Arthur Fits-Higham had not always been a man of property; his early life had in fact been one of a wanderer over seas. His birth had come about because of a dalliance between Sir Edward Higham and a kitchen maid. The elder sons of Sir Edward had been good strong stout lads who had gone to serve under the Duke of Palermo against the rebels of the Dutch Netherlands and had the unfortunate luck to have been blown to pieces by a piece of bad artillery which had literally blown up in there face.

Having returned from foreign parts at the end of the reign of bloody Mary Arthur had been recognized as his only surviving air. Sir Edward a staunch Catholic had tried at first to instill in Arthur a love for the church of Rome but Arthur who had always been of an independent nature had rebelled at this not openly at first but later when Sir Edward had shuffled of this mortal coil he had openly embraced the new church lead by the Queen.
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During Sir Edwards time the coffers of the family purse had been depleted by the constant drain of fines for been openly a member of the Catholic Church now with the passing of Sir Edward who in his own way was a good and wise man things changed

Sir Edward had taken it upon himself in his younger days to teach his sons both legitimate and illegitimate the arts of reading writing and Arithmetic. The age where in he lived demanded that sons of the manor be prepared for any eventuality Arthur after completing his education had gone to sea and had sailed to the coasts of Spain and Portugal and knew well the ways of the sea and longed for the day when the day when England would send ships to the new colonies in the Americas. The age of the renascence was alive and well and Arthur was a typical product of that age part knowledge and part conjecture folklore played a big part of what men knew and Arthur was no exception.

Now to get a head it was required of every noble who could afford it to spend a certain amount of time at Court, the young queen had a way of attracting men whom she could use to enhance her kingdom leaning first on this Lords shoulder to hear what he had to say of a certain matter then another always keeping her cards close to her chest lest any should peradventure come to know her thoughts. In this way she kept the men close to her loyal and largely dependent on her for those things which they desired like titles and lands. The wives of these good men on the other hand found the queen to be hard and unforgiving. Most of them complained of the amount of time there husbands devoted to the virgin queen, thus on a certain day Sir Arthur found himself on the road to London to pay a long over due visit to the Court of the virgin queen.

England at this time still bore out the resent signs of the reign of bloody Mary the dried out bodies of criminals and adherents to the Protestant faith could still be found hanging from gallows at most crossroads. The county of Somersetshire was no exception the veracity with which the recently buried Sir Edward had taken up the cause of the Catholic church was much appreciated and rewarded by bloody Mary now as Sir Arthur made his way down a country lane he happened to notice the smell of a fire burning some where near however the smell of the fire was not that of the kind one would acquaint with the country side there was a smell of flesh burning a smell Sir Arthur well knew from been present at a burning of an alleged heretic a few months previously it sickened him then and it did so again now. Approaching the crossroad he happened to come upon the Bailiff of the county with a group of underlings busy burning the remains of the recently dead. For the queen in her wisdom had issued a proclamation that all signs of the previous reign of terror be removed in the hope of inspiring her subjects to turn over a new leaf, beginning anew her reign with as it were a clean slate.

“Good morrow Sir Arthur” said the Bailiff taking a moment to break of what he was doing to acknowledge the presents of the Lord of the manor. “Good morrow and Godspeed John Leander what are you about? Asked Sir Arthur “By the queens order the removal of all mortal remains of those put to death by her late sister queen Mary” replied the Bailiff as he wiped the sweat from his face. Tell me John Leander how you were told to dispose of the remains” asked Sir Arthur “I was not exactly told how all I was told was remove the remains of those who had been killed by queen Mary” replied the Bailiff “Don’t you think it would have been better have the remains buried like those of good Christian folks? Asked Sir Arthur “Why sir that would mean going to the expense of finding a spot to burry them and a parson to ask for his fee” replied the Bailiff.

“John Leander I charge you to have those remains removed and given a proper burial or you will hear from me do we understand each other” said Arthur “Yes Sir Arthur I will do it this instant said the Bailiff now feeling quite fearful for what would happen to him should it reach the ears of those in power. Sir Arthur kicked his horse into motion forward to London. The country side had always been a happy place for Sir Arthur who had spent much of his youth watching the ways of nature for in a time when news moved slowly and not much to entertain the young boys were want to find ways of amusing themselves and one of these ways to watch the ways of nature.

