King Richard's Sword

By Ellen Foster

In late 14th century Worcester, the Lady Apollonia of Aust struggles to protect the affinity of her son, the sheriff, against undercover usury deviously directed from behind monastic walls while upper middle class sexual misconduct forces him to solve three murders.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Sep 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781365367359

Book preview

King Richard's Sword

King Richard’s Sword

By Ellen Foster

Copyright © 2016 Ellen Foster

First published in United States by Lulu Press, Inc. in 2016

Maps and cover photographs by Louis Foster

Drawing of LadyApollonia by Michele Bishop Foster

ISBN 978-1-365-36735-9

Learn more at https://blogs.valpo.edu/ellenfoster/

Table of Contents

King Richard’s Sword

Foreword

Lady Apollonia West Country Mysteries

Acknowledgements

Maps

Prologue: Pilgrim’s Return

Chapter 1: Tentative Welcome

Chapter 2: Neighbourly Greetings

Chapter 3: Bastard’s Misery

Chapter 4: White Canons’ Usury

Chapter 5: Molly’s Quest

Chapter 6: The Lady’s Men

Chapter 7: The King’s Bodyguard

Chapter 8: Gareth’s News

Chapter 9: Murder midst Mayhem

Chapter 10: To Reclaim Lordship

Chapter 11: Revelation and Abduction

Chapter 12: Menace and Deliverance

Chapter 13: Elwin in Charge

Chapter 14: To Resign a Crown

Chapter 15: Demise of the White Hart

Chapter 16: Prayerful Copyist

Chapter 17: Twelve Days of Christmas

Chapter 18: Returned and Renewed

Chapter 19: Murder Again

Chapter 20: Deceitful Chicanery

Chapter 21: The Pardoner’s Conviction

Chapter 22: Flawed Forgiveness

Chapter 23: Betrayal and Blessing

Chapter 24: A Child’s Gift

Epilogue

Glossary

About the Author

Foreword

Worcester is one of England’s ancient towns that can trace its beginnings back to a Celtic Iron Age settlement and a Roman trading post from the 1st to 4th century A. D. The Lady Apollonia has come to Worcester to live for several months in the year 1499 chiefly because her eldest son, Sir Hugh, Sheriff of Worcestershire, wishes to have his elderly mother nearer his protection during troublous times in the kingdom. Sir Hugh is pleased to have his mother with them, but the relations between Hugh’s wife, Lady Gwendolyn, towards his mother are strained and distant.

The Worcester pilgrim who begins the story is based upon a real person. His grave and remains were found in 1987 when excavations were being made of the foundations of the central tower of Worcester Cathedral. The body had been buried with the remains of his staff and a small shell, possibly a pilgrim’s badge indicating the completion of a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Northern Spain. The churches and religious houses referred to in the story were in Worcester during the 14th century except for the Abbey of Saint Martinminster which the author has created as a daughter house of Halesowen Abbey.

Apollonia is a scholarly woman who seeks to learn more of the history of any place where she is resident. She is particularly interested in studying the writings of Saint Wulfstan, an 11th century Anglo-Saxon bishop, that are held in the nearby priory-cathedral library. Unknown to the Lady or her family, there is a vicious usury scheme being promoted on the streets of Worcester while she is resident, victimising the poorest of the poor.

The usury scheme deteriorates into a greed-inspired collection of murders, robbery, and betrayal while the gifts of a little child joyously re-unite a family close to the heart of the Lady Apollonia.

Lady Apollonia West Country Mysteries

by Ellen Foster

Effigy of the Cloven Hoof

Plague of a Green Man

Memento Mori

Templar’s Prophecy

Joseph of Arimathea’s Treasure

King Richard’s Sword

Acknowledgements

Research visits to Worcester in 2014 were extremely good ones, granting us the opportunity as Americans to become acquainted with one of England’s oldest and most historic cities.  Thanks to the opportunity we had to become acquainted with a Worcester native, Kate Platt, I was able to describe the 14th century setting for this, Book Six of the West Country Medieval Mystery Series, with greater accuracy as well as better insight into its history.

Once again, I am truly grateful for the excellent comments and advice of all of my early readers.  On the English side, our constant friend, David Snell, of Exeter, Devon, has read and commented upon each new book in the series.

On the American side, I continue to be grateful to my PEO sister, Ellen Corley for her comments and questions as well as those of our good neighbors, Mary Henrichs, Ethelyn Rezelman, and Mary Leonard.  The Reverend Nancy Becker, fellow writer of the ReVU Writers’ group, offered significant critical inspiration for some essential re-writing as did our good friends, Kati Kallay and Philipp Brockington, who have never failed to challenge me with new questions in every chapter.

