The King of Thieves: by Michael Jecks

to travel again to France, and at a time when
     his wife was being cruelly threatened by Despenser. The last time Simon had been away from home, he had installed a lodger
     who was more than capable of protecting himself – another Bailiff from the moors who had a need of a home. Margaret, meanwhile,
     had gone to visit Jeanne and taken their son with her.
    This time, Jeanne had suggested he should put the local priest in as their lodger. The man would be very glad of a home so
     near to the church, and Margaret could once more travel to stay at Baldwin’s house.
    This arrangement did not, however, leave Simon with any sense of comfort. He was here, many miles away from his home, and
     his wife and family were undefended.
    ‘Despenser promised us that he’d leave me alone,’ he said again.
    ‘Simon, I think this only proves that it is not possible to trust anything that he says,’ Baldwin replied. ‘He is not an honourable
     man, but a felon who dresses well. He just has so much power that he thinks he can behave with complete impunity. And with
     the King’s support and tolerance, he is quite right.’
    ‘Damn him. Damn his soul to hell,’ Simon muttered. He had never felt such an overwhelming detestation of any man before in
     his life. All those whom he had hunted down for murder, for treachery, for crimes of all sorts, had not inspired this sense
     of utter loathing. To think that the man could have done such a thing to him, for no genuine reason. Simon had done nothing
     to harm Despenser intentionally. Oh, possibly he and Baldwin had together ruined some of his plans, but that was not their
     fault directly. They were both officers of the law, and when they discovered acts that were illegal, they were bound to apply
     the law.
    ‘You must try to forget his actions against you while we are here, Simon,’ Baldwin advised, glancing about him. The abbey
     was filled to bursting with the King’s men and they mingled with those who wore the Despenser insignia. ‘Do not lose your
     temper, old friend.’
    ‘I will try not to, Baldwin, but if that self-satisfied cretin shows up and insults me, I will find it difficult not to push
     my fist through his face.’
    ‘Simon!’ Baldwin said urgently. ‘Bear this in mind, old friend – Despenser is inviolate. He is the King’s closest friend.
     Any man who makes Despenser an enemy is also an enemy of your King. You want to be an outcast in your own land? Then keep
     hold of your tongue. Despenser is foul and his acts repugnant, but that is no reason for you to die. Remember that! You do
     not wish to leave Meg and little Peter destitute, do you?’
    ‘I am sure I recall saying almost the same thing to you, the last time we were leaving the King’s presence,’ Simon said with
     a dry grin.
    ‘And you were right then, just as I am now. You reminded me of my duty to my family – now I do the same for you. Do not forget
     them, old friend.’
    ‘I will try not to,’ Simon promised. But there was little conviction in his tone.

Chapter Eight
    Saturday after the Feast of St Augustine of Hippo
*
    Langdon, Kent
    The years after the invasion of the Normans had seen a flourishing development of religious houses in the country. First were
     the Benedictines, then Cistercians too, but as time passed on, the Premonstratensians became more and more popular with those
     who could afford the best protection for their souls. Investing a little money in a house for these white-clad monks was a
     good long-term prospect.
    It was Matilda, the daughter of that great monastic builder, Ranulf de Glanville, who paid for the colony here at Langdon.
     Simon had heard that they were never overly expensive, which must have been an attraction to some of those who decided to
     support them. Perhaps they were cheap to feed, since all were vegetarian. And they never required much in the way of laundry,
     apparently. Their robes were noted for being rather ‘lively’. It was a reputation