Stafford House

[Dirty Chai]

A view of old London Bridge from a window.

Here lies a small townhouse owned by Henry Stafford, the 2nd Duke of Buckingham and 7th Earl of Stafford. He lived here in his youth, while he was a ward of King Edward IV. Today the Duke lives in his estates in the midlands, but it is known that those in London seeking to contact the Duke can do so through his retainers here in London.

[Oznerol]

Lord Thomas Grey, Earl of Winchester and Lord of Glamorgan, arrives to Stafford House, willing to pay a visit to a fellow ward of the King; both had been together at court for some time.

[Dirty Chai]

It was a small house but afforded a sizable stone-wall to keep out the undesirables, with a large wooden gate watched over by a man during most hours of the day. The center house was half-timbered and close-studded, so a new construction, but humble - much too humble and underwhelming for a duke. A small Stafford knot was carved into the lintel of the doorway.

Of all the homes left to the 2nd Duke by the 1st Duke, this was likely the least of them.

The Duke of Buckingham had become noted for his unusual aloofness - for being the foremost of the dukes in the realm without "Plantagenet" attached to their name, he was quite standoffish, seemingly uninterested in the court or even politics.

The Earl is let into a small drawing room, a seemingly dark room - not due to lighting, however, which was plentiful. The floorboards and support beams were all of a polished, heavy brown, making the whole room seem dark. There was a lack of color on the walls, as well, perhaps due to some sort of design neglect.

The Duke appears after a moment, coming into the room opposite the Earl. Harry Stafford was a year older than Thomas Grey, and though they were growing boys, it wasn't a major difference. Stafford has flaxen hair, but a furrowed brow. His chin was pointed, so that his hair framed a heart-shaped face with hazel eyes... Or were they green? Hard to tell.

[Oznerol]

Compared to Baynard's, the royal palace where Winchester lived in the city for the time being, the duke's house was far too humble; the lord mayor's house in London was richer and larger than the Stafford's inn. Grey was rather short and thin, but nimble and slim, he wore superb robes, close-fit to his well-built figure. Dark-haired and brown-eyed the earl could be considered somewhat handsome, and even if he was a married man, Grey was starting to develop certain appetite for women. Stafford was one of the realm's peers, yet he wasn't a common sight in Westminster and remained somehow isolated from the current bickering and factionalism. Winchester removes his hat and bows slightly:

"Lord Stafford"

[Dirty Chai]

Compared to Baynard's, the royal palace where Winchester lived in the city for the time being, the duke's house was far too humble; the lord mayor's house in London was richer and larger than the Stafford's inn. Grey was rather short and thin, but nimble and slim, he wore superb robes, close-fit to his well-built figure. Dark-haired and brown-eyed the earl could be considered somewhat handsome, and even if he was a married man, Grey was starting to develop certain appetite for women. Stafford was one of the realm's peers, yet he wasn't a common sight in Westminster and remained somehow isolated from the current bickering and factionalism. Winchester removes his hat and bows slightly:

"Lord Stafford"

"Lord Grey," Stafford responded courteously. For being a golden boy, however, he had a way of appearing quite sullen, "Welcome."

The stench of fish filled the nearby streets, since nearby was the fishmarkets of Billingsgate and Ebsgate, but inside here, it was quite .. clean.
"Why the visit?" Harry asked, bluntly, the inner ends of his eyebrows curving downwards.

"We are not friends, are we?" There was no hostility or hesitation, but rather an awkwardly, sincere confusion in his voice.

The Queen of England decides to pay the duke of Buckingham a visit, she requests a private audience, the Queen is followed by a lavish host of the most beautiful Ladies in waiting in the real, all dressed the best way they can, the Queen herself ofcourse wears the most expensive and beautiful dress in gold, all part of the plan to amaze the teenager and get his support.

The Stafford house in the bridge wards was a modest house for a noble - even for a wealthy merchant - but had cobbled stone walls fencing its property, as high as a man on horseback. The man at the gate opened the doors without hesitation, bowing as the consort of the King and her followers passed into the yard.

