Richard III: His Life & Character, Reviewed in the Light of Recent Research — John Shaqi
Richard III: His Life & Character, Reviewed in the Light of Recent ResearchMarkham, Clements R. (Clements Robert), Sir
History
Richard III: His Life & Character, Reviewed in the Light of Recent Research
Markham, Clements R. (Clements Robert), Sir
Great Britain -- Kings and rulers -- Biography; Richard III, King of England, 1452-1485
From the moment that Warwick became a traitor, Richard was constantly
by his brother's side, sharing his long marches,[6] his dangers and
hardships. When Warwick landed and proclaimed the restoration of Henry
VI., King Edward summoned his forces to assemble at Doncaster,
particularly relying on the Marquis Montagu, Warwick's brother, in
whose loyalty he implicitly believed. Edward related to the historian
Comines the events immediately preceding his flight from the kingdom.
He was in a fortified house with his friends, to which the only access
was a bridge, and the troops were quartered in the villages near.
Suddenly news arrived that Montagu and others were riding among his
soldiers shouting for Henry. Edward hastily put on his armour and sent
a body of faithful adherents to defend the bridge. There was nothing
left but flight. Accompanied by his brother Richard and a few loyal
friends the King galloped off, leaving Lord Hastings to gain time by
defending the bridge. Hastings made some terms for his followers with
Montagu, and then followed his master. Reaching Lynn, in Norfolk, the
fugitives found two Dutch vessels on the point of sailing. They
immediately went on board without other clothes than _leurs habillemens
de guerre_.[7] The brothers were accompanied in their flight by Lords
Hastings, Rivers, and Saye, and a few faithful knights. Narrowly
escaping capture by an Easterling ship, they landed near Alkmaar {43}
in North Holland. A gown lined with martens was the only thing of
value wherewith King Edward could pay his passage; and he was saved
from capture by the Easterlings through the intervention of the Sieur
Louis de Bruges, Lord of Gruthuus, who received the fugitives with
generous hospitality and conducted them to The Hague. King Edward and
his host were brother Knights of the Golden Fleece, an obligation which
the lord of Gruthuus most fully recognised. He gave up his great house
at Bruges for the use of the exiled princes, who resided there during
the ensuing winter, and he also lent them his château of Oostcamp.
From Bruges, King Edward and his brother proceeded to the court of the
Duke of Burgundy at St. Pol, to seek for aid in recovering the crown of
England. Charles the Bold publicly declined to interfere, and the
Lancastrian Duke of Somerset hurried to London with the good news. But
Charles had been married, in 1468, to the Princess Margaret of York,
who was devotedly attached to her brothers. She opened a
correspondence with the Duke of Clarence in England, to induce him to
return to his allegiance. Through her influence, the aid which had
been withheld publicly was given in secret. She smoothed all
difficulties, and enabled her brothers to undertake their romantic
enterprise. For Edward was resolved to recover his crown, and Richard,
from this time, was his efficient lieutenant.
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