An Historical Fantasy
June 1483 AD
As my Lord Dudley, Constable of the Tower, is so infirm and aged that
he is unable to regularly perform his duties, it has fallen to me as
his man to perform them in his stead. These are dark days, London is
in a twist, His Majesty King Edward (IV) died in April leaving his
eldest son Edward (V) as heir to the throne. But alas, Richard, Duke
of Gloucester and brother of the late King is making a bid
for the throne. He claims that his nephew is a bastard! I can testify
that this claim is false as I have known this child, the Prince, since
he was an infant. As a member of the royal household I was present at
St. Mary's near Grafton when the King and Queen were wed. Young Edward
has the eyes of his mother, Queen Katherine and the hair of his late
father, I have great hopes that he that he will not inherit that
unfortunate Lancastrian chin. Events of the past few days have
caused me much grief as Duke Richard has cast the Prince of Wales ,and
his brother the Prince of York, into the Tower. I have already heard
from the Duke of Buckingham that Richard will be crowned within a
fortnight. If that is so, then I fear for the lives of the young
Princes Edward and Richard, for the Duke cannot hope to hold the
throne for long whilst they live. Therefore, I have taken upon
myself to write a chronicle of these troubled times so that in future
years people will know what has happened truly.
I care not who is King, so long as the Sovereign is a fair and honest
ruler. I will serve my King to the best of my ability, that is my duty
and the duty of my Lord Dudley. And yet, because I know well the young
princes and love them dearly, I do not wish for them to die. Worst of
all, if they are to die, I fear it may be by my hand. For today, I
have learned Lord Rivers was executed at Pontrefac. His only crime was
to have been a Woodville and a relative of the Queen. The bloodbath
has already begun.
Two days ago the Princes were brought to me under guard, being taken
from the White Tower and brought here to less hospitable quarters. It
chilled my blood to see a Prince treated so evilly. Was it not just
five years ago that Edward chased me about the royal chamber with his
wooden sword? He was wearing his father's open crown and it had fallen
down around his neck and his laughter was like the singing of a
songbird. I cannot hide the truth, I love the boy Prince with all my
heart. He is not yet 13 and is a youth of passing beauty, as is his
little brother Richard who is soon to be eleven. When they were
brought to me they were weeping from brusque mistreatment, but when
they saw me their faces cheered.
Victor! They called to me. Victor, make them unchain us. This I did,
not because Edward should be King, though that is reason enough, but
because I love the Princes with all of my heart and I would not see
them bound and manacled like thieves. I took them to their quarters
and made them as comfortable as I could. It is high summer in London,
but the Tower, on this side is dank and mouldy. I had made for them a
meal such as is worthy for boys of their station and they bade me join
them, for it seems I am their only friend in the world. Indeed, the
rabble in the streets are calling for the Duke to be crowned. That
they would believe his impossible claims that Edward is a bastard is
unthinkable. But methinks that all of London fears the minority of a
boy King.
Yesterday I had the prince's clothes brought from the royal living
quarters. Their servants have been dismissed and no one, save for me
is to be allowed into their presence. This was so ordered by my Lord
Dudley and the Duke of Buckingham. The boys were filthy as they had
not bathed since being taken prisoner by the Duke of Gloucester in
May. I had hot water brought to thier chamber for a bath. I did not
realized that the Princes had always been bathed by their butler or a
handmaiden. They knew not how to clean themselves, so I instructed
them. To see these two young princes in their wonderful nakedness
shook me to my core and caused thoughts and feelings in my breast that
I had never known. I am embarrassed to relate that I could not remove
my eyes from their nakedness, such was their beauty. When I dried them
they put their arms about me and kissed me on my face and cheeks with
great affection. They called me their dearest friend and playmate, and
this I have been until I became their warden. They asked me what will
become of them. I told them I do not know, but I told them a lie, for
I am certain they will be murdered soon. Such a thing, I cannot allow
to happen. I must make other arrangements. I must have a plan.
Victor, Warden of the Tower
To be continued...
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