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this session. Gather what evidence you have. Present it. I thank you for your... your concern.” He reclaimed his seat. A cool minute later, with Henry still looming, the king drummed his fingers on the table. “You may go. Spare me the details for now.”
    Jaw clenched, Henry stormed from the room.
    Unwilling to accept defeat prematurely, Richard slid one of the marble pieces strategically forward.
    “I hear the young Earl of March received a hero’s welcome this morning,” Gaunt imparted. Edmund Mortimer, the Earl of March, was a seven-year boy old whose great-grandfather, Lionel, Duke of Clarence, had been the second oldest son of King Edward III and Queen Philippa. As the direct descendant of the next oldest of King Edward’s sons, many believed that little Edmund Mortimer was next in line for the throne. Richard still had no heir and with his new bride, Isabella, being a young girl still, it was not likely he would have one for some years yet. Anything could happen in that span of time and Richard was well aware of it. Although John of Gaunt had long wielded his influence over Richard, he was King Edward’s fourth son and not even he would have asserted to hold the stronger claim. Richard sensed otherwise about his hotheaded cousin Henry of Bolingbroke, however. Henry was ambitious and would have thought nothing of grasping for what was not his if he wanted it. Richard did not trust him.
    “Oh yes, the heir presumptive.” Richard sneered. Henry’s appearance had put him in a foul mood. He flicked his queen across the board, toppling Gaunt’s army of pawns. “I have wearied of this. I wish to retire now.”
    It was an unsettling revelation for the king. Henry pitted against Mowbray could prove to be extremely ugly. For all he knew, his cousin was merely trying to earn favor by alerting him to Mowbray’s remarks. A contrived delay was in order. If Richard was to rid himself of the bur that was Henry of Bolingbroke, without alienating his beloved uncle, it would take some delicate planning.
     

 
     
     
    Iolo Goch:
     
    A parliamentary committee decided, most conveniently, that the dispute between Bolingbroke and Mowbray should be determined by trial by combat. The chosen place was Coventry. The date—the 16th of September of that year: 1398.
    As the duel was about to begin, Richard intervened. He banished both men: Mowbray for a hundred winters and Henry for ten years. Henry withdrew to the French court, where he was received with great civility.
    The next winter, Henry received the ill tidings of his father’s death. He expected that Richard would summon him home and bestow upon him the titles and holdings that had been his father’s. But to Henry’s astonishment, instead of a cousin’s welcoming arms and tepid apology, Richard disinherited him—from everything.
    Vengefulness is a dangerous quality in a king. More so to Richard himself than to those he sought to punish. Henry swore himself the king’s enemy. Richard would pay.
     

7
     
    Waterford, Ireland — May, 1399
     
    It was the 31 st of May in 1399 when King Richard’s ships pulled into the harbor at Waterford. Art McMurrough had once again reared up in revolt—this time claiming himself as the rightful king of all Ireland. So it was that Richard had departed for that unruly isle, the funds for the expedition duly augmented by the seizure of Henry of Bolingbroke’s lands. There was great risk at leaving his kingdom, especially so shortly after the cutting affront to his cousin, who was not without his supporters. But it was with calculated foresight that Richard brought with him Henry’s own son: Henry of Monmouth, more affectionately known to his godfather the king as Harry.
    The ride inland toward Kilkenny was intoxicating. The persistent mists had summoned from the earth tender blades of grass that flooded the island in a rippling sea of green. When the clouds broke and drifted away, sunlight coaxed forth tight buds so that the trees