Aside From Heaven
Chapter 4E
You're going to get what you deserve
France, 1325
"How much further to Paris?"
Isabella's borrowed coach broke down several times. Every time it broke down, her retinue was attacked by thugs. After the third attack, William came to the conclusion someone – most likely Hugh the Younger – had hired mercenaries to raid the royal entourage. Despenser could care less about Edward's French holdings. Truth be told, William could care less about England's French holdings. Those were well on the way of being a lost cause. The only French Holdings he cared about were the FitzGisborne Holdings on the Great Sea. Those, he needed.
At some point, after fighting off the robbers a fourth time, they abandoned the carriage, doubled up on horses and rode hard to the nearest large holding. William paid the local marquis an exorbitant sum of money to keep the majority of Isabella's luggage for a few weeks, until he could at least get her settled in at her brother's court. Luckily, the man and his wife were elderly, well past court intrigue and happy for the money to sustain their – in their eyes – meager household.
Needless to say, it was with great relief when they arrived at King Charles home.
Strangely enough, Roger Mortimer was there. The moment William made sure the two were aware of each other, he quietly disappeared, along with his personal knights.
~~~...~~~
London, 1326
"What do you mean, my wife is invading me?" Edward spun around in a fury. "She can't invade me! She is my wife!"
"I told you, you should have put her in chains when you had the chance!" Hugh the Younger was frothing at the mouth. "Had you given her to me-"
"I did give her to you," Edward hissed, backing his loyal lackey down. "You mistreated her and she escaped and ran to my most faithful servant."
Hugh immediately bowed up. "Sire, I am your most faithful-"
Edward snarled and cut him off. "You are my most loved! Even I know, you are faithful to only yourself!"
There was noise coming from the hall outside the king's personal chambers. Both men turned as a familiar voice yelled at the guards. "Get out of my way!"
"Let him in!"
The doors to the room flew open as William Edward, Lord of Locksley and Gisborne, strode angrily into the room. "Sire. I came as quickly as I could."
Edward rushed to face the man. "How bad? How bad is it? Has she changed her mind?"
William shrugged. "Roger Mortimer has joined with her. Between her brother's army, hired mercenaries-"
Before he could finish, Hugh elbowed his way around the king. "Easy for you. This is your fault!"
William turned all of his dark anger on the king's favorite. "How is this my fault?"
Hugh's finger was thrust in his face. "Don't think I haven't noticed. Isabella ran away, she came to you. You talked the king into allowing her to go to her brother's to negotiate a peace treaty! You then introduced her to Roger, who is as married as she is, and you left her there when she refused to come home!"
One inky eyebrow lifted. "The Queen ran away because you abused her. She has more political acumen than you or the king put together and His Majesty knows that. She has negotiated peace treaties in her husband's stead in the past. She has cleaned up his messes and messes you have created. You talked the king into confiscating her estates because she refused to acknowledge that you are greater than she, which you are not. You have arrested her French staff and made her someone to be pitied!"
"Sire!" Hugh was livid. "Are you going to allow him to talk to me... to us this way?"
Edward sent a withering look towards his favorite and then asked again. "How bad is it?"
William turned his back on Hugh. "Your Queen has declared herself a widow, dressed in widow's rags and is heading up her brother's armies. The French army is frightening enough, however mercenaries have joined with Roger Mortimer, and both have crossed the English Channel. She intends to put your heir on the throne."
Edward began to think out loud. "Hugh! Gather your knights. Someone send for your father. Have his knights and armies join ours-"
"Sire," William drawled, "England's knights and armies will not gather under your banner. Their hate for the Despensers, who you have allowed to run rampant through this country unchecked, is greater than their love for you, which is fair none. The French Army will not be stopped. They will roll over England like a great flood. Your barons will answer the Earl of March's call and gather their knights and armies behind his banner. I will not call up my knights to fight against them."
"You coward! Treaso-"
crack
William's fist met that sweet spot on Hugh's chin, crumbling him to the ground. He rubbed his knuckles and looked at the king. "My apologies, sire. I know you love him greatly, but I have none for him."
Edward's gulp was audible. "How badly do they hate Hugh?"
Williams grin was evil. "More than they hated Piers."
"They killed Piers," the king whispered. The room was silent.
"Piers was greedy. At least he worked with Isabella, did not usurp her position nor abuse her. Hugh here is not only greedy and stupid, he is cruel, evil. You've allowed him to run amuck and have been blind to his sadistic tendencies. He has publicly embarrassed your strongest and most influential ally; your Queen. He has cost you dearly. Because of him, your armies will not stand with you, they will not stand against France's army. Your barons and nobility will join with your wife, are joining her as we speak. They would prefer to see your too young son on the throne, guided by your French wife and the Earl of March. They will kill both Hughs if they get their hands on them. Sire, I fear for your life. Your countrymen have turned on you."
