John Baret mounted the stairs to Richard Rochell's chambers. His friend of many years had a suite of rooms above a draper's shop. It was where he kept his records and worked as an accountant and financial adviser. Most of his clients had modest businesses. A few belonged to the moneyed classes. John peered through the door.
'Good Morrow, Richard.'
'Good Morrow, John.' Richard looked up from his papers. 'What brings you here on this fine summer's morning.'
'I need witnesses.'
'For signing a document?'
'No.' John sat down. 'I have been summoned, in a most insolent manner, to appear before a fellow who describes himself as our lord abbot. I am required to give an explanation of myself, whatever that means.'
'When did this happen?'
'About an hour ago. Bailiff Gallor arrived with a beadle and the sacrist. They demanded to conduct a search of my premises.'
'On what possible grounds?'
'The harbouring of felons.'
Richard put down his pen and replaced the lid on his inkwell.
'Did they find any?'
'Of course not. They searched high and low and all they found was a stray dog and a dead pigeon. The sacrist then summoned me to appear before Bradford.'
'Are you going?'
'I can hardly refuse. Before I left Salisbury I promised to do everything in my power to smooth relations between the parish and the abbey. It won't look good if I refuse to speak to the abbot-elect.'
'Is there anything I can do?'
'I want you to come with me. Bradford will have his advisers. I don't want to turn up without some support of my own.'
'Who else have you asked?'
'Harald Gascoigne and John Sprotert. Harald studied law at Oxford and John is well regarded in Salisbury.'
***
William Bradford glared at the four men who stood before him. He sat in the abbot's chair, in his richly decorated chamber, flanked by two monks. Canon Simon stood on his right and a young man with a writing block knelt on his left. William's heavy jowls sagged and his gaze passed back and forth with the gravity of a judge about to pass sentence. After a lengthy silence, he spoke.
'Master Baret. I summoned you ... and you alone.'
John Baret inclined his head respectfully. 'I took the liberty to ask these gentlemen to accompany me.'
'I did not grant that liberty, Master Baret.'
John produced a sheet of paper and began to read in his usual cumbersome style.
'My colleagues and I wish to congratulate you, Canon Bradford, on your most praiseworthy election as abbot of this esteemed and ancient Benedictine foundation in our beloved town of Sherborne. We recognise that, as lord abbot and rector of All Hallows, you will be responsible for the pastoral care and good guidance of our community …' John droned on and ended with some words about the rule of law and God's Holy Writ.'