Following the Adventures of Jen and Lucy
Replying to Lucy’s email, Jen’s nimble fingers can’t type fast enough, prompting a video call between them to discuss the latest development furthering Richard III’s cause.
Jen is sitting in front of her computer, her excitement evident to Lucy when making the connection.
“I told you
Richard was a nice young man with a kind face and couldn’t possibly be guilty,”
beams Lucy. “And how wonderful that a historian from
“Who would have
thought proof about the King’s lack of involvement with the princes would come
up so soon after we visited
“We certainly do,” nods Lucy, lifting a cup of Earl Grey to her lips. “I think Philippa Langley has done an absolutely splendid job with her Missing Princes Project. That shows real dedication.”
“But what about the Queen not letting the scientists examine those infamous bones found under the stairwell in the Tower. We have better technology since they were last examined. It’s a cover-up if you ask me.”
Lucy gives a guilty glance over at the two porcelain corgis in pride of place on the mantelpiece as if they can hear the blasphemous words. With Charles and Camilla living only a mile or so away at Highgrove, one never knew who might pop in. A lifelong royalist, Jen’s words feel almost treasonous, but she can’t help wholeheartedly agreeing. “I would like to know the Queen’s reasons, I must say.”
“Me, too. So, what do you think? Is this John Evans really Edward V?”
Lucy picks up an organic lemon biscuit from the Highgrove shop, deciding she can’t imagine Camilla baking them. “Well, I must admit, the arguments are very convincing. Especially his name starting with E for Edward and V for the fifth king. And AS for ‘asa’ in Latin, which means sanctuary. Someone certainly had a sense of humour.”
Jen looks thoughtful. “Probably Richard himself? To show the boys’ mother he was still honoring their royal status. After all, he must have been the one who originally came up with the plan.”
“It’s odd that
there are only two other glass portraits of Edward V and one is in the royal
window at Canterbury Cathedral. Why is there one in a rural church in
“No, it doesn’t.”
Lucy can’t help herself. “Oh, Jen, how I wish you were here now. I could take you for supper at the Snooty Fox. Wouldn’t it be fun to catch up with all this? I’ve been thinking how hard it must have been for the princes’ grieving mother to strike a bargain with her brother-in-law after the death of her beloved husband, King Edward.”
“I don’t think Elizabeth Woodville was
easily swayed. She must have known in her heart that a Protectorship was extremely
dangerous to her son’s well-being. Edward would never rule; he’d be taken
prisoner or killed because he stood in the way. And Richard must have mentioned
the battles destroying the Houses of York and Lancaster. The country needed
peace, and Richard had proven himself in the north. He could govern wisely, and
that’s what
“That makes sense, Jen. As a mother of two sons myself and looking back from our time, I, too, would think it was safer if Richard, as Edward’s surviving brother, and an adult, took over.”
“If that’s what happened, score a point for Richard. Unfortunately, when he was killed, Henry VII’s mother, that conniving Margaret Beaufort, decided to blacken Richard’s name, saying it was better for her son if everyone thought the princes were dead. So, Yorkist Richard became a murderous uncle and the devil incarnate. And Henry Tudor, an angel from heaven. The House of York to whom the new Queen belonged - vilified - and the new King’s House of Tudor - praised to the skies. What bull! Excuse my French.”
Lucy sighs. “Poor Elizabeth Woodville. She
didn’t stand a chance against that schemer. There certainly wasn’t room at
court for a Queen’s Mother as well as a King’s Mother. But galling as it is,
Margaret Beaufort was probably right. If everyone thought the boys were dead,
no one would come looking for them. And there could be no factions.
“Yep. A win-win
situation for everyone except for Richard! Of course, I also loved the DaVinci
code reference in the article. So exciting. It reminded me a bit of Indiana
Jones and “digging in the wrong place.” There were so many clues no one
bothered to check. Why? Because they didn’t want the truth! Looking the other
way kept them in power – yeah, I’m talking about the Tudor upstart and his
mother. Too convenient if you ask me. And let’s not forget that cunning
Margaret had the boys’ mother packed off to Bermondsey Abbey. I’m sure that
wasn’t in the original deal with Richard. She was probably jealous that
Lucy suddenly thinks of the wonderful courtship between the Queen and Prince Philip portrayed in The Crown, and her eyes mist over. “Actually, I think their story is very romantic.”
“I agree. Edward and Elizabeth’s marriage is a storybook happy ending. On the other hand, I don’t think Margaret was ever truly in love. She seemed like such a cold fish, hiding behind piety! Yet, in all fairness, Margaret probably had no choice and made the best of a bad situation. But I still think she is as guilty as sin! Her fingerprints are over everything, including this deal if it ever existed.”
“Well, we’ve got a real mystery on our hands now. As good as any episode of Midsummer Murders.”
“I love John Nettles. And he always got his man.” Jen giggles. “The cops caught many criminals by following the money. With us, we follow the documents! As for Thomas More, he was only five when the princes in the Tower disappeared. He was nothing more than a Tudor puppet. Until the day arrived when he wasn’t.”
“You mean when he lost his head,” says Lucy in a solemn voice.
“Exactly. No one said no to Henry VIII and lived to tell the tale! So, anything More wrote about Richard was total hearsay, not admissible in a court of law.”
Lucy is full of
admiration for her friend. “Didn’t you study law at university, Jen? You always
seem to know so much. I met Giles right after I left boarding school. He was a
few years older and persuaded me not to bother continuing with my studies. I
had a place at
Jen notices a fleeting sadness when looking directly into Lucy’s eyes. She isn’t sure she likes the sound of Giles, whom she suspects is overbearing and controlling. He probably didn’t want Lucy to go to college to prevent her from outgrowing their relationship and running off with someone else smarter than him! She wonders if he approves of Lucy’s passion for history. Almost certainly not. Jen is more determined than ever to help her friend pursue her hobby. “On my next trip over, we must visit Coldridge and St. Matthew’s church and check out the clues mentioned in the article. What do you think?”
Lucy claps her hands together. “Oh, yes, I’d love that. I can’t wait to visit the church and see all the clues Edward or, should I say, John Evans left there. Ones that will absolve his uncle of all guilt. I wonder what all the naysayers are thinking now. The ones who are so vocal about Richard III being guilty. Good King Richard! We’re riding to the rescue. Your name will soon be cleared.”
Read the Daily Mail article HERE
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