As they moved out of the cloister, the monks began to whisper amongst themselves. Richard knew they would not stand against Becket. Some monks even rose and gathered near the archbishop in fear and protection, searching for guidance and direction.
Impudent servants, Richard thought with disdain.
“The monks will protect him. We don’t have a choice,” Reginald said as he put on his armor.
Richard gladly agreed. He needed no convincing.
“They are defenseless!” Hugh exclaimed. “What kind of knights are we if we cannot overpower a man of the cloth?”
“There are many of them and only four of us,” Richard said. He strapped on his sword. “We will use whatever force we must to take the archbishop to King Henry.”
“Aye!” Reginald agreed.
William put a hand on Reginald’s arm. “No harm will come to Becket.”
William had always been the softest of the group. It didn’t surprise Richard that he didn’t want to harm Becket.
Reginald jerked his arm free of William’s hold. “We will take him by force, if need be. But he will return to Henry.” He held out his hand to William. “Are you with us?”
Richard wouldn’t have been surprised if William had left. But they were friends. They had all come this far. They had all agreed this was what King Henry had ordered.
Finally, William nodded and clasped Reginald’s arm. “With you.”
Reginald grinned. Richard nodded in agreement.
“Quickly, sirs!” A monk raced out of the doors of the cloister toward them. His cold breath formed a puff with each breath he took. He pushed his hood from his head. “He has escaped into the cathedral! This way!”
He was not going to escape. He had caused so much trouble for King Henry. Becket would not escape, Richard vowed. They would bring him to England alive or dead.
The four knights quickly finished putting on their armor and followed the monk toward Canterbury Cathedral. The wooden doors were closing as they approached, and the monk came up short, stopping on the stairs to the cathedral.
Richard rushed by the monk and launched himself against the door, as did the rest of the knights. They pushed against the doors to prevent them from closing and locking. At first, there was resistance. Richard shoved harder, using his anger against Becket to fuel his strength.
Suddenly, the doors swung open. As they entered, a group of monks fled to the side wall. They had been trying to keep the doors shut to prevent them from entering.
“King’s men!” Reginald shouted, his voice echoing through the large vaulted room.
Near the altar, monks gathered together in fear. Even more brown robed monks clustered together in groups along the walls. Richard stormed toward the altar, following Reginald.
“Where is Thomas Becket, traitor to the king?” Reginald demanded.
The monks remained silent, fearful. Terrified. They clung together.
The knights walked down the aisle, past statues of saints and angels. Two large white pillars stood at either side of the altar.
Richard’s gaze scanned the cathedral for Becket. He would bring the archbishop back to face the King. He would make sure Becket answered for his insolence.
“Where is the archbishop?” Reginald demanded.
Becket emerged from behind a group of monks, easing them gently aside as if parting a curtain. “Here I am, ready to suffer in the name of He who redeemed me with His blood. God forbid that I should flee on account of your swords or that I should depart from righteousness.”
Richard growled softly. “Absolve and restore to communion those you have excommunicated and return to office those who have been suspended!” Becket had excommunicated bishops who took the king’s side. All were innocents who failed to follow Becket’s command. He used his power to punish them.
Murmurings grew louder near the door they had entered through, where monks had gathered. Hugh quickly raced to them, brandishing his sword before them to discourage any interference.
The archbishop shook his head, lifting his chin. “No penance has been made, so I will not absolve them.”
He was speaking specifically of the Bishops of London and Salisbury who had supported the king. In revenge, the archbishop excommunicated them. Enraged at his insolence, Richard pulled his sword from its sheath. He would teach him not to defy the king!
