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EPILOGUE
And you happened to call
Stephen Winchester's body was found the next morning, by an arriving servant. The Sheriff's physician was called and he pronounced the man died of natural causes. There were no marks on his body, save a strange mark in the skin at his heart. He was sent home in a wagon. It was eventually reported that he was the last of his line and his property reverted to the crown, something for Henry to reward a deserving servant with. The estate was, as Robert stated, in shambles and eventually, the home itself was razed to the ground and rebuilt. It was the bane of many generations, as if the very soil was cursed.
Henry left at noon, his guards mounted in formation before he left. "I understand your mother gave birth last night?"
Robert and his very pale Esabelle bowed. "Aye. A girl-child. Healthy and screams loudly, so I'm told."
"Don't they all?" Henry smiled. Robert noticed the king was as pasty as his wife. Did anyone get sleep this past night? "Has she named the child?"
Robert's brow furrowed in thought. "Guyenne. She named her Guyenne Alise."
If it were possible, Henry grew whiter. "Your ancestor. Your family is of the Gisborne bloodline."
"Yes." Robert knew his history and was proud of it. "Sir Guy of Gisborne was the Sheriff of Nottingham's Man at Arms. He had one child – Seth."
"You are sure of this?"
"We have the written will and declaration, sealed with his signet. The original is still at Ripley's, although it is in delicate condition. If you would like to see it-"
"No." Henry was shaking his head. "I have no desire to see it. I trust you." He looked over the green lawns of Locksley. "When your father passed his titles to you, what advice did he give?" He looked down at the young man. "Surely, he gave you advice when he left to join Richard."
"Yes sire. He did."
"What was it?"
"He told me to give my full allegiance to the King of England and offer to be his right hand."
Henry stared at him, as if to measure him. "You are lucky. You knew your father, as did I, and he was a good man. I never knew mine and I had no brothers or sisters to tell me about him. Let your new sister know that he was a loyal, proud and just man." Robert nodded. "I will accept your allegiance now." He thrust out his hand with his royal ring. "Kneel and promise me."
So there in the stone bailey of Locksley, Robert Edward FitzGisborne gave his allegiance to Henry VII, King of England. Henry offered him Winchester's estate. Robert gently turned it down, telling the king his young hands were full.
"Take care of your people, Robert Edward FitzGisborne. When I need your services and council, I will call." And with that, Henry and his entourage rode through the gates and into the countryside.
~~~...~~~
Jahenne held her baby close, one breast bared, as the babe quickly latched on. For a moment, Jahenne thought this child was as greedy as her father. Her eyes were slitted, already promising to be a shade of greyish-blue, like her father's. As the babe nursed, the soul of Guy of Gisborne was for the time being, satisfied.
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tbc
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Historical Note: The territory of Nîmes and Aigues-Mortes was claimed and brought under the French Monarchy in 1481.
Chapter Titles – Diamond and Rust. By Joan Baez
watch?v=e83qHv5pLHI&ab_channel=MorgaineLeFair
Mea Regina! Mater mea!
Tua sint omnia, et,
meae erga te
Consecro tibi oculos
aures os meum cor meum totum.
Unde, o bona Mater,
sicut ego tibi manebat,
serva me, defendente me,
ut peculium tuum et habitu.
My Queen! my Mother!
I give thee all myself, and,
to show my devotion to thee,
I consecrate to thee my eyes,
my ears, my mouth, my heart, my entire self.
Wherefore, O loving Mother,
as I am thine own,
keep me, defend me,
as thy property and possession.
Edward Crispin FitzGisborne 1439 - 1485
m – Jehenne de Arles - 1467
d – (Illegitimate) – b 1459?
s – Robert Edward – Earl of Locksley, etc. b 1468
d – Cecelie b 1471
d – Ameis b 1475
s – William Roland b 1478
d – Markaret b 1482
d – Guyenne Alise– b 1486 - Abbess of Ripley's.
Where to now St Peter... Elton John
So where to now St. Peter
If it's true I'm in your hands
I may not be a Christian
But I've done all one man can
I understand I'm on the road
Where all that was is gone
So where to now St. Peter
Show me which road I'm on
Which road I'm on
Dirty was the daybreak
Sudden was the change
In such a silent place as this
or Diamonds and Rust
Well, I'll be damned
here comes your ghost again
But that's not unusual
It's just that the moon was full
And you happened to call.