In Convent Walls

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Emily Sarah Holt. In Convent Walls

In Convent Walls

Table of Contents

Part 1— Chapter 3

How Dame Elizabeth’s Bill was paid

Part 1— Chapter 4

The Glamour of the Queen

Part 1— Chapter 5

The Reign of King Roger

Part 1— Chapter 6

Nemesis

Part 2— Chapter 1

Wherein Agnes the Lady of Pembroke telleth tale (1348) The Children of Ludlow Castle

Part 2— Chapter 2

The Lady of Ludlow

Part 3— Chapter 1

Wherein Sister Alianora La Despenser Maketh Moan (1371) Caged

Part 3— Chapter 2

Sister Margaret

Part 3— Chapter 3

Annora finds it out

Part 3— Chapter 4

Mortifying the Will

Part 3— Chapter 5

Waiting

Appendix

Historical Appendix. I. The Royal Family

II. The Despensers

III. Hastings of Pembroke

IV. The Mortimers of Wigmore

V. Chronological Errata

VI. The Order of Sempringham

VII. Fictitious Persons

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Emily Sarah Holt

The Story of the Despensers

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We were not many days at Ostrevant: only long enough for the Count to raise his troops, and then, when all was ready, the Queen embarked for England. On the 22nd of September we came ashore at Orwell, and had full ill lodging; none having any shelter save the Queen herself, for whom her knights ran up a shed of driftwood, hung o’er with carpets. Never had I so discomfortous a night—the sea tossing within a few yards, and the wind roaring in mine ears, and the spray all-to beating over me as I lay on the beach, lapped in a mantle. I was well pleased the next morrow, when the Queen, whose rest had been little, gave command to march forward to Bury. But afore we set forth, come nearhand an army of peasants into the presence, ’plaining of the Queen’s officers, that had taken their cows, chickens, and fruits, and paid not a penny. The Queen had them all brought afore her, and with her own hands haled forth the money due to each one, bidding them bring all oppressions to her own ears, and straitly commanding her officers that they should take not so much as an egg without payment. By this means she won all the common people to her side, and they were ready to set their lives in pledge for her truth and honour.

At that time I was but little aware how matters verily stood. I said to Dame Joan de Vaux that the Queen showed her goodness hereby—for though I knew the Mortimer by then to be ill man, I wist not that she knew it, and reckoned her yet as innocent and beguiled woman.

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