The Abbot leapt at the bait, and told them news, court gossip, bringing in great folks’ names and his own, as often and as familiarly mingled as he could.
“What of Richilda?” asked Torfrida.
“Ever since young Arnoul was killed at Cassel—”
“Arnoul killed?” shrieked Torfrida.
“Is it possible that you do not know?”
“How should I know, shut up in Ely for—years it seems.”
“But they fought at Cassel three months before you went to Ely.”
“Be it so. Only tell me. Arnoul killed!”
Then the Abbot told, not without feeling, a fearful story.
Robert the Frison and Richilda had come to open war, and Gerbod the Fleming, Earl of Clueter, had gone over from England to help Robert. William had sent Fitz-Osbern, Earl of Hereford, the scourge and tyrant of the Welsh, to help Richilda. Fitz Osbern had married her, there and then. She had asked help of her liege lord, the King of France, and he had sent her troops. Robert and Richilda had fought on St. Peter’s day, 1071,—nearly two years before, at Bavinchorum, by Cassel.