Courtier in the Royal House of Stuart

by Leslie Hatton

  When Doctor Pearce arrived, Veronica turned to her girls and quietly ordered them to wait in the lounge, she then asked George to take the boy home to wherever that was.

  ‘Mr Hudson needs quiet and rest,’ she said.

  ‘I haven’t got a home,’ said Felix.

  We all looked at each other and after a short deliberation decided to put him in my old room in the basement.

  ‘Wash him and find him some different clothes,’ said Veronica.

  ‘I don’t need a wash and I want to stay with Squire Toby.’

  ‘You can’t go with Toby, he lives in St James’s Palace. And you do need a wash.’

  ***

  Doctor Pearce gave Thomas a thorough examination and then explained as best he could the extent of his injuries.

  ‘He has been stabbed twice, once in the back and again in the chest, he also had a broken arm which was probably caused when he fell down White Friars steps. His assailant clearly tried to stab him in the heart, and we must be thankful that he knows so little about anatomy, because his first strike was too high and his second too wide. Nevertheless, Mr Hudson is very lucky to be alive, the knife both times missing his heart by only a fraction of an inch. As far as I can tell at this juncture, no vital organs have been damaged, his breathing seems good and his heart, though beating a little quickly, is working adequately. However, at this stage in his recovery, I cannot rule out the possibility of internal bleeding. That is why I strongly recommended that we do not move him again. I am amazed he survived the journey from the river in the first place.’

  ‘He can stay here,’ said Veronica. ‘Someone will sit with him twenty-four hours a day.’

  ‘Thank you my dear,’ he said as he applied some ointment to Thomas’s wounds. ‘Check his injuries after twelve hours, I will leave you some fresh bandages and ointment and I’ll be back to see him again sometime tomorrow.’

  I decided to move in to my old room with Felix for a few days, until I was sure Thomas was showing some signs of recovery.

  I sat with Thomas throughout the night, sitting in the chair by his side. At 7am in the morning, I was relieved by Elizabeth and Christina.

  Completely exhausted, I ambled into the kitchen where Veronica was waiting with my breakfast. I then snatched a few hours’ sleep.

  The next day I inquired about the prisoners and was told that one had died during the night. The rest were to be hung a week later at the Tower.

  Thomas’s injuries turned out not to be life-threatening, and slowly the colour began to return to his cheeks. Veronica was still fussing over him and I was beginning to think he was enjoying the attention far too much.

  Doctor Pearce returned to Fleet Alley every day and seemed happy with his progress, but still thought it best he not be moved until he had gained more strength.

  After two weeks he was sitting up and asking questions.

  ‘Did you find out why Leeson wanted you dead?’ was the first thing he asked.

  ‘At the time I was so angered at the thought of you floating dead down the river, I forgot to ask. But enough about him, what about you, have you made any plans?’

  ‘Yes I have thought of nothing else. I am going to bring my retirement forward. I am going to find a parish not too far from London, and do what I think I do best.’

  ‘Teach?’ I asked knowing full well that is not what he meant.

  ‘No… I want to find somewhere I can preach the gospel and be appreciated.’

  ‘I too have come to a decision. I have decided what to do with my money and I need your help. I want you to invest it in a property for me. I have a little more to add to what you and Veronica are holding and I would like you to use it to find me a comfortable dwelling somewhere nice and not too far from London.’

  ‘And do you intend to live there?’

  ‘Eventually. But until I am ready to retire, it would please me if you would be my tenant.’

  ‘Assuming I do find you a suitable house, and that I live there as your tenant, what rent would you expect me to pay?’

  ‘You could pay in kind by looking after the property for me and perhaps tending to the garden.’

  ‘That sounds fair to me. I’ll have a look around to see what is on offer. But I think you assume I am without money of my own, if that is the case, you are wrong. However, I do accept your offer because when I am taken from this world, it will be you that inherits any possessions and money that I leave.’

  ‘Why me? What have I done to warrant such a gift?’

  ‘You have inspired me to continue during times when I thought I was wasting my life. You have been the son I never had. I can think of no one who is more worthy than you.’

  Tangier 1663/4

  For the next few weeks I found it hard to think straight, I couldn’t sleep and when I did, I was disturbed by the same recurring nightmare. It always woke me up just as I was about to plunge a sword through Richard Leeson’s heart.

  I could not settle down or relax, I even found it difficult to regain the enthusiasm for my work. But what troubled me the most was that I now saw in me a new side to my character, a side I did not recognise and one I was not proud of. I had never imagined I could ever have hated another living soul in the way I hated Richard Leeson. I was confused and angry, and because I came so close to killing him, I felt ashamed.

  So it was in some way helpful in bringing me back to my senses when my Lord James, Duke of York, asked me to join a fact-finding voyage to Tangier.

  The Navy Board and also representatives of the Admiralty all had their own business to attend to, but James needed an independent and detailed assessment of our newly acquired territory in North Africa, and he believed I was the only person he could trust to give an unbiased and accurate report.

