Chapter 170: Administrator
Lancaster Castle, built in the 11th century on the remains of a Roman fortress, became the domain of the Prince of Wales in November 1399 when King Henry IV of Lancaster made his eldest son, Henry of Monmouth, Prince of Wales, Duke of Lancaster I.
When the Duke succeeded to the throne as Henry V in 1413, the Duke of Lancaster was merged with the throne and the Duke of Lancaster was abolished. At this point, the Duke of Lancaster title disappeared from the list of nobles of the Kingdom of England. However, the Duchy of Lancaster has always existed within the county jurisdiction of Lancashire. The reason for this is that it has long been part of the property of the English crown.
Sir Roland Wadsworth, loyal to the first Tudor king, Henry VII and the second king, Henry VIII, was a faithful "servant" of the king, dedicating his life to the "cause" of managing the royal property for the king. In fact, Sir Rowland is only the second generation of administrators of the royal estate.
His father, Sir William Wadsworth, was the first administrator to manage Lancaster Castle for Richard III, the last king of the York dynasty. Sir William's safe transition from the York dynasty to the Tudor dynasty was all thanks to the help of his friend Sir William Stanley of the Stanley family.
Sir William Stanley, the second son of House Stanley, led 3,000 knights, sergeants, and archers to openly defect on the battlefield, causing the Yorkist army to collapse in an instant, and the crowned Richard III was eventually killed on the battlefield. At this point, the House of York was replaced by the House of Tudor.
When William Stanley's brother Thomas Stanley received the title of earl for his military exploits, it was only natural that William, the younger brother of the knight, recommended his friend Sir William Wadsworth to King Henry VII and let him continue to manage the royal property for the king at Lancaster Castle.
Fifty-one years later, the Wadsworth family is still dutifully administering the royal property for the Tudor monarchs in Lancaster Castle. Although Sir Roland, the second generation of the family heir, had been extremely spiritually and psychologically rejecting Protestantism since the Reformation of Henry VIII, he never had the idea of rebellion.
However, when a letter from a friend from Yorkshire was placed on Sir Rowland's desk, Sir Roland's thoughts began to waver. In the letter, the friend wrote: "This lawyer, Mr. Robert Althorp, from London, is only a loyal subject to the king. ”
"His purpose in coming to the north was only to seek moral help from the nobility, knights, squires, and common people, and to ask the king to adhere to the pure Christian faith."
"This 'Prayer Tour' is nothing more than a petition and demonstration to the king and the parliament. Let the king see clearly the ministers and nobles around him who use the king as a puppet and urge the king to make 'evil' religious and economic policies. ”
At the end of his letter, the friend asked Sir Roland to give careful consideration to the words of the London lawyer. Don't abandon the traditional Catholic faith just because you have benefited from the royal family for a while.
Sir Roland could not make up his mind, so he had to ask the servants to invite his eldest son to the study. Howard Wadsworth, who broke a leg while riding a horse as a child, came to the study with a cane. When he read the letter his father had given him, he was silent for a long time.
Sir Roland went to the window with a glass of wine, looked at his eldest son, and said, "My friend in Yorkshire says that this gentleman lawyer may have arrived in Richmondshire by now. As I recall, your fiancée's family is also in Richmondshire, isn't it? ”
Zero Walter stretched his right leg, which had lost the function of his leg, straight to the floor, leaned back in the seat and looked at the knight, and said, "Yes, father, do you want me to ask my fiancée's father, Sir Augustine, about the attitude of the Duke of Richmond?" ”
"That's right, kid. I don't think the momentum of this 'Prayer Tour' will be small. If there was a slight fault in the march to the south, then the movement would have turned into a rebellion. ”
"Father, you also plan to participate in this pilgrimage?"
"Howard, isn't it very clear in the letter? The London-based solicitor has garnered a great deal of support in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Even if Lord York and Lord Lincoln would not attend, they would have given their full support to the gentleman lawyer, both in person and financially. ”
"Father, I see. If the Duke of Richmond was also involved in this pilgrimage, then surely you would? ”
"The Duke is the illegitimate son of the king. If it weren't for being an illegitimate child, our ducal neighbor would have become the Prince of Wales and the heir to the throne in the future. ”
"Father, I'll write to my fiancée."
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When a royal postman, dressed as a royal servant, hurried to Asker Manor with a letter from Howard to his fiancée, Effie, the owners of the estate, Sir Augustine and Isabel Walton, arrived at a tavern in the village of Haypentham, which was governed by Lancaster Castle.
Augustine sipped ale and looked out the window at the road. Isabel knew what he was thinking, and said unhurriedly, "Sir, Francis and his party will have a long way to go to reach this village. ”
"Nothing will happen to them, will they? I mean... Thief. Jazz observed the various people drinking and eating in the liquor house at this time, and lowered his voice to speak.
"Don't worry, sir, I've studied that path with Francis. Since Lord Lancashire travels this way to the county every year for a hunt, there shouldn't be any problem. ”
"Lord Lancashire only comes to the Shire during the autumn and winter of each year to take part in the hunts. It's summer, my kids. ”
"Sir, since you're so worried, let's go now."
"Go to them?"
Eating and drinking, Isabel stood up and said with a smile, "Let's wait for them in the village of Krafton in front." ”
Augustine also stood up, nodded and said, "Well, the village of Crafton is a village on the way to Lancaster Castle, and I think we can go there and wait for them." ”
After paying the bill, Augustine walked out of the door of the tavern with his sword and belongings, and was immediately pulled to a secluded place by Isabel, who was walking in front. Just as he was about to speak, Isabel whispered, "Father, be careful, we are already being targeted." ”