by Ron Pearse
She bids goodnight and walks to the door waiting for Hill who is obliged to open it, wait for her to go through into the corridor and then closes it."
For some time there has been no warmth in this time-honoured ritual. Lady Barbara Fitzharding was exercising her prerogative to attend the monarch's retirement; it was a well-paid sinecure and the person appointed would usually have performed some service in the past towards her. Lady Churchill, for example, was also a lady of the bedchamber having been a playmate to the princess and later a personal friend.
The source of Lady Fitzharding's unpopularity with the queen arose out of religion and the tense situation some ten years before, in May 1692, when England was threatened by a French invasion to restore James II, Anne's father, to the throne. Unwilling to compromise herself, Lady Fitzharding has sent a fellow catholic to offer the protestant princess Anne safe conduct in the event of an invasion.
A short while later, the French invasion fleet had been destroyed by a combined Anglo-Dutch fleet and Anne withdrew her cooperation, but she had compromised herself and Lady Fitzharding used her secret to remain in her position. Worse, Lady Churchill had discovered that although safe conducts had been offered to some of Lady Fitzharding's friends but not to her, now resentfully warned the princess of Lady Fitzharding's Catholic allegiance, and refused to occupy the same building.
In consequence the princess, now Queen Anne, had a two-fold reason to dislike Lady Fitzharding. Her knowledge of Anne's possible perfidy but also that she very much missed her friend, Lady Churchill. However to some extent that was in the past as Lady Churchill with a growing family had other reasons for not being her constant companion apart from the fact that their two residences in London and St Albans were too far apart for regular social intercourse.
The queen had mixed feelings about Lady Churchill proposing her cousin, Abigail Hill as bedchamber-woman, but as her former friend's visits became few and far between, she wondered whether Hill had been deliberately placed there as a substitute, and resented her, but had learned since that Abigail Hill had reasons to resent her cousin’s patronage. Over several years through her knowledge of herbal remedies, Hill was able to relieve the queen of the worst aspects of her debilitating gout. One great blessing conferred by Hill was a good night's sleep, a great boon to a woman with so many official duties to perform.
The effects of the posset she had drunk was beginning to work its magic and she was feeling drowsy though before she dozed off, the queen forced herself to say:
"Your brother is gone for some time, Hill, is it not so?"
"Indeed ma'am, who knows when I shall see him again,"
The queen smiled remarking: "Thank the Lord for small mercies, Hill. I know it be selfish but I did miss ye two nights back when you were away to your brother. I awoke in ye middle of ye night. It was excruciating ye pain in my big toe, on ye left foot."
Hill was about to say something then heard a gentle snore from the bed so she quietly pulled the curtains around the four poster and tip-toed from the room leaving the door slightly ajar. She recalled the occasion when having returned from seeing her brother off to war, she had returned to the palace to be confronted by Mrs Danvers who complained to her that her majesty had been in such pain and that she had been able to do nothing to relieve her. She later went to sympathise with the queen whose symptoms she had herself experienced though this revelation to her majesty had done nothing to relieve the memory of her agony.
Abigail smiled to herself recalling something her mother had related. It had to do with a book Mrs Hill senior had devoured in her youth, written by the most famous herbalist of the day, Nicholas Culpeper. He had opined that many people could relieve the symptoms of their ailments by collecting herbs and flowers in their own garden and preparing them. His book had shown people how to do it and her mother had passed on her practical experiences to her daughter.
As Abigail listened to the queen's gentle snoring, she thanked her mother, for her passed-on knowledge was doing good to the highest in the land. She snuffed the candle and made her way to her truckle bed. Her head touched the pillow and she was instantly fast asleep.
PART 2: WIFE
Chapter 7
Where was Marlborough? Marlborough was nowhere, at least as far as he wanted Le Marechal Tallard, in command of the combined Franco-Bavarian army, to know. On the eve of battle, Marlbororough was in his tent along with Captain Parker, his aide-de-camp. Their furniture was sparse: Two camp-beds, a washbowl, a privy and most important to Churchill, 1st duke of Marlborough, a portrait of his wife, Sarah, perched upon his campaign table.
