Author: John Reed Scott
Category: Adventure
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XI
ON CHAPEL GREEN
On the following morning Sir Aymer de Lacy again sought the Tower; butthis time he went alone. The hour was early, yet the place was full oflife; there was to be a state council at nine, and the nobility wereassembling to greet the Lord Protector when he should arrive. Foralthough the young King occupied the royal apartments and was supposedto hold the Court therein, yet, in fact, the real Court was at CrosbyHall, where the Duke resided and whither all those that sought favor orposition were, for the nonce, obliged to bend their steps.
Indeed, at this time, Richard was, in all but name, the King ofEngland; and on this very day, ere the hour of noon had passed, was thename also to turn toward him, and through the first blood shed by hisnew ambition was he to progress to the foot of the throne, the steps ofwhich were to prove so easy to his feet.
Just in front of the Wakefield Tower De Lacy came upon Sir RobertBrackenbury, now Constable of the Fortress, and paused for a word withhim. Then sauntering slowly toward the Chapel, he took possession of abench from which he could observe those who crossed the courtyardbetween the St. Thomas Gate and the White Tower. A moment later, SirRalph de Wilton came swinging along the walk and De Lacy hailed him.
"Tarry with me till the Council has gathered," he said. "Here cometheir reverences of York and Ely."
Scarcely had the churchmen entered the White Tower, when along the samepath came two others, bound also for the council chamber.
The one on the right, the Garter about his knee, with the keen, greyeyes, sharp, clear, Norman features, and well-knit, active frame, wasWilliam, Lord Hastings; gallant knight, brave warrior, wise counsellorand chosen friend of the mighty Edward. His long gown and doublet wereof brilliant green velvet, with silk trunks and hose to match; hisbushy brown hair was perfumed and dressed with exquisite care; from hisbonnet of black velvet trailed a long white ostrich plume pinned bythree huge rubies; at the richly chased gold belt dangled a dagger, thescabbard and hilt glistening with jewels, and his fingers flashed withmany rings. It was the typical costume of a courtier of thePlantagenets--fops in dress and devils in battle.
His companion was utterly dissimilar. His garments were of soberblack, without ornament or decoration, and no ring shone on hisfingers. His sandy hair was cut rather shorter than was wont, andthere was no mark of helmet wear along the brow or temples. His framewas neither active nor powerful, and his walk was sedate, almost topreciseness. His countenance was peculiar, for in it there was bothcunning and frankness: cunning in the eyes, frankness in the mouth andchin; a face, withal, that would bear constant watching, and thatcontained scarce a trace of virility--only a keen selfishness and acrafty faithlessness. And of a verity, if ever a human visage revealedtruly 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--onerather of accident than design, I fancy. There is little in either toattract the other, nor is it any secret that the Lord Chamberlain doesnot love the fickle Stanley."
"No more does Stanley love him, nor any living creature, for the matterof that," said Sir Aymer. "It passes me why the Lord Protector trustshim."
"Pardieu!" exclaimed De Wilton, "the Duke may use him; he will nevertrust him. He knows the truckler of old--the first to greet Warwickwhen he came to lead Henry from the Tower; the loudest for Edward whenBarnet's day was done."
"Well, mark me," said De Lacy, with lowered voice, "yonder false lordwill 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. "Hasthe Protector arrived?"
"No, my lord," returned De Wilton, as he and De Lacy arose; "he wasengaged, and may be a trifle late for the council."
"Who has preceded us?" said Stanley; and in contrast to the melodiousvoice 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 Itouched 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 isdead and you have wed a second time; while Katharine still chatelainesmy castles of Ashby and Calais. The matter has been left to her sweetjudgment, and her wish is my decision. It is quite needless to debatethe subject further."
Aymer caught the quick look of resentment that flashed throughStanley's eyes, but Hastings missed it, for he had turned and wasgazing toward the royal lodge.
And Stanley, with that cool indifference to aught but expediency whichcharacterized his whole life, let the curt speech pass, seeminglyunheeded.
