Let them come! They would learn then the true state of affairs.

The Earl of Arundel was put in charge of the English fleet.

It was certainly a fine array of enemy ships which set sail from Rochelle for Sluys. Not only was it composed of French ships, but Spanish as well. It was under the command of Jean de Bucq, a Flemish admiral noted for his skill in sea warfare.

On the other hand Arundel had a reputation for sluggishness and when the French had raided the coast of Sussex – his own territory – he had been noticeably dilatory in taking action, so he seemed hardly a wise choice to take over the defence.

It was surprising therefore that he should when the occasion arose astonish everyone with his skill in handling the invaders. All through the spring he had worked indefatigably with Thomas Mowbray, Earl of Nottingham, to prepare a fleet to meet the French.

To see the magnificent armada sailing down the Channel was a sight to fill any heart with apprehension. Arundel however remained calm, watching it. Then he put his fleet into retreat trying to lure the French off course, but they would not be deceived by so obvious a ruse.

Arundel drew away waiting for the moment to attack. His archers were ready and as soon as the French were near enough they would send out a shower of those deadly weapons for which they had become renowned.

There was one enemy to which an invader might fail to give enough attention – and that was the weather – and in particular the winds which could be encountered in the Channel and although this was unpredictable the English were more accustomed to its vagaries and could often judge beforehand what course it was about to take.

Arundel seemed to sense that the wind was going to work for him against his enemies and he was right. Up rose the wind at precisely the moment when it could be most useful to the English. The French were drifting off course. Now was the time to attack. The sky was dark with the shower of arrows which fell onto French decks; then the large ships went into the attack.

The battle was long and furious; but the French, magnificent as their vessels were, were no match for the English.

That day brought complete victory. Almost a hundred ships were captured.

Arundel had shed his slothful nature. Not content with crippling the French fleet he was determined to make it impossible for them to put another on the seas for years to come. Triumphantly he followed the remnants of the defeated armada to Sluys; he attacked it, sank some ships and crippled others, and even landed and burned the towns and villages.

After ten days during which not only did he attack the coast but helped himself to much of the treasure there, he returned to England bringing with him among other things nineteen thousand tuns of fine wine.

There was great rejoicing through the land. There had been so many disasters lately that victory was particularly sweet.

It was as though the Black Prince had been born again.

England had risen out of her lethargy. She had heroes once more.

The most popular man in England was Richard Fitzalan, Earl of Arundel. He was indeed a hero for instead of taking much of the booty to himself, he decided that the people should benefit from it. Wine was very cheap in England that summer. In the taverns people blessed Arundel and drank his health.


* * *

Richard and Robert de Vere were congratulating themselves on the manner in which John of Gaunt had been removed from the scene; but what they did not realise was that someone had stepped into his place, and Thomas of Woodstock, now Duke of Gloucester, could be as dangerous as his brother while lacking his ideals and restraint.

As uncle to the King, Gloucester regarded himself as his natural chief adviser. It was true his brother Edmund of Langley, now Duke of York, was the elder, but Edmund had never been one to push himself forward and openly showed his preference for the quiet life. Edmund was not ambitious but he would go along with his brothers if they asked him and he was more inclined to support them than his nephew who, as others did, he still regarded as a boy.

At this time Arundel, the hero of the hour, was a good man to have on one’s side and Gloucester allowed his friendship with him to grow. He knew something of Arundel. A brave fighter it was true and he had shown something like genius in the recent sea battle, but Arundel, like most other men of the Court, was out for his own advancement.

Richard had taken to himself a certain dignity since the departure of Lancaster for Castile. It was time, he said to Robert de Vere, that he showed these people – and in particular his uncles – that he was their king and their ruler. They would have to realise he was no longer a boy to be guided by them.

These sentiments were heartily applauded by Robert who was well aware that he was the one whom these men would like to see removed from the King’s side.

