Princess to Prioress by Kathleen Fair

Author:Kathleen Fair
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Medieval Women, Medieval France, Women in the middle ages, Adele of Blois, Twelfth century women history
Publisher: A Stitch in Time Publishing
Published: 2019-06-20T00:00:00+00:00

Blois

October 1105

It was almost dark when the group of twenty men on horseback rode through the gatehouse and into the courtyard at Blois. Upon hearing who led the visitors, people streamed out of every corner of the castle—the stables, the kitchen, the chapel, and the living quarters. Everyone wanted to behold and welcome these guests.

Adele stood at the bottom of the steps leading to the great hall. On either side, torch bearers provided light as the sun set. Tildy and four-year old Henry stood on the step behind her on either side of Constance of France, Adele’s former sister-in-law. Behind them crowded knights and retainers and servants. They awaited an important visitor.

The leader of the group dismounted. Adele understood he was approaching his fiftieth year of life, a decade her senior, but he looked much younger. Tall, much taller than most men, he was well-built with broad shoulders and no sign of extra weight on him. His skin was fair. She had expected that someone who spent so much time in the Holy Land would be much browner. When he stood before her and bowed courteously, she saw his close-cropped hair was light in color. Grey? Even in the dim light, his blue eyes danced with merriment.

“Comtesse, Milady Adele, it is my great honor to at last be in your presence. I am humbled that you have taken your time to welcome us and to allow my men and me to stay here in the castle rather than camping in the fields below. Please excuse our late arrival and forgive our being covered in the dust of the road. I could not wait to meet the widow of the great hero of our Crusade and express to you my deepest condolences on his death.”

As she listened, Adele understood why all of Europe admired Bohemond of Antioch. He exuded charm as well as being handsome.

“Sire, it is my pleasure to welcome you to Blois. Please come in and allow my servants to provide anything you need to recover from your journey and see to the needs of your companions. My stablemen will see to the horses. We have finished with our meal but can serve you with food and drink.”

Adele held out her hand. Bohemond took it and escorted her up the stairs and into the great hall. The rest of the court followed except for servants who had responsibilities elsewhere.

A short while later, she sat beside Bohemond of Antioch at the high table in the great hall who now had a goblet of wine and a platter of cheese and sausage in front of him. His servants and companions also had food.

As he ate, Bohemond told his story. As his tale unfolded and his audience became enraptured by it, Adele was glad young Henry had been sent up to bed. Her older sons were not at Blois; Thibaud remained in Champagne, while Stephen visited with William at Sully. Bohemond’s adventures were enough to entice anyone to go crusading. Even Constance was captivated.

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