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

'We'll take Conway in a week, I'll warrant,' cried Harry.

'And I'll not be one to deny it, my young bantam. Why with you there to crow us to victory and Percy to spur us on, it's in our hands before we start.'

Oldcastle was right. Within a very short time they had regained the castle; and they put into action their plan to show leniency to those who had given way to the Welsh.

While they were congratulating themselves on their success they received a despatch from the King.

He rejoiced that the castle had been regained but considered that it should never have been lost in the first place. Moreover he did not believe in showing leniency to those who had so easily given over the castle to the enemy. 'If men are to be rewarded for betraying us when we, at some cost, have recovered what was lost, they will take this easy course when besieged again,* was his comment.

Hotspur was angry. He could not endure criticism. He had planned the operation with great care and considerable skill. The suggestion that his negligence had lost them the castle in the first place was unfair. Moreover he was reminded that he had not received money from the King which was due to him and in order to carry out the recent operation he had been obliged to provide much of the expenses himself.

Anger smouldered in Hotspur's mind and Harry was disturbed by this resentment which he knew Hotspur bore towards his father. He wished that he could explain to the King what a great commander Hotspur was and how in his opinion it was unwise to cast criticism on what, had the King been present, he must have seen to be a very skilful operation.

John Oldcastle talked to Harry about the matter and he talked recklessly and as Harry knew this he liked him the more for it, because it showed that there was trust between them.

'Hotspur is falling out of love with your royal father and falling fast, my young Prince,' was his comment.

1 want to tell my father what a great leader he is. He's the

best we have, you know, Sir John. My father cannot afford to offend such as Hotspur/

Tour father cannot afford these wars but he makes them, my lord.'

*He has to. But he does not have to make an enemy of Hotspur. He should send the money that Hotspur has spent on these campaigns. The soldiers on the Scottish border have not been paid either.'

*Ah, war, war ... matters of state.' Oldcastle put his face close to the Prince's. *A notion occurs to me. Your father is a wily man. He likes not the power of the Percys, I'll warrant. No great king wants little kings in his kingdom. Wise kings find a means to curb the power of those little rulers. And your father is a wise king, methinks.'

*Do you mean, old fellow, that he's trying to curb the Percys'power?'

*Why not? Why not? And how better than by making them pay for his wars, eh? Now that's what one would expect from a clever king.'

Oldcastle gave the Prince a sharp nudge in the ribs. Harry nodded. He liked to think that his father was shrewd and wily. All the same he did not believe that a fine soldier like Hotspur should be so exploited.

Hotspur meanwhile nursed his grievances.

He was growing more and more disillusioned with the King and tired of waging war on the Welsh. He wanted to be back with his own people in Northumberland. That was his land and he wanted to be with his father and defend it. The quarrel with the Welsh was the King's quarrel and if the King could not appreciate what was done for him then why should Henry Percy bother to do it.

There was another matter. Sir Edmund Mortimer had been captured by the Welsh and Hotspur wanted to bring about his release. He had a sentimental reason for this. Sir Edmund was the brother of Hotspur's wife and he knew she was anxious about him. He wanted to go to tell her that he had brought about her brother's release. Sir Edmund was a very important prisoner. He was the uncle and guardian of the Earl of March who many said was the true heir to the throne.

Hotspur therefore wished to treat with the Welsh for the return of Mortimer, and to Hotspur's fury the King would have none of it.

Hotspur raged.

'Was not Mortimer taken in the King's business?' he raged. And then he cried: 'No, of a surety Henry of Bolingbroke does not want the return of Mortimer for the Mortimers stand closer to the throne than he does himself I'

When Harry heard what had been said he was apprehensive. Hotspur was placing himself on the other side, for the rift between him and the King was growing fast.

Hotspur declared that he would no longer stay in Wales. He had done everything possible but his services had never been understood or appreciated and he had had enough of Wales.

He was going back to the stronghold of Northumberland.

Before he left he received a message to the effect that a high ranking Welshman wished to speak with him and if he w^ould receive him they might come to some terms amicable to them both. Percy agreed and a tall man wrapped in a cloak w^hich was concealing his identity was brought into his tent.

Percy was ready. He was in armour and prepared for treachery. Great was his surprise when his visitor revealed himself as Owen Glendower.

1 come in peace/ said Glendower. Tut away your sword, my lord. You see I am unarmed.'

Percy saw this and laid down his sword.

'Why have you come to me?' asked Percy. 'What do you want to say?'

'That we are fighting a senseless war. There will never be peace if you English wish to subdue Wales. The mountains are our allies. Give me back the lands which have been taken from me and there could be peace. There can be no satisfactory ending to this war.'

Percy was silent. What Glendower was saying was true. They could never completely subdue the Welsh and even if they did so for a time there would always be outbreaks of trouble.

He himself was weary of the Welsh war; he had made up his mind to leave and in a few days he would be gone.

*I can put your proposal to the King,' said Percy.

'The King?' cried Glendower. 'The usurper you mean.

The man who calls himself King.'

Percy was taken aback and said nothing; but he was not ill pleased to hear the venom in Glendower's voice. He himself was feeling more and more antagonistic towards Henry Bol-ingbroke.

'There is talk that Richard did not die, that he was not murdered at the usurper's command.'

'He is dead. I feel certain of it,' said Hotspur. 'If he were not Henry would never have tried to marry young Harry to Richard's Queen. He would not want a string of bastards calling themselves heirs to the Lancastrian estates.'

'Then if Richard is dead, the Earl of March is the true King.'

'There is some truth in that.'

'It may well be that if Henry will not return the land which has been taken from me, if he does not make peace with Wales, we shall work to put him from his throne and set up the rightful king in his place.' Owen looked intently at Hotspur. 'It might well be that some in England will be of like mind and join us.'

Hotspur was thoughtful. Then he said: 'There is one matter which is close to my heart. You have as your prisoner my brother-in-law. Sir Edmund Mortimer. Henry has refused to discuss his ransom. I want him released.'

Owen smiled slowly. 'Are you sure my lord that he wishes to be released?'

Hotspur stared in astonishment, and Owen continued: 'He has fallen in love with my daughter Catherine. I see no reason to oppose the match. I do not think he will want to take up arms against his father-in-law. And naturally he would like to see his nephew in his rightful place on the throne.'

Hotspur was astounded.

He saw that Henry was going to have a very difficult task in holding the crown and he was not displeased. Serve him right. If he did not appreciate the Northumberlands he should be deposed. Moreover the new King would be his nephew through marriage and that seemed a fairly bright prospect.