Abbot's Passion Read Online Free

he has remembered he’s written to the justiciar ordering that the market be discontinued. Justiciar Geoffrey in turn has written to the sheriff instructing him to implement the king’s command. But the sheriff has no jurisdiction in Ely, so he’s referred the matter back to me. Result: impasse.’
    I sat back thinking. I knew that there had been a long history of bad relations between Samson and the bishops of Ely. There was the famous occasion when the present bishop’s predecessor asked Samson for some trees to be felled on Bury land in order to provide timbers for some major construction work in Ely town. Not wishing to offend the bishop, Samson had agreed - albeit grudgingly. But when it was discovered that the bishop’s agent had got the name of the wood wrong Samson hastily had all the trees chopped down before the mistake could be rectified. I could see that this slight to his predecessor might have contributed to Bishop Eustace’s present intransigence.
    ‘This wouldn’t be why you gave the abbot-legate such an easy ride this morning?’ I asked. ‘To garner his support in your dispute with Bishop Eustace?’
    Samson contrived to look offended. ‘How could you suggest such a thing, Walter?’ He shifted uneasily in his chair. ‘I admit there may be a modicum of quid pro quo in this - we are, after all, allies. Abbot Eustache doesn’t like the idea of a market at Lakenheath any more than I do.’
    I guffawed. ‘Abbot Eustache doesn’t like the idea of markets at all by the sounds of things.’
    ‘And he’s quite right. Markets are a form of usury, one man profiting from another man’s needs. It’s immoral.’
    I would have laughed if it didn’t hurt my mouth so much to do so. This was Samson of Tottington speaking, the most commercially savvy churchman in the kingdom.
    ‘You don’t really believe that, father.’
    ‘What I believe is neither here nor there. I can’t afford to upset the abbot-legate just when I’m in the middle of a struggle to defend the rights of Saint Edmund and the abbey. Better to have him on the inside pissing out than on the outside pissing in.’
    ‘If you say so, father,’ I sighed. ‘But why are you telling me all this?’
    ‘Because I want you to go to Ely and speak to the bishop, get him to see sense. Now don’t pull that face. I’d go myself but I can’t leave Bury with the abbot-legate here. And Prior Robert is too ill to go. There’s no-one else I can trust.’
    I should have seen that coming. ‘I’m not at all sure I’m up to it either, father,’ I wriggled. ‘I really do have the most dreadful toothache. Surely there’s someone could do a better job than me. Jocelin for instance.’
    He flapped a dismissive hand. ‘Jocelin’s too accommodating. You’ve seen what he’s like with authority figures. Bishop Eustace would have him spinning like a top before he managed to stutter the words out.’
    ‘Meaning I wouldn’t?’
    ‘Meaning you’re more...combative.’
    ‘I strongly resent that imputation, father. I’m the least combative person I know. I don’t argue with anybody.’
    ‘Yes you do.’
    ‘No I don’t.’
    ‘You do, you’re doing it now. You can’t help yourself. You did it with the abbot-legate.’
    ‘That’s what pain does for you, father,’ I said rubbing my jaw again. ‘It makes a person short-tempered.’
    ‘Exactly. Which is why I think you’re the ideal man for this job. Pain will stiffen your resolve. You won’t stand for any of the bishop’s nonsense. And it’ll keep you out of what little hair Abbot Eustache has left for the next few days.’
    ‘Really, Father Abbot, I’d rather I didn’t.’
    ‘Really, Brother Physician, I’d rather you did. So it’s settled. You’re going.’
    He went to the door and held it open for me to leave.
    ‘Take young Gilbert with you,’ he said brightly. ‘I doubt he’s been further west than Risby. You can impress him with your local knowledge of the area. You’ll