The Heavy Crown
Lancaster, England - November 1138
The Duchess of Lancaster sat in her raised chair in the great hall and looked down to her two advisers with concern. Her ire was especially aimed at her chancellor, the Earl of Derby. The Lady Ada was not known for her anger, very unlike her mother Wulfrun, but this day she wondered why he did not explain himself so readily when she allowed her soldiers called up to assist the King’s war.
“My Lord Eadberht here did suggest that it might be a longer campaign than considered, sir,” Ada kept a stern eye to Earl Oscytel, “You did tell me that such was not true. Why then do I hear that my men are being soldiered now to the north and into Northumberland?”
Earl Eadberht of Gwent tried to stifle his brief smile having no love for the Earl of Derby yet Oscytel of Rose ignored it and bowed his head to his Duchess, “His Grace does wish to press his issue, my Lady, and the quickest way to do so is to invest these lands that have caused this struggle in the first place.”
Ada offered him a skewed eye, “It would seem to me that the King’s nephew did cause this struggle when he would not relent to His Grace over the matter of the Duchy...not the county, my Lord.”
“Loathe that I may be to agree with the Earl of Derby, my Lady...” Eadberht attempted to play nice, “...he is not wrong to suggest that the taking of these lands to the north would surely silence our Lord of Bedford.”
“As you are my marshal, my Lord Eadberht, I would trust your martial mind on such matters,” Ada smiled to him before offering more scorn towards Oscytel of Rose, “And yet I ask again...mine own levies are called out for this venture as are my little cousin’s to York. It would seem that the outcome may be no better for York in the end should the King win his struggle and I know not how it betters Lancaster. Mayhap you might enlighten me, my Lord Earl?”
The chancellor bowed his head once more, “My Lady...I would serve you and no other. Yet what does better His Grace the King does better Lancaster and York at the same time. It was no good thing for this southern Lord to hold these lands to the north for he might threaten the family of your Princely father. The ducal title of Northumberland will remain under York with a victory and this southern brat will be put very low indeed.”
“And it would seem that your brother Eadræd does very well in the venture,” Earl Eadberht could not help but add.
Oscytel shot him a glare, “My brother was selected by the King to lead this northern army.”
“Well on him,” Eadberht was quick to respond with a grin, “Glad to see him finally earn his spurs.”
“My Lady...” the Earl of Derby looked back to his Duchess with a plea in his eyes, “...I do promise you. This will be over soon. I am told that the King’s brother Prince Beorhtmaer does well to invest Wareham at the now as he and his sons have pushed a lightening campaign against Lord Eadweald. There is no man from Cornwall to Dorset ready to fight against them. This latest to the north is no thing other than a final attempt to push the peace.”
Eadberht looked also to his Duchess with a nod, “Once again, the Lord of Derby seems correct, my Lady. I am told that the King’s army under Eadræd of Rose holds not just the Lord of Flanders in his train, but so too the young Lord of Kent.”
“He is
very young, is he not?” Ada questioned with a raised brow.
“Lord Eadric of Kent is at that, my Lady...naught but sixteen summers,” Eadberht allowed with a smile, “Yet so too was your late Lord husband His Grace King Uhtræd when he began his martial career.”
Not to be outdone, Oscytel stepped forward, “And the Lord Chancellor does send word from King Eadward...much praise for the young man in his zeal, my Lady.”
So concerned were the two advisers to please their Lady, they did not notice when Prince Godfrey had slipped into the hall but he made his presence known to them both, “Mayhap my daughter would need some time to think, my Lords.”
“Yes,” Ada gave nod to them both before looking to Godfrey, “Thank you, father.”
Earl Eadberht was deferential as he gave nod to the Prince of Scotland before turning to bow to his Duchess. The Earl of Derby was less so as he also bowed to Lady Ada but passed quickly by the Prince with a slight word, “You would talk up this new Lord. She must be married.”
Prince Godfrey watched them both leave and then turned to his daughter with a smile, “Dear girl...why does this latest venture bother you so?”
“I think to receive poor counsel,” Ada answered quickly as she stiffened her back.
“Truly?” Godfrey moved to her and took the few steps to stand by her side, “Is that it?”
“Of course,” she looked away with certainty, “While I do love His Grace the King, I also think mayhap...he takes some few liberties. Mama always did warn.”
Prince Godfrey looked to her with a sharp eye, “And yet you did show no issue with matching His Grace with your sister Margaret. Did you not think that some liberty?”
Ada stood and stepped away from her father, “She must be matched. When she comes of age, she will be Queen.”
“As once you were,” Godfrey held a hand to her vacant chair, “Did you not wish it once more? I did never understand as I was under the impression His Grace did desire you.”
“I have no wish to be part of that ever again,” Ada kept her gaze away and moved to a large window newly placed in the hall, “As I know it I have never been Queen and have no desire for it now.”
Her father stepped around her chair and stood tall with a curious eye, “So it is ill counsel and no thing other?”
“It is,” Ada briefly looked back before turning once more.
“Then I should think you to worry not,” Godfrey replied quickly, “My father King Andrew of Scotland does write to say that he be pleased that this southern Duke should be placed aside in Northumberland and congratulates our King in his efforts.”
Ada turned back to him and gave nod, “Yes...His Grace has done well.”
