Author's Note:
Timeline for this chapter.
1472 - Richard controlled the north of England until Edward IV's death. There, and especially in the city of York, he was highly regarded; although it has been questioned whether this view was reciprocated by Richard.
Edward IV set up the Council of the North as an administrative body in 1472 to improve government control and economic prosperity and benefit the whole of Northern England. Kendall and later historians have suggested that this was with the intention of making Richard the Lord of the North.
Chapter VII: 1471 – 1472
Mary slowly opened her eyes and found herself strange surroundings. Her dirt and blood-stained garments were missing, and her wounds were dressed. Despite the throbbing headache, Mary willed herself to sit upright. She was intent with White Rose banners, and from the noise outside, she knew it was nighttime.
Mary uncovered herself and reached for the clock next to the bed as she wrapped it around herself and picked up the ale by the bed. It tasted bitter down her throat. "Your awake." Mary spun around, seeing Richard in the tent doorway. "My lady, I forbid you from fainting."
Mary set the cup down as she embraced her lover. It had been so long since she felt his arms around her. Never again would she be departed from her sweetheart. "I will try not to my lord, but, where are we?"
"Tewksbury. I have been charged to take you and Anne to London." Richard said, pouring another cup of ale for himself. "Margaret of Anjou will be sent to the tower along with her mad-husband."
Mary sat down, rubbing her sore legs with her long hair, tumbled down her back. She should be cautious of her state, but Richard didn't mind, why should she? "What is to happen to Anne and me?" Richard signed, taking Mary's hand in his and kissing it gently. "The King will pardon you and Anne. He has already promised this."
"The wife of a traitor who also rode against her country with the enemy. Edward is very forgiving." Mary scoffed, wondering how long Edward's forgiveness and mercy will last for her and Warwick's daughters. "What of my son? Will he be left penniless?"
Richard sighed, handing Mary a personal letter from Edward. "Edward knows that you are loyal but forced to commit treason for the sake of your children. He understands that. Young Lionel will be given his inheritance, but Edward said we must place him under an appropriate guardian."
Her breath quickened as her heartbeat faster. "He is to be taken away from me?!" Her worst fears were coming true. Damn Warwick and his schemes! If he didn't do this, then Lionel would still be in her arms. "My little boy!" She sat back down, nervous. Who would take Lionel away from his mother, how could Edward be so cruel! Would she become like Margaret Beaufort? Condemned only to see her son on visits? "Who is named his guardian?"
"Of course, George volunteered," Richard said, sitting next to Mary.
"He will never have anything to do with my son."
"But Edward knew better. He has entrusted Lionel's care and well-being in my hands." Mary took a deep sigh, "Mary, I promise, you will be with Lionel as long as I am his guardian."
She nodded. But knew, Lionel would have to live under Richard's household. Away from her, apart from his only parent who lived. How could God be so cruel to this little boy? Born to parents on opposite sides of the war. He will be branded a traitor's son for the rest of his days. No matter if his aunt was the Queen of England or not. Yet, under Richard's protection, she knew that Lionel would have a chance.
"I thank you, my lord." Mary wiped a fresh tear off her face.
Richard turned her cheek and pressed a soft kiss on her lips. "Cease my love and joyous. We will soon be back at Court, surrounded by friends and loved ones. In time, where I will ask Edward for your hand."
As soon as they got to London, Mary would petition the King to send for Lionel. Edward must understand that she only sent Lionel away to be away from her dead husband's influence. Her heartfelt heavy as she thought about Warwick.
In the early days of their marriage, there have been a passion and some respect. If he kept his pride under check, then perhaps she could have eventually loved him. She had come to care for him after Lionel was born, yet his scheming took any chance of them ever being happy. She would pray for him for the rest of her life, hoping that God would let him find peace.
Richard let her be for the rest of the day after she was reunited with her stepdaughter, Anne. She endured the monster that was Edward of Lancaster, and there was a different look in Anne's eyes. She was no longer a child and saw the world for what it was a dark and dangerous place. It took them days to reach London.
As they dismounted their horses, Anne and Mary were immediately taken before the King. She saw Edward and Elizabeth both wearing their most elegant clothes. They were indeed the King and Queen of England. "Your Graces," Mary muttered, as both she and Anne swept into deep curtsies.
"Arise," Edward said. Mary stood up and looked at the King straight in the eyes.
"I humbly beg for your pardon. It was not my will to betray you." Mary said truthfully. "Like a good wife, I was commanded to follow my husband. And as a mother, where Warwick went, my son and stepdaughters had to follow. I needed to be there for them."
"Your Grace." Anne took over, "My father ordered my marriage to the son of Margaret of Anjou, and she commanded that I go with them."
"We had no choice but to obey." Mary finished, watching for Edward's reaction.
"You know that Margaret of Anjou is defeated and will never ride out against me again and that her cause had no merit?" Edward asked.
"Yes, my lord," Mary said.
"Well, that is good enough for me," Edward says. "I pardon you both. Also, little Lionel, the Earl of Warwick, must come home at once. My little nephew will join the royal nursery with the princesses under Richard's guardianship. It is time for them to share tutors."
Mary swept into another curtsy at Edward's feet. "I thank you whole heartily, Your Majesty." Edward took Mary's hand and lifted her. The court was now in session as the King called for music. Elizabeth came through the crowd of people, calling Mary's name. Mary swept after her sister, leaving Anne with Isabel. Once they were alone, Mary and Elizabeth stared at each other.
"Mary!" Her mother swept into the room and took her second eldest daughter in her arms. "Sweetheart, you're alright." Mary's walls began to crumble as her mother held onto her Everything came rushing back, and Mary finally cried. The sadness of her separation with Lionel, Warwick's death, and all the uncertainty if she would ever see anyone she loved again came flooding back. "Mother, it was terrible." Mary wept, and Jacquetta hushed her.
