The Wars of the Roses

[HistoryDude]

Margaret's supporters want war now...

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if Henry got captured... which might allow negotiations between him and York. Will Margaret's power survive such a thing?

What would happen if word that King Henry VI had never actually seen the letter got out among Margaret's current supporters? Lying doesn't tend to win much support in the long term.

Just assassinating Margaret might be a good idea, actually, come to think of it.

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

Margaret's supporters want war now...

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if Henry got captured... which might allow negotiations between him and York. Will Margaret's power survive such a thing?

What would happen if word that King Henry VI had never actually seen the letter got out among Margaret's current supporters? Lying doesn't tend to win much support in the long term.

Just assassinating Margaret might be a good idea, actually, come to think of it.

I never saw that letter...

Also the Queen has the seal and has been doing all kinds of illegal stuff.

Also she slept with the late Duke of Somerset and her son is his bastard.

Also I'm pretty sure she's planned the assassinations of various people.

Also she's slept with some Scottish nobles.

Also she's teaching the heir to the throne FRENCH as a first language.

 

[Midnite Duke]

French has been basically the language of the court since William the Bastard's invasion.

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

French has been basically the language of the court since William the Bastard's invasion.

It's the middle of the 15th century. Whilst French is the official language at court and of diplomacy, the English language is well on its way to early modern status and the nobility haven't been Norman for a few centuries (though some of them are still French).

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

I never saw that letter...

Also the Queen has the seal and has been doing all kinds of illegal stuff.

Also she slept with the late Duke of Somerset and her son is his bastard.

Also I'm pretty sure she's planned the assassinations of various people.

Also she's slept with some Scottish nobles.

Also she's teaching the heir to the throne FRENCH as a first language.

This reminds me of a scene of "I, Claudius", when a very upset Augusts (played by a wonderful Brian Blessed) thunders while asking "Who has not slept with my daughter?" just to discover that there were just a few people who had not...

What a voice...

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

This reminds me of a scene of "I, Claudius", when a very upset Augusts (played by a wonderful Brian Blessed) thunders while asking "Who has not slept with my daughter?" just to discover that there were just a few people who had not...

What a voice...

"Not...slept, ceaser."

"Not slept?" Those eyes and almost supportive voice.

 

[Historywhiz]

French has been basically the language of the court since William the Bastard's invasion.

While it is considered required for an English noble of the period to know French fluently, English had become the primary language at this point. Heck Prince (and later King) John undermined and deposed many of Richard’s counsellors while the latter was away on crusade on the grounds that they didn’t speak English, and that was a good two centuries prior to this.

 

[Bullfilter]

“It is the art of seduction,” Henry replied with a grin as he held his lips just away, “Deny that which you want so very much so it is that much the sweeter when gained. Trust me.”

Teasing us with impending battle and release of nervous tension that remains just out of reach also qualifies as the art of seduction, Mon Cher. Another week of unrequited hate (of Margaret) and lust (for blood) awaits us.

Also, I hope things are getting a little better for you - the continuing chapters are most welcome.

 

[coz1]

Fb-fb:

Henry 6th got captured a lot in battle, so this plan is a great idea and I'm 100% behind it.

He did but usually because he was hiding behind the lines.

Why do I feel that good old Maggie is going to ruin everything with her temper....?

It is a distinct possibility, but who knows...

Everyone had sex with everyone else, and lived happily ever after.

Hmmm...well at least Margaret.

Margaret's supporters want war now...

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if Henry got captured... which might allow negotiations between him and York. Will Margaret's power survive such a thing?

What would happen if word that King Henry VI had never actually seen the letter got out among Margaret's current supporters? Lying doesn't tend to win much support in the long term.

Just assassinating Margaret might be a good idea, actually, come to think of it.

Margaret would never allow such information to get out. Besides, the Yorkists already assume that she is intercepting his letters.

I never saw that letter...

Also the Queen has the seal and has been doing all kinds of illegal stuff.

Also she slept with the late Duke of Somerset and her son is his bastard.

