The Rightful King
York, England - January 1086
The cortege for King Morcar’s body moved slowly through York Minster toward his final internment as many onlookers watched on, some with tears and many others with simple curiosity. As it passed by the great Lords of the realm, they all held their heads low showing great deference. It finally moved past the now Dowager Queen Adelhaid and her son, the new King Eadward III. The boy simply watched it go by while his mother collapsed in tears.
Duke William of Normandy was there to catch her fall and took her and the King to a private chapel for further prayer leaving the other mourners to proceed from the church. Much pomp and circumstance had been given the day until this point, but leaving the church was left as a free for all with little ceremony to it. And there were many words said about this fact and others as these Lords began to talk.
Duke Skuli showed a great distaste and left almost immediately and he was quickly followed by Duke Eadmund, though not without an attempt from the Lord to take his young step-son with him. For his part, Duke Æthelmær wished to stay and told the man such. Following such lead, Duke Cearl decided to do the same. Duke Eadwin had followed the grieving party, and now returned to say that there would be no audience. And so the young Dukes were left to choose, and they chose to exit as well. Without a meeting with the new King, there was little left for them to do.
However, one man stayed. He was not given great deference during the ceremony but every single one of the great Lords had made point to speak to him at one chance or other. Now, Eadgar of Wessex sat on a back bench and waited. His few words with Duke Eadwin lasted no time and he was content to contemplate the great building around him until finally the man he wished walked back down the aisle.
“My Lord William,” he announced as the Duke of Normandy looked up in some shock.
The Duke stopped quickly and gave over pleasing countenance, “Lord Eadgar! I did not think to see you or any other here at this time.”
Eadgar offered sorrowful eyes, “My Queen is in pain, my Lord. She has always been good to me.”
William squared his focus to the Earl, “You would do well for her sorrow at this time, my Lord. Always dutiful. I am sure you would do the same for her kin.”
“I would for now and ever,” Eadgar gently smiled. “Her sons are so very close to mine. The King and I were close as well.”
“Once,” William added.
Eadgar stood, “Indeed, we lost a certain faith with one another at a time. It is a great sadness now that he is gone. He was a great man.”
William allowed a squint from his wrinkled brow as he looked over this Earl, “And so you would pay him such great respect…you are the last one here.”
“No, my Lord,” Eadgar offered a smile. “I give you the respect you deserve. That you cared for our liege as he was ailing and now do him the honor of raising up his son? For a man I loved so much, this is a thing of beauty and wonder.”
“Is it?” William asked with an arched brow.
“It is very much so, my Lord. You do him a great service.”
The Duke offered his own smile as he began to move from the church, “You had your chance, my Lord. Your actions were different than mine.”
“Were they?” Eadgar stopped him immediately.
Duke William turned with a great calm. He stood and adjusted his fine cloak with a smile as he looked upon Eadgar. Finally a grin came over his face as he responded, “My Lord, you had great chance with the man for many a year. He found you lacking. Enough at the least to take your chance and make it his own. This is neither the time nor place to announce your grievances. I can do little for you but perhaps save your life.”
“That is interesting to me,” Eadgar responded quickly. “I may be able to do the same for you.”
“And how would you do that?” William laughed.
Eadgar took the moment to begin walking down the aisle and out of the church as he said, “It is good that we were met, my Lord.”
Several beats passed before the Duke finally called out, “What do you want?!”
The Earl stopped and slowly turned, “Safety for myself and family…that would seem a goal most devoutly wished.”
“You have that whether I wish it or no,” William answered.
Eadgar smiled, “And you may wish such safety as well, my Lord.”
William allowed his own smile, “You have found a strength that should have been produced many years ago. Had you done so, today might have been one of your raising.”
“For a wise and aged man, my Lord Duke…you miss my point. I care not for your war in France. In truth, I care not for what tales you have told to this young one now on our throne. I love him much, but he is not me. And you will never be him.”
“Then what shall I be?” William allowed with a laugh.
Eadgar smiled, “You will never last as Regent. I may say that. No one will trust you. There is not a Lord in this realm that believes your words on the matter of King Morcar’s death. And allow me to be clear…I think you had little to do in the actual offing. You only made it work for your claim. Dear Lord William…I will stand here and tell you that I care not for your claim…mine is better.”
