Royalists Named in the Text
Princes Rupert (1619 – 82) and Maurice (1620 – 52) appear as characters in Chapter IV, when they are lodging with Master Carter, Marvel’s uncle, on the corner of Merton Street and Logic Lane. They are brothers of the Protestant Elector Palatine and grandsons of the Queen of Bohemia – for whom Sir Ralph Hopton had fought.
After sailing from Holland in August 1642, they arrived at Tynemouth and were present at the rebuff of the Royalists at Turnham Green in November 1642. As the novel states, they returned with the King to Oxford on 29 November, so were able to effect the fictional exit of Marvel by the South Gate. It was Rupert’s forces which attacked Marlborough on 5 December (dated in the novel 10 December), resulting in Jack Marvel and Delia being captured by retreating Parliamentary troopers.
They are not mentioned after Chapter III, but the King’s plan, as outlined in the letter carried by Marvel, was for a juncture of the forces of Hopton and Maurice in Somerset. This juncture was eventually effected at Chard on 4 June, following Royalist victories of Braddock and Stratton, This is after the close of the novel. The fictional Marvel, however, would have been present.
Dr. William Harvey (1578–1657), one of the King’s physicians and the person who discovered the circulation of the blood. As the novel states, Harvey attended the King at Oxford and was a friend of Falkland of Great Tew. He returned to London after the surrender of Oxford in 1646.
Lord Bernard Stewart / Stuart commanded His Majesty’s troop of guards and was a courtier soldier who fought under Rupert at Edgehill on 23 October, 1642. Anthony Killigrew belonged to his ‘show troop’.
Master John Davenant was the father of Sir William Davenant, a poet and friend of the Queen. He served as lieutenant-general to the Earl of Newcastle. John Davenant owned the Crown tavern in the Corn Market at Oxford, where the fictional Tingcomb arranged for the murder of Anthony Killigrew and the act took place.
The Structure of Royalist Command in the South-West
William Seymour, Marquis of Hertford, in nominal command but not relevant to the novel.
Sir Ralph Hopton, later Lord Hopton (1598–1657), lieutenant-general of horse and in effective command. A professional soldier who had fought in Germany. A Puritan from Somerset and a constitutionalist. He was wounded at Torrington and surrendered at Truro in 1646. He accompanied Charles (II) abroad and died at Bruges.
Sir John Berkeley, later Baron Berkeley of Stowe (d.1678), commissary-general. Fought at Braddock and Stratton. Subsequently Governor of Exeter.
William Ashburnham, major-general of foot at the battle of Braddock.
Sir Thomas Bassett, major-general of Hopton’s foot at Stratton.
Col. William Godolphin, MP for Helston in 1640, regimental commander of foot. He fought at Braddock, Stratton and Bristol. After Braddock he pursued Ruthen to Saltash.
Sir Bevil Grenville (1596–1643) of Stowe or Stowe in Kilkhampton. MP for Launceston. A Royalist who played a central role in raising Cornwall for the King. A regimental commander of foot who fought at Braddock, Stratton and Landsdown, where he was killed on 5 July, 1643.
Sir Nicholas Slanning (1606–1643), of Marystow in Devon. MP for Penryn and governor of Pendennis Castle. Regimental commander of foot, fighting at Braddock, Stratton and Bristol, where he was killed on 26 July, 1643.
Col. John Trevanyon (c.1606–1643), MP for Grampound. A regimental commander of foot who fought at Braddock, Stratton and Bristol, where he was killed on 26 July, 1643.
Col. Sir John Digby, who commanded the 5th division of horse and dragoons at Stratton and directed the siege of Plymouth.
Warwick, Lord Mohun (1620–? ) of Boconnoc. M.P. for Grampound in 1640, he entered the House of Lords in 1641. He raised a regiment of foot but only acted in an advisory role. Surrendered to Fairfax at Bodmin in 1646 and was fined on 17 November, 1647 £2090. Clarendon questioned his actions and motives but others thought him sincere. Q follows Clarendon.