The world was fading…fading…becoming a surreal shadow, and suddenly before my clouded eyes I saw Middleham Castle, as I had seen it long ago, on a night when the moon hung like a lantern above the hills and the road gleamed silver-gold, beckoning me on. I could see the amber gleam of torchlight in the windows, and I heard music playing, and my heart leapt, for I knew, knew, that all I loved was there, waiting for me, in that castle standing proud in dusk-draped splendour, as if touched by the hand of Merlin.
I was going there, going now, away from battle, away from death, going home.
Home…
THE END
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AFTERWORD AND AUTHOR’S NOTES
I, Richard Plantagenet: Loyaulte me Lie is the second and final book telling the life story of Richard III in first person from Richard’s point of view. It covers the years 1483-1485, and though a ‘sequel’ to I, Richard Plantagenet: Tante le Desiree, can be read independently …although I hope you will read both!
As before, I have used Richard’s own words, and those of other contemporaries such as the Scottish Ambassador, Archibald Whitelaw. In most cases, I have placed these quotes in Italics, with the exception being where they are used in dialogue, when they are presented as normal. The English has been simplified, edited down and modernised for easy reading.
All poems and songs are authentically medieval. Again, I have modernised the language for ease. I have Richard called Henry Tudor ‘Tydder’ throughout, as this is indeed how he spelled his enemy’s name—in fact, it us closer to the real pronunciation of ‘Twdwr’ than our modern ‘Two-door’!
Richard’s timeline for his progresses roughly follows that written by author Rhoda Edwards. His movements from late April 1484 are disputable for several weeks, with several authors having different opinions as to where he was at the time he met up with the Silesian knight Von Popelau. We know he was in the north, and at some time at this period must have buried his son Edward, who died at Middleham castle, but we do not know where or when young Edward was buried.
Regarding that burial, I have chosen at local abbey as the prince’s resting place. There are of course two or three possibilities as to where he might actually be buried. The two nearest abbeys to Middleham, Middleham itself and York Minster are possibilities, and of course there is the tomb in Sheriff Hutton, although its design appears to be too early.
Since this novel covers Richard’s kingship, of course it must deal with the old question of ‘The Princes in the Tower.’ Several authors have used different variations and possibilities regarding this theme; here I have used an alternate story, and a burial place other than the Tower stairs (which I believe is a highly unlikely burial place for several reasons.) Two coffins were discovered in a side crypt attached to Edward IV’s tomb in Windsor—who did these mysterious coffins belong to? Reading through the documentation of the day, I am not personally convinced these are the princes either, especially as bodies frequently seemed to migrate around the churches where they were buried (Edward’s 14 year old daughter Mary was found some distance away and mistaken for Elizabeth Woodville!) but these mysterious burials can be an interesting ‘what if’ for a writer.
In Richard’s stay at Scarborough I have had him fight a sea battle with the Scots in person. Although there are no hard records of this, at least one account exists that suggests he might have done.
During the Bosworth scenes I have also differed from some authors and NOT had Francis Lovell fight in the battle. There is some doubt as to whether he made it there from Southampton or not. I believe he may not have been there, as I think he would have almost certainly died alongside Richard. In I, Richard Plantagenet, I had him arrive the night before…but Richard then had a different plan for him. Certainly we next hear of him in sanctuary in Colchester, a considerable distance from Bosworth.
A big thanks to Francis Quinn for more great cover artwork, and Dan, Janine, Susie and Kirsty, my Ricardian writers’ group, and special thanks to Annette Carson for her thoughts on Lovell’s presence at Bosworth.
Many books were invaluable while writing Part Two, notably
THE ROAD TO BOSWORTH FIELD—P.W. Hammond and Anne F. Sutton. Contains Richard’s letters and other documents pertaining to his reign.
RICHARD III by Caroline Halsted. Very underrated Victorian biography that contains many small ‘titbits’ overlooked or ignored.
RICHARD III by Paul Murray Kendall. Oldie but goodie, still covers the entire timeline better than any other biography although some aspects are now dated.
THE MALIGNED KING by Annette Carson
RICHARD III AND THE MURDER IN THE TOWER by Peter Hancock. For thoughts on Hastings’ death and Catesby
BOSWORTH 1485:PYSCHOLOGY OF A BATTLE by Michael Jones (I read this book when halfway through writing Part Two and was smitten by the author’s similar ideas about how Richard may have been affected by his father’s death. Coming to similar conclusions makes me think somewhere we’re ‘onto something’ here.)
Please have a look at my other books if you have enjoyed this one and be on the look out for future releases about Richard III, the Wars of the Roses period, other medieval figures!
BOOKS:
RICHARD III
I, RICHARD PLANTAGENET PART ONE: TANTE LE DESIREE. Richard as Duke of Gloucester
SACRED KING. Historical fantasy about Richard…his afterlife and return
WHITE ROSES, GOLDEN SUNNES. Compilation of short stories covering all of Richard’s life. 145 pages approx
FEAST OF THE INNOCENTS. Short story about Richard’s son Edward of Middleham
OTHERS.
STONE LORD—The legend of King Arthur, but set in the Bronze Age at Stonehenge
MOON LORD—Standalone sequel to STONE LORD. The Bronze Age ‘Mordred’ brings ruin to Stonehenge.
MY NAME IS NOT MIDNIGHT—Dystopian post Apocalyptic YA fantasy. A young unpopular girl seeks to free the Wizard’s daughter, Rose of the World, and defeat the evil religious order enslaving he
BETWEEN THE HORNS—Selection of folkloric and seasonal fantasy short stories set in a mythical country in central Europe. Quirky and humorous.
I, Richard Plantagenet: Book Two: Loyaulte Me Lie Page 44