Also I'm pretty sure she's planned the assassinations of various people.

Also she's slept with some Scottish nobles.

Also she's teaching the heir to the throne FRENCH as a first language.

All of this is more or less true (at least, WE know it to be true.)

French has been basically the language of the court since William the Bastard's invasion.

It's the middle of the 15th century. Whilst French is the official language at court and of diplomacy, the English language is well on its way to early modern status and the nobility haven't been Norman for a few centuries (though some of them are still French).

While it is considered required for an English noble of the period to know French fluently, English had become the primary language at this point. Heck Prince (and later King) John undermined and deposed many of Richard’s counsellors while the latter was away on crusade on the grounds that they didn’t speak English, and that was a good two centuries prior to this.

Indeed, French is still the language of diplomacy but by this date as has been stated English as a court and personal language is definitely on the rise. As I write this, even Margaret uses it while peppering in her French de temps en temps. As the Prince's closest parent, it is not surprising that she would be teaching him French but so too would be his tutor (the famous Dr. Morton.)

This reminds me of a scene of "I, Claudius", when a very upset Augusts (played by a wonderful Brian Blessed) thunders while asking "Who has not slept with my daughter?" just to discover that there were just a few people who had not...

What a voice...

"Not...slept, ceaser."

"Not slept?" Those eyes and almost supportive voice.

Certainly a great scene and Brian Blessed is a treasure. It causes me to tell the story of the first time I saw I, Claudius. I was in my sophomore year at Berry College here in Georgia and was a double major in both Theatre and History. My main advisor was a history teacher but he also dabbled in theatre (he starred opposite me in one of the Vanek Plays by Vaclav Havel and directed me in A Thousand Clowns.) It was 1992 and I was rooming with one of my fellow actors who cared not one whit about history but I was taking my advisor's Greek and Roman History class and he showed us some of I, Claudius during the semester. It was so good, I asked for more of it and he let me borrow it (on VHS, of course...you kids remember that?) I brought it back to the dorm room and my roommate was just as transfixed as I was. We watched every minute of it in short order. Binge watching before streaming indeed. I own it all now on DVD and probably watch it again once every five years. I love it!

Teasing us with impending battle and release of nervous tension that remains just out of reach also qualifies as the art of seduction, Mon Cher. Another week of unrequited hate (of Margaret) and lust (for blood) awaits us.

Also, I hope things are getting a little better for you - the continuing chapters are most welcome.

I don't mind saying I had that a little to mind when I wrote that ending.

And thank you. Things are sort of better though still rather...as the French say, I don't know what. That said, it is getting warmer here and pool days are ahead of me with my sisters. That always does me good. Nothing wrong with some vitamin D. Plus my Max seems a bit on the rebound (he was acting rather pitiful a few weeks back but that may have been his reaction to my demeanor as dogs often do) and I've got my sister's bulldog again for the weekend. That always cheers me up.


To all - Look for the next update on Sunday and we'll see if this gambit works out or not. As always, thank you for reading and giving comment. I do appreciate it!

 

[Rensslaer]

You're only NOW getting around to swimming? Perhaps it's because my Colorado-bred body is more used to the cold, but I started swimming at Tybee Island in March!

I'm on page 5 - only 2 years of updates to catch up on.

Rensslaer

 

[polakma]

Margaret for sure has interesting developments and the throne hinders on knife's edge!

 

[coz1]

More fb-fb:

You're only NOW getting around to swimming? Perhaps it's because my Colorado-bred body is more used to the cold, but I started swimming at Tybee Island in March!

I'm on page 5 - only 2 years of updates to catch up on.

Rensslaer

Got some sun but still no swimming yet. Indeed, I like the water to warm up a bit more.

As to catching up, you do have a few chapters ahead of you. However, you have passed beyond what was written so many years ago (the first several scenes in Ch. 1) and what was written more recently (the end of Ch. 1 and forward.) I am curious if you find any difference in the writing between the two?

Margaret for sure has interesting developments and the throne hinders on knife's edge!

