Courtier in the Royal House of Stuart

by Leslie Hatton

  I looked at my mother, she smiled and nodded. He discarded his walking stick and took my arm.

  ‘Did you notice the painting over the fireplace?’ he asked as we walked out of the room.

  ‘I did sir… very impressive.’

  ‘That is a portrait of your ancestor Toby Brocklehurst. He was made a viscount for gallantry at the victory of Crecy in 1337. He fought side by side with the Black Prince. And it would please me if from now on you called me Pop as your sisters do, or John like your mother.’

  ‘As you wish Pop, now where’s this armoury, and do you have a library?’

  The armoury was more akin to a shrine to my paternal ancestry than a place where weapons are stored, though there was a large selection on view.

  On entering the room my eyes were immediately drawn to the centrepiece on the wall facing the door. A smaller version of the portrait in the large room hung proudly surrounded by a large collection of swords. In each corner of the room there were suits of armour and on every wall smaller portraits of successive Brocklehurst viscounts in chronological order. A number of tapestries portraying military scenes covering every available space.

  ‘Here I am Toby,’ he said standing proudly next to his own portrait. ‘Here is where your father will be and next to him, yourself… Toby Brocklehurst, 12th Viscount of Kettleford.’

  I had to smile to myself… An urchin from the back streets of Black Friars a viscount.

  There was a collection of shields, a couple of pikes and axes, and an assortment of flags, the largest being the Brocklehurst coat of arms, but surprisingly, no firearms.

  ‘What’s in the chest Pop?’

  ‘Military memorabilia and booty… you will have time enough to rummage through that later. Come, I want to show you the chapel.’

  The chapel was a small and personal place where an individual could pray and think quietly on his own. A statue of Jesus on the cross stood behind a small lectern which was facing seating for up to twenty worshippers, the walls were plain but the ceiling was baroque. But the most impressive feature was the stained-glass windows recounting scenes from the Battle of Crecy. We both kneeled and lowered our heads and prayed.

  I waited until he lifted his head and then helped him up… pausing while he took my arm we then walked out of the chapel in silence.

  ‘I see by your clothes that Madam Veronica has raised you well, and that you have been educated.’

  ‘I am a courtier in the Royal Household, and for the past three years I have been working for the Duke of York in the Admiralty. I have rooms in St James’s Palace.’

  That statement stopped him in his tracks.

  ‘A courtier at St James’s Palace… I am impressed. And your education, who was your tutor?’

  ‘I had the very best. Have you ever heard of Thomas Hudson?’

  ‘He was the tutor for the first King Charles’s children I think.’

  ‘And mine too,’ I said.

  ‘When did all this happen? How old were you when you left Madam Veronica?’

  ‘I was ten years old… and I would like you to know that Veronica… Miss Bennett is the most wonderful person I have ever known, and I am overjoyed to discover that she is my grandmother.’

  ‘I know Toby,’ he whispered. ‘I met her many years ago… before I was married. It was while I was working in our London office on Bond Street. Veronica was a beautiful young woman of about sixteen or seventeen and I was young and cavalier around the age you are now.’

  ‘She still is beautiful,’ I said.

  ‘I’m sure she is. But I think it best if you don’t reveal that snippet of information about my past, especially to your father, let it remain our secret.’

  I smiled at him and speaking quietly said, ‘He will hear nothing from me Pop, but I must say that I admire your taste in women.’

  ‘I doubt she will remember me anyway, it must be almost forty years ago.’

  ‘You know Pop, I think you should forgive my mother for keeping my identity a secret.’

  ‘I already have Toby, and I am fairly sure it was not her idea in the first place, it will have been your father who panicked and overreacted.’

  ‘That maybe so, but the threat from Richard was real, and as I was out of the country for twelve years there would have been no point in her telling you about me. There was nothing you could have done.’

  There was a short pause and he stopped walking while ingesting the information. I had just told him a little about my past, and he had a sudden moment of revelation. Somewhere from the depths of his mind he remembered me. He looked me in the eye as he asked, ‘Tell me Toby, could you possibly be the urchin who saved the life of the Prince of Wales when you were not much more than a child?’

  ‘It seems like a lifetime ago, but yes, it was me seventeen years ago.’

  ‘What was it like being the youngest courtier in the House of Stuart, and what do you think of the King?’

  ‘I like the man and he has been good to me, but if the truth be told he is not suited to the job of a monarch. He cares not a jot about politics, only the pleasures of life: women, sport, dancing and his dogs.’

  ‘And the Duke of York, what is your opinion of him?’

  ‘He works hard and takes his job of Lord High Admiral seriously. I admire him but I don’t envy him. He is caught in the middle between a bunch of corrupt managers who are getting rich off the back of the state, and an incompetent parliament with inflated egos and small brains.’ He laughed at the last comment, and I laughed with him. I then continued, ‘I think James is a good man but I do worry at how he openly promotes and worships Catholicism. If Queen Catherine does not provide an heir, one day James could be king. Don’t you think we should return to the lounge Pop?’

  We started walking slowly back to the lounge when he stopped. I thought he was going to ask more questions about the royal family or my views on parliament, so I was surprised when he asked, ‘Tell me truthfully Toby, were you with my son Richard when he was killed?’

