The Wars of the Roses; or, Stories of the Struggle of York and LancasterEdgar, John G. (John George)
History
The Wars of the Roses; or, Stories of the Struggle of York and Lancaster
Edgar, John G. (John George)
Great Britain -- History -- Wars of the Roses, 1455-1485
Louis had no ambition to incur the enmity of Edward of York. He even
evinced his disregard for his kinswoman's claims by causing Somerset
and other Lancastrians to be arrested while they were traveling in the
disguise of merchants. The duke was, ere long, set free, and admitted
to the king's presence; but he could not prevail on Louis to run any
risk for the house of Lancaster; and, after lurking for a time at
Bruges, to elude Edward's spies, he was fain to return to Scotland.
This was not the worst. The mission of Somerset proved doubly
unfortunate. Not only had he failed in his object with the King of
France, but he had given mortal offense to the Queen of Scots. The
duke, it would seem, had, during his residence in Scotland, been
attracted by the charms of Mary of Gueldres, and the widowed queen had
showed for him a much too favorable regard. In an hour of indiscreet
frankness Somerset revealed their familiarity to the King of France;
and, the secret becoming known at Paris, reached the Scottish court.
The royal widow, on learning that her weakness was publicly talked
of, felt the liveliest indignation; and forthwith employed Hepburn
of Hailes, a new lover, to avenge her mortally on the chief of the
Beauforts. Moreover, she availed herself of the opportunity to break
off friendly relations with the Lancastrian exiles.
Matters had now, in fact, reached such a stage that Mary of Gueldres
could hardly have avoided a quarrel with the Lancastrians. The young
King of England was far from indifferent to the advantage of a close
alliance with the Scots; and Warwick commenced negotiations by
proposing, on behalf of Edward, a marriage with their queen. Crossing
the Border in the spring of 1462, the king-maker arrived at Dumfries to
arrange a matrimonial treaty.
Margaret of Anjou must now have been somewhat perplexed. Even if she
had not received warning to quit the country, the presence of "The
Stout Earl" at Dumfries was a hint not to be mistaken. Feeling that it
was time to be gone, the Lancastrian queen obtained a convoy of four
Scottish ships, and, embarking with her son, sailed for the Continent.
Landing on the coast of Brittany, Margaret visited the duke of that
province; and he, compassionating her misfortunes, advanced her a sum
of money. After passing some time with King René, who was then at
Anjou, she proceeded with the Prince of Wales to the French court, and
implored Louis to aid in restoring Henry of Windsor to his father's
throne.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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