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Page 409
Moreover, the matter of the withdrawal of the northern barons without permission and the charter hung, as it were, suspended. It was understood without words that if the king got his way in the matter of the war with France, he would forget the controversy over the withdrawal. His attitude toward the charter was more ambivalent, but not unreasonable. It contained nothing, except for the provision about serving overseas, that he had not promised many times before. However, these things had never before been written down and sealed so that the words might be read aloud at some other time. In the past, knowledge of the promises had rested on the memories of witnesses, some of whom could always be counted upon to contradict the others. A written charter could not have doubts cast upon it and might be inconvenient.
Geoffrey and Joanna had been summoned from Hemel, where they had finally taken up residence once the most immediate threat of rebellion was past, to a family conference at Salisbury. Ian and Alinor were also there so that they could decide upon a unified stand to take on these questions. On the subject of the charter, there was no difference of opinion; all approved the idea heartily, even Salisbury. On the question of the war with France, the men were all on one side, the women all on the other.
''Of course, it is possible that we will lose more than we will gainwhen was it ever otherwise with war?" Ian retorted angrily to a piece of reasoned pleading by Alinor, "but it does not matter. If John summons me, I will go. I came near to personal treason last spring to avert a civil war. Certainly, I will not violate my oath, or even seem to do so, for a lesser cause. I tell you, it is my duty, and I will go."
"But you yourself helped write the charter which says that it is not your duty to go," Lady Ela pointed out, her voice trembling.
"The king has not acknowledged the charter," Ian reminded her grimly.
"And you know that does not matter to me," Salisbury put in gently, patting his wife's shoulder. "Charter or no

 
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