Parker would be busy at his easel upon which was an enormous chart which every now and then as scouts and picquets arrived with bits of news, such as the location of enemy units, Parker would update. Very often the picquets would meet their opposite number, and each would give the other a wide berth, but Parker would get to know of it. By disseminating the essential from the not so useful, Parker would build up his picture of the area. Reconnaissance-in-depth would yield the best information but that takes time. In the meantime, Parker could display a picture of the anticipated battle scene using symbols, an arrow here, a symbol there denoting perhaps a wooded area, or a water-mill, quite a few of those, One salient feature was the stream falling from it's source on the high ground to the valley, splitting into branches, two descending into the valley another running towards the Danube and falling off a cliff.
The duke wanted to know the strength and disposition of the enemy forces, in particular the number of ‘escadrons’, and likewise strength of foot in numbers of battalions. Scouts were particularly asked to take notes of regimental flags so as to know the quality of the troops and cavalry ranged against the allied forces. Here the personal insignia of a particular commander would determine the quality of the opposition. The duke pointed to Parker's slashes of blue wanting his aide-de-camp to explain the figure he had added which turned out to be the width of the stream, little crosses denoting that on each side of the river there was marshy ground. It seems the stream was flatteringly called a river, the Nebel whereas the cluster of symbols denoting houses, church and mill was a village, Blentheim. The duke little realised the name would one day come to represent, his home in England.
The duke pointed his riding whip cum baton at the strip of blue: “We must consult Colonel Cadogan as to pontoons for the transit of our batteries.” Parker said to him: "You won't be surprised your grace to know that your quartermaster has that already in hand. He promised to let me know some unknown details when his picquet returns. It seems to be our good fortune that we got here after a hot and dry summer."
"I was talking to major-general Netzmer," said Marlborough, "it seems he knows the area having been wounded in an engagement between his Prussian division and a superior force commanded by the Elector."
The same Elector, sir?" asked Parker receiving an affirmative nod from the duke who added: "You might care to have a word with him as he mentioned having to bridge this very river."
"Permission to speak, your lordship!" The voice same from behind and turning round, the duke faced a serjeant who saluted. Asked to proceed he reported: "My picquet has just got back, my lord," when Marlborough noticed he was shivering. He said:
"Come into the warmth serjeant. You were sent to scout the river. Did you fall in?"
The serjeant went nearer an oil stove set up to take off the midnight chill. He answered: "In a manner of speaking, sir. Sinking the pontoons was a messy business. Colonel Cadogan ordered me back here."
"Stay around till you're dry, serjeant. I wouldn't want you to catch chill." Then addressing Parker, added: "I'm going to make my rounds, captain; until later!"
--------------------------------------------------------------
In another area of the encampment was a very large marquee with sloping sides which served as sleeping quarters for a few of the thousands of soldiers bivouacking overnight. There was a sentry outside and he challenged
a newcomer who answered with the password provoking the question: "Where's your officer?" to which the sentry replied:
"Lieutenant Hill! Over there by the fire. He's sitting with his back to you." Then cupping one hand, calls over somewhat disrespectfullly: "Jacko!"
The man turned round, cheroot in his mouth vocally wondering who was about to disturb him and as the firelight played upon Hill's features and his uniform, the newcomer noted his dishevelled appearance and 'Jacko' recognises the visitor. His voice is the sound of complaint:
"If it isn't Masham! Captain Masham, of course. To what do I owe this honour?"
"Captain Parker's compliments, lieutenant. I am instructed to convey orders to the Pioneer detail." Masham spoke in a stiff military manner, and added as an after-thought: "Where is your second in command?"
"Biggs!" It was the sentry so addressed who seeing Masham, clicked his heels smartly, and Lieutenant Hill called over: "Get Serjeant Burke. Quick about it!"
Captain Masham was not amused and told Hill: "You should have gone yourself, lieutenant. You know Army Regulations."
