> others went over to King Edward's side, and there were quarrels between

the two parties, which ended in a war. This war was called the War of

the Roses, because the followers of Henry wore a red rose as their

badge, and Edward's friends wore a white one.



In one battle, fought at Hexham, the White Roses beat the Red ones, and

King Henry was taken prisoner and sent to the Tower of London. His wife,

Queen Margaret, with her little son, Prince Edward, escaped after the

battle, and hid themselves in a wild forest. As they wandered among the

trees, seeking some place where they might be safe from their enemies,

they met a band of robbers. These rough men took away the queen's money

and her jewels, tearing her necklace from her neck, and her rings from

her fingers. Then they began to dispute as to who should have most of

the stolen goods. And while they quarrelled, Queen Margaret took her

little boy by the hand and ran away to a thick part of the wood. There

they stayed until the angry voices of the robbers could no longer be

heard, and then, in the growing darkness, they came stealthily from

their hiding-place. They wandered on, knowing not where to go, hoping

much to meet some of their friends, and fearing still more to be found

by their enemies, the soldiers of the White Rose. But, alas! they saw no

kind face, and night came on. Then, as they crept fearfully from tree to

tree, they met another robber.






The poor queen was much afraid that this robber, who looked very fierce,

would kill her and the prince, because she had no riches left to give

him. In despair she threw herself upon her knees before him, and said:

"My friend, this is the son of your king. I give him into your care."



The robber was much surprised to see the queen and the prince alone,

with their clothes torn and stained, and their faces white from hunger

and fatigue. But he was a kindhearted man, although his looks were

rough, and before he became a robber he had been a follower of King

Henry, so he was quite willing to do his best for the little prince. He

took the boy in his arms, and led the way to a cave in the forest, where

he lived with his wife. And in this poor shelter, the queen and her son

stayed for two days, listening to every sound, and fearing that their

enemies would find them. On the third day, however, the friendly robber

met some of the lords of the Red Rose in the forest, and led them to the

cave. The queen and prince were overjoyed to see their friends, and soon

they escaped with them to a place of safety.



Their hiding-place has been called "Queen Margaret's Cave" ever since

that time. If you go to Hexham Forest, you will be able to see it.