Текст книги "The Sun in Splendour"

Автор книги: Jean Plaidy

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Текущая страница: 19 (всего у книги 25 страниц)

He did his best, Edward explained, and he would try.

'Well, my son,' said the King ruffling his hair, 'you can do no more than that, now can you?'

The King had danced with Edward's sister Elizabeth and everyone had applauded and Edward had forgotten all about the King's seizure. Uncle Anthony seemed to have forgotten also for he did not refer to it again.

It was time to rise and his chaplain and chamberlain came in. He must dress at once and go with them to his chapel there to hear Mass. His father had laid down strict rules for his household and one of these was that he must not hear Mass in his chamber unless there was a good reason for his doing so—which, thought Edward, means if I were dying.

After Mass there was breakfast and lessons in between that and dinner. On his father's orders this was a fairly ceremonial occasion; those who carried his dishes to the table were specially chosen and they must be in his livery. No one was allowed to sit at table with him unless his uncle had given his approval that they were worthy to do so. After dinner there were more lessons followed by exercises during which he must learn to carry arms and fence and joust as became his rank. There followed supper and bed. And so, enlivened by the bright conversation of his Woodville relations, surrounded by their affection and very often their flattery, the days had slipped by very pleasantly and with the passing of each one he was more and more convinced by the charm, the grace and the utter wisdom of the Woodvilles.

A week before his half-brother, Richard Grey, had gone to London. There was a certain amount of whispering going on in the household, Edward noticed. He asked Anthony about it and his uncle replied that it was nothing. People were always whispering together and making dramas out of nothing or very little.

But Uncle Anthony was a little different, perhaps even a shade more affectionate.

He forgot it. There was so much to do during the days. He wondered if his brother Richard was as good a horseman as he was. He would ask Lord Lyle if he knew.

His uncle Anthony came hurrying to him when he returned from the stables with Lord Lyle and he did a strange thing. He knelt down and kissed Edward's hand.

Bewildered as he was Edward had a faint inkling of what had happened then because loving as his uncle had always been he had never shown that much respect before.

'Uncle. . . .'hebegan.

But Uncle Anthony cried: 'Long live the King!'

'My father. . . .'stammered Edward.

His uncle had risen. He had put his arms about him and held him in a firm embrace.

'Edward, my dear dear nephew, my King, your father is dead/

'My father. . . dead!'

'Yes, dear nephew, my lord. He has been ailing this last week and now he has gone. It is a terrible blow for us all . . . for the country. But thank God we have a new King and I know he will rule wisely and well.'

'You mean . . . that / will?'

'You are our true and lawful King Edward the Fifth. We knew the day would come but we had not thought it would be so soon.'

Edward was overwhelmed. King! A boy of thirteen who had been living quietly in Ludlow Castle until this day! Everything would be different now. He had come to it not gradually but at one big blow. And his father was dead . . . that big splendid man! It was hard to believe. And his mother, what of his mother?

Anthony put an arm about his shoulders. 'You have nothing to fear,' he said. '1 shall be there beside you.'

'You will tell me what to do?'

'Indeed I will, my little King.'

'Then all will be well.'

His uncle took his hand and kissed it.

'Now we have to prepare to leave at once. We are going to Westminster where you will be crowned.'

The Queen was deeply disturbed for she realized the danger of the situation and the need for prompt action.

It would have been impossible not to be aware of the immense unpopularity of her family. The King had always been there to protect them and in a manner curb their wildest ambitions. Now that he was no longer there she knew their enemies would rise up against them. Thank God, through her foresight she had put her family into high posts. They were rich and influential as no other family was. They could therefore stand firm, and after the coronation of young Edward rule ... if they were clever, rule absolutely, because her son would be so much easier to guide than her husband had been. Indulgent he had certainly been but he had always kept her ambitions firmly in check, and she had always felt that she had been on a leading-rein and although in his indulgence he had made it fairly long, she would be quickly jerked back if she went too far. Now, if she were careful, there would be nothing to hold her.

She was closest in touch with her son, the Marquess of Dorset. He was now in his early thirties; he had been a great favourite of the King—partly because he had been his companion in vice. His chief companion perhaps. No, Hastings had held that place, but in any case Thomas had been a close runner-up.

