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do not credit my uncle with the right motives or enough cleverness." His voice was flat, betraying no bitterness in deference to his father. "I do not believe John fears Philip enough to yield his absolute right. Do you not see what a weapon this will be in the king's hands in any conflict with his noblemen? To oppose him in anything, will be to defy the pope." |
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The sound of Joanna's little indrawn breath was masked by Salisbury's hearty and cheerful acknowledgement. Whether he had not previously thought of this result or had wanted Geoffrey to draw the conclusion for himself was not clear. In any case, he abandoned the subject to go on to the next piece of news, which had more immediate implications. Pandulf had left England on May 22 to induce Philip to abandon his plan of invasion. To the papal legate's urging, Count Ferrand of Flanders had added his own, at last declaring openly that he would not go against the pope's will and, thus, if Philip persisted would withdraw himself from his alliance with France. Instead of inducing caution, which would be a normal reaction for the king of France, this declaration threw Philip into a violent rage. In turn, he declared Ferrand his enemy. The count of Flanders had barely time to flee Philip's court and save himself from imprisonment. He had no time to gather forces to resist his erstwhile overlord, and Philip had promptly invaded Flanders, using the army mustered to attack England. On May 25, a messenger had arrived from Ferrand begging John for the help Renaud Dammartin had promised him in the king's name. |
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Geoffrey smiled on his father, his eyes lighting. "When do we go?'" he asked. |
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"Are you ready?" Salisbury counter-questioned. |
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Joanna thrust the needle she had been using to embroider a glove cuff into the cloth as if it were a dagger aimed at Salisbury's heart. |
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"Oh yes," Geoffrey assured his father. "I am a little stiff still, but I have been riding out and fencing with Tostig this week past." |
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