It was a half-timbered structure, close-studded. A Stafford knot was carved over the doorway. The Duke himself knelt in the yard as the queen approached, his flaxen hair hanging around his face, covering it. A chaperon's tail wrapped around his shoulders and neck like half of a scarf. His tunic and hose were of a unassuming brown colors, but finely made.

A few other men stood behind the young Duke, perhaps one of his uncles as well as a few retainers, all of minor noble status, and they all bowed their heads as she approached the kneeling youth. The smell of fish wafted through the air here, for the fishmarkets were not but a few blocks away at most.

[Mary The Quene]

The Stafford house in the bridge wards was a modest house for a noble - even for a wealthy merchant - but had cobbled stone walls fencing its property, as high as a man on horseback. The man at the gate opened the doors without hesitation, bowing as the consort of the King and her followers passed into the yard.

It was a half-timbered structure, close-studded. A Stafford knot was carved over the doorway. The Duke himself knelt in the yard as the queen approached, his flaxen hair hanging around his face, covering it. A chaperon's tail wrapped around his shoulders and neck like half of a scarf. His tunic and hose were of a unassuming brown colors, but finely made.

A few other men stood behind the young Duke, perhaps one of his uncles as well as a few retainers, all of minor noble status, and they all bowed their heads as she approached the kneeling youth. The smell of fish wafted through the air here, for the fishmarkets were not but a few blocks away at most.

The Queen felt disgusted by the smell of fish, something she is ofcourse not used to in her palace, but luckily she sprayed enough perfume reduce the fish smell, 'oh well, it is not the time to complain' she thought, she smilingly nodded and approached him more closely before speaking. Her golden crown and other jewelry shining as it always do, and her voice always so sweet.

Duke Buckingham, your reputations excels you, your parents surely must be proud of you.

That was ofcourse the usual courteous talks that were required of the nobility.

We have the desire to befriend you, as an important peer of the realm it is utmost important we are on good terms, for the good of the realm.

The Queen softly stroke her chin inspecting the young man, her own ladies in waiting smiling to the young duke.

Hmm you are informed of what is to come in the following months?She ofcourse referred to the trial to come, the true reason she is here

[Mary The Quene]

The Queen of England decides to pay the duke of Buckingham a visit, she requests a private audience, the Queen is followed by a lavish host of the most beautiful Ladies in waiting in the real, all dressed the best way they can, the Queen herself ofcourse wears the most expensive and beautiful dress in gold, all part of the plan to amaze the teenager and get his support.

[Oznerol]

"We aren't... yet"

Said Grey.

"However, I do intent to establish an enduring friendship between us, as former wardens of the King both"

He handed Stafford a book.

"A gift, Plutarch's Parallel Lives; a book every noble born gentlemen must read, to gaze to the glories of Rome. At least, that's what the Lombardian thinkers state"

[Dirty Chai]

"We aren't... yet"

Said Grey.

"However, I do intent to establish an enduring friendship between us, as former wardens of the King both"

He handed Stafford a book.

"A gift, Plutarch's Parallel Lives; a book every noble born gentlemen must read, to gaze to the glories of Rome. At least, that's what the Lombardian thinkers state"

Harry took the book aside, glancing at briefly. He was familiar with the name. Plutarch was one of the ancients that the literate and university-taught writers were now obsessed with imitating. Though, Englishmen did not speak Latin outside of mass, so it was of little use to an Englishmen, he thought.

Stafford remained silent, staring at Grey. He was simply waiting for Grey to say more, but after a long awkward silence he realized that he was expected to respond to the gift. "I.. thank you for the gift," he said, unsure.

The Queen felt disgusted by the smell of fish, something she is ofcourse not used to in her palace, but luckily she sprayed enough perfume reduce the fish smell, 'oh well, it is not the time to complain' she thought, she smilingly nodded and approached him more closely before speaking. Her golden crown and other jewelry shining as it always do, and her voice always so sweet.