Gloucester had now taken the place of Lancaster in their minds. He was the great enemy. But neither the King nor his favourite realised that they were dealing with a very different character from John of Gaunt and that there was danger ahead.

To slight Gloucester Richard had granted Robert the castle and lordship of Oakham together with the sheriffdom of Rutland. This was infuriating to Gloucester because all these had belonged to his wife’s ancestors and should have come his way.

Gloucester was growing more and more resentful and he was not keeping his discontent to himself.

The climax came with events in Ireland from which country urgent messages were constantly being received. The Irish were now being helped by the Scots and the Spaniards and they were determined to drive out the English colony. Action was needed. It was necessary to nominate some energetic man of high standing and ability to settle the disputes and show the Irish that the English could be as forceful within the country as on the high seas.

There was a great deal of controversy as to who would be the best man to send.

Gloucester and his friends were also complaining against Richard’s Chancellor, Michael de la Pole, whom he had created Earl of Suffolk. The new Earl was disliked largely because he was not of the same high birth as those who sought to overrule him. He had the King’s favour, they complained; Richard listened to him when he should have been paying attention to them. Meanwhile Suffolk’s wealth was growing. He was an able man but like the rest he had to look after himself, his future and his family.

Gloucester wanted him out.

He went to see the King with the object of putting this suggestion to him.

Gloucester had never treated the King with the respect which Richard now expected. He still kept up the old attitude of the uncle talking to the nephew who was only a boy. There was little that could irritate Richard more.

Gloucester said in a hectoring way: ‘Richard, there must be changes. Suffolk must go.’

‘Who says so?’ demanded Richard.

‘I say so.’

‘You, my lord? I have yet to learn that the Duke of Gloucester commands the King?’

‘Come now, Richard. This is between us of the family – the wise old uncle to the young nephew, you understand.’

‘It so happens,’ retorted Richard, ‘that the nephew happens to be your King.’

‘I know that full well. Have I not done homage to you with my peers? There is unrest in the country. You must dismiss Suffolk. The man is an upstart. Who is he? Is he of noble birth? He has climbed to his special position through sharp practice.’

‘That is a lie,’ said Richard.

‘I seem to remember one John Cavendish fishmonger …’

‘That was all cleared up. Cavendish was a rogue.’

‘My dear nephew, it is not good for you to have for your friends those who consort with fishmongers! Dismiss this man. It is what the country and your ministers want.’

‘Gloucester,’ said Richard, his voice rising on a note of anger, ‘I would not dismiss the meanest varlet in my kitchen at your bidding.’

Even Gloucester could see the Plantagenet temper rising – and as he had had his full share of it he knew how far it could carry them.

‘You should think of my words,’ he said, and bowing went out.

Richard was fuming with rage. Robert de Vere was close at hand. He had been listening to the interview.

‘Your uncle gives himself airs,’ he said. ‘By God’s teeth, there is an arrogant fellow.’

‘I think he’s worse than Lancaster.’

‘We feared Lancaster more,’ Robert reminded him.

‘I will show him,’ cried Richard. ‘Yes, I will. I will show him he had better stop interfering with me. I shall dissolve Parliament and we will go to Eltham and we will stay there. See how they like that. The Parliament conspires against me, Robert. Why should I allow them to do that? Yes, let us go to Eltham. We’ll amuse ourselves there.’

Richard began to laugh suddenly.

‘Robert, I have an idea. How would you like to be Duke of Ireland?’

‘A Duke, Richard! Do you mean it?’

‘Duke of Ireland.’

Robert was thoughtful. ‘I should have to go to Ireland. That would mean leaving you … unless you came with me.’

‘I’ll tell you what we’ll do, Robert. We’ll make you the Duke of that country. Then perhaps you can send your deputy to sort out its troubles. Oh Robert, imagine their faces when they hear.’

They were convulsed with laughter considering it. It had soothed the King’s temper. He was merry again.


* * *

Gloucester came to Eltham accompanied by Thomas Arundel – the younger brother of the naval hero – who was Bishop of Ely.