. “I care not. I am no agent of God. I am a man who wishes to claim a birthright I am deserving of. No different than…”
He paused. Foulques arched his brow.
“Different than?”
Geoffrey sighed. “Than you, when you used the church as an excuse to take Anjou from my uncle.”
Foulques did not reply. Geoffrey’s sullen eyes said enough.
“If it is not divine punishment,” Foulques said. “Then we will find a way to bend the will of those men.”
After a shake of the head, Geoffrey looked toward him. “I have my own plan to salvage what is left of my reputation.”
Foulques arched a brow. “A plan?”
“If it is discussed, we will focus that she did not break her marital vows to me, as we were not yet wed when this indiscretion occurred,” Geoffrey said.
“She was betrothed to you,” Foulques said. “You undertook the same vows.”
“Betrothals are not the same as marriages,” Geoffrey said. “Bethrotals can be broken. Marriages… well look at our situation. In any case, I will not acknowledge the bastard. I will whisper among the counts that I kept her for the unity it will bring to Aquitaine following the war. And… we will take it from there.”
“And you think that will save your reputation?”
“I do not expect my reputation to be much of anything after this, regardless of the action I take,” Geoffrey said. He turned away from his father and began to walk away. “Such is the situation you’ve left me.”
Foulques hated being blamed for this. Even if he had made an enemy of the girl, he could not control what Marguerite would do. And though she did this for vengeance, Aubry was the fool who betrayed Geoffrey.
Yes, Aubry.
Etiennette had pleaded with Foulques for forgiveness. But he had dismissed her pleas, telling her that it was Geoffrey’s decision to make. Based on his response upon learning, Foulques expected something harsh.
“Son,” Foulques said. “There is the matter of the Karling boy.”
“What of him?” Geoffrey replied without turning around.
“I leave his punishment to you,” Foulques said. “If you wish him imprisoned… or worse, you only need request it, and I will have it done.”
Geoffrey did not respond at first, instead looking upwards.
Finally he said: “I wish him to suffer greatly. But it is not what I wish that matters. Killing or imprisoning will be looked at poorly and having you act the tyrant in my name does little for us. We will not win friends nor support with tyranny, father.”
“Do we aim to win friends at all?” Foulques replied. “There are other ways to make others do your bidding. Force, marriage alliances, intrigue…”
Geoffrey looked back at Foulques with a smirk on his face “And that is why we are here, father.”
Foulques said nothing as his son left the chamber.
