The Courts of Love - Jean Plaidy [8]
“They make me impatient,” I said. “Why choose a place which demanded a lot of hard work before they began to build? They might have chosen a sunny plain somewhere.”
“But that would not suit Bernard. He believes that only by suffering can a man come to God. So they worked hard; they cut down trees; they settled there and built the famous abbey of Clairvaux. They endured great hardship and as a matter of fact, Bernard became so ill because of the austere life he led that they feared he would die.”
“He had none but himself to blame.”
“You are a realist, my dear little niece. Of course you are right. But there was great consternation. He was regarded as a saint. You have heard of the great doctor William of Champeaux. He went to Bernard. He cured him, taught him that it was possible to live frugally and be healthy. So now we have Bernard traveling the country, urging people to forsake their evil ways and whipping them up to a frenzy of piety. But the point of his discourse now is the acceptance of Innocent II as the true Pope.”
“I know of the rivalry between the two Popes.”
“It is splitting not only France but the whole of Europe. There are the supporters of Anacletus and those of Innocent.”
“But why are there these two Popes?”
“Because there was a split among the Cardinals and each candidate for the Papacy declares himself the winner. It is dividing the whole of Christendom. Italy stands for Anacletus and France for Innocent. At least that was how it was until Bernard took a hand in the dispute. You see, Louis sent for Bernard. Louis, indulgent as he is to his own appetites—and his immense body bears witness to that—is a very religious man. How the ascetic Bernard and gross Louis became so reconciled to each other it is hard to say, but the fact is that Louis has persuaded Bernard to stand for Innocent; and that means that he will win the whole of Europe to his side with his honeyed words.”
“So this matter will be settled then?”
“What I am telling you is that there are some who still stand for Anacletus and your father is one of them.”
“Is that why he is so troubled lately?”
“It may well be.”
“Why should we in Aquitaine be bothered by what is happening in Rome?”
“What happens in the world affects us all. Does your father talk to you of these matters?”
“Of some. He did not talk of this.”
“I would guess that it is because it weighs heavily on his mind.”
“What is Anacletus to him?”
“It is hard sometimes for people to change a course when they have set out on it.”
I knew what he meant. My father was a stubborn man and he would often cling to a decision because he had made it even when he discovered it could do him harm. He had an innate pride which would not let him do otherwise.
Raymond was smiling at me. “Why do I talk to you so?” he said. “Eleanor, there are times when I forget you are so young.”
“Then go on forgetting,” I begged him.
He took my face in his hands and kissed me gently. I flung my arms about his neck and cried: “Do not go away. Stay here at our Court.”
He sighed. “I would that I could!” he said.
“Why not?” I demanded. “You are seeking your fortune. Why not do it here?”
He laughed. “What a glorious prospect! Every day to be with Eleanor. Ah, the temptation is great. Tell me this, little wise one, why are the best things in life so often out of reach?”
“The clever ones stretch out far enough to reach them,” I replied.
Then he took me in his arms and held me tightly against him. I was deeply stirred, and if I could have shut out of my mind the knowledge that he would soon be going away, that could have been the happiest moment I had ever known.
But he released me and said he must leave me. He had much to do and he must prepare for his departure and not delay too long or King Henry would have forgotten his invitation, and that would be another