The Traitor’s Mark

by D. K. Wilson

  ‘The bishop says, “Oh, you malapert rogue, go and pay ten pence to St Noddy’s shrine, and don’t sin again.”’

  James laughed ‘Quite right.’

  ‘What about the other case?’ I asked. ‘What happened at Stepton?’

  ‘Men claiming to have been sent by the archbishop ransacked the vicarage and went off with Stephen Garrow and a sackful of his books.’

  ‘Do you think he and the vicar of Branfield have been murdered, too?’

  ‘I suspect not. In both cases the rogues have been seen riding off with their victims bound and tied to a packhorse. If they intended to kill them, why not do it straight away?’

  ‘Interrogation, then?’

  ‘That would be my guess. Interrogation and torture. God’s body, Thomas, the Inquisition’s come among us! Well, I won’t allow it – not in my jurisdiction. We have laws and a system. They may not be perfect but they’re all we have. We don’t need holy armies and secret tribunals.’

  ‘We know now the organisation behind this illegal activity.’ I explained what Holbein had discovered about the leading figures in the Catholic conspiracy. ‘In the meantime, how can we stop Black Harry, if that’s who it is?’

  ‘I’ sent messages to all the leading landowners and townsmen asking them to pass on any information they have. That way I hope we can plot the gang’s movements. That may help us to discover their base.’

  ‘They’ll know what you’re doing. They may go into hiding or move out of the area.’

  ‘Thomas, my first objective is to see these rogues swinging from a gallows but if we only drive them out of the area, I’ll settle for that.’

  There was a knock at the door and a servant entered. He had a brief quiet word with James, who stood up.

  ‘Excuse me, Thomas. It seems I have other visitors.’

  When he returned, a few minutes later, he was followed by two men. The first I recognised immediately. It was Ralph Morice. Behind him a figure trundled in whose vast bulk almost filled the doorway.

  ‘Thomas,’ James said, ‘permit me to introduce Dr Thomas Legh.’

  Chapter 21

  It was easy to see how Legh had gained a reputation as a petty tyrant among those who were lovers of the old order and why so many abbots and priors had meekly resigned their convents rather than stand up to his blustering self-assertion. It was not just his size that commanded attention; he exuded authority and intolerance towards all opposition. Within seconds he assumed control.

  ‘I’m glad you’re here, Master Treviot. I’ve heard good things of you. Your name is well spoken of at the royal court. I was mindful to call upon you later. Now I’ve been saved an extra visit. That’s good. There’s much to be done and little enough time if we’re to rid this shire of all elements hostile to his majesty.’

  James gave up his own armed chair to the cumbersome lawyer and sent for cakes and ale. The rest of us sat round the table, waiting on Legh’s words. We did not have to wait long. Dispensing with small talk, he presented us with a clear statement of the situation as he saw it and the plan of action necessary to deal with it. It was the polished performance of a seasoned prosecutor presenting his case to the jury.

  ‘A state of affairs has been allowed to develop here which threatens to thwart his majesty’s desire for the religious unity of his people. Now, let us be absolutely clear from the outset that anyone who opposes the will of his majesty is guilty of treason. We are not dealing with philosophers’ speculation or theologians’ debating points. I am not here to enter into discussion with men who would love to draw me into the quagmire of religious argument.’ He sneered. ‘You know the sort of thing I mean, “Saint Thomas Aquinas says this” or “On the other hand, we must bear in mind the blessed Augustine’s words”. Pox on all that! Truth is what his majesty says it is and we are here to ensure that nothing else, no subversive papist nonsense, is fed to his majesty’s subjects.’

  There was a pause as food and drink was set before us. Ralph Morice took the opportunity to provide us with new information. ‘Dr Legh is absolutely right to point out the connection between false teaching and treason. Thomas here has been instrumental in uncovering the evil designs of papists who cloak their sedition in religious zeal. There is a well-organised plot being hatched which links the preachers and the leaders of Kentish society with a chain that runs all the way to Rome and Madrid. This is now clear to us from evidence gathered by an agent working on behalf of his grace of Canterbury – evidence, I may say, gathered at great personal cost. Doctor, may I outline our latest information?’

