[[news:1.6]]

News received for June in the Year of Our Lord 1606

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.

Highlanders Raid Lands

A report from the village of Seaham, which was on the coast a way south of Newcastle, and is now a charcoaled ruin, penned by the vicar of St Mary's who managed to escape.

The men attacked at dawn. Confusion spread through the town, for there had been no warning that raiders were coming. The men have been identified as from the Clan of Munroe, wearing the traditional tartan (black on black) and the feathers of ravens in their hair. The destruction they wrought was almost total – they did not appear to be interested in livestock or women, only in carnage.

Some lucky few, favoured by the Lord, escaped the notice of the raiders in the cellars of the church, and when sign of them had passed, fled to Houghton-le-Spring where we found sanctuary. Those who had sought shelter in the church itself were not so fortunate, and the altar was found covered with the bodies of those who had huddled by it.

An excerpt from a public letter of apology to the King for failing to stop the raiders, by the Duke of Northumberland.

…the men who were Stationed at the Border positions reported having seen nothing, but being kept Awake some several nights by the sounds of Bagpipes most Unholy, the source of which they could not Find. They shall be Disciplined as pleases Your Majesty for their Failings, and I myself offer my most humble Apologies for this Lapse…

A section of a sermon given by the Bishop of Durham

Be Watchful! The legions of the damned march on us, and every man must be sure he is prepared for the Day of Judgement! In Mockery of the white-feathered Angels of the Lord do they wear the black Raven feathers in their hair and the cry of their pipes is the cacophony of the Pit!

Reports of what is going on and why vary rather a lot, but the fact that there are Highlanders raiding the North of England, wearing the Munroe clan tartan which is all black, and black feathers in their hair.

Solar Eclipse

On the 5th of February there was a solar eclipse. Some of the interpretations of the meaning of this follow.

An extract from “Astronomy and You”, an educational pamphlet circulated by the Viscount of Shropshire, Matthias Kimmons, in an effort to make astronomy accessible to the masses.

This morning's predicted solar eclipse is no cause for alarm. The effects of astrological phenomenon of every day life are certainly significant, indeed with some little study of the stars one can make great improvements in one's personal life, however the main effects influence only magical phenomena – unless one is attempting to summon a demon of corruption during a solar eclipse, one need not fear! It is notable, however, the effect the eclipse has on birds – if you have time I recommend finding somewhere with a fair number of them to watch any future eclipses. Note how their song stills whilst the sun is covered…

The pamphlet digresses into a rather long and dull treatise on bird watching

An extract from the sermon of the vicar of Monkwearmouth

The End is Nigh! It is a Sign that we have displeased the Lord! He does send the black-clad raiders and cover the Sun, that we might see how we have been Ignorant of the Light of His Word! For he did Show us the Dark, and we were Afraid, and then Returned it unto us, for the Lord is truly Merciful, for did he not give us his Son to…it continues in the same vein, even mentioning the moving of lampstands for some reason.

Irish Slaughter

An extract from the sermon of a Catholic priest on the O'Keefe family lands.

They did not even spare the Priest, come from Spain to educate the Flock, but cut down the whole village as they knelt in Prayer! In the centre of the village they were Strung Up, and the sign “Suffer not a heretic to live!” affixed to the wall of the Ale-House. How can the English claim that theirs is the True Faith when they commit such Atrocities at every turn! Surely they know the Falseness of the Words their priests speak, and cannot bear to hear the Truth, so immersed are they in Lies!

The Butcher Braganza is naught but Scourge! He thinks to hurt us, to make us forget Faith, but We Shall Not Forget! We Shall Not Fall! He shall separate the Wheat from the Chaff and the Truly Faithful shall remain, ready to Strike!

The Venerable Order

Extract from a pamphlet advertising the advantages of a life at sea with the Order.

Unanimously Admiral Richard Taylor, Hero of Many a Sea Battle, was granted the Leadership of the Most Ancient and Venerable Order of Sir Walter Raleigh. Never fear at Sea, for you are in Safe Hands! Did not the Angels themselves Grant unto the Admiral a Figurehead to Sing Out in Danger?

