The Queen's Rival

by Anne O'Brien

  It does not make for pleasant listening, or telling, unless you are of a mind to stir up trouble for the House of York.

  The rest is hard to dispute. Ned was christened quietly in the small private chapel of the castle in Rouen. When Edmund was born – a legitimate child – he was christened with great ceremony in Rouen Cathedral. Why was Ned not given such a noteworthy baptism?

  There can be no denying that Ned looks nothing like Richard.

  It does not look good, does it, Cis?

  You will argue your dignity and piety now, but once you were a beautiful young woman who might have enjoyed an intimate moment with a handsome archer.

  If I have to hear it from one more empty-headed woman at Court, I will not answer for my reactions.

  I have to say Cis, there is much evidence, even though of a shadowy kind, that you were at fault here. Perhaps you decided it would be best to cover it up. You were both always good at mumming.

  The problem is that if there is even a half groat of truth in it, Ned should not be King. It should be Clarence, as the legitimate heir.

  Are you going to ignore this? Or are you going to proclaim the truth and bury your critics with pearls of veracity?

  I know you are not in good heart with Ned over his choice of wife. Would you use this to join with Warwick, undermine Ned and get Clarence as king? The Nevilles were always ambitious and chancy in their allegiances.

  Your sister,

  Anne

  Sir Walter says that you never know what goes on beneath the sheets in any marriage.

  Cecily, King’s Mother, to Anne, Lady Mountjoy

  Written from Berkhamsted

  My dear sister,

  So this is the gossip of the day, is it? And malicious at that. I cannot believe that you would think it of me, even as a young woman, but then I recall when you had me under your roof, my family scattered, when there was not one kind word from you. I should not be surprised.

  Here’s what needs to be said to deny all your accusations. Pearls of veracity, if you wish. I was always faithful to Richard. There was never any adultery.

  Ned was born early. We had already lost Henry and so we feared for this child who was not as robust as he would later become. A fast christening in the castle was for the good of his immortal soul.

  Richard never questioned the birth of the child, his heir. Edward was raised as Richard’s heir, with negotiations to wed a French Princess. Would Richard have countenanced that if he had suspected him of bastardy and me of infidelity?

  No, Edward does not look like Richard. Far more like the third King Edward and his sons, I would say, tall and fair. The strong Plantagenet blood is there.

  For all his faults, Edward is mine and Richard’s.

  That is the end of it.

  Of course I never announced it, either in an outburst of rage or of petulance. I am never petulant, even when roused to just ire. What mother does not say you are not your father’s son, when the son commits some appalling sin. Like wedding a totally unacceptable woman. I expect I did. Which is not at all the same as pronouncing him a bastard. And even worse, myself as a harlot.

  Really, Anne…

  And I have absolutely no interest in what Sir Walter says!

  If I write more, I will be entirely discourteous.

  Cecily

  Anne, Lady Mountjoy, to Cecily, King’s Mother

  Written from the Palace of Westminster

  My apologies, Cis.

  I wish I had not written.

  I hesitate to question your veracity, but you have to admit there are grounds for speculation from those who wish to speculate and make mischief.

  When Richard fled from Ludford Bridge, and when he marched north to deal with Marguerite’s threat, it was Edmund he took with him. Ned went with Warwick to Calais, and then to the west to deal with Jasper Tudor.

  Would Richard not have kept his heir close with him, under his eye? Ned had barely reached maturity. Did Richard care more for Edmund’s safety than for Ned’s?

  Anne

  Cecily, King’s Mother, to Anne, Lady Mountjoy

  Written from Berkhamsted

  Anne,

  Your premise is entirely wrong.

  Did Richard care more for Edmund’s safety than for Ned’s?

  Not if it ever crossed Richard’s mind that if he came under fatal attack, then his heir would die as well. Far better to send Edward away with my brother Salisbury to Calais. When Richard marched to Sandal, Edward was of an age to lead his own army, so to send him west against Pembroke was good planning.

  Richard never showed less concern for Edward than for any of our other children.

  This is all empty posturing, Anne.

  Any birth abroad can be raked over for political purposes. Was not the birth of John of Gaunt declared to be questionable, yet a more honest woman than Philippa of Hainault would be difficult to find.

  It is so easy to slur a woman with claims of sexual immorality. Since it has become a project of value to brand the King a bastard, it is my name that has been dragged through the mud of sin and shame.

  And I have suspicions of where all of this originates. I know who will have the most to gain from it. I am coming to London and will stay at Baynard’s Castle. I detest Berkhamsted anyway. Come to me there, if you wish.

  If you dare chance my wrath.

  Cecily

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  The Great Rebel Calls the Tune

  England’s Chronicle, July 1469

  We have, my erudite readers, a Manifesto.

  What is this? we hear you ask. Do we need a Manifesto? What we really need is an end to the troublesome rebels in the north. That’s what needs to be sorted out, by a vigilant King!

  Here is a little apposite history lesson for your appreciation.