“Sir William you are sure of this?” asked Elizabeth by the Grace of God Queen of England and defender of the faith “Indeed your majesty I have it on the best authority that the Spanish ambassador Count Feria, has been agitating once again on behalf of his majesty the king of Spain.” Replied the nobleman “God dammed his eyes” shouted the queen angrily.

“May I suggest that for the time at least we keep him under observation and let things play out according to there plan until such time that we know the full intent of there dealings” said Sir William. “Indeed we can do that and draw more of the conspirators into the trap” said Lord Dudley “Gods blood sirs do they think that because I am a woman they will so easily defeat England?” the queen asked “No my lords I tell you I am England and no one not even the mighty Phillip of Span will be able to do that for I am England I am her life I am her heartbeat every breath England takes is my breath.’ The queen continued.

‘WE have a mind to hang every conspirator from the nearest gallows” said Elizabeth. “Have a care your majesty we do not know how near the spies of King Phillip might be even here at home there are supporters of the Catholic cause who might wish to pass on information which might be damaging to your majesties image.” Said lord Dudley “I am tired so tired of these intrigues said the queen with a sigh. “Would that we could remove all of your enemies for the kingdom for good” said Sir William Cecil “Indeed that would be most welcome my lord” replied the queen with a sigh. “If your majesty will grant me but the chance to make it so I will endeavor to make the realm safe for all loyal Englishmen who serve your majesty” said Sir William Cecil.” Granted you have spoken before of a plan you have for a certain service and I would hear more of it and also how you plan to fund this endeavor for the coffers of dear old England are quite depleted” said the queen

“Your majesty the expense will be well worth it when considering the amount of valuable information we will gain. Further there is the prospect of confiscated property of the Catholic nobles who are involved in the plot to remove you from the throne” said Sir William

“Indeed those nobles need a lesson in humility and if the Almighty uses me as an instrument to teach them humility then by God sirs I will do” it said the queen. “But enough of talk of intrigues Sir William. We believe that Sir Arthur Fits-Higham has come to town. Is he not the bastard son of Sir Edward Higham of Somersetshire?”

“Oh yes indeed he is the son by a kitchen maid whom served old sir Edward well for many years as much as sir Edward was an adherent to the faith of the church of Rome it is said that Sir Arthur is a loyal and faithful subject of your majesties he has recently brought before the bench of Somersetshire a case against the bailiff of for the desecration of the remains of those who died for there faith under your late sister” said sir William

“To be sure this is a most interesting turn of events I beg you Sir William to arrange that the young Fits-Higham come into our presence and make his obedience’s to me” said the queen

“Your Grace I know you said no more talk of politics but I would like to bring to your attention the fact that some of our people in France are reporting that madam De medic is once more busy with intrigues which might start of another war” said Lord Dudley

“My lord I have my own thoughts on this matter and Sir William has matters well in hand mayhap you would like to take a walk in the garden to freshen up your brains” said the queen “As your majesty wishes said Lord Robert rising and withdrawing from the chamber.

“God’s body that man is not the brightest child in the school room is he” said the queen
“I fear not your majesty but he is young and pliable he can be bent in the way in which to grow.” Said Sir William thoughtfully
“May I pour you some more wine your majesty” asked Sir William “Yes you may I will say one thing about French wine it has a certain attraction for me which I think err long I will have to forego for English stout” said the queen.

“Mayhap you may inform me a little more on the habits and vices of Sir Arthur Fits-Higham” said the queen “Well he was educated with the other sons of Sir Edward and is quite worldly wise having spent some time over seas in the merchant trade. When the sons of Sir Edward were killed in the service of the king of Spain sir Edward acknowledged him as his heir. Sir Edward took him in to teach him what he needed to know about been a son of a country magistrate. He is of the new faith not holding to the Church of Rome which is strange as we all know what Sir Edward believed.” Said Sir William

“Indeed and what know you of his loyalties to England” asked the queen Your majesty Sir Arthur has proven to be a loyal subject even though he is young in years he is old in wisdom. It could be said that he knows how to trim his sails. Said Sir William

“I have hopes of bringing him under “our influence as he might prove to be a valuable tool in our plans against Spain but time will tell if any thing will come of Sir Arthur.” Said Sir William “Indeed I would like very much to meet the young Arthur” said the queen.

