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 followed
him through his career of alternate sunshine and shadow. Many of these
friends, who had basked in the rays of the sun of York, when the sky
was clear, but who, when a cloud had come across its brilliant disk,
found more congenial weather elsewhere, were now the loudest in their
lamentations, as they followed the noble Edward's body to its last
resting place.
The Queen scarce ate or slept for many days or nights; but walked her
rooms, and wept and prayed. 'Twas a sad sight, as Hazel told me, to
see her wander from one room to another, and gaze upon the articles
which Edward so had loved. But when the King's body had been buried
she seemed to cast off her sorrow as she would a garment. It was now
her duty to protect the interests of her son. He must be brought from
Ludlow Castle, whither he had been sent by his father, that his
presence there might awe the Welsh, and keep them from revolting; for
this was a habit that they had always had, and one which seemed hard
for 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; but
yet I need him here to counsel me."
"I know of one whom you may trust," said Hazel, who was present when
the Queen had thus spoken to herself.
"Thou hast ever been a true girl, Hazel, and I love thee well. Tell me
who this champion is, for well would I like to see a true man about
this court."
"Sir Walter Bradley, may it please your Majesty. He it was which
brought the news of the taking of Berwick, and who was rewarded by the
late King, your husband."
"Ah, yes! I do remember me," said the Queen. "He should be a swift
messenger. 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 few
faithful friends." As I glanced hastily in Hazel's direction, her
Majesty smiled as though she had read my heart. "I wish thee to be the
bearer of a letter unto my brother, Lord Rivers, which now resides at
Ludlow Castle. This business concerns my son, your King, and is
therefore of great importance. I shall have the packet ready to-morrow
morning; so thou wilt not have much time for thine adieux." And again
she glanced at Hazel, and then at me, smiling the while, with that
sweet smile which could have sent me through fire and water to serve
this most excellent, and yet unfortunate, Queen.
"I shall be ready and waiting for thine instructions, Madam," I
replied, as I bowed myself from the room.
Hazel followed me into the next apartment, with an anxious look upon
her dear face. "Is thine arm yet healed enough for thee to make this
journey, Walter dear?" she asked. "I had forgot thy wound, until I saw
thee try to open the door, just now. I was so proud to have thee
chosen as the Queen's messenger, when there are so many upon whom she
hath conferred favours, and yet which she doth not trust, that I
thought not of thy wound. Had I not better tell the Queen, and have
her choose another?"
"Not for the world, my dear. It is too great an honour to fling to one
side on account of a scratch, when one is chosen from so many which are
more worthy of her trust. Besides, my wound is almost well." This
latter was not in strict conformity with the scripture, which commands
us to speak the truth; but it was necessary for me to keep her from
saying anything to the Queen that might put a stop to my going.
I hastened to my rooms and instructed my servant to have everything in
readiness for my journey in the morning. Then I went in search of Sir
Frederick. I found him in his room, seated near the window, and poring
over a volume of Virgil.
"Well, well!" cried I, "a pretty occupation for a soldier. For the
love of Heaven leave such matters to the priests. I had too much of
that ere I did buckle on the sword."
"My dear Bradley," he replied, "one can never have too much of such
material.
"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 line
that I do consider worth remembering was writ by one of those great
pagans, and goeth somewhat in this manner:--'_Dulce et decorum est pro
patria mori_.' That," I continued, "is a line for every soldier to
remember.
"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 as
we did on our trip from Scotland."
"No, Frederick," I replied, "methinks it best that thou shouldst remain
here. Your company, as thou knowest, would be greatly appreciated by
me; yet do I think that thou couldst serve her Majesty better wert thou
to stay at Windsor. All the nobles are now flocking unto Gloucester's
side, and she thinks that they do aim at lessening her influence over
the King. If it be possible for thee to serve her I know that thou
wilt 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, Mary
and Harleston, I set out on my journey, accompanied by three picked men
of my command. Two of these fellows were men which had served under me
ever since I had been at court, and had proven to be, both, most
excellent swordsmen and trusty servants; that is so far as most of
these men are trusty--the which is not an over strong recommendation.
The third was a mighty Irishman, by the name of Michael O'Brien, which
had come to Windsor shortly after our return from Scotland. I knew
nothing of him; but he had a face of exceeding honesty, and besides,
his giant strength was equal to that of four soldiers of the general
kind.
My trip was quite uneventful and monotonous.
In order that I may let you know the length of time that it doth take
for news to travel in the country I will tell ye a little incident, by
way of illustration.
When we reached Tewkesbury, near which Edward had won his battle, and
where Henry's son was murdered, it was the time of day when we must
needs rest and refresh ourselves. When I had entered an inn--which
seemed the best afforded by the town--and was seated at table a sedate
looking old gentleman came and sat himself down on the side opposite to
me.
"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 thy
horse, that thou dost come from court. Indeed at one time I did know
the names of most all of the grand court ladies; for I have not always
lived in these God forsaken parts," added the old man, with some show
of pride. "But all this is beside the mark," he continued. "When I
espied thee I came over to thee that I might enquire concerning the
health of his Majesty."
