The Reluctant Queen Read online

  "As tall and handsome as Edward?"

  "Oh, not quite. Nobody could be. But he is very good-looking and clever."

  "And Margaret?"

  "She is three years older than George."

  "And beautiful, I suppose."

  "Yes, she is very beautiful."

  "But not as beautiful as Edward."

  "Not quite."

  I laughed.

  "It is always "not quite"."

  "Well, although they are very handsome, they are ..."

  "... not quite as perfect as the king."

  "If you are going to laugh at my family, I shall not tell you any more about them."

  "I was not laughing. I was only admiring. Please tell me some more."

  "Well, what do you want to know?"

  "I want to hear about when you were a very little boy."

  "My father was always away from home fighting."

  "Fathers always are."

  "My mother was often with him."

  "What is your mother like?" I stopped myself saying, "Beautiful, of course, though not quite so beautiful as Edward." But I restrained myself. I did not want to anger him. He was rational about most things, though perhaps taking a somewhat morose view of life, he was fanatically devoted to his family and appeared to consider all the members of it far above ordinary mortals.

  "My mother is truly beautiful," he said.

  "When she was young she was known as the Rose of Raby. She and my father were devoted to each other and she travelled with him whenever it was possible. She could not be with him in battle naturally, but often when he was fighting, she would be somewhere near, so that she could see him often."

  "And she had all those children?"

  He nodded.

  "We were all in awe of her ... more so than we were of our father. Edward is very like her ... in looks, and George perhaps more so. He was Margaret's favourite. I used to wish that I were. Margaret was very kind to us both but it was clear that she loved George best. He was always doing something which was forbidden and although she used to scold him she would make excuses for him and she always told him that, however wicked he was, she loved him just the same. She was good to me. Oh, but it was different with George. Well, he was tall and strong and golden-haired. I was never like that ... not like him and Edward ... Margaret did not mean it to show ... but it did."

  Poor Richard, I thought.

  "Well, you were lucky to have a big family," I said.

  "I wish I had some brothers."

  He admitted that it was good.

  "Especially in war," he added.

  "Families stand together."

  "Not always. Brothers fight over crowns and things."

  "We never would. We are a united family. Oh, how I wish I were old enough to go and fight with Edward!"

  "Well, you will one day."

  I used to think a lot about Richard. What a pity he was not tall and handsome. It must be particularly galling, having been born into such a perfect family. I wanted to see them all ... George, Margaret and the Rose of Raby. It all sounded so romantic and exciting.

  Christmas was on the way. My father was absent most of the time, for although Margaret had eluded capture at Bamborough she was still around to make trouble, and there were several castles in the North which were still in Lancastrian hands. My father and the king were making war on these.

  A messenger came to the castle with news from the king. He was ill and at Durham Castle. It was not a serious illness but his physicians said he should take a short rest. He wanted his brother, Richard, to come to Durham and spend Christmas with him.

  To my chagrin and Richard's great joy, he left Middleham to spend the festive season with his brother.

  My mother was growing less apprehensive. The storm had passed, but she was ever on the alert for danger.

  I said to Isabel: "I suppose there could be times when people do not have to worry and the king who is on the throne is left in peace."

  "That would be rather dull." she replied.

  "And what about our father? How could he be a kingmaker if there was not any need to make a king and keep him on the throne?"

  "I think our mother would like it better."

  "And every day would be the same. Lessons, needlework, riding, walking. Whereas now people come here. One never knows when the soldiers will come ... and you can wonder what will happen next."

  "I still think it would be rather pleasant." I said.

  That's because you are so young." she said in her usual contempt for my youth.

  I missed Richard. He had not returned after spending Christmas with his brother. Our father came home for periods and there would be the usual activity: entertaining went on and there were often a great many people at the castle for whom lavish meals were provided. I often wondered how many of these people who paid such homage to my father would have done so without the benefits they received. Many of them came to the castle from France.

  This made Isabel very excited. She was always reminding me of her age, for she was very proud of being nearly five years older than I." was ten at this time so she must have been nearly fifteen. It was an age when the daughters of powerful men were found husbands.

  Desperately Isabel longed for a husband. There was no one else to talk to about this except her little sister; so it was to me that she talked.

  "You realise, do you not, that our father is the most powerful man in the kingdom. He is also the richest. What does that mean?"

  That he is the most powerful and richest man in the kingdom, I suppose."

  "Idiot! It means that we are great heiresses. I more than you because I'm the elder. I suppose there will be something for you, too ... quite a lot, as a matter of fact. Our parents have no sons. So it will come to us."

  "I had not thought of that."

  "You don't think of anything but being with Richard of Gloucester. Mind you, he is the brother of the king. But I wouldn't want a brother. I would want a king. And why shouldn't I? After all, I am great Warwick's daughter ... his elder daughter ... so what if ...?"

  "What?"

  "Didn't you think the king was the most handsome man you ever saw?"

  "Why yes, I suppose he is. I cannot think of anyone else "Well just suppose "Do you mean ...?"