  I thought a long voyage to Tangier would be an ideal opportunity for me to get my head straight, to think seriously about my future, but also to rest and spend some time in bringing my journal up to date.

  Thomas was now fully recovered, and Felix was just happy to take over my old chores in Fleet Alley, having regular food in his belly and a roof over his head.

  ***

  I was away from England for almost two months, and while on the outward voyage, I did as Thomas suggested and relaxed, brought my personal chronicles up to date and read as much as I could on the subject of Tangier.

  My time on the voyage home was entirely taken up in preparing the report for James, not just preparing, but pondering on the best way to present it, as there was very little I could think of that he would consider to be positive.

  James was waiting on the quayside at Chatham as our ship glided slowly to a stop.

  I waited on the quarterdeck until all the lines were secured and the gangplank was in place, I then watched the first officials scramble down the plank, almost knocking each other over in the rush to be first ashore.

  I waited until everything had calmed down and then walked slowly off the ship to the Duke of York’s coach. I handed my holdall to a waiting footman who threw it on the roof and tied it down. Satisfied that it was secure, I climbed inside next to James.

  ‘Good to see you back safe and well Toby. How was the voyage?’

  ‘Interesting and thought-provoking, but also difficult to transcribe into words all my thoughts and discoveries. However, I have completed a rather lengthy report which I hope you do not find too disturbing.’

  ‘Don’t worry about that for now, I half expected there to be problems. Have you recovered from that unfortunate business with Richard Leeson?’

  ‘I have to confess it took more time to fix my mental wellbeing than the bruises to my body, but I’m alright now… the voyage to Tangier perhaps being my saviour.’

  I expected him to start firing questions at me about Tangier, but he didn’t even ask to see my report, seemingly content to wait until we were in mor
e congenial surroundings before discussing business, him talking instead on local news.

  ‘Lady Castlemaine has had another child in September, this one they named Henry Fitzroy.’

  ‘Another boy. How many children is that now?’ I asked.

  ‘Seven bastards that he admits to. Queen Catherine has miscarried again, such a shame. The poor woman doesn’t seem to be able to carry for the whole term.’

  That news saddened me and I hoped I would get a chance to see her.

  ‘By the way… Thomas wants to see you.’

  ‘Have you any idea what he wants?’

  ‘No. He just says he has some news, but he won’t tell me what it is until he has told you first.’

  ‘I have an idea that it might be something to do with his plans for retirement.’

  ‘Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. There’s someone called Edward Brocklehurst who keeps asking for you.’

  ‘Edward Brocklehurst. Who is he?’

  ‘I have no idea.’

  The journey from Chatham to St James’s Palace took a little over four hours. James was anxious to get on with the business of Tangier, and to read my reports but suggested we ate first.

  He ordered venison pasties and a jug of ale, and while we were waiting I had plenty of time to freshen up.

  ‘Now Toby. Tell me the worst.’

  Before I could open my mouth, the door burst open and in marched King Charles, a small group of his courtiers followed him, waiting by the door.

  He slapped me on the back. ‘Toby where have you been these last months?’

  ‘I have just returned from North Africa my Lord.’

  ‘My brother works you too hard, you should spend some time with me. Do you play tennis or bowls?’

  ‘No my Lord… but how hard can it be to roll a ball across a lawn?’

  ‘Harder than you think,’ he said laughing.

  James, annoyed by the interruption, asked, ‘Is this a social call or did you want something?’

  ‘I was here at St James’s and thought I would let you know that the Chancellor wants to talk to you about Tangier.’

  ‘He knows where to find me. Now if there is nothing else, we are in the middle of an important meeting?’

  ‘Only to tell Toby that Edward Brocklehurst wants to see him, and that he will be in Westminster Hall tomorrow at noon.’

  ‘Who is he?’ I asked.

  ‘I don’t know too much about him, only that he has two gorgeous daughters. You haven’t been tupping them have you Toby?’

  ‘I don’t know the man or his daughters, and as you well know there is only one woman I want in my life.’

  ‘Is there anything else?’ asked James.

  ‘No, I’m on my way. But you should ease up James, you’re turning into an old man before your time.’

  ***

  I opened my document case and pushed the report on Tangier across the table.

  ‘Before I read your reports, give me a quick breakdown of what you found, in your own words.’

  ‘Well as you know, when I first heard the details of Queen Catherine’s dowry settlement, I was pretty sure that England had secured a much better deal than the Portuguese. I thought at the time that the Portuguese Royal family must have been so desperate to strengthen their ties with England that they were prepared to pay well over the odds. But now I’m not so sure.

  ‘I spent weeks gathering information on anchorages, the dockyards and the defences of the Tangier Peninsular. I also researched into what advantage a foothold in North Africa would have on our trade, and it did not take me long to realise that Tangier was a poor investment.’

  ‘I must say Toby that I’m not surprised, but do go on.’

  ‘Most of the fortifications are in a bad state of repair or non-existent, and if we are going to keep out the marauding Muslims who control North Africa from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to Egypt in the east… it’s imperative that all the defences around Tangier are kept in a good state of repair. Adding to our problem will be the cost of maintaining a massive garrison there. The Tangier Peninsular is a Christian enclave in one corner of a huge area of North Africa which is predominantly controlled by Muslims.’