Our Boys (and Girls) are Bound for Adventure in the New World, and Gold it is sure, for are not even the Streets there Paved with that most Precious of Metals? Profit is not all that lies out there for an Adventurous Soul, for the Colonies of England are always in need of Supplies and Defence, and the Spanish a good Thrashing.

Hellfire Returned

From a pamphlet circulated throughout London.

And it was placed into the Tabernacle of the Cathedral at Canterbury, there to be Guarded until the End of Times by the Flaming Sword of Uriel, which does undertake this most Solemn of Duties. The French shall Never Again suffer the Danger of the Fire of Hell being free in their Lands, and the Spanish shall not think to attempt to Steal it again when an Angel of the Lord Watches over it!

Lord Luca Braganza, the Baron of Tralee, and Lord Richard Moylneux, the Viscount of Sefton, were Present at this Occasion with a contingent of the All Souls Guard, having been Responsible for the Recovery of the Fire.

Mol's Business

A short and furious pamphlet war breaks out in London, with many being circulated in the space of a few days.

Sir Richard Molyneux is not a man worthy of the trust that is reposed upon him. Why do you think that he absented himself in London while the Royal Court met upon his own estates? He and Admiral Taylor have been plotting all this time 'gainst the true English heroine, Sarah Carter. For she is a paragon of martial virtue for all women in this country! She 'scaped from Molyneux’s brothel (for his many financial dealings are most unclean and this doxyhouse amongst the least of his unclean doing). She 'scaped and became a true sailor and fighter!

And now what has happened? Admiral Taylor is not only bloodthirsty but has become envious… Through cunning sabotage he wrought the failure of her valiant expedition and now he is made leader of the Venerable Order! A child can understand his foul plotting once it is revealed. And what benefit to Molyneux? He would have the origin of Sarah, and his most lewd and unwholesome conduct upon her body, silenced for ever while the Admiral gains his new post. Dirty business certainly, but gold can silence many mouths and quiet many consciences.

But the good English people shall know the truth! Do not be fooled! Drive these corrupt fools from our midsts. Will you allow dishonourable scum to take over the Venerable Order? Will you let our good Sarah Carter fall into oblivion? Unacceptable!

I must leave you now… the thugs of these two men are after me, for I know too much; but my words, men of England, shall remain…

And another extract, from a different one

What else would you expect from a woman fallen so Low as to work in the Vice House of Molyneux? The Pox infecting her had spread most Rapid, and how can a Woman with her Brains addled by Depravity be expected to Command a Fleet?

And yet another which appears to be by yet another author

Whilst we appreciate the right of every woman to leave service when she chooses, it hardly seems fair to blame the Management for an impetuous girl running away to sea with her lover, and proceeding to not instantly have at her Command the skills at navigation which take a lifetime to learn. Indeed, that Mistress Carter was so well versed in the Arts of Administration was due to the Education given her that she might better Appreciate the work of Clients.

The Red Sea Passage

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

…Terrific sparks and fires, rising Many feet into the air in a Thunderous cry as long-forgotten gods of Norse! Such wonders I have never before witnessed, though much of Franzberg's work is known, yet this remarkably free of Wanton destruction and put to such good use by Viscount Surat. The workers, following Clear Instruction, layed down specific charges of some substance I could not Ascertain and retiring to a Safe distance cause the Earth to shift!

Within weeks I do predict that the greatest marvel of modern man shall be unveiled, by our own Countrymen in the Ossman lands and ships will pass from the Mediterranean Sea to that of Moses' passing.

In the place of Suez shall English greatness lie…

A Royal Kidnapping

A plea and appeal by the Lord Michael Gerrard, the Viscount Surat [Andrew P]

My dear friend, the Prince of faraway lands in the Americas has been kidnapped by evildoers and enemies.

Should anyone have information on his whereabouts or can suggest the perpetrators of this disgusting deed, I would offer a significant reward.

