9 - The Murder of Gilbert the Forester

Summary

In early August 1175, King Henry II came to his castle at Nottingham, a king victorious over his enemies. With the king was his eldest son, the Young King, whose submission following his prominent part in the rebellion of 1173–4 had been publicly announced at a council convened at Westminster in May. Both kings were now making their way to York to receive – for the second or third occasion since July 1174 – the fealty and homage of William, king of Scots, recently released from English custody. Also present with these kings were the bishop of Durham, Hugh du Puiset, the justiciar, Richard de Lucy, a sizeable number of northern barons and knights whose support had been instrumental in winning the war in the northern English theater, and a host of other courtiers, officials, and household clerks. Among the latter was one Roger the chaplain, who is likely to be the northern chronicler, Roger of Howden; his narrative of events at Nottingham may therefore offer us valuable eyewitness testimony. There, in his magnificent castle of Nottingham, in the midst of a town which must still have borne the scars of its sacking and burning in 1174, the king and his court resided for more than a week. The king's jubilant mood may be judged from the fact that he was joined, and presumably entertained, there by his bear (ursus regis) and bear-keeper (ursarius).