The Song of Wessex
- Thread starter coz1
- Start date
-
We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
Well...now that the valuable great grandson is safely out of the way, Arthur's household is extremely disposable. I would not be surprised if it were to all burn down in a horrible fire, or some German knights randomly decided to kill everyone there and then disappear, or mass posiening, or mass dissaperance, or mass madness that ended with them all killing each other...
Etc. Etc. There's many ways that this can be seen as the writing on the wal. Even if the emperor is acting entirely innocently, every single vassal with a grudge against the prince has now little obstacle aside from personal means to remove him from succession. Some of them are certain to try, even if the crown never officially does.
Etc. Etc. There's many ways that this can be seen as the writing on the wal. Even if the emperor is acting entirely innocently, every single vassal with a grudge against the prince has now little obstacle aside from personal means to remove him from succession. Some of them are certain to try, even if the crown never officially does.
Hmm, I wonder if we’ll ever find out whether it was natural or ... ‘under suspicious circumstances’? 
One suspects the latter, though it could have been otherwise. A rather short and sad little chapter: the Prince, heir to a mighty empire, is being erased before our very eyes!
One suspects the latter, though it could have been otherwise. A rather short and sad little chapter: the Prince, heir to a mighty empire, is being erased before our very eyes!
The ending is pretty omnious too; why will he never know? Perhaps because he is not long for this world? Then it remains the question how: Suicide or forced exit.
I'm not entirely sure this is Arthur's doing? He dispatched Alfred de Vere to aid in some dastardly scheme, but then Alfred is dead. Which could be coincidence or murder?
I mean, it makes sense that this was Arthur's plan - it's a half-measure. He doesn't "kill" his grandson, but he takes his son from him in order to properly groom Anselm for Imperial duty. It still leaves Arthur 2.5 alive, but only around as a last resort if old Arthur dies soon. (Kind of a spare, if you will)
But that doesn't mean the plan went off as was expected and that this went down in a way the Emperor wasn't on board with.
I still think this will ultimately lead to Arthur 2.5's death by depression - just losing the will to go on. And it will probably result in old Arthur bemoaning his grandson lacked the strength to rule or whatever all while being haunted by the knowledge he contributed to the death of yet another family member.
I mean, it makes sense that this was Arthur's plan - it's a half-measure. He doesn't "kill" his grandson, but he takes his son from him in order to properly groom Anselm for Imperial duty. It still leaves Arthur 2.5 alive, but only around as a last resort if old Arthur dies soon. (Kind of a spare, if you will)
But that doesn't mean the plan went off as was expected and that this went down in a way the Emperor wasn't on board with.
I still think this will ultimately lead to Arthur 2.5's death by depression - just losing the will to go on. And it will probably result in old Arthur bemoaning his grandson lacked the strength to rule or whatever all while being haunted by the knowledge he contributed to the death of yet another family member.
Fb-fb:
To all - the next scene follows and gets us to where many think we are going. I'll speak more on it after that.
Excellent as that was exactly the tone I was going for.
There is no doubt that I am throwing out some red herrings. And it is easy as you are correct - there is no lack of potential enemies of either the Prince and/or Emperor Arthur.
I'll need to say more after the next scene but I can say that I keep it rather up in the air for some time.Hmm, I wonder if we’ll ever find out whether it was natural or ... ‘under suspicious circumstances’?
True.
And you should.
Possible though Emperor Arthur is firmly ensconced at Melun. It would be hard to get at him. Now...if he decides to join in the field, however...
Some good thoughts here. I've purposely kept it vague to add to the mystery though the answer is actually right there in front of you.
To all - the next scene follows and gets us to where many think we are going. I'll speak more on it after that.
The Song of Wessex
* * *
Melun Castle – March 1347
Melun Castle – March 1347
The Emperor was spitting mad and it was all that the Lord Chancellor could do to calm his anger, “Majesty...the Lord Marshal could not have known that sixteen thousand were just over the horizon when he moved to Bouillon.”
