On the following morning Sir Aymer de Lacy again sought the Tower; but
this time he went alone. The hour was early, yet the place was full of
life; there was to be a state council at nine, and the nobility were
assembling to greet the Lord Protector when he should arrive. For
although the young King occupied the royal apartments and was supposed
to hold the Court therein, yet, in fact, the real Court was at Crosby
Hall, where the Duke resided and whither all those that sought favor or
position were, for the nonce, obliged to bend their steps.
Indeed, at this time, Richard was, in all but name, the King of
England; and on this very day, ere the hour of noon had passed, was the
name also to turn toward him, and through the first blood shed by his
new ambition was he to progress to the foot of the throne, the steps of
which were to prove so easy to his feet.
Just in front of the Wakefield Tower De Lacy came upon Sir Robert
Brackenbury, now Constable of the Fortress, and paused for a word with
him. Then sauntering slowly toward the Chapel, he took possession of a
bench from which he could observe those who crossed the courtyard
between the St. Thomas Gate and the White Tower. A moment later, Sir
Ralph de Wilton came swinging along the walk and De Lacy hailed him.
"Tarry with me till the Council has gathered," he said. "Here come
their reverences of York and Ely."
Scarcely had the churchmen entered the White Tower, when along the same
path came two others, bound also for the council chamber.
The one on the right, the Garter about his knee, with the keen, grey
eyes, sharp, clear, Norman features, and well-knit, active frame, was
William, Lord Hastings; gallant knight, brave warrior, wise counsellor
and chosen friend of the mighty Edward. His long gown and doublet were
of brilliant green velvet, with silk trunks and hose to match; his
bushy brown hair was perfumed and dressed with exquisite care; from his
bonnet of black velvet trailed a long white ostrich plume pinned by
three huge rubies; at the richly chased gold belt dangled a dagger, the
scabbard and hilt glistening with jewels, and his fingers flashed with
many rings. It was the typical costume of a courtier of the
Plantagenets--fops in dress and devils in battle.
His companion was utterly dissimilar. His garments were of sober
black, without ornament or decoration, and no ring shone on his
fingers. His sandy hair was cut rather shorter than was wont, and
there was no mark of helmet wear along the brow or temples. His frame
was neither active nor powerful, and his walk was sedate, almost to
preciseness. His countenance was peculiar, for in it there was both
cunning and frankness: cunning in the eyes, frankness in the mouth and
chin; a face, withal, that would bear constant watching, and that
contained scarce a trace of virility--only a keen selfishness and a
crafty faithlessness. And of a verity, if ever a human visage revealed
truly the soul within, this one did; for a more scheming sycophant,
vacillating knave and despicable traitor than Thomas, Lord Stanley,
England had not seen since the villain John died at Newark.
"A powerful pair," said De Wilton, "yet a strange companionship--one
rather of accident than design, I fancy. There is little in either to
attract the other, nor is it any secret that the Lord Chamberlain does
not love the fickle Stanley."
"No more does Stanley love him, nor any living creature, for the matter
of that," said Sir Aymer. "It passes me why the Lord Protector trusts
him."
"Pardieu!" exclaimed De Wilton, "the Duke may use him; he will never
trust him. He knows the truckler of old--the first to greet Warwick
when he came to lead Henry from the Tower; the loudest for Edward when
Barnet's day was done."
"Well, mark me," said De Lacy, with lowered voice, "yonder false lord
will be a troublesome counsellor, even if he be not a faithless baron.
I would have none of him."
"_Bon jour, mes amis_!" Hastings called out in hearty greeting. "Has
the Protector arrived?"
"No, my lord," returned De Wilton, as he and De Lacy arose; "he was
engaged, and may be a trifle late for the council."
"Who has preceded us?" said Stanley; and in contrast to the melodious
voice of the Lord Chamberlain his tones were like melting ice.
"Only the Lord Chancellor and the Bishop of Ely."
"Then, Hastings, we shall have time to discuss further the matter I
touched on a moment since," said Stanley, making as though to go on.
"As you will," Hastings answered indifferently, and without moving,
"but believe me, my lord, it will boot little what may be the record.
Eleanor and Katharine Neville were sisters, true enough, but Eleanor is
dead and you have wed a second time; while Katharine still chatelaines
my castles of Ashby and Calais. The matter has been left to her sweet
judgment, and her wish is my decision. It is quite needless to debate
the subject further."
