Judith, Twice Queen of Wessex

by Lesley Jepson

  Rounding a bend, Judith heard the clatter of horses’ hoofs coming towards them, and she lifted a corner of the shade to see what was happening. Ralf spoke urgently to Baldwin, pointing away to the side, and Judith nudged a dozing Elin.

  ‘Look out of your window, Elin. Something is wrong.’ Judith continued to observe Ralf and Baldwin, now joined by Gozfrid, as they conferred hurriedly, looking over to the left flank, and then Baldwin stood in his stirrups and looked ahead, shading his eyes against the morning sun. His hand, fist clenched, rose in the air and the train of wagons slowed to a halt.

  ‘Do you see anything?’ asked Judith, as Ghislaine clumsily leaned across Alys to peer out of the window herself.

  ‘Colours, Princess,’ Ghislaine sat back and regarded Judith with narrow eyes. ‘A flash of colour and perhaps a glint in the sun. I think there are soldiers over there, and Ralf has come back to tell Lord Baldwin, but Sigram hasn’t returned.’

  A thunder of hoofs announced the scout’s arrival, and Judith saw him almost overshoot their position in his haste to impart his information to Baldwin. Then Baldwin trotted up to her window and leaned down, twitching a smile with his lips that didn’t reach his eyes.

  ‘Your father’s soldiers, my love. Sigram says they are flying your father’s pennant, although he cannot see their shields. Yonder is the bridge over the river.’ He pointed down the road, which curved to the right and up to a wide stone bridge which forded the snake-like strip of water.

  ‘Once on the other side, we are in Lorraine, and I cannot think your father has given orders that we be captured in another King’s domain. But the terrain will be rough as we need to get you across quickly.’

  ‘We all need to get across, Baldwin. There is no use in me throwing myself on the mercy of my cousin if you are not with me.’ Judith tried to keep the panic out of her voice, but the thought that Baldwin would not accompany her to Lorraine horrified her.

  ‘We are going to get the breastplates and helmets out of the last wagon, my love, then we eight are going to ride towards those pennants.’ Judith gasped, but Baldwin shook his head reassuringly.

  ‘Only to talk, my love. It might be nothing, a cohort of troops on patrol around your father’s border with Lorraine. There is nothing to say that he even knows where we are quite yet. But I would find out what they know, just in case we need to make preparations. You will all be safe with Adal to guard you, and the other lads on the wagons. It will just be a little…..rocky…for a while.’ He caught the hand that was gripping the sill of the carriage window and kissed her fingers, then straightened in his saddle and rode towards the last wagon.

  ***

  Chapter 108

  Ralf unearthed his leather breastplate from the cart, and slid his beloved long sword into the throat of his scabbard. Buckling on the armour while mounted was not an easy task, and all the troops were struggling to control their horses as gloved fingers slipped on the buckles and straps. Seeing that Lord Baldwin had strapped his helm to the side of his saddle, Ralf did the same and then guided his horse to flank Baldwin, who had Gozfrid on his right. Sigram pulled his mount to Ralf’s left, and the eight men walked their horses onto the grass.

  ‘We walk slowly, lads, until we can see the shields.’ Baldwin’s words were loud, carrying on the slight breeze to both flanks. ‘Then we either don our helmets and charge, or we form a wall and wait.’

  ‘Who do you think it is, Lord?’ asked Ralf, squinting into the sun at the pennants and flashing armour. The blue streamers snapped and danced in the wind, but the horsemen at the top of the rise had their shields lashed to the flanks of their horses.

  ‘Not Danes, that is certain. They would have charged downhill to capture the wagons.’ Gozfrid’s voice reached him above the snorting horses and the jingling harness, and Ralf suppressed a smile at the ‘Thank God’ he heard uttered by Sigram on his left. The sentries might have agreed to join them, but they were no better trained now than they had been when they were overpowered, and Ralf knew both Baldwin and Adal intended for that to change. He hoped the troops on the hill did not intend them any harm; otherwise it would be carnage, as only three of them knew how to defend themselves properly.

