Caen, April 1464
It was no tent city that Richard entered into as he marched his army outside the walls of Caen. A crude wooden perimeter was set up to protect the huts and lean-tos arrayed around a center square that housed the royal army, but the long time of siege had left it all looking much worse for wear. It had been nearly a year that the town had been under siege and her high walls and stout defenses both inside and out held it almost impregnable.
The King kept his destrier to a slow canter as he perused the sorry sight and finally called out, “Bring to me Hastings!”
Riding a jaunty courser, Lord Hastings was quick to his side, “Your Grace, the Lord of Kent will be to you presently. The supply lines around the city are depleted and his have need to go far afield for their provisions.”
“I could not say that I miss a siege,” Richard answered in disgust as he dismounted in a huff, “Tell me not that sickness takes over as well.”
Hastings gave nod from his horse, “Nay, sire. There we are in luck. So far, camp fever is low. Only some few souls. Yet it is only a matter of time.”
“Always a matter of time,” Richard chuffed as he began to walk among the huts and gave nod to the soldiers as he passed.
The Earl of Kent was soon to meet him and offered bow, “Brother...we did not think to see you so soon.”
“I know not why,” Richard answered as he found a camp fire and looked to one of the men at arms, “Might you share a cup?”
“M’lord!” the soldier gladly offered his own but the King held up a hand.
“I’ll not steal from mine own, sir,” he smiled and pulled a flask from his side, “I’d rather you some of this. To steel your courage, sir.”
The soldier bowed, “You’re most gracious, sire!”
Richard handed over the flask and then looked to his brother in law, “It has been months, Will. Why do we remain to this place?”
The Earl of Kent gestured, “Come and see, Your Grace. The walls are high as you well know, and these would not give in so easily.”
“Mayhap we were wrong to focus here instead of Rouen,” Richard suggested as he walked with Kent.
The Duke of Norfolk rode up from behind and jumped from his mount, “Your Grace...some terrible news from home.”
Richard was hardly in the mood as he surveyed the siege lines, “I would not hear it. This be all our time.”
“Yet, sire...” young Mowbray pressed, “...it is your son the Prince.”
That caused Richard to turn, “Edmund?! What of him?”
“He is...captured, Your Grace,” Norfolk replied with worry, “Sir Ralph Percy holds him as prisoner. Your son in law as well.”
Another trebuchet launched overhead and the King watched the stones make little damage to the walls of the town. He slapped his thigh and marched away to the field tent bellowing behind him, “We will see this done!!”
Hastings, Kent and Norfolk all followed and entered after the King to find him pacing up and down. Richard wasted little time as he began to bark out orders, “At the first, there is a slight breach near the north tower. I would pay any man a coin and more should they clear the rubble. It is hard work and they would do us a service.”
“Of course, Your Grace,” Kent answered with worry, “Yet if the Lord of Norfolk is true...”
“Part the second...” Richard continued, “...I wish a siege tower. Nay! Two of them! Have some brave souls plant some iron rings near the walls and bring forth the oxen. We shall get above them. I know not why this has not already been done.”
Kent answered quickly, “It has, sire. Eight in fact. All have been destroyed. They also have their guns.”
“Then they shall see mine,” Richard was sure in response as he turned to them all, “We have been here for a year with little to show for it! This city will fall and those within shall weep!”
Hastings and Norfolk looked to the Earl and he answered for them all, “Brother...none would have it more than I. Yet they hold Henry inside and would not yield to any pressure. I have miners working and these walls will fall, I assure you. Yet your son...”
“Hold your tongue...brother,” Richard looked to him with a mean gaze, “I keep to one purpose and Ed may take care of himself.”
“It is not just Percy, Your Grace,” Norfolk replied, “The Scots pour over the border and take Northumberland. Even in Ireland...Lord Fitzgerald is overrun to Kildare.”
Richard fumed as he looked to them all, “I did not realize that I went to war with this lot of women! Are you weaker than that whore that rests inside those walls?!”
Lord Hastings offered a bow, “Your Grace...you did not go to war for her. You went to war for Normandy...and against France.”
“I know it well, sir,” Richard turned to him, “And you forget your place! They are one and the same, my Lord and I shall not get distracted!”
The Earl of Kent replied calmly, “The French move on to Calais, Your Grace. Though not part to the war, it would seem that Charles of Burgundy would allow their passage. So too the so called King in Orleans. I fear that we waste our time to here instead of besting their armies.”
“And Warwick, sire...” Norfolk offered, “...he rests too long to York. If he would not rescue your son, then...”
Richard waved an arm, “Enough!! I have heard all I need know. There are ten places to be but one of us. We will do the first and then the second and so on. Our only try is the now and in this place. I want this town...and those within!”
“Yet how, Your Grace?” Kent questioned.
“It is me that she wants,” Richard stood as tall as he might, “None other would do. If our provisions are running low, so too will theirs. I know too well how desperation can make fools of us all. Your brother Salisbury knew it also and it was mine own fault that I did not listen. No, my Lords. If I offer myself to battle, she will not be able to resist.”
The Earl of Kent began to understand, “Would that the rest of your force joined us here, sire. I am certain that we outnumber the garrison, but it would be best to be at full strength.”
“No,” Richard was certain, “They remain near Chartres to meet with the Castilian army. Then they will march upon Paris. Let the French waste away at Calais. They will never take her.”
Lord Hastings was unsure, “If the Castilians can take Paris, Your Grace...then might it be best to send some of your army to the north of England? For your son?”
“It would take weeks,” the King looked to them all, “And I am not of a mind to wait. If I am impatient, then so too are they inside that city just there. The whore and the bastard. And Henry. Set your men to it, my Lord of Kent. I want them arrayed by the morn.”
The Duke of Norfolk stepped forward proudly, “Allow me to lead, Your Grace. You be too important to risk so much.”
Richard held a strong hand to the young Duke’s shoulder, “You will lead, sir. But I shall be at the front. The whore nearly destroyed me when our positions were reversed. Tomorrow we shall pay her back tenfold and more!”
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