“Ah, a dreamer are you? We did not realize.”
The steward and his men chuckled quietly as they snacked on bread, cheese, and a bottle of French wine.
Mattias continued. “You have no means of knowing this, but the abbey suffers lost revenue of every sort and we are in grave debt to the archbishop. We’ve given some thought to relieving our debt by offering bakeries and breweries to the archdiocese. Father Pious has already negotiated with us for control of Weyer’s bakery.
“Now, should we give the bakery to Pious, I doubt he would keep you in hire as a freeman. Ambitious men such as he lust for control and free men are difficult to manage. Now, we are not pleased by some of Pious’s ways but we have few choices at this time. But this goes beyond the point. I say this to you and I say it plainly: should we exchange thy land for thy freedom, you shall have no place of labor other than thy half-hide. Neither Pious nor we would employ you. And if you needs leave our lands, then your sons shall surely have no learning in the abbey school.”
Steward Hagan interrupted. “Of course, prior, we have not yet settled on that matter.”
“Ah, indeed, ‘tis still a question.”
Heinrich was now very confused and he looked desperately into the dwindling hearth hoping for some miraculous rescue. His mind was jumbled and his heart pounded. The steward took the floor again.
“I can see, man, that you are troubled.” Hagan spoke calmly, with an almost fatherly tone. “Here it is: your claim for your children is dubious, your inheritance intact. Your price brings problems, for if you barter your land for your freedom you shall have nowhere to enjoy it. And, if the brothers are willing to honor your parchment, your freedom shall surely forfeit it, for you’ll needs live elsewhere. Add to that the worry the brothers have for your soul. It is clear to us, men more accustomed to the temptations of business than yourself, that you are guilty of the sins of greed and ingratitude.”
“Ingratitude?”
“Aye. These Benedictines have cared for you and your kin for generations and have done so with generous hearts and at great cost. Now you wish to dismiss all thoughts of their kindness and charitable service in favor of your own gain. That, poor fellow, is ingratitude.”
Heinrich lowered his eyes. Indeed, he thought, perhaps I am wayward in this. Greed, theft, ingratitude, what else?
The steward let the man be for a few moments, then motioned for the prior to join him in the outer chamber once again. With a wink and a nod, the two left the room. Wil leaned over to his father. “I saw the steward wink! He’s a bad man, Vati, a bad man. I hate him! And I hate the prior and I ha—”
“That is enough!” scolded Heinrich. “You’re not to hate at all, least of all a monk! What devils you, boy? Now sit and say not another word.”
The prior and steward returned shortly and took a few relaxed moments to sip some wine and nibble on the tray of cheese now shared with Heinrich and his son. Prior Mattias folded his hands and spoke gently. “The day grows short and our steward would very much like us to close our business in time for thy safe return. He shall propose an offer I think shall serve all of us very well. Steward Hagan, would you explain?”
“Surely. Heinrich, Mattias has instructed me to make a most generous proposal. In exchange for the rightful deed to your land near Oldenburg, the abbey shall honor the pledge to your grandfather. And, though it was my counsel that such a concession was payment enough, they do most graciously and charitably offer you the rights of heritable ownership to the bakery in Weyer. You shall pay a fair rent and you shall keep the profits from the sales of your bread. They, however, shall set the price so as to protect both you and their other subjects.”
Heinrich was weary and his mind was numb. It seemed to him that the ancient pledge should never have been in question at all and perhaps Lukas or Blasius could help him claim it at a higher court. As for Emma’s lands, he was completely confused. If they bought it from him by granting his freedom he might be sent away only to find no employment elsewhere in these hard times. If he was allowed to remain, he’d have no job to pay his higher taxes and would have to offer military service or else pay the scutage. And Marta wants no parts of freedom anyway, he thought. Heinrich fumbled for words. “I needs think on this matter for some time, and—”
“Heinrich, I leave for Oldenburg on the morrow. You are aware that Lord Heribert is a cousin to the count in those parts. I must hurry there to secure the abbey’s new lands that Gottwald granted us. We are hoping all is not already lost to the armies opposing the pope’s emperor. You do understand, that if those lands are seized you’d have nothing to barter at all? If I were you I’d take this generous offer while I could. Also, I need tell you the abbot’s charity toward you is encouraged by the expediency of this arrangement. In other words, you must agree now or the proposal is withdrawn.”