The Wars of the Roses

[coz1]

Fb-fb:

For God's sake, even the Kings side thing they should stop supporting the queen. What on earth are they going to do if they end up winning this? Arrest her?

That's a very good question for York's side. For the Lancastrians, they are just scared of her.

And Queen Margaret loses even more support! Deport her to France already! She can try her schemes there! She'll fail miserably obviously, but at least she might realize that no one likes her...

King Henry despises the violence, but his inaction still allowed it to happen...

Agreed. Henry may not like it, but he remains responsible.

Time for someone to arrange a series of accidents. Doesn't really matter who. Just make sure both King and Queen are taken out of the picture.

Then have the Prince take over with Edward as regent. Best of both worlds. Except until someone (probably a tudor) comes to start this all up again.

Aren't we forgetting someone in that equation?

 

[coz1]

Folks, I have a lot "in the can" to post but I have found writing of late very difficult. On Sunday March 26th, my best friend committed suicide just two years after my very best friend and considered brother (had known him since we were 12) died at home of an alcohol related death (so I was told.) I am not in a great place. I had hoped that as I continued to post what I had would assist in this pain so that we could at least share this story together but I am not seeing very many comments in relation to the actual story itself. I would have thought the battle of Blore Heath at least a conversation starter but it seems to me very quiet. Three comments (two by the same member) since I posted the latest update and start of the new chapter.

So...if you want more of this story, let me know.

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

I'm enjoying it. Though would not mind some of the war if it isn't relevant to the plot or character development.

I hope you are...alright. Can't really expect much more than that at the moment. Living with grief is a process all of its own.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Take care my friend. Muddle through each day until the going gets easier and you realize that the new normal is not horrible.

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Indeed I want more about the story, dear sir.

I'm sorry about what happened to your friends. Best of wishes.

 

[polakma]

Oh god, that's terrible. Hope you will be okay!

 

[Historywhiz]

Grief is frozen love. Unable to be expressed, it sits, leaden, in the chest making it difficult to breathe.

And this is a great tragedy, for humans, honestly, do not deserve to be loved; flawed, imperfect, stupid beings burdening one another with a thousand daily mistakes and slights, we deserve to receive no other emotion but hatred poured out with the heat of a thousand suns.

That we can give and receive love, kindness, compassion, and friendship then, is not some rational inevitability, but a miracle of the highest order. To have such a miracle denied is painful and despairing.

I think, honestly, you should take a hiatus, however long or brief you need. While I would like to say that you should try and release some of that pent-up weight here, it would be a wicked thing based in an ulterior motive for my entertainment during the occasional lunch break. A bunch of strangers or passing acquaintances on the internet are not the best release of frozen love, that’s family and any other “RL” friends you have. We will be here if and when you come back.

 

[HistoryDude]

I'd like to continue reading this story, but I understand taking a hiatus due to events in real life. Take however much time as you need. Many of your readers will probably still be here years from now.

 

[Bullfilter]

Seems like some of my readers are getting pretty busy right now

but then the comments slowed down so...hmm.

I think this is across the board: I’ve noticed it the last weeks with my own and many other AARs I follow. I myself am once more in catch up mode and have just read the Blore Heath battle chapter. In part, aside from RL and my own AAR writing, my recent purchase of the full EU IV suite in the Steam spring sale and getting into playing that for the first time has slowed me down.

So I take it we’re still in the adapted history phase and none of the specific battles or political events relate to game play at all?

Edit: caught up again.

“Yes,” Queen Margaret showed ill temper, “You should pray, husband. See your soul cleansed and we shall see to the after.”

If she had a soul, hers would need to be well bleached clean.

I have found writing of late very difficult

Oh no, so sorry to hear this. It’s always hard to work through these times and I hope you can sail through these choppy waters.

but I am not seeing very many comments in relation to the actual story itself

Per above, I’ve been getting the same. Seems we’re in one of those forum slow periods, for whatever reason. Were I you, if you felt continuing in some way was beneficial, for now I’d revert to maybe a once a week schedule until things on the forum pick up pace again. I for one can’t keep pace with the more frequent updates given everything else and it would allow more time for:

• People to catch up.
• Comments “in time” from sluggard but keen readers like me.
  
• The forum generally to maybe warm up once more from its current rather torpid state.
• You to process and recover while you use up your canned episodes, on a more sedate time scale, keeping the story going while you buy time for the muse to return.