As a wife she thought that deplorable, as an ambitious woman with a son through whom she now planned to govern, it was advantageous.

She sent for Dorset. He came with all speed realizing the urgency of the situation.

'What we must do,' she said, 'is get the Council with us. I expect trouble from Hastings. A pity we could not exclude him but I fear he was too firmly entrenched. We have the family well represented. We should watch Stanley. I think he will go to whichever side offers the best advantage to himself. We must make sure u;e do.'

'What of Gloucester?'

'He is in the North. On the Scottish border. Far far away. We must wait until the King is crowned before we allow him to be aware of what has happened.'

'It would be better so as Edward named him as the King's Protector.'

'The King already has his protectors and once a king is anointed and crowned, he is accepted as king.'

'I fear Gloucester.'

'I will deal with Gloucester,' said the Queen. 'Our first act must

be to get the King crowned. Let us call a Council meeting in the new King's name. We will show ourselves amenable and carry on as though the King was alive and then we will bring up the important matter of the King's coronation as though it were a matter of course.'

Dorset was certain that his mother would succeed. After all, had she not succeeded in everything she did; and surely only the cleverest of women could have kept a man like Edward as long as she did.

The Council was called and all went as planned unhl the matter of the King's coronation was brought up.

Dorset said: 'May the fourth would be a suitable day, I believe.'

Then the protests started. It was far too early. The Duke of Gloucester would not be at Westminster in hme. They should bear in mind that he was defending the Scottish border.

'Then, my lords,' said the Marquess, 'we must needs do without the Duke of Gloucester.'

Hastings was on his feet. 'It would seem that the terms of the King's will have been forgotten.'

'The King wished his son to be crowned at once,' said Elizabeth.

'What escort will bring him to London?'

'That,' replied the Queen, 'is for the King to decide.'

'You mean for Lord Rivers?' asked Hastings. He went on somewhat heatedly: 'The King should come to London with a moderate escort. He should not have more than two thousand men.'

Hastings clearly did not want the young King to march from Ludlow with an army. Very well, thought Elizabeth, let him have his way. Anything to get the King in London and crowned. For once he was crowned he would not need a Protector and therefore the King's instructions that his brother Gloucester should take that role need never be considered.

As soon as the Council meeting broke up, Dorset sent his message to Rivers. The King must come to London with all speed and should arrive not later than the first of May.

Hastings had already sent a messenger to Richard in the North telling him what was happening in London and urging him to come with as many men as he could muster for it might be that he would need them.

With a clatter of hoofs the messenger rode to Middleham Castle. He leaped from his steaming horse and demanded of the astonished grooms to be taken at once to their master the Duke.

It was a stroke of good fortune that Richard should at that time be at home. He had returned only a week or so before from the Scottish border and his thoughts were fully occupied by the conflict with the Scots.

It was two months since he had seen his brother and then they had gone fully into the Scottish question. He should soon be on his way north again and was for this short period enjoying a little respite with his family.

His son Edward was not strong. He knew that Anne worried continually about their son. He had inherited his mother's constitution and sometimes Richard wondered whether he would be better in a more benign climate. There was one other boy in the castle whom Richard watched with interest. The boy was several years older than Edward, and did not know it but he was Richard's own son. His name was Richard and he had been educated by the schoolmaster whom his father had brought into the castle for the purpose. Richard would have liked to acknowledge him and promised himself he would one day. He was a little embarrassed about the situation; he was so unlike his brother and had rarely indulged in sexual relations with women. Strange that this one affair of this nature had produced two children. Catherine was with her mother in London, but Richard he had brought up here in his retinue. One day, he thought, he will be told.

He wished that he and Anne could have had another. The delicate looks of his legitimate son were a source of anxiety as were Anne's own. She had been delighted to see him and heartily wished that the wretched wars could end so that they could all be together in the cosy intimacy of Middleham.

He had decided that he could indulge in a few more weeks of family life when the courier came.

He received the man at once and was astounded by the news.

'My brother . . . dead!'

'My lord I fear so. He went fishing and caught a cold. He did not recover.'

