The Throne by Griff Hosker

Author:Griff Hosker [Hosker, Griff]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sword Books Ltd.
Published: 2019-02-11T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

When we reached Westminster, it was as though a new hive of bees had begun to produce honey. As I went, with John and Tom, to the King’s side I could not believe the speed of the servants as they whirled from room to room. Leaving my squires outside the hall I entered a maelstrom of the great and the good in the land. The King was transformed. Gone was the sallow, haunted figure grieving for his wife. In his place was a whirlwind.

The Duke of Lancaster saw me and came over to me. The King was busy in conversation with a man I later discovered was Gerald FitzMaurice FitzGerald, Earl of Kildare. The Duke said, “You have the men?”

“Aye, lord.”

“Good. We go to Ireland.”

“Ireland? Was not Robert de Vere the Duke of Ireland?”

“He was and he made a mess of that too. He allowed the Irish to defeat our knights and it emboldened them. They have begun to reclaim parts of their lands. Cathal mac Ruaidri Ó Conchobair, King of Connaught, is seen as the most serious threat. He has joined with another of their petty kings, Maelsechlainn Ó Cellaigh, King of Uí Maine. The Irish seem to have kings where we have barons! The Earl of Kildare has brought us this news and the King is transformed.” He pointed, “Is this the same man who was drowning in a sea of despair?”

“It is a miracle, my lord, but…”

“But is it just temporary? Aye, Sir William, I fear that too. Now that you are here things will improve again. He asked for you often. I told him why you left him and he is mollified.” Lowering his voice, he said, “You were the King’s bodyguard and I know you to be an honest man and so I will tell you this. When we buried Queen Anne, the Earl of Arundel insulted the King by leaving the funeral early. The King struck him. I fear the enmity from the time of the Lords Appellant may surface once more. I have counselled my son and he is chastened but my brother Gloucester and Warwick are still dangerous men. They are not here and that tells you much. Watch for treachery!” He put his hand on my shoulder and guided me, “Come, let us go and listen.”

The Earl of Kildare was speaking and I heard the passion in his voice, “They raid, King Richard, and they burn and pillage.”

“Do they have castles?”

“There are some in the west but none can compare with those we have in The Pale, Ulster, Wexford, Kildare and Ormond.”

“Which begs the question, my lord, why have the knights in those castles not sallied forth and destroyed these raiders? The Irish will become emboldened and that will make them harder to quash!” The Earl looked abashed. “Do you have men armed with the war bow?”

“We use crossbows, lord!”

“Then it is no wonder that you have lost so much land!” He looked up and suddenly saw me, “Will! At last someone other than my uncle who speaks sense.

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