Crusade

‘Scarlet fever; it devastated Norwich while I was away. She was a wonderful mentor to me and told me all about the Brethren and your lives together. She was content with her lot, and her work meant everything to her. She took enormous pride in helping the great cathedral grow.’

‘Did she give you the casket?’

‘She did. That’s why I’m here — to thank you for the endowment and the gift of land, and also to seek your permission. Duke Robert is still in Cardiff Castle and no one can see him. You and I are the only members of the Brethren at liberty, and I need your sanction.’

‘If I think what you are doing furthers the cause of the Brotherhood of St Etheldreda and our Brethren, then you will have it.’

‘I haven’t got much time. I leave for Constantinople and the Peloponnese as soon as the winds are favourable. My mother told me where my grandfather’s mountain eyrie is. I am going to see it, to spend some time and reflect there. I am sure he is long dead and buried, but I want to be sure he is properly in the ground. I am also going to see the new Emperor, John II, to thank him for his father’s very generous legacy. My mother told me he will give me the fabled Talisman of Truth.’

‘You don’t need my agreement for any of that.’

‘I know, but my purpose in coming here is to tell you of a new Brotherhood. When I became a knight, I went to France to serve King Louis VI. There, I met two men of great valour and virtue; we have become great friends. Their names are Hugh of Payens and Godfrey of Saint-Omer; they both served with Geoffrey of Bouillon in the First Crusade. They are much older than me and have become my mentors.’

‘I don’t recall their names.’

‘They remember you and the English contingent, and the exploits of my grandfather, Sweyn, Adela and Edwin. They have formed their own brotherhood. It is a very noble order and they have invited me to join it; it is a great honour. There are only nine of us, and the rest are Normans or Franks. You may have heard their names: Andre of Montbard, Payen of Montdidier, Archambaud of St Amand, Geoffrey Bisol and two monks, Gondemere and Rosal. We are the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, the Knights Templar.’

‘And what is your mission?’

‘The King of Jerusalem, Baldwin II, has granted us his church on Temple Mount in Jerusalem, the former al-Aksa mosque, the site of the Temple of Solomon, which gives us our name. We wear the cross of Christ and are sworn to poverty, chastity, piety and obedience in the service of God and our fellow men and are strong supporters of the Mos Militum, the code of chivalry that all knights should follow.’

‘It sounds very worthy, but a little strict!’

‘It is, but there is so much cruelty and evil in our world we have to be disciplined to resist its temptations. My brother knights will follow me to Constantinople, from where we will travel to the Holy Land.’

‘So much time has passed. It is strange to hear your voice now, as a grown man. Be careful in Palestine. I’m sure it’s as dangerous now as it was in my day.’

‘My mother told me what an inspiration you were to all of them; she was very fond of you.’

‘That was kind of her. We were a good team, true brethren.’

Harry’s words were very gratifying; they also reminded me of how I had wanted so much more from Estrith, if circumstances had been different. Ah, the wistful memories of an old man!

My eyes were beginning to adjust to the light and I could see the outline of his face. He was like his father — dark of hair and complexion, and tall and willowy. I could not see his eyes, lost in the dark bowls of his eye sockets, but I would have wagered they were warm and dark like Estrith’s. I suddenly wondered how Harry knew where my little abode was.

‘Tell me, how did you know where to find me?’

‘It wasn’t difficult. I asked the King.’

I was curious. I knew that Harry was not without funds and knightly status, but that would not normally give him access to the King.

‘So, you have access to him?’

‘I do. He speaks very highly of you.’

‘May I ask how you have access to King Henry?’

‘I am part of his bodyguard, what the Saxons used to call his hearthtroop. But I have vexed the King and he searches every shire in the land to hunt me down. That is why there must be no trace of me here. It would put you in mortal peril.’

I was desperate to know more, but realized that Harry’s real purpose was to ask me questions, not the other way round.

‘I wish you every success in the Holy Land. I have some very vivid memories from the days when we were there; some still haunt me to this day.’

‘I have one last question for you. Were you there when my father died?’

‘I was.’

‘Did he die well?’

‘He did; he took a lance intended for Duke Robert. Your father was a very brave man and a noble knight, just like your grandfather. Did your mother tell you about the brave Adela? And Edwin, the man who kept us all together and working as a team?’