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Crossing without too much trouble, the large group proceeded along the north bank of the Nene, along the Salt road via Upton with its newly built stone church, whitewashed, shining in the winter sunshine.
Thomas could make out the consecration roundels and crosses painted on the outer walls, and the small group of people bowing to the Royal party, some even on their knees, and clearly praying. He wondered what Henry was thinking, the journey had been quite revealing. Some places were in celebratory mood, some were clearly anxious, even frightened, one or two were silent, and at one place Theobald was greeted as though he was the ruler, much to his embarrassment. Henry thought it a huge joke and made fun of the incident, at the Archbishops expense. However, in order to avoid too many tales of old Cluny, Henry had long ago decided to avoid the nuns at De La Pre, and the old pals act at St.Andrews priory. Since, not only did Theobald become a monk at Cluny, he was also Benedictine, so St. James’ it would be regardless of the weather!
Henry was thinking, in fact, how he was looking forward to entering Northampton through its famous western, and main, gate as King, through walls wide enough to allow 4 men to walk abreast, and encompassing an area as large as York. He also had a message for the Abbot of St. James’, that next time the Abbot paid the annual £1 for the lands at Duston to Lenton Abbey, that William Peverel was now persona non grata, and better not be at Nottingham Castle when he arrived.
On they went, past the Roman town diggings, where the trenches and spoil heaps were evidence of stone retrieval for re-use.
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Alongside, on the 40-acre site given by William Peverel 1 in 1105, Augustinian monks, and their workmen were constructing the Abbey of St. James’. Everywhere, there was feverish activity, but it would be another 19 years before the great abbey church of St.James’ would be completed. Here the Royal party rested, being fed by the monks, while their animals would be refreshed by spring water channelled down from St. James’ spring or Abbey spring, higher up in Duston manor. While their retainers sorted out the baggage train, Henry 2, Theobald, and Thomas, examined building progress, and shared a joke about the labourer’s seasonal diet, principally obtained from the great salmon river below the abbey, the Nene. At last, the main Royal party left for the grand new castle, a kilometre away across the northern flood plain, leaving the bulk of their retinue and animals to be cared for at the abbey until needed again. So it was at Christmas 1154, surrounded by pomp and splendour that Thomas of London arrived at Northampton Castle.