Courtier in the Royal House of Stuart

by Leslie Hatton

  I could not believe my eyes when Henry pointed to a magnificent black Arabian Stallion.

  ‘This is the one James chose,’ he said, ‘it’s one of the best we have, and he says you can take any saddle and whatever tack you need… do you like him Toby?’

  ‘I can’t accept this horse Henry, he’s far too good.’

  ‘Mother will be offended if you refuse. Do you want to ride him now?’

  ‘Does he have a name?’

  ‘It’s on the door. He’s called Gladiator. Should we go riding together now?’

  ‘Do you have a horse?’ I asked.

  ‘Not yet, but I can take any I like.’

  Everything in the tack room was of the highest quality, and not wanting to appear avaricious, I left it to a French stable boy to choose the saddle for me, and to make Gladiator ready to ride.

  Every day I exercised him… most days more than once, and never before in my life had I rode a horse that moved so fast across the ground, or was so eager to run. I often wondered as I galloped across open fields with the wind in my hair just what Veronica would have thought if she could see me now.

  I was enjoying Paris much more than I did on my previous visit, but was not completely content. What I really wanted to do was to return to The Hague, to Anne, to my friends and my job in the stables. But I could never ask to leave now. Not after receiving such a wonderful present.

  Henry was turning out to be quite a good friend, though sometimes I thought a little too reliant on me. Perhaps it was because he was still a little insecure after his years in captivity. If he was not out riding with me, he was with his mother… either studying, looking over her plans for the convent she was building, or praying. Which considering his strong feelings against her religious beliefs was rather puzzling, and was clearly beginning to upset Charles.

  After only a couple of weeks the tensions between mother and son over religion became a full on row, Charles reacting angrily at her attempts to convert Henry to Catholicism.

  I was embarrassed at being with him when he threatened to take Henry away from Paris if she persisted in poisoning his young mind, and then to see him stamp out of the room leaving her in tears.

  It all seemed so senseless to me, we all prayed to the same God, we were all Christians, and surely the family should come first.

  Never a day passed without my thoughts returning to The Hague. Without my work my life had no purpose, and without my love I could never be completely happy. But what could I do if I had not the courage to say so?

  It was winter when I sailed from Holland to England and now it was spring… daffodils, crocuses and snowdrops brightening up the gardens around the Castle of Doves which should have helped to raise my spirits, but it only made me more homesick.

  There was only one person I could talk to and that was Thomas… perhaps he could think of some way of telling Queen Henrietta how I was feeling without offending her.

  ***

  ‘She will be disappointed because of your friendship with Henry,’ he said. ‘But I am sure she would not want to keep you here against your wish.’

  ‘Will you ask her for me?’

  He frowned and looked sideways at me. ‘It’s not quite as simple as that Toby.’

  ‘How so? What’s so different?’

  ‘The difference is that Cromwell’s England is at the moment in a state of war with Holland. There had been tension between the British and Dutch fleets for months, which all came to a head with a skirmish off the coast of the Isle of Wight. Cannons were discharged and ships on both side destroyed.’

  ‘But none of this is our fault, and if we are not at war with France, why should it matter?’

  ‘Perhaps it won’t, but the situation is delicate. Look Toby, just leave it with me, I will see what I can do. But in the intervening time I have an exercise I want you to attempt. You say you are embarrassed at receiving such a wonderful present from the queen. Well I want you to write a short note thanking her, and I want you to write it in French. I know that would please her even if you do make the odd mistake. But I will check it anyway just in case you make any real blunders. Write it as if you were leaving France, and keep it short… no more than 150 words.’

  It took me the best part of a day, but I must say that I was pleased with the final result, and what was more pleasing was that Thomas was completely satisfied. He tucked the letter inside his tunic saying, ‘I will deliver this when I consider it the right moment.’

  We were now into March, well over three months since I was taken away from my comfortable life in The Hague… called away on a mission of mercy at the request of… no the order of the king’s mother, and now it seems I am once again trapped in France, a country I care little for.

  The one thing that was making my time in Paris tolerable was my horse, at least I could escape into the countryside by galloping miles along the River Seine. Henry was good company and always rode with me, selecting a different horse every day in an unsuccessful attempt to find one that could match the pace and stamina of my Gladiator.

  One day while out riding, I reached the river and was out of the saddle leading my horse to water when Henry arrived almost a minute behind me.

  ‘I forgot to tell you, my mother would like to see you when we get back.’

  ‘What for?’

  ‘She didn’t say.’

  ‘We had better not keep her waiting then. We’ll give the horses a few minutes to rest and then go back.’

  ‘Well don’t go quite so quickly then we can ride together.’

  I looked sideways in a placatory way and smiled. ‘Sorry Henry, it’s hard to hold him back once I give him his head.’

  After we had stable our horses, Henry took me directly to his mother who was in her private chambers talking to Thomas. I noticed that she was holding my note in one of her tiny hands.

  ‘Do sit down Toby,’ she said. Thomas nodded and smiled.

