THE TRAVELLERS ARRIVED at Theobalds to discover that the two monarchs had moved back to Greenwich, preparatory to Christian's departure for his own Denmark in a few days' time. Lennox pressed on to Court, therefore, to make his report, while his companion delayed for a day in London to deal with his own business problems which had accumulated during his absence.
"When Heriot took boat down the five miles of Thames to Greenwich the day following, it was to discover stirring ongoings at the great palace when he arrived-a tournament, no less. This seemed to be in the nature of a valedictory flourish towards the foreign guests-and London had been ransacked for ancient suits of armour for the contestants, for ah was to be done in true, colourful, medieval style, in the interests of chivalry and honour: or approximately true. The riverside park had been turned into a great tilting-ground, with wooden terracing for the spectators, a gorgeously decorated royal box, with the Lion and Unicorn competing above it and the Danish and Holstein banners alongside. The entire scene was a riot of colour, with striped pavilions and awnings for the great nobles and ambassadors, standards and flags everywhere, the lists adorned with the competitors' coats-of-arms, horse-trappings of striking hues, helmet-plumes, surcoats and heraldic favours, a chromatic spectacle in themselves-so that the ladies, although spectacularly enough clad, could by no means compete with all this male flamboyance. It was a no-expense spared occasion, most evidently-and George Heriot was spoilsport enough to wonder where all the money was to come from this time. How much of his latest twenty thousand Sterling remained? Fortunately the August weather remained excellent
It transpired that even the newly-returned Duke of Lennox had been dragooned into the jousting, along with Ring Christian himself and nobles innumerable. The clash of armoured knights already resounded when Heriot arrived, and almost the first sight to greet him was two unconscious individuals being carried off on biers, one of whom he recognised, behind all the nose-bleed, as a customer of his own, the Earl of Rutland. He hoped that he would not die-for the Earl owed him money. According to bystanders, Rutland had actually been the victor of his joust-but his horse had collapsed under him, with a burst heart, soon after he had unseated his opponent with his lance, and any fall from the saddle, in armour, was apt to knock the encased knight unconscious. These riding horses, or coursers, were totally unsuited for carrying the weight of knight plus almost a hundredweight of steel-plating; but the heavy destriers of the age of chivalry were no longer bred. Heriot thanked his Maker that humble tradesmen, at least, were not expected to make fools of themselves in this fashion. Clearly it was no time to approach King James who, excellent horseman as he was, had more wits than to adventure himself in any uncomfortable suit of iron for others to poke at, preferring to fill the role of judge up in the royal box amongst a bevy of ladies around Anne-who, of course, was Queen of the Tournament. He had, however, donned a special and gorgeous heraldic tabard for the occasion-although it was noted and complained of by many that the Lion Rampant of Scotland was worn to the front, and the Leopards and Tudor Roses of England only at the back.
Heriot found a seat for himself amongst the noisy crowd of courtiers and guests on the timber scaffolding near the entrance to the lists.
There, however, he quickly had had enough-for one joust was very like another, with a trumpet being blown, one high-sounding name shouted in challenge to another, then two colour-fully-caparisoned but totally steel-encased horsemen lumbering heavily towards each other, lances out-thrust, to collide, with a clash and clatter as of kitchen pots tumbling, and one, or both, falling to the grass and being carried off. A little of this went a long way, for those not educated up to it; and Heriot would have slept there and then, in the sun and warmth-for he was still tired from his long journey South-had it not been for the incessant noise, trumpeting, shouting of encouragement and abuse, wagering on the outcomes, squabbles over identities and over non-payment of bets, unhappy horses whinnying, dogs barking and pedlars hawking their sweetmeats, ales and watered wines. One spectator at least wished that he had stayed in London. For some reason, he was not in the mood.
There came a diversion. Four magnificently arrayed knights rode up together to the mouth of the lists, to a tremendous flourish of trumpets, each with a mounted esquire bearing a great banner. It was only the banner with the Stewart blue-and-white fess chequey on gold, surmounted by a ducal coronet, which revealed to Heriot that one of the quartet was his friend Lennox. The Garter King came to announce, through a speaking-trumpet, that these four champions of Christendom Ludovick, Duke of Lennox, Thomas, Earl of Arundel, William, Earl of Pembroke and Philip, Earl of Montgomery, hereby challenged the whole world to deny four chivalric and traditional propositions. One: That in service of a lady no knight has free will. Two: That it is Beauty which maintains the world in valour. Three: That no fair lady was ever false. Four: That none can be perfectly wise but lovers. Let any who would contest such indisputable truths, in the presence of Beauty personified by the Queen's most excellent Majesty, and before these most puissant champions, now declare it-if they dared.
There followed a loud groaning, catcalls, whistles, and stamping, Kings James and Christian leading the racket. Then out from the far end of the arena rode four anonymous knights in wholly black armour, without caparison, heraldry or banners, mounted on coal-black horses. A bellow greeted their appearance -drowned by another blast of trumpets, all deliberate discords and rasping, from black-clad minions. Without a word declared, the four black knights rode forward.
To the cheers of the company, the noble champions dug in their great spurs, and moved to meet them.