“My Lord…” Arthur slowly turned his gaze up from the map with a stern look in his eyes, “...it is his job to know these things. I value all that resides with Lord Jordan, but as of the first of this year, we had well over twenty one thousand men in the German lands. The Lord Marshal himself held over five! We had bested them at every turn and my cousin of Norfolk had arrived and was due to reinforce Lord Simon at any day. Now I am told that I may lose an entire force and mayhap my Lord Marshal?!!”
“Much can change between January and March, sire,” Edward tried to argue, “You would know that as much as any. The Battle of Tongeren was a great success and allowed us to break out into the Empire. Hainaut and Poitiers were both under siege. Who can say where this Luitpold found his new men?”
“From the east as always!!” Arthur slammed his hand down upon the map, “It always takes this boy time to catch up and now he has!!”
The Earl tried to seem calm, “Yet Majesty...Earl Robert will surely soon arrive with his own reinforcements. And Lord Simon will be on the move to assist as well. Our soldiers move swiftly and our arms far greater than what the German may bring with them. If Lord Jordan would but hold out as long as he might...and he is a great warrior...we shall still best them. I be sure of it.”
“I held wish to be at Poitiers at the now, sir,” the Emperor did not hide his impatience, “And I have little tolerance for these setbacks. Were I a younger man without this gaggle of nursemaids about me, these issues would not occur! And if I am forced to sort this out, I will sort you as well, my Lord!”
The Lord Chancellor lowered his head, “I am no martial mind, sire.”
“Are you not?!” Arthur asked with incredulity, “I seem to recall some many years ago when you rose up out of Westmorland to create havoc in the north. Obviously not! And more to that, I have still heard no satisfactory explanation as to what occurred with our Lord of Glamorgan. He goes to my grandson and Chatillon and never returns, sir! I can think of no foul play practiced by the Prince as the two were fast friends. So might you explain that?!”
“You know that I cannot, Majesty,” Earl Edward answered with certainty, “I have left it to Lord John to study as was your desire.”
Arthur waved a hand as he moved to pour some ale, “Then clearly I need you not this day, my Lord. The Earl arrives soon enough and will be my only solace for you bring me none. Be gone with you!”
The Lord Chancellor did as demanded with a bow and backed from the chamber. He nearly missed the master of spies but Earl John passed him in the hallway with little word and an ashen face. Earl Edward did not press and hoped that no more trouble was upon them.
The Emperor moved back to his maps and sipped at his ale before the knock drew him around, “I told you, sir...be gone!!!”
“Your Majesty,” Earl John spoke as he entered the chamber and bowed.
Arthur suddenly showed the glimmer of a smile, “There you are. Just the man! What have you discovered to Reims?”
The Earl could find few words, “I believe...that sinister forces are at play, sire.”
“You may speak pages of words on that subject when it comes to my grandson,” Arthur replied with little consideration until the Earl did not answer. Then he looked up once more and noticed the grave face upon his master of spies, “You have more to say but cannot speak it. Yet I must hear.”
“It...” Earl John continued to hesitate until he could hold out no longer, “...it is the Prince, Majesty. He is...no more.”
Now it was the Emperor’s turn to find little speech. He held a long eye to his Earl without saying a word and then took down the rest of his drink. As he softly placed it to the table he looked up to the ceiling with a whisper, “Arturo...I am sorry.”
“A quiet death, sire...it is said,” John explained as best he could, “The Prince had long held a sickness that he kept from all but himself. It is certain that his anathema surely hastened his downward spiral...and now...”
Arthur remained shocked, “My God, sir...de Vere was merely meant to go in secret and plead that he take a Holy pilgrimage to Rome so he might make a case for himself. I could not do it. Not while I am at war with Luitpold. I could not have my emissaries do it. I must remain outwardly neutral, but I had hoped that the sight of his son would spur him on. Could it be...that de Vere held different plans?”
“I think not, sire,” John replied with sureness, “He was quite ready to assist as the Prince gave him everything and the Earl held only desire to see the young Arthur raised up once more. He held personal interest in it as the Prince was his liege Lord. Yet some other element...mayhap the German...”