So...if you want more of this story, let me know.

Consider yourself so advised! I do hope you can see off this latest intrusion of the Black Dog, curse him. Take your time of course, know that you have our understanding and best wishes and that your work brings pleasure and great respect from your many readers, even if they are not all commenting. Stay strong, brudder.

 

[coz1]

I appreciate all of the words and thank you! Having gone through this once just two years ago, I am well aware of the varied reactions day to day and how things can and will change very rapidly. That said, my mood has become more even and normal over the past few days. For me, Easter always assists as a reminder of what is truly important in my life. (Frankly, a thing I wished and tried to assist for both of my now sadly deceased friends.)

Some of the above advice is good. While I do not wish to take a full on hiatus for many reasons, I do think it a good idea to slow the pace for reasons suggested. Thus, I believe I will go to a once a week posting schedule for the near future. I have two full chapters ready to go so that will hold me for a time as I try to regain the muse and as stated, perhaps to see some more activity throughout the forum. So look for Sundays as the release day each week as that is a day off for me (usually.) Next scene will arrive this coming Sunday.

Thank you all so very much for sticking with me as I write fast, then slow, then none and then back to fast. Writing can be a great outlet for my emotions and this work is testament to that as it began not long after my friend Keith died in 2021. It happened that January and this began that March so perhaps a two month turn around is possible. God willing.

So I take it we’re still in the adapted history phase and none of the specific battles or political events relate to game play at all?

To @Bullfilter - Indeed that is true. It is still a hybrid of real history and game history at the moment. I will alert when we are finally off the adapted history period (though you will know it without me telling you when you see what happens. )

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

You're going to go off into the restoration period afterwards and beyond too? That should be interesting. Depending on who wins and how, England may end up OTL going after the islands or being way more focused on France and Spain.

 

[Rensslaer]

Coz,

As mentioned in our private message I'm going to start reading through this. As you may remember I have a habit of getting partway in and not finishing (with AARs too) but I'm going to try! But your writing draws me in, so hopefully that will not occur with this.

Keep up the great work! You know this helps you stay sane with all that's going on.

Rensslaer

 

[coz1]

You're going to go off into the restoration period afterwards and beyond too? That should be interesting. Depending on who wins and how, England may end up OTL going after the islands or being way more focused on France and Spain.

To be honest, I am not quite certain how far I will take this. I do know when the real alt-history takes place and have played the game up to 1470 at the moment. I did not want to get too far ahead in the game play from the writing so it may be a bit before I can really plot forward again. But as long as I am enjoying the game and the writing and as long as the readers desire the tale and it makes sense to continue, I will keep it going.

Coz,

As mentioned in our private message I'm going to start reading through this. As you may remember I have a habit of getting partway in and not finishing (with AARs too) but I'm going to try! But your writing draws me in, so hopefully that will not occur with this.

Keep up the great work! You know this helps you stay sane with all that's going on.

Rensslaer

Thanks buddy and it is good to see you still around even if not as active. I appreciate you trying to catch up here and am very interested in how you find the work. Sometimes I think it's the best stuff I've ever written and sometimes I fear it's just rubbish. Typical, right?


To all - Thanks again everyone and look for the next scene arriving in just a moment...

 

[coz1]

Ludlow Castle, September 1459​

It was a rag tag group that marched their way into Ludlow Castle that morning. They were battle tested. And hurt. Their leader was nearly a sixty year old man and his armor remained crusted with blood. Slow came every step until Richard Neville the elder finally reached the inner bailey and he dismounted to find his youngest sister waiting.

“I have heard, sir!” Cecily rushed to him with an embrace.

Salisbury winced in pain as he accepted it and merely stated, “Where be your Lord husband, Cis? I have need to speak with him.”

“You should not wait long,” Richard of York spoke over her shoulder as he approached, “I would greet the great victor.”

The Earl did not return the smile he was given, “Nearly a thousand, brother. Good men. Stanley’s kin...and mine own.”

Richard showed a sorrow to his eye, “That word did come to me. I am sorry, sir. I be sure that your boys will be well tended. Especially as we hold one or more of theirs.”

“I think not that the Queen would be so honorable, my Lord,” the Earl of Salisbury replied with irritation, “Hers would do with them what they would wish to do with us. That is no thing good by my experience.”

