The Wars of the Roses

[coz1]

Chapter 21: The Prince of England

* * *

Wakefield, December 1460​

Plunged deep into the raging river waters made more swift by the falling snow, he pressed as hard as he might. The icy cold was as much a hinder as the weight of his armor, yet he clawed to the bed and eventually found air. With shivering fingers, his numb hands shook as they removed the helm and he gasped for life. Exhausted, he attempted to stand but collapsed. One...two...many moments passed before he could try again.

Down river from the bridge, Edmund tried his best to untie the armor from his body. His fingers were frozen stiff yet he was able to toss away his knee and ankle guards and then went to work on his arms. Little by little, as he tried to blow hot air on his hands, the young Earl was able to free himself.

Grasping to the bank, he crawled to some higher ground before he found him.

“Leighson!!” Edmund called out with raspy breath.

He did not move.

“Master Leighson!!!” the Earl slapped the man’s cold and blue face, “I demand that you wake!!”

He still did not answer.

Edmund pressed to his chest, “You shall not drown on me! For I shall answer to you! You threw me off the goddamn bridge!!”

As his teeth chattered, Allen Leighson was able to say, “I...ha...had...little...ch...choice.”

“You are alive!!” Edmund was relieved, “By God, man! You are alive!!!”

“I...I...” Leighson tried to reply, “...should...not be.”

“Yet you are,” Edmund shivered in the cold just as much and pulled his man close, “It is to God’s great mercy!”

With chattering teeth still, Leighson attempted to say, “Shel...Shelter. We must...find...”

Edmund looked around and could see little in the blanket of snow that surrounded them. He shifted on the bank and pulled Leighson a little further before he collapsed, “We are...to the wilderness, sir. I don’t...I know not even where...we are.”

Master Leighson held his arm tightly, “Any...where...but...here!”

Snow began to fall again and Edmund was unsure of his directions. He could barely see the bridge but used that as a guide. With what strength he had left, he pulled Leighson along until he could tell that they were still to the south of it. In the distance he saw mounds of snow. Bodies covered by the wet and freezing blanket. He shifted and pulled Leighson closer, “There, sir. That is...where it happened.”

“E...Ed...Edmund...” Leighson struggled to speak, “We...we must...be far...away...from here!”

Still shivering, Edmund looked in all directions. He did not know. He looked to his man with pain and with chattering teeth answered, “We...we cannot go...to the castle. We will...not...make it.”

“We...we must...cross the...river...” Leighson tried to answer, “We...are...not safe.”

Edmund looked around again as he shielded his eyes from the snow. He found a marker and then realized, “We shall...never make it...to Middleham.”

Both were startled when a noise came from the bushes above them. Edmund did his best to hold his wet sword still to his side and lifted it to whatever the trouble. He was shocked when the man stood before them and answered, “No...you will not.”

“You?!!!” Edmund shouted with amazement.

“I could not let you drown.”

“We…we have...drowned...already...” Leighson saw him too and frowned, “...and if...you are...to kill...us...then...then just do…it...it...”

Edmund pulled Leighson near to warm him, “We could...not trust you.”

“Then you will freeze to death,” the man said, “Your sister hates me. Must you as well?”

“My...my Lord of...Exeter...” Edmund’s chattering teeth attempted the question, “...why...why are you… you here?”

“I am Henry, Edmund,” the Duke of Exeter knelt to them both, “And I am here because I have something that you need.”

Edmund could not believe it and looked to Master Leighson. When he did not respond, the young Earl pressed again. Henry Holland placed a calming hand to his shoulder, “You need to come with me.”

 

[Historywhiz]

You didn’t.

 

[coz1]

You didn’t.

It is quite possible that I did. Or didn't.

 

[HistoryDude]

I'm kind of confused here. Is Edmund Yorkist or Lancastrian? I can't remember (was he Somerset?).

I'm curious as to what Holland has.

 

[El Pip]

It appears @Historywhiz did indeed get it right, good work there. While Edmund surviving was not a massive surprise after it was confirmed there would (finally! ) be some changes, the appearance of Henry Holland was a surprise, which was nice.