"Balls to the Regs." exploded Hill, "Still throwing your weight about eh captain. If my pater had been alive, I'd be a captain. The only difference between you and me is the depth of your father's pocket."
"You can still become captain." said Masham lightly, "Tomorrow perhaps. The duke likes promoting his junior officers."
There a peal of raucous laughter from nearby and Hill somewhat rattled told someone: "Is that you laughing, serge? I'll have you flogged for insubordination."
The serjeant appeared on the scene still laughing said: "You mean impertinence, lieutenant." Then quickly sizing up the two officers, added:
"I'm sure it says in Army Regulations that a sentry must not leave his post. Ain't that right captain?"
Masham did not answer but treated Hilll to a stare which said, 'See where your slipshod attitude gets us'. Instead he addressed the serjeant as follows:
"You are to take a detachment to the watermill behind the village of Berghausen. In it you will recover a store of fascines left there and bring them to the lower valley where you will find our picquet. It is imperative the operation is silent. Your guns must be left behind."
Hill exploded: "No muskets? Not even my pistol?"
Serjeant Burke laughed rummaging around his waist and removing a nasty looking bayonet, the blade of which he ostentatiously stroked: "Oh, my beauty. My beauty! You'd just love to tickle the innards of a Frenchie, wouldn't you?"
Hill looked a bit green and Masham brought him round, asking:
"Everything clear, lieutenant," and getting no answer added: "Having no guns to carry will make it easier to carry the fascines. We need as many as you can carry."
"Join the Army and be a porter." complained Hill bitterly.
"That the Pioneers for you, Hill. I did my stint." His eyes met the sergeant's, which danced so he added smiling: "Do a good job, lieutenant, and maybe the duke will make you a general."
Burke could not contain his mirth and exploded with laughter which carried on embarrassingly long until someone from the tent, bawled him to shut up and that someone wanted to sleep. It was Hill's turn to stare out Masham, as if to mean, 'that's what happens when officers are mocked'.
---------------------------------------------------------------
It has already been described how the Captain-General, along with his aide-de-camp, was building up a picture of the enemy's deployment and the lay of the terrain all the details of which where laid out on a large sheet of paper. When the leaders of the allied army were invited to the duke's command marquee, they would each be able to fix in their mind the picture of the battle-ground and comprehend when Marlborough made suggestions.
On the day of the battle Parker nudged the duke who had the born military leader’s ability to sleep as and when required. Nonetheless the duke attended to his personal toilette with as much care though with limited facilities as though he were in England. His valet had his campaign boots ready, his periwig and saw to it that he was well turned out for the duke was paying a call. Leaving instructions with Captain Parker as to where he might be found, the duke set off in the direction of the Savoyard camp, there to call upon his Excellency, Prince Eugene of Savoy.
Long before he reached his encampment however, the Prince had met him halfway as the Prince had intended to call upon the duke. It was still dark as light was only just beginning to steal above the horizon so neither could see the other's battle-plan for indeed the Prince's own adjutant had been doing a similar job to Parker. It seemed that the Marquis de Clerambault's flag had been sighted in the neighbourhood of Blentheim. The duke invited the Prince back to his tent, his campaign tent, where their generals, adjutants and other senior officers were already assembling.
"Might I invite your Excellency to take command of the allied right wing opposite your old friend, the Elector of Bavaria whose headquarters are in the village of Oberglau."
"Jawohl!" agreed the Prince, adding: "I'm not sure he would account me among his friends, and more especially, I daresay, after today’s battle." He chuckled and his good humour infected the duke as both turned their horses towards the allied command marquee where they observed their fellow generals and senior officers making their way seen in the gloomy morning light as dark figures converging on their rendezvous.
On arrival they gave their mounts to the groom in attendance as Marlborough deferred to his friend inviting him to enter the tent, but once inside inwardly blessed his aide-de-camp's resolution of social and military rank by assembling and placing benches, inviting guests to occupy whatever place took their fancy, most preferring to sit by their regimental colleagues. So a prince jostled a marquis who rubbed shoulder with a lord and all needing their adjutants in close if only to interpret a tactic or a joke.