This speech was delivered as if it were well rehearsed, which it was, but Edward was too terrified to consider this. "William... what do you suggest?"
William pretended to ponder the question for a minute. When he looked up, into the king's eyes, it turned Edward's blood to ice.
"Run. Gather what you need. You should not tarry."
~~~...~~~
Isabella and Roger entered London without a fight. Leaving France with 1500 mercenaries, they were quickly joined by many of England's barons and countrymen. They were met at the Tower by William Edward FitzGisborne.
"Do I know you?" Roger asked as he helped Isabella dismount. That they were lovers, there was no doubt and William snarled inwardly at their open affection.
"Why should you?"
"Where is Edward?" Isabella was all business, pulling off her riding gloves.
"Your husband or your son?"
"My husband is dead to me."
William ignored her snittishness. "We need to talk."
Isabella stopped and pasted on a fake smile. "We thank you for your aid and help. Your job is done-"
"Fine," William intoned softly. "Go down in history as a whore and your son, a usurper." He turned to leave. He found himself caught in a vice-grip.
"You will explain yourself!" Roger Mortimer's voice was tight.
William's smile was faker and tighter. "As I said, we need to talk."
~~~...~~~
Isabella swept into her chambers, maids opening the curtains and windows, allowing the sun in. Dust motes rose in the air. William stood to the side, watching them. This room should have been aired, cleaned the minute Edward left and ran. He was aware of Roger in the opposing corner, watching him closely. William knew before he left, the man would figure out who he was.
That was fine. His days of subterfuge and death for hire was over. The Angel of Death promised him that much. He had other things on his mind at this time. After a short time, the maids left the room, wine and cheese left on a sideboard. Isabella made herself at home.
"You seem to want much to say. Where is my son? Speak and quickly. My time," she smiled softly at Roger, "is limited. I have much to do."
William wasted no time. "Your son is here. Your husband, as much as you wish it were so, is not dead, but on the run with the Despensers. They have taken as much of the royal coffers as they can pack, so they will be moving slowly." She glowered at him and moved closer to Roger. "It would behoove you to capture your husband and have him relinquish the throne before you crown your son. If you crown young Edward without that public and legal abdication, it will sully his name before he steps to the throne and will follow him all of his days and long after his death."
"And me?"
William shrugged. "You are consorting with a very married man." He now addressed Roger. "When was the last time you saw your own wife? Your children?" He inspected the calloused pads of his fingertips. "You have how many? Ten? A dozen? One hopes you're taking precautions."
Roger flew across the room, attempting to go nose to nose with the Black Knight. "I am making England a better place for my wife and family! For all! They know that!"
William's eyes roamed towards the Queen before returning to the earl in front of him. "I'm sure they do."
"You have room to talk!" Roger took a step back. "William Edward FitzGiborne, Lord of Locksley and Gisborne. Lord of Harridston. When was the last time you saw your children? You sent them to the far side of France, how many years ago? Have you seen them? You put your wife in a convent and took all that was hers. Quite the valiant father and husband you are, to have need to school the likes of me," he sneered
"Have you met my wife?"
"No! But I pity her!"
"You should not." William stood perfectly still, his face unchanging. Truthfully, he wished to kill the man, his hands ached to feel Roger's pulse flutter and die beneath his fingers. But his death, while coming soon enough, was not his to mete out. "I have rebuilt a dying, wasted estate, made it sustainable for those who live there. During the famine, while England starved, my villeins and my wife's, had food. I kept her wastrel of a cousin, who supported your husband, my queen, from taking it all and turning it into a whore house. My wife is ill in the mind and murdered our youngest baby, claiming she was a demon and sacrificed her to end the famine that ravaged this country." Both Isabella and Roger gasped. "Your husband would not allow me to kill her, which was my right."
"Not so," Roger hissed. "He would have allowed it-"
"At the cost of my wife's estate, yes. Harridston would revert back into the hands of her cousin. Have you met her cousin, Royce?"
Isabella flitted to Roger's side, taking his hand. "I have. He is a deplorable man. No woman would fare well under his hand," she whispered. "Hugh the Younger wanted Lord William's sons and his wife's estate. Edward's Wolf did the only thing he could to keep them safe. Think what you will of this man. He gave me succor and hid me when no one else would. He aided me and took me personally to my brother's side." She turned loose and stepped away from her lover. "I agree with you, Lord William. My husband should abdicate before we crown my son. You should be here to witness it."