“Luitpold is not as bright as that,” Arthur sighed as he moved to the window to look out on the chilly evening, “I would know. He could never pull it off. Yet whom else to suspect? And now I must tell his Lady wife...his children. The Lady Matilda to Lancaster. His mother, the Queen. And the boy...such a young thing.”
Lord John tried to be careful in his reply, “And now...your heir, Majesty.”
Arthur found a surprise when a tear formed in his eye and wiped it away quickly as he turned, “Who else? Who else has been in and around Chatillon these last months?”
“Few, sire,” John was certain, “None but the Lord Marshal and Earl Robert as they moved into the German lands. Your great-grandson, of course, with his retinue and the Bishop to travel him there. I can think of no others.”
“Not Lord Simon?” Arthur questioned quickly.
Earl John shrugged, “I can see no reason why, sire. He has been to Hainaut and at siege.”
“Might he not slip away for a time?”
“I’ve not kept full eyes upon the Duke, Majesty...yet your cousin is with him to Hainaut,” John suggested, “He may say yea or nay. Why?”
Arthur felt another tear and turned back to his maps, “Just a thought. The Lord of Bedford is a powerful man...and I came to the consideration that he was not entirely happy with the Prince.”
“Nor some many French Lords, sire,” John agreed, “Yet in the midst of war...I would be hard pressed to find of one of them capable of such a devious act. Mayhap it was merely a natural...”
Arthur turned quickly with a harsh eye, “Say it not, sir! For the sake of your father, I wish not to be angry with you, but it can be no other thing than something untoward. Mayhap an enemy of his mother...or mine own.”
“I will surely investigate, Majesty,” the Earl gave bow.
“Yes...” Arthur moved slowly to pour another ale, “...please do.”
The Earl was reticent to leave, “Shall I...recall the Lord Chancellor? Will you be needing to send word to Scotland this night?”
Arthur stopped mid pour and the pitcher landed with a heavy thud, “I wish no thing of the sort. I wish never to write Maudy again. Not with this news. Her Grace Queen Maud of Scotland hates me, my Lord. And now? It is irrevocable.”
The master of spies could find little in the way to answer and so bowed again before he exited and left the Emperor alone. On his own, Arthur could not come up with any easy answer. It was all too surreal. And then one came from another.
“It is for the best, Arthur.”
“How can you say that?” he replied as he kept his eyes firmly on the half filled cup.
“He was weak...not like our lad. Well...there was Eddy...but still. He did try to have you killed. Far less successful than you were with me...but there it is. Where you showed action, he showed uselessness. Never impressed. And truthfully, sir...my plan remains in full. As well...now you have the boy to mold and shape as you like. Was that not always your complaint? That others stole your heirs out from under you? Well now...here is your chance. And you had better make well of it, for you have not a lot of time left...my Lord.”
Arthur finally moved to finish his pour but kept his eye to the cup, “You are ruthless, Ava. I wish at times that I had never met you...put myself prey to your wicked heart. Yet shall I say that I miss you...in some disturbed way?”
She offered a throaty laugh, “You grow to be sentimental, sir. Not a quality that I admire.”
“How could I ever explain it to our son?” Arthur asked with a sigh as he looked once more out into the night.
“You need not,” she answered, “That burden, I suppose, shall fall to me. If I can find him.”
“And what of his Lady wife...the Queen?”
“That’s your burden, and one I do not envy. Yet who should care? I did never like the little cunt and neither did she me. What have you to fear from her at the now? She is practically your vassal and if you wished, you could destroy her without a thought. Again...I thought you a warrior, husband. Don’t go soft in your dotage.”
“Soft, you say?!” he turned to look at nothing, “When I place my arms across the world and squeeze it tight? This boy has never bested me and he will not now! No matter what little tricks he might devise!”
“Then remember the plan,” she replied, “All that we worked towards. What we decided. You came into it kicking and screaming, but as I recall...you still followed through. You may not remember, but I do. And it still goes through our boy.”
