Richard was trying to set his army in battle array at Bosworth Field. Brave Norfolk was happy to command the leading forces, but Northumberland was insisting on staying in the rear. The Stanleys were still on the sidelines. Richard knew that William was a lost cause, but he sent an ultimatum to Lord Stanley to join him immediately or Lord Strange would die. Stanley replied cheekily that he had many more sons, sending Richard into a rage. He summoned block, axeman and priest and turned upon young Strange.
Richard: You told me your uncle William would not support me, but why did you lie to me about your father? Confess your lies, and I may yet show mercy.
Strange: Your majesty, I did not lie and I cannot lie. I truly believed that my father was loyal to you.
Checked by the courage of the youth, and perhaps recalling his hastiness with Hastings, Richard relented.
Richard: If God grants me victory this day, I swear to you that I will be a better father to you than Lord Stanley has ever been.
The priest asked whether he should say mass before the battle. Richard declined the offer on the grounds that if his cause was good God would uphold it anyway, and if his cause was bad they had no right to ask for God's blessing, a reply exhibiting the folly of exalting reason above revelation. Elizabeth, we may be confident, was not neglecting her prayers.
The battle commenced. Norfolk and his men gave everything, but they were no match for his opposite number Oxford, and were slaughtered. Northumberland's idea of a rearguard position appeared to be somewhere in Northamptonshire. There was nothing for it but for Richard and his men to attack Tudor directly. The best axeman in England set to work. Quickly he cut down Sir William Brandon, Tudor's standard bearer. Next he unhorsed Sir John Cheyney, a man mountain who was one of Tudor's fiercest warriors. Richard was close to his objective and yelled at Tudor, who was merely watching the proceedings, to fight like a man.
Tudor took the view that heroism was for romantic fools. He glanced across to William Stanley, who set his forces upon Richard's. Richard's peloton defended their king stoutly, but one by one they were hacked away by Stanley's overwhelming numbers until Richard was left exposed. Down he went, never to rise.
Next Chapter
Showing posts with label Lord Stanley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lord Stanley. Show all posts
Wednesday, 13 August 2008
The unavoidable conflict
Queen Anne's funeral soon followed, preceded by that of her only child. Richard and Elizabeth considered the option of giving the throne and Princess Elizabeth to Henry Tudor, and retiring to live quietly in the north. They both knew, though, that a Lancastrian Margaret doting on her only son would never give them any peace. There was no choice but to defeat Henry Tudor in battle.
The odds were stacked against Richard. He knew that he could not rely upon most of his chief commanders. Lord Stanley was the wife of Lady Margaret Beaufort and stepfather of Henry Tudor. His brother William was even more doubtful. The Earl of Northumberland was a Percy, and in their hearts all Percys were Lancastrians, "the bird in my bosom" as one of them poetically described it. Only the Duke of Norfolk could be depended upon. Richard attempted to mitigate the situation by holding Lord Stanley's son Lord Strange as security for his father's loyalty.
The time came for the man Elizabeth loved to depart for battle. When John Grey had departed all those years ago, she had been too naive to appreciate the danger. Whenever Edward had departed, her attachment to him was not so strong that she cared overmuch whether he returned or not, and ironically he always did return. This time, though, her heart really ached. Richard was about the same age as John when he died. It was as if she had the prospect of resuming her life where she had left off with John. Her future was about to be decided in the Leicestershire countryside just a few miles away from where she had spent the happiest days of her life.
Her daughter joined her as they watched the army depart. Soon one of them would be Queen of England, but which one?
Next Chapter
The odds were stacked against Richard. He knew that he could not rely upon most of his chief commanders. Lord Stanley was the wife of Lady Margaret Beaufort and stepfather of Henry Tudor. His brother William was even more doubtful. The Earl of Northumberland was a Percy, and in their hearts all Percys were Lancastrians, "the bird in my bosom" as one of them poetically described it. Only the Duke of Norfolk could be depended upon. Richard attempted to mitigate the situation by holding Lord Stanley's son Lord Strange as security for his father's loyalty.
The time came for the man Elizabeth loved to depart for battle. When John Grey had departed all those years ago, she had been too naive to appreciate the danger. Whenever Edward had departed, her attachment to him was not so strong that she cared overmuch whether he returned or not, and ironically he always did return. This time, though, her heart really ached. Richard was about the same age as John when he died. It was as if she had the prospect of resuming her life where she had left off with John. Her future was about to be decided in the Leicestershire countryside just a few miles away from where she had spent the happiest days of her life.
