Blissful Ignorance
The warm English clothing served Blythe well during the first winter in Trier, but she sweltered now summer was upon them again. She felt dowdy in gowns showing signs of prolonged wear. Empress Matilda whined constantly about the weather and Heinrich’s failure to visit, though to Blythe’s mind she did not seem concerned for his safety, given he was engaged in a military offensive.
Lady Dorothea had thrice nervously mentioned to their mistress the shabby state of all the English ladies’ gowns. Anthea had swooned more than once in the heat, but no solution had been provided so far. The elderly woman was reluctant to bring up the subject yet again.
Despite the discomfort, Blythe enjoyed learning to speak German. Her tutor praised her progress, though not within Matilda’s hearing. The empress struggled with the language, and seemed completely indifferent to lessons about the culture and history of the empire. Blythe found it fascinating that Trier was the oldest town in Germany, but acknowledged she hadn’t been interested in such things as a child.
Her tightly braided hair was a crown of thorns that grew more painful when she was obliged to listen to Matilda’s regurgitation of glowing accounts of Heinrich’s military campaign.
The royal child sat, dwarfed by her massive throne, boasting of her future husband’s prowess. Though her imperial robes touched the mosaic floor, the occasional bulge in the heavy fabric indicated the tiny empress was swinging her feet. She paused, making sure everyone was paying attention. “His Highness marched with his army to Tuitium, a fortified town on the opposite side of the Rhine to Köln established by the Roman Emperor Constantine eight hundred years ago.”
Eyes rolled as her Norman French was translated and passed on in hushed voices by those in attendance who spoke the language. Seemingly oblivious to the lack of respect, Matilda prattled on, like a dutiful scholar repeating her lessons. “A bridge connects Tuitium to Köln. His Highness planned to capture the town and from there lay siege to Köln. Tuitium is an important centre of learning and its abbey home to several noted theologians.”
Mouths fell open; jaws clenched.
Saints preserve and rescue me from this pompous child.
Blythe had already learned about Heinrich’s capture of Tuitium from an elderly English-speaking courtier. It was common knowledge. Apparently, Matilda was the last to be told anything.
Oblivious to the uncomfortable shuffling and fan fluttering going on around her, Matilda carried on. “Once he captured the town, he stationed a garrison there and was able to cut Köln off from all river trade and transportation.”
She smiled and looked smugly down her nose at the assembled courtiers. “That should teach them a lesson they won’t soon forget.”
Gloating over her future husband’s military success, she was seemingly unaware of subsequent events. Blythe had no intention of being the one to tell her, and the nervous glances of her fellow ladies-in-waiting told her they would keep silent.
Everyone listening, including Blythe, was aware Köln had mustered a sizable army of young men who had crossed the Rhine accompanied by a contingent of expert bowmen. They had anticipated the emperor’s attack. It was rumored, and quickly substantiated, that Heinrich had met with his advisors and decided to draw out the battle until evening, confidently predicting the withdrawal of exhausted enemy troops.
There were a few indecisive skirmishes before a sudden onslaught of arrows came showering in from the Köln side. A large number of Heinrich’s men fell dead or wounded. Because of the sweltering heat they had removed their armor of horn.
Let someone else tell the child empress that news.
Heinrich decided to yield the field and retreat behind the improvised military camp he had set up. The next day he re-directed his army against Bonn and Julich, two fortified places belonging to Köln, plundering and burning everything in sight.
On his return to the camp, heavy fighting ensued, and Heinrich was apparently gaining the upper hand, having captured several noteworthy prisoners. However, the Saxon Count Frederick of Westphalia entered the fray with heavy reinforcements. Heinrich was forced to give way and barely escaped the pursuing host. He was reportedly exhausted.
“Taking Köln is proving to be more difficult than anticipated,” the English speaking courtier whispered to all Matilda’s ladies-in-waiting. His wink led Blythe to believe he had no love for Heinrich, and she hoped someone forewarned the empress of these events before her humiliated betrothed returned.