The King’s Banquet Read online

  The King's Banquet

  Derek Gorman

  Copyright © 2020 Derek Gorman

  All rights reserved

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

  For my loving soul mate

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  PREFACE

  I

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  II

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  III

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  PREFACE

  Based on Actual Events. What does that mean? It’s a phrase often used by Hollywood, with differing interpretations. At one extreme it might mean that a King James VI existed in the 16th Century, and that’s all. You’ll be pleased to read that I’ve taken a stricter interpretation, and it has taken me a year of research to prepare this historical fiction based novel. In fact, this could probably never be made into a Hollywood film as they would edit and cut it too much; “remove the smoking”, “why are they eating so much sugar!” or “do we really have to have him murder his mother in chapter one? That’s a bit of a downer.” but I care too much about accuracy and facts to let that happen - well, maybe an indie film is a happy compromise further down the line.

  So what is true in this novel? Well, the characters that you will read about all existed, as did their back stories. Some of what you will read about will seem pure fiction but the characters have been chosen for their interesting lives so rest assured that those backstories really happened. Their character traits, where historically possible, have also been crafted to be as accurate as possible. Political events of the day are true. The events in this novel centre around one night at Knockhall Castle - that night is documented as having happened - although we don’t have details of the exact attendance and what events unfolded.

  The payback from this novel is that while the events at the Castle are fictional - the ending is completely true. The lives that the characters end up living, the decisions & impacts that King James VI takes later on in his life, as well as the impacts on ordinary citizens are all real. I have crafted the events of the night in question in such a way to link it to the real outcomes that happened in history. And thus, this historical fiction novel based on actual events was born.

  If you end up enjoying this novel, then leaving a review on Amazon is the best way to help me and show that you appreciated the amount of research and time this novel took to write. A follow up will also be in the pipeline based on a different historical time period. At the end of this novel if you would like to see photos and potraits of the people, places, and events that occurred then please visit my website www.derekgorman.com. Now sit back and step back in time to 1589...

  I

  Before the Banquet

  CHAPTER ONE

  JUNE 1589

  One Month Before the Night in Question

  It was a tense time in Scotland. Peace with England had been brokered three years earlier, but not all were in favour of closer ties with the ‘old enemy’. Especially given the recent disaster of the English Armada. The more well-known Spanish Armada took place a year earlier and was an attempted invasion of England by the Spanish. They were soundly defeated by the English. Although, it was actually the Scottish that delivered victory given that the Spanish Armada ran into trouble on the rough Scottish seas and sank on the rocks. Boosted by this victory, Elizabeth I launched the English Armada to invade Portugal. King James cajoled Scottish businessmen to invest in this venture privately, all of whom were Lords, and most of whom were part of the Privy Council of King James.

  It was therefore a difficult Privy Council meeting given that the English Armada were humiliated a few months earlier and there was massive discontent amongst the Lords, who were as a result significantly out of pocket.

  King James was 23 years old and still forming his leadership style. His Privy Council was an important fortnightly gathering of those who effectively owned, and ruled, all of Scotland. It was no place for a young King to make enemies. King James wasn’t blessed with a great physical presence; he was only 5 foot 4 and looked distinctly unremarkable, didn’t look regal. and didn’t speak like a Royal King. All he had was Royal blood, so how he handled these meetings were of grave importance.

  This Council meeting took place at Holyroodhouse, one of several palaces that the King used as bases for his travelling Court. It was an exceptionally scorching summer in Edinburgh so it was no surprise when the King left the meeting room sweating. However, it wasn’t just the heat, but it was also the tense atmosphere that caused it. He left the room accompanied by his closest confidant, Lord Sinclair, who somehow had refrained from perspiring.

  “How do you manage to stay dry?” puzzled the King. “All future meetings that take place in this stifling heat will have to take place at Edinburgh Castle - the altitude and stone will make it a cooler setting.”

  The diligently loyal Lord Sinclair responded, “Of course, Sir. Truth be told, I felt the heat in there as well. I fear that it will not only be your neck on the line, but mine as well.”

  “It’s a gruelling time,” King James said. “Everyone is baying for my blood, but I want to celebrate next month - there are too many milestones for them to pass without an epic celebration. We need to be mindful though that it isn’t seen to be too over the top. Events with Mother are still on people’s minds too.”

  The peace treaty brokered at Berwick three years earlier was truly historic, not only would there be peace between England and Scotland but it also led to a path for King James VI of Scotland to become the first ever King of both Scotland and England. For James, this meant everything. He even turned a blind eye to the murder of his mother, Queen Mary of Scots, a year later. He viewed it as a necessary act by Elizabeth I to ensure she remained in power until her death, which opened the door for James to truly control the entire British Isles. There was also a financial benefit for King James, he would now receive an annual pension from England as part of the agreement.

