JAMES' TOWN PART 2 Chapters 4-5

JAMES' TOWN PART 2 Chapters 4-5
By Pueros

This story is intended for ADULTS ONLY

This five-part factual story has been written to commemorate the 400th anniversary in May 2007 of the establishment of the first permanent English colony in America. The author hopes to post the five elements of the tale so that the last is timed to appear on the actual anniversary.

Part Two

'Brass without but gold within.'

- an inscription on a certain old map of New England.

Chapter 4 - Incarcerations

(Bridewell Hospital, London, England, early 1605)

"Well, my little beauty," Leviticus Goodly commented happily to young James, "welcome to Bridewell Hospital, where you'll live under my, er,...protection...and supervision for the next couple of years until you're ready to go to earn your living elsewhere." The boy blushed in embarrassment at the epithet afforded him by this ugly, bearded, dirty and smelly man, whose fat stomach hung over the belt at the front of his filthy trousers and whose mouth exploded with disgusting spittle whenever he talked.

Despite only recently turning the tender young age of ten, James was intelligent enough also to perceive some sinister sarcasm in the hospital warden's comments, especially when saying 'protection'. The way in which the man hesitated over this word, whilst a momentary devilish smirk crossed his face, suggested to the boy that this duty obligation in respect of the newcomer over the next couple of years was not going to be a prominent priority but rather the opposite.

"My name is Leviticus Goodly," the man went on to advise, "but you will call me and all of my staff 'Sir'. You will also obey our instructions and the hospital's rules at all times or be birched." James immediately shuddered at the thought of being beaten in such a manner.

James appreciated that the implement used comprised a tightly bound-together bundle of short slender branches from the smooth-barked birch tree. This sinister instrument of chastisement was commonly used at the time for punishing delinquents, not least in schools.

Although the recently orphaned James' late parents had been poor, they had somehow found the resources to enable their son to go to a decent school near to their very humble home, amongst the narrow crowded streets of early 17th century working-class London. The teacher had possessed a birch but more for show and intimidation than for practical use, as he was essentially a mild and compassionate man, in stark contrast to Leviticus Goodly.

As a result of his earlier academic education, which had now ground to a halt because of becoming an orphan and being accordingly dispatched to awful incarceration in Bridewell Hospital, where the formal teaching only related to practical artisan trades, James was literate and numerate. The boy also knew the Biblical scriptures, plus some basic Latin.

James' late father had also personally taught his son some of his own trade of ships' carpentry, which profession he had practised in London's docks after losing his job in his home city of Gloucester. The boy had proved to be a quick and proficient leaner in this practical subject too.

James' late father had additionally attempted to nurture his son's interest in culture by taking him, when he could afford to do so, to see some of the plays in London's theatres, particularly the 'Globe' on Bankside in London. The boy had therefore watched some of the latest offerings by a popular writer named William Shakespeare, including the most recent titled 'Macbeth', which he had rather enjoyed, having a special liking for the witches and gore.

James was also intrigued by the fact that all female parts were played by boys. He even began to harbour a quiet ambition to appear sometime as a performer on the stage of a theatre himself. Unfortunately, the tragic demise of his loving father and mother and his transference from his humble home to incarceration in Bridewell Hospital was to deny him such a desire.

James would instead one day appear on another different and much more important stage, being a key performer in the creation of a great and mighty nation.

(Tsenacommacah, Virginia, America [modern Tidewater Virginia, USA], same time)

On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, in the region named just over two decades earlier by Sir Walter Raleigh after Elizabeth I, who was known as the 'Virgin Queen', Matoaka was playing amidst the seasonal snow with some of her many half brothers and sisters. Protected from the very cold wintry conditions by fur and hide clothing, the little 10 year-old Native American princess did so with such frolicsome energy that she was eventually afforded a nickname matching her sometimes careless enthusiasm.

In her native Powhatan tongue, the nickname suggested that Matoaka was a 'little wanton'.

(Greenwich Palace, near London, England, same time)

The new Stuart King of England, James I, who had acceded to the throne just two years previously, and his family preferred Greenwich Palace to any other. The residence was sufficiently down-river along the Thames to be well away from the grime and smells of overcrowded London but also sufficiently close by boat to be able to reach the capital speedily.

Greenwich Palace had also been a favourite, and for similar reasons, with James I's Tudor predecessors, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Within the high brick wall surrounding the great park in the middle of which the residence was set, the King could hunt deer, often doing so with his highly intelligent and energetic elder son.