In a moment the Lord Chamberlain said courteously, as though regretfulfor his recent abruptness:
"Well, my lord, shall we proceed? It will be well for the Council tobe assembled when Richard comes."
"In truth, yes," said Stanley suavely; and bowing stiffly to the twoyoung Knights, the traitor of Bosworth linked arms with Hastings andwent on toward the White Tower.
"Did you mark that?" De Wilton queried; "and evidently it was a matterof some moment since Hastings has submitted it to his wife."
"There are more than royal prerogatives at issue these days," repliedDe 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 apart," said De Wilton sententiously. "He savors more of the shops inthe Cheap yonder than of Castle or Court."
"And hence the pity that he has such power of rank and wealth behindhim with his new Countess, the Beaufort heiress."
"Aye--and what is worse, in her and her son lie the last hope ofLancaster."
"You mean the Earl of Richmond?" said Aymer. "I saw him a year or moreago at the Court of Blois. His appearance gave little promise ofkingly blood or spirit."
"Nathless, my good friend, our own Duke of Gloucester would give a fewhides of land to have that same Earl safe within these walls. Yorksits 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 thisRichmond," De Lacy observed.
"Of a truth, yes; and one that will find him wanting if the trial evercome. Had not His late Majesty died so suddenly, this Margaret wouldhave had a brood of treasons hatched ready for the occasion; and Idoubt not that she and her adherents are, even now, deep in plottingswith 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 theriver.
"Here are two more of the Council," he remarked; and the Duke ofBuckingham 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 somematter the Lord Hastings had submitted to his Countess, and that shehad decided, seemingly, against Stanley's wishes."
"It is the old matter of the Neville sisters that cropped up even inBonville's time," said Buckingham. "The more Stanley urges that now,the better it will fit our purpose. Come, let us stimulate the disputeif occasion offer," and with a sarcastic laugh he turned away.
"Methinks, my Lord of Buckingham," observed De Wilton, when he and DeLacy were again alone, "that you will scarce find another Rivers ineither Hastings or Stanley. It requires a master hand to play StoneyStratford twice in six short weeks."
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p; "No need for another seizure, I fancy," said De Lacy. "Richard's poweris secure now and the King will be crowned on St. John's Day."
De Wilton looked at him thoughtfully. "It is strange, Sir Aymer, thatyou, who have lived under The Fell Louis, should not look deeper intothe minds of men. St. John's Day is but nine days hence, yet will Iwager you ten good rose nobles it brings no coronation with it. Iknow"--as De Lacy regarded him incredulously--"that the council has sofixed it--that the ceremonies have been arranged--that the provisionsfor the banquet have been ordered--and that the nobility are gatheringfrom 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 hadnever faced the matter in that light. In France there may be strife offaction, plottings and intrigues and blood-spilling for position in theState; yet is the Crown ever secure. The struggle is but for placenear the Throne, never for the Throne itself. . . Naturally, Iappreciate our need for a strong King at this crisis. Edward is but achild, and York's grip on the Crown may grow perilously lax, or evenslip entirely. With Gloucester it would be different. His hand is notlikely to loosen if once it grasp the sceptre. I shall not take yourwager. It would be against my own heart. If Richard's aim isEngland's Throne, my poor arm is at his service."
"Now are you one after my own soul," exclaimed De Wilton. "Up with theWhite Boar banner! Hurrah for King Richard the Third!"
"But that I knew Sir Aymer de Lacy and Sir Ralph de Wilton to be loyalsubjects of Edward the Fifth, so long as he be King of England, Ishould 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 wasconfused and could make no reply. De Lacy, however, was not so easilydisconcerted and, despite the censure in the words, he felt that theywere not grave offenders.
"If an honest desire to see the Duke of Gloucester King of England be acrime," he answered, bowing low, "then we both are guilty. Yet pleadwe 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 gonow 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 somethingbrewing."