'A cold . . . Edward to die of a cold!'

'He had been ill before, my lord.'

Oh yes, he had been ill. Richard remembered their conversation. He could almost believe that Edward had foreseen his death. He had harped on it and had extracted a promise from his brother to look after young Edward, to be his Protector until such a time as the boy should be of fit age to govern.

'When did it happen?' he asked.

'On the ninth of April, my lord.'

'But this is a week ago.'

Thoughts passed quickly through his mind. What could happen in a week? A week already passed and by the time he reached Ludlow ....

'Why did you not come before? Did not the Queen send anyone?'

'The Queen sent no one, my lord. Nor did Lord Rivers. I come from Lord Hastings who sent me as soon as he knew that the King was dead.'

Richard was silent. He had turned very pale. He was seeing it all clearly: Elizabeth Woodville and her brother had withheld the information. They had not wanted him to know until the little King was crowned. The Woodvilles were waiting to take command. They would be planning now to rule the country.

He thanked the rider and told him he must go to the kitchens for refreshment; then he went to find Anne.

'My brother is dead,' he said.

She put her hands to her heart and turned pale.

'And,' he went on, 'the Queen has not told me. Nor has Rivers. I do not like this.'

'Why should they withhold the information from you?'

'They want to get the King into their care. I shall have to leave for Ludlow at once.'

'Oh Richard . . . must you?'

'Indeed I must. Edward left his son in my care. We talked when we last met. It was almost as though he knew. I gave him my promise . . . moreover I can see that the realm will have to be protected from the Woodvilles. Now, I must lose no time. I have to prepare to leave.'

Before he left another messenger arrived from Hastings. There had been a meeting of the Council called by the Queen and it had been declared that the King should be crowned on May the fourth. Hastings had had great difficulty in getting them to agree that the King's escort should not exceed two thousand. When

Richard came he must come well prepared to face a company of that number.

Richard knew what Hastings meant. The Woodvilles were determined to rule. They were going to get the King crowned and then declare that there would be no need for Richard to fulfil his brother's wishes that he should be the little King's guardian. Richard could see that his presence was urgently needed and he must go to challenge them; he would take Hastings' advice and go well armed.

Richard was within reach of Nottingham. He had decided that since the King was having an escort of two thousand, he would do the same. He wanted no suggestion that he came for conflict. He merely wanted the people to know that his brother had appointed him his nephew's guardian and if Edward was to be escorted into London he was the one to do it.

In Nottingham a courier arrived from Lord Rivers. He sent courteous greetings to the Duke of Gloucester and condolences for his great loss. Lord Rivers knew of the affection the King had always had for his brother and was therefore deeply aware what Edward's death had meant to Richard. He had left Ludlow with the King and planned to reach Nottingham on the twenty-ninth of April. It might well be that the Duke would be there at the same time. If Rivers arrived first he would await the coming of the Duke of Gloucester if that was his wish.

Richard sent back a message that he would be delighted to meet Rivers and the King at Northampton.

There was a further message from Hastings. He implored Gloucester to make haste to intercept the King. The Woodvilles were in command. They were eyeing him, Hastings, suspiciously because he had reminded them that the late King had appointed Richard as Protector. He believed they would seek to remove him. He begged Richard to come with all speed.

Richard pondered the state of affairs. He saw that he alone could avert civil war. There would be many to side with Hastings. Buckingham was one. He had always hated Elizabeth Woodville ever since he was a child and had been forced to marry her sister. The Queen had managed to make the Council agree to the date of the coronation, so she had many with her for they realized that

the Woodvilles had already assumed so much power that it would be difficult to dislodge them. But Richard promised himself that he was going to curb the power of the Woodvilles. He had often warned Edward against granting them so much power. Well, now that Edward was not here, something might be done about it.

He waited with eagerness his meeting with Rivers.

It was a sunny afternoon of the twenty-ninth of April that Richard with his retinue reached Northampton. There was no sign of Rivers and the King's cavalcade.

Enquiries brought the information that they had already passed through the town and had gone in the direction of Stony Stratford.