It would be good to record that they galloped gallantly to the fray. But alas, that was not possible on horses grossly overburdened, and with riders so stiffly encumbered with metal that they could by no means have stayed in the saddle had they done so. They lumbered out at something less than a canter-and even at that the young Earl of Arundel, perhaps still suffering from his bladder-trouble, swayed about in his saddle alarmingly and twice all but fell off. The older men were better, but none appeared as to the manner born; and Pembroke, who was the oldest and heaviest, fell quite noticeably behind, vehemently as he beat his steel gauntlet on his beast's cloth-of-gold-covered croup. The black knights, in fact, seemed to be rather more effective.
In these circumstances, it was as well perhaps that when the clash came it was theoretical rather than actual Lances crossed and clattered-and one of the blacks had to lean dangerously far over to make contact at all with Arundel. But it was the moral power of good over evil which was so strong that promptly, and all but in unison, all four sinister figures were unseated, to fall to the ground. Admittedly they all managed to land on their feet, before keeling over and lying still-where Arundel and Pembroke almost joined them, as they reined round their staggering steeds. But it was a highly complete and unanimous victory; and as the valiant champions trotted round the perimeter, to pause and raise their lances before the royal box, they were cheered to the echo- despite some of the comments enunciated around George Heriot.
That man moved over to the splendid pavilions from which the noble knights had emerged, and so was able to be close by when Lennox dismounted. The paladin perceived him, and opening his visor with some difficulty, revealed a very red, indeed sweating face.
"Folly!" he spluttered. "Damned foolish bairns'-play! Did ever you see the like? I am sore in every bone. Half my skin rubbed off! Heaven defend us from crazed monarchs!"
"At least you triumphed gloriously-and in upright posture!" his friend commented gravely. "You appeared very handsome-in especial with your visor closed. You would seem to fill your armour nicely, my lord Duke!"
"It is not my armour-that is part the trouble. It was made for some walking deformity, I swear! Nothing fits, or bends, where it should. As bad as the rack, the boot and the thumbikins combined! To provide sport for fools!"
"Hush-that verges on treason I And have I not heard you glorifying knighthood and chivalry? And berating the King for debasing it?"
"Knighthood! This rattling about like loose peas in an iron pod has Little to do with knighthood and chivalry, man. It is mummery, play-acting. I refused to take part, until fames commanded me. He is not so daft, you will note!"
"His Majesty indulges in daftness by proxy! Have you spoken with him yet? As to our mission, our findings?"
"Only the briefest I have not seen him alone. He says that it is you he sent North. I was but a ducal appendage. You it is must report." "When?"
"God knows! I will tell him that you are here, now, to be sure. There is another of these deplorable banquets tonight. And tomorrow a review of ships, if you please! Off Chatham. Slaistering about in boats and barges, eating in tarry, smelly bottoms! As Lord Admiral of Scotland, for my sins, I must be present. I know not a forecastle from a poop!"
More trumpets, loud and prolonged, interrupted the Duke, and cursing, he went stamping and clanking off to receive some sort of chaplet from the Queen of the Tournament, whilst Heriot returned to his seat, to watch King Christian himself, resplendent in bright blue armour, and young Prince Henry in pure white, ride a circuit of the ring, and then seek to pick up on their lance points a wreath-like favour of flowers sent down by Anne. Neither came within inches of achieving this, until attendants set it up on edge, supported by a pair of then caps-whereupon both royal contestants managed to spear it simultaneously, and bore it in triumph between them to the royal box, to the hearty applause of all, Christian hooting hollowly from within his helm.
This seemed to represent the climax of the day, and fames was prompt in leading the way back to his palace.
Heriot discovered no provision made for his reception, but as usual, found accommodation in Duke Ludovick's quarters, even huge Greenwich Palace being packed to the doors.
No royal audience was forthcoming that evening, although Heriot saw James looking directly at him during the interminable feast, with its innumerable courses and relays of entertainment- jugglers, tumblers, dancing-bears, wrestlers and the like. It was not that the King was too deeply involved with his principal guests to have time for a word with his man-of-business-for King Christian was asleep by half-way through the banquet and was in due course carried ceremoniously to bed; and Queen Anne retired early from the scene. Heriot would have liked to have an interview with the Queen also-but recognised that it was necessary to see her husband first.
Later, Lennox came down to declare that James was evidently playing some game of his own. He had ignored suggestions that he should see Heriot and himself that night, but at the last moment had commanded that his goldsmith should accompany them on the river excursion the next day-and to bring what he had called a kist of geegaws with him, for gifts. This news caused not a little upset-for of course, Heriot did not travel around with a supply of such heavy and expensive toys, and had, in consequence, there and then, to set off up-river for London again, in a royal barge, to the disgust of the watermen and a general fraying of tempers. It was two a.m. before that much-tried jeweller reached his premises at the Exchange-and thereafter had much difficulty in rousing his foreman, who slept above the shop and office, to open up, all to the grave offence of sundry disturbed neighbours and the suspicions of the Watch. It was breakfast-time before he got back to Greenwich with the jewellery- although King James, with Lennox and some others of his un-enthusiastic courtiers, was already out hawking for herons in the Thames-side marshes. They would sail two hours before noon, for Chatham, he was informed-and he repaired for the hour or so to the Duke's bed, commiserating with himself on the disadvantages of being a close servant of Christ's Vice-Regent here on earth. He was but little rested when Lennox stormed in, to change, in a flood of new cursings, from his hunting-rig into something more suitable for a naval review. Not that James himself would bother to change, but he certainly would expect others to do so. The Duke was already pining for Scotland. All he wanted was to be a simple country laird at Methven. His friend sympathised, but tersely.
