Warbeck claimed his brother, Edward V, had been murdered, but due to his youth and innocence he was spared and sent to Europe to live with loyal Yorkist, Sir Edward Brampton. He was made to promise he would not reveal his true identity for many years; it was only when Sir Edward Brampton returned to England, Warbeck decided to reveal his secret.
A year after Margaret offered her allegiance, Warbeck had landed in Ireland hoping to raise support for his cause, but few men believed his story or took up arms for him, forcing him to return to Europe. For a while, he had received patronage from the French king, Charles VIII, but when the Treaty of Etaples was signed in 1492 between Charles and Henry Tudor, stating that Charles agreed to end his support for Warbeck and support Henry VII, Warbeck was expelled. He had returned to his aunt in Burgundy, and, over the next few years, his presence was a constant low-level threat to Henry Tudor’s crown.
In 1495, a brief Yorkist uprising in support of Warbeck was quashed by Henry; the ringleaders were imprisoned orexecuted. After this, Warbeck travelled to Ireland, where, again, he received no support, before fleeing to Scotland and the court of James IV, who welcomed the pretender to the English throne.
Two years on, Warbeck’s welcome was wearing thin. He had married Lady Catherine Gordon, daughter of George Gordon, 2nd Earl of Huntly, but various skirmishes trying to establish him as king had failed, hence the new ship and the suggestion he sail far, far away from Scotland and King James.
‘Your time at court will allow me to know you’re safe while I’m away, Lizzie,’ said the earl, ‘particularly if Warbeck creates more unrest.’
‘Will you employ a housekeeper?’ Elizabeth asked.
‘No,’ said the earl, then he hesitated and continued with a nervous cough, ‘there will be no need.’
‘Are you closing up the houses?’ asked Younger.
‘Of course not,’ replied the earl. ‘You shall have control of them. We shall need the London property, there are many exciting events ahead for us to attend: the proxy betrothal of Prince Arthur with the Spanish princess, Katherine of Aragon, the summer hunts and running the smaller properties will also give you time to help your new stepmother adjust to her position.’
Elizabeth’s mind was already racing through her wardrobe wondering what she would need for her time at court and whether her elder half-sister Anne would be able to offer advice on her court wardrobe and wedding clothes. The prospect was bittersweet as it would have been a delight to prepare for such an experience with her mother. She was so lost in thought, she jumped when Younger’s voice echoed through the room like a thunderclap.
‘What stepmother?’
Elizabeth turned to look at her father in horror, unsure she had heard correctly.
‘Mother died three months ago,’ snarled Edmund. ‘Have you forgotten her so quickly?’
‘Of course not,’ retorted the earl. ‘I loved your mother, but a man in my position, and also one with so many children and such a large household, needs a wife. She is someone you all know and she will be shortly leaving our household to stay with cousins in Leicestershire until special dispensation has been granted but we wished to inform you of our plans.’
Elizabeth had always known her father would remarry, but she had thought he would have adhered to the usual year of mourning before introducing a new bride into their lives. This felt like an insult to her mother’s memory; who in their close-knit circle would be so craven as to swoop down on a widower with such precision and speed?
‘Why do you need special dispensation?’ said Edward, his eyes narrowed, his usually cheerful voice lower and angrier than Elizabeth had ever heard.
Special dispensation, thought Elizabeth, is only required when the couple are related in some way, usually through a marriage to another member of the same family.She ran a mental check through her mother’s siblings and cousins.
‘She and I have long been friends,’ said the earl. ‘I have appreciated her help and her diligence in assisting your mother to administer our homes and busy lives. She seems an obvious replacement, but her connection to your mother required us to be granted a special dispensation.’
Elizabeth felt anger swoop through her as realisation dawned. She half-turned, desperate to leave, unsure she would be able to be polite but before she could stumble towards the door, her father called out.
‘Come in, my dear,’ and to Elizabeth’s disgust, Agnes Tilney stepped into the room. She walked to the earl’s side and placeda proprietorial hand on his arm, a triumphant smile on her dimpled face.
Elizabeth looked at her brothers, who were all gazing at Agnes with the same expressions of anger, betrayal and grief as she knew must be on her own face.
‘Do not expect any of us to call you Mother,’ snarled Younger and with a sweeping look at his siblings, he stormed from the room, followed by Elizabeth, Edward and Edmund marching behind him in silent fury.
15
LONDON – NOVEMBER 1499
Elizabeth breathed in as the maid tightened the laces on her bodice. Her life had changed so much in the past two years: she was a wife, soon-to-be a mother and, thanks to her husband’s popularity, her position at court was assured.
‘Thank you, Joan,’ Elizabeth said as her maid stepped away. ‘You may leave.’
With a curtsy, the young woman disappeared and Elizabeth reached for the handheld looking glass – a present from her brother Edward upon her marriage to Thomas Boleyn – and inspected her reflection.
Her mother’s voice rang in her head, ‘Women of our rank must always be immaculate, Lizzie. The way you present yourself to the world is not only a reflection of your husband, but also the manner in which you run his homes and raise his family. This is of great importance for retaining the respect of those around us and essential for maintaining a happy home.’
She and Thomas had married the previous year, dividing their time between the court in London with its excitement and glamour and the Boleyn family home of Blickling Hall in Norfolk.
As her maid stepped away, Elizabeth ran her hand over the swelling in her belly.A child, she thought,let us hope I shall offer Thomas the same fecundity Mama delivered for Papa.They would return soon to Norfolk for her confinement, but for now, Thomas was embroiled in the hustle and bustle of life at the court. She, too, enjoyed the excitement of the dazzling life created by the queen, Elizabeth of York.
