Crusade

Alexius had brokered a flimsy compromise with the Latin Princes about the campaign’s leadership, strategy and objectives, but the details were vague and few of us expected the agreement to last for long.

First of all, Raymond of Toulouse was to act as primate of a Crusade Council of War, a body consisting of all the leaders of the various contingents. It would be his job to ensure a consensus on routes and battle planning.

Secondly, all inhabitants of liberated cities and territories were to be treated humanely, and freedom of worship would be permitted.

Finally, the Princes were at liberty to create their own fiefdoms in the freed cities, but subject to the above conditions and their original oath to the Emperor — to bow to his sovereignty over all land and people restored to Christian rule.

I was by far the most junior member of the Council of War, leading the smallest contingent, and was surrounded by powerful individuals who made little attempt to hide their personal ambitions. I feared men like Bohemond of Taranto and Tancred of Hauteville were going to do just as they pleased, regardless of what the Council said — or the Emperor, for that matter.

The day before our departure, we were summoned to see Alexius. A feverish sense of anticipation began to course through our veins. None of the other contingents’ leaderships had been asked to go to the Palace, so we hoped and prayed that the call had something to do with the Talisman.

When we arrived in the inner sanctum of the Blachernae, we were ushered into a much smaller but no less ornate room than before. It was deserted; there was no furniture, just a bare room of tapestries and mosaic. Then a wide door to our right was opened and two Varangians appeared and stood guard as the Emperor walked in.

We all bowed.

The Emperor addressed us directly.

‘The man who gave me the Talisman is waiting next door to see you. There is a reason why I denied that the amulet was what you said it was — but he will explain that. He would like to see Estrith alone first, then the rest of you. Forgive me; there is much to do before tomorrow.’

The Emperor then turned and left. As he did so, a steward appeared and beckoned Estrith towards an identical door on the opposite side. Sweyn was not happy for Estrith to go alone, but she was halfway to the door before he had time to raise an objection.

The wait seemed like an eternity. It was probably only a few minutes, but it felt like an hour.

Suddenly, the door was thrown open to reveal Estrith all but dragging a large and unmistakable figure behind her. She was crying and laughing at the same time, almost hysterical with emotion. Adela immediately started to weep as well, as she joined Estrith in embracing the man none of us had seen in over twenty-five years.

The men stood back, but Sweyn had tears in his eyes and his chest heaved in spasms.

I quickly calculated that the man before us must have been sixty-one or so years of age, but he looked ten years younger. His girth was more substantial than I remembered, and his hair was full of grey streaks amidst the flowing golden-blond locks, but there he stood, Hereward of Bourne, England’s great hero, a man of legend.

Sweyn and Adela had been right: he was alive still.

It was a miracle.

Then Hereward spoke, and I was transported back to 1069 and the measured but powerful voice of his rousing oratory during the rebellion. I was the Prince Atheling, the heir to the throne of England, high born, with a royal pedigree centuries old, and he was a minor thegn from a tiny village in the shires; yet he was the giant, I was the sprat. He was all that I wanted to be: a leader of men in reality, not one whose only claim to leadership was his conception twixt royal bed-sheets. He had become the towering presence in my life; now, when it did not seem possible that he could still be alive, he had appeared again.

I knew that, as before, he would be an inspiration to me and our Brethren.

‘Emperor Alexius has given us a room where we can sit and talk, and has had food prepared for us.’

We all embraced and I introduced Hereward to Robert.

‘My Lord Duke, I didn’t think I would ever see my family and friends again. That I should do so in the presence of the son of King William is, to say the least, somewhat of a surprise. However, Estrith tells me that you are sworn together as brethren, so I am honoured to meet you.’

‘The honour is mine, Hereward of Bourne; I have heard so much about you. I look forward to hearing more.’