The climax came with events in Ireland from which country urgent messages were constantly being received. The Irish were now being helped by the Scots and the Spaniards and they were determined to drive out the English colony. Action was needed. It was necessary to nominate some energetic man of high standing and ability to settle the disputes and show the Irish that the English could be as forceful within the country as on the high seas.

There was a great deal of controversy as to who would be the best man to send.

Gloucester and his friends were also complaining against Richard’s Chancellor, Michael de la Pole, whom he had created Earl of Suffolk. The new Earl was disliked largely because he was not of the same high birth as those who sought to overrule him. He had the King’s favour, they complained; Richard listened to him when he should have been paying attention to them. Meanwhile Suffolk’s wealth was growing. He was an able man but like the rest he had to look after himself, his future and his family.

Gloucester wanted him out.

He went to see the King with the object of putting this suggestion to him.

Gloucester had never treated the King with the respect which Richard now expected. He still kept up the old attitude of the uncle talking to the nephew who was only a boy. There was little that could irritate Richard more.

Gloucester said in a hectoring way: ‘Richard, there must be changes. Suffolk must go.’

‘Who says so?’ demanded Richard.

‘I say so.’

‘You, my lord? I have yet to learn that the Duke of Gloucester commands the King?’

‘Come now, Richard. This is between us of the family – the wise old uncle to the young nephew, you understand.’

‘It so happens,’ retorted Richard, ‘that the nephew happens to be your King.’

‘I know that full well. Have I not done homage to you with my peers? There is unrest in the country. You must dismiss Suffolk. The man is an upstart. Who is he? Is he of noble birth? He has climbed to his special position through sharp practice.’

‘That is a lie,’ said Richard.

‘I seem to remember one John Cavendish fishmonger …’

‘That was all cleared up. Cavendish was a rogue.’

‘My dear nephew, it is not good for you to have for your friends those who consort with fishmongers! Dismiss this man. It is what the country and your ministers want.’

‘Gloucester,’ said Richard, his voice rising on a note of anger, ‘I would not dismiss the meanest varlet in my kitchen at your bidding.’

Even Gloucester could see the Plantagenet temper rising – and as he had had his full share of it he knew how far it could carry them.

‘You should think of my words,’ he said, and bowing went out.

Richard was fuming with rage. Robert de Vere was close at hand. He had been listening to the interview.

‘Your uncle gives himself airs,’ he said. ‘By God’s teeth, there is an arrogant fellow.’

‘I think he’s worse than Lancaster.’

‘We feared Lancaster more,’ Robert reminded him.

‘I will show him,’ cried Richard. ‘Yes, I will. I will show him he had better stop interfering with me. I shall dissolve Parliament and we will go to Eltham and we will stay there. See how they like that. The Parliament conspires against me, Robert. Why should I allow them to do that? Yes, let us go to Eltham. We’ll amuse ourselves there.’

Richard began to laugh suddenly.

‘Robert, I have an idea. How would you like to be Duke of Ireland?’

‘A Duke, Richard! Do you mean it?’

‘Duke of Ireland.’

Robert was thoughtful. ‘I should have to go to Ireland. That would mean leaving you … unless you came with me.’

‘I’ll tell you what we’ll do, Robert. We’ll make you the Duke of that country. Then perhaps you can send your deputy to sort out its troubles. Oh Robert, imagine their faces when they hear.’

They were convulsed with laughter considering it. It had soothed the King’s temper. He was merry again.


* * *

Gloucester came to Eltham accompanied by Thomas Arundel – the younger brother of the naval hero – who was Bishop of Ely.

Richard wanted to refuse to see them but he thought better of that when he heard that they had not come on their own decision but had behind them the backing of the Parliament which did not like Richard’s attempt to dissolve them, nor did they appreciate his leaving Westminster for Eltham.

When Gloucester and the Bishop were received by the King, they intimated that they wished to be entirely alone with him, without even the presence of the Queen and certainly not de Vere.

Richard, feeling obliged to grant this request, faced his uncle and the Bishop and haughtily asked what they wanted.

‘We have come here to tell you, my lord, that the Parliament requires your presence at Westminster.’

‘And shall I tell you, my lord, that I prefer to be here.’

‘This is a State matter, my lord.’

‘It would be well to remember it.’

Gloucester made an impatient gesture.

‘Richard, I appeal to you as your uncle and one who has your welfare as deeply at heart as any. You cannot rule without your Parliament. Others have tried to do it and failed. I beg of you take heed.’

‘I have never been able to rule,’ cried Richard, ‘except once when the rebels were at our gates and the rest of you were cowering behind the walls of the Tower. Do you remember that, my lord?’

Gloucester did remember. That had been a terrifying time and he knew that he – like so many – had not distinguished himself by his bravery, whereas this boy – a stripling – had ridden out to face the mob. It was true. And because of that, great deeds had been expected of him. It had been his hour of glory – but alas a brief one.

Gloucester said: ‘I remember it well, my lord. Who will ever forget? But you cannot live for ever on one brief spell of glory. You have a country to rule and a country is not a mob of unlettered peasants. You must listen to your Parliament. You must return to Westminster. You must not give your ear to favourites. Suffolk must go. The Parliament is demanding that.’

