He went back to Normandy in the spring to prance about all summer. He’s just returned, and only now because of the problem at Exeter. He left the wolves in charge of England in the meantime. He values loyalty above all else. If he believed he could do a deal, he’d sell Northumbria to Lucifer himself in return for a commitment of 1,000 horsemen whenever required. If fact giving Northumbria to Lucifer is probably the best use for it! You can’t trust the Northerners!
“Don’t you think that William knows what is happening in the kingdom? He’s a past master at politics. That requires information. He has spies and informers everywhere. Of course he knew that the English were being robbed blind. Perhaps not the individual cases, but in general terms he knew what was going on. What interests him is money and men-at-arms. With those he can project his power further, particularly given the current Angevin situation on his southern border.
“He values loyalty above all else. Men who have long-term commitments to him and have proved their loyalty are advanced- especially if they’re also relatives, because they can be trusted more. The men left in charge of England were Odo of Bayeux and William fitzOsbern- both are close relatives of the king. FitzOsbern has been more circumspect than Odo in his conduct, and both have not shown the same rapacity as Hugh fitzGrip. Even the English earls and lords such Morcar, Edwin and Thorkel profit themselves as much as possible. William knows what’s going on and chooses to overlook it. Then a minor lord brings multiple complaints about the Bishop of London and the Earl of East Anglia!”
Regenbald reached over to put his now nearly empty mug of ale on a table near his elbow before continuing, “How concerned are you when each spring your sheep are sheared? The wool provides income. That’s what they’re there for. That is what the people of this land are here for. They’ll be sheared close for every penny that can be extracted. What rights do sheep have? None. What rights do the lower levels of society have, in England or Normandy or France? Perhaps more than the sheep, but not so much more as makes any great difference.” After a pause and with a smile he added, “But at least we don’t eat the geburs.”
“So all the effort has been a waste of time,” commented Alan.
“Not… really,” replied Regenbald thoughtfully, his blue eyes glinting over the lip of the mug as he took another sip of mulled ale. “You’ve made three firm enemies, and two of those are the Bishop of London and the earl of East Anglia, so they are of some importance. But you also gained a reputation amongst the few Normans who are not here to rape the country, and the English in the middle and lower ranks. Not that their opinion counts for much, but being something of a folk-hero will give you some protection. Obviously the individuals you helped received benefit from what you have done and will be grateful- however much assistance that may be.
“Given that the matters didn’t proceed to the Curia, William didn’t have to make a choice and I’m sure that if your actions result in a reduction in the excessive depredations against the lower classes he’ll not be displeased, even if he is not overly bothered either way. It’s one thing to shear the sheep and wait for the fleece to grow again. It’s another thing to shear it and also cut off one leg. The sheep would die and you lose the next ten years of wool production. Moderation needs to be shown by the lords. Hopefully your shedding light on what was happening in Essex will reduce some of the excesses. ”
“And the Heriot?” queried Alan.
“It’s part of your Norman law that a Relief has to be paid when a property is passed on. English law had a similar requirement with the Heriot. The king is applying that to all properties held by those who did not actively support him before Hastings. What he and the Curia say is the law, is the law. I know your reservations and share them. What is fair and just, and what actually happens, are very different things and always have been. Nobody says life is fair,” he concluded with a shrug.
“So Alan has incurred the wrath of three powerful men and walks in fear for his life, for nothing?” asked Anne.
Regenbald gave a wry smile. “More than three men! They have powerful friends and many retainers. But also not for nothing- they also have powerful enemies, who now will be more positively inclined to your family. You helped the individuals concerned and have made it likely that abuses will be less blatant in future. And the English will of course love you. Or at least they would if you weren’t a Norman, so perhaps a better word would be ‘respect’.
“You’ve probably gained as much as you’ve lost. Indeed if you had to make enemies these were probably the ones to make as they have relatively little influence. You can’t make friends without making enemies of those who oppose your friends. But I’d suggest that in the future you keep your head down and your mouth shut unless what you’re doing is part of a well thought out plan to advance your own political interests. There’s little benefit in being popular with the English, who either have no power or who are viewed with suspicion. Do you want Edwin and Morcar as your allies? No, I didn’t think so. No sane man would in the present circumstances, even if they weren’t so young and unreliable.
“Stay in the good books of King William, fitzOsbern, de Grandmesnil, Robert of Mortain, Robert of Eu, de Montgomerie and the like. Also Odo of Bayeux, if you can stomach him. Most of them are good enough men, although self-centred and mainly concerned with their own advancement. All are completely ruthless, of course. Iron hands in iron gauntlets.”
“And do you recommend Alan pursue a policy of advancing himself?” asked Anne.
Regenbald gave another small smile before he replied. “No. Neither of you are ruthless enough. You literally have to be prepared to sell your own children, and to sell your integrity, honour and decency. You have to cheat, lie and kill. Better to be a big fish in a small pond, than a medium-sized fish in an ocean full of predators. If nothing else, it’s safer. Now, I’ve heard a whisper on the grapevine from the English that you are a general of no small ability, with your own army,” continued Regenbald.
Alan frowned and then gave a wry smile of his own. “Well, we didn’t beat the Danes by holding a drinking contest,” he replied modestly.
“How many men?” demanded Regenbald.
“If they all come if called, and by that I mean every fighting man in Tendring not just my men, 500 men- about 100 horsemen. All trained and fully equipped- now, not when we fought the Danes,” replied Alan proudly.
“A small army indeed. And the stories of you calling the clouds to rain fire?”
“Yes, we did that. Very useful, but it makes a hell of a mess,” answered Alan cryptically.
Regenbald raised his eyebrows in query and waited for further details, which were not forthcoming. With a pout of annoyance he decided that he’d have to wait and get that information elsewhere. “Formidable,” he said with a nod. “I can understand why you keep that quiet, as many would see your being able to raise as many men as the earl of East Anglia as being a threat, let alone having God provide fire-support for you.”
“Power comes at the point of a sword,” replied Alan with a smile. “And God had nothing to do with it.”
“No! Power does not come at the point of the sword. Not unless you have 5,000 of them- and in the right place at the right time. Power comes from the political influence you can wield and who are your friends and allies, and the money you have available to bribe and suborn others. It comes from the information your spies can obtain and what you do with it. And how many swords you can muster,” lectured Regenbald. “500, or even 5,000, swords in Essex are of little use to you here in London today. In two weeks, if you have them camped outside, maybe- but not today. Power is made up of many components, and as I said before you don’t have the ruthlessness to wield power effectively. So keep the extent of your strength a secret.”
Regenbald popped a dried date, imported from Iberia and placed with others in a bowl on a table near his elbow, into his mouth with an expression of delight. The platter contained various delicacies, nuts and dried apple and pear, candied fruits and the more exotic dates.
Alan tilted his head to one side in reflection and nodded to show he had absorbed and accepted the advice. “I have enough land to satisfy my family’s requirements for the next generation. If and when it arrives,” he added with a smile to Anne. “And enough money to do what we want. We live simply enough, although comfortably. Once bought, luxuries like comfortable chairs, glass windows and fur cloaks last virtually indefinitely- as do the swords and armour we took from the Danes at Wivenhoe.”
“You’re saying that you don’t need more money! Either you are very wealthy or simple in the mind!” said Regenbald with a snort of amusement.
With a smile Alan replied, “Simple in needs, and with a wife who is an excellent money-manager and has a wealthy family.” He cast a warm look at his wife.
Aethelu spoke up for the first time, “The value of a good wife is often overlooked. Anne does you proud. Her