"He hath not yet been brought to Windsor, or Westminster, and, as he
now 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 some
months 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 I
saw 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 in
those days, of which I am writing. True, the people are becoming more
progressive now, but it is surprising still to learn how long it doth
take 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 the
Castle.
I was admitted into the presence of the young King, who was, at that
time, but twelve years of age. As I was ushered in I beheld the little
King, and his uncle, Lord Rivers, sitting near his Majesty, by the
casement. I went forward, and kneeling at young Edward's feet, I
kissed his hand and said:--"Hail to your Majesty!"
At first he did not seem to comprehend my words; for he showed surprise
on his fair young face. Then, as Rivers sprang to his feet, the boy's
face became deadly pale, and he almost gasped out the words:--"Is my
father 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 beneath
the arm of his uncle, who spake most kindly unto him, and tried to
quiet him with soothing words.
Meantime I walked to the far end of the room and there, I feel no shame
in 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 so
much in mine estimation, in so short a time, as did Lord Rivers, when
comforting our little Sovereign. I had always heard that he was a
kind-hearted gentleman, and one of great refinement and education; but
I had never known him, except most slightly. The kind and gentle
manner of the man drew me to him at once.
"Weep not, my dear," said he. "I know how thy heart must ache for the
loss of so noble and kind a parent. Be assured, Edward, we all do feel
the loss most keenly. But think of thy poor mother, and how she must
ache at heart. Remember, now it is your duty to comfort her. A great
responsibility hath fallen upon thee. Think of that and call up thy
courage and determination. Remember the motto which I taught to
thee:--'Do but screw up thy resolution, and all things can be
overcome;' yea, even thy sorrow."
So he kept on, until he had quieted the child, which sat himself down
and, resting his chin upon his hand, gazed thoughtfully out of the
window. I could read the boy's thought. He was looking far away to
Windsor, and the Palace there. He saw his mother and his dear father
as he had last seen them. His sire took him in his arms and kissed
him, ere he mounted his little palfrey to ride to Ludlow with his
uncle. And now all should be changed. When he should arrive at the
Palace his mother alone would meet him, and there would be tears in her
eyes. I knew his mind was drawing the sad picture: and yet, had he but
known 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 had
heretofore been the Prince, but was now its King--than to have returned
unto his mother. Then his Majesty moved, and this did break my
reverie. I remembered my mission; so I walked across the room to
Rivers, and handed him the Queen's letter, with an expression of regret
for my forgetfulness. He waved mine apologies aside, with the best
show 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's
company I never saw him lose temper: and yet, remember, he was one of
England's ablest warriors.
"What meaneth this?" he broke out suddenly. "'Levy an army, and march
to 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 Royal
Highness, the Duke of Gloucester, was appointed Protector by the late
King, 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 than
me.
"And what about Buckingham?" he asked, as he stopped suddenly in his
walking back and forth across the room, with his head bent upon his
chest, and his hands clasped behind him.
"He seems most friendly with the Duke of Gloucester; in fact they are
inseparable." Then did I think it wise to tell him of the conversation
that I had overheard. So I beckoned him to come unto the far end of
the room, that the young King might not be alarmed by what I had to
tell. I repeated it word for word as I had heard it; for it was so
graven upon my memory that it can never be erased.
He listened attentively until I had finished, and then said in that
quiet manner which so well became him:--"Bradley, there may be trouble
afoot; however, we cannot be too cautious. I need not warn thee to
keep thine own counsel. This is a dangerous time for England; one
false step might cause irreparable damage." And then he asked me every
question he could think of; and had ye but known him you might have had
some idea of that number, which was indeed great.
The King kindly invited me to sup with them that night. Sir Richard
Grey, one of her Majesty's sons by her first husband, was also present
at supper.
Soon after the meal the young King retired; but we sat up late, and
discussed the affairs of state, and laid plans for the levying of the
forces to escort the King to London. Lord Rivers and Grey both seemed
to fear that Richard did intend to take the young King away from their
control and influence, unless they took a sufficient force to make such
a step impossible. On this I did not express an opinion; for who could
tell what move a man like Gloucester might make.
The next morning orders were sent out through several counties to raise
troops.
When these commenced coming in, Lord Rivers, Sir Richard Grey and I
were kept busy inspecting them and getting them properly equipped.
By the end of one week we had an army of above ten thousand men ready
to march with our little Sovereign, and others were coming in with
every hour that passed.
One evening we held a council at which it was decided to start for
London on the second day following.
The next day, about the hour of noon, a gentleman arrived at the Castle
and requested an audience with the Lord Rivers. We were at dinner when
he arrived; so he was informed that his audience would be granted so
soon as my lord had finished his repast.
The gentleman sent back word that he came from Windsor, as the
messenger of the Queen.
When Rivers heard this he arose hurriedly and ordered him to be
admitted 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 its
contents I saw a cloud of disappointment pass over his brilliant
features. Grey went over to his uncle, and read the letter over the
other's shoulder. When he had finished, his features wore the same
look as did his uncle's, except that they also showed strong traces of
anger.
"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 a
sufficient 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 much
darker. I only hope that I may be mistaken; but I do fear we shall
have 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 court
since I had left. And these, as you shall hear, were of importance to
the kingdom.