I'm curious as to what Holland has.

He's previously rescued the seriously injured Duke of York and Richard has one last message to pass on "Son, whatever else happens please always remember this - Get On With It!"

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Edmund alive. Well, if little buddy George ends up dead, this may be a good turn.

 

[coz1]

Fb-fb:

I'm kind of confused here. Is Edmund Yorkist or Lancastrian? I can't remember (was he Somerset?).

I'm curious as to what Holland has.

You may feel a bit silly when I answer...Edmund as in Ed...as in the son of Richard of York. So I sure hope he is a Yorkist.

It appears @Historywhiz did indeed get it right, good work there. While Edmund surviving was not a massive surprise after it was confirmed there would (finally! ) be some changes, the appearance of Henry Holland was a surprise, which was nice.


He's previously rescued the seriously injured Duke of York and Richard has one last message to pass on "Son, whatever else happens please always remember this - Get On With It!"

Huzzah! I told you I planned some changes. Just took me a loooong time to get there (you can understand, I'm sure. ) And honestly, this one may be minor compared to some others. May be. We'll see.

Edmund alive. Well, if little buddy George ends up dead, this may be a good turn.

Well, Richard does have a surplus of sons.


To all - So indeed, we get to one of the changes I wanted to do with this work. I still cannot really discuss the larger stuff until at least the end of this chapter, but I can say that Edmund surviving Wakefield was definitely something I have planned from the start. When people write or discuss this history, Edmund tends to be forgotten because he died so young and the others sons certainly provided much historical activity to consider. It has been part the reason I've struggled at times to create him as a fully dimensional character. And his survival will have some repercussions. Can't say where and I can't say when, but it is coming.

As for the rest, wait for it. I am far from done. Look for the next scene a bit later today. Until then, thanks as always for reading and giving comment. Damn it's been fun writing this!

 

[coz1]

Buxton, December 1460​

“He looks wan,” Margaret Beaufort suggested to her husband, “I know not how he has survived.”

“He’s a tough old soldier...the bastard!” Henry Holland answered over their shoulder.

Sir Henry Stafford questioned, “How did you come across him again?”

“My bastard son,” the Duke of Exeter suggested with pain, “His mother lives nearby. I sent him to survey the field, and...this is what I found.”

Margaret Beaufort disapproved, “There is an irony there.”

“Madam...” Exeter replied simply, “...I did what I could for him and his son. Judge me however you may desire.”

Sir Henry looked to the prone body once more, “I think not that he will live.”

“Then fetch your physicians, Sir Stafford,” a voice called out, “My Lord Exeter assumed that my man Leighson had perished. Yet he still holds breath.”

Lady Beaufort turned to him with worry, “You should not be out of bed, my Lord! You are grievous ill!”

“I am alive, my Lady,” Edmund of York answered strongly, “And so is he...my father.”

Exeter lowered his head, “He was near frozen solid when I found him, Ed. He has shown no response since we brought him to here.”

“Neither did Leighson,” Edmund sat to the bed where Richard of York lay prone and silent, “Yet he came round. We all...we should not be here. Yet here we are.”

Sir Henry Stafford moved to pour some ale and offered it quickly to Edmund, “We are most happy that you are, my Lord. Drink of this and find some health. What occurred to Wakefield...it is...terrible.”

Edmund was immediately skeptical, “And whom do you serve?”

“Be still, Ed,” Exeter showed a calming hand, “Sir Henry still holds these lands even if they be close to Lancashire. The Queen remains to York at the now, though she is soon to depart. She will march south and Somerset with her.”

Edmund held to his father’s hand and looked to the Duke, “How do you know all of this...brother?”

“Because I went to her...” Exeter admitted, “...before the battle. Promised her everything. Turned out she did not need it. And here am I with you.”

The young Earl looked around the chamber with confusion, “What date is it even?”

Lady Beaufort stood close, “You have been here for five days, sir. It was only yesterday at the bell that your man regained his senses. And you have been...”

“You are lucky to be alive, my Lord,” Sir Henry announced and gestured, “And my hold is yours for as long as you may need it. However...”

