Текст книги "The Lion of Justice"
Автор книги: Jean Plaidy
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‘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.
He took an opportunity while in England to go to see Nesta.
Voluptuous as ever, she was delighted to welcome him.
The trouble with Owen seemed long ago. The war was over and she had returned to Gerald of Windsor and had become, so Henry heard, the mistress of the Constable of Cardigan while she continued to live with Gerald.
Whatever lovers she had she would always be pleased to see the King, and on this occasion she had something of special importance to say to him.
It concerned their son Robert. She was proud of the boy. She told Henry he should be proud of him too.
‘I'll warrant he is the most kingly of all your sons.’
When he saw the young fellow he was inclined to agree with her, and heartily wished Robert had been Matilda’s son.
‘You must promise me to find an heiress for him,’ said Nesta. ‘Robert has all the virtues except a fortune. But as he is the son of the King of England that ought not to be denied him.’
‘I think I know the woman for him.’
‘Who is that?’
‘Mabel, daughter of Robert FitzHaymon, Lord of Glamorgan.’
‘She seems a likely choice.’
‘Indeed she is. Her father has just died and she is his sole heiress.’
‘Of considerable wealth?’
‘Indeed his wealth is considerable. She will own all the lands and honours of Gloucester which my brother Rufus bestowed on her father for services rendered. These lands came to our family through my mother who confiscated them from a certain Saxon gentleman named Brihtric Meaw. It was said that when my mother was young she fell in love with this young
Saxon and offered him her hand which he refused. When she became Queen of England she took his lands from him and he died soon after...in prison.’
‘She must have loved him dearly!’
The King laughed. ‘She loved her pride even more so. That will teach you, my dear, not to refuse the requests of sovereigns.’
‘When have I ever?’
‘I will say that you have been generous to this one from our first meeting.’
‘Tell me more of Robert’s heiress.’
‘I have told you that the lands and honours of Gloucester are hers. What more could you ask?’
‘And they shall be Robert’s.’
‘I promise that they shall.’
‘And this is one of the promises that you will keep?’
‘Have I ever not kept my promises to you?’
‘You have not come to see me as often as you promised for a start.’
‘Only state matters could keep me from you.’
‘Well, since your visits are so rare and becoming rarer, let us settle this matter of Robert’s future now.’
‘It will be simple,’ he said. ‘Mabel’s father left her in my care when he died. I am her guardian. I will tell her that I have found a husband for her and that shall be Robert. Let him ride back to Court with me. There is no reason whatever why the marriage should not take place without delay.’
‘Presuming the lady is agreeable.’
‘You are not suggesting that she will attempt to disobey her King.’
‘So she will have no choice in the matter. I do not pity her. She could not find a more worthy husband in the kingdom than our handsome Robert.’
And when the King rode back to Westminster his natural son Robert rode with him.
* * * * *
Henry was so proud of his son—who looked a little like Nesta and had inherited a modicum of her charm—that he made no secret of their relationship.
Matilda knew he had natural children. There were plenty more of them who would need a start in the world, so Matilda would have to grow accustomed to seeing him bring them forward.
He told her what he proposed for Robert. The boy needed a rich wife and one who could bring honours to him.
‘I shall give him Glamorgan’s heiress Mabel. I pray you summon the girl to your presence and tell her that we have a husband for her.’
Matilda said: ‘Do you think such a great heiress will accept this young man as a husband? He has no fortune, I believe, and he is a bastard.’
Her lips quivered as she said that word and Henry laughed aloud.
‘There is a great difference, my dear, between a commoner’s bastard and a king’s. The only rank above a king’s illegitimate son is his legitimate one.’
‘We shall see if the young lady agrees with you.’
Henry’s temper rose suddenly. ‘I tell you Mabel Fitz-Haymon is going to marry my son Robert and be glad to. You will inform her of this fact.’
The Queen accordingly sent for the heiress. The girl, although but sixteen, was as Matilda expected, a haughty young woman. She knew that she had been one of the greatest heiresses in the country and now that her father was dead, was the possessor of great wealth.
