monarch

A black carriage decorated with a bishop's crown stopped in front of the heavily guarded St. Giles Church. The driver jumped out of the carriage to open the door. An old man in black got out of the carriage.Although his hair is gray, he still looks energetic, and his cloudy eyes still look very shrewd.He refused the servant's help, but jumped out of the carriage by himself, and strode towards the door of the church.

Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, looks like a Cambridge scholar, but in fact he is an authority on civil and ecclesiastical law, and his title of bishop is also his for many years as the king's counselor The reward for loyal service.Like other scholars who served at court, however, he was not popular with many.This traditionalist bishop was at loggerheads with the radical religious reformists headed by the queen, and confronted the Archbishop of Canterbury, and he himself despised the corrupt style of those pro-Catholic priests. The only thing he had was the support of the king, although Many people think that he is just a tool used by the king to check and balance.

Bishop Gardiner walked into the door of the church. Many workers in the church were making decorations for the coronation ceremony. He frowned slightly-these flashy things are really a stain on the holy place.There are still many traces of Catholicism in this church, and the painting of the Virgin Mary on the rose window is still overlooking the people below.The bishop looked at the owner of the church in front of the altar. David Beaton, the archbishop of St. Andrews, was talking to one of the Earl of Hertford's subordinates there, and he was still wearing the red coat of a cardinal of the Roman Church.Bishop Gardner smiled coldly and stepped forward.

The cardinal in front of the altar also noticed the figure of Bishop Gardiner, but he still seemed to have not seen it, and continued to talk to Lord Gray in front of him: "I have no reason to think that there will be any mistakes in the preparations. The Earl of Tford conveys my message." The bishop was also present at the conclave of the Earl of Surrey, and the success of the plan would have meant his own sacrifice.The cardinal was ready for martyrdom, and the Pope had secretly stated that he would canonize him after his death, which largely made up his mind.

"I fully trust your assurances," said Lord Grey, smiling, "but you will understand that I am on direct orders from the Earl, and you have seen that I am afraid I must do my duty." He turned his head as if he had just seen Bishop Gardner, who was already standing beside him, generally said, "Ah, Your Excellency, hello." He bowed to Bishop Gardner.

"Good day, Lord Gray," Bishop Gardiner saluted him.Then he turned to the cardinal again, and bowed slightly, almost imperceptibly.

"Your Excellency."

The cardinal didn't pay attention to Bishop Gardiner directly, but then nodded to Lord Gray, "If that's the case, then you can carry out any inspection you need." His tone became much colder.

"Thank you very much, His Excellency."

After Lord Gray retreated with his soldiers, the cardinal finally turned to Bishop Gardiner, "Your Excellency, I wonder why I am honored to meet you today?"

Bishop Gardner didn't seem to be affected by the cardinal's attitude at all, "It's just a small problem, His Excellency."

The cardinal pointed to the first row of benches in front of him, "Please sit down, Your Excellency." After speaking, he sat on the chair.

Bishop Gardner bowed slightly, and then sat at a distance of two people from the bishop.

"If I'm not mistaken, you will crown His Majesty the King in the name of the head of the Church of Scotland?"

"Yes, exactly."

"As you know, the Church of England has thrown off the chains of the Pope, and has given her allegiance to her sovereign, His Majesty the King, who is head of the Church of England."

"However, the situation in Scotland...is a bit complicated." Bishop Gardiner continued, "You see, since the establishment of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland, the position of the Church of Scotland has been a bit... confusing." He smiled slightly , "I hope you can help me answer this question."

"So is this a scholar's personal interest, or is my king asking me questions?" The cardinal looked insulted.

"You can understand it as the latter." Bishop Gardner did not flinch. "You see, the Presbyterian Church demands an independent status, and you have a lot to do with Rome." He glanced at the red robe on the cardinal, "And His Majesty the King believes that the Church of Scotland should follow the example of their English brothers, Make their allegiance clear, don't you think?"

The cardinal hesitated for a moment, and finally he said through his teeth, "Our loyalty to His Majesty the King is beyond doubt." He looked as if he had swallowed a fly.

"That's good. Your Majesty won't let a representative of the Pope crown him." Bishop Gardner looked very pleased. "I don't know what clothes you plan to wear that day?" He said, taking another look at the bishop. red robe.

"I will wear a purple robe." The archbishop's voice did not have any warmth.

"It must be very emotional," Bishop Gardiner said, looking into the Archbishop's eyes. "You've presided over another coronation just a few months ago, and it hasn't been long since you've been a different person."

"Indeed," said the Archbishop gruffly, who had been known to be an ardent supporter of Scottish independence.

"A three-year-old little queen... I think that must be an interesting scene, no? It's a pity I didn't get a chance to witness it."

"Indeed." The Archbishop replied in the same way.

"Very good, ah, very good... I don't think I have any other questions." Bishop Gardiner looked out the window, "Ah, it's already this time. Then I won't waste your time anymore, I wish you You'll be fine the day after tomorrow." He bowed slightly again, turned and left, not noticing a malicious smile flashed by the archbishop.

……

"Damn it, it's cold down here," said an English soldier to his companion.

"Why, are you afraid that your thing will freeze off?" His companion let out a sigh of relief towards the front, "Damn it, it's really scary down here."

The crypt of St. Giles' Church was pitch black, save for the dim light of a few oil lamps.There are some small puddles on the ground, but the cold current has frozen them into smooth ice.

"My lords, please be careful, the ground is very slippery." The face of the priest in black robe was hidden in the darkness, if it was brighter, his uneasiness might be exposed.Holding a torch in his hand, he led the way for the two English soldiers who came down to inspect.