Almost an hour late, a string of royal barges, highly decorated and with coloured awnings, flags and bunting, some full of busy musicians, and towing huge artificial swans and whales crewed by scantily-dressed maidens and youths, set off on the twenty-mile voyage down-river-for Rochester, surprisingly, where there was a cathedral service, for some unexplained reason; whereat James interrupted the proceedings to declare that this great kirk had been built out of the stricken consciences of the English of the thirteenth century, on account of a good Scot being murdered here, St. William of Perth, a decent baker, on his way to the Holy Land in pilgrimage-a matter for the moral musings of all. A little later he complained loudly that there were bat-droppings falling from the roof on his royal head, and so clapped on his high hat in consequence, keeping it on thereafter. The Bishop was much distressed, but was not permitted to absent himself from the further proceedings.
Thereafter, the two monarchs hurried out to cannon-fire from the line of Elizabethan forts flanking the dockyard, an employment after James's own heart-so much so that the entire review was held up for another unscheduled hour while the monarchs rivalled each other in applying fuses and matches, and continuous explosions shook land and water, and deafened courtiers and citizens clutched their ears. Even Christian looked slightly wan before eventually they ran out of powder-James, of course, having had the foresight to bring ear-plugs along for himself.
Relief thereafter was very brief, for as they rowed out into the Medway the entire fleet opened up with incessant salvoes, and thereafter it was gunfire, at close quarters, for the entire day, the ships seemingly having an inexhaustible supply of saltpetre; and the inspection was accomplished up and down the lanes of Elizabeth's vaunted navy amidst clouds of billowing, choking smoke, ht by orange flashes and a noise as of the end of the dispensation. Queen Anne and certain of her ladies had a form of hysterics and James, berating them with apt Latin apologues, had weak women and bubbling bairns-for the Princess Elizabeth and little Prince Charles were in tears-transferred to another barge and taken to the flagship Elizabeth moored at a pontoon bridge from the dockyard, where eventually there would be the necessary banquet The bombardment continued.
George Heriot’s was not the only sore head and short temper when, at last he climbed wearily aboard the said flagship, with his box of trinkets. But James was in high spirits and good humour-so much so that he knighted several naval captains on the deck, without so much as an enquiry into their financial capabilities-Lennox growled, presumably the ones who had made the loudest bangs.
The repast which followed was held in a kind of silken saloon on deck, under a vast awning with cloth-of-gold hangings-for no cabin could have contained a tenth of the company. To counter the smells of tar, bilge-water, smoke and gunpowder, the area was sprayed with perfume for the ladies; but the Queen nevertheless excused herself, and remained below. There was a suitably nautical flavour to the feast, with many kinds of shellfish, including Rochester oysters with a pearl inserted for each guest; lobsters, some cooked but others still alive and waving their claws on the tables, giant sturgeon cooked in a piece, whitebait in wine, steaks of seal-very tough-roasted swans, and a life-sized mermaid sweetmeat, sculped in icing, each of the monarchs getting a breast. Christian who ate all set before him, declared that his navy was never fed so. Before the serious drinking started, James bestowed farewell gifts from Heriot's box on all the Danish party, and sundry others, rings, bracelets, medallions, necklaces and choice pearls, indiscriminately. King Christian, now very drunk, hiccupped that he would beat that on the morrow,
Since the evening's entertainment seemed to be interminable, and Heriot had neither royal permission nor means to leave the ship, he presently found his yawning way below, eventually discovered a cabin of sorts not occupied by love-makers of one kind or another, and flung himself down to sleep-if his aching head would let him. And there he was, at some stage of the night, roused by the Duke of Lennox, summoned to attend forthwith on his liege lord. Protests, grumbles and mutinous threats availed nothing-the King's command was imperious and immediate.
The Duke led his disgruntled friend to the captain's cabin, amidst scenes of some disorder, where they found James preparing for bed, being assisted out of his clothing by the Earl of Dunbar, recently Sir George Home, and Viscount Haddington who had been Sir John Ramsay, two old and tried favourites who could drink beaker for beaker with their monarch-despite the fact that the new Viscount was still only twenty-three. Disrobing in public never worried James.
"Ha-Geordie!" he greeted, wagging a minatory finger. "There you are, then. Where ha' you been hiding yoursel', man? Wenching in some bit corner, I'll be bound. A man o' your years should be fell ashamed!" The King chuckled, and made rude signs with his fingers. Heriot's bow was curt, and he made no reply.
James cocked a lustrous eye at him. "Eh-so that's the way o' it, is it? Jinglin' Geordie Heriot has no word o' greeting for his liege-nor yet for his auld gossip Jamie Stewart, forby! That's no' right and suitable, man. Is it, my friends?" The two courtiers made the required noises.
Heriot spoke through tight lips. 'Your Majesty no doubt has more important matters to disclose to me than the state of my manners. To have roused me from sleep at this hour of the night."
"Hech, hech-hoity-toity! Hear you that, Doddie Home? And you, Johnnie? Frae an Edinburgh goldsmith!" "Insolent, Sire," Dunbar averred.
"Your Majesty has all along been over-kind to this upjumped usurer!" Ramsay, who had never got on with Heriot, said.
"Maybe, maybe. You think so, Johnnie? What do you say, Vicky? Hae I been at fault wi' Geordie Heriot?"
