[[news:1.3]]

News: Turn 3

News received for April in the Year of Our Lord 1605

News in England is distributed by a wide variety of ways. These include notices pasted on the boards of Churches and Taverns and notes sent around the courtiers by the messengers of the nobility and gentry. The most popular distribution however is from the pulpit and the press - the priests and preachers of all churches pass news onto their congregations in town and countryside while many write and publish pamphlets they distribute far and wide. Here follows a collection of the most interesting and important news.

A Note

A rather strange note can be found circulating London, signed simply with G.F.

“Remember, remember, yes… “remember”… thou shall remember the fifth of November.”

OOC note: the 5th of November is notable primarily as the feast of St Galation, the gunpowder plot not having happened.

The Ship and the Nymph

This story starts in Southwark but rapidly spreads, gaining extra (and contradictory) details at regular intervals.

“There was this woman. So beautiful, just like the sea. Can't have been human, not sure what she was really. A nymph, perhaps. And she was carrying a ship!”

“Yeah right. And I suppose next thing you'll say how she met your eyes and fell in love, and then you woke up in a ditch.”

“No. Well, I did, but that's neither here nor there. But how else did the ship in Southwark get into the river?”

“How did it get onto that house in the first place is what I'd like to know. All the stories I've heard about that are just as fanciful as yours. Aztec kings, indeed.”

Irish Rebels Crushed

A rather badly written but enthusiastic pamphlet is circulated around the less reputable bits of London.

The Irish Rebels have been Routed! Those who had been plaguing the fair County of Tralee are no more. Happening upon their centre of operations during a Patrol of his lands, Lord Luca bravely defended himself from the onrushing hordes, calling his men to Battle and leading them in a Counter-Charge.

The cowardly Rebels took Cover, using foul Treachery and Traps, but this was not to defeat the Brave Baron…the pamphlet goes on like this for some time, finally being signed Silvia of Tralee

The Parliamentary Session

A motion proposed by Sir Alexander Cross

In support of the Spanish war and our Dutch Brothers. I propose a motion to increase our support for the Dutch.

Accompanying the motion a pamphlet distributed in London

People of London, this is a Call to Arms!
Innocents in the Netherlands toil under the Spanish Yoke and we can Tolerate it no Longer
Men of England, we Must go to the Aid of our Brothers, and Drive out the Vile Spanish.
Peace shall come to the Netherlands and it shall carry an English Flag!

Dare any man Say that England will not Win this Fight?
Against the Enemies of God and the King there can be only Victory.
Doubt not our Resolve,
Doubt not our Bravery;
Yellow men may Cower in their Beds, but true Englishmen will Triumph!

A motion for the limits of Recusancy Laws by the Archbishop of York; an amendment

It shall be within the power of the Bishops and Archbishops of the Church of England or the Holy Roman Church to exempt a person from the fines applied to Rescuants if this person is deemed by a Bishop or Archbishop to be unable to attend Mass or Eucharist. Such an exempted person will then be required to be attended by a member of the Clergy following the service, and the Clergyman in question may require the exempted person to contribute toward the expenses involved in the visit.

Votes on these motions in four months' time

The Virtues of Viscount Surat

From a sermon

Of clean virtue and good standing, never before consorting with Diabolists and those that summon up the Fiends of Hell, the Viscount is surely innocent.

That his home was so assaulted by the Armies of Hell can only mean he is deemed by them a most dangerous Enemy! His Donations to the poor and the Church show nothing but Devotion to the Lord and his Mission.

The Archbishop's Great Work in Reforming the Church

An Oxford Puritan Pamphlet

And he did with inhuman Strength lift up the Catholic comforts of the Cathedral and propell the Seating-Benches through the windows of the Church. Never has this man shown more Devotion for the Word of the Lord than when he revolted against the Papist Icons and Luxuries now resplendant in the Church of England and did show his true and right Beliefs.

The pamphlet goes on to describe the actions of the Archbishop of York in Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford.


From the sermon of an Oxfordshire Puritan priest

… As His Grace the Archbishop of York has shown it is ever our duty to support our Protestant bretheren in the Netherlands who are ever at risk of being o'erthrown by the Catholic Spanish. For while our fight against the Papists of England is an ever-growing and successful Battle for the Lord, the Dutch are the more needy of our help.

We must to arms and help our most destitute brothers of the Continent.