Margaret Beaufort was plain, “It is not the best place for you at the now.”

“He is right,” Exeter suggested, “We must find your brother!”

Edmund looked to his father and squeezed his hand, “We shall not move until he breathes or dies. I will not leave his side nor challenge him. He still lives.”

“Your uncle did not find that luck,” Exeter pressed, “These are good lands, no doubt. Buxton Springs show a life giving. Yet I think not that you hold time. Sir Henry is kind enough to hold you to these lodgings, yet they all will be hunting, my Lord. They want you as much as him. Your brother too and Warwick as well. They will not cease.”

“My uncle?” Edmund questioned, for he did not know.

Lady Beaufort answered plainly, “The Lord of Salisbury’s head sits atop the gate of York, sir. A paper crown upon it as if to mock his power to the north.”

Edmund felt a tear, “And my cousin??”

Exeter sat close to him and held his knee as comfort, “It may well have been you, sir. Lord Clifford took his revenge.”

“All of you leave me!” Edmund shouted as he held again to his father, “Only I may bring this man from his torpor.”

Sir Henry and the Duke of Exeter followed his directive and departed the chamber but Margaret Beaufort stayed behind and looked to the young Earl for a time before questioning, “Do you think that it is worth it? All of it?”

“Do I think?” Edmund turned to her with confusion, “I am sorry, my Lady...yet why are you here?”

Margaret Beaufort smiled, “You wish your father alive and well. That is a nice thought. Yet what is it that we do?”

Edmund held tightly to his father’s hand, “We see to the future of England, my Lady.”

“The future?” she questioned, “That could be so many things.”

He looked at her and found her pretty. Plain, yet handsome. They were the same age. Yet why would she ask? “Madam, it has been decided already. There be no doubt that I thank God for my survival and pray God, so too that of my father. We are the true House of this realm, and if he lives...he will make it all glorious!”

Lady Margaret smiled at him, “You are funny, my Lord Edmund.”

“I see not what is at all funny about this,” Edmund held again to the Duke, “My father is in peril and so too is the kingdom!”

She moved to him and rested a slim hand to his shoulder, “I think you to be well, sir. God Almighty does provide.”

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

Nobody's ever really gone.

 

[Historywhiz]

You did.

 

[HistoryDude]

Whoops! Thanks for the clarification.

Whose side is Exeter on? He appears to be a Yorkist now, but he also admitted siding with Margaret earlier.

If Richard did survive, he should wait until Margaret has announced him dead and then appear publicly! Just to humiliate her.

 

[coz1]

Fb-fb:

Nobody's ever really gone.

Tell that to Salisbury's head.

You did.

I must have.

Whoops! Thanks for the clarification.

Whose side is Exeter on? He appears to be a Yorkist now, but he also admitted siding with Margaret earlier.

If Richard did survive, he should wait until Margaret has announced him dead and then appear publicly! Just to humiliate her.

Exeter is in a camp all of his own, at this point. When I mentioned earlier that I had taken him on a wildly different track than OTL, this is part of that. I am not sure all of it works, but I hope his arc matters in the end. I found my Exeter to be a more interesting dude than the RL one, and he was pretty interesting already. We shall see.

 

[El Pip]

It is good to see the ancient tropes honoured and respected. No body was found and his enemies declared his dead regardless, so the Gods of Cliche demanded that York must survive and so it has come to pass.

Be interesting to see what a near death experience does to Richard, if nothing else he will surely not consider himself a military genius after this experience. Probably be a great deal less trusting of uncertain friends and allies. Might temper his occasional impatient streak as well.

Of course it could make him indecisive and craven, unable to make a big decision or take any risk, but as we already have Henry VI in the story that just seems a narratively messy duplication.

 

[coz1]

It is good to see the ancient tropes honoured and respected. No body was found and his enemies declared his dead regardless, so the Gods of Cliche demanded that York must survive and so it has come to pass.

Be interesting to see what a near death experience does to Richard, if nothing else he will surely not consider himself a military genius after this experience. Probably be a great deal less trusting of uncertain friends and allies. Might temper his occasional impatient streak as well.