Aymer caught the quick look of resentment that flashed through
Stanley's eyes, but Hastings missed it, for he had turned and was
gazing toward the royal lodge.
And Stanley, with that cool indifference to aught but expediency which
characterized his whole life, let the curt speech pass, seemingly
unheeded.
In a moment the Lord Chamberlain said courteously, as though regretful
for his recent abruptness:
"Well, my lord, shall we proceed? It will be well for the Council to
be assembled when Richard comes."
"In truth, yes," said Stanley suavely; and bowing stiffly to the two
young Knights, the traitor of Bosworth linked arms with Hastings and
went on toward the White Tower.
"Did you mark that?" De Wilton queried; "and evidently it was a matter
of some moment since Hastings has submitted it to his wife."
"There are more than royal prerogatives at issue these days," replied
De Lacy, "and private grievance may work deep into the greater game."
"It will be the only way by which the Stanley can be led to bear a
part," said De Wilton sententiously. "He savors more of the shops in
the Cheap yonder than of Castle or Court."
"And hence the pity that he has such power of rank and wealth behind
him with his new Countess, the Beaufort heiress."
"Aye--and what is worse, in her and her son lie the last hope of
Lancaster."
"You mean the Earl of Richmond?" said Aymer. "I saw him a year or more
ago at the Court of Blois. His appearance gave little promise of
kingly blood or spirit."
"Nathless, my good friend, our own Duke of Gloucester would give a few
hides of land to have that same Earl safe within these walls. York
sits not firm on England's throne while the Tudor lives in freedom."
"It is a shrewd test of Stanley's faith--his step-fathership to this
Richmond," De Lacy observed.
"Of a truth, yes; and one that will find him wanting if the trial ever
come. Had not His late Majesty died so suddenly, this Margaret would
have had a brood of treasons hatched ready for the occasion; and I
doubt not that she and her adherents are, even now, deep in plottings
with the Welsh and France's King."
"With Stanley's knowledge?"
De Wilton's only answer was a shrug and a jerk of his head toward the
river.
"Here are two more of the Council," he remarked; and the Duke of
Buckingham came rapidly up the path in company with Lord Lovel.
"Are we late or early?" Buckingham called.
"Late for Stanley and Hastings and their reverences of York and Ely,"
said Aymer, "but early for the Lord Protector."
"Did the Chamberlain and Stanley come together?" Lovel asked.
"They did, my lord."
"And their humor?"
"Not the most sympathetic. They were not entirely agreed about some
matter the Lord Hastings had submitted to his Countess, and that she
had decided, seemingly, against Stanley's wishes."
"It is the old matter of the Neville sisters that cropped up even in
Bonville's time," said Buckingham. "The more Stanley urges that now,
the better it will fit our purpose. Come, let us stimulate the dispute
if occasion offer," and with a sarcastic laugh he turned away.
"Methinks, my Lord of Buckingham," observed De Wilton, when he and De
Lacy were again alone, "that you will scarce find another Rivers in
either Hastings or Stanley. It requires a master hand to play Stoney
Stratford twice in six short weeks."
"No need for another seizure, I fancy," said De Lacy. "Richard's power
is secure now and the King will be crowned on St. John's Day."
De Wilton looked at him thoughtfully. "It is strange, Sir Aymer, that
you, who have lived under The Fell Louis, should not look deeper into
the minds of men. St. John's Day is but nine days hence, yet will I
wager you ten good rose nobles it brings no coronation with it. I
know"--as De Lacy regarded him incredulously--"that the council has so
fixed it--that the ceremonies have been arranged--that the provisions
for the banquet have been ordered--and that the nobility are gathering
from all England, yet none the less will I make the wager."
De Lacy was silent for a bit. Then he spoke:
"It would be foolish to pretend I do not catch your meaning, but I had
never faced the matter in that light. In France there may be strife of
faction, plottings and intrigues and blood-spilling for position in the
State; yet is the Crown ever secure. The struggle is but for place
near the Throne, never for the Throne itself. . . Naturally, I
appreciate our need for a strong King at this crisis. Edward is but a
child, and York's grip on the Crown may grow perilously lax, or even
slip entirely. With Gloucester it would be different. His hand is not
likely to loosen if once it grasp the sceptre. I shall not take your
wager. It would be against my own heart. If Richard's aim is
England's Throne, my poor arm is at his service."