My family has always been endlessly supportive to me, but this year I was able to visualise my heroine, the Lady Apollonia, with the excellent drawing of the Lady’s portrait by our daughter-in-law, Shelly Foster.  Husband Lou is my first editor, gracious listener, personal computer expert, and best-informed travel companion.  He has made my writing a great pleasure for me.

Maps

Prologue: Pilgrim’s Return

He could see the walls of the city in the distance, and his heart rejoiced. When he had disembarked at Bristol in the beginning of February of this new year, 1399, he knew that every step now brought him nearer his home--at last. It was as if his staff could not push his steps quickly enough. If he had been a younger man, he would probably have broken into a trot. He was a thickset man in his early forties and well muscled throughout the length of his shoulders and arms whose powerful legs betrayed that he had walked long distances. His days of sprinting were past, however, and the deep scars from the wounds of two arrowheads in his left thigh continued to pain him and cause him to limp markedly to lessen the strain on his left leg. Fortunately, he told himself, when he began his journey, he had the foresight to wear well-made, knee-length leather walking boots that gave strong support to his ankles and calves.

He was a well-dressed man whose his clothes declared him wealthy enough to buy the best but not a gentleman. He was one of the successful merchants of Worcester who was greeted by everyone whom he passed on the road, not only because many recognised him but because of the scallop shell badge that he wore proudly attached to the front of his broad brimmed pilgrim’s hat. Everyone knew well that the scallop declared he had travelled across northern Spain to worship at the tomb of Saint James the Great at Santiago de Compostela.

The pilgrim was dressed in a loose gown of excellent quality wool, reaching to the tops of his boots beneath his fur-trimmed cloak. These garments were worn over closely fitted woollen undergarments meant to guarantee his body’s warmth even when cold, damp winds blew inland from the sea. He thought to himself that this chilly but sunny day emphasised how fortunate he was to be returning in the early spring. Winter had ended and summer’s light was beginning to lengthen each day.

Ahead of him he could see Sidbury Gate, crowded with folk going in and out through Worcester’s city walls. He was somewhat surprised by the sense of affection he felt for all whom he passed, not because he knew them but simply because they were his townsfolk, not foreigners. Their greetings to him were expressed in familiar West Country English, not the voices of Spanish, French, German, or other endless European syllables he had encountered daily in Compostela.

He passed the Hospital of Saint Wulfstan and walked on toward the gate. One of the guardsmen who knew his son, Geoffrey, recognised him and called out as he approached, God’s peace, Master Kenwood. Welcome home from your pilgrimage. Will you stay with us for awhile this time?

Greetings, Josse. I rejoice to be home and shall bore you with endless tales of my travels--now ended. How are my son and his family? I daresay my grandson is now a student in the priory school.

You will be pleased to find three grandsons in your home. Mistress Evelyn has born twins this year, hale and hearty from all I hear. Josse stepped out to take the hand of his friend’s father and only then noticed the significant limp afflicting Kenwood’s walking. What has befallen you, Master Kenwood?

I received two arrows into my left thigh, Josse, but thanks to the Blessed Virgin and Saint James, I am able to return home, even if a year late, somewhat more slowly, and crookedly, he said with a smile.

Many have warned that the pilgrimage routes are fraught with danger. Who attacked you and why? Surely, as a pilgrim you presented no threat to folk.

I unwittingly invited my own problems, Josse. Like most pilgrims, I soon found myself travelling with a group on the road to Santiago. I was impatient with their silly story-telling pace and began to lead out on my own. The route is well marked. It also can become very lonely, and whilst I was walking alone through a hilly wooded area, I was attacked by a gang of thieves skulking in the trees. Their arrows pierced my thigh, and in spite of my staff, I collapsed to the ground. They fell upon me, tore my staff from my hands, and held me down. In a matter of minutes, they took whatever they could from me, cutting away my purse, pulling the rings from my fingers, trying to steal even the fur trimmed cape I wore and the dagger from my belt. In short, they tried to take whatever of value they could get from my person and were only stopped from killing me when a number of English pilgrims on horseback came upon the scene and drove them away. Praise God, the Englishmen were able to carry me to the nearest monastery at Roncesvalles, a necessary refuge for pilgrims. I will never forget the extraordinary pain caused by the removal of the arrows, but I was given excellent care by the infirmarer of the convent for months. Eventually I was able to complete my journey.

