White Boar and the Red Dragon, The (16 page)

‘How can you believe that, my lord? We are all honest men here.’

‘I believe that most of you are, but some who would otherwise have supported their neighbour have probably been bribed or threatened beforehand to agree with the guilty verdict. It was a foregone conclusion.’

‘My lord, this is a terrible accusation to make. How do you justify it?’

‘Because I happen to know that one of the jurors here has his own axe to grind and would do very well from a guilty verdict, as he can then appropriate some of the lands of the accused!’

‘Where do you get such information, my lord? And of whom do you speak?’

‘Let us say from a source I trust. And these proceedings will now go no further, as I am using my superior authority to put a stop to them, until certain jurors have been questioned and investigated. But that will be done not only by me, but by Earl William Herbert himself, whom I am about to visit at Chepstow Castle. If this new law did originate from him, then he will confirm the fact. In the meantime, I will take the prisoner in charge with me, and I wish to take your jury member with the staff also, Hugh ap Davies, I believe his name is? No other juror will leave this village until given permission to do so, as some will have to be investigated by Earl William’s men. Before I leave here, I want a list of all those other eleven men’s names.’

There was a stunned silence after these words, and nobody moved or spoke as they took them in. Then, as Hugh ap Davies was taken into custody by two of Richard’s men, who put him on a horse, leaving his hands free so that he could use the reins, but with each of his arms tied to one of theirs, so that he could not make a dash to escape if he had a mind to, a babble of voices broke out, both in Welsh and English.

Richard and Francis had Evan ap Thomas ride at the head of the column, well away from his adversary and accuser, who was to ride along in the middle of it, making it even more impossible for him to escape. But, before he was led away, Hugh managed to shoot a look of venomous hatred at Evan, which was full of menace. Richard and Francis saw it and drew their own conclusions.

Then, after Richard had been handed the hastily drawn-up list of names by the judge, they proceeded on their way to Chepstow Castle.

Raglan Castle, Gwent, Late February 1470

‘My lord, that was a very good deed you did for the Welshman,’ cried Francis Lovell, riding by the side, as always, of his master and friend, Richard, Duke of Gloucester. ‘It gave joy to my heart to see him ride away home, a free man, because of your intervention. If you had done nothing, he could very well have been hung in Wentwood Forest.’

‘I am only glad that the new Lord William of Chepstow has the same ideas about what true justice is as I have. His father was an honest and good man and had obviously instilled the same virtues in his eldest son. I liked him, Francis—did you?’

‘Very much. And he will rule this part of the country well, though he is so young. He seems just and caring about the common man—as you are Richard. The way he dealt with the other one—what was his name?—these Welsh names are so confusing—was exemplary. As you suspected, the man proved to be corrupt and willing to go to any lengths—including bribery, coercion by threats, and a lot more besides, I am sure—to get his hands on Evan’s boundary land. He was bribing jurors and threatening them with violence—and their families—if they did not do his will!’

‘If we all work together to stamp out injustice—those of us who have the authority to do it—then the House of York will build up a reputation for fair and honest dealing and the people will love us for it. Perjury and corruption must be eradicated, and fair-dealing for all must take its place!’

‘I told you before, Richard, that you are an idealist. But there is nothing wrong with having such ambitions for one’s country. The problem is that human nature can be utterly base when a man sees an opportunity for gain. Only a few will be moral enough to resist the chance for advancement or material benefit, by fair means or foul, even if it involves terrible injustice to others in a weaker position.’

‘Do not be so pessimistic, Francis. I truly believe that there is some good in all men, somewhere—if only one can find it. One has to encourage it by providing a system of law which gives all men an equal chance. The bad will be punished and the innocent will be exonerated. Good laws are surely an effective deterrent to would-be wrong-doers?’

‘But how can they be enforced properly? Especially in out-of-the-way places like this? If a man is determined enough and there is no one in authority to actually stop him, he will go ahead anyway and do whatever he wills, lawful or unlawful—it has always been so.’

‘Then we must establish a system with a body of professional judges and proper courts of law in every town in the land! After what I have seen, I shall encourage Edward to initiate this.’

