by Shel Pais
In David’s first few weeks at York, he had avoided Father Zacharias, but only because the priest had gone on a pilgrimage and was not expected to return before Christmas. David attended an occasional Mass, observing what took place during the service. The Mass was in Latin, and while he could not understand any of the words, neither could anyone else. He would mouth the words when a hymn was sung, pretending to learn them.
Each Sabbath he prayed silently from memory as best he could, as long as he could find some privacy. He did not want to lose his Jewish identity, but he had to be extremely careful. Pretending to be someone else, especially from a different religion and culture, was much more difficult than he thought it would be. While he could not have prepared himself for what happened, he knew he had no choice but to accept Baron Henry’s offer. He did not know where this would lead him, be it a knight, an archer, or a man-at-arms. He missed his family and his friends terribly, and he did not know when he would have a chance to see them. Still, life at the castle was pleasant enough so far. There was plenty of food, and since all the servants knew Donald had saved the baron’s life, they showered him with extra attention.
As David was lying on his bed during a chilly afternoon in mid-December, he was startled by an older man who suddenly stood at his bedside. Dressed as a priest, he looked David over very carefully.
“Donald? I am Father Zacharias. We have not met.”
David sat up and felt his nerves tingle. This day finally had come.
“Hello, Father. I understand you were on a pilgrimage.”
“That’s correct. I went to St. Olave’s Priory in Norfolk. A long journey, but I’m descended from St. Olave, a Viking who converted to Christianity and established the Church in Norway.”
David did not know whether to believe Zacharias or not. Bryce said the baron had told him quite often such tales, or the supposed relics of ancient saints, probably were not true, even though many believed them.
“I’m glad you had a safe journey.”
“Tell me about yourself. I know you saved the baron’s life, and he invited you to train here. Are you a good Christian? I do not see you wearing a crucifix.”
“My parents died when I was very young, and I lived with a poor family until now. They could not afford one.”
“Were you baptized?”
“Yes, I was. But the family I lived with did not attend church very often.”
“I see. Well, we will correct that. I will talk to Baron Henry about getting you a crucifix to help keep you safe. I want to see you at Mass every Sunday. Perhaps we should baptize you again, just to be sure? When was the last time you went to confession?”
“Uh, I’ve never been to confession.”
“Well, Donald, it seems we have a lot to teach you. After all, we do not want you to turn into a Jew,” Zacharias said, chuckling.
David held his temper. “No,” he replied. “I will never turn into a Jew, you can be sure of that,” he said with a smile.
“I’ll see you in church.”
David laid back down. I am not a Christian, he thought. I don’t know how to be a real Christian. I can pretend to be one around the castle, but in church I feel lost. I cannot avoid this priest. I will just have to be the best Christian a Jewish boy can be.
The next Sunday, David went to church with Bryce. He stood in the back but made sure Father Zacharias saw him. He decided he had better take the Eucharist. When the time came, he lined up with the other parishioners. But when it was his turn, Zacharias shook his head no. “Donald, you first must go to confession to cleanse your sins. Then you may take Holy Communion.”
David nodded and returned to the rear of the church. After the service, he asked Bryce about confession.
“You never went to confession before?” Bryce started laughing loudly. “You must have quite a number of sins to confess. You’ll be in the booth all day.”
“Seriously, Bryce. What do I do?”
Bryce explained the confession process. David did not know if he could handle it. The problem was learning what the typical sins were to confess. Though he assumed there were quite a few everyday transgressions he could list when the time came, he was certain Father Zacharias would not let him go too long before his first confession.
“Merry Christmas, Prior Bartholomew.”
“Merry Christmas to you, Baron Geoffrey. You wanted to see me?”
“Please be seated. I’ll pour you a cup of hot spiced wine.”
“Thank you.” Geoffrey handed the cup to Bartholomew, who took a long sip.
“I understand Abbot Hubert has replaced you.”
“Yes. Bishop Basil insisted Hubert replace me.”
“I don’t understand. Northampton is not under Basil’s authority.”