The Court in Somerset

A notice passed on to all regulars of the King's Great Court by the Lord Chamberlain

The September Court in the Year of Our Lord 1605, held by His Majesty Henry IX Tudor of England, will be moved to the Estates and Holdings of His Grace the Duke of Somerset. The visit is on occasion of the arrival of Her Highness Princess Elizabeth Stuart who is to grace our fair Country.

His Grace will make all the necessary provisions so that the courtiers may rent for themselves appropriate Accomodation and Lodgings for the stay.

It has further been decided that the Autumn session of Parliament will be held in the City of Bristol.

Note that this relates to Turn 4

An Anonymous Catholic Pamphlet

Posted around the City of London and the Major Cities

For while the Archbishop of York and his myriad Occultists did little but enrage the demons of the Pit and cast the realm into near Turmoil, it was the Bishop of Arundel who, by his belief and closeness to the Grace of God did finish all the suffering.

The Pit of Hell that was the Unholy Garden of the Lord Surat, no doubt an attack upon his Lordship and on England by the Heretics let free across the country, was safely closed by His Grace Arundel.

How can a Bishop of the Roman See yet outmatch the Archbishop of the Church of England? Only with the power of God and by his Grace - for God must have entrusted this great power to our Bishop for a reason. What other reason than his Conviction and Faith in the one True Church?

May this be a lesson to the people of England, that only by worship of the True Church are they saved, upon the rest - Damnation.

London Fashion Report

From “The Rake of Fashion”, a small pamphlet updated weekly, and sold in the more exclusive tailors and dressmakers.

Once again the Viscount of Hertforshire is the man about town, and the gentleman in the country, who everyone is anyone must admire. Fresh back from his adventures in the Near East his clothing proclaims him the adventurer supreme! Wearing a high-collared emroidered jack all-in-black and once again picked out in crimson and gold with his customary dragon theme this dashing gentleman is clearly capable of petrifying all who behold him with the quality of his tailoring.

But all is not well in the world of fashion, war bestrides the kingdom as the Captain and the Colonel duel over the hat. All are rapt in attention for just as the Captain the Earl of Doncaster doffs his, the Colonel the Viscount of Hertfordshire places his upon his head. Courtiers look first one way and then another, confused about what should be upon their heads! It's fortunate that the King's tailor Osillbury should be there to make peace between the combatants. For with his mastery of the millinery arts and inspired by the Eastern themes in the air he has created exotic art in the form of turbans to adorn the nobilities' heads! (It is said that everyone of note and just a few who wish they were in Norwich is wearing Osillbury this season!)

But wait, another gladiator enters the arena: Sir Alexander Cross. He sports the strangest new fashion of this or many another season, with white feathers dangling from his belt! The Viscount de Vries answers with red feathers in his hat and once more there is the clash of styles if not steels. Once more the Rake must side with his opponent. We have scoured the shops and arcades of London for feathers of the purity and shine of Sir Alexander's without success but every day the Rake hangs fresh new feathers from his belt.

Better luck in your future conflicts Viscount, rededicate yourself to the field of fashion as you bring success to the King on the battlefield and success awaits you. And of course the Rake simply must garland you with accolades on your eye wear. Unique in Christendom, an intricately wrought pair of glasses that wrap round the head and reflect the viewer in their polished surfaces. The Rake is uncertain whether to admire the Viscount or his own reflection more! We're sure the fops of London shall be showering gold upon their manufacturer Dame Castaldi.

Southwark Cattery

From a satirical pamphlet.

”…Much as the Loyal Grimalkins, Tabbies and Mousers of our fair London Town are a Sovereign Remedy against the Rats and other Vermin which so plague our streets, they are sorely Abused and Abandoned by many a hectoring House-Wife and disloyal Footman. So their hero and Lord-Protector, Augustus Wells-Lacy, rises from the Streets of Southwark like unto an Avenging Angel, and provides for them Safe Haven, Warm Bed and plentiful Milk and Scraps, that they might Grow Fruitful and bear strong and hearty Kittens to keep our graneries and bakeries safe from the Rodent Plague!…

…perhaps in his wisdom, the Bishop will set them next to catch Dissenters nibbling at the Grain-Store of English Piety, and crush vile scampering Heretics under claw'd and velvet Paw…”

Lanik's Latest Offering a Mixed Success

From “The City Idler”, a popular serial pamphlet including reviews of recent plays and performances.