Of course it could make him indecisive and craven, unable to make a big decision or take any risk, but as we already have Henry VI in the story that just seems a narratively messy duplication.

But of course. Once again, I told you I was changing things up.

To all, really - I cannot say what will happen going forward, of course, but I suppose I can go ahead and address this one thing. It has always seemed tragic to me (and I imagine a good many people both then and now) that not only did Salisbury and his son Thomas die at Wakefield, but so too Richard of York and his second son Edmund Earl of Rutland. The paper crown reference at the end of the last chapter (for those that do not know) was actually done to Richard to mock his ambitions. Their heads stayed above the gates of York for quite some time until Edward had chance to remove them (and some years later dug up his father and brother and transported them in great state to be buried forever at Fotheringhay.)

When I considered this work, one of the first thoughts was that I would not allow that to happen. How it might effect the rest, I would figure out later (which of course I have.) And the first clue that Richard did not die at Wakefield was the fact that I did not make a big deal of it. I left it unsaid and to speak on tropes - if you don't see the body killed, then it may not be dead. Buried beneath bodies...possibly. But then I did not return to it. Had I meant to kill Richard in the scene, one might imagine (him being the main character, or one of three) that I would of made more of it. Oh, I could have been minimalist. Not unoriginal. But you guys know my writing well enough. I would have had to make it more of a splash (some pun intended as regards Edmund. )

So, as I have said some few times - when things go ahistorical, you will know it. And...I'm not done. So stick around to find out what happens next. Because now, you really can start considering possibilities. From this point forward, nothing is etched into stone. Wakefield is one of the largest inflection points within the work, and truth be told (slight spoiler) it will not be the only one within this very chapter. Stay tuned.

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

Right...

So currently, King Henry VI rules from London, but is under Yorkist control, as is the south of England.

The current heir is Richard of York, who also has the best claim to the throne otherwise.

The Queen and her son are both barred from succession, and the former has been ordered by the king to stand down, and attacked an army in his name, which is treason.

The Queen however has the largest army in the country at the moment, plus some Scottish backup, and is marauding around northern England, and currently controls as far south as York itself (because the head was put up there).

So she now needs to march on London and get that back, as well as the king, have him undo his writ of succession (I guess) or declare it a complete fiction, the yorkists traitors, and essentially completely take over the kingdom.

Meanwhile, Richard and Edmund are seriously injured, armyless and without many friends, no money and no support, deep in enemy territory. But they (currently) have the official claim to the Crown inheritance, and are (currently) the ones actually working for the king. And actually, no matter what, have the actual best right to the throne beyond Henry himself.

So either the Queen does all above flawlessly, then gets declared regent again, Prince is back, Scotland is appeased with something and she then attempts to hunt down the yorkists, perhaps capturing them as they attempt to flee or raise another army. Execute them both, leaving only Edward left, swearing revenge as per OTL.

Or the York party do one of two things.

They raise an army successfully, turning a ton of Lords with the dual claim of rightful heirs plus Queen is an obvious traitor going against the king and invading England with Scottish troops. Or retreat to Ireland or France and doing the same there.

Ultimately, time is still on York's side so long as the Queen is alive and still...her. its going to take constant effort from her to keep her allies faithful, a struggle at best, even before she invaded with Scottish help.

So long as the Yorks escape, they're always a massive threat and a much better option to most than the truly despicable Queen, who is also incompetent and plain nasty to everyone around her when she isn't in the act of having sex with them.

So either they get caught fairly quickly and drama ensues, or they escape and the civil war continues, with her power slowly draining like last time, only worse.

 

[Historywhiz]

So she now needs to march on London and get that back, as well as the king, have him undo his writ of succession (I guess) or declare it a complete fiction, the yorkists traitors, and essentially completely take over the kingdom.

Easy enough, just declare that King Henry’s signature of just “Henry” is invalid as he didn’t add the “R” as his father, grandfather, and most of his successors would do for their signs manual. It probably wasn’t yet a legal requirement, and anyone brave enough could produce other documents King Henry had signed the same way previously, but I doubt she or her supporters would care then.

