“He was wrong,” Gresilde Boyvile said, wringing her hands, “so wrong. The Lords and Commons were aghast. It seems they saw it as an intention by your father to take the crown not protect it.” She told them the archbishop of Canterbury had eventually stepped forward and asked if York sought an audience with the king.

“What did Father say?” Meg asked, fascinated.

Gresilde resorted to drama, mimicking the duke. “He shouted at them all, saying, ‘I know no man in England who ought not rather come to see me than I go to him.’ I don’t know how he dared.”

Meg gasped, George snickered, and Dickon said: “I don’t understand what that means?”

“It means Father lost his temper, and he is probably in trouble,” Meg told him, and Gresilde had bowed her head in sad acknowledgement.

The duke had then marched from the Star Chamber intent on seeing the king, virtually forcing himself into the royal apartments and sending the king to live in the queen’s chambers instead.

“Your mother defended the king bravely,” Gresilde told the children. “I know not what your father was thinking, but your mother was not about to treat that kindly, bewildered man uncivilly. Happily, the king went meekly to his new quarters on her arm—he obviously adores her, as he should,” she said, loyally.

Dickon was now thoroughly confused. Hadn’t their father told his children he had no designs on the crown? But he arrived in London with an upturned sword, went straight to the hallowed halls of Westminster and put his hand on the throne, as though he already owned it. The boy’s confusion was further exacerbated by Dame Boyvile’s next statement.

“We shall all be living in the royal apartments until your father’s castle of Baynard is restored to him,” she finished, feeling sorry for these oft-displaced children.

Dickon shook his head in exasperation. “By Christ’s nails, not another move!” he spluttered.

“Dickon!” all three onlookers exclaimed in shocked unison at the unaccustomed profanity.

Another extraordinary event in the Star Chamber took place a week later. This time Dickon was a privileged witness.

Richard of York’s rash act had had its effect after all. Several days and tense meetings later, he mollified Salisbury and Warwick, allowing the Yorkists to once again resurrect Richard’s right to the crown before the lords and lawyers. Within a week, York’s claim to the throne was finally legally recognized and a new succession drawn up: It was agreed by king, council and Parliament that Henry should wear the crown until his death when it would pass to Richard of York and his progeny.