This was disturbing and looked as though Rivers had no intention of meeting Richard, who decided that he must stay in the town for a night as his men and horses needed a rest. There was good news. Another courier had arrived and this one came from the Duke of Buckingham who was in the vicinity and on his way to join up with Richard.

Richard ordered that his men should be lodged where they could find places to take them while he himself went to an inn with a few intimates and there settled to spend the night.

They had scarcely arrived at the inn when a horseman came riding into the yard.

Tt could be Buckingham,' said Richard; but to his amazement it was not. It was Anthony Lord Rivers.

Anthony came to Richard and bowed low. 'My lord Protector,' he said, 'I come with all speed to welcome you and to explain why I was unable to keep my appointment here with you. It seemed there would not be enough accommodation here for your followers and those of the King so we agreed that he should go on to Stony Stratford and that I would return and explain the position to you here.'

A neat explanation, thought Richard, but he did not believe it was true. The Woodvilles wanted to get the King to Westminster and crowned so that there would be no need for a Protector.

Richard made a pretence of accepting the explanation and invited Rivers to dine with him. Anthony declared that he would

US The Sun in Splendour

be honoured to do so and while they were talking the Duke of Buckingham arrived.

Richard received him with a show of pleasure. Rivers feigned to do the same but he was disturbed for Buckingham was an enemy of the Woodvilles even though he had married into the family—but perhaps it was because of that that he hated them.

Rivers, going back to the inn in which he was to spend the night, was uneasy.

Richard never betrayed his feelings so it was not easy to know whether he had been duped by the explanation that there had not been room in town, or not. The young King, however, was at Stony Stratford and as that was fourteen miles closer to London this seemed a wise move on the part of Rivers.

It was a friendly supper party. The three of them—Gloucester, Buckingham and Rivers appeared to be in agreement about all they discussed. Gloucester was perhaps a little silent, but then that was his way. Rivers would have been astonished if he had been otherwise. Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham talked enough for two men. Volatile and ebullient Buckingham made it a merry party so that Rivers' suspicions were completely lulled. Moreover Buckingham had never greatly interested himself in state affairs. Rivers regarded him as a dilettante, a lover of luxury, somewhat lazy. Until now in spite of his high rank, he had chosen to live in the country away from affairs. He had married Catherine Woodville, sister of the Queen, when he was very young and having been forced into a marriage for which he had had no desire had always been resentful towards the Woodvilles. Rivers knew that he was not friendlily disposed towards the family but he thought that he was too indifferent to state affairs to consider working against them and that this meeting must be, as Buckingham hinted, accidental.

They parted on the best of terms and Rivers went back to the inn which was a short distance from that one in which Gloucester and Buckingham were to spend the night, promising himself that he would be off early next morning before they arose.

After he had gone Buckingham went with Gloucester to his room. They looked at each other very seriously for a few moments and then Gloucester said: 'Well, what is it?'

'He will get the King to London before you,' said Buckingham.

'No, he will not,' replied Richard.

'My lord, the King lies at Stony Stratford. You may be sure that

Rivers plans to have him away before we get to him/

'It shall not be.'

'He will have sent messages to Stony Stratford without doubt.'

'I have stopped all messengers leaving the town.'

Buckingham smiled.

'So the King will stay at Stony Stratford until I arrive to conduct him to London/ went on Gloucester.

Buckingham nodded. 'You are wise. Lord Protector. I came here to join you, to offer my services. The Woodvilles are in charge ... at the moment. They plan to rule the country.'

'I know that well. They deliberately refrained from telling me of my brother's death although they knew that he had named me Protector of the Realm and the King's guardian.'

They are determined to get the boy crowned and then he will be surrounded by the Woodvilles who will proceed to rule. It must never be.'

'It shall never be,' said Richard.

He was regarding Buckingham quizzically. Buckingham was fierce in his condemnation of the Woodvilles. He was a considerable ally, representing one of the most noble fanulies in the land as he did. Richard was confident of his ability to conduct affairs in the way his brother would have wished them to go, but the more friends he had the better. Hastings had proved himself an ally; and now Buckingham.

His confidence was growing. Not that he needed support. Richard had always done what he considered right without too much consideration of the cost.