Arthur turned again to gaze deeply into the darkness, “He has been gone for so long...and now, so too is his son. The promise of it all. And I am so utterly alone, Ava.”
“The curse of long life, husband,” she offered without sympathy, “And were I there, I would gladly do you the favor that you granted to me. Yet I cannot. Suffer in your pity, Arthur, if you must. And then? Get on with it. What else is an Emperor to do?”
Can't say it's shocking - it had already basically been revealed Arthur 2.5 was doomed via old Arthur's sad moment at the start of the chapters. But as most things in this AAR, the focus is on "how" they happen, rather than "if" they will.
And there it is. I know it's "Ava" saying it, but it's just parts of Arthur debating himself. That Arthur 2.5 didn't rise enough to Arthur's challenges left the old man thinking him incapable of ruling and this is what happens. Broke him and finished off his spirit.
It's nothing really new to Arthur, for as is mentioned, he kind of did this to his second son. But that was more neglect - and more understandable for a busy king. Arthur 2.5 is more an active attempt to break him, and then rebuild him, but Arthur kind of forgot the rebuild part. Which makes sense, since Arthur was never a builder. A conqueror, but never a builder. In terms of relationships, all he really does is destroy.
And there it is. I know it's "Ava" saying it, but it's just parts of Arthur debating himself. That Arthur 2.5 didn't rise enough to Arthur's challenges left the old man thinking him incapable of ruling and this is what happens. Broke him and finished off his spirit.
It's nothing really new to Arthur, for as is mentioned, he kind of did this to his second son. But that was more neglect - and more understandable for a busy king. Arthur 2.5 is more an active attempt to break him, and then rebuild him, but Arthur kind of forgot the rebuild part. Which makes sense, since Arthur was never a builder. A conqueror, but never a builder. In terms of relationships, all he really does is destroy.
You make it vague, but I think I read it so the boy took his own life. Was it so in-game too, I may ask? Now it's time for Arthur to break another heir, I guess.
Oh Arthur, Ava speaks truth: "Get on with it. What else in an Emperor to do?"
The rumours will follow Arthur's memory I am sure of it, regardless of whether or not he ordered the boy done in.
The rumours will follow Arthur's memory I am sure of it, regardless of whether or not he ordered the boy done in.
Ha, I knew it would happen.
Stamp on an ant’s nest by all means, but don’t be surprised when a few thousand of them decides to bite your toes!The tyranny of distance, but all tyrants can be fought, even when at a disadvantage or in a hopeless cause. Whether it’s distance or Arthur!
Cantankerous old curmudgeon! He was the one that sent Jordan there into the German heartland - he should take some responsibility for his own actions.
Unless Arthur is being even more dissembling than usual (including to himself), then he is not behind this particular plot.
Curmudgeon, I say again!
They ever are.
Arthur is more shocked and surprised than the rest of us. He may have contributed to the circumstances of young Arthur’s death, but I’m pretty sure would not have been its instigator - no reason at all to become a kin slayer of his own heir, no matter how he disparaged him.
So that was it.
And there you have it: the inner ghost speaks the truth of it. Does this imply Arthur himself, driven though he is, also craves an end to his own struggle?
Hmm...he didn't know.
Also, he was sorry because he knew it would upset his dead son, not because he was...sorry. I suspect Arthur 2.5 just finalised the excommunication process by committing himself to a circle of hell, though which one remains a little unclear. Unfortunately, they are going to have to go with 'he committed suicide, the great sinner!' at least lublically, even if it isn't true, because the other popular explanation is going to be the emperor poisoned him, again even if it isn't true. Scotland is defiantly going to push that so long as Maud is alive and the HRE needs some bad propaganda to throw at their stronger enemy right now. I suspect this may well become a popular mystery of the ages even if they do find a guy who actually did I think and confessed.
Fb-fb:
To all - While all of you guessed at it, I could not come right and say that the Prince would die. I wanted to hold it close until it finally happened. And when the time came to actually cover it, I felt I needed to put more than just a "he died" bit in there. All of this is cooked up as writer, of course, and as mentioned may be a little convoluted. But I did want to play a bit with the idea that Emperor Arthur might actually kill his grandson when in truth it was something other. Many of you fell for it. His reputation precedes him.
