The King of Thieves: Read online

  THE KING OF THIEVES

  Michael Jecks

  Copyright © 2008 Michael Jecks

  The right of Michael Jecks to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

  Apart from any use permitted under UK copyright law, this publication may only be reproduced, stored, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, with prior permission in writing of the publishers or, in the case of reprographic production, in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency.

  First published as an Ebook by

  Headline Publishing Group in 2014

  All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  Cataloguing in Publication Data is available from the British Library

  eISBN: 978 1 47221 9879

  HEADLINE PUBLISHING GROUP

  An Hachette UK Company

  338 Euston Road

  London NW1 3BH

  www.headline.co.uk

  www.hachette.co.uk

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  About the Author

  Also by Michael Jecks

  Praise

  About the Book

  Dedication

  Glossary

  Cast of Characters

  Author’s Note

  Map

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-One

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Michael Jecks gave up a career in the computer industry to concentrate on his writing. He is the founder of Medieval Murderers, has been Chairman of the Crime Writers’ Association, and helped create the Historical Writers’ Association. Keen to help new writers, for some years he organised the Debut Dagger competition, and is now organising the AsparaWriting festival for new writers at Evesham. He has judged many prizes, including the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger. Michael is an international speaker on writing and for business. He lives with his wife, children and dogs in northern Dartmoor.

  Michael can be contacted through his website: www.michaeljecks.co.uk.

  He can be followed on twitter (@MichaelJecks) or on Facebook.com/Michael.Jecks.author.

  His photos of Devon and locations for his books can be found at: Flickr.com/photos/Michael_Jecks.

  Also by Michael Jecks

  The Last Templar

  The Merchant’s Partner

  A Moorland Hanging

  The Crediton Killings

  The Abbot’s Gibbet

  The Leper’s Return

  Squire Throwleigh’s Heir

  Belladonna at Belstone

  The Traitor of St Giles

  The Boy-Bishop’s Glovemaker

  The Tournament of Blood

  The Sticklepath Strangler

  The Devil’s Acolyte

  The Mad Monk of Gidleigh

  The Templar’s Penance

  The Outlaws of Ennor

  The Tolls of Death

  The Chapel of Bones

  The Butcher of St Peter’s

  A Friar’s Bloodfeud

  The Death Ship of Dartmouth

  Malice of Unnatural Death

  Dispensation of Death

  The Templar, the Queen and Her Lover

  The Prophecy of Death

  The King of Thieves

  No Law in the Land

  The Bishop Must Die

  The Oath

  King’s Gold

  City of Fiends

  Templar’s Acre

  Praise

  ‘Michael Jecks is the master of the medieval whodunnit’ Robert Low

  ‘Captivating … If you care for a well-researched visit to medieval England, don’t pass this series’ Historical Novels Review

  ‘Michael Jecks has a way of dipping into the past and giving it that immediacy of a present-day newspaper article … He writes … with such convincing charm that you expect to walk round a corner in Tavistock and meet some of the characters’ Oxford Times

  ‘Great characterisation, a detailed sense of place, and a finely honed plot make this a superb medieval historical’ Library Journal

  ‘Stirring intrigue and a compelling cast of characters will continue to draw accolades’ Publishers Weekly

  ‘A tortuous and exciting plot … The construction of the story and the sense of period are excellent’ Shots

  ‘This fascinating portrayal of medieval life and the corruption of the Church will not disappoint. With convincing characters whose treacherous acts perfectly combine with a devilishly masterful plot, Jecks transports readers back to this wicked world with ease’ Good Book Guide

  About the book

  The twenty-sixth novel in Michael Jecks’s medieval Knights Templar series.

  1325: Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and his friend Simon Puttock are in France guarding King Edward’s son on his perilous journey to meet the French king, Charles IV. But they are unaware that King Edward’s wife Isabella is disaffected and plotting her revenge …

  What first appears a simple diplomatic mission is fast becoming lethally dangerous. Meanwhile, two murders in Paris are causing alarm. Is there a connection between the killings and the shadowy ‘King’ of thieves? Simon and Baldwin know the future of the English crown is at risk. And in order to protect it they must put their own lives in jeopardy.

  This book is for two friends whom I respected hugely.

  Both were great countrymen.

  Both adored nature in all its forms.

  Both had the same respect for the world about them.

  Both could see humour in everything they (or others) did.

  And I, like many others, suffered from their practical jokes.

  Both died too soon.

  Martin Coombs

  Brian Radford

  You’re both sorely missed.

  Glossary

  Crophead

  slang term for a priest or other tonsured man.