"If you have, Sire, it is not in being over-kind to him!" the Duke gave back. 'Your Majesty knows a deal better than Ramsay does what you owe, what we all owe, what the realm owes, to Master Heriot." That man coughed. He was grateful to his friend-but this harping on debts and owing was scarcely calculated to improve the situation. "I am sorry, She, if you consider me lacking in proper respect," he said. "You know that my duty and regard for Your Majesty is of old standing, and has always been of the greatest. If I am less forthcoming than sometimes, it may be because I am but new wakened from sleep…" "Sleep, heh? You weary o' our royal bounty and hospitality, Geordie? We feed and wine and entertain you right royally, and then you go hiding awa' and sleeping, before we oursel’ hae retired. And waken crabbit as a bear! Shame on you, man!"
"That is one way to describe my case, Highness. Another would be to point out that I have been on a long and tiring journey to Scotland and back, on Your Majesty's affairs, and returned to much labour, having to remain in London overnight to deal with my own affairs. Then hasten down to Greenwich, only to be sent back to London overnight to obtain gifts for Your Majesty's bestowal, so that I lost another night's sleep. And have all this day been all but deafened by cannon-fire on shipboard. If I am weary, Sire, it is in your service."
"My heart bleeds for you!" James observed. "But where were you, man, twa nights ago? Vicky here managed to win back to his sovereign lord's side, and his duty-but no' Geordie Heriot."
"My lord Duke does not have the oversight of a trade and business of much weight and complexity, She-a trade which, though humble, enables Your Majesty to entertain me, my lords here, and the King of Denmark, thus!"
The monarch, now in a state of complete nudity save for his hat -from which he was always loth to part-narrowed his great eyes, drew a deep breath-and then burst into hooting laughter.
"Sakes-guid for you, Geordie!" he cried. "A right stout answer. Aye-audaces fortuna juvat timidosque repellit, eh? Did you hear that, Johnnie? Frae your upjumped usurer? Tak note-as an upjumped viscount! Ah, weel, Geordie-if that’s the way o' it, it becomes us to mak the best o' it while you are wi' us- and be gratefu', eh? What hae you to tell me, then? Out wi' it."
Heriot frowned. "She-what I have to say, relative to the business you sent us on, is highly personal to your royal self." And he looked meaningly at Dunbar and Haddington. "No' suitable for the ears o' these friends o' mine, Geordie?" James asked, being eased into a bed-robe. "No, Sire," the other said firmly.
"So be it Off wi' you, then," the King ordered, waving his hands in shooing gesture to the others. "Master Usurer, here, doesna cherish your company, my lords. But you'll let our Vicky stay, Geordie-will you no'?" Looking daggers, the earl and viscount withdrew.
"Aye, now-we'll have it," James said, in a different voice, as the door closed. He sat down on the bunk bed.
"Yes, Sire. I do not know how much my lord Duke has told you. But, to be brief, we discovered the reason and terms of the Master of Gray's claim upon you. And the steps to take to come to a suitable arrangement, on Your Majesty's behalf. As instructed."
"You did, did you!" James looked wary. "Suitable, eh? How suitable?"
"Twenty thousand pounds Scots, Sire. To be found for the Master by a special commission of judges, sitting in private. No open trial." James licked thick lips, and did not speak.
"We strongly advise that you agree such a settlement, Sire. For your own advantage. As does the Lord Advocate Hamilton, and the Chancellor."
'You say so? When I desire the advice o' my Advocate and my Chancellor I'll spier at them," the King declared. "I didna send you up to Scotland to collogue wi' them."
"We were in some doubt, James, as to what you did send us up for!" the Duke put in, grimly. "It was less than clear."
"You speak when you're spoken to, Vicky Lennox! And you, Geordie Heriot, tell me why I should pay twenty thousand pounds to that fell Patrick Gray?"
"Because, Sire, it appears that you lawfully owe him the moneys. And if you do not pay it, he will make public much which would serve your present case very ill. About the proposed Danish troops to invade England from Scotland when Queen Elizabeth was ill-which was what the money was for, was it not? Parliament, the English parliament, would not like to hear of that Oh, perhaps, would like it, to your cost I"
The monarch fiddled amongst his private parts. 'Twenty thousand pounds is a lot o' siller," he said. "Less than half what Gray is asking." 'This is mail, just-blackmail, man Geordie."
Heriot and Lennox exchanged glances. The first waited for his friend to speak-but when he did not do so, coughed, and went on. "I fear that there is more blackmail than that, Sire."
"Eh?" The look shot at him was sharp, calculating, vigilant. "You say so? Gray?" "Not… yet! No, Sire – the Earl of Orkney."
A long sigh escaped from the none so slack royal lips. "So-o-o! You've been right busy, eh? Wheaseling oot a foul, stinking commerce! The evil nundinations o' lying men!"
"Was not that what you sent us to do, Sire? That you might be freed from their toils?"
James did not answer that directly. He considered his unwashed person thoughtfully for a space-and then looked up. "What hae you discovered?"
"That Logan of Restalrig is dead-died in poverty, strangely. That the Master and the Lord Home, cousins, are amongst his heirs general-and likely to cause trouble. That the ill-spoken-of Casket Letters of the Queen, your royal mother, were at some time delivered by Logan to the Lord Robert Stewart, late Earl of Orkney, and are now in his son Patrick's possession. That Earl Patrick is now in dire need of money, much money-and the Master of Gray has learned of the Letters, and is seeking to buy them. Hence requires this old debt of Your Majesty's repaid."
