The Star of Lancaster - Plaidy Jean (бесплатные онлайн книги читаем полные TXT) 📗

*It is no time for me to be poring over books in college,' agreed Harry.

'That is a view we share, my son. The truth is I need you. Would to God you were a little older.'

'I am fifteen now. Father.'

'Fifteen. God's truth, Harry, you look three years older.*

Harry beamed with pleasure. 'Where would you have me go?'

'To the Welsh border. Perhaps later to Scotland. You have to learn, Harry. You have to learn fast.'

'Never fear, my lord. I have learned much already.'

'You have to learn how to defend us. We have to hold what we have. My God, Harry, we shall have to hold on to it firmly.'

'I have always known it. I shall be ready, never fear. I shall leave at once.'

The King held up his hand. 'Not quite so fast. Remember you are the heir to the throne. I will speak to the Chancellor. He will understand. You will have to do with what education you have. Your task now is to learn to be a soldier/

*I am ready, my lord/ said Harry.

Yes, he was. And a son to be proud of. I thank God for him, thought Henry. Would he were older.

He hesitated. Should he tell Harry of the strange malady which he feared might be threatening him? He decided not. He did not want to show him the discoloration of his skin and thanked God that he could so far hide it. It came and went and when it was there a terrible lassitude came over him.

He hoped it was not some dreaded disease.

Harry must be prepared.

When Harry arrived in North Wales he was greeted by Sir Henry Percy, known as Hotspur and a man some twenty years his senior with one of the most formidable reputations in the country. He had in fact been born in the same year as those two Kings, Henry the reigning one and Richard the dead one, and his attitude towards young Harry was inclined to be paternal. A great soldier himself Hotspur recognized those qualities in Harry; but Harry had much to learn. No matter, he would learn.

Hotspur's home was in the North. His father was the great Earl of Northumberland and his family looked upon themselves as the lords of the North and of no less importance than the King. They were very much aware that it had been their power which had put Henry on the throne; and they were determined that Henry should remember it.

Harry recognized Hotspur's qualities and was ready to learn from him. This was the life for him. He was born to be a soldier. He won immediate popularity with the men, his manners were free and easy and while he retained a certain dignity he could talk with them on equal terms; he had an affability which his father lacked, yet at the same time there was in him that which suggested it would be unwise to take advantage of his nature or his youth. Hotspur recognized in him the gift of leadership; and this pleased him.

There was another man who was attracted by the character of the Prince and Harry himself could not help liking this

man; consequently they would often find themselves in each other's company. They made a somewhat incongruous pair— Harry the young Prince fifteen years old and Sir John Old-castle who was thirty years his senior—the fresh young boy and the cynical old warrior had no sooner met than they were friends.

They would sit together while Sir John talked of his adventures, of which he had had many. His conversation was racy and illuminating and it gave Harry a fresh glimpse into soldiering.

'It is not all glory, my Prince,' Sir John told him. 'There's blood too ... plenty of it. No use being squeamish in war, my young lord. You've got to get in first and skewer the guts of your enemy before he gets yours. Always be one step ahead ... that's war. But there's another side to it.' Sir John nudged Harry. 'Oh yes, my little lordling, there's another side to it. Spoils ... there's wine and good meat and there's something better still. Can you guess what it is? It's women.*

Harry was already very interested in women and Sir John knew it.

1 can see you're another such as myself,' he commented comfortably. 'I couldn't get along without them ... nor will you. Well, 'tis a good and noble sport ... pleasuring here and pleasuring there and always with an eye for the next one. Always on the look out. There'll be all sorts to your taste, I don't doubt. The dark and the fair ... and not forgetting the redheads. I knew a redhead once ... the best I ever knew. Warm-natured, redheads are. You'll know that one day, my lord, for you're like old John Oldcastle, you've got a warm and loving nature. And it's the sort that'll not be wasted.'

Harry greatly enjoyed these conversations. They were in contrast with his association with Henry Percy. Percy was very much the great nobleman, as proud of his name as a king might be. In fact, Harry thought, Hotspur looked upon himself as a king. He expected to rule; he could endure no interference. He had once said the Northumberlands were the Kings of the North and no King of England could rule without them. If anyone failed to show the respect he considered his due. Hotspur's fury could be roused. The men went in fear of him while at the same time respecting him for the excellent leader he was.

Harry found that he could work well with Hotspur and

learn from him, because in Harry there was a certain military instinct which he recognized, and so did Hotspur and Old-castle. The Prince could enjoy the company of these men and draw enlightenment from both of them. From Hotspur he learned how to conduct a campaign while Oldcastle made him see the needs of the men and to understand how to treat them.

Thus Harry applied himself to learning the art of war with more enthusiasm than he had been able to give to his studies at Oxford.

Hotspur had been appointed Constable of the castles of Chester, Flint, Conway and Caernarvon; he was also justiciary of Cheshire and Sheriff of Flintshire in addition to all his commitments in Northumberland which were his natural heritage. He wanted to settle the Welsh troubles as quickly as possible so that he could return to his native country and he applied his energies to this; however even such an energetic warrior as Hotspur could not be everywhere at once and one day—it was a Good Friday—he was dismayed to learn that Conway Castle, one of the strongest fortresses in his care, had been captured by Rhys and Gwilym ab Tudor.

Hotspur immediately called a conference over which Harry presided as he was, in name, the head of the English in Wales although none knew better than Harry that this was but a title.

*We must immediately regain this stronghold,' declared Hotspur. *It is too important a place to be let go lightly. I suggest, my lord .. .* he had turned in deference to Harry ... 'that we send an armed force to surround the castle. When we have regained it we will show leniency and promise there shall be no recriminations. It is my firm opinion that this is the way to deal with the matter.'

*My lord Percy, you are right,' agreed Harry. 'Let us act in this way, and the sooner we get Conway back into our hands, the better.'

'Then the matter is agreed,' said Hotspur. 'It remains now to put this plan into action.'

Sir John Oldcastle told Harry that Hotspur was right. 'Now there is a man,' he commented, 'who will invariably be right in his judgments, but he's got flaws. But then, my lord, you'll say and who hasn't got flaws? Which one of us, eh? And you'll be right. But Percy is hot in the head as well as the spurs and though his judgment in battle is heaven-sent there's the devil

at his elbow reminding him when he's not getting all that a Percy should. He'd never forget a slight, our Hotspur, and to get even he'd risk his head. That's not calm judgment, is it, for where's the sense in avenging a slight if it costs your head to do it? You can't enjoy your pride if you have no head to do it with.'