Queen Anne Read online

  ‘ANNE’.

  Oh take it,

  Oh take it,

  Oh take it.

  The song concludes, to applause and laughter. ABIGAIL has entered. Unseen, she approaches HARLEY and SWIFT, who are sitting at their usual table.

  ABIGAIL. They’re wrong about Her Majesty.

  HARLEY. Good Lord. Miss Hill. And here.

  ABIGAIL. So it would seem.

  HARLEY. You remember Mr Swift?

  ABIGAIL. Regrettably.

  SWIFT. All hail my acid friend.

  HARLEY. But expand upon your subject, please.

  ABIGAIL. I only mean the Queen has thoughts and leanings of her own. And in the weeks since she was throned, I’ve seen her try to stand her ground on numerous occasions, against the Earl and Countess. She has more strength of character than commonly believed.

  HARLEY. What leanings then? Come, tell us more.

  ABIGAIL. She makes no secret of them. The Church is closest to her heart – I never knew a person so devout. Prince George. The preservation of the Crown.

  HARLEY. What else for me?

  ABIGAIL. This isn’t ‘information’. They’re merely observations, invited by the silly scene I saw just now.

  SWIFT. Then, pray, what is it draws you back into our den of miscreants?

  ABIGAIL. I need to ask if you will be so kind as to arrange my marriage for me, cousin?

  HARLEY. Marriage?

  SWIFT. Disappointing. How prosaic.

  HARLEY. Why, to whom?

  ABIGAIL. A Colonel in the service of Prince George. His Groom of the Chamber.

  SWIFT. She aims her arrow high, at least.

  ABIGAIL. His name is Samuel Masham.

  HARLEY. Masham. Can’t say I’ve ever heard the name.

  ABIGAIL. There’s no reason why you should have done. He’s never loud and doesn’t look for fame.

  SWIFT. And does this shrinking fellow know the dreadful fate you plan for him?

  ABIGAIL. Of course. We’ve talked together many times. I think that he’s grown fond of me.

  SWIFT. And does he see?

  ABIGAIL. See what?

  SWIFT. Why, anything at all?

  RADCLIFFE and DEFOE approach. ABIGAIL turns away – not wanting to be recognised.

  RADCLIFFE. So, gentlemen. News of the war. Tell them, Defoe.

  DEFOE. I came past the Court just now and everything’s astir. A missive from The Hague. It is anounced the Earl of Marlborough has been given charge of all the allied forces, land and sea. Commander-in-Chief and unassailable.

  HARLEY. What? Surely there is some mistake?

  RADCLIFFE. Not the King of Prussia, no, not Hanover, no not Savoy, not even good Prince George, but Marlborough it is who has his hands upon the reins.

  SWIFT. Then we had better brace ourselves – he’ll gallop after glory now, and never stop to look what’s in his wake.

  DEFOE. And those with land had best prepare to see it taxed to dust.

  RADCLIFFE. Let’s hope the Petticoat General has more to recommend him than his wife’s allure.

  Drink, drink, good masters, while ye may…

  DEFOE. For tomorrow we are bust!

  RADCLIFFE and DEFOE move off into the room.

  SWIFT. They’re gone, Miss Hill.

  ABIGAIL. I ought to leave.

  HARLEY. And so should I. There’ll be some consternation in the House once this is known.

  ABIGAIL. And you will speak to Colonel Masham for me, sir?

  HARLEY. Yes. No. But why not ask the Countess to sally forth on your behalf?

  ABIGAIL. I’d rather not increase my debt to her. Besides, I doubt she would approve the match.

  SWIFT. Do I detect a hint of venom there?

  ABIGAIL. You don’t. I won’t be drawn to taking sides. I simply have a life to lead.

  SWIFT. Now, now – don’t break my heart. You’re surely not so green as that? The world makes politicians of us all.

  HARLEY. If I agree to intervene and play a weighty cupid, what recompense do I receive?

  ABIGAIL. None but my thanks. And if it helps, a private meeting with the Queen. We’d need to ask her blessing.

  HARLEY stops still, and his expression changes.

  SWIFT. Oh, God be praised. I think she’s back.

  Scene Five

  Drawing room, Kensington Palace. Sunshine streams in through the windows, and birdsong can be heard, along with the occasional burst of laughter and shouting coming from the grounds. Enter ANNE, richly dressed. She leans on SARAH’s arm. Other LADIES, including ABIGAIL, are in attendance.