The King's Coronation

Extract from the Coronation ceremony at the Church of the Dutch Embassy in London

… It is declared that the States General of the Dutch Republic see it fit to graciously accept the honest and just rule of a King. In recognising that it is right and fitting for our State to be a Kingdom an walk among the other powers, the Dutch people bequeth the newly-made Crown upon Henry Tudor and his heirs. From this moment the Dutch Republic is no more, for as the lands of our people are united, so they become the subjects of the Dutch Crown. We all proclaim King Hendrik I of the Netherlands…

Canterbury's Name Cleared

An extract from a Sermon by the Bishop of Lichfield

… To think that we were deceived by our Enemy into false belief and that I had personally believed scandalous rumour, is unthinkable. Yet we must all remember that we are mortal and fallible, and so many of us have sinned against this most Blessed and Inspired man. For the rumours that did arise were indeed nothing more than the hellish whispers of Satan. Let us be thankful to the Archbishop of York for his convictions and never-sated quest for truth…

From the pamphlet entitled “The Blessed of England” by a gentleman of Kent

Then, as we listened to the day's sermon, the Archbishop [of Canterbury] was somehow lit by God's light and all could see the light radiant. When he then departed the Cathedral after the service concluded, the clouds did part and a ray of God's sun touched the Primate's head…

Riotous Liverpool

From the verdict of a Court Temporal and Spiritual, after the trial of Joshua Makepeace, Bishop of Liverpool [Catholic]

… find guilty of High Treason against the King of England and the Head of the Church of England, compounded by the crime of Heresy against Our Lord. With all due testimony and witness, you shall be condemned to burn at the stake…

The trial included Catholic officials who eventually had to concede that Liverpool's actions in providing weapons for the English and Irish Catholic rebels with clear intent to overthrow the King and his rule was treason. They had to further concede that many of the remarks he allegedly made and witnesses could attest, constituted a Heresy by both Anglican and Catholic standards

A priest's sermon shortly after

The most high and Graced Archbishop of York had toiled long and hard against the Treacherous Heretic and Servant of Satan, 'Makepeace' and hath rightly brought the abominable man to justice. Yet if but one of Rome's servants is so blighted and full of spite and evil, must our scrutiny not turn to every Catholic Bishop?

A notice on Liverpool's Taverns and Churches, by order of the local noble

The Catholics would run riot and proclaim the King's Justice Unjust and disturb the Peace of Liverpool. It must be advised for all to remain in Peace and not wrong their brothers and sisters, lest there be bloodshed as in Oxford and let one not take it upon themselves to met out Peace without proper authority.

The Magnificent Showe of Magnifico

An unusual playbill posted across London

For this week only!

The Most Magnificent, Roaring, Emotional and Life-Changing Experience in Europe!

Alexandro Magnifico, Master of the Elements, in the Rose Theatre!

The Dance of the Dragons! Twelve and Twenty Monkeys! The Revelation of Colours! Escapades with the Ladies of Italy!

And introducing an All-England exclusive, never before seen on stage or Court, showing for the very first time anywhere:

The Thunderous Clash of The Host and Hell's Demons! The Pilgrim's Progress!

A riot of Colour, Illusions and Mythical Marvels guaranteed!

When you finish reading the playbill, a man's face smiles at you from it. It is beautiful, dashing and absolutely full of charm - surely that of Alexandro himself.

A Royal Wedding

A private note circulated to those attending Court regularly by the Lord Chamberlain

The most joyous occasion in our Good King's reign can now be happily announced. Harry Tudor, King of England, and Elizabeth Stuart, Princess of Scotland, now long engaged and in preparations for the Holy Rites of Matrimony, have set the Wedding date.

The Ceremony of Marriage will be taking place at Westminster Cathedral on the 5th of August, the day of Oswald's Feast. The celebrations shall continue for several days afterwards with many functions of State and for our Great Foreign guests.

The King and Princess request graciously your attendance.

[You will know that the 5th of August is dedicated to St. Oswald, King of Northumbria some thousand years ago.]

Please remember to turnsheet if you are attending. An absence by members of the English nobility and clergy will generally be considered a snub by the King.

The Sainted Butcher

An obscure sermon of an Anglican priest

That the Admiral Richard Taylor did butcher those that the Spanish accuse him of is untrue, yet his actions were most saintly and holy. For did he not slay the heretic and unbeliever who would not turn from the path of Damnation and thus redeem their souls from eternal torment? There can be no better man in England who has served so loyally both his country and the true Church with such conviction! The Butcher of Oviedo? Nay, the Saviour of Oviedo!