"Aye." Clearly none of this was unknown to James Stewart 'Filthy, stinking commerce, as I said. And you'd hae me to pay, man?"
"Yes, Sire. Weighing the bad against the worse, yes. It will be no new thing, I think? To pay? "
"That is as may be. You believe I'd do better wi' Patrick Gray than Patrick Stewart?"
"I… I think so, Sire. Gray would not wish to bring down the Crown-although he might wish to change the wearer! Stewart might!"
"That is my opinion, James," Lennox said, "And Dunfermline's." 'He kens o' this? You told Seton, man…?" "He knew of it From… other sources. And, of course, much else." "Much else? What?"
Lennox hesitated. "Of more stinking commerce, James. Which you may, or may not, know of. Concerning Logan. And his poverty. A rich man, if a rogue-and suddenly poor. His estates sold. Sold, She, to friends of yours. Last year. To George Home, who has just left us-Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, as you have made him. He bought Fast Castle and Flemington. But did not pay for them-or fifteen thousand merks of the price. And James Elphinstone, Lord Balmerino, your Chief Secretary of State, bought Restalrig and Gunsgreen. And still owes eighteen thousand merks. Why should Logan sell all his patrimony? To your ministers? And not be paid for it? There was more blackmail than one going on in Scotland!"
"You tell me that, Vicky? Bad. Aye, bad. Unsuitable. Shame-fu', even. But no concern o' mine, mind. I'll hae a bit word wi' Doddie Home."
"I suggest, James, that a word will scarce be enough! As you heard, Patrick Gray and the Lord Home, George Home's cousin, are amongst Logan's heirs. They make an ill pair to tangle with. They are going to want that money-and any more amissing likewise. Or know why not. And, it is likely, shout aloud until they get it! Not pleasing, for two so close to yourself, your ministers."
"You're no' suggesting, Vicky Lennox, that I had a hand in this?" "I did not suggest that, Sire," his cousin said carefully.
"As well, man-as well" James was up, hobbling about the wooden decking on his bare feet "But… see you now. A man forfeit in law has no rights in law. Is that no' a fact? And if no rights, then no credit. Debts wouldna need to be repaid to him. Or his heirs." "But Logan was not forfeit in law when he died." "No-o-o. But he could still be tried. For yon ill Gowrie business. And found guilty-as he was, you may be sure. And so forfeited. Is that not so?"
"Lord!" Lennox whispered. 'Try a dead man? And forfeit him thereafter? To save… your friends money"
"Why not? He was a scoundrel, yon Logan, and well deserves it! I've been keeping my eye on his attorney. Another ill rogue. A notary o' Eyemouth, one George Sprott Up to the neck in Logan's villainies. He'll serve us nicely. We'll squeeze Master Sprott-and Logan, late o' Restalrig, wi' him. And see justice done-and save a bit siller"
"Then… then you knew of all this! You knew of this man Sprott Nothing of it all came unknown to you?"
"I ken a wheen things going on in Scotland, although I'm no' there in my royal person, Vicky. Ooh, aye-I'm still King o' Scots. And no' so blate as some folks reckon." His cousin could find no words.
Heriot could. "Sire-it seems that little or nothing which we have told you is news to you. But it makes ill telling, ill hearing. It but confirms what we saw and learned-that matters are in a poor way in Scotland. The country is, in fact, ill governed. My lord of Dunfermline is a good man enough, but not strong. And I fear there are rogues about him. You said, when you left to come South, that you would return at least every three years. It is now three years since 1603. I believe that you should return to your own country. For a space. Let men see that it still has a King. Put matters to rights. My lord Duke and I are in agreement that this is very necessary." "Yes, indeed," Lennox substantiated.
"You are, eh? In your wisdom, you agree, the pair 0' you? To teach me my God-appointed task and duty! Right fortunate I am I But, see you, I've got a wheen wits o' my ain. And twa Privy Councils to advise me, forby. I ken the state Scotland is in. And meantime, I prefer to govern it frae here. Aye, frae here. By your leave! Yon's an unchancy realm, wi' ower many rogues in it, lawless rogues such as I've had to deal wi' all my days I had my bellyfu' o' them, waesucks! I'll deal wi' them through others, now, see you. And if some 0' the dealers I maun use are rogues too-well, Scotland's a great place for the like. And they can maybe best deal wi' their ain kind. Forby, the English need my presence here yet awhile-aye they do so. I'll return to Scotland in my ain time, Geordie Heriot"
"As you say, Sire. Forgive me if I seemed to take a liberty. But we saw many signs of misgovernment there. And your ministers scarcely in good control."
"Aweel-Vicky at least will hae the opportunity to put that to rights," the King declared, chuckling suddenly. "For he's going right back to Scotland, forthwith. My royal representative, wi' ample powers to disrogue the rogues. I've called a parliament, see you-a meeting o' the Estates. Moreover, for your especial convenience, Vicky, I've called it for Perth. So that you can bide wi' your bit whoor, Mary Gray, at yon Methvenl Aye-you will open and preside ower the parliament, as my viceroy, Cousin, and guide it to good decisions, guide it well." Lennox began to speak, but thought better of it
"Mind, you'll hae some help in the matter, forby Seton and Elphinstone and the others. Doddie Home will go up wi' you, to lead the debates on this matter o' bishops. So you can see he pays his just debts, eh? And Elphinstone too. It should be a right righteous and reforming parliament, wi' Vicky Stewart in the chair-for you'll likewise hae the comfort and support o' a wheen bishops and twa archbishops I've made. The Lords SpirituaL As is right and proper."
