The terms were agreed and the King of France was extremely affable not only to Edward but to all those who, he thought, would be important to keeping the peace.
There was one notable absence and this disturbed him. Richard Duke of Gloucester had declared that he would have none of the treaty and therefore he would not be present on the occasion. Louis made up his mind that he must talk to Gloucester and see if it were not possible to offer him something which would be irresistible to him.
He was alert watching for those who were against the peace, even though they dared not come out in the open – as Gloucester had – and say so. There was Louis de Bretaylle, one of the English King’s foremost captains who it had been reported to Louis had been heard to comment that the treaty was a disgrace to England. It was important to have the support of such men so Louis entertained him personally and offered him a high post in France which de Bretaylle immediately refused. However, when Louis came up with a gift of one thousand crowns, this was irresistible and de Bretaylle did accept them. Money was always so hard to refuse; and all Louis asked in return was that the captain should work for continued peace between the two countries.
But Louis’s chief anxiety was of the Duke of Gloucester. Richard could be a power in the land and he had showed his disapproval more openly than anyone. Louis invited him to dine – not a great banquet but a personal meal when they could talk together as good friends and come to some understanding of each other’s actions.
Richard could scarcely refuse such an invitation but he went along determined not to be bribed as his brother had been.
Louis surveyed the young man shrewdly. A strong young man, thought Louis, and obviously one of principles, loyal to his brother always, even when he did not approve of what Edward was doing. Edward was fortunate to have inspired such devotion.
Louis asked Richard questions about his life at Middleham, enquired after his wife and young son and in due course came to the point of the meeting. Louis was delighted to be on such good terms with the King of England and he was happy that they had settled their differences without loss of life. War brought miseries to thousands and if it could be avoided that was a matter for rejoicing. He believed that it was the duty of all to do everything to maintain peace between the two countries.
Richard agreed that peace was desirable ... honourable peace, he stressed.
‘Indeed you are right,’ said Louis. ‘Your brother is astute, my lord. He knows how to strike a good bargain. But I want to show you some very fine horses which have come into my stables. I venture to think they are the best in the world. And what think you of this plate? It is some of the best to be found in France. My lord, I am going to ask you to accept a gift from me ... Plate such as this and some of those new fine horses which have come into my stables.’
Richard did not employ the finesse of his brother. He came straight to the point.
‘If these are meant for bribes to bring me to your way of thinking, if in accepting them I am to announce that I think my brother was right ...’
‘My lord, my lord, what can you be thinking of me? These are gifts to an honoured guest. I ask nothing in return for gifts.’
Etiquette demanded that Richard accept the plate and horses for when they were offered in such a way there was no alternative, but he made it clear that he did not approve of the treaty and would never say he did.
One to be watched, thought Louis. Men with high principles were dangerous.
Richard went away a little sorrowfully. He would never ride the horses nor use the plate for to do so would make him think sadly not of Louis, but of his brother.
Always he remembered with clarity the days of their childhood, those brief visits of Edward and how he had descended on them with his dazzling good looks, his laughter and his obvious affection for them. They had been the outstanding days in Richard’s life; and when there was trouble and he with George and Margaret had been sent to lodge at the Pastons’ house in London, Edward had come every day to see them and to remind them that the fortunes of the House of York though temporarily in decline would soon rise and then they would see their parents again.
He had been so entirely under Edward’s spell that he had never escaped from it and he knew he never would. But of late there had appeared a few clouds in the sky to obscure the splendour of the sun. The hero was flawed. He was as strong as ever – perhaps stronger because of the flaws. But Richard was faintly disillusioned. Not that his affection had changed. His loyalty would be there until his death. He would stand by Edward no matter what he did; but this latest affair was an indication to him. He had actually refused to sign the treaty, and Edward had not attempted to force him. It was typical of Edward that he respected his brother’s views.
When Richard was ready to depart for the North, Edward made it clear that their difference of opinion over this matter would make no change in their relationship. Edward explained to Richard that they had come out of the expedition richer and without shedding a drop of blood. They had had the honour of frightening the King of France into parting with a great deal. Edward was considerably richer because of it. So were many of his friends.
‘Did you know that Hastings has a pension from France of two thousand crowns a year?’
‘Because he is your close friend. Because he is expected to work for France.’
‘As I am, dear brother. Well, there is no harm in that. This will be good for the country. French money coming into it and not a drop of English blood to buy it.’
‘You and your friends have profited indeed,’ said Richard. ‘But the men will be disgruntled. They came back empty-handed.’
‘With their limbs intact. Oh come, Richard, when you are as old as I you will know that diplomacy and sound good reason bring more good than battle cries.’
Richard could not be convinced that the treaty was an honourable one and he was not going to say so.
Edward looked at him steadily and said: ‘A difference of opinion does not change the feelings between two good friends, I hope.’
‘Nothing could challenge my loyalty to you.’
‘So thought I,’ said Edward. ‘I trust you, Richard. You have always been my good friend. I need your friendship particularly as I cannot rely on it from George. He troubles me, Richard.’
‘What is he plotting now?’
‘I do not know what. But I know he plots. I would I could rely on him as I do on you.’
‘You will never be able to.’
‘Nay. But you and I shall stand together, Richard, eh? Never shall we forget that we are brothers ... whatever may befall.’
Richard was comforted to know that the bond between them was as strong as ever, even though they had disappointed each other, even though they could not always act in unison, they could rely on the loyalty – one to the other.
Edward showed that Richard’s attitude had made no difference by bestowing new lands on him and Richard returned to Middleham pleased to be away from the vanities and insincerities of Court. Back with his wife and his son the apprehensions would be blown away by the fresh northern air.
Richard had been right when he had said the men would be disgruntled because they must return without booty. There was grumbling among the soldiers who had thought to come home rich; they would not have minded a scar or two, they said. They had joined the army to fight and what had happened? They had been to France and come back again ... just as they went.