King George II’s Conspiracy

Chapter I. King George II’s Conspiracy Windsor Castle Hunting Preserves – October 15th, 1741 Windsor Castle, located in Berkshire County England is the oldest, largest royal residence in the world. It was built in 11th century soon after William the Conqueror invaded the British Isles. Some 700 years later the Age of Enlightenment was in full flower. In these times, King George Augustus II of Great Britain was planning to expand his global dominance. Along the River Thames several waterfowl preserves were located between London and Oxford. .Naturally, Britain’s forests and fields were well-stocked with red deer, wild boar and mountain goats. The Atlantic waters held a vast variety of fish. It was a crisp, pleasant Sunday, October 15, 1741. A perfect day to hunt. King George was hosting his close Arabian friend. Admiral “Haj” Perez. The royal diplomat from Casablanca, he had been Ambassador to the British Empire for twenty years. These two men were more than formal dignitaries. They enjoyed a deep abiding friendship throughout those decades. Their personal interests forged their bond. Drinking, feasting, boasting, gambling & whoring... Not to forget the thrills and fortunes of conquest. War, invasion, betrayal & thievery were the business rules of the Georgian Era. Pirates of those times were far more numerous & organized than the noble class. These were the days of The Austrian Succession. Dark clouds of war were rumbling on Central European horizons. King George II and Haj Perez came together at least four times each year. Their business interests were tightly intertwined. Primary interests were continous shipments of opium, hashish, gems, gold and slaves. The main imports came from Africa, Arabia and India. Distribution of these products were heavily controlled by the British freebooters. The 18th century was the Era of Global War. Every country and continent was at war with someone. The major sea lanes had been discovered. The prime ports had been constructed. -1- -2- Formal territories had been established. Political alliances had been ratified. Successful pirates were being knighted. That tradition had begun with buccaneer-lords Sir Francis Drake, Lord Henry Morgan and Admiral Hayredden Barbarossa. With the flowering of Enlightenment, women realized they espoused their own thoughts. They openly voiced their own opinions. They gathered in coffee houses and attics with openminded philosophers. Religious leaders & noblemen hated the principles of Enlightenment. The reason for Haj Perez to visit “Augie” (George) this time, had to do with business interests. George’s reason to welcome Haj concerned conducting war against those Catholic nations who would usurp the Protestine controlled Austrian Republic. For the sake of his guest, George skipped church at Westminster Abbey that morning. They breakfasted on duck egg and cheddar omelets, slices of ham, buttered scones, apple jam and tea. Their destination this day were the wild bird preserves. With a retinue of six guards, four servants and two English setters, the noblemen rode along the Thames riverbanks. The retinue turned onto a horse path that led to the preserves. The air was filled with the squawking of the birds. After bagging two turkeys and four quail, they rode to Augie’s hunting lodge for lunch and a discussion. They discussed Augie’s Austrian War. “I’ve heard tales of this conflict regarding Maria Theresa’s legitimacy as Empress.” Haj remarked. “We didn’t realize that scuffle would escalate into a full-scale war!” “Who should govern has been in contention since Emperor Charles VI passed. He left all his titles to Maria Theresa when he died. Then, by Jove! Frederick William I died in Prussia! Maria’s the only legitimate heir! Yet Salic Laws claim women can’t inherit an Emper’s throne!.” “Aiee!” Haj exclaimed. “Who is in control then?” “No nation knows!” George sighred. “France, Bavaria and Poland are allied. They want Spain, Portugal and Italy to join them! Britain, Germany and the Dutch Republic are in opposition. We are Protestant! France, Spain and Italy are Catholic! We British are fighting wars in the Americas with France and Spain! We have uprisings in our Bombay, Asian and Caribbean Colonies! I didn’t want this war! But fight we must!” “What can the Arabians do?” Raj scowled. “We’re remote from Europe’s wars!” “For the moment maybe...” George countered. “But springtime opens the sea lanes.” “I know that!” Haj agreed. “We’re already preparing for our slave and drug markets.” “Think how badly the Austrian War will affects Mediterrean trade routes! At least a dozen countries are involved in the conflict! Expect a serious blockades north of Gibralter!” “Then I ask you again...” Haj asked patiently. “What would you have us do?” “We must prevent Spain from joining the French and their allies!” Augie vowed. “Why is that my friend?” Haj queried. “Portuguese and Italians wouldn’t dare unite with the French... Theywon’t fight without General del la Vega to lead them!” Augie shook his head. “Serious problems in Spain! King Felipe is a madman... He screams at ghosts! He babbles with imaginary people during council meetings! What should Fernando do? Engage in a war with the mad king?” “Ah! I see!!” Haj exclaimed. “I know Ferdinand has a nickname. El Rojo Toro! To stop El Rojo stops he Catholics from winning. Right?” Haj assumed. “You have said it!” Augie sighed. “I’m planning another means to distract General Fernando from commanding in this war. He has a daughter. She is Marquessa Isabella de la Vega. I am told she is an astounding beauty. Sh ’s well-educated, headstrong and independent. I’m told she’s a prize worthy of marriage to a powerful king, sultan or emperor.” “I don’t understand!” Haj frowned. -3- “She’s a treasure of great value to Fernando!” Augie insisted. “An interesting fact, perhaps.” Haj shrugged. “But I don’t see how