As for the Prince's death, I will actually reveal what happened though not directly. You can easily read it within the words, but I don't come right out and say exactly what happened. Look for that tomorrow as I am on a truncated week. I'm leaving for Austin, TX to visit my sister on Friday and want to get 2 posts in before I leave as I'll be gone until the following Monday. I can say that this death is part of what caused me to write this final work (along with the death of the original Prince.) Here is Arthur with all that he has built and yet he has no son and no grandson to follow him. When I mentioned shades of Edward III, this is part of what I meant. Now, when the inevitable follows and the very young Anselm is the one to follow, shall we see a Wars of the Roses period? I've played it out, so I know, but historically it is an interesting thought.
As always, I wish to thank all of you for following, reading and giving comment. As well, many thanks to those that have voted in the Year end awAARds still going until I return on the 10th. Don't forget to get those last votes in if you've not yet voted. So many great writAARs and AARs. Please give them your voice.
In many respects, this is correct. However, I did make it somewhat suggested that this was not Arthur's plan. But what he's done (or not done) over the years can be said to lead to this moment so Arthur in some ways is still responsible.
I'll have to post the next set of scenes before I can answer that question fully, but I can say that it was not a suicide. I wanted to create a mystery and thus far, it's working.
Ava always spoke the truth to him which is why I thought her the right representative to answer in his psyche at this moment. In many ways, as we've discussed, she was the blunt truth of his reign which took him some time to realize but is now firmly on board. It's almost too bad he had her beheaded because she might be a useful ally at this late date. Yet, she did have her independent streak.
I'm pleased you comment on the war as it was buried in the scene but shows that it is not going as swimmingly as was thought before it began. And it is killing Arthur that he is not there to see it through. He was built to lead, not wait. In some respects, I wanted to pair his consideration of loss with the very real loss of his grandson. It is somewhat telling that he holds more anger over the war itself than the news he gets at the end. And yes, I can say that part of him is growing very tired. Like much else in his life, the thought of his death is very much a struggle with competing minds within one body.Ha, I knew it would happen.
The tyranny of distance, but all tyrants can be fought, even when at a disadvantage or in a hopeless cause. Whether it’s distance or Arthur!
Cantankerous old curmudgeon! He was the one that sent Jordan there into the German heartland - he should take some responsibility for his own actions.
Unless Arthur is being even more dissembling than usual (including to himself), then he is not behind this particular plot.
Curmudgeon, I say again!
They ever are.
Arthur is more shocked and surprised than the rest of us. He may have contributed to the circumstances of young Arthur’s death, but I’m pretty sure would not have been its instigator - no reason at all to become a kin slayer of his own heir, no matter how he disparaged him.
So that was it.
And there you have it: the inner ghost speaks the truth of it. Does this imply Arthur himself, driven though he is, also craves an end to his own struggle?
Though he did not commit suicide, it may well become a rumor. Or that Arthur had something to do with it, even if he did not. As a history, that is a right assumption and rumors will swirl around this King/Emperor for years way beyond now. He is/was that impactful to all of Europe.
To all - While all of you guessed at it, I could not come right and say that the Prince would die. I wanted to hold it close until it finally happened. And when the time came to actually cover it, I felt I needed to put more than just a "he died" bit in there. All of this is cooked up as writer, of course, and as mentioned may be a little convoluted. But I did want to play a bit with the idea that Emperor Arthur might actually kill his grandson when in truth it was something other. Many of you fell for it.
His reputation precedes him. As for the Prince's death, I will actually reveal what happened though not directly. You can easily read it within the words, but I don't come right out and say exactly what happened. Look for that tomorrow as I am on a truncated week. I'm leaving for Austin, TX to visit my sister on Friday and want to get 2 posts in before I leave as I'll be gone until the following Monday. I can say that this death is part of what caused me to write this final work (along with the death of the original Prince.) Here is Arthur with all that he has built and yet he has no son and no grandson to follow him. When I mentioned shades of Edward III, this is part of what I meant. Now, when the inevitable follows and the very young Anselm is the one to follow, shall we see a Wars of the Roses period? I've played it out, so I know, but historically it is an interesting thought.
