by Anne O'Brien
My grandson is not pleased. He was always an outspoken child. I think that I have failed in the schooling of him, to teach him better manners. He states that he will not wed her. That as Duke of Buckingham he will choose a worthier bride from a family of higher rank than a common Woodville.
I felt like dispatching him to the priest to confess the sin of pride, except that I tended to agree.
Anyway the marriage is arranged and will take place at the wish of the Queen.
Have you heard more from Katherine? I hate to hear her ridiculed. She does not deserve it. I think we will all be ridiculed as pawns of this family.
Your desolate sister,
Anne
Cecily, King’s Mother, to Anne, Dowager Duchess of Buckingham
Written from Baynard’s Castle
My dearest Anne,
You have my sympathies over young Henry, but I have fast come to realise that there is nothing we can do about it. I misjudged the depth of the woman’s ambition, and it worries me inordinately.
Have you taken count of all the other marriages snatched up for the promotion of this family? Every unwed scion of aristocratic lineage is now marked to be wed to a Woodville bride. I imagine there are complaints within these families up and down the country to mirror yours.
Except that many will see the value of a marriage alliance with the King’s wife.
I am afraid, Anne. I fear the repercussions.
Did you know that Edward has given the Barony of Dunster to the Herbert heir as a wedding gift when he espouses Mary Woodville? It is a barony that Warwick was claiming for himself, as heir to the Montagus who held it. I see trouble brewing there. Where will Warwick look for husbands for his two daughters? It may be that he has to look across the sea. I have not heard his thoughts on this.
Surely it has crossed Edward’s mind as well as my own that this is dangerous policy. He was always so politically astute. This infatuation seems to have entirely robbed him of perspicacity.
It is my intention to keep close with Warwick. It would be disastrous if Edward pushed him into any degree of hostility. The Woodvilles are becoming more influential at Court, but I feel that it is Warwick’s support that will keep my son strong in his kingship. Warwick helped bring him to the throne. Warwick must help keep him there.
I can only hope that I am merely stirring up a storm in an ale-cup.
Meanwhile, we wait to hear that the bride is carrying a royal child. It would be the only blessing out of this whole maelstrom of bad decision-making.
The other news on the family front is the proposed marriage of my daughter, Meg. Which reminds me that I must tell her the good news, and I think a word of caution.
Cecily
If you choose to wed again, do not under any circumstances wed a Woodville. Are there any left?
Cecily, King’s Mother, to Margaret, King’s Sister
Written from Baynard’s Castle
My most well-beloved daughter,
It is with joy that I write to inform you that at last we have a suitor for your hand in marriage. Don Pedro of Aragon, a contender to the throne of Aragon and claimant of Catalonia, has expressed his wish for the match. Negotiations are already underway between your brother the King and Don Pedro, even to the extent of a description of your betrothal ring, which is very fine. We must now consider your robes for this marriage. I doubt that Edward will be parsimonious in his spending.
I have to say this, dear Meg. There is much support for this marriage from the Queen and the Woodville faction. Do not be swept away by a beautiful face and gracious manners. I know that you admire her, but remain careful and judgemental. Do learn to keep a distance. It will be good practice for when you are the consort of Don Pedro. The wife of a ruler must learn to be selective of where she gives her affections and patronage.
I regret having to give you up to a marriage overseas, but I know it must be.
Your affectionate mother,
Cecily
Cecily, King’s Mother, to Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick
Written from Baynard’s Castle
Written to you, my nephew, in a spirit of commiseration.
In spite of all that Edward might owe to you, he has served you ill through his Woodville marriage and its aftermath. I regret the loss for you of the Dunster barony, and more importantly the destruction of your negotiations for a firm alliance between England and France.
Humiliation is a hard cross to bear, as I know from my own experience.
I am hoping that my son comes to his senses and sees where his best interests might lie. I beg of you to keep faith with him and this reign might come to no harm. He needs you, as a friend, counsellor, and a strong right arm.
Do not give way to temper. It will do no good.
How is Diccon? I hope that he has settled well into his lessons and his training at Middleham. He was never the strongest of my children, but he has great loyalty and tenacity. I am sure that your Countess will not allow herself to be twisted around his clever fingers.
I imagine that you will have to look abroad for husbands for your two daughters. I wish you well in your search. They will be much sought-after, given their magnificent lineage.
Your affectionate but troubled aunt,
Cecily
Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, to Cecily, King’s Mother
Written from the Palace of Westminster
My thanks, Aunt, for your warning and advice.
I was angry. I cannot deny it, but I have in my political wisdom put aside my anger. Edward and I have too much past history together in bringing him to the throne. Thus we have, to some degree, mended our clash of temperament.
I still have hopes for an alliance between England and France. I am aware that the Woodvilles are pressing for a firm contract with Burgundy, supported by the strong voices of the English merchants, but I believe that I can persuade the King that France would be a move of political wisdom, if only to prevent Louis from throwing in his hand with Marguerite.
Perhaps a French alliance would provide well-born husbands for my daughters.
There is no need for your concern. All will be settled amicably, as I will accept the loss of the Dunster barony.
