Baynard's Castle

[The Mad Skylord]

Baynard's Castle stands where the old Roman Walls of London and the River Fleet meets the River Thames. Before the current castle, there stood an old Norman fortification constructed by Ralph Baynard. The Original Baynard's stood for over a century, before it was demolished by King John in 1213. The plot of the original castle was sold to form the precinct of Blackfriars priory.

The current Baynard's Castle stands south east of the original, built upon land reclaimed from the river Thames. Rebuilt in 1428, Baynard's Castle belonged to the House of York through the Wars of the Roses. The current owner of the Baynard's Castle is Richard, Duke of York, and the middle child of King Edward IV.

[Gandalfus]

The King returns to London ahead of the royal army. He abandons Westminster and sequesters himself within the walls of the city itself; taking residence at his brother's castle of Baynard.

[The Mad Skylord]

A curious Richard arrived to Edward's quarters, wondering why his brother had come to his court. An interesting switch of situations.

[Gandalfus]

The entire royal household had moved into Baynard's, including the King's hundred yeomen, who now zealously patrolled the fortress in an effort to protect their King and his now pregnant Queen, who had been smuggled in a few days previous.

"Thomas and uncle Anthony have been taken."

Said the King, exasperated, as a way of greeting his brother.

"What is left of the army remains here, though many of the lords will likely desert us. We shall be alone, at the mercy of those lords.."

They'd all served his father loyally, but turned upon him as soon as the corpse grew cold.

[The Mad Skylord]

Richard, ever the more arrogant of the two, perched himself upon the ledge of a table. "It is only mother they want, dear brother." He was rather miffed about hundreds of Yeomen in his castle. "Send her from court, for her own safety." Richard knew, of course, that his dear brother had taken his bastard wife into his castle. Weren't bastards for ing, not marrying, the 16 year old wondered idly. "You are the King, Edward. When they arrive to London, tell them that their hosts are not welcome in your city. Tell them that you have dismissed Uncle Anthony and Mother, and tell them they are no longer required as your regents either. You are 17, old enough to rule."

My Lord, how are they all so abysmally foolish? "Refuse their army access. What will they do? Siege London town because the King has told them he has no need of armies in his capital and that he no longer needs regents? Although, it may be wise to have the Royal armies camp on the opposite side of the city from our uncles."

[Gandalfus]

"Yes... You're right."

Edward blinked. Clearly, those tutors from Oxford had worked wonders on Richard, turning him from a duller into a man as politically astute as Louis the Spider of France. The King gestured to one of his Yeomen.

"Order the Mayor of London and all the cities Burghers here, to attend upon me at court and dispense their counsel. Once they are here, we shall close every entrance to the city."

The attendant bowed and departed. Edward bit his nails idly; surely they couldn't refuse the summons of the King himself?

[The Mad Skylord]

Richard sauntered over to his brother, and put an arm around his shoulders. Biting your nails was a disgusting habit - it made you look nervous. "Remember, Edward, just straighten your back and don't look worried. Look regal and they will assume you are regal. Expect everything of them, you are the King, and they are your vassals."

[Gandalfus]

In the absence of anyone else, the King was grateful for his brother's advice, oddly sage as it was. Soon Baynards would be filled with the mercers of London. Without the presence of any great magnates (save perhaps Devon and Kent) or Clergy, the King was relying upon the third estate of England to enforce his will over the Kingdom.

[Jokern]

In the absence of anyone else, the King was grateful for his brother's advice, oddly sage as it was. Soon Baynards would be filled with the mercers of London. Without the presence of any great magnates (save perhaps Devon and Kent) or Clergy, the King was relying upon the third estate of England to enforce his will over the Kingdom.

The masters of London's livery companies came to Baynard's in their carriages, grateful for some distraction from the conflict raging outside the city.

[Oznerol]

John de la Pole, duke of Suffolk, arrives to Baynard's, he wears a black doublet and the Golden Fleece as sole garment on his unusually sober attire. However, it was a falsely sober, for the fabric was rich and thick velvet, imported.

[Xion]

Devon would occasionally be present at the royal court's new location, sometimes appearing in court with his full armor on as due to being the only commander of the Royal Army to escape capture or injury at Warblington, he would divide his time between planning defensive measures for London when the Lords Appellants arrive and attending the king's court. When the Duke of Suffolk arrived to meet with the King, Devon would be present amongst the mercers and other courtiers.

[The Mad Skylord]

Upon the arrival of the Duke of Suffolk, the Duke of York hurried down to meet him. He knew well that Edward was probably seeking comfort from his bastard wife. Richard was keen to discover the reason for the Trimming Duke's visit, lest it be useful to him.

"My Lord of Suffolk, welcome to my home. I take it you are here to see Edward?" Even if de la Pole wouldn't tell him the reason for being there, he could glean it by arriving with him and simply not leaving.

