The Star of Lancaster - Plaidy Jean - Страница 29

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There remained Gloucester who was eventually captured and sent to Calais where he died mysteriously in an inn, said to have been smothered by feather beds being pressed upon him.

John of Gaunt was very disturbed. Thomas was after all his brother. There had never been great friendship between them even when they were young but when John had arranged for his son to get the coveted Garter award by ousting Thomas he had aroused his vitriolic brother's enmity; and even more so when he had snatched Mary from his control

I

and married her fortune to his son Henry.

Still he was a brother and, as he confided to Henry, it was interesting to note that the three who had been pursued so relentlessly by the King—Gloucester, Arundel and Warwick —were three of the five Lords Appellant who had some years before confronted the King arms linked to show solidarity and wrung concessions from him.

The other two were Thomas Mowbray and Henry himself.

'You see,' said the wise Duke of Lancaster, *it is necessary to tread very warily. Richard does not forget what he considers to be an insult. You and Mowbray should be watchful.'

Richard however seemed to be fond of his cousin. He made him a Duke and Henry was now Duke of Hereford and Thomas Mowbray was Duke of Norfolk, so it seemed that long-ago incident was forgotten.

When he had bestowed the honour, Richard showed his friendship towards Henry by asking about his family and condoling with him on the death of his wife.

'We share a misfortune,' he said, and went on to extol the virtues of his beloved Anne. It was true he had a little Queen of whom he was already fond. A child merely; but he was going to cherish her and bring her up to love England and to be its Queen.

'In some ways you are more fortunate than I,' said the King. Tou have your boys and girls. How many is it now? Four boys, I hear.'

'Yes, I have four and two girls.'

'And how old is your heir—young Harry of Monmouth is it not?'

'He is ten years old.*

'And bright for his age, I hear. I want to meet Harry of Monmouth. I'll tell you what, cousin, he shall come to Court.'

'I am overwhelmed by the honour,' said Henry trying to hide his uneasiness. 'He is now at Oxford in the care of my half-brother Henry Beaufort. He is Chancellor of the University, as you know, and it is good for Harry to be under his tuition.'

'He would learn more at Court, cousin.'

'You are too kind to the boy, my lord. He is over young to be a courtier.'

'I am determined to have him here. I hear he is something of a rogue.'

'My lord, he is but a child.'

*But able to give a good account of himself. I like the sound of young Harry of Monmouth. I will send word that he is to come to Court.'

It was clear that Richard was determined, and with a sinking heart Henry went to his father to tell him what had taken place between him and Richard.

Lancaster was at first disturbed by the news and then he said: It may well be that Richard wishes to show friendship. He has made you a Duke. He relies on me and has come to trust me. I think he is perhaps merely showing favour to my grandson.'

In any case,' replied Henry. 'There is nothing we can do about it/

Harry was not sorry to leave Oxford for the Court. The King received him with a show of affection. *My good uncle's grandson,' he said. 'You are welcome, Harry.'

Harry responded with genuine pleasure. He liked this good looking, sumptuously attired man with the delicate hands and the pink and white skin which coloured so pleasantly when he showed excitement, with the glittering garments and delicate perfume which hung about him.

And he is the King, thought Harry; and from that moment he wanted to be a king himself.

There was so much to see at Court. He first went to Eltham where the King was at that time and he was enchanted by the place. It was very different from gloomy Tutbury and even Kenilworth suffered by comparison. Richard, about whom everything must be elegant and in what he considered perfect taste which meant a reflection of his own delight in the combinations of colour and patterns, was amused to see how overawed his young kinsman was and for a while kept him close to him.

He showed him the rebuilding he had done at Eltham— the new bath house. 'Never neglect to bathe, Harry,' he said. 'The practice gives pleasure to yourself as well as those about you. I abhor unsavoury odours.* It was a practice the King carried out regularly. His person was always exquisite. He gave as much thought to the cut of his long-sleeved coats, the new houpelandes, his high collars, the padded shoulders of

his jackets, his skin tight hose and his long pointed shoes as he did to matters of state. There was also the painted chamber and the dancing chamber—for the King loved to dance—and he had made new gardens for his recreation and alfresco entertainments.

It was a new world for Harry. He had been given a cote hardie decorated with the badge of the white hart which showed he was of the King's household; and when the Court travelled he travelled with it.

His days were full. He longed to be a knight and take part in the jousts but he was ten years old and others did not forget it if he did. He must attend his lessons with others of his age, for there were boys like himself from noble households at Court; then he must learn to ride and use his sword, practise archery so that when the time came for him to win his spurs he would be able to give a good account of himself.

It was a very different life from that he had lived under his mother's care or when he had been at Oxford. Harry absorbed what was going on around him and it excited him. Life at the King's Court was the life for him.

After he had been at Court for a week or so the King lost interest in him and he was just one of the boys who was being brought up there. He did not mind. There was enough to absorb him and he was more interested in the outdoor life than the books and music and fine clothes which the King set such store by.

The Court had moved to Windsor and the King was in good spirits. It was because the little Queen was there Harry was told, and Richard very much enjoyed the company of the little girl.

Harry was interested in the Queen because she was about his age and he thought how wonderful it must be to be so important.

Sometimes he would see the riders going off into the forest led by the King and beside him would ride the most beautiful girl Harry had ever seen. She was vivacious and added gesticulations to her persistent chatter. Her dark long hair hung loose about her shoulders and she wore the most elegant clothes which Harry learned had been chosen by the King.

One day when he was having a dancing lesson, which he was obliged to tolerate, she came into the room to watch. There were two other girls and two boys as well as himself

and his partner and they were practising the newest Court dances. He felt more awkward than ever for those sparkling dark eyes had selected him for her special attention and it did not help matters when the dancing instructor pointed out another false step he had made.

Then the little Queen ran to him and taking his hand cried: 'Come, dance with me, clumsy boy. I will show you the way.'

He was overcome with embarrassment and disliked her in spite of her beauty which excited him and made him want to keep looking at her.

1 do not wish it, Madam,' he said with a haughty bow.

*My lord,' said the instructor. 'The Queen honours you/

Harry said: *I am not honoured.'

She began to laugh.

*He has no grace, this one,' she said in rather halting English.

'The Queen commands you to dance with her/ said the instructor glaring at him and trying to convey some message.

'No, no,' cried Isabella. 'I do not command. If he does not wish ...' She lifted her shoulders and set her features in an expression of mock tragedy. She turned to one of the other boys and took his hand, as she said, 'Music, please.'

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