  Legh nodded, temporarily engaged in enjoying a saffron cake.

  ‘Have you identified the man Holbein overheard plotting with the Duke of Norfolk?’I asked.

  ‘Yes, and very interesting it is. Garter King of Arms had no difficulty identifying the bearer of the coat of arms Holbein saw. The badgers appear because, in many parts, they’re called “brocks”. The arms are those of Ferdinand Brooke.’

  ‘Brooke! Brooke!’ I cried. ‘That completes the connection, then.’

  Morice was puzzled. ‘How so, Thomas?’

  ‘When Adie – Mistress Imray – was held captive by Black Harry she heard him mention a co-conspirator. She thought the name was “Rook” but she did not catch it clearly. It must have been “Brooke”. Saints be praised we were stayed from arresting Moyle. Do you know anything about this Ferdinand Brooke?’

  ‘It seems he’s quite a familiar figure in court circles – a persistent satellite.’

  ‘Satellite?’

  ‘A follower, a flatterer, someone always to be seen circling around great men. He’s one of those who wheedles his way into favour.’

  ‘Has he attracted Norfolk’s patronage?’

  ‘Indeed. The duke welcomes him because of his Catholic sympathies.’

  ‘Ferdinand? That’s not an English name,’ James suggested. ‘It sounds Spanish.’

  ‘Quite correct,’ Morice said. ‘His mother was one of Queen Catherine’s ladies-in-waiting. When the queen fell from grace, the Brookes moved to Spain. Young Ferdinand was brought up by priests and became something of a zealot – more Catholic than the pope. He returned a couple of years ago when his father died, to take over the family estate in Essex.’

  My mind was moving fast as I tried to make connections between what we already knew about the plot against Cranmer and this new information. ‘I don’t quite understand the relationship between Brooke and Norfolk. According to Holbein, Brooke seems to have been conveying instructions to the duke. That has always seemed odd.’

  ‘I agree,’ Morice said. ‘What we suspect is that Brooke has been recruited by the imperial ambassador, Eustace Chapuys.’

  ‘Weaselly troublemaker!’ Legh spluttered, showering cake crumbs. ‘Everyone knows that he’s forever scheming with his majesty’s enemies.’

  ‘That is so,’ Morice continued. ‘He maintains a secret organisation pledged to undermine the reform of the English Church by any and every means.’

  ‘Why doesn’t the king expel him?’ Dewey asked.

  ‘Because he needs the Emperor’s friendship. That means we must be constantly on the alert to minimise any damage Chapuys may do. Up until now we haven’t been able to connect the ambassador’s network to the likes of Norfolk and Gardiner. Now, thanks to Holbein, we have the link – Brooke, or “the Popinjay” as some call him.’

  ‘Because he dresses exuberantly?’ I asked.

  ‘Yes, he likes to think of himself as one step ahead of fashion. To my mind he simply looks ridiculous.’

  ‘Then Brooke is the man who went looking for Holbein at the Steelyard,’ I said, recalling my conversation with Pastor Meyer.

  Morice said, ‘I suspect his ribbons and rings and furs may be part of an act.’

  ‘Playing the empty-headed courtier so that no one takes him seriously?’

  ‘Exactly, Thomas. The reality is that he’s a dangerous fanatic.’

  ‘Now we know of his connectio
n with Black Harry you can arrest him,’ I said, ‘and, so it please God, you can bring down the whole organisation.’

  Legh having completed his repast was anxious to resume control of the meeting. ‘However, we are not here to concern ourselves overmuch with high politics. Our task is to ensure that the king’s doctrine is preached in this area and that all enemies of it are presented to the archbishop’s court or to the assizes, whichever is appropriate. Now, we will approach this in an organised way. The first step is to summon here, to Sir James Dewey’s house, anyone suspected of preaching sedition or supporting those who do preach sedition. The writs have already gone out and I will hold court here on Saturday. His grace is sending a contingent of his guard to convey to Canterbury any who merit closer examination. This will send a very clear message to any covert papists. On Sunday all clergy will read to their congregations a statement of official doctrine. On Monday they will all report here and swear to uphold everything in the King’s Book and only everything in the King’s Book. The following day I move on to Maidstone, where I will repeat the same process. Within a month I will have covered the whole of Kent – that is, the dioceses of Canterbury and Rochester and rid it of papistry. Now, Sir James, perhaps you would be kind enough to show me the accommodation you have for me.’

