The Welsh Dragon: A novel of Henry Tudor by Butler K.M

Author:Butler, K.M. [Butler, K.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Firsthand Account Press
Published: 2022-09-23T00:00:00+00:00

HENRY

Four weeks later, a fast ship delivered a pair of letters to Henry Tudor. The one from his mother contained all the secret indications that it was genuine—the edge markings, the staining along the top corner, a seemingly jagged tear at the right spot—but it was uncoded.

The seventeenth day of September, Anno Domini 1483.

My dear Henry,

Buckingham will write to you proposing rebellion. Agree to join him. You are an earl, not a merchant. This is your chance. Reclaim the life that was stolen from you.

Both Buckingham and Morton are convinced Richard murdered King Edward’s young sons. Strangled, I’m told. I suspect Buckingham is finding his own future uncertain enough to rouse him from his complacency.

My confessor, Christopher Urswick, also ministers to Elizabeth Woodville and has passed messages between us. I told her of her sons’ death, and she is more committed than ever to destroying Richard. Loyal Woodville men have been preparing for this rebellion since June. With Buckingham, success is all but assured.

Morton and Buckingham have agreed not to reveal the death of the princes until the eve of the rebellion. Public outcry is fickle, and sustaining it will be difficult. We need it to be at its peak when we strike.

Hasten to join this cause and I will see you in London before Christmastime.

M. Beaufort

Henry had to read the middle portion twice before believing it. Richard had likely arranged Henry Holland’s murder. He had assuredly arranged his brother George’s execution. He had killed Hastings, Anthony Woodville, and Thomas Grey, but all those murders had been necessary to claim the throne.

Those boys had done nothing. They had been innocents. Worse, Richard had pledged to keep them safe under his care. It was abhorrent.

Henry tried to imagine Elizabeth Woodville’s reaction upon learning her children were dead. She had even enabled the deed by delivering one of them into his murderer’s hands.

Disturbed, Henry dropped his mother’s letter onto the table and turned his attention to the second one, bearing Buckingham’s seal.

The fifteenth day of September, Anno Domini 1483.

My dear cousin Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond,

By the common blood of our ancestor John of Gaunt and my noble predecessor Thomas of Woodstock, I greet you as a fellow peer of the realm and faithful Lancastrian. On October 18, Kent will rise against the tyrant, drawing his attention east of the city. Elizabeth Woodville has pledged the support of her kin for insurrections within London itself, and I will muster retainers from my considerable Welsh lands.

I invite you and any loyal Englishmen in Brittany to join my rebellion. Petition your host, Duke Francis, for his support. Reassure him that, under my rule, England will increase its defense of his duchy against the French. Land in Devon and swell your ranks with recruits. Meet me in Bristol on October 16 th . For your assistance, I will restore your and your uncle’s titles when the tyrant is dead.

Convince Lord Stanley to raise forces from his lands as well. He will be greatly rewarded if he can contain the Neville soldiers in the north.

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