  Her eyes were sparkling. Then she said: "After all, who made him king? If my father didn't like what he did, he could say, "You are no longer king. I'll put Henry back." "

  "Henry already has a wife ... Margaret... the one they all hate."

  "I was not thinking of marrying, Henry, stupid. Oh, I do wish you has a little more sense."

  "But you are thinking of marrying Richard's brother."

  "Do not tell anyone. It would not do to talk."

  "Has our mother said ...?"

  "Nobody has said anything. I'm just telling you. I am just saying it could be." "Richard would be your brother-in-law."

  "Richard is not important. He is too young and too small. He might do for you."

  "What do you mean do for me?"

  "Well, if I married the king it would be rather nice if you married his brother. Particularly as I think you like him better than anyone else. And I think he likes you, too, because he talks to you."

  I was pleased.

  "Yes, I agreed.

  "He does. I wonder when he will be coming back."

  Isabel was not interested in that. She was dreaming of herself as Queen of England.

  Our father came home for a while and there were more visitors from France, and it was obvious that he was very pleased to have them in the castle. They brought letters for him. Isabel and I wondered whether my father might be arranging a match for her in France.

  "Poor Edward will be disappointed," I said.

  She glowered at me.

  "I might be Queen of France."

  "I believe the King of France is an old man and already has a wife."

  "Well, he'll have a son, won't he? I expect I'm for him."

&
nbsp; She was certain that that was what the messengers were arranging. It was a bitter blow when she discovered how wrong she was.

  My mother talked to us often while we did our needlework. Isabel was old enough to know what was going on; and it could be true that they were trying to find a suitable husband for her. My turn for that was a little way ahead, for which I was thankful. I often saw my mother looking at Isabel anxiously and I knew she was thinking of the fate of young girls who were thrust into marriage before they knew what it was all about: and with her daughter it would have to be a marriage of state.. One day Isabel said to our mother: "Why are there so many French at the castle these days, my lady?"

  My mother looked up from the altar cloth which she was embroidering and said: "The King of France is very anxious to be friends with your father."

  "I know." Isabel smirked.

  "Is there some special reason?"

  "I believe that the King of France is a very wily man," went on my mother.

  "They call him the Spider King."

  "Are spiders wily?" I asked.

  "So many people are afraid of him," said my mother.

  "Many people have a fear of spiders. I suppose it is because they lie in wait for their prey and watch them being caught in the sticky web and then the spider comes out and makes his victim powerless."

  "It sounds horrible," I said, looking at Isabel. She was thinking of marriage, of course. How would she like to be in a family at the head of which was such a man?

  "The King of France," went on my mother, "likes to be on good terms with the important men in all countries which might affect him, so that he can have good friends all around him. That is why he seeks your father. He has only been on the throne for three years. He became King of France at very much the same time as your father made Edward King of England. He is full of admiration for your father's management of this country. That is gratifying and pleases your father mightily. Not only is he pleased to be on good terms with such an important country as France, but France is the country where Margaret takes shelter. Your father is always hoping that out of friendship for him, Louis may agree to a treaty which would prevent Margaret's taking refuge in his country."

  Isabel yawned slightly. Then she said with animation: "I was wondering whether my father is trying to arrange a marriage."

  My mother looked at her sharply.

  "Have you been listening at doors, Isabel?" she asked, for Isabel had occasionally been discovered in such situations.

  "No, no, my lady. I just wondered."

  "Well, I will tell you, but you must speak of this to no one. Your father is trying to arrange a marriage." I was aware of Isabel: she was leaning forward, her hands clenched.

  "For the king," my mother went on.

  Isabel looked blank. What could the king's marriage have to do with France? Her eyes were already darkening with disappointment.

  "Yes, the King of France is eager that his sister-in-law, Bona of Savoy, should be Queen of England, and whom should he ask to arrange this but your father?"

  Poor Isabel! My mother did not notice how shocked she was and went on: "It is time the king was married. We need heirs to the throne. It is always good for kings to have their children when they are young. One never knows what is going to happen, particularly in these terrible times. Who would have thought that Henry the Fifth would have died when he did a young man, so strong, so brave, the conqueror of France? Oh, if only he had lived! And then he left poor Henry, his only son. Sometimes I feel sorry for that poor man. Only don't tell anyone I said so. However, the point is that the king should marry. I am sure the marriage will be fruitful and everyone will be happier to know there are little heirs to the throne. So that is what your father is so eager to arrange with the French visitors."

  We went on with our needlework and Isabel was very silent.

  But when we were alone, I could not resist saying: "So, you were wrong. The marriage was for the king, but not with you."

  "All this stupid war," said Isabel.

  "All this looking after Edward. Our father made him king. It is time he gave some thought to his daughters."

  Poor Isabel! It was a great disappointment. She had so looked forward to being Queen of England, or at least Dauphine of France.