As always, I wish to thank all of you for following, reading and giving comment. As well, many thanks to those that have voted in the Year end awAARds still going until I return on the 10th. Don't forget to get those last votes in if you've not yet voted. So many great writAARs and AARs. Please give them your voice.
The Song of Wessex
* * *
Cupar, Scotland – April 1347
Cupar, Scotland – April 1347
She was fifty four and remained unmarried. It seemed a lifetime ago when she shared a bed with a man...her man. Her King. Yet the Prince of England...the King...was now long dead. Instead, the only man in her life now was the Emperor of Britain...Brittania...Hell. No thing good had ever come to her from her match other than her husband and children. The crown of Scotland had been nothing but hardship and now, she had lost one husband and two children. Maud was inconsolable.
“Your Grace...” Robert suggested to her with care, “...you must at the least take a taste.”
Queen Maud looked at the trencher and turned up her nose, “I hold no appetite.”
He persisted, “I am sorry, Your Grace...yet you must eat!”
“To what end?” Maud looked to her master of spies with weary eyes, “Some day, he shall come for me. Never a father...never a friend. This Arthur never loses even when he is lost. Look you to Bouillon, if you will. It is said that the Lord of Kent marched in badly outnumbered...and still won.”
Robert showed a sympathetic face, “You are grief-stricken, Your Grace. Though I hold no children of mine own, I know that it must be a great pain that finds your heart at the now. Yet the Prince had long been diseased. Held away from Holy Church. He was...”
“He was my son!” Maud shouted, “My husband’s son! The promise for the future! And lack of love...lack of care...that was his downfall. I am as much to blame!”
“You put too much to your mind,” Robert tried to counsel.
Maud found a familiar stern glare in response, “What have I to my mind, sir? Scotland? England? This Empire under Arthur? All else? Or my son? Now gone from me...no, sir...I have everything to mind and it all sits unwell.”
“Your Grace...” Robert attempted again, “...you hold two children still. The Prince Reginald is married and will soon find issue...and your Princess Margaret...she has seen a son born.”
“Bleeding Hayles,” Maud cursed, “I know not which is worse. Wessex or that family. Neither do Scotland any great good...and neither will bring back my son...or my husband. I am no man’s vassal...yet I am forever to be a pawn.”
Robert tried to continue, “...and there remains the young Anselm, Your Grace. Your grandson. He is due to inherit it all.”
“I’ve not seen him since he was a babe,” Maud looked to her man with sad and angry eyes, “And this Emperor holds him tightly. I think to never see him again unless Arthur shuffles off this mortal coil...which may never happen. No, sir. He is not of my loins. He will not see Scotland. All I have left are two.”
“There remains the Lady Matilda to Lancaster,” Robert suggested and caused Maud to consider.
“You are right,” she replied with some spirit, “She does remain as well...a great reminder. Another grandchild that I have seldom seen. And right in the heart of England. Arthur sees her not...but I?”
“Indeed, Your Grace,” Robert suggested, “Invite the Lady to Cupar. She must surely be as devastated as you over the death of her father.”
Maud looked away with sadness, “My poor Arthur...such a troubled young man. I could not help him, such was my weakness. A Queen is no thing compared to an Empire. And this man? He has haunted me since the day I met him.”
“I beg of you, Your Grace...” Robert implored, “...remain to Scotland. That is all that we are. You are not defeated, even if in grief. You remain our glorious Queen and hold our lives in your hands. Your strong hands. I know that you consider the Emperor of Britain an enemy...yet you are the only one that has come close to besting him. He holds a soft heart with you...a compare that he holds with no other. I say that you should use that, Your Grace. Cause this Arthur of Wessex to consider you always.”
She turned back with sureness, “We would never win a war.”
