In Convent Walls: The Story of the DespensersHolt, Emily Sarah
History
In Convent Walls: The Story of the Despensers
Holt, Emily Sarah
Great Britain -- History -- Edward II, 1307-1327 -- Fiction; Historical fiction
"Well," pursued I, "all they be gone: and soothly, I had hoped there
were no more such left."
"Then should there be no original sin left," she made answer; "yea, and
Sathanas should be clean gone forth of this world."
The rest of the converse I mind not, but that last sentence tarried in
my mind for many a day, and hath oft-times come back to me touching
other matters.
We reached Loure on Saint Martin's Day [November 11th], and Paris the
next morrow. There found we the Bishops of Winchester and Exeter,
[Stratford and Stapleton], whom King Edward had sent over to join the
Queen's Council. Now I never loved overmuch neither of these Reverend
Fathers, though it were for very diverse causes. Of course, being
priests, they were holy men; but I misdoubt if either were perfect man
apart from his priesthood--my Lord of Winchester more in especial.
Against my Lord of Exeter have I but little to say; he was fumish
[irritable, captious] man, but no worse. But my Lord of Winchester did
I never trust, nor did I cease to marvel that man could. As to King
Edward, betray him to his enemies to-day, and he should put his life in
your hands again to-morrow: never saw I man like to him, that no
experience would learn mistrust. Queen Isabel trusted few: but of them
my said Lord of Winchester was one. I have noted at times that they
which be untrue themselves be little given to trust other. She trusted
none save them she had tried: and she had tried this Bishop, not once
nor twice. He never brake faith with her; but with King Edward he brake
it a score of times twice told, and with his son that is now King
belike. I wis not whether at this time the Queen was ready to put
affiance in him; I scarce think she was: for she shut both Bishops out
of her Council from the day she came to Paris. But not at this time,
nor for long after did I guess what it signified.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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