Privy Seal: His Last Venture
by Ford Madox Ford (1873–1939)
- Free to read
- 4 hours to read
- 16 chapters
- Reading level: 6th grade
"Privy Seal: His Last Venture" by Ford Madox Ford is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative takes place against the backdrop of the political machinations of Tudor England, revolving around the character of Magister Udal, a learned scholar caught in the intrigues of King Henry VIII's court and the dangerous politics surrounding the King’s relationships and reign. The book vividly engages with themes of loyalty, ambition, and the turbulence of love and desire within a historical context. The opening of the novel introduces Magister Udal, who is stationed in Paris to handle correspondence for King Henry VIII and navigate the complexities of court politics. He grapples with the allure of women, including his current innkeeper, the Widow Annot, while preparing for his return to England amidst rising tensions and impending political changes. As Udal contemplates his romantic entanglements, his thoughts are woven into discussions about his duties, aspirations to climb the social ladder, and newly emerging political alliances, particularly concerning the ambitious Katharine Howard. This sets the stage for a rich exploration of personal and political dynamics in a vividly depicted historical landscape.
- Biographical fiction
- Catharine Howard, Queen, consort of Henry VIII, King of England, -1542
- Queens · Great Britain
Read the opening
Chapter I
THE RISING SUN
The Magister Udal sat in the room of his inn in Paris, where customarily the King of France lodged such envoys as came at his expense. He had been sent there to Latinise the letters that passed between Sir Thomas Wyatt and the King's Ministers of France, for he was esteemed the most learned man in these islands. He had groaned much at being sent there, for he must leave in England so many loves—the great, blonde Margot Poins, that was maid to Katharine Howard; the tall, swaying Katharine Howard herself; Judge Cantre's wife that had fed him well; and two other women, with all of whom he had succeeded easily or succeeded in no wise at all. But the mission was so well paid—with as many crowns the day as he had had groats for teaching the Lady Mary of England—that fain he had been to go. Moreover, it was by way of being a favour of Privy Seal's. The magister had written for him a play in English; the rich post was the reward—and it was an ill thing, a thing the magister dreaded, to refuse the favours of Privy Seal. He consoled himself with the thought that the writing of letters in Latin might wash from his mouth the savour of the play he had written in the vulgar tongue.
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About this edition
This free edition of Privy Seal: His Last Venture by Ford Madox Ford comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #26698, released 2008-09-24. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Historical Novels, Novels, British Literature.
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