  ‘I realise I have been selfish keeping you here for so long Toby, it’s just that you are such a good companion for Henry. I really did not want to let you go. However, I do quite understand how much you wish to return to The Hague. So you will be pleased to hear that it will be sooner than you think.

  ‘Two weeks ago I sent a dispatch to Frederick Henry, Sovereign Prince of Orange, requesting permission to visit my daughter and little grandson William… it’s over a year since I last saw them. I received his reply just yesterday. It was warm and cordial, and I am happy to say that he and his wife Amalia have invited me to spend time with them at Binnenhof Palace. So Master Toby we will all be leaving for The Hague on Monday next. The Dutch are our friends here in France… for the moment anyway. It’s with Cromwell’s England they have a problem.’

  ‘Will I be able to take Gladiator?’

  ‘The horse was a gift from me for you to keep, it is yours to do with as you wish. But as it won’t fit in a carriage. You will have to ride it the whole way,’ she said smiling at her own jest.

  ‘May I ride with him Mother?’ asked Henry.

  ‘I think not my dear, it is a three-day journey to The Hague, and I think your posterior would not survive that long in the saddle… also the problem is that if you were to ride there… you would also have to ride back.’

  I was thinking of taking Gladiator out for a run but, as Thomas decided to walk with me to the stables, I chose instead just to brush him down.

  ‘What did she say about my note?’

  ‘She loved it and says she will keep it with her other treasured possessions.’

  I started to brush Gladiator, and Thomas stroked and patted him. ‘He’s a fine looking horse Toby, you’re very lucky to receive such a present.’

  ‘I know, and I am extremely grateful, but what am I to do with him? I think he may well become a liability. I will never be able to afford to stable or to feed him, the on
ly answer I can come up with is to give him to the stables at Noordeinde… at least that way I will get to see him every day.’

  ‘I should wait and see what Mr Anderson has to say, he may well surprise you.’

  ‘Will you be coming with us to The Hague, Thomas?’

  ‘No, I will be going with Charles back to Germany to see his aunty Elizabeth, Dowager Queen of Bohemia. But before I go, I would like to check your work.’

  ‘All I have with me is my rough work,’ I said, ‘words and headings as you taught me.’

  ‘Then read to me,’ he said as he produced three books from his leather case. ‘Read this one first.’

  It was a book of poems written in French… later he tested me on History and Mathematics, and I think he must have been satisfied because he made no disparaging remarks.

  ‘When next I write to Veronica I can now inform her truthfully of your progress.’

  ***

  Early on Monday morning we left Paris, and began our long journey to The Hague. Almost 300 miles, covering the same route as the one in which my saddle strap was slashed, the only difference being that our overnight stops were planned in advance and our accommodation much more in keeping with the status of a member of the royal family.

  On arrival at Binnenhof Palace, Henrietta’s entourage and her escorts were taken away, fed and allocated accommodation, leaving just two of her footmen to take the horses and coaches direct to Noordeinde. I rode at their head to show them the way.

  Max was the first to appear out of the stables to greet me… three of the younger stable boys standing in the background watching.

  Quite naturally, he was more interested in my horse than he was of me. ‘Who does this magnificent beast belong to?’

  Louis, who had been busy with paperwork in his little office, heard the commotion and came to see what all the noise was about. He immediately took control.

  ‘You three,’ he shouted to the stable boys. ‘See to these horses… make sure they get a water and feed, then groom them and let them loose in the paddock… quickly come on, move. Max… get this coach washed, cleaned and taken inside, then send George to me. When you have done that take these two footmen back to Binnenhof.’

  ‘Right boss,’ said Max.

  They all rushed off to carry out Louis’s orders. Then talking to the two footmen he said in French, ‘Wait inside. I will organise some food and drink for you both in a moment.’

  He then, with a broad smile on his face, came over to me and patted my horse. It was at this point that I first noticed Mr Anderson striding across the courtyard towards us.

  Completely ignoring me, father and son walked round Gladiator, talking together in their own language, inspecting my horse’s teeth, hooves and fetlocks.

  ‘Who does this horse belong to Toby?’ asked Mr Anderson.

  ‘He’s mine sir. A gift from Dowager Queen Henrietta.’

  He looked surprised by my answer. ‘Do you know anything about him, does he have a name?’

  ‘He’s a two-year-old Arabian Stallion called Gladiator sir. But I don’t think I will be able to keep him. I will never be able to afford his feed or stabling.’

  ‘Don’t worry about that for the moment Toby, I am sure we will be able to sort something out. Are you here to stay this time?’

  ‘I do hope so sir.’

  ‘Good. Now go with Louis and sort out your horse, and then yourself… in that order.’

  ‘Yes sir, thank you Mr Anderson.’

  He did not acknowledge my thanks as he was already striding back to his office in the palace.

  ‘Max said you wanted to see me boss,’ said George the blacksmith, as he took off his cap to scratch his head.

  ‘Yes George. Those two French coaches… can you check them over, make good any repairs as necessary and grease the wheels.’

  ‘Yes boss,’ he said as he turned and walked away.

  ‘What you have here Toby is a racehorse. Arabians have the speed and stamina to run long distances and here in Holland they are bred specifically for racing… also in France and Germany.’

