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Page 43
When the savory had been served and all had eaten their fill, Alinor asked permission to have the tables cleared away. This was readily given, but it was followed by a command to assemble the castle men-at-arms. Alinor bit her lip, but could not do otherwise than obey. Soon the Great Hall was packed with men, all gazing attentively at the slender old woman with brilliant dark eyes who sat on the dais. At her right hand stood their lady with their familiar, trusted commanders behind her. At her left stood a man they did not know. He was larger and of more commanding presence than their own leaders, a typical Norman, with red-gray hair, gray-blue eyes, and a hawk's beak of a nose.
The old woman raised a thin, veined hand. As if a decree from heaven had made men mute, a sudden silence fell upon the Hall. "For those of you who do not know me, I am Alinor, called of Aquitaine, wife of your late King Henry, of blessed memory, and mother of the King to be, Lord Richard, God save and bless him. Do you acknowledge me so? Are there doubts?"
"I do not doubt. I acknowledge." The reply from hundreds of throats was a dull roar in the huge room.
"Then in this time of change of lordship, it is my duty to take fealty of you all." She rose to her feet and drew a large cross from some recess in her gown which she elevated. "Upon this Sign and the Holy Relics within it, every man must swear that he will bear fealty to the Lord Richard, lord of England, the son of the Lord King Henry and the Lady Alinor, in life and limb and earthly honor, as his liege lord, against all men and women who might live and die, and that every man of you will be answerable to the said Lord Richard and help him to keep his peace and justice in all things."
"I swear! Fiat!" the crowd of men responded.
"Lady Alinor."
To this Alinor had no objection. Most willingly she stepped forward and knelt before the Queen, stretch-

 
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