"Bishops…?" Lennox repeated. "How, bishops? There are no bishops in Scotland now-at least, none who rule as such. No bishops have sat in the Scots parliament for forty years and more." "But they will, frae now on, man. In my united kingdoms of Great Britain shall I have Lords Spiritual in England and no' in Scotland? Am I no' head o' both kirk and state in both, and my powers and rights no' to be limited by a wheen arrogant presbyters and so-called divines? Bishops will be restored in Scotland forthwith, as the proper leaders o' Christ's flock, for whom I deputise here on earth. And this parliament which you will preside ower will establish it. Dinna stand there shaking your head, man-this is my royal will, edict and command. I hae appointed the said archbishops and bishops, and they will attend the said parliament. To be sure, you'll find them a right help in your worthy efforts to improve the state o' my auld realm o' Scotland!"
While his hearers digested that, the monarch climbed into his bunk, as an indication that the audience was all but over.
"To say that you surprise me, Sire, scarce meets the case," the Duke got out, after a pause. "The wisdom of this policy is highly doubtful, I think."
"The wisdom o' my policies is for my decision, no' yours, Vicky Stewart. And God be thankit for that! Now-awa to your beds. We've a lang and busy day ahead o' us the morn, wi' yon Christian awa at last, praise be. And Geordie is fair yawning his heid off!" "Do I go North again with my lord Duke?" that man enquired.
"Na, na-you do not You've got the oversight o' weighty trade and business you'll mind, on which so muckle depends-which Vicky hasna! You'll bide in London. But, nae doubt Vicky will carry a bit letter for you to the lassie Primrose!" "We are betrothed to wed, Sire."
"Hech-you are? Waesucks-she's catched you then! Och, but you could do worse, man Geordie. Much worse. I'll maybe come to your wedding! But-watch you yon wee Primrose man. He'll mak an unchancy gudesire, I'm thinking, him!"
"I thank Your Majesty for your interest But the wedding will not be for a year or so. Alison is young, yet"
"Is that a fact? You're no' that hot, then! Why wait? For she's ready, that one-ooh aye, she's ready. I've watched her. But -maybe you're getting a' you want without the waiting? Eh, Jinglin' Geordie?"
"Sire, Mistress Primrose is a young woman of virtue and honour…"
"To be sure-they a' are! When it comes to marriage. And so is Mistress Gray, eh, Vicky? Oh, I agree, I agree-but varium et mutabile semper fcmina! Mind, I'm no sure my Annie is going to like this, Geordie."
"I see no reason why not, Sire," Heriot said stiffly. "Alison has served Her Majesty well and faithfully. The business of her dismissal was ill-judged, unkindly done. We know now why…"
"You do, heh? Then that's mair than I do. Why, man? What was at the back o' yon stramash?"
The other cleared his throat "It is a difficult matter to speak of, Sire. But we believe that the Queen has also been paying this blackmail to the Earl of Orkney-whether with Your Majesty's knowledge, or without"
"Ooh, aye-you believe so? Go on," the King said, non-committally.
"She has been forced to give the Earl jewels. Presumably to buy his silence. Over these unhappy Letters, we do presume. When Margaret Hartside brought those pieces to me, to sell, Her Majesty believed she was acting for the Earl-which she was not Mistress Hartside is secretly wed to Buchanan of Scotscraig, who was your Almoner and is one of the Earl's gentlemen. He gave her these jewels, saying that they were a gift from his master. To sell them for him, Buchanan. That they might set up house in Orkney."
"Maybe aye, and maybe hooch-aye!" the monarch observed. "I commend your simple faith in the lassies, Geordie! I kent o' the marriage-but I didna let on to Annie. Yon Buchanan had his uses! But the bringing o' the gewgaws to you was fell stupid! Annie couldna do otherwise than she did."
"Her Majesty wrongfully punished two innocent young women."
The King leered at him. "You think so? Och, awa to your bed, man. You are a right bairn in some matters, Geordie Heriot! And yet you presume to advise me, the King, on how to deal wi' my subjects! Forget the whole business, man."
"I would wish to speak with the Queen on the subject, Sire, before I do," the other said stubbornly. "Have I your permission?"
"No, you havena! You will say nothing more o' this. I will hae a bit word wi' her, mysel'. Now-be off. You did nane so badly up in Scotland, the pair o' you-but there's a lot you dinna ken, nor are like to ken. Aye-and Vicky, when you go North, you can agree that twenty thousand pounds Scots for the limmer Patrick Gray. But no' a plack mair, mind. Begone, then-and a guid night to you both. What's left o' it "
The next day's activities were to centre on Gravesend, where the Lord Mayor, aldermen and city company representatives of London came down to bid farewell to the Danish monarch whose squadron of ships was brought up-river thus far to anchor. Great play was made by the city deputation, in lengthy speeches, on the fact that it was from Gravesend, considered to be the seaward limit of the Port of London, that many illustrious sailors had ventured forth in the past, Willoughby, Frobisher and so on. All this, and the prodigal present-giving from Christian which followed, took much longer than James at least found suitable; and by the time that the royal party embarked to be rowed out to the Danish flagship, The Three Crowns, amidst more cannonading. His Britannic Majesty's patience had worn very thin. Farewells, he indicated, in a loud whisper, could be over-extended. George Heriot still accompanied his royal master, although his box was now nearly empty.
