A Summer of Discontent

‘He has not,’ said Michael, leaning over the ledger that lay open on Robert’s table. The last entry was for the current day, which gave a list of the items that Robert was supposed to be distributing at that precise moment. ‘It says that the poor were given two score loaves, twenty smoked eels and a barrel of ale. In addition, they are supposed to receive five blankets and various summer vests.’

‘And what has he given them?’ asked William eagerly.

‘A few crusts of bread and a bit of stale cheese.’

William shook his head in disgust. ‘I knew it! He has been cheating the poor and the priory ever since he was made almoner last year. Look at this.’

He tugged open a chest, and even Michael released a gasp of astonishment when he saw the number of coins inside.

‘He is provided with a specific number of pennies to deliver to the poor each week,’ explained William. ‘I have suspected for some time that he has been hoarding them for himself. As you can see, I was right: he has amassed a veritable fortune.’

‘I wonder what he plans to do with it,’ said Bartholomew. ‘He can hardly start spending it on new clothes or fine wines — even Alan would start to wonder where the money was coming from.’

William grimaced. ‘I think he is preparing himself for every eventuality in his future. The poor are restless, and the cathedral-priory is a focus for their discontent. And there is a strong possibility that I will be appointed Prior in the not too distant future. Robert will not stay here as my inferior.’

‘Why do you see that happening?’ asked Michael uneasily. ‘Has Alan said anything about retiring or moving to another House?’

‘No,’ said William. ‘But de Lisle is in deep trouble, and Alan may become Bishop in his stead before too long. When that happens, I shall be made Prior. I am clearly the best man for the post, and I cannot conceive that it should go to anyone else.’

‘I am sure you cannot,’ said Michael, amused by the man’s naked ambition and confidence. ‘But do you think Robert also sees your advancement in the offing? I would have thought he would see himself as Prior.’

William sneered. ‘For all his faults — and they are legion — he is not a complete fool. He knows the brethren will elect me, not him.’

‘I see,’ said Michael. ‘Then I hope, for everyone’s sake, that this nasty affair with de Lisle is resolved as quickly as possible. But unfortunately — especially for the poor — we can do nothing about this dishonest behaviour of Robert’s for now.’

William gazed at him aghast. ‘Why ever not? We have all the evidence we need to prove that the man is a thief. If we let him continue to deprive the poor of what is rightfully theirs, then we are as guilty as he is of shameful behaviour.’

‘But if we go to Alan with this “evidence”, Robert is certain to claim that he is saving the money for some secret project that will benefit the poor,’ explained Michael patiently. ‘He will deny any dishonesty and we will be unable to prove otherwise.’

‘But he will be lying!’ protested William, furious.

‘Yes,’ agreed Michael. ‘But you know Alan is always loath to believe ill of people. I would like to see Robert fall from grace as much as you would, but it must be done with subtlety, when we are certain he will be unable to worm his way out of trouble with falsehoods.’

‘Subtlety!’ snapped William in disbelief. ‘I just want to see a liar and a thief brought to justice. I shall tell Alan myself, if you will not. Right now.’

‘You would be wiser to wait,’ warned Michael. ‘Now is not the time.’

William put his hands on his hips. ‘And while we wait for a politically opportune moment the poor starve. How many people shall we allow him to kill, Michael? How many hungry children do you want to see crying at our gates?’

‘It cannot be that bad,’ objected Michael uncomfortably.

‘But it is,’ insisted William. He gestured around at the contents of the almonry. ‘Robert has the power to relieve all that suffering, but he would rather line his own pockets. He told me the number of poor had decreased this year. Now I understand that they have decreased because they have despaired of receiving succour from us. He has driven them from our doors by ensuring that there is never enough for everyone.’

William was whipping himself into a frenzy of outrage, and Michael touched him gently on the arm, to calm him. ‘Robert is a wicked man, and we will see him punished for this. But telling Alan now will not bring that about. We must-’

William made a moue of utter disgust. Pushing away from Michael, he stalked furiously across the room and into the grounds outside, slamming the door behind him.

‘I do not think he agreed with you,’ said Bartholomew mildly.