  A few weeks after Christmas our father left home to attend the funeral of our kinswoman, the Countess of Salisbury. This was to take place in Bisham Abbey in Buckinghamshire, and all the greatest nobles of the land would be there to pay tribute to her, or perhaps it would be more correct to say to the Earl of Warwick. I was not sure whether the king would attend but I guessed that Richard would be there.

  And when my father returned to Middleham, to my delight Richard came with him. His brother George, Duke of Clarence, was also a member of the party.

  It was our first meeting with George who was to play such an important part in our lives.

  Richard introduced him proudly and it was obvious that he had great respect for his brother. It did not match the admiration he had for Edward, but it was a deep affection. Knowing Richard, I could understand why. George bore a certain resemblance to Edward. He was tall and extremely handsome; he had that easy charm which I had recognised in his brother. He was affable to everyone, easy-going, laughing a great deal and giving the impression of enjoying life in every way.

  I soon discovered though that he had a grudge against fate which was that he had not been born the eldest son. I believe that sentiment was common enough among the sons of great men: they all wanted to be heir to the title, lands and wealth which their father had enjoyed. And, of course, in addition to all that in this case there was the crown.

  Isabel was attracted to him from the beginning and he was very attentive to her. If he resembled his brother Edward, he would be like that with all girls, of course; but I was glad, for his coming made up for the disappointment she had recently received about marriage. Isabel was longing for that state. She wanted a grand title, riches and power perhaps. That would not be surprising, considering her father's veneration for these assets, and George was the brother of the king.

  Richard seemed to have grown much older during that Christmas he had spent with the king. His brother had talked to him often and Richard had learned a great deal about the state of the country and some of this Richard passed on to me. He had an even greater desire to serve his brother. I had no doubt that the king had promised him it should not be long before he did so. He must spend just a few more months under the guidance of the king's good friend, the Earl of Warwick, and then he would be ready.

  My father was determined to show the Duke of Clarence that he was very welcome at Middleham. Or perhaps he wanted to remind him of his wealth and power. I was just beginning to realise how important it was to my father that people should be made aware of this.

  I believe the hospitality shown to the Duke of Clarence was no less grand than that set before the king himself; there was feasting, dancing and great merriment every evening; and mock tournaments had been arranged to take place in the tilt yard for their pleasure. Clarence enjoyed this as he was very skilled and usually came out the victor. This may have been arranged, for my father would want to show his distinguished visitor that he was an honoured guest which would include allowing him to win. But perhaps it was rarely that this had to be maneuvered, for Clarence was very skilled, a superb horseman, and adroit with the sword achieving all his triumphs with an effortlessness which won the admiration of the ladies, and in particular Isabel.In fact, Clarence was remarkably like his elder brother, winning people to his side with charm, only as Richard said not quite as perfect. But of course, in Richard's eyes nobody could be.

  Richard was obliged to join in the displays. I used to sit with my mother, Isabel and the ladies watching, and while I did so, I would pray that he would win and not show the fatigue he must be feeling.

  We talked now and then together, but not so much as we had now that his brother was there to spend a good deal of time with hi
m.

  I asked him about Christmas and learned that it had been very enjoyable and that he and the king had been together most of the time.

  He told me what a moving ceremony there had been at Fotheringay whither he and the king had gone immediately after Christmas.

  "Both my father and brother were murdered on December the thirtieth, three years before, and we have a ceremony to remember their deaths every thirtieth of January, just one month by calendar after the date of their deaths. It is a very solemn occasion in which the entire family joins."

  "Does that not bring it all back too bitterly?"

  "It is important that we do not forget."

  "But you could not forget. I know it is always in your mind." He nodded gravely.

  "I wish you could have been there, Anne." he went on.

  "We had a hearse covered in golden suns. The sun is our emblem, you know ... the Sun of York. There were silver roses and banners showing Christ seated on a rainbow and others with angels in gold. It was wonderful." I "And your mother? Does this not make her very sad?"

  "It makes her very sad but she insists on being present. She is very proud of our family especially now that Edward is king,! She knows it is what our father would have wished. He did not get the crown for himself but it came to Edward."

  He paused and I knew he was thinking, as I was, of that head on the walls of York wearing the paper crown which had meant the temporary triumph of the House of Lancaster. A short-lived one, it was true. But now here was glorious Edward the incomparable King of England. There were tears in Richard's eyes and I was happy because he did not mind that I saw them. I knew he would have been ashamed and angry if anyone else had.

  During that spring and summer Richard was often away from Middleham. The king would send for him and most joyfully he went. I was continually hoping that he would come back and was always quietly happy when he did. He would tell me of his exploits with the king; how Edward had given him his own company of followers; how good his brother was to him; how honoured he was to be the brother of such a king.

  Isabel told me that the king was more fond of Richard than he was of George, which was not fair to George, he being the elder. Richard, was, after all, only a boy, and small for his age not in the least like his brothers. But Edward liked his adoration, for really Richard was quite blatant about it. As a matter of fact the king had given more honours to Richard than he had to George.