"From Count Frederick of Rodez to Lord Charles of Perigueux"

Keith Tyler

HST 1321

10/26/98

To Charles, Lord of the Manor at Perigueux, from your trusted Friend and cousin Frederick, Count of Rodez:

I apologize that it is with some haste that I write to you, as anxiety is a product of this time of year for myself and my honor, as it no doubt is for you on your manor at Perigueux.

As I write to you, the frosts of winter have recently passed, and the warmer season is returning field and forest at Rodez to their natural verdant hues. As word is likely to arrive for you, we have received our annual summons from the king to pay our services to him, for a new season of battle. As I gather my men of honor and prepare them for this season, I find myself often too busy to take up more personal affairs, such as this letter to you.

It is not only the call of the king to battle that fills my days. With the winter gone and the spring upon us, my desire to provide for my men and myself who will travel with the king on his expedition is muddled by the troubles of the manor. Planting for the warm season has begun in the fields for us and for many of the peasants. In the middle of this week, I was asked to deal with an argument between two of them. One of them, who has been known in my court before, was said to have planted his seeds - which had come from the previous year's harvest on the land which I charge him to work - on to the land worked by the other. This other man said that the first was attempting to gain more land on which to plant, and this would prevent the other from providing the share of his work to the manor. The fields of the manor being, in all essentials, my land, I charged this enthusiastic farmer to manage, work and harvest this extra land on which he had planted, and that at harvest, the reaping of this land would be turned to me in its entirety. To the other man, I warned him to watch over the land I charge him with maintaining. I reminded both of them that I would expect the same returns from both of them as I would any other time.

The mill here at Rodez was badly damaged by the strong winds we had in Gaul this winter. I have decided that the current mill be scrapped, and a new one built with haste. This is at the chagrin of the local priests, who had suggested previously that I build a second mill so that the peasantry need not fight over its use. Instead I will charge that this new one be built similar to the original, though if the cold weather continues to be so harsh, I may resolve to build such a second mill, a smaller one near the manor house for myself and the family. I would have in truth preferred to build a larger mill to replace the old, but since I will be away with the king while it is being built, and seeing as the farming season is approaching, I am forced to decide on a more modest and simpler plan.

Prior to the king's order, I had proceeded to enjoy the springtime. Birds of all desirable sorts are returning to Rodez; I had taken up the practice of falconing again and had taken a few prizes. Earlier this month the family enjoyed two delicious birds for dinner which I had caught. I had also attempted to arrange a hunt for the local lords, but not much game has yet returned from its sleep, and I decided against this. I hope that the animals will soon return to the woods, but I can enjoy some of the birds of spring in any case.

Bishop Louis, the bishop here at Rodez, has implored me to refrain from hunting the birds and animals. He has a peculiar love for the beasts of the wild and says that it is greedy to hunt them for my own pursuits. Though in my heart I want only to serve the wishes of God, and I honor the words of this holy and venerable man, I do not think it written by the Lord above that he wished us not to hunt the animals. I have pressed the bishop and he has admitted to me that this is not so. How can a man live to serve God if he does not hunt the animals with which he feeds himself, I asked of him.

On the subject of prayer, I wanted to ask the advice of the family at Perigueux. It is becoming a fashion of the lords in Gaul to order the creation of books of the psalms for the practice of religion among their families. I am sure our Bishop would approve of such a book for our family, one which we could share on the holidays. I would inquire into creating such a book with your blessing, and would ask that if we do agree to design such a work, that each of our families share a part in its expenses. I will also write to the family near Rouen and ask their advice. I am sure that we would all benefit from such a treasure.

Harold, my elder son, has began to take an interest in the art of riding horses. He is still a novice but is showing much promise. I am sure that he will serve the king with great honor befitting that of our family when that day comes. The younger, Hubert, is learning his scripture at the hand of Bishop Louis. He has a wilder streak than his brother, and the holy words do not often hold his attention. I have advised the bishop to be strict with the boy, so that he may learn his religion. The bishop assures me that he will not rest until the boy is learned in those books, however I have sometimes found Louis to be too well supplied with the virtue of patience, and fear that he will be too easy on the boy.

In the meanwhile, I have been telling stories of war and victory to Harold, in that he may take an interest in the training of the cavalry. I hope to gain his interest so that he will be more eager to take up the art of the sword when the time comes. He is still too young to handle the blade, but I hope that his eagerness in learning the sword and weapons of battle will match his current interest in the horse. Perhaps he can also influence his younger brother towards better behavior.

I hope that all is well at Perigueux. Though, it is likely that you are having similar experiences at the manor there. Give the family my regards. As I prepare for the coming expedition, and consort with smiths and artisans to prepare my vassalage for battle, I think of how it will be good to reunite the family after the fighting season is over. I will invite you to join us at the manor at Rodez after our return.

Perhaps I will see you during our travels with the king, but in any case I will remain,

Your trusting relative,

Frederick, Count Rodez