  In the bad old days, mistakes and poor judgement in this land resulted in the forcible removal of three of our kings: King Edward II; King Richard II; King Henry VI. Thus Kings, despite all the sacred anointing, have been tipped from their thrones by their disgruntled subjects.

  Our King Edward should read his chroniclers. Here is a threat. A challenge to his power. His position is not sacrosanct if he estranges the great lords of the land from his counsels, driving them into insurrection.

  It should be said that by the term ‘great lords’ we do not suggest the Woodvilles who are mere upstarts and interlopers. Furthermore their advice is never rejected.

  Where, then, does this incipient treachery originate? Not with the northern rebels, I wager. Not from Robin of Redesdale who can barely put pen to parchment, much less a reasoned argument.

  The hand holding the pen that wrote the Manifesto has a subtle way with words and argument. The hand of the Earl of Warwick is here. We suggest that Warwick, now father by law of the heir apparent, will cure the ills of this kingdom. Will Warwick not rid us of the plague of Woodvilles?

  Where is he? Some say that he has already put to sea from Calais, to return and bring this country to heel. If King Edward will not do it, then the Earl of Warwick will.

  Prepare yourselves, citizens of London, for battle and bloodshed.

  We imagine there will also be bloody battle within the House of York.

  Will Duchess Cecily be forced to answer to her royal son for his bastardy? Will she kneel in penitence, or deny it as a total calumny?

  Cecily, King’s Mother, to Edward, King of England

  Written from Baynard’s Castle

  Edward,

  I trust that my courier finds you at Walsingham.

  Have you read the Manifesto? It is a dangerous document.

  Warwick and Clarence are back in England. By the time this reaches you, it could be too late for you to pre-empt their plans.

  Where are you? This is no time for pilgrimages to petition for a son. If you do not take care you will lose all.

  I think your crown is in danger.

  Now is the time to take action against the traitors who seek to depos
e you.

  What a terrible indictment of our family.

  Cecily, King’s Mother

  I think that Diccon is with you. You must ensure that his loyalties remain with you. Do not let him go to Warwick, under any circumstances.

  England’s Chronicle, late July 1469

  We have had our battle. We have suffered our bloodshed.

  We warned you, did we not?

  The conflict was fought far in the north on Edgecote Moor on the twenty-sixth day of this month.

  What should we tell you, that you do not already know? The northern rebels who were victorious were aided and abetted by the Nevilles. Soldiers from Warwick’s garrison at Calais were clearly visible in the rebel ranks. The Yorkist Herbert Earl of Pembroke and his brother Sir Richard Herbert fought with great heroism, but their Welsh forces were no match for Warwick’s army.

  What a devastating blow for the King.

  Even worse! Pembroke and his brother were brought before the Earl of Warwick and the royal brother, Clarence. The King’s two loyal lords were condemned as traitors and put to death.

  How could this be so?

  The Woodville Earl Rivers and his son Sir John Woodville are fled, gone into hiding. They know that Warwick will hunt them down.

  Thus we can announce: Warwick is triumphant.

  But where is our King? He was not on the battlefield.

  Where is the peace in our realm now?

  We commiserate with Duchess Cecily who will be in some torment with one son in bloody confrontation against the other. We imagine that she does not sleep well.

  Cecily, King’s Mother, to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk

  Written from Baynard’s Castle, late August 1469

  My most dear and well-beloved sister,

  What do I say to you?

  This is written in a spirit of true despair, my nights spent in sleepless anxiety. My knees are worn with prayer, my tongue with petitions to the Blessed Virgin. But for whom do I pray? For Edward, of course. It must be. Here are Warwick and Clarence returned to wreak havoc on this country that Edward tried so hard to mould and settle.

  I fear the Battle of Edgecote Moor has been a disaster from which we will never recover. Where is trust when it is cut off at the knees on the battlefield? Can it ever be repaired? Not when it is stained in blood, both on and off the field. Such crude justice. So much death at the hands of a man whom we loved and admired as a nephew of renown. The executions of Earl Rivers and John Woodville after summary justice at Kenilworth are on Warwick’s head. An outrageous Neville revenge against the Woodvilles.

  I weep for you, dear Kat, even though the marriage was a travesty of an alliance. I know you had an affection for Sir John. Now you are once more widowed and must bear the burden of loneliness into old age. Will you laugh again? I find there is little laughter in my life. I am no longer the woman who could command the gift of happiness.

  It all brings back the bitter memories of Richard and Edmund, and my brother of Salisbury, their bodies demeaned after Wakefield, heads displayed on gateways. How many widows must be haunted by such images? Memories do not fade as the years pass. I still wake in horror with such visions.

  To whom do I turn? It must be to Edward, for he is the only power in this country who can stop Warwick. I must perforce heal my relations with the Queen. I find it impossible to even consider Clarence with any charity, a son prepared to destroy the reputation of his mother for the cause of his ambition.

  Gone are the days when we sisters had nothing better to do than exchange recipes and comment on the deficiencies of Burgundian fashions in head-coverings, all rolls and padding and wire lappets, neither flattering nor comfortable.

