Hereford was now accusing Norfolk of receiving eight thousand nobles to pay the soldiers who were guarding Calais and not using the money for the purpose for which it was intended but putting it to his own use.

Norfolk refuted the accusation with vehemence. He swore he had not appropriated the money, but he had used it all in the defence of Calais.

Richard sent for them once more and advised them to forget their differences; but the two men declared that they would never do this and the only thing that would satisfy them would be for them to meet in single combat.

Richard considered this. It would probably mean death for one of them; and the other might not come well out of the affray. Perhaps it was not a bad idea. They had been against him once; who knew when they would be again? It was not such a bad notion to let them destroy themselves in a petty personal quarrel.

There should be this combat. The people would enjoy it and it was always a good idea to give them lavish entertainment when they were restive.


* * *

The contest was to be held at Coventry and it was to be a very splendid occasion. Richard had ordered that a very luxurious pavilion be erected for him and his Court. Lancaster had another – equally magnificent – put up for him and his family.

Hereford had ordered a special suit of armour for the occasion and this was supplied by his friend, the Duke of Milan. Not to be outdone Norfolk sent to Germany for his for everyone knew that the Milanese and the Germans were expert armourers and it was a matter of opinion who was the better.

The day of the tournament arrived and all through the previous day people had been arriving to take their places in order to ensure a good view.

There was a gasp of delight when Hereford appeared mounted on a white horse very elaborately caparisoned with green and blue velvet embroidered with swans and antelopes in gold.

The ceremony began with the Marshal’s demanding who he was.

‘I am Henry of Lancaster, Duke of Hereford,’ was the reply, ‘which am come hither to challenge Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, as traitor unto God, the King, the realm and to me.’

‘Do you swear upon the Holy Ghost that your quarrel be just?’ asked the Marshal.

‘I do,’ cried Hereford in a loud ringing voice as he sheathed his sword and dropped his visor; and crossing himself and taking his lance in his hand he moved forward.

Norfolk then appeared, his charger caparisoned with equal splendour in red velvet embroidered with lions and mulberry trees.

He gave the same assurance and cried out: ‘God aid him that hath the right.’

All was ready now for the signal to begin.

Richard had been waiting for this moment. He had made up his mind before his arrival at the field. He did not trust either of these two; they had come against him once, they would do so again. It was true one might kill the other but there would still be one left. He had come to the conclusion that here was a heaven-sent chance to rid himself of the two of them.

He had allowed the preparations for combat to continue because he knew that the people would have been angry if it had been cancelled. Now they had seen the splendours and had witnessed the arrival of the two protagonists; and although they were not going to see the actual combat, they would have the thrill of being present at the dénouement.

It was a dramatic moment as Hereford and Norfolk, lances ready, were about to move forward. Then Richard rose in his seat and threw down his staff. This was a sign to call an immediate halt to the proceedings.

The heralds gave the traditional shout of ‘Ho! Ho!’ while the crowd waited, tense with excitement. Richard ordered that the Dukes should give up their lances and return to their places.

It was then announced that the King wished to discuss the case of this quarrel with his Council and they would retire to the royal pavilion to do so. Meanwhile all must wait for their decision as to whether the combat should go on.

It was two hours later when the decision was given.

The King and his Council had come to the conclusion that no good purpose could be served by this combat. It was not a matter of which man could acquit himself best in the lists, but which was a traitor to the King and the realm; and as neither of them had assured the King of his loyalty and he lacked trust in either, he was going to send them into exile, Norfolk for life and Hereford for ten years.

There was a great sigh in the crowd and then a deathly silence.

The horror of the two men was apparent. Exile! It was the most dreaded word. And why should the King have given such stern sentences? One thing was clear. He was very uneasy and he saw something more in this than a petty quarrel between two proud men.

During the time of their exile they were not to see each other or to communicate in any way.

There was a great deal of murmuring among the crowd as it dispersed. It had been robbed of one excitement but another perhaps even greater had replaced it. They had little sympathy for Norfolk; he was not popular but Hereford was one of their heroes. He had lost his wife recently – a young and beautiful woman; he had a family the eldest of which was a bright boy known as Harry of Monmouth. They could not understand why both men should be punished. Surely Hereford had done the right thing in disclosing what Norfolk had said to him.

It was all very mysterious. But not to Richard. There had been five knights who had come against him and this would mark his vengeance on them all. Hereford had given him the opportunity when he had made his complaints against Norfolk.


* * *

Fifteen days in which to settle affairs and leave the country!

It was a drastic sentence and clearly showed the spite in Richard’s nature.

He did not wish to see either of them again, he said. Let them look to their affairs and be gone.

Hereford rode to Leicester Castle to see his father. John of Gaunt had aged considerably. When he had heard the news he could scarcely believe it. His son, Henry, who was the hope of the Lancastrian cause, to be sent into exile! There could not have been a greater blow.

He embraced him with great sorrow.

‘My son,’ he cried, ‘what does this mean?’

‘It’s Richard’s revenge,’ said Henry. ‘He has never really forgiven me.’

