So how does this sound for a brief introduction: Thomas of York, the fourth surviving son of Richard, 3rd Duke of York and Cecily Neville, was born in 1451, and grew up in the shadow of the war of the roses. When he was but nine years old, he was sent alongside his older brother George and his younger brother Richard, to Burgundy, whilst his father and brother Edmund were slain at Sandal Castle. He and his brothers returned to England, following their oldest brother Edward's victories at Mortimer Cross and Towton, where Edward was proclaimed King Edward IV. Thomas was created Duke of Bedford, Earl of Kendall and Earl of Carlisle following his brother's victories. Raised at court, whilst his brother Richard was raised in Middleham, he soon came to know more about the intracacies of court game play, than many other boys his age. A quick learner he soon saw the importance of keeping his secrets close to his chest. When his brother married Elizabeth Woodville, the young Thomas, who was serving as his brother's squire, was present at the wedding, and swore a vow of secrecy to his brother and King. He spent most of his teenage years at court, where he observed the growing tension between his brother and cousin, the Earl of Warwick, whilst also seeing the growing influence of the Queen and her Woodville kin. Upon reaching adulthood in 1469, Thomas was given livery of his estates, and advanced northward to settle his affairs, and remove the men placed by his brother to govern them for him, accompaying him was Rob Aspell a man who had served as a friend and companion for his brother Edmund. Thomas, soon struck a chord with the people of Bedford, whilst also getting some traction with the people of Kendall, he would not visit Carlisle though, before word reached him of his brother Geroge's mad dash with Warwick to Calais, to marry Isabel Neville.