License to Quill by Jacopo della Quercia Read Free Book Online

Elizabeth.
    Although the rebellion was crushed and the guilty parties arrested, the conspirators revealed under torture how they plotted to use Richard II and its deposition scene to turn the public against the Crown. Since Shakespeare was Walsingham’s chief informant in London’s theatrical circles, his decision to stage the play meant the English government had inadvertently financed and participated in an coup attempt against their own queen. The disaster may have unmasked the Earl of Essex as a traitor, but that did not absolve Shakespeare or his actors from the parts they played in this drama. The bard was immediately stripped of his status as an informant, his stipend was revoked, and for four terrible nights, he and all his actors were taken to the Tower of London for questioning.
    Although everyone at the Globe Theatre was cleared of wrongdoing, the bard’s error proved fatal for his relationship with Thomas Walsingham. The two had not seen each other since February 24, 1601: the night before the Earl of Essex was beheaded for treason. As a final punishment for their unique role in the coup, Queen Elizabeth ordered Shakespeare and his troupe to perform Richard II in a private show for her, in its entirety, including its infamous deposition scene. It was a terrifying experience, a sick charade concocted by shadowy figures like Walsingham and acted out by trembling players convinced they might be killed where they stood. When the accursed exhibit was over, the ailing Elizabeth rose from her royal chair, declared, “I am Richard II. Know ye not that?” and sent the men on their way. As Shakespeare locked eyes with his former friend and master, two of his actors fainted from the ordeal.
    That was three years ago. Three years later in this darkened room on Seething Lane, Thomas had the same look on his face as he shook his head at the playwright. “Do you honestly think you can come back here and use a chance encounter as your redemption?”
    â€œI am not seeking a reward,” Shakespeare clarified in an angered tone.
    â€œYes, you are. I know you well enough to know your motives, Will, and whatever brought you here today was most certainly not love of country.”
    â€œThe Globe Theatre is my country,” the bard affirmed. “And my fellow actors are my countrymen. I will defend them with my life.”
    â€œAs passionately as you defend your work?” Walsingham pointed with his pipe. “As passionately as your pride nearly destroyed this whole kingdom, including you, me, and all your precious actors? I doubt it. Much as I doubt your beloved ‘countrymen’ share the same love for you after your arrogance nearly resulted in their incarceration and execution for high treason. Was that truly noble of you? Was it worth risking their lives without their consent or knowledge just so you could preserve a few extra lines in some silly play?”
    The bard was silent.
    Walsingham rose from his desk and marched straight up to Shakespeare. “In all my years of service, I’ve never encountered an enigma as impossible as you are. You possess such remarkable faculties for understanding history’s greatest villains, yet you are wholly incompetent at understanding your own allies. What do you think keeps these unruly isles afloat, William? Our king? You know better than most people how easily kings and queens can be deposed. Our faith? As far as I’m concerned, all the gods, new and old, are as dead as King Henry’s six wives. Nay, William. The only thing keeping this kingdom together is what goes on in this room: everything my late cousin started and everything men like you and I have continued. You know the types of reports I receive every day.” The spy-chief seized a fistful of letters and crumpled them in Shakespeare’s face. “Every Catholic kingdom in Europe is plotting this country’s demise! You and I are standing at the brink of