In this novel Michael Dean shows once more that he is a master in blending fact with fiction and so brings us closer to historical figures.
Whereas Diamond in the Dust, first novel in the trilogy The Stuarts: Love, Art and War, was essentially Charles and Henrietta's love story, The King's Art, delves deeper into Charles's relationships with the artists that surround him and his stubborn nature that makes him clash with his political enemies.
The King's Art puts the reader right in the middle of the 17th century and shows artists from all over Europe flocking to the court of Charles I in hope of lucrative assignments.
The relationship between Charles and his artists is often very personal as shown in this passage about meeting Anthony van Dyck:
But what pleased Charles most, and he even acknowledged it to himself in a rare moment of self-awareness, was the painter's size, or rather lack of it. He knew that van Dyck was exactly the same age as he was, but he was also exactly the same size. That is to say equally diminutive and if anything even slighter in build.
The arts had invaded all parts of society. Even William Cavendish, the future Duke of Newcastle, and commander of the King's troops, was a poet and proud to be the author of two plays that had been staged at Blackfriars theatre.
The elaborate masques and political point scoring are wonderfully portrayed and the way in which the puritan opposition grows is fascinating.
In double quick time, his pen driven by fury at the Puritan destroyers, James Shirley wrote a piece celebrating Charles and Henrietta's reign; a time of peace, prosperity, stability and flowering culture. Not to mention the growth in England's reputation in Europe to a first rank power. It was designed as part of a procession, culminating with scenes on stage. A blend of masque and play; Shirley entitled it The Triumph of Peace.
But is this how it all ends?
Next day, Charles, with cropped hair, dressed as a serving man in a plain black suit, rode over Magdalen Bridge and up Headington Hill with Henry Firebrace. There was no other escort, just two lone horsemen. They left Oxford by the East Gate at three in the morning, heading north, making for the Scots camp at Southwell to surrender.
As they left, a passer-by recognised Henry Firebrace and called a greeting by name. 'Farewell Harry!' The passer-by did not recognise Charles.
- ISBN13 9781907320880
- Publish Date 9 May 2024
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Holland Park Press
- Format Paperback
- Pages 230
- Language English