Tombland

‘A great burner and torturer of heretics.’ It was an old argument between us. I took the book and glanced at the page Guy was reading. I quoted, ‘ “The rich man’s substance is the wellspring of the poor man’s living.” Ah yes, that theory, that as the rich grow richer their wealth trickles down to the poor like sand. Well, I have been practising law twenty-five years and all I have seen is it trickle ever upwards.’ I remembered the pamphlet I had just picked up earlier. ‘See,’ I said, handing it to him, ‘this writer makes just complaint.’

Guy looked at it. ‘Enclosures have been going on for years. Thomas More wrote against them.’

‘And when Cardinal Wolsey tried to enforce the laws against them in court, More ruled against him.’

Guy laughed gently. ‘Ah, you are such an arguer, such a lawyer. But I am too tired for debate just now.’

‘Forgive me. Have you been out of bed today?’

‘Only to visit the jakes. At the moment even sitting in a chair tires me. Well, at least I shall not be expected to go to church on Sunday, to listen to Cranmer’s English Communion service in a bare church.’ He shook his head. ‘I never thought England would come to this.’ Tears welled in his brown eyes.

‘I saw a church being whitewashed on my way back from Hatfield,’ I said quietly. ‘It seemed – cold, heartless somehow, even with the Scripture verses on the walls.’

‘So,’ he said gently, ‘things have gone too far now for you, as well?’

‘Yes. I think they have.’

‘What were you doing in Hatfield?’

‘Visiting the Lady Elizabeth.’

He smiled wryly. ‘Ah, the Protestant Princess. But no, she is still just the Lady, like her sister Mary. Both their mothers’ marriages annulled. Unlike Jane Seymour’s. I wonder if her brother the Protector is making a point by denying them the title of Princess.’

‘Perhaps.’

‘Are you still working on the Lady Elizabeth’s lands?’

‘Yes. In fact, I have to go to Norwich on Monday, Guy, on business for her.’

‘Norwich?’ He sounded surprised. ‘What sort of business is it?’

I hesitated, but I had always valued Guy’s insights. ‘Unusual. A distant Boleyn relative of the Lady Elizabeth is on trial for murder at the Assizes. She wishes me to investigate, quietly, and ensure justice is done.’

Guy looked at me keenly. ‘It is a long time since you have involved yourself with such a matter. Not since Jack Barak lost his hand.’

‘This is quite different. It involves the Norfolk gentry, not high politics.’

‘Will you take young Nicholas?’

‘Yes. He wishes to go. And frankly, Guy, so do I. I am tired of pen-scratching. And this man may have been accused unjustly of his wife’s murder, though I do not know that yet.’

A spark of interest came into his eyes. ‘Do you want to tell me the story? I could do with distraction.’

I was glad of Guy’s interest, and I briefly recounted the facts, leaving out Edith Boleyn’s appearance at Hatfield. When I had finished, Guy lay back, and I thought perhaps I had tired him, but he had only been thinking, for he said, quietly, ‘Perhaps the twins’ pranks as small boys were done to gain their mother’s love, or at least her attention. Drawing lots for one to disfigure the other may have been a last, frantic attempt to do that.’

‘Frantic indeed.’

‘And yet her reaction was anger?’

‘So I am told. Though all I have heard so far is at second and third hand.’

‘If she reacted to one child disfiguring himself only with more anger, perhaps that led the boys to think the shedding of blood a light thing.’ He considered. ‘What is the father like? The man accused of killing his wife?’

‘I do not know. He scandalized his neighbours by moving in a woman who served at an inn after his wife disappeared. And he also has a quarrel over land with one of them. And the name Boleyn still carries a stigma. All those things may go against him with the local jury. I will learn more next week.’

‘Come back safe,’ Guy said quietly.

‘I will, to see you well again.’

He raised a thin brown hand, then let it fall. ‘I wonder if my pilgrimage on earth is nearly over. I am sixty-six now.’

‘The Bible allows three score years and ten.’

‘Few enough reach that, as we both know. Seeing what England has become, the church to which I gave my life finally, completely destroyed, perhaps it is time.’

‘Nonsense.’ I spoke with deliberate lightness. ‘You have your patients to treat. I confess, I have not been doing my exercises diligently. I will suffer for it on the way to Norfolk, and may need to consult you again when I come back.’

He looked at me. ‘When you ride out, remember to sit high in the saddle, on the bones of your pelvis. Do not stoop nor cast your eyes down, I know the cast of your body inclines you to do that but you should look up, proudly.’

‘I will try.’ I leaned forward and grasped his hand, which felt like little more than bones. There was a moment’s silence. Then I heard a knock at the door. Guy flashed me a quick look, in which I saw apprehension, but called, ‘Come in.’