give a bored glance over Baldwin’s shoulder. The latter took this as a hint, told his companions and they set off in pursuit.
Hildegard did not understand what their quarrel with the mage was about, but she feared for his safety should they find him. The carter clicked his horse into action and it began to amble towards her. As it passed she caught a glimpse of the toe of the carter’s boot from under his cloak. Content, she headed off down the street.
* * *
Agnetha had found temporary lodging with her cousin and his wife. They lived in a two-storey cottage on the other side of town. When Hildegard crossed the bridge and turned onto the street where the convent was located, she saw the lay sister step out ahead of her from where she had evidently been waiting.
They greeted each other warmly but then Agnetha gave a grimace. “These sisters here wouldn’t unlock the door for me. No visitors, they said.”
“Did they tell you I’d gone into the town?”
Agnetha shook her head. “Merely snapped their grille shut as if I carried the plague.”
“Yes, they are rather brusque. But what’s wrong? You look worried.”
“I am.” She had gone back to wearing the clothes she had worn when Hildegard had first set eyes on her, laying down the law over heriot tax to the abbot and his officials at Meaux. On her head was a white kerchief knotted at the back of her neck and she had adopted a plain kirtle of rough unbleached cotton, with a housewife’s apron tied over it.
Hildegard looked her up and down.
“I know.” Agnetha ran an apologetic hand over her skirts. “Listen. It’s not how it looks. I’ve not given up on my intention to take the veil. You know me better than that, Hildegard. I’m not so light of purpose.”
“So what’s happening? Can you talk here?” They were standing in the shade of the porch. Hildegard glanced round. They were alone. The street had a few passersby at the far end. But to be certain they were not overheard she gestured to Agnetha to follow her and they both moved away from the door and began to stroll towards the quayside.
“I’ve been talking to my cousin and his wife,” the lay sister began. “It’s on their advice I’ve adopted my dairy woman’s garb. Listen, Hildegard,” she clutched her by the arm. “The way things are, the monastics are going to get caught in the crossfire.”
“What crossfire?”
Agnetha looked uncomfortable. “You know how the rebels targeted the abbeys? It’s not just lawyers they hate.”
“Rebels? You mean during the Great Revolt?”
Agnetha nodded.
“But that was three years ago—”
“Yes—” She broke off.
“And here in York they didn’t attack St. Mary’s Abbey nor the nunnery of St. Clement’s,” Hildegard said. “And the Holy Wounds convent is built like a fortress, as you’ve seen for yourself, and anyway,” she bit her lip, “surely all that’s over?”
“Those first two places are run by Benedictines. Everybody knows St. Mary’s came to a compromise with the town over their financial disputes by the time the rebellion broke out. And anyway,” Agnetha went on, “they have Gaunt’s protection. They’ll be safe if it starts up again.”
“So? Why are you looking so worried?”
“I’m just listening to what my cousin says. It’s dangerous, Hildegard. You have no protection here.”
“So on that basis I should change my white habit for a black one and go in disguise?”
“I’m only saying be careful. He says there’s something dangerous brewing.”
“What sort of thing?”
Agnetha shook her head. “He couldn’t say. There are rumours. I thought you should be warned.”
“And that’s why you’ve come over here, to warn me against being a Cistercian?” Hildegard drew herself up. She was shocked. Agnetha was one of the most level-headed people she knew. That cousin must have turned her head with his fears.
Now Agnetha gripped Hildegard by the arm. “I’m not saying this
Hildegard did not understand what their quarrel with the mage was about, but she feared for his safety should they find him. The carter clicked his horse into action and it began to amble towards her. As it passed she caught a glimpse of the toe of the carter’s boot from under his cloak. Content, she headed off down the street.
* * *
Agnetha had found temporary lodging with her cousin and his wife. They lived in a two-storey cottage on the other side of town. When Hildegard crossed the bridge and turned onto the street where the convent was located, she saw the lay sister step out ahead of her from where she had evidently been waiting.
They greeted each other warmly but then Agnetha gave a grimace. “These sisters here wouldn’t unlock the door for me. No visitors, they said.”
“Did they tell you I’d gone into the town?”
Agnetha shook her head. “Merely snapped their grille shut as if I carried the plague.”
“Yes, they are rather brusque. But what’s wrong? You look worried.”
“I am.” She had gone back to wearing the clothes she had worn when Hildegard had first set eyes on her, laying down the law over heriot tax to the abbot and his officials at Meaux. On her head was a white kerchief knotted at the back of her neck and she had adopted a plain kirtle of rough unbleached cotton, with a housewife’s apron tied over it.
Hildegard looked her up and down.
“I know.” Agnetha ran an apologetic hand over her skirts. “Listen. It’s not how it looks. I’ve not given up on my intention to take the veil. You know me better than that, Hildegard. I’m not so light of purpose.”
“So what’s happening? Can you talk here?” They were standing in the shade of the porch. Hildegard glanced round. They were alone. The street had a few passersby at the far end. But to be certain they were not overheard she gestured to Agnetha to follow her and they both moved away from the door and began to stroll towards the quayside.
“I’ve been talking to my cousin and his wife,” the lay sister began. “It’s on their advice I’ve adopted my dairy woman’s garb. Listen, Hildegard,” she clutched her by the arm. “The way things are, the monastics are going to get caught in the crossfire.”
“What crossfire?”
Agnetha looked uncomfortable. “You know how the rebels targeted the abbeys? It’s not just lawyers they hate.”
“Rebels? You mean during the Great Revolt?”
Agnetha nodded.
“But that was three years ago—”
“Yes—” She broke off.
“And here in York they didn’t attack St. Mary’s Abbey nor the nunnery of St. Clement’s,” Hildegard said. “And the Holy Wounds convent is built like a fortress, as you’ve seen for yourself, and anyway,” she bit her lip, “surely all that’s over?”
“Those first two places are run by Benedictines. Everybody knows St. Mary’s came to a compromise with the town over their financial disputes by the time the rebellion broke out. And anyway,” Agnetha went on, “they have Gaunt’s protection. They’ll be safe if it starts up again.”
“So? Why are you looking so worried?”
“I’m just listening to what my cousin says. It’s dangerous, Hildegard. You have no protection here.”
“So on that basis I should change my white habit for a black one and go in disguise?”
“I’m only saying be careful. He says there’s something dangerous brewing.”
“What sort of thing?”
Agnetha shook her head. “He couldn’t say. There are rumours. I thought you should be warned.”
“And that’s why you’ve come over here, to warn me against being a Cistercian?” Hildegard drew herself up. She was shocked. Agnetha was one of the most level-headed people she knew. That cousin must have turned her head with his fears.
Now Agnetha gripped Hildegard by the arm. “I’m not saying this
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