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''There are advantages to that," Joanna remarked callously. "At least it has saved us from paying the cost of the Scots and Irish wars. Even this Welsh campaignyou know, Geoffrey, that the king has not called a full levy. He is hiring mercenaries. In fact, his demands have been so light in the past two years that many of the vassals and castellans who were in debt to us are clearing their accounts." |
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"Do not be so pleased. Do you think we will come out of this scot-free? You know the Church. Sooner or later, the king will be driven to make peaceand there will be no peace until John agrees to repay what he has taken. Where do you think that repayment will come from?" |
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Coincidentally, Geoffrey was not the only one voicing doubts about the king's seizure of Church property. Peter des Roches, bishop of Winchester, was saying almost the same thingexcept that he did not bother to comment on where the money for repayment would come from. The king, to whom he was speaking most earnestly, removed his eyes from the tableau vivant he was contemplating and looked toward Winchester. The two men were an almost laughable contrast, partly because they were much alike in coloring and wore their hair and beards cut in the same fashion. However, King John had become very heavy in the past few years, looking remarkably like a wine tun with a protruding head and limbs. Winchester, on the other hand, was thin as a whip and as supple. |
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"Perhaps," John agreed in his beautiful voice, "but by then I will have achieved my purpose. Ireland and Scotland already lie quiet under my yoke. When I have tamed the Welsh it will be time enough to make my peace. Then I will deal with the English barons." He smiled slowly. "And if I must repay, who will dare deny to give whatever I ask?" |
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"Indeed, my lord is wise." The voice was sweet and lilting. |
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Both men now looked back at the tableau John had been contemplating. Unlike its effect on her husband, time seemed to have passed without touching Isabella of An- |
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