The Privy Council

**Gandalfus** · August 04, 2017, 04:58 AM

THE PRIVY COUNCIL OF THE KING OF ENGLAND, EDWARD PLANTAGENET

The privy council is an advisory body to the king, with members appointed and dismissed at the monarch's discretion. Usually, the privy council is drawn from high ranking peers, members of the Commons, clergymen, and those otherwise courting royal favour. They meet when called upon by the monarch or the Lord Chancellor to dictate the policy of state; strong kings have often used the privy council to circumvent Parliament and rule by decree. Often, however, it serves merely as a more intimate body of advisers to the king, made up of those heavily attuned to matters of state.

Great Offices of the Realm

**Lucius Malfoy** · August 05, 2017, 01:55 AM

With the will of the late Edward IV known, and need to be implemented, the Lord Chancellor, George Neville, Archbishop of York, calls a meeting of the Privy Council, in order to organize the uncertainty that hung over the realm. England was bankrupt from the war with France, debts stood as outstanding payments, the heir apparent, Edward, Prince of Wales, was still in minority and the regency that was declared, upon the King's deathbed. The chair, where the King usually sat, was left vacant as George situates himself within the room.

Shortly after his arrival, John Neville, Marquess of Montagu, enters as His Majesty's Appointed Advisor. Henry Percy, Lord Northumberland, however, was to remain unseen due to his duty as Lord Warden of the Scottish Marches.

============================

As the rest filed in, the Lord Chancellor rises and restates the will of the late King Edward IV.

... My Crown and Kingdom I leave to my son and heir Edward, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall...

... To my wife and Queen Elizabeth Wydville I leave the sum of ten thousand pounds, as well as the residence of Eltham Palace ...

... To my noble brothers Gloucester and Clarence I leave the responsibility of the Kingdom and my son, it's king ...

... To mine sons born out of wedlock Arthur and Henry I bequeath a pension of three hundred pounds per annum from the royal treasury ...

... To each of mine siblings of the blood I bequeath a pension five hundred pounds per annum from the royal treasury ...

... To the Church I leave the sum of five thousand pounds ...

Gentlemen and Lords of the Privy Council, we have heard the will of His Late Majesty, King Edward IV. As members of this Privy Council, it is our sworn duty to see this will enacted at once! There is much to do within this realm and we must see the leadership, left void, by the departure of His Majesty, be sealed up with the proposed regents.

George then feels an amendment was needed.

However, in light of His Grace, the Duke of Clarence's, absence, I propose an amendment to the will, which should name Her Majesty, Lady Woodville, as co-regent alongside His Grace, the Duke of Gloucester.

John Neville looks up at his brother, somewhat surprised deep down. Had his brother forgotten what she had done to their family?! How could he propose a peasant to rule as Lord Protector?!

**Gandalfus** · August 05, 2017, 02:01 AM

Exeter arrived, slowly and ponderously parking his enlarged form upon the appointed seat. The Duchess, Anne remained in the chamber to grieve for her brother, with John keeping her company. Thomas had already gone, preparing to return to Dartington; for his father had appointed unto him a task to be fulfilled with the utmost urgency. Holland looked relaxed, badgering a servant to ensure that his goblet was well filled before the jostling began.

**Dirty Chai** · August 05, 2017, 02:25 AM

Buckingham - just having ushered every other peer out of the king's scene of death - entered the privy council in the last wave of lords funneling through the small door into the fine, dark-wood drawing room. He sat himself opposite Exeter, last of all, eyeing the archbishop as he did so with some measure of pensiveness. Then he glanced over at Holland for he was opposite him, and then around the rest of the room.

"Your reasoning being, your excellency?" the high constable asked with a curious pair of eyes.

**Gandalfus** · August 05, 2017, 02:37 AM

"Nonesense. A woman can't rule."

Exeter loudly protested, the words coming between mouthfuls of bread that he'd somehow manage to extort from one of the servants. He washed it down with a draught of wine.