”…and indeed, I was interested on the opening night of “Camford Town: Or, a Tragedy of Piety” to see some Students of the Invisible College, somewhat in their cups, start up from the Gallery crying Foul Ruin and Treachery upon the Performance - rather startling some of the Actors, who nevertheless kept well to their lines…

…the quarrel being further remarked upon, it seemed that these young gentlemen had seen something of Magickal Import in the performance, and under the impression that the Show of Natural Philosophy upon the stage was in some danger of drawing too close to Genuine Theurgickal Practice, had attempted to stop the performance, in fear of Angelick Manifestation in the Theatre itself!…

…The divisions in the fictional town of Camford being a clear satire upon our own Oxenford, and many of those who have seen the worst excesses of Puritan and Catholic fanaticism alike will find much amusement here - particularly the portrayals of the Papist Lascivious Wilkins and Dissenting Fly-Fornication Jones. The play ending with a strong Moral message of Piety and Moderation, it has yet to be seen how the piece will be received in Oxford itself; though it is certain that those Young Men of London Town who might otherwise have been inspired to travel west for Riot and Debauch among the University lands will instead stay at home, Chastened by the example so lately seen upon the Stage.

Meanwhile, the Poem so lately circulating about the town under Mistress Lanik's name has had great success among certain of those I shall beg permission to refer to as the Tavern-Going Intellctuals; these young Gentlemen and Gentlewomen seeing in it great Excitement and Fervour with its thoughts of Awakening and Redemption from the Dreamlike World of Demons and strange Eastern temptations in which the Hero at first finds himself…”

Satirical Poems

These, like many other pieces of doggerel and speculation circulated about the town, refer to Saxony's recent heavy involvement in the wool trade, apparently with the help of the deMontford family, who have done remarkably well out of the agreement. Their new trade agreements are helping greatly in the impending war with Brandenburg.

“Brandenburg is next to go - and who knows;
Perhaps Burgundia? 'Ware, Wetterau!
The trouser'd Prince, his woolly standard high,
Launches foul magics to the German sky!”

“Thus Saxony loathes Burgundy,
And Burgundy hates Brandenburg.
Bohemia wars with Magdeburg,
And everybody sneers at Prague.”

Letters from Oxford

A possibly apocryphal published packet purporting to be various extracts from private correspondence and notices sent to and from Oxford individuals in the past season. A general review of the packet gives a relatively clear, if sensationalist, picture of the situation in the town as it develops over the spring.

(23rd Feb.) ”…finally, Sir, apologise once again most humbly for the actions of my own Students, while again affirming that I can hold no Legal or Moral responsibility for their Reprehensible actions, but only Regret that they would so sully the Good Name of the College with such an act of Vandalism. We assure you that Reparations will be made from the Individuals responsible, and affirm that Scone will always remain a Safe and Welcoming College for those of the Catholic faith to practice…”

(18th Mar.) ”…dearest brother, that news of Bishop Mary's recovery has but inflamed the Town, especially since the rumour that perhaps Jesuits bear some responsibility for this terrible Crime has made its way into the Taverns and Drinking-Houses. Now any pious Catholic fears to walk the streets alone, and not even Holy Ground seems sacred…”

(7th Apr.) ”…Like unto the Pit of Hell were his eyes, and his strength Inhuman as he lifted the very Church-Benches to cast them through the Windows of the Cathedral! Being restrained by his Reverend Colleagues, the Archbishop threw them off as if their Limbs were made of Paper, and made his way at some speed in the direction of Cain's College. Discretion being the better part of Valour, I absented myself to the White Horse Tavern, at which salubrious location I pen this letter…”

(19th Apr.) ”…And furthermore, let it be publicly known that the Master of Cain's College, Theodocius Dawkins, has declared that any Student found Rioting, Debauching or in any way preventing the course of Peace in the Town shall be summarily Rusticated without Appeal.

