King Henry did not succumb to his illness—not at first. But after months passed without recovery, he sent for another physician from England. The queen came to him as well, and those in the army who did not know just how ill their sovereign was assumed her visit was intended to ensure a second royal heir. Henry had only one son, a babe not even a year old. But if securing the line of succession was Catherine’s intention, she would have known the moment she saw her husband that there would be no other child. No one could deny the seriousness of the king’s condition.
Before the summer was over, Henry could no longer sit upright on his horse, and soon after that, he knew the end was near. He called for his advisors, wrote codicils for his will, and arranged a regency for his infant son’s imminent reign. And then he called for William Hargrave, the man who had fought so bravely beside him at Agincourt.
William steeled himself as he stood before the king’s bed, shocked to see how wasted and gaunt the man’s lean frame had become.
“Speak no words of sympathy or despair,” the king said. “Our life has always been in the hands of God. We will not balk at His plan. You, Sir William, have shown us your courage and your strength time and time again, and we would ask you to take on a crucial responsibility for us. Prince Henry, my son, is but a small child, and many will want to bring him harm. Who is more vulnerable than an infant king? We can think of no one better capable of protecting him than you. Swear you will keep watch over him, and if it seems he will live longer than you, instruct him to appoint another to take your place.”
“Of course I will do as you bid, my lord. But—”
“Do not draw attention to your position. We would have it that no one knows your true place at court, else you, too, will be vulnerable to attack. My boy will have other guards, but we know it is you who will keep him safe. We give you this as a sign of our faith in you.” The king passed him a livery badge fashioned from gold in the shape of a fire beacon with rubies inlaid as the flames. “Give it, in turn, to the one who takes your place when the time comes. Fasten it to your surcoat now, good man, and swear an oath that you will do as we ask.”
William fell to his knees and uttered the solemn words. Never would he let down his king.