The Queen's Rival
Page 32
I could weep for Isabel. Who knows better than I what it is to lose a child soon after birth?
Don’t forget that they are our blood, our family, not just to be dispatched as enemies, and yet I cannot contemplate the idea of my son and nephew being in league with Louis and Marguerite against you. It is a shocking betrayal. I can do nothing to offset it, and neither, I fear, can you.
It is my intent to retire to Berkhamsted since to be here in London is of no value to me or to you.
Cecily, King’s Mother
Edward, King of England, to Cecily, King’s Mother
Written when heading south to London, September 1470
My most revered mother,
The diabolical alliance is made, despite all our efforts.
Warwick and my brother Clarence have returned to England, landing in Devon where they are collecting troops to use against me. Even worse, since it brings Marguerite back into the fray, Warwick’s daughter Anne is betrothed to Marguerite’s son Edward, once Prince of Wales.
Warwick and Marguerite will remove me and place Henry back on the throne.
All that we have fought for. All the deaths. We face defeat and ignominy at the hands of the Lancastrians and the French. If I had time I would find it in my heart to have compassion for the Neville girl, for she is nothing but a pawn.
It was my plan to march to London, to safeguard the City from Warwick’s troops, but his strength is clear. There are enough magnates bearing a grudge who have joined him and will support a restoration of Henry, whatever the state of his mind. I am not strong enough to face them.
And yet I cannot abandon the oaths I made at my coronation. I will come to London and fulfil my duty to this realm that anointed and crowned me King. Nor can I leave my wife to Marguerite’s tender mercies.
I will meet with you at Baynard’s Castle and plan what might become a last-ditch stand against Warwick’s forces. The future of the House of York may well depend on it.
Edward, still King of England, by God’s Grace
Duchess Cecily’s intercession to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Hail Mary, full of Grace, Our Lord is with thee.
My despair grows daily.
Warwick has sunk his fortunes with the woman responsible for Richard’s death. For his own father’s death. Where will it end? How did Warwick bend his proud head to do this? How could he agree to join his daughter’s hand to that of Marguerite’s son?
I cannot be charitable, despite the example of the Blessed Saint Matilda.
Clarence sees nothing despicable in Warwick’s change of allegiance. He remains a firm friend of Warwick, continuing to denounce Edward as a usurper and an oppressor. It is a blade buried deep in my heart.
What counsel do I bring to Edward when we meet? Never have I felt so adrift in a sea of moribund desires.
Have mercy, Holy Mother.
Cecily, King’s Mother, to Edward, King of England
Written from Berkhamsted
To my dearly beloved son,
Get yourself out of England!
Forget duty. Forget loyalty.
Flight is your only choice. Your Queen can go into sanctuary. I’ll talk to the Abbot at Westminster Abbey who will open the doors of his apartments to Elizabeth and your daughters. Warwick and Marguerite will not touch them there, I give you my word.
Do not come to London. Go to your sister Margaret in Burgundy. To put yourself into Warwick’s hands again would be a fatal strategy. Even if he might be won over to preserve your life, I would not wager on any compassion from Marguerite. She and her son have spent almost ten years in exile, during which her hatred of our family has festered into a running sore. I do not wish to see your head on a spike on London Bridge.
When you can see a way forward, return with a force. If Henry is brought out of captivity, then so be it. Accept that it is beyond your power at this moment to prevent such a fateful spinning of the Wheel of Fortune.
Warwick’s brother, the Marquess of Montagu, has withdrawn his loyalty to you, to join his brother. Such fickle cousins. He claims that you bought him with a marquisate, but with no more than a magpie’s nest of income to uphold it. Which is a lesson you can well learn, if you have not already done so, that greed can make enemies of the closest of blood.
Go to Burgundy. Charles the Bold will support you and give you the means to return.
Where is Diccon? Where do his loyalties now lie? Take him with you if you can.
Any step that Burgundy can take to undermine French policy will be happily taken.
Get out of the country, Ned! Remaining here, while Warwick’s blood is up, with an army at his back, is of no value.
Cecily, King’s Mother
Cecily, King’s Mother, to Richard, Duke of Gloucester
Written from Baynard’s Castle
To Diccon, my well-beloved son,
This is a rare apology from your mother.
It may be that I made one of the most severe mistakes of my life when I gave you into the hands of my nephew of Warwick for your raising as a man of honour and chivalry. In my own defence, how could I have ever foreseen that my nephew would sell his soul to the House of Lancaster?
Where does your loyalty stand today, Diccon? Do you remember the lessons taught by Warwick? Or do you step across the divide to your brother the King, despite the perilous situation that stalks him?
I already have one son who is doing all he can to destroy the King. I cannot bear to lose another. If you are indeed a man of honour, stand with your brother the King.
I regret if I have in any way conflicted your loyalties to your closest family. It is a matter of deep remorse, when a mother must bow her head in penitence before her youngest son.