  Ralf risked a glance behind him and saw that the other sentries had formed a blockade across the bridge, with the one-armed shape of Adal on top of the carriage, trying to see beyond their line of horses. A tiny figure clad in blue stood by the carriage, and he knew the Princess also observed their progress.

  ‘Dieu merci pour ça,’ growled Baldwin, and Ralf looked back up the hill, seeing a fair young man beaming at them, sitting astride a fine brown gelding with a gilded harness and caparisoned in silk. The youth set his horse to take a step forward and Ralf heard Gozfrid laughingly shout, ‘Greetings, Lord Prince.’

  The young royal nodded his head to accept Gozfrid’s welcome, and Baldwin rode alongside the youth and clasped his arm in an affectionate acknowledgement.

  ‘My sister is s..safe, Baldwin?’ asked Prince Louis, and Baldwin nodded vigorously.

  ‘Aye, Lord Prince. Safe in Lorraine, now she is over that bridge.’ Ralf saw Baldwin tip his head down the hillside, and both men stole a glance at the tiny figure standing in the shadow of the thicket.

  ‘I have l..letters for her, entrusted to me by your f..father.’ The young man’s voice changed slightly. ‘S..s..she will be upset b..b..by the one from the K..k..king, Baldwin. My b..b..brother stirs up m..m..mischief for you b..b..both.’

  Ralf heard Baldwin chuckle, despite Louis’ worsening stammer. ‘He can do as he pleases, Lord Prince. We are wedded and bedded, and now seek a blessing from His Holiness. Charles can do naught to change that.’

  ‘No, Baldwin, but he w..will try. I just w..wanted you to be aware of his m..malice, that is all. L..lotha is delighted to be your host, he t..tells me, and will m..make arrangements for your j..journey whenever you w..wish.’ Ralf heard the clink of coins as Prince Louis felt in a pouch on his saddle. ‘Take this, Baldwin. From your f..father as well as from m..me. Rome will b..be expensive, and you may n..need it for b..bribes, if not to live.’ The young man grinned at his brother-in-law.

  ‘My thanks, Lord Prince, and those of your sister. No doubt she will write with her own gratitude.’ Baldwin secreted the bulging purses in his own saddle pouch and bowed gratefully.

  ‘Is she happy, Baldwin?’ asked the Prince with a grin, and Ralf saw Baldwin’s answering smile.

  ‘She is, Lord Prince. And I will dedicate my life to making her remain that way, I swear.’

  ***

  Chapter 109

  As the line of horsemen began the trek up the hill, Judith heard Adal give a shrill whistle, and the carriage began to move faster, rocking and lurching from side to side. Alys bit her lip, gazing around with frightened eyes, as Elin patted her clasped hands and tried to steady them both. Ghislaine braced herself on the handle of the door, letting out an excited shriek when the carriage hit a particularly large boulder and the wheels seemed to leave the ground. Judith sat in silence, anxious about Baldwin going to speak to the troops and wishing they were all already over the bridge.

  Abruptly the tone of the wheels changed, and she peeped out of the window to see the edging stones of the bridge rushing past, and the silvery-green water glittering in the midday sunshine. Adal got to the other side and then pulled off the road into a thicket of trees and shrubs, and Judith heard the other wagons rattle across and then join them in the stand of foliage.

  Twisting the handle of the door, she jumped out of the carriage onto the grass, and gazed across the river to see if she could determine where Baldwin might be. The sun was in her eyes, and she raised her hand to shield them from the glare.

  ‘Can you see anything from up there, Ada
l?’ she asked, as her steward climbed clumsily onto the roof of the carriage, trying to gain purchase with his feet and hold on with his one hand.

  ‘I can see the pennants, Princess. Dark blue background with something white in front?’

  ‘Feathers, Adal. White feathers on blue is my father’s escutcheon. Can you see the shields? How many men are there?’

  ‘I can’t tell, Princess. Lord Baldwin is in my line of vision, riding up in horizontal formation. He is being careful.’ The old warrior chuckled, knowing Baldwin was riding as he was to intimidate. ‘One sharp word and the horses will move together to form a wall, Princess. To protect the bridge.’

