Royal Murder by Alexander Marc

Author:Alexander, Marc [Alexander, Marc]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Willow eBooks
Published: 2012-12-11T00:00:00+00:00

One day too late, I fear, my noble lord,

Hath clouded all thy happy days on earth.

O, call back yesterday, bid time return,

And thou shalt have twelve thousand fighting men!

To-day, to-day, unhappy day, too late,

O’erthrows thy joys, friends, fortune, and thy state;

For all the Welshmen, hearing thou wert dead,

Are gone to Bolingbroke, dispers’d, and fled.

It seems that at this point Richard realised he had lost and he sent his half brothers to Henry Bolingbroke at Chester to ask what were his intentions. Apart from anything else this gave Bolingbroke the location of the king and he sent the Duke of Northumberland to capture him. When he arrived at Conway with only four attendants he was quickly taken to Richard who appeared to be in a state of nervous tension over the fate of his brothers and their mission. Northumberland told him that they were well at Chester, and he produced a letter written by John Holland stating that the king could put his full confidence in the offer to be made by Northumberland. This was that the king’s brothers, the Earl of Salisbury, the Bishop of Carlisle and the king’s chaplain should take their trial for having advised the murder of Gloucester, that Henry Bolingbroke should be made the Justiciar of England and these terms being conceded, Bolingbroke should wait for the king at Flint “to implore his pardon” and accompany him to London.

After consultation with the few followers who remained with him — and secretly assuring those implicated that he would stand by them steadfastly at their trial — Richard agreed, though first he insisted on Northumberland swearing on behalf of Henry Bolingbroke to the strict observance of the articles.

“Like Judas,” wrote an old chronicler, “he perjured himself on the body of our Lord.” Which means he swore on the Host.

They then set out together and on coming to a corner of the road Richard suddenly exclaimed, “God of Paradise assist me, I am betrayed. Do you not see pens and barriers in the valley? Earl of Northumberland, if I thought you capable of betraying me it is not too late to return.”

Seizing Richard’s bridle Northumberland said, “You cannot return. I have promised to conduct you to the Duke of Lancaster.” At that a body of lancers hastened up and Richard, seeing that any chance of escape had gone, exclaimed, “May the god on whom you laid your hands reward you and your accomplices at this last day.”

The king was then taken to Flint Castle where he was left alone for the evening with his friends. Wearing a red gown with a black hood, he met Henry Bolingbroke in the courtyard of Flint Castle the next day. The duke shone in full armour as he knelt before the king and the scene would have delighted all the exponents of chivalry as the enemies conversed politely.

“Fair cousin of Lancaster you are right welcome,” greeted Richard.

Bolingbroke replied, “I am come sooner than you sent for me, the reason I will tell you.

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