Eltham Palace

[Oznerol]

ELTHAM PALACE

By the early 14th century Eltham had become one of the largest and most frequented royal residences in the country. Edward III (reigned 1327–77) spent much of his youth there and frequently visited it as king. Extensive alterations and repairs were made in the 1350s and 1360s. The moat walls were altered again, and a new drawbridge and service buildings were built. New royal lodgings on the east side of the site featured a bathroom for the king with a tiled floor and glazed windows.
Successive monarchs lavished large sums on the palace. In the 1380s Richard II created a walled garden to the south beyond the moat ‘for the king and queen to have dinner there in the summer time', as well as a dancing chamber and a new bathhouse within the king’s apartments. He also rebuilt the timber bridge in stone. Henry IV (r.1399–1413) spent 10 of his 13 Christmases as king at Eltham, entertaining the Byzantine emperor there at Christmas 1400. He built a set of timber-framed apartments with stone chimneystacks for himself and two-storey lodgings for the queen, Joan of Navarre. In 1445 new buildings were erected for the arrival of Henry VI’s bride, Margaret of Anjou. Eltham was a favourite residence of Edward IV. It was during his reign, in the 1470s, that the magnificent surviving great hall was built. Since Edward died his queen, Elizabeth Woodville, has being the royal resident of the palace.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Edward Bourchier, 3rd Earl Essex, arrives and requests an audience with the Queen.

[The Mad Skylord]

Lord Stanley, Earl of Wiltshire, arrives to speak to his sister in law. He hopes to find Earl Rivers present as well.

[Gandalfus]

Anne, Duchess of Exeter, arrives at Eltham Palace, clad in mourning clothes. She had previously been a member of the Queen's household, and had come to hopefully resume her duties - as well as speak to now Queen dowager, of course.

[Oznerol]

Edward Bourchier, 3rd Earl Essex, arrives and requests an audience with the Queen.

The Queen is praying at the palace's chappel.

Lord Stanley, Earl of Wiltshire, arrives to speak to his sister in law. He hopes to find Earl Rivers present as well.

Elizabeth is with her ladies-in-waiting. She is playing some sort of game, while an elderly lady reads aloud fragments of the Golden Legend. The queen wears somber, mourning robes, that cloud her beauty, without lessening it. Despite her age, Elizabeth was still beautiful, she had always been a beauty to behold and she was still as haughty as the day she was crowned in Westminster. The ladies belonged to many noble families, including several baronial families of note.

Anne, Dowager Duchess of Exeter, arrives at Eltham Palace, clad in mourning clothes. She had previously been a member of the Queen's household, and had come to hopefully resume her duties - as well as speak to now Queen dowager, of course.

The Queen welcomed her in the antechamber, wearing mourning robes. The hangings and tapestries were covered by black clothes and a general cloud of sorrow and loss impregnated the whole court.

[Gandalfus]

Anne gave a curtsy of deference to Woodville, though she did not smile. Her brother's passing had affected her rather harshly, it seemed; the Duchess had been trying to fill the spare moments with some joy, or else she was prone to long melancholy.

"Highness." She greeted simply, "I offer my greatest condolences, for I know you must grieve just as I do."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Edward approached and bowed. "Your royal highness, thank you for seeing me. I've come to express to you personally my dissatisfaction with your treatment within the council chambers. It was beneath the dignity of the Regent to treat you in such an offhand manner."

[Oznerol]

Edward approached and bowed. "Your royal highness, thank you for seeing me. I've come to express to you personally my dissatisfaction with your treatment within the council chambers. It was beneath the dignity of the Regent to treat you in such an offhand manner."

"I have to agree with your Lordship"

She handed her book of prayers to a handmaid. Another maidservant cleaned her skirts, that had been stained by the dust accumulated on the chappel's floor.

"Such treatment is below my dignity, and my exclusion from the regency is but a sorry power-grab by my husband's brother. Who should rule in her son's stead but me? Who better than a mother?"

The queen tried to look distressed for such a treatment.