‘But because of that stupid affair … I blame myself for advising you to go to him.’

‘It was the only thing. Norfolk was up to some trick I know. He was trying to destroy me.’

John nodded. Henry was wise and he was dedicated to one purpose. He wanted the crown as John had once wanted it; but Henry was more subtle than his father. He worked with more caution and with a more ruthless determination.

‘’Tis done,’ said John. ‘We must make the best of it. One thing we must make certain of. When I die my estates must not be forfeited to the crown but must go where they belong … to you.’

‘I pray you do not talk of death.’

‘Sometimes I feel it close. Do not mention this to Catherine. She watches over me like a mother with an ailing child. I would not have her distressed.’

‘You have many years left to you.’

‘My son, you say what you think I should like to hear. It may be that I shall not die for years but we must make my estates secure. Richard must swear that they shall not be forfeit to the crown, for if you are not here to claim them and are still living in banishment he could take them.’

‘Do you think he will agree?’

‘He is going to agree,’ said John. ‘Before you leave, you and I shall visit him.’

‘Do you think he will see me? He has told me to leave in fifteen days. Two of them have already passed.’

‘He will see me and you will be with me,’ said John with a flash of his old spirit. ‘Never fear, he will grant this. I shall see to it. His position is not such a happy one as he could wish. The people have great regard for you, Henry, and for young Harry too. That boy has a way of winning hearts.’

‘The King is never seen without his bodyguard of Cheshire archers. It seems as though he fears attack.’

‘It is unwise of him for they do not make the people love him. They have an evil reputation, those archers. They behave as if they are at war. They are like soldiers pillaging the enemy’s towns and villages as they march through our own. But these are the King’s own subjects. They rape and murder and are not brought to account. The King will not be loved for his archers.’

‘Richard is a fool, Father. One of these days he will be brought face to face with his folly.’ Henry’s eyes glowed with determination as he said that.

‘Take care, my son,’ warned John of Gaunt. ‘Do nothing until you are ready. Await the opportunity.’

‘Aye,’ said Henry. ‘You must trust me to do that.’

‘And what of the children?’

‘I want you and Catherine to take the three eldest.’

‘Indeed we shall. Harry is at Court, is he not?’

‘Yes, I have sent for him,’ said Henry, ‘but he has not yet come.’

John looked grave. ‘We must see the King,’ he said. ‘And what of Humphrey and the girls?’

‘My friend, Hugh Waterton, is taking them. He will care for them and I have asked that they attend Mass each day to pray for the repose of their mother’s soul.’

Catherine joined them. Her beautiful eyes were uneasy; she knew how upset John was at the banishment of his son; and she feared that Henry might make trouble while he was on the Continent and that John would become embroiled in it.

But she was happy at the prospect of having his grandsons in her care. She liked the boys, particularly Harry who was the brightest of them all. She was also relieved that John was getting older and no longer felt the inclination to take an active part in the troubles of the kingdom.

She was apprehensive though when John said he was going to accompany Henry to Eltham to see the King.

‘For what purpose?’ she asked.

He explained about the necessity to get the King’s agreement regarding his estates. She was depressed, for she knew that the question of the estates would only arise on John’s death.

‘He’ll be back long before there is any problem about the estates,’ she said rather angrily.

John pressed her hand and said no more on the subject; but when Henry rode out he went with him.


* * *

Richard received them at Eltham Palace. He could hardly turn his uncle away, particularly as John had supported him and had been for some time reckoned as his principal adviser.

‘This is a sorry matter,’ said John. ‘And one it is hard to understand.’

‘It is clear to me,’ replied Richard shortly; and John saw that it would be unwise to anger him.

‘I am saying farewell to my son,’ said John.

‘His time here is growing short,’ replied Richard coldly.

‘And there are one or two points which I want to clear up before he goes. I am sure you will understand my concern, for you will wish to be just to your cousin and to me.’

‘It is always my desire to administer justice,’ retorted Richard.

‘Then, my lord, I want your undertaking that in the event of my dying during my son’s absence, my estates will pass to him and not be forfeited to the Crown.’

Richard waved his hand. ‘That request is granted,’ he said. Then he added: ‘Why Uncle, you have many years left to you.’

‘So I trust,’ answered John of Gaunt.

‘My father will care for my elder sons,’ said Henry. ‘Thomas and John are on their way to Leicester now. He will take Harry back with him.’

Richard shook his head and regarded his cousin coolly.

‘Nay, nay,’ he said. ‘Not young Harry. I have grown fond of the lad.’

John saw the stricken look in his son’s eyes.

‘My lord, his place is with his grandfather. He will be his guardian during my absence.’

‘I have decided to be his guardian … for a while,’ said the King.

‘You mean …’

Richard was smiling gently. ‘I mean, cousin, that I love the boy so well that I would have him at Court. He shall have his duties there and you need have no fear for him.’

He was making his meaning clear. No, Richard did not trust his cousin. He was holding young Harry of Monmouth as a hostage for his father’s good behaviour.