‘The King has asked me to speak to you.’ said Matilda. ‘He is your guardian and he wishes to place you in the hands of a husband who will care for you.’
‘I am able to take care of myself,’ replied Mabel. ‘And when the time comes I shall doubtless marry.’
‘The King appears to think that that time is now. He has chosen his son Robert as your husband.’
‘Robert, my lady? Do you mean the son of Nesta of Wales and the King?’
‘I do.’
Mabel laughed scornfully. She was bold for her years. She said: ‘My lady, I must ask you to tell the King that the ladies of my family do not marry Dastards.’
‘Do you indeed wish me to give this answer to the King?’
‘I do indeed.’
‘You know it will displease him.’
‘Then displeased he must be for that is my answer.’ Matilda herself was not displeased to do so. It would show the King the general opinion of his philanderings and that the children he had so thoughtlessly scattered about his kingdom were not regarded with any respect by the noble families of the land.
* * * * *
When he heard Mabel’s reply the King narrowed his eyes and the sudden rush of colour to his face told Matilda that he was angry.
He said: ‘Send for the maiden. I will speak with her.’
She came defiantly and not in the least fearful. Matilda trembled for her. Evidently she did not know how fierce the wrath of the King could be.
‘Now.’ he said, ‘the Queen has told me that you do not care for the match I have arranged for you.’
‘My lord King.’ answered the bold girl, ‘I care for it not in the least. I cannot marry a nameless person.’
‘I do not ask you to.’
‘Then I am mistaken. I had thought that you were offering to me Robert the bastard.’
‘I offered you my son Robert.’
‘A bastard nevertheless.’
‘You foolish girl, do you know that the greatest man of his age—my father whom all men honour—was a bastard?’
She held her head high. ‘I can only tell you, my lord, that the ladies of my house do not marry men of no name.’
‘Then I will give my son a name. He is Robert Fitzroy and do you know a greater name than that?’
‘Whatever the name, sir, he has no wealth. No lands. Of what use is a name however honoured without these?’
‘You are a shrewd maiden, I see. A true daughter of your father. So shall you be to me. For I like your boldness. I have decided to endow my son with the lands and honours of Gloucester, and from this day he shall be known as Robert of Gloucester.’
‘The lands of Gloucester were my father’s...they are mine...’
‘While the King pleases to allow you to hold them.’
‘But...’
‘Come, my clever girl. You have not lost your lands for I am giving you the chance of sharing them with Robert of Gloucester.’
There was no avoiding the King’s ultimatum and shortly after that interview both Henry and Nesta were delighted to see their son united in marriage with the heiress of Gloucester.
It was a happy day for Matilda when her brother Alexander, King of Scotland, visited Henry’s Court. The fact that her uncle Edgar had been against Henry in the battle for Normandy had upset her deeply, and she had been grateful for Henry’s leniency towards him. He might so easily have imprisoned her uncle as he had his brother. It was a relief therefore that Alexander should come in friendship.
The Scottish royal family were more or less vassals to the English throne since Rufus had helped it regain the crown from the traitor Donald Bane, but Henry treated Alexander with great respect because, he told Matilda, he was her brother.
Mary joined the Court briefly, for her husband was away on a crusade and she was residing for a while at Bermondsey, the Abbey where she had placed her daughter Matilda and which she now honoured with her patronage.
The sisters talked a great deal of the old days when they had been children together, before that terrible time when their father had been murdered while their mother lay dying.
Henry insisted on entertaining Alexander royally and knowing her husband well Matilda believed that he had some reason for being so delighted to receive his brother-in-law.
She soon discovered that reason when a certain young woman arrived at Court.
‘I wish you to take Sybilla under your wing,’ he told her. ‘She is the daughter of the Count of Meulan’s sister. I should like to find a suitable husband for her.’
‘And who is her father?’ asked Matilda with a sinking heart.
‘Come, my dear, you should guess.’
‘Another of them?’
‘I fear so. I told you there were many of them.’
‘And after the clever manner in which you made poor Mabel take Robert, you would like to repeat the action?’