  ‘I can believe it Louis. He’s the fastest I have ever ridden,’ I said. ‘He runs like the wind and doesn’t seem to tire.’

  ‘Well he has done enough for today,’ he said, leading Gladiator to the water trough. ‘He can have one of the stalls in the new block, we will have to get a name plate for him.’

  I brushed his jet black coat until it was shining like silk, while all the time Louis was checking him over.

  ‘When you have finished with him I think you should also rest Toby, I will see you in the morning.’ And then he left, leaving me to finish off.

  I was sorry I hadn’t seen anything of Anne but not too concerned, as I knew she would be here on Saturday. So with nothing else to do I went to check my attic room, and to bring my journal up to date.

  To my surprise there was a small tapestry and two framed paintings on the walls, a vase with fresh flowers and a Turkish rug on the floor. She must have been here, and quite recently I thought. Then kicking off my boots and throwing my riding jacket on the floor I lay on the bed and pulled a blanket over me.

  I woke with a jolt when Anne’s lips gently caressed mine, I had not heard her creep into the room, or heard her undressing, but her clothes were in a pile on the floor and she was sat naked on the side of the bed.

  ‘Welcome home husband, I have missed you.’

  ‘I missed you too, and it’s so good to be home. We will both be fifteen years old in May. If it wasn’t for me, you would have become a countess this year.’

  ‘I have everything I need right here my love,’ she whispered as she climbed in bed beside me. ‘I don’t need a title.’

  After making love, we fell asleep in each other’s arms, and when I woke she had gone, leaving just a simple note on my pillow. ‘See you Saturday.’

  ***

  It was so easy for me to slip back into my old life. Nothing had changed, everything seemingly just as I had left it months ago, and after only a couple of weeks it was as if I had never been away at all.

  With every passing week I gained more confidence and experience, Louis gradually assigning more and more responsibility to me. He was sometimes a little harsh with the younger boys but never with me, and he seldom gave me orders. I liked to think that was because I was good at my job, and that he was happy with my work.

  Whenever I could find the time without compromising my work or studies, I took Gladiator out into the countryside for a gallop. No one as yet had suggested how I was going to pay for his keep, but he did now have his own stall in a new stable block with his name on the door, which I thought must be because he’s here to stay.

  Though Louis was my boss, our relationship remained the same as it had always been. We were friends and regularly went riding together, sometimes exchanging horses as he had difficulty keeping up with me on his favourite chestnut palfrey.

  One day while our horses were drinking from a stream, we sat on a grassy bank and I told him all about my encounter with Richard Leeson in London.

  ‘He threatened me and also Thomas Hudson… warning us both never to return to England if we valued our lives. At least now I know what he looks like.’

  ‘Was he being serious?’

  ‘I would say so, otherwise why would he go to such extraordinary lengths to warn me?’

  ‘Have you kept up with your weapon training?’

  ‘Not so much lately.’

  Louis shook his head in disbelief. ‘That man has a serious problem Toby. But no matter, you won’t be going back to London again will you?’

  ‘Only if King Charles is restored to the throne, and then I would have no choice.’

  ***

  It was over a month since my return to Noordeinde from Paris… most of my work for the day was done an
d I was sat outside in the sun cleaning brasses when I spotted Mr Anderson with two strangers. They were inspecting Gladiator, and appeared to be taking a particular interest in his shoulder and stifle muscles. Later when they had left, I was called to his office.

  ‘Don’t be alarmed Toby I just want a word with you about your horse. I have just had a couple of expert breeders here from Apeldoorn looking him over, I contacted them a few weeks ago because I thought him to be an extraordinary horse of some value, and I wanted a second opinion. As it turned out I was right, you have a remarkable horse in Gladiator.’

  ‘I know I have sir.’

  ‘They are coming back later today with an expert jockey… just to make sure he is as good as they think he is, you don’t mind do you?’

  ‘Not at all sir.’

  ‘Their first impression of Gladiator was that he is a remarkable horse, and they immediately made a very generous offer to buy him. I told them that the horse did not belong to me, and that I thought he wasn’t for sale… did I do right Toby because if you were to sell him you would probably become the richest stable boy in Holland?’

  ‘He was a present from a queen, so no amount of money would persuade me to sell him, not unless I had no choice.’

  ‘That’s what I was hoping you would say. So now I will tell you your options. Firstly, would you object to other people riding him? They would be mostly members of the royal family or responsible senior government officials?’

  ‘No sir, not if I was sure he would come to no harm.’

  ‘You need not worry about that, I can guarantee. Now secondly would you be prepared to lease him out to stud?’

  I smiled at the thought of me profiting from my horse’s sexual liaisons.

  ‘I have no problem with that sir… but he is not yet three years old.’

  ‘And in the prime of his life,’ said Mr Anderson.

  ‘Then let him have his fun… why not.’

  ‘Good. That means we have solved the problem of Gladiator’s stabling fees, and if he does go to stud, there will be stud fees coming your way.’

  ‘Should Noordeinde not keep any money he makes from stud fees?’