“He asked for and received permission from Bishop Amos. Apparently, Amos owed Basil a favor. I do not know any more than that.”
“It sounds to me Basil had his own reason for doing that. Why would he care who’s prior at Hedgestone? And why choose Hubert?”
“Basil told me Hedgestone was being poorly run, and that I and the other brothers were becoming too friendly with the Jews.”
Geoffrey looked surprised. “Too friendly with the Jews? I don’t understand that either.”
Bartholomew was pleased to tell the baron everything that had happened. He told him how Hubert tried to obtain a fifteen hundred pound loan from Baruch but had to settle for only fifty pounds. He described the changes Hubert was making as well. Geoffrey nodded as he listened carefully to every word.
“Does Hubert have Father Alwyn as his assistant?”
“Yes, Father Alwyn, his distant cousin, is his assistant. However, I know Basil has enlisted him to keep watch on Hubert and report back to him.”
“So, Basil doesn’t trust Hubert, apparently. Tell me, Bartholomew, how do you know all this?”
“Hubert does not confide in me, even though Basil told him to request my counsel. Father Ambrose was my assistant, and even though I still live at Hedgestone, I am not privy to much that happens that one cannot see. Ambrose, however, learns all, and he tells me.”
“What do the brothers think of Hubert?”
“At first they all hated him. He made them work extra hard and actually had two flogged for what he said was socializing with the Jews. As time has passed, most are used to him. But there still is animosity.”
“Do you think anyone would harm him?”
Bartholomew became suspicious of Geoffrey’s motive for asking him over. “Why do you ask?”
“Prior, I’ll be honest with you. Hubert wrongfully accused my brother of heresy, and because of it, my brother killed himself. I’ve never forgiven Hubert. I’m wondering if perhaps he has a few more enemies.”
“I see. I’m sure he has many. He seems to make more enemies than friends, I would say.”
“No surprise. Tell me, what do you think of Father Alwyn?”
“While Alwyn must obey Hubert, I can see he resents it. Hubert does not treat him well. He rarely lets Alwyn make any decision of consequence. He doesn’t let Alwyn forget who the abbot is and who is not. Hubert seems to be easily threatened.”
“Doesn’t Alwyn wish to be prior?”
“Most certainly. He’s hopeful Hubert will be successful, and after he leaves Hedgestone, he’ll become prior. Frankly, I doubt that will happen.”
“Why?”
“Because I believe Hubert will not support Alwyn if it does not benefit him personally. In addition, I believe Basil has some other motive for all this that will become evident eventually.”
Geoffrey nodded in agreement as he listened to the old prior. “I wouldn’t be surprised if everything you say is true. Hubert is only for Hubert. Alwyn knew my brother was innocent, and yet he didn’t oppose Hubert. I hate them both.”
“Baron Geoffrey,” Bartholomew said, crossing himself. “I have no doubt you want to get revenge on Hubert. I could never assist you in that effort. However, Basil expects Hubert to
obtain the large loan from the Jews. If Hubert fails, the bishop will be very angry and I believe have him exiled to some Godforsaken place.”
After Bartholomew was gone, Geoffrey thought again about wanting to kill Hubert for what he did. But maybe he does not have to. If he can somehow stop Hubert from carrying out the bishop’s orders, perhaps his failure will be worse than death. The thought made Geoffrey smile.
It was Christmas Day. Baron Henry had ordered a spectacular feast in celebration of the birth of Christ. His kitchen staff was busy preparing a variety of foods, from fish to meat to vegetables and fruits. Henry also ordered a large supply of various cheeses be served since he was very partial to cheese.
After Christmas Mass, David decided to take a walk around the castle grounds. It was chilly, but not as cold as it had been. His woolen cloak kept him quite warm. A fresh layer of snow made everything quite pretty. As he approached the main gate, he saw Alycia, who had slipped on a patch of ice.
“Let me help you, my lady.”
“Thank you. I feel so clumsy.”
She took David’s hand and stood. David had never touched the hand of a girl other than his sister before. Her skin was smooth and soft.
“You are Donald, correct? The one who saved my father’s life?”
