Barak traced his finger down the line. ‘And Edward IV was our present King’s grandfather.’
‘Yes. Through the King’s mother, Elizabeth of York. It is said the King greatly resembles him.’
‘What about our King’s father’s claim? King Henry VII?’
‘His claim was weak, but he joined his bloodline to that of Edward IV by marrying his daughter. It is that which makes King Henry’s position dynastically secure.’
Barak’s finger followed the line back up the paper. ‘When Edward IV died his son inherited briefly as Edward V, did he not? But he and his brother were killed when the throne was usurped by King Edward’s brother Richard.’
‘That is right. The Princes in the Tower.’ I took a deep breath. ‘Something interesting there. Richard III is named as “Crouchback, so-called”.’ Barak looked uncomfortable, and I smiled sadly. ‘Oh, let us not beat about the bush. It was said Richard III was a hunchback, though others say that is a lie invented by the Tudors. Because hunchbacks are said to be unlucky, and our outward shape a sign of inward degeneracy. The fact the writer says “so-called” indicates he did not believe the stories about King Richard. In any case, Richard III’s seizure of the throne angered the country, so that when the King’s father rose against him he got much support. Then he made his heirs secure by marrying Elizabeth of York.’
‘And the Duke of Clarence, Edward IV’s other brother, he died before him?’
‘He was executed for treason – he had tried to seize the throne as well.’
‘Jesu, what a family. The mother of those three, Cecily Neville. Maleverer mentioned her. He said it all starts with her.’
‘Yes. And there was a bitterness in his tone.’ I frowned. ‘I wonder why. All those shown here are her descendants, but they are Richard of York’s too and the line of descent runs through him.’
Barak thought a moment. ‘If the conspirators had overthrown the King this spring, little Prince Edward would be the rightful heir.’
‘Yes, but a child king. That is a recipe for strife among the nobles. No, if the conspirators were going to replace the King, Margaret of Salisbury would have been their choice.’
‘Yes.’
‘And the conspirators would have wanted them for one reason above all others. The family are all papists, like the conspirators. Montagu’s brother Reginald Pole is a cardinal in Rome.’
‘Jesu.’
‘And the royal bloodline now gives the King not only the right to the throne but to headship of the Church in place of the Pope. As Cranmer said to me, when the King’s conscience is moved it is God who speaks through him, giving him the right to make or break religious policy.’ I raised my eyebrows. ‘Anyone who took the throne would take the title Defender of the Faith as well.’
‘God speaking through the King’s voice.’ Barak shook his head. ‘That has always seemed to me as stupid an idea as that he speaks though the Pope’s. Though it gives the King great power.’
It was the first time he had spoken so frankly of his beliefs. I nodded slowly. ‘I agree. But to talk thus is treason.’
‘’Tis what many think.’
‘Ay, it is. But come, we are straying into dangerous waters.’ I sanded the paper carefully. ‘Here, take this to Maleverer. Make sure it is placed in his hands only.’
He hesitated. ‘I wonder if it might be prudent to take a copy.’
‘No. No more hostages to fortune. Besides, I have a copy already.’ I tapped my bruised head. ‘In here.’
AFTER BARAK LEFT I lay down on my cot. I fell asleep at once, and did not wake till Barak shook my shoulder some hours later. ‘What time is it?’ I asked.
‘Near five. You’ve slept the afternoon.’ He seemed more cheerful.
I sat up. My head felt clearer, but I winced at a jab from my neck. ‘Did you take the family tree to Maleverer?’
‘Yes, and got a growl for thanks.’ He hesitated. ‘Then I went to find Mistress Tamasin.’
‘What?’
‘I tipped a guard to fetch her, saying I had news of a relative.’ He gave me one of his hard direct looks. ‘I understand why you felt you had to tell Maleverer what Tamasin did, but I wanted to tell her it was not my decision.’
‘I see.’
‘She forgave me readily enough. And admitted her own fault in deceiving us, though she said she didn’t regret it. By Jesu, she has spirit.’
I grunted. ‘You’ve told me more than once you like a woman who keeps her place.’
‘I don’t like bossy women. But Tamasin is not like that. In fact –’ he smiled – ‘I have never met anyone quite like her before.’
‘Women with strength of spirit may come to rule their men.’
‘Oh come,’ he said hotly. ‘You know you do not believe that. How often have you told me you admire women with minds of their own? Like Lady Honor.’
‘The less I am reminded of Lady Honor Bryanston, the better I like it.’ I heard the bitterness in my own voice at the memory of my ill-fated dalliance the year before. ‘And do not mistake reckless improvidence for an independent mind.’
‘Well, I am meeting her tomorrow evening at the singing, as we arranged.’
‘Is that wise? Maleverer was not happy about what she did.’
‘He’s not one to care what dalliances men and women may have so long as there are no political implications.’ He looked at me hard again. ‘Do you disapprove?’
‘’Tis not for me to approve or disapprove,’ I replied defensively. I still had doubts about the girl, but I realized too that I was jealous, not of Barak for having a pretty girl chase him, but of her for taking the attention of one of the few real friends I had. I changed the subject, asking Barak if he had seen Master Wrenne.
‘In the courtyard when I went in to Maleverer. Only in the distance – he was making for the gate and did not see me.’
‘Did he look all right?’
‘Yes. He was walking towards the gate. I thought I caught a slight smile on his face.’
‘Thank God. I feared Maleverer might take him in for rough questioning.’
‘I told you he could look after himself.’
‘Ay.’ I got up. ‘Well, I shall go for a walk, I think. I need some air.’
‘Want some company?’
I smiled. ‘All right.’
OUTSIDE A WIND had got up, and I smelled rain in the air. ‘Autumn is well on here,’ I observed. My head felt clearer, but with the clarity came apprehension. I watched the people passing to and fro and thought, somebody here, one of these people, attacked me. Will they try again? I was glad of Barak’s company.
We walked past the animal enclosures. Two big metal cages had been set up to one side; in each a huge brown bear crouched, staring out through little red eyes full of fear and anger.
‘There’s to be bear-baiting among the public entertainments for the King,’ Barak said. ‘I dare say you’ll steer clear of that.’ He smiled slightly, for he found my squeamishness about such things odd.
‘Yes,’ I replied shortly.
‘A whole lot of fighting cocks were being brought in when I was in the courtyard earlier. Games for the soldiers and workmen. They’re not allowed in the city in case they fight with the Yorkers. They’ve put the birds in the chapterhouse, I was told.’
I shook my head. ‘How the world is everywhere turned upside down.’
We walked down the side of the church to the main courtyard. Men on ladders were fixing pennants to the pavilions now, in the green and white Tudor colours, the red-on-white cross of England and, I saw to my astonishment, blue flags with a slantwise white cross. I pointed. ‘Look! Isn’t that the Scotch flag? Jesu, King James must be coming here! That is what all this is for!’
Barak whistled. ‘A meeting of kings.’
‘So King Henry has come to make his terms with the Scots as well as the Yorkmen. He’s after a peace treaty.’ I shook my head. ‘King James would be mad to abandon his alliance with the French, it’s all that’s ever stopped us overrunning them.’