  SARAH. Perhaps I must repeat it, ma’am, for I fear you have not fully understood.

  ANNE. But… I think I’ve understood you very well.

  SARAH. The Earl of Wharton has to be retained as Comptroller of the Household, and keep his place in Cabinet. Seymour, who you think of bringing in, is a rampant Tory.

  ANNE. Oh, how I do detest these new distinctions. I take no account of whether a man is labelled Whig or Tory…

  SARAH. Then, forgive me, but you must.

  ANNE. I simply do not like the Earl of Wharton. He’s clearly a Republican. And nor can I abide the way he flaunts his mistresses about the Court. He offends my faith and everything I stand for.

  SARAH. Good heavens! What a charge.

  ANNE. Surely I must have men in Cabinet I can respect?

  SARAH. Majesty. Your Majesty. I’ve told you this before – you needn’t even go to Cabinet. Leave such business to Godolphin. No one would expect to see you there more than once or twice a year perhaps.

  ANNE. It is my sacred duty to attend. Especially when we are at war.

  SARAH. Is it not enough Prince George attends from time to time?

  ANNE. You know the Prince has little heart for discourse. And now he has the Navy to command. Besides, he is not King.

  Pause.

  SARAH. We cannot lose the Earl of Wharton.

  ANNE. Please. I tire.

  SARAH. We must have a majority of Whigs.

  ANNE. But surely we should aim to have a balance? Appoint the best and cleverest of men.

  SARAH. Who puts these notions in your head? Ma’am, if you insist on favouring the Tories…

  ANNE. I don’t.

  SARAH. Not only do you ring yourself with Jacobites…

  ANNE. I can’t believe all so-called Tories favour the Pretender.

  SARAH. But you risk the fate and progress of the war. The Tories, ma’am, will vote it down.

  Look – here is a letter from my lord, sent from the very cauldron of the fray. He’s adamant that Wharton be retained…

  Enter JACK from outside. With him are GEORGE and COLONEL MASHAM. MASHAM notices ABIGAIL and goes to stand close to her. They smile at one another privately.

  JACK. Mama, you have to come and see. Prince George’s dog is coupled to the chaise. I drove him round the grounds.

  GEORGE. It’s very small – the chaise, I mean. The dog is giant dog. It is a very funny thing. How are you, Countess? Is it not a lovely day? I hear brave Malborough takes another town. Bravo to him!

  ANNE. The third he’s captured on the River Meuse.

  SARAH. And you, Prince George – I hope the burdens of the Admiralty do not conspire to weigh you down?

  GEORGE. Oh, no. No. At least… No.

  JACK. Colonel Masham let me fly his hawk.

  SARAH. And who is Colonel Masham, pray?

  MASHAM breaks away from ABIGAIL, who watches him with pride.

  MASHAM. Here. Your servant, ma’am. I let the Marquess wear the glove and taught him one or two commands.

  JACK. Masham’s with the Coldstream Guards.

  SARAH. But clearly not at present.

  MASHAM. Oh. No. A slight delay, I fear, with my promotion. But…

  SARAH (pointedly). And so you have more time to play. What luck.

  MASHAM feels ashamed. He glances, uneasily, at ABIGAIL, who feels his embarrassment.

  JACK (to GEORGE). Come on! Le
t’s take the chaise around again. (To SARAH.) Come out and watch me!

  Exit JACK and MASHAM.

  GEORGE. You stay for tea I hope, my lady?

  ANNE. We’re going to have it on the lawn.

  SARAH. Yes, of course. And thanks.

  Exit GEORGE.

  ANNE. Kensington is such a joy after the confines of St James’s. And George’s lungs are so much better for the air. We mean to build an orangery, did I tell you?

  SARAH. Won’t that be expensive? I’ll have to see the plans.

  ANNE. But imagine having fruit upon the table, all fresh from off the tree. Do you remember when William and Mary first arrived, and invited me to dine with them? And William had the first peas of the season in a bowl in front of him, and ate them up, and never offered one to me, though I was desperate for those peas.

  SARAH. Yes, I remember.

  Pause.

  ANNE. I hope my Mrs Freeman isn’t cross with me.

  SARAH. Cross? Why, how could I presume to be?

  ANNE. You must come to me more often.

  SARAH. It’s difficult with Marlborough far away, and in such danger too. I need to be in Hertfordshire – my household doesn’t run itself. Besides, I wrote to you three times last week to ask if you had need of me and didn’t even warrant a reply.

