The Lord Bishop's Clerk Read Online Free PDF Page A

work you have undertaken here,’ continued the clerk. ‘Perhaps I might visit your workshop at some convenient time. We must arrange it.’ He nodded a dismissal, and Master Elias, who would normally have bristled at such treatment, meekly withdrew, his mind whirling. Brother Eudo turned to the sub-prior. ‘Now, Brother Remigius, we have, I think, much to discuss. Perhaps the cool of the cloister would be more pleasant.’
    The sub-prior gave him a look that implied he would find standing in a snake pit infinitely more ‘pleasant’ than further conversation with Eudo the Clerk, but went with him nonetheless.

    In the cool of the abbot’s parlour, Abbot William of Pershore was conducting negotiations with two women, although one seemed merely there as silent support.
    ‘It was not thought too great a thing to ask, Father Abbot, that a small relic of the blessèd saint should return to the sorority in which her own sister lived.’
    The speaker was a Benedictine nun, reverent in word, but with her own obvious authority. Her voice was low and controlled, as controlled as every other aspect of her, from her immaculate tidiness to her straight back as she sat, and the precise folding of her hands beneath her scapular.
    Abbot William considered carefully. The Benedictine nuns of Romsey were offering both coin and a fine manuscript, copied and embellished by one of the finest illustrators of the Winchester school, in exchange for the bone of a finger of St Eadburga, who lay within the gilded reliquary in her chapel in the abbey church. That they were prepared to offer much for so little was proof of their eagerness to claim a part of the saint.
    ‘I am perplexed, Sister, as to why Romsey makes this request when the blessèd Eadburga has lain here so long. And why not approach the Nunnaminster, St Mary’s, her own house in Winchester. Would not your Sisters in Christ part with a small bone? They retain several and must be glad of funds after the Great Burning.’ He sounded cautious. ‘Besides, Romsey has two saints of its own.’
    ‘Indeed yes, Father Abbot. St Merewenna, and her successor as our Mother Superior, St Aelfleda, lie secure and venerated within our walls. We have been blessed by having two saints to exemplify the life we should lead, but only now has a benefactor enabled us to consider bringing a small part of the sainted Eadburga to our community, and Abbess Matilda has sent us to make the request.’ The nun’s voice showed no trace that she feared being rebuffed, nor yet arrogance.
    Abbot William wavered. ‘You claim earlier poverty, but yours is a house where royalty have sent daughters in the past, and surely not without bringing wealth with them?’
    Sister Edeva permitted herself the smallest of wry smiles. ‘Kings are wont to think the honour of housing their womenfolk generous in itself, and what has come to Romsey has been put to practical use upon the fabric of the abbey and in help for those about us.’
    The Abbot of Pershore leaned forward at his table, letting his chin rest against his steepled fingers. He was silent for a some time. The younger nun’s eyes darted between her sister and Abbot William nervously, but Sister Edeva kept her gaze fixed at a point somewhere on the wall behind the abbot’s head. Eventually he spoke.
    ‘I am minded to accede to the request of Abbess Matilda, but this matter must go before our chapter, as it concerns all in this house.’ He was also mindful of the amount it was costing to repair the north transept. ‘I will bring it to the attention of the brothers at Chapter tomorrow morning, and will give you a final answer thereafter. In the meantime I would welcome your presence at my table tonight. I appear to have many important guests and am set,’ he sighed as if it was a burden, ‘to entertain.’
    He rose, and smiled his dismissal. The sisters made obeisance and retired, well content that their mission was proceeding well. They trod with becoming lack