‘I would like to do my best for this girl. And I ask you to help me.’
He laid his hand on her arm and smiled at her beguilingly. ‘Come, Matilda. Help me with my responsibilities. I shall soon have to leave you. Let us be good friends while we are together.’
‘To leave me!’
‘There is trouble brewing in Normandy.’ he said.
‘But you have conquered Normandy.’
‘Would that I had!’
‘But surely the battle of Tinchebrai was decisive?’
He shook his head. ‘I captured Robert. He is my prisoner. I listened to what I believed all along to be unwise counsel and the Clito goes free. I have enemies. The King of France is not pleased to see me become so powerful. I must watch him closely. Robert of Flanders, Robert of Bellême, Fulk of Anjou. I do not trust these people for one moment. Depend upon it they are biding their time to rise against me. I shall be in Normandy soon to quell rebellion after rebellion. So, as I say, let us make the most of the time we have together.’
‘You are the King.’ she said. ‘If you command me to help you to find wives and husbands for your illegitimate children I must needs do so.’
‘I would have you do it willingly.’
She shook her head sadly.
‘I would...’ she began.
‘I know.’ he interrupted. ‘You would I had been the hero of your romantic dreams as you made me out to be before you discovered my true nature. But now you know me for what I am and in spite of all you have an affection for me.’
‘‘Tis true.’ she said, ‘but...’
‘But?’ He smiled at her wryly. ‘We must all make the best of what we have, Matilda, my wife. We must curb our needs and desires to what we can attain. Come, be my good friend. Help me find this girl of mine a husband.’
She smiled. ‘I will do it.’ she told him.
She was a little disturbed when she learned a few truths about Sybilla.
The young woman was by no means a virgin; nor was she of any special beauty. It would not be easy, Matilda decided, to find a husband for her. She told the King so.
He smiled at her indulgently.
‘You have no need to worry yourself further,’ he answered. ‘I have found the very husband.’
‘And he has agreed?’
‘Not yet, but he will when he knows that it is my wish.’
‘I am sorry for him.’
‘Oh, he is capable of looking after himself.’ Henry was smiling, well pleased. ‘Would you not like to know his name?’
She said she would.
‘Alexander, King of Scotland.’
‘My brother! But...it’s impossible.’
‘No, my dear, it is quite possible, and when my good vassal knows my wishes in the matter I have not the slightest doubt that he will be happy to do my will.’
‘But I could not allow it.’
‘You could not allow it, my dear Matilda?’
‘It was different with the heiress of Gloucester.’
‘Nay. There was a similarity. You saw how quickly she changed her mind when she knew my wishes. You will see that the King of Scotland is every bit as amenable.’
‘Henry, please choose someone else for him.’
‘But I wish him to take her. I shall be well content to see her married. It is a pleasure to see one’s children settled in life as you will know when our own Matilda and William are given in marriage.’
She was hurt and angry; and she was surprised when without a demur her brother, who was known as The Fierce, meekly allowed himself to be betrothed to Sybilla.
Such was the power of the King of England.
Young Matilda and Stephen
Henry was right when he said that it would not be long before he left for Normandy.
Philippe of France had died and his son Louis had ascended the throne. Philippe had been lazy and preferred the comforts of his court to the battle field. Louis however had a score to settle with Henry. He remembered when they were boys and Henry and Rufus were visiting his father’s Court, he, Louis, and Henry had engaged in a chess game. Henry had so incensed the French Prince when he won that he had thrown the pieces at him, to which Henry had responded by smashing the chess board over his head. War between the Conqueror and the French had grown out of that incident and it was at the ensuing battle that William’s horse had trodden on a burning ember which had resulted in the great King’s death.
It was no wonder that Louis had a score to settle. More than that, it was becoming politically impossible to endure such a powerful enemy on his borders.
Stephen of Blois and his forceful wife were natural supporters of Henry since Adela was his sister and one of the sons of the house was actually being brought up in the Court of his uncle Henry of England. It was different with Flanders and Anjou.
