The Courts of Love - Jean Plaidy [228]
All through those anxious weeks, the wagons came into London with their goods, and they were all placed in coffers and stored in St. Paul’s Cathedral.
While I was calculating the accumulation of the ransom, I had to be watchful of John. He was with Philip Augustus and was offering him parts of Normandy and Touraine if he would make him ruler of all Plantagenet territory in France. I was relieved that the people of Normandy had rejected him, and I succeeded in getting the barons’ agreement to confiscate his English territory so that he could not offer that as bribes to the King of France; while Normandy remained loyal, John was a pest rather than a menace.
That had been a year I would never forget, and I hoped never to pass through another like it. It was December before the ransom was ready. It was loaded onto one of the ships. I must go to deliver it. I would not let such a task be left to anyone else.
I took with me a company of all the highest in the land and arrived at Speyer in January. There I learned that there had to be a delay. I could not imagine why. We had the ransom for which they had asked. What more did they want from us?
To my horror it transpired that Philip Augustus and my son John had offered an equal sum to the Emperor if he would keep Richard prisoner. I was appalled by such venom from Richard’s onetime great friend and his own brother, and I was amazed that the Emperor could contemplate acting so dishonorably, after having settled terms with which we had complied.
Fortunately the Emperor’s advisers were also shocked by the idea of accepting money to keep Richard prisoner, and they prevailed upon him not to tarnish his reputation by such an act. He therefore declared that he would release Richard if he would be a vassal of the Holy Roman Empire.
I was able to see Richard. He took me in his arms and we embraced warmly.
“It is so wonderful to see you,” I cried. “I would never let myself believe you were dead . . . but it was hard sometimes, Richard.”
“One of the hardest things to bear in my captivity was the thought of the anxiety I was causing you,” he replied.
“Let me look at you. You don’t appear to have suffered much.”
“It is true. This climate has suited me better than that of Acre, and Drrenstein was more comfortable than the Holy Land.”
“It was wonderful the way young Blondel found you.”
Richard laughed. “I thought I was dreaming. To hear that pure young voice out there. Then I knew who it was . . . and I answered in song. Thank God I have a good strong voice.”
“I have rewarded Blondel.”
“I am glad of that.”
“Oh, it is good that we have found you. John . . .”
“I know of John. He is a young fool . . . urged on by Philip Augustus.”
“He hates you now, Richard.”
“I know. It is the way of the man.”
“And now the Emperor wants to make you a vassal.”
“I will never agree.”
“But the alternative . . . to stay here. It is what he demands, and remember he is in a position to demand.”
“I will never do it.”
“I have had consultations with the justiciar. The act would be quite meaningless. It would be considered illegal.”
“Then why does he ask it?”
“He is a proud man. He wants to see Coeur de Lion kneel before him.”
“I cannot do it, Mother.”
“Do you want to remain a prisoner? Do you want to let John take over your kingdom? John as King . . . can you imagine that? The Emperor is on good terms with Philip Augustus. Think of what they might concoct between them.”
“Do you mean kneel to him? Make myself a vassal?”
“It is meaningless and will bring about your release.”
“It is hard to do it.”
“Never mind if it brings your freedom. Better to pretend to humiliate yourself for a few moments than lose everything you have.”
He did at last see the point of this but before paying homage to the Emperor he defended himself before those who had accused