The Plymouth Cloak

CHAPTER 1

It was a beautiful morning of warm autumnal sunshine, a crystal bowl overflowing at the brim; the Grail spilling its light and colour in a profusion of splendour. People were abroad early about their business, making the most of what might well be the last of the year's fine weather. For as I came within sight of the city of Exeter, it was already the last day of September in that year of Our Lord, 1473.

So far, it had been an uneasy year. As I humped my chapman's pack and plied my trade along the south coast of England, to London and back again, the towns and villages through which I passed had been rife with rumours of an impending invasion. It seemed that the exiled Lancastrians were stirring, beginning to take heart once more after their defeat at Tewkesbury two years previously. One might have thought, with King Henry and his son both dead, that the focus of their disaffection had vanished; but they had transferred their loyalty to young Henry Tudor, who was now living at the court of Brittany with his uncle Jasper, as a guest of Duke Francis. To most people, Henry was something of a joke, his claim to the English throne not to be taken seriously, descended as he was through the bastard line of John of Gaunt. It demonstrated more clearly than anything else could have done the desperation of the remaining adherents of the House of Lancaster to find a new leader.

Nevertheless, there were sufficient opponents of King Edward, old enemies and new ones, too, who had foregathered across the Channel bent on stirring up trouble.

Chief among these was John de Vere, Earl of Oxford, a man wholly committed to the Lancastrian cause; a man who had resisted all the blandishments, persuasions and bribes of King Edward to turn his coat and embrace that of the House of York; a man who preferred exile and hardship to soft living and a place at court if it involved him in what he regarded as an act of betrayal. His loyalty to Lancaster had never wavered, and I could not but admire him for it. But there were others rumoured to be involved in the current unrest who owed much to King Edward and who were at present living on his bounty, high In his favour and esteem.

One of the two names whispered most often in the alehouses and taverns along the south coast in the late winter and early part of the spring was that of George Neville, Archbishop of York, whose elder brother, the mighty Earl of Warwick, had died fighting against King Edward two years previously at the battle of Barnet Field. His complicity in whatever plot was hatching seemed to have been proved to the King's satisfaction when, in April, he was arrested and imprisoned in the Fortress of Hammes, outside Calais. Two weeks later the Earl of Oxford had led an invasion of the Essex coast, only to be severely repulsed.

The other name frequently mentioned in the same breath as the words 'treason' and 'treachery' was that of the King's own brother, George, Duke of Clarence.

My approach to Exeter on that beautiful morning was through the West Gate, my travels having taken me across country from Honiton to Crediton before turning south-east to try my luck in the city. Takings had been poor the last few weeks,

people, particularly the women, being unsettled by all the talk of invasion. I have noticed many times in my life that when folk are uneasy or uncertain, they hoard money rather than spend it, as though the feel of the coins in their hands, or the thought of it stored away in jars or a hole in the ground, gives them comfort; a bulwark, a talisman against mischance. Certainly country-dwellers tend to be of that disposition, but people who live in cities are less cautious. So, as I crossed the River Exe, watching the sunlight sparkle on the water, I was hoping for an upturn in my fortunes.

My spirits insensibly rose at the sight of the bustling streets, of so many people going about their business as though there were no impending threat of invasion, as if the Earl of Oxford and his fleet were not even now patrolling the Channel. I had been in the city once before and knew its hub to be the Cathedral Church of St Peter. Consequently, I made my way along the old Roman road which was Exeter's main street and turned down an alley near St Martin's church, which stood in a corner of the Close. As I began looking for I place to set out my wares, I could hear the day's third office being chanted inside the Cathedral and was, as always, sharply reminded of the time when I, too, would have participated in the service. But I had chosen to return to the secular life before taking those final vows which would have made me a member of the Benedictine Order. Even now, After the passage of several years, I still felt a sense of guilt at having gone against my dead mother's wishes. I comforted myself with the thought that had I not done so, two coldblooded murderers might never have been exposed and brought to justice. I felt that by that action — undertaken at some grave risk to my personal safety — I had made my peace with God and paid the debt that I owed Him. But every now and then I had the uneasy feeling that maybe God had other ideas; that He had not yet finished with me.

That sense of foreboding was particularly strong this morning as I paused outside the Annivellars' House and took stock of my surroundings. As I did so, I became aware that there was more of a bustle, more of a thrusting sense of self-importance among some of the passers-by, than was warranted even by such a thriving and industrious town as Exeter. Then I noticed the presence of the blue-and-murrey livery worn by the retainers of both King Edward and his youngest brother, the Duke of Gloucester. As it was unlikely that the King could be in the city without a great deal more pomp and pageantry than was immediately apparent, I concluded that it must be my lord of Gloucester who, when last heard of, had been rumoured to be arraying his Yorkshire levies with a view to leading them south, presumably as an added bulwark against invasion. But what, I wondered, could possibly be the reason for his being in Exeter this bright September morning?

