several seminal works on the period in general and witchcraft in particular. His latest book, The Witch, is one of the finest. I am also deeply indebted to my fellow historians Alison Weir, Sarah Gristwood, Nicola Tallis and Kate Williams for their continued support and encouragement.
My research took me to a range of archives, libraries and historic sites, and I would like to extend particular thanks to the staff of The National Archives, The British Library, Calke Abbey and Historic Royal Palaces. I am also thankful to colleagues and members of Historic Royal Palaces who have been kind enough to read and give feedback on the other novels in this trilogy. I do hope they will enjoy this one too. I would particularly like to mention the Hampton Court legend that is Ian Franklin, whose knowledge of the palace and its residents is both encyclopaedic and inspirational. Also James Peacock, who alongside his duties at the palace finds time to run the wonderful Anne Boleyn Society. I value their support and friendship greatly.
As with all of my previous books, fiction and non-fiction, my friends and family have been fantastic throughout. Stephen Kuhrt was again the first person to read this novel (in weekly instalments, as before) and his wonderfully positive and timely feedback gave me the confidence to keep going – even on the days when sorting out my paperclips seemed a more alluring prospect. On the other side of the Atlantic, the enthusiastic feedback and encouragement of my friend and colleague Susan Mathieson has meant a great deal. I was chuffed to bits that my lovely friend and fellow Hull alumni Alice Burton chose The King’s Witch as one of her all-time favourite novels and do hope she’ll approve of this latest one.
Heartfelt thanks go to my parents for their steadfast support, which has extended beyond just childcare and now covers pet management. I am also deeply grateful to my sister Jayne for being such a cheerleader for my books and other work. Finally, huge thanks to my wonderful husband for all of his help and encouragement, and to my daughter for asking questions to which I rarely know the answer.
Author’s note
As with the first two books of this trilogy, my narrative is based upon real events and characters. I have stayed as close to the known facts as possible, weaving in quotes from original sources where appropriate.
The last ten years of James I’s reign were just as turbulent as those that had gone before. Although there was no repeat of the Gunpowder Plot or anything on that scale, the Catholic threat remained very real. The legislation introduced after 1605 had driven most Catholics underground but their networks were still strong. The prospect that Arbella Stuart might make fresh trouble, even from the Tower, remained potent until it was finally extinguished by her death in September 1615. She and her husband, William Seymour, had never seen each other again after he had fled to exile in Flanders four years earlier. He eventually returned to England and became a prominent opponent to James’s son and successor, Charles.
International relations became increasingly fraught after 1619, when James’s daughter Elizabeth and her husband Frederick, the Elector Palatine, rashly accepted the offer of the Bohemian crown. A league of Catholic forces, including those supplied by the King of Spain, was soon ranged against them. This put James in the difficult position of deciding between family loyalty and maintaining his fragile alliance with one of the most powerful monarchs in Europe.
Burdened by the cares of state and suffering from increasingly frequent bouts of ill health, James spent ever more time away from court on hunting expeditions or in the company of his favourites. Foremost among these was George Villiers, later Duke of Buckingham. My characterisation of him is inspired by contemporary descriptions. One of the most charismatic, sexually promiscuous and ruthless men of the age, his villainy was more real than imagined.
The second son of a sheep farmer and his beautiful but penniless wife Mary (with whom Buckingham had a close but stormy relationship), Buckingham enjoyed a meteoric rise to fortune thanks to the patronage of Sir John Graham, a gentleman of the King’s privy chamber. Upon being introduced to the King at Apethorpe in August 1614, he made an immediate impression. Soon after their first meeting, James appointed Buckingham his cupbearer, which gave the new favourite frequent access to the royal presence. In April 1615, he was made gentleman of the bedchamber, knighted and