  ‘Can you see anything else, Adal?’ Judith was too small to be able to view anything other than Baldwin’s eight riders forming a shadow on the rise. What could be taking so long? A noise behind her made her turn, and she saw the drivers of the other wagons had all donned leather breastplates and long swords and they carried their helmets to their horses, tied behind the carts.

  They mounted and then rode to the other side of the bridge, blocking the route and waiting patiently. The horses snorted and shuffled their feet, and Adal grinned down at her from his perch.

  ‘Lord Baldwin has given them their instructions, Princess. If there is any trouble on the rise, those men will protect your escape, and I have to take you to King Lotha.’

  Judith shot him a sharp glance. ‘If there is any trouble on the rise, Adal, I will throw one of those men from their horse and ride up the hill myself. The men speaking with my husband are under my father’s banner, and I am still their Princess. In my father’s absence, they will obey me!’

  Adal furrowed his brow doubtfully. ‘Are you sure of that, Princess? If your father has sent them to capture you?’

  ‘Then I threaten them with punishment for not obeying their Princess, Adal. Or I submit to being captured and rely on Baldwin to affect another rescue. But I will not have anyone here or anyone on that ridge hurt.’

  ‘They’re moving, Princess. Lord Baldwin is turning his horse, and I can see the shields. Blue with a gold stripe, white to the right and gold to the left.’

  Judith allowed her shoulders to slump. ‘Shields of my brother Louis, Adal. Sectioned with the arms of my mother. It’s Louis, and he isn’t hunting us, he’s helping.’ Judith leaned against the carriage, dizzy with relief. A muffled sob from the interior made her look inside, to see all three women dabbing their eyes and sniffling.

  ‘Is Ralf safe, Princess?’ asked Elin, clasping hands tightly with Alys.

  ‘And Gozfrid?’ cried Ghislaine, trying to slide forward on her seat to jump down beside Judith.

  ‘And Sigram?’ wailed Alys in a tiny voice.

  Ghislaine changed her mind suddenly and slid back beside the other maid.

  ‘What?’ she screeched excitedly. ‘Since when?’

  Judith left Ghislaine and Elin interrogating a blushing Alys and turned to watch her husband and his soldiers clatter up to the wall of protectors on the bridge, who parted and allowed their Lord through to Lorraine.

  Baldwin leapt from the saddle and embraced Judith, banding his arms around her and then kissing her deeply, ignoring the snorts of amusement from the soldiers.

  ‘A surprise, my love. Letters and coin from your brother Louis, and good wishes for the rest of our journey.’

  Judith didn’t care about the rest of their journey. As long as Baldwin was safe, she cared about nothing but the next moment.

  ***

  Chapter 110

  Daughter

  Your immodest actions have compelled me to entrust these words to paper in my own hand rather than that of a scribe.

  I find it impossible to reconcile your conduct towards me when you know I have only ever had your best interests at heart. Yet you flout me at every turn and have now, according to the missive I received from Sister Seraphina this morning, entered into this marriage with wanton abandon.

  It might relieve you to know I have assured Count Audacer that in no way do I hold him responsible for the reckless behaviour of his son. Nevertheless, unless you surrender yourself back into the confines of Senlis, there to prepare your soul to become a dutiful daughter of Christ, you leave me with little alternative.

  I intend to petition His Holiness to annul your marriage on the grounds that it was improperly and hastily conducted by a priest unsuited to the task. Should you fail to obey the command of your father and King, I shall also petition His Holiness to excommunicate you and your licentious husband.

  Perhaps the censure of God Himself will help you remember my position and yours, and turn you away from the shameless path to perdition on which you seem to be set.

  I await a communication from you, acknowledging your contrition and assuring me of your return to sanctity and prayer at Senlis.