Henry knew that if the King of France could be robbed of the aid of Flanders, Anjou and the diabolical Robert of Bellême, he would be more or less powerless against Normandy. He often reminded himself that he had made two big mistakes in his policy. One which affected the present was the release of Bellême. He had had the man in his power and instead of dispatching him, or robbing him of his eyes, he had banished him to Normandy. A perhaps greater error which had yet to be realized to the full was to have allowed the Clito to escape from his hands.
In the years to come it seemed certain that the Clito would be a figurehead to which men would rally. Fortunately he was but a child at the moment and his father was safe in prison. Robert had been moved from Wareham to Devises and then to Bristol and shortly was to go to Cardiff. Henry had not wished him to stay too long in one place for fear attempts to rescue him might be carried out.
Now Henry knew that the King of France was conspiring with his enemies; he could safely leave England in the hands of Matilda and his trusted ministers headed by Roger of Salisbury and so he set out for Normandy.
Luck was with Henry. The first news that reached him when he set foot in Normandy was that Robert of Flanders, one of the greatest enemies, had been killed when his horse threw him on the Meaux Bridge.
This was a good augury, he told his followers, and because of their superstitious natures and their certainty that this was so, success seemed to come their way. But Henry was the first to realize that these successes were temporary and the whole picture could suddenly change.
His great fortune was that England remained peaceful and he had no need to worry about events there, so that he could give his attention to Normandy and this he did.
A year passed and he was still there. He dared not leave. Messages came from England that all was well under the wise hands of Matilda and Roger. He heard news of the children. Matilda was growing more forceful each day and was undoubtedly Queen of the nurseries; William was gentle, kindly and doing well at his lessons both indoor and outdoor; their cousin Stephen was a charming boy, inclined to be a little lazy at his lessons, but always with a reason for his misdemeanours and such a charming way of delivering it that he was always forgiven. He and young Matilda had become the greatest friends and sometimes the Queen thought it a pity that she was betrothed to the Emperor of Germany for they might have made a match for her with Stephen. Then she could have stayed with them or at least not so far from them. Germany seemed very far away and when the Queen considered that it would not be long before their daughter would have to leave them to go and complete her education in a strange land she was sad. But she did not wish to burden Henry with these domestic details. He would be pleased to know that all was well in England and he need have no qualms about leaving the country while he settled the affairs of Normandy.
* * * * *
Henry could scarcely believe his luck. Trust Louis to be so foolish. Henry could never quite forget that plump boy of about fourteen who had become so incensed when he was beaten at chess. Louis was in difficulties and he wished to call a truce that some sort of conference might take place. His choice of envoy would have been comical if it had not been so utterly stupid. What sort of man did he think Henry was?
When Robert of Bellême stood before him Henry could scarcely believe his eyes.
‘I come from the King of France in good faith and I expect you to show the same.’
Henry, seated in the ornate chair on which he received envoys and which was a kind of throne, looked up into that cruel perverted face. This was the man who had brought misery to thousands, the man whose name had struck terror into innocent people; those eyes had looked on at a thousand indescribable tortures. And now they were fixed on the King of England in a manner which could only be described as insolent.
‘You are bold to come to me, Robert of Bellême.’ said Henry slowly.
‘I come as a mediator.’
‘Whatever you come as you are always my enemy.’ said Henry.
He called to his servants. ‘Arrest this man.’
‘How can you do that? I come as an envoy.’
‘I can do as I will, Robert of Bellême. Have no doubt of that. Once before you were in my hands and unwisely I allowed you to go back to Normandy. What have you done since then? You have worked against me. You will always be my enemy.’
‘I am your enemy.’ said Robert of Bellême. ‘You have robbed me of my lands in England.’
‘I shall now rob you of your vile and filthy pleasures. Let me tell you – you shall never have an opportunity of torturing my subjects whether in Normandy or England...never again.’
Protesting, Robert of Bellême was dragged away. He was put in prison at Cherbourg until such time as he could be taken to England, where he would be doubly secure.
Two of his enemies were removed. First Robert of Flanders and now Robert of Bellême.
