Chapter 322 - 237: Guardians of the Frontier

"What a thoroughly stupid idea. Battle is the sacred duty of the nobility, the very source of our inherent privileges and glory. Authority, status, dignity—which of these can be maintained without fighting? It is blood and violence that allow one to establish rule.

If a Norman does not devote most of his life to war, then he is not a proper Norman.

Father would never have done this. It’s a foolish idea, and a true Norman Knight would see it as an insult. So, I say, to hell with it.

But considering it came from my idiotic older brother, I suppose it’s understandable.

I’ve always suspected he has trouble even getting on a horse with those short little legs. Let me think, what’s that Earl of Gloucester’s job? He must be the one who shoves his ass up!" Rufus, recently made Earl of York by Robert, sneered at Robert’s proposal amidst the murmuring of the other Barons.

He said, looking at the Lord of Leicester, Beaumont, who sat beside him.

After the old King’s defeat, Beaumont had eagerly shown his repentance and loyalty to Robert. Given the Beaumont Clan’s importance in Normandy, he was quickly pardoned. His vast lands in Leicester were left intact, and he was even unexpectedly granted a portion of the Earl of Chester’s domain, something Beaumont had not anticipated at all.

He knew that Robert had fortunately chosen him as a prime example of one who had seen the light and abandoned the darkness.

And last month, after his father’s death, he inherited the Ivry Subcounty, a border territory between Normandy and France Island. He swore nominal allegiance to the King of France and was now the Viscount of Ivry.

He had come here this time to attend the Royal Court’s council on behalf of his mother, the Countess Moleigne of Normandy.

Hearing Prince Rufus’s words, Beaumont said nothing, simply smiling and shrugging his shoulders in response. He was deeply aware of the importance of being cautious with his words and actions, especially during such a sensitive period. He believed that nobles like them were still under the King’s observation.

Besides, he had his own private thoughts on the matter. ’While I admit Prince Rufus has an unusual passion for tournaments, if he spends at least one-third of his energy on combat, then the other two-thirds must be spent drinking and searching for male companions to be... intimate with. Words like that would have been more fitting coming from Hugh. But where is he now? He vanished after the old King’s death, abandoning almost all his lands. Recently, there were rumors someone had seen him in Iberia. And although I don’t like my cousin Hugh, I hope he’s still alive.’

The Earl of Somerset, Edgar Wessex, was flipping through a second-hand French dictionary he had just bought from a bookseller. He had recently taken up studying French, only to discover he had bought a version common on France Island, whereas these Normans spoke with a Normandy dialect.

So, after flipping through it a couple of times, he tossed the dictionary under his seat.

He vaguely heard the word "Knight."

’Knight... what does that have to do with the Saxons?’

So he closed his eyes.

After being enfeoffed with Somerset, the ancestral land of Wessex, he had taken in most of the landless Saxon Sains. They continued to live according to their original Saxon ways, and it had now become a small Saxon Duchy. (This was purely out of necessity. If he refused, the exiled Sains had indicated they would bring their Danish cousins from the north to "visit" Edgar’s home for meals, frequently.)

His Earl’s Domain of Somerset had received an exemption. He was not required to provide Knights for the King, only some Armored Infantry, something the Saxons excelled at.

Due to the flexibility of the Shield Coin proposal, most of the Barons were not against it. It would also be a good way to see who was a coward and who was a pauper.

"His Majesty’s decision is reasonable and just. We have no objections."

"We second the motion."

"We second the motion."

"..."

Robert nodded and stood up. "I thank you all for your loyalty and wisdom. I have decided to adopt the council’s suggestion."

Next was the issue of border defense.

Regarding border defense, the Norman Kingdom faced threats from Scotland to the north, Wales to the west, and, across the channel, France Island and Anjou.

Regarding Scotland, the relationship had eased because Robert was now brother-in-law to King Malcolm of Scotland, and with Edgar’s mediation. To further show his sincerity, Robert planned to release the Scottish Prince, Duncan.

The price, however, was that Scotland had to continue to recognize the Folfa Treaty, signed four years prior with Conqueror William. The treaty established England as Scotland’s suzerain, and Prince Duncan had been a hostage to ensure Scotland’s good faith. Furthermore, Scotland was not to support or shelter any Saxons who attempted to resist the Normans.

Eric had little interest in Scotland. Its lands were too barren. And although Malcolm could be considered an enlightened ruler in Scottish history, he was powerless to expand. His disorganized tribal soldiers were no match for a Norman army.

During Rufus’s reign, even while facing internal rebellion, he had easily thwarted a Scottish invasion, which led to Malcolm’s death.

Next was the matter of Welsh defense. Belem would succeed the former Earl Hugh of Chester, serving as the military Commander and Border Governor of North Wales. He and the Earl of Hereford would advance the conquest of Wales from the north and south, respectively.