‘Where are you going to Veronica?’ shouted someone from the crowd.
‘St James’s Palace to see Prince Charles,’ she replied as she was helped into the carriage by Mr Hudson.
A ride in an open carriage was very exciting for me, but it was also a little worrying as I had no idea just what awaited me at the palace.
Mr Hudson pointed to the seat next to his. ‘Come and sit here with me at the front, it’s you these people have come to see Toby.’
It seemed so high sitting between Mr Hudson and the coach driver, and in a strange way everything looked so much different from up here.
The master of the horse made a clicking sound, cracked his reins and the carriage moved forward with a jerk. The watching crowd began to cheer and I heard someone shout, ‘Will you still talk to us when you’re a duke, Toby?’ Not knowing how to answer, I just smiled and waved.
I had never ridden in a carriage before and loved every second of the journey, but was somewhat disappointed at how quickly we arrived at our destination.
We stepped from the carriage onto a large courtyard and followed Mr Hudson through massive oak doors into the palace.
Holding Veronica’s hand, I followed Hudson up the grandest staircase I had ever seen, along a corridor adorned with paintings of famous people (none of whom I could recognise), and lots of stone statues. We continued through a large room with a vast library of books on shelves standing against oak-panelled walls where a man who seemed to be quite oblivious to our presence sat behind a huge desk scribbling in a ledger. Finally we were taken through two highly decoratively carved doors into what Mr Hudson said was the withdrawing room: What I saw there took my breath away.
Hanging from the elaborately decorated ceiling on a long chain was a massive chandelier, there was an enormous marble fireplace above which hung a portrait of King Charles and his consort, Princess Henrietta Maria, below the painting on the mantelpiece there were two large porcelain figurines of charging horses, each side of a timepiece encased in a glass dome.
I was fascinated by two magnificent tapestries on the wall: one illustrating a battle that I later learned was the Battle of Crecy, the other a scene of a hunt with men in red coats on chargers surrounded by a pack of dogs.
More porcelain figurines were placed in strategic locations with arrangements of fresh flowers adding colour and fragrance to the room.
Extravagantly patterned eastern carpets covered the floor and sitting on a large pedestal table in the centre of the room was a magnificent bowl of fruit.
On both sides of a large window which overlooked the courtyard were two chaise longue, and surrounding the fireplace was a trio of settees strewn with scatter cushions. Finally, adding to the grandeur of the room, in one corner there was a large harpsichord.
The prince, now without his cloak and hat, was seated by the window talking to two young courtiers. With a wave of his hand he dismissed them and moved to greet us.
‘This is our young hero, he’s called Toby Bennett my Lord,’ announced Hudson, ‘and this is his ward, Madam Veronica.’
I was surprised by how tall the prince was, and thought he must be at least six feet.
I took off my cap and bowed as I was told to do. Veronica curtsied, which was something I had never seen her do before.
I could see by her eyes and the way that she looked at him that she was smitten by his youthful good looks, and I realised that all the rumours of women losing their hearts to him were probably true.
He was handsome, had long dark hair and just the whisper of a moustache beginning to grow on his upper lip.
‘Good day to you madam, I hope I have not inconvenienced you too much,’ he said as he took hold of her hand and guided her to a window seat. He didn’t invite me but I followed anyway, stopping just within earshot.
Veronica tried to speak but her words wouldn’t come, I smiled to myself at her embarrassment as she tried again to communicate with the prince.
‘I am honoured to…’ she stopped and coughed.
Seeing her discomfort the prince asked, ‘Can I offer you a drink my dear, we have some tea from China or would you prefer a coffee?’
‘I drink mostly ale and just occasionally coffee but I would like to try tea my Lord.’
‘Then tea you shall have.’
He nodded to the footman standing by the door who scurried away.
‘Now madam,’ he said, ‘please don’t be nervous just tell me what was it you wanted to say to me?’
‘I was going to beg you to be lenient with the boy my Lord, I have never known him to be violent before and he is only a child, a good child that has been brought up to respect the law and Christian values, he comes with me to church most Sundays and sometimes sings in the choir.’
‘At St Paul’s?’
‘No my Lord, St Bride’s and occasionally St Olave’s. We all go: me, my girls and sometimes even my idle partner George.’
‘Who is your reverend? I might know him.’
‘Reverend Mills, he will tell you all about Toby.’
‘I do know Reverend Mills and I know all I need to know about Toby. He’s a brave young man who saved my life. And you have nothing to fear, I have not brought the boy here to be punished, I want to reward him.’
I was fidgeting, hopping from one foot to the other. I wanted to be involved in the conversation, not ignored, and I wanted to know just what was going to happen to me. Eventually I plucked up the courage and stepped forward, ‘Did I kill him my Lord?’
The prince came to me, smiled and put a hand on my shoulder.
‘Come and join us Toby,’ he said as he directed me to the seat next to his.
‘No you didn’t kill him, but I think his head will be aching for quite a while, and he has a large lump that will take a while to go down.’
