I flung up my visor, the better to see my way over the dead and wounded and the ridges and tussocks of the uneven ground and I set my course as best I could in the direction I had last seen my father but to my distress he was no longer anywhere in sight. I was discovering that there were no rules when it came to a rout. No one appeared to be taking prisoners; mere survival required deft footwork, stamina and an ability to sense when to turn and slash at an oncoming foe in order to buy enough time to sprint the next few yards, before repeating the procedure. It was only when we finally reached the camp and there was a moment to catch our breath, that I glanced around to see that a number of my close retinue had gratifyingly bunched around me, including the standard bearer who doggedly held aloft the blue and silver bordered lions and lilies that distinguished my banner.

‘Unhook it and stuff it in a saddlebag, lad,’ I told him hastily. ‘Identification now means death.’ With desperate urgency I raised my arm and signalled west. ‘Mount up men and head for the hills. We must ride into the sun until darkness falls and if we have not lost them by then, Heaven help us!’

Obeying military foresight we had left our horses saddled and as I mounted I noticed that Owen’s horse was gone, along with Myfanwy’s, the only slight reassurance I could glean before oncoming Yorkist marauders were clambering over the carts we had upturned behind us, yelling obscene oaths and hurling any missiles they could find as we galloped away towards Wales.

26

Jane

Pembroke Castle

The death in battle of Sir Henry Stafford’s brother Humphrey, Duke of Buckingham, at Northampton had put paid to the tour of their Somerset estates Margaret had planned, and the longed-for reunion with her son. Her latest communication, with its terse demands, showed me for the first time the extent of her anxiety.

To Mistress Jane Hywel, governess to Henry, Earl of Richmond at Pembroke Castle.

It is some weeks now since I received any communication from my lord Jasper, Earl of Pembroke, and I only risk the life of my loyal courier in order to ascertain what danger to my son there exists in the present tumult. I rely on Lord Pembroke to ensure Henry’s future security and noble upbringing. I must demand that you supply by a return letter any information you may have regarding the status and whereabouts of your lord, which you should write immediately and entrust to my waiting courier.

I pray that you will be able to reassure me of Lord Jasper’s continued good health and ability to care for and protect his nephew and ward.

Please pass to Henry my eternal love and maternal blessing.

Margaret, Countess of Richmond.