To assist her in the early education of her children, Richard's mother appointed one of the ladies of the court their governess. This governess was a personage of very high rank, being descended from the royal line. With the ideas which Lady Cecily entertained of the exalted position of her family, and of the future destiny of her children, none but a lady of high rank would be thought worthy of being intrusted with such a charge. The name of the governess was Lady Mortimer. The boys, as they grew older, were placed under the charge of a governor. His name was Sir Richard Croft. It is this Sir Richard that they allude to in their letter. He, too, was a person of high rank and of great military distinction. The boys, however, thought him too strict and severe with them; at least so it would seem, from the manner in which they speak of him in the letter. The governor and the governess appear to have liked each other very well, for after a time Sir Richard offered himself to Lady Mortimer, and they were married. * * * * * Besides Ludlow Castle, Prince Richard had several other strongholds, where his wife from time to time resided. Richard, who was one of the youngest of the children, was born at one of these, called Fotheringay Castle; but, before coming to the event of his birth, I must give some account of the history and fortunes of his father. CHAPTER II. RICHARD'S FATHER. A.D. 1415-1461 Genealogy of Richard Plantagenet.--Family of Edward III.--Succession of heirs in the family of Edward III.--Genealogical table of the houses of York and Lancaster.--Union of the houses of Clarence and York.--Richard Plantagenet a prisoner.--King Henry VI.--His gentle and quiet character.--Portrait.--Discontent of the people.--Arrangements made for the succession.--Character of Margaret of Anjou.--No children.--Feeble and failing capacity of the king.--Richard Plantagenet formally declared the heir.--Unexpected birth of a prince.--Suspicions.--Various plans and speculations.--Richard's hopes.--Progress of the formation of parties.--Queen Margaret's resolution and energy.--Wars.--Richard's two brothers, Edward and Edmund.--The walls of York.--Prince Richard at York.--Boldness of the queen.--The advice of Richard's counselors.--Richard's reply.--The battle.--Richard defeated.--Death of Edmund.--Death of Richard.--The head set upon a pole at York. Richard's father was a prince of the house of York. In the course of his life he was declared heir to the crown, but he died before he attained possession of it, thus leaving it for his children. The nature of his claim to the crown, and, indeed, the general relation of the various branches of the family to each other, will be seen by the genealogical table on the next page but one.