On the Danish ship there was to be another banquet; and Christian, probably realising that if he delayed until the meal was over, or even well-established, he would almost certainly be in no state to present anything, plunged straight into present-giving. Every one of James's gentlemen, like the foreign ambassadors, got a jewel-even Heriot found himself the recipient of a handsome ring, not gilded this one, with a strange coat-of-arms. There followed the gifts to his hosts, his sister, her husband and their son, the Prince Henry. Anne was presented with a smacking kiss, and Christian's portrait set in diamonds, a princely gift indeed. James was delighted to get a copper cannon, especially cast in Helsingborg in Sweden, and bearing the British royal arms-and nothing would do but that it should be tried out there and then, powder produced and the gun fired, not once but many times. Happily for the less enthusiastic, practically all the flagship's gunpowder had been expended the day before, otherwise Prince Henry might have had to wait a long time before getting his gift. The Danish monarch had taken a great fancy to his nephew, and now displayed the scale of his affection in truly majestic fashion. Apparently the boy, asked earlier what he most desired in all the world, had declared that he would like a boat ah of his own. And now his Uncle Christian took Henry's shoulder and pointed to a full-rigged naval sloop-of-war, moored next to the flagship, one of the Danish squadron. It was his, he shouted, bellowing his laughter and beating his nephew almost to the deck with avuncular affection, all his own, with all its crew, all its armament, ammunition, equipment and furnishings, down to the ship's cat At least, that is what he seemed to be declaring, for Christian's English was uncertain. Utterly overwhelmed, the boy could only stare open-mouthed, wordless-and try to remain upright i
Over the side they all went again, necessarily, to go inspect this astonishing gift, Anne distinctly tight-lipped and disapproving, forseeing all sorts of complications and disasters hereafter, and even James somewhat put out. He had been very pleased with his cannon, admittedly-but this sloop for his son had, he counted, eighteen cannon, and was in fact a more modern warship than any he could show in the fleet inherited from Elizabeth. Moderation, he muttered to Ludovick of Lennox as they were rowed out, moderation was in all things most necessar'. Christian and Henry, however, were in transports of enthusiasm.
The sloop, thereafter, was explored from stem to stem, above and below decks, forecastle and quarter-galleries, such as no English vessel boasted, displayed and explained, and the officers introduced to their new young master. All this took a long time, and King James, very much supernumerary, grew ever more fretful and disgruntled. He was, of course, hungry as well as slightly put out, and he feared that the banquet back on the flagship would be ruined. Christian was impervious to all hints. James therefore summoned his Lord High Admiral, who seemed to be the right man for the occasion, and ordered him to do something, anything, to get them off this wretched sloop.
Charles, formerly Lord Howard of Effingham, now Earl of Nottingham, who had outfaced Ehzabeth Tudor on more than one occasion, to say nothing of defeating the Spanish Armada, was not the man to be diffident with monarchs, especially foreign ones. A crusty old sea-dog, he had already lost all patience with the proceedings, and was only too glad to go up to Christian, tap him on the shoulder and tell him that it was time that they returned to the flagship for the meal, otherwise they would miss the four o'clock tide to get back into Gravesend. King Christian was not interested in getting into Gravesend; he was concerned with showing his favourite nephew this ship-and said so. The Admiral was so bold as to insist, under the eye of his own monarch Knowing that the Dane's English was doubtful, he shouted-in typical British fashion, with wretched foreigners-emphasising that four o'clock tide. Christian at least got the four o'clock bit, and delving into a capacious pocket, produced the fine round, gold watch which had been James's present to him, via George Heriot It said two o'clock. Grinning widely, the Dane raised two fingers of his right hand, in a distinctly rude gesture, and continuing with the upward movement, brought the fingers up to his royal forehead, where he wiggled them at the Lord Admiral, hooting his accustomed laughter.
It was unfortunate perhaps that Nottingham, tough as he was, was nevertheless particularly thin-skinned over only one matter -the fact that he had fairly recently married, at the age of seventy, a new wife young enough to be his grand-daughter; and the Countess was not only exceedingly good-looking but of a renowned generosity of nature. He took Christian's waving fingers to represent horns. Queen Anne's tinkling laughter nearby-she did not like the Countess of Nottingham-did not help matters. The Admiral exploded into nautical language, and shook his gnarled fist in the monarch's face.
James looked in the other direction and declared plaintively that he wanted his dinner.
Lennox and other courtiers rushed to come between Nottingham and King Christian-who appeared to be more astonished than outraged. All perceived now that a prompt move back to The Three Crowns was probably advisable, James leading the way down into the barges, despite his usual horror of water. Prince Henry pleaded to be left behind with his new acquisition-but his mother Galled him smartly back to her side.
