Protector of the Realm

"Protector of the Realm" is the first episode of the War of the Roses by Jake Hopkins.

Summary
The Yorkists conspire against the crown; King Henry VI grows sicker and weaker; the royal consort Margaret of Anjou fears for her safety and plots to escape Windsor.

In Windsor
Richard of York arrives in Windsor Castle with his subject Alan Mane. After speaking with the guards at the portcullis, they are granted entry into the castle.

Inside the castle, King Henry is very unwell and this is displayed quite evidently in a conversation with his wife, Margaret. She wishes to go for a walk around the castle grounds, but he says that he does not wish to go outside. He then begs her to stay and spend time sexually with him, but she refuses. On her way out, Margaret passes two counsellors of Windsor: Ealdwine Waters and Cenric Woodeye, each of whom she has a brief conversation with before going to the counsel chambers where Richard of York has requested an audience.

Once the counsel is assembled, Richard addresses them. He points out that their king is ill and not fit to run the country of England, and that he thinks he should become the Regent and Protector of the Realm, meaning he will rule on behalf of King Henry VI. As the counsel have no reason to object and Richard does have experience in power, he is granted the title.

Due to tension between the houses York (from which Richard comes) and Lancaster (from which the king and Margaret come), Margaret feels incredibly unsafe in Windsor with Richard in charge. Richard takes it a step too far when he dismisses two hundred men from the castle garrison for being Lancastrian, which clearly says he is plotting something and does not want strong arms around the stop him. This causes Margaret of Anjou and Sir Aldway Foxx to devise a plot for her to escape.

She says goodbye to King Henry who desires her, but she leaves him and prepares to escape with the aid of the two hundred men. However, they are ambushed and stopped. It is a massacre and the Lancastrians are defeated and Margaret is captured.

In York
In York, the family of Richard are celebrating his endeavours.

In Lancaster
The Prince of Wales is learning with his scholar Grant but becomes nervous when he learns of Richard of York's latest appointment. He is later informed via carrier birds that his mother will be coming to him, and he is excited by that news.

In order of appearance

 * Alan Mane
 * Sir John
 * Sir Gilbert
 * Richard of York
 * King Henry VI
 * Servant
 * Margaret of Anjou
 * Ealdwine Wates
 * Cenric Woodeye
 * Priest
 * Edward of Lancaster
 * Grant
 * Anne of York
 * Henry Holland
 * Cecily Neville
 * George of Clarence
 * Edmund of York
 * Aldway Foxx
 * Edrin Bygos
 * Catherine Bellin
 * Thomas Beaufort
 * James Butler
 * Arden Wilmere
 * Mister Greydon
 * Innkeep
 * The Old Fish
 * Sir Grahar
 * Handmaid
 * Prisoner #1
 * Prisoner #2

Deaths

 * 200 Lancastrian men
 * Unspecified number of Yorkists
 * Sir Grahar
 * Innkeep (implied)

In real life
The first episode focuses primarily on the events of 1454 in which Richard of York is made 'Protector of the Realm' due to King Henry's schizophrenia, and he dismisses two hundred of the queen's Lancastrian guards for he did not trust the Lancastrians and didn't want them about his court. In actuality, all this did was create a bad feeling and cause more tension, rather than the dramatic battle in which Margaret of Anjou attempted to flee Windsor.

However, this plot line does have reasoning behind it. After the battle of St. Albans, Margaret of Anjou fled north to Lancaster due to the Yorkist victory. This shows she did have such intent, and it is likely she had it ever since Richard's appointment.

Quotes
"I could do with some ale... so long as it isn't poisoned." ~ Richard of York

"I do not fancy the outside world today. I wish to remain indoors. But, that isn't to say we can't spend time together... I want us to be together in the same way we were on our wedding night. I want to kiss you like I did that night." ~ King Henry VI

"On behalf of King Henry VI, King of England, I name you, Richard, Duke of York, the Protector of the Realm." ~ Priest

"We need to find a way to get Queen Margaret out of Windsor safely, and to find a way for the Protector of the Realm to die." ~ James Butler

"Here, pass me your dagger. There's an inn keep I would very much like to stab." ~ Catherine Bellin

"It appears that Queen Margaret is attempting to leave the castle with an estimated tenscore men." ~ Sir Grahar

"How am I to know how a traitor's mind works? But send troops, and get them to find her." ~ Richard of York