Furthermore, in concert with the Bishop of Oxford and Lord Oxford Himself, the Masters of the Colleges have issued a General Call for a day of Peace and Brotherhood on May the First, where the services traditionally held at Christchurch Cathedral and Magdalen shall call for Peace throughout the Town and an End to the most Hopeless Violence we are Plagued with…”

(2nd May.) ”…saw it with my own eyes, as the doors were thrown open to admit those attending the Dawn Service; the shaft of Sunlight which should strike the Altar instead illuminated that Grisly Burden upon its supporting Pillar. No more a Man, but the broken Remains of a Man, facing out towards the Doors as if proclaiming the Defilement of the English Church's sacred ground, His Grace the Bishop of Oxford, my reverend colleague and friend, lifted and tied with Inhuman Strength to the very Architecture of his own sacred Church. The Papistry was clear from the Rosary Beads strung about his Neck, annointed with Oils and the Incense lit about him in a most Unholy Parody of the Funeral Rite whose words, torn from a Prayerbook, were pinned to his cold chest. Wrists and feet pierced, as if Christ Himself had taken pity upon his Servant in his last moments and given him the most Holy Marks of his own Passion; and about his head, a sign, “REV. XVIII, IV-VI”.

The words of that passage will haunt me for many days to come, and I fear his face will remain in my eyes whenever I lay down to sleep. Pray for my soul, my brother, and for the souls of the departed…”

The situation rapidly deteriorates after the May-Day Murder, and by the time of Court Oxford is almost in a state of civil war.

Amazing Events at the Viscount Surat's Town-House

From “The Fleet Street Sceptic”, a magazine popular among young men of high intelligence and low morals.

”…and as for the appearance of the Archangel Michael, it has been rather Uncharitably Suggested by certain Eyewitnesses that his Departing Words to the Archbishop of York, on leaving the scene, could be translated from the Angelic Tongue as 'You're Doing It Wrong'. Doubtless one would not dare blame his Most Revered Holiness &c. &c. for the undoubted Daemonic Manifestation which exited the Pit at such High Speed - Rather some have suggested that Sir Theodocius Dawkins, a known Sorcerer, and his brother Sir Octavius caused it to appear through incompetence or malice. But your own correspondent will avow that he only saw Sir Theodocius call upon the services of one Demon during the entire procedure, and that quite Small and Unthreatening, while Sir Octavius did little but glower handsomely and flirt with some Italian Ladies who had expressed an interest in the Spectacle.

As for the Papist, William Howard, mumbling in Latin and waving Incense about the Borders of the Pit in some attempt at Blessing or Exorcism, your correspondent is confident in saying that he also had little to do with the apparently Spontaneous Closure of the Great Crevice. Rather, we suspect that in horror at the sheer holy Coldness of Mother Rachel de Courtney, Abbess of Dartley, the Hole closed of its own accord, in Fear lest her Frigidity cause Hell Itself to Freeze Over…”

A Puritan Pamphlet

… and in recent days we have seen how the Perfidious Catholics have sought to Hurt this Protestant land. Their Diabolical Scheme was the product of Pox-addled Brains, for this Disease is a sign from God and known to be Common amongst the Spaniards and their Foul Agents. Seeking to damage our Alliance with the Virtuous Dutch and turn the Hesitant French against us, for our friends the Huguenots have not yet Prevailed upon that Monarch's Council, they strapped GUNPOWDER to DOGS that they then set a FIRE and Drove into a Meeting between those two Good Men. Truly the thoughts of Catholics are Crooked and Strange as they twist the words of the Lord …

A Recruitment Pamphlet for Potential Soldiers in the Earl of Essex's Dragoons

Serve the King and Country! Slay his Enemies in Combat!! Take your share of Their ill-gotten Gold and fair Men and Women!!!

Someone has scrawled on: Escape the Bailiffs!!!!

… and you shall be lead by the Finest of Officers. Take the Example of newly-promoted Captain Trask, who has Risen through the Ranks from the same Lowly Step you will find yourself Upon. Now he is the Hero of the Hour! Promoted for Secret Services to the Regiment in a dazzling ceremony by the Dashing Colonel the Viscount of Hertfordshire beneath an Enormous Banner and to the Acclamation of his Fellows and the Sensuous maiden who Kissed him! But that was not only Banner the Captain saw for in Ferocious Fighting he seized the Spanish Colours. Hear his Call and Cut the Spanish Down.

This is the Nature of the Men who will Lead you. This is the Nature of the Men we will Make you.

Horror in Hertfordshire

A lurid fictional pamphlet sold at stalls to scare children and the sheepish. What strange horrors stalk amongst the fields of Hertfordshire? No man there dare go out at night without pistol or cudgel. For amongst the crops strange plants are growing and moving. Flowers red with blood and speckled with the black of corruption. Plants that walk and hunt and feed upon flesh. Hunting the living, the vegetable kingdom takes its Terrible Revenge.