Meanwhile, Richard and Edmund are seriously injured, armyless and without many friends, no money and no support, deep in enemy territory.

Edward still has his army, and was headed their way. Now they just need to get to him.

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Edmund,

Now that you have M. Beaufort at the near.

Kill her.

 

[coz1]

Fb-fb:

Right...

So currently, King Henry VI rules from London, but is under Yorkist control, as is the south of England.

The current heir is Richard of York, who also has the best claim to the throne otherwise.

The Queen and her son are both barred from succession, and the former has been ordered by the king to stand down, and attacked an army in his name, which is treason.

The Queen however has the largest army in the country at the moment, plus some Scottish backup, and is marauding around northern England, and currently controls as far south as York itself (because the head was put up there).

So she now needs to march on London and get that back, as well as the king, have him undo his writ of succession (I guess) or declare it a complete fiction, the yorkists traitors, and essentially completely take over the kingdom.

Meanwhile, Richard and Edmund are seriously injured, armyless and without many friends, no money and no support, deep in enemy territory. But they (currently) have the official claim to the Crown inheritance, and are (currently) the ones actually working for the king. And actually, no matter what, have the actual best right to the throne beyond Henry himself.

So either the Queen does all above flawlessly, then gets declared regent again, Prince is back, Scotland is appeased with something and she then attempts to hunt down the yorkists, perhaps capturing them as they attempt to flee or raise another army. Execute them both, leaving only Edward left, swearing revenge as per OTL.

Or the York party do one of two things.

They raise an army successfully, turning a ton of Lords with the dual claim of rightful heirs plus Queen is an obvious traitor going against the king and invading England with Scottish troops. Or retreat to Ireland or France and doing the same there.

Ultimately, time is still on York's side so long as the Queen is alive and still...her. its going to take constant effort from her to keep her allies faithful, a struggle at best, even before she invaded with Scottish help.

So long as the Yorks escape, they're always a massive threat and a much better option to most than the truly despicable Queen, who is also incompetent and plain nasty to everyone around her when she isn't in the act of having sex with them.

So either they get caught fairly quickly and drama ensues, or they escape and the civil war continues, with her power slowly draining like last time, only worse.

That's about the size of it. Of course, upper hands don't tend to stay up too terribly long round these parts.

Easy enough, just declare that King Henry’s signature of just “Henry” is invalid as he didn’t add the “R” as his father, grandfather, and most of his successors would do for their signs manual. It probably wasn’t yet a legal requirement, and anyone brave enough could produce other documents King Henry had signed the same way previously, but I doubt she or her supporters would care then.


Edward still has his army, and was headed their way. Now they just need to get to him.

Or he to them. Let's see what Edward and Warwick do...

Edmund,

Now that you have M. Beaufort at the near.

Kill her.

Even though she's trying to help them? Kurtie says, "Yes."


Next scene coming up...

 

[coz1]

London, January 1461​

Richard Neville sat to the table in the royal apartments within the Tower and feasted with his wife Anne Beauchamp and their two children, Isabel age nine and her younger sister also named Anne aged five. The Mass of Christ had passed uneventfully for them all which was a wonder given these last many years and what they had endured. The Earl of Warwick raised his cup as a toast to his wife, “For that which holds me at comfort, dear love.”

“Are we finally to peace, husband?” Anne questioned, “Can it be true?”

Warwick smiled to them all, “When my Lord of York returns from the north, we shall all at length rest in comfort.”

The knock to the chamber door startled him and he spilled his wine. With irritation he called out, “I said that I wished to be alone with my family!!”

“My Lord?” Sir John Wenlock entered anyway with a lowered head, “There are men here to see you.”

John Mowbray Duke of Norfolk did not wait for an introduction, “Important men, sir.”

The Earl stood taller, “What is the meaning of this?”

“I do apologize to all of the family,” Norfolk bowed to them with a gentle smile before turning to Warwick, “Yet this is grave news my Lord and mayhap best left outside of tender ears.”