"It should be Clarence who holds the reins. It is by right of his blood that he and Gloucester should hold the regency, as John of Bedford and Humphrey of Gloucester held the land for Henry of Lancaster."

Holland expected to gain far more from them than a Woodville dominated government, anyway.

**Oznerol** · August 05, 2017, 03:01 AM

"Nah, nah, everyone knows only Gloucester is capable of ruling"

Said Suffolk wavering a hand.

"My lord of Gloucester should be appointed Lord Protector and rule while our king's tender age prevents him from doing as much"

He played with a ring on his left hand. The duke wears the fleece around the neck.

"We have no need of more regents, just a strong, capable man like Gloucester himself. God gave England three suns in the house of York, of those now my Lord shines the brightest. Clarence has been absent for far too long in far too insignificant squabbles and petty wars. Only my Lord Richard has the nerve and the perspective to rule in the king's stead"

With friendly advice from significant peers: like Suffolk himself.

.......

Anthony looked at Exeter with a frown.

"And who ruled England while the king was in France, Lord Exeter? Maybe the wenches you are used to can't even rule a hamlet in Essex, but my sister has for long being at the center of our politics"

Rivers was an imposing, athletic man, quite a contrast with the increasingly voluminous Lord Exeter.

"She is the king's mother and, it's known, there is no better regent what oneself's mother, because they fiercely defend what is their children's right, selflessly and with outmost care. From the gutters of London to the biggest manors, it's always the mother who provides for their children in the father's absence. My sister can, and will rule, this realm during her son's minority, for she is more than capable of doing so, my Lord. Maybe the years of apathy and inactivity have dulled your elder years, sire, and you are unable to see the truth"

**Gandalfus** · August 05, 2017, 03:10 AM

"Lord Rivers, my friend, I am sure you didn't wish to speak ill of my wife, our dear King's aunt. I shall forgive this insult."

Exeter laughed with menace, giving Rivers a hearty slap upon his back.

"But now you call me old and senile! Really, noble Rivers, now that is an insult that I cannot ignore."

Holland laughed again, continuing the illusion of being good natured. But the laughter was too loud and too obnoxious to be genuine good humour.

"One would think you had something to gain, my lord, from having our dear sister the Queen as sole regent. Grants of land? A dukedom perhaps?"

Exeter gave some pause, then continued with a sweeping gesture of the hand

"The cursed Angevin often ruled for my dear old cousin Henry, and look where that got him! England drowned in its own blood. Women don't know how to handle power, of any kind."

Holland nonchalantly took another gulp of wine with a sneer in Lord Rivers' direction.

**Dirty Chai** · August 05, 2017, 03:11 AM

Buckingham's gaze was torn towards Woodville, his expression suddenly much more alert and present than it had been moments before. This man frowns, slightly, and gives his brother-in-law (so many of those, there were) a disapproving eyeline. It's followed up by only a token glance towards Holland, who he did not have as much of a history with.

"My lord of Rivers, my lord of Exeter.. you forget thine-selves. This is a place of governance."

Stafford then looked back over at the archbishop.

"Your excellency, can we not replace the Duke of Clarence in Ireland? It was the king's will."

**Oznerol** · August 05, 2017, 03:53 AM

"God spare me of that, Lord Exeter, there isn't a worthiest lady in the whole realm than lady Anne. However, the sort lf companies you can keep less so, my lord"

Holland, that wretched rascal.

"My, my, Lord Exeter, God preserve us to reach such a venerable age. You must already be considering retiring and enjoying the pleasantries of prayer and kindred"

Rivers said, arms akimbo. He was reputedly the strongest man in the realm, and it showed, he liked to impose his physical presence.

"What my sister does or will do is only for the best. She is no she-wolf of France, unless you do compare them, then I would be gravely insulted my lord, and these offences do not wash easily"

Many other members of the Woodville clan were conpiscously absent, including the legendary hot-headed Edward and his elder brother, Richard.

.....

