[This extract is from Catherine and the Sybil by Sharan Newman.]
The day was clear and cloudless, a rare gift in late autumn. Albrecht was eager to get back to work on the church for the new convent. Unlike many of the other workers, he had no fear of climbing on the skeletal scaffolds set up along the walls. He loved looking out across the river Nahe to the valley beyond. He imagined sometimes that he could see his village, where his wife and children waited for him to return in the spring.
He climbed the scaffolding with confidence. He had faith in his skill at carpentry and that of the master builder. Even more, he had faith in the visions of the prioress. Many, including the Pope, admitted that God spoke to her directly. If she said they should erect the buildings at this site, so close to the river, then it was certain that it was according to a heavenly plan.
Albrecht swung across the beams of the roof, landing on the platform suspended from the far wall.
There was a loud crack as the narrow board split, sending Albrecht tumbling to the stone floor.
His last emotion was astonishment. God's plan should not have included someone working by night with a saw.
'I don't suppose all the husbands were as complaisant as yours, Mistress Jolliffe. Martha Broderer's, for instance.'
Lydia Jolliffe shrugged. 'But he wasn't likely to find out, now, was he? He was Edmund's cousin, so a family likeness was unremarkable. As for the boy who used to work next door, his mother was a widow.'
'But I don't imagine these three are the only bastards of Edmund Broderer, are they?'
The word 'bastard' brought the blood back to her face for a moment, but then she shrugged and laughed.
'You believe in calling a spade a spade, my friend. No, I don't suppose they were Edmund's only by-blows. He was a very virile man. He enjoyed ... copulation.' Lydia looked me up and down provocatively. 'Where is all this leading, chapman? I can't believe you're intending to tell my son. You're not that sort.'
'Certainly not,' I assured her.
'So?'
'Was Judith St Clair - Judith Broderer, as she must have been then - aware of her husband's - er - activities?'
This time Lydia threw back her head and laughed out loud, all her previous animosity forgotten.
'"Activities", is it? What a splendidly prudish word I don't think she could help but know. There were too many children around these parts who all had the same set of features.'
Like the royal palaces, I thought to myself.
[...]
'[Judith] could never admit that Edmund was unfaithful to her. She's a person who cannot tolerate disloyalty. One of the reasons she puts up with that oaf William Morgan, and allows him such licence, is because he is fanatical in his obedience to her wishes. She can do no wrong in his estimation, and I truly believe he would condone any action of hers, however bad. I believe he would kill for her, if necessary.'
I felt sure she was right, but did not say so.
I was roused before dawn. Servants clattered up the stairs with pails of hot water, followed by others carrying Monsieur Simon's heavy tub. I was told to strip, to wash carefully and dress in the sombre clothes Monsieur Simon had brought: blue hose, soft leather boots from Spain, linen undergarments, a dark blue gown with a waistband which had a concealed fold for a dagger and a ring for my hand.
'A gift,' Monsieur Simon explained.
Finally a heavy dark brown cloak fastened round the neck with a silver clasp. Monsieur Simon also provided a money belt with little pouches sewn along the edge, each crammed with silver coins.
'I would like to say this is also a gift from me.' He shook his head. 'The wealth was your uncle's. You have it now. I can give you nothing else. Remember you are Mathilde de Clairebon, distamt kinsman of Monsieur Simon de Vitry. Look,' he urged, coming up close and peering up at me, 'I've studied you, Mathilde. You have a ready ear and a quick tongue!' He smiled. 'Your knowledge of physic, herbs and potions is truly remarkable. Your uncle also told me you know Italian, you can speak the Norman French of the court; it's only a matter of time before you study English, learn their customs, adopt their ways.'
'What will I be?'
'What the Princess Isabella decides. You will be introduced as a demoiselle de chambre.'