Cecily, King’s Mother
Richard, Duke of Gloucester, to Cecily, King’s Mother
Written from York
To my inestimable mother,
Do you need to ask? There is no cause for concern. My loyalties are not conflicted to any degree. My loyalty is, and always will be, to my brother the King. I go with him into exile. Nor am I alone. It will reassure you to know that Ned has good friends. Lord Hastings is with me and Lord Scales, now Earl Rivers, of course. We sail from King’s Lynn.
I am no turncoat, following in the treacherous steps of my uncle Montagu who put earthly promotion before the power of a God-given oath of fealty.
Flight is not what I wish for, but I look forward to renewing old acquaintances at the Burgundian Court.
One day we will return and restore glory to the House of York. I swear it.
Diccon
Cecily, King’s Mother, to Queen Elizabeth
Written from Baynard’s Castle, September 1470
Madam,
My son Edward the King is fled to Flanders.
Now you must take your future into your own hands. Do not hesitate.
Take your children and seek sanctuary with the Abbot at Westminster Abbey. He has been warned. He will care for you and see that you do not starve or come to harm. Take all your possessions, your clothing and your jewels. Do not loiter.
Sanctuary can be a form of imprisonment, but better that than a helpless pawn in Warwick’s schemes. In your fragile position with the child due, you really have no choice.
All is arranged for your arrival.
Cecily, King’s Mother
Queen Elizabeth to Cecily, King’s Mother
Written from the Palace of Westminster, sent by return of courier
Madam,
We are already on the move.
My thanks for your concern for me and my children.
Do you flee with your sons? It might be safer for you. Or do you join us in sanctuary?
Elizabeth
Cecily, King’s Mother, to Queen Elizabeth
Written from Baynard’s Castle
Neither. I do not flee.
I stayed in England when the Duke of York fled to Ireland. I remained here when I sent my sons to Burgundy, away from Ma
rguerite’s revenge. I do not flee now.
I will face Warwick and Clarence on English soil.
Cecily, King’s Mother
Chapter Twenty-Seven
A Collision of Hope and Fear
England’s Chronicle, the sixth day of October, 1470
And what is the question on everyone’s lips this morning?
Do we have a King after all?
One is fled to Burgundy. One until today has been resident under restraint in the Tower of London.
It seems that we have, courtesy of the hand of the mighty Earl of Warwick.
Henry of Lancaster has been brought out of the Tower, stumbling and blinking in the light, looking older than his forty-eight years. The time shut away from public view has not been kind to him, and those who witnessed his release and his procession through the streets claim that he was none too clean. Bemused, bedraggled, his mind struggled to make sense of what was occurring. Let us hope that Warwick can work a miracle before the approaching feast day of the Translation of St Edward the Confessor, the day on which Henry will once more be crowned King of England.
There are few Kings who can claim to have been crowned twice in their lifetime.
Do we rejoice?
Henry of Lancaster was not responsible for all the ills of his reign.
We had such hopes for Edward of York, but what did he bring? The plague of Woodvilles, little peace, and battle after battle to cut down the flower of our nobility.
Ah, but do we want the return of Queen Marguerite and her warlike son?
Poor Henry. Even with the crown restored to his head, and a marked improvement to his royal garments, there is nothing surer than that the power in this land will never rest in his hands. He is destined to be a puppet, manipulated by Warwick and Queen Marguerite.
At least Warwick’s pride will be assuaged, at being forced to make the alliance with Queen Marguerite. The hours spent on his knees before her at the French Court might just seem worthwhile.
Royal Proclamation
On this day, the second day of November in the year 1470
Born to King Edward the Fourth and his wife Queen Elizabeth
In Sanctuary in Westminster Abbey
A son
Edward
King Edward is in exile in The Hague
Recorded by the private hand of Cecily, Duchess of York
At last the Queen is deserving of my approval.
The birth of a son and heir to the King.
The boy is healthy and will be called Edward.
All remain safe in sanctuary.
The inheritance of the House of York is secure for the future.
I should be full of joy. Instead I am weighed down with a dark urgency. Yet I cannot see how this game of chess will end. Which King will emerge triumphant? Which Queen will rule the chessboard? I fear that I have no part to play in the game, however encouraging my advice to others. Sometimes I would wish to draw around me the curtains of my bed and sit in the dark.
I know that I must not give up. I must not retreat from this battle.
England’s Chronicle, November 1470
All our good wishes to the Queen in sanctuary.
At last we have our heir.
We hear that there has been a rapprochement between the Woodville Queen and Duchess Cecily, with much communication between them. Do we believe it? There is nothing like the birth of a royal child to heal old wounds.
Despite this good news, nothing is comfortable in our fair land. Queen Elizabeth and Duchess Cecily will still suffer sleepless nights.
Parliament, under Warwick’s aegis, has denied the legitimacy of Edward’s kingship, freeing the Lancastrian lords from the attainders passed against them. We look to see a good handful of them, Somerset and Exeter amongst them, returning to England to pursue the Lancastrian cause.
What of Clarence, faithless rebel, who has caused this realm so much trouble? He is even further from the throne. Will he accept this volte-face in kingship, accepting that the crown will never be his?