And even in the halls of the great Nobles danger lurks. Plucked from the safety of their beds servants are taken to desecrated altars and given over to bloody sacrifice to sate the masters of the walking plants. Who leads these strange ceremonies? What despicable soul debauched and respect of his fellow man could do such a thing?

Learn within of the evil of Sir Simon Devore and his brave brother who ends the reign of:

THE PLANTS THAT KILL!

The Golden Ship

A playbill for a new play at the Rose Theatre

The Lord Admiral's Men and the brilliant new playwright William Brandage present their latest masterpiece - The Golden Ship. A brave captain finds extraordinary adventure, crushing danger and exotic romance in the New World. Leaving the humdrum world of London and the little Europe of the Ship we are plunged into a savage vision of life in the Americas where the King's beautiful daughter pledges her heart and tragedy calls to the loving couple.

The audience for the play is increasingly rowdy because it quickly gains a reputation for displays of flesh and frequent wardrobe malfunctions. Somehow it escapes the attention of the Lord Chamberlain's Office and the censors however.

At the Crossroads Inn

Another playbill from the Rose Theatre

Replacing the popular “Sworn Companions”, the Rose Theatre is proud to present the latest dramatic extension of the its serialised matinee format. Come follow the life and loves, laughs and losses of an extended family who run a coaching inn, (including the simple, but humorous simpleton, Benjamin the stablehand who is sure to be an audience favourite!). Exciting new characters appear every week as passing guests, regular travellers or people whose carriage has broken and are awaiting repairs. In our first week a man in black comes calling. Is he an honest traveller, a terrible highwayman or worst of all a Jesuit? Come find out this lunchtime.

London Fashion News

A latter edition of the Rake

London is aghast, the Court is shocked, the Rake himself is unfashionably green with envy for Admiral Taylor is in town. And upon his legs is set the finest tailoring ever seen, a work of art and an exquisite masterpiece of tailoring. Women have fainted in the streets from the sight and ladies have been whispered to have made the most licentious of advances in hopes of merely touching the fabric. We hear tell that the Puritans lock up their sons and daughters at the mere rumour that Taylor's trousers are abroad!

Clearly the Butcher of Oviedo has found a new weapon to use against the hearts of the unwary gentleman and lady, and he's not afraid to use it for those trousers adorn him at every public appearance. (And the Rake hears tell at every private assignation, though how the devout Admiral fights for his virtue under such circumstances would delight any priest!)

The Wonders of Greece

A note penned by Master Thomas Irvin and printed in the City of London

It was a chilly day that was quite suddenly brightened by the arrival of Sir Alexander Cross' party from Greece. A journey, I am led to understand, fraught with danger, adventure and a most amazing result!

Taking it upon himself and his companions, Sir Alexander travelled to far Achaea to do battle with the Gorgon and bring back a terrible trophy to terrify the Dons!

Accompanied by Colonel de Vries of the Dragoons and the Colonel's younger brother, with the resolute support of the Duke of Somerset, sporting spectacles of glass, Sir Alexander's party sought out the mythical monster.

The confrontation was not an easy one and it took the mastery of the Colonel with his sword to bravely confront the stoning visage of the Gorgon and slay it with all the speed and grace of a dashing Dragoon.

News of the Spanish War in the Low Countries

An English patriotic war pamphlet - “The Dragon”, published in Amsterdam by Lieutenant Richard Ball

By the Grace of God did King Henry appoint as our commander the Lord Belvoir, a most Competent and Able general. It has been the skill of the Lord-General and the rightness of his cause that has now led to the Success of our forces against the Spaniard.

At the Battle of Heusden, where Lord Belvoir and the Prince of Orange chose to engage the Spanish forces, the most Dreadful battle was fought before truth prevailed.

Advancing on all sides and holding their own the Colonels of the English army, the Lord Hertfordshire and Lord Trilee among them, the Spanish forces were Routed and the glorious army of King Henry swept into the Spanish lands with intent to Invest the Fortresses of Antwerp and Brugges.

Of note are the heroic actions of Captain Trask who Distinguished himself by the Capture of the enemy's Colours.

It is my conviction that we shall storm these towns and with God's might overcome the damned Spanish so that their weakening King shall see all his cause lost.