"My Lord, I thank your kindness. I believe your brother and father, God have mercy on their souls, would have seen reason in my words too"

[Oznerol]

"I have lost mine reason to live. I only linger in this valley of tears to provide for my children"

Said Elizabeth. She was truly sorrowful, but a Queen had to remain composed, at any time, only speech could reveal the suffering underneath. Still, Woodville was no meek girl raised in a convent, she knew that hard fights would ensue, as long as her son arrived to London.

"Tell me, sister mine, what has brought you to Eltham? Has your visit a purpose? Or you simply want to resume your duties in my household?"

[Gandalfus]

"I have lost mine reason to live. I only linger in this valley of tears to provide for my children"

Said Elizabeth. She was truly sorrowful, but a Queen had to remain composed, at any time, only speech could reveal the suffering underneath. Still, Woodville was no meek girl raised in a convent, she knew that hard fights would ensue, as long as her son arrived to London.

"Tell me, sister mine, what has brought you to Eltham? Has your visit a purpose? Or you simply want to resume your duties in my household?"

"Both, Highness."

Said Anne, at once sympathising with her brother's widow. She, too, lived for her children, especially John, who reminded her so much of her own brothers. It was the only way she could stand living with Henry.

"I would like to offer what support I can, little as though it is at this moment. My husband changes his mind like the course of the wind, you know..."

Men were often daft. Henry more so than others. Unlike him, Anne was truly quite genuine.

"I will try to sway him to share my view, along with my dear son, John, who I think will see the sense in allowing a mother to guide her eldest in the wake of the father's passing."

[Oznerol]

"I must agree with you. I found Gloucester's actions to be little more than an attempt to wield the powers of the regency to his own benefit, and those of his friends. The foreclosure of additional debate and the subsequent appointment of Gloucester's men to key positions of power have done much to confirm my suspicions. I believe it my duty to serve the interests of the Crown by offering a counterpoint to this cabal that has formed around the Regent." Edward made the sign of the cross and took a seat on the pew. "The King's age should mean a short regency, no longer than two or three years I should think. It is still enough time for the King's uncles to do much to work against his interests or bankrupt the Kingdom for their own gain. The King must not be allowed to exist in some sort of vacuum, advised only by the men who sought to take the reins of government forcefully."

"I completely agree, my lord"

Granted the queen. She takes a seat, hands clasped on her lap.

"However, they do not count on my son's wishes. He will sooner have me than two uncles he barely knows or loves. With his support, the regency will soon be entirely mine. With his help, and the help of likely-minded lords or good standing and faith in good government, like yourself"

"Both, Highness."

Said Anne, at once sympathising with her brother's widow. She, too, lived for her children, especially John, who reminded her so much of her own brothers. It was the only way she could stand living with Henry.

"I would like to offer what support I can, little as though it is at this moment. My husband changes his mind like the course of the wind, you know..."

Men were often daft. Henry more so than others.

"I will try to sway him to share my view, along with my dear son, John, who I think will see the sense in allowing a mother to guide her eldest in the wake of the father's passing."

"Your husband is indeed a sly one. He undoubtedly likes to profit from every possible situation, even the death of his brother the king, God be merciful"

She said.

"However, his despicable ways aren't yours, noble daughter of York. I thank you for your kind support, sister"

Elizabeth nodded.

"I spend many days and sleepless nights at prayer and mourning, but I would undoubtedly trade these times of contemplation and worship for the regency, it's only right I can look after my own son. I will still cry and mourn my husband all the same, but will, nevertheless, do good for the realm and my king"

[Pontifex Maximus]

"I must agree with you. I found Gloucester's actions to be little more than an attempt to wield the powers of the regency to his own benefit, and those of his friends. The foreclosure of additional debate and the subsequent appointment of Gloucester's men to key positions of power have done much to confirm my suspicions. I believe it my duty to serve the interests of the Crown by offering a counterpoint to this cabal that has formed around the Regent." Edward made the sign of the cross and took a seat on the pew. "The King's age should mean a short regency, no longer than two or three years I should think. It is still enough time for the King's uncles to do much to work against his interests or bankrupt the Kingdom for their own gain. The King must not be allowed to exist in some sort of vacuum, advised only by the men who sought to take the reins of government forcefully."