‘There is Anjou now.’ said Henry. ‘When he is my prisoner then the King of France will be of a certainty not well served against me.’
This was good fortune, but still he could not leave Normandy and so the government of England remained entrusted to Matilda and her advisers. She was both mother and Queen and often she thought of Henry and wondered what adventures he was having in Normandy. Sometimes in the night she would awaken and think of him and she wondered then who was sharing his bed.
* * * * *
It was almost two years since Henry had left England and he still remained in Normandy. He was eager now to return to England. He was longing for a sight of Matilda and his family. He was weary of the conflict, but although he had had success in Normandy he could see that the final battle was yet to be won. In his heart he wondered whether it ever would be and when he contemplated the future he admitted that before him stretched years of campaigning in Normandy.
There was another stroke of good fortune, or perhaps it should be called strategy, when Alençon fell into his hands. This lay on the borders of Maine, that constant trouble spot, and Fulk of Anjou was obliged to sue for peace.
Maine was forced to recognize the suzerainty of the King of England and believing that the best way of cementing an alliance was through marriage, Henry suggested that Fulk’s daughter—yet another Matilda—should be betrothed to his son William.
This was a dazzling prospect for Fulk. His daughter to be the future Queen of England! True her rich inheritance would pass into the hands of her husband but it was a bait that was irresistible.
The alliance was made, promises were given by parents of the betrothed, and now that Louis of France was denuded of the most powerful of his allies, Henry thought that he might well return to England.
* * * * *
What a joyous homecoming that was!
‘Two years is far too long to be away from my home and family.’ said Henry sentimentally.
Matilda was delighted to see him. She met him at Dover and they rode triumphantly back to Westminster, the people cheering them on the way. The Queen’s piety and goodness to the poor had always been applauded. The King was harsh but he was a good king—as kings went—and he had wiped out the humiliation of the conquest in the minds of the Saxon community by winning victories in Normandy.
‘Welcome to the King of England and the Duke of Normandy.’ they cried.
It was indeed good to be back.
The children had grown. His eyes lingered on William, a goodly boy. He would have to teach him the art of kingship. That would be a pleasure. And Matilda; she was growing handsome and how proudly she held her head and how her eyes flashed!
He said: ‘How is my young empress?’ He spoke ironically, for she was not entitled to the title until the marriage was solemnized. That day was not far off. But Matilda saw nothing ironical. She already saw herself as the Empress.
‘And Stephen, my nephew.’
Stephen bowed gracefully. He was a handsome young fellow and growing fast.
‘Why, Stephen.’ said the King, ‘you will soon be joining me on the battle field.’
‘It cannot be too soon for me, sir.’
‘So you want to be a soldier eh?’
‘I want nothing more than to be at your side and to put an end to all those who are traitors against my lord King.’
‘Well spoken. Very soon then. Next time I go to Normandy I may take you with me. Your brother Theobald gives a good account of himself and that pleases your mother.’
Stephen bowed his head, full of respect for the returned warrior.
The Queen watching thought that Stephen had more grace than her own children. William was perhaps too gentle; Matilda was too proud. Henry would be able to report very favourably on his nephew to his sister Adela.
There was a banquet at which the children were present and the King ate heartily of his favourite dish of lampreys.
Yes, a very pleasant homecoming.
* * * * *
It would be advisable, Henry believed, now that he had returned, to show himself to his subjects. So he arranged with Matilda a succession of tours throughout the country.
They were well received in most places. The only dissatisfaction with Henry was his harsh taxation (which he always declared was necessary if he was going to subdue the rebels of Normandy and prevent England’s being invaded by men such as the cruel Robert of Bellême) and his even harsher forestry laws. The latter Henry’s better judgment warned him to modify but he would not forgo his great passion for the hunt any more than his father could. He needed the exhilaration the chase could give him. He spent much of his life in battle —or he had since the conquest of Normandy—and he must have the only relaxation that meant anything to him: hunting, whether it was the deer, the wild boar or a woman. He was not sure which of these gave him the greater satisfaction, but that satisfaction he must have.