"Whatever it be I hope it will come quickly," said Sir Ralph with halfa sigh. "This is not like the old days when Edward held his statehere. Many is the time I have seen this great place bright withwomen's faces and ringing with their laughter; the ramparts crowded,and scarce a shady seat but held a fair dame and gallant lover. Whereare now the sweet voices and the swishing gowns? Gone--maybe, forever;Elizabeth is in sanctuary a mile up yonder stream, and Edward is tooyoung 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 thisold pile of stone; and besides he ceases to be Lord Protector when theKing 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 longboots hurrying down the courtyard, until he had passed them; then DeLacy 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, Iseek 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 councilchamber opened and Gloucester came out, followed by Buckingham.
"Ha, De Bury! what brings you in such haste?" Richard demanded. "Whatis 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 theyentered the small room next the chapel, leaving De Lacy on guardwithout.
Slowly the minutes passed. Once Aymer heard Buckingham's voice raisedas though in sharp argument. Then it ceased abruptly, and he knew thatRichard had silenced him. A little later Stafford laughed, and thistime was joined by De Bury. At length, the door opened and Gloucestercalled 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 alreadysauntering toward him. De Lacy motioned for him to make haste. "Ithas come," he said, as De Wilton joined him.
"Oh, has it! Well, it took you long enough to find it, surely. Andmay 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 youwish to know the what, come with me."
Up the stairway Royk led his men, following close after the twoKnights. On the second landing the Protector was waiting.
"Now, attend," he said to De Lacy. "I return to the Council. You willbring the men up very quietly and post them without. The instant Istrike on the table, fling open the door and arrest every man. Do youyourself stand in the passage and stop any that would escape. Let noneuse weapon unless necessary . . . but if an axe were to fall byaccident upon either Stanley or Ely, no punishment would follow," andhe smiled significantly.
"I think I understand," said De Lacy; and Richard, carelessly brushinga 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 hasan 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 againstit 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 voicereplied, and De Wilton had scarce time to whisper, "Hastings," when thesignal came.
With a crash, Raynor Royk hurled back the heavy door, and the soldiersrushed in.
Around the long table in the center of the apartment were gathered themembers 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 waswild confusion.
Lord Stanley, divining some sinister design as Raynor Royk sprangtoward him with upraised weapon, sought safety in a sudden andinglorious dive under the table. Yet quick as he was, the old retainerwas quicker. His heavy axe came down with a sweep, and never morewould the fickle Stanley have played the dastard had not a carved chairarm stayed, for an instant, the weapon's fall. Ere it had shorn itsway through the oak, Stanley was safe from death, though the edgescraped his head glancingly, sending the blood flying and leaving himunconscious on the floor.
The Bishop of Ely escaped the axe aimed at him by a hurried retreat tothe rear of the room out of the general melee; for he was shrewd enoughinstantly to comprehend that, while there might be fatal danger to himin the crowd, there was but little when he stood aloof: God's Bishopswere not wont to be murdered deliberately in public. Yet it did notsave him from arrest, for Raynor glanced at the Protector, and readingthe order in
his face stalked back and clapping Morton on the shouldersaid gruffly: "Come, Lord Bishop."
The whole affair was over almost as quickly as begun, and the Duke ofGloucester never so much as changed position during the tumult, save tolower the hand that had menaced Hastings. Then, when all thecounsellors were crowded together and surrounded by the soldiers, hespoke quietly, addressing Raynor Royk:
"Commit the Archbishop of York, the Bishop of Ely, and Lord Stanley tothe Garden Tower. See that Stanley's hurts be dressed. Release theothers, save the traitor Hastings. Him conduct to the Chapel Green,and let his head be stricken from his fell carcass without delay, savefor absolution if he so desire it. . . Gentlemen, attend me."
Adjusting his cloak the Protector quitted the apartment and in silencedescended to the courtyard. There he drew his arm within Stafford's,and dismissing the others proceeded slowly toward the royal lodge atthe 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 awhisper.