  Harvester

  slang for a cutpurse, someone who would slice through the thongs holding a man’s money to his belt.

  Picker

  a thief who would take everything from his victim.

  Planter

  one who would provide fake jewels.

  Cast of Characters

  Sir Baldwin de Furnshill

  once a Knight Templar, Baldwin is now known
to be an astute investigator of crimes.

  Jeanne

  Baldwin’s wife.

  Simon Puttock

  a close friend of Baldwin’s for almost ten years, Simon has worked with Baldwin in many investigations.

  Margaret

  Simon’s wife, Margaret is particularly concerned that their house could be under threat.

  King Edward II

  a frivolous, untrustworthy and ruthless King, Edward was loathed by his barons, thought feckless and vain by the clergy, and detested by the French King because of his treatment of his French wife, Queen Isabella.

  Sir Hugh le Despenser

  King Edward’s closest companion, adviser, friend and – in the opinion of many historians – his lover, Sir Hugh was probably the most avaricious, dishonest and manipulative adviser that England has ever known.

  King Charles IV of France

  brother of Queen Isabella, King Charles was the last of his line on the French throne.

  Cardinal Thomas

  Thomas d’Angou was an adviser to King Charles IV of France, as well as informant to the Pope.

  Sieur Hugues de Toulouse

  once an obscure knight, Sieur Hugues has risen to the post of castellan of the Louvre.

  Sir Richard de Welles

  a cheery knight from Devon, Sir Richard is a King’s Coroner, in which capacity he has worked with Simon and Baldwin in the past.

  The King of Thieves

  known as such because of his unique position in Paris, the ‘King’ controls much of the crime that is perpetrated.

  Jacquot

  Once a contented farmer, now Jacquot is an embittered criminal eking out a living in Paris.

  Amélie

  a prostitute, Amélie is the latest in a series of companions for the ‘King of Thieves’.

  Jean de Poissy

  the city prosecutor, or Procureur, Jean de Poissy is an indefatigable investigator.

  Pons and Vital

  two officers of Paris responsible for inquiring into murders.

  Stephen

  Jean’s servant of many years’ standing.

  Hélias

  a brothel-keeper and whore, Hélias has been a friend of Jean de Poissy’s for a long time.

  Jehanin

  one of many kitchen knaves in the Louvre.

  Raoulet

  a messenger in the Louvre.

  Arnaud

  the main porter, or gatekeeper, to the Louvre.

  Queen Isabella

  wife to King Edward of England, Isabella is deeply unhappy at being ignored by her husband in favour of Despenser, whom she hates. The Queen has been sent to France on a diplomatic mission to prevent an escalation in hostilities over English possessions in France.

  Lord John Cromwell

  the head of the English delegation, Lord John has already grown to be an ally of the Queen’s.

  William de Bouden

  Comptroller to the Queen during her stay in France.

  Alice de Toeni

  a lady-in-waiting, put in place by Despenser to keep a watchful eye on the Queen and all her dealings.

  Joan of Bar

  the divorced wife of Earl John de Warenne, Joan was also put in place by Despenser, but has grown to pity and sympathise with the Queen.

  Edward, Earl of Chester

  son of the King and Queen Isabella, Earl Edward, later created Duke of Aquitaine, is to travel to France to pay homage for the English territories.

  Bishop Walter II

  the Bishop of Exeter, Walter Stapledon is an old friend of Simon and Baldwin, but has also held a number of key positions in English politics. He was the guardian to Earl Edward during the ill-fated journey to France in 1325.

  Sir Henry de Beaumont

  a loyal servant to the King, he has been placed with the Bishop to guard Earl Edward during his journey to France.

  Author’s Note

  There can be few such events in history quite so incompetently handled as the diplomatic mission in 1325 to France of the Earl of Chester.

  Never actually created a Prince, the Earl was nonetheless in receipt of every gift a grateful father could bestow. He became an Earl only a few days after his birth, whereas his father, King Edward II, and grandfather were both in their mid-teens. Edward, so it would appear, doted on his little son. However, all that was to change. As King Edward grew in authority after the dreadful Battle of Boroughbridge – following which he systematically hunted down and executed most of the ‘rebels’ – so he also grew to rely ever more on the judgement of Sir Hugh le Despenser – a judgement which was invariably skewed to the advantage of Despenser himself.

  It would be tedious to recite all the crimes of Despenser here. Suffice it to say that the man was entirely ruthless, particularly violent, and peculiarly avaricious in an age when violence was normal and greed not viewed as an especially vile sin. Despenser was notable for his extremes. His behaviour does appear to be deplorable, seen from the safe perspective of seven hundred years.

