Courtier in the Royal House of Stuart

by Leslie Hatton

‘Handsome too,’ said Veronica.

  ‘Is he?’

  ***

  We continued talking for the best part of an hour, mostly trivia until a gentleman customer came into the house. I thought it was probably time to leave so I said, ‘I should go.’

  Just then Hudson stepped into the parlour.

  ‘It’s time to return to the palace Toby, have you delivered the message?’

  ‘I almost forgot to tell you. The prince would like to see you tomorrow at noon. He will be sending a carriage.’

  ‘What does he want?’

  ‘I think he is going to tell you he’s going to France.’

  ‘With you? Are you going to France?’

  ‘I’m not sure, I will find out tomorrow.’

  ***

  Anxious and worried, Veronica was taken by carriage the short journey from Fleet Alley to St James’s Palace.

  I was there in the courtyard when she arrived, and helped her down from the carriage, then together we followed the footman through the palace.

  A man we remembered seeing on our previous visit together was sat in the same chair behind the same large oak desk as before, but this time he was talking to two finely dressed ladies. They glanced in our direction with accusing eyes, and then returned their attention to whatever business ladies and gentlemen talk about in such fine surroundings.

  The room we had walked through was clearly an office, it was well-appointed with carpets, soft furnishings and a number of tapestries hanging on the walls, also books. Lots of books.

  When we entered into Prince Charles’s chamber he was sitting by the window talking to Mr Hudson. The footman announced our arrival and Charles stepped forward to greet us. But it was Veronica he wanted to speak to, not I. He guided her to a seat by the window, Hudson moved along to make room for her and I stood in the background.

  ‘Thank you for coming madam, please do sit down, would you like some tea?’

  ‘A small ale would be nice my Lord.’

  ‘Good idea… we will have the same.’

  He nodded to the footman on the door who scurried away to attend to his master’s order.

  ‘Now dear lady as you have probably realised I have brought you here to discuss young Toby’s future, but before we bring him into the conversation, I wanted to speak with you first. If Toby is willing, and you agree to release him into my care, I would like to make him a ward of court under my guardianship.’

  ‘Do you want me to leave the room my Lord?’ I asked.

  ‘There’s no need for that Toby, perhaps it is better if you listen to what I have to say. Now madam, I don’t think you have been formally introduced to Thomas Hudson so let me tell you a little about him.’

  ‘Are you going to embarrass me?’ Thomas asked.

  ‘No, not at all, but I may need you to correct me if I get things wrong.’

  He turned to Veronica and took hold of her hand.

  ‘My father the King hired Thomas over ten years ago as official tutor for his children. On May 29th, I will be eighteen years old and my formal education will be complete.

  ‘As I am sure you must know, this dreadful war with Oliver Cromwell has split up my family, my younger siblings now scattered all over the continent and my mother back in her homeland of France. Consequently Thomas is no longer needed as a tutor. But he remains an indispensable member of the Royal Household, I rely on him and value his opinion above all others, he is my friend, my companion, my guru, he’s also an official royal chronicler. Thomas graduated from Oxford with degrees in Theology, History and Languages, but his perspicacity and wisdom in all things is without equal, and now if you agree, he has offered to teach Toby.’

  Veronica turned to Hudson and smiled. ‘That’s very good of you my Lord.’

  ‘I am not a Lord, Madam, though I do have a doctorate in Theology, so you could call me Doctor. I do, however, prefer to be called Hudson or Thomas, and as for Toby’s education, it’s a pleasure teaching such an eager and enthusiastic young pupil, he thirsts for knowledge. Much more so than my previous scholars.’

  The Prince smiled at that remark then said: ‘If Toby stays with me, and progresses as I am sure he will, when he is eighteen years old I will make him a squire, and he will become a courtier to the king… which hopefully will still be my father, but if not him then me, only time will tell. So what do you think of my idea dear lady? Because without your blessing I need proceed no further.’

  ‘I am delighted and cannot thank you enough for what you have already done, I just want what is best for my Toby, he is very precious to me… more than I can say. I ask only that you keep him safe.’

  Hudson took hold of her hand. ‘I will make you a promise madam,’ he said, ‘that I will stay so close to him that he will be sick of the sight of me, and I promise that I will personally make his care and education my priority.’

  ‘I will also give you my word,’ said Charles. ‘But before you make a final decision I must tell you that because of this dreadful war, we will soon be leaving England for the continent, we will all be safer there.’

  A maid followed a footman into the room and placed four tankards and a jug of ale on the table.

  ‘Thank you Jane, you may go,’ said the prince, he then gestured to me to join them by the window.

  Jane curtsied, took three steps backward, before turning and leaving the room, quietly shutting the door behind her.

  Veronica wiped tears from her eyes and then emptied half a tankard of ale before asking: ‘But why must you go so soon?’

  ‘I have had a disturbing letter from my father, he tells me that because some of his former allies have deserted him, he fears he is losing the war against Cromwell’s Puritan army, and he has strongly recommended I leave England urgently for my own safety.’

  ‘When do you think you will return my Lord?’