  The King hadn’t yet celebrated his eventual rise to the English throne given that his Mother’s death took place not too long ago. It just wouldn’t have felt right. This year would also be extra special because King James was getting married, so this celebration would not only commemorate the deal signalling his path to becoming King of England, but also of his marriage to Anne of Denmark.

  King James continued, “Given the financial losses that the Lords and Barons have taken because of this English Armada fiasco, we need the night to be discreet.”

  The King’s sensitivity towards the mood of his Lords shouldn’t have been a surprise. Kings were rarely dictators and had to hold together the fragile relationship between Lords and Barons along with the Crown.

  James’s family life had also been anything but stable. He became King of Scotland aged o
nly 13 months old when his Mother, Queen Mary of Scots, was forced to abdicate. The circumstances around her abdication were complicated.

  Mary was forced to marry Lord Bothwell, who took a divorce from his existing wife only 12 days earlier. Given that divorce wasn’t recognised in the Catholic world, the marriage took place under Protestant rites. This didn’t go down well with the Catholics who viewed Lord Bothwell’s divorce unlawful and therefore the Protestant marriage to Queen Mary as being invalid.

  Mary also upset the Protestants, as Lord Bothwell was the man who was the prime suspect in murdering King James’s father and Mary’s first husband. The murder was obvious given that he died through two explosions which took place below his sleeping quarters. Bizarrely, he was already thought to have died from strangulation before the explosions took place. All of this saw Queen Mary being branded an adulteress and a murderer. She was therefore forced to abdicate. Lord Bothwell was forced to flee Scotland. He ended up in Denmark where he was imprisoned, became insane and died a few years later.

  All of this upheaval leaves a lasting mark on a child, so it was no surprise that the King knew that to remain in power for a long time required a potent mix of arrogance and political Machiavellian manoeuvring.

  Stag parties were also nothing new. Celebrating a man’s rite of passage to marriage was something that the ancient Spartans did in 5th century B.C. with banquets. Henry VI’s also enjoyed the tradition through epic feasts with dancing and drinking. King James therefore expected an event suitable for his status and stature. A night to forget about the financial (and political) disaster of the English Armada. The pressure was therefore on Lord Sinclair to make this the event of the century.

  Lord Sinclair felt the importance of the event so reassuringly said, “I will host the celebration personally and it will be an honour to have this take place at my recently built Castle, Knockhall. Rest assured that in a month’s time - you will have an event worthy of the momentous occasions that we are celebrating.”

  A memorable night was therefore all but guaranteed to occur...

  CHAPTER TWO

  Lord Sinclair was an elder statesman, aged 62 years old. He was tall and handsome when he was a younger man. His frame now slightly crooked as he walked, adding a feeling of fragility. His face full of wrinkles told of a man who had already lived one life’s worth of adventures. Married to his first wife, Janet for over 20 years - her death 20 years earlier was an event he thought he would never overcome. The four children that they had together reminded him of Janet every single day, and the knowledge that the lineage of the Sinclair clan was in safe hands was reassuring. This Lord was the 5th Lord Sinclair. His father passed away a while ago and had a colourful life - being arrested for treason, so often the case if you choose the wrong side, but luckily he was given the chance to see the errors of his ways and chose the right sides in future political struggles.

  Lord Sinclair was an impeccable friend and loyal servant to the Scottish Crown. He signed a bond of loyalty to Queen Mary and King James’s father before James was even born. He was part of King James’s Council from day one of his reign when James was merely 13 months old. His loyalty to the King continued to be shown throughout the years.

  He also supported him during the Raid of Ruthven. When the King was only 15 years old - he was kidnapped by an army of 1,000 rebels who supported the return of Queen Mary and wanted to limit pro-Catholic and French influence. King James was held captive for nearly a year moving from house to house. The plot was successful, partially funded by Queen Elizabeth I, who supported the rebels. Eventually, the King’s supporters freed him displeased by the interference from England and he escaped regaining control. James showed a kind, or weak, side pardoning all those who plotted against him as long as they showed loyalty going forwards.

  Lord Sinclair was also a key part of the negotiating team that sealed the treaty of Berwick paving the way for James to become joint King of England and Scotland. James looked at Lord Sinclair as a father figure in some ways - not knowing what a father or mother figure should really be or act.

  Lord Sinclair’s family life was happier too. He had just celebrated his one year wedding anniversary with Elizabeth Forbes, who was some 20 years younger, and had given birth to a little baby boy.

