Courtier in the Royal House of Stuart

by Leslie Hatton

  ‘That’s more than I earned as a stable hand, so yes it would be acceptable. But while I am doing all the work, what will you be doing?’ I joked.

  He laughed and slapped me on the back, almost knocking me off the seat.

  ‘I will be appointing an Admiral, a Vice Admiral, a Commodore, Captains and Lieutenants along with other duties. How do you fancy being a captain in the Royal Navy Toby?’

  ‘I might have considered Admiral James, but certainly not a lowly captain. Now tell me more about the council you are setting up.’

  ‘Before the war the Naval and Ordnance Boards had their headquarters in the Tower of London. I believe they are about to move into new premises on Seething Lane but I see no reason why I should not retain at least one office in the Tower, it may come in very useful in the future. I have a document somewhere which will explain it all better than I can. I’ll try to find it when we get to Chatham.’

  ‘I used to live in Black Friars which is not too far from the Tower, I know the area well.’

  ‘I know you do Toby… it’s also close to where you saved my brother’s life, for which I am eternally grateful because had you not saved him, I would now be King James II. A position I do not relish… not for the moment anyway.’

  Some of the roads through the Kent countryside were in a terrible condition, and I thought we were lucky not to have broken a wheel when we dropped into a deep hole. The coach bounced from side to side and the female passengers inside screamed. The coach driver stopped to check for damage which became an opportunity for all his passengers to relieve themselves… all disappeared into the trees in different directions.

  James’s new father-in-law Sir Edward Hyde was the last out of the coach, he looked at me and smiled, and then as soon as all the women had returned to their seats, we took our turn in the woods.

  Satisfied there was no serious damage to his coach, the driver cracked his whip and we continued on our way… at a somewhat slower pace.

  ‘We can’t be too far from Chatham, keep hold of your hat.’

  ‘Why are we actually going to Chatham? And where will I be living when we get back to London?’

  ‘I imagine you will want your old room at St James’s Palace, but if that is not to your liking you can live anywhere you choose, just so long as it is in London.’

  ‘St James’s Palace is just fine, I love it there, but what about you, where will you be living?’

  ‘For the time being I will be in my old rooms at St James’s Palace with my family, but we may not be staying there. I’ll introduce you to Anne when we get to Chatham.’

  ‘What about her family, Lord and Lady Hyde, will they be living with you?’

  He took a sideways look at me and sneered, ‘Certainly not. They will be going back to their home in Wiltshire. Her father was not too pleased about our dalliance, it was only when she became pregnant that he reluctantly accepted me into his family.’

  ‘I would have thought you were a good catch for his daughter… he should proud to have a duke for a son-in-law.’

  ‘Under different circumstances maybe, but he sees it differently.’

  We were now approaching the outskirts of Chatham, having passed through most of the Kent countryside. It was indeed a joy to see so many peasants in the fields, stopping their work to wave and shout good wishes as we passed by. The weather too was kind with only the slightest whisper of white cloud floating across an otherwise clear sky. One time we passed through an avenue of trees where the blossom floated down on us like snow. In the hedgerow the birds were busy foraging for nesting material. The first signs of summer seemingly welcoming us back to our homeland.

  We passed Upnor Castle mid-afternoon and stopped at Hill House, a grand Manor House close to the Parish Church of St Mary in Chatham.

  James and I walked into the House, leaving his new extended family and the footmen sorting out what luggage they needed for an overnight stop.

  ‘I will introduce you to my wife and her parents when they come in,’ he said, ‘we’ll have some nourishment and then I would like you and I to take a walk back to the castle.’

  ‘I would like that too,’ I said, trying not to sound too eager.

  I had never seen James’s wife before, but my Anne had told me lots about her. She said she was pretty and flirty with all men, but when she met James for the first time she decided there and then that he was the one she would marry.

  She shared the same Christian name as my Anne, and they were about the same age, so I couldn’t wait to see if she really was as pretty as my Anne had described her. When I did see her… I decided that she was not.

  After sorting out our different rooms I explored the house and found a small library where I settled down in a quiet corner to read from a book of poems.

  James was holding the hand of his wife when they found me, and as soon as she saw me she stepped away from her husband and while still cradling her baby bump in both hands came to me. Her cheeks were rosy and her bosom large but she still looked attractive and had a lovely smile. Touching my arm she whispered, ‘I know all about you Toby.’

  ‘And I you my Lady,’ I said returning her smile.

  She didn’t offer me her hand which pleased me because I wouldn’t have known whether to kiss it or shake it. Leaning a little closer she whispered quietly, ‘Your Anne said to tell you she will be living at Westminster Palace.’

  ‘Thank you my Lady, I hope you will be very happy, James is a good man.’

  ‘I know he is, and I would like you to call me Anne.’

  ‘What are you two whispering about?’ asked James as he came to us.

  ‘You of course my dear,’ she said kissing him on the cheek.

  They were obviously very much in love by the tactile way they reacted to each other, kissing and touching each other in public which was considered shameful in royal circles and among the aristocracy.