Veronica whispered: ‘Will the man hang for treason my Lord?’
‘I know this man well, he’s a good man, a man of principles and values, what he did was wrong but he did it believing he was acting to protect his daughter’s honour. He won’t hang… not by my hand.’
Veronica was curious as to just what had happened between the prince and the man’s daughter but thought better than to ask.
‘But he tried to kill you my Lord.’
‘I know he did but because of this young man,’ he said patting my head, ‘he did not succeed.’
‘What will happen to him then?’
‘I sent him home to his family, no doubt his wife will have some strong words, but she will also nurse his wounds, and his damaged pride.’
‘You are a merciful and tolerant man my Lord, and I doubt there are many who would be so forgiving.’
‘These are troubled times and there are too many good men dying without me adding to the numbers,’ he said lowering his eyes… clearly troubled, saddened and worried by the senseless civil war that was ravaging the country, and how it was affecting his own once happy family that were now separated and scattered throughout Europe.
‘I am sure you must know that as we speak, my father is fighting the Parliamentary forces of Oliver Cromwell, and this time I fear he may be defeated. My poor mother has long since left London. Returned to her home in France with my sister Henrietta, she was prevented from taking my two younger siblings, Henry and Elizabeth, with her by parliament, they say it was to prevent their young minds being corrupted by Catholicism.
‘My brother James is with my sister Mary and her husband William of Orange, Sovereign Prince of the Low Countries in The Hague. That leaves just me, the only member of the family relatively free to move about the city. But I fear that will soon change, I think I will eventually have to make my escape across the narrow channel to the continent, or suffer the indignity of being placed under house arrest, or even imprisonment in the Tower.’
The prince was only eighteen years ol
d and I could see by the way Veronica was looking at him with compassion and empathy that all she wanted to do was to take him in her arms and reassure him that everything would be alright.
‘The common people of London do not understand what the fighting is all about my Lord,’ she said, ‘but I can assure you that every single one of your subjects supports the crown, we are all worried about the future.’
‘Thank you madam, that’s good to know and very reassuring.’
The footman returned with a maid who was carrying a large silver tray. She waited while he laid a lace cloth on the table and then placed the tray gently down. ‘Should I dispense the tea my Lord?’
‘Yes thank you Jane and add a little sugar. Serve Madam Veronica first.’
When she was served, I got my cup which I thought was a little small.
‘Be careful it’s not too hot madam.’
She sipped from the cup, smiled and placed it carefully on the table.
It was the first time I had tasted tea and I watched intrigued at the procedure of dispensing the drink which was the colour of ale, I liked the taste but it did burn my mouth a little.
Unable to control her anxiety any longer and anxious to direct the conversation back to the reason why we were there at St James’s Palace in the first place, Veronica asked: ‘What is to happen to Toby my Lord?’
‘He saved my life, I want to reward him, and I believe the best way I can do that is to make him a ward of court and bring him into the Royal Household, to educate him and to make him into a gentleman: Perhaps one day a courtier to the king, I just want what is best for him as I know you do.’
I could hardly believe what he had said. I thought at best I would get a financial reward of some kind, hopefully a shilling or perhaps even a pound that would have been wonderful.
I was confused and not completely sure just what the prince was proposing, though I had always thought it would be wonderful to be able to read and write properly.
‘I can’t leave Madam Veronica my Lord, she needs me,’ I said.
‘Your loyalty does you credit Toby but think about my offer, the decision will be yours, I will not command you to come with me. Stay here at the palace for a few days if you like before making up your mind.’
‘You must stay with the prince Toby, I will manage without you and I am sure you will be able to visit us.’
‘But if I go to France I may never see you again.’
Veronica looked questionably at the prince, knowing that I shared her concerns.
‘I hope and pray that this dreadful war will soon end, and then we can all return to normality, but at this moment, I am not even sure myself where we will finish up. However, wherever that may be, if at any time you wish to return to London you can do. You are not part of this conflict and therefore there is no reason why you could not return to England at any time you choose.’
‘You must go with the prince,’ said Veronica.
The prince placed an arm around my shoulders and looked down at me, he was only eight years older than me but probably a foot taller.
‘I was so impressed at the way you bravely came to my defence,’ he said. ‘It made me think that with the right education you could grow into a man of principles, a man with moral values, the kind of man I need on my side.’
‘But who will do my chores?’ I asked.
‘It’s mostly George’s work you have been doing, so he will have to get off his fat arse and do a bit more.’
Veronica, realising her language was not appropriate, put a hand over her mouth and apologised. ‘I beg your pardon my Lord, I meant to say backside.’
He smiled and then looked at me waiting for my answer.
I had to think hard and quickly: The idea of an education and leading the life of a gentleman sounded appealing, but I didn’t want to let anybody down, nor did I want my answer to sound disrespectful.
‘I think I would like to stay a few days here while I think about it my Lord?’