"This is why only Gloucester can rule! We could be beyond these petty rivalries, my Lord of Gloucester is the wisest man in this scepter'ed isle, sires"

Suffolk said so gesturing pompously.

"I would gladly spend my days knowing my brother rulers over England on my royal nephew's behalf"

.....

Salisbury, dark haired and dark-eyed, had remained silent for a time. As one of the richest peers, his word carried weight.

"Uncle Rivers, let's not be involved in rivalries that are below us, maybe that was something customary in the times of the simple king Henry, but not now, while the king's body is still warm"

His long fingers toyed with a the belt's golden buckle.

"My Lords, there is no better regent than my mother. Posibly my royal step-father's wishes were a bit clouded by illness, but he would gladly had seen my brother under my mother's regency. My noble archbishop of York made a sound proposal, that I wholeheartedly support"

**The Mad Skylord** · August 05, 2017, 03:57 AM

"Lord Buckingham is right, we are here to govern, not squabble over the rights and capabilities of women."

Stanley gave the tiniest sideways glance to Rivers - they were allies here. "Queen Elizabeth is capable of ruling the realm in conjunction with Gloucester - Clarence has too many silly concerns elsewhere. It is only right that we install Queen Elizabeth and the Lord Gloucester as regents."

**Dirty Chai** · August 05, 2017, 04:10 AM

Buckingham's eyelids fluttered in a daze and he remained silent as his head looked about the room at each voice. Most of these voices thus far spoke in favor of adding the Woodville queen to the regency. Harry didn't know why he hadn't expected that. It then immediately occurred to him that he was, as his wife was a Woodville, likely expected to support this as well.

Still, the young constable stayed quiet. It was most salient to him that Lord Salisbury, Tom Grey, whose person he knew reasonably well (never by his own volition, however), supported giving his mother regal power. More boons, grants, and wealth. This color then was applied to Anthony, in hindsight, and to Stanley, and so forth.. Woodville would bestow upon them many gifts - or so they expected.

Should he be among them? His lady wife was born a Woodville; the youngest sister of this widow queen. What would she think of this?

Buckingham paused his thoughts to listen to Suffolk speak, eyeing his fueled hand gestures.

Her opinion matters not. She'd be too afraid to give it. Or else...

**Gandalfus** · August 05, 2017, 04:11 AM

"You all are twisting and perverting the will of the King, God rest him. Save your platitudes for the commoners, who will easily swallow these half truths."

Growled Exeter, fingers drumming against the metal of the goblet.

"His Majesty left instructions in his will for the realm's governance. These should be followed accordingly, or else we risk soiling our dear King's memory."

These upstarts owed everything to Woodville. They were all her creatures. It looked as if he and Suffolk were alone against these parasites.

**Dirty Chai** · August 05, 2017, 04:15 AM

Exeter's voice was a crude, decrepit one, but it pushed an indecisive mind in Buckingham back into action, and he placed his right hand against the wooden table top, clinking a few rings against the dark oak.

"The King's will does not list the queen as regent, this is fact."

Stafford looked over at the archbishop and then to others.

"We must empower Lord Gloucester with the regency, and summon Lord Clarence to join him."

**The Mad Skylord** · August 05, 2017, 04:16 AM

Truly the only one who looked like he had parasites was Lord Exeter. His swollen gut seemed to wobble every time he moved. "Our dear King loved his wife, and we know well Exeter that you do not wish Woodeville a regent because you hold less influence there."

**Gandalfus** · August 05, 2017, 04:20 AM

Holland purposefully turned to Stanley and flashed him a sickly smile.

"That is slander, my Lord Stanley. Rather rich slander, no less. Each of you here has a vested interest, let us not hide it."

Holland indicated all of those who supported Woodville; Stanley, Rivers, and Grey. All were related to the Queen in some form or another. It surprised him somewhat that Buckingham took his side, but Exeter did not comment upon that.

**Oznerol** · August 05, 2017, 04:21 AM

"If I'm not mistaken you wanted Clarence as sole regent"

Salisbury pointed out the flaw in Exeter's argument.