“These are many words that matter not…” William began to say.
“No, my Lord. These words are repeated throughout the kingdom. There is not a man that wishes you here. If you wish it still, you must fight for it.”
William looked at Eadgar with sharp eyes, “I believe I have done so…my Lord.”
“You have tried…and failed. You now have some chance to succeed.” Eadgar offered a grin, “The crown may not be in your taking but some other may be something you wish. I believe I know what that is.”
The Duke stood tall, “I have many wishes, my Lord. The crown may be one of them.”
Eadgar simply smiled, “And I am telling you that you will never have it. I have the ear of our Lords. They wish it not. Not now. Not ever. We fought a long engaging war to prove that to you…”
“That I won!” William quickly answered.
“And then you lost,” Eadgar answered just as quickly.
William took a slight step back and grinned, “You are but a lowly Earl…who are you to speak to me in such manner? What is it that I may gain from you?”
“As I stated, my Lord,” Eadgar returned the grin, “You may wish some safety.”
“You could grant any such thing?” William asked with haughty spite.
Eadgar smiled, “I could help you to maneuver. You walk a very tight rope, my Lord. I doubt that you wish a great fall.”
“You think you have learned so very much from those brothers of Hwicce? I promise, they taught you nothing.”
“Oh no, my Lord…they taught me much,” Eadgar answered with a smile.
William offered a laugh, “Then they taught you how to be a fool.”
Eadgar kept his smile, “It is an old and foolish man that does not see wisdom when it is there before him. I am not here to challenge you, Lord William. I am here to help you if you would help me.”
“I am unsure that either of us could help each other,” William stated with some anger.
The Earl shrugged for a moment, “I could tell you what I have already said. I assumed that may be of some help. I could also tell you that the man chosen as the King’s new confessor is a most untrustworthy priest. Bishop Leofric is in the employ of that Prince-Bishop Æthelwine.”
“The King loves me much. Why should I worry?” William asked with irritation.
“The Prince-Bishop is old and foolish himself, but a day does not go by that he does not scheme. I have known the man for many a year.”
“It seems you scheme yourself,” William offered. “Not only must I have this conversation with you now, but I understand your Chancellor is at this moment in Rouen attempting to ply his trade. I know you as a wily commander on the field, my Lord. I do not think it translates so well when it comes to this matter.”
Eadgar shifted to lean his backside against the wall as he crossed his arms, “You may be right and true, my Lord. But I recall a time when I heard a confession of sorts…a man not willing to put himself in harm’s way even if he knew of a terrible plot to kill his anointed King? Dishonorable things could be said about it. And as I shall soon go to the sad Queen to give her some solace, I would hate to mention such things to her. She loves me much. I do not wish to sully her day any further.”
The Duke stood there in anger but composed himself, “The last straw…is that what you threaten?”
“I threaten no thing, my Lord William…I am offering you a chance.”
William threw his arms to his side in question, “Backed by what?”
“I thought you to be more reasonable,” the Earl stood tall again and shook his head.
“You have not yet said fully what you wish!” William answered with exasperation.
Eadgar smiled, “My wish is not so different than yours, my Lord. But I have better chance at it than you. If you would but help me, I could do the very same. We were given an introduction, and for that I am thankful. I was greatly distrustful of you at the time, but now I see that you are a man of means…and meaning. I would ask of you one thing…assist me in gaining this crown.”
“You jest?!” William replied with a laugh.
“I do not. I am too old to do so, though not as old as you. And I will remind you that your age is not what will keep you from this throne. It is the many men in this realm that do…NOT…wish it.”
William of Normandy gave out a great sigh and stepped forward, “If you think you have these men in your pocket, my Lord…you do not. But your point is now well made. If your point is clear…if…then I would ask something for myself.”
“I would think a man of your caliber a lesser man without such,” Eadgar responded.
“Normandy will be mine.” the Duke answered fiercely.
Eadgar smiled, “However you wish it, my Lord. See to the thing.”
William stood back and looked at the Earl for a moment before answering, “I may have misjudged you, young Atheling. Perhaps your prowess is easily moved from the battlefield. I admit that I did not think you capable of such.”
“I would not question your judgement, my Lord,” Eadgar quickly responded. “Whether or not you think those brothers of Hwicce excellent teachers, I cannot deny that I learned many a good lesson.”
