and murder the boy King Edward the fifth and his brother Prince Richard. It is believed that Courtridge had a weak but valid claim to the English throne through one of the Plantagenet lines stemming from King Edward the third, and that he had planned to kidnap the boys, leaving no specific heir, and use Baron backing to secure himself the spot. We all know he was never king, but why and how he failed to realise his dream, and why the anonymous author of this book named and shamed him we don’t know. What we are aware of is that for some reason, he was granted land and titles in return for his invaluable contribution to the investigation.
“ Our intention in this operation is to identify the author of the diary, infiltrate the treason plot, and gather enough real-world evidence to remove the titles and funds that are now owned by the current Lord Courtridge.
“ On the twenty-fifth of June, you will all be transported to the June the first, fourteen eighty three. That will give you just over a month until the date of the assassination according to the diary that we have found. Official historical sources say that although King Richard the third was crowned on the twelfth of July, the boys were last seen in the Tower by a Doctor Argentine around September that year. The diary tells a different story and we believe it is the doctor’s reports that are inaccurate. Your mission is to travel by horse from this site in Bradwell to London City where you will find lodgings in a place you feel most comfortable. You will have sufficient technical equipment with which you will be suitably trained; and you will be carrying enough gold, silver, jewellery and weapons to buy or rent whatever you need. Establishing your digs as your base, they will be considered your safe house for your equipment and Chris will operate predominantly from there. Though he does have an undercover role to play, David will join you outside on an on-hand advisory basis most of the time. His legend will be in place as cover, but not as a tool of infiltration itself. The rest of you will need him with you to guide any mistakes you may make regarding the period and will be expected to rely on his guidance with regards to conduct. John, Jake and Charlotte; with David’s assistance, you will gain access to the courts of the Tower and will work to create relationships with fellow court members. If possible, you will identify Courtridge and his posse, find out the information you need to know, and locate the author of the diary. Charlotte, I expect you to be useful in keeping an eye on these men and gathering what visual evidence is required by the boys. John and Jake, it will then be down to the two of you to infiltrate the circle and become part of the plot itself. I want you to gather evidence by technical means, and I want you to be present for the offences in person. This, we believe, is the only way we will be able to secure enough evidence to pull this off. Video, audio, forensic, whatever you can get. We need it. I’m sorry it’s blunt. I’m not sure of any other way I can put it.”
“You make it sound very easy, Derek!” John commented with a wry smile. “Not only will we have to look like we fit in there in the fourteen hundreds, we’ll also have to get inside the Royal Court then convince a band of organised traitors that they should trust us enough to allow us into their plot.”
“I know, John, I know. Anything could happen and it’s a big gamble. It’s a straight forward plan with the objective clearly set out. But you’re right, god knows what’s going to happen when you’re there and what you’re going to have to do to survive let alone succeed. Your aim is to travel safely, become court members, infiltrate the plot, then gather evidence via surveillance and participation. Get it all recorded and get out. You must not, under any circumstances, prevent the assassination no matter
“ Our intention in this operation is to identify the author of the diary, infiltrate the treason plot, and gather enough real-world evidence to remove the titles and funds that are now owned by the current Lord Courtridge.
“ On the twenty-fifth of June, you will all be transported to the June the first, fourteen eighty three. That will give you just over a month until the date of the assassination according to the diary that we have found. Official historical sources say that although King Richard the third was crowned on the twelfth of July, the boys were last seen in the Tower by a Doctor Argentine around September that year. The diary tells a different story and we believe it is the doctor’s reports that are inaccurate. Your mission is to travel by horse from this site in Bradwell to London City where you will find lodgings in a place you feel most comfortable. You will have sufficient technical equipment with which you will be suitably trained; and you will be carrying enough gold, silver, jewellery and weapons to buy or rent whatever you need. Establishing your digs as your base, they will be considered your safe house for your equipment and Chris will operate predominantly from there. Though he does have an undercover role to play, David will join you outside on an on-hand advisory basis most of the time. His legend will be in place as cover, but not as a tool of infiltration itself. The rest of you will need him with you to guide any mistakes you may make regarding the period and will be expected to rely on his guidance with regards to conduct. John, Jake and Charlotte; with David’s assistance, you will gain access to the courts of the Tower and will work to create relationships with fellow court members. If possible, you will identify Courtridge and his posse, find out the information you need to know, and locate the author of the diary. Charlotte, I expect you to be useful in keeping an eye on these men and gathering what visual evidence is required by the boys. John and Jake, it will then be down to the two of you to infiltrate the circle and become part of the plot itself. I want you to gather evidence by technical means, and I want you to be present for the offences in person. This, we believe, is the only way we will be able to secure enough evidence to pull this off. Video, audio, forensic, whatever you can get. We need it. I’m sorry it’s blunt. I’m not sure of any other way I can put it.”
“You make it sound very easy, Derek!” John commented with a wry smile. “Not only will we have to look like we fit in there in the fourteen hundreds, we’ll also have to get inside the Royal Court then convince a band of organised traitors that they should trust us enough to allow us into their plot.”
“I know, John, I know. Anything could happen and it’s a big gamble. It’s a straight forward plan with the objective clearly set out. But you’re right, god knows what’s going to happen when you’re there and what you’re going to have to do to survive let alone succeed. Your aim is to travel safely, become court members, infiltrate the plot, then gather evidence via surveillance and participation. Get it all recorded and get out. You must not, under any circumstances, prevent the assassination no matter
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