Twice Royal Lady by Hilary Green

Author:Hilary Green
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 2015-07-01T16:00:00+00:00

19

DEVIZES, 1146-48

Another winter passed and in the spring they learned of yet another defection. Ranulph of Chester, who had never committed himself wholly to her cause, signed a treaty with Stephen. It was a great loss. He controlled huge tracts of land in the north-west and now offered all those resources to the King on condition that Stephen helped him against the north Welsh, who were harrying his borders. As an earnest of his loyalty he joined Stephen in his campaign. They attacked and took Bedford and turned against Wallingford. But once again Brian and his loyal constable, William Boterell, held out and the great castle proved impregnable.

Robert rode in, looking triumphant. ‘I knew this must happen. Did I not tell you that Stephen cannot be relied upon to keep his word? He has refused to send his troops into Wales, as he agreed with Ranulph, and demanded hostages from him as a pledge of good faith. Ranulph has refused so now they are at loggerheads.’

Not long afterwards they heard that Ranulph had been arrested on suspicion of treason. Brian wrote to her:

It is an infamous deed and one quite in keeping with Stephen’s character. I have heard that Ranulph attended his court with only a small following, suspecting no treachery, and was seized by some of Stephen’s men and thrown into prison.

Rumours reached her that Ranulph’s men had started to attack Stephen’s properties in the north and then that Ranulph himself had been forced to hand over his castle of Lincoln in order to obtain his release. Within days an embassy from him arrived in Devizes. He was willing to renew his pledge of allegiance to her and promised her his loyal support from now on. He came south to take the oath of fealty and then returned northwards in an attempt to regain his lost castles.

She called in her closest advisers, Robert and Reginald of Cornwall, her two half-brothers; John Marshall and Patrick of Salisbury.

‘I have been greatly troubled in mind for some time about the devastation these wars are wreaking on the common people. I have decided that we must make one last attempt to negotiate with Stephen. Reginald, you have always shown yourself a wise councillor and adept at argument. Will you undertake this mission, if we can agree a safe conduct for you and some of your men?’

‘I will do it, madam,’ he agreed, ‘but I have little hope of success. What do you wish me to say on your behalf?’

‘You must press on Stephen the rightness of the Empress’s claims and demand that he renounce the throne,’ John said.

‘No, that will not work. The argument has been made too many times. Tell him that if he will agree to name Henry as his heir, instead of his own son Eustace, I will quit England and leave him to rule in peace for the space of his lifetime.’

There was considerable argument over this approach but she remained adamant and in the end Reginald agreed to act as her ambassador.

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