This sports-mad soon-to-be 11 year-old boy was called Henry, after James I's Tudor predecessor, and, as heir to the English throne, was destined to become the ninth King of that name to reign if he lived to succeed his father. Few people doubted that such a healthy child would do so, with more concern about survival into adulthood being afforded to his younger brother.

Charles, who had attained his 4th birthday in the previous November, was rather sickly and consequently withdrawn. The infant suffered in particular from weak legs, especially his ankles, which made him unable to walk without stumbling during his first three years of life. He also did not learn to speak properly without stuttering during the same period.

The alarmed James I initially considered having Charles' legs encased in iron boots to strengthen them and to have the young prince's tongue slit by a surgeon in an attempt to cure his speech impediment. Fortunately, more sensible remedies prevailed, mainly because of the stout opposition of Lady Alletta Carey, the Dutch-born wife of courtier Sir Robert Carey, who acted as the boy's governess, mainly at Greenwich Palace because the air there was considered to be better for his delicate health.

Lady Carey instead made young Charles wear boots made of Spanish leather and brass to help strengthen his weak ankles. Her gentler and more caring remedies eventually succeeded in helping the young prince to walk correctly and, with the aid of resultant increased personal confidence, to talk properly too. However, one symptom of his boyhood troubles was that he would as an adult only become 162 centimetres, or 5 feet 4 inches, tall, which would be one of the shortest heights for someone of his ultimate status.

Young Charles was very grateful to and doted on Lady Carey. The young prince also displayed the same affections towards his generally friendly and helpful elder brother, Henry, whom he hero-worshipped.

Young Charles, and indeed the whole future of the monarchy as well as another embryonic nation, were eventually, however, to become particularly grateful to someone else, who was of far inferior social standing to Prince Henry and Lady Carey.

(Greenwich Shipyard, near London, England, same time)

Not far from Greenwich Palace was a renowned shipyard, where many royal naval vessels were built. The late father of young orphaned James had actually performed some ships' carpentry there.

Coincidentally, Richard and Elizabeth, originally from Hingham in Norfolk and parents of a now 10 year-old son, Edward, had also performed some work for the shipyard. They had successfully transferred their weaving skills to sail- making, which provided themselves and their child with sufficient income to survive reasonably well.

Like James' parents had also been able to do before their untimely deaths, Richard and Elizabeth had additionally managed to set aside sufficient resources to send young Edward to day-school in London. Unfortunately, all of them were eventually deeply to regret this achievement.

(Bridewell Hospital, London, England, same time)

"You will also," Leviticus Goodly continued, "never attempt to leave Bridewell Hospital. The city authorities have trusted you to my care here for the next couple of years and here you will stay until that time is up and you are considered ready to leave!"

"To attempt to do otherwise is to perfidiously ignore the ruling of the city authorities, who only have your welfare and that of London in mind," Leviticus Goodly suggested. "Consequently," he added, "any attempt to run away will, when you are re-caught, which will undoubtedly happen, make you liable to far worse punishment than a mere birching!"

Leviticus Goodly's statement was, of course, partly incorrect. The city authorities actually had little concern for young orphans like James, which was why they were happy to send such children to such a poorly funded and supervised, darkly decrepit, spiritually soulless and abusively unfriendly institution like Bridewell Hospital.

The city authorities instead just wanted to remove such young nuisances from the streets as cheaply as possible, whilst falsely maintaining a political air of Christian compassion for those of god's creatures who had been struck low by being orphaned. Sadly such indifferent attitudes prevailed in many countries and persisted through subsequent centuries, still being extant in some nations even today.

James' initial reaction to Goodly's latest announcement was some bewilderment. The boy had never previously contemplated the notion of running away from Bridewell Hospital for two reasons.

First, James had nowhere to run away to, as he knew nothing about his extended family in Gloucester. Ever since his parents had ventured to London to find work there when the boy was only a baby, he had not met or learnt anything about living relatives left behind in his city of birth.

Second, James had been told the falsehood that the Bridewell Hospital was a nice place for orphans like him to live and train for new lives. This lie had been related to secure his co-operation because, if the boy had been told the reality, which he was about to discover in horror, he would surely have run away to try to avoid such a nasty fate, despite having not identified a place to where to flee.

