HISTORICAL FICTION — SPECULATIVE FICTION

Guillaume’s Son, Louis and the Templars

Chapter Eight — Louis’ grandson becomes an Earl in England

And so it came to pass that Georges and Louis joined the ranks of those tasked with the preservation of the old faith. Georges was sent to Scotland where his uncle, Pierre had carried the fortunes of the family and the Knights Templar. In 1154, Louis, who had remained on the family estate along the Somme River.

Laurent stood beside Louis de Fontaine at the reception for the representatives from Palestine being held by the new English King, Henry II. Most of the other nobles present, were French Normans by descent or representatives of the various French provinces which had been added to his rule before becoming King of England.

“Our King has amassed quite the empire,” Louis spoke, as an aside to Lugh, disguised as Laurent. “And you, you haven’t aged a day since I first saw you. How do you manage to avoid being discovered for who you really are? There are many who would turn you into the church to be burnt as a witch.”

“Yes, Henry is advancing our plan though he doesn’t really know it,” Laurent returned, ignoring the question. “Despite his methods, Henry has finally secured a peace treaty with King Stephan. The Templar brotherhood has inspired Henry to extend his reach with hopes of adding Wales and Ireland to the empire Henry is desperately trying to enlarge.”

“Are you sure it isn’t Eleanor, who is behind his insatiable hunger for power?” joked Louis. King Louis VII of France had his marriage to Eleanor annulled only a year earlier due to her inability to produce a male heir for King Louis during their fifteen years of marriage. Eleanor had wasted no time in marrying Henry who was eleven years younger than her.

“Of course,” Laurent agreed. “She is after all, from Aquitaine. King Louis is going to rue the day he let her go as Henry will seize more and more of France when all is said and done. But enough of that. I am here to let you know that your daughter will have a child out of wedlock with Henry. Despite Eleanor’s power, Henry will continue to find pleasure with other women, especially younger women.”

“But I don’t have a daughter, Laurent.”

“Ah, but you will have. Now see that fine-looking woman over there? She’s going to be your daughter’s mother,” grinned Lauren. “She’s a fine Celtic woman from the Scottish kingdom. Let me introduce you to her.”

In 1175 Louis de Longpré de Fontaine’s daughter, Jocelyn caught the eye of King Henry II. Henry was doing what many men do, who get bored with life at midlife, he sought out conquests to prove to himself and to others that he was still a virile man.

Eleanor was now in her fifties and had lost interest in trying to please Henry. She was focused on her sons, trying to make sure their political futures were safe. She wasn’t worried about Henry’s affairs as long as they didn’t get in the way of her plans or unduly embarrass her.

Henry’s interest in Jocelyn, a young woman of eighteen, was consummated following one of the incessant balls that Eleanor forced him to attend. Eleanor hosted those events as they were necessary to keep their alliances secure. And, as foretold by Laurent, Jocelyn became pregnant.

Fearing her father’s wrath when she was discovered to be pregnant, Jocelyn returned to Aberdeen, her mother’s home. Louis suspected what had occurred and soon followed.

“Jocelyn,” he began. “I know that you’re with child. And no, I am not angry with you though I fear that we will have to keep the secret about the paternity of your child.”

“I’m sorry, Papa,” Jocelyn cried with relief.

“It’s not you who should be sorry. After all, he is the King and who would dare say no to the King of England, and leader of the Angevin Empire.”

Jocelyn named the boy Guillaume de Long after his great-grandfather. King Henry eventually admitted that he was Guillaume’s father when the boy was twelve years old in 1187. The boy was no threat to his five half-brothers who were already plotting against each other to determine who would be the next King of England. Henry was in poor health and died two years later.

By the time Guillaume turned twenty in 1196, England had a new king, Guillaume’s half-brother became King Richard I. King Richard made Guillaume the third Earl of Salisbury.

“Was this your doing as well?” questioned Louis, who was now white-haired.

“Think about it, Louis,” Laurent admitted, “The estate is only twelve kilometres from Stonehenge, a sacred site the brotherhood of Templars wants to ensure doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. Your grandson deserves this royal status, not only as Richard’s half-brother, but also because of his unwavering support of Richard’s intention to reclaim Palestine.”

“I should have guessed it,” Louis spoke with a shake of his head. “Nothing happens without the Templars’ approval. And behind the Templars are the gods and goddesses.”

The Templars had been very active in establishing themselves in England. King Henry II had given the order land grants. His heir, King Richard I, had given the Templars special rights and protections as the Templars created a financial empire. Almost immediately after granting the Templars special powers, King Richard left to take part in the third crusade.

“How is it that the King agreed to this while warring against the forces of both Philip and John?”

“You’ll have to thank Eleanor for that. Despite John’s desire to be king, she is committed to having Richard remain on the throne,” Laurent informed Louis. “Politics is a messy and violent world.”

Previously

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