He now said: 'Firm action is needed, firm and immediate action/

'My lord,' said Buckingham, 'you will know what action to take/

Anthony had returned to his room in a mood bordering almost on complacency. Gloucester had been affable—rather unexpectedly so. He had never while the King was alive shown any great regard for the Woodvilles and Anthony knew he had made his brother aware that he considered the marriage of the King and Queen most unsuitable. As for Buckingham he behaved as one might expect a brother-in-law to—^but it was the first time he had.

Rivers smiled as he settled into his bed. Of course they realized, these two,* that he. Rivers, was of greater importance now than he had ever been. The King was devoted to him and anyone who wished for favour in the new reign would have first to consider Lord Rivers. The Queen too perhaps for he had taught Edward to revere his mother. He was certain that there were good times ahead for the whole Woodville clan.

He slept easily for he had drunk rather more deeply than usual in that affable company, but before retiring he had given instructions that he was to be awakened just before dawn. He must leave then and set out for Stony Stratford where young Edward would be waiting for him. And then ... off to London and the coronation.

When he awoke the first streaks of light were in the sky. He rose startled. He should have been awakened by now. Hearing a murmuring below and with a sudden feeling that all was not as it should be he went to the window and looked out. Soldiers appeared to be surrounding the inn.

Throwing a cloak about himself he went to the door. He was confronted by a guard.

'What means this?' he cried.

'You are under arrest, my lord.'

'What? This is nonsense. Under arrest. For what reason? Who has arrested me?'

He saw the badge of the Boar on the men's livery and he knew because the man replied: 'On the orders of the Lord Protector, my lord.'

Rivers stepped back into the room. What a fool I've been! he thought. How could I have been so duped? I should have stayed at Stony Stratford. I should at this moment be on my way to London with the King.

He dressed hurriedly and said that he wished to speak with the Duke of Gloucester. He sent for his most trusted squire and told him to go at once to the inn where the Duke had his headquarters and tell him that Lord Rivers desired to speak to him without delay.

'And get a message to my nephew. Lord Richard Grey, who is with the King. Tell him to leave at once with the King for London.'

'It is not possible, my lord. No one is allowed to leave the town. The Protector's men are posted on all roads.'

'It is too late then/ said Anthony. Then I must see the Duke.'

'I will go at once my lord and ask if he will see you.'

In a state of great mortification and extreme anxiety Rivers waited and in due course his messenger returned and said he was to conduct him to the Duke of Gloucester.

Richard regarded him sardonically.

'It was not very clever/ he said. 'There was no room for you all in the town! You should have done better than that, Rivers.'

'My lord Gloucester, it was so. . . .'

Richard held up a hand. 'I do not wish to parley with you. I know full well what you planned to do . . . you and the Queen. You disregarded my brother's wishes. You sought to keep me in ignorance of his death until you had crowned the King and established yourselves as rulers of the land. That is not to be. Lord Rivers.'

'I assure you, my lord Duke, that the people wish the King to be crowned.'

'Assuredly the people wish their rightful King to be crowned, but in due course, and not in such a manner which will make the most hated family in the country rulers of it. The King will be crowned, I assure you, but it will not be on the fourth of May as you planned.'

'My lord, the King himself may wish. . . .'

'The King I have no doubt will wish what his uncle tells him to. He is young. Perhaps he is not aware of the scheming ambitions of that self-same uncle. Nay my lord, your schemes have been foiled. There is one thing the people do not want and that is to be ruled by the Woodvilles. They shall have their King and a proper Council to support him.'

'Headed by my lord of Gloucester I doubt not.'

'Headed, my lord, by the man selected by the late King to do so.'

'I came in peace.'

'Then how do you explain the arms in your baggage?'

'A natural precaution.'

'Precaution against those who seek justice for the King and the realm?'

'Ask the King whom he wishes to guide him.'

'The King has been well primed by his mother's relations. All know that. The King is a child. Children cannot rule. Enough of this. I granted you this interview and now it is over.' He called to

the guards. Take Lord Rivers away. He is under arrest. He shall be lodged in Sheriff Hutton until such a time as his case can be judged.'

