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flinch. Perhaps he knew he would not have to stand like that, keeping two such illustrious people waiting, for very long. Indeed, it was only a short time later that the soldier he had sent returned, with a message that the two men should be admitted, but not the guard that had come with them.
Without giving the four men who had come with them a chance to object, Richard de Sandwich urged his mount forward, through the gate. Walter de Cantelupe followed behind, and struggled to catch up, so that they were once again riding side by side. He was certainly not going to be viewed as the lesser of the two they entered as equals, or not at all, he thought, with some attempt at indignation.
Inside, they were helped off their mounts, and led away through a cloister, across a grassy area, and into another set of buildings. They were obviously being taken to the Prior s dwelling, thought Richard de Sandwich, looking around curiously. He had never visited this Priory, although stories of its size and beauty had reached London, and he knew that it owned land and buildings within the City.
They were escorted through a large hall and up some steps into a smaller chamber. They found themselves, with unexpected suddenness, in the presence of the King. He was sitting in the window, gazing at the scene outside, and had only a few of his favourites with him. As the two bishops entered, he turned his head and stared at them.
"My lord Bishops," he said. "You come from the Earl of Leicester, I understand?"
Both men bowed, de Sandwich in a perfunctory manner, which caused Henry to narrow his eyes as he saw it.
"We do, Your Majesty," said de Sandwich. One glance at Walter de Cantelupe showed him that the man would not be able to speak without stuttering, so he took it upon himself to speak for both himself and the pathetic creature beside him.
"And what does the traitor have to say to his rightful King?" said Henry, angrily.
"We bring a message of peace, Sire," said de Sandwich, unperturbed by the King s anger.
Henry eyed him.
"What!" he exclaimed. "Is he now to back down and acknowledge that he is wrong?"
De Sandwich did not hesitate.
"He assures you of his fealty, Sire," he said. "And makes a proposal which asks only that all parties should adhere to the content of the Provisions of Oxford. Since these have already been agreed . . ."
He got no further. Henry strode across the room, and snatched the parchment as de Sandwich offered it. The King unrolled it and read it through. Then, with a snarl of anger, he hurled it on the floor and stamped on it, cracking the two seals which had been affixed to it. He stood, hands on hips, and thrust his face into that of Richard de Sandwich.
"The King does not bargain with traitors!" hissed Henry. "Go and tell him so!"
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Walter de Cantelupe needed no second bidding to leave this vision of the King in a rage.
He bobbed his head, and scuttled backwards so fast that he almost tripped, until he was out of the room. Richard made a better, more dignified exit, but even he could not mask his haste to leave. The others in the room with the King, more used to his temper, simply stood where they were and gazed steadfastly at their feet, as they waited for the storm to pass.
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CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Standing high up on the parapets of Lewes Castle, Jervis had watched the progress of the little party that had come from Simon de Montfort with interest. They trotted up the valley and disappeared for a while on the other side of the hill. A few minutes later they appeared on the crest, and came down the near side. They continued down the slope to the bottom, passing Belaset s house as they did so, before halting at the Priory gates.
Jervis saw from their gestures that there was some argument before they were admitted, and disappeared into the buildings down below.
He could see over a great area of the countryside from where he stood, and the encampment of de Montfort s army was just visible in the distance. The sun picked up the occasional glitter from a shield or helmet, and the smoke from campfires lifted lazily into the air. He was still peering into the distance, when a