Chapter 156: Charlie Boy
June, 1616
Charles shifted from side to side as he waited for the guards to tell him that he could enter his father’s chamber. The fact that he’d been summoned to attend the King was a rarity in of itself, the King barely had any time for him usually, only giving the odd gift when it was his birthday, but other than that nothing. The King preferred spending time with Henry, and at a stretch Mary. Charles could understand that, Henry was the heir, the one who needed the attention, and Mary was the King’s only unwed daughter.
So, for the King to summon him here, was a bit unusual, and Charles wondered what might have caused this. He blinked when he heard the guards shift. He looked forwards and saw the tall one, whose name was William say. “His Majesty will see you now, Your Highness.”
Charles nodded, pulled his top straight and then walked forwards as the doors were opened. He stepped into the King’s chamber and saw that it was almost empty. Yes, there were servants and the odd dog about, but no courtiers. He continued walking forward and stopped when he got to the grand chair where the King was sat. It was encrusted with diamonds-two of which Charles knew had been a gift from the Emperor of Hindustan- and laid with gold. Charles bowed.
“Your Majesty.” He said, thankful his stammer hadn’t shown up this time.
“Charles.” The King said. “Rise.”
Charles lifted his head and saw that there were two men standing next to the King. Buckingham, who was to the King’s right, and Lord Haddington, to the King’s left. They were unusual bedfellows, Charles thought, as last he’d heard Haddington hated Buckingham, but clearly not. Charles focused on the King. His face was white, there were lines all over it-clearly from excess drinking-and his beard was unkempt.
“I have summoned you here today to discuss two things.” The King said. Charles didn’t say anything instead he waited; the King continued. “Firstly, you are soon to turn sixteen, and as such, I wish to know how far your education has progressed.”
The statement confused Charles, what did the King mean? “Si…Sire?” He stammered, cursing himself for the stammer.
He saw Buckingham grin then, and knew that the man would likely ridicule him once he was gone. The King didn’t seem phased though and instead said. “Yes, how much of the syllabus have you learned?”
The King had drawn up some programme for both he and Robert to learn from, so that they could in the King’s words be ‘intellectual equals to their brother and future King.’ Whilst Robert perhaps struggled a little with it, Charles found it engrossing and had surpassed most of what had been laid out. “I have completed it, Sire.”
“Completed it?” The King asked.
“Yes, Sire.” Charles said.
The King exchanged a look with Buckingham, and then asked. “What is the purpose of the spare?”
Charles took a breath and then answered. “To serve and obey the main, and to ensure that he provides good counsel, putting aside any petty wants and needs.”
“And how likely is that?” The King asked.
“It is difficult, but with good grace and patience and prayer it can be achieved, Sire.” Charles said, quoting the exact words that the King had written in his text from 1606.
Charles bit back a smile when he saw the King nod in appreciation. Charles thought that the questions would continue, but instead, the King said. “You are to venture to Scotland next month.”
“Scotland…. Sire?” Charles stammered surprised.
“Yes, you are to serve as our representative there for the time being. You will travel between Holyrood, Falkland Palace and Dunfermline as well as Linlithgow. Show the Scots that we have not forgotten about them.” The King said.
Charles nodded. “It would be my honour, Sire.”
“Good.” The King said. “You will meet with the Archbishops whilst you are there. Make sure they are sticking to what was agreed at Hampton Court.”
“Of course, Sire.” Charles said, he knew that the former Archbishop of St Andrews, Gledstanes had died shortly after achieving immortality with his success at the conference, and that his replacement was apparently lukewarm toward the concepts that Gledstanes had stuck by. “Do you wish for me to debate them?” He asked then, an idea forming.
“Debate them?” The King asked, an eyebrow raised.
Charles nodded. “I know the theology and have studied the arguments made at the Conference, if there are any waverers I can try and convince them, Sire.” Surely his words would carry weight being a Royal?
The King looked at him, and then at Buckingham and Haddington. Some sort of conversation was being held between the three men, a conversation that Charles was not party to. He tried to push down the feeling that they were laughing at him, and instead waited patiently. Eventually, the King spoke. “No, do not do that. Meet with them, see their concerns and then write those concerns down and send them back here.”
Charles exhaled in disappointment. “Yes, Sire.”
“I want you to make a good impression, for Scotland will be your home once you are married.” The King said.
“Married, Sire?” Charles asked surprised. More that the King was mentioning it now than anything else.
The King looked as though he was repressing a laugh. “Yes, your marriage.”
“W…w…when is that happening, Sire?” Charles stuttered.
“Next year.” The King said.
“T..t..to who?” Chares stuttered.
The King looked vaguely annoyed now, his brow furrowed. “Your cousin, the Duchess Hedwig.”
Charles nodded, that wasn’t a bad marriage and he’d heard that Hedwig was a beautiful woman, which was nice. “I…I…I…see.” He said.
“Anything else?” The King asked, sounding thoroughly bored now.
“No, Sire.” Charles replied, his stammer having gone.
“Then you may go.” The King said.
Charles bowed, straightened, then turned and walked away, as he got to the door, he heard the King snort, and turned slightly, he heard Buckingham say something, heard Haddington agree, and then turned back and walked out of the room. At least he’d be away from those two and able to be his own man, soon enough.