James' innocent ignorance about the true nature of Bridewell Hospital had, of course, begun to erode immediately after his arrival for incarceration in the huge grim institution. Being led through sturdy wooden doors that were locked securely behind him, hearing sinister moans, shouts and other noises coming from behind similar entrances that he subsequently passed whilst walking along lengthy grimy dark dank corridors with barred windows, substantially helped this process.

Finally being led before, introduced to and left with Leviticus Goodly almost completed the erosion of James' early optimism that he was being taken to somewhere nice. The room in which the warden was sitting behind a table, full of what resembled the debris of a week of meals, was similar in grime, darkness and dankness to the outside corridor. However, the most unpleasant aspect to attack the boy's senses was the profoundly unpleasant stench pervading the brick-walled chamber.

James' sense that he had been brought somewhere not only unpleasant but also sinister was next compounded when Leviticus Goodly said, whilst continuing grossly to expel copious spittle and now displaying clear lust in his evil eyes, "Now, boy, let's have that grubby clothing off you. I'll then help bathe you myself!"

(Willoughby Hall, Willoughby, Lincolnshire, England, same time)

Robert Bertie, now the 14th Baron Willoughby de Eresby, welcomed his long-lost older friend and former servant literally with open arms in the ornately luxurious surrounds of his stately home. He hugged John firmly, whilst displaying dampness in his eyes and discarding relevant social proprieties by ignoring normal decorum. Many other people would consider such a reaction by an English aristocrat when greeting a man of mere peasant background to be most seemly.

"I had presumed that you were dead," the now 21 year-old Robert advised John, who was almost half a decade his senior, after finally releasing his grip. "So did I on several occasions, your Lordship," was the reply, "for I have been very close to being killed in various ways since you kindly released me from your service so that I could seek my fame and fortune."

"Please drop the formality of addressing me as 'your Lordship' in private, John," the young Baron responded, "and instead just call me 'Robert' as you used to. Now, you must tell me all about your adventures during the seven or so years since we were last together. However, first I must report to you that your mother sadly died whilst you were away."

"So I've already discovered, your Lordship, sorry I mean Robert," John informed, "after visiting our cottage, where I discovered new tenants." "Yes," the young Baron rather guiltily answered, "I would have kept the place vacant for you if I thought that you were still alive."

"You can, of course, have the cottage back," Robert went on to suggest not only to salve his conscience but also in the hope that his long-lost friend might want to return to live close by, "rent-free, regardless of whether you want to come back into my service." "I'll find the current tenants somewhere else to reside and I have several important posts that you could occupy," the young Baron added rather enthusiastically, in hope that such a pleasant development might accrue. "You could even furnish the cottage with your parent's stuff," he also advised, "because I've kept them in storage in case you ever did show up again!"

"Thank you for your kindness and for your offer, Robert," John replied to the young Baron's profound disappointment, "but my adventures in Europe have just given me a taste for more elsewhere, despite the hardships and dangers. I want to see more of the world and I simply couldn't at the moment permanently settle down anywhere until I satisfy that desire. I've returned to Willoughby only to see my mother and you and to check on her welfare and that of your family."

"Talking about your family, Robert," John continued, "please accept my sincerest condolences at the loss of your own father. I hear that he died about four years ago. I have to confess that I greatly admired him for his distinguished diplomatic and military successes on behalf of our late Queen Elizabeth. He was also always very generous to me and my family."

"Thank you for your kind comments," Robert responded. "I acceded to the Baronetcy when only seventeen," he added, with some dampness returning to his eyes but whilst genuinely not meaning to make his friend feel guilty too, "and could have done with you at my side then. You were always a great comfort whenever I was melancholy."

Nevertheless, John did feel some guilt. He had perhaps rather selfishly abandoned Robert's service, albeit with permission, when returning from a visit to France with him in 1597. The then 18 year-old had enjoyed his first trip outside the relatively boring rural environs of the small village of Willoughby in Lincolnshire so much that he had not wanted to return.

The sights that John had seen during the trip, including observing great cities like London and the sea and ships for the first time, had instilled an intense craving to see more. Fortified in his ambition by a promise from young Robert, who had been just a 13 year-old at the time, that his mother would be looked after, he had therefore abandoned the boy's service on returning to the English capital on the way back to Lincolnshire.

Robert had not wanted to see John go. However, the generous boy also did not want to retain an unhappy servant and had reluctantly acquiesced to his request to leave to seek his fame and fortune.

