‘My lord,’ said Simon, ‘have no fear, the storm is already moving from overhead.’
Henry looked at him steadily.
‘I fear thunder and lightning exceedingly,’ he said, ‘but by God’s head I fear you more than all the thunder and lightning in the world.’
And as he followed Simon into Durham House where he might remove his sodden cloak and partake of some refreshment, he knew that in that moment he had spoken the truth and in doing so had betrayed himself to Simon de Montfort.
Edward was now twenty years of age. He had spent a great deal of time at the Court of France where he had distinguished himself in equestrian arts and because of his height, good looks and interesting personality he had become very popular.
He thought often of his wife but he had been unable to live with her as such on account of her youth and he had left her to continue her education while he perfected himself in the art of chivalry and knighthood.
Alarming reports were coming to France of the trouble which was brewing between the King and the barons, and Edward consulted the King of France, whose judgement was greatly respected throughout the world, and he gained very little reassurance by what Louis had to say. That trouble was coming to England seemed obvious, and as heir to the throne Edward must be there.
He hastened back to England and found his father at Winchester. Henry embraced him warmly, his eyes filling with tears to contemplate his handsome son. He must first be assured of his health and well-being. ‘Your mother will be beside herself with joy to see you,’ he said.
Edward thought his father looked far from well and he put this down to all the trouble of which he had heard.
‘I have heard reports of what is happening here,’ he said.
‘We have some tiresome men in this realm, Edward. They give me little peace.’
‘It is true that the barons have formed a parliament which dictates to you?’
‘It is not exactly so. I have some say in choosing the men. Of course it is all a question of money. They think of nothing else.’
‘A kingdom cannot run without it, my lord.’
‘Nay, that’s what I tell them. They think I can conjure it up out of nothing.’
‘Louis does not believe in harsh taxation, Father.’
‘So you have become one of Louis’ worshippers then?’
‘He is very wise and greatly admired. I have always believed he spoke good sense.’
Henry nodded. ‘A very serious man and dedicated King. I think he is less plagued by unruly subjects than I.’
Edward started to say that Louis had won the love and respect of his subjects, but realising that this seemed a criticism of his father, he desisted.
But he did feel this criticism and it shocked him a little. The family had always stood together. But what happened when one felt the head of it was leading it to disaster?
Henry then explained what had been happening during his son’s absence: the quarrels between William de Valence and Simon de Montfort, the sharp words which had been spoken in the council chamber.
Edward was very disturbed.
‘I am glad to say that there is a difference of opinion among the barons,’ went on Henry. ‘Gloucester seems to be falling out with de Montfort. If they quarrel among themselves perhaps they will disperse and we shall get back to normal. That would be a happy state of affairs.’
‘Father, are you prepared should there be trouble?’
Trouble! What do you mean, son?’
‘What if the barons should rise against you as they did against your father?’
‘That is a thought which is constantly in everyone’s mind. I have never been allowed to forget my father’s misdeeds. Am I responsible for them?’
‘I think it is feared that you might repeat them.’
Henry looked at his son with amazement. Was there just the hint of reproach there? Could it really be that one member of this family was not exactly behind another?
His son’s homecoming had given the King some uneasy qualms.
Simon de Montfort came to see Edward. He had heard of his arrival in England and believed that the young man was sensible.
It might be easier to convey the danger to him than to Henry, and surely he would want to do something about it, for the crown his father wore would one day be his.
‘My great desire,’ said Simon earnestly, ‘is to avoid an outright war.’
‘You think there is a real danger of that!’
‘I think there is an imminent danger.’
‘But now that you have this parliament …’
‘In which there is not agreement, I fear. Your father must abandon the Sicilian project. The title for your younger brother would be an empty one and very costly to this nation to acquire. It seems that the King and Queen are dazzled by this crown.’
‘Then if that is so there must be no more thought of Sicily.’
‘My lord, I knew you would see reason. There is much I have to tell you. You must join us and then you will understand what all this trouble is about and, pray God, help us to avoid it.’
‘I will with all my heart,’ Edward assured him.
It began to be noticed that the heir to the throne and Simon de Montfort were often in each other’s company and an understanding seemed to have arisen between them.
It was sad, said Eleanor, that all the children were growing up. Particularly so with daughters who must leave their home and family.
John de Dreux, the Duke of Brittany, had offered for Beatrice and as it was a good match and one which would be advantageous to England and it was time Beatrice was married, there could be no excuse for not accepting it.
What had happened to Margaret had made the Queen very apprehensive. She said she wished she had had all boys and then there would not have been the same need for them to leave the country.
However, the alliance was accepted and Beatrice prepared to leave for Brittany.
The King, who had business in France, was to accompany her but in view of the state of the country it seemed unwise that the Queen should go also.
‘You will have Edward to help you, my dearest,’ said Henry, ‘and rest assured that I shall return as soon as possible.’
The Queen was in a way not sorry to remain. By accompanying the party she would have had a little longer with her daughter but at least she was spared that harrowing moment when Beatrice was formally handed over to a stranger. That seemed to her most distressing and she would never forget seeing little Margaret married to Alexander of Scotland.
She said good-bye to the King and her daughter and went back to Windsor where she was finding pleasure in the company of Edward’s young wife, a docile, pleasant creature who adored Edward; and therefore they had something in common.
Soon after Beatrice’s wedding had taken place the Duke of Gloucester joined the King in Brittany. Gloucester was an ambitious man who had shown himself to be jealous of Simon de Montfort’s power in the barons’ party and had therefore set himself up in opposition to him.
He had come to the King with a special purpose and he lost little time in making Henry aware of the reason for his visit.
‘My lord,’ he began, ‘what I have to tell you fills me with distress for I know what pain it will cause you. I ask in advance for your forgiveness for bringing this to your notice but I believe it to be something you should know.’
‘Pray tell me without more delay,’ commanded Henry.
‘It is that your son Edward has allied himself with Simon de Montfort.’
‘That is impossible,’ cried Henry.
‘I fear, my lord, it is so.’