The Queen had attempted to leave the Tower and join Edward in Windsor, travelling by barge, but had been attacked by the citizens of London as she passed under London Bridge. The Londoners, firm supporters of de Montfort, had pelted her with rotten fruit, stones and mud and she had fled back to the Tower, humiliated and fearing for her life. Eventually, having no other choice, Henry had been forced to make peace with de Montfort, part of that peace being to surrender Windsor into his hands and agree to reconsider the Provisions of Oxford. Windsor had been under de Montfort’s control since August, and Leonora was, in effect, a hostage for Edward’s obedience, although it had not been said in so many words.
Joanna could feel the inexorable march into armed confrontation. They stood on the brink of war and she could not see how it would be avoided.
Edward and his entourage arrived at Windsor early the next morning. Riding among them, William drew rein and gazed at the ghostly outlines of the keep emerging from the pearly morning mist. The damp curled his hair and dewed his cloak. So many times he had ridden up to the gates as a welcome guest and entered to take his ease. A family home, but a formidable fortress too, currently garrisoned by de Montfort’s men.
His belly sparked with anticipation and he glanced round at the others, all robed in finery and wearing their swords in full view. Edward looked magnificent – a young man coming to visit his wife with peacock feathers in his cap and a smile on his lips. Indeed, they were all smiling, but some with tension. It all still might go badly wrong, but William hoped the bribery in which they had engaged beforehand had done its work.
The gates opened on oiled hinges and they rode into the courtyard and dismounted. Grooms came to take their horses, although Edward kept hold of one particular pack horse laden with leather sacks.
‘Your weapons if you please, my lords,’ demanded the senior serjeant, his gaze flicking to the sacks and then to Edward, who inclined his head.
Everyone unbuckled their weapons and handed them over, as well as hunting knives and personal daggers. The sacks were unloaded and distributed among Edward’s men. Each one resounded with a musical jingle of coins. The guards exchanged glances but Edward remained bland. ‘I think the sun will burn off later,’ he remarked with a glance at the sky as he and his small party were escorted from courtyard to hall. He walked with nonchalance, his body relaxed. Once inside, he turned towards Leonora’s apartments. ‘I can make my own way,’ he said cheerfully. ‘I want to surprise my wife.’ He completed the statement with a suggestive wink and a broad grin, before continuing on his way, running eagerly up the stairs to the royal apartments with his men following.
When he opened the door, Leonora shot to her feet with a gasp, and dropped the book she had been reading. ‘Edward!’ She ran to meet him and flung her arms around his neck.
He swung her round exuberantly, kissed her soundly, and set her down. ‘Business first before pleasure,’ he said. ‘We have come to take back the castle.’
She took in the situation immediately. ‘How many men have you brought?’
‘Enough,’ Edward said, ‘and more are coming; it is all in hand.’
One by one his men put the sacks of coin on a trestle table standing at the side of the chamber.
William deposited his own burden and briefly embraced Joanna, suppressing a chuckle at the sight of her astonished face.
‘What is all this?’ she demanded in bewilderment.
‘There are more ways of taking a castle than using a battering ram,’ he said. ‘Not every man has his price, but fortunately the majority do. The garrison is about to depart. I doubt any will wish to stay and dispute the issue, especially when offered a fortnight’s wages to leave. The ones loyal to de Montfort won’t remain and fight when they realise how few of them there are.’ He tipped up her chin and kissed her. ‘Windsor is about to become ours.’
*
Joanna ran her hand over William’s smooth bicep, admiring the candle sheen on his skin and the way his hair glimmered with twists of gold. In his mid-thirties it remained as thick and springy as ever, although it badly needed cutting. She would see to it before he had to leave. Today’s mission to take the castle had been a triumph, and reinforcements would be arriving at dawn.
‘How long can you stay?’
‘That depends on the King and the lord Edward,’ he replied, ‘and what is decided, although I shall mostly be riding at Edward’s side – Henry asked me to.’ He put his arm around her. ‘Edward’s flirtation with Simon de Montfort is over, for he has learned what he needs from him. It is like a stable yard. You see one pile of dung and it is not so bad and you even think you can make use of it, but when it becomes a mountain, then you notice the smell and the mess and it has to be dealt with. Edward has matured. No one holds his rein – unless it be his wife.’
‘She is a very resourceful and unusual young woman,’ Joanna said. ‘The Queen lost control of Edward several years ago, but Leonora has power over him. He is besotted with her body, but they talk together long into the night too. You and others might advise him during the day, but not in bed at night, or in tender letters.’
He grunted with amusement. ‘I can think of another woman with such skills very close by.’ He leaned over to kiss her and pulled the cover over her shoulder where it had slipped down. ‘The lady Leonora will be staying to defend Windsor while we are in the field. I want you to stay here with her. It will be the safest place for you and the children, and Leonora values your advice. We shall have our own garrison of trustworthy men by morning, and the castle is strong.’
‘As you wish.’ Joanna yawned, feeling sleepy, replete and relaxed. ‘I am fond of Leonora. But I do hope there will be peace soon.’Hope, there was always hope.Her mind filled with the image of the damaged portrait in the King’s great chamber as William reached out and snuffed the candle.
38
Windsor Castle, January 1264
The children were playing in the snow that had fallen overnight. Squealing and laughing, they were moulding snowballs and throwing them at each other. Leonora’s little daughter, Katharine, looked on, held by her nurse and all wrapped up in warm furs. Joanna folded her arms inside the layers of her cloak and watched the sport, although her mind roved elsewhere.
William was currently occupied in the Welsh Marches with Edward but messengers brought her and Leonora frequent news. Some of the Marcher barons had united with the Welsh causing a more vigorous than usual state of flux and skirmish along the borders. Simon de Montfort was an absentee general. He had been unable to sail for France for King Louis’ arbitration on the dispute between him and the King. Nor had he been able to take to the field because he had broken his leg in a fall from his horse in early December and was laid up at Kenilworth, conducting operations from there.
‘You were sick again this morning,’ Leonora said knowingly.
Joanna made a face. ‘I have missed two fluxes now,’ she admitted. ‘I am almost certain I am with child.’
Leonora folded one arm companionably around Joanna’s. ‘We must take care of you and make sure you rest then.’
‘He or she will be born in high summer,’ Joanna said. ‘Men come home in autumn from their wars, and the next year there is a harvest.’
