The Sunne in Splendour: A War of the Roses Timeline
- Thread starter pandizzy
- Start date
July 1473.
July 1473. Pembroke Castle, Wales.
Elizabeth hissed when her needle pricked her finger, a glob of blood running down her skin. She dropped her embroidery wheel on her lap as she wrapped the injured digit in a piece of cloth, lips twisted in displeasure. Hurting herself like this while sewing was a child’s mistake, one that little Bess hadn’t done in many years, and she knew it was only born from her worry.
Many weeks had passed since they last heard news from London, when the word of her brothers’ arrest reached every corner of the realm and Elizabeth knew not what to do. Edward was king once more and there was peace in the kingdoms, but her brothers might die for their treachery and she didn't think she could handle it.
Perhaps, she ought to have warned her lover of what Anthony intended. She knew his plans well, even if he was angry with her, but Elizabeth could not bear to choose. Maybe, if Edward had fulfilled his promise and made himself her husband, she would've felt no dividing loyalty towards him, but it didn't happen.
Elizabeth wasn't Queen of England. She had no duty to accomplish in bringing a greater era to her country. The honour now belonged to Madeleine de Valois. Let her bear the brunt of the office, bear Edward's children until they sapped all of her strength from her.
She wanted to wear the crown. Now she must bear its weight with a smile whereas Elizabeth could hold Edward's love and affections. He made her a Countess and even if she had given him no son, their daughter was lovely. More beautiful than any of the Queen's little she-mouses, Elizabeth was sure. Edward had to love her well.
Her door opened and one of her maids came to whisper in her ear, informing her that her eldest son was without, begging to be let in. Little Bess raised her eyes, attention attracted by the commotion. Elizabeth smiled and stood up, setting her sewing aside.
“Mother, what is it?” asked Bess, standing up to take her hand.
“It’s your dear brother, my darling girl,” said Elizabeth. She stroked her daughter’s cheek, her thumb rubbing over her bone. The door opened and her son, Thomas Grey, entered.
He made a bow for her and she smiled, offering her hand for him to kiss. “Mother, I ask for your blessing in this morrow Tuesday,” he murmured.
“I give my blessing freely, my dear Thomas,” she said. He straightened up, dark hair brushed back, and she waved for him to sit. “Tell me. What brings you here to Wales?”
Thomas looked at her daughter, eyes wide and alarmed. “I have just returned from London,” he said, carefully. “The King sent me here with a message for you, Lady Mother.”
“What message?” she asked. “And what happened in London?” Elizabeth looked at Bess, innocent little ears attentively listening in. “What of your uncles? Have their sentences passed yet?”
“Anthony and Richard have already been punished,” he said, mindful of his younger sister’s presence. “The King is mindful of sentencing Uncle Lionel because of his priestly habit. It’s possible he hopes to let him live out his life in the Tower.”
Elizabeth clutched the crucifix that lay between her breasts. She thought about her poor little brothers. Foolish, poor little brothers. The Lord had them now, but she had already made her peace with their death. It was the price to pay for their defeat against Edward.
“There’s more,” said Thomas. Elizabeth raised her eyes, surprised. “The King made me an offer.”
She frowned. “What offer?”
“He offered me the hand of his illegitimate daughter, Grace Plantagenet,” said Thomas, careful. “Her hand in marriage, I mean.”
“Grace?” Elizabeth repeated and her son nodded. “But she’s a…” her eyes met Bess’, her daughter blinking innocently as she spoke, “She’s beneath you. And a child at that.”
“She is twelve,” he retorted. “Old enough to be married, according to the law.”
“But you deserve better,” said Elizabeth. “I have been working intently to get you Annie Holland. She’s heiress to considerable lands and a large fortune.”
“Annie Holland is a wild creature,” he replied, “And the current gossip at court is that she intends to choose her own husband.”
“Choose her own husband?” Elizabeth replied. “It’s improper for a lady of her standing to do such a thing.”
Thomas shrugged. “But it doesn’t matter,” he said. “The King knew I would be hesitant to marry his natural daughter, so he embellished the proposal with the grant of an earldom.”
Well, that was different. “Which earldom?’ Elizabeth asked.
“Leicester,” he replied. “My paternal grandmother’s barony is located in Leicester, and Father was born there. It’s a very honourable offer.”
“So you accepted?” she asked and Thomas nodded.
“I did,” he said. “I hope you will find it in yourself to forgive me.”
“Forgive you?” she laughed. “Why would I need to forgive you? To see you rise high in the world was all I’ve ever wanted.”
“Because the King has trusted me with a task,” he said, apologetic. “I’m to escort Bess to London, where she is to join the household of Queen Madeleine since the King has deemed you untrustworthy to care for his daughter.”
“What?” Elizabeth stood up. “No!”
“Mother, please,” said Thomas. “Allow me to do my duty. We can’t afford to anger the King now.”
“Bess is mine,” she said. Elizabeth looked at her daughter, her eyes wide in fear and lower lip trembling. “I will not see her lost to me, especially not if the Queen will take control of her.”
“Legally, Bess has no mother,” said Thomas. “The King omitted your name from her papers to avoid the Earl of Pembroke from claiming her as his own.”
“No, I won’t let you take her from me,” she murmured.
“It’s already too late for that, Mother,” said Thomas, shaking his head, “And you know that already.”
She only stared at him, unable to muster up the strength to lie to him. He was right. It was too late and she knew that.
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Damn, poor Elizabeth Woodville… anyway, can’t wait to see Bess in Madeleine’s care. I’m sure she’ll have a grand time in London and have her every need provided for.
Precisely and Bess is her only daughter, which makes it slightly more painful than if it had been a son.
Elizabeth really needs to get over herself! I mean she acts like her only children are her Grey sons and Elizabeth! What about her other children with her actual HUSBAND?? Kids are smart and I can guarantee that her Pembroke children are not only going to dislike HER in the future due to her neglect but also their half siblings due to Elizabeth’s favoritism.
Poor Elizabeth, hopefully she sees Bess again.
To be fair to Elizabeth I think part of the reason why she loves Bess so much is because Bess reminds her of better days when she and Edward were intimate lovers and she believed she would wear a crown.
Ah dammit Edward, for you to make Thomas do this to his poor mother and sister 
OH NO
Anyway, I wonder if Edward and Madeleine will arrange a marriage for her now that she is soon to join the court.
Let's be real, it's been a long time coming. Elizabeth knew about Anthony's intentions to commit treason and said nothing. She's lucky she didn't lose her head.Ah dammit Edward, for you to make Thomas do this to his poor mother and sister
It's arguable that she knew the extent of it, and I think it's a tad unfair to blame her for what her brother has done.
Is she delusional ? Didn't she realize that Edward no longer loves her in the conversation she had with her sister ?
I think we're already past this. She's been delusional since Madeleine came to England and she kept saying she was queen.