  But after the short war of Saint-Sardos in 1324, all the English territories were at threat. The French had overrun them, with little defence put up by the English – partly because they were starved of funds and men by Despenser.

  The result was a protracted negotiation intended to save English suzerainty. But the French King was not hoping for that – he wanted the English off his territories entirely. So it suited his purposes to raise the stakes. He demanded that the English King should travel to Paris to pay homage, as any vassal should to his liege-lord. However, because Edward dared not leave England, he hurriedly created his son Duke of Aquitaine, and sent him instead, under the watchful eye of Bishop Walter II of Exeter.

  And thus begins our tale.

  The Hundred Years War began only a few years after the events depicted here. Most readers will have heard of the great battles of Agincourt, Crécy and Poitiers, and may find it hard to understand why the English should have been so nervous about losing Aquitaine. There are a number of reasons.

  First, was the very real damage that would have been done to the economy. Medieval kings may not have been especially fiscally aware, but they employed a great many men who were – Bishop Walter was one such.

  Even in medieval times, accounting was considered a serious business. It is fortunate for us that this is so, because it is often the old rolls of accounts which give us an accurate feel for the period. Be that as it may, the simple fact is that the Duchy of Aquitaine, the rich lands of Gascony, provided more money to the English Crown than the whole of the British Isles. And with a small, loyal population, the Gascons were less troublesome to rule!

  The second point, though, is much more important. The English were a small nation, viewed as incredibly truculent, and the King had a hard time trying to keep his subjects under control. If he wanted to send a force to Guyenne, for example, he would need the support of the barons in Parliament. Without their approval, he could not raise the necessary funds. This kind of dependence other rulers in Europe looked at with incomprehension.

  For an English King to propose war against the French, he would have to have a number of exceedingly good arguments and a strong plan of campaign. Not only because of the funding, but also because of the extreme disparity in forces.

  At no time in English medieval history did the English King have more than about two and a half thousand knights. There was simply not the population for more. Men-at-arms and warriors on foot would add some thousands, but not many more. Compare that with the French hosts, and the sad disparity becomes obvious. Some ten thousand knights, with tens of thousands of footsoldiers, hired mercenaries from Genoa and Venice, freebooters from German states, all provided the French with the greatest forces in the whole of Christendom.

  And they had morale, too. The whole world knew that the French had the best warriors, the largest number of fighters, the most effective armour … it was all in their favour. If an English King wanted to fight, he could count on facing force
s of five, six or more times his own. It was inconceivable that an English King could equip, transport, feed and field enough men to contest any lands the French sought to take. The only defence was legal. And the English did not have much faith in a legal system which was entirely populated by French lawyers.

  There has been a great deal of help in writing this book. I cannot help but mention the excellent books by Ian Mortimer, The Greatest Traitor and The Perfect King (Jonathan Cape); also King Edward II by Roy Martin Haines (McGill-Queen’s University Press); Politics, Finance and the Church in the Reign of King Edward II by Mark Buck (Cambridge University Press) among others. Many books have been consulted, and any errors are sadly entirely my own.

  One error which I should mention to those who have followed the sequence of the books with enthusiasm, relates to the marriage of King Charles of France to his third wife.

  In some cases of history, there are problems. I once spent a month trying to validate a story which I intended to base around an ancient fair, only to discover after four entire weeks of research, that the fair did not exist. It was a Victorian creation.

  However, one can usually check on some aspects of life with ease. One such, so I would have believed, would be the wedding day of a King. ‘Aha!’ I hear you cry. ‘Any fool could confirm that …’

  Well, not this fool. My last two books were leading up to the glorious day of the wedding of King Charles to his wife Jeanne. I had anticipated that wedding occurring in this book. In fact, the wedding scene was to be a significant section of the story – and so it had been planned for over a year when I first embarked on this section of my series.

  Alas. ‘The best laid schemes gang aft a-gley,’ as Rabbie Burns put it so well.

  I grew a little perturbed to find that, when I looked through my research material, only one book mentioned the wedding in 1325, and I could not for the life of me find any decent confirmed date. Now, I am a fiction writer, but it is deeply ingrained in me never to put into a book a fact which is historically untrue; I had to check it. Knowing (as I felt sure I did) the year of the marriage, I was confident that the day and date would not be impossible to find. So I searched. I looked at websites. I even looked at Wikipedia (usually a proof of utter despair on my part) and I checked with a number of French sites, working on the basis that they should have the most accurate records of their own Kings’ wedding dates.