  ‘He seems very confident,’ I said, when Morice and I were alone.

  He smiled ruefully. ‘Yes, I’ve had to listen to him all the way from Croydon. However, he is good. He knows the law and he can use it.’

  ‘That l ean believe. I’m glad you found out about this Brooke rogue so quickly.’

  ‘I was lucky. Christopher Barker the herald knows him quite well. His land at Wanstead borders one of the Brooke manors. He was able to provide much information about the family history.’

  ‘But not, I imagine, about Brooke’s more nefarious activities.’

  ‘No, but it was not difficult to make the necessary connections. By the way, I must apologise for some of the things I said on Saturday.’

  ‘You had every reason to be angry. I’m only glad we have discovered the right person now. Presumably you will be arresting him immediately.’

  ‘I’m afraid it’s not that simple. We would have to convince a King’s Bench jury.’

  ‘But we have proof – Holbein’s notes.’

  ‘Brooke will deny them and he will be supported by his extremely powerful accomplices. They will know we can’t produce the artist to back up his testimony.’

  ‘Surely the law is not so stupid!’ I stood up and paced across to the window. ‘It cannot be that all we have been through was in vain.’

  ‘No, we still have the advantage of surprise. Brooke doesn’t know we’ve discovered him.’

  ‘So what is the plan?’

  ‘I haven’t worked that out yet.’

  ‘Well, we don’t have much time. Brooke’s ruffians are increasingly active.’ I told Morice about the latest attacks. ‘They’re obviously seizing men they can frighten into giving false testimony against the archbishop. If they can bring him down they’ll have achieved their objective.’

  ‘I know. And they will also have the support of his grace’s enemies in Canterbury. The anti-Cranmer faction among the senior clergy is becoming more confident. You can sense it. They don’t have the respect for his grace that they should have and they’re beginning to be more open with their criticisms. Germain Gardiner’s visits have become more frequent and he always brings letters from his uncle, the bishop. We have tried to intercept this correspondence, so far without success.’

  I returned to the table and stood, staring down at Morice. ‘Then ’tis becoming a race,’ I suggested, ‘between those intent on discrediting the archbishop and those determined to expose his grace’s enemies. Success will go to those who can present to the king a case that persuades him to take action.’

  ‘His majesty has complete trust in his grace.’ Morice seemed remarkably placid.

  ‘His majesty had complete trust in Thomas Cromwell,’ I said.

  *

  When James returned I prepared to take my leave.

  ‘Dr Legh wants you to stay,’ he said. ‘He says we need to pool our knowledge if we are to draw up a comprehensive list of potential troublemakers.’

  ‘I am loyal to the archbishop,’ I said, ‘and I grant that we must do all we can to protect him from subtle schemers and violent foes. Yet I like not this making of lists, dividing all our neighbours into sheep and goats. A man may be uneasy about some of the changes being made in Church and state without being guilty of treason.’

  Morice nodded. ‘In normal times I would agree with you, Thomas, but these are not normal times. You have seen for yourself the violence of those who oppose us. We are, as his grace has pointed out to you, at war. In war it does not pay to yield a single yard of ground to the enemy. Therefore we have to fight force with force and subtlety with subtlety.’

  ‘In the name of the Gospel?’

  Morice sighed. ‘Even in the name of the Gospel.’

  A heavy step on the stair warned of Legh’s approach. He came in and lowered himself on to a chair, which creaked as he did so. ‘Right, to business, to business. Sir James we will require paper, pens and ink.’

  When these had been supplied, he allocated them to each of us seated round the table.

