The Plantagenet Prelude

‘I know it, Mother.’

‘He was furious when your father left almost everything to you and nothing but three castles to him. True, your father’s wish was that when you gained England you should give Anjou and Maine to him.’

‘I doubt he would be worthy of them,’ said Henry.

Matilda laughed. ‘You like not to part with any of your possessions. You are like my father. They say my grandfather was the same. You remind me of them, Henry.’

‘There are no two rulers whom it would please me to resemble more.’

With Eleonore there had been a return to their passion.

She had missed him sorely she told him. ‘I devoted myself to our child and awaited your return.’

‘I longed for you as you longed for me,’ answered Henry, and thought briefly of Avice of whom he had tired and of Hikenai who had amused him. When they went to England he would have to bring her boy to court. He wondered what Eleonore would say to that. Would she calculate the date of his birth and know that he had been unfaithful during this early stage of their marriage? Oh, but she would understand. Had she been there it would never have happened.

Eleonore was pregnant again. This delighted them both.

Little William was so delicate, they both feared that they might lose him. If they could get another son – a healthy one

– they could better bear losing their first-born. When Henry thought of his lusty little bastards he asked himself, as many kings had before, why it was that the illegitimate offspring were so healthy and the legitimate ones so frail.

It was fortunate that they were enjoying a period of comparative peace when the messenger arrived from England.

One of Eleonore’s women had seen the approach of a rider from a turret window and hastened to inform her mistress, who looking out saw that the man was riding fast even though his horse seemed exhausted.

‘It is important news,’ she cried. ‘Go and tell the Duke.’

She was in the courtyard when Henry joined her there and they were both waiting when the messenger rode into the courtyard.

‘I come from the Archbishop of Canterbury, my lord,’ he said. ‘He begs the Duke of Normandy ride with all speed to England. King Stephen is dead. Long live King Henry.’

It was fortunate, said Matilda, that she was in the castle.

‘My hopes have been realised,’ she said. ‘And to think it had to come about through Stephen’s death. My son, we must talk at once...the three of us. It is very important that you take the right action now.’

In the private chamber of Henry and Eleonore they sat with the Empress. Henry listened intently to what she had to say. The fact that she had once had the crown within her grasp and lost it made Henry regard her advice with great respect. She was experienced; she knew the English; she had offended them in a ma

He took their hands and kissed them fervently. He wanted them to know how much he relied on them. They both knew it and loved him the more because of it.

‘There should be no delay,’ said Eleonore. ‘Stephen is dead. There may be some who would want to set up his young son William on the throne.’

‘I thank God Leicester is my man,’ said Henry. ‘And you are right. I am determined to leave for England without delay.’

‘When you go,’ said Matilda, ‘you must take a company with you. It would be folly to go with too small a following.’

‘I have already summoned my leading nobles to assemble at Barfleur preparatory to sailing for England.

They are eager to come, seeing rich lands and titles awaiting them. There must be no delay.’

‘No more than can be helped,’ said Matilda. ‘Eleonore must go with you.’

‘I intend to,’ said Eleonore.

‘And you should be crowned, the pair of you, as soon as it can be arranged. A king is not a King of England until he has been crowned. I was the Queen...the true Queen but my enemies in London drove me out. If I had been crowned first...It is all over. But remember it.’

‘I shall see that the coronation takes place immediately.’

‘And your brothers. What of Geoffrey and William? What do you think they will be at while you are in England?’

‘Mischief,’ said Henry grimly.

‘And it will be necessary for you to stay there. You ca

‘He would lose it to Louis...or someone. You know Geoffrey could never hold anything.’

‘’Tis true. And you are loath to take your hands off it. You must keep it, my son. And the only way to do this is to take your brothers with you. Make them work for you. Promise them lands...over there. But take them with you so that they ca

‘By God, you are right,’ said Henry. ‘I shall send for them and as soon as the wind is favourable we sail.’

‘It is a good thing that he did not wait a month or two before dying,’ said Eleonore lightly. ‘Or I might have been too advanced in my pregnancy to enjoy a sea trip.’

Henry was impatient to go. He hated delays. In a short time all who were to make the journey – including his

brothers – were assembled at Barfleur. But if he could command his subjects Henry could not command the winds.

How tiresome was the weather! Stormy day followed stormy day. It was impossible to set sail in such weather.

Four weeks passed and then one day the seas were calm, the weather perfect.

And so Henry set sail for England.

However, the crossing was rough and it was impossible for the convoy to keep together. The ship in which Henry and Eleonore traveled landed near Southampton with a few others, but in a short time, to Henry’s relief, it was discovered that all had landed safely and it would only be a matter of a few hours before everyone was accounted for.

They were not far from Winchester, and as that was the home of the country’s treasure Henry decided to make for that city.

As he approached it, news of his arrival had spread, and the chief nobles of the neighbourhood came forward to greet him and give him their allegiance.

It was a triumphant entry into the city of Winchester.

Remembering the oft-told account of his mother’s brief successes Henry realised that he must have the recognition of the people of London, that city which because of its trade and riches had become the chief of England.

He therefore determined to leave for London without delay.

The bleak December weather was not to Eleonore’s liking as she and Henry set out with their retinue for the great city. She had, it was true, grown a little accustomed to it in Paris which she had always felt so cold after her own Languedoc; but this was equally chilly and she reminded herself that it was winter and not the best time to see the place. Of course there were compensations. A crown, a country which was bigger and richer and held more prospects of power and riches than that of France. It ill -

behooved her at such a prospect to object to the weather.

News of their arrival had spread over the South of England and people came from their homes to cheer the new King. They promised themselves that gone were the times when people lived in terror of robbers and murderers on the highway because of the weak rule of King Stephen.

Their grandparents remembered the days of King Henry I when such stern punishment was meted out that offenders were deterred from their crimes for fear of losing their hands, feet, ears, noses, or even having their eyes put out.