"You are home now, and all will be well."
Mary took a step back from her mother, and Elizabeth invited her to sit down. "It is good that you are home, safe," Elizabeth said, taking Mary's hand.
Mary nodded and took a deep breath. "It is over now. I hope." As the sisters began to drink their wine, her sister's chamber door busted open, and Edward strolled in. "Sister."
"Your Grace." Mary curtsied again, and Edward motioned her to sit down.
"I have some news for you. It is decided that Anne will live with you here at court." Mary nodded, slightly relieved. "Also, as Richard will take over the role of guardianship of Lionel, he will control the Warwick lands until Lionel reaches of age."
"What of me, Your Majesty?" Mary questioned. "I will be a poor woman relying on her parent's generosity until I remarry at your Majesties' pleasure."
"You will be granted the Beaufort estates in the North. One last Lancaster stronghold to worry about."
Mary curtsied, unable to form any words. "Thank you, my lord. Margaret Beaufort won't be happy. Those are her lands."
"I must strip it away from her." He kissed Mary on the cheek. "Fear not dear sister. Now, you can marry anyone of your choosing."
"I thank you for Grace for all of your gifts and your mercies." Edward nodded, leaving the woman in their peace. "Thank goodness Anne is to be left in my care. I have a feeling George was very much put out by the news."
"Indeed. You should have heard his argument with Edward." Elizabeth answered. "Now, we just have to find her the correct husband."
"All in good time," Mary said, and just as Elizabeth was about to say something else, Mary interrupted her. "That girl was forced into marriage with that monster Lancaster. I would like to give her time to grieve before even considering arranging a marriage for her."
Elizabeth understood but could see the damage Anne Neville could bring if she remained unmarried for too long. "It is time for you to meet His Highness, the Prince of Wales."
Mary smiled as Elizabeth brought her son to her. She curtsied as rank demanded, but as she took little Edward into her arms. "Hello, little Prince." Here was their York prince, "He is a handsome little fellow." Little Edward looked up at his aunt and smiled at her. It filled her heart with joy as she handed him back to his mother.
Soon enough, she would have her son back in her arms. As the days rolled on, Mary got updates about Lionel's voyage to England. He did well in Burgundy, and now, he was almost to London. Mary wore black in mourning for her husband but soon wore lighter colors. It was the season of celebrating. Elizabeth was soon with child, and Mary had her child back in her arms.
Richard, true to his word, took over Lionel's upbringing, but never separated mother and child. Mary took a morning stroll around the courtyard when she saw Richard strolling up towards her. "My lord." She curtsied.
"My lady." He offered her his arm. "Turn around the gardens with me?"
Mary smiled, taking his arm and watched the nobles stare at them both as they pasted. "I think there is a rumor circling court that we are lovers, and Lionel is your child."
"A fool would believe the second part." It was true. Lionel looked just like his father. He also took what he wanted and didn't apologize for it. A few days ago, he ran up to Princess Elizabeth and stole a kiss right in front of the Queen.
All the ladies in the room laughed as little Lizzie wiped his kiss-off her lips and said, "only a rouge would kiss a lady without her permission." He smiled and replied. "But my lady is so beautiful. How could I not kiss you?" Little Lizzie turned bright red, and everyone laughed about it.
"I miss the peace of my childhood. Everything was so much simplifier."
Her time of mourning for Warwick was almost complete. Most of her days were spent with her children as much as possible. Isabel was suffering as George's wife, but he visited her chambers daily in hopes of an heir. Isabel was still young, and children would come with time. Little Annie was not so little anymore.
She spent her days off in the library or Mary's company. Within the last few months, Mary had seen Annie talking to Anthony more and more often. Anne was smiling again, and Mary wondered if it was her brother, who was causing Anne to smile.
One day, however, Lionel was being sent to the country at Warwick castle to begin lessons with his tutors. Mary was devastated to see him go. Yet, Richard said that Lionel needed to learn to be the Earl of Warwick. "You can visit as often as you need Mary. Lionel needs to begin his education."
"I know your right." She said to Richard as she watched her son's carriage pull away. He was her little boy, but she knew he needed to learn how to be the Earl of Warwick, and he wouldn't get that here at court. He needed to be in the country.
"Princess Elizabeth is most sad at his departure." Richard noticed the eldest York Princess watching from up on the landing.
Mary smiled. "He is most sad too, but they will see each other again."
"I received the most irregular request today. A proposal to discuss."
"Proposal?"
"A marriage proposal. From Margret Beaufort."
"What?!" Mary could feel the anger rising. "You would entertain a request like that. She's ancient, ugly, and fanatical."
"Yes, she is." Richard agreed. "But she is one of the wealthiest women in England."
"If that's your motive, your marriage, you are not who I thought you were. If you wish to marry her and think that I will continue to be your lover, think again."
Mary turned away from Richard, but he grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the eyes of others. "Let me go!" She fought him but was silenced by a passionate kiss.
"You are truly foolish," Richard said. "I have already asked Edward for his permission for us to marry. He agreed."
"What?" Mary said. "You already asked, and you tease me on purpose?"
'It was rather fun to see you upset."
"If that was your motive. You succeeded!" Mary didn't know if she wanted to slap him or kill him senseless.
Her lands in the North certainly sweeten the deal now that Richard was Warden of the North. He also would rule the Neville lands until her son Lionel reached adulthood. Elizabeth was not happy about the marriage. Her sister was to be a royal duchess, and her children could be potential weapons against her children.
Another War of the Roses could happen, this time within the House of York. Yet, her mother was ecstatic. Mary was marrying for love as Elizabeth had. It was time for a little happiness in her life.