Diccon is in good spirits. He might lack strength and stature but he is learning the art of swordplay with some skill. My master at arms is impressed with him. He remains ever-loyal to his brother Edward and seems to have discovered a kindred spirit in my daughter Anne. They both have a love of sweetmeats.
I was not blessed with a son. Diccon is a joy in my wife’s heart.
I am sanguine about the future, yet I am wary of the growth in Woodville power. It is difficult for a man of my experience to be ignored in Council when the King leans toward Lord Rivers. I will keep my temper equable as long as I am able.
Warwick
Cecily, King’s Mother, to Edward, King of England
Written from Baynard’s Castle
Edward,
Did I not warn you about the dangers of making Warwick too strong a power in the land? And yet, you did it. To attack him and his family, ignoring his advice, is equally dangerous.
He is like a fast-simmering pot, about to boil over and quench the flames of the warmth and loyalty he still holds for you. The Woodvilles cannot offer you the strength and wisdom that Warwick can. They are too intent on strengthening their own position. If you are thinking of Sir Anthony, Lord Scales, he may well be a fine man, with a reputation for his prowess in the tournament, but he is not the same calibre as Warwick.
Take care how far you insult him in the arrangement of these marriages and the disposing of titles.
Are you quite sure that you wish to follow Woodville advice to achieve a Burgundian alliance, rather than one with France which has Warwick’s blessing? It will go ill with Warwick if you do. Equally it would be unwise to topple Louis into a dangerous alliance with Queen Marguerite, as she still styles herself.
What can have possessed you to arrang
e so humiliating a wedding for your aunt Katherine? She might be phlegmatic about it, but it is a degrading situation for a woman of her history and connections.
I do not enjoy jokes at the expense of my family.
Cecily, King’s Mother
Edward, King of England, to Cecily, King’s Mother
Written from the Palace of Westminster
To my Lady Mother,
There is nothing to disturb you. As time passes my wife will be accepted, as will be her family. When we have a son, the country will celebrate with ale and dancing.
Meanwhile I will win Warwick to my plans.
My aunt Katherine is a woman of character and will not be disturbed by a political marriage. It surprised me that you have given any mind to what the inhabitants of the London gutter shriek after a surfeit of ale. Why would you care?
I know that you will be receptive of one promotion I have arranged. My cousin, and your nephew, George Neville, will be enthroned as Archbishop of York, followed by a day of feasting and pageant, already commissioned in true extravagant Neville style, in Cawood Castle. I hope I have reinstated myself back into your good books by my promotion of a Neville.
Warwick will like it too.
Your dutiful son (who is not quite without political guile),
Edward
Cecily, King’s Mother, to Edward, King of England
Written from Baynard’s Castle
Excellent. I approve of all Neville advancement.
You will reinstate yourself even more securely if you can get your wife with child. Perhaps you need to spend more time with her, rather than in the hunting field.
Cecily, King’s Mother
Elizabeth, Queen of England, to Cecily, King’s Mother
Written from Greenwich Palace, 1465
Madam,
It pleases me to inform you that I am expecting a royal child.
It will be born at the beginning of the new year.
It is my fervent hope that it will be a son.
I know that you will rejoice with me.
Elizabeth
Cecily, King’s Mother, to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk
Written from Baynard’s Castle
Dearest Kat,
May the Blessed Virgin be praised. At last she has fulfilled her role.
We will all pray for a safe travail. And a boy to step into Edward’s shoes.
I am even tempted to call him Ned again.
I am feeling in a forgiving mood and will instruct the monks at Westminster Abbey to lend the Virgin’s Girdle to her, to give her ease in childbirth. It is my thought to send her a book of the Life of St Margaret. Even if she does not read it, she can have her women read to her. Although unmarried, I suppose being swallowed by a dragon and then spat out would give the Blessed Margaret some knowledge of pain and discomfort in childbed.
I trust that your Woodville husband is making himself useful. I will not wish you happiness.
I am still considering possible betrothals for Meg. We had high hopes of Don Pedro of Aragon. Everything was arranged, including a betrothal ring costing more than two hundred pounds. Sadly, he fell ill and was dead within a week. Meg never did receive the diamond and gold ring.
Our nephew of Warwick is no longer simmering like a pot of stew. I have hopes that all will be well.
Your sister,
Cecily
England’s Chronicle, January 1466
It has come to our attention that the Queen has gone into seclusion in her chambers in Westminster Palace.
There can be only one reason for this.
We await events with fervent hope and prayers and we have lit votive candles.
We know that the nation will follow our example.
Even Duchess Cecily might be praying for the health of our Queen.
Royal Proclamation
On this day, the eleventh day of February in the year 1466
Born to King Edward the Fourth and his wife Queen Elizabeth
At the Palace of Westminster
A daughter
Elizabeth
England’s Chronicle, the twelfth day of February 1466
Today the little Princess was baptised in Westminster Abbey.
She is named Elizabeth, for her mother the Queen. Her lungs are clearly working well. We would have preferred a son but a healthy daughter is no detriment to the making of powerful alliances for England in the future. We think the King is already discussing a possible husband.