Fernando’s trophy daughter has anything to do with the Austrian War!” “As a precaution, Fernando sent Isabella away from Spain.” Augie explained. “We’re not totally certain, but likely that lady is hiding in Ireland! The Irish Fobhealach joined the Holy Roman Empire during the Spanish Secession. Ireland’s an ideal place to harbor fugitives!” “Ahh! I’m getting the picture you paint Augie!” He gave the King a crafty smirk. “If she were kidnapped, she’d be a serious bargaining chip to Fernando from the war... Is that so? “You’ve read my mind completely!” Augie clapped his hands. “The word gets around... We’ll have another force to blame... The Arabs! Do you see? The strategy is confusion. . We capture Isabella. We transport her to General Frederick II of Prussia! There’s a serious military leader! He’s winning the Austrian War! Frederick’s a devout Protestant! Marie’s a devout Catholic! These are legitimate leaders of the Austrian Republic. She’s of Hapsburg blood! Frederick’s the Prussian king! These two leaders are already at war! Perfect Solution!” “You wish the Maghreb Council to bring Arabian troops to invade the British Isles?” Haj was visibly exited. “What a bold maneuver!” “We send a small squad of Arab invaders to kidnap one Spanish woman from the Irish Underground!” George reasoned. “That won’t cause a ripple in the midst of a British war.. “Should this cause Fernando to reject the Austrian War while we hold his daughter hostage? Hmm?”” “We have a squad suitable for such an invasion.” Haj murmered softly. “They are a despicable sect of Muslim culture, but they are effective. Very deadly! “We don’t want to kill Isabella merely kidnap her.” Augie cautioned. “They are Muslim mercenaries.” Haj explained. “They do as they are told!” “This will be expensive!” Augie shrugged. Do you recommend? Bedouins?” “Nay! Thuggees! Followers of Ismali!” Haj told him. “Trained to kill Infidels!” “Infidels?” “Non-believers of Muslim faith.” Haj answered. “They are experts at climbing walls, killing silently, then disappearing like smoke... I hear your warning about harming Isabella. You say she is beautifuly? Frederick would be delighted to have Isabella as his prize war possion!” “Zounds! You are a brilliant strategist, Haj!” Augie crowed. “Frederick II is a bold leader. He’s provides his skills and winning!” Haj reasoned. This is a sound plan, Augie!” Haj yawned and stretched. “But I grow tired, my friend. Let’s return to Windsor for a refreshing bath and nap before tea time, say?” “Capital thought!” George told his servants and guards to prepare for departure. * * * It was nearly 4:00 PM when Haj joined George in the tearoom. The sculpted ceiling was thirty feet high, embossed with gold chandeliers. The tables were polished mahogany. Couches & chairs were red taffeta trimmed with gold. The servants were dressed in red swallowtail coats, gold satin knickers, white puffed-sleeved blouses and black patin leather gold buckled pumps. King George and Haj Perez were the only diners in the room.Food selections sizzled in bronze chafing dishes. Haj gazed at the array of foods and rubbed his hands with delight. “I swear you feed me a like I’m a hippo, Augie!” Haj scolded. “Gluttony looks grand on you, old chap!” George quipped. “Fit as a ferret, slim as a snake! “Broiled rabbit legs? Really!” Haj raised an eyebrow and shook his head. -4- “Our cooks overdid themselves I’d say...” George smiled. Save room for our wild birds.We’ll dine around eight after our massage!” “You do spoil me when I visit!” Haj chided his friend. “Shame on you!” The footmen began serving the aristocrats whilst they chatted and sipped liquors & tea. “You came to discuss our business while you are here.” George ventured. “Of course!” “You’re staying with us a week, I’m hoping? I have some new business for you!” “We discussed your Austrian War and the kidnapping...” Haj responded. “An exciting adventure! Possible solution to Arabia’s problem. Our slave population... Their women are having too many babies!” The Admiral sighed. “Can you imagine? No wars for years! “Not enough men on the battlefield I daresay!” George chortled. “We cull excessive populations with war! Haj agreed. “We must make alliance with a country who’s at war.” “Perhaps like Great Britain?” Augie wooed. “Most powerful Empire on earth? Morocco, who has too many slaves? George mused. “? Ohh! Try these rabbit legs! Simply scrumptious!” “Footman!” Haj beckoned. “I’ll have Beaujolais with my rabbit legs! May I continue?” “Please do!” Augie took a bite of the mince pie and followed it with a quaff of stout. “Britain’s already in alliance with the Maghred Coalition. Here’s my thought...We headquarter our global slave trade and other Moroccan products in Ireland!” “What say you?” Quite startled, George stopped eating for a moment. “Approach this from another angle...” Haj told him. “I’m searching for the most powerful pirate on the Mediterrean... He’s extremely evasive! A difficult man to find! He once was Prince Elias of Bahrain. He’s now called Haydar Nabil, the notorious Red Shiek!” “He’s alive and real?” George raised his brows. “Thought he was a legend like Barbarossa!” “He’s very much alive!” Haj assured him. “He’s not visited Casablanca as yet. Now I shall put more effort into finding him!” “What have you in mind for this pirate, Haj?” “Haydar runs a pirate fleet. Arabians love him! He trades fair with Arabs and attacks Europeans.They call him Lord of the Mediterranean. “In that case make him a privateer and give him a rank of nobility!” “Of course!” Haj nodded. “What do you think about Ireland as our International Slave Trading Center in Ireland?” “All of Ireland?” George Augustus threw his head back. He roared with laughter. “I’ve wanted to discover an untimate solution to solve our Irish Question! What the hell shall we do with all these bloody Gaelics?” * * * * * * * * * *

Next Chapter: Life of Hadar Nabil