  ‘Not until the country returns to some kind of stability. In the intervening time we will be staying in France with my mother, or in the Low Countries with my sister Mary and her husband, the Sovereign Prince William of Orange. I think William is the most likely person to be able to help me raise an army. But the decision as to whether Toby comes with me or not must be yours.’

  ‘He must go with you my Lord, a whorehouse is no place for a young boy to be raised.’

  ‘I had hoped you would say that.’ He then turned his attention to me. ‘What are your thoughts Toby? Do you want to be a scholar and a gentleman?’

  ‘I really can’t decide my Lord. I have loved every moment while here at the palace, but don’t want to leave Veronica. I feel I would be letting her down by deserting her and all my friends in Black Friars.’

  She came to me and encased me in her arms as she had always done, then whispered quietly: ‘You must go with the prince and Mr Hudson, I trust him and am sure he won’t let us down.’

  ‘Come and sit with us Toby,’ Hudson ordered, ‘and tell Madam Veronica what we have been doing today.’

  The question took me by surprise, it was not what I was expecting. Quickly I tried to recall the events of the morning, eventually stammering: ‘English, Mathematics and a few more French words.’

  ‘And did you enjoy your lessons?’

  ‘Most of them. I love English and Mathematics, and I can now write with quill and ink, but I’m not so keen on Latin and Theology.’

  Thomas looked at me quizzically, ‘I thought you liked languages?’

  ‘I enjoy French and Spanish.’

  ‘I suppose that will have to do for now, but Latin is important.’

  Charles smiled at Veronica: ‘He will get to like all his lessons, and I am confident he will become an accomplished scholar, but that all depends on whether he becomes part of the Royal Household or returns to Black Friars with you.’

  ‘He must go with you my Lord.’

  �
��If he does, it will mean him leaving England with us for an undetermined amount of time. I don’t want to leave England, I was born here in St James’s Palace, this is my home and I would prefer to stay and fight alongside my father as I did at the Battle of Edgehill, but I have to respect my father’s wishes, and find a way of bringing an end to this civil war by recruiting help from my cousin William in Holland, or my French Grandfather, Henry IV King of France. I have no choice I have to go, but Toby does not.’

  ‘This is a wonderful chance for you Toby,’ said Veronica. ‘You must go with the prince.’

  The time had come for me to make the biggest decision of my life. I desperately wanted to embrace my new life, to do new things and see new places but that would mean forsaking the one person in the whole world who loves me unconditionally, the one person who had raised me from a baby to almost manhood.

  With a heavy heart I said: ‘I would love to become part of the Royal Household but I cannot leave Madam Veronica my Lord, she needs me.’

  ‘Dear child,’ she said squeezing my hand, ‘you must go with the prince, living in a whorehouse is no life for a boy… especially a boy as clever as you; of course I will miss you, we will all miss you but we will manage and hopefully when you return from France you will come and see us all again.’

  I looked into Veronica’s eyes and nodded, I knew in that fleeting moment of time that my future with Prince Charles and Thomas Hudson was sealed. I was excited but also filled with foreboding, eager to be part of the Royal Household but frightened. My head was in a spin with a mixture of conflicting emotions, I was happy and sad but keen to begin my new life.

  Speaking quietly I whispered to Veronica: ‘Only if you are sure.’

  ‘I am sure my darling, and remember it’s not goodbye, someday this war will end and you will return home to England, I’m sure of it.’

  She was still smiling but there were tears in her eyes, I hoped they were tears of happiness but the decision had been made, my future was in the hands of Charles Stuart, Prince of Wales, son of the King of England.

  She stood, adjusted her skirt, and drank down her ale in one gulp.

  ‘There’s no need to rush home madam. Drink your ale, then Toby can show you around the palace and gardens. When you are ready, Thomas will arrange a carriage for your return to Fleet Alley.’

  ‘Thank you my Lord, you will all be in my prayers every day until your return.’

  He kissed her hand and took a step towards the door, then stopped to wait for Hudson who was now sat facing Veronica.

  Holding her hands he looked directly into her eyes. ‘Remember,’ he said, ‘you have my solemn word that I will make Toby’s safety and education my priority.’

  ‘Thank you sir, I know I can trust you.’

  ‘Good, now take your time, enjoy your tour of the palace and when you are ready, Toby and I will escort you home.’

  He then stood and moved to join Charles by the open door, but the prince hesitated… clearly deep in thought. He then walked slowly back to Veronica and sat on the arm of her chair. Hudson stood leaning against the door frame looking puzzled.

  ‘Before you go dear lady. Tell me truthfully, what are the peasant, the tradesmen and the ordinary common people of London saying about this war? What are they saying about my family, my father and his government?’

  ‘Well, apart from a couple of Members of Parliament who frequent my house, I have not heard a single word spoken against King Charles, and everyone loves you my Lord, especially the ladies. It’s Cromwell they all despise.’

  ‘Do you know who the two Members of Parliament are?’

  ‘No my Lord, but I could ask my girls.’

  ‘No matter… it’s not gossip I need, it’s an army, and now dear lady I must really take my leave.’

  ***

  Two days later, I was awakened and told to pack as we were leaving within the hour. It was early in the morning and the first signs of daylight were only just beginning to appear in the eastern sky.

