The Wars of the Roses

[coz1]

Fb-fb:

Good, good...let every loyalist die.

Bloodthirsty much?

On the catch up trail. Could resist this one though from a month ago:

An exorcism of Margaret - a succubus in the King’s presence - is just what is required!

I could not resist. I thought it might be too much of a pop culture reference but left it in anyway. And good to see you are returned happy and healthy from your holiday (one assumes if you have time to catch up on so much.)

 

[coz1]

Northampton, July 1460​

It was a rout. The Duke of Buckingham had severely misjudged the strength of these rebel Lords and cursed the sky as rain continued to beat down. His destrier was as useless in this mud as his cannon. Yet he had not the time to consider it as men were deserting in force and the right of his line seemed to wilt. On foot, he had only one chance. Fight back everything that came at him and make his way to the King.

Humphrey Stafford was by now fifty eight years old and though still a warrior, he was quite diminished. His wounds from St. Albans had never fully healed just as those of his eldest son had eventually taken that life. Just walking in his armor was difficult, much less fighting in it. Yet the old Duke did not let this stop him.

“To me!!!” Buckingham shouted to anyone still willing to listen.

Few did but the Duke pressed forward anyway to meet with the mass of men breaching the Lancastrian entrenchment. His archers were gone and few men at arms surrounded him but Buckingham fought on. The King was just up the hill and he began to cut a swath through the crush.

Men wearing the livery of the bear and ragged staff of Warwick fell to him left and right as did true and honest men of Kent. Though aged, the Duke of Buckingham was a soldier to his very heart and though he always preached peace, he knew why. War was a bloody and deadly thing. He proved it over and over as more came at him.

In the confusion, he could still see what was happening and it was then that he noticed that few of the common soldiers were being targeted. Instead, the enemy seemed to break out into bands of roving squads and they were massing towards every banner they could find. He turned quickly to try and spy the King’s tent. It was difficult, but he could just make out the figure of the Lord of Shrewsbury, his banner falling just as swiftly as he did.

Yet the King’s flag still held even as it drooped in the rain and the Duke called for his own banner to be raised higher, “To the King!! To the King!!!”

It was little use. There was no one left to come to the rescue and the Duke of Buckingham was surrounded. Men at arms circled him each with a mean gaze. He knew none of them by name or feature and raised his sword for protection. When one came at him, Buckingham was able to parry the brandished ax, but a second struck a blow to his back.

His plate held but when he turned, a third thrust a spear into his side that pierced all the way through his chain mail. Still, Humphrey Stafford fought on. He spun quickly and struck the head of the spearman before turning to parry another attacker. Knocking the weapon away, the Duke buried his sword into the man but had not time enough to pull it out before that final blow.

Buckingham did not even feel it. The mace crushed his helm and dug deep into his skull. For all the bright lights of Humphrey Stafford, first Duke of Buckingham and liege Lord of the King, all was now darkness. A lifetime of loyalty as he had promised. And he died just as he had said...in service to the King.

 

[Bullfilter]

And good to see you are returned happy and healthy from your holiday (one assumes if you have time to catch up on so much.)

Yeah, had a great time on the big cricket tour (similar to what we did in 2019) played 12 of the team’s 14 games over the four weeks, it went very well, and we won quite a few more than we lost!

Have been getting my own AARs going again and yours is the first major AAR reading catch-up I’m attempting.

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Sometimes you cannot avoid fate. Not even a Duke.

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

A lifetime of loyalty as he had promised. And he died just as he had said...in service to the King.

And look where it got him.

It's almost sad.

 

[coz1]

Fb-fb:

Yeah, had a great time on the big cricket tour (similar to what we did in 2019) played 12 of the team’s 14 games over the four weeks, it went very well, and we won quite a few more than we lost!

Have been getting my own AARs going again and yours is the first major AAR reading catch-up I’m attempting.

My knowledge of cricket is solely based on what @stnylan has taught me as we compared and contrasted that with American baseball (both games he enjoys.) I applaud you in keeping at the sport! I was never one for the playing but rather watching so my only comparable thing for me would be hiking. A thing I cannot do anymore for long stretches because of my aged knees.

And I thank you always for following!

Sometimes you cannot avoid fate. Not even a Duke.

No...no you cannot.

And look where it got him.

It's almost sad.

Almost sad?

The death of Buckingham, almost more than the battle itself, is/was the benchmark part of this episode/chapter. I cannot speak on the resolution, but now that this part is out I can say that it was a very emotional moment in the story for me. In fact, I feel rather poorly that I made it a small scene but did not see (as I planned the chapter) a reason to draw it out. Yet it is monumental. Buckingham has been portrayed perhaps somewhat differently than his IRL character, but I have tried to hit the "high notes" for him as a difference between him and the others that sat Council with the King.

