The Witch of Cologne

‘A cabbage is a benign plant whereas a swine…’ Carlos continues von Fürstenberg’s allegory, hoping for more clues to the diplomat’s opaque proposal.

‘A swine can be slaughtered by various means.’ Von Fürstenberg’s tone suddenly becomes very serious. ‘Wild boar is particularly tasty because it has to be hunted and, being an intelligent animal, is able to conceal itself in many ways. You are naturally discouraged by the turn of events.’

Still unsure whether the conversation might turn into an ambush, Carlos hesitates over another glass of wine. The best way for enemies to unite is over another foe, he reflects before replying.

‘Naturally.’

‘I think perhaps we could be of service to one another. The archbishop’s cousin has undergone a rather unpleasant transformation, becoming a fanatic since his encounter with the Jewish witch. His newly found enthusiasm for the bürgers and even the serfs is a cause of concern to both the archbishop and myself.’

‘How much of a concern?’

‘The canon and the midwife would not be missed if they should mysteriously disappear. As you may appreciate, the Jews of the Rhineland have some economic value and our communities maintain a delicate relationship which is easily unbalanced. They have no wish to create difficulties any more than we do…’

‘But what of the royal pardon?’

‘Now that the prince is cured and safely back in Vienna I doubt wheth

er the emperor will remember how to pronounce the name Ruth bas Elazar Saul, if he ever did know how to prononounce it. The pardon has all the hallmarks of Samuel Oppenheimer’s intervention.’

‘It is true that the Court Jew is powerful.’

‘Not powerful enough. And far too fond of his own status to rock the boat for such a small fish.’

‘The Grand Inquisitional Council would be most grateful to the Holy Keepers of the Magi for such a favour.’

‘And what pleases Aragon pleases Cologne. But tell me, does the Inquisitional Council really care that much, or is this more of a personal quest, Monsignor?’

Carlos’s silence confirms von Fürstenberg’s suspicions.

‘In that case, Monsignor, you have my sympathy. I understand what it is to be thwarted over generations.’

‘Of course, we all experience the blindness of familial ties. Even the archbishop in all his wisdom seems to favour blood over talent,’ Carlos, his face rigid, fires back.

‘Heinrich, despite his appearance, is a sentimental man but his affection for his cousin is being tried by the canon’s behaviour.’

‘Which in the long term augurs well for other potential heirs—like yourself, perhaps?’

‘Indeed.’

‘I am curious: who really courts King Louis—the archbishop or yourself?’

The stuffed pig’s intestines are replaced by a dish of fowl: a goose baked whole with a glaze of black cherries. Von Fürstenberg pushes the dish towards Carlos. ‘You must try the fowl, it is a French recipe sent direct from Versailles.’

Having received an oblique answer to his question, the friar, always frugal in his consumption, leans back, overwhelmed by the extravagance of the meal. He still finds himself questioning the German’s motives.

‘I believe the midwife has returned to Deutz.’ Von Fürstenberg bites into a wing, juice dripping down his chin.

‘Is she still practising her devilry?’

‘You mean midwifery.’

‘She is no mere midwife; she is witch, trust me on this.’

The steely conviction in the inquisitor’s voice sends an involuntary tremble through von Fürstenberg’s body, despite his cynicism.

The worst enemy is one whose doctrines are founded in hate and are thus beyond debate, the minister wryly observes to himself. The friar has no heart and a heartless man is the most vicious of all.

Carlos meticulously prises off a portion of the flesh with the travelling fork he carries with him; the practice of sharing food using one’s fingers is abhorrent to his fastidious nature.