The Lion of Justice - Plaidy Jean - Страница 54

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He was flattered and honoured that the Emperor of Germany should have asked for the hand of his daughter; but naturally he would seek some advantage from the match. For instance Henry would have to provide a dowry and it would have to be a handsome one.

Anselm would have reminded him of his promises to the people. Had he not on his accession sworn that he would abolish the cruel taxes which his brother Rufus had demanded?

Yes, yes thought Henry. I had to. What would have happened if I had said I would need money for my various enterprises? Would Anselm have had him not make those promises? Would he have wished England to have been passed over to the feckless Robert? And now he had Normandy and there was need to hold it. There was need to strengthen alliances with those countries close to Normandy. And therefore he must provide a dowry for his daughter.

He talked of these matters with the Queen as always.

‘We must find the dowry before the proxy betrothal takes place,’ he explained. ‘There will have to be new taxes.’

‘But you have promised the people...’

‘Not you also,’ groaned Henry. ‘Tell me where I am to find the money for my daughter’s dowry without taxation?’

‘Perhaps it would be as well not to accept the proposal.’

‘Not accept the proposal of such a powerful man! The Emperor of Germany asks for your daughter’s hand and. you say perhaps we should not accept it! Are you mad?’

‘Nay, only suggesting how you might keep your promises.’

‘Promises...promises...what are promises compared with the safety and prosperity of the country? I need strong allies in Europe and the best alliances are made through marriage.’

‘Perhaps it would be better if you had not taken Normandy. You will have to defend it and this will take you away from England.’

‘My dear Matilda, I have brought England to a state of peace and prosperity. Everyone knows that. The people may be taxed but it is so that they may continue to enjoy peace and prosperity. I shall have to go to Normandy of a truth but I can leave the government of this country in good hands—the chief of these my Queen and good Roger of Salisbury.’

‘He who keeps a mistress?’ she asked.

He burst into laughter. ‘A fine and comely woman.’

She shrank from him. ‘It is wrong...wrong, Henry.’

He kissed her full on the lips and held her against him.

‘Did I not tell you you had much to learn of the world?’

‘To learn that a poor priest is outcast for doing what a rich one may do with impunity?’

‘These poor priests are of no use to the country. Roger is of the greatest use. He is a man who cannot do without women. As you know there are some like that in the world.’

‘Then they should not be priests.’

‘They become so and then discover their needs. Come, Matilda, there must be leniency for those who serve us well. Let him enjoy his warm bed. The people can sleep safer in theirs because he is in charge of affairs while I am away.’

‘If you had not taken Normandy...’

‘Have done, Matilda. I was meant to conquer Normandy. My father prophesied that I should. But the people will have to understand that I need money and they, who reap the benefits, must provide it.’

Matilda knew that she could not remonstrate with him either to take a stern view of Roger’s way of life or to keep his promise to the people.

There was murmuring throughout the country now, for the new tax was three shillings on every hide of land and burly men were sent all over England to collect it.

Matilda heard stories of great hardship, for many families who possessed a little land had no money to pay the tax. In these cases the house owner was thrown into prison or his goods were taken and the door of his house removed so that any passer-by could enter it.

Many of the victims of this new hardship escaped into the forests and there became bandits who emerged from their hiding-places to rob their more fortunate fellow countrymen. The fact that these people hid in the forests was an indication of their desperation, for the forestry laws of Henry I were as harsh as those of the first William and Rufus and any man found trespassing was most viciously and horribly punished.

People began to murmur against the King. They said that life was as cruel in these days as it had been in the preceding reigns.

In the midst of this Anselm died.

Matilda wept for the man whom she regarded as an old friend; Henry assumed grief but he felt little. Anselm had always been a trial to him and now that he was dead Henry could seize the See of Canterbury and all its wealth.

Thus was the dowry provided for Matilda’s match with the Emperor Henry V, and Henry I of England found the means to equip his army for Normandy where he knew full well he would shortly be needing it.

* * * * *

With all due honours the young Matilda was betrothed by proxy to the Emperor of Germany.

Matilda was delighted with the pomp which accompanied her proxy marriage. Many guests had been arriving at Westminster for the occasion and among these were her cousins Theobold and Stephen.

They were older than she was. Stephen was about twelve years old, Theobald some years older.

Matilda thought Stephen the most beautiful young man she had ever seen and she took an opportunity of waylaying him.

She caught him on the way to the stables.

‘Good day, cousin,’ she called. He turned to look down at her, for he was tall for his twelve years; and although she was not small for her age he towered above her.

‘I’m Matilda,’ she told him, ‘the Empress Matilda.’

‘Already?’ asked Stephen.

‘I am married by proxy to the Emperor, you know.’

‘You don’t look like an Empress.’

‘Do I not? My brother says I put on the airs of one.’

‘He may well be right in that.’

Stephen was smiling at her and she noticed what beautiful teeth he had.

‘You are handsome.’ she told him in her forthright manner.

He bowed. ‘I am delighted to hear that I find favour with you.’

‘Who are you? I know that you are my cousin and that is why you are here. But you are not an Emperor.’

‘Alas.’ he said ironically, ‘I cannot compare with the Emperor of Germany. He is forty-seven years of age and I am but twelve.’

‘But it is not only in age that you are different.’

‘Nay, he is an Emperor and I am not even the eldest son of a Count.’

‘Still you are the Conqueror’s grandson, as I am his granddaughter.’

‘Which is the reason why you and I are cousins.’

Matilda viewed him frankly.

‘It is a pity you are not an Emperor.’ she said.

‘A great pity, but if I were I should not be here, and I am going to stay here for some time. Did you know the King has promised my mother that I shall live at his Court and finish my education here?’

‘I did not know, but it pleases me.’ She sighed. ‘How I wish you were an Emperor...I wish you were the Emperor of Germany.’

Stephen smiled at the colourful, bold-eyed little girl and said: ‘I wish it too, with all my heart.’

* * * * *

Stephen, son of the Count of Blois and his wife Adela> settled in to the Court very happily. The King had a special liking for him; he reminded him of his favourite sister, he told Matilda.

‘When the time comes.’ said Henry, ‘I must make sure that Stephen is well looked after. He shall have estates and a good match.’

‘Mary’s girl at Bermondsey will be needing a husband ere long,’ said Matilda.

‘It may well be that we can make a match there. The daughter of the Count of Boulogne to the son of the Count of Blois. That could be possible. Unless I need to marry Stephen to someone who will bring me more good.’

‘Stephen is a charming boy.’

‘I like him well. I could wish that he were my son.’

‘Well, we have our William.’

‘Only one son,’ sighed the King. He wondered why it was that he, whom so many boys claimed as father, could only get two legitimate children.

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