Chapter 339 - 245: Lord and Vassal (2)

"King Solomon, for all his boundless wisdom, was led astray from God by beauty and temptation. Just as Eve was tempted by the serpent, and Adam in turn by Eve, to eat the forbidden fruit, so sin entered the world."

"Was your marriage recognized by the Church?" Eric asked, ignoring the Lord of Chippenham and turning to the woman.

"We were married in a Church, with a Priest as our witness, my Lord Count," the woman said, her voice thick with tears.

"As a freewoman, or a serf?" Eric asked.

"As a freewoman!" the woman repeated.

"Are you certain? Gisa, I must remind you that you are standing before the Count of Wiltshire, the highest judicial authority in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. Perjury is punished severely. If the offense is serious, you could lose an arm, and the resulting deformity will serve as a lifelong reminder to all that you are a liar.

I must also remind you that this matter concerns not just yourself, but the honor of the Holy Church. As we all know, when two people wish to enter into a marriage contract, the Parish Priest must verify their status. If a serf does not have their Lord’s approval, even the Church will not recognize the marriage." Eric then walked to the Holy Image in the hall and spoke to the woman. "Gisa, I want you to repeat your answer now, before God. Remember: lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who act in truth are His delight."

Gisa wiped the tears from her eyes. Her expression firm, she strode to the Holy Image. "I swear before God, I am a freewoman. I married my husband in my capacity as a freewoman."

"Then the situation is quite clear. A marriage of eight years, witnessed by a Priest and unopposed by any."

The words were barely out of Eric’s mouth when the Lord of Chippenham bellowed, "The Priest was bribed! Their marriage is illegal!"

"Oh? So it seems this marital case also involves the crime of a member of the Clergy accepting a bribe. Since you are so certain, Chippenham, I’m sure that over these past eight years, you have made every effort to report this matter to the Church.

Bribery of the Clergy, an illegal marriage... I imagine the local ecclesiastical court must have a file for your appeal, then. Correct, Chippenham?

After all, it’s clear that in eight years, your own manorial court has been unable to return this ’serf’ to her rightful place, hasn’t it? Any reasonable person would have sought the aid of the ecclesiastical court by now.

We all know, after all, that marriage falls under the jurisdiction of the Church. If Knight John was obstructing your judicial authority, you could have petitioned the ecclesiastical court to have him excommunicated." Eric smiled, then turned to Gisa. "Was your husband ever excommunicated? Did this man, the Lord of Chippenham, your husband’s own Feudal Lord, ever appeal to the ecclesiastical court over this matter?"

"No! Never! I had never even heard of him before! He... he only appeared suddenly after John died! John was a good, devout man. He was never excommunicated from the Church!" Gisa cried out, pointing at the Lord of Chippenham.

"Do you have anything else to add, Chippenham?" Eric asked, turning his gaze to the lord.

"That is..." The Lord of Chippenham was struck dumb. "I... I only just discovered it..."

"A manor loses a serf, and you only discover it a full eight years later? Are you telling me a joke, Chippenham? Or do you take some kind of pleasure in making a fool of your Feudal Lord!?" Eric suddenly thundered.

"I... I-I... no, my Lord, you..." Chippenham instantly realized he had misspoken and fell to his knees before Eric.

"Your absurd actions today are nothing less than a direct challenge to my authority!

It seems my long-held mercy has made you forget humility, made you forget the source of your own glory!

I am known to be generous, but that does not mean I will suffer insolence.

As my vassal, you should understand hierarchy and loyalty. If you harbor dissent and forget the respect you owe me, then you have forgotten from whom the very coronet on your head derives!

From this day forward, I will tolerate no more of your disrespect.

If you dare to show the slightest hint of offense again, I will, without hesitation, strip you of all your privileges, banish you from these lands, and make you and your family pay the price for your stupidity!

Get out! And do not let me see your wretched face again until you have relearned the meaning of loyalty and fear, and until you have atoned for your sordid deeds!"

"My esteemed Lord, my words and actions were rash, I have offended..." The Lord of Chippenham trailed off. "I repent before you and beg your forgiveness..."

"Remember, my patience has its limits, and you are treading dangerously close to them! Now get back to your domain and rectify the mess you have made!"

"Yes, my Lord." The Lord of Chippenham mumbled, his head bowed. He then scurried out of the great hall, his back bent.

With the Lord of Chippenham’s departure, the great hall fell silent, but the quiet was soon broken by Emma’s laughter.

"I knew you could do it." Emma gave Eric a light punch on the chest.

"There was an element of luck, but I’ll take the compliment," Eric said, smiling.

"Gisa, aren’t you going to thank the Count?" Emma said, waving Gisa over.

"Lord Count, your wise judgment and mercy have saved me. I cannot express the depths of my gratitude. And you, Miss Emma. I will spend my life repaying your grace, and I pray that God brings endless blessings upon you and your families."