Oh, that throne will stay on the knife's edge for some time to come.


To all - the next scene arrives in but a moment...

 

[coz1]

Ludford Bridge, October 1459​

Richard of York dipped his head under the tent flap and felt the crispness of the air to his face. It was a cold and windy morning and frost still clung to the ground. He barely had chance to pull his cloak tighter around his neck when the Earl of Warwick approached, “I trust you held good slumber, my Lord?”

“I did not!” the Duke briskly shot back, “Quite restless indeed!”

Warwick shook his head, “Then I am afraid that I will bring to you more poor news.”

“Tell me not that your father still sulks,” Richard replied as he began to walk through the camp.

Following swiftly, the Earl answered, “He does, sir...yet he does remain by your side at the now.”

As the Duke surveyed the land around them and noted his battle order, he saw it before being told, “Trollope deserts!”

“Aye, my Lord,” Warwick replied with irritation, “Like a coward in the night!”

“He was no coward,” the Duke continued to spy his forces and counted in his head, “Yet he was a good number of fine men and I can see that more have followed him. How did this happen?”

“If you should like to take a stroll to the front, my Lord, you may see,” Warwick gestured and then followed as Richard walked quickly. The Earl continued in explanation as he struggled to keep up, “I can think of no other than Herbert that found way into our camp last night. I fear he has played us once again, sir.”

Richard ignored him as he pushed past sentries guarding ditches and stared across the field to the massive army ahead of them. By now the camp was moving and both Duke and Earl were joined by Edward as he followed them in curiosity, “What is it, father? What do you see?”

When his father did not answer, Edward turned to Warwick, “What is it?!”

“Look for yourself,” the elder Earl pointed to the opposing battle lines.

It was a fascinating sight indeed. For just over the hill they could see the Queen’s army readied in battle formation and riding up and down the lines was none other than King Henry himself dressed fully to his armor and displaying not only the royal standard behind him but so to his personal banner of the swan. Before Richard could even speak, some of his own men had already placed down their arms and sped to join their King.

“This cannot be!” Richard finally spoke in measured tones as much to himself as anyone.

Warwick shook his head in disbelief, “I know not how they have accomplished it, my Lord...but it must be him.”

A soldier ran by him and the Earl grasped his coat in anger, “What do you do?! How dare you?! Back in line!”

“Tis the King, m’lord!” the soldier answered as he wriggled away and ran across the field.

“How they have done it or not, father...” Edward suggested as he pointed to both their left and right, “...it happens all over.”

True enough, all up and down the line the very same thing was occurring. It was becoming chaos. Richard merely stood there as tall as he might with a perplexed face, “He cannot even properly sit a horse these days? It cannot be him!”

Before anyone could reply, a rider from the King’s camp barreled over the hill and began to holler to anyone that would listen, “His Grace King Henry named the sixth would offer pardon to any man that would join his side! He would welcome you to his bosom and offer no thing but joy and comfort! Come and join him and stand by your King!!”

“This cannot be true!!” Richard finally sprang into action and called for his horse, “That is not the King!!”

“What do you mean to do, father?” Edward asked as Warwick did as bid.

Richard looked to his son with anger, “Surely he is dead and I will tell every man to this camp!!”

“Father!” Edward called out, “We’ve no proof of that!!”

“We do not need proof!” Richard answered with strength as he mounted his destrier, “You will order the sounding of the cannon to cease this madness and I will keep this army at order!”

The Duke of York did as promised and rode through his camp calling out to everyone, “The King is dead! The King is dead! I shall give you witness to prove it and order masses to be sung! Come and hear! Come and hear!”

With the guns firing every so often, it did staunch the bleeding. Yet it did not provoke the opposite army as they simply stepped out of range. And York had been unsuccessful at proving his words so the desperate ploy had done him little favor with those few Lords left in his command. By evening, it was only he, his son with Warwick and his father to York’s field tent. Though fighting mad still, he tried to control his anger.

“How many are left?”

