Chapter 34: Godolphin’s Web
June, 1692
With the death of George Jeffreys, Lord Jeffreys earlier in the year from some sort of issue with his kidneys, the government-mainly Princess Anne and Sidney himself- had cast around for another lawyer to raise to the lord of Lord Chancellor and thus Lord Speaker of the House of Lords. They had found their man, not in Sir Thomas who had asked to remain as Attorney General, but instead in William Cowper, an MP who had defended the government line many times in court and elsewhere especially Parliament. He had been raised to the peerage as Baron Cowper and put into the Lords and the Chancellorship. Today Sidney knew, would be the day they saw whether he had been the right investment.
Cowper called for order and then said. “Today’s business, my lords, is to discuss the recent events in Europe, particularly as concerns the Spanish Netherlands. To present the government’s argument is the Viscount Godolphin.”
There were cheers as Sidney got up. He moved to the speaker’s box and said. “Thank you, my lord speaker. My lords, two months ago there was an attack on the regiments led by Lord Churchill by French forces under the command of one Marshal Catinat.” There were boos then. “Thankfully, Lord Churchill had the wits about him to defeat the forces opposing him and to retreat into Dutch territory. We have subsequently sent a query to the French government in Versailles asking about this, and have been told that it was an accident. Marshal Catinat has been disciplined and the French King has apologised.” There were cheers at that. Sidney went to continue, but before he could, Charles Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury stood up.
“Point of query, my lord speaker?” Shrewsbury asked.
“Granted.” Cowper said.
Sidney wondered what Shrewsbury would say, he then remembered the evidence they had found, or rather the evidence that Sir Thomas and Lord Jeffreys had found before the latter’s death and he smiled to himself content in the knowledge of what he would bring before the house. Shrewsbury nodded his thanks. “My lords, if the lord opposite says that the government of the King has sought a reason from the French King and he says that it was a mistake, do they really expect us to believe that they are going to accept the French King’s apology as genuine?” there were murmurs of approval from Shrewsbury’s side. “After all, this is the same French King who once tried to get our King’s beloved uncle to convert to Catholicism in return for subsidies. This is the same King who promised to respect the division of Spain to someone not of his wife’s line, and then started this war currently ravaging Europe.” More cheers. “If the lord before me says he believes the French King, then he is a fool.”
There were loud cheers at that before order was restored. “Viscount Godolphin.” Cowper said.
Sidney moved to the speaker’s box. “Thank you my lord speaker. To answer the honourable lord’s claims, I do not for one moment believe that the French King is telling the truth. Indeed, we have received confirmation from our spies in Versailles, that this attack was deliberate. That they were under the impression we were going to have the Spanish Queen in our possession.”
Shrewsbury rose and immediately said. “So, then, this is an act of war!”
“If one were to view from it a binary point of view, yes, indeed, it is an act of war.” Sidney said.
“What is this nonsense that the honourable lord speaks of? There is no different point of view here. By attacking our regiment deliberately, the French King has declared war on us. That must be obvious to the lord.” Shrewsbury said.
“The lord is surely confused. The French King has publicly stated it was a mistake and has removed the offending commander. If we were to declare war on him now, we would be the guilty party. By accepting his apology false as it is, we come out looking better, and when the King of France learns of what we are doing next, he will push himself into a further corner.” Sidney said.
“And what further business is this?” Shrewsbury demanded.
Sidney did not immediately reply, he knew that things would get quite heated, he wanted to get the statement just right. “Under agreement with His Majesty’s regency council and the Her Majesty the Queen of Spain and the Dutch Republic, we shall be providing three ships from His Majesty’s Navy to escort the Queen of Spain from the Hague to Cadiz. They shall be under the command of Vice Admiral the Duke of Grafton.”
With that statement, Sidney knew he had gotten Shrewsbury in a pickle. What line of attack would the man go for now? “And by doing this you are actively challenging the King of France, and putting at risk the lives of not only our own sailors, but the Queen of Spain herself.” Shrewsbury turned to the Lord Speaker. “My lord speaker, my lords, I vote that by doing this the right honourable lord is in contempt of the Crown and move to bring a vote of impeachment against him.”
Sidney was momentarily surprised by this, he had thought Shrewsbury would go another way, but he kept his expression blank and waited. Cowper looked at Shrewsbury. “And what reasoning do you bring for this most serious of accusations?”
“Firstly we have reason to believe that he was the one who instigated the creation of the Police Regiments without approval of this Parliament as the Case of Proclamations from 1611 specifically states is necessary. Secondly by encouraging the Regency Council to allow for ships from His Majesty’s Royal Navy to help transport a sovereign whose Kingdom is at war with France, he places our sailors in grave danger. He also risks provoking another war. It is the height of irresponsibility.” Shrewsbury said.
Excellent, you fool Talbot, I’ve got you now. Sidney thought to himself. Cowper looked at him. “Do you have a response, Viscount Godolphin?”
“I do, my lord speaker.” Sidney said. He produced the document. “I hold in my hands evidence that the honourable lord Shrewsbury attempted to produce a forged letter and other such papers that he would use to accuse Her Highness the Duchess of Cumberland and the King’s own sister, of treason.”
There was a loud shout at that, from both sides of the House, the Princess was very popular. “May we see this evidence?” Cowper asked.
Sidney handed the documents in question to the Lord Chancellor’s aids, they handed it to Cowper who read it. Sidney remained silent, his heart hammering, eventually Cowper spoke. “What do you propose to do now?”
“I propose that this House open an investigation into the Earl of Shrewsbury and any associates of his such as the Earl of Devonshire, for treason of the highest sort against the King.” Sidney said. He watched Shrewsbury’s face whiten when the documents were put before him.
“Do you disagree with this assertion for a vote?” Cowper asked him.
Shrewsbury could not deny it in good faith, Sidney knew, therefore, when he reluctantly said. “I do not, my lord speaker.” Sidney knew he had won.