As they walked back to the Hall Alan asked Grimm whether he had a list of tools and items he required. Grimm replied that he had some tools and had dictated a list to Osmund for the remainder. Some of the tools could be shared with Aethelhard the blacksmith, as could the blacksmith’s apprentice.
Back at the Hall Anne greeted Osmund with delight and wanted to sit down and chat with him, but Alan brusquely over-ruled that, arranging an immediate meeting with Kendrick in the Solar. While waiting Alan filled Osmund in on Anne’s findings from the books of account. Anne had marked the relevant pages with slips of parchment and Osmund found it easy enough to identify the suspect entries.
When Kendrick arrived after a few minutes he entered to find Alan and Osmund sitting at the table with the piles of parchment in front of them. He entered the room happy enough, but frowned as soon as he saw the paperwork on the desk, realizing that he may be in trouble.
“Kendrick, this is Osmund, who is my new clerk. He’ll be keeping the records for the Hundred Courts,” Kendrick brightened perceptibly. “And he’ll also oversee the manor accounts.” Darkness fell again on Kendrick’s face. “As you know the manor accounts have not been properly kept in the past.” Alan raised a hand to still Kendrick’s reply. “I know that’s not your fault, as you cannot write or figure, but rather the fault of Estan and myself in not giving you the support you needed. Now, Osmund here will accompany you on your rounds and record all the dealings properly, so we can make sure that everybody pays what they should pay and renders the services that they should. In large part his work will be to record what has only been verbal agreements to date. This timing is most opportune as the rents are due on Annunciation Day in two weeks, so Osmund will be able to start helping you immediately. I want you to spend each morning until Annunciation Day, except next Monday when we have the Hundred court, going through the books and explaining what tenants have what obligations and answering any questions he may have. Now, I’m sure you are busy at this time of the year, so we won’t delay you any longer.”
Osmund’s face had been growing redder and redder during the short conversation and when Kendrick had slunk out of the Solar and the door closed he gave into his hard-controlled mirth, still keeping his comments quiet because of the thin walls. “God’s breath! That was masterful!” he wheezed, strangling off a full-bodied laugh. “He didn’t know whether to piss himself or shit! We’ll see what happens in the next day or so.”
“What do you expect?” asked Alan with interest.
“A visit tonight or tomorrow to discuss financial arrangements, but we’ll see,” replied the worldly Osmund.
Next morning Osmund sat with Alan and Anne at the breakfast table, eating bread, cheese and smoked herring while supping a cup of mead. Edyth was still abed, as the hour was early. “I was correct,” he said in Latin, to keep the conversation private from the servants around them. “I was invited to his cottage and met his wife Sunniva.”
“He’s not married,” interjected Anne.
“Well, that’s another person who can be charged with unlawful co-habitation in the Hundred court on Monday then!” continued Osmund with a sly look and a smile at his master, who they all knew was just as guilty as Kendrick in that regard. “We drank a couple of jugs of very nice French wine, no doubt from your cellar, and he made me an offer. I get one third, he gets two thirds.”
“What did you say?” asked Anne with indignation.
“I accepted, of course,” replied Osmund. In response to Anne’s incredulous look he continued, “How else can I find out the true amount that he’s stealing- and even more importantly the true obligations that each freeman has on my lord’s lands? Don’t worry, I’ll include it in the accounts as ‘gratuities received’ and it can be deducted from my pay, although I suspect the gratuities will far exceed what Sir Alan has generously offered me.” Osmund sighed. “It’s a pity I’m honest. I could have made a fortune here in a couple of years, just like Kendrick has.”
As Osmund finished his meal and, with a bow to his lord, took his leave, Alan commented to Anne, “Thank you for the recommendation. It looks as if I’m a long way towards rectifying that problem.” He paused and then continued, “Talking about problems, you probably have one that you don’t recognise yourself. When Aelfric took the lands you now hold, did he rent in laen for one lifetime, or three? His, his wife’s and his heirs? I understand that he was single at the time and it is most probable that he paid rent for his own lifetime. If so, you have a problem. I’d strongly urge you to find and read the land charter when you get home.”
“Why would that be a problem? Surely they’d not turn a widow out of her lands when she still pays her taxes each Quarter Day?” asked Anne in perplexity.
Alan laughed. “You don’t know anything about landlords, Norman or English,” he rejoined. “If it was rented for his lifetime, you have nothing and the land will be escheated at any time. Geoffrey de Mandeville was made overlord of most of Essex, including your lands. Even if it was still in the hands of Harold Godwinson you would still be ejected, leaving only with your dower. That’s what the English law says, not the Norman. Geoffrey de Mandeville has many knights and others for whom he must provide lands. He’ll be after every opportunity to seize lands to give to his retainers. Even if it was rented for three lives, as there is no heir, you can expect to be forced to marry a man of Sir Geoffrey’s choice, a man he has some obligation towards, with no say yourself. The same thing happened in Cnut’s day. The widows of those his army slew were forced to marry his retainers. One can look to the past to see the future. I suggest you find yourself a husband as soon as possible, or start sewing a nun’s habit. To make matters worse for you, not only are you a woman, you’re English and your husband died in the fighting last year. All English are required to pay a Heriot to retain their lands. Even the church has to pay to be confirmed in its very substantial holdings. Most importantly, the land of those who died fighting against King William is forfeit. While your husband died fighting at Stamford Bridge, I’d doubt that those who administer the forfeiture will make much distinction about the lands of those who fell at Fulford Gate, Stamford Bridge or at Hastings. William wants land to give to his friends as reward for past services, such as me.”
Anne looked appalled. “That is incredible!” she said. “It must be illegal”.
Alan shook his head with seriousness. “Not illegal. Apart from perhaps the forfeiture, it’s entirely according to the ancient laws of England- and the same would happen in Normandy. As to the forfeiture, William dates his reign from the day King Edward died and sees any who fought against him as being traitors who are liable to forfeiture of their land. Those who lived are being allowed to buy their land back. Few of the widows and heirs of those who died are being given that choice. Illegal, no. Immoral, yes. Men in positions of power are rarely concerned with morality, particularly if they have a financial interest in the result. Ask Osmund for his opinion and have a look at the law books in the Solar.”
“This is impossible! How am I supposed to summon a suitor out of the air?” demanded Anne.
“You are a very eligible widow. Young, beautiful and with wealthy lands. Your only defect, from most men’s point of view, is your high intellect! They want ornaments, not partners. Matilda, William’s wife, is the daughter of the Count of Flanders, brought him a huge dowry and a strong political ally. By all reports she’s a very intelligent woman, but she has played little formal part in Normandy’s affairs until the last few months, when William has been busy in England. As to suitors, I would like to be the first in line for consideration, but you may have many other paramours in the background.”