‘It is not for them to demand.’

‘Richard, I would like to remind you of what befell your great-grandfather.’

‘I have heard it before.’

‘Yes, but have you ever thought how easily it could happen to you? Imagine him … in his chamber of terror. They say they used a red hot poker …’

‘Stop it!’ cried Richard. ‘I have heard it. I do not wish to hear it again.’

‘Then remember it only as an example of what can happen to Kings who do not please their people. We shall expect you in Westminster within the next few days.’

‘Get out from my sight!’ shouted Richard.

Gloucester and Arundel bowed and departed.

Both Robert and the Queen tried to divert Richard, but they could not. He kept thinking of his tragic great-grandfather. That night he was awakened by nightmares. He screamed in his sleep.

It was almost as though the ghost of his great-grandfather was at his bedside warning him.

The next day he returned to Westminster. In due course, Suffolk was impeached and fined. There was a list of charges against him, among them that he had received grants from the King to which he was not entitled and that he had misappropriated funds. They were clearly trumped up that he might be banished from his office.

Richard had given way, terrified by the ghost of his great-grandfather.


* * *

The Queen had been watching events with some trepidation. Like Richard she was very wary of Gloucester and she knew that until Richard came of age one or other of the uncles would always attempt to overshadow him.

One of her favourite attendants was a Bohemian girl whom she had brought with her when she came to England. The girl was clever and, although not strikingly good looking, her vivacity made her one of the most attractive girls at Court.

Anne certainly enjoyed chatting with her. Some said that she was low born. The trouble with some people at Court was that they thought anyone who was not royal was far beneath their notice. As Anne had said to Richard – and he had agreed with her whole-heartedly in this – it was not birth that made an interesting person but character.

Robert agreed with them. He was very amusing and he enjoyed imitating some of the more pompous of the people who inhabited the Court. They could be riotously gay together. Launcecrona, the Queen’s attractive attendant, was also a marvellous mimic and often Anne made her perform before the King and Robert.

Mimicry was rather a dangerous weapon. Robert said: ‘Do you know the best way to defeat your enemies? It is to ridicule them.’

There was a great deal in that. So they had to be careful, and being careful had resulted in the four of them being together alone which was frowned on; but Richard had taught Anne that some of the most exciting things in life were those of which others did not approve.

Lately Anne had noticed that Robert’s eyes were often on La Lancegrove as he called Launcecrona. She had seen their hands touch now and then; she had watched their lingering glances.

She thought it best to speak to Launcecrona and took the first opportunity.

‘You have not forgotten, my dear,’ she said, ‘that Robert de Vere is married.’

‘No, I had not forgotten it,’ answered Launcecrona.

‘And his wife happens to be a lady from a very noble family.’

‘I know. Robert says that the King was determined to honour him and gave him Philippa de Couci to show his affection for him.’

‘And the match was very beneficial to him. So Robert is irrevocably married.’

‘My lady,’ said Launcecrona, ‘is anything in this life irrevocable?’

‘Marriage with the royal family could well be,’ said Anne, and when she saw Launcecrona’s sly smile she continued to be uneasy.

It was not long after that when Launcecrona confided in the Queen that Robert was determined to put away his wife and marry her.

‘How can he possibly do so?’ asked the Queen.

‘He says there are ways. He thinks that the King will help him.’

‘The King!’

‘Yes, you know how Richard loves him.’

‘But on what grounds …’

‘Robert says that grounds can be found. They are rarely together, are they? He wants Richard to write to the Pope.’

Anne was horrified. She knew that if Richard did any such thing a great many people would be displeased. There was no reason whatsoever why Robert should divorce his wife except that he had fallen in love with another woman and wanted to marry her. She doubted whether that would be considered sufficient reason for divorce.

Richard talked to her about it.

‘Robert is quite determined,’ he said. ‘He talks of little else. La Lancegrove is very amusing. They suit each other very well.’

‘But what of his wife?’

‘He asked me to do what I can with the Pope.’

‘Richard … can you?’

‘I have always told Robert that I will do anything … just anything for him.’

‘I know, but you were not thinking of anything like this.’

‘I shall do what I can for him, Anne.’

She was astounded. She had not realised the extent of Richard’s devotion to his friend. Richard was watching her intently. ‘I want you to do something too, Anne.’

She waited, her heart beating faster.

‘I want you also to write to the Pope. I want you to tell him how important it is that there should be a dispensation, that Robert should marry Launcecrona.’

‘On what grounds?’ asked Anne.

‘We must think of something which makes it very necessary.’

For the first time since she had come to England Anne wanted to disagree with her husband.

Before she had been eager to love him and be loved by him. She had understood how easily his temper was aroused and had determined it never should be against her.

They had been so happy together. But now he was asking her to do something of which she could not approve.

For one thing they could hold nothing against Robert’s wife. It was true she and her husband saw little of each other but then it had been a marriage of convenience and as such had seemed satisfactory. If Robert had not fallen under the spell of the gay Bohemian there would never have been any question of divorce.