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together with the rest of the Woodvilles. Theweapons were intended to arm a fleet of ships they planned to build, so they could guard Henry’s fleet when he came from France to invade England. It was high treason.
    Poor young Edward was outraged to see Rivers, in whose house he has lived since he was small, stumbling in with his hands tied. Uncle Richard took him aside and spoke to him quietly for quite a long time. Edward listened and stopped protesting, but afterwards his face was white and troubled. Richard is going to take him the rest of the way to London, and I am glad of that. I have to go on with the rest of the procession, but most of the servants are going back to Ludlow. I think of Tom, and wish I could be with them. But there may still be things I can do for Edward.

London

4 th May 1483
    When we reached the great city, Uncle Richard took Edward to the Bishop’s Palace in St Paul’s Churchyard. With some other servants, I waited outside the closed door of the room where they were, to see if we would be needed.
    Edward came out with his uncle and the Bishop and some other men. He looked tired, and older than his twelve years. He saw me, and I curtsied to him. He raised me to my feet and said quietly, ‘I have much to thank you for, Lisa. But I am a man now. I will not need you while we are here. When things have settled down, we will meet again.’
    He kissed me on the forehead.
    I will always remember that.
5 th June 1483
    Richard’s wife, Anne Neville, is here now, with Clarence’s orphaned children and their own little boy. I am helping to look after them, perhaps needlessly, as Anne has plenty of servants. But it is better to have something to do, as I have seen no more of Edward and feel useless.
    Richard is organising everything for the coronation on 22 nd June. He is sending invitations to the squires who will be knighted at the ceremony and he has ordered Edward’s coronation clothes.
    I am looking forward to the ceremony. I will see Edward again, if only from a distance, and little Richard, too, perhaps. He is still in sanctuary with his mother and sisters, but they must surely come to see Edward crowned.
8 th June 1483
    Dear God, protect us now.
    The wolves, as Annie called them, have hunted out Robert Stillington, an old, white-haired man who is now the Bishop of Bath. They brought him to a Council meeting this morning, and he admitted that he conducted a marriage ceremony between King Edward IV and Lady Eleanor Butler, daughter of John Talbot, 1 st Earl of Shrewsbury, several months before Edward married Elizabeth Woodville.
    The secret has burst open like a gaping wound.
    My lovely boys are stripped of all their rights. Neither Edward nor his brother will be crowned, ever.
    This is the end.
19 th May 1483
    Edward has been moved to the Tower of London. Remembering what Annie told me about the death of King Henry in that place, I am filled with fear.
    I sought out Dr Alcock, though I’ve always felt in awe of him, and confessed my worries. He was unexpectedly kind. He said the Archbishop of Canterbury had insisted on the move to ensure Edward’s safety. His brother Richard is to join him in the Tower as soon as Elizabeth agrees.
    â€˜You need have no concern,’ he went on. ‘The boys will be safe there. And this may not be the end of the story, Lisa. There have been cases in the past when persons declared illegitimate have been re-legitimised by Act of Parliament. This could happen again. Young Edward may yet rule.’
    â€˜Really?’
    It was a wonderful new hope. But my worry about the Tower had not gone.
    â€˜It’s just – I mean – what if someone has the key?’ Dr Alcock looked affronted.
    â€˜What are you suggesting? I can assure you that the people entrusted with care of the boys are scrupulously honourable men. There can be no question of unauthorised access.’
    I curtsied and said, ‘Yes, sir. Of course.’
    I