‘I wish you luck in your endeavours, my friend! As I have already told you, I believe you would make an excellent king. You have the right idea for the commonweal of the country.’

‘And as I have told you, Francis, that is most unlikely ever to happen! Only if some calamitous event occurs which wipes out Edward, his children, and my brother George of Clarence. I am well down the line of inheritance!’

‘But you are in direct line, Richard. I wish—’

‘Now you are beginning to sound a little traitorous, Francis! I know you have no ill will towards Edward and mean him no harm, but if you were overheard saying such things, what would people think? They might even believe that I, as the king’s brother—and your closest friend—felt this way. You know that I do not, but others don’t!’

‘I am sorry. I did not think. Forgive me, my lord.’

‘Freely, Francis. Now we are approaching Raglan Castle, where we will meet not only Lord William Herbert’s widow—who is also the mother of young Earl William of Chepstow Castle, the Lady Anne Devereux—but one who has intrigued me greatly for some years, one who also has a claim to the throne, if somewhat ephemeral—like mine! He is but a boy of some thirteen years—Henry Tudor—the last hope of the Lancastrians!’

The First Meeting, Raglan Castle, Gwent, Late February 1470

Henry Tudor, now a strong, well-grown boy of thirteen years, was out riding his well-trained horse, the birthday gift from his always-absent mother, Margaret Beaufort, whom he had named Owen, after his famous ancestor, Owen Glendower.

He had reached the summit of a steep hill about a mile away from Raglan Castle and was now surveying the surrounding country, which was mostly level, with few hills, so he had an excellent view for a very long way in all directions, in spite of the seasonal mist, which that day was mixed with the usual steady drizzle. He and his horse were taking a short rest after the arduous climb through rough, rocky scrubland and stunted bushes. Up there, the remnants of the winter snows still lingered in the dips and crannies between the rocky outcrops. It was bitterly cold, but Henry did not feel it, as his attention was caught by something in the distance—something unusual. He strained his eyes to make out the moving objects—for there were many of them—yes, a long line of slowly moving horsemen. At the head of the cavalcade rode a lone horseman holding up an easily recognisable banner. No one could fail to recognise its significance—the White Boar—the banner of Richard, Duke of Gloucester! It was quite plain to see even at this distance, held proudly upright, fixed in its special holder to the side of the saddle.

Henry’s heart began to pound even faster! Richard, Duke of Gloucester! The one he had heard so much about! At last he was about to see him in the flesh! The great commander, the king’s favourite brother! And him only five years older than Henry! Everyone knew how Richard was favoured by the king over his elder brother George when it came to acquiring positions and commands. And George was known to be bitterly jealous of this favouritism shown to his younger brother! Richard was probably en route with his men to Raglan Castle! Henry had heard from his mother in one of her recent letters—she was always writing long, encouraging letters to him—that Richard was touring South Wales in his new position as Lord Lieutenant of South Wales, showing himself to the people and meeting the chief townspeople and noble families in each district. There had also been a messenger a day or two ago—probably sent on ahead by Richard—to give Lady Anne Herbert notice of his imminent arrival, so that she would not be caught unawares by so eminent a visitor! And there he was!

Quickly, Henry jumped back up on to Owen’s back and was away down the steep slopes at a gallop. Owen was very sure footed and never faltered. He covered the ground back to the castle quickly, reaching the great gate just as the first horseman arrived at the end of the drawbridge, lifting high the White Boar banner in both hands. Henry stopped and held his panting horse reined in tightly to watch the duke and his soldiers cross the drawbridge into the great castle. The gateman had already raised the portcullis when he realised who these illustrious newcomers were. At the head of the column, just behind the banner man, rode two figures, who, though very wet and muddy from their long journey, wore clothes of the finest velvets and furs against the cold. One of them must be Richard, Duke of Gloucester. But which one?

As Henry had never seen him, he had no means of knowing. The one with glossy black hair, rather shorter than his companion, wore a black velvet hat bedecked with jewels—that must be the duke! Henry had heard that he was rather short in stature and not very strong-looking, following a childhood illness. But that this was more than made up for by his distinctive personality and great abilities. And by his authoritative voice! And at that moment, a strong, commanding voice rang out as the cavalcade drew to a halt.

