Confession

[Gandalfus]

Some time after the hunt, Edward excused himself from his companions for a time, and decided to isolate himself in prayer within a chapel not far from Malvern Chase, only in the company of a few choice servants and a lone retainer. After some time of reflection, Edward sent his servant to fetch the Bishop of Lincoln and bring him to the side of His Majesty with all due haste - the purpose to be only spoken of between the two once the Bishop had arrived.

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Church of Saint Michael was a relatively new establishment, dating back only one hundred years. As such it was largely unstained by the ravages of time, the stone was still unblemished and the artwork, architecture, and amenities largely untouched. Following the hunt, when the Bishop was informed by back channels, of course, that the King wished to make His confession, the Bishop was stunned. To act as a Royal Confessor was an almost unparalleled honor, especially for one of the Bishop's relatively humble status. It was a sign of great respect and honor. As such, the Bishop of Lincoln spared no possible quibble over the details. He was finely dressed in his full ceremonial attire, crook and mitre.

The small Chapel of the Sacred Virgin Mary had been left empty, as the Bishop ordered the local Pastor, for the purposes of the sacrament. once the King had entered and sat in silence for some time, reflecting, the Bishop entered silently. His crook made a faint tapping and an echo as he approached His Royal Highness. Confessions were sometimes heard anonymously, but convention relied upon in personam Confession in this instance. The Bishop sat across from the King on a stone pew, laying his crook aside, and taking off his cap. He donned his Stole, a broad purple cloth embroidered with purple crossed. He kissed the garment before placing it across his neck. "In nomine Patri, et Filii, et Spiritu Sancti." He said, making the sign of the cross. "Amen." He paused, waiting for the King to speak.

[Gandalfus]

Edward bowed his head, and echoed the Bishop with an "Amen" of his own, albeit it was mumbled. Edward then looked up and swallowed visibly, taking in a deep breath.

"Forgive me Father, for I have sinned grievously." The King began, finding his throat dry. Steeling himself, he pressed on. "I have indulged in the vice of lust, of needless pride, of wroth. They have led me to grievous sins, in turn. I have slept with women other than my wife, and father bastards. I have murdered, both in war... And in peace. In anger, I ordered the killing of a woman, who, though not entirely innocent, was still undeserving of the end that she met." The Bishop would not know of who he spoke, surely, so he felt the need to be entirely honest in the eyes of God. "Her name was Margaret Percy." The King's voice cracked slightly, and he crossed himself. Beads of sweat formed upon his forehead.

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Bishop closed his eyes, grimacing slightly. These were grievous sins, terrible sins. If the Pope had known of the extent, all of England might have been placed under interdict. Other monarchs had been censured for far less. Although the man sitting across from him was his King and Sovereign, he was currently acting as the agent of the Lord Jesus Christ, who stood above all earthly Kings. "My son." He began, abandoning all formal address in this extremely rare forum for which to do so "Your sins are grievous and offensive to the Lord Our God. And yet, none of these lay outside the power of Almighty God to absolve so long as you express true remorse for having committed them. Tell me, do you sincerely pray, wish, and beg for the forgiveness of these sins against God? Take time and think deeply, my son?"

[Gandalfus]

Edward nodded, sincerely, a troubled look in his gaze. The thought of being condemned to an eternity in hell was the source of many nightmares, and had plagued him since that fateful day in the tower. "Yes, Father, I do humbly beg the Lord for forgiveness for my sins, which are many and severe. Each day I live I regret my deeds, and spend much time in prayer. Though I feel as if I am not spoken to, that my foul deeds have closed the window to God in heaven."

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Bishop nodded. "Rejoice, my son." he replied. "For the Lord our God has provided for our salvation." he paused. It was now his role to ponder a suitable Penance. This was open and rife to corruption. What should he require? Dare he insult the King? Dare he insult GOD? Much weighed upon this moment. The Bishop himself began to sweat. "IN order to demonstrate your Penance, You shall be required to..." he trailed off for a moment. "To offer a Novena to Saint Edith of Wiltshire, one renowned for her piety and sanctity. Furthermore, you shall offer a tithe (10% of income) to the poor in the following year, to provide housing, food and succour." Normally tithes would be offered directly to the clergy, but the Bishop sought not to appear to the King to be taxing him for the benefit of the sacrament of Confession. If he ordered the tithe to the Church, the King might feel extorted. "Do you accept this Penance?"

[Gandalfus]

Edward bowed his head solemnly, eyes closed. His hat had been removed earlier, and thus there was little stopping the fine golden hair from dropping raggedly over his eyes. "I shall pay the price for my salvation. I accept this penance." The King exhaled mightily, lifting his gaze up once more and brushing the hair from his eyes with the swat of a hand.

[Pontifex Maximus]

THe Bishop raised his hand, making the sign of the cross. "The Passion of Christ and the blood of the Lamb has wiped away the stain of sin in this world. Te absolvo." He concluded. With the Right of Confession ended, the Bishop rose and departed, allowing the King time to pray in solitude.