Origins

The Cathedral wasn’t finished, and its construction was being overseen by Father Eustace who looked critically around the building site.

There were no doors and wooden scaffolding supported the arches of the nave and the chancel where the altar would be. And the wind and rain are still masters here, not God, but at least the lady chapel has been made wind and watertight, he thought.

This was where Mass was held every day and was also where trainee knights, such as Hugh Malet, continued to receive instructions from him.

Eustace blew out his cheeks and studied Hugh as he strolled towards the priest.

The first thing you noticed about Hugh was his height. At six-foot-two, he towered over his compatriots, and this no doubt reflected his family’s Viking heritage. But, unlike his ancestors who had come down from Denmark, he had black hair which seemed to emphasise his piercing blue eyes. He was well built, muscular with broad shoulders and all the attributes a knight required. He was also very pleasing on the eye, and the priest thought him bound to break many ladies’ hearts before he settled down. And maybe even after that, he added less charitably. After all, having taught Hugh for many years, he knew him and his reputation well.

He had also seen him in action at the jousts, and Eustace knew he was a formidable swordsman, an accomplished rider, and not a bad shot with a bow. And, he thought, the fact his father was the lord of the manor didn’t hurt his prospects, either.

Eustace liked to think himself an excellent observer and judge of men. He believed that understanding their strengths and weaknesses helped him to empathise with them. He also liked to consider both the external workings of the human body and the psyche, as he felt strongly that external attributes very often reflected internal struggles and conflicts. And as a shepherd of men, he needed to address both sins of the flesh and the soul to help his flock on their spiritual journey.

“Morning, Father!” Hugh called as he approached.

Eustace shook his head and wearily raised his hand in greeting, refraining from raising his voice in the House of the Lord.

Hugh is an interesting character, Eustace thought. He really couldn’t be judged by his outward appearance. He was an enigma.

Eustace realised that here was the sort of man that others of his sex should hate because of his positive attributes. But a man who should have caused envy among his peers didn’t seem to, and Eustace had never heard a bad word said against him. This was because, despite an impulsive nature and being quick to anger, which made him a formidable foe, Hugh was a genuinely warm, sympathetic person who cared deeply for his friends and family and would do anything to ensure their safety. He had. Not only did he have a wicked sense of fun and enjoyed the company of others who shared his world view, but also an uncanny knack of being at the centre of the action, particularly when it involved playing games on others.

The only thing Hugh definitely wasn’t was a scholar, and Eustace sighed as he readied himself for their lesson.

“How are you on this miserable day?” Hugh laughed, shaking his head, and spraying a shower of water like a shaggy wolfhound.

“I didn’t know it was raining…” Eustace began.

“Is that because you are too overwhelmed by Christ’s light and love for us all, and the joy of the world to have noticed?” Hugh asked with a smirk.

Eustace knew he should take issue with Hugh’s attitude, but didn’t have the energy today.

“No,” he responded, “it is simply a fact that I have been in confession all morning and was not aware. It was dry when I woke.”

“Ah, of course, I had forgotten this was your home and place of work, too.”

“You can hardly call this building my place of work. My ministry is not constrained by bricks and mortar, but concerned with the human condition and the soul. Something that worries me greatly when I consider yours.”

“I thank you for your concern, but why mine in particular?”

“Because, as a trainee knight, you need to follow a code of conduct befitting your position. You also need to show mercy and graciousness, something that you failed to do when you ridiculed poor Jean after you ‘accidentally’ set his pigs loose from the stall on market day and enjoyed the chaos that ensued. You also seem incapable of being disciplined and not playing the fool.”

“Goodness, Father, you have been studying me. And considering you are mostly cooped up in here, you seem very well informed about my comings, goings, and particularly my failings. Do the sparrows that nest amongst the saints,” Hugh waved at the statues, “bring you news and gossip?”

Eustace narrowed his eyes at him. “You do know that I can delay you if I consider that there are any questions about your moral and spiritual conduct? Obviously, not being an able swordsman can lead to death, so training to wield a weapon clearly cannot be shirked. I also know that failure to show a commensurate ability to ride, shoot, swim, climb, wrestle, even dance or jump long distances could prevent you from completing your training. But I must remind you I am the only person required to confirm that you are properly schooled in the teachings of the bible, and that you have the required moral fibre to be dubbed a knight. So, I am giving you notice that I would like to see improvements in your behaviour, not only demonstrations of your humility and grace, but also some piety and understanding of the Lord’s word. Only when you have shown these qualities to me over a significant period, will I confirm you are worthy of being made a knight. Do you understand?” Eustace studied him intently.

“Very well, Father,” Hugh replied without rancour. “I will curb my youthful impulses. Please rest assured that from now on I will be the model of probity and will spend all my free time with my head buried in the scriptures. From this day forward, no pigs will be loosed at my behest, and you shall hear only good things from the sparrows. Will that satisfy you, Father?”

Eustace didn’t believe a word of it. He sighed heavily.

“Now that I understand what is expected of me, and so that I can know all there is that I should, shall we humbly begin my studies?” Hugh bowed his head.

Eustace shook his head. “Please, Lord, give me patience,” he muttered.