Her daughter joined her as they watched the army depart. Soon one of them would be Queen of England, but which one?
Next Chapter
The dummy run
Richard decided upon a royal tour of his realm to consolidate his position. Buckingham returned to Brecon with Morton.
For all Richard's efforts, discontent was brewing in some of the southern counties. Rebellious movements arose in support of the restoration of Edward V. Lady Margaret Beaufort saw in this an opportunity to regain the initiative. Urgently she sought information from Buckingham about the whereabouts of the young princes. When Buckingham replied that Richard had sent them away, he knew not where, she instructed him to foment the rumour that the princes had been killed. For added realism, he should hint strongly that he had some personal involvement in their death.
It was a master stroke. People at large, already wary of Richard, were filled with abhorrence at the thought that he had murdered his nephews in the Tower, and with the princes supposedly dead the only figurehead remaining to lead the opposition to Richard was, of course, Henry Tudor.
Buckingham raised his forces in the name of Henry Tudor. However Buckingham was nowhere near as popular a governor of his territory as Richard was in the north, so the men he commanded were half hearted. In addition, the notoriously changeable British weather turned against him and he was soon defeated. Eventually apprehended, he was beheaded in Salisbury market place on the sabbath. This ensured a good crowd for the execution, but perhaps Richard would have been wiser to listen to those who advised him not to profane the Lord's day in this way.
For her part in the rebellion, Lady Margaret Beaufort forfeited all of her estate to her husband Lord Stanley who had maintained a position of loyalty to Richard.
Lady Margaret Beaufort was unperturbed. This had been a dummy run. Next time there would be a power surge.
Next Chapter
For all Richard's efforts, discontent was brewing in some of the southern counties. Rebellious movements arose in support of the restoration of Edward V. Lady Margaret Beaufort saw in this an opportunity to regain the initiative. Urgently she sought information from Buckingham about the whereabouts of the young princes. When Buckingham replied that Richard had sent them away, he knew not where, she instructed him to foment the rumour that the princes had been killed. For added realism, he should hint strongly that he had some personal involvement in their death.
It was a master stroke. People at large, already wary of Richard, were filled with abhorrence at the thought that he had murdered his nephews in the Tower, and with the princes supposedly dead the only figurehead remaining to lead the opposition to Richard was, of course, Henry Tudor.
Buckingham raised his forces in the name of Henry Tudor. However Buckingham was nowhere near as popular a governor of his territory as Richard was in the north, so the men he commanded were half hearted. In addition, the notoriously changeable British weather turned against him and he was soon defeated. Eventually apprehended, he was beheaded in Salisbury market place on the sabbath. This ensured a good crowd for the execution, but perhaps Richard would have been wiser to listen to those who advised him not to profane the Lord's day in this way.
For her part in the rebellion, Lady Margaret Beaufort forfeited all of her estate to her husband Lord Stanley who had maintained a position of loyalty to Richard.
Lady Margaret Beaufort was unperturbed. This had been a dummy run. Next time there would be a power surge.
Next Chapter
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Gloucester takes the crown
Gloucester was brooding in his room, late at night, totally demoralised. Hastings' treachery had caused him to doubt his own judgment so much that he felt he could no longer trust anyone, a lonely place to be.
There was a knock at the door. It was Waynflete, and he had brought Stillington, the Bishop of Bath and Wells, with him. Thinking he could do with some divine assistance, but with little faith that he would receive it, he invited the men in.
Waynflete related the information that Elizabeth had given him: that Lady Margaret Beaufort was plotting to make Henry Tudor King with Princess Elizabeth of York as Queen, and that Elizabeth believed that Gloucester had been tricked into believing that Hastings wanted to kill him, though she did not know how that had been done.
Gloucester was astounded. Part of him wanted to believe Elizabeth, but part of him was afraid that this was a Woodville ruse.
Waynflete then explained that as a token of her good faith, Elizabeth had sent Stillington who had information that would put Elizabeth completely in Gloucester's power.
Stillington revealed to Gloucester that he had married Edward IV to Lady Eleanor Talbot before his marriage to Elizabeth, the secret that had cost Clarence his life.