  ‘Yes sir. I was his prisoner. And not for the first time. But with some help from friends we managed to turn the tables on him.’

  ‘I know he was wanted for treason. That he was killed in a warehouse at St Catherine’s and that others were captured with him and later executed.’

  ‘Yes sir, that is correct. I can tell you the whole sorry story exactly as it happened if you wish, but I would prefer not to.’

  ‘Just tell me how he died, and was it by your hand?’

  ‘We fought with swords, but I did not kill him. He knew that he was facing a traitor’s death, so he killed himself. He fell on his own sword. I do hope that is not too distressing for you.’

  ‘It was always going to happen that way, he was the bad apple in the barrel. From being a small boy it was clear he was never going to change. I am just glad it’s all over. Come Toby, let’s go back to your mother she will be worrying.’

  My sisters had returned and were sat each side of our parents.

  As we entered the room my father stood up and waited until Pop was sitting in his chair, he then sat beside him… my mother and me on the other side.

  Taking hold of my mother’s hand I whispered quietly, ‘It’s alright, everything is fine.’

  ‘I have decided that what is done is done,’ said Pop, ‘and as we cannot turn back the clock… rather than dwell on something we cannot change, I want to move on and enjoy what time I have left with my whole family.’

  ‘I never wanted to leave my baby,’ said my mother, ‘it almost broke my heart when I did, and we never intended it to be a permanent arrangement. The trouble was that the longer time went on the harder it became to tell you. Edward was terribly worried you would punish him as you did Richard.’

  ‘That’s ridiculous,’ said Pop.

  ‘I would like to explain Father.’
r />   ‘There’s no need Edward, everything is resolved. But some changes will have to be made, and you can start by arranging a meeting with our lawyer. Toby is now second in line, and I would like to bring him into the business if he is willing.’

  Then turning to me he asked, ‘Would you be prepared to join our family business Toby, the financial rewards would be substantial?’

  ‘I care little about financial rewards, but the thought of a new challenge excites me, and I will have to know more about the business before I make a decision. There is also the problem of the Duke of York. I could not leave him. Not without his blessing.’

  My grandfather coughed and thumped his chest. ‘I quite understand Toby, and I admire your loyalty to the duke. There will be plenty of time to discuss business later. Edward will be able to answer all your questions, I will leave the details to him. But if you do decide to join us, you are going to need a house.’

  ‘I have a house Pop… well I have a share in one, close to here in Barnes.’

  ‘That’s handy, it’s only minutes away.’

  ***

  I was beginning to feel pressured, things were moving too fast and I needed time to think. I wanted to escape and glanced towards my sisters for help. They smiled and the one I assumed was the older, using her head and eyes, nodded in the direction of the door.

  ‘If you will excuse me, I would like to become acquainted to my sisters,’ I said as I stood up.

  They were already heading for the door so I followed them out of the room, down the stairs and into the entrance hall.

  ‘I’m Eleanor, I am married and am twenty-three years old.’

  ‘And I am Hannah, I am twenty-one and engaged to be married. Have you a warm coat, it’s cold outside and we want to take you for a walk in the garden?’

  It was late afternoon and already the light was fading as the sun slowly dipped below the horizon… my sisters linked my arms and guided me through the now sad-looking rose garden and across the lawn towards the river, the frost covering the grass had not melted all day and crunched beneath our feet as we walked. There was a summerhouse by the river and a boathouse… naturally my thoughts turned to my first and only love and the boathouse at Noordeinde.

  ‘Do you have a boat in there?’

  ‘Two,’ said Hannah. ‘A family yacht and a small row boat, come I will show you. We can sit and talk in there.’

  The row boats had just a single mast, and I imagined myself having many hours of fun sailing on the river with my sisters. The one they called the family boat was a two-masted ketch with fore-and-aft rigging. It had been lifted out of the river for winter and was resting on specially made staging. Hannah and Eleanor climbed the ladder and I followed. The stateroom was luxurious with soft furnishings which were covered for the winter months with throws.

  We sat and talked for over an hour, they wanting to know all my history which was impossible to condense into an hour, and I was anxious to know more about them.

  ‘You must come for Christmas,’ said Eleanor. ‘We will all be here and you will be able to meet my husband.’

  ‘I would like that very much, but I’ll wait until I am officially invited.’

  ‘If I ask Pop he will invite you. I know he will want you here with us for Christmas.’

  The time passed so quickly, and I knew our mother would be worrying, so we ran the whole way back to the house holding hands and giggling like children.

  By the time we arrived, we were in complete darkness, a slightly concerned looking mother waiting by the door.

  ‘That was a long walk, I was beginning to worry. You are needed back in the lounge Toby. It’s too late to be travelling back to London tonight so I have made up a spare room for you.’

  I found my father and grandfather relaxing together, each with a large glass goblet of brandy.

  ‘Sit down my boy. Would you like a brandy?’

  ‘I would prefer a small ale.’

  He rang a bell and a maid came in. She then scurried away to get my ale and within a minute she was back with my drink on a silver salver.

