‘Both – after a fashion. He wants to become part of my household and prepare for knighthood under my aegis but he is also a loyal and considerate son who realizes that his mother was only about the age he is now and did not leave him willingly in my care to go to marriage with Sir Henry. So he is torn between filial love and a natural desire for the company and rivalry of other youngsters. He needs to test himself against boys of his own age.’

I became impatient. ‘And what conclusion did you both come to?’

‘He decided that he would like to live in my household but with the proviso that he spend regular periods with his mother.’

‘So who will have the all-important custody?’

‘I will, because in the end it will be to King Henry and the Prince of Wales that he will owe his allegiance.’

‘Did Harri suggest it should be that way?’ I asked, surprised.

‘No, I did. I cannot risk his mother’s husband playing the custody card if he should ever choose to turn his coat. Harri is the king’s nephew and should never again find himself on the wrong side on a battlefield, as he did at Banbury with Herbert.’

‘Is Sir Henry not a reliable Lancastrian then?’

‘Like so many noblemen who remained in England during Edward’s illegal reign, Sir Henry has shown that he bends with the wind and legally he can oblige his wife to bend with him. Besides, he is not in robust health and if he were to die she would inevitably take another husband. Harri will not come of age for another seven years. Anything can happen in that time.’

‘Did you explain all this to Harri?’

‘No. Clever though he is, he is still too young. We just left it that he would live with me and visit his mother frequently. He was happy with that.’ He paused and a shadow seemed to pass over his face. ‘The re-coronation tomorrow will put King Henry safely back on the throne but we have not yet secured the kingdom. Warwick and I need to show the people that England can be successfully and peacefully united under Lancaster. And more immediately, I have the unenviable job of telling Margaret that once again I will be taking her son away from her.’

He rubbed at his forehead as if he would erase the lines of worry that were becoming etched there. ‘It is not a task I relish, Jane.’

45

Jasper

Westminster Abbey & The House of the Vine, London

ALTHOUGH TRUMPETS SOUNDED A shrill summons and heralds proclaimed the king’s approach in stentorian voices, only a sparse crowd gathered to line the coronation procession as it made its way from Westminster Palace to the abbey. The troop of liveried royal guards, who lined the route to keep control, seemed scarcely necessary.