Виктория Холт - The Hammer of the Scots

These things he remembered as he lay on his bed. They were enemies of England and he had lived for England. But he must send those knights to the Holy Land to please God, that He might forgive him his sins.

‘My heart shall be taken from my body and the knights must carry it with them.’

‘Yes, Father,’ said Edward dutifully. ‘It shall be done.’

‘Pursue the Scottish war, Edward. Carry on where I have left off. God sees fit to take me before I have finished my task. He has left it to you. Take my bones with you into battle. Always carry them before the army when it marches. I shall be there. The Scots will know that my bones are with my army and that will strike terror into their hearts.’

‘It shall be done,’ said Edward.

He was thinking, A few days and I shall be King. Piers, my Gaveston, my first act will be to bring you to me.

As though reading his thoughts the King said, ‘Never recall Gaveston without the consent of the nation.’

Edward did not answer. One must not make promises to a dying man.

The King did not notice. The light was fading fast.

He was murmuring something. Edward bent close to listen.

‘Let my bones be placed in a hammock … carry them before the army … Let the Scots know I am there … and I will lead my army to victory.’

That night the end came. Edward the First was dead and the reign of the second Edward had begun.

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