“You are tired...” Richard suggested, “...and hungry, no doubt. Come within and lets us discuss it.”

Cecily still felt to her brother, “And you are here! That is to be celebrated. I held a great worry, sir. I did not think to see you again when we heard the first news.”

He merely gave nod and moved into the keep. The Duke of York’s servants were quick to help him in every one of his needs and after a long and hot bath, of which Cecily made certain, he was nearly refreshed when he met again with his sister and brother in law. Salisbury was even surprised when he spied his eldest boy.

“Father...I am so terribly anguished!” Warwick went to hold the elder Earl.

Salisbury pushed him away, “You took your sweet time.”

“I took your word, father,” Warwick suggested as he helped his father to a chair and provided him with drink, “The road was not safe, so I was forced to detour. Yet we are here now, are we not? You made it!”

“And your brothers did not,” Salisbury replied and then looked to Richard of York, “You suggested before, Dickon...that we had crossed the river and the bridge was gone. Well...we have crossed the Rubicon now.”

Richard of York stood by the hearth as tall as he might, “And there is no going back.”

“They number more than us in every way!” Salisbury was certain.

“You hold a weariness, father,” Warwick suggested, “That much is certain. Yet I bring good men with me and the Lord of York does provide. With what you present and all else...we are near to twenty five thousand strong.”

The Earl of Salisbury did indeed hold a weary eye and continued to train it to the Duke, “To what end, Richard?”

“To the very end, sir,” the Duke of York shifted to sit by his brother in law, “We have come too far at the now. This be no Blackheath, my Lord...nor either even St. Albans. We are right in it and cannot turn back. I made my promise and I mean to stick to it...even if she would not relent.”

Salisbury pushed away and stood, “These are my children, Dickon! My very own boys! And I saw so many others...also my children...my men! Dead, sir! I ask of you again...to what end?!”

“Father...” Warwick shifted to him with a care, “...I am your child. And I have come here to rescue you...as I will Tom and Johnny. I promise! You place your trust in me in so many ways, so you must place your trust in this!”

Cecily moved from the shadows of the chamber and held sweet hands to his shoulders, “And you are hurting, brother. You require a rest so we might sort this out and bring those sweet boys home to you.”

“Do not coddle me!” the Earl pushed away as he pointed, “I see your own boys there...two fine specimens! Yet will they find themselves prisoner?!”

Both Edward and Edmund knew not to speak but Richard went to his brother in law, “Sir...my brother...you are heart sick. I know it. I feel it. Yet you have done all that you might in our cause. So did they. I will not rest until they are seen safe. Of that, I may promise you!”

The Earl of Warwick followed, “And we are not yet done, father. We did not begin these actions. She did. I would admit that I did provoke her, but she has taken it far too much and we and ours are no longer safe. This you know!”

“I have always wished for peace, Dickon,” Salisbury looked to Richard of York with a sad eye, “Always have thought that we could find the better angels that exist within the King. There must be another way!”

Warwick waved a hand, “That way lies madness, father. He does not rule this kingdom.”

It was Richard of York that pulled Salisbury closer with a kind whisper, “I know, sir...I know. There are better ways. Yet...we have exhausted them. It is this...or no thing. It is to stand...or to hang. She will have it no other way and you well know it.”

The Earl of Salisbury fell into a heap on the stone floor with tears, “My boys!!!”

“Too many boys,” Cecily echoed him.

Richard stood over him and gave nod, “All to fall at her whim.”

“And who would she come for next?” Warwick followed, “She already desires your own head, father. Do not forget it. Who would be next?”

As the elder Earl collected himself, he stretched for a chair and found it. As he sat, he looked up to the Duke of York with sadness still, “I bring to you hardly a force.”

“A winning force,” Richard held a strong hand to his shoulder.

Salisbury showed worry, “They remain more than us.”

His son pressed, “And she would not relent.”

“Brother...” Cecily knelt down to his chair and held to him, “...we could not assuage your sure worry. And this is why. She is a devil of a woman and the most evil that has presented to us in our lifetime. Our very own worth is at stake. Our lives, sir! My sons as much as yours! I cannot ask you...as your sister...to believe me. Yet you know it true to your heart. You did not press this battle if you did not understand. And I do know that you understand!”

Richard held back but with a sure eye, “She speaks true, brother.”

