The First Book of Samuel by SAREJESS (epub read online books txt) 📕

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We are going to see the wonders of the continent in all their splendor” said Elizabeth Pepys in her pretty French accent. Mr. Pepys smiled, well content with the world. “I do believe that we shall be gone more than three months” said Mr. Samuel Pepys “I wish you every success in your travels” replied Samuel. They had left the inn arm in arm, a happy couple going on a continental holiday. It was also to be the last happy occasion they would spend together.

About four months later Samuel was busy cleaning the bar late one night when all the world had gone to bed. Only the guards were about calling the hour, when there came a hammering at the door. Samuel hurriedly took from behind the bar an ancient blunder buster and cautiously opened the door. There in the rain stood Mr. Pepys. Putting aside the old weapon, Samuel flung wide the door to admit his friend and patron.

“Come warm your self by the fire sir” said Samuel leading Mr. Pepys to the fire side seat. Samuel gathered from the smell on Mr. Pepys breath that he was already very drunk. “Oh friend Samuel you see before you the most wretched of creatures” said Mr. Pepys in a very emotional state, tears running freely down his face. “I am lost. Never more will I know happiness” said Pepys in between sobs.

“What ails you sir? May I call a physician? Calm yourself Mr. Pepys you will surely take a fit of morbidity if you continue” said Samuel. “Oh Sam my dear Elizabeth is no more. She died earlier this night and I am totally at a loss without her. What shall I do?” said Mr. Pepys. Hurriedly Samuel poured a glass of brandy for Pepys “Pray drink this sir, it will restore your composure then maybe you can tell me what caused this” said Samuel.

Taking the glass Pepys drained it then began to speak “We went on our European holiday. We had much fun, did all the things that Englishmen do when visiting the continent. Returning but a fortnight ago Elizabeth took ill, complaining of a tiredness and a shortness of breath. I tended her, we got the doctor in but none of the cures worked. Earlier tonight I was at her bed side when she expired. Oh poor sweet Elizabeth” cried Pepys “Why could it not have been me? Why was my sweet one taken from me?” he sobbed.

Samuel poured another drink for Mr. Pepys and sat down beside him “Sir I have known much sorrow in life” said Samuel every time something has happened I have thought that I could not live another day yet here I am. This sorrow will pass sir. Right now your heart feels as if it has been torn asunder but tomorrow the pain will become a little more bearable” said the innkeeper. “Oh Sam if you only knew the pain which I now feel you would not say such a thing. My heart feels like it will burst from sorrow” said Pepys.

“Come sir I am putting you to bed. This night you will spend under my roof” replied the publican. So saying he lead Mr. Pepys to an upstairs room where he helped the poor man to remove his wet coat and wig…


1685 The King is dead long live the King

It had occurred to Samuel that it had been some days since he had seen his friend Mr. Pepys. London town was not a happy place to be of late. The king had died and Samuel had last seen Mr. Pepys a few days before the King had been taken ill. It had been a Friday evening; Mr. Pepys had come to the inn, as was his custom, to drink a small jug of beer. Samuel had been very busy that evening and had not much time to stop and chat with Mr. Pepys. Mr. Pepys had been somewhat preoccupied on that evening with a wench, who had seemed comely enough. Thus Samuel had not worried over much, knowing that Mr. Pepys was enjoying himself. Mr. Pepys since the death of his wife some years earlier had on occasion spent a fair amount of time with various wenches enjoying the pleasures there to related.

On Sunday evening the word had spread that the merry monarch had been struck with apoplexy. A royal request was made that all citizens of the city pray for the recovery of their beloved Sovereign Charles II. Many people of this, one of the largest cities in Europe, had made their way to their parish churches to pray. The newly rebuilt St Paul’s cathedral had been filled to capacity as the archbishop had led the nation in prayers and services for the recovery of the king. On the following Wednesday it was made known that Charles Stewart II, beloved King and monarch had died.

It was rumored that on his deathbed he had called for a priest and had been given extreme unction. This was shocking news to the people who gathered in the local watering holes around the city. Charles having made a promise to his royal cousin of France had kept his word that he would become a catholic. However the sly king had stated that he would convert but only when it was in the best interests and occasion for England, thus he had continued to receive a pension from his cousin of France while maintaining the status quo. It was said that on the Sunday in question he had been enjoying scallops and wine with peers and to ladies of the court, when he had a very bad attack of apoplexy. He had been struck senseless and had remained this way for some time, recovering some what on Monday, his speech returned later in the day. On the Wednesday he called for a priest who had come quickly to give the beloved monarch extreme unction, thereafter the king had expired.

