English Civil War Diary - Entry Number 14

Had a little time yesterday afternoon/evening so knocked out the next diary entry. It will slow down again somewhat now as events take their turn.

I have finished modifying the Quick & Dirty Rules version 1.1 and have typed them up and emailed them off the commanders for their final thoughts and comments. Another battle, using the modified rules will hopefully take place within a couple of weeks, real life allowing. I shall of course, video it for my You Tube channel and also take lots of photographs for this blog. I don't really want to call it Demo Battle 4, and as the table top will be arranged a little differently, with possibly a couple of farm buildings, walls, fences and some of the farm animals I painted up recently, as well as the usual trees and hedges, I really should give it a name. The Battle of ****?  Farm
.
Maybe you can come up with a name.

I hope you are enjoying these diary entries, so enough of my rambling.

Priceless Information.

Twiston Hall

28^th March 1642. 3pm.

James Appleton, head servant at Twiston Hall, announced the arrival of the king and the Earl of Newcastle from the door of Sir Royston's chambers. He then hurried to stand beside a table near the window upon which stood a tray containing a jug of the finest wine from the cellar and three beautifully cut glass goblets.

The king walked over to the bed on which Sir Royston lay, 'My dear fellow,' said the king, 'You look so weak, I feel I am intruding.'

'Your majesty, it is my gweatest pleasure and honour that you should find time to visit me, please accept my deepest apologies for not meeting you at my door, as befits such an important guest.'

The king sat on a chair proffered by James, 'Nonsense my dear fellow, you are a wounded hero, you stood against the rebels and paid heavily for it, no need to stand again for my benefit.'

The Earl of Newcastle, now also sat on another chair, beside the king. 'Terrible affair, how in god's name they managed to get this far North without us knowing is a scandal.' The earl would have loved to take out his clay pipe, but knew better, in the presence of the king.

James Appleton, poured three goblets of the wine and dutifully handed them to the guests, the final goblet he placed on Sir Royston's bedside table, before returning to his place by the window.

The king sniffed at the wine, a most wonderful aroma told him that it was indeed a wine fit for a king, he held up his glass, 'To a speedy recovery.' The earl mirrored the act. James hurried to the bedside and raising Sir Royston's head, held the goblet for him to take a sip. Sir Royston made a great show of struggling to swallow, in fact he could do with a good drink, and once the king and the earl had departed would make sure he finished this fine wine.

'Enough, thank you Appleton,' he said weakly, still acting a wonderful part, James carefully lowered his head back to the pillow. 'I fear even a fine wine is difficult to enjoy at the moment.'

The king was obviously moved and taken in by the excellent acting of Sir Royston, leaned forward and gently tapped his shoulder. 'We should not have bothered you my good man, you are still obviously suffering from that grievous head wound, we shall take our leave of you shortly, so you may rest and recover your strength.'

'Please your majesty,' replied Sir Royston in as weak a voice as he could muster, 'Having you here is the best medicine any man could have.'

The king nodded and smiled, 'I am shortly to depart for Nottingham with the bulk of the army, I shall be raising my standard there and will hopefully be joined by Prince Rupert within days. The earl will be remaining in the North to maintain control of the area and to capture the towns that dare to stand against me.'

Sir Royston wondered why he was being told this information, but knew it must have something to do with him.

'I have signed the commission, making you a full brigadier of the crowns forces, the king went on, I ask that, once well again, you take command of the forces in East Yorkshire.'

Sir Royston nodded and gave a weak smile, the last thing he wanted to do was go anywhere near an army or danger, he had been spared once, he didn't intend to put himself in any danger in the future.

'You honour me gweatly your majesty,' he said in his now familiar weak voice, 'but am I worthy or experienced enough to lead part of your army?'

The king smiled broadly, 'You sir are a hero, brave enough to encourage your men in the heat of battle, you have already proved you are more than worthy and experienced to command.'

It was not what Sir Royston wanted, but he could not turn down the king's offer, 'Your majesty, it is my honour to serve you in any small way I can, and once fit again, I will be honoured to command your forces in East Yorkshire.'

The king stood, 'Splendid my good man, we shall leave you now to recuperate, our visit has tired you and it is plain you need rest.'

The earl rose and touched Sir Royston on the shoulder, 'Do not rush back before you are fully fit, I shall have dispatches sent to you regarding what is required in this part of the county.'

James opened the door and then followed the distinguished guests out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Sir Royston sat up, snatched the goblet of wine and downed it in one. Damnation, he thought, he must make sure he took a goodly amount of time to recover, maybe they would appoint someone else instead. He doubted it and was resigned to the thought of facing musket fire again, well as the brigadier, he would make sure he had as many soldiers between him and the enemy as possible, at all times.

The king, and earl departed Twiston Hall with their escort and James Appleton returned inside the hall. He had much to write on the small piece of paper that would be attached to his feathery friends leg later that afternoon.

Sir Peregrine Pelham, the MP for Hull was reading all about the kings visit to Twiston Hall, less than two hours later...