“And?” Salisbury looked to him with question, “What would you do? I bring to you barely numbers. Even with what you hold...how may we fight this...devil?”

“London, sirs!” Warwick exclaimed, “He who controls that, controls the realm. The very kingdom. It is the key that unlocks. The masses...they will tell the tale. From manifestos to broadsheets...they will call out for what is safe. Nay! Desired! We’ve been going round this the wrong way the entire time. Spending time defending a weak King when they request...demand...a strong one. They do not wish a Queen, nor especially a French one. They wish...A King! A real one that would protect their interests and every one of us, our livelihoods.”

Edward finally spoke out, “Is that not what has been tried every time before?”

“Be still,” Richard held a hand to his son, “I believe the Lord of Warwick correct. She plays at her trade so far away from the merchants...the ones that matter. She lives to the Midlands and holds court there so she might show off her progeny. She forgets the very thing...the beating heart of this realm. It is the people.”

Warwick smiled and gave nod, “And we, the ones that should protect this. Yes? She cares for them not, so we should march in their favor and for their cause. As my father has seen, she would hold no trouble seeing so many of them die for her purpose. And...so what are we to do?”

“Papa...” Edmund now spoke out, “...I think Ned correct. As I have studied it, this has been your message from the start.”

“And not heard, my boys,” Richard moved to the hearth as he thought, “Your uncle has now fought for them and seen men die...all for one whore’s vanity. My cousin...he can do no thing. We are beyond. I think...I believe it is time.”

Cecily moved to him, “No soft measures, husband.”

“Take it right to the heart of the realm, my Lord!” Warwick followed.

The Earl of Salisbury looked to them all and questioned but finally lowered his head, “Then I suppose...we march.”

 

[HistoryDude]

Is Richard finally going to claim the throne?

It seems like Margaret is in trouble now.

 

[Bullfilter]

Well...we have crossed the Rubicon now.”

Richard of York stood by the hearth as tall as he might, “And there is no going back.”

Yes, “this is it boys, over the top!”

The Earl of Warwick followed, “And we are not yet done, father. We did not begin these actions. She did. I would admit that I did provoke her, but she has taken it far too much

A slightly refreshing admittance of some culpability by Warwick, even while swiping the French Demon for her over-reaction.

“Brother...” Cecily knelt down to his chair and held to him, “...we could not assuage your sure worry. And this is why. She is a devil of a woman and the most evil that has presented to us in our lifetime.

Cecily lays it out straight again.

“She speaks true, brother.”

Indeed she does.

Cecily moved to him, “No soft measures, husband.”

Huzzah! For St George and York! Devil take the hindmost.

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

Good. Gooood, Richard.

Kill them all, Richard. Kill them all.

Then give the Crown to that young Henry Tudor and tutor him personally. Seriously, you'll be amazed how well this works out. Otherwise, your entire side of the family is going to be remembered as the evil ones.

 

[coz1]

Fb-fb:

Is Richard finally going to claim the throne?

It seems like Margaret is in trouble now.

I can't say Richard is going to go so far as to claim the throne, but I can say that he is as ready as he ever has been to press it.

Yes, “this is it boys, over the top!”

A slightly refreshing admittance of some culpability by Warwick, even while swiping the French Demon for her over-reaction.

Cecily lays it out straight again.

Indeed she does.

Huzzah! For St George and York! Devil take the hindmost.

Cecily does as only Cecily can. It does appear that everyone but Salisbury is completely on board.

Good. Gooood, Richard.

Kill them all, Richard. Kill them all.

Then give the Crown to that young Henry Tudor and tutor him personally. Seriously, you'll be amazed how well this works out. Otherwise, your entire side of the family is going to be remembered as the evil ones.

Why in the world would Richard give the throne willingly to a young child without the fine pedigree that he himself has? Has that ever happened?

 

[Idhrendur]

I have a hard time feeling too much sympathy for them given their past actions and their current plans.

Also I had fallen behind yet again, so I have not yet had a chance to express my deepest sympathies.

 

[coz1]

I have a hard time feeling too much sympathy for them given their past actions and their current plans.

Also I had fallen behind yet again, so I have not yet had a chance to express my deepest sympathies.

Thank you.

And I don't blame you on the first. However, does that make you one of our few Lancastrians?


To all - Next update coming Sunday. I hope the new schedule is working for everyone.