  It would therefore be an epic celebration for King James and for the Sinclair family. This would be an enormous event, and even though he had seen and done this many times before, he was nervous. He was nervous because he felt Scotland, and King James, was changing. He wasn’t sure exactly where this was headed but there was discontent brewing amongst the nobility in the land - and King James was now into his twenties and who knew how he would develop. Lord Sinclair feared he would try to rule with an iron fist and he had seen too often that strategy fail. But all these fears had to be parked for now to ensure that the banquet went ahead with no hitches.

  However, there was already a major hitch. Wine supplies were very difficult to get hold of. The Royal Household had financial problems. King James liked to live like a King and whatever budget he would have, he would spend one Merk more (Merk was the Scottish currency before it’s union with England).

  James’s response was always “I need to live like a King. That is the way King’s get respect and nobody will become King of England by being financially prudent. They need to see me as an equal to Elizabeth’s extravagance. They need to see me as deserving the throne.”

  In some ways, Lord Sinclair agreed with that strategy so he had to accept this paradox, which meant financial prudence went out of the window - but that didn’t help to get wine supplies. The Royal Household frequently paid suppliers late, if at all. The suppliers therefore tried to avoid supplying the Household if they could. Messages were always lost, orders misplaced, and deliveries “delayed”. After all, a supplier couldn’t take the King to Court for non-payment. However, Lord Sinclair knew everyone and his elder statesman role meant he could call in a favour, which he did, he was granted 100 bottles of the finest wine for the event but he knew that, besides ensuring payment was made, he would have to repay the favour sometime.

  One item that wasn’t in doubt and didn’t require any favours was the choice of venue. It would be the splendid Knockhall Castle. Finished only 4 years earlier, it was a masterpiece in design - relatively compact compared to the more lavish palaces of the era. What it lacked in size, it made up for in charm. Knockhall was close to Newburgh, the popular coastal village within Aberdeenshire.

  Newburgh had picturesque beauty. Full of rolling greens and trees with only a sprinkling of houses. Sandy dunes reached into the sky almost as high as volcanoes, which shielded the beaches from the elements. It was the perfect country getaway, subject to the temperamental weather. Fishing was the chief industry with the River Ythan providing fresh Scottish Salmon for the Scottish nobility, whilst also providing a valuable trading commodity with England and France.

  Newburgh was also heavily linked to the Sinclair family. The village was originally founded when one of the Lord’s ancestors wanted to start a church in the area and so the Sinclair link was born.

  It was therefore with an element of pride that Lord Sinclair looked forward to hosting the King at his Knockhall Castle. It was built as a gift for his first son, who would eventually inherit the lineage, but for now it remained his home when he wasn’t travelling with the King across his collection of palaces. The history books would record King James VI visiting on the 9th of July 1589. That was now only a few weeks away and Lord Sinclair really was anxious.

  King James had lofty standards. This happened when you lived across six palaces and had a Court travelling alongside you. It was a Royal version of a travelling circus. Countless servants, Lords, cooks, maids, administrators - all packing up and moving whenever the King felt like a change. His palaces included the impressive Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh Castle, and his personal favourite, Stirling Castle.

  Knockhall was compact, but it had enough rooms to cope for the event
. When you first made your way to Knockhall, you would see it in the distance as it had a dominating presence across the skyline. Visitors from miles away would see Knockhall half an hour before arriving. When you finally made your way to the front door, you would be greeted by a grand doorway, unusually built on a diagonal. Then you would walk down a red-carpeted, stone corridor, filled with grand paintings of famous Scots throughout history including the Sinclair clan. A spiralling staircase awaited at the end taking you up the tower and to the other levels. On the first level, you would be greeted by the banqueting hall. An impressive space in terms of design, if not size. A grand mosaic filled the ceiling - it was something you would see abroad and not on these isles. Lord Sinclair was very pleased with this - it was an acquisition he had made during one of his trips overseas. It had cost him £50 - a princely sum in those days given that it was enough to buy 9 horses or would have taken a skilled workman a year and a half to have earned that. The mosaic featured a heavenly scene with angels flying amongst birds with a powerful sunlight bursting through the clouds representing God’s strength.

  The second level had the four bedchambers - two masters, one for the Lord and one for the Lady, and two smaller ones, for guests. These were modern as they included latrines in each corner, and fireplaces to keep them warm in the bitter Scottish winters. The second level also had a dovecot, Lord Sinclair was fond of birds and in particular, messenger birds.

  Lord Sinclair often remarked, “When a man reaches my age, if he hasn’t found a hobby then God will have other plans for him.”

  The birds were useful, although he only used it for pen pals in England, although he had started an attempt to get them to fly as far as France. The problem is getting them to return. Time would tell if he would succeed.