“You need not,” Robert allowed, “You hold your other son. Call the Lady Matilda to you from Lancaster, and when you do so...recall the Prince Reginald. He has been to Lancaster for some time with his Lady wife. Perhaps now...it is his time to shine. The rules of England...Britain...they do not apply to you. It is your Kingdom, Your Grace. You may do with it as you like it.”
Maud shook her head, “What I like is not what Arthur likes.”
“Nor should it be,” Robert replied, “Scotland remains independent and will forever be so if you put forward your son.”
“He would never survive,” Maud answered quickly but looked to her master of spies, “Yet find him here. If he is to rule Scotland after me, then he will need a training. And so will my granddaughter Matilda. Yes...bring them here...for I have much to tell them.”
* * *
Bayeux, Normandy - May 1347
Bayeux, Normandy - May 1347
“It was a well done plan, sir,” the Bishop suggested with a smile as they walked down the long hall.
The other Bishop replied, “We remain men of God...yet Earthly matters will always be paramount. One does what one may.”
“So no issue?” Bishop Lionel asked.
Bishop Siegmund was quick to answer, “The matter of the Earl de Vere remains to their mind, sir. They’ve not yet caught up.”
“We play a risky game, my Lord,” Bishop Lionel suggested with a smirk, “Yet she is determined.”
The Bishop of Montargis smiled in return, “Of course she is. You’ve tutored her well since she came to you. Two children also, I believe...yes?”
“The Lord God does provide,” Bishop Lionel answered as he held to the door handle, “And it is not just Orleans that He cares for...but all of France,”
Bishop Siegmund looked to his counterpart with a raised brow, “Do you not think...mayhap...that it was a poor choice to bed the girl?”
Bishop Lionel smiled in return, “She wanted it and so did I. God forbids...but also grants. And who am I to turn away the Lord God’s will?”
“She has been here for some time,” Siegmund suggested as he looked to the closed door.
Lionel answered as he opened it, “Indeed she has. Came to me many years ago. It is said the she killed her sister...or made it so. A troubled young Lady in need of God’s light. I believe that we provide that.”
As Bishop Lionel opened the chamber door, Bishop Siegmund spied the tiny body of the Lady Isabella of House Belle-mains. Her hair was kept short and her dress was not ornate that might otherwise befit her great heritage. She was the granddaughter of Duke Gerald of Anjou and the still reigning Duchess Adela of Orleans. Her mother Lady Alice had married the Duke of York many years ago and when he died, York passed to her older sister, also named Adela. No proof had ever been established, but it was an open secret throughout England. Isabella had not even reached her eighteenth day of celebration in life when the young Duchess of York was murdered and York passed to the young Lord Guy, current Duke of York and Anjou. Though scandalous enough to warrant sending the young Isabella to a convent for safekeeping and out of prying eyes, her grandmother was close to King Arthur and was able to avoid finding any sentence for her.
It was not long after that, when Isabella found her way to the caring hands of Bayeux and its Bishop. And Lionel returned her smile when they put eyes on one another again, “My Lady, allow me to present the Bishop of Montargis. He has been most helpful these last many months and I believe it time for you to meet properly.”
Her dainty features were not shared by her physical movement which was bold and spirited as she stood and held out a hand. A small bow to kiss the Bishop’s ring and then she stood with bright blue eyes seeming to pierce Siegmund’s soul, “I do hope that my donation to your Abbey was found helpful, my Lord Bishop.”
“It was more than generous, my Lady,” Bishop Siegmund allowed with a large smile, “Work proceeds and will hopefully be completed within the year. What is more, a library in your honor is to be established soon after.”
“Splendid,” she replied with a grin, “I imagine that the new young Lord of Champagne will do much learning there.”
Bishop Siegmund gave nod, “I imagine that Lord Anselm shall when he is of age to do so, as His Majesty is not amenable to the young Lord moving far away from his castle at Melun.”
“Melun is very close to Champagne and Reims,” Bishop Lionel suggested, “As well as to Paris and Orleans, of course.”