Whatever social rank these men were, Captain Parker was more acute of their military standing and here he was on firmer ground as most were generals while those standing behind, in support, were mostly colonels with himself the only captain. Although he was unaware of it he was due to retain this rank just a few more hours. The duke greeted is guests in the commonest language:
"Guten Tag, meine Herren!" nodding to his brother and the English lords, Cutts and Orkney by the more familiar welcome: "Good morning, gentlemen!" He was about to include his aide, when he laughed:
"There you are Captain Parker, under my feet as usual." Both laughed nervously and Parker took the paper from his captain-general's hand and rolled it out holding it against his chest as the duke pointed out the salient features of the battleground to the assembled officers.
"Bemerken Sie bitte diese Gegend blau gestrichen.” You'll notice this area in blue on the lower slope and the bottom of the valley where even at this moment Colonel Cadogan, my quartermaster, is putting pontoons in place."
But, general," queried Prince Maximilian of Hessen, "why do we need pontoons. The horses can swim and the men can wade. It's not that deep is it?"
It was general Netzmar who countered: "Your Excellency, it's for the cannons. They cannot swim."
Marlborough appreciated the Prussian's interruption as the Prince visibly flushed. It was Prince Eugene who broke the tension by joking:
"The prince was thinking of Baron Munchhausen's cannon which actually fly through the air. "Everyone laughed including the Prince.
Marlborough continued:
"The stream at this crossing point is about four paces wide and perhaps a third of that in depth and at the stretch opposite the village of Blentheim it divides into two about thirty paces apart. It's very marshy ground though we are fortunate that the hot summer has made it less so."
"With your permission, Your Grace!" It was Lord Orkney and the duke gestured him to proceed:
"If we adopt the formation of foot, horse, foot, horse the men first across can form up to protect the crossing of the horses from lightning raids by the enemy."
"Excellent, my lord Orkney,"
agreed his commander and turning to the Prince added: "We have practised this formation so often back in England, your Excellency. It proved its value on campaign in Holland."
Another voice called: "Did you practise it while being cannonaded, your grace? May I venture to suggest that our crossing will likely be opposed not by tirailleurs or cavalry but by Marshal Villard's cannon?"
"Indeed," agreed the duke. "The first to make the crossing I venture to suggest should be the prince as his foot and horse have much further to go before taking up station opposite Oberglau," and he pointed his riding crop saying, "Here!"
"Could not the prince proceed further along the valley where there is no river to hold him up?" The speaker was General Churchill and it was the prince himself who answered:
"Leider nicht, mein Herr," He smiled at Churchill adding: "The approach below Oberglau is much too steep and we have not brought our mountaineering gear."
There was widespread laughter at this which the duke brought to an end by raising his hand asking for further questions and tapped Parker on the shoulder who allowed the map to take its natural curl, then with the rolled up chart left the tent hearing the duke wind up the meeting.
"Gentlemen, the French army and the Bavarians are in a secure position on a front from Blentheim on our left to the village of Overglau on our right, a front of about three miles. It is our task to dislodge them or pound them to destruction. Unfortunately time is on their side not ours. Cannonading is only the final option not the first. It will take infantry to winkel them out. Nonetheless an early success could see the French weakening their centre to support either Blentheim or Oberglau. That must be our strategy."
Marlborough looked around at his guests pausing to look at each general in turn before adding a final comment.
"Marshall Tallard has the advantage of high ground, yet colonel Blood has pointed out that shooting downwards will cause the balls to bounce whereas our balls shooting upwards enjoy a more effective trajectory. One more thing: our attack must be coordinated. It will take less time for General Churchill to deploy than his Excellecy the Prince. It may well be a hot time for us waiting, but in combination the allied army will be more effective. When you leave here please proceed to your units and wait upon captain Parker's signal. He knows the overall position." He finished by wishing: "Viel Gluck! Good luck and bonne chance."