Salisbury took no pleasure in answering, “They’ve gone home, Dickon. Clinton? Powys? Even Stanley. He left this eve. It is hard to tell how many we’ve left but if we had few before, we have far less now.”

“It is...hard to tell...who is more perfidious? Herbert? Trollope? Or that fucking whore?!!!” Richard answered and brought his gloved hand down on a wooden table so hard it nearly split.

Edward tried to calm him, “It is mass desertions, father. The sight of the King’s banner was simply too much for them. It held, sir. This time...it held.”

“Do you not think I know that?!” Richard spun on his son, “Mayhap it was your good friend over there that came up with this scheme! Like father, like son and I’ve fought his like before!”

“Be still, brother...” Salisbury too tried to calm.

Richard held a harsh eye to Edward for a time but finally ceased and stepped to the broken table, “Well...what to do now, my Lords? There is surely no way that we fight our way out of this. And when we lose...we lose everything.”

“I fear, uncle...” Warwick replied, “...we hold little other choice.”

Richard turned to him with anger flashing still, “And what is that? This should be rich.”

“We must flee,” Edward answered before his cousin, “As you say, there be no way to win. Yet there are garrisons to Ireland, Calais...any number of places...the north! Yet one thing is very true. We cannot stay to here.”

Salisbury reluctantly gave nod, “They will hunt us as they ever have if we stay to England. Your son is right, brother.”

The Duke of York looked to them both with disbelief. He turned to Warwick and he offered only a silent nod. With a great heavy sigh he asked with sorrow, “How am I ever to be trusted if I run in the night like all of these?”

Warwick replied, “No one trusts a dead man, my Lord. This is not defeat.”

“Then what is it?!” Richard asked with true plea in his eyes.

“It is survival, brother,” Salisbury went to him and offered a calming hand to his shoulder, “I want my sons back. As long as I remain a threat, they will live. If I am dead, I cannot protect them.”

“And if you are dead, uncle...” Warwick pointed to Edward, “...you cannot protect him.”

Edward did not answer allowing only a slight and narrow eye to his father, but Salisbury continued, “You tried, Dickon. You very nearly had it. But it is over. This time...it is over. We cannot stay to here for if we do, every single one to this tent will lose a head. I cannot allow that. And nor can you.”

“Can it be?” Richard called out to no one and then finally softened his gaze to his son, “Do you agree with this?”

“As I have told you, father...” Edward answered plainly, “...one may live to fight another day and there are other ways. If you would but listen.”

 

[Historywhiz]

Well, better an incompetent legitimate government than a competent illegitimate government.

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Well, time to run. The She-Wolf won't take too long to bring havoc to England. Just wait and see.

 

[HistoryDude]

Fleeing is the right move here. They'll be alive to take over the government once Margaret runs it into the ground.

Speaking of which, is Henry actually dead, or is he just uninvolved? If he's dead, anyone who left to join him will be angered by the trick and might see an opportunity to gain influence over the new king. If he's alive, then Margaret just falsely used his name without his permission. If that gets out, her legitimacy is ruined! Sadly, that probably won't be enough to get him to get rid of her, but one can hope.

 

[coz1]

Fb-fb:

Well, better an incompetent legitimate government than a competent illegitimate government.

In this day and age, which government is legitimate? In many respects, the entire Lancastrian reign is illegitimate since Henry IV (saved only by Henry V's successes.)

Well, time to run. The She-Wolf won't take too long to bring havoc to England. Just wait and see.

I doubt that you are wrong on this, but of course I cannot say.

Fleeing is the right move here. They'll be alive to take over the government once Margaret runs it into the ground.

Speaking of which, is Henry actually dead, or is he just uninvolved? If he's dead, anyone who left to join him will be angered by the trick and might see an opportunity to gain influence over the new king. If he's alive, then Margaret just falsely used his name without his permission. If that gets out, her legitimacy is ruined! Sadly, that probably won't be enough to get him to get rid of her, but one can hope.

Henry is not dead though one could be absolved of thinking he might be given his activity these last years. Richard's action here tried to play on this, but...it didn't play. Yet again.


