[Hildegard of Meaux 06] - The Butcher of Avignon
Page 34
‘Just before he jumped to his death, Grizac confessed that he intended to use the poison against Clement. Did you know?’
Hubert frowned and shook his head.
‘That’s probably why he was in such a hurry, to prevent it falling into Sir Fitzjohn’s hands before he could take it back to England.’
Hubert looked grim. ‘It seems we underestimated Grizac’s rage at what had happened in Cesena.’
‘It weighed on him.’
‘He was a strong advocate for peace and would have made a better pope than either Urban or Clement, but for the Schism.’
Hildegard indicated one of the pages following behind Bernard and Edmund. It was Elfric. ‘That lad’s grief will be somewhat softened by having his brother’s loyalty to King Richard confirmed. He told me Maurice would never do anything traitorous and now his faith is justified.’
‘They’ve all shown themselves true English lads, staunchly loyal to the king. Taillefer, too, a good ally and a grievous loss to the world of chivalry.’
‘The darkest result is that Escrick still lives.’
Hubert looked solemn. ‘We needn’t worry about him for a time. I’m afraid I broke his sword arm in that wine cellar. He certainly had it coming to him.’ Changing the subject he said, ‘I know a couple of knights our boys can serve until they get their spurs, ones who hold the idea of chivalry closer to their hearts than Jack Fitzjohn. And as for Peterkin -’ he glanced behind him to where the two monks were being put through their paces on the subject of church law and exchanged an amused look with her.
‘Yes, I feel we need have no anxiety over his future.’ She smiled as Hubert reached over to squeeze her hand in agreement.
They listened as Brother Gregory chuckled at something Peterkin had said but his reply was kind. ‘Pray do not be offended, young master, when I venture to put forth a counter argument to what you assert - ’
And the cavalcade rode on, the pleasant murmur of voices continuing in harmony as the sun made its slow ascent and filled the countryside with enough light to illuminate the long road home to Meaux.
END
AUTHOR NOTE
As usual I have mixed real historical characters with fictitious ones. The anti-pope Clement is, of course, real, and his activities at Cesena are well documented. By sheer good fortune I came across a footnote about a Cardinal Anglic Grizac and a few facts about his connections and possible ambitions. He was in York and wrote music for the Chapter House there, was passed over for the position of pope, became Bishop of Avignon, and died in the spring of 1387, all of which fits so well with my story. Woodstock, or Gloucester as he is most often known is, of course, historical but he is not ‘hoary’ as Shakespeare would have us believe. In fact he was quite a young man, in his prime at this time, and only ten years older than his nephew, King Richard. The papal Schism still had many years to run until a compromise was reached at the Council of Trent. Silver to make coins was in desperately short supply in England in the 1380’s and 90’s. The promise of a trade agreement over silver from the mines at Kutna Hora made Richard’s chancellor advise him to forego a dowry from Anne of Bohemia. Sadly, Richard’s enemies silenced de la Pole before the advantage of such an agreement could be realised.
Cassandra Clark 2014 The Butcher of Avignon Book Six Hildegard of Meaux medieval mystery series