|
|
|
|
|
|
"Firstly, Bassett has a connection with Pembroke. They know each other and have lands in the same areathe southwest. However, the connection is not close enough that Richard should be obliged to support Bassett. If he does so, the king could say he is interfering without cause. Secondly, Upavon was the properly of the Maulay familyto whom Henry has returned itin the past. It was taken from them and given to Bassett's father by King John. I do not know what the reason for the transfer was" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Sometimes John had perfectly just reasons for what he did," Ian remarked. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Quite true. In any case, that is not the problem. Perhaps the property should go back to Maulay. In truth, I suspect it was chosen because Maulay had a good claim. What is wrong is not the transfer; it is the way it was done. There are courts and judges to deal with such matters. If the king did not trust the judges, he could have heard the case himself. That is the pointthere was no case, no judgment, only the king's will." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adam mouthed an obscenity, adding, more practically, "I had not thought of that. It is a pretty trap. Say justice is on Maulay's side. If we do not protest, we have agreed that the king's will is law. If we do protest, we are unjust in backing Bassett's desire to keep the land." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"There is a middle path," Geoffrey offered. "We can demand that Bassett's claim be brought before the king's courtbut I greatly fear all will forget that and remember only that Gilbert Bassett was deprived of his land by the king's will." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I do not care what they remember, so long as we do not have to bow down like Moslem slaves," Simon exclaimed hotly. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ian looked at him and sighed. He wished Simon would go back to Wales. Sooner or later his tongue would wag at the wrong moment, and he would be in real trouble. However, Ian remembered the expression |
|
|
|
|
|