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 Sir Charles Berkeley comes from humble roots, but through a humiliating war with Scotland, he is able to make a name for himself and attract the patronage of the influential Earl of Holland.
Moving to London, his new marriage is soon interrupted by the spiralling events of the 1640's where the struggle between King and Parliament begins to escalate beyond any control.
He struggles to live in the hub of all this discord and during the overlooked, but pivotal year of 1641, he finds himself determined to remain above the fray.
Life will never be the same as the country lurches ever closer to civil war. Sir Charles agonizes over the decision that many of our ancestors would have grappled with - King or Parliament?
Very soon, Sir Charles is thrust into the dispute and is at the forefront of the crisis, experiencing the battle for power from both sides.
Enter the world of the 17th century!
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Written by Mark Turnbull
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Wednesday, 22 July 2009 |
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The King stood motionless, casting a disapproving expression at her, majestic and graceful as one of those carved marble pillars which held up the dinning room. He would continue to uphold the monarchy in the same way.
The chamberlain looked at the monarch, before addressing his mistress, "Your Majesty, I beg you to reconsider." King Charles saw the Queen take hold of her head in both hands. He felt his stomach churn, knowing just how impulsive her emotions could be, and how much they affected her wellbeing. The passion clearly came from her mother's Italian Medici side of the family.
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Written by Mark Turnbull
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Wednesday, 22 July 2009 |
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"If you may permit me to say so, Your Majesty, I think this issue is black and white. You must follow your conscience," Ussher told him in melodious Irish tones, as he sat in his flowing white robe with long sleeves, and jet-black clerical scarf, which hung around his neck and trailed down to his feet. An old-style ruff separated his head from his body. Was Ussher making a joke when he said black and white, dressed as he was? The King frustrated himself by even thinking about it for that split second, so fragmented was his mind at this rime.
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Written by Mark Turnbull
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Wednesday, 22 July 2009 |
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He continued on to his cabinet room; the inner sanctum. On the way he glanced up at the magnificent portrait of the Holy Roman Emperor and felt instantly inadequate, which infuriated him. The Emperor's kingdom had no such Parliament and he was not questioned by his subjects in any manner. The King knew his realms had different customs, but he was angry at the demands made upon him following all of the concessions he had granted so far. He came to the same conclusion as he always did - the mob and a few vipers in Parliament were attacking him personally through Strafford and he would not stomach it. They were a small proportion of rotten traitors, spreading contamination to the rest of the populace.
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Written by Mark Turnbull
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Wednesday, 22 July 2009 |
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Pilate would have saved Christ, by using his privileges on his behalf, because that day, he could choose one prisoner to be spared. But he was forced to choose Barabbas; he would have saved Christ from death, by satisfying their fury with inflicting other torments upon him, scourging and crowning with thorns and loading him with scornful and ignominious treatment, but the mob regarded him not. They pressed a crucifying."
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