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and invited Langton to wash and eat and rest so that the matter could be discussed more fully and more calmly. |
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John had no real expectation that Langton would change his mind, but what the archbishop had said opened a door. If the barons of the north could be prodded into threat or attack, the king would have won his case out of Langton's own mouth. But the court was not deaf. As soon as John had retired, Geoffrey and Tostig with only three men-at-arms were riding hell-bent for the lands of Ian's chief vassal. That Geoffrey was welcomed in, despite his relationship to the king, was a mark of the respect and affection Ian's men had developed for him over the period of Ian's absence. The vassal listened to what he had to say and, somewhat reluctantly, agreed to send for Ian. The next day he came, hollow-eyed with worry and fruitless effort. |
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"Do you mean," Ian cried joyfully after hearing Geoffrey's news, "that the king will turn back and bring the action to be judged by a court of peers?" |
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"That is what the archbishop intends, but I am sure it will not be so easy. The outcome will depend upon the behavior of the men here in the north, I think. |
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Geoffrey repeated with emphasis Langton's argument that since no man had threatened or attacked the king there had been no rebellion. "Those of us who wish for peace believe that John will do all in his power, short of using arms, to tempt an attack upon him. Then he will be able to use Langton's own words to gag him and take what revenge he likes." |
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"I do not know. I do not know," Ian muttered. "You think he will come hereand then what?" |
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"He will camp, march about, perhaps even demand quartering for his men," Geoffrey said slowly. "I do not believe he will raid or do any damage more than can be blamed upon a few undisciplined men. Certainly, he will not threaten battle or demand yielding of any keep. Well, I know he cannot do that. Even as I rode out, I saw priests and monks going among the men of the army and telling |
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