Chapter 25: Law Lords
February, 1691
“It has been a month, gentlemen.” George Jeffreys, Lord Jeffreys and Lord Chancellor said. “And yet everything we have found has come back to the same conclusion.” He paused for dramatic effect. “That being that the only person who saw the Earl of Sunderland before he died was Her Highness the Duchess of Cumberland and she attests that he was well when he left her chamber.” That the Princess had been with the Duke of Cumberland and Lady Churchill in some strange act, when the servant had gone to tell her of what had happened, George left out. “This is not acceptable.”
“Truth be told, my lord,” Sir William Rawlinson MP and lawyer began. “It is not surprising that we have not been able to find anything more of note.”
“How so?” George asked, he was beginning to feel as though Rawlinson was more concerned with attacking him and the government than anything else, even if the man was allegedly a Tory.
“There were no guards patrolling the area from the palace to Sunderland’s manor, and as such they could not know what happened. It was pure luck that Sir Peter Cranbourne was heading to his mistress’s house, otherwise who knows how long Lord Sunderland would have remained there unseen.” Rawlinson replied.
Sir Peter Cranbourne, a major in the Grenadier Guards had found the body of the Earl of Sunderland late at night, as he had made his way to Parliament Road, where Sunderland’s manor house was. Cranbourne had gone to meet his mistress, who that was he would not say, but truth be told George was not much interested in that. He wanted to know what else had happened. And so, it was with this in mind that he said. “So, what do you suggest? That we have more soldiers patrolling the street from the Palace to Parliament Road? You know for a fact that most MPs and Lords do not like that. They say it reminds them of the Commonwealth.” He could not blame them, some of the soldiers were not desirable people to have on such a street.
“Well, they will have to get used to it, if they want to be safe, my lord.” Sir William responded. “That is the only way this can be prevented from happening again.”
“You believe this will happen again?” Anthony Keck, MP and lawyer asked.
“Yes.” Rawlinson responded.
“Why?” Keck asked.
“Because Sunderland was one of the most powerful men in the Kingdom. In all three Kingdoms, rather. If they went after him, they will try someone else. Hence why the members of the regency council all have improved security, and why most of the court has remained in Whitehall. The Princess sees this, even if the Lord Chancellor does not.” Rawlinson said.
George ignored the barb at himself, and instead decided to focus on something the man had said. “So, if this is a targeted murder, we must figure out who it was that did it. As I see it, there are four groups who could do it. The Puritans, Sunderland had always opposed them. The French, Sunderland was always a thorn in their side. The Covenanters, for his support of the Campbell plan, and then the Catholics.”
“The Puritans were destroyed politically due to the Exclusion crisis and their part in attempting numerous things during King Charles reign, I do not think they would risk going after someone as powerful as Sunderland.” Keck said.
“However, he did make an enemy of Devonshire for his derisive comments during a debate in the Lords recently, and he did reject Devonshire’s proposal of marriage for the new Earl of Sunderland.” Rawlinson pointed out.
“Devonshire does not command the Puritans, regardless of whatever nonsense is whispered. The Puritans despise him.” George said, remembering the discussions he’d had with his spies recently.
“Then that leaves the Covenanters.” Keck Said. “I do not think they would do it either. Sunderland was very clear about who he did and did not support, and he didn’t give verbal support to the Campbell plan until he spoke with the Princess and the council.”
“We’re going in circles.” Rawlinson commented drily. “Soon enough we’ll say that the Catholics didn’t do it either, or the French. Only those last two groups have real reason to do it, unless it is more individually motivated.”
George seized on that. “That is possible. Sunderland had made a lot of enemies during his time as a politician and court member.”
“But who?” Keck asked.
Speaking for the first time in this meeting, the deputy Lord Chancellor, and Lord Chancellor of Scotland the Earl of Melfort said. “Who did he argue with the most?”
“What do you mean?” George asked, he was starting to get tired now, he wanted to move onto other things but he knew he would not be able to until this was sorted.
“Who did he argue with the most out of everyone at court? He has been called the most powerful man at court, behind the King and the Duke of Cumberland. There must be a reason for that, and as such power attracts rivals.” Melfort said.
“Well Sidney Godolphin did become the new Secretary of State after his death, and Middleton had thought he might get it.” Rawlinson said.
“Godolphin wouldn’t do it, but Middleton might.” George replied thinking about the Northern Secretary, he was ambitious and cunning, but was he blind enough to get into this?
“Perhaps we should speak with him?” Keck suggested.
“Yes.” Melfort said then unusually eager. “Do so.”
George shared a look with Rawlinson, the sudden eagerness of Melfort was confusing to say the least, he had not detected any rivalry between Melfort or Sunderland before the latter’s death, perhaps there was more to it than he had thought. Either way he supposed it could not hurt to speak to Melfort. “Very well, we shall do so.”
He paused in his consideration then, perhaps there was another way to ensure the process of finding the killer went quicker as well. “We must introduce a law that provides us with a proper force meant for this sort of work. The current system of justices and constables is not sustainable.”
“What would you recommend?” Keck asked.
“An elite body, perhaps derived from the army, that would be able to keep order in the city, particularly near the palace and Parliament, and be able to carry out searches and investigations without needing to worry about offending anyone’s sensibilities.” George replied.
“Like what they have in France?” Rawlinson asked.
“Yes, but with adjustments. We would not have a Lieutenant General of Police, but instead they would report directly to the crown.” George said, assuming that was what the main difference would be. He would need to ensure that there was more done to differentiate it, if it were to stand a chance.
“Through an Act of Parliament or?” Keck asked.
“Declaration.” George said immediately. “Parliament will never agree to this, the fools that they are.”
“Then it had better be as tight as possible.” Rawlinson said.
