Stirling Castle: An embassy to Scotland

[Oznerol]

Beaufort had travelled fast from York, with his remaining loyals and baggage train; fortunately, Somerset traveled with some of his valuable belongings, including tapestries and jewels. They swiftly crossed the border with Scotland and once in Berwick the Lancastrian embassy was granted an armed escort sent by James Kennedy, Bishop of Saint Andrews and main advisor to the Queen Mother Mary of Guelders. The king and the court were at Stirling Castle, where the young James III had been born and which the Stewarts had turned into a favored seat and residence, splendidly furbished and slowly remodelated; still it lacked a Great Hall or a palatial building that could be compared to Woodstock, Greenwich or Westminster itself. Beaufort made himself be announced and waited for the reply of the Queen regent in the name of his cousin, the King.

Somerset wore the best still available for him on his diminished wardrobe, including the lavish blue gown worn shortly before Towton, and a SS collar prove of his loyalties. Pending from the collar, one of the Duke's livery badges, in this case a horned and golden yale. He covered his head with a tall black hat and his feet were clad in a pair of long-toed shoes, made of soft leather. His retainers wore blue and white liveries and sported the Red Rose of Lancaster over their hearts.

[Barry Goldwater]

Somerset is brought into the main hall of Stirling Castle. The room was not half as large or lavishly decorated as the great halls of palaces like Westminster, but it had the feeling of a warm home at least, and banners depicting the red lion rampant on gold of Alba hanged from the ceiling over the Scottish aristocracy and clergy gathered below. Various courtiers watched and spoke amongst themselves as the Duke of Somerset made his entry and heralds announced his presence, with some speaking with native accents and others discussing his presence in German or French or Latin - no doubt the Queen-Regent's own retinue, brought over from her native home amidst the Low Countries.

At the other end of the hall, the King of Scots sat atop his wooden throne. James III was but a boy of ten or eleven, and did not seem to fit his clothes at all; his red and gold and blue robes were clearly too large for him, even his crown seemed too large and too heavy for his head, and his expression was that of a nervous child trying far too hard to impress his parents by acting tough. To his right, his mother Mary of Guelders sat in a smaller chair, garbed in a red dress with a flowing skirt that depicted the arms of her homeland: gold and black lions facing one another on blue and golden fields. Unlike her son who was at least trying to project a kingly air, her expression was all exhaustion and resignation. She allowed King James to speak first, not that he had much to say.

"Be welcome into our hall, Duke of Somerset." James seemed inordinately proud at having managed to get that line out without slipping up once.

"Yes, welcome. How has the war gone in England? The road from London to Stirling must have been a long one, but not a hard one to cross if you have already prevailed against the usurper Edward of March with the arms and soldiers we lent you." Straight to business, this queen. Something in the Queen-mother's voice and eyes gave Somerset the impression that she already had at least a basic picture of what happened between St Albans and Towton, however.

[Oznerol]

Somerset bows to the King.

"I salute you, my royal cousin"

Then, the regent.

"And you, my fair Queen"

He clasped his hands.

"Unfortunately, your Grace, misfortune and defeat have befallen our righteous cause. The Red Rose of Lancaster is sailing to France, for our armies were soundly defeated and routed at Towton. Now, the usurper, the would-be King Edward of March, calls himself ruler of all England and sits on the throne that belongs only to Henry of France and England, rightful and sole heir of Plantagenet"

He spoke to mother and son, even if clearly only the former opinion truly mattered.

"An annointed King has been dethroned; a most heinous sin and an unforgettable crime. The coronation oils, the holy balms that once graced my King's temples cannot be washed away by a simple defeat, Henry of Lancaster remains the true heir of Edward the Third by his son John of Gaunt, our common forebear [nods to the young king]"

Somerset looks around, acknowledging the presence of so many peers and noblemen there gathered.

"Firstly, I must thank your Grace for the many swords sent in our support; men who fought and bled valiantly for a noble cause"

[Gandalfus]

"Yes, we share our undying sympathy with His Grace, King Henry. Usurpation is a mortifying crime, and our own valiant Scotsmen bled to right that wrong, particularly good Douglas, who came south to fight this injustice." Mary interjected, sounding extremely unimpressed with the entire situation. The greatest host gathered in Britain, they had told her, and now it was nothing but this tattered Duke who returned to beg for more aid.
"So you lost, this is true? Your men scattered to the winds, your Queen and King on French soil?"

[Oznerol]

"Is true, your Grace"

Said Beaufort. His voice didn't reveal any feelings, but his eyes couldn't conceal humilliation.

"But, I came here to renew the alliance between our houses"

All this was extremely uncomfortable, the prideful Somerset felt, genuinely, like a beggar.