Protesting, Rivers was hustled away.

Richard with Buckingham beside him and their men behind them rode over in the dawn's early light to Stony Stratford.

The young King, with Lord Richard Grey and his old chamberlain. Sir Thomas Vaughan, was eagerly watching for the arrival of Lord Rivers. He had said that he would come in the early morning when they must all be prepared to leave for London without a moment's delay.

Lord Richard had arrived only the previous day with messages from the Queen to her son. She was longing to see him, she said. He was her King now and she knew that he would understand how important he had become. She had lost his dear father and she needed him to protect her now.

Edward was overcome with emotion. The idea of protecting his beautiful mother, who always seemed so well able to take care of herself, seemed to him a great task and one he was impatient to undertake. Uncle Anthony would tell him what he had to do. His mother would too, and Lord Richard as well. He need not be afraid with so many to help him.

Lord Richard was a little anxious because his uncle had not yet arrived. He had been so insistent that they leave as soon as it was light. He had said he would be arriving from Northampton in the very early morning. But where was he?

Richard said they should all be ready for when Lord Rivers did come it was certain that he would be in a great hurry and would want them to start off without delay.

Lord Richard was in a quandary. The Queen wanted her son in London for the coronation was fixed for a few days ahead. He decided that they would have to leave without Lord Rivers. They had left the inn and the King had mounted his horse with Richard Grey beside him when there was the sound of horses' hoofs in the distance.

'He is here,' cried Lord Richard. 'Thank God. And I am sure that he will wish to leave without delay.'

Orders were being shouted. No one was to leave the town.

Then into their midst rode the King's paternal uncle instead of his maternal one and with him was the Duke of Buckingham.

Gloucester and Buckingham came straight to the King, dismounted and bowed low before him with the utmost respect.

'Where is Lord Rivers?' asked the King rather shrilly.

'I have news for you of my Lord Rivers,' said Richard. 'Let us retire into the inn that we may talk in quiet.'

Bewildered the King dismounted and Lord Richard Grey and Sir Thomas Vaughan went with him into the inn. Gloucester and Buckingham followed.

Richard commanded that they be taken to a room and when they were there and the door shut he knelt and kissed Edward's hand.

The greatest calamity which could befall us and this nahon has come about,' he said. 'Your father, my brother, is dead and you, my lord, are now the true and rightful King of England.'

Edward nodded. There were tears in his eyes. He was frightened. His Uncle Gloucester had always had that effect on him. He was wondering where Uncle Anthony was and why he had not come as he promised.

'It is said,' went on Gloucester, 'that your father might be alive today if he had not given way to excesses. There were certain men surrounding him, notably your half-brother the Marquess of Dorset, who encouraged him in these excesses. It is my intent, as your guardian, named to be such by your father, that you shall be saved from these evil influences.'

Lord Richard Grey cried out: 'My lord ... I protest. I and my uncle have never had anything but the King's welfare at heart/

Gloucester waved him aside.

'Certain men,' he said, 'intended to deprive me of the office which my brother in his last words expressed a wish that I should take. They planned to remove me. For this reason I have had no alternative but to arrest Lord Rivers.'

'You have arrested Lord Rivers!' cried the King. 'But he has never done any harm. He is my very good friend . . . my very best friend.'

'My lord, they have kept you in ignorance. There is a plot to destroy me and to govern through you. This plot has been fabricated by the Marquess of Dorset, Lord Rivers and Lord Richard Grey here/

'These are my family . . . my brothers and my uncle.'

Tt is for this reason that they have laid these grandiose schemes. They have always presumed on that relationship. The Woodvilles were nothing until the King married your mother. Now they are trying to take charge of us all.'

'I will not believe this of them. I love them all dearly. They have always been my very good friends.'

'My dear nephew,' said Gloucester, 'for years I have shared your father's confidence. None was closer to him than 1 in matters of state. I have known his mind since he came to the throne. We have worked together; and only a few weeks before his death he spoke to me of this. He told me that he wished me to take the reins of government until you were of an age to do so yourself. He trusted me, Edward, as he trusted no other.'

'He trusted me with Lord Rivers,' said Edward quickly.