The Battle of the Queens by Jean Plaidy Page A

Burgh is of your opinion and with two such as you to guide our affairs …’
    ‘Ah, my dear wife, how long think you that I shall be here. That is what sets me wondering.’
    ‘We are going to see that you remain with us for a long time.’
    ‘Who is this all powerful “We” which sets itself against the wishes of the Almighty? Nay, wife, when my time has come, come it will. And I want to be sure that England stays firm and that we continue in those steps towards peace and prosperity which we have taken these last four years. I am going to send a message to our son, William. I want him to come here with all speed as I have much to say to him.’
    Isabella Marshal was alarmed. With that almost uncanny foresight of his William seemed to sense that his end was not far off. But she knew him well enough not to try to persuade him against such action. William had always known where he was going.
    When she had left him he went to a court cupboard and unlocking it, took from it a Templar’s robe. Divesting himself of his surcoat, gown and soft white shirt, he put on the coarse garment.
    He smiled wryly. It is what we all come to at the end of our days, he thought. When the end is near we turn to repentance.
    He knelt down and prayed for forgiveness of his sins, and that when he passed on there might be strong men to keep the country peaceful and guide young Henry along the road to great kingship.
    Then he rose and wrote a letter to his wife in which he asked that when he died he should be buried in the Temple Church in London, for if his duty had not led him elsewhere he would have chosen to be a knight of that religious but military order.

    When William Marshal the younger arrived at Caversham he was shocked to see the deterioration in his father’s condition. He had never known the old man other than healthy and it had never occurred to him that he could ever be otherwise. His father had always been the greatest influence in his life – although in recent years they had not always been in agreement with each other – and he was shocked to realise the reason why he had been sent for. As the eldest son he had been brought up to realise his responsibilities.
    His father embraced him and young William looked searchingly into his face.
    ‘Yes, my son,’ said the elder Marshal, ‘my time has come. I know it as surely as I stand here. My spirit is as good as it ever was but my flesh betrays me. Do not look sad; I’d as lief go a little sooner before my senses desert me. I am an old, old man, but I am mortal and mortals cannot live for ever. I have had a good life … a long life … and I feel it is crowned in success because I now see that the King is firm on the throne and with good government he will remain safely there. The country is free of the French and Hubert de Burgh is a strong man. I have asked him to come here, for I wish to see him before I go.’
    Young William shook his head: ‘You speak as though you are taking a journey to Ireland … or to France …’
    ‘It is not unlike that, William.’
    ‘So you have sent for me to say good-bye.’
    ‘Take care of your mother. Like mine, her youth is long since past. It has been a good marriage and I am happy in my family. Though …’ he smiled wryly, ‘there have been times when you and I were on different sides.’
    ‘Father, there was a time when many Englishmen believed that there could be no good for England while John was on the throne.’
    ‘Aye, and who could deny them? My son, all differences are over now. Serve the King. Honour your country.’
    ‘I will do so, Father, when I can with honour.’
    The younger William was referring to that period when Louis had landed in England and he had been one of those who had done him homage. It was understandable. He had been among those barons who had been present at Runnymede and he was well aware that disaster must come to England if John continued to rule. His father knew too, but he could not bring