  ***

  ‘Toby, you need to know more about my son Richard, and why he became such an angry man who chose to live the life of a rebellious renegade and traitor.

  ‘Primogeniture is the inheritance process dating back to the medieval times. It states that an estate and title are passed on to the eldest son or next male heir. Edward and Richard are twins born ten minutes apart… Richard was the younger and could never accept that Edward would inherit the title ahead of himself. The world was at his feet and he could have enjoyed a carefree life of luxury or immersed himself into business, but the hatred burning inside his head was like a cancer for which there was no cure. When he tried to kill your father, I knew I had no choice but to drive him out of the family… totally and completely forever.’

  ‘What weapon did he use?’ I asked.

  ‘He knocked Edward unconscious with a fire iron and was holding his head under water when I found him. A minute later and your father would have been dead. Now unless you have any questions, I would prefer to move on to a less distressing subject. What are your plans for the rest of the year?’

  ‘I had arranged with my guards to spend the three weeks prior to Christmas at Tilbury, there’s a lot of work still there for me, and reports I have yet to complete.’

  ‘So you will be free to come here for Christmas?’

  ‘Yes Pop,’ I said smiling at him, ‘Eleanor and Hannah have already invited me, and I told them I would love to come. Forgive me for asking, but may I bring Thomas Hudson? I don’t want him to be on his own for Christmas.’

  ‘I was going to suggest you invite him… and I think perhaps your grandmother should come too. Now Toby, tell me why a handsome man like you is not married? Is there a young lady we could also invite for Christmas?’

  That question came out of the blue and I was surprised how quickly he had changed subjects.

  ‘There is only one woman I want to marry, and that is Anne Huxley, the daughter of Baronet Huxley of Lewes. We fell in love over ten years ago but unfortunately her father does not like me, he wants someone with a title for his daughter, not a lowly squire.’

  ‘I know Huxley, we have met many times at the Exchange. He’s a brilliant businessman. But does he still support that ridiculous red beard like Henry VIII?’

  ‘It was trimmed shorter the last time I saw him, and it’s beginning to turn grey, and he’s not as fat as Henry VIII.’

  ‘The practice of awarding the title of baronet was introduced by King James as a means of raising funds. Huxley’s grandfather bought their title. Ours was awarded for valour on the field of battle by your namesake Toby Brocklehurst in 1347. I can’t wait to see his face when he finds out who you really are, and the title that one day you will inherit.’ He started to laugh but it set him off coughing. ‘Is it possible to laugh yourself to death?’ he asked.

  The following morning after a hearty breakfast of boiled ham and pullet eggs, the Brocklehurst coach delivered me safely back to St James’s Palace. But not before a quick detour to Fleet Alley.

  Veronica met me at the door with a wide happy smile covering the whole of her face. ‘They have told you then?’ she said.

  I stepped down from the coach and embraced her as I always do. ‘They told me everything, and I am still trying to digest it all, I’m giddy and my head is in a spin. But you being my grandmother is the best news of all.’

  ‘I was sworn to secrecy. I think what they did was wrong. Wrong for you and for them, but worst of all for your grandfather John. How did he take it?’

  ‘He was cross with them at first, but he soon came round. We had an hour together on our own, I like him very much. He says he knows you.’

  ‘I wasn’t sure he would remember me, I was very young and he was handsome and single. We walke
d out for a while.’

  ‘Does anybody else know my real identity?’

  ‘Only George, and like me he was sworn to secrecy. I don’t think he has told anybody.’

  I stayed with my grandmother for only a few minutes. I had so much to tell my Lord James, and I felt a little guilty at keeping the Brocklehurst driver waiting in the cold. Before climbing back into the coach I said, ‘You may be getting an invitation to spend Christmas at Brocklehurst House. But I’ll see you again before then.’

  ‘What about us?’ shouted Christina.

  ‘Not this time my love, maybe at a later date.’

  ***

  ‘That is the most incredible and the most unbelievable story I have ever heard,’ said James. ‘So, I take it you have come to tell me that you no longer want to work for me?’

  ‘I would not think of leaving your service without your consent, and certainly not until after the New Year. Tell me James, what about the king, do I have to seek his approval?’

  ‘Don’t worry about him, if you have to worry about anybody worry about me. How am I ever going to replace you?’

  ‘I may be able to help you there sir. A clerk by the name of Arthur Crossley who works for Sir William Batten could be your man.’

  ‘I thought Batten and all his associates were not to be trusted.’

  ‘Arthur is no friend of Sir William Batten, just a disgruntled employee. He is hard working and honest, perhaps that’s why he doesn’t get on too well with his boss.’

  ‘Then let us get him here and see what he thinks.’

  ***

  I had been putting off writing to Anne, not because I didn’t want to, but because I didn’t know what to say. With all that had happened to me in the last 24 hours you would have thought that I would have no trouble filling the pages, but I found it difficult to describe how my life was about to change so dramatically without sounding like a deluded idiot. How do you tell someone that you… a boy from the backstreets of London has become the heir to a fortune… or that one day you will inherit a title? How do you explain that without sounding self-centred and arrogant? It all sounded so strange and surreal I could hardly believe it myself.