Sir Hugh Corbett 11 - The Demon Archer

bear-like hug. They exchanged the kiss of peace. The French envoy, gratified, responded but stiffened as the King’s embrace became vice-like.
    ‘But Corbett,’ Edward whispered in the Frenchman’s ear, ‘Corbett I regard as my brother. If anything should happen to him and I can lay it at your door or that of your master in Paris , God be my witness, dear Amaury, you will be able to measure your life span in a few heartbeats!’
    Edward released the envoy and stood back.
    ‘We have an understanding, Seigneur de Craon?’
    De Craon gave the most ostentatious bow.
    ‘In the pursuit of a common peace, sire, I and my master understand you completely!’



Author’s Note

    This, of course, is a work of fiction but it contains many strands of historical truth. In the Middle Ages relics were often forged and led to a brisk international trade which ran into literally hundreds of thousands of pounds. The best examples of a shrine making its possessors millionaires is, of course, St Thomas a Becket’s in Canterbury or the phial, allegedly containing the Precious Blood, held by Hailes Abbey.
    There was intense diplomatic activity between France and England over Philip’s demand that his only daughter Isabella marry the Prince of Wales. Philip, aided by a lawyer, Pierre Dubois, dreamed of having a grandson on the throne of England . The marriage took place in January 1308. However, the best laid plans of mice and men go awry. All of Philip’s sons died without issue while Isabella’s offspring, in turn, laid claim to the crown of France which marked the beginning of the Hundred Years War.
    After 1303 Philip suddenly met with a fresh set of demands by Edward I. I have looked at the original in the Archive Nationale in Paris : Carton J 655 No. 25. One of these demands was for a massive dowry which, as Professor Elizabeth Brown maintains in her scholarly study, ‘Customary Aids and Royal Finance in Capetin France ’ (Med. Academy of America 1992), almost bankrupted the French treasury.
    The story that Johanna, Philip’s wife, was poisoned, is contained in the Chronographia Regum Fiancomm edited by H. Moranville, Volume 1 (Paris 1891). The same source also repeats the rumour about Philip wishing to marry a Flemish princess and,’or take over the Order of the Templars against which Philip launched his savage persecution in 1307.
    Gaveston was a real historical figure. He was banished from England by Edward I but the favourite’s insistence on slipping secretly into the kingdom led to well-attested, acrimonious disputes between father and son. On Edward’s death in 1307 Gaveston was recalled only to meet violent opposition and murder in 1312.
    Paul C. Doherty