The banquet on the Danish flagship thereafter was less than usually successful. A Certain preoccupation was evident all round, with tensions, both on the deck and in the cabin. Christian himself was probably the least affected-of course, with the flagon his unfailing consolation. James brought matters to an abrupt close by again referring to the four o'clock tide, pointing out that his admirals assured him that if they let the ebb get too well established, the royal barges would be stuck in the mud off Gravesend. This got the Queen quickly to her feet, as it was intended to do; and though Christian protested that he had a fine fireworks display arranged for dusk, and that therefore all should pass the night on board, his brother-in-law, for once supported by Anne, declared that they had had enough of ships and bunks and water, and that he, for one, intended to sleep secure in Greenwich that night Besides, the Danish squadron was to sail at first light, and that was an unchancy time for leave-taking.
So the fireworks were let off there and then, in very hurried and abortive fashion, and not even the ebullient Dane could raise much enthusiasm over what was inevitably something of a damp squib, with rockets pale in the sunshine and bangs much less satisfactory than real cannon-fire.
With the tide ebbing inexorably and James becoming agitated, things were rounded off at speed, and a distinctly final farewell taken of the Danish guests, Christian looking bewildered as to why and where his splendid leave-taking day had gone wrong. James, as a final gesture, handed over what remained in George Heriot's box for his brother-in-law to distribute to any of his people who might have been missed out patting his fellow-monarch on the shoulder. Then he was hurrying down the steeply-sloping gangway to his barge, when abruptly the proximity of the sea below him seemed to strike him, and he waited until watermen came up to conduct him safely down, the while calling his Maker to preserve him from the perils of the deep. Anne, a sea-king's daughter, laughed unkindly, but was not far behind. Only young Henry lingered, and had to be brought off in the last barge, by Lennox, along with the servitors and other nonentities, tears in his eyes at losing his new hero and kindred spirit. Christian wept too.
Heriot was also in the last barge, his usefulness now over for the time-being.
"Thank God that's all by with!" Lennox confided to his friend, in a corner of the barge. "Christian is all very well, but his visit has gone on for too long. I, for one, am exhausted. As are you, I swear. Not to mention our liege lord."
"No doubt," the other agreed. "But it is not our exhaustion, nor yet the King's, which concerns me so much as the exhaustion of the Exchequer! Funds, siller, pounds Sterling. This visit has cost a mint of money-and where it is all to come from, even to pay me back my share, the Lord knows. Eyen at the end there, King James threw away three-hundred pounds and more, in jewels. For nothing. The folly of it!"
"At least he got a whole ship in return-and that's worth a deal, I'd say! Have you ever seen the like? They say it cost twenty-five thousand pounds just to build that ship. What worth is a sloop-of-war, manned, armed and provisioned?"
"Worth little or nothing to a king who does not go to war I" Heriot asserted. "He can scarcely sell it-and parliament will not give him money in exchange for an addition to the realm's navy, I think. Besides, it is the Prince's ship-whatever he can find to do with it! I am interested in hard money, gold, silver, jewels-not ships and cannon. I am, to be sure, a tradesman and huckster, and no nobleman with a mind above such things!"
The Duke grinned. "Spoken like Geordie Heriot and none other! But you need not concern yourself overmuch about James's purse now, my friend-nor your loans to him. He told me, while we were waiting on yon ship, that he has won part of his battle with parliament-the English parliament. They have agreed to grant him four hundred thousand pounds immediately, for his personal expenditure-although they refuse to give him a fixed annual income in return for his surrender of his feudal dues. In exchange for the four hundred thousand pounds, they claim that he may no longer levy customs duties personally but must hand all such over to parliament-although the judges declare that he is entitled to do this, in law. So you ought to get your money back now, Geordie, never fear." Lennox sighed. "Would that my problems were as nearly solved."
"You think mine solved? I have yet to get the money out of the King's pocket And if parliament is to take to itself customs duties, than I lose the customs of Harwich haven which James granted me before we went to Scotland. I have been arranging their efficient collection-at cost to myself. The Lord giveth- perhaps-and the Lord taketh away, certainly! Blessed be the name of the Lord " Heriot smiled then, at his friend, for the first time for a while. "Forgive me, Vicky-I am a gloomy dog these days. And selfish. I am finding it hard to be so far away from my Alison. To be denied… what my being longs for. Yet you, I know well, are likewise so denied. I ask your pardon."
"Aye, Geordie-we are a sorry pair! For our ladies to shake their fair heads over 1 At least I shall be seeing mine soon again. And I shall require all Mary's wits and good offices to get me through this parliament at Perth, I fear. I am not happy about this imposition of bishops that James is set on. For myself, I care not whether we have bishops or presbyters or the Pope himself! But can you see Scotland lying down to this? Even though James has prepared the way, it seems." "He has?"
"Oh, yes, James is cunning. He has been whining over this lord and that, giving his bishoprics to carefully chosen folk Aye, and setting Glasgow against St Andrews, Aberdeen against Brechin, and the like."
"He will not win over Andrew Melville and his like-minded friends, for all that"
"Ha-but here is more of his cunning. He has summoned Melville, and six others of the most prominent, of the Kirk party, down here to London. A royal command. To explain to him their views. So that they will not be there to rouse the parliament. If they refuse to come, he can banish them. Possibly he hopes for that. Either way, he gains. You must agree, for a fool, he is not backward at getting his own way!"
"Who says James Stewart is a fool? Never George Heriot- only those who look on the surface, do not truly know the man. As he says himself, he's nane so Mate and kens what's what. And that, I think, is putting it modestly. I find him a sore trial, yes-but, by God, I prefer to be his friend than his enemy! If sometimes, foolishly, I forget it"