'I don't know.' John placed the note in the package addressed to Sir Humphrey and stuck in down. 'Bradford is paying for information. The more damning it is the more he pays. I wouldn't give a crooked penny for what it's worth but he's paying in silver.'
'We have to be very careful,' Elizabeth said.
'Aye,' John nodded. 'This could put everything at risk.'
He reached for a candle and deposited a blob of sealing wax on the package. Then, before it had set, he placed his signet ring upon it. The impression looked good and he put the package to one side.
'Bradford is collecting evidence to sabotage the charter for the new almshouse. He doesn't care if it's true or false. All that matters is that Bishop Neville should believe what he says and withdraw his support.'
'Do you think there's any risk of that?'
'Robert Neville is no fool,' John said. 'Nor are the people who advise him. But, they can't ignore accusations of this sort. Alice must learn to curb her tongue.'
Interlude
Spring passed into summer. Primroses gave way to bluebells and swallows returned from the south. Harald and Alice were frequent visitors to Honeycombe Woods where they took notes while Brother Mathew sketched.
The feud between the abbey and the parishioners continued. The baptismal service at Pentecost resulted in a near riot and an illegal font was installed in All Hallows.
John Baret and Richard Rochell worked diligently towards a royal charter for the new almshouse. The illegal font had brought relations between the parish and the abbey to breaking point and the prospect of a serious disturbance was of major concern. They trod a difficult path between the interests of the bishop and the local community.
In France, the fortunes of the English took a severe hammering and their armies were forced to vacate the region about Paris and fall back on Normandy. From Rouen, Harald's father sent an urgent demand for funds to be raised by the sale of land.
In August, Abbot John Brunyng died and preparations were made for the election of his successor.