The Witch of Cologne

The nun returns and, intimidated by their meditations, leaves the two pewter jugs of ale on a side table and glides silently away. The aroma distracts the archbishop and makes his stomach rumble most irreverently.

‘Amen,’ he hurriedly finishes, fearing that the Hebrew litany might drag on. Elazar opens one eye and, taking the archbishop’s cue, cuts short his devotion.

‘Between you and me, I fear that God is deaf,’ Heinrich whispers conspiratorially as he hands the rabbi his beer. But Elazar is beyond humour.

‘With all due respect, he may not be deaf but from my side of the Rhine he definitely does not understand Hebrew,’ he replies with barely a smile.

There is a pause. Heinrich, marvelling at the renewed sense of faith he is experiencing since his metaphysical encounter, is inspired to extend his benevolence once again.

‘Many, many apologies, my friend. The arrest was beyond my control. Even the archbishop of Cologne has a higher power to answer to. I am so sorry.’

Elazar, frightened by the unusual warmth and familiarity Heinrich is displaying, begins to shake so violently that he spills ale on his tallith.

‘She is my only child, sire, the last light of my life.’

‘And a good midwife, I hear.’

‘Too good. If she had kept to her own this would never have happened.’

‘If the charge were less serious—bribery, theft, perhaps—I could talk to the bürgermeister, but sorcery…’

‘She is innocent!’

‘Do you doubt the wisdom and judgement of the Grand Inquisitional Council as well as that of the Holy Emperor Leopold himself?’

Elazar hesitates, sensing a trap.

‘It would not be my place to query such a venerable institution, but my daughter is not a witch.’

‘Of that I am sure, Herr Saul, but as I indicated before, the matter is out of my hands.’

Heinrich stands, signalling that the audience is over, but the rabbi does not move.

‘Listen to me, your highness, I have an offer.’

‘Forgive me, rabbi, but you are in no position to make offers.’

‘There is money owed.’ Elazar is unable to keep the desperate tone out of his voice.

Immediately Heinrich sits back down. The loans the archbishop has taken out with Herr Hossern, the Jewish moneylender, are confidential and have gone towards funding his secret efforts to re

instate the Rhineland aristocracy. They are also substantial.

‘Go on.’

‘Herr Hossern is prepared to waive the full five hundred Reichstaler in exchange for my daughter’s release.’

‘All of it?’

‘I give you my word of honour. All the debts will be void; more than that, there will be no talk of the debts prior to the exchange or afterwards.’

Heinrich, tempted, watches Elazar’s hands twist in his lap. The cancellation of the monies owed would save him a great deal of potential embarrassment. Although he hates to be accountable to the Jews, an annulled debt would be a straight barter and that notion is very attractive. Swiftly he runs through the possible ramifications: the inquisitor is determined, of that there is no doubt, but perhaps he can override him and make a direct petition to Vienna.

‘Please, Archbishop, I appeal to your humanity. My daughter is everything to me.’

The rabbi reaches out and grasps a fold of the archbishop’s robe, a gesture full of humility. Heinrich is suddenly embarrassed for him.

‘Give me a week. In the meantime I promise I shall find every imaginable excuse to prevent the Spaniard beginning his pitiful “interrogation”.’