  We had a meal of cold ham with vegetables followed by fruit and coffee, but James and I were of the same mind, both eager to explore Upnor Castle. We hurried our food and made a rather feeble excuse to leave, stating business as the reason for our rudeness. It wasn’t far to the castle, but we took the coach rather than walk to save a little time.

  ‘Queen Elizabeth built this castle to protect our fleet in Chatham,’ James said. ‘As you can see it’s positioned ideally at a dog-leg in the Medway, so if there was ever an invasion, they could fire their guns in two directions at the same time. When Cromwell died the good men of Chatham dockyard took the castle in the king’s name. Impressive don’t you think Toby?’

  ‘If a bunch of dock workers could take the castle so easily… an invading Dutch army would have no problem.’

  ‘Good point Toby, you can put that in your report if ever you get round to inspecting this place properly.’

  ‘And these cannons,’ I said. ‘Is this all there are?’ He looked slightly perplexed at my question. ‘Because in a battle with an invading navy, it would be akin to a pea shooter defending against an armed warrior. Our ship Royal Charles carries more armoury than Upnor Castle.’

  ‘The cannons here are much bigger, but I take your point, so you can put all that in your report also.’

  The following morning as we left Hill House, James handed me the documentation on the Naval Ordnance Board. The papers spelled out in detail their aims and objectives. I used the travelling time to browse through as much as I could, and was soon to realise that his assessment of costing and maintaining the National Navy was correct. The Ordnance was much bigger than I had anticipated, and I was beginning to wonder just what I had let myself in for in accepting his job.

  The cost was massive, soaking up a major part of the national budget, and as I read on I found that the Ordnance Board was also the custodians of government lands, depots and forts, including overseas possessions, munitions and equipment… in fact
anything related to the defence of the realm. Its headquarters were the Tower of London which was also the main repository for gunpowder. The maintenance for ships located in or near London took place in warehouses and workshops mostly at Deptford and Chatham. But there were similar facilities in Portsmouth and Plymouth.

  A lot to take in but the more I read the greater the challenge and I couldn’t wait to get started.

  ***

  We arrived at St James’s Palace around midday where I found Thomas was waiting to greet me.

  ‘I am so sorry for deserting you in Dover Toby, but I had no choice,’ he said as we walked together into the palace.

  ‘As you know I have been working for months with Lord Montagu and others on the restoration of the monarchy, and when he arrived in Breda with a fleet of ships to take us home, I was the person he asked for. It was my duty to host him and his team. I had no option.’

  ‘I quite understand Thomas, but you need not have worried, I am quite capable of looking after myself.’

  ‘Did the Duke of York find you?’

  ‘I came back with him and his new family. Did you know he is the Lord High Admiral and that he wants me to work for him in accord with the Naval Ordnance Board?’

  ‘Yes of course I did. So he offered you a job then?’ said Thomas as he guided me into the library where I was delighted to see my trunk of books, unopened on the floor.

  ‘Oh good, I was thinking I would never see these again, have you seen anything of my other chest?’

  ‘It’s in your room. I left this one here hoping that you might want to leave your books in the library so others can benefit from them.’

  ‘I never thought of that, but it is a good idea. I’ll find a corner somewhere separate from the rest, that way I will be less likely to lose them. But if you don’t mind, I would like to just pop up to my room and unpack.’

  ‘Before you go Toby, we must talk.’

  ‘I was just thinking the same. I have seen so little of you over the last few months, and I was wondering how you were keeping, and how is your foot these days?’

  ‘Never mind about my foot. Sit down.’

  We sat together behind a small desk by the window where the light was good.

  ‘There are changes to be made and I want you to be privy to the most important ones,’ he said as he removed his heavy top coat. ‘Firstly, the honours.’

  ‘Honours. What honours?’

  ‘Honours King Charles is planning to announce to the house this week. The first and most important in my personal opinion is Lord Montagu. He is to be raised to the title Earl of Sandwich, Councillor of State and Treasury Commissioner. He will also be appointed to the Privy Council.

  ‘Next is George Monck. He is to become the Duke of Albemarle, Master of the Horse and is to receive the Order of the Garter. And then there is Edward Hyde. He will become the Earl of Clarendon.’

  ‘Is that because his daughter is married to the Duke of York?’

  Thomas with just a hint of a smile said, ‘Don’t be so cynical Toby. He has earned his title over the last eight years by being one of Charles’s most hardworking and attentive ministers in exile.’

  ‘Then I’m glad for him, and also because I like his daughter, she’s different to the other ladies at court, more like my Anne Huxley don’t you think?’

  Looking slightly disapprovingly at my flippant observation of Hyde, he chose not to reply to the question.

  ‘There is one other name you may recollect,’ he said. ‘Do you remember John Craven?’

  ‘Of course. He is the Baron of Ryton, we stayed at his Stokesay Castle, his man Jacob Wager saved our lives didn’t he?’

  ‘He did, and that might have had some influence in the king’s decision to make him the 1st Earl of Craven.’

  ‘I saw him board the Royal Charles at Breda with the king’s Aunty Elizabeth.’

  ‘She may be another reason why he has been promoted. But there are many more subjects being raised in rank, you Toby are to become a squire as promised.’

  ‘What about you? You deserve a title more than anyone.’

