The Heart of the Lion Read Online Free PDF Page B

his stern just laws had put a stop to that. But he had retained the cruel forest laws and that was what the people remembered rather than the good he had done.
    Now here was a new King – a man who was by no means old and who looked like a god. His reputation as a warrior was well known; he was good to his mother who had acted as Regent until he came. He had a younger brother who was willing to serve him. It seemed to the people that everything was set fair. And now a coronation. Revelry in the streets, processions; and it was already whispered that this was going to be the finest spectacle that had ever delighted the eyes of the citizens of London. Naturally they were excited. Naturally they were all going out to cheer.
    Richard greeted his brother warmly.
    ‘How went it?’ he asked. ‘Don’t tell me, I know. You are a husband. Baldwin is fulminating. He says it is a sin for you to live with Hadwisa of Gloucester.’
    ‘That adds a spice to what would otherwise be a somewhat dull matter,’ replied John.
    ‘Oh, ’twas so? Well, you have her lands and that is something to be pleased about. But what of Baldwin?’
    ‘I shall ignore him. Shall you, brother?’
    ‘It is not good for a king to be on ill terms with his archbishop.’
    ‘’Tis a by no means uncommon state of affairs. He is officiating at the coronation, I doubt not.’
    ‘He is,’ said Richard.
    ‘Will he denounce me from the altar think you?’
    ‘’Twould be most unseemly were he to do so at a coronation and would cost him his post.’
    ‘Then perchance he will leave me in peace for a while.’
    ‘Methinks you were pleased with your bride, John.’
    ‘Pleased with her lands,’ answered John.
    ‘Well, you will be a very rich man now.’
    ‘It is a comfort to contemplate how rich.’
    Eleanor embraced her youngest son and asked how the wedding had pleased him.
    She commiserated. ‘Alas, it is sometimes the richest heiresses who are the least desirable. It’s a rare thing to find a woman who is both.’
    ‘You were I believe, Mother.’
    She laughed. ‘I have been loved for myself and for Aquitaine. I have never been quite sure which was the more attractive. Well now, John is safely married . . .’
    ‘I am not so sure,’ said Richard. ‘Baldwin is raising objections.’
    ‘The old fool!’ retorted Eleanor. ‘In any case it’s too late. Why do you smile, John?’
    ‘I was thinking that the old fellow could give me a chance of not seeing my wife if I didn’t want to.’ He put his hand on his heart and raised his eyes to the ceiling. ‘Oh, I suffer sorely. My soul is in torment. I wish to be with my wife but in doing so do I sin against Heaven. She is my third cousin and that is very close. Her great-grandmother was my great-grandfather’s whore and we share his blood . . . though mine is pure and hers is tainted. If’twere not for her nice fat lands I would willingly annul the marriage . . .’
    ‘Be silent, John,’ said Eleanor sharply. She could see that Richard did not like his brother’s raillery on such a subject.
    ‘I am concerned,’ said Richard, ‘as to the Jews. I do not want them practising their magical arts at the coronation. That could bring disaster to us all. I shall forbid them to attend the ceremony.’
    ‘It would never do for them to be seen there,’ commented the Queen. ‘The people would think you are going to show leniency towards them and that would not be popular.’
    ‘They are too rich,’ said John. ‘That is what’s wrong with them.’
    ‘They are industrious and know how to prosper,’ declared the Queen. ‘Such qualities arouse envy, and being envious of their wealth those who have been less industrious or lack the money-spinning gift seek to lay faults at their door. My son, you must issue a command that there be no Jews at your coronation.’
    ‘It shall be done,’ said Richard.

    The morning of that third day of September of the year 1189 dawned bright and sunny. Yet there were