A Devil of a Man (5) - A Fair Exchange

After the death of Cola di Rienzo, the Pope realised that in his haste to engage the services of the late romantic revolutionary, he had ignored two fundamental principles, the first of which is to check the curriculum vitae of a prospective employee and second the acceptance of the truism that power tends to corrupt.

Had he done his research properly, he would have known that the man popularly acclaimed as a romantic hero was in reality a fantasist who had claimed to be the natural son of the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry VII, whereas he was, in fact, born to a washer-woman and a tavern-keeper named Lorenzo Gabrini. 

He had firmly believed that it was his destiny to restore Rome to its glorious imperial past and set out to undertake this mission with great zeal. Unlimited authority and power to lead a revolution were given to him. 

The poet Petrarch was also passionate about renewing the ancient grandeur of Rome and wanted to reinstate it as a central power. He despised the Avignon Papacy and sent letters to the Pope pleading for a Papal return to Rome. So naturally, when Cola rose to power, Petrarch supported him, describing him as a second Romulus although he would later show his indignation and reproach him for his tyrannical behaviour.

Cola's influence began to wane and led to his ultimate downfall.

Pope Innocent was philosophical about the outcome; it just meant that the intended move of the papacy to Rome had to be put on the back burner.

A more immediate problem to be resolved was the intrusive presence of unwanted soldiers of fortune that was a source of misfortune for His Holiness. 

It looked as if they had decided to remain on French soil permanently

The excommunication had had no effect. They lived in luxury in the environs of Avignon, emptying the larders and cellars of the farmers of Pont St. Esprit. 

As they had received severe bruising at the hands of the mercenaries they were in no position to object. So the bandits grew fat at their expense.

The arrangements were so cosy that sorties to other areas had become sporadic. The atmosphere in the camp was so relaxed that a short absence by two of the captains, John Hawkwood and Albert Sterz wasn't noticed. Richard Musard and Walter Lesly were left in charge to ensure discipline.

John was on his way to England and Albert to Koln to meet an old acquaintance.

***

Hugh Fletcher thought he was hallucinating. He had hardly opened the front door when he saw a figure hurriedly and furtively enter the White Lion.

“John, is that really you?”, he exclaimed in amazement.

“Yes, Uncle. I couldn't miss the special day when my daughter gets married.”

“But it is dangerous for you to be here; Beatrice's family are still after your blood.”

“Don't worry, I shall disguise myself and lose myself among the crowd. It will be enough for me to catch a glimpse of my darling daughter and shed a secret tear.”

“Be very, very careful, my boy”

“I will. I'll say adieu now, Uncle Hugh, in case I don't see you before my departure.”

***

Albert's errand was of a different nature. He had gone to Germany to see Konrad von Landau, an ex-partner, who owed him a considerable amount of money, 50%  of a booty of a long-ago raid.

He called to his lodgings only to be told by a beautiful Fräulein that Konrad was away on business.

She introduced herself as Hildegunde, countess of Bohemia.

He was delighted to discover that in addition to being blue-blooded, she was also red-blooded.

Even though any chance of getting his money had flown out of the window, Albert was still determined to get his pound of flesh.

Fair exchange is no robbery, he thought and travelled back to France with Hildegund in tow.

***

Back at the camp, John was fascinated by the vision of a beautiful red-headed woman emerging from Albert's tent. He couldn't keep his eyes off her.

“Look but don't touch,” said an old trooper, cackling, “that's the boss's missus.”

“Gerroff, Thomas, old scoundrel,” John hissed.

He was irked that Sterz was thought of as boss, possibly because of his typically teutonic, rigorous discipline. He, on the other hand, was considered more of a mate due to his relaxed management style. Maybe his men expected their captain to be as ruthless as he was on the battlefield.

***

The Pope was in a pensive mood when Cardinal Albornoz addressed him.

“A visitor wishes to see you, Holy Father.  A count from Italy.”

Thinking he may have misheard him, the pontiff asked the cardinal to repeat what he had just said. 

Once he understood that a nobleman from northern Italy wished to discuss important matters, he gave his assent for the visitor to be admitted to the audience hall.

He was informed that the caller was the Count of Savoy Amadeus V and that his credentials had been checked.

“What can I do for you my son?” he asked the count who had gone the whole hog, genuflecting and kissing Pope Innocent's signet ring.

“It is what I can do for you, Holy Father,” was the reply.

He then explained that he was the emissary of the Marquis of Montferrat who had heard that the pope was inconvenienced by a herd of marauders who had invaded the environs of Avignon and, as he was having a bit of a ding-dong with the Visconti of Milan, he could do with extra manpower.

Would His Holiness be willing to negotiate with the mercenaries to effect the move? The marquisate would bear most of the cost, of course.

The pontiff, though old, was not senile and could see that this proposal was the answer to his prayers.

It meant that he would have to eat humble pie, cancel the excommunication and pardon the miscreant but if peace and tranquillity were to be restored, the game was worth the candle.

 

 

© Luigi Pagano 2024