Crusade

If the new fashion of Courtly Love was what I assumed it to be, then Robert became the embodiment of it. He was like a new man and confessed that, in the bedchamber, Sybilla was all that one would hope for in a delectable young woman: initial innocence, but with a growing appetite to learn. He often joked that his only complaint was ever increasing exhaustion, but of the most delightful kind.

In a grand ceremony, Robert and Sybilla were married in February 1100 by Eustachio, Bishop of Brindisi. While Robert enjoyed his honeymoon with his bride in her father’s seaside fortress at Monopoli, Hugh Percy and I led our contingents back to Normandy.

Our progress was remarkable. We were feted everywhere, our path was strewn with garlands and gifts, Masses were said in our honour, and bishops anointed us. The welcome in Rouen was even more remarkable. The Crusaders had brought great honour to Normandy and the news that Duke Robert would be returning with a new bride, who would produce not only an heir but also swell the ducal coffers, only added to the excitement.

Thousands lined the narrow streets approaching the great cathedral, the massive bronze bells of which rang and rang in a never-ending chime of rejoicing. People cheered and rushed forward to bury their faces in our crimson and white capes; some even kissed our feet. Our weapons gleamed, our clothes were freshly washed, and we had trimmed our hair and beards. Pennons and gonfalons fluttered in the breeze as our crimson and white banners flew proudly above our heads.

Some of the more excitable and, indeed, naive assumed that, as we had been to the Holy Land, we must have met Christ himself, and therefore were insistent that we bless them! We were the all-conquering soldiers of Christ and thoroughly enjoyed the adulation.

The crowds knew nothing of the horrors that had been committed in the name of Christendom. In the eyes of the good people of Rouen, the day was one of celebration, where they could salute those who had helped a Christian God return to the Holy City where he belonged. Little did they know that, in truth, he had never left it — and in the light of what had been done there, he had probably now disowned it.

Awaiting us on the steps of the cathedral was the formidable William Bonne-Ame, the Archbishop of Rouen and Normandy, flanked by the entire senior ecclesiastical hierarchy of Normandy. An open-air Mass was held — which went on far too long, leading some of the men to suggest that the two-hour service was a greater trial than all the privations they had suffered in Palestine.

Rufus had ruled Normandy in Robert’s absence, in accordance with their agreement. He was in England when we arrived, but it was reported to us that he was none too pleased at the news of our ecstatic welcome by the citizens of Rouen, having been certain that Robert, like so many other Crusaders, would never return.

Sweyn, Adela and I agreed that we should move on to England as soon as possible, not only to get our brave contingent back home, but also to see if we could gain an audience with King Rufus to report on Robert’s achievements in Palestine before anybody else could pour poison into his ear.

The day before we were due to leave, Sweyn summoned me to Adela’s chamber.

She had been a source of growing concern to us on the journey back from the Holy Land. Her discomfort seemed to be increasing by the day, not just from her shattered shoulder and damaged backside, but throughout her body. She was losing weight and looking drained and aged. She was prostrate when I arrived, and was clearly in great pain.

‘Edgar, I am done for.’

‘I have seen you in pain before; it will pass, like before.’

‘Not this time.’

‘We’ll call for Robert’s physicians; they looked after us well in the Holy Land.’

‘They’re butchers and idiots! But regardless of that, what ails me is deep inside; it’s in my bones, I can feel it.’

Sweyn leant down, pulled Adela to him and hugged her.

She started to cry. ‘I’m scared. I’ve only been really frightened once before, and you know when that was. I made a promise afterwards that I would never let myself be frightened again, but I am now.’

I joined Sweyn in holding her.

‘We’ll stay here with you until you are well.’

‘You will not! I don’t need a pair of nursemaids, and you have things to do in England.’

‘They can wait.’

‘No, you must leave, as we agreed. You will be feted when you arrive; even Rufus will have to welcome you. To those who matter, especially the young knights, you can tell the truth about what happened in Palestine and spread the gospel of the Mos Militum. Do that for me.’

As I held her, I realized how thin she had become. A woman with a small frame in any case, she must have lost a stone or more in the last few months. I felt desperately sorry for her, and totally inadequate in being unable to help.

‘There is nothing more we can do for you here, dearest Adela. Let us take you to the nuns of Rouen so that you can get the care you need.’