‘Oh I shall need your help to rule, Jasper. I have lost touch with events in the outside world and no longer know whom to trust. But I can rely on you to tell me, can I not? I am so happy you have come. The Earl of Warwick frightens me; so forceful, so demanding.’

We walked slowly down a stone-flagged passage to the bishop’s chamber where Henry had been accommodated since arriving in London. It was lavishly furnished with heavy embroidered hangings and tapestries, a large crimson-draped tester bed and comfortable cushioned seats and it occurred to me that probably no one wished that the newly returned king would move out to Westminster more than Bishop Thomas Kempe, who was forced meanwhile to use his summer palace at Fulham and travel miles in order to conduct Masses in St Paul’s Church.

Henry took the large canopied armchair placed for him beside the hearth. It had been gloomy in the chapel and in the bright light streaming through the chamber windows I became even more alarmed at his frailty and ordered some bread and broth from the duty chamberlain. Had no one noticed my brother’s condition, that he was seriously undernourished? No wonder he was weak and confused.

‘What did Lord Warwick say to you before he left, sire?’ I asked him, placing a joint-stool close to his. ‘Now that Edward of York has fled and taken his household with him, have any arrangements been made regarding the administration of the country?’

Henry’s usual frown deepened. ‘I am trying to remember. I think you should ask Sir Richard. He has been handling all that sort of thing. I need to attend to my prayers. There are so many wrongs in the world that need righting and God has given me the duty of bringing them to His notice.’

‘But He has also tasked you with ruling England, Henry. It is the duty of kings to exercise their divine right for the good of their subjects. If you do not then others will usurp your powers again.’

Henry appeared to struggle to grasp my meaning. ‘No, no, Jasper, Marguerite always saw to all that. Where is she? She should be here beside me. Why did she not come with Warwick? I cannot rule without her.’ In the brighter light tears were visible flooding the faded blue of his eyes.