“Indeed,” her father grinned, “It is told to me that the capture of the Saxon Band captain was a short lived thing and that His Grace did find his justice for that poor move by the Lord of Bedford. Died in the dungeons of Bath did that mercenary and our Lord Eadweald should hope that he does not share a similar fate.”
“You do not think it wrong of me to show my support so willingly to His Grace?” Ada questioned, “Would mama have been so helpful?”
Godfrey took a step to gently hold her hand, “Your mother was a very shrewd woman, dear girl. She might have extracted something for herself in the bargain. And yet...you are trusting and it be one of your better traits. I do love you for it.”
“You do not think that I trust too much?” Ada continued in second guessing herself, “Might that turn harmful for me in the end?”
“As I see it, my sweet Lady, the only thing harmful to you at the now is that you remain unmarried,” Godfrey showed a sharp brow with his smile, “You are now past twenty summers in age and it is well nigh time for you to find your match. You must have an heir, if no thing else. And...I would wish you happy.”
Ada pulled her hand away to turn back to the window, “This again. Why must all of you pressure me so? What if I said to you that I am happy now? What if I wished my time spent ruling in Lancaster rather than in the birthing bed?”
“You would be hard pressed to do the former if you cannot do the latter,” Godfrey looked to her as his smile dropped, “It is expected and required should you wish Lancaster sound.”
When she did not answer to him, he stepped up behind her, “There are many eligible suitors should you wish them, dear girl. I am told one of these petty Lords of Ireland has lost his wife and requires another...”
“Is that what I am to be?” Ada spun on him with irritation to her face, “A widow for a widower always?!”
Godfrey tried to smile once more, “If you did not wish His Grace the King nor some other man having lost his wife, then mayhap consider one younger. The Lord Eadric of Kent does march north with the King’s army and I am told he is an impressive figure.”
“He is barely of age!” Ada shifted past her father and moved back to her chair, “I doubt he has ever had a randy dream.”
Her father folded his arms and looked to her with concern, “And why should that matter? I am certain that he has what is required...and you two may learn together.”
“Hmm!” Ada snorted as she averted her gaze.
Godfrey stepped to her and looked on with scorn, “It is true then...is it not? I did not wish to believe such idle gossip about my sweet daughter but apparently your mother and I have raised a harlot!”
“You would not speak to me so!” Ada stood and placed her hands to her hips.
“Dear girl, I have seen you from nappy to nave of the church when invested with your ducal title...” Godfrey kept his stern gaze, “...and I would know all about you until now. It is a wonder that your mother does not rise from her sweet rest to haunt you if this is what you have become!”
Ada felt a tear form in her eye as her father spoke to her but she remained indignant, “I need not your scorn! I give enough to mine own mind! Yet I am the Lady of these lands and I would do as I please!”
“As the whore of Lancaster?!” Godfrey stepped back and folded his arms once more, “The King is not good enough for you because you would rather corrupt the Lord Chancellor, is that it?”
“I corrupt no one...” she answered with the tears now flowing, “...and I be not corrupt myself. I...merely...”
“Do not say you love him!” Godfrey was quick to stand over her, “The Lord Chancellor is a married man as you should be a married woman. Have you any idea of what may come should this come to light?! It would be your utter ruin and I think not that His Grace the King would treat you any better than a common gutter slut should he find witness to this!”
“Father...” Ada could not help but rush to his arms and embraced Godfrey with a pleading voice, “...please!”
Godfrey held her away and looked sternly in her eye, “Do not beg of me, girl. I would see to your worth as you seem unable to do so yourself. I am deeply disappointed but that matters not at the now. You have done your damage. I may only help you cleanse yourself and there is but one way to do that.”
“But father...” she tried to argue but Godfrey would have none of it.
“It should be clear to you that you shall never be alone in the presence of the Lord of Gloucester ever again,” Godfrey moved her to sit in her chair and stood over her as he detailed what would happen, “You will have this Lord of Kent to Lancaster and meet with him. You will be charming and show him all of your worth, such as it is. You will be sweet and kind and loving, and then...you will marry him.”
Ada pushed away from her father’s glare and stood to turn away, “What if I do not wish to marry him? I do not know him. He does not know me! What if he should wish to marry another?!”
“You must marry him!” Godfrey stepped forward and turned his daughter back to look him in the face, “There is no other choice at the now. Kent is a valued land in this realm and holds great faith with the King. If you put aside this other...cease it at the now...then perchance there is a path to regain what you have thrown away. We will end these rumors and you shall marry a fine Lord and have many children with him. Lancaster will be stronger with the addition and you shall bring no shame to this House...your mother’s legacy.”
The Duchess slumped to the floor in shame and disgrace and sat amongst her rumpled dress as her father looked down upon her, “You would cease your tears, daughter. You have brought this on yourself. God help me should my father find this out...or King Eadward!”
The Prince of Scotland stormed from the hall in disgust leaving Ada to hold at herself in her tears. She looked after her father for a moment and that only caused her to cry further. Great heavy sobs pushed her to lay upon the stone floor and she curled inward to hold at her knees. She would stay like that for near to an hour feeling accursed and ashamed. At that very moment she felt as though she was not her mother’s daughter and that just made Ada cry even more.
