The Queen From Provence - Plaidy Jean (книги онлайн полные .txt) 📗

They sat down in the great hall. They might have been paying a family visit, but of course they knew that the castle was surrounded by de Montfort’s guards and that they were in a stronger prison than they had been in at Wallingford.

The long days slowly passed. Eleanor did all she could to make them comfortable. She would not allow them to criticise Simon, and she made it clear that although she wished to treat her family as her family while they were under her roof she clearly believed in the righteousness of her husband’s actions.

‘Eleanor was always a woman of strong beliefs,’ said Henry to the King of the Romans. ‘And once she had made up her mind on a course of action it would take strong men to move her … and then she would outwit them.’ He could not help but admire her. Her character was not unlike that of his own Eleanor. His sister had determined to marry Simon de Montfort when he had seemed to be nothing more than an adventurer; but she had sensed greatness in him, for Henry had to admit that a man who could take a country from its rightful King and set himself up as ruler, however misguided he might be, had an unusual power.

Now, in a dignified manner, which Henry could not but admire, she played the role of hostess to her imprisoned relations while never for a moment did she forget her loyalty to her husband.

Christmas came and Eleanor endeavoured to make the celebrations as gay as was possible in the circumstances, but always the guards remained stationed at certain points of the castle and encamped outside the walls.

Edward was frustrated.

There seemed no hope of escape. Meanwhile Simon de Montfort with his new Parliament was controlling the country.

There was trouble for Simon from an unexpected direction. One of his firmest supporters had been Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester – the grandson of that Isabella who had been the first wife of Richard, King of the Romans. Gilbert, in his early twenties – called the Red because of the colour of his hair – was, on account of his inheritance on the death of his father but a few years before, one of the most influential barons in the country. He had formed a friendship with Simon, whom he greatly admired, and because of his wealth and energy he had become second-in-command of the baronial party. Gilbert had had the honour of taking the King’s sword from him when Henry was taken prisoner at Lewes. He had had a hand in drawing up the truce between the King and the barons which was known as the Mise of Lewes in which the Provisions of Oxford were confirmed. In this, there was a special clause exempting Simon de Montfort and Gloucester from any punishment for their conduct.

Gloucester was young and impressionable, and with him the friends of one day could become the despised enemy of the next. He was fickle, a fact of which Simon in the early days of their relationship, had not been aware.

Many of the royal supporters who had escaped after Lewes had taken refuge in that part of the country on the Welsh border known as the Marches of Wales. The lords who owned castles there were the Marcher Lords and they had always been a source of irritation to the English. It seemed to Simon that Gloucester, far from attempting to force the Marcher Lords to give up those whom they were sheltering, was protecting them.

This was disconcerting.

Gloucester began to bring charges against de Montfort. He declared that Simon had taken the larger share of the castles which had been confiscated after the royal defeat at Lewes, and discussing the matter with his wife Simon showed himself to be growing uneasy.

If the King ever regained his crown what would happen to Simon and their sons? Simon reminded her of the clause in the Mise of Lewes but Eleanor shook her head.

‘Do you think that would be considered? We should have to fly the country, I suppose. It would be necessary for us to get out in time. Vengeance would be terrible. Edward would show no mercy even if Henry did.’

‘My dear, we must not contemplate defeat.’

‘No, but I believe we should consider it. It is well to be prepared for anything that may happen.’

‘I have to see Gloucester without delay. I have to find out what all this is about.’

‘You can safely leave me in charge of your prisoners.’

‘I know. Henry and his brother will be safe. It is Edward I fear. I believe at this moment he is planning escape. He is different from his father. I can see a great King there, but at this time he is young and rash. I think he will attempt to escape. No, I must go to Gloucester, but I shall take Edward with me.’

‘And leave the others here?’

‘I believe that to be the wise thing to do.’

When Edward heard that he was to leave Kenilworth he was excited. Any movement was better than this lack of action.

The journey proved to be more exciting than even he had dared hope. It was not long before he realised that there were traitors in Simon’s camp. A man such as de Montfort who had achieved so much and was admired by some almost to adoration was certain to attract a great deal of envy and although there were many who would have died for him there were others who were ready to risk their lives to harm him.

The latter were those who could be of use to Edward.

One of these was Thomas Clare, the Earl of Gloucester’s younger brother. Thomas managed to exchange a few words with him as they rode along.

‘My lord,’ he whispered, ‘you have friends among us.’

‘That makes good hearing,’ replied Edward.

‘The Queen your mother is amassing an army which is almost ready to march.’

‘I have heard that is so,’ answered Edward.

‘If you could join it … with some of your loyal friends who are waiting to serve you …’

The conversation was interrupted but Edward’s spirits were soaring. This undignified state of affairs was coming to an end. He felt it in his bones. He was not meant to remain a prisoner.

On another occasion Thomas de Clare said to him, ‘There is a plan, my lord. Roger Mortimer is prepared to help.’

‘Mortimer!’ cried Edward. ‘He is a traitor.’

‘No longer so, my lord. It is true that he gave his support to de Montfort, but he is withdrawing it at the best moment to be of use to you.’

‘Can I trust a man who was once a traitor?’

‘Mortimer does not regard himself as a traitor. He says he serves England and he thought best to do so under Leicester. Now he has changed his mind … as my brother has. De Montfort is an ambitious man. He has taken the King’s castles for himself. Men are turning against him. You can rely on Mortimer now. Besides his wife has always been a supporter of the Queen and your father. She has at last prevailed on her husband to change sides and this he has done.’

‘I like not men who change sides.’

‘My lord, suffice that they come to serve you. You need men who will leave Leicester and come to you.’

‘You are right, Thomas. What will Mortimer do?’

‘It is a simple plan, my lord. When we reach Gloucester you will be allowed certain freedom. The Earl of Leicester is most anxious that your royalty shall not be debased. You will take exercise in the grounds inside the castle walls. All know your interest in horses. You will challenge your attendant guards about their horses and ask to test their endurance. There should be four of them. You will challenge them to races and you will see that every horse including your own will be exhausted. You will continue until then. Then you will mount your own tired horse and ride out. You will not be followed because they will know that you cannot go far. But there hidden by the trees Lord Mortimer will be waiting with a fresh horse. You will mount it and ride away with him. Your own tired mount will return to the castle … without you.’