Civil War and Turkey
1660, Week 1
I began this week as I’ve begun most weeks recently: putting on my suit with great skirts. Ah, the feeling of freedom. I feel so bad for the common folk who have nothing but trousers to wear.
New Year’s Day began most ominously: Elizabeth burnt her hand cooking the turkey. Later, as Elizabeth and I walked to my father’s, we observed the great defence posts being set up in Fleet Street in preparation for the expected army of Lord Lambeth from the north. “Nothing like a new civil war to kick off a new year,” I remarked to my wife.
We duly spent most of the next day making our own preparations for the encroaching national unrest – that is, ordering in a dozen bottles of wine. Soon after, I learned that my cousin and Lord Montagu had also sent me a dozen bottles. Elizabeth and I will be just fine should war break out.
Around the City, many were declaring for a free Parliament – presumably to stay the right side of the army closest to home. I learned also that Parliament were offering indemnities to soldiers who had been on the other side in the battles of previous years – presumably to ensure that the right side remained the right side…
At that point, though, the most important declaration was that of Lord Fairfax, who was taking an army of Irish to meet with Lord Lambert. Many secretly supposed that London wouldn’t last long under a combined assault from both armies.
I dealt with this like I have done many times in years gone by: I checked my bucket list for things to do. So it was that I found myself with my cousin Mrs Jemimah learning to play at Cribbage.
By the middle of the week, Parliament had desperately extended their offer of indemnity to Lord Lambert too, and every Member had been ordered to spend a day fasting and at prayer. But the news returned that Lord Lambert’s forces were deserting him, most likely due to the discovery that Fairfax was on London’s side.
See? Prayer works, people.
I celebrated by visiting the Vines, my good friends, where we made merry with our viols, wine, and cheese.
Then, just a few nights later, it was Twelfth Night, and my cousin Stradwick hosted a party for a great many of our family. In the random draw of roles for the day, my sister Pall picked queen and cousin Stradwick was crowned king. Given such a monarchy, I was tempted to suggest we beg Lord Lambert come to our rescue…
Still, not all of the New Year’s omens came to nought. I don’t think a day went by this week where the main meal was something other than turkey. If I have to gobble another giblet this year, I think I might start a civil war…
In return for the smiles you took from these words, please send them to a friend!
Your smiles will then be compounded twice: once for sharing joy with your friend, then again for my undying gratitude. {:-)