Duke Buckingham, your reputations excels you, your parents surely must be proud of you.

That was ofcourse the usual courteous talks that were required of the nobility.

We have the desire to befriend you, as an important peer of the realm it is utmost important we are on good terms, for the good of the realm.

The Queen softly stroke her chin inspecting the young man, her own ladies in waiting smiling to the young duke.

Hmm you are informed of what is to come in the following months?She ofcourse referred to the trial to come, the true reason she is here

Stafford has been an aloof child, and that reputation seemed confirmed here and now as he stood up. He was tall young man now, with wide shoulders. His face was heart shaped, and he had a golden head of hair, but somehow seemed a sulkily or indifferent type of man.

He blinked a few times beneath his furrowed brows as he listened to the queen.
"A duke has no right to befriend the king's wife," Henry said, bluntly, but he seemed quite perplexed as he said it, perhaps concerned entirely with rank.
"That is improper of rank, your grace," he said, before remembering courtesy and offering a bow of his waist.
"There is a trial, if that is what you speak of. I have heard of that."

[Oznerol]

Harry took the book aside, glancing at briefly. He was familiar with the name. Plutarch was one of the ancients that the literate and university-taught writers were now obsessed with imitating. Though, Englishmen did not speak Latin outside of mass, so it was of little use to an Englishmen, he thought.

Stafford remained silent, staring at Grey. He was simply waiting for Grey to say more, but after a long awkward silence he realized that he was expected to respond to the gift. "I.. thank you for the gift," he said, unsure.

Great, I have found the less daring duke in all Christendom.

"Nothing to thank me for. The miniatures are Burgundian, from Lille in Flanders. Nothing compared to my uncle's personal library, or that of the late Humphrey of Lancaster"

The book's binding was splendid, Stafford's arms on the cover.

"Does your Grace has found a wife worth your rank, my Lord Stafford? You see, I have just recently married and it's a blissful life, to have a wife waiting at home is a delight"

More so if the wife had a substantial part of Wales as dowry.

[Mary The Quene]

Stafford has been an aloof child, and that reputation seemed confirmed here and now as he stood up. He was tall young man now, with wide shoulders. His face was heart shaped, and he had a golden head of hair, but somehow seemed a sulkily or indifferent type of man.

He blinked a few times beneath his furrowed brows as he listened to the queen.
"A duke has no right to befriend the king's wife," Henry said, bluntly, but he seemed quite perplexed as he said it, perhaps concerned entirely with rank.
"That is improper of rank, your grace," he said, before remembering courtesy and offering a bow of his waist.
"There is a trial, if that is what you speak of. I have heard of that."

The queen nodded, this teenager seems to be obsessed by his rank it seems.

Indeed, indeed, you are right Duke, what more improper is a daughter of a mere Lancastrian knight marrying a king, a most troublesome thought, is it not, such a bond between man and woman is improper.

The Queen looked with great interest, everything must go well to gain support she knows.

What is your opinion of the trial, speak freely...

[Dirty Chai]

Odd how one's storage of books was a measure of one's wealth. Books were expensive, though. There were some shelves in some of his homes, he could remember, but most of his manors were larger, towered block of stone. The wealth was measured outwardly there, Stafford reckoned.

"I have not," he simply responded, indifferently. "Is that why you have come here?"
Stafford was frank, again. He squinted now, as if observing the other youth.

[Oznerol]

"To be honest, yes"

Grey was sincere.

"My Lord Stafford, my family has only come to prominence recently, while yours has been counted among the greatest in the realm for over a century"

His fingers played with the livery collar: pending, a swann. Grey's great-great-great-grandmother was Elizabeth de Bohun.

