by Knox Magee
CHAPTER X
I AM SENT TO LUDLOW
So the King was buried, with a great show of pomp, and much mourning,in the splendid chapel of Windsor Castle, by those which had followedhim through his career of alternate sunshine and shadow. Many of thesefriends, who had basked in the rays of the sun of York, when the skywas clear, but who, when a cloud had come across its brilliant disk,found more congenial weather elsewhere, were now the loudest in theirlamentations, as they followed the noble Edward's body to its lastresting place.
The Queen scarce ate or slept for many days or nights; but walked herrooms, and wept and prayed. 'Twas a sad sight, as Hazel told me, tosee her wander from one room to another, and gaze upon the articleswhich Edward so had loved. But when the King's body had been buriedshe seemed to cast off her sorrow as she would a garment. It was nowher duty to protect the interests of her son. He must be brought fromLudlow Castle, whither he had been sent by his father, that hispresence there might awe the Welsh, and keep them from revolting; forthis was a habit that they had always had, and one which seemed hardfor them to forget.
"Would that I had a faithful messenger to carry a letter to my brother.I cannot tell who may be trusted. My son, Dorset, might be sent; butyet I need him here to counsel me."
"I know of one whom you may trust," said Hazel, who was present whenthe Queen had thus spoken to herself.
"Thou hast ever been a true girl, Hazel, and I love thee well. Tell mewho this champion is, for well would I like to see a true man aboutthis court."
"Sir Walter Bradley, may it please your Majesty. He it was whichbrought the news of the taking of Berwick, and who was rewarded by thelate King, your husband."
"Ah, yes! I do remember me," said the Queen. "He should be a swiftmessenger. I will send for him at once."
So I was sent for, and found, and brought into the Queen's apartments.
"Sir Walter, thou hast been recommended to me as one of my only too fewfaithful friends." As I glanced hastily in Hazel's direction, herMajesty smiled as though she had read my heart. "I wish thee to be thebearer of a letter unto my brother, Lord Rivers, which now resides atLudlow Castle. This business concerns my son, your King, and istherefore of great importance. I shall have the packet ready to-morrowmorning; so thou wilt not have much time for thine adieux." And againshe glanced at Hazel, and then at me, smiling the while, with thatsweet smile which could have sent me through fire and water to servethis most excellent, and yet unfortunate, Queen.
"I shall be ready and waiting for thine instructions, Madam," Ireplied, as I bowed myself from the room.
Hazel followed me into the next apartment, with an anxious look uponher dear face. "Is thine arm yet healed enough for thee to make thisjourney, Walter dear?" she asked. "I had forgot thy wound, until I sawthee try to open the door, just now. I was so proud to have theechosen as the Queen's messenger, when there are so many upon whom shehath conferred favours, and yet which she doth not trust, that Ithought not of thy wound. Had I not better tell the Queen, and haveher choose another?"
"Not for the world, my dear. It is too great an honour to fling to oneside on account of a scratch, when one is chosen from so many which aremore worthy of her trust. Besides, my wound is almost well." Thislatter was not in strict conformity with the scripture, which commandsus to speak the truth; but it was necessary for me to keep her fromsaying anything to the Queen that might put a stop to my going.
I hastened to my rooms and instructed my servant to have everything inreadiness for my journey in the morning. Then I went in search of SirFrederick. I found him in his room, seated near the window, and poringover a volume of Virgil.
"Well, well!" cried I, "a pretty occupation for a soldier. For thelove of Heaven leave such matters to the priests. I had too much ofthat ere I did buckle on the sword."
"My dear Bradley," he replied, "one can never have too much of suchmaterial.
"Do but listen:--
"'_Jamaque ibat dicto pareus et dona Cupido Regia portabat Tyrues, duce laetus Achate!_'"
"Stop, stop! if thou dost have any love or respect for me!" I cried."If thou goest on with that I shall surely die. The only Latin linethat I do consider worth remembering was writ by one of those greatpagans, and goeth somewhat in this manner:--'_Dulce et decorum est propatria mori_.' That," I continued, "is a line for every soldier toremember.
"But come, leave the myth of a masquerading ancient for another time;for now, my friend, I must talk of other things, which are more real."Then I told him of the Queen's commission.
"Dost thou not desire to have a companion on this journey?" he asked."Though, if I do go, this time thou must promise to not ride so fast aswe did on our trip from Scotland."