And what of Edward of York in exile?
Henry’s Readeption has a grand ring to it, but can it be a lasting achievement?
Polish up your weapons, citizens of London. Prepare for battle once more.
Cecily, King’s Mother, to Queen Elizabeth
Written from Baynard’s Castle
Madam,
I send you my good wishes for your health and that of your son.
It is a matter for rejoicing that Edward now has his heir.
I will pray for you, and for Edward’s return. I advise you to do likewise. We can do no more. We must accept that for now King Henry is restored to the throne. I do not accept that Edward will remain abroad and allow this situation to continue.
Remain in sanctuary. To do otherwise would be too dangerous.
Cecily, King’s Mother
Queen Elizabeth to Cecily, King’s Mother
Written from Sanctuary in Westminster Abbey
Madam,
My heart is touched with joy. I have spent so long a prey to trouble, sorrow and heaviness of spirits. Now I have hope. The child is strong. I will pray. I will pray that Edward can get a letter to me.
My one regret. My son was born as a commoner’s child, without state. His godparents are my mother and the Abbot. Is this fitting for the heir to the throne?
I must not resent it. We are safe and will remain so, God willing.
But what of Edward?
Elizabeth, one-time Queen of England
Cecily, King’s Mother, to Queen Elizabeth
Written from Baynard’s Castle
Madam,
Give thanks that you have a living son. Edward’s fate is in the hands of God.
Get on your knees and pray.
The lack of a cradle embellished with gold and ermine is the least of your troubles.
I have sent a gift of two altar cloths of embroidered blue damask, as well as clerical vestments of crimson satin. They are favourite possessions of mine. I pray they may help to keep your spirits in good order when you hear Mass daily, as I presume that you will.
On no account must you leave sanctuary!
Cecily, King’s Mother
Margaret, Duchess of Burgundy, to Cecily, Duchess of York
Written from Brussels, November 1470
To my much-revered mother,
How have we come to this, our family rent apart, with no chance of healing?
We are doing what we can to aid Ned and the Yorkist cause. My husband the Duke sends funds to them, and I write frequently. Both Ned and Diccon are in good heart in The Hague, but to say that Ned is not restless is to say that the sun never rises.
I think you will understand the difficulty here. We are constrained by a need to keep friendly relations with France. To receive my exiled brothers formally at Court would exacerbate French hostility. I have to admit to you that Charles was not slow in supporting Exeter and Somerset when they too were in exile. Charles does not always listen to my advice.
Nevertheless I will persuade my husband, who is in Hesdin, to invite my brothers to spend Christmas there with us. It grieves me to say that Ned’s return to England is a matter of grave uncertainty.
I pray for your health and strength in this trying time. You will always be welcome here.
Your loving daughter,
Meg
Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, to Anne, Duchess of Exeter
Written from Epworth
My dear niece,
Visit your mother, the Duchess. Visit her immediately on receipt of this.
Her letters are as forceful as ever, full of information and character, and not least a determination to put all to rights. But I fear for her. Clarence’s betrayal has hit her hard, while Warwick’s treachery is too duplicitous to be spoken of.
She is alone now, with both Diccon and Ned in Flanders. I know that Margaret would wish to do more but Burgundian politics are delicate, the Duke’s hands tied
firmly with France. Your sister Elizabeth does not have your dedication or strength of will. So it is to you that I appeal.
Your mother will never admit it but she might need your company. If you should think of asking why do I not visit her: if I did we would end up discussing the fate of Sir John and the rest of the Woodvilles, and little else.
It is a grave pity that she has so little compassion for Queen Elizabeth. (What do we call her now that Ned has been disinherited?) Cecily ought to go and observe the perfection of the new heir, which she might in fact enjoy.
Your mother will deny any need for your visit, but still I think it would be a daughter’s duty to give succour at this time.
You have my consolation that the treacherous Exeter may once more set foot on our shores. I can offer you nothing but my hearty good wishes for your patience. I have become an expert of such tolerance through my marriages.
Your concerned aunt,
Katherine
Anne, Duchess of Exeter, to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk
Written from Coldharbour, London
My dear aunt,
I have done as you requested. I should have taken it on my own shoulders without your prompting. We presume that the Duchess will exhibit the same strength and fortitude, even when the years encroach. My report is a good one. She is in fine health and still inclined to dress as if for a Court reception, whatever the hour of the day. When she locks away her jewels and takes to sackcloth and ashes, then I will be concerned. Today she managed a marvellous wiring of veils with aplomb, her gown was deep-blue velvet and the sapphire collar at her throat worth a ransom for Ned if ever he needs one.
I took my children along to lighten the atmosphere. It was difficult, because her interest is primarily in the events of the day rather than the exploits of my offspring. But then that was always the case, even when I was growing up.
Yes, she is anxious, that Ned will not be able to return. Her anger is of an incandescence when she begins to talk of Warwick’s treachery. And Clarence’s double-dealing has undermined her confidence. I doubt she can forgive either of them for the slur on her good name. I think that hurts the most.