Warwick was about to protest again until he spied his man Sir Fulk standing behind the Duke. Immediately he shifted to his wife, “Take the children, dearest. I shall come for you in but a moment.”

“Richard?” she questioned.

He smiled, “We are to peace, my love. I promise.”

As she gathered Isabel and Anne, the Earl turned back with a wide eye. The Duke of Norfolk finally answered with a solemn voice, “Your father is dead, sir. So too your brother Thomas.”

“What??!!!” the Earl of Warwick was frozen in place unable to move, “That cannot...No!!!”

“The Duke tells the truth, my Lord,” Fulk stepped to him, “Taken at Wakefield and beheaded to Pontefract by the Queen.”

The Earl was still in shock, “My brother?”

“He was killed during the battle, it is said,” Norfolk was plain, “York is missing and presumed the same, sir. So too his own son. Over two thousand that stood with the Duke of York are dead, my Lord. And Queen Margaret marches south.”

“I...I cannot believe it,” Warwick remained confused for a time before looking to Sir Fulk, “York is dead?!”

Sir Fulk offered a curt nod, “It seems as much, my Lord. He was pinned to Sandal Castle and my word is that he attempted to send message to your cousin the Earl of March. He did not wait for a reply. It is said that the Duke of Somerset himself cut him down in battle, but I do not believe it.”

“If he is dead, they have not found the body,” the Duke of Norfolk suggested, “The heads of your father and brother overlook the town of York, sir. If they had the Duke himself? He would be there too.”

Warwick exhaled loudly in grief and then gathered himself. He poured a cup of wine and drank it down quickly. He then turned to Sir Fulk, “Where is Edward at the now?”

“The Earl of March was last known marching near to Wales,” Fulk answered, “He may soon find himself matched in Tudor for they have gathered.”

“And you say that Somerset is with the Queen?” Warwick asked.

Norfolk answered, “They all are outside of Tudor, sir! Devon, Northumberland, Clifford...the lot of them! Wake up, man! Step to!!”

“You will wait,” the Earl gathered his thoughts and then questioned, “Do my uncles know?”

Sir Fulk shook his head, “Not as yet, my Lord. We thought you should tell them.”

“What of the King?” Warwick looked to Norfolk.

The Duke replied with force, “He remains to the Bishop’s Palace, sir! You do not yet move and this is a trouble for me. I am not a patient man.”

“You will excuse me, my Lord!” Warwick answered, “I’ve just heard that mine own father is dead. So too my brother!”

Norfolk was plain, “Yes, I know. I told you. Now what will you do about it?”

“Edward must return...” the Earl considered and then called out, “Wenlock!!!”

“Yes, my Lord?” his secretary stepped back into the chamber.

Warwick was quick with question, “How many have we raised since the Duke of York marched north?”

“Some few thousand, my Lord,” Wenlock answered, “Mainly men from Kent and Sussex. If you marched north, you would gain more.”

Sir Fulk followed, “She holds over twenty, my Lord. Raging Scots and worse. York’s army is scattered to the winds...what is left of them, and the Earl of March is surely a fortnight away.”

“She has yet to cross the Trent,” Norfolk suggested, “There is time to raise them all, sir. Yet you must put away your thoughts of sadness and tend to the future. York may well be gone, yet his son lives and we still hold the King. So we know where she will go.”

“Yes...” he agreed, “...yes. She will come to here. That we cannot allow. Send for my uncles, Wenlock. They needs must know. And my brother George. She will pillage as she goes which gives us not much time but enough. It is too poor that Edward is so far away.”

The Duke of Norfolk raised a brow, “Think of him, my Lord. If you are heart sick over your own father, how may he be? The Lord of York, sir! We know not how he shall take the news.”

Warwick drank down his wine and poured another as he answered, “Ned will...prosper.”

 

[HistoryDude]

It looks like Warwick has also noticed that the death of his father doesn't have enough evidence to be true.

I want Margaret to declare York's death while gloating, only for York to appear and call her a liar. Then, once she is frozen in shock, a random Yorkist soldier will behead her...