The Lion of Justice by Jean Plaidy

this had come about, why should he agree to the deposition of a man for whom he had the utmost respect in order to satisfy a king who lost no opportunity of stating his animosity towards the Church?
    So Rufus, having acknowledged Urban as Pope, was still left with Anselm.
    It was clever Ranulf who found a way. There had been a rising in Wales, and all those in possession of goods and lands were by law forced to supply men and money to suppress the revolt.
    The Welsh had been subdued but, pointed out Ranulf, Anselm had done little towards the victory.
    â€˜The forces he sent were ill-equipped,’ declared the King’s friend. ‘Why, with his resources he should have sent far more. This is an offence for which he can be summoned to your court and made to answer this charge.’
    â€˜Let him be sent for,’ said Rufus, ‘and let him be accused.Let him be proved to be a traitor. Can I be expected to allow a traitor to hold my See of Canterbury?’
    Ranulf arranged that Anselm should be sent for, but Anselm did not answer the summons.
    The King was furious. He wanted to have him brought by force, but he realized that this was not wise. Anselm was head of the Church and, as Archbishop of Canterbury, was not under the jurisdiction of the King. He answered to the Pope, and Rufus cursed himself for having acknowledged Anselm’s friend and ally.
    It was a false step, but Rufus was too honest to blame anyone but himself for that.
    Anselm should be condemned and they would see what could happen then.
    A messenger arrived from Anselm for the King. He would not come to the court and the King had no powers to force him. He in his turn must have the King’s permission to leave the country and he asked for it now. He wished to go to Rome to discuss his affairs with the Pope.
    Rufus’s immediate reply was a refusal, but after some consideration it occurred to him that it would not be a bad step to get Anselm out of the country. Once he was out, what harm could he do? The Pope could rage all he liked; Rufus was King in his own country, and with Anselm no longer there why should not Rufus seize the rich lands of Canterbury? Archbishop! He could do without an Archbishop.
    So he let it be known that he might possibly accede to Anselm’s request, and as a result the Archbishop prepared to leave for Rome.
    He came to take his farewell from the King and give him his blessing.
    â€˜Spare yourself,’ shouted Rufus. ‘I’ve no need of your prayers.’
    â€˜We all have need of prayers, my lord. A king more than his humblest subject.’
    â€˜I’ll do my own praying,’ shouted Rufus. ‘Go where you will, but get out of my sight.’
    Anselm left, and as soon as he had gone Rufus sent for several of his knights. ‘Go to Dover,’ he commanded, ‘and make sure you reach there before the Archbishop. Search hisbaggage lest he be taking to Rome any of the treasures of the Church.’
    The knights left, and Anselm was treated to the indignity of the search. Meanwhile, the King lost no time in seizing the rich lands of Canterbury.
    When he arrived in Rome the Pope received Anselm with all honours and even lodged him in his own palace.
    News reached the Archbishop that the King had already taken the Canterbury lands, which, as Anselm was still Archbishop, came under his jurisdiction.
    â€˜The King is a man without religious feelings,’ Anselm told the Pope. ‘He has no fear of God nor of hell.’
    â€˜All men fear eternal damnation,’ replied the Pope. ‘If I threaten excommunication he may well restore your property.’
    The Pope sent a messenger to England with a letter to say that unless the King restored to the Archbishop that which was his due he should suffer excommunication.
    When Rufus received this letter he roared out his fury.
    His father was once excommunicated for marrying his mother without the consent of the Pope. The Conqueror had