A Murder too Soon by Michael Jecks

Author:Michael Jecks [Michael Jecks]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Published: 2017-04-18T04:00:00+00:00

DAY THREE

I had an enjoyable time at the inn. It was perpetually filling and emptying with new faces. All those who were responsible for the Princess Elizabeth’s estates were coming for orders, to confirm progress on previous commands, to bring money, or just to gather or disseminate news. The landlord of the place was hurrying about with a fixed grin on his face that threatened to separate the top of his skull. He had not seen so much business in many a long year.

There was much news to relay. Up and down the country there was a rising annoyance with the way that the Queen was riding roughshod over the interests of others. The reasonable religious reforms of her father and brother were being dropped, according to many, and the sober priests who had been installed in the name of the English Church were being removed. There were rumours that the monasteries could be brought back, and people feared that great taxes would be levied to pay for the replacement of roofs, decorations and ornaments that had been stripped out on the orders of King Henry. Although the Queen was still head of the English Church, it was well enough known that she favoured the return of the Pope as spiritual leader, and many Englishmen were unhappy that the Roman faith might return.

However, it was not until later the next day, when Parry called me to his chamber, that I realized how serious matters had become.

‘Sit, Master Blackjack,’ he invited as I walked in. There was a clerk at his side, and two men-at-arms in the Princess’s livery stood at the door, but when Parry waved his hand, they went to stand outside. ‘Have you heard the rumours?’

‘Of the Church, you mean?’ I said. ‘I know many are up in arms at the thought that the Catholics might demand the return of monasteries and manors.’

‘No, it was the Princess I was thinking of,’ he said. He took his seat near the fire. ‘You can ignore Paul here. He has been my clerk for many years. But we have received very alarming news. It seems that there is no evidence to have my Lady Elizabeth executed for treason. Although the torturers went about their business with their customary zeal and determination, they could not force any of the rebels to implicate Elizabeth in any of their plans. The rebel chief, Wyatt himself, must have suffered a great deal at their hands while he was imprisoned in the Tower, before he was executed.’

‘That’s good, then,’ I said. ‘She is safe.’

‘No. She is not to be murdered on a pretext, but that does not make her safe. Now she is at risk from others who would see her removed. Some would have her disinherited, so that she would be forced to beg or endure constant hardship. Others would see her murdered in a counterfeit of execution, wanting her assassinated.’

Perhaps it was my pain, but this was washing over me without my being able to comprehend the full meaning.

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