Suddenly the world made sense again to Gloucester. With renewed confidence, he acted swiftly.
Hastings would be laid to rest in a place of honour near to his master Edward IV. His wife and children would inherit his estate.
The Bishops would arrange for trustworthy ministers to preach against illegitimate children inheriting from their parents.
A law would be drawn up excluding Edward V and his brother from the throne on account of their illegitimacy, and making Gloucester King Richard III as the legitimate heir.
Sir James Tyrrell, who had served Gloucester faithfully for years, would be charged with keeping Edward V and his brother in a safe place, overseas if necessary.
Gloucester needed to protect his source. He would free the bogus conspirators Morton, Rotherham and Stanley, so no one would think that he suspected them. As for Elizabeth, his opponents had already solved the problem for him. In his law of illegitimacy, he would accuse her of obtaining her marriage by sorcery. This would give the appearance that he was displeased with her, but no one would take the charge seriously.
The plan was excecuted successfully. Buckingham was disconcerted by the departure from Lady Margaret's script. He insisted upon retaining his guide Morton as his personal prisoner, but otherwise was powerless to stand in Gloucester's way. The decorative part of the constitution, parliament, meekly passed the law of illegitimacy submitted by the executive, as remains the custom in England. Gloucester and Anne were crowned King and Queen.
Next Chapter
There was a knock at the door. It was Waynflete, and he had brought Stillington, the Bishop of Bath and Wells, with him. Thinking he could do with some divine assistance, but with little faith that he would receive it, he invited the men in.
Waynflete related the information that Elizabeth had given him: that Lady Margaret Beaufort was plotting to make Henry Tudor King with Princess Elizabeth of York as Queen, and that Elizabeth believed that Gloucester had been tricked into believing that Hastings wanted to kill him, though she did not know how that had been done.
Gloucester was astounded. Part of him wanted to believe Elizabeth, but part of him was afraid that this was a Woodville ruse.
Waynflete then explained that as a token of her good faith, Elizabeth had sent Stillington who had information that would put Elizabeth completely in Gloucester's power.
Stillington revealed to Gloucester that he had married Edward IV to Lady Eleanor Talbot before his marriage to Elizabeth, the secret that had cost Clarence his life.
Suddenly the world made sense again to Gloucester. With renewed confidence, he acted swiftly.
Hastings would be laid to rest in a place of honour near to his master Edward IV. His wife and children would inherit his estate.
The Bishops would arrange for trustworthy ministers to preach against illegitimate children inheriting from their parents.
A law would be drawn up excluding Edward V and his brother from the throne on account of their illegitimacy, and making Gloucester King Richard III as the legitimate heir.
Sir James Tyrrell, who had served Gloucester faithfully for years, would be charged with keeping Edward V and his brother in a safe place, overseas if necessary.
Gloucester needed to protect his source. He would free the bogus conspirators Morton, Rotherham and Stanley, so no one would think that he suspected them. As for Elizabeth, his opponents had already solved the problem for him. In his law of illegitimacy, he would accuse her of obtaining her marriage by sorcery. This would give the appearance that he was displeased with her, but no one would take the charge seriously.
The plan was excecuted successfully. Buckingham was disconcerted by the departure from Lady Margaret's script. He insisted upon retaining his guide Morton as his personal prisoner, but otherwise was powerless to stand in Gloucester's way. The decorative part of the constitution, parliament, meekly passed the law of illegitimacy submitted by the executive, as remains the custom in England. Gloucester and Anne were crowned King and Queen.
Next Chapter
The official conspiracy theory
The Protector's Council meeting was about to begin. Gloucester was amiably complimenting the Bishop of Ely on his Holborn garden, particularly his strawberries, when he was called out of the chamber for an urgent message. Reliable intelligence had been received that Lord Hastings was planning to assassinate Gloucester. Gloucester dismissed the suggestion, but the informant was insistent. To humour him, Gloucester accompanied him to Hastings' quarters. The rooms were locked, and there was no sign of forced entry to any of them. A guard broke into the bedchamber and began searching it under Gloucester's watchful gaze. Several minutes passed and nothing was found, just as Gloucester expected. But then a drawer was opened revealing letters from the men held at Pontefract Castle. The letters did indeed discuss murdering Gloucester. Soon other letters were found, showing that Bishop Morton of Ely, Archbishop Rotherham of York, Lord Stanley, Queen Elizabeth and "Jane Shore" were also part of the conspiracy. Gloucester was stunned. Even now he could not believe it possible of Hastings, but how could he deny the evidence before him?