Other similar sermons have occurred among a minority of Anglican clergy. A sort of cult following has gathered around this image of Admiral Richard Taylor across the country, but with prominence (as much as there is) in East Anglia.

The Bourbon Raid

An article published in 'The Dragon', an English patriotic pamphlet, now permanently based in Dunkerque and edited by Lieutenant Richard Ball

A Spanish force, or rather rabble we should say, made an unusually daring raid into the land of Bourbon. Our agents have revealed that this was the homeplace of the disgraced Cardinal Rolland of France and every rumour and piece of news suggests he had returned home shortly before the raid. That his most close allies, that is the Spanish King's subjects, should have thus evicted him from this world is both just and most ironic.

It seems that the object of the raid may have been the much-coveted Hellfire, which has indeed caused trouble for our Kingdom's greats. It is, however, with great joy that we can report the action of our most brave soldiers who, prepared for such an eventuality and outwitting the hasty Spaniards, retrieved the prize to safety.

Thanks to Lord Luca, the Hellfire now rests within the firm grasp of the Blessed Canterbury. We are thankful that such sagas now end, and with a triumph for the English. It will be particularly amusing to note that our agent discovered that the French had prepared a force to meet the 'invading' Spanish, but once the location of their interest, that is Bourbon, was discovered, some orders, it seems issued by the French King, compelled them to slow their march. They only arrived to restore peace and, it is said, to discover the Cardinal's hole-ridden body.

Murder

From “The Bloody Playbill”, a cheap scandal sheet read only by the commonest sort, which deals in unreliable tales of murder and suspicious deaths.

…and since Professor Harris did Weep most Piteously it was his Eyes that were Taken first, Cut from his face to leave Sightless Bloody Holes. Was his Butcher one of the Fell Beasts that roamed the Invisible College that strange day or was it a Man? Did it matter to Samuel as his chest was Sliced open and his Heart Exposed? What Pleas did he make, secrets Reveal or offerings Promise as his still Beating Heart was wrapped in the necklace of the Popish rosary Rites before being Torn from him? We know only that he must have been grateful for the Release into God's Mercy. (We Scorn those who say that no Demon would touch the Beads from the Marian Cult.) But what to make of the Paraphernalia of Diabolism strewn around him? Could Professor Harris have been one to Consort with Demons…

Further in the same pamphlet.

… Bodies already Bloating in the dawn light filled the air with the Stench of Decay as the Dragoons, weary from the Terrors of the Night, wandered in to the village. Destruction and Death had come to Hertfordshire and their Brave Blades had not turned it aside or Sheltered these Innocents from…

Papal Bull Issued Against the Franzberg Cannon

Leo, Bishop, servant of the servants of God, in lasting memory of the matter.

He that reigneth on high, to whom is given all power in heaven and earth, has committed one holy Catholic and apostolic Church, outside of which there is no salvation, to one alone upon earth, namely to Peter, the first of the apostles, and to Peter's successor, the pope of Rome, to be by him governed in fullness of power. Him alone He has made ruler over all peoples and kingdoms, to pull up, destroy, scatter, disperse, plant and build, so that he may preserve His faithful people (knit together with the girdle of charity) in the unity of the Spirit and present them safe and spotless to their Saviour.

But the number of the ungodly has so much grown in power that there is no place left in the world which they have not tried to corrupt with their most wicked doctrines. In the Kingdom of the English, long fallen from the sight of God, the wicked have found weapons more physical than lies. They have struck against the cities and shrines of our most Catholic King of Spain with an abomination, a cannon that strikes not against the warrior upon the field of battle but against the child sleeping soundly in its crib and the mother as she tends her business. How long we ask before it is turned by the corrupters upon the Holy See of Rome and all others who cleave to the one faith?

We, seeing the crimes committed with this ungodly device multiplied one upon the other, do proclaim that no such thing be permitted to exist upon this world. That it be the duty of every good man and woman of faith to see to its destruction and that no more shall be built to trouble the sleep of the righteous.