To all - When writing this scene, two things stood out for me. And it was not Trollope's desertion. That could be expected (which many of you have pointed out already.) The first was that Henry could sit a horse! That he would sit a horse for this endeavor. Yet it happened. I still cannot explain how which is what leads to Richard. That he thought he could convince his people that the King was dead. This really happened!

It did not serve him well and may surely have led to his need to flee. That and the impending army arrayed against him. One more attempt and one more failure. As terrible as Henry might be as King, Richard still doesn't know or realize how to fully lead.

On another score, I've been writing again. Finally got past that block for at least a scene or two. Still trying to finish the chapter I am working on but it'll be some time before you see it. With all of it, I hope you enjoy.

 

[coz1]

Ludlow Castle, October 1459​

“You should not be to here!”

Richard of York looked to his wife with sheepish eyes and tried to explain, “We held little choice.”

“Little choice to abandon your entire force?!” she pressed, “All the men that stood for you? What will happen to them now?!!”

“It is not them that I worry about, my love...” he went to her and tried to caress her face, “...it is you.”

Cecily stepped away and held a harsh glare, “I know not the man that I married! Truly...I do not! Frightened now are you of the King? Afeared of set back and challenge? When did this man before me become my Lord husband?!”

“I could not win!” Richard pleaded.

“Not with that position!” she admonished and moved to place a chair between them, “I see no thing but a failure before me and worse still, you have brought us all under risk! If you have fled the field...under the cover of darkness...indeed!! If you have done, there is less and little that will keep them from our very doorstep, sir! I shall have to beg of poverty...or worse still! Beg of her!!!”

Richard tried to stand tall, “Madam...I am not yet done!”

She moved around the chair with narrowed brow as she looked him up and down, “Sir...I see the stink upon you. And it is unlike the man I know! Richard...Duke of York and all of your many titles...named Plantagenet and so a man of Kings! Who is this? This poor, wretched creature that stands before me? I know not your name!”

“I am your husband,” Richard answered softly, “And the man that loves you.”

Cecily was taken with his sweetness as always and shifted to hold her back to him and tapped to a table with her finger until she could find a response. Without turning, she finally asked, “What does this mean?”

“You will be held safe,” he answered, “I am sure of it. Buckingham...Exeter...they would not see you to harm. Nor even the King. You needn’t find a worry.”

She turned with a hard but still caring eye, “I did not mean for myself, sir! I meant for you! What does this mean for you, my love?”

Richard felt his heart flutter as he moved to her and held his wife tightly, “I will always come back for you. Always!”

“So you must leave again?” she asked softly as she welcomed his embrace and felt a tear.

He leaned back and brushed the tear from her cheek, “It will be hard and difficult, my sweetest thing...yet it is what I must do.”

“Why do you love me so?” she asked as she stepped higher to kiss at his cheek.

He held her tightly again, “Because no woman is stronger than you! I could not live without your sweet lips, nor your harsh tongue. You are the most beautiful Lady that I have ever put eyes upon, and the greatest of them all!”

“Flattery will get you far, husband,” she pulled away with a slight smile, “Yet we remain with trouble to solve. I ask again...what will happen? Edward was with you. He is marked as well.”

Richard knew that this would be the hardest part and so he tried to gracefully shift to the hearth, “We...all of us...are marked. That is true. I hesitate to say it, Cis...yet I made a poor play.”

“Speak to me as if I am my brother...or my nephew, sir,” Cecily stood strong with a crooked brow, “I be no scullery maid.”

He sighed and answered with full honesty, “You will chastise me for I have once more let the woman get the better of my action. I cannot tell you how she has done it and I remain at disbelief. Yet she has. At nearly every step. No matter what I try...she seems always a step ahead.”

“It is because she is a woman, husband,” Cecily went to him and held to his cheek, “Though I know that you have no soft spot for her, well...any woman may find it.”

Richard accepted the touch with joy, “Would that you were to the ramparts.”