William thought for a moment. "You will need to capture Edward first and soon." He pushed off from the wall and headed towards the door. "I have needs to go back to France. The sooner the better." As he placed his hand on the door knob, he looked over his shoulder. "My best trackers are with me. I will send them and several knights in search of the king."
"My son-"
"Is in his chambers, waiting for you." William thrust his chin at Roger. "Don't take him. He will bear as much love for your lover, as he does for Hugh. Which is none."
The door whispered shut behind him.
~~~...~~~
The Despensers separated soon after their departure from London. In October, Hugh the Elder was caught In Bristol. Isabella pleaded for his life; he was greedy, yes, but not the cruel monster his son was. Nevertheless, Henry, the Earl of Lancaster, accused the man of extortion, among other things, and along with Roger Mortimer, demanded his death.
Hugh the Elder was hung on October 27th, wearing his armor. Upon his death, his body was quartered and fed to the dogs, while his head was sent for display in Winchester. It was rumored there was not enough parchment to write pardons for those the man accused of corruption and wrongdoing over the years.
William stood to the side, watching the execution, waiting word from Timon de Glasson, Robert's son. He had become an excellent and valuable scout. He was not surprised when the young man arrived in the night, exhausted, but hyperactive and thirsty.
Very thirsty
He thanked his lord for the goblet of wine and began to down it quickly, as only the young could. "The king has led us on a merry chase, m'lord, but he and Hugh the Younger have settled in at Neath."
But, of course! Glamorgan was Hugh's, thanks to his advantageous marriage to Eleanor de Clare, may her great-grandfather, the noble Gilbert de Clare roll over in his grave and rest in peace. Proof that no matter how many children a man sired, sometimes, the most important pieces of property still fell into the hands of unscrupulous men, hell-bent on marrying a lone wealthy daughter to add to personal coffers.
Just as he had. Twice.
On second thought, perhaps it be best to simply not go into debt with large sums of money to ruthless and corrupt men. Eleanor was granddaughter to Edward I and Edward owed Hugh the Elder a large sum of money. Her hand to Hugh the Younger was considered equal repayment. William wondered how many times Eleanor regretted being a royal and gritted her teeth every time she had to bed Young Hugh.
"How many men?"
"Not as many as he thinks." He motioned with his now empty goblet for more, which William gladly gave him. "Several in Hugh's and the king's entourage are really yours." He reached inside his vest and pulled out a roll of hide. "Ransomme Miller sneaked out and gave me a rough outline of the holding, with the weaker points marked. If you move quickly, Edward and Hugh will be captured quite easily." He swapped the weathered scroll for the refilled chalice.
William unrolled the large scrap of leather and perused it. He shook his head. "They are stupid."
"They are frightened out of their skulls," Timon whispered. "Ransomme fears they will not stay there long, however the entourage is tired, as are the horses."
"A few days then."
"Aye, and not many of them." He followed William to a table and putting his almost empty cup on one corner, held down the other. He pointed to several places on the outline. "This gate is rarely used and hard to find, probably forgotten about. It's not well guarded. The privies are close by and that corner stinks."
The Midnight Wolf snarled. "Much over-growth?"
"Somewhat. 'Twill be easy to breach."
William's smile was grim. "Well noted." Taking up the scrap, he rolled it up and placed beneath his tunic. "Get some sleep. We leave early."
~~~...~~~
Edward and Hugh were captured in November, the castle stormed and over-taken. Edward seemed to know this was the end of his reign as king and immediately asked to see his wife.
Hugh refused food.
Throughout the journey to Hereford for the trial, Hugh refused to eat, refused to drink. It was obvious he knew his execution would be a painful, drawn out, raucous affair. Perhaps, if his body was weakened, his death would not be prolonged or as painful. Perhaps, he would die en route. He hoped.
The night before his trial, he had an unexpected visitor.
~~~...~~~
"Come to gloat?"
William stayed in the shadows, back against the door. "No. But I will."
Hugh smiled an unhappy grin. "You are truly the last person I expected to visit me in my last hours." He motioned to the table, where his meal lay, untouched. "Would you have it? I'm not hungry."
"Now, you are a gracious host. What a turn-a-round." He shook his head and declined the meal.
Hugh turned his back to the man and strode to the small window in his cell. "What are they charging me with? No one will say. My jailers will not speak to me."
William thought for a moment. "Theft from Relatives, for seizing the lands of your brothers-in-law and cheating Elizabeth out of Gower and Usk."
Hugh shrugged. Elizabeth was his sister-in-law. "The land stayed in the family."
