Although Normandy was now at peace, and Stephen returned to England at the end of November 1137, the king was not completely satisfied with the accomplishment. William of Ypres was no longer in as high favor as he had been. Waleran de Meulan was now preeminent in influence.
Stephen had to drive the Scots out of Northumbria again in the spring of 1138 and then had to rush west where Geoffrey Talbot had seized Hereford Castle. Stephen drove him out, and out of his first refuge, whereupon Geoffrey ran to Bristol, the chief stronghold of Robert, earl of Gloucester. There he was safe because, soon after Pentecost, Robert had sent messengers to Stephen announcing his defiance and abandoning his oath of fealty.
In the light of this defiance and the threat that Robert of Gloucester would invade England and try to take the throne for his half-sister, Matilda, carrying letters from Geoffrey Talbot and his associates to Normandy could be considered treason. In fact, these were only the beginning of King Stephen’s troubles, but the period covers that of A Personal Devil and an Author’s Note is not the place for more history.
Finally, I wish to comment on my use of the word “English.” I am well aware that in 1139 there was no “English” language and the “English” noblemen were Norman rather than native to England. For the sake of simplicity, I have used “English” to denote the native language and English baron to mean a nobleman whose chief lands were in England rather than France or Normandy.
Roberta Gellis,
Lafayette, IN
DEDICATION
TK
Copyright © 2001 by Roberta Gellis
Originally published by Forge [0312869983]
Electronically published in 2013 by Belgrave House
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No portion of this book may be reprinted in whole or in part, by printing, faxing, E-mail, copying electronically or by any other means without permission of the publisher. For more information, contact Belgrave House, 190 Belgrave Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94117-4228
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This is a work of fiction. All names in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to any person living or dead is coincidental.
Table of Contents
A PERSONAL DEVIL
Roberta Gellis
Prologue
MAINARD’S SHOP
EAST CHEPE
Chapter One
12 MAY 1139
OLD PRIORY GUESTHOUSE
Chapter Two
12 MAY
MASTER MAINARD’S SHOP
Chapter Three
21 MAY
OLD PRIORY GUESTHOUSE
Chapter Four
21 MAY
OLD PRIORY GUESTHOUSE
Chapter Five
21 MAY
MAINARD’S SHOP
21 May
St. Catherine’s Hospital
Chapter Six
21 MAY
MAINARD’S HOUSE, LIME STREET
Chapter Seven
21 MAY
MAINARD’S SHOP
Chapter Eight
21 MAY
OLD PRIORY GUESTHOUSE
Chapter Nine
21 MAY
JUSTICIAR’S HOUSE, LONDON
22 MAY
OLD PRIORY GUESTHOUSE
Chapter Ten
22 MAY
SOUTHWARK
22 MAY
OLD PRIORY GUESTHOUSE
23 MAY
LIME STREET HOUSE
23 MAY
EAST CHEPE
Chapter Eleven
23 MAY
OLD PRIORY GUESTHOUSE
24 MAY
OLD PRIORY GUESTHOUSE
Chapter Twelve
24 MAY
OLD PRIORY GUESTHOUSE
24 MAY
SOUTHWARK, TOM WATCHMAN’S LODGING
Chapter Thirteen
24 MAY
OLD PRIORY GUESTHOUSE
Chapter Fourteen
25 MAY
MAINARD’S SHOP
Chapter Fifteen
25 MAY
OLD PRIORY GUESTHOUSE
26 MAY
OLD PRIORY GUESTHOUSE
Chapter Sixteen
27 MAY
OLD PRIORY GUESTHOUSE
27 MAY
LIME STREET HOUSE AND MAINARD’S SHOP
Chapter Seventeen
27 MAY
MAINARD’S SHOP
27 MAY
LIME STREET HOUSE
Chapter Eighteen
28 MAY
OLD PRIORY GUESTHOUSE
27 MAY
MAINARD’S SHOP
Chapter Nineteen
28 MAY
OLD PRIORY GUESTHOUSE
Chapter Twenty
28 MAY
OLD PRIORY GUESTHOUSE
Author’s Note
DEDICATION
TK
Roberta Gellis Page 35