Gloucester re-entered the Council in a foul temper, and challenged the conspirators. To Hastings' consternation, Morton, Rotherham and Stanley immediately confessed their involvement in the non-existent plot, begging for mercy and blaming their involvement upon the witchcraft of Queen Elizabeth. Noticing Gloucester's scepticism on this last point, Buckingham prudently offered to take the supergrasses into his personal custody, leaving Hastings to face the white heat of Gloucester's anger. This man had served his brother with unfailing diligence and loyalty. This man had fought alongside him at Barnet and Tewkesbury. This man, of all men, was his most dependable ally. But this man was planning to kill him. It was impossible to comprehend, so raw emotion took over. Gloucester ordered the immediate execution of Hastings. The lack of a block delayed it long enough for a compassionate guard to locate a priest. A log was found adequate to the purpose, and the deed was done. Orders were sent to Pontefract Castle to deal likewise with Rivers, Grey and Vaughan.
Buckingham took advantage of the climate of fear to detach Edward IV's younger son from Queen Elizabeth, arguing that "as the boy had done nothing wrong he did not need sanctuary", re-uniting him with Edward V in the Tower of London "for his own safety".
Next Chapter
Gloucester re-entered the Council in a foul temper, and challenged the conspirators. To Hastings' consternation, Morton, Rotherham and Stanley immediately confessed their involvement in the non-existent plot, begging for mercy and blaming their involvement upon the witchcraft of Queen Elizabeth. Noticing Gloucester's scepticism on this last point, Buckingham prudently offered to take the supergrasses into his personal custody, leaving Hastings to face the white heat of Gloucester's anger. This man had served his brother with unfailing diligence and loyalty. This man had fought alongside him at Barnet and Tewkesbury. This man, of all men, was his most dependable ally. But this man was planning to kill him. It was impossible to comprehend, so raw emotion took over. Gloucester ordered the immediate execution of Hastings. The lack of a block delayed it long enough for a compassionate guard to locate a priest. A log was found adequate to the purpose, and the deed was done. Orders were sent to Pontefract Castle to deal likewise with Rivers, Grey and Vaughan.
Buckingham took advantage of the climate of fear to detach Edward IV's younger son from Queen Elizabeth, arguing that "as the boy had done nothing wrong he did not need sanctuary", re-uniting him with Edward V in the Tower of London "for his own safety".
Next Chapter
Lady Margaret's hour arrives
Lady Margaret Beaufort had been consolidating her position. Upon the death of Henry Stafford, she had married another Yorkist sympathiser, Lord Stanley.
Upon the death of Margaret of Anjou, she had become the leader of the Lancastrians. Her son, Henry Tudor, was their new pretender for the crown. His claim was sufficiently obscure that she had deemed it wise to bide her time rather than assert it in battle. The Beauforts were the illegitimate offspring of the Duke of Lancaster, third son of Edward III. Richard II had legitimated the Beaufort line. Henry IV had added some small print to deny them the right to inherit the throne, but no one reads the small print.
With the death of Edward IV in 1483, the time had come to put her patient planning to the test. The strategy was simple: divide and rule. Edward had willed that Gloucester should act as Protector until his son came of age. She would set Gloucester and the old Yorkists against the upstart Woodvilles, let them destroy each other, then take the spoils.
Next Chapter
Upon the death of Margaret of Anjou, she had become the leader of the Lancastrians. Her son, Henry Tudor, was their new pretender for the crown. His claim was sufficiently obscure that she had deemed it wise to bide her time rather than assert it in battle. The Beauforts were the illegitimate offspring of the Duke of Lancaster, third son of Edward III. Richard II had legitimated the Beaufort line. Henry IV had added some small print to deny them the right to inherit the throne, but no one reads the small print.
With the death of Edward IV in 1483, the time had come to put her patient planning to the test. The strategy was simple: divide and rule. Edward had willed that Gloucester should act as Protector until his son came of age. She would set Gloucester and the old Yorkists against the upstart Woodvilles, let them destroy each other, then take the spoils.
Next Chapter
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)