David found himself staring at her beauty, and at first did not answer.
“Yes,” he finally replied.
“I never had the opportunity to thank you. That was a very brave thing you did. You could have been killed yourself by those bandits.”
David felt a burst of extreme pride. “It was nothing. I saw only three and took care of them quickly.”
“You saw only three, but there might have been many more you didn’t see.” Her dazzling blue eyes gazed at him while the slight breeze caught her golden hair.
“Merry Christmas, Donald. Will be you at the feast today?”
“Merry Christmas to you. I wouldn’t miss it. Especially since you will be there.”
David realized he should not have said that. She was the baron’s daughter, and he was known as a poor boy who had performed a great deed. Alycia appeared surprised by the comment but did not admonish him.
“Then I’ll see you later,” she said with a huge smile as she hurried off. David watched her go into the castle.
One of the guards at the main gate witnessed the entire encounter. He was one of the men-at-arms who had accompanied the baron to and from Northampton, so he knew David.
“She is a beauty, isn’t she?”
David turned to the guard. “Yes, she is.”
“Do you know what the baron would do to you if you touched her?”
“I can imagine.”
“No, lad, you can’t. Last year, during one of the baron’s feasts, the son of one of his guests got drunk and, before we could stop him, kissed her against her wishes. The boy, who was about your age, was given five lashes.”
“Didn’t his father try to stop the punishment?”
“He couldn’t. He was indebted to the baron and had to admit his son’s behavior was wrong, so he agreed to the flogging. Alycia is the baron’s pride and joy. Protect her, and you will always earn his thanks. Anything else and you’ll suffer his wrath.”
“Thank you for the advice. I’ll remember it.”
“Be sure you do. There are plenty of wenches here who will give themselves to you. We’ve heard them talking. Stay away from Alycia. No good can come of it.”
Later that day, David attended the feast with Bryce. Baron Henry always invited his entire household to celebrate the Christmas feast. While the cooks and servants had to work, they were allowed to eat with everyone else. All men-at-arms not on duty were in attendance with their families. Those on duty were allowed to rotate so they could eat as well. However, they were not allowed more than one mug of ale each.
When David arrived, Alycia was seated next to her father. She saw him and waved. David, afraid to acknowledge her, merely nodded. He was glad Henry had not noticed Alycia greeting him.
The Christmas feast was the grandest David had ever seen or could imagine. Besides the usual roasted pig, ducks, geese, mutton and fish, there were pheasants, quail, eel, whole sides of roasted beef, and several large wheels of cheese. David and Bryce sat near the rear of the hall. Sir Michael surprised David by sitting next to him.
“Donald, Merry Christmas!” he said, already quite drunk. “Merry Christmas, Sir Michael.”
Michael looked down at David’s empty plate.
“Here, my boy. Let me serve you.”
Before David could stop him, Michael dropped a chunk of pork and a large slice of cheese on David’s plate.
“Enjoy, my boy. Stuff yourself.”
David stared at the two items that were against his religion. Pork was the most forbidden food, of course, but Jews also did not eat dairy products with meat. He knew this day may come, and after silently asking forgiveness to God, his father and mother, he tasted the pork first. To his surprise, he liked it. It was a bit salty and greasy, but it was also juicy and flavorful. He then cut a small piece of cheese, making sure not to eat it until after swallowing the pork. Will anything happen to me now that I have broken two of the most important dietary laws? he wondered to himself. What is the purpose of those laws anyway? He was told it was healthier to maintain them. For several weeks, he had seen Christians eat pork with dairy items and no one became ill. His guilt faded as he finished both the pork and cheese. He completed his meal primarily with beef and several different kinds of fowl.
Sir Michael ensured that both David and Bryce’s mugs were always filled with ale. Bryce was drinking heavily, so much so that eventually he ran out quite ill. David sipped his slowly, reminding himself becoming drunk could cause him to say things that could expose his real identity.
After the main meal, trays of sweets were brought out. Cakes and pies of all different varieties were set on every table. David was already quite full, but again Sir Michael made sure David had more than enough.
