The Religious Tract Society first edition - 1909
I couldn't find out anything about the author this time, but no matter. The sub-title, The Last of the Plantagenets, made me think the novel would be focused on Richard III, but he only appears as a relatively minor character. It is perhaps revealing that, when a second impression came out in the 1920s, it featured in the RTS's Schoolboy's Library edition and the copy on the Internet had a Boy's Own Paper prize competition on the inside board. I can't trace any other books by this author.
The tale is told in the first person singular, by a man looking back over his life under the Yorkists. He is using his chaplain, a worthy man of the Franciscan order... to write of Bosworth Field by my two sons. It is now 1515, six years into Henry VIII's reign. Roland Preederoy was born in 1461 in Southampton; his father, Sir Antony was knighted by Henry VI and was at the Battle of Wakefield in the Queen's army at the time. His father is the Lancastrian apple of Roland's eye, who has a likeness of the mighty Edward of Cressy. Roland attends school at Winchester in 1470 and, whilst there, hears of Robin of Redesdale's revolt and Warwick and Clarence's overturning of Edward IV's rule (Preederoy refers to him as the Earl of March). Sir Antony had joined them and, once Edward had regained his throne, fully expected to be imprisoned or even executed. His knightly word given not to rebel, he was, however, able to enjoy years at his home at Twyford. Roland, by this time (1476) has been accepted at New College, Oxford. Engaged in a boisterous melee, Roland is 'sent down' to a disappointed father. He becomes squire to a Yorkist 'new' man, Baron Thorndyke of Otterbourne, who is given a charge from King Edward to his most Christian Majesty Lewis.
Due to a storm, their ship fails to reach Harfleur, but lands at Treguier in Brittany. They travel to the Chateau of Rennes, where the now 19 year-old meets the fairest face I had seen - Adela, daughter of Sir Roderic Marshall, of Odiham Castle, and erstwhile friend of Roland's father. The choleric Sir Roderick is in exile as he would have no terms with Edward of York. The story now jumps a few years, to April 1482. Baron Otterbourne is given a scroll to take to King Lewis of France; they travel from Paris through Tours, Orleans and Blois to Plessis. There is a good description of the fortifications designed to keep the paranoid King safe. Roland fortuitously saves the life of the King's physician, who grants him the boon of releasing Adela and her father from their 'chateau arrest'. Roland meets Lewis - a man in dire sickness...the face as of one dead...with withered, claw-like fingers.
The Baron and Roland determine to return to England. At Calais, they get news that Edward IV has died. Roland aims for London, but not before Adela meets him again and asks him to plead for her father's return to Odiham from the Duke of Gloucester. Roland recalls for his sons: the young king...was slain in the Tower in August, and in a strange manner, for none have ever done more than guess at the author of his death. He meets Richard - a man whom I shall ever recall as the ablest ruler and warrior of his time. Shorter that the common height, and withal spare of figure...save that his right shoulder appeared to be raised, I could see nought of that deformity whereof writers of our own day tell so much. Saving Richard from a ruffian, Roland asks for and is given the leave for the Marshalls to return. Roland hies himself to Calais and brings Adela and her father back to Hampshire.
Tales of the two princes' deaths in the Tower circulate. Sir Roderick Marshall and Roland's father meet up and urge Roland to support Henry Tydder's efforts to seize the throne. They all get involved in the October Buckingham Rebellion. Caught up in its failure. Roland disguises himself in the company of travelling clowns. They move between the Marches, Nottingham, Banbury and Hereford. Now 1485, and hearing of Henry Tydder's landing, Roland collects retainers to join him. The King, so we quickly learned, was at hand with his power, together with the Earl of Oxford, Sir John Savage, Bishop Morton, and certain Welsh chieftains whose strange-sounding names have escaped me. Our hero journeys with Tudor's army to Bosworth and witnesses Richard III's brave end. An Envoy wraps up Roland's tale. His father is released from the Tower; Odiham Manor is returned to Adele's mother (her father had been killed). In May 1487, Roland marries Adela in Twyford Church. A simple story of Lancastrian dedication and prowess.
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