gave them all this and more, not least some unexpected but quite uproarious comedic touches from Barnaby Gill as a deaf seneschal with a fondness for the dance.
It was the most sensational theatrical event to have come to York for a decade. There was magic in the air as Richard declaimed the closing lines of the drama:
So in God's service we must find reward And satisfaction of our inward souls. There lies true gold, all else is but the dross; Onward, stout hearts, ye soldiers of the cross!
Prolonged exultation ensued. The city opened its heart to Westfield's Men and cheered them until its throat was hoarse. Struggling actors were treated as famous heroes. Memories of rejection were obliterated beneath joyous acceptance.
This was indeed Jerusalem.
Humphrey Budden heard the roar a mile off and wondered about its source. The closer he got to York, the more desperate he became to see his wife again and take her to him. Sustained by the hope of reconciliation, he had ridden from Nottingham at a reckless pace and was almost as foamed up as his mount. Contrition now ruled him. York was a holy city where all marital wounds might be healed. The sound that reached his ears seemed to have little to do with divine worship but it served its purpose in spurring him on through the final stage of his journey.
His horse flew in through Micklegate. A brief enquiry told him where the company performed and he clattered his way through the streets. When he got to the inn, people were coming out in a tidal wave of happiness and celebration. He tethered his horse, fought against the throng and tumbled into the yard, ending up in the arms of the surprised Nicholas Bracewell.
'Welcome, Master Budden. You come too late, sir.'
'Has Eleanor gone?'
'I spoke of the performance.'
'Where is my wife?'
'Retired to her chamber.'
'Take me to her, Master Bracewell.'
'With all my heart, sir.'
Second thoughts made him pause. Eleanor Budden might not be in a mood to welcome the husband she had so calmly abandoned in Nottingham. Her sights had been set on quite another target and the sweating Humphrey, for all his good intent, might not be able to divert her from it. Nicholas stood back to appraise the man. His height and build were ideal. The florid face could yet be redeemed.
'Come with me, Master Budden.'
'You'll bring me to my wife?'
'In time, sir. In time.'
Blissful congress was also on the mind of King Richard. Exhilarated by his own performance, Lawrence Firethorn was overjoyed with its tumultuous reception and even further delighted by the large bags of money handed over to him by the gatherers. Soldiers of the Cross had not merely been an artistic triumph. It had done excellent business. All that remained was for him to order celebration and ride in triumph through the night.
Dozens of beautiful young ladies crowded around him at the inn and offered him favours with fluttering lids. But he already had tenants in line for his bedchamber. Mistress Susan Becker would be first. Though the lady had succumbed wondrously to him at her own tavern, their romps had so far stopped agonizingly short of the ultimate joy. It was one long tale of coitus interruptus with the affairs of Westfield's Men coming between them like a naked sword to keep them chaste. All that was now over and he could take her to his heart's content.
But it was not enough. King Richard was lionhearted in love and wanted a dessert to sweeten the taste of the meal. Susan Becket was meat and drink between the sheets but it was Eleanor Budden who was strawberries and cream. His fantasies ran wild. In an ideal world, he would have both together in a shared ecstasy, each one submitting joyfully to his carnal appetites, holiness and whoredom blending into the very epitome of man's desire. Unable to achieve such delight, he settled for a compromise and called one of the boys to him.
'John Tallis!'
'Yes, Master?'
Bid Mistress Becket come unto my chamber. 'Yes, sir.'
'Then bid the same of Mistress Budden. Tell her I am ready to read psalms to her now.'
John Tallis's lantern dropped open with a thud.
Are they to come together, sir?'
'The one first and the other an hour later.'
Leaving the apprentice to get on with his work, he went off upstairs to prepare for a night of sensual abandon. He flung open The door of his bedchamber and gazed across at the fourposter which would accommodate his lechery. His laughter died in his throat.
The bed was occupied. Laid out on the coverlet was his second-best cloak. Scattered all over it were bills from his creditors. Defeat stared King Richard in the face. The hostile enemy stepped out from an alcove.
'Lawrence!'
'Margery Firethorn had arrived that afternoon. She had not cooled down from the long ride and the steam was still rising from her. She was at her most bellicose.
'You betrayed me, sir!' she howled.
'That is not strictly true, my love...'
'Look!' she said, pointing to the bed. 'No sooner did you leave London than the vultures descended on me to pick my bones clean. Your debts have been my ruin, sir. I cannot pay them. Your creditors threaten distraint upon the house itself. We'll all be put out on the street.'
Firethorn recovered with commendable speed.
'Not so, my sweetness,' he said soothingly. 'And have you come all the way to York in your distress? It shall be remedied at once.' He tossed a purse on to the bed. 'There's gold for you, Margery. Enough to pay a hundred bills and still leave something over. By the gods, but it is a miracle to see you again. Come, let me kiss away your worries and ease your pains.'
Though softening, she kept him at arm's length.,
'Why did you not write to me, sir?'
'But I did so!' he lied. 'Every day.'
'No letters came to Shoreditch.'
'Belike they passed you on the way.'
'We have been in a parlous state, sir.'
'I sent you love and money to hide my absence,' he said with ringing conviction. 'But how came you here?'
'On horseback.'
'Surely, not alone?'
'Lord Westfield gave me four companions,' she said. 'I turned to him in my plight and he was generous.'
'Too generous!' muttered Firethorn under his breath.
'And did you really send me money?'
'Nick Bracewell will vouch for it!'
Margery Firethorn relaxed. The one man she could trust in the company was the book holder. If he could support her husband's claim then she would be content. Her belligerence was wearing off now and Firethorn noted the fact. He moved in swiftly to seize the initiative.
'Your coming could not have been more timely.'
'Indeed, sir? Why?'
'Because I have a gift for you?'
'Another ring that I may sell if times are hard?'
'Be not so cruel to me, Margery.'
'I want no gifts that are not wholly mine'
'Take this and see how your husband loves you.'
Margery looked down at the object he put into her hand and felt an upsurge of real joy. It was the work of
