Then of course there was the battle of Northampton and they were free again; they were brought to London and lodged in John Paston’s house. It must have been less than six months that they were there but Richard remembered vividly the terrible dark day when news came that a battle had been fought in Wakefield and during it his father had been killed.

His mother’s grief had been terrible. She vowed vengeance on their enemies. Richard was not told that his father’s head had been stuck on the walls of York with a paper crown on it, but he heard it whispered by the attendants and servants and he was very good at picking up whispers.

But their mother recovered a little after the second battle of St Albans which oddly enough was won by the bad Lancastrians, but Warwick – the great Earl who had decided how he should be brought up at Middleham – marched to London, took it and proclaimed Edward King.

Then their fortunes had indeed changed. Richard would never forget the coronation – a grand occasion when a nine-year-old boy – which was what he was then – was so honoured by his mighty brother that he was made the Duke of Gloucester. George had become Duke of Clarence at the same time.

‘Now you are Dukes,’ said their mother, ‘and that means you have a great responsibility to yourselves and the family and most of all to your brother. Never forget that your brother is the King and you must serve him with your lives if necessary.’

Richard wanted to say that he would have been ready to serve Edward with his life even without a dukedom, but he did not. One was careful what one said to Dame Cecily.

And then to Middleham Castle to learn to be a great fighter so that he would be ready if there was need to defend the crown. To spend long hours carrying arms which were too heavy for him and made his shoulders hurt and then to creep into the castle and lie down on his bed to rest making sure that none – except Anne – knew that he needed to rest.

Now the King had come. How magnificent he was – even taller than Richard remembered him. His mother was there first. She was about to kneel, for as she insisted on deference to her she was ready to pay it where she considered it due. But Edward would have none of that. He seized her in his arms and kissed her on both cheeks.

‘My lord ... my lord ...’ she murmured in protest.

But all those watching loved him for his easy manners.

Cecily was pale pink with pleasure at the sight of him. He looked more handsome every time she saw him after an absence. Oh she was proud of him. They all were.

‘Margaret, sister ...’

He embraced her and then his eyes were on his brothers and Richard noticed with a thrill of delight that they rested on him.

‘Richard ... George ...’

Richard’s eyes were full of devotion which was not lost on Edward. George’s were a little clouded. Edward understood that there was a streak of envy there. He made a mental note. He might have to watch George.

‘Richard ... how are you, boy?’ He had his hand on his shoulder. Richard felt uneasy. Was it noticeable then? It clearly was when he was without his cloak.

‘Growing up,’ said Edward. ‘By God, you are almost men.’

And when he went into the palace he kept his hand on Richard’s shoulder.

Cecily was longing to talk alone with her son. She wanted to know how far the negotiations for the marriage had gone. She would need to know well in advance of the ceremony. There would be a great deal to plan and she intended to have a very firm hand in that planning.

She noticed his profligate friends in attendance, Hastings among them. There was one other she saw. She had a vague idea that it was Lord Rivers, the man whom Edward was favouring, so she had heard. She had her friends everywhere who brought her news of Edward. This friendship with Rivers and his son Scales was most strange. It was not long ago that they had been fighting the House of York. They had been staunch Lancastrians. Why, he’ll be making a friend of Margaret of Anjou next, she thought. It was rather foolish with Henry of Lancaster, the man whom some people believed was the real king, wandering about somewhere in hiding in the North. How could Edward know that Rivers and his son were not traitors?

She would have a word with him about that.

She sought the first opportunity. She went to his bedchamber and imperiously dismissed those who were in attendance.

‘Edward, we must talk alone.’

‘Indeed we must,’ said Edward, who had no wish to listen to her probing questions but would not have dreamed of telling her so.

‘I am a bit uneasy.’

‘Dear Mother, when have you not been?’

‘The times are not so easy that we can allow ourselves to shut our eyes to danger.’

‘As usual you speak with wisdom.’

‘What of these men ... this Rivers and this Scales?’

‘Good men, both of them.’

‘Good men, who fought for the red rose!’

Edward put his hands on her shoulders and smiled down at her. His towering height gave him the advantage he felt he needed when dealing with his strong-minded mother.

‘They are good men, my lady. I like them. I trust them.’

‘Why should you do that? How long is it since they were our enemies?’

‘They supported Henry because they had taken vows to do so. Henry was anointed and crowned King. They realise now that he is unfit to rule so they have given their allegiance to me.’

‘I would not trust them.’

‘You do not have to,’ said Edward with dignity. ‘As long as I do that is all that is necessary.’

This was a new Edward, smiling affectionately as he spoke but with a firmness in his voice.

Cecily decided to drop the subject and turn to that of his marriage.

‘Warwick is on excellent terms with the French King, I hear.’

‘Warwick has told you that?’

‘My dear Edward, Warwick does not talk to me. But I hear these things. I know that arrangements are very far advanced for the wedding.’

‘Wedding? What wedding?’

She stared at him in astonishment. ‘Whose wedding would be of such importance ... but yours.’

‘Oh, mine ...’ said Edward with an attempt at vagueness.

‘The sister of the King of France. That is fair enough. I believe Bona of Savoy is an attractive woman.’