"Now are you one after my own soul," exclaimed De Wilton. "Up with the
White Boar banner! Hurrah for King Richard the Third!"
"But that I knew Sir Aymer de Lacy and Sir Ralph de Wilton to be loyal
subjects of Edward the Fifth, so long as he be King of England, I
should be obliged to commit you both to yonder tower," said the stern,
calm voice of the Duke of Gloucester behind them.
Both Knights sprang to their feet and uncovered. De Wilton was
confused and could make no reply. De Lacy, however, was not so easily
disconcerted and, despite the censure in the words, he felt that they
were not grave offenders.
"If an honest desire to see the Duke of Gloucester King of England be a
crime," he answered, bowing low, "then we both are guilty. Yet plead
we in clemency, that we shall follow only where the White Boar leads."
The severe lines of Richard's mouth relaxed a trifle.
"Let me caution you," he said, and the chill was gone from his voice,
"talk not treason so publicly; even stones have ears at times. I go
now to the Council; await me here or in the inner chapel."
"What think you of it?" asked De Wilton.
"Enough to make me glad I refused your wager; there is something
brewing."
"Whatever it be I hope it will come quickly," said Sir Ralph with half
a sigh. "This is not like the old days when Edward held his state
here. Many is the time I have seen this great place bright with
women's faces and ringing with their laughter; the ramparts crowded,
and scarce a shady seat but held a fair dame and gallant lover. Where
are now the sweet voices and the swishing gowns? Gone--maybe, forever;
Elizabeth is in sanctuary a mile up yonder stream, and Edward is too
young to mate at present."
"Perchance the Duchess of Gloucester may come here and revive it all."
De Wilton shook his head. "Richard seems to have small love for this
old pile of stone; and besides he ceases to be Lord Protector when the
King is crowned."
"In truth!" exclaimed De Lacy. "What then will he be?"
"Duke of Gloucester and uncle to His Majesty."
The two men looked at each other and smiled.
Neither had observed an elderly Knight in dusty riding dress and long
boots hurrying down the courtyard, until he had passed them; then De
Lacy sprang up and hastened after.
"Sir John de Bury," he called; "stop and speak to a friend."
The other whirled around.
"De Lacy!" he exclaimed; "by St. Luke, I am overjoyed to see you, I
seek the Duke--get me an audience at once."
"Come," said Aymer, and they hastened to the White Tower.
Just as they reached the upper landing the door of the great council
chamber opened and Gloucester came out, followed by Buckingham.
"Ha, De Bury! what brings you in such haste?" Richard demanded. "What
is amiss in the North?"
"It may be much and it may be little, so please you," said Sir John,
removing his bonnet and bowing slightly.
"Follow me," said the Duke, and descending to the second floor they
entered the small room next the chapel, leaving De Lacy on guard
without.
Slowly the minutes passed. Once Aymer heard Buckingham's voice raised
as though in sharp argument. Then it ceased abruptly, and he knew that
Richard had silenced him. A little later Stafford laughed, and this
time was joined by De Bury. At length, the door opened and Gloucester
called him:
"Summon twenty of the guard," he said. "Lead them hither yourself."
At the outer door De Lacy came upon Raynor Royk.
"Twenty of the guard instantly," he ordered.
From across the courtyard De Wilton had seen Aymer, and he was already
sauntering toward him. De Lacy motioned for him to make haste. "It
has come," he said, as De Wilton joined him.
"Oh, has it! Well, it took you long enough to find it, surely. And
may I ask, what has come?"
"The next move in the Duke's game."
"In sooth! When--what--how?"
"Now, my dear Sir Ralph. The how is yonder with Raynor Royk. If you
wish to know the what, come with me."
Up the stairway Royk led his men, following close after the two
Knights. On the second landing the Protector was waiting.
"Now, attend," he said to De Lacy. "I return to the Council. You will
bring the men up very quietly and post them without. The instant I
strike on the table, fling open the door and arrest every man. Do you
yourself stand in the passage and stop any that would escape. Let none
use weapon unless necessary . . . but if an axe were to fall by
accident upon either Stanley or Ely, no punishment would follow," and
he smiled significantly.