Isabella skewed a brow, “Yet does His Majesty consider returning with the boy to Westminster and England anytime soon?”
“Not as long as his war is on, my Lady,” Siegmund answered, “And I imagine that it was only the loss of his grandson that keeps His Majesty so close to his castle as well. Otherwise, we may see him joining the men at the front, either to Poitou or Germany itself.”
Isabella gave nod, “Of course. Mayhap His Majesty also wishes to keep close eye to his French Lords now with the succession to France once more in question.”
“Is it now?” Bishop Siegmund feigned innocence.
“Indeed,” Bishop Lionel followed, “While the Ladies of Burgundy and Orleans remain quite tied to one another and find new support for His Majesty and His Majesty’s great grandson, the rest of the French Lords are uncommitted. In truth, it is said that Lord Amedee II of Bourbon now favors himself while the others find sometime ally with the Duke of Leinster and his tenuous position within France.”
“Which is none!” Isabella shot a sharp eye to her Bishop before turning back to Siegmund with a softer gaze, “My familial connection compels me to lend my support to the Lord of Bourbon, also of House Belle-mains through his Lady mother.”
“Forgive me if I speak too far, my Lady...” Bishop Siegmund countered, “...but are you not also of Wessex through your Lady mother and grandfather of Anjou?”
Isabella allowed another grin, “Little Anselm is not yet a lad of five, my Lord Bishop. He may be in your charge at the now, and surely holds the fine pedigree of His Majesty, but such a young boy would do no good thing for France in the coming years. And if His Majesty the Emperor has not yet died prior to besting the German Empire once more, he surely will soon after leaving quite the void and a long list of enemies hoping to snipe back at their perceived and earned slights.”
“So our Lord Amedee is the preferred candidate, then?” Siegmund questioned again, “Even though his grandfather was His Majesty’s most trusted Lord Marshal and good friend?”
“It is because the late great Lord Amedee was and still is greatly respected throughout France that I hold my cousin to Bourbon up so high,” Isabella replied, “As well, he holds four other brothers, all of which are capable of backing him should he need it.”
“If they would,” Bishop Lionel allowed, “I am told that they do not always get on.”
Bishop Siegmund gave nod, “Our Lord Bishop makes a fine point, my Lady. And I too have one more niggling query for you...”
She smiled, “How to bring the rest around to our side of thinking?”
“Astute of you,” Siegmund complimented her but remained with question, “Yet as long as your grandmother is the Lady of Orleans, she will bring with her Burgundy and eventually so too the men that surround your young nephew to York. Lord Raynaud of Bourges hardly counts and will go the way the winds blow. So how do you suppose to break that voting bloc?”
Isabella softly sat back to her chair with a grin, “I shall see that Orleans votes as they should.”
“I should not like to think how,” Bishop Siegmund could not return her grin.
“You need not, my Lord Bishop,” Lady Isabella gathered her skirt around her, “Your part to play is now done and your current charge none other than keeping the young Lord Anselm safe and growing. The winds do change from time to time, and who knows? His Majesty may live on for a century.”
Bishop Lionel shared a glance with his peer, “Highly doubtful.”
“For now, we both thank you,” Isabella sat back, “Both for your kind visit and your great assistance. The realm of France is greater for it without the excommunicated Prince and his high handed ways, and more...once your library is completed...mayhap we shall find way to see you gain the red of a Cardinal. The college would be better off with more men of France...for France...attending.”
Another Anselm, as it stands. As we've seen, even that could change.
Too many Arthurs, for some reason I read the name on the previous page as another Arthur.Another Anselm, as it stands. As we've seen, even that could change.
Maud of Scotland is a really interesting contrast to Arthur. For all I like to examine the deficits of Arthur's character one could spend a long time too examining Maud. The piftalls she contains are different ones to be sure, and her overall position is entirely far more constrained, and yet ... she too carries her flaws. Pride not the least, to the point almost of ruin.
The ravens are gathering. Indeed they do more than gather, they start to flock.
The ravens are gathering. Indeed they do more than gather, they start to flock.