"Nay, I mean the final end. Methinks I hear the rattle of armor andthe splintering of spears."
At that moment the file of soldiers emerged from the White Tower withLord Hastings in their midst, walking with the same grace and ease ofcarriage that always distinguished him, his face calm and serene. Ashis eyes fell upon the two younger Knights, who were moving slowlytoward the river gate, he said a word to Raynor Royk, and the columnhalted. 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, "byyour oath of pity and humility, accompany me to the block? It is hardenough, God knows, that one who has both rank and blood should diewithout trial or legal judgment; yet that none but hirelings should bewith me at the end is inhuman beyond measure. Look at yondersycophants, who but an hour ago hung upon my slightest gesture, nowhurrying from me as though I had the plague."
"Whatever we can do, my lord," said De Lacy, "pray command. I would wehad power to stay your doom."
Hastings smiled sadly. "I shall not detain you long. Lead on, my man."
It was but a step to the Chapel, and seeing that neither block norheadsman was in waiting he shrugged his shoulders and laughedsarcastically:
"Not honored even by the usual participants," he remarked. "Yon log oftimber and a common axe must serve the purpose. A strange undoing forone who has ridden boot to boot with Edward . . . a Lord Chamberlainand Captain of Calais."
"My Lord of Hastings!" said Raynor Royk, with doffed bonnet and in avoice so changed from its usual gruffness that De Lacy and De Wiltonboth marked it with surprise, "it grieves me ill that I, who havefollowed the Sable Maunch so oft in battle, should lead you to yourdeath. Yet I may not shirk my duty, as you, great warrior as you are,well know. But if there be aught I can do to aid you, that touches notmine honor (for, my lord, we have what we call honor as well as thosewho wear the yellow spurs), speak but the word."
Hastings stepped forward and placed his hand upon the old retainer'sshoulder. "My good fellow," he said gravely, "there are many withgolden spurs who are far less worthy to wear them than are you. Notalways does honor, nay nor chivalry either, dwell beneath the banner orpennon of the Knight. Permit me a word apart with these kind friends."
For answer, Raynor Royk gave a sharp order and the soldiers drew out ofearshot.
"Need I say to you, Sir Aymer de Lacy, and you, Sir Ralph de Wilton,"said Hastings, "how deeply I appreciate your great kindness in comingwith me here. Place yourselves in my position and you will know thecomfort you have given me. It would be foolish to say I am willing todie; I love life as well as any man; yet bear me witness that I meet mydoom as becomes a Peer of England. I have but two requests to make ofyou, my friends--for though you both are of Gloucester's Household, yethave you been friends to me this day, as Knight to Knight, for you oweme no obligation. I ask that when yonder deed be done you recall tothe Lord Protector his brother Edward's dying wish that I might lie byhis side in Windsor Chapel. And lastly, I pray you bear to my sweetCountess the assurance of my endless love and adoration. Give her thisring and (pressing it to his lips) say that it bears my dying kiss.Tell her"--and his voice broke, and for the first time in this man'slife tears started to his eyes and trickled down his ruddycheeks--"tell her that my last thought was of her . . . tell her that Iwish not Heaven save it bring her dear face to me." He mastered hisemotion. "Farewell, my friends," extending his hands, and theysilently grasped them, "may God, in His Providence, grant you a kinderdeath than mine."
Then with placid face and voice he turned to Raynor Royk, who stoodleaning on his axe in evident distress of mind.
"I am at your service, my good man," he said. "Dispatch the businessquickly and do not, I pray you, bungle it at the stroke."
Removing his handsome cloak, he opened his doublet at the neck, andwith quiet dignity walked to the piece of heavy timber that had beenused in repaving the Chapel only the previous day, and which lay acrossthe green. Raynor Royk made a motion, and a tall soldier steppedforth. Hastings knelt as the man stopped beside him and drew back hisdoublet, baring his neck for the blow.
"Strike true, fellow," he said, and calmly placed his head upon thetimber's end.