‘Well, Francis, Raglan Castle at last! A long and arduous journey here in appalling weather, but I can see why this castle is nicknamed the “Royal Palace of Wales”! It is magnificent! Look at those crenellated battlements! Quite splendid—all of it!’

‘Indeed it is! Lord Herbert’s family did well for themselves! I believe his father only started to build it in 1433. And Lord Herbert has finished it.’

‘With every embellishment possible to the outside—it looks more like those French castles and chateaux than the usual Welsh castles built by Edward the First! I look forward to seeing the splendours within I have heard so much about—particularly the wonderful library! It holds manuscripts so rare as to make them priceless, a veritable Alexandrian library in our times! What a pity our loyal Lord Herbert did not live long enough to really enjoy his marvellous home! It has been a bad outcome for him—executed after the Battle of Towton by that traitor Warwick!

Now only his widow and children can enjoy this palace—only they are left to dwell in these grand halls! It is a terrible thing when faithful and loyal men are murdered by traitors! That is why I have felt the need to make this special visit to see Lady Herbert, so that she will know how much the king—and I—appreciated her husband’s loyalty. And how much we bemoan his untimely and brutal death!’

‘And that boy, my lord, the Lancastrian boy who some say has an equally good claim to the throne of England as any of the York royal family, he is here! Soon we shall meet him. Henry Tudor!’

‘Perhaps his claim is better! His mother, the formidable Margaret Beaufort, is in direct line from John of Gaunt, though on the bastard side, from his late marriage to his long-time mistress Katharine Swynburne!

Soon we shall see this boy, as you say—this Henry Tudor! His ancestor was the great Owen Glendower, who led the Welsh in the last revolt against their English overlords! He later married Henry V’s widow—the delectable Katharine of France! From his seed comes this boy—the last hope of the Lancastrians! All other possible claimants to the throne on their side are dead, after that bloody Battle of Towton!’

Henry badly wanted to shout out at once who he was. He wanted to call out, ‘He is here, my lord! I am Henry Tudor!’ proudly from where he sat so uprightly on Owen, but he managed to stifle the almost overwhelming urge. His training and upbringing told him instinctively that this was not the time—this was not the place.

The nobles caught sight of him sitting quietly there and eyed him up and down, possibly wondering who he was. He was in rough riding clothes and was unidentifiable from a dozen other boys. Possibly, they thought him a page, as he quietly watched them, for now Francis Lovell addressed him.

‘Lad, we are expected, I am sure, but there is no one to receive us here. Please go to my Lady Herbert and inform her of our arrival! Say that the Duke of Gloucester and his retinue have arrived at last, somewhat the worse for wear from this eternally wet Welsh weather, and beg her indulgence in the urgent matter of lodging and sustenance!’

Henry bowed as low as he could in the saddle, first to the duke, then to his companion and friend, Francis Lovell, still longing to say at once who he really was and that he was not some errand boy! But something held him back. Later on, there would be a proper meeting, with proper introductions, when he had bathed and dressed in his best clothes. Then, Lady Herbert would present him to the duke, after he and his men had been duly welcomed by Lady Herbert and their immediate needs seen to. Hot baths, a roaring fire, and mulled wine would surely be their first requirements! They all looked soaked and frozen! He knew how to behave in the circumstances—he had been drilled in etiquette for all occasions as well as trained in the knightly arts. And his first duty was to his royal visitor—the rules of simple hospitality to guests required that. His own needs must wait the appropriate moment.

‘My lords, I hasten to carry out your commands at once! My Lady Herbert will no doubt be in her Solar, whence I will hurry with news of your arrival! I know that preparations have been going on for days since your messenger came and all is in readiness for you! Please to make your way through the great gate into the courtyard, and I will also send messages for grooms to attend to your exhausted horses!’

He bowed again in the saddle, turned Owen round, and was away through the great gate before the duke or Lovell could utter another word.