  ‘We will need two lists,’ he said, ‘one for clergy and one for the leaders of shire society. Please write down the names of everyone who, in your opinion, merits investigation. Be sure not to omit anyone. If you are in doubt set down the name. My questioning will determine who is innocent and who guilty.’

  When we had written down all the names that we could think of, we compared notes and Ralph Morice drew up a master list. It comprised more than twenty parish clergy, gentlemen and townsmen. Legh ran his eyes over the list approvingly. ‘This largely agrees with the catalogue of villainy we have already produced,’ he said. ‘But there are a few more here. Tomorrow I will send for them also. We will make an early start on Saturday. Master Treviot, I look forward to seeing you then.’

  Thus dismissed, I made my way home, saddened by the dividing walls now appearing in our rural society but saddened much more by the fact that events were manoeuvring me into the role of informant against county neighbours I had known for years.

  During my absence Francis Stumgood had arrived. I explained that he would have two more members in his class. ‘I know not what schooling they have had until now,’ I said, ‘but they are intelligent boys and, I think, apt to learn. The elder, Carl, seems mature for his age. His brother is more excitable, energetic, restless. He may need harder discipline. But I counsel you to be easy on them until you have got to know them. These last days have been very hard for them.’

  ‘I will, Master.’ He ran a hand over his thinning hair. ‘As for young Master Raphael, I must first discover what he has remembered – or, perhaps, forgotten – since we last met.’

  ‘I’m afraid you may need to give me a taste of the birch on that account. I have been much away and not kept Raffy at his studies. Anyway, let’s go and find them.’

  The children were in the hall with Adie playing ninepins. An ‘alley’ had been set up by laying benches on their sides. Within this space the rushes had been cleared to make a smooth surface for the wooden balls to roll on. Adie was helping Annie when her turn came. Together they rolled the ball from halfway along the course. The boys, as usual, were locked in noisy competition. Lizzie sat watching and feeding her baby.

  I went over to the players to introduce the teacher. ‘This is Master Stumgood. He will be giving lessons to you boys from now on. You will go to him every morning at seven o’clock and study until noon.’

  The three reluctant pupils pulled long faces.

  The tutor responded with a frown. ‘You must start to be men. That means learning the wisdom written down for us by all the best and wisest men who have lived. You are not infants any more. Infants have nurses. Young men have teachers who can o
pen their minds.’

  I saw the shadow fall across Adie’s face and hastened to introduce her. ‘This is Mistress Imray. She is guardian to Carl and Henry. She fills the gap left by their parents – and she does so admirably.’ I hoped that my words reassured Adie but sadness remained written across her features. Little Henry went over to her and held her hand. He turned and stuck out his tongue at Sturngood. Dear God, I thought, I have enough conflicts to deal with. I don’t need another war in my own household.

  The following morning I looked in briefly on the chamber on the top floor that had been set aside as a schoolroom. Everything seemed in order. The boys were seated on their stools, heads bent over hornbooks. Stumgood was moving between them, checking their work and commenting on their progress. I thought I would suggest later that he did not need to be constantly tapping his leg with his birch.

  I went in search of Adie and found her in her accustomed kitchen corner, sitting alone and doing nothing. ‘Will you walk with me?’ I asked. ‘’Tis a fine morning.’

  She rose without a word and we went out, across the stable yard and over the dew-drenched lawn.

  ‘You must not mind Master Stumgood’s manner,’ I said. ‘He is a scholar. That means he understands books better than people.’

  ‘He has his job to do,’ she replied expressionlessly.

  ‘I don’t want you to think he has taken the boys away from you but he is right that the time has come for them to learn things that you cannot teach them.’

  She sighed. ‘Then there is nothing more I can do for them.’

  ‘That is not true. Boys are not like blank sheets of paper on which teachers simply print Latin texts and arithmetical sums.’

  We were walking on the track that ran from the house to the south gate and had reached the little bridge crossing the stream from which we took our water. It was much swollen after the recent prolonged rains. It had overflowed its banks and tore resentfully at the bridge’s stonework, which forced it into a narrow channel. We paused to gaze down into the swirling current.