John had subsequently first sought sea-going service on a ship before widening his ambitions. As he was now to tell Robert over many hours, as they sat in a large ornate room in Willoughby Hall, protected from the wintry draughts by sitting in front of a big blazing fire and further warmed by drinking mulled wine, his subsequent adventures had returned him to the European mainland.

Robert was amazed to discover that John had gone on to serve as a mercenary in the army of King Henry IV of France in his campaigns against the Spaniards. He had later fought for various other warring factions, including the Austrian Habsburgs against the Ottoman Empire.

At barely 20 years of age, John was, for his fighting ability, courage and leadership qualities, eventually promoted to captain when fighting for the Habsburgs in Hungary in 1600-1601. However, as Robert was now amazed to learn, whilst subsequently on campaign in Wallachia [modern Rumania], his friend was wounded, captured and incarcerated.

John was then sold by the Turks into slavery.

Chapter 5 - Ambitions

(Greenwich Palace, near London, England, several months later, summer 1605)

Young Charles looked curiously at the strange and potentially ferocious caged creatures, comprising a wild boar and two baby crocodiles. "Where do they come from?" he subsequently asked of the ever-attendant Lady Carey.

"From the Americas," Lady Carey answered. "They're a gift to your father," she continued, "who, as you know, has a fascination for exotic animals. They were given to His Majesty by Captain Christopher Newport, who's just returned from another voyage to the area."

"I suspect," Lady Carey added with correct perceptiveness, "that Captain Newport is not just being selflessly generous with his gifts but also has an ambition to secure a favour from His Majesty, probably some form of important or lucrative appointment or commission!"

(Hanworth Manor, Middlesex, England, same time)

Hanworth was just to the south-west of London. The local manor house had once been a favourite country retreat of both Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.

Henry VIII had liked to hunt on the heath surrounding Hanworth village. He later gave the manor house to his second wife, Anne Boleyn, until having her executed.

After Henry VIII's death in 1547, the manor passed to the last of his six wives and widow, Katherine Parr, who lived in the house with her younger step-daughter, Princess Elizabeth. The future Queen continued to visit during her subsequent long reign, sometimes emulating her late father by hunting on the heath.

The manor was, however, in the early part of the reign of James I, a grace and favour residence for favoured courtiers and another Elizabeth, who was the wife of the current nominated occupier, Maurice, now gave birth in the house to a baby. This boy will also become another significant character with ambitions in this story.

(Virginia Tavern, Bankside, London, England, same time)

"Is this tavern named after our late Queen or the place in America where we English appear doomed never to establish a permanent settlement," asked Robert, 14th Baron Willoughby de Eresby, who was currently being fussed over by the incredulous innkeeper. His humble establishment was in a rather decrepit working-class area of London, albeit close to the popular Globe Theatre, and he could not believe his luck in receiving a visit from such a young nobleman.

Robert's aristocratic status was obvious by his rich clothing and the fact that he was attended by two liveried servants, mainly for purposes of protection in a plebeian quarter of the city where muggings of wealthy people unwise enough to venture there were common. The innkeeper was not just honoured to receive the patronage of a Lord of the Realm, which he would be able to brag about for long afterwards and might even, on the back of such boasts, be able to use lucratively to improve the quality of his clientele. He also looked forward to receiving a decent return on the best food and wine ordered by his unexpected customer.

"To be truthful, I'm not sure," John answered, "and neither is the innkeeper, who's only been here for ten years. None of the regular customers know either. However, I did pick the place to stay for the name, as I thought that it might bring me luck."

"I suppose that the background to the name doesn't matter," Robert reflected, "if the place does eventually turn out to be lucky for you. However, I had ambitions that you'd find somewhere nicer in which to lodge in London than this!"

"It suits me," John replied, "because I'm accustomed to such places. Don't forget, I was a peasant raised in a tiny country cottage in Willoughby whereas you're of the aristocracy, reared in the local stately hall and used to much better." "I was also a common sailor and mercenary soldier," he continued, whilst chortling, "who spent a lot of pleasant drunken time in some of the worst taverns in Europe!"

"I'm additionally accustomed," John added, whilst his face straightened on recalling bad memories, "to far worse accommodation than is provided here. Don't forget my time incarcerated in the dungeons of that dreadful Wallachian fortress and later spent as a slave of the Turks!"

"That may be so," Robert responded, "but, if you can't afford better, I can subsidise you. I hate to think of you living in such a dump!"

