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go about things with King John," Joanna commented caustically. |
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"I suppose someone did, or perhaps Pope Innocent's temper is not quite so peaceable as a Holy Father's should be. When he saw John was stubborn in spite of his kindness, he threatened, but by then the king was in a fine Angevin rage. He sent de Cantelu and Cornhill to Canterbury and they drove out the monks and seized the Church property." |
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"I see. Then came the interdict." |
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"Naturally. By then John's rage was past and, I think, he would have come to an agreement readily. In fact, he tried. Langton's brother had a safe-conduct to come to England and discuss matters. I am not sure whether it was Langton or the pope who was at fault in that no agreement was reached. John professed himself willing to accept Langton but made a just condition that the king's authority be preserved. That was refused." |
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"It is always thus," Joanna agreed, shaking her head. "If you offer the Church a finger, you are like to find your whole hand has been eaten." |
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"Is that the way for a modest maiden to speak?" Geoffrey teased. |
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Large eyes filled with an entirely spurious innocence were raised to his. "Did I use some word that was not proper, my lord?" |
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Geoffrey reddened again very slightly. It was the first time Joanna had ever called him "my lord," and though it was said in jest it sounded very sweet to him. |
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"Each word by itself," he responded, "was innocent enough. Added together" He shook his head at her and laughed. Then he grew more serious. "But I do not see an end to it. At first, while the king hoped for a reconciliation, he held his hand. When he saw the pope adamant, he began to rob the churchesnot only the revenues of the sees from which the bishops had fled, although that was bad enoughhe confiscated the plate and chalices and sometimes even the crucifixes and melted them down for their gold and silver." |
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