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hold. It was larger and exhausted the supplies and sanitary facilities more quickly. It was the King's duty also to show himself all over the kingdom. Besides, it was a method of reducing expenditure. When the Court "visited" some nobleman's keep, it was the nobleman's supplies and game that were exhausted. Since the estates of the nobility were not, in general, as lavish as the royal demesnes, only brief stays were possible if the host was not to be utterly ruined. However, it was most desirable that no feelings of resentment should mar the very beginning of a reign. Thus, Richard bore the cost of feeding and housing the concourse of gentry without complaint. |
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The Court moved on to Salisbury where Alinor saw Isobel of Clare married, and wept at the wedding. It was a safe enough outlet for her own frustration. The two girls had become good friends, considering the short time they had together, but Alinor did not weep for the loss of Isobel. She knew they would meet again in a few weeks because Richard was to be crowned on September 3 and Isobel and William would surely be in London for that. She wept because she had racked her brains as the days passed and the King announced more betrothals, but she could think of no way to come closer to her objective. Every sign hinted that Simon would be torn from her the moment she showed a preference for him. |
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John was married a week later at Marlborough. Alinor did not weep at that wedding. In fact, it gave her a sense of satisfaction. Those two deserved each other. She would have felt a malicious glee had not the concentration of so much power in the hands of Johnwho might be influenced by Isobel against herseemed dangerous. Nonetheless, she danced merrily enough, having passed from Simon to the Earl of Huntingdon's son to young Waleran of Leicester after which she did her duty with Bigod and de Bohun. She had come back to Simon again with glowing cheeks |
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