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the change was due to Gloucester’s enjoyment of his newly found popularity, but then it occurred to him that certain other disagreeable traits in Richard’s character were gradually being eroded. Where was that fatal impulsiveness of his that had caused so many problems? These days he seldom rushed at things and his speech was measured and controlled. Likewise his natural suspicion of things he did not understand appeared to have been replaced by an open-minded curiosity. Ratcliffe credited Anne’s influence in the transformation of her husband and welcomed it. It was perhaps a surprising development, but one that made his job easier. But if Gloucester’s revolution was unexpected, what truly astonished Ratcliffe was the day that Gloucester had sent for him. With a smile, the duke had presented him with a list of ideas all designed to enhance Gloucester’s prestige in the city of York.
    â€˜But why was that so unusual?’ I asked.
    â€˜Because that was what I was supposed to be working on!’ Ratcliffe exploded. ‘As soon as Warwick’s supporters started to come over to us, I thought it was time to go on the offensive. So I drew up a plan to build up Richard’s reputation in the North.’
    â€˜But if he knew what you were working on, it’s not totally unexpected if he had a few ideas of his own!’ I objected.
    Ratcliffe shook his head.
    â€˜Normally I would agree with you. But we are talking of Gloucester here. In all the time I had been with him, I had seldom heard him venture a single original idea. He’s not stupid of course, but he does not have the imagination to resolve matters innovatively.’
    I must have looked doubtful. Ratcliffe jabbed his finger at me.
    â€˜Think of your own situation in the West March then. Has Gloucester ever suggested any specific ways in which you could improve the situation there?’
    I thought back.
    â€˜No.’
    Ratcliffe slammed his hand down.
    â€˜Exactly! So up to this point I admit that I had thought Gloucester pretty unimaginative, but when he called me that day his suggestions flew at me faster than archers’ arrows. Did I not realise that the city of York was getting poorer? Why had I not thought of drafting a letter to his brother, the king, with the aim of getting York’s taxes reduced? Why had I not suggested that one or two of York’s more prominent citizens were drafted onto the ducal council, which would be very popular in the city?’
    â€˜Miles Metcalfe from York is on the ducal council,’ I remembered ruefully.
    â€˜Of course he is now!’ Ratcliffe barked. ‘But tell me, Francis, how could someone as uninspired as Gloucester have suddenly come up with the brilliant idea of putting him there? It was totally out of character.’
    â€˜An isolated incident?’
    â€˜It could have been,’ Ratcliffe admitted, ‘but when you hear the rest of the story I’m not sure you will think so.’
    A few days later Ratcliffe had been summoned back again, he continued. On this occasion he had been reproved by Richard for not devising a plan to demonstrate Gloucester’s undeniable piety. Why, Richard had demanded, had Ratcliffe not thought of this? A list of abbeys and churches to be endowed was produced and Ratcliffe was told to get on with it. Ratcliffe protested in vain that he had considered the duke’s military reputation as the key message to be put across to the people of the North. He was corrected instantly. A more holistic approach had to be adopted immediately and, while they were on that subject, why had Ratcliffe not seen fit to instigate a plan which demonstrated the duke and duchess’s concern for their poor and needy people? Ratcliffe had admitted to himself afterwards that these ideas were much better than his own, but, as he did so, he began to feel distinctly uneasy. Obviously, Gloucester was not coming up with all these schemes, so