Sir
Royston's Plate
21st March 1642
The King's Apartments, York.
The king held out his hand as
Sir Royston Twiston-Rawlings stepped forward. 'Wonderful to see you
again my dear fellow, he said, shaking hands with Sir Royston after
the latter had bowed his head in respect.
Sir Royston removed his plumed
hat in a theatrical swirl. 'The pleasure is indeed all mine your
majesty, I have come to offer my sword in the fight against the
webels, should they be foolish enough to twy to seize power.'
The king tapped him on the
shoulder, 'Every sword may indeed be required and the offer of yours
is most gratefully received my dear fellow.' As if by magic a young
courtier appeared beside the king holding a red cushion upon which
lay a rolled up scroll bearing the royal seal. The king picked it up
and offered it to Sir Royston. 'This is your honorary commission as
Colonel of Sir Royston Twiston-Rawlings Regiment of Foot.'
Sir Royston could barely
conceal the smile of satisfaction and bowed graciously. 'You do me a
gweat honour indeed and I shall not disappoint your majesty. I
already have the wegiment equipped and cuwwently under training at
the manor, they will be weady for such times as you wequire them.'
'Excellent news my dear fellow,
now walk with me a while I have a request to make of you.' Sir
Royston walked beside the king into a quieter part of the room, he
was aware of the many pairs of eyes watching him and couldn't resist
the wonderful feeling of importance he currently felt.
'When the war comes and believe
me it will come,' the king said in a quieter tone, I will not only
need the services of brave men like yourself but also gold to pay for
it all.'
Sir Royston was no man's fool
and had expected at some point to be asked to make a loan to the
king's cause. 'It will be my pleasure and honour to pwovide all that
I can your majesty, The gold and plate at the manor is not safe where
it is with the webels so damn close in Hull. The manor, though a
wonderful house, is not a castle and would be defenceless against a
determined attacker. The contents are at your disposal your majesty
and I shall gladly deliver them personally to you here at York.'
'Excellent my dear man,' the
king smiled and nodded, 'it is of course merely a loan and will be
paid back with a very generous interest, once this err...problem is
resolved.' The king stroked his beard and looked around the room. 'I
can send an escort of Horse to assist in its protection on the
journey from the manor to York, a captain of horse will lead them,
but of course he will come under your command.' The king laughed and
slapped a startled Sir Royston on his back, 'You have only been a
colonel for two minutes and now you are a brigadier of a mixed
brigade of horse and foot, well at least for that mission anyway.'
Sir Royston smiled back, a
brigadier, how impressive a title to announce himself as to the
admiring ladies he thought. 'You honour me gweatly your majesty and I
shall command with couwage and dignity.'
'I am sure you will my good
man,' the king led him back into the main part of the room and Sir
Royston realised his interview with the king was over.
'I shall leave for the manor
tomowor and make the necessawy awwangements your majesty, once ready
I will send word for the escort of horse.'
'Splendid my good sir, now
unfortunately I have many others to meet and talk with and I must ask
you to excuse me.' The king was already looking at the next victim
from whom he could obtain a loan.
Sir Royston bowed, making
another even more theatrical sweep of his hat before strutting out of
the room.
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