Entering the chamber where the queen and her council sat at Greenwich Sir Arthur was struck by the fact that the queen was surrounded by men. There was no sign of any other lady in waiting. The voices of the men in the chamber carried small bits of information now and again Sir Arthur was content to wait and observe. Like an old sea dog he preferred to know which way the wind was blowing before he made his move. A burst of laughter carried across the chamber.

“Sir William Cecil looked up from what he was doing and saw for the first time that Sir Arthur was in the chamber, “Ah Sir Arthur Fits-Higham God bring you safely hither” he said Good day Sir William replied the young noble now approaching removing his cap he bowed deeply from the waist. “We give you good morrow Sir Arthur Your Grace may I present to you Sir Arthur Fits-Higham of the county of Somersetshire” said Sir William. “You may come closer and do your obedience Sir Arthur” said the queen extending her hand Sir Arthur went down on one knee and kissed the gloved hand which the queen had laid before him.

“Majesty I swear upon my troth unswerving loyalty all the days of my life to do only good for you and for England” said Sir Arthur “Indeed We are most pleased to hear you say this and to take an oath for. We have heard in the household of Higham there were members who would have fought to restore the Church of Rome and every thing that goes with it? Tell me Sir Arthur did not your brothers die in the service of the king of Spain?” said the queen

Your grace my late father of blessed memory had many faults he was but a man of staunch principals but I assure you that I have never been of a like mind to what my father believed. For me the first thing that comes to my mind is I must always do what is right for England and follow my own mind and serve the Almighty in the way I see best fit for me and this is not the way of the church of Rome” said Sir Arthur

“I hear from Sir William that you have spent some time over the seas what think you of the country of the Portugal’s?” said Elizabeth of England “It is a fair country but not so fair as our England Majesty” said Sir Arthur “Indeed that is good to know that in the heart of Englishman of every rank there is a true love for dear old England” said Sir Arthur.

“We have it from a certain lord that you are of a mind to serve in our navies is this true?” asked the queen “Indeed Majesty to serve in your navies is one of my greatest desires” said Sir Arthur “Pray Sir Arthur tell me a little of your county and your holdings” said Elizabeth of England.

“Well majesty the lands Sir Edward held are not of any great size they provide for themselves and the rents from the tenants are collected in time the taxes paid punctually. The people who live on the land know there place there is a house and a river near by which bubbles merrily giving drink to man and beast alike. I hold ten acers of land under harvest and anther 15 upon which the house and the people live” said Sir Arthur

“I am happy to hear that our taxes are paid punctually and with such good grace. Sir William do you have a map of the county in question” asked the queen Indeed Majesty on the table yonder I will fetch it” said Sir William “Sir Arthur will you show me upon the chart the lands you hold? Asked Elizabeth of England” I would be glad to be of service “said Sir Arthur

Sir William crossed the chamber and picked up the chart returning to the queen’s side he unrolled the chart. “Show me” said the queen “here majesty is the land which I hold’ said Sir Arthur pointing out the lands on the map. He had seen a number of charts in his time but none as fine as this one which was made on the skin of a fine young calf he could feel the texture of the skin under his finger as he pointed the spots out.

“Here to the north is the village of Tudelhopton’ said Sir Arthur “and it is also the place where Sir Edward was magistrate in his time.” Said the queen “Very well Sir Arthur I will extend your lands and holdings tell me have you as yet found a lady to whom you are betrothed?” as strange look in her eyes “No majesty I fear that is one area in which I have not had not devoted any time too.” Said Sir Arthur

“Very well that is one area that we must remedy as soon as possible for a man cannot hold lands for only his life time he needs to plan ahead” said Sir William the queen nodded her approval “Sir William will have the documents drawn up in the mean time attend Our grace while we work out exactly what service we will require of you” said the Queen “Majesty is to kind thank you a hundred times thank you” said Sir Arthur “You thank me now not knowing what we will require beware Sir Arthur that the price might very well be beyond your grasp to give” said Elizabeth of England.

“Tell me Sir Arthur how many souls are there in Tudelhopton” asked the Queen “Majesty there are a hundred souls who live in the village of Tudelhopton” said Sir Arthur “Do you swear that if you are granted more lands you will do you best for the souls in this small village?” asked the queen “Indeed I do majesty” said Sir Arthur