[Pontifex Maximus]

"I am your man, my Queen." Edward replied. "My brother served the King for years and gave his life in the effort, and now the Regents cast my family aside. We will continue our service to the rightful King of England and guard against the excesses of his uncles. If there is any way I can be of service, you need only call upon me."

[Oznerol]

"I am your man, my Queen." Edward replied. "My brother served the King for years and gave his life in the effort, and now the Regents cast my family aside. We will continue our service to the rightful King of England and guard against the excesses of his uncles. If there is any way I can be of service, you need only call upon me."

"I'm glad to hear such words from such a peer. Your father was among those who supported my marriage to His Grace, and such he was properly rewarded. I've always been generous, and a man of your loyalty cannot go unrewarded, my Lord Essex"

Said the queen.

"The regency will end in my hands, not only those of my in-laws, whose rapacity I fear, and rightfully so"

She demanded her book of prayers to be returned; the maid handed it back. She openned it randomly.

"I will now resume my prayers, sire. I will call your Lordship when necessary. And, fear not, I will remember your words, one by one"

-----------

"How can he wield even more power? He is a duke already and twice an earl, if I recall correctly. There's little I can do to satisfy his hunger, I'm afraid"

Exeter had everything, even kindred to the king and his siblings.

"Your advice on Clarence might be sound, he might be persuaded easier to include me among the regents"

[Gandalfus]

"Yes, and my husband is easily won over by the promise of power, I am loath to admit."

Anne replied, drily, wringing her hands.

"My brother Gloucester is dutiful, at least. Clarence might be easier to bend, for he's not as brittle as Richard. I'm certain he'll include you, dear sister."

[Gandalfus]

"I'm sure he'll find some trinket, honour, or favour that he desires. He always does."

Anne gave a wry smile. Holland's ambition was nearly insatiable.

"Richard will likely follow the will, to the letter, but I pray you have nothing to fear from him. If I know my brother as well as I think, he shall protect our dear King 'till his dying breath."

[Pinkerton]

Baron Grey de Ruthyn made his presence known and asked for an audience with the Queen.

[Oznerol]

"I'm sure he'll find some trinket, honour, or favour that he desires. He always does."

Anne gave a wry smile. Holland's ambition was nearly insatiable.

"Richard will likely follow the will, to the letter, but I pray you have nothing to fear from him. If I know my brother as well as I think, he shall protect our dear King 'till his dying breath."

"He better does, because as a lioness I'm willing to defend my cubs with claws and teeth. I pray to God, every single day, that my son shall rule unmolested"

Said the queen.

"I wish to carry the burden of kingship while he remains a son, but if that won't be the case I won't stay idle, I will make sure he becomes the king he's destined to be"

Baron Grey de Ruthyn made his presence known and asked for an audience with the Queen.

Grey was welcomed by the queen on her antechamber, rather swiftly, despite the number of petitioners, for he was her own son's kinsman.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Edward bowed and removed himself from the royal presence

[The Mad Skylord]

Lord Stanley bowed low to the Queen. He stood on, he felt, strong relations with the noble matriarch of the realm. His father had named his mighty flagship - traded away by the foppish Suffolk and the sulky and flatulent Buckingham to Charles the Dolt of Burgundy. It was the Queen who had supported Stanley's ascension to Wilthshire, and it was Stanley who had gladly supported Elizabeth in the trial against Percy. Needless to say, Sir Thomas Stanley was loyal to her. "I am sorry, Your Grace, I failed to secure the right to join the regency - and I failed to defend your good name from that barbarian Exeter.

It is an ill day when Peers cannot see that a mother is the best ally a son can ever have - and an even worse day when the Queen of England is compared to Margaret d'Anjou and Isabella of France."