Belaset's Daughter - By Feona J Hamilton Page 0,100

meant the loss of many men who had been his, Simon’s, faithful supporters.

How could he build up his armies again, with people who would be ardent enough supporters of his cause to be willing to risk their lives in battle? Why, where else but here in London? The London mobs were already making their feelings known. The King’s own brother, Richard of Cornwall, had lost his residence in Isleworth only recently burned to BOSON BOOKS

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the ground by rioting Londoners, in a frenzy of hatred towards the man and all he stood for.

The massacre in the Jewry had been simplicity itself to start the merest suggestion that the hated Jews were about to set fire to the City had been enough; implying that it had been for Henry’s sake had been pure genius! He smiled. Whoever had circulated that little gem must be rewarded. Feelings still ran high, and there would be plenty of Londoners who would welcome the chance to fight again. Once the fierce joy of fighting and killing had been aroused, it was difficult to lose, until the bloodlust had been slaked.

It was time for him and his council to make plans. He summoned a servant and gave his instructions. In minutes, the men whom he had so recently dismissed in anger were gathered around him again. He sat and stared at them without expression, enjoying their confusion. The silence lengthened.

"Well, gentlemen," he said, quietly. "It is time to plan when and how we will meet King Henry and take his governance from him, since he will not share it with us as he should."

There was a rustle and a murmur, as the men around him reacted to what he had said.

Was Simon himself finally going into battle against the King?

"I fear we cannot persuade the King any other way," he said. "And there have been too many confrontations already for us to try and avoid this final one and it will be final.

When the King and his army meet us, there will be a battle of such proportions as has not happened since the Conqueror came to these shores. But the outcome will be very different. We will not enslave this country, we will set it free from the hand of a King who would rule only by Divine Right. Then we will show him how wise he would be to share his power with his Barons, as John agreed to do, and as he himself promised to do a few short years ago."

Their wounded pride was forgotten now, he saw, as they all leaned forward and shouted their approval. They were his again, no longer resentful, but eager to do his bidding, to agree with his plans and desires. His heart lifted: they would win this battle, and England would be ruled as he and his supporters wished, not by one man alone, there by an accident of birth, but by wise (and profitable) consensus.

"What are your orders, my Lord?" said Monchesny.

"First, we must find more men, since our own army is so sorely depleted," said Simon.

He turned to where Hugh Dispenser sat, staring at the table, with a worried frown.

"Hugh," said Simon. "You know these Londoners better than any of us. Will they fight for us outside these walls, do you think?"

Hugh Dispenser raised his head and smiled slowly.

"Oh, yes, my Lord," he said. "They will fight for you at a price!"

He smiled again.

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"They will fight for almost anyone who asks them, if they do but promise them ale and food to fill their bellies, and a place to lie down and snore afterwards!"

De Montfort shrugged.

"Their reasons do not interest me," he said, curtly. "All I ask is that they fight for me and not for Henry."

"They will not fight for the King, my Lord, as you know," said Hugh. "They see him as the source of all their troubles, and as the protector of the Jews."

"His protection has not counted for much these last few days," said one of the younger men. "The stink of them is even worse now that they are dead, than it was when they were alive!"

"Why, man," said Simon, with a wolfish grin. "Since you find it so offensive to your nostrils, you shall have the task of cleaning up the Jewry for us!"

There was a roar of laughter and the man who had complained looked thoroughly crestfallen. He looked at Simon in dismay.

"Go, then, find your helpers among the watch last night," said he, dismissing