"A marriage pact would be great to ciment our prestige, while I do believe you could very well benefit from our proximity to His Grace. This could be hugely benefitial for both, sire"

[Dirty Chai]

Stafford seemed unimpressed by the swan. Everyone had those nowadays, it seemed.
"You wish for me to marry a Grey? A sister of yours?" he asked, frowning wryly, beginning to ramble a little.
"I am afraid I am not eager to marry into a family I am not familiar with... Or with any woman I do not know."

Harry Stafford seemed to be trying to push the subject away, and now he spoke abruptly, finitely.
"I am not ready for a wife."

[Oznerol]

"I have no sisters of your age, sadly. But I do have aunts, my Lord Buckingham. A handsome dowry would be provided, of course"

Grey tried to be kind.

"A duke has to cast aside his doubts and embrace his duty. You have reached majority, like I did not so long ago, your Grace"

The young Winchester had matured beyond his years, it seemed, unlike Stafford.

"However, I will not press the issue if your Lordship does not wish to hear about it"

[Dirty Chai]

"My duty?" the Duke asked, subtly taken aback.
"What duty?" If I were to die, a Stafford would still hold everything that is mine.

Harry was annoyed. Before, he was attempting to humor Lord Grey. Now he felt insulted, in his own home.
"That is naught any of your business, Earl Winchester. I will decide when I am to marry, if ever."

He frowned deeply, and his emerald-hazel eyes turned to harsh scrutiny. Could Grey even lay with his wife? The Duke doubted it.
They were both children. Doubtless Grey's wife was even younger, below the age of flowering, as far as he knew. And the Duke was the only one here with restraint. If Grey wanted Stafford, he or whoever his aunt was would have to woo him. He wasn't going to just tie himself to the King's pets.

"And as for .. 'proximity,'" he elucidated, indignant now, "I am the first duke in all of England, outside of the King's brothers. If I wanted to have the king's ear, all I'd have to do is ask."

Get out of my house. Duty. Grh.

[Oznerol]

"The duty of securing your bloodline, Buckingham"

Grey sighs. Seems like the young Stafford was an inmature teenager fearful of compromise.

"You do not know the joy of holding your own son, Lord Stafford... Still, I respect your decision"

Grey had fathered a son by his nubile wife this very year, a flawless pregnancy with a truly easy labour.

"I do not see you at court much, your Grace... However, if your Lordship feels like not having myself at your noble presence anymore, I shall leave immediately. If you change your mind regarding such a match, send word to Baynard's. My own house is being build and in the meanwhile I live there with my household"

[Dirty Chai]

"The duty of securing your bloodline, Buckingham"

Grey sighs. Seems like the young Stafford was an inmature teenager fearful of compromise.

"You do not know the joy of holding your own son, Lord Stafford... Still, I respect your decision"

Grey had fathered a son by his nubile wife this very year, a flawless pregnancy with a truly easy labour.

"I do not see you at court much, your Grace... However, if your Lordship feels like not having myself at your noble presence anymore, I shall leave immediately. If you change your mind regarding such a match, send word to Baynard's. My own house is being build and in the meanwhile I live there with my household"

"I shall," Stafford said, listlessly. He wouldn't.
He waited silently for Grey to excuse himself.

The queen nodded, this teenager seems to be obsessed by his rank it seems.

Indeed, indeed, you are right Duke, what more improper is a daughter of a mere Lancastrian knight marrying a king, a most troublesome thought, is it not, such a bond between man and woman is improper.

The Queen looked with great interest, everything must go well to gain support she knows.

What is your opinion of the trial, speak freely...

"It is not my place, my lady, to have an opinion on matters of the king's bedsheets," he said politely, though his choice of wording was quite bold, if not stinging.

"I am not a member of that trial, besides." Stafford bowed again from the waist.

[Oznerol]

"I will be back in few days. We are going to hunt, your Grace and I"

Said Grey, heading to the entrance.

"Prepare your hounds and horse, Lord Stafford. God bless you, Lord Buckingham"

Winchester whistles once in the courtyard so the groom brings his grey steed.

[Dirty Chai]

Henry would soon depart the house by the bridge, preferring to leave behind London entirely.