In that portrayal, I have tried to make him somewhat the voice of reason yet one cannot take away the constant refrains for peace when it was evident that war was upon them. For years. In some respects, he is no better than Henry (or Richard for that matter in the slow pacing.) Yet I did want (and hope I have done so) to show his loyalty. No small thing despite the reasoning. So indeed...look where it got him. His fault? Henry's fault? Does it matter?

I will say here because it may not be evident in the upcoming writing, but his death does open up a new...shall we say avenue? I alluded to in the above post that Stafford's eldest son injured at St. Albans had died. Slight spoiler to say that his grandson inherits the Dukedom as a very young child. However there is also Sir Henry Stafford, his second son. Watch that going forward.


To all - Finally, I hope this barrage of posts works as intended. As seen by now, it is all of a piece. I wanted them to be read in close order. I hope it flows better that way. I could have put this whole chapter in one post, but thought it better to break out. Right? Wrong? We'll see in the wash and goodness knows there is a lot more to go. Yet not with Buckingham. Truly...a sad day for me when I wrote it.

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

Eh. I liked Buckingham more 5 years ago. At this point, he was obviously backing the Queen and knew it was wrong but did it anyway.

 

[coz1]

Eh. I liked Buckingham more 5 years ago. At this point, he was obviously backing the Queen and knew it was wrong but did it anyway.

Hmmm.

How about this scene when he definitely suggests he does not back the Queen but rather the King? To quote him - "I do not answer to the Queen. I only answer to His Grace the King. And the Lord of York has offended him."

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

Hmmm.

How about this scene when he definitely suggests he does not back the Queen but rather the King? To quote him - "I do not answer to the Queen. I only answer to His Grace the King. And the Lord of York has offended him."

He's either lying to the world or to himself. The only thing he's doing is attempting to keep the queen in power.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Does the King consider Fancy to be the second coming of the Virgin Mary? He KNOWS that he did not touch her, and he cannot conceptualize adultery. His problem with the Vatican is it that he thought the church hierarchy was above politics and would recognize his piety.

 

[HistoryDude]

The death of Buckingham was kind of sad. Even so, it was for the greater good here - King Henry has proven that he is not fit to rule the kingdom.

It looks like the Lancastrians are... less than united. They might've managed to do better here if they had followed a single unified plan of some kind... that is one advantage York currently has - more unity and less self-interest (for the moment).

 

[coz1]

Fb-fb:

He's either lying to the world or to himself. The only thing he's doing is attempting to keep the queen in power.

I could concede that he was lying to himself, definitely.

Does the King consider Fancy to be the second coming of the Virgin Mary? He KNOWS that he did not touch her, and he cannot conceptualize adultery. His problem with the Vatican is it that he thought the church hierarchy was above politics and would recognize his piety.

I do believe that there was some carnal knowledge between Henry and Margaret, but indeed he should know better that the timeline does not add up with the birth of the Prince. Then again, he got quite sick around that time and became confused.

The death of Buckingham was kind of sad. Even so, it was for the greater good here - King Henry has proven that he is not fit to rule the kingdom.

It looks like the Lancastrians are... less than united. They might've managed to do better here if they had followed a single unified plan of some kind... that is one advantage York currently has - more unity and less self-interest (for the moment).

That is a fair assessment. The Yorkists are single-minded in their goal (even with the ultimate goal of Edward and Warwick) as opposed to the various self interests of the Lancastrians.

 

[coz1]

Northampton, July 1460​

The rain beat down upon his tent but that sound was almost pleasing compared to the screams that echoed from outside. In his hastily constructed headquarters, King Henry had only a slight table, a stool, a low bench for kneeling and a rumpled feathered bed likely filled with mites. Everything was damp and so was the King. A leak in the tent grew worse as the hour grew long.

Lord Egremont had come to see him just a moment ago. Telling him that all would be well, Henry tried to show strength. Yet that was fable and both King and Lord knew it. Egremont bravely promised protection and then departed never to be seen again. Run off perhaps? It was likely in these situations.

“God Almighty...” Henry knelt to the bench, “...save their souls.”

The King heard more shouting outside and then suddenly there was silence. It seemed to last forever until another head dipped into his tent. Scruffy looking, it was not a man that he knew and yet Henry did not flinch. Instead, he went back to prayer.

“M’Lord...my liege...” the man said as he fully entered the tent and brandished his bow, “...I come to see to your safety.”

