half disbelieving.
Stand her always in good stead in her own household, with servants of her own choosing around her. Aelis of Angers is not to be present at 117
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court or in any place that the empress may inhabit. Geoffrey clenched his fists either side of the parchment. “I will do as I see fit in my own domain!” he snarled. That her household be in her own governance and that she be entitled to all her own correspondence both to and from the said household. That gave him a burning sensation in his chest, because how could he trust her if he did not know what she was writing? That she be treated with due respect in public and on state occasions. That she be given her own space and escorted everywhere by ladies of her own choosing. That you be frankly forbidden to harm her in any way whatsoever, unless it be by the will of full Church attorney.
Geoffrey’s jaw was so tight that his whole face began to ache.
And still it continued. That Geoffrey was answerable to Henry for Matilda’s safekeeping and she was to be treated in every respect as the daughter of a king. In return, Henry would see that the oath of allegiance to Matilda was retaken by his barons and reinforce to his daughter that she must know her place as a wife and be obedient to her husband. And in holding you to these terms, I applaud you as my son-in-marriage.
Geoffrey crumpled the parchment in his fist and threw it at the wall. He certainly did not applaud what he had just read as the wisdom of a king. They were the words of a fool. And yet a fool who expected to be obeyed.
Geoffrey strode from the chamber because he needed space to expel his anger. Bruin followed him, tongue lolling. He was a dog; his faith and obedience were unconditional. “Rather a dog than a wife,” Geoffrey said, and bellowed for someone to go and order his horse saddled up because he needed the speed of a fast, hard gallop to give him the illusion of freedom.
ttt
“It is settled,” Henry said. “You will return to your husband.
He has agreed to all the terms I put to him on your behalf.” He handed her the sheets of parchment he had been holding in his mottled fist.
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Matilda’s heart sank as she took the pages. Here in Rouen she was the happiest she had been since leaving Germany.
Her chambers were comfortable and she had the spiritual sustenance of the abbey at Bec. People respected her and her life was sailing on an even keel. She had prayed for an annulment, but it was unlikely to happen now that Geoffrey had proven with a bastard daughter that his seed was not barren.
She had hoped too that Geoffrey might make the repudiation official and seek to end the marriage, but plainly he felt there was more advantage to him in keeping their union intact. She read the words written in a scribe’s formal script. Geoffrey’s seal hung from the bottom, the image punched forcefully into the wax. At least she would have the buffer of her own household and they would be people of her choosing, but it was not her choice.
“But not immediately yet,” her father said. “Certain bishops and barons have complained that the oaths of allegiance they took to you at Westminster were invalid because your marriage was not debated in council as it should have been. I want everyone to swear again before you return to Anjou. You will come with me to England and all will be done according to the law.”
“Who has objected?” She was well able to guess. “Salisbury?” Her father nodded. “As you would expect. And where he goes, so too does the bishop of Ely. Waleran de Meulan must swear too, now that he has been released from prison.” Matilda watched her father’s fists clench. He was always one step ahead of the game. He would use diplomacy first, but back it up with threat and force. “And what of the house of Blois?” she asked. “I hear you have promoted my cousin Henry to the see of Winchester.”
He shrugged. “He is an able administrator and will serve you well when the time comes. Stephen and Theo are your cousins, 119
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as is Stephen’s wife. It is a good thing to encourage their support