My curiosity was to be satisfied in a far more dramatic manner than I could have imagined. Coming to the conclusion that there was nowhere in the Close where I could comfortably display the contents of my pack, I reluctantly decided that I had no option but to start knocking on doors and speaking to the goodwife of each household. There was always the chance that, during my travels, I might have picked up some small luxuries not readily available even in the shops and market-stalls of Exeter. But first, a mazer of ale would not come amiss, and with it I might also hear some of the local gossip. Consequently, I made my way towards Bevys Tavern which stood cheek by jowl with the Annivellars' House opposite the Cathedral. I was within spitting distance of the open doorway when my left arm was clutched, none too gently, from behind and a voice spoke breathlessly in my ear.

'Roger Chapman, you're to come with me. Now. To the Duke of Gloucester. My master is in urgent need of a man who he can trust.'

Those of you who have bothered to read my reminiscences thus far will know that during my first adventure — which I referred to just now — I also managed, quite fortuitously, to render a very important service to His Grace, the Duke of Gloucester, as a result of which it appeared that I was now to he pressed into use to do him another. As there was no way in which I could refuse the request, even though it would impinge on time when I should be earning my livelihood, I reflected on the inadvisability of getting mixed up with one's betters in the first place. However, the damage was done, and there was nothing I could do about it now.

I recognized the man who had accosted me without difficulty. His name was Timothy Plummer, and I had once rescued him from an importunate pieman, over-anxious to sell his wares, in Cheapside, in London. It was this encounter which had subsequently led to my meeting with his master, the Duke of Gloucester, and all that that involved. I stared at him now a trifle stupidly, as though not quite sure that he were real.

'How did you know I was in Exeter?' I demanded. 'I've hardly had time to get my bearings.'

'I saw you as you were crossing the West Gate bridge and went at once to His Grace. What does it matter?' he added impatiently. 'The Duke wants to see you. You have no choice but to accompany me immediately.'

'I'm aware of that,' I answered bitterly. 'I was going to buy myself a drink at Bevys Tavern. I suppose His Grace wouldn't be prepared to wait?'

Timothy Plummer drew himself up to his full height, but still failed to reach my shoulder, a fact which plainly annoyed him. But I was used to that. My size and strength have been, throughout my life, a source of irritation to others. (Not that I am as tall nowadays as I was in my youth. Age and crumbling bones have cut me down to size — physically if not mentally, my children inform me.)

'I am not prepared to wait,' he retorted grandly.

'It's just that I breakfasted a long time ago,' I grumbled. 'And then only on a couple of barley cakes and honey which a farmer's wife was kind enough to give me.'

My little man shrugged. 'I can't help that.' He jerked his head. 'Follow me. His Grace is lodging at the Bishop's Palace. But he must leave Exeter by this afternoon. We've no time to spare. '

I accepted the coupling of his name with the Duke's and fell in meekly behind him. He strutted ahead, his blue-and-murrey livery and insignia of the White Boar miraculously clearing a path through the jostling crowds. People turned their heads to stare at us and a glimmer of commiseration entered their eyes as they rested on me. Plainly they thought I had committed some misdemeanour and was being led away for questioning. This, together with my rapidly increasing thirst and gnawing hunger, put me in a thoroughly bad mood. By the time I was shown into the presence of the Duke, I was hard pressed even to speak civilly, let alone display the deference which was his due. All I could see was a man of my own age, almost twenty-one summers, as young and as vulnerable as I felt myself.

The Bishop's Palace at Exeter stands in the lee of the Cathedral, a red sandstone building, in sharp contrast to the pale Beer stone of the church. As I entered behind Timothy Plummer, there was no sign of Bishop John Bothe, but there was a hum of activity involving both his and the Duke's officials, whose general deportment and disdainful expressions — particularly when they deigned to glance at me indicated the measure of their self-importance. This was totally at variance with the Duke's own courteous manners and pleasant, welcoming smile.

He had risen at my entrance from a carved armchair beside a small and rather smoky fire, and came forward to greet me. He must have noted my sour expression for his eyes twinkled and he said ruefully: 'Roger the Chapman! It's a pleasure to meet you once again, although I fear you cannot feel the same way. I've dragged you from your work and you're cursing my presumption.'

'Not — not at all, Your Highness,' I stammered, disconcerted to find that he had read my mind so well. 'It's just that … that I've had nothing to eat or drink since early this morning and … ' My voice tailed away as I realized that I had said more than I had intended.