Given at St. Peter's at Rome, on 27 March 1606 of the Incarnation; in the fourth year of our pontificate

Proceedings of the Court in the Matter of the Trial of Sir Simony de Vries

Sir Simony de Vries, was Tryed for entering the house of Lady Makepeace of Liverpool, the Witness against him was the Bishop of Liverpool; who deposing that they surprised him in the house in the act of Deeds most Lewd upon the Person of his Sister, he leaped out of the Casement of the Window, which he had opened for his enterance by breaking out a Quarry of the Glass. His Plea against this was he was in fact a Virgin, and that had done no such Deed with any Woman. It was demonstrated to the Satisfaction of the Court by Appolonia, a witch of Good Standing, that he spoke the truth in this matter. He was Acquitted of the greater charge and Fined the sum of 10 Pounds for causing his trousers to disappear by means of magic within the sight of a Lady of Virtue.

On My Travels Abroad by Sir Alexander Cross

..Naturally I was Appalled to hear that a fine English Flower had been Carried off by the Vile Spanish, and so I resolved that Action should be taken. My Brother, Captain James Cross, was Much in Agreement, and so we applied to the Honourable Viscount de Vries that we be Included amongst the Rescue party..

..,Having made our Entrance to the Yellow Dogs' lair we then unleashed a Great Slaughter upon the Assembled Villains, for None could Stand Against the Righteous Fury of our Company…

…And so we Burst forth from the Spanish Fortress e'en as the Powder Store did Erupt in a Most fantastic Display of Devastation. The Lady Milton being Overcome by her Ordeal, I Carried her towards the Safety of our Ship, as my brother and the Colonel Bravely Battled the Surviving Spaniards.

Proceedings of the Ecclesiastical Court of York

And the Dutchwoman Bete Valen did profess that she had once found employment as a harlot in a house of ill-repute within the walls of this town. But she did profess that she had abandoned that corrupt practice and embraced once more the salvation offered by our Lord Jesus Christ under the care of her protector and advocate Thou-Shalt-Not-Worship-Graven-Idols Smith. He did present the most strong case against the Archbishop of York that the worthy holder of that title did father upon this woman during her fall a child. The woman being heavy with child the Court did adjourn the case to summon the testimony of the Archbishop only most reluctantly.

Observers at the Court note that the evidence against the Archbishop is strong and he was lucky not to have been named the father of the child-to-be then and there.

The Engagement of the Duke of Somerset and Princess Marguerite of France

A note is presented to all the most prestigious and important nobles of the country announcing the engagement between the Duke of Somerset and Princess Marguerite of France. It has been known that they have been courting for some months but her father has now blessed the marriage during the Duke's recent visit to Paris. The couple have not yet set a date for their wedding but it is believed to be imminent.

The main opponent to the marriage, the Cardinal Rolland, was disgraced in mysterious circumstances and sentenced to exile from the Kingdom of France. Cardinal Rolland was known to be an ally of the Spanish and to have pressed for France to take their side in the recent war in the Low Countries. Nonetheless the Cardinal was killed by what were believed to be Spanish raiders before he could leave for exile.

Quentin Trask

Sensational article published in the “The Dragon”

Any why now do we no longer here of the great Captain Quentin Trask, once Destroyer of the Dastardly Dago and Hammer against all the Enemies of the King? Has he contracted the Yellow Disease of Cowardice? Does he cower behind the lines and leave great deeds to greater men? NO! The Dragon can reveal little for what we have discovered is to sensational for these serious pages and too important to reveal to the enemies of the Crown. (For though the news of our smashing victories must set them to weeping where better to find the truth of their latest loss than on these pages?)

The article continues in a similar vein, hinting that the Captain is on a secret mission but without actually giving any details of where and what it is. But it does sound damned heroic!

London Fashion News

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

What to make of the Viscount Hertfordshire this Season? For he has re-entered the Fray and no longer does Sir Alexander Cross bestride the Heights of Fashion alone and Unchallenged. But is the Colonel's look that of Studied Disarray or simply Thrown Together on the fly? His slightly Wild and Windswept hair and predominantly Creased Satin trousers, and more importantly his black shirt with the top couple of Buttons Undone, have sent more than a few young Gentleladies thoughts to his Bedchamber or theirs.