There were all kinds of sundries in the crypt—an altar of the twelfth century, a statue of the Virgin just removed from it, and some blackened silverware. A soldier picked up a deformed silver cup on the ground, Winking at his companion, he took it into his arms.The black-robed monk didn't say anything, just sighed.

"What are those things?" Another soldier asked, pointing to a corner of the crypt, where there were more than two dozen wooden barrels.

The monk's heart rose to his throat, and he tried his best to keep his tone calm, "It's fuel, my lord."

"fuel?"

"Yes, fine coal, sir, that burns almost without smoke, and is used by the bishops."

"These priests really enjoy it." The soldier with the silver plate laughed. "It is said that the bishop in my hometown of Wiltshire only burns pine in the fireplace because he likes the smell. These are some good servants of God." He said and hid something in the corner in his arms.

"It can't be contraband." The other soldier didn't seem to be convinced. He stepped forward and looked at the barrels. "Open it for me." He pointed to one of the barrels and said.

"My lord, this coal will be bad if it gets wet," said the priest, his palms sweating.

The soldier ignored him, but drew his sword himself, and was about to split the barrel.

"Okay, okay." The priest finally compromised, and he stepped forward to open the lid of the barrel.

The soldier stepped forward, and the bucket was filled with black coal.

"I thought it was whiskey." His companion looked disappointed.

"Okay, let's go up." The soldier put away his sword, "You've got enough for today."

The priest put the lid back on and secretly wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve. "It's a good thing the gunpowder is all in the bottom of the barrel," he thought.

……

"Everything is ready," said the Earl of Surrey to his father.

The Duke of Norfolk was lying in bed. He hadn't eaten for two days. His face was extremely gray and he seemed to be dying of illness. Therefore, he had asked the king for leave from attending the coronation ceremony the next day. His son Surrey The count will stay with him and take care of him.The king readily agreed to the Duke of Norfolk's request.

"Okay...okay..." The Duke of Norfolk's voice sounded a little weak, and he paid a lot of money to pretend to be sick, "Are you sure you want...to do this?" He still hesitated.

"You know we have no other choice."

The Duke of Norfolk sighed, "I really didn't expect that I would cooperate with the French and the Scots one day," he said with a wry smile, "I have been fighting with them almost all my life." He looked at a person beside the bed The candle was almost burnt out, and the melted wax covered the entire candlestick. "What will history say?" He sighed.

"I'm afraid it won't be a good word." The Earl of Surrey smiled.

"I don't understand why the king would do this," the duke sighed. "I've been by his side since he was a young man... I've always respected him and never dared to defy him... For decades This is the reward for loyal service.”

"Maybe not that loyal." The Earl of Surrey said with some sarcasm in his tone.

The Duke coughed violently.

"It's not just me!" His face flushed, "The Seymour family, the Gray family, which one is not for your own benefit? What's the difference between what we do? They all send people to his bed, and they all give to their own family For welfare, which of his six wives is not followed by a bunch of family members... Hertford has done more than I have..." He looked almost fainted.

The Earl of Surrey looked at his father, "He just disliked you and our family." The Earl picked up an ivory handle knife on the bedside table and played with it in his hand. favorite."

"Then if it succeeds, what are you going to do?" The Duke finally calmed down, "Are you going to make the little girl from the Gray family queen? That's fine, you can marry her in a few years... so my grandson will be the queen." The king of England." He seemed to have hope again, and his tone became a lot lighter.

"I'm afraid it's not that simple."

"You mean your present wife?" asked the Duke.

"Ah, that's not a problem." The Earl of Surrey sounded as if his wife was some insignificant nuisance. "I do intend to marry Jane Gray, but the problem is that she may not be queen."

"You mean..."

"Mary Stuart, the little Queen of Scots. She's the granddaughter-in-law of the King of France, and she's ahead of the Gray girls in the line of succession. King Francois would be glad to have his great-grandson England at the same time, King of Scotland, Ireland and France."

"Indeed," said the duke, "but the Grey girl's succession is not much worse. You should marry her, and who knows what will happen."

"You are right," the Earl of Surrey agreed.

"I don't know how many French people will come tomorrow." The Duke said, the sun that was rarely seen in winter appeared outside the window, and the wind had been howling for the past few days.

"There is a big storm on the North Sea, and the English ships have all returned to port. It is estimated that the French will lose a lot on the way." The Earl of Surrey thought for a while, "But there are always 1000 people."

"There are nearly [-] soldiers in the city...do you feel confident?"

"Those Scottish nobles can roughly gather three to four thousand people. When the church explodes, the English soldiers will lose a lot. In addition, they have no leader. I think it is still quite sure."

"But I think we have no way out." The Duke sighed, his hands clutching the quilt meaninglessly.

"Indeed." The Earl of Surrey put down the knife in his hand and looked at his father.

The Duke pondered for a moment, "So...your sister...will she be at the coronation?" He looked hesitant.

"I think so," said the Earl of Surrey's voice without emotion. "She is now a favorite at court, and this is her reward for denouncing us to the King."

The Duke sighed, "What a pity."

"Very sorry indeed," replied the Earl of Surrey.He turned his head and looked out the window, where the steeple of St. Giles cast long shadows in the setting sun.

"It's such a beautiful church, what a pity," he whispered.

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This chapter is inspired by the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, in which a group of Catholics intended to blow up King James I and Parliament. They transported gunpowder, disguised as fuel, into the vaults of the House of Lords, but it was eventually brought to light.This is where Guy Fawkes Day originated.