Thomas is not to be trusted.’
‘Well I know that,’ replied Henry, ‘but our action bore fruit.’
‘Do not underestimate Richard,’ insisted his father. ‘He acts foolishly I admit but he has flashes of wisdom. You see he has extricated himself from a very difficult position, accepts the restrictions imposed on him and now that he is not hedged in by his favourites, rules moderately well.’
‘Yet it was necessary to act as he did.’
‘That I do not deny. But be wary, Henry. Richard is not likely to forget you five, and he is one who bears grudges. It might well be that he will seek some revenge.’
‘But he must realise that affairs run more smoothly now. He should be grateful to us.’
‘Do you think a king, no matter who he was, would ever forget being confronted by five of his subjects who threaten to take his crown if he does not behave as they think fit. Nay, Henry. Walk warily. My advice to you is to stay in the country for a while. Keep out of politics. It is a course I have had to follow from time to time and always did so with advantage.’
Henry did see the point of this and decided he would try it for a while but, as he pointed out to his father, he could not be content for ever with the life of a country squire.
‘There is to be a great joust at St Inglebert near Calais. Why do you not go and show them your skill? Your brother John should go with you. I doubt there are two knights in France or England who could compare with you two.’
The Duke spoke with pride. He was always trying to bring forward the Beaufort bastards, the sons of Catherine, and he liked Henry to be on good terms with his half-brothers.
‘It would keep you busy for a while,’ went on the Duke, ‘and one can never be sure what is going to happen next. There might come a time when it would be necessary for you to take some part in shaping affairs. But this is not the time. Richard has regained some popularity since de Vere went. The people do not want trouble. Wait, Henry. Go carefully, but keep your image before the people. They like you better than they ever liked me. It would be wise for you to let it remain so.’
‘You ever gave me good advice,’ said Henry.
‘My dear son, you are my hope. Everything I dreamed of for myself, I want for you. My affairs in Castile are settled now. Constanza’s girl – and mine – has married the heir to the throne and will be Queen of the Asturias. That settles that matter. Constanza is pleased. She will not have the crown nor shall I, but our daughter will wear it. Your sister Philippa has married the King of Portugal. I feel I need no longer take an active part in state affairs. I have not achieved what I set out to, but who does? I must now live through my children. Henry, one day, who knows what will be yours . . . Be ready for it. Richard is unstable . . . the day may come . . . But I will say no more. It is unwise to dream too much. But be ready . . . It is astormy path to greatness; so many fall through a false step. We are set fair. You have two fine sons. I am proud of you.’
‘You are right in all you say, Father,’ said Henry; and they were silent, both looking into the future and there were dreams of greatness in their eyes.
Before John of Gaunt’s visit was over Henry had made up his mind to join the joust at St Inglebert; and by the time he left Kenilworth Mary was once more pregnant.
The two brothers set out for France and threw themselves wholeheartedly into the task of upholding English honour against the French.
They were friends, having known each other well throughout their childhood. Their father had never wished to segregate his legitimate children by Blanche of Lancaster from those who were illegitimate by Catherine Swynford. His daughter Catherine by Constanza of Castile had always lived with her mother; but the rest of the family had been together a good deal, often under the care of Lady Swynford.
John was a young man with his eye to his
‘Well I know that,’ replied Henry, ‘but our action bore fruit.’
‘Do not underestimate Richard,’ insisted his father. ‘He acts foolishly I admit but he has flashes of wisdom. You see he has extricated himself from a very difficult position, accepts the restrictions imposed on him and now that he is not hedged in by his favourites, rules moderately well.’
‘Yet it was necessary to act as he did.’
‘That I do not deny. But be wary, Henry. Richard is not likely to forget you five, and he is one who bears grudges. It might well be that he will seek some revenge.’
‘But he must realise that affairs run more smoothly now. He should be grateful to us.’
‘Do you think a king, no matter who he was, would ever forget being confronted by five of his subjects who threaten to take his crown if he does not behave as they think fit. Nay, Henry. Walk warily. My advice to you is to stay in the country for a while. Keep out of politics. It is a course I have had to follow from time to time and always did so with advantage.’
Henry did see the point of this and decided he would try it for a while but, as he pointed out to his father, he could not be content for ever with the life of a country squire.
‘There is to be a great joust at St Inglebert near Calais. Why do you not go and show them your skill? Your brother John should go with you. I doubt there are two knights in France or England who could compare with you two.’
The Duke spoke with pride. He was always trying to bring forward the Beaufort bastards, the sons of Catherine, and he liked Henry to be on good terms with his half-brothers.
‘It would keep you busy for a while,’ went on the Duke, ‘and one can never be sure what is going to happen next. There might come a time when it would be necessary for you to take some part in shaping affairs. But this is not the time. Richard has regained some popularity since de Vere went. The people do not want trouble. Wait, Henry. Go carefully, but keep your image before the people. They like you better than they ever liked me. It would be wise for you to let it remain so.’
‘You ever gave me good advice,’ said Henry.
‘My dear son, you are my hope. Everything I dreamed of for myself, I want for you. My affairs in Castile are settled now. Constanza’s girl – and mine – has married the heir to the throne and will be Queen of the Asturias. That settles that matter. Constanza is pleased. She will not have the crown nor shall I, but our daughter will wear it. Your sister Philippa has married the King of Portugal. I feel I need no longer take an active part in state affairs. I have not achieved what I set out to, but who does? I must now live through my children. Henry, one day, who knows what will be yours . . . Be ready for it. Richard is unstable . . . the day may come . . . But I will say no more. It is unwise to dream too much. But be ready . . . It is astormy path to greatness; so many fall through a false step. We are set fair. You have two fine sons. I am proud of you.’
‘You are right in all you say, Father,’ said Henry; and they were silent, both looking into the future and there were dreams of greatness in their eyes.
Before John of Gaunt’s visit was over Henry had made up his mind to join the joust at St Inglebert; and by the time he left Kenilworth Mary was once more pregnant.
The two brothers set out for France and threw themselves wholeheartedly into the task of upholding English honour against the French.
They were friends, having known each other well throughout their childhood. Their father had never wished to segregate his legitimate children by Blanche of Lancaster from those who were illegitimate by Catherine Swynford. His daughter Catherine by Constanza of Castile had always lived with her mother; but the rest of the family had been together a good deal, often under the care of Lady Swynford.
John was a young man with his eye to his
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