The Need for the Extension of the War into the Atlantic Territories

An Anonymous Pamphlet

It is our duty to extend the war and take advantage of the Spanish possessions in the Americas. For the Spanish do overstretch themselves and cannot fight in the Netherlands, at home and in their Colonies.

We must move now to take the Spanish territories for our own and reclaim the colonies rightfully ours by the Grace of God.

The Doings of Sir Alexander Cross

From a coffeehouse conversation

WOMAN: I hear that Sir Alexander Cross treats his servants poorly.
MAN: I know, did you hear how sent away that maid for serving his breakfast wrong?
WOMAN: Mm-hmm. That's not the worst of I think, the man's clearly getting too big for his boots. He claims he doesn't consort with the low-lifes, but I swear he's had every begger and destitute wizard off the streets for a 'private' conversation.
MAN: Such is the way with deputies of Parliament, they all go so very wrong.
WOMAN: Now about those trousers…

The Prized Gold of the Americas

A banker's advice circulated in the best establishments of London

There hath been much traffic of Gold from far-away countries of late in odd pieces of jewlery and blocks engraved with Strange writings. This Aztec gold has often been used as payment and while we can definately say that this is not a Trick, we fear that the populance will lose Vigilance. If you should accept such gold in your transactions, we Recommend our services to ascertain the veracity of the precious metal.

Rumours

“Did you see those trousers the Admiral was wearing?”
“I was going to mass, and then this thing barrelled out of the sky, nearly into the cathedral, screamed like a girl and disappeared back up into the sky.”
“I'd been out drinking, was just climbing in via the Scholar's Way to [the Invisible] College. Then it started raining. Thing is, the rain was disappearing into steam before it even hit the ground.”
“Ireland's rather quieter now, and no wonder. Mercenaries stationed in the middle of the countryside do tend to get restless.”
“I bain't been on the beer again, God be my witness! Tuesday night it was, passing by His Nibs' place - that awful hell-pit in Surat's back-garden, with that stench and the screaming and all - and there was this bleating like a goat, so I look over, right, and there's a fellow in a robe and a hood throwing a full-grown billygoat into the pit! Just like that! Zoom! BAAAH! Boom at the bottom!”
“The piratin'…sorry, privateering business must be going well, Admiral Taylor's gone and got himself a brand new house.”
“I hear the Earl of Doncaster has been researching some sort of cure for the Plague. Good man! With summer coming on, we'll need something if we aren't to move out of London altogether again…“
“I haven't heard anything from that 'Solomon' chappy lately. Yes, I know, it's a damned shame, I was running out of privy paper…“
“I hear the King wants a real Polinka bird.” “From Zilmatillia?” “That's right. I hear he'd pay handsomely for the first person to bring him back one.”
“Good god! Did you hear?! The Countess of Norwich was assaulted in the street by some smelly old chap from the Holy Roman Empire or some such barbarian place!”
“Some vandal bastard broke open the main brewing vat in the Earl of Arundel's brewery! That beer was really good, as well!”
“That Simony de Vries. He really is a complete gloit, isn't he?” “What's a gloit?”
“What in hell's name?! I was just coming out of Master's Collections when the Archbishop of York appeared and threw me into a wall! I don't understand! I only skipped morning Chapel the once! Oh God forgive me I'm never skiving off again, I bet he's going to tell Master Dawkins…“
“Did you see the Italian women? Whatever were they wearing?! Or should I say NOT wearing. They have visited every nook and cranny of London and are entirely shameless in their appearance. Is this what the proximity to the Pope does?”
”… a great pillar of flame rose the counties! I could see it suddenly erupt as I took my tea at the Heavenly Embrace, so clearly visible even in the day…“
“I swear an Oath that the man I was was the Speaker of the House! Indeed, Sir Alexander, propelling himself…. verily propelling, through an upper window of the Tower.”
“That escaped thief. Jimmy the Raven… they say he sometimes robs fair ladies at midnight and leaves with their stolen goods at dawn.”
“Where's Zanzibar? I have no idea either, but it was Dutch and has been burnt right down to the ground. Must be the damn natives. Or the Spanish of course, they're far more likely these days. Probably butchered the women and children first.”
“Heh, you think that's special? There are flaming flowers on the de Vries estates. Absolutely gorgeous.”
“With all these riots it's reassuring to hear the Bishop of Arundel talk of peace, ain't that right Jamie?”

news/1.3.txt · Last modified: 2007/11/05 13:15 by helen