  Your father and King, Charles of Frankia

  ***

  Dearest sister

  I didn’t read father’s letter, but I can imagine what he has said. Do not despair. I have been writing to Cousin Lotha and he will tell you he is willing to give you shelter before you make your way to Rome. Baldwin’s father informs me that you will seek approval from His Holiness. I shall write to our brother Lothaire, who is already in Rome, to ask him to use any influence he might have with the Holy Father. I enclose some funds for your journey, from my purse and from the Count’s. You are in our prayers.

  Your friend and brother, Louis

  ***

  Judith read both letters twice and then silently crushed the parchment in her hand, too angry to speak. She was relieved that Ghislaine was occupied questioning Alys about her and Sigram, and Elin was diverted by their conversation and self-conscious giggles.

  That her father expected her to give up her lawfully-married husband and return to Senlis both astonished and angered her. Baldwin had never taken a wife, she was twice a widow and there was no consanguinity between them; there had been no impediment to their marriage. Father Bernard was a consecrated priest, who performed the marriages for all residents of the township quite legally and with the blessing of Rome. And her marriage had most definitely been consummated. Many times over.

  A small smile played on her lips at the memory, breaking the cloud of irritation hanging over her. They would stay with her cousin Lotha until Baldwin had trained the troop of guards to his satisfaction. Then they would try and have the edict of excommunication lifted so they could find somewhere of their own to live. Even if they had to find an estate in Lorraine, she had more than enough resources to settle down and make a home for them all.

  A clatter of hoofs and a chink of bridles louder than the wheels of the carriage made Judith bring her mind back to the present, and she peeked out of the window to look at the road ahead. A small troop of soldiers rode towards them, and she felt the carriage slow down and then stop.

  Adal’s gravelly voice came from the front of the carriage. ‘An escort from your cousin, Princess. They have ridden out to guide us to the palace.’

  Ghislaine squeaked in excitement and slid across to the window, pulling the curtain aside so she could see the parkland and glinting water of the lake on the Royal estate.

  ‘Is your cousin the King nice, Princess?’ asked Ghislaine, her head now out of the window and looking from side to side.

  ‘He was always nice to me, Ghislaine. But I was a little girl the last time we met. He seemed very……loud….to me. Enthusiastic, perhaps? He always had a lot to say for himself, and hardly ever listened to anyone else.’ Judith chuckled softly and raised an eyebrow. ‘He used to try my father’s patience because he couldn’t seem to concentrate on one thing for very long. When my father wanted to explain
the finer points of kingship, Lotha seemed to veer off at a tangent of his own making.’

  ‘He sounds very interesting, Princess. And after all those boring days at the convent, we could do with some enthusiasm, don’t you agree?’ Ghislaine grinned at Judith and then squirmed around so she was gazing towards the front of the carriage at the escort of soldiers.

  ‘Princess, I can see the palace!’ she squealed excitedly. ‘Well, I can see towers, and pennants and……eurgggh!’ With a shriek of dismay she plopped back into the carriage, wiping her tongue on her hand and wrinkling her nose in disgust.

  ‘I swallowed something!’ she croaked, trying to cough and clear her throat. ‘Eurggh, it might have been a fly, or even some dung kicked up by one of the horses.’ The girl coughed again, and began to retch slightly. Elin rummaged in the small basket at her feet and found a stoppered bottle of the apple cider they had drunk at the monastery.

  ‘Take a drink, Ghislaine. It will soothe your throat.’ Elin proffered the bottle and Ghislaine swigged a long swallow, inelegantly wiping her mouth on the back of her hand.

  ‘But now it is in my stomach, Elin. If it was a fly, it could be buzzing around inside me already.’ Ghislaine’s eyes were wide, and Judith wanted to laugh at the girl’s theatrical dismay.

  ‘Have another drink, Ghislaine. Wash it down properly,’ she urged, and suddenly Ghislaine grinned, giving her a mischievous wink.

  ‘I’ll drown the little beast in cider then, or make it so drunk it can’t fly.’ The girl tipped her head back and swallowed the rest of the bottle in one noisily glugging swig, followed by a huge reverberating belch that made her blush and the others in the carriage collapse into giggles.