‘I would consider it an honour to be your host for a few days Toby,’ said the prince with a broad smile, ‘and I promise that if you decide to remain you will be free to visit Madam Veronica at any time you please.’
Prince Charles then handed Madam Veronica a purse tied with a leather lace.
‘Please take this as compensation for losing your helping hand madam.’
‘I cannot take that my Lord, it should be me paying you.’
‘It’s only 50 shillings.’ And then looking sideways at her and smiling he said: ‘I may want to visit your house as a customer someday, call this a payment in advance.’
‘For 50 shillings I could arrange your own harem my Lord.’
They both laughed together as friends would do, it was as if she had always known him.
‘That’s a sobering thought,’ he said. ‘And I may just take you up on that offer someday.’
***
It had been a week since I had exchanged my home at the whorehouse for St James’s Palace, and although I was excited at the thought of seeing my family again, I was dreading the time when I would soon have to make the final decision on whether to leave or stay.
It was just two days previous that the prince had received a strongly worded dispatch from his father the king, commanding him to follow his kin across the narrow channel to France. To raise an army of liberation and to join forces with the Scots in the borders.
The prince and his staff had already started preparing for the move and time was running out.
There was clearly an exciting life waiting for me if I chose to serve in the Royal Household, but I had been just as happy before my encounter with the Prince of Wales. I had no ambitions beyond my life in Black Friars with Veronica, I was content and happy. But now my time had run out, I had to decide.
***
I really wanted to go alone, but Prince Charles insisted that Hudson escorted me back to Fleet Alley. But so as not to draw attention to ourselves, we travelled in an unmarked carriage.
‘I’ll wait outside,’ he said. ‘Call me if you need me.’
I threw open the door and stepped into the parlour. I was hoping to see Veronica but there was just four of her ladies chatting and George asleep in the corner.
‘Which of you lovely wenches should I choose today?’ I called.
When they realised it was me, they ran to me shrieking: ‘Me… take me… please take me my Lord.’
Veronica and Elizabeth were peeling vegetables in the kitchen when they heard the commotion in the parlour, and as soon as they recognised my voice they came running through.
‘It’s Toby, it’s Toby,’ shouted Elizabeth, as she wrapped her arms around my waist. ‘He’s come to see me and it’s me who he will choose, so keep your hands off him.’
Veronica followed her into the parlour, wiping her hands on her pinafore.
‘My, what a handsome young gentleman you are, and taller I think. But if it is a wench you are looking for young sir, what about an older, more experienced lady like me,’ she said as she engulfed me in her arms.
George stirred and stretched in the corner, ‘Have you come to empty the piss-pots lad?’
‘No he hasn’t, he’s too stylish to do that kind of work anymore, he’s come to see us, you go back to sleep you lazy lump,’ said Veronica as she continued to smother me in kisses.
‘When was the last time you had a gentleman between your breasts?’ one of the girls called. The others all laughed.
‘Not as long as you may think,’ she said. ‘Now Toby, let us get a good look at you in your stylish new clothes, and what a classy pair of shoes on your feet too, that must be why you look taller.’
‘I am getting used to the shoes but I am not too sure about the buckles, I think they look too much like girls’ shoes.’
‘Nonsense,’ she retorted, ‘all g
entlemen wear shoes with buckles these days, they’re very fashionable and they make you look extremely smart and handsome.’
‘And this blouse irritates my neck, it’s going to take some getting used to.’
‘Well I think it makes you look older. Now, tell us what you’ve been up to?’
‘Well, the first thing they insisted on was that I had a bath. Steaming hot water was poured into a marble bath big enough for us all to get into together. I took off my clothes and climbed in and then these two ladies came in the room and wanted to wash me, I told them I could wash myself but they insisted on staying in case I needed help. I was hoping they would go out of the room and come back later but they just sat and watched me. When I had finished they said I had not done my hair properly, they put soap on my head and rubbed until I thought my scalp would come off. Then one of them held open a towel and said: That will do for now, you can get out. I asked them to leave the room but they refused.
‘We are not leaving you alone, you’re not shy are you? I told them I wasn’t but I think they knew that I was. I dried myself and asked for my clothes, but they told me they had been burned.’
‘How old were these women, and did they touch you?’
‘Only my head thank goodness and they were fairly old like you.’
‘I am not old,’ said Veronica, ‘now tell us what else have you been up to?’
‘I have my own room, a big room with large windows where I do my lessons, reading and writing and a little arithmetic, and because Mr Hudson is so pleased with me, he asked the master of the horse to teach me to ride, I even have my own pony.’
‘And have they been feeding you… you look thinner?’
‘Lots of food I have never seen before like pullets and larks which are birds, some different cheeses I have never tasted before, peas with pork or boiled beef. One day I had a venison pasty, and even some lobster… I didn’t much care for that. Oh and herring pie.’
‘Have you seen much of the prince?’
‘Hardly at all, he’s too busy preparing for the move, I communicate through Thomas Hudson. I like him, he’s like a father to me.’
Courtier in the Royal House of Stuart Page 2
