King Richard sat in his Nottingham Castle solar engrossed in a chess game with the earl of Devonshire"s son. The door burst open and Thomas Stanley stormed in, a glaring breach of custom. “Your highness!” The guards seized his arms and started to drag him out.
Richard looked up and waved the guards away with a nod of dismissal. “Leave him, he is Constable of England, he excites easily.”
They bowed out, bumping into each other along the way.
Red and panting, Stanley approached Richard and doubled over in a deep bow.
“Rise, Stanley.” Richard pushed back his chair and stood. “God"s truth, what is it?”
“My liege, Henry Tudor and two thousand Welshmen under his colors are at Shrewsbury.” He gulped for breath. “Sir Gilbert Talbot has declared for him with several hundred retainers at the re