  ANNE. That can’t be true.

  SARAH. And yet it is.

  ANNE. Oh, but I am mortified. Dearest one, you cannot know the great demands upon my waking hours of late. I hardly find an hour to pray. Why, last week I was entirely occupied with Scotland. We begin negotiations for the Union.

  SARAH. I know. You waste your time.

  ANNE. How can you say so?

  SARAH. The Scots cannot be trusted. You should push them to agree to the succession. Nothing more. All else can wait until the war is won.

  ANNE. But the Union will bring stability. And if you had witnessed, as I have, the colossal inefficiency of having two of everything…

  SARAH. Did your negotiations work?

  ANNE. No. But…

  SARAH. Just as I thought.

  ANNE. But I intend to try again and try again until it’s done. But there. You must never, ever doubt your faithful Morley craves you. And you must always come to me, whenever you are able to. Let’s go outside and have some tea.

  SARAH. And the Earl of Wharton?

  ANNE. I’ll see the man. And I’ll consider keeping him, provided he swears loyalty to me.

  SARAH. But…

  ANNE. What?

  SARAH. I am surprised, that’s all, that you insist upon the oath. It seems archaic – and better suited to King Louis’s creed.

  ANNE. All others now have taken it. And if he won’t, how can I think to have him by?

  SARAH. Very well. I’ll speak to him.

  ANNE. Thank you. Now. Let’s go and watch the boys outside.

  ANNE moves to leave.

  SARAH. Might I speak with Hill a moment, please?

  ANNE. By all means.

  Another LADY goes to support ANNE. ABIGAIL goes to SARAH.

  SARAH. I’ll join you on the terrace, ma’am.

  Exit ANNE and LADIES.

  The key to the Privy Purse.

  ABIGAIL hands the keys to SARAH.

  Any unusual expenditure?

  ABIGAIL. No, my lady. And everything is written down, as you requested.

  SARAH. Thank you. You may go.

  ABIGAIL moves to leave.

  Abigail? Has the Queen had any private meetings lately, with anyone but Lord Godolphin?

  ABIGAIL. Not that I’m aware of, ma’am.

  SARAH. Please tell me if she does so.

  Exit ABIGAIL.

  Scene Six

  The Queen’s apartments, St James’s Palace. ANNE is finishing her correspondence for the day. LADIES, including LADY SOMERSET, are in attendance. ANNE puts her signature upon a letter.

  ANNE. Is that the last, Lady Somerset?

  LADY SOMERSET. Yes, ma’am.

  ANNE. Have them returned to Lord Godolphin’s office.

  LADY SOMERSET. Yes, ma’am.

  Enter ABIGAIL with HARLEY.

  ABIGAIL. Your Majesty?

  ANNE. Ah, yes. Thank you, ladies.

  The LADIES leave.

  My cousin, Mr Harley.

  HARLEY. Your humblest of servants, ma’am.

  ANNE. I think I met you once before, sir. You are Speaker of the Commons, are you not?

  HARLEY. I am. Why, that Your Majesty should deign to recollect the fact. Though it is not in that capacity I wait on you today.

  ANNE. So I understand. Hill tells me that she has received a proposal of marriage, and from Colonel Masham of the Guards.

  HARLEY. Precisely, ma’am. And as one dedicated to my cousin’s welfare, I have spoken at some length with the aforesaid gentleman. He seems a fine and serious young man. But that which recommends him most of all, erasing the necessity for further scrutiny on my behalf, is that he holds the favour of Prince George. The trust and patronage of his most estimable Highness is more, far more than adequate to recommend a man to me.

  ANNE. Thank you. My husband is most certainly a clever judge of character.

  HARLEY. For my part, therefore, I am happy for the business to proceed. And so we come to beg of you Your Majesty’s approval – nay, your blessing. For we dare to dream.

  ANNE. I must confess, it touched my heart, and George’s too, to learn that we had fostered love within our little home. Come to me, Hill.

  ABIGAIL goes to ANNE.

  If you marry Colonel Masham will you leave me?

  ABIGAIL. No, ma’am. I hadn’t even thought of it, nor would I want it either.

  ANNE. Then I am satisfied. My blessing and my joy are yours.

  ABIGAIL. Thank you, ma’am.

  HARLEY. Your Majesty is gracious beyond words.

  ANNE. I think you should be married in the chapel at Kensington. Unless you’ve somewhere else in mind?

