From seemingly humble beginnings, I now sit at the high table adjacent to our glorious new king. Edward IV, King of England. A great man, who is loved by many. He is brave and strong, courageous and true, and, unlike his predecessor, he is a born leader. A king by right. People flock to his side and his presence is unmistakable. As I survey the room, though, it is a bittersweet experience. For only a few months ago, I was in the service of his father, Richard, Duke of York. Alas, he lives no more and for that I grieve, but my grief is nothing compared to that of his wife and children.
My story begins six years ago when I left my village to go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of St Mary the Virgin at Walsingham. In those days, I was a naïve young woman with failing eyesight and a thirst for knowledge. Along the way, I changed forever and for that I am eternally grateful. During those years, I was fortunate enough to learn about many aspects of life from festivals to friendship, history to tradition, and a great deal more. As I travelled the country, I met new people, learnt secrets from my past, uncovered spies and carried news of great importance to the House of York. But for all that I have seen, I am still an innocent. I still seek nothing more than adventure and enlightenment. I long for my old life, but that has gone forever. However, if you will allow me to recall my past adventures, I will happily describe them for you. So, let’s start at the beginning.