"No, Frederick," I replied, "methinks it best that thou shouldst remainhere. Your company, as thou knowest, would be greatly appreciated byme; yet do I think that thou couldst serve her Majesty better wert thouto stay at Windsor. All the nobles are now flocking unto Gloucester'sside, and she thinks that they do aim at lessening her influence overthe King. If it be possible for thee to serve her I know that thouwilt do so. Heaven knows she doth need all the assistance she can get,if she has to cope with Gloucester."
"And of what use can I be against men of such power?" he asked.
"Perhaps none; yet thou mayst in some way serve her."
The next morning, after I had said farewell to Hazel, the Queen, Maryand Harleston, I set out on my journey, accompanied by three picked menof my command. Two of these fellows were men which had served under meever since I had been at court, and had proven to be, both, mostexcellent swordsmen and trusty servants; that is so far as most ofthese men are trusty--the which is not an over strong recommendation.The third was a mighty Irishman, by the name of Michael O'Brien, whichhad come to Windsor shortly after our return from Scotland. I knewnothing of him; but he had a face of exceeding honesty, and besides,his giant strength was equal to that of four soldiers of the generalkind.
My trip was quite uneventful and monotonous.
In order that I may let you know the length of time that it doth takefor news to travel in the country I will tell ye a little incident, byway of illustration.
When we reached Tewkesbury, near which Edward had won his battle, andwhere Henry's son was murdered, it was the time of day when we mustneeds rest and refresh ourselves. When I had entered an inn--whichseemed the best afforded by the town--and was seated at table a sedatelooking old gentleman came and sat himself down on the side opposite tome.
"I crave thy pardon, young sir, for my freedom in thus addressing thee,who are, to me, a stranger; but I perceive, from the trappings of thyhorse, that thou dost come from court. Indeed at one time I did knowthe names of most all of the grand court ladies; for I have not alwayslived in these God forsaken parts," added the old man, with some showof pride. "But all this is beside the mark," he continued. "When Iespied thee I came over to thee that I might enquire concerning thehealth of his Majesty."
"He hath not yet been brought to Windsor, or Westminster, and, as henow resides at Ludlow, of his health I cannot speak."
"But when went he unto Ludlow?" asked the inquisitive old man.
"Now that I do not remember," I replied; "but, as I think, it was somemonths before his father died."
"My dear young sir, his father died some twenty years ago."
I stared at him for several moments, thinking he must be mad. Then Isaw what was the matter. "Why, hast thou not heard that his Majesty,King Edward IV is dead?" I asked, in surprise.
"Not until this moment," he replied.
So now, my children, ye can see how long it took for news to travel inthose days, of which I am writing. True, the people are becoming moreprogressive now, but it is surprising still to learn how long it dothtake for news to reach those distant parts, even yet.
We stayed that night in Tewkesbury.
The next evening we rode into the town of Ludlow, and entered theCastle.
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p; I was admitted into the presence of the young King, who was, at thattime, but twelve years of age. As I was ushered in I beheld the littleKing, and his uncle, Lord Rivers, sitting near his Majesty, by thecasement. I went forward, and kneeling at young Edward's feet, Ikissed his hand and said:--"Hail to your Majesty!"
At first he did not seem to comprehend my words; for he showed surpriseon his fair young face. Then, as Rivers sprang to his feet, the boy'sface became deadly pale, and he almost gasped out the words:--"Is myfather dead?"
I did not answer; but stood with bowed head, mine eyes upon the floor;for I could not bear to hurt this young innocent with my cruel news.
The poor boy burst into a flood of tears, and buried his head beneaththe arm of his uncle, who spake most kindly unto him, and tried toquiet him with soothing words.
Meantime I walked to the far end of the room and there, I feel no shamein the telling of it, I wiped mine eyes, which were by no means dry.The sight of this poor little fatherless King stole my manhood from me,and I wept.
I have no recollection of any other man ever having raised himself somuch in mine estimation, in so short a time, as did Lord Rivers, whencomforting our little Sovereign. I had always heard that he was akind-hearted gentleman, and one of great refinement and education; butI had never known him, except most slightly. The kind and gentlemanner of the man drew me to him at once.
"Weep not, my dear," said he. "I know how thy heart must ache for theloss of so noble and kind a parent. Be assured, Edward, we all do feelthe loss most keenly. But think of thy poor mother, and how she mustache at heart. Remember, now it is your duty to comfort her. A greatresponsibility hath fallen upon thee. Think of that and call up thycourage and determination. Remember the motto which I taught tothee:--'Do but screw up thy resolution, and all things can beovercome;' yea, even thy sorrow."