  ABIGAIL. We haven’t, ma’am.

  ANNE. And don’t concern yourselves with the expenses – they are mine.

  ABIGAIL. You’re very kind, Your Majesty. Might I go and tell the Colonel? He awaits me in the hall?

  ANNE. Then go to him. And bring him in to see me soon.

  ABIGAIL. I will.

  Exit ABIGAIL. HARLEY dabs at his eyes with a handkerchief.

  HARLEY. Forgive me, Your Majesty. I am a foolish fellow.

  ANNE. She is an excellent servant. I’m accustomed now to having her about me.

  HARLEY. Ah, yes. She is a good and honest girl.

  ANNE. Until she told me yesterday, I hadn’t known that you are kin. It was Lady Marlborough brought her to me first. I wonder that she didn’t look to her to make her applications.

  HARLEY. Yes.

  ANNE. Does Lady Marlborough know about the plan?

  HARLEY. I… I cannot say, Your Majesty. I think… But there.

  ANNE. Please tell me.

  HARLEY. I think my cousin fears the Countess has no great opinion of Colonel Masham.

  Pause. HARLEY allows his point to land.

  And then, of course, that wondrous lady has so very many calls upon her time.

  ANNE. She does. But I detain you, sir. I’m sure you must be wanted in the House.

  HARLEY. I am obliged. The business of the day resumes.

  ANNE. What do you debate this afternoon?

  HARLEY. A further rise in tax on spirits, ma’am. And on malt, and hops. And coal. Tomorrow, I don’t doubt the Chamber will be fraughter still, for we debate the rise in land tax.

  ANNE. I hope the people fully understand, Mr Harley, the sound and pressing need we have to raise this extra revenue?

  HARLEY. Oh, yes. Though there are some – and I hasten to assure you I am not of this opinion – who fear we ruin ourselves for the sake of the Dutch and other foreign territories.

  ANNE. Ruin? Why, that’s a most alarming word.

  HARLEY. No, no, forgive me please. I’m sure that Lord Go
dolphin, as Lord Treasurer, is wise, and only too aware of how much extra strain the country can endure before she’s brought, convulsing, to her knees.

  Sincerest thanks, Your Majesty.

  Scene Seven

  ANNE’s apartments, St James’s. Evening. Enter GODOLPHIN with LADY SOMERSET.

  GODOLPHIN. Thank you, Lady Somerset. Do you know why I am summoned here so late?

  LADY SOMERSET. I don’t, my lord. The Queen is now at prayer. She’s been a little agitated these last few hours.

  GODOLPHIN. Is Lady Marlborough with her?

  LADY SOMERSET. No. Though she was certainly expected here today.

  Enter ANNE.

  ANNE. Lord Godolphin. Thank you for attending me, and at this most uncivil hour.

  Exit LADY SOMERSET.

  GODOLPHIN. Is anything the matter, my dear lady? I hope you aren’t unwell?

  ANNE. No more than usual.

  How much are we spending on the war?

  GODOLPHIN. I beg your pardon, ma’am?

  ANNE. I wish to know how much it costs.

  GODOLPHIN. A not inconsiderable sum, as one might imagine.

  ANNE. In numbers, if you please.

  GODOLPHIN. In numbers. I… These are early days, of course, but my estimation for the expenditure this year is in the region of five and a half million pounds.

  ANNE. And how much is our revenue to be?

  GODOLPHIN. Somewhat less than that. But, as you know, we lately introduced a raft of measures…

  ANNE. Taxes.

  GODOLPHIN. Yes. To ensure the shortfall’s not so great as it might otherwise have been.

  ANNE. Why does it cost so much?

  GODOLPHIN. I… I can hardly start to answer that…

  ANNE. Our allies must contribute too?

  GODOLPHIN. They do. That said, we are required to subsidise a certain few who…

  ANNE. Subsidise? We subsidise our allies then?

  GODOLPHIN. By no means all. We have to pay some foreign troops. I thought you were aware of this, Your Majesty. The subject has occurred in Cabinet…

  ANNE. I clearly didn’t understand. And pray, who do we subsidise?

  GODOLPHIN. The Portuguese. Savoy. Hanover….

  ANNE. Hanover? Are we much richer than these other lands?

  GODOLPHIN. No. Not presently. Not if one takes our debt into account. Ma’am…

  ANNE. And if we cannot find sufficient revenue in months – or years – to come, what then? If the people cannot bear the burden of these fresh demands?