The Abbot's Agreement by Mel Starr Page A

heard the hinges of his door squeal when we entered the place and immediately appeared. I asked for two cups of ale, and placed two farthings upon a well-worn table. This payment was evidently sufficient, for the toothless fellow swept the coins into a palm, left the room, and reappeared with two large leather tankards.
    Brother Gerleys spoke true. Adam Skillyng’s ale was better than most, and not watered. Whether this was due to Skillyng’s honesty or the village taster’s vigilance, who could say? Arthur smacked his lips in appreciation after his first swallow, and the man beamed in appreciation of the compliment.
    “Travelers?” he asked.
    “Nay,” I replied, and placed two more farthings upon the table. “Abbot Thurstan has commissioned me to find a felon. Have you heard of the murder of an abbey novice?”
    “Aye,” the man said, and crossed himself.
    “We are lodged in the abbey guest house… but the abbey ale is so noisome that when we learned of this place we came seeking better.”
    “Ah. In times past many monks did also, but the prior forbids it now.”
    The farthings remained upon the table, and I saw Skillyng glance at them. “More ale?” he finally said.
    “Nay. Your ale is pleasant, but I seek information of you.” AsI said this I pushed the coins toward the fellow. “The reeve’s lass, Maude, is a comely maiden. Has she many suitors?”
    “Hah,” Skillyng grinned. “Has Oxford many scholars?”
    “That many?” I said.
    “Well, nay. But more than a few.”
    “She will bring little land to a husband… only a reeve’s daughter.”
    “Simon has no sons. Got Maude an’ her sister, what’s younger. An’ since the pestilence come second time he’s taken up more of the abbey’s lands. Has servants, does Simon.”
    “How much of the abbey’s manor is in his tenancy?”
    “Five an’ a half yardlands. Has subtenants for three yardlands.”
    “Whoso weds Maude will gain more than a comely wife, then.”
    “Aye, an’ there be plenty of lads eager to win ’er.”
    “Who?” I pushed the coins closer to the man and he scooped them into stubby fingers.
    “Sir Thomas, for one.”
    “Sir Richard’s son? Him who is in service to a knight of Swindon?”
    “Aye. But he’s returned for a time. To press ’is suit, folk do say. Ralph’s not pleased, I’d wager.”
    “Ralph?”
    “Aye. Ralph Bigge. Father sent ’im to serve Sir Richard when ’e was but a page. Lived here in Eynsham, in service to Sir Richard as page an’ squire, for near fifteen years.”
    “And he has an eye for Maude also?”
    “So ’tis said. ’Course, her father’d favor Sir Thomas.”
    “Why so?”
    “Ralph has no lands, an now we’re at peace with France, no prospect of takin’ prisoners for ransom, an’ little chance to win honor in battle so to be knighted. Sir Thomas has no lands, but he’s a knight.”
    “Sir Richard has two sons?”
    “Aye. Sir Geoffrey’s older. ’Bout a year. Sir Richard’s wife died soon after Sir Thomas was born. Truth to tell, Sir Geoffrey’s got a wanderin’ eye, folk say. Wouldn’t surprise me none did he chase after Maude on the sly, like.”
    “Sir Geoffrey is wed?”
    “Aye. To Hawisa. Got a son, an’ another babe on the way.”
    “Sir Thomas and Ralph seek the favor of a lass beneath their station. Are there no men of her station who are suitors?”
    “Oh, aye. Osbern Mallory, ’tis said, has approached her father about paying court. A widower, is Osbern. Has lands of Osney Abbey in Cumnor, beyond Swinford. Wealthy fellow, but no title. An’ Maude may be of the commons, but Simon’s got a heavy purse. Inherited ’is brother’s shop in Oxford when ’e died.”
    “Who of these suitors does the reeve prefer?”
    “Sir Thomas, ’tis said.”
    “And Maude? What is her opinion?”
    “Ralph is a handsome fellow, an’ so is Osbern. Folk do say she prefers them. Sir Thomas bein’ stout an’ not so pleasin’ to look upon.”
    “But the reeve