Any good man determined to bring justice to England could have done this, but there was something more Thomas could do. He could charm the King. Theobald had told him that it was because it was believed he had the power to do this that he had been chosen for this task. He could be amusing, witty and entertaining; and it was his duty to amuse the King. By becoming an intimate friend of the King he would understand his moods; he could guide him without the King’s knowing he was being guided. He was enough of a courtier to be perfectly at home in royal society; he had learned riding, hawking and chess at Pevensey Castle, so he was at ease in the King’s circle. None would know that he had not had the same upbringing as any of the King’s courtiers and the King himself for that matter. It was for this reason that he had been chosen.
It was remarkably easy.
‘Bring this churchman to me,’ Henry had said, ‘that I may tell him I’ll not have any churchman preach to me.’
But when he saw the man he was amazed. That strange quality which commanded the respect of all men was immediately apparent to the King. This tall elegant man who could be witty and amusing, who could ride beside him talking of frivolous court matters, who could with the same ease plunge into a serious conversation such as enthralled Henry, aroused his interest to such an extent that often when he was at a gathering he would look about him and say: ‘Where’s Becket? Where’s my Chancellor?’ And when Thomas was brought to him he would laugh at him and say, ‘Ha, Becket, I missed you. Let us escape and go off together where we can talk.’
Theobald and Henry of Winchester watched the growing friendship of the two and congratulated themselves on the wisdom of that plan of theirs to set up Thomas Becket as Chancellor so that he might influence the King.
Henry was delighted. One of Thomas’s first acts was to refurbish the King’s palace in the Tower of London.
Henry liked the work that was done there. ‘Why, Becket,’ he said, ‘I should have thought as a churchman you would have thought of succouring the poor rather than pampering their King.’
‘A pampered king is more likely to pamper his poor subjects than one who is so ill housed that his temper is frayed,’ answered Thomas.
‘His temper frays, Becket, well housed or not.’
‘Since he admits this doubtless time and the help of God will improve it.’
‘That fellow makes me laugh,’ said Henry of his Chancellor and he saw more and more of Thomas. He showed clearly that he liked his company.
Thomas had not been Chancellor a year when Henry declared: ‘I never thought to make a friend of a churchman, but I swear this man seems to me the best friend I ever had.’
He would call on him without warning. He would shout: ‘Come out, Becket. I’d have speech with you.’
Sometimes he sat and drank wine with him. It amused him that Becket with a sip or two could tell the quality of wine and talk of it, but rarely drank much himself.
Henry liked to plague him while he admired him.
‘A churchman,’ he would say, ‘yet you live like a king.’
‘Rather say a king lives like a churchman.’
Every day fresh rushes were strewn on his floors; he used green boughs in summer and hay in winter; but it must always be fresh.
‘Your cleanliness is greater than your godliness,’ pointed out the King.
‘Why should not the two go hand in hand, Sire?’ asked Becket.
‘Is it meet for a man of God to display fine gold and silver plate on his table?’
‘If he puts them there for love of his friends,’ answered Becket.
The King would put an arm about the Chancellor’s shoulders. ‘One of these days I will show you for the coxcomb you are,’ he mocked. ‘Look at your table; look at your home! Should you not go out into the world with rod and scrip and preach religion?’
‘I go out with the rod of my office and preach of justice,’ replied Thomas.
‘Good Thomas, you amuse me and for that I would forgive you all your sins.’
‘Let us hope, sire, that that other King who alone can pardon our sins is as lenient with you.’
And so they grew closer together and hardly a day passed when Becket was not in the company of the King.
Chapter IX
THE ABBESS BRIDE
While Eleanor was awaiting the birth of her child in the palace and Rosamund was at Woodstock also awaiting the King’s child, Henry sent for Becket as he wished to discuss the proposed marriage between his son Henry and the little Princess of France.
He was as usual delighted to see the Chancellor.
‘I know not how you will find the French King,’ said Henry. ‘As you know the Queen was his wife and she rid herself of him to marry me.’
‘I know it well,’ said Becket.
‘He was somewhat jealous I believe, and loath to let the Queen go, but the Queen was determined. She’s a determined woman as you know also, Chancellor.’
‘I had gathered so,’ answered Thomas.
‘Now this methinks is a situation which will appeal to your humour as it appeals to mine. My son and the Queen’s son Henry shall be the bridegroom of Louis’s daughter by his second marriage. Do you think that is not an amusing situation?’
‘I think it a very suitable one, my lord, since it will secure alliance with the King of France and little could be more beneficial to you at this time.’
‘So thought I,’ said the King. ‘It is years before the marriage can take place. My son is three years old. The Princess Marguerite is one. But that will be no impediment to the ceremony as it would be to the consummation. We shall not put the babies to bed together … yet.’
‘I should think not.’
‘Poor innocents! Still it is the lot of royal children. You should be thankful, Chancellor, that you were not a royal boy or they might have married you when you were in your cradle and that would not have been to your liking, would it?’
‘I have never had any fancy for the marriage bond.’
‘Nay, you’re a strange man, Becket. You care nothing for women which seems strange to a man like myself who cares very much for them. You know not what you miss. It is a taste which never wearies. It is only that one wishes now and then to change one’s partner in the game.’
‘The Queen would not wish to hear such sentiments expressed.’
‘You are right, Becket. My Queen is a woman of strong opinions. You will have to mind your step with her … as even I do.’
‘The Queen is one who is accustomed to being obeyed.’
‘Indeed you speak the truth. I have managed very well during our life together. I always contrive to see that she is either going to have a child or having one. It is a very good way of curbing her desire to rule.’
‘It is not one which can continue for ever.’
‘As the Queen tells me. She says when this one is born there must be a respite.’
‘It is better for her health that this should be so.’
‘I am expecting a child in another quarter, Becket.’
‘I grieve to hear it, Sire.’
The King burst into loud laughter and slapped Becket on the back.
‘You know full well that a king who cannot get heirs is a curse to the nation.’