“God’s good greeting, Father,” he said, brightly. “Are you the king now?” and he pointed to the knight carrying the upright sword.

Richard of York’s eyebrows shot up, and Ned bent and whispered. “Keep your mouth shut, Dickon. Now is not the time.” Ned grinned at his father. “You know Dickon and his nonsensical questions.” And thankfully for a now mortified Dickon, his father laughed and turned his welcoming gaze on George and Meg. Easing his horse closer, he gave Meg a smacking kiss. “Go to the back and find your mother and brother,” he directed George after slapping him on the shoulder. “You may both ride in the carriage.” Only Dickon saw George’s mulish expression as he turned his horse around. He’s jealous of me for once, Dickon exulted.

York turned his attention to his brother-in-law, Salisbury, and nephew, Warwick. Warwick acknowledged York’s hearty “God’s greeting” with a stiff bow in the saddle, but his expression was somber. He drew his horse closer to the duke’s. “Why this show, my lord? England has a king. You are defeating our purpose here.” For a second, Warwick thought York would castigate him but instead the duke gave him a forced smile. “We will talk anon, my dear nephew,” he said quietly, then motioning to Edward to join him, he spurred his horse forward.

Dickon was jubilant. He was not to be sent back but allowed to ride at the front with his princely older brother next to his father. With the cheers of the Londoners accompanying them, he thought this moment splendid. This must be what it feels like to be a king, he thought, proudly, as the impressive quartet of York, Salisbury, Warwick and Edward of March rode to greet the mayor and aldermen before turning west again to attend Parliament at Westminster.

In his jubilation, Dickon failed to feel the stiffness in his oldest brother’s body, nor sense the chilly tension between the lords of Calais and their leader, the duke of York, nor hear the occasional jeer from the crowd. The earlier sun was now hidden behind darkening clouds, and the reason for this change in climate was the first of many quandaries that Dickon would soon need to decipher.

It was only later in the day, when Edward had relinquished Dickon to an escort who accompanied the younger York children back to Falstoff’s Place, they learned from their mother’s chief lady what had happened at Westminster to effect that change.

Richard of York, believing Parliament would welcome him as the savior of the realm and restorer of law and order, had dared to enter the hallowed chamber without invitation and deliberately place his hand upon the throne.