  I packed what clothes I had, and a few personal treasures, into a small trunk, which was then quickly taken away. That left just one important thing I had to do, I had to say goodbye to my pony.

  I stepped out of my room to discover the palace had become a hive of activity, anyone who could be regarded as a threat to the government, or who might be thought capable of raising a challenge to Cromwell’s regime, was packing and preparing to leave.

  Trunks were stacked in the reception area ready to be moved to Whitehall Palace where a barge was waiting to take them to London Bridge.

  Furniture was being covered in dust sheets and valuables considered too large to transport were being packed away.

  I ran to the stables knowing that someone would be there, it was always busy early in the morning with feeding, exercising and grooming, but I wanted to see the boy who looked after my young pony.

  I waved to the master of the horse, but he was clearly too busy to talk to the likes of me, so I went straight to the stall where my pony was stabled, I was only there a couple of minutes before the master of the horse shouted: ‘If you don’t go soon, they will be going without you.’

  ‘What is going to happen to the horses?’ I called.

  ‘They’re all going to Windsor, now clear off.’

  I said a quick goodbye and gave him a final stroke then ran back to the palace wondering if I would ever see him again. In the few minutes while I had been away, a line of carriages had been assembled and were lined up outside the palace door.

  Thomas was anxiously waiting for me, looking as if the troubles of the world were on his shoulders.

  ‘Where have you been? Don’t answer that, just get into that second carriage and don’t move until I tell you, we are almost ready to leave.’

  ‘Where to?’

  ‘There are wherries waiting at Westminster Palace to take us by river to London Bridge, from there we will be transferring to two ships which are being prepared for a voyage across the narrow channel to the continent.’

  The sun was only just rising above the horizon and the city was not yet fully awake, the high incoming tide was about to turn, and there was an eerie calmness on the river as we were rowed through the morning mist to the ships anchored on the eastward side of the bridge. The highest point at which large ships can go upstream. All our luggage was already stowed aboard.

  I had never been on a ship before, only looked in amazement at their magnificence from the shore.

  Thomas Hudson took me to the cabin we were to share, my small trunk already there waiting for me. There were two bunks and Thomas pointed to the top one.

  ‘That is where you will sleep, I will have the lower one. Are you hungry?’

  ‘Not yet… I’m too excited to be hungry.’

  ‘Well when you are hungry, the galley is right at the bottom of the ship,’ he said as he started to unpack his belongings.

  The tide was on the turn and there was a light breeze coming from the west which I was told would help us on our way downstream.

  Oliver Cromwell was not in London, he was somewhere in the North of England directing his troops against the Royalist army of the king.

  I could see that Thomas was worried about something, so I asked what was troubling him.

  ‘I am slightly concerned that Cromwell may have left instructions to stop all shipping leaving the river, if that is the case we could be stopped and arrested.’

  As we edged slowly away from London Bridge, the ship’s captain carefully guided us towards the centre of the river. I had hoped to see someone I knew waving from Black Friars steps but they were deserted.

  I was standing next to Thomas on the quarterdeck as we approached the Tower where a few people had stopped to watch us glide slowly and silently by. I counted the menacing cannons on the battlements… all pointing in our direction, but gave u
p when I saw two guards at Traitor’s Gate. Thankfully they didn’t seem at all interested in us.

  ‘Does that mean we are going to be alright?’ I asked Thomas.

  ‘We still have to pass Greenwich and Tilbury, but so far so good.’

  With the tide now approaching full flow we began to gather speed, and as the sun rose higher in the sky the mist on the river slowly evaporated.

  I had never seen London from the river before and was surprised by its beauty: the ripples on the water appearing like diamond crystals as they were touched by the early morning sun, the new leaves on the trees lining the embankment were beginning to open signalling the promise of summer, and the blossom seemed to be more colourful… even the wherries and other small vessels on the river with their differently coloured sails added to the beauty and quiet tranquillity of early morning on the River Thames, a still calmness only broken by the screaming of the gulls.

  We passed Greenwich without incident and saw nothing to suggest that we would be prevented from completing our voyage into the North Sea, and across to France.

  We were now approaching Tilbury where the greater part of the Royal Fleet lay at anchor.

  ‘If we are going to be stopped,’ said Thomas, ‘this is the most likely place.’

  The river was much broader now and the deck was crowded with officers and crew anxiously looking for anything that could be interpreted as an aggressive move from the shore, but everything remained strangely quiet.

  We were now cruising at a fair speed, and as we passed Tilbury we could see quite clearly that two ships had raised anchor, unfolded their sails, and were beginning to move into the river. But not to stop or attack us, they were coming to join our small convoy, determined as we were to escape the autocratic tyranny that had befallen England.

  More sails were unfolded and I watched in wonderment at the sheer magnificence of the prince’s new ship as it cut its way through the sea… now creating bow waves that raced each side of the ship towards the shore.

  As we passed Canvey Island the wind seemed to be much stronger, the sea much rougher and the seagulls much louder, but what surprised me the most was just how much stronger was the smell of the sea. Reminding me of the fish market at Billingsgate.