Henry held his eyes closed as he spoke, “You cannot.”

“Tis me orders, sire,” the archer answered with more strength.

“And who gives the order, sir?” Henry asked defeated, “The Lord Egremont? Tell him that we shall stay with our men.”

The archer replied readily, “No, sire. He be dead.”

With great sadness Henry opened his eyes and looked to the man, “Deceased, you say?”

“Aye,” the archer replied.

Henry felt a tear and shifted on his bench, “God Almighty to Heaven...forgive them.”

The archer was unsure what to do having never met a King before but he stood silent and waited. When Henry finally stood, he attempted to show fortitude, “You would take us to the Lord of Buckingham.”

“Nay...sire,” the archer answered, “That I can’t do. It’ll be the Lord of Warwick to attend you in this place. If you could stay.”

Henry became incensed, “You knave! How dare you? You will take me to Buckingham at the now!”

“Quite impossible, sire. You must stay here. For your safety.”

When the King attempted to brush past him, the archer pressed a firm hand to his shoulder, “It’s not a request.”

Henry was astonished by the touch, “You would dare lay hands upon an anointed King?!”

“Begging apology, sire,” the archer answered as he forced the King to sit.

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

Henry was astonished by the touch, “You would dare lay hands upon an anointed King?!”

“Begging apology, sire,” the archer answered as he forced the King to sit.

Reality hurts, doesn't it, you useless man. Oh and don't worry about Buckingham, he's dead too. In fact, everyone who at least pretend to support you over the Queen is dead. Well done.

It's astonishing that this is the first time someone has outright ignored him being king and just told him no.

I wonder what would have happened if people had done that sooner?

 

[coz1]

Reality hurts, doesn't it, you useless man. Oh and don't worry about Buckingham, he's dead too. In fact, everyone who at least pretend to support you over the Queen is dead. Well done.

It's astonishing that this is the first time someone has outright ignored him being king and just told him no.

I wonder what would have happened if people had done that sooner?

Let us do a catch up since Monday...

Buckingham - dead
Beaumont - dead
Shrewsbury - dead
Egremont - dead
Northumberland - not there
Clifford - not there
Somerset - not there
Wiltshire - not there but definitely not competent!
Grey of Ruthin - alive and in the Yorkist camp now
Exeter - in question both as Lancastrian and competency
Tudor/Pembroke - not there
Devon - not there

 

[HistoryDude]

Well, King Henry is captured alive. It's not going to be that simple, is it? Margaret doesn't care about her legitimacy as much as she cares about her power.

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Let us do a catch up since Monday...

Buckingham - dead
Beaumont - dead
Shrewsbury - dead
Egremont - dead
Northumberland - not there
Clifford - not there
Somerset - not there
Wiltshire - not there but definitely not competent!
Grey of Ruthin - alive and in the Yorkist camp now
Exeter - in question both as Lancastrian and competency
Tudor/Pembroke - not there
Devon - not there

Henry VI - there, but as good as if he was elsewhere.

 

[coz1]

Fb-fb:

Well, King Henry is captured alive. It's not going to be that simple, is it? Margaret doesn't care about her legitimacy as much as she cares about her power.

It depends on who the simple benefits.

Henry VI - there, but as good as if he was elsewhere.

True, though I was only counting counselors. But definitely not competent.

 

[coz1]

Northampton, July 1460​

Wet, dirty and tired, Edward made his way through the den. Lord Scrope had rounded up the few defenders still left to the area. Most had made their way to the River Nene trying to cross the bridge. Few made it successfully as they drowned. By now the royal camp was overwhelmed by Yorkist men and the young Earl of March stood outside the tent where the very King of England was held as hostage.

It was a strange feeling. He’d met the King before. Given bow. Shown all due deference as he might his own father. Yet this seemed different. He did not know how to treat the prisoner and considered the words of his mother...act like a Lord.

“Your Grace,” Edward finally entered the tent, “My Lord of York would be sore hurt if you are injured.”

The King looked to the young Earl with pain in his eyes, “Is he here?”

“He is not,” Edward replied as he stepped forward with ginger steps, “My father is to Ireland.”

Henry remained confused, “You are...little Ned?”

“I...am, Your Grace,” the Earl answered as he bent to a gentle knee before the King, “The son of Lord Richard, Duke of York. You know me.”

“Yes...” Henry held a finger to the young man’s cheek, “...a fine boy.”

Edward looked to the King with a sad face, “You have been through much. Haven’t you?”

“My son...” Henry returned the gaze with great feeling, “...you have little idea.”

“I think that I might...Your Grace,” Edward slowly lifted and tried to comfort, “…your state...your emotion.”

