Westminster Palace, London, April, 1471
Denys Woodville hiked up her skirts and hopped onto the palace gate. The crowd cheered as King Edward led his Yorkist army into the outer court, fresh from another defeat of the Lancastrians. The scene evoked mixed feelings as despair overtook her joy. How she longed for a soldier of her own to welcome home.
Mounted on his white stallion, the king waved to adoring subjects as if today were any other. Trumpets and clarions blasted a sprightly tune. Knights unhorsed and removed their helmets as families and lady loves flocked to them. Richard, the king"s brother, leapt off his mount into his sweetheart Anne"s open arms. The king led the stream of squires and grooms into the palace to greet his pregnant Queen Elizabeth. Amidst all this embracing and k