  ‘I have been offered an Earldom but have refused.’

  I was not surprised, but slightly sad that all his work would go unrecognised.

  ‘Why on earth would you do that?’

  ‘You see Toby… I think my work in the Royal Household is coming to an end, I have no pupils to teach and nor do I want any… not anymore. King Charles has a new army of courtiers, many that I have never seen, he also has a completely new household. He no longer needs me and the last thing I want is charity.’

  ‘What will you do for money?’

  ‘I am far from destitute Toby, and when I do finally choose to leave the Royal Household, I am assured of a generous pension. And the reason I refused a title is because it would not bode well with my plans for my future.’

  ‘Have you set a date… will it be soon?’

  ‘Not for quite a while… a few years I think. But when the time is right, you will be the first to know.’

  Thomas started to ease himself up out of his chair.

  ‘Before you dash off spreading the gospel I need your advice on what to do with these,’ I said as I dropped the two purses of gold coins onto the desk.

  Flopping back down into his chair, he tipped the contents of one of the purses of gold coins out onto the table. ‘Were did you get all this from?’

  ‘There’s over thirty coins in total, but they are gold. I was advised to split them into two purses for safety reasons.’

  ‘Thirty gold coins amounts to a considerable sum of money,’ he said turning one over in his hand. ‘Judging by the weight, I would estimate them to be worth about forty shilling each… that’s over sixty pounds in total… where did they all come from?’

  ‘From wages, gratuities and some back pay owed for previous work… but mostly from stud fees.’

  ‘Cash can always be stolen, I think the safest thing you can do is to invest it, but until you find a sound investment you should break it down into smaller amounts and hide it.’

  ‘I would like to give half to Veronica and the other half to you if you will take it. Spend it or hide it I don’t care. At the moment I have no need for a lot of money, it’s just a worry. Thanks to you I now have a proper well paid job working for my Lord, Duke of York.’

  ‘I think it is good that you want to give half to Veronica, though I doubt she will take it, nor do I think she needs it. Veronica is a shrewd and astute business woman, and I have no doubt that she, like me, will have made provision for her own future. I would be very surprised if she had not saved and invested her money wisely. Which is what we should do with this. However, until we find a home for your coins, I will agree to look after them. I will be the custodian of your treasure until you find a proper use for them, are you happy with that?’

  ‘I could not think of a more trustworthy financier.’

  ‘Good. Now Toby, what are your plans for the rest of the day?’

  ‘I thought I might go to Westminster Palace and see if I can find Anne.’

  ‘Princess Mary has rooms at Westminster but do be a little sensitive, Charles may be there with his mother and the rest of the family.’

  ‘Is that where King Charles is planning to live?’

  ‘I’m not sure… he was talking about Windsor or Hampton Court Palace.’

  ***

  It took me quite a while to find Princess Mary’s quarters, walking through many corridors and rooms I was not familiar with. On two occasions I lost my way completely. When I did finally find Anne she was sat with some of Princess Mary’s other ladies, working on what looked like a lace shawl.

  I thought she looked a little sad but perhaps she was just concentrating on her work, because when she saw me she smiled, stood up and dropping her needle work onto a sid
e table came into my arms. We kissed, unconcerned that her friends were giggling and talking about us in the background.

  ‘Take no notice of them,’ called Mary. ‘Why don’t you take Toby into the garden Anne, these silly girls are just jealous.’

  Anne stuck her tongue out at her friends as we passed them by. We then walked slowly hand in hand out of the palace and into the garden. We walked along a tree-lined footpath by the river to a bench beside a sweet smelling lilac bush. Still holding hands we sat silently watching the river meandering on its inexorable journey to the sea. We watched the wherries hurrying to and fro across the river, ferrying passengers or merchandise, and the larger fishing barges bringing their catch to market followed by screeching seagulls.

  ‘Have you thought anymore about us returning to The Hague and getting married Toby?’

  ‘I have thought of nothing else, but things have changed dramatically for me, I have an exciting new job. How about you?’

  ‘I can’t leave my mistress just yet, she is unwell and needs me even more now that Anne Hyde has gone. Very soon her son William will be returning to the University of Leiden, and Mary fears she may never see him again.’

  ‘I’m sure he will return to see his mother at Christmas, and she still has the rest of her family here with her.’

  ‘Her mother is already talking of returning to Paris for Christmas,’ said Anne, rubbing the tears from her eyes, ‘and if she does no doubt she will take her little sister Henrietta Maria back with her. So I have to agree with you that for the time being we should stick to our original plan, and wait until things have settled down before thinking about eloping. But I am definitely going to tell my father, and if he doesn’t like it then that’s just too bad, I am old enough to make up my own mind. Now tell me about your job.’

  ‘You’re going to tell your father?’

  ‘I am going to tell him that I intend to marry you one day… come what may. Now tell me about your job.’

  ‘I don’t know too much about it yet, only that I will be working with someone called Sir William Batten. He is apparently the Surveyor of Ships. But it is James, Duke of York, that I have to report to… he is my boss. That’s all I know for the moment, other than that I may be working out of an office in the Tower, and that my job may involve quite a lot of travelling.’