How could you continue if your purse and all things of value were stolen, Master Kenwood?

I purposefully carried little money in my purse or pockets, Josse. All of my gold and large coin was hidden in a leather envelope strapped to my chest well beneath my clothes. It is likely that the thieves would have found it if they had more time, but being caught in the act and surprised by horsemen, they abandoned me and disappeared deep into the woods as quickly as they could.

You had a mighty close call, Master Kenwood. Thank God for His mercy.

Well, Josse, I do thank God endlessly for His presence with me throughout my journey, and I am especially grateful for His care and protection against the unknown.

We will all rejoice knowing that you are safe, Master Kenwood. Your friends and growing family in Worcester will be grateful to find you returned to us, the guard said with a brilliant crooked-tooth smile as he waved him through the gate.

Chapter 1: Tentative Welcome

The Lady Apollonia with Nan and others of her affinity had been living with her eldest son in his town house at the cathedral end of Friar Street in Worcester since before the beginning of the year 1399. There could be no doubt that the Lady’s son, Sir Hugh, was pleased to have his aging mother be able to travel from her home in the tiny village of Aust to spend time with him and his family. Hugh had always felt close to his mother but especially since she was widowed for the third time and dedicated to live as a celibate vowess protected only by the church. He felt a greater responsibility now to offer his care and watch over her.

Sir Hugh Edward of Aust was in every way his father’s son, a joyous man whose gentle goodness and devout faith were admired by those who knew him. He was only slightly taller than his mother. His full head of ginger-coloured hair and beard framed a warmly handsome, blue-eyed, freckled face with spaces between his constantly smiling white teeth.

Apollonia enjoyed being in Worcester, especially because Hugh’s home stood near enough for her to visit daily the great monastic cathedral church of the local Benedictine priory dedicated to Christ and Saint Mary. Friar Francis, her chaplain and spiritual counsellor, had come with her to Worcester, as did Brother William, who distributed alms in her name and never failed to make himself familiar with all classes of people in any town where they dwelt. Her page, Owen, son of her friend, the deceased Sir Walter Heath, was now ten years old and attending school in Salisbury with her grandsons, Hugh’s sons, Aiden and Edwin.

Nan Tanner, was continually at her side, especially as Apollonia had begun to endure some aching discomfort in her hips as she aged. Nan saw to it that the Lady did not walk more than a few steps without the aid of her walking stick. Apollonia seldom wished to be reminded that she was an old woman and was a bit put off by her maid’s hovering, insistent care. Yet, she knew in her heart that Nan expressed a loving dedication to her, inspired by the enduring friendship which had grown between them since Nan was taken into the Lady’s service as a small child.

The other member of the Lady’s affinity who always travelled with her was her stablemaster, Gareth Trimble. Like Nan, Gareth had served Apollonia since his boyhood beginning during the Lady’s first marriage and could never conceive of himself as servant to any other. Gareth took his meals with the rest of the Aust household, but being painfully shy, he was most comfortable when allowed to make his bed in the barn with the Lady’s horses.

Since their arrival in Worcester, however, Gareth had found a welcoming public house and inn called The Crow’s Nest not far from Sidbury Gate. He had become good friends with another bachelor, Merryn Maxwell, there, who was also in service to a wealthy merchant of the town. Merryn’s family had moved to Worcester from Cornwall when he was a lad. He and Gareth were both regarded among the locals as foreigners to Worcester, but they were accepted as quiet, unassuming men who preferred to remain withdrawn to one side whenever in strangers’ company. Each of them found a kindred spirit in the other and shared interests in their time spent together.

Apollonia was pleased that her servants found themselves welcomed into Sir Hugh’s household. They were encouraged by Hugh’s servants to enjoy the months of their visit exploring Worcester’s local markets, fayres, and archery contests in the parkland just beyond the city wall outside of Frog Gate. The Lady’s chief regret during this time with her son was that she never felt any sense of welcome expressed to her by her daughter-in-law. Hugh’s wife, the Lady Gwendolyn, never offered any warmth of friendship to her.

Gwendolyn stood apart from her husband’s lady mother and kept Apollonia at arm’s length. She was never rude to Apollonia, always spoke respectfully when they were together, even suggested a kind of admiration for the Lady’s obvious independence as a woman. Apollonia could sense, however, that Gwendolyn’s limited conversations with her were purposefully meant to keep the Lady at a distance.

