Guy and Agnes

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Before I begin I will apologise for the amount of medieval politics. Bear with me on it please because I think it is crucial to under standing the characters' behaviour. I should mention too that 2 gentlemen you will meet Giles Beringar and Alain De Bretagne, owe their origins to my much loved Ellis Peters Brother Cadfael stories. They are included thanks to a suggestion from my lovely reader Alice Thanks hun


Marian the 17 year old daughter of Sir Edward Knighton was in Sherwood Forest, with her friend Robin of Locksley, whom she had known from early childhood. The two of them were practising archery. Robin was one of the best archers in the county, even at 17, but it suited him to allow Marian to win more rounds than he did. Marian had guessed this and was both annoyed and flattered.

They were making ready to return to the manor, when they heard the sound of marching and a horse approaching. They moved off the path into the trees, not out of any fear, but because the approaching soilders would not appreciate their obstructing the path. Robin grinned impishly and crossed himself, for which Marian cuffed him playfully. ' Oooooh it's the Prince of Darkness'. He gave a mock shudder as Guy of Gisborne, Sir Edward's lieutenant, rode past, giving the boy a look of contempt and a slight bow to Marian 'Lady Marian'.

Robin's name for Guy was un kind but not unexpected. Now 27 he had taken, some 5 years ago to wearing black leather, which clung enticingly to his lean muscular frame, showing it off well. He had thick, almost black hair.

He always shaved very lightly, so his jaw was darkened with stubble. His air of menace, not softened in any way by a pair of beautiful blue eyes, was further heightened by his choice of mount. A magnificent and temperamental, jet black stallion.

Behind Gisborne came the sheriff's guard on foot. They had with them, 4 men as prisoners, poachers who according to law would get a flogging and time in the stocks. Marian felt a slight, and in her case real, shudder pass through her.
Robin she found attractive, though infuriating at times, funny and sexy. She hoped that in a few years, her father would allow them to announce their engagement.

Gisborne though had also been haunting her thoughts. She was always a little nervous around him, his eyes seeming to look right inside her. The thoughts she had about him when in bed at night were the sort that would earn her a penance of the sack cloth and ashes variety, had she felt inclined to confess them.

Knighton 1189

The king is dead long live the king. in 1187 Prince Richard had strengthened his position by making an ally (too close a friendship some said) with King Philip of France, the son of Queen Eleanor's first husband.

The following year, the old king had attempted to solve the problems in Aquitaine, by giving it to his youngest son John. Now though in 1189 King Henry was dead, and Richard 1st was King.

Sir Edward and his daughter were invited to attend the coronation in London.

Guy was to be there as part of a small guard. It irked him that his family might have been invited ,but for his father's stupidity. Another member of their party was to be that cocky Locksley brat, whose mother had recently died after a long illness. Guy knew that Marian had her heart set on Robin of Locksley for a husband and he certainly loved her. Guy intended to make a bid himself. He had needed to wait, until Marian was old enough to be wed to a man 10 years her senior. Now it needed only the opportunity and the right words.

At the abbey Marian had looked beautiful in her ceremonial best, no wonder Locksley was preening himself thought Guy sourly. There had been some scandal, that no Jews had by royal command been allowed at the ceremony.

The reason being given that King Richard saw it as his duty as a 'Christian' king. This anti Semitism continued to the extent of executions.

1190

The city of Jerusalem had fallen to Saladin. King Richard , only king of England for 6 months, decided to go on crusade to 'get it back'. To raise money, he increased taxes, sold lands and emptied his father's treasury.

He intended to join his 'ally' King Philip, both men afraid of losing land to each other, if both were not kept busy. By summer, the Crusaders set off. Including Robin of Locksley and his servant Much. En route occupying Sicily and conquering Cyprus.

Richard left the Bishop of Durham and the Earl of Essex as regents. Something which greatly displeased his brother Prince John, who opposed the decision, scheming to over turn them.

So already the king had left his kingdom with serious divisions. Some supporting the regents the king had left, some Prince John. Edward of Knighton supported the chosen regents, giving his enemies chance to oust him as Sheriff of Nottingham. To be replaced by Vasey.

Vasey was ecstatic. Power , real power at last. He also remembered that very sexy lieutenant of Sir Edward's, Gisborne if memory served right. Gisborne he recalled, positively 'gagging' to regain his family's position and lands and to 'make a name for himself', (aaahh so sweet). He also recalled the incident with his cousin Peter whose balls Gisborne had nearly crushed when the runt had wound him too far. It was also rumoured that Gisborne was not one to lose sleep over 'necessary cruelty'. 'Well Gisborne,' Vasey thought 'you might just be rather useful'. He lost no time in re appointing Gisborne as his Lieutenant.

To ensure that he got as much control over the man as possible, he had another plan up his sleeve. He offered Gisborne the Steward ship of the Locksley estate, 'just while the lad is on crusade, then we'll consider getting you somewhere more permanent'. This was to be according to the rules of fiefdom, meaning that Gisborne could be tied.

Vasey took Guy with him to a very secret meeting. Amongst those also present were Giles Beringar Sheriff of Shropshire and one Alain De Bretagne, who was the grandson of a Saracen woman and a British crusader. His ability to speak Arabic was crucial. Only when they arrived did Vasey divulge the meeting's purpose to Guy. It was thought that with King Richard, England was in danger.

A king that cared for his kingdom so little was not what a kingdom, that had not so very long ago been ravaged by civil war needed. Prince John was not perfect , but he was here.

The plot was, to go to Acre where the fighting was at present and assassinate the king.

For many of those present, and Guy was among them(as well as Beringar and De Bretagne) this was a case of desperate and terrible situations requiring desperate and terrible measures, and regicide was desperate and terrible indeed. For others, like Vasey, the motivation was quite simply what they would stand to gain. Several men were chosen to go to Acre to do the deed. Vasey for the first time pulling the strings of fiefdom, volunteered Gisborne.

At Locksley, it was put about that Sir Guy was seriously ill, and could have no visitors.

The plan failed. In the king's camp, the assassins disguised as Saracens, infiltrated. Guy managed to enter the King's tent and had raised his sword for the fatal blow, when it was knocked aside by a young man breathing fire, who Guy recognised as Robin of Locksley ( clearly relishing the fight too). They fought, and before Guy fled, Locksley ( badly wounded himself) delivered a huge blow to his adversary's arm. It was very distinctive, it had a tattoo.

Vasey was furious. 'It does not bode well, Gisborne, if you can't do such a simple little task as murdering your king'.

Acre fell. Saladin surrendered, King Richard quarreled with his allies, including King Philip of France and lost them all. To prevent them from holding up his campaign after Acre Richard had 2700 muslim prisoners killed

TBC