"No, the land came to you. It will now be returned to the family. Shall I continue?" He did so anyway. "Theft, starting with forcing Alice de Lacy, the Countess of Lincoln to give up her lands, Torture when you had Lady Baret's arms and legs broken until she went insane from pain. Piracy-"
"I was exiled. I had children and a wife to feed and clothe-"
"There was the murder of Llewellyn Bren-"
"He was awaiting trial. I saved England the cost."
"False imprisonment, death threats-"
"Funny how much a man will pay to save his own life."
"How much will you pay me to save your life?
Hugh became very quiet. He turned from the windows and took several steps towards The Black Knight. "Can you? I can pay."
"You don't have enough money for me to save your worthless neck." He continued before Hugh could interject. "I would save England the cost of your trial, but I wouldn't deny the Queen her revenge. Jesu, man, you didn't just assault her, you raped her!"
Hugh shrugged. "Edward gave her to me-"
"Not to swive!"
"Roger is welcome to her. She was rather... unenthusiastic."
Hugh didn't see the left hook coming. When he picked himself off the floor, he rubbed his jaw. "I deserved that."
"You deserve what you will get."
"Surely, you didn't come just to punch me."
William brought himself to his full height. "That was an added bonus. Truthfully, I have a message for you from Edward."
"And that would be?"
William paused before reciting. "He is sorry he met you, or your father. He is sorry he allowed you so much power. If he could go back, he would not have allowed you near him."
"Sorry I brought him to this, eh?"
"No. Sorry he brought youto this," William answered softly. "Had he not befriended you, granted you or your father power, loved you as he did, you would have stayed on your lands with your wife and children and lived. That is what he regrets; that you will not live." With his message given, William turned to leave.
Hugh grabbed him by the elbow. "William. Please. I know who you are, what you are. Edward told me just before we were caught. He said you were the most dangerous man in all of England and he made you what you are. Please kill me. Make it swift. Stab me, poison me, give me a toxin, so I might take my own life. What they will do to me-"
"Will be what you deserve. Nothing more, nothing less." With that, he turned and knocked on the door, letting the jailer know he was ready to leave.
"So, this is it. I will die and will be forgotten by all."
William turned back around. "Oh no. Not hardly. Your name will go down as the most evil Englishman that ever lived for over a millennium, longer perhaps. I should tell you about your horrid death, but I will save that as a surprise. Your widow will never receive all of your remains to bury. A few pieces here and there. You will be scattered and will not allowed to rest. Your coat of arms will be turned and displayed upside-down, a show of your wretchedness and disgrace. You will be remembered for many centuries. It will be a hard row for your descendants to live down. But they will manage. Two of your progeny will become Queen of England, in their own right. One will be a great religious reformer, two will become renowned statesmen in their own lands. They will become great, despite your wickedness."
They could hear the jailer shuffling up the hallway. "How do you know this?"
The key was in the lock, the metal grating. William leaned over and whispered in Hugh's ear.
"Edward is not my master. One who is greater, is."
The door opened and William swept out, leaving Hugh dumb-founded.
~~~...~~~
Hugh le Despenser was brought to trial on November 24, 1326, before Roger Mortimer and Isabella, Queen of England. Upon being found guilty, he was firmly tied to a ladder and in full view of the crowd, which included William Edward FitzGisborne, had his genitals cut from his body and burned in front of him. He was still conscious. He then had his entrails slowly pulled from his body and finally his heart was cut out and thrown into the fire. While this ensued, Roger and Isabella dined in the front of the crowd, as if at a great dinner party.
Hugh's last conscious vision was that William Edward's face, sardonically grinning through the smoke.
Tbc
Historical notes:
Hugh the Younger's body was beheaded and cut into four pieces. His head was mounted on the gates of London. As the story states, Mortimer and Isabella dined with their main supporters as they watched the execution.
In December of 1330, three years after Hugh's execution, his widow, Eleanor de Clare was given permission to gather and bury his remains at the family's Gloucestershire estate, however, only the head, a thigh bone and a few small bones were returned to her.
It seems however, in February of 2008, what may have been the rest of his remains were found at the former site of Hulton Abbey in Staffordshire. The remains, which were originally uncovered in during archaeological work in the 1970's appeared to have been drawn and quartered and were missing the pieces given to Hugh's widow. Carbon dating places the age of the body between 1050 and 1385 and suggest that it is a man over 34. Hugh was 40 at the time of his execution. In addition, the Abbey is located on lands that belonged to Hugh Audley, Despenser's brother-in-law.
Hugh's descendants did manage to make better lives for themselves. Anne Neville, queen of Richard III of England and Catherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII were both descended through Hugh's grandson, Edward le Despencer, 1st Baron le Despencer. In addition, Anne Marbury Hutchinson, the New England Protestant reformer, as well as Franklin D Roosevelt and George W. Bush are also descended from Hugh.