"Which is as much as opposed to the king's will than having my mother at the charge of my brothers"

He arched an eyebrow.

------

"Oh, Lord Exeter only likes to abide by a rule when it pleases him to do so, he would make us all Clarence's subjects, yet proposing my sister as regent is worth the flames of Hell, apparently"

Said Rivers with a grunt.

------

"At ease my lords, at ease"

Suffolk pretended here to make a show of his presence, nothing else. Composed and calm, he represented the rational versus tbe petty grievances.

"Remember the realm's wellfare"

**Gandalfus** · August 05, 2017, 04:24 AM

"I said no such thing. We should do as the will states."

Holland swiftly retorted, with a vague, uncaring gesture of dismissal.

**Dirty Chai** · August 05, 2017, 04:30 AM

"Lord Gloucester," Stafford demanded suddenly, his contained voice breaking into a louder pitch, as he looked over his shoulders around the crowed room, "Come forth, Richard of Gloucester, sir."

A youth slipped in after some awkward time, and whispered into Stafford's ears.

"Then fetch the duke. He should be here, or else none of us should be here."

**Jokern** · August 05, 2017, 04:32 AM

The Duke of Norfolk sat silent while the lords began their squabbles. It was surprising to hear Archbishop Neville's support for the queen, seeing as there were on decent ties between the two families. Finally he rose and looked about the room.

"Does it lie within this council's power to change the will of our late king? King Edward wished for his two brothers to rule England together until his heir has reached manhood - his last wish and command to his noble subjects, I might add. The good Duke of Clarence's station in Ireland, as Lord Stafford has pointed out, not a permanent one. Call him home and send someone else to deal with the Irish hillmen. Her Majesty should focus on her own tasks, like raising our future king."

-----

Lord Howard, in his position as Lord Chancellor of Wales, sat among the great gathering of nobles, the most powerful people in England. It was a bit overwhelming, but the older baron sat straight in his seat. The arguments that had come up about the regency was not easy for him to take a side on - on the one hand, his grandchildren by his eldest son Thomas were of Woodville blood. On the other, his darling daughter Jane was married to Clarence. Support for either would antagonize the other, a precarious situation for a minor baron like himself.

"My lords, if I may... there is merit in what His Excellency proposes. The Queen is ultimately in charge of raising His Majesty until he is ready to take the crown, so for her to aid in the governance of the realm would mean a good education and upbringing for His Majesty. The Duke of Clarence should naturally be informed of our late king's will, but after personally marching with him on campaigns in Ireland, I fear few would be worthy to take his seat in Dublin."

**Iron Aquilifer** · August 05, 2017, 05:13 AM

Thomas looked around the chamber, at these self-styled great lords of the realm. His voice was silent as the rest of them were loud. What would the king have said, seeing this bickering and twisting of his last wishes? What would he himself have done, if his own brothers stole his son's birthright? There was a reason the king named two brothers and not one. Two men of standing and not a woman. The realm had known women who ruled in defiance of their nature, and the people had suffered.

But the words of Rivers were not false when he spoke of a mother's duty to the son. The mother would protect her son's rights to death. And yet what if this woman, no lady of great stature and breeding, thought of her child not as ruler but as the pillar which raised her own throne? The king was a boy too young for rule, for governing such a great burden as the was the Crown. Could it be that Elizabeth would use her son for her own ends?

No, he tried to say. No mother could do such a thing. And yet still his eyes scanned the Wydvilles, and the lords who had taken their women to wed. Did they care for the king's wishes? Was the king - their blood - nothing more than a goblet for them to drink deeply of England's riches? He could not think so. Not of England's lords. And yet still. The warrior king had declared his will, yet they opposed it. Not of fear for their new monarch, not under threat of violence to their person. Grasping, like a babe for the teat of a mother, they would replace a Duke with a woman.

Yet still he kept silent, letting the bickering wash over him as refreshing as knives in his flesh. Long live the king.

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