Baron Henry, after consuming a huge amount of food, ale, and wine himself, went from table to table wishing his guests a Merry Christmas, gloating from the accolades showered on him. When he got to David’s table, he stopped and, in his loudest voice, asked for quiet in the room. Everyone soon complied.
“My lords and ladies,” he began, more than a little drunk, and pointed at David. “This is Donald, who saved my life when three outlaws attacked me in Salcey Forest. This brave boy protected me when my escort did not. Let us all give him a hearty Huzzah!” The room erupted with the sounds of the cheer.
David turned red, more than a little embarrassed at the attention the baron bestowed upon him. David saw Alycia smiling at him, and he turned away. He also noticed Father Zacharias looking at him with apparent suspicion.
“Merry Christmas, Donald,” he said.
“Merry Christmas to you, Father.”
“I have a present for you.”
Zacharias handed David a silver cross on a cord. David tried to stifle what would have been a very negative reaction to the priest’s gift. He must continue with his charade. It’s only a piece of metal, he said to himself.
“Thank you, Father. That’s very kind of you.” David put the cord around his neck.
“Tell me, how did you save our Baron Henry?”
David swallowed hard, unsure if and how he should answer. If word got around with the details, perhaps Baron Geoffrey or the sheriff would find out, and they would know it was he who found Ronald and took the weapons. This time however, Baron Henry was standing by David and answered Zacharias’s question.
“Father, he raised his mighty arm and, with the help of Our Lord, smote the varmints.”
Everyone around David who had heard the baron’s statement laughed and gave David another round of cheers. Zacharias was not satisfied but decided he would discover the answer at a later time.
Even as drunk as he was, Baron Henry winked at David, acknowledging that so far, his s
ecret was safe. But for how long, David thought? What if it is discovered I took the forester’s weapons? Even worse, what if it is discovered I am a Jew? Again, David realized he had not prepared himself very well to be in his current situation. So far, he had been successful. He had blended in with the Christians. He knew this was partly because of his looks, and he knew how to interact with them, unlike most of the Jews he knew from Northampton. While he was curious to explore York’s Jewish community, he knew that would be extremely dangerous. If anyone from Northampton was visiting and recognized him, or if a Jew from York believed him to be one of them, he could be in serious trouble. Somehow, he must continue to maintain his facade, keep learning, and reach his goal of becoming a trained warrior. He also must stop thinking about Alycia. Unfortunately, that was becoming more difficult. Not only was he enthralled with her beauty, he believed she was expressing her own interest in him, and that made it even harder. He again told himself he must stay as far away from her as possible, as no good could come of any association with her, even if he was not Jewish.
As Christmas passed, it became the new year of 1268. The winter turned out to be mild, which permitted more time for training. David continued to improve his archery skills, and James began his training with a sword. Bryce was becoming a more proficient archer, but still was far behind David. He also did not seem to have as much natural talent or interest in archery. He was quite good with a sword, however, and soon caught up to David. The two of them would practice for hours with wooden swords and shields, lunging, parrying, and defending. Baron Henry would sometimes watch, occasionally giving pointers. He also enjoyed sparring with them, showing no mercy. He was becoming quite fond of David, and as Easter approached, invited him to have Easter dinner with him, Lady Eleanor, and Alycia. As much as he did not want to go, David knew he had no choice, and must accept. He was unhappy about the invitation not only because of Alycia, but because it also would be Passover. He felt guilty he could not celebrate the holiday. Passover always had been his favorite holiday when his mother had been alive. She always served a variety of delicious foods all strictly kosher for Passover. He missed the wonderful aromas as she prepared them, as well as the family retelling the story of Moses, the redemption from slavery and the exodus from Egypt. He had never attended an Easter dinner, although he assumed it was similar to the Christmas feast. He could not refuse to eat bread, as that would arouse suspicion. He wondered if Father Zacharias would be in attendance. Luckily, since the Christmas feast, he had not bothered with David. David made certain Zacharias saw him at each Sunday Mass, wearing his cross, but was able to avoid him the rest of the week.