[Gandalfus]

"Indeed." Mary sniffed, disguising her displeasure with a thin smile. "Alliances are agreements of mutual benefit. What does the King of England have to offer us, in exchange for our aid? We do not wish to bleed ourselves senselessly for no gain, now that your support has been broken and your lords defected to York."

[Oznerol]

"One day Lancaster shall be restored to his throne, York's control over the realm is tenous and will soon crumble. A battle was lost, but not the war. In exchange of your support, my Queen, we offer a marriage proposal: between Edward of Westminster and your fair daughter and namesake, Mary"

Such a proposal would mean Stewart must support Lancaster in order to see the princess seating on the English throne.

"You know that York has no love for your Grace and will try to start an open conflict as soon as posible. Berwick weights heavily on the Yorkists' conscience. We are willing to perpetually cede the place and some others around the border to repay your gracious aid, my Queen"

Somerset had to swallow his pride, the Queen had to receive something in return.

"Last, but not least, I have another offer, your Grace. Long has Burgundy tyranized your fair homeland of Guelders, I have heard your blessed father is seeking a husband for your sister, fruitlessly. That shall not be, I will, with your father's permission, marry your beloved sister and, if Lancaster is restored, we will do whatever is necessary to free the duchy from duc Philippe's tirany and opression"

[Gandalfus]

Mary regarded Beaufort with suspicion. It was clear the woman needed some convincing before she would seriously consider backing Lancaster again.

"I have seen little evidence that Edward of York's reign is weak. Perhaps I should betroth my daughter to one of his brothers, and secure my borders. At least he does not lose battles fruitlessly." She chastised. Though the words were in anger, there could be some truth to them - it was hard to tell. "Berwick is already my son's. You cannot give away what is already Scottish land, Somerset. What other lands would you offer, as compensation?" She paused thoughtfully at the offer of a marriage. A marriage between Guelders and Lancaster could even antagonise the Burgundians further - Edward's sister was married to the ducal heir, after all. However, the prospect of a Scottish Queen of England would be hard to ignore.

[Oznerol]

"All the lands North the Esk would be ceded to the Scottish crown"

A drop of sweat fell between his shoulders. He felt unease.

[Gandalfus]

Mary looked composed, although that was indeed a hefty offer. Before, she had gained but a town, but in this, she would gain a swathe of the north for the Scottish crown. For her son.
"I shall consider this, Beaufort, along with the proposal of betrothal. If you can bring me proof that you have allies enough to complete such a venture, then I may be willing to throw Scotland behind you."

[Oznerol]

"We are thankful, your Grace"

He bows.

"With your leave, my royal cousin"

[Gandalfus]

Mary glanced down at James and beamed, indicating it was time for him to address the Duke. "You may go, Somerset." James said in a level tone and with a vague gesture, indicating the audience was over.

[Oznerol]

Beaufort arrives to Stirling again and requests an audience.

[Gandalfus]

He is admitted, and Mary is eager to hear news that Beaufort brings. Rumours of tension between England and France have reached the ears of Scotland's court.

[Oznerol]

"My Queen, it is done. King Louis will grant his full support to Lancaster, soon his troops will land on England to lay waste to the usurper's armies"

Said the fancily-dressed Beaufort.

[Gandalfus]

"Excellent!" She exulted, and James also looked impressed despite his young age. "I certainly feel better about committing troops to your cause. Tell me, which Lords in the north of England support you?"

[Oznerol]

"Westmorland, Clifford, Percy and many more, my Queen"

Said Beaufort. Westmoreland was a staunch Lancastrian who would surely raise his banners for the rightful king as soon they crossed the borders.

"The usurper has only occupied his throne for a mere year, most England still remember who their true king is. He hasn't even been crowned yet"

[Gandalfus]

"Excellent. Douglas shall lead seven thousand men across the border with you, Beaufort. I pray this campaign is more successful than the last."

[Oznerol]

"We are rejoiced by your support my Queen. I will gladly ride to England with Douglas, however coordination is essential here, we have to wait for King Louis to make his move against the Usurper, then we will hammer the Yorkists against the French anvil"

Said Beaufort.

"We have still matters to discuss, my gracious Queen: my cousin Westminster, heir to the good king Henry, is to be married to my cousin Mary, your daughter as arranged on my latest visit. And I had proposed myself as husband to your fair sister of Guelders"

ooc: Which Douglas? The Black or the Red Douglas?

[Gandalfus]

OOC: Black.

"Of course. The latter marriage can be completed before you depart - I summoned her here, a few months prior, in anticipation of your return." Mary looked pleased. Once more she had the chance to strengthen Scotland at the expense of its rival. "My son's forces will gather in Lothian, and will await your arrival before they march into Northumberland."