The star of Lancaster by Plaidy Jean 1906-1993

Author:Plaidy, Jean, 1906-1993
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Henry IV, King of England, 1367-1413, Henry V, King of England, 1387-1422, Agincourt, Battle of, Agincourt, France, 1415, Biographical fiction
Publisher: New York : Putnam
Published: 1982-05-14T16:00:00+00:00

into single combat with Sir Thomas, Henry himself answered.

*If the need arises, Sir Thomas,' he said in a clear voice, 1 will myself take this office from you.*

It was well spoken though it betrayed a departure from tradition—as indeed was this occasion. It was rare that a King was crowned while a crowned King lived and there was one other closer to the throne.

A moment's silence followed and then the cheering burst out.

There was no doubt that Henry the Fourth was King of England by will of the people.

A few days later Harry was created Prince of Wales.

It was inevitable that there should be some voices of dissent. Henry was wary; and when there was a plan to seize and kill him and his family and put Richard back on the throne he took firm action. He crushed the revolt but it was absolutely necessary that Richard must die. At Pontefract Castle Henry put him under the care of Sir Thomas Swynford, the son of Catherine the Duchess of Lancaster. Thomas had risen in the world and he owed his advancement to his mother's connection with the house of Lancaster. If Henry failed Thomas's fortunes would wane. Thomas was a man whom he could trust, he was a shrewd man who knew where his own advantage lay; he was aware that there would be rebellions and risings as long as Richard lived. It was up to Thomas to see that Richard did not live.

Nor did he. He died in Pontefract. Some said he had been starved to death; Thomas Swynford's story was that he had refused to eat. There was rumour that he had been attacked and had died defending himself. But the story which worried Henry most was that he was not dead at all and that a priest who bore a striking resemblance to him had taken his place in the castle while Richard escaped.

That was a story which must be denied at once. Richard must be shown to be dead, and Henry acted with his usual promptness. The late King must be accorded a burial worthy of his rank, he declared. True he had become merely Sir Richard of Bordeaux, but he had once been a king; and he was after all first cousin to the reigning monarch.

Henry gave orders that Richard's body should be placed

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