The Queen was not present, of course, not having yet been churched.
But here was a situation for all to savour.
Who were the great and the good chosen to stand sponsor for the child?
Jacquetta of Luxembourg, Lady Rivers, once Duchess of Bedford, the child’s maternal grandmother.
Richard, Earl of Warwick. One of the mighty Nevilles, cousin to the King.
Cecily, Duchess of York, King’s Mother, the child’s paternal grandmother. An interesting trio to stand together in harmony to support the little Princess. It is well known that relationships between the Woodvilles and the Duchess are not at their best. Nor is the Earl of Warwick a Woodville friend.
Sword blades seem to have been buried on this occasion. There was no apparent animosity. Everyone heaving a sigh of relief as the child was blessed, named and cradled in the arms of her godmothers. Lady Rivers was aglow with achievement, the Duchess of York resigned, Warwick at his saturnine best.
Expect another Woodville marriage mooted on the horizon. Who will it be? And to whom? Will Duchess Cecily and Warwick approve?
Cecily, King’s Mother, to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk
Written from Baynard’s Castle
My dearest Kat,
Edward is a fool.
Would I ever say that of a son of mine? A son of the mighty Richard, Duke of York?
We have a granddaughter, Elizabeth. A fine healthy child. Edward was disappointed that it was not a son, as were we all, but he has hopes for the future. He awarded the Woodville Queen with a jewel costing over one hundred pounds to mark the birth.
Edward, with utter disregard for the balance of interest at Court, has undone all the latent goodwill. Even worse, he is blind to what he is doing. He listens to no one but the Woodvilles. With one hand he makes George Neville Archbishop of York, which must be some balm to Warwick’s wounds, although the King and Queen were not present at the ceremony and feast, which might well be regarded as a slight. Nor was I, but I heard of the flamboyant feasting, typical of our nephew.
And then. What does Edward do? He has ennobled Lord Rivers further. He is now Earl Rivers, would you believe, and what’s more, Treasurer of England. Which might not hurt so much except that Edward dismissed Lord Mountjoy, Warwick’s uncle, to make way for him.
Warwick is not pleased and wears a permanent frown.
What’s more, King Louis is still in negotiation with Warwick. He has lost the marriage but has no intention of allowing England to sign agreements with Burgundy and Brittany.
I live in dread of what I will hear next. When I look in my mirror it seems that I have been keeping vigil for months. The shadows beneath my eyes are as dark as thumbprints.
My family has become the object of common and salacious gossip.
Did you know that Edward has created Thomas Grey – eldest son of the Woodville Queen’s first marriage – Marquess of Dorset? An earldom was not good enough for him. England’s Chronicle is talking of another Woodville marriage. How many of them are there still to marry off? I despair.
Where will it end?
Your sister,
Cecily
England’s Chronicle, October 1466
More Woodville dealings at Court to spice your daily exchange of news with your neighbour.
Was Duchess Cecily expecting her granddaughter Anne Holland, daughter of the absent Duke and present Duchess of Exeter, to be wedded to her Neville great-nephew, the son of the Earl of Northumberland?
&nbs
p; She may live to be disappointed.
And what will the Earl of Warwick have to say, when his brother Northumberland is robbed of this heiress for his son?
Money has changed hands in this dealing, we understand.
Is the King involved? Was it his strategy? Or did he simply allow his wife to have her way?
The Queen, so we are told, is carrying another child. Perhaps this new marriage was a gift from the King to the Queen for her undoubted fertility.
Anne, Duchess of Exeter, to Cecily, King’s Mother
Written from Coldharbour, October 1466
To my Lady Mother,
Since England’s Chronicle is spreading the word, I think I should make my excuses before you descend on me in understandable fury.
My daughter, Anne Holland, who was betrothed in a much sought-after Neville alliance to wed the son of Warwick’s brother, the Earl of Northumberland, will no longer do so. She is now the intended bride of Thomas Grey, the Queen’s son by her first marriage. The Marquess of Dorset, as he is now styled.
I hear that my husband Henry is attached firmly to Marguerite’s side in France. I hope that he stays there.
I really had no choice. And would it be so very bad? It will connect my daughter with the most powerful family in the land.
Your affectionate daughter,
Anne
Cecily, King’s Mother, to Anne, Duchess of Exeter
Written from Baynard’s Castle
Oh, my daughter!
Yes, it would be so very bad!
Why in the name of the Blessed Virgin did you allow it? That a daughter of mine should be hand in gauntlet with the Woodvilles in their bid for power.
Of course I know why you did it. Perhaps I am wrong to blame you. I should put that at the feet of my son. I have my own sources. I know that Edward paid you four thousand marks to break the Northumberland alliance and allow the marriage with the Grey boy.
Why did you not come and talk to me first?
I can only imagine what Warwick will say, to see his brother’s family thrust aside in this manner. The Neville pride will suffer another injurious blow from which it may never recover.
Well, it is done, so no use repining. Another nail to enclose us tightly into the same coffin as the Woodvilles.
