and turned his back on them. It was an obvious enough signal for all of the group to turn and file out, wordlessly. The door closed behind the last one softly, as though they were afraid to rouse him again.
Hugh Dispenser and William Monchesny walked back across the courtyard together.
"My Lord’s anger at Rokesly’s escape was even worse than I feared," said Hugh Dispenser. "Although I fancy that the event itself was more a final straw than the main cause of his ire. He has fought so hard to persuade Henry that he does not have the right to rule alone and now even Simon must see that the King is the stronger of the two!"
Monchesny grunted. Hugh knew de Montfort better than he, and even he knew that the Earl was a hard, ambitious man, embittered by his long battle with Henry a fight which he had never welcomed, but saw as his duty. All de Montfort’s efforts were to prevent Henry behaving like an autocrat, and to persuade him that he must abide by the Provisions of Oxford, which meant sharing the power and the responsibilities of government with his Barons. But Henry was convinced that he ruled by divine right, and that nobody was entitled to take any of that away from him, no matter what he had earlier agreed to, or what document his predecessor had signed.
Monchesny stopped as they reached the entrance to Dispenser’s chambers, and turned to the other man.
"Whatever Earl Simon decides, I’ll wager it means moving out of here," he said. "I think we should be prepared to leave London and travel South."
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"You may indeed have to do so, Sir William," said Hugh Dispenser. "It is a knight’s duty to fight for his lord. I, on the other hand, am charged with governing the unruly rabble who are pleased to call themselves Londoners: whatever Earl Simon decides, that will still have to be done. So I shall remain here."
He smiled complacently at Monchesny and swept into his chambers, calling for his servant to come to him at once. Monchesny, a scowl on his face, watched him go. Hugh Dispenser could afford to be lofty now, he thought sourly, but he had been as nervous as the rest of them a few minutes ago, under the angry gaze of an irate Simon de Montfort.
He turned on his heel, and went to vent his ill-humour on whoever crossed his path. A stable lad, making his way across the yard and whistling cheerfully to himself was surprised to receive a cuff on the side of the head as Monchesny passed. The boy stopped, rubbed his pate, and stared after the retreating figure with his lips still pursed, although no sound came from them. Then, shrugging, he continued his progress, the whistling reaching ever more piercing heights.
* * *
Simon de Montfort, left on his own at last, slumped on his bed and stared thoughtfully into space. He had tried as hard as he could to avoid a direct confrontation with Henry.
He had agreed to let King Louis of France be the arbitrator between them, but to no avail.
The country had been split in two by the ill-feeling between the two of them. How could Henry be so stubborn and so unable to see his, Simon’s, point of view? All he asked was that the King should abide by the legal agreement signed at Oxford, wherein he agreed to abide by the original provisions contained in the Great Charter signed by King John. It was right that decisions of government should be taken by a group of people the King and his Barons and not by the King alone.
Simon sat up, and squared his shoulders with sudden decision. Yes, it was right, and if Henry would not agree of his own free will, then he must be made to agree, by force, and by the hand of Simon, Earl de Montfort, if necessary! The country needed him the people demanded it! It was time to end the skirmishing, and time to take matters into his own hands. He, Simon, would lead a great army against Henry, and whoever else chose to support the King. And Simon would win he was certain. How could he fail, with right so obviously on his side?
He swung himself off the bed and went into the room where he had so recently berated his crestfallen allies. His greatest need was for more men, he thought. The King’s recent progress had