Henry showed a wide eye and a soft voice when he replied, “I am...the King of England!”

“You are, sire...” the young Earl took a step, “...and unduly burdened. We have come…all of us...to rescue you.”

“I need not rescue!” Henry turned away in irritation.

Edward showed a pleasant countenance, “Your Grace...I believe that you do.”

“There are many that show us a haughty tone,” the King fumed around the tent, at a moment straightening his plain gown and the next moment searching for his holy book, “We know our own mind and need not some other to speak it to us.”

Edward bowed gracefully, “I did not mean to cause insult, Your Grace. I merely know the mind of mine own father and he would wish you in the best of health and in good safety.”

“Would he?” Henry suddenly turned with a queer eye, “Would he indeed? We might have believed that some years ago but it appears plain at the now that our Lord of York means no fine thought to us at all.”

“Loathe that I might be to disagree with you, sire...you are wrong,” Edward offered a caring face, “As it has been for myself these long months, I am certain that my father is truly wounded not to be in your presence. That is all that he has ever desired, Your Grace. And if you considered it, you would remember that patently.”

Henry turned away and felt pain to his head and his heart. It was if he felt such wound himself. Sitting calmly to the small stool, the King finally looked once more on his Earl, “That you are here before us...we must assume that one has found victory?”

“We have, Your Grace,” Edward knelt before him, “Though not bloodless, it was quick and decisive. Many of your subjects have been spared.”

“And...” Henry hesitated in asking, “...where be the Lord of Buckingham?”

Edward answered plainly, “He is dead, sire.”

A great wail emanated from the King and he furiously teared up, salty tears and snot combining to his hands. He wept uncontrollably for a time until it began to wain. Still through whimpers he questioned, “How?”

“Bravely, Your Grace,” Edward replied with truth, “Though cut down on the field of battle, he spent his very last breath defending you. I think never to have seen a more chivalrous knight, sire, nor do I think that I ever shall again.”

More tears followed and Edward produced a cloth from under his padded sleeve. The King eagerly took it with thanks, “I do not imagine that you spy such a chivalrous King, my Lord.”

“By your clear emotion, Your Grace,” Edward allowed a smile, “It proves that you love dearly your subjects and most especially true and honest men. I and my cousin...my uncles and my father and brother...we are true and honest men, sire. For too long poor men have surrounded you and we would remedy that.”

“I wish that you could,” Henry wiped away his tears, “Many have tried.”

“We would do anything, Your Grace, and with full measure to see this realm made whole,” the young Earl replied.

While Henry kept a curious eye to Edward, the Earl of Warwick entered the tent, “Ah!! Here we are. Come uncles...come and spy our capture!”

The Barons Fauconberg and Bergavenny entered the tent and stood next to Warwick and the King seemed frightened. Edward stood tall, “You would bow to the King, my Lords.”

“Bow?” Warwick laughed, “What nonsense. He is not but a spoil.”

“Nephew!” Lord Fauconberg nudged him and swiftly knelt before the King. Lord Bergavenny did the same and Edward joined them with an eye still to his cousin, “His honor is insulted, my Lord. You would prove your oath and bend your knee.”

Henry said not a word as he watched with curiosity and the Earl of Warwick finally sighed, “Very well. I suppose it is all a show from start to finish.”

As he too knelt, Edward turned back to King Henry, “We Lords, Your Grace, do crave all forgiveness for the raising of these arms in your name with our motive only being an establishment of stable and just government. We bow low before you to show our fealty and continued loyalty. I do all homage to Your Grace, most reverent and submissive. In every way, we would give to you all and desire your protection.”

The King looked to the others and the Lords Fauconberg and Bergavenny followed in their affirmation. Finally Warwick looked from his cousin to King Henry with a slight grin, “Of course, sire. I most humbly submit to Your Grace.”

Henry offered a slim nod, “Then we suppose it is back to London with us?”

“It is where you should be, Your Grace,” Edward stood and gave nod, “Your people must see you.”

Warwick agreed, “We shall allow you a respite to the Abbey, and thence to Northampton, but yes. Too much time has been spent to the Midlands and your place is there.”

Looking around the tent for whatever he needed to pack, the King shrugged, “Then we suppose we shall go with you. It appears we have little to bundle. Yet, what of the Queen?”

As they escorted him from the tent, Warwick followed, “We will be certain to take care of her.”

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

Yet, what of the Queen?”

As they escorted him from the tent, Warwick followed, “We will be certain to take care of her.”

I hope so.

Henry will hopefully realise fairly soon that the only people who Now want him kept alive are in the Yorkist camp.