Now James, Duke of York no more, but now by the grace of God James II king of England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and all dominions, territories thereto belonging, was planning the funeral of the late king and brother. For him it seemed strange having been so long standing in the wings under the shadow of his royal brother. Now the subjects of the realm wondered once more what type of King he would make, he was a known Catholic and people wondered what new laws would be passed what new indulgences this Stewart king would attempt to bring before the house.

Samuel was wiping the counter top in the bar when the door was pushed open by Mr. Pepys. Samuel moved to serve his long time customer and friend. “Good day Sir” said Samuel “Aye good day” said Mr. Pepys. “A sad day indeed” said Samuel Pepys. “Ah yes said Samuel “A sad time for the whole nation.” “I had occasion to see the King earlier this day” said Pepys. "Poor man, he was very upset preparing the funeral for his late majesty. He was quite sad at the whole matter. The queen, God bless her, was with him giving him comfort". “Ah well at least there will be no more talk of papist plots thank God,” said Pepys. “I had to see him on some matters which will be brought before the house by the end of the month, but upon seeing him in such a state, I decided to forego the subject on which I needed to talk with him, until such a time is more suitable for these mundane matters” continued Pepys, as Samuel laid before him a jug of small beer and a plate of oysters. “How do you find life these days old friend?” asked Mr. Pepys “Much the same” said Samuel “the inn is busy and my chest box is in a reasonable condition and I am contented” said Samuel. “That is indeed good news” said Pepys, “now I shall have to return to the navy office to prepare some tickets for some sailors who are been paid off.”

“What news of the young Duke of Monmouth?” inquired Samuel “I have heard stories that he is unhappy and is gathering men to march on London” said Pepys. “But that is all rumor, nothing definite at this time. No doubt I shall shortly get orders from Whitehall to ready the fleet in preparation of another invasion on his behalf. Mayhap he will get help from the Low countries” said Pepys. "Although I doubt it would come from his cousin Mary who might very well try and mount an invasion on her own account” continued Pepys. “Yes William of Holland I would not be surprised if he cast his greedy little eyes towards this fair Island” Said Samuel. “Indeed he might. You know the Dutch quite well, having lived there for a season, so you would know how industrious they are. Their East India Company has its finger in every trade in the East. It returns high profits to its stock holders” said Pepys. “Yes it is true they were granted a license to trade in the east almost a hundred years ago. Ever since they have been growing every year, they even have a thriving station at the Cape at the Southern end of Africa which is showing some promise” said Samuel. Mr. Pepys wondered how Samuel came by such a wealth of information as he seldom left the inn. He was unaware that as a Jew, Samuel had contacts in almost all the nations of the world and that information was regularly exchanged between communities. The latest bit of information Samuel had gained off of a wandering member of the international Jewish community who had passed through London but one week before on his way to the new American colonies. It was not that Samuel was actively involved in the Jewish community he had learned a long time ago that to live and profit he needed some times to hide his Jewish origins. At other times in the past, he had interacted with the Jewish community but he had always kept these contacts to a bare minimum. Jewish communities had very long memories and they tended to keep things in mind that others had long forgotten. Now as he shared the latest news he had of Dutch affairs he wondered how long it would be before word got back to the Jewish community that there was a Jew by the name of Samuel Ferreira running an inn in London.


CHAPTER FIFTEEN
England July 1685
The troops were formed up on Sedgemoor, the battle lines drawn. It was the morning of 6th July 1685. The young duke of Monmouth mounted on a white charger began by leading his mixed troops forward, the cannons roared, cutting great gaps in the rows of marching men. For a moment it looked like they would hold. The Duke addressed his faithful Protestants and the men continued their march. The cannons roared once more, more men fell, the line faltered then broke. Men began fleeing the battlefield. The Duke turned trying to rally his men, but it was in vain. The royal forces charged after the fleeing men; it was a massacre.

London town was seething. Many had placed their hopes in the young Duke’s abilities but had done nothing to support him. The rebellion led by James Duke of Monmouth had ended in disaster. The battlefield of Sedgemoor had been littered with the corpses of the defeated. The King’s soldiers had gone on to the field after the battle and had killed any remaining wounded. A cruel mercy, better to kill the badly wounded then to let them lay in the mud and suffer.

The young Duke