Margaret

“is an interesting link between Edward II’s favourites and the English royal family in the last decade of the twentieth century. After Gaveston’s death, Edward chose a new favourite, the very sinister but able Hugh de Spencer, whose tomb can still be seen in Tewkesbury Abbey, Gloucestershire. De Spencer’s control over the young king led to civil war between Edward and his Isabella. The Queen was victorious. De Spencer died a horrible death and, according to unpublished chronicle, the Commons took an oath never to allow a de Spencer to become King. The present”
― Paul Doherty, The Prince of Darkness

“They say grief’s like stepping on a rake,’ he says, pausing in his tea-making to try and get this right. ‘A rake? As in a garden tool? You’ve lost me.”
― Celia Anderson, 59 Memory Lane

“Then de Montfort, resplendent in liturgical robes as well as his own arrogance, walked back to the altar where the mass continued.”
― Paul Doherty, The Angel of Death

“Sire!’ Corbett saw Bassett feel the man’s throat. ‘I think he is dead.’ A young deacon, his gold vestments swirling around him like the dress of a woman, hurried up to Winchelsea. ‘My Lord Bishop,’ he stuttered, ‘the priest is dead.’ Winchelsea glanced sideways at the king. ‘Have his body removed,’ he replied softly. ‘And do not finish the service.’ The man, bowing and bobbing, scurried away. Winchelsea turned to the king. ‘Your Grace,’ he said wryly, ‘it appears there will be no sermon.’ ‘And will I get my taxes, my Lord Bishop?’ ‘Not till this matter is resolved,’ Winchelsea snapped back. He leaned over to the king. ‘I must urge Your Grace to respect the rights of the Church, fought for and protected by the papacy and sealed with the blood of the martyred Becket.’ The king leaned forward, his face suffused with rage.”
― Paul Doherty, The Angel of Death