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Authors: Tony Riches
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our full retinue of servants to accompany us to France, including his personal guard and over a thousand fighting men. More joined us on the journey, so by the time we arrived at the coast the line of marching soldiers, horses and wagons following us stretched back far into the distance, further than I could see. Like never before, this was a reminder of Humphrey’s true wealth and influence.
As warden of the port he had been able to commandeer a fleet of forty-two warships, but mustering good men prepared to sail to France with him had not been so easy. He spent a fortune recruiting men, arming them and securing provisions for what we all knew could be a long and dangerous campaign. I watched from the high window of Dover Castle with Jacqueline as Sir John de Mobray prepared this sizeable but ill-disciplined army. I knew they consisted mostly of mercenaries and opportunists, yet he appeared to regard them as if they were loyal soldiers of the crown.
It was the middle of October and even the elements were against us. Stormy winds and heavy rain made it impossible to sail for many days. Humphrey was frustrated yet well used to the changeable weather of the English Channel, but Jacqueline’s superstition got the better of her. She saw the gathering black clouds as another ill omen and confided to me that she doubted we would receive a warm reception in her homeland. Her people had a deep distrust of the English and she worried they would accuse her of abandoning them, even though it had been far too dangerous for her to stay in Hainault.
Soon after we had arrived in Dover, Jacqueline showed me another of the secret messages which had arrived from her mother, the Dowager Margaret. It did little to reassure her anxiety about the trip. It transpired that the merchants had become used to prosperity under the peaceful rule of John of Bavaria and had no wish to see Humphrey reclaim their lands. The message said they offered to raise the considerable sum of thirty thousand pounds a year for Humphrey to remain in England. If the message had arrived when we were still in London it might have been possible to try to persuade Humphrey, but it was too late now we were almost ready to sail.
Despite the thick walls of Dover Castle I could clearly hear his angry reaction when she told him the news. He shouted that he was insulted by the suggestion he could be so easily ‘bought off’ reclaiming her rightful inheritance. As I expected, the message strengthened his resolve. It also marked the moment when I first heard him raise his voice at the countess. He accused her mother of being a scheming trouble maker. When I saw Jacqueline soon afterwards her eyes were red, as if she had been crying. It was a long time ago, but looking back I think that day in Dover was when she began to change her attitude towards me.
It was twenty-six years ago and my memory of some things is failing, yet I recall our departure from Dover that day so clearly. It proved, of course, to be the turning-point in my life and on that chilly autumn morning in the busy harbour I sensed nothing would ever be quite the same again. It was the first time I had set out on a sea voyage and I had always longed to see France, having heard so much about it at the court of Queen Catherine.
When the storm finally calmed we made our way to the bustling harbour. I knew Humphrey would not rest until he had secured Jacqueline’s lands, so we were going to be in France for a long time and our servants laden down with as much as they could carry. A soldier shouted something to us as we made our way to our ship. I couldn’t hear over the noise but Humphrey grinned and I suspected he was glad to be back with his comrades. Agincourt had been the making of him but that was some time ago now and I know he missed the life of a soldier.
Ours was one of the grandest ships and proudly flew Humphrey’s royal standard, a splash of colour against the dark clouds. I followed the
As warden of the port he had been able to commandeer a fleet of forty-two warships, but mustering good men prepared to sail to France with him had not been so easy. He spent a fortune recruiting men, arming them and securing provisions for what we all knew could be a long and dangerous campaign. I watched from the high window of Dover Castle with Jacqueline as Sir John de Mobray prepared this sizeable but ill-disciplined army. I knew they consisted mostly of mercenaries and opportunists, yet he appeared to regard them as if they were loyal soldiers of the crown.
It was the middle of October and even the elements were against us. Stormy winds and heavy rain made it impossible to sail for many days. Humphrey was frustrated yet well used to the changeable weather of the English Channel, but Jacqueline’s superstition got the better of her. She saw the gathering black clouds as another ill omen and confided to me that she doubted we would receive a warm reception in her homeland. Her people had a deep distrust of the English and she worried they would accuse her of abandoning them, even though it had been far too dangerous for her to stay in Hainault.
Soon after we had arrived in Dover, Jacqueline showed me another of the secret messages which had arrived from her mother, the Dowager Margaret. It did little to reassure her anxiety about the trip. It transpired that the merchants had become used to prosperity under the peaceful rule of John of Bavaria and had no wish to see Humphrey reclaim their lands. The message said they offered to raise the considerable sum of thirty thousand pounds a year for Humphrey to remain in England. If the message had arrived when we were still in London it might have been possible to try to persuade Humphrey, but it was too late now we were almost ready to sail.
Despite the thick walls of Dover Castle I could clearly hear his angry reaction when she told him the news. He shouted that he was insulted by the suggestion he could be so easily ‘bought off’ reclaiming her rightful inheritance. As I expected, the message strengthened his resolve. It also marked the moment when I first heard him raise his voice at the countess. He accused her mother of being a scheming trouble maker. When I saw Jacqueline soon afterwards her eyes were red, as if she had been crying. It was a long time ago, but looking back I think that day in Dover was when she began to change her attitude towards me.
It was twenty-six years ago and my memory of some things is failing, yet I recall our departure from Dover that day so clearly. It proved, of course, to be the turning-point in my life and on that chilly autumn morning in the busy harbour I sensed nothing would ever be quite the same again. It was the first time I had set out on a sea voyage and I had always longed to see France, having heard so much about it at the court of Queen Catherine.
When the storm finally calmed we made our way to the bustling harbour. I knew Humphrey would not rest until he had secured Jacqueline’s lands, so we were going to be in France for a long time and our servants laden down with as much as they could carry. A soldier shouted something to us as we made our way to our ship. I couldn’t hear over the noise but Humphrey grinned and I suspected he was glad to be back with his comrades. Agincourt had been the making of him but that was some time ago now and I know he missed the life of a soldier.
Ours was one of the grandest ships and proudly flew Humphrey’s royal standard, a splash of colour against the dark clouds. I followed the
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