[Oznerol]

"Who would I like to see otherwise, nephew. However, I must admit seeing you gladdened my heart"

Said the duke, hands on hips, ostentatiously bragging about his royal connections.

"Uncertainty must cripple my noble kinsman, and I must duly see that he is well provided and comforted. Your mother did well by leaving the city, I do not trust some of the appellants"

He was charming, his wide smile was comforting.

"I arrived as any uncle would in times of need"

[The Mad Skylord]

He was charming, though Richard wondered what he was up to. "It is good to see you, dear uncle, in these troubled times."

Aha, he wants the regency, perhaps? Young Richard wondered. "My royal brother decided it would be safer for her to be in Bolingbroke Castle, who knows how far these so called Appellants may go?"

Richard kept smiling, though he desperately attempted to think of what he was saying. "Uncertainty gripped him at first, Lord Suffolk, but he has found the spirit of our father. Edward is the King of England, and intends to rule as such." Did I say too much? the Prince wondered idly, admiring Suffolk's experience at this game even as the old Duke danced about him.

[Oznerol]

"She better remain there. My son's lands lay close, she will not be disturbed"

He assured. The duke was good at saying things people wanted to hear. And that was important information.

"Oh, I'm sure he is his father's son"

Suffolk had his reserves in that regard.

"But he might need my gentle support. I'm close to my Lord of Gloucester and I may have certain influence with the burghers of the city. I'm sure my guidance would be hard to dismiss nowadays"

He played with the small golden fleece pending over his chest.

[Gandalfus]

A yeoman in the King's colours comes to fetch the Duke into the King's presence: he's sat in the largest chamber in Baynard's, the audience chamber of the last Duke of York who had used the residence as his own mirroring of the royal court. Edward, long and thin, rests upon a curule chair raised upon a dais, above a host of other seats; some filled, some empty.

[The Mad Skylord]

Richard wished for nothing more than to grind his teeth in frustration. Suffolk had been the only lord not involved, and Richard knew well his brother would cave before de la Pole's 'gentle' advice. If only I had been born first, Edward would have made a better monk than King. the Plantagenet thought bitterly. Suffolk showed up and now his careful attempts to whisper in his brother's ear were destroyed.

Richard forced himself to smile, refusing to look this defeat in the face. "I am sure he will be grateful, Uncle, come, I shall take you to him." Richard graciously offered, even as the Royal Yeoman arrived.

[Oznerol]

A yeoman in the King's colours comes to fetch the Duke into the King's presence: he's sat in the largest chamber in Baynard's, the audience chamber of the last Duke of York who had used the residence as his own mirroring of the royal court. Edward, long and thin, rests upon a curule chair raised upon a dais, above a host of other seats; some filled, some empty.

Richard wished for nothing more than to grind his teeth in frustration. Suffolk had been the only lord not involved, and Richard knew well his brother would cave before de la Pole's 'gentle' advice. If only I had been born first, Edward would have made a better monk than King. the Plantagenet thought bitterly. Suffolk showed up and now his careful attempts to whisper in his brother's ear were destroyed.

Richard forced himself to smile, refusing to look this defeat in the face. "I am sure he will be grateful, Uncle, come, I shall take you to him." Richard graciously offered, even as the Royal Yeoman arrived.

"I know the way, but as you wish"

Suffolk arrives with measured steps, gracious and flamboyant. He kneels very fancifully, his head covered with golden locks.

"My royal nephew, I salute thee"

The fleece shimmering on his chest.

"I mourn coming in such sorry circumstances. My heart is troubled by these petty grievances"

[Gandalfus]

The Mercers were brought in to the great hall of Baynard's Castle. The King gave them a glance by the way of a greeting, a golden circlet resting neatly upon his brow. He was a little anxious, but the gnawing feeling in the gut was reduced by the supreme knowledge that he was in control here. These men were now in his power. Suffolk enters, bearing words of kindness - the King gestures and voices his thanks in response, with the yeomen ushering de la Pole towards a prominent seat upon the front benches.

"My lord's and good masters of London, be welcome to this assembly."

It was the closest thing to a Parliament England had seen in many years, with the common folk by far outnumbering the peers present. His chamberlain whispered something into his ear. Edward nodded, and the man was sent away, his task being to fetch to the King the Bishop of London.

"Thou art more loyal and faithful than those who have taken up arms against the Crown in an effort to instruct me in how to rule. You remained faithful to Us even when Canterbury, misguided as he was, brought his wroth and vengeance upon London Town."

[Trot]

A rider bearing a letter from the Appellant Lords would soon arrive in reply to the Kings letter.

His Royal Majesty King Edward,

Duke Clarence agree that the violence and bloodshed must some to an end. We now make ready to move to London, and request a meeting with King Edward to discuss our grievances.

Signed,
*insert names and titles of the Lords here.