Those who Scoff and say that a mere Mess cannot be called a Style, are mostly partisans of the Cross camp. Sir Alexander did lose some Prestige when the clothes he Promised from the designs of Tailor Royal failed to appear, but the services of Master Moorcastle proved Adequate to the job and the Exclusive members of the Cross Club parade themselves with Pride throughout Westminster.

The Bishop of Catford

A playbill for the next performance at the Rose Theatre

The Lord Admiral's Men are proud to present the latest work of William Brandage, playwright extraordinaire! Come laugh at the Bishop of Catford, a grasping scheming usurer and grasping Jew, who has somehow inveigled his way into the bosom of Mother Church. With no friends but his cats to keep him company he seeks always to ingratiate himself with the local gentry. But his false faith, stupidity and clumsiness doom him to ever more ridiculous foolery. He is the secret laughing-stock of Catford until a wandering minstrel makes the mistake of lampooning him in public with the words spoken behind his back…

The play is a great success with audiences often standing to cheer and holler in laughter when the Bishop's hilariously misspoken deal with a demon reduces him to a bloated corpse to be consumed by his cats. There is some trouble after performances however. Some audience members wish to take the play more literally and smash the heads of conspiring money-lending Jews. Unfortunately they were all expelled from the country more than two centuries ago and those that remain or entered in secret have more sense than to reveal themselves in such circumstances.

Those who pay attention to amateur theatre will also note that the Oxford University Light Entertainment Society also put on a play of similar note, with many hilarious puns on pulling purse-strings. The emphasis seems to be on the Perennial nature of amateur theatre, exempt as it is from most forms of direct censorship.

Holy Water

A message is sent from the Lord Chamberlain to all those invited to attend Court.

Be it known that from this Day Hence all those Attending upon the King shall be Blessed with Holy Water, that same Water blessed by a Priest or Bishop in communion with the Holy Church of England. This Ritual shall henceforth be performed to Prevent all Demons and other Unholy Beings presenting themselves at the Royal Court.

An Exemption shall be made for those Sorcerers Clean in the sight of God who are Currently Studying or have been Matriculated by the Invisible College or one of the Great Colleges of the University Towns of Oxford and Cambridge.

An Anonymous Pamphlet

”…for just as the Papists are given their freedom to worship as they see fit, and just as our Great King's sainted mother Elizabeth sought to bring all England together in common Faith, regardless of the disputes of Doctrine, so should not the Hebrew be allowed to walk freely on English soil and practice his ancient Rites? Why should our great Preachers and Priests be barred from the opportunity to bring these Wandering Souls into the Fold?…”

The pamphlet gives a series of rather convincing reasons for extending the Recusancy Exemption to practising Jews, and gains some popularity among the youth of London. Naturally it is followed by several rather less well-punctuated and more frothy polemics from opposing sources.

The City Idler

From The City Idler, a popular pamphlet including reviews of recent London plays.

”…the cynic would be willing to speculate a rivalry between Master Brandage and Mistress Lanik, and if such a rivalry existed, the latter seems certainly on the winning foot this month. “Beyond the Storm-Wall”, a dashing yet thoughtful tale of adventure in the far land of Zilmatillia, has raised even in the Pit thoughtful questions of Albion's welcome to foreign dignitaries; just as those we see at first as demons are, on greater reflection, merely different, so we have our own Demons to fight at home, and many of them in familiar shape. The Zilmatillian people are shown as strange but fascinating, and I have heard many of those on the balconies speculate that since the land is shown as so fair, perhaps a visit or tour would be in order…?

Your correspondent was personally most impressed with the final scene of windmills welcoming the weary traveller to the shores of England. The conversion scene, where our Zilmatillian heroine takes her first Christian communion, was one of the most moving I have seen on stage. Say what you like, a good old-fashioned spectacle was a good enough ending for Will Shaxberd, and it's good enough for your humble correspondent…”

[Some weeks later]

”…it is unnecessary for me to provide a review or summation of 'SANSENOY'. I cannot believe that there is a man, woman or child in the environs of London who has not seen this masterpiece, or at least had the most stirring of its pieces quoted to them. I can but comment on that which I have heard from certain of my more esoteric sources - that the 'secret poem' running through the text of the play has been positively identified by a Theurgist friend; it is a love poem in the Angelic tongue, so heartbreakingly beautiful as to be untranslatable into common King's English.