  ‘Another holy war do you think?’

  ‘Maybe. But in my opinion it would be a war that in the long term we could not win. Nobody was surprised when Spain opposed the marriage between Charles and Catherine, and the French were not jumping with joy either, and now it’s beginning to look as if we will soon be at war with the Dutch again. So you can discount any help coming from Spain, France or Holland.’

  ‘I am sure you’re right, and I know it is of little comfort but we do have the support of Portugal.’

  ‘My honest opinion of Tangier is that we inherited a “Poison Chalice” and I predict that within the next ten to twenty years we will sell it… abandon it or lose it in battle. I sincerely hope I am wrong.’

  ‘I will go through your report, and also those from the Navy Board. Hopefully by then I should know how best to present the findings to the government. You have done an excellent job Toby and I can’t thank you enough. I may want to see you again but for now I suggest you take a few days off to recover. And don’t forget Thomas Hudson wants to see you.’

  ‘Let the government sort it out,’ I said, ‘it should be their problem, not yours.’

  ***

  An excitable Thomas Hudson was waiting in my room, sitting at my desk and reading my notes.

  ‘I hope you don’t mind Toby, I have been going through your report on Tangier… pretty damning don’t you think?’

  ‘That’s just the first draft… and I have only reported the truth as I see it.’

  ‘And I am sure you’re right Toby. But forget all that for now I want you to see the house we have bought.’

  ‘Now? You want to go now?’

  He didn’t answer because he was already striding out of my room. I followed him out of the palace and on to a waiting coach.

  ‘Where are we going?’

  ‘We have purchased a desirable dwelling by the river at Barnes. It’s only ten to fifteen miles as the crow flies, but as it’s on the other side of the river we will have to go back and cross over London Bridge.’

  ‘So how much did it cost?’

  ‘Considerably more than you gave me, but you need not worry about the money.’

  ***

  It was the end of October, and the first frost of the winter had laid a thin veil of white across the countryside. The fields were shimmering in the late afternoon sun, the birds were busy stripping the last few berries from the hedgerow, and the deciduous trees were finally releasing the last of their leaves.

  I shivered and pulled up my collar, but I was enjoying the ride, stopping only once to let a herd of deer from Richmond Park cross our path.

  The empty house when we eventually arrived was a substantial Tudor building with a wide driveway leading to large double doors. At the rear of the house, un-manicured lawns slowly fell away to the river where there stood a stone summerhouse.

  The interior was elegant and included a library which had been stripped of its books, a magnificent oak table in the centre taking up much of the space.

  ‘Whatever you offered for this house, we can’t afford it.’

  ‘The deal is already done, the money is paid and contracts exchanged. The house has been empty for quite a while and the vendor was desperate to sell. This property is ours.’

  ‘Where did you get the money from?’

  ‘Most of it from you and me. The rest from another source.’

  ‘What other source? I hope it’s not a money lender.’

  ‘One day I may tell you, but you need not worry. What I will tell you is that it did not come from a money lender.’

  Before returning home we visited the
local tavern to get warm by a large log fire and tasted the local food and wine.

  ‘By the way Thomas, have you ever come into contact with anyone called Edward Brocklehurst?’

  ‘I have heard of Sir John Brocklehurst, I think he was a Member of Parliament wasn’t he? Why do you ask?’

  ‘Someone by that name has been asking for me.’

  ‘Perhaps he wants to offer you a job.’

  ‘And perhaps I will take it.’

  ‘Are you not content working for the Duke of York? I thought you enjoyed your job.’

  ‘I did… I do. But all I ever do is bring him problems. I do the interesting work and he is left to sort things out with the government… a government who don’t want to spend any money… and a government who seem to think he exaggerates the problems… the problems I dump on him.’

  ‘Is he not happy with your work?’

  ‘I think so. He seems extremely grateful, he always thanks me. He has even increased my pay.’

  ‘I can sympathise with the government to a certain extent… they want to maintain a stronger navy than our neighbours, but find it hard to find the money to pay for it,’ said Thomas. ‘And I place the blame to some extent on the king himself and his lavish lifestyle. He is too easily led by greedy men and loose women who challenge anything they think will deny the king his pleasure. There has been much talk in the corridors of Westminster about the relationship between parliament and the king, some say things are now almost as bad as when his father was on the throne. And he is a laughing stock on the continent.

  ‘The King of France continually mocks Charles. He has his own mistresses but does not grant them a penny, he just laughs at the foolery of Charles and says he makes his bastard princes rich at the expense of his subjects. His whore Lady Castlemaine is a prime example, he has just spent thousands of pounds buying the woman her own personal plate, hundreds of pounds we can ill afford. In Holland they publicly mock our king with pictures, one with his pockets turned in-side-out, hanging empty, and another with two courtiers or whores picking his pockets. It’s sad to see that people here in England don’t seem to care anymore. But what of you Toby, what are your thoughts on the king, he was once your friend?’