Ah well, Apollonia told herself, Gwendolyn shows sincere love for my son and has always been a good mother to my grandsons. Pray God it will always be so. I must not ask for more.

Nan had been aware of the Lady’s personal discomfort with her daughter-in-law since her marriage to Sir Hugh twelve years earlier. The Lady’s maid could see that every aspect of their relationship was full of courtesy and politely expressed respect, but Nan felt the tension between them and could see how it distressed Apollonia. Nan never spoke of it with her mistress but always looked for ways to try to bring balance into their lives, especially while they were resident in Sir Hugh’s home.

My Lady, Nan said as they sat together in the hall, it is an especially fine day for February, and we find ourselves alone whilst Sir Hugh and Lady Gwendolyn are riding this afternoon. Shall we consider a walk to the priory? I find the design of the east end of the cathedral to be dramatically different from the nave and have been told that if one is able to watch the sun set through the grand stained glass west window, the interior colour is spectacular. Perhaps we could remain for vespers and then return home. We shall still be in time for the evening meal.

What a good idea, Nan, the Lady said with a sigh, I should make a point to move about more and shake off this stiffness that attacks me when I sit too long. A walk to the cathedral will be perfect and, yes, we shall remain for vespers.

Nan ran to collect the Lady’s cloak while Apollonia stood to walk about the hall with her walking stick in hand, encouraging her legs to move and her mind to anticipate their visit to the beautiful cathedral church. Her son and his family had settled in Worcester early in their marriage, and the Lady always looked forward to being able to visit the great priory church. Worcester’s Benedictine priory was not only the bishops’ church of the diocese, it had been grandly built through centuries of different styles of monumental architecture.

Apollonia could see that dear Nan was suggesting this for her sake. The Lady’s maid was well aware of her long-standing interest in great churches, and Nan knew that Apollonia could always be encouraged to explore them. The architecture of the cathedral in Worcester particularly challenged the Lady’s interests because it displayed the best examples of each age from pre-Norman builders to contemporary styles imported from the Ile de France.

Nan brought the Lady’s cloak and her chaplain as well. Friar Francis was always ready to accompany Apollonia on such visits. He was an educated Franciscan, devoted to the ideals of poverty and chastity of his order, but one who shared his Lady’s love of the history and architecture of the church. Friar Francis felt that Worcester Cathedral’s grandeur could not be denied, but first and foremost, he rejoiced that such a grand building been designed and built by human hands to the glory of God.

* * *

The Lady and her party entered priory grounds through the Edgar Tower, a newly built, fortified main entrance to the monastery. It puzzled Apollonia somewhat to think why in the world a church, even one as grand as this, should in this present day, require a main entrance adapted to repel hostile invaders. She left off questioning such things with a shrug of her shoulders as they walked around the outside of the eastern end of the presbytery.

Along the north side of the quire, they passed another unique outdoor feature of Worcester’s church called the Clochium. The cathedral now stood complete with a grandly built central bell tower, but the Clochium was a far older octagonal free-standing stone bell tower. Its ancient walls were ten feet thick and stood sixty feet high with a spire on top, soaring toward the heavens. Apollonia was aware that construction of great churches frequently continued over centuries, and she assumed that Worcester’s Clochium had held the bells that tolled the hours of the opus Dei for the priory years before the central tower had been completed or possibly after some earlier central towers had collapsed. Perhaps the Benedictines maintained the Clochium as a backup to any possible future collapse, she smiled irreverently to herself.

Apollonia’s party entered the nave of the church through its north porch, and Nan found herself, as always, instantly silenced. The little maid’s head was thrown back in a state of wonder, gazing at the ascendant height of the cathedral walls that reached upward through three levels of arcades to glorious tierceron vaulting high above them.

Apollonia quietly asked her friends if they might descend first to the ancient crypt of the cathedral. The Lady said that she always preferred to begin her visit in this church by offering prayers at a simple altar in its most ancient depths. Apollonia especially loved descending to the cathedral crypt because she knew she would find there, amidst a forest of simple white columns, a shimmering darkness illuminated only by the flames of dozens of candles placed upon multiple altars.

She had been told that shrines and reliquaries were never built in the crypt because the primary purpose of the underground vault of Worcester’s great church was to act as a place of worshipful retreat for the fifty or more monks of the priory. Apollonia loved its simplicity, and she felt that the crypt offered the comfort of retreat for her, too, as well as a sense of new beginning. When she and her party returned to the main floor of the church from the lower level, the Lady once again experienced a sense of spiritual renewal when walking up the stairs into the glories of the quire and the high altar.