I cannot be satirical. My wit has deserted me. I bow to Lanik, mistress of the pen, and surely touched by an Angel.”

'Sansenoy' is being widely hailed as one of the greatest pieces of art ever to appear in English. All those members of Court who attend the theatre can feel free to have seen it. In brief, the plot centres around an angel and a mortal woman who fall in love; it's a period piece, set during the Hebrew journey through the desert. The woman is unable to tell the angel of her love, and so has to communicate through song and art - Sansenoy is so far above her that she doesn't dare speak to him directly in words. The plot is intricate but has a beautiful symmetry, the speeches are so perfectly written and delivered as to make strong men weep, and all those who see the play come away with a feeling of having been touched by something genuinely holy and otherworldly.

Chaos in Tooting

Since the Royal Court is in London you have plenty of time to hear from witnesses fleeing the carnage and despoilation in Tooting and points west for yourself.

It is clear that there was an enormous explosion or roar in one of the more fashionable streets in Tooting and then an enormous cloud of flying masonry and wood. No living witnesses from close to the scene have yet been found so the exact genesis of the event is unclear to you.

What emerged from the dust of the detonation is clear to all however. An enormous Archduke of Hell, later idenitified as Moloch who consumes infants and corrupts their elders, fighting a Host of Angels. Some of those who gazed upon Moloch had their minds or at least consciences swept away and became almost as bad as demons themselves. They turned upon those around them in fury, biting and tearing with inhuman ferocity and capable of killing when wounded even most greviously. Their eyes glowed red as with an echo of the fires of Hell itself.

The Host seemed somehow unable to defeat the demon and his mortal followers alone, despite carrying with them the Glory of the Lord. They turned to the devout of England, appealing to those in church services across the land to come to the their aid and rallying their own army.

So far the warfare between these foes is less “battlefield” and more “guerilla”, each angel commanding a small host of loyal Christians, while Moloch and his lieutenant imps spread themselves about the countryside.

There is a serious civil conflict occurring West of London and it seems to be spreading fast! The demon Moloch is currently heading towards Oxford along with his pitiless now inhuman followers. Wargrave and Oxford will soon be engulfed if we don’t DO SOMETHING.

Rumours

“Haven't heard anything from my brother, went to Roanoke to find his fortune, usually writes right regular.”
“That cannon was fired again, though this time it hit Cadiz. Some of the time.
The Irish have been spending a lot of time looking at the coast, can't be good.”
“Bees pouring out of her mouth alongside some sort of garbled cant about how wonderful it is to serve the Hive. The poor vicar was in tears trying to talk Meredith down from the pulpit.”
“Smashed right through the scullery walls and back out again, the pair of them, swords clanging away madly. My Bill had to spend the morning repairing the damage. And they broke all my best china.”
“The orphanage in Oxford is teaching the poor dears to spin wool? Hopefully it'll keep the scamps busy enough that they stay out of my orchard.”
“Apparently William Brandage isn't a puritan zealot determined to cleanse the country of filth. Of course those of us who've seen his plays were always pretty clear on how he felt about filth, if you know what I mean.”
“There have been big changes at the East India Company. Apparently the Directress is still in charge but she has a new deputy.”
“Isn't Wargrave directly between Tooting and Oxford?”
“It's that damned stick again, I swear! The witch din't 'ave a naked girl with 'er this time. A rather well-dressed one actually. Must'a been a Lady or Baroness o' something.”
“Well I hear the old Viscount Surat's out to India to buy himself another 'Prince'. Can't think where he gets them from to be honest, half a mind to purchase one myself.”
“Sir Alex plays soldiers with his brother now. Who's a soldier himself. Cavalryman, yes.”\\”Well ain't you heard? He's been captured by bloody pirates! Made to man a galley, I'd say.”
“Goats and beer. That's all he's good for, that one. Never made a bloody Earl for that in my day!”
“God Bless the Arcbhishop of York, he's finally got his act together and doing his all for England. It's good morale for us faithful.”

news/1.6.txt · Last modified: 2007/05/29 15:59 by innokenti