“Nay, my Lord...” she looked up to him, “...that is not our place. I shall let you in on a little secret. We ladies play with men’s minds. It seems to work.”

“Yet how can I play with hers?” Richard asked with great question.

Cecily allowed a laugh, “You cannot, sir! Not unless you are willing to wed her and bed her. And on that, I forbid! Besides...am I not better?”

“In every way!” he fell into her and she accepted it.

“My precious husband...” Cecily held him close and brushed at his head, “...I have been harsh with you this night. And I am not sorry for it. Yet...we two...hold so much more. What am I to do without you? I never wish it.”

Richard loved the feeling but had to pull back, “Cis...it is not just me.”

“I know,” she replied as she pulled him back, “My brother will have to go. I will miss him. Maybe not so much my nephew.”

“You’ve already said it,” he pulled back again and looked into her eyes with care, “Edward must come with me if we are to leave. He is not safe here at the now, and...his...actions...may be suspect.”

Cecily became brittle at the touch and pulled away, “You would leave him alone on that!”

“He has become far too close with the Duke of Somerset and you well know it,” Richard answered with strength, “It is possible that their...friendship...has scuttled this entire action!”

“I say to you again that you would leave him alone, Richard,” she was adamant, “He comes up right and smart and as your heir.”

Richard argued, “He is troublesome! Too willing to question my judgment.”

She would not hear it, “So is Georgie. And he is barely ten. They are children, sir! Our children!”

“And so he must leave with me,” Richard softened, “Whatever crime I will be promised for, he would be the culprit.”

Cecily softened as well, “I know you must leave. I hate it! Yet if you must, then take Ed. Take Edmund with you to Ireland for that is where you must go. Allow Ned to go to Calais with Warwick and my brother. Surely that is where they will go. Let him continue in finding his own way. He’s a fine boy, husband. Coming up strong and could use...a better...teacher.”

“Do you think that I do not teach our children well?!” Richard suddenly found affront.

She held to his face, “No, sir. You do it too well. Edward is now a man grown and he requires another influence, as you say. It is Edmund that requires your hand at the now, husband. Hardly a year younger and has not seen the sights, as it were. He is named at post to Ireland. Is he not? Should he not finally see it?”

“I had thought that you could not be without both?” Richard questioned.

Cecily did not smile as she held to his face, “I cannot be without any of you. These are my children and you are my husband. I require you all. Anne is with Exeter...such as it is. And Lillibet is quite safe with young Suffolk. Yet these elder boys...you are right...they will be targeted from your leaving if you do not take them with you.”

“And George and Dickon?” he asked.

“I am a mother!” she said forcefully, “I would like to see them try!!”

Richard held her close, “I do not wish to leave you!”

“I do not wish it either,” Cecily replied as she held just as closely, “Yet you have made a bed, my Lord. And I would wish to lay upon it again. You will stay safe! And you will come back to me!”

“I will always!”

Cecily pulled away and reached to his face with pressure, “You WILL come back to me!”

 

[HistoryDude]

Well, at least that means that Richard is finally acting...

I wonder if someone else can exploit Cecily's suggestion. Richard can't, being married and all, but someone on the Yorkist side might be able to... or perhaps the Yorkists could recruit someone who has already followed that suggestion...

 

[Bullfilter]

Warwick replied, “No one trusts a dead man, my Lord. This is not defeat.”

A good point.

On another score, I've been writing again. Finally got past that block for at least a scene or two.

Excellent news.

Cecily stepped away and held a harsh glare, “I know not the man that I married! Truly...I do not! Frightened now are you of the King? Afeared of set back and challenge? When did this man before me become my Lord husband?!”

That is a bit harsh, especially as she wasn’t there to see the reality on the ground.

“My precious husband...” Cecily held him close and brushed at his head, “...I have been harsh with you this night. And I am not sorry for it. Yet...we two...hold so much more. What am I to do without you? I never wish it.”

Right, so it was a hot reaction that was then tempered. This is a dangerous time, of course, but surely Margaret will stuff up, over reach etc sooner or later.