The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 12:41 PM
“We tend to forget at times that it is the little ones, the children, who do suffer the greatest hurt. If we cannot comprehend why certain sorrows are visited upon us, how on earth can they?”
Richard “Dickon” Plantagenet, a prominent member of the House of York, was the younger brother of King Edward IV during the tumultuous 15th century in England, a period dominated by the fierce conflict known as the Wars of the Roses. Their primary adversary was Marguerite d’Anjou, the cunning and often ruthless wife of the deranged King Henry VI. Marguerite commanded the Lancastrian army, determined to reclaim the throne for her husband, leading to a series of bloody confrontations that saw countless lives lost on both sides and left families shattered.
After enduring numerous battles marked by brutality and betrayal, Edward emerged as the supreme victor, claiming the throne as King Edward IV. It was during this volatile time that Dickon found himself stepping into the role of the king's younger brother, witnessing the rapid changes in fortune and stature that came with royal decree. This narrative encompasses Dickon’s formative years, intricately detailing his upbringing alongside his family and cousins, immersing the reader in the fabric of their lives.
The political landscape shifted dramatically with Edward's secret marriage to Elizabeth Woodville, a Lancastrian noblewoman. This union sparked outrage among Edward’s relatives, who had been fervently advocating for a marriage to a French bride, hoping to strengthen ties with the continent. Elizabeth, a member of the very faction fighting against the Yorks, was not only connected to Marguerite but also had familial ties to their enemies. The decision to marry her incited fury across the York family, with George, Edward’s younger brother, being the only one who seemed to delight in the controversy, relishing Edward’s misstep, as it positioned him closer to power.
George soon aligned himself with Richard Neville, the Earl of Warwick, a key player in the Yorkist cause and famously dubbed the "Kingmaker" for his pivotal role in Edward’s rise. Together, in a shocking twist of loyalties, they turned against Edward, fueled in part by George’s resentment stemming from Edward’s favoritism toward Dickon and Warwick's opposition to Elizabeth. Their ambitions led them to France, where they forged an alliance with Marguerite d’Anjou, despite her men having slain some of Warwick’s kin in prior battles.
With a warlike determination, they returned to England, prepared to confront King Edward and Dickon. However, the battle proved disastrous for Warwick; his forces were tragically decimated, leaving his daughters, Isabel and Anne, in a state of desperate uncertainty about their futures. In the grim reality of their lives, their mother Nan Neville was cloistered away in Beaulieu Abbey by King Edward’s edict, bringing further discord and tension to the family as she attempted to navigate her daughters' plight.
Tragedy struck when King Edward passed away in his early 40s. In his will, he designated Richard as the Lord Protector for his young son, Edward, the rightful heir to the throne. However, an old narrative resurfaced, alleging that Edward had been secretly betrothed to another woman prior to his marriage to Elizabeth Woodville. Many in the council seized upon this rumor, asserting that Edward’s children were bastards and thus incapable of inheriting the throne. As a consequence, young Edward was dispossessed of his rights, paving the way for Dickon, now King Richard III, to ascend the throne.
Amidst the swirling chaos, Henry Tudor emerged with aspirations for the crown, bolstered by support from some of Richard’s ostensible allies, including Buckingham. However, Buckingham’s treachery soon came to light, leading to disastrous outcomes for him and heightening the stakes in the battle for succession.
Following a brief period of respite, Tudor fled England, but the calm was deceptive. Richard’s world was further rocked by personal loss when his beloved wife, Anne, succumbed to consumption, leaving him heartbroken and vulnerable. Scandal and insidious rumors spread like wildfire across London, heightening the tension as Henry Tudor made another play for the throne. In August 1485, he landed with his army in South Wales, prompting Richard and the Royal Army to march south to engage him on the field of battle.
The momentous clash occurred on Redmore Plain—now known as Bosworth Field—historically marked by treachery and betrayal, as allies turned against Richard in droves. Even though he began with a formidable force, outnumbering Tudor’s men, betrayal whittled his numbers down to a critical few. Ultimately, the fierce fighting proved fatal for Richard, who was killed on that fateful day.
With Richard's death came a seismic shift in power, as Henry Tudor claimed the throne and was crowned King Henry VII, marking the end of the Yorkist reign.
This richly woven tale profoundly captures the essence of daily life in mid-15th-century England, bringing to life the sights and sounds of the era—the clashing of swords, the expanse of the countryside, and the vivid garb of its people. It explores the duality of relationships, filled with passion and conflict, promises and betrayals. The book is an eloquent retelling of a fascinating period in history, inviting readers to immerse themselves in its intricate details and landscapes.