"I think I understand," said De Lacy; and Richard, carelessly brushing
a bit of dust from his black doublet, turned away.
Raynor Royk chuckled when he learned the orders.
"I will attend to Stanley myself," he said. "My axe arm at times has
an ugly habit of sudden weakness when the weapon is swung high."
De Lacy nodded. "Get yourself into position," he replied shortly; for,
of a truth, he little liked the business. Yet there might be no delay,
and he followed after the soldiers with De Wilton at his side.
Raynor massed his men before the door and he himself was close against
it with his hand upon the latch. From within came numerous voices;
presently these were silent and the Protector spoke in angry tones,
though what he said De Lacy could not distinguish. Then a single voice
replied, and De Wilton had scarce time to whisper, "Hastings," when the
signal came.
With a crash, Raynor Royk hurled back the heavy door, and the soldiers
rushed in.
Around the long table in the center of the apartment were gathered the
members of the Council, and at its foot stood the Duke of Gloucester,
one hand upon his dagger, the other pointing at the Lord Chamberlain.
In an instant Hastings was seized by two of the soldiers, and all was
wild confusion.
Lord Stanley, divining some sinister design as Raynor Royk sprang
toward him with upraised weapon, sought safety in a sudden and
inglorious dive under the table. Yet quick as he was, the old retainer
was quicker. His heavy axe came down with a sweep, and never more
would the fickle Stanley have played the dastard had not a carved chair
arm stayed, for an instant, the weapon's fall. Ere it had shorn its
way through the oak, Stanley was safe from death, though the edge
scraped his head glancingly, sending the blood flying and leaving him
unconscious on the floor.
The Bishop of Ely escaped the axe aimed at him by a hurried retreat to
the rear of the room out of the general melée; for he was shrewd enough
instantly to comprehend that, while there might be fatal danger to him
in the crowd, there was but little when he stood aloof: God's Bishops
were not wont to be murdered deliberately in public. Yet it did not
save him from arrest, for Raynor glanced at the Protector, and reading
the order in his face stalked back and clapping Morton on the shoulder
said gruffly: "Come, Lord Bishop."
The whole affair was over almost as quickly as begun, and the Duke of
Gloucester never so much as changed position during the tumult, save to
lower the hand that had menaced Hastings. Then, when all the
counsellors were crowded together and surrounded by the soldiers, he
spoke quietly, addressing Raynor Royk:
"Commit the Archbishop of York, the Bishop of Ely, and Lord Stanley to
the Garden Tower. See that Stanley's hurts be dressed. Release the
others, save the traitor Hastings. Him conduct to the Chapel Green,
and let his head be stricken from his fell carcass without delay, save
for absolution if he so desire it. . . Gentlemen, attend me."
Adjusting his cloak the Protector quitted the apartment and in silence
descended to the courtyard. There he drew his arm within Stafford's,
and dismissing the others proceeded slowly toward the royal lodge at
the southeast angle of the fortress.
"Verily will this day live in England's history," said De Wilton.
"Stoney Stratford was but a game of marteaux beside it."
"But when ends it?" said De Lacy solemnly.
"Yonder, on the throne in Westminster," De Wilton replied, almost in a
whisper.
"Nay, I mean the final end. Methinks I hear the rattle of armor and
the splintering of spears."
At that moment the file of soldiers emerged from the White Tower with
Lord Hastings in their midst, walking with the same grace and ease of
carriage that always distinguished him, his face calm and serene. As
his eyes fell upon the two younger Knights, who were moving slowly
toward the river gate, he said a word to Raynor Royk, and the column
halted. Raising his voice, that had rung over so many stricken fields,
leading the very flower of York's chivalry, he called:
"Be Lacy! De Wilton! . . . Will you not," as they hurried to him, "by
your oath of pity and humility, accompany me to the block? It is hard
enough, God knows, that one who has both rank and blood should die
without trial or legal judgment; yet that none but hirelings should be
with me at the end is inhuman beyond measure. Look at yonder
sycophants, who but an hour ago hung upon my slightest gesture, now
hurrying from me as though I had the plague."
"Whatever we can do, my lord," said De Lacy, "pray command. I would we
had power to stay your doom."