So he kept on, until he had quieted the child, which sat himself downand, resting his chin upon his hand, gazed thoughtfully out of thewindow. I could read the boy's thought. He was looking far away toWindsor, and the Palace there. He saw his mother and his dear fatheras he had last seen them. His sire took him in his arms and kissedhim, ere he mounted his little palfrey to ride to Ludlow with hisuncle. And now all should be changed. When he should arrive at thePalace his mother alone would meet him, and there would be tears in hereyes. I knew his mind was drawing the sad picture: and yet, had he butknown what the reality was to be, he had rather stayed where he was,safe with his uncle, on the borders of Wales--of which he hadheretofore been the Prince, but was now its King--than to have returnedunto his mother. Then his Majesty moved, and this did break myreverie. I remembered my mission; so I walked across the room toRivers, and handed him the Queen's letter, with an expression of regretfor my forgetfulness. He waved mine apologies aside, with the bestshow of grace, thus showing his smooth and gentle nature. Indeed,during all the too short time I had the pleasure in being in this man'scompany I never saw him lose temper: and yet, remember, he was one ofEngland's ablest warriors.
"What meaneth this?" he broke out suddenly. "'Levy an army, and marchto London with the King, my son,'" he read aloud. "Why, Sir Walter,are things not well at Windsor?"
"As well as may be, under the circumstances," I replied. "His RoyalHighness, the Duke of Gloucester, was appointed Protector by the lateKing, shortly before the noble Edward's death."
"So her Majesty informs me," he interrupted. "How acts Lord Hastings?"
"He seems to be uncommon friendly with the Prince, my lord."
"So I thought, so I thought," said he, speaking more unto himself thanme.
"And what about Buckingham?" he asked, as he stopped suddenly in hiswalking back and forth across the room, with his head bent upon hischest, and his hands clasped behind him.
"He seems most friendly with the Duke of Gloucester; in fact they areinseparable." Then did I think it wise to tell him of the conversationthat I had overheard. So I beckoned him to come unto the far end ofthe room, that the young King might not be alarmed by what I had totell. I repeated it word for word as I had heard it; for it was sograven upon my memory that it can never be erased.
He listened attentively until I had finished, and then said in thatquiet manner which so well became him:--"Bradley, there may be troubleafoot; however, we cannot be too cautious. I need not warn thee tokeep thine own counsel. This is a dangerous time for England; onefalse step might cause irreparable damage." And then he asked me everyquestion he could think of; and had ye but known him you might have hadsome idea of that number, which was indeed great.
The King kindly invited me to sup with them that night. Sir RichardGrey, one of her Majesty's sons by her first husband, was also presentat supper.
Soon after the meal the young King retired; but we sat up late, anddiscussed the affairs of state, and laid plans for the levying of theforces to escort the King to London. Lord Rivers and Grey both seemedto fear that Richard did intend to take the young King away from theircontrol and influence, unless they took a sufficient force to make sucha step impossible. On this I did not express an opinion; for who couldtell what move a man like Gloucester might make.
The next morning orders were sent out through several counties to raisetroops.
When these commenced coming in, Lord Rivers, Sir Richard Grey and Iwere kept busy inspecting them and getting them properly equipped.
By the end of one week we had an army of above ten thousand men readyto march with our little Sovereign, and others were coming in withevery hour that passed.
One evening we held a council at which it was decided to start forLondon on the second day following.
The next day, about the hour of noon, a gentleman arrived at the Castleand requested an audience with the Lord Rivers. We were at dinner whenhe arrived; so he was informed that his audience would be granted sosoon as my lord had finished his repast.
The gentleman sent back word that he came from Windsor, as themessenger of the Queen.
When Rivers heard this he arose hurriedly and ordered him to beadmitted at once.
Imagine my surprise when in walked Harleston.
He had never met Lord Rivers, so I presented him.
He handed a packet to his lordship, with the words:--"From the Queen,my lord."
Rivers tore open the packet in great excitement, and as he read itscontents I saw a cloud of disappointment pass over his brilliantfeatures. Grey went over to his uncle, and read the letter over theother's shoulder. When he had finished, his features wore the samelook as did his uncle's, except that they also showed strong traces ofanger.
"Well, Bradley," at length said Rivers, "our work hath been for nought.We are commanded, here, to have the army disbanded, and to take only asufficient retinue to support the dignity of our young King."
"Then things have brightened?" I asked.
He shook his head sadly. "No, on the contrary, the prospect looks muchdarker. I only hope that I may be mistaken; but I do fear we shallhave trouble in England, unless the nobles cease their wrangling."
Shortly after he and Grey retired, and, as Harleston had not yet dined,we sat at table; and whilst he ate he told me of the doings at courtsince I had left. And these, as you shall hear, were of importance tothe kingdom.