Tower of London Page #2

You seek a word of understanding,

Richard?

The word, perhaps, is true.

Clarence, let me be!

You will find that truth...

At Bosworth.

Bosworth?

What is it, Clarence?

The name Bosworth

means nothing to me.

Richard!

Anne?

Anne!

He stood there,

the wine still dripping from him.

See, there, on the floor!

Your wine.

MY wine?

Richard, these nightmares

are not real.

Nightmares?

I tell you, he was here!

He spoke to me of the truth.

I would know.

Bosworth.

You were not seen?

I do not think so, Your Majesty.

These accusations

against me, Tyrus,

do you believe them?

No, Your Majesty.

A Woodville dagger

is easily obtained.

And Richard will do anything

to come to power.

Perhaps... murder a brother?

A brother's blood for the crown?

A fair trade to a warped mind.

Ambition in Richard is an ocean

which cannot be held back.

Then you are with us, Tyrus?

I am, milord.

But I fear that Richard is but

at the beginning of his plans.

Then you see how important it is

that we all stay together.

My few remaining friends,

I thank you.

Now guard yourselves carefully,

and observe.

We will meet again.

Your Majesty, Lady Margaret.

Good night, Your Majesty.

Margaret, you must go home

to your father in Scotland.

It's not safe here.

You know I can't go.

Yes, I know.

Oh, I wish you'd never left Scotland.

Then I never would have met you.

No fear can find me now.

Not with your eyes

to watch over me,

your hand to touch my face.

The day comes so brightly.

It seems there never was a night

at all.

A good beginning

for the new Protector, my Lord.

Protector...

Yes, we must protect

the young princes well.

If something were to happen to them,

the country would be in turmoil.

And yet, I fear that unless

something happens to them,

the country will be in turmoil.

England needs a man to rule,

Richard.

Perhaps.

And yet, I am a modest man.

What could possibly happen

to the young princes?

My Lord?

Ah, Mistress Shore,

you may descend.

Mistress Shore?

Yes.

I have something in mind

I think may interest you.

I trust that we did not

take you away

from your duties

to our mourning queen?

No, my Lord.

May I offer my sympathies

over the death of your brothers.

Thank you.

I suffer, but perhaps

England suffers more.

They were great men.

But history does not pause.

The pages keep... turning.

You could be of great service

to your country, Mistress Shore.

I? I am of no influence at court,

my Lord.

You underestimate your position.

Since the death of your mother,

you are the only person still alive

who was present at the birth

of the young princes.

That is true.

In the pain of birth,

a woman screams, cries out,

becomes confused in her mind.

She calls out the name

of the man dearest to her.

Often husband,

but sometimes, lover.

I don't understand.

With your help, Mistress Shore,

the birthright of the young princes

could be easily discredited.

Who would believe

such a monstrous lie?

- The Queen would...

- The Queen would do nothing!

You defend a woman

whose family stands accused

of murdering my brother?

- My Lord, if I may go.

- You may not!

You ask me to take away the legal

birthright of two innocent children!

Yes.

Ratcliffe,

escort Mistress Shore below.

Perhaps the great persuader Geldor

can convince her

where her loyalty lies?

Oh, no, my Lord!

I beg of you!

Don't! No!

If you change your mind,

Mistress Shore,

you may yet know,

I am a patient man.

Hurry, fool, let me in!

Well?

Despite all that we have done,

she still refuses to cooperate.

Hmm.

Mistress Shore,

are you content to die there,

or are you ready to grant

what I wish, huh?

Perhaps the taste of the rack would

be more to the lovely lady's liking.

Geldor!

It's not a pretty death,

Mistress Shore.

What manner of man are you

that you can live with such evil

on your conscience?

Geldor.

The children are

your flesh and blood,

the sons of your brother!

All you have to do is testify

that they are not my flesh and blood.

That would make it easier

on my conscience, then,

would it not, Mistress Shore?

Geldor!

I cannot do it!

Please have mercy!

Two more turns,

and you'll plead to do it!

Geldor!

Make it stop!

Why don't you ask him yourself,

Mistress Shore?

Geldor is an understanding man.

Is it worth it, Mistress Shore?

I'm afraid it's too late, milord.

She's dead.

It's a pity.

I'm going to be a tumbler

when I grow up.

Good, and I'll come watch you.

You'll be chief tumbler

of all England!

Do you hear that, Uncle Richard?

Tomorrow someone must teach me

how to be a tumbler.

Tomorrow you will help your brother

learn the formalities

of the coronation.

You're gonna be king.

Why can't you give orders?

When he is older, Richard.

But until then,

he will take orders.

That is why your father

named me his Protector.

Is something wrong, Uncle?

No. No, nothing, no.

Only my fears, my apprehensions.

Your father entrusted me

to see that you came to power

in an untroubled England, Edward.

That you had the loyalty

of all your subjects.

Well, don't I, Uncle?

There are certain armed forces

to the north,

that, as of now, have failed

to declare an oath of loyalty.

Do you speak of my father?

Yes, I do, Lady Margaret.

When the crown is securely

on Prince Edward's head,

that oath will be sworn and upheld.

Milord, you may rest assured

that the loyalty of Lord Stanley

is to the rightful heir

and none other.

That is all we require, Sir Justin,

loyalty.

For so young a king,

it has grown late.

I enjoyed the performance.

Thank you very much, Mother.

It's past bedtime

for young princes also.

Mistress Shore?

Mistress Shore?

Lady Margaret, will you tend them?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, I do not see

Mistress Shore here tonight.

Is she ill?

Mistress Shore is dead.

As Protector of the Realm, I cannot

tolerate treachery to the crown.

Mistress Shore has been executed

for such treachery.

There was no more faithful woman

in the castle.

I had always thought that myself,

Your Majesty,

but when she admitted her crime,

I had no choice.

Mistress Shore

has been spreading rumors

that the young princes

are illegitimate,

and, therefore,

not heirs to the throne.

This is a lie! She would have

no reason for doing such a thing.

Unless, of course,

our enemies to the north

are using weapons

other than armor.

You have executed

a most trusted woman of this court

without trial.

You say that your motives

are honorable?

Those who suspect treason

in others

should first look

into their own hearts for loyalty.

The rumors will fly on swift wings.

It was a brilliant stroke, my Lord.

Who will know now

what to believe?

Are the princes legitimate,

or are they not?

And the doubt must be created

over and over again.

It shall be done.

And what of Buckingham?

I couldn't read his face

when I made the announcement.

Does he follow in my shadow?

I only know he is a clever man

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