I had no choice but to comply. By the end of March Margaret was able to ride and we stayed at Caldicot for the promised meeting, which took place at the Buckingham manor of Ebbw, only a short distance away. Little Harri was left with Jane and his wet nurse at Pembroke and on the journey Margaret was constantly fretful about the separation and understandably nervous at the prospect of meeting Sir Henry Stafford.

‘I really do not wish to marry again,’ she declared more than once. ‘I would prefer to go back to my mother or stay with you at Pembroke.’

I hated having to deny her. ‘It is the king’s wish, Margaret, and your mother agrees with him. You know that a young lady like you needs to be married if she is not to take holy vows. It is to protect your estates, but I promise it does not have to be to Sir Henry Stafford if you do not like him. Whoever it is to be, I will make sure it is not until next year. Meanwhile you are very welcome to stay at Pembroke, both you and Harri.’

Although this seemed to mollify her a little, she was still peevish. ‘I do not like Henry being called Harri. I have told Jane but she still does it.’

‘It is the Welsh version of Henry and not a bad name to carry. Harri of Monmouth, the victor of Agincourt, was possibly the greatest Lancastrian of all. And it distinguishes your son from other English Henrys – like the king and your potential new husband for instance,’ I said. ‘When Harri is older he can use his grown-up name if he wishes.’

‘When he is older the world will call him Richmond,’ she said proudly. ‘I am grateful to the king for granting him his father’s title, if not his estates.’

‘They will come later, when he is older, I dare say.’

Margaret shrugged. ‘I expect you are right.’ Clearly unconvinced, she sat her palfrey as proudly as a princess, her back ramrod straight, but so soon after her confinement she was using a side-saddle for comfort.

I did not like to tell her at this stage that her marriage would not bring about a change in her son’s custody. When she went to live with her new husband, whether it was Sir Henry or another, she would not be taking Harri with her, for his care and upbringing had been assigned to me.

16

Jane

Pembroke Castle

‘WELL, WHAT DID YOU think of Sir Henry, my lady?’

Lord Jasper had made it clear to Lady Margaret that despite royal enthusiasm for the match with the Duke of Buckingham’s younger son, it was entirely reliant on her consent. I believed he might secretly have been hoping that she would refuse it. Having heard her praise Lord Edmund so highly I too thought she might have done so. Therefore, her answer to my question surprised me.