"It's not a dump to me," John retaliated, whilst returning to displaying a pleasant smile on his face to indicate to Robert that he was not aggrieved at his description of his lodgings. He subsequently glanced around at the rather scruffy and raucous customers drinking crude but strong ale from pewter tankards and eating basic fare, such as bread and cheese, from plates of the same cheap alloy.

"You see, Robert," John explained, "these might not be your kind of people but they're mine. I also like the simple ale and food. As I've said, I'm accustomed to such standards whereas you're not. I thank you for your offer but I hope that you don't mind if I refuse."

Robert also now exhibited a broad smile, as a gracious symbol that he had accepted defeat in generously attempting to move his friend to better-class accommodation. He reaffirmed his surrender by sighing "Alright, I give in but you must let me pay for this meal and for the play at the Globe that we're going to see later. By the way, what is the production called again?"

"The play's another new one by Shakespeare," John answered, "called 'King Lear', and I accept your kind offer to subsidise the meal and entertainment, as long as you allow me to pay for supper later. I'm not impecunious, you know, despite lodging here. I have more than enough resources to tide me through to me embarking on my next foreign adventure."

"Is your ambition still to join an expedition that's attempting to establish a permanent colony in Virginia," Robert asked, "hence your seeking luck from the name of this inn?" "Yes and I'm gradually moving closer to securing my wish," John replied, "as I'm in talks with a certain Captain Christopher Newport."

"Newport believes that the King might be considering the establishment of a company to sponsor such an expedition," John advised, "and he hopes to be appointed the leader. I'm trying to persuade him to take me as one of his officers."

"In these circumstances," John went on, now rather sheepishly, to inform, "I believe that there is a better favour that you can do me in preference to moving me into better lodgings." "Don't tell me," Robert interrupted, "because I think I know what it is!"

"You realise," Robert continued, whilst smirking at his supposed perceptiveness, "that I'm calling on you here whilst visiting London from Lincolnshire in order to attend court. You'd therefore rather like me to use my influence with the King to ensure that, if such a company was formed and expedition launched, you're nominated as a key member."

"No," John retorted, whilst rather happy in a friendly way to prick his friend's rather premature presumption and wipe the smirk off his face, "as I just want you to use your influence with the King to attempt to ensure that such a company is indeed formed, and the associated expedition launched. I wouldn't want me foisted unwanted on an unwilling Newport, if he does become the leader, as that might lead to later relationship difficulties."

"I'd prefer," John added, "to continue to tackle Newport myself and take my chances on persuading him to take me with him." "Well, if that's what you desire, so be it," Robert replied, "and, of course, I'll try to help your ambitions in the way that you want. However, I can't say that I'm actually particularly happy to do so. I've heard tales of a deadly disease-ridden climate in Virginia and even more deadly natives and wouldn't want to be just aiding you in suicide. You know that I truly value your friendship and I'd like to keep you alive to continue to enjoy it!"

"I thank you for your kind words about our friendship," John responded, "and your concern. However, I've survived the likes of losing to the Turks in battle, subsequent dreadful incarceration and then becoming one of their slaves."

John went on to conclude this part of his conversation with Robert by suggesting "My experiences in Virginia can't possibly be worse than I encountered in the Ottoman domains!" His friend subsequently reluctantly accepted this argument and the pair then progressed their conversation to discussing the play that they would soon be watching.

"What's King Lear about?" Robert queried, as he began to consume his expensive roast beef and wine. "I don't really know," John confessed, whilst eating bread and cheese and drinking ale, "apart from being aware of the fact that the play is a tragedy."

On hearing this description, Robert could not help his mind momentarily secretly hoping that any adventure of John in Virginia would not turn out to be a tragedy too. Despite his friend's recent reassurances, he remained deeply concerned.

Robert's rightful worries would have been severely compounded if he had been aware of the incorrectness of John's assertion that 'My experiences in Virginia can't possibly be worse than I encountered in the Ottoman domains!'

(Bridewell Hospital, London, England, later same night)

James awoke in a cold sweat. The boy had again experienced a terrible nightmare.

As usual, the theme of James' nightmare was one of the many physical and sexual abuses inflicted on his young body over the last months since his arrival earlier in the year in the horror that was Bridewell Hospital. The boy, like John in respect of his experiences in the Ottoman domains, believed that his life must be at a nadir. His sole ambition now was just to leave the appalling place.

Unfortunately for James, such a belief, like that of John, was to prove to be incorrect when his current ambition was eventually met.

(To be continued next month in part 3)