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Back Winter Pilgrims Save as PDF
Chapters (55)
  1. Cover
  2. About the Book
  3. About the Author
  4. Kingmaker: Winter Pilgrims
  5. Dedication
  6. Though the Lancastrian Claim comes from Edward III’s THIRD son, it relies on a) possession and b) that the crown can not pass through a woman – Philippa Mormer – so must fall to the next male in line. The Yorkist Claim relies on their descent from Edward III’s SECOND son, and says it can pass through Philippa. The Tudor Claim ignores the fact of passing through a woman – Lady Margaret Beaufort – or that John, Earl of Somerset, was born illegimate.
  7. Factions in the Wars of the Roses
  8. Prologue
  9. PART ONE
  10. 1
  11. 2
  12. 3
  13. 4
  14. PART TWO
  15. 5
  16. 6
  17. 7
  18. 8
  19. 9
  20. 10
  21. 11
  22. 12
  23. 13
  24. PART THREE
  25. 14
  26. 15
  27. 16
  28. 17
  29. 18
  30. 19
  31. PART FOUR
  32. 20
  33. 21
  34. 22
  35. 23
  36. PART FIVE
  37. 24
  38. 25
  39. 26
  40. 27
  41. 28
  42. 29
  43. 30
  44. 31
  45. PART SIX
  46. 32
  47. 33
  48. PART SEVEN
  49. 34
  50. 35
  51. 36
  52. 37
  53. 38
  54. 39
  55. Acknowledgements

The captain turns to see what Richard is looking at. As soon as he sees who it is, he steps off the road with a slight bow. A huge knight with his visor raised to form a peak on his helmet leads the party. His armour is scratched and dented, and there is another man’s blood over his plated lower legs. He stops in front of Richard and stares down at him.

‘Who in the name of the great God above are you?’ he asks.

Richard takes a breath.

‘I am Richard Fakenham, my lord,’ he says. ‘Of Marton Hall in Lincolnshire. My father is Sir John Fakenham. He is my lord Fauconberg’s man and we are his company.’

He gestures at the archers, who stand perfectly still. The man stares at him, then at them. He is very big, almost a giant, and very young, with wide blue eyes and fair hair.

‘Then, Richard Fakenham,’ the man says slowly, ‘I owe you a debt of thanks. For you have saved many lives here today. I do not know how you came to be stationed here along this road, but without your famous action there would be many more widows and orphans and childless fathers alive today.’

He bends to pick up one of the spears the horsemen had been carrying. It is more than twice his height. He peers up at the tip to make his point.

‘I shall not forget you,’ he says, turning back to Richard. ‘I shall not forget you, Richard Fakenham. You or your men, d’you hear? England needs men like you, Richard Fakenham. I need men like you. If ever you need a favour of me, I hope you will ask. I hope I shall be able to help you in return.’

Richard bows.

The man shakes his hand. Thomas whispers in Geoffrey’s ear.

‘Who is that?’

Geoffrey looks at him as if he has gone too far this time.

‘Give me strength. Who is that? Who is that? D’you really know nothing?’

Thomas shrugs.

‘That is Edward Plantagenet, the Earl of March. He’s the Duke of York’s son. He’s the King’s cousin. He’s – oh for God’s sake.’

13

THE EARL OF Warwick’s fleet puts in to harbour five weeks later. It is a fine early summer’s day and they see his ships’ masts break the horizon just after dawn. When the news spreads, every bell in the Scunnage rings out. What it must have meant for the Duke of Somerset’s men, beleaguered and decimated in their castle at Guisnes, Katherine can only guess, but for Sir John Fakenham and his company of archers it is reason enough to rejoice.

‘Soon be home now, Owen,’ Dafydd says, thumping his brother on the back.

‘Home,’ Owen choruses.