They reached the eastern end of the cathedral and entered the Lady Chapel where Apollonia could not help noticing a well-dressed man kneeling at the statue of the Virgin called Our Lady of Worcester. He was a distinguished man but one who drew attention because he wore on his cloak scallop-shells pierced for attachment as badges. There could be no doubt that he was a pilgrim who had been to the tomb of Saint James in northern Spain. Apollonia did not wish to disturb his prayers in any way, though many in the chapel were pointing and calling attention to him as they entered.

Instead, Apollonia made a silent but conscious effort to take note of his appearance, as was her custom. He was a handsome man of medium height whom she would have placed in his early forties. His manner of dress and its expensive quality identified him as a successful merchant, but the most striking aspects of his person were the long, pilgrim’s beard he wore and the intensity of his devotion. Nan pointed toward the pilgrim as they left the Lady Chapel, and Apollonia gently put her maid’s hand down to her side.

They were walking around the aisles of the apse when the Lady smiled to Nan and said quietly, Thank you, dearheart, for helping me be aware of the pilgrim returned from Compostela, but it appears that he wears his badge as a declaration of faith, not as an object of curiosity.

Oh, my Lady, I was moved by his piety. I truly did not wish to cause folk to stare.

Forgive me, Nan, Apollonia told her, I was a bit irritated by some in the chapel who were simply gawping and not granting him the reverence and respect that he deserves.

The thing that we all could admire in the pilgrim was, as Mistress Nan said, the fervor of his devotion, my Lady, Francis said quietly. His badge declares his accomplished pilgrimage, but his prayerful dedication was witness to the strength of his faith. If he is a Worcester man, I hope we shall have occasion to meet him whilst we are here.

* * *

When the pilgrim, Robert Kenwood, left the cathedral to return to his home on Fish Street, his heart was filled with an overwhelming sense of blessing. His son, Geoffrey, and his daughter-in-law, Evelyn, had been thrilled to find him alive and well at their doorstep this morning after an absence of nearly two and a half years. They could not hurry him inside quickly enough nor offer him adequate refreshment nor find sufficient words to thank God for his safe return to them. Both of them shared warm embraces with him again and again. Finally, Evelyn begged him to visit the nursery with her where he could meet his newest grandsons.

Robert’s eldest grandson, Terrence, was in school, but the pilgrim found the toddler twins, Ted and Tad, to be beautifully bouncing boys who seemed to compound his welcome home. Robert’s heart nearly burst with the joy of his return, but he announced to his son that he must first be allowed to leave them briefly, just to go to the priory church and offer his thanks. He would not remain long in the cathedral, he promised, but he must offer his prayers of gratitude for a blessed pilgrimage and his safe return.

Apollonia and Nan noticed him in the church, unaware of how very recent his return from Spain had been, yet there could be no doubt that Master Kenwood’s piety was more than a superficial expression of faith. Its depths of devotion seemed to define his person.

Robert left the priory grounds and started to return toward Fish Street, rejoicing in the welcoming familiarity of his town. Several neighbours recognised him and called out their greetings. He responded enthusiastically but asked to be excused that he did not stop for conversation.

I have only just returned, he said to a passing friend, and have discovered myself to be the grandfather of three boys, not one. When the neighbour smiled in obvious awareness of his son Geoffrey’s twin boys, Robert smiled enthusiastically. Ah yes, I can see what you are thinking--one must never stay away so long. Surprises can multiply when one’s attention is elsewhere.

He entered his house and found Evelyn waiting for him. Dear papa, Geoffrey has just gone into the guildhall to invite your friends to join us for dinner. I pray you will rest yourself awhile and feel ready for a celebration this evening.

Robert kissed her hand then began to walk up the circular stairway to his bedchamber. Yes, Evelyn, a lie-down will be welcome, he called back to her, but I shall rejoice to see old friends once again. Before they arrive, however, I shall shave off this pilgrim’s beard, to be recognisable to them. If I nod off, will you send Norbert to wake me? I am an old man and my hearing is no longer keen.

Of course, Papa Kenwood, I shall, she giggled a little. Still, there are times when I do wonder if your hearing is slightly selective, she said teasingly. Truly, it will be wonderful to see you at the head of the table once again this evening.

Chapter 2: Neighbourly Greeting

Apollonia and Nan were sitting in the hall of Sir Hugh’s home when his steward, Dunstan, came to announce to the Lady that a young man had come to their door who wished permission to introduce himself to her. Apollonia was somewhat surprised as she knew very few