‘That may be,’ said Edward.

‘After the wedding it will be necessary for you to be more discreet. No one expects a man such as you to be faithful ... but all this open adultery will have to stop.’

Edward remained silent. She did not notice that his expression had hardened.

She went on: ‘The people laugh at your adventures. They like to think of you as the charming libertine. “Our wives are not safe,” say the merchants, “when the King passes by.” And they say it with a laugh, glad I suppose that you consider these women worth seducing. But it will have to change.’

‘It will change,’ he said. Then suddenly he said: ‘My lady, I am of a mind to choose my own bride. Why should Warwick decide for me?’

‘Warwick is negotiating as he knows so well how to. We can be sure that he will get the best possible terms from Louis.’

‘I shall not marry Bona of Savoy,’ said Edward.

‘What! After it has gone so far? Is there someone else Warwick considers will bring more good to the country?’

‘I have chosen my bride myself, and I shall marry her if it pleases me to do so.’

‘You must tell me,’ said Cecily.

‘Why not,’ replied Edward. ‘She is Lady Grey, daughter of Lord Rivers.’

Cecily was speechless and Edward went on: ‘She is a widow with two sons; she is a few years older than I. I love her dearly. She is the only woman I will marry and I am going to do so without delay.’

‘Edward, you like to joke.’

‘Yes,’ he agreed, ‘I like to joke. But this is no joke. This is reality. I am going to marry Elizabeth Woodville.’

‘Rivers’ daughter you say. A woman of no rank!’

‘Her mother is of the noble House of Luxembourg.’

‘Who made a mesalliance! Her father is the son of a chamberlain to King Henry the Fifth.’

‘You have discovered that. Why did you?’

‘Because of your friendship with Rivers which I did not like at all and which I did not understand, but now I do. Of course you are joking. You have met this woman and you are attracted to her. Perhaps she is rather pleasant to look at.’

‘She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.’

‘They all are ... for a night or two. I have seen you affected by the looks of some women many times. This is just another. A widow with two children!’

‘By God’s Blessed Lady, I am a bachelor and have some children too. Why cannot you see what a good sign this is? We have each given proof that neither of us is likely to be barren.’

‘You joke,’ insisted Cecily.

Edward was faintly alarmed. He had not meant to tell his mother but it had come out. Perhaps because he had made up his mind. But who knew what action Cecily would take? He had been rash to speak.

He did not answer and he saw the relief in her face.

She slapped his arm playfully.

‘You always did like to tease your mother,’ she said.


There was news from Warwick in the North. The Lancastrians were by no means beaten there and until they had made Henry their captive there would continue to be risings.

Warwick was with Lord Montague and the former thought Edward should join them.

Edward therefore took leave of his family and set out. Cecily watched him go with pride. She had stopped thinking about that strange conversation. His latest inamorata was this Elizabeth Woodville she supposed. There would be another before long. Strange that talk about marriage! But she suspected it was because she had said something about Warwick’s choosing his wife for him. No man liked to have another do that and that was why Edward had made this ridiculous suggestion.

It was nothing more than that. Edward’s position was too unsettled for him to take such risks.

‘There he goes,’ she said to her sons. ‘Are you not proud to be his brothers?’

Richard declared with fervour that indeed he was, but George said nothing. He was wishing he was in Edward’s shoes.

‘There was never a man more fitted to be king,’ said Cecily and Richard heartily agreed.

Edward rode out of London. He had made up his mind. He was going to do it. He could wait no longer for Elizabeth and if marriage was the only way, then marriage it must be.

He sent a messenger on to Grafton with the news that he wished specially to see Lady Rivers. He wished her to arrange everything. She would understand.

As soon as Jacquetta received the message she went to Elizabeth who fortunately was at Grafton, for it would have meant delay to have to send for her.

‘He is going to marry you,’ Jacquetta told her daughter.

‘I can’t believe that.’

‘I tell you he is. He has sent to me commanding me to make the arrangements.’

‘It will have to be a proper marriage.’

‘Do you think I will not see to that! I never dreamed of such triumph. I hoped of course ... but that he should really give way, that is hard to believe.’

‘You don’t think there is some trap in it?’

‘Of course not. I shall not tell your father.’

‘No, he would be alarmed.’

‘Yes, he would see all sorts of trouble. As for ourselves, we will get the marriage celebrated and think of difficulties afterwards.’

‘They will never accept me ... men like Warwick ...’

‘My dear Elizabeth, you will have the King yours to command.’

‘For how long?’ asked Elizabeth cynically.

‘For as long as you both live – if you act wisely.’

‘There will be other women.’

‘Of course there will be other women. Our stallion cannot be faithful to one mare. None but a fool would expect that. Let him have his women, Elizabeth. Understand his need for them, as long as you keep command of him and let none of the others do that. Think of what this is going to mean to the family.’

‘I am afraid there will be some hitch.’

‘I tell you there will be none. The ceremony will take place and then you will go to bed with him. You should get pregnant as soon as possible.’

‘That is a matter over which I shall have no control.’

‘You will give him many children. A good fine lusty son is what will set everything to rights. And when you have that the people will forgive you ... if some of the mighty lords don’t.’