He smiled, the smile which lit up his face, dispelling its naturally sombre expression. 'And that enormous frame of yours needs constant nourishment, is that it?' He turned to Timothy Plummer. 'Fetch some breakfast for our friend here; whatever's available in his lordship's kitchens.' He gave a sudden crow of laughter. 'And knowing how our Bishops generally look after their creature comforts, there should be plenty, and in great variety.' As Timothy Plummer vanished, none too pleased at being sent on this menial errand, the Duke resumed his seat by the fire, indicating that I should pull up a joint stool which stood against one wall, and sit down opposite him. When I had done so there was silence for a moment or two while we regarded one another.

1 had forgotten how small and delicate-looking he was, the dark curtain of hair swinging almost to his shoulders. His mouth was thin and mobile, and a deep cleft ran between the upper lip and the wide nostrils of the straight Plantagenet nose. There were shadows round the eyes, as though he slept badly, and the chin was just a little too long and full for the true handsomeness of his big, blond, elder brothers. Yet in his lifetime, I have often heard him spoken of as the most attractive of the three, and I know women found him very good-looking. (To say as much today is akin to treason, but I shall tell the truth and hang the consequences.)

If Richard of Gloucester were delicate of body, he was steel-willed of mind, a fact attested to by his unwavering loyalty to his brother King Edward in the face of all adversity and temptation. Unlike his other brother, George of Clarence, his allegiance had never faltered, not even when it had meant giving up all hope of marrying the woman he loved. That sacrifice was now happily a thing of the past, and he and his cousin, the Lady Anne Neville, had been man and wife for eighteen months. And in some small way I had been instrumental in bringing that about.

The same thought must have been in his mind also, for he suddenly gave a rare grin and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. For a brief moment we were no longer royal duke and the lowliest of commoners, but friends; two young men born on the same day — or at least so my mother always insisted — drawn together by the bonds of youth and the sharing of a past adventure. He reached out unexpectedly and clasped my hand.

'I owe you a great deal, Roger Chapman and instead of rewarding you, I'm about to enlist your assistance yet again. But I promise that you won't go unrecompensed. You will be more than compensated for your loss of earnings over the next few days while you ride to Plymouth, and for however many days are needed until you return.' My lower jaw must have dropped open in astonishment, but just at that moment, a serving-man entered bearing a laden tray, and the Duke laughed. 'Eat your breakfast first and then I'll tell you why I need you.' He nodded dismissal to the server, who had placed his burden on a table near the window. 'Now, take your stool over there and tuck in. I'm sure there's no more than a good trencherman like yourself can manage.'

The sight of food put all other considerations temporarily out of my mind. Even my anxiety about what sort of mission it was that I was being asked to undertake was swamped by my gnawing hunger. For the next quarter of an hour I worked my way steady through a plate of boiled beef and mutton, a dish of soused herrings, oatmeal cakes and bacon, sprinkled with saffron, and half a small loaf, all of which I washed down with three or four cups of excellent ale poured from a large pitcher left on the table. As I cleared the final traces of food from around my teeth and drained the last dregs, I looked up to find the Duke regarding me with ill-concealed amusement. For a moment I was overcome with embarrassment, before deciding that frankness was my best weapon.

‘I must apologize to Your Grace if my table manners are less than you are used to, but I rarely have the chance to taste food as good as this — or indeed as plentiful- and I'm afraid I allowed myself to be carried away. I assure you that I don't always eat like a pig let loose at the trough.'

That made him laugh openly. 'You didn't,' he said. 'It was a pleasure to see someone enjoying himself so much. His face grew serious. 'It's easy to forget that not all people get enough food to sustain them every day. Now, bring your stool back here again, where we can talk.' When I had complied, he went on: 'How are things going with you? You haven't decided to change your calling?'

I shook my head. 'I like the open road. I've never been happy being confined within four walls, which is why I left Glastonbury Abbey. But I've never thanked Your Highness properly for your offer of two years ago, to take me into your household. I tried to explain to your messenger as well as I could my reasons for refusing. '

The Duke inclined his head. 'He delivered his message faithfully. I was sorry, but I understood.' His eyes strayed to the fire, which was nothing more now than a fringe of grey ash, trembling along the edge of what remained of the logs. 'I, too, dislike the feeling of being caged. I go to Westminster as little as possible, and when I'm there I dream all the time of the Yorkshire moors.' He turned to smile ruefully at me. 'You and I are two of a kind, it seems, yet another reason why I know I can trust you. But I knew that the moment I first clapped eyes on you. With some people, I can tell instinctively. With others-' his tone grew bitter — 'I shall never understand them.' I guessed that he was thinking of his brother George, but I said nothing. I was not my place to do so. After a further pause he continued in his normal voice: 'So! Down to business. You're naturally wondering why I've brought you here, and I must be ready to set off towards Nottingham as soon as possible.' He shifted in his chair to face me more directly, and I gave him my undivided attention.