Chapter 7

When he arrived at Belvoir Castle Guy was shepherded into a small courtyard with a well and was instructed to wash. Then he was given his uniform. It was a dark coloured tunic which came to his knees and black woollen leggings.

Already Guy was realizing that Belvoir would not be a 'happy home'. There was no happy welcome as he arrived, as there would have been at home, not that he expected one here. More than anything he wished he could go back home, back to Nottingham even, and start again. Guy didn't like being is such an unfamiliar place.

Then a middle aged woman came out of the rooms looking out onto the courtyard. She looked very much like a nurse used to mothering and disciplining children. She came out to scold him for making such a mess with all the water.

In fairness, Guy now made the effort to tidy the area, putting the bucket and soap away, and scuffing the water down a drain with his foot. But the woman was unsatisfied and came forward to shoo him out of her way.

"What kind of servant are you going to be? You can't even clear away some water!" she despaired.

She flashed a careworn smile at him to show she wasn't entirely serious and pushed him into the outhouse. It was a shock for Guy, he'd never previously had to worry about cleaning – at home there were four servants – who did the cooking, cleaning, serving and general housekeeping.

How much more would have to be done to cater for Belvoir Castle and the Earl. Guy was daunted. Would he be able to learn fast enough? It was going to be hard to adjust to his new position in society; from now on he would have to work to earn his keep.

……………..

Directly Guy was send to the Earl's private rooms in the Castle and he was welcomed in a suspiciously friendly way by his master. Guy stopped in front of his desk and the Earl smiled at him.

He was not invited to sit down, but neither was he told not to. Guy decided to sit on the stool which was conveniently placed opposite the desk.

"My dear you are yet to understand the way of things. Stand up," Vaizey ordered in what was meant to be a reasonable tone.

Guy gingerly got to his feet. The Sheriff had intentionally placed the stool there in order to test him. Now he could launch into his cautionary speech, the one which he intended to give his page after he'd presumed to sit without consent.

"Come now don't be stupid, your life in my service depends upon your understanding of what I am about to say to you," the Sheriff paused to take in a deep breath, so he could lecture for the next ten minutes.

"The father is the head of the family, I presume you know that? In much the same way I am the head, the lifeblood of Leicester. I make decisions and my word is law, you understand? Every man, woman and child looks at me for guidance." He quickly added as an aside, "and the power of life and death over them blah di blah di blah."

"The people make up the 'body'. As the 'head' I can tell the 'body' what to do. The people give up their freedom to gain my protection and care. I have authority over them; in fact it is for their own good. There would be anarchy……Anarchy!" he said exaggerating the repeated word, impressing a horror onto they young boy's mind. "…If I wasn't in control."

Vaizey continued, "because the peasants need me; the 'head' to tell them what to do. Thus there is order." Vaizey closed his eyes the idea of 'order' gave him bliss.

"You!" the Earl said sharply snapping back into the moment and gesturing at Guy with a pointed figure.

"You think that just because you're new I won't go hard on you? Hmm? When you defy me, you are sowing the seeds of rebellion. You are presuming to question my authority. Well, I'm not a religious man; but surely to question me is to sin. The 'body' cannot rise up against the 'head', but it is the 'head's' right, duty, in fact to restrain, punish, the 'body' if it strays…" Vaizey's voice dropped to a whisper.

Guy didn't understand half of what had been said. If this was key to his survival here how could he survive when he didn't understand the rules? A panic set in. Suddenly breaking the silence Vaizey was inches from his face annunciating each syllable with menace.

"I will not tolerate insubordination!" To Guy this was mental torture, either his Lord was insane or he was. He dropped to his knees with the intention of begging for mercy. He was apologizing before he knew it.

"I'm sorry, my Lord. It won't happen again," he pleaded looking up into his master's face for any sign that all was forgiven.

Guy wasn't sure why he was doing this but after the speech he knew something was expected of him; an act of humility seemed about the only thing to do.