  I am anxiety-ridden. I don’t know where Edward is! It may even be that he is executed, too, although I think that not even a victorious Warwick would go so far.

  Your sister in extremity,

  Cecily

  George, Duke of Clarence, to Cecily, King’s Mother

  Written from Warwick Castle, August 1469

  To my noble mother,

  Warwick says that I should write to you, and so I will. I confess to some reluctance since you were less than lukewarm in your promises of support at Canterbury. In fact you denied me. The presence of your minstrels at my marriage ceremony and the dish of fish chewettes did nothing to plaster over the bitter wound you created.

  But now affairs have changed. I, as the true, legitimate-born heir, should be King.

  If you would still support your bastard son, then you should know this.

  Edward is our prisoner.

  He was discovered, deserted by his men, in the village of Olney outside Coventry. Our useful Neville Archbishop came across him there and took him into custody. Warwick has him now under guard here in Warwick Castle. It will please you to know that he is unharmed. The Archbishop was persuasive and Ned was as meek as an old ewe. Diccon was with him, although he is not under restraint. He is still at liberty with my Lord Hastings. My cousin of Warwick believes he can readily call on the loyalties of both when the time comes.

  So who is King now?

  Not Ned, son of a common archer.

  Warwick says that he regrets the use of the knowledge of Ned’s bastardy if it hurts your pride, but I think it needed to be broadcast far and wide. I am the rightful King, and my cousin Warwick will support me in my bid to take the crown.

  I look forward to receiving your good wishes.

  Your dutiful son,

  Clarence

  Cecily, King’s Mother, to Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick

  Written from Baynard’s Castle

  My nephew of Warwick,

  How could you even consider so outrageous an act against me!

  How dare you play ducks and drakes so blatantly with my reputation? How dare you broadcast my supposed infidelities? How dare you use my sons to further your own ambitions? I see no honour in you.

  You take one son prisoner and use the other as a pawn to tell me of the bad news. Do you intend to rule England through Clarence, a malleable puppet? You denied it to my face at Canterbury, but all I see in you is lies and deceit.

  I know where the rumours of my infidelity began, not to destroy me, but to undermine the legality of the King. I was not your target but you had no care that I too would be damaged. At Canterbury, you stopped Clarence telling me. Were you ashamed of your use of my own honour to destroy my son? I doubt you know the meaning of shame.

  There is no truth in the rumours of my past indiscretions. Of my adultery. How vicious a word. You know that as well as I, but I remember your claiming that you had a useful weapon to hand. I cannot stop you from using it, nor can I prove you wrong except to say – look at Edward. His height and colouring may not be those of his father, but he has the physical beauty of the third King Edward. Nor can Clarence proclaim his father’s height and colouring – he is much like Edward – but you make no claim that he too is a bastard.

  How despicable you are. You pick and choose to your own advantage.

  Would I consort with a common archer? I would no more join flesh with such a man than I would walk naked through the streets of London. Not even in the days of my youth when some might say I was a mere foolish girl. I was never so deficient in knowledge of what was owed to my birth.

  That aside, my concern for Edward is paramount. Do you intend to murder him, to have him quietly removed in one of your northern fortresses? I have read the Manifesto. It is your plan, as you say, to save the King from the covetous rule and wilful guiding of certain seditious persons. And if Edward will not be saved then he deserves the fate of those previous kings who were deposed. Deposition will answer nothing in such a case, for Edward will never agree. Only his death will solve it for you and for Clarence. Whether it be by starvation or smothering or cold steel, I am sure that you can accomplish it.

  Is it even possible that you want the crown for yourself? Do you see it gleaming on your own brow? Far more efficient for you to wiel
d the power than Clarence on a leash as your lapdog. Can you persuade misguided Clarence to hand it over to you in the manner of a New Year’s gift?

  Sometimes I forget that you are my nephew, that your blood is my blood. You have done great damage to me and to my family.

  I curse you for it.

  I will pray for you.

  Cecily, King’s Mother

  Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, to Cecily, King’s Mother

  Written from Warwick Castle

  To my most revered aunt,

  I regret your disfavour but in government there is no room for mawkishness. I wish my cousin Edward no physical harm. You do not need to fear for his life, for I will have no murder on my soul. And with that in mind it is my plan to move him from Warwick to my northern fortress of Middleham where I can guarantee his safety.

  There is insurrection, which must be put down. Once it is laid to rest and the rebels destroyed, then we will plan the crowning of Clarence. Until that time, I will hold the reins of government and bring the realm back to a state of peace. I will use the Great Seal and have writs issued to summon a parliament to meet in York on the twenty-second day of September. This should reassure you that I have no intention of taking the crown for myself. Parliament will be convened and consulted.

  I was reluctant to use the accusation of bastardy, but as a woman well versed in the political world, you will see the need. It was unfortunate that your chastity, or lack thereof, was the most potent weapon to further Clarence’s cause and my own.

  Will you not enjoy being relieved of the surfeit of Woodville influence? And you will of course still be acknowledged as the King’s Mother. There is much to be gained here for you, too.