I needed to speak with the Archbishop and Baron Clare. We rode hard and I had to smile at the discomfort of Matthew and Mark. They bore the bouncing rumps of the palfreys stoically but I knew that they were in agony. They suffered in silence. We were travelling through lands which were prosperous and were safe. That was in no small measure down to me. Those who toiled in the fields recognised my banner and waved as we passed. We entered York through the old Roman gate. Here the Roman walls still stood, augmented and added to by William the Bastard. The minster was close to the northern gate and I rode directly there. We discovered that the Archbishop was with the King at his daughter's wedding. I reached the keep and discovered that Baron Clare had also departed for the wedding. His son, Ralph, who was younger even than Harold, commanded. "It is good to see you Baron. We have heard, through those who pass through our city, that you have defeated Scottish raiders and kept our city safe." I had to hide my smile.
